_To Mr. C――――._
_London, Jan. 7, 1753._
_My dear Mr. C――――_,
I Received your kind letter, for which I send you most hearty thanks.
I see that you strive, and I fear you will succeed, to outdo me in
love and kindness. However, I will endeavour to copy after you, and, if
possible, not die in your debt. But who can ever pay his debt of love,
either to GOD, or the brethren? Alas! Alas! I run in arrears every
day. GOD’s favours are continually multiplied upon me, and he seems to
let us know that we shall see greater things than ever. We have had a
blessed _Christmas_ season. I trust our LORD hath imparted many a new
year’s gift. You know what that is, even a _new heart_. “A new heart
also will I give thee.” Thus run the words of our LORD’s last will
and testament. O for faith to prove this will! O for a willingness to
receive so invaluable a legacy! LORD, I believe, help my unbelief!
_Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power,_
_Thou wilt in time set free;_
_This great deliverance let us hope,_
_Not for ourselves but thee._
Come, my dear brother, let us take courage: “He is faithful, who hath
promised, who also will do it.”
_O unbelief, injurious bar,_
_Source of tormenting, fruitless care._
Surely it is the womb of misery, and grave of comfort. Had we faith but
as a grain of mustard seed, how should we trample the world, the flesh,
the devil, death, and hell under foot? LORD, increase our faith! I know
you say _Amen_. “Even so LORD JESUS, Amen and Amen!” But whither am
I going? Love makes me forget myself. Adieu――my dear Sir, adieu. Pray
tell Mr. _G――――_ that I intend answering his kind letter shortly. I
send cordial love to him, and all the followers of the Lamb.
_O may we find the ancient way,_
_Our wond’ring foes to move;_
_And force the heathen world to say,_
_See how these christians love!_