LETTER CCCCLXXXVI.
To Miss W.
London, November 23, 1742.
My dear Miss W,
YOUR letter affected me much, and if it had not been for business, I should have answered it ere now. It is the hardest thing in the world to keep the creature in his proper place. We are apt to esteem the ministers of Jesus either too much or too little. One while, we could pluck out our eyes to give them; at another time, run into a contrary extreme, and not pay them that respect which is their due for their Master's sake. The love that a child of God feels for its spiritual father, is certainly unspeakable. O how can I but love him, who under God has brought me from darkness into light! Methinks I hear dear Miss W say, "how indeed!" But here is danger, lest the affections should be too much entangled, and we unwilling to give up the beloved object to our God. This, I suppose, is dear Miss W's case, and I can say,
I know how sore this trial is,
For I have felt the same.
O what have I suffered in parting from spiritual friends, especially such as were my Isaac's! But Christ's grace has been sufficient for me, and so it will be for you. I have prayed for you, and hope by this time dear Miss W can say, my spiritual Father keeps his proper place, and I walk in liberty and the love of God. Indeed, my dear Miss, no one but the searcher of hearts knows, what a real concern I have for your eternal welfare. I verily believe I shall see you sitting at the right hand of your Redeemer. Surely he has captivated and stolen your heart away. I hope nothing will divert you from him; but with a single eye to his glory, you will go through good report and evil report, 'till you come to the blessed place, where the wicked will cease from troubling, and your weary soul enjoy an everlasting rest. Glad shall I be to hear from you every opportunity. Ere long I must away. Pray our Saviour to help me under all my difficulties,
