_To the Reverend Mr. V――――._
_London, June 4, 1756._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
GLAD, yea very glad was I to hear by Mr. _A――――_, that you grew better and better every day. Surely your late sickness was only to purge you, that you might bring forth more fruit unto GOD. Such trying and threatening dispensations are glorious presages of future usefulness. It is in the furnace, that both our gifts and graces are purified and increased. How gradually doth our great, compassionate, and all-wise High-priest train up his chosen ones for the services appointed to them! Happy they that can eye his providences, and with a disinterested spirit be ready to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is pleased to lead them.
Through winds and clouds and storms, He gently clears our way; Wait we his time, so shall each night Be turn’d to joyous day.
I rejoice in the prospect of your coming forth like gold that is tried. May you increase though I decrease! Justly might my Master throw me aside; but he is patient and long-suffering, and will send by whom he will send. Since we parted, I have been led to several new places. Travelling and preaching thrice a day was made delightful. Blessed be GOD for my airy pluralities! O what am I, LORD, that I should be sent into the highways and hedges!
All hail reproach, and welcome pain, Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain!
These I cannot bear. A Father’s, a Saviour’s frowns are intolerable. But what am I doing? Excuse this freedom, because it flows from love. How does dear Mr. _D――――_? How are the elect Ladies? If possible I shall write to-night; if not, very soon. I am glad Miss _G――――_ is in such a promising way. She nor any of our honoured friends are forgotten in my poor prayers. If I should be prevented from writing, be pleased to present my most dutiful respects, and accept most cordial love and salutations from, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,