LETTER CCIV.
To Mr. W—— D——.
Savannah, June 28, 1740.
My dear Brother,
I Thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions; and trust shall always reckon those my choicest friends, who, in simplicity and meekness, tell me the corruptions of my heart. It is that faithfulness which hath endeared J—— S—— to me. I think I never was obliged to any one so much before: for that reason also I find my heart knit to you. O my dear brother, still continue faithful to my soul: do not hate me in your heart; in any wise reprove me. Exhort all my dear brethren to forgive my past (I fear) too imperious carriage; and let them pray that I may know myself to be what I really am, less than the least of them all. I have abundant reason to bless God for sending me abroad. I cannot say I have improved my retirement as I ought; but I can say it hath been highly beneficial to my soul. I have a garden near at hand, where I go particularly to meet and talk with my God, at the cool of every day. I often sit in silence, offering my soul as so much clay, to be stamped just as my heavenly potter pleases: and whilst I am musing, I am often filled as it were with the fulness of God. I am frequently at Calvary, and frequently on Mount Tabor; but always assured of my Lord’s everlasting love. O continue to pray for me, that I may know myself even as I am known. I want to have a proper mixture of the lion and the lamb, of the serpent and the dove. I do not despair of attaining it. Jesus is love; Jesus willeth my perfection; Jesus hath died for me; Jesus can deny me nothing. He hath given me himself; will he not then freely give me all things besides? I wait for thy compleat salvation, O Lord! My dear brother, my heart is now enlarged. Your prayer is answered. The whole Godhead now fills my soul. O grace, grace! O Jesu, Jesu! was ever love like thine! Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes. O that I could praise thee! that I could love thee as I ought! My dear brother, I hear you have been zealous for the Lord your God since my departure. You have done well: you never can be zealous for a better master: but why, silent? why withdrawn? Did you go before you was called or qualified? If so, you have done right: but I suspend my judgment; for I find there is no judging at a distance. I only pray God that you may always feel yourself a very poor sinner, and find refuge in the wounds and blood of the Lamb. I rejoice to hear the work of God goes on, and heartily wish you may not be divided among yourselves. Our dear Lord is with us here: I only want a few more gracious, solid assistants. The Lord will send them in his due time to
Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCV.
To J—— B——.
Good Hope, (South-Carolina) July 2, 1740.
My dear Brother B——,
IS it true, that one night whilst you was expounding, you told your hearers, from your own experience, that “they could not go on without throwing aside the means of grace?” or words to that purpose? If so, I pity you; for you are not only misled yourself, but are also misguiding others. But this is no more than I expected. I think you begun to teach too soon, and before you had a commission given you from above. Brother J—— was of the same opinion, before I left England. For that reason, I would not take you to Georgia. Blessed be God, I have no such over-forward spirits there. My dear B——, I write in love. For Christ’s sake try your spirit: I fear you was never yet truly humbled. I know you have had joy; but I always thought it was joy floating on the surface of an unmortified heart. From such a joy, good Lord deliver us! O that you had been in the wilderness a little longer! then you might have been an experienced teacher; but I fear you are now only a novice. May the Lord keep you from falling into the condemnation of the devil. I write not this to damp, but to regulate your spirit; if you are humble, you will take it kind. God knows, I wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets; but I would not have my Master’s work suffer by a too heady way of proceeding. Why should you dishonour him by acting above your sphere; whereas you might honour him by acting in it. Every one is not fit to be a public expounder. To build up awakened sinners in private, is what is more wanted at present than young unexperienced preachers. But I have done; I fear I have offended my brother: forgive me this wrong. As God was pleased first to work upon you by my ministry, you must always expect to be watched over by
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCVI.
Charles-Town, July 11, 1740.
