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ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS complete Edition of the late Rev. Mr. Whitefield's Works (printed under the Diredion of his Executors) it is prefumed, will be highly acceptable to all his Friends, as the juft and proper Monument of his Memory and Merit; and both pleafing and ufeful to the Public in general, but efpecially to thofe who deiire to cherifli and promote the Spirit of primitive Chriftianity.

To the Sermons and Tracls formerly publiilied, and which are now ranged in their proper Order, are alfo added other Pieces, on the moft Important Subjefls : together with a valuable Colledion of Letters, feleded and prepared by himfelf for Publication ; in which is difplayed, that native Spirit and Simplicity, fo eminently confpicuous in his Life and Converfation. His Friends, and even his Enemies (fliould there be any fuch) will here openly behold his unwearied Diligence, undaunted Firmnefs, noble Difintereftednefs, and exceeding Ufefulnefs in the Work of the MiniO:ry ; alfo, his remarkable Fidelity in Friendfhip, exemplary Piety, and fervent Zeal for the Profperity of pure and undefiled Religion.

The Letters and Works can (land in no need of any Recommendation : Conneded with the account of his Life, (now drav/n from original Papers) they exhibit a plain and undifguifed View of the worthy Author, in all Parts of his public Service, as well as in his private Retirements, and inward Trials; faithfully fliewing the Whole of that livhig I'emple^ which was facred to God, and happily inflrudling Mankind in the Ways of Godlinefs and eternal Life,

LETTERS.

LETTER L

To Mr. G, H. Dear Sir^ Oxon, July i8, 1734.

HAVING heard the melancholy news of your brother's death, I could not help fending you a line, to let you know how much I am concerned. Indeed, I cannot fay, I am fo much grieved on his account, as for that forrow, which the lofs of fo valuable a youth muft necelTarily occafion to all his relations. No ! I rather envy him his blefled condition. He, unqueftionably is divinely blelTed, whilft we are ftill left behind to wreftle with unruly paltions, and by a continued looking unto Jesus and running in our thriftian race, to prefs forward to that high prize, of which he, dear Touthy is now in full fruition. Thefe are my true fentiments about his death ; I leave you to judge then, whether I had need be concerned on his account; and furely was it to be put to your choice, whether fo religious a young man (hould live or die, no one could be fo cruel, as to wi(h to detain him from his wifhed-for glory. Be not then too much concerned at his death, but let us rather learn that important leflbn, which his whole life taught us : " That there is nothing comparable to an early piety." I thought to have fpent many agreeable hours with him in chriftian and edifying converfation, when I came to Glouccfter ; but he is gone to more agreeable company^ and long before now has joined the heavenly choir.

I (hall only add, that as your brother Imitated our blefled Saviour iu his life, fo I pray God, he may refemble him in

Vol. I, B liis

his death, and be a means, like his beloved Redeemer, of reconciling all former animofities, which is the hearty wifh

of, dear Sir,

Your fmcere friend and humble fervant,

G. IV.

L E T T E R II. I

To Mr, G. H.

Dear Sir^ Brlfol, Sept. lo, 1734.

THIS morning I wrote to you in hafte, expeding Mr. /. would foon be going ; but to my great fatisfadion, he came hither this night, and foon afterwards, your very much wifned-for letter was brought to hand; which (after ten thou-fand thanks for fo many repeated favours) I (hall now beg leave to anfvver. You tell me " Mr. P. likes N.'* God be praifed ! That he hath recommended fomething to my perufal. I'll read it, God willing, with care, at my return. " That he wants to know my quality, ftate, condition, circum-«' fiances, &c." Alas! that anyone (hould enquire after fuch a wretch as I am. However, fmce he hath been fo kind, pray tell him, that as for my quality, I was a poor, mean drav/er ; but by the diftinguifhing grace of God, am now intended for the miniftry. As for my eftate, that I am a fer-vitor; and as to my condition and circumftances, I have not of my own any where to lay my head. But my friends, by God's providence, minifler daily to me, and in return for fuch unmerited, unfpeakable bleflings, I truft the fame good Being \yill give me grace to dedicate myfelf without referve to his fervice. . To " fpend and be fpent " for the welfare of my fellow-creatures, endeavouring to promote the gofpel of his Son as much as lies in my poor power. But " obferve his " humility," fays Mr. H. Aye, catch an old Chriftian without profound humility, if you can. Believe me, Sir, it i$ nothing but this flcfli of ours, thofe curfed feeds of the prouH apoflatc, which lie lurking in us, that make us to thinlc ourf.lves worthy of the very air we breathe. When our eyes are opened by the influences of divine grace, we then fhall begin to think of ourfelves.as we ought to think, even, that God is all, and we are lefs than nothing. Well, you may-cry, O happy temper, could I but learn of Christ to be meek

and

and lowly in hearty I (hould certainly find reft to my foul. May God, for his dear Son's lake, give it to you, to me, and to all our dear friends! " Some like, fome djillke the ex-" tracSl," you fay. I did not do it,-to pleafe. ;nan, but God. '' Mr. JV. is too much engaged in temporals." Is he ? Ola dear Sir, pray that when I enter the miniitry, I may be wholly engaged in fpirituals : But " Mrs. H. has beeff ill, and is *' now recovered." God be praifed for both ! Our Saviour, ^ir^ learnt obedience by the things which he fi^fFered, fo mufi: we. Pain, if patiently endured, and fancliiied to us, is a great purifier of our corrupted nature. It will teach us excellent lefTons. I hope A4r. H. has been enabled to learn fome of thenfi.' So .nuch in anfwer to your kind letter. You fay " it was too long." Believe rhe, 5fV, it was much toornort; but a line is more than I deferve. However, I have made out in mine, what was wanting in yours. A^Iy Adother*s journey to GUuceJler^ I fea^r, is fpoiled by the weather. God's blefTed will be done I J hope to be with you about next Tucfday fevennight. " I am milled," you fay ; and you may well mifs fuch a troubiefome gueft. .Well, God will reward you richly, I truft. Never defpair oi my brather-^ when God ads upoa the foul, he makes quick work of it. Be pleafed to tell Mr. M. that his remiflhefs hath occafioned me many a figh, and his return from his relapfe, m.atter of abundant thanks to God in his behalf. Oh let us young, unexperienced foldiers, be always upon our guard ; the very moment we defert our poft, the enemy ruflies in; and if he can but divert our eyes from looking heavenward, he will foon fo blind us, that we fnall not look towards it at all. A great deal may be learned from a little fall. But I muft not detain you any longer, than to aiTure you how much I am, Dta?- Sir,

Your and Mrs. H.'s fincere friend and fervant, in our common Lord,

G. IF.

I

LETTER III.

To Air, H. Dear Sir^ Oxon^ Sept. 17, 1734.

Had the favour of your letter laft Friday^ which brought me the agreeable news of your and Mrs, H,'s welfare, to-B 2 gether

gether with the much-defired account of your approving the fcheme, inclofed in my Jaft. Indeed, I did not doubt of its meetins; with a candid reception, from all thofe perfons to whom it was recommended. Their known concern for religion, giving me fufficient affurance, that nothing can be unacceptable to them, which any way tended to promote their improvement in the divine life. It muft be confefTed, indeed, as you very juftly obferved, that we muft make a great pro-grefs in religion, and be inured by frequent prayer and meditation, to the extatic contemplation of heavenly objedts, before we can arrive at true heavenly-mindednefs; and, perhaps, after all our endeavours, whilft our fouls are immerfed in thefe flefhly tabernacles, we (hall make but very fmall advances in fo delightful and glorious an undertaking. But believe me, Sir^ you cannot imagine, how vaftly ferviceable the conftant ufe of all the means of religion will be, in acquiring thisblefled habit of mind. Such, as an early rifmg 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, *S/V, the degeneracy of the age, as the leaft objedlion againft our making further advances in any religious improvement, I cannot by any means admit of it. The fcriptures (as I take it) arc to be the only rules of a<5lion. And the examples of our bleiled Lord and his apoftles, the grand patterns whereby we are to form the conduct of our lives. It is true, indeed, that inftances of an exalted piety are rarely to be met with in the prefent age, and one would think, if we were to take an eftimate of our religion, from the livesof moftof its profeffors, that chriftianity was nothing but a dead letter. But then it is not our religion, but ourfelve? that are to be blamed all this while. Would we live as the primitive chriftians did, we might no doubt have the fame afliftance vouchfafed us, as they had. God's grace is never rcftrained, and though we ihould not arrive at thofe heights of heavenly-mindednefs, as fome of the primitive chriftians were eminent for, yet, methinks we fhould imitate them as far as we can, and rely on the divine goodnefs for grants of fuch a fupply of grace, as he, in his good pleafure, fhall judge moft ^jgnvenient for us. Be pleafed to fend for Mr. Law's Chrtfiian

P(rfu'Jien

LETTERS. S

Perfeawn for me againft my coming into the country, if printed in a fmall edition. I am, with due refpeds to felf,

fpoufe, and all other friends, , , ^ ,

^ Your s fmcerely,

LETTER IV.

To the Same,

r, cv Oxon^ Dec. ^y lyS^'

Dear Sir, r i7 u j r

T Am heartily glad to hear that the c.uMry parfon has had fo 1 good an efFea upon you, and that you are refolved to fet m earneft, about working out your falvation: Be f^^; quench not theife firft motions; but go on vigoroufly and manfully, without the leaft regard to what the world may fay; if you can once break with that, you are fafe. The^r.;.r;, I hope to end you next week. Only let me give you this caution, no to depend on any advice or book, that is given V"" j. b"t fo'e'/ on the grace of Goo attending it. The book which I have fent to my brother, and would recommend to you and all my GkuuJIer friends, will foon convince you how dangerous it is to be a lukewarm chriftian, and that there is nothing to be done without breaking from the world, denying ourfelves daily, taking up our crofs, and following Jesus Christ. Thefe thincr! may feem a little terrible at firft, but believe me, they are nothing but fuggeftions of our -emy 'o deter us from fettingout; and if you can credit me, mortification itfelf.whea once^raaifed, is the greateft pleafure in the world But hold, I fhaM tranfgrefs the time prefcribed me, therefore give me only leave to add my hearty prayer for your fuccefsful pro-grefs in religion, and to fubfcribe myfelf in great hafte.

Your ftncere friend and humble fervant,

G. fV.

L E T T E R V.

To the Same,

DMr Sir O"'"' ^'*- ^°' '''^5'

I Believe you think me a ftrange fort of a perfon, for not being fo good as my word in coming down this wmter^

■6 LETTERS.

and what is vvorfe, in not letting you have a line to acquaint you of my reafons for it. And,^ indeed, I am not as yet determined j providence having ordered (I hope) that this feeming unkindnefs fhajl, in the end, prove very ferviceablc on all fides. Hov/cver, though I have been thus hindred, yet, I think you heard from mc lall, and am really furprized tq find you Ihould, now To long fuice, have defired that col" le6iicn of prayers^ and be wholly unconcerned about them ever after. -Indeed, they will be of no fervice to you, unlefs you grant me this one poilulatum : 'S Xhat we murt renounce ourfelvcs." What the meaning of this phrafe may be, the preface to the prayers will beft inform you. I did not doubt of its meeting with but a cold reception, it being (at firft view) fo very contrary to fie(h and bjood. For, perhaps, you may think, that this renouncing of ourfelves, muft neceflarily lead us (as it certainly does) to a6ls of felf-denial and mortification; and, that we probably may be faved without them. And left you fliould after all imagine, (which I truft you will not) that true religion does confiil in any thing, befides an entire renevv'al of our riatures into.the image of God ; I have fent you a book entitled, The Life of God in the Soul of Mariy written by a young, but an eminent chriftian, which will inform you, what true religion is, and by what means you may attain it. As iikewife, how wretchedly moft people err in their fentiments about it, who fuppofe it to be nothing elfe (as he tells us page 3d) but a mere model of outv.^rd performances^ without ever qonfidering, that all our corrupt paffions muft be fubdued, and a complex habit of virtues, fuch as meeknefs, Jowlinefs, faith, hope, and the love of God and of man, be implanted in their room, before we can have the leaft title to enter into the kingdom of God. Our divine mafter having ex-prefsly told us, that " unlefs v/e renounce ourfelves, and take *'. up our crofs daily, we cannot be his difciples." And again, *' unlefs we have the fpirit of Christ, we are none of his." You will fcarce have time, I imagine, before Mr. H. leaves Glouccfler^ to revife, what I have recommended to your perufal. However^ be pleafed to let me hear from you by him, together with an account of your free fentiments about this matter. I truft (by God's grace) we fhall, at laft, rightly underftand one another's meaning, I lliould be glad to hear t.oo> whether you

kerp

keep mdrnlng prayers, and how often you receive the holy communion, there being nothing, which (o much be-dwarfs us in religion, and hinders our progrefs towards the heavenly Canaan, as ftarving our Ibuls by keeping away from the heavenly banquet. I have nothing more to add at prefent on this fubjc(S^,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 fincere friend and very humble fervant,

LETTER VI.

To the Same. ,^

Dear Sir, Oxon, March 6, 1735,

I Had the favour of your letter by Mr. H. and, as defired, I have made enquiry about the poft-mafters and clerks of Merton. As to the former, I hear, that the five fenior fellows have each a power to ele61: one in his turn, and that there is now a vacancy, but one ready on the fpot to fupply it, and no likelihood of there beiiig another this long while. The latter, are folely in the power of the warden, and though all the places are at prefent filled up, yet, there will be a vacancy next term, fo that, perhaps, by a feafonable application, your brother may get a friend in. Thus much for bufinefs. As for the other particular, fpecified in the latter part of your laft; I find by what I can gather from your own and my brother's expreflions, as well as from Mr. H.'s> difcourfc, that my late letters have met with but a cold reception ; and that you fecm defirous of hearing no more of fo feemingly ungrateful a fub-jecSl, as fubmitting our wills to the will of God ; which, in-deed, is all that is implied in that phrafe (which our enemy would reprefent as fo formidable to us) oi renounchig ourfelves. Alas, Sir ! what is there that appears fo monftroufly terrible in a doctrine that is, (or at Icaft ought to be) the conftant fub-je6t of our prayers, whenever we put up that petition of our Lord's : " Thy zviil be done in earthy as it is in I leaven.^^ The import of which feems to be this, ift. That we do every thing that God w'lls, and nothing but what he v/illcth. 2dly, That we do every thing he wills, C7i}y in the manner he willeth, 3dly5 I'hat we do thofe things he willcth, only

B 4 hicaiij}

S LETTERS.

becaufe he willeth. This is all, Sir, I have been endeavouring to inculcate in my late letters; and though it feems as clear as the light, upon an impartial and confiderate view, yet, our grand impoftor (whofe very corruption is having a will diftin<3: from, and therefore contrary to GoD*s) would fain fet it out in the mofl: hideous colours, as though we were *' Setters forth of ftrange dodlrines ;" or propofmg fome higher degrees of perfection, than every ordinary chriftian is obliged to afpire after; whereas, in truth, it is nothing but the fimple and evident language of the gofpel. It muft be confefled, that through the corruption of our depraved nature, and that power, which felf-will has, fince the Fall, ufurped in the foul, we muft necefTarily break through a great many ob-ftacles. But, dear Sir, be not difmayed, the difficulty lies only in our firft fetting out. Be but vigorous at the firft onfet, and never fear a conqueft. 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 houfe to build up, but an old one to pull dov/n. But then, methinks, this would be an odd way of reafoning, " Becaufe a thing requires fome pains, I therefore, will never fet about it." No, Sir, rather up and be doing. Exert your utmoft efforts at yourfirfl: fetting out, and take my word, your ftrength as well as refolution will increafe daily. The means alfo which are neceffary to be ufed in order to attain this end, our curfed adverfary the devil would reprefent to us in the moft hideous forms imaginable. But believe me. Sir, the difficulty here too, only lies in our firft breaking from ourfeWes, and that there is really more pleafure in thefe for-rnidLible duties of felf-denial and mortification, than in the higheft indulgences of the greateft epicure upon earth. Give me leave, dear Sir, only to remind you of one particular, which, if duly obferved, will vaftly facilitate your future endeavours. Let the fcriptures, not the world, be your rule of adion. By thofe you are to form your prailice here, and to be judged hereafter. Upon this account, for the future, I piould be glad, if you would communicate what pafTes between you and me, to none but my brother and your fpoufe. And if you have any, the leaft fcruple, be pleafed to fend me word of it by a letter in an open, friendly manner j and, by Cod's blefiing, uU things will be yet fet right; only be fervent

vent in prayer. As for what the Rev. Mr. Hoar has beea pleafed to fay, either to you or Mr. H, it is not my bufmcfs (out of deference, as he is fo much my fuperior, as to the dignity of his office, his age, and his learning) to make any reply. I fhall only add, what I am fure I can prove, " That *' the gofpel tells us that there is but one thing needful. *« That we cannot fit down content with juft fuch a degree *' of goodnefs, and claim juft fuch a proportionable degree of " glory;" but that " we are to love the Lord with all our *' fouls, ftrength, &c.'* and that *' he who endureth to the *' end, (and he only) iliall be faved." There is a little trea-tife lately come out, which I have made bold to fend to Mr; Hoary where we may be fully convinced by argument deducible merely from reafon, *' that God is our fole end," and that barely upon a principle of prudence, (fuppofing we could be happy without it) we ought to prefs forward, in order to attain the greateft degrees of happinefs hereafter. Whether this letter. Sir, may prove as ofFenfive as the former, is not my bufmefs to enquire. God's will be done in all things. He, and he alone can (and indeed will, if we are defirous of it ourfelves) work this convidion in our minds. Give me leavejuft to add, that I thought it my duty to anfwer thefe fevw objections, that have been raifed againft the difficulty of conforming our wills to the will of God, by fhcwing that the greateft ftruggle lies only at our firft beginning, and that it is no more than what is indifpenfably neceftary for our falvation. As for the means to be employed for the attainment of this end, I fhall be wholly filent : Being fenfible, that if you are once fully convinced of the greatnefs of it, you will be necefTarily carried on to the ufe of fuch means as God hath conftituted for that purpofe. I hope my writing after this manner. Sir, will not be efteemed a piece of felf-conceit, or be an inftrument of unloofing our former band of friendship, which was once defigned to be bound the fafter, 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 pleafed however to favour me v/ith a line in return, and give me leave to fubfcribe myfelf. Dear Sir,

Your fmcere friend and moft obliged humble fervant,

G. IK LETTER

■ [ 10 1 LETTER Vlf.

To the Same. My dear Friend, Briflol, June ii^ '735-

LAST night about eight o'clock, your good fpoufe and myfelf came fafe to our journey's end, and met with a very kind reception from all parties. After you left us, the ladies grew more ferious, and at laft by the alTiftance of Mr, NorrIS, our difcourfe ran into a proper channel. My brother does not propofc failing this fortnight; but tho' he ftays longer than he propofed, yet I hope to be at Gloucejier on Wednefday, for methinks my heart is ftill there, tho* my body be at thirty miles diftan-ce. On whofe account, I leave you to guefs. I cannot help refle£ling on Sunday. Did not thofe fighs, think you, Sir, proceed from fome unufual meditations on the importance of religion ? Were they not fome infant flrugglings-after the new birth? Surely they were. And I truft ere long, after a few flrugglings with corrupted nature, th6 Holy Ghofl will replenifh your heart with comfort and peace. Proper retirement and folitude are no bars; but rather great helps to a religious life. We find, our Saviour was led into a wildernefs, before he entered on his publick miniftry, and fo mull we too, if we ever intend to tread in his fteps. As for my brother, I truft the cares of the world, "the defire of riches, &c. will not always choak the good feed. However, I hope you my dear friend will not defer fo important a thing. But, why do I fay hope, when I am afiured you will not. Methinks, I would willingly undergo the pangs, fo you might enjoy the pleafures of the new birth. But this muft not be. All we can do is to fympathize •with and pray for each other, which I hope will not be wanting on either fide, as fuch a clofe friendfhip has commenced between dear Mr. H. and

Your fmcere friend and humble fervant,

G, TV,

H

LETTER VIII.

To the Same. Dear Sir, Brl/iol, Sept. 5, 1735.

OW welcome is a line from a faithful friend? even as welcome as a fhower of rain in a droughty feafon. But

here's

here's the misfortune, the very kindnefles of friends may be cruelty: Commendations, or even, the hinting at them, are poifon to a mind addi6led to pride. A nail never finks deeper than when dipt in oil. A friend*s words may be fofter than butter, and notvvithftanding be very fv/ords. Pray for me, dear Sir, and heal the wound you have made. To God alone give glory. To fmners nothing belongs, but (hame and confufion. So much in anfwer to one part of your too kind letter. Mrs, Powell you fay continues very ill. No wonder. Sir; defperate difeafes muft have defperate remedies. Satan has (defired to fift her as wheat; but Christ will pray for her, 1 truft, and then her faith will not fail. Oxford friends have pot been v/anting in letters, and I find I muft not ftay much longer here. For fome are going to travel, fome are dead, and one is married, {o that we muft join and warm one another, as well as we can in their abfence. I hope to feaft with you at Crypt next Sunday. Amazing, that ever fmners fhould lit with their Saviour! To what dignity has Christ exalted human nature. And how did he do it ? Why, by humbling himfelf. Let us go and do likewife. Give me leave, with due refpeds to all friends, to fubfcribe myfelf. Your and fpoufes very humble fervant and fmcere friend,

G,JV.

•\

P. S. If Mr. Pauncefort's petitions run after this manner for me, I (hould be thankful: " That God would linifh the good work he has begun in me, that I may never feek nor be fond of worldly preferment; but employ every mite of thofe talents it ftiall pleafe God to entruft me with, to his glory and the church's good, and likewife, that the endeavours of my friends to revive true religion in the world, may meet with proper fuccefs."

LETTER IX.

To the Same. jPear Sir, Brj/lol, SepJ, l8, 1735.

AS you did not expe6l: to hear from me till Mr. B d came, I hope you have not as yet accufed 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

LETTERS.

ten thoufand thanks for thofe innumerable favours conferred on me at your houfe ? I truft they are all regiftcrcd in the court of heaven, and will in due time meet with a fuitable return from my all-gracious and good bcnefa6lor. Next to this, I imagine you will enquire, how I like Briftol ? As for the place itfelf, that, like all others, is indifferent to me, who have here no continuing city, but feek one to come; and as for the inhabitants, tho' they teach me nothing elfe, yet I may learn this one important leflbn, that unlefs I am very vigilant, the children of this world, will be much wifer in their generation, than I, who, by the grace of God, hope am a child of light. Alas ! was 1 half fo folicitous to attain heavenly, as they are worldly riches, I (hould be rich indeed. That you all may be rich towards God, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir, Your very unworthy,

but fmcere friend and humble fervant,

G. IV,

LETTER X.

To the Same.

Dear Sir^ Oxcn^ March 13, 1736.

I Have now but juft time to acquaint you, that God gave me a pleafant and fafe journey, and what was ftill a greater blelling, a joyful meeting with my zealous, hearty, finccre friends. The alderman bore my expences, and was very agreeable company ; fo that on all accounts I have great reafon 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 cuftom of reading and fmging. It's bad to leave off a good cuftom, and the bcft way to make a prngrefs in religion, is to per-fift in, and to improve on the means we enjoy. I fuppofe honefl James by this time is with you. My hearty love to him, and tell him, it would do his heart good to fee what a number of true altogether chriftians here are of his rank. I hope he will let none of them outftrip him : He muft watch and pray againft felf-indulgencc, floth, &c. efpecially if he goes to a place where plenty of all thiiigs abound. My

2 due

due refpCiSls and hearty thanks to i^rj. H. and all friends. 1 hope none of their kindneffes will ever be forgotten by Your fincers friend in great hafte,

L E T T E R XI.

To the Same, Deareji Sir^ Oxon, /fpriJ 2^ 17 36.

WH AT a comfort *s it for chriftian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindnefs of the Lord ? O let his praifes be ever in our mouths, that we may be telling of his falvation from day to day. O dear Sir^ I heartily join with you in the delightful duty of thankfgiving. I hope that you will have every day more and more experimental proofs of that intercourfe which is carried on between God in heaven, and faints on earth.

I muft now inform you, that the perfon, who under God has given me the annuity, is Sir John Philips of London. The occafion of it was as follows. Upon my coming up, two or three of our trufty friends were called from us, and being folicitous to keep up our fociety here, the gentleman to whom you fent the book, wrote to Sir John Philips and propofed me (alas! how unfit) as a proper perfon to (lay here and encourage our friends in fighting the good fight of faith. Accordingly he immediately offered me an annuity of twenty pounds. To (hew his difintereftednefs, he has promifed me that, whether I continue here or not ; a/id if I refolve to ftay at Oxon, he'll give me thirty pounds a year. 1^ that will not do, I may have more j fo that you fee, 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 propofe, 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 ftu-dies. Whether it be or no, God only knows ; Father, therefore into thy hands I commend my fpirit, for thou haft 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 profper it in your hands. Good dear Sir,

never

t4 L E T T E R $;

never leave oft* v/atchlng, reading, praying, ftriving, till you experimentally find Christ Jesus formed vi^ithin you. In a particular manner, my dear friend, watch againft all temptations to floth. When you receive the facrament, earneftly endeavour to be inwardly bettered by it the week, following. Live every day as holily as you can. Be frequent in felf-exainination morning and evenmg. Pray earnellly from your heart. Wrcftle with God, beg him to haften 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 fo much for the meat that periftieth, as to negletft purfuing that which endureth to eternal life. O JUr. H. my bowels are enlarged towards you. Believe me to be your fmcere, tho' unworthy friend,

G. IV.

LETTER XIL

To the Same, Dear Mr. H. Oxon^ April 22y 1736.

NO W tell me the truth, have not you called me ungrateful ? If you have not, it is more than I deferve. I have nothing to plead but buftnefs, as an excufe for not anfwering your lafl kind letter. Well, forgive me this once, and if I ofFend fo again, then call me ungrateful indeed. You order'd me to make no acknowledgments for kindncfles received. You'll fuffer me to afk another favour, if not to return any more thanks. Be fo kind then, dear Sir, to defire your brother to write to me as foon as poflible. My good friend, iS/> John Philips^ has promifed me thirty pounds a year, if I'll continue at Oxford, and yet I am ia doubt, whether that annuity, and the being appointed to ferve the prifon here, will be a fufficient title for orders, therefore I beg both his advice and prayers. This is all I think, that concerns outward affairs. But this folemn fcafon naturally leads me to fay a word or two on a more important fubjeci:, " the death and paflion of our blefied Lord and Saviour." If I miftake not, you commemorate it tomorrow at Crypt. And blefTed be God, I do at Chrift Church. And oh that we may cgrameraorate it as we ought;

that

that we may fix our thoughts intenfely on that great ex-amplar and all atoning blood ; that we may grow in love with his meeknefs and patience, and endeavour daily to be conformed to his moft blelTed image. Surely we cannot grow angry at trifles, when the Son of God endured fuch bitter ufage, without the leaf: murmur or complaint. Surely, we cannot repine at any difpenfations of Providence tho' ever fo fevere, when we confider, how it pleafed God to bruife our Saviour and lay upon him the iniquities of us all. Whatever befalls us, is but the due reward of our Climes; but this Redeemer had done nothing amifs: he was bruifed for our iniquities. I could run through every part of our Lord's fufFerings, and Ihew how necef-ary it is that we fhould fympathize with him in every particular. But as it now grows late, and I v/ant a little time to prepare for to-morrow's folemnity, you'll excufe me if I now only paraphrafe a little on the prayer of the thief on the crofs. 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 refpe6ls to all friends, and am fincerely

Yours,

G, TV,

LETTER XIIL

To Mr, S. My dear Friend^ Gloucejler^ June 20, 17 36.

TH I S is a day much to be remember'd, O my foul! for about noon, I was folemnly admitted by good Bi/hop Benfon^ before many witneffes, into holy orders, and was, blefied be God, kept compofed both before and afrer impofition of hands. I endeavoured to behave with unaf-fe(Sled devotion; but not fuitable enough to the greatnefs of the office I was to undertake. At the fame time, I trufl", I anfwered to every queftion from the bottom of my heart, and heartily prayed that God might fay Amen. I hope the good of fouls will be iny only principle of action. Let come what will, life or death, depth or heighth, I fhall hcnceforwards live 'ike one who this day, in the prefence of ^ ' men

!6 LETTERS.

men and angels, took the holy facramcnt, upon the profcffiort of being inwardly moved by the Holy Ghoft to take upon me that miniftration in the church. This I began with reading prayers to the prifoners in the county goal. Whether I myfelf (hall ever have the honour of ftiling myfelf a prifoner of the Lord, I know not; but indeed, my dear friend, I can call heaven and earth to witnefs, that when the Bifhop laid his hand upon me, I gave myfelf up to be a martyr for him, vi^ho hung upon the crofs for mc. Known unto him are all future events and contingences; I have thrown myfelf blindfold, and I trull without referve, into his almighty hands ; only I would have you obferve, that till vou hear of my dying for, or in my work, yoti will not be apprized of all the preferment that is expelled by

Yours, &c, G. ir.

LETTER XIV.

To the Same, Dear Friend^ Gloucejler^ 'June 23, 17 36*

NEVER a poor creature fet up with fo fmall a itock. When the good Bifhop, who ordained me on Sunday, gave out laft year in his vifitation charge, that he would ordain none under full three and tweiity, my heart leap'd for joy, for then I thought my friends would not only be difappointed in their hope of having me enter into orders fo foon i but that I flionld alfo have time (as was my intention) to make at leaft a hundred ferinons, with which to begin my miniftry ; but this is fo far from being the cafe, that I have not a fingle one by me, except that which I made for a fmall chriftlan fociety, and which I fcnt 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 fent 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 fermon I intend to begin, God willing, next Sunday, not doubting, but that he, who increafcd a little lad's loaves and iifhes for the feeding of a great multitude, will from time to time, in the proper ufe of appointed means, fupply me with fpi-

ritual

ritual food for whatever congregation he in his ali-wife Providence Ihall be pleafed to call me to. Help, help me, my dear friend, with your warmcfl addreffcs to the throne of grace, that I may not only find mercy, but grace to help in time of need. At prefent this is the language of my heart, j^ guilty weak and belplefs worm into thy nnns I fall ^ Be thou ?nyJhength^ my righteoufnefsy my Jesus, and my all.

Oh c^-^k not, for I muft again repeat it, ceafc not to pray for

Yours, &c.

G, IK

LETTER XV.

Dear Mrs, H. Gloucejler, June 28, 1736.

ACCORDING to my promife I am now feated to write you a farewell letter. For providence feems to demand my prefence at Oxford immediately, and therefore I pro-pofe being there, God willing, on Monday night. But firft let me return dear Mrs. H. my heartieft thanks for all paft kind-nefles, and afiure her, that my inceflant prayers fhall never be wanting, that God may not forget her labour of love, in that fhe has fo plentifully adminiftered to me his unworthy fervant, and yet does minifter. To-morrow I am to preach at Crypty but believe I fhall difpleafe fome, being determined to fpeak againft their aflemblies. But I mufl tell them the truth, or otherwife I (hall not be a faithful minifter of Christ. Had providence fo ordered, I fhould have been glad to have given you the cup of blefling ; but fmce that favour is denied to me, I am refigned. However, I hope I fhall not be unmindful of you, when I ccme near your place, nor be wanting in my prayers, that God would mercifully fupply the want of outward means to you, by the operation of his Holy Spirit. I fuppofe you are, by this time, pretty well reconciled to fFcr-cejler^ 2nd that providence has fhewn you that v/e may ferve 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 (hall find that wherever we are, he will be with us, and wc (hall be with him. So far I had written on Saturday night; but being detained here in expectation of feeing my brother James^ (who has not as yet been Vol. I. C /»

(o good as bis word) I believe I can now acquaint you that I muft let out on WedneJ}Liy morning. 1 preached yefterday at Cr>'/»/, and was mercifully fupportcd and afTiftcd, for which-great blciiing, I hope you will return hearty thanks in my behalf. I truft Mhfs James continues her former earnell deiircs to be renewed in the fpirit of her mind ; for nothing will do but that. Indeed we may flatter ourfelves, that we may go to heaven without undergoing the pangs of the new birth ; but we {hail certainly find ourfelves defperately miftaken 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 inheiif.ance with the faints in - light. Let us therefore never eeafe praying and ftriving, till we find this bleiled change wrought in us, and thereby wc ourfelves brought ofF from relying on any or all outward ordinaiK:es for falvation. Our good bifhop Bcnfon was plcafed to give me another prefent of five guineas, a ^reat fupply for one who has not a guinea ia the world. May the great Bifhop of fouls amply reward both him and you, foF all favours conferred on

Your fineere friend and humble fervant,

G. U\

LETTER X¥L

ro Mr, H. My Dear Friend^ Gloucejler, June 30, 17 36.

GLORY! glory I glory I be afcribed to-an almighty triunf God.— ^Laft Sunday in the afternoon^ I preached my firfl: fcrmon in the church of St. Alary De Crypt, where I was baptized, and alfo firfl received the facrament of the Lord's fupper. Curiofity, as you may eafily guefsydrew a large congregation together upon the occafion. The fight at firft a little awed me; but 1 was comforted with a heart-felt fenfe of the divine prcfencc, and foon found the unfpeakable advantage of having been accuflomed to public fpeaking when a boy at fchool, and of exhorting and teaching the prifoners and poor people at their private l>oufcs, whilft at the univerfity. By thefe-means I was kept from being daunted over much. As [ proceeded, I perceived the fire kindled, till at laft, though (o young, and.,afiiidfi: a croud of thx^fe^ who knew me in my

infant

Inf'ant childifn days, I truft, I was enabled to fpcak with ibme degree of gofpel authority. Some icw mocked, but<.mofl: for the prcfent fccmed ftruck ; and I have fmce heard, that a complaint had been made tothebifhop, that I drove fifteen mad the iirft fermon* The worthy prelate, as I am informed, vvi{hed that the madnefs might not be forgotten before next Sunday, Before then, I hope, my fermon upon He that is in Christ, is a veiv creature^ will be compleated. BlelTed be God, I now find freedom in writing. Glorious Jesus,

Ihikofe myJiamfu^ring tongue to tell Thy love immenfe^ iinfearchable. Being thus engaged, I muft haflen to fubfcribe inyfelf, my dear Sir, Your's, &c.

G, IK

LETTER XVIL

To Mrs, H. Dear Mrs. H. Oxcn^ July 7, 1736.

WHAT fhall I fay in defence of my feemingly ungrateful filence ? Why, I hope, your kindncfs will accept of the reafons I gave in Mrs. JVell's letter, as a fufHcient excufe for it, nothing but thofe, I aflure you, being the caufe of it. Well then, prefuming on your kind pardon, give me leave, (after all acknowledgments of gratitude for kindneffcs received) to bid you once more welcome to Gloucejler^ and to wifh you and IVlr. H, with all my foul, the greatefl comfort, that either this or the other world can afford you. It's true, indeed, we mud not expccb mucli comfort here, except what refults from a good convi6lion that we arc in a fafe ftate, by being born again of the Holy Ghoft. This, will afford us inexpreffible fatisfac^ion, even on this fide the grave. It will give us eafe in pain, becaufe we know, if we bear it patiently, it will end' in glory. This, will make us meek and gentle under croffes and difappointments, becaufe we know we are taught to expect them, and that our bicffed Malter has gone before us in them. In fnort, it Vv'ill make us eafy in every ftation, becaufe we have a general promife, that all things fhall work for good to them that love God. But fuppofmg we were to b^ve no plcafure on this Tide of Heaven, yet the

C 2 thoughts

\J

thoughts of being happy, and that too for all eternity hereafter, methinks {hould teach us to bear up under every calamity here, not only with fubmiflion, but a holy joy. Good God ! the very idea of what we are to be in glory^ tran(ports me while I am writing. There, there, Mrs. H. we fhall fee the bleflcd Jesus, whom our fouls have fo eagerly thirfted after in this life, furrounded with glory, and attended with myriads of his holy angels, who will rejoice at our fafe arrival to their happy manfions, and with repeated echoes welcome us to heaven. There, there, we fhall not only fee, but live with him and enjoy him too, not for a day, a month, a year, an sigc, but to all eternity. And who can tell the pleafure, comfort, peace, joy, delight, and tranfport, a glorified faint will feel in the poffeffion of his wifhed-for, longed-for, ever adorable, ever gracious, blefled, beloved, triune God, and that for ever ? Surely the happinefs will be fo gfeat, that eye hath not feen^ nor ear heard, neither can the heart of man conceive the thoufandth part thereof. And yet, great as it is, I not only wifli, but have good hope through Christ, that not only you and Mr. H. but all my chriftian friends, and even I myfelf through grace, (hall one day be partakers of it. The way and means we know. " If any one, fays Christ, will come after me (to glory) let him renounce himfclf." i. e, make his own will no principle of a£lion, be no felf-pleafer, *' and take up his crofs" patiently (whether of ficknefs or outward circum-ftances, &c.) "and then let him follow me," follow me in away of duty here, and he (hall follow me to glory hereafter. May we all be fuch followers of the blefled Jesus ! And why fhould we defpair of becoming fuch ? What is there in Christ's dodrine or example but that we may all, through the afTiftance of the Holy Spirit, imitate him in ? Suppofe it does oblige us to be a little itrider than our neighbours ? Suppofe it does forbid us fpending too much time in the feemingly-innocent entertainments of the age ? Suppofe it does command us to be conflant and frequent in prayer, in watchings, faflings, and other a<Sts of mortification ? Suppofe it does bid us not to indulge our unruly pafTions; but to learn of Christ to be meek, patient, and lowly ? Suppofe 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 fuch a behavi-A our

our a natural tendency to make us calm, cafy, peaceful, happy ? And then, why {hould we refufe (o cafy a yoke, (o light a burden? I am fure the little (alas I too, too little) time 1 have drawn in it, I have found it not galling but healing, and the longer I bear it, the eafier and pleafanter it is. Let us then, Dear Mrs. H. chearfully take it upon us, and then No mortal living of us all can mifs A permanent^ a fure fubftantial blifs.

Your fmcerc, though very unworthy friend and humble fervant,

G. W,

LETTER XVIII.

^0 Mr, H. Dearejl Sir^ Oxon^ Ocf. 14, 1736.

IWas agreeably detained, as you was pleafed to term it, laft Tuefday^ in reading your kind letter, and had 1 not been afTifted by the grace of God to receive every thing with an equal, uiidifturbed mind, perhaps the contents of it might have given me fome fmall uneafmefs. But religion quite changes the nature of man, and makes us to receive all the (difpenrations of providence with refignation and thankfulnefs. Of this, dcareft Sir, I hope you have had an experimental proof, in bearing up with courage and refolution under thofe acute pains the Almighty was pleafed to vifit you with laft Sunday^-and with which, perhaps, his infinite wifdom and goodnefs may continue to vifit you longer. My dear friend (if 1 miftake not) ufed to fay, he was afraid God did not love him, becaufe he did not chaften him. Behold then, now the hand of the Lord is upon you, not fo much to punifh, as to purify your foul. Not in anger but in love. Pray therefore in your eafy intervals, that you may know, wherefore the Lord contcndeth with you, and that you may not come cankered out of the furnace of affliction. OlFer up every groan, every figh, in the name of your dying, rifen Redeemer, and doubt not, but they will be as prevalent as fet times of prayer. Our being enabled to pray when ficknefs comes on us, doubtlefs, is to teach us the neccfHty of praying always, when v/e are in health, ^ut, dear Mr. H, wants no fuch lefTons, or excitements, I

C 3 believe,

believe, to prayer. Alcthinks I could bear fonje of your paiti for you, if that would give you comfort. But as it is im-poiliblc, O let mt never ccafe moil cariicitly to bcfeech my heavenly Father, that he would fandify this his fatherly correc):ion to you, and that the fenfe of your wcaknefs may add ftrength to your faith, and ferioufnefs to your repentance. Poor Mr, Pawicefoot^ I lind, is vifited in a far more grievous manner, pear good iiian, furely the time of his diiiblution (\ ihould fay of his coronation) draweth near, See, dear Mr. //, through what tribulations we muft enter into glory. Be pleafed to give my hearty love and thanks to him for his laft kind letter. B^g bim not to ceafe praying for me, unworthy • as I am. And, I hope, I fhall not be wanting in returning his kindncfs in the fame manner. But alas, I have nothing to depend on, but the merits of a crucified Redeemer to have my poor petitions anfwered. But does dear Mrs. H, complain of deadnefs and coldnefs in devotion.? Alas poor "Woman ! let her not be difheartened. This is a complaint, which all the children of God have made. And we muft take a great deal of pains with our hearts, muft pray often and long, before we jQrall be able to pray well. And the only way I can think of, to fliarae ourfelves out of deadnefs in prayer, is to cenfure and condemn, to humble and bewail ourfelves for it every time we go upon our knees, at leaft every time we folemnly retire to converfe with GoDi But why docs clear Mrs. //. fo much as think of on;itting but once the receiving of the holy facrament ? Or if fatan does put fuch thoughts in her head, v.'hy does not fhe repel them with the utmoft abhorrence ? Alas 1 fhould the devil gain his point here, would not the ridiculing world fay, Mrs. /f, began to build, but had not wherewith to finifh. I have feen too many fatal inftances of the inexpreifible danger and fad confequences of leaving off any one means of grace, not to encourage Mrs. H. ftedfaftly to perfevere in the good way fhe has begun ; and would exhort her, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to labour daily to mortify and fubdue her corruptions, not wilfully to indulge herfelf in any ill habit, cuftom, or temper, and then alTure herfelf, one time or another, Christ will be made known unto her in ^rc^king of bread, But what fhall \ fay, dear Sir, about Mr.

fF. ^V. 'Iffc. ? Alas ! I find, they are all in the gall ofbittcr-nefs, 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 tiue religion is wanting, there is confufion and every evil work. But why is my honoured mother fo folicitous about a few paultry things, that will quickly perifli ? Why will (lie not come and fee her youngeft Ion, v/ho will endeavour to be a yofcph to her, before fne dies ? What makes my <Jcar friend and his kind v/ife, give me another \n\\\.2^i\on io Gloucejier i' Alas ! have I not wearied and been expenfive enough to you already ? I hope to fend you, in a fliort time, two guineas towards paying for Mr. Henry ^ Expofition. I wiih I could fpare more, but time will bring all things to pafs. You fee what a large letter I have written to you to make amends for the many fhort ones, I have fent lately. Though 1 believe you may fay of mine, the quite contrary to what I fay of yours ; the ihorter the better. My due refpedls to all friends, ^nd believe me to be, in the utmoft fincerity, Deareft Sir, Your and Mrs. //.'s aft-eciionate friend and humble fervant,

G\ TV,

LETTER XIX.

To the Sa?ne. Dcarcjl Sir, Oxon^ Nov, 5, 1736.

HEREWITH I have fent you kvtn pounds to pay for Mr. Henry ^ Commentary. Dear Efqr. Thorold lately made me a prefent of ten guineas, fo that no;^ (for ever blefied be the divine goodnefs) I can fend you more than I thought for. In time, I hope to pay the apothecary's bill. If I forget your favours, I fhall alfo forget my God. Say nothin^^ of your receiving this money, only give thanks, give heartv thanks to our good and gracious God for his infinite, unmerited mercy to me, the vileft of the fons of men. Oh, dear Sir, may fuch inftances of free grace ftrengthen your faith, and make you put your fole truft and confidence in the Lord your God. For he hath faid, / will never leave thee nor for fake thee. Have not you experienced his loving kindnefs and mercy, in fupporting you under your ficknefs ? Methinks I feel you have. May you experience it more and more ! Did r.ot Christ give you the meeting lad Sunday ? I hope he did,

C 4 nay

nay I am fure he did, if our hearts were duly prepared by faith and repentance to receive him ; but without an entire rc-fignation of ourfelves to God, and a thorough renunciation of all worldly and corrupt affetSlions, all God's ordinances will profit nothing. Your reverend brother's kmd letter I hope to anfwer foon,and to fend him alfo a fmall parcel of books., The good Lord fandify them to his own glory, and the good of fouls.. I find dear Mr. Pauncefoot is ftill nfflided, but bid him be of good cheer. In his latter end he may yet greatly in-creafe. When we are weak, then are we ftrong. There is hope concerning his legacy. Let us in the mean while continue inftant in prayer in behalf of this our dear and worthy friend. Good man 1 falute him kindly in my name. Beg his prayers for my unworthy felf, and tell him I will write as foon as poffible. The gofpel flourifhes atOjf^?;?. Our focietyhere, blefTed be God, goes on well. I received the papers and thank you. How does dear Mrs. H. ? The divine blefling reft on you both. My prayer night and day is, that you may be faved. Salute all friends by name. From Dcareft Sir, Your unworthy friend and humble fervant,

G. W.

LETTER XX.

To the Same,

Dear Sir, Brijlol, Fch. lO, 1737.

WHAT ihall I fay? I cannot be with you this week. Methinks, it would be almoft fmful to leave ^r'ljhl at this critical jun£lure, there being now a profpe£l of making a very confiderable colle6lion for the poor Americafis, The whole city feems to be alarmed. Churches are as full week days, as they ufe to be on Sundays, and on Sundays fp full, that many, very many are obliged to go away, becaufe they cannot come in. Oh pray, dear Mr. H, that Gop 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 himfelf. Qiiakers, baptifts, prefby-terians, kc. all come to hear the word preached. San6lify it, holy Father, to thy own glory and thy people's good ! I

hope

hope to be with you without fail on Tuefday morning. What letters you haye, pray fend to, Dear Sir,

Your unworthy friend, &c.

LETTER XXI.

To the Same, Dear Sir, Stonehoufe^ Jprii 26, 1737.

BE pleafed to fend the Poor Country Curate, and FlaveFs Hujbandry Spiritualized, I know not wh^ to do for want of a clock in the houfe. How fliall I know, how my precious time pafles away ? YouMl mind your promife to come* Here are lovely, folitary, and pleafant walks to commune with your own heart, and fearch out your fpirit. Has Mr. Pauncefoot wrote to me ? My dear friend Stratford's death affeds me flill, 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, pear Sir; remember I am alone, and pray accordingly for Your fmcere, though weak friend,

G. W.

LETTER XXII.

To the Same. Dear Sir, Stonehoufe, May 4, 1737.

WHY does not Mr. H. let me hear from or fee him ? Surely no evil has befallen cither him or his family in their way to eternity. Why then tarry their horfes ? Why are they fo long in coming to vifit the country, which now looks like a fecond paradife, and which, to me, feems the pleafantefl place I ever was in, through all my life ? Surely I can never be thankful enough for being fent hither ; people flock to hear the word of God from theneighbourine: villages, as well as our own. They gladly receive me into their houfes, and I have no let or hindrance to my minifterial bufinefs; and what is flill better, God has opened my heart, and enabled mc to finifh a fermon on " Remember thy Creator, &c."—If you will come on Sunday you may hear it perhaps. — Your fifter-in-law talks of being here again on Friday, but I believe

lievc it will be more agreeable, if you chufc another opportunity, that we may have our own convcrfation. I hope that dear Mrs. H. took nothing ill, that was in my laft. I meant it well, and wrapt up the pill in as much fugar as I could. My hearty love to her and Mils J. Poor A4r. AL and Mr. IP\ will fet out to morrow, 1 fuppofc. The LoRi> profpcr them and be with them wherever they go, and make them good foldicrs of Jesus Christ, and finally bring them and us to his heavenly kingdom ! So wilhes, fo prays.

Tour's afFectionatelv,

' G. JV,

LETTER XXIII.

To the Same, Dior Sir, Sto/uboufe, May ii, I 737.

I Thank you for your lafl, and blefs God that you got home fafc : your obfervations on the weather were pertinent and fpiritual. Honeft James and I, were out in the midft of the lightning, and never v\ ere more delighted in our lives. May we be as well pleafed, when the SonofGor> Cometh to judgment. What! no news from your brother? Well, Stonehoufc people atid I agree better and better. I believe we (hall part weeping. Had I time I would now write to Mifs'7. but I mull away among my flock, and fo deny myfclf that pkafure till another opportunity is given to. Dear Sir, Your fincere friend and humble fervant,

LETTER XXIV.

To the Scwu, Dear Sir, Brijiol, Aluy 24, 1737.

BY the particular good providence of God, I got fafe to Brijlol yefterday by ten in the morning, and was received (unworthy as I a^n) with the utmoil civility and kind-i\z{s. I have learnt from hence the benefit of fetting out on cur journey to eternity betimes, and v/hat a pleafmg re£ec-ticn it will be to look back, though not to depend, on one*s •paft life, and find a great deal of work done in a little time. The people h.re are exceeding kindly affected towards me;

and.

and, I hope, I have feen the effecls of my doiS^rine In the reformation of fome of their lives. Remember me always \n your prayers. Accept my hearty thanks for all favours, and believe me to be.

Ever your's,

LETTER XXV.

To Mrs. H. Dear Mrs. H. Oxon, July 14, 1737.

IF you remember, I promifed you a long and particular letter when I was at GhuceJIer^ and nothing hinders but I may now perform it. Permit me then firff^ to begin this, as I v.'ould all my letters, with thanks to you and kind Mr. H. for your inexprefTible favours conferred on the moft unworthy of my mailer's fervants ; and, withall, to affure you, how incelll\ntly I pray, that the God of all grace and mercy, for the fake of his dear Son Jesus Christ, would reward you in fpirituals, for what you have done to me in temporals, and feed your foul with his heavenly graces, as plentifully as you have fed my body with nourifhing food. But as, in al-l probability, this will be the laft letter I fhall write to dear Mrs. H. before 1 fail, what can I fill the remainder with better, than by exhorting you, to lay afide every weight, particularly the fm that does moft eafily befet you, and fo run with patience the race fet before you. I fay, the fm that moft eafily befets ; for unlefs we lay the ax to the root, unlefs we fm-r cerely refoive in the ftrengih of Jesus Christ to fubdue our favourite, our darling paftion, and fpare not one Agcig^ though ever fo engaging, ever fo beautiful, all our other facrificcs will avail us nothing. Suppofe therefore, for inftance, Pas^ SIGN be our greateft foible. A fmcere perfon will never ceafe night or day, till he is made meek and lowly in heart. But if it be afked, how he fhall do this ? I anfwer,/r,/?, let him con-fider how odious it is in the fight of God, and how contrary to the lamb-like mccknefs of the holy Jesus. 5^-condly^ Let him refledl how troublefome it muft be to others, (for alas what unneceflary diforders, what needlefs troubles doth the paftionate perfon occafion to ?11 that are round about

him?J

him?) TJj'trdly^ Let him confider how exceeding hurtful and unplcafant it is to himfclf; how it ruffles and difcompofes his mind ; unfits him for every holy duty, and in fhort makes him a torment to himfclf and a burden to others. Well, after he has thus {t^n the deformity of his darling pafllon, the next enquiry muft be, how to get the maftery over it. The firft anJ grand thing, is to get a true and lively faith in Christ Jesus, feeking for it by carncft prayer. To this, we muft have re-courfe in all our ftruggles ; for it's God alone, who can fub-due and govern the unruly wills of finful men, and it is his grace which alone can enable us to mortify our corrupt paf-fions. But then we muft take care not to reft in general petitions for conquering this or that corruption ; but muft defcend to particulars. For inftancc, fuppofing I am angry with a fervant or huftjand without a caufe ; What muft I do ? Why, take the very firft opportunity of retiring from the world, and after having bewailed my being angry, earneftly bcfcech the Lord of all power and might to enable me to withftand fuch and fuch a provocation for the future, and not-withftanding I fhould fail again and again in the very fame inftance, yet I would again and again renew my petitions to the throne of grace, and never ceafe praying and ftriving, till inftead of a blind, perverfe, troublefome pallion, I had the lovely, calm, and delightful grace of meeknefs and humility planted in its room. Now would dear Mrs. H. take fome fuch method as this (for I fuppofe by this time, flie guefies to whom all this points) I dare fay, fhe would quickly find as much difference in herfelf as there is between a wife man and an idiot.—-And that fnc may both begin and fucceed in this method, is the earneft prayer of. Dear Mrs. H. Your afFe£tionate friend, &c.

G, JK

L E T.T E R XXVL

To Mr, H. My Dear Friendy London^ Sept. 28, I737»

I Thank you for your laft kind letter and kinder wifhes. May they be turned into prayers, and heard ai: the throne of grace. BlcfTed be God for your new correfpondence with our Oxford friends. I hope you will be inftrumental'to build

each

each other up in the knowledge and fear of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God ftill works powerfully here. People flock more than ever, and (hew the fincerity of their hearts by giving liberally to the poor. I have preached four charity fermons within this little while, and the colleclioos were larger than ever were known. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me ; but unto thy Name be the glory and praife thereof ! 1 am glad, fmce its the divine will, that my brother is coming up, though my ability as to temporals you know is fmall. But I have an all-fufficient God to apply to hi all emergencies. I am forry fiMtfor my brother's lofs j but I fear he muft have greater, before he is awakened out of his fpiritual lethargy. God fancStify all his difpenfations to him. I know not why we go not to Georgia ; but there is no likelihood of it yet, as I fee. Friends univcrfally difluade mc from going by myfelf; but I hope it will not be long now, before we fliall launch into the deep. To-night I preach again at Bow church, before the religious focieties. God opens my heart to compofe freely. O praife him, dear Mr. H. for this and all his other mercies, conferred on, Dear Sir, Your and Mrs. i/.'s afFedionate friend,

LETTER XXVIL

To the Same, Deareji Sir, London, OSf. 25, 1737.

MULTIPLICITY of bufmefs prevented my writing to you before. But though you have not heard from me by letter, yet you may affure yourfelf, dear Sir, I never forget mentioning you in my prayers. God knows that I and fome other friends intercede moft fervently for you, and very frequently even at midnight. May God, for Christ's fak-e, hear and anfwer them ! We fail not for Georgia this nwnth. I fuppofc you have heard of my ?nighty deeds^ falfely fo called, by reading the news-papers; for I find fome backfriend has publifhed abroad my preaching four times in a day ; but I befeech Mr. Raikes, the printer, never to put mt into his news upon any fuch account again, for it is quite contrary tp my inclinations and pofitivc orders. God ffill

works

^o LETTERS.

works here. The collections for the charity fchool.s*, in all the churches where I preach, are very large. All Loudon is alarmed. Many youths here fincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ ; and thoufands, I hope, are quickened, ftrengthened, and confirmed by the word preached. I was never in better health, and never compofed more freely. O praife the Lord, dear Sir, and pray that I may not be felf-fufficient but humble. I am glad dear Mrs. H. is recovered. May flie, with Peie?''s wife's mother, arife and minifter to Jesus Christ. God reward her for all her works and labours of love. BlefT-ed be God my hands are full of bufinefs. A third edition of my fermon on regeneration is coming out. Write to me quickly, accept my hearty thanks and love, and expedl to hear again from, Dear Sir,

Ever your's,

LETTER XXVIIL

G, IK

To the Same* Dear Sir, Nov. 14, 1737.

I Heartily thank you for your lafl-, and having a lew moments, fit down to anfwer it. Let not my friendj trouble me with temporal offers, I fhall accept (God aiTilting me) of no place this fide Jordan. We embark for Georgia in abou'. three weeks or a. month at fartheft. You wilh me good luck in the name of the Lord. I hope to fend to

you again before I fail. Mr. M n is going amongft

the colliers again at BriJIol, and a church, I hope, will be built for them. Profper, O Lord, the work of his hands upon him !—Mrs. Farj?ur, whenever my circumflances will admit, fiiall be paid all that is due to h^r on my mother's account. (jOD dill works more and more by my unworthy minifiry. Laft v.'eek, fave one, I preached ten times in dif-^ fcrent churches ; and the lad week feven ; and yefterday four times, and read prayers twice, though I ilept not above an h-our the night before, which was fpent in religious con-verfation, and in interceding for you, Mrs. jF/., goad Mr. Pauncifoot^ he. I now begin to preach charity fermons twice or thrice a week, bcfides two cr three on Sundays^ and fixty

or Icventy pounds arc collccSted weekly tor the poor children. Thoiifands would come in to hear, but cannot. This night I preached a funeral fcrmon before a moft crouded audience, and God, I believe, worked upon the people's hearts. O pray for me ftill, dear Sir, that I may renew my flrength, that I may walk and not be weary, run and not be faint. Admire God's free grace in Christ Jesus, and let his goodnefs to me, the worfb of Tinners, ftrengthen your faith, and make you never to defpair of mercy. Farewell. My love to alK and am, Dear Sir, in fmcerity,

Your friend, kc.

G, IK

LETTER XXIX.

To Mrs. H, Dear Mrs. II. London^ Dec. 2'^, 1737'

ONCE more I fend you a line. Nothing but an exctfs of bufiaers, {hould have prevented mc writing to yoii oftner. Your favours, I hope, will never be forgotten, and never ceafe to be mentioned before the throne of grace, God only knows, hov/ earneftly I have recommended you and your's to his never-failing mercy. On Wednofday night eighteen of \i.i> continued all night in praifes, and praying for you and our other friends. 1 know, that pailion is the fin, which moft eafily befets you, and therefore I always pray that vou may have grace given you to conquer it, and to learn of Jtsus Christ to be meek and lov/ly in heart. Then, ajid not till then, you will find reft to your Ibul. Pardon me, dear Mrs. H. for being thus free. Your kindncfs Gompels me to it. Had I not a fmcere regard for you, I ftiould not exprefs myfelf thus. Bcfidcs, it's the laft time, perhaps, I ftiall write to you in this v/orld, and therefore v/ould have this letter contain fomc inftruiStive hints. We fail, Goo willing, next week. Great things have been done for us here. Perhaps upwards of a thoufand pounds have been collected for the poor, and the charity fchools, and I have preached above an himdred times, fmce I have been here. A vifible alteration is made alfo in hundreds. Laft Sunday at fix in the morning, wi>en I gave my l^rewell, the whole church waj drowned in tears ; they wept and cried aloud, as a mother

wcepeth

weepeth for her firft born. Since that, there is no end of per-fons coming and weeping, telling me what God has done for their fouls: others again beg little books, anddefire 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 difcover all. In the mean while, I be-feech you Mrs. H. by the mercies of God to pray, that the goodnefs of God may make me humble. As yet the divine ftrength has been magnified in my weaknefs. Many have oppofed, but in vain. God's power conquers all. I am now going as Jbraham did, not knowing whither I go ; but I commit myfelf to the guidance of God's good providence and fpirit. He that has and doth, will deliver me out of all my troubles. I only wifh,I could debafe myfelf 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, fmful v>^orm ; but God, I hope, in time, will conform me to the image of his dear Soru He has begun (for ever adored be his free grace), and I truft, he will fini{h his good work in me. Out of the money that God has fent me, I will pay all the debts I can. I have fent fome of it to Mrs. TVells^ with particular orders how to be difpofed of; two guineas are for Mrs, Far?rjer towards the debt due to her from my mother. My farewell fermon will be publilhed fhortly, 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 fo believe, and fo live hers, as to meet in eternal glory hereafter.

Ever your's,

G. IK

LETTER XXX.

To Mr, H. Dear S'lr^ Margate^ Jan, 9, 1738.

HITHER the good providence of God has fafely brought us ; our fhip caft anchor near this town, and my dear fellow-traveller and I came on fhore (to our great comfort) to buy fome things we wanted. We have been moft courteoufly treated by the curate of the place, and had fome chriftian converfation. The winds and ftorms are bluftering

about

about our ears, and teaching us leflbns of obedience to him, whom winds and ftorms obey. Goo give us grace to learn them. IMr. B. can inform you, what other particulars have happened to us, fince we left you ; I need only add, that the divine goodnefs 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 wherefoevcr he fhall be pleafed to lead P Pray, dear Sir^ that I may always do fo, and then, I am fure, God will never leave or forfake me. You fee, dear Sir^ I have anfvvcrcd your kind letter much fooner than expectation, in order to exprefs how fmcerely 1 value your friendihip, though you differ from me in fomsC outward modes. Indeed, Sir, I hope the favours! have received from you and others of your chriftian brethrenj will never go out of my mind ; but I fliall often plead them (as I have done already) at the throne of grace. I would willingly be of fo catholic a fpirit, as to love the image of my divine mafter, wherever I fee it: I am far from thinking God's grace is confined to any fct of men whatfoever: no, I knov/ the partition-wall is now broken down, and that Jesu3 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 fet of profcflbrs. I only wifii, that I may have grace given me to preach the truth, as it is in Jesus ; and then, come what will, I hope I iliall (as I do, blelled be God) rejoice.

You know, Sir, what a defign I atn going upon, and what n ftripling I am for fo great a work ; but I (land forth as David againil Goliah in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and I doubt not, but he that has and doth, will ftill deliver unta the end. Got) give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a finglc eye, and then let men or devils j do their v/orlh—Dear Sir, I could write more, but nnture calls for reft. Be pleafed to give my hearty love to all yoii arid I know, and acquaint them, how fiifc I am here; for other wife the tempcftuous night might put them and others in ; pain for, Dear Sir^

Your unworthV. though affcd^ionats friend,

G. JV.

Vol. L ® LETTER ;

1

LETTER XXXL

Tolldrs. H, Dear Mrs. H. Dcal^ Jan. li, 1738.

HITHER has God fafely brought us. Pray give thanks ^ on my behalf. We have had two little ftorms, the one. we cfcapcd by being at Alar gat e^ the other we were enabled to bear manfully, and to pray for you and yours on open deck in tiie midft of it. All the officers are exceeding civil. The captain gives me the free ufe of his cabin, and fome impreffion is made on the foldiers. I read prayers and preach twice every day, and, would you think it, the very foldiers ftand out to fay their catechifm. Oh that they may be foldiers 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 frefh-water failor ; but God's ftrength will be magnified in my weak-iiefs, and I verily believe we fhall arrive at the haven, where we wou'd be. Oh that we may all fo pafs thro' the waves of this troublefome world, that at laft we may arrive at the port of everlafting reft ! Expe6l to hear from me at Gibraltar^ and allure yourfelf your favours (hall never be forgotten by

Your fmcere friend,

G. IF.

L E T T E R XXXII.

To Mr, -.

Deal., Jan, 21, 1738.

SUPPOSE lanfwer dear Mr. before I reach Georgiaj "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 fo liberal in your prefents, it would be unpardonable in me, was I niggardly in my letters. No, my dear friend, I hope I never Ihall ceafe pr.:ying for you and yours, fo long as I live. Hitherto I have not. I was praying for you juft as I received yours : I am glad to hear you prayed before you wrote to me. Surely God will blefs fuch a corrcfpondence. O my friend, let us ftill wreftie with God, that we may lie ftedfaft, unmoveablc, always abounding in the work of the Lord, For it is perfeverance crowns our labours. He, and

Hi

fie only can he faved. The world, the fiefh and the devil are three fuch potent enemies, that we mufr ftiive, we muft per-fevere, if we will gain a conqueft. Strive then ; let us, my dear friend, ftrivc as perfons driving for eternity. Let us abftain from all appearance of evil, and avoid all company^ that doth not diredlly tend to the promoting our fpiritual welfare. Whether one of the focietics you frequent, my dear friend, has a tendency that way, I leave you to judge. I think I have heard you fay, it keeps you from family and fe-cret prayer. If that is not a fufficient reafon for abfenting from it, I'll fay no more. I believe you to be fmcere, and therefore, if you confult God by prayer and reading his word, your way will be made clear before you. I only add, that I could wifh, inftead of frequenting that^ you would fct up another fociety of a quite contrary nature on the fame

night of the week. I know Mr. had fdine fuch defio-n on

foot, and defired me to mention it. I wifb you good fuccefs in this and every pious undertaking in the name of the Lord. May God reward you for all your kindnefTes, and make you to abound in every good v/ord and work ! may you \valk by faith and not by fight 5 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 fent away empty, but converted by, dear Mr. ^,

Your afFedionate friend,

LETTER XXXIII.

t)ear Sir^ Deal, Jan. 25, 173^.

I Am afhamed of my ingratitude in not writing to you before i 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 fo refemble, and upon my promife of amendment for the future, will pardon what is paft. Oh

dear Sir, how fhall I exprefs my gratitude to dear —? But

above all, what return fliall I make to my ever-blefled Redeemer for all the favours he hath beftowed upon me ? Help, I entreat you, help me to be thankful, and as you abound in prayer, abouiji in praifes. 1 find my heart too backward

D 2 to

to this divine exercife. I am ready enough to afk for mercies, but alas ! how flow to return thanks ! Indeed fometimes God touches me from above, and my heart, hard as it is, is melted down and quite overcome with the fenfe of his free grace in Christ Jesus towards me. But I want always to goon my way rejoicing ; I want the heart of a feraphim j

/ luant tofing as loud as they^ IVho JJnne above in endlefs day,

I could almoft fay more than they, and why (hould I not return angelic thanks r But my heart is as yet unhumbled, 1 fee not what I am, what I defcrve, and therefore fet not a

due value on the divine mercies. Pray therefore, dear Mr. ,

that I may receive my fight, that my eyes may be opened, and that feeing what God hath done for me, I may break out into fongs of praife, and by fuch heart-transforming divittc excreifcs be gradually trained up for eternal uninterrupted communion with that heavealy choir, who ceafe not chanting forth day and night hallelujahs to Him that iltteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever. Dear Mr. —, I can relate to you frtih matter for praife and thankfgiving ; a divine fire feems to be kindling in DeaL I preached on Sunday^ and this day* The mhabitants are quite affe6lionate,. and fo deiirous 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, bleflTed be his free grace in Christ Jf.sus, helps me through. I fuppofe my dear friend has heard how affairs go on fliipboard. I need only add, that God makes his pov/er to be known among thofe that fail with me, and there are great hopes of the captain's converiTon. O pray, that he may not be an almoft, but an altogether chri'-

ftian. Dear Mr. ,farewell. It*s late, and many other friends

muft have a line to-night. May God reward you for all kind-ncfTes, and keep you fledfaft unto the end. Pray return my hearty thanks to all your Brethren ; tell them I fmcerely pray for their growth and pcrfeverance in holinefs, and am, dear

Mr, ,

Your affeclionate, tho' unworthy friend

and fervant in Christ Jesus,

G, W,

LETTER

LETTER XXXIV.

Dear Mr. Gibraltar Harbour Feb. 24, 1738.

IBIefs God for Inclining your heart to take my advice. I know it was intended well, and I hope proceeded from the fpirit of God. The many f^ital confequcnces I have daily k^n^ proceeding from converfmg with lukewarm chriftians, makes me jealous of my dear fiicnds, left they fliould be infe£ted by them ; and the great tendency I find in my own heart to catch every infeilion, makes me to refolvc for myfelf, and to put others on refolving to keep no fet company but with religious perfons. I hope by this time I

may wi(h you joy of fettling a new fociety with Mejfrs. ;

and I doubt not but your hearts have already burnt within you, whilft you talked to one another of the fcriptures of truth. I am fure there is fcarce a night has pafled over my head but I have wreftled with God for you, and prayed that he would profper this work of your hands upon you. My hearty defire and daily petition at the throne of grace is, that you may be faved ; and tho' I know not much of your dear wife's temper, yet I pray, that fhe may be meek and lowly in heart, not eafily provoked, nor anfwer unneceflarily again. I pray, that you both may walk as Zachary and Elizabeth did before the Lord blamelefs, that you may love one another, as Christ and the church, and fee your children like olive-branches round about your table. I pray, that you may pcr-fevere in the good way you have begun, that you may ab-ftain from all appearance of evil, and dare to be exemplarily good. I pray, that you may pratftice an univerfal felf-denial,^ and perfect holinefs ii) the fear of God. I could fay much piore, but muft away to Gibraltar; one of the Majors of the regiments has fent for me, having provided a lodging at a merchant's houfe unknown to me. Oh admire God's goodnefs ? Accept my thanks and love, and believe me to be, more than words can exprcfs.

Your afFeftionatc friend in Christ,

G, rr.

D 3 LETTER

LETTER XXXV.

^0 Mr. ——. Dear Mr. , Gibraltar^ Feb. 25, 1738.

I Should think myfelF unworthy of your friendlhip, did I not fend you a line now God ha5 brought me in fafety hither. I know you will give thanks, and therefore, God forbid I fliould fm againft 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. lie hath led us through the fea, as through a wildernefs, and brought us to a haven, where I am honoured with many honours.—Any one that knows Gibraltar would be apt to fay. Can any good come out from thence ? Yes, I aflure you, there may ; for there arc fome that are not afhamed of the gofpcl of Christ. About fix o'clock this morning I went to the church, where was afTembled a number of decent foldiers praying and fmging pfalms to Christ as God. They meet conflantly three times a day, and I intend, God willing, henceforward to meet them. For my delight is in the faints who are in the earth, and thofe that excel in virtue. I have talked with fome of them, and, bleffed be God, can find the marks of the new birth in them. They pray without ceafing, have overcome the world, hate fin, as fin, love their enemies and one another. They glory in the crofs of Christ, and rejoice that they are accounted worthy to fuffer (hame for the fake of Christ. O, who would but travel to fee how the fpirit of God is moving on the faces of poor finners fouls up, a.nd 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 praifed, that we are of this flock, and that it will be our Father's good pleafure to give us the kingdom !— Gibraltar is bleficd with a governor, who hath not abfented himfelf from public v/orihip, unlefs when he was fick, for thefe feven years, and yet is very moderate towards the diflfenters. Both con-formifts and nonconformifls perform public worftiip, though at tliflerent times of the day, in the fame place : They alfo have a religious fociety. The good Lord profper this work of their hands upon them. Whenever we go away, may we k;ive a blciiing behind us. Pic is a prayer-hearing God. —

Yellerday

Yefterday a major of one of the regiments, unknown to me, took two handfome rooms, and fent for me from on board, defiling me to lodge in them ; and I find the people of the houfe fear God. —" When I fent you without fcrip or (hoe, lacked you any thing?'* faid our Lord. They faid nothing,

-—O, dear Mr. , I befeech you abound in thankfgiving,

and pray that all thefe blefwngs may humble my proud heart, and make me willing to follow the Lamb whitherfoever he fhall lead me. AfTure yourfclf, that you and all your chriftian friends are conftantly prayed for by, dear Sir,

Your's moft affedtionately in the Lord J esu6,

' . G. ;/:

LETTER XXXVL

Dear o/r, Gibraltar^ Feb, 27, 173S.

EVER fince I left GravefenJ^ I remember the fulnefs of your heart. I have been a conftant petitioner at the throne of grace for you, and intended writing to you before, but was lett hitherto. However, God has now brought me fafe to Gibraltar^ and as I hayc time, I fliould think myfelf in^

excufable, did I not fend a line to dear Mr. , to aflurc

bim, I forgot not his tears, and wifh him to be not only an almoft, but an altogether chriftian. Dear Sir, you are youn?-and in the bloom of youth, and it would rejoice my heart to fee you triumph over the luft of the eye, the luft of the ^cihy and the pride of life, and to become a poor defpifed fervant of Jesus Christ. Others, indeed, may wifli you wealth, may wifh you pomp and grandeur; but believe me, my dear friend, thefe will not, thefe cannot, make you happy : No, nothino-but God can fatisfy the heart of man ; nothing but an afiiir-ance, that we are born again, that we are members of Christ, that we are united to him by one .and the fame fpirit with which he himfelf was actuated. Without this, if we were to have our appetites regaled with the richeft dainties, be cloathed with purple and fine linen, and fare fumptuoudy every day, yet the hand-writing upon the wall, the confideration, that all thefe things are quickly to be taken away, would make our vifage to change, and our knees, IWlq Bcljlazzar's, to Imite ^ne againft another. Strive then, my dear friend, to get the

D 4 fpirit

fpiiit of Christ, who vviil keep clofc to you, when ill other comforts fail; will niuke you happy here, and unfpcakably happy hereafter.—Never fear the contempt you will niccf with ; yet a little while, and they that call you fool, will call them-fclves fo, and curfe that worldly wifdom, which tempted them to evade the crofs of Christ. Strange ! that any one fhould let a little reproach deprive them of an eternal crown ! Lord, what is man ! How blind as to the knowledge of his true in-terefl ! How backward in the purfuitofhis eternal good ! O,

dear Mr. ---, let us not be of the number of thofe, who

defirc the honour that cometh of man ; but be content with that which cometh from God. In a fliort time, we (h<i]] have praife enough, Heayen will echo with the applaufc that iliali be given to the true followers of the Lamb, and then you will fee how fir.c^icl}- I wa-^, dear Sir,

Your aflsdlionatc friend and fcrvant,

G. IK

LETTER XXXVII.

Tc Mu. H. Dcjy Mrs, H. At Sea, ^pii! 14, 1738.

THOUGH through exccfs of bufinef?, and the fhort-nefs of the time, that was allotted me, I wTOte but a few lines to you from Gibraltar^ yet, what hinders, but that I may fend you a longer letter now ? It's true we are now near a thoufand miles from Georgia \ but as I fliall have an opportunity of ("ending immediately on our arrival, I chufe to take time by the forelock, and embrace the firft opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to dear Mrs. H. and her hufband ; for whom 1 pray without ceafmg. Your pafi: favours are fel-dcm out of my mind ; I plead them daily before God in prayer, and hope, if it is ever in my ppwer, I fliall imitate the example of pious David in ycfterday evening's firft Icflbn, and jequite my friends, particularly dear Mrs. H. and her fpoufe, \^x the kmdnelies they have fliewn me. However, fuppofmg this ihouki not happen, they will in no-wife \o{^ their re-WMfd. Bot I know you do not care I fhould dwell on this, '"i'ou want to be informed, how God has dealt with me fince I Itit Gihaltarf K^iceedin^ ^racioufly indeed. He has comforted

fortcd me on every occafion, moft rcmarkabiy blcfTcd my un-v/orthy miniftry on board the (hip, Tent us moil delightful weather, and made us to ride as it were on tiic winrs of the wind. ■ We live in perfect love and harmony one with ano-iher. I know but little diftcrence between Tea and land, and have G:reat reafon to blcfs (tOD for fendinr me abroad, A grievous heknefs has been fent amongft us, by which moil: of the fhip have been chaftencd and corrc6tcd but only two given over unto death ; and God hath been fo good to me, that, except for .\ little time after we fiiijed from Gibraltar^ I have been in perfect health, and now God fatisfieth my mouth with good things, making me ftrong and lively as a young eagle, I have nothingto diilurb my joy in God, but the diforder of my pafiions. Were thefe once brought into a proper fubjedtion to divine grace, O well would it be with me, and happy fliould I be. But fo long as I am angry for trifles, and throw myfelf into needlefs diforders, fo long muft my heart be like the troubled fea, fo long confequently mufl I be unhappy. Pray therefore, dear Mrs, H. that I may lay the ax of mortification to the root of my moft darling corruptions, and fmce I have but little, if any thing, to difturb me without, O pray that I may meet with no difturbance from m,yfelf within. The farther particulars of my voyage, you will fee in my journal, which I have fent to Mr. Huiton^ and for the bleffings contained therein, I befeech you to return God m.oft humble and hearty thanks. About Chrijhnas next, God willing, I pur-pofe to come to England to take priefis orders, and to return as foon as poflible to Georgia, In the mean while, dear A4rs. H. let us ftrive to enter in at the f{:rait gate, that we may be chriftians indeed, and know what jt is truly to be born again from above, and to be renewed by the fpirit in our minds. Remember me moft affcdionately to all friends. I am,

Your's, &c,

G, jr.

LETTER XXXVIII. To Mr. .

Dear Mr. , On board the IFkitaker, y/p7/7 17, 1738.

O ailTure you I do not forget you, I write to you, as yet, eight hundred miksgfflhore, Your lioneft heart has

won my affe£lions. I make mention of you and your*s continually at the ihrone of grace in my prayers, and fhall have no greater pleafure than to hear you walk in the truth. In your laft, I think you faid, you would defift from frequenting any other focieties, but what immediately tended to the promoting of true religion, and ere now, I doubt not but you have (een the benefit of it. I have often pleafed myfelf with the hopes,

that you, dear Mr. , had fet up another fociety among

yourfelves, and often have I thought, I felt the benefit of your prayers ; for God hath blefied me exceedingly, and brought us on our way rejoicing ; and has flievi^n me, that he doth not fend me abroad in vain.—Hov^ God will deal with me a.t Sa-vamiahy I know not; hov/ever, let my friends be always lifting up their hands in intercefPion, and then our fpiritual Amalek will not prevail. Hitlierto I have been made to go on from conquering to conquer. God gives me a chearful fpirit, and crowns my feeble labours with fuccefs. And why iliould I defpair of future affiftance ? Are not thefe earnefts of future mercies ? And may I not expedl:, when I am duly prepared, to fee greater things than thcfe ? 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 feeing you and your wife again (growing in grace) in England, You told me, (he defired I would draw her pi6lure ; but alas! (he has applied to an improper limner. However, though I cannot defcribe what fhe is, I can tell what fhe ought to be.—Meek, patient, long-fuffering, obedient in all things, »ot felf-willed, not foon angry, no brawler, fwift to hear, flow to fpeak, and ready to every good word and work. But I can no more, I dare not go on in telling another what fhe ought to be, when I want fo much myfelf j only this I know, when poflefied of thofc good qualities before-mentioned, fhe will then be as happy as her heart can wifli, and afibrd great reafoa

•f thankfgiving to, dear Mr. ,

Your and Airs. 's afFedionate friend,

LETTER^

LETTER XXXIX.

To Mr. .

My dear Friend^ On board the JVhitahr^ May 6, 173S.

HOW goes time ? I can fcarce tellj fori have been fome time paft, as one would think, launching into eternity, God has been pleafed gracioufly to vifit me with a violent fever, which he notwithftanding fo fvveetened by divine con-folations, that I was enabled to rejoice and fing in the midft of it. Indeed, I had many violent conflicts with the powers of darknels, who did all they could to difturb and diftracl me; J)ut Jesus Christ prayed for me : And though I v/as once reduced to the laft extremity, and all fupernatural afliftance feemed to be fufpended for a while, and fatan as it were had dominion over me, yet God fuffered not my faith to fail; but came in at length to my aid, rebuked the tempter, and fromi |:hat moment I grew better. Surely God is preparing me for fomething extraordinary : For he has now fent me fuch extraordinary conflids and comforts as I never before experienced. I was as I thought on the brink of eternity. I had Jicaven within me ; I thought of nothing in this world ; I .earneftly defircd to be diiTolved and go to Christ ; but God was pleafed to order it otherwife, and I am refigncd, though I can fcarce be reconciled to come back again into this vale of inifery. I had the heavenly Canaan in full view, and hoped I was going to take poiTcfTion of it; but God faw I was not yet ripe for glory, and therefore in mercy fpared me, that I may recover my fpiritual ftrength before I go hence and am no rnore {zzw. Oh pray, my dear friend, that I may not grow lukewarm, or Hothful, but arife from my late bed of ficknefs, and adminifter with ten times more alacrity to my bleiTed Mafter, than ever [I did before. I would write more, but my ftrength failcth me. We hope to be at Savannah on Morulay.

Your's,

c. w.

LETTER

LETTER XL.

'To My, H, Dcareji Sir^ Savnfinah^ Juue lO, 1738.

ABOUT five weeks I have been ?i\. Savamiahy where providence fccms to intend tontinuing me for feme time. God has gracioufly vifited me with a fit of ficknefs ; but now I am lively as a young eagle. AH things have happened better than expectation. America is not fohorrid a place as it is reprefented to be. The heat of the weather, lying on the ground, he. are mere painted lions iij the way, and to a foul filled with divine love not worth mentioning. The country, mornings and evenings, is exceeding pleafant, and there are uncommon improvements made (confidering the indifference of the foil) in divers places. With a little afliftance the country people would do very well. As for my minifterial office, I can inform you, that God (fuch is his goodnefs) fets his feal to it here, as at other places. We have an excellent chrif-tian fchool, and near a hundred conflantly attend at evening prayers. The people receive me gladly, as yet, into their houfcs, and feem to be mod kindly afFc£led towards me. I have a pretty little family, and find it poflible to manage a houfc without diliraclion. Piovifions we do not want to feed on, though we are cut off from all occafions to pamper our bodies. Blefled be God, I vint from houfe to houfe, catcchife, read prayers twice and expound the two fecond Icflbns every day ; read to a houfe-fcl of people three times a week ; expound the two leffons at five in the morning, read prayers and preach twice, and expound the catcchifm to fervants, &c. at feven in the evening every Sunday, What I have moil at heart, is the building an orphan-houfe, which I truft will be efi^edled at my return to England, In the mean while, I am fettling little fchools in and about Savannah; that the rifing generation may be bred up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Lord profper 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 perfe^ holinefs in the fear of

God. Remind Mr. TV , (fince he will not hearken

I to

to me) to work out his falvation with fear and trcmbh'ng, and beg him to pray for, though he will not write to, dear Mr. H,

Ever, ever your*s,

G. JK_

LETTER XLL

To Mr, .

Dear Mr, , K'druJJ), (Ireland) Nov. i6, 1738,

I Have not forgot you ; and as a proof of it, feivi you this to acquaint you of my fafc arrival here. I know you will rejoice and give thanks, and pray that my coming to London maybe in the fulnefs of the blelTing of the gofpel of peace. God has done for mc more abundantly than I could dare afk or think. The k^d of the glorious gofpel 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 fame means, and then our great God will give it an efie6\nA increafe.—I hope to fee you in a few days at my old lodgings, and to rejoice with you for what God has done for our fouls. Indeed, I have felt his power ; I have tafted and knov/n of a truth, that the Lord is gracious ! Jimerica^ infant Georgia, is an excellent foil foy chriflianity ; you cannot live there without taking up a daily crofs. Therefore, I (hall haften back as foon as pollible after Chrijhnas. Oh ! that, in the mean while, I may be enabled to be inflant in feafon and out of feafon, and preach with de-monftration of the fpirit, and with power I Ivlethlnks I fee

Mr. lifting up his eyes towards heaven, and filently

faying. Amen.—I hope you will excufe Mr. Z).'s letter. I have forgot his houfe, though not his perfon and his love. No, all your kindnefles, O my friends, are engraven upon my heart, and I trufl: will never be forgotten by, dear Sir,

Your afFeftio;iat€ friend and humble fervant,

G. rr.

T.ETTER

LETTER XLII.

To Mr. H. My dear Fr'tend^ London^ Bee, 3c, 173H.

IAm appointed by the truftces to hz mxm^^x o^ Savannaho The bifhop o{ London (Doctor Gibfon) accepts the title, and has given me letters demifory to any other bifhop. I have waited alfo on Doctor Seeker^ bifhop oi Oxford^ who acquaints me that our worthy diocefan, good Bifhop Benfon^ ordains for him to-morrow fortnight at Oxford^ and that he \fi\\ give me letters demifory to him. God be praifed ; I was praying night and day^ whilft on fhip-board, if it might be the divine will, that good Bifhop BcnJ'on^ who laid hands on me as a deacon, might now make me a prieft. — And nov/ my prayer is anfvvCred.-^^Be pleafed to wait on his Lordfhip, and defire him to inform you, when I mufl be at Oxford in order to receive impofiticn of hands. Oh pray that 1 may be duly prepared. It will be a month before I can fee Gloucejler. I lono; to fee you. I love you and your's in the bowels of Jesus Christ \ but I have fcaree time to fubfcribe myfelf^ dear Sir,

Your's eternally^

G. W,

L £ T T E R XLIIL

^0 the Same. Dear Siry London^ Jan. 27, 1739.

IF I forget Mr. H. and his wife, may my right-hand forget her cunning. Excefs of bufmefs alone was the caufe of my filence. I fleep but little, very little. Had I a thoufand hands, I could employ them all. I fcaree know what it is to have an idle moment. It is late now. I have jufl been expounding. God fills me with his fpirit, and I muft redeem a little time to write to dear Mr. H, Indeed, indeed I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O when fliall I return your pafl favours ! I thank you for blefling God on my behalf^ I want a thoufand tongues to praife him. He flill works by me more and more. Subfcriptions for ere£ling an orphan* houfe conic in a-pace. On Monday fevennight, God willing^

I

I fet out for Brijlol^ with Mr. Seivard^ and from thence propofe coming to Gloucejier, Oh that it may be in the fulnefs of the blefiing of the gofpel of peace ! Mr. Hotvel Harris^ and I, are corrcfpondents, blcfled be God ! May I follow him, as he ^' does Jesus Christ. How he outftrips me ! Fye upon me, fye upon me. How does my brother ? My love to him and all, I long to fee yoir and yours, and to give you repeated aflurances of my being, dear Sir,

Your's eternally,

LETTER XLIV.

To the Air,

Dear Slr^ Bafingjloke^ Feb. 8, 1739.

THOUGH I defired you to write firft, yet the love I bear you, will not fufier me to wait fo long before you hear from me.—Juft nov/ has God brought us to Bafingjloke^ where I hope an effe6lual door will be opened before we leave it, as well as at IVindjor. —Oh my dear friend, more and more do I fee the benefit of confeiiing our blelTed Lord before men.—You have not been afhamed of the crofs.—No, dear

Mr. has put his hand to the plough ; he will not, furely

he cannot look back ; but Jesus Christ alone can keep me nnd my dear friend from falling. Fie has begun and he will carry on, he will finifh the good v/ork in our fouls.—We have nothing to do, but to lay hold on him by faith, and to depend on him for wifdom, righteoufnefs, fancSlification and redemption. Not but \MQ muft be workers together with him; for a true faith in Jesus Christ will not fufFer us to be idle.—No, it is an active, lively, reftlefs principle; it fills the heart, {o that it cannot be eafy, till it is doing fomething for Jesus Christ. —Methinks I hear my dear friend crying out, " Lord, evermore give me this faith 1" Believe me, I heartily fay, jlinerii Afk then, my dear Sir, and it fhall be given you, feek and ftrive for it, and yet a little while and I fliaii fee you a new creature; your heart I hope is fomewhat broken already.—All praifc be to God's free grace in Christ. —Go on, my dear friend, and never ceafc till you know you are Christ's, by the fpirit that (hall be given you. Never fear your carnal friends, renounce r thciu

them and every thin^ ell'e that (lands in competition with yo^r duty to God. —What have we to do to know any one after the flefli: Let him, who doth the will of our Father in heaven, be our bro:her, our filler, our mother. For this reafon I fubfcribe myfejf, dear Sir,

Your's molt afFectionately in Christ,

G. JK

LETTER XLV.

r, Mr. H

Dear Mr. H , Ox on., Jpril^ 24, 17 39.

BLESSED bcGoD for working upon your heart by my minillry. I hope the wifh'd-for time will come, when I fhall fee you full of faith and the Holy Ghoft. Copies may be taken of my letter ; but 1 wo-jld not have it printed, be-caufe I intend, when rctirM from the world, to make fome dif-courfes on the fubjedl of free grace. Pray acquaint your mother, that I interceded for her folcmnly laft night. I befought God, that fhe might have her Saviour revealed in her heart; that is the onlvvvay to get above the fears of death. Chrifl in i^s is the hope of glory. I rejoice to hear Air, CM builds you up in your mcft holy faith. I exhort you to go on, and who knows but dear Mr. H. may, under God, keep up religion in GhuceftcT. Mr. Kinckhii conduct in fearing the church, and giving up the parfonage, has fadly grieved the fpirit of many good fouls here ; but I blefs God they are now a little comforted. Oh dear Air. H —, my heart is drawn towards L'jnd:>n nK^fr ftrangely. Perhaps vou may hear of your friend's imprifonmcnt. I expect no other preferment. God ^-ant I may behave fo, that when I fufter, it may not be for mv own imprudencies, but for rightcoufi^efs fake, and then I am fure the fpirit of Christ and of glory will reft upon my foul. Oh dear Mr. H —, I befeech you, break oflT from the world. Shake off everv fetter that keeps your foul from God, and then how w!ll it rejoice th^ heart of, dear Sir,

Your's eternally,

G. JK

LETTER

LETTER XLVI.

T: the Sam*. Dear Mr. H L:^d:n, April 27, 1739*

I Rejoice to hear of the affection of my countr)-men. It is a cood fign, that the word has taken deep root in their hearts* But above all, da I rcioice that dtTLZ Mr. //— is tnily fenfib!^ of the free grace qx <joi> in Christ. No^-, my dear friend^ VGu will begin to be a chriflian indaed. Bleared be God,

I he,ir.mv honoured M is becoming a fcfol for Christ's

fike. I do not dcfp^ir cf Mr. //'. nay, I cannot defpair of anv one, when I confider, what I once W35 myfelf. Let but God fpeak the word, and the work (hail be done. I always hope well of oppolers. To-day,- m^' mafler by his providence and ipirit compelled me to preach in the church-yard a: Ifl'ingizn. To-morrow I am to repeat that mad trick, and on Sunday to go oat into M^zr^idds. The wcrd or the Lord runs and is glorified. Peoples hearts feem quite broken. God ftrengthens me exceedinirlv. — I preach til! I f^eat through and through. All is well at Savannah. Brave news from Gibraltar, Innumerable bleiSngs does GcD pour dowa upon me. Oh that 1 had a thankful hear. 1 love you both, fincerely ; I thar.k you both heartily. I falute all cur dz2l friends moft affectionately, and am, dear Sir,

Ever, ever vours,

G,JF,

LETTER XLVIL

To the Sam::. ' '

Da- Mr. H . - LTnd^.Ty Mar IC, 1-39,

THE hour for my ifrprifcnrnent is net }et come. I am not ht as vet to be fo highly honoured. God only knows the treachery of my heart 5 but arr.':.^ all my late fuccefs, I have fcaree felt one felf-ecn.-'icent thought. I fpcak this to the honour cf God's free ^race. In about three week>, God willing, wj -rrbark for Pi^fdzC' nia. The truftees bave granted to mc ^^nd and every thing upon xT.^ own terrhi ; the officers and general are exceeding kind to my friend Hahirjmm upon mv account, fo that all things fjccecd be-ur.d xv expeirtattOx'-.j. I aia :"^r/ tc htur Vol. I. £ of

of Mr.Jf 's conclu£l—Poor man ! The love of money is

rooted in his heart. Where is the honefty he fo much boafts Oi and relies on ? Docs not this more and more convince you that nothing hut a true faith in Jesus Christ will enable you to 3(51 aright? However, he is not to be envyed. 1 pity him. Money, thus got, will never profper. I rejoice that you and your fpoufe are content. I wifh you both may have Jlsus Christ formed in your hearts, and am

Ever, ever yours, Sec.

G. IK

LETTER XLVIII. ,^

To

My dear Brethren in Christ, Blcndon^ June I2, 1739.

I Am jealous over you with a godly jealoufy, and therefore write to you this fecond letter. I find more and more that fa-tan has defired to have fome of you in particular, that he may fift you as wheat, and will ftrlve if pofTible to divide and fepa-rate you all.—I hear there is a woman among you, who pretends to the fpirit of prophecy, and what is more unaccountable, I hear that Brother- ("whom I love in the bowels of

Jesus Christ) feems to approve of her. Need therefore, great need have you, my brethren, at this time to take the apoftle's advice, and to try the fpirits whether they be of God. For the devil is beginning to mimic God's work, and becaufe terrors will not do, he is now transforming himfelf into an angel of light in order more efFeiStually to gain his point. Brother

alio, I cannot but think, at prefent is under a fpirit of

deluiion. 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 thoufand years upon the earth.—But alas ! what need is there of miracles, fuch as healing fick bodies, and reftoring fight to blind eyes, when we fee orcater miracles every day done by the power of God's word ? Do not the fpiritually blind now fee ? Are not the fpiritually dead now raifed, and the leprous fouls nov»^ cleans'd, and have not the poor the gofpel preached unto them ? And if we have the thing already, which fuch miracles were only intended to introduce, why fhould we tempt God in requiring further

figns.?

LETTERS; St

figns ? 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 anfwer, it is not for us to know the times and feafons, 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 knov/ not, neither do I dcfire to know. It is fufficient for me to do the work of the day in its day, and to reft fatisficd in this, that all will end in God's glory.

Lately, brother told me he was {hortly, he believed, to

be called to fome public work.—I pray God he may not run before he is called. To teach, I know, is a pleafing thing; but to begin to teach too foon or without a commiffion, will be deftru6tion to ourfelves, and of ill confequence to others. Uzzah might mean well, when he touched the ark, but his good intention did not prefcrvc him from the juft judgments of God. Be not many matters, fays the apoftle. Oh that that verfe was deeply engraven on the tables of our hearts ! My dear brethren, be not offended at this plainnefs of fpeech. I would all the Lord's fervants were prophets, but then t would not have people* think themfclves prophets of the Lord,

when they are only enthufiafts-—If Mr. is aded by a good

fpirit, why is he not patient of reproof? Why does he fly in a paffion, when contradicted ? why does he pretend to be infallible, and that God always fpeaks in him ? May God give us all a right judgment in all things. Pure unfeigned Jove caufes me to ufe this freedom. Many of you God has worked upon by my miniftry, and therefore I would not have vou ignorant of fatan's devices. O beware of him at this time. Do not conceive prejudices againft each other* Do not dif-pute, but love ; purge out the old leaven from amongft you.

Have no fellowfiiip with any that converfe with Mr. ■ If

they have a mind to depart from you, let them depart. Do you build up each other in your moft holy faith. My dear brethren,

I am your common fcrvant in our dear Lord Jesus,

LETTER

LETTER XLIX.

To the Rev. ullr.

T)car Sir, Leachhidr^ July 18, 1739-

TUK Iccne thismornrng much alRctcd rric -, you both put me ill miiul, how that happy pair, Ada?/! and Eve^ looked when arraign'd by the Ahiughry after having eaten the forbidden fruit. Behold the fame remedy reached out to you as to them. — The feed of the woman (IkjU bruife the ferpent's head.—Look up to him whom you have pierced..—He will heal your backflidings 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 erlightned, when you tatted the good word of God, and felt the powers of the world to come.—Honour, falfely fo called, has caufed you to draw bsick, but I believe not unto perdition. jESiis js if ill frriving with your heart. Come to him by faith, renounce the world, and be will yet delight to lx)nour you. *' Now is the accepted time, now iir th€ day of falvation." Mention not old things^ let all things become new. I love, both of you from my heart. Come forth^and be ye feparate, faith the Lord almighty. Break with the world at once, and you fliall become fools for Christ's fake. What if your wife fent fome fuch letter as the following to her parents.

Honoured Fathsr and Mother^ ^Tp HE contents of this letter will furprlze you, but I can no longer halt between God and the world;, the happy convictions, tliat God once put into-my heart, now arife xw my mind, I will no longer be an almoft chriftian. I am re-folved to become a fool for Christ's fake. Blefletl be God? Mr. M — is like-minded.—Hitherto have I hindered him ia his fpiritual progrefs, God forbid I fliould do it any longer. Hence forward will we go hand in hand together, and nakedi follow a naked Christ.

Dearcft Mr. , I am ever jjour^,.

LETTER

LETTERS.

LETTER L.

53

Dear Aladam^ London^ July 23, 1739.

YOUR letter filled me with jr>y and with pity. Pity, to ice you tempted, joy, to find you arc thought worthy of enduring temptation. Satan hath dcfired to have you, that he may fift you as wheat. But be not afraid, Jesus Christ \% praying for you, and your faith fliall not fail. Your mafter hath been in the wildernefs before you, and knows by expericncfr, how to fuccour thofe that are tempted. Lift up then the hands that hang down, and ftrengthen the feeble knees. Infidel books have poifbncd your underftanding, and rivctted great pride therein. Strong temptations are nece/lary to mortify that pride, and to teach you that lowlinefs of heart, which our Lord calls all that are weary and heavy laden to learn of him. Lookup then to Jesus, the author and finifher of your faith. He will fend you help in every time of need. Indeed he vvill never leave you, nor forfake you. Follow him as the poor Syrophcenician woman did, and though he may now turn away his face feemingly for a while, yet he will always fupport you inwardly by a living faith, and fhortly give you the fpirit of adoption, whereby you will be enabled to cry, " Abba, Father." I fpeak this by happy experience. I have mourned, but now I am comforted. I have o-one throuo-h the fpirit of bondage, and, for ever be adored God's free grace, he has given me the fpirit of adoption. And that you alfo vvill have this in God's due time and way, is the ilrm belief of

Your unworthy brother, and fcrvant in Christ,

LETTER LL

Dear Mr. H Londo?!^ July 23, 1739.

IWiih you joy of your new-born fon. Oh that it may be made a real child of God. I purpofe, God willing, to ftand to my promife, either in perfon, or by proxy. 1 know not yet, how providence will be pleafed to difpofe of me. I have written to the Lords of the Admiralty for a licence. Saturday evening next, I hope you will fee Afr. Chnrlis JVeJIey, He intends to preach at Gkucejhr, Raindwick, kr, E 3 V..y

/

54 LETTERS.

Pray defire Mr. CoU and our other dear friends to appoijit places. Matters go on moft bravely here. I think people are ten times more affciSled than ever. The audiences full and numerous, and they give their mites'for the orphan houfe with a chcnrful and ready heart. Have you heard how 1 preached npon the ftagc among the cudgel players at Bafmgjlokc^ and got a blow ? Both I and my companions were alfo turned out of oiiir inn,and in danger of being beaten heartily. BlefTed be God ! My fcrmon comes out on Wedncjday. Heartieft love to dear Mrs. H—. That Jesus Christ may be fully formed in both your hearts, is the prayer of,

Ever, ever yours,

LETTER Lll.

Honoured S'lr^ London^ ^uJy lA^^ i739*

THOUGH but a child in grace, and a novice in the things of God, yet I could not efcape this opportunity of fliewing you, hov*' dear you are to my foul. Though unknown in perfon, yet you have long fince been known to me in fpirit. I hoped to have feen you ere I left London. I hafted up to town hoping to have fome fpiritual gift imparted to me by that means, but I was not worthy of it, I was not prepared for fuch a blciling.—You went before I came. A great work of God is doing here. The Lord Jesus gets himfelf the vi6i:ory every day ; free grace compels poor fmners to come in.

Our brother can inform you of particulars. As for my

own foul, God mightily ftrengthcns me in the inw^ard man, and gives me often fuch foretaftes of his love, that I am almoft continually wifliing to be difiblved, that I may be with Christ. .—But I am only beginning to begin to be a chriftian.—I mud fufter alfo, as well as do for my dear Mailer. Perhaps a ftorm is gathering. I believe God will permit it to fall on my head firfh—This comes then, honoured Sir, to defire your prayers, that none of thofe things may move me; and that I may not count even my life dear unto me, fothat I may finifh my courfe with joy, and the miniftry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. Though I die for him, yet, I befeech 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 fcnfe of your humility and love for the bleflcd Jesus makes me thus open. How (hould I rejoice, if you Vv'ould honour me with a line.—I am young, and therefore a word of exhortation and advice, would much profit, honoured Sir,

Your very humble fcrvant, in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. JV.

LETTER LIII.

Dear Sir, London, July 25, 17 39.

NOTa want of love, but of time, has obliged me to fhortea my late letters. Had I an hundred hands I could employ them all. The harveft is very great. I am afhamed I can do no more for him, who hath done fo much for me j not by way of retaliation, but gratitude. Fain would 1 love my mailer, and will not go from him ; his fervice is pcrfed freedom ; his yoke is eafy, his burden light. Still he is plcafcd to fliew us greater things. Every day affords frefli inftances of the power of his word, I am now about to attack fatan in one of his ftrong-holds, if I perifh.'—To-night I preach, God willing, where an horfe-race is to be. I find my Mafter ftrengthehs me for the work. O, dear Sir, pray for mc, that my faith fail not, and that my zeal be tempered with knowledge. Our brother will prove an agreeable correfpondent.

If bufinefs prevents my writing, he v.'ill inform you what happens from time to time to, dear Sir,

Your moft affeiSlionate in Christ Jesus,

G. IF.

LETTER LIV.

Rev. Sir, London, July 26, 1739.

JUST now I received your kind letter, and am endeavouring to catch a few moments to anfwer 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 fet before me. Hitherto my dear Mafter magnifies his ftrength in my weaknefs. Ever fince he honoured me to fuffer a little reproach for his name's fiike, at Bafing^ jlokey he has caufed me to rejoice with exceeding great joy.

1^ 4 My

IV'ly rpirlt v/as ftiircd within rrc. Methinks I could willingly have died to have boine my teflimony againllthc lying vanities, and clcvilifh entertainments of this generation. By the help of my Madcr, I will go on and attack the devil in his flrongeii: holds. D pray, dear Sir, that my ^eal may be always tempered with true chriftian prudence. It would grieve me, ihould I bring fuflerings caufclelsly upon myfelf. A trying time, perhaps, is at hand. O that I may be found faithful ! If providence permits, I will perform my promife. I am blind, 1 am a child, I know nothing. I only dcfire the whole will of God may be done, in, by, and upon, dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in oqr dear jLpRp Jesus,

G. IV.

LETTER LV.

S/r, Lonclcn, 'July 26, 1739*

I Received voyr kind letter, but mud beg to be excufed from diffuading yoiir fon 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 fits by me; I read over your letter to him, and he con-» tinues as refolute as ever. The being dtfinherhed 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 advife you to do nothing raihly. If you can pray for a blefling on your will when you are about to difmherit your fon, I fliall wonder. Have a little patience, and then you will find that, your fon is about to a<Sl wifely. If I thought otherwife, no ^Vi^ vvQuld be more fqrward to difiuade him, than. Sir,

Your very humble fprvant,

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 r And has my familiar friend, who has been dear to mc ^s fiiy pwp foul, has he taken part with, and gone back to th«i

e|icn)y .^

enemy ? Surely it cannot be !—And yet I mufl: 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 fer-vapt a dog that he fhould do this ?" Qh, my dear friend, I am in pain for you ! Alas ! who hath bewitched you, that you fhould not obey the truth ? You did run well; who, or what hath hindered you ? Not a fear of man, I hope ; not a dcfire of that praife, that comcth of man. I know the time when my dear friend's heart flood fledfaft. I know the time wheniny dear friend was willing to be accounted a fool for Christ's fake, and chofe rather to fufFer afHiiilion with the people of God, than to enjoy the pieafures of fm, of falfe politenefs, for a feafon. And why fhould I defpair of my dear friend now? No, I know Jesus Christ was fet for the falling and rifing again of many in Ifrael. Our LoRp, I trufl, has prayed for you, and 1 hope your faith will not totally fail. Forgive me, I muit flop and figh : God forbid I fhould be

called, at the great day, to fay, that my dear A4r. ^ — put

his hand to the plough and turned back unto perdition. Good God ! the thought flrikes me as though a dart was fhot through my liver. Return, return. My dear friend, I cannot part from you for ever. Do not fpeak peace to your foul, when there is no peace. Do not turn fabler for the devil. Po not prejudice or hurt my brother, and thereby add to the grief you have already occafioned

Your mofl; affectionate friend and fervant in Christ,

6\ IK

LETTER LVII.

My dear Brother^ Brjjhl, July 31, 1739.

BLESSED be God for bringing you in fafety home.—? He is a God hearing prayer. May he fiinclify our meeting. I hope to fee you here this week. I fliall fet out for Deal on Monday, —I long to hear how the foul of my dear brother profpers.—I long to embrace you in thcfe unworthy arms.—Methinks I could now fmg my nunc dimittis with pleafure, if my eyes could fee my dear brother's falvation. I hope you have converfed v/ith Mr. JVcfley. It will require tpme degree of boldnpfs to owii eithpr of us before men. God

vouchfafes

vouchfafcs to honour us : No wonder our names are caft out

as evil.—Dear Mr. , I hear, is ftaggered with the fear

of man.—Sifter, I truft, is in a good way. When ftall I fee you ? Come, Oh come and warm my heart, by telling me what God hath done for your foul. Eternity will be too fliort to praife him for what he has done for

Your aiteflionate brother,

G. JV,

LETTER LVIII.

Reverend and dear Sir^ Lo?idon^ Augujl 3, 1739.

THIS morning I received yours, and though I leave Lon-don this evening, yet I cannot but fnatch a few moments to fend you an anfwer. I love all that love our Lord Jesus Christ. The fpirit 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 fpirit of God is moving on the faces of thoufands of fouls in England, The word runs very fwift, and fatan falls like lightning from heaven. God hath fent me into the highways and hedges, to compel poor fmners to come in j many are left to water, what God hath hten pleafcd to plant; I doubt not of his giving a great incrcafe. But I am a child, I cannot fpeak, yet God will magnify his iree grace. God will work, and all oppofitions muft forward, but not hinder it.—Inclofed I have fent you a fermon juft pubiifhed.—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 fmlefs perfe6lion.—I believe the being (though not the dominion) of fm remains in the hearts of the greateft believers.—Time and bufinefs will not give me leave to enlarge.—Befides, I am but a novice in the fchool of Christ ; and therefore moft earneftly 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 fuffer many things ere I return home.—Reverend and dear Sir, I wifh you much fuccefs in the name of the Lord, and am Your brother and fervant in the beft bonds,

G. rv,

LETTER'

LETTER LIX,

Dear Sir, London, Auguji 3, 1739,

I Cannot leave London without anfwering your laft letter. I am convinced that God calls me now to Georgia^ and fo are our friends. God's ways are like the great deep.—He will go a way by himfclf. Exitus a6ta probat. The prophecy you mention, I dare not apply to myfelf. What am I, that God fhould fo delight to honour me ? However, I believe the Lord will work a great work upon the earth. Whatever inftru-ments he fliall make ufe of in effed^ing it, I care not. If Christ be preached, if my dear Lord be glorified, I rejoice; yea, and will rejoice. I wifh all the Lord's fervants were prophets. Oh, dear Sir, my heart is now melted down with a fenfe of the divine love I Never was a greater inftance of God's free grace in Christ, What am I, O Lord, that thou fhouldeft delight to honour me ? Even fo. Father, for fo it feemeth good in thy fight ! Dear Sir, I could now write afl day; but other bufinefs demands my attendance.—Yet a little while, and we fliall fit down in the kingdom of God for ever, pear Sir adieu. Oh give thanks, give thanks, and pray for Your's moft affedlionately in Christ Jesus,

G. Jl\

L E T T E R LX.

Blendon, Juguji 6y 1^29'

AND would not dear Mr. fiay for my laftletter ? 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 thefe fad fymptoms, that my dearell Mr. —■ is fallino-

away a-pace ? He runned into one extreme lately, and now fatan is driving him into another. Did not I forwarn you of this ? O my dear friend, my brother, return to your firft love, otherwife you will find the fpirit of God deferting you m.ore and more every day. Nemo repente fuit turpiffimus. But I can fay no more.—Perhaps I am troublefome. However, give me leave to weep. Permit me to pray for you. Though you arc now dead comparatively, yet, I truft, you will be

alive.

alive. Though now fc-emiMgly loft, yet I'urely you {hall be tound a2:ain. God only knowij how Tuch news would rejoice the heart of, dear Sir,

Your aiRclionate friend in the beft bnnds,

G. JV.

L F T T E R LXI.

Dsjr Mr. AugttJ} 7, 1739.

I Thank you moll heartily for your laft: Had you been more particular, I fliould have thanked you ftill more. May God reward you for watching over my foul! Pride and felfilh-jicfs are the tempers of the devil. By the help oi my God 1 will never reft till my Mafler gives me power to overcome - them. It is difficult, I believe, to go through the fiery trial y of popularity and appluufc untainted. Bledcd be God, I am new fweerly retired. O help me, my dear Sir, by your prayers, as well as your advice, and believe me defirous to fubfcribe myfelf,

Your's mofl affectionately in our dear Lord Jesus,

G, n\

LETTER LXII.

