LETTER XV.
Gloucester, June 28, 1736.
Dear Mrs. H.,
ACCORDING to my promise I am now seated to write you a farewell letter. For providence seems to demand my presence at Oxford immediately, and therefore I propose being there, God willing, on Monday night. But first let me return dear Mrs. H. my heartiest thanks for all past kindnesses, and assure her, that my incessant prayers shall never be wanting, that God may not forget her labour of love, in that she has so plentifully administered to me his unworthy servant, and yet does minister. To-morrow I am to preach at Crypt, but believe I shall displease some, being determined to speak against their assemblies. But I must tell them the truth, or otherwise I shall not be a faithful minister of Christ. Had providence so ordered, I should have been glad to have given you the cup of blessing; but since that favour is denied to me, I am resigned. However, I hope I shall not be unmindful of you, when I come near your place, nor be wanting in my prayers, that God would mercifully supply the want of outward means to you, by the operation of his Holy Spirit. I suppose you are, by this time, pretty well reconciled to Worcester, and that providence has shewn you that we may serve God acceptably in any place. Yes, Madam, let but our hearts be upright towards him, and by faith united to our dear Lord Jesus, we shall find that wherever we are, he will be with us, and we shall be with him. So far I had written on Saturday night; but being detained here in expectation of seeing my brother James, (who has not as yet been so good as his word) I believe I can now acquaint you that I must set out on Wednesday morning. I preached yesterday at Crypt, and was mercifully supported and assisted, for which great blessing, I hope you will return hearty thanks in my behalf. I trust Miss James continues her former earnest desires to be renewed in the spirit of her mind; for nothing will do but that. Indeed we may flatter ourselves, that we may go to heaven without undergoing the pangs of the new birth; but we shall certainly find ourselves desperately mistaken in the end. For till we are changed, till we are made meet for, we cannot in the nature of the thing be partakers of the heavenly inheritance with the saints in light. Let us therefore never cease praying and striving, till we find this blessed change wrought in us, and thereby we ourselves brought off from relying on any or all outward ordinances for salvation. Our good bishop Benson was pleased to give me another present of five guineas, a great supply for one who has not a guinea in the world. May the great Bishop of souls amply reward both him and you, for all favours conferred on
Your sincere friend and humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER XVI.
To Mr. H.
Gloucester, June 30, 1736.