IT hath given me concern, that I could not answer your kind letter till now; but making a short excursion abroad, and fighting with a kind of beasts at home, hath prevented me. I fancy that something we cannot see is behind the curtain. Satan seems to have overshot himself. O what a mercy is it, dear Madam, to be rescued from his slavery! Nothing less than an Almighty arm could bring about such a great salvation. Its depths, its lengths, its breadths, who can fathom? By being plunged into the first, we stretch and rise into the two last. Our Saviour’s death preceded his resurrection, and his resurrection that of his glorious ascension into heaven.—So must we die, and rise, in order to ascend hereafter where he is gone before. No matter if a sudden stroke opens the passage: God grant I may be always ready! I hope that you, dear Madam, and the other elect Ladies, have hearts given you to pray for me. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. I thank Mr. S—— for his hint. If occasion requires, I shall improve it. O for a steady disinterested zeal for my God, my King, and my country! Welcome death, when brought upon me in defence of these. As I expect to be called away every moment, I can only add, after sending my most cordial and grateful acknowledgments to the whole Clifton court, that I am, dear Madam,
Your most obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCXXXI.
To Mrs. D——.
London, April 21, 1756.
Dear Madam,
I HAVE heard by several hands, that you are lately entered into a new relation of life. Gratitude constrains me to wish you joy, and earnestly to pray, that you and Mr. D—— may live together as heirs of the grace of life, and bring forth much fruit unto God in the decline of age. This is a changing world; but we are hastening towards an unchangeable state, where we shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but be like unto the angels of God. For this I am waiting day by day. Many seem to be quickened in this work too; though at the other end of the town, amongst some of the popish party, I have lately met with much opposition. But we know who hath promised to tread Satan shortly under our feet. I hope this will find you, my dear Madam, and my other Charles-Town friends, going on from conquering to conquer. I do not, I cannot forget them. I send them my most cordial love and respects, and beg you and Mr. D—— to accept the same from, dear Madam,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,