LETTER CCCCIV.
To Mr. G—— H——, in Gloucester.
London, March, 12, 1742.
Dear Mr. H——,
BY no means leave off reading to the society. It is not taking too much upon you, or going out of your depth. The cause of your so much as thinking to decline, is not good. The more unworthy you are, the more glory will you give to a glorious Redeemer: the greater sinner you are, the more feelingly will you read of, and recommend the glorious Ransom paid for sinners. Go on, my dear man; venture boldly to the throne of grace; fear not.—God will heal our backslidings; he loves us freely. Jesus hath been my glorious Saviour. I would have mentioned this affair of the society in my last, but I was then ignorant of it.—My dear wife has written to dear Mrs. H——. How does the dear woman as to spirituals? I do not despair of seeing you both good christians. Jesus is almighty. Go to him just as you are. The Lord be with you both! I suppose you have seen the letter sent to dear M. C—— by brother S——. My tender love to him, and all that love the blessed Emmanuel. I have seen Mr. J——. The Lord is wonderfully good to me. Pray send a line to, dear Sir,
Yours affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCV.
To Miss R——.
London, March 18, 1742.
Dear Miss,
I Am yet of opinion, there is mercy and love laid up for you in the heart of the blessed Jesus. You look backward, instead of forward. You look into yourself, instead of looking up to Him, who is mighty and willing to save. O that you may have strength to go to him just as you are! You would then be delivered from your bondage. The case of the poor Syrophœnician woman may give you comfort. How did the Lamb of God seem as it were to turn lion? How did he seem to turn a deaf ear to her complaints? And yet heard and loved her all the while. Why may not you believe? He will yet say to you, “Be it unto you even as thou wilt.” I fear some tell you, that it is well to doubt. Indeed they are mistaken. Dear Miss, expect great things from Jesus Christ. “He is able to do abundantly for you above what you can ask or think.” His name, his nature is Love. Fear not; be not faithless, but believing. Wait, and you shall yet see the salvation of God. In Jesus there is plenteous redemption. That you may feel the full power of his blood, prays, dear Miss,
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCVI.
To Mr. W——, in Bristol.
London, April 6, 1742.
My dear, yea very dear Brother,
YOU must needs think, that your kind letter gave me no small pleasure. Glory be to God for that rich love wherewith he hath loved you! Surely Jesus Christ will be now exceeding precious to your dear soul. What does he now require of you, but to walk humbly, closely, and with a child-like simplicity before him? He hath followed you, as well as prevented you with his mercies, and would suffer nothing to take you out of his hands. Satan hath desired you, satan has sifted you as wheat; but Jesus, that friend of sinners, hath prayed for you, and therefore your faith hath not failed. The Lord hath looked upon my dear Samuel. Methinks I see him weeping tears of love, and saying, “Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth now.”
I doubt not but many will reproach you for your past backsliding, and question your future stability. Let all serve to humble you in the dust, and drive you to the loving Jesus for refuge. “In him,” surely shall my dear friend say, “I have righteousness and strength.” Look up to him, and you shall be delivered from, nay, made more than conqueror over every temptation. He will fight your battles for you, and crown you when you have done. Dear Mr. W——, the love of Jesus now swallows up my soul. I see him more and more lovely every day. In Jesus there is plenteous redemption. He came, that we might have life, nay that we might have it more abundantly. O what a blessing is it to be redeemed from a vain conversation, and from this present evil world. O that every poor sinner felt it! Then would his children agree in one, and divisions would be at an end. Blessed be our Lord, there is a greater prospect of union than ever. It is what my soul longs after, and labours for. It is a great pity that poor pilgrims should fall out in their way to heaven; but this will be, till we get more of the divine spirit. Pray we therefore for a great effusion of the Holy Ghost. Blessed be God, we feel the Holy Ghost daily in our congregations. It surprizes me to see what a company of settled, solid christians are amongst us. The work goes on daily. This morning, how did Jesus pierce and melt poor sinners hearts? Amazing accounts are brought from abroad.—Fresh awakenings in many places at home. Does not your soul long to tell sinners, Jesus is Love. I am glad to hear you are so active. Go on in the strength of the triumphing Lamb. My heart is warm. Welcome home again, my dear friend, welcome to Jesus your Lord and your God. Pray write often, dear Mr. W——, to
Your most affectionate friend, brother and servant in the glorious Emmanuel,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCVII.
