_To the Rev. Mr. H._
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Dear Mr. H._,
I Received no answer to my last, yet I must write to you again. The
many happy hours I spent with you when at _Oxon_, and the benefit I
have received from your instructions and example, are yet fresh upon
my memory. I long to have my dear friend come forth, and preach the
truth as it is in JESUS. Not a righteousness or inward holiness of
our own, whereby we may make ourselves meet, but a righteousness
of another, even the LORD our righteousness; upon the imputation
and apprehending of which by faith, we shall be made meet by his
Holy Spirit to live with, and to enjoy GOD. Dear Mr. _H._ it is an
excellent thing to be convinced of the freeness and riches of GOD’s
grace in CHRIST JESUS. It is sweet to know and preach, that CHRIST
justifies the ungodly, and that all truly good works are not so much
as partly the cause, but the _effect_ of our justification before
GOD. Till convinced of these truths, you must own free-will in man,
which is directly contrary to the holy scriptures, and the articles
of our church. Let me advise dear Mr. _H._ laying aside all prejudice,
to read and pray over Saint _Paul_’s epistles to the _Romans_ and
_Galatians_, and then let him tell me what he thinks of this doctrine.
Most of your old friends are now happily enlightened. GOD sets his
seal to such preaching in an extraordinary manner, and I am persuaded
the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it. Oh that
dear Mr. _H._ would also join with us! Oh that the LORD would open his
eyes to behold aright this part of the mystery of godliness! How would
it rejoice my heart! How would it comfort his own soul! He would then
no longer groan under the spirit of bondage: No, he would be brought
into the glorious liberty of the sons of GOD. I have wrote to dear
Mr. _O._ as well as to you, out of the simplicity of my heart.
Ever your’s in CHRIST,
_G. W._