G. W.
LETTER CCCC.
To Miss —— ——, at Edinburgh.
London, Feb. 27, 1742.
Dear Miss,
I Did not receive your letter till this night. Whilst I was reading it, my heart grew warm with thankfulness to that God, who, I trust, by his almighty Spirit hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. In his light you now see light. Do you not, dear Miss W——, find what I said to be true, “That Jesus Christ is the fairest among ten thousands.” Is he not altogether lovely? Henceforth you may well say,
I bid this world of noise and shew,
With all its flattering snares, adieu.
The greater advances you make in the divine life, the more you will see what a dream you and the polite world have been in. And O the distinguishing grace of God to you! Methinks I hear you calling on angels and archangels to join in praising our common Lord. Well may you say, “You are not henceforth your own:” No, dear Miss, let Jesus have your whole heart. Let his blood, his wounds be continually before you. God forbid that you should now glory, save in the cross of Christ, by whom the world is crucified to you, and you unto the world. Pity the poor christless creatures about you. Pray for them, as the Holy Spirit gives you freedom. Tell them of the love of Jesus. They need no other motive. This, backed with almighty power, must break the most hardened heart. With much pleasure I reflect on the blessed consolations I have been favoured with, whilst explaining the scriptures to you and your honoured relations. O that not one may remain unconverted! May Jesus look on them; then will they look on him and be saved. Blessed be God for sending me to Scotland, if it was only to bring you home. Ere long I hope to visit your country again; and then, O that I may see you all meek, humble, heavenly-minded, close followers of the bleeding Lamb! Thanks be to God, he hath directed me to a wife, who was once gay, but now with you can sing,