_To Mr. E――――, in Philadelphia._
_Edinburgh, Sept. 14, 1742._
_My very dear Brother_,
YOUR kind letter came to hand a few days ago, and I rejoice to hear
that you are now happy. I wish you may be really settled and rooted
and grounded in love, and no longer so tossed about as you have
been in times past. I find many talk and boast of rest, of which I
fear they have not yet got a feeling possession. There is as much
difference between these two, as between a shadow and the substance.
Far be it from me, to think thus of you, my dear brother. No, I
believe our Saviour has really loved and washed you in his blood,
and redeemed you unto GOD, that you might be a king and priest, and
reign upon the earth. There is plenteous redemption in the blood of
JESUS. He came, not only that we might have life, but that we might
have it more abundantly. He that believeth on JESUS, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water. They that believe enter into rest.
O glorious redemption! O glorious liberty of the children of GOD!
Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed; they,
who having not seen, yet have loved JESUS, and do rejoice with joy
unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. Blessed be GOD, that
you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago. In a year’s time,
you will be ashamed to think what a dwarf you are now. A believer is
to pass from glory to glory. It is ignorance and pride that makes us
think we have already attained. The more we are acquainted with JESUS,
the more we shall be acquainted with our own hearts, and grow more
truly poor in spirit every day. Indeed, my dear brother, I am a
thousand times happier than when you saw me. JESUS hath saved me from
many corruptions, and is every day transforming me more and more into
his own likeness. I cannot rest, unless I feel a sensible growth in
my soul, and find that I get more of the true artless simplicity that
was in JESUS. Blessed be GOD for that fulness which is in CHRIST, out
of which we are all to receive grace for grace. Many, many souls have
lately been drawing out of this fulness. I am amazed at his love to
me! O free grace! O sovereign, distinguishing, unmerited love!――I
think you did well in receiving some particular persons into your
house. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,” says the Apostle. I
cannot think it is right, to be so far carried away with an orthodox
scheme, as to neglect acts of love to the members of CHRIST’s body.
Give me leave, my dear brother, to behave with all meekness toward
those, who may not be so well affected toward such whom you love. If
you do not take care, and keep close to the blessed JESUS, your spirit
may be imbittered, and you may yet insensibly sink into bigotry. Some
of our _English_ friends, I am sure, have done so. It is a blessed
thing to be kept free. JESUS can do this for you, my dear brother, and
I am persuaded he will. In the love of a crucified JESUS,
Ever yours,
_G. W._