A black hellish brand plucked
from the burning from the letters of John Berridge 1716 to 1793
read by Christopher Glynn I sometimes hope at the closing
hour, when I shall exchange worlds, that Jesus will help me lay hold
of every sinful serpent that has long twisted around my soul
and keeps me company all my pilgrimage, and enable me, by the hand of
faith, to hold them up, crying out, Behold the heads of traitors,
which shall never come to life again. Oh, what a joyful shout
I shall give when I shall feel these vermin drop off. At times
I am ready to hope the gloomy territories of the grave are
almost ready for me, that I may lay down this body of sin upon
the block for everlasting execution. Oh, when shall these clogs and
fetters be knocked off, and the dark gloomy walks of this valley
of tears be turned into bright and peaceful realms? Alas, What
is such a depraved, polluted, and corrupted miscreant as I
to reckon upon? Why should mercy and grace be
exerted in my salvation, but free, rich, sovereign grace? This will be the topic of the
eternal songs of redeemed souls. The theme of my song will be
grace, grace, if ever I reach the heights of Zion. As I have
experienced some special advantage from the study of the old man
and all his cursed artillery, with the powers of the infernal
kingdom and this world, with all its bewitching sweets, I
would earnestly recommend soul study, wiles of the devil study,
and the snares of the world study to every Christian friend. Commune
with your own heart daily, beware of Satan's devices, and be ever
on the watch lest you enter into temptation, for though the spirit
may be willing, the flesh is weak. When I get to heaven, I
shall be truly a wonder there. I shall be as an eternal monument
set up to the honor of divine grace, and the inscription upon
me will be this, a black hellish brand plucked from the burning
and now made, through God's sovereign mercy, a pillar to stand forever
in the temple of God.