I AM not willing to go on shore till I have performed my promise, and sent you a line. I heartily wish I could write something which might advance the glory of God and the good of his church. As we both profess ourselves ministers of the gospel, these two things ought to be our chief and only concern, and more especially at this time, when men seek their own and not the things of the Lord Jesus. Oh, dear Sir, the care of souls I find to be a matter of the greatest importance. You have a great number committed to your charge. What a dreadful thing will it be for any of them to perish through your neglect? And yet I fear, Sir, you do not walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called. It is no good report that I hear of you in common life. Your practice contradicts your doctrine, and what good can you do, if every one of your parishioners, whilst you are preaching, may reply, “Physician heal thyself?” Besides, Sir, how can you preach Christ to others, when you are a stranger to his power yourself? It is next to impossible. I make no apology for this plainness of speech. Simplicity becomes embassadors of Christ. I am, reverend Sir,
Your obliged friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CXLII.
Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.
Dear Mr. G.,
INDEED I love you, though it was so long before I came to see you. Want of time, not of respect, was the cause. God is my judge how earnestly I long after your salvation, and how willingly I would spend and be spent in order to promote it. Oh how closely does true faith in Jesus Christ our head, knit all his members in love to one another; what a divine harmony and attraction is there between them, when they have drank into and been made partakers of one and the same spirit? How does the love of God dilate and enlarge their hearts! How do all little distinctions about externals fall away, and every other name is swallowed up in the name of Jesus Christ? This, my dear brother, is that catholic spirit, which will cement all denominations of sincere professors together. This is the spirit of which free distinguishing grace has made you a partaker, and which I pray God we both may partake of every day more and more. He is faithful who has promised, who also will do it. I find it is not in vain that we have believed in Jesus. He is God, and his work is perfect; his love is like himself unchangeable; his gifts and callings are without repentance, and therefore, though I am but a babe in Christ, yet I am persuaded I shall see you crowned with glory. Then, my dear brother, we shall have time enough together. Then, there will be no parting, no fear of falling; but we shall drink eternally of those pleasures which flow from God’s right hand for evermore. Supported with this hope, what hinders but I may come once again, when the Lord permits, and offer Christ’s everlasting righteousness to poor perishing sinners. The devil and his servants will rage horribly, and perhaps cast me into prison, nay, put me to death: But if you will come and visit me, by the help of my God, I will preach to you even there; for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I have felt it to be the power of God unto my salvation. Oh, my brother, the fire kindles whilst I am writing; but I must have done. Pray salute those dear souls that I spoke to at your house, and all other friends. Entreat them to pray and give thanks for me; and assure them they are not forgotten by
Ever yours in Christ,
G. W.