On hoard the Eilz^ahdhy Gravcjmd^ Augujl 14, 1739. Reveraid and dear S'u\,

YOUR kind letter gave me much fatisfa6lion. It breathed the language of one, who is a Boanerges In the church of God. Excefs of bufinefs prevented my anfwering it fooner. As I am now retired from a public life, I truft I {hall have time to try my heart and fearch out my fpirit. Forget me not, dear Sir, when you are praying for all thofe, who travel by land and by water, when Itorms and winds are blowing over me. I hope I fhall always carry you, and others of my dear fi lends in JFales^ upon my heart, whenever I go in and out before the Lord. It would rejoice my foul 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 rifen 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 dovv-n my life for his dike.—Brother Harris^ I find, ha^

come

come offtriumphantly.—The hour of fuffViing is not yet come, (jod prepare us all for It ! I cxpe6t to fuflcrr for my bltfled maker's name fake. But, wherefore do 1 fear ? My mafter will pray for me.—Dear Sir, adieu. I know you not in perfon. Perhaps 1 may never fee your face in the fleOi. However, I ihall fee you in heaven, and then you fhall fee how finccrely I jiow fubfcribc myfcif,

Your unworthy brother ai\d fellow-fcrvant in Crrist,

LETTER LXIIL

On hoard the Elizahth, Cravefrfid^ Juguf! 14., I7'5g. Dear Madam^

I Cannot think of your favours, and yet forbear writino- a letter of thanks. I cannot think of your parting tears^ and not inform you, how fir.cerely I pray God to comfort and refrefli your foul.—Oh Madam, your kindnefs to fuvh a desd dog as I am, quite furprizes me. How much more ought V(.u and I, and ail mankind, to adore the unfpeakable good-iicfs of our heavenly Father, wh.o has fo loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son, that whofocver believeth in him fliould not perifli, but have everlafting life. Dear Madam, never reft till you have a lively faith in Christ Jesus. God has put into your heart good defires after it. Continue inllant in prayer ; apply to Jtsvs Christ, as a poor finner, and yet

a little while, and dear Mrs. fliall be a chriftian indeed.

Kaften,0 Lord, that blefTed time. Oh let thy kingdom come, in full power, into this thy liandmaiden's heart ! Innum.erable temptations furround you, to make you take up your reft here. But, I hope, Aladum^ you will be upon your guard, and let nothing be thought of, or done, by you, which may any way tend to indulge the luft of the eye and the pride of life. Simplicity is the very fpirit of the gofpel ; therefore, the more we learn Christ, the more regardlefs we {hall be of worldly va-nithC"?. God of his infinite mercy make you a widow indeed \ You fee, IVIadam, how freely I have wrote to you. It is bc-caufe I value your v/elfare.—It is the bcft return that can b< made, for all favours conferred on, Madam, Your moft obligi'd friend and fervent in uur dear Lop.d Jt^jU'^,

c;. //-:

I T. E T i' K R

LETTER LXIV.

On board the EUzabcthy Gravejendy Augiifl 14, 1739* Dear Madam^

YOUR affectionate parting, and the tears I obfervcd you to filed, even when I was at a diftance from you, made me almoft 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 thoufand fold for all the kind-nefles you have fhcwn to me ! Indeed I am lefs than the lead of his fervants. But yet, fo loving is my dear Mafter, that he will not let a cup of cold v/ater given in his name, to pafs by unobferved or unrewarded. When partaking of your bounty of flour, I hope I fhall pray that you and your's may eat bread in the kingdom of God. You have all good defircs; 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 wifdom, your whole righteoufnefs ; and then he will be your whole fanclifi-cation and eternal redemption. I write this from my floating habitation, to afTure you how fmcerely I am

Your moft obliged friend and afFeiElionate humble fervant,

G, W,

LETTER LXV.

Gn hoard the Elizabeth^ Augnjl 14, 1739.

My dear Mr.

AT length we are embarked ; our fhip is now going ta the Downs. —Yet a little while, and, God willing, I fliall fee you once more in the flcfh. My family confifts of more than twelve, befides two children ; I hope all are defirous to know Christ. God flrengthens ane mightily in the inner man. The fermon I have fent you is one of my extempore fcrmons.—The journal will acquaint you with particulars.— My brother, the captain, hath been with me this lafl week.— If he leaves oil'difputing, and will conae to Christ as a poor loft fmner, he will do well.—The bifnop oi London has lately wrote againfl m.e ; I trufl GgD hath afiiltcd me in writing an anfwer.—It is now in the profs.—All the feif^righteous are up

in arms.—My Maftermakes me more than a conqueror through

his love. Mr. has about forty focictics in Torkjlnre.

Both the Mr. JVeJleys go on well—Go where you will, religion (either for or againft it) is the talk.—Prohably a fufferin^ time wiil come. You will not be afhamed of mc, thoin^h I fliould be a prifoner. 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, fo as to be the alpha and omega, the beginning and end of all your actions ? Are you enlightened to fee the exceeding great riches and fulnefs of his grace \ Oh hoiv will it rejoice my foul to fee you a proficient in the fchool of Christ ? How will it delight me to fee your little flock prefling towards the mark.—Soon after this reaches Georgia^ I hope to fee you.—My ftay will be as (hort as poiTible at Phlla-delphia. I muft not delay coming to my dear, thouo-h poor charge.—I exped to find Savannah almoft defolate ; but our extremity is God's opportunity. I believe it will lift up its flrcoping head.—For the prcfent, my dear friend, farewell. Your's moft affectionately in Christ,

6\ W.

LETTER LXVI.

On heard the Elizabeth going to the Downs^ Augujl 15, 1739. My dear Brother^

THE agony I was in at your departure, and the many {trong cryings and tears which I offered up to God afterwards, plainly fhew, that I love you in fincerity and truth. Though I am now about to launch into the great deep, yet I muft write you a parting line. . I cannot but think you will come to Christ in earnefl, God has moft remarkably met you by his providence.—His fpirit has been driving with you, and I doubt not but it will get the vidory over your carnal reafonings, and the rebellion of a depraved heart. But do not, my dear brother, I befcech you, difpute againfl your own hap-pinefs.—Be not unvv'illing to confefs that you arc not yet a chriftian. Remember what our Lord hath faid : " Whofo-ever recciveth not the kingdom of God, as a little child, fliall isn no-wife enter tlierein."—I befcech you, by the mercies of God in Christ Je'Sus our Lord, to leave Q^difputing, You

have

have been, I think, frequently convinced ; but naturC,-I find, has as frequently interpofcd, and perfuadcd you that you had gone far enough already.— But does not my dear brother find, that he yet lacks fomething ? Have not his tempers and corruptions ; nay, hath not fm itfclf dominion over him ? Are his affections weaned from the world ? Docs he feel himfelf a poor loft finner: Is he willing the Lord Jesus fhould be his wliole righteoufnefs ? Is he convinced of the free-ncfs, as well as of the riches of his grace ? You fee, my dear brother, how freely I deal with jou. It is becaufe I love you with a peculiar love.—Never did my heart exult at the fight of any relation, as at the fight of youj Surely God intends to give me my dear brother. Pie is alrcidy an almoft ; haften, O Lord, that blefTed time, when he fhall be an alto'^ether chriftian, and let thy kingdom, with full power, come into my dear brother's heart !—How fliall I fay farewell ? If you have opportunity, pray write to

Your moft aficClionate, though unworthy brother,

G. JV.

LETTER LXVIL

On hoard the Elizabeth go'wg to the Downs, Augifft 16, 17 39. Dear Mr.

I Thank God for his goodnefs to brother Howell Harris, I thank you for informing me of it. The ftorm is diverted for a Vvhile, but 1 cxpe6l it to break upon my head one time or another. God has, for a while, prepared me a place of refuge in the fnip, from whence I write this. Oh befeech him, that I may improve the retirement by fearching out my fpirit, I have almoft forgot, that I was in the world. My family on board is quite fettled, and wc live and love like chriftians. God only knows wjicre you and I ftiall meet again ; whether in time or eternity. However, this we know, that both nuift be tried to the uttermoft. Inward and outward afRidiions await us, and all the children ofGoD. I am now reading the book of martyrs. 7'hey make me blufli to think hov/ little I fufFer for Christ's fake. They warm my heart, and make mc think the time long till I am called to refift even unto blood : i'ut I fear the treachery of this heart of mine. Dear

Mr.

Mr. •* , to your paft, add one more favour, " pray that

I may be found faithful." I truft I fhall have a fweet remembrance of you and my other dear friends, when I go in and out before the Lord. Salute them moft affedionately. Exhort them, oh exhort them to continue in the grace of God ;

and forget not to v/rite to, dear Mr. ,

Yours moft affedionately in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. //'.

LETTER LXVIIL

Reverend and dear Sir, Philadelphiay Nov. TO, 173c. *"

THOUGH bufinefs prevents my correfponding with you fo 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 fmcere, though late thanks, for all favours conferred upon me, and aiTure yourfelf, I remember both you and your beloved people at the throne of grace. Nothing will rejoice me more than to hear, that the good pleafure of the LoRDprofpers in your hand. Oh dear Sir, what a gracious Ma-fler do we fcrve I His loving-kindnefs ftill prevents, accompanies, and follows me. He has not given me over unto death, but is ftiil pleafed 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 brinor forth more fruit, Smce mv retirement from the world, I have leen more and more how full I am of corruption. Nothing could pofTibly fupport my foul under the many agonies which opprefTed me, when on board, but a confidera-tion of the freenels, eternity, and unchangeablencfs of God's love to me, the chief of fmners.—^In about a twelvemonth, probably, I (hall return again to my native country. Satan no doubt will endeavour to ftir up all his forces againfi: me. By the help of my God, I will once more come forth with my fling and my ftone.—I fhall wait with impatience to hear how the work goes on in my abfence. I truQ-, God, by this time, has fent forth more labourers into his harveft. I heaniiy wiUi all the Lord's fervants were prophets. I verily believe, the right-hand of the Lord will not only have the pre-eminence, but alfo bring mighty things to pafs. O how do 1 long,

* Many of the letters of this dare were wri'ten on .Oiip-board duiirg the paffage, but dated when knl off fVuin Fkila.ielph.a.

Vol. L ¥ dear

dear Sir, to lee bigotry and party-zeal taken away, and all the Lord's fervants more knit together. Pray, my due refpe(5t=; to all that are fo kind as to enquire after mc. Exhort them to pray and give thanks for,

Your unworthy friend, brother, and fervant in our dear Lord's vineyard,

LETTER LXIX.

Reverend and dear Sir^ ' Philadelphia^ Ncv. lO, 1739.

MA N appoints, but God difappoints. No doubt it was befty that I fhould not fee your anfvver to the biftiop^s lecter before I left England. I hope it was wrote with the meeknefs and gentlenefs of Christ, and then no doubt God will give his bleffing. Oh, dear Sir, how is the glory departed from Ifrael! In what dregs of time are we born ? Boafting of

our oi thodoxy and primitive purity, and yet alas! but is

not this enough, dear Sir, to excite our zeal even till it do eat us up f Wherefore hath God called us by his free grace, and made a difference between us and others, but that we fhouH ftand up in defence of his injured honour ? Your friend, Mr.

» , has told me how plentifully you once taftcd of the

good word of life, and felt the pov^-ers of the world to come. Oh that the divine fpark may again kindle in the heart till it become a flame of fire ! Nothing will fo much enforce your arguments as a life exadly conformable to the holy Jesus. — When with .you laft, I thought you fpoke too favourable of horfe-races, and fuch things. But what diverfion ought a chriftian or a clergyman to know or fpeak of, but that of doing good ? Many who are right in- their principles, are worfc than I could wifli in their pravSlice. Oh for a revival of true and undefiled religion in all feiSls whatfocvcr ! I long tQ fee a catholic fpirit over-fpread the world ; may God vouch-f\fe to make me an inftrument of promoting, it! Methinks, I care not what I da- or fufler., fo that I may fee my Lord's kingdom come with power. But I know not my ov/n weak-nefs, till I am tried. Dear Sir, pray for me, that I may b? found faithful in an hour of temptation. I expecl to be tried to the uttermoft, and to hear, that many arc become my enemies, who once would, as it were, have olucked out their even

for

for me. Ins necclTary that fuch offences fliould come ; other-I wife, how can I know that I am, what I deilre to be, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and true brother in Christ,

G. ir,

LETTER LXX.

Philaddphia^ Nov. lO, 1739. My dear Brethren^ and worthy fellow-labourers i?j Christ,

THOUGH I know'none of you in perfon, yet, from the time I heard of your fairh and love towards our dear Lord Jesus, I have been acquainted with you in fpirit, and have conflantly mentioned you in my poor prayers. The good pleafure of the Lord', I find, profpers in your hands ; and I pray God incrcafc you more and more, both you and your children. Scotland^ like England^ hath been fo much fctded upon it's Ices for fomc time, that I fear our late days may properly be called the midnight of the church. BlefTed be GoD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath fent fortl* many of his fervants with this cry, " Behold the bridegroom Cometh." Thoufands obey the call^ and are trimming their ipiritual lamps, in order to go forth to meet him. I cannot but think a winnowing time will come after this in-gathering; of fouls. O that we may fufFer only as chriftians, and thea the fpirit of Christ and of glory will red upon us. Li patience pofiefs your fouls, and I will leave my caufe to God. You, my reverend Brethren, I am perfuaded, are no otherwife 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 prote^l:; as your day is, fo (liall your ftrengrh be. Let not our dear Lord's lambs perifh for lack of knowledge. *' Give ye, give ye themi 1(1 cat," m.ethinks, is the endearlitg, conftraining command of the great Shepherd and B (liop of fouls. And O that a due obedience may be paid to it by me, your unworthy brother. But I bluOi almoft, when I llile myfelf your brother;, for I am a child, and all of you are fathers. Oh, drive together with me in your prayers, that the divine flrength may be ftilL •magnified in my weaknefs. You will intreat the LoRp to

F;i bJtfs

blefs the orphan-houfe. I have reafon to think, GoU will bring great good out of it. Oh that I may be prepared for future favours ! Oh that pride and fclf-love may thoroughly be fubdued ! Brethren, I befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to pray for me, whilft winds and florms are blowing over me. You are not forgotten by him, who, though the mod unworthy of his Lord's fcrvants, defires to fubfcribc himfclf,

Your afFe£lionate brother, and fellow-pilgrim and labourer in Christ Jesus,

G, JF.

LETTER LXXI.

My dear Friend^ Philadelphia^ Nov. lo, 1739.

BECAUSE I will not forget you, I begin to write before we get on fhore. How is dear Mr. • 's heart ? Has

he yet recovered his firfl love ? And is that prophecy, " This child is fct for the falling and rifing again of many in Ifrael^*'' as yet fulfilled in him. I cannot but think a good work was once wrought upon your foul. I cannot but think, God vi'iU vet 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 difobeyed. If he has promifed to heal our back-flidings, and love us freely, let his goodnefs lead us to repentance. Profperity hath been a fnare to you ; every day 1 fee the excellency of that part of y/^«r*s, prayer, " Give me not: riches, left I be full and deny thee, and fay, 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, 1 believe you will not be at all richer this year, than you was the laft.—For as riches increafe, our wants increafe with them, -^I write not this to have you defert your flation, but to excite a holy jealoufy in your heart.—Oh, what would I give to fee my dear friend, as formerly, " Fervent in fpirit, ferving the Lord." If God fends me to England zg-diUy I fnall try my friends. However that be, I am perfuaded, that fufiering for righteoufnefs fake, is the beft, the greateft preferment in the church of Christ. But how does your little — I would not willingly fay, your great idol. Pray accept a quarto^ bible for

,. him.

him. Oh, my friend, give him up to God, and do not provoke him, by over-rondnefs and too great indulgence, to tiilce him from you. The little lambs on board improve bravely; they bear the voyage beft of all. They are as lufty as eagles : God has dealt moft gently with us. I hope I may fay, the church in my houfe falute you and your wife.—I do not forget her ; may fhc never reft till (he comes into the glorious liberty of the children of Geo ! It is a blefied thing, my. dear friend, to be the Lord's freeman. My heart is full j I repent I have not allowed more paper. My dear Sir, excufs and pray for

Your mod affedionate, though unworthy frfend,

LETTER LXXII.

My dear S>tftcr ?'« Christ, Phlladdphla^ Nov. lo, 1739.

WAN r of time, not want of refpecl, has prevented my anfwering your kind letters. I efleem you highly for Christ's fake. I believe you to be one whom God has chofen out of the world, and hath fealed to the day of redemption. Nothing, therefore, (hall pluck you out of his hands. Was it not for this promife,myfoul would be exceedingforrow-ful at the profpedt of what I may undergo. The innumerable temptations that attend a popular life, fometimes make me think it would be beft for me to withdraw. But then I con-fider, that He, who delivered Daniel out o( the den of lions, and the three children out of the fiery furnace, is able and willing to deliver me alfo out of the fiery furnace of popularity an'd applaufc, and from the fury of thofe, who, for preaching Christ, and him crucified, are my inveterate enemies. In his ftrength therefore, and at his command, whenever his providence fliall call, I v/ill venture out again. As yet mv trials have been nothing. Hereafter a winnowing time maj-come; then we {hall fee, who is on the Lord's fide, and wlio dare to confefs Christ before men. None but thofe who wholly rely on the Redeemer's righteoufnefs, and arc trulv born again of God. Oh pray, that I may be found faithful. Satan hath been very bufy with me fince I favv you, bur I truft the Lord, by thefc inward trials, v»'ilKpurge mc, that T may

F 3 biin^

brinp: forth more fruit. Ceafe not to pray, that this may \i2 the happy cafe of,

Your fcrvant in the gofpel,

&. IK LETTER LXXIII.

Dear Mr. • Philadelphia^ Nov, 10, 173^.

YOU cannot well conceive how conftantly you have ben upon my heart, fince I faw you. I think there has been a fympathy between your heart and mine. I have often pitied my dying friend, and as often prayed, that he may leave a word foL- God. I fay, prayed, for God alone can remove the load. —I know too v/ell what fuch temptations are, to think they may be overcome by our own ftrength. But, my dear Friend, you and I, weak as we are, can do all things through Christ ftrengthcning us.—Do you believe on the Son of Gop ^ AH things are poilible to him that believeth. If the devil therefore continues his afiaults, refift him, ftedTaft in the faith. Re-fifl him, my dear Friend, and he yvill flee from you ; rather fuffer any thing, than be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. If you cannot overcome where you are, abfence, perhaps, may cure you. Methinks, I would do and fufrer any thing, rather than dear Mr. —— fliould be lecj av/ay.—My companions in travel have an equal rclpcct 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 refpccls and favours con-?

fcrred on, dear Mr. ,

Tour's moft affcdlicnately in Christ,

LETTER LXXIV.

Dear Madam^ Philadelphia, Nov, lO, 1739.

I Should think myfelf highly ungrateful, did I not take all opportunities of acknowledging the many kindnefTes I have received at your hfinds. Your laft prcfcnts have been exceeding ferviceable on board the {hip, and every time we have tafted your bounty, I have endeavoured to dart up a fhort ejaculation k)i our kind benefactbei^j. You cannot conceive, dear Mada7n,

t how

LETTERS. jn.

liow loving the Lord has dealt with us ; he has given us all things richly to enjoy, and coniforted us on every fide. Indeed rometimes he has been plcafcd to withdraw from me, and to permit fatan to fend me a thoi n in the flclh.—But that was only to fliew me my vilenefs, and to prepare me for further manifcftations of his goodnefs to my foul. Our voyage though long has not been teJious or burdenfome. My foul wants retirement.—I dread coming out into the world again. J am confidentj dear Madam, that you will pray for me, that I may be kept unfpottcd from it. (.)h what a blefied Mafter do we ferve ! His rod as well as flaff comforts the foul. His corrections are all loving, and are only intended to make us truly great. Though you fcemed to doubt, yet I hope to fee you once more before you go hence. I cannot fay I expect liberty long, if I fpeak boldly the truth as 1 ought to fpcak.— Indeed there is no being a true chriflian, and yet holding with the world, fo much as feme may imagine. Jesus Christ calls us to fimplicity. I have often thought, dear Madam, that you did not fee through the world enough. Numbers are a^CGOunted chriftians, who have only a name to live. I pray God to open all our eyes, that we may fee every thing clearly. A time of perfecution will fhow who are Ijraelites indeed, and who outfide profeilbrs.—I hope. Madam, that, when tried, you will come forth as gold purified fevcn times in the fire. I only fear for, and fufpe6t myfelf.—The Lord my righteouf-iiefs will uphold me. Dear Madam, God only knows vv^ith M'hiit gratitude I defire to fubfcribe myfelf

Yqur mcft oblij^cd friend and fervant,

LETTER LXXV.

Dear Adrs. -—^ Philadelphia^ Nov. to, 1739.

WHEN laft abrond, I couKl not writ-e to you for want of knov/ing your name. Blefled be God v.e have fuicc been better acquainted, and 1 now know your name and place of abode. May the God, whom I defn-e to ferve, richly r<?ward you for receiving me into your houfe. You were one of my moft conilant hearers j may you be my joy and crowa . oi rejoicing in the day of the Lor d J cu s> 1 ti uli ere now,

F 4 you

you have felt, that the kingdom of God does not conhft ia

word, but in power. I know that Mrs. would have nie

deal plainly with her foul; therefore I fliall not fcruple to tell her, how I have fometimes thought fhe was not yet clearly enough convinced of fin, and of the perfe6l righteoufnefs wrought out for, and to be imputed to her, by the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in his blood.—Since I have been on fliipboard, ble/Ted be God, his name has made my foul to fmart, and caufcd me to fee more of my own wretchednefs.

Oh, Mrs. , you know not, neither do I myfelf know as

yet, what a myftery of iniquity is hid even in a heart timely renewed. I faw a little of it the other day ; and had 1 not known my Redeemer liveth, and that he ever livcth to make interccffion for me, I mutt have funk into defpair :

But there s a voice offovereign grace

Sounds from the facred word; ^

Here ye defpairing ftnners come^ Jnd truji upon the Lord.

May God of his infinite m.ercy fo work upon you, that, at at the laft day, you may be found having on the wedding-garment ! was I to ftudy to eternity, I could wifh you nothing better. May the ever-blefied God fay Amen to it. I hope

your little daughters are in good health. Dear Mrs. , ex^

hort them to renounce the luft of the eye and the pride of life, and to abftain from all appearance of evil. I have a fin-cere concern for you and yours, and with all poffible thanks for your kind prefents and affection, I fubfcribe myfelf Your fincere friend and fervant in Christ,

G. JK

LETTER LXXVI.

Dear Mrs. Philadelph'uiy Nov, 10, 1739.

AS I do not forget to pray for, fo I do not forget to write to you, to make a proper acknowledgment of your and| your hufband's love j exhorting you to fave yourfelves from this untoward generation. Before I left London^ 1 perceived God was working upon your foul. I truft the fame God, fmce my departure, has carried it on, and that you are convinced

J

Vinced of the fin 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 houfes ; but alas ! I fear they are felf-righteous, and were never yet truly convinced of fm. They have good dcfircs, and therefore flatter themfelves, that they are good chriftians : But I fear many of them are only fooliih virgins. I would not have dear Mrs. ■■ or her hufband of this number.

If (he hath followed on to know the Lord, I am per-fuaded ere now, fhe is in fome mcafure brought out of herfelf, and taught of God to rely only on Jesus Christ for wifdom, righteoufnefs, fan(3:ilication, and redemption. If thus minded, your foul is at peace with God, itfelf, and the world. If not, let her afk and it fhall be given her, let her fcek and fhe fhall find, let her knock and a door of mercy fhall be opened unto her.—All things are pollible to

him that believeth—Oh dear Mrs. , my heart is in-

largcd towards you; I long for your falvation: prefs on and faint not. Whenever I come, I fhall expe£l to fuffer. Bat though we die for Christ, oh let us pray that we may not deny him in any wife. Nothing but the free almighty grace of God can uphold,

Your fincere friend in Christ,

G. IK

LETTER LXXVIL

R(V. and Dear Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. lo, 1739.

I Think I may fay of you, as the Samaritans did upon another occafion, I believe you to be a true lover of our dear Lord Jesus. Not merely becaufe my brother told me (g, but becaufe I have it under his own hand. Your lad kirid letter has knit my heart moft clofely to you. I love thofc that thunder out the word. The chriftian world is in a deep fleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it. 1 pray God to llrengthen you more and more, and caufe you to triumph in every place. Though abfent in body, I am pre-fcnt with you in fplrit. It would rejoice me to hear of your fuccefs in the Lord, In about a twelvemonth I purpofe, God

willing.

willing, to return to England\ who knows but then I may fee you face to face, and have foine fpiritual gift imparted to my foiil ? I long to die to myfcif, and to be aHvc unto God. Me-tbinics I would be alwjys upon the wing ; but alas ! I have a body of fin, which at times makc^ me cry out, " who (hall deliver me ?" I thank God, our Lord Jesus Christ will deliver. But I never expecl intire freedom, till I bow down my head, and give up the ghofb. Every freih employ, I find brings with it frefn temptations. God always humbles before he exalts me. Sometimes I fpeak and write freely, at other times I am comparatively barren ; one while on the mount, another while overfliadowed with a cloud ; but blefled be God, at all times at peace with him, and afiured that my fins are forgiven. I want to leap my feventy years; I long to be-diiVolved, and to be with Christ. But I mull be made perfect by fufterings. I expert no other preferment. And you no doubt will have your fliare. This is our comfort, if we fufFer we fhall alfo reign w;th Christ ; haften on, O

Lord, thatbleffed time, when dear Mr. fhall fit

tiown at thy right hand, with all the fpirits of juft men made perfect in heaven ! where I truft a feat, though of the Iqweft cJafs, is prepared for

Your unworthy friend and fervant,

LETTER LXXVIIL

Rev. and Dear Siry Philadelphia^ Nqv. ic, 1739.

SINCE I favv you lafl, you cannot well tell with what pleafure I have rcfledied on the uncommon power that frequently attended the word at Bi\\Iey. It was to mc a figri of God's good will, both to minifters and people. The former I was convinced of, before I left England. The laft fer-mon I heard you preach, gave me much fatisfacftion. 1 hope ere now you are convinced of the latter alfo, and have (een fame good efre6\s amongft your parifhioners. However, this 1 am afiured of, we fliall 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 un->ve^ripd in well doing. You have fccn the affiidlions of God's

fpiritual

fpiritual Ifrael. " Do and live," is moft they hear. But what Is this, bat requiring them to make bricks without ftraw ?

Arii'e, arile, then, my dear Ml. i proclaim the Lord

to be their righteoufnefs. The everlafling JAM now fends you forth : fay not they will difbelieve my report, for God foems to have given his people the hearing ear and obedient heart. Ycax not the face of man, for the Lord, if you go out in his ftrcngth, fhall be with you, whitherfoever you go. I hope my dear and honoured friend ere now luth prevented my exhortations. Mcthinks I fee him, with all boldncfs declaring the whole counfel of God, and the attentive people receiving joyfully the gracious words, which proceed out of his mouth. Go on, my dear brother, go on j may the Lord blefs you more and more, daily adding to the number of your fpiritual children. — I thai^k you, from my foul, for alJ favours conferred on me, and I pray you may always confefs our Lord and his difciples before men, My moft finccre re-fpe6ts attend your help-mate and true yoke-fellow. You are <:cnftantly upon my heart. My next joornal will acquaint you how lovingly God hath dealt with

Your moft unworthy friend and fervant,

G, IF.

LETTER LXXIX.

J^hiu:dclph:n^ Nov. lo, 1739.

AND how does my dear Mr. H —s? Is he yet commenced 7X Jield preacher ? I am perfuaded my dear friend is under the guidance of God's fpirit, and therefore am convinced he will be dirtvSled for the bell. He defircs to do his Lord's will, and fhall he not know it? Undoubtedly he {l:iall. Nay, ere now i»truft God has pointed out his way, and he has been upon many a mount flretching 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 truft I fhall not envy, but rejoice in my brother's fuc-cefs. At prefent, I flrfd 1 love him in the bowels of Jesus ChR'Ist ; I am frequently with you in fpiiit, and (liall wait \yith impatijpiicc till I hear of my dear brother'i progrefs in

the

the Lord. Alas! I fear I do not improve my retirement aS I ought. God has gracioufly pleafcd to condud me in mercy. The tempter has been bufy with me, and I never before was more deeply wounded for fin. Christ's love will let nothing pluck us out of his hands. However, let us conftantly watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation. The' fpirit is willing, but the flcdi is weak. In about a twelvemonth, God willing, I think of returning to England, I fhould rejoice, if you would come and fupply my placQ at Savannah. If not, I muft refign the parfonage, and take upon me only the care of the orphans. I intend bringing up two or three, that are with me, for the miniftry : more, no doubt, will {hortly be added to their number. If you could come and teach them the languages, for an hour or two in the day ; we could ferve both the orphan-houfe and parfonage together. Great things I truft will come out of Georgia. The Lord Jesus direci: your fpirit, and if it be his will, fend you as a help to, dear Sir,

Your's moft affecliojiately in Christ Jesus,

G\ IF.

LETTER LXXX.

Rev. and dear Siry Philadelphia^ Nov» 10, 1739.

THOUGH but little acquainted with you, yet I write this to afiure you, what a cordial refpe6l I have for you. The love of GoD, which I truft, through his free grace, is ftied abroad in both our hearts, conftrains me to love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I remember you in m/ unworthy prayers, and am perfuaded I am not forgotten in vour*s. No one more needs them, whether confidered as a iprivate chriftian, or a public miniftcr; thoufands are waiting for my halting ; and I know fo much of the corruption of my own heart, that was God to leave me to myfelf but one moment, I {hould with oaths and curfes deny my mafter. As, for my final perfeverance, I blefs God, I have not the Icaft doubt thereof, l^he gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Whom he loves, I am perfuaded, he loves tq the end. But then I fear, left being puffed up with abundance of fuccefs, I fhould provoke the Lo?.D to Icr me fall into

fom«

Come heinous fin, and thereby give his adverfliries reafon to rejoice. A public life is attended with innumerable fnares ; ^r" and a fcnfe of my uhworthinefs and unfitnefs fo weighs me dovvii, that I have often thought it would be beft for me to retire. But I know thefe are all fuggcdions of the enemy. Why fhould I diftruft omnipotence ? Having had a legion of devils cad out of my heart by the power of Christ, why fhould I not tell what he hath done for my foul, for the encouragement of others. By the help of God, I will fpeak ; and the more fatan bids me to hold my peace, the more ear-nedly will I proclaim to believing faints, that Jesus the fon of David will have mercy on them ; nay, I do not defpair of publifliing thefe glad tidings even at JVethersfidd, In a little above a twelvemonth, God willing, I intend returning. But ere that time comes, I truft my dear Lord will purge mc, that I may bring forth more fruit.—Satan has not been wanting to fift 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 thoufand lives, my dear Lord Jesus fhould have them all I For he is worthy, he hath plucked me as a brand out of the burning, and is continually comforting me on every fide—Read, read, dear Sir, the account I have fent over to be publiflied of what God hath done for mc in the days of my youth, and it will afford more thankfgiv-ing and praife.—Pray in the behalf of, Sir,

Your moll afFedionate friend, brother, and fervant,

G. TF,

LETTER LXXXL

My dear Friend and Brother^ PJ/iladelphia^ Nov, lO, 1739.

I Love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, as a proof of it, I fend this. I heartily wifh I could correfpond with you oftener. Your advice would always be feafonable to me ; becaufe you have been a long time in the fchool of Christ. lam butjuft: now entering the lift, and frequently tremble

at the confideration of what I am to do and fuffer. But

when I confidcr it is for Jesus Christ, who ha§ called me by his free grace into his marvellous light, and has promifcd to be with us always, even unto the end of the world, a di-

4 "vine

vine £re kindles in my heart, and I long to call the Imgring battle on. Satan hath been bufy with me fmce I faw you, efpecially fmce my retirement on fhip-board. I have often thought of the folly of thofe, who go out of the world to avoid temptation. Satan now buffets me more than when confined in a (hip. 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 \i humbled by fome inward trials. They are the moft foul-grieving, but they are the nioR foul-improving confli^ls. My dear friend, I can fay from my heart, *' I am the chief of finners: " I feel myfelf fo wretched and miferable, fo blind and naked in myfelf, that fatan would tempt me to v»^rite to no one. But the Lord hath rebuked him, and after a long tedious hour of temptation, fills my foul as it were with marrow and fatnefs, and makeih my pen the pen of a ready writer. Oh that my mouth was filled with his praifc 1 As yet, blefTed be God, in my darkcft hours my evidences have not been in the leaft clouded. I have been afTured my Lord hath forgiven all my iniquities, tranfgreflions and fins, but I cannot forgive myfelf. Oh that I fliould ever oflend againft fuch dying love ! Pray for me, my dear brother, pray for me, that I may never by pride or floth tempt the blefTed fpi-rit to depart from me. I fear not falling finally ; for God I believe chofe me in Christ before ever the earth and the world were made, as a vclicl of his favirtg mercy ; but I fear 1 fhall provoke him to let me fall foully, and then how v.-ill the Phiiyrines rejoice ? This confideration fometimes makes me to wifh that the Lord would cut off my ftrength in my iourney, and fhortcn my days. But wherefore do I fear ^ Ah me of little faith 1 You fee, my dear friend, how freely I have unbofomed my heart to you. I cannot call you my friend, and yet hide from you God's dealings with my foul. Salute all that love our Lord Jesus in fincerity, and bcfcech them to pray for your finccrc friciid, but the molt unprofitable of hiii dear Lord's feivaiits^

G. n\

LETTER

LETTER LXXXIL

Rev. and Diar Sir, Pbiladdphia, Nov, lo, 17 39.

YOUR, kind letters, and kinder vifit, have made me frequently to long for a more clofc correfpondence with you. I find my heart drawn out in love towards you, and had God fo ordered it, could have wiflicd to have perufcd what you have written in my defence. I pray God to confer on you that reward, which he has promifcd to give thofs who confcfs him before men. If the gofpel continues to rum and have fuch free courfe, I mud fufter, 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) refifteven unto blood ; but not with carnal weapons. Taking the fword out of the hand of God's fpirit, I fear has more than once {lopped the progrefs of the gofpel. The Quakers^ though wrong in their principles, yet I think have left us an example of patient fuffering, and did more by their bold, unanimous and perfevering teiiimonies, than if they had taken up allahe arms in the kingdom, \n this refpe^il I hope I fhali follow them as they did Christ, and though I die for him, yet take up no carnaJ weapon in defence of him in any Vv'ife. 7'he doiSlrines of our eledion, and free juftification in Christ Jesus, are daily more and more prelled upon my heart. They fill my foul with a \\o\v fire, and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour. Surely I am fafe, bccaufe put into his almighty arms. Though I may fall, yet I (hall not utterly be caflavvay. The fpirit of the Lord Jesus will hold, and uphold me. That God may every day enrich you more and more with the anointings of this fpirit, is the hearty prayer of, Reverend and <jcar Sir,

Your moft obliged friend, brother, and f^:rvant in Christ,

LETTER

tQ LETTERS.

LETTER LXXXIir.

To the brethren in

Philadelphia^ Nov. xo, 1739.

TWICE did I purpofe to come and fee you at '^ but was prevented by that all-wife providence, which ordereth all things for the beft: however, though abfent, I am not unmindful of you. As a tcftimony thereof I fend you this. And oh that you may be filled with an holy fire, and fuch an ardent zeal for God as even to eat you up ! Look round, look round, my brethren, and in imitation of vour common Lord, weep over the defolations of the univer-fity 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 leaft to refcue fome of her fons out of that blindnefs, ignorance, bigotry and formality, into v/hich fhe is unhappily fallen. Arife, ye Tons of the prophets; fhiine forth, ye who are appointed to be the lights of the world. The rulers of this world will endeavour to put you under bufliels j but if your light is of God's kindling, all the devils in hell ihall not be able to extinguifh it. Be not therefore, my brethren, weary of well doing. Have you true faith ? keep it not to yourfelves ; be willing, as occafion offers, freely ta communicate it to others. How will you be apt to teach hereafter, unlefs you begin to teach now ? None but thofe^ who are of a different fpirit from that meek man Mofes^ will be offended at you. All God's people will wifh you God fpeed. 1 am fure I do with all my heart. And I pray God to fandtify your whole fpirits, fouls and bodies, and make you veffels meet for our common Mafter's ufe ! for none but thofe who have felt the fpirit themfelves, can freely or feelingly fpeak of him to others. My dear brethren, forget not to pray for,

Your affet^tioAatc, though weak brother

and fervant in Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER

LETTER LXXXIV.

To .

My dear Brethren in CfIrist, Philadelphia^ Nov. lo, 1739.

THE cordial love I bear you, will not fufrer me to ncglc6l writing to you : as God has been pleafcd to blel's my miniftry to your fouls, To I think it my duty to watch over you for good, and afTure you, cotiflantly you are all upon my heart. Your laft letter gave me great pleafurc ; but it was too full of acknowledgments, which I by no means dcferve* To him alone, from whom every good and perfect gift comcth, be all the thanks and glory, I heartily pray God, that you may be burning and Ihining lights in the midft of a crooked and perverfe generation. Though you are not of the church of England^ yet if you are perfuaded in your own minds of the truth of the way wherein you now walk, I leave it. However, whether Conformijls^ or Nonconformijls^ our main concern (hould be, to be aflured that we are called and taught of God ; for none but fuch are fit to minifter in holy things. Indeed, my dear brethren, it rejoiced me much to fee fuch dawnings of grace in your fouls ; only I thought moft of you were bowed down too much with a fefvile fear of man : but as the love of the Creator increafes, the fear of the creature will daily decreafe in your hearts. Nicode?mis, who came at firft 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 unlefs your hearts are free from worldly hopes and worldly fears, you never will fpeak boldly, as you ought to fpeak. The good old Puritans^ I believe, never preached s, better, than when in danger of being taken to prifon as foon as they had finifhed their fermon. And however the church may be at peace now, yet I am perfuaded, unlefs you go forth with the fame temper, you will never preach with the fame demonftration of the fpirit, and of power. Study therefore, my brethren, I befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ* Jesus, fludy your hearts as well as books—afk yourfelves again and again, whether you would preach for Christ, if you were fure to lay down your lives for {o doing ? If you fear the difpleafurc of a man for doing your duty now, aflure Vol. I. G yourfelves

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youiTclves you are not yet thus minded. But enough of" this. I love to hope well of you all. I truft, as you are enlightened with fome degree of knowledge in the myfteriesof godlinefsjyou will henceforth determine not to know any thing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This is, and this, the Lord being my helper, fliall be the only ftudy of, my dear brethren. Your affediionate friend, brother,

and fervant in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER LXXXV.

RiV. and Dear Sir, Philadelphia^ Nov. lO, 1739.

WHY fo long filent during my ftay in England? why did you not write me a letter of reproof, and fmite me friendly for what you thought amifs in the difcourfe between me and a friend at Brijlol? I fliould have taken it kindly at your hands. When I am unwilling to be told of my faults, dear Sir, correfpond with me no more. If 1 know any thing of this treacherous heart of mine, 1 love thofe mod, who are mod faithful to me in this refpedi:: henceforward, dear Sir, I beftech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, fpare me not. I am blind, I am full of felf-pride, and felf-love, and yet know it not. Blcfied be God, who during my retirement has been pleafed to let me fee fomething of my own vilenefs. I truft he will never leave nor forfake me, till I know myfelf even as I am known. I need not fear the fight of fin, when I have a perfe(51: everlafting rightQOufnefs wrought out for me by that GoD-man Christ Jesus. The riches of his free grace, caufe me daily to triumph overall the temptations of the wicked one, who is very vigilant, and feeks all occafions to difturb 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 truft my divine maftcr will prepare roe for his future mercies. I am perfuadcd I fha'l yet fee great things, and be called to fufier for his name fake. Through much tribulation, I muft enter into glory. Lift up your hands, dear Sir, when praying at the fancluary, in my behalf; in-treat the fame favour of the elecSl lady. As I am enabled, it ftiail be returned 3 and, GoD willing, when I come next 4 to

to knghml^ you may expert a vifit from, dear and reverend Sir,

Your moil obliged friend and fcrvant,

LETTER LXXXVI.

My Pjv. and very dearBrother^ Philadelphia^ Nov, lo. 17 30.

EVER fmce fincc I was favoured with your laft mod endearing letter, you have been upon my heart more and more. As I wiih all the Lord's fervants were prophets, fo it gives me uncommon pleafure, when the Lord raifes up one of our own church. Believe me, dear Sir, when I look upon her defolations, I can fcarce forbear weeping over her. But blefled be God, who has been pleas'd to vifit her in this our day. Henceforward, I truft (he will be a joyful mother of fpiritual children. Many of late, under God, have been begotten by fome of her fons through the gofpel, amongft whom

I may reckon • : He has been I believe, and truft will

ftill be the ghoftly father of many fouls. May he increafe with all the increafe of God, and appear before his redeemer at the laft day, faying, *' Behold me, O Lord, and the children which thou haft given me." Oh dear Sir, words cannot exprefs how affedionately I defire to efteem and love you. None but the all-feeing God knows how carneftly I pray and defire to labour for the profperity of Jerufalem, Had we a thoufand hands -iwi tongues^ there is employment enough for them all : people are every where ready to perifh for lack of knovv'ledge. As the Lord has been pleafcd to revcad hi's dear Son in us. Oh let us ftir up that gift of God, and with all boldnefs preach him to others. Freely we have received, freely let us give ; what Christ tells us by his fpirit in our clofets, that let us proclaim on the houfe top. FIc who fends, will protect us. All the devils in hell (hall not hurt us, till we have finiftied our teftimony. And then, if we fhould feal it with imprifonment or death, well will it be with us, and happy (liall we be evermore ! But the proof of our fm-cerity, will be Vv^hen we come to the trial. I fear for no one io much as myfelf. Dear Sir, pray that you never may have reafoa to be aflianied of the

Moft unprofitable of our Lord's fervants,

(?. IK G 2 LETTER.

LETTER LXXXVII.

Dear Mr. , Philadelphia^ Nov. IC, I73'9'

I Hope dear brother hath fatisfied you about the queries in your laR. I truft you are not angry with me for being fo long filent. Excefs of bufinefs was the caufe. I write you this, my dear brother, to afllirc you I have not forgotten you. No, you are upon my heart j I pray for your profperity both in body and foul, and hope ere v/e die to take another tour with you round Wales. God has dealt moCt lovingly with us on fliip-board. We had very fair weather moft part of our way. Both the good and bad fpirit have been with us in the fhip. The one to tempt and terrify, the other to fuppcrt and comfort. I need not tell you which has prevailed. Who fliall ftand before the fpirit 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 defpair thereof. ProfeJJor Fra?2ks'sunder^-taking in Germany has been much preiled upon my heart. I really believe that my prefent undertaking will fucceed. A'ly dear brother, call down a bleffing by your prayers. The Lord will hear thofe who put their truft in his mercy through Christ. You fee, you know, how many would rejoice at, and do wait for my halting. Befeech^the Lord that they may be difappointed of their hope ; intreat the people of Wales to join with you. I love them moft tenderly. I hope, at my return, to fee them grown in grace. I pray God fo to improve my retirement, that my progrefs may be made known unto them all. Salute them moft affe6:ionately in my name, and exhort them to continue inflant in. prayer and thankf-givings for, dear and honoured Sir, Your fellow pilgrim and labourer in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER LXXXVIIL

My dear hrother in Chri/?^ Phikdelphia^ Nov, 10, 17 JQ.

AS there has been joy in heaven at your converfion, fo I can afTure you there has been on earth. I, and my fri'endf, have not failed to ^ive thanks, that you our brother

was

was dead, but is alive again ; was lofl, but is found. Oh blellbd be God for calling you at the eleventh hour. Doth not this difplay the riches of his free grace ; and ought it not to fill you with his praife all the day long ? I wonder not that you are already become a fool for Christ's fake. All that will live godly in him muft fuffer perfecution. But fear not man. The Lord of Hosts HvdW be with you ; the ftrength of that God who hath called you fhall be your refuge. As you have not ^ong to live in this world, Satan, no doubt, will rage moft horribly againft you. Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. Your cafe, God willing, I intend to publifli in my next journal. It is good to keep clofe the fecrets of a king, but it is honourable to fpeak of the works of the Lord. That God may carry on and finifli the good work begun in your foul, is the hearty prayer of Your affedlionatc friend and brother in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER LXXXIX.

Dear Adifs B. Philadelphia^ Nov, lO, 17 39.

THOUGH, when I came firft to London, 1 thought you had not made the progrefs which might be expected in the twelve months, for want of company ; yet your laft beha* viour gave me reafon to think that you was yet alive to God,

Oh, dear Mifs B , do not flumber or fleep, but be always

trimming your fpiritual lamp, knowing you are fliortly to meet the Bridegroom. Study to fhew the fimplicity of Jesus Christ, and ftrive to imitate thofe holy matrons, who not only adminiftred to our Lord of their fubftance, but alfo followed him to the accurfed tree. Love, love to Jesus, cads out fear. No doubt they were reproached for his name fake, 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 Mifs B be thus

minded ! And may I fee her at the laft day amongft the wife

vir2;ins! Cultivating an acquaintance with Mifs D , ajid

the Mifs C 'j, will be a ftcp towards bringing you thither.

Dear Mifs B , I am your friend and fcrvant

G. jr.

G 3 LET T L R

S6 LETTERS,

LETTER XC.

To my Brother.

Philadelphia^ Nov. IC, 1739.

THOUGH I have wrote now for fome years to my dear brother, and have availed nothing, yet I cannot cea(e ftriving with him ; Vv'ho knows but at length the Almighty may remove the fcalcs from his eyes, and enable him to fee the want of a Redeemer. Indeed, my dear brother, you do not fee it yet, becaufe you do not feel it; your moral honcfly and good nature deceives you. You think you are rich, and increafed in goods, and do not confidcr that you are poor and miTerable, blind and naked. You are felf-righteous, and do not rely on the righteoufnefs of the God-Man, Christ Jesus, for falvation. What would I give was my dear brother convinced of this ? P'or, till he is convinced, he is niiferable, and docs not knov/ it. I pray God to open your eyes with a fenfe of his love. Send me a line to Georgia. God has fent us a comfortable paflage. In about a twelvemonth I expc6t: to return. Be not furprifed if you hear of my being more caft out. We muft fufFer, as well as do, for Christ. If you are one of his you will rejoice

Your afiedlionatc brother,

G. J'K

LETTER XCI.

To Madam M—.

Philadelphia^ Nov. lO, 1739.

I Cannot think of the repeated affiftances you gave me by the loan of your coach, and at the fame time forbear fending you a line of thanks. But what is of greater concern, I think it m.y duty to write to you about a more important affair ; I mean the falvation of your precious and immortal foul. God was pleafed to incline your heart. Madam, to hear and receive the word with joy. Neither the cares of the v/orld, nor the deceiifulnefs of riches, I trud have been permitted to choak, and hinder the growth of it in your foul. Indeed, Madam, you cannot be too watchful. It is ablelTed, and careful thing, to be a true Chriflian. The liril ftcp to it

is a broken heart, a heart melted down with a fenfe of fin, and flying to Jesus Christ for righteoufnefs, fantftificntion and eternal redemption. Thoufands indeed place chriftianity in good dcilres, and the having good deftres ; but this and much more a perfon may have, and yet mifcarry at laft. Pure and undeHled religion confiTcs in a lively faith in Jesus Christ, as the only mediator between God and man. A faith that changes and renews the whole foul, takes it entirely oft' the world, and fixes it wholly upon God. This, Madam, is the faith that you have fo often heard me preach, and of which I pray GoD you may be a partaker. Though you have it not yet, you need not defpair; God v/ill give it to all who fmcerely afk of him. It is true. Madam, that not many mighty are called ; but it is not your riches (hall keep you from heaven if you truly believe on the Lord Jesus. Paith in him will enable you to overcome the world, and caufe you even to triumph over the luft of the eye and the pride of life. Faith will fet you above the fear of man, and enable you to rejoice in being accounted a fool for Christ's fake. That God may impart this faith to your own, and little m.after's foul, is the hearty prayer of, Adadam, Your obliged humble fervant,

G. TK

I

LETTER XCII.

DeGr hrother H. Philadelphia^ Nov, 10, 1739.

Con£;!atulate you on your fuccefs at Monmouth. God __ has yet further work for you to do, ere you are called before rulers and governors, for his name fake. By divine per-mifFxon, in about a twelve-month, I hope to make a fecond ufe of your field pulpits. Our principles agree, as face an-fwers to face in the water. Since I faw you, God has been pleafed to enlighten me more in that comfortable do6trinc of Eleclion^ &c. At my return, I hope to be more explicit than 1 have been. God forbid, my dear brother, that we fliould Ihun to declare the whole counfel of God. The people of IVaUa are much upon my heart. I long to hear how the Gofpel flourlflies among you. How profpers your in-y/ard man ? Being always doing, no doubt you grow in

G 4 grace.

grace. May you increafe with all the increafc of God ! You will fee my letters to Mr. Jones, &c. As faft as I can, the reft of our Welch friends fhall hear from me. Oh that I may never forget their works of faith and labours of love I Salute them moft afFedionately in my name ; and exhort them, my dear brother, to contend carneftly for the faith once delivered to the faints. Put them in mind of the freenefs and eternity of God's ele61:ing love, and be inftant with them, to lay hold on the perfedl: righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ by faith. Talk to them, oh talk to them, even till midnight, of the riches of hisall-fufficient grace. Tell them, oh tell them, what he has done for their fouls, and how carneftly he is now interceding for them in heaven. Shew them in the map of the word, the kingdoms of the upper world, and the tran-fcendent glories of them; and afiure them all {hall be theirs, if they believe on Jesus Christ with their whole hearts. Prefs them to believe on him immediately. Interfperfe prayers with your exhortations, and thereby call down fire from heaven, even the fire of the Holy Ghoft,

*T^o foften, fweeien a7id refine^ And melt them into love.

Speak every time, my dear brother, as if it was your laft; weep out, if pofTible, 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, evef

Yours, &c.

G, TV,

LETTER XCIII.

To Mr. and Mrs. D ,

My dear Friends, Philadelphia, Nov, lO, 17 39.

WH E N I confider how conftantly you attended my miniftry, how gladly you received me into your houfe, and how affectionately you took your laft farewell; methinks gratitude obliges mc to fend you a line. It hath often given me pleafure to fee in what harmony you feem to Jive, and how you walked to hear the word of God as friends, purely, thought I, thefe are a happy pair, Thefe I truft are

Jielp-meets

help-meets for each other. Oh that you may go on and prof-pcr, and be plentifully rewarded for the favours (hewn to me, the moft unprofitable of our Lord*s fcrvants: he will not forget your works of faith and labours of love. Whenever you attend his word preached, I hope he will fend you rcplc-nifhed away. Oh that all knew what it is to believe in Jesus ! How foon would they renounce the world, take up their crofs 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 caufc us to fhake off all fear of man. Pray give my due refpeds to your friend and his wife, who ufed to dine with us. I pray God fantSlify you all in fpirit, foul and body, and caufe you to fit down on his right hand with

Your afFe.dionate, though moft unworthy,

Fiiend and fervant in Christ,

G. IF,

LETTER XCIV.

To the Rev. Mr. P .

Reverend Sir, Philacklphla, Nov. 10, 1739.

YOU may juftly cenfure me as unkind for not anfwering your kind letter. I can only plead by way of excuic an hurry of bufmefs, and my fuddcn departure from Eng-landf At my return, Gop willing, I purpofe to fee Nciv-hury, and there to preach the Gofpcl of the Prince of Peace. Perhaps my enemies may have fo 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 fpeak, and great (hall be the company of preachers. It often rejoices me to think what a profpc£i: we have once again of hearing the truth preached as it is in Jesus. I hope we fhall catch fire from each other, and that there will be an holy emulation amon^ft us, who fliall moft dcbafe 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 leaft, a Saviour to himfclf. My foul come not near '^ the fecrct of thofc who tc^ch fuch thi.ngs, mine honour be

not 2

go LETTER S.

not thou united to them. I know Christ is all in all. Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hcl), but none to go heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do after his good pleafure. It is God muft prevent, God muft accompany, God muft follow with his grace, or Jesus Christ will bleed In vain. That God may continue his blefiing to us both, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir, Your obliged brother and fervant,

G. JV,

LETTER XCV.

Dear Mr. , Philadelphia, Nov. lo, 1739.

WA S not my heart with your heart, When we rode by the way and talked to each other concerning the Scriptures ? I thought our fouls tallied together, and that we had both drank of the fame fpirit. 1 have often, fmce that time, admired the grace of God In you, and even now feci my foul, whilft I am writing, intimately united with yours. What is all this, but the etfecSl and fruit of God's everlafting love through Christ our Lord ? What is it, but an in-ftance of the fovereign will and good pleafure of God, who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy? Oh how doth the free, the diftinguifliing grace of God excite the love of thofe, who are made partakers of it ! What was there in you

and In me, dear Mr. 0 , that fliould move God to chufe

XLS before others ? Was there any fltnefs forefeen in us^ except a litnefs for damnation ? I believe not. No, God chofe us from eternity, he called us In time, and I am perfuaded will keep us from falling finally, till time fhail be no more. Confider the Gofpel in this view, and it appears a confident fcheme, though diredly contrary to the natural man ; and nothing convinces me more of the truth of thefe do(5lrines, than the enmity that is in the heart of carnal minds againft them. However, the power of God is able to pull down every thing that exalts itfelf againft the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Henceforward I hope I (hall fpeak boldly and plainly as I ought to fpeak, and not fail to declare the whole counfcl of God. I pray daily, that I may know his w^ill more perfcdly, not only that I may do it myfelf, but

that

that I may teach it to others. If I die for it, I cannot but fpeak the things which I know. Oh my dear friends, lift up your hands for me in the fan£tuary. The prayers of the faithful, God will hear. Entreat the fame 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 fliip. His rod has corrciSted, his ftafFhas comforted us; both his rod and ftafF have edified and flrengthened our fouls. In a year's time I hope to fee England. My love to all friends, and befcech them to pray that I may be prepared for whatever awaits

Your affedtionate brother and fervant in Christ Jesus,

G. JK

LETTER XCVI.

To Mrs. Ann D. My dear Sifter /« CHRis t , Philadelphia^ Nov. lo, IJ29-

I Owe you feveral 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 faints hereafter, I ought in a particular manner. God has highly favoured me in the acquaintance of numbers of his dearefi: children. I cannot fee fome, and to but hw of them can I write, on account of other bufniefs. Haften, O Lord, that blelTed time, when we fhall all fit dov/n to eat bread in thy kingdom !—My dear Sifter, pray that I may patiently wait till my change (hall come. I want to leap my feventy years. I long to be dilTolved to be with Christ. Sometimes it arifes from a fear of fallino-, knowing what a body of fm I carry about me. Sometimes, from a profpe6l of future labours and fufFerings, I am out of humour, and wifh for death 2.s 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 foul hath fuch foretaftes of God, that I long more eagerly to be with him ; and the frequent profpe6l of the happinefs which the fpirits of juft men made perfedl: now enjoy, often carries me as it were into another world. Many fuch fweet meditations hath my foul been favoured with ; but in the midft of all, I have felt, 2nd do feel, that I am the chief of finncrs. A myftcry of iniquity

quity that lay in my heart undifcovered, has been opened to my view, fincc my retirement in the fliip. May he enlighten me more and more, to know and feel the myftcry of his elecling, foul-transforming love. Nothing like that, to fupport us under prefent, 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 worft j our Jesus will fuffer nothing to pluck us out of his Almighty hands ; for he has loved us with an everlafting love, and therefore his right-hand fliall uphold us. By his affiftance, we fliall hold out to the end. By his grace, I, you, and all his chofen ones fhall finally be faved. Then, my dear Sifter, fhall we converfe, not with ink and paper, but face to face. I'hen, but not till then, fliall we fully know what a legion of devils Jesus Christ hath caft out of our fouls, and how, after all our ftrivings againft, and quenching many of the motions of his fpirit, he at Jaft brought us to glory. Ceafe not to pray for

Your unworthy brother in Christ,

G. IF,

LETTER XCVII.

To the Rev. Mr. R. My dear Brother R, Philadelphia y Nov, lO, 1739.

BEFORE I left England^ I heard of your progrefs in LeiccJlerPnre and Nottingham. I then rejoiced, yea, and I do now rejoice that God hath fent you forth into his vineyard. I wi(h you all imaginable fuccefs with my whole heart, l^he next news I hear from England^ I fuppofe, will inform me of your fuffering, as well as preaching for Christ. But I am pcrfuaded a profpeil of fuffering does not damp, but excite the zeal of my dear fcUow-Iabourer. He lives in a place where honeft John Bmiyan was a prifoner of the Lord for twelve years. And oh, what fweet communion did he enjoy in Bedford gaol ! I really believe a miniftcr will learn more by one month*s confinement, than by a year's fludy. Prefs on then, my dear Brother, prefs on and faint not 3 fpeak till you can fpeak no more. Wait upon the Lord, and you fliall renew yourftrength. Though fometimes faint, yet ftill purfue. Up and be doing, and the Lord be with you. See how the fields

are

are white, every where ready to harveft. See how our Lord's fhcep are I'cattered abroad, having too, too few true flicp-herds ; I befcech jou, go on, and pouit out to them the Redeemer's good paftures. Say not, wherewithal fliall I feed them? The great fliepherd fliall furnifli you with food enough, and to fpare. Give of your loaves, and you fhall take up of the fragments that remain. T.'o him that hath, fliall be given. Satan no doubt will refill: you ; he will bid you, out of a falfc humility, to hold your peace ; but let my friend fpeak out boldly as he ought to fpeak. The Holy Spirit will give him utterance, and apply the word to the hearers. If prayers may water the good feed, you may depend on mine. I remember the dear Bedford people. O let them not forget

Your poor weak brother in Christ,

G, JV,

LETTER XCVIIL

To the Rev, Mr. T. Reverend and dear SiKy Philadelphia, Nov, 10, 1739.

BEFORE I faw, I loved you. Ever fmce our perfonal acquaintance, I have often thought, what a noble inftru-ment you might be of turning many to righteoufnefs, if your heart was entirely freed from the world, and inflamed with the love of God. Your vivacity of fpirit, your warm imagination, the energy and ftrength of your endearing manner of writing, together with your loving, tender difpofition, if orice duly influenced by the fpirit of God, could not fail of winning fouls to Christ. Come out therefore my brother, my friend ; come out from among your carnal connections, and " be thou feparate," faith the Lord Almighty. Throw ofFa falfe politenefs, ftudy the fimplicity of Jesus Christ, and be dc-fpifed for fomething. O pity^pity the church o^ England. See-how too, too many of her fons are fallen from her articles, and preach themfclves, not Christ Jesus the Lord. My dear friend, I could wifh my head was waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep day and night before the Lord. O let us befeech him to fpirit up more of his faithful fervants, to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel" poor finncrs to come in. Oh that dear Mr. T. may be one of

them!

them ! How would the fplrit of Christ and of glory rc{l uport his foul ! Arifc, arife, my dear brother, and gird up the loin* of your mind. Arife, arife, and be not of the number of thofe 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 fcripture truths, as delivered in our homilies and our articles, preached up univcrfally. This is all that is contended for, by

Your moft unworthy friend, brother, and fervant in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. JV,

LETTER XCIX.

To the Rev. Mr, D. TV, Reverend and dear Sir.y Philadelphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

I Love you, though I have been fo ungrateful as not to write to you. I love you in the bowels of our common Mafter whofe name we bear, and in vvhofe glorious fcrvice we are both employed. Oh, dear Sir, what are we that we fhould be fo highly favoured I Why are we honoured ? Why are we called to the miniftry, and others that are efFecSluaily called by grace, yet advanced no higher than private chriftians ? I can only cry out. Oh the depth of God's fovereign, ele<Sling, unmerited love. Even fo Father, for fo it feemed good in thy fight \ Surely, dear Sir, the love of Christ muft conftrain us to-fpend and be fpent for the good of fouls. Never was the har-veft greater; never were the labourers fewer. If we do not now lift up our voices like trumpets, the very ftones would; cry out againft us. I could almoft fay, " the glory is departed from Ifrael; the ark of the Lord is fallen into enemies hands." Oh let us endeavour, dear Sii', 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 vnder a bufliel, but on a candleftick. Satan, indeed, by blafts of pcrfecution, will do all he can to put it out. If our light be the light of Christ, thofe blafts will only caufe it tO' fhine the brighter. You have Irappily, dear Sir, experienced this. You, I believe, was both in Christ and in the

miniftry

minlftry before me. I pras, fequar, etfi non pafTibus equis. The devil and all his hofts will let their battle in array againft us. My Lord has given me a fling and a ftone j {tripling as I am, I will go forth then in his ftrength, make mention of his righteoufncfs only, and by that lay proftratc the ftrong Goliahs. By your prayers I truft to be fent to Wales once more. The hmplicity of that people much delights me. What (hall, what can I do for them ? My prayers they have, and whatever God fliall enable me to do, they may demand a fhare from, dear Sir,

Your afFe6lionate friend, brother, and fervant,

G. TV,

LETTER C.

To the Rev, Mr. H, Dear Mr. H, Philadelphia., Nov. lo, 1739.

I Received no anfwer to my laft, yet I muft write to you again. The many happy hours I fpent with you when at Oxoriy and the benefit I have received from your inflruclions and example, are yet frefli upon my memory. I long to have my dear friend come forth, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus. Not a righteoufncfs or inward holinefs of our own, whereby we may make ourfclvcs meet, but a righteoufncfs of another, even the Lord our righteoufncfs j upon the Imputation and apprehending of which by faith, we ihall 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 freenefs and riches of God's grace in Christ Jesus. It is fwect to know and preach, that Christ juftifies the ungodly, and that all truly good works are not fo much as partly the caufe, but the ^^of our juftiiication before God. Till convinced ofthefe truths, you muft own free-will in man, which isdireilly contrary to the holy fcriptures, and the articles of our church. Let me advife dear Mr. H. laying afide all prejudice, to read and pray over Saint Paul's cpiftles to the Romans and GaIaiia?2Sy and then let him tell me v/hat he thinks of this dodlrine. Moft of your old friends are now happily enlightened. God fets his feal to fuch preaching in an extraordinary manner, and I am perfuaded the gates of hell fhall never be able to prevail

againft

agalnft it. Oh that dear Mr. H. would alfo join with us ? Oh that the Lord would open his eyes to behold aright this part of the myftery of godlinefs ! How would it rejoice my heart! How would it comfort his own foul ! He would then no longer groan under the fpirit of bondage : No, he would be brought into the glorious liberty of the fons of God. I , have wrote to dear Mr. 0, as well as to you, out of the fim-plicity of my heart.

Ever your's in Christ,

G. JV.

L E T T E R CI.

To the Rev, Mr. K. Dear Brother K. Philadelphia^ Nov. IC, 1739.

I Long to hear how it is with you, and the church in your houfe. I verily believe, though it is but a little flock^ yet it will be our heavenly Father's good pleafure to give you the kingdom. Hov/ happy is it, when all are of one mind in a houfe y all agreed to entertain and love the Lord Jesus. Their heaven is begun on earth. I pray God to continue this blefling, and caufe you daily to build up each other in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is a o;racious Mafter. Oh that I knew and loved him more ! for he is altogether lovely. Has he yet revealed himfelf in dear Mr. K,*s heart ? Is he aflured that his beloved is his ? Is he brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God ? Is his mind free from fcruples ? Is he active ? Is he pundual ? Is he ftrong in the Lord and in the power of his might? Is the meeknefs of the lamb and theboldnefs of the lion blended in his foul ? Do his parifhioners fear, yet love him ? Is he a Boanerges^ and yet a Barnabas in the church of God ? Does he thunder againfl: obftinate fmners, and by difplaying the riches of the promifcs, comfort and build up the faints ? Dees he preach as the fpirit gives him utterance ? Can he rely on the promife, '' L9 I am with you always, even unto the end of the world ?"

Forgive this freedom, my dear broiher. Love makes me thus impertinent. I want to fee you perfect, entire, lacking nothing. May Gcd from day to day fupply what is flill deficient

cicnt in you and in me, till we come to the fulncfs of ihc measure oF the ftature of Christ. He is faithful that has pro-mifed. God has been gracious to me his fervant. In about a twelvemonth, I hope you will again fee and rejoice with Your affedioiiate brother in Christ,

G. IK

LETTER GIL

Dear Mrs, F. Philadelphia^ Nov, lO, 1739.

THE Lord reward you for all your works of faith and labours of love ! They {hall be brought forth as fo many evidences of your lively faith, when we meet before our Lord in judgment. Does not the profpe«£l: of that glorious day, often fill your foul with joy ? It does mine* Why ? Be^ caufe I know my Redeemer is to be my judge* Satan will accufe mej my anfwer fhall be, the Lord Jesus is my righte-oufnefs, how dareft thou to lay any thing to the charge of God*s Ele6l ? I ftand here not in my own, but his robes ; and though I deferve 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./', how ought this to excite our zeal and love for the holy Jesus. Why fhould we defire to plead for a righteouf-jiefs of our own,and cry up freewill, when we have an infinitely better righteoufnefs than our own to appear in, and a God that wiilcrown us with eternal glory for working in us both to will and to do after his good pleafure ? Happy are you and your*s, that have been taught thefe glorious principles from your youth ! Oh (hew them forth more and more by your works, and let the world fee what it is to have a faith working by love. Study, oh ftudy, day by day, the fimplicity of Jesus Christ. Caft away every thing from you that favours of the lull of the eye and pride of life. Be quick to hear, flow to fpeak, and let your converfation always be feafoncd with grace. Oh, dear Mrs. F. my heart is enlarged towards you : My kind, my liberal hoflefs, what ihaU I fay or do to exprefs my gratitude ? I will, I do fpeak for you to the king of kings. Though I am fo great a finner, he frequently admits me into his privy chamber, and then I often figh out, *' O that my dear i^^^^^r^friends may live Vol. L H before

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 moft obliged friend and fervant,

G. IV.

LETTER cm.

To Mr, S, Rcvcnnd and dear Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. lo, 1739.

I Rejoice that God fent you fo opportunely to Monmouth: I find every day that two are better than one. God fufFers his dear children to fall into little mifcarriages, that the eye ■may not fay to the hand, " I have no need of thee ;" or again, the head to the foot, '' I have no need of thee." We muft be helps to each other on this fide eternity. Nothing gives me more, comfort, next to the alTurance of the eternal continuance of God's love, than the pleafmg refledion of having fo many chriftian friends to watch with my foul. I wifh they would fmite 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 ofFfo triumphantly. Surely the devil is afleep, or rather that roaring lion thinks to break out upon us with double fury hereafter. It often fhames me, when I read St. Paul's account of his fufferings, to think in how few particulars I can as yet fympathize with him. It as often makes me long to be like him, and yet I fear how I fhall ad: when put to the trial. This, however, is my comfort, " Jesus Christ the fame yefrerday, to-day, and for ever.". He faw me from all eternity j he gave me being •, he called me in time ; he has freely juftified me through faith in his blood; he has in part fan6tified me by his fpirit; he will prcfcrve me underneath his everlafling arms, till time fliall be no more. Oh the blcfTednefs of thefe evangelical truths ! Thcfe are in-. deed gofpel; they are glad tidings of great joy to all that have "ecTS to hear. Thefe, bring the creature out of himfelf. Thefe, .make him to hang upon the promifes, and caufe his obedience .'to. flpw from a principle of love. They are meat indeed, and t dj^ink (indeed unto, m.y foul. lam pcrfuaded they are fo like-5 wife

LETTERS. gg

wife to you and dear Mrs. S . I hope fhe is yet in the

land of the living, and that fhe, yourfclf, and your Ton, are daily preparing for eternity. I pray God fancftify your whole fpirits, fouls, and bodies, and reward you for all kindnefles Ihewn to, dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fcrvant in Christ,

LETTER CIV.

To the Rev. Mr. T. Reverend and dear Sir^ Philadelphia^ Nov. lO, 1739.

SHALL I promife and not perform ? God forbid. When I faw you firil at Cardiff^ it rejoiced my heart to hear what God had done for your foul. You was then under fomedif-pleafure of your redor, if I mlflake not, for fpe^iking the truth as it is in Jesus. Ere now, I hope dear Mr. T. has had the ho.Mour of being quite thruft out. Rejoice, my dear brother, and be exceeding glad, for thus was our Lord and Saviour ferved before you. Naked therefore follow a naked Christ. Freely you have received, freely give. If you preach the gof-pel, you fhall live of the gofpel. Though you go out without fcrip or flioe, yet (hall you lack nothing. Rather than you fhall want, ravens, thofe birds of prey, (hall be commanded to feed you. It is a blefled thing to live upon God. Did ever any truft in him and was forfaken ? No ; fearch the generations of old, climb up into heaven if you can, and all with one confent will declare,

The Lord their pajlure did prepare^ And fed them with a Jhephcrd's care,

T, though hell-deferving. am a living witnefsof his good providence 3 having nothing, I pollcfs all things; he has 'i&i^ mc with the kidneys of wheat, and commanded fomc one or another to fuftain me whitherfoever I was fent on his errand. Jesus is the fame yeflerday, to-day, and forever. Ifwcpo forth in the fpirit of the lirft apoRles, we fhall meet wi.h npoflolical fuccefs. And-never was there more occafion for the revival of fuch a primitive fpirit. Alas, the life, the pov;er

zoo LETTER S.

of religion is almoft loft amongft us. Stir up then, dear Sir, the gift of God, which is in you. Be initant in fcafon and outoffeafon. Dcbafe man and exalt Tf.sus. Self-riiihteOuf-ncfs overturn, overturn. The people of IFales^ the common people at leail, will receive you gladly. The Lord fhall fight all battles for you here, and reward you with a crown that never fadeth hereafter. If I have but the loweft place in your afteclions, it will abundantly fatisfy

Your moft affectionate brother,

G. JV,

LETTER CV.

To Mr. M. Dearcjl Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. lO, 1739.

EVER fince you opened your heart fo freely in the garden, you have been much upon my heart. Though abfent from, yet I have been prefent with you. I am acquainted in fome meafure with the ftrugglings of a foul juft awakening into new life. I know too many have ftiflcd 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 fpirit, and then all old things will fubfidc and give way of themfelves. The (Irong man armed muH: go out when the fhonger than he, even the fpirit of God, comes to take polVcflion of your foul. What therefore have you to do, dear Sir, but to throw yourfelf as a poor fmner at the feet of the holy Jesus ? You need not doubt his holdmg out the golden fccptre to you. Whofoevcr Cometh to him by faith, he w\\\ in no-wife caft out. He calls, he draws you : what is it for, but to aflure you he will make you happy ? Come then, dear Sir, weary and heavy laden as you are, the Lord your righteoufnefs fhall give you refl: He (hall refrcfh you with a multitude of peace, and caufe you to rejoice in his falvation ; there is nothing too hard for the Lord Christ. He can draw your mind from the creature, he can fix it upon himfelf; he can enable you to live above the world, whilft you are in it j he can tranflate you to heaven^ Vvhen he has taken you away from earth. As the

LuP.i>

LETTERS. loi

Lord Jesus can, (o that he may do all thcfe things for your Ibul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your fincere friend and fervant,

G. jr.

LETTER CVI.

To the Rev. Mr. H. Reverend and dearejl Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. lO, 1739.

IT often concerned me, when in London, that I could not enjoy more of your company. Your converfation was always feafoned with grace, and fuch as became the gofpel of Christ. Your great kindnefs, in publicly praying for me, can never be fuiKciently acknowledged. The thought almoft Riakes me to weep for joy. Surely the Lord will not let me mifcarry, fincehe has ftirred up the choiceft of his fervants to intercede in my behalf. The fearcher of all hearts alone knows, what agonies my poor foul has undergone fmce my retirement from the world. The remembrance of my paft fins has overwhelmed my foul, and caufed tears to be my meat day and night. Indeed I have mourned as one mourneth for a firft born : But I looked to him whom I have pierced. I was enabled to fee the freenefs and riches of his grace, the infinitenefs and eternity of his love, and my foul received comfort. Oh the excellency of the dodlrine of election, and of the faints final perfeverance, to thofe who are truly fealcd by the fpirit of promife ! I am perfuaded, till a man comes to believe and feel thcfe important truths, he cannot come out of himfelf; but when convinced of thefe, and afiured of the application of them to his own heart, he then walks by faith indeed, not in himfelf, but in the Son of God, who died and gave himfelf for him. Love, not fear, con-flrains him to obedience. The promifcs of God are all Yea and Amen to his foul. Supported by thefe conviclions, in about a twelvemonth, God willing, I intend returning to England, and to begin my teftimony afrefh. I trufl I fliall not be afhamed to declare the whole counfel of God. Satan, no doubt, and his emifiaries, will endeavour to block up my way ; but the faints of God are praying for me on earth, and. the holy Jesus is interceding in heaven. Why fliould I

H 3 not

loz LETTERS.

not go forth and offer his cverbfting and perfe£): rlghteoufnefs to all that fliall be brought to believe on him ? Satan fuggefts even whilft I am writing, " How canft thou fpeak, feeing thou art fuch a fmner ?" But therefore will I fpeak, becaufe I can fay, by happy experience, that Jesus Christ will have mercy on the chief of finners -, for among fuch you may trulv rank

Your unworthy brother, and unprofitable fellow-Jabourer, in our dear Lord's vineyard,

G. TV,

LETTER CVII.

Dear Mrs, D. Philadelphia^ Nov. lo, 1739.

TEN thoufand bleffings light upon you and yours ! The Lord reward you ten thoufand-fold for receiving me snd my friends into your houfe. The Lord fliower down his heavenly manna, and feed you with the bread of life for thofe comfortable meals we have had of your providing fince we came on board. We have not been flack to pray for you ; mv heart is now full of a fenfe of your kindnefies. I know not when to begin and when to leave ofF adoring the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for t:hefe and all other of his love-tokens : He is the father of mercies, and the God of ail comfort; he hath comforted me in all my tribulation, and, I am afiured, will ftill.comfort me in whatfoever I am to do or fufFer for his name's fake. You, dear Mrs. D, can fubfcribe to this truth, that God is a God of all comfort. You have been comforted on every fide ; you have been filled as it v/ere vv^ith new wine; you have tailed that the Lord is o-racious, and yet the beft wine is and will be always referved till the lafl:. The Lord's companions fail not; they are, they will be renewed to you every morning ; and though, throu2;h much tribulation, you, as well ^others, muft enter into glory, yet you will find God to be your comforter in all tribulation. God has made you a joyful mother of chriftian children; remember the mother in the Maccabees ; and, if ever your children are called to fuff'ering, beg of God that you may ftand by and encourage them to die for Christ. Oh that would be a fpedacle indeed ! A fpedlacle worthy of men

and

and angels ! I pray God to arm you with this mind, and then you will find that God's rod as well as his ftaff will comfort you; nay, though you pafs through the valley of the fhadow of death, yet {hail the Holy Spirit refrefh you ; your heart {hall fland faft, and be ftedfaft in the Lord. Oh, my dear Madam, my heart is enlarged towards you ; I pray God to fill you with all his divine fulnefs, and make you daily more and more meet to be an inheritor among the faints in light. With much love I have wrote to dear Mr. D, Oh pray him not to be angry with

Your moft afFedlionate friend and brother,

G. TV.

LETTER CVIII.

To Mr. N, Honoured Sir<y Philaddphlay Nov. 10, 1739.

BE not difpleafed at the contents of this; if I was not perfuaded that love to your foul, and my duty towards God, moved me to write, I fliould be filent. When laft at Gioucefter^ 1 heard you v^^as highly offended at my meetings in the fields, and at the fame time countenanced and encoura^-ed the ading of plays in the Boothall. This I thought hi2;hly unbecoming the chara£ler of a chriflian magiilrate, whofe peculiar bufinefs it is to be a terror to evil doers, and a praife to them that do well. This made me to fpeak againft thofe proceedings in my fermoris. This is the occafion of my troubling you with a letter. I cannot think I have delivered my foul, unlefs, with all meeknefs and humility, I exhort you henceforward not to promote or fo much as any vi^ay countenance the flage-players. In our common law they are ftilcdy^^^r^ beggars. As a minifter of the king, upon that account it is your duty to put a flop to them : As a difciple and minlfter of Jesus Christ, the king of kings, you are obliged, te^wrg.-/ Sir, to exert your authority in fupprefiing them. It is notorious that fuch meetings are the nurferies of debauchery; they are the pefl: of our nation, and the bane of true chriftianity : To be prefent at, or in the leaft to contribute towards their fupport, is therefore a great fin ; but to countenance them by our authority, and let them ac^ by our permiiTion, what is this

H 4 but

but becoming public patrons for vice and immorality ? It is not only fmning ourfelves, but it is taking pleafure in the fms of others. This the apoftle accounted the higheft pitch of heathenifh wickednefs. Honoured Sir, pray be not offended : Thefe are not the words of a madman j no, they are the words of truth and fobernefs, and words which our Lord will approve of, when I ftand with you before him in judgment. However men may now put wrong namiCS to things, and call that an innocent amufem.ent, which has no other tendency but to corrupt and debauch the heart, yet then, Sir, we fhall fee all things clearly ; then fliall you know that it was my duty to write as I have done, and will confefs before men and angels that you had an humble and afFe(Stio;ir»te warning given you, by, honoured Sir,

Your very humble fervant,

LETTER CIX,

To Mr. Thamas P. Dear Sb\ Philadelphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

THOUGH unknown to you in perfon, yet as you was pleafed to think me worthy of the care of your dear fon, I think it my duty to acquaint you of his welfare. I blefs God that he came with me. He is diligent and pious, and I truil will be a comfort to you in your declining years : His mind feems fettled and compofed, 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 alfo was become a chriftian indeed ? Be not offended, dear Sir, at my expreffmg myfelf thus. Affure yourfelf that chriftianity is fomething more than a name and a bare outward profciTion. Morality of itfejf, 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 bleiled fpirit of G06. This faith transforms the whole man, delivers him from the tyranny of his pailions, and makes him entirely a new creature. This is the reafon why it is roolifhnefs to th? world* Your fon's cafe in this refpe(5t

vvas

was not fihgular. As foon as ever we commence chriflians, we commence fools for Christ's fake. Every truly religious man muft be deemed a madman. Forgive this freedom, dear Sir ; whilft I am writing, I find a love for your foul arifinn- ia 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 thofe who come in at the eleventh hour. Christ came to fave poor fmners; he came to favc you, dear Sir, if you lay hold on him by a living faith. That G-op may give you this faith, and thereby make you happy in time and tp eternity, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your obliged friend and fervant,

LETTER ex.

To the Rev. Mr. R. D. Reverend and dear 5/r, - Philadelphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

I Think I am a little in your debt; if not, love and gratitude call upon me to fend you a line. Man appoints, but God difappoints : His providence called me away, before I could poiTibly fee Cornwall, In about a twelvemonth I purpofe returning. Who knows but then I may be enabled to perfornl my promife ? The whole world is nov/ my parifli. Where-foever my mafler calls me, I am ready to go and preach his everlafting gofpel. My only grief is, that I can do no more for Christ ; for I am fure I ought to love and do much, having had fo much forgiven ; not that I expect in the leafl to be juftified by any or all the works I either can or fhall do : No, the Lord Christ is my righteoufncfs, my whole and perfect righteoufncfs ; but then I would iliew forth my faith, I would declare to the world the fmcerity of my \ovc^ bv 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 fervants will fhoot fore at me that I may fall ; but this confideration comforts and fupports me, " The Lord is my helper ;" he has, he does, he will deliver. I am pcrfuaded you feel his gracious prefence, and the influences of his biefled fpirit, whenever you go forth to fpeak in his name. Mav a double portion of his fpirit and precious anointings defcend

upon

upon your foul 1 May you be filled with all his fulnefs, an4 be enabled thereby to turn many to righteoufnefs here, and fo fhine as the firmament of heaven for ever hereafter ! Oh that a place at fome faints feet may be affigned to, dear Sir,

Your weak though affedionate brother in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CXI.

To the Rev. Mr. B, Reverend and dear Sir^ Philadelphia, Nov, lo, 1739.

YOU have been too kind, and I have been too ungrateful. Bufinefs would not permit me to have fo much private converfation with you as I ought. Succefs I fear elated my mind. I did not behave towards you, and other minifters of Christ, with that humility which became me. I freely con-feCs my fault; I own myfelf 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, fhall I come out into the world again or not? Muft I venture myfelf once more among fire-brands, arrows, and death ? Me-r thinks I hear you reply, *' Yes, if you come forth in the flrength of the Lord God, and make mention of his righteoufnefs only.*' It is my deare fo to do. I would have Jesus all in all. Like a pure chryftal, I would tranfmit all the light he poureth upon me. Oh pray, dear Sir, that I may be thus minded, and then, God v/illing, in about a twelvemonth, I intend vifiting the Brijhl brethren once again. In the mean while, I hope the Lord will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit, and v/ork upon me mightily in the inner-man, for otherwife his bleffings will prove curfes to me. He has been pleafed to dig and dung round me, during my retirement.; he has fhewn me fomething of the treachery of my own heart, and more and more convinced me that I am the chief of fm-ners. Oh that my heart may fhew forth the eternity and fovereignty of his love ! for never furely was there a greater initance of it than myfelf. Happy are thofe that are brought to an experimental knowledge of thefe myflcries of the kingdom of God. Many of your charge have been, I believe ; I pray God to increafe the number of your fpiritual children more

and

and more, and to add dally to the church fuch as fliall bt faved. My cordial refpecls attend your fellow-Jabourcrs, and all who are fo kind as to aflc for me ; as faft as opportunity permits, they may expect to hear from, reverend Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,

G, IV.

LETTER CXII.

Dear Mrs. F. Philadelphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

I Have now time to anfwer your laft letter. It gave me much fatisfaiftion. I rejoice that you begin to know yourfelf. If pofTible, fatan will make us to think more highly of our-felves than we ought to think. I can tell this by fatal experience. It is not fadden flafhcs of joy, but having the humility of Christ Jesus, that muft denominate us chriftians. If we hate reproof, we are fo far from being true followers of the Lamb of God, that in the opinion of the wifefl: of men, we arc brutiQi. I love you and your dear hufband in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Under God, I begot you both through the gofpel, I therefore think it my bounden duty, from time to time, more particularly to y/atch over your precious fouls. Never account me your enemy for fpeaking the truth. Tell me of my faults in your turn. I will pray God to give me an hear-ins; ear and an obedient heart. But how do our brethren after their late difperficn ? I heard they had in part recovered them-felves. Ere now, I truft, they have refumed their courage, and ftand ftedfall: as a wail of brafs. If you vvere all to be carried to prifon the next moment, I think you fiiould not ^c-, cline your chriftian fellowlhip and fociety meetings. My brethren, in this refpcifl, I befeech you to obey God rather than man. Happy are you, if you patiently fufFer in fuch a caufe. Our Lord will ftand by you ; he Vv'ill fight all your battles, and make ycu more than conquerors throu;^h his love. My heart would fay more j but other letters muft be wrote. Salute all the brethren by name, and accept this as a token of your no^ being forgotten by

Your afFsiclionate brother and fcrvant in Christ,

G, n\

LETTER

loS LETTERS.

LETTER CXIII.

To the Rev. Mr. S. Rrjcrend a77d dear Sir., Pbiladelphia^ Nov. lO, I739»

THE favours received at Hertford^ from you and your dear flock, are not yet out of my mind : They were exceeding endearing, and deferve my utmoft acknowledgments. Had providence permitted, I fliould have paid you another vifit j but God's thoughts are not as our thoughts: However, in about a twelvemonth, by his leave, I hope to return amongfl: you once more. Oh ! that I may come in the bleffing of the gofpel of peace ! The do£lrines 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 faints in all ages : Nothing more confirms me in the belief of them, than the oppofition that is made againft them by natural men. Election, free grace, free juflification without any regard to works forefeen, are fuch paradoxes to carnal minds, that they cannot away with them. This is the wifdom of God, which is foolifhnefs 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 fvvord of the fpirit, the word of GoD : No fword like that. Dear Sir, pray for me that I may rightly divide the word of truth, and give to each his portion in due feafon. The Lord has been exceeding gracious to me fmce I faw you Jaft. Oh let your fongs be of him, and praife him for all \\\% 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 pro-mifed, who alfo will doit. If they hunger and thirlt after Christ's righteoufnefs, verily they fliall know that it is im* putcd to them. That you and your whole charge may be filled with all the fulnefs of Goj:), is the earneil: prayer o£,

ckai Sir,

Youi's mod ^ifFcdlionatcly in Christ Jesu^,

G. ly.

LETTEPw

LETTER CXIV.

To Mr. Win. D .

My Diar Brothery Pbllachlphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

Y

OUR laft brought glad tidings. I endeavour to

thanks for you with nny whole heart. I truft God has enabled you to take the advice you gave nic, 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 fpirit is willing in both ; but the flefh, mine in particular, Is exceeding weak. Blclled be God for fending me on fiiip-board. He has given me to fee fomething of that myftery of iniquity, which was in my heart. I have loathed and abhorred my own feif. Tears have been my meat day and night ; but glory be to God, who has lately afTured me of a victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. At prefcnt my heart is quite free. You will fee what I have written to thofc of your houfehold. I pray the Lord to fend you and many more fuch. labourers into his harveft. I intend refigning the parfonage of Savmniah. Th Orphan Houfe I can take care of, fuppofing I fhould be kept at a diftance ; befides, when I have refigned the parifh, I fhall be more at liberty to take a tour round America^ if God fhouW ever call me to fuch a work. Hov,'-ever, I determine nothing, I wait on the Lord. I am per-fuaded he will fhew what is his will : though my heart is as yet perverfe, in time I hope to drink deeper into his fpirit. How earneftly do I defire to be difiblved, that I may be with Christ ! Sometimes my weak body gives me hopes, that I fhall not be long in the flefh ; but then, the ftrength that is communicated to me, and the confideration, that I have but juft begun my teftimony, fills me v^ith fears, left I (liould live to be greyheaded. But I endeavour to refign myfclf wholly to God. I deiire his v/ill may be done in me, by me, and upon me. If the Lord prefervcs me from falling into fm, and difhonouring his holy name, let him do what feem-eth him good with

Yours moft affedlionatcly in Christ Jesus,

G. TV.

LETTER

no LETTERS.

LETTER CXV.

To Mada?n C .

Madmn^ Philadelphia^ Nov. fO, 1739.

TO be made good by the righteoufnefs and fpirit of Jesus Christ, is a diftJDguiflilng blelTing. To be made good, and yet to be great and rich in this world's goods, is ftill more extraordinary. BJefied be God, who has thus highly favoured 3'ou. I truft he hath gi^ven you that faith, which enables you to overcome the. .wqrld, and emboldens you to confefs both our Lord and his fervants, in the midft of a wicked and adulterous generation. Once indeed I feared

you had been offended. Dear Mr. M foon convinced

me of my error. Yourfelf, Madam, amply fatisfied me before I left London^ that you were not afliamed of the gofpel and miniilers of Christ. May the Lord enable you more and more to fet 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 fame fpirit may be fciind in all that profefs the Lord Jesus, as was in the primitive faints, confefTors and martyrs. Further oppofition then will not hurt, but highly profit the church. The chafF Vv^ill be winnowed from the wheat, and they that are approved be made manifeft. As for my own part, I expedl nothing but afflidions and bonds. The fpirit, as well as the do6lrine of popery, prevails much in many proteftants hearts; they already breathe out threatnings. What v^'onder, if vvhen in their power, they fhould breathe out {laughters alfo ? This is my comfort, the do6lrincs I have taught are the do6lrines of fcripture, the doctrines of our own and of other reformed churches. L'^ I fuf-fer for preaching them, {0 be it. " Thou (lialt anfwer for me, O Lord my God !" 1 rejoice in tha profpedl of ir, and befeech thee, my dear redeemer, to ftrengthen me in a fufFering hour. You, dear Madam, and the reft of my friends, will not be wanting in praying for

Your moft obliged humble fcrvant,

(?. TV.

LETTER

LETTER CXVI.

To Mr. D ~.

Dear Sir^ Philadelphia^ Nov. ic, 1739.

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

confeiled his fervants before men, he has promifed to confefs fiich, before his angels in heaven. The principles which I maintain, are purely fcriptural, and every way agreeable to the church of' England articles. What I have been chiefly concerned about is, left any fhould reft in the bare fpeculative knowledge, and not experience the power of them in their own hearts.—What avails it, Sir, if I am a patron for the righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ in behalf of another, if at the fame time I am felf-righteous myfelf? I am thus jealous, I truft with a godly jealoufy, becaufe I fee fo many felf-deceiv-ers among my acquaintance. There is one in particular (whom I love, and for whom I moft heartily pray) who approves of my doctrine, and hath heard it preached many years paft, but I could never hear him tell of his experiences, or of what God has done for his foul. He hath excellent good defires and intentions, but I think he wants fomething more : Lord, for thy infmite mercy's fake, grant he may know him-

fclf even as he is known 1 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 faying, '^ Then I am the man.'* True, dear Sir, I confeis you arc. But love, love for your better part, your foul, your precious foul, this love conftrains me to m^q this freedom. You are more noble than to take it ill at my hands ; I could not bear even to fufpedl that you deceived yourfelf, dear Sir, and not tell you fuch a fufpicion was in my heart. T'hat God may powerfully convince you of felf-righteoufnefs, and cloath you wich the righteoufnefs of his dear Son ; that he may till you

v;ith

with his grace, and thereby fit you for, and at laft tran-llate you to, his glory, is the hearty prayer o^, dear Sir, Your moft obliged and affectionate friend

and humble fervant,

G. tF.

LETTER CXVII.

To a Servant,

Philadelphia^ Nov, lo, 1739*

WHEN I was at Mr. , I fear I did not afk you often enough what God had done for your foul. I write this to beg your pardon. Want of time was the caufe. 1 believe Christ hath manifefted himfelf to your foul. Shew it, I entreat you, by labouring to adorn his gofpel in all things. A meek and quiet fpirlt is in the fight of God of great price. You are happy in a place. I hope you know and are thankful for it. Take heed that you ferve with fin-glenefs 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 perverfe-TieCs of others. Remember how filent Mary was, when her fifler Alartha pecvifhly faid, " Lord, careft thou not that my fifter has left me to ferve alone?" My unfeigned love attends all the Martha's and Marys of your acquaintance. I pray they may in all things walk as v/omen profefnng god-linefs. To hear of your progrefs in the gofpel, would much pleafe

Your fincere friend and fervant,

G, IV,

LETTER CXVIII.

To ihc Rev. Mr,

Rev. and dear Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. ic, 1739.

THE many favours I have received at your hands, are llill deeply impreficd upon my heart j as I have often faid, fo I fay again, I hope they v/ill never be forgotten by me lb long as I live. But, reverend Sir, I have obferved fome particulars in your principles and condud, v/hich I muft confefs have given me much concernj and of which, from love and 2 gratitude.

gratitude, I think myfelf obliged to itifoim you. I believe, dear Sir, you have often been inwardly offended at me, becaufe you fufpeiSled, I thought you to be no true cbritVian. Your fufpicions were not groundlefs. i cannot yet rh.nk, that a thorough work of converfioii was ever wrou^,; t upon your foul. I fear you deny, that '* Jescjs Christ is truly and properly GoD." I infer this, from your not reading the NUene Creeds and your palliating that text I once urged to prove it. '* I and my Father are one." I doubt alfo, your owning " Original Sin." This I gather from your wondering I fhould touch on fuch a point, when I preached my fermon on juftification by J Esus Christ. Befides, the fad definition you once gave of religion in a letter to your brother * ; the ftranger alfo which you feemcd to be to the *^ devil's temptations," when I converfed with you ; and your fuppofing, that converfion was to be wrought in the foul by moral perfuafion ; all thefe put together, dear Sir, convince me, that you were never yet truly and effectually born again of God. Befides, Reverend Sir^ does your going weekly to a club, where the company play at cards, and fit up iate at night, does this, dear Sir, agree with your holy vocation^ either as a chriftian or a minifler.? Be not offended, Rev. Sir^ at this plainnefs of fpeech. I have forborne a long while ; love and gratitude would not fuffer me to forbear any longer. I wifli I had no occafion to write in this mianner. I believe you fo ingenuous as not to be angry with me. I pray GoO to quell all refentment in your heart, and fend you his holy fpirit to guide you into all truth. Your brother's eyes are now in fome meafure opened : he is convinced of the per-feft righteoufnefs wrought out for him by Jesus Christ, and ere now I hope hath received faith to apply it to his heart. This is the dodlrine of the church o^ E?igland. Unlefs you hold this and other evangelical principles, how, dear Sir, is it confident with fmcerity to eat her bread .? V/ith humility, refpeft, and love, do I offer thefe things to your confidera-tion—Be pleafed to weigh them in a proper balance, and refledt from what principle they are wrote, and I am perfuadcj you will not be offended at, reverend and dear Sir, You moft obliged friend and fervant,

Vol. I, J LETTER

LETTERS.

I

LETT E R CXIX.

Dear Mr, S PJAladclphia^ Nov. lO, 1739^

Love an IjracUic indeed, I love a catholic fpirit dcftitute of guile ; you I am perfuadcd are thus minded. The Lord hath highly favoured you : he hath given you a meek and quiet fpirit. My heart hath been knit to you, ever fince God firft brought us together. Oh pray, that what I admire in another, I may imitate myfelf, and have the graces of Jesus Christ damped upon my heart. It fills me with confufion, whenever I confider how far I am from his likenefs. Alas ! What would become of me, was I to be faved by any thing within myfelf. BlelTed be God, the Lord Jesus is my. whole righteoufnefs. By virtue of that I know I am juftified, I believe I fhall be fantStified, and am afi'ured I fhall be ever-laftingly redeemed : for God loved me with an everlafting love. Oh, dear Sir, the profpedl of an hereafter fills my foul Vv'ith comfort. Then (hall I have enough of your company, and of the other children of God. The Lord give me patience to wait till my blefled change cometh. He often gives me fuch forctaftes of the glory to be revealed in us, that I want to leap my feventy years. But in a degree, I may fay with my blefled maftcr, " I have a cup to drink of, and a

baptifm to be baptized with.'* Dear Mr. S wiil fee

me humbled, I believe, as much as once exalted ; L look for *' Away with him, away with him, " every day. Then, I trull:, I {hall begin in earncfl: to be a difciple of Jesus Christ.

Even in fuch an hour, I believe dear Mr. 5 will dare

own

His aiFctSlionatc though moft unworthy friend,

brother and fervant,

LETTER CXX.

Dear Siry Philadelphiay Nov, lO, 1739.

TO i-hink, that you fliould be engaged publickly to prav for me, hath often given me much fatisfa<5lion, and now excites me to fend vou this letter 0^ thawks : help me

ftil], help me, dear Sir, by your prayers. They will be a means of lifting up my hands when they hang down, and of ftrengthning my feeble knees. Though in all things we do not, yet in cflcntials we both think and fpaak the fame ihings. I wifh all nanries anu)ng the faints of God were fwallowed up in that one of Chnjiian. — I long for profellbrs to leave off placing religion in faying '* I am a Churchman," *' I am a Dillenter." My language to fuch is, *' Arc you of Christ ? If fo, I love you with all my heart :" for this rea-fon chiefly, dear Sir, my heart is drawn out towards you. On this account, though io long in Christ before mc^ I make bold to call you brother, and to wifh you God fpeed : blefied be his name, you have little reafon to cry out; " My leannefs, my leannefs." Many gracious fouls are among your flock, they love to be fed with the fmcere 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 pleafure ; pray falute them moft affectionately in my name, and exhorc them to entreat the L0R.D that I may make full proof of my miniftry. In about a twelvemonth^ God willing, I intend returning to England \ I wifli it m.ay be in the fulnefs of the bleffmg of the gofpel of peace. I think you are happy

in the acquaintance of Mr. B 5 . I truft he

will be as good as he is great, and after he is made perfe6i: through manifold temptations and trials, fit down with you^ and all the other fpirits of juft men made perfect, in heaven. This is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your affe(Stionatc brother and fellow labourer

in our Lord's vineyard^ G, IK

LETTER CXXI.

My d^ar Hrother^ Philadelphia^ Nov, lo, 1739-

YOU cannot conceive how often you have been upon my thoughts, fmce I faw you, Eternity itfelf I hope will not diminifh, but more and more increafe that love, which I bear you from my heart. Your ftature reminds me of little Zaubeus : he that called him, I am perfuaded hath called you : Have you uqx heard him fay to your foul, *' I am your fal-

1 2 vation ?

vation ?" If fo, fear not, thou art a fon of David, Let worldly affairs be ever fo 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 Loud before m>en. It is no fcan-dal 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 mater if we are not rich in this world's goods. Having Christ, though we have nothing elfe, we poflefs all things. However, fmce godlinefs hath the promife of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come, I would advife you to plead the promifcs for temporal blcilings. In the name of Jesus, many a fweet morfcl and opportune fupply, have I fetched in from God by this means. That is the v^^ay I live, and hope fhall coiitinue {o to live till death is fwallov/ed up in viilory. Death — what a comfortable v^ord is that for a believer ! Christ hath taken the fting of it away; henceforward it is no longer a king of terrors, but a welcome mciFenger to con-duel the faints to glory. My dear brother, let us comfort one another with thefe things. We are not to live here always ; our inheritance is above. When Christ who is our life fhall appear, then ftiall we alfo appear with him in glory. Why then fiiould we value thefe light affiiclions, which are but for a moment ? No, let us patiently bear our crofs, fmce we are fo fhortly to vvear a crown. Oh the riches of free, diftinguifliing grace ! Why were you and I taken into favor? " Even fo Father, for fo it feemed good in' thy fight." O ! my friend, my brother, let us for ever extol free grace ! However others exalt man and debafe God, let us exalt God :| and debafe man. Let Jesus Christ have all the glorv : f for he is the author, carrier on, and finifhcr of our faith. He hath begun it in time, he fhall compleat it in eternity. — My brother, I have been fo expanded u'hilil; writing, that I muft refer you to other friends, to know hov/ gracioufly God hath dealt with

Your affedionate brother in Christ,

LETTER

LETTER CXXII.

Dear Mr. TV, Philadelphia^ Nov. 10, 1739.

I Long to be in heaven, chiefly to fee God even as he is ; next, that I may have my foul fatisfied with the blifsful communion of faints. There I hope to fee you and your wife, and to Ihew how finccrely I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ. My heart has went along with m.y hand, when I ufcd to ftrctch it out to you in the field. I only v/anted more time to converfe with you. Oh my dear brother^ let us keep ourfelves in the love of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and then, yet a little v/hile v.'e fhall meet in glory. As faith is the beginning, fo faith is the end of the chriftian courfe. Let us keep this grace in continual exercife, and v.'e may bid death and hell defiance. Faith makes us more than conquerors over all; I fpeakthus to you,

becaufe I hope you and dear Mrs. have been in fome

meafure made partakers of this free gift of God. I pray God to incrcafe it more and more, till it be fwallowed up in the fruition of our fupreme good. Perhaps our faith may be put to the trial ere it be long ; I expect nothing but fufierings. Oh pray that 1 may be faithful unto the end, and that a crown of Jife may be given to

Your afFe£lionate brother in Christ,

G. rr.

LETTER CXXIIL

To Mr, H. My dear Brother^ Philadelphia^ Nov. 10,1739.

THE chriftian love I bear to both your fifter and you, excites me to fend you a line. Providence prevented your failing with us ; but as we have drank into the fame fpi-rit, I hope brotherly love will continue and incrcafe between us, to all eternity. I have often v/reftlcd in prayer for you fmce we have been on board. Your fifter has watered thofe prayers with her tears, and I truft the Lord was entreated of us. Our voyage has been highly profitable to our fouls. I can never be thankful eaough for this fweet retreat. My ^ear brother, how do you find your heart ? Mine Is like Eze-

1 3 kicrs

hers temple^ the farther I fearch into it, the greater abominations I difcover; but there is a fountain opened for iln and all uncleannefs. There, my dear brother, we may jjoth wafh and be made clean. The Lord hath already vouchfafed us fome afiuranccs of his love. Oh let us continually keep faith in exer.cife, till it be entirely fwaljowcd up in the boundlefs pcean of the beatific vifion. That God may daily renew you by his fpirit, and more and more fit you for the happj-nefs which awaits you above, is the hearty prayer of

Your aftectronate though vi^eak brother iu Christ,

LETTER CXXIV.

To Mrs. — .

Aly Dear Friend^ Philadelphia^ Nov. lo. 1739.

SHALL I have any leifure time and not write you a line of thanks for your works of faith and labours of love ? God forbid. I know not your name, but I neither forget your houfe, nor favours. The Lord feward you a thoufand fold ! I only fear that you have my perfon too much in admiration. If you look to the inftrument lefs, and to Gop more, it v/ill be better. By the grace of God alone, I am what I am. If any good hath been done to you or others, it was not I, but the grace of God that was in me. Oh, not unto me, not unto me, but unto God's name be all the <y\o\y, I pray God to make you partaker of the fame grace; for I would not have you an hearer only, I would have voii a doer alfo. Surely you are more noble and wife, than to deceive your own foul. And yet it is but too notorious, that numbers reft in the outward form, and are ftrangers to the inward power of godlincfs in their hearts. Do not ypu fo learn Christ. Beg of God that you may feci his fpirit working mightily in your foul, and witnelling with your fpirit that yo\i lire a child of God. I could go on, but other letters muft be wrote—Pray tender my love to all that dined with me at vour houfc ; exhort them to keep clofe by faith to Christ, and to pray to and give him thanks in my behalf j fo; he hath dealt moft gracioufly with

Youi obliged friend and fervant,

^ E T 1^ E li

LETTER CXXV.

Dear Mrs. , Philadelphia^ Nov. 10. 1739.

STILL I mu(t repeat my former requeft. Be not angry becaufe I did not vifit you oftener. I love, I honour you the more Jbr being of low degree. You are thereby rendered more conformable to our dear and common Lord. His bufinefs alone prevented my feeing you fo often as I would. However, though abfent, I rejoice that our Saviour has dealt fo lovingly with you. As afflidions have abounded, confo-lations have much more abounded. I am perfuaded, you can affirm that God is the father of all mercies, and the God of all comforts. Has he not comforted you my dear fifter in all your tribulation ? He that hath, and docs, will ftill dejiver you. Y^t a little while, and he that comcth will come, and will not tarry. Shortly I fuppofe the earthly houfc of this your tabernacle will be dilTolved : fear not, you (hall then be cloathed upon with your houfe which is from heaven. Oh pray that fuch honour may be alfo conferred on

Your unworthy brother in Christ,

G. JV.

LETTER CXXVL

Dear Mr. C , Philadelphia^ Nov. lO, 1739.

I Cannot forget your frequent attendance on my miniflry when iaft at London. I am prefled in fpirit to write you a line, to exhort you to contend earneftly for the faith once delivered to the faints. You have learned the truth as it is in Jesus. You have been taught it of (tod. Electing love hath fnatchcd you as a brand out 0/ the fire, and you have followed our Lord without the camp, bearing his reproach. The Lord's tabernacle has lately been pitched in the fields. Ere long it may be driven into the wildernefs. I hope you will follow it even there. The divine prcfencc, I am perfuaded, will accompany it. Flath not your heart often burnt within you when the Scriptures have been opening to you, though not under a church roof ? God is not confined to places. Wherever his people arc, he will find and vifit them. Our Lord (oh (lupendous lov^!) has been pleafcd to fail

I 4, Willi

v/ith US. I have tafted both of his rod and ftafF; each has given me unfpeakable comfort. My dear brother, help me to praue him. Who io great, fo good a God, as our God? In about a tu'elve-month I hope to fee you again. Oh pray for me, my dear brother, that I may meanv/hile be let further into the myfteries of godljnefs, " God manifeft in the flefji." As yet, Ifind I am but a child, and a meer novice, B It this is my comfort, " The Lord who has begun will cany on the good work," till I am grown a ilrong man in Christ Jegus. I long to know more of his love, I hunger and third after the teachings of his bleiTeJ fpirit. You, I am perfuaded, are no otherwife minded. Still prefs on and faint not. Yet a little while and you fhall enter into pcrfe6t joy with

Your affedtionate brother in our dear Lord Jesus,

G. IF.

LETTER CXXVIL

Reverend Sir^ New-Tork^ Nov. 16, 1739.

SEEING a paiTage in your letter to Mr. P- concerning me, I find my he-rt immediately fct to fend you a line. I love to be acquainted with the true and old fervants of Jesus Christ, becaufe I delight to fit at their feet and receive inllrudtion from them. You faid right, reverend Sir, when you faid " I was but a young divine." Indeed I am a novice in the things of God. I can only fay, that I defire to know the whole will of God, that I may communicate it to others. Christ is fo good a mafter, that I would have all men drawn after him. He is pleafed to let me experience daily teachings of" his blefled fpirit, and to fnow me the riches,

frecncrfs, and eternal duration of his love. But as yet I

only fee men as trees walking. Oh pray, reverend Sir, that the Lord would again touch me, and enable me to fee all things clearly. I dcllre it only for the good of his church. Reverend Sir, into what a lethargy is the chriftian world fallen ! Foolifh and wife virgins are all flumbering and fleeping. It is high time for all that love the Lord Jesus to lift up their voices like trumpets, and to give warning of the bridegroom's

coming ; many I hope are already alarmed. Fh'iladei-

4 iiliia

phia people receive the gofpel gladly. Here, indeed, has been (ome little oppofition, and therefore I hope fuccefs will be given to the word, and what has been done in England^ the journal fent with this will inform you. Oh reverend Sir, I befeech you give thanks for me with your whole heart. Entreat the Lord that I may be kept humble and dependent upon our dear Lord Jesus. God willing, in about feven months I hope to fee Neiu England in my return to Europe. An efFejSlual door is there opened, and no wonder that there are many adverfaries. Shortly I expert to fuffer for my dear mafter. May I not deny him in that hour! If you would pleafe to favour me with a line, I (hould be glad to continue this correfpondence, and acquaint you from time to time how the work of God goes on. Mr. N ■ ■ will convey any thing you fhall fend. May the Lord richly reward both him and you, for your love to

The moft unprofitable of all his fervants,

G\ IV.

.if^H^- LETTER CXXVIIL

Rev, Sir, New York, Nov. 16, 1739.

MR. N ', and the report of your fin cere love for our dear Lord Jesus, embolden me to write this. I rejoice for the great things God has done for many fouls in Northampton, i hope, God willing, to come and fee them in a k\v months. The journal fent with th/s, will fhew you what the Lord is about to do in Europe. Now is the gathering time. A winnowing time will fiiortly fuccecd. Perfecu-tion and the power of religion will always keep pace. Our Lord's word begins to be glorified in America. Many hearts gladly receive it. Oh Rev. Sh\ it grieves me to fee people, every where ready to perifh for lack of knowledge. I care not what I fufFer, fo that feme may be brought home to Christ. I am but a ftripling, but the Lord choofes the weak things of this world to confound the ftrong. I fliould

rejoice to be inftrutSted by you. Mr. A^ will convey a

letter to me—May the God of all grace give you all peace and joy in believing ! May he increafe you more and more, both you and your children ! May you cv^^ry day be feafted, and

built

built up with (rdh anointings of his blelTcd Tpirit ! And by your fervent prayers, may you be enabled to hold up the hands of, reverend Sir,

Your unworthy brother, fellow labourer

and fervant in our dear Lord,

G. ir,

LETTER CXXIX.

Hon. Mother^ Neiu Tork^ Nov. i6, 17 39.

LASl' night God brought me hither in health and fafety. I mud not omit informing you of it. Here is likely tp be fome oppofition, and confcquently a likelihood that fome good will be done. New friends are raifed up every day whitherfoever we go ; the people of Philadelphia have ufed me mod courteouflv, and many I believe have been pricked to the heart. God willing, I leave this place next Monday., and in about a fortnight think to fet out for Firginia by land. In about a twelvemonth, I propofe returning to England; exped then to have the happinefs of feeing me fufFer for my mafter's fake. Oh that God may enable you to rejoice in it ' If you have the fpirit of Christ you will rejoice, if not, you will be forrowful. Oh my honoured mother, my foul is in djftrefs for you : Flee, flee I befeech you to Jesus Christ by faith. Lay hold on Him, and do not let Him go. God hath given you convi6lions. Arifc, arife, and never reft till they end in a found converfion. Dare to deny yourfelf. My honoured mother, I befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, dare to take up your crofs and follow Christ.

