IF you was uneasy that my last lay by you unanswered, I am sure I have been, it may be, much more so, ever since yours came to hand. Upon reading it, I felt all the springs of sympathy move as it were at once. Glad would I have been of the wings of a dove, to have fled to, and condoled with my suffering friend. Perhaps I have heard from what corner your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed.—A saying of Mr. B—— hath often comforted me; “I would often have nestled, but God always put a thorn in my nest.” Is not this suffered, my dear brother, think you, to prick you out, and to compel you as it were to appear for the Lord Jesus Christ? Preaching is my grand Catholicon under all domestic, as well as other trials. Methinks the voice of providence now is, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”—I fear Dr. S—— has done you hurt, and kept you in shackles too, too long. For Christ’s sake, my dear Mr. H——, exhort him, now he hath taken the gown, to play the man, and let the world see that not worldly motives, but God’s glory and a love for souls, have sent him into the ministry. Though when I conversed with him he was exceeding weak, yet as I trust there is sincerity at the bottom, I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. O when shall this once be! who would lose one moment? Amazing! that the followers of a crucified Redeemer should be afraid of contempt. Surely it must be for want of looking more to, and considering him who endured so much pain, and despised so much shame, but is now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. O gloriam quantam et qualem! Rise, H——, rise, and see thy Jesus reaching out a crown with this motto, Vincenti dabo. Excuse this freedom, I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to draw you over to me or a party, but to excite you to appear openly for God. I am glad you intend to write. May I know the plan you intend to go upon? Do you think to say any thing to the Bishop of Exeter? Have you seen his second piece? Would you have me reply? Will you point out to me the faults of my first answer? A letter may be directed (if you write immediately) to be left for me at the Reverend Mr. J——’s, Yorkshire. Thither I am bound now, and if the season of the year should permit, I would stretch to Scotland. Alas, how soon is the year gone round since I was there last! and how little have I done for Jesus! A thought of it sometimes breaks my heart. And yet how good is the Lord! In London we have had most delightful seasons. The glory of the Redeemer filled the tabernacle. If any doubt whether the cause we are embarked in be the cause of God, I say, “Come and see.” Are you free that I should call upon you in my return to town? I think to come by way of Northampton. You shall hear what is done in Yorkshire. I find God has blessed my preaching at Oundle to some souls. At Biddiford, Plymouth, Exeter, and Chatham the word ran and was glorified. But what am I doing? I never wrote to any one so freely, I think, that I was not personally acquainted with, as to you. Pardon me, if I am too free, and impute it to the love that is borne you by, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLXXVIII.
To Captain W——.
Newcastle, Sept. 29, 1749.
My very dear Brother,
SINCE I wrote to you last, I have had many proofs that God’s providence directed my way into Yorkshire. I preached four times at Abberford, four times at Leeds, and thrice at Howarth, where lives one Mr. G——. At his church I believe we had above a thousand communicants, and in the church-yard about six thousand hearers. It was a great day of the son of man. At Leeds the auditory consisted of above ten thousand. About Leeds are Mr. W——’s societies. I was invited thither by them and one of their preachers; and Mr. Charles W—— coming thither published me himself. I therefore complied, and I believe the gospel was welcome. I have preached here once, and am to preach again this evening. On Monday, God willing, I propose to return to Yorkshire, and from thence to London. Pray send me word immediately whether the Port-Merchant be gone, because I know not but some out of Wales may go in her. I forgot to tell you in my last, that I had given over the immediate care of all my societies to Mr. H——; so that now I am a preacher at large indeed. I find every thing is turning round strangely. O for simplicity and honesty to the end! I long to know how it is with you. Am I to have my brother at last? Do convictions fasten, and can you at length sing,
Be gone, vain world; my heart resign,