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Multitudinous Heart Selected Poems A

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unworthiest of the sons of men, but, for Christ’s sake, ever-
honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant,

G. W.

♦ “Bustall” replaced with “Burstall”

LETTER DCCCCXCII.
To Lady H――.

London, September 26, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

Y ESTERDAY about noon, a good and never-failing Redeemer


brought me and mine in safety to town, where I expect to stay
only a few days. Thanks be to God for this last circuit! I think this day
three months I left London; since which time I have been enabled to
travel about twelve hundred miles, and to preach about one hundred
and eighty sermons to many, very many thousands of souls. More
glorious seasons I never saw; parting has almost killed me. My last
excursion hath been to York, Lincolnshire, Rotheram, Sheffield,
Nottingham, Northampton, where I believe near ten thousand souls
came to hear last Lord’s day. It was a Lord’s day indeed. Praise the
Lord O my soul! I hope your Ladyship received Governor B――’s
letter. I hear that your Ladyship hath honoured me with one, but find
it is gone to Nottingham; I expect it to-morrow; but though somewhat
fatigued, could not omit thanking your Ladyship to-night for this and
all other favours. Innumerable are my obligations.—But the all-
gracious and all-glorious Jesus must discharge them for me. My
poor prayers, is the only pepper-corn I have got to offer by way of
acknowledgment. O that I could do something to express my
gratitude! By the help of my God, I will now begin to begin to love
him. I am sure it is high time.—And in doing so, and studying to
promote by my feeble letters his glory and the good of souls, I shall
make the best return your Ladyship desires. I have some thoughts of
seeing Ireland; the Lord direct my goings in his way! I must now
wish your Ladyship a good night. My wife joins in sending most
dutiful respects, with, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for


Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIII.
To Mr. D――.

Northampton, October 7, 1753.

W HAT! have the birds of prey been pursuing, pecking at, and
wounding one of Christ’s doves? Come, my dear man, play
the man, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and be
not like a silly dove that hath no heart. Look to him, and you shall be
saved;

He will give strength, he will give power,

He will in time set free.

These enemies which so perplex us, ere long, blessed be God, we


shall see no more. Pharaoh and his host shall be drowned in the
sea.
Through Christ we shall

Break through them all,

And sing the song of Moses.

Courage then, my dear Mr. D――; Christ’s blood shall yet purge
out all remaining gall. Alas! alas! how little do we know of our hearts?
What feathers are we, when tossed in the wind of temptations? What
greater and greater abominations shall we find, when the spirit leads
us more and more into the chambers of imagery that are within us!
We shall find, that, comparatively speaking, we know nothing as we
ought to know. O my ignorance! my ignorance! My leanness, my
leanness! Pray for me, dear Mr. D――, and salute all dear friends in
my name. I will write as soon as I can. My stay in London was but
short, yet I trust profitable and sweet to many. The new tabernacle
was filled with God’s glory under the word preached, on the letter
day, and at sacrament. I am now bound for Staffordshire; follow me
with your prayers, and believe me to be

Your affectionate sympathizing friend, in our dear Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIV.
To Mr. S――.

Northampton, October 10, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

IT is now near eleven at night, and I am to ride beyond Coventry to-


morrow: but I cannot close my eyes without sending you a short
account of my week’s work. On Saturday last, I preached at Oulney,
and had a blessed season. On the Lord’s day we had two glorious
opportunities in this place, where the congregations were much
larger than before. On Monday I went to Oxen near Harborough; it
was their feast-day, but if I mistake not, some of their feasting was
spoiled. In the evening I preached at Bosworth; the congregation
was large as well as that at Oxen, and the power as great. About
nine at night I got to Kettering, where I preached the next morning to
many souls; the Redeemer gave us a spiritual breakfast. About five
in the evening I reached Bedford, and preached in the Green last
night, and this morning. This afternoon we had another blessed
season at Oulney, and this evening I sojourn here, in order to set out
for Birmingham to-morrow. A new scene of usefulness hath opened
this week. O that nothing may retard me in my pilgrim life! It is worse
than death to me, to be stopt in that. You, my dear Sir, are called to
trade, I to travel for my God. Whilst trading, you are in effect
travelling and preaching to thousands; for you greatly strengthen my
hands in the Lord. Great shall be your reward in heaven. O what a
bountiful master do we serve! I am loath to go to sleep, and yet this
vile body stands in need of it. My dear, very dear Sir, good night.
God bless you and yours. I pray for your dear yoke-fellow, and little
maid, incessantly. As you learnt long ago to look through and above
unworthiness, I must still beg you to increase my obligations, by
following with your prayers.

