LETTER DCCCLXVII.
To Mr. T——.
Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750.
My very dear Mr. T——,
YOUR kind letter did not reach me till about two days ago. I embrace the first opportunity of answering it. If you write often, God willing, you shall hear oftener from me. You are peculiarly dear to me, and therefore I heartily wish you was thrust out into our Lord’s harvest. Vox populi, much more vox amicorum, is frequently vox Dei. I say to you, as a good old minister did to one whom you know, and who was as unwilling to go into the vineyard, as you can be, “I believe if St. Paul was alive, he would ordain you.” You have a moderate share of learning, an agreeable address, a good elocution, a little knowledge of mankind, and of yourself, and above all an experimental acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ, with a door of usefulness immediately opening; and what would you more? I wish some latent pride may not be at the bottom. Lose no more time, my dear man. The voice of Christ to you now is, “Follow me, and I will make thee a fisher of men.” The harvest is great, the labourers are few. Thousands are perishing for lack of that knowledge, which you have already. The world wants more heat than light. Crescit eundo, crescit agendo, is a young minister’s motto. I think the Itinerancy abroad would suit you well. By travelling before you take on you a settled charge, you will get a deeper insight into the world and the church; you will insensibly acquire larger and more sublime thoughts of God’s providence and grace, and consequently be more fit to serve whatever flock the Holy Ghost shall hereafter place you over. I believe that your honoured father loves Christ too well, to stand out long against a rational scheme for the extensive usefulness of his son. He is a dear man, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Pray remember me to him in the kindest manner, and tell him I purpose writing to him as soon as possible. This leaves me at Ashby, at good Lady H——n’s, whose house is indeed a Bethel to those who are willing to follow her, as she follows Jesus Christ. One of high rank, I really believe, was converted lately on a dying bed, and her death I trust hath proved the life of one or two more. One of the Kendal converts is gone off in flying colours, and our blessed Lord has given us sweet seasons at Portsmouth, Chatham, Gloucestershire, Birmingham, Eversham, Wednesbury, Nottingham, &c. Next Monday, God willing, I go for London, in order to put into winter quarters. The Lord prepare me for a fresh campaign! Do you know any one fit for a Tutor at Georgia? I am glad that New Jersey college succeeds. I had lately a letter from Governor Belcher, which I suppose you have seen; it was sent to Mr. N——. Colonel W—— proposes that Mr. P—— shall come over with one of the Indians; I wish he may. I am sorry to hear that Mr. —— is likely to destroy himself by hard study. I had rather he would kill himself with hard working, and going about to do good. Mr. G—— seems to me to have chosen the better part. How is dear Mr. R—— W——? I hope he is like a flame of fire. Pray salute him and all my dear, very dear friends in the tenderest manner. I could live and die with them. In heaven we shall live together. There we shall see our dear Mr. L——. I hope your little choir are every day learning more and more of the new song, in order to join him in the realms above.—You have all my hearty love and prayers. Accept the same yourself in a very particular manner from, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in a precious Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXVIII.
To Governor B——.
Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750.
Honoured Sir,
I Had the favour of your Excellency’s letter, and took the liberty of communicating it to good Lady H——n, who shines in the church of Christ on this side the water, as a star of the first magnitude. Her Ladyship will be very glad to open a correspondence with your Excellency; and seems to speak of New-Jersey College with great satisfaction. I rejoice to hear that it is in a prosperous situation. If Mr. P—— or Mr. B—— can be prevailed on to come over, I am persuaded liberal contributions will be raised both in England and Scotland. All was ready, if dear Mr. A—— had not been taken off by death; but even this our blessed Lord can and will over-rule for good. I think it forebodes good for America, that such a spirit is excited in so many provinces for promoting a learned and religious education. God only knows how much my heart is on that side the water. I should certainly have embarked about this time, did not my wife daily expect an hour of travail. I can only say, “It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good.” Blessed be his name, fresh doors for usefulness are opened every week. We had a blessed scene this Summer in Scotland, and ever since I have been ranging about, to see who will believe the gospel report. O that I may die in the field! I am now at my good Lady’s with three clergymen that love and preach Jesus Christ. Several souls have been awakened here. One of high birth was lately converted on her dying bed; and by that means I trust one or two more are put upon securing the one thing needful. On Monday I shall leave her Ladyship, to go for London, which is to be my Winter quarters. I shall long for Spring, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that my soul may begin to spring indeed! spring for Him who was stretched upon the accursed tree to save my wretched soul. Blessed be his name, that your Excellency has got such a sweet retreat in the decline of life; where, free from noise and hurry, you and your consort may ripen for heaven, and consequently be more and more fitted for your last great change. That will now shortly come. Your Excellency is arrived to a good old age. You have by faith seen the Lord Christ. You have been instrumental in founding a christian college. Let death come when it will, with good old Simeon, you may say, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,” for my soul hath experienced thy great salvation! This I believe, honoured Sir, is all your desire. Our Lord will grant it to you. O that when you are near his throne, you may have a petition upon your heart for unworthy, ill-deserving, hell-deserving me! Your Excellency hath laid me under many obligations; let me entreat you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to add to them by not ceasing to pray for me, that as I have had much forgiven me, I may, with Magdalen, love much; and being a brand plucked out of the burning, I may, in God’s own time and way, be translated to dwell with Jesus in his kingdom. As our Lord enables, the favour shall constantly be returned in behalf of you and yours, by, honoured Sir,
Your Excellency’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXIX.
