_To Mr. D―――― E――――, at Sterling._
_Edinburgh, Aug. 13, 1741._
_My dear Brother_,
I Received your kind letter, and heartily bless GOD, if any thing
dropping from my unworthy lips was made of service to your soul. I
believe, GOD inclined me to speak to you. The sons of the prophets are
much upon my heart. I pray GOD that you may be polished shafts, and
noble instruments in his hands, of building up living temples for the
Holy Ghost. The treatment I met with from the associate presbytery,
was not altogether such as I expected. It grieved me, as much as it
did you. I could scarce refrain from bursting into a flood of tears. I
wish all were like-minded with your honoured father and uncle: matters
then would not be carried on with so high an hand. I fear they are led
too much. Such violent methods, such a narrow way of acting, can never
be the way to promote and enlarge the kingdom of the blessed JESUS.
It surely must be wrong to fix such bounds to ourselves, as forbid
even our hearing those who love the LORD JESUS in sincerity, and have
also been owned of him. CHRIST would not have done so.――Supposing the
scheme of government which the associate presbytery contend for to
be scriptural, yet forbearance and long-suffering is to be exercised
towards such as may differ from them; and I am verily persuaded,
there is no such form of government prescribed in the book of GOD,
as excludes a toleration of all other forms whatsoever. Was the New
Testament outward tabernacle to be built as punctual as the old,
as punctual directions would have been given about the building it;
whereas, it is only deduced by inference, and thus we see Independents,
Presbyterians, and Episcopalians bring the same text to support their
particular scheme, and I believe JESUS CHRIST thereby would teach
us to exercise forbearance and long-suffering to each other. Was
the associate presbytery scheme to take effect, out of conscience,
if they acted consistently, they must restrain, and grieve, if not
persecute many of GOD’s children who could not possibly come into
their measures; and I doubt not but their present violent methods,
together with the corruptions of that assembly, will cause many to
turn Independents, and set up particular churches of their own. This
was the effect of archbishop _Laud_’s acting with so high an hand; and
whether it be presbytery or episcopacy, if managed in the same manner,
it will be productive of the same effects. Blessed be GOD, I have
not so learned CHRIST. I preach the simple gospel, and our glorious
JESUS is pleased to attend it with his power. Every day I feel more
and more of the divine presence, and people are coming to me crying,
“What shall we do to be saved.” The love of JESUS fills my soul, and
constrains me to write thus freely to you. O dear Sir, I love and
honour your pious father. Remember me in the kindest manner to the
good old man. I pray GOD, his last days may not be employed too much
in the non-essentials of religion. My heart is knit to the family.
GOD forbid, that any thing should hinder us from taking sweet counsel
together. GOD willing, I am to preach at _Falkirk_ on _Tuesday_
evening, and purpose to be at _Sterling_ that night, and to preach
twice there the next day. If it was thought advisable, I would collect
for the Orphan-house at _Georgia_ in the afternoon. The LORD be with
you, and all the family. Forget me not in your prayers.――I am a poor
unworthy wretch. As such, pray for
Your affectionate friend and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._