_To Mr. J―――― B――――, in London._
_On board the Mary and Ann, May 27, 1742._
_My dear Brother B――――_,
YOUR letter was sweet to my heart. Business prevented my answering it
on shore. Our Saviour is pleased at this time to give me leisure and
freedom. I will now endeavour to answer it on board. I need not tell
you, I love you. GOD has often bore witness to our fellowship, by
giving us his presence, and filling us as with new wine. What has
happened of late to disunite, will in the end, I am persuaded, only
promote a closer union. “Out of the eater will come forth meat, and
out of the strong will come forth sweetness.” Blessed be our Saviour’s
free grace! I feel my heart more and more enlarged towards, and more
and more disposed to love and honour all denominations of believers,
than ever I experienced before. In all societies of christians under
heaven, there must necessarily be persons of a different standing in
the school of CHRIST. Those who are not solidly established in the
love of GOD, will fall too much in love with the outward form of their
particular church, be it what it will. But as the love of GOD gets
the ascendency, the more they will be like him and his holy angels,
and consequently rejoice when souls are brought to JESUS, whatever
instruments may be made use of for that purpose. If therefore some
that you and I know, are too confined (as I believe is too much the
case); if they do not preach more frequently, and abound more in good
works, I think it is for want of having their hearts more inflamed
with the love of GOD, and their graces kept in more constant exercise.
To stir up the gift of GOD that is in us, is an apostolical injunction;
and if we do not keep upon our watch we shall fall into a false
stillness. Nature loves ease; and as a blind zeal often prompts us to
speak too much, so tepidity and lukewarmness often cause us to speak
too little. Divine wisdom alone, is profitable to direct; and I would
be very cautious how I speak, least I should take too much upon me. I
love those you mention, from my soul; and all I can say is, “LORD, do
thou lead and guide both them and us.” We are blind helpless creatures.
I wish there was more confidence between us all; but I see that none
but the spirit of GOD can outwardly unite us, and therefore I have now
given it up into the Redeemer’s hand. Only this I pray, that I may be
one of the first and not the last in bringing back the king. If I have
at any time set improper bounds to the spirit of GOD, or grieved it
in his children, I desire to be very low, and to be broken hearted
for it. I am sure it hath not been done willingly. I must own, I have
sometimes opposed you, because I think you have made, and are yet
making, too much haste. You seem to be like-minded with those, who in
our Saviour’s time thought that the kingdom of GOD would then come:
but you know how our LORD checked them for it, and told them, “it was
not for them to know the particular times and seasons of his coming to
set up his kingdom.” I believe with you, that our glorious _Emmanuel_
is about to do great things. But how, when, and where, I leave to his
divine, sovereign disposal. I desire strictly to mind the particular
plan assigned me; at the same time to look about, and see what others
the wonderful counsellor is pleased to employ in other districts: and
though they may differ from me in some points, I wish them abundant
prosperity in the name of our common LORD. I am of your mind with
respect to the church of _England_. This, this is the constant,
abiding, intense language of my heart; “LORD JESUS, let thy kingdom
come.” You see, my dear brother, how fully I write to you. It is
because I love you. O that we may be taught to bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfil the law of CHRIST! May the LORD keep us all
from falling out in our way to heaven. Amen and amen! You and yours
will join heartily in the same petition, with
Your affectionate brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._