know any thing; but if I give out of my little stock, I trust the Lord will increase it, as he did the little lad's loaves and fishes. My journal, which I have sent to Philadelphia, will tell you what God has done in Maryland and Virginia. A foundation of great things I believe is laying here. Oh pray that a sense of his own littleness, may be given to
Your affectionate, though unworthy brother and
fellow-labourer in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CLVII.
My dear Sister, Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740.
I Rejoice to hear that you are enabled to see not only the freeness but eternal duration of God's grace. Till the sinner is convinced of this, I am persuaded he can neither work from a principle of true love, nor give Jesus Christ the honour due unto his name. He must always be making his salvation to depend partly at least on his own doings; "If I do so and so, Jesus Christ will give me his grace:" But can any believer who knows himself, help confessing, that after he had received grace, he should have finally fallen from it, had the continuance of it depended on his own will? Indeed, my dear Sister, nothing so much comforts my own soul as the thought that God will never leave me nor forsake me; if he does, it must be for my unworthiness: But on that account it cannot be; for he never chose me on account of my unworthiness. He loved me freely, he prevented me by his grace; he chose me from eternity, he called me in time, and I am persuaded will keep me till time shall be no more.—This consideration makes my faith to work by love. Now, I can live not barely upon my frames, which notwithstanding are blessed things, but on the promises. Now, I can go on my way rejoicing, and, amidst all dejections, lift up my head in prospect of a certain and exceeding weight of glory. Though I fall, I know I shall rise again; for he that is brought truly to believe on Jesus Christ, his faith shall never die. The Lord Jesus will not suffer to be lost the purchase of his blood. He knew for whom he died, and neither men nor devils shall ever pluck them out of his hands. Such as have been taught
