LETTER DCCLXI.
To Dr. S——.
Landovery, June 14, 1749.
Dear Sir,
A Few days ago, I received a letter from Mr. C——, in which yours to him dated May 20th was inclosed. It gave me some concern, and would have given me more had not the same letter informed me that good Lady H——n had written to you herself. Alas, my dear friend, what needless trouble do you give yourself, and into what difficulties does your fear of man, your too great attachment to the world, and an over-weening fondness for your pretty character, every day bring you! Is it not time to drop our correspondence, when, on so slight an information, you could so much as suspect that I had betrayed that confidence you reposed in me, or believe that I read a letter wherein you declared yourself a Methodist, when I had never such letter from you. The only passage, as far as I can remember, that was read (and that too at my Lady’s request, if I mistake not) was that noble one wherein you said, “Let the world take my character, and tear it to pieces, &c.” Are you ashamed, my dear friend, of the resolution? Or think you to put that in practice, and shun being called a Methodist? You might as well attempt to reach heaven with your hand; for, blessed be God, such an honour has he put upon the Methodists, that whoever renounces the world and takes up Christ’s cross, and believes and lives the doctrines of Grace, must be stiled a Methodist whether he will or not. Formerly it was “You are a Puritan,” now it is, “You are a Methodist.” And why does my dear Mr. S—— take such pains to declare, he never will join the Methodists? Who ever asked him? Or what service could you do their cause by joining, unless your heart was more enstranged from the world than at present it is? Would to God you was more like-minded with Mr. H——! He seems to have set down, and counted the cost. He seems to have begun at the right end, and to be fully convinced that there is no reconciling Christ and the world, God and Mammon. My dear Mr. S——, suffer me to be free with you. Our Lord I trust has begun a good work in your soul: but indeed you have many lessons yet to learn. The great physician must give many a bitter portion, in order to purge out the opinion you have of your own importance, and the too great desire you have to keep in with the world. Reproach you cannot shun, if you appear but a little for Christ; and you will not have more, perhaps not so much, if you shew quite out. Perhaps you may say, I have done this already; do not then be ashamed of it, but go on, grow in grace, press forwards, and then I care not what declaration you make of your not intending to be a Methodist. Be a consistent christian, live above the world, call not the fear of man christian prudence, and then underneath you shall be God’s everlasting arms. Thanks be to his great name, they have upholden me for some weeks last past. I have now been a circuit of several hundred miles. At Portsmouth and Gosport the word ran and was glorified. In South Wales every where the fields have been white ready unto harvest. Not a dog stirs his tongue. Last Sunday I believe I preached to near twenty thousand souls. Grace! grace! In about ten days I hope to be at Bristol. Soon after I propose to go to London, and from thence to Yorkshire and Scotland.—Follow me with your prayers, and in return you shall be remembered by, very dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXII.
To the Reverend Mr. H——.