LETTER DCCXLI.
To the Rev. Mr. H.
Bristol, March 1, 1749.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Am much obliged to you for your last kind letter. It was so agreeable, that I sent it to good Lady H. Her Ladyship writes me word "that it was a letter after her own heart." She loves a Catholic spirit, and I trust you are not deceived in your thoughts concerning me in this respect. If I know any thing of my desperately wicked and deceitful heart, I truly love all that love the glorious Emmanuel, and though I cannot depart from the principles which I believe are clearly revealed in the book of God, yet I can chearfully associate with those that differ from me, if I have reason to think they are united to our common head. This induced me to call upon good Mr. L, whose books many years ago were blessed to my soul, when the work that is now spreading, was then only in embryo. I am just come from the west, where I have had the pleasure of seeing the seed sown just before I last embarked for America, sprung up and bearing much fruit. All glory be to Him who alone giveth the increase. I have also had two letters from some honourable women, who I trust have received the grace of God in truth; and Lady Hn writes me word, that "the prospect of doing good at my return to London is very encouraging." Thither I am now bound. I go with fear and trembling, knowing how difficult it is to speak to the great, so as to win them to Jesus Christ. I sometimes am ready to say, "Lord, I pray thee have me excused, and send by whom thou wilt send." But divine grace is sufficient for me. I can do all things through Christ strengthening me. My dear brother, fail not to pray for me, that I may hold on and hold out to the end, and in prosperity and adversity press forward with an even, chearful, meek and lowly mind towards the mark, for the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. I am glad to hear that doctor S goes on so well. I guess he will not be suffered long to halt. It is no matter how soon all worldly shackles are knocked off, and persons set at liberty
