LETTERS. (continued 4)

Blest is faith that trusts Christ’s power,

Blest are saints that wait his hour.

I could enlarge, but must away. My heart is full for dear New-England, and I must go to God and vent it. I can only send you and your honoured parents, and all your religious associates, and all enquiring friends, ten thousand thanks for all favours, and beg them never to cease praying for, dear Miss,

Their and your assured and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MXCVI.

To Lady P――.

Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755.

Dear Madam,

THOUGH Providence prevented my seeing you again, yet you have been much upon my heart. As a proof of it, be pleased to accept of these few hasty lines. I find you are once more called to give up your honoured husband for his country’s good. That God whom you serve, will richly reward you for such a sacrifice, and be better to you than seven husbands. I long, I long to hear that he is returned victorious. He is gone upon a good cause, and under the conduct of the best general, even the Captain of our salvation. To him I am praying night and day for the temporal and spiritual welfare of dear, never to be forgotten New-England. Courage, dear Madam, courage:—a few more partings, a few more changes, a few more heart-breakings, heart-purifying trials, and we shall be safe landed. That you and yours, dear Madam, may have a triumphant entrance administered to you into the heavenly kingdom, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,

Your Ladyship’s obliged and ready servant, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MXCVII

TO Mr. V――.

Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755.

My dear Friend,

I WROTE you a letter just before I left Charles-Town, which I find you have not received. The things sent proved bad, but I have a God to go to, who can and will supply all my wants according to the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus. I am sorry that your people continue yet as sheep having no shepherd. What I said about Mr. B――, was by commission from himself, I wish Mr. D―― may see his way clear. But who will come to be torn in pieces by two contending parties?

Giver of concord, prince of peace,

Meek lamb-like Son of God,

Bid these unchristian jarrings cease,

O quench them with thy blood!

Amidst all this, what a mercy is it, my dear friend, that Jesus shews you more of your heart. O thank him a thousand and a thousand times, for pointing out to you the sin that doth most easily beset you. Surely it is a too great love of money. Of this your friends every where take notice; and this, in many cases, makes you act an unfriendly part. If God should suffer our enemies to prevail, you will wish you had laid up more treasure in heaven. Blessed be God, mine is out of the reach of men or devils. Strange! that five per cent. from man, should be preferred to a hundred-fold from Christ! A word to the wise is sufficient. I should not have said this, lest there should be the appearance of self-interest, had you not given me the hint. But I hope you know, (however, I am sure that God knows) that I want to deny, not enrich myself. But enough of this. I am now looking out for more news from dear America. May the late defeat be sanctified; and then I doubt not but we shall be more than conquerors through the love of Christ. I often wish myself abroad; but assuredly Providence called me home.—My poor feeble labours are still blessed both in town and country, and many dear ministers of Jesus are coming out. It would delight you to be at Tabernacle. We are often in the suburbs of heaven. I write this from dear Mr. H――y’s, in my way to Yorkshire, and perhaps Ireland, I told him what you wrote about Theron and Aspasio, and he begs your prayers. O America, how near dost thou lie upon my heart! God preserve it from popish tyranny and arbitrary power! I can write no more. Adieu, my dear Mr. V――. Continue to write to me, and live and give for Jesus, who hath given you this world, and that which is to come. Was you here, methinks we should weep together. O redeeming love! How can we think of it, and at the same time not be ambitious of opportunities to spend and be spent for Jesus. Non magna loquimur, non magna scribimus, sed vivimus, is the christian’s motto. Mr. D―― can English it. I send to him, and all enquiring friends, my cordial respects. I saw his daughter well at Braintree a little while ago. There, as well as elsewhere, we had blessed seasons. I know you will join in crying Grace! grace! with, my dear Gaius,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXCVIII.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Northampton, September 1, 1755.

AND did my dear Mr. S―― direct a letter and not send me one line at a venture? Well, I thank him even for the direction, as well as for all other unmerited favours. O that it was in my power to shew my gratitude in a substantial manner! This is my comfort, God is a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping God. He will not fail those, who have confessed him or his ministers before men.—It may be, before men they shall be rewarded. Certain it is, they shall be confessed by Jesus Christ in the presence of men and angels in the kingdom of heaven. This, ere long, will be your happiness. Methinks I long for the day; but am ashamed I do no more for Jesus, who yet continues to employ me. Every where the fields are white ready unto harvest. At London, Bristol, Bath, in Gloucestershire, at Norwich, Bury, Braintree, and yesterday twice here, we had blessed seasons. I am now going into Yorkshire, and it may be to Ireland. If there should be a bloody war, God only knows when I shall see my dear New-England. Thither I find a strong attraction. O for good news from the northern forces! I suppose death must come first before life.—This is always the method of Providence. Lord, help us to pray and not faint! Happy they who have got a Jesus to fly to: he is our refuge from every storm. Your whole self and all enquiring friends do I most earnestly commend to his never-failing mercy, as being, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXCIX.

To Colonel P――.

Northampton, September 1, 1755.

My dear Sir,

ACCORDING to my promise, before I embarked for England, I sent you the copy of my oath, from Charles-Town; which, I fear, is not come to hand, because not mentioned in either of your letters, which I had the pleasure of receiving a few days ago. In my way northward, I take the first opportunity of thanking you for both, and at the same time heartily thank the Captain of our salvation, for giving you grace to stand to your colours, and persist in your spiritual warfare. Perhaps, ere this reaches Boston, you may be called out in the service of your country. May your head, and the heads of all engaged, be covered in every day of battle; and may our troops be made in the end more than conquerors through the love of God! This is what we are assured of in our spiritual combat.—Jesus, who is truth itself, hath told us, that nothing shall pluck us out of his almighty hands. Though faint then, let us still pursue. Through the Redeemer strengthening me, I am yet continuing my feeble labours, which, I trust, are not in vain in the Lord. Fain would I be with you; but Providence seems to have cast my lot at present here. Well, my dear Sir, there is a place, at which, though absent from, we may be present with each other; I mean the throne of grace. There, God willing, I will often meet you. I know you will accept the challenge, and God himself will say, Amen. Glad should I be to hear from you frequently. O for good news from dear New-England! Blessed be God for what you send me concerning Mrs. P――. May root and branch be spared for the Mediator’s glory! To his tender, never-failing mercy, do I most humbly commend you, and all other enquiring friends, as being, my dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MC.

To Mrs. M――.

Liverpool, Sept. 12, 1755.

Dear Madam,

ERE this can reach you, I hope the days of your mourning will be ended. By your last to Mr. W―― I find your harp was hanging upon the willows, your chariot wheels taken off, and your poor soul driving heavily. Add to all this,—Satan was besetting you on every side, and so daring as to say, “Where is now thy God?”—This is his common artifice; thus he attacked the great High-priest and blessed apostle of our profession, “If thou be the Son of God, &c.” But if you love not Jesus, whence this pain of absence? Why so often crying out,

For to my soul it’s hell to be

But for one moment void of thee?

This is not the language of a hypocrite. No: it is the native, genuine cry of a new and heaven-born soul. Woman, therefore, why weepest thou? Thy Lord hath drank of this bitter cup before thee.

He knows what this temptation means,

For he hath felt the same.

Look then to Him, dear Madam, who upon the cross cried out in the bitterness of his soul, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The Redeemer is now only giving you blessings in disguise, and teaching you instructive lessons by the thorns and briars of the wilderness. Now is the time for you to prove the strength of Jesus yours, and to learn to live upon a God that changeth not. Be pleased to excuse this freedom. At Mr. W――d’s desire I take it. Your advice to him, amidst all your gloom, bespeaks your concern for the ark of God; I wish he may take it. But I love not to interfere in other people’s plans, any further than I can contribute a mite towards promoting the common salvation. This principle made me incline to see Ireland, but I believe the season is too far gone. The Redeemer’s time is best. O that all may have grace given them to wait his leisure! Then will affairs have a more comfortable aspect, and many wrong touches of the ark be happily prevented. Blessed be God, in many places the word runs and is glorified. O that I could begin to begin to do something for Jesus! I wish that Mr. C―― may be raised to work for him once more. And yet, methinks it is cruel to wish him to stay longer out of heaven. God give me patience to wait till my wished-for change shall come! My cordial respects await all that love Christ Jesus in sincerity.—Be pleased to accept the same for your whole self, from, dear Madam,

Your sympathizing friend, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCI.

To Mr. S――.

Newcastle, September 24, 1755.

