I Received your kind letter, but till now have not had time to answer it. However, I have not, and, God willing, shall not be unmindful of you. I think you have nothing to do, but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, to make your wants known unto God. He careth for you, and will some way or other provide both for soul and body. I have always found him a present help in every time of need. As means ought to be used, I have just written to some London friends, who under God may serve you. When we meet, you shall hear what success.—The hearts of all are in Christ’s hands. Wait on him, and your eyes shall behold his great salvation. If he calls you to the ministry, as I hope he does, he will make your way plain. The cloud of his providence shall go before you, and you shall hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Though your father should die, and your mother forsake you, the Lord Jesus Christ will take you up. Keep close to your God, and your book. Prayer, reading, meditation, and temptation make a minister. The Lord be with you. Pray for me, and assure yourself of my being, for Christ’s sake,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXXXIII.
To G—— P——, Esq.
Glasgow, Sept. 30, 1752.
Dear Sir,
MR. S——, in a letter, insists upon my sending you a few lines: I care not to refuse him, and yet I know not well how to use so much freedom. If it be too great, you will excuse it; it proceeds from love, love to your better part, for I have nothing to write about, but the invisible realities of another world. These I trust, dear Sir, you and yours will be experimentally acquainted with more and more every day. Herein lies all our present peace, and the only solid preparation for future comfort in the coming world. The love of Jesus shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, is indeed all in all; this is glory begun; this is the opening of the kingdom of heaven in the soul; this is a never-failing well of water, which will at last spring up to life eternal. And yet all this is the gift, the free gift of God in Christ Jesus. It cost him dearly, even his own heart’s blood, but flows down to us in a free channel; yea and that too even to the very chief of sinners. Therefore I have hope, and, blessed be God, good hope through grace. Is not the same grace, dear Sir, sufficient for you and yours? Let us then come boldly to Christ’s throne. He sits encircled with a rainbow; his name and his nature is Love. He came into the world, to seek and save those that feel themselves lost; this I trust you do. Salvation then is just coming to your soul, even a present and great salvation. Only believe, and yours is the kingdom of heaven. But whither am I running? I forget myself when writing of redeeming love. O, my dear Sir, do not rest, do not let God have any rest, till your heart is filled with it. It is worth asking, seeking, knocking, and striving for. But I must have done. My cordial respects await your Lady. That you may both go on hand in hand to heaven, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,