_To Mr. I―――― H――――, in London._
_Bristol, Jan. 2, 1742._ _My dear Brother H――――_,
I Owe you a letter, and very much love. I thank you for calling to see me, when last in _London_. May the love of JESUS be shed abroad abundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghost. My soul is now thirsting after the Redeemer’s love. I trust you and I, and all the brethren, shall watch and pray against every thing in our hearts, that is any way selfish, or contrary to the boundless love of our exalted head. I long after a solid, real, undissembled union with all that bear the Redeemer’s image. If I know any thing of my heart, I care not how the old man be crucified and cut to pieces, so that I may put on the new man, which is created after GOD in righteousness and true holiness. Blessed be the free, rich, and sovereign grace of our glorious Redeemer! who has begun the good work in my soul. Great, very great things hath JESUS done for me, a worthless worm: but I see infinitely greater things lying before me. There is an inexhaustible fulness in JESUS CHRIST, out of which I hope to draw to the endless ages of eternity. O the meekness, the love, purity and holiness, that is in JESUS. Why should we be dwarfs in holiness? If CHRIST came into the world, that we might have life, and so much the more abundantly, why should we not ask and seek for it, especially since we are sure to obtain? My dear brother, you see how free I write. Love constrains me to do so. O that I was a flame of fire! I have lately been at _Gloucester_. The LORD was with us of a truth. In _Bristol_, GOD attends me with his mighty power. Last night JESUS rode on triumphantly indeed. Sometimes my heart is so full, that I am tempted to think
_――――My joy complete: When lo! |Emmanuel’s| mercies rise, Still fresh discoveries he unfolds, The lovely treasures yet surprize._
Unbelief says, this will not hold to-morrow; when lo, “to-morrow is as the day past, and much more abundant.” I find there is yet oil, if there be yet a vessel, and an empty heart to contain it. Pray that my heart may be emptied of self, and that JESUS may be my all in all. I pray GOD, that none of us may give in to narrowness of spirit, but look up to JESUS for power over self, in all its shapes. Yesterday I went to hear Mr. _C――――_. The LORD helped him, I believe, in some part of his discourse. I would be free; I would meet more than half way; but we are all too shy. The LORD fill his soul with more of the disinterested love of JESUS. To-night I begin a general monthly meeting to read corresponding letters. Pray give thanks for the success of the gospel in my unworthy hands. It shall be returned, as JESUS shall enable
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,