Much-honoured Sir,
WHILST I remain myself where you are called to sojourn, in this dying world, I trust your Excellency will never be forgotten by unworthy me. You see, honoured Sir, where a poor but willing pilgrim is tossed now. Just this day month did I arrive in this metropolis, where, glory, glory be to the great head of the church! The word hath still free course. The poor despised Methodists are as lively as ever, and in several churches the gospel is now preached with power. Many in Oxford are awakened to the knowledge of the truth, and I have heard almost every week of some fresh minister or another, that seems determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This, I am persuaded, is the best news I can send to your Excellency. This, must necessarily rejoice your heart, which I know pants after nothing more, than the enlargement of the Mediator’s kingdom. Ere long, your utmost thirsting shall be satisfied, you shall see Jesus; you shall see him as he is: O Gloriam quantam et qualem! God give me patience to wait till my appointed change comes! But would it not be a shame to go to heaven without scarce beginning to do something for the blessed Redeemer? He that searches the heart and trieth the reins, knows full well, how often I cry out, “my leanness, my leanness!” God be praised, next week I hope to go on my country range. I hope that your Excellency will have a heart given you to pray for me, whilst life lasts, and after death I doubt not but the glorious Emmanuel will reward you before men and angels, for all your works of faith, and labours of love, which you have done for the church in general, and particularly for all favours conferred on, honoured, much-honoured Sir,
Your Excellency’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MLXXXII.
To Mr. C——.
London, June 7, 1755.
Reverend and dear Sir,
JUST now I was informed that the bag is to be taken away this afternoon; hurried therefore as I am, you must have a few lines.—And why? Because I love and honour you for Jesus Christ’s sake. Will it not rejoice you to hear that his glorious gospel gets ground apace. Several of the clergy, both in town and country, have been lately stirred up to preach Christ crucified, in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. This excites the enmity of the old serpent, which discovers itself in various shapes. The greatest venom is spit out against Mr. R——n, who having been reputed a great scholar, is now looked upon and treated as a great fool; because made wise himself, and earnestly desirous that others also should be made wise to eternal salvation. Methinks I hear you say, O happy folly! May this blessed leaven diffuse and spread itself through the whole nation! The prospect is promising. Many students at Oxford are earnestly learning Christ. Dear Mr. H——y hath learnt and preached him some years; his loving and truly catholic heart chearfully complied with the motion about your future correspondence. As for myself, I can only say “that less than the least of all,” must be my motto still. I labour but feebly, and yet, O amazing condescension! Jesus owns and succeeds such feeble labours. People still continue to flock to the gospel, like doves to the windows. Next week I begin to take my country range. Be so good, my dear Sir, to add to my obligations, by continuing to remember a poor but willing pilgrim, and to salute all my dear friends as they come in your way. I hope, Mr. A—— (to whom I send cordial respects) goes hand in hand with you, striving together for the faith and the practice of the gospel.—Glorious strife this! I do not forget the books I promised to look out for.—I have spoken to Mr. H——, but he says they are very difficult to be procured. I would write to the Chief Justice, but suppose he is at the northward. Will you be pleased to accept of my Lisbon letters, to be disposed of as you think proper? My little communion-book is not yet come out. God be praised, that there is a time coming when we shall need books and ordinances no more, but shall be admitted into an uninterrupted communion and fellowship with the blessed Trinity for evermore. The Lord ripen us for that blissful state! I must bid you farewel. Be pleased to excuse the length of this, as being occasioned by the love unfeigned which is due to you from, reverend and dear Sir,