_To the Countess of D――――._
_Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749._
_Honoured Madam_,
YESTERDAY I had the favour of your Ladyship’s letter, which I would
have answered immediately, but was engaged both in company, and in
preaching the everlasting gospel. Your Ladyship’s answering my poor
scrawl, was an honour I did not expect; but, since your Ladyship is
pleased thus to condescend, I am encouraged to make a reply. And give
me leave to assure your Ladyship, that your own case, and that of your
honoured sisters, have been, and are always upon my heart. I pray for
both in public and private, though none knows whom I mean. Blessed
be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who, I trust, hath
imparted a saving knowledge of his eternal Son to your Ladyship’s heart.
Your letter bespeaks the language of a soul which hath tasted that the
LORD is gracious, and hath been initiated into the divine life. Welcome,
thrice welcome, honoured Madam, into the world of new creatures! O what
a scene of happiness lies before you! Your frames, my Lady, like the
moon, will wax and wane; but the LORD JESUS, on whose righteousness you
solely depend, will, notwithstanding, remain your faithful friend in
heaven. Your Ladyship seems to have the right point in view, to get a
constant abiding witness and indwelling of the blessed Spirit of GOD
in your heart. This the Redeemer has purchased for you. Of this he has
given your Ladyship a taste; this, I am persuaded, he will yet impart
so plentifully to your heart, that out of it shall flow rivers of
living waters. This JESUS spake of the Spirit, which they that believe
on him should receive. As you have, therefore, honoured Madam, received
the LORD JESUS, so walk in him even by faith. Lean on your beloved, and
you shall go on comfortably through this howling wilderness, till you
arrive at those blissful regions,
_Where pain, and sin, and sorrow cease,_
_And all is calm, and joy, and peace._
And O that your honoured sister may go hand in hand with your Ladyship!
Wherefore doth she doubt? Wherefore doth she fear? Why does not her
Ladyship say,
_To the blest fountain of thy blood,_
_Incarnate GOD, I fly;_
_Here let me wash my spotted soul,_
_From sins of crimson dye_.
Honoured Madam, is it not a fountain opened? Opened for all that will
come, and wash at, and drink of it? Entreat her Ladyship, therefore,
honoured Madam, not to be faithless, but believing. Beg her to come,
or rather be pleased to inform her Ladyship, that her Saviour entreats
and commands her to come just as she is, and to accept of salvation
as a free-gift. O that with Queen _Esther_ she may say, “If I perish,
I perish.” Then shall she see the King of kings holding out a golden
sceptre, and not an iron rod. But I forget myself again. Honoured
Madam, be pleased to pardon me, and accept what I have written as the
overflowings of a heart that hath been wrestling with GOD, for the
salvation of your Ladyship, your honoured sister, and of all related
to you. This is the best proof I can give of my being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, and willing
servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._