_On board the Elizabeth going to the Downs, August 15, 1739._
_My dear Brother_,
THE agony I was in at your departure, and the many strong cryings and
tears which I offered up to GOD afterwards, plainly shew, that I love
you in sincerity and truth. Though I am now about to launch into the
great deep, yet I must write you a parting line. I cannot but think
you will come to CHRIST in earnest. GOD has most remarkably met you
by his providence.――His spirit has been striving with you, and I doubt
not but it will get the victory over your carnal reasonings, and the
rebellion of a depraved heart. But do not, my dear brother, I beseech
you, dispute against your own happiness.――Be not unwilling to confess
that you are not yet a christian. Remember what our LORD hath said:
“Whosoever receiveth not the kingdom of GOD, as a little child,
shall in no-wise enter therein.”――I beseech you, by the mercies of
GOD in CHRIST JESUS our LORD, to leave off _disputing_. You have
been, I think, frequently convinced; but nature, I find, has as
frequently interposed, and persuaded you that you had gone far
enough already.――But does not my dear brother find, that he yet lacks
something? Have not his tempers and corruptions; nay, hath not sin
itself dominion over him? Are his affections weaned from the world?
Does he feel himself a poor lost sinner? Is he willing the LORD JESUS
should be his whole righteousness? Is he convinced of the freeness,
as well as of the riches of his grace? You see, my dear brother,
how freely I deal with you. It is because I love you with a peculiar
love.――Never did my heart exult at the sight of any relation, as at
the sight of you; Surely GOD intends to give me my dear brother. He
is already an almost; hasten, O LORD, that blessed time, when he shall
be an altogether christian, and let thy kingdom, with full power, come
into my dear brother’s heart!――How shall I say farewell? If you have
opportunity, pray write to
Your most affectionate, though unworthy brother,
_G. W._