,the ,works of the ,reverend ,george ,whitefield1 ,m4,a4 ,transcriber's ,notes ,punctuation has been standardized4 ,the original text may show quotations within quotations1 set off by similar quote marks4 ,the inner quotations have been changed to alternate quote marks for improved readability4 ,characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps4 ,non-printable characteristics have been given the following ,italic text3 -- text ,this book was written in a period when many words had not become standardized in their spelling4 ,words may have multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in the text4 ,these have been left unchanged unless indicated with a ,transcriber's ,note4 ,footnotes are identified in the text with a superscript number and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear4 ,transcriber's ,notes are used when making corrections to the text or to provide additional information for the modern reader4 ,these notes are identified by symbols in the text and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear4 ,illustration3 ,the ,rev4 ,george ,whitefield ,a4,m4 late ,chaplain to the ,r ,hon1 ,the ,countess of ,huntingdon4 ,born ,dec4 #af4 #agad ,o4 ,s4 ,died ,sep4 #cj4 #aggj4 ,n4 ,hone pinx4 ,i4 ,taylor ,sculp4 ,,the ,,works ,,of ,,the ,,reverend ,,george ,,whitefield1 ,m4,a4 ,late of ,,pembroke-,,college1 ,,oxford1 ,and ,chaplain to the ,rt4 ,hon4 the ,countess of ,,huntingdon4 ,,containing ,all his ,,sermons and ,,tracts ,which have been already published3 ,,with ,a ,,select ,,collection of ,,letters1 ,written to his most intimate ,friends1 and ,persons of ,distinction1 in ,england1 ,scotland1 ,ireland1 and ,america1 from the ,year #agcd1 to #aggj1 including the whole ,period of his ,ministry4 ,,also ,some other ,,pieces on ,,important ,,subjects1 never before printed2 prepared by ,himself for the ,press4 ,to which is prefixed1 ,an ,,account of his ,,life1 ,compiled from his ,original ,,papers and ,,letters4 ,,vol4 ,i4 ,,london3 ,printed for ,,edward and ,,charles ,,dilly1 in the ,poultry2 and ,messrs4 ,,kincaid and ,,bell1 at ,edinburgh4 ,,mdcclxxi4 ,entered at ,,stationers-,,hall1 agreeable to ,act of ,parliament4 ,,advertisement4 ,,this complete ,edition of the late ,rev4 ,mr4 ,,whitefield's ,works 7printed under the ,direction of his ,executors7 it is presumed1 will be highly acceptable to all his ,friends1 as the just and proper ,monument of his ,memory and ,merit2 and both pleasing and useful to the ,public in general1 but especially to those who desire to cherish and promote the ,spirit of primitive ,christianity4 ,to the ,sermons and ,tracts formerly published1 and which are now ranged in their proper ,order1 are also added other ,pieces1 on the most ,important ,subjects3 together with a valuable ,collection of ,letters1 selected and prepared by himself for ,publication2 in which is displayed1 that native ,spirit and ,simplicity1 so eminently conspicuous in his ,life and ,conversation4 ,his ,friends1 and even his ,enemies 7should there be any ,such7 will here openly behold his unwearied ,diligence1 undaunted ,firmness1 noble ,disinterestedness1 and exceeding ,usefulness in the ,work of the ,ministry2 also1 his remarkable ,fidelity in ,friendship1 exemplary ,piety1 and fervent ,zeal for the ,prosperity of pure and undefiled ,religion4 ,the ,letters and ,works can stand in no need of any ,recommendation3 ,connected with the account of his ,life1 7now drawn from original ,papers7 they exhibit a plain and undisguised ,view of the worthy ,author1 in all ,parts of his public ,service1 as well as in his private ,retirements1 and inward ,trials2 faithfully shewing the ,whole of that living ,temple1 which was sacred to ,,god1 and happily instructing ,mankind in the ,ways of ,godliness and eternal ,life4 ,,letters4 ,,letter ,i4 ,to ,mr4 ,g4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,july #ah1 #agcd4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,having heard the melancholy news of your brother's death1 ,i could not help sending you a line1 to let you know how much ,i am concerned4 ,indeed1 ,i cannot say1 ,i am so much grieved on his account1 as for that sorrow1 which the loss of so valuable a youth must necessarily occasion to all his relations4 ,no6 ,i rather envy him his blessed condition4 ,he1 unquestionably is divinely blessed1 whilst we are still left behind to wrestle with unruly passions1 and by a continued looking unto ,,jesus and running in our christian race1 to press forward to that high prize1 of which he1 dear ,youth1 is now in full fruition4 ,these are my true sentiments about his death2 ,i leave you to judge then1 whether ,i had need be concerned on his account2 and surely was it to be put to your choice1 whether so religious a young man should live or die1 no one could be so cruel1 as to wish to detain him from his wished-for glory4 ,be not then too much concerned at his death1 but let us rather learn that important lesson1 which his whole life taught us3 8,that there is nothing comparable to an early piety40 ,i thought to have spent many agreeable hours with him in christian and edifying conversation1 when ,i came to ,gloucester2 but he is gone to more agreeable company1 and long before now has joined the heavenly choir4 ,i shall only add1 that as your brother imitated our blessed ,,saviour in his life1 so ,i pray ,,god1 he may resemble him in his death1 and be a means1 like his beloved ,redeemer1 of reconciling all former animosities1 which is the hearty wish of1 dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ii4 ,to ,mr4 ,g4 ,h4 ,bristol1 ,sept4 #aj1 #agcd4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,this morning ,i wrote to you in haste1 expecting ,mr4 ,i4 would soon be going2 but to my great satisfaction1 he came hither this night1 and soon afterwards1 your very much wished-for letter was brought to hand2 which 7after ten thousand thanks for so many repeated favours7 ,i shall now beg leave to answer4 ,you tell me 8,mr4 ,p4 likes ,n40 ,,god be praised6 ,that he hath recommended something to my perusal4 ,i'll read it1 ,,god willing1 with care1 at my return4 8,that he wants to know my quality1 state1 condition1 circumstances1 c40 ,alas6 that anyone should enquire after such a wretch as ,i am4 ,however1 since he hath been so kind1 pray tell him1 that as for my quality1 ,i was a poor1 mean drawer2 but by the distinguishing grace of ,,god1 am now intended for the ministry4 ,as for my estate1 that ,i am a servitor2 and as to my condition and circumstances1 ,i have not of my own any where to lay my head4 ,but my friends1 by ,,god's providence1 minister daily to me1 and in return for such unmerited1 unspeakable blessings1 ,i trust the same good ,being will give me grace to dedicate myself without reserve to his service4 ,to 8spend and be spent0 for the welfare of my fellow-creatures1 endeavouring to promote the gospel of his ,son as much as lies in my poor power4 ,but 8observe his humility10 says ,mr4 ,h4 ,aye1 catch an old ,christian without profound humility1 if you can4 ,believe me1 ,sir1 it is nothing but this flesh of ours1 those cursed seeds of the proud apostate1 which lie lurking in us1 that make us to think ourselves worthy of the very air we breathe4 ,when our eyes are opened by the influences of divine grace1 we then shall begin to think of ourselves as we ought to think1 even1 that ,,god is all1 and we are less than nothing4 ,well1 you may cry1 ,o happy temper1 could ,i but learn of ,,christ to be meek and lowly in heart1 ,i should certainly find rest to my soul4 ,may ,,god1 for his dear ,,son's sake1 give it to you1 to me1 and to all our dear friends6 8,some like1 some dislike the extract10 you say4 ,i did not do it1 to please man1 but ,,god4 8,mr4 ,w4 is too much engaged in temporals40 ,is he8 ,oh dear ,sir1 pray that when ,i enter the ministry1 ,i may be wholly engaged in spirituals3 ,but 8,mrs4 ,h4 has been ill1 and is now recovered40 ,,god be praised for both6 ,our ,saviour1 ,sir1 learnt obedience by the things which he suffered1 so must we4 ,pain1 if patiently endured1 and sanctified to us1 is a great purifier of our corrupted nature4 ,it will teach us excellent lessons4 ,i hope ,mr4 ,h4 has been enabled to learn some of them4 ,so much in answer to your kind letter4 ,you say 8it was too long40 ,believe me1 ,sir1 it was much too short2 but a line is more than ,i deserve4 ,however1 ,i have made out in mine1 what was wanting in yours4 ,my ,mother's journey to ,gloucester1 ,i fear1 is spoiled by the weather4 ,,god's blessed will be done6 ,i hope to be with you about next ,tuesday sevennight4 8,i am missed10 you say2 and you may well miss such a troublesome guest4 ,well1 ,,god will reward you richly1 ,i trust4 ,never despair of my brother2 when ,,god acts upon the soul1 he makes quick work of it4 ,be pleased to tell ,mr4 ,m4 that his remissness hath occasioned me many a sigh1 and his return from his relapse1 matter of abundant thanks to ,,god in his behalf4 ,oh let us young1 unexperienced soldiers1 be always upon our guard2 the very moment we desert our post1 the enemy rushes in2 and if he can but divert our eyes from looking heavenward1 he will soon so blind us1 that we shall not look towards it at all4 ,a great deal may be learned from a little fall4 ,but ,i must not detain you any longer1 than to assure you how much ,i am1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your and ,mrs4 ,h4's sincere friend and servant1 in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,iii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,sept4 #ag1 #agcd4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,had the favour of your letter last ,friday1 which brought me the agreeable news of your and ,mrs4 ,h4's welfare1 together with the much-desired account of your approving the scheme1 inclosed in my last4 ,indeed1 ,i did not doubt of its meeting with a candid reception1 from all those persons to whom it was recommended4 ,their known concern for religion1 giving me sufficient assurance1 that nothing can be unacceptable to them1 which any way tended to promote their improvement in the divine life4 ,it must be confessed1 indeed1 as you very justly observed1 that we must make a great progress in religion1 and be inured by frequent prayer and meditation1 to the extatic contemplation of heavenly objects1 before we can arrive at true heavenly-mindedness2 and1 perhaps1 after all our endeavours1 whilst our souls are immersed in these fleshly tabernacles1 we shall make but very small advances in so delightful and glorious an undertaking4 ,but believe me1 ,sir1 you cannot imagine1 how vastly serviceable the constant use of all the means of religion will be1 in acquiring this blessed habit of mind4 ,such1 as an early rising in the morning1 public and private prayer1 a due temperance in all things1 and frequent meditation on the infinite love and purity of that unparalleled pattern of all perfection1 our dear ,redeemer4 ,as for your mentioning1 ,sir1 the degeneracy of the age1 as the least objection against our making further advances in any religious improvement1 ,i cannot by any means admit of it4 ,the scriptures 7as ,i take it7 are to be the only rules of action4 ,and the examples of our blessed ,,lord and his apostles1 the grand patterns whereby we are to form the conduct of our lives4 ,it is true1 indeed1 that instances of an exalted piety are rarely to be met with in the present age1 and one would think1 if we were to take an estimate of our religion1 from the lives of most of its professors1 that christianity was nothing but a dead letter4 ,but then it is not our religion1 but ourselves that are to be blamed all this while4 ,would we live as the primitive christians did1 we might no doubt have the same assistance vouchsafed us1 as they had4 ,,god's grace is never restrained1 and though we should not arrive at those heights of heavenly-mindedness1 as some of the primitive christians were eminent for1 yet1 methinks we should imitate them as far as we can1 and rely on the divine goodness for grants of such a supply of grace1 as he1 in his good pleasure1 shall judge most convenient for us4 ,be pleased to send for ,mr4 ,law's ,christian ,perfection for me against my coming into the country1 if printed in a small edition4 ,i am1 with due respects to self1 spouse1 and all other friends1 ,your's sincerely1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,iv4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,dec4 #d1 #agcd4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,am heartily glad to hear that the country parson has had so good an effect upon you1 and that you are resolved to set in earnest1 about working out your salvation3 ,be sure quench not these first motions2 but go on vigorously and manfully1 without the least regard to what the world may say2 if you can once break with that1 you are safe4 ,the prayers1 ,i hope to send you next week4 ,only let me give you this caution1 not to depend on any advice or book1 that is given you2 but solely on the grace of ,,god attending it4 ,the book which ,i have sent to my brother1 and would recommend to you and all my ,gloucester friends1 will soon convince you how dangerous it is to be a lukewarm christian1 and that there is nothing to be done without breaking from the world1 denying ourselves daily1 taking up our cross1 and following ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,these things may seem a little terrible at first1 but believe me1 they are nothing but suggestions of our enemy to deter us from setting out2 and if you can credit me1 mortification itself1 when once practised1 is the greatest pleasure in the world4 ,but hold1 ,i shall transgress the time prescribed me1 therefore give me only leave to add my hearty prayer for your successful progress in religion1 and to subscribe myself in great haste1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,v4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agce4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,believe you think me a strange sort of a person1 for not being so good as my word in coming down this winter2 and what is worse1 in not letting you have a line to acquaint you of my reasons for it4 ,and1 indeed1 ,i am not as yet determined2 providence having ordered 7,i hope7 that this seeming unkindness shall1 in the end1 prove very serviceable on all sides4 ,however1 though ,i have been thus hindred1 yet1 ,i think you heard from me last1 and am really surprized to find you should1 now so long since1 have desired that collection of prayers1 and be wholly unconcerned about them ever after4 ,indeed1 they will be of no service to you1 unless you grant me this one postulatum3 8,that we must renounce ourselves40 ,what the meaning of this phrase may be1 the preface to the prayers will best inform you4 ,i did not doubt of its meeting with but a cold reception1 it being 7at first view7 so very contrary to flesh and blood4 ,for1 perhaps1 you may think1 that this renouncing of ourselves1 must necessarily lead us 7as it certainly does7 to acts of self-denial and mortification2 and1 that we probably may be saved without them4 ,and lest you should after all imagine1 7which ,i trust you will not7 that true religion does consist in any thing1 besides an entire renewal of our natures into the image of ,,god2 ,i have sent you a book entitled1 ,the ,life of ,,god in the ,soul of ,man1 written by a young1 but an eminent christian1 which will inform you1 what true religion is1 and by what means you may attain it4 ,as likewise1 how wretchedly most people err in their sentiments about it1 who suppose it to be nothing else 7as he tells us page #c;d7 but a mere model of outward performances2 without ever considering1 that all our corrupt passions must be subdued1 and a complex habit of virtues1 such as meekness1 lowliness1 faith1 hope1 and the love of ,,god and of man1 be implanted in their room1 before we can have the least title to enter into the kingdom of ,,god4 ,our divine master having expressly told us1 that 8unless we renounce ourselves1 and take up our cross daily1 we cannot be his disciples40 ,and again1 8unless we have the spirit of ,,christ1 we are none of his40 ,you will scarce have time1 ,i imagine1 before ,mr4 ,h4 leaves ,gloucester1 to revise1 what ,i have recommended to your perusal4 ,however1 be pleased to let me hear from you by him1 together with an account of your free sentiments about this matter4 ,i trust 7by ,,god's grace7 we shall1 at last1 rightly understand one another's meaning4 ,i should be glad to hear too1 whether you keep morning prayers1 and how often you receive the holy communion1 there being nothing1 which so much be-dwarfs us in religion1 and hinders our progress towards the heavenly ,canaan1 as starving our souls by keeping away from the heavenly banquet4 ,i have nothing more to add at present on this subject1 till you favour me with a line1 which1 ,i hope1 you will not fail doing by ,mr4 ,h4 who will willingly bring it to1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and very humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,vi4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,march #f1 #agce4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,had the favour of your letter by ,mr4 ,h4 and1 as desired1 ,i have made enquiry about the post-masters and clerks of ,merton4 ,as to the former1 ,i hear1 that the five senior fellows have each a power to elect one in his turn1 and that there is now a vacancy1 but one ready on the spot to supply it1 and no likelihood of there being another this long while4 ,the latter1 are solely in the power of the warden1 and though all the places are at present filled up1 yet1 there will be a vacancy next term1 so that1 perhaps1 by a seasonable application1 your brother may get a friend in4 ,thus much for business4 ,as for the other particular1 specified in the latter part of your last2 ,i find by what ,i can gather from your own and my brother's expressions1 as well as from ,mr4 ,h4's discourse1 that my late letters have met with but a cold reception2 and that you seem desirous of hearing no more of so seemingly ungrateful a subject1 as submitting our wills to the will of ,,god2 which1 indeed1 is all that is implied in that phrase 7which our enemy would represent as so formidable to us7 of renouncing ourselves4 ,alas1 ,sir6 what is there that appears so monstrously terrible in a doctrine that is1 7or at least ought to be7 the constant subject of our prayers1 whenever we put up that petition of our ,,lord's3 8,thy will be done in earth1 as it is in ,heaven40 ,the import of which seems to be this4 #ast4 ,that we do every thing that ,,god wills1 and nothing but what he willeth1 #b;dly1 ,that we do every thing he wills1 only in the manner he willeth4 #c;dly1 ,that we do those things he willeth1 only because he willeth4 ,this is all1 ,sir1 ,i have been endeavouring to inculcate in my late letters2 and though it seems as clear as the light1 upon an impartial and considerate view1 yet1 our grand impostor 7whose very corruption is having a will distinct from1 and therefore contrary to ,,god's7 would fain set it out in the most hideous colours1 as though we were 8,setters forth of strange doctrines20 or proposing some higher degrees of perfection1 than every ordinary christian is obliged to aspire after2 whereas1 in truth1 it is nothing but the simple and evident language of the gospel4 ,it must be confessed1 that through the corruption of our depraved nature1 and that power1 which self-will has1 since the ,fall1 usurped in the soul1 we must necessarily break through a great many obstacles4 ,but1 dear ,sir1 be not dismayed1 the difficulty lies only in our first setting out4 ,be but vigorous at the first onset1 and never fear a conquest4 ,the renewal of our natures is a work of great importance4 ,it is not to be done in a day4 ,we have not only a new house to build up1 but an old one to pull down4 ,but then1 methinks1 this would be an odd way of reasoning1 8,because a thing requires some pains1 ,i therefore will never set about it40 ,no1 ,sir1 rather up and be doing4 ,exert your utmost efforts at your first setting out1 and take my word1 your strength as well as resolution will increase daily4 ,the means also which are necessary to be used in order to attain this end1 our cursed adversary the devil would represent to us in the most hideous forms imaginable4 ,but believe me1 ,sir1 the difficulty here too1 only lies in our first breaking from ourselves1 and that there is really more pleasure in these formidable duties of self-denial and mortification1 than in the highest indulgences of the greatest epicure upon earth4 ,give me leave1 dear ,sir1 only to remind you of one particular1 which1 if duly observed1 will vastly facilitate your future endeavours4 ,let the scriptures1 not the world1 be your rule of action4 ,by those you are to form your practice here1 and to be judged hereafter4 ,upon this account1 for the future1 ,i should be glad1 if you would communicate what passes between you and me1 to none but my brother and your spouse4 ,and if you have any1 the least scruple1 be pleased to send me word of it by a letter in an open1 friendly manner2 and1 by ,,god's blessing1 all things will be yet set right2 only be fervent in prayer4 ,as for what the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,hoar has been pleased to say1 either to you or ,mr4 ,h4 it is not my business 7out of deference1 as he is so much my superior1 as to the dignity of his office1 his age1 and his learning7 to make any reply4 ,i shall only add1 what ,i am sure ,i can prove1 8,that the gospel tells us that there is but one thing needful4 ,that we cannot sit down content with just such a degree of goodness1 and claim just such a proportionable degree of glory20 but that 8we are to love the ,,lord with all our souls1 strength1 c40 and that 8he who endureth to the end1 7and he only7 shall be saved40 ,there is a little treatise lately come out1 which ,i have made bold to send to ,mr4 ,hoar1 where we may be fully convinced by argument deducible merely from reason1 8that ,,god is our sole end10 and that barely upon a principle of prudence1 7supposing we could be happy without it7 we ought to press forward1 in order to attain the greatest degrees of happiness hereafter4 ,whether this letter1 ,sir1 may prove as offensive as the former1 is not my business to enquire4 ,,god's will be done in all things4 ,he1 and he alone can 7and indeed will1 if we are desirous of it ourselves7 work this conviction in our minds4 ,give me leave just to add1 that ,i thought it my duty to answer these few objections1 that have been raised against the difficulty of conforming our wills to the will of ,,god1 by shewing that the greatest struggle lies only at our first beginning1 and that it is no more than what is indispensably necessary for our salvation4 ,as for the means to be employed for the attainment of this end1 ,i shall be wholly silent3 ,being sensible1 that if you are once fully convinced of the greatness of it1 you will be necessarily carried on to the use of such means as ,,god hath constituted for that purpose4 ,i hope my writing after this manner1 ,sir1 will not be esteemed a piece of self-conceit1 or be an instrument of unloosing our former band of friendship1 which was once designed to be bound the faster1 by tying it with a religious knot4 ,but whether this proves to be the event1 or not1 of my telling my friends the truth1 ,i wholly leave to ,,god's ,providence4 ,be pleased however to favour me with a line in return1 and give me leave to subscribe myself1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,vii4 ,to the ,same4 ,bristol1 ,june #ab1 #agce4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,last night about eight o'clock1 your good spouse and myself came safe to our journey's end1 and met with a very kind reception from all parties4 ,after you left us1 the ladies grew more serious1 and at last by the assistance of ,mr4 ,norris1 our discourse ran into a proper channel4 ,my brother does not propose sailing this fortnight2 but tho' he stays longer than he proposed1 yet ,i hope to be at ,gloucester on ,wednesday1 for methinks my heart is still there1 tho' my body be at thirty miles distance4 ,on whose account1 ,i leave you to guess4 ,i cannot help reflecting on ,sunday4 ,did not those sighs1 think you1 ,sir1 proceed from some unusual meditations on the importance of religion8 ,were they not some infant strugglings after the new birth8 ,surely they were4 ,and ,i trust ere long1 after a few strugglings with corrupted nature1 the ,holy ,ghost will replenish your heart with comfort and peace4 ,proper retirement and solitude are no bars2 but rather great helps to a religious life4 ,we find1 our ,saviour was led into a wilderness1 before he entered on his publick ministry1 and so must we too1 if we ever intend to tread in his steps4 ,as for my brother1 ,i trust the cares of the world1 the desire of riches1 c4 will not always choak the good seed4 ,however1 ,i hope you my dear friend will not defer so important a thing4 ,but1 why do ,i say hope1 when ,i am assured you will not4 ,methinks1 ,i would willingly undergo the pangs1 so you might enjoy the pleasures of the new birth4 ,but this must not be4 ,all we can do is to sympathize with and pray for each other1 which ,i hope will not be wanting on either side1 as such a close friendship has commenced between dear ,mr4 ,h4 and ,your sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,viii4 ,to the ,same4 ,bristol1 ,sept4 #e1 #agce4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,how welcome is a line from a faithful friend8 even as welcome as a shower of rain in a droughty season4 ,but here's the misfortune1 the very kindnesses of friends may be cruelty3 ,commendations1 or even the hinting at them1 are poison to a mind addicted to pride4 ,a nail never sinks deeper than when dipt in oil4 ,a friend's words may be softer than butter1 and notwithstanding1 be very swords4 ,pray for me1 dear ,sir1 and heal the wound you have made4 ,to ,,god alone give glory4 ,to sinners nothing belongs1 but shame and confusion4 ,so much in answer to one part of your too kind letter4 ,mrs4 ,powell you say continues very ill4 ,no wonder1 ,sir2 desperate diseases must have desperate remedies4 ,satan has desired to sift her as wheat2 but ,,christ will pray for her1 ,i trust1 and then her faith will not fail4 ,oxford friends have not been wanting in letters1 and ,i find ,i must not stay much longer here4 ,for some are going to travel1 some are dead1 and one is married1 so that we must join and warm one another1 as well as we can in their absence4 ,i hope to feast with you at ,crypt next ,sunday4 ,amazing1 that ever sinners should sit with their ,saviour6 ,to what dignity has ,,christ exalted human nature4 ,and how did he do it8 ,why1 by humbling himself4 ,let us go and do likewise4 ,give me leave1 with due respects to all friends1 to subscribe myself1 ,your and spouses very humble servant and sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,p4 ,s4 ,if ,mr4 ,pauncefort's petitions run after this manner for me1 ,i should be thankful3 8,that ,,god would finish the good work he has begun in me1 that ,i may never seek nor be fond of worldly preferment2 but employ every mite of those talents it shall please ,,god to entrust me with1 to his glory and the church's good1 and likewise1 that the endeavours of my friends to revive true religion in the world1 may meet with proper success40 ,,letter ,,ix4 ,to the ,same4 ,bristol1 ,sept4 #ah1 #agce4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,as you did not expect to hear from me till ,mr4 ,bd came1 ,i hope you have not as yet accused me of being too dilatory in writing4 ,now ,i have taken the freedom1 what can be more proper for me to begin with1 than to return ten thousand thanks for those innumerable favours conferred on me at your house8 ,i trust they are all registered in the court of heaven1 and will in due time meet with a suitable return from my all-gracious and good benefactor4 ,next to this1 ,i imagine you will enquire1 how ,i like ,bristol8 ,as for the place itself1 that1 like all others1 is indifferent to me1 who have here no continuing city1 but seek one to come2 and as for the inhabitants1 tho' they teach me nothing else1 yet ,i may learn this one important lesson1 that unless ,i am very vigilant1 the children of this world1 will be much wiser in their generation1 than ,i1 who1 by the grace of ,,god1 hope am a child of light4 ,alas6 was ,i half so solicitous to attain heavenly1 as they are worldly riches1 ,i should be rich indeed4 ,that you all may be rich towards ,,god1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your very unworthy1 but sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,x4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,march #ac1 #agcf4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,have now but just time to acquaint you1 that ,,god gave me a pleasant and safe journey1 and what was still a greater blessing1 a joyful meeting with my zealous1 hearty1 sincere friends4 ,the alderman bore my expences1 and was very agreeable company2 so that on all accounts ,i have great reason to thank my good and gracious ,,god1 and to beg others to join with me in that important1 that delightful duty4 ,you will not forget retaining your old custom of reading and singing4 ,it's bad to leave off a good custom1 and the best way to make a progress in religion1 is to persist in1 and to improve on the means we enjoy4 ,i suppose honest ,james by this time is with you4 ,my hearty love to him1 and tell him1 it would do his heart good to see what a number of true altogether christians here are of his rank4 ,i hope he will let none of them outstrip him3 ,he must watch and pray against self-indulgence1 sloth1 c4 especially if he goes to a place where plenty of all things abound4 ,my due respects and hearty thanks to ,mrs4 ,h4 and all friends4 ,i hope none of their kindnesses will ever be forgotten by ,your sincere friend in great haste1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xi4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,april #b1 #agcf4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,,what a comfort is it for christian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindness of the ,,lord8 ,o let his praises be ever in our mouths1 that we may be telling of his salvation from day to day4 ,o dear ,sir1 ,i heartily join with you in the delightful duty of thanksgiving4 ,i hope that you will have every day more and more experimental proofs of that intercourse which is carried on between ,,god in heaven1 and saints on earth4 ,i must now inform you1 that the person1 who under ,,god has given me the annuity1 is ,sir ,john ,philips of ,london4 ,the occasion of it was as follows4 ,upon my coming up1 two or three of our trusty friends were called from us1 and being solicitous to keep up our society here1 the gentleman to whom you sent the book1 wrote to ,sir ,john ,philips and proposed me 7alas6 how unfit7 as a proper person to stay here and encourage our friends in fighting the good fight of faith4 ,accordingly he immediately offered me an annuity of twenty pounds4 ,to shew his disinterestedness1 he has promised me that1 whether ,i continue here or not2 and if ,i resolve to stay at ,oxon1 he'll give me thirty pounds a year4 ,if that will not do1 ,i may have more2 so that you see1 my dear friend1 what a critical point it is4 ,all that we have to do is to pray1 and watch ,providence between this and ,june1 when ,i propose1 ,,god willing1 to enter into orders1 and then no doubt my call will be clear4 ,what makes me to think that this is a call from ,,god is1 that it will be convenient for taking my degree1 and improving me in my studies4 ,whether it be or no1 ,,god only knows2 ,father1 therefore into thy hands ,i commend my spirit1 for thou hast redeemed me1 ,o ,,lord thou ,,god of truth4 ,i approve greatly of your reading ,,henry4 ,,god works by him here greatly1 and may the ,,lord prosper it in your hands4 ,good dear ,sir1 never leave off watching1 reading1 praying1 striving1 till you experimentally find ,,christ ,,jesus formed within you4 ,in a particular manner1 my dear friend1 watch against all temptations to sloth4 ,when you receive the sacrament1 earnestly endeavour to be inwardly bettered by it the week following4 ,live every day as holily as you can4 ,be frequent in self-examination morning and evening4 ,pray earnestly from your heart4 ,wrestle with ,,god1 beg him to hasten the new birth4 ,moreover be careful1 diligent in your calling1 labour hard with your own hands1 that you may have to give to him that needeth4 ,and labour not so much for the meat that perisheth1 as to neglect pursuing that which endureth to eternal life4 ,o ,mr4 ,h4 my bowels are enlarged towards you4 ,believe me to be your sincere1 tho' unworthy friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xii4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,april #bb1 #agcf4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h41 ,,now tell me the truth1 have not you called me ungrateful8 ,if you have not1 it is more than ,i deserve4 ,i have nothing to plead but business1 as an excuse for not answering your last kind letter4 ,well1 forgive me this once1 and if ,i offend so again1 then call me ungrateful indeed4 ,you order'd me to make no acknowledgments for kindnesses received4 ,you'll suffer me to ask another favour1 if not to return any more thanks4 ,be so kind then1 dear ,sir1 to desire your brother to write to me as soon as possible4 ,my good friend1 ,sir ,john ,philips1 has promised me thirty pounds a year1 if ,i'll continue at ,oxford1 and yet ,i am in doubt1 whether that annuity1 and the being appointed to serve the prison here1 will be a sufficient title for orders1 therefore ,i beg both his advice and prayers4 ,this is all ,i think that concerns outward affairs4 ,but this solemn season naturally leads me to say a word or two on a more important subject1 8the death and passion of our blessed ,lord and ,saviour40 ,if ,i mistake not1 you commemorate it to-morrow at ,crypt4 ,and blessed be ,,god1 ,i do at ,christ ,church4 ,and oh that we may commemorate it as we ought2 that we may fix our thoughts intensely on that great examplar and all atoning blood2 that we may grow in love with his meekness and patience1 and endeavour daily to be conformed to his most blessed image4 ,surely we cannot grow angry at trifles1 when the ,son of ,,god endured such bitter usage1 without the least murmur or complaint4 ,surely1 we cannot repine at any dispensations of ,providence tho' ever so severe1 when we consider1 how it pleased ,,god to bruise our ,saviour and lay upon him the iniquities of us all4 ,whatever befalls us1 is but the due reward of our crimes2 but this ,redeemer had done nothing amiss3 he was bruised for our iniquities4 ,i could run through every part of our ,,lord's sufferings1 and shew how necessary it is that we should sympathize with him in every particular4 ,but as it now grows late1 and ,i want a little time to prepare for to-morrow's solemnity1 you'll excuse me if ,i now only paraphrase a little on the prayer of the thief on the cross4 ,,lord remember us and pray for us2 ,,lord remember us and rule us2 ,,lord remember us and prepare a place for us4 ,,lord remember us in the hour of death1 and in the day of judgment4 ,my due respects to all friends1 and am sincerely ,yours1 ,g4 ,w4 #8necesary' replaced with #8necessary' ,,letter ,,xiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s4 ,gloucester1 ,june #bj1 #agcf4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,this is a day much to be remember'd1 ,o my soul6 for about noon1 ,i was solemnly admitted by good ,bishop ,benson1 before many witnesses1 into holy orders1 and was1 blessed be ,,god1 kept composed both before and after imposition of hands4 ,i endeavoured to behave with unaffected devotion2 but not suitable enough to the greatness of the office ,i was to undertake4 ,at the same time1 ,i trust1 ,i answered to every question from the bottom of my heart1 and heartily prayed that ,,god might say ,amen4 ,i hope the good of souls will be my only principle of action4 ,let come what will1 life or death1 depth or heighth1 ,i shall henceforwards live like one who this day1 in the presence of men and angels1 took the holy sacrament1 upon the profession of being inwardly moved by the ,holy ,ghost to take upon me that ministration in the church4 ,this ,i began with reading prayers to the prisoners in the county gaol4 ,whether ,i myself shall ever have the honour of stiling myself a prisoner of the ,,lord1 ,i know not2 but indeed1 my dear friend1 ,i can call heaven and earth to witness1 that when the ,bishop laid his hand upon me1 ,i gave myself up to be a martyr for him1 who hung upon the cross for me4 ,known unto him are all future events and contingences2 ,i have thrown myself blindfold1 and ,i trust without reserve1 into his almighty hands2 only ,i would have you observe1 that till you hear of my dying for1 or in my work1 you will not be apprized of all the preferment that is expected by ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 #8goal' replaced with #8gaol' ,,letter ,,xiv4 ,to the ,same4 ,gloucester1 ,june #bc1 #agcf4 ,dear ,friend1 ,,never a poor creature set up with so small a stock4 ,when the good ,bishop1 who ordained me on ,sunday1 gave out last year in his visitation charge1 that he would ordain none under full three and twenty1 my heart leap'd for joy1 for then ,i thought my friends would not only be disappointed in their hope of having me enter into orders so soon2 but that ,i should also have time 7as was my intention7 to make at least a hundred sermons1 with which to begin my ministry2 but this is so far from being the case1 that ,i have not a single one by me1 except that which ,i made for a small christian society1 and which ,i sent to a neighbouring clergyman1 to convince him how unfit ,i was to take upon me the important work of preaching4 ,he kept it for a fortnight1 and then sent it back with a guinea for the loan of it2 telling me he had divided it into two1 and had preached it morning and evening to his congregation4 ,with this sermon ,i intend to begin1 ,,god willing1 next ,sunday1 not doubting1 but that he1 who increased a little lad's loaves and fishes for the feeding of a great multitude1 will from time to time1 in the proper use of appointed means1 supply me with spiritual food for whatever congregation he in his all-wise ,providence shall be pleased to call me to4 ,help1 help me1 my dear friend1 with your warmest addresses to the throne of grace1 that ,i may not only find mercy1 but grace to help in time of need4 ,at present this is the language of my heart1 ,a guilty weak and helpless worm into thy arms ,i fall1 ,be thou my strength1 my righteousness1 my ,,jesus1 and my all4 ,oh cease not1 for ,i must again repeat it1 cease not to pray for ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xv4 ,gloucester1 ,june #bh1 #agcf4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,according to my promise ,i am now seated to write you a farewell letter4 ,for providence seems to demand my presence at ,oxford immediately1 and therefore ,i propose being there1 ,,god willing1 on ,monday night4 ,but first let me return dear ,mrs4 ,h4 my heartiest thanks for all past kindnesses1 and assure her1 that my incessant prayers shall never be wanting1 that ,,god may not forget her labour of love1 in that she has so plentifully administered to me his unworthy servant1 and yet does minister4 ,to-morrow ,i am to preach at ,crypt1 but believe ,i shall displease some1 being determined to speak against their assemblies4 ,but ,i must tell them the truth1 or otherwise ,i shall not be a faithful minister of ,,christ4 ,had providence so ordered1 ,i should have been glad to have given you the cup of blessing2 but since that favour is denied to me1 ,i am resigned4 ,however1 ,i hope ,i shall not be unmindful of you1 when ,i come near your place1 nor be wanting in my prayers1 that ,,god would mercifully supply the want of outward means to you1 by the operation of his ,holy ,spirit4 ,i suppose you are1 by this time1 pretty well reconciled to ,worcester1 and that providence has shewn you that we may serve ,,god acceptably in any place4 ,yes1 ,madam1 let but our hearts be upright towards him1 and by faith united to our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 we shall find that wherever we are1 he will be with us1 and we shall be with him4 ,so far ,i had written on ,saturday night2 but being detained here in expectation of seeing my brother ,james1 7who has not as yet been so good as his word7 ,i believe ,i can now acquaint you that ,i must set out on ,wednesday morning4 ,i preached yesterday at ,crypt1 and was mercifully supported and assisted1 for which great blessing1 ,i hope you will return hearty thanks in my behalf4 ,i trust ,miss ,james continues her former earnest desires to be renewed in the spirit of her mind2 for nothing will do but that4 ,indeed we may flatter ourselves1 that we may go to heaven without undergoing the pangs of the new birth2 but we shall certainly find ourselves desperately mistaken in the end4 ,for till we are changed1 till we are made meet for1 we cannot in the nature of the thing be partakers of the heavenly inheritance with the saints in light4 ,let us therefore never cease praying and striving1 till we find this blessed change wrought in us1 and thereby we ourselves brought off from relying on any or all outward ordinances for salvation4 ,our good bishop ,benson was pleased to give me another present of five guineas1 a great supply for one who has not a guinea in the world4 ,may the great ,bishop of souls amply reward both him and you1 for all favours conferred on ,your sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,gloucester1 ,june #cj1 #agcf4 ,my ,dear ,friend1 ,,glory6 glory6 glory6 be ascribed to an almighty triune ,,god4,last ,sunday in the afternoon1 ,i preached my first sermon in the church of ,st4 ,mary ,de ,crypt1 where ,i was baptized1 and also first received the sacrament of the ,,lord's supper4 ,curiosity1 as you may easily guess1 drew a large congregation together upon the occasion4 ,the sight at first a little awed me2 but ,i was comforted with a heart-felt sense of the divine presence1 and soon found the unspeakable advantage of having been accustomed to public speaking when a boy at school1 and of exhorting and teaching the prisoners and poor people at their private houses1 whilst at the university4 ,by these means ,i was kept from being daunted over much4 ,as ,i proceeded1 ,i perceived the fire kindled1 till at last1 though so young1 and amidst a croud of those1 who knew me in my infant childish days1 ,i trust1 ,i was enabled to speak with some degree of gospel authority4 ,some few mocked1 but most for the present seemed struck2 and ,i have since heard1 that a complaint had been made to the bishop1 that ,i drove fifteen mad the first sermon4 ,the worthy prelate1 as ,i am informed1 wished that the madness might not be forgotten before next ,sunday4 ,before then1 ,i hope1 my sermon upon ,he that is in ,,christ1 is a new creature1 will be compleated4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i now find freedom in writing4 ,glorious ,,jesus1 ,unloose my stamm'ring tongue to tell ,thy love immense1 unsearchable4 ,being thus engaged1 ,i must hasten to subscribe myself1 my dear ,sir1 ,your's1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xvii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,july #g1 #agcf4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,what shall ,i say in defence of my seemingly ungrateful silence8 ,why1 ,i hope1 your kindness will accept of the reasons ,i gave in ,mrs4 ,well's letter1 as a sufficient excuse for it1 nothing but those1 ,i assure you1 being the cause of it4 ,well then1 presuming on your kind pardon1 give me leave1 7after all acknowledgments of gratitude for kindnesses received7 to bid you once more welcome to ,gloucester1 and to wish you and ,mr4 ,h4 with all my soul1 the greatest comfort1 that either this or the other world can afford you4 ,it's true1 indeed1 we must not expect much comfort here1 except what results from a good conviction that we are in a safe state1 by being born again of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this1 will afford us inexpressible satisfaction1 even on this side the grave4 ,it will give us ease in pain1 because we know1 if we bear it patiently1 it will end in glory4 ,this1 will make us meek and gentle under crosses and disappointments1 because we know we are taught to expect them1 and that our blessed ,master has gone before us in them4 ,in short1 it will make us easy in every station1 because we have a general promise1 that all things shall work for good to them that love ,,god4 ,but supposing we were to have no pleasure on this side of ,heaven1 yet the thoughts of being happy1 and that too for all eternity hereafter1 methinks should teach us to bear up under every calamity here1 not only with submission1 but a holy joy4 ,good ,,god6 the very idea of what we are to be in glory1 transports me while ,i am writing4 ,there1 there1 ,mrs4 ,h4 we shall see the blessed ,,jesus1 whom our souls have so eagerly thirsted after in this life1 surrounded with glory1 and attended with myriads of his holy angels1 who will rejoice at our safe arrival to their happy mansions1 and with repeated echoes welcome us to heaven4 ,there1 there1 we shall not only see1 but live with him and enjoy him too1 not for a day1 a month1 a year1 an age1 but to all eternity4 ,and who can tell the pleasure1 comfort1 peace1 joy1 delight1 and transport1 a glorified saint will feel in the possession of his wished-for1 longed-for1 ever adorable1 ever gracious1 blessed1 beloved1 triune ,,god1 and that for ever8 ,surely the happiness will be so great1 that eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither can the heart of man conceive the thousandth part thereof4 ,and yet1 great as it is1 ,i not only wish1 but have good hope through ,,christ1 that not only you and ,mr4 ,h4 but all my christian friends1 and even ,i myself through grace1 shall one day be partakers of it4 ,the way and means we know4 8,if any one1 says ,,christ1 will come after me 7to glory7 let him renounce himself40 i4 e4 make his own will no principle of action1 be no self-pleaser1 8and take up his cross0 patiently 7whether of sickness or outward circumstances1 c47 8and then let him follow me10 follow me in a way of duty here1 and he shall follow me to glory hereafter4 ,may we all be such followers of the blessed ,,jesus6 ,and why should we despair of becoming such8 ,what is there in ,,christ's doctrine or example but that we may all1 through the assistance of the ,holy ,spirit1 imitate him in8 ,suppose it does oblige us to be a little stricter than our neighbours8 ,suppose it does forbid us spending too much time in the seemingly-innocent entertainments of the age8 ,suppose it does command us to be constant and frequent in prayer1 in watchings1 fastings1 and other acts of mortification8 ,suppose it does bid us not to indulge our unruly passions2 but to learn of ,,christ to be meek1 patient1 and lowly8 ,suppose it does compel us to redeem our time1 to fill up every day with proper duty and devotion8 ,yet1 what in all this1 that is terrible8 ,has not such a behaviour a natural tendency to make us calm1 easy1 peaceful1 happy8 ,and then1 why should we refuse so easy a yoke1 so light a burden8 ,i am sure the little 7alas6 too1 too little7 time ,i have drawn in it1 ,i have found it not galling but healing1 and the longer ,i bear it1 the easier and pleasanter it is4 ,let us then1 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h4 chearfully take it upon us1 and then ,no mortal living of us all can miss ,a permanent1 a sure substantial bliss4 ,your sincere1 though very unworthy friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,oct4 #ad1 #agcf4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,i ,was agreeably detained1 as you was pleased to term it1 last ,tuesday1 in reading your kind letter1 and had ,i not been assisted by the grace of ,,god to receive every thing with an equal1 undisturbed mind1 perhaps the contents of it might have given me some small uneasiness4 ,but religion quite changes the nature of man1 and makes us to receive all the dispensations of providence with resignation and thankfulness4 ,of this1 dearest ,sir1 ,i hope you have had an experimental proof1 in bearing up with courage and resolution under those acute pains the ,almighty was pleased to visit you with last ,sunday1 and with which1 perhaps1 his infinite wisdom and goodness may continue to visit you longer4 ,my dear friend 7if ,i mistake not7 used to say1 he was afraid ,,god did not love him1 because he did not chasten him4 ,behold then1 now the hand of the ,,lord is upon you1 not so much to punish1 as to purify your soul4 ,not in anger but in love4 ,pray therefore in your easy intervals1 that you may know1 wherefore the ,,lord contendeth with you1 and that you may not come cankered out of the furnace of affliction4 ,offer up every groan1 every sigh1 in the name of your dying1 risen ,redeemer1 and doubt not1 but they will be as prevalent as set times of prayer4 ,our being enabled to pray when sickness comes on us1 doubtless1 is to teach us the necessity of praying always1 when we are in health4 ,but1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 wants no such lessons1 or excitements1 ,i believe1 to prayer4 ,methinks ,i could bear some of your pain for you1 if that would give you comfort4 ,but as it is impossible1 ,o let me never cease most earnestly to beseech my heavenly ,father1 that he would sanctify this his fatherly correction to you1 and that the sense of your weakness may add strength to your faith1 and seriousness to your repentance4 ,poor ,mr4 ,pauncefoot1 ,i find1 is visited in a far more grievous manner4 ,dear good man1 surely the time of his dissolution 7,i should say of his coronation7 draweth near4 ,see1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 through what tribulations we must enter into glory4 ,be pleased to give my hearty love and thanks to him for his last kind letter4 ,beg him not to cease praying for me1 unworthy as ,i am4 ,and1 ,i hope1 ,i shall not be wanting in returning his kindness in the same manner4 ,but alas1 ,i have nothing to depend on1 but the merits of a crucified ,redeemer to have my poor petitions answered4 ,but does dear ,mrs4 ,h4 complain of deadness and coldness in devotion8 ,alas poor woman6 let her not be disheartened4 ,this is a complaint1 which all the children of ,,god have made4 ,and we must take a great deal of pains with our hearts1 must pray often and long1 before we shall be able to pray well4 ,and the only way ,i can think of1 to shame ourselves out of deadness in prayer1 is to censure and condemn1 to humble and bewail ourselves for it every time we go upon our knees1 at least every time we solemnly retire to converse with ,,god4 ,but why does dear ,mrs4 ,h4 so much as think of omitting but once the receiving of the holy sacrament8 ,or if satan does put such thoughts in her head1 why does not she repel them with the utmost abhorrence8 ,alas6 should the devil gain his point here1 would not the ridiculing world say1 ,mrs4 ,h4 began to build1 but had not wherewith to finish4 ,i have seen too many fatal instances of the inexpressible danger and sad consequences of leaving off any one means of grace1 not to encourage ,mrs4 ,h4 stedfastly to persevere in the good way she has begun2 and would exhort her1 in the name of the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 to labour daily to mortify and subdue her corruptions1 not wilfully to indulge herself in any ill habit1 custom1 or temper1 and then assure herself1 one time or another1 ,,christ will be made known unto her in breaking of bread4 ,but what shall ,i say1 dear ,sir1 about ,mr4 ,w4 c4 c48 ,alas6 ,i find1 they are all in the gall of bitterness1 in the very bondage of iniquity1 and all ,i can do1 is to pity and pray for them4 ,i find more and more1 that where true religion is wanting1 there is confusion and every evil work4 ,but why is my honoured mother so solicitous about a few paultry things1 that will quickly perish8 ,why will she not come and see her youngest son1 who will endeavour to be a ,joseph to her1 before she dies8 ,what makes my dear friend and his kind wife1 give me another invitation to ,gloucester8 ,alas6 have ,i not wearied and been expensive enough to you already8 ,i hope to send you1 in a short time1 two guineas towards paying for ,mr4 ,henry's ,exposition4 ,i wish ,i could spare more1 but time will bring all things to pass4 ,you see what a large letter ,i have written to you to make amends for the many short ones1 ,i have sent lately4 ,though ,i believe you may say of mine1 the quite contrary to what ,i say of yours2 the shorter the better4 ,my due respects to all friends1 and believe me to be1 in the utmost sincerity1 ,dearest ,sir1 ,your and ,mrs4 ,h4's affectionate friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xix4 ,to the ,same4 ,oxon1 ,nov4 #e1 #agcf4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,,herewith ,i have sent you seven pounds to pay for ,mr4 ,henry's ,commentary4 ,dear ,esqr4 ,thorold lately made me a present of ten guineas1 so that now 7for ever blessed be the divine goodness7 ,i can send you more than ,i thought for4 ,in time1 ,i hope to pay the apothecary's bill4 ,if ,i forget your favours1 ,i shall also forget my ,,god4 ,say nothing of your receiving this money1 only give thanks1 give hearty thanks to our good and gracious ,,god for his infinite1 unmerited mercy to me1 the vilest of the sons of men4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 may such instances of free grace strengthen your faith1 and make you put your sole trust and confidence in the ,,lord your ,,god4 ,for he hath said1 ,i will never leave thee nor forsake thee4 ,have not you experienced his loving kindness and mercy1 in supporting you under your sickness8 ,methinks ,i feel you have4 ,may you experience it more and more6 ,did not ,,christ give you the meeting last ,sunday8 ,i hope he did1 nay ,i am sure he did1 if our hearts were duly prepared by faith and repentance to receive him2 but without an entire resignation of ourselves to ,,god1 and a thorough renunciation of all worldly and corrupt affections1 all ,,god's ordinances will profit nothing4 ,your reverend brother's kind letter ,i hope to answer soon1 and to send him also a small parcel of books4 ,the good ,,lord sanctify them to his own glory1 and the good of souls4 ,i find dear ,mr4 ,pauncefoot is still afflicted1 but bid him be of good cheer4 ,in his latter end he may yet greatly increase4 ,when we are weak1 then are we strong4 ,there is hope concerning his legacy4 ,let us in the mean while continue instant in prayer in behalf of this our dear and worthy friend4 ,good man6 salute him kindly in my name4 ,beg his prayers for my unworthy self1 and tell him ,i will write as soon as possible4 ,the gospel flourishes at ,oxon4 ,our society here1 blessed be ,,god1 goes on well4 ,i received the papers and thank you4 ,how does dear ,mrs4 ,h48 ,the divine blessing rest on you both4 ,my prayer night and day is1 that you may be saved4 ,salute all friends by name4 ,from ,dearest ,sir1 ,your unworthy friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xx4 ,to the ,same4 ,bristol1 ,feb4 #aj1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,what shall ,i say8 ,i cannot be with you this week4 ,methinks1 it would be almost sinful to leave ,bristol at this critical juncture1 there being now a prospect of making a very considerable collection for the poor ,americans4 ,the whole city seems to be alarmed4 ,churches are as full week days1 as they use to be on ,sundays1 and on ,sundays so full1 that many1 very many are obliged to go away1 because they cannot come in4 ,oh pray1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 that ,,god would always keep me humble1 and fully convinced that ,i am nothing without him1 and that all the good which is done upon earth1 ,,god doth it himself4 ,quakers1 baptists1 presbyterians1 c4 all come to hear the word preached4 ,sanctify it1 holy ,father1 to thy own glory and thy people's good6 ,i hope to be with you without fail on ,tuesday morning4 ,what letters you have1 pray send to1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy friend1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxi4 ,to the ,same4 ,stonehouse1 ,april #bf1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,be pleased to send the ,poor ,country ,curate1 and ,flavel's ,husbandry ,spiritualized4 ,i know not what to do for want of a clock in the house4 ,how shall ,i know1 how my precious time passes away8 ,you'll mind your promise to come4 ,here are lovely1 solitary1 and pleasant walks to commune with your own heart1 and search out your spirit4 ,has ,mr4 ,pauncefoot wrote to me8 ,my dear friend ,stratford's death affects me still4 ,methinks ,i long to be above1 employed as he is4 ,but alas1 ,i am not ripe for glory2 if ,i was1 my heavenly ,father would gather me into his garner4 ,farewell1 ,dear ,sir2 remember ,i am alone1 and pray accordingly for ,your sincere1 though weak friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxii4 ,to the same4 ,stonehouse1 ,may #d1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,why does not ,mr4 ,h4 let me hear from or see him8 ,surely no evil has befallen either him or his family in their way to eternity4 ,why then tarry their horses8 ,why are they so long in coming to visit the country1 which now looks like a second paradise1 and which1 to me1 seems the pleasantest place ,i ever was in1 through all my life8 ,surely ,i can never be thankful enough for being sent hither2 people flock to hear the word of ,,god from the neighbouring villages1 as well as our own4 ,they gladly receive me into their houses1 and ,i have no let or hindrance to my ministerial business2 and what is still better1 ,,god has opened my heart1 and enabled me to finish a sermon on 8,remember thy ,creator1 c40,if you will come on ,sunday you may hear it perhaps4,your sister-in-law talks of being here again on ,friday2 but ,i believe it will be more agreeable1 if you chuse another opportunity1 that we may have our own conversation4 ,i hope that dear ,mrs4 ,h4 took nothing ill1 that was in my last4 ,i meant it well1 and wrapt up the pill in as much sugar as ,i could4 ,my hearty love to her and ,miss ,j4 ,poor ,mr4 ,m4 and ,mr4 ,w4 will set out to morrow1 ,i suppose4 ,the ,,lord prosper them and be with them wherever they go1 and make them good soldiers of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and finally bring them and us to his heavenly kingdom6 ,so wishes1 so prays1 ,your's affectionately1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxiii4 ,to the ,same4 ,stonehouse1 ,may #aa1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,thank you for your last1 and bless ,,god that you got home safe3 your observations on the weather were pertinent and spiritual4 ,honest ,james and ,i1 were out in the midst of the lightning1 and never were more delighted in our lives4 ,may we be as well pleased1 when the ,son of ,,god cometh to judgment4 ,what6 no news from your brother8 ,well1 ,stonehouse people and ,i agree better and better4 ,i believe we shall part weeping4 ,had ,i time ,i would now write to ,miss ,j4 but ,i must away among my flock1 and so deny myself that pleasure till another opportunity is given to1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxiv4 ,to the ,same4 ,bristol1 ,may #bd1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,by the particular good