LETTER DCCCLXXXII.
To Mr. B.
Dear Sir, London, Feb. 8, 1751.
YESTERDAY I saw your letter to Mr. V, which made me to think a line would not altogether be unacceptable to you. And what shall I say? Your case is affecting. O that your present confinement may be sanctified to the setting of your imprisoned soul at liberty, and bringing you home (after having so long fed on husks with swine) to feed upon the fatted calf! You know the father's behaviour to the returning prodigal. He saw him when he was yet a great way off.—He ran towards him,—filthy as he was, he fell upon his neck, and kissed him. Thus, if you resolve with the prodigal, to arise and go to your Father, will the ever-blessed God deal with you. He will embrace you in the arms of his love; he will also cloathe you with the righteousness of his dear Son, and cause joy to be in heaven even over you, on repenting and returning to him. Is not this enough to encourage you to lay hold on his golden sceptre? to resolve, in divine strength, to mortify and bid adieu to all those sins, by which you have dishonoured your glorious Maker? You see, Sir, what wages Satan gives; death even in this world, and alas! eternal death in the world to come. God keep you from this second death, and then temporal shame will be but little. The way you know; Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is mighty, and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. Come, then, dear Sir, and throw yourself at the feet of his mercy. He will not only pardon, but abundantly pardon you. In Jesus Christ there is a fountain opened for sin and for all unclean-*ness. "Wash ye, make ye clean," is the call of God to all, and now the particular call of God to you. May the Spirit of the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, bring it home to your soul, and make it effectual to your thorough conversion! Let this be your sole care. For this and this only is the one thing needful. As for seeing Mrs. , if I was to advise (as it hath been hitherto deferred) I would have you both decline it a little longer. Wait and see the issue of your trial;
