LETTERS. (continued 5)

Your soul’s well-wisher and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. I――, at Philadelphia.

Reedy Island, May 21, 1740.

My dear Brother,

STILL our Lord is with me both in the ship and on the shore. Adore 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 desire to learn of winds and storms to obey Him. I pray daily for your success. May the Lord make you a happy instrument of bringing many sons to glory. Your weakness need not discourage you. The Lord is pleased to make use of me. He strengthens me mightily in the inner man. Oh grace, grace! “Less than the least of all,” shall be my motto still. I need not exhort you to feed the flock of God; he has purchased them with his own blood. Oh admit of a mixed communion. I think the glory of God requires this at your hands. May the Lord give you a right understanding in all things, and enable you to remember

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

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXV.

To Mr. M――, at Philadelphia.

Reedy Island, May 21, 1740.

Dear Mr. M.,

AS the Lord is pleased to detain me here by contrary winds, why should I not send you a line? You have stood up for the truths of God, and, I trust, will not be ashamed of our Lord and his gospel. I expect a great falling away amongst those that followed me: But I hope dear Mr. M. will continue stedfast and unmoveable to the last. The only way, is to keep a constant eye to Christ, to go forth in his strength, and never to rest till you feel his blessed truths copied and transcribed on your heart. You have often heard me exclaim against resting on a head-knowledge. You are a man of strong passions, and sprightly imagination, and therefore (I know you will not be affronted) you will make either a great saint, or an accomplished ――. I believe the former, though, as a friend, I remind you of, and caution you against the latter. You love to be dealt plainly with. Oh, dear Sir, I feel that I love you, and have a real concern for you and your houshold.—What would I give to see your daughters become wise virgins, and fallen in love with the blessed Jesus. How amiable would they then appear! But before this can be done, all pertness, and lightness of spirit, must be taken away, and they must not only leave off dancing, but be made new creatures. How is your son? Pray tell him it is time for him to come home. The fatted calf waits for him. I could say 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 possession of his blessed spirit. May the Lord enrich you with a great measure of it, and fill you with all his fulness! Methinks I see you lifting up your eyes, and saying, Amen.—And so saith, dear Mr. M.

Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXVI.

To Mr. R――, at Philadelphia.

Reedy Island, May 22, 1740.

Dear R.,

LET nothing said to you in my absence affect you. God has lately delivered you out of one snare; take heed how you fall into another. If you watch unto prayer, who knows but God may bless your endeavours amongst the poor negro women and children? I could not wish you more happily situated.—My love to all the society.—Exhort them not to rest in good desires. Shew them, O shew them the necessity 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 blessed spirit of God. Take heed, take heed of those accursed snares. I could say more, but time will not permit. My love to the Negro Peggy, and all her black sisters. Bid them to pray for me. May the blood of Jesus wash away all the pollutions of their sin-sick souls! What if they were put into a society by themselves, and you, or some white woman, meet with them? The good Lord direct and bless you in all things.—This is the hearty prayer of

Your sincere friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXVII.

To Mr. E――.

Reedy Island, May 22, 1740.

GOD only knows when the wind will favour our removal hence; I desire patiently to tarry the Lord’s leisure, and to wait the moving of the cloud of his providence. However, in the mean while I send you a line amongst my other friends. God, I believe, hath struck you to the heart, and shewn you the rottenness of that foundation whereon you was once building. O keep close to our dear Lord Jesus, and never fear what men or devils can say of, or do unto you. I am persuaded you must be buffeted.—You must be persecuted, if you will live godly in Christ Jesus. Let this be your comfort, when the world forsakes you, the Lord whom you serve, shall 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 publish, “that all who have not been baptized already, and shall appear to be prepared for it, I will, by God’s leave, baptize, at my return to Philadelphia.” O that all who followed me were baptized with the Holy Ghost! But there must be a falling away.—Dear Mr. E――, I trust, will not desert his Lord. Trust in his, and not in your own strength, and you shall be safe. Once more farewel. All with me salute you. The people on shore wait for me. Remember me in your prayers as

Your affectionate servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXVIII.

To the Members of a Society at Philadelphia.

Reedy Island, May 22, 1740.

My dear Friends,

AS the Lord, for wise reasons, detains me here, I cannot but send you a line as a token of my unfeigned concern for the welfare of your better part. I must confess, that the account many of you gave of your experiences, was not so satisfactory as I could wish; but I hope you will none of you rest in good desires, or think you are christians, because you have followed after me. I thank you, God knows my heart, I thank you for all expressions of your love: But I beseech you to remember, that the kingdom of God does not consist in word, but in power. Keeping company with God’s people, does not give you a title to the privileges of God’s children. It may increase, but not extenuate your condemnation, if you are not sound in heart, and truly converted to our dear Lord Jesus Christ. I am persuaded you will not be offended at this plain dealing. God has been pleased to work upon you by my unworthy ministry. I would therefore watch over you for good, and warn you against those snares which await all the true followers of the Lamb of God. At my next return, I hope I shall see you are that inwardly, which you would be esteemed outwardly. The searcher of hearts knows I long for your salvation. My dear friends, adieu. Pray for me. Be humble, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. A fiery trial awaits you. There is no being a christian without giving up all for Christ. We must all have the spirit of martyrdom, though we may not all die martyrs.—That the Lord may keep you by his power unto salvation, and make you more than conquerors through his love, is the hearty prayer of

Your affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXXIX.

To Mr. A―― S――, at Philadelphia.

Reedy Island, May 22, 1740.

Dear Mr. S.,

I Desire that you and your wife would accept of these few farewel lines as a token of my love. My heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that you both may be saved.—Your wife was mourning when I saw her last. The Lord Jesus prepare her thereby for true, solid, and lasting comfort! The more we are humbled, the more will the glorious Emmanuel exalt us; but we must wait his time. Jesus is love, and never corrects us but for our own good. I find it is always thus with me. I am a stubborn, ungrateful, disobedient child, and often oblige him to strike me severely; but love, I find, holds the rod, and therefore his rod, as well as his staff comforts me. Farewel; the Lord be with you both!—John S―― and all friends salute you. We live and walk in love. My tenderest respects await all that truly follow the Lamb. I beseech you forget not to pray for

Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXC.

To Mr. G―― L――, in London.

Reedy Island, May 22, 1740.

“ON Thursday last, in the evening, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield went on board at New-Castle, in order to sail to Georgia, after having been on shore thirty-three days, and travelled some hundreds of miles, and preached fifty-eight times in the provinces of New-Jersey, New-York, and Pensylvania.—His congregations consisted sometimes of four, sometimes of five, sometimes of eight, twelve, fifteen, and once at Philadelphia, of twenty thousand people. He had gotten near five hundred pounds sterling, in money and provisions, for the Orphan-house at Georgia. Great and visible effects followed his preaching, almost wheresoever he went, especially in Philadelphia. There was never such a general awakening, and concern for the things of God known in America before. He intended to visit New-England soon after his arrival at Georgia, and to come by land as far as Philadelphia, at the latter end of the year.”

The above Advertisement may suffice for the present, ’till I have an opportunity of sending you my journal. That will shew you wonderful things. I suppose ere this reaches you, our dear brothers, S―― and G――, will be arrived: I have sent a packet of letters to them, by the way of Dublin. I am now waiting for a fair wind, and can say the Lord is with me of a truth. Several ships are lying by us, and the captains and their companies come to our ship to prayers. Sailors weep: It is unknown how many are under conviction. I long to hear what is doing in England. The embargoes, I suppose, prevent your sending; however my heart is with you. I do not forget you. I hope there is a door opening among the Allegany Indians. I have read M――’s journal, and have wrote both to him and them. We have been near a week at Reedy Island: I have preached there five times. The captains and their crews come constantly to public worship on shore, and to private prayer in our sloop. We have some with us that love our dear Lord Jesus in sincerity. My heart is exceedingly drawn towards Savannah; but the Lord’s time is the best. The Lord Jesus bless you all, and reward you for all kindnesses shewn to his unworthy servant, but

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXCI.

To W―― S――, Esq., in London.

Lewis-Town, (Pensylvania) May 24, 1740.

