_To Lady H――――._
_Manchester, June 8, 1750._
_Honoured Madam_,
I Thought to have troubled your Ladyship with a letter long before this
time, but travelling, and preaching twice every day, prevented. Blessed
be GOD, it is pleasant work, and I trust it hath prospered in my
unworthy hands. Thousands and thousands for some time past have flocked
to hear the word twice every day, and the power of GOD has attended it
in a glorious manner. Good Lady _H――――n_ I left some time ago weak in
body, but strong in the grace which is in CHRIST JESUS. The good people
of _Ashby_ were so kind as to mob round her Ladyship’s door, whilst
the gospel was preaching. Alas! how great and irreconcileable is the
enmity of the serpent! This is my comfort, “The seed of the woman shall
at length be more than conqueror over all.” I hope that your Ladyship
every day experiences more and more of this conquest in your heart.
This is the christian’s daily employ; this the believer’s daily triumph,
to die to self and sin, and to rise more and more daily into the image
of the blessed JESUS. As it is our duty, so it is our unspeakable
privilege. All the crosses we meet with, all the afflictions with which
we are visited, are all intended by the good physician, to beat down,
and keep under, and weaken the old man, and to raise up, strengthen,
and give fresh vigour to the new man, which is created after GOD in
righteousness and true holiness. Our business is to look continually
to JESUS, and to lean on him hourly, nay every moment. May this be your
Ladyship’s continual employ! May the LORD JESUS strengthen, stablish,
and settle you more and more in his love. May he give you to see your
honoured Relations partakers of a divine nature in this world, and
grant you mansions of eternal bliss in the world to come! No less
mercies shall, no greater can be desired for your Ladyship and family
by, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged and ready servant
for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._