_To Mr. R――――, in Edinburgh._
_London, Dec. 24, 1742._
_Dear Mr. R――――_,
IT has given me some concern that I could not answer your kind and
acceptable letter before. As our Saviour will give me freedom, I shall
send you a few lines now. I think I may say to you, as _Luther_ said
to _Melanchton_, _Nimis es nullus_. You are kept in bondage by a false
humility. It is good to see ourselves poor, and exceeding vile; but
if that sight and feeling prevent our looking up to, and exerting
ourselves for our dear Saviour, it becomes criminal, and robs the soul
of much comfort. I can speak this by dear-bought experience. How often
have I been kept from speaking and acting for GOD, by a sight of my
own unworthiness; but now I see that the more unworthy I am, the more
fit to work for JESUS, because he will get much glory in working by
such mean instruments; and the more he has for given me, the more I
ought to love and serve him. Fired with a sense of his unspeakable
loving-kindness, I dare to go out and tell poor sinners that a lamb was
slain for them; and that he will have mercy on sinners as such, of whom
indeed I am chief. I wish my dear friend was in this respect not almost,
but altogether such as I am. Well would it be with him, and happy would
he then be. Upon the receipt of yours, I prayed the LORD to open your
mouth. The language of my heart for you, myself, and all the Redeemer’s
witnesses, is this;
_Ah! LORD, enlarge their scanty thought,_
_To see the wonders thou hast wrought;_
_Unloose the stammering tongue, to tell_
_Thy love immense, unsearchable._
I bless our LORD for giving you such freedom with himself, though
you cannot speak so freely to others. Prayers wrought by his own
spirit, he will hear and answer. It is most god-like to be frequent in
intercession. It is the constant employment of the Son of GOD in heaven.
I rejoice to hear the work of GOD goes on among you in _Scotland_.
Blessed be GOD, it prospers in our hands here, in _Wales_, and in
various places. That it may prosper more and more, and be daily carried
on in your precious soul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. _R――――_,
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._