To Mr. O——, in Leominster.
London, April 6, 1742.
My dear Brother,
YOUR letter gave me uncommon pleasure, and confirm’d me more in the opinion, that where our Lord gives a will, he will also give an opportunity of glorifying his great and most adorable name. Indeed, I believe there is such a work begun, as neither we nor our fathers have heard of. The beginnings are amazing; how unspeakably glorious will the end be! From New-England, fresh and surprizing glad tidings are sent; the Lord takes poor sinners there by hundreds, I may say by thousands. In Scotland, the fruits of my poor labours are abiding and apparent. In Wales, I hear the word of the Lord runs and is glorified, as also in many places in England. In London, our Saviour is doing great things daily; we have many dear growing children among us, who can say, “Our fellowship is with the Father and the Son.” We scarce know what it is to have a meeting without tears. Our Lord always meets with us. My dear brother, I rejoice to hear that you are helped in your work. Let this encourage you; go on, go on; the more we do, the more we may do for Jesus. I sleep and eat but little, and am constantly employed from morning till midnight, and yet I walk and am not weary, I run and am not faint. My strength is daily renewed. My bow abides in strength, and my hands are upholden by the arms of the mighty God of Jacob. O free grace! It fires my soul, and makes me long to do something more for Jesus. It is true indeed, I want to go home; but here are so many souls ready to perish for lack of knowledge, that I am willing to tarry below, as long as my master hath work for me to do.—When I shall come your way, I cannot determine.—All I say is, I will come when the Lord gives me leave. At present my call is in London, where I propose staying for some time. My wife came up last Saturday, and joins with me in wishing you all manner of success. I am, my dear brother,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Emmanuel,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCVIII.
To Mr. J—— C——, in Gloucestershire.
London, April 8, 1742.
Dear Mr. J—— C——,
YOURS came to hand last night. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you, and that he was pleased to bless my poor labours in Gloucestershire. I would have you to dispute as little as possible. Awakened souls should be told to look continually to the Lord Jesus. The more you are acquainted with Christ, and the more deeply you drink into his spirit, the more solid you will grow. Fear not because of your present trials; “the Lord is thy God; he will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Cast all your care upon him, he careth for you. Your wife’s illness shall work for good. The things I promised, are provided and shall be sent speedily. Brother H—— will be with you, God willing, next week; I pray God that his coming may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace! Our Lord is with us much here. I preach twice daily. Our society grows. My master fills me with his presence, and continually meets with us. My tender love awaits all the society. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Seek after a nearer conformity to the blessed Jesus. Grow in grace; and as you are enabled, dear John, pray for
Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCIX.
To Captain G——, in Philadelphia.
London, April 22, 1742.
Dear Brother G——,
I Hope this will find you very happy in the love of Christ. I was glad to hear you had so good a time, before our friends left you. I wish you no less, than that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. We have had a glorious Easter, or rather a Pentecost. Jesus Christ is risen indeed. I have been preaching in Moorfields, and our Saviour carries all before us. Nought can resist his conquering blood. It would have delighted you, to have seen the poor sinners flock from the booths, to see Jesus lifted up on the pole of the gospel. I have received many tickets from young apprentices, &c. &c. Our society goes on wonderfully well. Every day we hear of fresh conquests. God’s children are expecting very great things. I believe they will not be disappointed of their hope. But I am in haste. Your wife was well the last time I saw her. Brother S—— and his wife have been to see her.—My dear wife and brother S—— kindly salute you, and all that love our glorious Emmanuel. Pray write a line to, dear brother G——,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER CCCCX.
