_To the Right Honourable lord L――――_
_Edinburgh, Oct. 2, 1741._ _My Lord_,
LAST night I returned from the south country, and receiv’d your Lordship’s kind letter. My invitation to _Coupar_ was in the name of many: who the persons were that signed the letter I cannot tell. I have sent it inclosed in this. Had I known it to have been more agreeable to your Lordship, I would have appointed the meeting at _Melvill_; but I fear, as such public notice has been given, it will be now impracticable. I cannot possibly stay with your Lordship all _Tuesday_, being to preach at _Dundee_. But in my return from _Aberdeen_, I hope to be at your Lordship’s house. I am glad your Lordship intends to be at _Kinglassie_. I shall have both sermons very early, and hope the glorious JESUS will be with us in our going to _Melvill_. O my LORD, I want a thousand tongues to set off the Redeemer’s praise. Having him, tho’ I have nothing else, I find I possess all things. I have not forgotten your Lordship since I wrote last. You are, and will be much upon my heart. I have heard of the piety of your Lordship’s ancestors, and hope many prayers are yet in store for you. Above all, I trust, JESUS prays for you, and then you cannot but be a conqueror; nay, more than conqueror over the world, the flesh and the devil. Take courage then, my Lord, and fear not to follow a crucified JESUS without the camp, bearing his sacred reproach. Beware of honour, falsely so called: dare to be singularly good, and be not ashamed of JESUS or his gospel. O that you may find it to be the power of GOD to your salvation! Look but to CHRIST by faith, and your Lordship’s great possessions will not retard, but further and promote your progress in the divine life. What sweet communion will your Lordship then enjoy with GOD, in your walks and gardens? It will then be a little paradise to your soul, and every thing you meet with, will only draw you so much nearer to _Jehovah_, in whom all fulness dwells. This I find by daily experience; and that your Lordship may daily experience the same, is the earnest prayer, my Lord, of
Your Lordship’s most obliged humble servant,