I am, honoured mother, your ever dutiful though unworthy fon,

G. n\

LETTER CXXX. ^

To the Rev. Mr. P -.

Rev. and dear Sir, Philadelphia, Xcv. 28, 17 39.

I HAVE been much concerned fmce I faw you, left 1 behaved not with that humility toward you, which is due from a babe to a father in Christ : but you know, reverend Sir, how difficult it is to meet with fuccefsj and not be

pufFed

puffed up with it, and therefore if any fuch thing was difcern-ibic in my condu<St, oh pity me, and pray to the Lord to heal my pride. All I can fay is, that I defire to learn of Jesus Christ to be meek and lowly in heart j but my corruptions are fo ftrong, and my employ fo dangerous, that fometimcs I am afraid. But wherefore do I fear ? He that hath given me himfelf, will he not freely give me all things? By his help then I am refolved to afk till I receive, to feek till I find, and to knock till I know myfelf. BlefTed be God, I have had a fweet retirement to fcarch out my fpirit and bewail the infirmities of my public miniftrations. Alas ! who can hope to bejuflified by his v/orks ? My preaching, praying, &c. are only fphidida peccata. The blood of Christ applied to my foul by a living faith, is the only thing that can render them acceptable. This is the doctrine which you, reverend Sir, have been enabled to preach, and for which no doubt you have fuffered reproach : But you are now almofl at your journey's end. Yet a little while, and you Ihall enter into your Mailer's joy. In the miean while the Lord, I am perfuaded, will keep you as the apple of his eye. He will not forfake you when you are grey-headed, and your flrength failethyon. The moment you are ripe for our common Mafler, he fhall tranflate you to glory; Ipra^fequar. lama child 3 I mufl be tutored and made meet by fufferings to be a partaker of the heavenly inheritance with the faints in light: But I am perfuaded God will for Christ's fake finally fave, reverend Sir,

YoiLir unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CXXXL

Bear Brother J, Philadelphia, Nov. 2??, 1739.

INDEED I love you. Why ? Bccaufe I hope you are an Ifraelite indeed j and one of thofe babes to whom it has been our Lord's good pleafure to reveal ihe myfleries of the kingdom of God. It is fpecial ; it is a diflinguifhing gift. Be humble, d-ear Jamcs^ be humble. Talk little, and think much. A wile man will guide his words with difcretion. Be ^?atous for your dear Mailer. Let a zeal for his honour even

eat

cat you up ; but then beg of God that it may be according to knowled^^'j. Stuiid faft in the liberty wherewith Chk.ist hath maJc you free, and be not again entangled with a yoke of bondage. Join not one of your works with your faith, in order to juftify you before God : And if God gives you a fpirit of prayer and fupplicatiori, fear not to pray as the fpirit gives you utterance. Man may deride, but ChPvIst will approve and accept you. Dear 'Jav.ies^ you fee I do not forget you. I hope your little fociety increafes, and th.it the Lord will always be adding to it fuch as fliall be Aived. Salute them all mofl kindly in my name. Exhort them to continue ^n the grace of God, and to pray for, dear ^ames.

Your affectionate friend, brother, and fervant,

G. JK

LETTER CXXXII.

Dear Airs. S, Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

HAS the Lord yet heard your prayer r Often have I heard you fay, " Oh ! that I had received the faith !" As often, to the bcft of my knowledge, have I laid, " Jmen.^* £re now, I hope our common Mafter has fulfilled all your petitions, and given you your heart's defire. If not, v/hat binders ? Our Lord doth not want power, for he is Almighty; he does not want a will, for he invites you to come unto him. Search your heart, and fee what is the reafon the King of glory does not enter in. Is it too full of the world? Renounce U. Do you not afk often enough ? Refolve to afk ofiencr. Dq you look too much to fome who fay they have received faith, but do not bring forth good fruit ? Henceforward look only to God and your own foul. Or do you not know the reafon I A(k our Lord to (hew you, and indeed he will; for he hath promifed to fulfil the defires of them that fear him. Your Coiipi can afiure you of this. Oh follow him, as he does Christ, and you will be as happy as your heart can

wifh. Dear Mrs. *S , I am, v/ith all poffible thanks foi:

paff favours.

Your obliged friend and fervant,

G. TV. '

L E T I' E 11

i

LETTER CXXXIII.

To Mrs. Martha B, My dear Sifierj Philadelphia^ Nov. 28, 1739.

I Call you not Alartha, but Mary, for I hope you have chofcn the better part, which fhall not be t:ikcn from you: And yet not fo properly may you be faid to chufe, as the LoRP to have chofen you ; for we love God, becaufe he firft loved us. I can trace my converfion through its feveral ftcps, but cannot find one ftep I firfl took towards God. I have been a back-fiidcr from my very infancy. Had not God called after me, and by his fpirit faid unto me, as unto Jdain^ " Where art thou } Into what a dreadful condition haft thou plunged thy-felf r" I fiiould have fled from him (if poflible) for ever. I am perfuaded you, my dear Sifter, can readily fay the fame 5 for otherwife how can we truly value our Lord's redeeming blood ? Kow can we rclifti the do£i:rine of God's free grace, and our being freely juftified by faith which is in Christ Jesus ? Oh let us beg of God to teach us thefe divine truths more and more, (for he alone can teach them) and let us layout ourfelves to teach them to others. You are happy in being in fellowfhip with fome, who I hope will be ready, if need be, to fcal thefe truths with their blood. Be humble, my dear Sifter, be humble ; and ceafe not to pray for

Your afFeilionate brother and fexvant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CXXXIV.

Dear Mrs, H. Philadelphia^ Nov, 28, 1739.

RACHEL brings me glad tidings : She tells me the Lord hath touched your heart by the power of his word, and that your relations have threatened to caft you out for our Lord's fake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad. If you endure to the end, and naked follow a naked Christ, great fliall be your reward in heaven. There is no being a chriftian without enduring contempt; no being happy hereafter, without fufFering reproach here. The world can only love its own. As they hate God, fo they muft hate thofe that are defirous to be like him ; But be not difmayeJ 3 Christ's ftrcngth fhall

be

be magnifleJ in your weaknefs : A living faith will fupport you under all. When your father and mother forfake you, the Lord will take you up. The grcateft foes you will find to be thofe of your own heart. Subdue thcfc, and outward erodes will afFe6t you but little. To conquer yourfelf will be a laborious tafk ; but if you believe, Jesus Christ fhall even do this for you. Get out of yourfelf, rely wholly on, and be a co-worker with him, and he (hall be to you wifdom, righte-oufnefs, fandtification, and redemption. Rachel greatly wifhes this, but not more fincerely than

Your friend and fcrvant in Christ,

G. JV,

LETTER CXXXV.

Dear Mr, P. Philadelphia^ Nov. 28, 1739.

WHAT a divine fympathy and attraction is there between all thofe who by one fpirit are made members of that myftical body, whereof Jesus Christ i? the head! I loved your departed wife, now with God. 1 love your daughter, and the church in your houfe, in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Blciled be God that his love is fo far fiicd abroad in our hearts, as to caufe us to love one another, though we a little differ as to externals : For my part, 1 hate to mention them. My one fole queftion is, Are you a chrijUan ? Are you fealed by Christ's fpirit to the day of redemption \ Are you hungering and thirfting after the perfeci, everlafting righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ ? If fo, you are my brother, my filler, and mother. I defire to love you as myfelf. This is my temper; I am perfuaded it is your's. Why otherwife did you fo gladly receive me i/ito your houfe ? The Lord reward you and the reft of your chriftian brethren. Indeed I am prefent with you in fpirit, and wifti you good luck iji the name of the Lord. O be not flack to praife him in my behalf; for I have experienced fomc rich anointings of his holy fpirit, and have been made to fee more into the wonders of redeeming love. Did I know more of your names, I would write to more. This is my comfort, I truft our names are wriueft in the book cf life. Yet a little while, and wc fhall

fit down together in the kingdom of our Father. A place, though on a lower form, is, I humbly hope, prep;ired for Your afFedionatc friend and fervant,

LETTER CXXXVI.

Dear Mr. H. Philadclphiay Nov. 28, 1739,

IF I remember, you ufed to exprefs a great value for my perfon and doctrine, otherwife why {Viould you defire a line from fiich a wretch as I am ? When I look into myfelf, and confider how poor and miierablc, and blind and naked my ibul is, I wonder that any one fliould pay me the leaft regard. But what {hall we fay ? God will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy. I am entirely indebted to free grace for all I have, am, or Ihail be. You alfo, I trwfi:, dear Sir, are ready to fubfcribe to this ; for what have we but what we have received ? What (liould we have been had God left us to our-felves f Oh let a fenfe of this free, diftinguifhing love conftrain us to obedience : A chriflian needs no other motive. That is a true gofpel-faith which works by love. I often think it almoft prefumption to think of rewards in a future ftate; my Mafter amply rewards me in this: But prefent mercies are only earnefts of future favours. Be not therefore, dear Sir, weary of well-doing, for in due time we {hall reap, if we faint not. The Lord hath multiplied his favours towards me fince I faw you laft. We have had a long but pleafant and profitable voyage. Oh fmg praifes unto our God in behalf of, dear Sir,

Your afFedlonate friend and fervant,

G. W.

LETTER CXXXVII.

Dear Mr:. A. Philadilphia^ Nov. 28, 1739.

THESE words of the pfalmift, " Let us rejoice in the ftrength of our falvatign," often come with great power and comfort upon my foul. You and I need take much notice of them : For otherwife how often (hould we have falica away from God fince our firft looking Zi<?n-wards ? But the

LoRs

T2S LETTERS.

Lord as he loves us freely, To he will heal our backflidingf-He neither will let us fall into fin or error. To as finally to dc-ftroy our fouls. God forbid this fliould encourage us in fin. It Is only intended to fupport us in danger, and to ftrengthen us under temptations. Since there is, fuch infinite mercy WMth God, it is a cogent rcafon why he (hould be loved and feared ; but not why he fliould be difobeyed : And fince God has lately led you out of dclufion, be more watchful over your-felf, my dear Sifter, to follow thofe who truly fnew you the way of fjllvation.—To hear of your {landing ftedfaft in the Lord, will highly ddight

Your afi^e£tionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IK

LETTER CXXXVIIL

To the Rev, Mr. R. E.

Rev. a7td Dear Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739^

THE cordial and tender love which I bear you, will not permit me to neglecl: any opportunity of fending to you-I blefs the Lord from my foul, for raifing you and feveral other burningand fliininglights to appear for him in this midnightof the church. My heart has been much vjarmed during my voyage^ by reading fome of your fermons, efpecially that preached before the aiTociate prefbytery. I long more and more to hear the rife and progrefs of your proceedings, and how far you would willingly carry the reformation of tlie church of iSri?/-land. There are fome expreffions which I fuppofe will be interpreted to your difadvantage, both by your domeftic and foreign enemies. I fhculd be glad to know who are thofe martyrs to which you refer, and of what nature thofe cove-riant s w eve which you mention in yourfernion. My ignorance of the conftitution of the Scotch church is the caufe of my writing after this manner. I fhould be obliged to you, if you would be pleafed to recommend to me fome ufeful books, efpecially fuch which open the holy facrament; for in God's law Is my delight. Bcjiori's fourfold State cf Man I like exceedingly. Under God it has been of much fervice to my foul* 1 believe I agree with yoa and him in the efiential

Uuth^

truths of chriftianityi I blefs Goi>, his fpirit has convinced mc of our eternal eIe£tion by the Father through the Son, of our free juftification through faith in his blood, of our fancSti-fication as rhe confcqucnce o^* that, and of our final perfeve-rance and glorification as the refult of all. 7^hefc I am pcr-fuaded Got> has joined together j thefe, neither men nor devils fliall ever be able to put afunder. My only fcruple at prefent is, '• Whether you approve of taking the Avord in defence of your religious rights ?'* One of our Engli/h biftiops I remember, u'hen I vi-as with him, called you Catneronians, They, I think, took up arms, which I think to be contrary to the fpirit of Jesus Christ and his apoftles. Some few paflages in your fermon before the prefbytcry, I thought were a little fufpicious of favouring that principle. I pray God your next may inform me that I am miftaken : For when zeal carries us to fuch a length, I think it ceafes to be zeal according to knowledge. Deareft Sir, be not angry at my writing thus freely. I love, T honour you in the bowels, and for the fake of Jesus Christ, from my foul. 1 wifti you good luck in all your pious undertakings. I pray God to profper the works of your hands^ and to make you a noble inftrument in bringing many fons to glory. Pray fend an immediate anfwer, dire<Sled as ufual, and care will be taken to have it jemitted to, reverend and dear Sir,

Your moft afFe£lionate brother, friend, fellow-labourer, and obliged fervant.

G. W.

LETTER CXXXIX.

Dear Brother^ Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

IT is much upon my heart to fend you a line. Although you are not with me, yet as God was pleafed to touch you by my unworthy miniftry, I love you with a peculiar love. Bufmefs prevented my writing to you when in Yorkshire. I

was forry to Har that Brother j had reafon to blame

your conduct. Sfty dear brother, be not offended, if in the meeknefs and gentlenefs of Christ, I exhort you to be fober-minded. Follow after, but do not run before the blcfi^d Spirit; if you do, although you may benefit others, and God may Vol. I. K over-

over-rule every thing for your good, yet you will certainly deftroy the peace of your own foul. God has been pleafed to call you by his grace, and to give you joy in the Holy Ghoft : But, my brother, I hope it will be more fettled and iubftantial, and joined with meeknefs and humility of heart. A joy which is the refult of inward trials, and flowing from a long experience of the buffeting of fatan. Such a joy will make you apt and fit to teach, and keep you from being puffed up above meafure. It will exalt, at the fame time as it humbles your foul. The Lord diredl my dear brother in all things :. I wifh all his fcrvants were prophets; but let every one be rightly perfuaded of his call to public teaching. It is dangerous to touch the ark, though it be falling, without a com-miilion from above. But no more. I am

Your moft affedionate brother in Christ,

G. If,

LETTER CXL.

Dear Mr. B. Philadelphia^ Nov. 28, 1739.

YOUR kind prefent of flour has been of fingular u[^ to me and my family; I pray God, in return, to feed you with that bread which cometh down from heaven. You are one of my firft and choiceft friends. You have not been afhamed to own me, or to attend on my miniftry. It will wonderfully rejoice me, to fee you exalted at our Lord's right-hand in a future ftate. The way you know. Jesus Christ is the ^^^ay, the truth, and the life. Through faith in his blood Iball you have free accefs into the holy of holies. I hope dear Mr. B. is not In the number of thofe, who want to make a Saviour of their own works, and thereby deny the Lord, who has {o dearly bought them with his precious blood : No, J am perfuaded you are more noble. Mr. B —•— has not fo learnt Christ. He is willing, I truft, to afcribe his falvation \o God's free grace, and to let Jesus Christ be all in all. I hope your brother, and thofe young men you brought with you out o^Splttlefields^ are likcwife thus minded. Though ab-fent, yet I do not forget them. O exhort them from me, to favc themfelvcs from this untoward generation. My dear friend, do you go before them, and let them learn of you how

t«J

to walk with God. It is a difficult thing to be a chriftian indeed. Numbers are P/;^;'//}^^, and do not know it. I pray God you may be delivered from them, and be made experimentally to know that no one can call Jesus Christ " his Lord," till he has really received the Holy Ghoft. I could dwell on this, but other bufinefs obliges me to haften to fub-

fcribe myfelf, dear Mr. B— ,

Your mod obliged friend ai!id fervant,

LETTER CXLI.

Reverend Sir^ Philadelphia^ Nov. i^, I739»

I AM not willing to go on fhore till I have performed my promife, and fent you a line. I heartily wifti I could write fomething u^hich might advance the glory of God and the good of his church. As vfQ botK profefs ourfelves minifters of the gofpel, thefe two things ought to be our chief and only concern, and more efpecially at this time, when men feek their own and not the things of the Lord Jesus. Oh, dear £ir^ the care of fouls I find to be a matter of the greateft importance. You have a great number committed to your charge. What a dreadful thing will it be for any of them to perifh through your negled ? And yet I fear. Sir, you do not walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called. It is no good report that I hear of you in common life. Your practice contradi(it£ your c!o£lrine, and what good can you do, if every one of your parifhioners, whilft you are preaching, may reply, **' Phyficiafi heal thyfelf r" Befides, Sir, how can you preach Christ toothers, when you are a ftranger to his powder your-felf ? It is next to impoflible. I make no apology for this plain-^efs of fpeech. Simplicity becomes embaffadors of CHRlsf." I am, reverend Sir,

Your obliged friend and fervant,

G. n\

:fe 2 LETTER

LETTER CXLII.

Dear Mr. G, Philadelphia, Nov, 28, fj^^

INDEED I love you, though it was (o long before I cam« to fee you. Want of time, not of rcfpecf, was the caufer > God is my judge how earneltly I long after your falvation^ and how willingly I would fpcnd and be fpent in order to promote it. Oh how elofely does true faitfe in Jesus Christ our head, knit all his members in love to one another j. what a divine harmony and attraction i-s there between them, when-they have drank into and been made partakers of one and ths fame fpirit ? How does the love of God dilate and enlarge their hearts I How do all. little dift5-r!<Slions about externals fall away, and every other name is fwallowed up in the name of Jesus Christ ? This, my dear brother,, is that catholic fpirit, which will cement all denominations of lincere profeiTors together. This is the fpirit of which free diftinguifliing grace has made you a partaker, and which I pray God we both may partake of every day more and more. He is- faithful who has-promifed, who alfo will do it. I find it is not in vain that vve have believed in Jesus. He is- God, and his work is perfect ; bis love is like himfelf unchangeable ; his gifts and callings are without repentance, and therefore, though I am but a babe in Christ, yet I am perfuaded I fhall fee you crowned with glory. Then, my dear brother, we fball have time enough together. Then, there will be no parting, no fear of falling; but we fhall drink eternally of thofe pleafures which flow from God's right hand for evermore. Supported with this hope, what hinders but I may come once again, when the Lord permits, and offer Christ's everlafting righteouf-nefs to poor perifhing finners. The devil and his fervants will rage horribly, and perhaps caft me into prifon, nay, put me to death : But if you will come and vifit me, by the help of my God, I will preach to you even there; for I am not afliamed of the gofpel of Christ. 1 have fell it to be th& power of God unt© my falvation. Oh, my brother, the fire kindles whilft I am writing ; but I muft have done. Pray falutc thofe dear fouls that I fpoke to at your houfc, and all

other

•Other friends. Entreat them to pray and give thanks for me ; and aflure thCm they are not forgotten by

Ever yours in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXLIII.

' Mr. H Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 17:^9.

AS you {land fo nearly related to your daughter, who is with me, though I am un'lcnown to you in perfon, yet 1 make bold to fend you a line to inform you of her welfare. I find fhe did not confer much with you about her intended voyage.; but 1 hope both you and her will have great reafon to rejoice in the end. -God has beenpleafed tovifit her with fome illnefs, but now fhe is perfe£l:ly recovered. What is beft •of ail, I hope her foul profpers, and is fitting more day by day for the enjoyment of God. This was the chief end of her goftig abroad, and give me leave to tell you, this is the chief thing you ought, and muft purfue at home. But why do I fay at home ? A chriftian hath no home but heaven. He is a ftrang.crand pilgrim while here on earth. I hope you know

ibetter^ Mr. H , than to thi.nk you was born to drive a

team, or plough a piece of ground. Thefe things mufi: be done, but then they fhould be done in fubordination to the care of your better part, the foul. Your daughter tells me,

you are now grey beaded. Take heed, dear Mr. H , to

make yo.ur calling and election fure. Reft not in outward things. Do not flatter yourfelf that you are a chriftian, be-caufe you go to churchy and do no one any harm. Nothing hut a living faith in Christ Jesus our dear Lord, can qualify you for eternal life. Without this, God will be to us a confuming fire ; and unlcfs we are bom again, and made new creatures in Christ, we never fliall enter into the kingdom of God. If you know not what I mean by thefe terms, you may depend upon it, you are a ftranger to this new-birth, and confequently in a ftate of death : but you need not fear ; even at the eleventh hour Christ will accept you, if you come to him by faith. He hath fhewn mercy to your fon and daughter. Why may he not fhevv mercy to their father alfo ? Whofoever jcomcth to him> he will in no-wIfc caft out. Haftethen, dear

K 3 Sir,

Sir, out of your fpiritual Sodom, Linger not. Nothing will more rejoice your dear children, than to fee you brought to an experimental knowledge of the truth, that you may be fa-ved. For their fakes, you are particularly remembered by Yeur unknown but fmcere friend

and fervant in Christ,

?mrT^^

LETTER CXLIV,

To the Rev, Mr, P :—.

Upper Marlborough (Mary Land) Dec. 8, 1739. Rev. and dear Sir,

TILL now, I have neither had leifure nor freedom to anfwer your kind letter. Blefled be God, who has opened the hearts of fome of his people at New York to receive the word. May he enable you to water what,his ov/n right hand hath planted, and grant to your labours a divine increafe I Indeed I wifli you good luck in the name of the Lord. I wifli all his fervants were prophets. Oh that he would be pleafcd to fend forth experimental labourers into his harveft: •—for I fear amongft you, as well as in other places, there are many who are well verfed in the doctrines of grace, having learned them at the univerfity, but notwithftanding are

heart-hypocrites, and enemies to the pov/er of godlinefs.

Dear Sir, I ufe this freedom, becaufe I love fimplicity. I con-fefs I am but a child in grace, as well as years. Pardon this freedom, for out of the fulnefs and fmcerity of my heart my

pen writeth. — I thank your fon and dear Mr, S for

what they did on my account. Alas, I fear they think too highly of me. Oh dear Sir, entreat the God of all grace to give me humility, fo Ihall fuccefs not prove my ruin. My moft cordial refpecls and hearty thanks attend dear Mrs,

P , I pray God in all things to make her a help mee'i

for you—As faft as I can fnatch a few moments from public bufmefs, more New York friends may expe(Sl to hear from me —A fenfe of their favours is flill upon my heart—I would willingly remember them, whenever I go in and out before

the Lord. Mr. N —'s letter, and my next journal, will

acquaint )'ou, how the Lord Jesus has been getting him-

felf

felf the vI(£tory, fmce I left New York There has been

fuch little oppofition, that I have been tempted almoft to cry out, " Satan, why fleepeft thou f" But God pities my weak-nefs. Oh, dear Sir, thank him in my behalf, for indeed he deals moft lovingly with, Rev. Sir,

Your moft unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,

G, JK

LETTER CXLV.

Dear Slr^ Upper Marlborough^ Dec, 8, 1739.

I Cannot defer writing to dear Mr. N any longer. —This afternoon God brought us hither. Some arc folicitous for my flaying herp to-morrov/. As it feems to be a call from providence, 1 have complied v/ith their requeft. Oh that I may be enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and to fpeak with the demonflration of the fpirit and with pov^er. Thefe parts are in a dead fleep. At Anapdis^ I preached twice, and fpoke home to fome ladies concerning the vanity of their falfe politenefs. But alas, they are wedded to their ^adrille and Ombre, The miniffer of the place was under convictions—He wept twice, and earneftly begged my prayers. He will not frighten people I believe with harfli do6frine, — he loves to prophefy fmooth things.— God bleffed the word wonderfully at Philadelphia, I have great reafon to think many are brought home to God. When I return, it will then be fecn, who has received the word into an honeft and good heart. By the divine affiftance, I propofe revifiting PZ^/-ladelphia^ New Tork^ and to go as far as Bo/Ion^ and fo return

to Georgia^ before I take {hipping again for England The

Lord dircvSl my going in his way ! About May you may ex-peel to fee mc. My dear friend, pray that I may ^o improve the time of my abfence, that at my return my progrefs may be made known to all men. Itfhames me to fee what little proficiency I have made in the fchool of Christ. If I do not begin to prefs forwards, how fhall I appear before my blefTcd Lord ? I feel myfelf to be the chief of finners; furely never was a greater inflance of redeeming diftinguifhing love. God forbid that I fhould glory in any thing but free grace: had liot God plucked me as a brand out of the fife, I had now K 4 either

cither been given over to a reprobate mind, or caft into a place

of torment. Oh help me, help me, dsarejl Mr, N ,

help me to be thankful, and accept my thanks, though late, for ail favours received when at New York. Indeed I love you in the bov^els of our dear Lord Jesus. Salute your dear wife my kind hoftefs : exhort her to be feverely kind to her little boy.—My moft cordial refpe6ts attend all who aflc after me. Entreat them to continue their prayers, deareft Mr.

A'^ , for

Your weak, but affe£lionate friend, brother

and fervant in Christ, G, IK

LETTER CXLVL

ro Mr, B .

Dear Sir, Upper Marlborough.^ Dec, 8, 1739,

GRATITUDE obliges me to fend you a letter of thanks for your lall kind prcfent, and all other favour.^ ; but the love of our Lord Jesus Christ conilrains me to write to you, exhorting you earned-ly to contend for the faith once delivered to the faints. I humbly hope the Lord has been pleafed to blefs my- coming in thcfe parts to many, and amongfl them to you alfo. It rejoiced mc to find dear Mr,

B was convinced that 1 preached the truth as it is in

Jesus. It pleafed me exceedingly, to find how his eyes were opened to fee the direct contrariety there is, between the fpi-rit of Chrjst and the fpirit of the world. What has my dear friend now to do, but to profecute thcfe convictions, and never refl till they end in a found converfion. God has given you richly all things to enjoy. Be pcrfuaded henceforward not to be fo cumbered about the many triHes of this life, as to neglect the one thing needful, Dare, Sir, to be fm-gularly good. Oh dare to let your light fliine before men—^ Be not afhamed of Christ and his gofpel. Come out from your carnal acquaintance, and live as becomes a true follower

of our Lord Jesus. Dear il^r. 5^— , I hope will join

with you. God's fpirit has been and is now ftriving with his heart. I pray God to make this the accepted time, and caufe it to be the day of his, falvitioi). How will it fill mc with

joy

LETTERS. "137

joy at my return to Philadelphia^ to fee dear Mr, B —

and fome other excellent welUnnieaning people, whom I love, become defpifed followers of the ^-amb of God. If my prayers may be any ways aflifting, as GoD fliall enable me you may depend on them—Our dear friend 5—-—- can inform you what God has done for us, fince we faw you. One favour more I beg of you ; give thanks as well as pray for

Your moil obliged friend and fervant,

LETTER CXLVIL

To Captain B

JViUiamJburgh, (Virginia) Dec, 15, 17 39.

HITHER God brought us laft night; I truft the fame gracious being, by his good prpvidence, has conducted you fafc to Philadelphia. I cannot fay, I have met with fo much as even an abnoft chrijlian^ fmce I parted from you, till I came to Colonel Whitings ——^There, GosD put in my way a planter, that is feeking to know the way of God more perfedlly—He is now with us, and I hope our converfation

will be bleiTcd unto him. Oh dear Mr, B —, ftrive, I

befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, ftrive to enter in at the ftrait gate. God of late has loudly called you — Take heed that neither the lui} of the eye, the luft of the flefh, nor the pride of life prevail on you to lie down in a carnal fecurity again. 1 am confident you will be moft heartily defpifed, if you are a real chriflian j but dear Mr. B -'s

refolution will be built on a better foundation, than to let a little breath blow it down. In Christ is your ftrength ; look up to him day by day, and as your day is, fo fhall your ftrength be, I fear and pray for you. God only knows, how often you have been upon my heart. Wc have not failed interceding for you at the throne of grace. I (hall be much

miftaken, if Mr. B does not prove a chriftian indeed.

About May I pro'pofe, God willing, to be with you again. Then 1 (hall rejoice to fit and hear you tell what God has done for your foul — Be not afraid of convi£lion. Be not afraid of inward feelings. Now pray to the Lord Jesus, to lay the ax of mortification to the root of your heart. Make % thorough

thorough work with it. Do not fpare yourfelf In the leafl.—• Now is the accepted time, and that it may be the day of fal-

vation, is the earneft prayer of, dear Mr, B- ,

Your obliged aftectionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXLVllI.

^'^' To the Rev. Mr. G T .

My dear Brother^ Williamjburgh^ Dec. 15, 1739.

BE not angry becaufe you have not heard from me. indeed I love and honour you in the bow^eis of Jesus Christ. You are feldom out of my thoughts ; but till novv I have not had liberty given me, to fend you a.line — I truit the work goes on glorioufly in your parts. The hand of th.e Lord brought wondrous things to pafs, before we left Penfii-vania ; but in thcfe parts fatan feems to lead people captive at his will. The diftance of the plantations prevents people's af-fembling themfelves together.—Here are no great towns, as in other provinces, and the commonalty is made up of Negroes and co7ivi£is^ and if they pretend to ferve God, their mafters, Pharaoh like, cry out, " Ye are idle, ye are idle." Laft night I read the affeiSting account of your brother Johi ; let me die, O Lord, the death of that righteous man, and let my future ftate be like his ! O my dear friend, my brother, entreat the Lord that I may grow in grace, and pick up the fragments of my time, that not a moment of it may be loft. Teach me, oh teach me the way of God more perfectly. Rebuke, reprove, exhort me with all authority—I feel I am but a babe in Chrift, I long to know more of thd^hoiy Jesus. He has manifefted himfelf to my foul, both in a way of humiliation and exaltation. Since I faw you, both his rod and ftalF have comforted me. At prefent, he makes me young and lively as an eagle; I only wifti I was more worthy to fub-fcribe myfelf

Your afFcdionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. n\

LETTER

LETTER CXLIX.

To Mrs, a

NezutONy Cape Fear^ Dec. 28, 1739. My dear Siflcr /;2 Christ,

JUST now we have beeo finging the hymn, which wc fung. at Broad-oak; and as I generally do at fuch feafons, I thought of that happy time wherein we fung it in your great hail, it was a time much to be remembered, an anticipation, I believe, of that blefled time when we all fnall meet to Cwg the fong of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerufalem — For

the adoption of the fpirit, if truly received, is the earncft of pur promifed inheritance. We are fealed thereby to the day of redemption, and therefore may give both men and devils the challenge to feparate us, if they can, from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord —I am verily per-fuaded, that fmce I left you, all things have worked together for your good. As I am travelling, often does my foul think both of you and yours, and out of the fulnefs of my heart, do I often pour forth this or fuch like petitions, " Deareft Lord, be

for ever gracious to the houfhold of !" My confcience

hath fmote me frequently, for not writing you a longer letter. I fend this to afk pardon, and to aflure you how often you and your daughters are upon my heart, when I go in and out before the. Lord —I long to hear how the Lord Jesus hath magnified his flrength in your weaknefs. It would fill a volume to tell his goodnefs and truth ; and my bafe ingratitude fometimes comes with fuch convi£lion upon my heart, that I can fcarce forbear getting ofF my horfe, and humbling myfelf in the way fide. Indeed, I am the chief of finners, and yet overflowing hath the Lord Jesus been in his love. You will hear more foon by the journal which will be fcnt.

Dear Mrs. C , my love to all.

Your afFedionate though unworthy brother in Christ,

G. TV. LETTER CL.

"B^cverend and dear Siry Savannah, jan, 16. 1740.

WITH much pleafure (tho' not till laft week) I received your kind afteclionate letter. I thank you for it with

ail

HO LETTERS.

all my foul, and pray God to reward you for this, and all other your works of faith and labours of lov€. You may depend, on my not being prejudiced againft you or your brethren, by any evil report. They only endear you to me more and more ; and were your enemies to reprcfent you as black as hell, I fhould think you were the more glorious in the fight of heaven. Your fweet criticifms and remarks upon my journal and fermons, were exceeding acceptable, and very juft. I afiure you, dear Sir, I am fully convinced of the doctrine of ele£lion, freejuftification, and final perfeverancc. My obfervations on the Quakers, were only intended for thole particular perfons with whom I then converfed. The tenets of the quakers in general, ^howt jujiificaiton^ I take to be falfe and unfcriptural. Your adverfaries need take no advantage againft you, by any thing I have written j for I think it every minifter's duty to declare againft the corruptions of that church to which they Belong, and not to look upon thofe as true members of their communion, who deny its publick confli-tutions. This is your cafe in Scotland, and ours in England. I fee no other way for us to adt at prefent, than to go on preaching the truth as it is in Jesus ; and then if our brethren caft us out, God will dirc6t us to take that courfe which is moil: conducive to his glory, and his people's good. I think I have but one obje6iion againft your proceedings; " Your infifting only on preflytert^n government^ exclufive of all other ways of worfhipping GoD." Will not this, dear Sir, nccefia-rily lead you (whenever you get the upper-hand) to oppofc and perfecute all that differ from you in their church government, or outward way of worfhipping God ? Our dear brother and fellow-labourer Mr. G T thinks this

will be the confequence, and faid he would write to you about it. As for my own part, (though I profefs myfclf a minifter of the church oi Engknd) I am of a catholic fpirit ; and if I fee'a man who loves the Lord Jesus in fincerity, I am not very folicitous to what outward communion he belongs. The kingdom of God, I think, does not confift in any fuch thing. Thefe are my fentiments, dear Sir, and I write them out of love—^^I am afhamed (becaufe only a babe in Christ) to pretend as it were to dire£l; but true friendftiip needs no apology, QqX} is doing great things in Amerlau My joOrrtal,

which

E E T T E R S. ,4,

which I fend over with this, will fliew you what he has done already. Your welfare is much upon my heart, and as I am enabled, I make mention of you in my prayers. Affairs o*' the Orphan-houfe go on v^ell. Some few, even here^ love the Lord Jesus. Oh, dear Sir, pray far us, and efpecially for Your weak unworthy brother

and fellow-labourer \i\ Christ,

G. JV,

LETTER CLL

Savannah^ Jan, 22, 1740. My Hon, Friend and Brother in Christ,

YOUR laft letter quite confounded me. What am I, thac I {hould be thus highly favoured I I can only fay, tha: ♦* Lefs than the leaft of all God's mercies," fhall be my motto ft ill. I have experienced many inward trials, fmce I faw you laft. But I find they work continually for my good. I rejoice in what our dear Lord Jf.sus has done for your foul, ^ay a double portion of his bleffed fpirit reft upon you ; may our glorious ever-blefled Emanuel caufe all his glory to pafs before you, and may you be filled with all the fulnefs of God ! Since my arrival here, I have received a fweet endear-

ing inftrudive letter from Mr, Ralph E —■ j I have an-

iwered it, and told him you promifed to write about the ne-

ceffity of a catholic fpirit. Dr. C alfo has favoured

me with a loving epiftle. I have received and read his fermons fince I faw you: they are acute and pointed, but I think not fearching enough by many degrees—My dear brother, I love writers that go to the bottom — God willing, I hope to be with you at the fynod—But what think you ? I am fometimes doubting, whether I ftiall have fufficient matter given me to preach upon. Methinks I hear you fay, « O thou of little faith ! wherefore doft thou doubt I As thy day is, fo fhalt thy ftrcngth be." Michael and the dragon, I hear, are carrying onwar moft bravely in England, I really believe we ftiali not die, till we fee the kingdom of God come with power. The affairs.of the orphan-houfe are in great forwardnefs. I have much to fay j but time and bufinefs will not permit. Blefled be God, eternity is at hand, a<id then we (hali have

time

time enough. I have read fome of your books to my grea^ profit. I want to be taught the way of God more perfectly ali the day long. My tendered refpech await the brethren 5 my dear fellow-travellers falute you—You arc often remembered both by them, and

Your affe(£i:ionate though very weak and unworthy brother, fervant and fellow-labourer in Christ,

LETTER CLII.

To the Rev. Mr, C. ' ' Rev. mid dear Sir, Savannah, ^^^' 24> 1740

I Received your kind, though undeferving letter, and now fnatch a few moments from my other avocations, in order to fend you a fhort anfwer. May God who knits the eledl in one communion and fellowfhip, fanctify our friendihip and correfpondence to the ftirring up each other to love and td good works !—It pleafed me to find you breathe fo catholic a Ipirit. — O that bigotry and party zeal were not fo much as once named am.ongft us, as becometh faints ! Since Christ is not divided in himfelf, why fliould chriftians be divided one amongft another ? Bigotry, I am fure, can never be the fruit of that wifdom which cometh from above.—No, it is earthly, fenfual, and devilifh. When I come to New England I fhall endeavour to recommend an univerfal charity amongft all the true members of Christ's myflical body. Perhaps therefore, the fields may be the moft unexceptionable place to preach in. You and your brethren, I am pcrfuaded, will follow our Lord even without the camp, and rejoice to bear his facred reproach. AfTifi: me, dear Sir, in your prayers, that my coming may be in the fulnefs of the gofpel of peace—^I fhall come only with my fling and with my flone.—If the Lord fhall be pleafed fo to dire6t me, that I may flrike fome felf-rigb-teous GoUahs to the heart, I know yoa will rejoice with. Rev. and dear Sir,

Yours moft afFe£lionately in the love of

our dear Lord Jesus,

LETTER

LETTER CLIII.

To Mr. W, D,

Savannahy Jan. 31, 1740. My dear Brother in Christ,

BLESSED be God, for the good report I hear of your zeal for our dear E?naniieL Go on, I befcech you by the merciesof God in Christ Jesus ; go on, and I am perfuaded the pleafure of the Lord fliall profper in your hands. If I am throv/n afide as a broken veflel, fo I fee you and others ftirred up to carry on our dear Lord's kingdom, if my heart does not deceive me, I fhall rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. God bleiTes the affairs of the orphan-houfe. The work is large, but we have omnipotence for our fupport.—I believe I fhall take in near fifty children. God lets me fee every day, that he orders my goings. He vifits me with inward trials ; but if I had not fuch thorns in the flefh, what would become of me ? Fear not to fpeak the truth ; if driven out o^ Engl andy here is a noble range for you in America, At prefent I am reftrained ; but I could not reft, without letting you have a line from

Your moft affe(Slionate friend brother, and fervant,

LETTER CLIV.

To Mrs. D, Dear Madam^ Savannah., Jan. 31, 1740.

I REJOICE to hear that you are likely to be caft out of your mother's Will only for following Christ. This may be only the beginning of temptations. God, I believe, out of love will try you to the uttermoft. You have drank deep of heavenly comforts; you muft pledge our Lord in his cup of fufFerings. Thofe who faw him on mount Tabor afterwards were with him in the garden. But fear not— The Lord is with you—Neither men nor devils fhall hurt you. The fweet communion we have had with God, and through him with one another, often comfocts my foul. Who knows, 4 IbuC

but that time may be again repeated ? Indeed, I want wof(!s as well as time to exprefs with what thankfulncfs I defire to fubfcribe myfelf, dear madam,

Your unworthy brother

and obliged fervant in our common Lord,

G. iv: LETTER CLV.

To Captain M. Dear 5/>, Savannah, Jan, 31, 1740".

I Rejoice to hear of your good health, and take this opportunity of fending you Mr. Law's and Mr. Haliburto7i's life j which I pray God to fandtify to your benefit and comfort. I hope you will watch over your heart, and take care to keep up thofe convi(S\ions, which God once put into your fouL I am afraid of Mr. B. The world, the world I fear has got

hold of him. Dear Captain M- -, I truft, will not defert

his Mafter.-—I am fure he would die, rather than prove falfe to, an earthly prince.—Oh let him not defert his dear Redeemer's colours. Dear Sir, beg of God to root out of your heart a defire for that honour which cometh of man. Till dead to the world you will not be alive to Gox>. Honour, falfely fo called, has deftroyed millions. That you may be never ca-rried away with, or ruined by it, is the liearty prayer of^ dear Sir,

Your's, &c.

G. jr,

LETTER CLVI.

To the Rev. Mr. IF. T.Qi'^^Qrit'

Savannahf yan. 31, 1740*. My dMT and honoured Brother^

BLESSED be God, who hath pleafurc in the profperity of his fervaats.—I am abafed to think what our all-gracious Redeemer hath done by my uaworthy hands, and rejoice to hear that he is working by your's. Oh that you may experience frefh anointings and teaching from above I O that you may be ftrcngthened by God's mighty power in the inner man, and pull down fatan's flrong-holds daily. Got) willing, 1 hope to be with you at the Synod. I find as yet I fcarce

kftow

know any thing ; but if I give out of my little flock, I trufl: the Loud will increafe it, as he did the little lad's Ipavcs and fifhes. My journal, which I have fcnt to Philadelphia^ will tell you what God has done in AlaryLrid and [''irginia. A foundation of great things I believe is laying here. Oh pray that a fenfe of his owa littlenefs, may be given to

Your affcclionatc, though unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in Christ,

G. JF,

LETTER CLVIL

A'fy dear Sijlcr^ Snvafwah, yan. 31, 1740.

I Rejoice to hear that you are enabled to fee not only the freenefs but eternal duration of God's grace. Till the finner is convinced of this, I am perfuadcd he can neither work from a principle of true love, nor give Jesus Christ' the honour due unto his name. He muft alv/ays be making his falvation to depend/j^rz/y at leaft on his own doings ; " If I do fo and fo, Jesus Christ will give me his grace :*' But can any believer who knows himfelf, help confefling, that after he had received grace, he (hould have finally fallen from it, had the continuance of it depended on his own will ? Indeed, my dear Sifter, nothing fo much comforts my own foul as the thought that God will never leave me nor forfake me ; if he does, it muft be for my^unworthinefs : But on that account it cannot be ; for he never chofe me on account of my unworthi-nefs. He loved me freely, he prevented me by his grace 3 he chofe me from eternity, he called me in time, and I am pcr-fuaded will keep me till time fliall be no more.—This con-fideration makes my faith to work by love. Novv^, I can live not barely upon my frames, which notvvithftanding are blefTed things, but on the promifes. Now, I can go on my way rejoicing, and, amidft all dejeilions, lift up my head in profpecT: of a certain and exceeding weight of glory. Though I fal), I know I ftiall rife again j for he that is brought truly to believe on Jesus Christ, his faith Ihall never die. The Lord Jesus will not fufter to be loft the purchafe of his blood. He knew for whom he died, and neither men nor devils fhall ever pluck them out of his hand.9. Such ag have been taught Vol. I. L moft

A.

moft of God, I find, are thus minded. And I am perfuaded were the effects of our Lord's redemption to depend on a roan's own compliance, or was the continuance of God's grace to depend folely on man's improvement, Jesus Christ would have died in vain. Jdam could not ftand in paradife when left to his own free-will, how then can we ? No, bleffed be God, cur falvation is put into better hands than our own. Jesus Christ has purchafed not only wifdom, righteoufnefs, and fandliiication, but alfo eternal redemption for us. Let this thought, my dear Sifter, lift up our hands v/hen they hang down, and llrengthen our feeble knees ; God's gifts and callings are without repentance. There is no condemnation to them that are truly in Christ Jesus. And I write thus peremptorily to you, becaufe I find now you are able to bear it. —BlefTed be God ! my dear Sifter, flefli and blood has not revealed this unto you. I hope ere long our brethren will lay all carnal reafoning afide, and fee and preach the truth in this refpe£l, as it is in Jesus. My kindeft love to your fifter.— -What I write to one, I write to both. The Lord direct your going in his way, and caufe you to continue inftant in prayer for

Your weak brother and fervant in Christ,

G. JK

LETTER CLVIIL

To Mrs, Elizabeth JV .

My dear Sijhr^ Savannah^ Jan, 31, 174G.

I Have been juft reading over yo\ir letter, and felt a fweet fympathy with the writer. Oh that it may increafe till we are filled with all the fulnefs of God I Some pafiages in your letter were dangerous to my foul. Whenever you fee an}F Ijrowth of grace, pray that I may grow in humility in particular. Oh that I was lowly in heart ! Honour and difhonour, good report and evil report would then be alike, and prove" a furtherance to me in my chriftian caufe.—I believe the time is iliortly coming in which 1 am to endure fomething for my Lord and Mafter ; then will 1 ery out,Wha is on the Lord's iide ? Nothing fupports me under a profpcct of a trying time, fa much as a fenfe of God's everlafting love. I am perfuaded, ths»i neither men n<?r devils flull ever pluck me out of his

Almiq;ht)r

Almighty hands. Let this fupport you, my dear Sifter, in your change of life. Wherever you are, I am confident you will have reafon to fay, ^* Surely God is in this place." That you may wvlx ftronger and ftronger, and ripen daily for glory, is the hearty prayer of

Your affedlionate brother and fervant in our dear Emanuel^

G. JV.

LETTER CLIX.

To Mr. J, N, Dear Sir^ Savannah, 'Jan. 31, 1740,

I Hope you will cxcufe my not anfwering your kind letter fooner.—The many avocations that at prefent furround me^ prevented it. I rejoice to hear that our Lord Jesus is getting himfelf the vidlory in the hearts of poor finners. I hope many will now rejoice in his falvation. One good fign is, that he has employed the meaneft, as well as vileft wretch, that he ever yet fent forth.—When I hear that any good is done by my unworthy hands, it almoft makes me to blufh.—Oh that I could humble myfelf in the duft, that the Lord alone may be exalted in his ftrength. I purpofe to revifit New-Tork at the appointed time. You told me, " Our Lord has not fent me into his vineyard at my own charge.'* Indeed, I always find he furniflies me with things convenient: Nay, he is often fo abundant in goodnefs and truth, that I am obliged to cry out in holy admiration, " My Lord and my God !" Dear Sir, help me to be thankful. Blefled be God, the Orphan-houfe affairs fucceed well. Many fouls will be redeemed by it from temporal, and I trull, from eternal bondage. I have taken in upwards of twenty children already, and I take in more daily. — I am building a large houfe, have many fervants, and a good flock of cattle. It will coft much money. —But our Lord will fee to that. My friends at New-Tork will aflift me when 1 come amongft them. Oh that my coming may be in the fulnefs of the blcffings of the gofpel of peace I, I am perfuaded, you will not be wanting in your prayers on behalf of, dear Sir,

Your obli^^ed friend and fervant in Christ Jesus,

G. //: .

L 2 LETTER

hs letters,

letter clx.

To Mrs. Elizabeth D .

My dear S'l/ier in Christ, Savannah^ Feb, i, 174O.

I Generally obferve that whom the Lord loves, for the moft part he keeps from preferment.—Your grandmother cannot do any more than fhe is permitted. It is God's free grace alone, that has made the difference between us and others. Oh that we were duly fenfible of electing love I Indeed it muil; ncceffarily conltrain us to obedience. I am glad you like Bochm. His works are truly evangelical, and a9:,oid fwcet nourifhnient to the new-born foul. The nearer we come to God, the better we fliall relifli fearching books. It is an evident fign of a falfe heart, when it is unwilling to be probed. BleiTed be God, you are not thus minded. I truft the Lord Jesus has apprehended you, and will henceforward never let you go. O that I may hear of your growth in grace, and of your zeal for the Lord of Hosts. —You do well to go about doing good; your Mailer did fo before you. Dare^ dear Mifs^ to follow his good example, and never fear the re-vilings of men. Set your face as a flint againft all the adver-faries of our Lord ; for fliortly you fhall tread all your enemies under feet. I befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Saviour, to keep up a clofe walk and communion with God. Nothing elfe can preferve you from Idols ; and you know when once the foul is off its watch, tlve devil makes fad ravages in it. There is nothins; I dread more than having my heart drawn away by earthly objects.—When that time comes, it will be over with me indeed; I muff then bid adieu to zeal and fervency of fpirit, and in effedl, bid'the Lord Jesus to depart from me. For alas, what rooni can there be for God, when a rival hath taken poffeffion of the heart ? Oh my dear Sifter, pray that no fuch evil may befal me. My blood runs cold at the very thought thereof. I cannot, indeed ; I cannot away with it. In a multiplicity of bufinefs, have I wrote you thefe lines. I thank you for your kind letter, and hope I fhall always retain a grateful fenfe of the many favours I have received from your dear family. My kindeft refpects attend your fifter; I long to hear of her being

brought

brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God. How does your father ? Oh that he may have a well-grounded intereft in Christ ! How does my dear brother Charles? I pray God to fill him with all joy and peace in believing. And how does your little fifter ? Deareft Redeemer, keep her un-fpotted from the world ! My heart is now full. Writing quickens me. I could almoft drop a tear, and wifli myfelf, for a moment or two, in England, But hufli, nature : God here pours down his bleflings on

Your fincere friend and fervant in Cpirist,

G, TF,

LETTER CLXI.

To the Rev, Mr. D. R,

Savannahy Feb. 4, 1740. Afy reverend and dear Brother^

I Received your kind letter juft on my arrival at this place.— My journal, which I fuppofe you will have read ere this reaches jyalesy can beft inform you what God hath done for my own and other people's fouls.—Even here, he is plcafcd to be with and alTifl us. The Orphan-houfe goes on bravely. I believe I fliall take in near fifty children before I return to England. He that feedeth the young ravens which call upon him, will not fufFer them to want.—I rejoice to hear that the Lord Jesus is fo publicly confelled among your countrymen.—If the Lord is pleafed to fend me, I fhall gladly take a tour into Wales. —In this time of retirement, I expert many inward confli^ls. How otherwife (hall I be prepared for future mercies ? Experience of God's work upon our own 'i-^^^-i is the beft qualification to preach it effc6tually to others. In^bout two months I take another tour round America. The ^ofpel, I believe, will come with power in thefe parts. I expect to fufFer in the flefh for what hath been done already : But what have we to do with the confcquences of performing our duty } Leave them to God. Oh, my dear brother, pray for me that my faith fail not, and then I care not what per-1-cution befals

Your weuk unworthy brother in Christ,

G,JV,

L3 LETTER

LETTER CLXII.

To Mr, H, H. My dear Br ether ^ Savannah, Feb. \^ 1740.

WILL this find you in prifon or not ? Your laft letter (which I received upon my arrival here) gave me fome expedations that ere long you would be both in prifon and bonds. By and by, I (hall follow perhaps.—The Lord fandify all his difpenfations to us, and make us not only willing to be bound, but even to die for the fake of our dear Mafter. When I read how my letters, &c. are blefled to your comfort, it quite confounds me. Oh the free-grace of Christ Jesus our Lord ! My dear Brother, let us continue inflant in feafon and out of feafon.—Let us continually preach up free-grace, though we die for it; we cannot lofe our lives in a better caufe. As I am enabled, I remember you at the throne of grace ; in general I figh out my prayers.—But the fpirit, I truft, makes interceflion for me with groanings that cannot be uttered.

I have not had much enlargement in preaching, fince I have been here; but my heart is often weighed down, and torn to pieces with a fcnfe of my defperately wicked and deceitful heart. I can fubfcribe to what you fay, *' Was God to leave ttie to myfelf, I fhould be eminent for, and a ring-leader in fin." I fometimes think my heart is more vicious and per-verfe than any one's; and yet Jksus Christ will come and dwell in me.—Methinks I hear you fay, " Glory be to free grace: All praife be given to eledring love."—Let all that love the Lord Jesus fay, Jmen ! Pray write to me as often as poffible.— God, I believe, is laying a foundation for great things in Georgia. 1 am building a large houfe, and taking in many children. Wr^ftle with Gop in behalf of, Brother,

Youfs eternally in Christ Jesuj,

G. ir

J. E T T E K

LETTERS. rsx

TETTER CLXIIL

ro Mr. H —

Savannah^ Feb, 4, 1740.

HOW is it with your heart ? I hope the Lord Jesus leads you on from conquering to conquer, and gets himfelf the vi<9:ory every day. I cannot but think that hereafter great things will be done in America, God feems to have given fome earnefts of it already. My next journal will acquaint you what they are. It often pleafes me, to reflect how Christ's kingdom is fecurely carried on in fpite of men and devils, and that too by the weakeft inftruments in different parts of the world. Surely we {hall unite at laft, and that glorious time will come, when, with one heart and with one voice, we fhall fing praifes to him who fitteth upon the throne for ever. A glorious epiphany, I truft, will ftiortly be mads in the hearts of many fouls. My deareft Brother, let us do or fuffer anything, fo we may be made inftruments of begin* riing and carrying on fo divine a work. As for my own part, I often ftand aftonifhed at the riches of free diflinguifhing grace, and I often feel myfelf fo great a fmner, that I am tempted to think, nothing can be blefled which comes from fuch unhallowed hands and lips; but yet the Lord is with me,and attended his word with mighty power onChriJlmas day. Pray remember me to all friends. I expecS^ you will receive the letters I fent from Philadelphia^ ere this comes to hand. I depend on feeing your journal, and hope you will accept of my mofl cordial love from, dearefl Brother,

Your's eternally in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CLXIV.

To Mr, H, G, My dear Br other ^ Savammh^ Feb, 4, 174O.

WHAT fliall I fay to your kind letter? 1 blefs the Lord for awakening you to fee the ncceffity of trufting in a better righteoufnefs than your own, and I adore him for making ufe of fo mean an inftrumcnt as I am, I^-

ly 4 ^^

IS a plain proof that the power is not of man, but of God alone. Labour, dear Sir, to keep up thefe convidions in your heart. Now God has called you, take care of lying down again.—Be always trimming your lamp, as though you were in expe^lation every moment to meet the heavenly Bridegroom.'—Search more and more into the corruption of your heart, and never reft till God's fpirit witnefleth with your fpirit, that you are a child of God. Let the deadnefs of thofe around you, excite your zeal. See that you are a burning and a fhining light in the midft of fuch a crooked and pcr-veffe generation.—And let a fenfe of God's diftinguifhing Jove to you above others, excite you to diftinguifli yourfelf by your obedience; ftill remembering that the Lord Jesus is our whole and everlafting righteoufnefs. That we both may be found in him, is the hearty prayer of

Your fincerc friend and fervant in Christ,

G. rr.

LETTER CLXV.

To the Rev. Mr. J .

Reverend and dear Sir^ Savannahy Feb. 29, 1740.

WITH great pleafure I anfwer your kind letter, and earneftly pray that God would be pleafed to fan(5^ify our correfpondeiice. It rejoices my foul, when I find a clergyman that loves our Lord Jesus in fmccrity. It is with regret that I fpeak againft any of the facred fun(St:ion; but when their preaching and walk are dire£tly contrary to the gofpcl of our Lord Jesus, I cannot but fpeak to them, as well as to the laity. To the beft of my knowledge, I preach the truth as it is in Jesus, and fimply aim at bringing fouls to him. Bleiled be his free grace for the fuccefs he hath been pleafed to give me. Not unto me, not unto me, but unto his holy name be all the glory ! Daily I am convinced, that God's hand is not (hortened—He blefles me here as well as clfewhcre. The Orphan-houfe is in great forwardnefs. I feed near an hundred mouths daily, and am afTured I fcrve a God who will fupply all our wants. It would rejoice me to fee you at Savannah, if your bufinefs will permit.—I can 5 now

now provide things convenient for your reception.—In about fix weeks I propofe, God willing, to go northv/ard.—If you can, pray favour me with your company before that time.— My friends will rejoice to hear and fee you.—They join with

me in affectionate refpedts to yourfelf and Mrs. J •. I

have fent you a few little tracis, and long for opportunities to convince you, reverend and dear Sir, how fmcercly I fubfcribe myfclf

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

G. JK

LETTER CLXVI.

To Captain H. M. Dear Sir, Savannah, March 2, 1740.

WITH pleafure I received your kind letter laft night, and immediately prayed, that God would never leave you before he had finiihed the good work begun in your heart. He has given you a rational, I hope ere long, he will give you zfpiritiial convidion of fin and of Christ. When that comes, all oppofition will fall before it. The world will be as nothing in your eyes, and you will a6l like a foldier of Jesus Christ. Indeed, dear Sir, I travail as it were in birth, till Jfsus Christ be thoroughly formed within you. If I do not forget my promifc, I do not forget your favours.—I make m.ention of you in my prayers. Linger not, dear Sir, but hafte out of your fpiritual Sodom. Flee, flee to Jesus Christ, whofe facred blood has made an atonement for fin-ners. Lay hold on his everlafting righteoufnefs, and chufe rather to fuffer afHiclion with the people of God, than to enjoy any thing which this world may afford, for a fcafon. Accept the fermons I have herewith fent, and believe me to be, dear Sir,

Your affedlionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G.JV.

LETTER

LETTERS.

LETTER CLXVII.

To Mr. James S-

Dear Mr. S. March j, 1740.

BLESSED be God, that you are yet alive as to your body ; biefled be God, that fome fparks of divine light are yet difcernible in your foul. Indeed, I have been frequently diftreficd for you and your companions, left fatan, through the corruption of your hearts, and the deceitfulnefs of worldly bufinefs, fhould get an advantage over you. Oh v^'atch, my dear friend, watch unto prayer ', keep clofc to God through ? living faith in his dear Son ; forget not your firft love j forget not a bleeding God ; forget not that iime^ when your foul was about to take its laft flight. O that I may meet you in triumph at the laft day ! Providence thwarts my feeing you. Adieu; write as often as you can. You have my prayers, and as a token of my love, be pleafed to accept this letter and the books fent with it, from

Your afFe£lionate friend and fervant,

LETTER CLXVIII.

ro the Hon, J. IV. Honoured Sir, Savannah^ March 10, 1740.

YESTERDAY, after public worfhip, I received with pleafure your kind letter, and was immediately ready to cry out. Why do fo many of my Lord's fervants take notice of fuch a dead dog as I am. Surely fovereign, rich, and free grace was never iexalted more than in the mercy (liewn to me, who am in truth the unworthief!: of the fons of men.— Honoured Sir^ it rejoices me to hear that there are fo ■ many at Nevj England^ who love the Lord Jesus in fmce-rity, and dare to fhinc as lights in the world amongft a crooked and perverfe generation.—I wifh they may be all Jquila\ and Prijcilla's to me, and teach me the way of GoDs more perfectlv ; for i long to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus. Christ. Oh he is a Iweet roaflcr, even here do I feel his blclled influences, and 3 j:ejoicG^

rejoice with joy unfpeakable and full of glory.—He is often with us in the midft of his fan£luary, and much fucceeds the Orphan-houfe.—I have digged low, and intend to build it high, becaufe I have a great God to pay the charges. I have about thirty-fix children which I maintain and cloath, and have upwards of forty perfons more who are employed in the work. The plantation is in great forwardncfs.—Many families are kept here by my employing them, and I hope to fee many a youth bred up for God ; for I defign to breed up for the miniftry, all that at any time I (hall perceive to be renewed by the Holy Ghoft, and endued with fuitable natural abilities. The work, I am perfuaded, is of God, and I know he will raife up inftruments to fupport it. Let him chufe whom feemeth him good.—In about three months, God willing, I hope to be near, or at New England. I thank you from my foul, honoured Sir, for your kind invitation ; but, I believe, am pre-engaged to one Mr. 5 d. The Lord reward both him, and all others who receive me in his name I I have not yet received the books, which you was pleafed to fend me, becaufe they are fent to the fouthward, but I expecSl: them daily, and doubt not of their being profitable. I know not how to exprefs my gratitude for your great condefcenfion in writing to me, but that I may always behave fo as not to be afhamed of fubfcribing myfelf

Your obliged humble fervant,

LETTER CLXIX.

To the Rev. Mr. J. IV. Honoured Sir^ Savannahy March, 26, 1740.

SINCE I returned here, I received your letter and journal. — I thank you for both, and {hall wait almoft with impatience to fee a continuance of your account of what God is doing or has done amongft you—He knows mv heart, I rejoice in v^hatever God has done by your hands. I, prae, fequar, etfinon paflibus equis.

I could now fend a particular anfwcr to your lail ; but, my honoured friend and brother, for once hearken to a child, who is willing to wafli your feet. I befeech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Lo^d> if }0u would have my

love

love confirmed towards you ; write no more to me about mlf-reprefentations wherein we differ. To the beft of my know-iedge at prefent, no fm has dominion over me, yet I feel the flrugglings of indwelling fm day by day ; I can therefore by jio means come into your interpretation of the pafiage mentioned in the letter, and as explained in your preface to Mr, Halyhurton —The do6trine of eleSiion^ and the final perfevera7ice of thofe that are truly in Christ, I am ten thoufand times more convinced of, ifpoflible, than when I faw you lafl — You think otherwife : why then (hould we difpute, when there is no probability of convincing ? Will it not in the end de-flroy brotherly love, and infenfibly take from us that cordial union and fweetncfs of foul, which I pray God may always fubfift between us ? How glad would the enemies of the Lord be to fee us divided ? How many would rejoice, (hould I join and make a party againft you ? And in one word, hov/ would the caufe of our common mafter every way fuffer by our raifmg difputes about particular points of doctrines I Honoured Sir, let us ofFcr falvation freely to all by the blood of Jesits ; and whatever light God has communicated to us, let us freely communicate to others. I have lately read the life of Luther, and think it in no wife to his honour, that the laft part of his life was fo much taken up in difputing with Zuitiglius and others ; who in all probability equally loved the Lord Jesus, notwithftanding they might difler from him in other points. Let this, dear Sir, be a caution to us, I hope ifc will to mc ; for by the bleiling of God, provoke mc to it as much a« you plcafe, I do not think ever to enter the lifts of eontroverfy with you on the points wherein we differ. Only I pray to God, that the more yaw judge mc, the more I may ioveyou, and learn to defire no ones approbation, but that of my

Lord and mafter Jesus Christ. Ere this reaches you,

1 fuppofc you will hear of my late excurfion to Charles Toivn, A creat work I believe is beo;un there. Enclofed I have fent you Mr. Garden^s letters —They will ferve to convince you, more and more, of the neceffity you lie under to be inftant in fcafon and out of feafon. Oh, dear honoured Sir, I wifti you jis much fuccefs as your own heart can wifti. Was you here, I would weep over you with tears of love, and tell you what great things God hath done for mv foul, iince we parted

iaft.

laft. Indeed and indeed, I often and heartily pray for your fuccefs in the gofpel : May your inward ftrength and outward fphere increafe day by day 1 May God ufe you as a choice and fingular inftrument of promoting his glory on earth, and may I fee you crowned with an eternal and exceeding weight of o-lory in the world to come ! This is the hearty defire of, honoured Sir,

Yours mofl affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. r/.

LETTER CLXX.

To Mr. IF.

Savannah^ March 26, 1740.

AND how does dear Mr. J'Fal —? His letter lies by me, and I now am inclined to anfwer it. My dear brother, how do you feel your heart ? Is it grown fick of original and actual fm ? Is it grown Tick of unbelief and felf-righteoufnefs ? Is it clofely united to the holy Jesus ? Do you feed on hiai in your heart by faith ? And do you receive of his fulnefs day by day ? I afk thefe queftions, becaufe I want to fee you v/rite of the inward life, and to hear you talk of your having a feeling pofleffion of your God. For he that believeth aright, hath the v/itnefs within himfelf. How do the brethren r I hope there is no more faying " I am of Paul^'' or '' I am of Jpollos^'^ but that you are only defirous of being one in Christ. I pray for, though diftant from you. I believe I am preparing a place for many. Our work goes on bravely. I have near forty little ones now in my houfe. Some of them I truft will be efFedtually wrought upon, and made chriftians indeed. We all live in love and unity, and moft I hope are feeking after Jesus Christ. He is pleafed from time to time to manifeft Iiimfclf to my foul, and to fhcw me hov/ unworthy I am of the leaft mercy. Shortly I fliall go northward, to preach the gofpel and colleCl frefli contributions for my orphans. God has given me an earneft of what he will do in America^ by the large collection that was made at Charla Town — I live tv^rj day in expectation of hearing from my London friends. My brother, the captain, rcfrefhcu my foul v/ith glad tidings and letters from Brijhl, God gave »ne gre;u comfort and fatil-

faclioii

fadion in converfing with him, and I hope he will be a chrl* flian indeed. Adieu. All falute you and the brethren.

I aip yours molt affedionately in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CLXXI.

To the Rev. Mr. B. L

Savannah^ March^ 28, 1740.

HOW glad Ihould I be of a letter from dear brother / f When (hall my foul be refrefhed, with hearing that the work of the Lord profpers in his hand ? I fup-pofe before now you have received my letters, and fecn my journal, and I believe God is yet preparing great things for us. Many at Cbarles-iown^ lately were brought to fee their want of Jesus Christ —Next week, God willing, I purpofe going to Philadelphiay and then perhaps may fee England the latter end of this year, or beginning of the next. The orphan-houfe goes on bravely. I have forty children to maintain, be-fides workmen and ailiftants — The great houfholder of the world does, and will I a-m perfuaded richly provide for us alL The colony itfelf is in a very declining way. But our extremity is God's opportunity—Our brethren I truft go forward? in the fpiritual life, I have often great inward trials—Fray that I may be kept in all changes, and feeming chances of this mortal life. I believe it to be God's will that I (hould marry. One, who may be looked upon as a fuperior, is abfo-lutely necefTary for the ^ue management of affairs. However, I pray God, that I may not have a wife, till I can live as though I had none—You may communicate this to fome of our intimates 5 for I would call Christ and his difciples to the marriage. If I am deluded, pray that God would reveal it to

Your moft affectionate brother and fervant,

G. IF.

h £ 1^ T E R

LETTER CLXXIL

To Mr, and Mrs, D, On board the Savannah^ bound to Phila'delphia from Georgia^ Aprils 4, 1740. My dear friendsy

SINCE I wrote laft, we have buried our Sifter L . Rachel I left at Philadelphia^ and fifter T Teems to

be in a declining ftate ; (o that fifter A alone is like

to be left of all the women which came over with mc from England, I find by experience, that a miftrqfs is abfo-lutely neceflary for the due management of my increafing family, and to take off fome of that care, which at prefent lies upon me. Befides, I ftiall in all probability, at my next return from England^ bring more women with me : and I find, nnlefs they are ail truly gracious (or indeed if they are) without a fuperior, matters cannot be carried on as becometh the gofpel of Jesus Christ. It hath been therefore much im-prefTiid upon my heart, that I fhould marry, in order to have a help meet for me in the work whereunto our dear Lord Jesus hath called me. This comes (like Abraham's fervant to Rehekah's relations) to know whether you think your daucrh-

ter, M'lfs E 5 is a proper perfon to engage in fuch an

undertaking ? If fo ; whether you will be pleafed to give me leave to propofe marriage unto her ? You need not be afraid of fending me a refufal. For, I blefs God, if I know any thing of my own heart, I am free from that foolifti paftion, which the world calls Love. I write, only becaufe I believe it is the will of God, that I fhould alter my ftate j but your denial will fully convince me, that your daughter is not the perfon appointed by God for me. He knows my heart; I would not marry but for him, and in him, for ten thoufaiid worlds,

—But I have fometimes thought Alifs E- would be

my he!p-mate 3 for ftie has often been imprefTcd upon my heart. I fhould think myfelf fafer in your family, becaufe fo many of you love the Lord Jesus, and confequently would be more watchful over my precious and immortal foal. After ilrong crying and tears at il^c throne of grace for direiTtion, '^ad after unOx-akablc troublv^i with mvown heart, I v/ritethis.

Be

Be pleafed to fpread the letter before the Lord ; and if you think this motion to be of him, be pleafed to deliver the in-clofed to your daughter — If not, fay nothing, only let me know you difapprove of it, and that {hall fatisfy, dear Sir and Madam,

Your obliged friend and fer^ant in Christ,

G. jr.

LETTER CLXXIII.

To Mijs E .

On hoard the Savannah^ Jpril d.ih, 1740*

BE not furprifed at the contents of this :—The letter fent to your honoured father and mother will acquaint you with the reafons. Do you think, you could undergo the fatigues, that muft neceflarily attend being joined to one, who Is every day liable to be called out to fuffer for the fake of Jesus Christ ? Can you bear to leave your father and kindred'a houfe, and to truft on him, (who feedeth the young ravens that call upon him) for your own and childrens fupport, fup-^pofmg it Tnould pleafe him to blefs you with any? Can you undertake to help a hufband in the charge of a family, confiding perhaps of a hundred perfons ? Can you bear the inclemencies of the air both as to cold and heat in a foreign climate ? Can you, when you have an hufband, be as though you had none, and willingly part with him, even for a long leafon, when his Lord and mafter (hall call him forth to preach the gofpel, and command him to leave you behind ? If after feeking to God for diredlion, and fearching your heart, you can fay, " I can do all thofe things through Christ ihengthening me," what if you and I were joined together in the Lord, and you came with me at my return from England^ to be a help meet for me in the management of the orphan-houfe ? I have great reaibn to believe it is the divine will that I fliould alter my condition, and have often thought you was the pcrfon appointed for me. I fhall ftill wait on God for dire6Vion, and heartily intreat him, that if this motion be not of him, it m.ay come to nought.—I write thus* plainly, becaufe, I truft, I write not from any other principles but the love of God. —I fliall make it my bufmefs to call on the Lord Jesus, and v/ould advife you to confult both- him

and

and your friends For in order to attain a bicfling, we

fhould call both the Lord Jesus and his difciples to the marriage—I much like the manner of Ifaac's marrying with Re-heknh^ and think no marriage can fucceed well, unlcfs both parties concerned are like-minded with Toi^ias and his wift.'—I think 1 can call the God of Jbraham, Ifaac and Jacobs to witnefs that I (iefne *' to take you my filter to vv'ife, not for lufl, but uprightly ;" and therefore I hope he will mercifully ordain, if it be his blefled will v/e fhould be joined together, that we may walk as Zachary and Elizabeth did, in all the ordinances of the Lord blamelefs. I make no great profeiTion to you, becaufe I believe you think me fmcere. The paffionate exprellions which carnal courtiers ufe, I think, ought to be avoided by thofe that would marry in the Lord. I can only promife, by the help of God, " to keep my matrimonial vow, and to dd what I can towards helping you forward in the great work of your falvation." If you think marriage will be any way prejudicial to your better part, be fo kind as to fend me a denial* I would not be a fnare to you for the world. You need not be afraid of fpeaking your mind. I truft, I love you only for God, and defire to be joined to you only by his command, and for his fake. With fear and much trembling I write, and Ihall patiently tarry the Lord's leifure, till he is pleafed to incline you, dear Mifs E , to fend an anfwer to

Your afFedionate brother, friend and fervant In Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CLXXIV.

To Mr. H .

On board the Savafinah, Jpril lOt 1740.

IT is now full tim.e to anfwer your letter. You acknowledge me the firft inftrument, under God (for ever adored be the riches of his free grace) of awakening you to the divine life: and (hall not I endeavour to quicken and inflame the heavenly fpark infufed Into your foul ? God forbid ! Oh that my power was equal to my will! How fhould my dear brother

H glow with divine love, and lean by faith on the bofom

of his deareft Redeemer ! But I truft ere now you have indeed received the Holy Ghoft, and knov/ what it is to fcafl on a Vol. L M crucU

4

crucifieJ Jfsus. Does he not, my dear brother, often mar/i-feft himfclf i'wcetly to your panting foul ■ Does he not often teach you the hidden things of the kingdom of God ? Does he not tell you that he loves you, and will fufFer nothing to pluck you out of his almighty hand r Thus often is he pleafed to manifeR- himfelf to me : and who then dares defpair ? No ; i can aflure the worft, the chief of finners, that Jesus Christ came to fave them. My dear brother, here are glad tidings of great joy 1 The fire kindles whilft I am mufing. Oh let us call all to come and fee Him, who has forgiven us

' to

all the fins that ever we committed. Is not this the Christ? Adieu. My hearty and dcarcft love to all. Fail not writing to

Your affedionate friend and fervant,

G. TV.

LETTER CLXXV.

To Mr. C— .

My dear Brother, 0?i board the Savannah, April lo, 1740*

YOU, as well as your dear aflr)ciatcs, are much upon my heart. I long to hear that you are advanced in grace, ar.d grown in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord. I fay^'^^r Lord-, for I hope, ere now, you can appropriate Christ to yourfelf, and, without the leaft diffidence or doubt, cry out affuredly, " My Lord and my God." When the foul fiiys this, then, but not till then, is it truly married to the dear Lord Jesus j then are v»e true children of the bridegroom, and arc real partakers of the fupper of the Lamb. IMiis, this is faith : this is believing j not with the head j not in notion only ; but with the heart, indeed and in truth. The foul now puts its a?ncn, and fcts the feal to God's cverlafling promifes ; it now^ foars upwards tov/ards heavenly things, and feels continually the invifible realities of another world. Thougii fometimes overlliadowcd by a cloud, yet flill it knows that its Redeemer liveth, and juftifieth the ungodly. It cannot doubt of his favour, though fometimes he is pleafed to withdraw his fcnfible prefcnce. The root of the matter is twifted round every faculty of the foul, which daily is fupport-ed with this aflurance, that Christ can no more forfake the fyal he loves, than he can forfiikc hirnfdf. Oh iny dear brother,

X

thet*, i find myfclf much carried out to write of that divine life, that divine myftery of godlincfs, the hidden kingdom of Got) in the heart. If any thing I can fay, or do, or write, may be any way fcrviceable to dear Mr. C —, it will much rejoice

His moft unvvorthy brother and fcrvant in Christ,

G. rK

LETTER CLXXVL

To A4r. I B- -.

0.'2 hoard the Sa-vaiinah^ Jpri! lO, 1740, A^Iy dfdr^ dear Friend^

I Remember your words that day I took my leave of you, with Dr. John S , at London, I have not forgotten

you, therefore do I now write a line to my dear Mr. B ,

May the Holy Ghoil: come upon him, and the power of the Higheft overfhadow him ; and may our glorious Redeemer never ceafe driving with him, till he hath a witnefs withiiv himfelf that he is a true child of God. Oh, when will you anfwer the character of your name-fake and forefather I/d,7c/ When, like him, will my dear friend give himfelf up a whole burnt-offering unto the Lord ! May I hear that you have recovered your firft love, and are, as formerly, zealous of good works ! I think I never yet really doubted of your return. If prayers to God, if entreaties to him, can bring my dear friend back, he fhall n it be led away captive by the world; he fliall, he fhall be a Chriftian indeed. I long to fee you, and till then fliall wreftlc with (Irong cryin^s and many tears with my dear Lord Jesus, in your behalf. I feel, I feel Christ's love; I can no more doubt of my interejR: in him, than 1 can of the {hining of the fun at noon day. He fills, he fweetens and gladdens my foul ; he loves me freely : he will bring me to behold his glory. I think I could now bid to men and devils defiance. Who is he that condemneth .? It is Christ that juftifies, who even now fitteth in heaven to make intcrcefiion fjr me. You fee, my dear friend, I am upon the mount. I know not how to (lop. It is true, I muft come down ; but it is only that I may go up again, and take a view of the heavenly Canaa?i, I am now near the port wla.ithsr we are bound :

M 2 J yet

yet a little while, and I (liall be in heaven; and fhall I not meet

my dear/- there? God forbid ! No, no; Icannot bear the

thought of it. Away, my dear, dear brother, to Jnsus Christ. Lay hold on his cverlafting righteoufnefs : look, look unto him by faith, and be faved. Call your dear wife to look alfo. Help, oh help her in the great work of her fal-vation ; and breed up your dear child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Adieu. My heart is full. With fmcerity I fubfcribe myfelf

Your's moft afted^ionajtely in our dearcfl-,

dcareft Lord Jesus,

G. IK

LETTER CLXXVIL

To Mr, N .

My Dear Brother^ On hoard the Savannah, Jpril lo, 1740.

IHave been a few days returned from Charles-Town, where our dear Lord Jesus, I. truft, has begun a glorious work. Many came to me under convidions, and were made to cry out, *' What (liall we do to be faved ?" The people were exceeding defirous of my return amongft them. If I call there, as I come northward, it may prevent my being at New-York fo foon as was propofed. The Lord dire6l my going in his wav. A Fojierian Preacher loft ground there. 1 think you are not much to be blamed for going out of church ; but perhaps it might be better, on another fuch occafion, to hear the whole difcourfe, and then go and converfe with the preacher upon it; otherwife a man may fay, you are angry, and could not judge, becaa c you did not hear all. Pralfe is more dangerous than conte.jipt: but when our Lord's honour can be promoted by the difplay of our graces, we need not fear. His grace will be fiifHcient for us. I know not what perfon it is that

you would not have me be fo open to, unlefs it be A4r. .

I had rather be too open than too referved. Simplicity much becomes the IJrocl of God. A few days pad, with full aflur-ance of faith, I laid the firil brick of our great houfe: yeremiah bought land when the people were leading into captivity. M7 faniilv daily increale, and, blefied be God, as yet I am kept from doubting. Pray that my faith may never fail. Some of

the 5

I

the Germans In America are holy fouls, and deferve the character they bear. They keep up a clofe walk with God, and arc remarkable for their fweetnefs and fimplicity of behaviour. They talk little, and think much. Moft of them, I believe, are Lutheram, But where there is the image of my dear Maf-ter, there are my afR-6lions drawn. This is the catholic fpirit you breathe after: the Lord, I am pcrfuaded, will give it to your foul. All that people do fay of me, affedts me but little ; becaufe I know worfe of myfelf than they can fay concerning me. My heart is defpcrately wicked. Was God to leave me, I fhould be a remarkable fmner. But redeeming love, I believe, will not let us go. Oh ! dear Mr. N* pray, and giv« thanks for me. I daily tafle that the Lord is gracious. All things go on well. My dear brethren falute you, as does Your affectionate, unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CLXXVIIL

To Mr. S .

WilUngtown, {Penfylvania) Jpril 14, 1740.

READ where I am, and judge whether or not I am a ftranger and pilgrim upon earth. Yeftcrday, after a fhort paffiige often days, did God bring us from Georgia to Neiv-Cajile: there I preached twice. To-day I {hall preach here, and in the evening hope to reach Philadelphia. People are much alarmed already; and great things, I find, God has been pleafed to do, by what he enabled me tb deliver when laft here. Two minifters have been convinced of their formal (late, notwithftanding they held aiid preached the doctrines of grace. One plainly told the congregation he had been deceiving himfelf and them, and could not preach any more, but defired the people to pray v/jth him. Another is as aflame of fire, and hath been much ov/ned of God. An oppofcr reading my fermon, in order to convince them I did not preach as

Mr. T , was much difappointed ; for power went along

H with the fermon, God's fpirit fell on tlie people, and formal oppofers went affrighted away. It is unknown what a glorious Itir here is in the province. Many, very many, I be-

M 3 lievc,

lieve, of late have been brought favingly to believe on t\\Q LoRP Jesus. The work much increafes, and here is employment for many months : but I mull: return fhortly to Savan-72ah, A primitive fpirit revives ; and many, I hope, will be brought to live flcdfaft in the aportles do6lrine, in fellowfliip, ^nd breaking of bread, and in prayer. Perhaps dear Mr, iS^— may be one «f them. Pray how does that young man do ? Is he deeply humbled, and clofely united to the dear Lord Jesus ? Does he feel hlmfelf a poor fmner, and daily experience the outgoing and incoming of the blciied fpirit in the fan6luary of his heart ? Bleffed be God, I do : even whilft I am ivriting I feel his power. I am perfuaded I fiiall be more than conqueror over every evil, through my Redeemer's love. Oh ! my dear friend, keep clofe to the dear Lord Jesus I Do not go without his leading, and then you are fafe, though in the mld{k of devils. Adieu.

Ever, ever yours,

G. IK

LETTER CLXXfX.

To Madam C .

Madam, New Brunfwick, Aprils'], 1740.

AL L things go on wejl in America —nay, better than I dare afk, or could think. Our Lord's kingdom comes V'ith power. It is amazing to fee how God is prefent in our

alTemblies: I refer you to dear brother 5 for particulars,

My animal fpirits are exhauRed, but I am filled v/ithin. Nature would fometimes cry out, '' Spare thyfelf j" but when I am offering Jesus to poor Inmers, I cannot forbear exerting all my powers. Oh that I had a thoufand lives ! my dear Lord Jesus (hould have them all. I long to be out of the body, that I may love and ferve him as I would : but I mufl fiifFer before I can reign with him. That you and I may never deny our Lord, is the carncii prayer of. Madam,

Your obliged humble fervant.

LETTER

LETTER CLXXX.

To Mr. M .

Neiu Brunfwkk^ April 28, 1740.

BLESSED be God, I can fend you glad tidings of great joy. Our Lord Jesus is getting himfelf the vi(5lory in thefe parts. The Orphan-houie affairs go forward beyond €xpe6tation. I have upwards ofy^r/yJ^/Vi/vw in my houfe at Sa-vannah^ t\Q2iV feventy perfons in family, and upwards of an hundred people to provide for every day. As yet we want for nothing. The great houfholdep of mankind gives us all things richly to enjoy, and, T am perfuaded, will provide for us v/hilft we truft in him. I had rather live by faith, and depend on God for the fupportofmy great, and yet increafing family, than to have the laro;eft vifible fund in the univerfe. About five weeks aero the Lord flirred up the Charks-Tcwn people to contribute upwards of feventy pounds fterling towards the fupport of my little ones. A glorious work was alfo begun in the hearts of the inhabitants; and many were brought to cry out, '' What fhall we do to be faved ?" A fortnight ago, after a fhort paflage of ten days, I landed in Penfyhania^ and have had the pleafurc of feeing and hearing, that my poor endeavours for promoting Christ's kingdom, when there laft, were noc altogether vain in the Lord. I cannot well tell you how man^ have come unto me, labouring under the deepeft convidions, and feemingly defirous of finding reft in Jesus Christ. Several have, I humbly hope, actually received him into their hearts by faith, and have not only righteoufnefs and peace, but alfo joy in the Floly Ghoft. In iliort, the word hath run and been much glorified ; and many Negroes alfo are in a fair way of being brought home to God. I daily receive frefh and moft importunate invitations to preach in all the adjacent countries. God is pleafed to give a great blcfling to my printed Sermons : they are now in the hands of thoufands in thefc parts, and are a means, under God, of enlightening and building up many in their moft holy faith. Since fuch an ef-fe£lual door is opened for preaching the evcrlafting gofpcl, you will not be furprized if I acquaint you there are many advcr-faries. The Clergy^ I find, are greatly offended at mc. The

M J, com-

commlffary of Philadelphia, having got a little ftronger party than when I was there laft, has thrown oflF the mafk, denied me the pulpit, and lalt Sunday preached up an hi/iorical faith, and juftification by works. But people only flock the more to me. The power of God is more vifible than ever in our aflemblies ; and more than ever before are convinced that I preach the dodrine of Jesus Christ. Some few bigotted felf-righteous ^takers alfo,now begin to fpit out a little of the ferpent: they cannot bear the do6lrine of original fin, or of imputed rightcQufneJs as the caufe of our acceptance with GoD. One calls original fin " original nonfenfe ;" and feveral have been to me, under the apprehenfion of being thruft out, for owning and confeffing what I take to be the truth as it is in Jesus. God has now brought me to New Brunfwick, where I am blefied with the converfation of Mr. G — T'—. Indeed be is a good foldier of Jesus Christ, and God is pleafed in a wonderful manner to own both him and his brethren. The congregations where they have,preached have been furprizing-]y convi6led and melted down. They are unwearied in doing 3 good, and go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor fmners to come in. Yefterday alfo I heard of two minifters in Long Ifiand, near New-Tork^ who had large communications from God, and have been inftrumental in bringing many fouls to Christ. I could add more ; but I muft away : the people are v/aiting for a fpiritual meal. They fly to the doctrine as doves to the windows, and I truft the Lord is now reviving his work in the midft of the years. With great difficulty I have redeemed time to fend you thefe {qw lines. I hope you and the refl of my dear friends continue to pray for me : for I believe never was fo weak a wretch fent on fuch an important errand. But when I am weak, then am I ftrong. My bodily ftrength, by frequent journeying and continued fpeaking, fometimes fails me -, but the Lord quickens nnd flrengthens me by his mighty power. The more I am oppofed, the more joy I feel ; and the firfl; fruits of God's fpirit, which he hath imparted to my foul, are fo fweet, that I almoft with impatience wait till I reap a full harveft in the fraition of my God. Continue, I bcfeech you, ta intercede

fov

LETTERS. ,69

for me; and reft fatisfied that both yoli and my other Englijb friends are always remembered by

Yours,

I

LETTER CLXXXL

To JV. S. Efq,

My char Brother^ Reedy Ifiand^ May 19, 1740.

Know very well what it is to part from a friend which is as one's own foul; and therefore could in fome meafure fympathize with you in what you felt when partino- from me. The good Lord fandify my friendfiiip to you, and grant we may go hand in harid to heaven. One of the inclofed papers will fliew you the event of what you inferted (unknown to me) in the News. However, be not difneartened ; God fliall make even this to work together for your good. The war between Michael and the dragon has much increafed. Mr. C

has preached moft of his peopl^ away from him. He Jafhed

me moft bravely the Sunday before I came away. Mr. J

alfo preaches againft me. Mr. C— did not come to take his leave of me ; and Mr. J— is very inveterate. Now I believe our Lord's kingdom will come wiih power. At New-York the word ran. Twice or thrice our Lord appeared for us in a moft glorious manner. Mr. T— and his brethren glow with divine warmth; and I have convcrfed with one of the mini-' fters of Long IJland, whom God has lately fent forth : he is a fweet zealous foul. Laft week, at Nottingham and Mr. ^—'s how did God manifeft his glory ! We had about' twelve thoufand hearers 3 and fuch a melting, fuch a crying, (they fay) was fcarcely ever fccn. Blcfied be God, the devil's children begin to throw oft' the mafk. I want to draw the lingering battle on. At Philadelphia aft'airs go on better and better; only Satan now begins to throw many into fits. I have generally preached twice and rode near thirty miles a-day fince you left me. The Lord hath been my fupport, and has often fo melted me with a fenfe of his free, fovereign, and everlaftinr^ love, that fome thought I was giving up the ghoft. Oh neveT let go your fenfe of God's fovereign, everlafting love I It is food to my poor foul. Was it not for that, furely I muft fink

under

under the prorpe<5l of the labours aud fufferings that are bcfoje me. My dear brother, What is the Lchp doing in thcfe parts ? I believe the work will go on better here than in Eng-Imi^, We are more united in our principles, and do not print one againil another. Pray obferve the hint given to Captain

G , and let the Lord order for mc as it fliall fcem

good in his fight. We are now at Rcuiy IJland waiting for a wind. I heard of a fliip going to Duhlin^ and could not lofe the opportunity of writing to my dear brother iS—~-—. I need not remind you to haften over as faft as pofiible—Our Lord has taught you not to flay by the way—-J have rebuked

Mr. C — fharply, and I truft have gotten fome gracious

fouls on board—The Lord is with me ; I am fomewhat better as to bodily health, but i live chiefly on inward fuppliea from above. My mailer never fails me. Oh exhort all tQ fall in loye with Jesus, and to pray for.

Ever yours in the beft bonds,

LETTER CLXXXIL

,^/ To Mr. M — , an Indian Trader.

Bear Mr. M ^ , ^ccdy IJland^ May 19, 1740.

1 Received your letter, and have been reading part of your journal. I think it your bounden duty to go amongft the Indians again, not as a minijier^ but as a private chriftian, whole duty it is, when converted himfelf, to ftrengthen his brethren. An effedual door, I would hope, is opening amongft fome of the heathen. I remember, when it was firft impreffed upon me, that I ibould go to Georgia^ this promife came with fuch power as never will be forgotten, and that too, long before I had any outward call—" I have ma<le thee the head of the heathen."—I fpcak this for your encouragement, but defire you would not mention it to others. Who knows but that time may be now near at hand ?—However that be, it is plain God calls you, and I wifh you good fuccefs in the name of the Lor.d. Be fure you keep a clofe walk with Cjod. ' —Be much in prayer, and prepare for the gre^iteft hardfliips. Your grcateft perils will be araongft your own countrymen. The heathens will be ftirred up by them, as the Gentiles v/ere

by

LETTERS. ryt

by the Jews; but the Lord Jesus will make you more than conqueror over all. The word of the Lord will make its own way. Beg of (jOD to give you true notions of our free juftification by iaith in Jesus Christ. Bring your Indian hearers to believe, before you talk of baptifm, or the fupperof the Lord. Otherwife they will catch at a fliadow, and ne-^le6l the fubftance. Improve the leifure you now enjoy, and fee that you feel the truths you fpeak. Feed on this pro-mife, " It fhall be given you in that hour what you (hall fay.'* Your circumftances call for a fulfilling of it — Tell them what God has been doing here, and how happy Jesus Christ will make them. Be fure tell them, tell them, that true faith is not merely in the head, but in the heart, and that it will certainly be produ6live of good works. PVcquently meditate on Gop's free love to yourfelf, and that will beft qualify you to fpeak of it afJedficnately to others. I could fay more, but time will not permit. Pray for me. All.with me falute you. My poor petitions you may depend on, as the Lord ftiall enable me. My love to aii, and believe me to be Your affedlionate friend, brotherj and fervant ih Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXIU.

To the Allega-iiy Indians. My Dear Brethren., Reedy IJIand^ May 21, 1740.

FOR fo I call you, becaufe you, and I, and all, have one common father. One God, in whom we live, move and have our beings We all came at firft out of the dufi: of the earth. For after God made the fun, moon, flars, and every thing you fee, he alfo made a creature called man.^ and breathed into him the breath of life ; he then became a living foul. He could not only walk and fpeak, but he could alfo think, and reafpn, and was full of goodnefs, peace, and joy. This man, this happy creature God placed in a garden, which his own right hand had planted. He then call him into a Aat^^ ileep, and out of one of his ribs made what we call a woman, that fhe might be his wife. Their names were Adam and l^ve. With thcfe^ Go^ made an agreement that they fliould

cat

eat of every tree of that garden, except one ; but if they ate the fruit of that particular tree, they fhould die ; they Ihould return to the dufl from whence they were taken, lofe the comforts they enjoyed in their fouls, and be unhappy for ever in another world. But if they did not eat this fruit, none of thefe things fhould come upon them. A being, which we call the devily (and who for his pride had been call dut of heaven) envying their happinefs, tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit. They confented, they ate, they died. Their bodies became mortal, their fouls were deprived of the prefence and love of God ; and unlefs a way was found out to make fatisfa£lion for what they had done, they mull have been loft for ever. Thefe were our parents, and God made this agreement with us their children, as well as with them. For they a6led in our name, as a king adls in the name of his people, or a father in the name of a child—What therefore befel them, befel us. "We died in them ; and come into this world poor and miferable, blind and naked, as they were, when they had eaten of the forbidden tree. Hence it is, that we are given to lufl, anger, envy, hatred, pride, and malice, and all thofe troublefome pafTions which you all mufl ht\ in your own hearts, and cannot but fee even in the hearts of your children. If then, you only look into yourfelycs, you muft con-fefs thefe things are fo. But God hath given us a book^ wherein he alTures us of the truth of all this: — And we know that book came from God, becaufc none but God could tell us the things therein contained. And I fpeak firft of this, be-caufe 'till you feel and believe this, you cannot come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ; and without the knowledge of Jesus Christ you cannot be faved. For after our firft parents, Adam and Eve^ had taken the forbidden fruit, and with all their children, thereafter to be born, became guilty before God, God out of his own free love fent his only begotten Son into the world, to die, and fo to make an atonement for the fin of fallen man, and alfo to obey the law, which man had, broken ; fo that though fallen man had no righteoufnefs of his own, yet upon believing in God's Son, he fhould find a perfe£l righteoufnefs in him. This Son is called Jesus, " A Saviour," becaufc he was to fave us from

the

the guilt and power of our fins. He was truly God, and therefore cowld fatisfy ; he was truly man, and therefore could obey and fuffer in our ftead. He was God and man in one perfon, that God and man might be happy together again. My dear brethren, (for fo I muft call you, though I never faw you) thefe are ftrajige things, l^ut if you are willing to learn, the holy fpirit fliall teach you. For Jesus Christ by dying, and obeying God's law, hath bought for us the holy fpirit, who fliall change your corruot natures, and fit you for happinefs hereafter with the ever-bleffed God, if you do but believe in your hearts.—Thoufands of white people only believe in their heads, and therefore are no more chriifians than thofe v>^ho never heard of Jesus Christ at all. They call Christ, " Lord, Lord," but they do not live as Jesus Chr-IST hath commanded. No, they curfe and fwear, they break the fabbath, they get drunk, they play, they whore, they commit adultery, and have taught many poor Indians to do thefe abominable things as well as themfelves. Do not you thsrefore learn of them. For true chrlftians are fober, chaile and holy. They will not get drunk, they will not play the whore, they will not cheat, lie, curfe or fwear; but they will blefs and praife God, keep the fabbath, and do all the good they can; for thus Jesus Christ, their Lord and mafter, lived when he was here on earth. I fay, when he was here on earth ; for after he died, he rofe again, and went up into heaven from whence he came, and there he fits praying for all that (hall believe on Him to the end of the world. For as the world had a beginning, fo it alfo will have an end. And Jesus Christ will come again in the clouds ta judge all mankind ; and then he that hath believed in Christ, and hath (hewn forth his faith by his works, fhall be faved ; and he that hath not believed in Christ, fliall be damned for ever, and be cafl into a lake of fire an^i brimftone. But before he comes, he hath promifed that the heathen fhall be brought to b-elleve on him, and therefore I write this letter to you. I would come myfelf, and preach the glad tidings of falvation among you, as the bearer of this could interpret for me; but my other bufinefs will not permit. I am a mini-fterof the fame Jesus, and once was as ignorant of Him comparatively as you may be. I once lived like other people ;

but

but the Lord Jesus hath brought me to believe on Him, and I now do fo no more. I once was full of envy, hatred, malice, and fuch like curfcd tempers ; but now I have love, and peace, and joy. And becaufc Jesus Christ hath (hewn fuch mercy to me, I dcfirc that all others fhould be made as happy, nay happier than I am myfelf. — Hearken therefore now to the voice of the Lord. Pray to God that you may feel yourfelves poor, miferable Tinners, and come by a living faith to Jesus Christ. Then he will pardon you of all your fins, make you holy by his fpirit here, and take you into everlafting happinefs hereafter. Your traders, fome of them at leaft, will tell you, that you muft he miferable, if you will be chriftians. But thefe know nothing of Jesus Christ ; for they are ungodly men, walking after their own wicked lufts. Whofoever will follow Jesus Christ, though happy in himfelf, muft be looked upon as a fool by others. The fpirit of the world, and the fpirit of Jesus are quite contrary one to the other ; and therefore if you will live godly in Him, you muft fufter perfecution ; you muft have all manner of evil fpoken againft you falfely, and be called madmen and fools ; but let not that daunt you, or make you afraid. There is a world to come, there is a judgment-day, and then Jesus Christ (hall crown all thofe with glory, who have fuffered for his name's fake. Once more, therefore, hearken to the voice of the Lord. For the Lord Jesus died for you, as well as for the white men among you, and that you might be taught the gofpel ; but they have made you worfe than you were before, and therefore (hall receive the greater damnation. He who brings this, no doubt, will be defpifed amongft them, becaufe he will, I hope, neither get drunk, nor curfe, nor fwear.—But I truft the Lord will ftrengthenJiim, and caufe him to Ihew many of you the true way of (alvation — I fhall not fail to pray for him, and for you ; for though I know you not, yet if I could thereby fave your precious fouls, I think I could die for your fake. May the Lord Jesus blefs you, and bring you out of darknefs into his marvellous light, for his infinite mercy's fake. This is the prayer of, dear brethren. Your foul's well-vvilher and fervunt in Christ,

G. //-:

L E r T E R

LETTER CLXXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. I— —, at PMIadelphla My dear Brother^ Reedy IJIand^ May 21, 1740.

STILL our Lord is with me both in the fhip and on the fljore. Adoie him for his free grace. Sailors, I believe, are coming to Jesus. One or two of our crew are under convictions. The Lord does not keep me here for nothing. I dcfire to learn of winds and ftorms to obey Him. I pray daily for your fuccefs. May the Lord make you a happy inftru-ment of bringing many fons to glory. Your wcaknefs need not difcourage you. The Lord is pleafed to make ufe of me. He ftrengthens me mightily in the inner man. Oh orace grace ! " Lefs than the leaft of all," ihall be my motto ftill. I need not exhort you to feed the flock of God ; he has pur-chafed them with his own blood. Oh admit of a mixed com-* tnunlon. I think the glory of God requires this at your hands. May the Lord give you a right underftanding in all ihino-s, awd enable you to remember

Your unvv'orthy brother and fellow-labourer

in our dear Lo^d Jesus, G. Jf\

LETTER CLXXXV.

To Mr. M~-, at PhUadehhia. Dear .Mr. M. Reedy Jjhnd, May 21, 174c.

AS the Lord is pleafed to detain me here by contrary winds, why fhpuld I not fend you a line ? You have flood up for the truths of GoD., and, I truft, will not be afliamed of our Lord and his gofpel. I expect a great falling away amongft thofe that followed me : But I hope dear Mr. AI. will continue fledfait and unmoveable to the laft. The only v;ay,is to keep a conftant eye to Christ, to go forth in his ftrength, and never to reft till you feel his blcfled truths copied and tranfcribed on your heart. You have often heard me exclaim againft refting on a head-knowledge. You are a man of ftrong pafllons, and fprightly imagination, and therefore (I know yc-M villi not be affronted) you will make either

lyS LETTERS.

a great faint, or an accomplifhed . I believe the former,

though, as a friend, I remind you of, and caution you againft the latter. You love to be dealt plainly with. Oh, dear Sir, 1 feel that I love you, and have a real concern for you and your houfhold.—What would I give to fee your daughters become wife virgins, and fallen in love with the blefled Jesus. How amiable would they then appear I But before this can be done, all pertnefs, and lightnefs of fpirit, muR be taken away, and they muft not only leave off dancing, but be made new creatures. How is your fon ? Pray tell him it is time for him to come home. The fatted calf w^aits for him. I could fay more; but time will not permit. Dear Sir, pray for me. Indeed I will endeavour to return the favour ; many are waiting for, and would rejoice at my halting ; but the Lord is my helper. He is with me in my little cabin, and gives me a feeling pofleffion of his blefled fpirit. May the Lord enrich you with a great meafure of it, and fill you with all his fulnefs! Methinks I fee you lifting up your eyes, and faying, J7?2en. — And fo faith, dear Mr. M.

Your affectionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXVL

To Mr, R , at Philadelphia.

Dear R,. Reedy IJIand, May 22, 1740.

ET nothing faid to you in my abfence affe£l you. God has lately delivered you out of one fnare ; take heed how you fall into another. If you watch unto prayer, who knows but God may blefs your endeavours amongft the poor negro women and children ? I could not w'lih you more happily fitu-ated.—My love to all the fociety.—Exhort them not to reft in good defires. Shew them, O fhew them the neceffity of being deeply wounded, before they can be capable of healing by Jesus Christ. Bid them to beware of a light behaviour, and light company. Both do grieve the buffed fpirit oi"GoD. Take beed, take heed of thofe accurfed fnares. I could fay more, but time will not permit. My love to the Nfgro Peggy-, and all her black fifters. Bid them to pray for me. May the blood of Jesus wafh away all the pollutions!

bf their fin-fick fouls ! What if they were put into a fociety by themfelves, and you, or fome white woman, met't with them ? The good Lord direct}: and blefs you in a!l thin-^s.— This is the hearty prayer of

Your finccre friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IK

LETTER CLXXXVIL

To Air. E .

• Rsedy IJIand^ May 22, 174O,

GOD only knows when the wind will favour our removal hence ; I dcfire patiently to tarry the Lord's leifure, and to wait the moving of the cloud of his providence. However, in the mean while I fend you a line amongft my other friends. God, I believe, hath ftruck you to the heart, and fhewn you the rottennefs of that foundation v.'hereon you was once building. O keep clofe to our dear Lord Jesus, and never fear what men or devils can fay of, or do unto you. I am perfuaded you muft be bufi-eted.—You mull: be perfecuted^ if you will live godly in Christ Jesus. Let this be your comfort, when the world forfakcs you, the Lord whom vou ferve, (hall take you up. I pray for you^ and my other dear Philadelphia friends daily. The Lord be with you all. Adieu. You would do well to publifh, " that all who have not been baptized already, and fhall appear to be prepared for it, I will^ by God's leave, baptize^ at my return to Phiiculclpbia." O that all who followed me vvcre baptized with the Holy Ghoft 1

But there mufi: be a falling away.—Dear Mr. E , I truff,

will not defert his Lord. Truft in hi-^, and not in your own flrength, and you fliall be fafe. Once more farewel. All with me falute you. The people on foore wait for me. Remember me in your prayers as

Your affe6lionate fervant in Christ,

G. fp:

Vol. L N LETTER

4

LETTER CLXXXVIII.

To the Alemlers of a Society at Philadelphia. My dear Friendi^ Rcecly Ijland^ May 22, 1740.

AS the Lord, for wife rcafons, detains me here, I cannot but fend you a line as a token of my unfeigned concern for the welfare of your better part. I mud confefs, that the account many of you gave of your experiences, was not fb fatisfadory as I could wifh; but I hope you will none of you reft in good dcfires, or think you arc chriftians, becaufe you have followed aft. r me. I thank you, God knows my heart, I thank you for all expreffions of your love : But I bcfcech you to rcm.cmber, that the kmgdom of God does not confift iti v:Drd^\)Wi\i-\ pzxvcr. Keeping company with God's people, does not give you a title to the privileges of God's children. It may incrcafe, but not extenuate your condemnation, if you are not found in heart, and truly converted to our dear Lord Jesus Christ. I am pcrfuaded you will not be offended at this plain dealing. God has been pleafed to work upon you by my unworthy miniiiry. I would therefore watch over you for good, and warn you againft thofe fnares which await all the true followers of the Lamb of God. At my next return, I hope I fliall fee you are that inwardly, which you would be cfteemcd outwardly. The fearcher of hearts knov/s I long for your falvation. My dear friends, adieu. Pray for me. Be humble, be ftrong in the Lord and in the power of his might, A fiery trial awaits you. There is no being a chriflian without giving up all for Christ. We mufl all have the fpirit of martyrdom, though we may not all die martyrs.—That the Lord m.ny keep you by his power unto falvation, and make you more than conquerors through his love, is the hearty

prayer of

Your afFe6lionate friend and fervant,

G.W. LETTER CLXXXIX.

To Mr, A S , at Philadelphia,

Dear Mr, S, Reedy I/Iand. May 22, 1740.

Defire that you and your wife would accept of theiis izvf farewel lines as a token of my love. My heart's defire

and

I

and prayer to God is, that you both may be faved.—Your wife was mourning when I faw her lad. I1:ic Lord Jesus prepare her thereby for true, loJiJ, and lalling comfort! The more we are humbled, the more will the glorious Emmanuel exalt us; but we muft v;ait his time. Jesus is love, and jievcr corre(fls us but for our own good. 1 find it is always thus with mc. I am a llubborn, ungrateful, difobedicnt child, and often oblige him to ftrilce me fcvcrcly ; but love, I find, holds the rod, and therefore his rod, as well as his flaff comforts mc. f^arewel ; the Lord be with you both !— John

S and all friends falute you. We live and walk in love.

My tendercfl: rcfpecls await all that truly follow the Lamb. I befeech you forget not to pray for

Your affectionate friend, brother^ and fervant,

G, JV.

LETTER CXC.

To Mr. G L -, in London.

Reedy IJldnd^ May 22, 1740. '* /^N Thurjday lad, in the evening, the Pvcv. Mr. JVb'itefiM \J went on board at Nevj-Caftle^ in order to fail to Georgia^ after having been on ihore thirty-three days^ and travelled fome hundreds of miles, and preached fifty-eight times in the provinces of New-Jerfey^ New-York^ and Penfylva?:ia,—-]r{\^ congregations confliled fometimes of four, fometimes of five, fometimes of eight, twelve, fifteen, and once at Philadelphia^ of twenty thoujand people. He had gotten near five hundred pounds fterling, in money and provifions, for the Orphan-houfe at Georgia, Great and vifible efi-ecSfs followed his preaching, almoft v.'hercfoever he went, efpeclally in Philadelphia, There was never fuch a general awakening, and concern for the things of God known in America before. He intended to vifit New-England foon after his .arrival at Georgia^ and to come by land as far as Philaddphia^ at the latter end of the year."

The above Advcrtifement may fufHce for the prefent, 'till I have an opportunity of fending you my journal. That will flicw you wonderful things. 1 fuppofe ere this reaches you,

our dear brothers, S and G , will be arrived : 1 have

N 2 km

fent a packet of letters to them, by the way of Dublin. I ant now v.'aiting for a fair wind, and can fay the Lord is v/ith me of a truth. Several fliips are lying by us, and the captains and their companies come to our fliip to prayers. Sailors weep : It is unknown how many are under conviiSlion. I long to hear v/hat is doing in Eiigland. The embargoes, I fuppofe, prevent your fending ; however my heart is with you. I do not forget you. I hope there is a door opening among'

jthe Allegany Indians. I have read M 's journal, and

;have wrote both to him and them. We have been near a week at Recciy Ijland: I have preached there five times. The captaii^.s and their crews come conftantly to public wor-fliip on {hote, and to private prayer in our iloop. We have fome with us that love our dear Lord Jesus in fmcerity. My heart is exceedingly drawn towards Savannah-, but the Lord's time is the beft. The Lord Jesus blefs you all, and reward you for all kindnefTes fhev^'n to his unworthy fcr-vant, but

Your afFciSlionate brother In Christ,

LETTER CXCL

To JV S 5 Ejq\ in London,

Lewis-Town^ (Penfylvania) May 24, 1740. Aly dear Friend and Brother^

MY will is much to go to Georgia^ but my dear Lord Jesus is pleafed to crofs me. For ever blelled be his great and glorious name. Juft now the Lord hath brought me hither. Your letter pleafed me, I hope our Lord is now beginning to anfwer my prayers, and that my dear Brother 5 is about to know himfclf. You know I have

often told you, that you ouglit to fufpect your experiences. You have miftaken, in my opinion, preparation^ for converfion itfelf. Your nine years round of duties, were no efFecSls of the new-birth at all. How could they be ? when you did not

know you was to be born again, before you heard Mr. C

If/ expound the feventh chapter of the Romans: Then,.

but not till then did you begin to be enlightened, and illumination and converfipn are twQ different things. All nw great

trials

trials were confcquent on this. Not that God*s way of dealing with me, ought to be a rule for others : But I think your cafe and mine fomewhat parallel.—Thofe that have been mod humbled, I find, always make the moft folid, ufeful chriftians. It (lands with rcafon : The more a man is emptied of himfcJf, the more room is there made for the fpirit of God to dwell in him.—Your caution to dear Mr. H. was very good. Opcn-nefs is the beft prefcrvative of fpiritual fricndfhip. I would behave fo, that no one might be afraid to confult me j but if people will not open their hearts, let them not blame me ; I cannot fpcak, where I perceive a (hynefs, and where I fee per-fons are afraid of me. I am furc they muft harbour fom.e ungenerous fufpicions or other againfl me, and how then can there be a harmony of foul. My dear brother, my fri nd, now I have told you my heart : Be not angry, I am juft ready to v,-eep.—Indeed, I am willing to wafh your feet, and to acknowledge all favours under God that I have received from you. Be ftable, be willing to confult others that have trod in the fpiritual road before you ; do not miflake workingy^r life, for %vorking from life. Watch unto prayer, and do not be carried away by every wind of doctrine. Hov/ could you not

fee through L of Germcm-Toivn ? But I muft not chide,

but love. Much I owe you ; have patience with me and I will endeavour to pay you. I fhall long to fee you at Savannah. Once more, my dear friend and brother, adieu. My heart is much melted down. God continually fills me v/ith himfelf. O give thanks for, dear Sir,

Your brother and fervant in Christ,

G. TV,

LETTER CXCIL

To the Rev. Mr. J. JV,

Honoured Sir., Cape-Lopen^ May 2\, i-j^o.

