_To Mr. W――――, in Bristol._
_London, April 6, 1742._ _My dear, yea very dear Brother_,
YOU must needs think, that your kind letter gave me no small pleasure. Glory be to GOD for that rich love wherewith he hath loved you! Surely JESUS CHRIST will be now exceeding precious to your dear soul. What does he now require of you, but to walk humbly, closely, and with a child-like simplicity before him? He hath followed you, as well as prevented you with his mercies, and would suffer nothing to take you out of his hands. Satan hath desired you, satan has sifted you as wheat; but JESUS, that friend of sinners, hath prayed for you, and therefore your faith hath not failed. The LORD hath looked upon my dear _Samuel_. Methinks I see him weeping tears of love, and saying, “_Speak_, LORD, _thy servant heareth_ now.”
I doubt not but many will reproach you for your past backsliding, and question your future stability. Let all serve to humble you in the dust, and drive you to the loving JESUS for refuge. “In him,” surely shall my dear friend say, “I have righteousness and strength.” Look up to him, and you shall be delivered from, nay, made more than conqueror over every temptation. He will fight your battles for you, and crown you when you have done. Dear Mr. _W――――_, the love of JESUS now swallows up my soul. I see him more and more lovely every day. In JESUS there is plenteous redemption. He came, that we might have life, nay that we might have it more abundantly. O what a blessing is it to be redeemed from a vain conversation, and from this present evil world. O that every poor sinner felt it! Then would his children agree in one, and divisions would be at an end. Blessed be our LORD, there is a greater prospect of union than ever. It is what my soul longs after, and labours for. It is a great pity that poor pilgrims should fall out in their way to heaven; but this will be, till we get more of the divine spirit. Pray we therefore for a great effusion of the Holy Ghost. Blessed be GOD, we feel the Holy Ghost daily in our congregations. It surprizes me to see what a company of settled, solid christians are amongst us. The work goes on daily. This morning, how did JESUS pierce and melt poor sinners hearts? Amazing accounts are brought from abroad.――Fresh awakenings in many places at home. Does not your soul long to tell sinners, JESUS is Love. I am glad to hear you are so active. Go on in the strength of the triumphing Lamb. My heart is warm. Welcome home again, my dear friend, welcome to JESUS your LORD and your GOD. Pray write often, dear Mr. _W――――_, to
Your most affectionate friend, brother and servant in the glorious _Emmanuel_,