LETTER CCCCLXXX.
To the Bishop of Bangor.
London, Nov. 19, 1742.
My Lord,
THIS evening I received your Lordship’s kind letter. I humbly thank your Lordship for it. It confirmed me in the character given me of your Lordship’s spirit. I verily believe your Lordship abhors every thing that has a tendency to persecution, and yet, in my humble opinion, if Mr. C—— is not somewhat redressed, he is persecuted indeed. That your Lordship may know his spirit, and the spirit of the person who came as far as Ludlow on the business, I have sent your Lordship a letter from each, which was written some time ago to Mr. H—— H——. In them your Lordship will see their whole hearts. I verily believe they would rather die than wilfully speak or write a falshood. My Lord, the whole of the matter seems to be this: In Wales they have little fellowship meetings, where some well-meaning people meet together, simply to tell what God has done for their souls. In some of these meetings, I believe Mr. C—— used to tell his experience, and to invite his companions to come and be happy in Jesus Christ. He is therefore indicted as holding a conventicle; and this I find is the case of one, if not two more. Now, my Lord, these persons thus indicted, as far as I can judge, are loyal subjects to his Majesty, and true friends to, and attendants upon the Church of England service. You will see by these letters, how unwilling they are to leave her; and yet, if all those acts, which were made against persons meeting together to plot against Church and State, were put in execution against them, what must they do? They must be obliged to declare themselves Dissenters. I assure your Lordship, it is a critical time in Wales. Hundreds, if not thousands, will go in a body from the Church, if such proceedings are countenanced. I lately wrote them a letter, dissuading them from separating from the Church, and I write thus freely to your Lordship, because of the excellent spirit of moderation discernible in your Lordship, and because I would not have (to use your Lordship’s own expression) “such a fire kindled in, or from your (Lordship’s) diocese.” I would beg the favour of your Lordship to return me the inclosed, because I have not kept copies. I send them to your Lordship just as they are, that your Lordship may see the whole affair, and censure what is exceptionable. I really believe the writers will thank your Lordship for it. I ask pardon for taking up so much of your Lordship’s time, but I thought your Lordship would desire to have all possible information, that you might be better capable of judging. I pray the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls to direct your Lordship in this, and every other affair that comes before you, and that you may be saluted at the great day with an Euge bone, is the hearty and fervent prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient son and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXI.
To Mr. C——.
London, Nov. 20, 1742.
My dear Brother C——,
I Catch a few moments to give you an account of my agency. Your letter I sent to the Bishop of Bangor, inclosed in one from myself. His answer you have transcribed in this. That he might not be imposed upon by the Chancellor’s representing of things, I last night sent his Lordship another long letter, with that which you wrote to dear brother H—— some time ago. As the Bishop seems to be a man of a moderate spirit, I trust this storm will blow over. In the mean while, let us wait upon the Lord, commit the cause into his hands who judgeth righteously, and pray, that we may be “as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Glad shall I be to serve you, my dear brother, in this, or any other affair, for advancing our glorious Mediator’s kingdom. Let this be our comfort, the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it. Let us go on then, and never fear what men or devils can say of, or do unto us. I suppose this is the language of your heart,
The love of Christ doth me constrain
To seek the wand’ring souls of men:
All hail reproach, and welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.
And if so, surely the spirit of Christ and of glory will rest upon you. Our dear brother C—— is sadly used in Wiltshire. The compassionate Redeemer of souls pities my weakness, and suffers very little disturbance to be made. We have sweet times, and, vile as I am, Jesus is pleased to keep me near him. I hope this will find your dear soul sitting under his shadow with great delight. I know you not in the flesh, but hope to see you before I embark. Letters call me loudly to Georgia. My dear family are returned to their Bethesda in safety. O help me, my dear brother, to praise the Lord. Salute all the brethren in behalf of
Yours most affectionately, &c.
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXII.
