The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A.

Transcriber’s Notes

The cover image was provided by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

Punctuation has been standardized.

The original text may show quotations within quotations, all set off by similar quote marks. The inner quotations have been changed to alternate quote marks for improved readability.

This book was written in a period when many words had not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated with a Transcriber’s Note.

Footnotes are identified in the text with a superscript number and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear.

Transcriber’s Notes are used when making corrections to the text or to provide additional information for the modern reader. These notes are identified by ♦♠♥♣ symbols in the text and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear.

The Rev. George Whitefield A.M.
late Chaplain to the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ, The
Countess of Huntingdon.
Born Dec. 16. 1714 O. S. Died Sep. 30. 1770.

N. Hone pinxᵗ. I. Taylor Sculpᵗ.

THE

WORKS

OF THE REVEREND

GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A.

Late of Pembroke-College, Oxford,
And Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon.

CONTAINING

All his SERMONS and TRACTS

Which have been already published:

WITH

A Select COLLECTION of LETTERS,

Written to his most intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction, in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, from the Year 1734, to 1770, including the whole Period of his Ministry.

ALSO

Some other Pieces on Important Subjects,

never before printed; prepared by Himself for the Press.

To which is prefixed,

An ACCOUNT of his LIFE,

Compiled from his Original Papers and Letters.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, in the Poultry;
and Messrs. Kincaid and Bell, at Edinburgh.

MDCCLXXI.

Entered at Stationers-Hall, agreeable to Act of Parliament.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS complete Edition of the late Rev. Mr. Whitefield’s Works (printed under the Direction of his Executors) it is presumed, will be highly acceptable to all his Friends, as the just and proper Monument of his Memory and Merit; and both pleasing and useful to the Public in general, but especially to those who desire to cherish and promote the Spirit of primitive Christianity.

To the Sermons and Tracts formerly published, and which are now ranged in their proper Order, are also added other Pieces, on the most Important Subjects: together with a valuable Collection of Letters, selected and prepared by himself for Publication; in which is displayed, that native Spirit and Simplicity, so eminently conspicuous in his Life and Conversation. His Friends, and even his Enemies (should there be any Such) will here openly behold his unwearied Diligence, undaunted Firmness, noble Disinterestedness, and exceeding Usefulness in the Work of the Ministry; also, his remarkable Fidelity in Friendship, exemplary Piety, and fervent Zeal for the Prosperity of pure and undefiled Religion.

The Letters and Works can stand in no need of any Recommendation: Connected with the account of his Life, (now drawn from original Papers) they exhibit a plain and undisguised View of the worthy Author, in all Parts of his public Service, as well as in his private Retirements, and inward Trials; faithfully shewing the Whole of that living Temple, which was sacred to God, and happily instructing Mankind in the Ways of Godliness and eternal Life.

LETTERS.

LETTER I.

To Mr. G. H.

Oxon, July 18, 1734.

Dear Sir,

HAVING heard the melancholy news of your brother’s death, I could not help sending you a line, to let you know how much I am concerned. Indeed, I cannot say, I am so much grieved on his account, as for that sorrow, which the loss of so valuable a youth must necessarily occasion to all his relations. No! I rather envy him his blessed condition. He, unquestionably is divinely blessed, whilst we are still left behind to wrestle with unruly passions, and by a continued looking unto Jesus and running in our christian race, to press forward to that high prize, of which he, dear Youth, is now in full fruition. These are my true sentiments about his death; I leave you to judge then, whether I had need be concerned on his account; and surely was it to be put to your choice, whether so religious a young man should live or die, no one could be so cruel, as to wish to detain him from his wished-for glory. Be not then too much concerned at his death, but let us rather learn that important lesson, which his whole life taught us: “That there is nothing comparable to an early piety.” I thought to have spent many agreeable hours with him in christian and edifying conversation, when I came to Gloucester; but he is gone to more agreeable company, and long before now has joined the heavenly choir.

I shall only add, that as your brother imitated our blessed Saviour in his life, so I pray God, he may resemble him in his death, and be a means, like his beloved Redeemer, of reconciling all former animosities, which is the hearty wish of, dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER II.

To Mr. G. H.

Bristol, Sept. 10, 1734.

Dear Sir,

THIS morning I wrote to you in haste, expecting Mr. I. would soon be going; but to my great satisfaction, he came hither this night, and soon afterwards, your very much wished-for letter was brought to hand; which (after ten thousand thanks for so many repeated favours) I shall now beg leave to answer. You tell me “Mr. P. likes N.” God be praised! That he hath recommended something to my perusal. I’ll read it, God willing, with care, at my return. “That he wants to know my quality, state, condition, circumstances, &c.” Alas! that anyone should enquire after such a wretch as I am. However, since he hath been so kind, pray tell him, that as for my quality, I was a poor, mean drawer; but by the distinguishing grace of God, am now intended for the ministry. As for my estate, that I am a servitor; and as to my condition and circumstances, I have not of my own any where to lay my head. But my friends, by God’s providence, minister daily to me, and in return for such unmerited, unspeakable blessings, I trust the same good Being will give me grace to dedicate myself without reserve to his service. To “spend and be spent” for the welfare of my fellow-creatures, endeavouring to promote the gospel of his Son as much as lies in my poor power. But “observe his humility,” says Mr. H. Aye, catch an old Christian without profound humility, if you can. Believe me, Sir, it is nothing but this flesh of ours, those cursed seeds of the proud apostate, which lie lurking in us, that make us to think ourselves worthy of the very air we breathe. When our eyes are opened by the influences of divine grace, we then shall begin to think of ourselves as we ought to think, even, that God is all, and we are less than nothing. Well, you may cry, O happy temper, could I but learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart, I should certainly find rest to my soul. May God, for his dear Son’s sake, give it to you, to me, and to all our dear friends! “Some like, some dislike the extract,” you say. I did not do it, to please man, but God. “Mr. W. is too much engaged in temporals.” Is he? Oh dear Sir, pray that when I enter the ministry, I may be wholly engaged in spirituals: But “Mrs. H. has been ill, and is now recovered.” God be praised for both! Our Saviour, Sir, learnt obedience by the things which he suffered, so must we. Pain, if patiently endured, and sanctified to us, is a great purifier of our corrupted nature. It will teach us excellent lessons. I hope Mr. H. has been enabled to learn some of them. So much in answer to your kind letter. You say “it was too long.” Believe me, Sir, it was much too short; but a line is more than I deserve. However, I have made out in mine, what was wanting in yours. My Mother’s journey to Gloucester, I fear, is spoiled by the weather. God’s blessed will be done! I hope to be with you about next Tuesday sevennight. “I am missed,” you say; and you may well miss such a troublesome guest. Well, God will reward you richly, I trust. Never despair of my brother; when God acts upon the soul, he makes quick work of it. Be pleased to tell Mr. M. that his remissness hath occasioned me many a sigh, and his return from his relapse, matter of abundant thanks to God in his behalf. Oh let us young, unexperienced soldiers, be always upon our guard; the very moment we desert our post, the enemy rushes in; and if he can but divert our eyes from looking heavenward, he will soon so blind us, that we shall not look towards it at all. A great deal may be learned from a little fall. But I must not detain you any longer, than to assure you how much I am, Dear Sir,

Your and Mrs. H.’s sincere friend and servant,
in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER III.

To Mr. H.

Oxon, Sept. 17, 1734.

Dear Sir,

I Had the favour of your letter last Friday, which brought me the agreeable news of your and Mrs. H.’s welfare, together with the much-desired account of your approving the scheme, inclosed in my last. Indeed, I did not doubt of its meeting with a candid reception, from all those persons to whom it was recommended. Their known concern for religion, giving me sufficient assurance, that nothing can be unacceptable to them, which any way tended to promote their improvement in the divine life. It must be confessed, indeed, as you very justly observed, that we must make a great progress in religion, and be inured by frequent prayer and meditation, to the extatic contemplation of heavenly objects, before we can arrive at true heavenly-mindedness; and, perhaps, after all our endeavours, whilst our souls are immersed in these fleshly tabernacles, we shall make but very small advances in so delightful and glorious an undertaking. But believe me, Sir, you cannot imagine, how vastly serviceable the constant use of all the means of religion will be, in acquiring this blessed habit of mind. Such, as an early rising in the morning, public and private prayer, a due temperance in all things, and frequent meditation on the infinite love and purity of that unparalleled pattern of all perfection, our dear Redeemer. As for your mentioning, Sir, the degeneracy of the age, as the least objection against our making further advances in any religious improvement, I cannot by any means admit of it. The scriptures (as I take it) are to be the only rules of action. And the examples of our blessed Lord and his apostles, the grand patterns whereby we are to form the conduct of our lives. It is true, indeed, that instances of an exalted piety are rarely to be met with in the present age, and one would think, if we were to take an estimate of our religion, from the lives of most of its professors, that christianity was nothing but a dead letter. But then it is not our religion, but ourselves that are to be blamed all this while. Would we live as the primitive christians did, we might no doubt have the same assistance vouchsafed us, as they had. God’s grace is never restrained, and though we should not arrive at those heights of heavenly-mindedness, as some of the primitive christians were eminent for, yet, methinks we should imitate them as far as we can, and rely on the divine goodness for grants of such a supply of grace, as he, in his good pleasure, shall judge most convenient for us. Be pleased to send for Mr. Law’s Christian Perfection for me against my coming into the country, if printed in a small edition. I am, with due respects to self, spouse, and all other friends,

Your’s sincerely,

G. W.

LETTER IV.

To the Same.

Oxon, Dec. 4, 1734.

Dear Sir,

I Am heartily glad to hear that the country parson has had so good an effect upon you, and that you are resolved to set in earnest, about working out your salvation: Be sure quench not these first motions; but go on vigorously and manfully, without the least regard to what the world may say; if you can once break with that, you are safe. The prayers, I hope to send you next week. Only let me give you this caution, not to depend on any advice or book, that is given you; but solely on the grace of God attending it. The book which I have sent to my brother, and would recommend to you and all my Gloucester friends, will soon convince you how dangerous it is to be a lukewarm christian, and that there is nothing to be done without breaking from the world, denying ourselves daily, taking up our cross, and following Jesus Christ. These things may seem a little terrible at first, but believe me, they are nothing but suggestions of our enemy to deter us from setting out; and if you can credit me, mortification itself, when once practised, is the greatest pleasure in the world. But hold, I shall transgress the time prescribed me, therefore give me only leave to add my hearty prayer for your successful progress in religion, and to subscribe myself in great haste, Dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER V.

To the Same.

Oxon, Feb. 20, 1735.

Dear Sir,

I Believe you think me a strange sort of a person, for not being so good as my word in coming down this winter; and what is worse, in not letting you have a line to acquaint you of my reasons for it. And, indeed, I am not as yet determined; providence having ordered (I hope) that this seeming unkindness shall, in the end, prove very serviceable on all sides. However, though I have been thus hindred, yet, I think you heard from me last, and am really surprized to find you should, now so long since, have desired that collection of prayers, and be wholly unconcerned about them ever after. Indeed, they will be of no service to you, unless you grant me this one postulatum: “That we must renounce ourselves.” What the meaning of this phrase may be, the preface to the prayers will best inform you. I did not doubt of its meeting with but a cold reception, it being (at first view) so very contrary to flesh and blood. For, perhaps, you may think, that this renouncing of ourselves, must necessarily lead us (as it certainly does) to acts of self-denial and mortification; and, that we probably may be saved without them. And lest you should after all imagine, (which I trust you will not) that true religion does consist in any thing, besides an entire renewal of our natures into the image of God; I have sent you a book entitled, The Life of God in the Soul of Man, written by a young, but an eminent christian, which will inform you, what true religion is, and by what means you may attain it. As likewise, how wretchedly most people err in their sentiments about it, who suppose it to be nothing else (as he tells us page 3d) but a mere model of outward performances; without ever considering, that all our corrupt passions must be subdued, and a complex habit of virtues, such as meekness, lowliness, faith, hope, and the love of God and of man, be implanted in their room, before we can have the least title to enter into the kingdom of God. Our divine master having expressly told us, that “unless we renounce ourselves, and take up our cross daily, we cannot be his disciples.” And again, “unless we have the spirit of Christ, we are none of his.” You will scarce have time, I imagine, before Mr. H. leaves Gloucester, to revise, what I have recommended to your perusal. However, be pleased to let me hear from you by him, together with an account of your free sentiments about this matter. I trust (by God’s grace) we shall, at last, rightly understand one another’s meaning. I should be glad to hear too, whether you keep morning prayers, and how often you receive the holy communion, there being nothing, which so much be-dwarfs us in religion, and hinders our progress towards the heavenly Canaan, as starving our souls by keeping away from the heavenly banquet. I have nothing more to add at present on this subject, till you favour me with a line, which, I hope, you will not fail doing by Mr. H. who will willingly bring it to, Dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER VI.

To the Same.

Oxon, March 6, 1735.

Dear Sir,

I Had the favour of your letter by Mr. H. and, as desired, I have made enquiry about the post-masters and clerks of Merton. As to the former, I hear, that the five senior fellows have each a power to elect one in his turn, and that there is now a vacancy, but one ready on the spot to supply it, and no likelihood of there being another this long while. The latter, are solely in the power of the warden, and though all the places are at present filled up, yet, there will be a vacancy next term, so that, perhaps, by a seasonable application, your brother may get a friend in. Thus much for business. As for the other particular, specified in the latter part of your last; I find by what I can gather from your own and my brother’s expressions, as well as from Mr. H.’s discourse, that my late letters have met with but a cold reception; and that you seem desirous of hearing no more of so seemingly ungrateful a subject, as submitting our wills to the will of God; which, indeed, is all that is implied in that phrase (which our enemy would represent as so formidable to us) of renouncing ourselves. Alas, Sir! what is there that appears so monstrously terrible in a doctrine that is, (or at least ought to be) the constant subject of our prayers, whenever we put up that petition of our Lord’s: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.” The import of which seems to be this. 1st. That we do every thing that God wills, and nothing but what he willeth, 2dly, That we do every thing he wills, only in the manner he willeth. 3dly, That we do those things he willeth, only because he willeth. This is all, Sir, I have been endeavouring to inculcate in my late letters; and though it seems as clear as the light, upon an impartial and considerate view, yet, our grand impostor (whose very corruption is having a will distinct from, and therefore contrary to God’s) would fain set it out in the most hideous colours, as though we were “Setters forth of strange doctrines;” or proposing some higher degrees of perfection, than every ordinary christian is obliged to aspire after; whereas, in truth, it is nothing but the simple and evident language of the gospel. It must be confessed, that through the corruption of our depraved nature, and that power, which self-will has, since the Fall, usurped in the soul, we must necessarily break through a great many obstacles. But, dear Sir, be not dismayed, the difficulty lies only in our first setting out. Be but vigorous at the first onset, and never fear a conquest. The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down. But then, methinks, this would be an odd way of reasoning, “Because a thing requires some pains, I therefore will never set about it.” No, Sir, rather up and be doing. Exert your utmost efforts at your first setting out, and take my word, your strength as well as resolution will increase daily. The means also which are necessary to be used in order to attain this end, our cursed adversary the devil would represent to us in the most hideous forms imaginable. But believe me, Sir, the difficulty here too, only lies in our first breaking from ourselves, and that there is really more pleasure in these formidable duties of self-denial and mortification, than in the highest indulgences of the greatest epicure upon earth. Give me leave, dear Sir, only to remind you of one particular, which, if duly observed, will vastly facilitate your future endeavours. Let the scriptures, not the world, be your rule of action. By those you are to form your practice here, and to be judged hereafter. Upon this account, for the future, I should be glad, if you would communicate what passes between you and me, to none but my brother and your spouse. And if you have any, the least scruple, be pleased to send me word of it by a letter in an open, friendly manner; and, by God’s blessing, all things will be yet set right; only be fervent in prayer. As for what the Rev. Mr. Hoar has been pleased to say, either to you or Mr. H. it is not my business (out of deference, as he is so much my superior, as to the dignity of his office, his age, and his learning) to make any reply. I shall only add, what I am sure I can prove, “That the gospel tells us that there is but one thing needful. That we cannot sit down content with just such a degree of goodness, and claim just such a proportionable degree of glory;” but that “we are to love the Lord with all our souls, strength, &c.” and that “he who endureth to the end, (and he only) shall be saved.” There is a little treatise lately come out, which I have made bold to send to Mr. Hoar, where we may be fully convinced by argument deducible merely from reason, “that God is our sole end,” and that barely upon a principle of prudence, (supposing we could be happy without it) we ought to press forward, in order to attain the greatest degrees of happiness hereafter. Whether this letter, Sir, may prove as offensive as the former, is not my business to enquire. God’s will be done in all things. He, and he alone can (and indeed will, if we are desirous of it ourselves) work this conviction in our minds. Give me leave just to add, that I thought it my duty to answer these few objections, that have been raised against the difficulty of conforming our wills to the will of God, by shewing that the greatest struggle lies only at our first beginning, and that it is no more than what is indispensably necessary for our salvation. As for the means to be employed for the attainment of this end, I shall be wholly silent: Being sensible, that if you are once fully convinced of the greatness of it, you will be necessarily carried on to the use of such means as God hath constituted for that purpose. I hope my writing after this manner, Sir, will not be esteemed a piece of self-conceit, or be an instrument of unloosing our former band of friendship, which was once designed to be bound the faster, by tying it with a religious knot. But whether this proves to be the event, or not, of my telling my friends the truth, I wholly leave to God’s Providence. Be pleased however to favour me with a line in return, and give me leave to subscribe myself, Dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER VII.

To the Same.

Bristol, June 12, 1735.

My dear Friend,

LAST night about eight o’clock, your good spouse and myself came safe to our journey’s end, and met with a very kind reception from all parties. After you left us, the ladies grew more serious, and at last by the assistance of Mr. Norris, our discourse ran into a proper channel. My brother does not propose sailing this fortnight; but tho’ he stays longer than he proposed, yet I hope to be at Gloucester on Wednesday, for methinks my heart is still there, tho’ my body be at thirty miles distance. On whose account, I leave you to guess. I cannot help reflecting on Sunday. Did not those sighs, think you, Sir, proceed from some unusual meditations on the importance of religion? Were they not some infant strugglings after the new birth? Surely they were. And I trust ere long, after a few strugglings with corrupted nature, the Holy Ghost will replenish your heart with comfort and peace. Proper retirement and solitude are no bars; but rather great helps to a religious life. We find, our Saviour was led into a wilderness, before he entered on his publick ministry, and so must we too, if we ever intend to tread in his steps. As for my brother, I trust the cares of the world, the desire of riches, &c. will not always choak the good seed. However, I hope you my dear friend will not defer so important a thing. But, why do I say hope, when I am assured you will not. Methinks, I would willingly undergo the pangs, so you might enjoy the pleasures of the new birth. But this must not be. All we can do is to sympathize with and pray for each other, which I hope will not be wanting on either side, as such a close friendship has commenced between dear Mr. H. and

Your sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER VIII.

To the Same.

Bristol, Sept. 5, 1735.

Dear Sir,

HOW welcome is a line from a faithful friend? even as welcome as a shower of rain in a droughty season. But here’s the misfortune, the very kindnesses of friends may be cruelty: Commendations, or even the hinting at them, are poison to a mind addicted to pride. A nail never sinks deeper than when dipt in oil. A friend’s words may be softer than butter, and notwithstanding, be very swords. Pray for me, dear Sir, and heal the wound you have made. To God alone give glory. To sinners nothing belongs, but shame and confusion. So much in answer to one part of your too kind letter. Mrs. Powell you say continues very ill. No wonder, Sir; desperate diseases must have desperate remedies. Satan has desired to sift her as wheat; but Christ will pray for her, I trust, and then her faith will not fail. Oxford friends have not been wanting in letters, and I find I must not stay much longer here. For some are going to travel, some are dead, and one is married, so that we must join and warm one another, as well as we can in their absence. I hope to feast with you at Crypt next Sunday. Amazing, that ever sinners should sit with their Saviour! To what dignity has Christ exalted human nature. And how did he do it? Why, by humbling himself. Let us go and do likewise. Give me leave, with due respects to all friends, to subscribe myself,

Your and spouses very humble servant and sincere friend,

G. W.

P. S. If Mr. Pauncefort’s petitions run after this manner for me, I should be thankful: “That God would finish the good work he has begun in me, that I may never seek nor be fond of worldly preferment; but employ every mite of those talents it shall please God to entrust me with, to his glory and the church’s good, and likewise, that the endeavours of my friends to revive true religion in the world, may meet with proper success.”

LETTER IX.

To the Same.

Bristol, Sept. 18, 1735.

Dear Sir,

AS you did not expect to hear from me till Mr. B——d came, I hope you have not as yet accused me of being too dilatory in writing. Now I have taken the freedom, what can be more proper for me to begin with, than to return ten thousand thanks for those innumerable favours conferred on me at your house? I trust they are all registered in the court of heaven, and will in due time meet with a suitable return from my all-gracious and good benefactor. Next to this, I imagine you will enquire, how I like Bristol? As for the place itself, that, like all others, is indifferent to me, who have here no continuing city, but seek one to come; and as for the inhabitants, tho’ they teach me nothing else, yet I may learn this one important lesson, that unless I am very vigilant, the children of this world, will be much wiser in their generation, than I, who, by the grace of God, hope am a child of light. Alas! was I half so solicitous to attain heavenly, as they are worldly riches, I should be rich indeed. That you all may be rich towards God, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir, Your very unworthy,

but sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER X.

To the Same.

Oxon, March 13, 1736.

Dear Sir,

I Have now but just time to acquaint you, that God gave me a pleasant and safe journey, and what was still a greater blessing, a joyful meeting with my zealous, hearty, sincere friends. The alderman bore my expences, and was very agreeable company; so that on all accounts I have great reason to thank my good and gracious God, and to beg others to join with me in that important, that delightful duty. You will not forget retaining your old custom of reading and singing. It’s bad to leave off a good custom, and the best way to make a progress in religion, is to persist in, and to improve on the means we enjoy. I suppose honest James by this time is with you. My hearty love to him, and tell him, it would do his heart good to see what a number of true altogether christians here are of his rank. I hope he will let none of them outstrip him: He must watch and pray against self-indulgence, sloth, &c. especially if he goes to a place where plenty of all things abound. My due respects and hearty thanks to Mrs. H. and all friends. I hope none of their kindnesses will ever be forgotten by

Your sincere friend in great haste,

G. W.

LETTER XI.

To the Same.

Oxon, April 2, 1736.

Dearest Sir,

WHAT a comfort is it for christian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindness of the Lord? O let his praises be ever in our mouths, that we may be telling of his salvation from day to day. O dear Sir, I heartily join with you in the delightful duty of thanksgiving. I hope that you will have every day more and more experimental proofs of that intercourse which is carried on between God in heaven, and saints on earth.