My dear Friend and Brother,

MY will is much to go to Georgia, but my dear Lord Jesus is pleased to cross me. For ever blessed be his great and glorious name. Just now the Lord hath brought me hither. Your letter pleased me. I hope our Lord is now beginning to answer my prayers, and that my dear Brother S―― is about to know himself. You know I have often told you, that you ought to suspect your experiences. You have mistaken, in my opinion, preparation, for conversion itself. Your nine years round of duties, were no effects 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―― W―― expound the seventh chapter of the Romans: Then, but not till then did you begin to be enlightened, and illumination and conversion are two different things. All my great trials were consequent on this. Not that God’s way of dealing with me, ought to be a rule for others: But I think your case and mine somewhat parallel.—Those that have been most humbled, I find, always make the most solid, useful christians. It stands with reason: The more a man is emptied of himself, the more room is there made for the spirit of God to dwell in him.—Your caution to dear Mr. H. was very good. Openness is the best preservative of spiritual friendship. I would behave so, that no one might be afraid to consult me; but if people will not open their hearts, let them not blame me; I cannot speak, where I perceive a shyness, and where I see persons are afraid of me. I am sure they must harbour some ungenerous suspicions or other against me, and how then can there be a harmony of soul. My dear brother, my friend, now I have told you my heart: Be not angry, I am just ready to weep.—Indeed, I am willing to wash your feet, and to acknowledge all favours under God that I have received from you. Be stable, be willing to consult others that have trod in the spiritual road before you; do not mistake working for life, for working from life. Watch unto prayer, and do not be carried away by every wind of doctrine. How could you not see through L―― of German-Town? But I must not chide, but love. Much I owe you; have patience with me and I will endeavour to pay you. I shall long to see you at Savannah. Once more, my dear friend and brother, adieu. My heart is much melted down. God continually fills me with himself. O give thanks for, dear Sir,

Your brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXCII.

To the Rev. Mr. J. W.

Cape-Lopen, May 24, 1740.

Honoured Sir,

I Cannot entertain prejudices against your conduct and principles any longer, without informing you. The more I examine the writings of the most experienced men, and the experiences of the most established christians, the more I differ from your notion about not committing sin, and your denying the doctrines of election, and final perseverance of the saints. I dread coming to England, unless you are resolved to oppose these truths with less warmth, than when I was there last. I dread your coming over to America; because the work of God is carried on here (and that in a most glorious manner) by doctrines quite opposite to those you hold. Here are thousands of God’s children, who will not be persuaded out of the privileges purchased for them by the blood of Jesus. Here are many worthy experienced ministers, who would oppose your principles to the utmost. God direct me what to do! Sometimes I think it best to stay here, where we all think and speak the same thing: The work goes on without divisions, and with more success, because all employed in it are of one mind. I write not this, honoured Sir, from heat of spirit, but out of love. At present, I think you are entirely inconsistent with yourself, and therefore do not blame me, if I do not approve of all that you say. God himself, I find, teaches my friends the doctrine of election. Sister H―― hath lately been convinced of it; and, if I mistake not, dear and honoured Mr. W―― hereafter will be convinced also. From my soul I wish you abundant success in the name of the Lord. I long to hear of your being made a spiritual father to thousands. Perhaps I may never see you again, ’till we meet in judgment; then, if not before, you will know, that sovereign, distinguishing, irresistible grace brought you to heaven. Then will you know, that God loved you with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving-kindness did he draw you. Honoured Sir, farewel. My prayers constantly attend both you and your labours. I neglect no opportunity of writing. My next journal will acquaint you with new and surprizing wonders. The Lord fills me both in body and soul. I am supported under the prospect of present and impending trials, with an assurance of God’s loving me to the end; yea, even to all eternity. Ere this reaches you, I suppose you will hear of my intention to marry. I am quite as free as a child: If it be God’s will, I beseech him to prevent it. I would not be hindered in my dear Lord’s business for the world. I am now waiting for a fair wind. God blesses the Orphan-house. Do not be angry with, but pray for, honoured Sir,

Your unworthy brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXCIII.

To Mr. S――, in Charles-Town.

Savannah, June 7, 1740.

Dear Sir,

BEFORE I knew you by name, my heart was uncommonly affected towards you. Whenever I saw you at church, I enquired concerning you, and to my great but pleasing surprize, when I came to your house, found you was the man I was enquiring after. Your letter gives me still hopes, that our dear Lord Jesus is about to awaken you from a carnal security in which you have long lain. He is now calling you, dear, dear Sir. I beseech you, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Saviour, take heed that you do not lie down again. If you will be a follower of the Lamb of God, you must prepare your soul for manifold temptations; you must become the song of the drunkard, and have all manner of evil spoken against you falsely for Christ’s sake: But let none of these things move you, dear Sir. Dare, I beseech you, to be singularly good.—Be not ashamed of your glory.—Learn a lesson of boldness even from the devil’s children. How resolute, how daring are they in their master’s cause? Why should not we be equally courageous in the cause of Jesus Christ? O Sir, I feel a concern for the welfare of your better part. God hath vouchsafed you some convictions; do not rest in them. Catch not too greedily at comfort. Beg of God that you may be thoroughly wounded, before you desire to be made whole; otherwise you will go but half way, and be only an unstable, double-minded man at last. God forbid that dear Mr. S―― should ever settle in such a dangerous state! Ere long I hope to see you in Charles-Town, and then I shall have an opportunity of enquiring more particularly into the state of your soul. I came home but two days ago, and therefore could not answer your letter before. If I can be serviceable to you in any respect, be pleased to command, dear Sir,

Your assured friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXCIV.

To Mr. J―― H――, in London.

Savannah, June 7, 1740.

My dear, dear Brother,

WITH great comfort I received your long wished-for letter. It warmed my heart, and knit my soul to you much more than ever. Whenever I see the child-like simplicity and love of Jesus, it quite melts me down. Let all former misunderstandings between me and your friends be entirely forgotten. I always pitied your parents, and most earnestly prayed for them and you. Blessed be God that you are come home. You are now, I believe, as I always did believe, in your proper station. May God give you a settled habit of devotion, and so fill you with his spirit, that whilst you are working for God on earth, you may be like those blessed angels, who, though ministring to us, yet do always behold the face of our Father who is in heaven. My dear brother, let the love of Jesus constrain you to love him with all your soul. A sense of his divine love now melts down my heart, and draws tears from my eyes. O what wonderful things is God doing in America! Savannah also, my dear Savannah, especially 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 we weep over one another for joy! Perhaps I may never feel the like again, till I meet with the sons of God in glory: But oh what a scene was to be seen last night in the congregation! How did the stately steps of our glorious Emmanuel appear! His glory shone with exceeding brightness. The power seemed to be coming on all the day. My soul has been much carried out in behalf of this place, and now the Lord is about to answer my prayer. T―― D―― was yesterday in a glorious agony. I prayed with three of the girls before I went to church, and their hearts were ready to break: I prayed also, with strong cryings and tears, with my other dear friends, and God was much with us then; but when we came to church, oh what was to be seen, and heard, and felt there! The power of the Lord came as it were upon all. Most of the children, both boys and girls, cried bitterly, and most of the congregation were drowned in tears, and mourned as a woman mourneth for her first-born. Expence of spirits made my body weak, but my soul still wrestled earnestly with God. When I came home, I lay upon my bed; but seeing the children and people come home crying, I went to prayer again, and a greater power than ever still attended it. O how was my soul carried out, and how did the Holy Ghost fill the room! At last I thought proper to dismiss them; but it would have charmed your heart to hear the little ones in different parts of the house praying, and begging of Jesus to take full possession of their hearts. The same power continues to-day: For near two hours, four or five of the girls have been before the Lord weeping most bitterly, and under such agonies, as gives me hope our Lord will soon send them deliverance. I have not yet talked with the boys, who also have been under great concern, and one especially in great agonies. I believe two or three will be truly gracious. I have brought with me a Latin master, and on Monday laid a foundation in the name of our dear Jesus for an university in Georgia. God blesses me (O free and sovereign grace) in every thing I undertake. Our Orphan-house comes under better regulations every day, and I am persuaded, in the end, will produce some true followers of Jesus Christ. I am now looking for fresh attacks from the enemy, after such inroads. He has been busy since my departure, but the Lord hath vouchsafed to rebuke and disappoint him. My dear brother, may the Lord be with you! For Christ’s sake desire dear Brother W―― to avoid disputing with me. I think I had rather die, than to see a division between us; and yet, how can we walk together, if we oppose each other? Adieu. Dear James, with much tenderness I subscribe myself

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CXCV.

To T―― T――, Esq., in London.

Savannah, June 7, 1740.

