_To Mr. ――――._
_London, March 1, 1751._
_Dear Sir_,
YOUR acknowledgment for my poor present, is more than it deserved.
If it is made of use to your precious soul, I have my desired end. My
heart’s desire and prayer to GOD is, that his goodness may lead you to
a thorough repentance, and that you may have no rest, till you truly
believe on JESUS CHRIST. Reformation is not renovation: and unless
the heart be totally and thoroughly changed, when the fear of hell and
other outward restraints are gone, good impressions will gradually wear
off, and the seeming convert return again to folly. The love of CHRIST
therefore constrains me, dear Sir, to exhort you to make thorough work
of it, and to give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.
Now indeed is the accepted time! Surely you may say, “Am I not a brand
plucked out of the burning?” Satan will not care that you should leave
him without some attacks. When you are abroad, old habits, and old
corruptions will strive to renew their ancient acquaintance with you:
merry company will endeavour to redebauch you, and your grand adversary
the devil will labour to render all the amazing mercies you have
received, fruitless and abortive.――Be upon your guard. Distrust
yourself. Be instant in prayer. Look continually to JESUS, and then as
your day is, so shall your strength be. Be pleased to accept this in
love. If I may judge of your aspect and letter, you will. Glad shall I
be to find you a new creature in _Georgia_. My prayers shall follow you,
and I hope ere long we shall meet with our brother and all the redeemed
of the LORD in paradise. Be pleased to remember me to Mr. _R――――_; and
if you would mind me, as the chief of sinners and less than the least
of all saints, when you get access to the throne of grace, you would
oblige, dear Sir,
Your real friend for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._