My very dear Tommy,
WAS not Mrs. J——s very near her time, and her husband consequently thereby detained in town, you would herewith receive a mandamus to come up to court. The first vacancy you may depend upon. In the mean while, may the country all round about ring of, “Come to Jesus, come to Jesus.” Worthy Sir Charles H——m hath received a call indeed. He slept in Jesus about a fortnight ago, near the Spa, in Germany. Happy translation! We must follow by and by. Some ascend, some descend the heavenly ladder. All will, ere long, sit down with Him, who stands at the top to receive poor pilgrims. Hallelujah! Hosanna! Good morning to you and yours. Hearty love to all. I wish I knew where Mrs. R——s sojourns. I would send her an invitation, or wait upon her in person. Wait, wait; we shall certainly see the salvation of God. But Isaacs must be sacrificed, before they can be received from the dead. Thus faith is tried. Thus the believer is prepared for a “now know I that thou lovest me.” Adieu! I must away. My very dear Tommy,
Ever yours, &c. &c. in our Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCLXXIV.
To Mr. C——.
London, October 24, 1767.
My dear Sir,
SUPPOSING you made this addition to the motto of your coat of arms, Nemo me impune lacessit? He that toucheth God’s people, toucheth the apple of God’s eye. That is a very tender part. I am glad your diocesan is expected soon. I have no suspicion of his beating a retreat. “To arms, to arms,” must be the watch word now. It was the constancy of the three children, (the three heroes) that confounded their enemies. The company of the Son of man is never so sweet, as when he walks with us in the fiery furnace, never so glorious, as when he is seen keeping his honest Daniels company in a den of lions. You have therefore your answers ready, “We are not careful about this matter; we will not bow down to the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar hath set up; the God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” If you do not like these examples, take Peter and John. Suppose dear —— to be John, and —— to be Peter. You know how the high-priests addressed them, you know their answer. By their answer, by their boldness, they took notice that they had been with Jesus. Nothing, nothing can stand before an honest truly Israelitish heart. But this is enough for a sick-bed lecture. I would only add, that those who endeavour to entangle Christ’s followers in their talk, will in the end be entangled themselves. Good-morning to you all. Remember the watch word. Stand out your full time in guard-hours, send word at about what distance the enemy keeps, or how near he approaches, or what further feint attacks he makes, and, God willing, you shall hear again from,