_To the Countess of H――――._
_Bristol, Dec. 10, 1748._
_Honoured Madam_,
THOUGH I am afraid of taking too much freedom, yet the duty I owe to
your Ladyship constrains me to send you a few lines from hence. I came
hither last night, after having preached five times in _Gloucester_,
and once in _Gloucestershire_. The glorious _Emmanuel_ pleased to shine
upon my administrations, and many told me they received a blessing. The
bishop behaved respectfully when I was at sacrament at the cathedral,
and my old tutor, Dr. _R――――_, one of the prebendaries, was very
cordial when I waited upon him. I told him that my judgment (as I
trust) was a little more ripened than it was some years ago, and that
as fast as I found out my faults I would be glad to acknowledge them.
He said, as I grew moderate, the offence the Governors of the Church
had taken against me, would lessen and wear off. Blessed be GOD, I
am pretty easy about that: so that I can but act an honest part, and
be kept from trimming, I will, through the divine assistance, leave
all consequences to him who orders all things well. Thanks be to his
great name, a wonderous change is wrought on Mr. _L――――_. He came to
see and hear me at _Gloucester_: his worldly shackles are dropping off
apace, and his feet begin to be set in a large room. The news of his
conversion hath reached Mr. _W――――_, who wrote him a long letter; but
to send dissuasives to a man that hath seen and felt so much, is like
throwing chaff against a brass wall. He begged me to send his duty
to your Ladyship when I wrote, as does my brother, at whose house I
am. I trust he is coming forwards, and that he will at length fairly
shake hands with the world, and act as one alive to GOD. I think your
Ladyship meets with great encouragement. My continual prayer to the
blessed Redeemer in your Ladyship’s behalf is, “that your bow may abide
in strength, and the arms of your hands be strengthened by the hands of
the mighty GOD of _Jacob_.” He is the rock of ages. He is the LORD our
righteousness. In him is our strength found. Thanks be to the GOD and
Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for shewing your Ladyship the way to
fetch continual strength and supplies from him! I could enlarge, but
am streightened in paper. If Mr. _C――――_ hath courage enough, I expect
to see him, and then I shall have it in my power to send your Ladyship
word how matters stand at _Bath_. In the mean while, I beg leave with
all dutiful respects to subscribe myself, honoured madam.
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
_G. W._