LETTER CCCLXI.
To Mrs. Ann D——, at great Gransden.
Aberdeen, October 9, 1741.
My dear Sister,
THIS evening your letter came to hand. Though it is past eleven at night, and I have rode many miles this day, yet I cannot go to-bed without sending you a line. I fear, by your manner of writing, you are offended with me for my last letter. I knew very well, it would be a trial to you; but I wrote out of pure love, and am glad it is now in your power to clear your husband, which I much desired to do. I have too many aspersions of the same nature cast upon me, not to sympathize with you both. But Jesus is our advocate, and ere long we shall see all the accusers of the brethren cast down. In spite of all, Jesus has been, and is getting himself the victory in many sinners hearts. I am yet carried on day by day, strengthened in body, and much refreshed and comforted in soul. Your letter gives me a little present pain, lest my last should have pained you. But God permits these things to happen among ourselves, to teach us to look off from all creatures, and to centre all our happiness in himself. Glory be to God for his almighty love! At my first coming here, things looked a little gloomy; for the magistrates had been so prejudiced by one Mr. B——, that when applied to, they refused me the use of the kirk-yard to preach in. This Mr. B—— is collegue with one Mr. O——, at whose repeated invitation I came hither. Though collegues of the same congregation, they are very different in their natural tempers. The one is what they call in Scotland, of a sweet blooded, the other, of a choleric disposition. Mr. B—— is neither a Seceder, nor quite a Kirk-man, having great fault to find with both. Soon after my arrival, dear Mr. O—— took me to pay my respects to him; he was prepared for it, and immediately pulled out a paper, containing a great number of insignificant queries, which I had neither time near inclination to answer. The next morning, it being Mr. O——’s turn, I lectured and preached; the magistrates were present. The congregation very large, and light and life fled all around. In the afternoon Mr. B—— officiated; I attended. He began his prayers as usual; but in the midst of them naming me by name, he intreated the Lord to forgive the dishonour that had been put upon him, by my being suffered to preach in that pulpit; and that all might know what reason he had to put up such a petition, about the middle of his sermon, he not only urged that “I was a curate of the church of England,” but also quoted a passage or two out of my first printed sermons, which he said were grossly Arminian. Most of the congregation seemed surprized and chagrined, especially his good-natured collegue Mr. O——, who immediately after sermon, without consulting me in the least, stood up and gave notice, that Mr. Whitefield would preach in about half an hour. The interval being so short, the magistrates returned into the session’s-house, and the congregation patiently waited, big with expectation of hearing my resentment. At the time appointed, I went up, and took no other notice of the good man’s ill-timed zeal, than to observe in some part of my discourse, that if the good old gentleman had seen some of my later writings, wherein I had corrected several of my former mistakes, he would not have expressed himself in such strong terms. The people being thus diverted from controversy with man, were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of God. All was hushed! and more than solemn! and on the morrow the magistrates sent for me, expressed themselves quite concerned at the treatment I had met with, and begg’d I would accept of the freedom of the city. But of this enough. The Lord, my dear sister, my support; let us both continually fly to him, and then let men or devils do their worst. Christ will by and by take away our reproach. Into his hands I commend your spirit. Good night; the Lord be with you and yours! I hope to set out for England soon. Pray write when you hear of my arrival there, and so convince me, that you are not angry with
Your affectionate tho’ unworthy brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXII.
To Mr. W——, at Edinburgh.
Aberdeen, October 10, 1741.
Dear Sir,
I Just snatch a few moments to answer your letter. Want of leisure prevented my doing it before. I have not as yet seen your mother’s memoirs. Happy are you in having such a parent. No doubt many prayers are in store for you. As for your entering upon the ministry, I cannot advise you, ’till you have gotten full satisfaction that you are born again of God. I know more than one, who are ready to give up their ministry for want of this; and as for my own part, I could not feelingly press the love of God to others, unless I was sure of his love to myself. I know not what may have passed between God and your soul. You can tell, I suppose, whether or not God’s spirit witnesseth with your spirit, that you are a child of God? For he that believeth, hath the witness in himself. If you have got this with a moderate share of learning, a good elocution and a burning love for precious souls, then, I think you may do service in a public station. If godly, and real experienced friends are for your entering into the ministry, their advice is somewhat to be regarded. If their advice proceeds from worldly motives, do not mind them at all. The discouragements you meet with from some, are not worth your notice. If God loves you, he will try you every way. Prayer, meditation, and temptation, are three necessary qualifications for a gospel minister. I know not what to say about your going to Georgia. In Pensylvania, and other places, there are most noble opportunities of preaching the gospel of Jesus. But I hope to be in Edinburgh in about ten days, and then shall be glad to converse with you. In the mean time, dear Sir, I commend you to God, and desire you would not forget the unworthy creature, who now subscribes himself
Yours in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXIII.