My very dear Sir,

AT length I can sit down, and send you (what I know you dearly love) some good news concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ. O infinite condescension! He hath vouchsafed to own and bless my feeble labours all the way. At Northampton we had blessed seasons; at Lady H――n’s, the Lord of all Lords was with us of a truth; at Liverpool I trust some fallow ground was broken up; at Bolton the cup of many ran over; at Manchester people heard most gladly; and at Leeds and Bradford, what many felt, I believe, is unutterable. In my way hither, I hope a smart gentleman was touched at York, and several I find were awakened when I was at this place last. Lord, what am I?

If thou excuse, then work thy will,

By so unfit an instrument;

It will at once thy goodness shew,

And prove thy power omnipotent.

What God does further, you may hear by and by. Perhaps I am at the end of my northern circuit, and I fear I am too impatient to get at the end of my christian race. I long, I long to see Jesus. Well, he that comes, will come and will not tarry. His reward is with him; then, but not till then, shall you and yours be fully recompensed, for strengthening my poor feeble hands in the Lord. He only knows how feeble. Surely this is grace indeed, to employ such a wretch as I am. Help me to adore it. Continue to pray for me, and thereby add to the obligations already conferred on, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCII.

To Lady H――n.

Newcastle, September 24, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I KNOW not how long it is since I left your Ladyship; but this I know, a sense of the satisfaction I felt when at ♦Donnington, still lies upon my heart. Surely, was I not called out to public work, waiting upon and administring to your Ladyship in holy offices would be my choice and highest privilege. But Jesus calls, and therefore I travel to do or suffer thy will, O God! The only new ground that hath been broken up, I think is Liverpool; there the prospect is promising. I preached in a great square on the Lord’s day, and the alarm I hear went through the town. At Bolton the cup of God’s people ran over; and at Manchester we had large auditories and blessed seasons. At Leeds we felt what is unutterable, and at Bradford, I believe, last Sunday the congregation consisted of at least ten thousand. But O how hath my pleasure been alloyed at Leeds! I rejoiced there with trembling; for unknown to me, they had almost finished a large house in order to form a separate congregation. If this scheme succeeds, an awful separation I fear will take place amongst the societies. I have written to Mr. W――, and have done all I could to prevent it. O this self-love, this self-will! It is the devil of devils. Lord Jesus, may thy blessed spirit purge it out of all our hearts! But O how must the divine Paraclete sit as a refiner’s fire upon the heart, in order to bring this about! Few choose such fiery purgations, and therefore so few make the progress that might justly be expected of them in the divine life. Make me, O God, willing to be made, willing to be, to do, or suffer what thou pleasest, and then――what then?—this foolish fluttering heart will sweetly be moulded into the divine image.—This I write from Newcastle, where the people twice a day hear the gospel gladly. At York I hope a fine gentleman was touched, and several I find were awakened there, and here also, at my last visit. What to do now, I know not. Calls on all sides are very loud, and it is too late to go either to Ireland or Scotland. O my God!—Winter is at hand, and in the summer how little hath been done for thee! I cannot bear to live at this poor dying rate. My good and ever-honoured Lady, add; for Christ’s sake add to my already innumerable obligations, by praying for a poor unfruitful and ungrateful dwarf. I am sick of my vileness, and yet just comes in a letter acquainting me, that my preaching hath been blessed to many this morning. Good God, what is this? Grace! Grace! I am lost, I am lost.

Take me Uriel, take me hence,

And bear my soul to God.

Your Ladyship sees I am running into my old fault. I cannot well help it, when writing to your Ladyship. May the choicest of God’s mercies rest on you and yours! I hope my poor but sincere respects will find acceptance with Lady S――’s, Master H――, &c. I must away to pray for your Ladyship and them, and therefore hasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCIII.

To Mr. D―― B――.

Newcastle, October 4, 1755.

My dear Friend,

WHO would but wish to be in heaven, where we shall enjoy the communion of saints without interruption? Whilst here, how long is it before we can answer each other’s letters? With difficulty I now sit down to answer your last; for these seven or eight days past, I have been deeply engaged in travelling, and preaching thrice a day. Jesus Christ hath made it pleasant to my soul, and comfortably supported my weak body. It being so late in the year, I cannot proceed further northward. However I must write, if it be only to let you know, that my dear Scotch friends are continually upon my heart, and that I most earnestly beg the continuance of their prayers. I am a dwarf,—I am a dwarf,—and that is enough to excite their pity. Alas! alas! Autumn is come, winter is drawing on, and (O my God) how little have I done for thee in the summer. The concern I feel upon this account almost prevents my writing. Adieu, I must retire.—My tender love to Mrs. B――, and all that are so kind as to inquire after me. Exhort them to love, and live near to the ever-loving Jesus, and for his great name’s sake, never to forget, my dear friend,

Their and your affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCIV.

To Mr. ――.

London, October 31, 1755.

My very dear Friend,

LAST night, a never-failing God brought me from the north of England, where I have been enabled to preach twice and thrice a day, to many, many thousands for these two months last past. And yet I cannot die.—Nay they tell me, “I grow fat.” O that I may grow in grace, especially in humility! Then would the Lord delight to honour me. Vile as I am, this he continues to do. Never did I see the word more blessed, or so many thousands run after it with greater greediness. Next to inviting them to Christ, I have always taken care to exhort them to pray for King George, and our dear friends in America. I trust, that thousands are now engaged this way, and whatever dark providences may intervene, I hope to hear they have been more than conquerors.—“Pray continue to write,” I often tell my friend. I often think of him who sent me the glass, before the friend of sinners. God almighty bless you and yours, and all enquiring dear souls, with all spiritual and temporal blessings! I see some are marrying, and others giving in marriage. May the Lord Jesus sanctify every change, till we all come to sit down at the marriage feast of the supper of the Lamb! There I hope ere long to meet you. Fly, fly, Time: hasten, hasten, O wished-for Eternity! Adieu: my tender love to all. I wish dear Mr. T―― a good help-mate, but above all, I wish him much success in espousing poor sinners to the ever adorable Jesus. Once more farewel.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCV.

To Mr. B――.

London, November 1, 1755.

My dear Mr. B――,

ON Thursday evening, a never-failing Providence brought me in safety from my northern circuit, and this morning I find a letter of a distant date from you, which before I look over my other letters, I sit down to answer. And what shall I say? Blessed be God, I have good news to send you from the north country; never did I see the word of God have freer course, or congregations more numerous or attentive. I was strengthened to preach generally twice or thrice a day, and thanks be to my gracious Master, my poor carcase held it out. Next to Jesus, my King and country were upon my heart. I acted as at Stroud, and other parts of Gloucestershire, and I hope I shall always think it my bounden duty, next to inviting sinners to the blessed Jesus, to exhort my hearers to exert themselves against the first approaches of popish tyranny and arbitrary power. O that we may be enabled to watch and pray against all the opposition of Antichrist in our hearts; for after all, there lies the most dangerous man of sin; there is the temple in which he sits, exalting himself above all that is called God. And what shall, what can destroy him? Nothing but the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and the brightness of his appearing, by his blessed spirit in our souls. O for more of this baptismal fire! God give you, and the dear Alderman, to pray earnestly for me, that I may begin at length to be a little alive to my God. O winter! winter! how near art thou drawing, and how little have I done for Jesus in the summer! Perhaps before Christmas I may see you again. Future things belong to Jesus. To his tender never-failing mercy do I most heartily commit you, and the dear Alderman, all your relations, and all enquiring friends, and once more beg that you will not forget to pray for, my dear Mr. B――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCVI.

To Lady H――n.

London, November 1, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

WHAT shall I say? Indeed and indeed, it hath given me great concern, that I could not perform my promise to return to Donnington-park so soon as I expected.—But had I done so, I must have failed preaching at least to above fifty thousand souls, who at different places ran most greedily many miles after the everlasting gospel. This I thought your Ladyship would by no means approve of, and therefore acquiesced. On Thursday evening, with no small regret I came to town, after having preached about a hundred times, and travelled about eight hundred miles in the country. Blessed be God, my feeble carcase was strengthened to hold out, though for more than ten days together, I preached thrice a day.—O that I could preach three hundred times! all would be little enough, (alas, alas, infinitely too little) to testify my feeble love to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. I hope that your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, will enjoy much of his blessed spirit, in your present sweet retreat. After about a week’s stay here, I hope to move westward. O winter, winter! haste and fly, that I may again set out, and begin to spring for my God! I know I shall have your Ladyship’s prayers, and I am sure your Ladyship and family and friends have mine. Yesterday I waited upon the Countess D――, and on Thursday, God willing, I am to dine with her Ladyship. Blessed be God, all was well. O for growth in grace! O for the total destruction of self and selfishness! Alas, what inward purgations and martyrdoms must be undergone! Lord Jesus, we are the clay, and thou art the potter; stamp thine image in what way thou pleasest! I know your Ladyship will say, Amen. I trust an “Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly,” is sincerely added by, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCVII.

