“Did you, my friend, partial as you are, but know the thoughts that haunt my soul, and pursue me even into the pulpit, your good opinion would, I fear, be turned into disgust. But ‘this is a saying worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ This is all my salvation, and all my desire; and this shall be all my theme, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. From this hold, Satan has not prevailed to drive me of late. To this hold will I cling, for He that is my righteousness is also my strength, and in His strength I shall be more than conqueror. May the soul of my friend ‘blossom as the rose; and be as the garden of the Lord, well watered every where and fruitful!’” “London, December 20, 1803. “I rejoice that you seem to expect no further hinderance to your ordination at Easter. I hope you will be abundantly blessed in your labours, for truly nothing else can satisfy a soul thirsting after the honour that comes of God. We need much patience, dear B., that after having done the will of God we may inherit the promises-- ‘God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform,’ and, when our finite capacities can discover no good working, He is bringing about the purposes of His own will. Often has he given my impatient soul to see this: in a moment hushed the storm of raging and impetuous passions; and made, even when all in prospect seemed gloomy, a great calm. This experience has been of great service to me, in enabling me to impart consolation to others, and to comfort them with the same comfort wherewith I myself have been comforted of God. O the heights and depths, and lengths and breadths, of the love and condescension of God, to submit, as it were, to the caprices of the creatures of His hand, yea, of the rebels against His government! ‘Is this the manner of men, O Lord?’ I feel, indeed, according to your expression, that ‘without all-sufficient grace, quickly would my heart return to the indulgence of those things which my judgment tells me, are nothing but vanity and sin.’ In the review of my experience since I came hither, much cause of praise appears. That promise has been very abundantly realized, ‘He will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape.’ And having this experience I would gladly ‘cast all my care upon Him,’ who, I trust, ‘careth for me,’ in expectation that He will ‘keep me by His mighty power through faith unto salvation.’” “Stoke, February 14, 1804.