LETTER DCLVII.
To the Reverend Mr. S——.
London, July 24, 1748.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
SINCE my arrival in England, (now three weeks) I have sent several packets to America. This brings you the welcome tidings of the Lord’s continuing to bless my poor administrations, and causing his word to run and be glorified. Particulars I cannot descend to now. My hands are quite full of business. I am assisted also in temporals, and hope, ere I see America again, to be delivered from my outward Orphan-house embarrassments. I have almost fixed on persons to come over to Bethesda. With them I intend sending you some things, which I believe you will be glad to see. Antinomianism has made havock here, but I trust the worst is over. Our scattered troops begin to unite again; and indeed the shout of a king is amongst us. I trust that the glorious Emmanuel waves his banner also over you, and causes you to rejoice in his great salvation. That you, and all my dear friends and benefactors may fit under his shadow with unspeakable delight, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, brother, and servant in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCLVIII.
To the Reverend Mr. S——.
Waterford, August 3, 1748.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
I Have written to you more than once since my arrival; notwithstanding that, I must write to you again. The bearer is a man of good report, a Dissenter, and brings I believe a testimonial with him. He has met with disappointments in the world, and goes out to be overseer to some gentleman’s plantation.—I believe he would be glad to be introduced to some of our religious friends. I write this from Wales, where I am come to attend on a quarterly association. Yesterday I left Bristol, where great multitudes came to hear, and the arm of the Lord was revealed. Next week, God willing, I purpose to return to London, and after a short stay there, to go into the West and other parts of England. I believe that Ireland and Scotland must be left till next Spring. I am as well in health as I have been for a long while; and God is pleased to give me the affections of his people, in a manner I dared not expect. But is there any thing too hard for the Lord? You will continue to pray for me. I expect a loving, chiding letter from you. I have several things to send you, and at present can only beg you and all friends to accept of my hearty love and thanks, and subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCLIX.
To Mr. Wm. G——.
Waterford, August 3, 1748.
My dear little Man,
I Do not forget the promise I made you when in town. As a proof of it, I snatch a few moments to send you a line. How will it find you? May I answer for you? Upon the stretch for God, and giving diligence to make your calling and election sure. O that there may be always in you such a mind! You know how many once did run well; but the devil and the world working upon their wicked hearts, have hindered them. Alas! how is their gold become dim, and their fine gold changed! Let him that thinketh he stands take heed lest he fall. Be jealous of yourself, and hang continually on the Lord Jesus. You are now growing up, and are about to launch into a wicked world. You know how strangely satan will tempt you to love it. Nothing can keep you, but the mighty power of God. Ask, and you shall have it exerted in your behalf. I could enlarge, but have not time. Perhaps next week I may be in London. The Lord Jesus has blessed my being in the country. The fields are white, ready unto harvest. My love to your sister. May she be a Ruth. For the present I must bid you farewel, after having subscribed myself,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCLX.
To the Reverend Mr. M——.
Mitchel-Dean, August 6, 1748.
THOUGH I am now upon the road in my way to Gloucester, yet I cannot help dropping you a few lines. Excess of business, not want of respect, has prevented my writing to you before. You, and yours, and all my dear Scotch friends, have been, still are, and by the grace of God always will be much upon my heart. I long to hear that their souls prosper. Perhaps next Spring I may pay them another visit. The remainder of this year must be spent in visiting England and Wales. Blessed be God, there is a prospect of a revival where I have been already, at London, Bristol, and Wales, from whence I am just now come. Our Lord hath been pleased to lift up the light of his countenance upon his poor people. I beg, reverend Sir, the continuance of your prayers, that I may be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. At present, through grace, I am willing to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. My native air seems to improve my health, and I trust ere long I shall be lively and strong as an eagle. I suppose you have heard that the word of the Lord has been glorified in Bermudas. In a short time, I hope the adjacent islands will know what it is to feel the sun of righteousness arising with healing under his wings.
Blest is faith that trusts his power,
Blest are saints that wait his hour;
Haste, great conqueror, bring it near;
Let the glorious close appear.
Reverend Sir, I could write more; but must away. I beg my most cordial respects may be accepted by your whole fire-side and all friends. I intend writing to dear Mr. M—— soon. In the mean while, I must haste to subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged younger brother, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXI.