I must now inform you, that the person, who under God has given me the annuity, is Sir John Philips of London. The occasion of it was as follows. Upon my coming up, two or three of our trusty friends were called from us, and being solicitous to keep up our society here, the gentleman to whom you sent the book, wrote to Sir John Philips and proposed me (alas! how unfit) as a proper person to stay here and encourage our friends in fighting the good fight of faith. Accordingly he immediately offered me an annuity of twenty pounds. To shew his disinterestedness, he has promised me that, whether I continue here or not; and if I resolve to stay at Oxon, he’ll give me thirty pounds a year. If that will not do, I may have more; so that you see, my dear friend, what a critical point it is. All that we have to do is to pray, and watch Providence between this and June, when I propose, God willing, to enter into orders, and then no doubt my call will be clear. What makes me to think that this is a call from God is, that it will be convenient for taking my degree, and improving me in my studies. Whether it be or no, God only knows; Father, therefore into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth. I approve greatly of your reading Henry. God works by him here greatly, and may the Lord prosper it in your hands. Good dear Sir, never leave off watching, reading, praying, striving, till you experimentally find Christ Jesus formed within you. In a particular manner, my dear friend, watch against all temptations to sloth. When you receive the sacrament, earnestly endeavour to be inwardly bettered by it the week following. Live every day as holily as you can. Be frequent in self-examination morning and evening. Pray earnestly from your heart. Wrestle with God, beg him to hasten the new birth. Moreover be careful, diligent in your calling, labour hard with your own hands, that you may have to give to him that needeth. And labour not so much for the meat that perisheth, as to neglect pursuing that which endureth to eternal life. O Mr. H. my bowels are enlarged towards you. Believe me to be your sincere, tho’ unworthy friend,

G. W.

LETTER XII.

To the Same.

Oxon, April 22, 1736.

Dear Mr. H.,

NOW tell me the truth, have not you called me ungrateful? If you have not, it is more than I deserve. I have nothing to plead but business, as an excuse for not answering your last kind letter. Well, forgive me this once, and if I offend so again, then call me ungrateful indeed. You order’d me to make no acknowledgments for kindnesses received. You’ll suffer me to ask another favour, if not to return any more thanks. Be so kind then, dear Sir, to desire your brother to write to me as soon as possible. My good friend, Sir John Philips, has promised me thirty pounds a year, if I’ll continue at Oxford, and yet I am in doubt, whether that annuity, and the being appointed to serve the prison here, will be a sufficient title for orders, therefore I beg both his advice and prayers. This is all I think that concerns outward affairs. But this solemn season naturally leads me to say a word or two on a more important subject, “the death and passion of our blessed Lord and Saviour.” If I mistake not, you commemorate it to-morrow at Crypt. And blessed be God, I do at Christ Church. And oh that we may commemorate it as we ought; that we may fix our thoughts intensely on that great examplar and all atoning blood; that we may grow in love with his meekness and patience, and endeavour daily to be conformed to his most blessed image. Surely we cannot grow angry at trifles, when the Son of God endured such bitter usage, without the least murmur or complaint. Surely, we cannot repine at any dispensations of Providence tho’ ever so severe, when we consider, how it pleased God to bruise our Saviour and lay upon him the iniquities of us all. Whatever befalls us, is but the due reward of our crimes; but this Redeemer had done nothing amiss: he was bruised for our iniquities. I could run through every part of our Lord’s sufferings, and shew how [♦]necessary it is that we should sympathize with him in every particular. But as it now grows late, and I want a little time to prepare for to-morrow’s solemnity, you’ll excuse me if I now only paraphrase a little on the prayer of the thief on the cross. Lord remember us and pray for us; Lord remember us and rule us; Lord remember us and prepare a place for us. Lord remember us in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment. My due respects to all friends, and am sincerely

Yours,

G. W.

[♦] ‘necesary’ replaced with ‘necessary’

LETTER XIII.

To Mr. S.

Gloucester, June 20, 1736.

My dear Friend,

THIS is a day much to be remember’d, O my soul! for about noon, I was solemnly admitted by good Bishop Benson, before many witnesses, into holy orders, and was, blessed be God, kept composed both before and after imposition of hands. I endeavoured to behave with unaffected devotion; but not suitable enough to the greatness of the office I was to undertake. At the same time, I trust, I answered to every question from the bottom of my heart, and heartily prayed that God might say Amen. I hope the good of souls will be my only principle of action. Let come what will, life or death, depth or heighth, I shall henceforwards live like one who this day, in the presence of men and angels, took the holy sacrament, upon the profession of being inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon me that ministration in the church. This I began with reading prayers to the prisoners in the county [♦]gaol. Whether I myself shall ever have the honour of stiling myself a prisoner of the Lord, I know not; but indeed, my dear friend, I can call heaven and earth to witness, that when the Bishop laid his hand upon me, I gave myself up to be a martyr for him, who hung upon the cross for me. Known unto him are all future events and contingences; I have thrown myself blindfold, and I trust without reserve, into his almighty hands; only I would have you observe, that till you hear of my dying for, or in my work, you will not be apprized of all the preferment that is expected by

Yours, &c.

G. W.

[♦] ‘goal’ replaced with ‘gaol’

LETTER XIV.

To the Same.

Gloucester, June 23, 1736.

Dear Friend,

NEVER a poor creature set up with so small a stock. When the good Bishop, who ordained me on Sunday, gave out last year in his visitation charge, that he would ordain none under full three and twenty, my heart leap’d for joy, for then I thought my friends would not only be disappointed in their hope of having me enter into orders so soon; but that I should also have time (as was my intention) to make at least a hundred sermons, with which to begin my ministry; but this is so far from being the case, that I have not a single one by me, except that which I made for a small christian society, and which I sent to a neighbouring clergyman, to convince him how unfit I was to take upon me the important work of preaching. He kept it for a fortnight, and then sent it back with a guinea for the loan of it; telling me he had divided it into two, and had preached it morning and evening to his congregation. With this sermon I intend to begin, God willing, next Sunday, not doubting, but that he, who increased a little lad’s loaves and fishes for the feeding of a great multitude, will from time to time, in the proper use of appointed means, supply me with spiritual food for whatever congregation he in his all-wise Providence shall be pleased to call me to. Help, help me, my dear friend, with your warmest addresses to the throne of grace, that I may not only find mercy, but grace to help in time of need. At present this is the language of my heart,

A guilty weak and helpless worm into thy arms I fall,

Be thou my strength, my righteousness, my Jesus, and my all.

Oh cease not, for I must again repeat it, cease not to pray for

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XV.

Gloucester, June 28, 1736.

Dear Mrs. H.,

ACCORDING to my promise I am now seated to write you a farewell letter. For providence seems to demand my presence at Oxford immediately, and therefore I propose being there, God willing, on Monday night. But first let me return dear Mrs. H. my heartiest thanks for all past kindnesses, and assure her, that my incessant prayers shall never be wanting, that God may not forget her labour of love, in that she has so plentifully administered to me his unworthy servant, and yet does minister. To-morrow I am to preach at Crypt, but believe I shall displease some, being determined to speak against their assemblies. But I must tell them the truth, or otherwise I shall not be a faithful minister of Christ. Had providence so ordered, I should have been glad to have given you the cup of blessing; but since that favour is denied to me, I am resigned. However, I hope I shall not be unmindful of you, when I come near your place, nor be wanting in my prayers, that God would mercifully supply the want of outward means to you, by the operation of his Holy Spirit. I suppose you are, by this time, pretty well reconciled to Worcester, and that providence has shewn you that we may serve God acceptably in any place. Yes, Madam, let but our hearts be upright towards him, and by faith united to our dear Lord Jesus, we shall find that wherever we are, he will be with us, and we shall be with him. So far I had written on Saturday night; but being detained here in expectation of seeing my brother James, (who has not as yet been so good as his word) I believe I can now acquaint you that I must set out on Wednesday morning. I preached yesterday at Crypt, and was mercifully supported and assisted, for which great blessing, I hope you will return hearty thanks in my behalf. I trust Miss James continues her former earnest desires to be renewed in the spirit of her mind; for nothing will do but that. Indeed we may flatter ourselves, that we may go to heaven without undergoing the pangs of the new birth; but we shall certainly find ourselves desperately mistaken in the end. For till we are changed, till we are made meet for, we cannot in the nature of the thing be partakers of the heavenly inheritance with the saints in light. Let us therefore never cease praying and striving, till we find this blessed change wrought in us, and thereby we ourselves brought off from relying on any or all outward ordinances for salvation. Our good bishop Benson was pleased to give me another present of five guineas, a great supply for one who has not a guinea in the world. May the great Bishop of souls amply reward both him and you, for all favours conferred on

Your sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XVI.

To Mr. H.

Gloucester, June 30, 1736.

My Dear Friend,

GLORY! glory! glory! be ascribed to an almighty triune God.—Last Sunday in the afternoon, I preached my first sermon in the church of St. Mary De Crypt, where I was baptized, and also first received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. Curiosity, as you may easily guess, drew a large congregation together upon the occasion. The sight at first a little awed me; but I was comforted with a heart-felt sense of the divine presence, and soon found the unspeakable advantage of having been accustomed to public speaking when a boy at school, and of exhorting and teaching the prisoners and poor people at their private houses, whilst at the university. By these means I was kept from being daunted over much. As I proceeded, I perceived the fire kindled, till at last, though so young, and amidst a croud of those, who knew me in my infant childish days, I trust, I was enabled to speak with some degree of gospel authority. Some few mocked, but most for the present seemed struck; and I have since heard, that a complaint had been made to the bishop, that I drove fifteen mad the first sermon. The worthy prelate, as I am informed, wished that the madness might not be forgotten before next Sunday. Before then, I hope, my sermon upon He that is in Christ, is a new creature, will be compleated. Blessed be God, I now find freedom in writing. Glorious Jesus,

Unloose my stamm’ring tongue to tell

Thy love immense, unsearchable.

Being thus engaged, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Sir,

Your’s, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XVII.

To Mrs. H.

Oxon, July 7, 1736.

Dear Mrs. H.,

WHAT shall I say in defence of my seemingly ungrateful silence? Why, I hope, your kindness will accept of the reasons I gave in Mrs. Well’s letter, as a sufficient excuse for it, nothing but those, I assure you, being the cause of it. Well then, presuming on your kind pardon, give me leave, (after all acknowledgments of gratitude for kindnesses received) to bid you once more welcome to Gloucester, and to wish you and Mr. H. with all my soul, the greatest comfort, that either this or the other world can afford you. It’s true, indeed, we must not expect much comfort here, except what results from a good conviction that we are in a safe state, by being born again of the Holy Ghost. This, will afford us inexpressible satisfaction, even on this side the grave. It will give us ease in pain, because we know, if we bear it patiently, it will end in glory. This, will make us meek and gentle under crosses and disappointments, because we know we are taught to expect them, and that our blessed Master has gone before us in them. In short, it will make us easy in every station, because we have a general promise, that all things shall work for good to them that love God. But supposing we were to have no pleasure on this side of Heaven, yet the thoughts of being happy, and that too for all eternity hereafter, methinks should teach us to bear up under every calamity here, not only with submission, but a holy joy. Good God! the very idea of what we are to be in glory, transports me while I am writing. There, there, Mrs. H. we shall see the blessed Jesus, whom our souls have so eagerly thirsted after in this life, surrounded with glory, and attended with myriads of his holy angels, who will rejoice at our safe arrival to their happy mansions, and with repeated echoes welcome us to heaven. There, there, we shall not only see, but live with him and enjoy him too, not for a day, a month, a year, an age, but to all eternity. And who can tell the pleasure, comfort, peace, joy, delight, and transport, a glorified saint will feel in the possession of his wished-for, longed-for, ever adorable, ever gracious, blessed, beloved, triune God, and that for ever? Surely the happiness will be so great, that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither can the heart of man conceive the thousandth part thereof. And yet, great as it is, I not only wish, but have good hope through Christ, that not only you and Mr. H. but all my christian friends, and even I myself through grace, shall one day be partakers of it. The way and means we know. “If any one, says Christ, will come after me (to glory) let him renounce himself.” i. e. make his own will no principle of action, be no self-pleaser, “and take up his cross” patiently (whether of sickness or outward circumstances, &c.) “and then let him follow me,” follow me in a way of duty here, and he shall follow me to glory hereafter. May we all be such followers of the blessed Jesus! And why should we despair of becoming such? What is there in Christ’s doctrine or example but that we may all, through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, imitate him in? Suppose it does oblige us to be a little stricter than our neighbours? Suppose it does forbid us spending too much time in the seemingly-innocent entertainments of the age? Suppose it does command us to be constant and frequent in prayer, in watchings, fastings, and other acts of mortification? Suppose it does bid us not to indulge our unruly passions; but to learn of Christ to be meek, patient, and lowly? Suppose it does compel us to redeem our time, to fill up every day with proper duty and devotion? Yet, what in all this, that is terrible? Has not such a behaviour a natural tendency to make us calm, easy, peaceful, happy? And then, why should we refuse so easy a yoke, so light a burden? I am sure the little (alas! too, too little) time I have drawn in it, I have found it not galling but healing, and the longer I bear it, the easier and pleasanter it is. Let us then, Dear Mrs. H. chearfully take it upon us, and then

No mortal living of us all can miss

A permanent, a sure substantial bliss.

Your sincere, though very unworthy friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XVIII.

To Mr. H.

Oxon, Oct. 14, 1736.

Dearest Sir,

I Was agreeably detained, as you was pleased to term it, last Tuesday, in reading your kind letter, and had I not been assisted by the grace of God to receive every thing with an equal, undisturbed mind, perhaps the contents of it might have given me some small uneasiness. But religion quite changes the nature of man, and makes us to receive all the dispensations of providence with resignation and thankfulness. Of this, dearest Sir, I hope you have had an experimental proof, in bearing up with courage and resolution under those acute pains the Almighty was pleased to visit you with last Sunday, and with which, perhaps, his infinite wisdom and goodness may continue to visit you longer. My dear friend (if I mistake not) used to say, he was afraid God did not love him, because he did not chasten him. Behold then, now the hand of the Lord is upon you, not so much to punish, as to purify your soul. Not in anger but in love. Pray therefore in your easy intervals, that you may know, wherefore the Lord contendeth with you, and that you may not come cankered out of the furnace of affliction. Offer up every groan, every sigh, in the name of your dying, risen Redeemer, and doubt not, but they will be as prevalent as set times of prayer. Our being enabled to pray when sickness comes on us, doubtless, is to teach us the necessity of praying always, when we are in health. But, dear Mr. H. wants no such lessons, or excitements, I believe, to prayer. Methinks I could bear some of your pain for you, if that would give you comfort. But as it is impossible, O let me never cease most earnestly to beseech my heavenly Father, that he would sanctify this his fatherly correction to you, and that the sense of your weakness may add strength to your faith, and seriousness to your repentance. Poor Mr. Pauncefoot, I find, is visited in a far more grievous manner. Dear good man, surely the time of his dissolution (I should say of his coronation) draweth near. See, dear Mr. H. through what tribulations we must enter into glory. Be pleased to give my hearty love and thanks to him for his last kind letter. Beg him not to cease praying for me, unworthy as I am. And, I hope, I shall not be wanting in returning his kindness in the same manner. But alas, I have nothing to depend on, but the merits of a crucified Redeemer to have my poor petitions answered. But does dear Mrs. H. complain of deadness and coldness in devotion? Alas poor woman! let her not be disheartened. This is a complaint, which all the children of God have made. And we must take a great deal of pains with our hearts, must pray often and long, before we shall be able to pray well. And the only way I can think of, to shame ourselves out of deadness in prayer, is to censure and condemn, to humble and bewail ourselves for it every time we go upon our knees, at least every time we solemnly retire to converse with God. But why does dear Mrs. H. so much as think of omitting but once the receiving of the holy sacrament? Or if satan does put such thoughts in her head, why does not she repel them with the utmost abhorrence? Alas! should the devil gain his point here, would not the ridiculing world say, Mrs. H. began to build, but had not wherewith to finish. I have seen too many fatal instances of the inexpressible danger and sad consequences of leaving off any one means of grace, not to encourage Mrs. H. stedfastly to persevere in the good way she has begun; and would exhort her, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to labour daily to mortify and subdue her corruptions, not wilfully to indulge herself in any ill habit, custom, or temper, and then assure herself, one time or another, Christ will be made known unto her in breaking of bread. But what shall I say, dear Sir, about Mr. W. &c. &c.? Alas! I find, they are all in the gall of bitterness, in the very bondage of iniquity, and all I can do, is to pity and pray for them. I find more and more, that where true religion is wanting, there is confusion and every evil work. But why is my honoured mother so solicitous about a few paultry things, that will quickly perish? Why will she not come and see her youngest son, who will endeavour to be a Joseph to her, before she dies? What makes my dear friend and his kind wife, give me another invitation to Gloucester? Alas! have I not wearied and been expensive enough to you already? I hope to send you, in a short time, two guineas towards paying for Mr. Henry’s Exposition. I wish I could spare more, but time will bring all things to pass. You see what a large letter I have written to you to make amends for the many short ones, I have sent lately. Though I believe you may say of mine, the quite contrary to what I say of yours; the shorter the better. My due respects to all friends, and believe me to be, in the utmost sincerity, Dearest Sir,

Your and Mrs. H.’s affectionate friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XIX.

To the Same.

Oxon, Nov. 5, 1736.

Dearest Sir,

HEREWITH I have sent you seven pounds to pay for Mr. Henry’s Commentary. Dear Esqr. Thorold lately made me a present of ten guineas, so that now (for ever blessed be the divine goodness) I can send you more than I thought for. In time, I hope to pay the apothecary’s bill. If I forget your favours, I shall also forget my God. Say nothing of your receiving this money, only give thanks, give hearty thanks to our good and gracious God for his infinite, unmerited mercy to me, the vilest of the sons of men. Oh, dear Sir, may such instances of free grace strengthen your faith, and make you put your sole trust and confidence in the Lord your God. For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Have not you experienced his loving kindness and mercy, in supporting you under your sickness? Methinks I feel you have. May you experience it more and more! Did not Christ give you the meeting last Sunday? I hope he did, nay I am sure he did, if our hearts were duly prepared by faith and repentance to receive him; but without an entire resignation of ourselves to God, and a thorough renunciation of all worldly and corrupt affections, all God’s ordinances will profit nothing. Your reverend brother’s kind letter I hope to answer soon, and to send him also a small parcel of books. The good Lord sanctify them to his own glory, and the good of souls. I find dear Mr. Pauncefoot is still afflicted, but bid him be of good cheer. In his latter end he may yet greatly increase. When we are weak, then are we strong. There is hope concerning his legacy. Let us in the mean while continue instant in prayer in behalf of this our dear and worthy friend. Good man! salute him kindly in my name. Beg his prayers for my unworthy self, and tell him I will write as soon as possible. The gospel flourishes at Oxon. Our society here, blessed be God, goes on well. I received the papers and thank you. How does dear Mrs. H.? The divine blessing rest on you both. My prayer night and day is, that you may be saved. Salute all friends by name. From Dearest Sir,

Your unworthy friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XX.

To the Same.

Bristol, Feb. 10, 1737.

Dear Sir,

WHAT shall I say? I cannot be with you this week. Methinks, it would be almost sinful to leave Bristol at this critical juncture, there being now a prospect of making a very considerable collection for the poor Americans. The whole city seems to be alarmed. Churches are as full week days, as they use to be on Sundays, and on Sundays so full, that many, very many are obliged to go away, because they cannot come in. Oh pray, dear Mr. H. that God would always keep me humble, and fully convinced that I am nothing without him, and that all the good which is done upon earth, God doth it himself. Quakers, baptists, presbyterians, &c. all come to hear the word preached. Sanctify it, holy Father, to thy own glory and thy people’s good! I hope to be with you without fail on Tuesday morning. What letters you have, pray send to, Dear Sir,

Your unworthy friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XXI.

To the Same.

Stonehouse, April 26, 1737.

Dear Sir,

BE pleased to send the Poor Country Curate, and Flavel’s Husbandry Spiritualized. I know not what to do for want of a clock in the house. How shall I know, how my precious time passes away? You’ll mind your promise to come. Here are lovely, solitary, and pleasant walks to commune with your own heart, and search out your spirit. Has Mr. Pauncefoot wrote to me? My dear friend Stratford’s death affects me still. Methinks I long to be above, employed as he is. But alas, I am not ripe for glory; if I was, my heavenly Father would gather me into his garner. Farewell, Dear Sir; remember I am alone, and pray accordingly for

Your sincere, though weak friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXII.

To the same.

Stonehouse, May 4, 1737.

Dear Sir,

WHY does not Mr. H. let me hear from or see him? Surely no evil has befallen either him or his family in their way to eternity. Why then tarry their horses? Why are they so long in coming to visit the country, which now looks like a second paradise, and which, to me, seems the pleasantest place I ever was in, through all my life? Surely I can never be thankful enough for being sent hither; people flock to hear the word of God from the neighbouring villages, as well as our own. They gladly receive me into their houses, and I have no let or hindrance to my ministerial business; and what is still better, God has opened my heart, and enabled me to finish a sermon on “Remember thy Creator, &c.”—If you will come on Sunday you may hear it perhaps.—Your sister-in-law talks of being here again on Friday; but I believe it will be more agreeable, if you chuse another opportunity, that we may have our own conversation. I hope that dear Mrs. H. took nothing ill, that was in my last. I meant it well, and wrapt up the pill in as much sugar as I could. My hearty love to her and Miss J. Poor Mr. M. and Mr. W. will set out to morrow, I suppose. The Lord prosper them and be with them wherever they go, and make them good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and finally bring them and us to his heavenly kingdom! So wishes, so prays,

Your’s affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER XXIII.

To the Same.

Stonehouse, May 11, 1737.

Dear Sir,

I Thank you for your last, and bless God that you got home safe: your observations on the weather were pertinent and spiritual. Honest James and I, were out in the midst of the lightning, and never were more delighted in our lives. May we be as well pleased, when the Son of God cometh to judgment. What! no news from your brother? Well, Stonehouse people and I agree better and better. I believe we shall part weeping. Had I time I would now write to Miss J. but I must away among my flock, and so deny myself that pleasure till another opportunity is given to, Dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XXIV.

To the Same.

Bristol, May 24, 1737.

Dear Sir,

BY the particular good providence of God, I got safe to Bristol yesterday by ten in the morning, and was received (unworthy as I am) with the utmost civility and kindness. I have learnt from hence the benefit of setting out on our journey to eternity betimes, and what a pleasing reflection it will be to look back, though not to depend, on one’s past life, and find a great deal of work done in a little time. The people here are exceeding kindly affected towards me; and, I hope, I have seen the effects of my doctrine in the reformation of some of their lives. Remember me always in your prayers. Accept my hearty thanks for all favours, and believe me to be,

Ever your’s,

G. W.

LETTER XXV.

To Mrs. H.

Oxon, July 14, 1737.