To the Rev. Mr. J—— W——.
Aberdeen, October 10, 1741.
Reverend and dear Brother,
I Have for a long time expected that you would have sent me an answer to my last; but I suppose that you are afraid to correspond with me, because I revealed your secret about the lot. Though much may be said for my doing it, yet I am sorry now, that any such thing dropped from my pen, and I humbly ask pardon. I find I love you as much as ever, and pray God, if it be his blessed will, that we may be all united together. It hath been for some days upon my heart to write to you, and this morning I received a letter from brother H——, telling me how he had conversed with you and your dear brother. May God remove all obstacles that now prevent our union! Though I hold particular election, yet I offer Jesus freely to every individual soul. You may carry sanctification to what degrees you will, only I cannot agree that the in-being of sin is to be destroyed in this life. O, my dear brother, the Lord hath been much with me in Scotland. I every morning feel my fellowship with Christ, and he is pleased to give me all peace and joy in believing. In about three weeks I hope to be at Bristol. May all disputings cease, and each of us talk of nothing but Jesus, and him crucified! This is my resolution. The Lord be with your spirit. My love to brother C——, and all that love the glorious Emmanuel. I am, without dissimulation,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXIV.
To Peter B——.
Aberdeen, October 10, 1741.
My dear Brother,
I Write this, to ask pardon for mentioning your name in my answer to brother W——’s sermon. I am very sorry for it. Methinks I hear you say, for Christ’s sake I forgive you. I thank you, and shall be glad of a conference with you when I come to London. There have been faults on both sides. I think, my dear brother, you have not acted simply in some things. Let us confess our faults to one another, and pray for one another, that we may be healed. I wish there may be no dissention between us for the time to come. May God preserve us from falling out in our way to heaven! The world and the devil are united against us; O that we could all unite against them! “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God.” I long to have all narrow-spiritedness taken out of my heart. Jesus is able to deliver me. His blood is Almighty. I trust I shall not rest, ’till I have felt the full power of it in my soul. Blessed be God, I am still carried on from conquering to conquer. Jesus causes me to triumph in every place. I desire to lie as a poor sinner at his feet, and to cry, Grace! grace! I find I am shortly to be called before the higher powers. Help me, my dear brother, by your prayers. In about nine days I think to leave Scotland. I commend you to Jesus, and desire to subscribe myself, dear brother B——,
Yours affectionately in the bleeding Lamb,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXV.
To the Reverend Mr. C——.
Aberdeen, October 13, 1741.
My dear Brother,
I Received your letters, and am glad to hear that the glorious Emmanuel is pleased to countenance your ministry. May he smile on you more and more, and make you the spiritual father of many children! I have very great reason to be thankful to our common Saviour. He hath been with me greatly, both in England and Scotland. I generally preach twice every day, sometimes three, even four times, and generally expound in private every night. The Lord has fought many battles for me, and still continues to make me more than conqueror through his love. This morning I felt his power in the pulpit, and now feel it much in my soul. O what a blessed thing it is, to have God’s spirit witness with our spirit, that we are God’s children! This, glory be to free grace! I have continually; and let me be in what frame soever, my soul is waiting for the coming of the Son of Man. Blessed be God, it will not be long ere I shall see him as he is. The sight I have of him by faith, ravishes my soul: how shall I be ravished when I see him face to face! “Lord, purify me, even as thou art pure; for only the pure in heart see thee!” My dear brother, the love of God now fills my soul. May you feel it shed abroad abundantly in your heart! About Spring, perhaps, I may leave England. Forget not to pray for me.
I am, dear Mr. C——,
Ever yours in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXVI.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of L——.
Brechen, October 17, 1741.