To Lady H——.
London, August 10, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THIS morning, just after I had begun to put pen to paper, a friend told me, that since I had been in the country, a letter had been sent me by a lady out of Scotland. I opened it, and with a pleasing surprize found it was from your Ladyship, to whom I was then writing. Blessed be God, that your soul, honoured Madam, is yet held in life! I hope it does and will prosper; and however others may grow lukewarm and lose their first love, yet you will say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” By four years fresh experience, I find that this indeed, in every respect, is the whole of man. O how good has the blessed Redeemer been both to my soul and body! Out of how many and great deaths has he delivered me! And yet, honoured Madam, vile as I am, he is pleased still to honour me. Multitudes flock to hear the word, and our Lord is pleased to administer seed to the sower. Early in the Spring, God willing, do I purpose to visit dear Scotland once more. That the Lord of all Lords may abundantly bless your Ladyship, and all your connections in this and a better world, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXII.
To the Reverend Mr. J——.
London, August 11, 1748.
My very dear Mr. J——,
YOUR kind letter, which I received but yesterday, having been taking a little tour in the country, both grieved and pleased me. Glad was I to find, that my dear old friend had not forgotten me, and yet sorry as it were, that I had not wrote to him first. I was just going to put pen to paper, when yours was brought to my hands. I read it with joy, and now embrace the first opportunity of answering it with the greatest pleasure. These words concerning our Lord have always been weighty on my heart, “Having loved his own, he loved them unto the end.” They therefore that are most like him, will be most steady in their friendship, and not very readily given to change. O my dear Sir, what has the Redeemer done for us since we used to take such sweet counsel together at Oxford! Blessed be his name for giving you a heart still to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ. May you go on and prosper, and, maugre all opposition, see Dagon fall every where before the ark. As for me, I am a poor worthless pilgrim, and thought long ere now to be with him, who has loved and given himself for me.—But it seems I am not yet to die, but live. O that it may be to declare the work of the Lord! I think this is the thirteenth province I have been in within this twelvemonth, in each of which our Lord has been pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry. I came from Bermudas last, where I left many souls seeking after Jesus of Nazareth. In London, Bristol, Gloucester, and Wales, the glorious Emmanuel, since my arrival, has appeared to his people. In about a fortnight I purpose leaving town again in order to go a circuit of about five hundred miles. I need not desire you to pray for me; I need not tell you how glad I shall be whenever opportunity offers, to see you face to face. In the mean while, let us correspond by letter. May Jesus bless it to us both! I return cordial respects to Lady M——. I pray the Lord to bless her and her little nursery. For the present adieu. I am, my very dear Mr. J——,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXIII.
To Mr. S——.
London, August 16, 1748.
Dear Sir,
GLAD shall I be to have the pleasure of your dining with me on Thursday between twelve and one. If you please, you may leave your chaise and horses at the other end of the town, and ride to my lodgings in an hackney coach. Or if you choose to come in your chaise, we have inns near at hand. I shall devote Thursday afternoon to you; and if you please to stay the evening and hear me preach, and then sup and take a bed at our house afterwards, I shall be much obliged to you. You need only enquire for the tabernacle new house near Moorfields. I hope matters will be so ordered, that you will be solus cum solo. I pity persons in your circumstances, and humbly hope that you will be one of Nicodemus’s children every way. You know, though he came by night at first, yet afterwards he was as bold as a lion. Go on, dear Sir: “To him that hath, shall be given.” Christ will not quench the smoaking flax, nor break the bruised reed. That his love may be shed abroad in your heart, that you may be enabled to confess him before men, and be confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in heaven, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend, and willing servant for Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXIV.
To Lord ——.
London August 19, 1748.
My Lord,
THOUGH I expect to be in Scotland in about three weeks, yet I cannot defer writing to your Lordship any longer. I hope this will find your worthy lady trampling upon the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, and steadily pursuing the one thing needful. I doubt not but you both have found, that the Redeemer’s service has been perfect freedom, and that in keeping of his commandments there is even a present great reward. Blessed be God, I can say so by happy and repeated experience. The blessed Jesus is pleased still to own and bless my poor labours, and gives me encouragement to go on fighting his battles. My outward man decays; but I trust I shall die in the field of battle. I want to learn what it is to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. I could enlarge, but multiplicity of business obliges me to be brief. I hope my most dutiful respects will find acceptance with good Lady ——, Lady ——, and all your Lordship’s fire side.—That you all may be filled with the fulness of God, is the hearty prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obliged, obedient servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXV.