Dear Mrs. H.,

IF you remember, I promised you a long and particular letter when I was at Gloucester, and nothing hinders but I may now perform it. Permit me then first, to begin this, as I would all my letters, with thanks to you and kind Mr. H. for your inexpressible favours conferred on the most unworthy of my master’s servants; and, withall, to assure you, how incessantly I pray, that the God of all grace and mercy, for the sake of his dear Son Jesus Christ, would reward you in spirituals, for what you have done to me in temporals, and feed your soul with his heavenly graces, as plentifully as you have fed my body with nourishing food. But as, in all probability, this will be the last letter I shall write to dear Mrs. H. before I sail, what can I fill the remainder with better, than by exhorting you, to lay aside every weight, particularly the sin that does most easily beset you, and so run with patience the race set before you. I say, the sin that most easily besets; for unless we lay the ax to the root, unless we sincerely resolve in the strength of Jesus Christ to subdue our favourite, our darling passion, and spare not one Agag, though ever so engaging, ever so beautiful, all our other sacrifices will avail us nothing. Suppose therefore, for instance, Passion be our greatest foible. A sincere person will never cease night or day, till he is made meek and lowly in heart. But if it be asked, how he shall do this? I answer, first, let him consider how odious it is in the sight of God, and how contrary to the lamb-like meekness of the holy Jesus. Secondly, Let him reflect how troublesome it must be to others, (for alas what unnecessary disorders, what needless troubles doth the passionate person occasion to all that are round about him?) Thirdly, Let him consider how exceeding hurtful and unpleasant it is to himself; how it ruffles and discomposes his mind; unfits him for every holy duty, and in short makes him a torment to himself and a burden to others. Well, after he has thus seen the deformity of his darling passion, the next enquiry must be, how to get the mastery over it. The first and grand thing, is to get a true and lively faith in Christ Jesus, seeking for it by earnest prayer. To this, we must have recourse in all our struggles; for it’s God alone, who can subdue and govern the unruly wills of sinful men, and it is his grace which alone can enable us to mortify our corrupt passions. But then we must take care not to rest in general petitions for conquering this or that corruption; but must descend to particulars. For instance, supposing I am angry with a servant or husband without a cause; What must I do? Why, take the very first opportunity of retiring from the world, and after having bewailed my being angry, earnestly beseech the Lord of all power and might to enable me to withstand such and such a provocation for the future, and notwithstanding I should fail again and again in the very same instance, yet I would again and again renew my petitions to the throne of grace, and never cease praying and striving, till instead of a blind, perverse, troublesome passion, I had the lovely, calm, and delightful grace of meekness and humility planted in its room. Now would dear Mrs. H. take some such method as this (for I suppose by this time, she guesses to whom all this points) I dare say, she would quickly find as much difference in herself as there is between a wise man and an idiot.—And that she may both begin and succeed in this method, is the earnest prayer of, Dear Mrs. H.

Your affectionate friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XXVI.

To Mr. H.

London, Sept. 28, 1737.

My Dear Friend,

I Thank you for your last kind letter and kinder wishes. May they be turned into prayers, and heard at the throne of grace. Blessed be God for your new correspondence with our Oxford friends. I hope you will be instrumental to build each other up in the knowledge and fear of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God still works powerfully here. People flock more than ever, and shew the sincerity of their hearts by giving liberally to the poor. I have preached four charity sermons within this little while, and the collections were larger than ever were known. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me; but unto thy Name be the glory and praise thereof! I am glad, since [♦]it’s the divine will, that my brother is coming up, though my ability as to temporals you know is small. But I have an all-sufficient God to apply to in all emergencies. I am sorry [♠]for my brother’s loss; but I fear he must have greater, before he is awakened out of his spiritual lethargy. God sanctify all his dispensations to him. I know not why we go not to Georgia; but there is no likelihood of it yet, as I see. Friends universally dissuade me from going by myself; but I hope it will not be long now, before we shall launch into the deep. To-night I preach again at Bow church, before the religious societies. God opens my heart to compose freely. O praise him, dear Mr. H. for this and all his other mercies, conferred on, Dear Sir,

Your and Mrs. H.’s affectionate friend,

G. W.

[♦] ‘its’ replaced with ‘it’s’

[♠] removed duplicate ‘for’

LETTER XXVII.

To the Same.

London, Oct. 25, 1737.

Dearest Sir,

MULTIPLICITY of business prevented my writing to you before. But though you have not heard from me by letter, yet you may assure yourself, dear Sir, I never forget mentioning you in my prayers. God knows that I and some other friends intercede most fervently for you, and very frequently even at midnight. May God, for Christ’s sake, hear and answer them! We sail not for Georgia this month. I suppose you have heard of my mighty deeds, falsely so called, by reading the news-papers; for I find some back-friend has published abroad my preaching four times in a day; but I beseech Mr. Raikes, the printer, never to put me into his news upon any such account again, for it is quite contrary to my inclinations and positive orders. God still works here. The collections for the charity schools, in all the churches where I preach, are very large. All London is alarmed. Many youths here sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ; and thousands, I hope, are quickened, strengthened, and confirmed by the word preached. I was never in better health, and never composed more freely. O praise the Lord, dear Sir, and pray that I may not be self-sufficient but humble. I am glad dear Mrs. H. is recovered. May she, with Peter’s wife’s mother, arise and minister to Jesus Christ. God reward her for all her works and labours of love. Blessed be God my hands are full of business. A third edition of my sermon on regeneration is coming out. Write to me quickly, accept my hearty thanks and love, and expect to hear again from, Dear Sir,

Ever your’s,

G. W.

LETTER XXVIII.

To the Same.

Nov. 14, 1737.

Dear Sir,

I Heartily thank you for your last, and having a few moments, sit down to answer it. Let not my friends trouble me with temporal offers, I shall accept (God assisting me) of no place this side Jordan. We embark for Georgia in about three weeks or a month at farthest. You wish me good luck in the name of the Lord. I hope to send to you again before I sail. Mr. M——n is going amongst the colliers again at Bristol, and a church, I hope, will be built for them. Prosper, O Lord, the work of his hands upon him!—Mrs. Farmer, whenever my circumstances will admit, shall be paid all that is due to her on my mother’s account. God still works more and more by my unworthy ministry. Last week, save one, I preached ten times in different churches; and the last week seven; and yesterday four times, and read prayers twice, though I slept not above an hour the night before, which was spent in religious conversation, and in interceding for you, Mrs. H., good Mr. Pauncefoot, &c. I now begin to preach charity sermons twice or thrice a week, besides two or three on Sundays, and sixty or seventy pounds are collected weekly for the poor children. Thousands would come in to hear, but cannot. This night I preached a funeral sermon before a most crouded audience, and God, I believe, worked upon the people’s hearts. O pray for me still, dear Sir, that I may renew my strength, that I may walk and not be weary, run and not be faint. Admire God’s free grace in Christ Jesus, and let his goodness to me, the worst of sinners, strengthen your faith, and make you never to despair of mercy. Farewell. My love to all, and am, Dear Sir, in sincerity,

Your friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XXIX.

To Mrs. H.

London, Dec. 23, 1737.

Dear Mrs. H.,

ONCE more I send you a line. Nothing but an excess of business, should have prevented me writing to you oftner. Your favours, I hope, will never be forgotten, and never cease to be mentioned before the throne of grace, God only knows, how earnestly I have recommended you and your’s to his never-failing mercy. On Wednesday night eighteen of us continued all night in praises, and praying for you and our other friends. I know, that passion is the sin, which most easily besets you, and therefore I always pray that you may have grace given you to conquer it, and to learn of Jesus Christ to be meek and lowly in heart. Then, and not till then, you will find rest to your soul. Pardon me, dear Mrs. H. for being thus free. Your kindness compels me to it. Had I not a sincere regard for you, I should not express myself thus. Besides, it’s the last time, perhaps, I shall write to you in this world, and therefore would have this letter contain some instructive hints. We sail, God willing, next week. Great things have been done for us here. Perhaps upwards of a thousand pounds have been collected for the poor, and the charity schools, and I have preached above an hundred times, since I have been here. A visible alteration is made also in hundreds. Last Sunday at six in the morning, when I gave my farewell, the whole church was drowned in tears: they wept and cried aloud, as a mother weepeth for her first born. Since that, there is no end of persons coming and weeping, telling me what God has done for their souls: others again beg little books, and desire me to write their names in them. The time would fail me, was I to relate how many have been awakened, and how many pray for me. The great day will discover all. In the mean while, I beseech you Mrs. H. by the mercies of God to pray, that the goodness of God may make me humble. As yet the divine strength has been magnified in my weakness. Many have opposed, but in vain. God’s power conquers all. I am now going as Abraham did, not knowing whither I go; but I commit myself to the guidance of God’s good providence and spirit. He that has and doth, will deliver me out of all my troubles. I only wish, I could debase myself low enough, that I might be more fitted for the high and lofty one who inhabiteth eternity, to work by. I am a proud, imperious, sinful worm; but God, I hope, in time, will conform me to the image of his dear Son. He has begun (for ever adored be his free grace), and I trust, he will finish his good work in me. Out of the money that God has sent me, I will pay all the debts I can. I have sent some of it to Mrs. Wells, with particular orders how to be disposed of; two guineas are for Mrs. Farmer towards the debt due to her from my mother. My farewell sermon will be published shortly, with two or three more. Dear Mrs. H. farewell. God reward you and your’s for all your works of faith and labours of love, and grant we may so believe, and so live here, as to meet in eternal glory hereafter,

Ever your’s,

G. W.

LETTER XXX.

To Mr. H.

Margate, Jan. 9, 1738.

Dear Sir,

HITHER the good providence of God has safely brought us; our ship cast anchor near this town, and my dear fellow-traveller and I came on shore (to our great comfort) to buy some things we wanted. We have been most courteously treated by the curate of the place, and had some christian conversation. The winds and storms are blustering about our ears, and teaching us lessons of obedience to him, whom winds and storms obey. God give us grace to learn them. Mr. B. can inform you, what other particulars have happened to us, since we left you; I need only add, that the divine goodness attends us wherever we go. Oh dear Sir! who would but leave their few ragged, tattered nets to follow Jesus Christ? Who would but follow the Lamb wheresoever he shall be pleased to lead? Pray, dear Sir, that I may always do so, and then, I am sure, God will never leave or forsake me. You see, dear Sir, I have answered your kind letter much sooner than expectation, in order to express how sincerely I value your friendship, though you differ from me in some outward modes. Indeed, Sir, I hope the favours I have received from you and others of your christian brethren, will never go out of my mind; but I shall often plead them (as I have done already) at the throne of grace. I would willingly be of so catholic a spirit, as to love the image of my divine master, wherever I see it: I am far from thinking God’s grace is confined to any set of men whatsoever: no, I know the partition-wall is now broken down, and that Jesus Christ came to redeem people out of all nations and languages and tongues; and therefore his benefits are not to be confined to this or that particular set of professors. I only wish, that I may have grace given me to preach the truth, as it is in Jesus; and then, come what will, I hope I shall (as I do, blessed be God) rejoice.

You know, Sir, what a design I am going upon, and what a stripling I am for so great a work; but I stand forth as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and I doubt not, but he that has and doth, will still deliver unto the end. God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst.—Dear Sir, I could write more, but nature calls for rest. Be pleased to give my hearty love to all you and I know, and acquaint them, how safe I am here; for otherwise the tempestuous night might put them and others in pain for, Dear Sir,

Your unworthy, though affectionate friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXXI.

To Mrs. H.

Deal, Jan. 11, 1738.

Dear Mrs. H.,

HITHER has God safely brought us. Pray give thanks on my behalf. We have had two little storms, the one we escaped by being at Margate, the other we were enabled to bear manfully, and to pray for you and yours on open deck in the midst of it. All the officers are exceeding civil. The captain gives me the free use of his cabin, and some impression is made on the soldiers. I read prayers and preach twice every day, and, would you think it, the very soldiers stand out to say their catechism. Oh that they may be soldiers of Jesus Christ. God gives me great joy, and excites me to adore him more and more, when I behold his wonders in the deep. I am but a fresh-water sailor; but God’s strength will be magnified in my weakness, and I verily believe we shall arrive at the haven, where we wou’d be. Oh that we may all so pass thro’ the waves of this troublesome world, that at last we may arrive at the port of everlasting rest! Expect to hear from me at Gibraltar, and assure yourself your favours shall never be forgotten by

Your sincere friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXXII.

To Mr. ——.

Deal, Jan. 21, 1738.

SUPPOSE I answer dear Mr. —— before I reach Georgia, Will he be angry? I fancy not. I had a mind to write to you again, before I received yours. For as you have been so liberal in your presents, it would be unpardonable in me, was I niggardly in my letters. No, my dear friend, I hope I never shall cease praying for you and yours, so long as I live. Hitherto I have not. I was praying for you just as I received yours: I am glad to hear you prayed before you wrote to me. Surely God will bless such a correspondence. O my friend, let us still wrestle with God, that we may be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. For it is perseverance crowns our labours. He, and He only can be saved. The world, the flesh and the devil are three such potent enemies, that we must strive, we must persevere, if we will gain a conquest. Strive then; let us, my dear friend, strive as persons striving for eternity. Let us abstain from all appearance of evil, and avoid all company, that doth not directly tend to the promoting our spiritual welfare. Whether one of the societies you frequent, my dear friend, has a tendency that way, I leave you to judge. I think I have heard you say, it keeps you from family and secret prayer. If that is not a sufficient reason for absenting from it, I’ll say no more. I believe you to be sincere, and therefore, if you consult God by prayer and reading his word, your way will be made clear before you. I only add, that I could wish, instead of frequenting that, you would set up another society of a quite contrary nature on the same night of the week. I know Mr. —— had some such design on foot, and desired me to mention it. I wish you good success in this and every pious undertaking in the name of the Lord. May God reward you for all your kindnesses, and make you to abound in every good word and work! may you walk by faith and not by sight; and tho’ you are in the world, may you not be of it! I preach here, God willing, to-morrow; there’s likely to be a great congregation. O pray, that they may not be sent away empty, but converted by, dear Mr. ——,

Your affectionate friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXXIII.

Deal, Jan. 25, 1738.

Dear Sir,

I Am ashamed of my ingratitude in not writing to you before; but you’ll not wonder I am ungrateful to my friends, when I tell you I am ungrateful to my God. However, as I always remark’d you for your charity, I know you will imitate Him you so resemble, and upon my promise of amendment for the future, will pardon what is past. Oh dear Sir, how shall I express my gratitude to dear ——? But above all, what return shall I make to my ever-blessed Redeemer for all the favours he hath bestowed upon me? Help, I entreat you, help me to be thankful, and as you abound in prayer, abound in praises. I find my heart too backward to this divine exercise. I am ready enough to ask for mercies, but alas! how slow to return thanks! Indeed sometimes God touches me from above, and my heart, hard as it is, is melted down and quite overcome with the sense of his free grace in Christ Jesus towards me. But I want always to go on my way rejoicing; I want the heart of a seraphim;

I want to sing as loud as they,

Who shine above in endless day.

I could almost say more than they, and why should I not return angelic thanks? But my heart is as yet unhumbled, I see not what I am, what I deserve, and therefore set not a due value on the divine mercies. Pray therefore, dear Mr. ——, that I may receive my sight, that my eyes may be opened, and that seeing what God hath done for me, I may break out into songs of praise, and by such heart-transforming divine exercises be gradually trained up for eternal uninterrupted communion with that heavenly choir, who cease not chanting forth day and night hallelujahs to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever. Dear Mr. ——, I can relate to you fresh matter for praise and thanksgiving; a divine fire seems to be kindling in Deal. I preached on Sunday, and this day. The inhabitants are quite affectionate, and so desirous to hear the word, at my private lodgings, as well as at public churches, that I am obliged to divide them into two companies. And God, blessed be his free grace in Christ Jesus, helps me through. I suppose my dear friend has heard how affairs go on shipboard. I need only add, that God makes his power to be known among those that sail with me, and there are great hopes of the captain’s conversion. O pray, that he may not be an almost, but an altogether christian. Dear Mr. ——, farewell. It’s late, and many other friends must have a line to-night. May God reward you for all kindnesses, and keep you stedfast unto the end. Pray return my hearty thanks to all your Brethren; tell them I sincerely pray for their growth and perseverance in holiness, and am, dear Mr. ——,

Your affectionate, tho’ unworthy friend and servant in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER XXXIV.

Gibraltar Harbour, Feb. 24, 1738.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Bless God for inclining your heart to take my advice. I know it was intended well, and I hope proceeded from the spirit of God. The many fatal consequences I have daily seen, proceeding from conversing with lukewarm christians, makes me jealous of my dear friends, lest they should be infected by them; and the great tendency I find in my own heart to catch every infection, makes me to resolve for myself, and to put others on resolving to keep no set company but with religious persons. I hope by this time I may wish you joy of settling a new society with Messrs. ——; and I doubt not but your hearts have already burnt within you, whilst you talked to one another of the scriptures of truth. I am sure there is scarce a night has passed over my head but I have wrestled with God for you, and prayed that he would prosper this work of your hands upon you. My hearty desire and daily petition at the throne of grace is, that you may be saved; and tho’ I know not much of your dear wife’s temper, yet I pray, that she may be meek and lowly in heart, not easily provoked, nor answer unnecessarily again. I pray, that you both may walk as Zachary and Elizabeth did before the Lord blameless, that you may love one another, as Christ and the church, and see your children like olive-branches round about your table. I pray, that you may persevere in the good way you have begun, that you may abstain from all appearance of evil, and dare to be exemplarily good. I pray, that you may practice an universal self-denial, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. I could say much more, but must away to Gibraltar; one of the Majors of the regiments has sent for me, having provided a lodging at a merchant’s house unknown to me. Oh admire God’s goodness! Accept my thanks and love, and believe me to be, more than words can express,

Your affectionate friend in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER XXXV.

To Mr. ——.

Gibraltar, Feb. 25, 1738.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Should think myself unworthy of your friendship, did I not send you a line now God has brought me in safety hither. I know you will give thanks, and therefore, God forbid I should sin against the Lord in not informing you of it.—Your prayers have already been heard; for God (ever adored be his free grace in Christ Jesus) hath been with us of a truth. He hath led us through the sea, as through a wilderness, and brought us to a haven, where I am honoured with many honours.—Any one that knows Gibraltar would be apt to say, Can any good come out from thence? Yes, I assure you, there may; for there are some that are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. About six o’clock this morning I went to the church, where was assembled a number of decent soldiers praying and singing psalms to Christ as God. They meet constantly three times a day, and I intend, God willing, henceforward to meet them. For my delight is in the saints who are in the earth, and those that excel in virtue. I have talked with some of them, and, blessed be God, can find the marks of the new birth in them. They pray without ceasing, have overcome the world, hate sin, as sin, love their enemies and one another. They glory in the cross of Christ, and rejoice that they are accounted worthy to suffer shame for the sake of Christ. O, who would but travel to see how the spirit of God is moving on the faces of poor sinners souls up and down the world! God, I find, has a people every where; Christ has a flock, though but a little flock, in all places.—God be praised, that we are of this flock, and that it will be our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom!—Gibraltar is blessed with a governor, who hath not absented himself from public worship, unless when he was sick, for these seven years, and yet is very moderate towards the dissenters. Both conformists and nonconformists perform public worship, though at different times of the day, in the same place: They also have a religious society. The good Lord prosper this work of their hands upon them. Whenever we go away, may we leave a blessing behind us. He is a prayer-hearing God.—Yesterday a major of one of the regiments, unknown to me, took two handsome rooms, and sent for me from on board, desiring me to lodge in them; and I find the people of the house fear God.—“When I sent you without scrip or shoe, lacked you any thing?” said our Lord. They said nothing.—O, dear Mr. ——, I beseech you abound in thanksgiving, and pray that all these blessings may humble my proud heart, and make me willing to follow the Lamb whithersoever he shall lead me. Assure yourself, that you and all your christian friends are constantly prayed for by, dear Sir,

Your’s most affectionately in the Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER XXXVI.

Gibraltar, Feb. 27, 1738.

Dear Sir,

EVER since I left Gravesend, I remember the fulness of your heart. I have been a constant petitioner at the throne of grace for you, and intended writing to you before, but was [♦]let hitherto. However, God has now brought me safe to Gibraltar, and as I have time, I should think myself inexcusable, did I not send a line to dear Mr. ——, to assure him, I forgot not his tears, and wish him to be not only an almost, but an altogether christian. Dear Sir, you are young and in the bloom of youth, and it would rejoice my heart to see you triumph over the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, and to become a poor despised servant of Jesus Christ. Others, indeed, may wish you wealth, may wish you pomp and grandeur; but believe me, my dear friend, these will not, these cannot, make you happy: No, nothing but God can satisfy the heart of man; nothing but an assurance, that we are born again, that we are members of Christ, that we are united to him by one and the same spirit with which he himself was actuated. Without this, if we were to have our appetites regaled with the richest dainties, be cloathed with purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day, yet the hand-writing upon the wall, the consideration, that all these things are quickly to be taken away, would make our visage to change, and our knees, like Belshazzar’s, to smite one against another. Strive then, my dear friend, to get the spirit of Christ, who will keep close to you, when all other comforts fail; will make you happy here, and unspeakably happy hereafter.—Never fear the contempt you will meet with; yet a little while, and they that call you fool, will call themselves so, and curse that worldly wisdom, which tempted them to evade the cross of Christ. Strange! that any one should let a little reproach deprive them of an eternal crown! Lord, what is man! How blind as to the knowledge of his true interest! How backward in the pursuit of his eternal good! O, dear Mr. ——, let us not be of the number of those, who desire the honour that cometh of man; but be content with that which cometh from God. In a short time, we shall have praise enough. Heaven will echo with the applause that shall be given to the true followers of the Lamb, and then you will see how sincerely I was, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

[♦] ‘lett’ replaced with ‘let’

LETTER XXXVII.

To Mrs. H.

At Sea, April 14, 1738.

Dear Mrs. H.,

THOUGH through excess of business, and the shortness of the time, that was allotted me, I wrote but a few lines to you from Gibraltar, yet, what hinders, but that I may send you a longer letter now? It’s true we are now near a thousand miles from Georgia; but as I shall have an opportunity of sending immediately on our arrival, I chuse to take time by the forelock, and embrace the first opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to dear Mrs. H. and her husband; for whom I pray without ceasing. Your past favours are seldom out of my mind; I plead them daily before God in prayer, and hope, if it is ever in my power, I shall imitate the example of pious David in yesterday evening’s first lesson, and requite my friends, particularly dear Mrs. H. and her spouse, for the kindnesses they have shewn me. However, supposing this should not happen, they will in no-wise lose their reward. But I know you do not care I should dwell on this. You want to be informed, how God has dealt with me since I left Gibraltar? Exceeding graciously indeed. He has comforted me on every occasion, most remarkably blessed my unworthy ministry on board the ship, sent us most delightful weather, and made us to ride as it were on the wings of the wind. We live in perfect love and harmony one with another. I know but little difference between sea and land, and have great reason to bless God for sending me abroad. A grievous sickness has been sent amongst us, by which most of the ship have been chastened and corrected but only two given over unto death; and God hath been so good to me, that, except for a little time after we sailed from Gibraltar, I have been in perfect health, and now God satisfieth my mouth with good things, making me strong and lively as a young eagle. I have nothing to disturb my joy in God, but the disorder of my passions. Were these once brought into a proper subjection to divine grace, O well would it be with me, and happy should I be. But so long as I am angry for trifles, and throw myself into needless disorders, so long must my heart be like the troubled sea, so long consequently must I be unhappy. Pray therefore, dear Mrs. H. that I may lay the ax of mortification to the root of my most darling corruptions, and since I have but little, if any thing, to disturb me without, O pray that I may meet with no disturbance from myself within. The farther particulars of my voyage, you will see in my journal, which I have sent to Mr. Hutton, and for the blessings contained therein, I beseech you to return God most humble and hearty thanks. About Christmas next, God willing, I purpose to come to England to take priests orders, and to return as soon as possible to Georgia. In the mean while, dear Mrs. H. let us strive to enter in at the strait gate, that we may be christians indeed, and know what it is truly to be born again from above, and to be renewed by the spirit in our minds. Remember me most affectionately to all friends. I am,

Your’s, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XXXVIII.

