_To Madam C――――._
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Madam_,
TO be made good by the righteousness and spirit of JESUS CHRIST, is
a distinguishing blessing. To be made good, and yet to be great and
rich in this world’s goods, is still more extraordinary. Blessed be
GOD, who has thus highly favoured you. I trust he hath given you that
faith, which enables you to overcome the world, and emboldens you to
confess both our LORD and his servants, in the midst of a wicked and
adulterous generation. Once indeed I feared you had been offended.
Dear Mr. M―――― soon convinced me of my error. Yourself, Madam, amply
satisfied me before I left _London_, that you were not ashamed of the
gospel and ministers of CHRIST. May the LORD enable you more and more
to set your face as a flint, and entirely to live above the fear of
man. If the work goes on in _England_, a trying time will come. I
pray GOD, the same spirit may be found in all that profess the LORD
JESUS, as was in the primitive saints, confessors and martyrs. Further
opposition then will not hurt, but highly profit the church. The chaff
will be winnowed from the wheat, and they that are approved be made
manifest. As for my own part, I expect nothing but afflictions and
bonds. The spirit, as well as the doctrine of popery, prevails much
in many protestants hearts; they already breathe out threatnings. What
wonder, if when in their power, they should breathe out slaughters
also? This is my comfort, the doctrines I have taught are the
doctrines of scripture, the doctrines of our own and of other reformed
churches. If I suffer for preaching them, so be it. “Thou shalt answer
for me, O LORD my GOD!” I rejoice in the prospect of it, and beseech
thee, my dear redeemer, to strengthen me in a suffering hour. You,
dear Madam, and the rest of my friends, will not be wanting in praying
for
Your most obliged humble servant,
_G. W._