To the Reverend Mr. J——, in Yorkshire.
London, April 22, 1742.
My dear Brother,
I Thank you and your wife for your kind benefaction. Our Saviour, I believe, will take it kindly at your hands. I rejoice that the work of our common master is carried on in Yorkshire. We see greater things than ever at London. The awakening is quite fresh. I never was strengthened more. Every day, poor sinners are brought home to Jesus Christ. Our people are filled as with new wine; it seems to be a Pentecost. I have preached six or seven times in Moorfields, these holidays. It would rejoice you to see the people flock from satan’s booths to hear the gospel of the Son of God. The people seem to have such a spirit of supplication poured out upon them, that I believe we shall see great things. I am often weak in body, but, as my work requires, I am proportionably strengthened in the inner man. Was there ever such a sinner as I am? Was there ever such a Saviour as my Saviour?
Low at thy feet, O Jesus, let me lie,
And love and praise to all eternity.
I salute all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and am, dear brother J——,
Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXI.
To Mr. L——.
London, May 11, 1742.
WITH this, I send you a few out of the many notes I have received from persons, who were convicted, converted, or comforted in Moorfields, during the late holidays. For many weeks, I found my heart much pressed to determine to venture to preach there at this season, when, if ever, satan’s children keep up their annual rendezvous. I must inform you, that Moorfields is a large spacious place, given, as I have been told, by one Madam Moore, on purpose for all sorts of people to divert themselves in. For many years past, from one end to the other, booths of all kinds have been erected, for mountebanks, players, puppet shows, and such like. With a heart bleeding with compassion for so many thousands led captive by the devil at his will, on Whit-Monday, at six o’clock in the morning, attended by a large congregation of praying people, I ventured to lift up a standard amongst them in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps there were about ten thousand in waiting, not for me, but for satan’s instruments to amuse them.—Glad was I to find, that I had for once as it were got the start of the devil. I mounted my field pulpit, almost all flocked immediately around it. I preached on these words, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so shall the son of man be lifted up, &c.” They gazed, they listened, they wept; and I believe that many felt themselves stung with deep conviction for their past sins. All was hushed and solemn. Being thus encouraged, I ventured out again at noon; but what a scene! The fields, the whole fields seemed, in a bad sense of the word, all white, ready not for the Redeemer’s, but Beelzebub’s harvest. All his agents were in full motion, drummers, trumpeters, merry andrews, masters of puppet shows, exhibiters of wild beasts, players, &c. &c. all busy in entertaining their respective auditories. I suppose there could not be less than twenty or thirty thousand people. My pulpit was fixed on the opposite side, and immediately, to their great mortification, they found the number of their attendants sadly lessened. Judging that like saint Paul, I should now be called as it were to fight with beasts at Ephesus, I preached from these words: “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” You may easily guess, that there was some noise among the craftsmen, and that I was honoured with having a few stones, dirt, rotten eggs, and pieces of dead cats thrown at me, whilst engaged in calling them from their favourite but lying vanities. My soul was indeed among lions; but far the greatest part of my congregation, which was very large, seemed for a while to be turned into lambs. This encouraged me to give notice, that I would preach again at six o’clock in the evening. I came, I saw, but what—thousands and thousands more than before if possible, still more deeply engaged in their unhappy diversions; but some thousands amongst them waiting as earnestly to hear the gospel. This satan could not brook. One of his choicest servants was exhibiting, trumpeting on a large stage; but as soon as the people saw me in my black robes and my pulpit, I think all to a man left him and ran to me. For a while I was enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and many heard the joyful sound. God’s people kept praying, and the enemy’s agents made a kind of a roaring at some distance from our camp. At length they approached nearer, and the merry andrew, (attended by others, who complained that they had taken many pounds less that day on account of my preaching) got upon a man’s shoulders, and advancing near the pulpit attempted to slash me with a long heavy whip several times, but always with the violence of his motion tumbled down. Soon afterwards, they got a recruiting serjeant with his drum, &c. to pass through the congregation. I gave the word of command, and ordered that way might be made for the king’s officer. The ranks opened, while all march’d quietly through, and then closed again. Finding those efforts to fail, a large body quite on the opposite