LETTER CCCCL.
To Mr. S—— C——, in Deptford.
Glasgow, Sept. 2, 1742.
My very dear Brother C——,
I Am just now come from the pulpit, wherein I have experienced much of the Redeemer’s power, and seen his stately outgoings in the sanctuary. My brother, the cry of my heart is, “and will God indeed dwell with such a wretch as I am.” Methinks a voice echo’s from above, “I have dwelt in thee, I do dwell in thee, I will dwell in thee for evermore.” My heart replies, “Lord, I believe and worship.”
A heart that no desire can move,
But still to adore, believe, and love.
This, my dear brother, is the present, and indeed continual bent of my soul, which I trust prospers. I feel myself to grow more poor inwardly; I see, I am but a learner in the school of Christ, and my dear Master teaches me new lessons every day. About a week ago, I think he did more for me than ever I saw before. Glory be to God, that he is so much with you at London. I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. I am amazed when I hear, as I do almost every day, of some fresh persons wrought upon by my unworthy ministry. This humbles me very much, and brings me very low at the feet of the ever-loving Jesus. I dare not deny that I am one of his chosen; but I am jealous for myself and for those about me, lest we should grieve the holy Spirit, and oblige him to withdraw for our ingratitude, unfruitfulness, pride, selfishness, and insensibility of the blessings we enjoy. Last night I went to sleep quite angry, but chiefly with myself.—I saw that I had received much, and did so little for my God, and Christ, that I could feelingly smite upon my breast, lay my head upon my pillow, and close my eyes with these words, “God be merciful to me a sinner?” And to-day, what have I seen and felt, yea what do I now feel? My soul is swallowed up in God. His presence is filling my soul, and renewing my bodily strength. Here is free grace, my dear brother. Was you here, I think I could now warm your heart with a lecture upon the unparalleled love of Jesus; but time is short: blessed be God, an eternity is before me, but “eternity too short to utter all his praise.” I think I love you and yours unfeignedly, and rejoice that you enjoy sweet fellowship together. Glory be to God, that you have gotten many living stones. Trust the great Redeemer, the all-wise contriver and perfecter of his spiritual temple, to put them together. I have been faulty in looking too much to foreign help, and despising that which God had given me. When our Lord was to feed the multitude, he would not create new bread, but multiplied the loaves that were already at hand. “Ye need not send them away, give ye them to eat,” said he: so say I to my dear brethren at the tabernacle. “Work with the materials you have.” In doing the work, God will teach you how to do it.—Experience will grow up with the work itself. Thus God hath dealt with me, and so he continues to deal. May his blessed spirit guide you all into all truth, and give you a right judgment in all things! I love to see the little child in others, though I see so little of it in my unworthy self. But I must not exceed; other business demands my attention. Write to me often about the state of the church. Mr. E——’s people rather run greater and greater lengths in misguided zeal. Our love to all. I intreat a continuance of your prayers, because the archers are shooting from every quarter at, dear brother C——,
Your poor weak brother in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLI.
To Brother T——, in London.
Glasgow, September 4, 1742.
My dear Brother,
I Hope this letter will find you, where your last left you, at the feet of the meek and lowly Jesus. My dear brother, it is a delightful situation: Mary found it so. O true poverty of spirit, what a rare, yet what a precious thing it is! The foundation of it, is a deep, abiding knowledge of the corruption of the heart, and its desperate wickedness. I find more and more the necessity of leaning upon my beloved, whilst travelling through the wilderness of this world. I find I am yet but learning in the school of Christ, and scarce know any thing as I ought to know. I often blush at a sense of my unfruitfulness, ingratitude, &c. and yet am made continually to rejoice in his great salvation. My brother, press on and faint not; though faint, yet still pursue. When your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will take you up. I do not wonder at your father’s opposition. His letter bespeaks him to be a man of a very bad spirit. I thought proper to burn it. My brother, pray for him, and beg of Jesus that you may behave with all meekness, humility and love. I would enlarge, but time is short, and much of my dear Master’s business is lying before me. For the present, adieu! My kind love to all. May the Lord keep you unspotted from the world. You shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We see wond’rous things here. Pray and give thanks for
Your affectionate friend, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLII.
To Mr. B——, in London.
Glasgow, Sept. 4, 1742.
