_Abergavenny, May 27, 1749._
_My very dear Brother_,
INCLOSED you have a letter for our good Lady _H――――_, whom I suppose
you will have the honour of receiving in a few days under your roof.
Both before, and ever since I left _Bristol_, I have been frequently
thinking of the unspeakable mercies, that the infinitely great and
glorious GOD is pleased to pour down upon us.――Surely the language of
both our hearts ought to be, “What shall we render unto the LORD?” For
my part, I am lost in wonder, and want a thousand lives to spend in the
Redeemer’s service. O let not my dear brother be angry, if I intreat
him at length to leave off killing, and begin to redeem time. A concern
for your eternal welfare so affects me, that it often brings bodily
sickness upon me, and drives me to a throne of grace, to wrestle in
your behalf. Even now, whilst I am writing, my soul is agonizing in
prayer for you, hoping I shall see that day, when you will have poured
out on you a spirit of grace and of supplication, and look to him whom
we have pierced, and be made to mourn as one mourneth for a first-born.
Till this be done, all resolutions, all schemes for amendment, will be
only like spiders webs. Nature is a mere Proteus, and till renewed by
the spirit of GOD, though it may shift its scene, will be only nature
still. Apply then, my dearest Brother, to the fountain of light and
life, from whence every good and perfect gift cometh. A worthy woman in
all probability is going to throw herself under GOD, into your hands.
A considerable addition will be then made to your present talents, and
consequently a greater share of care and circumspection necessary to
improve all for the glory of Him, who hath been always preventing and
following you with his blessings. Should you prove any otherwise than
a pious husband, it will be one of the greatest afflictions I ever met
with in my life. At present you can only hurt yourself, which is hurt
enough; but then (forgive me, my dear Brother,) I am jealous over you
with a godly jealousy. My fears shall be turned into prayers, and I
will follow this letter with strong crying unto GOD in your behalf. My
retirement here these two days hath been very sweet; but to-morrow I
begin a three weeks circuit. Next sabbath I am to be at _Carmarthen_,
the _Friday_ following at _Haverford-west_. For the present, adieu.
That you may take CHRIST to be your All in All, and that the remainder
of your life may be one continued sacrifice of love to him, who hath
shed his precious blood for you, is the hearty prayer of, my dear
Brother,
Yours most affectionately,
_G. W._