My dear Friend and Brother,

I Wrote to you very lately; but your kind letter is now before me, and I cannot forbear answering it: Blessed be God, that you still look upon me as your friend. May the friend of all, unite us in the best bonds, and bring us to himself at last! I long to see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven. I have now such large incomes from above, and such precious communications from our dear Lord Jesus, that my body sometimes can scarcely sustain them. Our dear Brother H――’s letter (which I desire you may see) will shew you what a work is begun at Savannah. I am in great hopes, that six or seven boys and girls are really coming to Jesus Christ. Dear Brother H――n sojourns with us. I love him, and all the brethren, in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I am now looking for some strong attacks from satan. The Lord comforts me on every side, and lets me see my desire in the salvation of many souls. O, dear Mr. T――, forget not

Your weak unworthy friend and brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXCVI.

To Mr. M――.

Savannah, June 11, 1740.

Dear Mr. M――,

I Am not uneasy, but rather joyful, to find God lets you see more and more into the misery of your depraved nature. I pray God, these convictions may still increase, and that you may not fall short of a saving union with Jesus Christ. I am concerned to find you have lost a sense of your first love.—Take heed, my dear friend, and wrestle with your dear Lord, till he lets you see the root of bitterness that must certainly be in some corner of your heart. Perhaps you have not renounced the world and your own righteousness, and then no wonder our Lord doth not manifest himself to your soul. Sometimes, indeed, God withdraws on purpose to wean us from sensible devotion, and to take us off from seeking any self-complacence in our duties. If this be the case of you and your friends, you are patiently to tarry the Lord’s leisure, and to continue striving with all your might till he is pleased to lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon you. You must seek Jesus though it be sorrowing, and then, after three days, you will find him; for the Lord will not always be chiding, neither keepeth he his anger for ever. That God may daily renew you in the spirit of your mind, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your assured friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXCVII.

To Mr. W―― W――, in London.

Savannah, June 11, 1740.

Dear W――,

I Am sorry to hear, that you and your masters cannot agree; but this I know, supposing the case to be as you represent it, you must notwithstanding “be obedient, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”—Rough usage will do you good, if you are sincere; God sees the pride and stubbornness of your heart, and therefore sends you these trials to beat it down: I find the benefit of crosses. What should I do without them? Dear brother S―― would write to you, I believe, but is much engaged.—We love one another in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O, dear W. keep close to God, and see you are that inwardly, which you would be esteemed outwardly.—Rest in nothing short of a sound and thorough conversion. That God may bless you, and all the brethren, with all spiritual blessings, is the hearty prayer of

Your assured friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CXCVIII.

To the Rev. Mr. J―― B――, at New-York.

Savannah, June 13, 1740.

Reverend and dear Brother,

I Have just been reading the three letters you sent some time ago to our dear brother N――, and find my heart much 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 soul. I rather rejoice in them, having myself been blessed with many experiences of the like nature. But, my dear brother, if God works upon us in an extraordinary manner, we must prepare for temptation, even from our christian brethren.

Most judge of others from what has passed within themselves; 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 sovereign agent: his sacred spirit bloweth when, and where, and how it listeth; and when an uncommon work is to be done, no doubt he will work upon his chosen instruments in an uncommon manner. What the event of the present general awakening will be, I know not. I desire to follow my dear Lord blindfold, whithersoever he is pleased to lead me; and to do just so much, and no more, as his providence points out to me. Wonderful things have been done ever since my arrival at Savannah: Such an awakening among little children, I never saw before. Our dear brother N――’s letter will acquaint you with particulars. O my dear brother, how ought such manifestations of God’s glory, to quicken our souls, and excite us to lay out ourselves more and more in the service of the best of Masters, Jesus Christ! Every day he fills me with himself, and sometimes brings me even upon the confines of eternity. Methinks I often stand upon Mount Pisgah, and take a view of the heavenly Canaan, and then long to be gathered to my people: but, my dear brother, both you and I must suffer, and that great things, before we enter into glory. My work is scarce begun; my trials are yet to come. What is a little scourge of the tongue? What is a thrusting out of the synagogues? The time of temptation will be, when we are thrust into an inner prison, and feel the iron entering even into our souls. Then, perhaps, even God’s people may be permitted to forsake us for a while, and none but the Lord Jesus to stand by us. “But if thou, O dearest Redeemer! wilt strengthen me 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 saw, yet I love you most tenderly. How does dear brother D――? Does he yet walk in the light of God’s countenance? Pray salute him lovingly in my name. In the fall, I hope to see you in Long Island, and to be somewhat filled with your company. In the mean while, let us all keep a close walk with Jesus; and be pleased, in an especial manner, to remember

Your unworthy, though affectionate brother, fellow-labourer, and servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER CXCIX.

To the Rev. Mr. J. W.

Savannah, June 25, 1740.

My honoured Friend and Brother,

I Thank you for, and heartily say amen to all the petitions you have put up in my behalf. I want to be as my Master would have me; I mean, meek and lowly in heart. Dear Sir, bear with me a little longer; pray for me with great earnestness; and who knows but my God may give me to abhor myself in dust and ashes! He that hath given us his Son, will he not with him freely give us all things? For Christ’s sake, if possible, dear Sir, never speak against election in your sermons: no one can say that I ever mentioned it in public discourses, whatever my private sentiments may be. For Christ’s sake, let us not be divided amongst ourselves: nothing will so much prevent a division as your being silent on this head. I should have rejoiced at the sight of your Journal. I long to sing a hymn of praise for what God has done for your soul. I am glad to hear that you speak up for an attendance on the means of grace, and do not encourage persons who run (I am persuaded) before they are called. The work of God will suffer much by such imprudence. I trust you will still persist in field-preaching. Others are strangers to our call. I know infinite good hath been done by it already, and greater good will yet be done thereby every day: but we must be judged of our brethren. May God bless you more and more every day, and cause you to triumph in every place. Next Monday, God willing, I go to Charles-Town. My family is well regulated; but I want some more gracious assistants. I have near an hundred and thirty to maintain daily, without any fund. The Lord gives me a full undisturbed confidence in his power and goodness. 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 most unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in our dear Lord Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CC.

To Mr. J―― H――.

Savannah, June 25, 1740.

Dearest J――,

EVERY letter you write, knits my heart more and more to you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Your last I received on Saturday. God had been preparing me for it, by a week’s intimation upon my heart, and by an inexpressible agony in my soul just before it came to hand. Blessed be God that our friends preach up poverty of spirit, for that is the only foundation whereon to build solid abiding comfort. The stony ground received the word with joy; but how did those hearers stand in a day of temptation? They fell away; for it is very possible that the heart may have much joy floating on the top of it, and yet be as hard as the nether millstone. Hence it is that so many, who boast of rest in their flashes of joy, are self-willed, impatient of reproof, despisers of others in a mourning state, and wise in their own conceits: whereas the believer, that hath been with his Lord in the wilderness, and has a truly broken and contrite heart, though his joy may not be so extravagant, yet it is substantial. Such a soul hangs upon God; thinks before he speaks; and is continually hearkening for what the Lord will say to him, by the small still voice of his spirit. This is the state I want all our friends to arrive at. I cannot see how they can, with assurance, talk of their enjoying solid fellowship with the Father, and his dear Son Christ Jesus. I shall not be surprized if many, who seemingly began in the spirit, do end in the flesh, and turn persecutors of the doctrines and disciples of Jesus Christ. How can they possibly stand, who never felt themselves condemned criminals? who were never truly burthened with a sense not only of their actual, but original sin, especially that damning sin of unbelief? who were never brought to see and heartily confess, that after they had done all, God might, notwithstanding, deny them mercy; and that it is owing merely to his sovereign love in Christ Jesus our Lord, that they can have any hopes of being delivered from the wrath to come? It is for preaching in this manner that I like Mess. T――s. They wound deep before they heal; they know that there is no promise made but to him that believeth; and therefore they are careful not to comfort over much those that are convicted. I fear I have been too incautious in this respect, and have often given comfort too soon. The Lord pardon me for what is past, and teach me more rightly to divide the word of truth for the future. Dearest J――, pardon this freedom; I am constrained to write in this manner. I thank you most heartily for your historical letter. Fail not writing to me often. Dearest J――, help me by your prayers: for Christ’s sake help me. Our Lord is yet with us. I hear different accounts of things; but I pray for all, and suspend my judgment till you see

Your affectionate brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCI.

To Mrs. E―― C――.

Savannah, June 25, 1740.