side assembled together, and having got a large pole for their standard, advanced towards us with steady and formidable steps, till they came very near the skirts of our hearing, praying, and almost undaunted congregation. I saw, gave warning, and prayed to the captain of our salvation for present support and deliverance. He heard and answered; for just as they approached us with looks full of resentment, I know not by what accident, they quarrelled among themselves, threw down their staff and went their way, leaving however many of their company behind, who before we had done, I trust were brought over to join the besieged party. I think I continued in praying preaching and singing, (for the noise was too great at times to preach) about three hours. We then retired to the tabernacle, with my pockets full of notes from persons brought under concern, and read them amidst the praises and spiritual acclamations of thousands, who joined with the holy angels in rejoicing that so many sinners were snatched, in such an unexpected, unlikely place and manner, out of the very jaws of the devil. This was the beginning of the tabernacle society.—Three hundred and fifty awakened souls were received in one day, and I believe the number of notes exceeded a thousand; but I must have done, believing you want to retire to join in mutual praise and thanksgiving to God and the Lamb, with
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXII.
To the same.
London, May 15, 1742.
My dear Friend,
FRESH matter of praise; bless ye the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. The battle that was begun on Monday, was not quite over till Wednesday evening, though the scene of action was a little shifted. Being strongly invited, and a pulpit being prepared for me by an honest quaker, a coal merchant, I ventured on Tuesday evening to preach at Mary le bon fields, a place almost as much frequented by boxers, gamesters, and such like, as Moor-fields. A vast concourse was assembled together, and as soon as I got into the field pulpit, their countenance bespoke the enmity of their hearts against the preacher. I opened with these words—“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” I preached in great jeopardy; for the pulpit being high, and the supports not well fixed in the ground, it tottered every time I moved, and numbers of enemies strove to push my friends against the supporters, in order to throw me down. But the Redeemer stayed my soul on himself, therefore I was not much moved, unless with compassion for those to whom I was delivering my master’s message, which I had reason to think, by the strong impressions that were made, was welcome to many. But satan did not like thus to be attacked in his strong-holds, and I narrowly escaped with my life: for as I was passing from the pulpit to the coach, I felt my wig and hat to be almost off. I turned about, and observed a sword just touching my temples. A young rake, as I afterwards found, was determined to stab me, but a gentleman, seeing the sword thrusting near me, struck it up with his cane, and so the destined victim providentially escaped. Such an attempt excited abhorrence; the enraged multitude soon seized him, and had it not been for one of my friends, who received him into his house, he must have undergone a severe discipline. The next day, I renewed my attack in Moor-fields; but would you think it? after they found that pelting, noise, and threatnings would not do, one of the merry Andrews got up into a tree very near the pulpit, and shamefully exposed his nakedness before all the people. Such a beastly action quite abashed the serious part of my auditory; whilst hundreds of another stamp, instead of rising up to pull down the unhappy wretch, expressed their approbation by repeated laughs. I must own at first it gave me a shock; I thought satan had now almost outdone himself; but recovering my spirits, I appealed to all, since now they had such a spectacle before them, whether I had wronged human nature in saying, after pious Bishop Hall, “that man, when left to himself, is half a devil and half a beast;” or as the great Mr. Law expressed himself, “a motley mixture of the beast and devil.”—Silence and attention being thus gained, I concluded with a warm exhortation, and closed our festival enterprizes, in reading fresh notes that were put up, praising and blessing God amidst thousands at the tabernacle, for what he had done for precious souls, and on account of the deliverances he had wrought out for me and his people. I could enlarge; but being about to embark in the Mary and Ann, for Scotland, I must hasten to subscribe myself,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
P. S. I cannot help adding, that several little boys and girls who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit, while I preached, and handing to me peoples notes, though they were often pelted with eggs, dirt, &c. thrown at me, never once gave way: but on the contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their little weeping eyes, and seemed to wish they could receive the blows for me. God make them in their growing years great and living martyrs for him, who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings perfects praise!