To Mr. V——, Secretary to the Trustees of Georgia.
London, Nov. 20, 1742.
Dear Sir,
GOD willing, I intend waiting upon the honourable Trustees at the time appointed. Yesterday I received a packet of letters from my friends at the Orphan-house. I find they are returned in safety to Bethesda, and give a noble account of the General’s conduct. Blessed be God, for enabling him to repel the enemy; but now another distress is come upon poor Georgia. A violent sickness rages and has taken off many. My letters say, the Orphan-house surgeon had 50 under his hands. This, I trust, will more and more convince the Honourable Trustees, of the benefit the Orphan-house is and will be to the Colony. I hear, that Mr. O——, the minister of Savannah, is dead. I know one Mr. M——, a clergyman in the Isle of Man, who would go over and supply his place, if he was applied to. The Bishop of Sodor and Man I believe will give him a recommendation. You may acquaint the Honourable Trustees with this, and let me know their answer. I hope in about two months to embark for Georgia. I find God has given my family a good crop; but the hands are sick, so they cannot speedily carry it in. What condition the Orphan-house was in lately, the inclosed will shew. Be pleased to let the Honourable Trustees have a sight of it, and believe me to be, dear Sir,
Your obliged friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXIII.
To Mr. C——.
London, Nov. 20, 1742.
My very dear Brother,
THE first part of your letter did not surprize me at all, though it made me look up to the Lord for you. I believed you would be down in the valley of humiliation soon; but fear not, it is only that you may be exalted the more. I trust, this will find you mounting on wings like an eagle, walking, yet not weary; running, yet not faint. God has, does, and will remarkably appear for you. Doubtless, you are his servant and minister. He therefore that touches you, touches the apple of God’s eye. Poor Wiltshire people! I pity them. If I knew their Bishop, I would apply to him on their behalf. I wrote to the Bishop of Bangor for our brethren in Wales, and have received a very favourable answer. The wrath of man shall turn to God’s praise, and the remainder of it he will restrain. How wonderfully has he appeared in all ages for his church and people! My dear family abroad has been marvellously preserved. Blessed be God, they are returned to Bethesda in peace. We have sweet seasons daily, and I am carried in the arms of love. My Master careth for me, and seems to order my goings in his way. O help me to praise him. I think you are never forgotten by, my dear C——,
Your most affectionate brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXIV.
To Mr. J—— E——.
London, Nov. 23, 1742.
Dear Sir,
HOW gently does the Lord deal with his followers? “As a father pitieth his own children, so is the Lord merciful to them that fear him.” Now your father is a little uneasy, your grandfather is more favourable. The Lord will never suffer you to be tempted above what you will be enabled to bear. He will make a way for you to escape. I am glad you have determined to study at E——. Two things, I would earnestly recommend to your constant study, the book of God, and your own heart. These two, well understood, will make you an able minister of the New Testament. In what manner you shall be hereafter employed, I would have you be indifferent about. “Take no thought for the morrow.” Let the Lord send you, when and where he will send you. In the mean while, do as much for God in a private way as you can. “Exercise thyself unto godliness,” and walk so humbly, that all may know our Lord has chosen you to be a gospel prophet. I rejoice, that the work is still going on. Blessed be God, we have good times here. I am kept in great liberty. Be pleased to desire all to accept of hearty love from, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXV.
To the Earl of ——.
London, Nov. 23, 1742.
