Dear Miss, whilst I am writing, the love of Jesus fills my soul. I have been talking to night of his love to poor sinners. O that his spirit may break afresh upon your soul when you are reading this! I must now commend you to the Redeemer’s care. In the world you shall have tribulation; be not afraid, Jesus hath overcome the world.—I have many letters before me unread; but I could not help writing this long one to you. Accept it as a token of unfeigned regard for the good of your precious soul, and depend on the prayers of, dear Miss W——,
Your most affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCI.
To the Reverend Mr. C——.
London, March 4, 1742.
My dear Friend and Brother,
I Remember my promise. You are to be one of my close correspondents. I am unworthy to write to any; but love, the love of Jesus will constrain me frequently to write to you. I hope you are not offended, because you did not see me in Bath again. The glorious Emmanuel pointed out my way hither. Since I came (O amazing goodness!) he has been wonderfully kind to me, and to his people. I am much assisted daily, in preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ. Life and power fly all around, and the Redeemer is getting himself the victory daily in many hearts. Letters from abroad give me glorious accounts. In New-England, the work goes on amazingly. In Scotland, the awakening is greater and greater. The spirit of God has been striving among the little orphans in Georgia, and in Carolina I hear that twelve negroes belonging to a planter, converted at the Orphan-house, are savingly brought home to Jesus Christ. Indeed the Lord is about to do great things. “Blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see; blessed are the ears that hear the things that we hear;” blessed are those that the Lord employs as his own children, to bring about his great designs. O that my dear Mr. C—— may be made a flaming fire, and a spiritual father to thousands! Dear Mr. T——, who was so kind as to come and see me last night, I trust is coming on. I hope both you and him will experience a solid establishment in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no rest here, no true solid lasting rest, till we come to this. Our hearts are deceitful above all things. We seek rest in outward things. We change our places, circumstances, and stations;—but if Jesus loves us, he will put a thorn in the place where we would fain nestle. A soul that has had some awakenings, and been wandring from Christ, is like Noah’s dove which could find no rest for the sole of its foot, till it came back to the ark again. This ark is Christ, and when we are safely locked in there, and the soul hath received an abiding witness, then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is the reason why Jesus bid his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father. Filled with this, the woman of Samaria could not but call on others to come and see. And were we but animated, led and influenced by this spirit, what a blessed union would there be among all the churches of Jesus Christ? It is a want of more of this, that now at present disunites us. I despair therefore of a greater union, till a greater measure of the spirit be poured from on high. Hence, therefore, I am resolved simply to preach the gospel of Christ, and leave others to quarrel by and with themselves. To contend, where there is no probability of convincing, only feeds and adds fuel to an unhallow’d fire, which a misguided zeal kindles in the heart. Love, forbearance, long-suffering, and frequent prayer to your dear Lord Jesus, is the best way to extinguish and put it out. O love, true, simple, christian, undissembled love, whither art thou fled! The language of my heart is,—But whither am I going? You see, my friend, how freely I write. The blessed Jesus warms and fills me, whilst I am writing. I know, though I am unworthy, you will send me a line in return. Methinks I could wash your feet. Methinks, I long to see your shackles drop off, and your soul free for the uninterrupted service of the best of masters. Faith in his bloody wounds is the only means. Lord, evermore give my dear friend and his wife living faith, which may purify their hearts, enable them to overcome the world, and will work by love! The Lord make you both as little children before him! This is the prayer of, dear Mr. C——,
Yours affectionately in Christ,