LETTER CLX.
To Mrs. Elizabeth D.
My dear Sister in Christ, Savannah, Feb. 1, 1740.
I generally observe that whom the Lord loves, for the most part he keeps from preferment.—Your grandmother cannot do any more than she is permitted. It is God's free grace alone, that has made the difference between us and others. Oh that we were duly sensible of electing love! Indeed it must necessarily constrain us to obedience. I am glad you like Bochm. His works are truly evangelical, and afford sweet nourishment to the new-born soul. The nearer we come to God, the better we shall relish searching books. It is an evident sign of a false heart, when it is unwilling to be probed. Blessed be God, you are not thus minded. I trust the Lord Jesus has apprehended you, and will henceforward never let you go. O that I may hear of your growth in grace, and of your zeal for the Lord of Hosts.—You do well to go about doing good; your Master did so before you. Dare, dear Miss, to follow his good example, and never fear the revilings of men. Set your face as a flint against all the adversaries of our Lord; for shortly you shall tread all your enemies under feet. I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Saviour, to keep up a close walk and communion with God. Nothing else can preserve you from idols; and you know when once the soul is off its watch, the devil makes sad ravages in it. There is nothing I dread more than having my heart drawn away by earthly objects.—When that time comes, it will be over with me indeed; I must then bid adieu to zeal and fervency of spirit, and in effect, bid the Lord Jesus to depart from me. For alas, what room can there be for God, when a rival hath taken possession of the heart? Oh my dear Sister, pray that no such evil may befal me. My blood runs cold at the very thought thereof. I cannot, indeed; I cannot away with it. In a multiplicity of business, have I wrote you these lines. I thank you for your kind letter, and hope I shall always retain a grateful sense of the many favours I have received from your dear family. My kindest respects attend your sister; I long to hear of her being
