_To Mr. S――――._
_London, Nov. 11, 1752._
_My dear Friend_,
THROUGH the good providence of an ever-lovely, ever-loving Redeemer, I
came safe hither last night. My _Sunday_’s work, sickness, the change
of weather, and affecting parting from friends, so enfeebled this
tottering tabernacle, that I was in hopes on the road the imprisoned
soul would have been set at liberty, and fled to those blissful regions,
_Where pain, and sin, and sorrow cease,_
_And all is calm and joy and peace._
At _Northampton_ I took coach, and am now, blessed be GOD, arrived
at my Winter quarters. My poor wife I found an invalid. Our LORD
can restore her, for he came to heal our sicknesses, and bear our
infirmities. I hope this will meet my dear friend and his wife leaning
on this all-sufficient, never-failing _Emmanuel_. I have remembered you
ever since my departure, and now, with groanings that cannot be uttered,
pray that your souls, and the souls of all the dear people around
you, may prosper and increase with all the increase of GOD. O, my dear
friend, what manner of love is this, that _we_ should be called the
sons of GOD! Excuse me. I must pause a while.――My eyes gush out with
water. At present they are almost fountains of tears. But thanks be to
GOD, they are tears of love. O what shall I do for Him who hath loved
and given himself for ill and hell-deserving, ungrateful, unfruitful
me! Add to my obligations by praying for me! My unfeigned love to Mr.
_L――――_. If I can, he shall soon hear from me. With the box for Mr.
_G――――_, I shall send a few pictures, which you may present to Mr. and
Mrs. _N――――_, as you think best. O that the blessed and divine image
of the adorable JESUS may be stamped in most lively colours on all
our hearts! It will, it will. JESUS is the author, and he is also the
finisher of our faith. Let us not be faithless but believing. Let us
not trust in ourselves, but in him who hath promised never to leave nor
forsake us. I can no more. The LORD be with you and yours.――My hearty
love to all that love CHRIST JESUS in sincerity; accept the same in the
most tender manner from, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._