_To Mr. B――――._
_London, November 1, 1755._
_My dear Mr. B――――_,
ON _Thursday_ evening, a never-failing Providence brought me in safety
from my northern circuit, and this morning I find a letter of a distant
date from you, which before I look over my other letters, I sit down to
answer. And what shall I say? Blessed be GOD, I have good news to send
you from the north country; never did I see the word of GOD have freer
course, or congregations more numerous or attentive. I was strengthened
to preach generally twice or thrice a day, and thanks be to my gracious
Master, my poor carcase held it out. Next to JESUS, my King and
country were upon my heart. I acted as at _Stroud_, and other parts of
_Gloucestershire_, and I hope I shall always think it my bounden duty,
next to inviting sinners to the blessed JESUS, to exhort my hearers
to exert themselves against the first approaches of popish tyranny and
arbitrary power. O that we may be enabled to watch and pray against all
the opposition of _Antichrist_ in our hearts; for after all, there lies
the most dangerous man of sin; there is the temple in which he sits,
exalting himself above all that is called GOD. And what shall, what can
destroy him? Nothing but the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and the
brightness of his appearing, by his blessed spirit in our souls. O
for more of this baptismal fire! GOD give you, and the dear Alderman,
to pray earnestly for me, that I may begin at length to be a little
alive to my GOD. O winter! winter! how near art thou drawing, and how
little have I done for Jesus in the summer! Perhaps before _Christmas_
I may see you again. Future things belong to JESUS. To his tender
never-failing mercy do I most heartily commit you, and the dear
Alderman, all your relations, and all enquiring friends, and once more
beg that you will not forget to pray for, my dear Mr. _B――――_,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._