_To the Rev. Mr. L――――._
_Doncaster, Sept. 7, 1748._
_Rev. and dear Sir_,
OUR last short interview at _Stone-house_ pleased me. I hope it
foreboded something good. I told you the truth when I said, “I had not
forgotten you.” No, neither have I been suffered to think hardly of you
for your shyness to unworthy me; only I have thought you were loosing
time, and for fear of displeasing a few mortal men, had acted a part
displeasing to the invisible, immortal, and only wise GOD. Good Sir
_John Philips_ used to call you _sincere_. I believe that is your
right name. I cannot help thinking but you will prove it to be so
ere long. That love which JESUS shed abroad in your heart years ago,
must constrain you to confess him before man. The light which the LORD
hath imparted to you, cannot, I am persuaded, be much longer hid under
a bushel. The shackles with which you have been fettered, must be
shaken off, or I am much mistaken in the dear man to whom I am writing.
――Pardon me, my dear old friend. My heart at present overflows with
love towards you. Though weary and on a journey, I cannot help writing
to you. Fear not temporal support. Though I went without scrip or shoe,
I have lacked nothing; or if I had nothing; in JESUS I have possessed
all things. I do not envy those who choose to sleep in a whole skin.
Let me have scars, so that they are scars of honour, scars for JESUS
CHRIST. I know who will approve of them, when he comes to judgment. O
that day! that awful day! GOD enable us so to act, that we may receive
an _Euge bone_! Out of the fulness of my heart I write thus. I am now
on my way to _Scotland_. The LORD JESUS hath blessed me in _London_. As
soon as possible I intend calling upon you. If you have a mind to renew
our old delightful christian correspondence, I am quite willing. I wish
you and yours the best of blessings, and am, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST,
_G. W._