To the Honourable J―― R――.

London, Numbers 7, 1755.

Very dear Sir,

ARE you yet called out in defence of your country? The measures taken by your honourable and loyal council and assembly, I hope will be blessed to prevent a stir so near to Boston. I am glad to hear, that the Ladies are employed in making the soldiers cloaths; I trust my female friends are some of the most active. Surely, the cause is the cause of God, and if done out of love to Jesus, this labour of love shall not go unrewarded. God make male and female good soldiers of Jesus Christ! Nothing like fighting under his banner; he is a refuge from every storm. I can only add, that I most earnestly commend you and yours, and the whole circle of my never to be forgotten friends, to his never-failing mercy, and intreat you to accept these few hasty lines, as a token of love and respect unfeigned, from, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCVIII.

To the Honourable A―― O――.

London, November 8, 1755.

Very dear Sir,

I HEAR you have been sitting night and day in council. May Jesus, the wonderful counsellor, preside in your assembly, and influence you to pursue such measures, as may be blessed to the humbling a persidious enemy, and making the dear New Englanders more than conquerors through the love of God! All we can do on this side the water, is to pray. This I trust thousands are doing every day.—I seldom preach, without mentioning dear New England. O for more good news from that part of yonder new world! O that this time of outward danger, may be sanctified to the exciting of greater zeal against our inward spiritual enemies! For after all, the man of sin in our own hearts, is the greatest foe the real christian hath to fear. May Jesus destroy him both within and without, by the breath of his mouth, and the brightness of his appearing! Blessed be God, the prospect is promising here! In the north of England, the word runs and is glorified more than ever, and in London people flock like doves to the windows:—and yet I feel a strong attraction for America. Pray be so kind, very dear Sir, to send me some account now and then, how matters stand.—Perhaps it may be of some service. I could enlarge, but must drop a line or two more to some more friends, and therefore can only send my most cordial salutations to yourself, and whole houshold, and begging a continued interest in your prayers, subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Your most obliged, affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, November 10, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter, found me just returned from Chatham, and led me (as your Ladyship’s letters always do) to a throne of grace. I immediately threw myself prostrate before God, and earnestly prayed, in my poor feeble manner, that grace, mercy, and peace might be multiplied upon your Ladyship, and your happy family. The Court, in the best sense of the word, is now removed to Clifton. For there only is the real court kept, where Jesus reigns, and where he has erected a spiritual kingdom in the heart. All besides this, is only tinsel and glitter. Here alone is real and abiding happiness to be found. O for further searches into the heighths and depths of God? O for further leadings into the chambers of that selfish, sensual, and devilish imagery, that yet lie latent in my partly renewed heart. This self-love, what a Proteus! This self-will, what an Hydra? This remaining body of sin and death, what an antichrist! what a scarlet whore! what a hell! what a red dragon! what a cursed monster is it! How hard, how slow he dies! O what gratitude do I owe to the bruiser of this serpent’s head! O for a heart gladly to embrace every cross, every trying dispensation, that may have a tendency to poison, or starve, or nip the buddings of the old, and cherish, promote, or cause to bloom and blossom the graces and tempers of the new man in my soul! Ordinances, providences, doctrines, (I am more and more convinced) are of no service to believers, than as they are attended with this mortifying and life-giving power. Happy family, that have this one thing in view! Happy retirement, that is improved to this blessed purpose! Happy, therefore, good Lady H――n, and the other elect Ladies, who are determined thus to go on hand in hand to heaven! All hail, ye new-born, heaven-born souls! ye know, by happy experience, that Jesus is an inward as well as an outward saviour, and that he came indeed and indeed to redeem us from this present evil world. Was even annihilation to follow at death, who would but have this redemption whilst they live? But, glory, glory be to God, it is only the dawning of an eternal day, the beginning of a life that is ere long to be absorbed and swallowed up in never-ceasing, uninterrupted fruition of the ever-blessed triune Deity. O the depth, the height of this love of God! It passeth human and angelic knowledge. My paper only permits me to add, (God knows it is with gratitude and sincerity) that I am, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCX.

To Mr. S――.

Bristol, November 30, 1755.

My very dear Sir,

TO be three weeks without sending you a line, seems a long while to me. What if we should meet ere long in an endless and happy eternity? For near ten days past I have preached in pain, occasioned by a sore throat, which I find now is the beginning of an inflammatory quinsey. Silence and warmth, the doctor tells me, under God, may cure me, but heaven (if I had my will) is my choice, especially if I can speak no longer on earth for my God. However, painful and expensive as, in a spiritual sense, the medicine of silence is, I have promised to be very obedient, and therefore I have not preached this morning. If I grow better, (as the world terms it) I hope to see you in about a fortnight, if otherwise, God willing, you shall hear from me again. Blessed be Jesus, I am ready; I know that my Redeemer liveth. O that all who were lately swallowed up in Portugal, had known it! Then an earthquake would only be a rumbling chariot to carry the soul to God. Poor Lisbon! how soon are all thy riches and superstitious pageantry swallowed up! What a shock must the news give to a full exchange! Who would but lay up treasure in heaven? Thanks be to God, for teaching you, my very dear Sir, this heavenly art! May you and yours improve in it every day and hour. This is my comfort, all my goods are gone before me. O the pleasure of having nothing, and yet possessing all things in Jesus! This be my happy lot! I beg a continued interest in your prayers, and trust that living and dying you will always be remembered by, my very dear friend,

Your most affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXI.

To the Reverend Mr. H―― D――.

Bristol, Dec. 6, 1755.

My dear Friend and Brother,

ONE would think, that Providence did in a more immediate manner interpose to prevent our meeting. I saw your last to Mr. M――n, and intended to have answered it for him, but it hath pleased a gracious and sovereign God to silence me for a few days, by a sore throat, which was like to have terminated in an inflammatory quinsey. This gave me hopes of putting into port; but it seems I am yet to put out to sea again. O that my stammering tongue may be loosed, and that I may begin to begin to speak in earnest for my God! Every thing, both from within and without, calls upon us to cry aloud and spare not. Whatever becomes of ill and hell-deserving me, may the ever-loving and ever-lovely Jesus cause your bow to abide in strength! I trust many arrows have stuck fast in the North of England; and in the West, I trust, the sword of the Lord hath not returned empty. On Monday se’nnight, God willing, I purpose going to Gloucester, and hope to be in London soon. Our meeting, therefore, must necessarily be put off till Spring. In the meanwhile, I should be glad to see and converse with Mr. J――, of whom I have heard a good report. I am sorry there is no greater connection between England and Wales. The harvest is great, and the disinterested labourers are few. This is my comfort, the Lord of the harvest can and will, in his own time and way, thrust out more labourers into the harvest. That he may own and bless you, and all in your connection, more and more, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCXII.

To Lady H――n.

London, December 31, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter should not have lain so long by me, had not bodily weakness, and my Christmas labours, prevented my writing. Indeed and indeed my good Lady, it hath been a joyful mournful season to my inward man. For exclusive of a pretty sharp outward trial, Saturday last being my birth-day, my soul was deeply exercised from morning till evening, in thinking how much in one-and-forty years I have sinned against, and how little I have done for an infinitely good and ever-blessed God. This impression yet lies deep upon my heart, and therefore, through divine assistance, I purpose to end the old year in preaching on those words, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” O that all things belonging to the old man, may die in me, and all things belonging to the new man live and grow in me! But alas, this is a work of time. Every day and every hour must we be passing from death to life. Mortification and vivification make up the whole of the divine work in the new-born soul. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; have compassion on this barren fig-tree, and if it is to be spared another year, so dig and dung round it, that it may bring forth much fruit unto God! But shall I conceal the goodness of my long-suffering Master? No: I dare not;—for in spite of my unworthiness, he still continues to smile upon my poor ministrations, and gives me to see his stately steps in the great congregations. A noble chapel is now opened in Long-acre, where I am to read prayers and preach twice a week. Hundreds went away last night, who could not come in; but those that could, I trust, met with Jesus. Mr. C―― and I have met twice, and hope for a third interview very soon. Lord Jesus, make me a peace-maker! I am obliged to Mrs. W―― and the other Ladies for their kind remembrance of an unworthy worm. I return it, by earnestly praying, that they and your Ladyship may be filled with all the fulness of God. I can rise no higher, and therefore, with all possible acknowledgments for all unmerited favours, I must hasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXIII.

