Extract from Letter.

(March 20th 1882.)
“WE are both of us at an age when some sort of infirmity may be looked for, and these warnings are intended to be regarded. How thankful I feel that you are quietly resting on that finished work that has been done for us, whose unchanging value gives us such quiet peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I dare say you remember how difficult you found it to realize that salvation is what is done for you, and not done by you; that as Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6) says, ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.’ ‘But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ There was always the idea in us that some preparation, some improvement, some religious advancement, was necessary before we could obtain the benefits of salvation by Christ Jesus. And what an opening of our eyes it is when the truth flashes upon us, Christ died for the ungodly,’ therefore He just suits me. I do not know anything more convincing than the argument of St. Paul in Galatians 2:21,21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21) ‘I do not frustrate’―i.e. make of no avail― ‘the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law’ —i.e., by my doings— ‘then Christ is dead in vain.’ My claim on God is my utter helplessness, or, as the verse has it, ‘without strength.’ It was this that drew forth the Lord’s words in Luke 10:21,21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10:21) ‘And hast revealed them unto babes.’ It is most blessed when we step down out of the class of the wise and prudent and take our place in ‘the infant class’― ‘the no strength people,’ the ungodly and the unrighteous—and ‘drink of the water of life freely’ (Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)), my only claim being that the Spirit calls the thirsty ones.’ It is a wonderful thing that the Bible ends with nothing but the fullest invitations to accept freely God’s great salvation; and the only thing that grieves the heart of God is that, with such a free and willing offer, as He says in Isaiah, ‘Without money and without price,’ man is so unwilling to accept it on God’s terms. ‘Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.’ (Isaiah 45:2222Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22).) And how happy it is that, after He has saved us, He delights to form us for good works. As Ephesians 2:10,10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) where He would have us know that not only is life His gift, but the fruit of life. And how could it be otherwise with those who are ‘His workmanship’? ‘But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the day, and thou our potter; and we are the work of thy hand.’ (Isaiah 64:88But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8).) How, indeed, we shall realize this when we are in heaven!”
C. B.