Divine contemplations, and spiritual breathings of Mr. Henry Dorney

1658. To D. H. N^o 34.

SUch is our bodily condition, that we cannot make up these distances, without the intervening of Letters or Friends; but that Communion which, I trust, we have mutually (though under much dark∣ness) with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit of Grace, needs no such helps. I trust, our Prayers meet at a shorter Cut, and that we strive together in the same Faith of the Gospel. It may be you find you have much to do to keep your head above wa∣ter, I find the same; I bear about the same Body of Death, and find the same Contradiction in my corrupt and confused Nature. One Christian seems

to out-run another, till God reveal the mischievous Hell that dwells in our Flesh. Then Paul himself will cry out, O wretched man that I am: and Isaiah, that Evangelical Prophet, be forced to say, All our Righteousness is as filthy Rags. What are our poor glimmerings to the brightness of the Sun of Righte∣ousness? Were there not an equal Relief in the Me∣diator for the youngest and weakest of the Flock, as well as for them who have long travelled in the Profession of Godliness, the Accoutrements of the most experienced Christians would shrivle up, and wither away; and leave nothing behind in the Soul, but such an Out-cry as those, Who shall dwell with ever∣lasting Burnings: but he that dwells in the burning Bush keeps it from consuming. 'Twas only the Like∣ness of the Son of Man that made the three Chil∣dren in Daniel, walk up and down in the Fire, and yet safe from burning. I will be with you, saith God, in the Fire and Water: his Name is Emanuel, God with us: His Covenant is free, the Purpose of Grace wonderful; his good Will ariseth only from him∣self, and will not; cannot change; and therefore the Sons of Jacob are not consumed. We little think oft∣times (in our fear and discouragement) how far our weak Prayers reach; they are like an Arrow gone out of our sight, and we (many times) think them lost and forgot; and consider not that every dry Groan and watery Tear is put into the Bottle, and winds up through the ascending vertue of the Me∣diation of him who is one with the Father, to the Throne of Acceptation. Let us comfort one ano∣ther in this hope, that we may labour, and travel hard, but not faint by the way. I remain yours in the highest Bond, &c.