_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_My dear Brother_,
YOU cannot conceive how often you have been upon my thoughts, since
I saw you. Eternity itself I hope will not diminish, but more and
more increase that love, which I bear you from my heart. Your stature
reminds me of little _Zaccheus_: he that called him, I am persuaded
hath called you: Have you not heard him say to your soul, “I am your
salvation?” If so, fear not, thou art a son of _David_. Let worldly
affairs be ever so bad, he that has given you his own dear Son, will
make you more than conqueror in all things. Still dare to own our dear
LORD before men. It is no scandal for a follower of JESUS CHRIST to
be poor. Our LORD was poor before us――So that we are rich in faith and
good works, it is not much ♦matter if we are not rich in this world’s
goods. Having CHRIST, though we have nothing else, we possess all
things. However, since godliness hath the promise of the life that now
is, as well as that which is to come, I would advise you to plead the
promises for temporal blessings. In the name of JESUS, many a sweet
morsel and opportune supply, have I fetched in from GOD by this means.
That is the way I live, and hope shall continue so to live till death
is swallowed up in victory. _Death_――what a comfortable word is that
for a believer! CHRIST hath taken the sting of it away; henceforward
it is no longer a king of terrors, but a welcome messenger to conduct
the saints to glory. My dear brother, let us comfort one another with
these things. We are not to live here always; our inheritance is above.
When CHRIST who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear
with him in glory. Why then should we value these light afflictions,
which are but for a moment? No, let us patiently bear our cross,
since we are so shortly to wear a crown. Oh the riches of free,
distinguishing grace! Why were you and I taken into favor? “Even so
Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” O! my friend, my brother,
let us for ever extol free grace! However others exalt man and debase
GOD, let us exalt GOD and debase man. Let JESUS CHRIST have all the
glory: for he is the author, carrier on, and finisher of our faith. He
hath begun it in time, he shall compleat it in eternity.――My brother,
I have been so expanded whilst writing, that I must refer you to other
friends, to know how graciously GOD hath dealt with
Your affectionate brother in CHRIST,
_G. W._
♦ ‘mater’ replaced with ‘matter’