G. W.
LETTER DCXCVI.
To Mr. B——.
Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.
My dear Sir,
LAST night, after wondering at your being silent so long, I received your wished-for letter. The reading it brought tears from my eyes. I felt for you, and for your father, and for all parties concerned. How lovingly does the Lord deal with you? Is not the way of duty the way of safety? Should you not both agree to let matters lie as they are, and not go one step farther till you know your father’s mind? You have given him your word; you must not go back. My affair came to as near a crisis, and yet I was called to sacrifice my Rachael. It may not be so with you. But prepare for the worst. Assure yourself, that your present passion, at least as to the excess of it, is sinful. If all is right, why such uneasiness for such a small space of time? Why such a long eclipse in the soul? Alas! B——’s has been almost total. I hope you are now coming out of it. Thanks be to that Jesus, who has promised “that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear,” but will with the temptation make a way to escape. You see, my dear man, my love by my sympathy and plainness. Pray remember me to your aged father in the kindest manner. Dear old man! he is worthy of your greatest regard. His account of the legacy is true.—Yes, my dear friend, the Lord Jesus does reign indeed, and therefore I shall be delivered out of all my troubles. You will give thanks in my behalf. He has appeared for me here. Congregations have been very large, and several things have concurred to prove that providence did indeed call me to Scotland. I would not but have come for the world. Last night I came hither from Glasgow, and thought to leave this place as next Tuesday, but perhaps it may be the Tuesday following. I fear I cannot write to any more this post. But whether I write or not, whether absent or present, you must always remember me, as
Your assured friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.