Elect Lady,
HOW glad was I some time ago to receive a letter from your Ladyship! How glad am I now to sit down to answer it, and thereby renew a correspondence, which to me was always profitable and delightful! Shall I wish your Ladyship joy? Of what? Not barely of your additional estate and honour, but of your having an opportunity, with your noble Lord, of moving in a superior orb, and letting your light shine more before men. The Lord of all lords only knows, how I love and honour you both; though I have not written, yet I have not ceased praying for you and yours these many years. Your honoured family on both sides, must always be dear to me. What Bethels, what gates of heaven have we been in together, whilst engaged in social prayer, and reading and opening the lively oracles of God! Had I wings, gladly would I fly to see your Ladyship’s dear little growing family: but God only knows, whether I shall be able to reach Scotland this year. I am now at Norwich, where there hath undoubtedly been a glorious work of God. Twice a day, both gentle and simple flock to hear the word, and I think it comes with power. Lord, what am I? In London, I think, our people are as lively as ever; in Bristol they are the same; and as for America, words cannot express the glorious scenes that opened in various parts, especially at Boston in New-England. The tide ran full as high as ever your Ladyship knew it at Edinburgh, or in any part of Scotland. This I know is the best news I can send to your Ladyship; for what news, comparatively speaking, is worth hearing, except that which concerns the kingdom of God? What beauties worth admiring, but the beauties of Jesus Christ? What riches worth possessing, but the substantial and durable riches of the divine life? What honour worth acquiring, but that honour which cometh from God? May these be the beauties, these the riches, these the honours of you and your noble Lord! I assure your Ladyship that my heart springs when I think of him, or write his name. I truly loved the father, I as truly and most affectionately respect and love the son. God almighty bless you both, and give you grace to keep yourselves unspotted from the world! Glad shall I be to see his Lordship in town. In the mean while, I hope his Lordship, and the honourable family where you are, will accept not of bare compliments, but unfeigned and most cordial acknowledgments and respects. May the great physician of souls vouchsafe to give you all thriving souls in healthy bodies! I am glad to hear good Lady D—— is well. My obligations to her, and all your honoured family, are very great. Be pleased to accept this poor pepper-corn, which, except my poor prayers, is all the acknowledgment that can be made by, my good Lady,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MXCII.
To Mr. J—— W——.
Norwich, August 9, 1755.
Reverend and dear Sir,
TILL Tuesday evening, I knew no more of coming to Norwich than the child unborn. Had I been well enough, and my private business permitted, I should have been some miles in my way towards [♦]Donnington park. This I told Mr. H——ly, and acquainted him with every step; he should have written himself, and not retailed our conversation. As I expect to be in town some time next week, I choose to defer writing more till we have a personal interview. My time is too precious to be employed in hearkening to, or vindicating of myself against, the false and invidious insinuations of narrow and low-life informers. Never was I more satisfied of my call to any place, than of my present call to Norwich. The Redeemer knows the way that I take. I came hither purely for his glory, without the least design to make a party for myself, or to please or displease any other party whatsoever. In this way, and in this spirit, through his divine assistance, I hope to go on. Blessed be his name, I trust my feeble labours have not been in vain. Sin, I hope, hath been prevented, errors detected, sinners convicted, saints edified, and my own soul sweetly refreshed. But I must add no more. That Jesus may give us all a right judgment in all things, and keep all parties whatsoever from giving a wrong touch to the ark, is and shall be the constant prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,