My very dear Brother C——,
I Am just now come from the pulpit, wherein I have experienced much of the Redeemer’s power, and seen his stately outgoings in the sanctuary. My brother, the cry of my heart is, “and will God indeed dwell with such a wretch as I am.” Methinks a voice echo’s from above, “I have dwelt in thee, I do dwell in thee, I will dwell in thee for evermore.” My heart replies, “Lord, I believe and worship.”
A heart that no desire can move,
But still to adore, believe, and love.
This, my dear brother, is the present, and indeed continual bent of my soul, which I trust prospers. I feel myself to grow more poor inwardly; I see, I am but a learner in the school of Christ, and my dear Master teaches me new lessons every day. About a week ago, I think he did more for me than ever I saw before. Glory be to God, that he is so much with you at London. I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. I am amazed when I hear, as I do almost every day, of some fresh persons wrought upon by my unworthy ministry. This humbles me very much, and brings me very low at the feet of the ever-loving Jesus. I dare not deny that I am one of his chosen; but I am jealous for myself and for those about me, lest we should grieve the holy Spirit, and oblige him to withdraw for our ingratitude, unfruitfulness, pride, selfishness, and insensibility of the blessings we enjoy. Last night I went to sleep quite angry, but chiefly with myself.—I saw that I had received much, and did so little for my God, and Christ, that I could feelingly smite upon my breast, lay my head upon my pillow, and close my eyes with these words, “God be merciful to me a sinner?” And to-day, what have I seen and felt, yea what do I now feel? My soul is swallowed up in God. His presence is filling my soul, and renewing my bodily strength. Here is free grace, my dear brother. Was you here, I think I could now warm your heart with a lecture upon the unparalleled love of Jesus; but time is short: blessed be God, an eternity is before me, but “eternity too short to utter all his praise.” I think I love you and yours unfeignedly, and rejoice that you enjoy sweet fellowship together. Glory be to God, that you have gotten many living stones. Trust the great Redeemer, the all-wise contriver and perfecter of his spiritual temple, to put them together. I have been faulty in looking too much to foreign help, and despising that which God had given me. When our Lord was to feed the multitude, he would not create new bread, but multiplied the loaves that were already at hand. “Ye need not send them away, give ye them to eat,” said he: so say I to my dear brethren at the tabernacle. “Work with the materials you have.” In doing the work, God will teach you how to do it.—Experience will grow up with the work itself. Thus God hath dealt with me, and so he continues to deal. May his blessed spirit guide you all into all truth, and give you a right judgment in all things! I love to see the little child in others, though I see so little of it in my unworthy self. But I must not exceed; other business demands my attention. Write to me often about the state of the church. Mr. E——’s people rather run greater and greater lengths in misguided zeal. Our love to all. I intreat a continuance of your prayers, because the archers are shooting from every quarter at, dear brother C——,
Your poor weak brother in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLI.
To Brother T——, in London.