_To Mr. S――――._
_Canterbury, Nov. 20, 1750._
_My dear Mr. S――――_,
BY that time yours reached _London_, I suppose my last will have
reached _Dublin_, and find you on the full stretch for him, who was
stretched upon the cross for you and me. As far as I can judge of the
circumstances you related to me, settling as you propose, will not
hinder, but rather further you in your present work. Only beware of
nestling. If you do, and GOD loves you (as I believe he does) you shall
have thorns enough put into your nest. O that I may be enabled, even
to the end, to evidence, that nothing but a pure disinterested love to
CHRIST and souls, caused me to begin, go on, and hold out, in pursuing
the present work of GOD! I have seen so many that once bid exceedingly
fair, and afterwards, _Demas_ like, preferred the world to CHRIST, that
I cannot be too jealous over myself, or others whom I profess to love.
This is my motive in writing to you, love, even love unfeigned; love
for CHRIST’s sake, and the good of souls. O let no one take away your
crown. If you marry, let it be in the LORD, and for the LORD, and then
the LORD will give it his blessing. Only remember this, marry when
or whom you will, expect trouble in the flesh. But I spare you. Seven
years hence, if we should live and meet, we can talk better of these
things. In the mean while, let us go on leaning on our Beloved. He, and
He alone, can keep us unspotted from the world. Does the work prosper
among you? It increases here. At _Canterbury_ I find several souls are
awakened. GOD willing, I leave it to-morrow. You must pray for me, and
exhort all to continue their prayers also. I expect, one day or another,
to see some glorious days in _Ireland_. I am called away.――For the
present, adieu.
Yours most affectionately in our blessed LORD,
_G. W._