_To ――――._
_Blendon, June 12, 1739._
_My dear Brethren in CHRIST_,
I Am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, and therefore write to
you this second letter. I find more and more that satan has desired
to have some of you in particular, that he may sift you as wheat, and
will strive if possible to divide and separate you all.――I hear there
is a woman among you, who pretends to the spirit of prophecy, and
what is more unaccountable, I hear that Brother ―――― (whom I love in
the bowels of JESUS CHRIST) seems to approve of her. Need therefore,
great need have you, my brethren, at this time to take the apostle’s
advice, and to try the spirits whether they be of GOD. For the devil
is beginning to mimic GOD’s work, and because terrors will not do,
he is now transforming himself into an angel of light in order more
effectually to gain his point. Brother ―――― also, I cannot but think,
at present is under a spirit of delusion. He, as well as brother ――――,
I believe imagines there will be a power given to work miracles,
and that now CHRIST is coming to reign a thousand years upon the
earth.――But alas! what need is there of miracles, such as healing
sick bodies, and restoring sight to blind eyes, when we see greater
miracles every day done by the power of GOD’s word? Do not the
spiritually blind now see? Are not the spiritually dead now raised,
and the leprous souls now cleans’d, and have not the poor the gospel
preached unto them? And if we have the thing already, which such
miracles were only intended to introduce, why should we tempt GOD
in requiring further signs? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And as for our LORD’s coming at this time to reign upon the earth,
I answer, it is not for us to know the times and seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power.――That a great work is begun is
evident, that it will be carried on I doubt not; but how it will end,
I know not, neither do I desire to know. It is sufficient for me to
do the work of the day in its day, and to rest satisfied in this,
that all will end in GOD’s glory. Lately, brother ―――― told me he was
shortly, he believed, to be called to some public work.――I pray GOD
he may not run before he is called. To teach, I know, is a pleasing
thing; but to begin to teach too soon or without a commission, will
be destruction to ourselves, and of ill consequence to others. Uzzah
might mean well, when he touched the ark, but his good intention did
not preserve him from the just judgments of GOD. Be not many masters,
says the apostle. Oh that that verse was deeply engraven on the tables
of our hearts! My dear brethren, be not offended at this plainness
of speech. I would all the LORD’s servants were prophets, but then
I would not have people think themselves prophets of the LORD, when
they are only enthusiasts――If Mr. ―――― is acted by a good spirit,
why is he not patient of reproof? Why does he fly in a passion, when
contradicted? Why does he pretend to be infallible, and that GOD
always speaks in him? May GOD give us all a right judgment in all
things. Pure unfeigned love causes me to use this freedom. Many of
you GOD has worked upon by my ministry, and therefore I would not
have you ignorant of satan’s devices. O beware of him at this time. Do
not conceive prejudices against each other. Do not dispute, but love;
purge out the old leaven from amongst you. Have no fellowship with any
that converse with Mr. ――――. If they have a mind to depart from you,
let them depart. Do you build up each other in your most holy faith.
My dear brethren,