Edinburgh, Aug. 8, 1741.
My dear Brother,
I Have written you several letters; and I rejoice to hear that the work of the Lord prospers in the hands of Messrs. T——s, &c. am glad they intend to meet in a synod by themselves. Their catholic spirit will do good. The associate presbytery here, are so confined, that they will not so much as hear me preach, unless I only will join with them. Mr. Ralph E——, indeed, did hear me, and went up with me into the pulpit of the Cannon-gate church.—The people were ready to shout for joy; but, I believe, it gave offence to his associates. I met most of them, according to appointment, on Wednesday last.—A set of grave venerable men! They soon proposed to form themselves into a presbytery, and were proceeding to chuse a moderator—I asked them for what purpose? They answered, to discourse, and set me right, about the matter of church-government, and the solemn league and covenant. I replied, they might save themselves that trouble, for I had no scruples about it; and that settling church-government, and preaching about the solemn league and covenant, was not my plan; I then told them something of my experience, and how I was led out into my present way of acting. One in particular said, he was deeply affected; and the dear Mr. E—— desired they would have patience with me, for that having been born and bred in England, and never studied the point, I could not be supposed to be so perfectly acquainted with the nature of their covenants. One, much warmer than the rest, immediately replied, “that no indulgence was to be shown me; that England had revolted most with respect to church government; and that I, born and educated there, could not but be acquainted with the matter now in debate.” I told him, I had never yet made the solemn league and covenant the object of my study, being too busy about matters, as I judged, of greater importance. Several replied, that every pin of the tabernacle was precious.—I said, that in every building there were outside and inside workmen; that the latter, at present, was my province; that if they thought themselves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and I should proceed in mine. I then asked them seriously, what they would have me to do; the answer was that I was not desired to subscribe immediately to the solemn league and covenant; but to preach only for them till I had further light. I asked, why only for them? Mr. Ralph E—— said, “they were the Lord’s people.” I then asked, whether there were no other Lord’s people but themselves; and supposing all others were the devil’s people, they certainly had more need to be preached to, and therefore I was more and more determined to go out into the highways and hedges; and that if the Pope himself would lend me his pulpit, I would gladly proclaim the righteousness of Jesus Christ therein. Soon after this, the company broke up; and one of these, otherwise venerable men, immediately went into the meeting-house, and preached upon these words, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night, if ye will enquire, enquire ye; return, come.” I attended; but the good man so spent himself in the former part of his sermon, in talking against prelacy, the common-prayer book, the surplice, the rose in the hat, and such like externals, that when he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor sinners to Jesus Christ, his breath was so gone, that he could scarce be heard. What a pity that the last was not first, and the first last! The consequence of all this was, an open breach. I retired, I wept, I prayed, and after preaching in the fields, sat down and dined with them, and then took a final leave. At table a gentlewoman said, she had heard that I had told some people, that the associate presbytery were building a Babel. I said, “Madam, it is quite true; and I believe the Babel will soon fall down about their ears:” but enough of this. Lord, what is man, what the best of men? but men at the best! I think I have now seen an end of all perfection. Our brethren in America, blessed be God, have not so learned Christ. Be pleased to inform them of this letter. I have not time to write now. The Lord blesses my preaching here, and the work, I think, is begun afresh in London. I preach to many thousands daily, and several have applied to me already under convictions. I have been here about eight days. You may expect to hear from me shortly again. The Lord be with you. I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ: He will bless you for what you have done for the poor orphans. He comforts me on every side. O free grace! Dear brother S—— salutes you all.
Ever yours in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXL.
To Mr. T—— G——, at London.
Edinburgh, Aug. 8, 1741.
YOU will see, my dear brother, by the following, what God is still doing for me. On Sunday evening, I preached in a field near the Orphan-house, to upwards of fifteen thousand people; and on Monday, Friday, and Saturday evening, to near as many. On Tuesday I preached in the Cannongate church; on Wednesday and Thursday at Dumfermling; and at my return on Friday morning, at about eight o’clock, I preached at a town called Queens-Ferry, seven miles from Edinburgh. Every where the auditories were large, and very attentive. Great power accompanied the word. Many have been brought under convictions; and I have already received several invitations to different places, which, God willing, I intend to comply with. At present I can say no more, but desire you to pray for, and expect soon to hear further from,