_To Mr. L――――._
_London, Jan. 3, 1753._
_My very dear Friend and Brother_,
THOUGH I am very much straitened for time, yet I must sit down, (since
you so earnestly desire it) and answer your kind letter. My love does
not shift with my scene of action; I would have it in some degree, like
my LORD’s to me and his people, “Permanent and unchangeable.” Blessed
be GOD for such a JESUS, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for
ever. What can we want then? Or of whom should we be afraid? All his
attributes are engaged to keep us on earth, and to set us upon thrones
in his glorious kingdom in heaven. Last night I buried one, who I
believe is seated there.――Ah lovely appearance of death! Surely my turn
will come soon. I am now thirty-eight years of age; little did I think
of staying in the land of the dying so long. Well, if it be to call
more souls to the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, Father, thy will be
done!
_If thou excuse, then work thy will,_
_By so unfit an instrument;_
_It will at once thy goodness show,_
_And prove thy power omnipotent._
I hope you have had a happy _Christmas_ at _Leeds_. We have kept
holidays here indeed. Sinners have been pricked to the heart, and
saints refreshed in their spirits. To the Father of spirits be all
the glory. I forgot none of you in my poor prayers: fear not; let us
continue to pray, and we shall always find, that our extremity will
be GOD’s opportunity to help and appear for us. But there must be a
seeming death upon every promise.
_Where reason fails with all its powers,_
_There faith prevails and love adores._
LORD, increase our faith.――LORD, quicken my sluggish heart! I commend
you and yours to GOD, and to the word of his grace. I am sorry dear Mr.
_S――――_ is disabled from writing. When his hand is well, I hope to hear
from him. In the mean while, tell him, and his, and all dear friends,
that I am, for CHRIST’s sake, my dear Sir,
Theirs and yours, &c. &c.
_G. W._