_Gibraltar Harbour, Feb. 24, 1738._
_Dear Mr. ――――_,
I Bless GOD for inclining your heart to take my advice. I know it was
intended well, and I hope proceeded from the spirit of GOD. The many
fatal consequences I have daily seen, proceeding from conversing with
lukewarm christians, makes me jealous of my dear friends, lest they
should be infected by them; and the great tendency I find in my own
heart to catch every infection, makes me to resolve for myself, and
to put others on resolving to keep no set company but with religious
persons. I hope by this time I may wish you joy of settling a new
society with _Messrs. ――――_; and I doubt not but your hearts have
already burnt within you, whilst you talked to one another of the
scriptures of truth. I am sure there is scarce a night has passed over
my head but I have wrestled with GOD for you, and prayed that he would
prosper this work of your hands upon you. My hearty desire and daily
petition at the throne of grace is, that you may be saved; and tho’ I
know not much of your dear wife’s temper, yet I pray, that she may be
meek and lowly in heart, not easily provoked, nor answer unnecessarily
again. I pray, that you both may walk as _Zachary_ and _Elizabeth_ did
before the LORD blameless, that you may love one another, as CHRIST
and the church, and see your children like olive-branches round about
your table. I pray, that you may persevere in the good way you have
begun, that you may abstain from all appearance of evil, and dare
to be exemplarily good. I pray, that you may practice an universal
self-denial, and perfect holiness in the fear of GOD. I could say
much more, but must away to _Gibraltar_; one of the _Majors_ of the
regiments has sent for me, having provided a lodging at a merchant’s
house unknown to me. Oh admire GOD’s goodness! Accept my thanks and
love, and believe me to be, more than words can express,
Your affectionate friend in CHRIST,
_G. W._