Honoured Madam,
HOW are we obliged to your Ladyship? Had I time I would endeavour to tell you; but this is my comfort, when I have not time to write, I have a heart given me to pray for my dear friends, and you, Honoured Madam, have a constant share in my poor petitions. I find by yours to my wife, that you complain of darkness. Ere now, I hope the day-star hath again risen in your heart, and you have been made to rejoice with exceeding great joy. Our Lord will not leave you comfortless; he will send the Holy Ghost to comfort you. The time of singing of birds shall come. Our Lord will not be always chiding.—This is only to shew you more of your heart, and make you what you long to be, a very poor sinner. Our hearts, Honoured Madam, are so desperately wicked, deceitful above all things, that without repeated instances of feeling our helplessness and misery, we should forget ourselves, and run away from the feet of our Lord and Saviour. He therefore, in love, empties before he fills; humbles before he exalts. At least, he is pleased to deal thus with me. I thank him for it, from my inmost soul: for was it not so, his mercies would destroy us. He helps me also to praise him. When I discover a new corruption, I am as thankful as a centinel keeping watch in a garrison, would be at spying a straggling enemy come near him. I stand not fighting with it myself in my own strength, but run immediately and tell the captain of my salvation. By the sword of his spirit, he soon destroys it, and makes me exceeding happy. This is what I call a simple looking to Christ. I know of no other effectual way of keeping the old man down, after he has gotten his deadly blow. Look up then, dear Madam, to a wounded Saviour. Go to him as a little child. Tell him your whole heart. He will hear your lisping, and set your soul at liberty. He is pleased graciously to answer my petitions, and to bless my poor labours. We have many good souls in our society, that are gently coming into the knowledge of themselves. Our Saviour deals most lovingly with us indeed. Last night we had a general love-feast. It was exceeding awful and refreshing. I could have wished for some of my dear Scotland friends. I was enabled to pray for them most fervently. May Jesus bless this letter to your soul! Wishing, above all things, that it may be in health and prosper, and with humble acknowledgments for all favours, I subscribe myself, Honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
The End of the First Volume.