LETTER DCCLXXVII.
To the Rev. Mr. H——.
Binnington, Sept. 17, 1749.
Rev. and very dear Sir,
IF you was uneasy that my last lay by you unanswered, I am sure I have been, it may be, much more so, ever since yours came to hand. Upon reading it, I felt all the springs of sympathy move as it were at once. Glad would I have been of the wings of a dove, to have fled to, and condoled with my suffering friend. Perhaps I have heard from what corner your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed.—A saying of Mr. B—— hath often comforted me; “I would often have nestled, but God always put a thorn in my nest.” Is not this suffered, my dear brother, think you, to prick you out, and to compel you as it were to appear for the Lord Jesus Christ? Preaching is my grand Catholicon under all domestic, as well as other trials. Methinks the voice of providence now is, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”—I fear Dr. S—— has done you hurt, and kept you in shackles too, too long. For Christ’s sake, my dear Mr. H——, exhort him, now he hath taken the gown, to play the man, and let the world see that not worldly motives, but God’s glory and a love for souls, have sent him into the ministry. Though when I conversed with him he was exceeding weak, yet as I trust there is sincerity at the bottom, I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. O when shall this once be! who would lose one moment? Amazing! that the followers of a crucified Redeemer should be afraid of contempt. Surely it must be for want of looking more to, and considering him who endured so much pain, and despised so much shame, but is now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. O gloriam quantam et qualem! Rise, H——, rise, and see thy Jesus reaching out a crown with this motto, Vincenti dabo. Excuse this freedom, I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to draw you over to me or a party, but to excite you to appear openly for God. I am glad you intend to write. May I know the plan you intend to go upon? Do you think to say any thing to the Bishop of Exeter? Have you seen his second piece? Would you have me reply? Will you point out to me the faults of my first answer? A letter may be directed (if you write immediately) to be left for me at the Reverend Mr. J——’s, Yorkshire. Thither I am bound now, and if the season of the year should permit, I would stretch to Scotland. Alas, how soon is the year gone round since I was there last! and how little have I done for Jesus! A thought of it sometimes breaks my heart. And yet how good is the Lord! In London we have had most delightful seasons. The glory of the Redeemer filled the tabernacle. If any doubt whether the cause we are embarked in be the cause of God, I say, “Come and see.” Are you free that I should call upon you in my return to town? I think to come by way of Northampton. You shall hear what is done in Yorkshire. I find God has blessed my preaching at Oundle to some souls. At Biddiford, Plymouth, Exeter, and Chatham the word ran and was glorified. But what am I doing? I never wrote to any one so freely, I think, that I was not personally acquainted with, as to you. Pardon me, if I am too free, and impute it to the love that is borne you by, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXVIII.
To Captain W——.
Newcastle, Sept. 29, 1749.
My very dear Brother,
SINCE I wrote to you last, I have had many proofs that God’s providence directed my way into Yorkshire. I preached four times at Abberford, four times at Leeds, and thrice at Howarth, where lives one Mr. G——. At his church I believe we had above a thousand communicants, and in the church-yard about six thousand hearers. It was a great day of the son of man. At Leeds the auditory consisted of above ten thousand. About Leeds are Mr. W——’s societies. I was invited thither by them and one of their preachers; and Mr. Charles W—— coming thither published me himself. I therefore complied, and I believe the gospel was welcome. I have preached here once, and am to preach again this evening. On Monday, God willing, I propose to return to Yorkshire, and from thence to London. Pray send me word immediately whether the Port-Merchant be gone, because I know not but some out of Wales may go in her. I forgot to tell you in my last, that I had given over the immediate care of all my societies to Mr. H——; so that now I am a preacher at large indeed. I find every thing is turning round strangely. O for simplicity and honesty to the end! I long to know how it is with you. Am I to have my brother at last? Do convictions fasten, and can you at length sing,
Be gone, vain world; my heart resign,
For I must be no longer thine?
For the present, adieu. My love to all. I wish you the very best of blessings, and am, my very dear brother,
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXIX.
To Lady H——.
Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
I Wrote to your Ladyship lately a few lines under great weariness of body. I then promised to send your Ladyship many pleasing particulars. Till now I have not had opportunity; and now what shall I say to your Ladyship? Never did I see more of the hand of God in any of my journies than in this. At Mr. G——’s I believe there were above six thousand hearers. The sacramental occasion was most awful. At Leeds the congregation consisted of above 10,000. In the morning at five I was obliged to preach out of doors. I was invited to Leeds by one of Mr. W——’s preachers, and by all his people. The gospel was welcome to them. In my way hither I met Mr. Charles W——, who returned back with, and introduced me to the pulpit in Newcastle. As I am a debtor to all, and intend to be at the head of no party, I thought it my duty to comply. I have preached now in their room four times, and this morning I preached to many thousands in a large close. This evening I am to do the same again. The power of God has attended his own word, and there seems to be a quickening and stirring among the souls. To-morrow, God willing, we set out for Leeds, and after about a week’s stay in those parts I intend returning to London. As it is so late in the year, my Scotch friends advise me to defer my going thither. Had I known that, I should have embarked for America this fall; but I find there were other reasons for my being prevented crossing the waters this winter. I desire to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is pleased to lead me. At New-haven there is a great awakening. If any thing offers worthy of notice, your Ladyship shall be sure to hear. In the mean while, I continue to put up my usual prayer, that your Ladyship may be filled with all the fulness of God, and to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXX.
To Lady Fanny S——.
Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
SOME time last week, my wife sent me the letter your Ladyship was pleased to favour me with about three weeks ago. Though I was sorry it did not reach me before I left town, yet I rejoiced to find that it bespoke your Ladyship’s attachment to the ever-loving ever-lovely Jesus, and a desire to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body and blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart, will cleave unto him, and in spite of men and devils go on in that narrow way which leads to life eternal. God’s grace will be sufficient for you. He hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never to leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the burning bush, he is in the fiery furnace. He can and will make us more than conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship go on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on your beloved Saviour? In him alone is all your strength found. Honoured Madam, look to him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being weary and faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with daily crosses. Persons that stand alone, and in high places, must expect storms. But Jesus is able and willing to uphold you. Thanks be to his great name for giving your Ladyship such a share of prudence and courage. May the glorious Emmanuel increase both; and without being attached to any party, may you be preserved unspotted from the world, and be a common friend to all!—Since I saw your Ladyship, I have disengaged myself from the immediate care of the societies, and am now still more at liberty to preach the gospel of the blessed God. A series of unforeseen providences brought me down this way. In Yorkshire many, many thousands have attended the word, and here at Newcastle thousands also hear the gospel gladly. To-morrow I am returning back, and hope to be in town some time this month. I fear it is now too late to embark for America this winter; but, thanks be to God, I hear my family is well, and that the Lord hath given them a plentiful crop. If your Ladyship lives, I believe you will hear of some souls being educated at Georgia for God. Honoured Madam, my heart’s desire and constant prayer is, that you may go on from strength to strength, and be continually growing in the knowledge of yourself and Christ Jesus your Lord. I must now add no more, but my repeated thanks for all your Ladyship’s favours, and my repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXI.
To Lady F—— S——.
Estwood in Lancashire, Oct. 25, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
SINCE I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship from Newcastle, fresh wonders of grace and mercy have been shewn us daily. I have now I think preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and above ten times in Cheshire, and Lancashire. Congregations have been very large, and a solid, convincing, and comforting influence hath every where attended the word. In one or two places I have had a little rough treatment, but elsewhere all has been quiet, and many I hear are brought under concern about the welfare of their better part. At the importunity of many, I am now returning from Manchester (where I preached to many thousands) to Leeds; from thence I purpose going to Sheffield, and next week I hope to see good Lady H——n at Ashby, and the week following I hope to be in London. Thus do I lead a pilgrim life: God give me a pilgrim heart, and enable me to speak of redeeming love to a lost world, till I can speak no more! Surely this is a work that brings with it its own reward. It brings a heaven into the soul, and causes it, amidst all the scoffs and tauntings of a benighted, ill-natured, and ridiculing world, to rejoice with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory. “To me, (says the blessed apostle) to live is Christ.” When a person can once say so in reality, then he begins to live indeed. Even death itself is then life, because death to such a one is eternal gain. O how great, how striking, how transporting and transforming are the invisible realities of another world, to a soul that is born of God! What meer shadows and empty nothings are all sublunary enjoyments, when compared with these! Thanks be to God, who has given you, honoured Madam, a taste of these infinitely important things. My constant prayer for your Ladyship is, that you may hold on, and hold out, and with full purpose of heart cleave unto that Redeemer who hath loved you, and given himself for you. Mrs. G—— at Manchester goes on well, and is not ashamed to confess him, who I trust has called her out of darkness, and made her partaker of his marvellous light. May the glorious Emmanuel add daily to the number of his honourable confessors, and give the rich to know, that to be rich in faith and good works is the only way to be rich indeed! All is ours, if we can truly say, we are Christ’s. Honoured Madam, I must beg your excuse for this freedom; but at present I have a view of the Redeemer’s glory, and therefore know not well how to stop when writing of him. Your Ladyship will ♦pardon me, and accept these poor lines, which shall be followed with hearty prayers from, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXII.
