From sins of crimson dye.
Honoured Madam, is it not a fountain opened? Opened for all that will come, and wash at, and drink of it? Entreat her Ladyship, therefore, honoured Madam, not to be faithless, but believing. Beg her to come, or rather be pleased to inform her Ladyship, that her Saviour entreats and commands her to come just as she is, and to accept of salvation as a free-gift. O that with Queen Esther she may say, “If I perish, I perish.” Then shall she see the King of kings holding out a golden sceptre, and not an iron rod. But I forget myself again. Honoured Madam, be pleased to pardon me, and accept what I have written as the overflowings of a heart that hath been wrestling with God, for the salvation of your Ladyship, your honoured sister, and of all related to you. This is the best proof I can give of my being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXXXVIII.
To the Countess of H——n.
Exeter, Feb. 24, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
AFTER I wrote to your Ladyship last post, from Plymouth, I received the letters you was pleased to communicate to Mr. C——. They came quite unexpected. I think it is enough, that my letters are received, not without being answered; but the Lord Jesus will humble me by mercies. O that they may have that blessed effect upon my soul! Inclosed, your Ladyship hath my answers. I have sent them open, that your Ladyship may (if not too long) peruse them. Whilst I was writing, the fire kindled, and I did not well know how to leave off. I rejoice that your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good among the rich and great. Mr. C——, in his last, writes thus: “Mr. G—— went with me to wait on her Ladyship; where he owns he spent two hours with more pleasure, than he ever remembered to have done in any company before: and, I must freely own, he spoke my own sentiments.” I believe that your Ladyship will daily reap the fruit of a catholic spirit, and a free conversation with the truly gracious of all denominations. It is a conduct truly god-like. Dear Mr. T—— has much of it. I parted from him on Thursday afternoon. He was once almost blinded by weeping under the word. He was rejoiced to see the flocking at Plymouth. Indeed it was very encouraging. Our Lord seemed to keep the best wine until the last. At Tavistock, ten miles from Plymouth, I preached last Thursday, but was rudely treated. For, whilst I was praying, some of the baser sort brought a bull and dogs, and disturbed us much. But I hope that good was done. Blessed be God, we know some has been done. I conversed with three or four, that have been awakened by the reading of some of my printed sermons. Surely the Apostle spoke like himself, when he said, “God has chosen the weak things of this world, to confound the strong; and things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.” I am now come thus far in my return to London. I purpose, God willing, being there in about ten days. On Monday next I shall set out for Bristol; where, as I am informed, the infinitely condescending Redeemer has been pleased greatly to bless my last visit. When I think of London, I feel a kind of fear and trembling, lest my bodily sickness should return again, and I should not speak to the Mighty and Noble, so as to win them to the ever-blessed Jesus. But I desire to throw myself blindfold into his hands, believing, (Lord, help my unbelief!) that as my day is, so shall my strength be. At present, honoured Madam, this is the language of my heart, to Him, whose I am, and whom I desire to serve: