LETTER DCCLXXXII.
To the Countess D——.
Halifax, Oct. 26, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
THOUGH I am jealous of myself, lest I should make too free with persons in high life, yet when I have good news to send concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ, I am constrained as it were to write to your Ladyship. Will it not rejoice you very much, honoured Madam, to hear the glorious Emmanuel is riding on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering to conquer? Every day people flock to hear the word, like doves to their windows. I have preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and at the desire of many am returned thither again. The latter end of next week I hope to see good Lady H——n. I suppose her Ladyship will detain me a few days at Ashby, and then I purpose coming directly to London. Thanks be to God, all places are near alike to me, so that I can but be doing something for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me. This I would have to be my meat and my drink. To me to live, let it be Christ; for life is no further desirable than as we can improve it to the promoting his glory. Mary thought so, who in the days of his flesh sat at the Redeemer’s feet and heard his words. This I believe is your Ladyship’s daily employ; a glorious employ indeed. How sweet must his fruit be unto your Ladyship’s taste! Surely it is sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb. And if the first-fruits are so delightful, how infinitely delightful must the full harvest be! Go on, honoured Madam, and whatever others may do, still keep pursuing after more and more of that better part, which shall never be taken away from you. Jesus is full of grace, and full of truth. Believers are welcome to him every moment. He is ready to water them continually with the dew of his heavenly blessing. It is our privilege to go on from grace to grace, till grace be swallowed up in endless glory. O that your honoured sister may march on with your Ladyship towards this blessed state! There she will have a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and sincerely pray that she may be filled with all the fulness of God.—I hope your Ladyship is inclined to remember me at the throne of grace, your Ladyship knows my name, “The chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints;” but, for Christ’s sake, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and willing servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXXIII.
To Lady H——n.