To Mr. S――.

London, January 1, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

YOUR not answering my two last sooner, gave me pain; sorrows are lessened, and joys become greater by being communicated. It is so with an earthly friend, much more so with the friend of sinners.

Our sorrows and our tears we pour,

Into the bosom of our God.

He bottles them all up, and will not suffer one of them to fall to the ground unregarded. I hope that these trials, which, like Job’s messengers, come one upon the back of another, by being sanctified, will make your soul as a watered garden. You know who hath said, “They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.” O blessed religion, that shews us the holy art of gaining by our losses, and rising by our falls! Was it in my power, this letter should enclose something that would stop every temporal gap; but I am not rich at present. Poor, yet endeavouring to make many rich, I would have my motto still! Thanks be to God, at our lowest estate we can draw on the bank of heaven. A believer never hath a bill protested there. “My God (says the Apostle Paul) shall supply all your need according to his riches in Christ Jesus.” Away, and endorse it afresh, and send it directly away post on the wings of prayer. Never fear any trial that sends you to your knees; You must then needs go forward whether you know it or not. I would enlarge, but weakness prevents. I have been in the furnace; I hope it is intended to prepare me for fresh success. The awakening at London seems to be quite new. Adieu, adieu. I am called away.

Ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

London, January 22, 1756.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

ENCLOSED you have some extracts, which perhaps may afford you comfort, and I trust will excite you to pray for one, who is indeed less than the least of all saints. Ever since I came from the North, it hath pleased a sovereign Lord to visit me with a violent cold and sore throat, which threatened an inflammatory quinsey. Such a thing, I hoped, would have soon carried me, where this cold heart should for ever be inflamed with seraphic love. But alas! I fear this wish’d-for time is not at hand. One physician prescribed a perpetual blister, but I have found perpetual preaching to be a better remedy. When this grand catholicon fails, it is over with me. You will pray, that (if I must put out to sea again) it may be to take some fresh prizes for my God. Every day brings us fresh news of newly awakened souls. Both at this and the other end of the town, (where I now preach at a chapel twice a week) there is a glorious stirring amongst the dry bones. My heart is pained for dear America; but I trust the Lord will fight their battles, and make them more than conquerors. Happy they who have fled to Jesus: he is a strong and sure refuge from every storm. I hope he hath appeared for his cause at Glasgow. May that dear people never be left without many teaching priests! I send my kind host and hostess, and all enquiring friends, most cordial respects, and beg you to accept the same from, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXV.

To Lady H――n.

London, January 29, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship will see by the inclosed, how dangerous it is to give me liberty. I would not grow upon it, and yet I cannot discharge my conscience, unless I lay particular distressing applications before your Ladyship. I know the person mentioned in Mr. G――’s letter, and believe he belongs to the little flock of Jesus: the best recommendation that can be laid before your Ladyship. I doubt not but what your Ladyship hath done in behalf of the prisoner, will have good effect: I do not know how soon I may be called before my superiors myself. The sons of Tubal and Cain continue to serenade me at Long-Acre chapel. They have been called before a justice; and yesterday the Bishop of B―― sent for them, and enquired where I lived. My house is pretty public, and the Bishop of souls shall answer for me:—he does. One, who subscribes to hire men to make the noise, hath been pricked to the heart, and can have no rest till he speaks with me. Thus Jesus gets himself the victory.――One of the inclosed extracts comes from a person, that a few weeks ago was a confirmed deist: now, I trust, he is a little child. The Redeemer speaks, and it is done; he commands, and new creatures instantaneously arise before him. Your Ladyship enjoined me to be particular; I could be more so, but must send a few lines to the elect Ladies. That they may find both them and your Ladyship filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVI.

To Mr. F――.

January 30 1756.

Honoured Sir,

GRATITUDE constrains me to send you a few lines of thanks for the care and zeal you have expressed in suppressing the late disorders at Long-Acre chapel. A better acknowledgment will, I trust, await you at his bar, by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice, and who hath instituted magistracy to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well. I hear that some unhappy man hath incurred the penalty inflicted by our salutary laws. As peace, not revenge, is the thing aimed at, I should rejoice if this could be procured without the delinquents suffering any further punishment. Perhaps what hath been done already, may be sufficient to deter others from any further illegal proceedings, and that will be satisfaction enough, honoured Sir, to

Your much obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVII.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 2, 1756.

My Lord,

A FEW weeks ago, several serious persons chosen to be a committee for one Mr. B――, applied to me in the name of Jesus Christ, and a multitude of souls desirous of hearing the gospel, to preach at a place commonly called Long-Acre chapel. At the same time they acquainted me, “That the place was licensed; that Mr. B―― either had taken, or was to take it for a certain term of years, and had preached in it for a considerable time, as a protestant Dissenting minister: notwithstanding, (they added) I might use the Liturgy if I thought proper, so that I would but come and preach once or twice a week.” Looking upon this as a providential call, from him, who in the days of his flesh taught all that were willing to hear, on a mount, in a ship, or by the sea-side, and who after his ascension, commanded us by his Apostle, to be “instant in season and out of season,” I readily complied, and humbly hope that my feeble, though I trust sincere labours, have not been altogether in vain in the Lord. This being the case, your Lordship will necessarily suppose, that I was somewhat surprized at the prohibition I received from your Lordship this evening. For I looked upon the place as a particular person’s property, and being, as I was informed, not only unconsecrated, but also licensed according to law, I thought I might innocently preach the love of a crucified Redeemer, and for his great name’s sake, loyalty to the best of princes our dread sovereign King George, without giving any just offence to Jew or Gentile, much less to any bishop or overseer of the church of God. As I have therefore given notice of preaching to-morrow evening, and every Tuesday and Thursday whilst I am in town, I hope your Lordship will not look upon it as contumacy, or done out of contempt, if I persist in prosecuting my design, till I am more particularly apprized wherein I have erred. Controversy, my Lord, is what I abhor, and as raising popular clamours, and ecclesiastical dissentions must be quite unseasonable, especially at this juncture, when France and Rome and hell ought to be the common butt of our resentment, I hope your Lordship will be so good as to inform yourself and me more particularly about this matter; and upon due conviction, as I have no design but to do good to precious souls, I promise to submit. But if your Lordship should judge it best to decline this method, and I should be called to answer for my conduct, either before a spiritual court, or from the press, I trust the irregularity I am charged with, will appear justifiable to every true lover of English liberty, and what is all to me, will be approved of at the awful and impartial tribunal of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, in obedience to whom I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVIII.

To Mr. B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 9, 1756.

Reverend Sir,

ON our late fast day, a collection was made at the Tabernacle where I preach, eighty pounds of which I have deposited in the hands of Mr. A――, in Fleet-street, for the use of the poor persecuted French protestants. That our great and compassionate High-priest may accept it as done to himself, and bless you and the honourable society established for promoting so laudable a charity, is the hearty prayer of, reverend Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the cause of our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXIX.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 16, 1756.