To Mr. ——.

On board the Whitaker, April 17, 1738.

Dear Mr. ——,

TO assure you I do not forget you, I write to you, as yet, eight hundred miles off shore. Your honest heart has won my affections. I make mention of you and your’s continually at the throne of grace in my prayers, and shall have no greater pleasure than to hear you walk in the truth. In your last, I think you said, you would desist from frequenting any other societies, but what immediately tended to the promoting of true religion, and ere now, I doubt not but you have seen the benefit of it. I have often pleased myself with the hopes, that you, dear Mr. ——, had set up another society among yourselves, and often have I thought, I felt the benefit of your prayers; for God hath blessed me exceedingly, and brought us on our way rejoicing; and has shewn me, that he doth not send me abroad in vain.—How God will deal with me at Savannah, I know not; however, let my friends be always lifting up their hands in intercession, and then our spiritual Amalek will not prevail. Hitherto I have been made to go on from conquering to conquer. God gives me a chearful spirit, and crowns my feeble labours with success. And why should I despair of future assistance? Are not these earnests of future mercies? And may I not expect, when I am duly prepared, to see greater things than these? Cry therefore mightily unto the Lord, that I may be humble, and that I may tremble at his word, and then he will delight to honour me. I live in hopes of seeing you and your wife again (growing in grace) in England. You told me, she desired I would draw her picture; but alas! she has applied to an improper limner. However, though I cannot describe what she is, I can tell what she ought to be.—Meek, patient, long-suffering, obedient in all things, not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, swift to hear, slow to speak, and ready to every good word and work. But I can no more, I dare not go on in telling another what she ought to be, when I want so much myself; only this I know, when possessed of those good qualities before-mentioned, she will then be as happy as her heart can wish, and afford great reason of thanksgiving to, dear Mr. ——,

Your and Mrs. ——’s affectionate friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXXIX.

To Mr. ——.

On board the Whitaker, May 6, 1738.

My dear Friend,

HOW goes time? I can scarce tell; for I have been some time past, as one would think, launching into eternity. God has been pleased graciously to visit me with a violent fever, which he notwithstanding so sweetened by divine consolations, that I was enabled to rejoice and sing in the midst of it. Indeed, I had many violent conflicts with the powers of darkness, who did all they could to disturb and distract me; but Jesus Christ prayed for me: And though I was once reduced to the last extremity, and all supernatural assistance seemed to be suspended for a while, and satan as it were had dominion over me, yet God suffered not my faith to fail; but came in at length to my aid, rebuked the tempter, and from that moment I grew better. Surely God is preparing me for something extraordinary: For he has now sent me such extraordinary conflicts and comforts as I never before experienced. I was as I thought on the brink of eternity. I had heaven within me; I thought of nothing in this world; I earnestly desired to be dissolved and go to Christ; but God was pleased to order it otherwise, and I am resigned, though I can scarce be reconciled to come back again into this vale of misery. I had the heavenly Canaan in full view, and hoped I was going to take possession of it; but God saw I was not yet ripe for glory, and therefore in mercy spared me, that I may recover my spiritual strength before I go hence and am no more seen. Oh pray, my dear friend, that I may not grow lukewarm, or slothful, but arise from my late bed of sickness, and administer with ten times more alacrity to my blessed Master, than ever I did before. I would write more, but my strength faileth me. We hope to be at Savannah on Monday.

Your’s,

G. W.

LETTER XL.

To Mr. H.

Savannah, June 10, 1738.

Dearest Sir,

ABOUT five weeks I have been at Savannah, where providence seems to intend continuing me for some time. God has graciously visited me with a fit of sickness; but now I am lively as a young eagle. All things have happened better than expectation. America is not so horrid a place as it is represented to be. The heat of the weather, lying on the ground, &c. are mere painted lions in the way, and to a soul filled with divine love not worth mentioning. The country, mornings and evenings, is exceeding pleasant, and there are uncommon improvements made (considering the indifference of the soil) in divers places. With a little assistance the country people would do very well. As for my ministerial office, I can inform you, that God (such is his goodness) sets his seal to it here, as at other places. We have an excellent christian school, and near a hundred constantly attend at evening prayers. The people receive me gladly, as yet, into their houses, and seem to be most kindly affected towards me. I have a pretty little family, and find it possible to manage a house without distraction. Provisions we do not want to feed on, though we are cut off from all occasions to pamper our bodies. Blessed be God, I visit from house to house, catechise, read prayers twice and expound the two second lessons every day; read to a house-ful of people three times a week; expound the two lessons at five in the morning, read prayers and preach twice, and expound the catechism to servants, &c. at seven in the evening every Sunday. What I have most at heart, is the building an orphan-house, which I trust will be effected at my return to England. In the mean while, I am settling little schools in and about Savannah; that the rising generation may he bred up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Lord prosper my weak endeavours for promoting his glory and his people’s good. Oh, dear Mr. H. pray for me. For I do, indeed I do, pray for you and your’s. Remember me to dear Mrs. H. and exhort her to perfect holiness in the fear of God. Remind Mr. W——, (since he will not hearken to me) to work out his salvation with fear and trembling, and beg him to pray for, though he will not write to, dear Mr. H.

Ever, ever your’s,

G. W.

LETTER XLI.

To Mr. ——.

Kilrush, (Ireland) Nov. 16, 1738.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Have not forgot you; and as a proof of it, send you this to acquaint you of my safe arrival here. I know you will rejoice and give thanks, and pray that my coming to London may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. God has done for me more abundantly than I could dare ask or think. The seed of the glorious gospel has taken root in the American ground, and, I hope, will grow up into a great tree. By my friends prayers I believe it hath been planted. Oh that they may continue to water it with the same means, and then our great God will give it an effectual increase.—I hope to see you in a few days at my old lodgings, and to rejoice with you for what God has done for our souls. Indeed, I have felt his power; I have tasted and known of a truth, that the Lord is gracious! America, infant Georgia, is an excellent soil for christianity; you cannot live there without taking up a daily cross. Therefore, I shall hasten back as soon as possible after Christmas. Oh! that, in the mean while, I may be enabled to be instant in season and out of season, and preach with demonstration of the spirit, and with power! Methinks I see Mr. —— lifting up his eyes towards heaven, and silently saying, Amen.—I hope you will excuse Mr. D.’s letter. I have forgot his house, though not his person and his love. No, all your kindnesses, O my friends, are engraven upon my heart, and I trust will never be forgotten by, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and humble Servant,

G. W.

LETTER XLII.

To Mr. H.

London, Dec. 30, 1738.

My dear Friend,

I Am appointed by the trustees to be minister of Savannah. The bishop of London (Doctor Gibson) accepts the title, and has given me letters demisory to any other bishop. I have waited also on Doctor Secker, bishop of Oxford, who acquaints me that our worthy diocesan, good Bishop Benson, ordains for him to-morrow fortnight at Oxford, and that he will give me letters demisory to him. God be praised; I was praying night and day, whilst on ship-board, if it might be the divine will, that good Bishop Benson, who laid hands on me as a deacon, might now make me a priest.—And now my prayer is answered.—Be pleased to wait on his Lordship, and desire him to inform you, when I must be at Oxford in order to receive imposition of hands. Oh pray that I may be duly prepared. It will be a month before I can see Gloucester. I long to see you. I love you and your’s in the bowels of Jesus Christ; but I have scarce time to subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Your’s eternally,

G. W.

LETTER XLIII.

To the Same.

London, Jan. 27, 1739.

Dear Sir,

IF I forget Mr. H. and his wife, may my right-hand forget her cunning. Excess of business alone was the cause of my silence. I sleep but little, very little. Had I a thousand hands, I could employ them all. I scarce know what it is to have an idle moment. It is late now. I have just been expounding. God fills me with his spirit, and I must redeem a little time to write to dear Mr. H. Indeed, indeed I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O when shall I return your past favours! I thank you for blessing God on my behalf. I want a thousand tongues to praise him. He still works by me more and more. Subscriptions for erecting an orphan-house come in a-pace. On Monday sevennight, God willing, I set out for Bristol, with Mr. Seward, and from thence propose coming to Gloucester. Oh that it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace! Mr. Howel Harris, and I, are correspondents, blessed be God! May I follow him, as he does Jesus Christ. How he outstrips me! Fye upon me, fye upon me. How does my brother? My love to him and all. I long to see you and yours, and to give you repeated assurances of my being, dear Sir,

Your’s eternally,

G. W.

LETTER XLIV.

To the Mr. ——.

Basingstoke, Feb. 8, 1739.

Dear Sir,

THOUGH I desired you to write first, yet the love I bear you, will not suffer me to wait so long before you hear from me.—Just now has God brought us to Basingstoke, where I hope an effectual door will be opened before we leave it, as well as at Windsor.—Oh my dear friend, more and more do I see the benefit of confessing our blessed Lord before men.—You have not been ashamed of the cross.—No, dear Mr. —— has put his hand to the plough; he will not, surely he cannot look back; but Jesus Christ alone can keep me and my dear friend from falling. He has begun and he will carry on, he will finish the good work in our souls.—We have nothing to do, but to lay hold on him by faith, and to depend on him for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Not but we must be workers together with him; for a true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle.—No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart, so that it cannot be easy, till it is doing something for Jesus Christ.—Methinks I hear my dear friend crying out, “Lord, evermore give me this faith!” Believe me, I heartily say, Amen. Ask then, my dear Sir, and it shall be given you, seek and strive for it, and yet a little while and I shall see you a new creature; your heart I hope is somewhat broken already.—All praise be to God’s free grace in Christ.—Go on, my dear friend, and never cease till you know you are Christ’s, by the spirit that shall be given you. Never fear your carnal friends, renounce them and every thing else that stands in competition with your duty to God.—What have we to do to know any one after the flesh? Let him, who doth the will of our Father in heaven, be our brother, our sister, our mother. For this reason I subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Your’s most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER XLV.

To Mr. H——.

Oxon, April 24, 1739.

Dear Mr. H——,

BLESSED be God for working upon your heart by my ministry. I hope the wish’d-for time will come, when I shall see you full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Copies may be taken of my letter; but I would not have it printed, because I intend, when retir’d from the world, to make some discourses on the subject of free grace. Pray acquaint your mother, that I interceded for her solemnly last night. I besought God, that she might have her Saviour revealed in her heart; that is the only way to get above the fears of death. Christ in us is the hope of glory. I rejoice to hear Mr. Cole builds you up in your most holy faith. I exhort you to go on, and who knows but dear Mr. H. may, under God, keep up religion in Gloucester. Mr. Kinchin’s conduct in fearing the church, and giving up the parsonage, has sadly grieved the spirit of many good souls here; but I bless God they are now a little comforted. Oh dear Mr. H——, my heart is drawn towards London most strangely. Perhaps you may hear of your friend’s imprisonment. I expect no other preferment. God grant I may behave so, that when I suffer, it may not be for my own imprudencies, but for righteousness sake, and then I am sure the spirit of Christ and of glory will rest upon my soul. Oh dear Mr. H——, I beseech you, break off from the world. Shake off every fetter that keeps your soul from God, and then how will it rejoice the heart of, dear Sir,

Your’s eternally,

G. W.

LETTER XLVI.

To the Same.

London, April 27, 1739.

Dear Mr. H——,

I Rejoice to hear of the affection of my countrymen. It is a good sign, that the word has taken deep root in their hearts. But above all, do I rejoice that dear Mr. H—— is truly sensible of the free grace of God in Christ. Now, my dear friend, you will begin to be a christian indeed. Blessed be God, I hear my honoured M—— is becoming a fool for Christ’s sake. I do not despair of Mr. W. nay, I cannot despair of any one, when I consider, what I once was myself. Let but God speak the word, and the work shall be done. I always hope well of opposers. To-day, my master by his providence and spirit compelled me to preach in the church-yard at Islington. To-morrow I am to repeat that mad trick, and on Sunday to go out into Moor-Fields. The word of the Lord runs and is glorified. People’s hearts seem quite broken. God strengthens me exceedingly.—I preach till I sweat through and through. All is well at Savannah. Brave news from Gibraltar. Innumerable blessings does God pour down upon me. Oh that I had a thankful heart. I love you both sincerely; I thank you both heartily. I salute all our dear friends most affectionately, and am, dear Sir,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER XLVII.

To the Same.

London, May 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. H——,

THE hour for my imprisonment is not yet come. I am not fit as yet to be so highly honoured. God only knows the treachery of my heart; but amidst all my late success, I have scarce felt one self-complacent thought. I speak this to the honour of God’s free grace. In about three weeks, God willing, we embark for Pensilvania. The trustees have granted to me land and every thing upon my own terms; the officers and general are exceeding kind to my friend Habersham upon my account, so that all things succeed beyond my expectations. I am sorry to hear of Mr. W——’s conduct—Poor man! The love of money is rooted in his heart. Where is the honesty he so much boasts of and relies on? Does not this more and more convince you that nothing but a true faith in Jesus Christ will enable you to act aright? However, he is not to be envyed. I pity him. Money, thus got, will never prosper. I rejoice that you and your spouse are content. I wish you both may have Jesus Christ formed in your hearts, and am

Ever, ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XLVIII.

To ——.

Blendon, June 12, 1739.

My dear Brethren in Christ,

I Am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, and therefore write to you this second letter. I find more and more that satan has desired to have some of you in particular, that he may sift you as wheat, and will strive if possible to divide and separate you all.—I hear there is a woman among you, who pretends to the spirit of prophecy, and what is more unaccountable, I hear that Brother —— (whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ) seems to approve of her. Need therefore, great need have you, my brethren, at this time to take the apostle’s advice, and to try the spirits whether they be of God. For the devil is beginning to mimic God’s work, and because terrors will not do, he is now transforming himself into an angel of light in order more effectually to gain his point. Brother —— also, I cannot but think, at present is under a spirit of delusion. He, as well as brother ——, I believe imagines there will be a power given to work miracles, and that now Christ is coming to reign a thousand years upon the earth.—But alas! what need is there of miracles, such as healing sick bodies, and restoring sight to blind eyes, when we see greater miracles every day done by the power of God’s word? Do not the spiritually blind now see? Are not the spiritually dead now raised, and the leprous souls now cleans’d, and have not the poor the gospel preached unto them? And if we have the thing already, which such miracles were only intended to introduce, why should we tempt God in requiring further signs? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And as for our Lord’s coming at this time to reign upon the earth, I answer, it is not for us to know the times and seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.—That a great work is begun is evident, that it will be carried on I doubt not; but how it will end, I know not, neither do I desire to know. It is sufficient for me to do the work of the day in its day, and to rest satisfied in this, that all will end in God’s glory. Lately, brother —— told me he was shortly, he believed, to be called to some public work.—I pray God he may not run before he is called. To teach, I know, is a pleasing thing; but to begin to teach too soon or without a commission, will be destruction to ourselves, and of ill consequence to others. Uzzah might mean well, when he touched the ark, but his good intention did not preserve him from the just judgments of God. Be not many masters, says the apostle. Oh that that verse was deeply engraven on the tables of our hearts! My dear brethren, be not offended at this plainness of speech. I would all the Lord’s servants were prophets, but then I would not have people think themselves prophets of the Lord, when they are only enthusiasts—If Mr. —— is acted by a good spirit, why is he not patient of reproof? Why does he fly in a passion, when contradicted? Why does he pretend to be infallible, and that God always speaks in him? May God give us all a right judgment in all things. Pure unfeigned love causes me to use this freedom. Many of you God has worked upon by my ministry, and therefore I would not have you ignorant of satan’s devices. O beware of him at this time. Do not conceive prejudices against each other. Do not dispute, but love; purge out the old leaven from amongst you. Have no fellowship with any that converse with Mr. ——. If they have a mind to depart from you, let them depart. Do you build up each other in your most holy faith. My dear brethren,

I am your common servant in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER XLIX.

To the Rev. Mr. ——.

Leachlade, July 18, 1739.

Dear Sir,

THE scene this morning much affected me; you both put me in mind, how that happy pair, Adam and Eve, looked when arraign’d by the Almighty after having eaten the forbidden fruit. Behold the same remedy reached out to you as to them.—The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.—Look up to him whom you have pierced.—He will heal your backslidings and love you freely.—Had he not loved you both, both of you ere now would have been given over to a reprobate mind. I know the time, when you both were enlightned, when you tasted the good word of God, and felt the powers of the world to come.—Honour, falsely so called, has caused you to draw back, but I believe not unto perdition. Jesus is still striving with your heart. Come to him by faith, renounce the world, and he will yet delight to honour you. “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” Mention not old things, let all things become new. I love both of you from my heart. Come forth, and be ye separate, saith the Lord almighty. Break with the world at once, and you shall become fools for Christ’s sake. What if your wife sent some such letter as the following to her parents.

Honoured Father and Mother,

THE contents of this letter will surprize you, but I can no longer halt between God and the world; the happy convictions, that God once put into my heart, now arise in my mind, I will no longer be an almost christian. I am resolved to become a fool for Christ’s sake. Blessed be God Mr. M—— is like-minded.—Hitherto have I hindered him in his spiritual progress, God forbid I should do it any longer. Hence forward will we go hand in hand together, and naked follow a naked Christ.—

Dearest Mr.——, I am ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER L.

London, July 23, 1739.

Dear Madam,

YOUR letter filled me with joy and with pity. Pity, to see you tempted, joy, to find you are thought worthy of enduring temptation. Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But be not afraid, Jesus Christ is praying for you, and your faith shall not fail. Your master hath been in the wilderness before you, and knows by experience, how to succour those that are tempted. Lift up then the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. Infidel books have poisoned your understanding, and rivetted great pride therein. Strong temptations are necessary to mortify that pride, and to teach you that lowliness of heart, which our Lord calls all that are weary and heavy laden to learn of him. Look up then to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He will send you help in every time of need. Indeed he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Follow him as the poor Syrophœnician woman did, and though he may now turn away his face seemingly for a while, yet he will always support you inwardly by a living faith, and shortly give you the spirit of adoption, whereby you will be enabled to cry, “Abba, Father.” I speak this by happy experience. I have mourned, but now I am comforted. I have gone through the spirit of bondage, and, for ever be adored God’s free grace, he has given me the spirit of adoption. And that you also will have this in God’s due time and way, is the firm belief of

Your unworthy brother, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LI.

London, July 23, 1739.

Dear Mr. H——,

I Wish you joy of your new-born son. Oh that it may be made a real child of God. I purpose, God willing, to stand to my promise, either in person, or by proxy. I know not yet, how providence will be pleased to dispose of me. I have written to the Lords of the Admiralty for a licence. Saturday evening next, I hope you will see Mr. Charles Wesley. He intends to preach at Gloucester, Raindwick, &c. Pray desire Mr. Cole and our other dear friends to appoint places. Matters go on most bravely here. I think people are ten times more affected than ever. The audiences full and numerous, and they give their mites for the orphan house with a chearful and ready heart. Have you heard how I preached upon the stage among the cudgel players at Basingstoke, and got a blow? Both I and my companions were also turned out of our inn, and in danger of being beaten heartily. Blessed be God! My sermon comes out on Wednesday. Heartiest love to dear Mrs. H——. That Jesus Christ may be fully formed in both your hearts, is the prayer of,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER LII.

London, July 24, 1739.

Honoured Sir,

THOUGH but a child in grace, and a novice in the things of God, yet I could not escape this opportunity of shewing you, how dear you are to my soul. Though unknown in person, yet you have long since been known to me in spirit. I hoped to have seen you ere I left London. I hasted up to town hoping to have some spiritual gift imparted to me by that means, but I was not worthy of it, I was not prepared for such a blessing.—You went before I came. A great work of God is doing here. The Lord Jesus gets himself the victory every day; free grace compels poor sinners to come in. Our brother —— can inform you of particulars. As for my own soul, God mightily strengthens me in the inward man, and gives me often such foretastes of his love, that I am almost continually wishing to be dissolved, that I may be with Christ.—But I am only beginning to begin to be a christian.—I must suffer also, as well as do for my dear Master. Perhaps a storm is gathering. I believe God will permit it to fall on my head first.—This comes then, honoured Sir, to desire your prayers, that none of those things may move me; and that I may not count even my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. Though I die for him, yet, I beseech you, honoured Sir, to pray that I may not in any way deny him. But what am I doing? I fear, honoured Sir, I am too free. A sense of your humility and love for the blessed Jesus makes me thus open. How should I rejoice, if you would honour me with a line.—I am young, and therefore a word of exhortation and advice, would much profit, honoured Sir,

Your very humble servant, in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LIII.

London, July 25, 1739.

Dear Sir,

NOT a want of love, but of time, has obliged me to shorten my late letters. Had I an hundred hands I could employ them all. The harvest is very great. I am ashamed I can do no more for him, who hath done so much for me; not by way of retaliation, but gratitude. Fain would I love my master, and will not go from him; his service is perfect freedom; his yoke is easy, his burden light. Still he is pleased to shew us greater things. Every day affords fresh instances of the power of his word. I am now about to attack satan in one of his strong-holds, if I perish.—To-night I preach, God willing, where an horse-race is to be. I find my Master strengthens me for the work. O, dear Sir, pray for me, that my faith fail not, and that my zeal be tempered with knowledge. Our brother —— will prove an agreeable correspondent. If business prevents my writing, he will inform you what happens from time to time to, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LIV.

London, July 26, 1739.

Rev. Sir,

JUST now I received your kind letter, and am endeavouring to catch a few moments to answer it. I thank you for your encouraging hints. O! dear Sir, continue to exhort, and provoke me to love and to good works, that I may with patience run the race that is set before me. Hitherto my dear Master magnifies his strength in my weakness. Ever since he honoured me to suffer a little reproach for his name’s sake, at Basingstoke, he has caused me to rejoice with exceeding great joy. My spirit was stirred within me. Methinks I could willingly have died to have borne my testimony against the lying vanities, and devilish entertainments of this generation. By the help of my Master, I will go on and attack the devil in his strongest holds. O pray, dear Sir, that my zeal may be always tempered with true christian prudence. It would grieve me, should I bring sufferings causelessly upon myself. A trying time, perhaps, is at hand. O that I may be found faithful! If providence permits, I will perform my promise. I am blind, I am a child, I know nothing. I only desire the whole will of God may be done, in, by, and upon, dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LV.

London, July 26, 1739.

Sir,

I Received your kind letter, but must beg to be excused from dissuading your son to go with ——. The employment in which he is engaged will, in the end, if faithfully improved, tend much to God’s glory and his own good. He now sits by me; I read over your letter to him, and he continues as resolute as ever. The being disinherited does not terrify him at all. He has a more abiding inheritance, and is willing naked to follow a naked Christ.—Dear Sir, let me advise you to do nothing rashly. If you can pray for a blessing on your will when you are about to disinherit your son, I shall wonder. Have a little patience, and then you will find that your son is about to act wisely. If I thought otherwise, no one would be more forward to dissuade him, than, Sir,

Your very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER LVI.