providence of ,,god1 ,i got safe to ,bristol yesterday by ten in the morning1 and was received 7unworthy as ,i am7 with the utmost civility and kindness4 ,i have learnt from hence the benefit of setting out on our journey to eternity betimes1 and what a pleasing reflection it will be to look back1 though not to depend1 on one's past life1 and find a great deal of work done in a little time4 ,the people here are exceeding kindly affected towards me2 and1 ,i hope1 ,i have seen the effects of my doctrine in the reformation of some of their lives4 ,remember me always in your prayers4 ,accept my hearty thanks for all favours1 and believe me to be1 ,ever your's1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,july #ad1 #agcg4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,if you remember1 ,i promised you a long and particular letter when ,i was at ,gloucester1 and nothing hinders but ,i may now perform it4 ,permit me then first1 to begin this1 as ,i would all my letters1 with thanks to you and kind ,mr4 ,h4 for your inexpressible favours conferred on the most unworthy of my master's servants2 and1 withall1 to assure you1 how incessantly ,i pray1 that the ,,god of all grace and mercy1 for the sake of his dear ,son ,,jesus ,,christ1 would reward you in spirituals1 for what you have done to me in temporals1 and feed your soul with his heavenly graces1 as plentifully as you have fed my body with nourishing food4 ,but as1 in all probability1 this will be the last letter ,i shall write to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 before ,i sail1 what can ,i fill the remainder with better1 than by exhorting you1 to lay aside every weight1 particularly the sin that does most easily beset you1 and so run with patience the race set before you4 ,i say1 the sin that most easily besets2 for unless we lay the ax to the root1 unless we sincerely resolve in the strength of ,,jesus ,,christ to subdue our favourite1 our darling passion1 and spare not one ,agag1 though ever so engaging1 ever so beautiful1 all our other sacrifices will avail us nothing4 ,suppose therefore1 for instance1 ,,passion be our greatest foible4 ,a sincere person will never cease night or day1 till he is made meek and lowly in heart4 ,but if it be asked1 how he shall do this8 ,i answer1 first1 let him consider how odious it is in the sight of ,,god1 and how contrary to the lamb-like meekness of the holy ,,jesus4 ,secondly1 ,let him reflect how troublesome it must be to others1 7for alas what unnecessary disorders1 what needless troubles doth the passionate person occasion to all that are round about him87 ,thirdly1 ,let him consider how exceeding hurtful and unpleasant it is to himself2 how it ruffles and discomposes his mind2 unfits him for every holy duty1 and in short makes him a torment to himself and a burden to others4 ,well1 after he has thus seen the deformity of his darling passion1 the next enquiry must be1 how to get the mastery over it4 ,the first and grand thing1 is to get a true and lively faith in ,,christ ,,jesus1 seeking for it by earnest prayer4 ,to this1 we must have recourse in all our struggles2 for it's ,,god alone1 who can subdue and govern the unruly wills of sinful men1 and it is his grace which alone can enable us to mortify our corrupt passions4 ,but then we must take care not to rest in general petitions for conquering this or that corruption2 but must descend to particulars4 ,for instance1 supposing ,i am angry with a servant or husband without a cause2 ,what must ,i do8 ,why1 take the very first opportunity of retiring from the world1 and after having bewailed my being angry1 earnestly beseech the ,,lord of all power and might to enable me to withstand such and such a provocation for the future1 and notwithstanding ,i should fail again and again in the very same instance1 yet ,i would again and again renew my petitions to the throne of grace1 and never cease praying and striving1 till instead of a blind1 perverse1 troublesome passion1 ,i had the lovely1 calm1 and delightful grace of meekness and humility planted in its room4 ,now would dear ,mrs4 ,h4 take some such method as this 7for ,i suppose by this time1 she guesses to whom all this points7 ,i dare say1 she would quickly find as much difference in herself as there is between a wise man and an idiot4,and that she may both begin and succeed in this method1 is the earnest prayer of1 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h4 ,your affectionate friend1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,london1 ,sept4 #bh1 #agcg4 ,my ,dear ,friend1 ,i ,thank you for your last kind letter and kinder wishes4 ,may they be turned into prayers1 and heard at the throne of grace4 ,blessed be ,,god for your new correspondence with our ,oxford friends4 ,i hope you will be instrumental to build each other up in the knowledge and fear of our ,,lord and ,,saviour ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,,god still works powerfully here4 ,people flock more than ever1 and shew the sincerity of their hearts by giving liberally to the poor4 ,i have preached four charity sermons within this little while1 and the collections were larger than ever were known4 ,not unto me1 ,o ,,lord1 not unto me2 but unto thy ,name be the glory and praise thereof6 ,i am glad1 since it's the divine will1 that my brother is coming up1 though my ability as to temporals you know is small4 ,but ,i have an all-sufficient ,,god to apply to in all emergencies4 ,i am sorry for my brother's loss2 but ,i fear he must have greater1 before he is awakened out of his spiritual lethargy4 ,,god sanctify all his dispensations to him4 ,i know not why we go not to ,georgia2 but there is no likelihood of it yet1 as ,i see4 ,friends universally dissuade me from going by myself2 but ,i hope it will not be long now1 before we shall launch into the deep4 ,to-night ,i preach again at ,bow church1 before the religious societies4 ,,god opens my heart to compose freely4 ,o praise him1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 for this and all his other mercies1 conferred on1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your and ,mrs4 ,h4's affectionate friend1 ,g4 ,w4 #8its' replaced with #8it's' removed duplicate #8for' ,,letter ,,xxvii4 ,to the ,same4 ,london1 ,oct4 #be1 #agcg4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,,multiplicity of business prevented my writing to you before4 ,but though you have not heard from me by letter1 yet you may assure yourself1 dear ,sir1 ,i never forget mentioning you in my prayers4 ,,god knows that ,i and some other friends intercede most fervently for you1 and very frequently even at midnight4 ,may ,,god1 for ,,christ's sake1 hear and answer them6 ,we sail not for ,georgia this month4 ,i suppose you have heard of my mighty deeds1 falsely so called1 by reading the news-papers2 for ,i find some back-friend has published abroad my preaching four times in a day2 but ,i beseech ,mr4 ,raikes1 the printer1 never to put me into his news upon any such account again1 for it is quite contrary to my inclinations and positive orders4 ,,god still works here4 ,the collections for the charity schools1 in all the churches where ,i preach1 are very large4 ,all ,london is alarmed4 ,many youths here sincerely love our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ2 and thousands1 ,i hope1 are quickened1 strengthened1 and confirmed by the word preached4 ,i was never in better health1 and never composed more freely4 ,o praise the ,,lord1 dear ,sir1 and pray that ,i may not be self-sufficient but humble4 ,i am glad dear ,mrs4 ,h4 is recovered4 ,may she1 with ,peter's wife's mother1 arise and minister to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,,god reward her for all her works and labours of love4 ,blessed be ,,god my hands are full of business4 ,a third edition of my sermon on regeneration is coming out4 ,write to me quickly1 accept my hearty thanks and love1 and expect to hear again from1 ,dear ,sir1 ,ever your's1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxviii4 ,to the ,same4 ,nov4 #ad1 #agcg4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,heartily thank you for your last1 and having a few moments1 sit down to answer it4 ,let not my friends trouble me with temporal offers1 ,i shall accept 7,,god assisting me7 of no place this side ,jordan4 ,we embark for ,georgia in about three weeks or a month at farthest4 ,you wish me good luck in the name of the ,,lord4 ,i hope to send to you again before ,i sail4 ,mr4 ,mn is going amongst the colliers again at ,bristol1 and a church1 ,i hope1 will be built for them4 ,prosper1 ,o ,,lord1 the work of his hands upon him6,mrs4 ,farmer1 whenever my circumstances will admit1 shall be paid all that is due to her on my mother's account4 ,,god still works more and more by my unworthy ministry4 ,last week1 save one1 ,i preached ten times in different churches2 and the last week seven2 and yesterday four times1 and read prayers twice1 though ,i slept not above an hour the night before1 which was spent in religious conversation1 and in interceding for you1 ,mrs4 ,h41 good ,mr4 ,pauncefoot1 c4 ,i now begin to preach charity sermons twice or thrice a week1 besides two or three on ,sundays1 and sixty or seventy pounds are collected weekly for the poor children4 ,thousands would come in to hear1 but cannot4 ,this night ,i preached a funeral sermon before a most crouded audience1 and ,,god1 ,i believe1 worked upon the people's hearts4 ,o pray for me still1 dear ,sir1 that ,i may renew my strength1 that ,i may walk and not be weary1 run and not be faint4 ,admire ,,god's free grace in ,,christ ,,jesus1 and let his goodness to me1 the worst of sinners1 strengthen your faith1 and make you never to despair of mercy4 ,farewell4 ,my love to all1 and am1 ,dear ,sir1 in sincerity1 ,your friend1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxix4 ,to ,mrs4 ,h4 ,london1 ,dec4 #bc1 #agcg4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,once more ,i send you a line4 ,nothing but an excess of business1 should have prevented me writing to you oftner4 ,your favours1 ,i hope1 will never be forgotten1 and never cease to be mentioned before the throne of grace1 ,,god only knows1 how earnestly ,i have recommended you and your's to his never-failing mercy4 ,on ,wednesday night eighteen of us continued all night in praises1 and praying for you and our other friends4 ,i know1 that passion is the sin1 which most easily besets you1 and therefore ,i always pray that you may have grace given you to conquer it1 and to learn of ,,jesus ,,christ to be meek and lowly in heart4 ,then1 and not till then1 you will find rest to your soul4 ,pardon me1 dear ,mrs4 ,h4 for being thus free4 ,your kindness compels me to it4 ,had ,i not a sincere regard for you1 ,i should not express myself thus4 ,besides1 it's the last time1 perhaps1 ,i shall write to you in this world1 and therefore would have this letter contain some instructive hints4 ,we sail1 ,,god willing1 next week4 ,great things have been done for us here4 ,perhaps upwards of a thousand pounds have been collected for the poor1 and the charity schools1 and ,i have preached above an hundred times1 since ,i have been here4 ,a visible alteration is made also in hundreds4 ,last ,sunday at six in the morning1 when ,i gave my farewell1 the whole church was drowned in tears3 they wept and cried aloud1 as a mother weepeth for her first born4 ,since that1 there is no end of persons coming and weeping1 telling me what ,,god has done for their souls3 others again beg little books1 and desire me to write their names in them4 ,the time would fail me1 was ,i to relate how many have been awakened1 and how many pray for me4 ,the great day will discover all4 ,in the mean while1 ,i beseech you ,mrs4 ,h4 by the mercies of ,,god to pray1 that the goodness of ,,god may make me humble4 ,as yet the divine strength has been magnified in my weakness4 ,many have opposed1 but in vain4 ,,god's power conquers all4 ,i am now going as ,abraham did1 not knowing whither ,i go2 but ,i commit myself to the guidance of ,,god's good providence and spirit4 ,he that has and doth1 will deliver me out of all my troubles4 ,i only wish1 ,i could debase myself low enough1 that ,i might be more fitted for the high and lofty one who inhabiteth eternity1 to work by4 ,i am a proud1 imperious1 sinful worm2 but ,,god1 ,i hope1 in time1 will conform me to the image of his dear ,son4 ,he has begun 7for ever adored be his free grace71 and ,i trust1 he will finish his good work in me4 ,out of the money that ,,god has sent me1 ,i will pay all the debts ,i can4 ,i have sent some of it to ,mrs4 ,wells1 with particular orders how to be disposed of2 two guineas are for ,mrs4 ,farmer towards the debt due to her from my mother4 ,my farewell sermon will be published shortly1 with two or three more4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h4 farewell4 ,,god reward you and your's for all your works of faith and labours of love1 and grant we may so believe1 and so live here1 as to meet in eternal glory hereafter1 ,ever your's1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,margate1 ,jan4 #i1 #agch4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,hither the good providence of ,,god has safely brought us2 our ship cast anchor near this town1 and my dear fellow-traveller and ,i came on shore 7to our great comfort7 to buy some things we wanted4 ,we have been most courteously treated by the curate of the place1 and had some christian conversation4 ,the winds and storms are blustering about our ears1 and teaching us lessons of obedience to him1 whom winds and storms obey4 ,,god give us grace to learn them4 ,mr4 ,b4 can inform you1 what other particulars have happened to us1 since we left you2 ,i need only add1 that the divine goodness attends us wherever we go4 ,oh dear ,sir6 who would but leave their few ragged1 tattered nets to follow ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,who would but follow the ,lamb wheresoever he shall be pleased to lead8 ,pray1 dear ,sir1 that ,i may always do so1 and then1 ,i am sure1 ,,god will never leave or forsake me4 ,you see1 dear ,sir1 ,i have answered your kind letter much sooner than expectation1 in order to express how sincerely ,i value your friendship1 though you differ from me in some outward modes4 ,indeed1 ,sir1 ,i hope the favours ,i have received from you and others of your christian brethren1 will never go out of my mind2 but ,i shall often plead them 7as ,i have done already7 at the throne of grace4 ,i would willingly be of so catholic a spirit1 as to love the image of my divine master1 wherever ,i see it3 ,i am far from thinking ,,god's grace is confined to any set of men whatsoever3 no1 ,i know the partition-wall is now broken down1 and that ,,jesus ,,christ came to redeem people out of all nations and languages and tongues2 and therefore his benefits are not to be confined to this or that particular set of professors4 ,i only wish1 that ,i may have grace given me to preach the truth1 as it is in ,,jesus2 and then1 come what will1 ,i hope ,i shall 7as ,i do1 blessed be ,,god7 rejoice4 ,you know1 ,sir1 what a design ,i am going upon1 and what a stripling ,i am for so great a work2 but ,i stand forth as ,david against ,goliah in the name of the ,,lord of ,,hosts1 and ,i doubt not1 but he that has and doth1 will still deliver unto the end4 ,,god give me a deep humility1 a well-guided zeal1 a burning love1 and a single eye1 and then let men or devils do their worst4,dear ,sir1 ,i could write more1 but nature calls for rest4 ,be pleased to give my hearty love to all you and ,i know1 and acquaint them1 how safe ,i am here2 for otherwise the tempestuous night might put them and others in pain for1 ,dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy1 though affectionate friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxi4 ,to ,mrs4 ,h4 ,deal1 ,jan4 #aa1 #agch4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,hither has ,,god safely brought us4 ,pray give thanks on my behalf4 ,we have had two little storms1 the one we escaped by being at ,margate1 the other we were enabled to bear manfully1 and to pray for you and yours on open deck in the midst of it4 ,all the officers are exceeding civil4 ,the captain gives me the free use of his cabin1 and some impression is made on the soldiers4 ,i read prayers and preach twice every day1 and1 would you think it1 the very soldiers stand out to say their catechism4 ,oh that they may be soldiers of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,,god gives me great joy1 and excites me to adore him more and more1 when ,i behold his wonders in the deep4 ,i am but a fresh-water sailor2 but ,,god's strength will be magnified in my weakness1 and ,i verily believe we shall arrive at the haven1 where we wou'd be4 ,oh that we may all so pass thro' the waves of this troublesome world1 that at last we may arrive at the port of everlasting rest6 ,expect to hear from me at ,gibraltar1 and assure yourself your favours shall never be forgotten by ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxii4 ,to ,mr4 4 ,deal1 ,jan4 #ba1 #agch4 ,,suppose ,i answer dear ,mr4 before ,i reach ,georgia1 ,will he be angry8 ,i fancy not4 ,i had a mind to write to you again1 before ,i received yours4 ,for as you have been so liberal in your presents1 it would be unpardonable in me1 was ,i niggardly in my letters4 ,no1 my dear friend1 ,i hope ,i never shall cease praying for you and yours1 so long as ,i live4 ,hitherto ,i have not4 ,i was praying for you just as ,i received yours3 ,i am glad to hear you prayed before you wrote to me4 ,surely ,,god will bless such a correspondence4 ,o my friend1 let us still wrestle with ,,god1 that we may be stedfast1 unmoveable1 always abounding in the work of the ,,lord4 ,for it is perseverance crowns our labours4 ,he1 and ,he only can be saved4 ,the world1 the flesh and the devil are three such potent enemies1 that we must strive1 we must persevere1 if we will gain a conquest4 ,strive then2 let us1 my dear friend1 strive as persons striving for eternity4 ,let us abstain from all appearance of evil1 and avoid all company1 that doth not directly tend to the promoting our spiritual welfare4 ,whether one of the societies you frequent1 my dear friend1 has a tendency that way1 ,i leave you to judge4 ,i think ,i have heard you say1 it keeps you from family and secret prayer4 ,if that is not a sufficient reason for absenting from it1 ,i'll say no more4 ,i believe you to be sincere1 and therefore1 if you consult ,,god by prayer and reading his word1 your way will be made clear before you4 ,i only add1 that ,i could wish1 instead of frequenting that1 you would set up another society of a quite contrary nature on the same night of the week4 ,i know ,mr4 had some such design on foot1 and desired me to mention it4 ,i wish you good success in this and every pious undertaking in the name of the ,,lord4 ,may ,,god reward you for all your kindnesses1 and make you to abound in every good word and work6 may you walk by faith and not by sight2 and tho' you are in the world1 may you not be of it6 ,i preach here1 ,,god willing1 to-morrow2 there's likely to be a great congregation4 ,o pray1 that they may not be sent away empty1 but converted by1 dear ,mr4 1 ,your affectionate friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxiii4 ,deal1 ,jan4 #be1 #agch4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,am ashamed of my ingratitude in not writing to you before2 but you'll not wonder ,i am ungrateful to my friends1 when ,i tell you ,i am ungrateful to my ,,god4 ,however1 as ,i always remark'd you for your charity1 ,i know you will imitate ,him you so resemble1 and upon my promise of amendment for the future1 will pardon what is past4 ,oh dear ,sir1 how shall ,i express my gratitude to dear 8 ,but above all1 what return shall ,i make to my ever-blessed ,,redeemer for all the favours he hath bestowed upon me8 ,help1 ,i entreat you1 help me to be thankful1 and as you abound in prayer1 abound in praises4 ,i find my heart too backward to this divine exercise4 ,i am ready enough to ask for mercies1 but alas6 how slow to return thanks6 ,indeed sometimes ,,god touches me from above1 and my heart1 hard as it is1 is melted down and quite overcome with the sense of his free grace in ,,christ ,,jesus towards me4 ,but ,i want always to go on my way rejoicing2 ,i want the heart of a seraphim2 ,i want to sing as loud as they1 ,who shine above in endless day4 ,i could almost say more than they1 and why should ,i not return angelic thanks8 ,but my heart is as yet unhumbled1 ,i see not what ,i am1 what ,i deserve1 and therefore set not a due value on the divine mercies4 ,pray therefore1 dear ,mr4 1 that ,i may receive my sight1 that my eyes may be opened1 and that seeing what ,,god hath done for me1 ,i may break out into songs of praise1 and by such heart-transforming divine exercises be gradually trained up for eternal uninterrupted communion with that heavenly choir1 who cease not chanting forth day and night hallelujahs to ,him that sitteth upon the throne and to the ,lamb for ever4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i can relate to you fresh matter for praise and thanksgiving2 a divine fire seems to be kindling in ,deal4 ,i preached on ,sunday1 and this day4 ,the inhabitants are quite affectionate1 and so desirous to hear the word1 at my private lodgings1 as well as at public churches1 that ,i am obliged to divide them into two companies4 ,and ,,god1 blessed be his free grace in ,,christ ,,jesus1 helps me through4 ,i suppose my dear friend has heard how affairs go on shipboard4 ,i need only add1 that ,,god makes his power to be known among those that sail with me1 and there are great hopes of the captain's conversion4 ,o pray1 that he may not be an almost1 but an altogether christian4 ,dear ,mr4 1 farewell4 ,it's late1 and many other friends must have a line to-night4 ,may ,,god reward you for all kindnesses1 and keep you stedfast unto the end4 ,pray return my hearty thanks to all your ,brethren2 tell them ,i sincerely pray for their growth and perseverance in holiness1 and am1 dear ,mr4 1 ,your affectionate1 tho' unworthy friend and servant in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxiv4 ,gibraltar ,harbour1 ,feb4 #bd1 #agch4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,bless ,,god for inclining your heart to take my advice4 ,i know it was intended well1 and ,i hope proceeded from the spirit of ,,god4 ,the many fatal consequences ,i have daily seen1 proceeding from conversing with lukewarm christians1 makes me jealous of my dear friends1 lest they should be infected by them2 and the great tendency ,i find in my own heart to catch every infection1 makes me to resolve for myself1 and to put others on resolving to keep no set company but with religious persons4 ,i hope by this time ,i may wish you joy of settling a new society with ,messrs4 2 and ,i doubt not but your hearts have already burnt within you1 whilst you talked to one another of the scriptures of truth4 ,i am sure there is scarce a night has passed over my head but ,i have wrestled with ,,god for you1 and prayed that he would prosper this work of your hands upon you4 ,my hearty desire and daily petition at the throne of grace is1 that you may be saved2 and tho' ,i know not much of your dear wife's temper1 yet ,i pray1 that she may be meek and lowly in heart1 not easily provoked1 nor answer unnecessarily again4 ,i pray1 that you both may walk as ,zachary and ,elizabeth did before the ,,lord blameless1 that you may love one another1 as ,,christ and the church1 and see your children like olive-branches round about your table4 ,i pray1 that you may persevere in the good way you have begun1 that you may abstain from all appearance of evil1 and dare to be exemplarily good4 ,i pray1 that you may practice an universal self-denial1 and perfect holiness in the fear of ,,god4 ,i could say much more1 but must away to ,gibraltar2 one of the ,majors of the regiments has sent for me1 having provided a lodging at a merchant's house unknown to me4 ,oh admire ,,god's goodness6 ,accept my thanks and love1 and believe me to be1 more than words can express1 ,your affectionate friend in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxv4 ,to ,mr4 4 ,gibraltar1 ,feb4 #be1 #agch4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,should think myself unworthy of your friendship1 did ,i not send you a line now ,,god has brought me in safety hither4 ,i know you will give thanks1 and therefore1 ,,god forbid ,i should sin against the ,,lord in not informing you of it4,your prayers have already been heard2 for ,,god 7ever adored be his free grace in ,,christ ,,jesus7 hath been with us of a truth4 ,he hath led us through the sea1 as through a wilderness1 and brought us to a haven1 where ,i am honoured with many honours4,any one that knows ,gibraltar would be apt to say1 ,can any good come out from thence8 ,yes1 ,i assure you1 there may2 for there are some that are not ashamed of the gospel of ,,christ4 ,about six o'clock this morning ,i went to the church1 where was assembled a number of decent soldiers praying and singing psalms to ,,christ as ,,god4 ,they meet constantly three times a day1 and ,i intend1 ,,god willing1 henceforward to meet them4 ,for my delight is in the saints who are in the earth1 and those that excel in virtue4 ,i have talked with some of them1 and1 blessed be ,,god1 can find the marks of the new birth in them4 ,they pray without ceasing1 have overcome the world1 hate sin1 as sin1 love their enemies and one another4 ,they glory in the cross of ,,christ1 and rejoice that they are accounted worthy to suffer shame for the sake of ,,christ4 ,o1 who would but travel to see how the spirit of ,,god is moving on the faces of poor sinners souls up and down the world6 ,,god1 ,i find1 has a people every where2 ,,christ has a flock1 though but a little flock1 in all places4,,god be praised1 that we are of this flock1 and that it will be our ,father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom6,gibraltar is blessed with a governor1 who hath not absented himself from public worship1 unless when he was sick1 for these seven years1 and yet is very moderate towards the dissenters4 ,both conformists and nonconformists perform public worship1 though at different times of the day1 in the same place3 ,they also have a religious society4 ,the good ,,lord prosper this work of their hands upon them4 ,whenever we go away1 may we leave a blessing behind us4 ,he is a prayer-hearing ,,god4,yesterday a major of one of the regiments1 unknown to me1 took two handsome rooms1 and sent for me from on board1 desiring me to lodge in them2 and ,i find the people of the house fear ,,god48,when ,i sent you without scrip or shoe1 lacked you any thing80 said our ,,lord4 ,they said nothing4,o1 dear ,mr4 1 ,i beseech you abound in thanksgiving1 and pray that all these blessings may humble my proud heart1 and make me willing to follow the ,lamb whithersoever he shall lead me4 ,assure yourself1 that you and all your christian friends are constantly prayed for by1 dear ,sir1 ,your's most affectionately in the ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxvi4 ,gibraltar1 ,feb4 #bg1 #agch4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,ever since ,i left ,gravesend1 ,i remember the fulness of your heart4 ,i have been a constant petitioner at the throne of grace for you1 and intended writing to you before1 but was let hitherto4 ,however1 ,,god has now brought me safe to ,gibraltar1 and as ,i have time1 ,i should think myself inexcusable1 did ,i not send a line to dear ,mr4 1 to assure him1 ,i forgot not his tears1 and wish him to be not only an almost1 but an altogether christian4 ,dear ,sir1 you are young and in the bloom of youth1 and it would rejoice my heart to see you triumph over the lust of the eye1 the lust of the flesh1 and the pride of life1 and to become a poor despised servant of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,others1 indeed1 may wish you wealth1 may wish you pomp and grandeur2 but believe me1 my dear friend1 these will not1 these cannot1 make you happy3 ,no1 nothing but ,,god can satisfy the heart of man2 nothing but an assurance1 that we are born again1 that we are members of ,,christ1 that we are united to him by one and the same spirit with which he himself was actuated4 ,without this1 if we were to have our appetites regaled with the richest dainties1 be cloathed with purple and fine linen1 and fare sumptuously every day1 yet the hand-writing upon the wall1 the consideration1 that all these things are quickly to be taken away1 would make our visage to change1 and our knees1 like ,belshazzar's1 to smite one against another4 ,strive then1 my dear friend1 to get the spirit of ,,christ1 who will keep close to you1 when all other comforts fail2 will make you happy here1 and unspeakably happy hereafter4,never fear the contempt you will meet with2 yet a little while1 and they that call you fool1 will call themselves so1 and curse that worldly wisdom1 which tempted them to evade the cross of ,,christ4 ,strange6 that any one should let a little reproach deprive them of an eternal crown6 ,,lord1 what is man6 ,how blind as to the knowledge of his true interest6 ,how backward in the pursuit of his eternal good6 ,o1 dear ,mr4 1 let us not be of the number of those1 who desire the honour that cometh of man2 but be content with that which cometh from ,,god4 ,in a short time1 we shall have praise enough4 ,heaven will echo with the applause that shall be given to the true followers of the ,lamb1 and then you will see how sincerely ,i was1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 #8lett' replaced with #8let' ,,letter ,,xxxvii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,h4 ,at ,sea1 ,april #ad1 #agch4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,though through excess of business1 and the shortness of the time1 that was allotted me1 ,i wrote but a few lines to you from ,gibraltar1 yet1 what hinders1 but that ,i may send you a longer letter now8 ,it's true we are now near a thousand miles from ,georgia2 but as ,i shall have an opportunity of sending immediately on our arrival1 ,i chuse to take time by the forelock1 and embrace the first opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 and her husband2 for whom ,i pray without ceasing4 ,your past favours are seldom out of my mind2 ,i plead them daily before ,,god in prayer1 and hope1 if it is ever in my power1 ,i shall imitate the example of pious ,david in yesterday evening's first lesson1 and requite my friends1 particularly dear ,mrs4 ,h4 and her spouse1 for the kindnesses they have shewn me4 ,however1 supposing this should not happen1 they will in no-wise lose their reward4 ,but ,i know you do not care ,i should dwell on this4 ,you want to be informed1 how ,,god has dealt with me since ,i left ,gibraltar8 ,exceeding graciously indeed4 ,he has comforted me on every occasion1 most remarkably blessed my unworthy ministry on board the ship1 sent us most delightful weather1 and made us to ride as it were on the wings of the wind4 ,we live in perfect love and harmony one with another4 ,i know but little difference between sea and land1 and have great reason to bless ,,god for sending me abroad4 ,a grievous sickness has been sent amongst us1 by which most of the ship have been chastened and corrected but only two given over unto death2 and ,,god hath been so good to me1 that1 except for a little time after we sailed from ,gibraltar1 ,i have been in perfect health1 and now ,,god satisfieth my mouth with good things1 making me strong and lively as a young eagle4 ,i have nothing to disturb my joy in ,,god1 but the disorder of my passions4 ,were these once brought into a proper subjection to divine grace1 ,o well would it be with me1 and happy should ,i be4 ,but so long as ,i am angry for trifles1 and throw myself into needless disorders1 so long must my heart be like the troubled sea1 so long consequently must ,i be unhappy4 ,pray therefore1 dear ,mrs4 ,h4 that ,i may lay the ax of mortification to the root of my most darling corruptions1 and since ,i have but little1 if any thing1 to disturb me without1 ,o pray that ,i may meet with no disturbance from myself within4 ,the farther particulars of my voyage1 you will see in my journal1 which ,i have sent to ,mr4 ,hutton1 and for the blessings contained therein1 ,i beseech you to return ,,god most humble and hearty thanks4 ,about ,christmas next1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to come to ,england to take priests orders1 and to return as soon as possible to ,georgia4 ,in the mean while1 dear ,mrs4 ,h4 let us strive to enter in at the strait gate1 that we may be christians indeed1 and know what it is truly to be born again from above1 and to be renewed by the spirit in our minds4 ,remember me most affectionately to all friends4 ,i am1 ,your's1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 4 ,on board the ,whitaker1 ,april #ag1 #agch4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,,to assure you ,i do not forget you1 ,i write to you1 as yet1 eight hundred miles off shore4 ,your honest heart has won my affections4 ,i make mention of you and your's continually at the throne of grace in my prayers1 and shall have no greater pleasure than to hear you walk in the truth4 ,in your last1 ,i think you said1 you would desist from frequenting any other societies1 but what immediately tended to the promoting of true religion1 and ere now1 ,i doubt not but you have seen the benefit of it4 ,i have often pleased myself with the hopes1 that you1 dear ,mr4 1 had set up another society among yourselves1 and often have ,i thought1 ,i felt the benefit of your prayers2 for ,,god hath blessed me exceedingly1 and brought us on our way rejoicing2 and has shewn me1 that he doth not send me abroad in vain4,how ,,god will deal with me at ,savannah1 ,i know not2 however1 let my friends be always lifting up their hands in intercession1 and then our spiritual ,amalek will not prevail4 ,hitherto ,i have been made to go on from conquering to conquer4 ,,god gives me a chearful spirit1 and crowns my feeble labours with success4 ,and why should ,i despair of future assistance8 ,are not these earnests of future mercies8 ,and may ,i not expect1 when ,i am duly prepared1 to see greater things than these8 ,cry therefore mightily unto the ,,lord1 that ,i may be humble1 and that ,i may tremble at his word1 and then he will delight to honour me4 ,i live in hopes of seeing you and your wife again 7growing in grace7 in ,england4 ,you told me1 she desired ,i would draw her picture2 but alas6 she has applied to an improper limner4 ,however1 though ,i cannot describe what she is1 ,i can tell what she ought to be4,meek1 patient1 long-suffering1 obedient in all things1 not self-willed1 not soon angry1 no brawler1 swift to hear1 slow to speak1 and ready to every good word and work4 ,but ,i can no more1 ,i dare not go on in telling another what she ought to be1 when ,i want so much myself2 only this ,i know1 when possessed of those good qualities before-mentioned1 she will then be as happy as her heart can wish1 and afford great reason of thanksgiving to1 dear ,mr4 1 ,your and ,mrs4 's affectionate friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xxxix4 ,to ,mr4 4 ,on board the ,whitaker1 ,may #f1 #agch4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,how goes time8 ,i can scarce tell2 for ,i have been some time past1 as one would think1 launching into eternity4 ,,god has been pleased graciously to visit me with a violent fever1 which he notwithstanding so sweetened by divine consolations1 that ,i was enabled to rejoice and sing in the midst of it4 ,indeed1 ,i had many violent conflicts with the powers of darkness1 who did all they could to disturb and distract me2 but ,,jesus ,,christ prayed for me3 ,and though ,i was once reduced to the last extremity1 and all supernatural assistance seemed to be suspended for a while1 and satan as it were had dominion over me1 yet ,,god suffered not my faith to fail2 but came in at length to my aid1 rebuked the tempter1 and from that moment ,i grew better4 ,surely ,,god is preparing me for something extraordinary3 ,for he has now sent me such extraordinary conflicts and comforts as ,i never before experienced4 ,i was as ,i thought on the brink of eternity4 ,i had heaven within me2 ,i thought of nothing in this world2 ,i earnestly desired to be dissolved and go to ,,christ2 but ,,god was pleased to order it otherwise1 and ,i am resigned1 though ,i can scarce be reconciled to come back again into this vale of misery4 ,i had the heavenly ,canaan in full view1 and hoped ,i was going to take possession of it2 but ,,god saw ,i was not yet ripe for glory1 and therefore in mercy spared me1 that ,i may recover my spiritual strength before ,i go hence and am no more seen4 ,oh pray1 my dear friend1 that ,i may not grow lukewarm1 or slothful1 but arise from my late bed of sickness1 and administer with ten times more alacrity to my blessed ,master1 than ever ,i did before4 ,i would write more1 but my strength faileth me4 ,we hope to be at ,savannah on ,monday4 ,your's1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xl4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,savannah1 ,june #aj1 #agch4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,,about five weeks ,i have been at ,savannah1 where providence seems to intend continuing me for some time4 ,,god has graciously visited me with a fit of sickness2 but now ,i am lively as a young eagle4 ,all things have happened better than expectation4 ,america is not so horrid a place as it is represented to be4 ,the heat of the weather1 lying on the ground1 c4 are mere painted lions in the way1 and to a soul filled with divine love not worth mentioning4 ,the country1 mornings and evenings1 is exceeding pleasant1 and there are uncommon improvements made 7considering the indifference of the soil7 in divers places4 ,with a little assistance the country people would do very well4 ,as for my ministerial office1 ,i can inform you1 that ,,god 7such is his goodness7 sets his seal to it here1 as at other places4 ,we have an excellent christian school1 and near a hundred constantly attend at evening prayers4 ,the people receive me gladly1 as yet1 into their houses1 and seem to be most kindly affected towards me4 ,i have a pretty little family1 and find it possible to manage a house without distraction4 ,provisions we do not want to feed on1 though we are cut off from all occasions to pamper our bodies4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i visit from house to house1 catechise1 read prayers twice and expound the two second lessons every day2 read to a house-ful of people three times a week2 expound the two lessons at five in the morning1 read prayers and preach twice1 and expound the catechism to servants1 c4 at seven in the evening every ,sunday4 ,what ,i have most at heart1 is the building an orphan-house1 which ,i trust will be effected at my return to ,england4 ,in the mean while1 ,i am settling little schools in and about ,savannah2 that the rising generation may he bred up in the nurture and admonition of the ,,lord4 ,the ,,lord prosper my weak endeavours for promoting his glory and his people's good4 ,oh1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 pray for me4 ,for ,i do1 indeed ,i do1 pray for you and your's4 ,remember me to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 and exhort her to perfect holiness in the fear of ,,god4 ,remind ,mr4 ,w1 7since he will not hearken to me7 to work out his salvation with fear and trembling1 and beg him to pray for1 though he will not write to1 dear ,mr4 ,h4 ,ever1 ever your's1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xli4 ,to ,mr4 4 ,kilrush1 7,ireland7 ,nov4 #af1 #agch4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,have not forgot you2 and as a proof of it1 send you this to acquaint you of my safe arrival here4 ,i know you will rejoice and give thanks1 and pray that my coming to ,london may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace4 ,,god has done for me more abundantly than ,i could dare ask or think4 ,the seed of the glorious gospel has taken root in the ,american ground1 and1 ,i hope1 will grow up into a great tree4 ,by my friends prayers ,i believe it hath been planted4 ,oh that they may continue to water it with the same means1 and then our great ,,god will give it an effectual increase4,i hope to see you in a few days at my old lodgings1 and to rejoice with you for what ,,god has done for our souls4 ,indeed1 ,i have felt his power2 ,i have tasted and known of a truth1 that the ,,lord is gracious6 ,america1 infant ,georgia1 is an excellent soil for christianity2 you cannot live there without taking up a daily cross4 ,therefore1 ,i shall hasten back as soon as possible after ,christmas4 ,oh6 that1 in the mean while1 ,i may be enabled to be instant in season and out of season1 and preach with demonstration of the spirit1 and with power6 ,methinks ,i see ,mr4 lifting up his eyes towards heaven1 and silently saying1 ,amen4,i hope you will excuse ,mr4 ,d4's letter4 ,i have forgot his house1 though not his person and his love4 ,no1 all your kindnesses1 ,o my friends1 are engraven upon my heart1 and ,i trust will never be forgotten by1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and humble ,servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,london1 ,dec4 #cj1 #agch4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,am appointed by the trustees to be minister of ,savannah4 ,the bishop of ,london 7,doctor ,gibson7 accepts the title1 and has given me letters demisory to any other bishop4 ,i have waited also on ,doctor ,secker1 bishop of ,oxford1 who acquaints me that our worthy diocesan1 good ,bishop ,benson1 ordains for him to-morrow fortnight at ,oxford1 and that he will give me letters demisory to him4 ,,god be praised2 ,i was praying night and day1 whilst on ship-board1 if it might be the divine will1 that good ,bishop ,benson1 who laid hands on me as a deacon1 might now make me a priest4,and now my prayer is answered4,be pleased to wait on his ,lordship1 and desire him to inform you1 when ,i must be at ,oxford in order to receive imposition of hands4 ,oh pray that ,i may be duly prepared4 ,it will be a month before ,i can see ,gloucester4 ,i long to see you4 ,i love you and your's in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ2 but ,i have scarce time to subscribe myself1 dear ,sir1 ,your's eternally1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xliii4 ,to the ,same4 ,london1 ,jan4 #bg1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,if ,i forget ,mr4 ,h4 and his wife1 may my right-hand forget her cunning4 ,excess of business alone was the cause of my silence4 ,i sleep but little1 very little4 ,had ,i a thousand hands1 ,i could employ them all4 ,i scarce know what it is to have an idle moment4 ,it is late now4 ,i have just been expounding4 ,,god fills me with his spirit1 and ,i must redeem a little time to write to dear ,mr4 ,h4 ,indeed1 indeed ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,o when shall ,i return your past favours6 ,i thank you for blessing ,,god on my behalf4 ,i want a thousand tongues to praise him4 ,he still works by me more and more4 ,subscriptions for erecting an orphan-house come in a-pace4 ,on ,monday sevennight1 ,,god willing1 ,i set out for ,bristol1 with ,mr4 ,seward1 and from thence propose coming to ,gloucester4 ,oh that it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace6 ,mr4 ,howel ,harris1 and ,i1 are correspondents1 blessed be ,,god6 ,may ,i follow him1 as he does ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,how he outstrips me6 ,fye upon me1 fye upon me4 ,how does my brother8 ,my love to him and all4 ,i long to see you and yours1 and to give you repeated assurances of my being1 dear ,sir1 ,your's eternally1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xliv4 ,to the ,mr4 4 ,basingstoke1 ,feb4 #h1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,though ,i desired you to write first1 yet the love ,i bear you1 will not suffer me to wait so long before you hear from me4,just now has ,,god brought us to ,basingstoke1 where ,i hope an effectual door will be opened before we leave it1 as well as at ,windsor4,oh my dear friend1 more and more do ,i see the benefit of confessing our blessed ,,lord before men4,you have not been ashamed of the cross4,no1 dear ,mr4 has put his hand to the plough2 he will not1 surely he cannot look back2 but ,,jesus ,,christ alone can keep me and my dear friend from falling4 ,he has begun and he will carry on1 he will finish the good work in our souls4,we have nothing to do1 but to lay hold on him by faith1 and to depend on him for wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification and redemption4 ,not but we must be workers together with him2 for a true faith in ,,jesus ,,christ will not suffer us to be idle4,no1 it is an active1 lively1 restless principle2 it fills the heart1 so that it cannot be easy1 till it is doing something for ,,jesus ,,christ4,methinks ,i hear my dear friend crying out1 8,,lord1 evermore give me this faith60 ,believe me1 ,i heartily say1 ,amen4 ,ask then1 my dear ,sir1 and it shall be given you1 seek and strive for it1 and yet a little while and ,i shall see you a new creature2 your heart ,i hope is somewhat broken already4,all praise be to ,,god's free grace in ,,christ4,go on1 my dear friend1 and never cease till you know you are ,,christ's1 by the spirit that shall be given you4 ,never fear your carnal friends1 renounce them and every thing else that stands in competition with your duty to ,,god4,what have we to do to know any one after the flesh8 ,let him1 who doth the will of our ,father in heaven1 be our brother1 our sister1 our mother4 ,for this reason ,i subscribe myself1 dear ,sir1 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlv4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,oxon1 ,april #bd1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,,blessed be ,,god for working upon your heart by my ministry4 ,i hope the wish'd-for time will come1 when ,i shall see you full of faith and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,copies may be taken of my letter2 but ,i would not have it printed1 because ,i intend1 when retir'd from the world1 to make some discourses on the subject of free grace4 ,pray acquaint your mother1 that ,i interceded for her solemnly last night4 ,i besought ,,god1 that she might have her ,saviour revealed in her heart2 that is the only way to get above the fears of death4 ,,christ in us is the hope of glory4 ,i rejoice to hear ,mr4 ,cole builds you up in your most holy faith4 ,i exhort you to go on1 and who knows but dear ,mr4 ,h4 may1 under ,,god1 keep up religion in ,gloucester4 ,mr4 ,kinchin's conduct in fearing the church1 and giving up the parsonage1 has sadly grieved the spirit of many good souls here2 but ,i bless ,,god they are now a little comforted4 ,oh dear ,mr4 ,h1 my heart is drawn towards ,london most strangely4 ,perhaps you may hear of your friend's imprisonment4 ,i expect no other preferment4 ,,god grant ,i may behave so1 that when ,i suffer1 it may not be for my own imprudencies1 but for righteousness sake1 and then ,i am sure the spirit of ,,christ and of glory will rest upon my soul4 ,oh dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,i beseech you1 break off from the world4 ,shake off every fetter that keeps your soul from ,,god1 and then how will it rejoice the heart of1 dear ,sir1 ,your's eternally1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlvi4 ,to the ,same4 ,london1 ,april #bg1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,i ,rejoice to hear of the affection of my countrymen4 ,it is a good sign1 that the word has taken deep root in their hearts4 ,but above all1 do ,i rejoice that dear ,mr4 ,h is truly sensible of the free grace of ,,god in ,,christ4 ,now1 my dear friend1 you will begin to be a christian indeed4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i hear my honoured ,m is becoming a fool for ,,christ's sake4 ,i do not despair of ,mr4 ,w4 nay1 ,i cannot despair of any one1 when ,i consider1 what ,i once was myself4 ,let but ,,god speak the word1 and the work shall be done4 ,i always hope well of opposers4 ,to-day1 my master by his providence and spirit compelled me to preach in the church-yard at ,islington4 ,to-morrow ,i am to repeat that mad trick1 and on ,sunday to go out into ,moor-,fields4 ,the word of the ,,lord runs and is glorified4 ,people's hearts seem quite broken4 ,,god strengthens me exceedingly4,i preach till ,i sweat through and through4 ,all is well at ,savannah4 ,brave news from ,gibraltar4 ,innumerable blessings does ,,god pour down upon me4 ,oh that ,i had a thankful heart4 ,i love you both sincerely2 ,i thank you both heartily4 ,i salute all our dear friends most affectionately1 and am1 dear ,sir1 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlvii4 ,to the ,same4 ,london1 ,may #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,,the hour for my imprisonment is not yet come4 ,i am not fit as yet to be so highly honoured4 ,,god only knows the treachery of my heart2 but amidst all my late success1 ,i have scarce felt one self-complacent thought4 ,i speak this to the honour of ,,god's free grace4 ,in about three weeks1 ,,god willing1 we embark for ,pensilvania4 ,the trustees have granted to me land and every thing upon my own terms2 the officers and general are exceeding kind to my friend ,habersham upon my account1 so that all things succeed beyond my expectations4 ,i am sorry to hear of ,mr4 ,w's conduct,poor man6 ,the love of money is rooted in his heart4 ,where is the honesty he so much boasts of and relies on8 ,does not this more and more convince you that nothing but a true faith in ,,jesus ,,christ will enable you to act aright8 ,however1 he is not to be envyed4 ,i pity him4 ,money1 thus got1 will never prosper4 ,i rejoice that you and your spouse are content4 ,i wish you both may have ,,jesus ,,christ formed in your hearts1 and am ,ever1 ever yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlviii4 ,to 4 ,blendon1 ,june #ab1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brethren in ,,christ1 ,i ,am jealous over you with a godly jealousy1 and therefore write to you this second letter4 ,i find more and more that satan has desired to have some of you in particular1 that he may sift you as wheat1 and will strive if possible to divide and separate you all4,i hear there is a woman among you1 who pretends to the spirit of prophecy1 and what is more unaccountable1 ,i hear that ,brother 7whom ,i love in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ7 seems to approve of her4 ,need therefore1 great need have you1 my brethren1 at this time to take the apostle's advice1 and to try the spirits whether they be of ,,god4 ,for the devil is beginning to mimic ,,god's work1 and because terrors will not do1 he is now transforming himself into an angel of light in order more effectually to gain his point4 ,brother also1 ,i cannot but think1 at present is under a spirit of delusion4 ,he1 as well as brother 1 ,i believe imagines there will be a power given to work miracles1 and that now ,,christ is coming to reign a thousand years upon the earth4,but alas6 what need is there of miracles1 such as healing sick bodies1 and restoring sight to blind eyes1 when we see greater miracles every day done by the power of ,,god's word8 ,do not the spiritually blind now see8 ,are not the spiritually dead now raised1 and the leprous souls now cleans'd1 and have not the poor the gospel preached unto them8 ,and if we have the thing already1 which such miracles were only intended to introduce1 why should we tempt ,,god in requiring further signs8 ,he that hath ears to hear1 let him hear4 ,and as for our ,,lord's coming at this time to reign upon the earth1 ,i answer1 it is not for us to know the times and seasons1 which the ,father hath put in his own power4,that a great work is begun is evident1 that it will be carried on ,i doubt not2 but how it will end1 ,i know not1 neither do ,i desire to know4 ,it is sufficient for me to do the work of the day in its day1 and to rest satisfied in this1 that all will end in ,,god's glory4 ,lately1 brother told me he was shortly1 he believed1 to be called to some public work4,i pray ,,god he may not run before he is called4 ,to teach1 ,i know1 is a pleasing thing2 but to begin to teach too soon or without a commission1 will be destruction to ourselves1 and of ill consequence to others4 ,uzzah might mean well1 when he touched the ark1 but his good intention did not preserve him from the just judgments of ,,god4 ,be not many masters1 says the apostle4 ,oh that that verse was deeply engraven on the tables of our hearts6 ,my dear brethren1 be not offended at this plainness of speech4 ,i would all the ,,lord's servants were prophets1 but then ,i would not have people think themselves prophets of the ,,lord1 when they are only enthusiasts,if ,mr4 is acted by a good spirit1 why is he not patient of reproof8 ,why does he fly in a passion1 when contradicted8 ,why does he pretend to be infallible1 and that ,,god always speaks in him8 ,may ,,god give us all a right judgment in all things4 ,pure unfeigned love causes me to use this freedom4 ,many of you ,,god has worked upon by my ministry1 and therefore ,i would not have you ignorant of satan's devices4 ,o beware of him at this time4 ,do not conceive prejudices against each other4 ,do not dispute1 but love2 purge out the old leaven from amongst you4 ,have no fellowship with any that converse with ,mr4 4 ,if they have a mind to depart from you1 let them depart4 ,do you build up each other in your most holy faith4 ,my dear brethren1 ,i am your common servant in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xlix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 4 ,leachlade1 ,july #ah1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,the scene this morning much affected me2 you both put me in mind1 how that happy pair1 ,adam and ,eve1 looked when arraign'd by the ,almighty after having eaten the forbidden fruit4 ,behold the same remedy reached out to you as to them4,the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head4,look up to him whom you have pierced4,he will heal your backslidings and love you freely4,had he not loved you both1 both of you ere now would have been given over to a reprobate mind4 ,i know the time1 when you both were enlightned1 when you tasted the good word of ,,god1 and felt the powers of the world to come4,honour1 falsely so called1 has caused you to draw back1 but ,i believe not unto perdition4 ,,jesus is still striving with your heart4 ,come to him by faith1 renounce the world1 and he will yet delight to honour you4 8,now is the accepted time1 now is the day of salvation40 ,mention not old things1 let all things become new4 ,i love both of you from my heart4 ,come forth1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,,lord almighty4 ,break with the world at once1 and you shall become fools for ,,christ's sake4 ,what if your wife sent some such letter as the following to her parents4 ,honoured ,father and ,mother1 ,,the contents of this letter will surprize you1 but ,i can no longer halt between ,,god and the world2 the happy convictions1 that ,,god once put into my heart1 now arise in my mind1 ,i will no longer be an almost christian4 ,i am resolved to become a fool for ,,christ's sake4 ,blessed be ,,god ,mr4 ,m is like-minded4,hitherto have ,i hindered him in his spiritual progress1 ,,god forbid ,i should do it any longer4 ,hence forward will we go hand in hand together1 and naked follow a naked ,,christ4 ,dearest ,mr41 ,i am ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,l4 ,london1 ,july #bc1 #agci4 ,dear ,madam1 ,,your letter filled me with joy and with pity4 ,pity1 to see you tempted1 joy1 to find you are thought worthy of enduring temptation4 ,satan hath desired to have you1 that he may sift you as wheat4 ,but be not afraid1 ,,jesus ,,christ is praying for you1 and your faith shall not fail4 ,your master hath been in the wilderness before you1 and knows by experience1 how to succour those that are tempted4 ,lift up then the hands that hang down1 and strengthen the feeble knees4 ,infidel books have poisoned your understanding1 and rivetted great pride therein4 ,strong temptations are necessary to mortify that pride1 and to teach you that lowliness of heart1 which our ,,lord calls all that are weary and heavy laden to learn of him4 ,look up then to ,,jesus1 the author and finisher of your faith4 ,he will send you help in every time of need4 ,indeed he will never leave you1 nor forsake you4 ,follow him as the poor ,syrophnician woman did1 and though he may now turn away his face seemingly for a while1 yet he will always support you inwardly by a living faith1 and shortly give you the spirit of adoption1 whereby you will be enabled to cry1 8,abba1 ,father40 ,i speak this by happy experience4 ,i have mourned1 but now ,i am comforted4 ,i have gone through the spirit of bondage1 and1 for ever be adored ,,god's free grace1 he has given me the spirit of adoption4 ,and that you also will have this in ,,god's due time and way1 is the firm belief of ,your unworthy brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,li4 ,london1 ,july #bc1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,i ,wish you joy of your new-born son4 ,oh that it may be made a real child of ,,god4 ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to stand to my promise1 either in person1 or by proxy4 ,i know not yet1 how providence will be pleased to dispose of me4 ,i have written to the ,lords of the ,admiralty for a licence4 ,saturday evening next1 ,i hope you will see ,mr4 ,charles ,wesley4 ,he intends to preach at ,gloucester1 ,raindwick1 c4 ,pray desire ,mr4 ,cole and our other dear friends to appoint places4 ,matters go on most bravely here4 ,i think people are ten times more affected than ever4 ,the audiences full and numerous1 and they give their mites for the orphan house with a chearful and ready heart4 ,have you heard how ,i preached upon the stage among the cudgel players at ,basingstoke1 and got a blow8 ,both ,i and my companions were also turned out of our inn1 and in danger of being beaten heartily4 ,blessed be ,,god6 ,my sermon comes out on ,wednesday4 ,heartiest love to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 ,that ,,jesus ,,christ may be fully formed in both your hearts1 is the prayer of1 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lii4 ,london1 ,july #bd1 #agci4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,though but a child in grace1 and a novice in the things of ,,god1 yet ,i could not escape this opportunity of shewing you1 how dear you are to my soul4 ,though unknown in person1 yet you have long since been known to me in spirit4 ,i hoped to have seen you ere ,i left ,london4 ,i hasted up to town hoping to have some spiritual gift imparted to me by that means1 but ,i was not worthy of it1 ,i was not prepared for such a blessing4,you went before ,i came4 ,a great work of ,,god is doing here4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus gets himself the victory every day2 free grace compels poor sinners to come in4 ,our brother can inform you of particulars4 ,as for my own soul1 ,,god mightily strengthens me in the inward man1 and gives me often such foretastes of his love1 that ,i am almost continually wishing to be dissolved1 that ,i may be with ,,christ4,but ,i am only beginning to begin to be a christian4,i must suffer also1 as well as do for my dear ,master4 ,perhaps a storm is