To Baron Z——.
London, Nov. 9, 1750.
Honoured Sir,
THE love of Jesus Christ constrains me to send you a few lines. They flow from a heart truly sympathizing with your beloved Baroness, under your present trials. O that patience may have its perfect work in your souls! O that with your tempted, afflicted, agonizing Jesus, you may be enabled to say, “The cup, which our heavenly Father hath given us, shall we not drink it?” I doubt not, but you find it sweetened with his love:—“for he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear; but will with the temptation make a way for us to escape.” The sacrificing our relations to his sovereign good will and pleasure, is no small trial, especially when unconverted. But what says the scripture? “Neither did his brethren believe on him.” Your Lord can sympathize with you under your present circumstances;
He knows what this temptation means,
For he has felt the same.
Look up, therefore, to him, honoured Sir, who has promised never to leave nor forsake you. He hath helped you out of six, he will also help you out of seven troubles. I write this out of the fulness of my heart. My poor prayers are continually ascending to the throne of grace in your behalf. I hope you will not be offended at my freedom in writing. Love and gratitude are my only motives. Good Lady H——n will sympathize with you, when she hears how you are situated. I left her some little time past abounding in the work of the Lord. I had a pleasant excursion into the country, and my Winter quarters are made very agreeable in town. What shall I render unto the Lord? Honoured Sir, I beg a continued interest in your prayers, and those of your honoured Baroness.—You know my name,—I am the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints, but for Jesus Christ’s sake,
Your sympathizing ready servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXX.
To Mr. S——.
Canterbury, Nov. 20, 1750.
My dear Mr. S——,
BY that time yours reached London, I suppose my last will have reached Dublin, and find you on the full stretch for him, who was stretched upon the cross for you and me. As far as I can judge of the circumstances you related to me, settling as you propose, will not hinder, but rather further you in your present work. Only beware of nestling. If you do, and God loves you (as I believe he does) you shall have thorns enough put into your nest. O that I may be enabled, even to the end, to evidence, that nothing but a pure disinterested love to Christ and souls, caused me to begin, go on, and hold out, in pursuing the present work of God! I have seen so many that once bid exceedingly fair, and afterwards, Demas like, preferred the world to Christ, that I cannot be too jealous over myself, or others whom I profess to love. This is my motive in writing to you, love, even love unfeigned; love for Christ’s sake, and the good of souls. O let no one take away your crown. If you marry, let it be in the Lord, and for the Lord, and then the Lord will give it his blessing. Only remember this, marry when or whom you will, expect trouble in the flesh. But I spare you. Seven years hence, if we should live and meet, we can talk better of these things. In the mean while, let us go on leaning on our Beloved. He, and He alone, can keep us unspotted from the world. Does the work prosper among you? It increases here. At Canterbury I find several souls are awakened. God willing, I leave it to-morrow. You must pray for me, and exhort all to continue their prayers also. I expect, one day or another, to see some glorious days in Ireland. I am called away.—For the present, adieu.
Yours most affectionately in our blessed Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXI.
To Mr. T——.
London, Nov. 30, 1750.