Dear Mr. R——,
YOUR letter much rejoiced me. O that you may still follow on, till you truly know the Lord! I shall be glad to have you for a scribe, if you are well instructed in the things which belong to the kingdom of heaven. Keep close, my dear friend, keep close to the dear Mr. T——s: under God, they will build you up in your most holy faith. It gladdens my heart to hear of their success in the Lord. The Lord increase them more and more, and multiply the number of their spiritual children! I suppose brother G——’s letter informed you what a speedy passage the Lord gave us, and how we were received at Georgia. Surely I shall never see the like again, till I meet the sons of God in glory. Praise the Lord, O my soul! my dear friend, help me to praise the Lord. I have been here above a week. The Lord hath been pleased to work on many hearts. On Sunday the commissary denied me the sacrament; but my dear Master fed me, notwithstanding, with the bread which cometh down from heaven. Persecution seems to be coming on more and more. My dear friend, see that you are rooted and grounded in love and faith; or how will you stand fast in a dying hour? With difficulty I write this before morning service. I preach generally, in town or country, twice a-day. The heat is great; but the Lord enables me to bear the burden of it. Next month, God willing, I go to New-England, and hope to see Philadelphia in November. On Tuesday next I am cited to appear before the commissary and his court in a judicial way: the event I leave to my dear Lord Jesus. O dear Mr. R——, let not the cross keep you from Jesus. If we suffer, we shall reign with him. Salute your honoured mother in my name, and all that love our dear Lord in sincerity, from, dear Mr. R——,
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCVII.
To Mr. J—— R——.
Charles-Town, July 15, 1740.
Dear J——,
MAY you answer your name, be freely gracious, and filled with as much love as he was, who leaned on the sacred bosom of our dear Redeemer. I believe God has begun; if so, God will carry on the good work in your heart. It is the Lord’s doing. Not unto me, not unto me; but to free, rich, distinguishing, sovereign grace, be all the glory! The wearing off, or forgetting your convictions formerly, ought to make you more jealous of yourself now. The more you see the enmity of the heart, the better: you cannot then avoid abhorring yourself in dust and ashes. I rejoice you have been at Neshamini. I can say of Mr. T—— and their brethren, as David did of Goliah’s sword, “None like them.” I am glad you and my friend R—— are acquainted. O see that you keep one another warm, and be zealous for the Lord your God. I wonder not at your master’s insinuations. Indeed, dear J——, you must be tried thoroughly, if you would approve yourself to the glorious Emmanuel. Exhort all to die for him, rather than deny him in any wise. I find my suffering time at hand: but my dear Lord comforts me with his gracious and refreshing presence. A good work is carrying on here: let my dear friends help it forwards by their prayers. My love to all at the society; and accept of the same from
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCVIII.
To Mr. B——, in Pensylvania.
Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.
My dear Brother,
PRAISE the Lord, O my soul! Our glorious Emmanuel seems to have girt his sword upon his thigh, and to be riding on from conquering to conquer. He gets himself the victory in Philadelphia. He is getting himself the victory in Charles-Town also. Indeed a glorious work is begun, and carrying on here. Many souls are awakened to a sense of the divine life.—The alteration in the people since I came here at first, is surprizing. I preach twice a day, generally, either in town or in the villages around. The commissary shoots out his arrows, even bitter words. He hath denied me the sacrament, and cited me to appear before him and his court; I was obliged to appeal home. O my dear brother, pray that I may be humble and of a child-like spirit. Every day God shews me fresh instances of his love. Here are some faithful ministers amongst the baptists. One of them, Mr. C——, has wrote to you; pray answer him. Some time next month I hope to be at New England, and to return to you according to promise. Be pleased to salute the brethren in my name. Indeed I honour and love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O that I was worthy of your acquaintance! But I am not. All that I can say is, that I will endeavour to approve myself
Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCIX.
To Mr. I. R——.
Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.
My Dear Friend,
I Thank you for going with friend E—— and B—— to Nazareth. May God bless you, and cause great good to come to that place! God seems to be carrying on as great a work in Charles-Town, comparatively speaking, as in Philadelphia. Surely our Lord intends to set the world in a flame. O that the holy fire of his divine love was kindled in every heart! Be pleased to read what I have sent to Mr. N——. If you please you may print that extract, which I sent from my journal: God willing, I hope to be at New England by the beginning of September, and to be refreshed with your and my dear friend’s letters. Indeed, I love you all in the bowels of my dear Lord Jesus. Do not let us forsake him. Let us not be ashamed of him, though we live in a crooked and perverse generation. I thank my dear friends for their zeal in building a house;¹ but desire it may not have any particular name, or be put to any particular use, till my return to Philadelphia. I wish them good luck in the name of the Lord. Last night I appeared a third time in a public court; but they not accepting my Recusatio judicis, I appealed home; so that now I have free liberty to embark when providence pleaseth. O my dear friend, think of a bleeding, dying Lord. Keep close to him, and exhort all friends to pray and give thanks for
Your assured friend and servant,
G. W.
¹ This is now the college at Philadelphia.