gathering4 ,i believe ,,god will permit it to fall on my head first4,this comes then1 honoured ,sir1 to desire your prayers1 that none of those things may move me2 and that ,i may not count even my life dear unto me1 so that ,i may finish my course with joy1 and the ministry which ,i have received of the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,though ,i die for him1 yet1 ,i beseech you1 honoured ,sir1 to pray that ,i may not in any way deny him4 ,but what am ,i doing8 ,i fear1 honoured ,sir1 ,i am too free4 ,a sense of your humility and love for the blessed ,,jesus makes me thus open4 ,how should ,i rejoice1 if you would honour me with a line4,i am young1 and therefore a word of exhortation and advice1 would much profit1 honoured ,sir1 ,your very humble servant1 in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,liii4 ,london1 ,july #be1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,not a want of love1 but of time1 has obliged me to shorten my late letters4 ,had ,i an hundred hands ,i could employ them all4 ,the harvest is very great4 ,i am ashamed ,i can do no more for him1 who hath done so much for me2 not by way of retaliation1 but gratitude4 ,fain would ,i love my master1 and will not go from him2 his service is perfect freedom2 his yoke is easy1 his burden light4 ,still he is pleased to shew us greater things4 ,every day affords fresh instances of the power of his word4 ,i am now about to attack satan in one of his strong-holds1 if ,i perish4,to-night ,i preach1 ,,god willing1 where an horse-race is to be4 ,i find my ,master strengthens me for the work4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 pray for me1 that my faith fail not1 and that my zeal be tempered with knowledge4 ,our brother will prove an agreeable correspondent4 ,if business prevents my writing1 he will inform you what happens from time to time to1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,liv4 ,london1 ,july #bf1 #agci4 ,rev4 ,sir1 ,,just now ,i received your kind letter1 and am endeavouring to catch a few moments to answer it4 ,i thank you for your encouraging hints4 ,o6 dear ,sir1 continue to exhort1 and provoke me to love and to good works1 that ,i may with patience run the race that is set before me4 ,hitherto my dear ,master magnifies his strength in my weakness4 ,ever since he honoured me to suffer a little reproach for his name's sake1 at ,basingstoke1 he has caused me to rejoice with exceeding great joy4 ,my spirit was stirred within me4 ,methinks ,i could willingly have died to have borne my testimony against the lying vanities1 and devilish entertainments of this generation4 ,by the help of my ,master1 ,i will go on and attack the devil in his strongest holds4 ,o pray1 dear ,sir1 that my zeal may be always tempered with true christian prudence4 ,it would grieve me1 should ,i bring sufferings causelessly upon myself4 ,a trying time1 perhaps1 is at hand4 ,o that ,i may be found faithful6 ,if providence permits1 ,i will perform my promise4 ,i am blind1 ,i am a child1 ,i know nothing4 ,i only desire the whole will of ,,god may be done1 in1 by1 and upon1 dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lv4 ,london1 ,july #bf1 #agci4 ,sir1 ,i ,received your kind letter1 but must beg to be excused from dissuading your son to go with 4 ,the employment in which he is engaged will1 in the end1 if faithfully improved1 tend much to ,,god's glory and his own good4 ,he now sits by me2 ,i read over your letter to him1 and he continues as resolute as ever4 ,the being disinherited does not terrify him at all4 ,he has a more abiding inheritance1 and is willing naked to follow a naked ,,christ4,dear ,sir1 let me advise you to do nothing rashly4 ,if you can pray for a blessing on your will when you are about to disinherit your son1 ,i shall wonder4 ,have a little patience1 and then you will find that your son is about to act wisely4 ,if ,i thought otherwise1 no one would be more forward to dissuade him1 than1 ,sir1 ,your very humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lvi4 ,london1 ,july #ca1 #agci4 ,,oh that my head was water and my eyes fountains of tears1 that ,i might weep over my dear ,mr4 4 ,what8 ,and has my familiar friend1 who has been dear to me as my own soul1 has he taken part with1 and gone back to the enemy8 ,surely it cannot be6,and yet ,i must believe it4,but if any one had told my dear friend1 that he would have behaved thus1 would he not have cried out1 8,is thy servant a dog that he should do this80 ,oh1 my dear friend1 ,i am in pain for you6 ,alas6 who hath bewitched you1 that you should not obey the truth8 ,you did run well2 who1 or what hath hindered you8 ,not a fear of man1 ,i hope2 not a desire of that praise1 that cometh of man4 ,i know the time when my dear friend's heart stood stedfast4 ,i know the time when my dear friend was willing to be accounted a fool for ,,christ's sake1 and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin1 of false politeness1 for a season4 ,and why should ,i despair of my dear friend now8 ,no1 ,i know ,,jesus ,,christ was set for the falling and rising again of many in ,israel4 ,our ,,lord1 ,i trust1 has prayed for you1 and ,i hope your faith will not totally fail4 ,forgive me1 ,i must stop and sigh3 ,,god forbid ,i should be called1 at the great day1 to say1 that my dear ,mr4 put his hand to the plough and turned back unto perdition4 ,good ,,god6 the thought strikes me as though a dart was shot through my liver4 ,return1 return4 ,my dear friend1 ,i cannot part from you for ever4 ,do not speak peace to your soul1 when there is no peace4 ,do not turn factor for the devil4 ,do not prejudice or hurt my brother1 and thereby add to the grief you have already occasioned4 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lvii4 ,bristol1 ,july #ca1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,blessed be ,,god for bringing you in safety home4,he is a ,,god hearing prayer4 ,may he sanctify our meeting4 ,i hope to see you here this week4 ,i shall set out for ,deal on ,monday4,i long to hear how the soul of my dear brother prospers4,i long to embrace you in these unworthy arms4,methinks ,i could now sing my nunc dimittis with pleasure1 if my eyes could see my dear brother's salvation4 ,i hope you have conversed with ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,it will require some degree of boldness to own either of us before men4 ,,god vouchsafes to honour us3 ,no wonder our names are cast out as evil4,dear ,mr4 1 ,i hear1 is staggered with the fear of man4,sister1 ,i trust1 is in a good way4 ,when shall ,i see you8 ,come1 ,oh come and warm my heart1 by telling me what ,,god hath done for your soul4 ,eternity will be too short to praise him for what he has done for ,your affectionate brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lviii4 ,london1 ,august #c1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,this morning ,i received yours1 and though ,i leave ,london this evening1 yet ,i cannot but snatch a few moments to send you an answer4 ,i love all that love our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,the spirit of ,,christ1 with me is the center4 ,i love the man1 and you in particular1 though in all things he may not follow with me4 ,i rejoice there is a revival of true religion in ,scotland4 ,the spirit of ,,god is moving on the faces of thousands of souls in ,england4 ,the word runs very swift1 and satan falls like lightning from heaven4 ,,god hath sent me into the highways and hedges1 to compel poor sinners to come in2 many are left to water1 what ,,god hath been pleased to plant2 ,i doubt not of his giving a great increase4 ,but ,i am a child1 ,i cannot speak1 yet ,,god will magnify his free grace4 ,,god will work1 and all oppositions must forward1 but not hinder it4,inclosed ,i have sent you a sermon just published4,you may judge of my principles from that4 ,the picture ,i highly honour4,may ,i follow them as they follow ,,christ4 ,i am no friend to sinless perfection4,i believe the being 7though not the dominion7 of sin remains in the hearts of the greatest believers4,time and business will not give me leave to enlarge4,besides1 ,i am but a novice in the school of ,,christ2 and therefore most earnestly beg your prayers1 that ,i may grow in the knowledge of our common ,,lord4 ,at his call1 ,i am now going abroad1 and expect to suffer many things ere ,i return home4,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i wish you much success in the name of the ,,lord1 and am ,your brother and servant in the best bonds1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lix4 ,london1 ,august #c1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,cannot leave ,london without answering your last letter4 ,i am convinced that ,,god calls me now to ,georgia1 and so are our friends4 ,,god's ways are like the great deep4,he will go a way by himself4 ,exitus acta probat4 ,the prophecy you mention1 ,i dare not apply to myself4 ,what am ,i1 that ,,god should so delight to honour me8 ,however1 ,i believe the ,,lord will work a great work upon the earth4 ,whatever instruments he shall make use of in effecting it1 ,i care not4 ,if ,,christ be preached1 if my dear ,,lord be glorified1 ,i rejoice2 yea1 and will rejoice4 ,i wish all the ,,lord's servants were prophets4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 my heart is now melted down with a sense of the divine love6 ,never was a greater instance of ,,god's free grace in ,,christ4 ,what am ,i1 ,o ,,lord1 that thou shouldest delight to honour me8 ,even so1 ,father1 for so it seemeth good in thy sight6 ,dear ,sir1 ,i could now write all day2 but other business demands my attendance4,yet a little while1 and we shall sit down in the kingdom of ,,god for ever4 ,dear ,sir adieu4 ,oh give thanks1 give thanks1 and pray for ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lx4 ,blendon1 ,august #f1 #agci4 ,,and would not dear ,mr4 stay for my last letter8 ,what1 is he retired into the country to learn how to forget his ,,god8 ,is he got into favour with the polite world8 ,are not these sad symptoms1 that my dearest ,mr4 is falling away a-pace8 ,he runned into one extreme lately1 and now satan is driving him into another4 ,did not ,i forwarn you of this8 ,o my dear friend1 my brother1 return to your first love1 otherwise you will find the spirit of ,,god deserting you more and more every day4 ,nemo repente fuit turpissimus4 ,but ,i can say no more4,perhaps ,i am troublesome4 ,however1 give me leave to weep4 ,permit me to pray for you4 ,though you are now dead comparatively1 yet1 ,i trust1 you will be alive4 ,though now seemingly lost1 yet surely you shall be found again4 ,,god only knows how such news would rejoice the heart of1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend in the best bonds1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxi4 1 ,august #g1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,thank you most heartily for your last3 ,had you been more particular1 ,i should have thanked you still more4 ,may ,,god reward you for watching over my soul6 ,pride and selfishness are the tempers of the devil4 ,by the help of my ,,god ,i will never rest till my ,master gives me power to overcome them4 ,it is difficult1 ,i believe1 to go through the fiery trial of popularity and applause untainted4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i am now sweetly retired4 ,o help me1 my dear ,sir1 by your prayers1 as well as your advice1 and believe me desirous to subscribe myself1 ,your's most affectionately in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxii4 ,on board the ,elizabeth1 ,gravesend1 ,august #ad1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,your kind letter gave me much satisfaction4 ,it breathed the language of one1 who is a ,boanerges in the church of ,,god4 ,excess of business prevented my answering it sooner4 ,as ,i am now retired from a public life1 ,i trust ,i shall have time to try my heart and search out my spirit4 ,forget me not1 dear ,sir1 when you are praying for all those1 who travel by land and by water1 when storms and winds are blowing over me4 ,i hope ,i shall always carry you1 and others of my dear friends in ,wales1 upon my heart1 whenever ,i go in and out before the ,,lord4 ,it would rejoice my soul to hear from you1 when abroad4 ,exhort me1 oh exhort me1 to be valiant for the truth4 ,bid1 oh bid me1 dear ,sir1 to be mindful of a dying and risen ,,jesus4,bid me to remember the riches of his free grace in pulling me as a brand out of the fire1 and exhort me to lay down my life for his sake4,brother ,harris1 ,i find1 has come off triumphantly4,the hour of suffering is not yet come4 ,,god prepare us all for it6 ,i expect to suffer for my blessed master's name sake4 ,but1 wherefore do ,i fear8 ,my master will pray for me4,dear ,sir1 adieu4 ,i know you not in person4 ,perhaps ,i may never see your face in the flesh4 ,however1 ,i shall see you in heaven1 and then you shall see how sincerely ,i now subscribe myself1 ,your unworthy brother and fellow-servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxiii4 ,on board the ,elizabeth1 ,gravesend1 ,august #ad1 #agci4 ,dear ,madam1 ,i ,cannot think of your favours1 and yet forbear writing a letter of thanks4 ,i cannot think of your parting tears1 and not inform you1 how sincerely ,i pray ,,god to comfort and refresh your soul4,oh ,madam1 your kindness to such a dead dog as ,i am1 quite surprizes me4 ,how much more ought you and ,i1 and all mankind1 to adore the unspeakable goodness of our heavenly ,father1 who has so loved the world1 as to give his only-begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,dear ,madam1 never rest till you have a lively faith in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,,god has put into your heart good desires after it4 ,continue instant in prayer2 apply to ,,jesus ,,christ1 as a poor sinner1 and yet a little while1 and dear ,mrs4 shall be a christian indeed4 ,hasten ,o ,,lord1 that blessed time4 ,oh let thy kingdom come1 in full power1 into this thy handmaiden's heart6 ,innumerable temptations surround you1 to make you take up your rest here4 ,but1 ,i hope1 ,madam1 you will be upon your guard1 and let nothing be thought of1 or done1 by you1 which may any way tend to indulge the lust of the eye and the pride of life4 ,simplicity is the very spirit of the gospel2 therefore1 the more we learn ,,christ1 the more regardless we shall be of worldly vanities4 ,,god of his infinite mercy make you a widow indeed6 ,you see1 ,madam1 how freely ,i have wrote to you4 ,it is because ,i value your welfare4,it is the best return that can be made1 for all favours conferred on1 ,madam1 ,your most obliged friend and servant in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxiv4 ,on board the ,elizabeth1 ,gravesend1 ,august #ad1 #agci4 ,dear ,madam1 ,,your affectionate parting1 and the tears ,i observed you to shed1 even when ,i was at a distance from you1 made me almost ready to cry out 8,what mean you to weep and to break my heart80 ,oh may our dear ,,lord put your tears into his bottle1 and reward you a thousand fold for all the kindnesses you have shewn to me6 ,indeed ,i am less than the least of his servants4 ,but yet1 so loving is my dear ,master1 that he will not let a cup of cold water given in his name1 to pass by unobserved or unrewarded4 ,when partaking of your bounty of flour1 ,i hope ,i shall pray that you and your's may eat bread in the kingdom of ,,god4 ,you have all good desires2 ,i hope you are not far from the kingdom of ,,god4,oh let there not be any thing lacking4 ,give ,,god your hearts1 your whole hearts2 let ,,jesus ,,christ's be your whole wisdom1 your whole righteousness2 and then he will be your whole sanctification and eternal redemption4 ,i write this from my floating habitation1 to assure you how sincerely ,i am ,your most obliged friend and affectionate humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxv4 ,on board the ,elizabeth1 ,august #ad1 #agci4 ,my dear ,mr4 1 ,,at length we are embarked2 our ship is now going to the ,downs4,yet a little while1 and1 ,,god willing1 ,i shall see you once more in the flesh4 ,my family consists of more than twelve1 besides two children2 ,i hope all are desirous to know ,,christ4 ,,god strengthens me mightily in the inner man4 ,the sermon ,i have sent you is one of my extempore sermons4,the journal will acquaint you with particulars4,my brother1 the captain1 hath been with me this last week4,if he leaves off disputing1 and will come to ,,christ as a poor lost sinner1 he will do well4,the bishop of ,london has lately wrote against me2 ,i trust ,,god hath assisted me in writing an answer4,it is now in the press4,all the self-righteous are up in arms4,my ,master makes me more than a conqueror through his love4 ,mr4 has about forty societies in ,yorkshire4 ,both the ,mr4 ,wesley's go on well4,go where you will1 religion 7either for or against it7 is the talk4,probably a suffering time will come4 ,you will not be ashamed of me1 though ,i should be a prisoner4 ,perhaps you will be put to the trial3 ,but how does my dear friend's heart8 ,have you found ,,christ8 ,does he live in you1 so as to be the alpha and omega1 the beginning and end of all your actions8 ,are you enlightened to see the exceeding great riches and fulness of his grace8 ,oh how will it rejoice my soul to see you a proficient in the school of ,,christ8 ,how will it delight me to see your little flock pressing towards the mark4,soon after this reaches ,georgia1 ,i hope to see you4,my stay will be as short as possible at ,philadelphia4 ,i must not delay coming to my dear1 though poor charge4,i expect to find ,savannah almost desolate2 but our extremity is ,,god's opportunity4 ,i believe it will lift up its drooping head4,for the present1 my dear friend1 farewell4 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxvi4 ,on board the ,elizabeth going to the ,downs1 ,august #ae1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,the agony ,i was in at your departure1 and the many strong cryings and tears which ,i offered up to ,,god afterwards1 plainly shew1 that ,i love you in sincerity and truth4 ,though ,i am now about to launch into the great deep1 yet ,i must write you a parting line4 ,i cannot but think you will come to ,,christ in earnest4 ,,god has most remarkably met you by his providence4,his spirit has been striving with you1 and ,i doubt not but it will get the victory over your carnal reasonings1 and the rebellion of a depraved heart4 ,but do not1 my dear brother1 ,i beseech you1 dispute against your own happiness4,be not unwilling to confess that you are not yet a christian4 ,remember what our ,,lord hath said3 8,whosoever receiveth not the kingdom of ,,god1 as a little child1 shall in no-wise enter therein40,i beseech you1 by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord1 to leave off disputing4 ,you have been1 ,i think1 frequently convinced2 but nature1 ,i find1 has as frequently interposed1 and persuaded you that you had gone far enough already4,but does not my dear brother find1 that he yet lacks something8 ,have not his tempers and corruptions2 nay1 hath not sin itself dominion over him8 ,are his affections weaned from the world8 ,does he feel himself a poor lost sinner8 ,is he willing the ,,lord ,,jesus should be his whole righteousness8 ,is he convinced of the freeness1 as well as of the riches of his grace8 ,you see1 my dear brother1 how freely ,i deal with you4 ,it is because ,i love you with a peculiar love4,never did my heart exult at the sight of any relation1 as at the sight of you2 ,surely ,,god intends to give me my dear brother4 ,he is already an almost2 hasten1 ,o ,,lord1 that blessed time1 when he shall be an altogether christian1 and let thy kingdom1 with full power1 come into my dear brother's heart6,how shall ,i say farewell8 ,if you have opportunity1 pray write to ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxvii4 ,on board the ,elizabeth going to the ,downs1 ,august #af1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,thank ,,god for his goodness to brother ,howell ,harris4 ,i thank you for informing me of it4 ,the storm is diverted for a while1 but ,i expect it to break upon my head one time or another4 ,,god has1 for a while1 prepared me a place of refuge in the ship1 from whence ,i write this4 ,oh beseech him1 that ,i may improve the retirement by searching out my spirit4 ,i have almost forgot1 that ,i was in the world4 ,my family on board is quite settled1 and we live and love like christians4 ,,god only knows where you and ,i shall meet again2 whether in time or eternity4 ,however1 this we know1 that both must be tried to the uttermost4 ,inward and outward afflictions await us1 and all the children of ,,god4 ,i am now reading the book of martyrs4 ,they make me blush to think how little ,i suffer for ,,christ's sake4 ,they warm my heart1 and make me think the time long till ,i am called to resist even unto blood3 ,but ,i fear the treachery of this heart of mine4 ,dear ,mr4 1 to your past1 add one more favour1 8pray that ,i may be found faithful40 ,i trust ,i shall have a sweet remembrance of you and my other dear friends1 when ,i go in and out before the ,,lord4 ,salute them most affectionately4 ,exhort them1 oh exhort them to continue in the grace of ,,god2 and forget not to write to1 dear ,mr4 1 ,yours most affectionately in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxviii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,though business prevents my corresponding with you so frequently as ,i did when in ,england1 yet what can hinder me now1 but a want of gratitude and love8 ,accept then1 dear ,sir1 my sincere1 though late thanks1 for all favours conferred upon me1 and assure yourself1 ,i remember both you and your beloved people at the throne of grace4 ,nothing will rejoice me more than to hear1 that the good pleasure of the ,,lord prospers in your hand4 ,oh dear ,sir1 what a gracious ,master do we serve6 ,his loving-kindness still prevents1 accompanies1 and follows me4 ,he has not given me over unto death1 but is still pleased to dig and dung round me1 and not cut me down as a cumberer of the ground4 ,i long to be purged1 dear ,sir1 that ,i may bring forth more fruit4 ,since my retirement from the world1 ,i have seen more and more how full ,i am of corruption4 ,nothing could possibly support my soul under the many agonies which oppressed me1 when on board1 but a consideration of the freeness1 eternity1 and unchangeableness of ,,god's love to me1 the chief of sinners4,in about a twelvemonth1 probably1 ,i shall return again to my native country4 ,satan no doubt will endeavour to stir up all his forces against me4 ,by the help of my ,,god1 ,i will once more come forth with my sling and my stone4,i shall wait with impatience to hear how the work goes on in my absence4 ,i trust1 ,,god1 by this time1 has sent forth more labourers into his harvest4 ,i heartily wish all the ,,lord's servants were prophets4 ,i verily believe1 the right-hand of the ,,lord will not only have the pre-eminence1 but also bring mighty things to pass4 ,o how do ,i long1 dear ,sir1 to see bigotry and party-zeal taken away1 and all the ,,lord's servants more knit together4 ,pray1 my due respects to all that are so kind as to enquire after me4 ,exhort them to pray and give thanks for1 ,your unworthy friend1 brother1 and servant in our dear ,,lord's vineyard1 ,g4 ,w4 ,many of the letters of this date were written on ship-board during the passage1 but dated when sent off from ,philadelphia4 ,,letter ,,lxix4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,man appoints1 but ,,god disappoints4 ,no doubt it was best1 that ,i should not see your answer to the bishop's letter before ,i left ,england4 ,i hope it was wrote with the meekness and gentleness of ,,christ1 and then no doubt ,,god will give his blessing4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 how is the glory departed from ,israel6 ,in what dregs of time are we born8 ,boasting of our orthodoxy and primitive purity1 and yet alas6 but is not this enough1 dear ,sir1 to excite our zeal even till it do eat us up8 ,wherefore hath ,,god called us by his free grace1 and made a difference between us and others1 but that we should stand up in defence of his injured honour8 ,your friend1 ,mr4 1 has told me how plentifully you once tasted of the good word of life1 and felt the powers of the world to come4 ,oh that the divine spark may again kindle in the heart till it become a flame of fire6 ,nothing will so much enforce your arguments as a life exactly conformable to the holy ,,jesus4,when with you last1 ,i thought you spoke too favourable of horse-races1 and such things4 ,but what diversion ought a christian or a clergyman to know or speak of1 but that of doing good8 ,many who are right in their principles1 are worse than ,i could wish in their practice4 ,oh for a revival of true and undefiled religion in all sects whatsoever6 ,i long to see a catholic spirit over-spread the world2 may ,,god vouchsafe to make me an instrument of promoting it6 ,methinks1 ,i care not what ,i do or suffer1 so that ,i may see my ,,lord's kingdom come with power4 ,but ,i know not my own weakness1 till ,i am tried4 ,dear ,sir1 pray for me1 that ,i may be found faithful in an hour of temptation4 ,i expect to be tried to the uttermost1 and to hear1 that many are become my enemies1 who once would1 as it were1 have plucked out their eyes for me4 ,it is necessary that such offences should come2 otherwise1 how can ,i know that ,i am1 what ,i desire to be1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and true brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxx4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brethren1 and worthy fellow-labourers in ,,christ1 ,,though ,i know none of you in person1 yet1 from the time ,i heard of your faith and love towards our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,i have been acquainted with you in spirit1 and have constantly mentioned you in my poor prayers4 ,the good pleasure of the ,,lord1 ,i find1 prospers in your hands2 and ,i pray ,,god increase you more and more1 both you and your children4 ,scotland1 like ,england1 hath been so much settled upon it's lees for some time1 that ,i fear our late days may properly be called the midnight of the church4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the ,father of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 who hath sent forth many of his servants with this cry1 8,behold the bridegroom cometh40 ,thousands obey the call1 and are trimming their spiritual lamps1 in order to go forth to meet him4 ,i cannot but think a winnowing time will come after this in-gathering of souls4 ,o that we may suffer only as christians1 and then the spirit of ,,christ and of glory will rest upon us4 ,in patience possess your souls1 and ,i will leave my cause to ,,god4 ,you1 my reverend ,brethren1 ,i am persuaded1 are no otherwise minded2 may we go on then in the power1 and under the guidance of the ,,lord of ,,hosts4 ,the eternal ,,god will be your perpetual refuge4 ,he that employs1 will protect2 as your day is1 so shall your strength be4 ,let not our dear ,,lord's lambs perish for lack of knowledge4 8,give ye1 give ye them to eat10 methinks1 is the endearing1 constraining command of the great ,shepherd and ,bishop of souls4 ,and ,o that a due obedience may be paid to it by me1 your unworthy brother4 ,but ,i blush almost1 when ,i stile myself your brother2 for ,i am a child1 and all of you are fathers4 ,oh1 strive together with me in your prayers1 that the divine strength may be still magnified in my weakness4 ,you will intreat the ,,lord to bless the orphan-house4 ,i have reason to think1 ,,god will bring great good out of it4 ,oh that ,i may be prepared for future favours6 ,oh that pride and self-love may thoroughly be subdued6 ,brethren1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 to pray for me1 whilst winds and storms are blowing over me4 ,you are not forgotten by him1 who1 though the most unworthy of his ,,lord's servants1 desires to subscribe himself1 ,your affectionate brother1 and fellow-pilgrim and labourer in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,because ,i will not forget you1 ,i begin to write before we get on shore4 ,how is dear ,mr4 's heart8 ,has he yet recovered his first love8 ,and is that prophecy1 8,this child is set for the falling and rising again of many in ,israel10 as yet fulfilled in him4 ,i cannot but think a good work was once wrought upon your soul4 ,i cannot but think1 ,,god will yet fulfil his whole will in you4 ,but let not my dear friend linger any longer4 ,if there is mercy with ,,god1 let him be feared1 not disobeyed4 ,if he has promised to heal our backslidings1 and love us freely1 let his goodness lead us to repentance4 ,prosperity hath been a snare to you2 every day ,i see the excellency of that part of ,agur's1 prayer1 8,give me not riches1 lest ,i be full and deny thee1 and say1 who is the ,,lord40 ,and that petition in our liturgy1 8,in all time of our wealth1 good ,,lord deliver us40 ,i always take particular notice of it4 ,i believe you will not be at all richer this year1 than you was the last4,for as riches increase1 our wants increase with them4,i write not this to have you desert your station1 but to excite a holy jealousy in your heart4,oh1 what would ,i give to see my dear friend1 as formerly1 8,fervent in spirit1 serving the ,,lord40 ,if ,,god sends me to ,england again1 ,i shall try my friends4 ,however that be1 ,i am persuaded1 that suffering for righteousness sake1 is the best1 the greatest preferment in the church of ,,christ4 ,but how does your little,i would not willingly say1 your great idol4 ,pray accept a quarto bible for him4 ,oh1 my friend1 give him up to ,,god1 and do not provoke him1 by over-fondness and too great indulgence1 to take him from you4 ,the little lambs on board improve bravely2 they bear the voyage best of all4 ,they are as lusty as eagles3 ,,god has dealt most gently with us4 ,i hope ,i may say1 the church in my house salute you and your wife4,i do not forget her2 may she never rest till she comes into the glorious liberty of the children of ,,god6 ,it is a blessed thing1 my dear friend1 to be the ,,lord's freeman4 ,my heart is full2 ,i repent ,i have not allowed more paper4 ,my dear ,sir1 excuse and pray for ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,sister in ,,christ1 ,,want of time1 not want of respect1 has prevented my answering your kind letters4 ,i esteem you highly for ,,christ's sake4 ,i believe you to be one whom ,,god has chosen out of the world1 and hath sealed to the day of redemption4 ,nothing1 therefore1 shall pluck you out of his hands4 ,was it not for this promise1 my soul would be exceeding sorrowful at the prospect of what ,i may undergo4 ,the innumerable temptations that attend a popular life1 sometimes make me think it would be best for me to withdraw4 ,but then ,i consider1 that ,he1 who delivered ,daniel out of the den of lions1 and the three children out of the fiery furnace1 is able and willing to deliver me also out of the fiery furnace of popularity and applause1 and from the fury of those1 who1 for preaching ,,christ1 and him crucified1 are my inveterate enemies4 ,in his strength therefore1 and at his command1 whenever his providence shall call1 ,i will venture out again4 ,as yet my trials have been nothing4 ,hereafter a winnowing time may come2 then we shall see1 who is on the ,,lord's side1 and who dare to confess ,,christ before men4 ,none but those who wholly rely on the ,redeemer's righteousness1 and are truly born again of ,,god4 ,oh pray1 that ,i may be found faithful4 ,satan hath been very busy with me since ,i saw you1 but ,i trust the ,,lord1 by these inward trials1 will purge me1 that ,i may bring forth more fruit4 ,cease not to pray1 that this may be the happy case of1 ,your servant in the gospel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxiii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,,you cannot well conceive how constantly you have been upon my heart1 since ,i saw you4 ,i think there has been a sympathy between your heart and mine4 ,i have often pitied my dying friend1 and as often prayed1 that he may leave a word for ,,god4 ,i say1 prayed1 for ,,god alone can remove the load4,i know too well what such temptations are1 to think they may be overcome by our own strength4 ,but1 my dear ,friend1 you and ,i1 weak as we are1 can do all things through ,,christ strengthening us4,do you believe on the ,son of ,,god8 ,all things are possible to him that believeth4 ,if the devil therefore continues his assaults1 resist him1 stedfast in the faith4 ,resist him1 my dear ,friend1 and he will flee from you2 rather suffer any thing1 than be unequally yoked with an unbeliever4 ,if you cannot overcome where you are1 absence1 perhaps1 may cure you4 ,methinks1 ,i would do and suffer any thing1 rather than dear ,mr4 should be led away4,my companions in travel have an equal respect for you4 ,we have often joined in prayer for you1 when eating your cake4 ,may ,,god reward you for that1 and all your other kind respects and favours conferred on1 dear ,mr4 1 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxiv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,madam1 ,i ,should think myself highly ungrateful1 did ,i not take all opportunities of acknowledging the many kindnesses ,i have received at your hands4 ,your last presents have been exceeding serviceable on board the ship1 and every time we have tasted your bounty1 ,i have endeavoured to dart up a short ejaculation for our kind benefactress4 ,you cannot conceive1 dear ,madam1 how loving the ,,lord has dealt with us2 he has given us all things richly to enjoy1 and comforted us on every side4 ,indeed sometimes he has been pleased to withdraw from me1 and to permit satan to send me a thorn in the flesh4,but that was only to shew me my vileness1 and to prepare me for further manifestations of his goodness to my soul4 ,our voyage though long has not been tedious or burdensome4 ,my soul wants retirement4,i dread coming out into the world again4 ,i am confident1 dear ,madam1 that you will pray for me1 that ,i may be kept unspotted from it4 ,oh what a blessed ,master do we serve6 ,his rod as well as staff comforts the soul4 ,his corrections are all loving1 and are only intended to make us truly great4 ,though you seemed to doubt1 yet ,i hope to see you once more before you go hence4 ,i cannot say ,i expect liberty long1 if ,i speak boldly the truth as ,i ought to speak4,indeed there is no being a true christian1 and yet holding with the world1 so much as some may imagine4 ,,jesus ,,christ calls us to simplicity4 ,i have often thought1 dear ,madam1 that you did not see through the world enough4 ,numbers are accounted christians1 who have only a name to live4 ,i pray ,,god to open all our eyes1 that we may see every thing clearly4 ,a time of persecution will show who are ,israelites indeed1 and who outside professors4,i hope1 ,madam1 that1 when tried1 you will come forth as gold purified seven times in the fire4 ,i only fear for1 and suspect myself4,the ,,lord my righteousness will uphold me4 ,dear ,madam1 ,,god only knows with what gratitude ,i desire to subscribe myself ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 1 ,,when last abroad1 ,i could not write to you for want of knowing your name4 ,blessed be ,,god we have since been better acquainted1 and ,i now know your name and place of abode4 ,may the ,,god1 whom ,i desire to serve1 richly reward you for receiving me into your house4 ,you were one of my most constant hearers2 may you be my joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i trust ere now1 you have felt1 that the kingdom of ,,god does not consist in word1 but in power4 ,i know that ,mrs4 would have me deal plainly with her soul2 therefore ,i shall not scruple to tell her1 how ,i have sometimes thought she was not yet clearly enough convinced of sin1 and of the perfect righteousness wrought out for1 and to be imputed to her1 by the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 through faith in his blood4,since ,i have been on shipboard1 blessed be ,,god1 his name has made my soul to smart1 and caused me to see more of my own wretchedness4 ,oh1 ,mrs4 1 you know not1 neither do ,i myself know as yet1 what a mystery of iniquity is hid even in a heart timely renewed4 ,i saw a little of it the other day2 and had ,i not known my ,redeemer liveth1 and that he ever liveth to make intercession for me1 ,i must have sunk into despair3 ,but there's a voice of sovereign grace ,sounds from the sacred word2 ,here ye despairing sinners come1 ,and trust upon the ,,lord4 ,may ,,god of his infinite mercy so work upon you1 that1 at at the last day1 you may be found having on the wedding-garment6 ,was ,i to study to eternity1 ,i could wish you nothing better4 ,may the ever-blessed ,,god say ,amen to it4 ,i hope your little daughters are in good health4 ,dear ,mrs4 1 exhort them to renounce the lust of the eye and the pride of life1 and to abstain from all appearance of evil4 ,i have a sincere concern for you and yours1 and with all possible thanks for your kind presents and affection1 ,i subscribe myself ,your sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxvi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 1 ,,as ,i do not forget to pray for1 so ,i do not forget to write to you1 to make a proper acknowledgment of your and your husband's love2 exhorting you to save yourselves from this untoward generation4 ,before ,i left ,london1 ,i perceived ,,god was working upon your soul4 ,i trust the same ,,god1 since my departure1 has carried it on1 and that you are convinced of the sin of unbelief4 ,oh dear ,mrs4 1 it is a difficult thing to believe aright2 it can only be given from above4 ,i know many of my acquaintance1 who love to hear me talk and preach1 and who receive me gladly into their houses2 but alas6 ,i fear they are self-righteous1 and were never yet truly convinced of sin4 ,they have good desires1 and therefore flatter themselves1 that they are good christians3 ,but ,i fear many of them are only foolish virgins4 ,i would not have dear ,mrs4 or her husband of this number4 ,if she hath followed on to know the ,,lord1 ,i am persuaded ere now1 she is in some measure brought out of herself1 and taught of ,,god to rely only on ,,jesus ,,christ for wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification1 and redemption4 ,if thus minded1 your soul is at peace with ,,god1 itself1 and the world4 ,if not1 let her ask and it shall be given her1 let her seek and she shall find1 let her knock and a door of mercy shall be opened unto her4,all things are possible to him that believeth,oh dear ,mrs4 1 my heart is inlarged towards you2 ,i long for your salvation3 press on and faint not4 ,whenever ,i come1 ,i shall expect to suffer4 ,but though we die for ,,christ1 oh let us pray that we may not deny him in any wise4 ,nothing but the free almighty grace of ,,god can uphold1 ,your sincere friend in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxvii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,think ,i may say of you1 as the ,samaritans did upon another occasion1 ,i believe you to be a true lover of our dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,not merely because my brother told me so1 but because ,i have it under his own hand4 ,your last kind letter has knit my heart most closely to you4 ,i love those that thunder out the word4 ,the christian world is in a deep sleep4 ,nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it4 ,i pray ,,god to strengthen you more and more1 and cause you to triumph in every place4 ,though absent in body1 ,i am present with you in spirit4 ,it would rejoice me to hear of your success in the ,,lord4 ,in about a twelvemonth ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to return to ,england2 who knows but then ,i may see you face to face1 and have some spiritual gift imparted to my soul8 ,i long to die to myself1 and to be alive unto ,,god4 ,methinks ,i would be always upon the wing2 but alas6 ,i have a body of sin1 which at times makes me cry out1 8who shall deliver me80 ,i thank ,,god1 our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ will deliver4 ,but ,i never expect intire freedom1 till ,i bow down my head1 and give up the ghost4 ,every fresh employ1 ,i find brings with it fresh temptations4 ,,god always humbles before he exalts me4 ,sometimes ,i speak and write freely1 at other times ,i am comparatively barren2 one while on the mount1 another while overshadowed with a cloud2 but blessed be ,,god1 at all times at peace with him1 and assured that my sins are forgiven4 ,i want to leap my seventy years2 ,i long to be dissolved1 and to be with ,,christ4 ,but ,i must be made perfect by sufferings4 ,i expect no other preferment4 ,and you no doubt will have your share4 ,this is our comfort1 if we suffer we shall also reign with ,,christ2 hasten on1 ,o ,,lord1 that blessed time1 when dear ,mr4 shall sit down at thy right hand1 with all the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven6 where ,i trust a seat1 though of the lowest class1 is prepared for ,your unworthy friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxviii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and ,dear ,sir1 ,,since ,i saw you last1 you cannot well tell with what pleasure ,i have reflected on the uncommon power that frequently attended the word at ,bexley4 ,it was to me a sign of ,,god's good will1 both to ministers and people4 ,the former ,i was convinced of1 before ,i left ,england4 ,the last sermon ,i heard you preach1 gave me much satisfaction4 ,i hope ere now you are convinced of the latter also1 and have seen some good effects amongst your parishioners4 ,however1 this ,i am assured of1 we shall all in due time reap the fruit of our labours1 if we faint not4 ,let me therefore exhort you1 by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 to continue unwearied in well doing4 ,you have seen the afflictions of ,,god's spiritual ,israel4 8,do and live10 is most they hear4 ,but what is this1 but requiring them to make bricks without straw8 ,arise1 arise1 then1 my dear ,mr4 2 proclaim the ,,lord to be their righteousness4 ,the everlasting ,i ,,am now sends you forth3 say not they will disbelieve my report1 for ,,god seems to have given his people the hearing ear and obedient heart4 ,fear not the face of man1 for the ,,lord1 if you go out in his strength1 shall be with you1 whithersoever you go4 ,i hope my dear and honoured friend ere now hath prevented my exhortations4 ,methinks ,i see him1 with all boldness declaring the whole counsel of ,,god1 and the attentive people receiving joyfully the gracious words1 which proceed out of his mouth4 ,go on1 my dear brother1 go on2 may the ,,lord bless you more and more1 daily adding to the number of your spiritual children4 ,i thank you1 from my soul1 for all favours conferred on me1 and ,i pray you may always confess our ,,lord and his disciples before men4 ,my most sincere respects attend your help-mate and true yoke-fellow4 ,you are constantly upon my heart4 ,my next journal will acquaint you how lovingly ,,god hath dealt with ,your most unworthy friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxix4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,,and how does my dear ,mr4 ,hs8 ,is he yet commenced a field preacher8 ,i am persuaded my dear friend is under the guidance of ,,god's spirit1 and therefore am convinced he will be directed for the best4 ,he desires to do his ,,lord's will1 and shall he not know it8 ,undoubtedly he shall4 ,nay1 ere now ,i trust ,,god has pointed out his way1 and he has been upon many a mount stretching out his hands1 and inviting all that are weary and heavy laden to come to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,oh my dear brother1 though you come after me1 yet ,i pray ,,god1 you may always be preferred before me4 ,i trust ,i shall not envy1 but rejoice in my brother's success4 ,at present1 ,i find ,i love him in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ2 ,i am frequently with you in spirit1 and shall wait with impatience till ,i hear of my dear brother's progress in the ,,lord4 ,alas6 ,i fear ,i do not improve my retirement as ,i ought4 ,,god has graciously pleased to conduct me in mercy4 ,the tempter has been busy with me1 and ,i never before was more deeply wounded for sin4 ,,christ's love will let nothing pluck us out of his hands4 ,however1 let us constantly watch and pray1 that we enter not into temptation4 ,the spirit is willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,in about a twelvemonth1 ,,god willing1 ,i think of returning to ,england4 ,i should rejoice1 if you would come and supply my place at ,savannah4 ,if not1 ,i must resign the parsonage1 and take upon me only the care of the orphans4 ,i intend bringing up two or three1 that are with me1 for the ministry3 more1 no doubt1 will shortly be added to their number4 ,if you could come and teach them the languages1 for an hour or two in the day2 we could serve both the orphan-house and parsonage together4 ,great things ,i trust will come out of ,georgia4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus direct your spirit1 and if it be his will1 send you as a help to1 dear ,sir1 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxx4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,though but little acquainted with you1 yet ,i write this to assure you1 what a cordial respect ,i have for you4 ,the love of ,,god1 which ,i trust1 through his free grace1 is shed abroad in both our hearts1 constrains me to love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i remember you in my unworthy prayers1 and am persuaded ,i am not forgotten in your's4 ,no one more needs them1 whether considered as a private christian1 or a public minister2 thousands are waiting for my halting2 and ,i know so much of the corruption of my own heart1 that was ,,god to leave me to myself but one moment1 ,i should with oaths and curses deny my master4 ,as for my final perseverance1 ,i bless ,,god1 ,i have not the least doubt thereof4 ,the gifts and callings of ,,god are without repentance4 ,whom he loves1 ,i am persuaded1 he loves to the end4 ,but then ,i fear1 lest being puffed up with abundance of success1 ,i should provoke the ,,lord to let me fall into some heinous sin1 and thereby give his adversaries reason to rejoice4 ,a public life is attended with innumerable snares2 and a sense of my unworthiness and unfitness so weighs me down1 that ,i have often thought it would be best for me to retire4 ,but ,i know these are all suggestions of the enemy4 ,why should ,i distrust omnipotence8 ,having had a legion of devils cast out of my heart by the power of ,,christ1 why should ,i not tell what he hath done for my soul1 for the encouragement of others4 ,by the help of ,,god1 ,i will speak2 and the more satan bids me to hold my peace1 the more earnestly will ,i proclaim to believing saints1 that ,,jesus the son of ,david will have mercy on them2 nay1 ,i do not despair of publishing these glad tidings even at ,wethersfield4 ,in a little above a twelvemonth1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend returning4 ,but ere that time comes1 ,i trust my dear ,,lord will purge me1 that ,i may bring forth more fruit4,satan has not been wanting to sift me as wheat2 but my friend1 the friend of all1 even ,,jesus1 has prayed for me1 and as yet my faith hath not failed4 ,oh had ,i a thousand lives1 my dear ,,lord ,,jesus should have them all6 ,for he is worthy1 he hath plucked me as a brand out of the burning1 and is continually comforting me on every side,read1 read1 dear ,sir1 the account ,i have sent over to be published of what ,,god hath done for me in the days of my youth1 and it will afford more thanksgiving and praise4,pray in the behalf of1 ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 as a proof of it1 ,i send this4 ,i heartily wish ,i could correspond with you oftener4 ,your advice would always be seasonable to me2 because you have been a long time in the school of ,,christ4 ,i am but just now entering the list1 and frequently tremble at the consideration of what ,i am to do and suffer4,but when ,i consider it is for ,,jesus ,,christ1 who has called me by his free grace into his marvellous light1 and has promised to be with us always1 even unto the end of the world1 a divine fire kindles in my heart1 and ,i long to call the lingring battle on4 ,satan hath been busy with me since ,i saw you1 especially since my retirement on ship-board4 ,i have often thought of the folly of those1 who go out of the world to avoid temptation4 ,satan now buffets me more than when confined in a ship4 ,i receive this as a great mercy at the hands of the ,,lord to keep me in action1 and to prepare me for greater tokens of his love4 ,before ,i am exalted1 ,i am always humbled by some inward trials4 ,they are the most soul-grieving1 but they are the most soul-improving conflicts4 ,my dear friend1 ,i can say from my heart1 8,i am the chief of sinners30 ,i feel myself so wretched and miserable1 so blind and naked in myself1 that satan would tempt me to write to no one4 ,but the ,,lord hath rebuked him1 and after a long tedious hour of temptation1 fills my soul as it were with marrow and fatness1 and maketh my pen the pen of a ready writer4 ,oh that my mouth was filled with his praise6 ,as yet1 blessed be ,,god1 in my darkest hours my evidences have not been in the least clouded4 ,i have been assured my ,,lord hath forgiven all my iniquities1 transgressions and sins1 but ,i cannot forgive myself4 ,oh that ,i should ever offend against such dying love6 ,pray for me1 my dear brother1 pray for me1 that ,i may never by pride or sloth tempt the blessed spirit to depart from me4 ,i fear not falling finally2 for ,,god ,i believe chose me in ,,christ before ever the earth and the world were made1 as a vessel of his saving mercy2 but ,i fear ,i shall provoke him to let me fall foully1 and then how will the ,philistines rejoice8 ,this consideration sometimes makes me to wish that the ,,lord would cut off my strength in my journey1 and shorten my days4 ,but wherefore do ,i fear8 ,ah me of little faith6 ,you see1 my dear friend1 how freely ,i have unbosomed my heart to you4 ,i cannot call you my friend1 and yet hide from you ,,god's dealings with my soul4 ,salute all that love our ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 and beseech them to pray for your sincere friend1 but the most unprofitable of his dear ,,lord's servants1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and ,dear ,sir1 ,,your kind letters1 and kinder visit1 have made me frequently to long for a more close correspondence with you4 ,i find my heart drawn out in love towards you1 and had ,,god so ordered it1 could have wished to have perused what you have written in my defence4 ,i pray ,,god to confer on you that reward1 which he has promised to give those who confess him before men4 ,if the gospel continues to run and have such free course1 ,i must suffer1 as well as preach for my dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,oh lift up your hands1 dear ,sir1 in the congregations of the faithful1 that ,i may willingly1 7if need be7 resist even unto blood2 but not with carnal weapons4 ,taking the sword out of the hand of ,,god's spirit1 ,i fear has more than once stopped the progress of the gospel4 ,the ,quakers1 though wrong in their principles1 yet ,i think have left us an example of patient suffering1 and did more by their bold1 unanimous and persevering testimonies1 than if they had taken up all the arms in the kingdom4 ,in this respect ,i hope ,i shall follow them as they did ,,christ1 and though ,i die for him1 yet take up no carnal weapon in defence of him in any wise4 ,the doctrines of our election1 and free justification in ,,christ ,,jesus1 are daily more and more pressed upon my heart4 ,they fill my soul with a holy fire1 and afford me great confidence in ,,god my ,saviour4 ,surely ,i am safe1 because put into his almighty arms4 ,though ,i may fall1 yet ,i shall not utterly be cast away4 ,the spirit of the ,,lord ,,jesus will hold1 and uphold me4 ,that ,,god may every day enrich you more and more with the anointings of this spirit1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxiii4 ,to the brethren in 4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,,twice did ,i purpose to come and see you at 1 but was prevented by that all-wise providence1 which ordereth all things for the best3 however1 though absent1 ,i am not unmindful of you4 ,as a testimony thereof ,i send you this4 ,and oh that you may be filled with an holy fire1 and such an ardent zeal for ,,god as even to eat you up6 ,look round1 look round1 my brethren1 and in imitation of your common ,,lord1 weep over the desolations of the university wherein you live4 ,alas6 how is that once faithful city become an harlot6 ,have pity upon her1 ye that are friends1 and whatever treatment you may meet with from an ungrateful world1 endeavour at least to rescue some of her sons out of that blindness1 ignorance1 bigotry and formality1 into which she is unhappily fallen4 ,arise1 ye sons of the prophets2 shine forth1 ye who are appointed to be the lights of the world4 ,the rulers of this world will endeavour to put you under bushels2 but if your light is of ,,god's kindling1 all the devils in hell shall not be able to extinguish it4 ,be not therefore1 my brethren1 weary of well doing4 ,have you true faith8 keep it not to yourselves2 be willing1 as occasion offers1 freely to communicate it to others4 ,how will you be apt to teach hereafter1 unless you begin to teach now8 ,none but those1 who are of a different spirit from that meek man ,moses1 will be offended at you4 ,all ,,god's people will wish you ,,god speed4 ,i am sure ,i do with all my heart4 ,and ,i pray ,,god to sanctify your whole spirits1 souls and bodies1 and make you vessels meet for our common ,master's use6 for none but those who have felt the spirit themselves1 can freely or feelingly speak of him to others4 ,my dear brethren1 forget not to pray for1 ,your affectionate1 though weak brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxiv4 ,to 4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brethren in ,,christ1 ,,the cordial love ,i bear you1 will not suffer me to neglect writing to you3 as ,,god has been pleased to bless my ministry to your souls1 so ,i think it my duty to watch over you for good1 and assure you1 constantly you are all upon my heart4 ,your last letter gave me great pleasure2 but it was too full of acknowledgments1 which ,i by no means deserve4 ,to him alone1 from whom every good and perfect gift cometh1 be all the thanks and glory2 ,i heartily pray ,,god1 that you may be burning and shining lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation4 ,though you are not of the church of ,england1 yet if you are persuaded in your own minds of the truth of the way wherein you now walk1 ,i leave it4 ,however1 whether ,conformists1 or ,nonconformists1 our main concern should be1 to be assured that we are called and taught of ,,god2 for none but such are fit to minister in holy things4 ,indeed1 my dear brethren1 it rejoiced me much to see such dawnings of grace in your souls2 only ,i thought most of you were bowed down too much with a servile fear of man3 but as the love of the ,creator increases1 the fear of the creature will daily decrease in your hearts4 ,nicodemus1 who came at first by night to our ,,lord1 afterwards dared to own him before the whole council in open day4 ,i pray ,,god make you all thus minded4 ,for unless your hearts are free from worldly hopes and worldly fears1 you never will speak boldly1 as you ought to speak4 ,the good old ,puritans1 ,i believe1 never preached better1 than when in danger of being taken to prison as soon as they had finished their sermon4 ,and however the church may be at peace now1 yet ,i am persuaded1 unless you go forth with the same temper1 you will never preach with the same demonstration of the spirit1 and of power4 ,study therefore1 my brethren1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 study your hearts as well as booksask yourselves again and again1 whether you would preach for ,,christ1 if you were sure to lay down your lives for so doing8 ,if you fear the displeasure of a man for doing your duty now1 assure yourselves you are not yet thus minded4 ,but enough of this4 ,i love to hope well of you all4 ,i trust1 as you are enlightened with some degree of knowledge in the mysteries of godliness1 you will henceforth determine not to know any thing but ,,jesus ,,christ1 and him crucified4 ,this is1 and this1 the ,,lord being my helper1 shall be the only study of1 my dear brethren1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and ,dear ,sir1 ,,why so long silent during my stay in ,england8 why did you not write me a letter of reproof1 and smite me friendly for what you thought amiss in the discourse between me and a friend at ,bristol8 ,i should have taken it kindly at your hands4 ,when ,i am unwilling to be told of my faults1 dear ,sir1 correspond with me no more4 ,if ,i know any thing of this treacherous heart of mine1 ,i love those most1 who are most faithful to me in this respect3 henceforward1 dear ,sir1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 spare me not4 ,i am blind1 ,i am full of self-pride1 and self-love1 and yet know it not4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who during my retirement has been pleased to let me see something of my own vileness4 ,i trust he will never leave nor forsake me1 till ,i know myself even as ,i am known4 ,i need not fear the sight of sin1 when ,i have a perfect everlasting righteousness wrought out for me by that ,,god-man ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,the riches of his free grace1 cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one1 who is very vigilant1 and seeks all occasions to disturb me4 ,the ,,lord ,,christ is my helper1 and the lifter up of my head4 ,it is good for me to be tempted4 ,by inward trials ,i trust my divine master will prepare me for his future mercies4 ,i am persuaded ,i shall yet see great things1 and be called to suffer for his name sake4 ,through much tribulation1 ,i must enter into glory4 ,lift up your hands1 dear ,sir1 when praying at the sanctuary1 in my behalf2 intreat the same favour of the elect lady4 ,as ,i am enabled1 it shall be returned2 and1 ,,god willing1 when ,i come next to ,england1 you may expect a visit from1 dear and reverend ,sir1 ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxvi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my ,rev4 and very dear ,brother1 ,,ever since ,i was favoured with your last most endearing letter1 you have been upon my heart more and more4 ,as ,i wish all the ,,lord's servants were prophets1 so it gives me uncommon pleasure1 when the ,,lord raises up one of our own church4 ,believe me1 dear ,sir1 when ,i look upon her desolations1 ,i can scarce forbear weeping over her4 ,but blessed be ,,god1 who has been pleas'd to visit her in this our day4 ,henceforward1 ,i trust she will be a joyful mother of spiritual children4 ,many of late1 under ,,god1 have been begotten by some of her sons through the gospel1 amongst whom ,i may reckon 3 ,he has been ,i believe1 and trust will still be the ghostly father of many souls4 ,may he increase with all the increase of ,,god1 and appear before his redeemer at the last day1 saying1 8,behold me1 ,o ,,lord1 and the children which thou hast given me40 ,oh dear ,sir1 words cannot express how affectionately ,i desire to esteem and love you4 ,none but the