_To Dr. S――――._
_London, Jan. 17, 1749._
_Very dear Sir_,
I Received your last kind letter, soon after I had been informing dear
Mr. _H――――_ that I did not chuse to bring my friends into trouble; but
that if providence should give me a clear call, I might accept of his
invitation. This perhaps may never happen. But if it should, wherefore
should dear Mr. _S――――_ be so much alarmed? What if his people are
prejudiced against me? Might not a sermon, under GOD, lessen their
prejudices, and perhaps awaken some souls to a sense of the divine
life? Such things have been done, such a thing, through the divine
blessing, may be repeated again. The way of duty is the way of safety.
Our LORD requires of us to confess him in his gospel members and
ministers. To be afraid of professing the one, or publicly to own,
associate with, and strengthen the hands and hearts of the other,
especially when they are set for the defence of the gospel, is, in my
opinion, very offensive in the sight of our common LORD, and can only
proceed from a want of more love to him and his dear people. I am quite
of your mind, my dear friend, that our LORD recommends to us the wisdom
of the serpent, but then it is always to be blended with the innocence
of the dove. How this is done, in effect, by disowning the open and
avowed proclaimers of his eternal truths, I cannot I must confess
at present see into. You say, “we are most of us too warm already:”
but I hope you do not think, that being ashamed of any of your LORD’s
ministers is an instance of it? Thanks be to GOD that Mr. _H――――_ seems,
as you express it, “to court the enmity of mankind;” it is an error
of the right side. Better so than to be afraid of it. The LORD never
threatned to spew any church out of his mouth for being too hot; but
for being neither hot nor cold he has. It is too true, my dear Sir,
“we have but few faithful ministers.” But is keeping at a distance from
one another the way to strengthen their interest? By no means. I rather
think those that hold the same principles at least, and are embarked
in the same cause, should jointly and publicly appear for GOD.――And to
tell you my whole mind, I do not believe GOD will bless either you or
your friends to any considerable degree, till you are more delivered
from the fear of man. Alas, how was you bowed down with it, when I saw
you last! And your letter bespeaks you a slave to it yet. O my brother,
deal faithfully with yourself, and you will find a love of the world,
and fear of not providing for your children, have gotten too much hold
of your heart. Do not mistake me. I would not have you throw yourself
into flames. I would only have you act a consistent part, and not for
fear of a little contempt be ashamed of owning the ministers of CHRIST.
After all, think not, my dear Sir, that I am pleading my own cause. You
are not in danger of seeing me at _N――――n_. I only take this occasion
of saying a word or two to your heart. You will not be offended, as it
proceeds from love. You may shew this to dear Mr. _H――――_. I salute him,
the dear doctor, and dear Mr. _H――――_, most cordially. I hope the seed
is sown among the rich to some purpose. Last _Thursday_ Lord _B――――ke_
was one of my hearers. Brethren pray for us; you are never forgotten by,
very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._