mercy is this! To be plucked as a brand out of the burning, to
be one of those few Mighty and Noble that are called effectually by the grace of God; what consolation must this administer to your Ladyship under all afflictions! What can shake a soul whose hopes of happiness, in time and eternity, are built upon the rock of ages? Winds may blow, rains may and will descend even upon persons of the most exalted stations; but they that trust in the Lord Jesus Christ never shall, never can be totally confounded. That your Ladyship may every day and hour experience more and more of this blessed truth, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship's most dutiful, obedient humble servant, G. W.
LETTER DCCCXXVIII. To Mr. L.
Very dear Sir, London, April 3, 1750.
LAST Friday evening I came to town, and would have answered your kind letters (which I found waiting for me here) last post, had not fatigue and a multiplicity of business prevented me. Surely the distress of our suffering friends is great, but he that dwelleth on high is greater. I have already laid your account before some particular persons, and shall use all possible means to have our dear friends grievances redressed. In the interim, let us besiege the throne of grace, and by earnest prayer engage his assistance, who has promised that the gates of hell shall never prevail against his Church. As I hear Mr. John W is now in Ireland, I suppose he will best answer your question about "coming out from amongst them." For my part, I think my business is to preach the gospel unto all, without setting up any particular party. The acceptance which the glorious Emmanuel is pleased to give to me, and the various calls sent, as well as the freedom I find in complying with them, confirm me more and more that this is my province. I am just returned from the West, where I have seen the fields every where white ready unto harvest. Though thousands flock to hear the word in town, yet I almost think every day lost in which I am not preaching about the country, now the summer is coming on. God only knows whether I shall reach as far as Ireland. Pray continue your accounts. I cannot help thinking, but that this opposi-
