To Mr. H——, at Gloucester.
London, Aug. 20, 1743.
My dear Mr. H——,
HOW wonderfully does our all-wise Redeemer order things for the trial of his children! Alas! alas! how apt are they to judge, censure, and be needlessly prejudiced against each other. Being weak in body, and under great concern of mind upon several accounts, I desired dear Mr. G—— to acquaint you, that in our last association we agreed not to separate from the established church, but go on in our usual way. Indeed, the motion to separate, was only made by a very few of more contracted principles. By far the greater part most strenuously opposed it, and with good reason; for as we enjoy such great liberty under the mild and gentle government of his present Majesty king George, we think we can do him, our country, and the cause of God, more service in ranging up and down, preaching repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus, to those multitudes who would neither come into church or meeting, but who are led by curiosity to follow us into the fields. However disorderly this may seem to bigots of every denomination, yet it is a way to which God has affixed his seal for many years past, and therefore we have no reason to turn to the right hand or to the left, but to press forwards and to do our utmost towards enlarging the kingdom of our Lord Jesus; not doubting, but when we come to stand at his bar, we shall be received with as equal an Euge-bone as those, who thro’ prejudice, or want of better information, censure us as going beyond our line. That this may be our happy case, you will join in praying with
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DXXXIV.
To Mrs. D——.
London, Sept. 2, 1743.