My Lord,
SINCE I wrote to your Lordship, I have received a comfortable packet of letters from Georgia, giving me an account of my family’s safe return to their Bethesda. The deliverance of Georgia from the Spaniards, one of my friends writes me, is such as cannot be parralleled, but by some few instances out of the Old Testament. I find that the Spaniards had cast lots, and determined to give no quarter. They intended to attack Carolina, but wanting water they put into Georgia, and so would take that Colony in their way. But “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” Providence ruleth all things. They were wonderfully repelled and sent away, before our ships were seen. Surely God remembered the prayers of the poor orphans, and the earnest cries which have been put up on their behalf. I find they now live at a smaller expence. They hunt and shoot for a good part of their food. Their crop gives them a considerable quantity of peas, potatoes, &c. and they kill some of their own stock. There has been a great sickness at Savannah. Some of the labourers have been taken off, but none of the children, as I hear, have died as yet. I hope this will find your Lordship perfectly recovered, and your honoured consort, Lady ——, and all your Lordship’s family, rejoicing in God. He is pleased to give me much of his love, and to bless me every day. Several of our friends in Wales have been unjustly excommunicated. I have sent two letters, and have received kind answers from the Bishop of Bangor. Perilous times, perhaps, are coming on; but this is my comfort, “the gates of hell shall never prevail against the church of Christ.” Hoping for a line from your Lordship, if it be not too much trouble, I subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXVI.
To Miss W——.
London, November 23, 1742.
My dear Miss W——,
YOUR letter affected me much, and if it had not been for business, I should have answered it ere now. It is the hardest thing in the world to keep the creature in his proper place. We are apt to esteem the ministers of Jesus either too much or too little. One while, we could pluck out our eyes to give them; at another time, run into a contrary extreme, and not pay them that respect which is their due for their Master’s sake. The love that a child of God feels for its spiritual father, is certainly unspeakable. O how can I but love him, who under God has brought me from darkness into light! Methinks I hear dear Miss W—— say, “how indeed!” But here is danger, lest the affections should be too much entangled, and we unwilling to give up the beloved object to our God. This, I suppose, is dear Miss W——’s case, and I can say,
I know how sore this trial is,
For I have felt the same.
O what have I suffered in parting from spiritual friends, especially such as were my Isaac’s! But Christ’s grace has been sufficient for me, and so it will be for you. I have prayed for you, and hope by this time dear Miss W—— can say, my spiritual Father keeps his proper place, and I walk in liberty and the love of God. Indeed, my dear Miss, no one but the searcher of hearts knows, what a real concern I have for your eternal welfare. I verily believe I shall see you sitting at the right hand of your Redeemer. Surely he has captivated and stolen your heart away. I hope nothing will divert you from him; but with a single eye to his glory, you will go through good report and evil report, ’till you come to the blessed place, where the wicked will cease from troubling, and your weary soul enjoy an everlasting rest. Glad shall I be to hear from you every opportunity. Ere long I must away. Pray our Saviour to help me under all my difficulties, but at the same time help me to praise him: for amidst all my various circumstances, I am kept joying in God, and made more than conqueror through his love. We have had blessed times since my arrival here.
Your most affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXVII.
To the Bishop of Bangor.
London, Nov. 23, 1742.
My Lord,
I Humbly thank your Lordship for your Lordship’s second kind letter. Your Lordship shall have Mr. C——’s letter whenever your Lordship pleases to demand it. I sent it for no other purpose, than to let your Lordship into the affair as far as lay in my power. I am quite willing your Lordship should hear both sides. I doubt not but your Lordship will do justice. The candour and moderation which breathe in your Lordship’s letters, and your condescension in writing to me, incline me to take the freedom of begging your Lordship’s acceptance of my last volume of sermons, and the Orphan-house accounts, from, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obliged, obedient son and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXVIII.
To Professor Frank, in Germany.
London, Nov. 24, 1742.
