Boston, Feb. 19, 1745.
My dear Friend,
TEMPORA mutantur; a confederacy, a confederacy! The clergy, amongst whom are a few mistaken, misinformed good old men, are publishing halfpenny testimonials against me. Even the president, professors, and tutors of Hertford college, where I was, as you know, some few years ago received with so much uncommon respect, have joined the confederacy. Good Mr. C——, that venerable, truly primitive, good old Puritan, as I am informed, had many of these testimonials brought him, in order to judge of their importance. He took them, weighed them in his hands and having read them before, returned them immediately, saying, “They did not weigh much.” However, I thank God, “out of the eater hath come forth meat.” They have done me real service. Some unguarded expressions, in the heat of less experienced youth, I certainly did drop. I was much too precipitate in hearkening to, and publishing private informations, and thereby Peter-like cut too many ears off: but this is my comfort, when we mean well, though no thanks to our own too forward though well-meant zeal, Jesus, that almighty, all-compassionate physician, will heal and restore the ears again. Some good friends on my side the question are publishing testimonials in my favour. Thus you see what a militant state we are in at present. Laudatur ab eis, culpatur ab illis. Amidst all, the word runs and is glorified, and many are so enraged at the treatment I meet with, that they came to me lately, assuring me, that if I’ll consent, they will erect in a few weeks time, the outside of the largest place of worship that was ever seen in America; but you know ceiled houses were never my aim. I therefore thanked them for, but at the same time begged leave to refuse the accepting of their kind offer. How or when the present storm will subside, for subside I am persuaded it will, is as yet uncertain. I can only, at present, earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers, that whilst tossing in this floating ark I may be purged of some of my corruptions, and be kept in good temper towards those who I believe really think they do God’s service in opposing, dear Madam,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DLXVIII.
Piscataqua, March 6, 1745.
My very dear, dear J.
THIS comes by Captain Darling. I hear from Boston, a bookseller has got the books you sent over. I have sent a letter to Doctor C——, with my answer to Harvard college, which I would have you print, with their testimony, (which is an original:) and my answer to the second part of the observation and remarks upon the charge of the Bishop of L——. May Jesus give them his blessing. I would have them printed so as to be sold cheap: you may collect or print them severally as you will. I cannot yet get time to prepare my sermons, or the other part of my life, for the press. I am writing another New-England journal, which I will send when I leave it; when that will be, I know not. I expect Mr. Habersham every hour. W—— N—— and J—— are got safe to Charles-Town. I heard from friends there last week. America, I am afraid, begins to be too dear to me. The Lord smiles upon me and mine, and makes us very happy in himself, and happy in one another. Here is a very large field of action. A very fine and effectual door is opened; my bodily strength is recovered, and my soul more than ever in love with a crucified Jesus. I could write more to you and other dear friends, but if I do, I shall neglect things of a more public and immediate concern; neither can my dear wife write, because she is fully employed in copying my letters. However, we do not forget our dear London and English friends. We pray for them often, and sometimes cannot help wishing some more may come over into this delightful wilderness; it is a fruitful field. Jesus waters it with his blessings. We expect sister W——. Here are wars and rumours of wars, on this, as well as your side of the water. But Jesus’s disciples may be at peace. O that this may find thy dear heart quite swallowed up in his amazing love! Be pleased to remember us most tenderly to all, and lose no opportunity of sending a line in any American ships. So, my very dear dear man, I rest