_To Mr. Peter S――――, in London._
_Bristol, Jan. 7, 1742._
I Have been obeying your request: I mean, bowing my knees before the
GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST in your behalf. O that he may
live before thee; that he may escape the pollutions that are in the
world through lust; that he may be filled with all the fulness of GOD,
was the breathing and language of my heart. I trust the LORD is now
working upon brother _S――――_. He seems to have had some discoveries of
the Redeemer’s love. May my dear _Peter_ receive the full assurance of
faith, and be truly fixed upon the rock of ages! “Even so LORD JESUS
come quickly. Amen and amen.” Excuse my writing to you in this manner,
but GOD has put into my heart such an undissembled love for you,
and your dear brothers, that I cannot be satisfied ’till I see the
Redeemer’s love shed abroad in all your hearts by the Holy Ghost. Ah
_Peter_, _Peter_, I trust JESUS prays for thee, and then the world
shall not steal away thy heart from GOD. Satan hath been sifting me
severely, these two or three days. I have had some close combats with
the great dragon, but JESUS hath gotten himself the victory. I am
enabled greatly to rejoice. For, “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptations; when he ♦is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.”
The brightness of it, even at this distance, dazzles my sight. Yet
a little while, and JESUS CHRIST shall give it unto us. Dear brother
_K――――_ has got the start of us. Happy man! He is at the end of his
race. I sympathize with, and have been praying for his surviving
friends. The LORD enable us all to walk so circumspectly, that the
common enemy may not have an occasion to speak reproachfully of
us. But whither am I running? Excuse me, dear _Peter_. GOD gives
me freedom in writing to, and praying for you. I hope dear brother
_R――――_ received my last in good part. GOD only knows how the
happiness of both of you is longed for by, dear brother,
Yours in the crucified JESUS,
_G. W._
♦ ‘his’ replaced with ‘is’