_To the Right Honourable Lord L――――._
_Edinburgh, Sept. 25, 1741._
_My Lord_,
THOUGH nature calls for rest, yet love and gratitude oblige me to
sit up to answer your Lordship’s letter, lest I should not have time
in the morning. Blessed be the glorious Redeemer! who seems in some
degree to be working upon your heart. My prayer to GOD is, that these
convictions may continue, ’till they end in a sound conversion. You
do well, my Lord, to fear, lest they should wear off. I have not had
so much acquaintance with the world as your Lordship; but I know it is
a deceitful thing, and without the utmost care and watchfulness, will
insensibly divert the soul from GOD. Your Lordship is in a dangerous
situation. A fear of contempt, and a love for honour, falsely so
called, render religion unfashionable amongst the rich and polite
part of mankind. But the blood of JESUS is almighty, and makes the
soul more than conqueror. Here is the fountain to which you and I
must apply, to wash away all our sins. And is it yet open for all
poor sinners? Come then, my Lord, and lay yourself at the feet of
the blessed JESUS. He can, he will, if you believe on him, abundantly
pardon you. But faith is the gift of GOD. I pray GOD to give you no
rest, ’till you have received the full assurance of faith. Then will
you recover your primitive dignity, trample earth under your feet, and
with your soul be panting after GOD. O my Lord, it is a blessed thing
to have fellowship with the Father, and with the Son. I am a poor
despised minister of JESUS CHRIST; but I would not change my Master
for ten thousand worlds. I have food to eat, that the world knows
nothing of. I long to have your Lordship taste of it too, and shall
as it were travail in birth ’till JESUS CHRIST is formed in you. Your
Lordship need not remind me to pray for you. Your eternal welfare is
much upon my heart. My Lord, now is the accepted time, now is the day
of salvation. The blessed spirit is now striving with you, and saying,
“My son, give me thy heart; what hast thou to do any more with idols?”
I hope your reply will be, “LORD, I give thee my heart, my whole heart,
and will no longer keep back from thee the least part.” Then will your
Lordship be truly happy; for so far as we are void of GOD, so far we
are miserable. But whither am I running? It is late; but your Lordship
desired a long letter, and therefore I have taken the liberty to write
freely. I am sensible of the honour put upon me by your Lordship,
and hope I shall never betray any trust reposed in me. I pray GOD
to sanctify this, and bless our fellowship when we meet together. I
thank your Lordship for your concern about the orphans. I am persuaded
you will in no wise lose your reward. I hope your Lordship received
my last letter, which gave an account of my intended preaching
at _Kinglassie_ and _Coupar_. May the glorious JESUS sanctify my
continuance in these parts, to the promoting his own glory and the
good of souls! I think I can say, “to me to live is CHRIST.” It
revives me to see so many seeking after JESUS. At _Kinglassie_ the
power was extraordinary. O free grace! that GOD should make use of
such a wretch as I am. I desire to lie humbly in the dust, and say,
“Why me, LORD, why me?” Fear not, my Lord, I have received remission
of sins by the blood of JESUS. Into his arms, I am just about
to commend your Lordship. I pray GOD to visit your soul with his
salvation; and hoping my humble respects will find acceptance with
your Lordship, your lady, and lady _Ann_, I beg leave to subscribe
myself,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
_G. W._