My Lord,

I THIS evening received your Lordship’s kind letter, and though it is late, and nature calls for rest, yet in the fear of him to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, I desire now to sit down and give your Lordship an explicit answer. God, even that God by whom I am to be judged, can witness, that with a disinterested view to promote his glory, and the welfare of precious and immortal souls, I entered into holy orders, according to the form of ordination of the church of England; and, as thousands can testify, for near these twenty years last past, I have conscientiously defended her homilies and articles, and upon all occasions spoken well of her liturgy. Either of these, together with her discipline, I am so far from renouncing, much less from throwing aside all regard to, that I earnestly pray for the due restoration of the one, and daily lament the wanton departure of too, too many from the other. But, my Lord, what can I do? When I acted in the most regular manner, and when I was bringing multitudes even of Dissenters themselves to croud the churches, without any other reason being given than that too many followed after me, I was denied the use of them. Being thus excluded, and many thousands of ignorant souls, that perhaps would neither go to church nor meeting-houses, being very hungry after the gospel, I thought myself bound in duty to deal out to them the bread of life. Being further ambitious to serve my God, my King, and my country, I sacrificed my affections, and left my native soil, in order to begin and carry on an Orphan-house in the infant colony of Georgia, which, through the divine blessing, is put upon a good foundation. This served as an introduction, though without design, to my visiting the other parts of his Majesty’s dominions in North-America; and I humbly hope, that many made truly serious in that foreign clime, will be my joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. If it was not for this hope, nay, my Lord, if I was not assured, that the blessed Redeemer (O amazing condescension) hath vouchsafed to own me for the real conversion, and turning of many from darkness to light, the weakness of my frequently worn out and decaying body, the innumerable temptations that have beset my soul, together with the violent opposition I have met with from various quarters, would long since have quite overwhelmed, and at least have prevailed on me to accept some of those offers that have been made me to nestle, by accepting of which I might have screened myself from that obloquy and contempt, which, in some degree or other, every day I have the honour to meet with for Jesu’s sake. But hitherto having obtained help from God, without eating a morsel of the church of England’s bread, I still continue to use her liturgy, wherever a church or chapel is allowed me, and preach up her articles, and enforce her homilies. Your Lordship therefore judgeth exceeding right, when you say, “I presume you do not mean to declare any dissent from the church of England.”—Far be it from me; no, my Lord, unless thrust out, I shall never leave her, and even then (as I hope whenever it happens it will be an unjust extrusion) I shall still continue to adhere to her doctrines, and pray for the much wished-for restoration of her discipline, even to my dying day. Fond of displaying her truly protestant and orthodox principles, especially when church and state are in danger from a cruel and popish enemy, I am glad, my Lord, of an opportunity of preaching, though it should be in a meeting-house; and I think it discovers a good and moderate spirit in the Dissenters, who will quietly attend on the church service, as many have done, and continue to do at Long-Acre chapel, while many, who I suppose stile themselves her faithful sons, by very improper instruments of reformation, have endeavoured to disturb and molest us. If the lessor of this chapel, my Lord, hath no power to let it out, or if it be not legally and properly licensed, I have been deceived indeed; and if upon enquiry I find this to be the case, I shall soon declare in the most public manner, how both your Lordship and myself have been imposed upon. But if it appears, that the lessor hath a right to dispose of his own property, and that the place is licensed, if not in the court books of the Quarter Sessions, yet in the Commons or some other proper court; and as some good, I trust, has been, and hope will yet be done by this foolishness of preaching, surely your Lordship’s candour will overlook a little irregularity; since I fear that in these dregs of time, these last days, wherein we live, we must be obliged to be irregular, or in short we must do no good at all. My Lord, I remember well, (and O that I may more than ever obey your Lordship’s admonition) and often recollect that awful day wherein I was ordained priest, and when authority was given me, by my honoured friend and father good Bishop Benson, to preach the word of God. O that the glorious exhortation, which he delivered with so much solemnity, may be written upon the tables of my heart! Mindful of this, I shall be always ready to go out, and seek for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed abroad, and be willing to spend and be spent for the good of his children which are in the midst of this naughty world. Never did I so much as dream, my Lord, that this was only a local commission, or that the condition annexed, “Where you shall be lawfully appointed thereunto,” was to confine me to any particular place, and that it would be unlawful for me to preach out of it. It is plain my Lord Bishop of Gloucester did not think so; for when his secretary brought a licence for me, his Lordship said, “It would cost me thirty shillings, and therefore I should not have it.” And when after being presented to the late Bishop of London, I applied to him for a licence, his lordship was pleased to say, “I was going to Georgia, and needed none.” Accordingly I preached in most of the London churches under his Lordship’s immediate inspection; and why any other licence than my letters of orders should now be required, I believe no substantial, I am positive no truly scriptural, reason can be assigned. It is true, as your Lordship observes, there is one canon that says, “That no curate or minister shall be permitted to serve in any place, without examination and admission of the Bishop of the diocese.” And there is another also, as quoted by your Lordship, which tells us, “That neither minister, church-wardens, nor any other officers of the church, shall suffer any man to preach within their chapels, but such as, by shewing their licence to preach, shall appear unto them to be sufficiently authorized thereunto.” But, my Lord, what curacy or parsonage have I desired, or do I desire to be admitted to serve in? Or into what church or chapel do I attempt to intrude myself, without leave from the churchwardens or other officers? No, my Lord, being, as I think, without cause denied admission into the churches, I am content to take the field, and when the weather will permit, with a table for my pulpit, and the heavens, for my sounding-board, I desire to proclaim to all, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Besides, my Lord, if this canon should be always put into full execution, I humbly presume, that no bishop or presbyter can legally preach at any time out of the diocese in which he is appointed to serve; consequently no city incumbent can even occasionally be lawfully assisted by any country clergyman, or even a bishop himself be lawfully permitted to preach a charity sermon out of his own diocese, without a special licence for so doing. And what a loss would that be to many noble charities here in town? As for that other canon which your Lordship mentions, and which runs thus, “Neither shall any minister, not licensed as is aforesaid, presume to appoint or hold any meetings for sermons, commonly termed by some, prophecies or exercises, in market towns or other places, under the said pains.” I need not inform your Lordship, that it was originally levelled against those who would not conform to the church of England, and that too in such high flying times, which I cannot believe any one of the present moderate bench of bishops would wish to see again restored. And if this be the true state of the case, how, my Lord, doth this canon belong to me, who am episcopally ordained, and have very lately published a small tract (which I humbly beg your Lordship’s acceptance of) on purpose to recommend the communion office of the church of England? But, my Lord, to come nearer to the point in hand, (and for Christ’s sake let not your Lordship be offended with my using such plainness of speech) I would, as in the presence of the living God, put it to your Lordship’s conscience, whether there is one bishop or presbyter in England, Wales, or Ireland, that looks upon our canons as his rule of action? If they do, we are all perjured with a witness, and consequently, in a very bad sense of the word, irregular indeed. May I not, therefore, say on this, alluding to what my blessed Master did on another occasion, “He that is without the sin of acting illegally, if the canons of our church be implicitly to be obeyed, let him cast the first stone at me and welcome.” Your Lordship knows full well, that canons and other church laws are good and obligatory, when conformable to the laws of Christ, and agreeable to the liberties of a free people; but when invented and compiled by men of little hearts and bigotted principles, on purpose to hinder persons of more enlarged souls from doing good, or being more extensively useful, they become mere bruta fulmina; and when made use of only as cords to bind up the hands of a zealous few, that honestly appear for their King, their country, and their God, like the withes with which the Philistines bound Sampson, in my opinion, they may very legally be broken. What pains and penalties are to be incurred for such offence, (as I have not the canons at present before me) I cannot tell; but for my own part, my Lord, if any penalty is incurred, or any pain to be inflicted upon me, for prophesying or preaching against sin, the Pope, and the devil, and for recommending the strictest loyalty to the best of princes, his Majesty King George, in this metropolis, or any other part of his Majesty’s dominions, I trust, through grace, I shall be enabled to say,

All hail reproach, and welcome pain!

I think there now remains but one more particular in your Lordship’s letter to be answered:—your Lordship’s truly apostolical canon taken out of 2 Corinthians x. 16; upon turning to, and reading of which, I could not help thinking, my Lord, of a passage I once met with in good Mr. Philip Henry’s life. It was this: Being ejected out of the church, and yet thinking it his duty to preach, he used now and then to give the people of Broad-Oaks, where he lived, a gospel sermon; and one day, as he was coming from his exercise, and meeting with the incumbent, he thus addressed him: “Sir, I have been taking the liberty of throwing a handful of seed into your field.” “Have you so, said the good man? may God give it his blessing! There is work enough for us both.” This, my Lord, I humbly conceive, is the case not only of your Lordship, but of every minister’s parish in London, and every bishop’s diocese in England; and therefore as good is done, and souls are benefited, I hope your Lordship will not regard a little irregularity, since at the worst, it is only the irregularity of doing well. But supposing this should not be admitted as an excuse at other seasons, I would hope it will have its weight at this critical juncture, wherein, if there were ten thousand sound preachers, and each preacher had a thousand tongues, they could not well be too frequently employed in calling upon the inhabitants of Great-Britain to be upon their guard, against the cruel and malicious designs of France, of Rome, and of hell. After all, my Lord, if your Lordship will be pleased to apply to Mr. B―― himself, (who, I suppose, knows where the place is registered) or if upon enquiry I shall find, that the lessor hath no power to let it out, as I hate and abhor every dishonourable action, after my setting out for Bristol, which I expect to do in a few days, I shall decline preaching in the chapel any more. But if the case should appear to be otherwise, I hope your Lordship will not be angry, if I persist in this, I trust not unpardonable, irregularity: for if I decline preaching in every place, meerly because the incumbent may be unwilling I should come into his parish, I fear I must seldom or never preach at all; and this, my Lord, especially at this juncture, when all our civil and religious liberties are as it were at stake, would to me be worse than death itself. I humbly ask pardon for detaining your Lordship so long, but being willing to give your Lordship all the satisfaction I possibly could, I have chosen rather to sit up and deny myself proper repose, than to let your Lordship’s candid letter lie by me one moment longer than was absolutely necessary. I return your Lordship a thousand thanks for your favourable opinion of me, and good wishes, and begging the continuance of your Lordship’s blessing, and earnestly praying, that whenever your Lordship shall be called hence, you may give up your account with joy, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXX.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 23, 1756.