Rev. Sir,
LONG have I designed writing to you, but something or another has always prevented me. However, I can now defer it no longer. For though I never saw you in the flesh, yet I love and highly esteem you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and wish you much prosperity in the work of the Lord. Your honoured father’s memory is very precious to me. His account of the Orphan-house hath, under God, been a great support and encouragement to me in a like undertaking. How it prospers, the account sent with this will inform you. Only it will be proper to observe, that since the publication of the last, there have been upwards of 300l. collected. I am yet about 400l. in arrears. But I know in whom I have believed, for the carrying on of that building. Hitherto it has answered its motto, and has been like the burning bush on fire, but not consumed. The Colony’s late deliverance from the Spaniards was very extraordinary. I cannot but think the Lord intends yet to do great things for Georgia. How is it with the Saltzburghers? I have not heard. Sometime ago I sent them over twenty pounds, and wish it was in my power to send them more. About January, God willing, I intend to embark. In the mean while, I should be glad to know, Rev. Sir, how it is with your Orphan-house? and whether you have any commands to Georgia? I suppose you have heard of the work of God in Scotland. Indeed the word has run and been glorified, and Jesus has gotten himself the victory in many hearts. In England also he is pleased to bless us. Here are many close followers of the blessed Lamb of God, and though there is a difference of opinion between me and Mr. W——, yet Jesus pities us and blesses us all. I long for that time, “when the watchmen shall all see eye to eye; when the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the lion eat straw like the ox, and the people of God learn war and jangle no more.” Hasten that time, O glorious Emmanuel, and let thy kingdom come!—Rev. Sir, whilst I am writing, the fire of love kindles in my heart. I am amazed, to think the blessed Jesus should employ such an unworthy wretch as I am: But thy grace is free, for, O my God, it found me out. The love you bear to the lovely Jesus, I am persuaded will excite you to pray for me. Glad should I be of a line from you, and the Rev. Mr. Ulspurgher; but I deserve no regard for not writing to you both. But you know how to forgive, for God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Hoping therefore for a line from you by the hands of the Rev. Mr. Z——, I subscribe myself, Reverend and dear Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate, tho’ unworthy younger brother and servant in the kingdom and patience of the blessed Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXXIX.
To Mr. P——, of Newbury.
London, Nov. 27, 1742.
Rev. and dear Sir,
THIS morning I received your sweet and lovely letter. It humbled me before God; but I rejoiced, as I had long since publickly recanted all that is exceptionable in that extract. I think I was overseen in publishing it; but this is not the first blunder I have made. My mistakes have been so many, and my imprudence so great, that I have often wondered that the glorious Jesus would employ me in his service. But he has proved his eternal goodness, long-suffering, and love, by bearing with me, and, Rev. and dear Sir, he still delights to honour me. Since I have been in London, he has given me great freedom of soul, and caused his word to come with power. I have news of my family being safe at Georgia. God willing, I purpose to embark next January. I most heartily thank you for this last instance of your love, and pray our dear Jesus to reward you for it. Your seeing what a poor, weak, fallible creature I am, I trust will stir you up to be more earnest for me at the throne of grace. Next week I intend sending you a parcel, wherein you will have more particular accounts of the work in Scotland. I hear the gospel flourishes in Gloucestershire and Wales. Dear Mr. C—— will be sadly missed. But he is in peace, and the residue of the spirit is in the Redeemer’s hands. That you and your dear flock and family may experience a large effusion of it in your dear souls, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, dear and Rev. Sir,
Your most affectionate, tho’ most unworthy brother and servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXC.
To the Bishop of Sarum.
Nov. 30, 1742.
