THIS leaves me returned from Wales. It proved a most delightful trying circuit. I suppose your Ladyship hath heard how low I have been in body, scarce ever lower; not able to sit up in company all the time, yet strengthened to travel without bodily food, and to preach to thousands everyday. Never were the fields whiter, and more ready to harvest. The Lord Jesus seemed to ride in triumph through the great congregation in Haverford-west. Perhaps the auditory consisted of near fifteen thousand. Tears flowed like water from the stony rock. The cup of God’s people quite runs over. Many were sick of love. Welcome then bodily pain, and bodily sickness! O for a hearse to carry my weary carcase to the wished-for grave! “There the wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest.” But perhaps I must see London first. With regret I turn my back on this blessed itinerating weather, but Mr. Dav—— must be released. O for some disinterested soul to help at the chapel during the summer season! Spiritual, divine ambition, whither art thou fled! But I see such honours are reserved for few. I rejoice in the increase of your Ladyship’s spiritual routs. I can guess at the consolations such uncommon scenes must afford to your Ladyship’s new-born soul. No wonder you are distressed from other quarters. Indeed, my most noble and ever-honoured patroness, thus it must be. Christ’s witnesses must be purged at home. Inward domestic trials, fit for outward public work. Nature recoils, when constrained to take the cup; and it may be from a near and dear relation’s hand: but infinite Wisdom knows what is best. O that I could be more passive! O that I could let the good and all-wise Physician chuse my medicines, and the hands that shall convey them to me! but I am a stubborn reasoning creature, and thereby force almighty love frequently to drench me. O, I am sick! I am sick! sick in body, but infinitely more so in my mind,—to see what dross yet remains in, and surrounds my soul. Blessed be God, there is one, who will sit as a refiner’s fire, and purify the sons of Levi. O for an heart to bear its scorching, soul purging heat! When I am tried, I shall come forth as gold. I write this to your Ladyship out of the burning bush. Blessed place! Christ is there! Christ is there! To his never-failing mercy do I most humbly commend your Ladyship, and with ten thousand thousand thanks for honouring such an unfruitful unworthy worm with your unmerited patronage, I beg leave to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCCVII.
To Mr. S——.
Newcastle, July 31, 1758.
My very dear Sir,
THUS far, a never-failing Redeemer hath brought on the most worthless and weak pilgrim, that was ever employed in publishing his everlasting gospel. All the last week was taken up in preaching at Everton, Saint Neots, Kayso, Bedford, Oulney, Weston, Underwood, Ravenstone and Northampton. Four clergymen lent me their churches, and three read prayers for me in one day. I preached also in Mr. Bunyan’s pulpit, and at Northampton I took the field. Good seasons at all the places. Mr. B——e, who was lately awakened at Everton, promises to be a burning and shining light. Yesterday we had good times here, and to-morrow, God willing, I shall set off for Edinburgh. My bodily strength increases but very little. Sometimes I am almost tempted to turn back, but through divine strength I hope to go forward, and shall strive, as much as in me lies, to die in this glorious work. God will bless you and yours, my very dear Sir, for strengthening my feeble hands in it, so often as you have done. Jesus knows, and will reward all labours of love and works of faith. They are more precious than rubies. God willing, you shall hear from me again, when I see how the Lord deals with me in Scotland. In the mean while, be pleased to add to my obligations by the continuance of your prayers, and accepting of thanks unfeigned, and cordial love to your whole self, and dear daughter, from, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,