_To Mr. M――――._
_London, March 10, 1753._
_My dear Mr. M――――_,
I AM glad you have had such good times. I was grieved that Mr. _E――――_
was taken from _London_, because Mr. _M――――_ was taken ill, and a
carnal preacher put up in his room. But GOD’s thoughts are not as our
thoughts. Let this consideration reconcile you to my not preaching
at Mr. _B――――_’s. I went as far as Mrs. _S――――_’s, but so many things
occurred, that I went no further. You may hear more when we meet again.
I have preached at _Spitalfields_ chapel twice. Both the Mr. _W――――_s
are agreed, as the younger brother writes me word, in answer to my
letter. Let brotherly love continue! I do not like writing against
any body, but I think, that wisdom which dwells with prudence, should
direct you not to fill Mr. _W――――s_ people (who expect you will
serve them) with needless jealousies. He that believeth doth not make
haste.――I therefore wait, being assured of this, that every plant which
our heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out. I hope to
see the time, when you will talk less of persons and things, and more
of Him, who is the common head of his whole mystical body. This, and
this alone can make and keep you steady in yourself, and extensively
useful to others. I am glad you know when persons are justified. It is
a lesson I have not yet learnt. There are so many stony-ground hearers
that receive the word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my
judgment, till I know the tree by its fruits. You will excuse this
freedom. I love you with a disinterested love, I only wish you may
be happy in JESUS. This will make you see things with new eyes, and
give you such a freedom of heart as is unspeakable, and full of glory.
For the present I must bid you adieu. That the LORD of all Lords may
confirm, strengthen, stablish, and settle you in his love, is the
earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. _M――――_,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._
♦ “DCCLXIX.” replaced with “DCCCCLXIX.”