To Mr. B——.
London, August 20, 1748.
My very dear Brother,
I Thank you for your kind letter. It was put into my hands just as I was leaving Bristol, and ever since, I have been so busy, that till now I could not redeem a few moments to answer it. I am glad that you, and the dear brethren you mentioned, are so well and happy. They are my old hearty friends as well as you. I salute them tenderly, and long for that time when we shall all surround the throne, and throw our crowns before the Lamb who sitteth thereon for ever. There we shall be all unisons: there we shall have clear heads, and perfectly clean and purified hearts. Till then we must agree, to disagree in many things, except to love and serve him, who loved us and gave himself for us, who has redeemed us unto God by his blood, hath made us kings and priests unto God, and enables us to reign over sin, death, and hell, even whilst we are here on earth. O glorious mystery! Well may the angels desire to look into it. I could enlarge, but other affairs of our Lord’s kingdom call me away. For the present, adieu. I return your cordial salutations in the heartiest manner. If our Lord should call me to Wiltshire, I would come and see you. At present I am bound to Scotland. I trust we can say, Jesus is with us here. That he may be evermore with you and all his sincere followers, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear brother,
Yours most affectionately in him that was dead, but is alive again, and liveth for evermore,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXVI.
To Lady H——.
August 21, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
I Received your Ladyship’s letter late last night, and write this to inform your Ladyship that I am quite willing to comply with your invitation. As I am to preach, God willing, at St. Bartholomew’s on Wednesday evening, I will wait upon your Ladyship the next morning, and spend the whole day at Chelsea. Blessed be God, that the rich and great begin to have an hearing ear. I think it is a good sign that our Lord intends to give to some at least, an obedient heart. Surely your Ladyship and Madam E—— are only the first fruits. May you increase and multiply! I believe you will. How wonderfully does our Redeemer deal with souls. If they will hear the gospel only under a cieled roof, ministers shall be sent to them there. If only in a church, or a field, they shall have it there. A word in the lesson, when I was last at your Ladyship’s, struck me. “Paul preached privately to those that were of reputation.” This must be the way I presume of dealing with the nobility, who yet know not the Lord. O that I may be enabled, when called to preach to any of them, so to preach as to win their souls to the blessed Jesus! I know your Ladyship will pray that it may be so. As for my poor prayers, such as they are, your Ladyship hath them every day. That the blessed Jesus may make your Ladyship happily instrumental in bringing many of the noble and mighty to the saving knowledge of his eternal Self, and water your own soul every moment, is the continual request of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXVII.
To Judge B——.
London, August 22, 1748.
Honoured Sir,
I Think it is now high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the favours you was pleased to confer on me when at the Bermudas. They are not, and I trust never will be forgotten by me, whilst I am on this side eternity. The same good hand that was with me abroad, hath safely brought, and since my arrival blessed me much at home. I am daily employed in that delightful work of preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Once a week I read prayers and preach in one of the largest of the London churches. Multitudes flock there and in the fields, and I trust much good is done to many. I have been lately a three hundred mile circuit, and purpose, God willing, to set out for Scotland in about eight days. At my return, I hope to hear by some ship or another that all is well at Bermudas. I beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with his Excellency. I endeavoured to be as obliging as I could to his lady and little master, whom I suppose the Governor will have heard from before this comes to hand. I have taken the freedom to send him a volume of my sermons. I intend writing to Colonel H—— another opportunity. I have sent to Colonel G—— and some others already. Multiplicity of business prevents my writing to more at present. Be pleased however to present my most cordial respects to him and his family, to your whole fire side, and all enquiring friends. I hope you will accept the same yourself, from, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXVIII.
To Captain J—— D——.