My dear Mr. T——,
AS I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and look upon you as an aged friend of the blessed Bridegroom, and my friend for his great name’s sake, I cannot help dropping you a few lines. They are lines of gratitude; lines of thanks for all favours conferred upon me when in Scotland. They leave me pleasantly sojourning in my Winter quarters, and longing for the Spring that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. Now and then I make little excursions, and can inform you, that there is a sweet work begun and carrying on at Canterbury and Chatham. I long to hear that your son John has put his hand to the gospel plough, and am not without hopes that his lot will be to itinerate, at least for a while. He seems to be qualified for such an employ. I shall be glad to see him on the other side of the water. Had I the management of a thousand youths, if circumstances would allow, they should travel for one year at least, before they took upon them a settled charge. Methinks I hear you say, “What! will you take my Benjamin away?” This was old Jacob’s infirmity. You love Christ too well to refuse giving up the young lad, if it should appear in providence that the Lord hath need of him either at home or abroad. I pray God to direct and bless you both, and to establish his covenant with you and your seed for ever. You are now on the decline of life. I have been just reading about the year of jubilee. How joyful were the prisoners when they heard of the approach of that wish’d-for day! How much more joyful may those be, who having an interest in Jesus Christ, are waiting for the last trump, to proclaim our eternal jubilee in heaven! This, my dear friend, is your happy lot. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice. The day of our complete redemption draweth nigh. Let us then lift up our heads, and let us lift up our hearts to praise him, from whom alone cometh our salvation. I could enlarge, but am called away. My hearty love to all enquiring friends. I think to write to your son soon. We had a happy day yesterday among the Great Ones. I am, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our dear Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXII.
To Doctor W——.
London, Dec. 17, 1750.
My dear Doctor,
I Received your kind letter, and would have answered it much sooner, had I not been prevented by sickness. For near a fortnight past, I have been confined to my room; but through the divine blessing, am now enabled to preached again. Praise the Lord, O my soul. My disorder was a violent fever: Jesus hath rebuked it. I am raised up once more. O may it be that I may minister unto him! For me to live is Christ. But alas! how little do I live to his glory! Yesterday I entered upon my seven-and-thirtieth year. I am ashamed to think I have lived so long, and done so little, and yet every year, day, and hour of my life hath been crowned with the divine goodness. O my dear friend, let this be our motto, Vivimus ut viviamus. It is enough when we come to our last moments, to have nothing to do, but to die. Blessed be God, that you have courage given you to speak to the dying. A word spoken in such a season how good is it? May the great physician take you under his peculiar care, forgive you all your sins, and heal all your diseases! I purpose writing to my friend J—— T——, and others, as I get strength. At present, I must content myself with sending general, but cordial salutations, and begging the continual interest of your prayers in behalf of, my very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXIII.
To Mr. T——.
London, Dec. 21, 1750.
I Have been lately near the gates of death, which has hindered my answering your kind letter as soon as I proposed. Accept a few, though loving lines now. I hope they will find you entered upon your trials, and longing to preach the gospel, which you have felt to be the power of God to the salvation of your soul. Every line of your letter seemed to have this call in it, “Rise, T——r, rise,—the harvest is great; the labourers are few: pray the Lord of the harvest to send thee, and many more like-minded, into the harvest.” I cannot write much at present. Inclosed you have a few extracts. That from Lady H——n, came last week when she was dangerously ill. May the Lord continue her useful life! I am now entering upon my seven-and-thirtieth year. O that I may begin to live to him, who hath lived and died for me! I shall be glad to know your friend’s answer about Georgia. If the Lord raises up a solid, heavenly-minded, learned young man for a tutor, I shall be glad. Nothing, I believe, but sickness or death, will prevent my going over next year. Methinks the winter is long; I want to take the field again. Could you send me all Mr. G——’s weekly papers. We prayed heartily last Monday for the awakened Hollanders. I have heard of several lately awakened here. To the blessed and glorious Jesus be all the praise. My dear friend, my heart leaps at the very mention of his name. When I muse of him, the fire kindles. O that you and I may shew forth his praise while we have a tongue! Pray remember me to all in the kindest manner, and beg them not to forget unworthy me. Let not my being so slow in answering your last, prevent your writing speedily to, my dear Mr. T——,
Yours most affectionately in our dearest Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXIV.
To Lady S——.
London, Dec. 25, 1750.