My dear Sister,

YOUR letter afforded me much inward pleasure. Surely it bespeaks the writer not to be far from the kingdom of God. You was then waiting for our Lord’s salvation: ere now, I trust, Christ hath manifested his glory, filled you with his blessed spirit, and thereby sealed you to the day of redemption. ’Tis good to be long in an humbled state: it is the best preparation for solid, lasting comfort. Blessed are they that mourn most, for they shall be the most comforted: not that we are violently to keep ourselves in such a state; but when God’s hand lies heavy upon us, we are patiently to tarry the Lord’s leisure, till he reveals himself to our souls. I was a mourner a long while; but, glory be to God! I have for some years been almost continually comforted; at least kept from doubting of my interest in Jesus Christ. I can with an humble boldness cry out, “My Lord and my God!” He daily manifests himself to my soul, and causes me to feel my dependance on his free grace and sovereign love. This is the kingdom of God within us. O, my dear sister, what would I give, were all the world partakers of this unspeakable gift! I long, I burn with an ardent zeal after the salvation of my dear brethren, who are dead in trespasses and sins. Poor souls! Why am I taken, and they left? O the sovereign, free, unmerited, distinguishing love of my and your Jesus! My dear sister, let us love him, let us obey him; let us suffer for him with a chearful heart! His love will sweeten every cup, though never so bitter. Let us pledge him willingly, and continue faithful even unto death. A scene of sufferings lies before us. Who knows but we may wade to our Saviour through a sea of blood? I expect (O pray that I may be strengthened if called to it) to die for his great name’s sake. ’Twill be sweet to wear a martyr’s crown. Dear Madam, adieu. I remember God’s goodness to us at Broad-Oaks. I pray for you and yours. I trust your daughters keep close to Jesus. Salute them kindly in my name. Read my Journal, and give hearty thanks for

Your unworthy brother and servant in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCII.

To the Rev. Mr. S――, in London.

Savannah, June 26, 1740.

Rev. and dear Sir,

AND is one of the priests also obedient to the word? Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath translated you from darkness to light; from the power of Satan to the service of the ever-living God. Now know I, that our glorious Emmanuel has not commanded us to pray in vain. Surely we shall never taste of death, till we see our dear Lord’s kingdom coming with greater power. He seems to be thrusting out more labourers into his harvest. 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 constrain you to go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor sinners to come in. Some (even that are true lovers of the Lamb) may say “this is not proceeding with a zeal according to knowledge:” but I am persuaded, when the power of religion revives, the gospel must be propagated in the same manner as it was first established, “itinerant preaching.” Go on, dear Sir, go on, and follow your glorious Master without the camp, bearing his sacred reproach. Never fear the scourge of the tongue, or the threatnings that are daily breathed out against the Lord, and against his Christ. Suffer we must, I believe, and that great things. Our Lord, by his providence, begins to shew it. Ere long, perhaps, we may sing in a prison, and have our feet set fast in the stocks. But faith in Jesus turns a prison into a palace, and makes a bed of flames become a bed of down. Let us be faithful to-day, and our Lord will support 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 strength to bear the heat and burden of every day, and to enable you to preach with such wisdom, that all your adversaries may not be able to gainsay or resist. Blessed be his holy name, I drink deep of his love every moment. A greater power than ever attends my poor labours; and several of my own houshold, both boys and girls, I really believe, are coming savingly to Jesus Christ. I am now about to go to Charles-Town; a work of God is begun there. Who knows but I may see my dear brother S―― in America? But future things belong to God; to his grace and love I commend you. Keep close to your dear Jesus, and pray that a child-like, humble spirit, may be given to

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer

G. W.

LETTER CCIII.

To Wm. S――, Esq., in London.

Savannah, June 26, 1740.

My dear Brother S――,

I Sent you a packet of letters from Charles-Town, the middle of this month. Since that time, I have received many agreeable letters from England; but find from Blendon letters that Miss E―― D―― is in a seeking state only. Surely that will not do; I would have one that is full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Just now I have been weeping, and much carried out in prayer before the Lord. My poor family gives me more concern than every thing else put together. I want a gracious woman that is dead to every thing but Jesus, and is qualified to govern children, and direct persons of her own sex. 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 so infinitely condescending, that he daily grants me fresh tokens of his love, and assures me that he will not permit me to fall by the hands of a woman. I am almost tempted to wish I had never undertook the orphan-house. At other times, I am willing to contrive matters so 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 best promote his own glory. So that my dear Lord’s honour does not suffer, I care not what trouble in the flesh I undergo. His glory, to the best of my knowledge, is my only aim, in my thoughts, words, and actions. My dearest brother, adieu. By this time, I trust, you are near England. Dear brother S―― goes with me to Charles-Town. Brother B―― keeps house in my absence. Take heed that the people you bring believe on Jesus. Expect to hear shortly again from

Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCIV.

To Mr. W―― D――.

Savannah, June 28, 1740.

My dear Brother,

I Thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions; and trust shall always reckon those my choicest friends, who, in simplicity and meekness, tell me the corruptions of my heart. It is that faithfulness which hath endeared J―― S―― to me. I think I never was obliged to any one so much before: for that reason also I find my heart knit to you. O my dear brother, still continue faithful to my soul: do not hate me in your heart; in any wise reprove me. Exhort all my dear brethren to forgive my past (I fear) too imperious carriage; and let them pray that I may know myself to be what I really am, less than the least of them all. I have abundant reason to bless God for sending me abroad. I cannot say I have improved my retirement as I ought; but I can say it hath been highly beneficial to my soul. 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 sit in silence, offering my soul as so much clay, to be stamped just as my heavenly potter pleases: and whilst I am musing, I am often filled as it were with the fulness of God. I am frequently at Calvary, and frequently on Mount Tabor; but always assured of my Lord’s everlasting love. O continue to pray for me, that I may know myself even as I am known. I want to have a proper mixture of the lion and the lamb, of the serpent and the dove. I do not despair of attaining it. Jesus is love; Jesus willeth my perfection; Jesus hath died for me; Jesus can deny me nothing. He hath given me himself; will he not then freely give me all things besides? I wait for thy compleat salvation, O Lord! My dear brother, my heart is now enlarged. Your prayer is answered. The whole Godhead now fills my soul. O grace, grace! O Jesu, Jesu! was ever love like thine! Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes. O that I could praise thee! that I could love thee as I ought! My dear brother, I hear you have been zealous for the Lord your God since my departure. You have done well: you never can be zealous for a better master: but why, silent? why withdrawn? Did you go before you was called or qualified? If so, you have done right: but I suspend my judgment; for I find there is no judging at a distance. I only pray God that you may always feel yourself a very poor sinner, and find refuge in the wounds and blood of the Lamb. I rejoice to hear the work of God goes on, and heartily wish you may not be divided among yourselves. Our dear Lord is with us here: I only want a few more gracious, solid assistants. The Lord will send them in his due time to

Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCV.

To J―― B――.

Good Hope, (South-Carolina) July 2, 1740.

My dear Brother B――,

IS it true, that one night whilst you was expounding, you told your hearers, from your own experience, that “they could not go on without throwing aside the means of grace?” or words to that purpose? If so, I pity you; for you are not only misled yourself, but are also misguiding others. But this is no more than I expected. I think you begun to teach too soon, and before you had a commission given you from above. Brother J―― was of the same opinion, before I left England. For that reason, I would not take you to Georgia. Blessed be God, I have no such over-forward spirits there. My dear B――, I write in love. For Christ’s sake try your spirit: I fear you was never yet truly humbled. I know you have had joy; but I always thought it was joy floating on the surface of an unmortified heart. From such a joy, good Lord deliver us! O that you had been in the wilderness a little longer! then you might have been an experienced teacher; but I fear you are now only a novice. May the Lord keep you from falling into the condemnation of the devil. I write not this to damp, but to regulate your spirit; if you are humble, you will take it kind. God knows, I wish all the Lord’s servants were prophets; but I would not have my Master’s work suffer by a too heady way of proceeding. Why should you dishonour him by acting above your sphere; whereas you might honour him by acting in it. Every one is not fit to be a public expounder. To build up awakened sinners in private, is what is more wanted at present than young unexperienced preachers. But I have done; I fear I have offended my brother: forgive me this wrong. As God was pleased first to work upon you by my ministry, you must always expect to be watched over by

Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCVI.

Charles-Town, July 11, 1740.

