G. W.
LETTER CCCCXIV.
To Mr. S—— M——, in Gainsborough.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 26, 1742.
My dear Brother,
YOUR letter dated May 5th was very agreeable to me. I think it savoured of a true Israelitish spirit, and therefore I find freedom to send you a plain and simple answer. Who J—— H—— is, I cannot tell. If he was converted by my unworthy ministry, or others by his means, let our dear Jesus have all the glory. I shall know who they are, at the great day. Mr. P—— I know very well. I believe he is a good man, but am not enough acquainted with his proceedings, either wholly to commend or condemn them. Whether he preaches in public, or converses only in a private manner, I know not. This one thing I know, if he be sent of God, I wish him prosperity. The answer which our Lord gave to those who forbad such as were casting out devils in his name, because they followed not with them, makes me particularly cautious, how I interrupt any one that seems to speak of Jesus with sincerity of heart. As for his speaking so little against the church of England, I cannot discommend him for that. I find it best to talk only of Jesus’s blood, and the power of his Redemption, and not dwell much on outward things or outward worship. When the woman of Samaria asked our Lord, “where men ought to worship,” he diverted the discourse from the outward to the inward worship. “The worship of the Father in spirit and in truth.” Some things may be wrong in the church of England, and in this mixed state we must never expect to see a perfect church, or a perfect man. It is therefore my constant aim to agree with all the children of God, as far as I can, and not to quarrel though we differ in some points. In civil society, one family does not differ with another, because it hath not the same orders in every respect. Would to God we observed the same rule in spirituals. The world falls out enough with us; it is pity we should fall out among ourselves. My brother, I have written to you out of the fulness of my heart; whether I shall see your face in the flesh, I know not. At present, my call is to Scotland.—If the cloud should move towards Lincolnshire, my answer is, “Lord, lo I come!” I am quite confounded when I think that such a wretch as I should ever be employed in preaching the everlasting gospel. I often fall down under a sense of God’s distinguishing mercy, and with awful adoration am frequently made to cry out, “Why me, Lord; why me?” O my brother, help me to praise the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. A wonderful work is carried on both at home and abroad. I shall be glad to hear from you again. Be pleased to direct as before. I am, in the bowels of Jesus Christ,
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,
G. W.