_To Mr. J―――― D――――._
_London, July 12, 1749._
_My dear Friend_,
I Am obliged to you for your kind letters; for the trouble you have
been at about the money, and for all favours. Was I to follow my
own inclinations, I would come and thank you in person; but I fear
providence will not permit me to embark for _America_ this fall.
However, I am looking up, and looking about me, and trust our LORD
will point out his way before me. I am not at all uneasy at what one of
your clergy may have said of me; I am only sorry upon his own account;
having known more than once, that GOD delights to plead the cause
of the injured. I trust I can say, that with simplicity and godly
sincerity I desire to have my conversation in the world; and I hope
it is my daily study to keep a conscience void of offence towards GOD
and towards man. Whilst this is the case, we need not fear what men or
devils can say, or do unto us. They can only speak all manner of evil
against us falsely: and that our LORD hath taught us to expect. They
can only kill the body; blessed be GOD, the soul is out of their reach.
I am content to wait till the day of judgment for the clearing up
of my character: and after I am dead, I desire no other epitaph than
this, “Here lies _G. W._ what sort of a man he was, the great day
will discover.” O my dear Sir, what a blessed thing is it to have the
Redeemer to be our friend. If we can but truly say, “I know that my
Redeemer liveth,” how safely may we put our souls into his hands, as
into the hands of a faithful creator! I hope my dear Mr. _D――――_ will
not rest till he can say so.――The frequent indispositions of body
that you are under, are so many loud calls to prepare for another
world.――Nothing but the righteousness of CHRIST imputed, and the
holiness of CHRIST imparted to your soul, can make you happy in a dying
hour. I could enlarge, but must away. With this, I have sent you a
dozen of my nine sermons, to be disposed of as you think best. I would
send more, but have very few left. I would write to Esquire _R――――_,
and some other gentlemen, but have not the least leisure. Be pleased
to remember me to them in the kindest manner, as they come in your
way, and let them know they are not forgotten by me. Will your dear
yoke-fellow, and all your family, accept of my hearty love? I owe you
much. May the LORD JESUS reward you a thousand-fold! He will, he will.
Last night Capt. _H――――_ did me the pleasure to sup with me. I took
it extremely kind, and should be glad to wait upon _Bermudas_ friends
every day. My wife hath been arrived about a fortnight, and joins in
sending cordial salutations with, my dear Mr. _D――――_,
Yours most affectionately,
_G. W._