1845 Circular Letter of the Mississippi Primitive Baptist Association

WHEN THE BELOVED SON OF GOD was to fulfill all that was written, in law or prophets, or psalms, wicked men and devils were God’s sword. In many instances we are told by the evangelists, of what they did, “That the scriptures might be fulfilled.” When but a babe we see the Holy Child chased down into Egypt by cruel persecution; and being called from thence, he turned into a small city, that the scriptures might be fulfilled. From the manger to the cross, his life is loaded with reproaches, abuses, blasphemies and insults; and all to preserve the sacred volume inviolate.

At length against Him both Herod and Pontius Pilate meet, with men of Israel and the Gentiles, “for to do whatsoever God’s hand and counsel before determined should be done.” The heathen raged, and the people imagined vain things against the Lord, and against his Christ; yet all these things were God’s chosen instrumentalities for the accomplishment of what his hand and counsel had predestinated.

And when the dear, disconsolate disciples, on their way to Emmaus, journeyed and were sad, because of what their Lord had done and suffered from the hands of wicked men and devils, our Lord reproved them, saying “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have written, ought not Christ to suffered these things, and then enter into his glory.” Heaven had ordained the accomplishment of these things; and all requisite means for the accomplishment of the end were duly provided.