_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Dear Mrs. F._,
I Have now time to answer your last letter. It gave me much
satisfaction. I rejoice that you begin to know yourself. If possible,
satan will make us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to
think. I can tell this by fatal experience. It is not sudden flashes
of joy, but having the humility of CHRIST JESUS, that must denominate
us christians. If we hate reproof, we are so far from being true
followers of the Lamb of GOD, that in the opinion of the wisest of
men, we are brutish. I love you and your dear husband in the bowels
of JESUS CHRIST. Under GOD, I begot you both through the gospel.
I therefore think it my bounden duty, from time to time, more
particularly to watch over your precious souls. Never account me your
enemy for speaking the truth. Tell me of my faults in your turn. I
will pray GOD to give me an hearing ear and an obedient heart. But
how do our brethren after their late dispersion? I heard they had in
part recovered themselves. Ere now, I trust, they have resumed their
courage, and stand stedfast as a wall of brass. If you were all to
be carried to prison the next moment, I think you should not decline
your christian fellowship and society meetings. My brethren, in this
respect, I beseech you to obey GOD rather than man. Happy are you, if
you patiently suffer in such a cause. Our LORD will stand by you; he
will fight all your battles, and make you more than conquerors through
his love. My heart would say more; but other letters must be wrote.
Salute all the brethren by name, and accept this as a token of your
not being forgotten by
Your affectionate brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._