_Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._
_My dear Sister_,
I Rejoice to hear that you are enabled to see not only the freeness
but eternal duration of GOD’s grace. Till the sinner is convinced of
this, I am persuaded he can neither work from a principle of true love,
nor give JESUS CHRIST the honour due unto his name. He must always be
making his salvation to depend _partly_ at least on his own doings;
“If I do so and so, JESUS CHRIST will give me his grace:” But can
any believer who knows himself, help confessing, that after he
had received grace, he should have finally fallen from it, had the
continuance of it depended on his own will? Indeed, my dear Sister,
nothing so much comforts my own soul as the thought that GOD will
never leave me nor forsake me; if he does, it must be for my
unworthiness: But on that account it cannot be; for he never chose me
on account of my unworthiness. He loved me freely, he prevented me by
his grace; he chose me from eternity, he called me in time, and I am
persuaded will keep me till time shall be no more.――This consideration
makes my faith to work by love. Now, I can live not barely upon my
frames, which notwithstanding are blessed things, but on the promises.
Now, I can go on my way rejoicing, and, amidst all dejections, lift up
my head in prospect of a certain and exceeding weight of glory. Though
I fall, I know I shall rise again; for he that is brought truly to
believe on JESUS CHRIST, his faith shall never die. The LORD JESUS
will not suffer to be lost the purchase of his blood. He knew for whom
he died, and neither men nor devils shall ever pluck them out of his
hands. Such as have been taught most of GOD, I find, are thus minded.
And I am persuaded were the effects of our LORD’s redemption to depend
on a man’s own compliance, or was the continuance of GOD’s grace
to depend solely on man’s improvement, JESUS CHRIST would have died
in vain. _Adam_ could not stand in paradise when left to his own
free-will, how then can we? No, blessed be GOD, our salvation is put
into better hands than our own. JESUS CHRIST has purchased not only
wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, but also eternal redemption
for us. Let this thought, my dear Sister, lift up our hands when they
hang down, and strengthen our feeble knees; GOD’s gifts and callings
are without repentance. There is no condemnation to them that are
truly in CHRIST JESUS. And I write thus peremptorily to you, because
I find now you are able to bear it.――Blessed be GOD! my dear Sister,
flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you. I hope ere long our
brethren will lay all carnal reasoning aside, and see and preach the
truth in this respect, as it is in JESUS. My kindest love to your
sister.――What I write to one, I write to both. The LORD direct your
going in his way, and cause you to continue instant in prayer for
Your weak brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._