_To Dr. S――――._
_Landovery, June 14, 1749._
_Dear Sir_,
A Few days ago, I received a letter from Mr. _C――――_, in which yours
to him dated _May_ 20th was inclosed. It gave me some concern, and
would have given me more had not the same letter informed me that good
Lady _H――――n_ had written to you herself. Alas, my dear friend, what
needless trouble do you give yourself, and into what difficulties
does your fear of man, your too great attachment to the world, and
an over-weening fondness for your pretty character, every day bring
you! Is it not time to drop our correspondence, when, on so slight
an information, you could so much as suspect that I had betrayed that
confidence you reposed in me, or believe that I read a letter wherein
you declared yourself a _Methodist_, when I had never such letter from
you. The only passage, as far as I can remember, that was read (and
that too at my Lady’s request, if I mistake not) was that noble one
wherein you said, “Let the world take my character, and tear it to
pieces, &c.” Are you ashamed, my dear friend, of the resolution? Or
think you to put that in practice, and shun being called a _Methodist_?
You might as well attempt to reach heaven with your hand; for, blessed
be GOD, such an honour has he put upon the Methodists, that whoever
renounces the world and takes up CHRIST’s cross, and believes and lives
the doctrines of Grace, must be stiled a Methodist whether he will
or not. Formerly it was “You are a Puritan,” now it is, “You are a
Methodist.” And why does my dear Mr. _S――――_ take such pains to declare,
he never will join the Methodists? Who ever asked him? Or what service
could you do their cause by joining, unless your heart was more
enstranged from the world than at present it is? Would to GOD you
was more like-minded with Mr. _H――――_! He seems to have set down, and
counted the cost. He seems to have begun at the right end, and to be
fully convinced that there is no reconciling CHRIST and the world,
GOD and _Mammon_. My dear Mr. _S――――_, suffer me to be free with you.
Our LORD I trust has begun a good work in your soul: but indeed you
have many lessons yet to learn. The great physician must give many a
bitter portion, in order to purge out the opinion you have of your own
importance, and the too great desire you have to keep in with the world.
Reproach you cannot shun, if you appear but a little for CHRIST; and
you will not have more, perhaps not so much, if you shew quite out.
Perhaps you may say, I have done this already; do not then be ashamed
of it, but go on, grow in grace, press forwards, and then I care not
what declaration you make of your not intending to be a _Methodist_. Be
a consistent christian, live above the world, call not the fear of man
christian prudence, and then underneath you shall be GOD’s everlasting
arms. Thanks be to his great name, they have upholden me for some
weeks last past. I have now been a circuit of several hundred miles.
At _Portsmouth_ and _Gosport_ the word ran and was glorified. In _South
Wales_ every where the fields have been white ready unto harvest. Not
a dog stirs his tongue. Last _Sunday_ I believe I preached to near
twenty thousand souls. Grace! grace! In about ten days I hope to be at
_Bristol_. Soon after I propose to go to _London_, and from thence to
_Yorkshire_ and _Scotland_.――Follow me with your prayers, and in return
you shall be remembered by, very dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend,
_G. W._