Honoured Madam,
I Had the favour of your Ladyship’s letter on Saturday afternoon, and immediately communicated what concerned him, to my ingenious and devout friend Mr. H——. With this, your Ladyship will receive a line from him. I persuaded him, that your Ladyship would not take it ill. Poor Mr. B—— is much obliged to your Ladyship for speaking in his behalf. He happened to be with me, when your Ladyship’s letter came. The Reception that your Ladyship’s kind motion met with, convinces me more and more, that “Be ye warmed, and be ye filled,” without giving any thing to be warmed and filled with, is the farthest that most professors go. Words are cheap, and cost nothing; and therefore many can say, “they pity,” and that extremely too, when at the same time, their practice shews it is only a verbal, and not a real compassion. I often told the poor man, that his dependance was too strong; and that I was afraid least help would not come from that quarter where he expected most. He sends ten thousand thanks for what your Ladyship hath done already. Surely he is worthy. He is a lover of Christ, and his outward circumstances very pitiable indeed. Your Ladyship will not be offended at the freedom I take. You love to help the distressed to the utmost of your power; and your Ladyship shall find that good measure, pressed down and running over, shall be returned into your bosom. That your Ladyship may experience the truth of this, in respect to temporals and spirituals, more and more every day, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, dutiful, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXV.
To Mr. S——.
London, Jan. 4, 1751.
My dear Mr. S——,
IMMEDIATELY upon the receipt of your last from Limerick, I wrote you an answer, directed for you at Limerick post-office, as you desired. As you are going that way, ere this reaches you, I hope you will have received it. I pray the Lord of all lords to give you such grace, that all may see, that the doctrines of the gospel are indeed productive of righteousness, and true holiness in heart, lip, and life. Mind this, and then fear not. Continue as you are, until you are absolutely rejected. I want not to proselyte persons to myself, but to the glorious Emmanuel, my Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Perhaps He may send me to Ireland; though some weeks ago I hoped that he was about to take me to heaven. I kept my room near a fortnight, and still continue very weak. This obliges me to be brief. My wife is now expecting an hour of travail. Some time this month I trust she will be delivered. She desires to be remembered to you. God willing, Mr. Z—— shall hear from me. I do not yet hear who is to be the person. Unless you have thoughts of going abroad, I see no objection against your altering your condition. May the Lord direct and bless you and all in that important step! It is a change for life. We have had blessed seasons here; but methinks the Winter is very long. O that I was entering upon a Spring campaign! It is a new year. My dear Mr. S——, why should we not begin to begin to live to that Jesus, who has done and suffered so much for us! I trust this is the language of your heart,
A life that all things casts behind,
Springs forth obedient at thy call;
A heart, that no desire can move,
But still t’adore, believe, and love,
Give me, my Lord, my life, my all!
I hear you say, Amen, Amen. Hallelujah! I must have done. Bodily strength fails me. My love to all that love Christ Jesus. Brethren, pray for us, is the earnest request of, my dear Mr. S——,
Yours most affectionately in our dearest Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXVI.
To Mr. L——.
London, Jan. 13, 1751.
Dear Mr. L——,
BEFORE I had the pleasure of your letter, I had heard some particulars of the late commotion at Canterbury. Ere now I hope you have been directed to the choice of such means, as may, under God, open the door wider than ever for preaching the everlasting gospel in your parts. Satan has done at Canterbury as he always does elsewhere; I mean, he has overshot his mark. Such proceedings are too violent to hold long. Exhort, therefore, my dear Sir, your fellow-soldiers, to quit themselves like men, and be strong. Put ye on the whole armour of God; and always remember, that through much tribulation we must enter into glory. Now is the time for you to prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. Your way to fight, is upon your knees. That weapon all-prayer will do wonders. The devil has lost some servants, and he is afraid of losing more. Therefore he rallies his forces as Pharaoh harnessed his chariots, and wants to bring you back to Egypt. Your business is to go on. Though Pharaoh is behind, and a red-sea before you,—ere long you shall pass through the one, and see the other totally destroyed. In patience possess ye your souls. God is able to bring the counsel of every Achitophel to nought. You know in whom you have believed. He never did, he never will, he never can fail those that put their trust in him. Think of those farewel words, which he spake in the days of his flesh to his dear disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled; in the world ye shall have tribulation:—But I have overcome the world.” That is enough to raise every drooping heart. He hath overcome for us; he will overcome in us, and ere long call us to reign with him for ever in glory. O blessed hope! Whilst I am musing on it, the fire kindles. Brethren, my heart is enlarged towards you. The Lord strengthen you, and give you to pray for
Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXVII.
To Mr. X—— Y——.
London, Jan. 15, 1751.