LETTER CCX.
To Mr. G—— L——.
Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.
Dear Brother L——,
GOD will work, and who shall hinder? The sacrament hath been refused to me, and I have appeared thrice in open court, before the commissary and some of his clergy; but our Lord rides on, from conquering to conquer. Many, I believe, are really pricked to the heart. The commissary’s detaining me here, has much tended to the furtherance of the gospel. I put in my exceptions against his sitting as my judge, and they were repelled; so that I have appealed home, and all other proceedings here are stopped. By this means I shall have liberty to preach the gospel without further interruption, and my call to England will be more clear. The enclosed paper will shew you what is doing in Philadelphia. Private letters received from thence last night and this morning, have much refreshed my heart. Many souls are flocking to the Lord Jesus. I need not exhort you to praise the Lord. You may advertise what paragraphs you think proper, only add that Philadelphia people are building a house for me to preach in, 106 feet long and 74 feet wide. The Lord is bringing mighty things to pass. I am surprizingly strengthened to bear the heat and burden of every day. My dear Lord never leaves nor forsakes me, but works by my unworthy ministry more and more. O that I was humble! O that I was a little, little child! I know not how soon I may be called to England. The inhabitants here are wondrous kind. They attend morning and evening most chearfully on my preaching. We often see the stately steps of our dear Lord in his sanctuary. I am more than happy. I am amazed at the divine goodness. Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes! See the wonders of the Lord; help us to praise him. Excuse me to all my dear friends. For this fortnight past I have not wrote a word of my journal. My sermons, &c. are bought off exceedingly, northward. O pray that an humble child-like spirit may be given to
Ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCXI.
To the Reverend Mr. D——.
Savannah, August 15, 1740.
My dear Brother D——,
OUR dear Lord (after being pleased to bring me low by bodily sickness) now gives me liberty to write to you. Whilst I am writing, I find my heart united with yours. I hope we have both drank into the same spirit, and are both instances of the same sovereign, distinguishing, everlasting love. O let us extol it! O let us improve daily! And since God sees fit that we shall not die, but live, let us lay ourselves out to declare the works of the Lord. I am ashamed of my past unfruitfulness. Had others received the stock, that hath been intrusted to me, how would they have improved it? Indeed I am an unprofitable servant. In the righteousness of Jesus my Lord, is my only refuge. Well may God afflict me; I richly deserve it; and when he brings me low, nothing grieves me so much, as to think that I should be so froward as to oblige the God of love to strike me with his rod. But oh the goodness of the Lord! His rod, as well as staff, do comfort and build up my soul. I would not but be tried for ten thousand worlds. Blessed be God, I am enabled to clasp the cross, and desire to glory in nothing more. Dear brother, help me with your prayers. Our victorious Jesus makes his power to be known; many have I seen struck quite down by the power of the word. The holy Ghost hath often come like a mighty rushing wind. Satan has desired to sift us as wheat. But our Lord still shews me, that the orphan-house will go on and flourish. It is often a great weight upon my soul; but through your and my dear friends prayers, the Lord I am persuaded will still support it.
Yours eternally in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCXII.
To Mr. N——, in New York.
Savannah, Aug. 15, 1740.
