WHY so long silent during my stay in England? why did you not write me a letter of reproof, and smite me friendly for what you thought amiss in the discourse between me and a friend at Bristol? I should have taken it kindly at your hands. When I am unwilling to be told of my faults, dear Sir, correspond with me no more. If I know any thing of this treacherous heart of mine, I love those most, who are most faithful to me in this respect: henceforward, dear Sir, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, spare me not. I am blind, I am full of self-pride, and self-love, and yet know it not. Blessed be God, who during my retirement has been pleased to let me see something of my own vileness. I trust he will never leave nor forsake me, till I know myself even as I am known. I need not fear the sight of sin, when I have a perfect everlasting righteousness wrought out for me by that God-man Christ Jesus. The riches of his free grace, cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one, who is very vigilant, and seeks all occasions to disturb me. The Lord Christ is my helper, and the lifter up of my head. It is good for me to be tempted. By inward trials I trust my divine master will prepare me for his future mercies. I am persuaded I shall yet see great things, and be called to suffer for his name sake. Through much tribulation, I must enter into glory. Lift up your hands, dear Sir, when praying at the sanctuary, in my behalf; intreat the same favour of the elect lady. As I am enabled, it shall be returned; and, God willing, when I come next to England, you may expect a visit from, dear and reverend Sir,
Your most obliged friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER LXXXVI.
Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.
My Rev. and very dear Brother,
EVER [♦]since I was favoured with your last most endearing letter, you have been upon my heart more and more. As I wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets, so it gives me uncommon pleasure, when the Lord raises up one of our own church. Believe me, dear Sir, when I look upon her desolations, I can scarce forbear weeping over her. But blessed be God, who has been pleas’d to visit her in this our day. Henceforward, I trust she will be a joyful mother of spiritual children. Many of late, under God, have been begotten by some of her sons through the gospel, amongst whom I may reckon ——: He has been I believe, and trust will still be the ghostly father of many souls. May he increase with all the increase of God, and appear before his redeemer at the last day, saying, “Behold me, O Lord, and the children which thou hast given me.” Oh dear Sir, words cannot express how affectionately I desire to esteem and love you. None but the all-seeing God knows how earnestly I pray and desire to labour for the prosperity of Jerusalem. Had we a thousand hands and tongues, there is employment enough for them all: people are every where ready to perish for lack of knowledge. As the Lord has been pleased to reveal his dear Son in us, Oh let us stir up that gift of God, and with all boldness preach him to others. Freely we have received, freely let us give; what Christ tells us by his spirit in our closets, that let us proclaim on the house top. He who sends, will protect us. All the devils in hell shall not hurt us, till we have finished our testimony. And then, if we should seal it with imprisonment or death, well will it be with us, and happy shall we be evermore! But the proof of our sincerity, will be when we come to the trial. I fear for no one so much as myself. Dear Sir, pray that you never may have reason to be ashamed of the
Most unprofitable of our Lord’s servants,
G. W.