Reader, This little book is sent forth with much prayer, that the anointing of the Holy Spirit may distill upon your soul in reading it; and that the faithful testimony it bears to the eternal love of God the Father, the redeeming grace of the Lord Jesus, and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit—may be the means of encouragement to many tried and tempted souls. It breathes throughout of a full, free, and unconditional salvation to "the poor and needy."
JESUS, as the Alpha and Omega, was the one theme of the writer. He was as the dew to her soul; she had so beheld His glory, that she could truly say, "You are fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into Your lips." "All Your garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia." "His mouth is most sweet. Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend."
May the savor and fragrance of His precious name be "as ointment poured forth to you.
"Do not grudge to Pick out treasures from an earthen pot."
"They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power."—Psalm 145:11.
"Who has despised the day of small things?" was a question put to the prophet in days of old. And again, to the same prophet, it was declared, "Not by might, nor by power; but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." In blessed keeping with this testimony, the apostle in after days says, "God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and things which are despised has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." We have abundant proofs still that the Lord, in the exercise of His Divine sovereignty, for the display of His own wisdom, does choose and make use of instruments, apparently the most unfit and unseemly, to carry out His own eternal purposes, that glory may redound to His great name.
None who were acquainted with the disposition of RUTH BRYAN, naturally so diffident and retiring, could have supposed there was within her so deep and privileged an insight into God's Word, qualifying her in an eminent degree to impart to her fellow-pilgrims the sweetest and most glowing views of the "truth as it is in Jesus." Taught as she had herself been by the Holy Spirit, in a clear and most experimental way, she was thereby fitted to minister from her own heart to the hearts and consciences of others. Moreover, the scenes of trial and deep soul-exercise through which she was called to pass, from her earliest years, prepared her all the more to "weep with those that weep," and "to rejoice with them that do rejoice."
The subject of this brief sketch was born in London, July 6th, 1805. Her father was at that time engaged in trade, but was soon after providentially called to Nottingham, to preach the everlasting Gospel.
Almost from infancy Ruth became the subject of pious impressions. Her mind opened as it were unconsciously. So gentle was the work of the Spirit in His early operations, that in speaking of it she would say it was like Mark 4:26. The seed had sprung and grown up, she knew not how. Hence the after work and the whole course of her future life was the more conspicuously of God. Without doubt, the very tender way in which the Lord first began to deal with her, tended to produce the like spirit which so specially characterized her daily life. As in her own case, there had been, "first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear;" so she in turn was ready to watch and wait patiently for the buddings and blossomings of grace in others: feeling peculiarly jealous of cutting off any in whom she perceived the faintest breath of spiritual life.
Although her education was adapted to the position she occupied, Ruth had a mind far above the measure of instruction she had received. She possessed a quickness of mental perception, combined with striking originality of thought, which plainly proved her to be a person of no ordinary capacity.
This high order of mind is evinced by her letters and meditations, which are remarkable throughout for clear arrangement of ideas and power of expression. No doubt the lack of intellectual culture, of which she was conscious, led her to depend more entirely upon the teaching of the Spirit of truth, who by His grace developed and matured these His natural gifts. Had it not been so, she might have been more easily drawn aside from the simplicity which is in Christ, by one or other of the many specious devices and ensnarements with which Satan in these last days seeks to entrap unwary souls (2 Tim. 3:1-7).
From early youth, when as yet she "knew not the Lord," Ruth showed great tenderness of conscience, which was observable even in her fellowship with her school-fellows. Among other things, she would shrink from the trifling use of scriptural expressions, while at the same time she tried to influence her companions to do likewise; thereby manifesting the benefit of careful and godly training.
