Bristol, May 16, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Owe you much love. Only want of time, prevents my writing to you oftner. This morning I received a kind [♦]letter from your brother Ralph, who thinks it best for me wholly to join the associate presbytery, if it should please God to send me into Scotland. This I cannot altogether come into. I come only as an occasional preacher, to preach the simple gospel to all that are willing to hear me, of whatever denomination. It will be wrong in me to join in a reformation as to church government, any further than I have light given me from above. If I am quite neuter as to that in my preaching, I cannot see how it can hinder or retard any design you may have on foot. My business seems to be, to evangelize, to be a Presbyter at large. When I shall be sent into your parts I know not. I write this, that there may not be the least misunderstanding between us. I love and honour the associate Presbytery in the bowels of Jesus Christ. With this I send them my due respects, and most humbly beg their prayers. But let them not be offended, if in all things I cannot immediately fall in with them. Let them leave me to God. Whatever light he is pleased to give me, I hope I shall be faithful to it. Our dear and precious master still carries me on. God enables me to fight my way through. The gospel doctrines, I believe, will yet prevail. I feel a divine power attending my ministrations. I preach twice daily, and am invited to many places. I believe the Lord intends to keep me on this side the water for some time. Blessed be God, all places are alike to me. O dear Sir, pray for me.—I am a poor unworthy worm. I love you tenderly, but am almost ashamed to subscribe myself
Your brother in the best of bonds,
G. W.
[♦] ‘lettter’ replaced with ‘letter’
LETTER CCLXXXI.
To D—— A——, in London.
Bristol, May 16, 1741.