My Lord,
I Would have wrote to your Lordship from Aberdeen, but could not then determine when I should be at Melvill. This comes to acquaint your Lordship, that, God willing, I hope to be at your Lordship’s house on Wednesday night, and to preach at Coupar on Thursday. I should be glad if the magistrates were apprized of it, and the tent fixed in a more convenient place, and at a less distance from the ground. I cannot tell your Lordship, how good the glorious Emmanuel has been unto me. He has caused me to triumph in every place, and fills my soul with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. I wish your Lordship was not almost, but altogether such as I am, excepting my indwelling corruptions. O my Lord, none but Christians know the pleasure of renouncing the world for God. I am persuaded you felt unspeakable pleasure at Coupar. I hope those days have continued with you. Happy are you in having a consort that will forward you in the spiritual life. That you may both live together as becomes heirs of the grace of God, and have all joy and peace in believing, is the earnest prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXVII.
To Mr. Thomas G——, at London.
Dundee, October 21, 1741.
Dear Brother G——,
YOU will see, by the following, what God is still doing for me. On Wednesday night last I left Aberdeen, after preaching there seven times, besides expounding in private. Before I came among them, numbers were much prejudiced against me; but God was pleased to attend my ministry with such power, that all opposition fell before me. Many were brought under great convictions. The magistrates made me free of the city; and the people much regretted my speedy departure from them. On Thursday last I preached at Stonhithe and Benham; on Friday, thrice at Montrose; on Saturday twice, and on Sunday thrice at Brechen, and lectured in the evening at a private house. On Monday I preached twice at Forfar; on Tuesday twice at Coupar, in Angus; and once at Dundee, five miles from Coupar, at four in the afternoon, and again at night; here I have also preached twice this day. The presence of God accompanies me more and more. Wherever I have preached, I hear of the good fruits of it, both in convicting sinners, and reviving saints. At Dundee, the concern among the hearers is very remarkable. People are still more desirous to hear the word. But, God willing, I purpose shortly to set out for England. My dear brother, pray for me, that I may be humble and thankful. I am glad to hear your wife is recovered. My love to her, and all friends. I am, with cordial affection, Dear brother G——,
Ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXVIII.
To the Right Honourable the Lord L——.
Edinburgh, October 26, 1741.
My Lord,
IT is now past eleven at night; all is wrapt in awful silence. My soul is in a quiet composed frame. I have been giving your Lordship’s letter a second reading, with aspirations to God whilst I perused it. Surely God has not let me wrestle with him in vain. The Holy Spirit seems to be moving upon the face of your soul. I trust God hath said, “Let there be light,” and therefore there is light. O that the work may be carried on, till you enter into that rest which remains for the people of God. I trust your Lordship will now awake into a new world, and know what it is to live by faith. Did I not know the power of Christ’s blood, I should fear for you. But I commend you to a glorious Redeemer, that will certainly take care of you. As I left your Lordship’s house, I was thinking, that the narrow escape your Lordship had between the stones, foreboded something good. Jesus has taken care of you when in your blood. I hope he is now passing by you, and saying unto you, “Live.” O that the stone of infidelity, which before lay at the door of your heart, may be now rolled away! O that you may rise, be loosed from your corruptions, and go about doing good! Satan will not let you go without much opposition. He will desire to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But if Jesus prays for you, all will be well. The comfort which you had with him in reading the psalms, is a taste of the food believers daily eat, and which the carnal world knows nothing of. My Lord, if you could be brought once to love secret prayer, and to converse feelingly with God in his word, your heaven will begin on earth; you will enjoy more pleasure than in all manner of riches. What will those avail, if you are not rich towards God? Be, therefore, my Lord, much in secret retirement. Commune with your own heart in your chamber, and be still, and you will then hear the secret whispers of the Holy Ghost. As for praying in your family, I intreat you, my Lord, not to neglect it. You are bound to do it. Apply to Christ for strength to overcome your present fears. They are the effects of pride, or infidelity, or of both. After once or twice, the difficulty will be over. O that the blessed Spirit may enable you to make intercession with groaning that cannot be uttered! It rejoices me to think, that I shall one day perhaps see a church in Melvill house. Happy, happy are you, my Lord, in having such a consort, who will forward your Lordship in every good word and work. How sweet will it be for you to go early to your devotions, striving to live like the first happy pair, before they had eaten the forbidden fruit. As God shall enable me, I shall bear you both upon my heart. God forbid that I should sin against him in ceasing to pray for you. My riding upon your Lordship’s horse, will often remind me to pray for the donor. My Lord, you are upon my heart. Methinks I would undergo the pangs of the new birth for you; but Jesus can carry you through. Fear not. Go on in his strength, and your Lordship will be enabled to stand the shock of all. I should be glad to hear, from time to time, what the Lord is doing for your soul. Since your Lordship has laid your commands upon me, I shall write as often as possible. If your Lordship is pleased to write within this week, a letter may be directed to me at Mrs. J——’s, in Abergavenny. If afterwards, at Mr. S——’s, Grocer, in Wine-street, Bristol. Your Lordship may depend on my secresy; no one hath seen your Lordship’s letter, but Mr. S——, who copies this, and who is as my own soul. His prayers, I trust, will benefit your Lordship. His humble respects await both you and your lady. Once more, I pray God to bless you both together. But it is late, the clock has struck twelve. Methinks I could wish the cry was now made, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” My soul longs to go forth to meet him. This evening I was greatly refreshed by preaching on these words, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend, oh daughters of Jerusalem.” O when shall I see him as he is! Well may your Lordship say, “He is altogether lovely.” The more you know him, the more you will have reason to commend him. Eternity is too short to utter all his praise. With a heart full of affection and thanks for all favours, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXIX.