My dear Brother,
YOUR letter rejoiced my heart. May our dear Lord’s kingdom be advanced more and more every day! O that I may meet you at New-England! Blessed be God that Mr. M—— is yet alive. Salute him from me; I hope to see him before I die, and so be taught the way of God more perfectly. I thank you for your kind hints; I have always paid great deference to dear Mr. N——’s judgment: indeed I love him in the bowels of Jesus. God has been pleased to bring me low, for some time, by inward weakness, and faintness of spirits. The first strength that is given me to write, I make use of in writing to you. The Lord is purging me, that I may bring forth more fruit. I long to die, not that I may be rid of crosses, but that I may be with Christ. He draws me more and more to him every day. I have had many close domestic trials of late. But these words, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God,” came with sweet power to my soul. I find, the nearer I come to Christ, the closer my trials are. I have been sometimes through weakness kept from preaching; but when I have spoken, the word has come with power. I have reason to think, that three persons who came to see the orphan-house, have been effectually called by our Lord Jesus. I have now some Carolina visitors in my house; two of them, I believe, are coming truly to Jesus.—The word runs like lightning in Charles-Town. A serious lively Baptist minister, named Tilly, is here also; he has preached often for me, and last Sunday received the sacrament in our way.—O bigotry, thou art tumbling down a-pace! Blessed be God.—Next week, God willing, I embark for Charles-Town, shall stay there a few days, and from thence purpose going to New-England. God wonderfully provides for my orphans.—I am kept from every degree of doubting; nay, the Lord fills me daily with a full assurance of faith. He chastens and corrects me, but it is all in love. O help me to praise him, and thereby add to the obligations already laid on, dear Mr. N——,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCXIII.
To Mrs. L——.
Charles-Town, Aug. 22, 1740.
Honoured Mother,
ALTHOUGH I had not the pleasure of receiving one line, either from your dear self, or from any other of my beloved friends; yet my heart was rejoiced just now by a sailor, who told me, that he saw and conversed with you the twenty-ninth of May last. I thank you for the salutation sent to me by him. Indeed I thank you from my very heart: for I feel myself unworthy of your notice. Every day I love and honour you more and more; and when you come to judgment, God will shew you how many tears I have shed in secret for you and my dear sister. O let them not be in vain! Honoured Mother, fly to Jesus.—Behold, with open arms, yonder he stands, ready to embrace you, if you feel your misery, and are willing to come to him to find rest. May the great God, who only can govern the wills and affections of sinful men, make you willing in the day of his power! Yesterday God brought me hither again. In a few days, I hope to embark for New-England; thence, God willing, you may expect another letter. For near six weeks past I have been under great weakness of body; but notwithstanding have been enabled sometimes to preach with great power. I am now somewhat better, but, without a miracle, cannot think of being long below. Indeed, honoured Mother, I every day long to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Pray tell Mr. W——, that Mr. H——, and I—— B——, with one or two more of their relations, I believe, are effectually called of God. We had much power at Savannah. God hath sent me some family trials; but all things are working for good. I am, honoured Mother,
Your ever dutiful son,
G. W.
LETTER CCXIV.
To the Reverend Mr. J—— W——.
Charles-Town, Aug. 25, 1740.
Dear and Honoured Sir,
LAST night I had the pleasure of receiving an extract of your journal.—This morning I took a walk and read it. I pray God to give it his blessing. Many things I trust will prove beneficial, especially the account of yourself. Only, give me leave with all humility to exhort you not to be strenuous in opposing the doctrines of election and final perseverance, when, by your own confession, “you have not the witness of the spirit within yourself,” and consequently are not a proper judge. I remember dear brother E—— told me one day, that “he was convinced of the perseverance of the saints.” I told him, you was not. He replied, but he will be convinced when he hath got the spirit himself. I am assured, God has now for some years given me this living witness in my soul. I cannot say, I have since indulged any doubts (at least for no considerable time) about the forgiveness of my sins; nay, I can scarce say, that I ever doubted at all. When I have been nearest death, my evidences have been the clearest. I can say, I have been on the borders of Canaan, and do every day, nay, almost every moment, long for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; not to evade sufferings, but with a single desire to see his blessed face. I feel his blessed spirit daily filling my soul and body, as plain as I feel the air which I breathe, or the food I eat.—Perhaps the doctrines of election and of final perseverance hath been abused, (and what doctrine has not,) but notwithstanding, it is children’s bread, and ought not in my opinion to be with-held from them, supposing it is always mentioned with proper cautions against the abuse. Dear and Honoured Sir, I write not this to enter into disputation. I hope, at this time, I feel something of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. I cannot bear the thoughts of opposing you: but how can I avoid it, if you go about (as your brother C—— once said) to drive John Calvin out of Bristol. Alas, I never read any thing that Calvin wrote; my doctrines I had from Christ and his apostles; I was taught them of God; and as God was pleased to send me out first, and to enlighten me first, so I think he still continues to do it. My business seems to be chiefly in planting; if God send you to water, I praise his name.—I wish you a thousand-fold increase. I find, by young W——’s letter, there is disputing among you about election, and perfection.—I pray God to put a stop to it, for what good end will it answer?—I wish I knew your principles fully; did you write oftner, and more frankly, it might have a better effect than silence and reserve. I have lately had many domestic trials, and that about points of doctrine, not by myself, but from others in my absence. I daily wait upon God, depending on his promise, that all things, even this, shall work together for my good. Many in Charles-Town, I believe, are called of God. You may now find a christian, without searching the town as with a candle. Mr. G—— is less furious, at least in public. He hath expended all his strength, and finds he cannot prevail. Adieu, Honoured Sir, Adieu! My health is better, since I last left Charles Town, and am now freed from domestic cares. With almost tears of love to you, and the brethren, do I subscribe myself, honoured Sir,
Your most affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCXV.
