_To the Countess of H――――._
_Bristol, Dec. 10, 1748._
_Honoured Madam_,
THOUGH I am afraid of taking too much freedom, yet the duty I owe to your Ladyship constrains me to send you a few lines from hence. I came hither last night, after having preached five times in _Gloucester_, and once in _Gloucestershire_. The glorious _Emmanuel_ pleased to shine upon my administrations, and many told me they received a blessing. The bishop behaved respectfully when I was at sacrament at the cathedral, and my old tutor, Dr. _R――――_, one of the prebendaries, was very cordial when I waited upon him. I told him that my judgment (as I trust) was a little more ripened than it was some years ago, and that as fast as I found out my faults I would be glad to acknowledge them. He said, as I grew moderate, the offence the Governors of the Church had taken against me, would lessen and wear off. Blessed be GOD, I am pretty easy about that: so that I can but act an honest part, and be kept from trimming, I will, through the divine assistance, leave all consequences to him who orders all things well. Thanks be to his great name, a wonderous change is wrought on Mr. _L――――_. He came to see and hear me at _Gloucester_: his worldly shackles are dropping off apace, and his feet begin to be set in a large room. The news of his conversion hath reached Mr. _W――――_, who wrote him a long letter; but to send dissuasives to a man that hath seen and felt so much, is like throwing chaff against a brass wall. He begged me to send his duty to your Ladyship when I wrote, as does my brother, at whose house I am. I trust he is coming forwards, and that he will at length fairly shake hands with the world, and act as one alive to GOD. I think your Ladyship meets with great encouragement. My continual prayer to the blessed Redeemer in your Ladyship’s behalf is, “that your bow may abide in strength, and the arms of your hands be strengthened by the hands of the mighty GOD of _Jacob_.” He is the rock of ages. He is the LORD our righteousness. In him is our strength found. Thanks be to the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for shewing your Ladyship the way to fetch continual strength and supplies from him! I could enlarge, but am streightened in paper. If Mr. _C――――_ hath courage enough, I expect to see him, and then I shall have it in my power to send your Ladyship word how matters stand at _Bath_. In the mean while, I beg leave with all dutiful respects to subscribe myself, honoured madam.
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant, _G. W._