To Mr. J—— C——, at London.
Edinburgh, October 27, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
ALTHOUGH it be past eleven at night, yet I cannot miss a post. The Lord is doing very great things here. At Dundee the C—— was very extraordinary. On sabbath-day, the Lord enabled me to preach four times, and to lecture in the evening at a private house. Yesterday I preached three times, and lectured at night. This day Jesus has enabled me to preach seven times. Once in the church, twice at the girl’s hospital, once in the park, once at the old people’s hospital, and afterwards twice in a private house. Notwithstanding, I am now as fresh as when I arose in the morning. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount on wings like eagles.” It would delight your soul to see the effects of the power of God. Both in the church and park the Lord was with us. The girls in the hospital were exceedingly affected, and so were the standers-by. One of the mistresses told me, she is now awakened in the morning by the voice of prayer and praise; and the master of the boys says, that they meet together every night to sing and pray; and when he goes to their rooms at night to see if all be safe, he generally disturbs them at their devotions. The presence of God, at the old people’s hospital, was really very wonderful. The Holy Spirit seemed to come down like a mighty rushing wind. The mourning of the people, was like the weeping in the valley of Hadadrimmon. They appear more and more hungry. Every day I hear of some fresh good wrought by the power of God. I scarce know how to leave Scotland. I believe I shall think it my duty to pay the inhabitants another visit as soon as possible. May the Lord order my goings in his ways! Above five hundred pounds hath been collected, in money and goods, for the poor orphans. Let all that is within me praise God’s holy name. To-morrow, God willing, I shall leave this place, and go through Wales, in my way to London. You may hear from me on the road. At present, I must conclude; it is very near twelve. I intreat you to pray and give thanks for, dear brother C——,
Your’s most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXX.
To the Right Honourable the Lord L——.
Abergavenny, Nov. 10, 1741.
My Lord,
I Cannot bear the thoughts of forbearing to write to your Lordship any longer. I know your Lordship will be pleased to hear that we had a good journey. Christ’s presence made it so. The horse carried me exceeding well. My heart was often drawn out to pray for the donor. Does your Lordship’s soul prosper? Has Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Can it yet be said, “Behold, he prayeth.” I find a restraint upon me now, so that I cannot write. God calls me to retirement; being to enter into the marriage state to-morrow. I am persuaded your Lordship will not fail to pray, that we may, like Zachariah and Elizabeth, walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless. I hope my most humble respects will find acceptance with your Lady. Indeed, my Lord, you are both much upon my heart. Though I have only liberty now to subscribe myself, with all gratitude, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient and obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXI.
To Mr. T——, at Edinburgh.
Abergavenny, Nov. 19, 1741.
THIS morning I received your kind letter; for which, and all other favours, you have my most hearty thanks. I remembered you in prayer, soon after your’s came to hand: blessed be God for the news which it contained. I yet expect to hear of, if not to see far greater things in Scotland. The Lord has begun, and he will carry on a work, which shall make the ears of his enemies to tingle. I have enjoyed much of the divine presence since we parted. On Saturday I was married, in the fear of God, to one who, I hope, will be a help meet to me. God has been pleased to work, by my hands, since I have been in Wales. O stupendous love! O infinitely condescending God! Be pleased to direct your next to London. I hope to be there in about three weeks. My wife I shall leave in the country for some time. Dear Mr. T——, pray for us. I do for you and yours. Labour after an abiding of God in your soul, so that you may continually by faith see him who is invisible. Do not be content with being a dwarf in religion: aspire after the utmost degrees of inward purity and holiness. I could go on, but must write some more letters. Dear brother S——, and my dear wife, salute you and all friends. They are not forgotten, dear Mr. T——, by
Your most unworthy, but most affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXII.
