G. W.
LETTER MCV.
To Mr. B——.
London, November 1, 1755.
My dear Mr. B——,
ON Thursday evening, a never-failing Providence brought me in safety from my northern circuit, and this morning I find a letter of a distant date from you, which before I look over my other letters, I sit down to answer. And what shall I say? Blessed be God, I have good news to send you from the north country; never did I see the word of God have freer course, or congregations more numerous or attentive. I was strengthened to preach generally twice or thrice a day, and thanks be to my gracious Master, my poor carcase held it out. Next to Jesus, my King and country were upon my heart. I acted as at Stroud, and other parts of Gloucestershire, and I hope I shall always think it my bounden duty, next to inviting sinners to the blessed Jesus, to exhort my hearers to exert themselves against the first approaches of popish tyranny and arbitrary power. O that we may be enabled to watch and pray against all the opposition of Antichrist in our hearts; for after all, there lies the most dangerous man of sin; there is the temple in which he sits, exalting himself above all that is called God. And what shall, what can destroy him? Nothing but the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and the brightness of his appearing, by his blessed spirit in our souls. O for more of this baptismal fire! God give you, and the dear Alderman, to pray earnestly for me, that I may begin at length to be a little alive to my God. O winter! winter! how near art thou drawing, and how little have I done for Jesus in the summer! Perhaps before Christmas I may see you again. Future things belong to Jesus. To his tender never-failing mercy do I most heartily commit you, and the dear Alderman, all your relations, and all enquiring friends, and once more beg that you will not forget to pray for, my dear Mr. B——,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.