_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_My dear Friend_,
BECAUSE I will not forget you, I begin to write before we get on shore.
How is dear Mr. ――――’s heart? Has he yet recovered his first love? And
is that prophecy, “This child is set for the falling and rising again
of many in _Israel_,” as yet fulfilled in him. I cannot but think a
good work was once wrought upon your soul. I cannot but think, GOD
will yet fulfil his whole will in you. But let not my dear friend
linger any longer. If there is mercy with GOD, let him be feared, not
disobeyed. If he has promised to heal our backslidings, and love us
freely, let his goodness lead us to repentance. Prosperity hath been a
snare to you; every day I see the excellency of that part of _Agur_’s,
prayer, “Give me not riches, lest I be full and deny thee, and say,
who is the LORD.” And that petition in our liturgy, “In all time of
our wealth, good LORD deliver us.” I always take particular notice of
it. I believe you will not be at all richer this year, than you was
the last.――For as riches increase, our wants increase with them.――I
write not this to have you desert your station, but to excite a holy
jealousy in your heart.――Oh, what would I give to see my dear friend,
as formerly, “Fervent in spirit, serving the LORD.” If GOD sends
me to _England_ again, I shall try my friends. However that be, I
am persuaded, that suffering for righteousness sake, is the best,
the greatest preferment in the church of CHRIST. But how does your
little――I would not willingly say, your great idol. Pray accept a
quarto bible for him. Oh, my friend, give him up to GOD, and do not
provoke him, by over-fondness and too great indulgence, to take him
from you. The little lambs on board improve bravely; they bear the
voyage best of all. They are as lusty as eagles: GOD has dealt most
gently with us. I hope I may say, the church in my house salute you
and your wife.――I do not forget her; may she never rest till she comes
into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD! It is a blessed
thing, my dear friend, to be the LORD’s freeman. My heart is full; I
repent I have not allowed more paper. My dear Sir, excuse and pray for
Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend,
_G. W._