_To Mr. B――――, at Philadelphia._
_Gloucester, Feb. 5, 1742._
_Dear Mr. B――――_,
I Was much rejoiced to receive a letter from your hands. Blessed be
GOD for carrying on the work, which, I hope, was begun in your heart
long ago! I trust you will never rest till you are possessed of the
whole mind which was in CHRIST JESUS. He is our pattern; and if we
have true grace in our hearts, we shall be continually labouring to
copy after our great exemplar. O the life of JESUS! How little of it
is to be seen in those that call themselves his followers. Humility,
meekness, love, peace, joy, goodness, faith, and the other blessed
fruits of the Spirit, whither are they fled? I fear most take up
with the shadow, instead of the substance. GOD forbid that I, or dear
Mr. _B――――_, should be of that unhappy number. Dear Sir, there is an
unspeakable fulness, unsearchable riches in CHRIST. Out of him we are
to receive grace for grace. Every grace that was in the Redeemer, is
to be transcribed and copied into our hearts. This is Christianity;
and without this, though we could dispute with the utmost clearness,
and talk like angels, of the doctrines of grace, it would profit us
nothing. To prevent the growth of this inward life, I am persuaded
satan introduces heresies in the church, hoping thereby to stir up
strife, envy, prejudice, and narrowness of spirit; and where these are,
there will be every evil work. To this end, _sinless perfection_ hath
been propagated in _England_, and _Antinomian principles_ suffered to
be spread among you. But, blessed be GOD, both in _England_, and with
you, I trust disputations and distractions are abated, and love and
unity once more are lifting up their heads. This, at present, is the
language of my heart:
_Let us find out the ancient way,
Our wond’ring foes to move;
And force the heathen world to say,
See how these Christians love._
“Love is of GOD; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in GOD.” I
am glad you are erecting a society to promote this love. Fear not
the smallness of your beginning. What is begun in the fear of GOD, he
will prosper. I believe them to be true followers of JESUS CHRIST; and
though we agree not in all things, yet I pray GOD to make us one in
heart. Now, dear Mr. _B――――_, what shall I say more. The blessed JESUS
has been superabundantly good to my soul since my arrival. I have
been carried, though through much weakness, as on eagles wings. In
_England_, _Wales_, and _Scotland_, GOD hath blessed my poor labours
more than ever. The calls to divers places, are loud and importunate;
and, as GOD has raised up many labourers among you, I think it my
duty to stay here some time longer, and to visit _Scotland_ once more.
However, my friends abroad are continually upon my heart. I pray GOD
for you night and day. May the LORD fill you with all his fulness! I
desire to be remembered to all mentioned in your’s, and to all that
love the LORD JESUS. I love you unfeignedly, and entreat you to write
again to, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend and servant,
_G. W._