Dear Mr. R――,

YOUR letter much rejoiced me. O that you may still follow on, till you truly know the Lord! I shall be glad to have you for a scribe, if you are well instructed in the things which belong to the kingdom of heaven. Keep close, my dear friend, keep close to the dear Mr. T――s: under God, they will build you up in your most holy faith. It gladdens my heart to hear of their success in the Lord. The Lord increase them more and more, and multiply the number of their spiritual children! I suppose brother G――’s letter informed you what a speedy passage the Lord gave us, and how we were received at Georgia. Surely I shall never see the like again, till I meet the sons of God in glory. Praise the Lord, O my soul! my dear friend, help me to praise the Lord. I have been here above a week. The Lord hath been pleased to work on many hearts. On Sunday the commissary denied me the sacrament; but my dear Master fed me, notwithstanding, with the bread which cometh down from heaven. Persecution seems to be coming on more and more. My dear friend, see that you are rooted and grounded in love and faith; or how will you stand fast in a dying hour? With difficulty I write this before morning service. 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 see Philadelphia in November. On Tuesday next I am cited to appear before the commissary and his court in a judicial way: the event I leave to my dear Lord Jesus. O dear Mr. R――, let not the cross keep you from Jesus. If we suffer, we shall reign with him. Salute your honoured mother in my name, and all that love our dear Lord in sincerity, from, dear Mr. R――,

Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCVII.

To Mr. J―― R――.

Charles-Town, July 15, 1740.

Dear J――,

MAY you answer your name, be freely gracious, and filled with as much love as he was, who leaned on the sacred bosom of our dear Redeemer. I believe God has begun; if so, God will carry on the good work in your heart. It is the Lord’s doing. Not unto me, not unto me; but to free, rich, distinguishing, sovereign grace, be all the glory! The wearing off, or forgetting your convictions formerly, ought to make you more jealous of yourself now. The more you see the enmity of the heart, the better: you cannot then avoid abhorring yourself in dust and ashes. I rejoice you have been at Neshamini. I can say of Mr. T―― and their brethren, as David did of Goliah’s sword, “None like them.” I am glad you and my friend R―― are acquainted. O see that you keep one another warm, and be zealous for the Lord your God. I wonder not at your master’s insinuations. Indeed, dear J――, you must be tried thoroughly, if you would approve yourself to the glorious Emmanuel. Exhort all to die for him, rather than deny him in any wise. I find my suffering time at hand: but my dear Lord comforts me with his gracious and refreshing presence. A good work is carrying on here: let my dear friends help it forwards by their prayers. My love to all at the society; and accept of the same from

Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCVIII.

To Mr. B――, in Pensylvania.

Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.

My dear Brother,

PRAISE the Lord, O my soul! Our glorious Emmanuel seems to have girt his sword upon his thigh, and to be riding on from conquering to conquer. He gets himself the victory in Philadelphia. He is getting himself the victory in Charles-Town also. Indeed a glorious work is begun, and carrying on here. Many souls are awakened to a sense of the divine life.—The alteration in the people since I came here at first, is surprizing. I preach twice a day, generally, either in town or in the villages around. The commissary shoots out his arrows, even bitter words. He hath denied me the sacrament, 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 spirit. Every day God shews me fresh instances of his love. Here are some faithful ministers amongst the baptists. One of them, Mr. C――, has wrote to you; pray answer him. Some time next month I hope to be at New England, and to return to you according to promise. Be pleased to salute the brethren in my name. Indeed I honour and love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. O that I was worthy of your acquaintance! But I am not. All that I can say is, that I will endeavour to approve myself

Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCIX.

To Mr. I. R――.

Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.

My Dear Friend,

I Thank you for going with friend E―― and B―― to Nazareth. May God bless you, and cause great good to come to that place! God seems to be carrying on as great a work in Charles-Town, comparatively speaking, as in Philadelphia. Surely our Lord intends to set the world in a flame. O that the holy fire of his divine love was kindled in every heart! Be pleased to read what I have sent to Mr. N――. If you please you may print that extract, which I sent from my journal: God willing, I hope to be at New England by the beginning of September, and to be refreshed with your and my dear friend’s letters. Indeed, I love you all in the bowels of my dear Lord Jesus. Do not let us forsake him. Let us not be ashamed of him, though we live in a crooked and perverse generation. I thank my dear friends for their zeal in building a house;¹ but desire it may not have any particular name, or be put to any particular use, till my return to Philadelphia. I wish them good luck in the name of the Lord. Last night I appeared a third time in a public court; but they not accepting my Recusatio judicis, I appealed home; so that now I have free liberty to embark when providence pleaseth. O my dear friend, think of a bleeding, dying Lord. Keep close to him, and exhort all friends to pray and give thanks for

Your assured friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCX.

To Mr. G―― L――.

Charles-Town, July 18, 1740.

Dear Brother L――,

GOD will work, and who shall hinder? The sacrament hath been refused to me, and I have appeared thrice in open court, before the commissary and some of his clergy; but our Lord rides on, from conquering to conquer. Many, I believe, are really pricked to the heart. The commissary’s detaining me here, has much tended to the furtherance of the gospel. I put in my exceptions against his sitting as my judge, and they were repelled; so that I have appealed home, and all other proceedings here are stopped. By this means I shall have liberty to preach the gospel without further interruption, and my call to England will be more clear. The enclosed paper will shew you what is doing in Philadelphia. Private letters received from thence last night and this morning, have much refreshed my heart. Many souls are flocking to the Lord Jesus. I need not exhort you to praise the Lord. You may advertise what paragraphs you think proper, only add that Philadelphia people are building a house for me to preach in, 106 feet long and 74 feet wide. The Lord is bringing mighty things to pass. I am surprizingly strengthened to bear the heat and burden of every day. My dear Lord never leaves nor forsakes me, but works by my unworthy ministry more and more. O that I was humble! O that I was a little, little child! I know not how soon I may be called to England. The inhabitants here are wondrous kind. They attend morning and evening most chearfully on my preaching. We often see the stately steps of our dear Lord in his sanctuary. I am more than happy. I am amazed at the divine goodness. Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes! See the wonders of the Lord; help us to praise him. Excuse me to all my dear friends. For this fortnight past I have not wrote a word of my journal. My sermons, &c. are bought off exceedingly, northward. O pray that an humble child-like spirit may be given to

Ever yours in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXI.

To the Reverend Mr. D――.

Savannah, August 15, 1740.

My dear Brother D――,

OUR dear Lord (after being pleased to bring me low by bodily sickness) now gives me liberty to write to you. Whilst I am writing, I find my heart united with yours. I hope we have both drank into the same spirit, and are both instances of the same sovereign, distinguishing, everlasting love. O let us extol it! O let us improve daily! And since God sees fit that we shall not die, but live, let us lay ourselves out to declare the works of the Lord. I am ashamed of my past unfruitfulness. Had others received the stock, that hath been intrusted to me, how would they have improved it? Indeed I am an unprofitable servant. In the righteousness of Jesus my Lord, is my only refuge. Well may God afflict me; I richly deserve it; and when he brings me low, nothing grieves me so much, as to think that I should be so froward as to oblige the God of love to strike me with his rod. But oh the goodness of the Lord! His rod, as well as staff, do comfort and build up my soul. I would not but be tried for ten thousand worlds. Blessed be God, I am enabled to clasp the cross, and desire to glory in nothing more. Dear brother, help me with your prayers. Our victorious Jesus makes his power to be known; many have I seen struck quite down by the power of the word. The holy Ghost hath often come like a mighty rushing wind. Satan has desired to sift us as wheat. But our Lord still shews me, that the orphan-house will go on and flourish. It is often a great weight upon my soul; but through your and my dear friends prayers, the Lord I am persuaded will still support it.

Yours eternally in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCXII.

To Mr. N――, in New York.

Savannah, Aug. 15, 1740.

My dear Brother,

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! Blessed be God that Mr. M―― is yet alive. Salute him from me; I hope to see him before I die, and so be taught the way of God more perfectly. I 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 pleased to bring me low, for some time, by inward weakness, and faintness of spirits. The first strength that is given me to write, I make use 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 of crosses, but that I may be with Christ. He draws me more and more to him every day. I have had many close domestic trials of late. But these words, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God,” came with sweet power to my soul. I find, the nearer I come to Christ, the closer my trials are. I have been sometimes through weakness kept from preaching; but when I have spoken, the word has come with power. I have reason to think, that three persons who came to see the orphan-house, have been effectually called by our Lord Jesus. I have now some Carolina visitors in my house; two of them, I believe, are coming truly to Jesus.—The word runs like lightning in Charles-Town. A serious lively Baptist minister, named Tilly, is here also; he has preached often for me, and last Sunday received the sacrament in our way.—O bigotry, thou art tumbling down a-pace! Blessed be God.—Next week, God willing, I embark for Charles-Town, shall stay there a few days, and from thence purpose going to New-England. God wonderfully provides for my orphans.—I am kept from every degree of doubting; nay, the Lord fills me daily with a full assurance of faith. He chastens and corrects me, but it is all in love. O help me to praise him, and thereby add to the obligations already laid on, dear Mr. N――,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCXIII.

