_To Mrs. G――――._
_Exon, Feb. 22, 1750._
_Dear Madam_,
I Rejoice to hear by your last kind letter, that the seed sown at
_Manchester_ begins to spring up. More especially, I desire to be
thankful, that you have grace given you, Madam, to confess the LORD
JESUS and his gospel before men. A blessed earnest this, of your being
confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in the kingdom
of heaven. The inward peace and satisfaction you enjoy by so doing,
I am persuaded far surpasses all you ever enjoyed, or could possibly
enjoy in the polite world. With what unspeakable comfort can you now
sing,
_Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_
_For I must be no longer thine;_
_A nobler, a diviner guest,_
_Now claims possession of my breast._
And if the beginning of the divine life be so sweet, what must the end
be, when this mortal puts on immortality, and the soul rises to all the
fulness of GOD. Blessed be GOD, who has given you to choose that better
part, that shall never be taken from you! What have you to do now, but
daily to sit at the dear Redeemer’s feet and hear his word; I mean,
search the scriptures, which testify of him: and for His great name’s
sake, let your remaining life be one continued sacrifice of love to
GOD and man. This is true faith, even a faith that works by love, and
overcomes this wicked world. Well may it be stiled _precious faith_. It
is precious in itself, and precious in its fruits. It lays hold on, and
unites to CHRIST, and carries out the soul day by day after a nearer
conformity to him. It goes on from strength to strength, and conducts
the soul at length to the perfect and uninterrupted vision of the
ever-blessed GOD. Methinks I hear you say, “LORD, evermore give me
this faith.” He will, Madam, he will: for he giveth liberally, and
upbraideth not. Be not afraid of asking too much. Lay your foundation
deep in the knowledge of yourself, and you cannot build too high. O
that the worthy Captain may bear you company to heaven! I trust he will.
Perhaps some time in the Spring, I may have the pleasure of waiting
upon you. I am now in the _West_, and have had blessed seasons in my
way hither. Good Lady _H――――n_ hath been ill, but is recovering. There
hath been an awakening at _Ashby_; but opposition begins to shew itself
in these parts by the instrumentality of a dissenting minister. That
the number may daily increase among you, and that you and yours may be
watered every moment, is the hearty prayer of, Madam,
Your most obliged and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._