I Cannot entertain prejudices againit your conducl and principles any longer, without informing you. The more I examine the writings of the mofc experienced men, and the experiences of the moil eftablifiied chriftians, the more

N 3 I

I differ from your notion about not committing fin, and your denying the dodrines of e]e6tion, and final perfeverance of the faints, I dread coming to Evgland^ unlefs you are re-folvcd to oppofe thefe truths with lefs warmth, than when I was there laft. I dread your coming over to America ; becaufe the work of God is carried on here (and that in a moft glori-^ ous manner) by doctrines quite oppofite to thofe you hold. Here are thoufands of God's children, who will not be pcr-fuadcd oat of the privileges purchafed for them by the blood of Jesus. Here are many worthy experienced miniflers, who would oppofe your principles to the utmoft. God dirc£t me what to do ! Sometimes I think it heft to flay here, where v/c all think and fpeak the fame thing : The woi-k goes on without divifions, and with more fuccefs, becaufe all employed in it are of one mind. I write not this, honoured Sir, from heat of fpirit, but out of love. At prefent, I think you are entirely inconfiOent with yourfelf, and therefore do not blame me, if 1 do not approve of all that you fay. God himfelf, I find,

teaches my friends the do6lrine of election. Sifter H hath

lately been convinced of it; and, if I miftake not, dear and

honoured Mr. ly hereafter will be convinced alfo. From

ir.y foul I vvifli vou abundant fuccefs in the name of the Lord. I long to hear of your being made a fpiritual father to thoufands. Perhaps 1 may never fee you again, 'till we meet in judgment ; then, if not before, you will know, that; fovereign, diftinguifliing, irrefiflibie grace brought you to heaven. Then v/iil you know, that God loved you with an everlafting love, and therefore with loving-kindnefs did he draw you. Honoured Sir, farewel. My prayers conftantly attend both you and your labours. I negleft no opportunity of writing. My next journal will acquaint you with nev/ and furprizing wonders. The Lord fills me both in body and foul. I am fupported under the profpccl of prefent and impending trials, with an afiurance of God's loving me to the end ; yea, even to all eternity. Ere this reaches you, 1 fup-pofe you will hear of my intention to marry. I am quite as tree as a child : If it be God's will, I befeech him to prevent it. I would not be hindered in my dear Lord's bufinefs for the world, I am now waiting for a fair wind. God bleifcs

the

the Orphan-houfe. Do not be angry with, but pray for, honoured Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. rr.

LETTER CXCIII.

^0 Mr. S 5 in Charles-TGivn.

Dear S'lr^ Sava7inah^ J^^^^ 7» ^74^'

BEFORE I knev/ you by name, my heart was uncommonly afFccled towards you. Whenever I faw you at church, I enquired concerning you, and to my great but plealing iur-prize, when I came to your houfe, found ycu was the man I was enquiring after. Your letter gives me ftill hopes, that our dear Lord Jesus is about to awaken you from a carnal fecurity in which you have long lain. He is nov/ calling you, dear, dear Sir. I befecch ycu, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Saviour, take heed that you do not lie down again. Jf you will be a follower of the Lamb of God, you mud prepare your foul for manifold temptations ; you mull become the ibng of the drunkard, and have all manner of evil fpokcn againft you falfely for Christ's fake : But let none of thefe things move you, dear Sir. Dare, I befeech you, to be fni-gularly good.—Be not afiiamed of your glory.—Learn a lefibn of boldnefs even from the devil's children. How refolutc, how daring are they in their mailer's caufe ? Why {hould not we be equally courageous in the caufe of Jesus Christ ? O Sir, I feel a concern for the welfare of your better part. God hath vouchfafed you fome convictions ; do not reft in them. Catch not too greedily at comfort. Beg of God that you may be thoroughly wounded, before you defire to be made whole ; otherwife you will go but halfway, and be only an unftablc, double-minded man at laft. God forbid that dear

Mr. S fliould ever fctth in fuch a dangerous ftate ! Ere

long I hbpe to fee you in Charus-Tc%vn^ and then I fhall have an opportunity of enquiring more particularly into the flatc of your foul. I came home but two days ago, and theret'ore could not anfwer your letter before. If I can be ferviceablc to you in any refpedt, be pleafed to command, dear Sir, Your afiured friend and fervant,

G. IF, N4 LETTER

LETTER CXCIV.

To Mr, J // , in London.

My dcar^ dear Brother^ Savannah^ June 7, 174.0.

WITH great comfort I received your long wifiied-for letter. It warmed my heart, and knit my foul to you much more than ever. Whenever I fee the child-like fimpli-city and love of Jesus, it quite melts me down. Let all former mifunc!crilandino;s between me and vour friends be entire-ly forgotten. I always pitied your parents, and moft earnellly prayed for them and you. BIciTcd be God that you arc come home. You are now, I believe, as I always did believe, in your proper dation. May God give you a fettled habit of devotion, and fo nil you with his fpirit, that whilfl you are working for God on earth, you may be like thofe blclTed f ngels, who, though miniilring to us, yet do always behold ihz face of our Father who is in heaven,. My dear brother, let the love of Jesus conurain you to love him with all your foul. A fenfe of his divine love now melts down my iieart, and draws tears from mv eyes. O what wonderful thiiigs is God doing in J?::jcj ica I Savannah a'fo, ?}:y dear Sa^ 'hunnah^ efpecially my little orphans, now begin to feel the .love of Jesus Christ. I arrived here but about two days ago, in an hour quite unexpected by my friends. How did u'c weep oyer one another for ioy ! Perhaps I may never feel the like again, till I meet with the fons of God in glory : But oh what a fcene was to be {^^t\■\ laft ni^-ht in the conere-

O ; fa '

gation ! Hov/did the ftately fleps of our glorious Emmanuel appear! Kis glory dione with exceeding brightnefs. The pou'cr feemed to be coming on all the d^^y. My foul has been much carried out in behalf of this place, and now the Lord

is about tq anfwer my prayer. T- D was ycfterday

in a glorious agony. 1 prayed wi:h three of the girls before I went to church, and their hearts were ready to break : I prayed alfo, with ftrcng cryings and tears, v/ith my other dear friends, and God v/as m.uch with us then 5 hut when we came to church, oh what was to be fecn, and heard, and felt there ! The power of the Lo?.d came as it were upon all. Mod of

^ ftp

the children, both boys and girls, cried bitterly, and moft of the congregation were drowned in tears, and mourned as a woman mourneth for her firft-born. Expence of fpirits made my body weak, but my foul ftill wreitJed earncftly with God. V/hcn I came home, 1 lay upon my bed ; but Teeing the children and people come honie crying, I went to prayer again, and a greater power than ever ftill attended it. O how was my foul carried out, and how did the Holy Ghoft fill the room I At lafl I thought proper to difmifs them ; but it would have charmed your heart to hear the little ones in different parts of the houfe praying, and begging of Jesus to take full poflef-fion of their hearts. The fame power continues to-day : For near two hours, four or five of the girls have been before the Lord weeping mofl bitterly, and under fuch agonies, as gives me hope our Lord will foon fend them deliverance. I have not yet talked with the boys, who alfo have been under great concern, and one efpecially in great agonies. I believe two or three will be truly gracious. I have brought with me a Latin mafter, and on Monday laid a foundation in the narr.e of our dear Jesus for an univerfity in Georgia. God blelTes me (O free and foyereign grace) in every thing I undertake. Our Orphan-houfe comes under better regulations every day, and I am perfuaded, in the end, will produce fome true followers of Jesus Christ. I am now looking for frefii attacks from the enemy, after fuch inroads. He has been bufy fmce my departure, but.the Lord hath vouchfafed to rebuke and difappoint him. My dear brother, may the Lord be with

you ! For Christ's fake defire d-ear Brother W to avoid

diiputing with me, I think I had rather die, than to fee a divifion between us j and yet, how can we walk together, if we oppofe each other? Adieu. Dear James, with much tendernefs I fubfcribe myfelf

Jvcr yours,

G, IV.

LETTER

LETTER CXCV.

To T T , Efq; in London.

My dear Friend and Br other, Savannah, June 7, 1740,

I Wrote to you very lately ; but your kind letter is now before mc, and I cannot forbear anfwering it : BlefTed be God, that you ftill look upon me as your friend. May the friend of all, unite us in the beft bonds, and bring us to him-fclf at laft ! I long to fee the fon of man coming in the clouds of heaven. I have now fuch large incomes from above, and fuch precious communications from our dear Lord Jesus, that my body fometimes can fcarcely fuftain them. Our dear

Brother H 's letter (which I defire you may fee) will

ihew you what a work is begun at Savannah. I am in great hopes, that fix or feven boys and girls are really coming to

Jjtsus Christ. Dear Brother H n fojourns with us. I

love him, and all the brethren, in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I am now looking for fome ftrong attacks from fatan. The Lord comforts me on every fide, and lets me fee my dcfire in the falvation of many fouls. O, dear Mr. y*——, forget not

Your weak unworthy friend and brother in Christ,

G, IV.

LETTER CXCVL

To Mr. M .

Dear Mr. M Savannah, Junr it, 1740.

I Am not uneafy, but rather joyful, to fmd God lets you fee more and more into the mid-ry of your depraved nature. I pray God, thefe convictions may ftill increafe, and that you may not fall fliort of a faving union with Jesus Christ. I am concerned to find you have loft a fenfe of your firft love. —Take heed, my dear friend, and wreftle Vv'ith your dear Lord, till he lets you fee the root of bitternefs that muft certainly be in fome corner of your heart. Perhaps you have not renounced the woild iind your own righteoufncfs, and then no wonder our Lord doth noi: manifeft himfelfto your foul.

Sometimes,

Sometimes, indeed, God withdraws on purpofe to wean us from fenfible devotion, and to take us off from feeking any felf-complacence in our duties. If this be the cafe of you and your friends, you are patiently to tarry the Lord's leifure, and to continue driving with all your might till he is pleafed to lift up thclight of his blellcd countenance upon you. You mufl feek Jesus though it be forrowing, and then, after three days, you will find him j for the Lord will not always be chiding, neither keepeth he his anger for ever. That God may daily renew you in the fpirit of your mind, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your affured friend and fervant in Christ,

G. JF.

LETTER CXCVIL

To Mr, IF TV , in London.

Dear TV Savannah, June 11, 1740.

IAm forry to hear, that you and your makers cannot agree ; but this I know, fuppofmg the cafe to be as you reprefent it, you muft notwithftanding " be obedient, not only to the good and gentle, but alfo to the froward."—Rough ufage will do you good, if you are fmcere ; God fees the pride and ftub-bornnefs of your heart, and therefore fends you thefe trials to beat it down : I find the benefit of erodes. What (hould I

do without them? Dear brother S v/ould write to

you, I believe, but is much engaged.—Wo love one another in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O, dear TV. keep clofe to God, and fee you are that inwardly, which you would be efteemed outv/ardly.—Reft in nouiii'.g Ihcrt of a found and thorough converfion. That God may blefs you, and all the brethren, with all fpiritual blellings, is the hearty prayer oi

Your allured fiicnd and fervant,

G. TV,

LETTER

LETTER CXCVIII. l^ o/^'v'

To the Rev. Mr, J B , at New-Tork.

Reverend and dear Brother, Savannah^ June 13, 1740,

IHavc juft been reading the three letters you Tent ibme time ago to our dear brother N , and find my heart mucii

inclined to write you a line. Whatever others may do, yet I am far from judging you on account of God's dealings with your foul. I rather rejoice in them, having myfelf been blef-ied with many experiences of the like nature. But, my dear brother, if God works upon us in an extraordinary manner, we miifl prepare for temptation, even from our chriftian brethren.

Moft judge of others from what has pafied within thcm-felves; and many of the dear children of God are too apt to confine God to this or that particular way of acting; whereas he is a fovereign agent: his facrcd fpirit blowcth when, and where, and how it liftcth; and when an uncommon work is to be done, no doubt he will work upon his chofen inflruments in an uncommon manner. What the. event of the prefent general awakening v^ill be, I know not. I defire to follow my dear Lord blindfold, whitherfoevcr he is plcafed to lead me ; and to do juft fo much, and no more, as his providence points out to me. Wonderful things have been done ever fince my arrival at Savannah: fuch an awakening among little children, I never faw before. Our dear bro-•

ther N 's letter will acquaint you with particulars. O

my dear brother, how ought fuch manifeftations of God's glory, to quicken our fouls, and excite us to lay out ourfelvcs more and more in the fervice of the bell: of Mafters, Jesus Christ ! Every day he fills me with himfelf, and fometimcs brings me even upon the confines of eternity. Methinks I often (land upon Amount Pifgah^ and take a view of the heavenly Canaan^ and then long to be gathered to my people : hut, my dear brother, both you and I muft fufFer, and that great things, before we enter into glory. My work is fcarce begun; my trials arc yet to come. What is a little fcourge of the tongue ? What is a thrufling out of the fynagogues ? The ^iaie of temptation will be, v/hen we are thruft into an in-

uer prifon, and feci the iron entering even into our fouls.' Then, perhaps, even God's people may be permitted to for-fake LIS lor a while, and none but the J^ord Jesus to ([and by us. " But if thou, O deareft Redeemer! wilt ftren^thcn mc in the inner man, let enemies plunge me into a fiery furnace, or throw me into a den of lions." My dear brother, my heart is enlarged towards you: though I never faw, vet I

love you moil tenderly. How does dear brother/) P

Does he yet walk in the light of God's countenance ? Prav fa-lute him lovingly in my name. In the fall, I hope to fee you in Lc?7g I/land, and to be fomewhat filled with your company. In the mean while, let us all keep a clofc walk with Jesus j and be pleafed, in an efpecial manner, to remember Your unworthy, though aftedionate brother,

fellow-labourer, and fervant In our common Lorb,

G, IF.

LETTER CXCIX.

To the Rev. Mr. J. JV.

Savannah, JU7ie 2^^ I74^» " Ajy honoured Friend and Brother, Thank you for, and heartily fay a?ncn to all the petitions you have put up in my behalf. I want to be as my Maf-ter would have me ; I mean, meek and lowly in heart. Dear Sir, bear with me a little longer; pray for me with great ear-neftnefs ; and who knows but my God may give me to abhor myfelf in duft and afhes I He that hath given us his Son, will he not with him freely give us all things i* For Christ's fake, if pofTible, dear Sir, never fpeak againft election in your fer-mons : no one can fay that I ever mentioned it in public dif-courfes, whatever my private fentiments may be. For Christ's fake, let us not be divided amongft ourfelves : nothing will fo much prevent a divifion as your being filent on this head. I fhould have rejoiced at the fight of your Journal. I long to fmg a hymn of praife for what God has done for your foul. I am glad to hear that you fpeak up for an attendance on the means of grace, and do not encourage perfons w^ho run (I am perfuaded) before they are called. The work of God will fufFer much by fuch imprudence, I trull you will

flill

ftill perfifl in field-preaching. Others are (Irangers to ouP call. I know infinice good hath been done by it already, and greater good will yet be done thereby every day : but we muft be judged of our brethren. May God blefs you more and more every day, and caufe you to triumph in every place. Next Monday^ God willing, I go to Charles-Town, My family is well regulated ; but I want fome more gracious allift-ants. I have near an hundred and thirty to maintain daily, without any fund. The Lord gives me a full undifturbed confidence in his power and goodnefs. Dear Sir, adieu. I can write no more ; my heart is full. I want to be a little child. O continue to pray for

Your moil: unworthy, but affectionate brother and fervant in our dear Lord Jesus Christ,

C. JV,

LETTER CC.

To Mr, J H .

Dearejl J Savannah, June 25, 174c.

EVERY letter you write, knits my heart more and more to you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Your laft: I received on Saturday. God had been preparing me for it, by a week's intimation upon my heart, and by an InexprelTible agony in my foul juft before it came to hand. Bleffed be God that our friends preach up poverty of fpirit, for that is the only foundation whereon to build folid abiding comfort. The flony ground received the word v/ith joy; but how did thofe hearers ftand in a day of temptation ? They fell away ; for it is very poflible that the heart may have much joy floating on the top of it, and yet be as hard as the nether miUftone. Hence it is that fo many, v/ho boaft of reft in their flafhes of joy, are felf-willed, impatient of reproof, defpifers of others in a mourning fiate, and wile in their own conceits : whereas the believer, that hath been with his Lord in the wildernefs, and has a truly broken and contrite heart, though his joy may not be fo extravagant, yet it is fubflantial. Such a foul hangs upon God ; thinks before he fpeaks; and is continually hearkening for what the Lord will fay to him, by the fmall ftill voice of his fpirir. This is the ftate I want all our friends to arrive at.

I can"

I cannot fee how they can, with aflurance, talk of their enjoying folid fellowfliip with the Father, and his dear Son Christ Jesus. I fhall not be furprizcd if many, who feemin^^ly began in the fpirit, do end in tlic flefh, and turn perfecutors of the doctrines and difciples of Jesus Christ. How can they pofiibly ftand, who never felt themfelves condemned criminals ? who were never truly burthened with a fenfe not only of their a^luai, but original fin, efpecially that damning fin of unbelief f who were never brought to fee and heartily confcfs, that after they had done all, God might, notv/ithftanding, deny them mercy; and that it is owing merely to his fovereign love in Christ Jesus our Lord, that they can have any hopes of being delivered from the wrath to come ? It is for preachino-

in this manner that I like MelF. T s. They wound deep

before they heal ; they know that there is no promife made but to him that believeth ; and therefore they are careful not to comfort over much thofe that are convicled. I fear I have been too incautious in this refpedl:, and have often given com-fort too foon. The Lord pardon me for what is paft, and teach me more rightly to divide the word of truth for the future. DeareO: J , pardon this freedom ; I am conftrained

to write in this manner. I thank you moft heartily for your

hiftorical letter. Fail not writing to m.e often. Deareft J ,

help me by your prayers : for Christ's fake help me. Our Lord is ye: with us. I hear different accounts of things; h\it I pray for all, and fufpend my judgment till you fee Your affectionate brother and fervant,

G. JV.

LETTER CCL

To Mrs. E C .

My dear SiJIer^ Savannah, June 25, 1740,

YOUR letter afforded me much inward pleafure. Surely it bcfpeaks the Vv'riter not to be far from the kingdom of God. You was then waiting for our Lord's falvation : ere now, I trufl, Christ hath manifefted his glory, filled you with his bleilcd fpirit, and thereby fcaled you'to the day of redemption. 'Tis good to be long in an humbled Hate : it is the bed preparation for fulid, lafiing comfoit. Blcilcd are 5 they

they that mourn moft, for they fhall be the moft comforted : not that we are violently to keep ourfelves in fuch a ftate; but when God's hand lies heavy upon us, we'are patiently to tarry the Lord's leifufe, till he reveals himfelf to our fouls. 1 was a mourner a long while; but, glory be to God ! I have for fome years been almoft continually corhforted ; at leaf!; kept fl-om doubting; of my intereft in Jesus Christ. I can v^ith an humble boldnefs cry out, *' My Lord and my God!" He daily manifefts himfelf to my foul, and caufes me to feel my dependance on his free grace and fovereign love. Th s is the kingdom of God within us. O, my dear fifter, what would I give, were all the world partakers of this urifpeakable: gift! I long, I burn with an ardent zeal after the falvation of my dear brethren, who are dead in trefpafles and fins. Poor fouls ! Why am I taken, and they left ? O the fovereign, free, unmerited, diftinguifliing love of my and your Jesus I My dear fifter, let us love him, let us obey him ; let us fufFer for him with a chearful heart ! His love will fweeten every cup, though never fo bitter. Let us pledge him willingly, and continue faithful even unto death. A fcene of fuf-ferings lies before us. Who knows biit v/e may wade to our Saviour through a fea of blood ? I expe6l: (O pray that I may be ftrengthened if called to it) to die for his great name's fake, 'Twill be fweet to wear a martyr's crown. Dear Madam, adieu. I remember God's 2;oodnefs to us at Broad-Oaks. I pray for you and yours. I truft your daughters keep clofe to Jesus. Salute them kindly in my name. Read my Journal, and give hearty thanks for

Your unworthy brother and fervant in Christ Jesus,

LETTER ecu.

To the Rev. Mr, S , in London,

llev. and dear Sir^ Savannah, June 26, 1740.

AND is one of the priefts alfo obedient to the word ? BlcfTed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesu$ Christ, who hath tranflated you from darknefs to light; from the power of Satan to the fervlcc of the ever-living God. Now know I5 that our glorious E?jjmanud has not commanded

us

us to pray in vain. Surely we fnall never tafte of death, till vvc fee our dear Lord's kingdom coming with greater power. He feems to be thrufting out more labourers into his harvefl. Glory be to his free grace that you are one of the happy number. O dear Sir, rejoice and be exceeding glad ; and let the love of Jesus condrain you to go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor fmners to come in. Some (even that are true lovers of the Lamb) may fay " this is not proceeding with a zeal according to knowledge :" but I am perfuaded, when the power of rclij^ion revives, the gofpcl muft be propagated in the fame manner as it was firft eftablifhcd, " itinc^ rant preaching," Go on, dear Sir, go on, and follow your glorious Mafler without the camp, bearing his facred reproach. Never fear the fcourge of the tongue, or the th;-eatnings that are daily breathed out againft the Lord, and againft his Christ. Sufler we muli, I believe, and that great things. Our Lord, by his providence, begins to fliew it. Ere long, perhaps, we may fing in a prifon, and have our feet fet faft in the {tocks. But faith in Jesus turns a prifon into a palace, and makes a bed of flames become a bed of down. Let us be faithful to-day, and our Lord will fupport us to-morrow. O dear Sir, though I know you not, yet my heart is enlarged towards you, and I make mention of your name in my prayers. I pray God to give you ftrength to bear the heat and burden of every day, and to enable you to preach with fuch wifdom, that all your adverfaries may not be able to gainfay or refift. BlefTed be his holy name, I drink deep of his love every moment. A greater power than ever attends my poor labours i and fcveral of my own houfhold, both boys and girls, 1 really believe, are coming favingly to Jesus Christ. lam now about to go to Charles-Town-y a work of God is begun there. Who knows but I may fee my dear brother

S in America ? But future things belong to God ; to

his grace and love I commend vou. Keep clofe to your dear Jesus, and pray that a child-like, humble fpirit, may be given to

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer

G. n\

Vol. L O. . LETTER

5

LETTER CCIII.

To JVm, S , Efq-y in Loyidon.

My dear Brother S , Savannah, June 26, 1740.

I Sent you a packet of letters from Charles-Town, the middle of this month. Since that time, I have received many agreeable letters kova England; but find from Blendon letters

that Mifs E D is in a fecking ftate only. Surely

that will not do ; I would have one that is full of faith and the Holy Ghoft. Juft now I have been weeping, and much carried out in prayer before the Lord. My poor family gives nie more concern than every thing elfe put together. I u'ant a gracious zvornan that is dead to every thing but Jesus, and is qualified to govern children, and dired perfons of her own fex. Such a one would help, and not retard me in my dear Lord's work. I wait upon the Lord every moment; I hang upon my Jesus : and he is fo infinitely condefcending, that he daily grants me frefli tokens of ,bls love, and affures me that he will not permit me to fall by the hands of a woman. I am almoft tempted to wifli I had never undertook the or-phan-houfc. At other times, I am willing to contrive matters fo that I may not marry : but I am always checked ; and looking back upon the workings of my heart in this affair, I am more and more convinced that it is of God ; and therefore know he will order affairs for me, as will beft promote his own glory. So that my dear Lord's honour does not fuf-fer, I care not what trouble in the flefh I undergo. His glory, to the beft of my knowledge, is my only aim, \n my thoughts, words, and adions. My dearefl brother, adieu. By this

time, I truft, you are near England. Dear brother S

goes with me to Charles-Toivn. Brother B keeps houfe in

my abfence. Take heed that the people you bring believe on Jesus. Expe6t to hear Shortly again from

Your affe£tioiiate brother and fervant In Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCIV.

To Mr, IF D—-.

My dear Brother^ Savarmahy June 28, 1740.

1 Thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions ; and truft fhall always reckon thofe my choiceft friends,, who, in funplicity and meeknefs, tell me the corruptions of

my heart. It is that faithfulnefs which hath endeared J

S to me. I think I never was obliged to any one fo much

before : for that reafon alfo I find my heart knit to you. O my dear brother, ftill continue faithful to my foul : do not hate me in your heart; in any wife reprove riie. Exhort all my dear brethren to forgive my paft (I fear) too imperious carriage ; and let them pray that I may know myfelf to be what I really am, lefs than the lead of them all. I have abundant reafon to blefs God for fending me abroad. I cannot fay I have improved my retirement as 1 ought; biit I can fay it hath been highly beneficial to my foul. I have a garden near at hand, where I go particularly to meet and talk with my God, at the cool of every day. I often fit in filence, offering my foul as fo much clay, to be ftamped juft as my heavenly potter pleafes : and whilft I am mufing, I am often filled as it were with the fulnefs of God. I am frequently at Cal-varyy and frequently on Mount Tabor ; but always afTured of rny Lord's everlafting love. O continue to pray for mc, that I rr:ay know myfelf even as I am known. I want to have a proper mixture of the lion arfd the lamb, of the ferpent and the dove. I do not defpair of attaining it. Jesus is love ; Jesus willeth my perfecftion ; Jesus hath died for me; Jesus can deny me nothing. He hath given me himfclf; will her not then freely give me all things befides ? I Wait for thy c6m-pleat falvation, O LoRD ! My dear broth'er, my heart is now enlarged. Your prayer is anfwered. The whole Godhead no'.v fills my foul. O grace, grace I O Jefu, Jefu ! was ever love like thine ! Lord, I abhor myfelf in duil anJ afties. O that I could praife thee ! that I could love thee" as I ought! My dear brother, I hear you have been zealous for the Lord your God fince my departure. You have done well : you never can be zeahous for a better mafter : but why"

O 2 filent?'

filent ? why withdrawn ? Did you go before you was called or qualified ? If fo, you have done right: but I fufpend my judgment; for I find there is no judging at a diftance. I only pray God that you may always feel yourfelf a very poor finner, and find refuge in the wounds and blood of the Lamb. I rejoice to hear the work of God goes on, and heartily wifli you may not be divided among yourfelves. Our dear Lord is with us here : I only want a few more gracious, folid affift-ants. The Lord will fend them in his due time to

Your affediionate brother and fervantin Christ,

LETTER CCV. ,1^^%^}

To J B ^'-^^

Good Hope, {South-Carolina) 'July 2, 1740-. My dear Brother B ,

IS it true, that one night whilft you was expounding, you told your hearers, from your own experience, that " they tould not go on without throwing afide the means of grace r" or words to that purpofe ? If fo, I pity you ; for you arc not only mifled yourfelf, but are alfo mifgufding others. But this is no more than I expe£led. I think you begun to teach too foon, and before you had a commiffion given you from above. Brother J-—^— was of the fame opinion, before I left England. For that reafon, I would not take you to Georgia, Blefl'cd be God, I have no fuch over-forward fpirits there. My dear

B -y I write in love. For Christ's fake try your fpirit:

I fear you was never yet truly humbled. I know you have had joy ; but I always thought it was joy floating, on the fur-face of an unmortified heart. From fuch a joy, good Lord deliver us ! O that you had been in the wildernefs a little longer ! then you might have been an experienced teacher j but I fear you are now only a novice. May the Lord keep you from faHing into the condemnation of the devil. I write not this to damp, but to regulate your fpirit; if you are humble, you will take it kind. God knows, I wifh all the Lord's fervants were prophets ;. but I would not have my Mafter's work fuffcr by a too heady way of proceeding. Why fhould you difhonour him by a«Sling above your fpherej

whereas

whereas you might honour him by ailing in it. Every one is not fit to be a public expounder. To build up awakened finners in private, is what is more wanted at prefent than young unexperienced preachers. But I have done ; I fear I have offended my brother : forgive me this wrong. As Goo was pleafed firft to work upon you by my miniftry, you muft always expeft to be watched over by

Your affedionate friend, brother and fcrvant,

LETTER CCVL

Dear Mr. R ■, Charles-Town, July ii, I740#

YOUR letter much rejoiced me. O that you may ftill follow on, till you truly know the Lord ! I (hall be glad to have you for a fcribe, if you are well inftru6led in the things which belong to the kingdom of heaven. Keep clofe,

my dear friend, keep clofe to the dear Mr. T s: under

God, they will build you up in your moft holy faith. It gladdens my heart to hear of their fuccefs in the Lord. The Lord increafe them more and more, and multiply the number of their fpiritual children 1 I fuppofe brother G *s

letter informed you what a fpeedy paflage the Lord gave us, and how we were received at Georgia, Surely I fhall never fee the like again, till I meet the fons of God in glory. Praife the Lord, O my foul ! my dear friend, help me to praife the Lord. I have been here above a week. The Lord hath been pleafed to work on many hearts. On Sunday the commijjary denied me the facrament; but my dear Mafter fed me, notwithftanding, with the bread which cometh down from heaven. Perfecution feems to be coming on more and more. My dear friend, fee that you are rooted aud grounded in love and faith ; or how will you Hand faft in a dying hour ? With difficulty I write this before morning fervice. I preach generally, in town or country, twice a-day. The heat is great; but the Lord enables me to bear the burden of it. Next month, God willing, I go to New-England, and hope to fee Philadelphia in November. On Tuejday next 1 am cited to appear before the commiflary and his court in a judicial way : the even: I leave to my dear LojiD Jesus, O dc\^.r O 3 Mr,

Mr. R — ' —, let not the crofs keep you from Jesus. If we fufFer, we fhall reign with him. Salute your honoured mother in my name, and all that love our dear LoiiD in fmcerity,

from, dear Mr. R ',

Your afFe<ftionate fiicnd and fervant in Christ,

G. rv,

LETTER CCVII.

To Mr, J R .

Dear J , Charles-Town, "July 15, 1740.

MAY you anfwcr your name, be freely gracious, and filled with as much love as he was, who leaned on the facred bofom of our dear Redeemer. 1 believe God has begun ; if fo, God will carry on the good work in your heart. It is the Lord's doing. Not uiito me, not unto me ; but to free, rich, diftinguifliiiig, fovereign grace, be all the glory ! The wearing off, or forgetting your convictions formerly, ought to make you more jealous of yourfelf now. The more you fee the enmity of the heart, the better : you cannot then avoid abhorring yourfelf in duft and adies. I rejoice you

have been at Ntjfhamim. I can fay of Mr. T and their

brethren, as David did of Gcliah\ fword, *^ None like them.'*

I am glad you and my friend R are acquainted. O fee

that you keep one another warm, and be zealous for the Lord your God. I wonder not at your mafter's inhnuations. Indeed, dear ^ , you muft be tried thoroughly, if you would

approve yourfelf to the glorious EmmanueL Exhort all to die for him, rather than deny him in any wife. I find my fuf-fering time at hand : but my dear Lord comforts me with his gracious and refrefhing prefence. A good work is carrying on here : let my dear friends hplp it forwards by their prayers. My love to ?ill at the fociety ; and accept of the iame from

Your aiFedionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER

LETTER CCVIH.

To Air. B J in Penfyhania.

My dear Brother^ Charles-Town^ "July 18, 1740.

PRAISE the Lord, O my foul ! Our glorious Einmanuel Teems to have girt his fword upon his thigh, and to he riding on from conquering to conquer. He gets himfclf the vidory in Philadelphia. He is getting himrdFthe victory in Charles-Town alio. Indeed a glorious work is begun, and carrying on here. Many louls are awakened to a fenfe of the

divine life. The alteration in the people fmce I came here

at firft, is furprizing. I preach twice a day, generally, either in town or in the villages around. The commiflary fhoots out his arrows, even bitter Vv'ords. He hath denied me the facrament, and cited me to appear before him and his court; I was obliged to appeal home. O my dear brother, pray that I may be humble and of a child-like fpirit. Every day God {hews me frefh inftances of his love. Here are fome faithful minifters amongft the baptifts. One of them, Mr.

C , has wrote to you ; pray anfwer him. Some time next

month I hope to be at Nevj England^ and to return to you according to promife. Be pleafed to falute the brethren in my name. Indeed I honour and love you in the bowels of Je.sus Christ. O that I was worthy of your acquaintance ! But I am not. All that I can fay is, that I will endeavour to approve my lei f

Your affectionate friend, brother,

and fervant in Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER CCIX.

To Mr. I. R .

My Dear Friend^ Charles-Town, July 18,1740.

I Thank you for going with friend E and B to Nazareih. May God blefs you, and caufe great good to come to that place ! God feems to be carrying on as great a WQfk in Cbarles-Tjwn, comparatively fpcaking, as in Philadel-

O 4 ph'ia.

phia. Surely our Lord intends to fet the world in a flame, O that the holy fire of hib divine love v/as kindled in every

heart ! Be pleafed to read wliat 1 have fent to Mr. iV- -.

If you pleafc you may print that extract, which I fent from my journal : God willing, I hope to be at New England by the beginning of Scpiejnhcr^ and to be refrelhed vyith your and my dear friend's letters. Indeed, I love you all in the bovveli; of my dear Lord Jesus. Do not let us forfake him. Let us not be afliamed of him, though we live in a crooked and perverfe generation. I thank my dear friends for their zeal in building a houfc j * but defire it may not have any particular name, or be put to any particular ufe, till my return to Philadelphia. I wifh them good luck in the name of the Lord. Lafl nieht I appeared a third time in a public court; but they not accepting my Rccufatiojudicis^ I appealed home; fo that now I have free liberty to embark when providence pleafeth.

0 my dear friend, think of a bleeding, dying Lord.. Keep clofe to him, and exhort all friends to pray and give thanks for

Your afllired friend and fervant,

G. IF.

LETTER CCX.

To Mr. G L .

Dear Brother L —, Charks-Town.^ July i8, 174O.

GOD v/ill v/ork, and v/ho fhall hinder r The facrament hath been refufed to mc, and I have appeared thrice in open court, before the commilFary and fome of his clergy ; but 6ur LokD rides on, from conquering to conquer. Many, I believe, are really pricked to the heart. The commiflary's detaining me here, has much tended to the furtherance of the gofpel.

1 put in my exceptions againft his fitting as my judge, and they were repelled ; fo that I have appealed home, and all Other proceedings here are Ptoppcd. By this means I fhall have liberty to preach the gofpel without further interruption, •and my call to Englund will be more clear. The enclofed paper will fhew you what is doing in Philadelphia. Private letters received from thence lad night and this morning, have much refreftied mv heart. Many fouls are flocking to the

LoRi> * Tiiio 'S ncv/ t.!:e cou^ze at Philadelphia*

Lord Jesus. I need not exhort you to praife the Lord. You may advertife what paragraphs you think proper, only add that Philadelphia people are building a houfe for me to preach in, jo6 Tcct long and 74 feet wide. The Lord is bringing mighty things to pafs. \ api furprizingly ftrength-ened to bear the heat and burden of every day. My dear Lord never leaves nor forfakcs me, but works by my unworthy miniftry more and more. O that I was humble ! O that I was a little, little child ! I know not how foon I may be called to EngUmd, The inhabitants here are wondrous kind* They attend morning and evening moft chearfully on my preaching. V/c often fee the ftately fteps of our dear Lord in his fan^luary. I am more than happy. I am amazed at the divine goodnefs. Lord, I abhor myfelf in duft ahd afhes ! See the wonders of the Lord ; help us to praife him. Excufe me to all my dear friends. For this fortnight paft I have not wrote a word of my journal. My fermons, &c* are bought off exceedingly, northward. O pray that an humble child-like fpirit may be given to

Ever yours in Christ,

G, IV,

LETTER CCXr.

To the Reverend Mr, D ,

My dear Brother D , Savannah^ jfugiift 15, 174O.

OUR dear Lord (after being pleafed to bring me low by bodily ficknefs) now gives me liberty to write to you. Whilft I am writing, I find my heart united with yours. I hope we have both drank into the fame fpirit, and are both inftances of the fame fovereign, diftinguiihing, evcrlafting love. O let us extol it ! O let us improve daily ! And fincc God fees fit that we fhall not die, but live, let us lay, ourfelves out to declare the works of the Lord. I arn ^Ihamed of my paft unfruitfulnefs. Had others received the (lock, that hath been intrufted to me, how would they havp improved it ? Indeed I am an unprofitable fervant. In the righteoufnefs of Jesus my Lord, is my only refuge. Well may God afflict me j I richly dcfervc it; and when he brings jiie low^ nothing grieves me fo much, as to think that I

lliould

ihoulci be fo froward as to oblige the God of love to ftrike me with his rod. But oh the goodnefs of the Lord ! His rod, as well a« ftafF, do comfort and build up my foul. I would not but be tried for ten thoufand worlds. Blefled be God, I am enabled to clafp the crofs, and defire to glory in nothing more. Dear brother, help me with your prayers. Our victorious Jesus makes his power to be known ; many have 1 fecn ftruck quite down by the power of the word. The holy Ghoft hath often come like a mighty rufhing wind. Satan has defired to fift us as wheat. But our Lord ftill fhcws me, that the orphan-houfe will go on and flourifii. It is often a great weight upon my foul; but through your and my dear friends prayers, the Lord I am perfuaded will ftill fup-

jpurt it.

Yours eternally in Chr;st Jesus,

LETTER CCXir.

To Mr, N—-, m New York, My dear Brother^ Savannah^ Aug, 15, I 740.

YOUR letter rejoiced my heart. May our dear Lord's kingdom be advanced more and more every day ! O that I may meet you at New-England ! Blefied be God that

Mr. M is yet alive. Salute him from me; I hope to

fee him before I die, and fo be taught the way of God more perfeclly. 1 thank you for your kind hints ; I have always

paid great deference to dear Mr. N 's judgment: indeed I

love him in the bowels of Jesus. God has been pleafed to bring me low, for feme time, by inward weaknefs, and faint-Refs of fpirits. The firft ftrength that is given me to write, I make ufe of in writing to you. The Lord is purging me, that I may bring forth more fruit. I long to die, not that I may be rid ofcrofTes, but that I may be with Christ. He draws me more and m.ore to him every day. I have had many clofe domeftic trials of late. But thefe words, " David ftrengthened himfelf in the Lord his God," came with fwect power to my foul. I find, the nearer I come to Christ, the clofer my trials are. I have been fometimes through weaknefs kept from preaching; but when I have fpokcn, the word

has

l?as come with power. I have reafon to think, that three per-fons who came to fee the orphan-houfe, have been efFedu-ally called by our Lord Jesus. I have now fome Carolina yifitors in my houfe ; two of them, 1 believe, are coming truly to Jesus. —The word runs like lightning in Charles-Toivn. A fcrious lively Baptift miniftcr, named Tillyy is here alfo; he has preached often for me, and lafl Sunday received the flacra-ment in our way. — O bigotry, thou art tumbling dowa a-pace ! BlelTed be God. —Next week, God willing, I em-|jark for Cbarles-Toiun, fl:iaU ftay there a few days, and from thence purpofe going to New-England. God wonderfully provides for my orphans.—I am kept from every degree of QQubting ; nay, the Lord fills me daily with a full afluranee of faith. He chaftens and corre6ls me, but it is all in love.

0 help me to praifc him, and thereby add to the obligations already laid on, dear Mr. N ,

Ever yours,

G. ir,

LETTER CCXIII.

To Mrs. L .

Honoured Mother.^ Charles-Town^ ///v^. 22, 1740.

ALTHOUGH I had not the pleafure of receiving one line, either from your dear felf, or from any other of my beloved friends; yet my heart was rejoiced juft now by a failor, who told me, that he faw and converfed with you the twenty-ninth of May laft. I thank you for the falutation fent to m.e by him. Indeed I thank you from my very heart: for

1 feci myfelf unworthy of your notice. Every day I love and honour you more and more; and when you come to judgment, God will (hew you how many tears 1 have (bed in fe-cret for you and my dear fifter. O let them not be in vain ! Honoured Mother^ fly to Jesus. —Behold, with open arms, yonder he ftands, ready to embrace you, if you feel your mifery, and are willing to come to him to find reft. May the great God, who only can govern the wills and afPe^tions of fmful men, make you willing in the day of his power ! Ye-flerday God brought me hither again. In a few days, I hope to embark for KcW'Enrlanu^-ih^wQQj God willing, you may

expert

expe£l another letter. For near fix weeks paft I have been under great weaknefs of body ; but notwithftanding have been Enabled fometlmes to preach with great power. I am novyf fomewhat better, but, without a miracle, cannot think of being long below. Indeed, honoured Mother^ I every day long

to be diffolved and to be with Christ. Pray tell Mr, JV ,

that Mr. H , and L B , with one or two more

of their relations, I believe, arc effectually called of God. We had much power at Savannah. God hath fent me fome family trials; but all things are working for good. I am, honoured Mother,

Your ever dutiful fon.

(?. //'

LETTER CCXIV.

To the Reverend Mr, J- JV .

Defir and Honoured Sir, Charles-Town, Jug. 25, 1740.

LAST night I had the plcafure of receiving an extra£l of your journal.'—This morning I took a walk and read it. J pray God to give it his bleffing. Many things I truft will prove beneficial, efpecially the account of yourfelf. Only, give me leave with all humility to exhort yon not to be flre-nuous in oppofing the doctrines of ele^ion Tiudfinalperjeverance^ when, by your own confefTion, *' you have not the witnefs of the fpirit within yourfelf,'* and confcquently are not a proper judge. I remember dear brother E told me one day,

that " he was convinced of the perfeverance of the faints." I told him, you was not. He replied, but he will be convinced when he hath got the fpirit himfelf. I am aflured, God has now for fome years given me this living witnefs in my foul. I cannot fay, I have fince indulged any doubts (at leaft for no confiderable time) about the forgivenefs of my fins; nay, I can fcarce fay, that I ever doubted at all. When I have been neareft death, my evidences have been the cleareft. I can fay, I have been on the borders of Canaan, and do every day, nay, almoft every moment, long for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ ; not to evade fufPerings, but with ^ fmgle defire to fee his blefled face. I feci his blefiTed fpirit daily filling my foul and body, as plain as I feel the air

whicl^

which I breathe, or the food I eat.—Perhaps the do£lrincs of eletSlion andofiinal pcrfeverance hath been abufed, (and what dodrine has not,) but notwithftanding, it is children's bread, and ought not in my opinion to be with-held from them, fup-pofing it is always mentioned with proper cautions againft the abufc. Dear and Honoured Sir, I write not this to enter into difputation. I hope, at this time, I feel fomcthing of the meeknefs and gentlenefs of Christ. I cannot bear the thoughts of oppofing you : but how can I avoid it, if you

go about (as your brother C once faid) to drive Jolm Cal-

vin out of Brijiol. Alas, I never read any thing that Cal-* vin wrote j my do<5lrines I had from Christ and his apoftles ; I was taught them of God ; and as God was pleafed to fend me out firft, and to enlighten me firft, fo I think he ftill continues to do it. My bufinefs feems to be chiefly in planting ; if God fend you to water, I praife his name.—I wifh you a thou-

fandfold incrcafe. I find, by young JV 's letter, there is dif-

puting among you about election, and perfeSiion. —I pray God to put a ftop to it, for what good end will it anfwer ?—I wifh I knew your principles fully 5 did you write oftner, and more frankly, it might have a better efFe6l than filence and referve. I have lately had many domeflic trials, and that about points of doctrine, not by myfelf, but from others in my abfence. I daily wait upon God, depending on his promife, that all things, even this, (hall work together for my good. Many in Charles-Town, I believe, are called of God. You may now find a chriftian, without fearching the town as with a candle. Mr.

G is lefs furious, at leaft in public. He hath expended

all his ftrcngth, and finds he cannot prevail. Adieu, Honoured Sir, Adieu ! My health is better, fmce I laft left Charles Town, and am now freed from domeftic cares. With almoft tears of love to you, and the brethren, do I fubfcribe myfelf, honoured Sir,

Your moft affectionate brother and fervant in Christ,

LETTER

LETTER CCXV.

To Mrs, J L , in Brijlol

Dear y , Charles-Town.^ Aug. 26, 174O,

I Hope you and your little fociety go on and proCper, I hear there are dlvifions among you. Avoid them if poflible. The do6lrines of eledtion, and of final perfever-ance, I hold as well as you. —But then, they are not to be contended for with heat and paflion. Such a proceeding will only prejudice the caufe you would defend. Pray fhew this to your other friends.—Exhort them to avoid all clamour, and evil fpeaking, and with meeknefs receive the ingrafted word which is able to fave your foul. God has begun a great work here, and in other parts of America ; but yet, I believe, I fliall fhortly have a call to England, O pray it maybe the divine will, that I may have a profperous journey ; and that you may fee me grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. —With tendereft love to all, I am

Your affectionate brother and fervant,

G. IF.

LETTER CCXVI.

To the Right Reverend Father in GoD, Edmund Lord Bijhop of

London. On board the Savannah^ bound from Charles-Toivn to Bojiony

September —, 174O. My Lord,

ALTHOUGH your Lordfliip has been pleafed to caution the people againft running into thofe extremes, to which your Lordfliip apprehended my docSlrine would lead men ; yet I am perfuaded that will not any way influence vour Lordfhip, as to the contents of this letter. The on© fin-gle point which it contains, is this query, " Whether the commiflary o^ South-Carolina has power given him from your Lordfhip, to exercife 2iny judicial authority againft me, or any other clergyman, who doth not belong to his province ?" The reafon of my putting this queflion, I fuppofe your Lordfhip will be apprized of, before this reaches jowi Lordfliip's hands.-

I hav^

J have been lately cited to appear in an eccleliaftical court, ereded by the Reverc7id Mr. G , fi)r not reading the common prayer in the meeting-houfc, which I was obliged to preach in at Charlcs-Towny (unlefs I would be fiicnt) becaufe the commifTary would not let me have the ufe of his church. I appeared, and have appealed, according to law, to four of his majefty's commiflion-crsfor reviewing appeals, to know, whether the commiflary ought not to have accepted a Recufaiio judicis^ which I lodged in court. This, I fuppofe, they will determine. I only defire your Lordfhip's explicit opinion and determination, whether Mr. G , (fuppofing he hath power over

his own clergy,) has authority to ere6l fuch a court to arraign me, who belong to the province of (j^ijr^/^. The bearer hereof will give me your Lordfhip's anfv/er. In favouring me with which, your Lordfhip will oblige, my Lord,

Your Lordfliip's obedient fon and fervant,

LETTER CCXVII.

To Mr, P .

My dear Brother^ Bojlon^ Sept. 19, 1740.

Ihave juft now read your kind letter. BleiTed be the Lord, for imparting fomewhat of his divine prefence to your foul. O may he fill you brimful, and enable you fo to preach, that all your adverfaries may not be able to gainfay or refifl. Never fear undertaking to preach without notes; remember the pro-mife, " Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.'* By my maflcr's leave, I propofe to preach with you,

and dear brother IV . I am a worm and no man : I de-

ferve to be the outcaft of the people. On Sunday I arrived at Rhode-Ifmnd. Our Lord called fome. Yefterday I came hither, to-day I preached. May the Lord give a divine in-creafe to the feed fown ! A great work is carrying on at Charles-Toiun, The fpirit of God is moving in different parts of the world. O m.y dear, dear brother, let us up and be doing, and the Lord will be v/ith us. The world is lying in the wicked one. May God make you inftrumental to deliver thoufands from his curfed flavery ! With difficulty I re-

<lgem ;ime to write this. Brother B- , and B •, are

4 with

with me. I will endeavour to give you notice of my coming. In the mean while, ceafe not praying for

Your weak and unworthy brother,

G. JV.

LETTER CCXVIII.

To Mr. N , at New-Tork.

My dear Brother^ Bojlon^ Sept. 23, 1740.

HITHER God brought me on Thurfday evening : I preached once on Friday^ and twice every day fmce. The power of the Lord advances fweetly. Our Lord, I believe, will revive his work in the midft of the years; he enables me to preach plainly. Some minifters, I hope, will be quickened, as well as people. They attend, and are exceeding civil, as alfo the governor. I wrote to you from Rhode IJland\ I fhall call there, as I come to you. On Monday^ God willing, I fhall

fct out to fee Mr. M , and on Monday fortnight hope to

go to Northampton. All the packets of letters came fafe.

God blcfs my dear, dear Brother A^ for his great care.

Friends from £w^/««^/write ftrange things ; God, I believe,

calls me thither. Mr. /^ and the M .f, I think, arc

fadly erroneous in fomc points of docSlrine. When I fee you, I will communicate many particulars; now, I have fcarce time to write this. Our dear Lord fweetly fills me with his prefence. My heaven is begun indeed. I feaft on the fatted ealf. The Lord ftrengthens me mightily in the inner man, I find a few fouls left in Sardis that have not defiled their garments. Excufe me to Mr. P ; I have not time to anfwer

his kind letter ! Adieu ; I hope to be with you in about five

weeks.—I pray for dear Brother T , that he may efpoufe

more fouls to the Lord Jesus Christ. —My hearty love to all.

Ever yours,

G. 7K

LETTER

L E t^ t E R S. ±0^'"^

LETTER GCXIX.

To Mr. A- ,

My d£C',r Brother y/— Bojlon^ Sept, 23, T740.

I Thank you for your letter: May the Lord cniible me to fend you an anfwer of peace. Sin/efs perfeciion^ I think, is unattainable in this life. Shew me a man that could ever juftly fay, " I am perfc£l.'* It is enough if we can fay fo^* when we bow down our heads and give up the ghoft. Indwelling ftn remains till death, even in the regenerate, as the article of the church exprefles it.—There is no man that liveth and fmneth not in thought, word, and deed : However, to affirm fuch a thing as perfedion, and to ^^ny finalperfeverancey what an abfurdity is this ? To be incapable of fmning, and capable of being finally damned, is a contradiction in terms. From fuch dcclrine may I ever turn av/ay ! Labour, dear Mr» J. to be holy, even as God is holy ; but do not look for complete perfedion here below. What is this, but in efFedl to' vacate the righteoufnefs of Christ ? I hear many amongft you who begun in the fpirit, are now ending in the flefh. Christ hath freely juftified them, i, e, entitled them to all his merits, and yet they muft do fo and fo to keep themfelves in a juflified flate. Alas, this is forry divinity ; I have not fo learned Christ. No, his gifts and callings are without repentance. Whom he loves, he loves totbeend. Work I will, but not to keep myfelf in a juftified ftate. My Lord hath fecurcd that; but I will work to (hew my gratitude for his putting me into a juftified ftate. O that all would ftudy the covenant of grace. Dear Mr. A. I feci that I love you, and I find myfelf carried cut to v.'rite in this manner. My Lord blefles me with all fpiritual blcffings \ he caufcs me to rejoice in his falvation. I pray him to carry on his work in Londm^ and to keep his church from errors; but there muft be a fifting as well as a gathering time. It is rheet that fuch offences fhould come. All fiiall work together for good to thgfe who are called after Govi's^.purpcfe: They fhall finally be faved. This

much comforts, dear Brother A ,

Your afFedionatc brother in Christ,

G. //<■

LETTER CCXX.

ro H. H. in Wales,

Bojhn^ Sept, 24, I'J^O,

AND Is dear Brother H, H. yet alive in body and foul ? Bleffed be God, who caufes thofe that wait on him to renew their llrcngth. I rejoice in your fuccefs : May you mount with wings like eagles, walk arjd not be weary, run and not be faint ! You fhall not be taken or hurt, till the appointed hour is come. I hope your convcrfation was blefl'ed to dear ^4r. IV. O that the Lord may batter down his freewill, and compel him to own his fovereignty and everlafting

love! Some of i^ Lane fociety, I fear, are running into fad

errors ; but this happens for our trial, efpecially mine. Thofe that before, I fuppofe, v/ould have plucked out their eyes for me, now I fufpecl, I fhall fee very fliy, and avoiding mc. This is my comfort, the Lord is a never-failing friend; his truth will make its way in fpite of all carnal reafoning. O pray for me that I may have the fpirit of judgment and a found mind. My coming to England will try my fidelity to my Mafter : Nothino- but his ftreno;th can enable me to hear ail contradidions with meeknefs, and to preach with love his everlafting truths. O that all would ftudy the covenant of grace! The more I look into it, the more is my foul delighted. Dear Brother H. adieu. My dear friend J. S, fits by and cordially falutes you. I hope you have received my letters. 1 expe6l; to hear from you by dear Brother S. God is working powerfully in America, He fills me with his prefence,and caufes me to go on my way rejoicing. Grace! grace 1 I greet all moll afFedionately, and am, dear Brother H,

Yours eternally,

G, VA

LETTER CCXXL

To the Rev. Mr. J. W. Honoured Sir^ Bojlon, Sept. 25, 1740.

THIS is fent in anfwer to your letter dated March 25.— I think, I have for fome time known what it is to have righteoufncf^, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoft. Thefe, I. 5 believe.

believe, are the privileges of the fons of God : But I cannot hy I am free from indwelling fm ; no, I find a law in my members warring againfl the law of my mind : This makes me to cry out, even now, " Who fhall deliver me from the body of this death ?" I thank God, our Lord Jesus Christ will. I cannot fee wherein the heterodoxy of the article of our church doth confiil, which fays, " That this corrupcion remains even in the regenerate i" and if that after converfion we cannot fin in thought, word or deed, I do not know why our Lord taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, " P'or-give us our trefpalTes.'* I am forry, honoured Sir, to hear by many letters, that you feem to own 2i fuikfs perfeolion \a this life attainable. 1 think I cannot anfwer you better, than a venerable old minifter in thefe parts anfwered a Q^iaker. " Bring me a man that hath really arrived to this, and I will pay his expences, let him come from where he will.'* I knov/ not what you may think, I do not expert to fay indwelling fin is finifhcd and deflroyed in me, till 1 bow down my head and give up the ghoft. There muft be fome Amakk'iies left in the Jfraelites land, to keep his foul in acSlion, to keep him humble, and to drive him continually to JesOs Christ for pardon and forgivenefs. I know many abufe this dodrine, and perhaps wilfully indulge fin, or do not afpire after holinefs, be-caufe no man is perfect in this life. But what of that ? muft I therefore aflert do6irines contrary to the gofpel ? God forbid. Whether the feventh to the Romans^ is applicable to a converted perfon (as many very eminent faints have thought) is not at all to the purpofe : There are other paflliges of fcrip-ture, which plainly (hew that fmlefs perfection is not attainable here below. Such as thefc, " There is no m.an that liveth and finneth not." *' I" many things we cfFend all." And I know no fin except the fin againft the Holy Ghoft, of which a child of God may not be guilty, if God fhould withdraw his grace.

Whatever you may think o^David^ the fcripture fays, " He was a man after God's own heart j" yet how did he fall ? And if you will not permit Peter to have been converted when he denied his Mafter ; what will you fay to St. Patd? Did net he fin, do you think, (at leaft were not his pafiicns irre-

P 2 gular

gular, antl what is that but fm) when he fpoke to the HifMi Prifll, and called him whited wall ? Befidcs, dear Sir, vrhat a fond conceit is it to cry u^perferiioji^ and yet cry down the doctrine o{ final perjcverance ? But this, and many other abfurdi-ties you will run into, becaufe you will not own EleHion : And you will not own Elei^^ion, bceaufe you cannot own \t without believing the doiSlrine of Rsprobation, What then is there in reprobation fo horrid ? I fee no blaf|)hemy in holding that dodrine, if rightly explained. If God might have pailcd by all, he may pafs by fome. Judge whether it is not a greater blafphemy to fay, " Christ died for fouls now in hell," Surely, dear Sir, you do not believe there will be a general gaol delivery of damned fouls hereafter. O that you would ftudy the covenant of grace ! O that you were truly convinced of fin, and brought to the foot of fovereign grace ! Elifna Cole on Gob's /over eignty, and Veritas Redux, written by Do6tor Ediuards, are well worth your reading. But I have done J if you think fo meanly of Bunyan, and the Puritan writers, I do not wonder that you think me wrong. I find your fermon has had its expected fuccefs ; it hath fet the aation a difputing; you will have enough to do now to anfwer pamphlets; two I have already feen. O that you would be more cautious in cafting lots ! O that you would not be too jafh and precipitant ! If you go on thus, honoured Sir^ how can I concur with you ? It is impoffible ; I muft fpeak what I know\—Thus I write out of the fulnefs of my heart : I feel niyfelf to be a vile fmner.—I look to Christ ; I mourn be-caufe I have pierced him. Honoured Sir^ pray for me. '1 he Lord be with your dear foul. About Spring you may expeill to fee.

Ever, ever yours in Christ, G.IK

LETTER CCXXII.

To Mr. G L .

My dear Friend and Br other, Bojhn, Sept. 26, 1740.

I Wrote to you about a month ago from Charks-Tcwn.^-^ Since I came here I have received two letters from you. May the great God of heaven and earth blefs your dear foul for thus aflifling his poor unworthy fcivant : A fenfe of my

ingratitude

LETTERS. tzij

ingratitude almoft melts me into a flood of tears.—Indeed I am the very chief of fmners.—O the love, the fovereign, diftin-guifhing, everlafting love of God my Saviour ! Praife him, praife him, dear Mr. L , vv^ith all your foul.—I hope nothing will caufe a divifion between me and McfTrs. J^'' s:

But I muft fpealc what I know, and confute error vvhcrefo-ever I find it. About Spring I hope to come over if the Lord will.—Be pleafcd to inform my friends, that lafl Simday was fevennight I arrived at Rhodc-ljland^ where I preached and read prayers in the church on Monday and Tuefday to very large and afFeded auditories.—On JFedncfday I preached at BriJIol^ in my way to Bcjhn, —On Tburfday night I got there, and on Friday preached, and have preached once or twice every day fmce.—Almoft all the minifters, and vaft bodies of people, have been continually prefling to hear the word of God, fometimes in the fields, and fometimes in the meeting-houfes. My health is much reftored by the coolnefs of the air.—I intend ftaying about a month in thefe parts, then to go to Philadelphia by land, from thence to Georgia by water, and I hope to embark for England the beginning of the Spring.—You fee by this, dear friend, how our Lord works by my unworthy hands. Minifters and people, I believe, will be much quickened.—I hope your dear foul profpers. For Christ's fake avoid difputing; ftudy your heart and the fcriptures ; get nearer and nearer to Christ, he will lead you into all truth. My moft tender love to all; if opportunity any way ofters, every

Jetter received fljall be anfwered by, dear dear Mr. L ,

The meaneft of al| your chriftian friends,

LETTER CCXXIIL

To Mr. I ..

My dear Brother^ I , Jiojlon^ Sept. 26, 1740.

I Thank you for your kind letter. It is the firft I have received from you fince I left England. —I blefs God the work goes on in TorkJJnre. —May our glorious, fin-forgiving Lord blefs you and your fpiritual children more and more ! I find, our friends arc got into disputing one with another.— O that the God of peace may put a ftop to it ! I wilh many piay not be building on a falfe foundation, and reft in a falfe

P 3 peace.

peace. They ov^n free juft'ifcation^ and yet feem to think, that their continuance in a juftified ftate depends on their doings, and their wills.—This, I think, is eftabliftiing a righte-oulners of our own. My dear brother, if we fearch the fcrip-tures, we (hall find that the ^oi^ jujiified implies not only pardon of fin, but alfo all its confequences. —." Thus (fays Saint Paul) thofe whom he jufiificd, them he alfo glorified ,'* fo that if a man was once juftified, he remains fo to all eternity, —Here lies the anchor of all my hopes. — Our LoRO having once loved me, he will love me to the end. — This fills me with joy unfpeakable and full of glory.—I now walk by faith. —I work not to keep myfelf in a juftified ftate, (for men or devils can never pluck me out of Christ's hands,) but to ex-prefs my love and gratitude for what Jesus hath done for my foul. This, I think, is what the apoftle calls ^' faith working by love." My dear brother, my heart's defire and prayer to God is, that we may all think and fpeak the fame things. — For, if we iire divided among ourfelves, what an advantage will fatan get over us ? Let us love one another, excite all to come to Christ without exception, and our Lord will (hew us, who are his. The work of God goes on exceedingly in America. The Lord is pleafcd to manifeft himfelf unto my foul more and more. I am a naughty, ftuhborn child ; but my dear Lord will have mercy becaufe he will have mercy. It is owing to his diftinguifliing love that I am not hardened. Here is, and I believe will be a great quickning in thefe parts.—. The cloud feems to be moving. Perhaps in the Spring we may meet face to face. With difficulty I get time to write

this, but I muft anfwer dear Brother / 's letter.—May

the Lord jEsus.be continually with your fpirit, and make your foul brimful of peace and joy in the Holy Ghoft. I love you in the bowels of the crucified Lamb. May he unite us more and m.ore intimately to his dear felf, and to one another. Salute all that love him in fincerity.—Brethren, pray for us.—« That you may be kept by God's power to eternal falvation, is the prayer of

Your moft; affe^llonate, though unworthy brother and poor weak fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

I.ETTER

LETTER CCXXIV.

To Mr. TV D .

Dear Brother W , Bojion^ September 28, 1740.

I Thank you for your klatl letter from OJJk ; I wi(h it was written with more life. I fear you are turning almoft to a fpirit of bondage: but it is good for you to be fifted, to make an experienced minifter of Jesus Christ. I could not but fmile, to find you wink at the deceney of my drefs. Alas ! my brother, I have known long fmce what it is to ba in that ftate you are (in my opinion) about to enter into. I myfelf thought once that chriftianity required me to go nafty, I neglected myfelf as much as you would have mc, for above a twelvemonth : but when God gave me the fpiiic of adoption, I then drefled decently^ as you call it, out of principle : and I am more and more convinced, that the Lord would have me ad, in that refpe<Sl-, as I do. But I am almoft afhamed to mention any fuch thing : rather let us talk and write of the love of Jesus ; " Let us ftand faft in the liberty wherewith Jesus Christ hath made us free, and not be again entangled in a yoke of bondage." God only knov/s whether you have done right in leaving the univerfity, or in declining to exhort. If you do not preach till you are perfectly free from all fin, I believe you v/ill never preach again. I could never hear of fuch a minifler or chriilian yet. My dear bro--ther, I fpeak freely to you, becaufe I love you in the bovv^cly of Jesus Christ, He fent his difciples to preach before they were perfeft ; nay, when they were weak in grace. Fxercifc the talents you have, and that is the way to get more. Thu:j has God dealt v/ith me for thcfc feven years. " To him tha; harh, diall be given.'* Many of our friends talk againft election : a good rcafo-n may be given. I believe they have never taken pains .0 fearch into the true {late of the cafe. What if fome abuf. that do^Slrme ; is it therefore falfc ? No ; by no means. I am periuaded, if any ofour friends would examine: their experiences, they would find that Jesus Christ freely prevented them by his grace ; that he compelled them to come in ; and that it is not ov/ing to themfclves, but to the will $nd promife of God, that they are now kept in a ftate of

P 4. grace.

grace. But I will fay no more. My dear brother, I love you. May the Lord lead you into all truth. Our dear Maftcr is doing wonders among us. Praife him luftily, and

with a good courage. Adieu. Dear J S falutes

you and the brethren, as does

Yours affectionately,

G. rp\

LETTER CCXXV.

To the Rev, Air, Z M -.

Reverend and dear Brothery Bojlm^ Sept. 28, 1740.

I Received—I felt your letter. Surely there is a fympathy between fouls that have drank into the fame fpirit. Go3 willing, I purpofe to come and fee you ; and will endeavour to fend you timely notice : but oh do not expe6l too great things from me ; for if you do, who knows but my Lord may defert me ; and then what am I ? Excufe the brevity of this. So many perfons come to me under convi6i:ions, and for advice, that I have fcarce tim.e to eat bread. Wonderful things are doing here. The word runs like lightning. Dagon daily falls before the ark. I know you will, in fpirit, pray that a due fcnfc of his own vilencfs may be continually given to Your afFcclionatc, though unworthy,

brother and fervant in our glorious Emmanuel

G. IV.

LETTER CCXXVI.

ro Mr, IV , at Br\pi.

Tiear Brother W —, Bojhn^ Sept, 28, 1740.

WHAT mean you by difputing in all your letters ? May God give you to know yourfelf, and then ypu will not plead for ahfolute perfeSilon ; or call the docSlrine of cletStion a ^' dodrine of devils." My dear brother, take heed ; fee you are in Christ a new creature. Beware of a falfe peace ; ftrive to enter in at the ftrait gate j and give all diligence to make your calling and elcdion fure. Remember you are but a babe in Christ, if fo much. Be humbles talk little, think and pray much. Let God teach you, and he will lead you into all truth. I love you heartily : I pray

you 4

you may be kept from error, both in principle and pradlice. Salute all the brethren. If you muft difpute, ftay till you are mafter of your fubjed 5 other wife you will hurt the caufe you would defend. Study to adorn the gofpel of our Lord in all things ; and forget not to pray for

Your afFedlionate friend and fervant,

LETTER CCXXVir.

To Mr, G L .

My dear Brother L , Bojhn^ OSloher 9, 174O.

I Write to you again by this fhip, though I have fcarce time to write a line. God works by me, I think, more than ever. I am quite well in bodily health. Minifters as well as people are ftirred up, and the government is exceeding civil. In (hort, God is doing greater things than can be exprefled. Oh exhort all to pray, and to give thanks for me with their whole hearts. The bearer brings the authentic copy of my appeal ; I fent you another copy before from Ca^ rolina* Be pleafed to keep this I have now lent, till you hear of my coming to England: if I come in the Spring, I will lodge it myfelf J if not, be pleafed to lodge it for me, and I

will pay all expences. O dear brother L , what a fcene

of labours and fufterings lies before me ! My dear Jesus will make me more than conqueror over all: he ftrengthens and comforts, he converfes with me by night and by day: he gives me all peace and joy in believing. I pray God to keep our dear

brother 5 and others from a falfe ftillnefs. I am forry to

hear fuch errors are rifen amongft the brethren. Adieu ; the Lord be with your fpirit. I have already colle£led upwards of four hundred pounds fterling for the Orphan-houfe. God ihews me that America muft be my place for a6lion. Once more adieu. Ceafe not to pray for,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER

LETTER CCXXVIIL

To Mr. J //-

Newhaven^ OSf, 24, 1740. My very dear Friend and Brother,

YOUR letter, juft now brought to me by dear brother N ', gave me great comfort. With fear and trembling, ever fmce the late difputations, have 1 opened letters fent from Sa-jannah-, but blefTed be God, our dear Lord is

with my dear friend H . Bleficd be God, my family

dwell together in unity. The God of love fill you with all peace and joy in believing. I hope a fupply for your then pre^-ient wants, came to you foon after you fent your letters : fmce that, I have fent from Bofion 1001. fterling; next week I hope to fend again from New-York^ and before Chrijlmas I truft I fhall fee you face to face. Wonderful things God does for me. I am enabled to preach and travel better than ever. There has been joy in heaven, I believe, over many fouls repenting. There are fome hopes of dear, dear brother

N 's coming with me. Mr. B , one of the young

minifters of Long JJland^ with his wife, accompanies me alfo ; and another fettled chriftian, who holds and experiences the truth as it is in Jesus. O that all my family may be thus minded ! I fuppofe by this time you know how matters are

determined for me, if Mr. C is arrived. God keeps me

in fufpcnfe : fufpenfe did I fay ? BlefTed be his holy name, I am quite eafy ; I am perfuaded he will chnfe for me a daughter of Abraha?n. I know not but it may be the divine will that you fhould abide in Georgia^ whilft I go to England. Be refigncd : fee if GoD docs not bring all things about for your good : there is but little comfort to be expected in England. I find I muft, if I am faithful, oppofe the errors of many who, I believe, fear God : O that I may do it with meeknefs and wifdom. Methinks I now long to be with you all at Savannah. Pray for my fpecdy pafiage. lam glad God is fcourging out the children o^ Belial: you have often heard me fay God would do fo. Never fear ; a remnant will be left, which (hall take root downwards, and bear fruit upwards, and yet fill the land. My dear brother, adieu : I am called

away.

LETTERS. ^i^

awav. I love you more folidly than ever. Dear J S ,

Mr. F , and P , love you too : we travel very comfortably : thoufands of prayers are continually put up for mc and mine. My love to all, without exception. Feed the iambs, fludy the purity of their hearts, and thereby rejoice the foul of Yours moft affectionately and eternally in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CCXXIX.

To Mr. y l^' .

Dear and hojioured S:r, Philadelphia, Nov, 9, 1740.

I Received your'.^, dated March li, this afternoon. Oh that we were of one mind : for I am yet perfuaded you greatly err. You have fct a mark you will never arrive at, till you come to glory. I think few enjoy fuch continued manifefta-tions of God's prefence as I do, and have done, for fome years ; but I dare not pretend to faj' I fliall be abfolutely perfct^l:. O, dear Sir, many of God's children are grieved at your principles ; O that God may give you a fight of his free, fove-reign, and ele6ling love ! But no more of this : why will you compel me to write thus ? why will you difpute ? I am willing to go with you to prifon, and to death ; but I am not willing to oppofe you. My heart is now much affeded : indeed I love and honour you. Dear, dear Sir, ftudy the covenant of grace, that you may be confident v/ith yourfelf: haflen O Lord, the blelTcd time ! I fancy I fnall embark for Eng-/i7;2^ about Spring ; but am not yet determined. God fhews me his goodnefs plcntcoufly every day. I dwell in Christ, and Christ in me : glory be to fovercign grace. I feem to have a new body, and the Lord Jesus greatly enriches my foul. O I am a poor finner ! but our Lord frequently mani-fcfts himielf in fuch a manner, that it throws me into an agony which my body is almoft too weak to bear. Honoured Sir, adieu. O build up, but do not lead into error, the fouls once committed to the charge of

Your affedionate, unworthy brother and fcrvant,

in the loving Jesus,

G. fV.

LETTER

• LETTER CCXXX.

To Mr, H H , in Wales.

PJ/dadelphia^ Nov. 9, 1740. My very dear Brother H ,

I Wrote to you from Bojion, Your letter, written near a twelve-month ago, came to my hand this afternoon. My foul is knit to you: we both fpealc and think the fame things. The Lord be with your fpirit. Jesus manifefts forth his glory daily in thefe parts. Though I am fuch a vile, worth-3efs, ungrateful wretch, yet the Lord fills me out of his di-vme fulnefs day by day. His word is like a fire, and a hammer : lafl week I faw many quite Uruck down. Our Lord is working upon little children. America^ ere long, will be famous for chriftians. Surely the candleftick will fhortly be

removed from England. Little did I think, when Mr. E

y wrote, that I fhould preach in all the chief places

q{ America : but that is now done ; glory be to rich, free, and fovereign grace ! Perhaps about Spring I may embark for my native country : the Lord vouchfafe us a happy meeting. O WaleSy thou art dear to my foul ! My love to all the brethren.

Dear brother H ^5 I pray God you may profper, even

as your foul profpers. Expect another journal fliortly : but wait till we come to glory, fully to fee and hear what God hath done for

Your afredionate brother and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCXXXL

Xo hii Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Efqy in Bofton,

Philadelphia, Nov. 9, 1740.

TFIOUGH late, I now fnatch a few moments to fend your excellency my acknowledgments for all honours received at Bojhn: they are much upon my heart. I pray God to reward your excellency a thoufand-fold.

Great things hath the glorious Emmanueldont for me 2.rs!i his people on the way : the word has been attended with much power. Surely our Lord intends to fet America in a fiomc.

This

This week Mr. G T purpofcs to let out for Bojion^

in order to blow up the divine fire lately kindled there. I recommend him to your excellency as a folid, judicious, and zealous minifter of the Lord Jesus Christ : he will be ready to preach daily : I fuppofe his brethren will readily open their doors : may the Lord at the fame time open the people's hearts, that they may diligently attend to the things thatfhall

be fpokcn. Dear Mr. R grows in grace: I left him at

Brunfivicky full of gratitude for his late journey. I am per-fuaded it was of God. I hope he will be inftrumental \i\ quickening both miniftcrs and people. He is worthy of your excellency's particular regard : under God he may need ir. I expe6l he will foon be reviled and perfecuted for his blef-fed Mafter's fake : may the Lord enable him to rejoice and be exceeding glad. Dear Sir, the welfare of dear BoJIott people, efpecially the welfare of your own foul, lies upon me night and day. I remember your tears : I remember your excellency's words, " Mr. IVh'itefield^ pray that I may hunger and thirft after righteoufnefs." O how did thefe words rejoice me ! for I thought your excellency wanted a more clear view of your own vilenefs, and of the all-fufnciency of Jesus Christ \ 1 mean a more clear, experimental view : for what is all head-knowledge without that of the heart ? it only fettles people more upon their lees. May God give you to fee and to follovi^ the fimplicity of the blefled Jesus. Whilft you are in the world, may you not be of it: may you be dead to magnificence, and alive to nothing but what leads you diredly to your God.

HGnourecl Sir^ I make no apology for this freedom : your excellency bid me not fpare rulers; no, not the chief of them. Indeed I long after your falvation ; O that I could do any thing to promote it! If my prayers, or any thing within my power may be inftrumental thereunto, your excellency may command, honoured Sir,

Your Excellency's obliged humble fervant,

G. rr.

LETTER

LETTER CCXXXII.

To Mr. M , at London,

My dear Brother^ 'Philadilphia^ Nov. lo, 1740.

STILL my Lord fliews me greater things. At New Tcrk the Holy Cihoft came dov/n liice a mighty rufiiing wind. At Bajhcnridge frill a greater awakening among young and old. One that received Christ cried out, " He is come! He is come !" ^V. The poor creature was wrapped up in the Lord Jesus : and borh there and at New-Tork my foul was taken almoft out of the body. At Newark the Lord worked wonderfully amongft fome young men ; and here at Philadel-phm the word runs very fwiftly. This afternoon, how beautiful did the Lord appear in his fancStuary I I would cry out, *' How amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of hofts !'* In feveral places, almoft as large as Northampton^ are many faithful labourers. We all think and fpeak the fame things : O that it was fo at London! The Lord enables me to confute error wherever I fee it. Pray for me, that I may be made faithful lo my Lord and Mailer : he is dearer to me every day : he will have mercy, becaufe he will have m^rcy. See

brother L 's letter. Another journal comes out fhortly.

My hearty love to all. Stand faft in the faith : quit your-felves like men : be ftrong. Above all, give thanks to God ;

and pray in behalf of, dear Air. M ,

Your moft affectionate brother and fervant,

LETTER CCXXXIIL

To Mr. G L .

Dear Brother L , Philadelphia^ Nov, 10, 1740.

I Wrote to you lad v/eek from Nevj-Tork. You may give friends this brief account of me : On \:\^ Saturday evening I arrived at this place, having preached at Statcn Ijiand^ Newark, Bajkenridge^ New Bru7ijwick, and Trenton, in my way hither from Ne7v TorL A wonderful prefence of God was obferv-able at Neut-Tork, Bafienridge^ '^i^d Neusrk, I preached here

twice

twice yeflerdny, and alfo to-day, in a large houfe built by the people fince I v/as here laft. It is an hundred feet long, and feventy feet wide ; and is intended for a fchool, as well as a place for public worfhip. The walls are brick, and the roof is now almoft ready to be put up. God hath rernarkably appeared in the carrying on the building ; and the holy fpirit hath fwcetly moved on the hearers fouls every time I preached in it. I intend, God willing, to flay here this, and to embark for Georgia the latter end of next week ; and propofc, God willing, to return to England for a (hort time, in the Spring.

The Lord highly favours me ; I am more (ick of myfelf, and more in love with Christ daily : he is a dear, dear Maf-ter : Oh that all would love him with all their hearts [ Adieu: it is late. The Lord be with your fpirit.

Your affe6tionate friend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. ir.

LETTER CCXXXIV.

To the Rev. Air, D , at New Brunjwick»

My very dear Brother^ Salem^ Nov, 20, 1740.

EXCESS of bufinefs, not a want of love, prevented my writing to you from Philadelphia. I feel that I love you in the bowels of the dearjefus, our ever blefled and glorious Em?rianuel: he hath done great things for me fince you left us. Yefterday at Cohanfte the fpirit of the Lord moved over the whole congregation : what reafon have we to be thankful for the great things we both fee and hear I IVIy dear brother, indeed I de-fire to lie in the duft. O how good is- my Lord to me ! thoughts cannot conceive, or words exprefs it ! I long to be in glory, that I may praife him as I would. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you. Shortly, I believe, you will evangelize. All friends kindly falute you. Adieu. In gretit hafte, I am

Your very affedlionate, though unworthy brother

and fervant in Christ,

G. JV.

LETTER

LETTER CCXXXV-

To Mr, J H .

Bohemia^ (Maryland) Nov. 24, 1740. My very dear Brother,

I Rejoice to hear that you are married: I falute your wife and my fifter in Christ : may you love one another, as Christ and his church. I have lately converfed clofely with

P B : alas ! we differ widely in many refpe61:s ;

therefore, to avoid difputation and jealoufies on both fides, it is beft to carry on the work of God apart. The divifions among the brethren fometimes grieve, but do not furprize me. How can it be otherwife, when teachers do not think and fpeak the fame things ? God grant we may keep up a cordial undiflembled love towards each other, notwithftanding our different opinions. O how do I long for heaven ! Surely, there will be no divifions, no ftrife there, but who fliall fmg with moft afFedion to the Lamb that fitteth upon the throne. Dear James, there I hope to meet thee ; for the dear Jesus, I believe, hath locked thee faft in his almighty arms. Lean thou on his facred bofom night and day ; keep clofe to him, and be what I long to be, a little child. Adieu. I am ready to weep tears of love. My dear brother, I (liould be glad to wafh any of the brethren's feet : indeed I am now willing to be the fervant of all. The more the Lord honours me, the more I feel my unworthinefs. I am fometimes fick of love, and often, often fick of felf. O that God fhould have mercy on fuch a fmner 1 Help me, dear James, to praife my Saviour. A glorious church is raifing in America, The Lord mightily reveals his arm. It would pleafe you to fee his outgoings, his {lately fteps in the great congregation. I only want fellow-labourers. I look to Jesus for this, and for every thing. I defire you to print nothing againft your con-fcience : only do not immediately cenfure every thing that m^y not feem clear to you : our Lord may guide me, even into things which as yet you may not fee into. The day of judgment will difcover all. Adieu.

£ver, ever yours in our blcffed Emmanuel,

G. rr.

LETTER

LETTER CCXXXVL

To the Rev. Mr. J. JV.

Bohemia [Maryland) Nov, 24, 174O. Dear and Hon. Sir,

LAST night brother G— — brought me your two kind letters. O that there may be harmony, and very intimate union between us ! Yet it cannot be, fmce you hold univerfal Redemption. But no more of this. Perhaps, iu Springs we may fee each other face to face. This evening, God willing, I propofe to embark for Georgia, Wonderful things our Lord brings to pafs, in thefe parts, every day. Here is a clofe oppofition from fome of the Prejlyterian Clergv, The feed of the ferpent is the fame in all, of whatever communion. I expedi: much more oppofition every hour. The devil rages in London. He begins now to triumph indeed. The children of God are difunited among themfelves. The king of the church fhall yet over-rule" all things for good. My dear brother, for Christ's fake avoid all difputation. Do not oblige me to preach againlt you ; I had rather die. Be

gentle towards the . They will get great advantage over

you, if they difcover any irregular warmth in your temper. I cannot for my foul unite with the Moravian Brethren, Ho-mured Sir, Adieu !

Yours eternally in Christ Jesus,

G. IF.

LETTER CCXXXVII.

Saint George's (Penfylvania) Nov. 24, i 740, Dear Brother T ,

GOD has revived his own work in Philadelphia. His glory.filled the great houfe. The aflairs belonging thereto, I believe, are well fettled. We have had precious times at Cohanft, Salem, Fogs-mannor, Nottingham, Whiteclay^

Creek and Bohemia. Brother G is come from Engla?jd

very opportunely. Brother S comes about Chrijhnas.

The brethren I think do grow, though fadly divided. But our Lord will order all for good. — Upon feveral accounts, I Vol. L C^ think

5 -

'226 LETTERS.

think it beft to embark for England as foon as poflible in the Spring. O pray for me, that I may not by any means grieve the children of God. 1 hope the weather is warm enough for you. I truft our Lord has warmed and filled your dear foul. Your brother Charles is with me. My dear fellow travellers falute you and our dear brother R . My love to

all that love the Lord Jesus. The war goes on bravely between Michael and the Dragon, Our dear Lord (O conde-fcending love !) is wonderous kind to your poor, weak, unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G, TF.

LETTER CCXXXVIIL

Dear Mr, F , Reedy-IJIand^ Nov. 26, 1740.

I Thank you for your letter.—You may print my life, as you defire. God willing, I (hall correct my two volumes of fermons, and fend them the very firft opportunity. — Pray write to me by every fhip, that goes fhortly to Charles-

Town.

I fhall embark for England^ God willing, about February, — I defire 1 may hear from you there alfo, as often as poflible. I have prefaced Jenks, and Prefumptuous fmners dete^ed. Mr. Bradford has the laft, becaufe he faid he was to print it. You may have it of him.—The Ornaments of the daughter of Sion^ you may have hereafter. Dear Sir, Adieu. I do not defpair of your feeing the reafonablenefs of chriftianity. Apply to God ; be willing to do the divine will, and you fhall know

it. I have heard from Mr. S ; all is well. To-day fe-

veral friends have taken leave of me at this place, waiting for a fair wind in order to embark for Georgia, I think I have been on fhore 73 days, and have been enabled to travel upwards of 800 miles, and to preach 170 times, befides very freouent exhortations at private houfes. I have colle6led, in goods and money, upwards of 700/. fterling, for the Orphan-houfe ; blefled be God ! Great and vifible are the fruits of my late, as well as former feeble labours, and people in general feem more eager after the word than ever. O the love of God to

Your unworthy friend,

G. TF.

LETTER

LETTER CCXXXIX.

To Mr, N. in New-TorL My very dear Brother^ Charles-Town^ Dec. 10, 1740.

IN eight days, the Lord brought us hither. We arrived laft night, when the Redeemer vouchfafed fo to fill me with his divine confolations, that I could fcarce fleep. I have been preaching this morning on the fire that happened of late from thefe words, Ifa. i. 9. " Except the Lojid of Hosts had left unto us avery fmall remnant, we ihould have been as 5(?-dam^ and we fhould have been like unto Gomorrah^ I am now determined to fee England as foon as poffible. I have had much of God's prefence in our paflage hither from FhtladeU phia^ and have many precious letters to fend you. O follow me with your prayers. I leave Chatles-Town, God willing, to-night, in order to haften to their relief, and fhall go in the fame floop which brought me here, to my beloved Georgia4 As foon as poffible, I will fend you a long letter. In the mean

while, accept of my love from, dear Mr. N ,

Your very afFe6tionate friend and brother

and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCXL.

To Mr. G C .

On board the Savannah for Georgia.^ Dec, II, 1740. Dear Brother C ,

YOUR late letters, efpecially that which you fent me by way of Charles-Town^ made me fmile. — I was glad to find that you had not fo far thrown off all outward things, as to refolve not to write to any one ; and I thought I knew the frame of your heart, as though I was within you. My dear,

dear George C , I love you tenderly in the bowels of Jesus

Christ, and therefore would not have you be deceived. Alas, why do you pervert this text of fcripture, " Be ftill, and know that I am the Lord," as if it was defigned to keep a chriftian from driving, or meant z-Jlillnefs of body^ or waiting upon God only in filencc ? The expreffion is taken out of the 46th Pfalm, where God's fury againft the heathen is

Q^ 2 defcribed.

S28 LETTERS.

defcrlbed In the moft lively colours ; and then left his people fhould complain of the feverity of his difpenfations, God commands them to bey?///, " not to murmur or repine, knowing that he was the Lord, and might do what feemed him good." Thus Tate and Brady in their tranflations explain it, and this is the true and genuine meaning of that fentence. It hath no reference to ftillnefs in prayer, or ftillnefs of body. Dear brother, I fpeak to you plainly, becaufe I love you. I think I know what it is to wait upon the Lord in filence, and to feel the fpirit of God making intercefnon for me with groan-idgs which cannot be uttered. Often have I been at fuch times filled as it were with the fulnefs of God, and I do now daily carry on a communion with the moft high God and the erer-bleded Jesus. But all this I fear is contrary to xh^ falfe Jtillnejs^ you and fome others feem to have fallen into. I was juft in the fam.e cafe fome years ago at Oxford^ when I declined writing, reading, and fuch like exercifes, becaufe I would h^Jilll. The Lord convinced me ; I pray he may alfo convince you of this delufion. Dear George^ 'confider how contrary your maxim is to our Saviour's. You fay, " Beftill'* He fays, " Strive.'' As in an agony, " Strive that you may enter in at the ftrait gate." Indeed, my dear man, I pity you, knowing you have but a weak judgment, though a well-meaning heart. You once thought that you was born again ; then, you found it was only an elapfc of the Holy Ghoft. You ufed to fay, you wiflied you could believe from experience in the do6trine of election; now, you find as yet no evidence within yourfelf that you are a real chriftian. You take too much refuge, I fear, in the dodlrine of unwerfal redemption. It is the fineft doclrine in the world to caufe a foul to be falfely itill, and to fay Peacc^ Peace^ when there is no peace. You fecm to infift upon finlefs perfection, and to think a man hath no real falvation till he literally cannot commit fin. PVom whofe experience do you write this ? Not from your own^ dear George ; for I much queftion, if ever your heart was truly broken cw had a faving clofure with Christ. You feem to mention Peter Bochler as an inftance ; but alas, though he has been wafhed in the blood of the Lamb, fo as to be juftified from all his fin-s, yet like me his feet want waftiing ftill, and will,

til]

I

tHl he bows down his head and gives up the ghoft. I have converfed with him intimately. Take heed, brother, of having any thing too much in admiration, or of thinking you muft ne-cefHirily find Christ at fuch and fuch a place. You have

been at M . I believe you have feen many dear children

of God ; but have you returned home with Christ in your heart ? Your letters do not fpcak much improvement in the fchool of Christ. If God loves you, he will let you fee the vanity of your prefent imaginations, and bring you to fee that fiilvation is not of him that willeth, or of him that run^ neth, but of God that ilieweth mercy. Dear George^ be not given to change ; be not too food of new things. *' To the law and to the teftimony," and fee what Christ and his apoftles have fpoken. I fpeak this out of love, and not in reference to myfeif. If God blefies another miniftry to your foul, I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. But if I fee you fall into errors, do not be angry if I tell you the truth. If you are, I will not-withftanding love and pray for you. That errors are crept in among you, I think is too plain: but I fufpend my judgment till the Spring, when, God willing, I hope to be in London. In the mean while pray for me, that I may with joy bear to be deferted by thofe, who once were blefled and av^^akened by my miniftry, and to whom I am a fpiritual father, though they may have many inftru6lors. Dear GeorgCy may the Lord be with you. He only knows how dear you are to my heart. It is near midnight; but it was much upon my heart to write you this letter. That God may fandify it to your edification and comfort, is the hearty prayer of Your affedlionate friend, brother

and fervant in Christ,

G, IF.

i

I

LETTER CCXLI.

To the Rev. Mr. C—-^. ''^"^r

Good-Hope {South-Carolina) Jan. i. 1741.

Rev, and dear Sir,

am now going to Charles-Town^ in order to embark for

England y the cloud of God's providence feems to be

Q, 3 moving

moving that way; I have enjoyed much of the divine prefencd fmce I left Bofton^ and have had a comfortable Chriftmas with my dear family at Georgia. At my return, I found my Orphan-houfhold removed from ^^y^w?^^/' \.oBcihefda^2i,x\^ great improvements made during the time of my abfence. The great houfe will be finifhed, God willing, fo as to be habitable, in about two months. It would have been finifhed fo far by this time, if the Spaniards had not taken a fchooner loaded with bricks and other provifions to a confiderable value ; but God about the fame time flirred up the heart of a planter in South-C*iroli-na^ lately brought home at the orphan-houfe to God, to fend my family fome rice and beef. At other times, when they have wanted food, the Indians have brought plenty of venifon. God, every day, more and more convinces us that this work is of him. His power has been made known, efpecially among the young ones. I blefs God, I have fettled my family to my great fatisfa6tion, and verily believe I fliall live to fee great things come from the Orphan-houfe. God works upon the hearts of the labourers. One woman hath had a glorious dif-covery of Christ made to her heart: laft week, two or three men where brought into heart-diftrefs, and another young man that came to fee us, was made fo fick of fin, as to feel the want of, and to enquire after the great and all-powerful phyfician of fouls. My family, I think, confifls now of 89 perfons. Next year my expences will be contracted much 5 but at prefent, I am in debt about 500/. flerling. However, I know in whom I have believed. One who is able to pay it. My public accounts will be publifhed as foon as I arrive at London^ with a profpeCl of the Orphan-houfe, and other little houfes and gardens annexed unto it. I am now at the houfe of one Mr. Jonathan B —•, who, I trufl, with his brother Mr,

H B , and another young man, lately a player in

New-York^ are fettled by a living faith in Jesus Christ.

The latter, I intend for the miniflry. Mr. H B 's

wife died not long fmce, rejoicing in God her Saviour. Several others alfo in thefe parts are grown in grace, and Mr.

C 's miniftry hath been much blefTed.—Satan hath been

fowing tares in old England. Oh that Bojion miniflers and

people

people may pray for me ! Indeed, I love them in the bowels of the blefled Jesus. Vale f longum eifi fpero non in aternum^ •vale. That Christ's kingdom may flourifh in your heart, and that you may greatly promote it in the fouls of others, is the hearty prayer of. Reverend and dear Sir,

Your afFedionate unworthy fellow-fervant,

in our common Lord,

G, TV.

LETTER CXLIL

To the Rev. Mr, C .

Dear and Reverend Sir, Charles-Town, Jan, 12, 1 741.

LA S T iS^/wr^^;/I was taken up for being concerned in corrc£ting the inclofed printed letter, written by Mr. H —

B n, whofe converfion you have an account of in the

olher letter fent herewith. I think it may be for God's glory to have them all printed in Bojlon. I am bound over to appear

next feflions, as well as Mr. B . He, I believe, fof //'-

belling the king, and I for libelling the clergy, in faying they break the Canons daily. I think, dear Sir, thefe are earnefts of what I muft expe6t to meet with in my native country. Oppofition, as yet, feems to be only like a cloud rifmg out of the fea, no bigger than a man's hand. Perhaps it will gather to a great body, and break upon the church of God. Our Lord will be our refuge in every ftorm. He is much with my foul, and fills me abundantly, 1 could almoft fay fuperabundantly, with his prefence. We have feen precious times. One perfon had a glorious difcovery of Christ about two days ago. I ex-peft my family will be like the burning bufh. I find I am in debt for them upwards of fix hundred pounds : but the Lord will provide.—My moft tender love awaits all that love him. I am to appear at the feflions by an attorney. Dear Sir, re-larvember,

Ever yours in Christ,

G, W,

0^4 X.ETTER

LETTER CCXLIII.

To the Rev. Mr. C , at Rhode IJJand.

Reverend and Dear Sir^ Charles-Toivn^ Jan. i6, 1741.

1 Snatch a few moments to write you a line before I embark for England. BlefTed be God, you are near your defirecl haven. Yet a little while, and you fhall fafely arrive in Jbra-harns bofom. / />r^, fequar^ efh non paffihus equis. — Great things God is doing daily. The kingdom of heaven (I hope) Js at hand. I am bound over to appear at the feffions here, by my attorney, for libelling the clergy, becaufe I corre6^ed the letter inclofed. A fcene of fuffering lies before me, but wherefore fnould I fear ? Our Lord ftrenghthens me mightily jn the inner man. We have had much of his prefence in our ailemblles. But I muft have done. Dear and Reverend Sir, adieu. I fcarce exped to fee you again in the flefli ; but this is my comfort, I fhall fee and rejoice with you above. There, J will fit and tell you what God hath done for

Your unworthy brother and fervant in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CCXLIV.

To the Rev. Mr. Cl^^^i^; in '^Jion. Reverend and dear Sir^ Charles-Town^ Jan, 16, 1741.

THOUGH I have packed up two letters for you already, yet I cannot refrain from fending you a third. Juft now I was favoured with yours dated laft December i. Indeed, it gave me much comfort, and endeared the writer of it to me more and more. Sir, why am 1 thus highly favoured ! I now wifh to fmk exceeding low, and cry out, Grace, grace ! O the love of God ! The fovereignty of Christ ! The unchangeable loving-kindnefs of our heavenly Father ! Excufe

n;e, dear Mr. C ; my heart is full. I want for all men

to love the Lord Jesus. It greatly rejoices me, to hear fo many are coming to him. He is a loving tender mafter. He . attends to my minutcft wants, and furprizingly helps me in

every emergency. I thank dear Mr. C , for the kind token

^f his love. Good meafure prefTed down and running over, may

Goi?

God return into your bofom ! You will be pleafed to correct the prefs. I am tilled with comfort to hear of the condu(S of the dear governor, &c. I cannot but think our Lord will let his word run, and be abundantly glorified in America. Bojion people are much upon my heart. The memory of their forefathers is precious to my foul. May you live to fee the fpirit of fcriptural Puritanijm univerfally prevail! I hope you will write every opportunity. If I am in prifon, it will make me arife at midnight to fing praifes to God, to hear thTit Bo/ion people are alive to Christ. At prefent, my heart is full of peace and joy. We have had Iblemn meetings. I am much ftrengthened on every fide ; but 1 rauft not fay more. Time

is fhort. Dear Mr. C , adieu. May the Lord be with

you and yours, I could now drop a tear of love.—My love to all,

I am yours &c.

LETTER CCXLV.

To Mr. W D , at Bojlon.

On hoard the Minerva^ for England^ Jan. jy, 1741. Dear Sir,

MR. P hath juft brought me your kind letter. Blef-fed be God, that his word runs and is glorified in Bof-ton. Surely, dear Sir, I fhall never forget that people ; indeed, they are very near and dear unto my foul. May thofe of your own houfehold, in particular, be not only convi(Sled but converted ; may the dear Jesus fill you with all peace and joy in believing, &nd enable you to pray for, dear Sir,

Yours in the blefled Jesus, G. W.

P. S. Excufe great hafte ; our fhip is jufl under fail. My dear companions kindly falute you and yours.

LETTER

LETTERS.

LETTER CCXLVI.

To Mr. lV?n, G .

On hoard the Minerva^ Feb. 8, 1741. in latitude 35, 24 N. My dear brother^

SEE how foon I write to you, and from thence Infer how I love you. Whether it proceeds from the pride and naughtinefs of my heart, I cannot tell ; but, I frankly confefs, I love to fee perfons humble, kind, and courteous to thofe, whom God hath made their fpiritual fathers. I believe it is well pleafing to God, and very amiable in the fight of all good men. Your chriftian grateful behaviour to me in this refpe61:, hath much endeared you to me. God only knows how I love you. I bear you upon my heart, and often fe-cretly figh out before the Lord, —'' O let my dear brother

G live before thee." This is the defire of my foul for you.

I cannot wifh you a better thing. Yet a little while, and we fhall be together again. But, before that time, I expe£l to fufFer great things. The Lord is able to deliver me out of all. I have juft now experienced his divine afliftance in com-pofing a fermon. This is the Jjxth which he has enabled me to finifti, fmce I have been on board. O my dear brother, Jove a precious Christ, and fhew it by adorning his gofpel in all things. He has hi-hly favoured you, indeed he hath. U you and I are not eminently holy, if you and I think any thing too much to be done for the Lord, we are of all men the moft ungrateful. O the love of Christ ! I feel it, I feel it. God now (heds it abroad in my heart. May it abundantly alfo be flied on you by the Holy Ghoft. Write to me if in prifon, my friends will bring it to me there. God will hear me for you even in a dungeon. Methinks I fee you weep ; but weep not for me, unlefs it be before the Lord, and then I care not how foon you retire, and pour

out your prayers in behalf of, dear Mr. G ,

Your affedionate friend, brother and fervant,

G. rr.

LETTER

Dear Mrs. L-

LETTERS. 235

LETTER CCXLVIL

To Mrs, L , at Charles-Town,

On board the Minerva^ Feb. ii, 1741.

YO U was upon the mount when I left Charles-Town ; I hope you have not thrown yourfelf down. Keep clofe to Christ, and caft not off your firft love. Remember what God has done for your foul. Forget not the glorious difco-very Jesus Christ has made of himfclf to your heart; and though a cloud fhould overfhadow you, let not Satan make

you doubt of your being a child of God. O Mrs. L ,

how holy ought you to be in all manner of converfation and godlinefs ! Why are you- taken ? Why are you in the arms of everlafting love ? Methinks I hear you cry out, Grace ! grace ! And well you may; for indeed you are faved by grace. The free grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and for ever more. Blefled be God, I experience much of it in the (hip. I hope divine grace moves me to fend you this fmall letter. If God blefles it to your foul, put up a ihort prayer for

Your afFe<Slionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXLVIII.

To Mrs. IV , at James-IJland.

Dear Madam^ On board the Minerva^ Feb, 11, 1 741.

MY heart's defire and prayer to God is, that you may be faved. I hope you will find, it is not impoffible for you to be born again when you are old. God forbid. Though at the eleventh hour, I truft our Lord will meet you, and caufe you, whenever you depart, with good old Simeon, to depart in peace. I heartily thank you, madam, for all favours conferred on me and mine. We have not forgotten you on board. I do not forget to mention you in my fecret prayers. May God reveal his dear Son in your foul, and fill you with all peace and joy in believing ! O what a ftafF will this be to you in your old age ! How pleafantly then will you walk by your vault, and fay, " There (liall I lay my weary bones ere

long.-

long." I hope you do not ftarde at the thoughts of death. Believe in Christ. Get a faving intereft in his blood, and then you may cry out, " O death, where is thy fting ! O grave, where is thy vidory ?" Blefled be God, the prorpe6l of death is pleafing to my foul. I would not live here always : I want to be gone. That you and I, whenever our appointed time is come, may live with Christ, is the earneft prayer of, madam.

Your obliged friend and fervant in Christ,

G, Jf\

LETTER CCXLIX.

Dear Mrs. T. On board the Minerva^ Feb, I2, 1741.

MUST I pray for you in the language of Martha and Mary^ faying, " Lord, fhe whom thou loveft is fick !" Or hath he who touched Peter''s v/ife's mother, rebuked the illnefs that was coming upon you, when I faw you lafl, and caufed it to leave you ? But, however the Lord has dealt with you, I hope he hath been glorified in and by you. I heard he had by his word and fpirit fpoken to your foul, and given you fatisfadlion, that he had loved you with an ever-lafting love. I rejoice in it from my foul. The Lord in-creafe your comforts daily, and fhew you all his glory. Dear Mrs. T- ' —, think often of your departed f^fter. Follow her as file did Christ ; and then Ihortly, where fhe is you fhall be alfo. O the happinefs flie now enjoys ! It is too dazzling for mortal eyes, 1 want to leap my feventy years, and fly away to God. Well, it will not be long. Dear Mrs. T —-, let us patiently tarry till our change come. Our Lord wili carry us fafe through time, and waft us triumphantly into eternity. The love of Christ conftrained me to write thefe lines j accept them for his fake, from

Your afFedionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G, W.

LETTER

LETTER CCL.

To Mr. H , at Port-Royal, South-Carolina.

Dear Mr. H. On board the A^inerva^ Feb. 16. 174!';

THE love of Christ conftrains me to write yo\x 2l line, though as yet no further than the weftern iflands. I truft the Lord hath called you by name, and enabled you to fay " Speak Lord, for thy fervant heareth." Who knows but he may call you yet further, even to minifter before him ? Whether it be fo or not, make it your daily ftudy to prepare your heart to ferve the Lord in any ftation. To be a doorkeeper in the houfe of God, is a glorious poft. Surely, you and I may fing of mercy and elefting love. How often have we a6led a part for the devil ? The remembrance of it is grievous unto me. Let us both now labour daily to ad! a part for God. He heaps kindnefles on me every hour. We have hitherto had a wonderful pleafant paflage. I hope it is in fome meafure owing to your prayers. Let this encourage you to pray again. Our God is a God hearing prayer. I write now, left excefs of bufmefs fhould prevent my writing in Eng-land. The Lord is girding me for the battle, and ftrength-ening me mightily in the inner man. '' O give thanks unto the Lord of all Lords, becaufe his mercy endureth for ever.'* You will not fail writing to

"Your affe6lionate friend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CCLL

To the Reverend Mr. C , in Charles-Toivn.

My dear Brother^ On board the Minerva^ Feb. 17, 1741,

THE Lord hath been with me, and is now with me in an efpecial manner. I have been enabled to prepare nine difcourfes for the prefs. My body waxes ftronger, and laft night the great God in a glorious manner filled and over-ihadowed my foul. I am panting after the complcat holinefs of Jesus my Lord. I have various fcencs of adion lying before me, and am waiting upon the Lord my God for direction. He afTures mc that he will be with me. He faith unto me, " Fear not, fpeak out, no one ihail fet upon thee to hurt 3 th:e."

thee." Dear Mr. C , God's goodnefs quite furprizes

me. T cannot exprefs myfelf better, than in a ftanza or two of Erjkine in his Paraphrafe upon SolotnorCs fong.

I.

JVhat wonders Lord doji thou perform^

That Jioopeji thus fo low^ To put thy beauty on a ivortriy

And then cotnmend it fo. II. JVhiit^ dofl thou prafe a native black F

I blujh to find it true ; O lend me words to render back

The praife to whom 'tis due.

I hope my love will find acceptance with all your flock who know me, and who love the Lord Jesus in fincerity. I have often comforted myfelf and companions with this faying^

*' Now Mr. C and our other friends are praying for

us." At the receipt of this, turn your prayers into praifes, and then turn your praifes again into prayers, in behalf of,

dear Mr. C ,

Your afFedlionate brother and fellow-labourer

in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CLIL

To Mr. H. B. . On board the Minerva^ Feb, i6, 1741. My dear brother in Chrtst,

BEFORE this is brought to your hands, I fuppofe you will have been arraigned befor? the Chief Juftice. I an-j perfuaded our Lord will plead on your behalf, and ftrengthen you with his mighty power in the inner man. The greater progrefs you make in the divine life, the more you will difco-ver of the enmity that is in the feed of the ferpent. It bruifed our mafter's heel; it will alfo bruife ours. Here is our comfort, God who cannot lie, hath told us, that "- we fhall bruife his head." In the ftrength of this promife, I can give men and devils the challenge. Whole legions are ready to befct 4 me^

me. By the help of my God, I fhall triumph over all, —I hope we (hall grow in grace before we meet again. You and I have weak crazy tabernacles ; I hope you rejoice in the prof-pe£t of putting them oflf Ihortly ; blefled be God, I do.— Dear Sir, get acquainted more and more with electing love; ftudy the covenant of redemption, and fee how God loved you with an everlafting love. This will caufe you to glory only in the Lord, and to pafs through the valley of the fha-dow of death, with a full affu ranee of faith; knowing that Christ hath engaged to lodge you fafe in eternal glory. Thither your dear wife is gone before us ; I often think of, I could almoft fay envy her ; but perhaps that is wrong. Yet a little while, and our precious Lord fhall take both you, and

Your afFedionate friend, brother,

and fervant in Christ, G. W.

LETTER CCLIIL

To Mr, B , at Port-Royal,

Dear Mr, B, On hoard the Minerva^ Feb, 16. 1741.

I Hope you will never forget that day, hour, or moment, wherein God met you at Savannah, If you have in fome meafure, do fo no more. " Awake thou that fleepeft, and Christ (hall give thee light." Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. No man can ferve two mafters. Ufe the world, but lat it be as though you ufed it not. The faftiion of this world will foon, very foon, fade away. Dear

Mr. B , I am perfuaded, will not be ofFended at this plain

dealing. He knows I love him. God knows it alfo. With much afFedion, I fubfcribe myfelf

Your friend and fervant,

G, JV.

LETTER CCLIV.

To Mrs, B,

Dear Mrs, B, On board the Minerva, Feb, 16, 1741.

WHEN you read that Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and their fifter Martha, do you not make a particular application

plication to your own family ? I think our Lord has been equally kind to your houfhold. Walk as becometh members of the houfhold of faith. I hope you have had full fatisfadion about your ftatc, and know afTuredly that Christ is your Saviour. If not, be not difcouraged j go on; the way of duty, is the way of fafety. By-and-by your foul fliall magnify the Lord, and your fpirit rejoice in God your Saviour. This is

the hearty dcfirc of, dear Mrs. B ,

Your afFeclionate friend and fervant in ChrisV,

G. rK

LETTER CCLV.

To Mr. 7— B.^-^^ ■ Dear Mr, B ^, On beard the Minerva^ Feb. i6. 1741.

YOUR name, 'Jonathan^ puts me in mind of a good old teftament worthy. Follow him in his faith, and dare to fcale the wall of the BhUtftincs, Be not afraid, though already bound over as a libeller-^ ihortly you fhall fhine in the kingdom of your Father ; I fay, your Father \ for God is your God, and will be your guide and guard unto death. Does not this aflonifh you ? Do not you feel your heart melt ? Are you not ready to cry out, " Why me. Lord V The oftener you repeat fuch language the better. I love to fee a foul lie in the duft under a fenfe of electing love ; you and yours have been highly favoured.' May God give you all grace to walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called, I write this out of the fulnefs of my heart. Though not prefent, yet I fain would converfe with you. O that I may fee you grown in grace ! Remember me to your wife. The Lord be with you both : He hath been, he. is now with me. You are often upon my heart. .God reward you for your kind-nefs to the Orphans. Do not flack your hands towards them. Qur bountiful malkr will richly reward you. Go on ftea-dily in the ufe of, but do not trufi in ordinances. You know Vv'hat I mean, ik fteady and bold, yet meek and catholic in your converfatlon and pradice ; and if GoD*hath influenced you by my miniflry, give him the glory, and for Christ's fake pray for

Your affcclionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G. W, LETTER

LETTER CCLYI.

To Mr. B , in Charks-Town,

Dear Mr. B. On hoard the Minerva^ Feb. 16, 1741.

I Think of you often, indeed I do. I long to hear that complete falvation is come to your foul. I fay complete fal-vation, for my dear friend knows that reformation is not con-verfion. O that you may experience a life hid with Christ in God ! Some who feemingly put their hands to the plough, have already fliamefully looked back ; will Mr. B. alfo go away P Adcthinks I hear him fay, " Whether fhall I go ? Jesus Christ alone hath the words of eternal life." True, Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life ; flee, flee to him, my dear friend j with arms he ftands ready to embrace, and will fave you to the uttermoft. Remember, my friend, the vows of the Lord are upon you. Thefe hands reached out to you the facred fymbols of his precious body and blood. Thefe eyes faw you eat and drink of his bread and his wine. O do not betray, but manfully ftand up for the Lord Jesus. You was once bold for fatan, be now bold for your Christ. His love excites me to Vv^rite to, and pray for you. Your wife alfo I intreat the Lord to blefs, together with your children. My friends join me in hearty wifhes for your welfare^ I am, dear

Mr. B ,

Your affe6lionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. JK LETTER CCLVIL

To the Rev. Mr. D , at Edinburgh.

On board the Minerva^ Feb. 16, 174?. Reverend and dear Sir^

IF I miftakenot, Mr. M. informed me, that you was entered into the miniftry ; I pray God to enable you to make full proof of it. O dear Sir, how holy ought we to be, who are called to ftand before the Lord. —When I confider the great-nefs of the ofHce and my own unworthinefs, I am fometimes quite abafhed. This promife, *' Lo I am with you always," is, my daily fupport. Bleffcd be God, I find it fulfilled in my Vol. L R foul.

