MR. TANNER'S LETTERS. [The Editor has selected a few of MR. TANNER'S Letters, the copies of which he found amongst his papers, as furnishing some further views of his private life and character.] TO A MINISTER. DEAR BROTHER, Exon, Dec. 23, 1778. YOURS I received six days after date; and indeed you were right in your conjectures, for we were greatly concerned for you. The wa ters here being exceeding high, by which the banks near my house have received much damage. But through a kind Providence, my life, and the life of all my family, is preserved. You may remember you left Exeter on the 1st instant; on the morrow a man and horse came to fetch me to Poil; I thought if God called,' and gave me both will and power, I ought to obey, and with a cheerful heart sat out. I cannot remember that in all my life, I ever rode so far in such weather; twelve miles in exceeding high winds, and excessive hard rains all the way, and the roads surprisingly deep. It rained all that night; and next morning I was obliged to ride miles out of my way, to escape the deep waters. Coming home next day, when I came in St. Thomas's Street, the water was two feet deep in the houses, my horse up to his belly, to carry me to the garden the back way, and from thence to the field behind my house; so with great difficulty, through great mercy, I got safe home, and lisped out my poor thanksgivings to my God and Saviour for journeying mercies. My Prayer-hearing Jehovah, heard my broken petitions, and abated the waters; but still they overflowed the banks in the field above my house. In the evening I went out; I thought I might go through in my boots to preach at Tabernacle; but my eternal Father had a longer life, and more work yet for me to do. Not being able to see what was done by this inundation till the next morning, I went back, otherwise I should be above writing this narrative to my friend. But when I saw next morning all the path but one foot gone into the river, and if I had gone a few feet farther forward, I must have plunged myself into the deep and rapid river, and into eternity, my blood curdled as it were in my veins, and I was constrained to praise the glorious Trinity. And here I am yet, in this old, ragged, walking tenement, to give my friend the relation. I cannot enlarge; but all my family, with all the church who know of my writing, send their best respects; and assure yourself, I am yours, most affectionately, in a precious Christ, HENRY TANNER. DEAR BROTHER, No. II. TO A FRIEND. Exon, May 9, 1778. COME hither, my dear brother, with me a few moments from these plains of Moab, unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah; and let us but view the land; the view is pleasing- What a soul reviving breeze; what fragrancies it brings with it; surely it ravishes every sense; how healthy it makes the soul; strong in faith to give glory to God! Let us dwell much in this contemplation. Oh! what delightful fruit is this which the spies bring us: a cluster of grapes; surely each grape contains delicious wine. The precious promises are hereby typified. Oh! how full of consolation to the soul is every promise, while it is yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to every believer! The pomegranate is full of juice and seeds, representing the everlasting Gospel, which is full of light and life to the believing soul! Oh, how incarnate love exhilirates the soul, and makes it rejoice in the Lord always! The believing soul in the seeds of the pomegranate, secs every benevolent act of Jehovah to the soul, in pardon, peace, in justification; freedom from law, sin, death, and hell! In sanctification, purity of nature, and holiness of life; yea, even the image of God stamped on the soul:---in redemption, a price immense; blood immaculate; whereby the soul is released from every slavish fear, and brought into the perfect liberty of the sons of light. There are many, my dear brother, who bring an ill report against the good land: they say it is not attainable, because the city is impregnable, and the inhabitants too mighty for us. Indeed if we look no farther than the strength of a fallen creature; it is so: but the strength of Jacob is the mighty God; and every believer is, in the act of faith, strong In the Lord, and in the power of his might; "And if God is for us, who then can be against us." And it is an undeniable truth, that he will never leave nor forsake one of his. The eternal Son of God in human nature has ransomed them by giving his own life a ransom for them. And now Christ wills it, that where he is, all his redeemed, called, and justified ones, shall be to behold his glory. Now if my brother and I can but prove our calling, then our election is sure; and being thus ingrafted into Christ, our covenant head, and eternal vine, through the vital influence we receive from him, we shall shew it in all holy conversation and godliness, and at last attain to the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls in everlasting glory; where I trust to meet my friend and brother, and join in the never ending anthem. Now unto Him who hath loved us, and washed us from all our sins in his own blood: to him with the Father and Eternal Spirit be equal glory, amen. This is, and shall be, the prayers of him, who is Yours most affectionately, In the everlasting covenant, HENRY TANNER. |