To Lady F—— S——.
Leeds, August 23, 1753.
Honoured Madam,
HITHERTO the Lord hath helped me. Blessed be his glorious name, the fields have been every where white, ready unto harvest. I have been of late generally enabled to preach thrice a day, and in all appearance the word never was attended with more success. Satan rages and belies me, about the taking down the Glasgow play-houses; but I hope my letter lately published in the Newcastle journal, will set all things right. Thanks be to God, without the assistance of mobs and riots, (which my soul abhors) the christian’s weapons, through divine assistance, are mighty to the pulling down of Satan’s strong-holds. Alas! how many of these hath he gotten in every unregenerate person’s heart! Blessed be his holy name for any begun conquests there; surely his name is wonderful that hath done it. What a miracle of grace is it, honoured Madam, that a spark of fire should be kept in, amidst an ocean of corruption! that the bush should burn, and yet not be consumed! Such a standing miracle I trust your Ladyship will be. To be a martyr, a living witness for Jesus, amidst the tip-top allurements of high life—by this we prove the strength of Jesus to be ours indeed. May the Lord of all Lords help you, honoured Madam, to hold on and hold out. My prayer to him for you is, “That your progress may be made known to all men, and that you may increase with all the increase of God.” Glory be to free grace, I find the happiness of the divine life an increasing happiness indeed.—Lately our common Lord hath taken his people into the banqueting house, and caused their cup of consolation to run over. Surely we have been in the suburbs of heaven: ere long we shall enter into the city itself. Our Lord is gone before to prepare the way. To the tender and never-failing mercy of this gracious forerunner, do I humbly and heartily recommend your Ladyship, as being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCI.
To Lady H——n.
York, September 11, 1753.