London, July 31, 1739.

OH that my head was water and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep over my dear Mr. ——. What? And has my familiar friend, who has been dear to me as my own soul, has he taken part with, and gone back to the enemy? Surely it cannot be!—And yet I must believe it.—But if any one had told my dear friend, that he would have behaved thus, would he not have cried out, “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this?” Oh, my dear friend, I am in pain for you! Alas! who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth? You did run well; who, or what hath hindered you? Not a fear of man, I hope; not a desire of that praise, that cometh of man. I know the time when my dear friend’s heart stood stedfast. I know the time when my dear friend was willing to be accounted a fool for Christ’s sake, and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, of false politeness, for a season. And why should I despair of my dear friend now? No, I know Jesus Christ was set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel. Our Lord, I trust, has prayed for you, and I hope your faith will not totally fail. Forgive me, I must stop and sigh: God forbid I should be called, at the great day, to say, that my dear Mr. —— put his hand to the plough and turned back unto perdition. Good God! the thought strikes me as though a dart was shot through my liver. Return, return. My dear friend, I cannot part from you for ever. Do not speak peace to your soul, when there is no peace. Do not turn factor for the devil. Do not prejudice or hurt my brother, and thereby add to the grief you have already occasioned.

Your most affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LVII.

Bristol, July 31, 1739.

My dear Brother,

BLESSED be God for bringing you in safety home.—He is a God hearing prayer. May he sanctify our meeting. I hope to see you here this week. I shall set out for Deal on Monday.—I long to hear how the soul of my dear brother prospers.—I long to embrace you in these unworthy arms.—Methinks I could now sing my nunc dimittis with pleasure, if my eyes could see my dear brother’s salvation. I hope you have conversed with Mr. Wesley. It will require some degree of boldness to own either of us before men. God vouchsafes to honour us: No wonder our names are cast out as evil.—Dear Mr. ——, I hear, is staggered with the fear of man.—Sister, I trust, is in a good way. When shall I see you? Come, Oh come and warm my heart, by telling me what God hath done for your soul. Eternity will be too short to praise him for what he has done for

Your affectionate brother,

G. W.

LETTER LVIII.

London, August 3, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

THIS morning I received yours, and though I leave London this evening, yet I cannot but snatch a few moments to send you an answer. I love all that love our Lord Jesus Christ. The spirit of Christ, with me is the center. I love the man, and you in particular, though in all things he may not follow with me. I rejoice there is a revival of true religion in Scotland. The spirit of God is moving on the faces of thousands of souls in England. The word runs very swift, and satan falls like lightning from heaven. God hath sent me into the highways and hedges, to compel poor sinners to come in; many are left to water, what God hath been pleased to plant; I doubt not of his giving a great increase. But I am a child, I cannot speak, yet God will magnify his free grace. God will work, and all oppositions must forward, but not hinder it.—Inclosed I have sent you a sermon just published.—You may judge of my principles from that. The picture I highly honour.—May I follow them as they follow Christ. I am no friend to sinless perfection.—I believe the being (though not the dominion) of sin remains in the hearts of the greatest believers.—Time and business will not give me leave to enlarge.—Besides, I am but a novice in the school of Christ; and therefore most earnestly beg your prayers, that I may grow in the knowledge of our common Lord. At his call, I am now going abroad, and expect to suffer many things ere I return home.—Reverend and dear Sir, I wish you much success in the name of the Lord, and am

Your brother and servant in the best bonds,

G. W.

LETTER LIX.

London, August 3, 1739.

Dear Sir,

I Cannot leave London without answering your last letter. I am convinced that God calls me now to Georgia, and so are our friends. God’s ways are like the great deep.—He will go a way by himself. Exitus acta probat. The prophecy you mention, I dare not apply to myself. What am I, that God should so delight to honour me? However, I believe the Lord will work a great work upon the earth. Whatever instruments he shall make use of in effecting it, I care not. If Christ be preached, if my dear Lord be glorified, I rejoice; yea, and will rejoice. I wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets. Oh, dear Sir, my heart is now melted down with a sense of the divine love! Never was a greater instance of God’s free grace in Christ. What am I, O Lord, that thou shouldest delight to honour me? Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight! Dear Sir, I could now write all day; but other business demands my attendance.—Yet a little while, and we shall sit down in the kingdom of God for ever. Dear Sir adieu. Oh give thanks, give thanks, and pray for

Your’s most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LX.

Blendon, August 6, 1739.

AND would not dear Mr. —— stay for my last letter? What, is he retired into the country to learn how to forget his God? Is he got into favour with the polite world? Are not these sad symptoms, that my dearest Mr. —— is falling away a-pace? He runned into one extreme lately, and now satan is driving him into another. Did not I forwarn you of this? O my dear friend, my brother, return to your first love, otherwise you will find the spirit of God deserting you more and more every day. Nemo repente fuit turpissimus. But I can say no more.—Perhaps I am troublesome. However, give me leave to weep. Permit me to pray for you. Though you are now dead comparatively, yet, I trust, you will be alive. Though now seemingly lost, yet surely you shall be found again. God only knows how such news would rejoice the heart of, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend in the best bonds,

G. W.

LETTER LXI.

——, August 7, 1739.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Thank you most heartily for your last: Had you been more particular, I should have thanked you still more. May God reward you for watching over my soul! Pride and selfishness are the tempers of the devil. By the help of my God I will never rest till my Master gives me power to overcome them. It is difficult, I believe, to go through the fiery trial of popularity and applause untainted. Blessed be God, I am now sweetly retired. O help me, my dear Sir, by your prayers, as well as your advice, and believe me desirous to subscribe myself,

Your’s most affectionately in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXII.

On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter gave me much satisfaction. It breathed the language of one, who is a Boanerges in the church of God. Excess of business prevented my answering it sooner. As I am now retired from a public life, I trust I shall have time to try my heart and search out my spirit. Forget me not, dear Sir, when you are praying for all those, who travel by land and by water, when storms and winds are blowing over me. I hope I shall always carry you, and others of my dear friends in Wales, upon my heart, whenever I go in and out before the Lord. It would rejoice my soul to hear from you, when abroad. Exhort me, oh exhort me, to be valiant for the truth. Bid, oh bid me, dear Sir, to be mindful of a dying and risen Jesus.—Bid me to remember the riches of his free grace in pulling me as a brand out of the fire, and exhort me to lay down my life for his sake.—Brother Harris, I find, has come off triumphantly.—The hour of suffering is not yet come. God prepare us all for it! I expect to suffer for my blessed master’s name sake. But, wherefore do I fear? My master will pray for me.—Dear Sir, adieu. I know you not in person. Perhaps I may never see your face in the flesh. However, I shall see you in heaven, and then you shall see how sincerely I now subscribe myself,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXIII.

On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739.

Dear Madam,

I Cannot think of your favours, and yet forbear writing a letter of thanks. I cannot think of your parting tears, and not inform you, how sincerely I pray God to comfort and refresh your soul.—Oh Madam, your kindness to such a dead dog as I am, quite surprizes me. How much more ought you and I, and all mankind, to adore the unspeakable goodness of our heavenly Father, who has so loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Dear Madam, never rest till you have a lively faith in Christ Jesus. God has put into your heart good desires after it. Continue instant in prayer; apply to Jesus Christ, as a poor sinner, and yet a little while, and dear Mrs. —— shall be a christian indeed. Hasten O Lord, that blessed time. Oh let thy kingdom come, in full power, into this thy handmaiden’s heart! Innumerable temptations surround you, to make you take up your rest here. But, I hope, Madam, you will be upon your guard, and let nothing be thought of, or done, by you, which may any way tend to indulge the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Simplicity is the very spirit of the gospel; therefore, the more we learn Christ, the more regardless we shall be of worldly vanities. God of his infinite mercy make you a widow indeed! You see, Madam, how freely I have wrote to you. It is because I value your welfare.—It is the best return that can be made, for all favours conferred on, Madam,

Your most obliged friend and servant in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXIV.

On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739.

Dear Madam,

YOUR affectionate parting, and the tears I observed you to shed, even when I was at a distance from you, made me almost ready to cry out “What mean you to weep and to break my heart?” Oh may our dear Lord put your tears into his bottle, and reward you a thousand fold for all the kindnesses you have shewn to me! Indeed I am less than the least of his servants. But yet, so loving is my dear Master, that he will not let a cup of cold water given in his name, to pass by unobserved or unrewarded. When partaking of your bounty of flour, I hope I shall pray that you and your’s may eat bread in the kingdom of God. You have all good desires; I hope you are not far from the kingdom of God.—Oh let there not be any thing lacking. Give God your hearts, your whole hearts; let Jesus Christ’s be your whole wisdom, your whole righteousness; and then he will be your whole sanctification and eternal redemption. I write this from my floating habitation, to assure you how sincerely I am

Your most obliged friend and affectionate humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXV.

On board the Elizabeth, August 14, 1739.

My dear Mr. ——,

AT length we are embarked; our ship is now going to the Downs.—Yet a little while, and, God willing, I shall see you once more in the flesh. My family consists of more than twelve, besides two children; I hope all are desirous to know Christ. God strengthens me mightily in the inner man. The sermon I have sent you is one of my extempore sermons.—The journal will acquaint you with particulars.—My brother, the captain, hath been with me this last week.—If he leaves off disputing, and will come to Christ as a poor lost sinner, he will do well.—The bishop of London has lately wrote against me; I trust God hath assisted me in writing an answer.—It is now in the press.—All the self-righteous are up in arms.—My Master makes me more than a conqueror through his love. Mr. —— has about forty societies in Yorkshire. Both the Mr. Wesley’s go on well.—Go where you will, religion (either for or against it) is the talk.—Probably a suffering time will come. You will not be ashamed of me, though I should be a prisoner. Perhaps you will be put to the trial: But how does my dear friend’s heart? Have you found Christ? Does he live in you, so as to be the alpha and omega, the beginning and end of all your actions? Are you enlightened to see the exceeding great riches and fulness of his grace? Oh how will it rejoice my soul to see you a proficient in the school of Christ? How will it delight me to see your little flock pressing towards the mark.—Soon after this reaches Georgia, I hope to see you.—My stay will be as short as possible at Philadelphia. I must not delay coming to my dear, though poor charge.—I expect to find Savannah almost desolate; but our extremity is God’s opportunity. I believe it will lift up its drooping head.—For the present, my dear friend, farewell.

Your’s most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXVI.

On board the Elizabeth going to the Downs, August 15, 1739.

My dear Brother,

THE agony I was in at your departure, and the many strong cryings and tears which I offered up to God afterwards, plainly shew, that I love you in sincerity and truth. Though I am now about to launch into the great deep, yet I must write you a parting line. I cannot but think you will come to Christ in earnest. God has most remarkably met you by his providence.—His spirit has been striving with you, and I doubt not but it will get the victory over your carnal reasonings, and the rebellion of a depraved heart. But do not, my dear brother, I beseech you, dispute against your own happiness.—Be not unwilling to confess that you are not yet a christian. Remember what our Lord hath said: “Whosoever receiveth not the kingdom of God, as a little child, shall in no-wise enter therein.”—I beseech you, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, to leave off disputing. You have been, I think, frequently convinced; but nature, I find, has as frequently interposed, and persuaded you that you had gone far enough already.—But does not my dear brother find, that he yet lacks something? Have not his tempers and corruptions; nay, hath not sin itself dominion over him? Are his affections weaned from the world? Does he feel himself a poor lost sinner? Is he willing the Lord Jesus should be his whole righteousness? Is he convinced of the freeness, as well as of the riches of his grace? You see, my dear brother, how freely I deal with you. It is because I love you with a peculiar love.—Never did my heart exult at the sight of any relation, as at the sight of you; Surely God intends to give me my dear brother. He is already an almost; hasten, O Lord, that blessed time, when he shall be an altogether christian, and let thy kingdom, with full power, come into my dear brother’s heart!—How shall I say farewell? If you have opportunity, pray write to

Your most affectionate, though unworthy brother,

G. W.

LETTER LXVII.

On board the Elizabeth going to the Downs, August 16, 1739.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Thank God for his goodness to brother Howell Harris. I thank you for informing me of it. The storm is diverted for a while, but I expect it to break upon my head one time or another. God has, for a while, prepared me a place of refuge in the ship, from whence I write this. Oh beseech him, that I may improve the retirement by searching out my spirit. I have almost forgot, that I was in the world. My family on board is quite settled, and we live and love like christians. God only knows where you and I shall meet again; whether in time or eternity. However, this we know, that both must be tried to the uttermost. Inward and outward afflictions await us, and all the children of God. I am now reading the book of martyrs. They make me blush to think how little I suffer for Christ’s sake. They warm my heart, and make me think the time long till I am called to resist even unto blood: But I fear the treachery of this heart of mine. Dear Mr. ——, to your past, add one more favour, “pray that I may be found faithful.” I trust I shall have a sweet remembrance of you and my other dear friends, when I go in and out before the Lord. Salute them most affectionately. Exhort them, oh exhort them to continue in the grace of God; and forget not to write to, dear Mr. ——,

Yours most affectionately in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXVIII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.[¹]

Reverend and dear Sir,

THOUGH business prevents my corresponding with you so frequently as I did when in England, yet what can hinder me now, but a want of gratitude and love? Accept then, dear Sir, my sincere, though late thanks, for all favours conferred upon me, and assure yourself, I remember both you and your beloved people at the throne of grace. Nothing will rejoice me more than to hear, that the good pleasure of the Lord prospers in your hand. Oh dear Sir, what a gracious Master do we serve! His loving-kindness still prevents, accompanies, and follows me. He has not given me over unto death, but is still pleased to dig and dung round me, and not cut me down as a cumberer of the ground. I long to be purged, dear Sir, that I may bring forth more fruit. Since my retirement from the world, I have seen more and more how full I am of corruption. Nothing could possibly support my soul under the many agonies which oppressed me, when on board, but a consideration of the freeness, eternity, and unchangeableness of God’s love to me, the chief of sinners.—In about a twelvemonth, probably, I shall return again to my native country. Satan no doubt will endeavour to stir up all his forces against me. By the help of my God, I will once more come forth with my sling and my stone.—I shall wait with impatience to hear how the work goes on in my absence. I trust, God, by this time, has sent forth more labourers into his harvest. I heartily wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets. I verily believe, the right-hand of the Lord will not only have the pre-eminence, but also bring mighty things to pass. O how do I long, dear Sir, to see bigotry and party-zeal taken away, and all the Lord’s servants more knit together. Pray, my due respects to all that are so kind as to enquire after me. Exhort them to pray and give thanks for,

Your unworthy friend, brother, and servant in our dear Lord’s vineyard,

G. W.

[¹] Many of the letters of this date were written on ship-board during the passage, but dated when sent off from Philadelphia.

LETTER LXIX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

MAN appoints, but God disappoints. No doubt it was best, that I should not see your answer to the bishop’s letter before I left England. I hope it was wrote with the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and then no doubt God will give his blessing. Oh, dear Sir, how is the glory departed from Israel! In what dregs of time are we born? Boasting of our orthodoxy and primitive purity, and yet alas! but —— is not this enough, dear Sir, to excite our zeal even till it do eat us up? Wherefore hath God called us by his free grace, and made a difference between us and others, but that we should stand up in defence of his injured honour? Your friend, Mr. ——, has told me how plentifully you once tasted of the good word of life, and felt the powers of the world to come. Oh that the divine spark may again kindle in the heart till it become a flame of fire! Nothing will so much enforce your arguments as a life exactly conformable to the holy Jesus.—When with you last, I thought you spoke too favourable of horse-races, and such things. But what diversion ought a christian or a clergyman to know or speak of, but that of doing good? Many who are right in their principles, are worse than I could wish in their practice. Oh for a revival of true and undefiled religion in all sects whatsoever! I long to see a catholic spirit over-spread the world; may God vouchsafe to make me an instrument of promoting it! Methinks, I care not what I do or suffer, so that I may see my Lord’s kingdom come with power. But I know not my own weakness, till I am tried. Dear Sir, pray for me, that I may be found faithful in an hour of temptation. I expect to be tried to the uttermost, and to hear, that many are become my enemies, who once would, as it were, have plucked out their eyes for me. It is necessary that such offences should come; otherwise, how can I know that I am, what I desire to be, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and true brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Brethren, and worthy fellow-labourers in Christ,

THOUGH I know none of you in person, yet, from the time I heard of your faith and love towards our dear Lord Jesus, I have been acquainted with you in spirit, and have constantly mentioned you in my poor prayers. The good pleasure of the Lord, I find, prospers in your hands; and I pray God increase you more and more, both you and your children. Scotland, like England, hath been so much settled upon it’s lees for some time, that I fear our late days may properly be called the midnight of the church. Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath sent forth many of his servants with this cry, “Behold the bridegroom cometh.” Thousands obey the call, and are trimming their spiritual lamps, in order to go forth to meet him. I cannot but think a winnowing time will come after this in-gathering of souls. O that we may suffer only as christians, and then the spirit of Christ and of glory will rest upon us. In patience possess your souls, and I will leave my cause to God. You, my reverend Brethren, I am persuaded, are no otherwise minded; may we go on then in the power, and under the guidance of the Lord of Hosts. The eternal God will be your perpetual refuge. He that employs, will protect; as your day is, so shall your strength be. Let not our dear Lord’s lambs perish for lack of knowledge. “Give ye, give ye them to eat,” methinks, is the endearing, constraining command of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. And O that a due obedience may be paid to it by me, your unworthy brother. But I blush almost, when I stile myself your brother; for I am a child, and all of you are fathers. Oh, strive together with me in your prayers, that the divine strength may be still magnified in my weakness. You will intreat the Lord to bless the orphan-house. I have reason to think, God will bring great good out of it. Oh that I may be prepared for future favours! Oh that pride and self-love may thoroughly be subdued! Brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to pray for me, whilst winds and storms are blowing over me. You are not forgotten by him, who, though the most unworthy of his Lord’s servants, desires to subscribe himself,

Your affectionate brother, and fellow-pilgrim and labourer in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXXI.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Friend,

BECAUSE I will not forget you, I begin to write before we get on shore. How is dear Mr. ——’s heart? Has he yet recovered his first love? And is that prophecy, “This child is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel,” as yet fulfilled in him. I cannot but think a good work was once wrought upon your soul. I cannot but think, God will yet fulfil his whole will in you. But let not my dear friend linger any longer. If there is mercy with God, let him be feared, not disobeyed. If he has promised to heal our backslidings, and love us freely, let his goodness lead us to repentance. Prosperity hath been a snare to you; every day I see the excellency of that part of Agur’s, prayer, “Give me not riches, lest I be full and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord.” And that petition in our liturgy, “In all time of our wealth, good Lord deliver us.” I always take particular notice of it. I believe you will not be at all richer this year, than you was the last.—For as riches increase, our wants increase with them.—I write not this to have you desert your station, but to excite a holy jealousy in your heart.—Oh, what would I give to see my dear friend, as formerly, “Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” If God sends me to England again, I shall try my friends. However that be, I am persuaded, that suffering for righteousness sake, is the best, the greatest preferment in the church of Christ. But how does your little—I would not willingly say, your great idol. Pray accept a quarto bible for him. Oh, my friend, give him up to God, and do not provoke him, by over-fondness and too great indulgence, to take him from you. The little lambs on board improve bravely; they bear the voyage best of all. They are as lusty as eagles: God has dealt most gently with us. I hope I may say, the church in my house salute you and your wife.—I do not forget her; may she never rest till she comes into the glorious liberty of the children of God! It is a blessed thing, my dear friend, to be the Lord’s freeman. My heart is full; I repent I have not allowed more paper. My dear Sir, excuse and pray for

Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend,

G. W.

LETTER LXXII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Sister in Christ,

WANT of time, not want of respect, has prevented my answering your kind letters. I esteem you highly for Christ’s sake. I believe you to be one whom God has chosen out of the world, and hath sealed to the day of redemption. Nothing, therefore, shall pluck you out of his hands. Was it not for this promise, my soul would be exceeding sorrowful at the prospect of what I may undergo. The innumerable temptations that attend a popular life, sometimes make me think it would be best for me to withdraw. But then I consider, that He, who delivered Daniel out of the den of lions, and the three children out of the fiery furnace, is able and willing to deliver me also out of the fiery furnace of popularity and applause, and from the fury of those, who, for preaching Christ, and him crucified, are my inveterate enemies. In his strength therefore, and at his command, whenever his providence shall call, I will venture out again. As yet my trials have been nothing. Hereafter a winnowing time may come; then we shall see, who is on the Lord’s side, and who dare to confess Christ before men. None but those who wholly rely on the Redeemer’s righteousness, and are truly born again of God. Oh pray, that I may be found faithful. Satan hath been very busy with me since I saw you, but I trust the Lord, by these inward trials, will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit. Cease not to pray, that this may be the happy case of,

Your servant in the gospel,

G. W.

LETTER LXXIII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. ——,

YOU cannot well conceive how constantly you have been upon my heart, since I saw you. I think there has been a sympathy between your heart and mine. I have often pitied my dying friend, and as often prayed, that he may leave a word for God. I say, prayed, for God alone can remove the load.—I know too well what such temptations are, to think they may be overcome by our own strength. But, my dear Friend, you and I, weak as we are, can do all things through Christ strengthening us.—Do you believe on the Son of God? All things are possible to him that believeth. If the devil therefore continues his assaults, resist him, stedfast in the faith. Resist him, my dear Friend, and he will flee from you; rather suffer any thing, than be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. If you cannot overcome where you are, absence, perhaps, may cure you. Methinks, I would do and suffer any thing, rather than dear Mr. —— should be led away.—My companions in travel have an equal respect for you. We have often joined in prayer for you, when eating your cake. May God reward you for that, and all your other kind respects and favours conferred on, dear Mr. ——,

Your’s most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXIV.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Madam,

I Should think myself highly ungrateful, did I not take all opportunities of acknowledging the many kindnesses I have received at your hands. Your last presents have been exceeding serviceable on board the ship, and every time we have tasted your bounty, I have endeavoured to dart up a short ejaculation for our kind benefactress. You cannot conceive, dear Madam, how loving the Lord has dealt with us; he has given us all things richly to enjoy, and comforted us on every side. Indeed sometimes he has been pleased to withdraw from me, and to permit satan to send me a thorn in the flesh.—But that was only to shew me my vileness, and to prepare me for further manifestations of his goodness to my soul. Our voyage though long has not been tedious or burdensome. My soul wants retirement.—I dread coming out into the world again. I am confident, dear Madam, that you will pray for me, that I may be kept unspotted from it. Oh what a blessed Master do we serve! His rod as well as staff comforts the soul. His corrections are all loving, and are only intended to make us truly great. Though you seemed to doubt, yet I hope to see you once more before you go hence. I cannot say I expect liberty long, if I speak boldly the truth as I ought to speak.—Indeed there is no being a true christian, and yet holding with the world, so much as some may imagine. Jesus Christ calls us to simplicity. I have often thought, dear Madam, that you did not see through the world enough. Numbers are accounted christians, who have only a name to live. I pray God to open all our eyes, that we may see every thing clearly. A time of persecution will show who are Israelites indeed, and who outside professors.—I hope, Madam, that, when tried, you will come forth as gold purified seven times in the fire. I only fear for, and suspect myself.—The Lord my righteousness will uphold me. Dear Madam, God only knows with what gratitude I desire to subscribe myself

Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXXV.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mrs. ——,

WHEN last abroad, I could not write to you for want of knowing your name. Blessed be God we have since been better acquainted, and I now know your name and place of abode. May the God, whom I desire to serve, richly reward you for receiving me into your house. You were one of my most constant hearers; may you be my joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. I trust ere now, you have felt, that the kingdom of God does not consist in word, but in power. I know that Mrs. —— would have me deal plainly with her soul; therefore I shall not scruple to tell her, how I have sometimes thought she was not yet clearly enough convinced of sin, and of the perfect righteousness wrought out for, and to be imputed to her, by the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in his blood.—Since I have been on shipboard, blessed be God, his name has made my soul to smart, and caused me to see more of my own wretchedness. Oh, Mrs. ——, you know not, neither do I myself know as yet, what a mystery of iniquity is hid even in a heart timely renewed. I saw a little of it the other day; and had I not known my Redeemer liveth, and that he ever liveth to make intercession for me, I must have sunk into despair:

But there’s a voice of sovereign grace

Sounds from the sacred word;

Here ye despairing sinners come,

And trust upon the Lord.

