_To Mr. J―――― H――――._
_Savannah, June 25, 1740._
_Dearest J――――_,
EVERY letter you write, knits my heart more and more to you in the
bowels of JESUS CHRIST. Your last I received on _Saturday_. GOD had
been preparing me for it, by a week’s intimation upon my heart, and by
an inexpressible agony in my soul just before it came to hand. Blessed
be GOD that our friends preach up poverty of spirit, for that is the
only foundation whereon to build solid abiding comfort. The stony
ground received the word with joy; but how did those hearers stand
in a day of temptation? They fell away; for it is very possible that
the heart may have much joy floating on the top of it, and yet be as
hard as the nether millstone. Hence it is that so many, who boast of
rest in their flashes of joy, are self-willed, impatient of reproof,
despisers of others in a mourning state, and wise in their own
conceits: whereas the believer, that hath been with his LORD in the
wilderness, and has a truly broken and contrite heart, though his joy
may not be so extravagant, yet it is substantial. Such a soul hangs
upon GOD; thinks before he speaks; and is continually hearkening for
what the LORD will say to him, by the small still voice of his spirit.
This is the state I want all our friends to arrive at. I cannot see
how they can, with assurance, talk of their enjoying solid fellowship
with the Father, and his dear Son CHRIST JESUS. I shall not be
surprized if many, who seemingly began in the spirit, do end in
the flesh, and turn persecutors of the doctrines and disciples of
JESUS CHRIST. How can they possibly stand, who never felt themselves
condemned criminals? who were never truly burthened with a sense not
only of their actual, but original sin, especially that damning sin
of unbelief? who were never brought to see and heartily confess, that
after they had done all, GOD might, notwithstanding, deny them mercy;
and that it is owing merely to his sovereign love in CHRIST JESUS our
LORD, that they can have any hopes of being delivered from the wrath
to come? It is for preaching in this manner that I like Mess. _T――――s_.
They wound deep before they heal; they know that there is no promise
made but to him that believeth; and therefore they are careful not
to comfort over much those that are convicted. I fear I have been too
incautious in this respect, and have often given comfort too soon. The
LORD pardon me for what is past, and teach me more rightly to divide
the word of truth for the future. Dearest _J――――_, pardon this freedom;
I am constrained to write in this manner. I thank you most heartily
for your historical letter. Fail not writing to me often. Dearest
_J――――_, help me by your prayers: for CHRIST’s sake help me. Our LORD
is yet with us. I hear different accounts of things; but I pray for
all, and suspend my judgment till you see
Your affectionate brother and servant,
_G. W._