To the Countess D——.
Halifax, Oct. 26, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
THOUGH I am jealous of myself, lest I should make too free with persons in high life, yet when I have good news to send concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ, I am constrained as it were to write to your Ladyship. Will it not rejoice you very much, honoured Madam, to hear the glorious Emmanuel is riding on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering to conquer? Every day people flock to hear the word, like doves to their windows. I have preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and at the desire of many am returned thither again. The latter end of next week I hope to see good Lady H——n. I suppose her Ladyship will detain me a few days at Ashby, and then I purpose coming directly to London. Thanks be to God, all places are near alike to me, so that I can but be doing something for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me. This I would have to be my meat and my drink. To me to live, let it be Christ; for life is no further desirable than as we can improve it to the promoting his glory. Mary thought so, who in the days of his flesh sat at the Redeemer’s feet and heard his words. This I believe is your Ladyship’s daily employ; a glorious employ indeed. How sweet must his fruit be unto your Ladyship’s taste! Surely it is sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb. And if the first-fruits are so delightful, how infinitely delightful must the full harvest be! Go on, honoured Madam, and whatever others may do, still keep pursuing after more and more of that better part, which shall never be taken away from you. Jesus is full of grace, and full of truth. Believers are welcome to him every moment. He is ready to water them continually with the dew of his heavenly blessing. It is our privilege to go on from grace to grace, till grace be swallowed up in endless glory. O that your honoured sister may march on with your Ladyship towards this blessed state! There she will have a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and sincerely pray that she may be filled with all the fulness of God.—I hope your Ladyship is inclined to remember me at the throne of grace, your Ladyship knows my name, “The chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints;” but, for Christ’s sake, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and willing servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXIII.
To Lady H——n.
Leeds, Oct. 30, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
ON Saturday evening I had the honour of your Ladyship’s letter, and as it came before the Manchester post went out, I immediately sent the inclosed to Mrs. G——. If possible I am persuaded she will comply. She seems to be quite in earnest. I conversed for about two hours with the Captain and some other officers, upon the nature and necessity of the new birth. He was affected, and I hope it was blessed. Since I left them, I have preached to many thousands at Rosindale, Aywood, and Halifax. I have also offered Jesus at ♦Burstall, Pudsy, and Armly, and have had three precious seasons here. Congregations are exceeding large indeed, and both the established and dissenting clergy are very angry. They thundered I hear yesterday heartily. But truth is great, and will prevail, though preached in the fields and streets. Indeed it begins to be cold abroad now; but the Lord Jesus is pleased to strengthen me, and people flock from all quarters. This day sevennight, God willing, without fail your Ladyship may depend on seeing me. I thought to have been at Ashby next Lord’s-day, but a door seems to be opened at Nottingham, and I have thoughts of trying what can be done there. This morning I shall set out for Sheffield. May the Lord give me a pilgrim heart for my pilgrim life, and then all will be well! I know I have your Ladyship’s prayers.—I think your Ladyship judges right in respect to the churches. I expect to meet with many rebuffs, but by the help of my God I shall leap over every wall. That your Ladyship may stand as a wall of brass, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful obedient servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXIV.
To the Reverend Mr. H——.
Ashby-Place, Nov. 8, 1749.
