_To the Reverend Mr. E―――― E――――, at Sterling._
_Edinburgh, June 10, 1742._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_,
I Am now at Mr. _G――――_’s house; and finding his wife about to set out for _Sterling_, the love which I bear you, for my dear Master’s sake, constrains me to send you a line. It is some concern to me, that our difference as to outward things, should cut off our sweet fellowship and communion with each other. GOD knows my heart, I highly value and honour you. Reverend and dear Sir, I do assure you I love you and your brethren more than ever. I applaud your zeal for GOD; and though, in some respects, I think it not according to knowledge, and to be levelled frequently against me, yet indeed I feel no resentment in my heart, and should joyfully sit down and hear you and your other brethren preach. I salute them all; and pray our common LORD to give us all a right judgment in all things. I hope the glorious _Emmanuel_ will be present at the sacrament, and make himself known to you in breaking of bread. I have made bold to send you the inclosed pamphlets, and should be glad to know your opinion of them. When I shall come to _Sterling_, I know not. However, I earnestly pray for you and yours. I could drop a tear. O when shall the time come, when the watchmen will see eye to eye? Hasten that time, our LORD and our GOD! But perhaps I am troublesome. Forgive me, reverend and dear Sir, being, without dissimulation, your
Younger brother and servant in the gospel of CHRIST,