_To the Rev. Mr. B――――._
_Kendal, June 21, 1750._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
ON _Saturday_ last I received your kind letter, but have not had an
opportunity of answering it till now. I have been preaching the gospel
amongst the poor knitters, whose simple manner of life pleased me much.
I am glad you have sounded the silver trumpet in _London_; _crescit
eundo_ must be your motto, and mine. There is nothing like keeping
the wheels oil’d by action. The more we do, the more we may do; every
act strengthens the habit: and the best preparation for preaching on
_Sundays_, is to preach every day in the week. I am glad you have peace
at _Ashby_. What a fool is Satan always to overshoot his mark! I hope
that Mr. _G――――_, as well as Mr. _S――――_, will hold on. They will be
glorious monuments of free grace indeed. I am like-minded with you in
respect to the Doctor’s comment; he is indeed a glorious writer. May
the LORD JESUS strengthen him to finish the work! My dear Mr. _B――――_,
what blessed opportunities do you enjoy for meditation, study, and
prayer! Now is your time to get rich in grace, to search into the
depths of divine love, and the mystery of iniquity hid in your own
heart. Such an example, and such advantages no one in _England_ is
favoured with but yourself. I do not envy you; but I pray the Redeemer,
from my inmost soul, to sanctify your situation, and give you to
increase with all the increase of GOD. I am called forth to battle;
remember a poor cowardly soldier, and beg the Captain of our salvation,
that I may have the honour to die fighting. I would have all my fears
in my breast. Methinks I would not be wounded running away, or skulking
into an hiding-place. It is not for ministers of CHRIST to flee or be
afraid.――And yet alas!――Well――_Nil desperandum Christo duce_. For his
great name’s sake, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother,
_G. W._