6

foul. A great work is begun in America^ at Georgia., South-CarcUna, New-York^ Philadelphia^ and IsUw-England. God lias confirmed the word by fpirltual miracles and figns. You

will fee what I have wrote to dear Mr. T . Your afliftance

in refpecSl to the Orphan-houfe will be very acceptable. I am feveral hundreds of pounds in debt on that account. The God whom I ferve is able to difchargc it. You have heard of the liberality of the New-Eriglaytd people ; dear Mr. D God's goodncfs aftoniflies me. What! can I think any thing too much to do, or to fuftcr for fo dear a Maftcr ? I was lately bound over at Charles-Town in South-Carolinay for libelling the clergy. I'he libel, falfely fo called, I fhall foon fend you after my arrival. Thus oppofition is coming on gradually: pray that the Lord may cover mc with all his armour. I am a weak defencelefs creature in myfelf; Jesus alone is my ftrength and my Redeemer. I wiite this on board, that you may know, you are not forgotten j no, tho' I never faw you in the flefh, you are much beloved by, dear Sir,

Your affeclionate brother and fellow-labourer in our dear Lord's vineyard, G. JV.

LETTER CCLVIIL

V To the Rev, Mr. T , at EdiJIo.

On board the Aluurva^ Feb, 17, 1741. Dear Mr. T.

PROVIDENCE prevented my coming to fee you at Edijio^ — however, I muft not omit writing to you now. How is it with your heart ? I hope you are not nimis uxorius ; lake heed, my dear B —, take heed. Time is (hort. It remains that thofe wiio have wives, be as tho' they had none. Let nothing intercept, or interrupt your communion with the bridegroom of the church. Lhope you do not feel fuch damps of foul, as you ufed to complain of. May the Lord of glory difpel every black cloud, and caufe you continually to rejoice in his falvution. You have ftrong paflion?. The Lord Jesus is ftronger: In his (trength nuy ygu fubdu^ {hem, till you arc

meek

J. E T T E R S. .45

Ricek ns a Iamb, and arc become a very little chilJ. 1 write tluiF, bccaufc I pray for you mofl: heartily.—Deal with mc ia the Tame manner; and now, dear brother, farcvvcl. The Lord be with you. He is pleafed to refrcfh my foul, and give me the profpetft of a (hort palTage. I commend myfclf and affairs to the prayers of your flock, and 1 earncftly recommend you to the God of all grace. That he may blefs you and give you an inheritance amohg all them that are fandilicd, is the ear-» reft prayer of, dear Mr. 7'.—-,

Your afreclionate brother and fi:llow-labourcr in the Lord,

G, JV.

LETTER CCLIX.

To Airs, B , in Charles-Town,

Dear Mrs. B. On board the Minerva, Feb. 17, 1741.

I Am much obliged to you m.any u^ays. The Lord reward you a thoufand-fold. Your prayers are heard. God is carrying us upon the wings of the wind. The angel of the covenant accompanies us in the way. The prefent feafon is a time of refrcfhing to my foul. I hope it will be a profitable voyage. I think I fee more into the wickednefs of my owa heart, and the unfearchable riches of the Lord Jesus, wha hath redeemed me by his precious blood. I believe yoj* can fay fo: Why do you fhake your head ? Woman, why doubteft thou ? Has not the Lord vifited your foul ? Have you not heard him fay in his word, applied by his fpirit, *' I have loved thee with an everlafting love r" And do you think God would tell you fo, if it was not fo? Away therefore with all defponding fears; come boldly, with a full afTurance of faith, and drav/ water plentifully out of the wells of fiilvation. O that all were comforted, as I am now comforted of God. 1 would rot eat my fpiritual morfds alone. I hope, a letter from you will acquaint me, how good the Lord has been to your fouL I have no greater joy, than to hear that my chriftian friends walk in the truth. 71ie Lord be with you. Remember me to your father and fifters. That you all may be true member* of the houfiiold of faith, prays _

Your aftedionate brother and fervant

G. IF. R2 LETfER

LETTER CCLX.

To Mr, B. and his wife at Beihefda. Dear brother B , On board the Minerva^ Feb. 17, 1741^

WHEN I left Charks'Toivn^ the Lord feemed to give me a full affurance, that we fhould have a fpeedy

paflage. We have hitherto had fcarce any contrary winds,

and are novi' very near the Weftern Iflands. We had one ftorm the firft week, but almoft ever fince have been favoured with weather as well as wind. O that you would call the family together, and praife the Lord for the mercies conferred on us the unworthleft of the {bns of men! I do not know that I have failed praying for you one day, fmce I have been out. I long to hear what the Lord hath done for your fouls, ^V'hat fay you ? Do you live in love ? Do you flrive together with me in your prayers ? Are any of the Orphan Lambs bleating after their great Shepherd ? Is your mouth opened ? Is your heart enlarged ? Is your foul fwallowcd up in God ? Does Bethefda anfwer its name ? Is it, indeed, an houfe of mercy? Thefts queftions, I hope to have anfwer'd in the affirmative. If you afk, how it is with my foul ? Blelled be God, I can reply, <^ Very well." The Lord gives me a feeling poflefTion of himfelf. I have been enabled to compofe nine difcourfes for the prefs. God willing, you fhall hear from me often. I write this, that I m.ay be ready, if I fliould hear of any fhip coming your way immediately upon my arrival 5 receive it as a token of my love, which God knows is unfeigned, from

Your afFe6lionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G, IK

LETTER CCLXI.

To Mr, y, B , Charles-Town,.

Dear Mr, B , On board the Minerva^ Feb. 17, 1741.

1 Think I owe you a letter; I believe you love me in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I hope our love is reciprocal. How can it be otherwife with thofe, who have drank of the fame fpirit ? I long for that happy time, when we fhall be fv/allowed up in the vifion and full fruition of the glorious

G©dhcad»

Godhead. The bunch of grapes makes me long to eat of the full clufters in the heavenly Canaan. The lirft-fruits make me pant after the full harveft. Perhaps you may go and partake of it firft, and drink new wine before me in the kingdom of our Father; I hope I fhall not ftay long after you, if not called before. My foul is fick of love. Nothing can fatisfy it, but the full fight and enjoyment of Chrift. He now vifits my foul, and caufes it mightily to rejoice in hiafalvation. How lovingly he hath dealt with me in other refpec^s, letters fent to other friends can beft inform you. Hafte, read, hear, and join with them in giving thanks and praying for

Your afFc£tionate friend and brother and ("ervant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXII.

Ti Alrs> 8- , m Charles-Towu.

Dc'ur Mrs. S , On board the Alincrva^ Fch, J7, 1^41.

MY foul is now in an heavenly frame, fwallowed \i^ in God, and melted down by the love of my dear Lord Jesus. It is aimed too big to fpeak. I wJll give it vent bv writing to you. Our mafter hath been exceeding graciou:., and has fnewn me feveral tokens for good, which 1 defired oi him in fecret prayer. Laft night, I think I received as full fa-tisfaclion as I could del'ire, in refpecl to my marriage, I believe what I have done, is of God ; the' I know not when my heart was more difengaged from earthly thoughts than now. I only defirc, that the dear Jesus may be glorified in me, whether it be by life or by death. I depend on your fending me a particular account of affairs at Charks-Toiv?!, I have wrote to many; you will hear how my letters are received. I Ihall ber glad to hear how it is with your own foul. I befeech yon to live near to Christ, and to keep up a holy walk with Gou. Be inward with God in your duties. Truit and hang 011 God, even when he hides himfelf from you. He will be your guide unto death. .Hunger and thirft daily after the righteouf-nefs of Christ. Be content with no degree of fan6lification. Be always crying out, " Lord, let me know more of myfelf and of thee; O let me receive grace for grace of thy dear Son."

R 3 This

This, at prcfent, is the full dcfire of my foul. I am perfuaded the Lord will fatisfy it. Gop is love; we cannot think too highly of him ; we cannot expe6l too great thiiigs to be done by him. His right hand, I believe, will bring mighty things to pafs. I am now entering on a fcene of trials. The LoRP hath fcnt me on the fcas to prepare me for them. Not that I depend on any flock of grace already received, I would look to Christ continually. But whither am I running ? I forget myfelf. I almoft fancy, I am talking with you, I have only room to acquaint yoj, that dear J —=«• S-- ■ fits by me, and cordially falutes you, with

Your alleclionate fiicnd, brother, and fcryant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXIII.

To ike Rev. Mr. S , Charles-Town.

Rev. and dear Sir, On board the Minerva^ Feb. 17, I74I«

YOU have been very kind to me in many refpe^ls ; but I have been ungrateful to you, and infinitely more fo to ir.y gracious GcD. I have not failed frequently to bemoan my unworthinefs. Since I have been on board, the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, and now fills my foul with all peace and joy in belie\'ing. I have been much aflifted in Gompofing fermons for the prefs. At prcfent my foul is clofely adverting to GoD, who, 1 believe, will bring me fafe to glory. My bodily ftrength is much renewed. In Ihort, I am comforted on every fide. Dear Sir, praife the Lord in my behalf, O let us magnify his name together, I hope you feel what it is to havefellowfhip with the Father and the Son, and experieiice the influences of the Holy Ghoft, in de]iverin<5

your blclTed mafter's meflage. I falute Mr. P and your

whole church. My rcquefl: is, ♦' Brethren, pray and give thanks for us."—When you write to New-England^ pray remember me to all friends in the kindeft manner. Ihat coun^ try, and the people, He ^-ry near my heart. I hope to be favoured with a line from you ere I return from Evgland. Great perils there await me^ but Jesus Christ will fend his angel, a:id roll ayvay every Hone of difficulty. In his fticngth alone I is

IS my truft, and for his fake and in his name, I fubfcribe my-fclf, reverend and dear Sir, Your afFcdtionate brother and fcllow-labourcr in the Lord,

G. fK

LETTER CCLXIV.

To Mr. J H , at Beti)cfda,

On hoard the Minerva^ Feb. 18, \^\i» My dear Friend and Brother^

YESTERDAY we humbled ourfelvcs before God, and by prayer and fading fought for a blcifing, and direction fn all our affairs. I wifh I had kept family fafts at Savannah. Suppofc you had one moiUhly at Bethefda? You will fee, by

dear Brother B 's letter, the frame of my mind. Since that,

I have been a little in the valley, but the Lord is my comforter. I hope I grow in grace, and in the knowledge of my-felf, and the Lord Jesus Christ. My heart is much united

to Meffrs. W J, tho' we differ in fome particulars. May

God make us of one minJ, as well as heart. I fliall make all poffible hafte back, and remit money to you as often as I can.

Mr. P tells me, his brother is to fend you upwards of a

hundred pounds, and I fuppofe other fupplies will befent from the Northward. I have alfo wrote to Charles-Toiun. I am per-fuaded God will not let you want. I would not have any thing left undone, that is neceffary for the family's comfortable fubfiftence. The Lord is our Shepherd, therefore we {hall not lack. I (hall long to hear how the blcffcd Jesus deals with you. He is wonderfully gracious unto mc, and hath made this voyage profitable to my foul. O my friend, my friend, the Lord be with you. My love is firm to you at the bottom, tho* fometimes it hath ebbed and flowed ; in heaven it will not be fo. On earth it is needful it ftiould ; othcrwife, how fhould we learn to ceafe from nian ? But I am a worm and no man, and deferve to be the outcaft of all people. My eyes are now ready to gufli out with water. O the fovcreign love of Christ in chufmg mc ! My dear friend, let us fludy to be holy even as he is holy, and walk even as he alfo walked, Let thefe be your daily queftion';, *' Am I rpore like Christ ?

R 4. Am

Am I more meelc and patient ? Does my pradice correfpond with my knowledge, and am I a light to enlighten and en-flame all that are around me ?" I could % more, but I think to write again when I get on (hore. God blefs you and yours.

J fuppofe you have heard that Mr. P iails with

Your afFedionate friend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. JV,

LETTER CCLXV.

To Mr. S If^ , at Brijiol.

On hoard the Minervay Feb. 20, 1741,

AN D does my friend W- look again towards God ? Never did the Father with greater joy receive the returning prodigal, than I fhall embrace you in thefe unworthy arms, if you are alive to God. I truft your late tepidity will now make you more fervent in fpirit. I pray God to give you a fettlement in Christ, that you may be rooted and grounded in love. My brother, the captain, gave me a particular account of your foul. I hope he will yet appear for God ; will you alfo appear with him ? Why ihould you flrive to pleafe a pleafure-taking world ? Why fhould you keep in league with the apparent enemies of God \ But no more of this. Let old things pafs away, let all things become new. I believe God fuiFered you to fall, becaufe you thought more highly of yourfelf than you ought to think. My love to all. I feel

a great union of foul with Mr. W- -; we differ in principles,

but I hope the Lord will make us of one mind. You muft

not be furprizedj if I publifh an anfwer to Mr. John W 's

fermon, entitled. Free Grace. It is wrote in much Lve and meeknefs. Adieu for the prefcnt. Give thanks on my behalf. The Lord hath dealt wonderoufly kind with, dear

Mr, ,;r—^,

Yours eternally in ChrisTj

LETTER

LETTER CCLXVr.

To Mr, T S , in London,

My dear Brother^ On board the Minervn^ Feb. 20, 1741,

IHave kept your letter by me till now, that I might anfwer it on my voyage. It fpeaks the language of a perplexed heart, and plainly fhews me, that fatan loves to keep us ia bondage. My dear Brother, I think you have done u^rong in holding your peace. I am fure you once felt that freedom of foul, u'hich you are a ftranger to nov/. The way of duty is the way of fafety. Whatever you may fay to the contrary, unlefs you will give the lie to your own experiences, you muft confefs, that you have indeed tafted of the good word of life. You fhould, therefore, have , went forwards, and not have turned back again, and thereby plunged yourfelf into dark-nefs; darknefs that may be felt. Alas, you have too eagerly embraced principles (I fear) contrary to the gofpel ofCpiRisT. You are aiming at a falfe voluntary humility, and are returning back to the flefh pots of Egypt. I know my words will have but little force with fome, but I muft deliver my foul. God was once pleafcd to work upon you by my miniflry, and therefore I am more folicltous for your welfare. I know the advice you would give me is, " beJ^ilL'' I hope I am, fo far as really to know the Lord; but y^t I willJirive^ yet will I walk in all the ordinances of God, and go on fiom ftrength to ftrength till I come to appear before him in his heavenly Zion. I write this, out of the fulnefs of my heart. Indeed I love 5'ou, and the brethren; I am willing to be the fervant of you all. I am lefs than the leaft. However, I dare not embrace tenets that are not agreeable to the form of found words. Let mc fee you as foon as may be after my arrival, and in the mean while accept of hearty love, from

^ our affectionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G. JV.

LETTER

LETTER CCLXVII.

To Mrs. A D. My dear Si/Ier, On beard the Muicrvay Feb. 20, 1741.

MY confcience almoil reproaches me, that I have not wrote to you often, nor full enough ; accept this as an acknowledgement of my fault. I am forry for it. We are now about a thoufand miles off England, I hope this will provoke you to fend me a letter immediately after my arrival. I find Luther s obfervation to be true : " Times of reformation are times of confufion ;" as yet the churches in America are quiet, but I expe6^ a fifting time ere long. My family in Georgia was once fadly fliakcn, but now, blelTed be God, it is fettled, and, I hope, ellabliflied in the docSlrines of grace. Your name is precious among them. I wifli you would fend them a long letter. Your book on walking with

God has been bleiled to one Mr. B , and others in South'

CaroUria. It hath alfo been ferviceahle to a dear friend nov/ with me, as alfo to myfelf. 1 cannot well tell you what great things are doing abroad, I have a fccne of fufferings lying before me; I expect (hortly to cry out with the fpoufe, " Look not upon me, becaufe I am black, becaufe the fun hath looked upon me, my mother's children were angry with me." Pvly Lord's command, now, 1 believe, is, " Take the foxes, the little foxes that fpuil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes."—Help me by your prayers. It is an eafe thus to un-bofom one's felf to a friend, an.^ an inftancc of my confidence in you. O, my dear Sifter, I am lefs than the leaft of all faints, I am the chief of finners, and yet Jesus loves me, and fheds his love abroad in my heart abundantly by the Holy Ghoft. 1 have been much aflifted in compofing fome gofpel fermons, which I intend for the prefs. 1 have fought the Lord by prayer and fafting, and he allures me, that he will be with me. Whom then ihould i fear ? Hitherto we have had an extraordinary pailage, praife the Lord. Herewith I fend you a letter from one of the children which God has given me: He will rejoice to receive a line from you. If poiTible, 1 hope, tho' you are in the decline of life, to lee you face to face be-

Ibre

LETTERS. 251

fore I kuvc England, 1 ihould be glad to hear how you are 3s to worldly circumftances 5 if I can help you in any degree, fieely command

Your aflfeiTtionate friend, brother, and fcrvant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXVIII.

TCo T K , at London,

On hoard the Minerva^ Feb. 20, 1741. My dear Brother K ,

I Received your kind letter at Savannah^ and though I hope to fee you face to face foon after you receive this, yet love to your dear foul conftrains me to write you an anfwcr before I come on fhore.

I find, fmce my departure, the brethren have fallen into

errors. Dear Brother K will not be offended, if I fayy

•■' He, I fear, is one of them j" for his letter bewrayeth him. My dear Brother, you fay, '' You have been driving a long, long while, but to very little purpofe, &c." By this, I fup-pofe, you have left off the means, and fallen into J?ttlnefs ; expecting now, that Jesus Christ will fo work upon your heart, that you fhall not feel the leaft ftin ing of indwelling corruption in your foul ; in (hort, that you fhall be completely perfect: This was pretty near my cafe about fix years ago, and now I fee why God fuffered me thus to be tempted, '' that I might be more capable of fuccouring my brethren, now they are tempted." My dear Brother, let us reafon together. " You have been ftriving (you fay) a long while, but to very little purpofe." And what then ? muft you be therefore ftill, and drive no more ? God forbid : No, you are yet to wait at the pool. *' Conftantly attend on ordinances;" and who knows but by-and-by the loving Saviour may pafs by and vifityour foul. Have you not, in fome degree at leaf!, felt his divine power in the ufe of the means? Why fliould not that encourage you to expcdi more in the fame way ? But you fay, " I find all that is of felf is ftn." And do you expect ever to do any thing, or to offer up to God one facrificc, without a mixture of fin in it r If you do, indeed you are building z fplritual Babel, My dear Brother, even our moll holy thoughts are

tin6tured

tinctured with fin, and want the atonement of the Mediator ; and therefore, if you leave ofF ftriving, becaufe " whatever is of felf is fin," you muft never attempt to do any duty what-focvcr again. Your ftilhiefs hath as much a mixture of felf in it, as your ftriving, and if you proceed in this manner, you muft become a profcllcd ^uetijL Six weeks did fatan keep me under this delufion, but the Lord helped me in the hour

of extremity : May he alfo help my dear Brother K /

Another error you feem to be fallen into is, " that a man cannot be a chriftian, at leaft that he is a very weak one, fo long as he finds corruption ftirring in his heart." If I was to urge the feventh to \\\q Ro7nans, you would fay, St. P^^//only fpeaks of a man under firft-awakenings, and not of a converted man 3 but my dear Brother, did you ever know a man, that vas not really converted, delight in the law of God after the inner man ? And yet fuch an one the Apoftle fpeaks of in the latter part of that chapter. Be not deceived, wc are to be holy as Christ is holy; we are to receive grace for grace; every grace that is in the bleflTed Jesus, js to be tranfplanted into our hearts; we are to be delivered from the power, but not from the indwelling and being of fin in this life. Hereaftery "we are to be prefented blamelefs, without fpot, or wrinkle, or any fuch thing. If you labour after any other perfe6tion here, you will labour in vain. St. Paul had attained no other, when he wrote to the Fhilippiam^ and to the other churches : But

my dear Brother K feems to think, " I did wrong in

writing to Mr. H to know his fentiments upon feveral

texts of fcripturc, and in fending for feveral oi Calvin\ books." And v/hy, my dear Brother, was this wrong ? Why you fay, *' you think it is contrary to St. Paul in his Epiftles, when he fays, he would not fpeak other men's words ;" hut St, Paul fays no fuch thing : The place you aim at, I believe, is 2 Cor. X. 16. '' And not to boaft In another man's line, of things made ready to our hand." My dear Brother, examine the context, and you will find the Apoille means no more than that he would not enter into other men's labours, as vcr. 15. He would not preach where churches were already fettled, but go where the gofpcl had not been delivered. This, and this ciilv, is the meming of the paffi^oc, which dear miftakcn Mr.

A'-

K has wrongly quoted. My dear Brother, did not St,

Paul bid Timothy to give himfelf to reading ? What,if the Holy-Spirit is to lead us into all truth, does not the Holy Spirit make ufe of, and lead us by the means ? Has he not indited the fcriptures ? Has he not helped holy men to explain thofe fcriptures ? And why may I not, in a due fubordination to the Holy Spirit, make ufe of thofe men's writings ? Has

not my dear Brother K bought fermons ? And why then

does " He make ufe of other men's words ?" O, my dear brother, you are in the wilderncfs j God bring you fafc out of it.

I fuppofc, becaufe the DiiTenters oppofe fome of your new principles, you term them enemies j but, my dear Brother, though there are many Chriftlefs talkers, and hypocritical formalifts among the Dillenters, as no doubt there are fome fuch in the pureft church under heaven \ yet many of them hold and practice the truth as it is in Jesus. But I have done. Count me not your enemy, becaufe I tell you the truth. I expe<5l that great numbers will look fiiy on me, for thus oppofmg what I think to be error. Thus the Galatiam treated St. Paul\ but I muft be tried every way. I could add a thoufand kind things, but I hope you fliortly will have a pcrfonal interview with

Your afFedionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G, n\

LETTER CCLXIX.

To Mrs, J F , m Cbarles-Toivn,

On board the A<Iincrva, Feb. 25, 1741. My very dear Friend^

IKnow you will rejoice at the receipt of this : You have abundant reafon ; the Lord hath been wonderous kind. We are now flying on the wings of the wind, and if it continues, we hope to be at Coives the beginning of next week. Your kind prefents were of great fervice to my crazy body. The woman pafTengcr has been ferviccable in making us bread; and in fhort, God has v/onderfully ordered all things for our great conveniency and comfort. O that my dear friends at Charlci-Town^ may hereby be excited to thankfulnefi on our

behalf.

behalf. I have frequently prayed for you both with my fricnJj, and when in fccrct before the Lord. Indeed you are feldoim

out of mind. Dear Mrs. F , I believe God fent you to

invite me to your houfc, and I believe the Lord will plentifully reward both of you, for all your works of faith and labours of love. 1 think henceforward I mufl: call you ^^ti;^, and your hufband, I hope, will be truly ftiled James the fervant of the Lord. I truft you will both ferve the Lord Christ, and give yourfelves up to the guidance of his bleiVed word and providences day by day. It is a glorious privilege to be led by the fpirit of God. I think I have felt, and do feel, at thia time, his facrcd influences upon my foul. My body is but weak, though better by much than when I left Charles-Toivn ; however, my foul hath confidence in God. The archers will (hoot forely at me that I may fall; but God will caufc my bow to abide in flrength, and my arms (hall be ftrengthen-cd by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. I need not afk for a continuance of your prayers, nor you for mine. I hope we (hall be always prefent with each other in fpirit, at the throne of grace. My dear friend, adieu : All with me falute you. Write often to

Your unworthy giicft, but truly slTet^ionate fervant, friend, and brotlier in the Lord,

G. IF.

LETTER CCEXX.

To Mrs, F , in Churhs-Town,

On hoard ihs Ai'i'ierva^ Feb. 25, 1741.

I Hope dear Mrs. F will not be offended with thefe few lines ; they are written with a fmccre defne to promote your welfare. 1 want to fee you entirely dead to the worlds and alive to (iod. You have been often convinced under the word; may it fink deep into your heart. God, by the late fire, hath fnewn you the vanity of all thiags here below j henceforward fet your affections on things above. You are old, and at the head of a great family j you have fealcd your pro-mife to lead a holy life, more than once, by receiving the fyni-bols of the bleffcd body and blood of Christ.

Henceforth

LETTER S.

JD

/[c-ih-efjrth lit no profane delight Divide your confecr<ited foul ; But give it Christ, who has the right^ Js Lord and Majlcr of the whole.

Be not afliamed to own you have vowed never to dance

again : Dear Mrs. F , fear not contempt. What is it \

only a little breath. Reft not in duties; reft not in outward partial reformation.—He that is in Christ, is a new creature. That old things may pafs away, and all things become new in your heart, is the hearty prayer of. Madam,

Your fincerc friend and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXXr.

Ti? the Rev, Mr, C , in Bojlon,

On board the Minerva^ Feb, 16^ I'J^u Reverend and dear Sir^

ACCEPT a few lines from one, who defires feelingly to ftile himfelf, iefs than the leaft of all. I hope you received my packet from Charles-Toivn : What happened to me there, was only an earneft of future trials, God hath ble/Ted the reading of the prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah to my foul ; as alfo the hiftory of fofeph^ and hath let me fee more into the covenant of redemption between the Father and the Son : I am more and more in love with the good old Puri" tans ; I am plcafed at the thoughts of fitting down hereafter with the venerable Cotton^ Norton^ Ellioty and that great cloud of witnefTes, which firft crofted the Weftern ocean for the fake of the gofpel, and faith once delivered to the faints. At prefent, my foul is fo filled, that I can fcarce proceed. Dear Sir, God is with me of a truth ; he now gives me a feeling pofteftion of himfelf: I blefs his holy name for fending me to fea; it is profitable both for foul and body. I find the Pfalmift's words to be true, " The fccretof the Lord is with them that fear him." O that I may walk humbly with my God ! The language of my foul is this:

Cor^eei

CorreSi me when I go nj}ray\ And lead me in thy perfe£i way.

And now, dear Mr. C , I have in fome meafure un*

bofomed my heart. What fhall 1 fay more ? Pray for me both in public and private ; give thanks, as well as pray, efpccially for the mercies of this voyage. Dear Sir, adieu till 1 come on {hore, which I hope will be very fpeedily, being now in foundings j then you fhall hear again, God willing* from

Your truly aftedtionate friend, brother, and fervant,

LETTER CCLXXIL

• To Mr, y H .

My dear Sir^ London, March 25, 174T'

1 Wrote to you immediately on my coming on fliore. We arrived at Falmouth laft JP^ednefday Vv^as fevennight, and got here the Sunday follov-^ing.—Blefied be God, we had a fum-mer's paflage. Many of our friends, I find, are fadly divided, and, as far as I am able to judge, have been fadly milled. Congregations at MoorfieUs, and Kcnnington Common, on Sim-day, were as large as ufual.—On the following week days, quite contrary : Twenty thoufand dwindled down to two or three hundred. It has been a trying time with me. A large orphan family, confifting of near a hundred, to be maintained, about four thoufand miles off, without the leaft fund, and in the deareft part of his Majefty's dominions ; alfo, above 2 thoufand pounds in debt for them, and not worth twenty pounds in the world of my own, and threatened to be arreted for three hundred and fifty pounds, drawn for in favour of the Orphaivtioufe, by my late dear dcceafed friend and fellow-traveller Mr. iS . My Bookfeller, who, I believe, has got

fome ht'-ndreds by me, being drawn away by the M ■ ns, re-" fufes to print for me ; and many, very many of my fpiritual children, who, at my lafl departure from England, would have plucked out their own eyes to have given to me, are fo prejudiced bv the dear MefTrs. JV,*s dreiTmg up the do6lrine of Ele6lion in fuch horrible colours^ that they will neither hear, fee, nor

give

give me the leaft afliftance: Yea, fome of them fend threatening letters, that God will fpeedily deftroy me. As for the people of the world, they are fo imbittered by my injudicious^ and too fevere exprejftons againft Archbifliop Tiihtfon^ and the Author of the old Duty of Man^ that they fly from me as from a viper ; and what is moft cutting of all, I am now con-ftrained, on account of our differing in principles, publicly to

feparate from my dear, dear old friends Meflrs. J — and C

^ y^ whom I ftill love as my own foul : But, through

infinite mercy, I am enabled to (Irengthen myfelf in the Lord my God. I am caft down but not deftroyed, perplexed but not in defpair. A few days ago, in reading Bezas, Life of Calviii^ thefe v/ords v/ere much prefled upon me, '' Calvin is turned out of Geneva^ but, behold a new church arifes !"—• Jesus, the ever loving, altogether lovely Jesus, pities and comforts me. My friends are creating a place, u'hich I have called a Tabernacle, for morning's expofition. I have not, nor can I as yet, make any colledions; but let us not fear.—Our heavenly Father, with whom the fatherlefs find mercy, v.ill yet provide ; let us only feek firft the kingdom of God, and his righteoufnefs, and all other neceflluy things fhall be added unto us. In about a fortnight, though I fcarce know an oak from a hickery, or one kind of land from another, I am fub-pcena'd to appear before parliament, to give an account of the condition of the province of Georgia, when I left it. This, I fuppofe, is occafioned by the party, which hath been fo inveterate againft the honourable thetruftees, whom they accufe of mifemploying the public monies. The event, which undoubtedly will be in favour of the truft, you may know hereafter. In the mean while, believe me to be

Yours moft affedlionately,

LETTER CCLXXIII.

To Mr. J C-—.

My very dear Brother^ London^ March 25, 1 741.

HASTEN hither with all fpeed, and then we ftiall fee what God intends to do for and by us. It is a trying time now in the church.—The Lord give us a due mixture Vol. L S of

6

of the h^mb and lion. Some that have been led altiay, begin to recover. . The Lord make way for his own truths. My love to the CoIIiers^znd all friends. Many, 1 fuppofe, will be fliy. I am become a monfter even to feveral who were wrought upon by my miniftry; but it muf!: needs be that ofFcnces fhouldcome: otherwife, how fhould I learn to ceafe from man ? Adieu j cxcufe brevity—Haftcn, and fpeak face to face with

Yours mod afFeclionately in Christ Jesus,

G\ IK

LETTER CCLXXIV.

To Mr. H .

My vrry dear Friend, London^ April ic, 1741.

I Ordered Mr. H to fend you fome fermons and accounts, fome time ago : I fuppofe he has done it. I have been at the Parliament-houfe ; the Georgia afFair was adjourned. The gentlemen feemed apprehenfive that my account oS. tlie colony, would have too mu.ch weight. It was fomewhat of a trial to be in the Houfe. I then remembered what the Apoftle faid, " We are become a fpectacle to men and to sngels." J^Iy appeal will come to nothing, 1 believe. 1 have waited upon the Speaker j he received me kindly. I cannot yet determine "When I fhall fee you. If you fear, I hope you will pray for me. The Lord blefles my miniftry. Salute

dear Mrs. // ; I will write to her next j but you two

are one. The Lord be with you both. At prefent I am weak in body, and therefore muft beg leave to fubfcribe rr.yfclf

Yours, 5cc.

G. n\

L E T T E R CCLXXV.

To Air. S AI '5 at Loudon,

My dear Friend and Brother, BrijJsl^ April 27, 1741.

ON Tuefday, April 22d, I left London, and preached ou jycdnefday and Thurjday mofning at Neivlury, to large coiigregations. . On Friday evening I preached at Brijtd, and huvc continued to do fo twice every dav Co great and aftccicd

auditories.

S'uiltorles, I received your kind letter, and thank you for it. I rejoice in the good news from New-England. Lad: night, I rejoiced much in feeing a foul wonderfully exult in God, juft lit the borders of death. Great manifeftations of the divine prefcnce have attended my fermons. " Praife the Lord O

my foul ! I am glad to find Mr. S goes en well. Pray

give my love to brother G . My body is fometimcs weak,

but my foul rejoices in God my Saviour. I know not, whether I iliall come fo foon as propofcd to London. I find it njccfiary, through the incrcafe of awakened fouls, to get a fociety-room built adjoining to our nev/ tabernacle. I pray God to fill it with his glory, and beg leave to fubfcribe my-

felf, dear Mr. M ,

Your afFeclionute friend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. Ji\

LETTER CCLXXVL

To Mr. H H .

My dear Brother., Brljlol, April 28, 174?.

BLESSED hz God for knitting us together in love. May it continue, and incrcafe till confummated in eternity ! The Lord Jesus direcT: you. It is now a trying time with the church. Our LoRp is now chiefiy wounded in the lioufe of his friends. The Lord keep us both from a party fpirit on one hand, and from too much rafiinefs and pofitivc-nefs on the other. I fpeak thus, bccaufe you fecm offended that fome affirm, '' That there is no fuch thing as dominion over indwelling fin, nor reft from Working for life wholly." Now this is certainly true in one fenfe. We fhall never b:ive fuch a dominion over indwelling fin, as entirely to be delivered from the ftirring of it; and the grcateft faint" cannot be af-fured, but fome time or other for his humiliation, or punifh-ment for unfaithfulnefs, God may permit it to break out into icme a6iual breach of his law, and in a grofs v/2y too. Let us not be high-minded, but fe:ir. It is equally true, that w« (hall not reft wholly from working for \\i^. tor whilft there is any part of us unr^generate, that part wilt be always leading us to the old covenant. Luther often complained of the propenfity of his heart this way. If we know ourfclves, we ih*li find it to b^ \q wilh us \ but I fuppofe you have been

S 2 tin«Sl«rci

tin(£lured with the do£lrine o^ fmlefs perfe^lon. No wonJef therefore you write thus. May God give you a right judg-njent in all tilings, and enable you rightly to divide the word of truth ! As for affitrance^ I cannot but think, all who are truly converted niuft know that there was a time in which they clofcd with Christ : But then, as fo many have died only with an humble hope, and have been even under doubts and fears, though they could not but be looked upon as chrif-tlans ; I am lefs pofitive than once I was, left haply I fhould condemn fome of God's dear children. The farther we go in the fpiritual life, the more cool and rational fliall wc be, and yet more truly zealous. I fpeak this by experience. Dear brother H will not be angry with me. I hope, and believe, you pray for me. The Lord Jesus carries me on. Many have been convinced at London, I preach here twice daily, to large congregations, with great power. The Lord, I believe, will yet bring mighty things to pafs. I am, dear

H ,

Your moft afFe6lionate brother

in our dear Lord Jesus,

LETTER CCLXXVIL

To the Rev, Mr. S

Rev. and dear i^/r, Brijiol^ May r, 1741.

I Am glad to hear by brother M -, that the Lord is with you. May you increafe with all the increafe of God. The more we do, the more we may do for the dear Lord Jesus. He ftrengthens me here mightily.—I am enabled to fpeak here with great power, rather greater than when at London. My congregations are as large as ufual, and they go refreflied away. This is the Lord's doings; may all that is within us praifc his holy name ! Exhort the dear London people to pray tor u^. The Lord be with you all. Dear Sir, pray for

Your alFedlionate brother and ufiworthy

fellow-labourer in our Lord, G, IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCLXXVIII.

To Mr, S , at JVorceficr,

Reverend and dear Sir^ Gloncejler^ May ^^ i74Jf'

WITH this, I fend you my anfwer to brother Wejleys fcrmon, and my account of the Orphan-houfc. I

have feen your letter to Mr. N , and thank you for cfpouf-

jng the caufe of a poor defpifed minifter of Jesus Christ. I hope as I make advances in the fpiritual life, I fliall Ihow my zeal more and more tempered with true chriftian knowledge and prudence. I would willingly have none of my wild fire minfrled with the facred fire that comes down from God's altar. I defire not only to do things for God, but to do them in the befl manner. I am a poor unworthy fmner, and yet, (O fovereign grace !) the Lord works by me day by day. At Brijlol^ error is in a great meafurc put a flop to. The Lord manifeftcd himfelf in the great congregation there, and doth likewile here. Laft night, wc faw and felt his power. I have

had the pleafure of feeing dear Mr. P , and I long for that

time when I fliall fee you, Reverend Sir, and all the chofcn of God in the kingdom of heaven. But I defire to wait till my change fliall come. Dear Sir, be plcafed to pray for me. I have prayed for you often. I am a weak fmful worm. As fuch pray remember, Reverend Sir,

Your afFedionate though unworthy brother

and fervant in Christ, G.ir, LETTER CCLXXIX.

To Mr, IVm, IV , at Edinburgh^

Dear Sir, Bri/Iol, May 16, 1741.

I Received both your kind letters, and with this fend you my hearty thanks for them. 1 alfo thank you for your kind \n\'\i2iX.io\\ o^ mQ to Scotland. God only knows when lean come.—All I can fay at prefent is, I will come when the LoPD permits. Sad tares have been fown here. It will require fome time to pluck them up. The doclrines of the gof-pel are fadly run down, and moft monflrous errors propagated. They aflert, " That the very in-being of fm muft be taken out of us, or otherwifc we are not new creatures." O dear

S 3 Sir,

Sir, exhort all to pray for mc, that I may be faithful to my J^ORD, and yet kept gentle in my temper. At prefent, our dear Lord caufes me to triumph in eveiy place. His gofpcl gets ground, and his power is manifefted among us day by day. The fields are white, every where ready unto harveft. Our Lord I truft will gather his wheat into his heavenly garners. My kind refpects attend Mr. M and Mr. D -.

Had I time I would write a long letter to each. But I am interrupted. However, I am glad to fnatch a few moments to bco; a continuance of your prayers for a poor unworthy worm, ^nd to afTure you that I am, dear Sir,

Your afFe£lionate brother and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXXX,

To Mr, E E , at Sterling.

Jlevere7id and dear Sir^ BriJloU May i6, I74I»

I Owe you much love. Only want of time, prevents my writing to you oftner. This morning I received a kind lettter from your brother Ralphs v/ho thinks it bed for me wholly to join the a^ciate prefbytery, if it fhould pjeafe God to fend me into Scotland. This I cannot altogether come into. I come only as an occahonal preacher, to preach the fimple c;ofpel to all that are willing to hear me, of whatever denomi-ration. It will be wrong in me to join in a reformation as to church government, any further than I have light given me from above. If I am quite neuter as to that in my preach-ins:, I cannot fee how it can hinder or retard any defign you may have on foot. My bufinefs feems to be, to evangelize, to be a Prefbyter at large. VVhen I fliall be fent into your parts I know not. I write this, that there may not be the leaft iiiifunderftanding between us. 1 love and honour the aflb-ciate Prefbytery in the bowels of Jesus Christ. With this J fend them my due refpeds, and moft humbly beg their prayers. But let them not be offended, if in all things I cannot immediately fall in with them. Let them leave me to God. Whatever li^ht he h plcafed to give me, I hope I Ihall be faithful to it. Our dear and precious mafter ftill carries me on, Gop enables ine to nght my way through. The gofpel

doctrines^

do«£ir:ncs, I believe, will yet prevail. I feel a divine power attending mv miniftrations. I preach twice daily, and am invited to many places. I believe the Lord intends to Iceep me on this fide the water tor fome time. Hlcflcd be God, all places are alike to me^ O dear Sir, pray for me.—I am a poor unvvoithy worm. I love you tenderly, but am almolt alhamed to fubfcribe myfelf

Your brother in the beft of bonds,

G. IV.

LETTER CCLXXXI.

Tg D A 5 In London.

Biijiol, May 16, 1741.

I Am glad to receive a line once again from dear brother A . I rejoice that God lets you fee more and more

into the corruptions of your heart. The more perfc(Sl you are, the more will you fee and bewail your imperfe6lions in thought, word, and deed j the more will you be made to ^\ng^ ^' In the Lord alone, and not in myfelf, have I compleat righte-oufnefs and llrength." The do6lrine of eledling love, is precious to my foul. I am enabled to fpeak of it feelingly to others. My foul is kept in peace and fweetnefs. Our Lord's caufe needs net noife and raflinefs. I defire that none of my wlld-iire maybe mixed with the pure fire of holy zeal coming from God's altar. I think it my (lixty to wait, to go on limply in preaching the everlafling gofpc!, and I believe we iliall yet fee the falvation of God. Methinks, the cloud begins to break off your mind ; I pray God to keep you from extremes.

Brother H is more and more enlightncd ; but withal,

more and more quickened every ^txy, ■ He finds there is no fuch thing zsfmlefs perfection, and yet is prelTing after holinefs of heart and life rather more than ever. May God make my

dear brother A thus minded ! For indeed I love him

in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Wc have had frequently fweet communion with God, and one anotlver. I fliould have rejoiced to have converfed with you at BriJloL Thh is my comfort, yet a little while and we (IkiII converfe.in the kingdom of heaven, for ever and ever. My foul is waiting for this falvacion. I know not when I lli^l) go Xq Axmwjief, ■ ^ % ^ When

When I do, you fhall have timely notice. God blefTes my miniftry, wherever he fends me. I am invited to frefh places

daily. Dear Mr. A , I, even vi^orthlefs I, fubfcribe my-

fclf,

Years moft afFe<51ionately in the loving Jesus,

G, IF.

LETTER CCLXXXII.

To Mr. I e .

Dc-ar Brother C , Brijiol^ May i8, 1741.

I Received your letter this morning, and am jufl fctting out for JViliJhire. The Lord hath been much w^ith us. Yeflerday I preached three times. At every fermon, a fweet melting was obferved in the congregation. Lall night I gave your fifter the facrament; fhc is recovering. I afterwards,

adminiftcrcd the facrament at Mr. T -'s, and had a love feaft,

Jesus was in the midft of us. I know not but I may come towards London next y/eek. I wonder not at your heavinefs. <—Before every increafe of your work, you muft expert fome trials. Humblings are neceilary for your fpirit, and mine. I

return my love to all. I muft away. Brother H rejoices

in fpirit, and joins with me, who am.

Ever yours in Christ, G. IV.

LETTER CCLXXXIIL

ro the Rev. Mr. J. My dear Br other .^ Br'ijhl., May 23, 1741.

IBlefs God for making any thing of mine ufeful to your foul. May the blefled Jesus breathe upon you day by day, and make you eminently ufeful to the church of God. I think you write with a kind of prophetic fpirit. The Lord only knov/s how he will be pleafed to difpofe of me. Great afflicSlions I am fure of having, and a fudden death, bleffcd be God, will not be terrible. 1 know that my redeemer liveth. I every day long to fee him, that I may be free from the re^ mainder of fm, and enjoy him without interruption for evermore, I defire patiently to wait, till my bielTed change fhall : com^.

come. The Lord hath been with mc here. There is a great awakening in JViltJh'irc, and the work is moft wonderfully carried on in New-Efighmd. I hope to lend you a letter, ftiortly, that will rejoice your heart. I leave Briftol^ and ^o through If'^iltjhire io Louden next Monday. — I then purpofe going to StCiffordjlnre^ and then through fj'alcs to Scotland, A wider door than ever is opened for preaching the everlafting gofpel. I have now only lime to beg your prayers, and to jiITure you that I am

Your moft afFedtionate though weak and unworthy

brother and fervant in Christ,

G. JV.

LETTER. CCLXXXIV.

• To Mr. I R , at Philadelphia.

Dear I , Br'ijicl^ May 23, 1741.

I Rejoice to find, that you fee, feel, and bewail, the plague of your heart, ^4ay the Lord fhew it you more and more ! It will excite your love to the dear Lord Jesus more fervently.—I return my love to your fifter. 1 thought ere now (he had been with Jesus. I believe, fhe has the grace of God in truth, and therefore our Lord will make her conqueror over all. I am glad to hear of the fuccefs of the gofpel \i\ Bcjlon. It is a gathering time there, but a winnowing time with us here. All is ordered for the good of the church, by Christ Jesus : Let us, my dear brother, keep clofe to him in this and every trying time. Wefliall find but few, very {f:.\N., true followers of the Lamb of God. JMay you and I be in the happy number ! God is plea fed to give fuccefs to the word preached. Though I am oppofed much, Jesus is my flrenf^th. The Lord v/ill enable me to fight his battle?. My love to Pe^gy-i and all that love Jesus. Forget not to pray for

Your affectionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCLXXXV.

To Mr, r .

Dtar Sir, BriJI:!^ May 23, 1741.

I Am glad to receive a letter from you. I was fearful, left I had done fomcthing to offend you. I thank j^ou and the other gentlemen for their kind invitation of jnc to Scotlan/I. I believe it will be near three months before I can fee Ed'mhiirgh. On Monday I fet out for London : then I plirporc, God willing, to go Into EJc-x, and then to return through BrijhI znd Wales in my way to you. I intreat all the brethren to pray for me, that I may come in the fulnefs of the bleiTmg of the gofpel of Christ. I am a poor, v/eak, unv/orthy worm. God hath been wnth me here, and in Glouccjierjhire, In JViltJInre there is a great awakening. Abroad in New-England the work goes on wonderfully. O dear Sir, never was fuch a weak wretch fent on fuch an important errand. I have many trials of various kinds. Jesus fupports me; Jesus makes me more than conqueror. He is a dear and a tender mafter. Dear Sir, help me to praife him. I will write to all the gentlemen that wrote to me, if I can any ^vay redeem time. In the mean while, be pleafed ta remember me to them in the kindefl manner, and believe mc to be

Vour affedionate though unworthy brother

and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCLXXXVI.

To Mr, J EI , at Savommk

London, "Jwu i, 1741. 7\/Ty very dear Friend and Brother,

I Received a (liort letter from you, but it was date<3 in January laft.-—I have fent feveral to Georgia, and lately alfo a parcel of things for the children. God appears much in our congregations. We feldom or never have a dry meeting. As to outward things, I never was more embarrafied ; but my con-folations are equivalent. Praife the Lord, O my foul! lam apprehenfive of no oppofition from the government. I have

waited

waited on the Speaker. He treated me kindly, and affiired me that there would be no perfecution in this king's reign ; they know I am loyal from principle, but I believe 1 fhall yet be greatly humbled, T. he ftory of "Jojcph in the priTon, and David in his troubles before he came to the throne, has been much and comfortably prefled upon my foul. 1 hope you enjoy peace ! May the Lord blefs you and the whole houfehold. I am fometimes enabled to pray with great faith for you all. The Lord will yet provide. I am to preach thrice to day. It is now paft five in the morning. I am going to the tabernacle lately erected for a morning lecflure. We have fwcet meetings, bleilcd be GoD ! In the bowels of our common Jesus, \ iubfcribe myfelf

Yours cternallv,

G, jy.

LETTER CCLXXXVII.

To Mr. I, C , at BriJioL

London^ June 3, 1741. Have enjoyed the efpecial prefence of God ever fmce I

I

came to Loyidon, I preach three times daily. The Lord is remarkably with me. Congregations increafe. I am going to have a fociety-room joined to the tabernacle. The Lord is really on our fide.—O let us be meek and quiet ! O let us wait, and we fliall fee the falvation of God. I preach daily 3t Deptford. Our dear mafter helps me to preach and pray with great power. Your miniftry hath been blefTed. Let us both give all the glory to everlaftjng Love. Salute the dear prethren. Renuimber me moft kindly to all in JVinc-Jlrcci. Ever yours in the blefied Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCLXXXVUL

Jo Mr. R E^Ajk^^AH..-^

Reverend aTid dear Sir^ London, June 4, 1741.

Have now a little time to mvfelf. I muft improve it and

I

anfwer your kind letter, JilclTed be God, for enabling

Hie

mc to write any thing, that may be of fervice to his church, and of comfort to your foul. Glory be to our dear and common Lord, his caufe here fucceeds. Truth gets ground. The Lord ftrengthens mc mightily. His power is manifefted in our congregations. Converfion work is going on apace among us. I am not yet determined, about the exa£t time of coming to Scctland: but I believe, I fhall be with vou

m

about three months. I can't but think the afTociate prefbytery, arc a little too hard upon me. If I am neuter as to the par-cular reformation of church government till I have further light, it will be enough. I come fnnply to preach the gofpel, and to be received only as an occafional itinerant preacher by all, and not to enter into any particular connection whatever. The Lord, I hope, will order my goings in his ways. I de-fire to hear frequently from you. I have need of your prayers. My trials are great, my comforts far greater, I am a poor worm, and yet Jesus delights to honour me. We are likely to have fettled focieties in feveral places. Jesus rides on from conquering to conquer. I am, Reverend and dear Sir, Your unworthy fellow-labourer and afFedionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G, JK

LETTER CCLXXXIX.

My Brother H H , London^ June 6, 1741.

I Do aflure you, that my heart is as your heart. I am quite fick of CbrijVcfs confenters. They talk, and that is all. I (like you) am heartily defpifed by mod of them. I am refolvcd to open againil: their luke-warmnefs, and worldly-mindcdncfs. May God open my mouth wide when I come to Wales. Outr ward enemies are now more quiet. Enemies within the church, carnal profclTors, and felf-righteous Pharifees, moft try us. Let us not fear, Jesus Christ will give us the vitSiory over all. God mightily ftrengthens me. Our congregations are very large and folemn. I never had greater freedom in preaching. God enables me to call: all my care upon him, with a full af-furance that he careth for me. You need not fear my believing any reports to your difadvantage. I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I was not in the lead oftcnded, when

B —

jB H wrote me word that " you thought In ibm^

things I did not a6l as a little child.'' The more open you are with me the better. If nature and pride rife in my heart, I will go to Jesus, abhor myfelf, and pray for my dear reprovers. All that I can fay is, that I dcfire to be a very HttU child. All things are poiTible with Jesus Christ. He is wonderfully kind to me. Truth, I believe, will prevail. I want to fee you face to face. Satan does not love that Christ's minifters fhould come together. I wifh you could come up immediately, and ftay 2ii London whilft I am in the country :

or rather go and preach at B /, GlcuceJIer^ and JViltJJnre^

for about a fortnight, and then come up to London. This, I believe, will be bed. About that time, God willing, I fliali return from EJfex^ and then we can confult what is bell: to be done for the caufe of our dear mafter. O Jesus is love ! i am glad to hear brother Rowl — d is with you. Go on in the ftrength of our dear Lord, and you (hall fee fatan like lightning fall from heaven. Times are not yet dark enough for the dawning of a thorough reformation. At even-tide God fpeaks. My love to all that follow Jesus Christ with an unfeigned fmiplicity. May the Lord hide your precious foul under the (hadow of his almighty wings! Ceafs not to pray for

Yours eternally in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CCXC.

To the Rev. Mr. D , at Dedham in EJfc«,

Rev. and dear Sir, London, June 6, 1741.

MULTIPLICITY of bufmefs has prevented my an-fwering your kind letter. However, I have often borne you upon my heart before the Lord. Your Cafe, methinks, is fomewhat like that man of God, J. Bunyans. He was often fo depreffed with a fenfe of fin in the pulpit, that he has been tempted to hold his peace. This has been my cafe alfo both in public and in private. I find the befl way is to prefs forward, and to look up to Jesus Christ. He is faithful to his promifes. I write but (hort, having but little time, and becaufe I hope foon to fee you in Effex. I pray God to clear up your evidences, and give you no reft till he fills you with a

full

full aflurance of faith. Our Lord rides on triumpbantty here. He enables me to go on from conquering to conquer^, I am a poor weak unworthy worm. As fuch, be pleafed to remember, Reverend and dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the gofpel,

LETTER CCXCI.

To Mrs. R .

Dear Airs. R. London^ June 6, 1741.

I Have been much hindred in anfwering your letter. Perhaps you have expedled too much comfort from man. That comfort is alone lading, which comes from God. I know not your experiences, and therefore cannot fo well judge of your cafe: however, I would have you prefs forward, and labour after a full allurance of faith. Judge not yourfelf by others joys and comforts. Look not top much upon the hap-pinefs you think others may enjoy. This may lead you to i-e-pine and murmur againft God. Look to yourfelf, and to Christ. Remember, you deferve nothing, and therefore he does you no wrong. Remember alfo, that he is full of love, and therefore in his own due time will manifeft himfelf to your foul. That you may patiently tarry the Lord's leifurc, and be bleffed with abundance of peace, is the hearty prayer

ofj dear Mrs. R ,

Your afFedionate friend and fervant,

G. IF. LETTER CCXCIL

To Mr. K -.

Dear Sir^ London, "June 8, 1741.

I Like your laft letter bcft. There is one thing you ftill lack^ " to be convinced of unbeJief." By faith, and not by works, are you to be juftified in the fight of God. Make ufc of the means. You mull take care that you do not reft in them. You muft not think any thing you can do, will in the lead: recommend you to the favour of God ; and yet you muft ftnvCj as if you were to be faved by your ftriving. The only 1 caufe

caufe of our acceptance with God lies at the feet of fovcrciga mercy, through Christ. Entreat the Lord to give you faith, Txnd who knows but he may have mercy upon you. Remember you are a poor rinner,and defervc nothing. That GoD may reveal his dear Son in you, is the hearty prayer of Your aftedionate fripnd and fervant,

G. 7K

LETTER CCXCIII.

To Adr. J C , at Kings wood,

Afy dear Brother^ London^ June 8, 1741.

HOW fweetly docs providence order all things for us! Jail before yours came, I was refolved to fend you 20/.

to begin the fociety-room at Kingfwood. Mrs. C gives it,

and 1 believe will make it up fifty. 7'his gentlewoman hath been made happily inltrumental in relieving me out of my late d.ftrefs. You know how 1 was threatened to be arrefted, foon after my arrival, for above three hundred pounds, due on account of the Orphan-houfe in Georgia^ and I do not know but a writ was actually taken out. This drove me to my knees. God gave me to wreftle, with ftrong cryings and many tears, both before and after I went to reft—I could plead with him that it was not for myfelf but his poor. The example of Pro-fcjfor Frank encouraged me to pray, tho' I found he ventured only week by week; bat my fituation in fuch a foreign climate conftrained me to run upon larger arrears.— God was pleafed to give me an anfwer of peace. Having as I thought a full allarance of immediate help from fome quarter or another, I v/ent to fleep moft comfortably. Early the next ^orn-ing a friend came to me to enquire, if I knew where a gentlewoman of his acquaintance might put out three or four hundred pounds. I replied, let her lend it to me, and in a hwi' months, God v/illing, Oie fliall have it again.—Upon being acquainted with my circumftances, flie mofl: chearfully fent me the fum i wanted, and thus my enemies were difappointed of their hope. Praife the Lord, O m.y foul I—But to return. I would have you lay the foundation immediately, but take care of building too large or too handfome. Notwithflanding my 1 prefent

prefent embarralTments, who knows, but it may be in my power to dilchargemy Orphan-houfe debt, and make coilcdi-ons here for Kivgjwood-fchool too ? When I could get no af-fiftance at all from my old friends and fpiritual (prejudiced) children, and was almoft quite pennylefs, and left to Tit alone like a fparrow upon the houfe-top, a ferious perfon, whom 1 never faw or beared of, came the other day and put a guinea into my hand. At receiving it, fomething as it were faid to me, '* Cannot that God who fent this perfon to give thee this auinea, make it up fifteen hundred?" As I told a friend immediately, to whom I ran down, fo I (ball tell you ; I doubt not but this will be the cafe. My debt is all for God, and contraded in providing for the fatherlefs and widow. As to the work here, though perhaps I may be blamed by fome for venturing fo far, blefled be God, it goes on fweetly. All things happen for the furtherance of the gofpel. I have wrote brother S—^ — to let you have twenty pounds.

if ours eternally in Christ Jesus,

G, m

LETTER CCXCIV.

To the Rev. Mr. S , at Charles-Town.

Rev. and dsar Sir^ Londo?:, June 9, 1741.

I Wrote you a few lines lately from BriJloL Since that, I have had the pleafure of receiving a letter from you; for

which I thank you heartily. What Mr. P brings with

him, will inform you how affairs ftand here. BlefTed be God, the word runs and is glorified. The heat of the battle is now, I hope, pretty well over. God is plcafed to give me great power, and to flrengthen me both in body and foul. Our congregations are large and awful. We generally fee and feel much of the divine prefence in the fan61:uary. Many are pricked to the heart. I have three truly experienced young men that joined me. Affairs being fomev/hat fettled here, I am going a long journey of feveral months, thro' fevcral counties in Engla7id^ JVales, and Scotland, The door was never opened wider for my preaching the everlafting gofpel. I am

glad to hear by Mrs. S , &c. of your faithfulnefs to our

common Lord. —O, dear Sir, what are we that we are called 2 out

out to rpeak in his great name ! Let us never Fear fufTering for owning his eternal truths.— The witneflcs cannot be flain 'till they have finifhed their teftimony. At prefent here is no great fear of oppofition from the men in power j tho' I hear theHoufe of Lords intend to give a hearing to my appeal. However it be, I am cafy. Tiie Lord Jesus over-rules every thing for the good of his church. I fuppofe I cannot come over to you 'till about next Spring. In the mean while, tho* abfent in body, I am prefent with you in fpirit, and am, reve* rend and dear Sir,

Your very aftedlionate, but unknown brother and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCXCV.

To Mr, J P , in Georgia.

Dear brother P , London^ June 9, 1741;

IAm forry to hear you are ftill in darknefs. Let uie little light you have, make you hold up your head, and think not of changing your ftation without a proper call. We are apt to place our happinefs in places, and often think we do not pleafe God, becaufe we do not pleafe ourfelves. But I find the fault is in the heart, not the place. Wait, therefore, my dear brother, flill patiently upon the Lord. Who knows, but by and by Jesus Christ may lift up the light of his blefTed countenance upon your foul ? Why fhould you doubt it ? My dear brother, Christ is love. He tries, but yet fup-ports me ; nay, makes me more than conqueror thfo' his love. You will hear by other letters, how it goes with the church in England, She is fhaken, but it is only that {he may be the more fettled. My love to your wife. I hope you find her aa help-meet for you. May the God of Abraham,, Ijaac and Ja^ cob, blefs, preferve, and keep you. May you both walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft, and be edified ; and may God give you hearts to remember

Your afFe6lionate friend, and brother, and fervant in Christ,

G. TK

VoL.L T LETTER

6

LETTER CCXCVI.

To the Rev. Mr. F , at Southampton.

Rev. and dear Sir, London, June 13, 1741.

JUST now I received your kind letter, and the generous benefacHon of you and your friends for the Orphan-houfe. It came very opportunely, and flrengthens my faith in the bleiFed Jesus. I find he will help me by ways I know not. O. dear Sir, the love of God to fuch an unworthy worm quite amazes me. Surely, if I did not ftand up for free diftin-guifhing grace, the very ftones would cry out againft me. Blefled be our glorious Etmnanuel, the gofpel runs and is glorified. A wonderful power attends the word preached. Every day, I believe, fome or other are pricked to the heart. I have alfo glad tidings from abroad. In New-England there is an extraordinary work of God. I hope the dear Jesus will fet the whole world in a flame. Dear Sir, help me with your prayers. The archers (hoot fore at me that I may fall, but the Lord is my helper. I hope my thanks will find acceptance with your other friends, who joined in helping my poor Orphans. Good meafure prefTed down and running over, m;iy the Lord return into your bofoms. Dear Sir, I pray God to m.ake you a flaming fire, and fill you with a holy burning zeal for promoting our dear Redeemer's kingdom. I find but few truly zealous. The love of too, too many is waxed cold. I thank you, dear Sir, for encouraging me, and beg leave to fubfcribe myfelf, reverend and dear Sir,

Your affedlionate brother in Christ Jesus,

Q. n\

LETTER CCXCVIL

ro the Rev. Mr. H .

Reverend and dear Sir, London, June 13, 1741.

I Received your kind letter. You do not know, and therefore think too highly of me. " Lefs than the Icaft of all,** fhall be my motto ftill. Providence is pleafed to prevent my leaving London on Monday next. I muft neceflarily defer my journey to Hertfordjhire and EJfex^ till the Monday following.—

I approve

1 approve of the circuit you have fixed, but I chufe to preach at each place twice. Dear Sir, I moft heartily thank you for promifing me your afTiftance in refpe<5l to the orphans. I am perfuaded our Lord will be well pleafed. He gives me great encouragement. We daily feel and fee his prefence in the great Congregation. I hear glorious news from abroad : New-England is in a holy flame. O that we at home, may be ftir-red up to fpervi ourfelves, and be fpent, for the good of fouls ! Dear Sir, pray that fuch a mind may be given to

Your moft afFedlionate, though unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. m

LETTER CCXCVIII.

To the Rev. Mr, S , at TVorceJier,

Revereiid and dear Sir^ London^ June 13, 1741.

I Thank you heartily for your laft kind letter : As you are fo aged and infirm, I take it as an efpecial favour, that you are pleafed to write to me. You need make no apology, reverend Sir, for your plain dealing : I love thofe beft,- who deal moft fincerely with me. Whatever errors 1 have been, or fhall be guilty of in my miniftry, I hope the Lord will fhew me, and give me grace to amend. This is the language of my heart :

Corre^ me when I go ajlra)\ And lead me in the perfeH way.

I alfo thank you, dear Sir, for your kind benefacSlion. My arrears upon the Orphan-houfe are yet large ; but I Kope ere long the Lord will enable me to pay them all. At prefent, I am kept from doubting. Unworthy as I am, Jesus Christ is yet with me, and is pleafed daily to ftrengthen me both in foul and body. My miniftry (for ever adored be fovereign grace) is attended with a continual power. I am fhortly going a large circuit, perhaps as far as Scotland. Dear Sir, let your prayers follow after me.—1 am a poor, weak, unworthy tvorm -, as fuch be pleafed to remember, reverend and dear Sir,

Your obedient, though unworthy brother and

fervant in our common Lord,

T 2 LETTER

LETTER CCXCIX.

To Mr, J C , at Briftol

My dear brother, Hertford, July I, 1741.

THE Lord has been with me greatly, ever fince I left London, —I have been enabled to preach twice every day, and to ride feveral miles. The congregations have been every where very large. God's prefence has accompanied the word. People's hearts have been enlarged. Within thefe fevv days, we have colledled near a hundred pounds for the poor orphans. Numbers of fouls, I believe, are under con-viftions. In fome places we have had near ten thoufand hearers. Invitations are fo prefling, that I purpofe going another circuit to Bedford, and to preach in the counties round about for near a fortnight, and then return to London. I hope the Lord is with you ; I am fomewhat weak in body, but fweet

and comfortable in my foul. Dear J joins with me in

love to you and all. Pray for.

Yours in the beft bonds,

G, n\

LETTER CCC.

To Mr. J H , at Savannah.

ColchcJIer, July 12, 1741. Afy very dear Friend and Brother,

I Have not heard from you fince you wrote laft January. I have been a circuit into Hertfordjhire, Effl-x, BedfordJJnre, Cambridgepre, and Suffolk, I have been enabled to preach twice daily, and to ride feveral miles. Congregations have been furprifmgly large; the word is attended with power, and the alarm in the country rather greater than ever. Contributions aiife and increafe. You are all much upon my heart. God will yet provide for you. I wrjte this in great hafte. God gives me much of his prefence. I am more and more convinced, that evangelizing is my prppcr bufinefs at prefent. God gives me great accefs every where. The Lord be with

you

you all, Amen and Amen ! To the bed of my knowledge, I have negledled no opportunity of writing. I am

Ever yours in Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER [ CCC. ]

To Mr. J H , at London.

Coggejhall, 7^.5/ 13, 1741.

I Received your letter at Bury \ but cannot think matters are quite ripe, or you duly qualified for fettling a church. God lets me fee more and more, that I muft evangelize. I find you are for fettling : do as God fhall direct, I am eafy. I only wifh you may find fettled perfons to be your affiftants. Without this, a church cannot be rightly ordered, I have no freedom, but in going about to all denominations. I cannot join with any one, fo as to be fixed in any particular place. Every one hath his proper gift. Field-preaching is my plan : In this I am carried as on eagles wings. God makes way for me every where. The work of the Lord increafes. I am comforted night and day. O free grace to fuch an hell-deferving finner ! I pray God to give you a right judgment in all things. I am, dear brother H-^ —,

Yours moft afFedlionately in Christ Jesus,

G. JV.

LETTER CCCI.

To Mrs, D , at Gran/den,

My dear SiJIer, London^ July 17, 1741.

IBlefs God that I faw you at Granfclcn. The Lord was with us, and has been with me the remaining part of my journey. We fhall yet fee greater things than thefe. Wonderful things from abroad. The inclofed will fhew you, how defirous my family is of correfponding with you. Pray write to my dear little orphans, boys and girls. God, I hear, hath been working powerfully upon their hearts. I would have

you alfo write to Mr. J- B^ , a converted planter; to

Mrs. B , his kinfwoman, who has lately received the af-

furance of faith j to Mr. C , a dear baptift minlfler ; to Mrs.

T 3 S ,

S , who is carried on the wings of faith and love ; and to

my dear Mr. H , who is Superintcndant of the Orphan-

houfe affairs. You will excufe this freedom. I am willing your ufefulnefs fhould be as extenfive as may be. May the Lord blefs you ever, more and more, I expe(Sl: to go to Scotland Ihortly. A fhip will foon fail towards Georgia, Write

fbon, dear Mrs. D , to

Your afjedionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G, fK

LETTER GGGII.

To Mr. G H 5 in Gloucefter,

My dear Friendy London^ July i8, I74f.

GOD has mightily blefied my journey in the country-Thoufands, and ten thoufands, have flocked to hear the word. It was attended with power, and pear a hundred and eio^hty pounds were colle<^ed for the Orphan-houfe. I know you will give thanks on my behalf. On Thurfday morning, God willing, I hope to embark for Scotland i I am perfuaded the LoPvD calls me thither. Invitations, both from the SscederSy anu others that do not fecede from the Kirk^ are very ftrong. I {hould be glad of a line next poll. It is now near eleven at nieht. I hope my friends will accept my thanks for their kiiid benefactions to the dear orphans, and with their prayers

follow, dear Mr. // ,

Ever yours in Christ Jesus,

G. m

LETTER CCCIIL

To Mr, B S .

Dear Sir^ LewiJham^July l^^ 1741.

THOUGH I have but little time, yet I muft redeem 3 little to anfvvcr your kind letter. God is doing great things, both at home and abroad. The inclofed will in fome meafure inform you. Every day our Lord appears for us in the great congregations. Weak as I am in myfelf, the Lord is my ftrcngth. O, dear Sir, I am a worm and no man ; I deferve to be the outcaft of the people, and yet the Lord delights to honour me. Free, free grace ! 1 long to be above,

that

that T may praife God as I defire. In about two days I hope to embark for Scotland. I will come and vifit you when providence permits. In the mean while, I beg that you will pray that the glorious Jesus would blefs all my poor endeavours to promote his glory ! My love to all that love the dear Emmanuel. In his great name, I fubfcribe myfelf

Your affedionate brother and fervant,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCIV.

To Mr. G H , at Gloucefter,

My very dear Friend^ Lew'ijham^ y«/y 23, 1741*

I Thought to have embarked this morning for Scotland^ but am likely to be detained a day or two. I muft therefore' fend you a line. Wonderful things is the Lord doing for me. In the country I meet with furprifmg fuccefs. In London I fee fuch things that I never faw in England ht^orc. A mighty power almoft continually accompanies the word. The Lord Jesus is pleafed toftrengthen me very much in the inner man. O, my dear friend, give thanks for, and pray that I may walk humbly with my God. The Lord be with you and yours.

I hope both you and dear Mrs. H do keep clofe to God.

My love to all that love the dear Lord Jesus. God willing, you (hall have a line from Scotland. Wonderful news is come from abroad, which will ere long rejoice your heart, and caufe

you to give thanks in behalf of, my dear Mr. H ,

Ever yours in Christ Jesus,

G. JK

LETTER CCCV,

To Mr, T , at Colchejler,

Dear Sir^ Lewijlmm^ July 23, 1741.

PROVIDENCE detaining me one day more, I fnatch a few moments to anfwer your kind letter, and to return

Mr. J thanks for his kind prefent. How good is the

blefled Jesus to me the chief of finners ! He takes care both of my body and foul. His power has attended me lately, more than ever it did before in England, God's right hand is bring-

T 4 i"g

aSo LETTERS.

ing mighty things to pafs. I earneftly intreat our Lord, that you may live above the world, and be dead to all things here below. Dear Sir, there is nothing like a life of faith. It is a glorious thing to be able to fay, " Not I live, but Christ liveth in me." Then, are we chriftians indeed, when we come to live on the invifible realities of another world. This, and this only, is true and undefiled religion. May God make you a lively partaker thereof. I hope my kind refpe61:s will

find acceptance with Mefirs. V—, —, D , J , and all

friends. Fail not to pray for

Your affedionate friend and fervant,

G. tr.

LETTER CCCVI.

To Mr, B .

My very dear B , Greenwich^ July 24, 1741.

TO-MORROW, God willing, I embark for Scotlandy and hope to redeem time abroad to anfwer my dear lambs letters : They rejoiced me exceedingly. What I have done with yours, the inclofed will fhew. Pray be particular in your accounts. Much good has been done by thofe fent already. You cannot tell how many hearty prayers are put up for you all, daily. May they enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoih ! The work is beginning afrefh in England. The Holy Ghoft defcends in a glorious manner, amidfl the congregation. Weak, unworthy as I am, Jesus Christ works in and by me. O fovereign free grace ! I have fent the letter

to Mrs. D . I have lately feen her. Her converfation

is as weighty as her letters. You will receive more from her, I hope, before it be long. I believe you are where God would have you to be. I defpair not of feeing your mouth opened remarkably for God. O that the dear Jesus may blefs you, and the whole houfliold ! I fhould rejoice to fee you, but God,

I believe, will d,etain me here the Winter. Mr. P 's bro-

,ther is to pay for the ufe of the Orphan-houfe feventy-five pounds. Shortly I hope to fend you frefh fupplies. In the mean while I aiTure you all, that you are conflantly upon my heart:. My head pains me; good night. The Lord be with

you

you all. Expe6t to hear again very fpeedily from, dear Brother B ',

Yours moft afFedionately in Christ Jesus,

G. /K

LETTER CCCVII.

To Mr, I B-^ , at South-Carolina,

Dear Mr. B , Greenwich, July 24, 1741.

WITH much pleafure I received your kind letter. Blefled be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, v^^ho I truft hath begotten you, and called you out of darknefs into his marvellous light. What an honour is it, that vi^e fhould be counted worthy to fufter the leaft degree of reproach for his great name fake ? I am afhamed to think how-little I do, or fufFer for him. O free grace ! fovereign and elcding love! how fweet to the foul, who really feels the power of it ! May we walk worthy of that holy vocation wherewith we are called ! I hear your brother is dead ; happy foul I you and I fhall go and fee him by and by. I thank you heartily for your kindnefs to the dear orphans. I am fure Gon will amply repay you. The Lord be with you and yours. I muft away to the fhip bound for Scotland. I will anfwer dear

Mrs. B 's letter, when I get on board. Adieu. O pray

for

Ever yours in Jesus Christ,

G.m

LETTER CCCVIIL

To Mr. I F , at Charhs-Toiun.

Dear Mr. F , Greenwich, July 24, 1741.

1 Rejoice to hear the Lord is carrying on a good work in your foul. I hope you will not think all is done, be-caufe you have been baptized and received into full communion. I know too too many that " make a Christ of their adult baptifm," and reft in that, inftead of the righteoufnefs of the blefied Jesus. God forbid that you fliould fo learn Cfirist. O my dear friend, feek after a fettlement in our dear Lord, fo that you may experience that life which is hid with

Christ in God. Dear Mrs. F , I thank you heartily

for your kind letter. It rejoices my foul to hear, that you and 3 ^^r-

Mr. F are going on hand in hand to heaven. This is the

i'acred end of marriage ; to be helpers of each other in the great things of God. I am not yet entered into that ftate. I am looking up to Christ, and fhall wait his diredion. 'I'he gofpel runs, and is glorified. The work is beginning a frefh in England. Never was my preaching attended with fo great power on this fide the water. Our Lord pours his comforts into my foul, and rejoices me with the glad news I hear from your parts. May you all increafe and multiply in every good word and work. My moft tender love to all. As faft as poffibly I can, each fhall hear from, my dear friends.

Ever yours,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCIX.

To Mr, H '<i at Georgia,

Greenwich^ "July 24, I74i« My very dear Friend and Brother^

BEFORE the boat comes to take me down to the fhip, I would write you a line or two. I greatly rejoice to hear that you live in love. But I fhall not be furprifed, if, after this remarkable work of the fpirit, you meet with fome trials. But fear not : we are all in the Mediator's hands. I find all things work together for my good, and io I am furc you will. My dear friends, I know you fympathize with me. —Indeed, I alfo do with you. My dear, dear family, you are continually upon my heart. I redeem a moment or two as often as I can to write to you. God only knows how I love and long after you in the bowels of the ever-blefled Jesus. O may you lean on his bofom, and may his banner over you be love. Adieu ! for the prefent. I mufl foon away to the fhip. I have ordered hats andfhoes for the children, and intend fending brother H 's order and other things, with fome cafii,

very fhortly. But the arrears hang on me yet. My Lord bears my burden; may he bear all yours for you ! I am per-fuadcd he will. With great- tendcrnefs I fubfcribc myfclf^

dear Mr. H ,

Your mofl afFedionatc, though unworthy brother

and fervant in Christ, G, IK

LETTER

L E T f E R CCCX.

To Mrs. S , at Charles-Town.

In a boat going to Gravefend^ July 24, 1741. Dear Mrs. S ,

I Am now in a boat, in order to embark for Scotland. I have the conveniency of writing upon a trunk, and therefore cannot be eafy without fending you a line. I rejoice to hear that you are carried upon the wings of love. Methinks I fee you fitting under the Redeemer's fhadow with great delight, and exalting his free grace in plucking you as a brand out of the fire. O when (hall we go to heaven, that we may praife God for what he hath done for our poor fouls ! The Lord is better to me than ever. Conviction, and converfion, both in tovyn and country, are beginning again. The divine prefence is much manifefted in our aflemblies. Blefled be the Lord, who is alfo working with you. The fpiritual profperity of the orphan family, rejoices my heart. God will ere long, I believe, make a feparation between the precious and the vile.

poor Mr. G , CommifTary G d^ and Chief Juftice

W- , bitter, bitter, though unfuccefsful perfecutors, what

will become of you ? O that God may grant them repentance

unto life ! What reafon have you and I, dear Mrs. S ,

to exalt rich diftinguifhing grace ! 'Tis that alone hath made the difference. I believe I need not remind you to pray,

dear Mrs. S , for -

Yours moft afFedionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCCXL

To Serjeant B , at Gibraltar.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ hound from London to Leith^

J.uly2S'> 1741-Dear Mr. B ,

I Am glad to hear that you are yet alive, and what is more, I truftyou are alive to God. Perhaps I may never fee you again on this fide eternity. O that we may approve our-felves good foldiers of Jesus Christ ! How bright will our crown be then, at that laft great day ! I find there is nothing

like

like being valiant for the truth. Jesus Christ is a glorious captain. He makes me more than conqueror through his love. I have feen great things, within thefe kw months. I (hould have anfwered you fooner, but could not get time till novir: I am embarked for Scotland. I hope you take particular care to beat down felf-righteoufnefs, and exalt the Lord Jesus alone in your hearts. I find, the only happinefs is to lie down as a poor fmner at the feet of the once crucified, but now exalted Lamb of God, who died for our fins and role again for our juftification. I rejoice to hear, that fome even at Gibraltar ftill dare to own a too too much negle£led Saviour. BlefTed be God, the governor is fo favourable to you. This is a great motive to love and thankfulnefs. The work of God ftill goes on in England, and other parts. O for that glorious period, when the whole earth fhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the feas! That our dear Lord may every day reign as kin-g in all your fouls, is the prayer of, dear Serjeant,

Your afFecSlionate friend and fcrvant,

G, W.

LETTER CCCXIL

To Mifs R .

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ J"^ 25, 1741. Dear Mifs^

A Few hours ago I came on board. To fhew that you are in my mind, I employ fome of my firft leifure time in anfwering your letter. The condition you are in now, ought not to make you think that Jesus Christ has caft you off^, and that it will be prefumption in you to believe on him. The Lord is now fliewing you, that you are poor, and mifera-ble, and blind, and naked, and fuch only are the perfons that think they want his almighty aid. I fear you look too much intoyourfelf, and from thence are difcouraged. Whereas you Ihould look directly to Christ, and come to him in all your blood. You will always fly from him, as long as you count him your enemy. But do not think fo hardly of him ; Jesus is the finncr's friend. O how doth his bowels yearn towards you! Are you made willing to be made whole ? Christ invites and commands vou to come to him j venture then upon him.

If

If you never have believed yet. It is time for you to believe now, " Lord, give me faith !" for faith is the free gift of God. What if your heart be hard, Jesus can foften it. What if you have yet no marks of your cle(5tion ? furely you dare not fay, *' You are not eleded," or that Christ hath not died for you, even for you. It is, indeed, a bad thing to have only notions in the head, and no folid experience in the heart. But it is a good thing to be convinced of this. Blefled be God, who hath given you to bewail it. Look upon this as a token for good. — Truft not to means; when they are taken from you, Christ can and will work without them. The Lord may bi-ing you help in a way, and at a time you know not of. Your extremity ftiall be God*s opportunity. If the Lord vouchfafcs to blefs this letter in the leaft degree to your comfort, it will much rejoice the heart of, dear Mifs,

Your afFedionate friend and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCCXIII.

To Mr, J H , at Georgia.

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 25, 1741. My dear Brother^

WITH much pleafurel have again read over your kind letter. God is a God hearing prayer. My dear

brother H is awakened out of fleep. Help me men, help

me angels, to praife God in his behalf! My dear brother, I pray God you may never lie down again. Christ is now giving you light; walk and rejoice in that light. Keep clofe, keep clofe, my dear man, and let nothing fteal away your poor heart from the blefled Jesus. Give it all to him, give it to him, hard, earthly, fenfual, devilifli, as it is. He will wafh it in his precious blood. Do not tic him down to any degree of convlclion. So that he brings you home, let him do it in that way he fhall think beft. What a loving Saviour have you to deal with ! You cannot conceive how kind he is, even to me every day. I feel and fee his power more and more. He feems to be beginning his vv^ork afrefh in England^ and it gladdens my heart to hear he is among you at Bethefda, O do nothing to grieve the blefled fpirit! Let your converfation be

fuch

fuch in all things, as becomes the gofpcl of the blefTed JesVs^ Have the greateft regard for the little lambs. Do nothing that may prove a {tumbling block to their precious fouls. Warm yourfelf by talking to them. Be not one moment idle. Re^ deem your precious time ; for you knowr not when your Lord may come. My brother, my heart is full of love to thee.—May you be a beloved phyfician I Beloved of the Lord, beloved of the Lord's people, and a continual comfort to Your moft unworthy, though truly afFedionate

brother, and fervant in the dear Jesus,

G. JV,

LETTER CCCXIV,

To Mr. Wm, G .

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 25, 1741?. My dear Brother G ,

YOUR kind letter I have juft been reading over a fecond time. It gave me comfort ; but the high ftile extorted a fmile or two from me, I believe you have been reading over Mrs. D— —'s letters. You wanted to imitate her way of writing, but fail for want of her experience. It is a good thing not to go out of our depth. Methinks I fee you look down and blufti; but look up again immediately to Jesus Christ : He knows whereof we are made, and remembers we are but duft. Indeed L write to my dear man out of much love. BlefTed be God, that ajl things are carried on with fuch decency and order. I pray God that you may fo live, that all who come to fee you may fay, " Surely God is in this place." Your prayers in my behalf are heard. I aiw quickened, and ftrengthened mightily both in foul and body : controverfial points are ended, and the Lord Jesus Christ triumphs glorioufly. I find my heart often drawn towards Be-thefda. I hope I (hall yet meet you again in the flefh, and embrace you one by one in my unworthy arms. In the mean time, I commit you to the bofom of Jesus. May you lean upon his bread, and fit under his {hadow with great delight \ May you be truly Ample, truly childlike, and QVQxy way con-4 formable

formable to our great exemplar the fpotlefs Lamb. I long for that time, when we (hall fit down at his marriage fupper: thout^h I have the loweft place, it will fuffice, dear brother

Your afFedlionate brother, friend and fervant, LETTER CCCXV.

To Mr, J 5 , at Georgia.

On board the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741. Dear John,

YOUR cafe puts me in mind of that paflage, where we are told that our Lord looked upon Peter, Surely, he has looked upon and prayed for you, otherwife how would Satan have fifted you ? But fee what comfort another paflage may afford you, " Go tell my brethren and Peter" Poor, weeping, penitent Peter muft in no wife be forgotten. '' Go tell them that I am rifen." Here are glad tidings of great joy to a difconfolate foul. May God apply it to your's in particular. Dear John, may you learn from hence to ftab your dear Saviour no more. I wonder not that you are in darknefs. God will furely vifit your offences with a rod, and your back-flidings with fome fpiritual fcourge. That is enough to keep us from fmning, though we know that his loving-kindnefs he will not utterly take from us, nor fufFer his truth to fail. How dearly did David pay for his ftolen fweets ? What an-guifli has your poor foul felt, fmce I left you. Blefled be God, that he has awakened you out of fleep. O free grace ! I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. That you may never provoke God to leave you to yourfeU*, is the earneft prayer of, dear John,

Ever yours,

G. jr.

LETTER

LETTER CCCXVI.

Tfl Rebekah B , an Orphan at the Orphan-houfe.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ July 25, I74I« Dear Bekky,

AND is the Lord ftill ftrlving with you ? O then admire his patience, and give him your whole heart. I had no other end in bringing you to Bethefda^ but that you might be brought to Jesus. I hope you will yet find it a houfe of mercy to your foul. Take heed of refting in con-vidion. You know by experience how fadly it wears ofF. You may well wonder, that God has not fent you to hell long ago. I pray God, that his goodnefs may lead you to repentance, and that you may walk before the Lord in all well-pleafmg, fo long as yau live. What fweet opportunities do you enjoy ! How freely may you go into the woods, and pour out your heart before the dear Jesus. How early was Samuel acquainted with the Lord, and why fhould not you be acquainted with him ? Unlefs you are, you can never be at peace. Come then, my dear lamb, and wander no longer ; return to the fhepherd and bifhop of your foul. Behold, he fhed his blood for you, and will carry you to heaven, rejoicing over you to,all eternity. Away to him then in all your blood, juft as you are ; and when you are near to God, forget not

Your afFe(Slionate friend,

G. TV.

LETTER CCCXVIL

To Elizabeth G , an Orphan,

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 25, 1741. Dear Beity^

I Am glad you begin to feel the hardnefs of your heart, and your utter inability to pray» I pray God you may in all things fee your helplcflhefs, that you may come as a poor help-Icfs nothing to Jesus Christ, and take him for your all in all. I wonder not that fatan endeavours to terrify your foul. You know how he tore the voung child in the Gofpel, whilft be was coming to Jesus Christ. Your convictions at pre-

fent

fcnt feem to arife from a fear of hell; but before you receive this, I hope the Lord Jesus will have fcaled your pardon, and have faid, " Be of good cheer, thy fins are forgiven thee." O Beityy why has God fingled you out ? Why was you brought to Bethefda ? Away when you read this, and blefs God for it, and devote yourfelf again and again to that Lord, who has bought you with his precious blood. Having much forgiven you, love much. Lie down in the duft, and be continually looking to the rock from whence you are hewn. To hear that you, and my dear family, love the Lord Jesus in fmcerity, will much rejoice the heart of

Your fmcere friend,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCXVIIL

To Mary A , an Orphan,

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ July 25, 174J* Dear Molly^ T TPON reading your letter, I put up this prayer, " Lord \J lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon her foul." You once had joy. I found it puffed you up. I pray God to humble you by your prefent darknefs. You may now fee what a poor wretch you are, how proud, how earthly, how fenfual, \\o\v deviliih; and yet, ftupendous love 1 Jesus Christ will ftill receive you. Your loving Saviour opens his arms, and invites you to throw the whole of your load upon him. I am perfuaded he will receive you : go to him then, and confefs that you have finned. He will receive you; for what fays the fcripture ? " Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye faved." Surely Molly A is included here. The dear Jesus is all love. He has brought you to a houfe of mercy. Out of love, keep his commandments, and Jove all that are around you. Be willing to be the fervant of all, and from gratitude to God ftudy to be a comfort to Your fincerc friend in Christ,

G. TV,

Vol. L U LETTER

7

LETTER CCCXIX.

f^dc ^/Cr c^^ ^j^^ Honourable J- B , Efqy

Hon. Slr^ On board the Mary and Ann^ July 26, 1741.

WITH much pleafure I received yours ty the hands of your fon, who offered to do me any fervice that lay in his power. This, as v/ell as your other paft favours, quite furprize, and ought to humble me ; for who am I, that I {hould be thus highly honoured I O fovereign grace ! O dif-tinguifhing love ! If 1 did not ftand up in defence of that, the very (lones would cry out againft me. Indeed, honoured Sir, your kindnefs makes mealmoft toblufli, and the love of Jesus quite confounds me. I am loft, I want to fmk into nothing whenever I think of Christ's dying for me. I really think, I am the moft ungrateful fmner that ever was, and yet the Redeemer follows me with his mercies every day. Unfpeakable are the trials vi^herewith I have been vifited fmce my arrival. But out of all the Lord delivers me. I experience daily much of his divine prefence ; a wider door than ever is opened for preaching the everlafting gofpel, and God feems to be beginning his work again in Old-England: it adds to my joy, to hear what the Lord is doing amongft you. BlefTed, for ever blefled be God, for caufing fuch a ftirring among the dry bones. I pray the glorious Redeemer, to carry on the good work begun, and to makq New-England the joy of the whole earth. I fuppofe you have heard, honoured Sir, of the remarkable efl ufion of the fpirit among the children of the orphan-houfe. Surely, Jesus Christ is about to bring mighty things to pafs. Whilft the kings of the earth are enlarging their dominions, I trull: our Lord will uflier in his.— I Ihall not be furprized, if after this great commotion in New-Eng^ land, I hear that fome outward troubles befal them. The removal of you, honoured Sir, from being governor, I take to be no good figii. I hope this has no other efFe^l upon your own heart, than to make you more and more hunger and thirft after that righteoufnefs, which neither men nor devils fhall ever be able to take from you. God only knows, how often I have prayed, that this afflr(Si?ion may be fandified untar you. I thUk, Ironoured Sir, 1 cannot forget you and your

people. %

people. Both are dear, very dear to my foul. I fomctimcs long to fee Bojlm again, that I may rejoice in what great things the Lord has dane; but various circumftances concur to detain me on this fide the ocean, all the next Winter. I am now in my pailage to Scotland. What the Lord is plcafed to do there, your honour may hear in my next. I rejoice, that I am a little retired from the world, and have the opportunity, honoured Sir, of writing td you. How fweet is retirement v/hen Christ is prefent in the heart ? Having him, I find I poflTefs all things. Happy they that can wrap themfelves in God. May you and yours be thus happy ! This will enable you, honoured Sir, to rejoice in tribulation, and give thanks for ev&ry thing that does befal you. Tho* thefliip is moving, and I am fomewhat fick, I knew not how to leave ofF. Indeed, I love and honour you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. That you and yours may be rooted and grounded in his love, and filled v/ith all tUe fulnefs of God, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Sir,

Your mofl: afFedlionate, obliged humble fervant,

G. W.

LETTER ;CCCXX.

To the P^everend Dr. C ——, at BoJIon,

On board the Alary and Ann, July 26, 1741. Rev.Mnd dear Sir,

I Had the pleafure of yours, and have taken the freedom to publifti part of it, becaufe I thought our Lord's caufe might be promoted thereby. Glory be to the ever blefl'ed Jesus, for the great work begun in your province. Glory be to his great name, for raifing up inltroments to carry it on} efpecially for working fo powerfully among the fons of thje prophets. A mod promifing omen this for dear New-England. Reverend Sir, the fearcher of hearts only knows, how deeply the welfare of your people is imprefTed upon my foul. I continually make mention of them in my poor prayers, both public and private, and have not failed to give thanks in their behalf. You feem a little offended, that I did not mention old

^^Mr. TV J. It was, becaufe by his converfation I could not

/ iind he ca^ne yp to that character v.hich you gave him. Mr. ' U 2 S

S I truly value, and lately have had reafon to think much

better of him than formerly, when his experiences to me feem-ed too fuperficial; but I am a poor, vi^eak, fallible u^orm, and therefore my judgment is of littleworth. I rejoice to hear that the minifters with you help forward the work of God. I find no fuch enemies to the crofs of Christ, as thofe who keep up the form of religion, and are orthodox in their notions, but are ignorant of an experimental acquaintance with Jesus. However, the work of God is beginning afrefti. I have free ac-Cefs every where, and have been upon the full ftretch preaching to large auditories twice a day, for fome time paft. The Lord is pleafed to ftrengthen me both in body and foul. His pre-fence fills the aflemblies, and, I verily believe, we {hall yet fee glorious days. I have fweet accounts from the Orphans. I thank you, dear Sir, for your care concerning them. 1 have been in great ftraits; but the dear Jesus helps me through them all. Help me, dear Sir, help me to praife him. My tender love awaits both you and your people. I am glad to hear, that my kind hoflefs is recovered. May the Lord ftrengthen her mightily, and caufe her to go down to the grave in peace I I earneftly defire a continuance of your own and people's prayers in behalf of, reverend Sir,

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W. LETTER CCCXXL

To John D , at Bofton.

On board the Mary and Jnn, July 26, 1 741. A'fy dear ch'ddy

I Thank you for your letter: I neither forgot you nor my proniife. O that God may effedually work upon your heart betimes, for you cannot be good too foon, or too good. The little orphans at Georgia are crying out, " What Ihall we do to be faved ?" And I am glad to hear, that this is the language of fome little ones in New-England. If you know any of them, pray give my love to them, and tell them, I pray that Jesu> Christ may be revealed in their dear hearts. How early was Jesus Christ in the Temple, firft. hearing, and then afking qi^eftions ? How did he love the little children, how did he take them up in his facred arms and blefs

them I

them; and when he was juft afcending to the highcft heaven, how tenderly did he fpeak to Peter, and bid him " feed hi« lambs." Let all this encourage you to come unto him. He will certainly receive you, tho' you have been wicked; nay, he will abundantly pardon you. And uhat comfort will you enjoy, when you know your fms arc forgiven you ? You will then have a heaven upon earth. In expedbition of feeing you a chriftian indeed, and grown in grace, I fubfcribe myfeif • Your afFe6^ionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCXXII.

To the Honourable jf fV , at Bojion.

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 26, 1741. Honoured Sir,

PRESUMING it would not be difagreeable to you, I have taken the liberty to print part of the letter you was fo kind as to fend me. Surely it will rejoice the hearts of thoufands, to hear what good things the Lord is doing in thefe parts. It has put much gladnefs into my heart, and caufed me to give many thanks in behalf of the people of New-Ejigland* How good is our God ! When things are a little trouble-fome without, he fends his gofpel to comfort his children within. Surely Jesus Christ is about to fet the world in a flame. He is working powerfully at home ; he is working powerfully abroad. I truft he will continue working, 'till the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the fea. I hope you will yet feel more of this light and life in your own heart, before you go hence, and be comforted with the comforts wherewith I am daily comforted of God. Dear Sir, Jesus is a precious Adafter. He, as it were, dandles me upon his knees. He carries me in his arms, he fights all my battles, and makes me more than conqueror thro' his love. My work is great, but my fupports are greater. He aflures me from day to day, that he will never leave me nor forfake me. My infirmities often make me blufh, ^nd yet Jesus pafles them all by. Dear Sir, think often on the love of Christ : tliink of his dying love ; that muft give you comfort. I rejoice at this opportunity of writing

U 3 to

to you, I thank you for your kind caution, I pray God to teach me how to improve it. Help me, dear Sir, with your prayers ; and accept of thefe few lines from, honoured Sir, Youi: moft afFedionate brother and fervant in Christ.

G. IK LETTER CCCXXIII.

to Mr, E D , at Bojion,

On hoard the Mary and Anny July 26, 1741. Dear Mr, D ,

I Am to be blamed for not fending you a line. I am an ungrateful creature -, ungrateful to my earthly friends, un* fpeakably more fo to the friend of all. Pardon me this once. God willing, you fhall have no reafon to complain of me any more. If you remember, once in my fermon I faid^ '^ O that New-England was full of new creatures!" I hope the Lord ip feme meafure is going to anfwer that prayer.—It re-^ joices my heart, to hear that the gofpel runs fo fwiftly, and is fo remarkably glorified amongft you. This is the Lord's doings, and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes. BlefTed are the eyes that fee the things which we fee 3 blefled are the ears that hear the things which we hear, for many righteous men have dcfircd to fee and hear them, and have nor. I rejoice alfo to hear, that there is like to be a church in your houfe. O, dear Sir, take care that none of you reft, till you have got fad hold of the blefled Jesus. My kind love to dear

Mrs. D '. May Christ's juftifying blood be upon you

and your children. I return my love to all that are fo kind as to remember me. I believe I fhall not fee you this Winter. The w'ork is tery great, and goes on very profperous in Eng^ fand. However, you are all upon my heart, and the more heartily you pray for me, the fooner fhal) I be reftored unto you. I hope I feel the benefit of your dear people's prayers j for God comforts and ftrengthens me daily, and carries me on from conquering to conquer. On fhorc, I have fcarce time to •write a line ; being now on board, I take this opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks for your kind letter, and of afTuring you that I am, dear Mr. D— —-,

Your affectionate friend and fervant,

G. IK

1 E T T E R

LETTER CCCXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. R , at Bojicn,

On hoard the Mary and Ann, July 26, 1741. My dear Brother R ,

HOW glad was I to receive a letter from your'hands, having heard nothing of, or from you particularly, fince we parted. What great things has the Lord fliewn us fince that time. Methinks I hear you fay, " and yet I can tell of greater things." I believe we fliall fee far greater yet before we die. The work is beginning afrefti here. I fometinies think

B G muft take a voyage over to Old-England. Mod

of our London minillers too much fliun the ciofs, and do rK)t appear boldly for God. — Now the Lord hath worked fo powerfully in your college, I have Icfs to fay againft your joining with Mr. W •. I am glad to hear you fpcak plainly and clofely. What comfort will this afford you in a dying hour ? Go on, my dear brother, go on ; venture daily upon Christ, go out in his flrength, and he will enable you to do wonders. He is with me more and more. I have been fweet-ly carried thro' the heat and burden of every day^s labour. Jesus bears all my burdens. Jesus enables me to cafl: all my cares upon him. O then let us magnify his name together \ I am now going to Scotland^ knowing not what will befal me. What God does, you may expert to hear fliortly. In the mean while, let us pray for and write to each other. As iron fharpeneth iron, fo doth the letters of a man his friend. Your laft I have printed : God's glory called me to it. My dear

brother, adieu ! Dear Brother S fits by and falutes you.

My kind love awaits Mr. JV , and all that love the Lord

Jesus in fincerity. Li hopes of receiving another letter from you fliortly, I fubfcribc myfelf, dear Mr. R.

Your very affesftionate, tho' very unworthy brgtber an J fervant in Christ,

G, n\

U4 ' LETTER

LETTER CCCXXV.

To the Student Si &c. wider convictions at the colleges of Cambridge and New-haven^ — in New-England and Conneclicut, Dear GeniUincn^

Wi T\\ unfpeakable pleafure have I heard, that there fecnis to be a general concern among you about the things of God. Ir was no fmall grief to me, that I was obliged to iay of your college, that " your light was becorric dark-nefs i" yet are ye now become light in the Lord. I vheartily tnank God, even the Father of our glorious Redeemer, for fending dear Mr, ^i among you. What great

things may we not nowexpf.cl: to fee in New-England^ Tmce it has pleafed God to. work fo remarkably among the fons of the prophets ? Now we may expe6l a reformation indeed, fince it is beginning at the houfe of God. A dead miniftry will always make a dead people. Whereas, if miniflers are warmed with the love of God themfelves, they cannot but be inflru-rnents of diiTufing that love among others. This, this is the beft preparation for the work whereunto you are to be called. Learning without piety, will only make you more capable of promoting the kingdom of fatan. Henceforward, therefore, I hope you will enter into your ftudies not to get a pariOi, nor to be polite preachers, but to be great faints. This, indeed, is the mofl compendious way to true learning : for an underftanding enlightened by the fpirit of God, is more fufceptible of divine truths, and I am certain will prove moft ufeful to mankind. The more holy you are, the more will God delight to honour you. He loves to make ufe of inrtruments, which are like himlelf. I hope the good old divinity will now be precious foycur foulsj and you will think it an honour to tread in the fteps of your pious forefathers. They were acquainted with their own hearts.—They knew what it was to be tempted themfelves, and therefore from their own experience knew how to fuccour others. O may you follow them, as they follov/ed Christ. Then great, very great will be your reward in heaven. I am fure you can never ferve a better Mafter than Jesus Christ, or be engaged in a higher employ than in falling heme fouls to him. I truft, dear gentlemen, you will

not

pot be offended at me for fending you thefe few lines. I write out of the fulncfs of my heart. I make mention of you always ^n my prayers. Forget me not in yours. I am a poor weak worm. I am the chief of finners, and yet, O ftupendous love! the LoRp*s work ftill profpers in my unworthy hands.—Fail pot to give thinks, as well as to pray for

Your affcdlionate brother and fervant,. in our common Lord,

G. JV.

LETTER CCCXXyi.

To Mr. D , at Bo/Ion,

Dear Sir, On hoard the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741.

YO U R's as well as other letters, which I received from Bojion, gave me no fmall fatisfadion. Now, now I Jive, if poor linners are floeking for life t9 the dear Lord Jesus. How may we fuppofe the angels to be rejoicing over Bojion, and other places in New-England! How glad are they to fee the kaures frequented as in times of old, and the fpirit of your good forefathers reviving among you I Sure it muft be delightful to fee black and white, young men and maidens, old men and children, praifing the name of the Lord. Blefled be God, who in this great awakening hath not pafled by your houfe. Fear not, dear Sir : Who knows but the blefled Jesus may yet vifityou with the light of his blefled countenance? I rejoice to hear he has been gracious to your wife and daughter, I pray God, you may be all built up in our moft holy faith, and go on from ftrength to ftrength, till you come to appear before the Lord Christ in glory. I thank God, who hath heard prayer on my behalf. I am fl:rengthened daily both in body and foul, and have reafon to think my miniftry is blefl^ed more and more. Let God's goodnefs to me, encourage you to exped great things from our Lord. He is able and willing to do for us more abundantly than we can afk or think. That you and your dear family may daily drink of his divine pleafures, as out of a river, is the earnefl: prayer of, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend and fervant,

G, JV,

LETTER

LETTER CCCXXVir.

To John R , an Orphan, at the Orphan-houfe.

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 27, 174I. X)ear John,

I Remember you once wanted to go av/ay from Bethefda, Adore the free grace and mercy of that God, who has kept you there. I truft, it will prove the faving of your precious and immortal foul. To fee onefelf loll and condemned by nature, is the firft Hep to converfion. I hope before this time you have found yourfelf faved by grace : for " by grace alone you are to be faved, and that not of yourfelves, it is the gift of God.'* The Lord Jesus hath indeed been knocking at the door of your heart. I truft, now he will break the door open, and give himfelf admilTion. Dear John, you may well wonder, that the Lord hath not fent you to hell. I truft, that you feel you deferve it. O that God may pluck you as a brand out of the burning. This was my only view in bringing you to Bethefda. This is the only defire df the dear friends v/ho have the rule over you ; they watch for your foul, &c. The devil (as you obferve) watches to deflroy it: and, therefore, my dear boy, away to Jesus Christ. He can take away the heart of ftone : he can give you an heart of flefh. All things are poflible with Him. That God may give you grace to take the kingdom of heaven with a holy violence, is the hearty prayer of, dear John,

Your fmcere friend,

LETTER CCXXVIIL

To James M , an Orphan.

On Lard the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741. Dear James,

I Am glad to hear by dear brother B 's letters, that your foul has received comfort. I am comforted at the news. May God increafe it daily, 'till your joy be full. I muft think God loves you, and that he has begun a good work in your foul. 1 hope to find at my return that it is carried on, and that you have been prelTing forward towards the mark for the prizeof your high calling in Christ Jesus your faviour.

Dear

Dear James^ I do not forget you. I hope you never will forget the love of Christ, who died and hath given himfclf for you. Does not the very thought of this make you even to weep ? Do you not want fome private place where to vent your heart ? Aw^ay then, I will detain you no longer. Retire into the woods. Go look to him whom you have pierced, and with a godly forrow mourn for your fms, as a woman for her iirfl-born. At the fame time, forget not to figh out a prayer in t)ehalfof, dQzr Jamesy

Your affe£lionatc friend an^ fervant,

G. IK

LETTER CCCXXIX,

To Thomas JP'tbb^ an Orphan, On hoaid the Mary and Ann^ July 27, 1741, - Dear Thomas^

HOW inconfiftent is the devil ! How artfully does he rtrive to keep poor fouls from Christ 1 Sometimes he labours to drive poor fouls into defpair; fometimes to pre-fumption. Thefe are the two rocks, againft which he would fain have poor fouls to make fhipwreck of faith and a good confcience. I pray God to enable you to fleer a middle courfe.—May you fee your mifery, and at the fame time fee your remedy in the crofs and wounds of Jesus Christ. He calls to all weary heavy laden fouls ; confequently he calls you. Your coming to him, will be a proof of your elecSlion, The devils know nothing of God's decrees. If ever he (hould tempt you fo again, fay, *' If I do perifti, I will pe-rifti at the feet of Christ." He is willing to favc, to fave to the uttermoft. He fees, he feels your anguifh. He longs to rejoice over you. V^enture therefore upon him. Thomas, be not faithlefs, but believing. Christ ihall yet (hew you his hands and his feet. He is the fame now, as he was yefter-day, full of love and condefcenfion to felf-ccndemncd finners. That you may experier.ce the full power and efficacy of the Redeemer's blood, is the ardent prayer of, dear Thomas,

Ycur finccre friend,

LETTER

LETTER CCCXXX.

To miliam B .

On board the Mary and Ann^ y-aJy ^.y^ 1741.

I Thought your father had fent for you from Beihtfda ; but I hope your heavenly Father has kept you there to brino-you home to hinif*^^^* Your deadnefs has often grieved \TxQ.

O that I may have leafon to fing, at my return, " Billy B

was dead, but is alive again ; he was loft, but is found.'* You do well to pray to God, to fearch your heart, and to try your reins j for otherwife your treacherous heart will deceive you. I would not have you forget what the Lord is doing for you, for ten thoufand worlds. O defer not repentance to a death-bed. It will be hard to ftrive with principalities and powers, when you can fcarce turn in your bed. A man, at that time, can hardly bear up under his bodily infirmities; but a wourided fpir.it who can bear ? Reje<Si:, there^ fore, fuch a horrid temptation, with the utmoft abhorrence. Be a worker together with God ; and now God is working in you to will and to do, fee that you work out your own falvation with fear and trembling. Do not ftab your Saviour any more. Dear Billy^ think on his bitter agony and bloody fweat, and fly to him, as a Redeemer ready and willing to receive you. That you may be happy in him here, and with him hereafter, is the hearty prayer of

Your fmcere friend, G. W.

LETTER CCCXXXI.

To R ^ , an Orphan.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ July 27, I74I* Dear Richard^

THE contents of your letter pleafed me. I have fome-times thought, if God did not convert Richard W ,

"be would be one of the moft unhappy boys in the world. YoU have head'knowledge \ and unlefs you are made to fee the fm-fulnefs of your heart, it will much mcreafe your condemnation. Blefled be God, who yet hath patience with you, and feems to be flrivJng with your fouK I dp not wonder that the

devil

devil tells you, " it is time to repent when you are a man." You may well fay, it is the devil that tells you fo: Such a fuggeftion cannot come from God. Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of falvation ! Jefus will even now accept you, vile as you are, and ungrateful as you have been : if you feel your mifcry, and fly to him for fuccour, he will accept you. Every conviction cries, " Come, Richard, came, to me, that thou mayeft have reft." . Let me advife you, as old Eli advifed young Samuel: fay, " Speak, Lord, for thy fervant heareth."

I :»m your fmcere friend,

LETTER CCCXXXIL

To John F , an Orphan.

On board the Alary and Ann, July 27, 1741. Dear John,

I Willingly fulfil your requeft, and fit down to write you a line or two. I am glad you begin to fee the wickednefs of your own heart. You cannot conceive what a myftery of iniquity is hid therein. The more you fee it, the more you will find the want of a faviour, and adore God for giving his dear Son to die for finners. There was once a young man, named John, who leaned on the Saviour's bofom, and was his particular favourite. What if you fliould be thus highly honoured. Would it not be an amazing inftance of love and condefcenfion ? And what doth the Saviour do lefs, for all that feel themfeives poor, loft, undone finners ? Nay, does he not do for them infinitely more ? Yes, he does. Come to him, therefore, by faith, and he (hall embrace you in the arms of his mercy, clothe you v/ith hi- righteoufnefs, fandify you by his fpirit, guide you by his counfel, and after death receive you up into glory. Look up, then, and never reft till you have it. Convi£tion is not converfion. But you know who has promifed not to quench the fmoaking flax, or break the bruifed reed. That this promife may be fulfilled in your foul, is the hearty prayer 9/

Your fincere friend, G. IV.

LETTER

'302^ Letters,

letter cccxxxiil

To L M , an Orphan.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ July 27, 1741*

Dear L M-

AND are little boys and girls, at this and that corner of the wood, crying unto the Lord ? I hope you, dear

/, , are always among them ; and may the Lord hear

your prayers, when you cry unto him ! Surely he will, if you feel yourfelves poor fmners. Never did Jesus reject an humble fuppliant. *' Suffer (fays he) little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of fuch is the kingdom of heaven.'* Dear L , take all poffible care to

cherifh your convi6lions. God has fpoken once, yea twice to you, in an extraordinary manner. You are one of the oldeft; you ought to go before the reft, and to encourage them to follow the ever-bleffed Jesus. Satan will, no doubt, be very bufy; and therefore you ought to be bufy alfo. You fight under a good captain, even Jesus Christ, who will tread all enemies under your feet. My dear child, redeem your precious time. Fight the good fight of faith ; and when you ar.e wreftling with God, fail not to pray for

Your fmcere friend, G, IV.

LETTER CCCXXXIV.

Ts Mr, Thomas J , at Savannah,

On board the Mary and Anny July 29, 1741. Dear Sir,

I Thank you for your continued kindnefs to my dear family. The God whom I ferve, will richly reward you; I am mpre and more convinced, that the Orphan-houfe is of God. He will uphold it with his mighty arm. Dear Sir, there is nothing like a life of faith. It is more and more pleafant to me every day, I pray God, you may experience it every moment, and be enabled entirely to overcome the world. My letters, to my dear family, will inforn? you, how the Lord bath been pleafed to deal with me. Bleffcd be his name, he hath delivered, hp does, he will yet deliver. My

foul

foyl has been among lions. JesUs hath been my helper. I am vciry comfortable within, and experience more of the divine prefence in preaching, I think, than ever I did before in Eftgland. I fuppofe I (hall not embark for America till Spring, Whatever good offices you are pleafed to do for my family, fhall be then fully acknowledged by, dear Sir,

Your obliged friend and ferrant in Christ,

C. IK

LETTER CCCXXXV.

To Mr. L , at BnJloL

On hoard the Mary and Ann, fitly 29, 1741.

Dear ?/Ir. L-

WE are now within thirty miles of our defired haven. We have had a pleafant paflage. Before I go afhorc, I would fain anfwer your kind letter. Fear not for BriftoL No weapon formed againft Zisn fhall profper. Let us wait patiently, and we (hall certainly fee the falvation of God. The Lord is beginning his work afrefh. I fuppofe brother

C-* has told you fomething of it. I never felt greater

power in England. I have had God's continued prefence during the paiTage. God has given me fweet fleep at night, and a good appetite to my food by day. Faithful is he who hath promifed, that thofe who wait ypon the Lord fliall renew their ftrength. I fpeak thus freely to you, b^caufe I know you will be thankful on my behalf. I hope both you and your dear wife, are making daily advances in the divine life. Whilft others are difputing, let us be growing. This wilj be the bed way to convince thofe, who you find will not be convinced any other way. Adieu ! The Lord be with you. May your foul breathe nothing but gentlenefs and love ! I am, dear Sir,

Your affeiiionate friend .^nd fervant in Christ,

G, IV,

LETTER

LETTER CCCXXXVI.