My Lord,
I Beg your Lordship’s pardon for troubling you with this. I believe your Lordship will not be offended, when you know the cause. There is one Mr. C——, a true lover of Jesus Christ, who has been much honoured in bringing many poor sinners in Wiltshire to the knowledge of themselves and of God. He is a member of the Church of England, but sadly opposed by the clergy in Wiltshire, as well as by many that will come to hear him preach. In a letter, dated November 16th, from Toxham, he writes thus: “The enemy seems to be more awakened in the villages round about us, than before. The ministers of Bramble, Segery, Langley, and many others, have strictly forbidden the church-wardens and overseers to let any of the C——’s have any thing out of the parish; and they obey them, and tell the poor, if they cannot stop them from following any other way, they will famish them. Several of the poor, who have great families (to my own knowledge) have already been denied any help, for this reason, because they follow this way. Some of the people have, out of fear, denied they ever came, and others have been made to promise they will come no more; whilst the most part come at the loss of friends and all they have. When the officers threatned some to take away their pay; they answered, if you starve us, we will go, and rather than we will forbear, we will live upon grass like the kine. Surely the cries of the distressed people have already entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” In another letter I received from him last night, he writes thus: “I should be glad if you could mention the cruelty of the ministers of Bramble, and Segery, to the Bishop of Sarum; indeed, their doings are inhuman. The cry of the people, because of their oppression, is very great; several suffer amazingly.”—In compliance with my dear friend’s request, I presume to lay the matter, as he represents it, before your Lordship, being persuaded that your Lordship will not favour persecuting practices, or approve of such proceedings to keep people to the Church of England. Should this young man leave the Church, hundreds would leave it with him. But I know that at present he has no such design. If your Lordship pleases to give me leave, I would wait upon your Lordship upon the least notice. Or if your Lordship is pleased to send a line into Wiltshire, to know the truth of the matter, and judge accordingly, it will satisfy, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient son and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCI.
To Mr. J——.
London, Dec. 4, 1742.
IF my dear brother J—— took it kind, that I called at his house, I am sure I took it much kinder that he was pleased to send unworthy me so kind a letter. It has so affected me, that I have been praying before my Saviour for you; and though nature calls for rest, I cannot obey it, before I have written to my dear Mr. J——. Vile, unfaithful as I am, my Master lets me have my hands full of work. From morning ’till midnight I am employed, and, glory be to rich grace, I am carried through the duties of each day with chearfulness, and almost uninterrupted tranquility. Our society is large, but in good order, and we make improvements daily. My Master gives us much of his gracious presence, both in our public and private administrations. In our love-feasts, Jesus comes and says, “Peace be unto you.” In our great congregation, he gives poor sinners to look, and mourn, and live. In Scotland the work was very extraordinary. In Wales the word runs and is glorified much. In Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Bristol, our Lord gets himself the victory in many hearts. In Newcastle, our brother W——’s are blessed much, and I heartily rejoice to hear that our dear Saviour is so much among you. If I know any thing of this my desperately wicked heart, I am dead to parties, and freed from the pain, which on that account once disturbed the peace of my soul. Indeed, Jesus has taken many things from me, and made me to experience, that in him there is plenteous redemption. About January, I purpose, God willing, to embark for Georgia. My dear family hath been wonderfully preserved. As the Orphan-house was built by faith, I trust the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. Methinks I hear my dear Mr. J—— say, Amen. I most cordially salute your dear Lady, dear brother S——, and all the brethren. I saw our dear S—— before he went. I intended having some sweet fellowship with the church in Yorkshire, but was prevented by riding post. If dear brother H——, or D——, or any of the brethren, have any thing to say to a poor sinner, I should be glad to hear from them. Let this provoke you, my dear brother, to send me another letter. I’ll redeem time from sleep, rather than it should not be answered by, my dear Mr. J——,
Your most affectionate, though unworthy, sinful and younger brother in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCII.
To the Bishop of Bristol.
London, Dec. 5, 1742.
My Lord,
AS your Lordship was pleased to contribute towards the Orphan-house in Georgia, I think your Lordship has a right to hear how that undertaking succeeds. I have made bold to send your Lordship the accounts of it, which are published. Since the last was printed, I have collected about 300l. and have heard that my family are all safe at the Orphan-house. I have also taken the freedom of sending your Lordship my last volume of sermons; in accepting of which, your Lordship will much oblige
Your Lordship’s most obedient son and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCIII.
To Mr. S——, at Worcester.
London, Dec. 9, 1742.