It has been said that hers was emphatically "the life, walk, and triumph of faith." But be it remembered, that this was not the lesson of a day; before such a blessed life could be attained, self must be brought low. The process was a painful one. Many years of darkness were appointed her, during which time she had to wade through deep waters of heart-exercise, while groaning under the bondage of the law. She had occasional gleams of hope, but her usual frame of mind was one of doubt and uncertainty, to which many experienced Christians can bear witness who then knew her. She had not yet learned to follow that wise counsel—
"Pore not on yourself too long, Lest it sink you lower."
The heavy cloud at length passed away; Ruth's jubilee day dawned. After sixteen years of soul anguish, Jesus Himself proclaimed liberty to His captive one. The word of the Lord came expressly to her soul, and she was free indeed (John 8:36). From that happy day of her great deliverance, she may be said never to have become "entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Let it not be thought, however, that her conflicts were over. It was far otherwise. She groaned daily under felt corruptions, and was ofttimes sorely harassed by the enemy; yet was she enabled by precious faith to hold fast the beginning of her "confidence steadfast unto the end." Neither did she rest satisfied with the mere knowledge of her acceptance "in the Beloved." She was ever seeking fresh revelations of His glorious person, and pressing after closer communion with the adorable Trinity; and that with wrestlings and watchings, yes, even with fastings.
We must not pass over the Lord's providential dealings with His child. She had naturally a sensitive and clinging heart, which made home associations very dear; and seemed to unfit her to bear the brunt of the storms which gathered round her path. But He saw it good to sever these earth-born ties, by calling away the beloved parents to whom she was accustomed to look for help and sympathy. Thus was Ruth left "a sparrow alone," to trust in her best Beloved.
From the following pages of her Diary, it will be seen how she was brought sometimes into great straits as regards temporal provision; doubtless, for the trial of her faith. At her mother's death she was left with a small income, which from different causes gradually diminished, so as scarcely to supply her necessary wants. Under these circumstances she did not eat the "bread of idleness," but sought to increase her little store by doing needlework. Yet, in spite of her endeavors, she was often in painful extremities, at which times she indeed proved that "it is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in man." Her expectation was from Him, therefore to Him alone did she confide her pressing needs, carefully keeping them secret, even from those friends who were on terms of the closest fellowship with herself, and who would have esteemed it a privilege to minister to her needs.
On one occasion, when called, like Israel of old, to pass through "a place of straits", such was her importunity, that she spent five hours on her knees, wrestling with the Lord. Like Daniel, she set her "face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications with fasting" (Dan. 9:3). Nor did she wait for Him in vain. He speedily sent the needed help, granting her the very sum for which she had been led to plead. By such deliverances was her faith strengthened, and she was emboldened to flee with every difficulty to the mercy-seat.
But Ruth had other cares than these to occupy her mind, she was far from being engrossed with her own sorrows; for grace had given her—
"A heart at leisure from itself, To soothe and sympathize."
And it was truly her delight to fulfill the apostolic exhortation, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." She was often mourning her unprofitableness, but gladly embraced every opportunity of witnessing for the Lord, or of helping His tried and afflicted people. For many years she had a weekly meeting, for prayer and spiritual communion, in her house. This was frequently felt to be a peculiarly sacred season. And there are some who cannot forget the sweetness and savor of her soul-breathings on those occasions. Her prayers were the pleadings of a child, the solicitations of a friend, the entreaties of a spouse; in a word, it was RUTH over again, coming often "softly," when it was in feeling "midnight" with the soul, laying herself at the feet of the heavenly Boaz; and, in answer to His "Who are you?" exclaiming, "I am Ruth, your handmaid; spread, therefore, your skirt over your handmaid, for you are a near kinsman."
It was, perhaps, more especially to individual cases she was most helpful, both by word and letter. The weak plants in the Lord's vineyard were her special care. She loved to lift up "the bruised reed," nor would she willingly quench "the smoking flax," while she ever sought to direct the eyes of such little ones to the great Burden-Bearer, and to "the word of His testimony." It might be here adduced, as a striking proof of her intimate acquaintance with the deceitful workings of the human heart, that her prayer had often been, that, if blessed to the conversion of any, she might not know it, lest she "should be exalted above measure." It was so. She was not permitted to wear this "crown of rejoicing" here; on which very account, she would sometimes grieve, failing to recognize herein another request granted.