To Mrs. L――.

Charles-Town, Aug. 22, 1740.

Honoured Mother,

ALTHOUGH I had not the pleasure of receiving one line, either from your dear self, or from any other of my beloved friends; yet my heart was rejoiced just now by a sailor, who told me, that he saw and conversed with you the twenty-ninth of May last. I thank you for the salutation sent to me by him. Indeed I thank you from my very heart: for I feel myself unworthy of your notice. Every day I love and honour you more and more; and when you come to judgment, God will shew you how many tears I have shed in secret for you and my dear sister. O let them not be in vain! Honoured Mother, fly to Jesus.—Behold, with open arms, yonder he stands, ready to embrace you, if you feel your misery, and are willing to come to him to find rest. May the great God, who only can govern the wills and affections of sinful men, make you willing in the day of his power! Yesterday God brought me hither again. In a few days, I hope to embark for New-England; thence, God willing, you may expect another letter. For near six weeks past I have been under great weakness of body; but notwithstanding have been enabled sometimes to preach with great power. I am now somewhat better, but, without a miracle, cannot think of being long below. Indeed, honoured Mother, I every day long to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Pray tell Mr. W――, that Mr. H――, and I―― B――, with one or two more of their relations, I believe, are effectually called of God. We had much power at Savannah. God hath sent me some family trials; but all things are working for good. I am, honoured Mother,

Your ever dutiful son,

G. W.

LETTER CCXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. J―― W――.

Charles-Town, Aug. 25, 1740.

Dear and Honoured Sir,

LAST night I had the pleasure of receiving an extract of your journal.—This morning I took a walk and read it. I pray God to give it his blessing. Many things I trust will prove beneficial, especially the account of yourself. Only, give me leave with all humility to exhort you not to be strenuous in opposing the doctrines of election and final perseverance, when, by your own confession, “you have not the witness of the spirit within yourself,” and consequently are not a proper judge. I remember dear brother E―― told me one day, that “he was convinced of the perseverance of the saints.” I told him, you was not. He replied, but he will be convinced when he hath got the spirit himself. I am assured, God has now for some years given me this living witness in my soul. I cannot say, I have since indulged any doubts (at least for no considerable time) about the forgiveness of my sins; nay, I can scarce say, that I ever doubted at all. When I have been nearest death, my evidences have been the clearest. I can say, I have been on the borders of Canaan, and do every day, nay, almost every moment, long for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; not to evade sufferings, but with a single desire to see his blessed face. I feel his blessed spirit daily filling my soul and body, as plain as I feel the air which I breathe, or the food I eat.—Perhaps the doctrines of election and of final perseverance hath been abused, (and what doctrine has not,) but notwithstanding, it is children’s bread, and ought not in my opinion to be with-held from them, supposing it is always mentioned with proper cautions against the abuse. Dear and Honoured Sir, I write not this to enter into disputation. I hope, at this time, I feel something of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. I cannot bear the thoughts of opposing you: but how can I avoid it, if you go about (as your brother C―― once said) to drive John Calvin out of Bristol. Alas, I never read any thing that Calvin wrote; my doctrines I had from Christ and his apostles; I was taught them of God; and as God was pleased to send me out first, and to enlighten me first, so I think he still continues to do it. My business seems to be chiefly in planting; if God send you to water, I praise his name.—I wish you a thousand-fold increase. I find, by young W――’s letter, there is disputing among you about election, and perfection.—I pray God to put a stop to it, for what good end will it answer?—I wish I knew your principles fully; did you write oftner, and more frankly, it might have a better effect than silence and reserve. I have lately had many domestic trials, and that about points of doctrine, not by myself, but from others in my absence. I daily wait upon God, depending on his promise, that all things, even this, shall work together for my good. Many in Charles-Town, I believe, are called of God. You may now find a christian, without searching the town as with a candle. Mr. G―― is less furious, at least in public. He hath expended all his strength, and finds he cannot prevail. Adieu, Honoured Sir, Adieu! My health is better, since I last left Charles Town, and am now freed from domestic cares. With almost tears of love to you, and the brethren, do I subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXV.

To Mrs. J―― L――, in Bristol.

Charles-Town, Aug. 26, 1740.

Dear J――,

I Hope you and your little society go on and prosper. I hear there are divisions among you. Avoid them if possible. The doctrines of election, and of final perseverance, I hold as well as you.—But then, they are not to be contended for with heat and passion. Such a proceeding will only prejudice the cause you would defend. Pray shew this to your other friends.—Exhort them to avoid all clamour, and evil speaking, and with meekness receive the ingrafted word which is able to save your soul. God has begun a great work here, and in other parts of America; but yet, I believe, I shall shortly have a call to England. O pray it may be the divine will, that I may have a prosperous journey; and that you may see me grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.—With tenderest love to all, I am

Your affectionate brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCXVI.

To the Right Reverend Father in God, Edmund Lord Bishop of London.

On board the Savannah, bound from Charles-Town to Boston, September —, 1740.

My Lord,

ALTHOUGH your Lordship has been pleased to caution the people against running into those extremes, to which your Lordship apprehended my doctrine would lead men; yet I am persuaded that will not any way influence your Lordship, as to the contents of this letter. The one single point which it contains, is this query, “Whether the commissary of South-Carolina has power given him from your Lordship, to exercise any judicial authority against me, or any other clergyman, who doth not belong to his province?” The reason of my putting this question, I suppose your Lordship will be apprized of, before this reaches your Lordship’s hands. I have been lately cited to appear in an ecclesiastical court, erected by the Reverend Mr. G――, for not reading the common prayer in the meeting-house, which I was obliged to preach in at Charles-Town, (unless I would be silent) because the commissary would not let me have the use of his church. I appeared, and have appealed, according to law, to four of his majesty’s commissioners for reviewing appeals, to know, whether the commissary ought not to have accepted a Recusatio judicis, which I lodged in court. This, I suppose, they will determine. I only desire your Lordship’s explicit opinion and determination, whether Mr. G――, (supposing he hath power over his own clergy,) has authority to erect such a court to arraign me, who belong to the province of Georgia. The bearer hereof will give me your Lordship’s answer. In favouring me with which, your Lordship will oblige, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s obedient son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCXVII.

To Mr. P――.

Boston, Sept. 19, 1740.

My dear Brother,

I Have just now read your kind letter. Blessed be the Lord, for imparting somewhat of his divine presence to your soul. O may he fill you brimful, and enable you so to preach, that all your adversaries may not be able to gainsay or resist. Never fear undertaking to preach without notes; remember the promise, “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” By my master’s leave, I propose to preach with you, and dear brother W――. I am a worm and no man: I deserve to be the outcast of the people. On Sunday I arrived at Rhode-Island. Our Lord called some. Yesterday I came hither, to-day I preached. May the Lord give a divine increase to the seed sown! A great work is carrying on at Charles-Town. The spirit of God is moving in different parts of the world. O my dear, dear brother, let us up and be doing, and the Lord will be with us. The world is lying in the wicked one. May God make you instrumental to deliver thousands from his cursed slavery! With difficulty I redeem time to write this. Brother B――, and B――, are with me. I will endeavour to give you notice of my coming. In the mean while, cease not praying for

Your weak and unworthy brother,

G. W.

LETTER CCXVIII.

To Mr. N――, at New-York.

Boston, Sept. 23, 1740.

