LETTER DCCC.
To Mrs. R——.
London, Dec. 20, 1749.
Dear Madam,
I Received your letter, and had thoughts of writing to you before it came; but had forgotten your name, and knew not how to direct. I rejoice that any good impressions have been made upon your heart by the blessed Spirit, under my poor unworthy administrations. I hope this will find you coming up out of the wilderness, leaning upon your beloved. You know whom I mean. It is the ever-loving, altogether lovely Jesus, even he who hath loved and given himself for you. I know his love will constrain you to give yourself, even your whole self to him in return. This is all he requires, “Give me thy heart.” Amazing! Who can help echoing back, “My heart, Lord Jesus, will I give.” But we must give it him as it is. We must come as poor, to be made rich, naked, to be cloathed, and miserable, to be made happy. O glorious exchange! precious redemption! May the Lord Jesus shed a sense of it abroad abundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghost! It is he that must apply, and bring home what Christ has done and suffered for our souls; and when this is done, the kingdom of God is erected in our hearts, and it is our privilege to go on from strength to strength, till grace is swallowed up in endless glory. This I hope, dear Madam, you will find true by happy experience. Your business is to look up continually to the Lord Jesus, not only as the author, but also as the finisher of your faith. This will strengthen you under every weakness, and in the end make you more than conqueror over all. Your concern for Mr. B——, the Redeemer takes kind at your hand. Fear not, only believe. Press him with arguments, and God with prayers. And who knows but ere long your husband may draw in the same yoke, and you may live together as heirs of the grace of life. All things are possible to that Jesus, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. To his tender never-failing mercy do I commend you, and am, dear Madam,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.