_To Mrs. R――――._
_London, Dec. 20, 1749._
_Dear Madam_,
I Received your letter, and had thoughts of writing to you before
it came; but had forgotten your name, and knew not how to direct. I
rejoice that any good impressions have been made upon your heart by
the blessed Spirit, under my poor unworthy administrations. I hope
this will find you coming up out of the wilderness, leaning upon your
beloved. You know whom I mean. It is the ever-loving, altogether lovely
JESUS, even he who hath loved and given himself for you. I know his
love will constrain you to give yourself, even your whole self to him
in return. This is all he requires, “Give me thy heart.” Amazing! Who
can help echoing back, “My heart, LORD JESUS, will I give.” But we must
give it him as it is. We must come as poor, to be made rich, naked,
to be cloathed, and miserable, to be made happy. O glorious exchange!
precious redemption! May the LORD JESUS shed a sense of it abroad
abundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghost! It is he that must apply,
and bring home what CHRIST has done and suffered for our souls; and
when this is done, the kingdom of GOD is erected in our hearts, and
it is our privilege to go on from strength to strength, till grace is
swallowed up in endless glory. This I hope, dear Madam, you will find
true by happy experience. Your business is to look up continually to
the LORD JESUS, not only as the author, but also as the finisher of
your faith. This will strengthen you under every weakness, and in the
end make you more than conqueror over all. Your concern for Mr. _B――――_,
the Redeemer takes kind at your hand. Fear not, only believe. Press
him with arguments, and GOD with prayers. And who knows but ere long
your husband may draw in the same yoke, and you may live together as
heirs of the grace of life. All things are possible to that JESUS, who
is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and
through him. To his tender never-failing mercy do I commend you, and am,
dear Madam,
Your affectionate friend and ready servant for
CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._