My very dear Friend,
I Thank you heartily for your kind letter to me, and your kind benefaction to poor Mr. C——. That God, whom you both serve, will plentifully reward and bless you. I am in great hopes, enough will be raised to pay his debts, and that a provision will be made for his future subsistence. Rather than Elijahs shall want, ravens shall be sent to feed them. Your present circumstances almost distress me, and at the same time make me ashamed. I think it requires more grace heartily to say, “Father, thy will be done,” in such a situation, than to die a martyr forty times. But my dear friend, though your body is weak and confined at home, your pen hath been active, and your works walk abroad. I hear of them from all quarters. God hath blessed, and will bless them. Let that comfort you, and if health any way permits, pray write again. Fear not, my dear dear Man; let faith and patience hold out a little longer, and then the struggle shall be over. Yet a little while, and you shall join with that sweet singer Dr. Watts, who whilst on earth dragged a crazy load along, as well as you, for many years. As for my poor tabernacle, I wonder it is not dissolved every day; but we are immortal till our work is done. Now is my time for doing; my suffering time may come by and by. O for strength in a trying hour! Wherefore should we fear? Wherefore should we doubt? He that hath loved us, will love us to the end. This encourages me to hold on my way. Blessed be God, I have seen great things since I wrote last. The fields have been more and more white, ready unto harvest. I am now at Ashby with good Lady H——n. Her Ladyship has a great regard for you, and begs you would come and stay a week at her house. She will take great care of you. I think to remove hence on Monday, and should be very glad to see you in my way to London. However this be, we shall meet in heaven. There the wicked heart and wicked world will cease from troubling, and there the weary will enjoy an uninterrupted and eternal rest. This morning we have been remembering our blessed Redeemer’s death, and I was enabled to pray earnestly for my dear Mr. H——. I beseech the Father of mercies and God of all consolations to excite you to do the same for my dear old friend.
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXV.
To Lady H——n.
London, Nov. 21, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
YOUR Ladyship’s letter greatly rejoiced me, and stirred me up to pray afresh that our blessed Lord would give you to see of the travel of his soul, in the salvation of many at Ashby. I am persuaded your Ladyship was not sent there for nothing.—But it is always darkest before break of day. I desire to be thankful that your honoured Sisters are pleased to approve of me. Thanks be to God, I feel myself unworthy; but unworthy as I am, my poor prayers I trust will reach heaven in their behalf. This day, both they and your Ladyship were remembered at the Lord’s table. The Countess, Lady G—— and Lady F—— were there, and all I think are grown in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What encouragement is this for your Ladyship to go and speak for God? All send their best compliments, and Lady F—— desired me to inform your Ladyship, that the man who was sent up has been taken care of. Blessed be God for putting it in your Ladyship’s power to help the poor sufferers of Cork. Last night I received a letter from Mr. L——, and purpose this night or to-morrow to write to him about what your Ladyship desires; I think he will be a proper person. Mr. W—— I believe is at his house. I pity those who have been persecuted in Ireland. The minister being taken so ill near your Ladyship, was an alarming providence. But who so blind as those that will not see? God honours your Ladyship, in making you instrumental to own and provide for those, who are cast out for his great name’s sake. Great shall be your reward in heaven. I hope you and your honoured sisters will have great comfort in the perseverance of the poor baker. He is a Jerusalem sinner, a proper object for free grace to fix on. A woman of fourscore, and a boy about eleven, have been lately awakened, and it is hoped converted, in Essex. May Jesus feed them all with bread that comes down from heaven! We have blessed seasons here, and our Lord gives us to see his stately steps. God prepare me for a suffering hour! Mrs. C—— has met with a heavy trial in the death of her only daughter, aged twenty. I hear she behaves like a christian under it. Happy they who know that promise belongs to them, “All things work together for good to those who love God.” How easy may Isaacs be given up by them? But I forget I am weary, when writing to your Ladyship. Pardon my taking up so much of your precious time. I wish your Ladyship, your honoured Sisters, and children, all the privileges of the new-born, heaven-born sons of God. This is the only return that can be made both to them and you, by, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, dutiful, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXVI.
To Mr. L——.
London, Nov. 22, 1749.