My Lord,

SINCE I had the honour of writing my last letter to your Lordship, I have made inquiry, and find that the certificate is in the hands of one Mr. Culverwell, with whom Mr. Gardiner lodges. I think he told me, the place was licensed in the Commons, and as far as I can judge, Mr. Barnard’s committee do not intend to let the chapel go out of their hands. As therefore, your Lordship would undoubtedly chuse that the church liturgy should be read in it sometimes, rather than it should be entirely made use of in a non-conformist way, I hope your Lordship will not be offended, if I go on as usual after my return from Bristol. I assure your Lordship, through the divine blessing, real good hath been done; and therefore I am sorry to inform your Lordship, that notwithstanding the admonitions I hear your Lordship hath given them, some unhappy persons have still endeavoured to disturb us, by making an odd kind of a noise in a neighbouring house. I hear that some of them belong to your Lordship’s vestry, and therefore wish that your Lordship would so far interpose, as to order them once more to stop their proceedings. But I only just mention it, and shall leave it to your Lordship’s discretion. I can only entreat the continuance of your Lordship’s blessing, and begging your Lordship’s acceptance of a short address I am now publishing, I hasten to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXI.

To Mr. W――.

London, March 18, 1756.

My dear Friend,

YESTERDAY I received your kind letter, and this morning I send you a few lines by way of New-York. May they find you and all my dear Boston friends strong, yea very strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Every day do I make mention of them, and dear New-England, in my sermons and prayers. Thousands I trust are interceding for you continually. Last night I preached upon Moses’s praying on the mount, whilst Joshua fought against Amalek in the valley. I hope some spiritual shot went after the fleet, that we hear is gone to America. What awaits us here at home, the Redeemer only knows. We deserve the greatest scourge, but I trust we have too many praying people amongst us, to have such a one as the threatened invasion, laid upon our backs.—The event will prove. Blessed be God, for the effects of the late earthquake. May they be lasting! no doubt they will be upon some. The awakening at London continues, and more ministers are coming out for the ever-blessed Jesus. Last Lord’s day I opened my spring campaign, by preaching thrice in the fields to many thousands in Gloucestershire. O that I may begin to begin to spring for my God! I trust you and my other never to be forgotten friends will not fail to remember us here. Though at such a distance, we can meet at the throne of grace. Why does not dear Mr. S―― send me one line? I desire to be remembered in the kindest manner to him, and his, and all my dear, very dear friends. I can now add no more, but hoping to have another opportunity, I beg leave to subscribe myself, with tender affection to your whole self,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXII.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, March 20, 1756.

My Lord,

TO my great surprize, upon my coming up to town, I found that the disturbances so justly complained of near Long-Acre chapel, had been continued. On Thursday evening last, when I preached there myself, they were rather increased. Notwithstanding some of the windows were stopped up, to prevent in some degree the congregations being disturbed by the unhallowed noise, yet large stones were thrown in at another window, and one young person badly wounded. This constrains me to trouble your Lordship once more, and to beg the favour of your Lordship so far to interpose, as to desire the persons belonging to your Lordship’s vestry, to desist from such irregular proceedings. For my own irregularity in preaching, I am ready at any time to answer; and was I myself the only sufferer, I should be entirely unconcerned whatever personal ill treatment I might meet with in the way of my duty. But to have the lives of his Majesty’s loyal subjects endangered, when they come peaceably to worship God, and to pray for his long and prosperous reign, is an irregularity, which I am persuaded your Lordship will look upon as unjustifiable in the sight of God, and of every good man. However, as a subject to King George, and a minister of Jesus Christ, I know your Lordship will allow, I have a right to do myself justice, and therefore, I hope, if the disturbances be yet continued, your Lordship will not be offended, if I lay a plain and fair narration of the whole affair, together with what hath passed between your Lordship and myself, before the world. I beg your Lordship not to look upon this as a threatning, or as done with an intent to expose; I scorn any such mean procedure. But as providence seems to point out such a method, I hope your Lordship will have no just reason to censure me, if it be pursued by, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIII.

To Mr. ――.

London, March 22, 1756.

Honoured Sir,

THE long and intimate acquaintance I formerly had with Mr. N―― and Lady Jane, would have induced me to send you the inclosed some weeks past, as a mark of unfeigned respect due to you for your personal worth and character; but I heard, that both Lord M―― and yourself were out of town: accept it therefore, honoured Sir, though late. I likewise want to consult you on account of a very indecent, and I think illegal disturbance, that hath been made for many weeks last past, whilst I have been preaching at Long-Acre chapel. Several have been sadly wounded, and I fear the same fate awaits more, unless those that have hitherto disturbed us, are some way or other restrained. Did I know when it would suit you, I would wait upon you in person, and acquaint you with particulars. In the mean while, praying that he, who is the wonderful Counsellor, and who hath so richly furnished you with talents for your country’s service, may more and more improve you for such noble purposes, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIV.

To the Bishop of B――.

London, March 25, 1756.

I HEARTILY thank your Lordship for your kind acceptance of my three small tracts, and my very long letter dated February 16th.—At the same time, I acknowledge myself concerned, that any thing I have written since, should prevent your Lordship’s pointing out to me any mistakes, which I may lie under in regard to the canons. God knows, if I do err, it is for want of better information; and therefore if your Lordship will vouchsafe to favour me with the letter prepared for that purpose, it shall be most thankfully received, most impartially examined, most explicitly replied to, but withal never exposed to the view of the world. Your Lordship needed not to inform me of the privilege of a Peer, to deter me from publishing your Lordship’s letters without first asking leave. I thank God, I have not so learned Christ. By his help, nothing shall be done in that way, which is the least inconsistent with the strictest honour, justice and simplicity. But I hope, if a public account of the repeated disturbances at Long-Acre chapel should be rendered necessary, your Lordship will not esteem it unreasonable in me, to inform the world, what previous steps were taken to prevent and stop them. Surely such a scene, at such a juncture, and under such a government, as has been transacted in your Lordship’s parish, in the house or yard of one Mr. Cope, who I hear is your Lordship’s overseer, ever since last Twelfth-Day, I believe is not to be met with in English history. Indeed, my Lord, it is more than noise. It deserves no milder a name than premeditated rioting. Drummers, soldiers, and many of the baser sort, have been hired by subscription.—A copper-furnace, bells, drums, clappers, marrow bones and cleavers, and such like instruments of reformation, have been provided for, and made use of, by them repeatedly, from the moment I have begun preaching, to the end of my sermon. By these horrid noises, many women have been almost frightened to death, and mobbers encouraged thereby to come and riot at the chapel door during the time of divine service, and then insult and abuse me and the congregation after it hath been over. Not content with this, the chapel windows, while I have been preaching, have repeatedly been broken by large stones of almost a pound weight (some now lying by me) which though levelled at, providentially missed me, but at the same time sadly wounded some of my hearers. Mr. C――, one of your Lordship’s relations, can acquaint your Lordship with many more particulars, and if your Lordship would be so good as only to ride to Mr. C――’s house, you would see such a scaffold (unless taken down) and such costly preparations for a noise upon it, that must make the ears of all that shall hear it to tingle. Indeed last Tuesday night all was hush’d,—and in order to throw off all popular odium, I gave it as my opinion, that it was owing to your Lordship’s kind interposition. One Mr. C―― and one Mr. M――, I am informed, are parties greatly concerned. I know them not, and I pray the Lord of all Lords never to lay this ill and unmerited treatment to their charge. If no more noise is made on their part, I assure your Lordship no further resentment shall be made on mine. But if they persist, I have the authority of the Apostle on a like occasion, to appeal unto Cæsar.—And thanks be to God, we have a Cæsar to appeal to, whose laws will not suffer any of his loyal subjects to be used in such an inhuman manner. I have only one favour to beg of your Lordship, that “you would send (as they are your Lordship’s parishioners) to the above gentlemen, and desire them henceforward to desist from such unchristian (and especially at this critical juncture) such riotous and dangerous proceedings.” Whether as a Chaplain to a most worthy Peeress, a Presbyter of the church of England, and a steady disinterested friend to our present happy constitution, I have not a right to ask such a favour, I leave to your Lordship’s mature deliberation. Henceforward, I hope no more to trouble your Lordship; but committing my cause to him, who judgeth righteously, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXV.

To ―― ――.

