Yours most affectionately in the best bonds,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXXVI.
To Dr. S——.
London, Jan. 17, 1749.
Very dear Sir,
I Received your last kind letter, soon after I had been informing dear Mr. H—— that I did not chuse to bring my friends into trouble; but that if providence should give me a clear call, I might accept of his invitation. This perhaps may never happen. But if it should, wherefore should dear Mr. S—— be so much alarmed? What if his people are prejudiced against me? Might not a sermon, under God, lessen their prejudices, and perhaps awaken some souls to a sense of the divine life? Such things have been done, such a thing, through the divine blessing, may be repeated again. The way of duty is the way of safety. Our Lord requires of us to confess him in his gospel members and ministers. To be afraid of professing the one, or publicly to own, associate with, and strengthen the hands and hearts of the other, especially when they are set for the defence of the gospel, is, in my opinion, very offensive in the sight of our common Lord, and can only proceed from a want of more love to him and his dear people. I am quite of your mind, my dear friend, that our Lord recommends to us the wisdom of the serpent, but then it is always to be blended with the innocence of the dove. How this is done, in effect, by disowning the open and avowed proclaimers of his eternal truths, I cannot I must confess at present see into. You say, “we are most of us too warm already:” but I hope you do not think, that being ashamed of any of your Lord’s ministers is an instance of it? Thanks be to God that Mr. H—— seems, as you express it, “to court the enmity of mankind;” it is an error of the right side. Better so than to be afraid of it. The Lord never threatned to spew any church out of his mouth for being too hot; but for being neither hot nor cold he has. It is too true, my dear Sir, “we have but few faithful ministers.” But is keeping at a distance from one another the way to strengthen their interest? By no means. I rather think those that hold the same principles at least, and are embarked in the same cause, should jointly and publicly appear for God.—And to tell you my whole mind, I do not believe God will bless either you or your friends to any considerable degree, till you are more delivered from the fear of man. Alas, how was you bowed down with it, when I saw you last! And your letter bespeaks you a slave to it yet. O my brother, deal faithfully with yourself, and you will find a love of the world, and fear of not providing for your children, have gotten too much hold of your heart. Do not mistake me. I would not have you throw yourself into flames. I would only have you act a consistent part, and not for fear of a little contempt be ashamed of owning the ministers of Christ. After all, think not, my dear Sir, that I am pleading my own cause. You are not in danger of seeing me at N——n. I only take this occasion of saying a word or two to your heart. You will not be offended, as it proceeds from love. You may shew this to dear Mr. H——. I salute him, the dear doctor, and dear Mr. H——, most cordially. I hope the seed is sown among the rich to some purpose. Last Thursday Lord B——ke was one of my hearers. Brethren pray for us; you are never forgotten by, very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.