Exeter, October 28, 1743.
I Have strong conviction that our Lord intends doing something in the west. Since my arrival here, letters of invitation have come from many parts. I thank you for your kind sympathy under the many trials, with which I have been surrounded and exercised. I find there is a needs-be for all; for by our being acquainted with the enemy’s work in our own hearts, we see how he works on others, and are enabled to speak better to their hearts. “Whether we are afflicted (says the apostle,) or whether we are comforted, it is for your sake.” Besides, by temptation we are kept from sinking into formality, and consequently are taught better to handle our spiritual weapons, and discover what is amiss both in heart and life. For this cause, we are commanded to rejoice when we fall into divers temptations. I thank God for giving you some experience of these things. We must now all be Calebs; all heart, but at the same time, all humility. Feeling we can do nothing of ourselves, yet believing we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. Blessed be his Name, the common people begin to feel. I preached between two and three this afternoon on Southern-hay, and expounded in the evening at Mr. K——’s. Even some of the polite were much affected last night; and this morning, O what a blessed season had we! I believe I shall think it my duty to stay in these parts for some time. Continue to pray for me, and assure yourself that you are never forgotten by
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DXXXIX.
To the Same.
Exeter, Nov. 6, 1743.
ALL being hushed and solemn around me, and my soul filled with the peace of God that passeth all understanding, I now sit down to give you a further account of my feeble labours. On Monday last I went to Axminster, and preached to about two thousand without, and afterward exhorted within the house, where I lay. The next day I preached to a greater number of people, and with more freedom. I gave an exhortation at night, and met the society. Our Lord vouchsafed us a gracious blessing. On Wednesday I went to Ottery, but just as I named my text, the bells rang. Upon this I adjourned to a field, whither the people ran in droves.—As I stepped into the inn, before I went into the field, a clergyman came, who asked me by what authority I preached, said it was a riot, and that the meeting was illegal. I answered him as I thought pertinently, and afterwards went and shewed him my authority, by preaching on these words: “Go ye to all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Between six and seven in the evening, I returned to Exeter, where some hundreds were waiting to hear me expound. The Lord was with us. The Lord makes this place very comfortable to me. Prejudices fall off daily, and people begin not only rationally to discern, but powerfully to feel the doctrines of the gospel. To-morrow, God willing, I go with Mr. K—— to Biddeford. From thence expect to hear again from
Yours, &c.