London, August 22, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
I Have already written to you and other friends since my arrival at London. With this, I send a box of books to be disposed of among my dear Bermudas acquaintance. To some I have affixed their names, and lest I should have forgotten any (as undoubtedly I have, being so much hurried) I have sent half a dozen of my volumes of twenty three sermons, to be disposed of with the small tracts, as you shall think proper. I begin now to expect the Diana, or some other ship, to bring me an account of the welfare of you and my other beloved friends. A sense of your manifold kindnesses lies yet upon my heart, and I always endeavour to remember them before Him, who has promised that a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose its reward. Had I time equal to my will, I would write many letters, but a variety of business prevents. Be pleased therefore to beg my friends to accept general thanks and cordial salutations. In a few days I purpose setting out for Scotland, and hope to return to America next year. But future things belong to God. A wide scene opens here, and I would willingly be disposed of as seemeth best to my heavenly Father. To his tender and never-failing mercy, do I earnestly commend you and dear Mrs. D——, your little ones, all your relations, and the whole circle of my friends. That you may be blessed with all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, is the hearty desire and continual prayer of, very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend and humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXIX.
To Mr. ——.
London, August 22, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
IF any thing I have said or written has been made any way serviceable to your better part, I thank the Lord of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever. I trust the language of my heart towards Jesus Christ, is this:
If thou excuse, then work thy will,
By so unfit an instrument;
It will at once thy goodness shew,
And prove thy power omnipotent.
I thank you, dear Sir, for your concern about my health. If it should please God to bring me back from Scotland to winter in town, I have thoughts of submitting to some regimen or another. At present I think it impracticable. On Tuesday, God willing, I purpose to set out, and to go by the way of York. I suppose it will be about a two months circuit. My journals, and last five sermons, I shall send to Mr. D——, with the journal that I have corrected. Alas, dear Sir, so many things want altering, that what you propose for Andrew to do, would be for him a too laborious task. I heartily wish that you and doctor D—— and Mr. H—— would be pleased to revise them. I intend publishing a new edition soon. Mr. H—— is of a different opinion from Dr. D—— concerning the seventh of the Romans. Adhuc sub judice lis est. I always do as you desire in respect to Mr. W——’s sermons. My prayer for him, for myself, and friends, is this; “Lord, give us clear heads and clean hearts.” I would recommend bishop Beveridge’s sermons more, but they are too voluminous for the common people, and I have not read them all. I expect you will do this yourself, dear Sir, by and by, from the pulpit, and what is more, recommend his and your master to the choice of poor sinners. You have now by your excellent letter publickly confessed him. The eyes of all will be now upon you, to see whether the truths you have delivered to others, are transcribed into your own heart and copied in your life. Now indeed may you cry,
O for a strong, a lasting faith!
To credit what the Almighty saith!
Now the language of your soul should be, “how holy ought I to be in all manner of conversation and godliness.” Now, dear Sir, let me entreat you to keep from trimming, or so much as attempting to reconcile two irreconcilable differences, God and the world, Christ and Belial. You know me too well to suppose I want you to turn cynic. No, live a social life. But then, dear Sir, beg of the Lord Jesus to free you from the love of the world; thence, thence arises that fear of man which now so shackles and disturbs your soul. Dare, dear Sir, to be singularly good. If Christ be your Saviour, make him a present of your pretty character. Honour him, and he will honour you. He indulges you much, and gently leads you on. Let the same love constrain you, dear Sir, to press forwards, and never rest till you can give up children, name, life, and all into his hands who gave his precious blood for you. I could enlarge, but am called away. I make no apology for this; you say you are my friend.—Accept this, dear Sir, as a token of my believing you sincere in that profession, from
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXX.
To Lady H——.
London, August 22, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
EVER since the reading your Ladyship’s condescending letter, my soul (as indeed through grace it was in a degree before) has been overpowered with his presence, who is All in All. When your Ladyship stiled me “your friend,” I was amazed at your condescension. But when I thought that Jesus was my friend, it quite overcame me, and made me to lie prostrate before him, crying, Why me, why me? I just now rose from the ground, after praying the Lord of all Lords to water your soul, honoured madam, every moment. As there seems to be a door opening for the nobility to hear the gospel, I will defer my journey till Thursday, and, God willing, preach at your Ladyship’s on Tuesday. In the mean while I will wait upon or send to the Count the Danish embassador’s brother, who favours me with his company on Monday to dine. On Monday morning from nine to near eleven I will be at your Ladyship’s, and wait to know your order concerning Tuesday. O that God may be with and make me humble! I am ashamed to think your Ladyship will admit me under your roof, much more am I amazed that the Lord Jesus will make use of such a creature as I am. Under a sense of this, I write to your Ladyship now. It is late, and my poor body calls to rest. But as I am to preach four times to-morrow, I thought it my duty to send these few lines to your Ladyship to night. Quite astonished at your Ladyship’s condescension, and the unmerited superabounding grace and goodness of Him who has loved me and given himself for me, I subscribe myself, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, humble and willing servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXI.
