_To Miss W――――._
_London, November 23, 1742._
_My dear Miss W――――_,
YOUR letter affected me much, and if it had not been for business, I
should have answered it ere now. It is the hardest thing in the world
to keep the creature in his proper place. We are apt to esteem the
ministers of JESUS either too much or too little. One while, we could
pluck out our eyes to give them; at another time, run into a contrary
extreme, and not pay them that respect which is their due for their
Master’s sake. The love that a child of GOD feels for its spiritual
father, is certainly unspeakable. O how can I but love him, who under
GOD has brought me from darkness into light! Methinks I hear dear Miss
_W――――_ say, “how indeed!” But here is danger, lest the affections
should be too much entangled, and we unwilling to give up the beloved
object to our GOD. This, I suppose, is dear Miss _W――――_’s case, and I
can say,
_I know how sore this trial is,
For I have felt the same._
O what have I suffered in parting from spiritual friends, especially
such as were my _Isaac_’s! But CHRIST’s grace has been sufficient for
me, and so it will be for you. I have prayed for you, and hope by this
time dear Miss _W――――_ can say, my spiritual Father keeps his proper
place, and I walk in liberty and the love of GOD. Indeed, my dear Miss,
no one but the searcher of hearts knows, what a real concern I have
for your eternal welfare. I verily believe I shall see you sitting at
the right hand of your Redeemer. Surely he has captivated and stolen
your heart away. I hope nothing will divert you from him; but with
a single eye to his glory, you will go through good report and evil
report, ’till you come to the blessed place, where the wicked will
cease from troubling, and your weary soul enjoy an everlasting rest.
Glad shall I be to hear from you every opportunity. Ere long I must
away. Pray our Saviour to help me under all my difficulties, but
at the same time help me to praise him: for amidst all my various
circumstances, I am kept joying in GOD, and made more than conqueror
through his love. We have had blessed times since my arrival here.
Your most affectionate friend and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._