_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
MAN appoints, but GOD disappoints. No doubt it was best, that I should
not see your answer to the bishop’s letter before I left _England_. I
hope it was wrote with the meekness and gentleness of CHRIST, and then
no doubt GOD will give his blessing. Oh, dear Sir, how is the glory
departed from _Israel_! In what dregs of time are we born? Boasting
of our orthodoxy and primitive purity, and yet alas! but ―――― is not
this enough, dear Sir, to excite our zeal even till it do eat us up?
Wherefore hath GOD called us by his free grace, and made a difference
between us and others, but that we should stand up in defence of his
injured honour? Your friend, Mr. ――――, has told me how plentifully you
once tasted of the good word of life, and felt the powers of the world
to come. Oh that the divine spark may again kindle in the heart till
it become a flame of fire! Nothing will so much enforce your arguments
as a life exactly conformable to the holy JESUS.――When with you last,
I thought you spoke too favourable of horse-races, and such things.
But what diversion ought a christian or a clergyman to know or speak
of, but that of doing good? Many who are right in their principles,
are worse than I could wish in their practice. Oh for a revival of
true and undefiled religion in all sects whatsoever! I long to see a
catholic spirit over-spread the world; may GOD vouchsafe to make me an
instrument of promoting it! Methinks, I care not what I do or suffer,
so that I may see my LORD’s kingdom come with power. But I know not
my own weakness, till I am tried. Dear Sir, pray for me, that I may
be found faithful in an hour of temptation. I expect to be tried to
the uttermost, and to hear, that many are become my enemies, who once
would, as it were, have plucked out their eyes for me. It is necessary
that such offences should come; otherwise, how can I know that I am,
what I desire to be, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and true brother in CHRIST,
_G. W._