To Mrs. J—— L——, in Bristol.
Charles-Town, Aug. 26, 1740.
Dear J——,
I Hope you and your little society go on and prosper. I hear there are divisions among you. Avoid them if possible. The doctrines of election, and of final perseverance, I hold as well as you.—But then, they are not to be contended for with heat and passion. Such a proceeding will only prejudice the cause you would defend. Pray shew this to your other friends.—Exhort them to avoid all clamour, and evil speaking, and with meekness receive the ingrafted word which is able to save your soul. God has begun a great work here, and in other parts of America; but yet, I believe, I shall shortly have a call to England. O pray it may be the divine will, that I may have a prosperous journey; and that you may see me grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.—With tenderest love to all, I am
Your affectionate brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCXVI.
To the Right Reverend Father in God, Edmund Lord Bishop of London.
On board the Savannah, bound from Charles-Town to Boston, September —, 1740.
My Lord,
ALTHOUGH your Lordship has been pleased to caution the people against running into those extremes, to which your Lordship apprehended my doctrine would lead men; yet I am persuaded that will not any way influence your Lordship, as to the contents of this letter. The one single point which it contains, is this query, “Whether the commissary of South-Carolina has power given him from your Lordship, to exercise any judicial authority against me, or any other clergyman, who doth not belong to his province?” The reason of my putting this question, I suppose your Lordship will be apprized of, before this reaches your Lordship’s hands. I have been lately cited to appear in an ecclesiastical court, erected by the Reverend Mr. G——, for not reading the common prayer in the meeting-house, which I was obliged to preach in at Charles-Town, (unless I would be silent) because the commissary would not let me have the use of his church. I appeared, and have appealed, according to law, to four of his majesty’s commissioners for reviewing appeals, to know, whether the commissary ought not to have accepted a Recusatio judicis, which I lodged in court. This, I suppose, they will determine. I only desire your Lordship’s explicit opinion and determination, whether Mr. G——, (supposing he hath power over his own clergy,) has authority to erect such a court to arraign me, who belong to the province of Georgia. The bearer hereof will give me your Lordship’s answer. In favouring me with which, your Lordship will oblige, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s obedient son and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCXVII.
To Mr. P——.
Boston, Sept. 19, 1740.
My dear Brother,
I Have just now read your kind letter. Blessed be the Lord, for imparting somewhat of his divine presence to your soul. O may he fill you brimful, and enable you so to preach, that all your adversaries may not be able to gainsay or resist. Never fear undertaking to preach without notes; remember the promise, “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” By my master’s leave, I propose to preach with you, and dear brother W——. I am a worm and no man: I deserve to be the outcast of the people. On Sunday I arrived at Rhode-Island. Our Lord called some. Yesterday I came hither, to-day I preached. May the Lord give a divine increase to the seed sown! A great work is carrying on at Charles-Town. The spirit of God is moving in different parts of the world. O my dear, dear brother, let us up and be doing, and the Lord will be with us. The world is lying in the wicked one. May God make you instrumental to deliver thousands from his cursed slavery! With difficulty I redeem time to write this. Brother B——, and B——, are with me. I will endeavour to give you notice of my coming. In the mean while, cease not praying for
Your weak and unworthy brother,
G. W.
LETTER CCXVIII.
To Mr. N——, at New-York.
Boston, Sept. 23, 1740.