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCV.
To Dear A――.

Birmingham, October 13, 1753.

H AVING
“ loved his own, he loved them unto the end,” says the
beloved disciple, concerning Jesus Christ. I would copy after
this great exemplar, and have my love like his, steady and
disinterested. Thus you have found, and I trust always will find my
love to you. Works speak better than words. I am reposing the
utmost confidence in you and yours. You are going to assist in a
house, built in answer to millions of prayers, and which I doubt not,
will prove a blessing to many that are now unborn. Look upon it in
this light; think of the honour God is conferring upon you; then you
will launch into the deep with a holy confidence, and when arrived at
your wished for port, will behave with humility, disinterestedness,
integrity and diligence. You need not ask any prayers, they will follow
after you, though you should even fly upon the wings of the wind. I
have pawned my word for your good behaviour in every respect, and
hope to have my most sanguine expectations answered. Get but
humility, and all will be well. I am satisfied about your passage and
your room. You will remember, that God is about your bed, as well
as your other paths, and take care to behave accordingly. To be a
christian husband is no small matter. How much fresh grace is now
necessary for your new state of life! Your sufficiency lives only in
Christ. To his never-failing mercy do I commend you, and, for his
great name’s sake, subscribe myself, dear A――,

Your affectionate and ready friend,

G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCVI.
To Mr. S――.

Nantwich, October 18, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

I am now at an Inn, but cannot go farther, without giving you an


account of my last week’s circuit. Since my last, I have been at
Birmingham, and several adjacent places. Still fresh work hath been
done, and souls fled to the gospel like doves to the windows. At a
place near Dudley, called Guarnall, I heard of a whole company
awakened by reading my poor sermons. I met with others awakened
years ago; and at one place, an old saint said, “this is the old story
fifty-five years ago.” Another near as old, said, “I was comforted
when you came last, now God hath sent you to me again, and I can
go more chearful to heaven.” I have heard of a great reprobate, a
notorious persecutor and drunkard, who hath been struck most
powerfully. O my dear Sir; what shall you have for helping me in
outward things, assisting me by your prayers, and thereby causing
me to press forward more chearfully in this delightful work of
publishing the everlasting gospel! I am now going to a neighbouring
village, after that to Chester, and from thence, purpose to return
through Staffordshire. God willing, you shall hear how it goes on,
when I come to cross-plough the ground again. In the mean while,
be pleased to accept this as a token of my love, gratitude, and
respect unfeigned, and after giving my most hearty love to dear Mrs.
S―― and your dear little daughter, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Your most unworthy, though most obliged friend, and ready


servant in our common Lord,

G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCVII.
To Mr. S――.

Wolverhampton, October 27, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

M Y last, I think was from Nantwich. Since that, the ever-loving,


ever-lovely Jesus, hath vouchsafed to employ me in breaking
up new ground. I have preached four times at Alperam in Cheshire,
where the Lord was with us of a truth, and where he had sweetly
prepared my way, by blessing several of my poor writings. At
Chester I preached four times; a great concourse attended; all was
hushed and quiet, several of the clergy were present, and the word
came with power. I have since heard, that the most noted rebel in
town, was brought under deep conviction, and could not sleep night
or day. Within doors, where I preached early in the morning,
conviction seemed to go through the whole congregation. At
Liverpool, the way was equally prepared.—A person who had been
wrought on by some of my printed sermons, met me at landing, and
took me to his house; a great number at a short notice was
convened; all was quiet here also. Some came under immediate
conviction; and I could wish to have stayed much longer, but notice
was given for my preaching at Wrexham, which I find since, hath
been a rude place indeed. Upon my coming, the town was alarmed,
and several thousands came to hear. Several of the baser sort made
a great noise, and threw stones, but none touched me, and I trust I
can say, our Lord got himself the victory. The next day, near
Alperam, we had another heaven upon earth. A divine power
descended among the people, and we could say, how awfully sweet
is this place! The next morning I intended to preach near Nantwich,
where a Methodist meeting-house hath lately been pulled down.
Here Satan roared.—The mob pelted Mr. D―― and others much,
but I got off pretty free, and had opportunity of preaching quietly a
little out of town. Last night I preached here in the dark, to a great
body of hearers, for this country, and am now bound for
Wednesbury, Dudley and Kidderminster. From thence, perhaps I
may come to London for a few days. But this as yet is not
determined. You will either see or hear again from me soon. In the
mean while, I commend myself to the continual remembrance of
your whole self, and with ten thousand thanks for all favours, beg
leave to subscribe myself, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our blessed Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCVIII.
To Mr. E――.

