_To the Honourable Colonel G――――._
_London, Dec. 21, 1742._
_Honoured Sir_,
YOUR kind letter put me in mind of righteous _Lot_, whose soul was
grieved day by day at the ungodly conversation of the wicked. It
was the same with holy _David_. His eyes, like yours, honoured Sir,
gushed out with water because men kept not GOD’s law. Let this be
your comfort, honoured Sir, that ere long “the wicked shall cease from
troubling you, and your weary soul shall be at rest.” Our Saviour will
give you a discharge, when you have fought a few more battles for him.
An exceeding and eternal weight of glory is laid up for you, which
GOD the righteous judge shall give you at that day. I confess your
situation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a disciple of
the prince of peace. But persons can better judge for themselves, than
strangers can judge for them. However, I cannot say, I would change
posts. Indeed, honoured Sir, I think mine is a glorious employ. I am
not ashamed of my master, though my master may well be ashamed of me.
I know no other reason, why JESUS has put me into the ministry,
than because I am the chief of sinners, and therefore fittest to
preach free grace to a world lying in the wicked one. Blessed be
GOD, he gives much success, and for the generality answers your
prayers, by giving me a thriving soul in a healthful body. But O my
unfruitfulness! I am often ashamed that I can do no more for that
JESUS who hath redeemed me by his own most precious blood. Honoured
Sir, the thoughts quite confound me. O that I could lie lower! then
should I rise higher. Could I take deeper root downwards, then should
I bear more fruit upwards. I want to be poor in spirit. I want to be
meek and lowly in heart. I want to have the whole mind that was in
CHRIST JESUS. Blessed be his name for what he has given me already.
Blessed be his name, that out of his fulness I receive grace for grace.
O that my heart was CHRIST’s library! I would not have one thief to
lodge in my Redeemer’s temple. “LORD, scourge out every thief,” is
the daily language of my heart. The LORD will hear my prayer, and let
my cry come unto him. I have just been writing to your honoured lady.
I think she grows in grace. May you and yours be filled with all the
fulness of GOD! In about six weeks, GOD willing, I purpose to embark
for _Georgia_. Our LORD has wonderfully appeared for my poor orphans.
I am yet in arrears for them, but my GOD knows how to supply all my
wants. I am enabled to cast all my care upon him, believing that he
careth for me. I hope to have the favour of another letter before I
embark. In the mean while, I beg the continuance of your prayers, and
am, honoured Sir,
Your most affectionate, though very unworthy brother,
and servant in our glorious head,
_G. W._