Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, though unworthy servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXIII.
To the Countess of D——.
Biddiford, Aug. 24, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
AS I am always praying for, so I cannot help sometimes writing to your Ladyship. I think I can say, “The love of Christ constrains me.” Thanks be to God that your Ladyship knows what these words mean. I hope you find it every day constraining you more and more to every good word and work. My greatest pain is, to find that I can do no more for Him, who has done and suffered so much for me. Blessed be his name, that the fields are yet every where white, ready unto harvest. Since I have been in the West, I have been preaching as usual, and a divine influence hath every where attended the word. This, I think, is the best way to answer those that oppose themselves. If God be for us, who can be against us? I suppose your Ladyship hath seen the Bishop’s second pamphlet. Surely it is an original. May the Lord Jesus open his eyes, and change his heart! Well might the glorious Emmanuel break out into this blessed exclamation, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Honoured Madam, how much are you indebted to divine grace, that hath singled you out from among the Mighty and Noble, and placed your Ladyship to the number of those happy few to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God! I trust your honoured sister will ere long bear you company, and travel with you in that narrow road which leads to eternal life. When I remember you, I always think of her, and beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with her Ladyship. Some time next week I hope to be in town for a few days, and then shall do myself the honour of calling upon your Ladyship. In the mean while I recommend you to the tender mercies of the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, and beg an interest in your Ladyship’s prayers, in behalf of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,
G. W.