Rev. and dear Sir,
HOWEVER engaged I may be, I think it my duty to answer your kind letter as soon as possible. It is not fit that my Master’s aged servant should wait long for an answer from a younger brother, especially as I know you write with so much difficulty. I thank you, Rev. Sir, for your plain dealing. It is what pleaseth me well. Indeed, I feel myself a poor, vile, worthless creature, and am glad to receive advice from you, who have been so long in the Redeemer’s service. However ungrateful it may be to the old man, the language of my heart is, “Lord, search me and try me, and whatever secret wickedness lurks in my soul, discover it to me, and give me power over it, that nothing may divert me from that way, which leads me to life everlasting.” Your advice, Rev. Sir, in respect to preaching, was salutary and good, and if I may speak any thing of myself, is what I keep close to. I am remarked for my evangelical preaching, and comforting the mourners of Zion. I am never so much in my element, as when I preach free grace to the chief of sinners. As to the gentleman you mention, I do not remember I ever conversed with such a person. I believe there can scarce an instance be given of any one sent to Bedlam by my sermons. But I rejoice in this, and all other calumnies that are cast upon me.
All hail reproach, welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.
I must have some thorn in the flesh, to serve as a poise to the great honour my Master is pleased to put upon me. In Scotland, my reception was extraordinary. It was almost wholly amongst the people and clergy of the kirk, with many of the highest rank. I was very intimate with several persons of quality, who I trust have been awakened to a true sense of the divine life, and enabled to count all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord. My chief opposition was from the dear Mr. E——s and the associate presbytery. They first invited me to Scotland; but finding I would preach for the ministers of the established church, as well as for them, they spoke all manner of evil against me falsly, and imputed all the work in Scotland and New-England to the agency of the evil spirit. I pitied, prayed for, and loved them, and do so still. O, reverend Sir, what thanks shall I give to my Lord for carrying me through so many trying dispensations? I know you will help me to adore and praise him. I am much blessed here. We have many gracious souls. Ere long I must leave them. I have not the least thought of seeing Worcester. Glad shall I be to kiss your aged hands; but I shall see you in glory. Begging the continuance of your prayers, and with all possible thanks for all favours, I subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,
Your most obliged and affectionate friend and younger brother and servant in Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCIV.
To Mr. D——, of Edinburgh.
London, Dec. 18, 1742.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
LAST night, just before your kind letter came to hand, I had been lying on my face before our compassionate High-Priest, telling him what great expences lay before me for his great Name sake. I wanted 300l. to pay for the Orphans, and much to pay for my own necessary expences, which he, by his providence, brought upon me. Your letter came as an answer to my prayer. It humbled, at the same time that it elated my soul, and greatly strengthened my faith. Surely the Lord is on my side, and the Orphan-house will stand unconsumed in fire. The enemies, and even many friends of Jesus speak against it; but this is all to bring me nearer to the blessed Jesus, and to convince me that our extremity is God’s opportunity. My dear man, God will abundantly bless you for helping me at this juncture. I can find but few, who think it a favour to do any thing for God, and love to help a friend to the very last. O, dear Sir, was you here, I could weep over you, and thank you most heartily. Last night I was enabled to intercede for you very much. God will hear my prayer, and not let my dear friend lose his reward. The 16th of this month was my birth-day. It made me blush to think how much sin I have committed against, and how little good I have done for God. As soon as I opened and read your letter, amazed, I cried out, I am the vilest wretch living, and so I think now. I know you will pray for me, and thank our Saviour too. He is very kind to me. Our society goes on well. I am now in my winter-quarters, preparing for a fresh campaign. Though I richly deserve it, yet our infinitely condescending Jesus will not lay me aside, until he has performed all his good pleasure in and by me. Wishing you, my dear Sir, all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, and sending you ten thousand thanks for all favours, I subscribe myself,
Your most obliged affectionate friend, brother, and unworthy servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCV.
To Mr. I——.
London, Dec. 21, 1742.