To Lady H——.
London, Sept. 1, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
ALTHOUGH it is time for me to be setting out, yet I dare not leave town without dropping a few lines, gratefully to acknowledge the many favours I have received from your Ladyship, especially the honour you have done me in making me one of your Ladyship’s chaplains. A sense of it humbles me, and makes me to pray more intensely for more grace, to walk more worthy of that God, who has called me to his kingdom and glory. As your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on me the honour before mentioned, I shall think it my duty to send you weekly accounts of what the Lord Jesus is pleased to do for and by me. Glory be to his great Name, the prospect is promising. My Lord Bath received me yesterday morning very cordially, and would give me five guineas for the orphans, though I refused taking any thing for the books. I send your Ladyship (by the hands of faithful and honest Betty W——) a little box of my sermons, and the last account of God’s dealing with me, and of the money expended for the Orphan-house, with my oath before the magistrates of Savannah. The little book in marble paper is for Madam P——: I have folded down where I would have her begin to read. What a lovely christian will she make, when grace hath once refined her heart? I hope God intends to honour your Ladyship in making you instrumental of doing good to the nobility. His providence, his peculiar providence hath placed your Ladyship at Chelsea. I am persuaded your Ladyship will not quit that post, till he that hath placed you there, plainly gives you a dismission. I have good news to-day from Bristol. Mr. C—— intends to be fettered no longer with the fear of man. O that there may be always in him such a mind! Mr. L——, he informs me too, is coming from under the cloud. He begs his dutiful respects may be presented to your Ladyship, and is much obliged to your Ladyship for being so much concerned for him. I hope he will fix by and by: But whither am I running? Pardon me, honoured madam, I fear I am too bold and too long. Upon the road, I propose writing your Ladyship my thoughts of what scheme seems to be most practicable, in order to carry on the work of God, both here and in America. I dare add no more but my hearty prayers for the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship, and whole houshold, and subscribe myself, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXII.
To the Rev. Mr. J—— W——.
London, Sept. 1, 1748.
Rev. and dear Sir,
MY not meeting you at London has been a disappointment to me. But our Lord orders all things well. His time is and will be best. I suppose you will hear of my preaching to some of the nobility, and I trust the hour is coming when some of the Mighty and Noble shall be called. What have you thought about an union? I am afraid an external one is impracticable. I find by your sermons, that we differ in principles more than I thought, and I believe we are upon two different plans. My attachment to America will not permit me to abide very long in England; consequently, I should but weave a Penelope’s webb, if I formed societies; and if I should form them, I have not proper assistants to take care of them. I intend therefore to go about preaching the gospel to every creature. You, I suppose, are for settling societies every where; but more of this when we meet. I can now only say a few general things. I hope you don’t forget to pray for me. You are always remembered by, Reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXIII.
To Mr. J—— W——.
London, Sept. 1, 1748.
