Your sincere friend in great haste,
G. W.
LETTER XI.
To the Same.
Oxon, April 2, 1736.
Dearest Sir,
WHAT a comfort is it for christian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindness of the Lord? O let his praises be ever in our mouths, that we may be telling of his salvation from day to day. O dear Sir, I heartily join with you in the delightful duty of thanksgiving. I hope that you will have every day more and more experimental proofs of that intercourse which is carried on between God in heaven, and saints on earth.
I must now inform you, that the person, who under God has given me the annuity, is Sir John Philips of London. The occasion of it was as follows. Upon my coming up, two or three of our trusty friends were called from us, and being solicitous to keep up our society here, the gentleman to whom you sent the book, wrote to Sir John Philips and proposed me (alas! how unfit) as a proper person to stay here and encourage our friends in fighting the good fight of faith. Accordingly he immediately offered me an annuity of twenty pounds. To shew his disinterestedness, he has promised me that, whether I continue here or not; and if I resolve to stay at Oxon, he’ll give me thirty pounds a year. If that will not do, I may have more; so that you see, my dear friend, what a critical point it is. All that we have to do is to pray, and watch Providence between this and June, when I propose, God willing, to enter into orders, and then no doubt my call will be clear. What makes me to think that this is a call from God is, that it will be convenient for taking my degree, and improving me in my studies. Whether it be or no, God only knows; Father, therefore into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth. I approve greatly of your reading Henry. God works by him here greatly, and may the Lord prosper it in your hands. Good dear Sir, never leave off watching, reading, praying, striving, till you experimentally find Christ Jesus formed within you. In a particular manner, my dear friend, watch against all temptations to sloth. When you receive the sacrament, earnestly endeavour to be inwardly bettered by it the week following. Live every day as holily as you can. Be frequent in self-examination morning and evening. Pray earnestly from your heart. Wrestle with God, beg him to hasten the new birth. Moreover be careful, diligent in your calling, labour hard with your own hands, that you may have to give to him that needeth. And labour not so much for the meat that perisheth, as to neglect pursuing that which endureth to eternal life. O Mr. H. my bowels are enlarged towards you. Believe me to be your sincere, tho’ unworthy friend,
G. W.