_To W―――― P――――, Esq._
_London, December 14, 1768._
HOW unexpected a letter! what a kind present! Both came safe to hand;
both call for most grateful acknowledgments. My poor prayers shall
follow them: may they enter into the ears of the LORD of Sabaoth! They
will, they will. He is a GOD hearing prayer. You and yours know it;
otherwise how would you have been translated from darkness to light!
Marvellous, soul-transforming light! This, I trust, you prove by daily
experience, passing from glory to glory by the Spirit of the LORD.
Hence you increase in boldness; hence your readiness to follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth, though it should be without the camp. Blessed
be his name, for this honour conferred upon ill and hell-deserving
me. This may make dear Mr. _S――――t_ easy, should I ever be called to
_Shropshire_. I love the open bracing air. Preaching within doors is
apt to make us nervous, especially to crouded auditories. These, I hope,
he is blessed with. GOD make him a successful fisher of men! I hope he
and his are enabled to walk in all the ordinances and commandments of
the LORD blameless. Blessed saving fruits of a living faith! blessed
proofs of having our past sins forgiven! As for those to come, I
dare not to mention their being forgiven, till committed. _Moderate
Calvinism_ I take to be a medium between two extremes. I should not
choose to use expressions that need an apology. This seems to be a
blemish in Dr. _Caisp_, and other supralapsarian writers. A word to the
wise is enough. You will excuse this freedom, because it proceeds from
love unfeigned in, dear friend,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._