Chapter CCCXXIV: Letter DCCCXX: To Mrs. G――――

_Exon, Feb. 22, 1750._

_Dear Madam_,

I Rejoice to hear by your last kind letter, that the seed sown at _Manchester_ begins to spring up. More especially, I desire to be thankful, that you have grace given you, Madam, to confess the LORD JESUS and his gospel before men. A blessed earnest this, of your being confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in the kingdom of heaven. The inward peace and satisfaction you enjoy by so doing, I am persuaded far surpasses all you ever enjoyed, or could possibly enjoy in the polite world. With what unspeakable comfort can you now sing,

_Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_
_For I must be no longer thine;_
_A nobler, a diviner guest,_
_Now claims possession of my breast._

And if the beginning of the divine life be so sweet, what must the end be, when this mortal puts on immortality, and the soul rises to all the fulness of GOD. Blessed be GOD, who has given you to choose that better part, that shall never be taken from you! What have you to do now, but daily to sit at the dear Redeemer’s feet and hear his word; I mean, search the scriptures, which testify of him: and for His great name’s sake, let your remaining life be one continued sacrifice of love to GOD and man. This is true faith, even a faith that works by love, and overcomes this wicked world. Well may it be stiled _precious faith_. It is precious in itself, and precious in its fruits. It lays hold on, and unites to CHRIST, and carries out the soul day by day after a nearer conformity to him. It goes on from strength to strength, and conducts the soul at length to the perfect and uninterrupted vision of the ever-blessed GOD. Methinks I hear you say, “LORD, evermore give me this faith.” He will, Madam, he will: for he giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. Be not afraid of asking too much. Lay your foundation deep in the knowledge of yourself, and you cannot build too high. O that the worthy Captain may bear you company to heaven! I trust he will. Perhaps some time in the Spring, I may have the pleasure of waiting upon you. I am now in the _West_, and have had blessed seasons in my way hither. Good Lady _H――――n_ hath been ill, but is recovering. There hath been an awakening at _Ashby_; but opposition begins to shew itself in these parts by the instrumentality of a dissenting minister. That the number may daily increase among you, and that you and yours may be watered every moment, is the hearty prayer of, Madam,

Your most obliged and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._

LETTER [♦DCCCXX.]

_To Lady H――――._

_Plymouth, Feb. 25, 1750._

_Honoured Madam_,

THE day after I wrote to your Ladyship my last letter, I preached three times, once at _Kingswood_, and twice at _Bristol_. In the evening I stood at _Smith_’s hall window and preached. It was a blessed day. The next morning our ascended Saviour gave me much of his presence, and I came on my way rejoicing. At _Taunton_ I met with Mr. _Pearsall_, a Dissenting minister, a preacher of righteousness before I was born. At _Wellington_ I lay at the house of one Mr. _Darracott_, a flaming successful preacher of the gospel, and who, I think, may justly be stiled (what Mr. _Hieron_ was some years ago) the star in the _West_. He hath suffered much reproach; the common lot of all that are owned in the LORD’s vineyard: and in the space of three months, he hath lost three lovely children. Two of them died the _Saturday_ evening before the sacrament was to be administred; but weeping did not hinder sowing. He preached the next day, and administered as usual. Our LORD strengthened him; and for his three natural, hath given him above thirty spiritual children: and he is in a likely way of having many more. He has ventured his little all for CHRIST; and last week a saint died who left him and his heirs two hundred pounds in land. Did ever any one trust in the LORD and was forsaken? At his place I began to take the field for this _Spring_. At a very short warning, a multitude of souls assembled, and the bread of life, that cometh down from heaven, was dispensed amongst them. The following evening I preached at _Exeter_, where there is a little flock, and last night and this morning I have preached here: I humbly hope to the comfort of many. This afternoon, GOD willing, I am to take the field again. What success I meet with here, and in _Cornwall_, your Ladyship shall know by another opportunity. I am now waiting for a letter from Mr. _B――――_, which I hope will bring me the wish’d-for news of the confirmation of your Ladyship’s health. This is what I continually pray for from my inmost soul. I am sorry to inform your Ladyship (if it has not reached you before) that Mr. _A――――_ of _London_ is dead. I think he was one of the most lively, and like to have been the most successful Dissenting preacher in that great city: but our LORD orders all things well. The residue of the Spirit is in his hands. Blessed Redeemer, quicken my tardy pace, and make me also ready! Good Lady _Ann_ I hope is now perfectly recovered. But why do I talk of a perfect recovery in this dying life? Then only shall we be perfectly recovered, when we awake in the morning of the resurrection after our Redeemer’s likeness; then, and not till then, will my poor soul be fully satisfied; then, and not till then, will your Ladyship fully know how much the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship is desired and prayed for by, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most humble, dutiful, and ready
servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._

♦ “DCCCXX” used for previous letter also.