LETTER MCCCXLIII.
To W—— P——, Esq.
Tottenham-Court, June 2, 1766.
WHAT a mercy, that God’s elect, knit by the blessed Spirit, (that common centre of unity) in one communion and fellowship, can, though absent, be present with each other on earth! What an infinitely greater mercy, that they are assured they shall meet never to part again in heaven! This may reconcile them to all interruptions of mutual concern here below. My cloud seems to point towards Bristol and Bath; yours towards Brighthelmstone. All travelling the same road, all engaged in the same errand. How glad will the truly noble Countess be of the intended visit! How will the hearts both of the visited and visitors be made to burn within them! She meets with that, which all fond fathers and apostolic mothers in Israel must meet with; I mean, rebuffs from her spiritual children. That monstrous doctrine of sinless perfection, for a while turns some of its deluded votaries into temporary monsters. Happy they who strive to be holy as he who hath called them is holy, and yet are continually going out of themselves, and relying only on the glorious, compleat, imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. This hath a certain happy pair learned, and received Christ. Thus may they be helped continually to walk in him! They will, they will. The meek, the humble, hungering and thirsty soul will he guide in his ways. But what am I doing? writing a parting letter? The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So wishes, so prays, dear honoured and happy pair,
Yours, &c. &c. &c. in an unchangeable Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCXLIV.
To Mr. H——y.