I Am glad to hear that you are yet alive, and what is more, I trust you are alive to God. Perhaps I may never see you again on this side eternity. O that we may approve ourselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ! How bright will our crown be then, at that last great day! I find there is nothing like being valiant for the truth. Jesus Christ is a glorious captain. He makes me more than conqueror through his love. I have seen great things, within these few months. I should have answered you sooner, but could not get time till now: I am embarked for Scotland. I hope you take particular care to beat down self-righteousness, and exalt the Lord Jesus alone in your hearts. I find, the only happiness is to lie down as a poor sinner at the feet of the once crucified, but now exalted Lamb of God, who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. I rejoice to hear, that some even at Gibraltar still dare to own a too too much neglected Saviour. Blessed be God, the governor is so favourable to you. This is a great motive to love and thankfulness. The work of God still goes on in England, and other parts. O for that glorious period, when the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the seas! That our dear Lord may every day reign as king in all your souls, is the prayer of, dear Serjeant,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXII.
To Miss R——.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741.
Dear Miss,
A Few hours ago I came on board. To shew that you are in my mind, I employ some of my first leisure time in answering your letter. The condition you are in now, ought not to make you think that Jesus Christ has cast you off, and that it will be presumption in you to believe on him. The Lord is now shewing you, that you are poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, and such only are the persons that think they want his almighty aid. I fear you look too much into yourself, and from thence are discouraged. Whereas you should look directly to Christ, and come to him in all your blood. You will always fly from him, as long as you count him your enemy. But do not think so hardly of him; Jesus is the sinner’s friend. O how doth his bowels yearn towards you! Are you made willing to be made whole? Christ invites and commands you to come to him; venture then upon him. If you never have believed yet, it is time for you to believe now. “Lord, give me faith!” for faith is the free gift of God. What if your heart be hard, Jesus can soften it. What if you have yet no marks of your election? surely you dare not say, “You are not elected,” or that Christ hath not died for you, even for you. It is, indeed, a bad thing to have only notions in the head, and no solid experience in the heart. But it is a good thing to be convinced of this. Blessed be God, who hath given you to bewail it. Look upon this as a token for good.—Trust not to means; when they are taken from you, Christ can and will work without them. The Lord may bring you help in a way, and at a time you know not of. Your extremity shall be God’s opportunity. If the Lord vouchsafes to bless this letter in the least degree to your comfort, it will much rejoice the heart of, dear Miss,
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,