"The happy Gleaner," a name by which she often called herself, was peculiarly exempt from all party spirit. She felt union with all who loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity, but her heart was most closely knit to any in whom she saw His image brightly reflected. She was diligent in attending the means of grace where her lot was cast, having been nourished in "a field which the Lord had blessed;" she scrupled not, however, to glean from other fields any parched ears of corn, which were reached her by the Lord's reapers.
It will be apparent to the readers of these pages, that, as Ruth neared the promised land, her Lord seemed to be ripening her for glory; but it was in "the furnace of affliction" that He continued to try this precious daughter of Zion, "comparable to fine gold." She had for some time discovered symptoms of the painful and lingering disease of cancer, which ultimately caused her death. From feelings of delicacy she forbid to make it known, until the marked progress of her disease made it necessary to have recourse to medical aid. When the tidings of her approaching dissolution were first disclosed, her heart was saddened and depressed. She shrank from the prospect of the sufferings appointed her, and avoided any reference to the subject. But soon she was brought into blessed submission to her Father's will, and enabled to glory in her infirmities, while she lay passive in His hands. At such times she would say she needed no sympathy, it was but the beckoning hand of her Beloved, saying, "Come up hither." From the trying nature of her disease, irritability might have been expected; but no, the power of the indwelling Comforter kept these earthly tempers in abeyance, and the lessons she had so long been learning at the feet of Jesus were now evidenced by the patience and forbearance which characterized this latter stage of her pilgrimage. She could never be persuaded to resort to opiates, even in the most distressing moments, lest she should lose her powers of mind, and consequently her spiritual joys. In this she seemed to have her Lord's example in view, when He refused the vinegar, and rather desired thereby to have personal fellowship with Him, "filling up that which was behind of the afflictions of Christ" in her flesh for His body's sake, the Church.
And now nothing remains, but to tell of the transplanting of this "lily among thorns" from earth's barren waste into the "paradise of God." As in life, so also in death's dark valley, she sought to be alone with Jesus. Hers was not a triumphant death-bed. No excessive joy was manifested there, but a quiet waiting for the Lord's best time to call away her ransomed spirit from the body of its humiliation, to see Him "face to face," whom not having seen she loved. His sweet peace was keeping (garrisoning) her heart; and to the very last she enjoyed blessed communings with her Lord.
On the night before her decease she refused the presence of any friend to watch by her, lest it should disturb this holy converse with the King of saints; but she was overheard pleading with Him, just prior to the shining into her soul of the beams of the eternal day.
Early on the morning of July 27th, 1860, she was found unconscious, and, in less than an hour after, she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, to wake up after His likeness.
Thus have we endeavored to trace the outline of the quiet life of Ruth Bryan, with some of her heart aspirations. It will be perceived she was one of the Lord's favored children, often privileged to walk in His sunshine, and to dwell under His shadow. But be it remembered that the beauty of her character was all of GRACE. Without its wonder-working power, she would have been but a cumberer of the ground, a stone in nature's quarry; but the Lord, in His Divine sovereignty and matchless love, took her from thence, to cleanse, and clothe, and consecrate her for Himself: and, under the hand of the Great Refiner, she was prepared and adorned to take her place among the living stones in His heavenly temple.
This little work is now committed to the care of the heavenly Farmer; who alone can sow the precious seed, and, when sown, is able to give the increase.
"Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty."—Isaiah 33:17
DIARY
1822. Early religious impressions—Mourning over a hard heart—Halting between two opinions—Illness of her father1823. Prayer for sanctified affliction—Father’s death
1829. Self-acquaintance—Commencement of spiritual warfare—Earnest longings after a living faith—Hope springing up
1830. First Lord’s Table—Doubts and uncertainty—Waiting for a sense of pardon—Becomes a Sunday-school teacher
1831. Anxiety about family prayer—Self-mortification hard to bear
1832. Begins the year with an Ebenezer—Visit to Normanton—Cholera at Nottingham
1833. Declining health—Much spiritual darkness and trying Providences—Last illness and death of her uncle
1834. Journey to Birmingham—Looking into self—Consequent depression—Glimpses of the grace of Jesus
1835. Bearing the cross—Deep heart-exercise—Temptation to infidelity
1836. Fervent wrestlings—Distinction between root and fruit
1837. The Scriptures precious—Helps by the way—Lukewarmness lamented
1838. A profitable conversation—After perplexities—A blessed “assurance of faith” given—Sin a burden—Rejoicing—Symptoms of a fatal disease—The world a snare—Felt helplessness
1839. A close walk with God—Bodily weakness—Fresh manifestations and love visits from Jesus—Foretasting glory—Deep sense of sin—The Savior her hiding-place—Living in Christ—The flesh subdued—Fasting and feasting
1840. Renewed dedication of body, soul, and spirit to the Lord—Remembrance of past mercies—Shortcoming—Searchings of heart—Victory through the blood of the Cross
1841. Soul discipline—Diving teaching—Under a cloud—Felt distance from her Lord—Pressing after a life of faith—Restored to communion—Much tried respecting the publication of her letters
1842. Large requests—Perfect freedom—The Proverbs of Solomon full of Christ—Groaning under felt corruptions, yet glorying in the Lord—Financial straits
1843. Earnests of the inheritance—Her watchword, “More of Christ”—His Person unfolded by the Spirit, through the Word—Sorrow and joy—Self-loathing—The fight of faith—The chastening of love—Kissing the rod—Spiritual arithmetic
1844. Risen with Christ—Blessed views, by faith, of a glorious Christ—Feeding upon the Word—Poor and needy—Leaning upon the Beloved—Jesus her daily Sabbath—Still panting after further revelations of His glory
1845. Eternal union with Jesus—Fiery darts of the wicked one—The Precious name of Jesus—Lesson from a spider’s web—Temporal mercies lent by the Lord—Fresh anointings from the Holy One—Singing of mercy and judgment
1846. The illness of her mother—Anxieties and pleadings on her behalf—New discoveries of the beauty of Jesus—Serving Him without fear—Grace abounding—Her mother’s death—A sparrow alone—The Lord also her Comforter
1847. Not alone—Visit to the grave—Communion with glorified saints—Pressing cares—Walks by faith—Timely deliverance—Visits the House of Refuge
1848. Peculiar straits—Looking unto Jesus—Longing for the salvation of souls—A cry from the depths—Feasting at the King’s table—The triumph of faith—Prayer and fasting, with thanksgiving—A great answer—Emboldened to wait upon the Lord—Singing His praise
1849. The Lord’s faithfulness—Temporal and spiritual help bestowed—A visit to Ockbrook—Great weakness of body—Beams of the coming glory—Rejoicing in the great salvation—Laboring in the vineyard—A public fast—Continued trial in temporal matters, yet cleaving to the Lord and to His promises
1850. Christ her all in all—Favored with access to the throne of grace—Blessed fellowship with Jesus—Matlock blessings—Teachings of the Spirit—The spread of Popery
1851. A day of darkness—A “time of refreshing” from the presence of the Lord—Fatigue and sharp conflict—Great Malvern—Journeying mercies—Increasing sufferings, but new songs—A happy Christmas Day
1852. Rumor of a French invasion—Trusting in the Lord—Heart-wanderings—A peculiar trial—Meditations on the Word—A day of humiliation—Friday evening meetings—Prayer to know God’s will in little things
1853. Seeking brighter evidences—Sensible comforts diminished—Faint, yet pursuing—Sojourn in Edinburgh—Feasting in Famine
1854. Yearning over the soul of a sick friend—Good Friday a hallowed season—The mystery of the blessed Trinity unfolded—Lessons from the Scriptures—Thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest—A time of war—Fellowship with Christ in His sufferings