To Mr. H -^^ at the Orphan-houfn

On board the Mary and Ann^ July 30, I742.' My very dear Friend and Brother^

I Have been five days on board, and am now juft at our de-fired haven. God's prefence has fweetened the paflage, and I have had freedom to virrite many letters befides thofe

lent to Bethefda, If you, and dear brother B , think

proper, the little ones may be called, and the letters read before you. A w^ord of exhortation, and a fhort prayer, may not be unfeafonable. I thank you all for the tender care you take of the dear iambs. You ferve a mafter, v^ho vi^ill richly revi^ard all your pains. I hope there vi^ill come a time, when I fhall embrace and weep over you all with tears of love I At prefent, I feel myfelf a poor fmner, and fland amazed at God's goodnefs and patience extended towards me. I am lefs than the leaft of his mercies. You may exped to hear from me again fhortly, O do not forget to pray for me. My dear friends, for the prefent, adieu 1 The Lord be with your fpixit.

Ever, ever yours,

G. IV, LETTER CCCXXXVII.

To Mr, J C -.

' My very dear Brother^ Edinburgh^ Jug. I, I74I_.

THE Lord was very gracious to me on board. He gave us a pleafant paflage. As you know that the MefTrs. Erjkines gave me the firft invitation to Scotland, and hath been praying for me in the moft public, explicit, I could almofl fay extravagant manner, for near two years lafl paft, I was determined to give them the firit offer of my poor miniftra-tions. Accordingly, I went yefterday t(> Dumfermling, where

dear Mr. R E hath got a large and feparate, or,

as it is commonly termed, feceding meeting-houfe. He received me very lovingly. I preached to his and the town's

people

people.—A very thronged aflembly—After I had done prayer, and named my text, the ruftling made by opening the bibles all at once, quite furprized me : a fcenc, I never was witnels to before. Our converfation after fermon, in the houfe, was fuch as became the gofpel of Christ. They entertained me with various accounts of the fuccefs of the Scceders labours;

and, as a proof of God's being with them, Mr. R 's fon-

in-law told me, that, at one of their late occafions, a woman was fo deeply afFeded, that Ihe was obliged to flop her mouth with an handkerchief to keep herfelf from crying out. They urged a longer ftay, in order to converfe more clofely, and to fet me right about church government, and the folemn leacyue and covenant. I Informed them, that I had given notice of preaching at Edinburgh this evening; but, as they defired it, I would in a few days return, and meet the afTociate

prefbytery in Mr. R 's houfe. This was agreed on. Dear

Mr. E accompanied me, and this evening I preached

to many thoufands, in a place called The Orphan-houfe Park» The Lord was there. Immediately after fermon, a large company, among whom were fome of the nobility, came to falute me. Amidft our converfation, came in a portly, well-looking Qiiaker, nephew to MefTrs. E , formerly a

Baptifl minifter in the north of England, who, taking me by the hand, faid, " Friend George, I am as thou art; I am for bringing all to the life and power of the everliving God : and, therefore, if thou wilt not quarrel with me about my hat, I will not quarrel with thee about thy gown." In this refpef^, I wifh all, of every denomination, were thus minded, I find God has bleficd my works in thefe parts. I am mod cordially received by many that love the Lord Jesu::. I have juft been in company with a nobleman, who, I believe, truly fears God ; and alfo with a lady of fafliioo, that difcovers a chriftian fpirit indeed. I already hear of great divifions. But Jesus knows how to bring order out of confufion. I hope the Lord is much with you, my dear brother. O may you be anointed more and more, till you are filled with all the ful-nefs of God. Be pleafed to read this to all in JVine-Jlrect ; and remember me kindly to all that love the glorious Redeemer. He is a dear, dear Jesus. Tho' we die for, yet Vol. L X lec

let us not deny him in any wife. Pray that fuch a midid may be always given to

Your weak and unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. li\

LETTER CCCXXXVIII.

To the Rev. Mr, G, IV , at Maxton,

Dear Sir, Edinburgh^ Jug. i, 1741.

YOUR kind letter, like all other tokens of my precious Mafter's love, quite amazes me. I hear you are a good old foldier of Jesus Christ. O that you had wrote to me fooner ! I want the advice and exhortation of thofe who have been in Christ before me. The Lord is pleafed greatly to blefs me. His work feems to be beginning afrefli in England. How it goes on abroad, the papers fent with this will inform you. Help me, dear Sir, help me with your prayers, that the Lord may blefs my coming here. I hope fome have felt the divine prefence in this evening's exercife. Thro' grace I can fay, I did, and do now. O that I could be humble and thankful !

0 that my heart glowed with the love of God and men ! I would breathe nothing but love. I would love all that love the Lord Jesus, of whatfoever denomination. May the Lord heal our divifions, and grant that we may not thereby provoke him to fend us a common perfccution to drive us together ! O that we may ftand in a trying hour. Dear Sir, I fhall be glad to fee you at Edlnhivgh any day after Wednejdoy next, and then we can fettle when to come into your parts.

1 am willing to preach the gofpe) to all. It is now late, but I was willing to write, left fomcthing fliould hinder me on Monday. Dear Sir, good night. I commend you to God,,-thank you for your prayers, and dcfire a continuance of them in behalf of

Your afTec^tionate younger brother, and

fellow-labourer in.the Redeemer's vineyard,

G. IF.

LETTER

LETTER CCCXXXIX.

To Mr. Thorn as N- , at New-Tcrk,

My dear Brother^ Edinburgh., Aug. ^^ 1741.

TT Have written you feveral letters 5 and I rejoice to hear that JL the W9rk of the Lord profpers in the hands of Mcflrs. T<\'^'^<v^l S] kc. am glad they intend to meet in a fynod by themfcjves. Their catholic fpirit will do good. The aj/o-ciate prefiytery here, are fo confined, that they will not fo much as hear me preach, unlcfs I only will join with them.

Mr. Ralph E , indeed, did hear me, and went up with

me into the pulpit of the Cannon-gate church—The people were ready to fhout for joy ; but, I believe, it gave offence to his affbciates. I met moft of them, according to appointment, on JVedncfday laft.—A fet of grave venerable men ! They fooa propofed to form themfclves into a prefbytery, and were proceeding to chufe a moderator—I afked them for what purpofc ? They anfwercd, to difcourfe, and fet me right, about the matter of church-government, and the folemn league and covenant. I replied, they might fave themfelves that trouble, for I had no fcruples about it; and that fettling church-government, and preaching about the folemn league and covenant, was not my plan ; I then told them fomething of my experience, and how I was led out into my prefent way of acting. One in particular faid, he was deeply affetSted ; and

the dear Mr. E defircd they would have patience with

me, for that having been born and bred in England^ and never fludied the point, I could not be fuppofed to be fo pcrfedly acquainted with the nature of their covenants. One, much warmer than the reft, immediately replied, " th«t no indulgence was to be fliown me ; that England had revolted moft with refpecl to church government j and that I, born and educated there, coulJ not but be acquainted with the matter now in debate." I told him, I had never yet made the folemn league and co\enant the object of my ftudy, being too bufy about matters, as I judged, of greater importance. Several replied, that every pin of the tabernacle was precious.—I faid, i that in every building there v/cre outfiuc an 1 infide workmen ; that the latter, at prefent, was my province ; that if they X 2 thought

thought themfelves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and I fhould proceed in mine. I then afked them ferioufly, what they would have me to do; the anfwer was that 1 was not defired to fubfcribe immediately to the folemn leao-ue and covenant; but to preach only for them till I had further light. I afked, why only for them ? Ur. Ralph

P ^-^'ij^ 4c they were the Lord's people. 1 then

alked whether there were no other Lord's people but themfelves'- and fuppofing all others were the devil's people, they certainly had more need to be preached to, and therefore I was more and more determined to go out into the highways and hedoes ; and that if the Pope himfelf would lend me his pulpit I would gladly proclaim the righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ therein. Soon after this, the company broke up ; and one of thefe, otherwife venerable men, immediately went into the meeting-houfe, and preached upon thefc words, " Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what 'of the night ? The watchman faid. The morning Cometh, and alfo the night, if ye will enquire, enquire ye ; return, come." I attended ; but the good man fo fpent himfelf inthe'formerpartofhis fermon, in talking againft prelacy, the common-prayer book, the furplice, the rofe in the hat, and fuch like externals, that when he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor finners to Jesus Christ, his breath was fo gone, that he could fcarce be heard. What a pity that the laft'^was not firft, and the firft laft ! The confequence of all this was, an open breach. I retired, I wept, I prayed, and after preaching in the fields, fat down and dined with them, and then took a final leave. At table a gentlewoman faid, fhe had heard that I had told fome people, that the aflbciate prefbytery were building a BM. I faid, " Madam, it is quite true ; and I believe the Babel wlW foon fall down about then-ears :" but enough of this. Lord, what is man, what the beft of men ? but men at the beft I I think I have now feen an end of all perfection. Our brethren in Jmerica, blefTed be God, have not fo learned Christ. Be pleafed to inform them of this letter. I have not time to write now. The Lord blefies my preaching here, and the work, I think, h begun afrefn in London. I preach to many thoufands daily, jind fevcral have applied to me already under conviaions. I

have

have been here about eight days. You may expe6l to hear from me (hortly again. The Lord be with you. I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ : He will blefs you for what you have done for the poor orphans. He comforts me on

every fide. O free grace ! Dear brother S falutes you

all.

Ever yours in our common Lord.

LETTER CCCXL.

To Mr. T G , at London,

Edinburgh^ Jug, 8, 1741.

YOU will fee, my dear brother, by the following, what God is ftill doing for me. On Sunday evening, I preached in a field near the Orphan-houfe, to upwards of fifteen thoufand people; and on Monday^ Friday^ and Saturday evening, to near as many. On Tuefday I preached in the Can--nongate church ; on Wednefday and Thurfday at DumfermUng ; and at my return on Friday morning, at about eight o'clock, I preached at a town called ^leem-Ferry^ feven miles from Edinburgh, Every where the auditories were large, and very attentive. Great power accompanied the word. Many have been brought under convictions ; and I have already received feveral invitations to different places, which, God willing, t intend to comply with. At prefent I can fay no more, but defire you to pray for, and expert foon to hear further from, Your affedionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. U\

LETTER CCCXLL

To the Rev. Air. IF , at Duyidec.

Edinburgh, Aug, 10, 1741. Reverend and dear Sir,

IJuil: now had the pleafure of your letter ; for which be pleafed to accept my hearty thanks. 1 truft your prayers will be heard in my behalf. Glory be to free grace ! many are here brought under convictions. Unworthy as I am, the glorious Emmanuel is pleafed to clothe his word v/ith power.

X 3 1 ana

(^IO LETTERS,

I am amazed at his loving-kindnefs, and want heaven and earth to join with me in praifing his holy Name. By your fon I have Tent ionic papers, and (hall gladly receive any from you. I wifh you would not trouhlc yourfelr or me in writing about the corruptions of the Church of Engla?ui. I believe there is no church perfect under heaven j but, as God, by his providence, is pleafed to fend me forth fimply to preach the gofpel to all, 1 think there is no need of cafting myfclf cut. The divifions in ScOiLvid vltc afFedting, and undoubtedly they will occafion great fcarchings of heart. I pray God to iupport us in a trying hour. I am not yet determined, when I fhall come your way. I can only promife, it (hall be the faft opportunity, and that you (hall be apprized of it fome time before. In the mean time, be pleafed to bear me upon your heart. 1 am a weak hclplefs worm. Your correfpondence will always be agreeable to me. That you may daily receive frefli anointings from above, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

Ypur affectionate, tho' younger brother and fervant in the Gofpel,

G, JK

LETTER CCCXLIL

To the Rev, Mr. 0 .

Edinburgh J Aug. lO, 1741. Reverend and dear Sir,

IThsnk you for your kind and obliging letter.— I had not time to anfv^er it before. God willing, I hope to come into the northern parts. The precife time I cannot yet tell. For ever adored be the Lord for his free grace ! the word is jccompanied with great power. Several apply to me daily ujider convictions. I find it bed fnnply to preach the pure gofpel, and not to meddle at all v/ith controverfy. The pre-leilt diviiions arc a fore judgment to Scotland. This is my comfort, Jesus is king. Kc v/ill either heal, or bring good cut of them. I have been with feveral of the aflbciate pref-bytery ; but I fee no hopes of accommodation. O that the power of religion may revive ! Nothing but that can break down the partition wall of bigotry. Dear Sir, forget not to pray for me. I lee more and more that I am nothing, and

that

that Jesus is all in all. Did I know how, I would fend you i'ome papers; but I hope ere long to have a pcrfonal interview ; and in the mean while, I beg leave to fubfcribe myfelf, reverend and dear Sir,

Your afFeclionate brother and fcrvant,

G. jr.

LETTER CCCXLIII.

To the Rkht Honourable the Lord R •.

Aly Lord, Edinburgh, Jug. II, 174T.

THOUGH I am jufl going out, yet I cannot fatisfy my-felF without fnatchino; a fev/ moments to write to you. I hope this will find your Lordfliip fafe at your journey's end, rejoicing in God for giving his angels charge concerning you in the way. It will plcafe your Lord{l:iip, to inform you that the Lord of all Lord^ hath dealt moft lovingly with me, iince your departure hence. His power hath been frequently made known in the great congregation, and many come to me daily, crying out, " What (hall I do to be faved ?" The work of the Lord alfo goes on in America, and in England, io that I hope v/e fhall fee the kingdom of GoD come with power. This is the full defire of my foul. I am determined to feck after and knovv nothing elfe. For befides this, all other things are but dung and drofs. O my Lord, v/hy fliould we that are pilgrims, mind earthly things ? Why fliould we that are foldiers, entangle ourfclves with the things of this life ? Hea-venly-mindecinefs is the very life of a chriftian. It is all in all.—I pray the Lord that your heart may be drawn more and more towards him, and be filTd with all his fuinefs. I

could fay more, but Mr. G JF waits for me. I

am, my Lord,

Your Lordfliip's moil obedient humble fervanr,

G. ir

X 4 r. ^ T r p:

LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXLIV.

To Mr. H H , in London,

Edinburgh^ Aug. il, 1741. My 'very dear Brother //—-—,

THOUGH my eyes are dim, and my body calls for rell, yet I would fain fend you a line before I go. The Lord Jesus is getting himfelf into many hearts. I fcarce feel any reftraint in preaching. Both in public and private, the Lord clothes his word with power. Poor fouls come to me under deep convi£lions. Sweet letters are fent to me of the fuccefs of my writings and fermons ; and feveral preffing invitations to many places. I hope God is beginning fuch a work here, as he begun, and is now carrying on in New-England. Night and day Jesus fills me with his love. My bodily ftrength is daily renevi'ed. The Lord is pleafed to open my mouth wide 3 praifc him for it. I have preached twice, and talked, and walked much to day. My dear man, good-night. The Lord be with you !

Ever, ever yours, in the moft adorable Jesus,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCXLV.

To the Moji Honour able the M ——y} of U n.

My Lordy Edinburgh^ Aug. 12, 1741.

I Am furprized to find your Lordfhip fo condefcending as to write to me. How bright does humility fhine in great perfonages ? It is this renders God f® amiable to his creatures. He is infinitely good, and withal infinitely condefcending. What an unparalleled inflance was that of his loving kindnefs, his giving his only begotten Son to die for fmful man. How low did jEius Itoop vvhen*he lay in a manger, much more when he hung upon the accurfed tree. When I think of this myftery of godllnefs, I am loll in thought. This makes me to defpife all human happinefs, and fets my foul a longing for a full fruition of my Jesus. I pray God to give your Lord-(hip grace to determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. He is the only center of true happinefs. Jn him alone, folid, laftingjoys are to be found. Having JiZ5U2,1 find in him I pofTefi. all things. But whither am I J going ?

going ? Your Lordfhip will excufe me. My heart at prefent is enlarged. I pray God to vifit your Lordfliip with his great falvation. I thank your Lordfhip for your intended benefadion to the poor Georgia orphans. I hope the glorious Emmanuel will accept it at your hands. I have fent your Lordfliip another parcel, feeing the firft hath mifcarried. I fliall follow it with my poor prayers, being, my Lord,

Your Lordftiip's moft obedient humble fervant,

G. IK

LETTER CCCXLVL

To Mr. H H .

My very dear Brothery Edinburgh, Aug. 13, 1741.

I Longed to receive a letter from you. Blefled be God, my longing was fatisfied this day. My heart is much united to you, and carried out for you. I utterly difapprove of fome perfons feparating principles. I find, Satan now turns him-felf into an angel of light, and ftirs up God's children to tempt me to come over to fome particular party. The afTociate Prefbytery have been hard upon me; but I find no freedom, any longer than I continue juft as I am, and cvan2;ellze to all. I know not that I differ from you in one thing. Glory be to God for what he has done at London! He is doing great things here. I walk in the continual funfhinc of his countenance. Every day, frefh feals are given of my miniftry. This morning God opened my voice to fpeak to preachers of the gofpel. Be pleafcd to accept of this fummary account of my proceedings. On Sunday morning, I vifitcd and preached to the orphans here, and in the evening to as many people as the Sunday before. Every day fmce, excepting Monday^ I have preached either in the churches or field twice a day, and yefterday I colleded upwards of ninety-three pounds for the Georgia orphans. People are daily coming under d:.'ep convictions, and frefli invitations are fent me to preach at divers places round about. On Sunday, I purpofe to preach in the country, and alfo the greatefl: part of the following week, and ihall return again, God willing, about Friday to this city. O my brother, exhort all to praife the LoPvD. I have moft fvvect letters from many awakened ones, God, I believe,

will

will work in the minlfters and young ftudents hearts. Even fo Lord Jesus. Amen. Pray fail not writing to

Ever yours, ' G. JV,

LETTER CCCXLVII.

To Mr. D E , at SurliNg.

My dear Brcthdr^ Edinburgh^ Jug. 13, 1741.

I Received your kind letter, and heartily blcfs God, if any thing dropping from niy unworthy lips was made of fer-vice to your foul. I believe, God inciined me to fpeak to you. The fons of the prophets are much upon my heart. I pray God that you may be polifhed fhafts, and noble in-ftrumcnts in his hands, of building up living temples for the Holy Ghoft. The treatment I met with from the aflbciate prefbytery, was not altogether I'uch as I expecSlcd. It grieved me, as much as it did you. I could fcarce refrain from burfting into a flood of tears. I wifli all were like-minded with your honoured father and uncle : matters then would not be carried on with fo high an hand. I fear they are led too much. Such violent methods, fuch a narrow way of acting, can never be the way to promote and enlarge the kingdom of the blcfled Jefus. It furely mufl be wrong to fix fuch bounds to ourfelves, as forbid even our hearing thofe who love the Lord Jesus in fincerity, and have alfo been owned of him. Christ would not have done fo.—Suppofing the fcheme of government which the allbciate prefbytery contend for to be fcriptural, yet forbearance and long-fuflering is to be exercifed towards fuch as may differ from them ; and 1 am verily perfuad-ed, there is no fuch form of government prefcribed in the book of Gcd, as excludes a toleration of all other forms whatfoever. Was the New Teftament outward tabernacle to be built as pundtuai as the old, as pun6tual directions would have been given about the buildin<j it ; v/hcreas, it is oiily deduced by-inference, and thus we fee Independents, Prefbyterians, and Epifcopalians bring the fame text to fupport their particular fcheme, and I bvlicve Jr.sus Christ thereby would teach us to excrcife forbearance and long-fufFering to each other. Was the ' aflbciatc pren:)ytery fcheme to take efr'e£l, out of cohfcience, if they acted confidently,, they muft refrrain, and grieve, if not

perfecute

^erfecute many of God's children who could not pofTibly come into their meafu-res ; and I doubt not but their prcfent violent methods, together with the corruptions of that allembly, will caufe many to turn Independents, and let up particular churches of their own. This was the eflecl of archbifhop 'Laud's ading with fo high an hand ; and vv'hether it be pref-tytcry or epifcopacy, if managed in the fame manner, it will be productive of the fame eftecls. Blefled be God, I have cot fo learned Christ. I preach the fimple gofpel, and our glorious Jesus is plealed to attend it with his power. Every day 1 feel more and more of the divine prefence, and people are coming to me crying, ^' What fiiall we do to be faved." The love of Jesus fills my foul, and conftrains me to write thus freely to you. O dear Sir, I love and honour your pious father. Remember me in the kindeft manner to the good old man. I pray God, Ris lafl: days may not be employed too much in the non-cfTentials of religion. My heart is knit to the family. God forbid, that any thing fhould hinder us from taking fweet counfel together. God willing, I am to preach at Falkirk on Tuefday evening, and purpofe to be at Stirling that night, and to preach twice there the next day. If it was thought advilable, I would collect for the Orphan-houfe at Georgia in the afternoon. The Lord be with you, auu all the family. Forget me not in your prayers. —I am a poor unworthy wretch. As fuch, pray for

Your afTedlionate friend and fervant in Christ,

C\ JV.

LETTER CCCXLVIII.

ro Mr. H H ,

Aly very dear Brother, Edinburgh^ Jug. 15, 1741.

IT would make your heart leap for joy, to be now in Edinburgh. I queftion if there be not upwards of 300 in this city fceking after Jesus. Every morning, I have a con-ilant levee of wounded fouls, many of whom are quite flain by the law. God's power attends the word continually, juft as when I left Lor.don, At {q^zw in the morning, we have a Icclure in the fields, attended not only by the common people, but perfons of great rank. I have reafon to thiiik f£veral of the latter fort are coming to jEbUS. Little children

alio

alfo are much wrought upon. God much blefles my letters from the little orphans. He loves to work by the moft contemptible means. O my dear brother, I am quite amazed, when I think what God hath done here in a fortnight. My printed journals and fermons have been blefled in an uncommon manner. I am only afraid left people fhould idolize the inftrument, and not look enough to the glorious Jesus, in whom alone I defire to glory. Congregations confift of many thoufands. Never did I fee fo many bibles, nor people look into them, when I am expounding, with fuch attention. Plenty of tears flow from the hearers eyes. Their concern appears various ways. I preach twice daily, and expound at private houfes at night, and am employed in fpeaking to fouls under diftrefs great part of the day. I have juft fnatchcd a few moments to write to my dear brother. O that God may enlarge your heart to pray for me. This afternoon I fhall preach out of town, and alfo to-morrow. Next poft, God willing, you fhall have another letter. I walk continually in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft. The love of Christ quite ftrikes me dumb. O grace ! grace ! Let that be my fong, Adieu. My dear fellow-traveller joins with me in hearty love to you all. I muft away.

Ever yours in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CCCXLIX.

r<fMr. 7—— H , at Georgia.

Edinburgh^ Aug, 24, 1741. My very dear Friend and Br other ^

WITH very great diinculty I get time to write this. The Lord is doing great things in Scotland, I preach twice daily to many thoufands with great power. I have col-le6led here very near two-hundred pounds, and have a prof-

pccSt of colleding much more. Mr. iY has drawn upon

me for three hundred pounds ftcrling. I have paid two of it. Some hundreds remain yet unpaid. God gives me to put my truft in him. I have bought five hundred yards of cloth for the dear orphans winter's wear, and fliall fend you the other things you mentioned. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you. J do not v^'ondcr at the contempt you meet with,

or

©r the calumnies which are fpread abroad. Remember the burning bufh. O my friend, my dear friend, how (hall I thank you for your prayers, care, and love ? I am willing to wafti all your feet. Perhaps in the Spring, I may embark ; but cannot yet determine. I have written to you many letters, and I always remember you in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you can go to market without money. The Lord in-creafe your faith. My dear brother, I love you in the bowels

of Jesus Christ. I v/ill do what I can for Mr. B . I

thank dear Mr. J , from my heart, for his great kindnefs.

I wrote to him and to Mr. B , and near thirty more, a

month ago. Exped: alfo feme money flVortly. I had rather bear any burden, than have my dear family burdened. I

thank Mr. TF for his care. His brethren here are well.

I have not time to tell you, how I love and efteem you for the care you take of the dear lambs. I long to weep over you all. Excufe me; for not writing particularly. The Lord be with you all As foon as I can polTibly redeem time, you

iliall hear again, my dear Mr. H , from

Ever yours in Christ Jesus,

G. IF,

LETTER CCCL.

To the Rev. Mr. R E .

Edinburgh^ Jug. 24, 1741. P^cverend and dear Sir^

I Thank you for your kind letter. I believe it proceeded from love ; but, as yet, I cannot think the folemn league and covenant is any way obligatory upon me. Indeed, dear Sir, you miftake if you think I temporize on account of the orphans. Be it far from me. I abhor the very thought of it. I proceed now, juft as I have done ever fince I came out in the miniflry ; and fo far from not fctting a hedge about our Lord's garden, that was I called to it, I fliould fet a much clofer hedge than that which the aflociate prefbytery are planting. I fhould enquire into people's experiences, before 1 admitted them to the Lord's table. I would have church members meet in church fellowfliip, and tell one another what God has done for their fouls. You feem to think lam not open to light. Thut I muy give you fatisfacHon, I am will-

inir

ing to confer with Mr. IF at Perth, where I arri \-o b'e by

divine permiffion on Thurfday, September 3. On Tuefday next, about four in the afternoon, I purpofe preaching at Dumferm-Ihig. —I am engaged to fup at your colleguc's houfe, but intend to lie at yours. Jn the mean time be pleafed to pray for me, and to remember my love to all your family y and believe me, reverend Sir, to be

Your mofl: afFcdionate, though unworthy

brother and fcrvant,

G. /r.

LETTER CCCLI.

To the Reverend Mr. O , at Jherdeen,

Perth, Sept. 3, 1741. Reverend and dear Sir,

I Have received two letters from you, which much affcct mc^ knowing how unworthy I am of fuch endearing expref-fions, or indeed of any notice at all. i>ut what fhall I fay ? Grace ! grace I Jesus loves me, and fo does his fervant for Jesu's fake. O free grace I I am forry to find that any fnould infmuate, my iiot coming to Aberdeen is owing to your cold invitation. Such a thought never entered my heart, but quite ♦he contrary. The dillance of the way, and my mcismg call to England., will keep me from you, and nothing elfc. I love and honour you for my mafrer's fake. I Ibiould be glad to wafli your feet, and if pofiible I will yet fee you. But if God ihould not permit me, dear Sir, be not offended. The Lord is pleafed to give me much freedom and power in preaching. Congregations arc every where large, and they have been very liberal to my poor orphans. O that I was humble, and thankful ! J am the chief of fmntrs: I feel myfelf fuch. O the cmcacy o^ Christ's blood ! It is omnipotent; it hath faved m*c. Dear Sir, my heart is melted down with the love of Jksus. He is a dear mafter. He hath fuffered no evil to befal me, as you have already henrd. I have not fo much as hurt my foot againft a ftone. Help me to praifc him. Worthy is tlie Lamb that was (lain, to receive all honour and glory ?ind riches 3 and

and power and bleiTing! With much difficulty, I get time to fend you thefe few lines.—Reverend and dear Sir,

Your very afFe6lionate, obedient friend, younger

brother, and fcrvant in the gofpel,

G\" JV.

P. S. For nine days part, I have continued preaching with great power twice every day, to very large and affecSled auditories in many towns and villages.

LETTER CCCLir.

To the Rev. Mr. W .

Edinburgh^ Sept, 19, 1741. Reverend and dear Sir,

THOUGH nature calls for refi:, and I am to preach four times to-morrow, yet I cannot go to bed without anfwering your kind letter. Blcfled he God for any good done at Dundee! Not unto me, not unto me, but unto Jesus Christ be all the glory. Thanks be to God, lean yet fend you more glad tidings. At Creif we had a mod precious meeting. At Glafgcw I preached ten times. The Lord was with me of a truth. The congregations were very large, as were the contributions, and many were brought under the deeped convictions. With great regret we parted, and with great joy was received at Edinburgh. I had fomc thoughts of abiding in Scotland longer, but lad night I received a letter, which almoft determined my return to Eng^ land. Next Saturday^ God willing, I purpofe to leave this place, and fhall return into thefe parts, if providence points a way, in the Spring. I do notdcfpair of feeing Seot/and Vike Nezu-England. Reverend Sir, for the prefcnt adieu. My poor body bids me to dop. O when diall I fleep no more ! I am exceedingly weary, but am affectionately. Reverend and dear Sir,

Your mod unworthy and obedient brother,

and fervant in Christ,

LETTER

LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLIII.

To Mr. T ^ G , in London,

Edinburgh^ Sep, 24, 174I' My very dear Brother^

THIS ferves to inform you, that on Sunday laft I preached here four times, twice in a church, and twice in the £elds ', in the evening I collected twenty pounds for the royal infirmary. On Monday morning, I vifited the children in three hofpitals, and preached in the evening in the park ; alfo at Kinglajfy^ Aberdour^ and Innerkeithing^ on Tuefday and Wedncfday, On Thurfday I vifited the prifon, and in the evening preached to the children of the city, with a congregation conhfting of near twenty thoufand in the park. It is remarkable that many children are under convidtions, and every where great power and apparent fuccefs attend the word preached. Calls to divers places^ are fo numerous and importunate, that I think it my duty to ftay in Scotland fome time longer : being in hafte, can fay not more at prefent. My love to all that love the Lord Jesus.

Your moft afiedlionate friend, brother, and fervant,

G, jr.

LETTER CCCLIV.

To the Right Honourable Lord L-^-^—L^ My Lord^ Edinburgh^ Sept. 25, 1741.

THOUGH nature calls for reft, yet love and gratitude oblige me to fit up to anfwer your Lord (hip's letter, left I fhould not have time in the morning. BlefTed be the glorious Redeemer ! who feems in fome degree to be working upon your heart. My prayer to God is, that thcfe convictions may continue, 'till they end in a found converfion. You do well, my Lord, to fear, left they ftiould wear off. I have not had fo much acquaintance with the world as your Lordfhip; but I know it is a deceitful thing, and without the utmoft care and watchfulnefs, will infenfibly divert the foul from GoD. Your Lordfliip is in a dangerous fituation. A fear of contempt, and a love for honour, falfely fo called, render religion un-

, fafhionable

faiTilonable amongfl the rich and polite part of mankinJ. But the blood of JesUs is almighty, and makes the foul more than conqueror. Here is the fountain to which you and I muft apply, to wafli away all our fins. And is it yet open for all poor fmners ? Come then, my Lord, and lay yourfelf at the feet of the bleiTed Jesus. He can, he will, if you believe ori him, abundantly pardon you. But faith Is the gift of God. I pray God to give you no reft, 'till you have received Che full afTurance *of faith. Then will you recover yolir primitive dignity, trample earth under your feet, and with your foul be panting after God. O my Lord, it is a blclTed thing to have fcllowfhip with the Father, and with the Son. I am a poor defpifed minifler of Jesus Christ ; but I would hot change my Mafter for ten thoufand worlds. I have food to eat, that the world knows nothing of. I long to have your Lordfhip tafte of it too, and fliall as it were travail in birth 'till Jesus Christ is formed in you. Your Lordfhip need not remind me to pray for you. Your eternal welfare is much upon my heart. My Lord, now is the accepted time, now is the day of falva-tion. The blefTed fpirit is now ftriving with you, and faying, '* My fon, give me thy heart; what haft thou to do any more with idols ?" I hope your reply will be, ** Lord, I give thee my heart, my whole heart, and will no longer keep back from thee the leaft part." Then will your Lordfhip be truly happy 5 for fo far as we are void of God, fo far we are miferable. But whither am I running ? It is late; but your Lordftiip defired a long letter, and therefore I have taken the liberty to write freely. I am fcnfible of the honour put upon me by you^ Lordfliip, and hope I fhall never betray any truft repofed in me," I pray God to fandlify this, and blefs our fellowftiip when we meet together, t thank your Lordftiip for your concern about the orphans. I am perfuaded you will in no wife lofe your reward. I hope your Lordfliip received my laft letter, which gave an account of my intended preaching at Kinglajjle and Coupar. May the glorious Jesus fandify my continuance in thefe parts, to the promoting his own glory and the good of fouls! I think I can fay, '^ to me to live is Christ." It revives me to fee fo many feeking after Jesus. At Kinglajfie the power was extraordinary. O free grace ! that Gom

as I am. I defirc to lie humbly

humbly in the duft, and fay, " Why me, Lord, why me ? Fear not, my Lord, I have received rcmiflion of fms by the blood of Jesus. Into his arms, I am juft about to commend your Lordfnlp. 1 pray God to vifit your foul with his falvation ; and hoping my humble refpe(Sls will find^acceptance with your Loidfhip, your lady, and lady Ann^ I beg leave to fubfcribe myfelf.

Your Lord(l:iip's moft obedient humble fervant,

G, W.

LETTER CCCLV.

To the Right Honourable Lord R .

My Lord^ Gallq/hielsy Sept. iS^ ly^-J.

YOUR letter I fear has been too long unanfwered, but gratitude will not permit me to defer anfwcring it any longer. I have alfo received your Lordfliip's liberal benefatStion for the orphans, for which and all other favours, your Lord-fhip hath my hearty thanks.—The innumerable inflances of God's goodnefs quite melt me down. The word of God prevails more and more. Every where Jesus Christ is getting himfclf the victory in poor fmners hearts. Young and old from many quarters fly to the gofpel, as doves to the windows. I truft, your Lordlhip's daughters will feci the power of Christ's blood. Happy they, who do feel it. They reft in God. They are fons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. What a rich perfon is the pooreft chriftlan ? He is joint heir with Jesus Christ. Supported with this thought, and feeling the power of it in my foul, I can defpife all fublunary enjoyments, and long to be wholly fwallowed up in God. Happy day, when we (hall converfe with the world no more! I pray God to give me patience to wait 'till Jesus comes. I would leap my feventy years, and fly upon the wings of faith and love, into the blcfled Redeemer's prcfencc. I hope vour Lordfhip is thus minded. May the glorious Emtnanuel keep you fo, 'till your foul is carried into Abraharti^ bofom. This is the hearty prayer of, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's moft obedient and obliged humbl fervant,

G. W, LETTER

LETTER CCCLVI.

To the Right Honourable lord L

Ady Lord., Edinburgh^ 05i. 2, 1741. '

LAST night I returned from the fouth country, and re-ceiv'd your Lordfliip's kind letter. My invitation to Coupar was in the name of many : who the perfons were that figncd the letter I cannot tell. 1 have fcnt it inclofcd in this. Had I known it to have been more agreeable to your Lordfhip, I would have appointed the meeting at Adelvill -, but I fear, as fuch public notice has been given, it will be now impradtica-ble. I cannot poflibly ftay with your Lordfhip all Tiiefday., being to preach at Dundee. But in my return from Aberdeen., I hope to be at your Lordfliip's houfe. I am glad your Lordfhip intends to be at KinglaJJie, 1 (hall have both fermons very early, and hope the glorious Jesus will be with us in our going to Meh'ill, O my Lord, I want a thoufand tongues to fet ofF the Redeemer's praife. Having him, tho' I have nothing elfe, I find I pofTefs all things. I have not forgotten your Lordfhip fmce I wrote laft. You are, and will be much upon my heart. I have heard of the piety of your Lordftiip's ancef-tors, and hope many prayers are yet in ftore for you. Above all, I truil:, Jesus prays for you, and then you cannot but be a conqueror; nay, more than conqueror over the world, the ficfh and the devil. Take courage then, my Lord, and fear not to follow a crucified Jesus without the camp, bearing his fa-cred reproach. Beware of honour, falfely fo called : dare to be Angularly good, and be not afhamed of Jesus or his gofpel. O that you may find it to be the power of God to your fal-vation! Look but to Christ by faith, and your Lordfliip's great poflTelnons will not retard, but further and promote your progrefs in the divine life. What fweet communion will your Lordfhip then enjoy with God, in your walks and gardens ? It will then be a little paradife to your foul, and every thing you meet with, will only draw you fo much nearer to Jehovahy in whom all fulnefs dwells. This I find by daily experience ; and that your Lordfhip may daily experience the fame, is the earneft prayer, my Lord, of

Your Lordfhip's mofl obliged humble fervant,

G. JK Y2 LETTER

LETTER CCCLVII.

ro Mr, H ,

Melvill^ OcJoher 5, 1741. J-Zy ^vrj ^^^r Friend and Brother^

I Have, by the (hip that brings you this, fent you 70/. worth of different forts of goods to be difpofed of, and the money to be appHcd for the ufe of the Orphan-houfc. You are to let

Mr. B have 20/. I have alfo fent 600 yards of cloth, a

prefent of my own, to make the boys and girls gowns and coats, fome whereof I have had made up here. The other things were given by various pcrfons. Amongft thefe, you will find fome damafk table-cloths, which I defire you will fell, they being too good, in my opinion, for our ufe. O my dear friend, how faithful is the Lord Jesus ! He has

now enabled me to pay my brother, and Mr. A^ 's bill of

thice hundred pounds fterling. There is yet 200/. to be paid, which I borrowed fmce my arrival in England; but very fliort-\y I hope to difcharge that alfo. I have been in Scotland 2ho\xt two months, and think to be here about a fortnight longer. (jOD is pleafcd to give me health, and to blefs my miniftra-tions in an abundant manner. The little children in the hof-pitals, are much wrought upon. Saints have been ftirred up and edified, and many others, I believe, are tranflated from darknefs to light, and from the kingdom of fatan to the kingdom of God's dear Son. The good that has been done, is inexprelnble. I am intimate with three noblemen, and fevera! ladies of quality, who have a great liking for the things of God. I am now writing in an earl's houfe, farrounded with ' fine furniture J but glory be to free grace ! my foul is in love only with Jesus : he helps me more and more. I feel but little flraitnefs in preaching, and we have often fweet appearances of the divine prefence in our large afiemblies. As to my own foul, it is very comfortable and compofed ; I feel the power of Jesus more, and the power of indwelling fin \t(s. I am daily waiting for the coming of the Son of God. I fear I am too impatient to be gone j but what can the foul do, when fick Of love? I have fome thoughts of vifiting/r^Z^w^. Whether I (hall do that, or cCme to America in the Spring,

God

LETTERS. -75

God only knows. I pray for, and long to fee you and the reft of my dear family. I truft, I then (hall behold, what [ long to behold, a houfhold of faith, a company of poor fmncrs walking in the fimplicity and love of the meek and lowly Jk-sus. O that you may fo live, that whofoever comes amon^ft you may fay, " Surely God is in this place." Thoufands of prayers are put up for us, and thoufands of lies are fpread abroad againft us. But Jesus enables me to fight my way through all, and I am perfuaded he will make me more than conqueror through his love. In England, the work goes on well. Brother C is much blefled in Wiltjhlre ; and brother H wrote me word fome time ago, that he had examined about three hundred fouls of our focicty, moft of which had been wrought upon fmce my return from Georgia, Help me to cry, Grace ! grace I My dear friend and brother, for the prefent adieu ! I love you in the bowels of a crucified Jesus. Brethren, pray for us.

I am ever, ever yours in Christ,

G. IK

LETTER CCCLVIII.

T^o Mr, H in Edinburgh,

Me hilly O^ioher 5, 1741. Dear Mr, H ,

I Received your kind letter with the bill, and alfo that figned by you, and my other friends at Edinburgh, I take all they fay in good part, but think fome of their reafonings a little too worldly. The calumnies of evil men are not to be regarded. I value them not in the leaft. My largeft donations have been from the rich and fubftantial. The mites which the lower fort of people have given, I am perfuaded will not prevent their paying their debts, or impoverifii their families.

Mr. fV , in a letter to Mr. S , wifties there may be a

private contribution for myfelf; but I know nothing of, and will not admit of any fuch thing. I make no purfc ; what I have, I give away.— Freely I have received, freely 1 defirc to give. " Poor, yet making many rich," fhall be my motto ftill. My great and profeffcd defign, is to bring poor fmners to Jesus Christ : but as my orphan family abroad is now

y 3 large.

large, and dally to be provided for, without the leaft vifibic fund, and I believe much glory will redound to God from that houfe ; I think it my duty to fpeak to thofe, who I believe, for Christ's fiike, arc willing to help them. I would have no one afraid of doing too much good, or think, that a little given in charity will impoverifh the country.—May God reward you, and all others that have affifted me for his dear Son*s fake ! My poor prayers will alv/ays attend my Scetch friends. When I fhall go to England^ I know not, but I hope God will dire£l me. I muft have done. Dear Sir, may the Lord be with you, and be your eafe in pain. My kind-eft refpedls attend your kind wife, and all my dear friends. I thank you and them for their advice, and defire to fubfcribe myfelf, with much affe6lion, dear Sir,

Your obliged, and alte£iionate friend and fervant,

G. JV,

LETTER CCCLIX.

To the Rev. Mr. M , at Dornock.

Aberdeen^ OSfober 9, 1741. Reverend and dear Sir,

SOME time paft, I received a letter from your Prefbytery of Sutherland, and if I miftake not, with your name fub-fcribed. However, as I this night have feen your fon, I think jt my duty in a letter to you, to thank the reverend prefbytery for their kind invitation ; but as my flay in Scotland is fo fhort, and Sutherland i'o far Northv^ard, I cannot think of going thither at this time. Notvvithflanding, my prayer to God is, that the glorious gofpel may fiourifli in your hands, and that you may bring many, very many fouls to Jesus. This, reverend Sir, unlefs my heart deceives me, is my only airn. For this let men revile my name,

IjJmn no Crofs, I fear no foarne ; All hail reproach, and welcome pain. Only thy terrors. Lord, rejlrain I

P, dear Sir, m.y heart is warmed with the love of Jesus ;

whilft I am writing, the fire kindles. Amazing, that Jesus

ftiould fufFer me to fpeak for him ! But what fliall we fay ?

. • His

His grace is free. Dear Sir, help me to cry, Grace ! grace ! Surely I fliall fmg it in heaven. I long to be there, but am willing to tarry the Lord's leifure. Dear Sir, excufe this freedom ; I hope I am writing to one that loves Jesus. I would write more, but muft away to give a word of exhortation. That the Lord Jesus may fill you with all joy and peace in believing, is the hearty prayer of, Reverend and dear Sir,

Your afFe^lionate friend, brother. Sec, in Christ,

G. IK LETTER CCCLX.

To Major M .

Dear Sir, Aberdeen, O£loher 9, 1741.

BEING come thus far Northward, and hearing that you are this way, 1 cannot forbear writing, though nature calls for fleep. 1 was concerned I could not fee you at Lon-don ; but hope this will find you retired from a noify world, and walking with your dear fpoufe as becometh the gofpel of Jesus Christ. It is what I have longed and prayed for many a time. I am of the fame mind as formerly. Nothing but Jesus can fatisfy the foul. Aided by his Almighty power, I ftill go on through good report and evil report, preaching the gofpel. Blefled be God, I am not afhamed of it. For, I find it, as do many others, to be the power of God to our eternal falvation. O, dear Sir, I feel more and more of the love of Christ every day. It is paft expreffion. I hope ere now you have had it (hed abroad in your heart abundantly, by the Holy Ghoft. A letter informing me of this, will rejoice my foul. Be pleafed to direct to me at Mr. T 's,

Edinburgh, GoD willing, I purpofe leaving Scotland in about a fortnight. Whether I fhall fee you in the flefh, I know not. However, fince I know what God once did for you, be not offended, if I charge you, dear Sir, not to let me mifs you at God's right-hand in the great day. But God only can brir.g this to pafs : That you and your dear wife may be kept by his mighty power unto falvation, prays, dear Sir,

Ever yours,

G. jy.

Y4 LETTER

LETTER CCCLXI.

To Mrs, Ann D , at great Granfden.

My dear Sijiery Aberdeen^ 03ober 9, 1741.

THIS evening your letter came to hand. Though it is paft eleven at night, and I have rode many miles this day, yet I cannot go to-bed without fending you a line* I fear, by your manner of writing, you are offended with me for my lafl letter. I knew very well, it would be a trial to you 5 but I wrote out of pure love, and am glad it is now in your power to clear yourhufband, which I much deftred to do. I have top many afperfions of the fame nature caft upon me, not to fym-pathize with you both. But Jesus is our advocate, and ere long we fh^ll fee all the accufers of the brethren caft down. In fpite of all, J^sus has been, and is getting himfelf the vi£lory in many finncrs hearts. I am yet carried on day by day, ftrength-ened in bodyj and niuch refreflied and comforted in foul. Your letter gives me a little prefent pain, left my laft ftiould have pained you. But Geo permits thefe things to happen among ourfelves, to teach us to look ofF from all creatures, and to centre all our happinefs in himfelf. Glory be to God for his almighty love ! At my firft coming here, things looked a little gloomy ; for the magiftrates had been fo prejudiced by one

Mr. B 5 that when applied to, they refufed me the ufe of

the kirk-yard to preach in. This Mr. B —— is collegue ^ith one Mr. O , at whofe repeated invitation I came hither. Though collegues of the fame congregation, they are very different in their natural tempers. The one is what they call in ScoiIa?2d, of dfweet blooded, the other, of a .choleric difpofition. Mr. B- is neither a Seceder, nor quite

a Kirk-man, having great fault to find with both. Soon after

my arrival, dear Mr. O took me to pay my refpe6ts to

him ; he was prepared for it, and immediately pulled out a paper, containing a great number of infignificant queries, which I had neither time near inclination to anfwer. The

next morning, it being Mr. 0 's turn, 1 lectured and

preached ; the magiftrates were prefent. The congregation very large, and light and life fled ail around. In the afternoon Mr. B —=— ofHciated , I attendedo He began his pray«

ers

crs as ufua]; but in the mldft of them naming me by name, he intrealed the Lord to forgive the difhonour that had been put upon him, by my being fufFcred to preach in that pulpit; and that all might know what reafon he had to put up fuch a petition, about the middle of his fermon, he not only uro-ed that " I was a curate of the church of Eyiglancl^' but alfo quoted a paflage or tv/o out of my firft printed fermons, which he faid were grofsly Armiman. Moft of the congregation feemed furprizcd and chagrined, efpecially his good-natured

collegue Mr. O , who immediately after fermon, without

confulting me in the leaft, flood up and gave notice, that Mr. Whitefield would preach in about half an hour. The interval being fo fliort, the magiftratcs returned into the feiTion's-houfe, and the congregation patiently waited, big with expectation of hearing my refefitment. At the time appointed, I went up, and took no other notice of the good man's ill-timed zeal, than to obferve in fome part of my difcourfe, that if the good old gentleman had feen fome of my later writings, wherein I had corrected feveral of my former miftakes, he would not have exprelTed himfelf in fuch ftrong terms. The people being thus diverted from controverfy with man, were deeply impreffed with what they heard from the word of God. All was huflied ! and more than folemn ! and on the morrow the magiftrates fent for me, exprefled themfelves quite concerned at the treatment I had met with, and begg'd I would accept of the freedom of the city. But of this enough. The Lord, my dear fifter, i^ my fupport; let us both continually fly to him, and then let men or devils do their worft. Christ will by and^ by take away our reproach. Into his hands I commend your fpirit. Good night; the Lord be with you and yours ! I hope to fet out for England ioon. Pray write when you h?ar of my arrival there, and fo convince me, that you are not angry with

Your afFedlionate tho* unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

C.JK

LETTER

si"^

LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLXII.

To Mr. IV , at Edinburgh.

Dear Sir, Aberdeen, OSlober lo, 1741.

IJuft fnatch a few moments to anfwer your letter. Want of leifure prevented my doing it before. I have not as yet feen your mother's memoirs. Happy are you in having fuch a parent. No doubt many prayers are in ftore for you. As for your entering upon the miniftry, I cannot advife you, 'till you have gotten full fatisfadlion that you are born again of God. 1 know more than one, who are ready to give up their miniftry for want of this ; and as for my own part, I could not feelingly prefs the love of God to others, unlefs I was fure of his love to myfelf. I know not what may have pafted between God and your foul. You can tell, I fuppofe, whether or not God's fpirit witnefleth with your fpirit, that you are a child of God ? For he that believeth, hath the wicnefs in him-felf. If you have got this withamoderateftiareof learning, a good elocution and a burning love for precious fouls, then, I think vou may do fervice in a public ftation. If godly, and real experienced friends are for your entering into the miniftry, their advice is fomewhat to be regarded. If their advice proceeds from worldly motives, do not mind them at all. The difcou-ragements you meet with from fome, are not worth your notice. If God loves you, he will try you every way. Prayer, meditation, and temptation, are three neceflary qualifications for a gofpcl miniftcr. I know not what to fay about your going to Georgia. In Penfylvania, and other places, there are moft noble opportunities of preaching the gofpel of Jesus. But I hope to be in Edinburgh in about ten days, and then fhall be glad to convcrfe with you. In the mean time, dear Sir, I commend you to God, and defire you would not forget the unworthy creature, who now fubfcribes himfelf

Yours in Christ Jesus, G. W.

LETTER

LETTERS.

23^

LETTER CCCLXIII.

To the Rev. Mr. J JV .

Aberdeen^ O^ober lo, 1741. Reverend and dear Brother,

I Have for a long time expeiSled that you would have fent me an anfwer to my laft ; but I fuppofe that you are afraid to correfpond with me, becaufe I revealed your fecret about the lot. Though much may be faid for my doing it, yet I am forry now, that any fuch thing dropped from my pen, and I humbly afk pardon. I find I love you as much as ever, and pray God, if it be his blefTed will, that we may be all united together. It hath been fpr fome days upon my heart to write to you, and this morning I received a letter

from brother H , telling me how he had convcrfed with

you anci your dear brother. May God remove all obftacles that now prevent our union I Though I hold particular election, yet I offer Jesus freely to every individual foul. You may carry fan6lification to what degrees you will, only I cannot agree that the in-being of fin is to be deflroyed in this life. O, my dear brother, the Lord hath been much with me in Scoilond. I every morning feel my fellowfliip with Christ, and he is pleafed to give me all peace and joy in believing. In about three weeks I hope to be at Briftol. JVlay all diiputings ceafe, and each of us talk of nothing but Jesus, and him crucified ! This is my refolution. The Lord be

with your fpirit. My love to brother C , and all that

love the glorious Emmanuel. I am, without diflimulation.

Ever yours,

G. W. LETTER CCCLXIV.

ro Peter 5-^-i-il.

Aberdeen, Ooiober 10, 1741. My dear Brother,

I Write this, to afk pardon for mentioning your name in my anfwer to brother TV 's fcrnioi^,. I am very forry for it.

Methinks I hear you fay, for Christ's fake I forgive you. I

thank 2

,,2 LETTERS.

thank you, and fhall be glad of a conference with you when I come to London, There have been faults on both fides. I think, my dear brother, you have not a£led fimply in fomc things. Let us confefs our faults to one another, and pray for one another, that we may be healed. I wifh there may be no dilTention between us for the time to co;iie. May God prc-ferve us from falling out in our way to heaven ! The world and the devil are united againft us; O that we could all unite ao-ainft them ! " God is love, and he that dwclleth in love, dwelleth in God." I long to have all narrow-fpiritednefs taken out of my heart. Jesus is able to deliver me. His blood is Almighty. I truft I fhall not reft, 'till I have felt the full power of it in my foul. BlefTed be God, I am ftill car;-i-ed on from conquering to conquer. Jesus caufes me to triumph in every place. I defire to lie as a poor firmer at his feet, and to cry, Grace ! grace ! I find I am fliortly to be called before the higher powers. Help me, my dear brother, by vour prayers. In about nine days I think to leave Scotland, I commend you to Jesus, and defire to fubfcribe myfelf, dear

brother B —^—,

Yours afFe£lionately in the bleeding Lamb,

G. IK

LETTER CCCLXV. \

To ihs Reverend Mr, C .

Aberdeen^ OSloher 13, I74I, My dear Brother^

I Received your letters, and am glad to hear that the glorious Einmanuel is pleafed to countenance your miniftry. May he fmile on you more and more, and make you the fpiritual father of many children ! I have very great reafon to be thankful to our common Saviour. Fie hath been with me greatly, both in England and Scotland. I generally preach twice every day, fometimes three, even four times, and generally expound in private every night. The Lord has fought many battles for me, and ftill continues to make me more than conqueror through his love. This morning I felt his power in the pulpit, and now feel it much in my foul. O what a blefled thing it is, to have God's fpirit witncfs with our fpirit, that we are

Gqd'3

God's children ! This, glory be to free grace! I have continually; and let me be in what frame ibcver, my foul is waiting for the coming of the Son of Man. Blefled be God, it will not be long ere I fhall fee him as he is. The fight I have of him by faith, ravifhes my foul : how ihall I be ra-vKhed when I fee him face to face ! " Lord, purify me, even as thou art pure ; for only the pure in heart fee thee !" My dear brother, the love of GoA now fills my foul. May you feel it fhed abroad abundantly in your heart ! About Spring, perhaps, I may leave England,' F'orget not to pray for me»

I am, dear Mr. C ,

Ever yours in Christ Jesus,

G. JV.

LETTER CCCLXVI.

To the Right Honourable the Earl of L^^—.

My Lord, Brechen^ O^oher 17, 1741.

I Would have wrote to your Lordfhip from Aberdeen, but could not then determine when I fhould be at MelvilL This comes to acquaint your Lordfhip, that, God willing, I hope to be at your Lordfhip's houfe on IVednefday night, and to preach at Coupar on Thurfday. I fhould be glad if the ma-giftrates were apprized of it, and the tent fixed in a more convenient place, and at a lefs diftance from the ground. I cannot tell your Lordfhip, how good the glorious Emmanuel has been unto me. He has caufed me to triumph in every place, and fills my foul with joy unfpeakable, even with joy that is full of glory, I wifli your Lordfhip was not almoft, but altogether fuch as I am, excepting my indwelling corruptions. O my Lord, none but Chriftians know the plea-fure of renouncing the world for God. I am perfuaded you felt unfpeakable pleafure at Coupar, I hope thbfe days have continued with yoU; Happy are you in having a con-fort that will forward you in the fpiritual life. That you may both live together as becomes heirs of the grace of God, and have all joy and peace in believing, is the earncft prayer €)f, my Lord,

Your Lordihip^s moft obedient humble fervant,

G. JV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCLXVII.

To Mr, Thomas G , at London.

Dundee^ O^oher 21, 1741.

Dear Brother G-

YOU will fee, by the following, what God is ftill doing for me. On TVednefday night laft I left Aberdeen^ after preaching there feven times, befides expounding in private. Before I came among them, numbers were much prejudiced againft me j but God was pleafed to attend my mi-niftry with fuch power, that all oppofition fell before me. Many were brought under great convictions. The magi-ftrates made me free of the city ; and the people much regretted my fpeedy departure from them. On Thurfday laft I preached at Stonhkhe and Benham ; on Friday^ thrice at Mon-trofe ', on Saturday twice, and on Sunday thrice at Brechen^ and ledlured in the evening at a private houfe. On Monday I preached twice at Forfar ; on Tuefday twice at Coupar^ in Angus ; and once at Dundee^ five miles from Coupar, at four in the afternoon, and again at night; here I have alfo preached twice this day. The prefence of God accompanies me more and more. Wherever I have preached, 1 hear of the good fruits of it, both in convi6ling finners, and reviving faints. At Dundee, the concern among the hearers is very remarkable. People are ftill more defirous to hear the word. Bur, God willing, I purpofe fhortly to fet out for England, My dear brother, pray for me, that I may be humble and thankful. I am glad to hear your wife is recovered. My love to her, and all friends. I am, with cordial affedion,

Dear brother G ,

Ever yours in Christ,

G. PK

LETTER ;

LETTERS. LETTER CCCLXVIir.

To thi Right Honourable the Lord L

^IS

My Lord^ Edinburgh^ Oaoher %b^ l']\l,

IT is now paft eleven at night; all is wrapt in awful filcnce. My foul is in a quiet compofed rcamc. I have been giving your Lordlhip's letter a fecond reading, with afpirations to God whilft I perufed it. Surely God has not let me wreftlc with him in vain. The Holy Spirit Teems to be moving upoa the face of your foul. 1 truft God hath faid, " Let there be light," and therefore there is light. O that the work may be carried on, till you enter into that rcll: which remains for the people of God, I truft your Lordfhip will now awake into a new world, and know what it is to live by faith. Did I not know the power of Christ's blood, I fliould fear for you. But I commend you to a glorious Redeemer, that will certainly take care of you. As I left your Lordflnp's houfe, I was thinking, that the narrow efcape your Lordfhip had between the ftones, foreboded fomething good. Jesus has taken care of you when in your blood. I hope he is now pafling by you, and faying unto you, '' Live." O that the ftone of infidelity, which before lay at the door of your heart, may be now rolled awny ! O that you may rife, be loofed from your corruptions, and go about doing good ! Satan will not let you go without much oppofition. He will defire to have you, that he may fift you as wheat. But if Jesus prays for you, all will be well. The comfort which you had with him in reading the pfalms, is a tafte of the food believers daily eat, and which the carnal world knows nothing of. My Lord, if you could be brought once to love fecret prayer, and to converfe feelingly with God in his word, your heaven will begin on earth j you will enjoy more pleafure than in all manner of riches. What will thofe avail, if you are not rich towards God ? Be, therefore, my Lord, much in fecret retirement. Commune with your own heart in your chamber, and be ftill, and you will then hear the fecret whifpcrs of the Holy Ghoft. As for praying in your family, I intreat you, my Lord, not to neglect it. You are bound to do it. Apply to Christ for ftrength to overcome your prefent fears. They arc the effects of pride, or infidelity, or of both. After once

©r

Z^e LETTERS.

or twice, the difficulty will be over. O that the blcflcd Spirft may enable you to make intcrcefilon with groaning that cannot be uttered ! It rejoices me to think, that I (liall one day perhaps fee a church in Melvlll houfe. Happy, happy are vou^ my Lord, iji having fuch a confort, who will forward your Lordfliip in every good word and work. How fweet will it be for you to go early to your devotions, flriving to live like the firft happy pair, before they had eaten the forbidden fruit. As God fliall enable me, J fhall bear you both upon my heart. God forbid that I fliould fm againft him in ceafmg to pray for you. My riding upon your Lordfhip's horfe, will often remind me to pray for the donor. My Lord, you are upon my heart. Methinks I would undergo the pangs of the new birth for you ; but Jesus can carry you through. Fear not. Go on in his ftrength, and your Lordfliip will be enabled to ftand the fhock of all. I fhould be glad to hear, from time to time, what the Lord is doing for your foul. Since your Lordfliip has laid your commands upon me, I fliall write as often as poffible. If your Lordfliip is pleafed to write within this week, a letter may be direded to me at Mrs,

y 's, in Abergavenny. If afterwards, at Mr. S 's.

Grocer, in IVine-Jheet^ Br'iJloL Your Lordfliip may depend on my fecrefy -, no one hath feen your Lordfliip's letter, but

Mr. 5 , who copies this, and who Is as my own foul.

His prayers, I trufl:, will benefit your Lordfliip. His humble refpe£ls await both you and your lady. Once more, I pray God to blefs you both together. But it is late, the clock has flruck tv/clve. Methinks I could wifli the cry was now made, ** Behold, the bridegroom cometh." My foul longs to go forth to meet him. This evening I was greatly refreflied by preaching on thefe words, " This is my beloved, and this is my friend, oh daughters of Jerufalcm.''' O when fhall I fee him as he is I Well may your Lordfljip fay, " He is altogether lovely." The more you know him, the more you will have reafon to commend him. Eternity is too fliort to utter all his praife. With a heart full of nfFection and thanks-for all favours, I beg leave to fubfcribe myfelf, my Lord,

Your Lordfliip's mofl: obUged humble fervant,

G. W,

LETTER

LETTERS.

^21

LETTER CCCLXIX.

To Mr. J C , at London.

Edinburgh^ Ouloher 27, 1741. Aly very dear Brothtr^

LTHOOGH it be paft eleven at night, yet I cannot

A

mifs a poft. The Lord is doing very great things here.

At Dundee the C was very extraordinary. On fab-

bath-day, the Lord enabled inc to preach four times, and to ledurc in the evening at a private houfe. Ycfterday I preached three times, and Icdlared at night. This day Jesus has enabled me to preach fcven times. Once in the church, twice at the girl's holpital, once in the park, once at the old people's bofpital, and afterwards twice in a private houfe. Notwith-ftanding, I am now as fielh as when I arofe in the morning. " They that wait u; on the Lord fhall renew their ftrength ; they (hall mount on wings like eagles." It would delight your foul to fee the eifeds of the power of God. Both in the church r.nd park the Lord was with us. The girls in the hofpira! were exceedingly afFecled, and fo were the ftanders-by. One of the miflreires told me, flie is now awakened in the mornino-by the voice of prayer and praife ; and the mafter of the boys fays, that they meet together every night to fing and pray; .'ind when he goes to their rooms at night to fee if all be fafe, he generally difturbs them at their devotions. The prcfence of God, at the old people's hofpital, was really very wonderful. The Holy Spirit feemed to come down like a mighty rufhing wind. The mourning of the people, was like the weeping in the valley of Hadadrimmon. They appear more and more hungry. Kvery day I hear of fomc frcfh good wrought by the pov/er f f God. I fcarce know how to leave Scotland. I believe I ftiall 'Jiink it my dutv to pay the inhabitants another vifit as foon as po/Hble. May the Lord order my goings in his ways ! Abo^-e five hundred pounds hath been collected, in money and goods, for the poor orphans. Let all that is within me praiie CjOd's holy.name. To-morrow, God willing, I ftiall leave ibis place, and go through IFaleSy in my way to London. Vou may hear from me on the road. At prefent, I mufl con-VoL. L Z cl.udej

elude ; it is very near twelve. I intreat you to pray and give

thankb for, dear brother C —' ,

Your's mod aficirlionately in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CCCLXX.

To the Right Honourable the Lord L .

My Lordy Abergavenny^ Nov. lo, 1741.

I Cannot bear the thoughts of forbearing to write to your Lordfliip any longer. I know your Lordfliip will be pleafed to hear that we had a good journey. Christ's pre-fence made it fo. The horfe carried me exceeding well. My heart was often drawn out to pray for the donor. Does your Lordlhip's foul profper ? Has Jesus faid, " Be of good cheer, it is I J be not afraid, thy fms are forgiven thee." Can it vet be laid, " Behold, he prayeth." I find a reftraint upon me now, fo that I cannot write. God calls me to retirement; being to enter into the marriage ftate to-morrow. I am perfuaded your Lordfliip will not fail to pray, that we may, like Zacharlah and Elizabeth^ walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blamelefs. I hope my moft humble refpecls will find acceptance with your Lady. Indeed, my Lord, you are both much upon my heart. Though I have only liberty now to fubfcribe myfelf, with all gratitude, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's moft obedient and obliged humble fervantj

G. TV,

LETTER CCCLXXL

To Mr, T , at Edinburgh,

Abergavenny^ Nov. Ig, 1741.

THIS morning I received your kind letter; for which, and all other favours, you have my moft hearty thanks. I remembered you in prayer, foon after your's came to hand : blefled be God for the news which it contained. I yetexpe£l to hear of, if not to fee far greater things in Scotland. The Lord has begun, and he will carry on a work, which fhall make the ears of his enemies to tingle. I have enjoyed much of the tjivine prefence fince we parted. On Saturday I was

2 married,

married, In the fear of God, to one who, I hope, will be a help meet to me. God has been pleafed to work, by my hands, fince I have been in Wales. O ftupendous love ! O infinitely condefcending God ! Be pleafed to direct your next to London, I hope to be there in about three weeks. My wife I ftall leave in the country for fome time. Dear Mr,

T , pray for us. I do for you and yours. Labour after

an abiding of God in your foul, fo that you may continually by failh fee him who is invifible. Do not be content with being a dwarf in religion: afpire after the utmoft degrees of inward purity and holinefs. I could go on, but muft write fome

more letters. Dear brother 5 , and my dear wife, falute

you and all friends. They are not forgotten, dear Mr. T ,

by

Your moft unworthy, but moft afFedionate

friend and fervant in Christ, G. W,

LETTER CCCLXXII.

To the Right Honourable Lady D— —^—, In Scotland. Honoured Madam^ Brijlol^ Nov. 22, 1741.

AT length I have a little leifure. I muft improve it, by writing a letter to your Ladyfhip. The many favours conferred on me, loudly called for a more fpeedy acknowledgment ; but hitherto, bufmefs for my Mafter has prevented. Dear Mrs. C *s letter will inform your Ladyfhip that I have altered my ftate; I truft for the better ; for I think my foul is more intimately united to Jesus Christ than ever. I would humbly hope your Ladyfhip can fay fo too ; for there is no happinefs till we can feel an union of foul with God. That, and that only, as your Ladyfhip has often heard me afTert, is true and undefiled religion. Your own experience will befl convince you of the truth thereof. Your Ladyfliip enjoys great advantages, and glorious means of making progrefs in fpiritual things. You are rich in this world's goods ; may God make you rich in faith and good works 1 My Mafler will not forget the kindnefs you havefhewn to one of the leaft of his fervants. It gives me comfort to think, what fweet freedom of fpirit I have enjoyed, when opening the

Z 2 fcriptures

fcriptures in your Ladyfliip's houfe. Surely God was with us of a truth. The favour of it is not yet gone off my own foul, nor, I hope, from your Ladyfliip's alfo. Since I left Edin-burghy I have put up many hearty prayers for you and your family. The Lord make it an houfhold of faith, and make you perfe<5l, entire, lacking nothing! The glorious Eimnanuel feems to be repairing the breaches of his tabernacle, which were fallen down. In r/uks we had much of the divine prefence. The people there are fo hungry after the word, that they are refolved not to leave wrcflling with the Moft High, till he fhall be pleafcd to fend rae thither. O that God may incline your Ladyftip to intercede in my behalf! for I long to be humble, and to lie low as a very poor fmncr at the Redeemer's feet. I think I can fay, he brings me nearer and nearer to himfelf daily \ and I will not reit, till I am moulded into the image of my bleeding Lord. I pray God that your Lady-fliip may be content with no degrees of holinefs ; but may be daily preffing forward, till you arrive at the mark of the prize

of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Mr. iS defires

to join with me in fending our moft affectionate refpe6ts and thanks toyour LadyOiip and all friends. Our particular refpecls

await dear Mr. M" V — . I truft he will yet live to fee

glorious days oi the Son of Man, Surely Christ is getting, himfelf the victory. May he long reign king in your foul,, and reward you a thoufand-fold for every token of love fhewii to, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyfliip's moft obedient humble fervant,

G. JK

LETTER CCCLXXIIL

To the Right Honourable the Earl of L .

My Lord^ Briftol, Nov. 24, 1741.

MY heart longs to fend you another letter. I wiffi, above all things, that your foul may profper. I had an extraordinary power given me to pray for you lately in Wales, God gave me to wreftle, and I think an affurance that I ihould prevail. I am looking out for an anfwer. Your Lord-fhip's next letter, I hope, will afford me matter for rejoicing in your behalf. Your Lordfhip is now entered on the field

of

©f battle : you are engaged in a cruel, but a glorious warfare. Go on J though faint, yet ftill purfue : nil dcfperandu»i^ Chrijio duce, aitfpice Chnjio, My prayer for your Lordfhip is this :

Give him a willy give him the poiv'ry

Still equal to the war ; Great Captain of Salvation^ thou Thy trembling foldier chear /

O, my Lord, it is a blefied thing to fight the Redeemer's battles : I find he makes us more than conquerors through his love. I flill enjoy much of the divine prefencc, and hope I pafs from glory to glory daily. I preach here at fix in the morning, and alfo in the evening. God caufes his goodnefs to pafs before us. In a week I hope to fet out for London, Be pleafed to dire£l your next thither. The lords have returned my appeal. At prefent, a hook is put in the leviathan's nofe. ''• When a man's ways pleafe the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him." I hope your Lady profpers both in body and foul. My own, and dear-fellow-travellers mofl humble refpe£ls and prayers attend your whole houihold. I am, with great affeclion, my Lord, Your Lordlliip's moft obedient humble fcrvant,

LETTER CCCLXXIV.

To T E 5 in Edinburgh,

Afy dear Friend^ Brijlci^ Nov. 27, 1741.

WHEN we parted, I promifed your wife to write upon the road ; but I found it imprafticable. Since I came to IFalcs I have had no time. Now I have, God gives me freedom. Though late, be pleafed to accept a letter of thanks for all favours. I think we felt each others fpirits, both, I truft, united myflically, really, and eternally to Christ, our common head, and to one another in love. O that all v/ould center here. It would then be faid once again, *' See how thefe Chriftians love one another."—As for my own part, I am refolved not to reft till every thing, contrary to true, catholic, chriftian love, be rooted out of my foul,

Z 3 Christ''}

Christ's blood and fpirit are able to do this for me. I only need to pray to God to make me willing to have it done. Be pleafed to help me, my dear friend, when God enables you to draw near^unto him. My dear companion would beg the fame. Our tender love awaits both you and your wife. I am lately entered into the marriage relation. Jesus was called to; Jesus v/as prefent at the marriage. We have lately enjoyed much of the divine prefence. Many precious promifes have been prefTed upon my foul. I believe I (hall fee greater things than ever. We cannot expe£l too great things from God. But I muft have done. I am waited for. Accept thefe fe\y lines in love,' from

Your aiFedionate friend and brother in Christ,

G. TV,

LETTER. CCCLXXV.

To Mr, A— ', in London.

Bnjiol^ Nov, 30, 1741. My very dear Brother^

I Thank you for your kind letter. Though I hope to fee you on Friday^ yet love conftrains me to fend you an anr fwer. I rejoice that your foul is thirfling for holincfs. God grant it may never ceafe till you experience the full and glorious liberty of his children, I fee plainly how fatan loves to drive to extremes. Since there is no fuch thing as having the in-being of fm deflroyed, he would not have people prefs after a delivery from the power of it. This is alfo owing to the corruption of our own hearts. The old man doth not love to be crucified and fiain j but I hope the language of your heart and mine Is this,

Reign in nie^ Lord, thy foes controul^

That would refuje thy jway \ J^i^ufe ihy image thro* ?ny joul^

And bring the perfe5i day,

. Scatter the lajl remains rfM'h And feal rue thine abode ; 0 Jet me purified within ; ^' AtcTnplenicetforQoDo

V My root of holmefs thou art^

For faith hath made thee mine ; JVith all thy fulnefs fill my hearty Till I am wholly thine.

No wonder, when we come to be thus minded, if carnal mi-nifters, and carnal profeflbrs of all kinds, cry out againft us. Nay, even fome who have tafted that the Lord is gracious, having {lumbered and flept, and mixed too much with the world, even fuch frequently fight againft their privileges, and reft in an infant ftate of piety. But, I believe, the Lord will roufe them, and let the world know, what the blood of JesUvS can and will do. BleiTed be his name, we have a growing church at Brijiol: Yefterday, and feveral other times, the Lord hath filled many as with new wine. Sometimes I fcarce have known whether I have been in or out of the body j but, I find, the more I receive of grace, the more I defire to lie as a poor, very poor finner at the feet of the wounded Lamb. Several have juft now been with me, who have this laft week, efpecially yefterday, drank deep of divine love. They are now full of the comforts of the Holy Ghoft. I pray that they may walk humbly with their God ; for it is a good thing to know how to manage a manifeftation aright : nature fo frequently and artfully blends with grace, that, for want of a clofe watch and tender walk, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Hence arife deadnefs and darknefs in the foul. Unbelief creeps in, the chariot wheels of divine love are taken off, and the foul drives heavily. Let us, therefore, my dear brother, live a life of great nearnefs to Jf.sus ; and labour day by day to perfed holinefs in the fear of God. There is a glorious reft to be entered into even here. May the Lord make us partakers of it ! But why ftiould I in the leaft doubt it?

Thou wilt give Jlrength^ thou wilt give poivcr^ thou ivilt in time

fet free : This, great Deliverer, let 7ne hope j this, not for felf , hut Thee,

Far the prefent, adieu!

Yours moft affeaionately in Christ,

G. W. -

Z4 LETTER

LETTER CCCLXXVI.

To Mr. J // .

LondoYiy Dec. 7, 1741, My very dear Friend and Brother^

I Came hither laft Friday^ and received a packet of letters from Beihejda 5 but wonder, to find none from you. When I read brother Grant's account of the circumftances of the family, I reirember v.-hat the Lord prefled upon my foul on fhip-board, " The bridegroom lli^ll be taken from them, and then fiiall they faft in thofe days.'* However, be not dif-couraged; profcfibr F^ . 's ftudents were once obliged to

lell their cloatlis to buy candles. The work of God advances here greatly. V/e have a large focicty, confifting of fevcral hundreds, and a noble place to meet in : I have called it a Tabernacle^ becaufe, perhaps, we may be called to move our tents. In IV'ihjhlre.^ and at 'Kingfivood^ there are many good fouls, and two new houfes built. In IVaks the door is opened wider than ever. From thence (Abergavenny) the Lord has given me a wife. Her name was Janies^ a widow, between thirty and forty years of age. She has been a houfekecper many years. Once gay j but, for three years laft paft, a de^ ipifed follower of the Lamb of God. I left her about three v/eeks ago, and am going to-morrow to fettle affairs, and to bring her up to London. I thank your dear wife for her letter : had I freedom I would anfwer it : but I have efTayed

feveral times before I could finifh this. My fifter G- is

dead : 1 trull (be fltpt in Jesus. God is pleafed to let me feel more of his power than- ever. O that his whole mind was in m.e ! I hunger and thirft i^fter righteoufnefs : bleffed be God, there is a promife that fuch foail be filled. By the letters fent with this, my dear family will fee that I have not forgotten them. No : I pray for them continually. I cannot certainly tell v/hcn I fiiall leave England. Providence detains me here. I'he work is very extraordinary in Scotland. I hear daily accouj}ts of its continuance and increafe. The door is

opened in all places. The Lords fee through Mr. G 's

enmity, and will have nothing to do with my appeal : fo that a hook is put into the leviathan's jaws. 1 believe we fnall fee

greater things than ever. My dear friend, falute all moft tenderly in my name ; I am exceedingly engaged, or each of them ihouJd hear particularly from.

Ever, ever yours in Christ,

G\ TV.

LETTER CCCLXXVII.

To the Right Honourable Lord R .

My Lord^ Ghucejler^ Dec. 19, 1741.

THIS comes to acknowledge the receipt of your Lord-fnip's kind letter., dated November qth. Hafmefs has prevented my anfv^^ering it fooner. The Lord is yet pleafed to. deal bountifully with me. Li England^ ul^ well ao Scotlandy the Redeemer is riciing on from conquering .to conquer. About Spring I hope to fee iSW/^Wagain, and then, if polTible, I will come as far as your Lordfliip's houfe. I have lately been at Brijloly and London^ and have had the pleafure of feeing the church w^alk in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft. I have preached here twice every day, for fomc days lail part. Ths LoPvD greatly countenances my adminiftrations, and gives me conftant peace and uninterrupted joy in believing. This is what, I truft, our glorious Emmanuel will confer upon your Lordfnip. Christ wills that our joy fhould be full ; but we entangle ourfelves with the world, we indulge ourfelves in fenfual pleafures, we trifle away our time in what the world calls innocent diverfions, and thereby we grieve the fpirit of God, and lofe the comforts we fhould otherwife enjoy, from a clofe v;alk and communion with God. Moft complain of a deadnefs and kannefs in their fouls ; what is it owing to ? Not to God, but to ourfelves. We leave God, and then God leaves us. Not that we can keep ourfelves by our own faich-fulnefs ; but notwithftanding, we muft be f^iithful, and workers together with God. I know not why I am led to write thus to your Lordfhip, but nothing elfe occurs to my mind 2X prefent. I am athirft for holinefs myfelf, and long to fee others athirft alio. O my Lord ! I fee fuch beauty and tranfcendent excellencies in Christ, that 1 long to have his whole mind and image ftamped upon my fo'^l. Nothing can fatisfy Bie, bat the highefl degrees of fandiification and in-

I ward

ward holinefs. Here, I believe, I am laudably ambitious. My Saviour wills my fandlification, my Saviour vi^ould have me filled with all the fulnefs of God. Ev<en (o Lord Jesus

come quickly ! Dear Mr. S humbly falutes your Lord-

ftiip, and prays for your temporal and eternal welfare, with, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's moft obedient, ,

obliged humble fervant, G. IV.

LETTER CCCLXXVIIL

To Mr, J C , at London.

My dear Brother^ GlouceJleY^ Dec, 22, 1741.

LAST Thurfday evening the Lord brought me hither. I preached immediately to our friends in a large barn, and had my mafter's prefence. On Friday and Saturday I preached again twice. Both the power, and the congregation incrcafed. On Sunday God by a particular providence opened a door for my preaching in St. John's^ one of the pa-rifh churches. The late incumbent was my grand oppofer. He being dead, and the new minifter not having taken pof-feffion, the power of the pulpit was in the church-wardens hands. God inclined them to let me preach there on Sunday morning, and yefterday afternoon. Great numbers came, and the Lord gave me unfpeakable power. On Sunday afternoon, after I had preached twice at Glouajler^ I preached

at Mr. F 'satthe hill, fix miles ofF and again at night at

Stroud. The people feem to be more hungry than ever, and the Lord to be more amongft them. Yefterday morning I preached at Painfwick in the parifli church, here in the afternoon, and again at night in the barn. God gives me unfpeakable comfort, and uninterrupted joy. Here feems to be a new awakening, and a revival of the work of God. I find, feveral country people were awakened when I preached at Tewkfbury^ and have heard of three or four that have died in the Lord, who were called under God by me. We fliall never know what good field-preaching has done, till we come to judgment. Many who were prejudiced againft me, begin to be

cf

of another mind, and God fliews me more and more, " that when a man's ways pleafe the Lord, he will make even his enemies to be at peace with him,'* To-morrow morning I purpofe to fet out for Abergavenny^ and to preach at Brjjioly in TVilts^ Gkucejier^ and Gloucejhrjhire^ before I fee London, The people in thefe parts Teem excellently well difpofed. I hope the work of the Lord profpers in your hand ; though abfent in body, I am prefent with you in fpirit. May the Lord Jehovah comfort you continually with thofe comforts wherewith I am comforted in him ! I hope my comforts are of 3 right nature; they humble at the fame time that they c?calt me. I find all my happinefs lies in a crujpified God.

To the hleji fountain of thy bloody

Incarnate GoD, IJly ; Here let me wajh my fpottedfoul^

From crimes of deepejl dye.

A guilty^ weak^ and helpkfs worm^

Into thy arms I fall'. Be thou myjirength and righteoufnefsy

My Jesus, and my alL

Pray for

Your unworthy brother, and fervant in Christ,

G. ;r.

LETTER CCCLXXIX.

To the Right Honqurable the Lord L .

My Lordy Abergavenny^ Dec. 24, 1741.

THI3 day I received a letter from your Lordfhip, which, I finda your Lordfhip wrote before my third and laft came to hand, wherein I gave your Lordftiip an account of the circumftance of n>y marriage. As foon as I received your liOrdfhip's letter, I kneeled down and prayed, that your Lordfhip might be entirely delivered from unbelief, and be made a partaker of that faith, wl]ich will make you more than conqueror over all. BlefTed be God, for convincing you thus far. I hope the event will prove, that Jesus is taking pof-feffion of your whole heart. Your Lordfhip's opinion of thofe who call themfelves chriflians, is veryjuft. Free grace has .opened your eyes. Your Lordfhip can therefore join in the

following

following verfes, which I think applicable to your Lordfliip's cafe,

L Long did wy foul in Jesu'j Formy

No comelinefs or beauty fee ; His [acred name by others pri-z^d^ If as taftlefs Jl'illy and dead to mi, 11. Men caird me chrijiian, and my heart

On that delufion fondly Jiaid y Ji'Ioral niy hcpe^ my Savicur fcif, Till mighty grace the cheat difplafd, III. Thanhs to the hand that wak'*d my foul^

That ftjeivd me wretched^ naked^ poor j That fweetly led me to the rock^ Where allfalvation Jiands fecure. IV. Glad^t I forfook my righteous pride^

My morale tarnifh*d^ fmful drefs ;

Exchang d my lofs aivay for Christ,

And found the robe of righieoufnefs.

If your Lordfliip from your foul can fing thus, fear not that Jesvs will leave you.

O unbeliefs injurious bar^

Source of tormenting fruitlcfs fear ;

Wherein thy loud objections fall^

'' Tis finif^ed;' fillfhall anfwer all.

Remember, my Lord, the Redeemer's love is evcrlafling. If he has pafl'ed by, and faid unto you " Live," you (hall live for evermore ; for whofoever livcth and believeth in Jesus, fhall never die. Does my Lord believe this ? Then welcome into the new world, welcome among the defpifcd Ij'racl of God, welcome into the Mediator's kingdom, where you (hall have all peace and joy in believing. When hril I was awakened^

Refrefhed^ I thought my joys compleaty When lo ! Immanuel's bounties rife ;

Still frefo discoveries he unfolds^ Tt>e lo'jcly treaj'ures yet furprize '

My'

My Lord, I now wonder no longer at the choice 6f Mofes. Well might he count the reproach of Christ of more value than all the riches of Egypt, God forbid, therefore, that yon or I fhould henceforth glory, fave in the crofs of Christ. It will be more honour to be a fuffcring fervant of Christ, than to be the king's commiflioner. Your Lordfnip will pardon this freedom. Methinks I hear you fay, " There is no comparifon.'* Indeed there is none. I would not change my poft for ten thoufand kingdoms. BlefTcd be God, that has given you a diftant view of the emptlnefs of all things here below, and the infufficiency of every thing to make us happy befides God. May thefe things be realized, and (lamped upon your Lordfhip's heart ! Then what a happy creature will vour Lordfhip be ? How will it rejoice me to fee your Lordfhip next Spring. I know not but my friends prayers may draw me there, about that time. In the mean while, I pray God from time to time to grant you a growth of grace, that you may know what it is to abide in God, and have a conftanC indwelling of the Holy Ghoft. I rejoice to hear that lady Jnn feems to look heavenward. May Jesus make her a wife virgin ! Yor her encouragement, I have fent an extracft of a letter lately fent to me by a friend in London ; and that your Lordfhip may know how it is with me, I have fent a copy of a letter I wrote to that friend a day or two ago. Lafl: night I came hither, and preached this afternoon. I purpofe (hortly to go to Gkuccjier^ Briftol^ Wilijh'tre^ and fo to London, The church there as well as elfewhere flourifhes. The time for favouring X'lon^ I believe, is indeed come. You fee, my Lord, how long my letters are, when I have freedom and leifure. I have thought feveral times to write to your Lordfhip, but was reftrained till I received your Lordmip's letter this morning.

Be pleafed to direct your next to be left with Mr. F — S ,

Leadcnhall-Jheet^ London. My prayers fliall follow this. O may Jesus breath upon it, and then it muft be blcfTcd to your foul ! 1 heartily arid humbly fa'utc the elect lady your wife. -—May you both be filled with all the fulnefs of God ! My

dear wire and Mr. 6" join heartily with me. We all

plead at the tbronc of grace in your behalf, and God alone

knows,

S50 LETTERS.

knows, how often you are remembered and wrcftled for, by, my Lord,

Your Lordlhip's moft obliged humble fervant,

LETTER CCCLXXX.

To the Right Honourable Lady Mary H .

Abergavennyy Dec, 24, 1741. Honoured Madam^

THIS morning I received your Lady(hip*s kind letter ; when perufed, I laid it before the Lord of all Lords, and prayed for you and yours with all my power. My dear wife and Mr. S joined heartily with me, and by thi^

fend their moft humble refpe6^s. We do not defpair of waiting upon your Ladyfhip next Spring : but ere that time, we may be all launched into the world of fpirits, where we fhall fing glory to him that fitteth upon the throne for ever. Does not your Ladyfliip long for that happy hour ? Methinks I hear you ready to fay

L

How long^ great God / how long miifl /, Iinmers'd in this dark prifon lie P TVhen Jhall I leave this duf^y fpherCy And be all mi?id^ all eye, all ear P

II. I long to fee that excellence^ Which at fuch dijiancejlrikes my fenfe ; My foul attempts to difengage Her wings frcm this her earthly cage,

III. JVouldJl thou. Great Love^ once fet her free, Hciffning fhe'd quick unite to thee j She"d for no guardian angels Jlay, But fly and love thro' cdl the way.

This, I believe, was the language of your honoured mother's heart, who is now joined with the heavenly choir above. Methinks I hear her fay, *' Daughter, follow me as I followed Christ ; afpire after the higheft degrees of holinefs, for the more holy you are, the nearer fhall you fit to the GoD-Man

Christ

Christ Jesus, the deeper infight fhall you have into the beatific vifion." This, honoured Madam, is a great motive to my foul to copy after my glorious Jesus. Bleffed he God, that made my letter favory to your foul. For this, and all other mercies, I defire to lie in the duft, and kifs the Redeemer's feet. I do not wonder that Mary loved to fit there : I do not wonder that another Mtny wiped them with the hairs of her head. Was my Lord here, I fhould wifli for a thou-fand alabafter boxes of ointment, to break for him. But Jesus fays, " Give me thy heart, and I defire no more." My foul replies,

Take my poor heart, and let it be For ever closed to all but thse ; ^eal thou my breaji, and let me wear That pledge of love for ever there.

How blejl are they whojilll abide, Clofe Jhelter'd in thy bleeding fide -, JVho life and firength from thence derive. And by thee move^ and in thee live,

Ohonoured Madam, I am amazed at Jesus's love. I willingly, join with you in faying, " Amen, Halleluiah I Worthy, indeed, is the Lamb that was flain." I blefs God for enlarging your heart, and giving you freedom to write. It is fweet to communicate our thoughts of Jesus. I hope the Lord will blefs this to your Ladyfhip, and reward you for all paft favours.

My humble refpeds attend Mr. H , and my hearty love

to your little lambs. I prayed for them this morning. When

I go to town, I hope to wait upon the Adarquis, 1 have

been a (hort circuit into Gloucefierfinrc, and find the divine prefence accompanying me more and more, O that I was humble ! O that I was thankful !

I.

And can it he that I Jhould gain An interefi in the Saviour's blood ?

Died he for fuch as caused his pain. Sinners wh^ him to death piofud F

IL

'35^ LETTERS.

II.

'Tis myjlcry all, MeJJiah dies ;

Who can explore thisjirange fh'fign ? In vain the curious feraph tries

To fou?id the depths of love divine, ^

But whither am I going ? Your Ladyfhip will excufe me 3 whilft: I am writing, the fire kindles.

Thro all eternity to Gob ^ A gratefulfong Pll raife ; But 0 eternity's tojhorty To utter all his praife.

With expeclation of another letter, and with hearty prayers for your temporal and fpiritual welfare, ! fubfcribc myielf^ honoured Madam,

Your Ladyfhip's obedient fervant,

G. ;;:

LETTER CCCLXXXL

To Mr. Samuel Ax , iri London,

Dear Mr, M , Brijlol^ Dec. 28, 174T,

BOTH my wife and I received your letters. I fend tliis^ to thank you for them. I came from Abergavenny on Saturday night. My dear wife was pretty well; I expect her here on Friday, We fliall bring no more goods to London^ than we fhall ufc ; but I know npt what to. fay about coming to your houfe, for brother S tells me, you and your

family arc dilatory, and that you do not rife fometimes till nine

or ten in the morning. This, dear Mr. M , will never

(\o for me; and I am perfuaded fuch a conduct tends much to the dlfhonour of God, and to the prejudice of your own precious foul. Sometimes I have looked upon you with gtief; you have buficd yourfelf about the outward affairs of religion in refpe6l to others, antl all the while I fear negleclcd to look into, and ftudy the improvement of.your own heart. I think you go backwards indead of forwards. I fear your prefent buGncfs will not anfvver, and I am fure you will have no folid comfort, till you look lefs abroad and more at home. Somebody faid, you was like the Athenians^ v/ho defired to

hear

he2T Tome new-thing. I thought the obfervation was toojuft. You are jealous about principles, (which is right) but all the %vhile your own pradlice is not fufiiciently watched over. I have heard that you fpend much time in coffee-houfes, and from your own houfe. I hope thefe things are not fo j and it is with grief and out of tender love that I now mentioa them to you. For fome time I felt my heart quite locked up

from writing to you. Mr. A^I-^ will not be offended witU

me for this plain dealing. You know I love you, and I aai fure this letter proceeds from love. I know too much of my own weaknefs and infirmities to infult others ; and when a brother is overtaken in a fault, I dcfire to reftore him in the fpirit of meeknefs. But I know how much the glory of God is concerned in our walk. The eyes of the world are now iti an efpecial manner upon you. How holy ought you and I,

dear Mr. M , to be, in all manner of converfation and

godlinefs I Labour therefore, my dear brother, to get an abiding prefcnce of God in your heart. Be willing to be fearched. Pray that you may feel the full power of the Redeemer's blood ; and walk in the continued comforts of the holy ghoft. Be not flothful in bufmefs. Go to bed feafonably, and rife early. Redeem your precious time : pick up the fragments of it, that not one moment may be loll-. Be much in fecret prayer. Converfe lefs v/ith man, and more with God. Accept this advice, given in great love. I purpofe ftaying here about a

fortnight. Dear Mr. A^ , I am

Your affectionate though unworthy brother,

and fervant in Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER CCCLXXXII.

' To the Rev. Mr. JV , at Dundee.

Reverend and dear ^h\ Briflol^ Dec. 7^0, IJ^T,

I Should blame myfelf much, for not writing to you before nov/, was I confcious it was owing to any wilful negle6l : but my mailer's bufmefs hath fo engaged me, that I really have not had an opportunity. God gave us a fwcet journey to England. Since my return hither, I have been at Gloiicejler^ Bnjlol^ in Wales^i and at Lcndon^ and have great reafun to Vol. I, A a blefs

8

blefs our Rmmnnuel for what he has done for his church. My foul hath drank largely of the divine love. I have been carried as on eagles wings, and am now better in health than perhaps ever fince I have been in the miniftry. I preach here twice daily. In about a fortnight, 1 fliall remove to London^ where I purpofe to continue, God wijling, till the weather permits of field-preaching again. About Spring, if Providence favours, I hope to pay you a fccond vifit. In the mean while, I fliould be glad to hear from you, what fruits you have feen fpring from my firft. I hope the Lord will make your latter end greatly to increafe. I fhall rejoice to hear of your fuccefs. My loul is much engaged for poor Scotland. I fhall be glad

to hear who has fucceeded the good Mr. TV- of Perth,

Ah dear man ! He is now^one into the world of fpirits, where there is no feceding, but all join in one common ftrife, who fhall praife their Lord and mafter in the moft exalted ftrains. I long to follow, but defire patiently to wait till my blefled change come. What a comfort, dear Sir, is it to think, that death is conquered. How fweet to be one of Christ's waiting fervants! It is a blefled poft \ And fuch honour belongs to all his faints. Thanks be to God for this unfpeak-able gift. Dear Sir, whilft I am writing, the fire kindles. I long to leap my feventy years. Welcome eternity ; I want to fee time fwallowed up. But I mufl: have done, having other letters to write. My kind love to your houfehold and all friends. I hope ere long you will fend a line to, reverend and dear Sir,

Your moft afFedlionate, though unworthy

brother and fervant in Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER CCCLXXXIIL

To the Reverend Air. O , at Aberdeen,

Reverend and dear Sir^ Brijlol^ X)^r. 30, 1741.

I Long to write you a line, to teftify the undiflembled love my foul bears towards you. I alfo long to hear what Jesus hath done at Aberdeen. I believe he fent me thither, and I am perfuaded he did not fend me there in vain. I have experienced frefli wonders of mercy, fince I faw j'ou. The

Lord

Lord has blefTed my miniftry in England, and in TVales^ where I trufl I was married in the Lord ; and as I married for him, I truft I (hall thereby not be hindered, but rather forwarded in my work. O for that blefled time when we fhall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but be as the angels of God ! My foul longs for that glorious feafon. Perhaps, fomctimes I am too impatient. But who that has taftcd of Jesus's love, can forbear longing to be with him ? I long to fee him as he i^, and my foul will never be compleatly fatisfied till I arife after his divine likenefs. This, I believe, is the defire, and frequently the frame of dear Mr. 0 's foul. But I believe we both have crolles to take up, and many trials to undergo, before we (hall be admitted to the beatific vifion. Alas I What a ftrangcr am I to the meeknefs which was in Jesus ? How much acrimony is there in my temper, that wants to be taken away ? BlefTed be GoD, my Saviour is omnipotent. He can, he will deliver me. He can, he will conform me to himfclf. 1 think I can fing thefe lines,—

My root ofholincfs thou arty

For faith hath made thee ?jnne: JVith all thy fulnefs fill my hearty

Till all I have be thine.

Dear Sir, what a fulnefs is there in Jesus ? What a pity is it, that we ftiould not draw largely out of it ? Why fhould we be content v/ith low degrees of holincfs ? Why fhould we be always dwarfs in religion ? I am quite afhamed of my low

ftature. I am an unprofitable fervant. O dear Mr. O ,

pray for me, that the Lord may purge me, and that I may bring forth more fruit. I have lately been at London^ Glou-ceftery JViltSy and IVales, The work of the Lord profpers. 1 preach here twice every day. That God may blefs and reward you all, is the earneft prayer of, dear Mr. O ,

Yours moft afFeclionately in Christ,

G, IV.

Aa2 LETTER

letter ccclxxxiv.

To the Rev, Mr, W , at GalUJJ/ieh.

Bt'ijioly December 30, 174*. Reverend and dear Sir,

THE love of Jesus conftralns me to trouble you with 2 letter at this time. Nothing but his work fliould have prevented my writing to you fooner. But you know how it ufed to be with me. O how little do I for Jesus, who has done fo much for me I I abhor myfelf in dufi: and afiies. I run to hide myfelf in his wounds. His righteoufncfs, his blood a-lone can recommend me to the Father. O that I was like Christ, that his whole mind was wrought in my foul ! I am now panting after his image ; I am now thirfting after his purity and holinefs -, help me, dear Sir, help me by your prayers, that I may feel the power of the Redeemer's blood. He hath done great things already for me -, but as yet I have afked nothing. Greater things are yet before me. There is an in-exhauilible fulnefs, out of which the Redeemer would have me draw continually. O for faith, for ftrong faith !

/ more luoidd blefs, I more ivould thanky I more would live to Jefus praife.

Since my return, I have been vifiting the churches. They grow and incrcafe daily. I preach twice every day. The Lord is among us. I hope I (hall hear the fame from you. In about fourteen days I go to London. About Spring I hope to fee Scotland once more. I have good news from the Orphan-houfe. As yet, I have not freedom to write out the fermon which you mention. Through inadvertence, I did not

fend you Mi-. M 's letter. God's time is heft. Perhaps

difputes about church-government had better fubfide. I am determined to knov/ nothing but Jesus Christ, and him

crucified. Be pleafed to remember me to dear Mr. O , at

Kelfo, I hope he behaves like a good foldier of Jesus Christ. My kind refpec^s attend your fon. Be pleafed to accept of the fame in a moft tender manner from dear Mr. S , and from,

viear Sir>

Yours mgft afFedionatcly in Christ,

G. IV, LETTER

LETTER CCCLXXXV.

To Mr. R S , hi London,

Brijioly Jan. 2, 1742. My dear Brother S ,

I Find freedom to anfwcr your kind letter immediately. I thank God for blefHng my writing to your poor foul. Your falvation I long, and pray for. So that fouls arc built up in their holy faith, let the Redeemer make ufe of what in-£lrument he pleafes. Brother Robert, it is a blefled thing to have always a Catholic fpirit. I am perfuaded, Jesus will give it to me. I am refolved never to reft, 'till felf-love, bigotry, prejudice, and all narrownefs of fpirit be expelled out of my foul. Blefled be the Redeemer's free grace ! I fee more and more into the inward receflcs of my mind. Dear Robert, there is fuch a thing as pafling from glory to glory. For Jesus Christ's fake, ftrive to enter in at the ftraight gate, and never ceafe ftriving 'till you enter into that reft which awaits the people of God. It is a fweet thing to abide in Jesus's wounds, and from a feeling pofteflion of God in the heart, to be able to fay, " My fellowfhip is with the Father and the Son." It is true we are not to live, or rely on our frames. The righteoufnefs of Jesus Christ alone, and not our doings or fufFerings, can recommend us to the Father. But however, we ought always to labour to be in a fweet and humble frame, ^nd be watchful againft any thing whatever, that may interrupt our communion with God. Peace and joy fhould flow in a believer's foul, like a river. If any thing fhould obftruif^ the paftage, he fliould not reft 'till faith overflows, and drives it away before him. I know not what others may fay, but thro' grace I can ftng with biftiop Ken,

*' To my foul it's hell to be,

*' But for a moment void cf thee.^^

O the fulnefs that there is in Christ ! It fills my heart, and out of the abundance of my heart my pen writeth. Dear Robert, may the Lord blefs it to your foul, and that will greatly icjoice

Your moft unworthy, though moft affedionate fnend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. TV. Aa 3 LETTER

LETTER CCCLXXXVL

To Mr. I H 5 in London.

My dear Brother H , Brifiol^ Jan. 2, 1742.

I Owe you a letter, and very much love. I thank you for calling to fee me, when laft in London. May the love of Jesus be fhed abroad abundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghoft. My foul is now thirfting after the Redeemer's love. I truft you and I, and all the brethren, (hall watch and pray againft every thing in our hearts, that is any way felfifh, or contrary to the boundlefs love of our exalted head. I long after a folid, real, undifTembled union with all that bear the Redeemer's image. If I know any thing of my heart, I care not how the old man be crucified and cut to pieces, fo that I may put on the new man, which is created after God in righteouf-nefs and true holinefs. BlefTed be the free, rich, and fovereign grace of our glorious Redeemer! who has begun the good work in my foul. Great, very great things hath Jesus done for me, a worthlcfs worm : but I fee infinitely greater things lying before me. There is an inexhauftible fulnefs in Jesus Christ, out of which I hope to draw to the endlefs ages of eternity. O the meeknefs, the love, purity and holinefs, that is in Jesus. Why fhould we be dwarfs in holinefs? If Christ came into the world, that we might have life, and fo much the more abundantly, why fhould we not afk and feek for it, efpecially fince we are fure to obtain ? My dear brother, you fee how free I write. Love conftrains me to do fo. O that I was a flame of fire ! I have lately been at Gloucejler. The Lord was with us of a truth. In Brijiol^ God attends me with his mighty power. Laft night Jesus rode on triumphantly indeed. Sometimes my heart is fo full, that I am tempted to think

'■ ■ My joy complete: When hi Emmanuel's mercies rifc^ StillfreJJ) difcoveries he unfolds^ The lovely treajures yet fur prize.

Uiibelief fciys, this will not hold to-morrow ; when lo, '* to-rtv.>rrow is as the day pall, and much aiore abundant." I

find

find there is yet oil, if there be yet a vefTcI, and an empty heart to contain it. Pray that my heart may be emptied of fclf, and that Jesus may be my all in all. I pray God, that none of us may give in to narrownefs of fpirit, but look up to Jesus for power over felf, in all its (hapes. Yefterday I

went to hear Mr. C . The Lord helped him, I believe, in

fome part of his difcourfe. I would be free ; I would meet more than half way ; but we are all too fliy. The Lord fill his foul with more of the difintcrefted love of Jesus. To-night I begin a general monthly meeting to read correfponding letters. Pray give thanks for the fucccfs of the gofpel in my unworthy hands. It (hall be returned, as Jesus fliall enable

Yours moft afFedtionately in Christ,

LETTER CCCLXXXVn.

To Mrs. K , in London.

My dear St/ier^ BriJhL Jan. 4, 1742.

THIS morning, in a letter from brother C , I heard that your dear hufband was dangerous ill of the fmall-pox. 1 was touched with a tender fympathy or vourcafe- I. immediately kneeled down, and laid your circumftances before our compa'ffionate high-prieft. I doubt not, but he \i touched with a feeling of your affliclions, and v/ill give you c;race to help in time of need. I hope the laiigunge of your heart is this :

Thy gifts ^ if caird for.^ I refign^ Pleas'd to receive^ pkas'd to rejlore ;

Gifts are thy work., itjhall be mine Ths giver only to adore.

I was, before I received the news of your dear hulband'-f illnefs, thinking that God's people muft meet with un-conamon trials. We fnall often find God's providences as it were contradicting his promifcs. Thus it was with Abraham and Jacobs and thus I believe it is in fornc degree or other with all the children of God ; for othcrvvife, how can faith be exercifed ? I doubt not but the cnemv of fouls vvill now be very bufy with you, and break in with his fiery darts upon

A a 4 your

your foul; but I pray Jesus to keep you from daggering through unbelief. May you be ftrong in faith, giving glory to God ! A<^ainll hope, may you believe in hope. However your hufband may be difpofcd of, my prayer for you is, " Lord ! make her ftill and refigned." I think the love of Christ conftrains me to write you this letter. Who knows but the Lord may blefs it to your foul r However, as you love the Lord Jesus, I hope you will receive it as a token of unfeigned chriilian fympathy and affection from, dear Sifter, Your moft unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G, IF.

LETTER CCCLXXXVIIL

To Mr. Peter S —-—, in London.

Bri/iol, Jan. 7, 1742.

I Have been obeying your rcqueft : I mean, bowing my knees before the God and Father of our. Lord Jesus Christ in your behalf. O that he may live before thee ^ that he may efcape the pollutions that are in the world th-rough luft; that he may be hiled with all the fulnefs of God, was the breathing and language of my heart. I truft the Lord

is now working upon brother S . He feems to have had

fome difcoveries of the Redeemer's love. May my dear Peter receive the full affurance of faith, and be truly fixed upon the yock of a2:es ! " Even fo Lord Jesus come quickly. Amen and amen," Excufe my writing to you in this manner, but God has put into my heart fuch an undiffembled love for you, and your dear brothers, that I cannot be fatisfied 'till I fee the ;^edeemer's love fhed abroad in all your hearts by the Holy Ghoft. Ah Peter^ Peter^ I truft Jesus prays for thee, and then the world fliall not fteal away thy heart from God. Satan hath been fifting me feverely, thefe two or three days. I have had feme clofe combats with the great dragon, but Jesus bath gotten himfelf the vi£\ory, I am enabled greatly to rejoice. For, '^ Blefled is the man that endureth temptations; when he his tried, he fhall receive the crown of life." The bri^htnefs of it, even at this diftance, dazzles my f'ght. Yet a little while^ and Jesus Christ {hA\ give it unto us. Dear

brother

brother K has got the ftart of us. Happy man ! He is at;

the end of his race. I fympathize with, aud have been praying for his furviving friends. The Lord enable us all to walk: fo circumipeiSlly, that the common enemy may not have an occafion to fpeak reproachfully of us. But whither am I running ? Excufe me, dear PsUr, God gives me freedom in

writing to, and praying for you. I hope dear brother R

received my lail: in good part. God only knows hov/ the happinefs of both of you is longed for by, dear brother,

Yours in the crucified Jesus,

G. TF.

LETTER CCCLXXXIX.

To Mr. y C 5 in Londo?2.

Gloucefcr^ Jan. 28, 1742. Aly very dear Brother^

ON Friday lafi: 1 left Brij^ol, having firft fettled affairs al-moft as I could wifh. At JCingJivood, I adminiflred the facrament. On JVednefday night it was the Lord's pafTover; on Thurjday we had a fweet lovc-feaft ; on Friday the Lord was with me twice at Tockingion ; on Saturday morning I broke up fome fallow ground at Newport^ by preaching with power to about two thoufand people, and in the evenino- to many thoufands at Stroud with wonderous power ; on Mon^ day morning at Painfivicky and ever Tmce twice a day here. Our congregations I think are larger than at Brijlol. The word proves iharper than a two-edged fword. Every fermon is blefied. Thefe words follow, " 1 have much people in this city." I am jufl now going to Chafford. 7'o-morrov/I ex-pe6l my wife. In my next, I will fend you word what I intend to do. I was one day at Bath. I fnould be glad to fee

brother R 's defence before it be publifhed. I told him of

it; I believe he will be upon his guard. His foul profpers. Siidefs perfedion I fear v/ill be propagated in thefe parts. The Lord in his due time vv^ill root out that pernicious weed. I thank you for writing to me. Pray write to me often. God \villing, 1 (hall examine Hampton Society tc-night. The fame 1 thiiik to do in JViltjhlre. I want to be in London as foon as may be. Pray that I may know the Lord's will. We muft

away

away to Chafford. The Lord be with you, and abundantly refrefli you. My moft tender love awaits all. Brethren, pray

for

Yours moft afte£lionately in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCCXC.

To the Rev, Mr, G T-i^iki;^'^'"'

Gloucejiery Feb, 2, 1742.

Reverend and dear Brother^

I Have longed for ibme time to fend you a line, and have wondered that I have heard no oftener from you ; but as I know my own circumftances, I can the more eafily guefs how it is with you. God has been very good to me fmce my arrival. I found when I came at firft, 1 had all my work to begin again. Brother IF had fo prejudiced the people

againft me, that thofe who were my fpiritual children would not fo much as come and fee me; nay they have gone by me whilft preaching in Moor-fields,, and flopped their ears. This I find in fome meafure hath been your cafe, and God wifely permits this, to teach us to ceafe from man. Pauls Epiftles to the Galatians much comforted me. Befidcs, I was embarrafTed with brother Seward's death. He died without making any provifion for me, and I was at the fame time much indebted for the Orphan-houfe.—But all this was to humble and prepare me for future bleffings. The Lord hath enabled me, bleflcd be his name, to keep fteady to my principles and ufual pra6lice. A new and numerous church has been raifed at London. In EJJex^ the Lord was wonderfully with me. Every where the congregations increafe. In Brlftol God enabled me to fight my way through. We have hired a large hall, and have expounded there twice a day. In Scotland^ the work, for its beginning, is rather greater than at New-England, I hear continually of the {tQ6. fown increafing, and fpringing up. God willing, I purpofe paying iS^i///(7«^'another vifit. I have lately been at Brijiol^ and both there, and here, and alfo at London^ the word runs and is glorified. Through the tender mercies of our God, I have been carried as on eagles wings through a variety of outward and inward trials. The greatnefs

of

of which none knows but God and my own foul. About •eleven weeks ago I married, in the fear of God, one who was a widow, of about thirty-fix years of age, and has been a houfekeeper for many years ; neither rich in fortune, nor beautiful as to her perfon, but, I believe, a true child of God, and would not, I think, attempt to hinder me in his work for the world. In that refpetSl, I am juft the fame as before marriage. I hope God will never fufFer me to fay, " I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." I am glad that matters are fettling fo amicably at Philadelphia. What a pity is it, that we fhould fall out in the way to heaven ! I would do any thing except defiling my confcience, and giving up what I think is truth, to prevent it. The aflbciate brethren are much to be blamed; I never met with fuch narrow fpirits. 1 do not forget you, or your brethren, or the churches in your parts. The Lord be with you. He is pleafed to fliew me more and more of my own heart, and day by day refrefhes my foul. My body is weak as ufual ; but Jesus is my ftrcngth. Help me to praife him. Pray fend a line to, reverend and dear Sir, Your mofl afFe6tionate, though mod: unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CCCXCr.

To M}\ S , at New-Brunfwick.

Dear Mr. S ——, Gloucejler^ Feb. 2, 1742.

LAST week I received your kind letter. Blefled be God, who hath brought you out of darknefs into his marvellous light. I hope the Redeemer hath now {hewn you his hands and his feet, and you can now fay, " IVIy Lord and my God." What have you to do now but to walk humbly with your God, and daily to afpire after the whole mind that was in Jesus ? I find but few truly labouring after this. Who can fay, " My foul is athirft for God, yea even for the living God :" and yet to fuch only is the promifed blelTed-nefs, of being filled, given. As for my own part, I am afhamed to think how unlike I am to my Saviour ; I fee fuch beauty in him, that I long to be conformed to his divine

image and likenefs. May you and I, dear A4r. «S , never

reft

reft till vvc have attained unto it; and the more we do attain, the more willing we fhall be to come, as poor Tinners, to Jesus Christ ; it is a blefied thing, dear Sir, to be brought out of felf. It v/ill be continually creeping in : happy they who have pov/er over it. I do not wonder at your being

united with Mr. J C ; he is a dear foul, and one

whom the Lord delights to honour. Blcfibd be God, the work in our hands every where increafes. I am fupportcd and encouraged, quickened and comforted day by day. Jesus loves and blclles me. May he blcfs you and yours more and more, and caufc you to v/alk in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft. My tender love to all. 1 hope yet to fee you once more in the flcfli. In the mean while 1 beg leave to fubfcribc myfelf, dear Sir,

Your moft afFe6lionate friend, brother, and fcrvant in Christ,

G. JP\

LETTER CCCXCII.

