Dear Mrs. A.,
THESE words of the psalmist, “Let us rejoice in the strength of our salvation,” often come with great power and comfort upon my soul. You and I need take much notice of them: For otherwise how often should we have fallen away from God since our first looking Zion-wards? But the Lord as he loves us freely, so he will heal our backslidings. He neither will let us fall into sin or error, so as finally to destroy our souls. God forbid this should encourage us in sin. It is only intended to support us in danger, and to strengthen us under temptations. Since there is such infinite mercy with God, it is a cogent reason why he should be loved and feared; but not why he should be disobeyed: And since God has lately led you out of delusion, be more watchful over yourself, my dear Sister, to follow those who truly shew you the way of salvation.—To hear of your standing stedfast in the Lord, will highly delight
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CXXXVIII.
To the Rev. Mr. R. E.
Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.
Rev. and Dear Sir,
THE cordial and tender love which I bear you, will not permit me to neglect any opportunity of sending to you. I bless the Lord from my soul, for raising you and several other burning and shining lights to appear for him in this midnight of the church. My heart has been much warmed during my voyage, by reading some of your sermons, especially that preached before the associate presbytery. I long more and more to hear the rise and progress of your proceedings, and how far you would willingly carry the reformation of the church of Scotland. There are some expressions which I suppose will be interpreted to your disadvantage, both by your domestic and foreign enemies. I should be glad to know who are those martyrs to which you refer, and of what nature those covenants were which you mention in your sermon. My ignorance of the constitution of the Scotch church is the cause of my writing after this manner. I should be obliged to you, if you would be pleased to recommend to me some useful books, especially such which open the holy sacrament; for in God’s law is my delight. Boston’s fourfold State of Man I like exceedingly. Under God it has been of much service to my soul. I believe I agree with you and him in the essential truths of christianity. I bless God, his spirit has convinced me of our eternal election by the Father through the Son, of our free justification through faith in his blood, of our sanctification as the consequence of that, and of our final perseverance and glorification as the result of all. These I am persuaded God has joined together; these, neither men nor devils shall ever be able to put asunder. My only scruple at present is, “Whether you approve of taking the sword in defence of your religious rights?” One of our English bishops I remember, when I was with him, called you Cameronians. They, I think, took up arms, which I think to be contrary to the spirit of Jesus Christ and his apostles. Some few passages in your sermon before the presbytery, I thought were a little suspicious of favouring that principle. I pray God your next may inform me that I am mistaken: For when zeal carries us to such a length, I think it ceases to be zeal according to knowledge. Dearest Sir, be not angry at my writing thus freely. I love, I honour you in the bowels, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, from my soul. I wish you good luck in all your pious undertakings. I pray God to prosper the works of your hands, and to make you a noble instrument in bringing many sons to glory. Pray send an immediate answer, directed as usual, and care will be taken to have it remitted to, reverend and dear Sir,