_To the Rev. Mr. L――――._
_Doncaster, Sept. 7, 1748._
_Rev. and dear Sir_,
OUR last short interview at _Stone-house_ pleased me. I hope it foreboded something good. I told you the truth when I said, “I had not forgotten you.” No, neither have I been suffered to think hardly of you for your shyness to unworthy me; only I have thought you were loosing time, and for fear of displeasing a few mortal men, had acted a part displeasing to the invisible, immortal, and only wise GOD. Good Sir _John Philips_ used to call you _sincere_. I believe that is your right name. I cannot help thinking but you will prove it to be so ere long. That love which JESUS shed abroad in your heart years ago, must constrain you to confess him before man. The light which the LORD hath imparted to you, cannot, I am persuaded, be much longer hid under a bushel. The shackles with which you have been fettered, must be shaken off, or I am much mistaken in the dear man to whom I am writing. ――Pardon me, my dear old friend. My heart at present overflows with love towards you. Though weary and on a journey, I cannot help writing to you. Fear not temporal support. Though I went without scrip or shoe, I have lacked nothing; or if I had nothing; in JESUS I have possessed all things. I do not envy those who choose to sleep in a whole skin. Let me have scars, so that they are scars of honour, scars for JESUS CHRIST. I know who will approve of them, when he comes to judgment. O that day! that awful day! GOD enable us so to act, that we may receive an _Euge bone_! Out of the fulness of my heart I write thus. I am now on my way to _Scotland_. The LORD JESUS hath blessed me in _London_. As soon as possible I intend calling upon you. If you have a mind to renew our old delightful christian correspondence, I am quite willing. I wish you and yours the best of blessings, and am, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST, _G. W._