all-seeing ,,god knows how earnestly ,i pray and desire to labour for the prosperity of ,jerusalem4 ,had we a thousand hands and tongues1 there is employment enough for them all3 people are every where ready to perish for lack of knowledge4 ,as the ,,lord has been pleased to reveal his dear ,son in us1 ,oh let us stir up that gift of ,,god1 and with all boldness preach him to others4 ,freely we have received1 freely let us give2 what ,,christ tells us by his spirit in our closets1 that let us proclaim on the house top4 ,he who sends1 will protect us4 ,all the devils in hell shall not hurt us1 till we have finished our testimony4 ,and then1 if we should seal it with imprisonment or death1 well will it be with us1 and happy shall we be evermore6 ,but the proof of our sincerity1 will be when we come to the trial4 ,i fear for no one so much as myself4 ,dear ,sir1 pray that you never may have reason to be ashamed of the ,most unprofitable of our ,,lord's servants1 ,g4 ,w4 removed duplicate word #8since' ,,letter ,,lxxxvii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,i ,hope dear brother hath satisfied you about the queries in your last4 ,i trust you are not angry with me for being so long silent4 ,excess of business was the cause4 ,i write you this1 my dear brother1 to assure you ,i have not forgotten you4 ,no1 you are upon my heart2 ,i pray for your prosperity both in body and soul1 and hope ere we die to take another tour with you round ,wales4 ,,god has dealt most lovingly with us on ship-board4 ,we had very fair weather most part of our way4 ,both the good and bad spirit have been with us in the ship4 ,the one to tempt and terrify1 the other to support and comfort4 ,i need not tell you which has prevailed4 ,who shall stand before the spirit of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,i have had great intimations from above concerning ,georgia4 ,who knows but we may have a college of pious youths at ,savannah8 ,i do not despair thereof4 ,professor ,franks's undertaking in ,germany has been much pressed upon my heart4 ,i really believe that my present undertaking will succeed4 ,my dear brother1 call down a blessing by your prayers4 ,the ,,lord will hear those who put their trust in his mercy through ,,christ4 ,you see1 you know1 how many would rejoice at1 and do wait for my halting4 ,beseech the ,,lord that they may be disappointed of their hope2 intreat the people of ,wales to join with you4 ,i love them most tenderly4 ,i hope1 at my return1 to see them grown in grace4 ,i pray ,,god so to improve my retirement1 that my progress may be made known unto them all4 ,salute them most affectionately in my name1 and exhort them to continue instant in prayer and thanksgivings for1 dear and honoured ,sir1 ,your fellow pilgrim and labourer in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxviii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear brother in ,,christ1 ,,as there has been joy in heaven at your conversion1 so ,i can assure you there has been on earth4 ,i1 and my friends1 have not failed to give thanks1 that you our brother was dead1 but is alive again2 was lost1 but is found4 ,oh blessed be ,,god for calling you at the eleventh hour4 ,doth not this display the riches of his free grace2 and ought it not to fill you with his praise all the day long8 ,i wonder not that you are already become a fool for ,,christ's sake4 ,all that will live godly in him must suffer persecution4 ,but fear not man4 ,the ,,lord ,,of ,,hosts shall be with you2 the strength of that ,,god who hath called you shall be your refuge4 ,as you have not long to live in this world1 ,satan1 no doubt1 will rage most horribly against you4 ,watch and pray that you enter not into temptation4 ,your case1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend to publish in my next journal4 ,it is good to keep close the secrets of a king1 but it is honourable to speak of the works of the ,,lord4 ,that ,,god may carry on and finish the good work begun in your soul1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate friend and brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,lxxxix4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,miss ,b41 ,,though1 when ,i came first to ,london1 ,i thought you had not made the progress which might be expected in the twelve months1 for want of company2 yet your last behaviour gave me reason to think that you was yet alive to ,,god4 ,oh1 dear ,miss ,b1 do not slumber or sleep1 but be always trimming your spiritual lamp1 knowing you are shortly to meet the ,bridegroom4 ,study to shew the simplicity of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and strive to imitate those holy matrons1 who not only administred to our ,,lord of their substance1 but also followed him to the accursed tree4 ,love1 love to ,,jesus1 casts out fear4 ,no doubt they were reproached for his name sake1 and accounted mad women2 but they had a faith which enabled them at that time to overcome the world1 and by which they climbed up to heaven4 ,may dear ,miss ,b be thus minded6 ,and may ,i see her at the last day amongst the wise virgins6 ,cultivating an acquaintance with ,miss ,d1 and the ,miss ,c1 will be a step towards bringing you thither4 ,dear ,miss ,b1 ,i am your friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xc4 ,to my ,brother4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,,though ,i have wrote now for some years to my dear brother1 and have availed nothing1 yet ,i cannot cease striving with him2 who knows but at length the ,almighty may remove the scales from his eyes1 and enable him to see the want of a ,redeemer4 ,indeed1 my dear brother1 you do not see it yet1 because you do not feel it2 your moral honesty and good nature deceives you4 ,you think you are rich1 and increased in goods1 and do not consider that you are poor and miserable1 blind and naked4 ,you are self-righteous1 and do not rely on the righteousness of the ,god-,man1 ,,christ ,,jesus1 for salvation4 ,what would ,i give was my dear brother convinced of this8 ,for1 till he is convinced1 he is miserable1 and does not know it4 ,i pray ,,god to open your eyes with a sense of his love4 ,send me a line to ,georgia4 ,,god has sent us a comfortable passage4 ,in about a twelvemonth ,i expect to return4 ,be not surprised if you hear of my being more cast out4 ,we must suffer1 as well as do1 for ,,christ4 ,if you are one of his you will rejoice ,your affectionate brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xci4 ,to ,madam ,m4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,i ,cannot think of the repeated assistances you gave me by the loan of your coach1 and at the same time forbear sending you a line of thanks4 ,but what is of greater concern1 ,i think it my duty to write to you about a more important affair2 ,i mean the salvation of your precious and immortal soul4 ,,god was pleased to incline your heart1 ,madam1 to hear and receive the word with joy4 ,neither the cares of the world1 nor the deceitfulness of riches1 ,i trust have been permitted to choak1 and hinder the growth of it in your soul4 ,indeed1 ,madam1 you cannot be too watchful4 ,it is a blessed1 and careful thing1 to be a true ,christian4 ,the first step to it is a broken heart1 a heart melted down with a sense of sin1 and flying to ,,jesus ,,christ for righteousness1 sanctification and eternal redemption4 ,thousands indeed place christianity in good desires1 and the having good desires2 but this and much more a person may have1 and yet miscarry at last4 ,pure and undefiled religion consists in a lively faith in ,,jesus ,,christ1 as the only mediator between ,,god and man4 ,a faith that changes and renews the whole soul1 takes it entirely off the world1 and fixes it wholly upon ,,god4 ,this1 ,madam1 is the faith that you have so often heard me preach1 and of which ,i pray ,,god you may be a partaker4 ,though you have it not yet1 you need not despair2 ,,god will give it to all who sincerely ask of him4 ,it is true1 ,madam1 that not many mighty are called2 but it is not your riches shall keep you from heaven if you truly believe on the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,faith in him will enable you to overcome the world1 and cause you even to triumph over the lust of the eye and the pride of life4 ,faith will set you above the fear of man1 and enable you to rejoice in being accounted a fool for ,,christ's sake4 ,that ,,god may impart this faith to your own1 and little master's soul1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,madam1 ,your obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xcii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear brother ,h41 ,i ,congratulate you on your success at ,monmouth4 ,,god has yet further work for you to do1 ere you are called before rulers and governors1 for his name sake4 ,by divine permission1 in about a twelve-month1 ,i hope to make a second use of your field pulpits4 ,our principles agree1 as face answers to face in the water4 ,since ,i saw you1 ,,god has been pleased to enlighten me more in that comfortable doctrine of ,election1 c4 ,at my return1 ,i hope to be more explicit than ,i have been4 ,,god forbid1 my dear brother1 that we should shun to declare the whole counsel of ,,god4 ,the people of ,wales are much upon my heart4 ,i long to hear how the ,gospel flourishes among you4 ,how prospers your inward man8 ,being always doing1 no doubt you grow in grace4 ,may you increase with all the increase of ,,god6 ,you will see my letters to ,mr4 ,jones1 c4 ,as fast as ,i can1 the rest of our ,welch friends shall hear from me4 ,oh that ,i may never forget their works of faith and labours of love6 ,salute them most affectionately in my name2 and exhort them1 my dear brother1 to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,put them in mind of the freeness and eternity of ,,god's electing love1 and be instant with them1 to lay hold on the perfect righteousness of ,,jesus ,,christ by faith4 ,talk to them1 oh talk to them1 even till midnight1 of the riches of his all-sufficient grace4 ,tell them1 oh tell them1 what he has done for their souls1 and how earnestly he is now interceding for them in heaven4 ,shew them in the map of the word1 the kingdoms of the upper world1 and the transcendent glories of them2 and assure them all shall be theirs1 if they believe on ,,jesus ,,christ with their whole hearts4 ,press them to believe on him immediately4 ,intersperse prayers with your exhortations1 and thereby call down fire from heaven1 even the fire of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,to soften1 sweeten and refine1 ,and melt them into love4 ,speak every time1 my dear brother1 as if it was your last2 weep out1 if possible1 every argument1 and as it were compel them to cry1 ,behold how he loveth us4 ,remember me1 ,remember me in your prayers1 as being ever1 ever ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xciii4 ,to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,d4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,friends1 ,,when ,i consider how constantly you attended my ministry1 how gladly you received me into your house1 and how affectionately you took your last farewell2 methinks gratitude obliges me to send you a line4 ,it hath often given me pleasure to see in what harmony you seem to live1 and how you walked to hear the word of ,,god as friends4 ,surely1 thought ,i1 these are a happy pair4 ,these ,i trust are help-meets for each other4 ,oh that you may go on and prosper1 and be plentifully rewarded for the favours shewn to me1 the most unprofitable of our ,,lord's servants3 he will not forget your works of faith and labours of love4 ,whenever you attend his word preached1 ,i hope he will send you replenished away4 ,oh that all knew what it is to believe in ,,jesus6 ,how soon would they renounce the world1 take up their cross and follow him6 ,,lord evermore give us all this faith1 even a faith working by love2 a faith that will enable us to overcome the world1 and cause us to shake off all fear of man4 ,pray give my due respects to your friend and his wife1 who used to dine with us4 ,i pray ,,god sanctify you all in spirit1 soul and body1 and cause you to sit down on his right hand with ,your affectionate1 though most unworthy1 ,friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xciv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,p4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend ,sir1 ,,you may justly censure me as unkind for not answering your kind letter4 ,i can only plead by way of excuse an hurry of business1 and my sudden departure from ,england4 ,at my return1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to see ,newbury1 and there to preach the ,gospel of the ,prince of ,peace4 ,perhaps my enemies may have so much power given them from above1 as to confine my body3 but if ,i am bound1 the word of the ,,lord will not be bound4 ,,god will speak1 and great shall be the company of preachers4 ,it often rejoices me to think what a prospect we have once again of hearing the truth preached as it is in ,,jesus4 ,i hope we shall catch fire from each other1 and that there will be an holy emulation amongst us1 who shall most debase man and exalt the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,nothing but the doctrines of the ,reformation can do this4 ,all others leave freewill in man1 and make him1 in part at least1 a ,saviour to himself4 ,my soul come not near the secret of those who teach such things1 mine honour be not thou united to them4 ,i know ,,christ is all in all4 ,man is nothing3 he hath a free will to go to hell1 but none to go to heaven1 till ,,god worketh in him to will and to do after his good pleasure4 ,it is ,,god must prevent1 ,,god must accompany1 ,,god must follow with his grace1 or ,,jesus ,,christ will bleed in vain4 ,that ,,god may continue his blessing to us both1 is the hearty prayer of1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your obliged brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 insert omitted word #8to' ,,letter ,,xcv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 1 ,,was not my heart with your heart1 when we rode by the way and talked to each other concerning the ,scriptures8 ,i thought our souls tallied together1 and that we had both drank of the same spirit4 ,i have often1 since that time1 admired the grace of ,,god in you1 and even now feel my soul1 whilst ,i am writing1 intimately united with yours4 ,what is all this1 but the effect and fruit of ,,god's everlasting love through ,,christ our ,,lord8 ,what is it1 but an instance of the sovereign will and good pleasure of ,,god1 who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy8 ,oh how doth the free1 the distinguishing grace of ,,god excite the love of those1 who are made partakers of it6 ,what was there in you and in me1 dear ,mr4 ,o1 that should move ,,god to chuse us before others8 ,was there any fitness foreseen in us1 except a fitness for damnation8 ,i believe not4 ,no1 ,,god chose us from eternity1 he called us in time1 and ,i am persuaded will keep us from falling finally1 till time shall be no more4 ,consider the ,gospel in this view1 and it appears a consistent scheme1 though directly contrary to the natural man2 and nothing convinces me more of the truth of these doctrines1 than the enmity that is in the heart of carnal minds against them4 ,however1 the power of ,,god is able to pull down every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,henceforward ,i hope ,i shall speak boldly and plainly as ,i ought to speak1 and not fail to declare the whole counsel of ,,god4 ,i pray daily1 that ,i may know his will more perfectly1 not only that ,i may do it myself1 but that ,i may teach it to others4 ,if ,i die for it1 ,i cannot but speak the things which ,i know4 ,oh my dear friends1 lift up your hands for me in the sanctuary4 ,the prayers of the faithful1 ,,god will hear4 ,entreat the same favour of your brother4 ,i love you both in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and remember you often when ,i go in and out before the ,,lord3 ,he has been with us in the ship4 ,his rod has corrected1 his staff has comforted us2 both his rod and staff have edified and strengthened our souls4 ,in a year's time ,i hope to see ,england4 ,my love to all friends1 and beseech them to pray that ,i may be prepared for whatever awaits ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xcvi4 ,to ,mrs4 ,ann ,d4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,sister in ,,christ1 ,i ,owe you several letters1 ,i will pay you one now2 have patience with me and ,i will pay you all4 ,if any one ought to long to enjoy the communion of saints hereafter1 ,i ought in a particular manner4 ,,god has highly favoured me in the acquaintance of numbers of his dearest children4 ,i cannot see some1 and to but few of them can ,i write1 on account of other business4 ,hasten1 ,o ,,lord1 that blessed time1 when we shall all sit down to eat bread in thy kingdom6,my dear ,sister1 pray that ,i may patiently wait till my change shall come4 ,i want to leap my seventy years4 ,i long to be dissolved to be with ,,christ4 ,sometimes it arises from a fear of falling1 knowing what a body of sin ,i carry about me4 ,sometimes1 from a prospect of future labours and sufferings1 ,i am out of humour1 and wish for death as ,elijah did3 ,at others1 ,i am tempted1 and then ,i long to be freed from temptations4 ,but it is not thus always3 ,there are times when my soul hath such foretastes of ,,god1 that ,i long more eagerly to be with him2 and the frequent prospect of the happiness which the spirits of just men made perfect now enjoy1 often carries me as it were into another world4 ,many such sweet meditations hath my soul been favoured with2 but in the midst of all1 ,i have felt1 and do feel1 that ,i am the chief of sinners4 ,a mystery of iniquity that lay in my heart undiscovered1 has been opened to my view1 since my retirement in the ship4 ,may he enlighten me more and more1 to know and feel the mystery of his electing1 soul-transforming love4 ,nothing like that1 to support us under present1 and all the various future trials which await us4 ,but the ,,lord has apprehended us1 and will not let us go4 ,men and devils may do their worst2 our ,,jesus will suffer nothing to pluck us out of his ,almighty hands2 for he has loved us with an everlasting love1 and therefore his right-hand shall uphold us4 ,by his assistance1 we shall hold out to the end4 ,by his grace1 ,i1 you1 and all his chosen ones shall finally be saved4 ,then1 my dear ,sister1 shall we converse1 not with ink and paper1 but face to face4 ,then1 but not till then1 shall we fully know what a legion of devils ,,jesus ,,christ hath cast out of our souls1 and how1 after all our strivings against1 and quenching many of the motions of his spirit1 he at last brought us to glory4 ,cease not to pray for ,your unworthy brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xcvii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,r4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother ,r41 ,,before ,i left ,england1 ,i heard of your progress in ,leicestershire and ,nottingham4 ,i then rejoiced1 yea1 and ,i do now rejoice that ,,god hath sent you forth into his vineyard4 ,i wish you all imaginable success with my whole heart4 ,the next news ,i hear from ,england1 ,i suppose1 will inform me of your suffering1 as well as preaching for ,,christ4 ,but ,i am persuaded a prospect of suffering does not damp1 but excite the zeal of my dear fellow-labourer4 ,he lives in a place where honest ,john ,bunyan was a prisoner of the ,,lord for twelve years4 ,and oh1 what sweet communion did he enjoy in ,bedford gaol6 ,i really believe a minister will learn more by one month's confinement1 than by a year's study4 ,press on then1 my dear ,brother1 press on and faint not2 speak till you can speak no more4 ,wait upon the ,,lord1 and you shall renew your strength4 ,though sometimes faint1 yet still pursue4 ,up and be doing1 and the ,,lord be with you4 ,see how the fields are white1 every where ready to harvest4 ,see how our ,,lord's sheep are scattered abroad1 having too1 too few true shepherds2 ,i beseech you1 go on1 and point out to them the ,redeemer's good pastures4 ,say not1 wherewithal shall ,i feed them8 ,the great shepherd shall furnish you with food enough1 and to spare4 ,give of your loaves1 and you shall take up of the fragments that remain4 ,to him that hath1 shall be given4 ,satan no doubt will resist you2 he will bid you1 out of a false humility1 to hold your peace2 but let my friend speak out boldly as he ought to speak4 ,the ,holy ,spirit will give him utterance1 and apply the word to the hearers4 ,if prayers may water the good seed1 you may depend on mine4 ,i remember the dear ,bedford people4 ,o let them not forget ,your poor weak brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xcviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,t4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,before ,i saw1 ,i loved you4 ,ever since our personal acquaintance1 ,i have often thought1 what a noble instrument you might be of turning many to righteousness1 if your heart was entirely freed from the world1 and inflamed with the love of ,,god4 ,your vivacity of spirit1 your warm imagination1 the energy and strength of your endearing manner of writing1 together with your loving1 tender disposition1 if once duly influenced by the spirit of ,,god1 could not fail of winning souls to ,,christ4 ,come out therefore my brother1 my friend2 come out from among your carnal connections1 and 8be thou separate10 saith the ,,lord ,almighty4 ,throw off a false politeness1 study the simplicity of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and be despised for something4 ,o pity1 pity the church of ,england4 ,see how too1 too many of her sons are fallen from her articles1 and preach themselves1 not ,,christ ,,jesus the ,,lord4 ,my dear friend1 ,i could wish my head was waters1 and my eyes fountains of tears1 that ,i might weep day and night before the ,,lord4 ,o let us beseech him to spirit up more of his faithful servants1 to go out into the highways and hedges1 and compel poor sinners to come in4 ,oh that dear ,mr4 ,t4 may be one of them6 ,how would the spirit of ,,christ and of glory rest upon his soul6 ,arise1 arise1 my dear brother1 and gird up the loins of your mind4 ,arise1 arise1 and be not of the number of those who only fleece their flocks4 ,lift up your voice like a trumpet1 and preach the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t4 forgive this freedom4 ,my heart is full4 ,i long to have the pure scripture truths1 as delivered in our homilies and our articles1 preached up universally4 ,this is all that is contended for1 by ,your most unworthy friend1 brother1 and servant in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,xcix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d4 ,w4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,love you1 though ,i have been so ungrateful as not to write to you4 ,i love you in the bowels of our common ,master whose name we bear1 and in whose glorious service we are both employed4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 what are we that we should be so highly favoured6 ,why are we honoured8 ,why are we called to the ministry1 and others that are effectually called by grace1 yet advanced no higher than private christians8 ,i can only cry out1 ,oh the depth of ,,god's sovereign1 electing1 unmerited love4 ,even so ,father1 for so it seemed good in thy sight6 ,surely1 dear ,sir1 the love of ,,christ must constrain us to spend and be spent for the good of souls4 ,never was the harvest greater2 never were the labourers fewer4 ,if we do not now lift up our voices like trumpets1 the very stones would cry out against us4 ,i could almost say1 8the glory is departed from ,israel2 the ark of the ,,lord is fallen into enemies hands40 ,oh let us endeavour1 dear ,sir1 let us endeavour to bring it back1 by preaching and living the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,the light that has been given us1 is not to be put under a bushel1 but on a candlestick4 ,satan1 indeed1 by blasts of persecution1 will do all he can to put it out4 ,if our light be the light of ,,christ1 those blasts will only cause it to shine the brighter4 ,you have happily1 dear ,sir1 experienced this4 ,you1 ,i believe1 was both in ,,christ and in the ministry before me4 ,i pr1 sequar1 etsi non passibus equis4 ,the devil and all his hosts will set their battle in array against us4 ,my ,,lord has given me a sling and a stone2 stripling as ,i am1 ,i will go forth then in his strength1 make mention of his righteousness only1 and by that lay prostrate the strong ,goliahs4 ,by your prayers ,i trust to be sent to ,wales once more4 ,the simplicity of that people much delights me4 ,what shall1 what can ,i do for them8 ,my prayers they have1 and whatever ,,god shall enable me to do1 they may demand a share from1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,c4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h41 ,i ,received no answer to my last1 yet ,i must write to you again4 ,the many happy hours ,i spent with you when at ,oxon1 and the benefit ,i have received from your instructions and example1 are yet fresh upon my memory4 ,i long to have my dear friend come forth1 and preach the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,not a righteousness or inward holiness of our own1 whereby we may make ourselves meet1 but a righteousness of another1 even the ,,lord our righteousness2 upon the imputation and apprehending of which by faith1 we shall be made meet by his ,holy ,spirit to live with1 and to enjoy ,,god4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h4 it is an excellent thing to be convinced of the freeness and riches of ,,god's grace in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,it is sweet to know and preach1 that ,,christ justifies the ungodly1 and that all truly good works are not so much as partly the cause1 but the effect of our justification before ,,god4 ,till convinced of these truths1 you must own free-will in man1 which is directly contrary to the holy scriptures1 and the articles of our church4 ,let me advise dear ,mr4 ,h4 laying aside all prejudice1 to read and pray over ,saint ,paul's epistles to the ,romans and ,galatians1 and then let him tell me what he thinks of this doctrine4 ,most of your old friends are now happily enlightened4 ,,god sets his seal to such preaching in an extraordinary manner1 and ,i am persuaded the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it4 ,oh that dear ,mr4 ,h4 would also join with us6 ,oh that the ,,lord would open his eyes to behold aright this part of the mystery of godliness6 ,how would it rejoice my heart6 ,how would it comfort his own soul6 ,he would then no longer groan under the spirit of bondage3 ,no1 he would be brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of ,,god4 ,i have wrote to dear ,mr4 ,o4 as well as to you1 out of the simplicity of my heart4 ,ever your's in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ci4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,k4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,brother ,k41 ,i ,long to hear how it is with you1 and the church in your house4 ,i verily believe1 though it is but a little flock1 yet it will be our heavenly ,father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom4 ,how happy is it1 when all are of one mind in a house2 all agreed to entertain and love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,their heaven is begun on earth4 ,i pray ,,god to continue this blessing1 and cause you daily to build up each other in the knowledge of our ,,lord and ,saviour ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he is a gracious ,master4 ,oh that ,i knew and loved him more6 for he is altogether lovely4 ,has he yet revealed himself in dear ,mr4 ,k4's heart8 ,is he assured that his beloved is his8 ,is he brought into the glorious liberty of the children of ,,god8 ,is his mind free from scruples8 ,is he active8 ,is he punctual8 ,is he strong in the ,,lord and in the power of his might8 ,is the meekness of the lamb and the boldness of the lion blended in his soul8 ,do his parishioners fear1 yet love him8 ,is he a ,boanerges1 and yet a ,barnabas in the church of ,,god8 ,does he thunder against obstinate sinners1 and by displaying the riches of the promises1 comfort and build up the saints8 ,does he preach as the spirit gives him utterance8 ,can he rely on the promise1 8,lo ,i am with you always1 even unto the end of the world80 ,forgive this freedom1 my dear brother4 ,love makes me thus impertinent4 ,i want to see you perfect1 entire1 lacking nothing4 ,may ,,god from day to day supply what is still deficient in you and in me1 till we come to the fulness of the measure of the stature of ,,christ4 ,he is faithful that has promised4 ,,god has been gracious to me his servant4 ,in about a twelvemonth1 ,i hope you will again see and rejoice with ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,f41 ,,the ,,lord reward you for all your works of faith and labours of love6 ,they shall be brought forth as so many evidences of your lively faith1 when we meet before our ,,lord in judgment4 ,does not the prospect of that glorious day1 often fill your soul with joy8 ,it does mine4 ,why8 ,because ,i know my ,redeemer is to be my judge4 ,satan will accuse me2 my answer shall be1 the ,,lord ,,jesus is my righteousness1 how darest thou to lay any thing to the charge of ,,god's ,elect8 ,i stand here not in my own1 but his robes2 and though ,i deserve nothing as a debt1 yet ,i know he will give me a reward of grace1 and recompence me for what he has done in and by me1 as though ,i had done it by my own power4 ,oh1 dear ,mrs4 ,f4 how ought this to excite our zeal and love for the holy ,,jesus4 ,why should we desire to plead for a righteousness of our own1 and cry up freewill1 when we have an infinitely better righteousness than our own to appear in1 and a ,,god that will crown us with eternal glory for working in us both to will and to do after his good pleasure8 ,happy are you and your's1 that have been taught these glorious principles from your youth6 ,oh shew them forth more and more by your works1 and let the world see what it is to have a faith working by love4 ,study1 oh study1 day by day1 the simplicity of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,cast away every thing from you that savours of the lust of the eye and pride of life4 ,be quick to hear1 slow to speak1 and let your conversation always be seasoned with grace4 ,oh1 dear ,mrs4 ,f4 my heart is enlarged towards you3 ,my kind1 my liberal hostess1 what shall ,i say or do to express my gratitude8 ,i will1 ,i do speak for you to the king of kings4 ,though ,i am so great a sinner1 he frequently admits me into his privy chamber1 and then ,i often sigh out1 8,o that my dear ,hertford friends may live before thee40 ,this is all the return1 dear ,mrs4 ,f4 that ,i can make4 ,it is a prophet's reward4 ,being my all1 though but two mites1 ,i know you will accept it from ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,rejoice that ,,god sent you so opportunely to ,monmouth3 ,i find every day that two are better than one4 ,,god suffers his dear children to fall into little miscarriages1 that the eye may not say to the hand1 8,i have no need of thee20 or again1 the head to the foot1 8,i have no need of thee40 ,we must be helps to each other on this side eternity4 ,nothing gives me more comfort1 next to the assurance of the eternal continuance of ,,god 's love1 than the pleasing reflection of having so many christian friends to watch with my soul4 ,i wish they would smite me friendly1 and reprove me oftner than they do2 ,i would force my proud heart to thank them4 ,but ,i am amazed at your coming off so triumphantly4 ,surely the devil is asleep1 or rather that roaring lion thinks to break out upon us with double fury hereafter4 ,it often shames me1 when ,i read ,st4 ,paul's account of his sufferings1 to think in how few particulars ,i can as yet sympathize with him4 ,it as often makes me long to be like him1 and yet ,i fear how ,i shall act when put to the trial4 ,this1 however1 is my comfort1 8,,jesus ,,christ the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever40 ,he saw me from all eternity2 he gave me being2 he called me in time2 he has freely justified me through faith in his blood2 he has in part sanctified me by his spirit2 he will preserve me underneath his everlasting arms1 till time shall be no more4 ,oh the blessedness of these evangelical truths6 ,these are indeed gospel2 they are glad tidings of great joy to all that have ears to hear4 ,these1 bring the creature out of himself4 ,these1 make him to hang upon the promises1 and cause his obedience to flow from a principle of love4 ,they are meat indeed1 and drink indeed unto my soul4 ,i am persuaded they are so likewise to you and dear ,mrs4 ,s4 ,i hope she is yet in the land of the living1 and that she1 yourself1 and your son1 are daily preparing for eternity4 ,i pray ,,god sanctify your whole spirits1 souls1 and bodies1 and reward you for all kindnesses shewn to1 dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,civ4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,t4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,shall ,i promise and not perform8 ,,god forbid4 ,when ,i saw you first at ,cardiff1 it rejoiced my heart to hear what ,,god had done for your soul4 ,you was then under some displeasure of your rector1 if ,i mistake not1 for speaking the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,ere now1 ,i hope dear ,mr4 ,t4 has had the honour of being quite thrust out4 ,rejoice1 my dear brother1 and be exceeding glad1 for thus was our ,,lord and ,,saviour served before you4 ,naked therefore follow a naked ,,christ4 ,freely you have received1 freely give4 ,if you preach the gospel1 you shall live of the gospel4 ,though you go out without scrip or shoe1 yet shall you lack nothing4 ,rather than you shall want1 ravens1 those birds of prey1 shall be commanded to feed you4 ,it is a blessed thing to live upon ,,god4 ,did ever any trust in him and was forsaken8 ,no2 search the generations of old1 climb up into heaven if you can1 and all with one consent will declare1 ,the ,,lord their pasture did prepare1 ,and fed them with a shepherd's care4 ,i1 though hell-deserving1 am a living witness of his good providence2 having nothing1 ,i possess all things2 he has fed me with the kidneys of wheat1 and commanded some one or another to sustain me whithersoever ,i was sent on his errand4 ,,jesus is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,if we go forth in the spirit of the first apostles1 we shall meet with apostolical success4 ,and never was there more occasion for the revival of such a primitive spirit4 ,alas1 the life1 the power of religion is almost lost amongst us4 ,stir up then1 dear ,sir1 the gift of ,,god1 which is in you4 ,be instant in season and out of season4 ,debase man and exalt ,,jesus4 ,self-righteousness overturn1 overturn4 ,the people of ,wales1 the common people at least1 will receive you gladly4 ,the ,,lord shall fight all battles for you here1 and reward you with a crown that never fadeth hereafter4 ,if ,i have but the lowest place in your affections1 it will abundantly satisfy ,your most affectionate brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cv4 ,to ,mr4 ,m4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dearest ,sir1 ,,ever since you opened your heart so freely in the garden1 you have been much upon my heart4 ,though absent from1 yet ,i have been present with you4 ,i am acquainted in some measure with the strugglings of a soul just awakening into new life4 ,i know too many have stifled their convictions1 and therefore am importunate on your behalf4 ,i hope you have taken my advice1 and laid the ax to the root of the tree4 ,oh pray for a new heart and a new spirit1 and then all old things will subside and give way of themselves4 ,the strong man armed must go out when the stronger than he1 even the spirit of ,,god1 comes to take possession of your soul4 ,what therefore have you to do1 dear ,sir1 but to throw yourself as a poor sinner at the feet of the holy ,,jesus8 ,you need not doubt his holding out the golden sceptre to you4 ,whosoever cometh to him by faith1 he will in no-wise cast out4 ,he calls1 he draws you3 what is it for1 but to assure you he will make you happy8 ,come then1 dear ,sir1 weary and heavy laden as you are1 the ,,lord your righteousness shall give you rest3 ,he shall refresh you with a multitude of peace1 and cause you to rejoice in his salvation2 there is nothing too hard for the ,,lord ,,christ4 ,he can draw your mind from the creature1 he can fix it upon himself2 he can enable you to live above the world1 whilst you are in it2 he can translate you to heaven1 when he has taken you away from earth4 ,as the ,,lord ,,jesus can1 so that he may do all these things for your soul1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your sincere friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cvi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dearest ,sir1 ,,it often concerned me1 when in ,london1 that ,i could not enjoy more of your company4 ,your conversation was always seasoned with grace1 and such as became the gospel of ,,christ4 ,your great kindness1 in publicly praying for me1 can never be sufficiently acknowledged4 ,the thought almost makes me to weep for joy4 ,surely the ,,lord will not let me miscarry1 since he has stirred up the choicest of his servants to intercede in my behalf4 ,the searcher of all hearts alone knows1 what agonies my poor soul has undergone since my retirement from the world4 ,the remembrance of my past sins has overwhelmed my soul1 and caused tears to be my meat day and night4 ,indeed ,i have mourned as one mourneth for a first born3 ,but ,i looked to him whom ,i have pierced4 ,i was enabled to see the freeness and riches of his grace1 the infiniteness and eternity of his love1 and my soul received comfort4 ,oh the excellency of the doctrine of election1 and of the saints final perseverance1 to those who are truly sealed by the spirit of promise6 ,i am persuaded1 till a man comes to believe and feel these important truths1 he cannot come out of himself2 but when convinced of these1 and assured of the application of them to his own heart1 he then walks by faith indeed1 not in himself1 but in the ,son of ,,god1 who died and gave himself for him4 ,love1 not fear1 constrains him to obedience4 ,the promises of ,,god are all ,yea and ,amen to his soul4 ,supported by these convictions1 in about a twelvemonth1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend returning to ,england1 and to begin my testimony afresh4 ,i trust ,i shall not be ashamed to declare the whole counsel of ,,god4 ,satan1 no doubt1 and his emissaries1 will endeavour to block up my way2 but the saints of ,,god are praying for me on earth1 and the holy ,,jesus is interceding in heaven4 ,why should ,i not go forth and offer his everlasting and perfect righteousness to all that shall be brought to believe on him8 ,satan suggests even whilst ,i am writing1 8,how canst thou speak1 seeing thou art such a sinner80 ,but therefore will ,i speak1 because ,i can say1 by happy experience1 that ,,jesus ,,christ will have mercy on the chief of sinners2 for among such you may truly rank ,your unworthy brother1 and unprofitable fellow-labourer1 in our dear ,,lord's vineyard1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cvii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,d41 ,,ten thousand blessings light upon you and yours6 ,the ,,lord reward you ten thousand-fold for receiving me and my friends into your house4 ,the ,,lord shower down his heavenly manna1 and feed you with the bread of life for those comfortable meals we have had of your providing since we came on board4 ,we have not been slack to pray for you2 my heart is now full of a sense of your kindnesses4 ,i know not when to begin and when to leave off adoring the ,,god and ,father of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ for these and all other of his love-tokens3 ,he is the father of mercies1 and the ,,god of all comfort2 he hath comforted me in all my tribulation1 and1 ,i am assured1 will still comfort me in whatsoever ,i am to do or suffer for his name's sake4 ,you1 dear ,mrs4 ,d4 can subscribe to this truth1 that ,,god is a ,god of all comfort4 ,you have been comforted on every side2 you have been filled as it were with new wine2 you have tasted that the ,,lord is gracious1 and yet the best wine is and will be always reserved till the last4 ,the ,,lord's compassions fail not2 they are1 they will be renewed to you every morning2 and though1 through much tribulation1 you1 as well others1 must enter into glory1 yet you will find ,,god to be your comforter in all tribulation4 ,,god has made you a joyful mother of christian children2 remember the mother in the ,maccabees2 and1 if ever your children are called to suffering1 beg of ,,god that you may stand by and encourage them to die for ,,christ4 ,oh that would be a spectacle indeed6 ,a spectacle worthy of men and angels6 ,i pray ,,god to arm you with this mind1 and then you will find that ,,god's rod as well as his staff will comfort you2 nay1 though you pass through the valley of the shadow of death1 yet shall the ,holy ,spirit refresh you2 your heart shall stand fast1 and be stedfast in the ,,lord4 ,oh1 my dear ,madam1 my heart is enlarged towards you3 ,i pray ,,god to fill you with all his divine fulness1 and make you daily more and more meet to be an inheritor among the saints in light4 ,with much love ,i have wrote to dear ,mr4 ,d4 ,oh pray him not to be angry with ,your most affectionate friend and brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,n4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,be not displeased at the contents of this2 if ,i was not persuaded that love to your soul1 and my duty towards ,,god1 moved me to write1 ,i should be silent4 ,when last at ,gloucester1 ,i heard you was highly offended at my meetings in the fields1 and at the same time countenanced and encouraged the acting of plays in the ,boothall4 ,this ,i thought highly unbecoming the character of a christian magistrate1 whose peculiar business it is to be a terror to evil doers1 and a praise to them that do well4 ,this made me to speak against those proceedings in my sermons4 ,this is the occasion of my troubling you with a letter4 ,i cannot think ,i have delivered my soul1 unless1 with all meekness and humility1 ,i exhort you henceforward not to promote or so much as any way countenance the stage-players4 ,in our common law they are stiled sturdy beggars4 ,as a minister of the king1 upon that account it is your duty to put a stop to them3 ,as a disciple and minister of ,,jesus ,,christ1 the king of kings1 you are obliged1 honoured ,sir1 to exert your authority in suppressing them4 ,it is notorious that such meetings are the nurseries of debauchery2 they are the pest of our nation1 and the bane of true christianity3 ,to be present at1 or in the least to contribute towards their support1 is therefore a great sin2 but to countenance them by our authority1 and let them act by our permission1 what is this but becoming public patrons for vice and immorality8 ,it is not only sinning ourselves1 but it is taking pleasure in the sins of others4 ,this the apostle accounted the highest pitch of heathenish wickedness4 ,honoured ,sir1 pray be not offended3 ,these are not the words of a madman2 no1 they are the words of truth and soberness1 and words which our ,,lord will approve of1 when ,i stand with you before him in judgment4 ,however men may now put wrong names to things1 and call that an innocent amusement1 which has no other tendency but to corrupt and debauch the heart1 yet then1 ,sir1 we shall see all things clearly2 then shall you know that it was my duty to write as ,i have done1 and will confess before men and angels that you had an humble and affectionate warning given you1 by1 honoured ,sir1 ,your very humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cix4 ,to ,mr4 ,thomas ,p4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,though unknown to you in person1 yet as you was pleased to think me worthy of the care of your dear son1 ,i think it my duty to acquaint you of his welfare4 ,i bless ,,god that he came with me4 ,he is diligent and pious1 and ,i trust will be a comfort to you in your declining years3 ,his mind seems settled and composed1 and by reading and following the bible1 he is partaker of that peace which the world cannot give4 ,his dear and honoured father is much upon his heart4 ,how would it rejoice him to hear that you also was become a christian indeed8 ,be not offended1 dear ,sir1 at my expressing myself thus4 ,assure yourself that christianity is something more than a name and a bare outward profession4 ,morality of itself1 dear ,sir1 will never carry us to heaven2 no1 ,,jesus ,,christ is the way1 the truth1 and the life4 ,there is no being happy without a lively faith in him1 wrought in the heart by the blessed spirit of ,,god4 ,this faith transforms the whole man1 delivers him from the tyranny of his passions1 and makes him entirely a new creature4 ,this is the reason why it is foolishness to the world4 ,your son's case in this respect was not singular4 ,as soon as ever we commence christians1 we commence fools for ,,christ's sake4 ,every truly religious man must be deemed a madman4 ,forgive this freedom1 dear ,sir2 whilst ,i am writing1 ,i find a love for your soul arising in my heart1 and methinks ,i could do any thing to bring your grey hairs with comfort to the grave4 ,dear ,sir1 there is mercy with ,,christ even for those who come in at the eleventh hour4 ,,christ came to save poor sinners2 he came to save you1 dear ,sir1 if you lay hold on him by a living faith4 ,that ,,god may give you this faith1 and thereby make you happy in time and to eternity1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cx4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,r4 ,d4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,think ,i am a little in your debt2 if not1 love and gratitude call upon me to send you a line4 ,man appoints1 but ,,god disappoints3 ,his providence called me away1 before ,i could possibly see ,cornwall4 ,in about a twelvemonth ,i purpose returning4 ,who knows but then ,i may be enabled to perform my promise8 ,the whole world is now my parish4 ,wheresoever my master calls me1 ,i am ready to go and preach his everlasting gospel4 ,my only grief is1 that ,i can do no more for ,,christ2 for ,i am sure ,i ought to love and do much1 having had so much forgiven2 not that ,i expect in the least to be justified by any or all the works ,i either can or shall do3 ,no1 the ,,lord ,,christ is my righteousness1 my whole and perfect righteousness2 but then ,i would shew forth my faith1 ,i would declare to the world the sincerity of my love1 by always abounding in the works of my ,,lord4 ,oh pray1 dear ,sir1 that ,i may be never weary in well-doing4 ,the devil and his servants will shoot sore at me that ,i may fall2 but this consideration comforts and supports me1 8,the ,,lord is my helper20 he has1 he does1 he will deliver4 ,i am persuaded you feel his gracious presence1 and the influences of his blessed spirit1 whenever you go forth to speak in his name4 ,may a double portion of his spirit and precious anointings descend upon your soul6 ,may you be filled with all his fulness1 and be enabled thereby to turn many to righteousness here1 and so shine as the firmament of heaven for ever hereafter6 ,oh that a place at some saints feet may be assigned to1 dear ,sir1 ,your weak though affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,b4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,you have been too kind1 and ,i have been too ungrateful4 ,business would not permit me to have so much private conversation with you as ,i ought4 ,success ,i fear elated my mind4 ,i did not behave towards you1 and other ministers of ,,christ1 with that humility which became me4 ,i freely confess my fault2 ,i own myself to be but a novice4 ,your charity1 dear ,sir1 will excite you to pray that ,i may not through pride fall into the condemnation of the devil4 ,dear ,sir1 shall ,i come out into the world again or not8 ,must ,i venture myself once more among fire-brands1 arrows1 and death8 ,methinks ,i hear you reply1 8,yes1 if you come forth in the strength of the ,,lord ,,god1 and make mention of his righteousness only40 ,it is my desire so to do4 ,i would have ,,jesus all in all4 ,like a pure chrystal1 ,i would transmit all the light he poureth upon me4 ,oh pray1 dear ,sir1 that ,i may be thus minded1 and then1 ,,god willing1 in about a twelvemonth1 ,i intend visiting the ,bristol brethren once again4 ,in the mean while1 ,i hope the ,,lord will purge me1 that ,i may bring forth more fruit1 and work upon me mightily in the inner-man1 for otherwise his blessings will prove curses to me4 ,he has been pleased to dig and dung round me1 during my retirement2 he has shewn me something of the treachery of my own heart1 and more and more convinced me that ,i am the chief of sinners4 ,oh that my heart may shew forth the eternity and sovereignty of his love6 for never surely was there a greater instance of it than myself4 ,happy are those that are brought to an experimental knowledge of these mysteries of the kingdom of ,,god4 ,many of your charge have been1 ,i believe2 ,i pray ,,god to increase the number of your spiritual children more and more1 and to add daily to the church such as shall be saved4 ,my cordial respects attend your fellow-labourers1 and all who are so kind as to ask for me2 as fast as opportunity permits1 they may expect to hear from1 reverend ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,f41 ,i ,have now time to answer your last letter4 ,it gave me much satisfaction4 ,i rejoice that you begin to know yourself4 ,if possible1 satan will make us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think4 ,i can tell this by fatal experience4 ,it is not sudden flashes of joy1 but having the humility of ,,christ ,,jesus1 that must denominate us christians4 ,if we hate reproof1 we are so far from being true followers of the ,lamb of ,,god1 that in the opinion of the wisest of men1 we are brutish4 ,i love you and your dear husband in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,under ,,god1 ,i begot you both through the gospel4 ,i therefore think it my bounden duty1 from time to time1 more particularly to watch over your precious souls4 ,never account me your enemy for speaking the truth4 ,tell me of my faults in your turn4 ,i will pray ,,god to give me an hearing ear and an obedient heart4 ,but how do our brethren after their late dispersion8 ,i heard they had in part recovered themselves4 ,ere now1 ,i trust1 they have resumed their courage1 and stand stedfast as a wall of brass4 ,if you were all to be carried to prison the next moment1 ,i think you should not decline your christian fellowship and society meetings4 ,my brethren1 in this respect1 ,i beseech you to obey ,,god rather than man4 ,happy are you1 if you patiently suffer in such a cause4 ,our ,,lord will stand by you2 he will fight all your battles1 and make you more than conquerors through his love4 ,my heart would say more2 but other letters must be wrote4 ,salute all the brethren by name1 and accept this as a token of your not being forgotten by ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxiii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,the favours received at ,hertford1 from you and your dear flock1 are not yet out of my mind3 ,they were exceeding endearing1 and deserve my utmost acknowledgments4 ,had providence permitted1 ,i should have paid you another visit2 but ,,god's thoughts are not as our thoughts3 ,however1 in about a twelvemonth1 by his leave1 ,i hope to return amongst you once more4 ,oh6 that ,i may come in the blessing of the gospel of peace6 ,the doctrines ,i have already preached come with double evidence upon my mind day by day4 ,i am more and more convinced that they are the truths of ,,god2 they agree with the written word1 and the experience of all the saints in all ages3 ,nothing more confirms me in the belief of them1 than the opposition that is made against them by natural men4 ,election1 free grace1 free justification without any regard to works foreseen1 are such paradoxes to carnal minds1 that they cannot away with them4 ,this is the wisdom of ,,god1 which is foolishness with man1 and which1 the ,,lord being my helper1 ,i intend to exalt and contend for more and more2 not with carnal weapons1 that be far from me1 but with the sword of the spirit1 the word of ,,god3 ,no sword like that4 ,dear ,sir1 pray for me that ,i may rightly divide the word of truth1 and give to each his portion in due season4 ,the ,,lord has been exceeding gracious to me since ,i saw you last4 ,oh let your songs be of him1 and praise him for all his wonderful works4 ,as ,i am enabled ,i remember you and yours4 ,many1 when ,i was with them1 were mourning2 ere now ,i hope they are comforted4 ,he is faithful who has promised1 who also will do it4 ,if they hunger and thirst after ,,christ 's righteousness1 verily they shall know that it is imputed to them4 ,that you and your whole charge may be filled with all the fulness of ,,god1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,wm4 ,d4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my ,dear ,brother1 ,,your last brought glad tidings4 ,i endeavour to give thanks for you with my whole heart4 ,i trust ,,god has enabled you to take the advice you gave me1 and that you have been kept from idolatry4 ,oh my dear brother1 let us watch and pray1 that we may not be led into temptation4 ,the spirit is willing in both2 but the flesh1 mine in particular1 is exceeding weak4 ,blessed be ,,god for sending me on ship-board4 ,he has given me to see something of that mystery of iniquity1 which was in my heart4 ,i have loathed and abhorred my own self4 ,tears have been my meat day and night2 but glory be to ,,god1 who has lately assured me of a victory through ,,jesus ,,christ our ,,lord4 ,at present my heart is quite free4 ,you will see what ,i have written to those of your household4 ,i pray the ,,lord to send you and many more such labourers into his harvest4 ,i intend resigning the parsonage of ,savannah4 ,the ,orphan ,house ,i can take care of1 supposing ,i should be kept at a distance2 besides1 when ,i have resigned the parish1 ,i shall be more at liberty to take a tour round ,america1 if ,,god should ever call me to such a work4 ,however1 ,i determine nothing1 ,i wait on the ,,lord4 ,i am persuaded he will shew what is his will3 though my heart is as yet perverse1 in time ,i hope to drink deeper into his spirit4 ,how earnestly do ,i desire to be dissolved1 that ,i may be with ,,christ6 ,sometimes my weak body gives me hopes1 that ,i shall not be long in the flesh2 but then1 the strength that is communicated to me1 and the consideration1 that ,i have but just begun my testimony1 fills me with fears1 lest ,i should live to be greyheaded4 ,but ,i endeavour to resign myself wholly to ,,god4 ,i desire his will may be done in me1 by me1 and upon me4 ,if the ,,lord preserves me from falling into sin1 and dishonouring his holy name1 let him do what seemeth him good with ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,th' replaced with #8,the' ,,letter ,,cxv4 ,to ,madam ,c4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,madam1 ,,to be made good by the righteousness and spirit of ,,jesus ,,christ1 is a distinguishing blessing4 ,to be made good1 and yet to be great and rich in this world's goods1 is still more extraordinary4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who has thus highly favoured you4 ,i trust he hath given you that faith1 which enables you to overcome the world1 and emboldens you to confess both our ,,lord and his servants1 in the midst of a wicked and adulterous generation4 ,once indeed ,i feared you had been offended4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m soon convinced me of my error4 ,yourself1 ,madam1 amply satisfied me before ,i left ,london1 that you were not ashamed of the gospel and ministers of ,,christ4 ,may the ,,lord enable you more and more to set your face as a flint1 and entirely to live above the fear of man4 ,if the work goes on in ,england1 a trying time will come4 ,i pray ,,god1 the same spirit may be found in all that profess the ,,lord ,,jesus1 as was in the primitive saints1 confessors and martyrs4 ,further opposition then will not hurt1 but highly profit the church4 ,the chaff will be winnowed from the wheat1 and they that are approved be made manifest4 ,as for my own part1 ,i expect nothing but afflictions and bonds4 ,the spirit1 as well as the doctrine of popery1 prevails much in many protestants hearts2 they already breathe out threatnings4 ,what wonder1 if when in their power1 they should breathe out slaughters also8 ,this is my comfort1 the doctrines ,i have taught are the doctrines of scripture1 the doctrines of our own and of other reformed churches4 ,if ,i suffer for preaching them1 so be it4 8,thou shalt answer for me1 ,o ,,lord my ,,god60 ,i rejoice in the prospect of it1 and beseech thee1 my dear redeemer1 to strengthen me in a suffering hour4 ,you1 dear ,madam1 and the rest of my friends1 will not be wanting in praying for ,your most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,d4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,gratitude and love call upon me to write a letter of acknowledgment for favours received when lately at 4 ,the ,,lord remember them at that day6 ,you have confessed his servants before men1 he has promised to confess such1 before his angels in heaven4 ,the principles which ,i maintain1 are purely scriptural1 and every way agreeable to the church of ,england articles4 ,what ,i have been chiefly concerned about is1 lest any should rest in the bare speculative knowledge1 and not experience the power of them in their own hearts4,what avails it1 ,sir1 if ,i am a patron for the righteousness of ,,jesus ,,christ in behalf of another1 if at the same time ,i am self-righteous myself8 ,i am thus jealous1 ,i trust with a godly jealousy1 because ,i see so many self-deceivers among my acquaintance4 ,there is one in particular 7whom ,i love1 and for whom ,i most heartily pray7 who approves of my doctrine1 and hath heard it preached many years past1 but ,i could never hear him tell of his experiences1 or of what ,,god has done for his soul4 ,he hath excellent good desires and intentions1 but ,i think he wants something more3 ,,lord1 for thy infinite mercy's sake1 grant he may know himself even as he is known6 ,i need not tell ,mr4 ,d1 who this dear friend isyou are intimately acquainted with him1 you love him as you do your own heart2 you are never out of his company4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 be not angry4 ,methinks ,i hear you1 by this time1 making an application1 and saying1 8,then ,i am the man40 ,true1 dear ,sir1 ,i confess you are4 ,but love1 love for your better part1 your soul1 your precious soul1 this love constrains me to use this freedom4 ,you are more noble than to take it ill at my hands2 ,i could not bear even to suspect that you deceived yourself1 dear ,sir1 and not tell you such a suspicion was in my heart4 ,that ,,god may powerfully convince you of self-righteousness1 and cloath you with the righteousness of his dear ,son2 that he may fill you with his grace1 and thereby fit you for1 and at last translate you to1 his