To the Right Honourable Lady D——, in Scotland.
Bristol, Nov. 22, 1741.
Honoured Madam,
AT length I have a little leisure. I must improve it, by writing a letter to your Ladyship. The many favours conferred on me, loudly called for a more speedy acknowledgment; but hitherto, business for my Master has prevented. Dear Mrs. C——’s letter will inform your Ladyship that I have altered my state; I trust for the better; for I think my soul is more intimately united to Jesus Christ than ever. I would humbly hope your Ladyship can say so too; for there is no happiness till we can feel an union of soul with God. That, and that only, as your Ladyship has often heard me assert, is true and undefiled religion. Your own experience will best convince you of the truth thereof. Your Ladyship enjoys great advantages, and glorious means of making progress in spiritual things. You are rich in this world’s goods; may God make you rich in faith and good works! My Master will not forget the kindness you have shewn to one of the least of his servants. It gives me comfort to think, what sweet freedom of spirit I have enjoyed, when opening the scriptures in your Ladyship’s house. Surely God was with us of a truth. The savour of it is not yet gone off my own soul, nor, I hope, from your Ladyship’s also. Since I left Edinburgh, I have put up many hearty prayers for you and your family. The Lord make it an houshold of faith, and make you perfect, entire, lacking nothing! The glorious Emmanuel seems to be repairing the breaches of his tabernacle, which were fallen down. In Wales we had much of the divine presence. The people there are so hungry after the word, that they are resolved not to leave wrestling with the Most High, till he shall be pleased to send me thither. O that God may incline your Ladyship to intercede in my behalf! for I long to be humble, and to lie low as a very poor sinner at the Redeemer’s feet. I think I can say, he brings me nearer and nearer to himself daily; and I will not rest, till I am moulded into the image of my bleeding Lord. I pray God that your Ladyship may be content with no degrees of holiness; but may be daily pressing forward, till you arrive at the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Mr. S—— desires to join with me in sending our most affectionate respects and thanks to your Ladyship and all friends. Our particular respects await dear Mr. McV——. I trust he will yet live to see glorious days of the Son of Man. Surely Christ is getting himself the victory. May he long reign king in your soul, and reward you a thousand-fold for every token of love shewn to, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXIII.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of L——.
Bristol, Nov. 24, 1741.
My Lord,
MY heart longs to send you another letter. I wish, above all things, that your soul may prosper. I had an extraordinary power given me to pray for you lately in Wales. God gave me to wrestle, and I think an assurance that I should prevail. I am looking out for an answer. Your Lordship’s next letter, I hope, will afford me matter for rejoicing in your behalf. Your Lordship is now entered on the field of battle: you are engaged in a cruel, but a glorious warfare. Go on; though faint, yet still pursue: nil desperandum, Christo duce, auspice Christo. My prayer for your Lordship is this:
Give him a will, give him the pow’r,
Still equal to the war;
Great Captain of Salvation, thou
Thy trembling soldier chear!
O, my Lord, it is a blessed thing to fight the Redeemer’s battles: I find he makes us more than conquerors through his love. I still enjoy much of the divine presence, and hope I pass from glory to glory daily. I preach here at six in the morning, and also in the evening. God causes his goodness to pass before us. In a week I hope to set out for London. Be pleased to direct your next thither. The lords have returned my appeal. At present, a hook is put in the leviathan’s nose. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him.” I hope your Lady prospers both in body and soul. My own, and dear fellow-travellers most humble respects and prayers attend your whole houshold. I am, with great affection, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXIV.
To T—— E——, in Edinburgh.
Bristol, Nov. 27, 1741.
My dear Friend,
WHEN we parted, I promised your wife to write upon the road; but I found it impracticable. Since I came to Wales I have had no time. Now I have, God gives me freedom. Though late, be pleased to accept a letter of thanks for all favours. I think we felt each others spirits, both, I trust, united mystically, really, and eternally to Christ, our common head, and to one another in love. O that all would center here. It would then be said once again, “See how these Christians love one another.”—As for my own part, I am resolved not to rest till every thing, contrary to true, catholic, christian love, be rooted out of my soul. Christ’s blood and spirit are able to do this for me. I only need to pray to God to make me willing to have it done. Be pleased to help me, my dear friend, when God enables you to draw near unto him. My dear companion would beg the same. Our tender love awaits both you and your wife. I am lately entered into the marriage relation. Jesus was called to; Jesus was present at the marriage. We have lately enjoyed much of the divine presence. Many precious promises have been pressed upon my soul. I believe I shall see greater things than ever. We cannot expect too great things from God. But I must have done. I am waited for. Accept these few lines in love, from
Your affectionate friend and brother in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXV.