LETTER CCCCXIII.
To the Rev. Mr. M——, in the Isle of Man.
On board the Mary and Ann, bound to Scotland, May 26, 1742.
Rev. and dear Sir,
I Received your letter on Saturday last, and felt great concern on my soul, while perusing it. One thing especially pleased me; I found by the contents, that a report I had lately heard concerning you was false; for I had heard, that the bishop seeing your zeal, and finding his opposition had inflamed, at last had ordered the clergy to open the church doors for you, and that now you had done with appearing openly in the defence of the glorious Gospel. Blessed be God this is not true! Though I find, both you and your people have been greatly discouraged. I see no way of extricating yourself, but by acting up to the dictates of your own conscience, and leaving the consequences to the great head and king of the church. You find, dear Sir, a sensible withdrawing of the spirit ever since you gave way. It would not have been so, had you obeyed God rather than man. Up then, and be doing, and the Lord will be yet with you. If you cannot preach freely in the Isle of Man, go whithersoever the Lord shall be pleased to lead you. Our commission is very extensive: “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We want labourers much in England. If our ascended Saviour hath given you popular gifts, and freedom and authority in speaking without notes, you need not fear. He will assist you from time to time, and make you a blessing to many souls. Your being a minister of the established church, will be an advantage, and your age also will give you yet more authority; but an unction from the Holy One of Israel is the best qualification; I would therefore, dear Sir (if such a one as I, am capable of advising) by all means persuade you to humble yourself before the great bishop of your soul, and ask him again and again what he would have you to do? I am apt to think, he will not restore to you the comforts of the Holy Ghost, or stablish you with his free spirit, ’till you give up yourself simply to follow the dictates of his providence and spirit. Then let men or devils say or do their worst. How can we know God’s power unless we try it? Not that I would have you, dear friend, do any thing rashly. No, “he that believeth doth not make haste.” Wait upon the Lord, and he will certainly shew you what he would have you to do. I wonder not that your brother’s love is grown cold. It is hard for one in his station, unless he be thoroughly inured to contempt, and will give God leave to act in his own way, to withstand a whole body of lukewarm, prejudiced, envious, malignant clergy. These, have always been the greatest opposers of true vital religion. These, were our Saviour’s most bitter enemies. These, will be ours also, if we come forth in his spirit, and preach by his power. But blessed be God, I can say by happy experience, our glorious Emmanuel will make us more than conquerors over them all. He hath continually fought my battles for me, and I am persuaded will do so to the end. Of late, I have seen more of his power and goodness than ever, and I trust we shall yet see greater things than these. I am now once more going to Scotland, and purpose (God willing) the latter end of the year to embark for America. Pray let me hear from you, and if possible let me have a personal interview. I hope this will reach you. In the next, be pleased to tell me how to direct, for I have forgotten. The Lord be with you. I wish you abundant prosperity in the name of the exalted Redeemer, and am
Your affectionate brother and servant, &c.
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXIV.
To Mr. S—— M——, in Gainsborough.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 26, 1742.
