eat you up; but then beg of God that it may be according to knowledge. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not again entangled with a yoke of bondage. Join not one of your works with your faith, in order to justify you before God: And if God gives you a spirit of prayer and supplication, fear not to pray as the spirit gives you utterance. Man may deride, but Christ will approve and accept you. Dear James, you see I do not forget you. I hope your little society increases, and that the Lord will always be adding to it such as shall be saved. Salute them all most kindly in my name. Exhort them to continue in the grace of God, and to pray for, dear James,
Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CXXXII.
Dear Mrs. S. Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.
HAS the Lord yet heard your prayer? Often have I heard you say, "Oh! that I had received the faith!" As often, to the best of my knowledge, have I said, "Amen." Ere now, I hope our common Master has fulfilled all your petitions, and given you your heart's desire. If not, what hinders? Our Lord doth not want power, for he is Almighty; he does not want a will, for he invites you to come unto him. Search your heart, and see what is the reason the King of glory does not enter in. Is it too full of the world? Renounce it. Do you not ask often enough? Resolve to ask oftener. Do you look too much to some who say they have received faith, but do not bring forth good fruit? Henceforward look only to God and your own soul. Or do you not know the reason? Ask our Lord to shew you, and indeed he will; for he hath promised to fulfil the desires of them that fear him. Your Cousin can assure you of this. Oh follow him, as he does Christ, and you will be as happy as your heart can wish. Dear Mrs. S, I am, with all possible thanks for past favours,
Your obliged friend and servant,
G. W.
