Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.
Dear Mr. C——,
I Cannot forget your frequent attendance on my ministry when last at London. I am pressed in spirit to write you a line, to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. You have learned the truth as it is in Jesus. You have been taught it of God. Electing love hath snatched you as a brand out of the fire, and you have followed our Lord without the camp, bearing his reproach. The Lord’s tabernacle has lately been pitched in the fields. Ere long it may be driven into the wilderness. I hope you will follow it even there. The divine presence, I am persuaded, will accompany it. Hath not your heart often burnt within you when the Scriptures have been opening to you, though not under a church roof? God is not confined to places. Wherever his people are, he will find and visit them. Our Lord (oh stupendous love!) has been pleased to sail with us. I have tasted both of his rod and staff; each has given me unspeakable comfort. My dear brother, help me to praise him. Who so great, so good a God, as our God? In about a twelve-month I hope to see you again. Oh pray for me, my dear brother, that I may meanwhile be let further into the mysteries of godliness, “God manifest in the flesh.” As yet, I find I am but a child, and a meer novice. But this is my comfort, “The Lord who has begun will carry on the good work,” till I am grown a strong man in Christ Jesus. I long to know more of his love, I hunger and thirst after the teachings of his blessed spirit. You, I am persuaded, are no otherwise minded. Still press on and faint not. Yet a little while and you shall enter into perfect joy with
Your affectionate brother in our dear Lord Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CXXVII.
New-York, Nov. 16, 1739.
Reverend Sir,
SEEING a passage in your letter to Mr. P—— concerning me, I find my heart immediately set to send you a line. I love to be acquainted with the true and old servants of Jesus Christ, because I delight to sit at their feet and receive instruction from them. You said right, reverend Sir, when you said “I was but a young divine.” Indeed I am a novice in the things of God. I can only say, that I desire to know the whole will of God, that I may communicate it to others. Christ is so good a master, that I would have all men drawn after him. He is pleased to let me experience daily teachings of his blessed spirit, and to show me the riches, freeness, and eternal duration of his love.—But as yet I only see men as trees walking. Oh pray, reverend Sir, that the Lord would again touch me, and enable me to see all things clearly. I desire it only for the good of his church. Reverend Sir, into what a lethargy is the christian world fallen! Foolish and wise virgins are all slumbering and sleeping. It is high time for all that love the Lord Jesus to lift up their voices like trumpets, and to give warning of the bridegroom’s coming; many I hope are already alarmed.—Philadelphia people receive the gospel gladly. Here, indeed, has been some little opposition, and therefore I hope success will be given to the word, and what has been done in England, the journal sent with this will inform you. Oh reverend Sir, I beseech you give thanks for me with your whole heart. Entreat the Lord that I may be kept humble and dependent upon our dear Lord Jesus. God willing, in about seven months I hope to see New England in my return to Europe. An effectual door is there opened, and no wonder that there are many adversaries. Shortly I expect to suffer for my dear master. May I not deny him in that hour! If you would please to favour me with a line, I should be glad to continue this correspondence, and acquaint you from time to time how the work of God goes on. Mr. N—— will convey any thing you shall send. May the Lord richly reward both him and you, for your love to