My very dear Brother,
YOUR kind letter I received with great satisfaction. I chearfully sit down to answer it before I set out for Scotland. I have been a mile or two upon the road, but turned back because my chaise was not registered. My hands have been full of work, and I have been among great company. A privy counsellor of the king of Denmark, and others, with one of the Prince of Wales’s favourites, dined and drank tea with me on Monday. On Tuesday I preached twice at Lady Huntingdon’s to several of the nobility. In the morning the Earl of Chesterfield was present. In the evening Lord B——. All behaved quite well, and were in some degree affected. Lord C—— thanked me, and said, “Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I approve of you,” or words to this purpose. He conversed with me freely afterwards. Lord B—— was much moved, and desired I would come and see him the next morning. I did; and his Lordship behaved with great candour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons, and seemed surprized but pleased. Thus, my dear brother, the world turns round. “In all time of my wealth, good Lord deliver me!” Glad am I, for his own sake, that dear Mr. C—— begins to resolve to play the man. Alas! a ♦trimming conduct is uncomfortable to one’s self, displeasing to Christ, and ridiculous in the sight of the world. Christ is worth all, or he is worth nothing. May the Lord enable me to be simple, and honest, and open in all my dealings, and to trust him with the consequences. I have ever yet found, that honesty is the best policy in the end. O that dear Mr. L—— may at length show himself a man too! My dear, very dear brother, may you lose no more time, but join in confessing a crucified Saviour. Glad am I to find that Mr. C——’s conversation is blest to you. I wish you had always a christian fidus achates at your side. Pardon me, dear brother, this freedom. My love is so great to you, and I have put up so many prayers for you, that I cannot rest till you improve those excellent parts God has given you, for the glory of his church and the good of his people. I am glad you will send something to our mother. I need not tell you, that the wisest of men has bid us “not to despise one’s mother, when she is old.” I thank you for the pictures; I have made free with some of them already. I shall not be sorry, if you do not go to Gloucester. Alas, so much money spent at music-meetings will make but a poor article at the day of judgment. But where does my affection carry me? My dear brother, good night. God willing, you shall hear from me soon again; if you do not answer me immediately, I will impute it to any thing rather than want of love; that, I am sure, is strong towards me, however unworthy of it. God has blessed me much in London. Congregations are very large. On Sunday I was enabled to preach four times: but this body—Well! thanks be to God, it is soon to be put off. Once more good night. My love to all friends. I am
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXIV.
To Mr. S——.
Oulney, (Northamptonshire) Sept. 4, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
IT was a pleasing surprize to me last week, to receive a letter dated in July from my dear, very dear friend Mr. S—— of New-England. I left town yesterday, but having an immediate opportunity of sending, by way of Philadelphia, I now sit down to write your answer. Poor New-England! I pity and pray for thee from my inmost soul. May God arise, and scatter thy enemies! may those that hate thee be made to flee before thee! I am afraid the scene will be yet darker. But you know it is always darkest before day-break. It has been so in England. Matters, as to religion, were come to almost an extremity. The enemy had indeed broken in upon us like a flood. The spirit of the Lord is now lifting up a standard. The prospect of the success of the gospel, I think, was never more promising. In the church, tabernacle, and fields, congregations have been great, and perhaps as great power as ever hath accompanied the word. A door is also opening for the mighty and noble. I have preached four times to several of the nobility at good Lady H——’s. All behaved exceeding well, and I suppose in the winter opportunities of preaching to them will be frequent. May the Lord prepare me for whatever he has prepared for me! As for returning to America, if I live, I believe there’s no doubt of it. I intend keeping myself free from societies, and therefore I hope to see you again next year. But future things belong to God. I thank you and dear Mr. R—— for your kind invitation. May the Lord direct to what is best! I hope you will continue to write. Pray read, seal and send the inclosed. You will communicate so much of this letter as may be proper. O dear Sir, pray for me, that the glorious Emmanuel may give me humility, and lead me on from conquering to conquer. You must remember me to dear Mrs. S—— and all in the kindest manner, and entreat them to continue their prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,
Yours as usual,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXV.
To Mr. R——.
Oulney, Sept. 4, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
THOUGH I am on my journey to Scotland, yet I must stop a little by the way to answer your kind letter dated in July last. It brought strange things to my ears, and it made me smile. You know, dear Sir, what has often passed between you and me, upon that point, loving honour. Some persons being forced as it were to accept of government places, are like other persons saying nolo episcopare, when, it may be, they have been making interest for a bishoprick many years. You know how to make the application. However, God may over-rule this for good, and if you could get the government of —— (though in asking for it, you know not what you ask) it might be of service to New-England many ways. But, dear Sir, what can I do in it? I have no interest at court, and supposing I had, you have directed me to no means, neither hath any person been with me concerning it. Be pleased therefore to inform me of particulars. Let Mr. S—— instruct me what steps are to be taken, and if I can be of any service, you may command me. I thank you, dear Sir, for your kind invitation, and if you are to be exalted, I pray the Lord of all Lords to fit and qualify you for, and support you under it. You will not forget to give my most cordial salutations to all my dear New-England friends. I pray for them, you, and yours, and am, very dear Sir, with repeated thanks for all favours,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.