26 April 1742

Anne Dutton, Great Gransden, to John Lewis, London, 26 April 1742.

The Copy of a Letter from a Friend in the Country.

April 26, 1742.

To Mr. Lewis,

         Sir, I observe that a Correspondent of yours (or perhaps yourself) in your 13th Sheet of the Weekly History, advises the Children of God to communicate to one another, by your Means, some of their Experiences. I humbly hope that electing Love, and adopting Grace hath made unworthy me of that blessed Number. This Hope is an Anchor to my Soul, and hath been found heretofore sure and stedfast in Depths of Adversity. I want to get an Acquaintance with dear Mr. Whitefield, whom tho’ unknown by Face I ardently Love. I wrote to him for that End almost a Year ago when I heard he was at Gloucester, but have received no Answer. I hear he is now at London and thro’ your Hand would convey to him the inclosed, and that my Paper may not come to you quite empty, be pleased to accept the underwritten Paragraphs, containing an Account of a Kiss of Love I received, or ever I was aware, about two Months since, from his Mouth whose Love is better than Wine; which you may, if you think proper, insert in your Paper, if at any time you should want better; altering the Introduction as shall seem necessary.

         I would now record, (O that I may do it with a single Eye to his Glory, whose I am, under Millions of Obligations,) a fresh Instance of the quickening, comforting Influences of the good Spirit, which came upon me like a mighty swelling Tide, captivating my whole Soul, and bearing away my Afflictions full Sail from Earth and Sense to the Celestial Throne, giving me a Glimpse of the Glory that is to be revealed, and a Taste of those Joys which are unutterable, springing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb.

         I was alone, employ’d in a Branch of my worldly Business in the Twilight of the Evening, and without much Attention, or Design, revolving in my Mind these Lines.

                 “He will present our Souls

                 Unblemish’d and compleat:

  Before the Glory of his Face

                 With Joys divinely great.”

When sudden almost as a Flash of Lightning my Soul was ravish’d with a joyful Assurance that our blessed Saviour, my dear Jesus, will one Day present my worthless Soul, polluted and vile as it now is, before the Presence of the divine Glory, purify’d from every Stain, refined from its Corruption and Dross, washed and made white in his Blood, and meet for the heavenly Society and Employment, with exceeding Joy. An overbearing Sense of the Love of CHRIST at once filled me throughout with transporting Pleasure. My Joys were so big they must have immediate Vent. Instantly I retired, and falling on my Knees before my God and Saviour, had my Soul drawn out after him in such humble Adorations, such glowing Thankfulness for all the kind Methods of his distinguishing Grace, such deep Humiliations under a Sense of my great Unworthiness of such high Favours, and particularly for the Inaccuracy of my Conversation; and at the same Time felt my Heart warmed with such ardent Love, and vehenment Desire after a fuller Enjoyment of HIM whom my Soul loveth, who then appeared to me to be the chiefest of ten thousand, and altogether lovely, as I scarce ever before at any time have experienced. I could not but desire, as far as lawfully I might, that my Dissolution and Departure hence might be hastend, at the same time that I both found and exprest a Willingness to stay while God had any thing for me eithe to do or suffer that might redound to his Glory. Yea such a Zeal I felt for the Glory of God, such strong Desires that his Name might be magnified, and his Honour advanced among Men, that I was not only willing, but even desirous, provided a Revenue of Glory and Praise might thence accrue to my God and King, to be exercised with whatsoever Trials my heavenly Father might see meet to chasten me with: provided also that as my Days so might my Strength be, and that I might be favoured with such Tokens of his Presence and Approbation.

         I was led particularly, and for some considerable Time, to direct my Addresses and Adorations to the blessed Jesus, the Second Person in the ever-blessed Trinity, recounting with Sinners, both in his own Person, living, dying, interceeding, and by his Spirit’s renewing, sanctifying, quickening, and comforting Influences, whilst a vigorous Faith led me on to believe in Hope, and to praise him for what he will yet further do for me – “Thou wilt, said I, present my Soul unblemish’d and compleat &c.” And I had a lively Representation, and sweet Fore-taste, of the divine Joy the Spirits of just Men made perfect have been ravished with at their first Admission to the Realms of Glory.

         Sure this high Elevation is designed to fortify me against some approaching Trial by casting down, and to bear up my soul against some suddent Shock of Adveristy. I had lately a Word set home upon my Mind, in reading Dr. Sibb’s Soul’s Conflict, which looks that Way. Lord, not my Will, but thine be done, Here I am, deal with me as seemeth good in thy Sight.

                 Lord,‘’tis enough that thou art mine:

                     I shall behold thy blissful Face,

                     And stand compleat in Righteousness.   Watts.

         Or, if such an Event is not near, I am sure it calls for great Humility, great Watchfulness and Circumspection, yea, and religious Zeal; that I may adorn my Profession, and walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing that I amy not grieve his Holy Spirit, or forfeit his Presence and quickning Aids; but by a Life of self-denying Humility and Obedience may be prepared to receive his further gracious Visits.

                     I am, Sir

                                 Your humble Servant, &c.

Text: The Weekly History, 8 May 1742, , no. 57, pp. 2-3.