AND would not dear Mr. —— stay for my last letter? What, is he retired into the country to learn how to forget his God? Is he got into favour with the polite world? Are not these sad symptoms, that my dearest Mr. —— is falling away a-pace? He runned into one extreme lately, and now satan is driving him into another. Did not I forwarn you of this? O my dear friend, my brother, return to your first love, otherwise you will find the spirit of God deserting you more and more every day. Nemo repente fuit turpissimus. But I can say no more.—Perhaps I am troublesome. However, give me leave to weep. Permit me to pray for you. Though you are now dead comparatively, yet, I trust, you will be alive. Though now seemingly lost, yet surely you shall be found again. God only knows how such news would rejoice the heart of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend in the best bonds,
G. W.
LETTER LXI.
——, August 7, 1739.
Dear Mr. ——,
I Thank you most heartily for your last: Had you been more particular, I should have thanked you still more. May God reward you for watching over my soul! Pride and selfishness are the tempers of the devil. By the help of my God I will never rest till my Master gives me power to overcome them. It is difficult, I believe, to go through the fiery trial of popularity and applause untainted. Blessed be God, I am now sweetly retired. O help me, my dear Sir, by your prayers, as well as your advice, and believe me desirous to subscribe myself,
Your’s most affectionately in our dear Lord Jesus,
G. W.