_To Mr. J―――― N――――._
_Edinburgh, Sept. 13, 1742._
_My very dear brother N――――_,
I Have just been writing to our dear brother _G―――― T――――_, and now
sit down to write to you. Both your letters came to me at the same
time, and had I not been used to trials of that nature, would have
affected me much. Dear Mr. _T――――_ speaks many things, that I know are
too true of the _Moravian Brethren_; but his spirit seems to be too
much heated, and I fear some of his own wild-fire is mixed with that
sacred fire of zeal, which comes from GOD. My dear brother, I want to
be more like unto GOD, who sees and corrects all things that are amiss,
and yet continues unmoved in his own nature. I want to be more like
unto JESUS, GOD blessed for evermore! who sees all the quarrels and
heart-risings of his children one amongst another, and yet bears with,
and loves them still. My heart doth not reproach me, for my kindness
and friendship with those that differ from me. I think I have been
led by the word and spirit of GOD into this part of my conduct; but
I confess that I am jealous, and trust with a godly jealousy, over
many who talk and write of the Lamb, and who mimic some particular
persons in their outward way of behaviour, but yet are not truly poor
in spirit. They act too much like me, who at my first setting out
imitated the outward shew of humility in Monsieur _Dezenly_, before I
got true simplicity of heart. Indeed, I have too little of it now. But,
blessed be GOD by his free grace, I am what I am. I think I can say I
am made unfeignedly happy in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and can discover
in some measure between a false and disguised holiness. Glory be to
the Redeemer’s name, I walk in light and liberty, and am enabled to
rejoice in the LORD always. Though I can say to corruption, “Thou
art my sister,” yet I can with a full assurance of faith at all times
say, “GOD is my father, and all is mine, because I am CHRIST’s.” My
dear, very dear host and brother, I pray GOD that you and I may more
experience the glorious liberty of the children of GOD: a liberty
not from the in-being, but from the reigning power and dominion of
sin. JESUS came to make us kings, as well as priests, and it is our
privilege to reign upon the earth. We that believe, do enter into rest.
Faith is of an all-conquering nature, and causes us to trample sin,
death, and hell under our feet. My dear brother, I experience more,
unspeakably more of the Redeemer’s power, than when I saw you last.
My happiness increases daily, and I am persuaded will increase, ’till
grace is swallowed up in glory. My principles as to the fundamentals
of the gospel are just the same as yours. I cannot renounce those
precious truths, that I have felt the power of, and which were taught
me not of man but of GOD. At the same time, I would love all that love
JESUS, though they differ from me in some points. The angels love all
the true worshippers of JESUS every where, and why should not we? If
our brethren will quarrel with us, let us not quarrel with them. O my
dear brother, I pray our dear Redeemer to give you meekness to those,
who may not see so far as you do. I entreat you, my dear brother, to
overcome their evil with your good. Zeal for GOD may excite others
to oppose you, as well as you to oppose them; therefore bear with
and love them. This will shew you to be a disciple indeed, and to
have that mind, which was in CHRIST JESUS. O that we grew up into
his divine likeness, and were indeed conformed to our great Exemplar!
How truly simple and void of guilt should we be! Our brother, I fear,
has not dealt uprightly with me. At first he called me a servant of
GOD, and then a blasphemer and deceiver, and said, I should be in a
miserable condition. Pray tell _P――――_ of it, and acquaint him at the
same time, that I grow happier and happier in the Lamb every day, and
more and more honoured by the great Head and King of the Church. O
simplicity! whether art thou fled?――In a short time I hope to embark
for _Georgia_, and then, GOD willing, I shall see you face to face.
Wonderful things have been doing here; things unspeakable and full
of glory. The confusions abroad are no greater than what I expected
to hear of. Just such a scene hath been at home; but the glorious
_Emmanuel_ will over-rule all for good. Why have you not written to my
poor family in _Georgia_? I am persuaded great things will come from
the orphan-house. O remember, my dear brother, to exercise catholic
love in all its branches. I love and long much to see you. I shall
write, GOD willing, to Mr. _W――――_. I find his spirit is also
imbittered. May the LORD sweeten all your hearts! With hearty thanks
for all favours, I am, my very dear brother,
Most affectionately yours in the glorious JESUS,
_G. W._