Landovery, June 14, 1749.
Reverend and dear Sir,
YOURS, dated May 24th, gave me both pleasure and pain. I was pleased to read the sweet observations made up and down in it, but pained to find that you have been much indisposed. But what says our Lord? “Those that abide in him, he will purge;” but it is only in order that they may bring forth more fruit. Perhaps our Lord is about to employ you in some fresh work. I wish you may be enabled to draw your pen on the topic you mentioned; it may be of great service to the church of Christ. Your remark upon my pamphlet is just. I wrote short, because I know long compositions generally weary the reader. Perhaps hereafter I may write more; but at present I find I have enough to do, to travel, and preach, and answer my correspondents. I published my confession of some mistakes and imprudencies, to satisfy my own conscience, and stop the mouths of adversaries, and strengthen the hands of real disinterested hearty friends: but where are such friends to be found? That phantom called Contempt keeps them in fetters, and makes them afraid to appear in defence of a cause, which, (notwithstanding the many imprudencies that have attended it) is undoubtedly the cause of God. If we think to be free from these, in this imperfect state of things, and to see either a perfect saint or a perfect church till we come to heaven, we shall find ourselves much mistaken. Daily experience, and more mature consideration, may lessen our blunders and imperfections; but death alone will put a final stop to their mixing in all we do. Thanks be to God that we have a Christ, who amidst all does love, and can uphold us. If our infirmities lead us to his cross, and our sufferings only make us more willing to be conformed to him in his death, we are gainers by all our losses, and rise by all our falls. Blessed be the Lord, that you, dear Sir, have had grace given you to sit down and count the cost. I wish the beloved physician was more reconciled to the cross. I am persuaded, let him say what he pleases, that a too great attachment to the world makes him reason as he does in many things. Well,—he is in good hands. He must either come or be dragged to the cross. That pretty character of his must be crucified and slain: and as well as others, he must be content (as Mr. Gurnall expresses it) “to go to heaven in a fool’s coat.” O my dear Sir, what pains is the Lord Jesus obliged to take with us, before we can be reconciled to suffer shame for his great name’s sake!
Bristol, June 24.
Thus far I wrote, but was obliged to stop, being called out to preach. Yesterday God brought me here, after having carried me a circuit of about eight hundred miles, and enabled me to preach, I suppose to upwards of a hundred thousand souls. I have been in eight Welch counties, and I think we have not had one dry meeting. The work in Wales is much upon the advance, and likely to increase daily. Had my dear Mr. H—— been there to have seen the simplicity of so many dear souls, I am persuaded he would have said, “Sit anima mea cum Methodistis!” But every one to his post. During this excursion I have been kept happy inwardly, and well in body till the latter end of last week, when the Lord was pleased to lay his hand upon me, so that I was almost brought to the grave. But he that wounds, heals also. Thanks be to his holy name for ever and ever! On Monday or Tuesday next, God willing, I set out for London. Good Lady H—— is here, and goes on in her usual way, doing good. She is recovered from her indisposition. I hope this will find you recovered also. That the Lord of all Lords may give you a thriving soul in a healthy body, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXIII.
To the Reverend Mr. P——.