_To Mr. C―――― W――――._
_London, Dec. 22, 1752._
_My dear Friend_,
I Have read and pondered upon your kind letter with some degree of
solemnity of spirit. In the same frame I would now sit down to answer
it. And what shall I say? Really I can scarce tell. The connection
between you and your brother, hath been so close and continued, and
your attachment to him so necessary to keep up his interest, that I
would not willingly for the world do or say any thing that may separate
such friends. I cannot help thinking, but he is still jealous of me
and my proceedings; but, I thank GOD, I am quite easy about it. Having
the testimony of a good conscience, that I have a disinterested view
to promote the common salvation only, I can leave all to him, who I
am assured will in the end speak for me, and make my righteousness as
clear as the light, and my just dealing as the noon-day. I more and
more find, that he who believeth doth not make haste; and that if we
will have patience, we shall find that every plant, which our heavenly
Father hath not planted, however it may seem to have taken very deep
root, shall be plucked up. As I wrote to good Lady _H――――n_, so I write
to you, dear Sir.――I bless GOD for my stripping seasons. I have seen
an end of all perfection, and expect it only in him, where I am sure
to find it, even in the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS. He knows how I
love and honour you, and your brother, and how often I have preferred
your interest to my own. This, by the grace of GOD, I shall still
continue to do. My reward is with the LORD. If he approves, it is
enough. More might be said, were we face to face. When this will be,
I cannot tell. Several things, especially our design of building a new
tabernacle, which I hope will succeed, detain me in town this Winter.
GOD only knows what course I am to steer in the Spring. I would be a
blank;――let my heavenly Father fill it up as seemeth him good. I am
glad you are with our elect Lady; she will shine indeed in heaven as
a common friend. O how amiable is a truly catholic spirit! LORD, make
us all partakers of it more and more! I beg the continuance of your
prayers: I need them much. GOD willing, you shall have mine in return.
That you and yours may increase with all the increase of GOD, is the
earnest request of, my dear friend,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._