Dear Mr. Gibraltar Harbour Feb. 24, 1738.
I Bless God for inclining your heart to take my advice. I know it was intended well, and I hope proceeded from the spirit of God. The many fatal consequences I have daily seen, proceeding from conversing with lukewarm christians, makes me jealous of my dear friends, lest they should be infected by them; and the great tendency I find in my own heart to catch every infection, makes me to resolve for myself, and to put others on resolving to keep no set company but with religious persons. I hope by this time I may wish you joy of settling a new society with Messrs. ; and I doubt not but your hearts have already burnt within you, whilst you talked to one another of the scriptures of truth. I am sure there is scarce a night has passed over my head but I have wrestled with God for you, and prayed that he would prosper this work of your hands upon you. My hearty desire and daily petition at the throne of grace is, that you may be saved; and tho' I know not much of your dear wife's temper, yet I pray, that she may be meek and lowly in heart, not easily provoked, nor answer unnecessarily again. I pray, that you both may walk as Zachary and Elizabeth did before the Lord blameless, that you may love one another, as Christ and the church, and see your children like olive-*branches round about your table. I pray, that you may persevere in the good way you have begun, that you may abstain from all appearance of evil, and dare to be exemplarily good. I pray, that you may practice an universal self-denial, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. I could say much more, but must away to Gibraltar; one of the Majors of the regiments has sent for me, having provided a lodging at a merchant's house unknown to me. Oh admire God's goodness! Accept my thanks and love, and believe me to be, more than words can express,
Your affectionate friend in Christ,
G. W.