My very dear Brother,
WHEN your letters come, I find great freedom to send immediate answers. A proof this, I trust, that our Saviour intends our brotherly love not only to continue, but increase. This day I dined with old Mr. F——, and was kindly entertained by him and his wife. I then remembered what sweet counsel we had there taken together, and rejoiced in the happy prospect of our being ere long for ever together with our blessed and glorious Lord. My brother, what has our Saviour done for us since that time? What is he doing for us now? what did he do ere time began? what will he do when time shall be no more? O how sweet is it to be melted down with a sense of redeeming love! It is this must strike the rock, and break the bars of unbelief asunder. O! to be kept always low at the feet of Jesus! It is right, my brother, always to insist on poverty of spirit, and emptying the creature of self. I heartily join with you in your petition for yourself and unworthy me. I know what a dreadful thing it is, to carry much sail without proper ballast, and to rejoice in a false liberty. Joy floating upon the surface of an unmortified heart, is but of short continuance. It puffs up, but doth not edify. I thank our Saviour that he is shewing us here more of our hearts, and more of his love. I doubt not but he deals so with you. I heartily greet your dear houshold, and your societies, and return my love to Mr. S——. I have heard him mentioned by lady F—— G——. If our Saviour gives me leave, I would gladly come to Yorkshire. But I think the cloud points strongly towards Georgia. He hath taken wonderful care of the sheep left in yonder wilderness, and interposed mightily in their behalf. I know you will thank him for it. I have had a loving conference with dear Mr. B——, and have received a sweet gospel-letter from dear Mr. H——. With this I send to him, you, and yours, and all the brethren, most hearty love, and am, my very dear brother,
Ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXCVI.
To the Honourable Colonel G——.
London, Dec. 21, 1742.
Honoured Sir,
YOUR kind letter put me in mind of righteous Lot, whose soul was grieved day by day at the ungodly conversation of the wicked. It was the same with holy David. His eyes, like yours, honoured Sir, gushed out with water because men kept not God’s law. Let this be your comfort, honoured Sir, that ere long “the wicked shall cease from troubling you, and your weary soul shall be at rest.” Our Saviour will give you a discharge, when you have fought a few more battles for him. An exceeding and eternal weight of glory is laid up for you, which God the righteous judge shall give you at that day. I confess your situation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a disciple of the prince of peace. But persons can better judge for themselves, than strangers can judge for them. However, I cannot say, I would change posts. Indeed, honoured Sir, I think mine is a glorious employ. I am not ashamed of my master, though my master may well be ashamed of me. I know no other reason, why Jesus has put me into the ministry, than because I am the chief of sinners, and therefore fittest to preach free grace to a world lying in the wicked one. Blessed be God, he gives much success, and for the generality answers your prayers, by giving me a thriving soul in a healthful body. But O my unfruitfulness! I am often ashamed that I can do no more for that Jesus who hath redeemed me by his own most precious blood. Honoured Sir, the thoughts quite confound me. O that I could lie lower! then should I rise higher. Could I take deeper root downwards, then should I bear more fruit upwards. I want to be poor in spirit. I want to be meek and lowly in heart. I want to have the whole mind that was in Christ Jesus. Blessed be his name for what he has given me already. Blessed be his name, that out of his fulness I receive grace for grace. O that my heart was Christ’s library! I would not have one thief to lodge in my Redeemer’s temple. “Lord, scourge out every thief,” is the daily language of my heart. The Lord will hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto him. I have just been writing to your honoured lady. I think she grows in grace. May you and yours be filled with all the fulness of God! In about six weeks, God willing, I purpose to embark for Georgia. Our Lord has wonderfully appeared for my poor orphans. I am yet in arrears for them, but my God knows how to supply all my wants. I am enabled to cast all my care upon him, believing that he careth for me. I hope to have the favour of another letter before I embark. In the mean while, I beg the continuance of your prayers, and am, honoured Sir,
Your most affectionate, though very unworthy brother, and servant in our glorious head,
G. W.