My dear Brother B——,
I Embrace a few moments to answer your kind letter. Not want of love but leisure prevented my doing it before; yet I have not forgotten you in my prayers. Your case hath been upon my heart. I pray God you may be enabled, at this time especially, to plead the promise of temporal blessings. Remember, my dear brother, you can call God, your God and Father: if so, your God will supply all your wants. These words were so pressed upon my soul once when in extremity, that I hope I shall never forget them: “Be careful for nothing, but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” I have for these eight or nine years past, had no visible settled fund, but fetched in all temporal supplies by pleading the promises. My God never failed me, he never will. This morning I have been lecturing upon Elisha’s multiplying the widow’s oil. The Lord God of Elisha is yet living. O that you may have faith to apply to him. O that you may be willing to be made poor. My brother, I find freedom in writing to you. Blessed be God, who hath made any thing that I have spoken of use to your soul. Tell your wife, she must take my advice, and pray with you. She sins, I think, in omitting it. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you at the tabernacle. May he be with you more and more! My brother, God is doing wonders here indeed. Every day he shews us great things. Yesterday, and the day before, how did he display his power? I am lost when I think of it. O that God should ever dwell with such an ill and hell-deserving wretch as I am! Amazing! Thy mercies, O God, they humble me. Adieu.
Your unworthy and affectionate friend and brother,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLIII.
To Mr. J—— N——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 13, 1742.
My very dear brother N——,
I Have just been writing to our dear brother G—— T——, and now sit down to write to you. Both your letters came to me at the same time, and had I not been used to trials of that nature, would have affected me much. Dear Mr. T—— speaks many things, that I know are too true of the Moravian Brethren; but his spirit seems to be too much heated, and I fear some of his own wild-fire is mixed with that sacred fire of zeal, which comes from God. My dear brother, I want to be more like unto God, who sees and corrects all things that are amiss, and yet continues unmoved in his own nature. I want to be more like unto Jesus, God blessed for evermore! who sees all the quarrels and heart-risings of his children one amongst another, and yet bears with, and loves them still. My heart doth not reproach me, for my kindness and friendship with those that differ from me. I think I have been led by the word and spirit of God into this part of my conduct; but I confess that I am jealous, and trust with a godly jealousy, over many who talk and write of the Lamb, and who mimic some particular persons in their outward way of behaviour, but yet are not truly poor in spirit. They act too much like me, who at my first setting out imitated the outward shew of humility in Monsieur Dezenly, before I got true simplicity of heart. Indeed, I have too little of it now. But, blessed be God by his free grace, I am what I am. I think I can say I am made unfeignedly happy in the Lord Jesus Christ, and can discover in some measure between a false and disguised holiness. Glory be to the Redeemer’s name, I walk in light and liberty, and am enabled to rejoice in the Lord always. Though I can say to corruption, “Thou art my sister,” yet I can with a full assurance of faith at all times say, “God is my father, and all is mine, because I am Christ’s.” My dear, very dear host and brother, I pray God that you and I may more experience the glorious liberty of the children of God: a liberty not from the in-being, but from the reigning power and dominion of sin. Jesus came to make us kings, as well as priests, and it is our privilege to reign upon the earth. We that believe, do enter into rest. Faith is of an all-conquering nature, and causes us to trample sin, death, and hell under our feet. My dear brother, I experience more, unspeakably more of the Redeemer’s power, than when I saw you last. My happiness increases daily, and I am persuaded will increase, ’till grace is swallowed up in glory. My principles as to the fundamentals of the gospel are just the same as yours. I cannot renounce those precious truths, that I have felt the power of, and which were taught me not of man but of God. At the same time, I would love all that love Jesus, though they differ from me in some points. The angels love all the true worshippers of Jesus every where, and why should not we? If our brethren will quarrel with us, let us not quarrel with them. O my dear brother, I pray our dear Redeemer to give you meekness to those, who may not see so far as you do. I entreat you, my dear brother, to overcome their evil with your good. Zeal for God may excite others to oppose you, as well as you to oppose them; therefore bear with and love them. This will shew you to be a disciple indeed, and to have that mind, which was in Christ Jesus. O that we grew up into his divine likeness, and were indeed conformed to our great Exemplar! How truly simple and void of guilt should we be! Our brother, I fear, has not dealt uprightly with me. At first he called me a servant of God, and then a blasphemer and deceiver, and said, I should be in a miserable condition. Pray tell P—— of it, and acquaint him at the same time, that I grow happier and happier in the Lamb every day, and more and more honoured by the great Head and King of the Church. O simplicity! whether art thou fled?—In a short time I hope to embark for Georgia, and then, God willing, I shall see you face to face. Wonderful things have been doing here; things unspeakable and full of glory. The confusions abroad are no greater than what I expected to hear of. Just such a scene hath been at home; but the glorious Emmanuel will over-rule all for good. Why have you not written to my poor family in Georgia? I am persuaded great things will come from the orphan-house. O remember, my dear brother, to exercise catholic love in all its branches. I love and long much to see you. I shall write, God willing, to Mr. W——. I find his spirit is also imbittered. May the Lord sweeten all your hearts! With hearty thanks for all favours, I am, my very dear brother,
Most affectionately yours in the glorious Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLIV.
