Life and Character of Gerhard Tersteegen with Selections from His Letters and Writings (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ...tread in this or that difficult path, I know it will be impossible for me to bear it." Ah, my friends do not torment yourselves with unavailing care and sorrow. Trust in love, that it will impel you to the cross, and through the cross--I mean, be without carefulness concerning the future. Love distributes afflictions wisely; she understands it better than we. As long as we remain little weak children, she will not impose any heavy burden upon us. But whatever we may have to suffer at the moment, we ought to receive as coming directly from the hand of the love of Christ, and not as from any particular individual. When Christ suffered, he did not regard his sufferings as proceeding from the Jews, the Pharisees, or from Pilate; but as coming directly from his Father's hand, saying, "The cup that my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" Therefore do not think so much of the affliction, as of him that sends it. If the case be thus, my friend--if thou believest that it is Christ himself who sends thee any particular affliction, O how precious, how estimable and lovely ought every thing to be to thee, that proceeds from a hand so dear Think how much he has suffered for thee; wilt thounot therefore endure a light affliction to please him? Think not so much of affliction, as of the love of Christ. Love him and thou wilt be able to endure all things. What cannot love do? What have so many thousand martyrs and numberless other holy souls endured, and were enabled to endure, solely because they were constrained to it by the love of Christ The love of Christ imparts a growing willingness to suffer, and secretly keeps the soul as if nailed to the cross; so that frequently when the individual is in painful situations, he would not descend from the...