_To Mr. J―――― S――――, at Georgia._
_On board the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741._
_Dear John_,
YOUR case puts me in mind of that passage, where we are told that our
LORD looked upon _Peter_. Surely, he has looked upon and prayed for
you, otherwise how would Satan have sifted you? But see what comfort
another passage may afford you, “Go tell my brethren and _Peter_.”
Poor, weeping, penitent _Peter_ must in no wise be forgotten. “Go
tell them that I am risen.” Here are glad tidings of great joy
to a disconsolate soul. May GOD apply it to your’s in particular.
Dear _John_, may you learn from hence to stab your dear Saviour no
more. I wonder not that you are in darkness. GOD will surely visit
your offences with a rod, and your backslidings with some spiritual
scourge. That is enough to keep us from sinning, though we know that
his loving-kindness he will not utterly take from us, nor suffer his
truth to fail. How dearly did _David_ pay for his stolen sweets? What
anguish has your poor soul felt, since I left you. Blessed be GOD,
that he has awakened you out of sleep. O free grace! I rejoice, yea
and I will rejoice. That you may never provoke GOD to leave you to
yourself, is the earnest prayer of, dear _John_,
Ever yours,
_G. W._