To Mr. E——, in Philadelphia.
Edinburgh, Sept. 14, 1742.
My very dear Brother,
YOUR kind letter came to hand a few days ago, and I rejoice to hear that you are now happy. I wish you may be really settled and rooted and grounded in love, and no longer so tossed about as you have been in times past. I find many talk and boast of rest, of which I fear they have not yet got a feeling possession. There is as much difference between these two, as between a shadow and the substance. Far be it from me, to think thus of you, my dear brother. No, I believe our Saviour has really loved and washed you in his blood, and redeemed you unto God, that you might be a king and priest, and reign upon the earth. There is plenteous redemption in the blood of Jesus. He came, not only that we might have life, but that we might have it more abundantly. He that believeth on Jesus, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. They that believe enter into rest. O glorious redemption! O glorious liberty of the children of God! Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed; they, who having not seen, yet have loved Jesus, and do rejoice with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. Blessed be God, that you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago. In a year’s time, you will be ashamed to think what a dwarf you are now. A believer is to pass from glory to glory. It is ignorance and pride that makes us think we have already attained. The more we are acquainted with Jesus, the more we shall be acquainted with our own hearts, and grow more truly poor in spirit every day. Indeed, my dear brother, I am a thousand times happier than when you saw me. Jesus hath saved me from many corruptions, and is every day transforming me more and more into his own likeness. I cannot rest, unless I feel a sensible growth in my soul, and find that I get more of the true artless simplicity that was in Jesus. Blessed be God for that fulness which is in Christ, out of which we are all to receive grace for grace. Many, many souls have lately been drawing out of this fulness. I am amazed at his love to me! O free grace! O sovereign, distinguishing, unmerited love!—I think you did well in receiving some particular persons into your house. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,” says the Apostle. I cannot think it is right, to be so far carried away with an orthodox scheme, as to neglect acts of love to the members of Christ’s body. Give me leave, my dear brother, to behave with all meekness toward those, who may not be so well affected toward such whom you love. If you do not take care, and keep close to the blessed Jesus, your spirit may be imbittered, and you may yet insensibly sink into bigotry. Some of our English friends, I am sure, have done so. It is a blessed thing to be kept free. Jesus can do this for you, my dear brother, and I am persuaded he will. In the love of a crucified Jesus,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLV.
To Mr. M——, at Cambuslang.
Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1742.
Rev. and dear Brother,
YOUR kind letter I received this morning. I wonder you can love me, for I feel myself more unworthy every day; and yet, dear Sir, the King of Kings still delights to honour me. At Cumbernauld, and Torphichen, the Lord was with me. I was much led to discourse upon walking with God, and had a sweet opening upon those words, “And Enoch walked with God, &c.” Since I have been at Edinburgh, the Lord has much blessed me, and given me some fresh teachings from his blessed spirit. I believe hundreds are fed day by day. O dear Sir, help me to adore free grace. May God reward you for all kindnesses shewn to me and mine! Indeed, dear Sir, I have scarce patience with myself. I can do so little in the day for God, that when I go to bed at night, I am quite ashamed. I trust I shall begin to do something now. Dear Sir, help me, help me by your prayers, that I may stir up the gift of God that is in me. I shall not easily forget you; fear not, the Lord will yet be with you. I have sent to Messrs. O—— and L——. I fear I cannot reach either of their places; but, God willing, I purpose to come home once more to Cambuslang, and then must take a long, long farewel. Blessed be God, we shall meet by and by, never to part any more. Then, dear Sir, our warfare will be accomplished, and the archers will shoot at us no more. My soul glows with love whilst I am writing. Sometimes I am enabled to look within the veil, and to take a view of the promised land. I am nothing, but Christ is my all. For the present, adieu! Dear Sir, adieu! My love to Robert, surnamed Nathaniel. All with me dearly love him. O join with him in praying, and giving thanks for us, especially, dear Mr. M——, for
Your weak, unworthy, though happy brother and servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLVI.