Very dear Sir,
I Received your kind letter on Monday last, and to shew you how willing I am to carry on a correspondence, I take the very first opportunity of answering it. Yours found me just returned out of Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since you heard of me last, I have been at Sheffield and Nottingham, and found the fields every where white ready unto harvest. I believe my particular province is, to go about and preach the gospel to all. My being obliged to keep up a large correspondence in America, and the necessity I am under of going thither myself, entirely prevents my taking care of any societies. Whether it will ever be my lot to come over to Ireland, I cannot say. I have some thought of being there next Spring; but I would not intrude on any one’s labours. The world is large, and blessed be God, there is a range and work sufficient for all. As for my manner of preaching, I believe, was you to hear me, you would find it calculated to serve all, but intended at least to offend none. I profess to be of a catholic spirit; I am a debtor to all; I have no party to be at the head of, and through God’s grace, I will have none; but as much as in me lies strengthen the hands of all, of every denomination, that preach Jesus Christ in sincerity. In this spirit I hope my dear Mr. L—— will find me, should he ever see me in Ireland; but whether I shall go there or to America in the Spring, is not yet determined. Future things belong to Him whose I am, and whom I desire to serve to my dying day, in the gospel of his dear Son. I earnestly beg an interest in your prayers, and in the prayers of all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Pray how do the poor people at Cork? Lady H—— writes this concerning them. “I hope the poor persecuted people in Cork will be helped, and I should be glad if you could write in my name to any of them, and inform them that I would have written myself, but I know not how to direct. You may give them my kind assurance of serving them upon any occasion, and a hint that I believe they will meet with no more of the like rough usage.” Thus far my good Lady. I have informed her Ladyship, that I should write to you, who I am persuaded will gladly and in a prudent manner communicate this to all concerned. And now, my dear Sir, have I not returned you a long letter? I love you, though I know you not, and the more so because I hear you breathe a catholic spirit. May the Lord increase it in your and all his children’s hearts! I must now add no more, but subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXVII.
To Mr. N——.
London, Nov. 25, 1749.
Very dear Sir,
FOR some few days I have been returned from my northern rout, in which the glorious Emmanuel gave me to see new wonders every day. It was no small concern to me to turn my back on Scotland, when so near. However it hath been greatly over-ruled for good. I have thereby been called to preach in many fresh places, and, glory be to God, I saw thousands flock to the hearing of the gospel, like doves to the windows. The generous offer made me by yourself and lady, I took exceeding kind, and gladly would I have embraced it, but——Well! what is, is best. “Father, not my will but thine be done.” Perhaps I may see you in the Spring; if not, ere long, dear Sir, we shall meet in heaven. My wife tells me, she answered Lady I——’s letter immediately. In this she joins, sending most grateful acknowledgments and cordial salutations. Blessed be God, we are both well, and surrounded with mercies on every side.—Only ungrateful, ill, and hell-deserving I, want a grateful and an humble heart. I am altogether an unprofitable servant, but our Lord I trust will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit: for by this, and this only, I know our heavenly father is glorified. What I am most afraid of is, lest I should flag in the latter stages of my road. But he that hath loved and helped, will, dear Sir, love and help me to the end. I am persuaded your prayers and the prayers of christian friends will be very serviceable. O that you may be kept alive and warm in this cold declining day! Poor Scotland, I pity thee! I will pray for thy prosperity till I can pray no more! Be pleased to present our joint love and cordial respects to all friends in general, and we entreat you and yours to accept the same in a most particular manner from, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXVIII.
To Lady H——n.
London, Nov. 30, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
I Think it is now a whole week since I had the honour and pleasure of writing to your Ladyship, and as your Ladyship was pleased to desire the prayers of God’s people, I read that part of your letter. Thousands heartily united in singing the following verses for your Ladyship.
Gladly we join to pray for those,
Who rich with worldly honour shine;
Yet dare to own a Saviour’s cause,
And in that hated cause to join:
Yes! we would praise Thee that a few
Love Thee, though rich and noble too.
Uphold this star in thy right hand,
Crown her endeavours with success;
Among the great ones may she stand,
A witness of thy righteousness!
Till many nobles join thy train,
And triumph in the Lamb that’s slain.
