My very dear, dear Brother H——,
HOW do you find your heart these trying, sifting, purging times? I hope you are enabled to joy in God, and are made more than conqueror through his love. It has given me some concern that I could not write to you oftner: but Jesus knows my heart has been with you; and I have not failed to pray for the preservation of the tossed ark. [♦]Antinomianism, I find, begins to shew its head and stalk abroad: may the glorious Redeemer cause it to hide its head again, and prevent his children’s spirits being imbittered against each other. I am glad to hear the Welsh brethren continue steady: and that amongst our English friends, Antinomianism seems only to be speculative; this is a great evil, but not so great as when it affects the practice, and leads the people of God unwarily into licentiousness. The late outward troubles, I hope will do good, and put a stop to the many disputes and various sects which, like so many hydra’s, always spring up when the Lord suffers false principles to abound. I expect to hear that Jesus has made thee immoveable like a wall of brass, held as a lion, but meek as a lamb. Blessed be his name, he continues to be very kind to us: we have been six months in these parts, and are now going northwards for the summer season. The Orphan-house is in a promising way. My temporal affairs begin to be settled; and I am blessed substantially to many souls. Jesus, I trust, has given me a more gospel-heart; and causes many of my professed most imbittered enemies to be at peace with me. I know you will help me to praise him, and beg him to continue to stand by a poor unworthy creature, who simply desires to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. You’ll remember me to your dear wife, and all our Welsh brethren, in the most endearing manner: we frequently talk of, and pray for them; and don’t despair of seeing them once more in the flesh. My dear wife loves them exceedingly, and warms her heart often by reflecting on past times. Wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you all, I subscribe myself, my very dear brother,
Ever, ever thine in Jesus,
G. W.
[♦] “Antinominanism” replaced with “Antinomianism”
LETTER DLXXII.
To Mrs. ——.
Boston, July 29, 1745.
Dear Madam,