_To W―――― S――――, Esq., in London._
_Lewis-Town, (Pensylvania) May 24, 1740._
_My dear Friend and Brother_,
MY will is much to go to _Georgia_, but my dear LORD JESUS is pleased
to cross me. For ever blessed be his great and glorious name. Just now
the LORD hath brought me hither. Your letter pleased me. I hope our
LORD is now beginning to answer my prayers, and that my dear Brother
_S――――_ is about to know himself. You know I have often told you,
that you ought to suspect your experiences. You have mistaken, in my
opinion, _preparation_, for conversion itself. Your nine years round
of duties, were no effects of the new-birth at all. How could they
be? when you did not know you was to be born again, before you heard
Mr. _C―――― W――――_ expound the seventh chapter of the _Romans_: Then,
but not till then did you begin to be enlightened, and illumination
and conversion are two different things. All my great trials were
consequent on this. Not that GOD’s way of dealing with me, ought
to be a rule for others: But I think your case and mine somewhat
parallel.――Those that have been most humbled, I find, always make the
most solid, useful christians. It stands with reason: The more a man
is emptied of himself, the more room is there made for the spirit of
GOD to dwell in him.――Your caution to dear Mr. _H._ was very good.
Openness is the best preservative of spiritual friendship. I would
behave so, that no one might be afraid to consult me; but if people
will not open their hearts, let them not blame me; I cannot speak,
where I perceive a shyness, and where I see persons are afraid of
me. I am sure they must harbour some ungenerous suspicions or other
against me, and how then can there be a harmony of soul. My dear
brother, my friend, now I have told you my heart: Be not angry, I am
just ready to weep.――Indeed, I am willing to wash your feet, and to
acknowledge all favours under GOD that I have received from you. Be
stable, be willing to consult others that have trod in the spiritual
road before you; do not mistake working _for_ life, for _working from
life_. Watch unto prayer, and do not be carried away by every wind of
doctrine. How could you not see through _L――――_ of _German-Town_? But
I must not chide, but love. Much I owe you; have patience with me and
I will endeavour to pay you. I shall long to see you at _Savannah_.
Once more, my dear friend and brother, adieu. My heart is much melted
down. GOD continually fills me with himself. O give thanks for, dear
Sir,
Your brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._