The verses were made by T—— G—— who is now under my roof. He has grievously backslidden, but I hope is now returning home to his heavenly Father. We had an uncommon scene when he first came to me. I find the Lord will be sanctified in all them that come near him, and will not suffer those who are concerned in his cause, and with his people, to continue in sin long undiscerned. O that I may be kept simple, and honest, and zealous unto the end! Mine eyes wait upon thee, O Lord, from whence alone cometh my salvation! I find he never fails those that put their trust in him. Blessed be his name, I have got sufficient to pay off Mr. C——’s debts.—Poor, yet attempting at least to make many rich, I would have my motto still. Mr. L—— also writes word, that the glorious Jesus hath raised sufficient for his charity school, and that he is much blessed in his labours. The book that hath been given to me for your Ladyship, I purpose sending next week, with one or two of the Sundays Thoughts for your Ladyship’s honoured sisters. Indeed I honour them very much, and pray for them and all related to your Ladyship very earnestly. I was glad to hear by Mr. R—— that your Ladyship and all were so well. May you prosper and be in health both in body and soul! London already begins to disagree with my outward man, but the Lord’s smiling upon my poor labours sweetens all. I have begun to preach by six in the morning. We have large congregations even then. I trust we shall have a warm winter. I have not been at the other end of the town this week, but I find all hold on: however a leader is wanting. This honour hath been put on your Ladyship by the great head of the church. An honour conferred on few, but an earnest of a distinguished honour to be put on your Ladyship before men and angels, when time shall be no more. That you may every day add to the splendor of your future crown, by always abounding in the work of the Lord, is the fervent prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, and obliged, though very unworthy servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXIX.
To Mr. L——.
London, Dec. 3, 1749.
My dear Mr. L——,
I Thank you heartily for your kind Letter, and yet more heartily thank our glorious Emmanuel for succeeding your charity school, and smiling upon your public administrations. I have sent Lady H——n an account of it, and earnestly pray the blessed Redeemer to own and succeed you evermore. My winter quarters are made very agreeable; but so much business crouds in upon me, that I have not time to write long letters. I am looking out for some fresh sermons for you. Mr. H——, with whom I spent some agreeable hours lately at Northampton, would let you have some, but his are all in short hand. Here is a volume of one Mr. H——’s lately deceased that I guess will do for you. A friend to-day promises to send me Gurnall’s spiritual Armour, of which I suppose you will highly approve. I will endeavour to bring or send it to you. I cannot think of stirring hence till after Christmas, but before the Winter is over, I shall long for the Spring to come, that I may enter on a fresh campaign. The encouragement given me this last fall, gladdens my poor heart, and makes me to long more than ever to spend and be spent for that Jesus, who hath shed his precious blood for us upon the cross. I know those last almost parting words of our ascending Lord, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep,” will be engraven upon the tables of your heart. Our obligations to do so, are very great, at least mine are. O that we may embrace all opportunities of shewing that we love our Lord more than every created thing. O for simplicity and godly sincerity unto the end of our race! Yet a little while, and we shall reach the goal and lay hold on the crown. Yonder our Lord stands holding it out. It has those words written upon it, Vincenti dabo. What is infinitely more, he will give us himself. We shall behold, we shall partake of his glory. O gloriam ♦quantum et qualem! You will urge all to press after it. Blessed be God, that you have so many around you that have a taste thereof. My hearty love attends them all. May the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, and give you to increase with all the increase of God! Nothing greater can be, nothing less shall be desired in your behalf by, my dear old friend,
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXC.
To Mrs. K——.
London, Dec. 6, 1749.
Dear Madam,
I Thank you heartily for the acceptable favour of your letter, which came to my hand last night. It was quite welcome, as it bespoke the language of a heart panting after God, and desirous to be conformed to its great exemplar the blessed and holy Jesus. Go on, dear Madam, in his strength, who hath loved you and given himself for you. Confess him before men, and he will confess you before his holy angels in heaven. I am glad that Lady H—— visits you often. Whenever you meet, may the glorious Emmanuel cause your hearts to burn within you. What you propose for the poor cast-out clergyman, will be accepted of and rewarded by our common Lord, as done to himself. God willing, I purpose waiting upon you next Saturday by eleven o’clock, and then I can receive your kind benefaction. Colonel G—— being with me when your letter came, offered to accompany me. Perhaps Mr. C—— will come too. I shall see him this day, and shall be sure to inform him and his wife of what you desire. Good Lady H——n would gladly make one in addressing the throne of grace. But she is happy in yonder dead place, and Dorcas-like is always employed for the poor. Glorious privilege! Blessed redemption! Jesus can make us happy any where and every where. You have a neighbour that dearly loves him. I mean the reverend Mr. Z——, the king’s German chaplain. I believe, Madam, he would be glad to wait upon you; he has now three ministers with him, burning with the love of Christ, and going to preach the gospel in the East-Indies. Have you seen a little piece entitled Sunday Thoughts? I think you would like it much. But I forget myself. I wish you the best of blessings, all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, and beg leave to subscribe myself, dear Madam,
Your most obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.