1855. Thoughts upon death—A day of national fast and humiliation—Much exercised about seeking further medical advice—Passion week—A time of Jubilee—Sips from the fountain—A glorious view of a suffering Christ—Resurrection blessedness—Justification by faith—Christmas-eve
1856. A time of temptation—The Bible a wonderful book—Perplexing letters spread before the King—National rejoicings on account of peace restored—The blessings of Calvary—Martha and Mary—A visit to Filey—Self-examination—“The Word made flesh”
1857. The Spirit’s word—Redemption price—Pantings after Jesus—A banquet with the King—The coverings of the tabernacle—A second visit to Filey—Divine love—Watching for the Lord’s hand on the top of Mount Carmel
1858. A New Year’s motto: “Looking unto Jesus”—The Refiner’s work—Longing for the “better land”—The debt paid, and the Church eternally free—The blessedness of union—No birthday portion—The sun in a mist—The furnace
1859. Tribulation—Disease progressing—Death of Mr. T—. Preciousness of the blood of the Lamb—Jesus as the High Priest—Christ delighting in His Church—A feast-day
1860. Much bodily suffering—The enemy harassing—Christ in the types, Psalms, and Prophets—The realization of the presence of Jesus in the furnace—Safe in the Ark—The Lord Almighty for a crown of glory—The last entry
"Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty." Isaiah 33:17
"Throughout her letters, it will be seen that her grand aim was to set forth Christ in His fullness, and to turn the spiritual eye from self and every other object to Him, as the one way to pardon, peace, and holiness."
All spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus, and to be dispensed to the poor and needy
Christ proved to be all-sufficient in near views of eternity, and recommended to seeking soulsThe matchless love of Christ as the Bridegroom
The patience of the heavenly farmer
Earthly things bedimmed by clear views of the glory of Christ
The deceivableness of the form, without the power of godliness
Encouragement to a burdened soul
Counsels how to meet daily cares
The world seen in the light of eternity
Encouragements to venture on Christ
A word of warning against worldly conformity
Victory over SELF by abiding in Christ
A seeking soul encouraged to come to the Lord's Table
Christ the only Physician for a sin-sick soul
A Christmas feast on Christmas-day
To the Dove in the cleft of the Rock
Spiritual Declension (part 1)
Spiritual Declension (part 2)
The blessedness of separation from the world
The fullness of Christ revealed by the Spirit
The triumph of faith over difficulties
The suffering sympathy of Christ
Christ, our substitute, the consolation in time of trial
Written after seeing a microscope
The suitability of Christ to the sinner
The subjugation of self through the cross of Christ
The preciousness of Christ, unfathomable and ever new
The presence of Christ in a time of affliction
The riches of Christ for the poor in spirit
Warnings to an unconverted friend
Warnings to an unconverted friend
Warnings to an unconverted friend
Heart-searching suitable to a birthday
Encouragements to one afar off, to come unto Jesus
The power of the precious blood of Christ
The tenderness of the Good Shepherd
The wounds of sin and the healing power of the good Samaritan
Christ able to save to the uttermost
A harassed soul pointed to the Blood
Submission to the Lord's will under bereavement
The immutability of God's purposes in grace
Mercy for the chief of sinners
Faith overcomes impossibilities
Strength equal to the hour of weakness
Entering into rest by believing
The power of temptation and the arm of deliverance
Jesus the Brother born for adversity
The tried and convinced sinner encouraged
Counsels to a young man entering the ministry
Counsels to a young man entering the ministry
Counsels to a young man entering the ministry
Healing leaves for the sorrows of the way
Comfortable words for a sorrowing spirit
A foretaste of the glory which excels
Christ the Author and Finisher of faith
Glowing anticipations of the joy of heaven
The fresh venture upon Christ of a doubting soul
The faithfulness of our heavenly Boaz towards a heart He is alluring to Himself
