_To Mr. L――――._
_London, Nov. 28, 1752._
_My dear Friend_,
YOUR letter came safe to hand yesterday. The contents of it humbled
and gladdened me, and led me directly to my knees, to intercede for you
and yours, and all the dear people at _Leeds_, who are either seeking
after, or have actually found redemption in the blood of JESUS. Many
here, blessed be GOD, are in like circumstances. Our LORD seems to
ride triumphantly on in the chariot of his everlasting gospel; and the
shout of a king is indeed amongst us. Blessed are the eyes that see the
things which we see. What shall we render unto the LORD? Our two mites,
a vile body, and a sinful soul, are all that he requires: and shall he
not have these? Yes, I trust the language of both our hearts is this:
_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._
As this is your case, I wonder not at your being so solicitous for
your dear children’s welfare. The LORD give you faith and patience,
and help you in every respect so to behave, that you may win them over
to the choice of true and undefiled religion! Courage, my dear brother,
courage.――Who knows, but they may be made willing in a day of the
Redeemer’s power? He that hath given your dear yoke-fellow a heart to
seek after the pearl of great price, can make your children like-minded.
But faith must be tried, patience must be exercised, and our stubborn
will brought into a chearful resignation to the holy sovereign will and
good pleasure of GOD.
_What though thou rulest not,_
_Yet heaven, and earth and hell_
_Proclaim GOD sitteth on the throne,_
_And ordereth all things well._
A variety of business prevents my enlarging. I should not have troubled
you with such a speedy answer, had you not seemed to desire it, as a
token of my love. I think it is cordial and unfeigned. None of you are
forgotten by me before the throne. There, my dear friend, let us meet
often. Remember it is a throne of grace; we may, therefore, come with
boldness. JESUS is our advocate, even JESUS CHRIST the righteous. I
thank you ten thousand times for all respect shewn me for his great
name’s sake, and command you (since love will make you wait for orders)
to believe me to be, my dear Sir,
Your very affectionate friend, brother, and ready servant
in our common but dearest LORD,
_G. W._