glory1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged and affectionate friend and humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxvii4 ,to a ,servant4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,,when ,i was at ,mr4 1 ,i fear ,i did not ask you often enough what ,,god had done for your soul4 ,i write this to beg your pardon4 ,want of time was the cause4 ,i believe ,,christ hath manifested himself to your soul4 ,shew it1 ,i entreat you1 by labouring to adorn his gospel in all things4 ,a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of ,,god of great price4 ,you are happy in a place4 ,i hope you know and are thankful for it4 ,take heed that you serve with singleness of heart1 as unto ,,christ4 ,go when you are bid to go1 come when you are bid to come2 when commanded to do this1 do it with all your might4 ,bear with the perverseness of others4 ,remember how silent ,mary was1 when her sister ,martha peevishly said1 8,,lord1 carest thou not that my sister has left me to serve alone80 ,my unfeigned love attends all the ,martha's and ,mary's of your acquaintance4 ,i pray they may in all things walk as women professing godliness4 ,to hear of your progress in the gospel1 would much please ,your ,sincere friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,the many favours ,i have received at your hands1 are still deeply impressed upon my heart2 as ,i have often said1 so ,i say again1 ,i hope they will never be forgotten by me so long as ,i live4 ,but1 reverend ,sir1 ,i have observed some particulars in your principles and conduct1 which ,i must confess have given me much concern1 and of which1 from love and gratitude1 ,i think myself obliged to inform you4 ,i believe1 dear ,sir1 you have often been inwardly offended at me1 because you suspected1 ,i thought you to be no true christian4 ,your suspicions were not groundless4 ,i cannot yet think1 that a thorough work of conversion was ever wrought upon your soul4 ,i fear you deny1 that 8,,jesus ,,christ is truly and properly ,,god40 ,i infer this1 from your not reading the ,nicene ,creed1 and your palliating that text ,i once urged to prove it4 8,i and my ,father are one40 ,i doubt also1 your owning 8,original ,sin40 ,this ,i gather from your wondering ,i should touch on such a point1 when ,i preached my sermon on justification by ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,besides1 the sad definition you once gave of religion in a letter to your brother 2 the stranger also which you seemed to be to the 8devil's temptations10 when ,i conversed with you2 and your supposing1 that conversion was to be wrought in the soul by moral persuasion2 all these put together1 dear ,sir1 convince me1 that you were never yet truly and effectually born again of ,,god4 ,besides1 ,reverend ,sir1 does your going weekly to a club1 where the company play at cards1 and sit up late at night1 does this1 dear ,sir1 agree with your holy vocation1 either as a christian or a minister8 ,be not offended1 ,rev4 ,sir1 at this plainness of speech4 ,i have forborne a long while2 love and gratitude would not suffer me to forbear any longer4 ,i wish ,i had no occasion to write in this manner4 ,i believe you so ingenuous as not to be angry with me4 ,i pray ,,god to quell all resentment in your heart1 and send you his holy spirit to guide you into all truth4 ,your brother's eyes are now in some measure opened3 he is convinced of the perfect righteousness wrought out for him by ,,jesus ,,christ1 and ere now ,i hope hath received faith to apply it to his heart4 ,this is the doctrine of the church of ,england4 ,unless you hold this and other evangelical principles1 how1 dear ,sir1 is it consistent with sincerity to eat her bread8 ,with humility1 respect1 and love1 do ,i offer these things to your consideration,be pleased to weigh them in a proper balance1 and reflect from what principle they are wrote1 and ,i am persuaded you will not be offended at1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,you' replaced with #8,your' ,,letter ,,cxix4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,s1 ,i ,love an ,israelite indeed1 ,i love a catholic spirit destitute of guile2 you ,i am persuaded are thus minded4 ,the ,,lord hath highly favoured you3 he hath given you a meek and quiet spirit4 ,my heart hath been knit to you1 ever since ,,god first brought us together4 ,oh pray1 that what ,i admire in another1 ,i may imitate myself1 and have the graces of ,,jesus ,,christ stamped upon my heart4 ,it fills me with confusion1 whenever ,i consider how far ,i am from his likeness4 ,alas6 ,what would become of me1 was ,i to be saved by any thing within myself4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the ,,lord ,,jesus is my whole righteousness4 ,by virtue of that ,i know ,i am justified1 ,i believe ,i shall be sanctified1 and am assured ,i shall be everlastingly redeemed3 for ,,god loved me with an everlasting love4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 the prospect of an hereafter fills my soul with comfort4 ,then shall ,i have enough of your company1 and of the other children of ,,god4 ,the ,,lord give me patience to wait till my blessed change cometh4 ,he often gives me such foretastes of the glory to be revealed in us1 that ,i want to leap my seventy years4 ,but in a degree1 ,i may say with my blessed master1 8,i have a cup to drink of1 and a baptism to be baptized with40 ,dear ,mr4 ,s will see me humbled1 ,i believe1 as much as once exalted2 ,i look for 8,away with him1 away with him10 every day4 ,then1 ,i trust1 ,i shall begin in earnest to be a disciple of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,even in such an hour1 ,i believe dear ,mr4 ,s will dare own ,his affectionate though most unworthy friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxx4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,to think1 that you should be engaged publickly to pray for me1 hath often given me much satisfaction1 and now excites me to send you this letter of thanks3 help me still1 help me1 dear ,sir1 by your prayers4 ,they will be a means of lifting up my hands when they hang down1 and of strengthning my feeble knees4 ,though in all things we do not1 yet in essentials we both think and speak the same things4 ,i wish all names among the saints of ,,god were swallowed up in that one of ,christian4,i long for professors to leave off placing religion in saying 8,i am a ,churchman10 8,i am a ,dissenter40 ,my language to such is1 8,are you of ,,christ8 ,if so1 ,i love you with all my heart30 for this reason chiefly1 dear ,sir1 my heart is drawn out towards you4 ,on this account1 though so long in ,,christ before me1 ,i make bold to call you brother1 and to wish you ,,god speed3 blessed be his name1 you have little reason to cry out2 8,my leanness1 my leanness40 ,many gracious souls are among your flock1 they love to be fed with the sincere milk of the word4 ,i hope they will be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i often think of them with pleasure2 pray salute them most affectionately in my name1 and exhort them to entreat the ,,lord that ,i may make full proof of my ministry4 ,in about a twelvemonth1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend returning to ,england2 ,i wish it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace4 ,i think you are happy in the acquaintance of ,mr4 ,b ,s4 ,i trust he will be as good as he is great1 and after he is made perfect through manifold temptations and trials1 sit down with you1 and all the other spirits of just men made perfect1 in heaven4 ,this is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother and fellow labourer in our ,,lord's vineyard1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,you cannot conceive how often you have been upon my thoughts1 since ,i saw you4 ,eternity itself ,i hope will not diminish1 but more and more increase that love1 which ,i bear you from my heart4 ,your stature reminds me of little ,zaccheus3 he that called him1 ,i am persuaded hath called you3 ,have you not heard him say to your soul1 8,i am your salvation80 ,if so1 fear not1 thou art a son of ,david4 ,let worldly affairs be ever so bad1 he that has given you his own dear ,son1 will make you more than conqueror in all things4 ,still dare to own our dear ,,lord before men4 ,it is no scandal for a follower of ,,jesus ,,christ to be poor4 ,our ,,lord was poor before us,so that we are rich in faith and good works1 it is not much matter if we are not rich in this world's goods4 ,having ,,christ1 though we have nothing else1 we possess all things4 ,however1 since godliness hath the promise of the life that now is1 as well as that which is to come1 ,i would advise you to plead the promises for temporal blessings4 ,in the name of ,,jesus1 many a sweet morsel and opportune supply1 have ,i fetched in from ,,god by this means4 ,that is the way ,i live1 and hope shall continue so to live till death is swallowed up in victory4 ,deathwhat a comfortable word is that for a believer6 ,,christ hath taken the sting of it away2 henceforward it is no longer a king of terrors1 but a welcome messenger to conduct the saints to glory4 ,my dear brother1 let us comfort one another with these things4 ,we are not to live here always2 our inheritance is above4 ,when ,,christ who is our life shall appear1 then shall we also appear with him in glory4 ,why then should we value these light afflictions1 which are but for a moment8 ,no1 let us patiently bear our cross1 since we are so shortly to wear a crown4 ,oh the riches of free1 distinguishing grace6 ,why were you and ,i taken into favor8 8,even so ,father1 for so it seemed good in thy sight40 ,o6 my friend1 my brother1 let us for ever extol free grace6 ,however others exalt man and debase ,,god1 let us exalt ,,god and debase man4 ,let ,,jesus ,,christ have all the glory3 for he is the author1 carrier on1 and finisher of our faith4 ,he hath begun it in time1 he shall compleat it in eternity4,my brother1 ,i have been so expanded whilst writing1 that ,i must refer you to other friends1 to know how graciously ,,god hath dealt with ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8mater' replaced with #8matter' ,,letter ,,cxxii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,w41 ,i ,long to be in heaven1 chiefly to see ,,god even as he is2 next1 that ,i may have my soul satisfied with the blissful communion of saints4 ,there ,i hope to see you and your wife1 and to shew how sincerely ,i love you both in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,my heart has went along with my hand1 when ,i used to stretch it out to you in the field4 ,i only wanted more time to converse with you4 ,oh my dear brother1 let us keep ourselves in the love of ,,god through faith in ,,christ ,,jesus1 and then1 yet a little while we shall meet in glory4 ,as faith is the beginning1 so faith is the end of the christian course4 ,let us keep this grace in continual exercise1 and we may bid death and hell defiance4 ,faith makes us more than conquerors over all2 ,i speak thus to you1 because ,i hope you and dear ,mrs4 have been in some measure made partakers of this free gift of ,,god4 ,i pray ,,god to increase it more and more1 till it be swallowed up in the fruition of our supreme good4 ,perhaps our faith may be put to the trial ere it be long2 ,i expect nothing but sufferings4 ,oh pray that ,i may be faithful unto the end1 and that a crown of life may be given to ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,the christian love ,i bear to both your sister and you1 excites me to send you a line4 ,providence prevented your sailing with us2 but as we have drank into the same spirit1 ,i hope brotherly love will continue and increase between us1 to all eternity4 ,i have often wrestled in prayer for you since we have been on board4 ,your sister has watered those prayers with her tears1 and ,i trust the ,,lord was entreated of us4 ,our voyage has been highly profitable to our souls4 ,i can never be thankful enough for this sweet retreat4 ,my dear brother1 how do you find your heart8 ,mine is like ,ezekiel's temple1 the farther ,i search into it1 the greater abominations ,i discover2 but there is a fountain opened for sin and all uncleanness4 ,there1 my dear brother1 we may both wash and be made clean4 ,the ,,lord hath already vouchsafed us some assurances of his love4 ,oh let us continually keep faith in exercise1 till it be entirely swallowed up in the boundless ocean of the beatific vision4 ,that ,,god may daily renew you by his spirit1 and more and more fit you for the happiness which awaits you above1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate though weak brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxiv4 ,to ,mrs4 4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,my ,dear ,friend1 ,,shall ,i have any leisure time and not write you a line of thanks for your works of faith and labours of love8 ,,god forbid4 ,i know not your name1 but ,i neither forget your house1 nor favours4 ,the ,,lord reward you a thousand fold6 ,i only fear that you have my person too much in admiration4 ,if you look to the instrument less1 and to ,,god more1 it will be better4 ,by the grace of ,,god alone1 ,i am what ,i am4 ,if any good hath been done to you or others1 it was not ,i1 but the grace of ,,god that was in me4 ,oh1 not unto me1 not unto me1 but unto ,,god's name be all the glory4 ,i pray ,,god to make you partaker of the same grace2 for ,i would not have you an hearer only1 ,i would have you a doer also4 ,surely you are more noble and wise1 than to deceive your own soul4 ,and yet it is but too notorious1 that numbers rest in the outward form1 and are strangers to the inward power of godliness in their hearts4 ,do not you so learn ,,christ4 ,beg of ,,god that you may feel his spirit working mightily in your soul1 and witnessing with your spirit that you are a child of ,,god4 ,i could go on1 but other letters must be wrote,pray tender my love to all that dined with me at your house2 exhort them to keep close by faith to ,,christ1 and to pray to and give him thanks in my behalf2 for he hath dealt most graciously with ,your obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 1 ,,still ,i must repeat my former request4 ,be not angry because ,i did not visit you oftener4 ,i love1 ,i honour you the more for being of low degree4 ,you are thereby rendered more conformable to our dear and common ,,lord4 ,his business alone prevented my seeing you so often as ,i would4 ,however1 though absent1 ,i rejoice that our ,saviour has dealt so lovingly with you4 ,as afflictions have abounded1 consolations have much more abounded4 ,i am persuaded1 you can affirm that ,,god is the father of all mercies1 and the ,,god of all comforts4 ,has he not comforted you my dear sister in all your tribulation8 ,he that hath1 and does1 will still deliver you4 ,yet a little while1 and he that cometh will come1 and will not tarry4 ,shortly ,i suppose the earthly house of this your tabernacle will be dissolved3 fear not1 you shall then be cloathed upon with your house which is from heaven4 ,oh pray that such honour may be also conferred on ,your unworthy brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxvi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,i ,cannot forget your frequent attendance on my ministry when last at ,london4 ,i am pressed in spirit to write you a line1 to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,you have learned the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,you have been taught it of ,,god4 ,electing love hath snatched you as a brand out of the fire1 and you have followed our ,,lord without the camp1 bearing his reproach4 ,the ,,lord's tabernacle has lately been pitched in the fields4 ,ere long it may be driven into the wilderness4 ,i hope you will follow it even there4 ,the divine presence1 ,i am persuaded1 will accompany it4 ,hath not your heart often burnt within you when the ,scriptures have been opening to you1 though not under a church roof8 ,,god is not confined to places4 ,wherever his people are1 he will find and visit them4 ,our ,,lord 7oh stupendous love67 has been pleased to sail with us4 ,i have tasted both of his rod and staff2 each has given me unspeakable comfort4 ,my dear brother1 help me to praise him4 ,who so great1 so good a ,,god1 as our ,,god8 ,in about a twelve-month ,i hope to see you again4 ,oh pray for me1 my dear brother1 that ,i may meanwhile be let further into the mysteries of godliness1 8,,god manifest in the flesh40 ,as yet1 ,i find ,i am but a child1 and a meer novice4 ,but this is my comfort1 8,the ,,lord who has begun will carry on the good work10 till ,i am grown a strong man in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,i long to know more of his love1 ,i hunger and thirst after the teachings of his blessed spirit4 ,you1 ,i am persuaded1 are no otherwise minded4 ,still press on and faint not4 ,yet a little while and you shall enter into perfect joy with ,your affectionate brother in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxvii4 ,new-,york1 ,nov4 #af1 #agci4 ,reverend ,sir1 ,,seeing a passage in your letter to ,mr4 ,p concerning me1 ,i find my heart immediately set to send you a line4 ,i love to be acquainted with the true and old servants of ,,jesus ,,christ1 because ,i delight to sit at their feet and receive instruction from them4 ,you said right1 reverend ,sir1 when you said 8,i was but a young divine40 ,indeed ,i am a novice in the things of ,,god4 ,i can only say1 that ,i desire to know the whole will of ,,god1 that ,i may communicate it to others4 ,,christ is so good a master1 that ,i would have all men drawn after him4 ,he is pleased to let me experience daily teachings of his blessed spirit1 and to show me the riches1 freeness1 and eternal duration of his love4,but as yet ,i only see men as trees walking4 ,oh pray1 reverend ,sir1 that the ,,lord would again touch me1 and enable me to see all things clearly4 ,i desire it only for the good of his church4 ,reverend ,sir1 into what a lethargy is the christian world fallen6 ,foolish and wise virgins are all slumbering and sleeping4 ,it is high time for all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus to lift up their voices like trumpets1 and to give warning of the bridegroom's coming2 many ,i hope are already alarmed4,philadelphia people receive the gospel gladly4 ,here1 indeed1 has been some little opposition1 and therefore ,i hope success will be given to the word1 and what has been done in ,england1 the journal sent with this will inform you4 ,oh reverend ,sir1 ,i beseech you give thanks for me with your whole heart4 ,entreat the ,,lord that ,i may be kept humble and dependent upon our dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,,god willing1 in about seven months ,i hope to see ,new ,england in my return to ,europe4 ,an effectual door is there opened1 and no wonder that there are many adversaries4 ,shortly ,i expect to suffer for my dear master4 ,may ,i not deny him in that hour6 ,if you would please to favour me with a line1 ,i should be glad to continue this correspondence1 and acquaint you from time to time how the work of ,,god goes on4 ,mr4 ,n will convey any thing you shall send4 ,may the ,,lord richly reward both him and you1 for your love to ,the most unprofitable of all his servants1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxviii4 ,new ,york1 ,nov4 #af1 #agci4 ,rev4 ,sir1 ,,mr4 ,n1 and the report of your sincere love for our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 embolden me to write this4 ,i rejoice for the great things ,,god has done for many souls in ,northampton4 ,i hope1 ,,god willing1 to come and see them in a few months4 ,the journal sent with this1 will shew you what the ,,lord is about to do in ,europe4 ,now is the gathering time4 ,a winnowing time will shortly succeed4 ,persecution and the power of religion will always keep pace4 ,our ,,lord 's word begins to be glorified in ,america4 ,many hearts gladly receive it4 ,oh ,rev4 ,sir1 it grieves me to see people1 every where ready to perish for lack of knowledge4 ,i care not what ,i suffer1 so that some may be brought home to ,,christ4 ,i am but a stripling1 but the ,,lord chooses the weak things of this world to confound the strong4 ,i should rejoice to be instructed by you4 ,mr4 ,n will convey a letter to me,may the ,,god of all grace give you all peace and joy in believing6 ,may he increase you more and more1 both you and your children6 ,may you every day be feasted1 and built up with fresh anointings of his blessed spirit6 ,and by your fervent prayers1 may you be enabled to hold up the hands of1 reverend ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother1 fellow labourer and servant in our dear ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxix4 ,new ,york1 ,nov4 #af1 #agci4 ,hon4 ,mother1 ,,last night ,,god brought me hither in health and safety4 ,i must not omit informing you of it4 ,here is likely to be some opposition1 and consequently a likelihood that some good will be done4 ,new friends are raised up every day whithersoever we go2 the people of ,philadelphia have used me most courteously1 and many ,i believe have been pricked to the heart4 ,,god willing1 ,i leave this place next ,monday1 and in about a fortnight think to set out for ,virginia by land4 ,in about a twelvemonth1 ,i propose returning to ,england2 expect then to have the happiness of seeing me suffer for my master's sake4 ,oh that ,,god may enable you to rejoice in it6 ,if you have the spirit of ,,christ you will rejoice1 if not1 you will be sorrowful4 ,oh my honoured mother1 my soul is in distress for you3 ,flee1 flee ,i beseech you to ,,jesus ,,christ by faith4 ,lay hold on ,him1 and do not let ,him go4 ,,god hath given you convictions4 ,arise1 arise1 and never rest till they end in a sound conversion4 ,dare to deny yourself4 ,my honoured mother1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 dare to take up your cross and follow ,,christ4 ,i am1 honoured mother1 your ever dutiful though unworthy son1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxx4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,p4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,,have been much concerned since ,i saw you1 lest ,i behaved not with that humility toward you1 which is due from a babe to a father in ,,christ3 but you know1 reverend ,sir1 how difficult it is to meet with success1 and not be puffed up with it1 and therefore if any such thing was discernible in my conduct1 oh pity me1 and pray to the ,,lord to heal my pride4 ,all ,i can say is1 that ,i desire to learn of ,,jesus ,,christ to be meek and lowly in heart2 but my corruptions are so strong1 and my employ so dangerous1 that sometimes ,i am afraid4 ,but wherefore do ,i fear8 ,he that hath given me himself1 will he not freely give me all things8 ,by his help then ,i am resolved to ask till ,i receive1 to seek till ,i find1 and to knock till ,i know myself4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i have had a sweet retirement to search out my spirit and bewail the infirmities of my public ministrations4 ,alas6 who can hope to be justified by his works8 ,my preaching1 praying1 c4 are only splendida peccata4 ,the blood of ,,christ applied to my soul by a living faith1 is the only thing that can render them acceptable4 ,this is the doctrine which you1 reverend ,sir1 have been enabled to preach1 and for which no doubt you have suffered reproach3 ,but you are now almost at your journey's end4 ,yet a little while1 and you shall enter into your ,master's joy4 ,in the mean while the ,,lord1 ,i am persuaded1 will keep you as the apple of his eye4 ,he will not forsake you when you are grey-headed1 and your strength faileth you4 ,the moment you are ripe for our common ,master1 he shall translate you to glory2 ,i pr1 sequar4 ,i am a child2 ,i must be tutored and made meet by sufferings to be a partaker of the heavenly inheritance with the saints in light3 ,but ,i am persuaded ,,god will for ,,christ's sake finally save1 reverend ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,brother ,j41 ,,indeed ,i love you4 ,why8 ,because ,i hope you are an ,israelite indeed2 and one of those babes to whom it has been our ,,lord's good pleasure to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of ,,god4 ,it is special2 it is a distinguishing gift4 ,be humble1 dear ,james1 be humble4 ,talk little1 and think much4 ,a wise man will guide his words with discretion4 ,be zealous for your dear ,master4 ,let a zeal for his honour even eat you up2 but then beg of ,,god that it may be according to knowledge4 ,stand fast in the liberty wherewith ,,christ hath made you free1 and be not again entangled with a yoke of bondage4 ,join not one of your works with your faith1 in order to justify you before ,,god3 ,and if ,,god gives you a spirit of prayer and supplication1 fear not to pray as the spirit gives you utterance4 ,man may deride1 but ,,christ will approve and accept you4 ,dear ,james1 you see ,i do not forget you4 ,i hope your little society increases1 and that the ,,lord will always be adding to it such as shall be saved4 ,salute them all most kindly in my name4 ,exhort them to continue in the grace of ,,god1 and to pray for1 dear ,james1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,s41 ,,has the ,,lord yet heard your prayer8 ,often have ,i heard you say1 8,oh6 that ,i had received the faith60 ,as often1 to the best of my knowledge1 have ,i said1 8,amen40 ,ere now1 ,i hope our common ,master has fulfilled all your petitions1 and given you your heart's desire4 ,if not1 what hinders8 ,our ,,lord doth not want power1 for he is ,almighty2 he does not want a will1 for he invites you to come unto him4 ,search your heart1 and see what is the reason the ,king of glory does not enter in4 ,is it too full of the world8 ,renounce it4 ,do you not ask often enough8 ,resolve to ask oftener4 ,do you look too much to some who say they have received faith1 but do not bring forth good fruit8 ,henceforward look only to ,,god and your own soul4 ,or do you not know the reason8 ,ask our ,,lord to shew you1 and indeed he will2 for he hath promised to fulfil the desires of them that fear him4 ,your ,cousin can assure you of this4 ,oh follow him1 as he does ,,christ1 and you will be as happy as your heart can wish4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,s1 ,i am1 with all possible thanks for past favours1 ,your obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxiii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,martha ,b4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,i ,call you not ,martha1 but ,,mary1 for ,i hope you have chosen the better part1 which shall not be taken from you3 ,and yet not so properly may you be said to chuse1 as the ,,lord to have chosen you2 for we love ,,god1 because he first loved us4 ,i can trace my conversion through its several steps1 but cannot find one step ,i first took towards ,,god4 ,i have been a backslider from my very infancy4 ,had not ,,god called after me1 and by his spirit said unto me1 as unto ,adam1 8,where art thou8 ,into what a dreadful condition hast thou plunged thyself80 ,i should have fled from him 7if possible7 for ever4 ,i am persuaded you1 my dear ,sister1 can readily say the same2 for otherwise how can we truly value our ,,lord's redeeming blood8 ,how can we relish the doctrine of ,,god's free grace1 and our being freely justified by faith which is in ,,christ ,,jesus8 ,oh let us beg of ,,god to teach us these divine truths more and more1 7for he alone can teach them7 and let us lay out ourselves to teach them to others4 ,you are happy in being in fellowship with some1 who ,i hope will be ready1 if need be1 to seal these truths with their blood4 ,be humble1 my dear ,sister1 be humble2 and cease not to pray for ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxiv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,h41 ,,rachel brings me glad tidings3 ,she tells me the ,,lord hath touched your heart by the power of his word1 and that your relations have threatened to cast you out for our ,,lord's sake4 ,rejoice and be exceeding glad4 ,if you endure to the end1 and naked follow a naked ,,christ1 great shall be your reward in heaven4 ,there is no being a christian without enduring contempt2 no being happy hereafter1 without suffering reproach here4 ,the world can only love its own4 ,as they hate ,,god1 so they must hate those that are desirous to be like him3 ,but be not dismayed2 ,,christ's strength shall be magnified in your weakness3 ,a living faith will support you under all4 ,when your father and mother forsake you1 the ,,lord will take you up4 ,the greatest foes you will find to be those of your own heart4 ,subdue these1 and outward crosses will affect you but little4 ,to conquer yourself will be a laborious task2 but if you believe1 ,,jesus ,,christ shall even do this for you4 ,get out of yourself1 rely wholly on1 and be a co-worker with him1 and he shall be to you wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification1 and redemption4 ,rachel greatly wishes this1 but not more sincerely than ,your friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxv4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,p41 ,,what a divine sympathy and attraction is there between all those who by one spirit are made members of that mystical body1 whereof ,,jesus ,,christ is the head6 ,i loved your departed wife1 now with ,,god4 ,i love your daughter1 and the church in your house1 in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,blessed be ,,god that his love is so far shed abroad in our hearts1 as to cause us to love one another1 though we a little differ as to externals3 ,for my part1 ,i hate to mention them4 ,my one sole question is1 ,are you a christian8 ,are you sealed by ,,christ's spirit to the day of redemption8 ,are you hungering and thirsting after the perfect1 everlasting righteousness of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,if so1 you are my brother1 my sister1 and mother4 ,i desire to love you as myself4 ,this is my temper2 ,i am persuaded it is your's4 ,why otherwise did you so gladly receive me into your house8 ,the ,,lord reward you and the rest of your christian brethren4 ,indeed ,i am present with you in spirit1 and wish you good luck in the name of the ,,lord4 ,o be not slack to praise him in my behalf2 for ,i have experienced some rich anointings of his holy spirit1 and have been made to see more into the wonders of redeeming love4 ,did ,i know more of your names1 ,i would write to more4 ,this is my comfort1 ,i trust our names are written in the book of life4 ,yet a little while1 and we shall sit down together in the kingdom of our ,father4 ,a place1 though on a lower form1 is1 ,i humbly hope1 prepared for ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxvi4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h41 ,,if ,i remember1 you used to express a great value for my person and doctrine1 otherwise why should you desire a line from such a wretch as ,i am8 ,when ,i look into myself1 and consider how poor and miserable1 and blind and naked my soul is1 ,i wonder that any one should pay me the least regard4 ,but what shall we say8 ,,god will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy4 ,i am entirely indebted to free grace for all ,i have1 am1 or shall be4 ,you also1 ,i trust1 dear ,sir1 are ready to subscribe to this2 for what have we but what we have received8 ,what should we have been had ,,god left us to ourselves8 ,oh let a sense of this free1 distinguishing love constrain us to obedience3 ,a christian needs no other motive4 ,that is a true gospel-faith which works by love4 ,i often think it almost presumption to think of rewards in a future state2 my ,master amply rewards me in this3 ,but present mercies are only earnests of future favours4 ,be not therefore1 dear ,sir1 weary of well-doing1 for in due time we shall reap1 if we faint not4 ,the ,,lord hath multiplied his favours towards me since ,i saw you last4 ,we have had a long but pleasant and profitable voyage4 ,oh sing praises unto our ,,god in behalf of1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxvii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,a41 ,,these words of the psalmist1 8,let us rejoice in the strength of our salvation10 often come with great power and comfort upon my soul4 ,you and ,i need take much notice of them3 ,for otherwise how often should we have fallen away from ,,god since our first looking ,zion-wards8 ,but the ,,lord as he loves us freely1 so he will heal our backslidings4 ,he neither will let us fall into sin or error1 so as finally to destroy our souls4 ,,god forbid this should encourage us in sin4 ,it is only intended to support us in danger1 and to strengthen us under temptations4 ,since there is such infinite mercy with ,,god1 it is a cogent reason why he should be loved and feared2 but not why he should be disobeyed3 ,and since ,,god has lately led you out of delusion1 be more watchful over yourself1 my dear ,sister1 to follow those who truly shew you the way of salvation4,to hear of your standing stedfast in the ,,lord1 will highly delight ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,r4 ,e4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,rev4 and ,dear ,sir1 ,,the cordial and tender love which ,i bear you1 will not permit me to neglect any opportunity of sending to you4 ,i bless the ,,lord from my soul1 for raising you and several other burning and shining lights to appear for him in this midnight of the church4 ,my heart has been much warmed during my voyage1 by reading some of your sermons1 especially that preached before the associate presbytery4 ,i long more and more to hear the rise and progress of your proceedings1 and how far you would willingly carry the reformation of the church of ,scotland4 ,there are some expressions which ,i suppose will be interpreted to your disadvantage1 both by your domestic and foreign enemies4 ,i should be glad to know who are those martyrs to which you refer1 and of what nature those covenants were which you mention in your sermon4 ,my ignorance of the constitution of the ,scotch church is the cause of my writing after this manner4 ,i should be obliged to you1 if you would be pleased to recommend to me some useful books1 especially such which open the holy sacrament2 for in ,,god's law is my delight4 ,boston's fourfold ,state of ,man ,i like exceedingly4 ,under ,,god it has been of much service to my soul4 ,i believe ,i agree with you and him in the essential truths of christianity4 ,i bless ,,god1 his spirit has convinced me of our eternal election by the ,father through the ,son1 of our free justification through faith in his blood1 of our sanctification as the consequence of that1 and of our final perseverance and glorification as the result of all4 ,these ,i am persuaded ,,god has joined together2 these1 neither men nor devils shall ever be able to put asunder4 ,my only scruple at present is1 8,whether you approve of taking the sword in defence of your religious rights80 ,one of our ,english bishops ,i remember1 when ,i was with him1 called you ,cameronians4 ,they1 ,i think1 took up arms1 which ,i think to be contrary to the spirit of ,,jesus ,,christ and his apostles4 ,some few passages in your sermon before the presbytery1 ,i thought were a little suspicious of favouring that principle4 ,i pray ,,god your next may inform me that ,i am mistaken3 ,for when zeal carries us to such a length1 ,i think it ceases to be zeal according to knowledge4 ,dearest ,sir1 be not angry at my writing thus freely4 ,i love1 ,i honour you in the bowels1 and for the sake of ,,jesus ,,christ1 from my soul4 ,i wish you good luck in all your pious undertakings4 ,i pray ,,god to prosper the works of your hands1 and to make you a noble instrument in bringing many sons to glory4 ,pray send an immediate answer1 directed as usual1 and care will be taken to have it remitted to1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate brother1 friend1 fellow-labourer1 and obliged servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxxxix4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,brother1 ,,it is much upon my heart to send you a line4 ,although you are not with me1 yet as ,,god was pleased to touch you by my unworthy ministry1 ,i love you with a peculiar love4 ,business prevented my writing to you when in ,yorkshire4 ,i was sorry to hear that ,brother ,j had reason to blame your conduct4 ,my dear brother1 be not offended1 if in the meekness and gentleness of ,,christ1 ,i exhort you to be sober-minded4 ,follow after1 but do not run before the blessed ,spirit2 if you do1 although you may benefit others1 and ,,god may over-rule every thing for your good1 yet you will certainly destroy the peace of your own soul4 ,,god has been pleased to call you by his grace1 and to give you joy in the ,holy ,ghost3 ,but1 my brother1 ,i hope it will be more settled and substantial1 and joined with meekness and humility of heart4 ,a joy which is the result of inward trials1 and flowing from a long experience of the buffeting of satan4 ,such a joy will make you apt and fit to teach1 and keep you from being puffed up above measure4 ,it will exalt1 at the same time as it humbles your soul4 ,the ,,lord direct my dear brother in all things3 ,i wish all his servants were prophets2 but let every one be rightly persuaded of his call to public teaching4 ,it is dangerous to touch the ark1 though it be falling1 without a commission from above4 ,but no more4 ,i am ,your most affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxl4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b41 ,,your kind present of flour has been of singular use to me and my family2 ,i pray ,,god1 in return1 to feed you with that bread which cometh down from heaven4 ,you are one of my first and choicest friends4 ,you have not been ashamed to own me1 or to attend on my ministry4 ,it will wonderfully rejoice me1 to see you exalted at our ,,lord's right-hand in a future state4 ,the way you know4 ,,jesus ,,christ is the way1 the truth1 and the life4 ,through faith in his blood shall you have free access into the holy of holies4 ,i hope dear ,mr4 ,b4 is not in the number of those1 who want to make a ,saviour of their own works1 and thereby deny the ,,lord1 who has so dearly bought them with his precious blood3 ,no1 ,i am persuaded you are more noble4 ,mr4 ,b has not so learnt ,,christ4 ,he is willing1 ,i trust1 to ascribe his salvation to ,,god's free grace1 and to let ,,jesus ,,christ be all in all4 ,i hope your brother1 and those young men you brought with you out of ,spittlefields1 are likewise thus minded4 ,though absent1 yet ,i do not forget them4 ,o exhort them from me1 to save themselves from this untoward generation4 ,my dear friend1 do you go before them1 and let them learn of you how to walk with ,,god4 ,it is a difficult thing to be a christian indeed4 ,numbers are ,pharisees1 and do not know it4 ,i pray ,,god you may be delivered from them1 and be made experimentally to know that no one can call ,,jesus ,,christ 8his ,,lord10 till he has really received the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i could dwell on this1 but other business obliges me to hasten to subscribe myself1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxli4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,reverend ,sir1 ,i ,,am not willing to go on shore till ,i have performed my promise1 and sent you a line4 ,i heartily wish ,i could write something which might advance the glory of ,,god and the good of his church4 ,as we both profess ourselves ministers of the gospel1 these two things ought to be our chief and only concern1 and more especially at this time1 when men seek their own and not the things of the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 the care of souls ,i find to be a matter of the greatest importance4 ,you have a great number committed to your charge4 ,what a dreadful thing will it be for any of them to perish through your neglect8 ,and yet ,i fear1 ,sir1 you do not walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called4 ,it is no good report that ,i hear of you in common life4 ,your practice contradicts your doctrine1 and what good can you do1 if every one of your parishioners1 whilst you are preaching1 may reply1 8,physician heal thyself80 ,besides1 ,sir1 how can you preach ,,christ to others1 when you are a stranger to his power yourself8 ,it is next to impossible4 ,i make no apology for this plainness of speech4 ,simplicity becomes embassadors of ,,christ4 ,i am1 reverend ,sir1 ,your obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,dear ,mr4 ,g41 ,,indeed ,i love you1 though it was so long before ,i came to see you4 ,want of time1 not of respect1 was the cause4 ,,god is my judge how earnestly ,i long after your salvation1 and how willingly ,i would spend and be spent in order to promote it4 ,oh how closely does true faith in ,,jesus ,,christ our head1 knit all his members in love to one another2 what a divine harmony and attraction is there between them1 when they have drank into and been made partakers of one and the same spirit8 ,how does the love of ,,god dilate and enlarge their hearts6 ,how do all little distinctions about externals fall away1 and every other name is swallowed up in the name of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,this1 my dear brother1 is that catholic spirit1 which will cement all denominations of sincere professors together4 ,this is the spirit of which free distinguishing grace has made you a partaker1 and which ,i pray ,,god we both may partake of every day more and more4 ,he is faithful who has promised1 who also will do it4 ,i find it is not in vain that we have believed in ,,jesus4 ,he is ,,god1 and his work is perfect2 his love is like himself unchangeable2 his gifts and callings are without repentance1 and therefore1 though ,i am but a babe in ,,christ1 yet ,i am persuaded ,i shall see you crowned with glory4 ,then1 my dear brother1 we shall have time enough together4 ,then1 there will be no parting1 no fear of falling2 but we shall drink eternally of those pleasures which flow from ,,god's right hand for evermore4 ,supported with this hope1 what hinders but ,i may come once again1 when the ,,lord permits1 and offer ,,christ's everlasting righteousness to poor perishing sinners4 ,the devil and his servants will rage horribly1 and perhaps cast me into prison1 nay1 put me to death3 ,but if you will come and visit me1 by the help of my ,,god1 ,i will preach to you even there2 for ,i am not ashamed of the gospel of ,,christ4 ,i have felt it to be the power of ,,god unto my salvation4 ,oh1 my brother1 the fire kindles whilst ,i am writing2 but ,i must have done4 ,pray salute those dear souls that ,i spoke to at your house1 and all other friends4 ,entreat them to pray and give thanks for me2 and assure them they are not forgotten by ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxliii4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #bh1 #agci4 ,mr4 ,h1 ,,as you stand so nearly related to your daughter1 who is with me1 though ,i am unknown to you in person1 yet ,i make bold to send you a line to inform you of her welfare4 ,i find she did not confer much with you about her intended voyage2 but ,i hope both you and her will have great reason to rejoice in the end4 ,,god has been pleased to visit her with some illness1 but now she is perfectly recovered4 ,what is best of all1 ,i hope her soul prospers1 and is fitting more day by day for the enjoyment of ,,god4 ,this was the chief end of her going abroad1 and give me leave to tell you1 this is the chief thing you ought1 and must pursue at home4 ,but why do ,i say at home8 ,a christian hath no home but heaven4 ,he is a stranger and pilgrim while here on earth4 ,i hope you know better1 ,mr4 ,h1 than to think you was born to drive a team1 or plough a piece of ground4 ,these things must be done1 but then they should be done in subordination to the care of your better part1 the soul4 ,your daughter tells me1 you are now grey headed4 ,take heed1 dear ,mr4 ,h1 to make your calling and election sure4 ,rest not in outward things4 ,do not flatter yourself that you are a christian1 because you go to church1 and do no one any harm4 ,nothing but a living faith in ,,christ ,,jesus our dear ,,lord1 can qualify you for eternal life4 ,without this1 ,,god will be to us a consuming fire2 and unless we are born again1 and made new creatures in ,,christ1 we never shall enter into the kingdom of ,,god4 ,if you know not what ,i mean by these terms1 you may depend upon it1 you are a stranger to this new-birth1 and consequently in a state of death3 but you need not fear2 even at the eleventh hour ,,christ will accept you1 if you come to him by faith4 ,he hath shewn mercy to your son and daughter4 ,why may he not shew mercy to their father also8 ,whosoever cometh to him1 he will in no-wise cast out4 ,haste then1 dear ,sir1 out of your spiritual ,sodom4 ,linger not4 ,nothing will more rejoice your dear children1 than to see you brought to an experimental knowledge of the truth1 that you may be saved4 ,for their sakes1 you are particularly remembered by ,your unknown but sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxliv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,p4 ,upper ,marlborough 7,mary ,land7 ,dec4 #h1 #agci4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,till now1 ,i have neither had leisure nor freedom to answer your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who has opened the hearts of some of his people at ,new ,york to receive the word4 ,may he enable you to water what his own right hand hath planted1 and grant to your labours a divine increase6 ,indeed ,i wish you good luck in the name of the ,,lord4 ,i wish all his servants were prophets4 ,oh that he would be pleased to send forth experimental labourers into his harvest3for ,i fear amongst you1 as well as in other places1 there are many who are well versed in the doctrines of grace1 having learned them at the university1 but notwithstanding are heart-hypocrites1 and enemies to the power of godliness4,dear ,sir1 ,i use this freedom1 because ,i love simplicity4 ,i confess ,i am but a child in grace1 as well as years4 ,pardon this freedom1 for out of the fulness and sincerity of my heart my pen writeth4,i thank your son and dear ,mr4 ,s for what they did on my account4 ,alas1 ,i fear they think too highly of me4 ,oh dear ,sir1 entreat the ,,god of all grace to give me humility1 so shall success not prove my ruin4 ,my most cordial respects and hearty thanks attend dear ,mrs4 ,p1 ,i pray ,,god in all things to make her a help meet for you,as fast as ,i can snatch a few moments from public business1 more ,new ,york friends may expect to hear from me,a sense of their favours is still upon my heart,i would willingly remember them1 whenever ,i go in and out before the ,,lord4 ,mr4 ,n's letter1 and my next journal1 will acquaint you1 how the ,,lord ,,jesus has been getting himself the victory1 since ,i left ,new ,york,there has been such little opposition1 that ,i have been tempted almost to cry out1 8,satan1 why sleepest thou80 ,but ,,god pities my weakness4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 thank him in my behalf1 for indeed he deals most lovingly with1 ,rev4 ,sir1 ,your most unworthy brother and fellow-labourer1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlv4 ,upper ,marlborough1 ,dec4 #h1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,cannot defer writing to dear ,mr4 ,n any longer4,this afternoon ,,god brought us hither4 ,some are solicitous for my staying here to-morrow4 ,as it seems to be a call from providence1 ,i have complied with their request4 ,oh that ,i may be enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet1 and to speak with the demonstration of the spirit and with power4 ,these parts are in a dead sleep4 ,at ,anapolis1 ,i preached twice1 and spoke home to some ladies concerning the vanity of their false politeness4 ,but alas1 they are wedded to their ,quadrille and ,ombre4 ,the minister of the place was under convictions,he wept twice1 and earnestly begged my prayers4 ,he will not frighten people ,i believe with harsh doctrine1he loves to prophesy smooth things4,,god blessed the word wonderfully at ,philadelphia4 ,i have great reason to think many are brought home to ,,god4 ,when ,i return1 it will then be seen1 who has received the word into an honest and good heart4 ,by the divine assistance1 ,i propose revisiting ,philadelphia1 ,new ,york1 and to go as far as ,boston1 and so return to ,georgia1 before ,i take shipping again for ,england,the ,,lord direct my going in his way6 ,about ,may you may expect to see me4 ,my dear friend1 pray that ,i may so improve the time of my absence1 that at my return my progress may be made known to all men4 ,it shames me to see what little proficiency ,i have made in the school of ,,christ4 ,if ,i do not begin to press forwards1 how shall ,i appear before my blessed ,,lord8 ,i feel myself to be the chief of sinners2 surely never was a greater instance of redeeming distinguishing love4 ,,god forbid that ,i should glory in any thing but free grace3 had not ,,god plucked me as a brand out of the fire1 ,i had now either been given over to a reprobate mind1 or cast into a place of torment4 ,oh help me1 help me1 dearest ,mr4 ,n1 help me to be thankful1 and accept my thanks1 though late1 for all favours received when at ,new ,york4 ,indeed ,i love you in the bowels of our dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,salute your dear wife my kind hostess3 exhort her to be severely kind to her little boy4,my most cordial respects attend all who ask after me4 ,entreat them to continue their prayers1 dearest ,mr4 ,n1 for ,your weak1 but affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,b4 ,upper ,marlborough1 ,dec4 #h1 #agci4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,gratitude obliges me to send you a letter of thanks for your last kind present1 and all other favours2 but the love of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ constrains me to write to you1 exhorting you earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,i humbly hope the ,,lord has been pleased to bless my coming in these parts to many1 and amongst them to you also4 ,it rejoiced me to find dear ,mr4 ,b was convinced that ,i preached the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,it pleased me exceedingly1 to find how his eyes were opened to see the direct contrariety there is1 between the spirit of ,,christ and the spirit of the world4 ,what has my dear friend now to do1 but to prosecute these convictions1 and never rest till they end in a sound conversion4 ,,god has given you richly all things to enjoy4 ,be persuaded henceforward not to be so cumbered about the many trifles of this life1 as to neglect the one thing needful1 ,dare1 ,sir1 to be singularly good1 ,oh dare to let your light shine before men,be not ashamed of ,,christ and his gospel4 ,come out from your carnal acquaintance1 and live as becomes a true follower of our ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i hope will join with you4 ,,god's spirit has been and is now striving with his heart4 ,i pray ,,god to make this the accepted time1 and cause it to be the day of his salvation4 ,how will it fill me with joy at my return to ,philadelphia1 to see dear ,mr4 ,b and some other excellent well-meaning people1 whom ,i love1 become despised followers of the ,lamb of ,,god4 ,if my prayers may be any ways assisting1 as ,,god shall enable me you may depend on them,our dear friend ,b can inform you what ,,god has done for us1 since we saw you4 ,one favour more ,i beg of you2 give thanks as well as pray for ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlvii4 ,to ,captain ,b4 ,williamsburgh1 7,virginia7 ,dec4 #ae1 #agci4 ,,hither ,,god brought us last night2 ,i trust the same gracious being1 by his good providence1 has conducted you safe to ,philadelphia4 ,i cannot say1 ,i have met with so much as even an almost christian1 since ,i parted from you1 till ,i came to ,colonel ,whiting's,there1 ,,god put in my way a planter1 that is seeking to know the way of ,,god more perfectly,he is now with us1 and ,i hope our conversation will be blessed unto him4 ,oh dear ,mr4 ,b1 strive1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus1 strive to enter in at the strait gate4 ,,god of late has loudly called you,take heed that neither the lust of the eye1 the lust of the flesh1 nor the pride of life prevail on you to lie down in a carnal security again4 ,i am confident you will be most heartily despised1 if you are a real christian2 but dear ,mr4 ,b's resolution will be built on a better foundation1 than to let a little breath blow it down4 ,in ,,christ is your strength2 look up to him day by day1 and as your day is1 so shall your strength be4 ,i fear and pray for you4 ,,god only knows1 how often you have been upon my heart4 ,we have not failed interceding for you at the throne of grace4 ,i shall be much mistaken1 if ,mr4 ,b does not prove a christian indeed4 ,about ,may ,i propose1 ,,god willing1 to be with you again4 ,then ,i shall rejoice to sit and hear you tell what ,,god has done for your soul,be not afraid of conviction4 ,be not afraid of inward feelings4 ,now pray to the ,,lord ,,jesus1 to lay the ax of mortification to the root of your heart4 ,make thorough work with it4 ,do not spare yourself in the least4,now is the accepted time1 and that it may be the day of salvation1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,your obliged affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,g ,t4 ,williamsburgh1 ,dec4 #ae1 #agci4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,be not angry because you have not heard from me4 ,indeed ,i love and honour you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,you are seldom out of my thoughts2 but till now ,i have not had liberty given me1 to send you a line,i trust the work goes on gloriously in your parts4 ,the hand of the ,,lord brought wondrous things to pass1 before we left ,pensilvania2 but in these parts satan seems to lead people captive at his will4 ,the distance of the plantations prevents people's assembling themselves together4,here are no great towns1 as in other provinces1 and the commonalty is made up of ,negroes and convicts1 and if they pretend to serve ,,god1 their masters1 ,pharaoh like1 cry out1 8,ye are idle1 ye are idle40 ,last night ,i read the affecting account of your brother ,john2 let me die1 ,o ,,lord1 the death of that righteous man1 and let my future state be like his6 ,o my dear friend1 my brother1 entreat the ,,lord that ,i may grow in grace1 and pick up the fragments of my time1 that not a moment of it may be lost4 ,teach me1 oh teach me the way of ,,god more perfectly4 ,rebuke1 reprove1 exhort me with all authority,i feel ,i am but a babe in ,,christ4 ,i long to know more of the holy ,,jesus4 ,he has manifested himself to my soul1 both in a way of humiliation and exaltation4 ,since ,i saw you1 both his rod and staff have comforted me4 ,at present1 he makes me young and lively as an eagle2 ,i only wish ,i was more worthy to subscribe myself ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxlix4 ,to ,mrs4 ,c4 ,newton1 ,cape ,fear1 ,dec4 #bh1 #agci4 ,my dear ,sister in ,,christ1 ,,just now we have been singing the hymn1 which we sung at ,broad-oak2 and as ,i generally do at such seasons1 ,i thought of that happy time wherein we sung it in your great hall4 ,it was a time much to be remembered1 an anticipation1 ,i believe1 of that blessed time when we all shall meet to sing the song of the ,lamb in the heavenly ,jerusalem,for the adoption of the spirit1 if truly received1 is the earnest of our promised inheritance4 ,we are sealed thereby to the day of redemption1 and therefore may give both men and devils the challenge to separate us1 if they can1 from the love of ,,god which is in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord,i am verily persuaded1 that since ,i left you1 all things have worked together for your good4 ,as ,i am travelling1 often does my soul think both of you and yours1 and out of the fulness of my heart1 do ,i often pour forth this or such like petitions1 8,dearest ,,lord1 be for ever gracious to the houshold of 60 ,my conscience hath smote me frequently1 for not writing you a longer letter4 ,i send this to ask pardon1 and to assure you how often you and your daughters are upon my heart1 when ,i go in and out before the ,,lord,i long to hear how the ,,lord ,,jesus hath magnified his strength in your weakness4 ,it would fill a volume to tell his goodness and truth2 and my base ingratitude sometimes comes with such conviction upon my heart1 that ,i can scarce forbear getting off my horse1 and humbling myself in the way side4 ,indeed1 ,i am the chief of sinners1 and yet overflowing hath the ,,lord ,,jesus been in his love4 ,you will hear more soon by the journal which will be sent4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,c1 my love to all4 ,your affectionate though unworthy brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cl4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #af1 #agdj4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,with much pleasure 7tho' not till last week7 ,i received your kind affectionate letter4 ,i thank you for it with all my soul1 and pray ,,god to reward you for this1 and all other your works of faith and labours of love4 ,you may depend on my not being prejudiced against you or your brethren1 by any evil report4 ,they only endear you to me more and more2 and were your enemies to represent you as black as hell1 ,i should think you were the more glorious in the sight of heaven4 ,your sweet criticisms and remarks upon my journal and sermons1 were exceeding acceptable1 and very just4 ,i assure you1 dear ,sir1 ,i am fully convinced of the doctrine of election1 free justification1 and final perseverance4 ,my observations on the ,quakers1 were only intended for those particular persons with whom ,i then conversed4 ,the tenets of the quakers in general1 about justification1 ,i take to be false and unscriptural4 ,your adversaries need take no advantage against you1 by any thing ,i have written2 for ,i think it every minister's duty to declare against the corruptions of that church to which they belong1 and not to look upon those as true members of their communion1 who deny its publick constitutions4 ,this is your case in ,scotland1 and ours in ,england4 ,i see no other way for us to act at present1 than to go on preaching the truth as it is in ,,jesus2 and then if our brethren cast us out1 ,,god will direct us to take that course which is most conducive to his glory1 and his people's good4 ,i think ,i have but one objection against your proceedings2 8,your insisting only on presbyterian government1 exclusive of all other ways of worshipping ,,god40 ,will not this1 dear ,sir1 necessarily lead you 7whenever you get the upper-hand7 to oppose and persecute all that differ from you in their church government1 or outward way of worshipping ,,god8 ,our dear brother and fellow-labourer ,mr4 ,g ,t thinks this will be the consequence1 and said he would write to you about it4 ,as for my own part1 7though ,i profess myself a minister of the church of ,england7 ,i am of a catholic spirit2 and if ,i see a man who loves the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 ,i am not very solicitous to what outward communion he belongs4 ,the kingdom of ,,god1 ,i think1 does not consist in any such thing4 ,these are my sentiments1 dear ,sir1 and ,i write them out of love,i am ashamed 7because only a babe in ,,christ7 to pretend as it