My dear Brother,

HITHER God brought me on Thursday evening: I preached once on Friday, and twice every day since. The power of the Lord advances sweetly. Our Lord, I believe, will revive his work in the midst of the years; he enables me to preach plainly. Some ministers, I hope, will be quickened, as well as people. They attend, and are exceeding civil, as also the governor. I wrote to you from Rhode Island; I shall call there, as I come to you. On Monday, God willing, I shall set out to see Mr. M――, and on Monday fortnight hope to go to Northampton. All the packets of letters came safe. God bless my dear, dear Brother N―― for his great care. Friends from England write strange things; God, I believe, calls me thither. Mr. W―― and the M――s, I think, are sadly erroneous in some points of doctrine. When I see you, I will communicate many particulars; now, I have scarce time to write this. Our dear Lord sweetly fills me with his presence. My heaven is begun indeed. I feast on the fatted calf. The Lord strengthens me mightily in the inner man. I find a few souls left in Sardis that have not defiled their garments. Excuse me to Mr. P――; I have not time to answer his kind letter! Adieu; I hope to be with you in about five weeks.—I pray for dear Brother T――, that he may espouse more souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.—My hearty love to all.

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCXIX.

To Mr. A――.

Boston, Sept. 23, 1740.

My dear Brother A――,

I Thank you for your letter: May the Lord enable me to send you an answer of peace. Sinless perfection, I think, is unattainable in this life. Shew me a man that could ever justly say, “I am perfect.” It is enough if we can say so, when we bow down our heads and give up the ghost. Indwelling sin remains till death, even in the regenerate, as the article of the church expresses it.—There is no man that liveth and sinneth not in thought, word, and deed: However, to affirm such a thing as perfection, and to deny final perseverance, what an absurdity is this? To be incapable of sinning, and capable of being finally damned, is a contradiction in terms. From such doctrine may I ever turn away! Labour, dear Mr. A. to be holy, even as God is holy; but do not look for complete perfection here below. What is this, but in effect to vacate the righteousness of Christ? I hear many amongst you who begun in the spirit, are now ending in the flesh. Christ hath freely justified them, i. e. entitled them to all his merits, and yet they must do so and so to keep themselves in a justified state. Alas, this is sorry divinity; I have not so learned Christ. No, his gifts and callings are without repentance. Whom he loves, he loves to the end. Work I will, but not to keep myself in a justified state. My Lord hath secured that; but I will work to shew my gratitude for his putting me into a justified state. O that all would study the covenant of grace. Dear Mr. A. I feel that I love you, and I find myself carried out to write in this manner. My Lord blesses me with all spiritual blessings; he causes me to rejoice in his salvation. I pray him to carry on his work in London, and to keep his church from errors; but there must be a sifting as well as a gathering time. It is meet that such offences should come. All shall work together for good to those who are called after God’s purpose: They shall finally be saved. This much comforts, dear Brother A――,

Your affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXX.

To H. H. in Wales.

Boston, Sept. 24, 1740.

AND is dear Brother H. H. yet alive in body and soul? Blessed be God, who causes those that wait on him to renew their strength. I rejoice in your success: May you mount with wings like eagles, walk and not be weary, run and not be faint! You shall not be taken or hurt, till the appointed hour is come. I hope your conversation was blessed to dear Mr. W. O that the Lord may batter down his free-will, and compel him to own his sovereignty and everlasting love! Some of F―― Lane society, I fear, are running into sad errors; but this happens for our trial, especially mine. Those that before, I suppose, would have plucked out their eyes for me, now I suspect, I shall see very shy, and avoiding me. This is my comfort, the Lord is a never-failing friend; his truth will make its way in spite of all carnal reasoning. O pray for me that I may have the spirit of judgment and a sound mind. My coming to England will try my fidelity to my Master: Nothing but his strength can enable me to hear all contradictions with meekness, and to preach with love his everlasting truths. O that all would study the covenant of grace! The more I look into it, the more is my soul delighted. Dear Brother H. adieu. My dear friend J. S. sits by and cordially salutes you. I hope you have received my letters. I expect to hear from you by dear Brother S. God is working powerfully in America. He fills me with his presence, and causes me to go on my way rejoicing. Grace! grace! I greet all most affectionately, and am, dear Brother H.

Yours eternally,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXI.

To the Rev. Mr. J. W.

Boston, Sept. 25, 1740.

Honoured Sir,

THIS is sent in answer to your letter dated March 25.—I think, I have for some time known what it is to have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These, I believe, are the privileges of the sons of God: But I cannot say I am free from indwelling sin; no, I find a law in my members warring against the law of my mind: This makes me to cry out, even now, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” I thank God, our Lord Jesus Christ will. I cannot see wherein the heterodoxy of the article of our church doth consist, which says, “That this corruption remains even in the regenerate;” and if that after conversion we cannot sin in thought, word or deed, I do not know why our Lord taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, “Forgive us our trespasses.” I am sorry, honoured Sir, to hear by many letters, that you seem to own a sinless perfection in this life attainable. I think I cannot answer you better, than a venerable old minister in these parts answered a Quaker. “Bring me a man that hath really arrived to this, and I will pay his expences, let him come from where he will.” I know not what you may think, I do not expect to say indwelling sin is finished and destroyed in me, till I bow down my head and give up the ghost. There must be some Amalekites left in the Israelites land, to keep his soul in action, to keep him humble, and to drive him continually to Jesus Christ for pardon and forgiveness. I know many abuse this doctrine, and perhaps wilfully indulge sin, or do not aspire after holiness, because no man is perfect in this life. But what of that? must I therefore assert doctrines contrary to the gospel? God forbid. Whether the seventh to the Romans, is applicable to a converted person (as many very eminent saints have thought) is not at all to the purpose: There are other passages of scripture, which plainly shew that sinless perfection is not attainable here below. Such as these, “There is no man that liveth and sinneth not.” “In many things we offend all.” And I know no sin except the sin against the Holy Ghost, of which a child of God may not be guilty, if God should withdraw his grace.

Whatever you may think of David, the scripture says, “He was a man after God’s own heart;” yet how did he fall? And if you will not permit Peter to have been converted when he denied his Master; what will you say to St. Paul? Did not he sin, do you think, (at least were not his passions irregular, and what is that but sin) when he spoke to the High Priest, and called him whited wall? Besides, dear Sir, what a fond conceit is it to cry up perfection, and yet cry down the doctrine of final perseverance? But this, and many other absurdities you will run into, because you will not own Election: And you will not own Election, because you cannot own it without believing the doctrine of Reprobation. What then is there in reprobation so horrid? I see no blasphemy in holding that doctrine, if rightly explained. If God might have passed by all, he may pass by some. Judge whether it is not a greater blasphemy to say, “Christ died for souls now in hell.” Surely, dear Sir, you do not believe there will be a general gaol delivery of damned souls hereafter. O that you would study the covenant of grace! O that you were truly convinced of sin, and brought to the foot of sovereign grace! Elisha Cole on God’s sovereignty, and Veritas Redux, written by Doctor Edwards, are well worth your reading. But I have done; if you think so meanly of Bunyan, and the Puritan writers, I do not wonder that you think me wrong. I find your sermon has had its expected success; it hath set the nation a disputing; you will have enough to do now to answer pamphlets; two I have already seen. O that you would be more cautious in casting lots! O that you would not be too rash and precipitant! If you go on thus, honoured Sir, how can I concur with you? It is impossible; I must speak what I know.—Thus I write out of the fulness of my heart: I feel myself to be a vile sinner.—I look to Christ; I mourn because I have pierced him. Honoured Sir, pray for me. The Lord be with your dear soul. About Spring you may expect to see,

Ever, ever yours in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXII.

To Mr. G―― L――.

Boston, Sept. 26, 1740.

My dear Friend and Brother,

I Wrote to you about a month ago from Charles-Town.—Since I came here I have received two letters from you. May the great God of heaven and earth bless your dear soul for thus assisting his poor unworthy servant: A sense of my ingratitude almost melts me into a flood of tears.—Indeed I am the very chief of sinners.—O the love, the sovereign, distinguishing, everlasting love of God my Saviour! Praise him, praise him, dear Mr. L――, with all your soul.—I hope nothing will cause a division between me and Messrs. W――s: But I must speak what I know, and confute error wheresoever I find it. About Spring I hope to come over if the Lord will.—Be pleased to inform my friends, that last Sunday was sevennight I arrived at Rhode-Island, where I preached and read prayers in the church on Monday and Tuesday to very large and affected auditories.—On Wednesday I preached at Bristol, in my way to Boston.—On Thursday night I got there, and on Friday preached, and have preached once or twice every day since.—Almost all the ministers, and vast bodies of people, have been continually pressing to hear the word of God, sometimes in the fields, and sometimes in the meeting-houses. My health is much restored by the coolness of the air.—I intend staying about a month in these 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 see by this, dear friend, how our Lord works by my unworthy hands. Ministers and people, I believe, will be much quickened.—I hope your dear soul prospers. For Christ’s sake avoid disputing; study your heart and the scriptures; get nearer and nearer to Christ, he will lead you into all truth. My most tender love to all; if opportunity any way offers, every letter received shall be answered by, dear dear Mr. L――,

The meanest of all your christian friends,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXIII.

