_To Mr. ――――._
_London, June 8, 1753._
_My very dear Friend_,
I WAS glad, at my return from a late excursion, to find a letter from
you, especially as it bespoke your heart to be nearer than usual to the
ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS. May this intimacy increase daily, and
the fruits of it appear in your abounding in every good word and work!
I find more and more, that one’s whole life ought to be a continued
sacrifice of love. I am glad Mr. _R――――_ is owned. This gives me hopes,
that he begins to preach as when he first set out, and as he told a
friend, a little before his embarking, “that he hoped he should.” It
never went better with his heart than then. GOD keep him and all from
further entanglements by fleshly wisdom and worldly policy! which I
think have nothing to do with the work of the LORD. Mr. _S――――_ can
tell you what concern the _B――――n_’s awful conduct hath given me.
Surely if the Redeemer had not supported me, I should within these two
months have died with grief. But I will say no more:――JESUS knows all
things. He will not long bear with guile. You know my temper. The LORD
help me in simplicity and godly sincerity to have my conversation in
the world, and in the church! By this time twelvemonth (if in the land
of the dying) I hope to see you. In the mean while, let Mr. _S――――_
speak. I hope he hath succeeded to his wishes; and I pray earnestly
that the GOD of the seas and of the dry land, may bring him safe to the
desired haven. Ere long we shall all arrive, I trust, in _Abraham_’s
harbour; from thence we shall never put out to sea any more. There the
wicked world, and even GOD’s own children, will cease from troubling,
and our weary souls enjoy an everlasting rest. May you and yours
enter with a full gale! Let us write to, though we cannot as yet see
each other. Our hearty love and respects await Mr. _P――――_, and all
enquiring friends. I am glad to hear Mr. _T――――_ is coming over with
Mr. _D――――_. If they come with their old fire, I trust they will be
enabled to do wonders. I and Messrs. _W――――_’s are very friendly. I
like them, because they go out and let the world see what they are at
once; I suspect something wrong, when so much secrecy is required. But
I must have done. Only let me tell you, that the Redeemer still owns my
feeble labours. I have been a circuit of about 700 miles, and preached
to many thousands. My body yet is upheld, and my soul rejoices in GOD
my Saviour. Help me, help me to praise him. I thank you for what you
have done for Mr. _H――――_, and for all past favours. That grace, mercy
and peace may be multiplied upon you and yours, every day and hour, is
the earnest prayer of, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._