_To the Reverend Mr. H――――._
_Landovery, June 14, 1749._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
YOURS, dated _May_ 24th, gave me both pleasure and pain. I was pleased
to read the sweet observations made up and down in it, but pained to
find that you have been much indisposed. But what says our LORD? “Those
that abide in him, he will purge;” but it is only in order that they
may bring forth more fruit. Perhaps our LORD is about to employ you
in some fresh work. I wish you may be enabled to draw your pen on the
topic you mentioned; it may be of great service to the church of CHRIST.
Your remark upon my pamphlet is just. I wrote short, because I know
long compositions generally weary the reader. Perhaps hereafter I may
write more; but at present I find I have enough to do, to travel, and
preach, and answer my correspondents. I published my confession of some
mistakes and imprudencies, to satisfy my own conscience, and stop the
mouths of adversaries, and strengthen the hands of real disinterested
hearty friends: but where are such friends to be found? That phantom
called _Contempt_ keeps them in fetters, and makes them afraid
to appear in defence of a cause, which, (notwithstanding the many
imprudencies that have attended it) is undoubtedly the cause of GOD.
If we think to be free from these, in this imperfect state of things,
and to see either a perfect saint or a perfect church till we come to
heaven, we shall find ourselves much mistaken. Daily experience, and
more mature consideration, may lessen our blunders and imperfections;
but death alone will put a final stop to their mixing in all we do.
Thanks be to GOD that we have a CHRIST, who amidst all does love,
and can uphold us. If our infirmities lead us to his cross, and our
sufferings only make us more willing to be conformed to him in his
death, we are gainers by all our losses, and rise by all our falls.
Blessed be the LORD, that you, dear Sir, have had grace given you to
sit down and count the cost. I wish the beloved physician was more
reconciled to the cross. I am persuaded, let him say what he pleases,
that a too great attachment to the world makes him reason as he does
in many things. Well,――he is in good hands. He must either come or be
dragged to the cross. That pretty character of his must be crucified
and slain: and as well as others, he must be content (as Mr. _Gurnall_
expresses it) “to go to heaven in a fool’s coat.” O my dear Sir, what
pains is the LORD JESUS obliged to take with us, before we can be
reconciled to suffer shame for his great name’s sake!
_Bristol, June 24._
Thus far I wrote, but was obliged to stop, being called out to preach.
Yesterday GOD brought me here, after having carried me a circuit of
about eight hundred miles, and enabled me to preach, I suppose to
upwards of a hundred thousand souls. I have been in eight _Welch_
counties, and I think we have not had one dry meeting. The work in
_Wales_ is much upon the advance, and likely to increase daily. Had
my dear Mr. _H――――_ been there to have seen the simplicity of so many
dear souls, I am persuaded he would have said, “_Sit anima mea cum
Methodistis!_” But every one to his post. During this excursion I have
been kept happy inwardly, and well in body till the latter end of last
week, when the LORD was pleased to lay his hand upon me, so that I was
almost brought to the grave. But he that wounds, heals also. Thanks be
to his holy name for ever and ever! On _Monday_ or _Tuesday_ next, GOD
willing, I set out for _London_. Good Lady _H――――_ is here, and goes on
in her usual way, doing good. She is recovered from her indisposition.
I hope this will find you recovered also. That the LORD of all Lords
may give you a thriving soul in a healthy body, is the hearty prayer of,
reverend and dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._