London, November 8, 1753.

Dear Mr. E――,

M AN appoints, but it is God’s prerogative to disappoint, when


disappointments are necessary for our good. But how hard is
it to believe this? How apt are we in our haste to say, all these things
are against us! But what says Doctor Watts?

Where reason fails with all her pow’rs,

There faith prevails and love adores.――

Come then, my dear Sir, and chearfully give up your Isaac for God.
He will be better to you than a thousand creatures.
Leave to his sovereign sway,

To choose and to command;

So shalt thou wond’ring own his way:

How wise! how strong his hand!

Far above thy thoughts,

His counsel shall appear,

When fully he the work hath wrought,

That caus’d thy needless fear.

Ere now, I trust, the storm is blown over, and that the Redeemer hath
made you happy in himself. His love is unchangeable; this rock of
ages can never fail you. Build upon him, and you are quite safe. I
could enlarge, but time fails. Be pleased to remember us to all, and
believe me to be, dear Sir,

Your affectionate brother and servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIX.
To Mr. P――.

Gloucester, November 16, 1753.

My dear P――,

ITHANK you for your kind letter; it found me just returned from
another tour in the north, which, like the former, I trust hath been
owned and blessed to many precious and immortal souls. At
Liverpool, Chester, Dudley, Wednesbury, Birmingham, Coventry,
Northampton, and various other places, the gospel report was
believed, and the arm of the Lord was revealed. At Nantwich and
Wrexham, I met with a little rough treatment; but what have pilgrims
to expect better, in their journeying through the wide howling
wilderness of this noisy and troublesome world? At London, we had
blessed seasons; and here, in my native country, the Lord of all
Lords hath repeatedly made us cry out, “how dreadful is this place!”
After Lord’s day, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and hope to
get into my winter quarters some time before Christmas. Glad should
I be to travel for Jesus all the year round. It is more to me than my
necessary food. Thank you, thank you my dear singing friends, for
praying for me. I am persuaded, you help to hold up my weak hands.
O continue to pray, that I may at length begin to be a pilgrim indeed.
No other honour do I desire, whilst on this side eternity. I hope to
send you some new tunes ere long. And what is better, infinitely
better, I hope to join with you in singing the song of Moses and the
Lamb ere long in the kingdom of heaven. Till then, though as yet we
are embodied spirits,

We’ll strive to sing as loud as they,

Who shine above in brighter day.

Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all. But a word or
two concerning Jenks on the righteousness of Christ. It is a
precious book, and I think your extracting Mr. Hervey’s
recommendation, and putting it by way of preface, to a new edition,
will be sufficient. This I know is all he would consent to have done
some time ago, when applied to by a London bookseller. God
prosper this work of your hands upon you. Pray remember me to all
my never to be forgotten friends, and assure them, that not want of
love but leisure prevents their hearing more frequently from, my dear
Sir,

Theirs and yours most affectionately in our common Lord,


G. W.

LETTER M.
To Mr. G――.

