_To the Same._
_Oxon, Feb. 20, 1735._
_Dear Sir_,
I Believe you think me a strange sort of a person, for not being so
good as my word in coming down this winter; and what is worse, in not
letting you have a line to acquaint you of my reasons for it. And,
indeed, I am not as yet determined; providence having ordered (I hope)
that this seeming unkindness shall, in the end, prove very serviceable
on all sides. However, though I have been thus hindred, yet, I think
you heard from me last, and am really surprized to find you should,
now so long since, have desired that _collection of prayers_, and
be wholly unconcerned about them ever after. Indeed, they will be of
no service to you, unless you grant me this one postulatum: “That we
must renounce ourselves.” What the meaning of this phrase may be, the
preface to the prayers will best inform you. I did not doubt of its
meeting with but a cold reception, it being (at first view) so very
contrary to flesh and blood. For, perhaps, you may think, that this
renouncing of ourselves, must necessarily lead us (as it certainly
does) to acts of self-denial and mortification; and, that we probably
may be saved without them. And lest you should after all imagine,
(which I trust you will not) that true religion does consist in any
thing, besides an entire renewal of our natures into the image of
GOD; I have sent you a book entitled, _The Life of GOD in the Soul of
Man_, written by a young, but an eminent christian, which will inform
you, what true religion is, and by what means you may attain it. As
likewise, how wretchedly most people err in their sentiments about it,
who suppose it to be nothing else (as he tells us page 3d) but a mere
model of outward performances; without ever considering, that all our
corrupt passions must be subdued, and a complex habit of virtues,
such as meekness, lowliness, faith, hope, and the love of GOD and of
man, be implanted in their room, before we can have the least title
to enter into the kingdom of GOD. Our divine master having expressly
told us, that “unless we renounce ourselves, and take up our cross
daily, we cannot be his disciples.” And again, “unless we have the
spirit of CHRIST, we are none of his.” You will scarce have time, I
imagine, before Mr. _H._ leaves _Gloucester_, to revise, what I have
recommended to your perusal. However, be pleased to let me hear from
you by him, together with an account of your free sentiments about
this matter. I trust (by GOD’s grace) we shall, at last, rightly
understand one another’s meaning. I should be glad to hear too,
whether you keep morning prayers, and how often you receive the holy
communion, there being nothing, which so much be-dwarfs us in religion,
and hinders our progress towards the heavenly Canaan, as starving our
souls by keeping away from the heavenly banquet. I have nothing more
to add at present on this subject, till you favour me with a line,
which, I hope, you will not fail doing by Mr. _H._ who will willingly
bring it to, Dear Sir,
Your sincere friend and very humble servant,
_G. W._