Divine contemplations, and spiritual breathings of Mr. Henry Dorney

1662. To S. H. N^o 69.

I Know you yearn after the same Country which I have some hope (through the Riches of that

Bounty that has appeared from Heaven to Men) to see; and when the Groans here below are over, to breath forth Blessing, Honour, and Praise to him who, I trust, has loved us both, and washed us in his own Blood; and I have some ground to hope the number there will be one the more for your company. Only spend your love upon him, your delight in him, your desires after him and every part of his Will; as well to carry the Cross as wear the Crown, for both are privileges. When your heart is opprest with sin or trouble, then think, Oh how free is he from sin, who sits Conqueror at the Right Hand of God, as my Advocate, Surety, Redeemer; yea, my principal self; whose I am by his Redem∣ption, more than I am mine own. Sins, evil thoughts, Heart-lusts, dispondency of Spirit shall not always teare and torment; for he has judged them in his Flesh upon the Tree, and is risen on our behalf. I could write a Volume, had I words and time, of the terrible Inroads which the Enemy, especially my own corrupt heart, makes upon me; but I doubt not, you know the same Warfare. What remains, but that with Faith, Hope, and Patience we cry out, How long, Lord, holy and true; how long ere the Canaanite be expelled, and these Thorns in our Flesh be consumed for ever? Oh what pure and uninterrupted Communion with Christ will that be, when nei∣ther sin within, nor troubles and fears without shall gaul any more; when Melancholy, Doubts and Uu∣belief, as a black Cloud, shall be dispelled, and dri∣ed up for ever before the sparkling face ef the Sun of Righteousness, solemnizing the Marriage of his Spouse. We have no Oratory that can out-pass what he has already uttered concerning this, and his words are not vain, though ours are many times too too chaffy

about these things, the more is the pity it should be so. When he says, Sin shall not have Dominion over you: I will circumcise your hearts to love me: I will re∣deem Jacob out of all his trouble: I will be with you, and deliver you, his words are all true; but our little exercise of Faith is either like a weak handed Gripe, or a leaky Vessel; yet our Faith it self is in his keep∣ing, and his Intercession is incessant; and therefore it cannot utterly fail. Dear Sister, wait on him, pluck up your Soul to the business; your labour will not be in vain, nor any unfaigned desire after him return disappointed and ashamed. Throw Husband, Child, and self upon him, into his Bosom; and there lodge together by Faith, in the Joy of the Ho∣ly Ghost, and so take your rest: I mean a labori∣ous, and yet a sweet Rest; for He gives his Beloved Sleep. His own Concernments are mixt in ours; though his own are chief in his eye, yet he can look upon them without beholding ours; for the Cove∣nant is made, and the Blood that concerns it is al∣ready shed, and fully accepted; the Redemption compleat, and the Lord's portion and delight is his People. So that he (as it were, if I may say (as it were) in so true and real a business) raiseth in him∣self an endless delight, by loving his ransomed Seed, and in dressing them according to his own heart, and shedding out a measure of that Love into their hearts also, for carrying on a Spirit of Conjugal Affection in the Souls of his People towards him now; till the shadows slee away, and we come to know him, as we are known of him; and so love him without interruption, as we are loved of him. Is the day near when a thousand fold more of this will really appear than words can utter? For who can speak how much there lies in God's Purpose; yea, in his

very heart, to do for them for whom he died, bought so dear, and rescued with so high a hand? Deut. 10. 15. How then should we look out to awaken our faith, and lift up our heads, because our Redeemer is alive and risen, and our safety is in him? Oh that my own heart and yours were more warmed in such a view. I have no more but to recommend you to the Bosom of him who is the God of all Grace, Pi∣ty, Power and Consolation. Yours in the hope of this saving Health and Relief, &c.