were to direct2 but true friendship needs no apology4 ,,god is doing great things in ,america4 ,my journal1 which ,i send over with this1 will shew you what he has done already4 ,your welfare is much upon my heart1 and as ,i am enabled1 ,i make mention of you in my prayers4 ,affairs of the ,orphan-house go on well4 ,some few1 even here1 love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 pray for us1 and especially for ,your weak unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cli4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #bb1 #agdj4 ,my ,hon4 ,friend and ,brother in ,,christ1 ,,your last letter quite confounded me4 ,what am ,i1 that ,i should be thus highly favoured6 ,i can only say1 that 8,less than the least of all ,,god's mercies10 shall be my motto still4 ,i have experienced many inward trials1 since ,i saw you last4 ,but ,i find they work continually for my good4 ,i rejoice in what our dear ,,lord ,,jesus has done for your soul4 ,may a double portion of his blessed spirit rest upon you2 may our glorious ever-blessed ,emanuel cause all his glory to pass before you1 and may you be filled with all the fulness of ,,god6 ,since my arrival here1 ,i have received a sweet endearing instructive letter from ,mr4 ,ralph ,e2 ,i have answered it1 and told him you promised to write about the necessity of a catholic spirit4 ,dr4 ,c also has favoured me with a loving epistle4 ,i have received and read his sermons since ,i saw you3 they are acute and pointed1 but ,i think not searching enough by many degrees,my dear brother1 ,i love writers that go to the bottom,,god willing1 ,i hope to be with you at the synod,but what think you8 ,i am sometimes doubting1 whether ,i shall have sufficient matter given me to preach upon4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 8,o thou of little faith6 wherefore dost thou doubt8 ,as thy day is1 so shall thy strength be40 ,michael and the dragon1 ,i hear1 are carrying on war most bravely in ,england4 ,i really believe we shall not die1 till we see the kingdom of ,,god come with power4 ,the affairs of the orphan-house are in great forwardness4 ,i have much to say2 but time and business will not permit4 ,blessed be ,,god1 eternity is at hand1 and then we shall have time enough4 ,i have read some of your books to my great profit4 ,i want to be taught the way of ,,god more perfectly all the day long4 ,my tenderest respects await the brethren2 my dear fellow-travellers salute you,you are often remembered both by them1 and ,your affectionate though very weak and unworthy brother1 servant and fellow-labourer in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #bd1 #agdj ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,received your kind1 though undeserving letter1 and now snatch a few moments from my other avocations1 in order to send you a short answer4 ,may ,,god who knits the elect in one communion and fellowship1 sanctify our friendship and correspondence to the stirring up each other to love and to good works6,it pleased me to find you breathe so catholic a spirit4,o that bigotry and party zeal were not so much as once named amongst us1 as becometh saints6 ,since ,,christ is not divided in himself1 why should christians be divided one amongst another8 ,bigotry1 ,i am sure1 can never be the fruit of that wisdom which cometh from above4,no1 it is earthly1 sensual1 and devilish4 ,when ,i come to ,new ,england ,i shall endeavour to recommend an universal charity amongst all the true members of ,,christ's mystical body4 ,perhaps therefore1 the fields may be the most unexceptionable place to preach in4 ,you and your brethren1 ,i am persuaded1 will follow our ,,lord even without the camp1 and rejoice to bear his sacred reproach4 ,assist me1 dear ,sir1 in your prayers1 that my coming may be in the fulness of the gospel of peace,i shall come only with my sling and with my stone4,if the ,,lord shall be pleased so to direct me1 that ,i may strike some self-righteous ,goliahs to the heart1 ,i know you will rejoice with1 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,yours most affectionately in the love of our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cliii4 ,to ,mr4 ,w4 ,d4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother in ,,christ1 ,,blessed be ,,god1 for the good report ,i hear of your zeal for our dear ,emanuel4 ,go on1 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus2 go on1 and ,i am persuaded the pleasure of the ,,lord shall prosper in your hands4 ,if ,i am thrown aside as a broken vessel1 so ,i see you and others stirred up to carry on our dear ,,lord 's kingdom1 if my heart does not deceive me1 ,i shall rejoice1 yea1 and will rejoice4 ,,god blesses the affairs of the orphan-house4 ,the work is large1 but we have omnipotence for our support4,i believe ,i shall take in near fifty children4 ,,god lets me see every day1 that he orders my goings4 ,he visits me with inward trials2 but if ,i had not such thorns in the flesh1 what would become of me8 ,fear not to speak the truth2 if driven out of ,england1 here is a noble range for you in ,america4 ,at present ,i am restrained2 but ,i could not rest1 without letting you have a line from ,your most affectionate friend brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cliv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,d4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,dear ,madam1 ,i ,rejoice to hear that you are likely to be cast out of your mother's ,will only for following ,,christ4 ,this may be only the beginning of temptations4 ,,god1 ,i believe1 out of love will try you to the uttermost4 ,you have drank deep of heavenly comforts2 you must pledge our ,,lord in his cup of sufferings4 ,those who saw him on mount ,tabor afterwards were with him in the garden4 ,but fear not,the ,,lord is with you,neither men nor devils shall hurt you4 ,the sweet communion we have had with ,,god1 and through him with one another1 often comforts my soul4 ,who knows1 but that time may be again repeated8 ,indeed1 ,i want words as well as time to express with what thankfulness ,i desire to subscribe myself1 dear madam1 ,your unworthy brother and obliged servant in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clv4 ,to ,captain ,m4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,rejoice to hear of your good health1 and take this opportunity of sending you ,mr4 ,law's and ,mr4 ,haliburton's life2 which ,i pray ,,god to sanctify to your benefit and comfort4 ,i hope you will watch over your heart1 and take care to keep up those convictions1 which ,,god once put into your soul4 ,i am afraid of ,mr4 ,b4 ,the world1 the world ,i fear has got hold of him4 ,dear ,captain ,m1 ,i trust1 will not desert his ,master4,i am sure he would die1 rather than prove false to an earthly prince4,oh let him not desert his dear ,redeemer's colours4 ,dear ,sir1 beg of ,,god to root out of your heart a desire for that honour which cometh of man4 ,till dead to the world you will not be alive to ,,god4 ,honour1 falsely so called1 has destroyed millions4 ,that you may be never carried away with1 or ruined by it1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your's1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clvi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,t4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,my dear and honoured ,brother1 ,,blessed be ,,god1 who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants4,i am abased to think what our all-gracious ,redeemer hath done by my unworthy hands1 and rejoice to hear that he is working by your's4 ,oh that you may experience fresh anointings and teaching from above6 ,o that you may be strengthened by ,,god's mighty power in the inner man1 and pull down satan's strong-holds daily4 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be with you at the ,synod4 ,i find as yet ,i scarce know any thing2 but if ,i give out of my little stock1 ,i trust the ,,lord will increase it1 as he did the little lad's loaves and fishes4 ,my journal1 which ,i have sent to ,philadelphia1 will tell you what ,,god has done in ,maryland and ,virginia4 ,a foundation of great things ,i believe is laying here4 ,oh pray that a sense of his own littleness1 may be given to ,your affectionate1 though unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clvii4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,i ,rejoice to hear that you are enabled to see not only the freeness but eternal duration of ,,god's grace4 ,till the sinner is convinced of this1 ,i am persuaded he can neither work from a principle of true love1 nor give ,,jesus ,,christ the honour due unto his name4 ,he must always be making his salvation to depend partly at least on his own doings2 8,if ,i do so and so1 ,,jesus ,,christ will give me his grace30 ,but can any believer who knows himself1 help confessing1 that after he had received grace1 he should have finally fallen from it1 had the continuance of it depended on his own will8 ,indeed1 my dear ,sister1 nothing so much comforts my own soul as the thought that ,,god will never leave me nor forsake me2 if he does1 it must be for my unworthiness3 ,but on that account it cannot be2 for he never chose me on account of my unworthiness4 ,he loved me freely1 he prevented me by his grace2 he chose me from eternity1 he called me in time1 and ,i am persuaded will keep me till time shall be no more4,this consideration makes my faith to work by love4 ,now1 ,i can live not barely upon my frames1 which notwithstanding are blessed things1 but on the promises4 ,now1 ,i can go on my way rejoicing1 and1 amidst all dejections1 lift up my head in prospect of a certain and exceeding weight of glory4 ,though ,i fall1 ,i know ,i shall rise again2 for he that is brought truly to believe on ,,jesus ,,christ1 his faith shall never die4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus will not suffer to be lost the purchase of his blood4 ,he knew for whom he died1 and neither men nor devils shall ever pluck them out of his hands4 ,such as have been taught most of ,,god1 ,i find1 are thus minded4 ,and ,i am persuaded were the effects of our ,,lord's redemption to depend on a man's own compliance1 or was the continuance of ,,god's grace to depend solely on man's improvement1 ,,jesus ,,christ would have died in vain4 ,adam could not stand in paradise when left to his own free-will1 how then can we8 ,no1 blessed be ,,god1 our salvation is put into better hands than our own4 ,,jesus ,,christ has purchased not only wisdom1 righteousness1 and sanctification1 but also eternal redemption for us4 ,let this thought1 my dear ,sister1 lift up our hands when they hang down1 and strengthen our feeble knees2 ,,god's gifts and callings are without repentance4 ,there is no condemnation to them that are truly in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,and ,i write thus peremptorily to you1 because ,i find now you are able to bear it4,blessed be ,,god6 my dear ,sister1 flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you4 ,i hope ere long our brethren will lay all carnal reasoning aside1 and see and preach the truth in this respect1 as it is in ,,jesus4 ,my kindest love to your sister4,what ,i write to one1 ,i write to both4 ,the ,,lord direct your going in his way1 and cause you to continue instant in prayer for ,your weak brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clviii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,elizabeth ,w4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,i ,have been just reading over your letter1 and felt a sweet sympathy with the writer4 ,oh that it may increase till we are filled with all the fulness of ,,god6 ,some passages in your letter were dangerous to my soul4 ,whenever you see any growth of grace1 pray that ,i may grow in humility in particular4 ,oh that ,i was lowly in heart6 ,honour and dishonour1 good report and evil report would then be alike1 and prove a furtherance to me in my christian cause4,i believe the time is shortly coming in which ,i am to endure something for my ,,lord and ,master2 then will ,i cry out1 ,who is on the ,,lord's side8 ,nothing supports me under a prospect of a trying time1 so much as a sense of ,,god's everlasting love4 ,i am persuaded1 that neither men nor devils shall ever pluck me out of his ,almighty hands4 ,let this support you1 my dear ,sister1 in your change of life4 ,wherever you are1 ,i am confident you will have reason to say1 8,surely ,,god is in this place40 ,that you may wax stronger and stronger1 and ripen daily for glory1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate brother and servant in our dear ,emanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j4 ,n4 ,savannah1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agdj4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,hope you will excuse my not answering your kind letter sooner4,the many avocations that at present surround me1 prevented it4 ,i rejoice to hear that our ,,lord ,,jesus is getting himself the victory in the hearts of poor sinners4 ,i hope many will now rejoice in his salvation4 ,one good sign is1 that he has employed the meanest1 as well as vilest wretch1 that he ever yet sent forth4,when ,i hear that any good is done by my unworthy hands1 it almost makes me to blush4,oh that ,i could humble myself in the dust1 that the ,,lord alone may be exalted in his strength4 ,i purpose to revisit ,new-,york at the appointed time4 ,you told me1 8,our ,,lord has not sent me into his vineyard at my own charge40 ,indeed1 ,i always find he furnishes me with things convenient3 ,nay1 he is often so abundant in goodness and truth1 that ,i am obliged to cry out in holy admiration1 8,my ,,lord and my ,,god60 ,dear ,sir1 help me to be thankful4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the ,orphan-house affairs succeed well4 ,many souls will be redeemed by it from temporal1 and ,i trust1 from eternal bondage4 ,i have taken in upwards of twenty children already1 and ,i take in more daily4,i am building a large house1 have many servants1 and a good stock of cattle4 ,it will cost much money4,but our ,,lord will see to that4 ,my friends at ,new-,york will assist me when ,i come amongst them4 ,oh that my coming may be in the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of peace6 ,i am persuaded1 you will not be wanting in your prayers on behalf of1 dear ,sir1 ,your obliged friend and servant in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clx4 ,to ,mrs4 ,elizabeth ,d4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #a1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,sister in ,,christ1 ,i ,generally observe that whom the ,,lord loves1 for the most part he keeps from preferment4,your grandmother cannot do any more than she is permitted4 ,it is ,,god's free grace alone1 that has made the difference between us and others4 ,oh that we were duly sensible of electing love6 ,indeed it must necessarily constrain us to obedience4 ,i am glad you like ,boehm4 ,his works are truly evangelical1 and afford sweet nourishment to the new-born soul4 ,the nearer we come to ,,god1 the better we shall relish searching books4 ,it is an evident sign of a false heart1 when it is unwilling to be probed4 ,blessed be ,,god1 you are not thus minded4 ,i trust the ,,lord ,,jesus has apprehended you1 and will henceforward never let you go4 ,o that ,i may hear of your growth in grace1 and of your zeal for the ,,lord ,,of ,,hosts4,you do well to go about doing good2 your ,master did so before you4 ,dare1 dear ,miss1 to follow his good example1 and never fear the revilings of men4 ,set your face as a flint against all the adversaries of our ,,lord2 for shortly you shall tread all your enemies under feet4 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,saviour1 to keep up a close walk and communion with ,,god4 ,nothing else can preserve you from idols2 and you know when once the soul is off its watch1 the devil makes sad ravages in it4 ,there is nothing ,i dread more than having my heart drawn away by earthly objects4,when that time comes1 it will be over with me indeed2 ,i must then bid adieu to zeal and fervency of spirit1 and in effect1 bid the ,,lord ,,jesus to depart from me4 ,for alas1 what room can there be for ,,god1 when a rival hath taken possession of the heart8 ,oh my dear ,sister1 pray that no such evil may befal me4 ,my blood runs cold at the very thought thereof4 ,i cannot1 indeed2 ,i cannot away with it4 ,in a multiplicity of business1 have ,i wrote you these lines4 ,i thank you for your kind letter1 and hope ,i shall always retain a grateful sense of the many favours ,i have received from your dear family4 ,my kindest respects attend your sister2 ,i long to hear of her being brought into the glorious liberty of the children of ,,god4 ,how does your father8 ,oh that he may have a well-grounded interest in ,,christ6 ,how does my dear brother ,charles8 ,i pray ,,god to fill him with all joy and peace in believing4 ,and how does your little sister8 ,dearest ,redeemer1 keep her unspotted from the world6 ,my heart is now full4 ,writing quickens me4 ,i could almost drop a tear1 and wish myself1 for a moment or two1 in ,england4 ,but hush1 nature3 ,,god here pours down his blessings on ,your sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d4 ,r4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #d1 #agdj4 ,my reverend and dear ,brother1 ,i ,received your kind letter just on my arrival at this place4,my journal1 which ,i suppose you will have read ere this reaches ,wales1 can best inform you what ,,god hath done for my own and other people's souls4,even here1 he is pleased to be with and assist us4 ,the ,orphan- house goes on bravely4 ,i believe ,i shall take in near fifty children before ,i return to ,england4 ,he that feedeth the young ravens which call upon him1 will not suffer them to want4,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord ,,jesus is so publicly confessed among your countrymen4,if the ,,lord is pleased to send me1 ,i shall gladly take a tour into ,wales4,in this time of retirement1 ,i expect many inward conflicts4 ,how otherwise shall ,i be prepared for future mercies8 ,experience of ,,god's work upon our own souls1 is the best qualification to preach it effectually to others4 ,in about two months ,i take another tour round ,america4 ,the gospel1 ,i believe1 will come with power in these parts4 ,i expect to suffer in the flesh for what hath been done already3 ,but what have we to do with the consequences of performing our duty8 ,leave them to ,,god4 ,oh1 my dear brother1 pray for me that my faith fail not1 and then ,i care not what persecution befals ,your weak unworthy brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,h4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #d1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,will this find you in prison or not8 ,your last letter 7which ,i received upon my arrival here7 gave me some expectations that ere long you would be both in prison and bonds4 ,by and by1 ,i shall follow perhaps4,the ,,lord sanctify all his dispensations to us1 and make us not only willing to be bound1 but even to die for the sake of our dear ,master4 ,when ,i read how my letters1 c4 are blessed to your comfort1 it quite confounds me4 ,oh the free-grace of ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord6 ,my dear ,brother1 let us continue instant in season and out of season4,let us continually preach up free-grace1 though we die for it2 we cannot lose our lives in a better cause4 ,as ,i am enabled1 ,i remember you at the throne of grace2 in general ,i sigh out my prayers4,but the spirit1 ,i trust1 makes intercession for me with groanings that cannot be uttered4 ,i have not had much enlargement in preaching1 since ,i have been here2 but my heart is often weighed down1 and torn to pieces with a sense of my desperately wicked and deceitful heart4 ,i can subscribe to what you say1 8,was ,,god to leave me to myself1 ,i should be eminent for1 and a ring-leader in sin40 ,i sometimes think my heart is more vicious and perverse than any one's2 and yet ,,jesus ,,christ will come and dwell in me4,methinks ,i hear you say1 8,glory be to free grace3 ,all praise be given to electing love40,let all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus say1 ,amen6 ,pray write to me as often as possible4,,god1 ,i believe1 is laying a foundation for great things in ,georgia4 ,i am building a large house1 and taking in many children4 ,wrestle with ,,god in behalf of1 ,brother1 ,your's eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #d1 #agdj4 ,,how is it with your heart8 ,i hope the ,,lord ,,jesus leads you on from conquering to conquer1 and gets himself the victory every day4 ,i cannot but think that hereafter great things will be done in ,america4 ,,god seems to have given some earnests of it already4 ,my next journal will acquaint you what they are4 ,it often pleases me1 to reflect how ,,christ's kingdom is securely carried on in spite of men and devils1 and that too by the weakest instruments in different parts of the world4 ,surely we shall unite at last1 and that glorious time will come1 when1 with one heart and with one voice1 we shall sing praises to him who sitteth upon the throne for ever4 ,a glorious epiphany1 ,i trust1 will shortly be made in the hearts of many souls4 ,my dearest ,brother1 let us do or suffer any thing1 so we may be made instruments of beginning and carrying on so divine a work4 ,as for my own part1 ,i often stand astonished at the riches of free distinguishing grace1 and ,i often feel myself so great a sinner1 that ,i am tempted to think1 nothing can be blessed which comes from such unhallowed hands and lips2 but yet the ,,lord is with me1 and attended his word with mighty power on ,christmas day4 ,pray remember me to all friends4 ,i expect you will receive the letters ,i sent from ,philadelphia1 ere this comes to hand4 ,i depend on seeing your journal1 and hope you will accept of my most cordial love from1 dearest ,brother1 ,your's eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,g4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #d1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,what shall ,i say to your kind letter8 ,i bless the ,,lord for awakening you to see the necessity of trusting in a better righteousness than your own1 and ,i adore him for making use of so mean an instrument as ,i am4 ,it is a plain proof that the power is not of man1 but of ,,god alone4 ,labour1 dear ,sir1 to keep up these convictions in your heart4 ,now ,,god has called you1 take care of lying down again4,be always trimming your lamp1 as though you were in expectation every moment to meet the heavenly ,bridegroom4,search more and more into the corruption of your heart1 and never rest till ,,god's spirit witnesseth with your spirit1 that you are a child of ,,god4 ,let the deadness of those around you1 excite your zeal4 ,see that you are a burning and a shining light in the midst of such a crooked and perverse generation4,and let a sense of ,,god's distinguishing love to you above others1 excite you to distinguish yourself by your obedience2 still remembering that the ,,lord ,,jesus is our whole and everlasting righteousness4 ,that we both may be found in him1 is the hearty prayer of ,your sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,savannah1 ,feb4 #bi1 #agdj4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,with great pleasure ,i answer your kind letter1 and earnestly pray that ,,god would be pleased to sanctify our correspondence4 ,it rejoices my soul1 when ,i find a clergyman that loves our ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,it is with regret that ,i speak against any of the sacred function2 but when their preaching and walk are directly contrary to the gospel of our ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,i cannot but speak to them1 as well as to the laity4 ,to the best of my knowledge1 ,i preach the truth as it is in ,,jesus1 and simply aim at bringing souls to him4 ,blessed be his free grace for the success he hath been pleased to give me4 ,not unto me1 not unto me1 but unto his holy name be all the glory6 ,daily ,i am convinced1 that ,,god's hand is not shortened,he blesses me here as well as elsewhere4 ,the ,orphan-house is in great forwardness4 ,i feed near an hundred mouths daily1 and am assured ,i serve a ,,god who will supply all our wants4 ,it would rejoice me to see you at ,savannah1 if your business will permit4,i can now provide things convenient for your reception4,in about six weeks ,i propose1 ,,god willing1 to go northward4,if you can1 pray favour me with your company before that time4,my friends will rejoice to hear and see you4,they join with me in affectionate respects to yourself and ,mrs4 ,j4 ,i have sent you a few little tracts1 and long for opportunities to convince you1 reverend and dear ,sir1 how sincerely ,i subscribe myself ,your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxvi4 ,to ,captain ,h4 ,m4 ,savannah1 ,march #b1 #agdj4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,with pleasure ,i received your kind letter last night1 and immediately prayed1 that ,,god would never leave you before he had finished the good work begun in your heart4 ,he has given you a rational1 ,i hope ere long1 he will give you a spiritual conviction of sin and of ,,christ4 ,when that comes1 all opposition will fall before it4 ,the world will be as nothing in your eyes1 and you will act like a soldier of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,indeed1 dear ,sir1 ,i travail as it were in birth1 till ,,jesus ,,christ be thoroughly formed within you4 ,if ,i do not forget my promise1 ,i do not forget your favours4,i make mention of you in my prayers4 ,linger not1 dear ,sir1 but haste out of your spiritual ,sodom4 ,flee1 flee to ,,jesus ,,christ1 whose sacred blood has made an atonement for sinners4 ,lay hold on his everlasting righteousness1 and chuse rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,,god1 than to enjoy any thing which this world may afford1 for a season4 ,accept the sermons ,i have herewith sent1 and believe me to be1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,james ,s4 ,march #b1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,s41 ,,blessed be ,,god1 that you are yet alive as to your body2 blessed be ,,god1 that some sparks of divine light are yet discernible in your soul4 ,indeed1 ,i have been frequently distressed for you and your companions1 lest satan1 through the corruption of your hearts1 and the deceitfulness of worldly business1 should get an advantage over you4 ,oh watch1 my dear friend1 watch unto prayer2 keep close to ,,god through a living faith in his dear ,son2 forget not your first love2 forget not a bleeding ,,god2 forget not that time1 when your soul was about to take its last flight4 ,o that ,i may meet you in triumph at the last day6 ,providence thwarts my seeing you4 ,adieu2 write as often as you can4 ,you have my prayers1 and as a token of my love1 be pleased to accept this letter and the books sent with it1 from ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxviii4 ,to the ,hon4 ,j4 ,w4 ,savannah1 ,march #aj1 #agdj4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,yesterday1 after public worship1 ,i received with pleasure your kind letter1 and was immediately ready to cry out1 ,why do so many of my ,,lord's servants take notice of such a dead dog as ,i am4 ,surely sovereign1 rich1 and free grace was never exalted more than in the mercy shewn to me1 who am in truth the unworthiest of the sons of men4,honoured ,sir1 it rejoices me to hear that there are so many at ,new ,england1 who love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 and dare to shine as lights in the world amongst a crooked and perverse generation4,i wish they may be all ,aquila's and ,priscilla's to me1 and teach me the way of ,,god more perfectly2 for ,i long to grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of my ,,lord and ,saviour ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,oh he is a sweet master2 even here do ,i feel his blessed influences1 and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory4,he is often with us in the midst of his sanctuary1 and much succeeds the ,orphan-house4,i have digged low1 and intend to build it high1 because ,i have a great ,,god to pay the charges4 ,i have about thirty-six children which ,i maintain and cloath1 and have upwards of forty persons more who are employed in the work4 ,the plantation is in great forwardness4,many families are kept here by my employing them1 and ,i hope to see many a youth bred up for ,,god2 for ,i design to breed up for the ministry1 all that at any time ,i shall perceive to be renewed by the ,holy ,ghost1 and endued with suitable natural abilities4 ,the work1 ,i am persuaded1 is of ,,god1 and ,i know he will raise up instruments to support it4 ,let him chuse whom seemeth him good4,in about three months1 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be near1 or at ,new ,england4 ,i thank you from my soul1 honoured ,sir1 for your kind invitation2 but1 ,i believe1 am pre-engaged to one ,mr4 ,sd4 ,the ,,lord reward both him1 and all others who receive me in his name6 ,i have not yet received the books1 which you was pleased to send me1 because they are sent to the southward1 but ,i expect them daily1 and doubt not of their being profitable4 ,i know not how to express my gratitude for your great condescension in writing to me1 but that ,i may always behave so as not to be ashamed of subscribing myself ,your obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,savannah1 ,march #bf1 #agdj4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,since ,i returned here1 ,i received your letter and journal4,i thank you for both1 and shall wait almost with impatience to see a continuance of your account of what ,,god is doing or has done amongst you,he knows my heart1 ,i rejoice in whatever ,,god has done by your hands4 ,i1 pr1 sequar1 etsi non passibus equis4 ,i could now send a particular answer to your last2 but1 my honoured friend and brother1 for once hearken to a child1 who is willing to wash your feet4 ,i beseech you by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord1 if you would have my love confirmed towards you2 write no more to me about misrepresentations wherein we differ4 ,to the best of my knowledge at present1 no sin has dominion over me1 yet ,i feel the strugglings of indwelling sin day by day2 ,i can therefore by no means come into your interpretation of the passage mentioned in the letter1 and as explained in your preface to ,mr4 ,halyburton,the doctrine of election1 and the final perseverance of those that are truly in ,,christ1 ,i am ten thousand times more convinced of1 if possible1 than when ,i saw you last,you think otherwise3 why then should we dispute1 when there is no probability of convincing8 ,will it not in the end destroy brotherly love1 and insensibly take from us that cordial union and sweetness of soul1 which ,i pray ,,god may always subsist between us8 ,how glad would the enemies of the ,,lord be to see us divided8 ,how many would rejoice1 should ,i join and make a party against you8 ,and in one word1 how would the cause of our common master every way suffer by our raising disputes about particular points of doctrines8 ,honoured ,sir1 let us offer salvation freely to all by the blood of ,,jesus2 and whatever light ,,god has communicated to us1 let us freely communicate to others4 ,i have lately read the life of ,luther1 and think it in no wise to his honour1 that the last part of his life was so much taken up in disputing with ,zuinglius and others2 who in all probability equally loved the ,,lord ,,jesus1 notwithstanding they might differ from him in other points4 ,let this1 dear ,sir1 be a caution to us1 ,i hope it will to me2 for by the blessing of ,,god1 provoke me to it as much as you please1 ,i do not think ever to enter the lists of controversy with you on the points wherein we differ4 ,only ,i pray to ,,god1 that the more you judge me1 the more ,i may love you1 and learn to desire no ones approbation1 but that of my ,,lord and master ,,jesus ,,christ4,ere this reaches you1 ,i suppose you will hear of my late excursion to ,charles ,town4 ,a great work ,i believe is begun there4 ,enclosed ,i have sent you ,mr4 ,garden's letters,they will serve to convince you1 more and more1 of the necessity you lie under to be instant in season and out of season4 ,oh1 dear honoured ,sir1 ,i wish you as much success as your own heart can wish4 ,was you here1 ,i would weep over you with tears of love1 and tell you what great things ,,god hath done for my soul1 since we parted last4 ,indeed and indeed1 ,i often and heartily pray for your success in the gospel3 ,may your inward strength and outward sphere increase day by day6 ,may ,,god use you as a choice and singular instrument of promoting his glory on earth1 and may ,i see you crowned with an eternal and exceeding weight of glory in the world to come6 ,this is the hearty desire of1 honoured ,sir1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,w4 ,savannah1 ,march #bf1 #agdj4 ,,and how does dear ,mr4 ,wal8 ,his letter lies by me1 and ,i now am inclined to answer it4 ,my dear brother1 how do you feel your heart8 ,is it grown sick of original and actual sin8 ,is it grown sick of unbelief and self-righteousness8 ,is it closely united to the holy ,,jesus8 ,do you feed on him in your heart by faith8 ,and do you receive of his fulness day by day8 ,i ask these questions1 because ,i want to see you write of the inward life1 and to hear you talk of your having a feeling possession of your ,,god4 ,for he that believeth aright1 hath the witness within himself4 ,how do the brethren8 ,i hope there is no more saying 8,i am of ,paul10 or 8,i am of ,apollos10 but that you are only desirous of being one in ,,christ4 ,i pray for1 though distant from you4 ,i believe ,i am preparing a place for many4 ,our work goes on bravely4 ,i have near forty little ones now in my house4 ,some of them ,i trust will be effectually wrought upon1 and made christians indeed4 ,we all live in love and unity1 and most ,i hope are seeking after ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he is pleased from time to time to manifest himself to my soul1 and to shew me how unworthy ,i am of the least mercy4 ,shortly ,i shall go northward1 to preach the gospel and collect fresh contributions for my orphans4 ,,god has given me an earnest of what he will do in ,america1 by the large collection that was made at ,charles ,town,i live every day in expectation of hearing from my ,london friends4 ,my brother1 the captain1 refreshed my soul with glad tidings and letters from ,bristol4 ,,god gave me great comfort and satisfaction in conversing with him1 and ,i hope he will be a christian indeed4 ,adieu4 ,all salute you and the brethren4 ,i am yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,b4 ,i4 ,savannah1 ,march1 #bh1 #agdj4 ,,how glad should ,i be of a letter from dear brother ,i8 ,when shall my soul be refreshed1 with hearing that the work of the ,,lord prospers in his hand8 ,i suppose before now you have received my letters1 and seen my journal1 and ,i believe ,,god is yet preparing great things for us4 ,many at ,charles-town1 lately were brought to see their want of ,,jesus ,,christ,next week1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose going to ,philadelphia1 and then perhaps may see ,england the latter end of this year1 or beginning of the next4 ,the orphan-house goes on bravely4 ,i have forty children to maintain1 besides workmen and assistants,the great housholder of the world does1 and will ,i am persuaded richly provide for us all4 ,the colony itself is in a very declining way4 ,but our extremity is ,,god's opportunity,our brethren ,i trust go forwards in the spiritual life4 ,i have often great inward trials,pray that ,i may be kept in all changes1 and seeming chances of this mortal life4 ,i believe it to be ,,god's will that ,i should marry4 ,one1 who may be looked upon as a superior1 is absolutely necessary for the due management of affairs4 ,however1 ,i pray ,,god1 that ,i may not have a wife1 till ,i can live as though ,i had none,you may communicate this to some of our intimates2 for ,i would call ,,christ and his disciples to the marriage4 ,if ,i am deluded1 pray that ,,god would reveal it to ,your most affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxii4 ,to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,d4 ,on board the ,savannah1 bound to ,philadelphia from ,georgia1 ,april #d1 #agdj4 ,my dear friends1 ,,since ,i wrote last1 we have buried our ,sister ,l4 ,rachel ,i left at ,philadelphia1 and sister ,t seems to be in a declining state2 so that sister ,a alone is like to be left of all the women which came over with me from ,england4 ,i find by experience1 that a mistress is absolutely necessary for the due management of my increasing family1 and to take off some of that care1 which at present lies upon me4 ,besides1 ,i shall in all probability1 at my next return from ,england1 bring more women with me3 and ,i find1 unless they are all truly gracious 7or indeed if they are7 without a superior1 matters cannot be carried on as becometh the gospel of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,it hath been therefore much impressed upon my heart1 that ,i should marry1 in order to have a help meet for me in the work whereunto our dear ,,lord ,,jesus hath called me4 ,this comes 7like ,abraham's servant to ,rebekah's relations7 to know whether you think your daughter1 ,miss ,e1 is a proper person to engage in such an undertaking8 ,if so2 whether you will be pleased to give me leave to propose marriage unto her8 ,you need not be afraid of sending me a refusal4 ,for1 ,i bless ,,god1 if ,i know any thing of my own heart1 ,i am free from that foolish passion1 which the world calls ,,love4 ,i write1 only because ,i believe it is the will of ,,god1 that ,i should alter my state2 but your denial will fully convince me1 that your daughter is not the person appointed by ,,god for me4 ,he knows my heart2 ,i would not marry but for him1 and in him1 for ten thousand worlds4,but ,i have sometimes thought ,miss ,e would be my help-mate2 for she has often been impressed upon my heart4 ,i should think myself safer in your family1 because so many of you love the ,,lord ,,jesus1 and consequently would be more watchful over my precious and immortal soul4 ,after strong crying and tears at the throne of grace for direction1 and after unspeakable troubles with my own heart1 ,i write this4 ,be pleased to spread the letter before the ,,lord2 and if you think this motion to be of him1 be pleased to deliver the inclosed to your daughter,if not1 say nothing1 only let me know you disapprove of it1 and that shall satisfy1 dear ,sir and ,madam1 ,your obliged friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxiii4 ,to ,miss ,e4 ,on board the ,savannah1 ,april #dth1 #agdj4 ,,be not surprised at the contents of this3,the letter sent to your honoured father and mother will acquaint you with the reasons4 ,do you think1 you could undergo the fatigues1 that must necessarily attend being joined to one1 who is every day liable to be called out to suffer for the sake of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,can you bear to leave your father and kindred's house1 and to trust on him1 7who feedeth the young ravens that call upon him7 for your own and childrens support1 supposing it should please him to bless you with any8 ,can you undertake to help a husband in the charge of a family1 consisting perhaps of a hundred persons8 ,can you bear the inclemencies of the air both as to cold and heat in a foreign climate8 ,can you1 when you have an husband1 be as though you had none1 and willingly part with him1 even for a long season1 when his ,,lord and master shall call him forth to preach the gospel1 and command him to leave you behind8 ,if after seeking to ,,god for direction1 and searching your heart1 you can say1 8,i can do all those things through ,,christ strengthening me10 what if you and ,i were joined together in the ,,lord1 and you came with me at my return from ,england1 to be a help meet for me in the management of the orphan-house8 ,i have great reason to believe it is the divine will that ,i should alter my condition1 and have often thought you was the person appointed for me4 ,i shall still wait on ,,god for direction1 and heartily intreat him1 that if this motion be not of him1 it may come to nought4,i write thus plainly1 because1 ,i trust1 ,i write not from any other principles but the love of ,,god4,i shall make it my business to call on the ,,lord ,,jesus1 and would advise you to consult both him and your friends,for in order to attain a blessing1 we should call both the ,,lord ,,jesus and his disciples to the marriage,i much like the manner of ,isaac's marrying with ,rebekah1 and think no marriage can succeed well1 unless both parties concerned are like-minded with ,tobias and his wife,i think ,i can call the ,,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob1 to witness that ,i desire 8to take you my sister to wife1 not for lust1 but uprightly20 and therefore ,i hope he will mercifully ordain1 if it be his blessed will we should be joined together1 that we may walk as ,zachary and ,elizabeth did1 in all the ordinances of the ,,lord blameless4 ,i make no great profession to you1 because ,i believe you think me sincere4 ,the passionate expressions which carnal courtiers use1 ,i think1 ought to be avoided by those that would marry in the ,,lord4 ,i can only promise1 by the help of ,,god1 8to keep my matrimonial vow1 and to do what ,i can towards helping you forward in the great work of your salvation40 ,if you think marriage will be any way prejudicial to your better part1 be so kind as to send me a denial4 ,i would not be a snare to you for the world4 ,you need not be afraid of speaking your mind4 ,i trust1 ,i love you only for ,,god1 and desire to be joined to you only by his command1 and for his sake4 ,with fear and much trembling ,i write1 and shall patiently tarry the ,,lord's leisure1 till he is pleased to incline you1 dear ,miss ,e1 to send an answer to ,your affectionate brother1 friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,on board the ,savannah1 ,april #aj1 #agdj4 ,,it is now full time to answer your letter4 ,you acknowledge me the first instrument1 under ,,god 7for ever adored be the riches of his free grace7 of awakening you to the divine life3 and shall not ,i endeavour to quicken and inflame the heavenly spark infused into your soul8 ,,god forbid6 ,oh that my power was equal to my will6 ,how should my dear brother ,h glow with divine love1 and lean by faith on the bosom of his dearest ,redeemer6 ,but ,i trust ere now you have indeed received the ,holy ,ghost1 and know what it is to feast on a crucified ,,jesus4 ,does he not1 my dear brother1 often manifest himself sweetly to your panting soul8 ,does he not often teach you the hidden things of the kingdom of ,,god8 ,does he not tell you that he loves you1 and will suffer nothing to pluck you out of his almighty hand8 ,thus often is he pleased to manifest himself to me3 and who then dares despair8 ,no2 ,i can assure the worst1 the chief of sinners1 that ,,jesus ,,christ came to save them4 ,my dear brother1 here are glad tidings of great joy6 ,the fire kindles whilst ,i am musing4 ,oh let us call all to come and see ,him1 who has forgiven us all the sins that ever we committed4 ,is not this the ,,christ8 ,adieu4 ,my hearty and dearest love to all4 ,fail not writing to ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,c4 ,on board the ,savannah1 ,april #aj1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,you1 as well as your dear associates1 are much upon my heart4 ,i long to hear that you are advanced in grace1 and grown in the knowledge of ,,christ ,,jesus your ,,lord4 ,i say your ,lord2 for ,i hope1 ere now1 you can appropriate ,,christ to yourself1 and1 without the least diffidence or doubt1 cry out assuredly1 8,my ,,lord and my ,,god40 ,when the soul says this1 then1 but not till then1 is it truly married to the dear ,,lord ,,jesus2 then are we true children of the bridegroom1 and are real partakers of the supper of the ,lamb4 ,this1 this is faith3 this is believing2 not with the head2 not in notion only2 but with the heart1 indeed and in truth4 ,the soul now puts its amen1 and sets the seal to ,,god's everlasting promises2 it now soars upwards towards heavenly things1 and feels continually the invisible realities of another world4 ,though sometimes overshadowed by a cloud1 yet still it knows that its ,redeemer liveth1 and justifieth the ungodly4 ,it cannot doubt of his favour1 though sometimes he is pleased to withdraw his sensible presence4 ,the root of the matter is twisted round every faculty of the soul1 which daily is supported with this assurance1 that ,,christ can no more forsake the soul he loves1 than he can forsake himself4 ,oh my dear brother1 ,i find myself much carried out to write of that divine life1 that divine mystery of godliness1 the hidden kingdom of ,,god in the heart4 ,if any thing ,i can say1 or do1 or write1 may be any way serviceable to dear ,mr4 ,c1 it will much rejoice ,his most unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,b4 ,on board the ,savannah1 ,april #aj1 #agdj4 ,my dear1 dear ,friend1 ,i ,remember your words that day ,i took my leave of you1 with ,dr4 ,john ,s1 at ,london4 ,i have not forgotten you1 therefore do ,i now write a line to my dear ,mr4 ,b4 ,may the ,holy ,ghost come upon him1 and the power of the ,highest overshadow him2 and may our glorious ,redeemer never cease striving with him1 till he hath a witness within himself that he is a true child of ,,god4 ,oh1 when will you answer the character of your name-sake and forefather ,isaac6 ,when1 like him1 will my dear friend give himself up a whole burnt-offering unto the ,,lord6 ,may ,i hear that you have recovered your first love1 and are1 as formerly1 zealous of good works6 ,i think ,i never yet really doubted of your return4 ,if prayers to ,,god1 if entreaties to him1 can bring my dear friend back1 he shall not be led away captive by the world2 he shall1 he shall be a ,christian indeed4 ,i long to see you1 and till then shall wrestle with strong cryings and many tears with my dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 in your behalf4 ,i feel1 ,i feel ,,christ's love2 ,i can no more doubt of my interest in him1 than ,i can of the shining of the sun at noon day4 ,he fills1 he sweetens and gladdens my soul2 he loves me freely3 he will bring me to behold his glory4 ,i think ,i could now bid to men and devils defiance4 ,who is he that condemneth8 ,it is ,,christ that justifies1 who even now sitteth in heaven to make intercession for me4 ,you see1 my dear friend1 ,i am upon the mount4 ,i know not how to stop4 ,it is true1 ,i must come down2 but it is only that ,i may go up again1 and take a view of the heavenly ,canaan4 ,i am now near the port whither we are bound3 yet a little while1 and ,i shall be in heaven2 and shall ,i not meet my dear ,i there8 ,,god forbid6 ,no1 no2 ,i cannot bear the thought of it4 ,away1 my dear1 dear brother1 to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,lay hold on his everlasting righteousness3 look1 look unto him by faith1 and be saved4 ,call your dear wife to look also4 ,help1 oh help her in the great work of her salvation2 and breed up your dear child in the nurture and admonition of the ,,lord4 ,adieu4 ,my heart is full4 ,with sincerity ,i subscribe myself ,your's most affectionately in our dearest1 dearest ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,n4 ,on board the ,savannah1 ,april #aj1 #agdj4 ,my ,dear ,brother1 ,i ,have been a few days returned from ,charles-,town1 where our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,i trust1 has begun a glorious work4 ,many came to me under convictions1 and were made to cry out1 8,what shall we do to be saved80 ,the people were exceeding desirous of my return amongst them4 ,if ,i call there1 as ,i come northward1 it may prevent my being at ,new-,york so soon as was proposed4 ,the ,,lord direct my going in his way4 ,a ,fosterian ,preacher lost ground there4 ,i think you are not much to be blamed for going out of church2 but perhaps it might be better1 on another such occasion1 to hear the whole discourse1 and then go and converse with the preacher upon it2 otherwise a man may say1 you are angry1 and could not judge1 because you did not hear all4 ,praise is more dangerous than contempt3 but when our ,,lord's honour can be promoted by the display of our graces1 we need not fear4 ,his grace will be sufficient for us4 ,i know not what person it is that you would not have me be so open to1 unless it be ,mr4 4 ,i had rather be too open than too reserved4 ,simplicity much becomes the ,israel of ,,god4 ,a few days past1 with full assurance of faith1 ,i laid the first brick of our great house3 ,jeremiah bought land when the people were leading into captivity4 ,my family daily increase1 and1 blessed be ,,god1 as yet ,i am kept from doubting4 ,pray that my faith may never fail4 ,some of the ,germans in ,america are holy souls1 and deserve the character they bear4 ,they keep up a close walk with ,,god1 and are remarkable for their sweetness and simplicity of behaviour4 ,they talk little1 and think much4 ,most of them1 ,i believe1 are ,lutherans4 ,but where there is the image of my dear ,master1 there are my affections drawn4 ,this is the catholic spirit you breathe after3 the ,,lord1 ,i am persuaded1 will give it to your soul4 ,all that people do say of me1 affects me but little2 because ,i know worse of myself than they can say concerning me4 ,my heart is desperately wicked4 ,was ,,god to leave me1 ,i should be a remarkable sinner4 ,but redeeming love1 ,i believe1 will not let us go4 ,oh6 dear ,mr4 ,n4 pray1 and give thanks for me4 ,i daily taste that the ,,lord is gracious4 ,all things go on well4 ,my dear brethren salute you1 as does ,your affectionate1 unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s4 ,willingtown1 7,pensylvania7 ,april #ad1 #agdj4 ,,read where ,i am1 and judge whether or not ,i am a stranger and pilgrim upon earth4 ,yesterday1 after a short passage of ten days1 did ,,god bring us from ,georgia to ,new-,castle3 there ,i preached twice4 ,to-day ,i shall preach here1 and in the evening hope to reach ,philadelphia4 ,people are much alarmed already2 and great things1 ,i find1 ,,god has been pleased to do1 by what he enabled me to deliver when last here4 ,two ministers have been convinced of their formal state1 notwithstanding they held and preached the doctrines of grace4 ,one plainly told the congregation he had been deceiving himself and them1 and could not preach any more1 but desired the people to pray with him4 ,another is as a flame of fire1 and hath been much owned of ,,god4 ,an opposer reading my sermon1 in order to convince them ,i did not preach as ,mr4 ,t1 was much disappointed2 for power went along with the sermon1 ,,god's spirit fell on the people1 and formal opposers went affrighted away4 ,it is unknown what a glorious stir here is in the province4 ,many1 very many1 ,i believe1 of late have been brought savingly to believe on the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,the work much increases1 and here is employment for many months3 but ,i must return shortly to ,savannah4 ,a primitive spirit revives2 and many1 ,i hope1 will be brought to live stedfast in the apostles doctrine1 in fellowship1 and breaking of bread1 and in prayer4 ,perhaps dear ,mr4 ,s may be one of them4 ,pray how does that young man do8 ,is he deeply humbled1 and closely united to the dear ,,lord ,,jesus8 ,does he feel himself a poor sinner1 and daily experience the outgoing and incoming of the blessed spirit in the sanctuary of his heart8 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i do3 even whilst ,i am writing ,i feel his power4 ,i am persuaded ,i shall be more than conqueror over every evil1 through my ,redeemer's love4 ,oh6 my dear friend1 keep close to the dear ,,lord ,,jesus6 ,do not go without his leading1 and then you are safe1 though in the midst of devils4 ,adieu4 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxix4 ,to ,madam ,c4 ,new ,brunswick1 ,april #bg1 #agdj4 ,madam1 ,,all things go on well in ,americanay1 better than ,i dare ask1 or could think4 ,our ,,lord's kingdom comes with power4 ,it is amazing to see how ,,god is present in our assemblies3 ,i refer you to dear brother ,s for particulars4 ,my animal spirits are exhausted1 but ,i am filled within4 ,nature would sometimes cry out1 8,spare thyself20 but when ,i am offering ,,jesus to poor sinners1 ,i cannot forbear exerting all my powers4 ,oh that ,i had a thousand lives6 my dear ,,lord ,,jesus should have them all4 ,i long to be out of the body1 that ,i may love and serve him as ,i would3 but ,i must suffer before ,i can reign with him4 ,that you and ,i may never deny our ,,lord1 is the earnest prayer of1 ,madam1 ,your obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,m4 ,new ,brunswick1 ,april #bh1 #agdj4 ,,blessed be ,,god1 ,i can send you glad tidings of great joy4 ,our ,,lord ,,jesus is getting himself the victory in these parts4 ,the ,orphan-house affairs go forward beyond expectation4 ,i have upwards of forty children in my house at ,savannah1 near seventy persons in family1 and upwards of an hundred people to provide for every day4 ,as yet we want for nothing4 ,the great housholder of mankind gives us all things richly to enjoy1 and1 ,i am persuaded1 will provide for us whilst we trust in him4 ,i had rather live by faith1 and depend on ,,god for the support of my great1 and yet increasing family1 than to have the largest visible fund in the universe4 ,about five weeks ago the ,,lord stirred up the ,charles-,town people to contribute upwards of seventy pounds sterling towards the support of my little ones4 ,a glorious work was also begun in the hearts of the inhabitants2 and many were brought to cry out1 8,what shall we do to be saved80 ,a fortnight ago1 after a short passage of ten days1 ,i landed in ,pensylvania1 and have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing1 that my poor endeavours for promoting ,,christ's kingdom1 when there last1 were not altogether vain in the ,,lord4 ,i cannot well tell you how many have come unto me1 labouring under the deepest convictions1 and seemingly desirous of finding rest in ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,several have1 ,i humbly hope1 actually received him into their hearts by faith1 and have not only righteousness and peace1 but also joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in short1 the word hath run and been much glorified2 and many ,negroes also are in a fair way of being brought home to ,,god4 ,i daily receive fresh and most importunate invitations to preach in all the adjacent countries4 ,,god is pleased togive a great blessing to my printed ,sermons3 they are now in the hands of thousands in these parts1 and are a means1 under ,,god1 of enlightening and building up many in their most holy faith4 ,since such an effectual door is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel1 you will not be surprized if ,i acquaint you there are many adversaries4 ,the ,clergy1 ,i find1 are greatly offended at me4 ,the commissary of ,philadelphia1 having got a little stronger party than when ,i was there last1 has thrown off the mask1 denied me the pulpit1 and last ,sunday preached up an historical faith1 and justification by works4 ,but people only flock the more to me4 ,the power of ,,god is more visible than ever in our assemblies2 and more than ever before are convinced that ,i preach the doctrine of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,some few bigotted self-righteous ,quakers also1 now begin to spit out a little of the serpent3 they cannot bear the doctrine of original sin1 or of imputed righteousness as the cause of our acceptance with ,,god4 ,one calls original sin 8original nonsense20 and several have been to me1 under the apprehension of being thrust out1 for owning and confessing what ,i take to be the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,,god has now brought me to ,new ,brunswick1 where ,i am blessed with the conversation of ,mr4 ,g ,t4 ,indeed he is a good soldier of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and ,,god is pleased in a wonderful manner to own both him and his brethren4 ,the congregations where they have preached have been surprizingly convicted and melted down4 ,they are unwearied in doing good1 and go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor sinners to come in4 ,yesterday also ,i heard of two ministers in ,long ,island1 near ,new-,york1 who had large communications from ,,god1 and have been instrumental in bringing many souls to ,,christ4 ,i could add more2 but ,i must away3 the people are waiting for a spiritual meal4 ,they fly to the doctrine as doves to the windows1 and ,i trust the ,,lord is now reviving his work in the midst of the years4 ,with great difficulty ,i have redeemed time to send you these few lines4 ,i hope you and the rest of my dear friends continue to pray for me3 for ,i believe never was so weak a wretch sent on such an important errand4 ,but when ,i am weak1 then am ,i strong4 ,my bodily strength1 by frequent journeying and continued speaking1 sometimes fails me2 but the ,,lord quickens and strengthens me by his mighty power4 ,the more ,i am opposed1 the more joy ,i feel2 and the first fruits of ,,god's spirit1 which he hath imparted to my soul1 are so sweet1 that ,i almost with impatience wait till ,i reap a full harvest in the fruition of my ,,god4 ,continue1 ,i beseech you1 to intercede for me2 and rest satisfied that both you and my other ,english friends are always remembered by ,yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxi4 ,to ,w4 ,s4 ,esq4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #ai1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,know very well what it is to part from a friend which is as one's own soul2 and therefore could in some measure sympathize with you in what you felt when parting from me4 ,the good ,,lord sanctify my friendship to you1 and grant we may go hand in hand to heaven4 ,one of the inclosed papers will shew you the event of what you inserted 7unknown to me7 in the ,news4 ,however1 be not disheartened2 ,,god shall make even this to work together for your good4 ,the war between ,michael and the dragon has much increased4 ,mr4 ,c has preached most of his people away from him4 ,he lashed me most bravely the ,sunday before ,i came away4 ,mr4 ,a also preaches against me4 ,mr4 ,c did not come to take his leave of me2 and ,mr4 ,j is very inveterate4 ,now ,i believe our ,,lord's kingdom will come with power4 ,at ,new-,york the word ran4 ,twice or thrice our ,,lord appeared for us in a most glorious manner4 ,mr4 ,t and his brethren glow with divine warmth2 and ,i have conversed with one of the ministers of ,long ,island1 whom ,,god has lately sent forth3 he is a sweet zealous soul4 ,last week1 at ,nottingham and ,mr4 ,b's1 how did ,,god manifest his glory6 ,we had about twelve thousand hearers2 and such a melting1 such a crying1 7they say7 was scarcely ever seen4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the devil's children begin to throw off the mask4 ,i want to draw the lingering battle on4 ,at ,philadelphia affairs go on better and better2 only ,satan now begins to throw many into fits4 ,i have generally preached twice and rode near thirty miles a-day since you left me4 ,the ,,lord hath been my support1 and has often so melted me with