The efficacy of the precious blood of Jesus
The Lord's dealings of love and faithfulness
The vicarious sufferings of Christ--the end of the law
Gospel wine to cheer the warrior
The difficulty of total self-surrender
The joy of union and communion with Christ
Deep draughts drawn with joy from the wells of salvation
Counsels to hearken to the voice of the good Shepherd alone
The unchangeableness of Christ in the midst of a changing world
The Lord refreshing His people with the river of His pleasures
Christ worthy of the soul's highest love
The blind led by a way they know not
Deliverance granted IN, not FROM affliction
The happiness of those who endure
The triumphant security of God's people
The Lord's service perfect freedom
Sweet fruit gathered from a bitter root
Christ the portion of His people
Faith's grasp of things unseen
Sweet lessons in the valley of humiliation
“It has been said that hers was emphatically “the life, walk, and triumph of faith.” But be it remembered, that this was not the lesson of a day; before such a blessed life could be attained, self must be brought low. The process was a painful one. Many years of darkness were appointed her, during which time she had to wade through deep waters of heart-exercise, while groaning under the bondage of the law.”
The more I venture—the more He encourages. The bolder I am—the kinder He grows. The more I expect—the more He gives.
I cannot tire or wear Him out, for He is full, yes, fullness of grace, mercy, love, and compassion!
The one-half of His glory has never been expressed by mortal tongue; nor the thousandth part of His ravishments and condescension conceived by those who have not felt them. This, this is my—oh yes! my Beloved—and this is my Friend! Oh, what mercy to have another love-glimpse of Him.
I look at myself with wonder of amazement and overwhelming delight—because a monument of saving, sovereign mercy! Happy! unspeakably happy! Amazing miracle of superabounding love!
Hasten the day when in His full-orbed glory I shall lose my sorrows and my sins forever! I adore and magnify Him for His mercy—amazing mercy—to a vile Magdalene. Hallelujah! Amen!
To E. M. October 31, 1849.
(To be received, "if the Lord wills," on her wedding-day)
"I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord." Hosea 2:19-20
And why does dear sister wish for a line from the humble, unworthy Gleaner, when so many tender sensations will be thrilling round her heart? Is it that she thereby desires to forsake all, (even when her net is drawn to shore right full of mercies, (Luke 5:6-11)) and follow Jesus only? Is it that she longs, on the very day she receives her earthly bridegroom, to give him back to the Lord, and, embracing her heavenly One, to become so absorbed in Him that He shall ever be between her soul and her heart's best earthly love? If thus it be with her, the Gleaner's heart warmly says, Amen! and may the Lord say so too.
Dear Miss —, as you have requested me to send you a line at this season, it would be unseemly in me to withhold it, but I humbly confess that it is not in me to write what you desire. Therefore, let us look up to the dear Testifier of Jesus, that under His Divine anointing our meditation of Him may be sweet.
It is as the heavenly Lover and Bridegroom of His people that we love to think of Him. Oh, what a contrast to the very best earthly husband! They love and choose because of something congenial and pleasing in their wives, and in hope of a faithful return of affection. But He, our wondrous Husband--loved, chose, and determined to betroth and espouse unto Himself, in the certain fore-view of debt, disgrace, and sin; ah! and of unchaste wanderings too, for He says, "Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth." Yet, throughall He loved His people, and from all He has redeemed them with His own precious blood. When His spouse "has played the harlot with many lovers," His marvelous language is, "Return, for I am married unto you," thereby overcoming His faithless one with the very love which she has slighted—a love, indeed, beyond comparison! May its fires afresh be kindled in your soul, that you may now count all things but loss, yes even as rubbish, for the sake of such a Beloved.