May God of his infinite mercy so work upon you, that, at at the last day, you may be found having on the wedding-garment! Was I to study to eternity, I could wish you nothing better. May the ever-blessed God say Amen to it. I hope your little daughters are in good health. Dear Mrs. ——, exhort them to renounce the lust of the eye and the pride of life, and to abstain from all appearance of evil. I have a sincere concern for you and yours, and with all possible thanks for your kind presents and affection, I subscribe myself

Your sincere friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXVI.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mrs. ——,

AS I do not forget to pray for, so I do not forget to write to you, to make a proper acknowledgment of your and your husband’s love; exhorting you to save yourselves from this untoward generation. Before I left London, I perceived God was working upon your soul. I trust the same God, since my departure, has carried it on, and that you are convinced of the sin of unbelief. Oh dear Mrs. ——, it is a difficult thing to believe aright; it can only be given from above. I know many of my acquaintance, who love to hear me talk and preach, and who receive me gladly into their houses; but alas! I fear they are self-righteous, and were never yet truly convinced of sin. They have good desires, and therefore flatter themselves, that they are good christians: But I fear many of them are only foolish virgins. I would not have dear Mrs. —— or her husband of this number. If she hath followed on to know the Lord, I am persuaded ere now, she is in some measure brought out of herself, and taught of God to rely only on Jesus Christ for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. If thus minded, your soul is at peace with God, itself, and the world. If not, let her ask and it shall be given her, let her seek and she shall find, let her knock and a door of mercy shall be opened unto her.—All things are possible to him that believeth—Oh dear Mrs. ——, my heart is inlarged towards you; I long for your salvation: press on and faint not. Whenever I come, I shall expect to suffer. But though we die for Christ, oh let us pray that we may not deny him in any wise. Nothing but the free almighty grace of God can uphold,

Your sincere friend in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXVII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

I Think I may say of you, as the Samaritans did upon another occasion, I believe you to be a true lover of our dear Lord Jesus. Not merely because my brother told me so, but because I have it under his own hand. Your last kind letter has knit my heart most closely to you. I love those that thunder out the word. The christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it. I pray God to strengthen you more and more, and cause you to triumph in every place. Though absent in body, I am present with you in spirit. It would rejoice me to hear of your success in the Lord. In about a twelvemonth I purpose, God willing, to return to England; who knows but then I may see you face to face, and have some spiritual gift imparted to my soul? I long to die to myself, and to be alive unto God. Methinks I would be always upon the wing; but alas! I have a body of sin, which at times makes me cry out, “who shall deliver me?” I thank God, our Lord Jesus Christ will deliver. But I never expect intire freedom, till I bow down my head, and give up the ghost. Every fresh employ, I find brings with it fresh temptations. God always humbles before he exalts me. Sometimes I speak and write freely, at other times I am comparatively barren; one while on the mount, another while overshadowed with a cloud; but blessed be God, at all times at peace with him, and assured that my sins are forgiven. I want to leap my seventy years; I long to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. But I must be made perfect by sufferings. I expect no other preferment. And you no doubt will have your share. This is our comfort, if we suffer we shall also reign with Christ; hasten on, O Lord, that blessed time, when dear Mr. —— shall sit down at thy right hand, with all the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven! where I trust a seat, though of the lowest class, is prepared for

Your unworthy friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXXVIII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

SINCE I saw you last, you cannot well tell with what pleasure I have reflected on the uncommon power that frequently attended the word at Bexley. It was to me a sign of God’s good will, both to ministers and people. The former I was convinced of, before I left England. The last sermon I heard you preach, gave me much satisfaction. I hope ere now you are convinced of the latter also, and have seen some good effects amongst your parishioners. However, this I am assured of, we shall all in due time reap the fruit of our labours, if we faint not. Let me therefore exhort you, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to continue unwearied in well doing. You have seen the afflictions of God’s spiritual Israel. “Do and live,” is most they hear. But what is this, but requiring them to make bricks without straw? Arise, arise, then, my dear Mr. ——; proclaim the Lord to be their righteousness. The everlasting I AM now sends you forth: say not they will disbelieve my report, for God seems to have given his people the hearing ear and obedient heart. Fear not the face of man, for the Lord, if you go out in his strength, shall be with you, whithersoever you go. I hope my dear and honoured friend ere now hath prevented my exhortations. Methinks I see him, with all boldness declaring the whole counsel of God, and the attentive people receiving joyfully the gracious words, which proceed out of his mouth. Go on, my dear brother, go on; may the Lord bless you more and more, daily adding to the number of your spiritual children. —— I thank you, from my soul, for all favours conferred on me, and I pray you may always confess our Lord and his disciples before men. My most sincere respects attend your help-mate and true yoke-fellow. You are constantly upon my heart. My next journal will acquaint you how lovingly God hath dealt with

Your most unworthy friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXXIX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

AND how does my dear Mr. H——s? Is he yet commenced a field preacher? I am persuaded my dear friend is under the guidance of God’s spirit, and therefore am convinced he will be directed for the best. He desires to do his Lord’s will, and shall he not know it? Undoubtedly he shall. Nay, ere now I trust God has pointed out his way, and he has been upon many a mount stretching out his hands, and inviting all that are weary and heavy laden to come to Jesus Christ. Oh my dear brother, though you come after me, yet I pray God, you may always be preferred before me. I trust I shall not envy, but rejoice in my brother’s success. At present, I find I love him in the bowels of Jesus Christ; I am frequently with you in spirit, and shall wait with impatience till I hear of my dear brother’s progress in the Lord. Alas! I fear I do not improve my retirement as I ought. God has graciously pleased to conduct me in mercy. The tempter has been busy with me, and I never before was more deeply wounded for sin. Christ’s love will let nothing pluck us out of his hands. However, let us constantly watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. In about a twelvemonth, God willing, I think of returning to England. I should rejoice, if you would come and supply my place at Savannah. If not, I must resign the parsonage, and take upon me only the care of the orphans. I intend bringing up two or three, that are with me, for the ministry: more, no doubt, will shortly be added to their number. If you could come and teach them the languages, for an hour or two in the day; we could serve both the orphan-house and parsonage together. Great things I trust will come out of Georgia. The Lord Jesus direct your spirit, and if it be his will, send you as a help to, dear Sir,

Your’s most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXXX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and dear Sir,

THOUGH but little acquainted with you, yet I write this to assure you, what a cordial respect I have for you. The love of God, which I trust, through his free grace, is shed abroad in both our hearts, constrains me to love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I remember you in my unworthy prayers, and am persuaded I am not forgotten in your’s. No one more needs them, whether considered as a private christian, or a public minister; thousands are waiting for my halting; and I know so much of the corruption of my own heart, that was God to leave me to myself but one moment, I should with oaths and curses deny my master. As for my final perseverance, I bless God, I have not the least doubt thereof. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Whom he loves, I am persuaded, he loves to the end. But then I fear, lest being puffed up with abundance of success, I should provoke the Lord to let me fall into some heinous sin, and thereby give his adversaries reason to rejoice. A public life is attended with innumerable snares; and a sense of my unworthiness and unfitness so weighs me down, that I have often thought it would be best for me to retire. But I know these are all suggestions of the enemy. Why should I distrust omnipotence? Having had a legion of devils cast out of my heart by the power of Christ, why should I not tell what he hath done for my soul, for the encouragement of others. By the help of God, I will speak; and the more satan bids me to hold my peace, the more earnestly will I proclaim to believing saints, that Jesus the son of David will have mercy on them; nay, I do not despair of publishing these glad tidings even at Wethersfield. In a little above a twelvemonth, God willing, I intend returning. But ere that time comes, I trust my dear Lord will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit.—Satan has not been wanting to sift me as wheat; but my friend, the friend of all, even Jesus, has prayed for me, and as yet my faith hath not failed. Oh had I a thousand lives, my dear Lord Jesus should have them all! For he is worthy, he hath plucked me as a brand out of the burning, and is continually comforting me on every side—Read, read, dear Sir, the account I have sent over to be published of what God hath done for me in the days of my youth, and it will afford more thanksgiving and praise.—Pray in the behalf of, Sir,

Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXI.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Friend and Brother,

I Love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, as a proof of it, I send this. I heartily wish I could correspond with you oftener. Your advice would always be seasonable to me; because you have been a long time in the school of Christ. I am but just now entering the list, and frequently tremble at the consideration of what I am to do and suffer.—But when I consider it is for Jesus Christ, who has called me by his free grace into his marvellous light, and has promised to be with us always, even unto the end of the world, a divine fire kindles in my heart, and I long to call the lingring battle on. Satan hath been busy with me since I saw you, especially since my retirement on ship-board. I have often thought of the folly of those, who go out of the world to avoid temptation. Satan now buffets me more than when confined in a ship. I receive this as a great mercy at the hands of the Lord to keep me in action, and to prepare me for greater tokens of his love. Before I am exalted, I am always humbled by some inward trials. They are the most soul-grieving, but they are the most soul-improving conflicts. My dear friend, I can say from my heart, “I am the chief of sinners:” I feel myself so wretched and miserable, so blind and naked in myself, that satan would tempt me to write to no one. But the Lord hath rebuked him, and after a long tedious hour of temptation, fills my soul as it were with marrow and fatness, and maketh my pen the pen of a ready writer. Oh that my mouth was filled with his praise! As yet, blessed be God, in my darkest hours my evidences have not been in the least clouded. I have been assured my Lord hath forgiven all my iniquities, transgressions and sins, but I cannot forgive myself. Oh that I should ever offend against such dying love! Pray for me, my dear brother, pray for me, that I may never by pride or sloth tempt the blessed spirit to depart from me. I fear not falling finally; for God I believe chose me in Christ before ever the earth and the world were made, as a vessel of his saving mercy; but I fear I shall provoke him to let me fall foully, and then how will the Philistines rejoice? This consideration sometimes makes me to wish that the Lord would cut off my strength in my journey, and shorten my days. But wherefore do I fear? Ah me of little faith! You see, my dear friend, how freely I have unbosomed my heart to you. I cannot call you my friend, and yet hide from you God’s dealings with my soul. Salute all that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity, and beseech them to pray for your sincere friend, but the most unprofitable of his dear Lord’s servants,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

YOUR kind letters, and kinder visit, have made me frequently to long for a more close correspondence with you. I find my heart drawn out in love towards you, and had God so ordered it, could have wished to have perused what you have written in my defence. I pray God to confer on you that reward, which he has promised to give those who confess him before men. If the gospel continues to run and have such free course, I must suffer, as well as preach for my dear Lord Jesus. Oh lift up your hands, dear Sir, in the congregations of the faithful, that I may willingly, (if need be) resist even unto blood; but not with carnal weapons. Taking the sword out of the hand of God’s spirit, I fear has more than once stopped the progress of the gospel. The Quakers, though wrong in their principles, yet I think have left us an example of patient suffering, and did more by their bold, unanimous and persevering testimonies, than if they had taken up all the arms in the kingdom. In this respect I hope I shall follow them as they did Christ, and though I die for him, yet take up no carnal weapon in defence of him in any wise. The doctrines of our election, and free justification in Christ Jesus, are daily more and more pressed upon my heart. They fill my soul with a holy fire, and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour. Surely I am safe, because put into his almighty arms. Though I may fall, yet I shall not utterly be cast away. The spirit of the Lord Jesus will hold, and uphold me. That God may every day enrich you more and more with the anointings of this spirit, is the hearty prayer of, Reverend and dear Sir,

Your most obliged friend, brother, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXIII.

To the brethren in ——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

TWICE did I purpose to come and see you at ——, but was prevented by that all-wise providence, which ordereth all things for the best: however, though absent, I am not unmindful of you. As a testimony thereof I send you this. And oh that you may be filled with an holy fire, and such an ardent zeal for God as even to eat you up! Look round, look round, my brethren, and in imitation of your common Lord, weep over the desolations of the university wherein you live. Alas! how is that once faithful city become an harlot! Have pity upon her, ye that are friends, and whatever treatment you may meet with from an ungrateful world, endeavour at least to rescue some of her sons out of that blindness, ignorance, bigotry and formality, into which she is unhappily fallen. Arise, ye sons of the prophets; shine forth, ye who are appointed to be the lights of the world. The rulers of this world will endeavour to put you under bushels; but if your light is of God’s kindling, all the devils in hell shall not be able to extinguish it. Be not therefore, my brethren, weary of well doing. Have you true faith? keep it not to yourselves; be willing, as occasion offers, freely to communicate it to others. How will you be apt to teach hereafter, unless you begin to teach now? None but those, who are of a different spirit from that meek man Moses, will be offended at you. All God’s people will wish you God speed. I am sure I do with all my heart. And I pray God to sanctify your whole spirits, souls and bodies, and make you vessels meet for our common Master’s use! for none but those who have felt the spirit themselves, can freely or feelingly speak of him to others. My dear brethren, forget not to pray for,

Your affectionate, though weak brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXIV.

To ——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Brethren in Christ,

THE cordial love I bear you, will not suffer me to neglect writing to you: as God has been pleased to bless my ministry to your souls, so I think it my duty to watch over you for good, and assure you, constantly you are all upon my heart. Your last letter gave me great pleasure; but it was too full of acknowledgments, which I by no means deserve. To him alone, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, be all the thanks and glory; I heartily pray God, that you may be burning and shining lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Though you are not of the church of England, yet if you are persuaded in your own minds of the truth of the way wherein you now walk, I leave it. However, whether Conformists, or Nonconformists, our main concern should be, to be assured that we are called and taught of God; for none but such are fit to minister in holy things. Indeed, my dear brethren, it rejoiced me much to see such dawnings of grace in your souls; only I thought most of you were bowed down too much with a servile fear of man: but as the love of the Creator increases, the fear of the creature will daily decrease in your hearts. Nicodemus, who came at first by night to our Lord, afterwards dared to own him before the whole council in open day. I pray God make you all thus minded. For unless your hearts are free from worldly hopes and worldly fears, you never will speak boldly, as you ought to speak. The good old Puritans, I believe, never preached better, than when in danger of being taken to prison as soon as they had finished their sermon. And however the church may be at peace now, yet I am persuaded, unless you go forth with the same temper, you will never preach with the same demonstration of the spirit, and of power. Study therefore, my brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, study your hearts as well as books—ask yourselves again and again, whether you would preach for Christ, if you were sure to lay down your lives for so doing? If you fear the displeasure of a man for doing your duty now, assure yourselves you are not yet thus minded. But enough of this. I love to hope well of you all. I trust, as you are enlightened with some degree of knowledge in the mysteries of godliness, you will henceforth determine not to know any thing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This is, and this, the Lord being my helper, shall be the only study of, my dear brethren,

Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXV.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

WHY so long silent during my stay in England? why did you not write me a letter of reproof, and smite me friendly for what you thought amiss in the discourse between me and a friend at Bristol? I should have taken it kindly at your hands. When I am unwilling to be told of my faults, dear Sir, correspond with me no more. If I know any thing of this treacherous heart of mine, I love those most, who are most faithful to me in this respect: henceforward, dear Sir, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, spare me not. I am blind, I am full of self-pride, and self-love, and yet know it not. Blessed be God, who during my retirement has been pleased to let me see something of my own vileness. I trust he will never leave nor forsake me, till I know myself even as I am known. I need not fear the sight of sin, when I have a perfect everlasting righteousness wrought out for me by that God-man Christ Jesus. The riches of his free grace, cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one, who is very vigilant, and seeks all occasions to disturb me. The Lord Christ is my helper, and the lifter up of my head. It is good for me to be tempted. By inward trials I trust my divine master will prepare me for his future mercies. I am persuaded I shall yet see great things, and be called to suffer for his name sake. Through much tribulation, I must enter into glory. Lift up your hands, dear Sir, when praying at the sanctuary, in my behalf; intreat the same favour of the elect lady. As I am enabled, it shall be returned; and, God willing, when I come next to England, you may expect a visit from, dear and reverend Sir,

Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXVI.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My Rev. and very dear Brother,

EVER [♦]since I was favoured with your last most endearing letter, you have been upon my heart more and more. As I wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets, so it gives me uncommon pleasure, when the Lord raises up one of our own church. Believe me, dear Sir, when I look upon her desolations, I can scarce forbear weeping over her. But blessed be God, who has been pleas’d to visit her in this our day. Henceforward, I trust she will be a joyful mother of spiritual children. Many of late, under God, have been begotten by some of her sons through the gospel, amongst whom I may reckon ——: He has been I believe, and trust will still be the ghostly father of many souls. May he increase with all the increase of God, and appear before his redeemer at the last day, saying, “Behold me, O Lord, and the children which thou hast given me.” Oh dear Sir, words cannot express how affectionately I desire to esteem and love you. None but the all-seeing God knows how earnestly I pray and desire to labour for the prosperity of Jerusalem. Had we a thousand hands and tongues, there is employment enough for them all: people are every where ready to perish for lack of knowledge. As the Lord has been pleased to reveal his dear Son in us, Oh let us stir up that gift of God, and with all boldness preach him to others. Freely we have received, freely let us give; what Christ tells us by his spirit in our closets, that let us proclaim on the house top. He who sends, will protect us. All the devils in hell shall not hurt us, till we have finished our testimony. And then, if we should seal it with imprisonment or death, well will it be with us, and happy shall we be evermore! But the proof of our sincerity, will be when we come to the trial. I fear for no one so much as myself. Dear Sir, pray that you never may have reason to be ashamed of the

Most unprofitable of our Lord’s servants,

G. W.

[♦] removed duplicate word ‘since’

LETTER LXXXVII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. ——,

I Hope dear brother —— hath satisfied you about the queries in your last. I trust you are not angry with me for being so long silent. Excess of business was the cause. I write you this, my dear brother, to assure you I have not forgotten you. No, you are upon my heart; I pray for your prosperity both in body and soul, and hope ere we die to take another tour with you round Wales. God has dealt most lovingly with us on ship-board. We had very fair weather most part of our way. Both the good and bad spirit have been with us in the ship. The one to tempt and terrify, the other to support and comfort. I need not tell you which has prevailed. Who shall stand before the spirit of Jesus Christ? I have had great intimations from above concerning Georgia. Who knows but we may have a college of pious youths at Savannah? I do not despair thereof. Professor Franks’s undertaking in Germany has been much pressed upon my heart. I really believe that my present undertaking will succeed. My dear brother, call down a blessing by your prayers. The Lord will hear those who put their trust in his mercy through Christ. You see, you know, how many would rejoice at, and do wait for my halting. Beseech the Lord that they may be disappointed of their hope; intreat the people of Wales to join with you. I love them most tenderly. I hope, at my return, to see them grown in grace. I pray God so to improve my retirement, that my progress may be made known unto them all. Salute them most affectionately in my name, and exhort them to continue instant in prayer and thanksgivings for, dear and honoured Sir,

Your fellow pilgrim and labourer in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXVIII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear brother in Christ,

AS there has been joy in heaven at your conversion, so I can assure you there has been on earth. I, and my friends, have not failed to give thanks, that you our brother was dead, but is alive again; was lost, but is found. Oh blessed be God for calling you at the eleventh hour. Doth not this display the riches of his free grace; and ought it not to fill you with his praise all the day long? I wonder not that you are already become a fool for Christ’s sake. All that will live godly in him must suffer persecution. But fear not man. The Lord of Hosts shall be with you; the strength of that God who hath called you shall be your refuge. As you have not long to live in this world, Satan, no doubt, will rage most horribly against you. Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. Your case, God willing, I intend to publish in my next journal. It is good to keep close the secrets of a king, but it is honourable to speak of the works of the Lord. That God may carry on and finish the good work begun in your soul, is the hearty prayer of

Your affectionate friend and brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXIX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Miss B.,

THOUGH, when I came first to London, I thought you had not made the progress which might be expected in the twelve months, for want of company; yet your last behaviour gave me reason to think that you was yet alive to God. Oh, dear Miss B——, do not slumber or sleep, but be always trimming your spiritual lamp, knowing you are shortly to meet the Bridegroom. Study to shew the simplicity of Jesus Christ, and strive to imitate those holy matrons, who not only administred to our Lord of their substance, but also followed him to the accursed tree. Love, love to Jesus, casts out fear. No doubt they were reproached for his name sake, and accounted mad women; but they had a faith which enabled them at that time to overcome the world, and by which they climbed up to heaven. May dear Miss B—— be thus minded! And may I see her at the last day amongst the wise virgins! Cultivating an acquaintance with Miss D——, and the Miss C——, will be a step towards bringing you thither.

Dear Miss B——, I am your friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER XC.

To my Brother.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

THOUGH I have wrote now for some years to my dear brother, and have availed nothing, yet I cannot cease striving with him; who knows but at length the Almighty may remove the scales from his eyes, and enable him to see the want of a Redeemer. Indeed, my dear brother, you do not see it yet, because you do not feel it; your moral honesty and good nature deceives you. You think you are rich, and increased in goods, and do not consider that you are poor and miserable, blind and naked. You are self-righteous, and do not rely on the righteousness of the God-Man, Christ Jesus, for salvation. What would I give was my dear brother convinced of this? For, till he is convinced, he is miserable, and does not know it. I pray God to open your eyes with a sense of his love. Send me a line to Georgia. God has sent us a comfortable passage. In about a twelvemonth I expect to return. Be not surprised if you hear of my being more cast out. We must suffer, as well as do, for Christ. If you are one of his you will rejoice

Your affectionate brother,

G. W.

LETTER XCI.