My dear Brother,
YOUR letter dated May 5th was very agreeable to me. I think it savoured of a true Israelitish spirit, and therefore I find freedom to send you a plain and simple answer. Who J—— H—— is, I cannot tell. If he was converted by my unworthy ministry, or others by his means, let our dear Jesus have all the glory. I shall know who they are, at the great day. Mr. P—— I know very well. I believe he is a good man, but am not enough acquainted with his proceedings, either wholly to commend or condemn them. Whether he preaches in public, or converses only in a private manner, I know not. This one thing I know, if he be sent of God, I wish him prosperity. The answer which our Lord gave to those who forbad such as were casting out devils in his name, because they followed not with them, makes me particularly cautious, how I interrupt any one that seems to speak of Jesus with sincerity of heart. As for his speaking so little against the church of England, I cannot discommend him for that. I find it best to talk only of Jesus’s blood, and the power of his Redemption, and not dwell much on outward things or outward worship. When the woman of Samaria asked our Lord, “where men ought to worship,” he diverted the discourse from the outward to the inward worship. “The worship of the Father in spirit and in truth.” Some things may be wrong in the church of England, and in this mixed state we must never expect to see a perfect church, or a perfect man. It is therefore my constant aim to agree with all the children of God, as far as I can, and not to quarrel though we differ in some points. In civil society, one family does not differ with another, because it hath not the same orders in every respect. Would to God we observed the same rule in spirituals. The world falls out enough with us; it is pity we should fall out among ourselves. My brother, I have written to you out of the fulness of my heart; whether I shall see your face in the flesh, I know not. At present, my call is to Scotland.—If the cloud should move towards Lincolnshire, my answer is, “Lord, lo I come!” I am quite confounded when I think that such a wretch as I should ever be employed in preaching the everlasting gospel. I often fall down under a sense of God’s distinguishing mercy, and with awful adoration am frequently made to cry out, “Why me, Lord; why me?” O my brother, help me to praise the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. A wonderful work is carried on both at home and abroad. I shall be glad to hear from you again. Be pleased to direct as before. I am, in the bowels of Jesus Christ,
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXV.
To Mr. J—— B——, in London.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 27, 1742.
My dear Brother B——,
YOUR letter was sweet to my heart. Business prevented my answering it on shore. Our Saviour is pleased at this time to give me leisure and freedom. I will now endeavour to answer it on board. I need not tell you, I love you. God has often bore witness to our fellowship, by giving us his presence, and filling us as with new wine. What has happened of late to disunite, will in the end, I am persuaded, only promote a closer union. “Out of the eater will come forth meat, and out of the strong will come forth sweetness.” Blessed be our Saviour’s free grace! I feel my heart more and more enlarged towards, and more and more disposed to love and honour all denominations of believers, than ever I experienced before. In all societies of christians under heaven, there must necessarily be persons of a different standing in the school of Christ. Those who are not solidly established in the love of God, will fall too much in love with the outward form of their particular church, be it what it will. But as the love of God gets the ascendency, the more they will be like him and his holy angels, and consequently rejoice when souls are brought to Jesus, whatever instruments may be made use of for that purpose. If therefore some that you and I know, are too confined (as I believe is too much the case); if they do not preach more frequently, and abound more in good works, I think it is for want of having their hearts more inflamed with the love of God, and their graces kept in more constant exercise. To stir up the gift of God that is in us, is an apostolical injunction; and if we do not keep upon our watch we shall fall into a false stillness. Nature loves ease; and as a blind zeal often prompts us to speak too much, so tepidity and lukewarmness often cause us to speak too little. Divine wisdom alone, is profitable to direct; and I would be very cautious how I speak, least I should take too much upon me. I love those you mention, from my soul; and all I can say is, “Lord, do thou lead and guide both them and us.” We are blind helpless creatures. I wish there was more confidence between us all; but I see that none but the spirit of God can outwardly unite us, and therefore I have now given it up into the Redeemer’s hand. Only this I pray, that I may be one of the first and not the last in bringing back the king. If I have at any time set improper bounds to the spirit of God, or grieved it in his children, I desire to be very low, and to be broken hearted for it. I am sure it hath not been done willingly. I must own, I have sometimes opposed you, because I think you have made, and are yet making, too much haste. You seem to be like-minded with those, who in our Saviour’s time thought that the kingdom of God would then come: but you know how our Lord checked them for it, and told them, “it was not for them to know the particular times and seasons of his coming to set up his kingdom.” I believe with you, that our glorious Emmanuel is about to do great things. But how, when, and where, I leave to his divine, sovereign disposal. I desire strictly to mind the particular plan assigned me; at the same time to look about, and see what others the wonderful counsellor is pleased to employ in other districts: and though they may differ from me in some points, I wish them abundant prosperity in the name of our common Lord. I am of your mind with respect to the church of England. This, this is the constant, abiding, intense language of my heart; “Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come.” You see, my dear brother, how fully I write to you. It is because I love you. O that we may be taught to bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ! May the Lord keep us all from falling out in our way to heaven. Amen and amen! You and yours will join heartily in the same petition, with
Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXVI.
