_To Mr. M―――― A――――, at Morpeth._
_Edinburgh, July 26, 1742._
_Dear Sir_,
I Just now received and read your letter. It much affected me. It
bespeaks the language of an uneasy restless heart. In reading it, I
thought of the great _Austin_, who used, when he prayed against lust,
secretly to wish that his prayer might not be answered, and yet he
made a most eminent saint, and shone in the church as a star of the
first magnitude. I likewise thought how our Saviour would receive
you, if here on earth; even as he received and answered the poor woman
taken in adultery.――I am sure he would say, “Neither do I condemn
thee.” Another text offers itself, “I will heal their backslidings,
and love them freely.” GOD does not say, I will heal thy backsliding
for any certain term of years, but I will heal thy backslidings in
general. Dear Sir, if you have been a backslider these fifty years,
nay, was it possible for you to have been a backslider a thousand
years, yet if with hearty repentance and true faith you turn unto
him, he will abundantly pardon you. O dear Sir, if any one had need
to despair of mercy, I had; but JESUS has washed me in his blood,
and I know that my Redeemer liveth. Your temptations, and atheism,
and hard thoughts of GOD, do not surprize me. Dear Sir, what else can
be expected from a heart desperately wicked, and deceitful above all
things? Dear Sir, let all this drive you to the fountain which is open
for sin and all uncleanness. I once, in your circumstances, thought
CHRIST was hard-hearted; but now I find, nay have long since found,
that his heart is full of love. Take courage, dear Sir; draw near to
the Lamb of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world. Return, thou
wandering prodigal, thy heavenly father is running to meet thee.――Come
back, thou fluttering dove, JESUS is ready to take thee into the ark.
May GOD bless this to you! If he does, I will bless his name. I am a
vile sinner, and have need to lie low before him, whom I have pierced
by my transgression and unprofitableness, times without number. In his
blood and righteousness I find perpetual refuge. Many in these parts
are flying to him. May you, Sir, add to the happy number. You are but
a sinner, and JESUS died for sinners. Come and welcome to JESUS CHRIST.
I expect to remain in _Scotland_ a few months, and hope to be your way,
if the LORD direct. If your way should be directed hither, I should
be glad to see you; if not, you are welcome to write to me. As my
multiplicity of affairs will admit, you shall be answered by, dear Sir,
Your truly affectionate friend and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._