Dear Madam,
I Cannot think of your favours, and yet forbear writing a letter of thanks. I cannot think of your parting tears, and not inform you, how sincerely I pray God to comfort and refresh your soul.—Oh Madam, your kindness to such a dead dog as I am, quite surprizes me. How much more ought you and I, and all mankind, to adore the unspeakable goodness of our heavenly Father, who has so loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Dear Madam, never rest till you have a lively faith in Christ Jesus. God has put into your heart good desires after it. Continue instant in prayer; apply to Jesus Christ, as a poor sinner, and yet a little while, and dear Mrs. —— shall be a christian indeed. Hasten O Lord, that blessed time. Oh let thy kingdom come, in full power, into this thy handmaiden’s heart! Innumerable temptations surround you, to make you take up your rest here. But, I hope, Madam, you will be upon your guard, and let nothing be thought of, or done, by you, which may any way tend to indulge the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Simplicity is the very spirit of the gospel; therefore, the more we learn Christ, the more regardless we shall be of worldly vanities. God of his infinite mercy make you a widow indeed! You see, Madam, how freely I have wrote to you. It is because I value your welfare.—It is the best return that can be made, for all favours conferred on, Madam,
Your most obliged friend and servant in our dear Lord Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER LXIV.
On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739.
Dear Madam,
YOUR affectionate parting, and the tears I observed you to shed, even when I was at a distance from you, made me almost ready to cry out “What mean you to weep and to break my heart?” Oh may our dear Lord put your tears into his bottle, and reward you a thousand fold for all the kindnesses you have shewn to me! Indeed I am less than the least of his servants. But yet, so loving is my dear Master, that he will not let a cup of cold water given in his name, to pass by unobserved or unrewarded. When partaking of your bounty of flour, I hope I shall pray that you and your’s may eat bread in the kingdom of God. You have all good desires; I hope you are not far from the kingdom of God.—Oh let there not be any thing lacking. Give God your hearts, your whole hearts; let Jesus Christ’s be your whole wisdom, your whole righteousness; and then he will be your whole sanctification and eternal redemption. I write this from my floating habitation, to assure you how sincerely I am
Your most obliged friend and affectionate humble servant,