I Have been obeying your request: I mean, bowing my knees before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in your behalf. O that he may live before thee; that he may escape the pollutions that are in the world through lust; that he may be filled with all the fulness of God, was the breathing and language of my heart. I trust the Lord is now working upon brother S——. He seems to have had some discoveries of the Redeemer’s love. May my dear Peter receive the full assurance of faith, and be truly fixed upon the rock of ages! “Even so Lord Jesus come quickly. Amen and amen.” Excuse my writing to you in this manner, but God has put into my heart such an undissembled love for you, and your dear brothers, that I cannot be satisfied ’till I see the Redeemer’s love shed abroad in all your hearts by the Holy Ghost. Ah Peter, Peter, I trust Jesus prays for thee, and then the world shall not steal away thy heart from God. Satan hath been sifting me severely, these two or three days. I have had some close combats with the great dragon, but Jesus hath gotten himself the victory. I am enabled greatly to rejoice. For, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptations; when he [♦]is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” The brightness of it, even at this distance, dazzles my sight. Yet a little while, and Jesus Christ shall give it unto us. Dear brother K—— has got the start of us. Happy man! He is at the end of his race. I sympathize with, and have been praying for his surviving friends. The Lord enable us all to walk so circumspectly, that the common enemy may not have an occasion to speak reproachfully of us. But whither am I running? Excuse me, dear Peter. God gives me freedom in writing to, and praying for you. I hope dear brother R—— received my last in good part. God only knows how the happiness of both of you is longed for by, dear brother,
Yours in the crucified Jesus,
G. W.
[♦] ‘his’ replaced with ‘is’
LETTER CCCLXXXIX.
To Mr. J—— C——, in London.
Gloucester, Jan. 28, 1742.
My very dear Brother,
ON Friday last I left Bristol, having first settled affairs almost as I could wish. At Kingswood, I administred the sacrament. On Wednesday night it was the Lord’s passover; on Thursday we had a sweet love-feast; on Friday the Lord was with me twice at Tockington; on Saturday morning I broke up some fallow ground at Newport, by preaching with power to about two thousand people, and in the evening to many thousands at Stroud with wonderous power; on Monday morning at Painswick, and ever since twice a day here. Our congregations I think are larger than at Bristol. The word proves sharper than a two-edged sword. Every sermon is blessed. These words follow, “I have much people in this city.” I am just now going to Chafford. To-morrow I expect my wife. In my next, I will send you word what I intend to do. I was one day at Bath. I should be glad to see brother R——’s defence before it be published. I told him of it; I believe he will be upon his guard. His soul prospers. Sinless perfection I fear will be propagated in these parts. The Lord in his due time will root out that pernicious weed. I thank you for writing to me. Pray write to me often. God willing, I shall examine Hampton Society to-night. The same I think to do in Wiltshire. I want to be in London as soon as may be. Pray that I may know the Lord’s will. We must away to Chafford. The Lord be with you, and abundantly refresh you. My most tender love awaits all. Brethren, pray for