_To Mrs. G――――._
_Exon, Feb. 22, 1750._
_Dear Madam_,
I Rejoice to hear by your last kind letter, that the seed sown at _Manchester_ begins to spring up. More especially, I desire to be thankful, that you have grace given you, Madam, to confess the LORD JESUS and his gospel before men. A blessed earnest this, of your being confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in the kingdom of heaven. The inward peace and satisfaction you enjoy by so doing, I am persuaded far surpasses all you ever enjoyed, or could possibly enjoy in the polite world. With what unspeakable comfort can you now sing,
_Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_ _For I must be no longer thine;_ _A nobler, a diviner guest,_ _Now claims possession of my breast._
And if the beginning of the divine life be so sweet, what must the end be, when this mortal puts on immortality, and the soul rises to all the fulness of GOD. Blessed be GOD, who has given you to choose that better part, that shall never be taken from you! What have you to do now, but daily to sit at the dear Redeemer’s feet and hear his word; I mean, search the scriptures, which testify of him: and for His great name’s sake, let your remaining life be one continued sacrifice of love to GOD and man. This is true faith, even a faith that works by love, and overcomes this wicked world. Well may it be stiled _precious faith_. It is precious in itself, and precious in its fruits. It lays hold on, and unites to CHRIST, and carries out the soul day by day after a nearer conformity to him. It goes on from strength to strength, and conducts the soul at length to the perfect and uninterrupted vision of the ever-blessed GOD. Methinks I hear you say, “LORD, evermore give me this faith.” He will, Madam, he will: for he giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. Be not afraid of asking too much. Lay your foundation deep in the knowledge of yourself, and you cannot build too high. O that the worthy Captain may bear you company to heaven! I trust he will. Perhaps some time in the Spring, I may have the pleasure of waiting upon you. I am now in the _West_, and have had blessed seasons in my way hither. Good Lady _H――――n_ hath been ill, but is recovering. There hath been an awakening at _Ashby_; but opposition begins to shew itself in these parts by the instrumentality of a dissenting minister. That the number may daily increase among you, and that you and yours may be watered every moment, is the hearty prayer of, Madam,
Your most obliged and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake, _G. W._