To the Rev. Mr. O——, at Leominster.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 27, 1742.
My dear Brother,
I Have not till now had time to answer your kind letter. I rejoice abundantly in the use our dear Lord is beginning to make of you. May he use and bless you ever more and more. Our Lord loves to encourage faith. They that trust in him, shall find now as well as formerly, that “it shall be given them in that hour what they shall speak.” This I find true by happy experience, and am persuaded shall prove the truth of it more and more. Since my last, the captain of our salvation has carried me on to fresh conquest, and caused his people to rejoice exceedingly in his great salvation. Our society is in great order. If the Lord gives us a true catholic spirit, free from a party sectarian zeal, we shall do well. I am sorry to hear that there is so much narrowness among some of the brethren in Wales. Brother H—— complains sadly of it. I hope dear Mr. O—— will be kept free, and not fall into disputing about Baptism or other non-essentials; for I am persuaded, unless we all are content to preach Christ, and to keep off from disputable things, wherein we differ, God will not bless us long. If we act otherwise, however we may talk of a catholic spirit, we shall only be bringing people over to our own party, and there fetter them. I pray the Lord to keep dear Mr. O—— and me from such a spirit. Dear Sir, may the Lord be with you! Remember us poor but willing pilgrims, especially him who is less than the least of all, but
Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXVII.
To the Rev. Mr. J—— S——, at Stockport.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 29, 1742.
Rev. and dear Sir,
I Received your letter some time ago, but through multiplicity of business could not possibly answer it on shore. I do not remember seeing you at London; but if you love the Redeemer in sincerity, and preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and with power, I wish you all possible success in the name of the Lord. As for coming into your parts, it is intirely uncertain. My present call is to Scotland. How my Master will dispose of me hereafter, I know not. I simply desire to go whither he shall be pleased to call me. I am amazed that he should call me any where, or employ me as his ambassador to beseech poor sinners to be reconciled to God. But what shall we say? I can only fall down at the feet of the Lamb, and cry, Grace! grace! Of late the Lord hath done greater things for me, and his church, than ever; and yet greater things I am persuaded he is about to bring to pass. Dear Sir, help me at the throne of grace, and as you seem to have a thirst for the Redeemer’s glory, recommend me to the prayers of God’s people, being the chief of sinners, but, for the Redeemer’s sake,
Your most affectionate friend, brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXVIII.
To the Rev. Mr. D——, in Essex.
May 29, 1742.
My very dear Brother,
YOUR letter lies by me, yet unanswered; the contents however have not been forgotten before the Lord. Surely the days of your pilgrimage will ere long be ended, and the star which you once saw, appear to you again, and cause you to rejoice with exceeding great joy. I think there is something very extraordinary in the Lord’s dealing with you. I can only resolve it into the divine sovereignty, and say, “even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight.” This is often the language of my heart, with respect to God’s dealing with my own soul. Many things our Saviour does to me, which I know not now. It is sufficient that I shall know hereafter, and that I know thus far even now, “that all things are working together for good.” Dear Mr. D——, indeed I love and pray for you. Our Saviour, I trust, will yet set your feet in a large room, and enable you to run the way of his commandments;
Thro’ winds, and clouds, and storms, he’ll gently clear the way;
Wait then his time, so shall this night soon end in joyous day.
My tender love await the flock at D——m; I pray for them and you. Our Saviour hath done great things of late in London. I believe he will yet do more in Scotland. O my brother, forget not to pray for the chief of sinners.
Your truly affectionate friend, brother and servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.