To Madam M——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

I Cannot think of the repeated assistances you gave me by the loan of your coach, and at the same time forbear sending you a line of thanks. But what is of greater concern, I think it my duty to write to you about a more important affair; I mean the salvation of your precious and immortal soul. God was pleased to incline your heart, Madam, to hear and receive the word with joy. Neither the cares of the world, nor the deceitfulness of riches, I trust have been permitted to choak, and hinder the growth of it in your soul. Indeed, Madam, you cannot be too watchful. It is a blessed, and careful thing, to be a true Christian. The first step to it is a broken heart, a heart melted down with a sense of sin, and flying to Jesus Christ for righteousness, sanctification and eternal redemption. Thousands indeed place christianity in good desires, and the having good desires; but this and much more a person may have, and yet miscarry at last. Pure and undefiled religion consists in a lively faith in Jesus Christ, as the only mediator between God and man. A faith that changes and renews the whole soul, takes it entirely off the world, and fixes it wholly upon God. This, Madam, is the faith that you have so often heard me preach, and of which I pray God you may be a partaker. Though you have it not yet, you need not despair; God will give it to all who sincerely ask of him. It is true, Madam, that not many mighty are called; but it is not your riches shall keep you from heaven if you truly believe on the Lord Jesus. Faith in him will enable you to overcome the world, and cause you even to triumph over the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Faith will set you above the fear of man, and enable you to rejoice in being accounted a fool for Christ’s sake. That God may impart this faith to your own, and little master’s soul, is the hearty prayer of, Madam,

Your obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER XCII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear brother H.,

I Congratulate you on your success at Monmouth. God has yet further work for you to do, ere you are called before rulers and governors, for his name sake. By divine permission, in about a twelve-month, I hope to make a second use of your field pulpits. Our principles agree, as face answers to face in the water. Since I saw you, God has been pleased to enlighten me more in that comfortable doctrine of Election, &c. At my return, I hope to be more explicit than I have been. God forbid, my dear brother, that we should shun to declare the whole counsel of God. The people of Wales are much upon my heart. I long to hear how the Gospel flourishes among you. How prospers your inward man? Being always doing, no doubt you grow in grace. May you increase with all the increase of God! You will see my letters to Mr. Jones, &c. As fast as I can, the rest of our Welch friends shall hear from me. Oh that I may never forget their works of faith and labours of love! Salute them most affectionately in my name; and exhort them, my dear brother, to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Put them in mind of the freeness and eternity of God’s electing love, and be instant with them, to lay hold on the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith. Talk to them, oh talk to them, even till midnight, of the riches of his all-sufficient grace. Tell them, oh tell them, what he has done for their souls, and how earnestly he is now interceding for them in heaven. Shew them in the map of the word, the kingdoms of the upper world, and the transcendent glories of them; and assure them all shall be theirs, if they believe on Jesus Christ with their whole hearts. Press them to believe on him immediately. Intersperse prayers with your exhortations, and thereby call down fire from heaven, even the fire of the Holy Ghost,

To soften, sweeten and refine,

And melt them into love.

Speak every time, my dear brother, as if it was your last; weep out, if possible, every argument, and as it were compel them to cry, Behold how he loveth us. Remember me, Remember me in your prayers, as being ever, ever

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER XCIII.

To Mr. and Mrs. D——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Friends,

WHEN I consider how constantly you attended my ministry, how gladly you received me into your house, and how affectionately you took your last farewell; methinks gratitude obliges me to send you a line. It hath often given me pleasure to see in what harmony you seem to live, and how you walked to hear the word of God as friends. Surely, thought I, these are a happy pair. These I trust are help-meets for each other. Oh that you may go on and prosper, and be plentifully rewarded for the favours shewn to me, the most unprofitable of our Lord’s servants: he will not forget your works of faith and labours of love. Whenever you attend his word preached, I hope he will send you replenished away. Oh that all knew what it is to believe in Jesus! How soon would they renounce the world, take up their cross and follow him! Lord evermore give us all this faith, even a faith working by love; a faith that will enable us to overcome the world, and cause us to shake off all fear of man. Pray give my due respects to your friend and his wife, who used to dine with us. I pray God sanctify you all in spirit, soul and body, and cause you to sit down on his right hand with

Your affectionate, though most unworthy,
Friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER XCIV.

To the Rev. Mr. P——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend Sir,

YOU may justly censure me as unkind for not answering your kind letter. I can only plead by way of excuse an hurry of business, and my sudden departure from England. At my return, God willing, I purpose to see Newbury, and there to preach the Gospel of the Prince of Peace. Perhaps my enemies may have so much power given them from above, as to confine my body: but if I am bound, the word of the Lord will not be bound. God will speak, and great shall be the company of preachers. It often rejoices me to think what a prospect we have once again of hearing the truth preached as it is in Jesus. I hope we shall catch fire from each other, and that there will be an holy emulation amongst us, who shall most debase man and exalt the Lord Jesus. Nothing but the doctrines of the Reformation can do this. All others leave freewill in man, and make him, in part at least, a Saviour to himself. My soul come not near the secret of those who teach such things, mine honour be not thou united to them. I know Christ is all in all. Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go [♦]to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do after his good pleasure. It is God must prevent, God must accompany, God must follow with his grace, or Jesus Christ will bleed in vain. That God may continue his blessing to us both, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

Your obliged brother and servant,

G. W.

[♦] insert omitted word ‘to’

LETTER XCV.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. ——,

WAS not my heart with your heart, when we rode by the way and talked to each other concerning the Scriptures? I thought our souls tallied together, and that we had both drank of the same spirit. I have often, since that time, admired the grace of God in you, and even now feel my soul, whilst I am writing, intimately united with yours. What is all this, but the effect and fruit of God’s everlasting love through Christ our Lord? What is it, but an instance of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God, who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy? Oh how doth the free, the distinguishing grace of God excite the love of those, who are made partakers of it! What was there in you and in me, dear Mr. O——, that should move God to chuse us before others? Was there any fitness foreseen in us, except a fitness for damnation? I believe not. No, God chose us from eternity, he called us in time, and I am persuaded will keep us from falling finally, till time shall be no more. Consider the Gospel in this view, and it appears a consistent scheme, though directly contrary to the natural man; and nothing convinces me more of the truth of these doctrines, than the enmity that is in the heart of carnal minds against them. However, the power of God is able to pull down every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Henceforward I hope I shall speak boldly and plainly as I ought to speak, and not fail to declare the whole counsel of God. I pray daily, that I may know his will more perfectly, not only that I may do it myself, but that I may teach it to others. If I die for it, I cannot but speak the things which I know. Oh my dear friends, lift up your hands for me in the sanctuary. The prayers of the faithful, God will hear. Entreat the same favour of your brother. I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and remember you often when I go in and out before the Lord: He has been with us in the ship. His rod has corrected, his staff has comforted us; both his rod and staff have edified and strengthened our souls. In a year’s time I hope to see England. My love to all friends, and beseech them to pray that I may be prepared for whatever awaits

Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER XCVI.

To Mrs. Ann D.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Sister in Christ,

I Owe you several letters, I will pay you one now; have patience with me and I will pay you all. If any one ought to long to enjoy the communion of saints hereafter, I ought in a particular manner. God has highly favoured me in the acquaintance of numbers of his dearest children. I cannot see some, and to but few of them can I write, on account of other business. Hasten, O Lord, that blessed time, when we shall all sit down to eat bread in thy kingdom!—My dear Sister, pray that I may patiently wait till my change shall come. I want to leap my seventy years. I long to be dissolved to be with Christ. Sometimes it arises from a fear of falling, knowing what a body of sin I carry about me. Sometimes, from a prospect of future labours and sufferings, I am out of humour, and wish for death as Elijah did: At others, I am tempted, and then I long to be freed from temptations. But it is not thus always: There are times when my soul hath such foretastes of God, that I long more eagerly to be with him; and the frequent prospect of the happiness which the spirits of just men made perfect now enjoy, often carries me as it were into another world. Many such sweet meditations hath my soul been favoured with; but in the midst of all, I have felt, and do feel, that I am the chief of sinners. A mystery of iniquity that lay in my heart undiscovered, has been opened to my view, since my retirement in the ship. May he enlighten me more and more, to know and feel the mystery of his electing, soul-transforming love. Nothing like that, to support us under present, and all the various future trials which await us. But the Lord has apprehended us, and will not let us go. Men and devils may do their worst; our Jesus will suffer nothing to pluck us out of his Almighty hands; for he has loved us with an everlasting love, and therefore his right-hand shall uphold us. By his assistance, we shall hold out to the end. By his grace, I, you, and all his chosen ones shall finally be saved. Then, my dear Sister, shall we converse, not with ink and paper, but face to face. Then, but not till then, shall we fully know what a legion of devils Jesus Christ hath cast out of our souls, and how, after all our strivings against, and quenching many of the motions of his spirit, he at last brought us to glory. Cease not to pray for

Your unworthy brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER XCVII.

To the Rev. Mr. R.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Brother R.,

BEFORE I left England, I heard of your progress in Leicestershire and Nottingham. I then rejoiced, yea, and I do now rejoice that God hath sent you forth into his vineyard. I wish you all imaginable success with my whole heart. The next news I hear from England, I suppose, will inform me of your suffering, as well as preaching for Christ. But I am persuaded a prospect of suffering does not damp, but excite the zeal of my dear fellow-labourer. He lives in a place where honest John Bunyan was a prisoner of the Lord for twelve years. And oh, what sweet communion did he enjoy in Bedford gaol! I really believe a minister will learn more by one month’s confinement, than by a year’s study. Press on then, my dear Brother, press on and faint not; speak till you can speak no more. Wait upon the Lord, and you shall renew your strength. Though sometimes faint, yet still pursue. Up and be doing, and the Lord be with you. See how the fields are white, every where ready to harvest. See how our Lord’s sheep are scattered abroad, having too, too few true shepherds; I beseech you, go on, and point out to them the Redeemer’s good pastures. Say not, wherewithal shall I feed them? The great shepherd shall furnish you with food enough, and to spare. Give of your loaves, and you shall take up of the fragments that remain. To him that hath, shall be given. Satan no doubt will resist you; he will bid you, out of a false humility, to hold your peace; but let my friend speak out boldly as he ought to speak. The Holy Spirit will give him utterance, and apply the word to the hearers. If prayers may water the good seed, you may depend on mine. I remember the dear Bedford people. O let them not forget

Your poor weak brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER XCVIII.

To the Rev. Mr. T.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

BEFORE I saw, I loved you. Ever since our personal acquaintance, I have often thought, what a noble instrument you might be of turning many to righteousness, if your heart was entirely freed from the world, and inflamed with the love of God. Your vivacity of spirit, your warm imagination, the energy and strength of your endearing manner of writing, together with your loving, tender disposition, if once duly influenced by the spirit of God, could not fail of winning souls to Christ. Come out therefore my brother, my friend; come out from among your carnal connections, and “be thou separate,” saith the Lord Almighty. Throw off a false politeness, study the simplicity of Jesus Christ, and be despised for something. O pity, pity the church of England. See how too, too many of her sons are fallen from her articles, and preach themselves, not Christ Jesus the Lord. My dear friend, I could wish my head was waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep day and night before the Lord. O let us beseech him to spirit up more of his faithful servants, to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel poor sinners to come in. Oh that dear Mr. T. may be one of them! How would the spirit of Christ and of glory rest upon his soul! Arise, arise, my dear brother, and gird up the loins of your mind. Arise, arise, and be not of the number of those who only fleece their flocks. Lift up your voice like a trumpet, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus. Dear Mr. T. forgive this freedom. My heart is full. I long to have the pure scripture truths, as delivered in our homilies and our articles, preached up universally. This is all that is contended for, by

Your most unworthy friend, brother, and servant in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER XCIX.

To the Rev. Mr. D. W.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

I Love you, though I have been so ungrateful as not to write to you. I love you in the bowels of our common Master whose name we bear, and in whose glorious service we are both employed. Oh, dear Sir, what are we that we should be so highly favoured! Why are we honoured? Why are we called to the ministry, and others that are effectually called by grace, yet advanced no higher than private christians? I can only cry out, Oh the depth of God’s sovereign, electing, unmerited love. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight! Surely, dear Sir, the love of Christ must constrain us to spend and be spent for the good of souls. Never was the harvest greater; never were the labourers fewer. If we do not now lift up our voices like trumpets, the very stones would cry out against us. I could almost say, “the glory is departed from Israel; the ark of the Lord is fallen into enemies hands.” Oh let us endeavour, dear Sir, let us endeavour to bring it back, by preaching and living the truth as it is in Jesus. The light that has been given us, is not to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick. Satan, indeed, by blasts of persecution, will do all he can to put it out. If our light be the light of Christ, those blasts will only cause it to shine the brighter. You have happily, dear Sir, experienced this. You, I believe, was both in Christ and in the ministry before me. I præ, sequar, etsi non passibus equis. The devil and all his hosts will set their battle in array against us. My Lord has given me a sling and a stone; stripling as I am, I will go forth then in his strength, make mention of his righteousness only, and by that lay prostrate the strong Goliahs. By your prayers I trust to be sent to Wales once more. The simplicity of that people much delights me. What shall, what can I do for them? My prayers they have, and whatever God shall enable me to do, they may demand a share from, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant,

G. W.

LETTER C.

To the Rev. Mr. H.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. H.,

I Received no answer to my last, yet I must write to you again. The many happy hours I spent with you when at Oxon, and the benefit I have received from your instructions and example, are yet fresh upon my memory. I long to have my dear friend come forth, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus. Not a righteousness or inward holiness of our own, whereby we may make ourselves meet, but a righteousness of another, even the Lord our righteousness; upon the imputation and apprehending of which by faith, we shall be made meet by his Holy Spirit to live with, and to enjoy God. Dear Mr. H. it is an excellent thing to be convinced of the freeness and riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus. It is sweet to know and preach, that Christ justifies the ungodly, and that all truly good works are not so much as partly the cause, but the effect of our justification before God. Till convinced of these truths, you must own free-will in man, which is directly contrary to the holy scriptures, and the articles of our church. Let me advise dear Mr. H. laying aside all prejudice, to read and pray over Saint Paul’s epistles to the Romans and Galatians, and then let him tell me what he thinks of this doctrine. Most of your old friends are now happily enlightened. God sets his seal to such preaching in an extraordinary manner, and I am persuaded the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it. Oh that dear Mr. H. would also join with us! Oh that the Lord would open his eyes to behold aright this part of the mystery of godliness! How would it rejoice my heart! How would it comfort his own soul! He would then no longer groan under the spirit of bondage: No, he would be brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. I have wrote to dear Mr. O. as well as to you, out of the simplicity of my heart.

Ever your’s in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CI.

To the Rev. Mr. K.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Brother K.,

I Long to hear how it is with you, and the church in your house. I verily believe, though it is but a little flock, yet it will be our heavenly Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. How happy is it, when all are of one mind in a house; all agreed to entertain and love the Lord Jesus. Their heaven is begun on earth. I pray God to continue this blessing, and cause you daily to build up each other in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is a gracious Master. Oh that I knew and loved him more! for he is altogether lovely. Has he yet revealed himself in dear Mr. K.’s heart? Is he assured that his beloved is his? Is he brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God? Is his mind free from scruples? Is he active? Is he punctual? Is he strong in the Lord and in the power of his might? Is the meekness of the lamb and the boldness of the lion blended in his soul? Do his parishioners fear, yet love him? Is he a Boanerges, and yet a Barnabas in the church of God? Does he thunder against obstinate sinners, and by displaying the riches of the promises, comfort and build up the saints? Does he preach as the spirit gives him utterance? Can he rely on the promise, “Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world?”

Forgive this freedom, my dear brother. Love makes me thus impertinent. I want to see you perfect, entire, lacking nothing. May God from day to day supply what is still deficient in you and in me, till we come to the fulness of the measure of the stature of Christ. He is faithful that has promised. God has been gracious to me his servant. In about a twelvemonth, I hope you will again see and rejoice with

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mrs. F.,

THE Lord reward you for all your works of faith and labours of love! They shall be brought forth as so many evidences of your lively faith, when we meet before our Lord in judgment. Does not the prospect of that glorious day, often fill your soul with joy? It does mine. Why? Because I know my Redeemer is to be my judge. Satan will accuse me; my answer shall be, the Lord Jesus is my righteousness, how darest thou to lay any thing to the charge of God’s Elect? I stand here not in my own, but his robes; and though I deserve nothing as a debt, yet I know he will give me a reward of grace, and recompence me for what he has done in and by me, as though I had done it by my own power. Oh, dear Mrs. F. how ought this to excite our zeal and love for the holy Jesus. Why should we desire to plead for a righteousness of our own, and cry up freewill, when we have an infinitely better righteousness than our own to appear in, and a God that will crown us with eternal glory for working in us both to will and to do after his good pleasure? Happy are you and your’s, that have been taught these glorious principles from your youth! Oh shew them forth more and more by your works, and let the world see what it is to have a faith working by love. Study, oh study, day by day, the simplicity of Jesus Christ. Cast away every thing from you that savours of the lust of the eye and pride of life. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and let your conversation always be seasoned with grace. Oh, dear Mrs. F. my heart is enlarged towards you: My kind, my liberal hostess, what shall I say or do to express my gratitude? I will, I do speak for you to the king of kings. Though I am so great a sinner, he frequently admits me into his privy chamber, and then I often sigh out, “O that my dear Hertford friends may live before thee.” This is all the return, dear Mrs. F. that I can make. It is a prophet’s reward. Being my all, though but two mites, I know you will accept it from

Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CIII.

To Mr. S.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

I Rejoice that God sent you so opportunely to Monmouth: I find every day that two are better than one. God suffers his dear children to fall into little miscarriages, that the eye may not say to the hand, “I have no need of thee;” or again, the head to the foot, “I have no need of thee.” We must be helps to each other on this side eternity. Nothing gives me more comfort, next to the assurance of the eternal continuance of God’s love, than the pleasing reflection of having so many christian friends to watch with my soul. I wish they would smite me friendly, and reprove me oftner than they do; I would force my proud heart to thank them. But I am amazed at your coming off so triumphantly. Surely the devil is asleep, or rather that roaring lion thinks to break out upon us with double fury hereafter. It often shames me, when I read St. Paul’s account of his sufferings, to think in how few particulars I can as yet sympathize with him. It as often makes me long to be like him, and yet I fear how I shall act when put to the trial. This, however, is my comfort, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.” He saw me from all eternity; he gave me being; he called me in time; he has freely justified me through faith in his blood; he has in part sanctified me by his spirit; he will preserve me underneath his everlasting arms, till time shall be no more. Oh the blessedness of these evangelical truths! These are indeed gospel; they are glad tidings of great joy to all that have ears to hear. These, bring the creature out of himself. These, make him to hang upon the promises, and cause his obedience to flow from a principle of love. They are meat indeed, and drink indeed unto my soul. I am persuaded they are so likewise to you and dear Mrs. S——. I hope she is yet in the land of the living, and that she, yourself, and your son, are daily preparing for eternity. I pray God sanctify your whole spirits, souls, and bodies, and reward you for all kindnesses shewn to, dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CIV.

To the Rev. Mr. T.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

SHALL I promise and not perform? God forbid. When I saw you first at Cardiff, it rejoiced my heart to hear what God had done for your soul. You was then under some displeasure of your rector, if I mistake not, for speaking the truth as it is in Jesus. Ere now, I hope dear Mr. T. has had the honour of being quite thrust out. Rejoice, my dear brother, and be exceeding glad, for thus was our Lord and Saviour served before you. Naked therefore follow a naked Christ. Freely you have received, freely give. If you preach the gospel, you shall live of the gospel. Though you go out without scrip or shoe, yet shall you lack nothing. Rather than you shall want, ravens, those birds of prey, shall be commanded to feed you. It is a blessed thing to live upon God. Did ever any trust in him and was forsaken? No; search the generations of old, climb up into heaven if you can, and all with one consent will declare,

The Lord their pasture did prepare,

And fed them with a shepherd’s care.

I, though hell-deserving, am a living witness of his good providence; having nothing, I possess all things; he has fed me with the kidneys of wheat, and commanded some one or another to sustain me whithersoever I was sent on his errand. Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. If we go forth in the spirit of the first apostles, we shall meet with apostolical success. And never was there more occasion for the revival of such a primitive spirit. Alas, the life, the power of religion is almost lost amongst us. Stir up then, dear Sir, the gift of God, which is in you. Be instant in season and out of season. Debase man and exalt Jesus. Self-righteousness overturn, overturn. The people of Wales, the common people at least, will receive you gladly. The Lord shall fight all battles for you here, and reward you with a crown that never fadeth hereafter. If I have but the lowest place in your affections, it will abundantly satisfy

Your most affectionate brother,

G. W.

LETTER CV.

To Mr. M.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dearest Sir,

EVER since you opened your heart so freely in the garden, you have been much upon my heart. Though absent from, yet I have been present with you. I am acquainted in some measure with the strugglings of a soul just awakening into new life. I know too many have stifled their convictions, and therefore am importunate on your behalf. I hope you have taken my advice, and laid the ax to the root of the tree. Oh pray for a new heart and a new spirit, and then all old things will subside and give way of themselves. The strong man armed must go out when the stronger than he, even the spirit of God, comes to take possession of your soul. What therefore have you to do, dear Sir, but to throw yourself as a poor sinner at the feet of the holy Jesus? You need not doubt his holding out the golden sceptre to you. Whosoever cometh to him by faith, he will in no-wise cast out. He calls, he draws you: what is it for, but to assure you he will make you happy? Come then, dear Sir, weary and heavy laden as you are, the Lord your righteousness shall give you rest: He shall refresh you with a multitude of peace, and cause you to rejoice in his salvation; there is nothing too hard for the Lord Christ. He can draw your mind from the creature, he can fix it upon himself; he can enable you to live above the world, whilst you are in it; he can translate you to heaven, when he has taken you away from earth. As the Lord Jesus can, so that he may do all these things for your soul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your sincere friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CVI.

To the Rev. Mr. H.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dearest Sir,

IT often concerned me, when in London, that I could not enjoy more of your company. Your conversation was always seasoned with grace, and such as became the gospel of Christ. Your great kindness, in publicly praying for me, can never be sufficiently acknowledged. The thought almost makes me to weep for joy. Surely the Lord will not let me miscarry, since he has stirred up the choicest of his servants to intercede in my behalf. The searcher of all hearts alone knows, what agonies my poor soul has undergone since my retirement from the world. The remembrance of my past sins has overwhelmed my soul, and caused tears to be my meat day and night. Indeed I have mourned as one mourneth for a first born: But I looked to him whom I have pierced. I was enabled to see the freeness and riches of his grace, the infiniteness and eternity of his love, and my soul received comfort. Oh the excellency of the doctrine of election, and of the saints final perseverance, to those who are truly sealed by the spirit of promise! I am persuaded, till a man comes to believe and feel these important truths, he cannot come out of himself; but when convinced of these, and assured of the application of them to his own heart, he then walks by faith indeed, not in himself, but in the Son of God, who died and gave himself for him. Love, not fear, constrains him to obedience. The promises of God are all Yea and Amen to his soul. Supported by these convictions, in about a twelvemonth, God willing, I intend returning to England, and to begin my testimony afresh. I trust I shall not be ashamed to declare the whole counsel of God. Satan, no doubt, and his emissaries, will endeavour to block up my way; but the saints of God are praying for me on earth, and the holy Jesus is interceding in heaven. Why should I not go forth and offer his everlasting and perfect righteousness to all that shall be brought to believe on him? Satan suggests even whilst I am writing, “How canst thou speak, seeing thou art such a sinner?” But therefore will I speak, because I can say, by happy experience, that Jesus Christ will have mercy on the chief of sinners; for among such you may truly rank

Your unworthy brother, and unprofitable fellow-labourer, in our dear Lord’s vineyard,

G. W.

LETTER CVII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mrs. D.,

TEN thousand blessings light upon you and yours! The Lord reward you ten thousand-fold for receiving me and my friends into your house. The Lord shower down his heavenly manna, and feed you with the bread of life for those comfortable meals we have had of your providing since we came on board. We have not been slack to pray for you; my heart is now full of a sense of your kindnesses. I know not when to begin and when to leave off adoring the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for these and all other of his love-tokens: He is the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; he hath comforted me in all my tribulation, and, I am assured, will still comfort me in whatsoever I am to do or suffer for his name’s sake. You, dear Mrs. D. can subscribe to this truth, that God is a God of all comfort. You have been comforted on every side; you have been filled as it were with new wine; you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and yet the best wine is and will be always reserved till the last. The Lord’s compassions fail not; they are, they will be renewed to you every morning; and though, through much tribulation, you, as well others, must enter into glory, yet you will find God to be your comforter in all tribulation. God has made you a joyful mother of christian children; remember the mother in the Maccabees; and, if ever your children are called to suffering, beg of God that you may stand by and encourage them to die for Christ. Oh that would be a spectacle indeed! A spectacle worthy of men and angels! I pray God to arm you with this mind, and then you will find that God’s rod as well as his staff will comfort you; nay, though you pass through the valley of the shadow of death, yet shall the Holy Spirit refresh you; your heart shall stand fast, and be stedfast in the Lord. Oh, my dear Madam, my heart is enlarged towards you: I pray God to fill you with all his divine fulness, and make you daily more and more meet to be an inheritor among the saints in light. With much love I have wrote to dear Mr. D. Oh pray him not to be angry with

Your most affectionate friend and brother,

G. W.

LETTER CVIII.