Dear Sir,
YOUR letter came safe to hand. I pray God enable me to answer it agreeable to his will. Your call to enter into the ministry, seems to be pretty clear, and if your health would permit you to be a tutor, and courage be given you to act like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, you might do unspeakable good in residing at college. If a person’s health will not admit of such a residence, I think by the laws of God and man, his absence may be dispensed with. Originally, Fellows were appointed to reside; but there is no general rule without an exception. Particular circumstances can only determine particular cases. Mr. W—— I know hath been dispensed with many years:—and though I cannot say I have approved of this part of his conduct, yet as he is called elsewhere, and applies the college income to good purposes, I suppose he thinks he acts an honest and christian part. As for the difficulties you seem to place before you, I can only say, “Nil desperandum Christo duce.” Every new scene brings its new temptations; but faith in the Son of God, will make us more than conquerors over all. His love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, is the best director and support in all circumstances whatsoever. For want of an establishment in this, and through the prevalency of an hypocondraical disorder, you seem to have particular scruples about particular things. It is what all persons, entering on the divine life, are more or less exposed to. “Meditation, prayer, reading, and temptation, (says holy Luther) make a minister.” Your levity of spirit, and fickleness of temper, are your greatest diseases. These are to be watched and prayed against, and by divine grace will be overcome. Look up, therefore, dear Sir, to the blessed Jesus. Out of weakness he can and will make you to become strong, and turn your lightness of spirit into solid joy. Till then, be content rather to appear stupid, than by giving way to the luxuriancy of unsanctified wit, bring guilt upon your soul. Thus, dear Sir, I have endeavoured to answer your letter; though I must confess, as you are so near, I had rather converse with you personally. You may use freedom with me. I rejoice that the glorious Jesus hath in any degree blessed my poor administrations to you. I need not, therefore, remind you to give him all the glory, and entreat you to pray for me, who am the very chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s sake, dear Sir,
Your very ready servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXVIII.
To Mr. B——.
London, Jan. 18, 1751.
My very dear Friend,
YOUR kind letter I received this morning. The love I owe you for Christ’s sake, constrains me to send you an immediate answer. From the same motive I just now wrote to Mr. B——. Poor man! This is a home-stroke indeed! I hope he and his yoke-fellow will now take a large step to heaven. May God prepare us, my dear friend, for the finishing trials! We must all have them in our turns. But wherefore should we fear? Out of very faithfulness, our heavenly Father causes us to be troubled. Of his infinite mercy he hath lately been pleased to visit me with a threatening illness. I was just casting anchor;—but it seems I must put out to sea again. O that it may be to direct others to the way that leads to the haven of eternal rest! Who knows but I may sound the gospel once more in Scotland? I have some thoughts of coming for a little while, before I embark for America. You will desire all the societies to pray, that the Lord would order my goings in his way. I rejoice that they hold on their way. May they hold on and hold out to the end! My constant prayer for them is, that they may increase with all the increase of God. Many in town have been awakened this Winter. O that I was humble! When shall that once be? O that I was thankful! Fain would I burn with love and gratitude like a seraph.
With arms of love, and wings of faith,
I’d fly and take the prize.
Well! Let faith and patience hold out a little longer, and all will be well. He is faithful, who hath promised, who also will do it. Believers should look more to Jesus. It is the only way to keep their hands from hanging down, and to strengthen their feeble knees. Exhort all to this: and pray salute every enquiring friend, every member of the societies, in the most endearing manner; for indeed I love my Scotch friends in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Whilst I am writing to and thinking of them, tears, but tears of love, are ready to gush from mine eyes. O that I may meet them all in the kingdom of our Father! O that their lamps may be always trimmed, and their loins girt! Behold Jesus comes quickly, and his reward is with him: let us not leave him. Let us not flag in the latter stages of our road. O our bleeding, agonizing, dying Jesus, how have we pierced thee! At least how have I! O that we may look and love, look and mourn, even as one that mourneth for a first-born or an only son. Dear Mr. B—— can now comment on this text. May the Lord comfort his heart, and be better to him than seven sons! I can no more. Affections of various kinds quite overflow. I long to begin to do something for Jesus. A sense of my vileness and unfruitfulness, quite breaks my heart. Surely I shall sing, free grace in heaven.—I write this to you as a friend. The Lord be with you, and reward you and all, for their sympathy with me and mine. Fail not to pray for me; and believe me to be, my very dear Mr. B——,
Yours in the best of bonds,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXIX.
To Dr. W——.
Ashby-Place, Jan. 29, 1751.