Gloucester, November 16, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

Y OUR kind letter I received, and would have answered it during


my stay in London (which was only a few days) but really I was
almost killed with a multiplicity of business. The journals also I would
have sent immediately, but knew not how.—My wife promised me to
embrace the first opportunity that offered, and I hope ere long they
will come safe to hand. As for my pointing out particular passages, it
is impracticable; I have neither leisure nor inclination so to do. At
present, my doings and writings appear to me in so mean a light,
that I think they deserve no other treatment than to be buried in
eternal oblivion. “Behold, I am vile, I am vile,” is all that I can say to
God or man. And yet, amazing love! vile as I am, the high and lofty
One that inhabiteth eternity, still delights to honour me, by owning
and succeeding my poor feeble labours. Great things were done in
and about Newcastle; but far greater did we see afterwards in
Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since that, I have been another tour, and
have preached at Liverpool, Chester, Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley,
Wednesbury, Kidderminster, Northampton, Bedford, &c. &c. Ere now
I suppose Mr. B―― P―― hath informed you, what apostolical
treatment we met with at Nantwich. Lord, what am I, that I should
be accounted worthy to suffer reproach for thy great name sake? At
present I am in my native country, where the Lord of all Lords hath
vouchsafed to give us several precious meetings. After a few days
sojourning here, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and in about
three weeks, I purpose to betake myself to my winter quarters.
Blessed be God, I have had good news from Georgia. O that we all
may at length safely arrive in Abraham’s harbour! From thence we
shall never put to sea again. My dear Sir, in the mean while, let us
pray for each other. Christ is in our ship, and therefore it will not
sink. I commend you and yours, and all my other never to be
forgotten Glasgow friends, to his never-failing protection, and beg
them, for Christ’s sake, to always remember to pray for, my very
dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MI.
To Mr. S――.

Gloucester, November 17, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

I T is now just a week since I left London. I must not, I cannot go


any further without writing to him, who doth so much to
strengthen my hands in the Lord. And what shall I say? Truly the
glorious Emmanuel still continues to smile upon my feeble labours.
Although I am in my native country, yet he hath not left himself
without witness. Last Lord’s day was a high day, and since that, we
have had some more beautiful seasons in the country. I write this
from a nineteen years friend’s house, an Alderman of the city, who
with his wife, are my spiritual children. Lord, what am I? To-morrow I
am to move, and expect, besides riding, to preach thrice for some
days.
Christ’s presence will my pains beguile,

And make me, though fatigu’d, to smile.

After visiting Bristol and Plymouth, I purpose hastening to my winter


quarters. Winter quarters!—The word winter almost shocks me. Alas,
winter come already, and I, ungrateful, ill and hell-deserving I, have
done so little for my God in the summer? How can I lift up my guilty
head? I blush and am confounded before thee, O Lord. Behold, I
am vile; O dig and dung round me, that I may bring forth more fruit to
thee my God! Still, my dear Sir, I must beg your prayers, and those
of your dear yoke-fellow, whom I love and honour, and whom (with
your dear little daughter) I salute much in the Lord. A sense of my
own unfruitfulness, and of God’s amazing condescension in
employing such a wretch, at present so over-powers me, that I am
obliged to retire, to give vent to my heart, after having subscribed
myself, my very dear Sir,

Yours under innumerable obligations, in the best of bonds,

G. W.

LETTER MII.
To Mr. A――.

Bristol, November 21, 1753.

My very dear friend,

IHOPED a few days ago to send you glad tidings, and blessed be
God, I am not disappointed. Never had I before such freedom in
Gloucestershire. It was so pleasant, that I intend taking it again in my
way to London. Sunday was indeed an high day. I preached and
gave the sacrament at the new-house in the morning, and preached
again at Mr. G――’s and Mr. F――’s in the field, at noon and in the
evening. Showers of blessings descended from above. Mr. L――
supped with me; our Lord gave us richly to feast upon his great
love. At Painswick we had two pleasant seasons, and the same
favour was vouchsafed us at Chafford and Tedbury. At Gloucester
also a time of refreshing came from the presence of the Lord, and
the dear Alderman’s house was made a Bethel to my soul. God
brought me here on Monday evening, and to my great
disappointment the new tabernacle is not finished, so that I know not
well what to do. However, we had a good time last night at the hall,
and I hope all this is but the beginning of a warm winter. I am glad
that the Lord Jesus deals so bountifully with you at London. May he
do so more and more! I believe he will. Your motion to go to Norwich
I much approve of. Whatever others design, that is nothing to us.
Simplicity and godly sincerity will carry all before it in the end. O that
the sons of Zeruiah could be persuaded to let us alone! But how then
should we be able to approve ourselves sons of David? By thorns
and briars, the old man must be scratched to death.—O this
crucifixion work! Lord Jesus help us to go through it! He will, he will.
I commend thee and thine to his almighty protection and never-
failing mercy, as being, my very dear man,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MIII.
Stroude, November 27, 1753.

