_To the Rev. Mr. H――――._
_Binnington, Sept. 17, 1749._
_Rev. and very dear Sir_,
IF you was uneasy that my last lay by you unanswered, I am sure I have
been, it may be, much more so, ever since yours came to hand. Upon
reading it, I felt all the springs of sympathy move as it were at
once. Glad would I have been of the wings of a dove, to have fled to,
and condoled with my suffering friend. Perhaps I have heard from what
corner your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed.――A saying of Mr.
_B――――_ hath often comforted me; “I would often have nestled, but GOD
always put a thorn in my nest.” Is not this suffered, my dear brother,
think you, to prick you out, and to compel you as it were to appear
for the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Preaching is my grand _Catholicon_ under all
domestic, as well as other trials. Methinks the voice of providence now
is, “Who is on the LORD’s side?”――I fear Dr. _S――――_ has done you hurt,
and kept you in shackles too, too long. For CHRIST’s sake, my dear Mr.
_H――――_, exhort him, now he hath taken the gown, to play the man, and
let the world see that not worldly motives, but GOD’s glory and a love
for souls, have sent him into the ministry. Though when I conversed
with him he was exceeding weak, yet as I trust there is sincerity at
the bottom, I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. O when shall this
once be! who would lose one moment? Amazing! that the followers of a
crucified Redeemer should be afraid of contempt. Surely it must be for
want of looking more to, and considering him who endured so much pain,
and despised so much shame, but is now sitting at the right hand of the
throne of GOD. _O gloriam quantam et qualem!_ Rise, _H――――_, rise, and
see thy JESUS reaching out a crown with this motto, _Vincenti dabo_.
Excuse this freedom, I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to
draw you over to me or a party, but to excite you to appear openly for
GOD. I am glad you intend to write. May I know the plan you intend to
go upon? Do you think to say any thing to the Bishop of _Exeter_? Have
you seen his second piece? Would you have me reply? Will you point out
to me the faults of my first answer? A letter may be directed (if you
write immediately) to be left for me at the Reverend Mr. _J――――_’s,
_Yorkshire_. Thither I am bound now, and if the season of the year
should permit, I would stretch to _Scotland_. Alas, how soon is the
year gone round since I was there last! and how little have I done for
JESUS! A thought of it sometimes breaks my heart. And yet how good is
the LORD! In _London_ we have had most delightful seasons. The glory
of the Redeemer filled the tabernacle. If any doubt whether the cause
we are embarked in be the cause of GOD, I say, “Come and see.” Are you
free that I should call upon you in my return to town? I think to come
by way of _Northampton_. You shall hear what is done in _Yorkshire_.
I find GOD has blessed my preaching at _Oundle_ to some souls. At
_Biddiford_, _Plymouth_, _Exeter_, and _Chatham_ the word ran and was
glorified. But what am I doing? I never wrote to any one so freely, I
think, that I was not personally acquainted with, as to you. Pardon me,
if I am too free, and impute it to the love that is borne you by,
reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._