To Mr, TV .

Dear Mr, W , Gloucrjler^ Feb. 2, T742.

Thank you for your kind letter. It ftiould have been an-

I

fwered fooncr, had an opportunity oftered. I blefs God for vcu, who carries on in your foul the fpiritual building. I doubt not but the top-ftone will yet be brought out, and the builders be made with (liouting to cry, " Grace ! Grace !" I fliould think it was not of God, if the work was not oppofed.—What difficulties did Nehemiah go through in building the wall \ But fear not, the Lord is with you. He built not for man, but for the Lord. By his leave, 1 propole bringing a fchool-mafter and miftrefs with me. When 1 (hall embark, I know not. The calls here are fo loud and numerous, and fo few labourers fent forth to aiSt in a popular way, that I think it my dutv not to leave England yet. God is pleafed to work by my miniftry more and more. My foul is refrefhed, and my body ftrengthened and renewed day by day. In Scotland there is a very great awakening; and alfo in Lcndon^ Brijhly Wiltftjire^ and Glmcejlerjbire, But, notwithftanding all this, my Ameri^ can friendii are by no means forgotten. I continually pray for

them.

LETTER S. ^%

them. The Lord, in his due time, will fend me to you. la the mean time, be plcalcd to remember me in the tendered manner to aH that love the glorious Redeemer. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon them and you ; fo prays,

dear Mr. JV ,

Your moft affcclionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. //'.

LETTER CCCXCIII.

T:o Mr. James R , in Philadelphia^

Dear Mr. R , Gkucejler, Feb. 2, 1742.

I Was glad to hear (though by another hand) of your fafe arrival. May your foul profper, being rooted and grounded in love, and built upon the rock of ages, the dear Lord Jesus. BlefTed be God, the church is in much greater peace than when you left England. There hath been a very great awakening in fevcral places. God hiith brought order out of confufion ; and (as he always will) hath caufed even our divifions, though no thanks to us, to work for good. I hear you have had a fifiing time at Philadelphia. I never yet heard of a work of God, but fome fuch thing happened. This is my comfort, the government of the church is upon the Redeemer's (boulders ; and therefore the gates of hell {hall never be able to prevail againfl: it. I hope ere now Christ has revealed himfelf in your heart, and given you the •witnefs of the Spirit. For he that believeth, hath the witnefs in himfelf. I fuppofe you will be glad to hear, that the Lord hath, in a good degree, delivered me from the embarraffinents with which I was environed when you embarked. God was then preparing me for further mercies. Wc muft be humbled before we are exalted. I fuppofe you have heard of my marriage. The Lord hath given me a daughter of Abraham ; fhe joins in fending love to you and all, with, dear Mr.

R ,

Your afFcclionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCXCIV.

To Mr. G^-i^i^ yxiLiii^;*'

Cloucejler^ Feb, 5, 1 742. Reverend and dear Brother^

ON Tuefday I received yours. I blefs God for delivering brother R out of the hands of his enemies. I

am perfuaded he will deliver your brother TFilliam alfo. By your defertion and temptations, I believe God is preparing you for a frefh work. I believe you would be better, if you would always evangelize. I (hall write to fome friends about

Mr. C 's principles. I thank you for your kind caution.

My mirtakes often humble me. Never did Jesus fend out a more weak and worthlcfs wretch. I have not freedom now to continue writing a journal as ufual. I fhall proceed, for the future, in a more compendious way. Since I wrote the inclofed, we have feen a glorious appearance of the Son of Man. O infinite condefcenfion ! The Lord is with me. That he may be abundantly with you, and blefs your labours more and more, is the hearty prayer of. Reverend and dear Sir>

Your moft afFe6lionate and loving, though

moft unworthy brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCXCV.

To Mr, B , at Philadelphia.

Dear Mr. B , Gloucejier^ Feb. 5, 1742.

IWas much rejoiced to receive a letter from your hands. Blefled be God for carrying on the work, which, I hope, was begun in your heart long ago ! I truft you will never reft till you are poflefied of the whole mind which was in Christ Jesus. He is our pattern ; and if we have true grace in our hearts, we {hall be continually labouring to copy after our great exemplar. O the life of Jesus ! How little of it is to be feen in thofe that call themfelves his followers. Humility, meeknefs, love, peace, joy, goodnefs, faith, and the other blelu'd fruits of the Spirit, whither are they fled ? I fear moft

take

take up with the fliadow, inftead of the fubftancc. God forbid that I, or dear Mr. B , (houLd be of that unhappy

number. Dear Sir, there is an unrpcakabh: fulnefs, un-fearchable riches in Christ. Out of him we are to receive grace for grace. Every grace that was in the Redeemer, is to be tranfcribe^l and copied into our hearts. This is Chriflianity; and without this, though we could difpute with the utmoft clearnefs, and talk like angels, of the dodrines of grace, it would profit us nothing. To prevent the growth of thi-s inward life, I am perfuaded facan introduces herefies in the church, hoping thcrel^y to ftir up ftrife, envy, prejudice, and narrownefs of fpirit ; and where thefe are, there will be every evil work. To this end,y7«/^/'<??yi?<f?/£>« hath been propagated in England^ and Antinomian principles fufFercd to be fpread among you. But, bleflbd be God, both in England^ and with you, I truft difputations and diftra£tions are abated, and love and unity once more are lifting up their hsads. This, at prefent, is the language of my heart :

Lee us find out the ancient way^

Our wondering foes to ?nove ; And force the heathen world to fay ^

See bow thefe Chrijlians love.

*' Love is of GoD; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God." I am glad you are creating a fociety to promote this love. Fear not the fmallncfs of your beginning. What is begun in the fear of God, he will profper. I believe them to be true followers of Jesus Christ ; and though we agree not in all things, yet I pray God to make us one in heart. Now,

dear Mr. B , what (hall I fay more. The blefled

Jesus has been fupcrabundantly good to my foul fince my arrival. I have been carried, though through much weaknefs, as on eagles wings. In England^ JVales^ and Scotlattd, God hath blefled my poor labours more than ever. The calls to divers places, arc loud and importunate ; and, as God has raifed up many labourers among you, I think it my duty to flay here fome time longer, and to vifit Scotland once more. However, my friends abroad are continually upon my heart. I pray God for you night and day. May the Lord fill you with all his fulnefs ! I defire to be remembered

bered to all mentioned in your*s, and to all that love the Lord-Jesus. I love you unteignedly, and entreat you to write again to, dear Sir,

Your moft affedionate friend and fcrvant,

G. IF.

LETTER CCCXCVI.

To the Reverend Mj\ C , at Bath,

Ghucejler^ Feb, 5, 1742. My dear Friend and Brother^ '

TO fliew you how willing I am to comply with your re-queft, and make dear Mr. C one of my clofe

correfpondents, I fit down this evening to write an anfvver to your kind letter. What has been doing lately, the tran-fcript on the other fide will fhcw you. Since the writing of that, the blellcd Jesus hath been wondrous kind. Yefterday I preached three times, and vifited a private fociety in the evening. To-day I was enabled to preach three times, with great power. Here is fuch an awakening in this country, as I never heard of, or faw in thefe parts before : " The fields are white already unto harveft." It is pleafant to hear the people come and tell how God wrought upon them by my unworlhy miniftry tv»7o years ago. l^he fruits of the Spirit arc now apparent in their lives and converfations. Letters from SeciJand bring blcffcd tidings, as alfo from Philadelphia, O the blefied effedts of" field-preaching ! O that I was humble, that I was thankful I Help me, my dear friend, to entreat the Redeemer to make me as a little, a very little ehild. The beginning of next week I hope to be at Bath', but cannot tell cxacSliy the day. I thank my friends for their kind intention to meet mc, but I had rather avoid it: the lefs parade the better. Let us (land ilill, and we fnall fee the fal-vation of (jod. He will not blefs what doth not come from himfelf. May the Lord make me an Jfraelite indeed, in

whom is no allovv'cd guile ! I am glad dear Mr. T is

coming. My hearty love to him. O that our meeting maybe blcfled, and all three of us be made a flame of lire I Dear'

Mr. C , I love you unfeignedly. I v/ifb, above all

things, your foul may profper. Good night. My fpul is filled I with

with Jtsus's love. I am going tO pray for you and yours,

being, dear Mr. C ' —-, without diirimulcuion,

Vours moft afFe<Slionately In Jesus Christ,

G.IK

LETTER CCCXCVn.

Td the Ri^ht Honouj-abie the -.

ThaU^^ near Readings Feb, 23, 1742.

AND (Joes the clear — know adurcdly that Jesus hath died for him ? Sing, O heavens \ Rejoice, O earth ! I would join with angels and archangels in iinging " Glory

to God on high." Welcome, my , into the world of

new creatures. You are infinitely more happy than thofe who have lately been preferred, and kified his Majefty's hand. Jesus hath holden out his golden fcepter, and given you a patent for eternal life. Methinks I hear your nov/

raying, '' I account the reproach of Christ, of more value than all the riches of Egypt'*

Be goyu^ -vain ivorU,, my heart rcf.gn^ For I ean he no longer thine \ A nobler^ a diviner gueji^ Hath took pojpffton of my hreajl.

Well may your fay, " you have been in a dream/'

XVhen God firft fiiewed me that I muft be a nev^ creature, I awaked as it v/ere^ into a new world. I ilood quite amazed. I was aftonifhed to think, what a deep deep the world around me was in. Thought I, O that I was made inftrumcntal to fome of them I The Lord heard my prayer. He has fent me to awaken the dear man I am now writing to. Not unto me, O God, not unto me, but to thy free grace and rich mercy be all the glory ! With your Lordihip's letter to-day, came fcveral others from different parts, all with glad tidings of great joy. O that I was humble and thankful ! Why me.

Lord,, why me ? Surely I will join with your in

faying, not becaufe I chofe GoD,'but God (O Infinitely con-fccndljig majefly !) did chufe me. What (liall we render to

tr.c glorious Emmanuel? Methinks I hear your fay-

\\vi^ *' Behold, Lord, herceforwAid I look wpon myfelf as VcL. L 3 b a ikward^

%

a fteward, and not as a proprietor of thy manifold gifts; I will live no longer to myfelf, but to him that died for me.'' Amen, Lord Jesus, amen and'amcn ! Be pleafed to excufe the defcds of this, being written upon the road. I am now goir>g to London, There has been a great awukeoing lately iri

Gkucejlerjhire. I rejoice to hear that the lady is fo well

difpofcd. May a church be always in your houfe ;

and every one of your family be made a living member of the houfhold of faith ! No greater thing can be defined

in your behalf by, my ,

Your —■ moft obedient humble fervant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCXCVIII.

To the Right Honourable Lady M H : . ^

ThaleSy (near Reading) Feb. 23, 1742. Honoured Madam^ ' r

IAm now upon the road to London. This ryiorning your acceptable letter came to hand. Though fomewhat wearied, I would fain anfwer it before I retire to reft. Blefled be God who caufesyour Ladyfliip to be never lefs alone, than when alone. O Madam, what a comforter is the Holy Ghoft r What fweet company is Jesus Christ? What a privilege is it to have fellowftiip with the great Three-One? A world lying in wickednefs knows nothing of it. Every thing yields comfort when the blcfled Spirit breathes upon it. Even this fcribble, from the chief of finners, from one who is lefs than the leaft of all faints, ihall again refrefh your foul, if Jesus fpcaks the word. Amazed am I, that God fhould work by my hands. But Jesus is love. He yet delights to honour me. I have lately feen the Redeemer riding in his ftrength, and getting himfelf the vi6lory in poor fmners hearts. Letters from abroad inform me of the fame. O that our glorious Jesus may fet the world in a flame of love ! Haftcn that time, O bleffcd Jesus : O let thy kingdom come! I have heard from my dear Orphans to-day. They have been reduced to ftraits ; but the Lord hath ftirred up a wealthy friend or two to aflift them. The everlafting God reward all their benefadtors ! I find thcte has been a frefh awakening ^ among

among them. I am informed, that twelve negroes, beloniring to a planter lately converted at the Orphan -houfe, arc favingly brought home to Jesus Christ. This will rejoice your Ladyfhip's heart. I am glad to hear that the work goes on in Scotland. The Lord, I truft, will ripen your foul apace for glory. He hath various ways of perfc6ling his faints. Me-thinks I fee your Ladyfhip fitting in your chair, and raviflied with the Redeemer's beauty day by day. Sometimes you are as it were wafliing his feet with your tears ; at other times fitting by faith at his feet, and hearing or reading his word. Sometimes your heart is too big to fpcak ; then again, out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth poureth forth hallelujahs. Sometimes you are lofl in wonder; at all times longing to be dilTolved and to be with Christ ; for, when you hear him fay, " Rife up^ my love, and come away,"

Tou7' heart would fain out fly the w'lnd^ And leave all earthly loves behind.

This, I truft, is the life your Ladylhip lives. This is life iiideed. They who live otherwife, are dead whilft they live. They call for our compafiion and prayer^; for who hath made the diiFerence ? Diftinguifhing grace ! O the unfearch-able riches of Christ ? I could fpeak of him for ever j but it; grows late : nature calls for reft.

O when Jhall I in endlefs day^ For ever chafe dark fleep aivay ; And hymns with the celejlial quire Incejfant flng^ and never tire ?

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ! The Lord be with

your fpirit, arid abundantly blefsboth you, Mr. H , and

your child. Indeed I do not forget your Ladyfhip j your laft fhould not have remained fo long unanfvvered, but it came only to-day into the hands of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyfhip's moft obedient humble fervant,

G. jr.

Bb 2 LETTER

LETTER CCCXCXIX.

To Mr, Thomas iV-~, at Nav-Tork,

London^ Feb, 26, 1742. My very dear Brother^

I Have herewith fcnt you-a pnrccl. Be plcafed to read the letters, and fend them as directed. I received your kind letter, dated in December^ and thank you for all kindnefies fhewn to the poor orphans. The Lord Jesus will richly reward you. Before yours came, the Lord had given me air enlarged heart, and unfeigned love and freedom to converfe with all his dear children, of whatever denomination. I talk

freely with the Meflrs. IV 's, though we widely differ

in a certain point. Moft talk of a catholic fpirit; but it is only till they have brought people into the pale of their own> church. This is downright fe6larianifm, not catholicifm. How can I act confiftently, unlefs I receive and love all the children of God, v^^hom I eReem to be fuch, of whatever denomination they may be } Why fhouTd wc difpute when there is no probability of convincing ? I think this is not giving up the faith, but fulfilling our Lord*s new command, " Love one another:" and our love is but feigned, unlefs it produces proper effects. I am perfuaded, the more the love of God is-fhed abroad in our hearts, the more all nsrrownefs of fpirit will fubfide and give way : befides, fo far as we are narrow fpirited, we are uneafy. Prejudices, jealoufies, and fufpicions make the foul mifcrable, fo far as they arc entertained. But

enough of this: my dear brother N is of my mind.

Only let me give you one caution : Take heed that your getting acquainted with any new fet of Chriftians, does not lead you infenfibly to defpife others of your old acquaintance. Watch, and deal very tenderly with all ; otherwife you will grow referved and artful, and lofe a fimple, open, guilelefs,-Ifraelitijh fpirit, before you are aware. There needs a clofe adherence to the motions of the Holy Spirit, and a conflant watching over the corruptions of our own hearts, in order that we may walk before GoD^as very little children. O that I was a little child indeed ! Jesus can make me one. My dear brother, I thank you for your kind invitation. God J wijlingr

LETTER S. §73

willing, I fliall accept it, if ever I fee New-Tork. Kut I think Providence calls me once more to Scotland. I have been lately plowing up Tome fallow ground, and now preach twice everv day. The Lord docs indeed blei':; the word, and gives me to rejoice in the felicity of his cliofen. Bs fo kind now and then to drop a line to my dear orphan-family. As opportunity oftcrs, and the Lord gives freedom, you fhall hear

ifom, dear brother A^ ,

Yours moft affectionately in Jesus Christ,

G. TV.

LETTER CCCC.

To Mifs , at Edinburgh.

Dear Mifs, London, Feb. 27, 1742.

I Did not receive your letter till this night. Whilft I was reading it, my heart grew warm with thankfulnefs to that God, who, I truif, by his almighty Spirit hath called you out of darknefs into his marvellous light. In his light you now fee

light. Do you not, dear Mifs //^ , find what I faid to

be true, " That Jesus Christ is the faireft among ten thoufands." Is he not altogether lovely ? Henceforth you may well fay,

/ bid this world of nolfe and fhew. With all its flattering fnares, adieu.

The greater advances you make in the divine life, the more you will fee what a dream you and the pojite world have been in. And O the diftinguifhing grace of God to you ! Me-thinks I hear you calling on angels and archangels to join in praifmg our comm.on Lord. Well may you fay, " You are not henceforth your own :" No, dear Mifs, let Jesus have your whole heart. Let his blood, his wounds be continually before you. God forbid that you fhould now glory? f-ive in the crofs of Christ, by whom the world is crucified to you, and you unto the world. Pity the poor chriftlefs creatures about you. Pray for them, as the Holy Spirit gives you freedom. Tell them of the love of Jesus. They need no other motive. This, backed with almighty power, muft break the molt hardened hearf. With much pleafurc I rcflcft on ' B b 3 the

the blcfTed confolations I have been favoured with, whilft ex* plaining the fcriptures to you and your honoured relations. O that not one may remain unconverted ! May Jesus look on them ; then v^'ill they look on him and be faved. Blefled be God for fending me to Scotland^ if it w^as only to bring you home. Ere long 1 hop^e to vifit your country again j ani then, O that I may fee you all meek, humble, heavenly-minded, clofe follower's of the bleeding Lamb I Thanks be to God, he hath dire6led me to a wife, who was once gay, but now with you can {ivig,

I.

Come^ Saviour Jesus, from ahove^ Jjjiji me with thy heavenly grace j Withdraw fny heart from worldly lovs^ Jndfor thy/elf prepare the tlace,

II. O let thy facred prefence filly And fet my longing fpirit free ; Which pants to have no other love^ But night and day to feajl on Thee.

III. That path ivith hiimhle fpeed Vllfeeky Wherein my Saviour s footjleps fnne \ Nor will I hear, tior zvill I [peak Of any other love but thine,

IV. To' Thee fny ling'ring foul afpires ; • To Thee I offer all my vows ; Keep me from vain and filfe defires^ My God, my Saviour^ and my fpouf,

V. Wealth, honour, or whatever elfe This tranfitory world can give. Tempt as you ivill, my heart repels^ 71? Christ alone refohed to live,

VI. Thee I can love, and thee alone., With inward joy and holy hlifs ; To find thou tak'Ji me for thy own^ O what a happinefs is this /

Dear

Dear Mifs, whilft I am writing, the love of Jesus fills my foul. I have been talking to night of his love to poor finners.

0 that his fpirit may break afrefh upon your foul when you are reading this ! I muft now commend you to the Redeemei's care. In the world you (hall have tribulation ; be not afraid, Jesus hath overcome the world. —I have many letters before me unread ; but I could not help writing this long one to you. Accept it as a token of unfeigned regard for the good of your precious foul, and depend on the prayers of, dear Mifs

IV —,

Your moft afFedionate friend and

iervant in Christ,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCCl.

T^o the Reverend Mr. C .

London, March ^, ^742. My dear Friend and Brother,

I Remember my promife. You are to be one of my clofe correfpondents. I am unworthy to write to any ; but love, the love of Jesus will conftrain me frequently to write to you.

1 hope you are not offended, becaufe you did not fee me in Bath again. The glorious Emmanuel pointed out my way hither. Since I came (O amazing goodnefs !) he has been wonderfully kind to me, and to his people. I am much affiled daily, in preaching to poor fmners the unfearchable riches of Christ. Life and power fly all around, and the Redeemer is getting himfelf the victory daily in many hearts. Letters from abroad give me glorious accounts. In New-England, the work goes on amazingly. In Scotland, the awakening is greater and greater. The fpirit of God has been ftriving among the little orphans in Georgia, and in Carolina I hear that twelve negroes belonging to a planter, converted at the Orphan-houfe, are favingly brought home to jEsu-i. Christ. Indeed the Lord is about to do great things, " Blefled are the eyes that fee the things which we fee ; bleiTed are the ears that hear the things that wc hear i" blefTed are thofe that the Lord employs as his own children, to brinp- about his o;rcat defijrns. O that my dear A4r. C

O CD & J

may be made a flaming fire, a;Kl a fpiiitual father to thou-B b 4 fands 1

faiids ! Dcai Mr. T , who was lb kind as to come and

f«-e me l.ifl: night, I trufi: is coming on. I hope both you and him Vv^ill experience a folid ellablilhm-nit in the giace uf our Lord Jesus Christ. Tiicre is no reft here, no true foh'd lafting left, till we come to this. Our hearts are dcceiUul above all things. We feek reft in outward things. We change our places, circutiiftanccs, and ftationb ;—but if Jesus loves us, he will put a thorn in the place where we would i'ain neftlc. A foul that has had fomc awakenings, and been v.'andring from Christ, is like NoaJ/s dove which could find no reft for the fole of its foot, till it came back to the ark again. This ark is Christ, and when we are fafely locked in there, and the foul hath received an abiding witnefs, then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth fpeaketh. l^his is the rea-fon why Jesus bid his difciples to wait for the promife of the Father. Filled with this, the v.'oman of Samaria could not but call on others to come and fee. And were we but animated, ltd and influenced by this fpirit, what a blefled union would there be among all i\\Q churches of Jesus Christ ? It is a want of more of this, that now at prefent difunites us. I defpair therefore of a greater union, till a greater meafure of the fpirit be poured from on high, flence, therefore, I am refolved limply to preach the gofpel of Christ, and leave ethers to quarrel by and with themfelvcs. To contend, where there is no probability of convincing, only feeds and adds fuel to an unhallowM fire, which a mifguided zeal kindles in the heart. Love, forbearance, long-fufFering, and frequent prayer to your dear ]>ord Jesus, is the beft way to extinguifli and put it out. O love, true, fmiple, chriftian, undiilcmbled love, whither art thou fled ! The language of my heart is, •—But whither am I going ? You fee, my friend, how freely 1 v/rite. 7'he blefted Jesus warms and fills me, whilft- I am writing. I know, though I am unworthy, you will fend me a line in return, Methinks I could waih your feet, Me-^ thinks, I long to fee your fhackles drop ofF, and your foul free for the unuiterruptcd fcrvice of the beft of inaftcrs. Faith in his blofidy wounds is the only means. Lord, evermore give my dear friend and his wife living faith, which may purify their hearts, enablQ them to overcome the world^ and will

wor^

work by love ! The Lord make you both as little shildrcn

tefofc him ! This is the prayer of, dear Mr. C ,

Yours ali-edionaicly in Christ,

G\ IK

LETTER CCCCII.

To Air. A .

Dear Mr. A , Lotidon, March 4, 1742.

I Received your comfortable letter concerning the dear Jambs at Hi-r::i'o hofpitaL I pray God give you grace to feed them, that they may grow in grace as they grow in years, and make perpetual advances in tlie knowledge of Jesus Christ. Be pleafcd to falute them from me, in the kindcft manner. Entreat them, O exhort them to remember their Creator in tliC days of their youth, and to keep clofc by his wounded fide. Tell them, dear Sir, from time to time, of the power and efHcacy of his all-atoning blood : it purifies the heart, overcomes the world, and fills the believer with joy un-fpeakable and full of glory. Watch over their dear fouls day by day, and wait clofely upon the Lord yourfelf, that you may be taught of him to feed his lambs. It is a work of the utmoft importance. No lefs than infinite wifdom can be [ui'-ficient for you ; but if any man lack wifdom, let him afk ic from above; God giveth liberally to the lovers of his dear Son, and upbraideth not. Dear Sir, God is love. He halh loved me, and is plcafed to work by me more and more. At home, and abroad, Jesus Christ rides on glo.ioufiy. I hope, at my return to Scotland^ to fee greater things than ever. When it fnall be, I know not yet. God's people mufl: pray me to them. With difficulty I get time to write this. I once more falute you and the dear Iambs, and am, dear Sir,

Your molt affedionate friend and fervant,

G. IK

LETTER CCCCin.

To Mr. J K , at Exon.

^^^'' ^'"'S London^ March 6, j 742.

Now fnatch a few moments to anfwer your kind letter. As yet, i have no juiiiraation from providence in rcfpect to

coming

coming into your parts. The cloud at prefent cloth not feein to move that way. So many places want fupplies, that I could wifli I had a thoufand lives and tongues. Jesus Christ fbould have them all. Only I am aftoiiiflicd, that the Lord of the harveft fliould fend out fuch a worthlefs labourer, or rather loiterer as I am. But his grace is free, like himfelf infinite ; " For to me, who am lefs than the Icaft of all faints, is this grace given, that I fliould preach to poor fmners the linfearchable riches of Christ." Blefled be God, I do not preach in vain. The accounts from New-England^ Scotland^ and Caroiinay are furprizing. In London^ the word of the Lord runs and is glorified. IVery day we fee the Redeemer's ftately ftcps. I have not time, dear Sir, to tell you what great things our great mafter is doing for his people, and yet I believe we fhall fee greater things than thefe. From Georgia alfo, I have great accounts. The fpirit of tho Lord hath been breathing upon the orphans. I thank you, dear Sir, for your intended benefa6tion, and kind invitation. If ever our dear Lord calls me your way, I fhall accept it : though I am utterly unworthy to come under any one's roof, but more efpecially that Jesus fliould come under the roof of the houfe of my foul.—But Jesus is love. That his love may be abundantly flied abroad in your heart, by the Holy Gholl, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your moft aft'edionate friend and fervant unknown,

G. TV.

LETTER CCCCIV.

To Mr, G H , in Gloucejler.

J}ear Mr. H , London^ Mcirch^ 12, 1742.

BY no means leave off reading to the fociety. It is not taking too much upon you, or going out of your depth. The caufe of your fo much as thinking to decline, is not good. The more unworthy you are, the more gJory will you give to a glorious Redeemer: the greater finn-er you are, the more feelingly will you read of, and recommend the glorious Ranfom paid for llnners. Goon, my dear man •, venture boldly to the throne of grace ; fear not.— God will heal our backflidings; he loves us freely. Jesus hath been my glorious Saviour. I would have mentioned this afFair of the fuciety in my lad, but I was then

ignorant of it.—My dear wife has written to dear Mrs. H .

How does the dear woman as to fpirituals ? I do not defpair of feeing you both good cluiflians. Jesus is almighty. Qo to him juft as you are. The Lord be with you both ! I

fuppofe you have feen the letter fent to dear AI. C by

brother S . My tender love to him, and all that love the

bleiled Ennnannel. I have fecn Mr. y . The Lord is

wonderfully good to me. Pray fend a line to, dear Sir, Yours affectionately in Christ Jesus,

LETTER CCCCV.

To Mifs R .

Dear A^ifs, Londo7t, March 18, 1742.

I Am yet of opinion, there is mercy and love laid up for you in the heart of the blefTed Jesus. You look backward, inftcad of forward. You look into yourfelf, inftead of looking up to Him, who is mighty and willing to fave. O that you may have ftrength to go to him juft as you are ! You would then be delivered from your bondage. The cafe of the poor Syrcphisnician woman may give you comfort. Hov/ did the Lamb of God feem, as it were to turn lion ? How did he feem to turn a deaf ear to her complaints ? And yet heard and loved her all the while. Why may not you believe ? He will yet fay to you, " Be it unto you even as thou wilt." I fear fome tell you, that it is well to doubt. Lideed they are mifl-aken. Dear Mifs, expect great things from Jesus Christ. " He is able to do abundantly for you above what you can afk or think." His name, his nature is Love. P'ear not; be not faithlefs, but believing. Wait, and you fhall yet fee the falvation of God. In Jesus there is plenteous redemption. That you may feel the full power of his blood, prays, dear Mifs,

Your afFedionatc friend and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCVI.

To Mr. jy , in Bnjhl.

LorJ^Uy April 6, I742» My deaVy yea very dear Brother^

YOU mull needs think, that your kind letter gave me no imall pleafure. Glory be to God for that rich love wherewith he hath loved you ! Surely Jesus Christ will be now exceeding precious to your dear foul. What does he now require of you, but to walk humbly, clofely, and with a child-like fimplicity before him ? He hath followed you, as well as prevented you with his mercies, and would fuffer nothing to take you out of his hands. Satan hath defired you, fatan has fifted you as wheat; but Jesus, that friend of fm-ners, hath prayed for you, and therefore your faith hath not failed. The Lord hath looked upon my dear Samuel. Me-thinks I fee him weeping tears of love, and faying, " Speak, Lord, thy fervant heareth now."

I doubt not but many will reproach you for your paft back-Hiding, and queftion your future (lability. Let all ferve to humble you in the dud, and drive you to the loving Jesus for refuge. '-'- In him," furely fliall my dear friend fay, " I have righteoufnefs and firength." Look up to him, and you Ihall be delivered from, nay, made more than conqueror over every temptation. He will fight your battles for you, and crown

you v^'hcn you have done. Dear Mr. JV- , the love of

Jesus now fv/allows up my foul. I fee him more and more lovely every day. In Jesus there is plenteous redemption. He caaie, that we might have life, nay that we might have it more abundantly. O what a bleiTmg is it to be redeemed from a vain converfation, and from this prefent evil world. O that every poor finner felt it! Then would his children agree in one, and divifujus would be at an end. Blcfled be our Lord, there is a greater profpecl of union than ever. It is what my foul longs after, and labours for. It is a great pity that poor pilgrims fbould fall cut in their way to heaven ; but this will be, till we get more of the divine fpirit. Pray we therefore for a great cfFufion of the Holy Ghofl. BleiTed be God,

we

we ted the Holy Ghoft daily in our congregations. It fur-prizes me to fee what a company of fettled, folid chriftians are amonj^ft us. The work goes on daily. This morning, how did Jesus pierce and melt poor finners hearts ? Amazing accounts are brought from abroad.—Frelh av/akenings in many places at home. Does not your foul long to tell fmncrs, Jesus is Love. I am glad to hear you are foacTiive. Go on in the ftrength of the triumphing Lamb. My heart is warm. Welcome home again, my dear friend, welcome to Jesus your Lord and your God. Pray write often, dear Mr. IV ,

to

Your mod afpedlionatc friend, brother and

fervant in the glorious Emmanuel^

G. //'.

, L E T T E R CCCCVn.

To Mr, O , in Leominjler,

My dear Brother^ London^ Jprll 6^ I'jo^l.

YOUR letter gave me uncommon pleafurc, and confirm'd me more in the opiniorv, that where our Lord gives a will, he will alfo give an opportunity of glorifying his great and mofi: adorable name. Indeed, I believe there is fuch a work begun, as neither we nor cur fathers have heard of. The beginnings are amazing; how unfpeakably glorious will the end be ! From Neiv-England^ freih and furprizing gUid tidings are (tnt-^ the Lord takes poor fmners there by hundreds, I may fay by thoufands. In Scotland^ the fruits of my poor labours are abiding and apparent. In IVales^ I hear the word of the Lord runs and is glorified, as alfo in many places in England. In London^ our Saviour is doing great things daily ; we have many dear growing children among us, who can fay, " Our fellowfhip is v/ith the Father and the Son." We fcarce know what it is to have a meeting without tears. Our Lord always meets with us. My dear brother, I rejoice to hear that you are helped in your work. Let this encourage you ; go on, go on ; the more we do, the m«re we may do for Jesus. I fleep and eat but little, and am conflantly employed from morning till midnight, and yet I walk and am not weary, I run and am not faint. My ftrength is daily renewed. My bow abides in ftrength, and my hands

are

are upholder! by the arms of the mighty God of Jacob. O free grace ! It fires my foul, and makes me long to do fomething more for Jesus. It is true indeed, I want to go home ; but here are fo many fouls ready to perifh for lack, of knowledge, that I am willing to tarry below, as long as my mafter hath work for me to do.—When I fliall come your way, I cannot determine.—All I fay is, I will come when the Lord gives me leave. At prefent my call is in London^ where I propofe ftay-ino- for fome time. My wife came up lait Saturday^ and joins with me in wilhing you all manner of fuccefs. I am, my dear brother.

Yours moft affeiSlionately In our glorious Emmanuel^

G, m

LETTER CCCCVIII.

To Mr, J C , in Glouceflerjhire.

London^ April ^^ 1742.

Dear Mr. J C ,

OURS came to hand laft night. I rejoice to hear that

Y

the Lord is with you, and that he was pleafed to blefs my poor labours in Glouceflerjlnre. I would have you to dif-pute as little as poflible. Awakened fouls (hould be told to look continually to the Lord Jesus. The more you are acquainted with Christ, and the more deeply you drink into his fpirit, the more folid you will grow. Fear not becaufe of your prefent trials ; " the Lord is thy God ; he will never leave thee nor forfake thee." Caft all your care upon him, he careth for you. Your wife's illnefs fhall work for good. The things I promifed, are provided and fhall be fent fpeedily.

Brother H will be with you, God willing, next week ;

I pray God that his coming may be in the fulnefs of the blefling of the gofpel of peace ! Our Lord is with us much here. 1 preach twice daily. Our fociety grows. My mafter fills me with his prefence, and continually meets with us. My tender love awaits all the fociety. Be ftrong in the hQKT>^ and in the power of his might. Seek after a

nearer

nearer conformity to the blefled Jesus. Grow in grace j and as you are enabled, dear "John^ pray for

Your affedionate friend, brother,

and fervant in Christ, G. JV,

LETTER CCCCIX.

To Captain G , in Philadelphia,

Dear Brother G , London^ April 11^ 1742.

I Hope this will find yoji very happy in the love of Christ. I was glad to hear you had fo good a time, before our friends left you. I wifli you no lefs, than that you may be filled with all the fulnefs of God. We have had a glorious Eajier^ or rather a Pentecojl. Jesus Christ is rifen indeed. I have been preaching in Moorfulds^ and our Saviour carries all before us. Nought can refift his conquering blood. It would have delighted you, to have fecn the poor finners flock from the booths, to fee Jesus lifted up on the pole of the gof-pel. I have received many tickets from young apprentices, &c. &:c. Our fociety goes on wonderfully well. Every day we hear of frefh conquefts. God's children are expedincp very great things. I believe they will not be difappointed of their hope. But I am in hafte. Your wife was well the

laft time 1 faw her. Brother 5 and his wife have been

to fee her.—My dear wife and brother 5 kindly falute

you, and all that love our glorious Emmanuel. Pray write a

line to, dear brother G ,

Yours, ho..

G, TV.

LETTER CCCCX.

To the Reverend Mr. J , in Torkfiire,

My dear Brother., London., Jpril 22, I742»

I Thank, you and your wife for your kind bcnefacHon. Our Saviour, I believe, will take it kindly at your hands. I rejoice that the work of our common mafter is carried en in Yorkjhire. We fee greater things than ever at London. The awakening is quite frelh. I never v/as flrengthencd more. Every day, poor fmners are brought home to Jc^us Christ.

Our

Our people are filled as with new wine j it fecms to be a Pen^ tecnji. I have preached fix or feven times in Moorfields^ thele holidays. It v»'ould rejoice you to fee the people flock from fa-tan's booths to hear the gofpcl of the Son of God. The people feem to have fuch a fpirit of fupplication poured out upon thein, that I believe we fhall fee great things. I am often weak in body, but, as my work requires, I am pro-portionably (hengthened in the inner man. Was there ever fuch a finner as 1 am ? Was there ever fuch a Saviour as my Saviour ?

Loxv at thy feci^ 0 Jfsus, Id me Uc^

And love and pniijc to all eieniify,

I falute all that love the Lord Jesus in hncerity, and am,

dear brother '/ ?

Yours mofl afieclion:itc!y in Jesus Christ,

L E T T E R CCCCXI.

To Mr, L .

London, May 11, 1742.

WITH this, I fend vou a few out of the many notes I have received froiii perfons, who were convicted, converted, or comforted in Mccrfields, during the late holidays. For many weeks, I found my heart much preiTed to determine to venture to preach there at this feafon, when, if ever, fatan's children keep up their annual rendezvous. I muft inform you, that yM<?^;;^i.Wi'is a large fpacious place, given, as I have been told, by one ALidam Moore^ on purpofc for all forts of people to divert thcmfelves in. For many years pail, from one end to the other, booths of all kinds have been erected, for mountebanks, players, puppet (liows, and fuch like. With a heart bleeding with companion for fo many thcufands led captive by the devil at his will, on JVbit-Monday^ at fix o'clock in the morning, attended by a large «on2;regation of praying people, I ventured to lift up a ftandard arnon^ll them in the name of Jesus Oi Nazareth, Perhaps there were about ten thoufand in waiting, not for me, but fop fatan's inflruments to amufe them.—Glad was I to find, that I had for once as it v/cre got the Hart of the devil. I mounted

my

my field pulpit, almoft all flocked immediately around It. I preached on thefe words, *' As Alofis lifted up the ferpent in the wildernefs, fo fhall the Ton of man be lifted up, ^'c.'* They gazed, they liftened, they wept \ and I believe that many felt themfelves flung with deep convi6^ion for their pad fins. All was huflied and folcmn. Being thus encouraged, I ventured out again at noon ; but what a fcene ! The fields, the whole fields fcemeu, in a bad fenfe of the word, all white, rcaily not for the Redeemer's, but Beelzebub's harvefl. All his agents were in full motion, drummers, trumpeters, merry andrews, mailers of puppet fliows, exhibiters of wild beafts, players, ^c. Szg. all bufy in entertaining their rcfpedivc auditories. I fuppofc there could not be lefs than tv/cnty or thirty thouland people. My pulpit was fixed on the oppofite fide, and immediately, to their great mortification, they found the number of their attendants fadly lelTened; Judging that like faint Panl^ I fhould now be called as it were to fight with beads at Ephefus^ I preached from thefe words : " Great is Diana of the Ephefians" You may eafily guefs, that there was fome noife among the craftsmen, and that I was honoured with having a few fi:ones^ dirt, rotten eggs, and pieces of dead cats thrown at me, whilft engaged in calling them from their favourite but lying vanities. My foul was indeed among lions ; but far the greatefi: part of my congregation, which was very large, feemed for a while to be turned into lambs. This encouraged me to give notice^ that I would preach again at fix:

o'clock in the evening. I came^ I faw, but what thou-

fands and thoufands more than before if poiTible, flill more deeply engaged in their unhappy diverfions ; but fome thoufands amongft them waiting as earneflly to hear the gofpcl. This fatan could not brook. One of his choiceil fervants was exhibiting, trumpeting on a large ftage ; but as foon as the people faw me in my black robes and my pulpit, I think all to a man left him and ran to me. For a while I was enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and many heard the joyful found. God's people kept praying, and the enemy's agents made a kind of a roaring at fome diflance from our camp. At length they approached nearer, and the merry andrew, (attended by others, who complained that they had taken many pounds lefs that day on account of my preaching) got Vol. I. C c up

9

uponaman^s {houlders,and advancing near the pulpit attempted to flafh me with a long heavy whip fcveral times, but always with the violence of his motion tun;bled down. Soon afterwards, they got a recruiting feijeant with his drum, &c. to pafs through the congregation. I gave the word of command, and ordered that v^ay might be made for the king's officer. The ranks opened, while all march'd quietly through, and then clofed again. Finding thofe efforts to fail, a large body quite on the oppofite fide alfembled together, and having got a large pole for their flandard, advanced towards us with fteady and formidable fteps,till they came very near the fkirts of our hearing, praying, and almofl undaunted congregation. I faw, gave warning, and prayed to the captain of our falvatioii for prefent fupport and deliverance. He heard and anfwered ; for jull: as they approached us with looks full of refentment, I know not by what accident, they quarrelled among themfelves, threw down their ftaffand went their way, leaving however many of their company behind, who before we had done, I truft were brought over to join the befieged party. I think I continued in praying preaching and finging, (for the noife was too great at times to preach) about three hours. We then retired to the tabernacle, with my pockets full of notes from perfons brought under concern, and read them amidfE the praifes and fpiritual acclamations of thoufand?, who joined with the holy angels in rejoicing that fo many fmners were fnatched, in fuch an unexpeded, unlikely place and manner, out of the very jaws of the devil. This was the beginning of the taberiiacle fociety.—Three hundred and fifty awakened fouls were received in one day, and I believe the number of notes exceeded a thoufand ; but I muft have done, believing you want to retire to join in mutual praife and thankfgiving to God and the Lamb, with

Yours, Sec.

G. JV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCXir.

To the fume.

My dear Friend^ London^ May 15, 17^2.

FRESH matter of praife ; blcfs ye the Lord, for he hath triumphed glorioufly. The battle that was be^un on Monday^ was not quite over till //Ww/f/z/^j evening, though the fcene of adioti was a iiftle fliiftcj. Being (Irongly invited, and a pulpit being prepared for me by an honeft quaker, a coal merchant, I ventured on Tucfday evening to preach at Mary le bon fields^ a place almoft a<; much frequented by-boxers, gamerters, and fuch like, as M':or-fiolds. A vaft con-courfe was aflemblcd together, and a^ focui as I got into the field pulpit, their countenance befpoke the enmity of their hearts againA the preacher, I opened with tlsefe words— ** I am not alhamed of the gofpcl of Christ, for it is the power of God unto falvation to every one that belicveth." I preached in great jeopardy; for the pulpit being high, and the fupports not well fixed in the ground, it tottered tvery time 1 moved, and numbers of enemies drove to pufii my friends a-gainft the fupporters, in order to throw me down. But the Redeemer ftayed my foul on himfeif, therefore I was not much moved, unlefs with compaflion for thofe to whom I was delivering my maftei's mefLige, which I had reafon to think, by the flrong impreiTions that were made, was welcome to many. But fatan did not like thus to be attacked in his flrong-holds, and I narrowly efcaped with my life : for as I was pallin^ from the pulpit to the coach, I felt my wig and hat to be almoft ofp. I turned about, and obferved a fword jufi: touching my temples. A young rake, as I after-wards found, was determined to (lab me, but a gentleman, feeing the fword thruftint^- near •me, ftruck it up vi'ith his cane, and fo the deftincd victim providentially efcaped. Such an attempt excited abhorrence; the enraged multitude foon feized him, ar.d had it not been fur one of my friends, who received him into his houfe, he muft have undergone a fevere difcipline. The next d.iy, I renewed my attack in Mc'jr-ficlds\ but would you tliink it ? after they found that pelting, noi!e, and threatnings would not do, one cf the mivry /indreivs got up into a tree very near the pulpit,

C c 2 and

and fliamefuUy expofed his nakednefs before all the people. Such a beaftly a6lion quite abafhed the ierious part of my auditory ; whilft hundreds of another (lamp, inftead of rifing up to pull down the unhappy wretch, cxprelTcd their approbation by repeated laughs. 1 muft own at firft it gave me 3 fhock ', I thought fatan had now almoft outdone himfelf ; but recovering my fpirits, I appealed to all, fmce now they had fach a fpe6tacle before them, whether I had wronged human nature in faying, after pious B'ljlwp Hall^ " that man, when left to himfelf, is half a devil and half abeaft ;" or as the great Mr. Laiu exprefled himfelf, " a motley mixture of the beafl and devil."—Silence and attention being thus gained, I concluded with a warm exhortation, and clofed our feftival entcr-prizes, in reading frefh notes that were put up, praifmg anil bicffino- God amidft thoufands at the tabernacle, for what he had done for precious fouls, and on account of the deliverances he had wrought out for me and his people. I could en-laro-e ; but being about to embark in the Mary and Ann^ for Scotland^ I muft haften to fubfcribe myfelf.

Yours, &c.

' G. JV,

P. S. I cannot help adding, that fevera! little boys and girls who were fond of fitting round me on the pulpit, while I preached, and handing to me peoples notes, though they were often pelted v/ith eggs, dirt, &c. thrown at me, never once gave way : but on the contrary, every time I was [truck, turned up their little weeping eyes, and Teemed to wifh they could receive the blows for me. God make them in their growing years great and living martyrs for him, who out of the mou-tb of babes and fucklings perrc(Sts praife 1

LETTER CCCCXIII.

To the Rev. Mr. M , in the IJle of Man,

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ hound to Scotlandy May 26, 1742. Rev. and dear Sir,

I Received your letter on Saturday laft, and felt great concern on my foul, while perufmg it. One thing efpecially plcafed mei I found by the contents, that a report I had

lately

lately heard .concerning you was falfc ; for I had heard, that the bifliop feeing your zeal, ami finding his oppofition had inflamed, at laft had ordered the clergy to open the church doors for 3'ou, and that now you had done with appearing openly in the defence of the glorious Gofpel. Blclled be God this is not true ! Though I find, both you and your people have been greatly difcouraged. I fee no way of extricating yourfelf, but by acting up to the dictates of your own confci-ence, and leaving the confequences to the great head and king of the church. You find, dear Sir, a fenfible withdrawing of the fpirit ever fince you gave way. It would not have been fo, had you obeyed God rather than man. Up then, and be doing, and the Lord will be yet with you. If you cannot preach freely in the Ijle of Man^ go whitherfoever the Lord fliall be pleafed to lead you. Our commiUion is very exten-five : " Go into all the world, and preach the gofpel to every creature." We want labourers much in England. It" our af-cended Saviour hath given you popular gifts, and freedom and authority in fpeaking without notes, you need not fear. He will afiiil: you from time to time, and make you a bleiTmg to many fouls. Your being a miniiler of the eftabliflied church, will be an advantage, and your age alfo will give you yet more authority; but an uncSlion from the Holy One of Ifrael is the beft qualification 5 I would therefore, dear Sir (if fuch a one as I, am capable of advifing) by all means perfuade you to humble yourfelf before the great bifhop of your foul, and afkhim again and again what he would have vou to do? I am apt to think, he will not reftore to you the comforts of the Ploly Ghoft, or ftablifh you with his free fpirit, 'till you give up yourfelf fimply to follow the di6lates of his providence and fpirit. Then let men or devils fay or do their worfl. How can we know God's power unlefs we try it ? Not that I would have you, dear friend, do any thing rafl:ily. No, " he that bclieveth doth not make hafte." Wait upon the Lord, and he will certainly (hew you what lie would have you to do. I wonder not that your brother's love is grown cold. It is hard for one in his ftation, unlefs he be thorou2;hly inured to contempt, and will give God leave to act in his own way, to withiland a whole body of lukewarm, prejudiced, envious, malignant <:lcrgy. Thefe, have always been the greateft oppofers of true

C c 3 vital

-go LETT E R S.

vital religion. Thcfc, were our Saviour's moft bitter enemies. Thefe, will be ours alfo, if we come forth in his fpirit, and preach by hib power. But blclled be God, I can fay by happy experience, our gloi ious Emmanuel will make us more than conquerors over them all. He hath continually fought my battles for me, and I am perfuaded will do fo to the end. Of Icite, I have fecn more of his power and goodnefs than ever, and I truft we ihall yet fee greater things than thefe. I am now once more going to Scotland^ and purpofc (God willing) the latter end of the year to embark for America, Pray let me hear from vou, and if pulliblc let me have a perfonal interview. I hope this will reach you. In the next, be pleafed to tell me how to diretSi, for I have forgotten. The Lord be with you. I wifli you abundant profperity in the name of the exalted Rc^ ciccmer, and am

Your airu(5Llonate brother and fervant, &c.

G, JK

LETTER CCCCXIV.

To Mr. S — — Ai , in Gaiii/horciigb.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ May 26, 1742. My dear Brother^

YO U R liiiler dated May 5th was very agreeable to me. I think it favoured ot a true Ifraelitifii fpirit, and therefore I find freedom to fend you a plain and fimple anfwer.

Who J H is, 1 cajinot tell. If he was converted by

my unworthy minifliy, or others by his means, let our dear Jesus have all the gloiy. I Ihall know who they are, at the

great day. Mr. P I know very v.ell. I believe he is

a good man, but am not enough acquainted with his proceedings, cnhcr wholly to commend or condemn them. Whether he preaches in public, or convcrfes only in a private manner, I know not. This one thing I know, if he be fent of God, I wifh him profperity. The anfwer which our Lord gave to thofe who forbad fuch as were calling out devils in his name, bccaufe they followed not with them, makes me particularly cautious, how I interrupt any one that feems to fpeak of Jesus with fmcerity of heart. As for his fpeakiiig fo little againft the church of England, I cannot difcommend him for that. I I find

find it bed to talk only of Jesus's blood, and the power of his Redemption, and not dwell much on outward thint^s or outward worfliip. When the woman of Samaria afked our Lord, " where men ought to worfhip," he diverted the dif-courfe from the outward to the inward worfliip. " "rhe wor-fhip of the Father in fpirit and in truth.** Some things may be wrong in the church of England^ and in this mixed ftate we muft never expedl: to fee a perfect church, or a perfciSl man. It is therefore my conftant aim to agree with all the children of God, as far as I can, and not to quarrel though we differ in fome points. \a civil fociety, one family doss not differ with another, becaufe it hath not the fame orders in every refpect. Would to God we obferved the fame rule in fpirituals. The world falls out enough with us ; it is pity we (hould fall out among ourfelves. My brother, I have written to you out of the fulnefs of my heart; whether I fliall fee your face in the flefli, 1 know not. At prefent, my call is to Scotland.^ — If the cloud fliould move towards Lincoln/})ire^ my anfwer is, " Lord, lo I come I" I am quite confounded when I think that fuch a wretch as I fliould ever be employed in preaching the everlaff-ing gofpel. I often fall down under a fcnfe of God's diftin-guifhing mercy, and with awful adoration am frequently made to cry out, " Why me, Lord ; why me ?" O my brother, help me to praife the Lamb of God, that taketh away the fins of the world. A wonderful work is carried on both at home and abroad. I (hall be glad to hear from you again. Be plcafed to direct as before. I am, in the bowels of Jesus Christ, Your affcdionate friend, brother and fervant,

LETTER CCCCXV.

To Mr. J B , in London.

On hoard the Mary and Ann^ May 27, 1742. My dear Brother B ,

YOUR letter was fweet to my heart. Bufinefs prevented my anfwering it on fliore. Our Saviour is plcafed at this time to give me leifure and freedom. I will now endeavour to anfwer it on board. I need not tell you, I love you. God has often bore witnefs to our fdlowfliip, by giving

C G 4 us

us his prcfence, and filling us as with new wine. What has happened of late to difunite, will in the end, 1 am perfuaded, only promote a clofer union. •■' Out of the eater will come forth meat, and out of the ftrong will come forth fweetnefs.'• Blefled be our Savipur's free grace ! I feel my heart more and rnore enlarged towards, and niorc and more difpofed to love and honour all denominations of believers, than ever I experienced before. In all focieties of chriftians under heaven, there muft neccflarily be perfons of a different (landing in the fchool of Christ. Thofe who are not fqlidly eftablifhed in the love of God, will fall too much in love with the outward form of their particular church, be it what it will. But as the love of God gets the afcendency, the more they will be like him and his holy angels, and confequently rejoice when fouls are brought to Jesus, whatever inftruments may be made ufe of for that purpofe. If therefore fome that you and I know, are too confined (as I believe is too much the cafe) ; if they do not preach more frequently, and abound niore in good works, I think it is for want of haying their hearts more inflamed with the love of God, and their graces kept in more conftant exercife. To ftir up the gift of God that is in us, is an apodolical injun£lion ; and if we do not keep upon our yvatch we fliall fall into a falfe ftillnefs. Nature loves eafe ; and as a blind zeal often prompts us to fpeak too much, fo tepidity and lukewarmnefs often caufe us to fpeak too little. Divine wifdom alone, is profitable to direcl; and I would be very cautious how I fpeak, Icall I fl:iould take too much upoi^ me. I love thofe you mention, from my foul ; and all I can fay is, " Lord, do thou lead and guide both them and us.'* We ave blind helplefs creatures. I wilh there was more confidence between us all j but I fee that none but the fpirit of God can outwardly unite us, and therefore I have now given it up into the Redeemer's hand. Only this I pray, that I may be one of the firft and not the laft in bringing back the k

If I have at any time fee improper bounds to the fpirit of God, or grieved it in his children, I defire to be very low, and to be broken hearted for it. I am fure it hath not been done willingly. I muil own, I have fometimes oppofed you, becaufe 1 think you have made, and are yet making, too much hafte. Youfeem to belike-minded with thofe, who in our Saviour's

time

time thought that the kingdom of God would then come: but you know how oijr Lord checked them for it, and told them, " it was not for them to know the particular times and feafons of his coming to fct up his kingdom." I believe with you, that our glorious Emmanuel is about to do great things. But how, when, and where, 1 leave to his divine, foverejtrn difpofal. I dcfire flridtly to mind the particular plan affitrncd me ; at the fame time to look about, and fee what others the wonderful counfellor is pleafcd to employ in other diflrii^s: and though they may difl'er from me in fome points, I wifh them abundant profperity in the name of our common Lord. I am of your mind with, refpedt to the church of England, This, this is the conftant, abiding, intenfe language of my heart; " Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come." You fee, my dear brother, how fully I write to you. It is becaufe I love you. O that we may be taught to bear one another's burdens, and fo fulfil the law of Christ ! May the Lord keep us all from falling out in our way to heaven. Amen and amen ! You and yours will join heartily in the fame petition, with

Your aftectionate brother and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCCCXVL

To the Rtv Mr. O , at Lecrn'mjler,

On board the Mary and Ann^ May 27, 1742. Aly dear Brother^

I Have not till now had tirnc to anfwcr your kind letter. I rejoice abundantly in the ufe our dear Lord is beginning to make of you. May he ufe and blefs you ever more and more. Our Lord loves to encourage faith. They that truft in him, fhall find now as well as formerly, that " it fliall be given them in that hour what they fliall fpeak." This I find true by happy experience, and am perfuaded fliall prove the truth of it more and more. Since my lail, the captam of our falvation has can ied me on to frtih conqueft, and caufcd his people to rejoice exceedingly in his great falvation. Our foci-ety is in great order. If the Lord gives us a true catholic fpirit, free from a party fecfarian zeal, we iball do well. I am forry to hear that there is fo much narrowncfs among fome of

the

the brethren In iralcs. Brother // complains fa.Jiy of it.

I hope dear Mr. 0 will be kept free, and not fall intodif-

putnicr about Baptifm or other non-eilentials; for I am perluad-cd, unlcfs we all are content to preach Christ, and to keep otF from dirputable things, wherein we differ, God will not blefs us loner. If we a6l otherwife, however we may talk of a catholic fpirit, we fhall only be bringing people over to our own party, and there fetter them. I pray the Lord to keep dear

Ty/Jr. Q and me from fuch a fpirit. Dear Sir, may the

Lord be with you ! Remember us poor but willing pilgrims, efpecially him who is lefs than the leaft of all, but

Your affectionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCCXVIL

To the Rev. Mr* J S , ^7 Stockport.

On board the Mary and Ann^ May 29, 1742. HcV. and dear Sir,

I Received your letter fome time ago, but through multiplicity of bufinefs could not poffibly anfwcrit on fhore. I do not remember feeing you at London j but if you love the Redeemer in fincerity, and preach the gofpel in the demonffra-tionof the fpirit and with power, I wi{h you all poiTible fuccefs in the name of the Lord. As for coming into your parts, it is intirely uncertain. My prefent call is to Scjtland. How my Maiter will difpofe of me hereafter, I know not. I limply de-Tire to go whither he fliall be plcafed to call me. I am amazed that he Ihould call me any wheie, or employ me as his ambaiiador to befeech poor finners to be reconciled to God. But what iliall we fay ? I can only fall down at the feet of the Lamb, and cry, Grace ! grace ! Of late the Lord hath done greater things for me, and his church, than ever; and yet greater things I am perfuaded he Is about to bring to pafs. Dear Sir, help me at the throne of grace, and as you feem to have a third for the Redeen^r's glory, recommend me to the prayers of God's people, being the chief of finners, but, for the Redeemer's fake.

Your mofl affectionate friend, brother and fervant,

G. IV, LETTER

LETTERS.

395

LETTER CCCCXVIU.

To the Rrj. Mr. D , in Ejf.x,

M-j vn-y dear Brother^ May 29, 1742.

YOUR letter ]ics by me, yet unanrwcred ; the contents hov-evcr have not been fc;r2;otten before the Lord. Surely the days uFyour pilgrimage will erelong be ended, and the liar which you once faw, appear to you ai^ain, and caufe vou to rejoice wit!) exceeding great joy. I think there is forne-thing very extraordinary in the Lord's dealing with you. I can oi^ly relblve it ir.to the divine fovereignty, and fay, " even ii'^-i Father, for fo it feenieth good in thy Tight." This is often the language of my heart, with rcfpc6t to God's dealir.g with my own foul. Many things our Saviour does to me, which I know not now. It is fufficient that I fliall know hereafter, and that 1 knov/ thus far even now, " that all things are

working together for good." Dear Mr. D , indeed I

love and pray for you. Our Saviour, I trufl, will yet fet your feet in a large room, and enable you to run the way of his commandments;

Thro^ ivinds^ and clouds^, andjlorins^ he IIgently clear the wav ; JVait'ihen his Ume^Jo Jhall this night fzon end in joyous day.

My tender love await the flock at D m ; I pray for

them and you. Our Saviour hath done great thijigs of late in London. I believe he will yet do more in Scotland. O my bi-othcr, forget not to pray for the chief of finners.

Your truly affectionate friend, brother ai:d fervant in Jesus Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCCXIX.

To the Rev. Mr. C , at Bath,

On I'oard the Alary and Ann^ May 29, 1742. Aly very dear Friend and Brother^

NOT want of love, but cxcefs of bufinefs prevented my anf^cring your kind letter dated yfpril bth. In London I had f.arcc time to cat bread, or to take my natural reft.

Our blefled Saviour, with his own right hand got himfelf the vidory in many hearts, and brought mighty things to pafs. I never faw the like before. I muft renew my old requeft. *' Help, my dear friend, help me to be thankful." I am now going a fecond time to Scotland, and purpofe, God willing, at the latter end of the year to embark for America, My foul is a thirft for the falvation of poor finners, Thefe words, " G^ ye into all the world, and preach the gofpel to every creature, &c," have been particularly prefled upon my heart. O, dear Mr. C , if the Lord has accounted us worthy, putting us into the miniftry, how careful fhould we be to make full proof thereof ? God willing, when I come on fhore I will begin in earneft. For alas! haolcnus Ji'ihilfeci. —Indeed I am afhamed of myfelf from the bottom of my heart. Was not my Mafter's love like himfelf, infinite, I fhould have been caft oft' long before this time. But I find thofe whom he loves, he

loves to the end. Mr. W- , myfelf, and others, are in-

Hances of this. I hope our great Shepherd will now carry him in his arms, and not let him to ftay again. I have wrote

to Mr. T from on board.—If you go to him, or labour

elfewhere, that the blefled Jesus may be always with you, is

the hearty prayer of, dear Mr, C ,

Your moft affetStionate brother and fervant in Christ,

(?. n

LETTER CCCCXX.

To Mr. J H , in London.

On hoard the Mary and Ann, May ic^,\'j^i, Dear Sir,

YOUR letter much afPecled me. I hope the contents have made the angels to rejoice, and that before this time you have found reft in the wounded Lamb. That God, who firfl: fpoke light out of darknefs, I truft is beginning to iliine into your heart, and to perfect a new creation in your Ibul. You are not the firft, dear friend, by thoufands, who have thought themfelvcs rich and increafed in goods, not con-fidering they were poor and miferable and blind and naked. I iuppofc you can now join with me in the following verfes:

Lonc^

I.

iong did my foulin Jefus form No comcUncfs nor beauty fee ; His facred 7iame by others priz'dy TFas tajUkfsJldl and dead to me,

11.

Men caird me Chrijlian^ and ?ny heart On that dehifan fondlyJlay d ; Moral my hopes^ my Saviour felf, 'Till mighty grace the cheat difplafd.

III.

Thanks to the hand that walCd ?ny dreamy That fhew^d me wretched^ naked^ poor j That fweetly led me to the Rocky Where all falvationfla?ids fecure,

IV.

Glady Iforfook my righteous pride^ My moraly tarnifh'd^finful drefs^ Exchanged my drofs away for Chrijl^ And found the robe of right eoufnefs,

Thefc lines, dear Sir, I think are very emphatical. I trufl you can now repeat them from your heart. If fo, hail happy man ! Jesus hath waflied you in his blood, and given you eternal life. You now then have nothing to do, but to live to him, who hath lived and died for you, and if neceflary would die again for you with all his heart. Surely our Saviour loves you, otherwife he would not have fliewed you all thefe things. I love you for his fake (though unknown) ; and if he hath been pleafed to work by my unworthy miniftry, let him have all the glory, and forget not to pray for the poor, weak inftrument, who has not forgotten to pray for you, being, dear Sir,

Your moft afFedlionate friend and fervant, in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCXXr.

To Mr. H H , in Wales.

On board the Mary and Ann^ May 29, 17 42. My very dear Brother^

THOUGH I could not write to you on (liore, yet I inijft not omit writing to you on board. I am heartily forry that fuch a narrow fpirit prevails in IFalcs. I have written

to Mr. // . But what (hall we fay ? The Redeemer's

love alone can unite and keep together his floclcs. Difput-ing with bigots and narrow-fpirited people will not do. I intend henceforward to lay Ids to them, and pri.y more and more to our Lord for them. " Lord, enlarge their hearts,'* is my continual prayer for fuch, who are (o flreightened in their own bowels. Elefled be God, this partition-wall is breaking down daily in fome of our old friends hearts in London. I exhort all to go where they can profit moft. I preach what I believe to be the truth, and then leave it to the fpirit of God to make the application. When we have done this, I think we have gone to the utmoft bounds of our commif-iion. O my brother, I find more and more, nothing but that wifdom, which is from above, can teach us how to build up fouls. I never was {o much allifted in this kind of work, as fmce I came to London laft. We have public i'ocietics twice a week, and a general meeting for reading letters once a month. Our Lord has been much with us. We fcem to move on iiov/ in gofpel dignity, and are terrible as an army with banners. If the Lord inclines you, a vifit to London vjou\6 be very acceptable. (3ur people can now bear fcarching more than formerly. I find that our Lord hath particularly blefled you that way. We have had a moft bleffed funeral of one of our filters in Christ, and the awakening, I think, has been as great as when I firft came out, and abundantly more folid. The Eajier Holidays were high days indeed. My wife doth not forget her friends in IP'ales. But our Lord has feen fit to excrcife her with exceeding clofe inward trials. She and all with mc moft cordially falute you. 1 cxpecl: great things in Scotland. If pofiible, at my return, I hope to fee you in Wales. But future things belong to God. Adieu. Forget not to pray for Your aricciioiiate brother pilgrim,

G. W, LETTKR

LETTER CCCCXXII.

To Mr, A , in London.

Edinburgh^ 'June 4, 1742. A'ly dear Brother A ,

FROM a heart overflowing with a fcnfe of God's love, I write you thefe few lines. Yefterday our Saviour brought us hither. On board, I fpent moll part of my time in fccret prayer. Satan (hot many of his fiery darts againft me. Our great Michael gave me a fhield of faith, by which 1 was enabled to repel them all. As foon as I came on fhore, the holy fpirit filled my foul. The Lord commanded people to receive me and my fellow pilgrim into their houfes. Our fouls rejoiced in him. The people were foon alarmed at my arrival. As foon as I came on fhore at Leith, many came blefl-ing me, and weeping, took hold of me. About four in the afternoon we came to Edinburgh. Great numbers followed our coach, and almoft catched me in their arms, as foon as I cama out of it. How did they weep for joy ! It would have melted you down to have feen them. When I came to my lodging-, many dear friends came to falute us in the name of the Lord. About feven o'clock I went to fee fome perfons of diftindliofi, whofe hearts the Lord reached, when I was here laft. Some were ready to faint with excefs of joy : with thefe I prayed and gave thanks. The Holy Ghofb filled us with all joy and peace in believing.— At eight I went to a nobleman's houfe, where his lady and feveral other dear friends received us with great gladnefs. The culhions and bible were immediately-brought. I gave a word of exhortation. We fung, and prayed, and fpent the remainder of the evening moft delightfully in talking of the things of God. When we came home, we joined in bleffing God's holy name. Though late, I fcarce knew how to go to reft.— This morning I received glorious accounts of the carrying on of the Mediator's kingdom. The w^ork of God is beyond exprefHon. Three of the litile boys that were converted when I was lafl: here, came to me and v/ept, and begged me to pray for and with them. A miniftcr tells me, that fcarce one is fallen back, who was awakened, either among old cr young. The ferjeant, whofe letter, brother

thcr C has, goes on well with his company. O my dear

brother, help me to praife the Lamb that fitteth upon the throne for ever ; and defire all the fociety to join with you. I believe within thefe four months you will hear of very great things. Pray that I may be very little in my ovrn eyes, and not rob my dear Mafler of any part of his glory. We do not forget you. Once a day we meet together and pray for ab-fent friends. He gives us leave, as it were, to afk of him what we will, and promifes never to leave or forfake us. f^or the prefent, my dear brother, adieu ! As opportunity cfFcrs, and if poflible every poft, fome or other of my dear friend*^

ihall hear, dear brother A , from

Your moft affectionate, though moft unworthy brother and fervant in Christ,

G. TF.

LETTER CCCCXXIII.

Tg the Right Honourable Lord R .

My Lord^ Edinburgh^ 'June 4, 1742.

YESTERDAY morning our glorious Enunanucl brought us hither. Your Lordfhip's kind letter was put into' iny hands. I heartily fympathize with your Lordfl:iip ; but could not help rejoicing on your honoured lady's account^ knowing fhe is now entered into her bleffed Maimer's joy. Indeed, my Lord, I think, among chriftians, death hath not only loft its fting, but its name. I never was fo joyful as I am now at the death of thofe who die in the Lord ; and never was fo reconciled to Jiving myfelf. My general language, when I hear of the faints departure, is, ^' Let them go." Lately at London we had a filler in Christ departed. Her laft words were, *' Holy, holy, holy !" flie could fay no iTiore here ; but our Saviour fent for her to finifh her fong in heaven. I preached over her corpfc ; our fociety attended : but furely never did fouls triumph over death more than we did that night. Many would fay, " O death ! where is thy fting \ O grave ! where is thy viiSlory r " As for my own part, I was enabled to trample death under my feet: and, bleffcd be God, through rich grace I can do that daily. But then your Lordftiip may afk, *< Why are you reconciled to life ?" Be-\ caufe

fca'tife I can do that for Jesus on earth, which I cannot do in heaven : I mean, be made inftrumental in bringing fomc poor^ v/eary, heavy laden finncrs to find reft in his blood and rio-hte-oufnefs : and, indeed, if our Saviour was to orTer cither to take me ndW) or to ftay only to take one finner more, I wouli defire to ftay to take him with me. But whither am I running ? O my Lord, death is a delightful topic. Excufe ms if I forget myfelf when vvriting about it. Blefled be our God for fupporting your foul under fo clofe a trial ! How fweet Vill it be to meet your Lady glorified at the great day ! Yet a little while, and that happy day fhall come. But it is time to anfwer your Lordfhip's queftion : " How was you on the 24th of laft November f" I thank God, very well. My foul was much refrelhed with the Redeemer's prefence ; and 1 was rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. 1 hear of wonderful things in Scotland. I can only fall dov^n and worfnip. I have feen greater things than ever in E?iglajicL I expecl to fee far greater in Scotland. Our Lord will not let his people be difiippointed of their hopes. But I muft away. We were very happy together with fome other dear friends laft night. I have not feen your Lordftiip's daughters, though they have been fo kind as to fend to enquire after my health. I hope to fee them to-day ; and am, my Lord, with all poffibie refpc.^t, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's moft obedient humble fcrvant,

LETTER CCCCXXIV.

to the P^ruerend Mr. M , at Camhuf.nv.g,

Edinburgh^ June 8, 174-^' Reverend and very dear Brother,

Heartily rejoice at the awakening at Camlv.Jhng^ and eirev.here. I believe you v/ill both fee and hear of far greater things than thefe. I truft that not one corner of poor Scotland will be left unvvatcred by the dew of God's heavenly blefiing. The cloud is now only rifing as big as a man's hand; yet a little v/hile, and we fliall hear a foinvi of an abundance of gofpel rain. Our glorious Err.Tnrmufl\\.\s given us much of his divine prefence fince my arrivul. O that'ic Vol. h D d may

9

may accompany me to CambuJJang ! God willing, I hope to be with you the beginning of next week ; but cannot exadly tell the day. In the mean while, forget not to pray for, levcrend and dear brother.

Yours mofl alFedionately in Christ,

LETTER CCCCXXV.

To the Reverend Mr, E E •, at Sterling,

Edinburgh^ June lo, 1742. Reverend and very dear S'lr^

I Am now at Mr. G 's houfe ; and finding his wife about to fet out for Sterlings the love which I bear you, for my dear Mafter's fake, conftrains me to fend you a line. It is feme concern to me, that our difference as to outward things, Ihould cut off our fweet fellowfhip and communion with each other. God knows my heart, I highly value and honour vou. Reverend and dear Sir, I do aflure you I love you and your brethren more than ever. I applaud your zeal for God ; and though, in fome refpedls, I think it not according to knowledge, and to be levelled frequently againft me, yet indeed I feel no refentment in my heart, and fhould joyfully fit down and hear you and your other brethren preach. I fa-lute them all; and pray our common Lord to give us all a right judgment in all things. I hope the glorious Emmanuel will be prefent at the facrament, and make himfelf known to you in breaking of bread. I have made bold to fend you the in-clofcd pamphlets, and fliould be glad to know your opinion of them. When I fhall come to Sterlings I know not. However, I earneflly pray for you and yours. I could drop i tear. O when fiiall the time come, when the v/atchmen will fee eye to e3^e ? Harten that time, our Lord and our God ! But perhaps I am troublefomc. Forgive me, reverend and dear Sir, being, without diiTunulation, your

Younger brother and fervant in the

2;orpcl of ChRPST,

G, W,

L E T T E R

LETTER CCCCXXVL

To Mr, D A , //; Londoji,

Dear Friend^ Edinburgh^ "July 7, 1742.

I Arrived here laft Saturday evening from the Z^^/?, where I preached all the laft week : as, twice on Monday at PaiJIeyy iix miles from Glajgow ; on the Tuefday and Wedncfday^ three times each day, at Irvine^ 16 miles from thence; on Thuj-f-day^ twice at Mearns, fifteen miles from that; on Friday^ three times at Cmnhcrnauld\ and on Saturday^ twice at Falkirk^ in my way to Edinburgh, In every place there was the greateft commotion among the people as was ever known. Their mourning in moft of the places, was like the mourning for a lirft-born. The auditories were very large, and the work of God fcems to be fpreading more and more. Laft fabbath-day I preached twice in the park, and once in the church, and twice every day fince. A number of feats and (hades, in the form of an amphitheatre, have been ere6led in the park, where the auditory fit in a beautiful order. I have received very agreeable news from my family abroad.—I pur-pofe going to Ca^nbujlang to-morrow, in order to aflift at the communion ; and fliall preach at various places weftward before I return here. I intend to embark for /Imerica as foon as pofiible after I leave Scotland. Thus you fee, my dear brother, how I have been employed. O give thanks to our blelTed Saviour, for his great unparalleled goodncfs to a moft unworthy worm. Indeed I have fecn and felt fuch things, as I never faw and felt before. I never was enabled to preach fo pov/erfully as whilft I have been in the TVeJl. I hear that

brother C is in the country, and that yoii exhort in the

fociety. May the Lord open your mouth, and caufe your lips to (hew forth his praife ! Let us talk of his loving-kind-nefs all the day long. God gives me faith for my poor orphans. Help me with your prayers, God will fupply all my wants. Glory be to his name, I am kept from doubting. My brother, I love you dearly. You have been a dole and faithful brother. May the Lord blcfs you and yours. Adieu! Pray fail not of writing as particular as may be, to,

Moft afFe<5lio]iatcly yours in Christ,

G. JV. Dd2 LETTER

LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXXVII.

To Mr. H , at the Orphan-houfe.

Edinburgh J July 7, 1742^. My very dear friend, faithful Jieward^ and brother m Christ,

LAST Monday I received an agreeable packet of letters from you. I think they are dated in OBober and De-cemhsr laft. They rejoiced our hearts. As foon as I read yours, my wife faid, let U3 give thanks and pray. Accordingly wc kneeled down, and had very near accefs to the Father of Mercies on your behalf. At night, after our coming home, we did the fame. Our common Lord enabled us to wreftle in faith. V/e ail felt our hearts drav^^n mightily towards you. 1 could wi(h for wings to fly unto you. I long to thank you in perfon, for your faithfulnefs to your poor unworthy, but mo{l affectionate friend. My dear brother, God is flill doing greater things for me than ever. The awakening here in Scotland is unfpeakable. The congregations in the //^^, are juft like thofe which you and I favv at Foggs-Manor^ in Pen-fyhania. God feems to awaken fcores together. I never was enabled to preach fo before. O that I may lie low at the feet of my dear Redeemer ! to vvhofe image I arti ftudying to be more conformed every day. Your letter to dear brother

J pleafed us very much. I have dcfircd him to print it.

I paid a three hundred pound bill drav/n upon me by Mr.

iV' , as well as Mr. B 's: whether ycu include that in

the eleven thoufand pounds, I know not. However, biefTed be God, if it wcretleven thoufand more I hope 1 fnould be kept from doubting. At prefent, I am lookin- up to our great Houfl:oider for frelh fiipplics ; which I believe he wii"! give me, and which I will fend to you as foon as poflible. I hope to fee vou foon, and to thar.k you m particul '.r for your faith-fulnefs to me. My friend and brother, you fliall in no wife loie your reward. I belicvc God will take Georgia into his own hands. Its affairs have lately been before the Houfc of

Commons. 'lAr. Ste was reprimanded for his-abufe of

the tiuicces ; the ufe of rum v/as granted, but the ufc of flaves denied. Let us fhnd fcill, be infiant in prayer, and we f})all

certainly

certainly fee the falvation of God. I am yet made to hope againft hope, in behalf of poor Georgia. The Lord Ihcngthcn your weak body, and continually comfort your fowl. That you may be filled with all the fulnefs of God, is thj hearty

prayer of, dear Mr. H ,

Yours eternally in the flridefl bonds of gofpcl love,

G, IK

LETTER CCCCXXVIII.

To Mrs. JFhheficld. My dear Love^ Edlnhwghy July 7, 1742.

SINCE I wrote the lad, I have feen fuch things as I never beheld before. Yefterday morning I preached at Glafgow to a very large congregation. At noon I came to Cambi^Jlang^ the place which God hath {o much honoured. I preached at two, to a vaft body of people, and at fix in the evening, and again at nine at night. Such a commotion furely never was heard of, efpecially at eleven at night. It far out-did all that I ever faw in Amzrica. For about an hour and a half there was fuch weeping, fo many falling into deep diftrefs, and exprefling it various ways, as is inexprcfTible. The people feem to be {lain by fcores. They are carried off, and come into the houfe like foldiers wounded in, and carried off a field of battle. Their cries and agonies are exceedingly

affecting. A4r. M preached after I had ended, till pad

one in the morning, and then could fcarce perfuadc them to depart. All night in the fields, might be heard the voice of prayer and praife. Some young ladies were found by a gentlewoman praifing God at break of day. She v/ent and joined with them. The Lord is indeed much with me. I have preached twice to-day already, ar.d am to preach twice, perhaps three times more. The commotions increafe. Tomorrow, and on fabbath-day, I fhall preach at Caldcr ; on Monday^ here again \ and on Tucfday at Kilfytb, and tlien, God willing, at Glajgow. I am perfuaded the work will fpread more and more. My kindeft refpects to all. Accept gf the fame from, my dear love.

Yours, ^c.

G. VA

Dd 2 LETTER

LETTER CCCCXXIX.

Tq the Reverend Mr» W- , of Dundee,

Edinburgh^ July 7, 1 742. Reverend and dear Sir,

YOUR letter gave me fome little concern. I thought it breathed much of a fc6tarian fpirit ; to which I hoped

dear Mr. IP^- was quite averfe. Methinks you feem, dear

Sir, not fatisfied, unlefs I declare myfelf a Prefbytcrian, and openly renounce the church of England. God knows that I have been faithful in bearing a teftimony againfl: what I think is corrupt in that church. I have fhewn my freedom in communicating with the church of Scotland, and in baptizing children their own way. I can go no further. As for what you mention about the Qiiakers, I know not what particular exceptionable paflages there were in my fermons, in which I mentioned them. That fome good fouls are among the Qi^iakers, I doubt not.—For fuch 1 have charity, becaufe our Lord hath given to them his fpirit.—Though I am a ftrenuous defender of the righteoufnefs of Christ, and utterly deteft Arjjwiian principles, yet I know that God gave me the Holy Ghoft, before I was clear in either as to head-knowledge : and therefore, dear Sir, I am the more moderate to people who are not clear, fuppofing I fee the divine image

damped upon their hearts. Mr. TV , AJr. L , &c.

I take to be holy men of God, though they think far widely from me, and from each other in fome particular branches of dodtrine. Dear Sir, be not offended at my plain fpeaking. I find but few of a truly catholic fpirit. Moft are catholic till they bring perfons over to their own party, and there they would fetter "them. I have not fo learned ChrisIt. I defire to a6l as God adis. I fhall approve, and join with all who are good in every fe6t, and caft a mantle of love over all that are bad, fo far as is confiftent with a good confciepce. This I can do without temporizing ; nay I (hould defile my con-

iciencc if I did otherwife. As for my anfwer to Mr. M ,

dear Sir, it is very fatisfying to iny own foul. Morning and evening retirement is certainly exceeding good , but if through wcuknefs of body, or frequency of preaching, I cannot go to

GCD

God in my ufual fet times, I think my fpirit is not,in bondage. It is not for me to tell how often I ufe fecret prayer ; if I did oot ufe it, nay, if in one fenfc I did not pray without ceafing, it would be difficult for mc to keep up that frame of foul, which by the divine bleiling I daily enjoy. If the work of God profpers, and your hands become more full, you will then, dear Sir, know better what I mean. But enough of this. God knows my heart, I would do every thing I pofTibly could, to fatisfy all men, and give a reafon of the hope that is in me with meeknefs and fear ; but I cannot fatisfy all that are waiting for an occafion to find fault: our Lord could not; I therefore defpair of doing it. However, dear Sir, I take what you have faid in very good part : only I think you are too folicitous to clear up my character to captious and prejudiced men. Let my mafter fpeak for me. Blefled be God, he will, fo long as I fimply throw myfelf into his aU mighty arms. I am glad the work goes on with you. Glory be to God, we have feen glorious things in the Weft. My tender love to all that are pleafed to remember me. When I fhall come your way, I know not. On Friday^ God willing, I go to Camhujlang^ where I expe£l to fee great days of the fon of man. That God may blefs you abundantly more and more, and caufe your latter end greatly to increafe, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours &c.

G, TV,

LETTER CCCCXXX.

Ti? the Reverend Mr, A , In Dublin.

GlafgoWy July 12, 1742. Reverend and dear Sir,

ON Saturday I received your very kind letter, and being juft now returned from Carnhiijlang, I fnatch a fcv/ moments to acknowledge it. I have long fmce waited for a call to Ireland. In fuch an important ftep, I care not to proceed without great caution. When I find the cloud of divirjc providence moving your way, I truft the language of mv heart will be. Lord, I come to do or fufier thy will ! In the irjcan while, I will watch unto prayer. I doubt not but you, reve-

D d 4 I end

rend and tlenr Sir, will help me herein. I thank you moll heartily, for being jealous over me. I believe it is with a godly icaloufy. I wifh I was more jealous over myfelf. Bi!t blefied be God, this I can fciy in the midft of the honours wherewith the glorious Emfjianuelh3.{h honoured me,**-Not unto me,O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy name be all the glory." Dear Sir, I think I am the worft of the fons of men. Yet I dare not deny what the blefied Jesus hath done for my finful foul. Keisplcafed (O infinitely condefcending God 1) to honour me I'lill more and more. Saturday lail I came to CamhujJang^ and I think I never faw fuch things before. The work feems to be fpreading. O that it may reach and overfpread poor Ireland 2\\o\ All things are pofTible with God. Now the Lord is watering fo many other places, I pray he may not leave that intirely deftilute and dry.—O for faith to expect great, and very great things from God ! He d.es not love to difappoint people of their hope. Dear Sir, riiy heart is now enlar.o-ed with a fenfe of the freenefs and fulnefs of the

o

Redeemer's loving-kindnefs. You, de^r Sir, are an old weather beaten foldicr. You are ripened for glory, and are ready to {mg your Nunc difniiiis *.—1 am jufc about to begin to be a foldier. But, bleiTed be God, I fliall follow focn. The hopes of bringing more fouls to Jesus Christ, is the only confidcration that can reconcile me to life. For this caufe I can willingly flay long from my wifh'd-for home, my wiihed-for Jesus. But whither am I going f I forget myfelf when writing of jEstJs. IJis love fills my foul, O free grace I Surely I fhall fing the loudeftin heaven ; but I mufl have done j nature calls for red. Depending on the continuance of your prayers, and with my hearty falutation to all that love the blefied Jesus, I fubfcribe myfelf, reverend and dear Sir,

Your moil: afFeclionatc, though ^ounger and

moil unv/orthy brother and fervant in

the gofptl of God's dear Son,

G. FA, '^ Now iettefl thou thy fervant, &Ca

L E T T £

LETTER CCCCXXXI.

To Mr. y C , in London,

New-KUpatricky July 15, 1742. My dear Brother^

OF all my fellow-labourers letters, I think yours come the fweeteft to my foul. You do not forget the rock from wnen.ce you was hewn, and therefore the Lord will honour ynu more and more. Though I have fo fmall a degree of humility myfelf, I c?in fee and admire it in others. It is the queen of graces. O beg of the exalted Je3Us to make ine humble. Indeed I have need of humility, for I am ho^ noured m.ore and more. What I have fent you already, does not near come up to vi'hat I have feen fmce. Laft Thurfday nigtit, and Friday morning, there was fuch a fhock in Edinburgh' as i never felt before. O what a melting and weeping was there ! I have heard blefied efFe6cS of it fmce. All glory be to GoT) through Christ. On Friday night I came to Cam-lufiaug^ to afTill: at the bleffed facramcnt. On Saturday I preached to above twenty thoufand people. In my prayer the power of God came down and was greatly felt. In my two fermons, there was yet more power. On fabbath day, fcarce ever was fuch a fight feen in Scotland, There were undoubtedly upwards of twenty thoufand people. Two tents were fet up, and the holy facrament was adminiftered in the fields. When I began to ferve a table, the power of God was felt by numbers ; but the people crouded fo upon me, that I was obliged to defift and go to preach at one of the tents, whilft the miniflers ferved the reft of the tables. God was with them, and with his people. There was preaching all day by one or another, and in the evening, when the facrament was over, at the requeft of the minifters I preached to t:he whole congregation. I preached about an hour and a half. Surely it was a time much to be remembered. On Monday piorning, I preached again to near as many ; but fuch an univerfiil ftir I never faw before. The motion fled as fwift as lightning from one end of the auditory to another. You might have feen thoufands bathed in tears. Some at the fame tirne wringing their hands, others almoft fwconing, and others

crying

crying out, and mourning over a pierced Saviour. But I muft not attempt to defcribe it. In the afternoon, the concern again was very great. Much prayer had been previoufly put up to the Lord. All night in different companies, you might have heard perfons praying to, and praifmg God. The children of God came from all quarters. It was like the pafTover in Jojiah's time. We are to have another in about

two or three months, if the Lord will. One Mr. IV ,

a miniflcr, who has great popular gifts, was as well as others much owned and helped at this time. On Tuefday morning I preached at Glafgow^ (it was a moft glorious time) and in the afternocn twice at Inchanmn, The Lord gave a blow to many. Yefterday morning I preached there again, and here twice. Every time there was a great flir, efpecially at this place. A great company of awakened fouls is within the com-pafs of twenty miles, and the work feems to be fpreading a-pace. 1 am exceedingly ftrengthened, O unmerited mercy ! both in foul and body, and cannot now do well without preaching three times a day. The Lord gives me great confidence about the Orphan-houfe, and aflures me that he will provide for me and mine. O help me to thank him. Call upon all to blefs his holy name. I know you will not be Hack to praife him. I rejoice, my dear brother, to find that you enjoy fo much of God. May he fill you with all his fulnefs. The trials you meet with, will only make you a more able miniiler of the New Teftament. I am of your mind

with refpeft to . He will not profper. The Lord hates

feclarian zeal. Dear brother, adieu. Exped to hear every opportunity from

Yours moft affe£lionately and eternally in the blcfled Jesus,

LETTER CCCCXXXII.

To the Reverend Mr. R , in Londsn.

InchannGn^ July 21, 1742,

Reverend and dear Sir^

Heartily rejoice that the Lord is bleiTingand ov/ning you. Go on, dear Sir, go on, and you will certainly find the

glorious

I

glorious Emmanuel v/\\\ be with you more and more. It Is obfervablc, that there is but one thing in fcripture, that we are commanded to do out of feafon, preaching. Be inflant therefore, dear Sir, in feafon and out of feafon. The Lord will ftand by you and ftrengthen you, and deliver you from wicked and unrcafonable men. You will find the blcfTedncfs of the crofs, and the fpirit of Christ and of glory to reft

upon your foul. The Meflrs. E and their adherents,

would you think it, have appointed a publick faft to humble themfelves, among other things, for my being received in Scot-landy and for the delufion, as they term it, at Cambujlang^ and other places ; and all this, becaufe I would not confent to preach only for them, till I had light into, and could take the folemn league and covenant. — But to what lengths may prejudice carry even good men ?—From giving way to the firft rifings of bigotry and a party fpirit, good Lord deliver us ! Your moft afFedtionate brother in Christ,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCCXXXIIL

to Mr. M A ——, at Morpeth,

Dear Sir, Edinburgh, July 26, 1742.

IJuft now received and read your letter. It much afFe£led me. It befpeaks the language of an uneafy rcftlefs heart. In reading it, I thought of the great AufAn, who ufcd, when he prayed agrunft luft, fecretly to wifli that his prayer might not be aafwered, and yet he made a moft eminent faint, and fhone in the church as a ftar of the firft magnitude. I likcwife thought how our Saviour would receive you, if here on earth; even as he received and anfwered the poor woman taken in adultery.—I am fure he would fay, " Neither do I condemn thee." Another text offers itfelf, " I will heal their backflid-ings, and love them freely." God does not fay, I will heal thy backfliding for any certain term of years, but I will heal thy backflidlngs in general. Dear Sir, if you have been a backllider thefe fifty years, nay, was it poflible for you to have been a backflider a thoufand years, yet if with hearty repentance and true faith you turn unto him, he 'will abundantly pardon you. O dear Sir, if any one had need to dcfpair of 3 mercy,

mercy, I had ; but Jesus has waftied me in his blood, and I know that my Redeemer liveth. Your temptations, and atheifm, and hard thoughts of God, do not furprize me. Dear Sir, what elfe can be expected from a heart defperately wicked, and deceitful above all things ? Dear Sir, let all this drive you to the fountain which is open for fm and all uncleannefs. 1 once, in your circumfrances, thought Christ was hardhearted ; but now I find, nay have long fince found, that his heart is full of love. Take courage, dear Sir ; draw near to the Lamb of God that taketh away the fm of the world. Return, thou wandering prodigal, thy heavenly father is running to meet thee.—Come back, thou fluttering dove, Jesus is ready to take thee into the ark. May God blefs this to you ! If he does, I will blefs his name. I am a vile fmner, and have need to lie low before him, whom I have pierced by my tranf-grefTion and unprontablenefs, times without number. In his blood and righteoufnefs I find perpetual refuge. Many in thefe parts are flying to him. May you, Sir, add to the happy number. You are but a fmner, and Jesus died for fanners. Come and welcome to Jesus Christ. I expe6i to rem^ain in Scotland a few months, and hope to be your way, if the Lord diredl. If your way fhould be dlre61:ed hither, I fhotild be glad to fee you ; if not, you are welcome to w^rite to me. As my multiplicity of affairs will admit, you fhall be anfwered t>y, dear Sir,

Your truly affeclionate friend and fervant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXIV,

To the Reverend Mr, M' L ,

pdinburgh^ July 28, 174a.

Reverend and dear Slr^

WITH this, I fuppofe, you will receive feveral young ones, who I think have afted wrong in leaving their refpedive employs under parents and mafters to go after me. Be pleafed to examine them, and fend them home. The Lord was with me at Falkirk^ and is pleafed to work by me here. O free grace ! I am perfuaded I fhall have more power, fmce

dear Mr. G hath printed luch a bitter pamphlet. Now

. I lie.

I begirt to be a difciple of Jesus Christ, I rejoice and am exceeding glad. The archers {hot fore at me that I might fall, but the Lord is, and the Lord will be my helper. At prefent I can add no more j but beg the continuance of your prayers for me and mine. We all join in hearty falutation to you and your whole houfliold. I am, reverend and dear Sir, Your mofi: obedient humble fervant,

and brother in Christ, G. ^K

LETTER CCCCXXXV.

To Mr. D —— A , in London,

Edinburgh^ ^uly 30, 1742. Dear Brother A ,

WHAT is the meaning T hear no oftner from you ? It always gives me great pleafure to hear of your v/elfare. I write to you as often as polHble. At prefent I am fomewhat indifpofed in body ; but, glory be to God, the joy of the Lord is in my foul. 1 feel a blelling I cannot exprefs.

July 31. So far I wrote yederdny., but was obliged through illnefa to leave off.—Notwithfianding, in the pulpit the Lord out of weaknefs makes me to wax flrong, and caufes me to triumph more and more. One of the adociate preibytery has publifhed the moft virulent pamphlet I ever faw, afcribing all that has been done'here, and even in New-England^ Sec. to the influence of the devil. O how prejudice v/ill blind the eyes even of good men. Laft night fome of my friends thought I was going off; but how did Jssus fill my heart! To-day I am, as they call it, much better ; next poft, if able, I will fend you fome more news. Aly health will not permit me to enlarge now. In lefs than a month, we are to have another facra-nicnt at Cambujlang^ a thing not pradifed before in Scotland. I entreat all to pray in an efpecial manner for a blefiing at that time. Our bleffed mader is exceeding good to us. O 4 help

help me to pralie him for the fignal unmerited mercies conferred on, dear brother J ,

Your moft afFedlionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G. JV.

LETTER CCCCXXXVI.

To Mr, H B 5 in South-Carolina.

-Dear Mr. B Auguji 6, 1742.

IHave juft been walking with a nobleman in his fine houfe, and likewise talking with him about the houfe not made with hands, of which you and I are heirs. Blefled be God, who has given us the earneft of an inheritance amongft all them that are fanclified. This you fhall furely in a very little time be a pofTeflbr of, notwithftanding of late fatan has bruifed your heel. That cunning, cruel archer has ihot forely at you, that you might fall, but the Lord has been, and the Lord will be your helper. Even this fhall work together for good to your own and many other fouls. Our Saviour would never have given fatan leave to have fifted you, had he not prayed for you, and intended to bring great good out of it. If it makes you more like a little child, and your friends and acquaintance more watchful and felf-diffident, it will be very well. O dear Sir, I fee every day plainer and plainer that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing, and yet I can do all things through Jesus Christ flrengthening me. What God has lately done for me and his church, is unfpeak-able. Ere long I hope to tell you face to face. In the mean time, be pleafed to remember me in your prayers and praifes. Accept my hearty thanks for all favours conferr'd on my orphan family. Be pleafed to remember me in the kindeft and moft cordial manner, to all your dear relations, and believe me to

be, dear Mr. B ,

Your moft obliged afFtdionate friend, brother

and fervant in Christ,

G, IV.

L E 1^ T E R

LETTER CCCCXXXVIL

ro Mr. R S

Strath-martin^ Augujl 10, 1742. Dear brother Robert^

ICan never let a letter of yours lie long unanfwered. The love I bear to you and yours is unfeigned, and I continually remember you before the Lord. His word runs and is much glorified in thefe parts. I truft it alfo makes advances in your

foul. How is it with you, my dear brother R ? Do you

grow in grace ? Is the world more under your htt than ufual I Do you find a real, folid, abiding reft in Jesus Christ ? Or is it only tranfitory and fuperficial ? It is a very uncommon thing to be rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus. I find per-fons may have the idea, but arc far from having the real fub-ftance. To fay, " I am a poor finner," and to be a poor fmner indeed, are two different things. Methinks I hear my dear man fay, and fo they are. Well then, let us go to Jesus, and he will mal:e us poor and yet free. Bleffed be his name, I feel the pov/er of his precious, life-givirig, all-atoning blood more and more every day. I was happy when at Lo7idon. I am ten times happier now. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. How is my dear Peter ? Is his heart yet eftabliflied and fettled upon the rock ? Or is the dove only fluttering about the door of the ark ? If fo, may the dear Redeemer reach out his almighty

and extended arm, and take him in ! Dear B I hope

grows, becaufe he feems to fee more of his heart. We {hall certainly bear fruit upwards, in proportion as we take root downwards. May the eternal fpirit breathe upon this letter, and blefs it to your foul ! O my brother, keep clofc to Jesus. Do not be content, unlefs you feel a fenfible growth in your foul. Accept my hearty love from,

Ever yours,

G. JV,

LETTER

LETTER CCCCXXXVIII.

To P , at London.

Sirath-?nartiny Augvjl lo, 1742. Bear P ,

THE great trouble which 1 gave you when at London^ and the rcadincfs you fhcwed in waiting upon a poor unworthy minifter of Christ, hath made me often to pray for you, and alfo to hope, that in time you would be brought to love the Lord Jesus himfclf. I truft that time is now come, and that the glorious Em?nanuel hath at length captivated and taken full poiTeffion of your heart. Will you give me leave to afk a few friendly queftions ? Has religion funk: out of your head into your heart ? You was civilized whert I was at London : Are you yet really converted ? Your affedli-ons were now and then raifed towards,—are they now centered in and fixed on the Lord Jesus ? If you can anfwer thcfe queftions in the affirmative, I pronounce you a wife virgin, even wife to eternal falvation ; blciTcd art thou among women. If not, I do not dcfpair of you. Jesus can change the heart. Jesus can make of a proud pharifee, a poor fmner. Let you and I then, dear P ——, apply to the Redeemer's blcod. He can wafh us as white as i'now. I feel his power everyday more and more, and fo do thofe with me. May v/e go 0/1 from ftrength to ftrengtb, till grace be fwallowed up in glory. We fee great days of the fon of man in Scotland, May ths kingdom of God come v.-ith full power over all the earth \ The Lord be with you. Accept this as a token of unfeigned love, from

'\'our affeciionate friend and fcrvant in Christ,

G. FK

LETTER GCCCXXXIX.

To Mr. B , at the Orphan-houfe.

Camhiifkmg^ AuguJ} 17, 1742.

AND has my dear brother B- got the dart of me \ What, put into prifon before me ? I wifli you joy, my dear brother, with all my heart. Kad I been at Savannah^ furely I v/ould gladly have conic (and if there had been

Jiecd)

need) gladly have wafhed your feet. I doubt not but your imprifonment v/as for Christ*s fake. I am perru.»'led, the letter from your friend that doubted, was the foreft flab of all ; but all is intended to draw us from the creature, even from the new creature, and bring us nearer to the Creator, God blefled for evermore. PWs friends defcrted) and no doubt judged him. " All they in Afia forfook me," fays he ; and again, *< At my firft trial no man flood by me ; '* and what follovi^s ? but " the Lord flood by me :'* and will he not, dear brother, alfo fland by you ? I cannot help believing but that Georgia will yet be a glorious colony. The counfel of God (hall fland. He furely put it into my heart to build the Orphan-houfe. He certainly brought you to Georgia to fu-perintend it. He will blefs you and yours. I join in bleffing God with you, and in admiring how he has fpread a table for my dear family in that wildernefs. But what fhall we fay ? The Lord loves to encourage faith ; and fmce his honour is fo much concerned, I am fure he will vindicate it^ and never fufFer his enemies to fay thus of us, *' There, there, fo would we have it." I am kept from the leafl doubting ; and God only knows how many prayers of faith I have put up for you. I have often wifhed as it were for the wings of a dove, that I might fly unto you, and take you one by one into my unworthy arms, and weep over you with tears of love. BlfefTed be God, the time draws near apace. I am jufl now about to publifh a further account of the Orphan-houfe, and hope (hortly to colled fome more money towards its fupport. I am blefTed with far greater fuccefs than ever, and fatan roars louder. You will fee by what I here fend, how the archers of different clafTes fhoot at me; but the Lord (for ever adored be his never-failing love) caufes my bow to abide in llrength, and enables me to triumph in every place. The comforts and fuccefs the Lord gives to me, is unfpeakable. Lafl Lord's day, I believe there were here thirty thoufand people, and above two thoufand five hundred communicants. The work fpreads, and I believe will yet fpread. My bodily llrength is daily renewed, and I mount on the wings of faith and love like an eagle. I can only cry Grace ! grace ! My dear brother, I feel every day more and more, that I am a poor, very poor fmner. I often wonder why Jesus fufFers me to Vol. I, Ee live,

9

live, much more to fpeak for him. But he will havfe merer on wh<MX) he will have mercy. O free grace ! Oh unparalleled love of an inftnitely condefcending God ! Whilft 1 am mufmg, the fire kindles. Surely we fiiall have a happy meeting in Georgia. My Mafter \^ill, 1 truft, come along with me. Otherwife, may I not go up hence. In the mean while, I pray him to quicken and revive your dear fouls, and fill you as with new wine. Thus he deals with me and mine daily. 1 am retired for a day, on purpofe to write letters. The Lord blefs them to your dear fouls, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I wifh you had told me who ilood by at Savannah and brought you refrefhment. Greet them, and give them particular thanks in my name. My heart is full; I know not how to flop. But I muft write to the truftees, and to others. I heard nothing of the aff'air, till I received your letter laft week. A word or tv/o of yours to

Mr. 0 , I think a little too harfh ; but Paul fpoke once a

little too harfn to the high-prielh Our Jesus will overlook this ', and reward you for your imprifonment by and by. Adieu ! my dear man, adieu ! P'orget not,

• Ever yours,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCCXL.

To the Honourable Trujlees for Georgia.

Canihujlang, Aug. 17, 1742. Honoured Gentlemen^

SOAIE letters, which I received lafl week from Georgia^ occafion my troubling you with this, which I doubt not v/ill meet with a candid reception at your hands. I find that Mr. H ' and Mr. B- have been taken up by a warrant, and were imprifoned above a week, for a thing which, 1 believe, none of you, honoured gentlemen, will judge cognizable by the civil mao;irtrate. It feems that Mr. B , in

a private converfution with Mr. 0 , (who, I fuppofe, is

the prefent minifter of Savannah) told him, " He was no *' chrifrian ; that he wondered at the impudence of young men in fubfcribing articles they did not believe ^ and that he (hould think it his ^\xiy to v/arn his friends not to hear him," I ac-i know-

knowledge that fuch language was too harfli; but Mr. H ,

wh6 did hot fay near To much, was linked in the fame profe-

cution, and imprifoned with him. Mr. y , who was

then at Freder'ica^ being informed of it, declared fuch a procedure to be illegal ; and his Excellency General Oglethorpe tlefired my friends to lay the matter before the board of the Honourable Truflees. I being now upon the fpot, they have i'cnt to me a very particular account of what has palled ; which^ if you plcafe, honoured gentlemen, I will tranfmit unto you, or, when I come to Loyulm-t will wait upon you ia perfon. I find alfo, that my friends were denied a copy of the proceedings of the court : in which, I am perfuaded the honourable gentlemen to whom I am writing, will think they l^ave been wronged. My friends require no fatisfa(51ion, but only dcllie fuch a proceeding may be animadverted upon ; knowing that oiherwife it will be a great difcouragement to people's fettling in Gejrgia, I am forry alfo to inform you, honoured gentlemen, that five very fmall children, {Sw/fs or Dutch) whofe parents lately died in their paffage from England^ have had their goods fold at Vendue^ and are bound out till the age of twenty-one years. This I think dire611y contrary to the grant given me by you, honoured gentlemen ; for thereby I was impovvered to take as many orphans into the houfe as my fund would admit of. The magiftrates, I undcriland, have alfo been at the Orphan-houfe, and claim a power to take away the children when they pleafe, whether the children chufe it, or complain of ill-treatment, or not. This grieves fome of the children, and makes others of them infolent, who are hereby taught, that they have a power to go away v.'heri they will. This, honoured gentlemen, muft: be very difcou-r.'ging to thofe who are entrufled with their education ; and who, I am perfuaded, aim at nothing but the glory of God, the welfare of the colony, and the falvation of the children's

fouls. I fuppofe that the magiftratcs (I mean Mr. P •

and Mr. T ) have taken fuch a liberty from the inflruc-

tions which were fent, honoured gentlemen, from you fome

t.me ago. But Mr. y -— has tolJ them, they have mif-

underftood you ; and his Exccllencv Geiieral OgL'thorp I find has wrote to vou, honoured gentlemen, about it. By the

E € 2 accounts

accounts I have, our plantation thrives well j and Mr. i^—— hopes we fhall do with white fervants alone. I do afTure you, honoured gentlemen, I will do all I can, with the moft difin-tereiled views, to promote the good of Georgia: only I beg the management of the Orphan-houfe, and orphans, may be fecured to me and my fucceflbrs for ever ; and that the magi-flrates be not fufPered to difturb us, when there is no ground of complaint. They acknowledged, when at the Orphan-houfe laft, that the children were taken good care of, both as to their bodies and fouls; and will it not then, honoured gentlemen, tend much to the welfare of the colony, that the Orphan-houfe fllould meet with all poffible encouragement. His Excellency General Oglethorp has informed my friend

Mr. H , that, if I defired it, he thought you would grant

me a greater tra6l: of land, which I fhould be obliged to give away in a certain term of years, and that we might have our own magiilrates, as have the people of Ehenezer. Whether I fhall defire fuch a favour, I know not; but, if I fiiould, I defire to know, what you, honoured gentlemen, would fay to it. Many have applied to me to fettle in Georgia ; hitherto I could give them no encouragement. I wifli I may be enabled to give them a great deal for the future. Indeed, honoured gentlemen, I do not defire to find fault. I doubt not but you have been prejudiced both againft me and my friends. The event will fhew what friends we are to Georgia, The Orphan-houfe will certainly be of great utility to the colony ; and the children educated therein, I truft, will be the glory of the fociety to which they belong. They are bred up to in-duftry, as v/ell as to other things ; and are taught to fear God, and honour the king. I am glad to hear that you have lately fent over a gentleman who (I fuppofe) will do juftice. I think I defire nothing elfe ; and heartily pray God to blefs him, and you, honoured gentlemen, and all that are concerned in the management of Georgia affairs. I hope to be in town in about two months; in the mean while, I would beg the favour of a line by your fecretary; and alfo entreat you, honoured gentlemen, to write to the magiflratcs of Savannah^ to let the Orphan-houfe managers alone. If I or my friends fliould happen to fay or do any thing amifs, I ^afTure you, honoured

gentlemen, you (hall have all poITible fatisfaf^ion given you by them, and alfo by, honoured gentlemen.

Your very humble fervant,

G, TV,

LETTER CCCCXLI.

To Mr. H , in Georgia,

CambuJJangy Aug* 17, 1742. My very dear Friend and Brother^

WITH a great deal of pleafure I received your letters dated May 14th, 26th, 29th, and June ift. Blefled be God ! for all his goodnefs, in providing for my dear family in that wildernefs, by fuch various unexpected ways. It caufed my heart to leap for joy. I find you have been wrongfully imprifoned. I fhould have been glad (if time had permitted) that you had wrote me word, how it has been with your foul under fuch a circumftance. 1 hope the fpirit of Christ and of glory refted upon you. Glad fhould I have been to have fung and prayed with you ; but my hour is not yet come. I have juft now wrote to the truftees, and intend waiting upon them as foon as I come to Lotidon, I am per-fuaded the Lord will influence their hearts to do us juftice. I am glad you wrote fo properly to the General, and that God hath given you favour in his fight. " When a man's ways pleafe the Lord, he makes his very enemies to be at peace with him." I intend fending him and Mr. Jones a letter of

thanks. I owe Mr. S only about ninety pounds, and

about a hundred and fifty more in all, upon the Orphan-houfe account in England. I am jufV publifhing a further account, which I am perfuaded the Lord will blefs. I would not have you to undertake any bufinefs70u do not like. I think the Lord has fitted you for your prefent ftation. ProfefTor Franck held it dangerous to change perfons frequently, who were entrufted witn the care of the orphans. I am of your opinion as to hiring fervants.—It is impollible to tell you, my dear man, what I have feen, heard, and felt fincc I came laft to Scotland. The glorious Emmanuel rides daily on in the chariot of his gofpel, frorri conquering and to conquer. The

E e 3 con-

congrcgatlvons are juft liUc that at Fogg-Manor, —T am oppofed

on all iidcs. Dear Mr. E 's people have lately kept a

faft upon my account. The kirk picfbyters alio, now they fee the Seccders fplitting, notvvithftanding I have been inftru-mental in God's hands, in fotr.e degree, in flopping the fe-ceflion, begin to call Tome of their minillers to account for employing mc : but who can ftand before envy ? In the midft of all, my dear Mafter keeps me leaning upon himfelf, and caufes me to walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft from morning to night. I wifh time would have allowed yoa to have wrote a little about his love, and to have abounded more in thanks for the opportune fupplies which he fent you.

But I am fure that my dear Mr. H is not wanting in

either of thefe. I think that I fee you grow in grace. I afl'ure you, you are dearer to me than ever. My wife readily excufes your not wn iting, knowing what it is to be in a hurry of bufi-nefs. O pray that we may have a profperous voyage to you, by the will of God. By this time I fuppofe you are a father. May God teach you and your wife how to order the child ! J have much to fay to you both, when I fee you. My dear old friend, and firft fellow-traveller, God has yet great blelTings in ftore for us. He will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he Vv'ith-hold from them that lead a godly life. Me-thinks I am converfing with you now. May God give us a happy meeting ! FJ^ will, he will ! For the prc'ent I muft bid my dear man good night. I flole this day from public preaching, to difpatch my private affairs. All join in hearty love to, and prayers for you. Accept of the fame in the m.olt tender

manner, from, my dear Mr. H , • ,.

Your moil affectionate friend, brother, and fervant till death.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCXLII.

To his Excellency General Ogkthorp,

CambuJIang, Aug. i8, 1742. Honoured Sir^

IMoft heartily thank you for being fo kind to my family In Georgia^ and for efpoufing my friends caufe when I thiiik they were apparently wronged. In a letter, I yefterday laid the cafe before the honourable truftees, not doubting but they will preferve us from opprefTion, and from perfecutioii in all its fhapes. I think we have only the glory of God, and the good of the colony at heart. Prejudices may be raifed againft us by evil reports and mifreprefentations ; but your Excellency is more noble than to hearken to infmuations, which are not fupported by evident matters of fad. I am fure God will blefs you for defending the caufe of the father-lefs, and efpoufing the caufe of injured innocence. J\!y friends, I truH", will at all.times readily acknowledge any thing they may either fay or do wrong ; and, if I know any thing of my own heart, I would not offend any one caufelefsly and wilfully, for the world. In a fev/ months I hope to fee Georgia,. In the mean while, I beg 3'our Excellency to accept thefe fev/ lines of thanks from, honoured Sir,

Your Excellency's moft obliged humble fervant,

LETTER CCCCXLIII.

