Thames Ditton.
I this day received your letter with joy, and give you thanks for the same. I have been twice to Woking since my brother P. left me. The time before last, coming home, I was most dreadfully tempted indeed; but the blessed Jesus helped me up again by calling me to. visit an old man, whom I had once seen before. When I came I found him in dreadful horror, and calling on God, and when I began to tell him how he felt himself, he found it would do for him, and being thick of hearing, he pulled off his hat and cap, and laid his aged ear to hear the word, and soon was melted down in tears. I left him smiling. Pray for him.
The last Sunday I thought to be at Mitcham; I intended to go last Saturday to Camberwell, and Mitcham, and Ewell, and Epsom, and Horsham; but the frost broke, and I was called to Woking. I found heaven on earth in my journey. I went weeping, bearing precious seed; God grant I may return, and bring my sheaves with me, Amen. When I came I was gladly received. One of our sisters was very ill, and her husband is a pharisee and an enemy, and his daughter likewise opposed her mother, though she often came to hear me. Well, I went to see her, and the father was at home, and behaved very civilly; but when I began to talk he heard awhile, but soon withdrew, being a lover of darkness, and therefore a hater of light. I spent some time in prayer; and the daughter being convicted of being an enemy to her mother, cried out, and Mr. H, kept her company in weeping; I had much ado to pacify her, and my bowels yearned towards them; so I left them in the spirit of meekness: God grant that we may meet again where we shall cry no more, Amen, and do you say Amen to it.
I likewise visited a poor cripple, that had long desired to see this William, the parson, and be seemed all ear; the Lord affect his heart, Amen. The forenoon and afternoon service, I was happy, but before the evening in trouble. The clerk's wife and daughter seemed convinced, and the clerk wanted to hear, but was afraid to come openly, though desirous; so, like Nicodemus, he came in the night, and was shut in a room just against the wall where I stood to speak. I thought of him, and though in chains just before, God gave me great power and liberty indeed; God grant he may, like Nicodemus, come forth to the light, and beg of God the Father, his crucified Son, for his soul's salvation, Amen.
In the morning we awaked about three o'clock, and the Lord was with me indeed, and we sung, and prayed, and parted in love, O bless the Lord for it. My master has got a new bargeman, and one morning master gave him and me a breakfast together alone, at Christmas. I began to speak to him about God in the spirit of meekness; since that, God has given me his ear; pray God to conquer his heart. This night he blessed me, and tells me he begins to feel, God grant it may be Christ crucified in his heart, Amen, Lord Jesus. He tells my master he loves William, God grant he may love Christ. Master has given him leave to go to Woking with me. O that he may go to heaven with me, Amen. You tell me you are tempted by the devil; obey God's voice, give all you have to him, and then you are not your own, you are bought with a price, and God is your wall of salvation.
Praise hint for his wonderful creation. Praise him for his work of works in sinners' salvation. Praise him for his dear 6ott. Praise him for his precious blood. Praise him for his Holy Spirit. Praise him for his matchless grace. Praise him for his precious love. Praise hint for his powerful faith. Praise him for his blessed hope. Praise him for discovering guilt. Praise him for salvation from it.
Praise him for a quiet spirit. Praise him for a broken heart. Praise him for a tender conscience. Praise him for holy desires. Praise him for a spiritual thirst. Praise him for a renewed will. Praise him for his marvellous light. Praise him for your heavenly views. Praise him for the hope of glory.
Praise him for engaged strength. Praise him for a precious soul. Praise him for his grace to save it. Praise him for his power to keep it. Praise him for his watchful eye. Praise him for his guardian angels. Praise him for your holy wars. Praise him fir your perfect weakness.
Praise him for his word of promise. Praise him for his humbling rod. Praise him for both law and gospel. Praise him for his mercy on us. Praise him for all humbling trials. Praise him for instruction from them. Praise him as your Lord and God. Praise him for the spirit of meekness.
Let all mankind from north to south, praise my God with heart and mouth. Praise the Lord, ye saints of light, praise my God both day and night. Praise him for your life and breath, praise my Christ both heaven and earth. Praise him for a spiritual ear, praise him for his godly fear. Praise him for his humiliation, praise him in his exaltation. Praise him in all the hymns you sing, praise hint your prophet, priest, and king. Let every tongue, in every head, praise the Judge of quick and dead. Praise the Lord front pole to pole, praise him that saved my helpless soul. Praise the Lord from Boast to coast, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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