_To Mr. S――――, at Worcester._
_London, Dec. 9, 1742._
_Rev. and dear Sir_,
HOWEVER engaged I may be, I think it my duty to answer your kind
letter as soon as possible. It is not fit that my Master’s aged
servant should wait long for an answer from a younger brother,
especially as I know you write with so much difficulty. I thank you,
Rev. Sir, for your plain dealing. It is what pleaseth me well. Indeed,
I feel myself a poor, vile, worthless creature, and am glad to receive
advice from you, who have been so long in the Redeemer’s service.
However ungrateful it may be to the old man, the language of my heart
is, “LORD, search me and try me, and whatever secret wickedness lurks
in my soul, discover it to me, and give me power over it, that nothing
may divert me from that way, which leads me to life everlasting.”
Your advice, Rev. Sir, in respect to preaching, was salutary and good,
and if I may speak any thing of myself, is what I keep close to. I
am remarked for my evangelical preaching, and comforting the mourners
of _Zion_. I am never so much in my element, as when I preach free
grace to the chief of sinners. As to the gentleman you mention, I do
not remember I ever conversed with such a person. I believe there can
scarce an instance be given of any one sent to _Bedlam_ by my sermons.
But I rejoice in this, and all other calumnies that are cast upon me.
_All hail reproach, welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._
I must have some thorn in the flesh, to serve as a poise to the
great honour my Master is pleased to put upon me. In _Scotland_, my
reception was extraordinary. It was almost wholly amongst the people
and clergy of the _kirk_, with many of the highest rank. I was very
intimate with several persons of quality, who I trust have been
awakened to a true sense of the divine life, and enabled to count
all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge
of CHRIST JESUS their LORD. My chief opposition was from the dear
Mr. _E――――s_ and the associate presbytery. They first invited me
to _Scotland_; but finding I would preach for the ministers of the
established church, as well as for them, they spoke all manner of
evil against me falsly, and imputed all the work in _Scotland_ and
_New-England_ to the agency of the evil spirit. I pitied, prayed for,
and loved them, and do so still. O, reverend Sir, what thanks shall I
give to my LORD for carrying me through so many trying dispensations?
I know you will help me to adore and praise him. I am much blessed
here. We have many gracious souls. Ere long I must leave them. I have
not the least thought of seeing _Worcester_. Glad shall I be to kiss
your aged hands; but I shall see you in glory. Begging the continuance
of your prayers, and with all possible thanks for all favours, I
subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,
Your most obliged and affectionate friend and younger brother
and servant in JESUS,
_G. W._