a sense of his free1 sovereign1 and everlasting love1 that some thought ,i was giving up the ghost4 ,oh never let go your sense of ,,god's sovereign1 everlasting love6 ,it is food to my poor soul4 ,was it not for that1 surely ,i must sink under the prospect of the labours and sufferings that are before me4 ,my dear brother1 ,what is the ,,lord doing in these parts8 ,i believe the work will go on better here than in ,england4 ,we are more united in our principles1 and do not print one against another4 ,pray observe the hint given to ,captain ,g1 and let the ,,lord order for me as it shall seem good in his sight4 ,we are now at ,reedy ,island waiting for a wind4 ,i heard of a ship going to ,dublin1 and could not lose the opportunity of writing to my dear brother ,s4 ,i need not remind you to hasten over as fast as possible,our ,,lord has taught you not to stay by the way,i have rebuked ,mr4 ,c sharply1 and ,i trust have gotten some gracious souls on board,the ,,lord is with me2 ,i am somewhat better as to bodily health1 but ,i live chiefly on inward supplies from above4 ,my master never fails me4 ,oh exhort all to fall in love with ,,jesus1 and to pray for1 ,ever yours in the best bonds1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,m1 an ,indian ,trader4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #ai1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,i ,received your letter1 and have been reading part of your journal4 ,i think it your bounden duty to go amongst the ,indians again1 not as a minister1 but as a private christian1 whose duty it is1 when converted himself1 to strengthen his brethren4 ,an effectual door1 ,i would hope1 is opening amongst some of the heathen4 ,i remember1 when it was first impressed upon me1 that ,i should go to ,georgia1 this promise came with such power as never will be forgotten1 and that too1 long before ,i had any outward call8,i have made thee the head of the heathen40,i speak this for your encouragement1 but desire you would not mention it to others4 ,who knows but that time may be now near at hand8,however that be1 it is plain ,,god calls you1 and ,i wish you good success in the name of the ,,lord4 ,be sure you keep a close walk with ,,god4,be much in prayer1 and prepare for the greatest hardships4 ,your greatest perils will be amongst your own countrymen4 ,the heathens will be stirred up by them1 as the ,gentiles were by the ,jews2 but the ,,lord ,,jesus will make you more than conqueror over all4 ,the word of the ,,lord will make its own way4 ,beg of ,,god to give you true notions of our free justification by faith in ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,bring your ,indian hearers to believe1 before you talk of baptism1 or the supper of the ,,lord4 ,otherwise they will catch at a shadow1 and neglect the substance4 ,improve the leisure you now enjoy1 and see that you feel the truths you speak4 ,feed on this promise1 8,it shall be given you in that hour what you shall say40 ,your circumstances call for a fulfilling of it,tell them what ,,god has been doing here1 and how happy ,,jesus ,,christ will make them4 ,be sure tell them1 tell them1 that true faith is not merely in the head1 but in the heart1 and that it will certainly be productive of good works4 ,frequently meditate on ,,god's free love to yourself1 and that will best qualify you to speak of it affectionately to others4 ,i could say more1 but time will not permit4 ,pray for me4 ,all with me salute you4 ,my poor petitions you may depend on1 as the ,,lord shall enable me4 ,my love to all1 and believe me to be ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxiii4 ,to the ,allegany ,indians4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #ba1 #agdj4 ,my ,dear ,brethren1 ,,for so ,i call you1 because you1 and ,i1 and all1 have one common father1 ,,one ,,god1 in whom we live1 move and have our beings4 ,we all came at first out of the dust of the earth4 ,for after ,,god made the sun1 moon1 stars1 and every thing you see1 he also made a creature called man1 and breathed into him the breath of life2 he then became a living soul4 ,he could not only walk and speak1 but he could also think1 and reason1 and was full of goodness1 peace1 and joy4 ,this man1 this happy creature ,,god placed in a garden1 which his own right hand had planted4 ,he then cast him into a deep sleep1 and out of one of his ribs made what we call a woman1 that she might be his wife4 ,their names were ,adam and ,eve4 ,with these1 ,,god made an agreement that they should eat of every tree of that garden1 except one2 but if they ate the fruit of that particular tree1 they should die2 they should return to the dust from whence they were taken1 lose the comforts they enjoyed in their souls1 and be unhappy for ever in another world4 ,but if they did not eat this fruit1 none of these things should come upon them4 ,a being1 which we call the devil1 7and who for his pride had been cast out of heaven7 envying their happiness1 tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit4 ,they consented1 they ate1 they died4 ,their bodies became mortal1 their souls were deprived of the presence and love of ,,god2 and unless a way was found out to make satisfaction for what they had done1 they must have been lost for ever4 ,these were our parents1 and ,,god made this agreement with us their children1 as well as with them4 ,for they acted in our name1 as a king acts in the name of his people1 or a father in the name of a child,what therefore befel them1 befel us4 ,we died in them2 and come into this world poor and miserable1 blind and naked1 as they were1 when they had eaten of the forbidden tree4 ,hence it is1 that we are given to lust1 anger1 envy1 hatred1 pride1 and malice1 and all those troublesome passions which you all must feel in your own hearts1 and cannot but see even in the hearts of your children4 ,if then1 you only look into yourselves1 you must confess these things are so4 ,but ,,god hath given us a book1 wherein he assures us of the truth of all this3,and we know that book came from ,,god1 because none but ,,god could tell us the things therein contained4 ,and ,i speak first of this1 because 'till you feel and believe this1 you cannot come to the knowledge of ,,jesus ,,christ2 and without the knowledge of ,,jesus ,,christ you cannot be saved4 ,for after our first parents1 ,adam and ,eve1 had taken the forbidden fruit1 and with all their children1 thereafter to be born1 became guilty before ,,god1 ,,god out of his own free love sent his only begotten ,son into the world1 to die1 and so to make an atonement for the sin of fallen man1 and also to obey the law1 which man had broken2 so that though fallen man had no righteousness of his own1 yet upon believing in ,,god's ,son1 he should find a perfect righteousness in him4 ,this ,son is called ,,jesus1 8,a ,saviour10 because he was to save us from the guilt and power of our sins4 ,he was truly ,,god1 and therefore could satisfy2 he was truly man1 and therefore could obey and suffer in our stead4 ,he was ,,god and man in one person1 that ,,god and man might be happy together again4 ,my dear brethren1 7for so ,i must call you1 though ,i never saw you7 these are strange things4 ,but if you are willing to learn1 the holy spirit shall teach you4 ,for ,,jesus ,,christ by dying1 and obeying ,,god's law1 hath bought for us the holy spirit1 who shall change your corrupt natures1 and fit you for happiness hereafter with the ever-blessed ,,god1 if you do but believe in your hearts4,thousands of white people only believe in their heads1 and therefore are no more christians than those who never heard of ,,jesus ,,christ at all4 ,they call ,,christ1 8,lord1 ,lord10 but they do not live as ,,jesus ,,christ hath commanded4 ,no1 they curse and swear1 they break the sabbath1 they get drunk1 they play1 they whore1 they commit adultery1 and have taught many poor ,indians to do these abominable things as well as themselves4 ,do not you therefore learn of them4 ,for true christians are sober1 chaste and holy4 ,they will not get drunk1 they will not play the whore1 they will not cheat1 lie1 curse or swear2 but they will bless and praise ,,god1 keep the sabbath1 and do all the good they can2 for thus ,,jesus ,,christ1 their ,,lord and master1 lived when he was here on earth4 ,i say1 when he was here on earth2 for after he died1 he rose again1 and went up into heaven from whence he came1 and there he sits praying for all that shall believe on ,him to the end of the world4 ,for as the world had a beginning1 so it also will have an end4 ,and ,,jesus ,,christ will come again in the clouds to judge all mankind2 and then he that hath believed in ,,christ1 and hath shewn forth his faith by his works1 shall be saved2 and he that hath not believed in ,,christ1 shall be damned for ever1 and be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone4 ,but before he comes1 he hath promised that the heathen shall be brought to believe on him1 and therefore ,i write this letter to you4 ,i would come myself1 and preach the glad tidings of salvation among you1 as the bearer of this could interpret for me2 but my other business will not permit4 ,i am a minister of the same ,,jesus1 and once was as ignorant of ,him comparatively as you may be4 ,i once lived like other people2 but the ,,lord ,,jesus hath brought me to believe on ,him1 and ,i now do so no more4 ,i once was full of envy1 hatred1 malice1 and such like cursed tempers2 but now ,i have love1 and peace1 and joy4 ,and because ,,jesus ,,christ hath shewn such mercy to me1 ,i desire that all others should be made as happy1 nay happier than ,i am myself4,hearken therefore now to the voice of the ,,lord4 ,pray to ,,god that you may feel yourselves poor1 miserable sinners1 and come by a living faith to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,then he will pardon you of all your sins1 make you holy by his spirit here1 and take you into everlasting happiness hereafter4 ,your traders1 some of them at least1 will tell you1 that you must be miserable1 if you will be christians4 ,but these know nothing of ,,jesus ,,christ2 for they are ungodly men1 walking after their own wicked lusts4 ,whosoever will follow ,,jesus ,,christ1 though happy in himself1 must be looked upon as a fool by others4 ,the spirit of the world1 and the spirit of ,,jesus are quite contrary one to the other2 and therefore if you will live godly in ,him1 you must suffer persecution2 you must have all manner of evil spoken against you falsely1 and be called madmen and fools2 but let not that daunt you1 or make you afraid4 ,there is a world to come1 there is a judgment-day1 and then ,,jesus ,,christ shall crown all those with glory1 who have suffered for his name's sake4 ,once more1 therefore1 hearken to the voice of the ,,lord4 ,for the ,,lord ,,jesus died for you1 as well as for the white men among you1 and that you might be taught the gospel2 but they have made you worse than you were before1 and therefore shall receive the greater damnation4 ,he who brings this1 no doubt1 will be despised amongst them1 because he will1 ,i hope1 neither get drunk1 nor curse1 nor swear4,but ,i trust the ,,lord will strengthen him1 and cause him to shew many of you the true way of salvation,i shall not fail to pray for him1 and for you2 for though ,i know you not1 yet if ,i could thereby save your precious souls1 ,i think ,i could die for your sake4 ,may the ,,lord ,,jesus bless you1 and bring you out of darkness into his marvellous light1 for his infinite mercy's sake4 ,this is the prayer of1 dear brethren1 ,your soul's well-wisher and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxiv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,i1 at ,philadelphia4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #ba1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,still our ,,lord is with me both in the ship and on the shore4 ,adore him for his free grace4 ,sailors1 ,i believe1 are coming to ,,jesus4 ,one or two of our crew are under convictions4 ,the ,,lord does not keep me here for nothing4 ,i desire to learn of winds and storms to obey ,him4 ,i pray daily for your success4 ,may the ,,lord make you a happy instrument of bringing many sons to glory4 ,your weakness need not discourage you4 ,the ,,lord is pleased to make use of me4 ,he strengthens me mightily in the inner man4 ,oh grace1 grace6 8,less than the least of all10 shall be my motto still4 ,i need not exhort you to feed the flock of ,,god2 he has purchased them with his own blood4 ,oh admit of a mixed communion4 ,i think the glory of ,,god requires this at your hands4 ,may the ,,lord give you a right understanding in all things1 and enable you to remember ,your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,m1 at ,philadelphia4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #ba1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m41 ,,as the ,,lord is pleased to detain me here by contrary winds1 why should ,i not send you a line8 ,you have stood up for the truths of ,,god1 and1 ,i trust1 will not be ashamed of our ,,lord and his gospel4 ,i expect a great falling away amongst those that followed me3 ,but ,i hope dear ,mr4 ,m4 will continue stedfast and unmoveable to the last4 ,the only way1 is to keep a constant eye to ,,christ1 to go forth in his strength1 and never to rest till you feel his blessed truths copied and transcribed on your heart4 ,you have often heard me exclaim against resting on a head-knowledge4 ,you are a man of strong passions1 and sprightly imagination1 and therefore 7,i know you will not be affronted7 you will make either a great saint1 or an accomplished 4 ,i believe the former1 though1 as a friend1 ,i remind you of1 and caution you against the latter4 ,you love to be dealt plainly with4 ,oh1 dear ,sir1 ,i feel that ,i love you1 and have a real concern for you and your houshold4,what would ,i give to see your daughters become wise virgins1 and fallen in love with the blessed ,,jesus4 ,how amiable would they then appear6 ,but before this can be done1 all pertness1 and lightness of spirit1 must be taken away1 and they must not only leave off dancing1 but be made new creatures4 ,how is your son8 ,pray tell him it is time for him to come home4 ,the fatted calf waits for him4 ,i could say more2 but time will not permit4 ,dear ,sir1 pray for me4 ,indeed ,i will endeavour to return the favour2 many are waiting for1 and would rejoice at my halting2 but the ,,lord is my helper4 ,he is with me in my little cabin1 and gives me a feeling possession of his blessed spirit4 ,may the ,,lord enrich you with a great measure of it1 and fill you with all his fulness6 ,methinks ,i see you lifting up your eyes1 and saying1 ,amen4,and so saith1 dear ,mr4 ,m4 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,r1 at ,philadelphia4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #bb1 #agdj4 ,dear ,r41 ,,let nothing said to you in my absence affect you4 ,,god has lately delivered you out of one snare2 take heed how you fall into another4 ,if you watch unto prayer1 who knows but ,,god may bless your endeavours amongst the poor negro women and children8 ,i could not wish you more happily situated4,my love to all the society4,exhort them not to rest in good desires4 ,shew them1 ,o shew them the necessity of being deeply wounded1 before they can be capable of healing by ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,bid them to beware of a light behaviour1 and light company4 ,both do grieve the blessed spirit of ,,god4 ,take heed1 take heed of those accursed snares4 ,i could say more1 but time will not permit4 ,my love to the ,negro ,peggy1 and all her black sisters4 ,bid them to pray for me4 ,may the blood of ,,jesus wash away all the pollutions of their sin-sick souls6 ,what if they were put into a society by themselves1 and you1 or some white woman1 meet with them8 ,the good ,,lord direct and bless you in all things4,this is the hearty prayer of ,your sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,e4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #bb1 #agdj4 ,,god only knows when the wind will favour our removal hence2 ,i desire patiently to tarry the ,,lord's leisure1 and to wait the moving of the cloud of his providence4 ,however1 in the mean while ,i send you a line amongst my other friends4 ,,god1 ,i believe1 hath struck you to the heart1 and shewn you the rottenness of that foundation whereon you was once building4 ,o keep close to our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 and never fear what men or devils can say of1 or do unto you4 ,i am persuaded you must be buffeted4,you must be persecuted1 if you will live godly in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,let this be your comfort1 when the world forsakes you1 the ,,lord whom you serve1 shall take you up4 ,i pray for you1 and my other dear ,philadelphia friends daily4 ,the ,,lord be with you all4 ,adieu4 ,you would do well to publish1 8that all who have not been baptized already1 and shall appear to be prepared for it1 ,i will1 by ,,god's leave1 baptize1 at my return to ,philadelphia40 ,o that all who followed me were baptized with the ,holy ,ghost6 ,but there must be a falling away4,dear ,mr4 ,e1 ,i trust1 will not desert his ,,lord4 ,trust in his1 and not in your own strength1 and you shall be safe4 ,once more farewel4 ,all with me salute you4 ,the people on shore wait for me4 ,remember me in your prayers as ,your affectionate servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxviii4 ,to the ,members of a ,society at ,philadelphia4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #bb1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,friends1 ,,as the ,,lord1 for wise reasons1 detains me here1 ,i cannot but send you a line as a token of my unfeigned concern for the welfare of your better part4 ,i must confess1 that the account many of you gave of your experiences1 was not so satisfactory as ,i could wish2 but ,i hope you will none of you rest in good desires1 or think you are christians1 because you have followed after me4 ,i thank you1 ,,god knows my heart1 ,i thank you for all expressions of your love3 ,but ,i beseech you to remember1 that the kingdom of ,,god does not consist in word1 but in power4 ,keeping company with ,,god's people1 does not give you a title to the privileges of ,,god's children4 ,it may increase1 but not extenuate your condemnation1 if you are not sound in heart1 and truly converted to our dear ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i am persuaded you will not be offended at this plain dealing4 ,,god has been pleased to work upon you by my unworthy ministry4 ,i would therefore watch over you for good1 and warn you against those snares which await all the true followers of the ,lamb of ,,god4 ,at my next return1 ,i hope ,i shall see you are that inwardly1 which you would be esteemed outwardly4 ,the searcher of hearts knows ,i long for your salvation4 ,my dear friends1 adieu4 ,pray for me4 ,be humble1 be strong in the ,,lord and in the power of his might4 ,a fiery trial awaits you4 ,there is no being a christian without giving up all for ,,christ4 ,we must all have the spirit of martyrdom1 though we may not all die martyrs4,that the ,,lord may keep you by his power unto salvation1 and make you more than conquerors through his love1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,clxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,a ,s1 at ,philadelphia4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #bb1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,s41 ,i ,desire that you and your wife would accept of these few farewel lines as a token of my love4 ,my heart's desire and prayer to ,,god is1 that you both may be saved4,your wife was mourning when ,i saw her last4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus prepare her thereby for true1 solid1 and lasting comfort6 ,the more we are humbled1 the more will the glorious ,emmanuel exalt us2 but we must wait his time4 ,,jesus is love1 and never corrects us but for our own good4 ,i find it is always thus with me4 ,i am a stubborn1 ungrateful1 disobedient child1 and often oblige him to strike me severely2 but love1 ,i find1 holds the rod1 and therefore his rod1 as well as his staff comforts me4 ,farewel2 the ,,lord be with you both6,john ,s and all friends salute you4 ,we live and walk in love4 ,my tenderest respects await all that truly follow the ,lamb4 ,i beseech you forget not to pray for ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxc4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,l1 in ,london4 ,reedy ,island1 ,may #bb1 #agdj4 8,,on ,thursday last1 in the evening1 the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,whitefield went on board at ,new-,castle1 in order to sail to ,georgia1 after having been on shore thirty-three days1 and travelled some hundreds of miles1 and preached fifty-eight times in the provinces of ,new-,jersey1 ,new-,york1 and ,pensylvania4,his congregations consisted sometimes of four1 sometimes of five1 sometimes of eight1 twelve1 fifteen1 and once at ,philadelphia1 of twenty thousand people4 ,he had gotten near five hundred pounds sterling1 in money and provisions1 for the ,orphan-house at ,georgia4 ,great and visible effects followed his preaching1 almost wheresoever he went1 especially in ,philadelphia4 ,there was never such a general awakening1 and concern for the things of ,,god known in ,america before4 ,he intended to visit ,new-,england soon after his arrival at ,georgia1 and to come by land as far as ,philadelphia1 at the latter end of the year40 ,the above ,advertisement may suffice for the present1 'till ,i have an opportunity of sending you my journal4 ,that will shew you wonderful things4 ,i suppose ere this reaches you1 our dear brothers1 ,s and ,g1 will be arrived3 ,i have sent a packet of letters to them1 by the way of ,dublin4 ,i am now waiting for a fair wind1 and can say the ,,lord is with me of a truth4 ,several ships are lying by us1 and the captains and their companies come to our ship to prayers4 ,sailors weep3 ,it is unknown how many are under conviction4 ,i long to hear what is doing in ,england4 ,the embargoes1 ,i suppose1 prevent your sending2 however my heart is with you4 ,i do not forget you4 ,i hope there is a door opening among the ,allegany ,indians4 ,i have read ,m's journal1 and have wrote both to him and them4 ,we have been near a week at ,reedy ,island3 ,i have preached there five times4 ,the captains and their crews come constantly to public worship on shore1 and to private prayer in our sloop4 ,we have some with us that love our dear ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,my heart is exceedingly drawn towards ,savannah2 but the ,,lord's time is the best4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus bless you all1 and reward you for all kindnesses shewn to his unworthy servant1 but ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxci4 ,to ,w ,s1 ,esq41 in ,london4 ,lewis-,town1 7,pensylvania7 ,may #bd1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,my will is much to go to ,georgia1 but my dear ,,lord ,,jesus is pleased to cross me4 ,for ever blessed be his great and glorious name4 ,just now the ,,lord hath brought me hither4 ,your letter pleased me4 ,i hope our ,,lord is now beginning to answer my prayers1 and that my dear ,brother ,s is about to know himself4 ,you know ,i have often told you1 that you ought to suspect your experiences4 ,you have mistaken1 in my opinion1 preparation1 for conversion itself4 ,your nine years round of duties1 were no effects of the new-birth at all4 ,how could they be8 when you did not know you was to be born again1 before you heard ,mr4 ,c ,w expound the seventh chapter of the ,romans3 ,then1 but not till then did you begin to be enlightened1 and illumination and conversion are two different things4 ,all my great trials were consequent on this4 ,not that ,,god's way of dealing with me1 ought to be a rule for others3 ,but ,i think your case and mine somewhat parallel4,those that have been most humbled1 ,i find1 always make the most solid1 useful christians4 ,it stands with reason3 ,the more a man is emptied of himself1 the more room is there made for the spirit of ,,god to dwell in him4,your caution to dear ,mr4 ,h4 was very good4 ,openness is the best preservative of spiritual friendship4 ,i would behave so1 that no one might be afraid to consult me2 but if people will not open their hearts1 let them not blame me2 ,i cannot speak1 where ,i perceive a shyness1 and where ,i see persons are afraid of me4 ,i am sure they must harbour some ungenerous suspicions or other against me1 and how then can there be a harmony of soul4 ,my dear brother1 my friend1 now ,i have told you my heart3 ,be not angry1 ,i am just ready to weep4,indeed1 ,i am willing to wash your feet1 and to acknowledge all favours under ,,god that ,i have received from you4 ,be stable1 be willing to consult others that have trod in the spiritual road before you2 do not mistake working for life1 for working from life4 ,watch unto prayer1 and do not be carried away by every wind of doctrine4 ,how could you not see through ,l of ,german-,town8 ,but ,i must not chide1 but love4 ,much ,i owe you2 have patience with me and ,i will endeavour to pay you4 ,i shall long to see you at ,savannah4 ,once more1 my dear friend and brother1 adieu4 ,my heart is much melted down4 ,,god continually fills me with himself4 ,o give thanks for1 dear ,sir1 ,your brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,cape-,lopen1 ,may #bd1 #agdj4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,i ,cannot entertain prejudices against your conduct and principles any longer1 without informing you4 ,the more ,i examine the writings of the most experienced men1 and the experiences of the most established christians1 the more ,i differ from your notion about not committing sin1 and your denying the doctrines of election1 and final perseverance of the saints4 ,i dread coming to ,england1 unless you are resolved to oppose these truths with less warmth1 than when ,i was there last4 ,i dread your coming over to ,america2 because the work of ,,god is carried on here 7and that in a most glorious manner7 by doctrines quite opposite to those you hold4 ,here are thousands of ,,god's children1 who will not be persuaded out of the privileges purchased for them by the blood of ,,jesus4 ,here are many worthy experienced ministers1 who would oppose your principles to the utmost4 ,,god direct me what to do6 ,sometimes ,i think it best to stay here1 where we all think and speak the same thing3 ,the work goes on without divisions1 and with more success1 because all employed in it are of one mind4 ,i write not this1 honoured ,sir1 from heat of spirit1 but out of love4 ,at present1 ,i think you are entirely inconsistent with yourself1 and therefore do not blame me1 if ,i do not approve of all that you say4 ,,god himself1 ,i find1 teaches my friends the doctrine of election4 ,sister ,h hath lately been convinced of it2 and1 if ,i mistake not1 dear and honoured ,mr4 ,w hereafter will be convinced also4 ,from my soul ,i wish you abundant success in the name of the ,,lord4 ,i long to hear of your being made a spiritual father to thousands4 ,perhaps ,i may never see you again1 'till we meet in judgment2 then1 if not before1 you will know1 that sovereign1 distinguishing1 irresistible grace brought you to heaven4 ,then will you know1 that ,,god loved you with an everlasting love1 and therefore with loving-kindness did he draw you4 ,honoured ,sir1 farewel4 ,my prayers constantly attend both you and your labours4 ,i neglect no opportunity of writing4 ,my next journal will acquaint you with new and surprizing wonders4 ,the ,,lord fills me both in body and soul4 ,i am supported under the prospect of present and impending trials1 with an assurance of ,,god's loving me to the end2 yea1 even to all eternity4 ,ere this reaches you1 ,i suppose you will hear of my intention to marry4 ,i am quite as free as a child3 ,if it be ,,god's will1 ,i beseech him to prevent it4 ,i would not be hindered in my dear ,,lord's business for the world4 ,i am now waiting for a fair wind4 ,,god blesses the ,orphan-house4 ,do not be angry with1 but pray for1 honoured ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s1 in ,charles-,town4 ,savannah1 ,june #g1 #agdj4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,before ,i knew you by name1 my heart was uncommonly affected towards you4 ,whenever ,i saw you at church1 ,i enquired concerning you1 and to my great but pleasing surprize1 when ,i came to your house1 found you was the man ,i was enquiring after4 ,your letter gives me still hopes1 that our dear ,,lord ,,jesus is about to awaken you from a carnal security in which you have long lain4 ,he is now calling you1 dear1 dear ,sir4 ,i beseech you1 by the mercies of ,,god in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,saviour1 take heed that you do not lie down again4 ,if you will be a follower of the ,lamb of ,,god1 you must prepare your soul for manifold temptations2 you must become the song of the drunkard1 and have all manner of evil spoken against you falsely for ,,christ's sake3 ,but let none of these things move you1 dear ,sir4 ,dare1 ,i beseech you1 to be singularly good4,be not ashamed of your glory4,learn a lesson of boldness even from the devil's children4 ,how resolute1 how daring are they in their master's cause8 ,why should not we be equally courageous in the cause of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,o ,sir1 ,i feel a concern for the welfare of your better part4 ,,god hath vouchsafed you some convictions2 do not rest in them4 ,catch not too greedily at comfort4 ,beg of ,,god that you may be thoroughly wounded1 before you desire to be made whole2 otherwise you will go but half way1 and be only an unstable1 double-minded man at last4 ,,god forbid that dear ,mr4 ,s should ever settle in such a dangerous state6 ,ere long ,i hope to see you in ,charles-,town1 and then ,i shall have an opportunity of enquiring more particularly into the state of your soul4 ,i came home but two days ago1 and therefore could not answer your letter before4 ,if ,i can be serviceable to you in any respect1 be pleased to command1 dear ,sir1 ,your assured friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 in ,london4 ,savannah1 ,june #g1 #agdj4 ,my dear1 dear ,brother1 ,,with great comfort ,i received your long wished-for letter4 ,it warmed my heart1 and knit my soul to you much more than ever4 ,whenever ,i see the child-like simplicity and love of ,,jesus1 it quite melts me down4 ,let all former misunderstandings between me and your friends be entirely forgotten4 ,i always pitied your parents1 and most earnestly prayed for them and you4 ,blessed be ,,god that you are come home4 ,you are now1 ,i believe1 as ,i always did believe1 in your proper station4 ,may ,,god give you a settled habit of devotion1 and so fill you with his spirit1 that whilst you are working for ,,god on earth1 you may be like those blessed angels1 who1 though ministring to us1 yet do always behold the face of our ,father who is in heaven4 ,my dear brother1 let the love of ,,jesus constrain you to love him with all your soul4 ,a sense of his divine love now melts down my heart1 and draws tears from my eyes4 ,o what wonderful things is ,,god doing in ,america6 ,savannah also1 my dear ,savannah1 especially my little orphans1 now begin to feel the love of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i arrived here but about two days ago1 in an hour quite unexpected by my friends4 ,how did we weep over one another for joy6 ,perhaps ,i may never feel the like again1 till ,i meet with the sons of ,,god in glory3 ,but oh what a scene was to be seen last night in the congregation6 ,how did the stately steps of our glorious ,emmanuel appear6 ,his glory shone with exceeding brightness4 ,the power seemed to be coming on all the day4 ,my soul has been much carried out in behalf of this place1 and now the ,,lord is about to answer my prayer4 ,t ,d was yesterday in a glorious agony4 ,i prayed with three of the girls before ,i went to church1 and their hearts were ready to break3 ,i prayed also1 with strong cryings and tears1 with my other dear friends1 and ,,god was much with us then2 but when we came to church1 oh what was to be seen1 and heard1 and felt there6 ,the power of the ,,lord came as it were upon all4 ,most of the children1 both boys and girls1 cried bitterly1 and most of the congregation were drowned in tears1 and mourned as a woman mourneth for her first-born4 ,expence of spirits made my body weak1 but my soul still wrestled earnestly with ,,god4 ,when ,i came home1 ,i lay upon my bed2 but seeing the children and people come home crying1 ,i went to prayer again1 and a greater power than ever still attended it4 ,o how was my soul carried out1 and how did the ,holy ,ghost fill the room6 ,at last ,i thought proper to dismiss them2 but it would have charmed your heart to hear the little ones in different parts of the house praying1 and begging of ,,jesus to take full possession of their hearts4 ,the same power continues to-day3 ,for near two hours1 four or five of the girls have been before the ,,lord weeping most bitterly1 and under such agonies1 as gives me hope our ,,lord will soon send them deliverance4 ,i have not yet talked with the boys1 who also have been under great concern1 and one especially in great agonies4 ,i believe two or three will be truly gracious4 ,i have brought with me a ,latin master1 and on ,monday laid a foundation in the name of our dear ,,jesus for an university in ,georgia4 ,,god blesses me 7,o free and sovereign grace7 in every thing ,i undertake4 ,our ,orphan-house comes under better regulations every day1 and ,i am persuaded1 in the end1 will produce some true followers of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i am now looking for fresh attacks from the enemy1 after such inroads4 ,he has been busy since my departure1 but the ,,lord hath vouchsafed to rebuke and disappoint him4 ,my dear brother1 may the ,,lord be with you6 ,for ,,christ's sake desire dear ,brother ,w to avoid disputing with me4 ,i think ,i had rather die1 than to see a division between us2 and yet1 how can we walk together1 if we oppose each other8 ,adieu4 ,dear ,james1 with much tenderness ,i subscribe myself ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcv4 ,to ,t ,t1 ,esq41 in ,london4 ,savannah1 ,june #g1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,wrote to you very lately2 but your kind letter is now before me1 and ,i cannot forbear answering it3 ,blessed be ,,god1 that you still look upon me as your friend4 ,may the friend of all1 unite us in the best bonds1 and bring us to himself at last6 ,i long to see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,i have now such large incomes from above1 and such precious communications from our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 that my body sometimes can scarcely sustain them4 ,our dear ,brother ,h's letter 7which ,i desire you may see7 will shew you what a work is begun at ,savannah4 ,i am in great hopes1 that six or seven boys and girls are really coming to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,dear ,brother ,hn sojourns with us4 ,i love him1 and all the brethren1 in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i am now looking for some strong attacks from satan4 ,the ,,lord comforts me on every side1 and lets me see my desire in the salvation of many souls4 ,o1 dear ,mr4 ,t1 forget not ,your weak unworthy friend and brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,m4 ,savannah1 ,june #aa1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,i ,am not uneasy1 but rather joyful1 to find ,,god lets you see more and more into the misery of your depraved nature4 ,i pray ,,god1 these convictions may still increase1 and that you may not fall short of a saving union with ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i am concerned to find you have lost a sense of your first love4,take heed1 my dear friend1 and wrestle with your dear ,,lord1 till he lets you see the root of bitterness that must certainly be in some corner of your heart4 ,perhaps you have not renounced the world and your own righteousness1 and then no wonder our ,,lord doth not manifest himself to your soul4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 ,,god withdraws on purpose to wean us from sensible devotion1 and to take us off from seeking any self-complacence in our duties4 ,if this be the case of you and your friends1 you are patiently to tarry the ,,lord's leisure1 and to continue striving with all your might till he is pleased to lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon you4 ,you must seek ,,jesus though it be sorrowing1 and then1 after three days1 you will find him2 for the ,,lord will not always be chiding1 neither keepeth he his anger for ever4 ,that ,,god may daily renew you in the spirit of your mind1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your assured friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,w ,w1 in ,london4 ,savannah1 ,june #aa1 #agdj4 ,dear ,w1 ,i ,am sorry to hear1 that you and your masters cannot agree2 but this ,i know1 supposing the case to be as you represent it1 you must notwithstanding 8be obedient1 not only to the good and gentle1 but also to the froward40,rough usage will do you good1 if you are sincere2 ,,god sees the pride and stubbornness of your heart1 and therefore sends you these trials to beat it down3 ,i find the benefit of crosses4 ,what should ,i do without them8 ,dear brother ,s would write to you1 ,i believe1 but is much engaged4,we love one another in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,o1 dear ,w4 keep close to ,,god1 and see you are that inwardly1 which you would be esteemed outwardly4,rest in nothing short of a sound and thorough conversion4 ,that ,,god may bless you1 and all the brethren1 with all spiritual blessings1 is the hearty prayer of ,your assured friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j ,b1 at ,new-,york4 ,savannah1 ,june #ac1 #agdj4 ,reverend and dear ,brother1 ,i ,have just been reading the three letters you sent some time ago to our dear brother ,n1 and find my heart much inclined to write you a line4 ,whatever others may do1 yet ,i am far from judging you on account of ,,god's dealings with your soul4 ,i rather rejoice in them1 having myself been blessed with many experiences of the like nature4 ,but1 my dear brother1 if ,,god works upon us in an extraordinary manner1 we must prepare for temptation1 even from our christian brethren4 ,most judge of others from what has passed within themselves2 and many of the dear children of ,,god are too apt to confine ,,god to this or that particular way of acting2 whereas he is a sovereign agent3 his sacred spirit bloweth when1 and where1 and how it listeth2 and when an uncommon work is to be done1 no doubt he will work upon his chosen instruments in an uncommon manner4 ,what the event of the present general awakening will be1 ,i know not4 ,i desire to follow my dear ,,lord blindfold1 whithersoever he is pleased to lead me2 and to do just so much1 and no more1 as his providence points out to me4 ,wonderful things have been done ever since my arrival at ,savannah3 ,such an awakening among little children1 ,i never saw before4 ,our dear brother ,n's letter will acquaint you with particulars4 ,o my dear brother1 how ought such manifestations of ,,god's glory1 to quicken our souls1 and excite us to lay out ourselves more and more in the service of the best of ,masters1 ,,jesus ,,christ6 ,every day he fills me with himself1 and sometimes brings me even upon the confines of eternity4 ,methinks ,i often stand upon ,mount ,pisgah1 and take a view of the heavenly ,canaan1 and then long to be gathered to my people3 but1 my dear brother1 both you and ,i must suffer1 and that great things1 before we enter into glory4 ,my work is scarce begun2 my trials are yet to come4 ,what is a little scourge of the tongue8 ,what is a thrusting out of the synagogues8 ,the time of temptation will be1 when we are thrust into an inner prison1 and feel the iron entering even into our souls4 ,then1 perhaps1 even ,,god's people may be permitted to forsake us for a while1 and none but the ,,lord ,,jesus to stand by us4 8,but if thou1 ,o dearest ,redeemer6 wilt strengthen me in the inner man1 let enemies plunge me into a fiery furnace1 or throw me into a den of lions40 ,my dear brother1 my heart is enlarged towards you3 though ,i never saw1 yet ,i love you most tenderly4 ,how does dear brother ,d8 ,does he yet walk in the light of ,,god's countenance8 ,pray salute him lovingly in my name4 ,in the fall1 ,i hope to see you in ,long ,island1 and to be somewhat filled with your company4 ,in the mean while1 let us all keep a close walk with ,,jesus2 and be pleased1 in an especial manner1 to remember ,your unworthy1 though affectionate brother1 fellow-labourer1 and servant in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cxcix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,savannah1 ,june #be1 #agdj4 ,my honoured ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,thank you for1 and heartily say amen to all the petitions you have put up in my behalf4 ,i want to be as my ,master would have me2 ,i mean1 meek and lowly in heart4 ,dear ,sir1 bear with me a little longer2 pray for me with great earnestness2 and who knows but my ,,god may give me to abhor myself in dust and ashes6 ,he that hath given us his ,son1 will he not with him freely give us all things8 ,for ,,christ's sake1 if possible1 dear ,sir1 never speak against election in your sermons3 no one can say that ,i ever mentioned it in public discourses1 whatever my private sentiments may be4 ,for ,,christ's sake1 let us not be divided amongst ourselves3 nothing will so much prevent a division as your being silent on this head4 ,i should have rejoiced at the sight of your ,journal4 ,i long to sing a hymn of praise for what ,,god has done for your soul4 ,i am glad to hear that you speak up for an attendance on the means of grace1 and do not encourage persons who run 7,i am persuaded7 before they are called4 ,the work of ,,god will suffer much by such imprudence4 ,i trust you will still persist in field-preaching4 ,others are strangers to our call4 ,i know infinite good hath been done by it already1 and greater good will yet be done thereby every day3 but we must be judged of our brethren4 ,may ,,god bless you more and more every day1 and cause you to triumph in every place4 ,next ,monday1 ,,god willing1 ,i go to ,charles-,town4 ,my family is well regulated2 but ,i want some more gracious assistants4 ,i have near an hundred and thirty to maintain daily1 without any fund4 ,the ,,lord gives me a full undisturbed confidence in his power and goodness4 ,dear ,sir1 adieu4 ,i can write no more2 my heart is full4 ,i want to be a little child4 ,o continue to pray for ,your most unworthy1 but affectionate brother and servant in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cc4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h4 ,savannah1 ,june #be1 #agdj4 ,dearest ,j1 ,,every letter you write1 knits my heart more and more to you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,your last ,i received on ,saturday4 ,,god had been preparing me for it1 by a week's intimation upon my heart1 and by an inexpressible agony in my soul just before it came to hand4 ,blessed be ,,god that our friends preach up poverty of spirit1 for that is the only foundation whereon to build solid abiding comfort4 ,the stony ground received the word with joy2 but how did those hearers stand in a day of temptation8 ,they fell away2 for it is very possible that the heart may have much joy floating on the top of it1 and yet be as hard as the nether millstone4 ,hence it is that so many1 who boast of rest in their flashes of joy1 are self-willed1 impatient of reproof1 despisers of others in a mourning state1 and wise in their own conceits3 whereas the believer1 that hath been with his ,,lord in the wilderness1 and has a truly broken and contrite heart1 though his joy may not be so extravagant1 yet it is substantial4 ,such a soul hangs upon ,,god2 thinks before he speaks2 and is continually hearkening for what the ,,lord will say to him1 by the small still voice of his spirit4 ,this is the state ,i want all our friends to arrive at4 ,i cannot see how they can1 with assurance1 talk of their enjoying solid fellowship with the ,father1 and his dear ,son ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,i shall not be surprized if many1 who seemingly began in the spirit1 do end in the flesh1 and turn persecutors of the doctrines and disciples of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,how can they possibly stand1 who never felt themselves condemned criminals8 who were never truly burthened with a sense not only of their actual1 but original sin1 especially that damning sin of unbelief8 who were never brought to see and heartily confess1 that after they had done all1 ,,god might1 notwithstanding1 deny them mercy2 and that it is owing merely to his sovereign love in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord1 that they can have any hopes of being delivered from the wrath to come8 ,it is for preaching in this manner that ,i like ,mess4 ,ts4 ,they wound deep before they heal2 they know that there is no promise made but to him that believeth2 and therefore they are careful not to comfort over much those that are convicted4 ,i fear ,i have been too incautious in this respect1 and have often given comfort too soon4 ,the ,,lord pardon me for what is past1 and teach me more rightly to divide the word of truth for the future4 ,dearest ,j1 pardon this freedom2 ,i am constrained to write in this manner4 ,i thank you most heartily for your historical letter4 ,fail not writing to me often4 ,dearest ,j1 help me by your prayers3 for ,,christ's sake help me4 ,our ,,lord is yet with us4 ,i hear different accounts of things2 but ,i pray for all1 and suspend my judgment till you see ,your affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cci4 ,to ,mrs4 ,e ,c4 ,savannah1 ,june #be1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,,your letter afforded me much inward pleasure4 ,surely it bespeaks the writer not to be far from the kingdom of ,,god4 ,you was then waiting for our ,,lord's salvation3 ere now1 ,i trust1 ,,christ hath manifested his glory1 filled you with his blessed spirit1 and thereby sealed you to the day of redemption4 ',tis good to be long in an humbled state3 it is the best preparation for solid1 lasting comfort4 ,blessed are they that mourn most1 for they shall be the most comforted3 not that we are violently to keep ourselves in such a state2 but when ,,god's hand lies heavy upon us1 we are patiently to tarry the ,,lord's leisure1 till he reveals himself to our souls4 ,i was a mourner a long while2 but1 glory be to ,,god6 ,i have for some years been almost continually comforted2 at least kept from doubting of my interest in ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i can with an humble boldness cry out1 8,my ,,lord and my ,,god60 ,he daily manifests himself to my soul1 and causes me to feel my dependance on his free grace and sovereign love4 ,this is the kingdom of ,,god within us4 ,o1 my dear sister1 what would ,i give1 were all the world partakers of this unspeakable gift6 ,i long1 ,i burn with an ardent zeal after the salvation of my dear brethren1 who are dead in trespasses and sins4 ,poor souls6 ,why am ,i taken1 and they left8 ,o the sovereign1 free1 unmerited1 distinguishing love of my and your ,,jesus6 ,my dear sister1 let us love him1 let us obey him2 let us suffer for him with a chearful heart6 ,his love will sweeten every cup1 though never so bitter4 ,let us pledge him willingly1 and continue faithful even unto death4 ,a scene of sufferings lies before us4 ,who knows but we may wade to our ,saviour through a sea of blood8 ,i expect 7,o pray that ,i may be strengthened if called to it7 to die for his great name's sake4 ',twill be sweet to wear a martyr's crown4 ,dear ,madam1 adieu4 ,i remember ,,god's goodness to us at ,broad-,oaks4 ,i pray for you and yours4 ,i trust your daughters keep close to ,,jesus4 ,salute them kindly in my name4 ,read my ,journal1 and give hearty thanks for ,your unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s1 in ,london4 ,savannah1 ,june #bf1 #agdj4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,and is one of the priests also obedient to the word8 ,blessed be ,,god1 the ,father of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 who hath translated you from darkness to light2 from the power of ,satan to the service of the ever-living ,,god4 ,now know ,i1 that our glorious ,emmanuel has not commanded us to pray in vain4 ,surely we shall never taste of death1 till we see our dear ,,lord's kingdom coming with greater power4 ,he seems to be thrusting out more labourers into his harvest4 ,glory be to his free grace that you are one of the happy number4 ,o dear ,sir1 rejoice and be exceeding glad2 and let the love of ,,jesus constrain you to go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor sinners to come in4 ,some 7even that are true lovers of the ,lamb7 may say 8this is not proceeding with a zeal according to knowledge30 but ,i am persuaded1 when the power of religion revives1 the gospel must be propagated in the same manner as it was first established1 8itinerant preaching40 ,go on1 dear ,sir1 go on1 and follow your glorious ,master without the camp1 bearing his sacred reproach4 ,never fear the scourge of the tongue1 or the threatnings that are daily breathed out against the ,,lord1 and against his ,,christ4 ,suffer we must1 ,i believe1 and that great things4 ,our ,,lord1 by his providence1 begins to shew it4 ,ere long1 perhaps1 we may sing in a prison1 and have our feet set fast in the stocks4 ,but faith in ,,jesus turns a prison into a palace1 and makes a bed of flames become a bed of down4 ,let us be faithful to-day1 and our ,,lord will support us to-morrow4 ,o dear ,sir1 though ,i know you not1 yet my heart is enlarged towards you1 and ,i make mention of your name in my prayers4 ,i pray ,,god to give you strength to bear the heat and burden of every day1 and to enable you to preach with such wisdom1 that all your adversaries may not be able to gainsay or resist4 ,blessed be his holy name1 ,i drink deep of his love every moment4 ,a greater power than ever attends my poor labours2 and several of my own houshold1 both boys and girls1 ,i really believe1 are coming savingly to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i am now about to go to ,charles-,town2 a work of ,,god is begun there4 ,who knows but ,i may see my dear brother ,s in ,america8 ,but future things belong to ,,god2 to his grace and love ,i commend you4 ,keep close to your dear ,,jesus1 and pray that a child-like1 humble spirit1 may be given to ,your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cciii4 ,to ,wm4 ,s1 ,esq41 in ,london4 ,savannah1 ,june #bf1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother ,s1 ,i ,sent you a packet of letters from ,charles-,town1 the middle of this month4 ,since that time1 ,i have received many agreeable letters from ,england2 but find from ,blendon letters that ,miss ,e ,d is in a seeking state only4 ,surely that will not do2 ,i would have one that is full of faith and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,just now ,i have been weeping1 and much carried out in prayer before the ,,lord4 ,my poor family gives me more concern than every thing else put together4 ,i want a gracious woman that is dead to every thing but ,,jesus1 and is qualified to govern children1 and direct persons of her own sex4 ,such a one would help1 and not retard me in my dear ,,lord's work4 ,i wait upon the ,,lord every moment2 ,i hang upon my ,,jesus3 and he is so infinitely condescending1 that he daily grants me fresh tokens of his love1 and assures me that he will not permit me to fall by the hands of a woman4 ,i am almost tempted to wish ,i had never undertook the orphan-house4 ,at other times1 ,i am willing to contrive matters so that ,i may not marry3 but ,i am always checked2 and looking back upon the workings of my heart in this affair1 ,i am more and more convinced that it is of ,,god2 and therefore know he will order affairs for me1 as will best promote his own glory4 ,so that my dear ,,lord's honour does not suffer1 ,i care not what trouble in the flesh ,i undergo4 ,his glory1 to the best of my knowledge1 is my only aim1 in my thoughts1 words1 and actions4 ,my dearest brother1 adieu4 ,by this time1 ,i trust1 you are near ,england4 ,dear brother ,s goes with me to ,charles-,town4 ,brother ,b keeps house in my absence4 ,take heed that the people you bring believe on ,,jesus4 ,expect to hear shortly again from ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,w ,d4 ,savannah1 ,june #bh1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions2 and trust shall always reckon those my choicest friends1 who1 in simplicity and meekness1 tell me the corruptions of my heart4 ,it is that faithfulness which hath endeared ,j ,s to me4 ,i think ,i never was obliged to any one so much before3 for that reason also ,i find my heart knit to you4 ,o my dear brother1 still continue faithful to my soul3 do not hate me in your heart2 in any wise reprove me4 ,exhort all my dear brethren to forgive my past 7,i fear7 too imperious carriage2 and let them pray that ,i may know myself to be what ,i really am1 less than the least of them all4 ,i have abundant reason to bless ,,god for sending me abroad4 ,i cannot say ,i have improved my retirement as ,i ought2 but ,i can say it hath been highly beneficial to my soul4 ,i have a garden near at hand1 where ,i go particularly to meet and talk with my ,,god1 at the cool of every day4 ,i often sit in silence1 offering my soul as so much clay1 to be stamped just as my heavenly potter pleases3 and whilst ,i am musing1 ,i am often filled as it were with the fulness of ,,god4 ,i am frequently at ,calvary1 and frequently on ,mount ,tabor2 but always assured of my ,,lord's everlasting love4 ,o continue to pray for me1 that ,i may know myself even as ,i am known4 ,i want to have a proper mixture of the lion and the lamb1 of the serpent and the dove4 ,i do not despair of attaining it4 ,,jesus is love2 ,,jesus willeth my perfection2 ,,jesus hath died for me2 ,,jesus can deny me nothing4 ,he hath given me himself2 will he not then freely give me all things besides8 ,i wait for thy compleat salvation1 ,o ,,lord6 ,my dear brother1 my heart is now enlarged4 ,your prayer is answered4 ,the whole ,godhead now fills my soul4 ,o grace1 grace6 ,o ,jesu1 ,jesu6 was ever love like thine6 ,,lord1 ,i abhor myself in dust and ashes4 ,o that ,i could praise thee6 that ,i could love thee as ,i ought6 ,my dear brother1 ,i hear you have been zealous for the ,,lord your ,,god since my departure4 ,you have done well3 you never can be zealous for a better master3 but why1 silent8 why withdrawn8 ,did you go before you was called or qualified8 ,if so1 you have done right3 but ,i suspend my judgment2 for ,i find there is no judging at a distance4 ,i only pray ,,god that you may always feel yourself a very poor sinner1 and find refuge in the wounds and blood of the ,lamb4 ,i rejoice to hear the work of ,,god goes on1 and heartily wish you may not be divided among yourselves4 ,our dear ,,lord is with us here3 ,i only want a few more gracious1 solid assistants4 ,the ,,lord will send them in his due time to ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccv4 ,to ,j ,b4 ,good ,hope1 7,south-,carolina7 ,july #b1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother ,b1 ,,is it true1 that one night whilst you was expounding1 you told your hearers1 from your own experience1 that 8they could not go on without throwing aside the means of grace80 or words to that purpose8 ,if so1 ,i pity you2 for you are not only misled yourself1 but are also misguiding others4 ,but this is no more than ,i expected4 ,i think you begun to teach too soon1 and before you had a commission given you from above4 ,brother ,j was of the same opinion1 before ,i left ,england4 ,for that reason1 ,i would not take you to ,georgia4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i have no such over-forward spirits there4 ,my dear ,b1 ,i write in love4 ,for ,,christ's sake try your spirit3 ,i fear you was never yet truly humbled4 ,i know you have had joy2 but ,i always thought it was joy floating on the surface of an unmortified heart4 ,from such a joy1 good ,,lord deliver us6 ,o that you had been in the wilderness a little longer6 then you might have been an experienced teacher2 but ,i fear you are now only a novice4 ,may the ,,lord keep you from falling into the condemnation of the devil4 ,i write not this to damp1 but to regulate your spirit2 if you are humble1 you will take it kind4 ,,god knows1 ,i wish all the ,,lord's servants were prophets2 but ,i would not have my ,master's work suffer by a too heady way of proceeding4 ,why should you dishonour him by acting above your sphere2 whereas you might honour him by acting in it4 ,every one is not fit to be a public expounder4 ,to build up awakened sinners in private1 is what is more wanted at present than young unexperienced preachers4 ,but ,i have done2 ,i fear ,i have offended my brother3 forgive me this wrong4 ,as ,,god was pleased first to work upon you by my ministry1 you must always expect to be watched over by ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccvi4 ,charles-,town1 ,july #aa1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,r1 ,,your letter much rejoiced me4 ,o that you may still follow on1 till you truly know the ,,lord6 ,i shall be glad to have you for a scribe1 if you are well instructed in the things which belong to the kingdom of heaven4 ,keep close1 my dear friend1 keep close to the dear ,mr4 ,ts3 under ,,god1 they will build you up in your most holy faith4 ,it gladdens my heart to hear of their success in the ,,lord4 ,the ,,lord increase them more and more1 and multiply the number of their spiritual children6 ,i suppose brother ,g's letter informed you what a speedy passage the ,,lord gave us1 and how we were received at ,georgia4 ,surely ,i shall never see the like again1 till ,i meet the sons of ,,god in glory4 ,praise the ,,lord1 ,o my soul6 my dear friend1 help me to praise the ,,lord4 ,i have been here above a week4 ,the ,,lord hath been pleased to work on many hearts4 ,on ,sunday the commissary denied me the sacrament2 but my dear ,master fed me1 notwithstanding1 with the bread which cometh down from heaven4 ,persecution seems to be coming on more and more4 ,my dear friend1 see that you are rooted and grounded in love and faith2 or how will you stand fast in a dying hour8 ,with difficulty ,i write this before morning service4 ,i preach generally1 in town or country1 twice a-day4 ,the heat is great2 but the ,,lord enables me to bear the burden of it4 ,next month1 ,,god willing1 ,i go to ,new-,england1 and hope to see ,philadelphia in ,november4 ,on ,tuesday next ,i am cited to appear before the commissary and his court in a judicial way3 the event ,i leave to my dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,o dear ,mr4 ,r1 let not the cross keep you from ,,jesus4 ,if we suffer1 we shall reign with him4 ,salute your honoured mother in my name1 and all that love our dear ,,lord in sincerity1 from1 dear ,mr4 ,r1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,r4 ,charles-,town1 ,july #ae1 #agdj4 ,dear ,j1 ,,may you answer your name1 be freely gracious1 and filled with as much love as he was1 who leaned on the