My very dear Sir,
IT is high time to answer your kind letter. I am doing it at Ashby, whither I rid post, not knowing whether I should see good Lady H——n alive. Blessed be God, she is somewhat better, and I trust will not yet die, but live and abound more and more in the work of the Lord. Entreat all our friends to pray for her. Indeed she is worthy. Her sister-in-law, Lady Frances H——, lies dead in the house. She was a retired christian, lived silently, and died suddenly without a groan. May my exit be like hers! Whether right or not, I cannot help wishing that I may go off in the same manner. To me it is worse than death, to live to be nursed, and see friends weeping about one. Sudden death, is sudden glory. Methinks it is falling a sleep indeed, or rather a translation. But all this must be left to our heavenly Father. He knows what is best for us and others. Let it be our care to have all things ready. Let the house of our hearts, and our temporal affairs be put in order immediately, that we may have nothing to do but to obey the summons, though it should be at evening, cock-crowing, or in the morning. Physicians that are always attending on the dying, one would imagine should in a peculiar manner learn to die daily. May this be your daily employ! I believe it is; though, like me, you must complain that the old man dies hard. Well, has he got his deadly blow? Die then he shall, even that death to which he put our Lord. O that the language of our hearts may always be, “Crucify, crucify him.” This is painful. But the Redeemer can help us to bear it.
Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power;
Thou wilt in time set free;
This great deliverance let us hope,
Not for ourselves, but thee!
I write this out of the fulness of my heart. You will receive it as such, and remember me in the best manner to all friends. We have had good times. All glory be to Jesus through all eternity!
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXX.
To Lady M—— H——.
Ashby, Jan. 30, 1751.
Honoured Madam,
LAST Monday evening, through the goodness of an ever-blessed Redeemer, I got safe to Ashby, where I found good Lady H——n very sick, though I trust not unto death. All advise her Ladyship to take a journey to Bristol, for the benefit of the waters, which her Ladyship seems determined to do. The death of Lady Frances, has not affected her Ladyship so as to hurt her. She rejoices at the thoughts of her sister’s being so quickly translated out of this house of bondage, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Her death was a translation indeed. Her Ladyship died without a groan. She seemed as it were to smile at death; and may be said, I trust, truly “to fall asleep in Jesus.” Ere long, she and all that sleep in Jesus, shall come with him. I hope it hath been a purging time in this family. Almost all have been sick in their turns. Lady Selina has had a fever, but is better. Lady Betty is more affected than ever I saw her. A letter now from one of the young ladies, I hope would do service. Lady Ann bears up pretty well, but Miss W——r is inconsolable. It is a house of mourning; that is better than a house of feasting. The corpse is to be interred on Friday evening. May all that follow it, look and learn! I mean, learn to live, and learn to die. This is a lesson which you and yours, honoured Madam, I trust are learning every day. We had need be careful to get our lesson perfect, since we know not when the Son of Man will come, whether at evening,—cock-crowing,—or in the morning. To be ready at that hour, is all in all. Good Lady H——n sends her sincerest compliments. If any thing extraordinary happens before my return, your Ladyship shall hear again from, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXI.
To Doctor S——.
Ashby, Feb. 4, 1751.
My dear Doctor,
YOUR letter distresses me. God hasten the time when you shall sing chearfully,
Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,
For I must be no longer thine;
A nobler, a diviner guest,
Has got possession of my breast.
Why will you not shake off your chains? Why will you be stricken any more? You must come back, or be undone for ever. What have you gained by running from your father’s house? His servants have bread enough, whilst you are perishing with hunger. Say, say, I pray you, without delay, “I will arise and go to my Father.” His love keeps you uneasy; his love hedges up your way; his love follows and pursues you with this mighty famine. The language of all is, “Give me thy heart.” Be content to become a fool for Christ’s sake. Your body as well as soul, will suffer even in this world, if you do not comply. You are half dead already. Faith in Christ, and the love of God shed abroad in your heart, can alone cure you. You know too much to be happy without it: and O that dreadful sentence, “It had been better for them never to have known —— &c.” For Christ’s sake, remember Lot’s wife. You are almost become a pillar of salt already. Out of anguish I write this. May Christ’s love so constrain you, that you may never rest till you find solid rest in him! Good Lady H——n is gone to take the air. Your message shall be delivered. She is but poorly; and my wife writes me word, that she is exceeding bad. This must hasten my remove from hence. I insist upon Mr. H——ly’s coming directly to Ashby, if he has any regard for good Lady H——n. She ought always to have a christian friend with her. That you may have a feeling possession of Christ in your heart, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Sir,
Yours, &c. in great haste, but greater concern for you,
G. W.