To Mr. F——, in Pensylvania.
Edinburgh, Sept. 22, 1742.
My dear Brother F——,
I Received your two kind letters, dated June the 1st and 6th, and can only say, Christ is king in Zion, and orders all things well. I think you cannot have a scene of greater confusion among you, than there has been in England. But blessed be God, matters are brought to a better issue, and though we cannot agree in principles, yet we agree in love, Tho’, as you know, I am clear in the truths of the gospel, yet I find that principles of themselves, without the spirit of God, will not unite any set of men whatever; and where the spirit of God is in any great degree, there will be union of heart, though there may be difference in sentiments. This I have learnt, my dear brother, by happy experience, and find great freedom and peace in my soul thereby. This makes me to love many, though I cannot agree with them in some of their principles. I dare not look upon them as wilful deceivers, but as persons who hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel.—Mr. W—— I think is wrong in somethings, and Mr. L—— wrong also; yet I believe that both Mr. L—— and Mr. W——, and others, with whom we do not agree in all things, will shine bright in glory. It is best therefore for a gospel-minister, simply and powerfully to preach those truths he has been taught of God, and to meddle as little as possible with those who are children of God, though they should differ in many things. This would keep the heart sweet, and at the same time not betray the truths of Jesus. I have tried both the disputing, and the quiet way, and find the latter far preferable to the former. I have not given way to the Moravian Brethren, or Mr. W—y, or to any, whom I thought in an error, no not for an hour. But I think it best not to dispute, when there is no probability of convincing. I pray you, for Christ’s sake, to take heed lest your spirit should be imbittered, when you are speaking or writing for God. This will give your adversaries advantage over you, and make people think your passion is the effect of your principles. Since I have been in England this time, Calvin’s example has been very much pressed upon me. You know how Luther abused him. As we are of Calvinistical principles, I trust we shall in this respect imitate Calvin’s practice, and shew all meekness to those who may oppose. My dear brother, you will not be offended at my using this freedom. I am a poor creature, unworthy to advise you; but I simply tell you a little of my own experience. May the Lord give you, and all that stand up for the doctrines of the gospel, a right judgment in all things! For Jesus Christ’s sake, as much as in you lies, put a stop to disputing. It imbitters the spirit, ruffles the soul, and hinders it from hearing the small still voice of the Holy Ghost. May you be filled with all joy and peace in believing! God has been very gracious to me here. Wonderful things have been done in Scotland. When I shall come to you, I cannot as yet determine. I hope to embark in a few months. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me to all that love the glorious Emmanuel, and accept this in tenderest love from, my very dear brother,
Your most affectionate though most unworthy brother and servant in the kingdom and patience of Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLVII.
To Mr. H——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 24, 1742.
My most endeared Friend and Brother,
YOUR short letter, dated July the 14th, I received two days ago, to my great satisfaction. I am glad my dear family is removed to Mr. B——, and rejoice, that our glorious God had raised him and his brother up, to be such friends in time of need. Our all-wise Saviour saw this, and therefore sent them to be converted at the Orphan-house. O Lord, thou art fearful in praises, glorious in holiness, doing wonders! I trust this will find you, my dear friends, and my dear lambs, happily settled at Bethesda. I cannot think, God will give you over into the enemies hands, or that he will suffer the enemy to abide in Georgia for any considerable time. My thoughts have been variously exercised, but my heart kept stedfast and joyful in the Lord of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever. The kings taking Lot, and Abraham recovering him out of their hands, hath been much pressed upon my heart. Abraham’s going into the land of Canaan, and being driven out by a grievous famine soon after he came there, has also been applied to my soul. And those words of Moses, “These enemies which you see, you shall see them no more,” have fallen with great warmth, and wait upon me. These things put together, keep my mind humbly depending upon God, in a full assurance that some great and good event for the kingdom of Jesus will ere long be brought about. I am supported in a peculiar manner, and kept from staggering through unbelief.