London, April 1, 1756.

Gentlemen,

YOUR obliging letter came to hand last night. As my influence I fear was but very small, it scarce called for such an acknowledgment. I trust, my views to serve my God and my King are disinterested; and therefore I shall always think it my duty to espouse their cause, who are firmly united in the bonds of friendship and social love, to defend the protestant interest, and the glorious privileges we enjoy under our dread and rightful sovereign King George. Such a union I take yours to be.—That you may therefore meet with success on earth, and by an infinitely superior union (I mean that of your souls with God) be prepared for a never-ceasing union with the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, Gentlemen,

Your obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVI.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

London, April 3, 1756.

My dear Friend,

NONE but he, whose name and nature is love, can tell what I felt at the receipt of your kind letter. O how did the welfare of dear never to be forgotten New England, lie upon my heart. How could I have wished for the wings of a dove to fly thither! The delightful interviews we have had together, when in the confidence of social prayer we have laid hold on God, came so fresh upon my mind, that I knew not what to do. O come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, that friendship begun on earth, may be consummated in the kingdom of heaven! He only knows, what awaits us here below, before we are called to live with him above. England is now equally threatened with America. Let this be our comfort, “the Lord reigneth.” Nothing can rob us of our Christ,—let us help each other by mutual prayer. Thousands here hold up their hands daily for you. I know you will gladly return the favour. You would be pleased to see how eagerly people attend the word. I think the awakening, and prospect of doing good in London, is as great as ever. Satan hath raged at a place called Long-Acre chapel, near the play-houses, but you know who hath promised to bruise him under our feet. Send me what good news you can from your side the water, and assure all the followers of the Lamb of God, that they are upon my poor heart night and day. How goes on your son Daniel? May he greatly be beloved! I could fill, yea more than fill a sheet, but with great difficulty I write this. Adieu, my dear friend, for the present. I shall never forget our last pleasant short journey. Surely our hearts burned within us, when we talked of Jesus in the way. I can no more.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVII.

To the Honourable Hume C――.

Canterbury, April 9, 1756.

Honoured Sir,

YOUR kind behaviour when I had the pleasure of waiting upon you, emboldens me to trouble you with the inclosed. It is the copy of an anonymous letter, that was sent to my house on Tuesday last, just after I left town, and forwarded hither to me by my wife the day following. As I am satisfied that the Lord reigneth, and that a sparrow doth not fall to the ground without the knowledge of our heavenly Father, its contents in respect to myself, I thank God, do not much alarm me. But as others are concerned, and it is an affair that hath reference to the welfare of civil government, I would beg the favour of your advice. Next Tuesday I expect to return to London, and on Wednesday morning, purpose, God willing, to wait upon you in person. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

Canterbury, April 10, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

THE letter on the other side, was sent to me last Tuesday. By that, your Ladyship may see to what an height the opposition hath risen at Long-Acre; indeed the noise hath been infernal. For a night it was stopped, but I have reason to think there was a secret design for my life; some of my friends were sadly used; they applied for warrants, and that occasioned this letter. I have written to Mr. H―― C―― for advice. May the wonderful Counsellor direct me how to act! Here, all is peaceable. It is most delightful to see the soldiers flock to hear the word; officers likewise attend very orderly. On Monday I return, God willing, to London. Lord Jesus, do thou prepare me for whatever thou hast prepared for me! Baron Munchausen hath been very kind in Long-Acre affair; I would if possible hush all up, but I know no other way but holding my tongue. O this enmity of heart! This is my comfort,—“the Lord reigneth.” I hope to answer Mrs. G―― soon. At present, I have scarce time to beg the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, and to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, April 18, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

SINCE my last from Canterbury, I have received two more letters of a like kind with the former. Before they came to hand I was exceedingly comforted, from whence I inferred a further storm lay before me. My greatest distress is, how to act so as to avoid rashness on the one hand, and timidity on the other. I have been introduced to the Earl of H――ss, who received me very courteously, and seemed to make no objection against issuing out a reward for the discovery of the letter-writer. Whether I had best accept it, I know not. Sir H―― C―― says, it is not felony; and he advises me by all means to put all concerned into the court of King’s Bench. The facts are most flagrant. Lord Jesus direct me for thy mercy’s sake! A man came up to me in the pulpit at the tabernacle; God knows, what was his design: I see no other way for me to act, than either resolutely to persist in preaching and prosecuting, or entirely to desist from preaching, which I think would bring intolerable guilt upon my soul, and give the adversary cause to blaspheme. Blessed be God, I am clear, quite clear in the occasion of my suffering. It is for preaching Christ Jesus, and, for his great name’s sake, loyalty to King George, to whom under God I owe the liberty of preaching many years. Alas! alas! what a condition would this land be in, was the protestant interest not to prevail? Glad should I be to die by the hands of an assassin, if popery is to get footing here. I shall then be taken away from the evil to come. I hope that your Ladyship, and the good Ladies with you, will have hearts given you to pray for me, that, whether by life or by death, Jesus may be glorified. Thanks be to God, to me to live is Christ, and to die will be my gain. He knows, that with simplicity and godly sincerity, I have endeavoured to promote in my feeble way his honour and glory. I should be glad of a line of advice from your Ladyship; this is giving trouble I no way deserve, but as your Ladyship is pleased to honour me with your friendship, it will be adding to the innumerable obligations already conferred upon, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready Servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXX.

To Mrs. G――.

London, April 20, 1756.

Dear Madam,

IT hath given me concern, that I could not answer your kind letter till now; but making a short excursion abroad, and fighting with a kind of beasts at home, hath prevented me. I fancy that something we cannot see is behind the curtain. Satan seems to have overshot himself. O what a mercy is it, dear Madam, to be rescued from his slavery! Nothing less than an Almighty arm could bring about such a great salvation. Its depths, its lengths, its breadths, who can fathom? By being plunged into the first, we stretch and rise into the two last. Our Saviour’s death preceded his resurrection, and his resurrection that of his glorious ascension into heaven.—So must we die, and rise, in order to ascend hereafter where he is gone before. No matter if a sudden stroke opens the passage: God grant I may be always ready! I hope that you, dear Madam, and the other elect Ladies, have hearts given you to pray for me. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. I thank Mr. S―― for his hint. If occasion requires, I shall improve it. O for a steady disinterested zeal for my God, my King, and my country! Welcome death, when brought upon me in defence of these. As I expect to be called away every moment, I can only add, after sending my most cordial and grateful acknowledgments to the whole Clifton court, that I am, dear Madam,

Your most obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXI.

To Mrs. D――.

London, April 21, 1756.

Dear Madam,

I HAVE heard by several hands, that you are lately entered into a new relation of life. Gratitude constrains me to wish you joy, and earnestly to pray, that you and Mr. D―― may live together as heirs of the grace of life, and bring forth much fruit unto God in the decline of age. This is a changing world; but we are hastening towards an unchangeable state, where we shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but be like unto the angels of God. For this I am waiting day by day. Many seem to be quickened in this work too; though at the other end of the town, amongst some of the popish party, I have lately met with much opposition. But we know who hath promised to tread Satan shortly under our feet. I hope this will find you, my dear Madam, and my other Charles-Town friends, going on from conquering to conquer. I do not, I cannot forget them. I send them my most cordial love and respects, and beg you and Mr. D―― to accept the same from, dear Madam,

Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXII.

To Mrs. C――.

London, April 21, 1756.

