_To Mr. B――――._
_Newcastle, Aug. 30, 1752._
_My dear Mr. B――――_,
YOUR last kind letter came to hand, only a few days before I left
_London_. Business prevented my answering it then: accept a few lines
from hence. They leave me on my way to _Scotland_. Thither the cloud
seemed to move, and I purpose to call on you, GOD willing, in my return
to _London_. Could you meet me at _Leeds_? I have thoughts of coming
that way back. I have written to Mr. _S――――_, and as I expect to see
him, you need say nothing about the books. I wrote also to Mr. _G――――_.
A short interview will settle every thing. Do not let my friend be
so solicitously anxious about persons or things. “The LORD reigneth,”
was the answer that _Luther_ sent to over-careful _Melancthon_. Never
fear.――Our LORD knows how to over-rule all for good. So that his work
goes on, let you and I be content to be forgotten, nay to be trodden
under foot, and slighted by our own spiritual children and friends.
This is bitter, but wholsome physic. The all-wise physician I trust
will make us drink it, till every evil, fretful, and uneasy temper be
purged out of us. Let us then, my dear man, chearfully take the cup
out of his blessed hands, and leave all to Him. A word to the wise is
enough. I must not enlarge. How goes on brother _W――――b_? I hope he
does not preach in a controversial way; I suppose I shall see him in
the North. My stay in _Scotland_ will be about a month. You may direct
for me at _Edinburgh_. I hope that a door is opened at _Leicester_
and _Lutterworth_ for field-preaching. We have had glorious seasons in
_Gloucestershire_ and _London_. O for a good gate in the North! It is
harvest time.――All hands to work. My love to Mrs. _B――――_ and all that
love CHRIST, whether they think in all things as I do or not. I send Mr.
_――――ly_ my cordial respects, and beg you to accept the same from, my
dear Mr. _B――――_,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._