LETTER CCCLXXXV.
To Mr. R S, in London.
Bristol, Jan. 2, 1742.
My dear Brother S,
I Find freedom to answer your kind letter immediately. I thank God for blessing my writing to your poor soul. Your salvation I long, and pray for. So that souls are built up in their holy faith, let the Redeemer make use of what instrument he pleases. Brother Robert, it is a blessed thing to have always a Catholic spirit. I am persuaded, Jesus will give it to me. I am resolved never to rest, 'till self-love, bigotry, prejudice, and all narrowness of Spirit be expelled out of my soul. Blessed be the Redeemer's free grace! I see more and more into the inward recesses of my mind. Dear Robert, there is such a thing as passing from glory to glory. For Jesus Christ's sake, strive to enter in at the straight gate, and never cease striving 'till you enter into that rest which awaits the people of God. It is a sweet thing to abide in Jesus's wounds, and from a feeling possession of God in the heart, to be able to say, "My fellowship is with the Father and the Son." It is true we are not to live, or rely on our frames. The righteousness of Jesus Christ alone, and not our doings or sufferings, can recommend us to the Father. But however, we ought always to labour to be in a sweet and humble frame, and be watchful against any thing whatever, that may interrupt our communion with God. Peace and joy should flow in a believer's soul, like a river. If any thing should obstruct the passage, he should not rest 'till faith overflows, and drives it away before him. I know not what others may say, but thro' grace I can sing with bishop Ken,
"To my soul it's hell to be,
"But for a moment void of thee."
O the fulness that there is in Christ! It fills my heart, and out of the abundance of my heart my pen writeth. Dear Robert, may the Lord bless it to your soul, and that will greatly rejoice
Your most unworthy, though most affectionate
friend, brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
