John Wilbur
I may well say, that they have been written in the feeling of that love which knoweth no bounds; and which hath for its object the true happiness and salvation of all; desiring that, as I have written them in simplicity and tenderness of spirit, thou wouldst permit them to receive a portion of thy consideration.
Hence this arch-pretender, finding himself forever defeated by the power and interminable decree of God, was excited to the highest pitch of hatred and malice, and seeing he was now forever expelled from the glories above, would seek to obtain for himself some other place and kingdom where to rule.
He was dead also as it regards a sense of goodness; for his feelings were now so perverted, that they led him to consider God, who was truly his all beneficent Father, to be his enemy; he himself having now become the subject of another kingdom.
But O! that the spirit and power of the gospel may never give place to profession and form, however garnished and glowing that form or profession may appear.
As a small leak, if suffered to continue, will sink a ship, however good and richly laden, and as a small breach in the enclosure of the vineyard, however fruitful, will let in the devourer, so I believe if this testimony, (however small any may deem it,) should be abandoned, it would greatly endanger our safety.