_To Doctor S――――._
_Ashby, Feb. 4, 1751._
_My dear Doctor_,
YOUR letter distresses me. GOD hasten the time when you shall sing
chearfully,
_Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_
_For I must be no longer thine;_
_A nobler, a diviner guest,_
_Has got possession of my breast._
Why will you not shake off your chains? Why will you be stricken any
more? You must come back, or be undone for ever. What have you gained
by running from your father’s house? His servants have bread enough,
whilst you are perishing with hunger. Say, say, I pray you, without
delay, “I will arise and go to my Father.” His love keeps you uneasy;
his love hedges up your way; his love follows and pursues you with
this mighty famine. The language of all is, “Give me thy heart.” Be
content to become a fool for CHRIST’s sake. Your body as well as soul,
will suffer even in this world, if you do not comply. You are half
dead already. Faith in CHRIST, and the love of GOD shed abroad in your
heart, can alone cure you. You know too much to be happy without it:
and O that dreadful sentence, “It had been better for them never to
have known ―――― &c.” For CHRIST’s sake, remember _Lot_’s wife. You are
almost become a pillar of salt already. Out of anguish I write this.
May CHRIST’s love so constrain you, that you may never rest till you
find solid rest in him! Good Lady _H――――n_ is gone to take the air.
Your message shall be delivered. She is but poorly; and my wife writes
me word, that she is exceeding bad. This must hasten my remove from
hence. I insist upon Mr. _H――――ly_’s coming directly to _Ashby_, if
he has any regard for good Lady _H――――n_. She ought always to have a
christian friend with her. That you may have a feeling possession of
CHRIST in your heart, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Sir,
Yours, &c. in great haste, but greater concern for you,
_G. W._