Dear Mrs. C――,


OUR letter came to my hands at Wrexham, but being upon the road I
could not answer it. What said God to Abraham, “Fear not; I

Y will be thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Now is your
time to approve yourself his daughter.—My heart’s desire and
prayer to the Lord of all Lords is, that you may be strong in faith,
and thereby give glory to God.—I am much obliged to those who
dissuade you from going.—I find most love to be friends till they
begin to have their Isaacs demanded.—Let them have but a little
patience: perhaps I may embark myself.—If they do not think it a
privilege to go for Christ over the waters, I do.—This, even this is
the language of my heart,

Lord, obediently I’ll go,

Gladly leaving all below;

Only Thou my leader be,

And I still will follow Thee.

O for a pilgrim heart! This I believe God hath given you, and I do not
fear repenting the confidence I have reposed in you.—That the Lord
may make you a mother in Israel, and bless you in taking care of his
dear lambs, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mrs. C――,

Your most assured friend and ready servant for Christ’s


sake,

G. W.

P. S. We have had blessed seasons in the country: the Lord has


been with us of a truth. Grace! grace!

LETTER MIV.
To Mr. S――.

Bristol, December 1, 1753.

My very dear friend,

T HIS hath been a long fortnight, for so long it is since I wrote to


my very dear friend; but I waited to send him a bundle of good
news together. Blessed be God, I am not disappointed of my hope.
Since my last, I have preached several times in Gloucestershire,
where the people, as well as the unworthy preacher, drank plentifully
of the good wine of the kingdom. In the fields several thousands
attended. Here we have also enjoyed much of God; twice I preached
in my brother’s great house to the quality, amongst whom was one of
Cæsar’s houshold. On Sunday I opened the new Tabernacle. It is
large, but not half large enough: would the place contain them, I
believe near as many would attend as in London. Last Monday I set
out for Somersetshire, intending to have gone as far as Plymouth,
but the weather was so violent, and my call to London likely to be so
speedy, that I turned back. However, I preached in Somersetshire
four or five times. Some told me, they were scarce able to stand
under what God gave them. On Tuesday, at seven in the evening, I
preached in the open air to a great multitude; all was hush’d and
exceeding solemn; the stars shone exceeding bright, and then, if
ever, by an eye of faith, I saw him who calleth them all by their
names. My soul was filled with an holy ambition, and I longed to be
one of those who shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. My
hands and body at this, and at other times were pierced with cold;
but what are outward things when the soul within is warmed with the
love of God? O my very dear Sir, increase my obligations by
continuing to pray, that this unspeakable gift may be shed abroad
abundantly in my heart by the Holy Ghost. Then shall I not grovel as
I do now here below, but mount on wings like an eagle; I shall walk
and not be weary, I shall hold on and not be faint. O that I may die in
the field! But die when or where I will, I shall die under the strongest
obligations to you and your dear yoke-fellow, who will both know, at
the day of judgment, how sincerely I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MV.
To Mr. S――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

W HEN I saw the seal of your last sweet letter, I guessed at the
contents of it. Blessed be God, I was not disappointed. The
heart was soaring aloft, mounting on the wings of faith and love, and
had fled out of sight of this poor and troublesome world. Thus may
that God, who is rich in mercy, pay and reward all that love ill and
hell-deserving me! The devil himself dares ♦ not accuse us, for
serving and loving God or man, for these wages. They are wages of
God’s appointing, God’s promising, God’s paying. May my dear
friend always find such payment! I believe he will.

O Lord, enlarge our scanty thoughts,

To see the wonders thou hast wrought;

Unloose our stammering tongues to tell,

Thy love immense, unspeakable.

