_To the Same._
_Oxon, March 6, 1735._
_Dear Sir_,
I Had the favour of your letter by Mr. _H._ and, as desired, I have
made enquiry about the post-masters and clerks of Merton. As to the
former, I hear, that the five senior fellows have each a power to
elect one in his turn, and that there is now a vacancy, but one ready
on the spot to supply it, and no likelihood of there being another
this long while. The latter, are solely in the power of the warden,
and though all the places are at present filled up, yet, there will
be a vacancy next term, so that, perhaps, by a seasonable application,
your brother may get a friend in. Thus much for business. As for the
other particular, specified in the latter part of your last; I find by
what I can gather from your own and my brother’s expressions, as well
as from Mr. _H._’s discourse, that my late letters have met with but
a cold reception; and that you seem desirous of hearing no more of so
seemingly ungrateful a subject, as submitting our wills to the will
of GOD; which, indeed, is all that is implied in that phrase (which
our enemy would represent as so formidable to us) of _renouncing
ourselves_. Alas, Sir! what is there that appears so monstrously
terrible in a doctrine that is, (or at least ought to be) the constant
subject of our prayers, whenever we put up that petition of our
LORD’s: “_Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven._” The import
of which seems to be this. 1st. That we do every thing that GOD wills,
and nothing but what he willeth, 2dly, That we do every thing he
wills, _only_ in the manner he willeth. 3dly, That we do those things
he willeth, only _because_ he willeth. This is all, Sir, I have been
endeavouring to inculcate in my late letters; and though it seems
as clear as the light, upon an impartial and considerate view, yet,
our grand impostor (whose very corruption is having a will distinct
from, and therefore contrary to GOD’s) would fain set it out in the
most hideous colours, as though we were “Setters forth of strange
doctrines;” or proposing some higher degrees of perfection, than every
ordinary christian is obliged to aspire after; whereas, in truth, it
is nothing but the simple and evident language of the gospel. It must
be confessed, that through the corruption of our depraved nature, and
that power, which self-will has, since the Fall, usurped in the soul,
we must necessarily break through a great many obstacles. But, dear
Sir, be not dismayed, the difficulty lies only in our first setting
out. Be but vigorous at the first onset, and never fear a conquest.
The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not
to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but
an old one to pull down. But then, methinks, this would be an odd
way of reasoning, “Because a thing requires some pains, I therefore
will never set about it.” No, Sir, rather up and be doing. Exert
your utmost efforts at your first setting out, and take my word, your
strength as well as resolution will increase daily. The means also
which are necessary to be used in order to attain this end, our cursed
adversary the devil would represent to us in the most hideous forms
imaginable. But believe me, Sir, the difficulty here too, only lies
in our first breaking from ourselves, and that there is really more
pleasure in these formidable duties of self-denial and mortification,
than in the highest indulgences of the greatest epicure upon earth.
Give me leave, dear Sir, only to remind you of one particular, which,
if duly observed, will vastly facilitate your future endeavours. Let
the scriptures, not the world, be your rule of action. By those you
are to form your practice here, and to be judged hereafter. Upon this
account, for the future, I should be glad, if you would communicate
what passes between you and me, to none but my brother and your spouse.
And if you have any, the least scruple, be pleased to send me word of
it by a letter in an open, friendly manner; and, by GOD’s blessing,
all things will be yet set right; only be fervent in prayer. As for
what the Rev. Mr. _Hoar_ has been pleased to say, either to you or
Mr. _H._ it is not my business (out of deference, as he is so much my
superior, as to the dignity of his office, his age, and his learning)
to make any reply. I shall only add, what I am sure I can prove,
“That the gospel tells us that there is but one thing needful. That we
cannot sit down content with just such a degree of goodness, and claim
just such a proportionable degree of glory;” but that “we are to love
the LORD with all our souls, strength, &c.” and that “he who endureth
to the end, (and he only) shall be saved.” There is a little treatise
lately come out, which I have made bold to send to Mr. _Hoar_, where
we may be fully convinced by argument deducible merely from reason,
“that GOD is our sole end,” and that barely upon a principle of
prudence, (supposing we could be happy without it) we ought to
press forward, in order to attain the greatest degrees of happiness
hereafter. Whether this letter, Sir, may prove as offensive as the
former, is not my business to enquire. GOD’s will be done in all
things. He, and he alone can (and indeed will, if we are desirous of
it ourselves) work this conviction in our minds. Give me leave just
to add, that I thought it my duty to answer these few objections, that
have been raised against the difficulty of conforming our wills to
the will of GOD, by shewing that the greatest struggle lies only at
our first beginning, and that it is no more than what is indispensably
necessary for our salvation. As for the means to be employed for the
attainment of this end, I shall be wholly silent: Being sensible,
that if you are once fully convinced of the greatness of it, you
will be necessarily carried on to the use of such means as GOD hath
constituted for that purpose. I hope my writing after this manner, Sir,
will not be esteemed a piece of self-conceit, or be an instrument of
unloosing our former band of friendship, which was once designed to be
bound the faster, by tying it with a religious knot. But whether this
proves to be the event, or not, of my telling my friends the truth, I
wholly leave to GOD’s Providence. Be pleased however to favour me with
a line in return, and give me leave to subscribe myself, Dear Sir,
Your sincere friend and most obliged humble servant,
_G. W._