—With this, I send you a continuation of the Orphan-house account, which I printed to satisfy the public, and to promote future collections. The news about the Spaniards, perhaps may strike a damp upon the collection at this time; but even this shall work for good. God has a wheel within a wheel. O, my dear brother, how do I long to be with you! You need not say, “if possible now come over,” for I have long wished for the wings of a dove to fly to Georgia. I yet owe upwards of two hundred and fifty pounds in England, upon the Orphan-house account, and have nothing towards it. How is the world mistaken about my circumstances: worth nothing myself, embarrassed for others, and yet looked upon to flow in riches? Our extremity is God’s opportunity. O faith, thou hast an all-conquering power! Surely, my dear man, you and the rest of you will grow now in this time of trial. Fear not, neither be dismayed: the Lord your God will fight for you. I put my trust in him, and through his mercy I shall not miscarry. He still strengthens me to go on from conquering to conquer. I pray for you, I think and dream of you almost continually. I long, I long to be with you, and methinks could willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying, though a Spaniard’s sword should be put to my throat. But alas! I know not how I should behave, if put to the trial: only we have a promise, “that as our day is, so our strength shall be.” I would gladly write to you all, but being so variously employed, having the superintendency of so many souls and so many spiritual affairs, in many different places, I feel a little of what St. Paul says, when he wrote these words, “besides that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” What am I? Lord, I adore and worship! I hope ere now you have had letters from brother G—— and Philadelphia friends. Some there, are suspicious that I am joined with the Moravian Brethren, but indeed I am not. My principles are still the same; only as I believe many of them love the Lord Jesus, I would love and be friendly to them, as I would be to all others, who I think bear the image of our common Master, notwithstanding some of my principles differ from theirs, and are as far distant as the East is from the West. Glory be to God, for keeping me stedfast to those truths, which himself and not man hath taught me. I feel the power of them more and more every day, and am continually made happier and happier in the righteousness of the glorious Redeemer. O free, sovereign, distinguishing, electing, everlasting, infinitely condescending love! it quite amazes me. The thoughts of this love carry me above every thing. My dear friend, the Spaniards cannot rob us of this, nor can men, or devils. It is immutable and eternal as God himself. May the meditation on this, lead us nearer and nearer to God in Christ, that we may every day, every hour, every moment be more and more conformed to his blessed image, and ripen more and more for eternal glory. But I must have done. Adieu! my dear man, adieu! I am ready to weep tears of love. Humbly hoping, that I shall shortly hear of the spiritual and temporal welfare of you all, I subscribe myself, with the utmost sincerity and affection,
Ever, ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLVIII.
To the Reverend Dr. C——, in Boston.
Edinburgh, Sept. 24, 1742.
Reverend and dear Sir,
TO my great and abundant satisfaction, I received your long wished for letter of June 3. It was late at night ere it came to hand; but I could not go to rest without reading it. I read, and rejoiced, and prayed for the writer with my whole heart. O reverend and dear Sir, God only knows how closely I am knit to the dear ministers and people of New-England. They are ever upon my heart, and it rejoiced me to find I was not forgotten (unworthy as I am) by them. Dear Sir, I am glad to hear that the work still goes on; be not surprized, if you are forsaken. Paul was served so, and when I came to England most of my old friends and spiritual children were exceedingly prejudiced against me. Our great high-priest sees these trials to be necessary for us, to try our faith, and teach us to cease from man. I hope they have produced this blessed effect in some measure upon my soul. There seems to be such a scene in Philadelphia, as we have had in old England. I have wrote to Mr. T——. He in a late letter thinks me too charitable; but my conscience doth not reproach me for that. My principles are still the same. I embrace the calvinistical scheme, not because Calvin, but Jesus Christ, I think, has taught it to me. I go on preaching the cross and power of the Redeemer, and desire to say as little as possible about others, lest thereby I should divert people’s minds from the simplicity of the gospel. I have often found that opposing, instead of hurting, makes erroneous people become more considerable. This made me wish, that the Boston ministers would not take up so much time in speaking against the Exhorters. It will only set the people the more upon following after them; but I cannot well judge at such a distance, and indeed I find I am such a poor creature, that I scarce know any thing yet, as I ought to know. At the same time, I will not deny what I have received; no, this would be dishonouring my dear Saviour. He makes me daily more and more happy in himself, and I continually rejoice in his great salvation. At present he supports me in an uncommon manner, and the news of the Spaniards attacking Georgia affects me no otherwise, than to increase my faith and confidence in him, whom I am sure careth for me and mine. O dear Sir, what a glorious thing is divine faith! May you have much of it, and feel the power of it more and more every day! With repeated salutations and returns of love, I once more subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend, younger brother, and servant in the glorious gospel of the ever blessed Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLIX.
To Jonathan B——, Esq., in New-England.
Edinburgh, Sept. 25, 1742.
