_To Mr. G――――._
_London, Dec. 12, 1749._
_My dear Mr. G――――_,
I Thank you for your kind letter. It bespoke the language of an honest
heart. If I am not mistaken, your name is _Nathaniel_. This is what
I fain would be, an _Israelite_ indeed, in whom is no allowed guile.
Such will JESUS guide in his way. I therefore have no doubt of your
receiving a blessing, a blessing, in what you intend doing next
_Christmas_. You have openly called JESUS and his disciples to the
marriage: and such proceedings are always owned of GOD, whilst contrary
methods are as surely either blasted or embittered by him, who loves
a single eye and an upright heart. You will remember me kindly to Mrs.
_H――――_, and all that love the blessed JESUS in sincerity. I desire
to be thankful for the favour that was left behind a preached gospel.
It is the LORD’s doings. Let us continue praying, and we shall yet
see far greater things than these. You do well to meet at _Rotheram_.
My cordial salutations, attend Mr. _C――――_, Mr. _H――――_, and their
respective families. May the LORD bless them, as he did the house of
_Obededom_, for the ark’s sake! My advice is, quit yourselves like
men, and be strong. If our LORD shall open a door, I fully purpose to
have another stroke at Satan’s strong-holds in _R――――_. JESUS can and
will make us more than conquerors over all. Blessed be his name for
leading you, my dear friend, more and more into the knowledge of his
divine, compleat, and everlasting righteousness. That is a rock against
which the gates of hell shall never prevail. If we have a mind to go
pleasantly to _Canaan_, we must lean, not on our frames, not on a stock
received, but on our Beloved. Looking to him is the only way of being
saved from every evil that annoys and disturbs us. It is his blood,
sprinkled by the blessed Spirit upon the conscience, and that alone,
which cleanseth from all sin. Whatever, therefore, you want, go to
JESUS: that is his name. And why? Because he is to save his people
from their sins. And what amazing grace is it, that we should be in
the number of his people? Surely that GOD-exalting, that self-abasing
expression, “Why me, LORD, why me?” should always be in the mouth of
one redeemed of the Lamb. But I must stop, though with regret. Whilst I
am writing the fire kindles. I beg all your prayers;――no one wants them
more. My wife returns her love. I believe good Lady _H――――_ hath no
place suitable for the person you mention. Why should she fly from her
cross? Sometimes we do best when surrounded by enemies: they keep us
upon our watch. JESUS is able to preserve us, though in a burning bush.
To his never-failing mercy do I commend you all, and am, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant for
CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._