_To Mr. S._
_Gloucester, June 20, 1736._
_My dear Friend_,
THIS is a day much to be remember’d, O my soul! for about noon, I was
solemnly admitted by good _Bishop Benson_, before many witnesses, into
holy orders, and was, blessed be GOD, kept composed both before and
after imposition of hands. I endeavoured to behave with unaffected
devotion; but not suitable enough to the greatness of the office
I was to undertake. At the same time, I trust, I answered to every
question from the bottom of my heart, and heartily prayed that GOD
might say Amen. I hope the good of souls will be my only principle of
action. Let come what will, life or death, depth or heighth, I shall
henceforwards live like one who this day, in the presence of men and
angels, took the holy sacrament, upon the profession of being inwardly
moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon me that ministration in the
church. This I began with reading prayers to the prisoners in the
county ♦gaol. Whether I myself shall ever have the honour of stiling
myself a prisoner of the LORD, I know not; but indeed, my dear friend,
I can call heaven and earth to witness, that when the Bishop laid
his hand upon me, I gave myself up to be a martyr for him, who hung
upon the cross for me. Known unto him are all future events and
contingences; I have thrown myself blindfold, and I trust without
reserve, into his almighty hands; only I would have you observe, that
till you hear of my dying for, or in my work, you will not be apprized
of all the preferment that is expected by
Yours, &c.
_G. W._
♦ ‘goal’ replaced with ‘gaol’