Honoured Sir,
I Rejoiced to hear by the reverend and dear Dr. C——, that you are retired from the world, full of piety and devotion. I congratulate you, honoured Sir, upon your happy change, and pray that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. Exceedingly engaged as I am, I could not but send a line to you, because I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I remember your command; I have you upon my heart, and pray the glorious Emmanuel to do more abundantly for you and yours, than you are able to ask or think. It is impossible to tell you what the Lord hath done for unworthy me. Honoured Sir, I feel a bliss I cannot express. My happiness in Jesus increases daily. I am only ashamed of my unfruitfulness, and the little I do for God. Indeed, honoured Sir, I could wish for a thousand lives. My Jesus should have them all. Methinks I hear you say, “thus it is with me.” Hail then happy man! All generations shall call you blessed. Honoured Sir, my soul is full in the midst of many trials. O what a glorious redemption hath Jesus purchased for us! Indeed it is a plenteous redemption. By the power of his death we are enabled to tread sin, death, and satan under our feet. This is the present frame of my soul. O free grace! unsearchable riches! The brightness of it dazzles the eyes of my faith. Lord, I adore and worship in the temple of my heart! Honoured Sir, be pleased to accept these few lines from a heart overflowing with love to God, and for his great name sake to you. With most humble respects, and affectionate returns of gratitude for all favours, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLX.
To Mr. E——, in Philadelphia.
Edinburgh, Sept. 25, 1742.
My very dear Brother E——,
SINCE I wrote last, your other kind letter, dated July 24, came to hand, by which I find matters at Philadelphia are much the same as when you wrote before. I pray God to give me wisdom, and a right understanding, to judge of those different jarring accounts that are sent me. As far as I am able to determine, I think some who have the truths of God on their side, defend themselves with too great a mixture of their own spirit, and by this means perhaps some persons may be prejudiced even against truth itself. This is one rock, I pray God, my dear brother, to keep your soul from splitting against. Again, I think the M——n Brethren shew a better and milder spirit in the general; but many of their principles deviate as far from the truths of Jesus Christ, as the east is from the west, or the north from the south. I wish you may not have gone a step too far. It was unjust for Mr. B——’s brother to be denied preaching in the new building. Shall I commend Mr. B—— for this? I commend him not. The brethren should have some other place to preach in, and not make that house a Babel. I cannot give up truth for them, or for any other under heaven. I find they are as weak and fallible as those whom they judge not to have drank so deeply of the spirit of Christ; and therefore, my dear man, though we love all, we must be upon our guard, and follow not man’s teaching, but the teaching of the Holy Ghost. Though principles are not to be rested in, yet it is a good thing to have a clear head as well as a clean heart. Some people make nothing of principles; but why are they so zealous in propagating their own? I think, my dear brother, I am a happy sinner, and have really entered into an abiding rest in God, through the Lord Jesus Christ; but yet the stirrings of corruption I expect in some degree or other, till I breathe my last. This I hope is all that dear Mr. T—— insists on. My dear brother, love the brotherhood, but do not give up the truths of God; and when you are brought off from idolizing one creature, take care you do not insensibly fall into idolizing another. Do not think that all things the most refined christian in the world does, is right; or that all principles are wrong, because some that hold them are too imbittered in their spirits. It is hard for good men, when the truths of God are opposed, to keep their temper, especially at the first attack. Nothing but the all-conquering blood of the dear Redeemer can destroy the wild-fire in the heart. You will see what I have wrote to the dear Trustees. I hope our loving Saviour will incline you to comply with my advice. I believe it is from him, and will much tend to the prosperity of Zion. That, I trust, we have all at heart. I pray God we may be enabled so to act, as to do nothing to obstruct it, but bear and forbear with one another in love, and give way in some things to promote the common good. You see, my dear man, how freely I write to you. It is out of the fulness of my heart. I hope you and I shall be happily surprized, in finding each other better than we expected. God forbid that we should live one hour without growing more like the blessed Lamb of God. I am too credibly informed, that some make it their business to prejudice my friends against me. Such wisdom cometh not from above. They are as the false apostles, of whom Saint Paul spoke, “They would exclude us, that you might affect them.” But glory be to free grace! I can repose myself in Jesus, and am happy in him. However I may be dealt with by man, blessed be his name, I am now happy in the midst of various trials, even beyond expression. I only add, through grace I have laid the foundation; let others beware how they build thereon. Adieu, my dear brother. I am, with cordial respects and affection,
Ever, ever yours,
G. W.