Did Jacob serve seven years for his Rachel--by day in the heat, and by night in the frost--and did they seem but as a day unto him--for the love he had to her? Our spiritual Jacob has far exceeded him! He left the throne of His glory for His poor Rachel, and took her humble flesh in the form of a servant; and for her sake served thirty-three years under the Law! He bore the heat of temptation, weariness, and thirst; as well as the cold of reproach and scorn, and the malice of sinners against Himself. This He thought not too much; for when He had finished the work on her behalf, for her He cheerfully entered upon the most bitter part of His sufferings, which made even His mighty heart to shudder with agony, while His dear lips prayed--"O my Father, if it is possible, (with the rescue of my Bride) let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Behold the depth of His unflinching love! The 'cup of curse' must be drunk, or the captive Bride must perish! And so He takes the bitter cup, and does not turn away until every dreg is consumed! And the same sacred lips which emptied it could say in triumph, "It is finished!"
For the joy that was set before Him (of possessing His beloved bride) He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of God, until the blissful consummation before assembled worlds, when it will be joyfully proclaimed, "The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready!"
Then shall the spiritual Jacob and His Rachel meet and embrace, and part no more forever! She awaking up after His likeness, shall be satisfied! And He seeing her in glory, (the very travail of His soul,) shall be satisfied likewise! "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it!" Ephes. 3:17-19
"Haste, blissful dawn of endless day, When sin shall cease, and death shall die, And Christ His glory shall display, And beam upon our longing eye!
"Then, wrapped in everlasting bliss, 'Midst heaven's innumerable throng, His love shall all our powers employ, And be the theme of every song!"
Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! that this most glorious Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, whom angels worship, and before whom the seraphim bow--should from all eternity engage to come and seek His Bride from this poor world, and claim her for His own! Yet so it is!
But she is filthy and polluted! (Ezek. 16:6; Job 15:14-16; Isa. 64:6) Then His own precious veins shall pour forth the rich crimson flood to cleanse her, (Rev. 1:5) and His Spirit shall open the fountain to her for her sin and uncleanness. (Zech. 13:1)
But she is naked and bare! (Ezek. 16:22) Then He will cast His skirt over her, (Ezek. 16:8) and will for her, weave in the loom of the Law (Rom. 5:19) fine linen--clean and white--a robe in which she shall be fit to appear at His court. Moreover the Spirit shall bring near the righteousness of Jesus, (Isa. 46:13) clothing her with "the garments of salvation," and covering her with the "robe of righteousness," "as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
But she is diseased! (Isa. 1:5, 6) She is a leper! (Ps. 51:5) Yet will He bring her health and cure, for He says, "I am the Lord who heals you;" and He is actually made to be sin for her, (2 Cor. 5:21) that she might be made "the righteousness of God in Him."
But she has no personal charms—she is ugly! Then He will put His loveliness upon her, and through it her beauty shall be perfect.
But she is poor! So He bestows Himself and His fullness upon her--and thus endows her with unsearchable riches!
But she is unwilling, and has no heart to the match, for she obeys a hostile prince! (Eph. 2:2,3) Her delights, too, are in the world and the flesh. A new heart will He give her, and a right spirit will He put within her. The Holy Spirit shall make her willing in the day of His power. "I will cause you to forget your images of Baal; even their names will no longer be spoken." (Hosea 2:17) So that, prostrate at His feet, she shall say, "Lord, our God, other lords than You have ruled over us, but we remember Your name alone!"
And now that the Spirit has touched her heart, she feels she is diseased, and discovers her filthiness (Rom. 7:8, 9, 18) and nakedness, knows she is ugly and poor, and cannot think the Bridegroom's heart is towards her, or that she can find favor in His eyes. And therefore she cries out, "I am black!" "Behold, I am vile!" My loveliness has turned into corruption! But He overwhelms her by responding, "You are all beautiful, my love, there is no spot in you!"
