_To Mr. S―――― M――――, in Gainsborough._
_On board the Mary and Ann, May 26, 1742._
_My dear Brother_,
YOUR letter dated _May 5th_ was very agreeable to me. I think it
savoured of a true Israelitish spirit, and therefore I find freedom
to send you a plain and simple answer. Who _J―――― H――――_ is, I cannot
tell. If he was converted by my unworthy ministry, or others by his
means, let our dear JESUS have all the glory. I shall know who they
are, at the great day. Mr. _P――――_ I know very well. I believe he is
a good man, but am not enough acquainted with his proceedings, either
wholly to commend or condemn them. Whether he preaches in public, or
converses only in a private manner, I know not. This one thing I know,
if he be sent of GOD, I wish him prosperity. The answer which our LORD
gave to those who forbad such as were casting out devils in his name,
because they followed not with them, makes me particularly cautious,
how I interrupt any one that seems to speak of JESUS with sincerity of
heart. As for his speaking so little against the church of England, I
cannot discommend him for that. I find it best to talk only of JESUS’s
blood, and the power of his Redemption, and not dwell much on outward
things or outward worship. When the woman of _Samaria_ asked our
LORD, “where men ought to worship,” he diverted the discourse from the
outward to the inward worship. “The worship of the Father in spirit
and in truth.” Some things may be wrong in the church of _England_,
and in this mixed state we must never expect to see a perfect church,
or a perfect man. It is therefore my constant aim to agree with all
the children of GOD, as far as I can, and not to quarrel though we
differ in some points. In civil society, one family does not differ
with another, because it hath not the same orders in every respect.
Would to GOD we observed the same rule in spirituals. The world falls
out enough with us; it is pity we should fall out among ourselves. My
brother, I have written to you out of the fulness of my heart; whether
I shall see your face in the flesh, I know not. At present, my call
is to _Scotland_.――If the cloud should move towards _Lincolnshire_,
my answer is, “LORD, lo I come!” I am quite confounded when I
think that such a wretch as I should ever be employed in preaching
the everlasting gospel. I often fall down under a sense of GOD’s
distinguishing mercy, and with awful adoration am frequently made to
cry out, “Why me, LORD; why me?” O my brother, help me to praise the
Lamb of GOD, that taketh away the sins of the world. A wonderful work
is carried on both at home and abroad. I shall be glad to hear from
you again. Be pleased to direct as before. I am, in the bowels of
JESUS CHRIST,
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,
_G. W._