_To the Reverend Mr. J―――― W――――._
_Bristol, December 3, 1753._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
IF seeing you so weak when leaving _London_, distressed me, the news
and prospect of your approaching dissolution hath quite weighed me down.
I pity myself, and the church, but not you. A radiant throne awaits you,
and ere long you will enter into your Master’s joy. Yonder he stands
with a massy crown, ready to put it on your head amidst an admiring
throng of saints and angels. But I, poor I, that have been waiting for
my dissolution these nineteen years, must be left behind to grovel here
below! Well, this is my comfort, it cannot be long ere the chariots
will be sent even for worthless me. If prayers can detain them, even
you, reverend and very dear Sir, shall not leave us yet: but if the
decree is gone forth, that you must now fall asleep in JESUS, may he
kiss your soul away, and give you to die in the embraces of triumphant
love. If in the land of the living, I hope to pay my last respects to
you next week. If not, reverend and dear Sir, farewel.――_I præ, sequar,
etsi non passibus æquis._ My heart is too big, tears trickle down too
fast, and I fear you are too weak for me to enlarge. May underneath you
be CHRIST’s everlasting arms! I commend you to his never-failing mercy,
and am, very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, sympathizing, and afflicted
younger brother in the gospel of our common LORD,
_G. W._