Then she exclaims, "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame!" He replies, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!"
Now she ventures, with a captivated heart, to declare, "My Beloved is mine, and I am His! He is the chief among ten thousand! He is altogether lovely!"
Thus do the matters of this marvelous betrothment and union go on, "which things the angels desire to look into," and devils desire to defeat. The first desire shall be blessedly gratified; (Eph. 3:10) but the other shall be disappointed, for none shall be able to pluck His beloved one out of His hands; and against her the gates of hell shall never prevail. Praise Him forever for such love as this!
Well may it be asked, Who is this wondrous Beloved, who would go to such depths for His spouse; and on whom the weak one is leaning as she comes up out of the wilderness?
Ah! He is the same who, from all eternity, was the great "I Am!" the mighty God, by whom all things were created, who is before all things, and who holds all things together! It is He who, in the fullness of time, scorned not the lowly Virgin's womb, but became a babe. It is the same glorious Person who was seen coming from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength, who tread the winepress of Almighty wrath alone! It is He whose countenance is as the sun shining in his strength, yet whose "visage was marred more than any man's, and His form more than the sons of men." It is the same glorious Person who is a holy One of the holy ones; and yet "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief!" It is the same glorious Person who is "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners;" and yet "numbered with the transgressors."
Under the weight of sin and its punishment, Jesus agonized in the sacred garden of Gethsemane, and sweat great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Oh, those rich, rich drops from His precious veins! They are of more value than all the gold and gems His hands have made!
This is the matchless Bridegroom of whom we speak--who, on Calvary, was stretched on the accursed tree, and there finished the love-scene of His mystic sufferings!
Come, sit with me a moment beneath the shadow of His cross! Look up, and remember it is your Husband who hangs bleeding there! It is the Bridegroom, in love for the Bride, enduring those unknown pangs! See how His holy flesh is bruised with scourging, and His precious hands and feet pierced with rugged nails! How is His heavenly brow torn with piercing thorns, and His dear side with the cruel spear; each gaping wound proclaiming, "Man is guilty--God is love! But God is justice too!" Oh, see His precious blood trickling down. It flowed forth for sinners like me--like you! Look and wonder! Look and be comforted! Look and adore!
"Here look until love dissolves your heart, And bid each slavish fear depart!"
Say, does not your very soul move towards this glorious Well-Beloved! and will it not join mine in saying—
"Bruised Bridegroom, take us wholly, Take and make us what You will."
O glorious Lord, we worship You! You are fairer than the children of men! Grace is poured into Your lips—
"Your beauties we can never trace Until we behold You face to face."
We love to meditate on Your sufferings, but rejoice that they are over. You have suffered, and you die no more! You have gone to our Father and to Your Father; and we are expecting you to "come again" and receive us unto Yourself, to be with You, and behold Your glory, when, in nobler and sweeter strains we'll sing Your never-dying love, and tell
Your power to save; while with open face and ravished heart--we forever gaze upon Your matchless beauty!
Please, excuse my many words. It is to me a thrilling subject, full of blessedness; and the very writing it has been a lattice through which my precious Beloved has shown Himself. Oh, may He shine on you; and when you give your hand and heart to —, may the Holy Spirit rouse you in powerful enablings to give yourself more fully to Jesus than ever before. I come not to you with worldly compliments; they befit not our holy religion, and the peculiar people of God. But I come with an honest heart, desiring for you both every choice covenant blessing, with the sweetest mercies of the new state upon which you are entering, and that these may be to you but as the shadows of a substance, you, in and through them, coming by the Spirit's power to fuller enjoyment of union and communion with our all-lovely Immanuel, and with the Father in Him. May your union be of the Lord, in the Lord, and for the Lord. May His name be glorified, and Jesus doubly precious to your souls. The theme wants more than an angel's power to tell all its fullness.
Ever yours in Jesus, Ruth.