"Hear my cry, O God..."



“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” -ACTS 4:13 [KJV]


Oh! for the grace to rest upon me, as upon those faithful servants of my Lord; that like them, I may manifest the sweet savour of Jesus’ name in every place; wherever I am, with whomsoever I converse, in every state, and upon every occasion, that all may witness for me, and everything bear witness to me, that I have been with Jesus!

I would entreat Thee, my honoured Lord, that I may honour Thee so before men, that after my morning visits to Thy throne of grace, my mid-day communion, my evening and nightly fellowship, my return to the society of men might so be distinguished as one that had just been with Jesus. And as it might be supposed, if an angel was to come from heaven that had seen Thy face, and heard Thy voice, and been an eye witness of Thy glory; so, Lord, having by faith enjoyed such views, I might delight to tell, as he would relate to the inhabitants of the earth, the grace, and beauty, and love of Jesus.

And surely, Lord, if I have been with Thee, and Thou with me; if I know anything of Thy grace and salvation; will not, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speak? Shall I not delight to tell everyone I meet what my Lord is in Himself, and what He is to His people? Shall I not speak with rapture of the glories of Thy Person, and the infinite value and worth of Thy blood and righteousness? Surely in the circle of my acquaintance, I shall be daily speaking of Thy grace and salvation, for I know no end thereof. And especially in a day like the present, where the name of my Lord and His cross are banished from all conversation. Oh! that it may be shown that I have been with Jesus, in speaking for Jesus.

Yes! Thou dear Lord! Thy truths I would espouse, Thy doctrines profess, salvation alone by Thy righteousness and cross would I bear before a whole world, with earnestness and with zeal; and if this brought upon me the laugh and derision, yea, the persecution of the proud; like Thy servants of old, “I would rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer shame for Thy name.” And chiefly, and above all, let it not only be noticed that I have been with Jesus, in speaking of Christ and for Christ; but let the sweet unction of Thy Holy Spirit be so abiding upon me, from continual intercourse and communion with Thee, that my whole life and conversation may be such as becometh the gospel of Christ.

Oh! for the same blessed effect as Moses, whose face shone when he came down from the holy mount, that everyone with whom I have to do may see the light of Thy grace, in all my transactions with the world, so shine before men, that they may glorify my Father which is in heaven. Precious Lord! grant me these unanswerable testimonies of vital godliness; then will it be proved indeed and in truth, that, like Thy servants of old, I have been with Jesus.


—Gospel report by preacher Robert Hawker (1753–1827 A.D.)

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