JUST now we have been singing the hymn, which we sung at Broad-oak; and as I generally do at such seasons, I thought of that happy time wherein we sung it in your great hall. It was a time much to be remembered, an anticipation, I believe, of that blessed time when we all shall meet to sing the song of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem—For the adoption of the spirit, if truly received, is the earnest of our promised inheritance. We are sealed thereby to the day of redemption, and therefore may give both men and devils the challenge to separate us, if they can, from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord—I am verily persuaded, that since I left you, all things have worked together for your good. As I am travelling, often does my soul think both of you and yours, and out of the fulness of my heart, do I often pour forth this or such like petitions, “Dearest Lord, be for ever gracious to the houshold of ——!” My conscience hath smote me frequently, for not writing you a longer letter. I send this to ask pardon, and to assure you how often you and your daughters are upon my heart, when I go in and out before the Lord—I long to hear how the Lord Jesus hath magnified his strength in your weakness. It would fill a volume to tell his goodness and truth; and my base ingratitude sometimes comes with such conviction upon my heart, that I can scarce forbear getting off my horse, and humbling myself in the way side. Indeed, I am the chief of sinners, and yet overflowing hath the Lord Jesus been in his love. You will hear more soon by the journal which will be sent. Dear Mrs. C——, my love to all.
Your affectionate though unworthy brother in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CL.
Savannah, Jan. 16, 1740.
Reverend and dear Sir,
WITH much pleasure (tho’ not till last week) I received your kind affectionate letter. I thank you for it with all my soul, and pray God to reward you for this, and all other your works of faith and labours of love. You may depend on my not being prejudiced against you or your brethren, by any evil report. They only endear you to me more and more; and were your enemies to represent you as black as hell, I should think you were the more glorious in the sight of heaven. Your sweet criticisms and remarks upon my journal and sermons, were exceeding acceptable, and very just. I assure you, dear Sir, I am fully convinced of the doctrine of election, free justification, and final perseverance. My observations on the Quakers, were only intended for those particular persons with whom I then conversed. The tenets of the quakers in general, about justification, I take to be false and unscriptural. Your adversaries need take no advantage against you, by any thing I have written; for I think it every minister’s duty to declare against the corruptions of that church to which they belong, and not to look upon those as true members of their communion, who deny its publick constitutions. This is your case in Scotland, and ours in England. I see no other way for us to act at present, than to go on preaching the truth as it is in Jesus; and then if our brethren cast us out, God will direct us to take that course which is most conducive to his glory, and his people’s good. I think I have but one objection against your proceedings; “Your insisting only on presbyterian government, exclusive of all other ways of worshipping God.” Will not this, dear Sir, necessarily lead you (whenever you get the upper-hand) to oppose and persecute all that differ from you in their church government, or outward way of worshipping God? Our dear brother and fellow-labourer Mr. G—— T—— thinks this will be the consequence, and said he would write to you about it. As for my own part, (though I profess myself a minister of the church of England) I am of a catholic spirit; and if I see a man who loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity, I am not very solicitous to what outward communion he belongs. The kingdom of God, I think, does not consist in any such thing. These are my sentiments, dear Sir, and I write them out of love—I am ashamed (because only a babe in Christ) to pretend as it were to direct; but true friendship needs no apology. God is doing great things in America. My journal, which I send over with this, will shew you what he has done already. Your welfare is much upon my heart, and as I am enabled, I make mention of you in my prayers. Affairs of the Orphan-house go on well. Some few, even here, love the Lord Jesus. Oh, dear Sir, pray for us, and especially for
Your weak unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in Christ,
G. W.