Dear Mrs. C――,

YOUR last kind letter is come to hand.—By that, I find poor N―― P―― is engaged, and that some good friends in Carolina have been instrumental in drawing him from the care of a family, over which I thought divine providence had made him overseer, and where I imagined he intended to have abode at least for some years.—I know not what reason I have given him, to suspect my confidence was weakened towards him.—I could do no more than trust him with my all, and place him at the head of my affairs and family without the least check or controul.—Add to all this, that notwithstanding the disparity of age, I consented that he should have my dear friend’s sister, with whom I thought he might live most usefully and happily at Bethesda, if you pleased, as long as you both should sojourn here below: and you know what satisfaction I expressed when I took my leave.—But it seems my scheme is disconcerted, and my family like to be brought into confusion.—Alas, my dear Mrs. C――, if this be the case, whom can I send that I may hope will continue disinterested long? But you know, this is not the first time that I have been wounded in the house of my friends.—However, I trust the wound is not incurable.—Till I can procure a proper Latin master, I should think Mr. Dixon, &c. might do in the school, and if you think George Whitefield would do for the house, he might be gradually bred up for it.—If not, I shall write to Mr. T―― and Edn―― of Charles-Town to get him a place there: upon the whole, I believe this would be best. Joseph P―― I design for New-Jersey college, and shall send particular orders concerning him in my next by Cheeseman.—Your brothers are very fond of your marriage with Mr. D――. I am quite free for it.—May God bless you both together; I cannot think of parting with you for any body I know.—God bless and direct you to do his will! Never fear; God will be Bethesda’s God.—He knows the way that I take; when I am tried I shall come forth like gold.—Will not Mr. D―― and you be a proper check upon the overseer? As I think at the bottom he is honest, I can scarce provide myself with a better. Gladly would I come over, but at present it is impracticable. I must throw my affairs into the hands of my God and you. I pity those who without cause have troubled my envied camp. Well, my dear Mrs. C――, let us remember, that though the bush burned it was not consumed. And why? because the Lord was in the midst of it. He hath spoken to us many times out of the bush, and so he will again. I know you must have been in the furnace: but our affections must be crucified. I pity Dr. ―― from the bottom of my heart. Never was I wrote to or served so by any from Bethesda before. Lord Jesus, lay it not to his charge! Lord Jesus, suffer us not to be led into temptation! I did not think to write so much. I rather choose to spread all before Bethesda’s God. But you will not misimprove it. By Maclellan I hope to hear more particulars. God willing, they shall be answered. My wife will get you the things sent for. I have no thoughts at present of her ever seeing the Orphan-house again. Blessed be God, we shall ere long see heaven. Some antepasts of it we are favoured with daily. Though lately my life hath been threatened at the other end of the town, Jesus can and will guard me. This evening I am to bury Wittern’s mother: she died triumphant. Adieu for the present. God bless you all. I am, dear Mrs. C――,

Your most affectionate, sympathizing friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXIII.

To Mr. C――.

London, April 25, 1756.

My dear Mr. C――,

BY this time I thought to have been moving towards Bristol, but am detained in town, by endeavouring to put a stop to the dreadful uproar made at Long-Acre chapel. Such an infernal continued noise, on such an occasion, at such a juncture, under such a government, I believe was never heard of before. To complete the scene, I have had three anonymous letters sent me, “threatening a certain, sudden, and unavoidable stroke, unless I desist from preaching, and pursuing the offenders by law.” You have guessed at the quarter from whence it comes. Blessed be God, it is for speaking in behalf of the glorious Jesus, and our dread and rightful sovereign King George and his government. Mr. S―― hath been so good as to go with me to the Earl of H――’s, from whom I hope this week some redress will be obtained. On Thursday next, I am to wait upon his Excellency again. Mine eyes are waiting on the blessed Jesus, from whom all salvation must come. Ere long I hope to shew you the letters; they are indeed very extraordinary. O the enmity of the heart! Lord, help us! What would become of us, if some folks were to have the upper hand? Our cause, in my opinion, is the cause of God, and the cause of civil and religious liberty; and if death itself should be permitted to befall me for defending it, I hope through Christ strengthening me, it would be gratefully received by, my dear Sir,

Your most obliged, affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXIV.

To Lady H――n.

London, May 2, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

VARIOUS have been my exercises since I wrote to your Ladyship last. But I find, that out of the eater cometh forth meat, and that all things happen for the furtherance of the gospel. I suppose your Ladyship hath seen his Majesty’s promise of a pardon to any that will discover the letter writer; and this brings your Ladyship the further news of my having taken a piece of ground very commodious to build on, not far from the Foundling-Hospital. On Sunday I opened the subscription, and through God’s blessing, it hath already amounted to near six hundred pounds. If he is pleased to continue to smile upon my poor endeavours, and to open the hearts of some more of his dear children to contribute, I hope in a few months to have what hath been long wanted,—a place for the gospel at the other end of the town. This evening, God willing, I venture once more to preach at Long-Acre. The enemy boasts that I am frightened away: but the triumph of the wicked is short. Our people, Sir H―― C――, Mr. M――, &c. are all for bringing the rioters to the King’s-Bench, and perhaps upon the whole it may be best. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! On Tuesday next I hope to set out for Wales. For indeed my body is weakened through care and watchfulness, a variety of exercises, and want of sleep. But the Redeemer’s grace is all-sufficient. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most humbly commend your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, and beg a continued interest in their prayers. With repeated thanks for repeated favours; I subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXV.

To Mr. H――.

Bristol, May 20, 1756.

My very dear Sir,

FOR so I must address myself, having had you in a peculiar manner upon my heart, ever since I saw and read a letter that came from you some months ago. It bespoke the language of a heart devoted to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Mrs. B―― confirmed me in this opinion yesterday, and withal told me, she believed you would be glad of a line from me, who am indeed less than the least of all saints, but willing, if I know any thing of my own heart, to spend and be spent for the good of souls. They are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, whose cross, blessed be his name, hath been made delightful to me for some years. I thank God that I am cast out for my Master’s sake. Indeed, my very dear Sir, it is preferable to all other preferment whatsoever. It is the way to the crown. Glory be to God, that there are some young champions coming forth: methinks I could now sing my nunc dimittis with triumphant joy. Though I decrease, may you, my very dear Sir, increase. O that you may be kept from conferring with flesh and blood! O that you may be owned and blessed of God! I believe you will, and never more so than when you are reviled and despised by man. It is a fatal mistake, to think we must keep our characters in order to do good; this is called prudence; in most, I fear, it is trimming. Honesty I find always to be the best policy. They who honour Jesus, he will honour. Even in this world, if we confess him, his truth, and his people, we shall receive an hundred-fold. To lose all in this respect, is to find all. But whither am I going? Excuse, my very dear Sir, the overflowings of a heart, that loves you dearly for the glorious Redeemer’s sake. I am here preaching his cross, and expect to stay over Sunday. Next week I have thoughts of being at Bath and Westbury. I lead a pilgrim life. You will pray that I may have a pilgrim heart. Ere long I hope my heavenly father will take me home. I am ambitious; I want to sit upon a throne. Jesus hath purchased and provided a throne and heaven for me. That you may have an exalted place at his right hand, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVI.

To Mr. B――.

Bristol, May 21, 1756.

My dear Mr. B――,

THE first part of your letter made me smile: for what? Because I was glad to find you had such an enlarged heart, and at the same time imagined, that I could build two houses at a time. If the top-stone of one is brought forth, I shall think we have reason to shout unto it, Grace! grace! This I hope will be the happy lot of you and your young fellow-soldiers, in respect to your spiritual building. Remember, war is proclaimed; the sword is unsheathed; the devil, the world, and the flesh will dispute every inch of ground, and you must fight or die. Angels stand by to see the combat, and Jesus stands ready to make you more than conquerors through his love. Provoke then one another, but let it be to love and to good works. Take heed of a trifling spirit when together. It will hurt you, and by degrees rob you of true and holy joy. I thank you for remembering unworthy me. I am called to travel, you to trade for Jesus. Last week, I trust, was a good week. The Lord of the harvest is pleased to smile upon us here. I hope to be in town at the appointed time. I hope that dear Mr. J―― prospers every day. Pray remember me to him, and your single circle, in the most tender manner, and believe me to be, my dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVII.

To Mr. J―― R――.

Bristol, May 21, 1756.

My dear Sir,

THIS morning, (which is the first leisure time I have had since my leaving town) looking over my letters, I found one from you, who I suppose to be the person whom I have taken notice of at Long-Acre chapel. As your behaviour there, and your letter before me, bespeak you to be in earnest about your soul, you will be quite welcome to come to my house; and if God should vouchsafe to bless any thing that I may drop for the furtherance of your faith, to him and him alone be all the glory. I desire to bless him for what he hath already done. O amazing mercy! to be translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; to be brought from the swine’s trough to feed upon the fatted calf; what a heaven upon earth is this! Be not discouraged, though you are obliged to fight every inch of your way. Jesus will pray for you, and your faith shall not fail. He can and will enable you to overcome yourself and the world. To his never-failing mercy do I most earnestly commit you, as being, for his great name’s sake,

Your friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. V――.

London, June 4, 1756.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

GLAD, yea very glad was I to hear by Mr. A――, that you grew better and better every day. Surely your late sickness was only to purge you, that you might bring forth more fruit unto God. Such trying and threatening dispensations are glorious presages of future usefulness. It is in the furnace, that both our gifts and graces are purified and increased. How gradually doth our great, compassionate, and all-wise High-priest train up his chosen ones for the services appointed to them! Happy they that can eye his providences, and with a disinterested spirit be ready to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is pleased to lead them.

Through winds and clouds and storms,

He gently clears our way;

Wait we his time, so shall each night