LETTER M.
To Mr. G——.
Gloucester, November 16, 1753.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter I received, and would have answered it during my stay in London (which was only a few days) but really I was almost killed with a multiplicity of business. The journals also I would have sent immediately, but knew not how.—My wife promised me to embrace the first opportunity that offered, and I hope ere long they will come safe to hand. As for my pointing out particular passages, it is impracticable; I have neither leisure nor inclination so to do. At present, my doings and writings appear to me in so mean a light, that I think they deserve no other treatment than to be buried in eternal oblivion. “Behold, I am vile, I am vile,” is all that I can say to God or man. And yet, amazing love! vile as I am, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, still delights to honour me, by owning and succeeding my poor feeble labours. Great things were done in and about Newcastle; but far greater did we see afterwards in Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since that, I have been another tour, and have preached at Liverpool, Chester, Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley, Wednesbury, Kidderminster, Northampton, Bedford, &c. &c. Ere now I suppose Mr. B—— P—— hath informed you, what apostolical treatment we met with at Nantwich. Lord, what am I, that I should be accounted worthy to suffer reproach for thy great name sake? At present I am in my native country, where the Lord of all Lords hath vouchsafed to give us several precious meetings. After a few days sojourning here, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and in about three weeks, I purpose to betake myself to my winter quarters. Blessed be God, I have had good news from Georgia. O that we all may at length safely arrive in Abraham’s harbour! From thence we shall never put to sea again. My dear Sir, in the mean while, let us pray for each other. Christ is in our ship, and therefore it will not sink. I commend you and yours, and all my other never to be forgotten Glasgow friends, to his never-failing protection, and beg them, for Christ’s sake, to always remember to pray for, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MI.
To Mr. S——.