_To the Reverend Mr. W――――, of Dundee._
_Edinburgh, July 7, 1742._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
YOUR letter gave me some little concern, I thought it breathed much of
a sectarian spirit; to which I hoped dear Mr. _W――――_ was quite averse.
Methinks you seem, dear Sir, not satisfied, unless I declare myself a
Presbyterian, and openly renounce the church of _England_. GOD knows
that I have been faithful in bearing a testimony against what I think
is corrupt in that church. I have shewn my freedom in communicating
with the church of _Scotland_, and in baptizing children their own way.
I can go no further. As for what you mention about the Quakers, I know
not what particular exceptionable passages there were in my sermons,
in which I mentioned them. That some good souls are among the
Quakers, I doubt not.――For such I have charity, because our LORD hath
given to them his spirit.――Though I am a strenuous defender of the
righteousness of CHRIST, and utterly detest _Arminian_ principles, yet
I know that GOD gave me the Holy Ghost, before I was clear in either
as to head-knowledge: and therefore, dear Sir, I am the more moderate
to people who are not clear, supposing I see the divine image stamped
upon their hearts. Mr. _W――――_, Mr. _L――――_, &c. I take to be holy men
of GOD, though they think far widely from me, and from each other in
some particular branches of doctrine. Dear Sir, be not offended at my
plain speaking. I find but few of a truly catholic spirit. Most are
catholic till they bring persons over to their own party, and there
they would fetter them. I have not so learned CHRIST. I desire to act
as GOD acts. I shall approve, and join with all who are good in every
sect, and cast a mantle of love over all that are bad, so far as is
consistent with a good conscience. This I can do without temporizing;
nay I should defile my conscience if I did otherwise. As for my
answer to Mr. _M――――_, dear Sir, it is very satisfying to my own soul.
Morning and evening retirement is certainly exceeding good; but if
through weakness of body, or frequency of preaching, I cannot go to
GOD in my usual set times, I think my spirit is not in bondage. It
is not for me to tell how often I use secret prayer; if I did not use
it, nay, if in one sense I did not pray without ceasing, it would be
difficult for me to keep up that frame of soul, which by the divine
blessing I daily enjoy. If the work of GOD prospers, and your hands
become more full, you will then, dear Sir, know better what I mean.
But enough of this. GOD knows my heart, I would do every thing I
possibly could, to satisfy all men, and give a reason of the hope that
is in me with meekness and fear; but I cannot satisfy all that are
waiting for an occasion to find fault: our LORD could not; I therefore
despair of doing it. However, dear Sir, I take what you have said in
very good part: only I think you are too solicitous to clear up my
character to captious and prejudiced men. Let my master speak for me.
Blessed be GOD, he will, so long as I simply throw myself into his
almighty arms. I am glad the work goes on with you. Glory be to GOD,
we have seen glorious things in the _West_. My tender love to all that
are pleased to remember me. When I shall come your way, I know not.
On _Friday_, GOD willing, I go to _Cambuslang_, where I expect to see
great days of the son of man. That GOD may bless you abundantly more
and more, and cause your latter end greatly to increase, is the hearty
prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours &c.
_G. W._