_On board Capt. Grant, bound from Charles-Town
to Philadelphia, May 2, 1745._
_My very dear, dear Brother H――――_,
HOW do you find your heart these trying, sifting, purging times? I hope
you are enabled to joy in GOD, and are made more than conqueror through
his love. It has given me some concern that I could not write to you
oftner: but JESUS knows my heart has been with you; and I have not
failed to pray for the preservation of the tossed ark. ♦_Antinomianism_,
I find, begins to shew its head and stalk abroad: may the glorious
Redeemer cause it to hide its head again, and prevent his children’s
spirits being imbittered against each other. I am glad to hear the
_Welsh_ brethren continue steady: and that amongst our _English_
friends, _Antinomianism_ seems only to be speculative; this is a great
evil, but not so great as when it affects the practice, and leads the
people of GOD unwarily into licentiousness. The late outward troubles,
I hope will do good, and put a stop to the many disputes and various
sects which, like so many hydra’s, always spring up when the LORD
suffers false principles to abound. I expect to hear that JESUS has
made thee immoveable like a wall of brass, held as a lion, but meek
as a lamb. Blessed be his name, he continues to be very kind to us: we
have been six months in these parts, and are now going northwards for
the summer season. The Orphan-house is in a promising way. My temporal
affairs begin to be settled; and I am blessed substantially to many
souls. JESUS, I trust, has given me a more gospel-heart; and causes
many of my professed most imbittered enemies to be at peace with me. I
know you will help me to praise him, and beg him to continue to stand
by a poor unworthy creature, who simply desires to spend and be spent
for the good of precious and immortal souls. You’ll remember me to your
dear wife, and all our _Welsh_ brethren, in the most endearing manner:
we frequently talk of, and pray for them; and don’t despair of seeing
them once more in the flesh. My dear wife loves them exceedingly, and
warms her heart often by reflecting on past times. Wishing that grace,
mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you all, I subscribe myself, my
very dear brother,
Ever, ever thine in JESUS,
_G. W._
♦ “Antinominanism” replaced with “Antinomianism”