_To Miss P――――._
_Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755._
_Dear Miss_,
A FEW days past, as I was going into the Tabernacle to read letters,
yours came to hand; immediately I read it among the rest, and you and
my other dear _New-England_ friends had the prayers of thousands. But
how did I wish to be transported to _America_! How did I long to stir
up all against the common enemy, and to be made instrumental in doing
my dear country some little service! But surely GOD sent me over at
this juncture, and therefore I hope to be resigned. Already, blessed
be his name, he hath vouchsafed to own my feeble labours in _London_,
_Gloucestershire_, _Bristol_, _Bath_, and _Norwich_. I have been at the
last place very lately, and notwithstanding offences have come, there
hath been a glorious work begun, and is now carrying on. The Polite
and Great seem to hear with much attention, and I scarce ever preached
a week together with greater freedom. Praise the LORD, O my soul! I am
now going my northern circuit, and perhaps may take a trip to _Ireland_.
O what a pity is it, that we have but one body and one soul for JESUS
CHRIST! I write this from dear Mr. _H――――_’s, who sends kind love to
all his dear _New-England_ friends, and earnestly begs the continuance
of their prayers. He is now writing another volume upon sanctification:
that, you say, dear Miss, is what you want. That is what the
ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS longs to give. Out of his fulness we are
all to receive even grace for grace. But how slow are we to believe!
LORD, I believe, help my unbelief! must be my language still. I thank
your honoured father for the kind present of the sermons, charter, &c.
I see you are resolved to increase my obligations, till they amount
to a prodigious sum. My blessed Master must pay you all. O that I may
be remembered before him; night and day, in public and in private!
Dear _New-England_, dear _Boston_ lies upon my heart; surely the LORD
will not give it over into the enemies hand. He hath too many praying
ministers and praying people there, for such a dreadful catastrophe.
Immediately upon hearing of your late defeat, I preached from those
words, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, then the spirit of the
LORD lifts up a standard against him.” This we shall find true in a
temporal and spiritual sense.
Blest is faith that trusts Christ’s power,
Blest are saints that wait his hour.
I could enlarge, but must away. My heart is full for dear _New-England_,
and I must go to GOD and vent it. I can only send you and your honoured
parents, and all your religious associates, and all enquiring friends,
ten thousand thanks for all favours, and beg them never to cease
praying for, dear Miss,
Their and your assured and ready servant
for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._