My dear Brother,
HITHER God brought me on Thursday evening: I preached once on Friday, and twice every day since. The power of the Lord advances sweetly. Our Lord, I believe, will revive his work in the midst of the years; he enables me to preach plainly. Some ministers, I hope, will be quickened, as well as people. They attend, and are exceeding civil, as also the governor. I wrote to you from Rhode Island; I shall call there, as I come to you. On Monday, God willing, I shall set out to see Mr. M——, and on Monday fortnight hope to go to Northampton. All the packets of letters came safe. God bless my dear, dear Brother N—— for his great care. Friends from England write strange things; God, I believe, calls me thither. Mr. W—— and the M——s, I think, are sadly erroneous in some points of doctrine. When I see you, I will communicate many particulars; now, I have scarce time to write this. Our dear Lord sweetly fills me with his presence. My heaven is begun indeed. I feast on the fatted calf. The Lord strengthens me mightily in the inner man. I find a few souls left in Sardis that have not defiled their garments. Excuse me to Mr. P——; I have not time to answer his kind letter! Adieu; I hope to be with you in about five weeks.—I pray for dear Brother T——, that he may espouse more souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.—My hearty love to all.
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCXIX.
To Mr. A——.
Boston, Sept. 23, 1740.
My dear Brother A——,
I Thank you for your letter: May the Lord enable me to send you an answer of peace. Sinless perfection, I think, is unattainable in this life. Shew me a man that could ever justly say, “I am perfect.” It is enough if we can say so, when we bow down our heads and give up the ghost. Indwelling sin remains till death, even in the regenerate, as the article of the church expresses it.—There is no man that liveth and sinneth not in thought, word, and deed: However, to affirm such a thing as perfection, and to deny final perseverance, what an absurdity is this? To be incapable of sinning, and capable of being finally damned, is a contradiction in terms. From such doctrine may I ever turn away! Labour, dear Mr. A. to be holy, even as God is holy; but do not look for complete perfection here below. What is this, but in effect to vacate the righteousness of Christ? I hear many amongst you who begun in the spirit, are now ending in the flesh. Christ hath freely justified them, i. e. entitled them to all his merits, and yet they must do so and so to keep themselves in a justified state. Alas, this is sorry divinity; I have not so learned Christ. No, his gifts and callings are without repentance. Whom he loves, he loves to the end. Work I will, but not to keep myself in a justified state. My Lord hath secured that; but I will work to shew my gratitude for his putting me into a justified state. O that all would study the covenant of grace. Dear Mr. A. I feel that I love you, and I find myself carried out to write in this manner. My Lord blesses me with all spiritual blessings; he causes me to rejoice in his salvation. I pray him to carry on his work in London, and to keep his church from errors; but there must be a sifting as well as a gathering time. It is meet that such offences should come. All shall work together for good to those who are called after God’s purpose: They shall finally be saved. This much comforts, dear Brother A——,
Your affectionate brother in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCXX.
To H. H. in Wales.
Boston, Sept. 24, 1740.
AND is dear Brother H. H. yet alive in body and soul? Blessed be God, who causes those that wait on him to renew their strength. I rejoice in your success: May you mount with wings like eagles, walk and not be weary, run and not be faint! You shall not be taken or hurt, till the appointed hour is come. I hope your conversation was blessed to dear Mr. W. O that the Lord may batter down his free-will, and compel him to own his sovereignty and everlasting love! Some of F—— Lane society, I fear, are running into sad errors; but this happens for our trial, especially mine. Those that before, I suppose, would have plucked out their eyes for me, now I suspect, I shall see very shy, and avoiding me. This is my comfort, the Lord is a never-failing friend; his truth will make its way in spite of all carnal reasoning. O pray for me that I may have the spirit of judgment and a sound mind. My coming to England will try my fidelity to my Master: Nothing but his strength can enable me to hear all contradictions with meekness, and to preach with love his everlasting truths. O that all would study the covenant of grace! The more I look into it, the more is my soul delighted. Dear Brother H. adieu. My dear friend J. S. sits by and cordially salutes you. I hope you have received my letters. I expect to hear from you by dear Brother S. God is working powerfully in America. He fills me with his presence, and causes me to go on my way rejoicing. Grace! grace! I greet all most affectionately, and am, dear Brother H.
Yours eternally,
G. W.