To Th:j?nas J , Efq\ in Georgia.

CamhuJlaJigi Jug. 18, 1742. Dear Mr. J ,

WITH this I fend you my repented thnnks for your great kindnefs to my dear family. The Father of Mercies and the God of all Confolations will plentifully reward you for fuch well-doing. In a few months I hope to thank vou in perfon. God hath done, and is dill (5oing greater things for me than I am able to exprefs. Indeed many fouls have been born again, both in England and Scotland, fmce I left you at Georgia. I defire to caft my crown at the

E e 4 Hvt

feet of Jesus, and to cry Grace ! grace ! Dear Sir, what a charming word is that ? I am fure I can freely own, that all my falvation is of grace, unmerited, diflinguifliing, electing grace ! If I could be favcd by my own righteoufnefs, I had rather be faved by the righteoufnefs of Christ ; becaufe that way of falvation brings mod glory to our glorious God. I

doubt not but Mr. J is like-minded. May he be fo more

and more, and daily feel the full power of the Redeemer's blood ! Be pleafed to remember me to all that are pleafed to enquire after unworthy me, who am, dear Sir,

Your moft obliged friend and (eryant,

LETTER CCCCXLIV.

fo Mrs. B' ——5 ^i the Orphan-houfe.

Camhiijlang^ Aug* 18, 1742. Dear Sipr B ,

HA S the Lord called for your dear lambs ? If fo, I truft you have been enabled to fay, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blelTed be the name of the Lord." I am glad to find you was fo well reconciled to your dear Jiufband's imprifonment. It is fweet when wives are ftrength-(Bned to encourage their hufbands in a fuffering hour. Then are they helps meet for them indeed. You do well, my dear fifter, to lament the vilenefs of your heart. I find more and more that my heart is defperately wicked. But, blefTed be GoDj I have a fountain to go and wafii in every moment, even the blefled fountain of the Mediator's blood. There I can have free ^pcefs j there I can wafli, and daily be made clean. Indeed, my dear fifter, without difTimulation, I am a poor, very poor finner ; but I am rich in Jesus, and rejoice in his great falvation from day to day. I long to fee you and my 4ear family, to acquaint you what God l^ath done for my foul: and yet he is ftill doing more and more. He does, he will delight to honour me. I thank you for the great refpe6l you pay me for his great name's fake. I will endeavour not to be behind with you, and the reft of my dear friends, in Jji^mility af>4 loye. I am, my dear fifter, moft fincerely^ Your affedionate friend, brother, and

fervant in Jesus Christ^

G. W, BETTER

LETTER CCCCXLV.

To Mr. B .

Cambujlang^ Aug. 18, 1742. Dear Mr. 5——,

I Think there is a myflery in the Lord*s dealing with you and your brother. Surely he would never fufl'er you to be thus tempted, did he not intend to honour you by and by. What our Saviour does to us now we know not j it is enough that he hath afTured us we Ihall know hereafter. I rejoice to hear that you have fo many chriftian negroes. 1 hope they are only the firft-fruits of a more glorious harvcft. Though the work may be at a flop for a while, fear not; Jesus will revive his own work in his own time. Notwithftanding our blunders, imprudence, and the oppofition of enemies from without, yet the counfel of the Lord fhall {land, and he will fet his king upon his holy hill of Zion. The Mediator's kingdom makes glorious advances here. I cannot tell you the hundredth part. I verily believe we fhall fee greater things abroad, I know you pray that I may have a profperous journey to you, by the will of God. I expe£l to embark for Georgia in a few months. In the mean while, you fhall not be forgotten

J)y, dear Mr. B ,

Your moft afFedlionate friend, brother and fervant,

LETTER CCCCXLVI.

To Mrs. T , in South-Carolina,

Camhujlang^ Aug, 18, 1742;, My dear Friend.^

I Am glad to hear by your filler, that you are become a de-fpifed follov/er of the lowly Jesus.— O glorious charac^ tcr ! I am perfuaded you had rather have that title truly applied to you, than to be emprefs of the univerfe. I long to fee you, and to hear you tell what a happy change you feel. How

does dear Mr. T ? Is he yet truly broken, and going

Jiand in hand with you to heaven ? Happy pair!—I know, J)y fwcet experience^ the comforts you enjoy. Death itfelf

fhall

fhall not part you. I hope, nothing that has happened to dear

Mr. B will prove a ftumbling block to your foul. Such

things muft be glory to him, that has laid " all things fhall *' work together for good." My dear friends, what a my-flery is the chriftian life.? Happy thofe, who are acquainted with it. That it may be revealed more and more in your hearts, is the earnefl prayer of, dear friends. Your moft aftedionate friend, brother and fervant in Christ,

G. m

LETTER CCCCXLVII, toMr.H i/—.

CamhuJIa7ig^ Jug. 26, 1742. Aly very dear Brciber,

GL A D was I laft night to receive a letter from your hands. I love your fimple honefl heart, and earneft-ly pray the dear Redeemer to give you a true, lafting, abiding reft in himfelf. BlelTed be his name, I think I can fay, through free grace, that I am in a meafure entered into it, and know what it is by happy experience, to pafs from glory to glory every day. My dear brother, I am oppofed on every fide ; the archers fhoot fore at me that I may fall, but the Lord is my helper. He caufes my bow to abide in flrength, and makes me more than conqueror through his love. The account fent with this, will fhew you how often I have been enabled to preach ; but with what efficacy and fuccefs, pen cannot defcribe. The glorious Redeemer feems to be advancing from congregation to congregation, carrying all before

him. The MelFrs. E 's people have kept a faft for me,

and, give out, that all the work now in Scotland is only delu-fion, and by the agency of the devil. O, my dear brother, to v^hat great lengths in bigotry and prejudice may good men run .? Blefled be God, I can fee the differences between GoD*s children, and yet love them from my heart. What you faid about poor fVales^ affected me. I laid upon my face this day, and for fome time pleaded with groans unutterable, for direction in that, and feveral other matters of great ccnfe-quence. I fear my dear brother thinks too highly of me. Indeed, I feel myfelf to be a poor fmnef, and yet I am rich in

Christ,

Christ, and lean upon his bofom from morning to nigiht; ray, all the night long. By his grace alone I am what 1 am ; and if he is pleafed to honour me ib fir, I fhould h^ gljd to help the brethren in iVaL^s. I am forry to hear there has been fuch divifions. But dividing times generally precede lettlin'>-

times. Upon the receipt of your laft, I wrote to Mr. 0 .

Laft night I received his anfwcr. He fpeaky very honourably of you, but thinks that you are too cenforious, iji condemnino-a whole fociety for the faults of but fome, and too b'gottcd alfoto your ^ wn way. IVIy dear brother v/ill excufe this. I would not deal fo freely, or take fuch liberty, did I not believe you would take it kindly. My brother, my foul loves you. Dear Mifs Nancy wrote me word you v/as at my houfe, ([ rejoiced) and that you prayed heartily for unworthy me. The Lord reward, and fill you with all joy and peace in believing ! Our Lord is fovereign in his dealing with his dear children. I walk in much liberty. O free grace! Your being fo exercifed with inward conflids, helps you to fcarch hypocrites. But glory be to our heavenly Father, there is a glorious reft awaits us, and all the children of God. I think I feel a foretafte of it now ; nay, I believe I feel the thing it-felf in a degree, and when I fpeak of it, I fpeak what I know. O infinitely condefcending God ! My brother, my heart is full. The Lord Jesus blefs you, and fill your dear foul with all his fulnefs I So prays, with his whole heart,

Your molt affectionate though molt unworthy brother, 3nd willing fervant in Christ,

G, n\

LETTER CCCCXLVIlf.

To Mrs, L ;, in Brijhl.

Car?ibufkirig^ Aug, 26, 1742. Honoured Mother,, Rejoice to hear that you have been fo long under my roof.

I

BlefTed be God, that I have a houfe for my honoured mother to come to. You are heartily welcome to any thing my houfe affords, as long as you pleafe. i am of the fame mind now^ as formerly. If need was, indeed thefe hands

(l:iould

{hould admlniftcr to your neceflities. I had rather want myfelf than you lliould. I fliall be highly pleafcd when I come to Brijioly and find you fitting in your youngeft fon's houfe.

0 that I may fit with you, in the houfe not made with hands eternal in the heavens ! Ere long, your doom, honoured mother, will be fixed. You muft fhortly go hence, and be no more feen. Your only daughter, I truft, is now in the paradife of God. Methinks I hear her fay, *' Mother, come up hither." Jesus, I am fure, calls you in his word. May his fpirit enable you to fay, '* Lord, lo I come I" My honoured mother, I am happier and happier every day. Jesus makes me exceeding happy in himfelf. I hope by Winter to be at BriJhL If any enquire after me, pleafe to tell them, 1 am well both in body and foul, and defire them to help me to praife free and fovereign grace ? O that my dear, my very honoured mother may be made an everlafting monument of it! How does my heart burn with love and duty to you ? gladly would

1 wafti your aged feet, and lean upon your neck, and weep and pray 'till I could pray no more. With this I fend you 2, thoufand dutiful falutations, and ten thoufand hearty and moft humble thanks for all the pains you underwent in conceiving, bringing forth, nurfmg, and bringing up, honoured mother.

Your moft unworthy, though moft dutiful fon,

'till death,

G. W,

LETTER CCCCXLIX.

To Mr, A , in London,

Camhujlang^ Aug, 27, 1742. My very dear Brother A -,

THIS day fortnight I came to this place, to aftift at the facramental occafion with feveral worthy minifters of the churchr of Scotland, Such a pafTover has not been heard of. The voice of prayer and praife was heard all night. It was fuppofed, that between 30 and 40,000 people were afTem-bled, and 3000 communicated. There were three tents. The minifters were enlarged, and great grace was among the people. I preached once on Saturday^ once on the Lord's

Day

Day morning, ferved five tables, and preached about ten at night to a great number in the Church-yard. Though it rained much, there was a great awakening. On Monday at Icven in the morning, the Reverend Mr. IVshJhr preached, and there was a very great commotion, and alfo in the third fcr-mon when I preached, a very great and ferious concern was vifible through the whole folemnity. The Lord's people went home much refreflied. On Thurfday I preached twice at Greenock ; on Friday three times at Kilbride^ and again on Saturday once, and twice at Stevenfon ; on Sunday four times at Irvine. On Monday once at Irvine.^ and three times at Kil-tnarncck; on Tuefday once at Kilmarnock^ and four times at Stewarton ; on Wednejday once at Stewarton, and twice at the Mearnes ; and yefterday twice at this place. I never preached with fo much apparent fucccfs before. At Greenock^ Irvine^ Kilbride^ Kilmarnock-^ and Stewarton, the concern was great: at the three laft very extraordinary. The work feems to fpread more and more. O, my friend, pray and give praife in behalf of the moft unworthy wretch that was ever employed in the dear Redeemer's fervice. I fpeak this from my inmoft foul. I muft cry out continually, *' Why me Lord, why

me ?" My dear brother A , I love you dearly in the

bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ. I think I could live with you always. The Lord, I think, hath given you a meek, and teachable difpofition. O what is it to be as little children I I am glad to find, you fo hunger and third after a continual abiding reft in God. Aflure yourfelf, the Lord will fill and fatisfy your foul. He is faithful, who hath pro-mifed, who alfo will do it. Wait, and thou fhalt fee and feel the faWation of God. I think I have feen it more for fome days paft, than in any journey before. Our Saviour loves to let us fee yet greater things. O for a large heart to receive all the fulnefs of God ! I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you at the Tabernacle. May his glory appear, and fhine in it more and more ! I believe it will. I believe God will blefs your fchool. Our Lord's Difciples are generally too much in a hurry ; at leaft I am. They are not content to wait. " He that believeth, doth not make hafte." O for a paflive, tender, truly broken, child-like heart I that we could

watch

watch in real it v, and from moment to moment hear the crv of every Chriftiao, with every call from God, whether by his providence or fpirit. It is faid, that God brought and kept Jbrahatn at his feet. O that we were always there, waiting for divine direction ! Blcllcd be liis name, I am for the moft parC at the feet of Jesus, and indeed he gracioufiy teaches me moment after mon-'.cnt. I have many things before me now. I

know brother A will help me by his prayers. Blciled be

God, our heaven is begun here.

Your truly affectionate brother and fervant in Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCCL.

To Mr, S C , in Deptford,

GlafgoWy Sept. 2, 1742. My very dear Brother C ,

I Am juil now come from the pulpit, wherein I have experienced much of the Redeemer's power, and feen his ftately out2;oings in the fanciuary. My brother, the cry of my heart is, " and will God indeed dwell with fuch a wretch as I am." IMethinks a voice echo's from above, " I have dwelt in thee, I do dwell in thee, I will dwell in thee for evermore." My heart replies, '' Lord, I believe and worlliiip."

A heart that 710 drftre can move^ But jiill to adorcy believe, and love.

This, my dear brother, is the prcfent, and indeed continual bent of m.y foul, which I truft profpers. I feel myfelf to growr more poor inwardly; I fee, I am but a learner in the fchool of Christ, and my dear Mafter teaches m.c new leilbns every day. About a week ago, I think he did more for me than ever I faw before. Glory be to God, that he is fo much with you at Londm, I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. I atn amazed when I hear, as I do almofl every day, of Ibme frcfh perfons wrought upon by my unv/orthy miniftry. This humbles me very much, and brings me very low at the icet of the ever-loving Jesus. I dare not deny that I am one of his cho-fen ; but I am jealous for myfelf and for thofe about me, left we iliOuld grieve the holy fpirit, ^i.d oblige him to withdraw

for

for our ingratitude, unfruitfulnefs, pride, fclfiQincfs, and in^ fenfibiJity of the hleflings we enjoy. Lad night I went to fleep quite angry, but chiefly with myfclf.— I law that I had received much, and did lb little for my God, and Christ, that I could feelingly fmite upon my bread, lay my head upon my pillow, and clofe my eyes with thefe words, " God be merciful to me afmner?'* And to-day, what have I feen ancl felt, yea what do I now feel? My foul is fwallowed up in God. His prefence is filling my foul, and renewing my bodily ftrength. Here is free grace, my dear brother. Was you here, I think I could now warm your heart with a Icctur!? upon the unparalleled love of Jesus ; but time is (hort: blcfled be God, an eternity is before me, but " eternity too (hort to utter all his praife." I think: I love you and yours unfeign-edly, and rejoice that you enjoy fwect fcllowfhip together. Glory be to God, that you have gotten many living fiones. Truft the great Redeemer, the all-wife contriver and perfetSler of his fpiritual temple, to put them together. I have bcea faulty in looking too much to foreign help, and defpifing that: which God had given me. When our Lord was to feed the multitude, he would not create new bread, but multiplied the loaves that were already at hand. " Ye need not fend them away, give ye them to eat," faid he : fo fay I to my dear brethren at the tabernacle. " Work with the materials you have." In doing the work, God will teach you how to do it.—Experience will grow up with the work itfelf. Thus God hath dealt with me, and fo he continues to deal. May his blefled fpirit guide you all into all truth, and give you a right judgment in all things I 1 love to fee the little child in other?, though I fee fo little of it in my unworthy felf. But I muil not exceed ; other bufinefs demands my attention. Write to me often about the ftate of the church. Mr. E 's people rather run greater and greater lengths in mifguided zeal. Our love to all. I intreat a continuance of your prayers, be-caufe the archers are (hooting from every quarter at, dear bro-

tiicr C .

Your poor weak brother in the kingdom and patience of Jfisus Christ,

G. rr.

LETT K R

L £ T t E R S.

LETTER CCCCLT.

To Brother T- , /« London,

GlafgoWy September 4, 174^* My dear Brother^

I Hope this letter will find you, where your laft left you, aC the feet of the meek and lowly Jesus. My dear brother, it is a delightful fituation : Mary found it fo. O true poverty of fpirit, what a rare, yet what a precious thing it is ! The foundation of it, is a deep, abiding knowledge of the corruption of the heart, and its defperate wickednefs. I find more and more the necelTity of leaning upon my beloved, whilft travelling through the wildernefs of this world. I find I am yet but learning in the fchool of Christ, and fcarce know any thing as I ought to know. I often blufh at a fenfe of my un-fruitfulnefs, ingratitude, &c. and yet am made continually to lejoice in his great falvation. My brother, prefs on and faint riot; though faint, yet ftill purfue. When your father and mother forfake you, the Lord will take you up. I do not wonder at your father's oppofition. His letter befpeaks him to be a man of a very bad fpirit. I thought proper to burn it. My brother, pray for him, and beg of Jesus that you may behave with all meeknefs, humility and love. I would enlarge, but time is fhort, and much of my dear Mafter's bufmefs is lying before me. For the prefent, adieu ! A^Iy kind love to all. May the Lord keep you unfpotted from the world. You fhall overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We fee wond'rous things here. Pray and give thanks for

Your afFedionate friend, and fervant in Christ,

G. m

LETTER CCCCLH.

To Mr. B , in London,

Glafgowy Sept. 4, 1742. My dear Brother B ,

I Embrace a few moments to anfwer your kind letter. Not want of love but leifure prevented my doing it before; yet I have not forgotten you in my prayers. Your cafe hath 2 been

been upon my heart. I pray God you may be enabled, at this time efpecially, to plead the promife of temporal bleiTino-?. Remember, my dear brother, you can call God, your God and Father : if fo, your God will fupply all your wants. Thefe words were fo preficd upon my foul once when in extremity, that I hope I fhali never forget them : " Be careful for nothing, but by prayer and fupplication with thank:fgiving,let your requefts be made known unto God." • I have for thefe eio-ht or nine years paft, had no vifible fettled fund, but fetched in all temporal fupplies by pleading the promifes. My God never failed me, he never will. This morning I have been lecturing upon EliJ}m\ multiplying the widow's oil. The Lord God of EliP)a is yet living. O that you may have faifh to apply to him. O that you may be willing to be made poor. My brother, I find freedom in writing to you. BlefTed be God, who hath made any thing that I have fpc.ken of ufeto your foul. Tell your wife, ftie muft take my advice, and pray with you. She fins, I think, in omitting it. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you at the tabernacle. May he be with you more and more ! My brother, God is doing won* ders here indeed. Every day he fhews us great things. Yef-^ terday, and the day before, how did hedifplay his power i^ I am loft when I think of it: O that God fhou'.d ever dwell with fuch an ill and hell-deferving wretch as I am ! Amazing ! Thy mercies, O God, they humble me. Adieu.

Your unworthy and affectionate friend and brother,

LETTER CCCCLIIL

To Mr. J A^ .

Edinburgh^ Sept, 13, 1742, My very dear hroiher N ,

I Have juft been writing to our dear brother G T , and now fit down to write to you. Both your letters came to me at the fame time, and had I not been ufcd to trials of that nature, would have affe6ted me much. Dear Mr.

T fpeaks mar.y things, that I know are too true oF tiie

Moravian Brcthroi \ but his fpirit fccms to be too much heated, and I fear fome of his own wild-fire is mixed with that facred fire of zeal, which comes from Qqh. My dear bro* Vol. I. Y i thcr,

10

iher, I want to be more like unto God, who fees aiid corrcc!? all things that are amifs, and yet continues unmoved in his own nature. I want to be more like unto Jesus, God blelT-cd for evermore ! who fees all the quarrels and heart-rifmgs o-f his children one amongft another, and yet bears wrth, and loves them ftill. My heart doth not reproach me^ for my krnd-nefs and fricnclfliip with thofe that differ from me. I think I have been led by the word and fpirrt of God- into this part of my conJudl; but I confefs that I am jearlous, and tru'ft with a godly jcaloufy, over many who talk and wrice of the Lamb, and who mimic fome particular perfons in their outward way of behaviour, but yet are not truly poor in fpirit. They a6t too much like me, who at my firft fetting out imitated the outward fhew of humility in Monfieur Dezenly, before I got true fmiplicity of heart. Indeed, I have too little of it now. But, biclTed be God by his free grace, I am what 1 am. I think I can fay I am made unfeignedly happy in the Lorl> Jesus Chri&t, and can difcover in fome meafure between a talfe and difguifed hoJrnefs. Glory be to the Rcdeemtr's name, I walk in-light and liberty, and am ejaabled to rejoice in the Lord always. Though 1 can f^y to corruption, " Thou art mv lifter," yet I can with a full alilirance of faith at all times fay, *' God is my father, and all is mi-ne, becaufe I am Christ's." My dear, very dear hbft and brother, I pray God that you and I may more experience the glorious liberty oFth>t children of God : a liberty not from the in-being, but fron^. the reigning power and dominion of fm. Jesus came to make us kingjs, as well as pricPis, and it is our privilege to reign upon the earth. We that believe, do enter into rcfb. Faith is of an all-conquering nature, and caufes us to trarnpl' im, death, and hell under our feet. My dear brother, I experience more, unfpeakably more of the PvedeeiPiCr's powc:\ than when'I faw you lai^. My happinefs increafes daily, and I am perfuaded will increafe, 'till grace is fwaliowed up in glory. My principles as to the fundamentals of the gofpel are juft the fame as yours. I cannot renounce thofe precious truths, that I have felt the power of, and which were taugh: me not of man but of God. At the fame time, 1 would love all that love Jesus, though they differ from me in fome pointii. The angels love all the true worfliippers of Jesus every where,

anc

and v/hy (hculd not we: If mir brethren will quarrel with us, let us not quarrel with them. O my dear broihcr, I pray our dear Redeemer to give you mceknefs to ihofc, who may not fee (o far as you do. 1 entreat you, my dear brother, to overcome their evil with your good. Zeal tor God may excite others to oppofe you, as well as you to oppole them ; th'^refore bear with and love them. This will (hew you to be a difciple indeed, and to have that mind, which was in Christ Jfsus. O that we grevv up into his divine likenel's, and were indeed conformed to our great Exemplar ! How truly tlmple and void of guilt (liould we be ! Our brother, I fear, has not dealt uprightly with me. At firft he called me a fervant of God, and then a blafphemer and deceiver, and faid, I (hould be in a miferable condition. Pray tell P of it, and acquaint him at the fame time, that I grow happier and happier in the Lamb every day, and more and more honoured by the great Head and King of the Church. O fimplicity ! whether art thou fled r—In a (hort time I hope to embark for Gt^orgia, and then, God willitig, I iliidl fee you face to face. Wonderful things have been doing here ; things unfpeakable and full of glory. The confufions abroad are no greater than what I expelled to hear of. J all: fuch a fccnc hath been at home : but the glorious Enimanucl will over-rule all for (^ood. Why have y(^\x not written to my poor fam'ly in Georgia? I am perfuaded great things will come from the orphan-houfe. O remember, my dear brother, to exercife catholic love in all its branches. I love and long much to fee you. I fhall write,

(3OD willing, to Mr. IP''- . I find his fplrit is alfo ini-

bittered. May the Lord fweeten all your hearts! With hearty thanks for all favours, I am, my very dear brother, Moll; aRc61ionately yours in the gloiious Jesits,

G. JP\

LETTER CCCCLIV.

1:0 Mr E , in Pkihdelphit].

Edinl^urgby^'S/'pt. 14, 1742. Afy very char Brother^

YOU R kmci letter came to hand a few days ago, and I rejoice to hear that you are now happy, I wifh you niav be :ea!l>' fettled and rooted and giourided in love, and F f 2 no

no longer fo tofled about as you have been in times paft. I find many talk and boaft of reft, of which I fear they have not yet got a feeling polfcfTion. There is as much difi'erence between thofe two, as between a fhadow and the fubftance. Far* be it from me, to think thus of you, my dear brother. No, I believe our Saviour has really loved and wafhed you in his blood, and redeemed you unto God, that you might be a king and prieft, and reign upon the earth. Inhere is plenteous redemption in the blood of Jesus. He came, not only that we might have life, but that we might have it more abundantly. He that beiieveth on Jesus, out of his belly fhall flow rivers of living water. They that believe enter into reft* O glorious redemption ! O glorious liberty of the children of God ! Blefled are they who have not feen, and yet have believed ; they, who having not feen, yet have loved Jesus, and do rejoice with joy unfpeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. Blefled be God, that you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago. In a year's time, you will be afhamed to think what a dwarf you are now. A believer is to pafs from glory to glory. It is ignorance and pride that makes us think we have already attained. The more we are acquainted with Jesus, the more we (hall be acquainted with our own hearts, and grow more truly poor in fpirit every day. Indeed, my dear brother, I am a thoufand times happier than when you faw me. Jesus hath faved me from many corruptions, and is every day transforming me more and more into his own likenefs, I cannot reft, unlefs I feel a fenfible growth in my foul, and find that I get more of the true artlefs fimplicity that was in Jesus. Blelled be God for that fulnefs which is in Christ, out of v^hich we are all to receive grace for grace. Many, many fouls have lately been drawing out of this fulnefs. I am amazed at his love to me I O free grace I

0 fovereign, diftinguiftiing, unmerited love !—I think you did well in receiving fome particular perfons into your houfe. *' Be not forgetful to entertain ftrangers," fays the Apoftlc.

1 cannot think it is right, to be fo far carried away with aa orthodox fcheme, as to neglc6t a(51:s of love to the members of Christ's body. Give me leave, my dear brother, to behave with all mecknefs tov/ard thcfc, who may not be fo well affected toward fuch whom you love. If you do not take care, and

keep

keep clofe to the bJcfTed Jesus, your fpirit may be imbittered, and you may yet infenfibly fmk into bigotry. Some of our Bnglijh friends, I am fure, have done fo. It is a blefied thing to be kept free. Jesus can do this for you, my dear brother, and I am perfuaded he will. In the love of a cruciiied Jesus,

Ever yours.

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLV.

To Mr, M , at CambuJJang.

Rev. and dear Brother

Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1742.

YOUR kind letter I received this morning. I wonder you can love me, for I feel myfelf more unworthy every day; and yet, dear Sir, the King of Kings ftill delights to honour me. At Cumbernauld^ and Torphicheuy the Lord was with me. I was much led to difcourfe upon walkin"- with God, and had a fwect opening upon thofe words, " And *' Enoch walked with God, &c." Since I have been at Edln-lurgh, the Lord has much blefled me, and given me fome frefh teachings from his blelTed fpirit. I believe hundreds are fed day by day. O dear Sir, help me to adore free o^race. May God reward you for all kindneiles fhewn to me and mine! Indeed, dear Sir, I have fcarce patience with myfelf. I can do fo little in the day for God, that when I go to bed at night, I am quits afhamed. I truft I fhall begin to do fomething now. Dear Sir, help me, help me by your prayers, that I may ftir up the gift of God that is in me. I fliall not eafily forget you ; fear not, the Lord will yet he with you.

I have fent to Mefirs. O—— and L . I fear I cannci

reach cither of their places ; but, God willing, I purpofe to come home once more to Cambujlang, and then muft take a long, long farewel. Blefled be God, wc fliall meet by and by, never to part any more. Then, dear Sir, our warfare will be a^-compli{hed, and the archers will fhoot at us no more. My foul glows with love whilft I am writing. Sometimes I am enabled to look within the veil, and to take a view of the pro-jnifed land. I am nothing, but Christ is my all. For the gjefent^ adieu ! Pear Sir, adieu ! My love to Koherty furnaraed

F f 3 NathanuL

Kathaniel, All with mc dearly love him. O join with liiin in praying, and giving thaiiks for us, elpeciully, dear Mr.

M^ , fo

Your weak, unworthy, though hnppy brother and Tcivant in Jesu$ Christ,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCCLVI.

To Mr, F' , /// Penfyhania,

Edinburgh^ Sept. 22, 1742. My clear Brother P ,

I Received your two kind letters, dated June the id aivi 6th, and can only fay, Christ is king in Z'lon, and orders all things well. 1 think vou cannot have a fcene ot greater confulion among )ou, than there has been in Euglcnd, But blclTcd be God, matters are brought to a better illue, and though we cannot agree in principles, yet we agree in love, Tho', as you know, 1 am clear in the truths of the gofpel, yet I find that principles of themfelves, without thefpirit of God, will not unite any fet of men whatever j and where the fpirit of God is in any great degree, there will be union of heart, though there may be difference in fentimcnts. This I havelearnt,my dear bro-ther, by happy experience, and find great freedom and peace in my foul thereby. This makes me to love many, though 1 cannot agree with them in fome of their principles. I dare not look upon them as wilful deceivers, but as perfons who hazard their lives for the fake of the gofpel.—Mr. JV —r~ I think is wrong in fome things, and Mr. Z—--^ wrong alfo; yet I

believe that both Mr. L and Mr. W , and others,

with whom we do not agree in all things, will fliine bright in glory. It is beft ihereiore for a gofpel-minifter, Hmply and powerfully to preach thofe truths he has been taught of God, and to meddle as little as pofiible with thofe who are children of God, though they fliould differ in many things. This would keep the heart fwetr, and at the fame time not betray the truths of Jesus. I have tried both the difputing, and the quiet way, and find the latter far preferable to the former. I have not given way to the Moravian Brethren, or Mr. JV--^^ Ot to Auy^ whom I thought in aa error, no not for an hour.

But

But I think it bcft not to difpute, when there is no probability of convincing. I pray you. For Christ's lake, to take hceJ left your Iprrit fliould be imbittcrcd, when you arc fpeak-inT or writing for God. 'I'his will give your a<lverfaries ad-vantacTc over you, and make people think your paflion is thi-eftect of your principles. Since I have been .in E fig land ihls time, CahiKS example has been very much prefled upon mc. You knov/ how Lritlhr abufcd him. As we are of Calvini/U' CKil principles, I truft wc fhall in this refped imitate Calvin s praaice, and fliew all mcekncfs to thofe who may oppofe. My dear brother, you will not be offended at my ufing this freedom. I am a poor creature, unworthy to advife you ; but I fimply tell you a little of my own experience. May the Lord give you, and all that ftand up for the dodrines of the ^ofpel, a right judgment in all things! For Jesus Christ's Eike, iis much as in you lies, put a ftop to difputing. It im-bitters the fpirit, ruffles the foul, and hinders it from hearing the fmall ftill voice of the Holy Ghoft. May you be filled with all joy and peace in believing ! God has been very gracious to me here. Wonderful things have been done in Scot-laud. When I fhall come to you, I cannot as yet determine. I hope to embark in a few months. In the mean time, be pleafed to remember me to all that love the glorious Emmanuel^ and accept this in tendereft love from, my very dear brother, - Yo4ir nioft affeaionate though moft unworthy brother and fervant in the kingdom and patience of Jesus,

G, n\

LETTER CCCCLVII.

<ro Mr, H

Edinburgh, Sept. 24, 1742.

My mojl endeared Friend and Brother.,

YO UR fhort letter, dated July the 14th, I received two days ago, to my great fatisfaaion. I am glad my

dear family js° removed to Mr. B , and rejoice that our

glorious God had raifed him and his brother up, to be fuch friends in time of need. Our all-wife Saviour law this, and therefore lent them to be converted at the Orphan-houfe. O Lord, thou art fearful in praifes, glorious in holinefs, doing Y i ± worwders !

wonders ! I truft this will find you, my dear friends, and my dear latnbs, happily fettled at Bethefda. I cannot think, God will give you over into the epemics hands, or that he will fufFer the enemy to ab'de in Georgia for any confiderable tin^e. My thoughts h ave been varioufly exercifed, but my heart kept ftedfiift and joyful in the Lord of all Lords, whcfe mercy endureth for ever. The kings taking Lot, and Abraham recovering him out of their hands, hath been much prefT-cd upon my heart. Abraham^ goij^g into the land of Canaan^ and being driven out by a grievous famine foon after he came there, has alfo been applied to my foul. And thofe words of JUofesy " Thcfe enemies which you fee, you fhall fee them no more," have fallen with great warmth, and wait upon me, Thefe things put together, keep my mind humbly depending upon God, in a full aflurance that fome great and good event for the kingdom of Jesus will erelong be brought about. I am fupported in a peculiar manner, and kept from ftaggering through unbelief.—With this, I fend you a continuation of the Orphan-houfe account, which I printed to fatisfy the public, and to promote future colletSlions. The news about the Spaniards, perhaps may ilrike a damp upon the colle£lion at this time 5 but even this fhall work for good. God has ^ wheel within a wheel. O, my dear brother, how do I long to, be with you ! You need not fay, " if poflible now come over," for I have long wifhed for the wings of a dove to fly to Geor^ gia. I yet owe upwards of two hundred and fifty pounds in England, upon the Orphan-houfe account, and have nothing towards it. Hov/ is the world midaken about my circumftan-ces : worth nothing myfelf, embarrafiTed for others, and yet looked upon to flow in riches? Our extremity is God's opportunity. O faith, thou haft an all-conquering power I furely, my dear man, you and the reft of you will grow now^ in this time of trial. Fear not, neither be difmayed : the Lord your Gop will fight for you. 1 put my truft in him, and through his mercy I fhall not mifcarry. He flill ftrength-cns me to go on from conquering to conquer. I pray for you, I think and dream of you almoft continually. I long, I long to be with you, and methinks could willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying, though a Spaniard's fword fliould be put to my throat. But alas I I know not how I

lhoul4

fhould behave, it" put to the trial: only we have a promife, " that as our day is, fo our ftrength fhali be." I vi^ould gladly write to you all, but being fo varioufly employed, having the fuperintendency of fo many fouls and fo many fpiritual affairs, in many different places, I feel a little of what St. Paul fays, when he wrote thefe words, " befides that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." What am I ? Lord, I adore and worfhip ! I hope ere now you have had letters from

brother G and Philadelphia friends. Some there, are

fufpicious that I am joined with the Moravian Brethren, but indeed I am not. My principles are ftill the fame ; only as I believe many of them love the Lord Jesus, I would love and be friendly to them, as I would be to all others, who I think bear the image of our common Mafter, notwithftanding fome of my principles differ from theirs, and are as fardiftant as the Eaft is from the Weft. Glory be to God, for keeping me ftedfaft to thofe truths, which himfelf and not man hath taught me. I feel the power of them more and more every day, and am continually made happier and happier in the righteoufnefs of the glorious Redeemer. O free, fovereign, diftinguifhing, electing, everlafting, infinitely condefcending love I it quite amazes me. The thoughts of this love carry mz above every thino'. My dear friend, the Spaniards cannot rob us of this, nor can men, or devils. It is immutable and eternal as God himfelf. May the meditation on this, lead us nearer and nearer to God in Christ, that we may every day, every hour, Qv^ry moment be more and more conformed to his blefled image, and fipen more and more for eternal glory. But I muft have done. Adieu ! my dear man, adieu I I am ready to weep tears of love. Humbly hoping, that I fhall fliort.ly hear of the fpiritualand temporal welfare of you all, I fubfcribe myfelf, >vith the utmoft fmcerity and affedlion.

Ever, ever yours,

G. r/.

LETTER

h^

p LETTER S,

^<W L E T T E R CCCCLVliL

Ts the RcV£)cnd Dr. C , /'// hyi-jn.

EJnibur^h^ Sept. 24, 1742. Rcv^vend and dear Sir,

TO my c;i'cat and abundant rati>fa6tion, I received vouv long wifiiedfor letter of June 3. It was late at night ere it came to hand ; but I could not go to reft without read-ino- it. I read, and rejoiced, and prayed for the writer with my v/holc heart. O reverend and dear Sir, God only knows how clofcly t am knit to the dear minifters and people of New-En(rhind, I'hey arc ever upon my heart, and it rejoiced me to find I was not forgotten (unworthy as I am) by them. Dear Sir, I am glad to hear that the work ftill goes on ; be not furprizcd, if you are forfaken. Paul \v2ls ferved fo, and when I came to England moft of my old friends and fpiritual children were exceedingly prejudiced againfl: me. Our great high-prieft fees thefe trials to be necefTary for us, to try our faith, and teach us to ceafe from man. I hope they have pro-; duced this bleffed effed in fome meafure upon my foul. There v^ feems to be I'uch a fcene in Philadelphia, as we have had in

>'' old Eyigland. I have wrote to Mr. T . He in a late letter

thinks me too charitable j but my confcicncc doth not reproach me for that. My principl'.s are ftill the fame. I embrace the calviniftical fcheme, not bccaufe Calviny but Jesus Christ, I think, has taught it to me. I go on preaching the crols and power of the Redeemer, and defire to fay as little as poffible about others, left thereby I fliould divert people's minds from the fimplicity of the gofpel. I have often found that oppofinir, inftead of hurting, makes erroneous people become more confiderable. This made me wilh, that the Bojlcn rninifters would not take up fo much time In fpeaking againft the Exhorters. It will only fet the people the more upon following after them ; but I cannot well judge at fuch a diftance, and indeed I find I am fuch a poor creature, that I fcarcc know any thing yet, as I ought to know. At the fame time, I will not deny what I have received ; no, this would be dif-honouring my dear Saviour. He makes me daily more and more happy ia himfelf, and I continually rejoice in his great

falvation.

falvation. Ar prefcr.t he Uipports mc in an uncommon manlier, and the nevvs of the Spaniaidi attacking Georgia atFedts me no othcrs&'iie, than to incieal'e my faith and eonhdcncc in hiin, whom I am fuie tarcth for me aiid m/mc. O dear Sir, what a 'glorious thing is divine faith ! iVl;!y you have much of it, and feel the power of it more and mcMe every day ! Wit^i repeated lalutati(»ns and returns of love, I one;: more fubferibe myfeh'', reverend and dear S.r,

Your moft aiYectionate friend, your.gcr brother,

vai)d fervant in the <i,lorious gofpel of

the ever bkiied Jesus,

LETTER CCCCLIX.

To Jonathan B , Efq\ in Nciv-En^Iand,

Ho7icured Su\ Edinburgh^ Sept. 2^, 1742-

IRe'ioiced to hear by the reverend and dear Dr. C , that you are retired from the world, full of piety and devotion. 1 congratulate you, honoured Sir, upon your happy change, and pray that von may be filled with all the fulnefs of God, Exceedmgly engaged as I am, I could not but fend a line to you, becaufe I love you in the bowelo of Jesus Christ. 1 remember your command ; I have you upon my heart, and pi ay the glorious Emmanuel to do more abundantly for you and youis, than you are able to afk or think. It is impoirible to tell you what the Lord hath done for unworthy me. Honoured Sir, I feel a blils I cannot exprefs. My happinefs in Jesus incrcafes daily. 1 am only alhamed of my unfruit-fulncfs, and the little I do for God. Indeed, honoured Sir, 1 could wifn for a thoufand lives. My Jtsus (liould have them all. Methinks I hear you fay, " thus it is with me." Kail then happy man I All generations fhall call you blelled. Honoured Sir, my foul is full in the midft of many trials. O what a glorious redemption hath Jesus purchafcd lor us I Indeed it is a plenteous redemption. By the power of his death we are enabled to tread fin, death, and faran under our feet. I'his is the prefent frame of my foul. O free grace ! unfearchable riches I The brighinefs of it dazzles the eyes of tt^y fuith. LoRD; I adore and wordiip in the temple of my

heart!

heart ! Honoured Sir, be pleafed to accept thefe few lines from a heart overflowing with love to God, and for his great name fake to you. With moft humble refpeds, and afFedi-onate returns of gratitude for all favours, I beg leave to fub-fcribe myfelf, honoured Sir,

Your moft obliged humble fervant,

G.IV,

LETTER CCCCLX.

To Mr, E , in Philadelphia,

Edinburgh^ Sept, 25, 1742. My very dear Brother & m ■ >,

SINCE I wrote laft, your other kind letter, dated July2^y came to hand, by which I find matters at Philadelphia are much the fame as when you wrote before. I pray God to give me wifdom, and a right underftanding, to judge of thofe different jarring accounts that are fent me. As far as I am able to determine, I think fome who have the truths of Gop on their fide, defend themfelves with too great a mixture of their own fpirit, and by this means perhaps fome perfons may be prejudiced even againft truth itfelf. This is one rock, I pray God, my dear brother, to keep your foul from fplitting

againft. Again, I think the Ad-, n Brethren (hew a better

and milder fpirit in the general ; but many of their principles deviate as far from the truths of Jesus Christ, as the eaft is from the weft, or the north from the fouth. I wifh you may not have gone a ftep too far. It was unjuft for Mr.

B 's brother to be denied preaching in the new building.

Shall I commend Mr. B -for this? I commend bim not.

The brethren fhould have fome other place to preach in, and not make that houfe a Babel. I cannot give up truth for them, or for any other under heaven. I find they are as weak and fallible as thofe whom they judge not to have drank fo deeply of the fpirit of Christ ; and therefore, my dear man, though we love all, we muft be upon our guard, and follow not man's teaching, but the teaching of the Holy Ghoft. Though principles are not to be refted in, yet it is a good thing to have a clear head as well as a clean heart. Some people make nothing of principles ; but why are they fo zealous in propagating their own ? I think, my dear brother, I am a happy

firmer, and have really entered into an abiding reft in God, through the Lord Jesus Christ ; but yet the ftirrings of corruption I expert in fome degree or other, till I breathe my

laft. This I hope is all that dear Mr. T infifts on. My

dear brother, love the brotherhood, but do not give up the truths of God ; and when you are brought ofFfrom idolizing ©ne creature, take care you do not infenfibly fall into idolizing another. Do not think that all things the moft refined chrif-tian in the world does, is right ; or that all principles are wrong, becaufe fome that hold them are too imbittered in their fpirits. It is hard for good men, when the truths of God are oppofed, to keep their temper, efpecially at the firft attack. Nothing but the all-conquering blood of the dear Redeemer can deftroy the wild-fire in the heart. You will fee what I have wrote to the dear Truftees. I hope our loving Saviour will incline you to comply with my advice. I believe it is from him, and will much tend to the profperity of Zion. That, I truft, we have all at heart. I pray God we may be enabled fo to a61:, as to do nothing to obftrudl: it, but bear and forbear with one another in love, and give way in fome things to promote the common good. You fee, my dear man, bow freely I write to you. It is out of the fulnefs of my heart, I hope you and I fliall be happily furprized, in finding each other better than we expected. God forbid that we fhould live one hour without growing more like the bleffed Lamb of God. I am too credibly informed, that fome make it their bufinefs to prejudice my friends againfl me. Such wifdom cometh not from above. They are as the falfe apoftles, of whom Saint Paul fpoke, " They would exclude us, that you might affedl them." But glory be to hQQ grace ! I can re-pofe myfelf in Jesus, and am happy in him. However I may be dealt with by man, blelTed be his name, I am now happy in the midft of various trials, even beyond expreffion. I only add, through grace I have laid the foundation ; let others beware how they build thereon. Adieu, my dear brother. I am, with cordial refpects and affeition.

Ever, ever yours.

LETTER

•446 I. E T T E U a

LETTER CCCCLXI.

Tg the Reverend Mr, R J , in IFahs.

Edinburgh^ Od. 6, 174:". My very dear Broi/'-r,

YKSTKRD A Y your kind ano* proft:^.ble letter came to hand. My d'.'ar wife being emb.jrked, I opened, read, ?.nd now fnatch a few moments to anfwer it. I took yotir hints upon yacol's ladder, and preached upon it with freedom yefterday ui the afternoon. I truft fojne will be induced to begin to climb, and others be iVirrcd to climb fafter ; at leaft I fliail mvlcir for one, for indeed 1 am afliamed 1 have mounted no higher yet. Bieflcd be (jod, I am afcended fo far as to have the world almoft out of niv light, and I fee my dear mafter ftand-in'? at the top reaching out his band, readv to receive me up jnto heaven. Indeed, my dear brother, the J^ord hath dealt iTioft bountifully with niC j he gives !ne to rejoice in all h\s diipenfatlons towards me. It we'd becometh God's chi'dren to give thanks for all things that befal them, fince it is God's will concerning them. I am taught more and more every day to live by faith in the Son of (jOD, v/ho loved and gave him-ielf for me. God keeps me, and brings me where I woulJ defire to be, at his feet, waiting his will, and watching the motions of his bleiicd fpirit, word, and providence. Here i find fafety and refuge amidft the various fiorms of oppofition and reproach which 1 daily meet with. (tOD isonmvfKJe, i will not fear what men nor devils can fay of, or do unco

me. The dear McAVs. E ; have dreiTcd me in very

black colours.—Mr. G 's pamphlet will Ihew" voti

how black. Dear men, I pity them. Writing I fear will be in vain. Surely they mufl" grieve the holy fpirit much. O for a nnnd divellfd of all feels and names and parties! i think it is my one fimple aim to promote the kingdom oi Jesus, without partiality and wnhout hypocrify, indefinitely amonp^ft all. I care not if the name of George lyijitefield be banifned out of the world, fo that Jesus be exalted in it. Glory be to his great name, we have fccn much of his power apd greatnefs in S.toUmid. The work ni the weft (till goes on snd increafcs. i.aft fabbaih-day, and iVIondciy^ very great things, greater than ever, were itt.i\ at Kiifyth. Inhere js a

i

great awakening alio at Aluihel^ and many living ftoncs building up in Edinburgh. I preach twice every day with great power^ and walk in liberty and love. At the lame time I fee and feel my vilcneis, and take the bleilcd Jesus to be my rightcoufnefs and all. I purpole, God willing, to go through Newcajile and Torkjhire to England. Ireland i believe mull be left till another circuit. In about three weeks, I purpofc, God •willing, to leave Scotland^ and hope to fpend a month ere long in /rules. My dear and honoured brother, I hope the Lord will give you an heart to pray for me, for indeed I am a very-poor finncr, and many are waiting for my halting ; but Jesus is able and willing to make me fland. I have been much Urcngthened, hncc the Spaniards have invaded Georgia, I think I am like the ark iurrounded on all fides with waves, but through free rich grace am enabled to fwim above all. Ere long, I fhail rell on mount Zhn in the arms of my beloved Jfsus. Here Is love would make me drop a tear, and fet my pen a writing quicker, but other bufinefs calls for me. Dear Sir, be pleafed to pray for me, and remember me to your dear wife, and all the followers of the Lamb. Pray

write to Mr. M^ C immediately, and [(^nd as ofcen as you

can, dear ?vlr. 'J , to

Your v/eak, unworthy, but truly affeftionate

biother and fervant, in the kingdom

and patience of Jesus,

L E T T E R CCCCLXIIv

To Colonel G .

l-lof^'Ured Siry Edinburgh^^ Ot7^^^r 7, 1742.

(^"T"^ ii O U G H I never had the pleafure of feeing you, yet X ^ have often prayed for you, and can afiure you I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I hope you will not be cift'eiided with me, for troubling you with this. Your honoured lady tells me, you will not. Love, I am pcrfuaded, inclines me to write, and I doubt not but you will receive it in the fame fpirir. Dear Sir, I rejoice to hear that you are a good foldier of Jesus Christ, and t'aat you delight to light the Redeemer's battles. May you be covered v/ith all h:s annours and HUed with all his fulnefs ! I have the pleafure

fure often to go without the camp, and to bear a little of hii facred reproach, and I prefer it to all the treafurCs in the world. Weak as I am, my Jesus makes me more than conqueror through his love. He has brought mighty things to pafs here, and gotten himfelf the vi6lory in many hearts. I truft, there is not a day palTcs but fome poor creature or another is plucked as a brand out of the burning. I wifti I could hear God was more in the camp. BlefTcd be his name for raifing you up, honoured Sir, to lift a ftandard for him. May you-be endued with the meeknefs of MofeSy the courage of Jojhua, the zeal of Paul, and a large portion of the blelTed fpirit of^ Christ ! I hope, honoured Sir, you will now and then remember me a poor Tinner, and fpeak a word for me to the King of kings and Lord of lords, that I may not turn my head in the day of battle, but rather die for, than deny him in any wife. Neither you nor yours are forgotten ' by me. Indeed I am a poor creature, but happy, very happy in the once crucified, but now exalted Jesus. For his fake, and in his great name, I beg leave to fubfcribe myfelf, honoured Sir, Your affedlionate humble fervant, &c.

G. IV'.

LETTER CCCCLXIIL

To the Reverend Mr. J TV .

Edinburgh^ O^obsr 11, 1742. Reverend and dear Sir,

ABOUT ten days ago, I fent you a packet by my deaf wife, which I hope you will have received ere this comes to hand. Yederday morning 1 had your kind letter dated O^ober 5. In anfwer to the firft part of it, I fay, '' Let old things pafs away, and all things become new." I can heartily fay, " Amen" to the latter part of it. " Let the king ViVQ for ever, and controverfy die." It has died with me long ago. I fhall be glad to fee the extracl of your journal. Be

pleafed to fend it immediately, under cover, to Mr. E y

member of parliament in Edinburgh. I (hall not leave Scot-> land in lefs than three weeks. Before yours came, I had engaged to go through Nezvcajlle in my way to London. I re-foice to hear the Lord has bkflcd your dear brother's labours. I am enabled to preach twice iaily with great power, and find

A I v/.dk

I walk in light and liberty continually. Like the ark, I ant iurrounded on all fides, but enabled to fwim triumphantly over all. O free grace ! I thank you, dear Sir, for praying for me, and thank our common Lord for putting it in your heart fo to do. I have been upon my knees praying for you and yours. O that nothing but love, lowlinefs, and fimpli-city may be among us. It grieves me to fee u'hat a fad fpirit

prevails among Mr. E 's people. Father, forgive them !

I truft you will remember my poor orphans. God gives me flrong faith for them, though no news yet of the Spa-niards leaving Georgia, Yefterday morning a dear little hofpital girl went off in triumph. The work is ftill increafing in Scotland^ efpecially at Kilfytb. Surely we (hall fee great things crc long. Dear friend, my foul is on lire. O let us not fall out in the way ! Let us bear with, and forbear one another in love. God be praifed for giving you fuch a mind. My kind love to all that love the Lord Jesus in fincerity. In much hafte, and with great thanks for your laft letter, I fubfcribe myfelf,-reverend and very dear Sir,

Your moft affectionate, though younger brother,

in the gofpel of our glorious Emmanuel^

G. IK

LETTER CCCCLXIV.

To Airs, Ann £)— •, in HuntingdonJJy'ire.

Edinburgh^ OSioher 13, 1742. My very dear Sijler^

WITH great pleafure I received your kind letters. They incrcafed that love, Vv'hich I had before to the writer of them. I redeem a few moments to return you aiY anlwer to them, 2nd am afhamed to think how I put voir off; but I fee vou confider my circumftances, and love to our dear Jesus inclines you to excufe me. Bleffed be God,' I can ftili fend vou an account of the increrJc of Rynma-

71 lit

/'c

kino;dom. I preach always twice, fomctimcs three or four times in a day. The people are more c.i?^er than ever, and much folid work is done for God. My ftreng-th is daily renewed. Still-I delire to cry, grace! grace! I nrrr f ndied exceedinirly, I icarce have nnv damp." My foul conr-tinually magn,itic3 the Lord, and my fpirit rejoices in Qovi' Vol! L G^ ■ ' ^ nvf

JO

my Saviour. I know you will help me to praife him. I collected laft week 128/. for my poor orphans. I have fent you an account of them. You will continue writing to, and praying for my dear family, I hope to fee you hefore I embark.

By this, you will receive a line from one Mr. j^ , an

humble walker with God, and Mr. T , a bookfeller,

who I believe loves the Lord Jesus in fmcerity. Pray an-fwer them. 1 would have your correfpondence enlarged, and therefore I fet other people writing to you, though I cannot write fo much myfelf. My dear fifter, adieu. The Lord be with you, and yours. I am now in a lady's family, whom God has blefled.—We have feveral fuch here. With great lincerity and affedion, I fubfcribe myfelf,

Ever yours, in yours and mine,

G, TV,

LETTER CCCCLXV.

To Mr, T 5 in Edinburgh,

Glafgcw, OSioher 20, 1742. Dear Mr. T ,

YOUR letter much refreflied me. Thanks be to God, for putting it into your heart to write to unworthy me. The blefled Jesus hath been the author of cur friendfhip, and therefore it will be blefled. I rejoice much, that the Lord is with you and your minifters. May you all increafe with all the increafe of God ! O that the focieties may remember

to pray and give thanks on my behalf. Dear Mr. T ,

what deliverances hath the Lord wrought for me ? Before the news came of the Spaniards leaving Georgia^ the words came to my mind, that were prefied on me in the park with great power : " Thefe enemies which you have now feen, you fiiall fee no more." W^hat a life is a life of faith ? I know I am reckoned enthufiaftic, even by many chridian friends, in refpedt to my Orphan-houfe; but " he that believeth, doth not make hafl:e." I find we mufl be tried by friends, as well as by foes. All is intended to bring us nearer to the friend of all. I hope I improved my intereft in him juft now, for you and yours, and for all Edinburgh friends. As foon as we had perufed the letters, we kneeled down, and prayed, and gave thanks. Good news came from London, I hope, next poft,

2 to

to hear that our dear friends have got fafe thither. O what reafon have I to be thankful ! Help me ftill, my dear Mr.

T , to praife the Lord. I hope to be with you next

week. In the mean time pray for, and if leifure permit, drop a

line to, dear Mr. T ^

Ever yours, &c.

G. ly.

LETTER CCCCLXVI.

To Mr. J r , in Edinburgh.

Decir Mr T-^ ^, London^ Nov. 6, 1742.

ABOUT five this evening, our ever blefTed Jesus brought us hither, and gave us a happy meeting with our dear friends. How good is Jesus to the chief of finners! He {o^ laced my foul all the way, and gave his angels charge concerning us, otherwife we muft have been frequently hurt ia our ways : but he heard the prayers of his people. I am per-fuaded he gave them a fpirit of fupplication in our behalf. I felt it, I feel it now, and long to preach again. My dear friend, remember us in the dearefi: manner to all. I hope to write to feveral on Monday next. Hov/ fweet is reft after fatigue ! How fweet will heaven be, when our journey is ended. Forgive the brevity of this.

Ever yours,

G. JK

LETTER CCCCLXVII.

To Mr. J H , at Bethefda.

Lcndon^ Ng*u. 12, 174^. My dear eft Friend and Brother in a crucified ]esvs^

HO W do I long to come over to fee you, and the reft of my dear family ? How do I long to hear how it is with your dear fouls, and that you are returned to Beihcfda in fafety ! The cloud feems now to be moving toward America, I truft I (hall be with you in a few months. Wonderful great things did the Lord perform for me and his people in Scotland. The concern exprefled at my departure, was really unfpeakable. O my dear, my very dear brother, the love of God to fuch an unworthy wretch quite amazes me. I rode

poft, and came here in rather lefs than five days from ^rt'/'w-burgh on Saturday laft, and here feems to be a new awakenin<^. We have been obliged to enlarge the tabernacle. The Lord's

glory does indeed appear in it.^ Dear brother H has

been fent with a fweet fearching commiffion. Brother C

is much bleft in Wiltjlnre. The word runs and is glorified in IValcs^ and God is raifing fome frefli vvitnclles of the power of his dear Son's blood in Gloucrjierjhire. BlefTed are the eyes that fee the things that we fee. God doth greatly countenance us indeed. O free grace ! O electing love ! The collections in ScotIa7id were large. At Edinburgh^ I collected 128/. at one time, and 44/. at another ; at Glafgcw 2iho\it 128/. with private donations. I think we got about 300/. in all. Blefled be God, I owe nothing now in England on the Orphan-houfe account ; what is due is abroad. I think fince I have been in England^ we have got near 1500/. The Lord will raife up what we want further ; glory be to his name. He keeps my faith from failing, and upholds me with his right hand, and makes me happier in himifelf every day. My wife lies now very weak. She was tofled for ten days in her voyage from Scotland: The fhip was in imminent danger, but the Lord gave her much of his prefence, and I trufc Ihe v/ili be ready {hortly for another voyage. She heartily and moft lovingly greets you all, as does in hafle.

Ever, ever yours, &c.

C. TV,

LETTER CCCCLXVIIL

To Lady Frances G .

Honoured Madam^ Loyidon Nov. 13, 1742.

MINDFUL of my promife, v/hich I made before I left Edinburgh, I now fteal a few moments to fend your Ladyfhip a letter of thanks, and which 1 trufi: will find you fitting under the Redeemer's fliadow with great delight. It rejoiced me when I heard that our infinitely condefcending God had blcfied my unworthy minifiry, to recover your Ladyfhip from a ftatc of diirknels and fpiritual defertion. Glory, Cilory be to rich, free and fovereign grace I I truft your Lady-Ihip will now be kept in the love of God, and no idol in-tcrpofe between the Ivcdeeaiei and your loui, I hope the c dear

dear Colonel is now in his proper place, and that you can think of him without anxiety or diftradino- care. This is that freedom, wherewith Jesus Chr»ist makes us free. To love all things in him, an"d for him, and to love him above all. Thus we have peace and joy. Whenever-we deviate from it, we fall into darknefs and dirtrefs of foul. I pray God your Ladyfliip may be thus kept, and enabled to rejoice in God all the day long. For ever adored be frcQ "iace. 1 have enjoyed much freedom of foul fincc I left Edinburgh, Very good was my mafl:er to us on the road, and ilill better to me now I am in London. We have bjeficd feafons. O who can exprefs the loving-kindnefs of the Lord, or fhow forth all his praife ! We beg your prayers ; and wifliing you and your honoured Colonel all manner of profperity, 1 beo-leave to fubfcribe myfelf, with unfeigned thanks for all paft favours, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyfliip's moft obliged humble fervant,

G, IV.

LETTER CCCCLXIX.

To Mifs S .

London^ Nov. 13, 1742.

AS I have been writing to the honourable lady Frances^ I am willing to inclofe a line to you. I trult it vvilj find you walking by faith, and trampling upon the luft of the eye, the luft of the flefh, and the pride of life. This is the happi-nefs which Jesus Christ has purchafed for poor Tinners. This is that better part, which I hope you have been enabled to choofe, and in which, I truft, through grace you will be enabled to perfevere even to the end. Dear Mifs, if this be the cafe, well v.'ill it be v/ith you, and happy, exceedingly happy fhall you be. Methinks I hear you fay, " I feel my happi-nefs begun." Keep clofe, Dear Mifs, keep clofe to the lovely Jesus, and you will find it increafe day by day. Many, many temptations and difficulties you will meet with ; but fear not; look unto Jesus, and he will make you more than conqueror through his love. Never reft without looking up to him, in and for every thing you ftand in need of. He will richly fupply all your wants. I fpeak this by happy

G g 3 experience.

'454 LETTERS.

experience. Many bleflings have I received fince I came hither. O help me to praife our prayer-hearing God. Your moll afFeclionate friend and fervant in Christ,

LETTER CCCCLXX.

To the Honourable Lady Jane H- , in Edinburgh,

Honoured Madam^ London^ Nov. 13, 1742.

IT is with fome regret, that I look back upon my not writ-ino- to you, when I was at Glafgoiv. I refolved ever fince, to fend your Ladyfhip a line as foon as poflible, after I reached London. Being now fomewhat fettled, I attempt in the divine flrength to put my defign in execution. And now, honoured Madam, what fhall I fay ? I hope this will find you a very poor fmner, and fitting at Jesu's feet. With pleafure I have often thought your Ladyfliip has been made willing to become truly, inly poor, and to feel the full power of the Redeemer's precious blood. If I miftake not, your foul is a-thirft for God, yea to be filled with all the fulnefs of God. Go on, dear Madam, for God (hall fatisfy all your defires : He has promifed, and he will perform. I find my happinefs in Jesus increafing daily, and that there is no end of his goodnefs. Greatly did he ftrengthen me on the road j greatly has he blefled me fince I came hither, I believe your

Ladyfhip will hear fhortly from Mr. H . He is a dear

foul indeed, and left London on Thurfday morning lafi-, full of fimplicity and love. The work goes on bravely in IVales^ and eifewhere. Surely it is the midnight cry ; Surely the bridegroom is coming. Methinks I hear your Ladyfhip fay, «' Then I will make ready to go forth to meet him." That you may be always ready to obey the moft fudden call, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyfhip's mofi: obliged

bumble fervant in Jesus Ckrist,

LETTER

LETTER CCCCLXXI.

To Mifs N 'i.

London^ Nov. 13, 1742. Dear young Ladies^

THIS week I wrote a few lines to your honoured mamma. I now fnatch a few moments to fefid a line to you. And why ? Becaufe I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and wifli above all things, that your dear fouls may profper. I faw a happy alteration in you for the better, whilft I was at Edinburgh, and my conftant prayer is, that you might flill go on from ftrength to ftrength. Here f<fem$ to be a new awakening. We had a glorious faft-day indeed. I truft you had the fame at Edinburgh, I am fure we prayed heartily, it might be fo. O Edinburgh ! Edinburgh ! I think I (hall never forget thee. Surely many can fay, " Our fellowfhip has " been with the Father and with the Son." And now though abfent, we may have fellowfhip together in and through the eternal Spirit. Thus it is with me, and thus it is, I believe, with my dear wife. She moft heartilyjoins with me in falut-ing your moft honoured mamma, as well as yourfelves. Wifh-ing that your lamps may be always trimmed, and your loins always girded, and that you may be continually in readinefs to meet the heavenly bridegroom j I fubfcribe myfelf, dear young ladies.

Your moft afFedionate friend and fervant in Jesus,

LETTER CCCCLXXII.

To .

London^ Nov. 15, 1742. My Lordy

IT has given me fome concern, that I could not write to your Lordfliip before I left £ . My departure from

thence was very fudden, and it was but a few days before that I heard of your Lordftiip's illnefs. However, I have not been unmindful of your Lordfhip, and I truft, in anfwer to prayer, our Lord has rebuked your fever, and that this will find you rifen and miniftring unto him. O, my Lord, I think I can

G g 4 fay.

fav, "It Is good for me that I have been affli6led j" for had it ; ot been fo, I fhould have gone aftray. How apt are we when in health, to follow Jesus afar off, and fink into tepidity and a Jaodicean fpirit ? May this ficknefs be fandified to the purging of your Lordlhip's foul, and be a means of drawing you r.ear?r to God ! Our glorious High-prieft ftill continues to load me u'ith his benefits. He dealt moil: tenderly with me oj^. the road, and blefles me much here. I am now in my winter quarters, preparing for a frefli campaign. Happy they that fight under the Redeemer's banner! That your Lord-fhip may be always fighting the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on eternal life, is the carnefl prayer of, my Lord, Your Lord/hip's mofl obedient and obliged humble fervant,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCCLXXIII.

To Mr. S , of Bri/loL

London J Nov. 15, 1742. M^ dear Brother S- ,

I Gave thanks on your behalf, when I read your letters; being encouraged thereby to hope, that Jesus Christ is indeed about to take full poffenion of your foul. A proper feafon this to enter into the marriage flate, an union repre-fenting the myflical union between Jesus Christ and his Church. My brother, you cannot think of it with too much folemnity. It ib a matter of great importance, in which the future comfort of your life much depends. I would advifc you to read over the matrimonial office, and turn it into a prayer. As for outward affairs, I think it quite proper to have them fettled, as I am a minifler of Jesus Christ, and ou^ht therefore to be freed as much as may be from all worldly incumbrances. Be pleafed to draw out your account, and when the captain comes, defire him to draw out his, that receipts m.ay pafs on both fides. I fliall pay Mr. N as de-

fired. I am glad you are fo friendly with Mr. IV- . I

truil we fhail learn more and more to love one another.

Yours mod: aiiectionately in Jesus Christ,

G. IF.

LETTER

LETTERS.

457

LETTER CCCCLXXIV.

To the B'ifi)op of Bangor,

London^ Nov. 17, 1742. My Lord.,

THE inclofed vvas fcnt by a young man, who was coming up to London^ and was in his way as far as LndlovOy on purpolc to wait on your Lordfhip about the contents of 't. If your Lordfhip pleafcs, I will wait upon your Lordf]:iip for your Lordfhip's anfwer. The charaL,lcr your LordHiip has tor candour and moderation, makes me believe, your Lordfliip will not favour any pcrfccuting proceedings againft thcfe that love the Lord Jesus in fincerity. If your Lordfliip thinks proper to fpeak with me, upon the Icaft intimation, you (hall be attended by, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's mod obedient fon and fcrvant,

G. W,

LETTER CCCCLXXV.

To Mr. J , ofTo'ven in Wales.

London^ Nov, 18, 1742. My dear Brother^

HOW fweetly does the blefied Jesus guide the meek in his way ! I believe your turning back from Ludlow was

of God. Dear brother H was about that time p-ointr

mio JVales^ and the Lord fending me hither (unworthy as 1 am) to tranfact affairs for you. 1 have feen your letter to Mr.

L , and likewife that from brother C , to the bifliop of

Bangor. I am juft now fending it to him, with a letter from myfelf, dcfiring leave to wait upon his Lordiliip. What the event will be, our Lqrd only knows. This, however, we know, " All things fhall work together for good to thofe that love God i" and the gates of hell fliall never prevail againft: the church of Jesus Christ. What you have met with, is no more than might be expected long ago. There has been a hook in the Leviathan's jav/s, or otherwil'e our mouths had been flopped long before this time. I had once the honour of being publickly arraigned, for not reading the Common Prayer in a Mceting-houfe. At another time, I was taken up by a

warrant

warrant for corrcding a letter wherein were thefe words, ** Shall our Clergy break the Canons." The profecutions were un-juft, but there is our glory. I remember when Socrates was about to fuffer, his friends grieved, that he fuffered unjuftly. What, fays he, would you liave me fufFer juftly ? If we are buffettcd for our faults, and take it patiently, fays a greater than Socratesy we are not to glory ; *' but if we are reproached for Christ, and fuffer as Chriftians, happy are we." I think our prefent fufferings are for him. Surely the fpirit of Christ and of glory will reft upon you. However, I truft this ftorm will foon blow over. If poflible, let an open feparation from

the church be avoided. Mr. H can tell you more by

word of mouth. I truft the glorious Jesus has fent him a-mongft you, in the fulnefs of the blefting of the gofpel of peace. He is a dear foul. I am perfuaded you are dear to him : 1 find you are dear to me, though I never faw you. It is enough, that we have drank into one fpirit. This create* an indiflbluble union. Pray remember my kind love to dear

brother C . I wifti him joy with all my heart; but would

not have him deny that exhorting is preaching. The Chancellor will be too many for him; for to be fure, exhorting is at leaft one part of preaching. Granting this, he has warrant enough, notwithftanding, from fcripture, to tell others what God has done for his foul, and to bid them come and fee and believe in a precious Christ. O that word ! How fwcet is it to my foul ? It is like ointment poured forth. Had I time, I could tell you much of his love. He has been exceeding good to me in Scotland: He is ftill fo to me here. Vile, bafe, ungrateful as I am, he lets me lean on his bofom night and day. My dear brother, help me to praife him, and engage all the brethren's prayers in behalf of one, lefs than the leaft of ^11 faints, but

Yours raoft affcdionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCLXXVI.

To the Reverend Dr, C— , in Bojlon.

London^ Nov, 18, 1742. Rev. and dear Sir,

GLAD was I to receive another letter from you, before I lent off my packets. I thank our loving Lord, for granting me the continuance of his minifters affcdions. I hope this, and all his other mercies, will lead me nearer and nearer to himfelf the fountain of all mercies. Surely the friends of Jesus pray in my behalf; for I am ftill ftrengthened more V than ever^ and enabled to rejoice in his goodnefs all the day ..-Hong. The confufion at Nezv-England has given me concern j ^' but our Lord will over-rule all for good. I was forry to hear

^y " o( Mr. D 's imprifonment ; and to be imprifoned for an

P unguarded exprejrion, I think is too, toofevere, and not for the honour ot Bo/ion at all. Had I been in his place, I fnould have accepted bail. When I fhall come to Bojion, the Lord Jesus only knows. I believe it will not be long. I find I ihall come in perilous times; but that all-gracious Saviour, who has helped me hitherto, will guide me by his council, and give me a true fcriptural zeal. This is what I defire all my friends to beg in my behalf. How hard is it to keep in the trne narrow path, when fpeaking for the Lord Jesus ? God preferve me, and all his minifters, from defending his truths and caufe in our own, or under the influence of a falfe fpirit! It deftroys the very caufe we would defend. As yet, in Scot-land there have been but hvj of the diforders complained of amongft you. But as the work increafes, I fuppofe the enemies flratagems will increafe alfo. This is my comfort, Jesus reigns. The gates of hell fhall never be able to prevail againft his church. I have had a late inftance of his power and goodnefs, in driving the Spaniards out of Georgia. I hear they are gone. I hope the Orphans are now at Bethefda in peace. The continuation of my account, I have fent with this, and a parcel of my fcrmons. Be pleafed to difpofe of them, as you (hall think proper. I falute all my Reverend brethren that preach Jesus Christ in fmcerity. I wifii them profperity with all r»iy heart, and pray for them every day. Ps.cyerend Sir, my

(ouj

foul is now filled with a fenfe of redeeming love. O why me, Lord, why me ? Even fo my Saviour, for fo it fecmed good in thy fight ! But I can write no more, having much bufinefs on my hands. We go on well here. Our Lord bleffes us much. I am, with much afFcclion, Rev. Sir,

Your moft unworthy and younger brother in the gofpel of Jesus Christ,

G. TK

LETTER CCCCLXXVII.

To Mr, J E .

London^ Nov. 18, 1742. Dear Sir,

YOUR letter pleafed me much. As foon as I read it, I kneeled down, prayed, and gave thanks on your behalf. How faithful is he that hath faid, " I will never leave thee, or forfake thee.'* Surely the Lord intends to honour you, in making you an inrtrument in bringing many fons to glory. I Ijopc he will biefs your fiift public effays to ferve the intereft of his great name, and enable you to go on from ftrcngth to ftrength. I cannot think you will be long v.ithout a feeling poficlTion of your God. Shortly, I truii:, you will be touched with a coal from the heavenly altar, and be made to fay, "Lord fend me." I think our Saviour has given you great knowledge in the fcripturcs. May you be kept clore to and be daily taught of him. My prayer for you is,

Tah bis poor heart, and let it be For ever closed to all but thee.

1 think you may ftudy conveniently in Scotland\ but in this and every thing elic, 1 pray the Lord Jesus to direct and 'ruide your foul. I mofl: heartily love you, and widi you profperity in the name of the Lord. Our blefled Saviour has been exceeding kiud, nnce I have been here. I go on my wav rejoicing, and am flrengthened day by day. Tiiat you may abundantly experience the fame, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Yours mod afteclionatelv in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

L E T 1' E R

LETTER CCCCLXXVIJI.

To Mr. M 5 JJle of Man,

London^ Nov. 19, 1742, Rev. and dear Sir^

I Am concerned to find by your laft, dated November 4th, that the letter I fent you from Scotland did not come to hand. But providence over-ruleth all things; even this {hall work for good. I wonder not, if the Lord has given you more zeal, that you meet with more oppofition. However, I would not have you rafh, or over hafty in leaving the [/Je of Man, Wait, continue inflant in prayer, and you fliail fee the falvation of God. I have not heard from my family abroad for fome time, and cannot give you any determinate anfwer about your going to Georgia^ becaufe I know not how their aftairs ftand. God will yet {hew you what he would have you to do. Even fo Lord Jesus, Amen and Amen ! Our glorious Em?nanuelh\c(-fed me exceedingly after we parted from Scoilandy and blefTes me in like manner, now he has brought me to England. Vile, ungrateful as I am, he vouchfafes to give me much of his pre-fence, and keeps me under the fliadovv of his wings. Let his goodnefs to me, encourage you to hope and tru{l in him. Remember, dear Sir, Jesus came to make poor fmners happy, and to give them victory over their lulls and paffions. Plead his promifes, be much in fecret prayer, and never give God rcll, 'till your foul is filled with ail his fulnefs. That the Lord may haften that blefied time, wherein his kingdom lliall come with full power into your dear foul, is the earneft prayer of. Rev. and dear Sir,

Your moft aftedtionate friend, brother and fervant,

G. JV.

LETTER CCCCLXXIX.

To Mr, B , at Bethefda.

Lo?:don^ Nov. 19, 1742s

BLESSED, blelTcd be God, the p:icket is not gone ; fothat I have juft time to tell you, I received your kind, very kind letter, though I have rot time to reaJ it thoroughly, leaft I (hould mifs this opportunity. God only

knov»'s

knows how I fympathize with you and my dear family. Though I have no money to pay Mr. Jones^ &c. yet, if I can take up two or three hundred pounds upon my own account, I will come over, God willing, the very firft opportunity. The time of your faPiing, I hope is now near over, and the days of your mourning ended. Remember the burning bufh ; it was on fire, but not confumed. Surely fome great good is to come out of the Orphan-houfe. Blefled be God, for ftrengthening you to ftay with my dear family. Ten thoufand

bleflings defcend upon your foul ! I wifh dear brother G •

joy. I am much obliged to my dear friend and faithful fteward. Next fhip, I hope to anfwer his letters di{lin6tly. O my dear man, I do not forget any of you. God, and not my own will, has kept me on this fide the water fo long. But furcly you muft: judge me fometimes. You need not make any apology for moving ; it is what I wiflied you might do. Your care and tendernefs towards me, makes me long to embrace and weep over you one by one. Forget you ! no, no ; I think I could rather die for you. My brother, my dear brother, go on. Surely God is with us. Great things are to come out oi Georgia. Remember Abraham^ how did he fojourn in the land of Promife, as in a ftrange land ? The Lord increafe your faith. My tendcreft love, and ten thoufand thanks, to

dear Mr. J s. God v/ill blefs him for helping you. The

Lord Jesus be with you ail.

Ever, ever yours,

G, W.

LETTER CCCCLXXX.

To the B'ljhop of Bangor» My Lord^ London^ Nov. 19, 1742.

THIS evening I received your Lordfhip's kind letter. 1 humbly thank your Lordfhip for it. It confirmed me in the charad^er given me of your Lordfhip's fpirit. I verily believe your Lordfliip abhors every thing that has a tendency to perfecution, and yet, in my humble opinion, if Mr. C —— is not fomewhat redrefled, he is perfecuted indeed. That your Lordfhip may know his fpirit, and the fpirit of the per-fon who came as far as Ludlow on the i)ufinefs, I have fent

your

your Lordfhip a letter from each, which was written fome time

ago to Mr. H H . In them your Lordfliip will

fee their whole hearts. I verily believe they would rather die than wilfully fpeak or write a falfhood. My Lord, the whole of the matter feems to be this : In JVales they have little fellowship meetings, where fome well-meaning people meet together, fimply to tell what God has done for their fouls. In

lomeof thcfe meetings, I believe Mr. C ufed to teil his

experience, and to invite his companions to come and be happy in Jesus Christ. He is therefore indided as holding a conventicle} and this I find is the cafe of one, if not two more. Nov/, my Lord, thefe perfons thus indidted, as far as I can. judge, are loyal fubjedis to his Majefly, and true friends to, and attendants upon the Church of England fervice. You will fee by thefe letters, how unwilling they are to leave her; and yet, if all thofe a6^s, which were made againft perfons meeting together to plot againfl Church and State, were put in execution againft them, what muft they do? They muft be obliged to declare themfelves Difienters. I afTure your Lordfhip, it is a critical time in JVales. Hundreds, if not thoufands, will go in a body from the Church, if fuch proceedings are countenanced. I lately wrote them a letter, difiuad-ing them from feparating from the Church, and I write thus freely to your Lordfhip, becaufe of the excellent fpirit of moderation difcernible in your Lordfhip, and becaufe I would not have (to ufe your Lordfhip*s own exprefTion) *' fuch a fire kindled in, or from your (Lordfhip's) diocefc.'* I would beg the favour of your LordOiip to return me the inclofed, becaufe I have not kept copies. I fend them to your Lordfhip juft as they are, that your Lordfliip may fee the whole alTair, and cenfure what is exceptionable. I really believe the writers will thank your Lordfhip for it. I afk pardon for taking up fo much of your Lordfliip's time, but I thought your Lordfhip would defire to have ali poflible information, that you might be better capable of judging. I pray the great Shepherd and Bifliop of fouls to direct your Lordfliip in this, and every other affair that comes before you, and that you may be faluted at the great day with an Euge bone^ is the hearty and fervent prayer of, my Lord,

Your Lordfhip's moft obedient fon and fervant,

G. JV. LETTER

LETTER CCCCLXXXL

To Mr. C .

London^ Nov. 20, 1742. Afy dear Brother C ,

I Catch a few moments to give you an account of my agency. Your letter I fent to the Bifhop of Bangor, inclofed in one from myfelf. His anfwcr you have tranfcribed in this. That he might not be impofed upon by the Chancellor's reprefent-ing of things, I laft night fent his Lordfhip another long letter,

with that which you wrote to dear brother H fome time

ago. As the Biiliop fccms to be a man of a moderate fpirit, I truft this ftorm will blow over. In the mean while, let us wait upon the Lord, commit the caufe into his hands who judgeth righteoufly, and pray, that wc may be " as wife as fer-pents, and harmlefs as doves." Glad fiiall I be to ferve you, my dear brother, in this, or any other affair, for advancing our glorious Mediator's kingdom. Let this be our comfort, the gates of hell fliall never be able to prevail againft it. Let us go on then, and never fear what men or devils can fay of, or do unto us. I fuppofe this is the language of your heart.

The love ^Christ doth ine conflrain To feck the wand'ring fouls of tmn : All hall reproach^ and welcome pain^ Only thy terrors^ Lord, refirain.

And if fo, furely the fp^it of Christ and of glory will reft

upon you. Our dear brother C is fadly ufed in JVutfhire.

The compalTionate Redeemer of fouls pities my weaknefs, and fufFcrs very little difturbance to be made. We have fweet times, and, vile as I am, Jesus is plcafed to keep me near him. I hope this will find your dear foul fitting under his fhadow with great delight. I know you not in the flefn, but hope to fee you before I embark. Letters call me loudly to Georgia. My dear family are returned to their Bcthefda in fafcty. O help me, my dear brother, to praife the Lord. SuiUte all the

t>f

Ycr.rs mof^ afll'^iionatcly, ^ic.

G. W.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCLXXXII.

To Mr. V , Secretary to the Trujices of GtorpL'.

Dear Sir^ Lomloti^ Nov. 20, I']42*

GOD willing, I intend waiting upon the honourable Truf-tees at the time appointed. Ycflerday 1 received a packet of letters from my friends at the Orphan-houfe. I find they are returned in fafety to Bethefda^ and give a noble account of the General's condu61. Blefi'ed be God, for enabling him to repel the enemy j but nov/ another diftrefs is come upon poor Georgia. A violent fickncfs rages and has taken oft many. My letters fay, the Orphan-houfe furgeon had 50 under his hands. This, I truft, will more and more convince the Honourable Truftees, of the benefit the Orphan-houfe is and will be to the Colony. I hear, that Mr^ 0——, the minifter of

Savannah^ is dead. I know one Mr. M , a clergyman in

the IJlc of Mcm^ who would go over and fupply his place, if he was applied to. The Bifhop of Zodor and Man I believe will give him a recommendation. You may acquaint the Honourable Truftees with this, and let me know th;ir anfwer. I hope jn about two months to embark for Georgia. I find God has given my family a good crop ; but the hands are Tick, {o they cannot Ipeedily carry it in. What condition the Orphan-houfe was in lately, the inclofed will (hew. Be pleafed to let the Honourable Truftces have a fight of it, and believe me to be, dear Sir,

Your obliged friend and fervant,

G. IV,

LETTER CCCCLXXXin.

To Mr. C .

LondoHy Nov. 20, 1742, My very dear Brother^

THE firfl part of your letter did not fi.Tprizc me st all, though it made me look up to the Lord for you. I believed you would be down in the valley of humiliation foon; but fear not, it is only that you may be exalted the more. I truft, this will find you mounting on wings like an eagle, v/alking, yet not weary 3 running, yet not faint. Qqd hay. Vol. L ' Hh does,

10

466 LETTERS. doe?, and will remarkably appear for you. Doubtlefs, yotJT are his fervant and minifter. He therefore that touches you, touches the apple of God's eye. Poor IViltJhire people! L pity them. If I knew their Bifhop, I would apply to him on: their behalf. I wrote to the Bifhop of Banger for our brethren in IVahs^ and have received a very favourable anfwer. The wrath of man fhall turn to God's praife, and the remainder of it he will reflrain. How wonderfully has he appeared in all ages for his church and people I My dear family abroad has been marvelloully preferved. Bleffed be God, they are returned to Bethefda m peace. We have fweet feafons daily, and I am carried in the arms of love. My Mafter careth for me, and fcems to order my goings in his way. O help me to praife him. I think you are never forgotten by, my dear C ,

Your mod aflcdionate brother and fervant,

G. IF.

LETTER CCCCLXXXIV.

7o Mr. J E .

Dear Sir^ Lo?uion, Nov. 23, 1742.

HOW gently does the Lord deal with his followers? *' As a father pitieth his own children, fo is the LoRO merciful to them that fear him." Now your father is a little uneafy, your grandfather is more favourable. The Lord wilt never fufFcr you to be tempted above what you will be enabled to bear. He will make a way for you to efcapc.

I am glad you have determined to fludy at E .

Two things, f would earncftly recommend to your conllant (ludy, the l>ook of God, and ysur ozvn heart. Thefc two, well underftood, will make you an able minifter of the New Tcftament. In what manner you ihall be hereafter employed, I would have you be iiidiflcrent about. '' Take no thought for the morrow/' i et the Lord fenvi you, when and where he will fend you. in the mean while, do as much for CjOD in a private way as you can. '* i^xer-cife thyfelf unto godlinefs," and walk \'o humbly, that all niay know our Lord has chofen you to be a gofpel prophet, i rejoice, tli4t the woili. iS ftiii goi-ig on. BleJfcd be God*,

We have good times here. I am kept in great liberty. Be pleated to define all to accept of hearty love from, dear Sir, Your moft aftetStionate friend and fervant,

LETTER CCCCLXXXV.

To thi Earl of ^^. My Lord^ London^ Nov. 23, 1742.

SINCE 1 wrote to your Lordfnip, I have received a comfortable packet of letters ivGrn Georgia^ giving me an account of my family's fafe return to their Bcthefda. The deliverance of Georgia from the Spaniards^ one of my friends writes me, is fuch as cannot be parrallcled, but by fome few inftances out of the Old Teflamcnt. I find that the Spam^ ards had caft lots, and determined to give no quarter. They intended to attack Carolina, but wanting water they put into Georgia, and fo would take that Colony in their way. But •* the race is not to the fwift, nor the battle to the ilrong." Providence ruleth all things. They were wonderfully repelled iand fent away, before our fhips v/ere feen. Surely God remembered the prayers of the poor orphans, and the carncft cries which have been put up on their behaU". I find they now live at a fmailer expence. They hunt and ihoot for a good part of their food. Their crop gives them a confiderabls quantity of pea<?, potatoes, &c. and they kiU fome cf their own flock. There has been a greait fickneff? at Savamiah, Some of the labourers have been taken off, but none of th^ thilairen, as I hear^ have died as yet. I hope this will find your Lo:d(}iip perfedtly recovered, and your honoured conforr,

Lady , and all your Lord(h:p*s fainiiy^ rejoicing in God.

He is pleafed to give me much of his love, and to blefs mz every day. Several of our friends in jya'cs have been unjuft-ly excommunicated. I have fent two letters, and have received kind anfwers from the Biihop of Bangor, Perilous times, perhaps, are coming on j but this is my comfort, " the gates of hell Ihall never prevail againft the church cf ChrIst." Hoping for a line from your Lordlh^, if it be not too much tioublej I iubfcnbe myfelf, my Lordj

Yc^ur Lordfbip's mod obedientj ©b'i^eu humble fervant,

G. tV. Hh2 LtTTER

LETTER CCCCLXXXVL

To Mifs W .

London^ November 23, 1742.

My dear Mifs IV ,

YOUR letter affcaed me much, and if it had not been for bufmefs, I fliould have anfvvered it ere now. It is the hardeft thing in the world to keep the creature in his proper place, "^e are apt to efteem the minivers of Jf.sus either too much or too little. One while, we could pluck out our eyes to give them ; at another time, run into a contrary extreme, and not pay them that refpe6t which is their due for their Mailer's fake. The love that a child of God feels for its fpiritual father, is certainly unfpeakable. O how can I but love him, who under God has brought me from dark-

nefs into light I Methinks I hear dear Mifs IV fay,

" how indeed !" But here is danger, left the afFedlions fhould be too much entangled, and we unwilling to give up the beloved obje6t to our God. This, I fuppofe, is dear Mifs W 's cafe, and I can fay,

/ kiioxv hoiv fore this trial isy For I have fdt the fame.

O what have I fufFered in parting from fpiritual friends, ef-pecially fuch as were my Jfaac\ ! But Christ's grace has been fuincient for me, and fo it will be for you. I have prayed for you, and hope by this time dear Mifs IV can fay,

my fpiritual Father keeps his proper place, and 1 walk in liberty and the love of God. Indeed, my dear Mifs, no one but the fcarcher of hearts knows, v/hat a real concern I have for your eternal welfare. I verily believe I (hail fee you fit-liug at the right hand of your Redeemer. Surely he has captivated and ftolen your heart av/ay. I hope nothing wiil divert you from him; but with a Tingle eye to his glory, you will go through good report and evil report, 'till you come to the blelled place, where the wicked will ceafe from troubling, and your weary foul enjoy an everlafting reft. Glad fliall I be to hear from yoa every opportunity. Ere long I muft awiiv. Pray our Saviour to help me under all my difHculties, 4 but

but at the fame time help me to praife him : for amidft all my various circumftances, I am kept joying in God, and made more than conqueror through his love. We have had b'efied times fmcc my arrival here.

Your moft afFcttionate friend and fervant In Christ,

G. IV.

LETTER CCCCLXXXVII.

To the Bifiop of Bangor.

My Lord, Londoriy Nov. 23, 1742.

1 Humbly thank your Lordfliip for your Lordfnip's fccond kind letter. Your Lordfliip fliall have Mr. C 's

letter vi'henever your Lordftnip pleafes to demand it. I fent it for no other purpofe, than to let your Lordfhip into the affair as far as lay in my power. I am quite willing your Lordfhip fhould hear both fides. I doubt not but your Lordfhip will do juftlce. The candour and moderation which breathe in your Lordfhip's letters, and your condefcenfion in writing to me, incline me to take the freedom of begging your Lord-fhip's acceptance of my laft volume of fermons, and the Orphan-houfe accounts, from, my Lord,

Your Lordfliip's moft obliged,

obedient fon and fervant,

G. IF.

LETTER CCCCLXXXVIIL

To Profejfor Franky in Germany,

Rev. Sir^ Lond.iiy Nov. 24, 1742.

LONG have I defigned writing to you, but fomcthing or another has always prevented me. However, I can now defer it no longer. For though I never faw you in the flefli, yet I love and highly efteem you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and wifh you much profperity in the work of the Lord. Your honoured father's memory is very precious to nie. His account of the Orphan-houfe hath, under God, been a great fupport and encouragement to me in a like undertaking. How it profpers, the account fent with this will inform you. Only it will be proper to obferve, that fnice the publication of the laft, there have been upwards of 300/. col-

Hh 3 leaed.

leded. T am yet about 40c/. in arrears. But I know In wh»m I have believed, for the carrying on of that building. Hitherto it has anfvvered its motto, and has been like the burn^ ing bufli on fire, but not confumed. The Colony's late deliverance from the Spaniards was very extraordinary. I cannot but think the Lord intends yet to do great things for Georgia. How is it with the Saltzburghers ? I have not heard. Sometime ago I fent them over twenty pounds, and wi(h it was in |ny power to fend them more. About January^ God willing, I intend to embark. In the mean while, I fhould be glad to know. Rev. Sir, how it is with your Orphan-houfe ? and whether yoi4 have any commands to Georgia? I fuppofe you have heard of the work of God in Scotland, Indeed the word has run and been glorified, and Jesus has gotten himfelf the vidlory in many hearts. In Brtgland alfo he is pleafed to blefs us. Here are many clofe followers of the bleffed Lamb of God, and though there is a difference of opinion bet\veen me

and Mr. JV , yet Jesus pities us and blefles us al]. I long

for that time, " when the watchmen fhall all fee eye to eye ; when the leopard fhall lie down with the kid, the lioq e^t draw like the ox, and the people of God learn war and jangle no more.'* Haflen that time, Q glorious Emmanuel, and let thy kingdom come ! — Rev. Sir, whilft I am writing, the fire of love kindles in my heart. I am amazed, to think the blef-fed Jpsus fhould employ fuch an unworthy wretch as I am. I^ut thy grace is free, for, O my God, it fount} me out. The love yoM bear to the lovely Jesus, I am perfuaded will excite you to pray for me. Glad fhould I be of a line from v-ou, and the Rev. Mr. Uifpurgher; but I deferve no regard for not writing to vou both. But you know how to forgivie, for God for Christ's hko: hath forgiven you. Hoping therefore for a line from you by the hands of the Rev. Mr. Z ■,

I fubfcribe myfelF, Reverend and dear Sir,

Your mofl obliged, aftccfionate, tho' unworthy younger brother and fcrvant in the kingdom

and patience of the blefl<;;d Jesus,

G. IF.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCLXXXIX.

To Mr, P , cf Newbury.

Lomkri^ Nov. 27, J 742. Rf-j. end dear Sir^

THIS morning I received your fwect and lovely letter. It humbled me before God ; but I rejoiced, as I had Jong fmce publickly recanted all that is exceptionable in that •extra(5i:. 1 think I was overfecn in publifliing it; but this is not the firfl: blunder 1 have made. My miftakes have been Co many, and my imprudence i'o great, that I have often wondered that the glorioAis Jes^J'S would employ me in his Service But he has pr-ovc<i his eternal goodnefs, long-fuffering, and love, by bearing with me, and. Rev. and dear Sir, he ftill delights to honour me. Since I have been in London^ he has given me great frcc<iom of foul, and caufed his word to come with power. I have news of my family being fafe at Georgia, God willing, I purpofc to embark next January. I molt heartily thank you for this laft inftancc of your love, and pray our dear Jesus to reward you for it. Your feeing what a poor, weak-, fallible creature I am, I truft will ftir you up to be more earned for me at the throne of grace. Next week I intend fending you a parcel, wherein you will have more particular accounts of the work in Siioiland, I hear the gofpcl

^ouriflies in Gloucejierjhire and IVdlcs, Dear Mr. C will

be fadly mifTed. But he is in peace, aiid the refidue of the fpirit is in the Redeemer's hands. That you and your dear flock and family may experience a large effuUon of it in your dear /buls, is and (hall be the carncft jrayer oi^ dear and Rev. Sir, Your ?noft afFedlionate, tho' moil: unworthy brother and fervajit in Jesu^ Christ,

G, JV,

LETTER CCCCXC.

To the Bijhop of Sarum, Aly Lordy Nov. 30, I742-

I Beg your Lordfhip's pardon for troubling von with this. I helieve your Lorddiip will not be offended, when*" you

know the cauie. There is one Mr. C , a true lover of Jesus

H h 4 Chkisti^

Christ, who has been much honoured in bringing many poor fmners in If^dtjlnre to the knowledge of themfelves and of God-He is a member of the Church of Ef7gla7id^ but f:\dly oppofed by the clergy in JVlltj})ire^ as well as by many that will come to hear him preach. In a letter, dated November \(j\.\\^ from Tcxham^ he writes thus: " The enemy feems to be more awaken-" cd in the villages round about us, than before. The mini-" fters of Bramhk^ Segcry^ Langley^ and many others, have " ftridly forbidden the church-wardens and overfeers to let any

" of the C ''s have any thing out of the parifh j and they

** obey them, and tell the poor, if they cannot flop them from " following any other way, they will famifn them. Several " of the poor, who have great families (to my ov/n knowledge) " have already been denied any help, for this reafon, bccaufe '^ they f(jllow this way. Some of the people have, out of fear, '^ denied they ever came, and others have been made to pro-*' mife tli.?v will come no more; whilil the moft part come at " the lof? of friends and all they have. When the ofEccrs " threatned fome to take away their pay ; they anfwered, if ^^ vou ftarve u?, v/e will go, and rather than we will forbear, «' we will live upon grafs like the kinc. Surely the cries of *' the diftrefTed people have already entered into the cars of the *' Lord of Sabacih.'' In another letter I received from hini laft night, he writes thus : '« I fhould be glad if you could " mention the cruelty of the miniiicrs Oi Brn?/ihle^ and Scgery, *' to the Bifiiop of Sanwiy indeed, their doings are inhuman. " llie cry of the people, becaufe of their oppreffion, is vtry *-'' great; federal fufier amazingly."—In compliance with my dear friend's rcqucil, I prefume to lay the matter, as he repre» fttits it, before your LordPnip, being pcrfiiaded that your Lordfhip will not favour perfccuting pra<5iices, or approve of fuch proceedings to keep people to the Church of EnglancL Should this young man leave the Church, hundreds would leave it with him. But I know that at prefent he has no fuch defi'^n. If your Lordfnip pleafes to give n:ic leave, I v/ould Vv'ait upon your Lordfliip upon the lead notice. Or if your LordPaip is plcafl-d to fend a line into V/Uif:nrt\ to know the truth of the matter, and judge accordingly, it will fati^fy, my

Lord,

Your Lord*]iip'5 inofl obedient fen and fervant,

G. IV. L E 1^ T E R

LETTER CCCCXCL

To Mr. J .

Londsuy Dec. 4, 1742.

IF my dear brother J took it kind, that I called at his houfe, I am fure I took it much kinder that he was plealed to fend unworthy me fo kind a letter. It has fo affected me, that I have been praying before my Saviour for you; and though nature calls for reir, 1 cannot obey it, before I

have written to my dear Mr. J . Vile, unfaithful as I

am, my Mafter lets me have my hands full of work. Froni morning 'till midnight I am employed, and, glory be to rich grace,, I am carried through the duties of each day with chear-fulnefs, and almoft uninterrupted tranquility. Our fociety is large, but in good order, and we make improvements daily. My Mafter gives us much of his gracious prefence, both in our public and private adminiftrations. In our love-feafts, Jesus comes and fays, " Peace be unto you." In our great congregation, he gives poor finners to look, and mourn, and live, \n ScGiland the work was very extraordinary. In TVales the word runs and is glorified much. In Gloucejlerfolre^ JFiltJhirey and Br'ijlol^ our Lord gets himfclF the victory in many hearts.

In Neivcajlle^ our brother TV 's are blclTed much, and I

heartily rejoice to hear that our dear Saviour is fo much amono-you. If I know any thing of this my defperately wicked heart. I am dead to parties, and freed from the pain, which on that account once difturbed the peace of my foul. Indeed, Jesus has taken many things from me, and made me to experience, that in him there is plenteous redemption. About yanuary, I purpofe, GoD willing, to embark for Georgia. My dear family hath been wonderfully prefervcd. As the Qrphan-houfe was built by faith, 1 truft the gates of hell fhall

never prevail againfi: it. Methinks I hear my dear Mr. f .

iay, Amen. I mofl cordially falute your dear Lady, dear brother S 5 and all the brethren. I faw our dear S before he went. I intended having fomc fwect fcllowfhip v/ith the church in TorkJJnrc^ but was prevented by riding poll. If

dear brother H , ov D , or any of the brethren, have

any thing to fay tq a poor finne(j I ihovtid be glad to hear

IVom

from them. Let this provoke you, my dear brother, to fend

rre another letter. I'll redeem time from fleep, rather than it

(hould not be anfwercd by, my dear Mr. */ a^.

Your moft afte^lionate, though unworthy, fmful and younger brother in Jesus Christ,

G. JK

LETTER CCCCXCII.

To the B'lfnap of BriftoL My L^^d, London^ Dec. 5, 1742.

AS your Lordftiip was pleafed to contribute towards the Otphan-houfe in Georgia^ I think your Lordfhip has a right to hear how that undertaking fucceeds. I have mads bold to fend your Lordfliip the accounts of it, which are pub-lifhed. Since the Jaft was printed, I have co]le(£^ed about 300/, and have heard that my family are all fafe at the Orphan-houfc. I have alfo taken the freedom of fending your Lordfhip Kiy laft volume of fcrmons; in accepting of which, your Lord* ihip will much oblige

Your Lordfliip^s moft obedient fonand fervant,

G. IF,

LETTER CCCCXCIIL

To Mr. 5——, at IForceJler,

L^ndan^ T)ec. 9, 1745. R€v. and dear Sir,

HOWEVER engaged I may be, I think it my duty to anfwer your kind letter as foon as pOilible. It is not fit that my Malkr'ii aged fervant (hould wait long for an anfwer from a younger broiher, cfpccially as I know you write with i'o much difficulty. I thank you. Rev, Sir, for your plain dealing. It is what pleafcth mc well. Indeed, I feel myfelf a poor, vile, woithlcfs creature.3 and am glad to receive advice from you, who have been fo long in the Redeemer's fcrvice. However ungrateful it may be to thp old man, the langu.ige of my heart is, *' LoRD,.rtarch mc ai\d try nic, and whatever fecret wick-*' ednefs lurks in my foul, difcover it to me, and give rne '' power over it, that nothing may divert me from that way, ** which leads nie to lite eveilcifting/' Your advice. Rev,

Sir,

Sir, in refpe^t to prcachinp;, was falutary and pooii, and if I may fpcak any thing of myfelf, is what i keep ciofe to. I am remarked for my evangelical preaching, and comforting the mourners of Z/'^w. I am never fo much in my element, as when I preach free grace to the chief of linners. As to the gentleman you mention, I do not remember I ever converfed with fuch a perfon. I believe there can fcarce an inftancc be given of any one font to Bedlam by my fcrmons. But I rejoice in this, and all other calumnies that are caft upon me.

j^ii hail reproach^ and zvclcomc' pa'iriy Only thy terrors^ Lord, re ft rain.

I muft: have fome thorn in the flefli, to ferve as a poifc to the great honour my Mafter is pleafed to put upon me. la Scotland^ my reception was extraordinary. It was almoft wholly amongft the people and clergy of the kirk^ with many of the highcft rank. 1 was very intimate with feveral perfons of quality, who I truft have been awakened to a true feiife of the divine life, and enabled to count all things but dung and drofs for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord. My chief pppofition was from the dear Mr.

E s and the alTociate prelbytery. They firft invited me

to Scotland', but finding I would preach for the minifters of the eftabliflied church, as well as for them, they fpoke all manner of evil againft me falfly, and imputed all the work ia Scotland and New-England to the agency of the evil fpirit. I pitied, prayed for, and loved them, and do fo flill. O, reverend Sir, v/hat thanks (hall I give to my Lord for carrying me through fo many trying difpenfations ? I know you will help me to adore and praife him. I am much blefied here. V/e have many gracious fouls. Ere long 1 mufl leave them. I have not the leaft thought of feeing JVorceJier. Glad fhali I be to kifs your aged hands ; but I (ball fee you in glory. Begging the continuance^ of your prayers, and with all poiTible thanks for all favours, I fubfcribe myfclf, reverend and dtar ^ir,

Your njoft obliged and affe^^lionate friend and younger l&rolher and Rrvant in Jesus,

G. IV.

LETTER

LETTER CCCCXCIV.

To Mr. D 5 of Edinburgh.

Loiidouj Dec. 185 1742. My very dear Friend and Brother^

LAST night, juft before your kind letter came to hand, I had been lying on my face before our compaffionate High-Prleit, telling him what great expenccs lay before mc for his great Name fake, I wanted 300/. to pay for the Orphans, and much to pay for my own ncceilary expences, which he, by his providence, brought upon me. Your letter came as an anfwcr to my prayer. It humbled, at the fame time that it elated my foul, and greatly ftrengthcned my faith. Surely the Lord is on my fide, and the Orphan-houfe will ftand uncon-umed in fire. The enemies, and even many friends of Jesus fpeak againft it; but this is all to bring me nearer to the bleffcd Jesus, and to convince me that our extremity is God's opportunity. My dear man, God will abundantly blcfs you for helping me at this jun6ture. I can find but few, who think it a favour to do any thing for God, and love to help a friend to the very laH:. O, dear Sir, was you here, I could weep over you, and thank you moil heartily. Lafl- night I was enabled to intercede for you very much. God will hear my prayer, and not let my dear friend iofehis rew^ard. The 16th of this month v/as my birth-day. It made me -blufh to think how much fin I have committed againft, and hov/ little good I have done for God. As foon as 1 opened and read your letter, amazed, I cried out, I am the vileft wretch living, and fo I thii^.k nov/. I know you will pray for. me, and thank our Saviour too. He is very kind to me. Our fociety goes on well. I am now in my winter^ quarters, preparing for a i':^'iVi cai^paign. Though I richly defervc it, yet our infinitely condefcending Jesus will not lay me afide, until he has performed all his good pleafure in and by me. Wifliing you, my" dear Sir, all the blefiings of the cverlafting covenant, and fending you ten thoufand tha'nks for"all favours, I fubfcribe myfelf.

Your mcO: obliged afieaionatc friend, brother, and unwortlw fcrvant in Jnsus CuRibT,

G. W> LETTER

LETTER CCCCXCV.

To Mr I .

London^ Dec* 21, 1742. My very dear Brother^

WHEN your letters come, I find great freedom to fend immediate anfwcrs. A proof this, I truft, that our Saviour intends our brotherly love not only to continue, but

increafe. This day I dined with old Mr. F , and w^as

kindly entertained by him and his wife. I then remembered what fweet counfel we had there taken together, and rejoiced in the happy profpedl of our being ere long for ever together with our blefled and glorious Lord. My brother, what has our Saviour done for us fince that time ? What is he doing for us now ? what did he do.ere time began ? what will he d© when time fhall be no more? O how fweet is it to be melted down with a fenfe of redeeming love ! It is this muft ftrike the rock, and break the bars of unbelief afunder. O ! to be kept always low at the feet of Jesus ! It is right, my brother, always to infift on poverty of fpirit, and emptying the creature of felf. I heartily join with you In your petition for yourfelf and unworthy me. I know what a dreadful thing it is, to carry much fail without proper ballaft, and to rejoice in a falfe liberty. Joy floating upon the fuifacc of an unmor-tified heart, is but of (hort continuance. It pufFs up, but doth not edify. I thank our Saviour that he is fliewing us here more of our hearts, and more of his loye. I doubt not but he deals fo with you. I heartily greet your dear honlhold,

and your focieties, and return my love to Mr. S . I have

heard him mentioned by hAy F G . If our Saviour

gives me leave, I would gladly come to Torkjhire. But I think the cloud points ftrongly towards Georgia. He hatli taken wonderful care of the Ihcep left in yonder wildernefs, and interpofed mightily in their behalf. I know you will thank him for it. I have had a loving conference with dear

Mr. B , and have received a fweet gofpel-letter from

dear Mr. H . With this I fend to him, you, and

yours, and all the brethren, moft hearty love, ar;u .r.n, my

"ry dear brother,

Ever vours in Chz'iist,

G. TV. LETTER.

LETTER CCCCXCVI.

To the Honourable Colonel G .

Honoured Sir^ London^ Dec. 2lj ij^lo

YOUR kind letter put me in mind of righteous Z^f, who-fc foul was grieved day by day at the ungodly converfatioii of the wicked. It wns the fame with holy David. His eyes, like yours, honoured Sir, gulhed out with water bccaufe men kept not God's law. Let this be your comfort, honoured Sir, that ere long " the wicked fhall ceafe from troubling you, and your weary foul fhall be at reft." Our Saviour will give you a difcharge, when you have fought a few more battles for him. An exceeding and eternal weight of glory is laid up for you, which God the righteous judge fhall give you at that day. 1 confefs your fituation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a difciple of the prince of peace. But perfons can better judge for themfelves, than ftrangers can judge for them. However, I cannot fay, I would change ports. Indeed, honoured Sir, I think mine is a glorious employ. I am not aihamed of my mailer, though my mafter may well be afhamed of me. I know no other rcafon, why Jesus has put me into the miniftry, than becaufe I am the chief of finners, and therefore fitted to preach free grace to a world lying in the wicked one. BlciTed be God, he gives much fuccefs, and for the generality anfwers your prayers, by giving me a thriving foul In a healthful body. But O my unfruitfulncfs 1 I am often afhamed that I can do no more for that Jesus who hath redeemed me by his own moft precious blood. Honoured Sir, the thoughts quite confound me. O that I could lie lower I then (liould I rife higher. Could I take deeper root downwards, then (hould I bear more fruit upwards. I want to be pool in fplrit. I want to be meek and lowly in heart. I want to have the whole mind that was in Christ Jesus, Blcfied be his name for what he has given me already. BlefieJ be his name, that out of his fulnefs I receive grace for grace, O that my heart was Christ's library f 1 would not have one thief to lodge in my Redeemer's temple. '' Lord, fcourge out every thief,*' is the daily language of my heart. The Lord 1^411 be>ir my prayer^ and let my cry come unto h'rm. I have I jujft

juft been writing to your honoured lady. I think (he grows in grace. May you and yours be filled with all the fulnefs of God ! In about fix weeks, God willuig, I purpofe to embark, for Georgia. Our Lord has wonderfully appeared for my poor orphans. I am yet in arrears for them, but my God knows how to fupply all my wants. I am enabled to caft all my care upon him, believing that he careth for me. I hope to have the favour of another letter before I embark. In the mean while, I beg the continuance of your prayers, and am, honoured Sir,

Your moft afFe£lionate, though very unworthy

brother, arvi fervant in our glorious head,

G. n'

LETTER CCCCXCVII.

To Lady Jane H C .

Homured Aladain^ London^ Dec. 23, 1742.

HOW are we obfigf^d to your Ladyfhip ? Had I time I would endeavour to tell you; but this is my comforr, when I have not time to write,. I have a heart given me to pray for my dear friends, and you. Honoured Madam, have a conllant Ihare in my poor petitions. I find by yours to my wife, that you complain of darknefs. Ere now, I hope the day-ftar hath again rifen in your heart, and you have been made to rejoice with exceeding j^reat joy- Our Lord will not leave you comfortkfs ; he will fend the Holy Ghoft to comfort you. The time of finging of birds /hall come. Our Lord will not be a!ways chiding.—This is only to fhew you more of your hearf, and make you what you long to be, a very poor finner. Our hearts, Honoured Madam, are fo dcf-perately wicked, deceitful above all things, that without repeated inftances of feeling our helplefsnefs and mifery, wc {hould forget ourfelves, and run away from the feet of our Lord and Saviour. He therefore, in love, empties before he fills ; humbles before he ex-alts. At Icaft, he is pjeafcd to deal thuj with me. 1 thank him for it, from my inmoft foul : for was it not fo, his mercies would deftroy us. He heJps mc alfo to praifc him. When I difcovcr a new corruption, I am as thankful as a ccntincl keeping warch in a garrifon, would be at Ipying a flraggUng anemy com'5 nea; him. 1 ftani

not

not fighting with it myfelf in my own ftrength, but run immediately and tell the captain of my lalvation. By the fworcl ofhisfpirit, he foon deftroys it, and makes me exceeding happy. This is what I call a fimple looking to Christ, I know of no other efFecShial way of keeping the old man down, after he has gotten his deadly blow. Look up then, dear Madam, to a wounded Saviour.. Go to him as a little child. Tell him your whole heart. He will hear your lifping, and fet your foul at liberty. He is pleafed gracioufly to anfwer my petitions, and to blefs my poor labours. We have "many good fouls in our fociety, that are gently coming'into the knowledge of themfelves. Our Saviour deals moft lovingly with us indeed. Laft night we had a general love-feafl. It was exceeding awful and refrefiiing. I could have wifhed for fome of my dear Scotland friends. I was enabled to pray for them mofl fervently. May Jesus blefs this letter to your foul ! Wifhing, above all things, that it may be in health and profper, and with humble acknowledgments for all favours, 1 fubfcribe myfelf, Flonoured Madam,

Your Ladyfliip's moft obliged humble fervant,

G, IK

The End of the Fi r st Vo l u m k.