_To Lady H――――n._
_London, April 18, 1756._
_Ever-honoured Madam_,
SINCE my last from _Canterbury_, I have received two more letters of a
like kind with the former. Before they came to hand I was exceedingly
comforted, from whence I inferred a further storm lay before me. My
greatest distress is, how to act so as to avoid rashness on the one
hand, and timidity on the other. I have been introduced to the Earl
of _H――――ss_, who received me very courteously, and seemed to make
no objection against issuing out a reward for the discovery of the
letter-writer. Whether I had best accept it, I know not. Sir _H――――
C――――_ says, it is not felony; and he advises me by all means to put
all concerned into the court of _King’s Bench_. The facts are most
flagrant. LORD JESUS direct me for thy mercy’s sake! A man came up to
me in the pulpit at the tabernacle; GOD knows, what was his design:
I see no other way for me to act, than either resolutely to persist
in preaching and prosecuting, or entirely to desist from preaching,
which I think would bring intolerable guilt upon my soul, and give the
adversary cause to blaspheme. Blessed be GOD, I am clear, quite clear
in the occasion of my suffering. It is for preaching CHRIST JESUS, and,
for his great name’s sake, loyalty to King _George_, to whom under GOD
I owe the liberty of preaching many years. Alas! alas! what a condition
would this land be in, was the protestant interest not to prevail? Glad
should I be to die by the hands of an assassin, if popery is to get
footing here. I shall then be taken away from the evil to come. I hope
that your Ladyship, and the good Ladies with you, will have hearts
given you to pray for me, that, whether by life or by death, JESUS may
be glorified. Thanks be to GOD, to me to live is CHRIST, and to die
will be my gain. He knows, that with simplicity and godly sincerity,
I have endeavoured to promote in my feeble way his honour and glory. I
should be glad of a line of advice from your Ladyship; this is giving
trouble I no way deserve, but as your Ladyship is pleased to honour me
with your friendship, it will be adding to the innumerable obligations
already conferred upon, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready Servant,
_G. W._