London, April 18, 1756.
Ever-honoured Madam,
SINCE my last from Canterbury, I have received two more letters of a like kind with the former. Before they came to hand I was exceedingly comforted, from whence I inferred a further storm lay before me. My greatest distress is, how to act so as to avoid rashness on the one hand, and timidity on the other. I have been introduced to the Earl of H——ss, who received me very courteously, and seemed to make no objection against issuing out a reward for the discovery of the letter-writer. Whether I had best accept it, I know not. Sir H—— C—— says, it is not felony; and he advises me by all means to put all concerned into the court of King’s Bench. The facts are most flagrant. Lord Jesus direct me for thy mercy’s sake! A man came up to me in the pulpit at the tabernacle; God knows, what was his design: I see no other way for me to act, than either resolutely to persist in preaching and prosecuting, or entirely to desist from preaching, which I think would bring intolerable guilt upon my soul, and give the adversary cause to blaspheme. Blessed be God, I am clear, quite clear in the occasion of my suffering. It is for preaching Christ Jesus, and, for his great name’s sake, loyalty to King George, to whom under God I owe the liberty of preaching many years. Alas! alas! what a condition would this land be in, was the protestant interest not to prevail? Glad should I be to die by the hands of an assassin, if popery is to get footing here. I shall then be taken away from the evil to come. I hope that your Ladyship, and the good Ladies with you, will have hearts given you to pray for me, that, whether by life or by death, Jesus may be glorified. Thanks be to God, to me to live is Christ, and to die will be my gain. He knows, that with simplicity and godly sincerity, I have endeavoured to promote in my feeble way his honour and glory. I should be glad of a line of advice from your Ladyship; this is giving trouble I no way deserve, but as your Ladyship is pleased to honour me with your friendship, it will be adding to the innumerable obligations already conferred upon, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready Servant,
G. W.
LETTER MCXXX.
To Mrs. G——.
London, April 20, 1756.
Dear Madam,