LETTER DCLXXX.
To Mr. S W.
Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1748.
My very dear Mr. W,
SHALL I promise, and not perform? God forbid! Glad am I, yea very glad to open a fresh correspondence with a dear old friend, with whom I have often taken such sweet counsel. O my dear man, how patient, how long-suffering has the blessed Jesus been towards us! Ought not his love to constrain us to obedience? Ought we not to confess him, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself for us? For my part, when I think that the glorious Emmanuel endured the pain, and despised the shame of dying upon a cursed tree for me, I cannot help saying,
For this let men revile my name,
No cross I'd shun, I'd fear no shame;
All hail reproach, and welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.
Glory be to God, I have hitherto found that the cross of Jesus has been lined with love. This has made it easy; this even now makes it exceeding light. I fear prosperity more than affliction; and though there is but little danger perhaps of my being exalted in this world, yet the language of my soul is, "In all time of my wealth, good Lord deliver me." May the Lord keep you, my dear friend, by his mighty power through faith! He has entrusted you with many talents; may you occupy them, till he come! I hope he will bless your conversation to those who are yet but weak in the faith, and who cannot, through love of the world, or fear of man, as yet bear much contempt. My service to Messrs. B and M, when you see them. My prayer for you all is, that you may be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I am fighting for him here. Vast multitudes come to hear; but what good is done, cannot yet be determined. Many of my dear friends are gone to glory, I purpose being in town about the time appointed. I know you will pray for me. Whether absent or present,
