The Bank of Faith and Works United. by Dorothy Ripley, Citizen of This World, but Going Above to the New Jerusalem
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Library of Congress The bank of faith and works united. By Dorothy Ripley, citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem ... No 207 130060 5158–4 THE BANK OF FAITH AND WORKS UNITED. BY DOROTHY RIPLEY, CITIZEN OF THIS WORLD, BUT GOING ABOVE TO THE NEW JERUSALEM. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 1872 CITY WASHINGTON “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen.”—Heb. xi. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.—xi. 3. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHORESS, BY J. H. CUNNINGHAM, No. 70, South Third-street. 1819. BX 7795 .Rs A3 Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit: BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the 27th day of September, in the forty-fourth year of the independence of SEAL. the United States of America, A. D. 1819, DOROTY RIPLEY, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof she claims as authoress, in the words fbllowing, to wit: The bank of faith and works united. By Dorothy Ripley, citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem ... http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.02771 Library of Congress “ The Bank of Faith and Works United. By Dorothy Ripley, Citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem. ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ’ Heb. xi. ‘ Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God , so that things which are seen were nat made of things which do appear. ’ xi. 3.” In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, entitled “An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;” and also an act entitled, “An Act supplementary to an act entitled, ‘An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,’ and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.” D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. CANDID READERS OF ALL NATIONS, TO you I present those pages, written in simplicity and godly sincerity. For want of time, and cash, they have laid silent six or seven years, although prepared for the press so long since by me: for no one has perused them; neither have I had opportunity, or liberty, till now, to cast a glance over them, for so many years. In those pages are many interesting things, both moral and divine, which may stir up the pure gift of Faith in the reader, who desires to improve, as the Bee that gathers honey from many different flowers, both bitter and sweet. The bank of faith and works united. By Dorothy Ripley, citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem ... http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.02771 Library of Congress My only motive for printing those travels, is to disseminate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and do good among the indigent, where my lot is cast by the Providence of God; as He teaches His children Mercy in all their ways. “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him: for the that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” 4 As I am not a member of any community, no society can answer for my irregular conduct; neither do I wish to apologize to the world for my procedure; as I believe the Lord is my Shepherd, and Bishop of my soul. Duty to my Maker, excites me to faithfulness, knowing that life is the time to work for God; that I may be counted worthy to reign with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in “the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem.” Many saints of God have gone home to Glory, in my day; and I am sure to follow them, continuing “Steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;” for Paul saith, “Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I have been also enabled to pay my own expenses many times, at Inns, by printing, where a door of entrance is not found among the various professing Christians of this day; because evil reports are believed of me sooner than good, owing to the declension that I see among all denominations: for it appears that vital piety is very low, from the spirit of the world which captivates so many professors. It is almost eighteen years since I became a citizen of the world; travelling up and down, here and there, for the benefit of my fellow creatures, whom I feel allied unto by the sacred ties of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, whom I believe is able to save all who will come to Him, and trust in His Redeeming Love and Mercy. 5 The bank of faith and works united. By Dorothy Ripley, citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem ... http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.02771 Library of Congress Forty years have rolled into eternity, since I bore the name of Christian, or in other words, witnessed the remission of sin, through the Name of Jesus: for He hath proved a Sovereign Balm for every wound; a cordial for my fears. Were it possible to settle now, I feel a disposition to indulge my friends, and also free myself from fatigue, and a complicated scene of distress, which I experience in crossing the seas, and going from nation to nation, and cities, towns, and villages around; but my Master Jesus leadeth me forth by the depth of His knowledge, to gather souls for his Kingdom; and who dare to say to Him, What dost Thou ? or, Whither goest Thou ? Into His Hands I commit this work, as well as unto the press; praying that His blessing may crown the same, and send it to the heart of every reader, clothed with divine power. I have already witnessed the liberality of many persons, who have a name among various sects; but, many of those are gone from works to rewards; therefore my gratitude to them is useless in one sense; yet I would not forget their kind treatment, sympathy, love, and mercy, when they found me in a strange land, and imparted to me from the Lord's bounty to them. In crossing the Atlantic seven times, God has been my Supporter, Preserver, and Deliverer, therefore I desire all to follow on to believe in Him, that they may experience A 2 6 His boundless Love also, and know He is their Father by the Spirit of adoption. As many have lent me their helping hand, in the time of extremity, so many have tried to degrade me by propagating falsehoods to my disadvantage: but, I have looked upon them as being duped by satan, and could say with my Master Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!” I sum up the whole by saying, should this be the means of assisting any one to serve the Lord better, give Him the thanks: for He is the guide of my life; and hath directed my pen to speak forth His praise, to honour Him in my day and generation, which is almost The bank of faith and works united. By Dorothy Ripley, citizen of this world, but going above to the New Jerusalem ... http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.02771 Library of Congress past away: for I have dwelt in this state of mutability fifty-two years; and am waiting for my change to come. It is good for me to be here: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” DOROTHY RIPLEY. New York , 18 th of 7 th Month , 1819. THE BANK OF FAITH AND WORKS UNITED. A HYMN FROM MY NATIVITY. BEFORE I was born, my father was priest, And built to Christ Jesus, a house for the least, To worship Jehovah, the True Living God, Who gave us His favour, and Shed forth His Blood, The Fountain is open, for you and for me, That word it is spoken, and always will be, While sinners are living, in flesh on this earth, And Jesus is praying, and giving them birth. My father gave me to his Gracious God, From sin for to save, through His precious Blood, Design'd me a preacher, before I was born, And set me a teacher, to blow David's horn. At two, three years old, I then learnt to say, Being then thus bold, “Lord, teach me to pray;” With tears, and with sighing, again I did come, While Christ I kept eyeing, as there is yet room. Five years rolled o'er, but still I did cry, The Saviour has bore my sins, and did die; Resolv'd to find Jesus, I sought Him around, And hated old Demas, when bow'd on the ground. 8 Eight years pass'd away, no better was I; Then Apollyon did say, I'll fight thee or die; My soul then replied, I will not serve thee; Death, hell, I defied, and Jesus did see; The bank of faith and works united.