_To Doctor S――――._
_London, December 15, 1757._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
IF yet in this dying world, be pleased to accept a few grateful lines,
from one who highly esteems you for the sake of our common LORD.
Thousands can witness how often I have prayed for you in public, and
the great day will discover how earnestly your lingering case hath
been mentioned in my poor addresses to our GOD in private. Surely,
in a literal sense, reverend Sir, you are called to die daily. But
I trust and believe, the more the outward man decayeth, you will be
strengthened so much the more in the inward man. He that hath loved
you, will love you to the end; he that hath honoured you to be so
useful to church and state, will not leave you in the latter stages of
your road. A radiant crown awaits you. GOD, the righteous judge, will
give it you in that day. _O gloriam! quantum & qualem!_ O that I could
leap my seventy years. But I forget I am writing to a sick friend.
Pardon me, dear Sir, it being only a pepper-corn of acknowledgment for
all kind offices done in the behalf of, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate, sympathizing friend,
and ready servant in JESUS CHRIST,
_G. W._