I rejoice in the promising prospect of the happiness of your brother’s


houshold. May it widen and spread over all! If I have any time, I hope
to send him a few lines. Lord, hasten the time when my poor
kinsmen and brethren after the flesh shall be joined to thee by one
spirit! Till then, help me, O Lord, to be continually crying out, “Why
me, Lord, why me?” Well may distinguishing grace, and the
thoughts of everlasting love, swallow up your whole soul. Strange!
that God’s children should not know their own bread. But these
corrupt hearts of ours still verge towards the law. Grace, omnipotent
grace alone, can enable us to see our compleatness in Christ, and
yet excite us, from principles of gratitude and love, to faithfulness
and zeal, as though we were to be saved entirely by them. Glorious
mystery! Like the blessed angels, may you and yours, my dear
friend, be continually employed in looking into it! This is what I have
been preaching on last week in Somersetshire. The fire there
warmed and enflamed me, though I preached in the air on Tuesday
evening at seven o’clock, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday. I
purposed to go as far as Plymouth, but providence hath brought me
back, and I am now hastening to London, to pay my last respects to
my dying friend. It may be, that shortly Mr. J―― W―― will be no
more; the physicians think his disease is a galloping consumption. I
pity the church, I pity myself, but not him. We must stay behind in
this cold climate, whilst he takes his flight to a radiant throne,
prepared for him from the foundations of the world. Lord, if it be thy
blessed will, let not thy chariot wheels be long in coming. Even so
come Lord Jesus, come quickly! Poor Mr. C―― will now have
double work. But we can do all things through Christ strengthening
us. The residue of the Spirit is in the Redeemer’s hands, and he hath
promised not to leave his people comfortless. Our eyes, O Lord, are
unto thee from whom cometh all our salvation. Here I could enlarge,
but I must send a few lines to London, which I hope to reach myself
some time this week. Be pleased to direct your next there. My Leeds
friends have my cordial acknowledgements for their kind enquiries
concerning me. I hope this will find them all, with your dear yoke-
fellow, leaning on the Mediator’s bosom. There am I now reclining
my weary head. Adieu. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

♦ “nor” replaced with “not”


LETTER MVI.
To Mr. C―― W――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

B EING unexpectedly brought back from Somersetshire, and


hearing you are gone upon such a mournful errand, I cannot
help sending after you a few sympathizing lines. The Lord help and
support you! May a double spirit of the ascending Elijah, descend
and rest on the surviving Elisha! Now is the time to prove the
strength of Jesus yours. A wife, a friend, and brother, ill together.
Well! this is our comfort, all things shall work together for good to
those that love God. If you think proper, be pleased to deliver the
inclosed. It was written out of the fulness of my heart. To-morrow I
leave Bristol, and purpose reaching London by Saturday morning or
night. Glad should I be to reach heaven first; but faith and patience
hold out a little longer. Yet a little while, and we shall be all together
with our common Lord. I commend you to his everlasting love, and
am, my dear friend, with much sympathy,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MVII.
To the Reverend Mr. J―― W――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,


I F seeing you so weak when leaving London, distressed me, the
news and prospect of your approaching dissolution hath quite
weighed me down. I pity myself, and the church, but not you. A
radiant throne awaits you, and ere long you will enter into your
Master’s joy. Yonder he stands with a massy crown, ready to put it
on your head amidst an admiring throng of saints and angels. But I,
poor I, that have been waiting for my dissolution these nineteen
years, must be left behind to grovel here below! Well, this is my
comfort, it cannot be long ere the chariots will be sent even for
worthless me. If prayers can detain them, even you, reverend and
very dear Sir, shall not leave us yet: but if the decree is gone forth,
that you must now fall asleep in Jesus, may he kiss your soul away,
and give you to die in the embraces of triumphant love. If in the land
of the living, I hope to pay my last respects to you next week. If not,
reverend and dear Sir, farewel.—I præ, sequar, etsi non passibus
æquis. My heart is too big, tears trickle down too fast, and I fear you
are too weak for me to enlarge. May underneath you be Christ’s
everlasting arms! I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and am,
very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, sympathizing, and afflicted younger


brother in the gospel of our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MVIII.
To Mr. C―― W――.

London, December 13, 1753.

My dear Friend,

T HE searcher of hearts alone knows the sympathy I have felt for


you and yours, and what suspence my mind hath been in

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