greater things than ever. My dear friend, salute all most tenderly in my name; I am exceedingly engaged, or each of them should hear particularly from,
Ever, ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXXVII. To the Right Honourable Lord R.
My Lord, Gloucester, Dec. 19, 1741.
THIS comes to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's kind letter, dated November 9th. Business has prevented my answering it sooner. The Lord is yet pleased to deal bountifully with me. In England, as well as Scotland, the Redeemer is riding on from conquering to conquer. About Spring I hope to see Scotland again, and then, if possible, I will come as far as your Lordship's house. I have lately been at Bristol, and London, and have had the pleasure of seeing the church walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. I have preached here twice every day, for some days last past. The Lord greatly countenances my administrations, and gives me constant peace and uninterrupted joy in believing. This is what, I trust, our glorious Emmanuel will confer upon your Lordship. Christ wills that our joy should be full; but we entangle ourselves with the world, we indulge ourselves in sensual pleasures, we trifle away our time in what the world calls innocent diversions, and thereby we grieve the spirit of God, and lose the comforts we should otherwise enjoy, from a close walk and communion with God. Most complain of a deadness and leanness in their souls; what is it owing to? Not to God, but to ourselves. We leave God, and then God leaves us. Not that we can keep ourselves by our own faithfulness; but notwithstanding, we must be faithful, and workers together with God. I know not why I am led to write thus to your Lordship, but nothing else occurs to my mind at present. I am athirst for holiness myself, and long to see others athirst also. O my Lord! I see such beauty and transcendent excellencies in Christ, that I long to have his whole mind and image stamped upon my soul. Nothing can satisfy me, but the highest degrees of sanctification and in-