To Mr. A——, in London.
Bristol, Nov. 30, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
I Thank you for your kind letter. Though I hope to see you on Friday, yet love constrains me to send you an answer. I rejoice that your soul is thirsting for holiness. God grant it may never cease till you experience the full and glorious liberty of his children. I see plainly how satan loves to drive to extremes. Since there is no such thing as having the in-being of sin destroyed, he would not have people press after a delivery from the power of it. This is also owing to the corruption of our own hearts. The old man doth not love to be crucified and slain; but I hope the language of your heart and mine is this,
Reign in me, Lord, thy foes controul,
That would refuse thy sway;
Diffuse thy image thro’ my soul,
And bring the perfect day.
Scatter the last remains of sin,
And seal me thine abode;
O set me purified within;
A temple meet for God.
My root of holiness thou art,
For faith hath made thee mine;
With all thy fulness fill my heart,
Till I am wholly thine.
No wonder, when we come to be thus minded, if carnal ministers, and carnal professors of all kinds, cry out against us. Nay, even some who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, having slumbered and slept, and mixed too much with the world, even such frequently fight against their privileges, and rest in an infant state of piety. But, I believe, the Lord will rouse them, and let the world know, what the blood of Jesus can and will do. Blessed be his name, we have a growing church at Bristol. Yesterday, and several other times, the Lord hath filled many as with new wine. Sometimes I scarce have known whether I have been in or out of the body; but, I find, the more I receive of grace, the more I desire to lie as a poor, very poor sinner at the feet of the wounded Lamb. Several have just now been with me, who have this last week, especially yesterday, drank deep of divine love. They are now full of the comforts of the Holy Ghost. I pray that they may walk humbly with their God; for it is a good thing to know how to manage a manifestation aright: nature so frequently and artfully blends with grace, that, for want of a close watch and tender walk, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Hence arise deadness and darkness in the soul. Unbelief creeps in, the chariot wheels of divine love are taken off, and the soul drives heavily. Let us, therefore, my dear brother, live a life of great nearness to Jesus; and labour day by day to perfect holiness in the fear of God. There is a glorious rest to be entered into even here. May the Lord make us partakers of it! But why should I in the least doubt it?
Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power, thou wilt in time set free:
This, great Deliverer, let me hope; this, not for self, but Thee.
For the present, adieu!
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXVI.
To Mr. J—— H——.
London, Dec. 7, 1741.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
I Came hither last Friday, and received a packet of letters from Bethesda; but wonder to find none from you. When I read brother Grant’s account of the circumstances of the family, I remember what the Lord pressed upon my soul on ship-board, “The bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” However, be not discouraged; professor F——’s students were once obliged to sell their cloaths to buy candles. The work of God advances here greatly. We have a large society, consisting of several hundreds, and a noble place to meet in: I have called it a Tabernacle, because, perhaps, we may be called to move our tents. In Wiltshire, and at Kingswood, there are many good souls, and two new houses built. In Wales the door is opened wider than ever. From thence (Abergavenny) the Lord has given me a wife. Her name was James, a widow, between thirty and forty years of age. She has been a housekeeper many years. Once gay; but, for three years last past, a despised follower of the Lamb of God. I left her about three weeks ago, and am going to-morrow to settle affairs, and to bring her up to London. I thank your dear wife for her letter: had I freedom I would answer it: but I have essayed several times before I could finish this. My sister G—— is dead: I trust she slept in Jesus. God is pleased to let me feel more of his power than ever. O that his whole mind was in me! I hunger and thirst after righteousness: blessed be God, there is a promise that such shall be filled. By the letters sent with this, my dear family will see that I have not forgotten them. No: I pray for them continually. I cannot certainly tell when I shall leave England. Providence detains me here. The work is very extraordinary in Scotland. I hear daily accounts of its continuance and increase. The door is opened in all places. The Lords see through Mr. G——’s enmity, and will have nothing to do with my appeal: so that a hook is put into the leviathan’s jaws. I believe we shall see greater things than ever. My dear friend, salute all most tenderly in my name; I am exceedingly engaged, or each of them should hear particularly from,
Ever, ever yours in Christ,
G. W.