_To Mr. B――――._
_London, Feb. 8, 1751._
_Dear Sir_,
YESTERDAY I saw your letter to Mr. _V――――_, which made me to think
a line would not altogether be unacceptable to you. And what shall
I say? Your case is affecting. O that your present confinement may
be sanctified to the setting of your imprisoned soul at liberty, and
bringing you home (after having so long fed on husks with swine) to
feed upon the fatted calf! You know the father’s behaviour to the
returning prodigal. He saw him when he was yet a great way off.――He ran
towards him,――filthy as he was, he fell upon his neck, and kissed him.
Thus, if you resolve with the prodigal, to arise and go to your Father,
will the ever-blessed GOD deal with you. He will embrace you in the
arms of his love; he will also cloathe you with the righteousness of
his dear Son, and cause joy to be in heaven even over you, on repenting
and returning to him. Is not this enough to encourage you to lay hold
on his golden sceptre? to resolve, in divine strength, to mortify
and bid adieu to all those sins, by which you have dishonoured your
glorious Maker? You see, Sir, what wages Satan gives; _death_ even in
this world, and alas! _eternal death_ in the world to come. GOD keep
you from this second death, and then temporal shame will be but little.
The way you know; JESUS is the way, the truth, and the life. He is
mighty, and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the
Father in and through him. Come then, dear Sir, and throw yourself at
the feet of his mercy. He will not only pardon, but abundantly pardon
you. In JESUS CHRIST there is a fountain opened for sin and for all
uncleanness. “Wash ye, make ye clean,” is the call of GOD to all,
and now the particular call of GOD to you. May the Spirit of the
ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, bring it home to your soul, and make it
effectual to your thorough conversion! Let this be your sole care. For
this and this only is the one thing needful. As for seeing Mrs. ――――,
if I was to advise (as it hath been hitherto deferred) I would have
you both decline it a little longer. Wait and see the issue of your
trial; she can do you no good, and by coming may do herself harm. But
this is a tender point. May Providence point out what is best! If we
acknowledge the LORD, we have a promise, “that he will direct us in all
our ways.” I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and beg you to
accept this from, dear Sir,
Your sympathizing friend and servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._