FOR so I must address myself, having had you in a peculiar manner upon my heart, ever since I saw and read a letter that came from you some months ago. It bespoke the language of a heart devoted to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Mrs. B—— confirmed me in this opinion yesterday, and withal told me, she believed you would be glad of a line from me, who am indeed less than the least of all saints, but willing, if I know any thing of my own heart, to spend and be spent for the good of souls. They are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, whose cross, blessed be his name, hath been made delightful to me for some years. I thank God that I am cast out for my Master’s sake. Indeed, my very dear Sir, it is preferable to all other preferment whatsoever. It is the way to the crown. Glory be to God, that there are some young champions coming forth: methinks I could now sing my nunc dimittis with triumphant joy. Though I decrease, may you, my very dear Sir, increase. O that you may be kept from conferring with flesh and blood! O that you may be owned and blessed of God! I believe you will, and never more so than when you are reviled and despised by man. It is a fatal mistake, to think we must keep our characters in order to do good; this is called prudence; in most, I fear, it is trimming. Honesty I find always to be the best policy. They who honour Jesus, he will honour. Even in this world, if we confess him, his truth, and his people, we shall receive an hundred-fold. To lose all in this respect, is to find all. But whither am I going? Excuse, my very dear Sir, the overflowings of a heart, that loves you dearly for the glorious Redeemer’s sake. I am here preaching his cross, and expect to stay over Sunday. Next week I have thoughts of being at Bath and Westbury. I lead a pilgrim life. You will pray that I may have a pilgrim heart. Ere long I hope my heavenly father will take me home. I am ambitious; I want to sit upon a throne. Jesus hath purchased and provided a throne and heaven for me. That you may have an exalted place at his right hand, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCXXXVI.
To Mr. B——.
Bristol, May 21, 1756.
My dear Mr. B——,
THE first part of your letter made me smile: for what? Because I was glad to find you had such an enlarged heart, and at the same time imagined, that I could build two houses at a time. If the top-stone of one is brought forth, I shall think we have reason to shout unto it, Grace! grace! This I hope will be the happy lot of you and your young fellow-soldiers, in respect to your spiritual building. Remember, war is proclaimed; the sword is unsheathed; the devil, the world, and the flesh will dispute every inch of ground, and you must fight or die. Angels stand by to see the combat, and Jesus stands ready to make you more than conquerors through his love. Provoke then one another, but let it be to love and to good works. Take heed of a trifling spirit when together. It will hurt you, and by degrees rob you of true and holy joy. I thank you for remembering unworthy me. I am called to travel, you to trade for Jesus. Last week, I trust, was a good week. The Lord of the harvest is pleased to smile upon us here. I hope to be in town at the appointed time. I hope that dear Mr. J—— prospers every day. Pray remember me to him, and your single circle, in the most tender manner, and believe me to be, my dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,