To Mr. N.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Honoured Sir,

BE not displeased at the contents of this; if I was not persuaded that love to your soul, and my duty towards God, moved me to write, I should be silent. When last at Gloucester, I heard you was highly offended at my meetings in the fields, and at the same time countenanced and encouraged the acting of plays in the Boothall. This I thought highly unbecoming the character of a christian magistrate, whose peculiar business it is to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well. This made me to speak against those proceedings in my sermons. This is the occasion of my troubling you with a letter. I cannot think I have delivered my soul, unless, with all meekness and humility, I exhort you henceforward not to promote or so much as any way countenance the stage-players. In our common law they are stiled sturdy beggars. As a minister of the king, upon that account it is your duty to put a stop to them: As a disciple and minister of Jesus Christ, the king of kings, you are obliged, honoured Sir, to exert your authority in suppressing them. It is notorious that such meetings are the nurseries of debauchery; they are the pest of our nation, and the bane of true christianity: To be present at, or in the least to contribute towards their support, is therefore a great sin; but to countenance them by our authority, and let them act by our permission, what is this but becoming public patrons for vice and immorality? It is not only sinning ourselves, but it is taking pleasure in the sins of others. This the apostle accounted the highest pitch of heathenish wickedness. Honoured Sir, pray be not offended: These are not the words of a madman; no, they are the words of truth and soberness, and words which our Lord will approve of, when I stand with you before him in judgment. However men may now put wrong names to things, and call that an innocent amusement, which has no other tendency but to corrupt and debauch the heart, yet then, Sir, we shall see all things clearly; then shall you know that it was my duty to write as I have done, and will confess before men and angels that you had an humble and affectionate warning given you, by, honoured Sir,

Your very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CIX.

To Mr. Thomas P.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Sir,

THOUGH unknown to you in person, yet as you was pleased to think me worthy of the care of your dear son, I think it my duty to acquaint you of his welfare. I bless God that he came with me. He is diligent and pious, and I trust will be a comfort to you in your declining years: His mind seems settled and composed, and by reading and following the bible, he is partaker of that peace which the world cannot give. His dear and honoured father is much upon his heart. How would it rejoice him to hear that you also was become a christian indeed? Be not offended, dear Sir, at my expressing myself thus. Assure yourself that christianity is something more than a name and a bare outward profession. Morality of itself, dear Sir, will never carry us to heaven; no, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no being happy without a lively faith in him, wrought in the heart by the blessed spirit of God. This faith transforms the whole man, delivers him from the tyranny of his passions, and makes him entirely a new creature. This is the reason why it is foolishness to the world. Your son’s case in this respect was not singular. As soon as ever we commence christians, we commence fools for Christ’s sake. Every truly religious man must be deemed a madman. Forgive this freedom, dear Sir; whilst I am writing, I find a love for your soul arising in my heart, and methinks I could do any thing to bring your grey hairs with comfort to the grave. Dear Sir, there is mercy with Christ even for those who come in at the eleventh hour. Christ came to save poor sinners; he came to save you, dear Sir, if you lay hold on him by a living faith. That God may give you this faith, and thereby make you happy in time and to eternity, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CX.

To the Rev. Mr. R. D.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

I Think I am a little in your debt; if not, love and gratitude call upon me to send you a line. Man appoints, but God disappoints: His providence called me away, before I could possibly see Cornwall. In about a twelvemonth I purpose returning. Who knows but then I may be enabled to perform my promise? The whole world is now my parish. Wheresoever my master calls me, I am ready to go and preach his everlasting gospel. My only grief is, that I can do no more for Christ; for I am sure I ought to love and do much, having had so much forgiven; not that I expect in the least to be justified by any or all the works I either can or shall do: No, the Lord Christ is my righteousness, my whole and perfect righteousness; but then I would shew forth my faith, I would declare to the world the sincerity of my love, by always abounding in the works of my Lord. Oh pray, dear Sir, that I may be never weary in well-doing. The devil and his servants will shoot sore at me that I may fall; but this consideration comforts and supports me, “The Lord is my helper;” he has, he does, he will deliver. I am persuaded you feel his gracious presence, and the influences of his blessed spirit, whenever you go forth to speak in his name. May a double portion of his spirit and precious anointings descend upon your soul! May you be filled with all his fulness, and be enabled thereby to turn many to righteousness here, and so shine as the firmament of heaven for ever hereafter! Oh that a place at some saints feet may be assigned to, dear Sir,

Your weak though affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXI.

To the Rev. Mr. B.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

YOU have been too kind, and I have been too ungrateful. Business would not permit me to have so much private conversation with you as I ought. Success I fear elated my mind. I did not behave towards you, and other ministers of Christ, with that humility which became me. I freely confess my fault; I own myself to be but a novice. Your charity, dear Sir, will excite you to pray that I may not through pride fall into the condemnation of the devil. Dear Sir, shall I come out into the world again or not? Must I venture myself once more among fire-brands, arrows, and death? Methinks I hear you reply, “Yes, if you come forth in the strength of the Lord God, and make mention of his righteousness only.” It is my desire so to do. I would have Jesus all in all. Like a pure chrystal, I would transmit all the light he poureth upon me. Oh pray, dear Sir, that I may be thus minded, and then, God willing, in about a twelvemonth, I intend visiting the Bristol brethren once again. In the mean while, I hope the Lord will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit, and work upon me mightily in the inner-man, for otherwise his blessings will prove curses to me. He has been pleased to dig and dung round me, during my retirement; he has shewn me something of the treachery of my own heart, and more and more convinced me that I am the chief of sinners. Oh that my heart may shew forth the eternity and sovereignty of his love! for never surely was there a greater instance of it than myself. Happy are those that are brought to an experimental knowledge of these mysteries of the kingdom of God. Many of your charge have been, I believe; I pray God to increase the number of your spiritual children more and more, and to add daily to the church such as shall be saved. My cordial respects attend your fellow-labourers, and all who are so kind as to ask for me; as fast as opportunity permits, they may expect to hear from, reverend Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,

G. W.

LETTER CXII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mrs. F.,

I Have now time to answer your last letter. It gave me much satisfaction. I rejoice that you begin to know yourself. If possible, satan will make us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. I can tell this by fatal experience. It is not sudden flashes of joy, but having the humility of Christ Jesus, that must denominate us christians. If we hate reproof, we are so far from being true followers of the Lamb of God, that in the opinion of the wisest of men, we are brutish. I love you and your dear husband in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Under God, I begot you both through the gospel. I therefore think it my bounden duty, from time to time, more particularly to watch over your precious souls. Never account me your enemy for speaking the truth. Tell me of my faults in your turn. I will pray God to give me an hearing ear and an obedient heart. But how do our brethren after their late dispersion? I heard they had in part recovered themselves. Ere now, I trust, they have resumed their courage, and stand stedfast as a wall of brass. If you were all to be carried to prison the next moment, I think you should not decline your christian fellowship and society meetings. My brethren, in this respect, I beseech you to obey God rather than man. Happy are you, if you patiently suffer in such a cause. Our Lord will stand by you; he will fight all your battles, and make you more than conquerors through his love. My heart would say more; but other letters must be wrote. Salute all the brethren by name, and accept this as a token of your not being forgotten by

Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXIII.

To the Rev. Mr. S.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Reverend and dear Sir,

THE favours received at Hertford, from you and your dear flock, are not yet out of my mind: They were exceeding endearing, and deserve my utmost acknowledgments. Had providence permitted, I should have paid you another visit; but God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts: However, in about a twelvemonth, by his leave, I hope to return amongst you once more. Oh! that I may come in the blessing of the gospel of peace! The doctrines I have already preached come with double evidence upon my mind day by day. I am more and more convinced that they are the truths of God; they agree with the written word, and the experience of all the saints in all ages: Nothing more confirms me in the belief of them, than the opposition that is made against them by natural men. Election, free grace, free justification without any regard to works foreseen, are such paradoxes to carnal minds, that they cannot away with them. This is the wisdom of God, which is foolishness with man, and which, the Lord being my helper, I intend to exalt and contend for more and more; not with carnal weapons, that be far from me, but with the sword of the spirit, the word of God: No sword like that. Dear Sir, pray for me that I may rightly divide the word of truth, and give to each his portion in due season. The Lord has been exceeding gracious to me since I saw you last. Oh let your songs be of him, and praise him for all his wonderful works. As I am enabled I remember you and yours. Many, when I was with them, were mourning; ere now I hope they are comforted. He is faithful who has promised, who also will do it. If they hunger and thirst after Christ’s righteousness, verily they shall know that it is imputed to them. That you and your whole charge may be filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,

Your’s most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CXIV.

To Mr. Wm. D——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My Dear Brother,

YOUR last brought glad tidings. I endeavour to give thanks for you with my whole heart. I trust God has enabled you to take the advice you gave me, and that you have been kept from idolatry. Oh my dear brother, let us watch and pray, that we may not be led into temptation. The spirit is willing in both; but the flesh, mine in particular, is exceeding weak. Blessed be God for sending me on ship-board. He has given me to see something of that mystery of iniquity, which was in my heart. I have loathed and abhorred my own self. Tears have been my meat day and night; but glory be to God, who has lately assured me of a victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. At present my heart is quite free. You will see what I have written to those of your household. I pray the Lord to send you and many more such labourers into his harvest. I intend resigning the parsonage of Savannah. [♦]The Orphan House I can take care of, supposing I should be kept at a distance; besides, when I have resigned the parish, I shall be more at liberty to take a tour round America, if God should ever call me to such a work. However, I determine nothing, I wait on the Lord. I am persuaded he will shew what is his will: though my heart is as yet perverse, in time I hope to drink deeper into his spirit. How earnestly do I desire to be dissolved, that I may be with Christ! Sometimes my weak body gives me hopes, that I shall not be long in the flesh; but then, the strength that is communicated to me, and the consideration, that I have but just begun my testimony, fills me with fears, lest I should live to be greyheaded. But I endeavour to resign myself wholly to God. I desire his will may be done in me, by me, and upon me. If the Lord preserves me from falling into sin, and dishonouring his holy name, let him do what seemeth him good with

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

[♦] ‘Th’ replaced with ‘The’

LETTER CXV.

To Madam C——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Madam,

TO be made good by the righteousness and spirit of Jesus Christ, is a distinguishing blessing. To be made good, and yet to be great and rich in this world’s goods, is still more extraordinary. Blessed be God, who has thus highly favoured you. I trust he hath given you that faith, which enables you to overcome the world, and emboldens you to confess both our Lord and his servants, in the midst of a wicked and adulterous generation. Once indeed I feared you had been offended. Dear Mr. M—— soon convinced me of my error. Yourself, Madam, amply satisfied me before I left London, that you were not ashamed of the gospel and ministers of Christ. May the Lord enable you more and more to set your face as a flint, and entirely to live above the fear of man. If the work goes on in England, a trying time will come. I pray God, the same spirit may be found in all that profess the Lord Jesus, as was in the primitive saints, confessors and martyrs. Further opposition then will not hurt, but highly profit the church. The chaff will be winnowed from the wheat, and they that are approved be made manifest. As for my own part, I expect nothing but afflictions and bonds. The spirit, as well as the doctrine of popery, prevails much in many protestants hearts; they already breathe out threatnings. What wonder, if when in their power, they should breathe out slaughters also? This is my comfort, the doctrines I have taught are the doctrines of scripture, the doctrines of our own and of other reformed churches. If I suffer for preaching them, so be it. “Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God!” I rejoice in the prospect of it, and beseech thee, my dear redeemer, to strengthen me in a suffering hour. You, dear Madam, and the rest of my friends, will not be wanting in praying for

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXVI.

To Mr. D——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Sir,

GRATITUDE and love call upon me to write a letter of acknowledgment for favours received when lately at ——. The Lord remember them at that day! You have confessed his servants before men, he has promised to confess such, before his angels in heaven. The principles which I maintain, are purely scriptural, and every way agreeable to the church of England articles. What I have been chiefly concerned about is, lest any should rest in the bare speculative knowledge, and not experience the power of them in their own hearts.—What avails it, Sir, if I am a patron for the righteousness of Jesus Christ in behalf of another, if at the same time I am self-righteous myself? I am thus jealous, I trust with a godly jealousy, because I see so many self-deceivers among my acquaintance. There is one in particular (whom I love, and for whom I most heartily pray) who approves of my doctrine, and hath heard it preached many years past, but I could never hear him tell of his experiences, or of what God has done for his soul. He hath excellent good desires and intentions, but I think he wants something more: Lord, for thy infinite mercy’s sake, grant he may know himself even as he is known! I need not tell Mr. D——, who this dear friend is—you are intimately acquainted with him, you love him as you do your own heart; you are never out of his company. Oh, dear Sir, be not angry. Methinks I hear you, by this time, making an application, and saying, “Then I am the man.” True, dear Sir, I confess you are. But love, love for your better part, your soul, your precious soul, this love constrains me to use this freedom. You are more noble than to take it ill at my hands; I could not bear even to suspect that you deceived yourself, dear Sir, and not tell you such a suspicion was in my heart. That God may powerfully convince you of self-righteousness, and cloath you with the righteousness of his dear Son; that he may fill you with his grace, and thereby fit you for, and at last translate you to, his glory, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your most obliged and affectionate friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXVII.

To a Servant.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

WHEN I was at Mr. ——, I fear I did not ask you often enough what God had done for your soul. I write this to beg your pardon. Want of time was the cause. I believe Christ hath manifested himself to your soul. Shew it, I entreat you, by labouring to adorn his gospel in all things. A meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price. You are happy in a place. I hope you know and are thankful for it. Take heed that you serve with singleness of heart, as unto Christ. Go when you are bid to go, come when you are bid to come; when commanded to do this, do it with all your might. Bear with the perverseness of others. Remember how silent Mary was, when her sister Martha peevishly said, “Lord, carest thou not that my sister has left me to serve alone?” My unfeigned love attends all the Martha’s and Mary’s of your acquaintance. I pray they may in all things walk as women professing godliness. To hear of your progress in the gospel, would much please

Your Sincere friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXVIII.

To the Rev. Mr. ——.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Rev. and dear Sir,

THE many favours I have received at your hands, are still deeply impressed upon my heart; as I have often said, so I say again, I hope they will never be forgotten by me so long as I live. But, reverend Sir, I have observed some particulars in your principles and conduct, which I must confess have given me much concern, and of which, from love and gratitude, I think myself obliged to inform you. —— I believe, dear Sir, you have often been inwardly offended at me, because you suspected, I thought you to be no true christian. Your suspicions were not groundless. I cannot yet think, that a thorough work of conversion was ever wrought upon your soul. I fear you deny, that “Jesus Christ is truly and properly God.” I infer this, from your not reading the Nicene Creed, and your palliating that text I once urged to prove it. “I and my Father are one.” I doubt also, your owning “Original Sin.” This I gather from your wondering I should touch on such a point, when I preached my sermon on justification by Jesus Christ. Besides, the sad definition you once gave of religion in a letter to your brother ——; the stranger also which you seemed to be to the “devil’s temptations,” when I conversed with you; and your supposing, that conversion was to be wrought in the soul by moral persuasion; all these put together, dear Sir, convince me, that you were never yet truly and effectually born again of God. Besides, Reverend Sir, does your going weekly to a club, where the company play at cards, and sit up late at night, does this, dear Sir, agree with your holy vocation, either as a christian or a minister? Be not offended, Rev. Sir, at this plainness of speech. I have forborne a long while; love and gratitude would not suffer me to forbear any longer. I wish I had no occasion to write in this manner. I believe you so ingenuous as not to be angry with me. I pray God to quell all resentment in your heart, and send you his holy spirit to guide you into all truth. Your brother’s eyes are now in some measure opened: he is convinced of the perfect righteousness wrought out for him by Jesus Christ, and ere now I hope hath received faith to apply it to his heart. This is the doctrine of the church of England. Unless you hold this and other evangelical principles, how, dear Sir, is it consistent with sincerity to eat her bread? With humility, respect, and love, do I offer these things to your consideration—Be pleased to weigh them in a proper balance, and reflect from what principle they are wrote, and I am persuaded you will not be offended at, reverend and dear Sir,

[♦]Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

[♦] ‘You’ replaced with ‘Your’

LETTER CXIX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. S——,

I Love an Israelite indeed, I love a catholic spirit destitute of guile; you I am persuaded are thus minded. The Lord hath highly favoured you: he hath given you a meek and quiet spirit. My heart hath been knit to you, ever since God first brought us together. Oh pray, that what I admire in another, I may imitate myself, and have the graces of Jesus Christ stamped upon my heart. It fills me with confusion, whenever I consider how far I am from his likeness. Alas! What would become of me, was I to be saved by any thing within myself. Blessed be God, the Lord Jesus is my whole righteousness. By virtue of that I know I am justified, I believe I shall be sanctified, and am assured I shall be everlastingly redeemed: for God loved me with an everlasting love. Oh, dear Sir, the prospect of an hereafter fills my soul with comfort. Then shall I have enough of your company, and of the other children of God. The Lord give me patience to wait till my blessed change cometh. He often gives me such foretastes of the glory to be revealed in us, that I want to leap my seventy years. But in a degree, I may say with my blessed master, “I have a cup to drink of, and a baptism to be baptized with.” Dear Mr. S—— will see me humbled, I believe, as much as once exalted; I look for “Away with him, away with him,” every day. Then, I trust, I shall begin in earnest to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Even in such an hour, I believe dear Mr. S—— will dare own

His affectionate though most unworthy friend, brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXX.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Sir,

TO think, that you should be engaged publickly to pray for me, hath often given me much satisfaction, and now excites me to send you this letter of thanks: help me still, help me, dear Sir, by your prayers. They will be a means of lifting up my hands when they hang down, and of strengthning my feeble knees. Though in all things we do not, yet in essentials we both think and speak the same things. I wish all names among the saints of God were swallowed up in that one of Christian.—I long for professors to leave off placing religion in saying “I am a Churchman,” “I am a Dissenter.” My language to such is, “Are you of Christ? If so, I love you with all my heart:” for this reason chiefly, dear Sir, my heart is drawn out towards you. On this account, though so long in Christ before me, I make bold to call you brother, and to wish you God speed: blessed be his name, you have little reason to cry out; “My leanness, my leanness.” Many gracious souls are among your flock, they love to be fed with the sincere milk of the word. I hope they will be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. I often think of them with pleasure; pray salute them most affectionately in my name, and exhort them to entreat the Lord that I may make full proof of my ministry. In about a twelvemonth, God willing, I intend returning to England; I wish it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. I think you are happy in the acquaintance of Mr. B—— S——. I trust he will be as good as he is great, and after he is made perfect through manifold temptations and trials, sit down with you, and all the other spirits of just men made perfect, in heaven. This is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your affectionate brother and fellow labourer in our Lord’s vineyard,

G. W.

LETTER CXXI.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Brother,

YOU cannot conceive how often you have been upon my thoughts, since I saw you. Eternity itself I hope will not diminish, but more and more increase that love, which I bear you from my heart. Your stature reminds me of little Zaccheus: he that called him, I am persuaded hath called you: Have you not heard him say to your soul, “I am your salvation?” If so, fear not, thou art a son of David. Let worldly affairs be ever so bad, he that has given you his own dear Son, will make you more than conqueror in all things. Still dare to own our dear Lord before men. It is no scandal for a follower of Jesus Christ to be poor. Our Lord was poor before us—So that we are rich in faith and good works, it is not much [♦]matter if we are not rich in this world’s goods. Having Christ, though we have nothing else, we possess all things. However, since godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come, I would advise you to plead the promises for temporal blessings. In the name of Jesus, many a sweet morsel and opportune supply, have I fetched in from God by this means. That is the way I live, and hope shall continue so to live till death is swallowed up in victory. Death—what a comfortable word is that for a believer! Christ hath taken the sting of it away; henceforward it is no longer a king of terrors, but a welcome messenger to conduct the saints to glory. My dear brother, let us comfort one another with these things. We are not to live here always; our inheritance is above. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory. Why then should we value these light afflictions, which are but for a moment? No, let us patiently bear our cross, since we are so shortly to wear a crown. Oh the riches of free, distinguishing grace! Why were you and I taken into favor? “Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” O! my friend, my brother, let us for ever extol free grace! However others exalt man and debase God, let us exalt God and debase man. Let Jesus Christ have all the glory: for he is the author, carrier on, and finisher of our faith. He hath begun it in time, he shall compleat it in eternity.—My brother, I have been so expanded whilst writing, that I must refer you to other friends, to know how graciously God hath dealt with

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

[♦] ‘mater’ replaced with ‘matter’

LETTER CXXII.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

Dear Mr. W.,

I Long to be in heaven, chiefly to see God even as he is; next, that I may have my soul satisfied with the blissful communion of saints. There I hope to see you and your wife, and to shew how sincerely I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ. My heart has went along with my hand, when I used to stretch it out to you in the field. I only wanted more time to converse with you. Oh my dear brother, let us keep ourselves in the love of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and then, yet a little while we shall meet in glory. As faith is the beginning, so faith is the end of the christian course. Let us keep this grace in continual exercise, and we may bid death and hell defiance. Faith makes us more than conquerors over all; I speak thus to you, because I hope you and dear Mrs. —— have been in some measure made partakers of this free gift of God. I pray God to increase it more and more, till it be swallowed up in the fruition of our supreme good. Perhaps our faith may be put to the trial ere it be long; I expect nothing but sufferings. Oh pray that I may be faithful unto the end, and that a crown of life may be given to

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXXIII.

To Mr. H.

Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

My dear Brother,