Had I a thousand lives, the Lord Jesus should have them. I wish your Ladyship, and honoured daughters, much of his divine love shed abroad in your hearts. That is the best new year’s compliment, and the best new year’s gift. I hope, the young ladies through grace are kept unspotted from the world. I would come and wait upon our elect Lady at Clifton, but am engaged in forwarding the building of a new tabernacle; I hope it will be accomplished, and that God’s presence will fill it when erected. I could enlarge, but am called away, and therefore subscribe myself,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
[♦] “H——m” replaced with “H——n”
LETTER DCCCCLIII.
To Mr. L——.
London, Jan. 3, 1753.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
THOUGH I am very much straitened for time, yet I must sit down, (since you so earnestly desire it) and answer your kind letter. My love does not shift with my scene of action; I would have it in some degree, like my Lord’s to me and his people, “Permanent and unchangeable.” Blessed be God for such a Jesus, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. What can we want then? Or of whom should we be afraid? All his attributes are engaged to keep us on earth, and to set us upon thrones in his glorious kingdom in heaven. Last night I buried one, who I believe is seated there.—Ah lovely appearance of death! Surely my turn will come soon. I am now thirty-eight years of age; little did I think of staying in the land of the dying so long. Well, if it be to call more souls to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, Father, thy will be done!