To Mr. I――.

Boston, Sept. 26, 1740.

My dear Brother, I――,

I Thank you for your kind letter. It is the first I have received from you since I left England.—I bless God the work goes on in Yorkshire.—May our glorious, sin-forgiving Lord bless you and your spiritual children more and more! I find, our friends are got into deputing one with another.—O that the God of peace may put a stop to it! I wish many may not be building on a false foundation, and rest in a false peace. They own free justification, and yet seem to think, that their continuance in a justified state depends on their doings, and their wills.—This, I think, is establishing a righteousness of our own. My dear brother, if we search the scriptures, we shall find that the word justified implies not only pardon of sin, but also all its consequences.—“Thus (says Saint Paul) those whom he justified, them he also glorified;” so that if a man was once justified, he remains so to all eternity.—Here lies the anchor of all my hopes.—Our Lord having once loved me, he will love me to the end.—This fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory.—I now walk by faith.—I work not to keep myself in a justified state, (for men or devils can never pluck me out of Christ’s hands,) but to express my love and gratitude for what Jesus hath done for my soul. This, I think, is what the apostle calls “faith working by love.” My dear brother, my heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that we may all think and speak the same things.—For, if we are divided among ourselves, what an advantage will satan get over us? Let us love one another, excite all to come to Christ without exception, and our Lord will shew us, who are his. The work of God goes on exceedingly in America. The Lord is pleased to manifest himself unto my soul more and more. I am a naughty, stubborn child; but my dear Lord will have mercy because he will have mercy. It is owing to his distinguishing love that I am not hardened. Here is, and I believe will be a great quickning in these parts.—The cloud seems to be moving. Perhaps in the Spring we may meet face to face. With difficulty I get time to write this, but I must answer dear Brother I――’s letter.—May the Lord Jesus be continually with your spirit, and make your soul brimful of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. I love you in the bowels of the crucified Lamb. May he unite us more and more intimately to his dear self, and to one another. Salute all that love him in sincerity.—Brethren, pray for us.—That you may be kept by God’s power to eternal salvation, is the prayer of

Your most affectionate, though unworthy brother and poor weak servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXIV.

To Mr. W―― D――.

Boston, September 28, 1740.

Dear Brother W――,

I Thank you for your kind letter from Osset; I wish it was written with more life. I fear you are turning almost to a spirit of bondage: but it is good for you to be sifted, to make an experienced minister of Jesus Christ. I could not but smile, to find you wink at the decency of my dress. Alas! my brother, I have known long since what it is to be in that state you are (in my opinion) about to enter into. I myself thought once that christianity required me to go nasty. I neglected myself as much as you would have me, for above a twelvemonth: but when God gave me the spirit of adoption, I then dressed decently, as you call it, out of principle: and I am more and more convinced, that the Lord would have me act, in that respect, as I do. But I am almost ashamed to mention any such thing: rather let us talk and write of the love of Jesus; “Let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Jesus Christ hath made us free, and not be again entangled in a yoke of bondage.” God only knows whether you have done right in leaving the university, or in declining to exhort. If you do not preach till you are perfectly free from all sin, I believe you will never preach again. I could never hear of such a minister or christian yet. My dear brother, I speak freely to you, because I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. He sent his disciples to preach before they were perfect; nay, when they were weak in grace. Exercise the talents you have, and that is the way to get more. Thus has God dealt with me for these seven years. “To him that hath, shall be given.” Many of our friends talk against election: a good reason may be given. I believe they have never taken pains to search into the true state of the case. What if some abuse that doctrine; is it therefore false? No; by no means. I am persuaded, if any of our 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 owing to themselves, but to the will and promise of God, that they are now kept in a state of grace. But I will say no more. My dear brother, I love you. May the Lord lead you into all truth. Our dear Master is doing wonders among us. Praise him lustily, and with a good courage. Adieu. Dear J―― S―― salutes you and the brethren, as does

Yours affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXV.

To the Rev. Mr. Z―― M――.

Boston, Sept. 28, 1740.

Reverend and dear Brother,

I Received—I felt your letter. Surely there is a sympathy between souls that have drank into the same spirit. God willing, I purpose to come and see you; and will endeavour to send you timely notice: but oh do not expect too great things from me; for if you do, who knows but my Lord may desert me; and then what am I? Excuse the brevity of this. So many persons come to me under convictions, and for advice, that I have scarce time to eat bread. Wonderful things are doing here. The word runs like lightning. Dagon daily falls before the ark. I know you will, in spirit, pray that a due sense of his own vileness may be continually given to

Your affectionate, though unworthy, brother and servant in our glorious Emmanuel,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXVI.

To Mr. W――, at Bristol.

Boston, Sept. 28, 1740.

Dear Brother W――,

WHAT mean you by disputing in all your letters? May God give you to know yourself, and then you will not plead for absolute perfection; or call the doctrine of election a “doctrine of devils.” My dear brother, take heed; see you are in Christ a new creature. Beware of a false peace: strive to enter in at the strait gate; and give all diligence to make your calling and election sure. Remember you are but a babe in Christ, if so much. Be humble, 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 may be kept from error, both in principle and practice. Salute all the brethren. If you must dispute, stay till you are master of your subject; otherwise you will hurt the cause you would defend. Study to adorn the gospel of our Lord in all things; and forget not to pray for

Your affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXVII.

To Mr. G―― L――.

Boston, October 9, 1740.

My dear Brother L――,

I Write to you again by this ship, though I have scarce time to write a line. God works by me, I think, more than ever. I am quite well in bodily health. Ministers as well as people are stirred up, and the government is exceeding civil. In short, God is doing greater things than can be expressed. 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 sent you another copy before from Carolina. Be pleased to keep this I have now sent, till you hear of my coming to England: if I come in the Spring, I will lodge it myself; if not, be pleased to lodge it for me, and I will pay all expences. O dear brother L――, what a scene of labours and sufferings lies before me! My dear Jesus will make me more than conqueror over all: he strengthens and comforts, he converses with me by night and by day: he gives me all peace and joy in believing. I pray God to keep our dear brother S―― and others from a false stillness. I am sorry to hear such errors are risen amongst the brethren. Adieu; the Lord be with your spirit. I have already collected upwards of four hundred pounds sterling for the Orphan-house. God shews me that America must be my place for action. Once more adieu. Cease not to pray for,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCXXVIII.

To Mr. J―― H――.

Newhaven, Oct. 24, 1740.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

YOUR letter, just now brought to me by dear brother N――, gave me great comfort. With fear and trembling, ever since the late disputations, have I opened letters sent from Savannah, but blessed be God, our dear Lord is with my dear friend H――. Blessed be God, my family dwell together in unity. The God of love fill you with all peace and joy in believing. I hope a supply for your then present wants, came to you soon after you sent your letters: since that, I have sent from Boston 100 l. sterling; next week I hope to send again from New-York, and before Christmas I trust I shall see 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 souls repenting. There are some hopes of dear, dear brother N――’s coming with me. Mr. B――, one of the young ministers of Long Island, with his wife, accompanies me also; and another settled christian, who holds and experiences the truth as it is in Jesus. O that all my family may be thus minded! I suppose by this time you know how matters are determined for me, if Mr. C―― is arrived. God keeps me in suspense: suspense did I say? Blessed be his holy name, I am quite easy: I am persuaded he will chuse for me a daughter of Abraham. I know not but it may be the divine will that you should abide in Georgia, whilst I go to England. Be resigned: see if God does not bring all things about for your good: there is but little comfort to be expected in England. I find I must, if I am faithful, oppose the errors of many who, I believe, fear God: O that I may do it with meekness and wisdom. Methinks I now long to be with you all at Savannah. Pray for my speedy passage. I am glad God is scourging out the children of Belial: you have often heard me say God would do so. Never fear; a remnant will be left, which shall take root downwards, and bear fruit upwards, and yet fill the land. My dear brother, adieu: I am called away. I love you more solidly than ever. Dear J―― S――, Mr. F――, and P――, love you too: we travel very comfortably: thousands of prayers are continually put up for me and mine. My love to all, without exception. Feed the lambs, study the purity of their hearts, and thereby rejoice the soul of