sacred bosom of our dear ,redeemer4 ,i believe ,,god has begun2 if so1 ,,god will carry on the good work in your heart4 ,it is the ,,lord's doing4 ,not unto me1 not unto me2 but to free1 rich1 distinguishing1 sovereign grace1 be all the glory6 ,the wearing off1 or forgetting your convictions formerly1 ought to make you more jealous of yourself now4 ,the more you see the enmity of the heart1 the better3 you cannot then avoid abhorring yourself in dust and ashes4 ,i rejoice you have been at ,neshamini4 ,i can say of ,mr4 ,t and their brethren1 as ,david did of ,goliah's sword1 8,none like them40 ,i am glad you and my friend ,r are acquainted4 ,o see that you keep one another warm1 and be zealous for the ,,lord your ,,god4 ,i wonder not at your master's insinuations4 ,indeed1 dear ,j1 you must be tried thoroughly1 if you would approve yourself to the glorious ,emmanuel4 ,exhort all to die for him1 rather than deny him in any wise4 ,i find my suffering time at hand3 but my dear ,,lord comforts me with his gracious and refreshing presence4 ,a good work is carrying on here3 let my dear friends help it forwards by their prayers4 ,my love to all at the society2 and accept of the same from ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 in ,pensylvania4 ,charles-,town1 ,july #ah1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,praise the ,,lord1 ,o my soul6 ,our glorious ,emmanuel seems to have girt his sword upon his thigh1 and to be riding on from conquering to conquer4 ,he gets himself the victory in ,philadelphia4 ,he is getting himself the victory in ,charles-,town also4 ,indeed a glorious work is begun1 and carrying on here4 ,many souls are awakened to a sense of the divine life4,the alteration in the people since ,i came here at first1 is surprizing4 ,i preach twice a day1 generally1 either in town or in the villages around4 ,the commissary shoots out his arrows1 even bitter words4 ,he hath denied me the sacrament1 and cited me to appear before him and his court2 ,i was obliged to appeal home4 ,o my dear brother1 pray that ,i may be humble and of a child-like spirit4 ,every day ,,god shews me fresh instances of his love4 ,here are some faithful ministers amongst the baptists4 ,one of them1 ,mr4 ,c1 has wrote to you2 pray answer him4 ,some time next month ,i hope to be at ,new ,england1 and to return to you according to promise4 ,be pleased to salute the brethren in my name4 ,indeed ,i honour and love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,o that ,i was worthy of your acquaintance6 ,but ,i am not4 ,all that ,i can say is1 that ,i will endeavour to approve myself ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccix4 ,to ,mr4 ,i4 ,r4 ,charles-,town1 ,july #ah1 #agdj4 ,my ,dear ,friend1 ,i ,thank you for going with friend ,e and ,b to ,nazareth4 ,may ,,god bless you1 and cause great good to come to that place6 ,,god seems to be carrying on as great a work in ,charles-,town1 comparatively speaking1 as in ,philadelphia4 ,surely our ,,lord intends to set the world in a flame4 ,o that the holy fire of his divine love was kindled in every heart6 ,be pleased to read what ,i have sent to ,mr4 ,n4 ,if you please you may print that extract1 which ,i sent from my journal3 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be at ,new ,england by the beginning of ,september1 and to be refreshed with your and my dear friend's letters4 ,indeed1 ,i love you all in the bowels of my dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,do not let us forsake him4 ,let us not be ashamed of him1 though we live in a crooked and perverse generation4 ,i thank my dear friends for their zeal in building a house2 but desire it may not have any particular name1 or be put to any particular use1 till my return to ,philadelphia4 ,i wish them good luck in the name of the ,,lord4 ,last night ,i appeared a third time in a public court2 but they not accepting my ,recusatio judicis1 ,i appealed home2 so that now ,i have free liberty to embark when providence pleaseth4 ,o my dear friend1 think of a bleeding1 dying ,,lord4 ,keep close to him1 and exhort all friends to pray and give thanks for ,your assured friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,this is now the college at ,philadelphia4 ,,letter ,,ccx4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,l4 ,charles-,town1 ,july #ah1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,l1 ,,god will work1 and who shall hinder8 ,the sacrament hath been refused to me1 and ,i have appeared thrice in open court1 before the commissary and some of his clergy2 but our ,,lord rides on1 from conquering to conquer4 ,many1 ,i believe1 are really pricked to the heart4 ,the commissary's detaining me here1 has much tended to the furtherance of the gospel4 ,i put in my exceptions against his sitting as my judge1 and they were repelled2 so that ,i have appealed home1 and all other proceedings here are stopped4 ,by this means ,i shall have liberty to preach the gospel without further interruption1 and my call to ,england will be more clear4 ,the enclosed paper will shew you what is doing in ,philadelphia4 ,private letters received from thence last night and this morning1 have much refreshed my heart4 ,many souls are flocking to the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i need not exhort you to praise the ,,lord4 ,you may advertise what paragraphs you think proper1 only add that ,philadelphia people are building a house for me to preach in1 #ajf feet long and #gd feet wide4 ,the ,,lord is bringing mighty things to pass4 ,i am surprizingly strengthened to bear the heat and burden of every day4 ,my dear ,,lord never leaves nor forsakes me1 but works by my unworthy ministry more and more4 ,o that ,i was humble6 ,o that ,i was a little1 little child6 ,i know not how soon ,i may be called to ,england4 ,the inhabitants here are wondrous kind4 ,they attend morning and evening most chearfully on my preaching4 ,we often see the stately steps of our dear ,,lord in his sanctuary4 ,i am more than happy4 ,i am amazed at the divine goodness4 ,,lord1 ,i abhor myself in dust and ashes6 ,see the wonders of the ,,lord2 help us to praise him4 ,excuse me to all my dear friends4 ,for this fortnight past ,i have not wrote a word of my journal4 ,my sermons1 c4 are bought off exceedingly1 northward4 ,o pray that an humble child-like spirit may be given to ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxi4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,d4 ,savannah1 ,august #ae1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother ,d1 ,,our dear ,,lord 7after being pleased to bring me low by bodily sickness7 now gives me liberty to write to you4 ,whilst ,i am writing1 ,i find my heart united with yours4 ,i hope we have both drank into the same spirit1 and are both instances of the same sovereign1 distinguishing1 everlasting love4 ,o let us extol it6 ,o let us improve daily6 ,and since ,,god sees fit that we shall not die1 but live1 let us lay ourselves out to declare the works of the ,,lord4 ,i am ashamed of my past unfruitfulness4 ,had others received the stock1 that hath been intrusted to me1 how would they have improved it8 ,indeed ,i am an unprofitable servant4 ,in the righteousness of ,,jesus my ,,lord1 is my only refuge4 ,well may ,,god afflict me2 ,i richly deserve it2 and when he brings me low1 nothing grieves me so much1 as to think that ,i should be so froward as to oblige the ,,god of love to strike me with his rod4 ,but oh the goodness of the ,,lord6 ,his rod1 as well as staff1 do comfort and build up my soul4 ,i would not but be tried for ten thousand worlds4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i am enabled to clasp the cross1 and desire to glory in nothing more4 ,dear brother1 help me with your prayers4 ,our victorious ,,jesus makes his power to be known2 many have ,i seen struck quite down by the power of the word4 ,the holy ,ghost hath often come like a mighty rushing wind4 ,satan has desired to sift us as wheat4 ,but our ,,lord still shews me1 that the orphan-house will go on and flourish4 ,it is often a great weight upon my soul2 but through your and my dear friends prayers1 the ,,lord ,i am persuaded will still support it4 ,yours eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,n1 in ,new ,york4 ,savannah1 ,aug4 #ae1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,your letter rejoiced my heart4 ,may our dear lord's kingdom be advanced more and more every day6 ,o that ,i may meet you at ,new-,england6 ,blessed be ,,god that ,mr4 ,m is yet alive4 ,salute him from me2 ,i hope to see him before ,i die1 and so be taught the way of ,,god more perfectly4 ,i thank you for your kind hints2 ,i have always paid great deference to dear ,mr4 ,n's judgment3 indeed ,i love him in the bowels of ,,jesus4 ,,god has been pleased to bring me low1 for some time1 by inward weakness1 and faintness of spirits4 ,the first strength that is given me to write1 ,i make use of in writing to you4 ,the ,,lord is purging me1 that ,i may bring forth more fruit4 ,i long to die1 not that ,i may be rid of crosses1 but that ,i may be with ,,christ4 ,he draws me more and more to him every day4 ,i have had many close domestic trials of late4 ,but these words1 8,david strengthened himself in the ,,lord his ,,god10 came with sweet power to my soul4 ,i find1 the nearer ,i come to ,,christ1 the closer my trials are4 ,i have been sometimes through weakness kept from preaching2 but when ,i have spoken1 the word has come with power4 ,i have reason to think1 that three persons who came to see the orphan-house1 have been effectually called by our ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i have now some ,carolina visitors in my house2 two of them1 ,i believe1 are coming truly to ,,jesus4,the word runs like lightning in ,charles-,town4 ,a serious lively ,baptist minister1 named ,tilly1 is here also2 he has preached often for me1 and last ,sunday received the sacrament in our way4,o bigotry1 thou art tumbling down a-pace6 ,blessed be ,,god4,next week1 ,,god willing1 ,i embark for ,charles-,town1 shall stay there a few days1 and from thence purpose going to ,new-,england4 ,,god wonderfully provides for my orphans4,i am kept from every degree of doubting2 nay1 the ,,lord fills me daily with a full assurance of faith4 ,he chastens and corrects me1 but it is all in love4 ,o help me to praise him1 and thereby add to the obligations already laid on1 dear ,mr4 ,n1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxiii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,l4 ,charles-,town1 ,aug4 #bb1 #agdj4 ,honoured ,mother1 ,,although ,i had not the pleasure of receiving one line1 either from your dear self1 or from any other of my beloved friends2 yet my heart was rejoiced just now by a sailor1 who told me1 that he saw and conversed with you the twenty-ninth of ,may last4 ,i thank you for the salutation sent to me by him4 ,indeed ,i thank you from my very heart3 for ,i feel myself unworthy of your notice4 ,every day ,i love and honour you more and more2 and when you come to judgment1 ,,god will shew you how many tears ,i have shed in secret for you and my dear sister4 ,o let them not be in vain6 ,honoured ,mother1 fly to ,,jesus4,behold1 with open arms1 yonder he stands1 ready to embrace you1 if you feel your misery1 and are willing to come to him to find rest4 ,may the great ,,god1 who only can govern the wills and affections of sinful men1 make you willing in the day of his power6 ,yesterday ,,god brought me hither again4 ,in a few days1 ,i hope to embark for ,new-,england2 thence1 ,,god willing1 you may expect another letter4 ,for near six weeks past ,i have been under great weakness of body2 but notwithstanding have been enabled sometimes to preach with great power4 ,i am now somewhat better1 but1 without a miracle1 cannot think of being long below4 ,indeed1 honoured ,mother1 ,i every day long to be dissolved and to be with ,,christ4 ,pray tell ,mr4 ,w1 that ,mr4 ,h1 and ,i ,b1 with one or two more of their relations1 ,i believe1 are effectually called of ,,god4 ,we had much power at ,savannah4 ,,god hath sent me some family trials2 but all things are working for good4 ,i am1 honoured ,mother1 ,your ever dutiful son1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxiv4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,j ,w4 ,charles-,town1 ,aug4 #be1 #agdj4 ,dear and ,honoured ,sir1 ,,last night ,i had the pleasure of receiving an extract of your journal4,this morning ,i took a walk and read it4 ,i pray ,,god to give it his blessing4 ,many things ,i trust will prove beneficial1 especially the account of yourself4 ,only1 give me leave with all humility to exhort you not to be strenuous in opposing the doctrines of election and final perseverance1 when1 by your own confession1 8you have not the witness of the spirit within yourself10 and consequently are not a proper judge4 ,i remember dear brother ,e told me one day1 that 8he was convinced of the perseverance of the saints40 ,i told him1 you was not4 ,he replied1 but he will be convinced when he hath got the spirit himself4 ,i am assured1 ,,god has now for some years given me this living witness in my soul4 ,i cannot say1 ,i have since indulged any doubts 7at least for no considerable time7 about the forgiveness of my sins2 nay1 ,i can scarce say1 that ,i ever doubted at all4 ,when ,i have been nearest death1 my evidences have been the clearest4 ,i can say1 ,i have been on the borders of ,canaan1 and do every day1 nay1 almost every moment1 long for the appearing of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ2 not to evade sufferings1 but with a single desire to see his blessed face4 ,i feel his blessed spirit daily filling my soul and body1 as plain as ,i feel the air which ,i breathe1 or the food ,i eat4,perhaps the doctrines of election and of final perseverance hath been abused1 7and what doctrine has not17 but notwithstanding1 it is children's bread1 and ought not in my opinion to be with-held from them1 supposing it is always mentioned with proper cautions against the abuse4 ,dear and ,honoured ,sir1 ,i write not this to enter into disputation4 ,i hope1 at this time1 ,i feel something of the meekness and gentleness of ,,christ4 ,i cannot bear the thoughts of opposing you3 but how can ,i avoid it1 if you go about 7as your brother ,c once said7 to drive ,john ,calvin out of ,bristol4 ,alas1 ,i never read any thing that ,calvin wrote2 my doctrines ,i had from ,,christ and his apostles2 ,i was taught them of ,,god2 and as ,,god was pleased to send me out first1 and to enlighten me first1 so ,i think he still continues to do it4 ,my business seems to be chiefly in planting2 if ,,god send you to water1 ,i praise his name4,i wish you a thousand-fold increase4 ,i find1 by young ,w's letter1 there is disputing among you about election1 and perfection4,i pray ,,god to put a stop to it1 for what good end will it answer8,i wish ,i knew your principles fully2 did you write oftner1 and more frankly1 it might have a better effect than silence and reserve4 ,i have lately had many domestic trials1 and that about points of doctrine1 not by myself1 but from others in my absence4 ,i daily wait upon ,,god1 depending on his promise1 that all things1 even this1 shall work together for my good4 ,many in ,charles-,town1 ,i believe1 are called of ,,god4 ,you may now find a christian1 without searching the town as with a candle4 ,mr4 ,g is less furious1 at least in public4 ,he hath expended all his strength1 and finds he cannot prevail4 ,adieu1 ,honoured ,sir1 ,adieu6 ,my health is better1 since ,i last left ,charles ,town1 and am now freed from domestic cares4 ,with almost tears of love to you1 and the brethren1 do ,i subscribe myself1 honoured ,sir1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,j ,l1 in ,bristol4 ,charles-,town1 ,aug4 #bf1 #agdj4 ,dear ,j1 ,i ,hope you and your little society go on and prosper4 ,i hear there are divisions among you4 ,avoid them if possible4 ,the doctrines of election1 and of final perseverance1 ,i hold as well as you4,but then1 they are not to be contended for with heat and passion4 ,such a proceeding will only prejudice the cause you would defend4 ,pray shew this to your other friends4,exhort them to avoid all clamour1 and evil speaking1 and with meekness receive the ingrafted word which is able to save your soul4 ,,god has begun a great work here1 and in other parts of ,america2 but yet1 ,i believe1 ,i shall shortly have a call to ,england4 ,o pray it may be the divine will1 that ,i may have a prosperous journey2 and that you may see me grown in grace1 and in the knowledge of our ,,lord and ,saviour ,,jesus ,,christ4,with tenderest love to all1 ,i am ,your affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxvi4 ,to the ,right ,reverend ,father in ,,god1 ,edmund ,lord ,bishop of ,london4 ,on board the ,savannah1 bound from ,charles-,town to ,boston1 ,september 1 #agdj4 ,my ,lord1 ,,although your ,lordship has been pleased to caution the people against running into those extremes1 to which your ,lordship apprehended my doctrine would lead men2 yet ,i am persuaded that will not any way influence your ,lordship1 as to the contents of this letter4 ,the one single point which it contains1 is this query1 8,whether the commissary of ,south-,carolina has power given him from your ,lordship1 to exercise any judicial authority against me1 or any other clergyman1 who doth not belong to his province80 ,the reason of my putting this question1 ,i suppose your ,lordship will be apprized of1 before this reaches your ,lordship's hands4 ,i have been lately cited to appear in an ecclesiastical court1 erected by the ,reverend ,mr4 ,g1 for not reading the common prayer in the meeting-house1 which ,i was obliged to preach in at ,charles-,town1 7unless ,i would be silent7 because the commissary would not let me have the use of his church4 ,i appeared1 and have appealed1 according to law1 to four of his majesty's commissioners for reviewing appeals1 to know1 whether the commissary ought not to have accepted a ,recusatio judicis1 which ,i lodged in court4 ,this1 ,i suppose1 they will determine4 ,i only desire your ,lordship's explicit opinion and determination1 whether ,mr4 ,g1 7supposing he hath power over his own clergy17 has authority to erect such a court to arraign me1 who belong to the province of ,georgia4 ,the bearer hereof will give me your ,lordship's answer4 ,in favouring me with which1 your ,lordship will oblige1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,p4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #ai1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,have just now read your kind letter4 ,blessed be the ,,lord1 for imparting somewhat of his divine presence to your soul4 ,o may he fill you brimful1 and enable you so to preach1 that all your adversaries may not be able to gainsay or resist4 ,never fear undertaking to preach without notes2 remember the promise1 8,lo ,i am with you always1 even to the end of the world40 ,by my master's leave1 ,i propose to preach with you1 and dear brother ,w4 ,i am a worm and no man3 ,i deserve to be the outcast of the people4 ,on ,sunday ,i arrived at ,rhode-,island4 ,our ,,lord called some4 ,yesterday ,i came hither1 to-day ,i preached4 ,may the ,,lord give a divine increase to the seed sown6 ,a great work is carrying on at ,charles-,town4 ,the spirit of ,,god is moving in different parts of the world4 ,o my dear1 dear brother1 let us up and be doing1 and the ,,lord will be with us4 ,the world is lying in the wicked one4 ,may ,,god make you instrumental to deliver thousands from his cursed slavery6 ,with difficulty ,i redeem time to write this4 ,brother ,b1 and ,b1 are with me4 ,i will endeavour to give you notice of my coming4 ,in the mean while1 cease not praying for ,your weak and unworthy brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,n1 at ,new-,york4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bc1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,hither ,,god brought me on ,thursday evening3 ,i preached once on ,friday1 and twice every day since4 ,the power of the ,,lord advances sweetly4 ,our ,,lord1 ,i believe1 will revive his work in the midst of the years2 he enables me to preach plainly4 ,some ministers1 ,i hope1 will be quickened1 as well as people4 ,they attend1 and are exceeding civil1 as also the governor4 ,i wrote to you from ,rhode ,island2 ,i shall call there1 as ,i come to you4 ,on ,monday1 ,,god willing1 ,i shall set out to see ,mr4 ,m1 and on ,monday fortnight hope to go to ,northampton4 ,all the packets of letters came safe4 ,,god bless my dear1 dear ,brother ,n for his great care4 ,friends from ,england write strange things2 ,,god1 ,i believe1 calls me thither4 ,mr4 ,w and the ,ms1 ,i think1 are sadly erroneous in some points of doctrine4 ,when ,i see you1 ,i will communicate many particulars2 now1 ,i have scarce time to write this4 ,our dear ,,lord sweetly fills me with his presence4 ,my heaven is begun indeed4 ,i feast on the fatted calf4 ,the ,,lord strengthens me mightily in the inner man4 ,i find a few souls left in ,sardis that have not defiled their garments4 ,excuse me to ,mr4 ,p2 ,i have not time to answer his kind letter6 ,adieu2 ,i hope to be with you in about five weeks4,i pray for dear ,brother ,t1 that he may espouse more souls to the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4,my hearty love to all4 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,a4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bc1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother ,a1 ,i ,thank you for your letter3 ,may the ,,lord enable me to send you an answer of peace4 ,sinless perfection1 ,i think1 is unattainable in this life4 ,shew me a man that could ever justly say1 8,i am perfect40 ,it is enough if we can say so1 when we bow down our heads and give up the ghost4 ,indwelling sin remains till death1 even in the regenerate1 as the article of the church expresses it4,there is no man that liveth and sinneth not in thought1 word1 and deed3 ,however1 to affirm such a thing as perfection1 and to deny final perseverance1 what an absurdity is this8 ,to be incapable of sinning1 and capable of being finally damned1 is a contradiction in terms4 ,from such doctrine may ,i ever turn away6 ,labour1 dear ,mr4 ,a4 to be holy1 even as ,,god is holy2 but do not look for complete perfection here below4 ,what is this1 but in effect to vacate the righteousness of ,,christ8 ,i hear many amongst you who begun in the spirit1 are now ending in the flesh4 ,,christ hath freely justified them1 i4 e4 entitled them to all his merits1 and yet they must do so and so to keep themselves in a justified state4 ,alas1 this is sorry divinity2 ,i have not so learned ,,christ4 ,no1 his gifts and callings are without repentance4 ,whom he loves1 he loves to the end4 ,work ,i will1 but not to keep myself in a justified state4 ,my ,,lord hath secured that2 but ,i will work to shew my gratitude for his putting me into a justified state4 ,o that all would study the covenant of grace4 ,dear ,mr4 ,a4 ,i feel that ,i love you1 and ,i find myself carried out to write in this manner4 ,my ,,lord blesses me with all spiritual blessings2 he causes me to rejoice in his salvation4 ,i pray him to carry on his work in ,london1 and to keep his church from errors2 but there must be a sifting as well as a gathering time4 ,it is meet that such offences should come4 ,all shall work together for good to those who are called after ,,god's purpose3 ,they shall finally be saved4 ,this much comforts1 dear ,brother ,a1 ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxx4 ,to ,h4 ,h4 in ,wales4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bd1 #agdj4 ,,and is dear ,brother ,h4 ,h4 yet alive in body and soul8 ,blessed be ,,god1 who causes those that wait on him to renew their strength4 ,i rejoice in your success3 ,may you mount with wings like eagles1 walk and not be weary1 run and not be faint6 ,you shall not be taken or hurt1 till the appointed hour is come4 ,i hope your conversation was blessed to dear ,mr4 ,w4 ,o that the ,,lord may batter down his free-will1 and compel him to own his sovereignty and everlasting love6 ,some of ,f ,lane society1 ,i fear1 are running into sad errors2 but this happens for our trial1 especially mine4 ,those that before1 ,i suppose1 would have plucked out their eyes for me1 now ,i suspect1 ,i shall see very shy1 and avoiding me4 ,this is my comfort1 the ,,lord is a never-failing friend2 his truth will make its way in spite of all carnal reasoning4 ,o pray for me that ,i may have the spirit of judgment and a sound mind4 ,my coming to ,england will try my fidelity to my ,master3 ,nothing but his strength can enable me to hear all contradictions with meekness1 and to preach with love his everlasting truths4 ,o that all would study the covenant of grace6 ,the more ,i look into it1 the more is my soul delighted4 ,dear ,brother ,h4 adieu4 ,my dear friend ,j4 ,s4 sits by and cordially salutes you4 ,i hope you have received my letters4 ,i expect to hear from you by dear ,brother ,s4 ,,god is working powerfully in ,america4 ,he fills me with his presence1 and causes me to go on my way rejoicing4 ,grace6 grace6 ,i greet all most affectionately1 and am1 dear ,brother ,h4 ,yours eternally1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #be1 #agdj4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,this is sent in answer to your letter dated ,march #be4;,i think1 ,i have for some time known what it is to have righteousness1 peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,these1 ,i believe1 are the privileges of the sons of ,,god3 ,but ,i cannot say ,i am free from indwelling sin2 no1 ,i find a law in my members warring against the law of my mind3 ,this makes me to cry out1 even now1 8,who shall deliver me from the body of this death80 ,i thank ,,god1 our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ will4 ,i cannot see wherein the heterodoxy of the article of our church doth consist1 which says1 8,that this corruption remains even in the regenerate20 and if that after conversion we cannot sin in thought1 word or deed1 ,i do not know why our ,,lord taught us to pray to our heavenly ,father1 8,forgive us our trespasses40 ,i am sorry1 honoured ,sir1 to hear by many letters1 that you seem to own a sinless perfection in this life attainable4 ,i think ,i cannot answer you better1 than a venerable old minister in these parts answered a ,quaker4 8,bring me a man that hath really arrived to this1 and ,i will pay his expences1 let him come from where he will40 ,i know not what you may think1 ,i do not expect to say indwelling sin is finished and destroyed in me1 till ,i bow down my head and give up the ghost4 ,there must be some ,amalekites left in the ,israelites land1 to keep his soul in action1 to keep him humble1 and to drive him continually to ,,jesus ,,christ for pardon and forgiveness4 ,i know many abuse this doctrine1 and perhaps wilfully indulge sin1 or do not aspire after holiness1 because no man is perfect in this life4 ,but what of that8 must ,i therefore assert doctrines contrary to the gospel8 ,,god forbid4 ,whether the seventh to the ,romans1 is applicable to a converted person 7as many very eminent saints have thought7 is not at all to the purpose3 ,there are other passages of scripture1 which plainly shew that sinless perfection is not attainable here below4 ,such as these1 8,there is no man that liveth and sinneth not40 8,in many things we offend all40 ,and ,i know no sin except the sin against the ,holy ,ghost1 of which a child of ,,god may not be guilty1 if ,,god should withdraw his grace4 ,whatever you may think of ,david1 the scripture says1 8,he was a man after ,,god's own heart20 yet how did he fall8 ,and if you will not permit ,peter to have been converted when he denied his ,master2 what will you say to ,st4 ,paul8 ,did not he sin1 do you think1 7at least were not his passions irregular1 and what is that but sin7 when he spoke to the ,high ,priest1 and called him whited wall8 ,besides1 dear ,sir1 what a fond conceit is it to cry up perfection1 and yet cry down the doctrine of final perseverance8 ,but this1 and many other absurdities you will run into1 because you will not own ,election3 ,and you will not own ,election1 because you cannot own it without believing the doctrine of ,reprobation4 ,what then is there in reprobation so horrid8 ,i see no blasphemy in holding that doctrine1 if rightly explained4 ,if ,,god might have passed by all1 he may pass by some4 ,judge whether it is not a greater blasphemy to say1 8,,christ died for souls now in hell40 ,surely1 dear ,sir1 you do not believe there will be a general gaol delivery of damned souls hereafter4 ,o that you would study the covenant of grace6 ,o that you were truly convinced of sin1 and brought to the foot of sovereign grace6 ,elisha ,cole on ,,god's sovereignty1 and ,veritas ,redux1 written by ,doctor ,edwards1 are well worth your reading4 ,but ,i have done2 if you think so meanly of ,bunyan1 and the ,puritan writers1 ,i do not wonder that you think me wrong4 ,i find your sermon has had its expected success2 it hath set the nation a disputing2 you will have enough to do now to answer pamphlets2 two ,i have already seen4 ,o that you would be more cautious in casting lots6 ,o that you would not be too rash and precipitant6 ,if you go on thus1 honoured ,sir1 how can ,i concur with you8 ,it is impossible2 ,i must speak what ,i know4,thus ,i write out of the fulness of my heart3 ,i feel myself to be a vile sinner4,i look to ,,christ2 ,i mourn because ,i have pierced him4 ,honoured ,sir1 pray for me4 ,the ,,lord be with your dear soul4 ,about ,spring you may expect to see1 ,ever1 ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,l4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bf1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,wrote to you about a month ago from ,charles-,town4,since ,i came here ,i have received two letters from you4 ,may the great ,,god of heaven and earth bless your dear soul for thus assisting his poor unworthy servant3 ,a sense of my ingratitude almost melts me into a flood of tears4,indeed ,i am the very chief of sinners4,o the love1 the sovereign1 distinguishing1 everlasting love of ,,god my ,saviour6 ,praise him1 praise him1 dear ,mr4 ,l1 with all your soul4,i hope nothing will cause a division between me and ,messrs4 ,ws3 ,but ,i must speak what ,i know1 and confute error wheresoever ,i find it4 ,about ,spring ,i hope to come over if the ,,lord will4,be pleased to inform my friends1 that last ,sunday was sevennight ,i arrived at ,rhode-,island1 where ,i preached and read prayers in the church on ,monday and ,tuesday to very large and affected auditories4,on ,wednesday ,i preached at ,bristol1 in my way to ,boston4,on ,thursday night ,i got there1 and on ,friday preached1 and have preached once or twice every day since4,almost all the ministers1 and vast bodies of people1 have been continually pressing to hear the word of ,,god1 sometimes in the fields1 and sometimes in the meeting-houses4 ,my health is much restored by the coolness of the air4,i intend staying about a month in these parts1 then to go to ,philadelphia by land1 from thence to ,georgia by water1 and ,i hope to embark for ,england the beginning of the ,spring4,you see by this1 dear friend1 how our ,,lord works by my unworthy hands4 ,ministers and people1 ,i believe1 will be much quickened4,i hope your dear soul prospers4 ,for ,,christ's sake avoid disputing2 study your heart and the scriptures2 get nearer and nearer to ,,christ1 he will lead you into all truth4 ,my most tender love to all2 if opportunity any way offers1 every letter received shall be answered by1 dear dear ,mr4 ,l1 ,the meanest of all your christian friends1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,i4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bf1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letter4 ,it is the first ,i have received from you since ,i left ,england4,i bless ,,god the work goes on in ,yorkshire4,may our glorious1 sin-forgiving ,,lord bless you and your spiritual children more and more6 ,i find1 our friends are got into deputing one with another4,o that the ,,god of peace may put a stop to it6 ,i wish many may not be building on a false foundation1 and rest in a false peace4 ,they own free justification1 and yet seem to think1 that their continuance in a justified state depends on their doings1 and their wills4,this1 ,i think1 is establishing a righteousness of our own4 ,my dear brother1 if we search the scriptures1 we shall find that the word justified implies not only pardon of sin1 but also all its consequences48,thus 7says ,saint ,paul7 those whom he justified1 them he also glorified20 so that if a man was once justified1 he remains so to all eternity4,here lies the anchor of all my hopes4,our ,,lord having once loved me1 he will love me to the end4,this fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory4,i now walk by faith4,i work not to keep myself in a justified state1 7for men or devils can never pluck me out of ,,christ's hands17 but to express my love and gratitude for what ,,jesus hath done for my soul4 ,this1 ,i think1 is what the apostle calls 8faith working by love40 ,my dear brother1 my heart's desire and prayer to ,,god is1 that we may all think and speak the same things4,for1 if we are divided among ourselves1 what an advantage will satan get over us8 ,let us love one another1 excite all to come to ,,christ without exception1 and our ,,lord will shew us1 who are his4 ,the work of ,,god goes on exceedingly in ,america4 ,the ,,lord is pleased to manifest himself unto my soul more and more4 ,i am a naughty1 stubborn child2 but my dear ,,lord will have mercy because he will have mercy4 ,it is owing to his distinguishing love that ,i am not hardened4 ,here is1 and ,i believe will be a great quickning in these parts4,the cloud seems to be moving4 ,perhaps in the ,spring we may meet face to face4 ,with difficulty ,i get time to write this1 but ,i must answer dear ,brother ,i's letter4,may the ,,lord ,,jesus be continually with your spirit1 and make your soul brimful of peace and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i love you in the bowels of the crucified ,lamb4 ,may he unite us more and more intimately to his dear self1 and to one another4 ,salute all that love him in sincerity4,brethren1 pray for us4,that you may be kept by ,,god's power to eternal salvation1 is the prayer of ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother and poor weak servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,w ,d4 ,boston1 ,september #bh1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,w1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letter from ,osset2 ,i wish it was written with more life4 ,i fear you are turning almost to a spirit of bondage3 but it is good for you to be sifted1 to make an experienced minister of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i could not but smile1 to find you wink at the decency of my dress4 ,alas6 my brother1 ,i have known long since what it is to be in that state you are 7in my opinion7 about to enter into4 ,i myself thought once that christianity required me to go nasty4 ,i neglected myself as much as you would have me1 for above a twelvemonth3 but when ,,god gave me the spirit of adoption1 ,i then dressed decently1 as you call it1 out of principle3 and ,i am more and more convinced1 that the ,,lord would have me act1 in that respect1 as ,i do4 ,but ,i am almost ashamed to mention any such thing3 rather let us talk and write of the love of ,,jesus2 8,let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith ,,jesus ,,christ hath made us free1 and not be again entangled in a yoke of bondage40 ,,god only knows whether you have done right in leaving the university1 or in declining to exhort4 ,if you do not preach till you are perfectly free from all sin1 ,i believe you will never preach again4 ,i could never hear of such a minister or christian yet4 ,my dear brother1 ,i speak freely to you1 because ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he sent his disciples to preach before they were perfect2 nay1 when they were weak in grace4 ,exercise the talents you have1 and that is the way to get more4 ,thus has ,,god dealt with me for these seven years4 8,to him that hath1 shall be given40 ,many of our friends talk against election3 a good reason may be given4 ,i believe they have never taken pains to search into the true state of the case4 ,what if some abuse that doctrine2 is it therefore false8 ,no2 by no means4 ,i am persuaded1 if any of our friends would examine their experiences1 they would find that ,,jesus ,,christ freely prevented them by his grace2 that he compelled them to come in2 and that it is not owing to themselves1 but to the will and promise of ,,god1 that they are now kept in a state of grace4 ,but ,i will say no more4 ,my dear brother1 ,i love you4 ,may the ,,lord lead you into all truth4 ,our dear ,master is doing wonders among us4 ,praise him lustily1 and with a good courage4 ,adieu4 ,dear ,j ,s salutes you and the brethren1 as does ,yours affectionately1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,z ,m4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bh1 #agdj4 ,reverend and dear ,brother1 ,i ,received,i felt your letter4 ,surely there is a sympathy between souls that have drank into the same spirit4 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to come and see you2 and will endeavour to send you timely notice3 but oh do not expect too great things from me2 for if you do1 who knows but my ,,lord may desert me2 and then what am ,i8 ,excuse the brevity of this4 ,so many persons come to me under convictions1 and for advice1 that ,i have scarce time to eat bread4 ,wonderful things are doing here4 ,the word runs like lightning4 ,dagon daily falls before the ark4 ,i know you will1 in spirit1 pray that a due sense of his own vileness may be continually given to ,your affectionate1 though unworthy1 brother and servant in our glorious ,emmanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,w1 at ,bristol4 ,boston1 ,sept4 #bh1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,w1 ,,what mean you by disputing in all your letters8 ,may ,,god give you to know yourself1 and then you will not plead for absolute perfection2 or call the doctrine of election a 8doctrine of devils40 ,my dear brother1 take heed2 see you are in ,,christ a new creature4 ,beware of a false peace3 strive to enter in at the strait gate2 and give all diligence to make your calling and election sure4 ,remember you are but a babe in ,,christ1 if so much4 ,be humble1 talk little1 think and pray much4 ,let ,,god teach you1 and he will lead you into all truth4 ,i love you heartily3 ,i pray you may be kept from error1 both in principle and practice4 ,salute all the brethren4 ,if you must dispute1 stay till you are master of your subject2 otherwise you will hurt the cause you would defend4 ,study to adorn the gospel of our ,,lord in all things2 and forget not to pray for ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,l4 ,boston1 ,october #i1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother ,l1 ,i ,write to you again by this ship1 though ,i have scarce time to write a line4 ,,god works by me1 ,i think1 more than ever4 ,i am quite well in bodily health4 ,ministers as well as people are stirred up1 and the government is exceeding civil4 ,in short1 ,,god is doing greater things than can be expressed4 ,oh exhort all to pray1 and to give thanks for me with their whole hearts4 ,the bearer brings the authentic copy of my appeal2 ,i sent you another copy before from ,carolina4 ,be pleased to keep this ,i have now sent1 till you hear of my coming to ,england3 if ,i come in the ,spring1 ,i will lodge it myself2 if not1 be pleased to lodge it for me1 and ,i will pay all expences4 ,o dear brother ,l1 what a scene of labours and sufferings lies before me6 ,my dear ,,jesus will make me more than conqueror over all3 he strengthens and comforts1 he converses with me by night and by day3 he gives me all peace and joy in believing4 ,i pray ,,god to keep our dear brother ,s and others from a false stillness4 ,i am sorry to hear such errors are risen amongst the brethren4 ,adieu2 the ,,lord be with your spirit4 ,i have already collected upwards of four hundred pounds sterling for the ,orphan-house4 ,,god shews me that ,america must be my place for action4 ,once more adieu4 ,cease not to pray for1 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h4 ,newhaven1 ,oct4 #bd1 #agdj4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,your letter1 just now brought to me by dear brother ,n1 gave me great comfort4 ,with fear and trembling1 ever since the late disputations1 have ,i opened letters sent from ,savannah1 but blessed be ,,god1 our dear ,,lord is with my dear friend ,h4 ,blessed be ,,god1 my family dwell together in unity4 ,the ,,god of love fill you with all peace and joy in believing4 ,i hope a supply for your then present wants1 came to you soon after you sent your letters3 since that1 ,i have sent from ,boston #ajj l4 sterling2 next week ,i hope to send again from ,new-,york1 and before ,christmas ,i trust ,i shall see you face to face4 ,wonderful things ,,god does for me4 ,i am enabled to preach and travel better than ever4 ,there has been joy in heaven1 ,i believe1 over many souls repenting4 ,there are some hopes of dear1 dear brother ,n's coming with me4 ,mr4 ,b1 one of the young ministers of ,long ,island1 with his wife1 accompanies me also2 and another settled christian1 who holds and experiences the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,o that all my family may be thus minded6 ,i suppose by this time you know how matters are determined for me1 if ,mr4 ,c is arrived4 ,,god keeps me in suspense3 suspense did ,i say8 ,blessed be his holy name1 ,i am quite easy3 ,i am persuaded he will chuse for me a daughter of ,abraham4 ,i know not but it may be the divine will that you should abide in ,georgia1 whilst ,i go to ,england4 ,be resigned3 see if ,,god does not bring all things about for your good3 there is but little comfort to be expected in ,england4 ,i find ,i must1 if ,i am faithful1 oppose the errors of many who1 ,i believe1 fear ,,god3 ,o that ,i may do it with meekness and wisdom4 ,methinks ,i now long to be with you all at ,savannah4 ,pray for my speedy passage4 ,i am glad ,,god is scourging out the children of ,belial3 you have often heard me say ,,god would do so4 ,never fear2 a remnant will be left1 which shall take root downwards1 and bear fruit upwards1 and yet fill the land4 ,my dear brother1 adieu3 ,i am called away4 ,i love you more solidly than ever4 ,dear ,j ,s1 ,mr4 ,f1 and ,p1 love you too3 we travel very comfortably3 thousands of prayers are continually put up for me and mine4 ,my love to all1 without exception4 ,feed the lambs1 study the purity of their hearts1 and thereby rejoice the soul of ,yours most affectionately and eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,w4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #i1 #agdj4 ,dear and honoured ,sir1 ,i ,received your's1 dated ,march #aa1 this afternoon4 ,oh that we were of one mind3 for ,i am yet persuaded you greatly err4 ,you have set a mark you will never arrive at1 till you come to glory4 ,i think few enjoy such continued manifestations of ,,god's presence as ,i do1 and have done1 for some years2 but ,i dare not pretend to say ,i shall be absolutely perfect4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 many of ,,god's children are grieved at your principles2 ,o that ,,god may give you a sight of his free1 sovereign1 and electing love6 ,but no more of this3 why will you compel me to write thus8 why will you dispute8 ,i am willing to go with you to prison1 and to death2 but ,i am not willing to oppose you4 ,my heart is now much affected3 indeed ,i love and honour you4 ,dear1 dear ,sir1 study the covenant of grace1 that you may be consistent with yourself3 hasten ,o ,,lord1 the blessed time6 ,i fancy ,i shall embark for ,england about ,spring2 but am not yet determined4 ,,god shews me his goodness plenteously every day4 ,i dwell in ,,christ1 and ,,christ in me3 glory be to sovereign grace4 ,i seem to have a new body1 and the ,,lord ,,jesus greatly enriches my soul4 ,o ,i am a poor sinner6 but our ,,lord frequently manifests himself in such a manner1 that it throws me into an agony which my body is almost too weak to bear4 ,honoured ,sir1 adieu4 ,o build up1 but do not lead into error1 the souls once committed to the charge of ,your affectionate1 unworthy brother and servant1 in the loving ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h1 in ,wales4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #i1 #agdj4 ,my very dear ,brother ,h1 ,i ,wrote to you from ,boston4 ,your letter1 written near a twelvemonth ago1 came to my hand this afternoon4 ,my soul is knit to you3 we both speak and think the same things4 ,the ,,lord be with your spirit4 ,,jesus manifests forth his glory daily in these parts4 ,though ,i am such a vile1 worthless1 ungrateful wretch1 yet the ,,lord fills me out of his divine fulness day by day4 ,his word is like a fire1 and a hammer3 last week ,i saw many quite struck down4 ,our ,,lord is working upon little children4 ,america1 ere long1 will be famous for christians4 ,surely the candlestick will shortly be removed from ,england4 ,little did ,i think1 when ,mr4 ,e ,j wrote1 that ,i should preach in all the chief places of ,america3 but that is now done2 glory be to rich1 free1 and sovereign grace6 ,perhaps about ,spring ,i may embark for my native country3 the ,,lord vouchsafe us a happy meeting4 ,o ,wales1 thou art dear to my soul6 ,my love to all the brethren4 ,dear brother ,h1 ,i pray ,,god you may prosper1 even as your soul prospers4 ,expect another journal shortly3 but wait till we come to glory1 fully to see and hear what ,,god hath done for ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxi4 ,to his ,excellency ,jonathan ,belcher1 ,esq41 in ,boston4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #i1 #agdj4 ,,though late1 ,i now snatch a few moments to send your excellency my acknowledgments for all honours received at ,boston3 they are much upon my heart4 ,i pray ,,god to reward your excellency a thousand-fold4 ,great things hath the glorious ,emmanuel done for me and his people on the way3 the word has been attended with much power4 ,surely our ,,lord intends to set ,america in a flame4 ,this week ,mr4 ,g ,t purposes to set out for ,boston1 in order to blow up the divine fire lately kindled there4 ,i recommend him to your excellency as a solid1 judicious1 and zealous minister of the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ3 he will be ready to preach daily3 ,i suppose his brethren will readily open their doors3 may the ,,lord at the same time open the people's hearts1 that they may diligently attend to the things that shall be spoken4 ,dear ,mr4 ,r grows in grace3 ,i left him at ,brunswick1 full of gratitude for his late journey4 ,i am persuaded it was of ,,god4 ,i hope he will be instrumental in quickening both ministers and people4 ,he is worthy of your excellency's particular regard3 under ,,god he may need it4 ,i expect he will soon be reviled and persecuted for his blessed ,master's sake3 may the ,,lord enable him to rejoice and be exceeding glad4 ,dear ,sir1 the welfare of dear ,boston people1 especially the welfare of your own soul1 lies upon me night and day4 ,i remember your tears3 ,i remember your excellency's words1 8,mr4 ,whitefield1 pray that ,i may hunger and thirst after righteousness40 ,o how did these words rejoice me6 for ,i thought your excellency wanted a more clear view of your own vileness1 and of the all-sufficiency of ,,jesus ,,christ2 ,i mean a more clear1 experimental view3 for what is all head-knowledge without that of the heart8 it only settles people more upon their lees4 ,may ,,god give you to see and to follow the simplicity of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,whilst you are in the world1 may you not be of it3 may you be dead to magnificence1 and alive to nothing but what leads you directly to your ,,god4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,i make no apology for this freedom3 your excellency bid me not spare rulers2 no1 not the chief of them4 ,indeed ,i long after your salvation2 ,o that ,i could do any thing to promote it6 ,if my prayers1 or any thing within my power may be instrumental thereunto1 your excellency may command1 honoured ,sir1 ,your ,excellency's obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,m1 at ,london4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agdj4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,still my ,,lord shews me greater things4 ,at ,new-,york the ,holy ,ghost came down like a mighty rushing wind4 ,at ,baskenridge still a greater awakening among young and old4 ,one that received ,,christ cried out1 8,he is come6 ,he is come60 c4 ,the poor creature was wrapped up in the ,,lord ,,jesus3 and both there and at ,new-,york my soul was taken almost out of the body4 ,at ,newark the ,,lord worked wonderfully amongst some young men2 and here at ,philadelphia the word runs very swiftly4 ,this afternoon1 how beautiful did the ,,lord appear in his sanctuary6 ,i would cry out1 8,how amiable are thy dwellings1 thou ,,lord of hosts60 ,in several places1 almost as large as ,northampton1 are many faithful labourers4 ,we all think and speak the same things3 ,o that it was so at ,london6 ,the ,,lord enables me to confute error wherever ,i see it4 ,pray for me1 that ,i may be made faithful to my ,,lord and ,master3 he is dearer to me every day3 he will have mercy1 because he will have mercy4 ,see brother ,l's letter4 ,another journal comes out shortly4 ,my hearty love to all4 ,stand fast in the faith3 quit yourselves like men3 be strong4 ,above all1 give thanks to ,,god2 and pray in behalf of1 dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,l4 ,philadelphia1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,l1 ,i ,wrote to you last week from ,new-,york4 ,you may give friends this brief account of me3 ,on last ,saturday evening ,i arrived at this place1 having preached at ,staten ,island1 ,newark1 ,baskenridge1 ,new ,brunswick1 and ,trenton1 in my way hither from ,new ,york4 ,a wonderful presence of ,,god was observable at ,new-,york1 ,baskenridge1 and ,newark4 ,i preached here twice yesterday1 and also to-day1 in a large house built by the people since ,i was here last4 ,it is an hundred feet long1 and seventy feet wide2 and is intended for a school1 as well as a place for public worship4 ,the walls are brick1 and the roof is now almost ready to be put up4 ,,god hath remarkably appeared in the carrying on the building2 and the holy spirit hath sweetly moved on the hearers souls every time ,i preached in it4 ,i intend1 ,,god willing1 to stay here this1 and to embark for ,georgia the latter end of next week2 and propose1 ,,god willing1 to return to ,england for a short time1 in the ,spring4 ,the ,,lord highly favours me2 ,i am more sick of myself1 and more in love with ,,christ daily3 he is a dear1 dear ,master3 ,oh that all would love him with all their hearts6 ,adieu3 it is late4 ,the ,,lord be with your spirit4 ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxiv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d1 at ,new ,brunswick4 ,salem1 ,nov4 #bj1 #agdj4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,excess of business1 not a want of love1 prevented my writing to you from ,philadelphia4 ,i feel that ,i love you in the bowels of the dear ,,jesus1 our ever blessed and glorious ,emmanuel3 he hath done great things for me since you left us4 ,yesterday at ,cohansie the spirit of the ,,lord moved over the whole congregation3 what reason have we to be thankful for the great things we both see and hear6 ,my dear brother1 indeed ,i desire to lie in the dust4 ,o how good is my ,,lord to me6 thoughts cannot conceive1 or words express it6 ,i long to be in glory1 that ,i may praise him as ,i would4 ,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord is with you4 ,shortly1 ,i believe1 you will evangelize4 ,all friends kindly salute you4 ,adieu4 ,in great haste1 ,i am ,your very affectionate1 though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h4 ,bohemia1 7,maryland7 ,nov4 #bd1 #agdj4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,i ,rejoice to hear that you are married3 ,i salute your wife and my sister in ,,christ3 may you love one another1 as ,,christ and his church4 ,i have lately conversed closely with ,p ,b3 alas6 we differ widely in many respects2 therefore1 to avoid disputation and jealousies on both sides1 it is best to carry on the work of ,,god apart4 ,the divisions among the brethren sometimes grieve1 but do not surprize me4 ,how can it be otherwise1 when teachers do not think and speak the same things8 ,,god grant we may keep up a cordial undissembled love towards each other1 notwithstanding our different opinions4 ,o how do ,i long for heaven6 ,surely1 there will be no divisions1 no strife there1 but who shall sing with most affection to the ,lamb that sitteth upon the throne4 ,dear ,james1 there ,i hope to meet thee2 for the dear ,,jesus1 ,i believe1 hath locked thee fast in his almighty arms4 ,lean thou on his sacred bosom night and day2 keep close to him1 and be what ,i long to be1 a little child4 ,adieu4 ,i am ready to weep tears of love4 ,my dear brother1 ,i should be glad to wash any of the brethren's feet3 indeed ,i am now willing to be the servant of all4 ,the more the ,,lord honours me1 the more ,i feel my unworthiness4 ,i am sometimes sick of love1 and often1 often sick of self4 ,o that ,,god should have mercy on such a sinner6 ,help me1 dear ,james1 to praise my ,saviour4 ,a glorious church is raising in ,america4 ,the ,,lord mightily reveals his arm4 ,it would please you to see his outgoings1 his stately steps in the great congregation4 ,i only want fellow-labourers4 ,i look to ,,jesus for this1 and for every thing4 ,i desire you to print nothing against your conscience3 only do not immediately censure every thing that may not seem clear to you3 our ,,lord may guide me1 even into things which as yet you may not see into4 ,the day of judgment will discover all4 ,adieu4 ,ever1 ever yours in our blessed ,emmanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxvi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,bohemia 7,maryland7 ,nov4 #bd1 #agdj4 ,dear and ,hon4 ,sir1 ,,last night brother ,g brought me your two kind letters4 ,o that there may be harmony1 and very intimate union between us6 ,yet it cannot be1 since you hold universal ,redemption4 ,but no more of this4 ,perhaps1 in ,spring1 we may see each other face to face4 ,this evening1 ,,god willing1 ,i propose to embark for ,georgia4 ,wonderful things our ,,lord brings to pass1 in these parts1 every day4 ,here is a close opposition from some of the ,presbyterian ,clergy4 ,the seed of the serpent is the same in all1 of whatever communion4 ,i expect much more opposition every hour4 ,the devil rages in ,london4 ,he begins now to triumph indeed4 ,the children of ,,god are disunited among themselves4 ,the king of the church shall yet over-rule all things for good4 ,my dear brother1 for ,,christ's sake avoid all disputation4 ,do not oblige me to preach against you2 ,i had rather die4 ,be gentle towards the 4 ,they will get great advantage over you1 if they discover any irregular warmth in your temper4 ,i cannot for my soul unite with the ,moravian ,brethren4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,adieu6 ,yours eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxvii4 ,saint ,george's 7,pensylvania7 ,nov4 #bd1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,t1 ,,god has revived his own work in ,philadelphia4 ,his glory filled the great house4 ,the affairs belonging thereto1 ,i believe1 are well settled4 ,we have had precious times at ,cohansi1 ,salem1 ,fogs-mannor1 ,nottingham1 ,whiteclay1 ,creek and ,bohemia4 ,brother ,g is come from ,england very opportunely4 ,brother ,s comes about ,christmas4 ,the brethren ,i think do grow1 though sadly divided4 ,but our ,,lord will order all for good4,upon several accounts1 ,i think it best to embark for ,england as soon as possible in the ,spring4 ,o pray for me1 that ,i may not by any means grieve the children of ,,god4 ,i hope the weather is warm enough for you4 ,i trust our ,,lord has warmed and filled your dear soul4 ,your brother ,charles is with me4 ,my dear fellow travellers salute you and our dear brother ,r4 ,my love to all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,the war goes on bravely between ,michael and the ,dragon4 ,our dear ,,lord 7,o condescending love67 is wonderous kind to your poor1 weak1 unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxviii4 ,reedy-,island1 ,nov4 #bf1 #agdj4 ,dear ,mr4 ,f1 ,i ,thank you for your letter4,you may print my life1 as you desire4 ,,god willing1 ,i shall correct my two volumes of sermons1 and send them the very first opportunity4,pray write to me by every ship1 that goes shortly to ,charles-,town4 ,i shall embark for ,england1 ,,god willing1 about ,february4,i desire ,i may hear from you there also1 as often as possible4 ,i have prefaced ,jenks1 and ,presumptuous sinners detected4 ,mr4 ,bradford has the last1 because he said he was to print it4 ,you may have it of him4,the ,ornaments of the daughter of ,sion1 you may have hereafter4 ,dear ,sir1 ,adieu4 ,i do not despair of your seeing the reasonableness of christianity4 ,apply to ,,god2 be willing to do the divine will1 and you shall know it4 ,i have heard from ,mr4 ,s2 all is well4 ,to-day several friends have taken leave of me at this place1 waiting for a fair wind in order to embark for ,georgia4 ,i think ,i have been on shore #gc days1 and have been enabled to travel upwards of #hjj miles1 and to preach #agj times1 besides very frequent exhortations at private houses4 ,i have collected1 in goods and money1 upwards of #gjj l4 sterling1 for the ,orphan-house2 blessed be ,,god6 ,great and visible are the fruits of my late1 as well as former feeble labours1 and people in general seem more eager after the word than ever4 ,o the love of ,,god to ,your unworthy friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,n4 in ,new-,york4 ,charles-,town1 ,dec4 #aj1 #agdj4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,in eight days1 the ,,lord brought us hither4 ,we arrived last night1 when the ,redeemer vouchsafed so to fill me with his divine consolations1 that ,i could scarce sleep4 ,i have been preaching this morning on the fire that happened of late from these words1 ,isa4 i4 #i4 8,except the ,,lord of ,,hosts had left unto us a very small remnant1 we should have been as ,sodom1 and we should have been like unto ,gomorrah40 ,i am now determined to see ,england as soon as possible4 ,i have had much of ,,god's presence in our passage hither from ,philadelphia1 and have many precious letters to send you4 ,o follow me with your prayers4 ,i leave ,charles-,town1 ,,god willing1 to-night1 in order to hasten to their relief1 and shall go in the same sloop which brought me here1 to my beloved ,georgia4 ,as soon as possible1 ,i will send you a long letter4 ,in the mean while1 accept of my love from1 dear ,mr4 ,n1 ,your very affectionate friend and brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,sodam' replaced with #8,sodom' ,,letter ,,ccxl4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,c4 ,on board the ,savannah for ,georgia1 ,dec4 #aa1 #agdj4 ,dear ,brother ,c1 ,,your late letters1 especially that which you sent me by way of ,charles-,town1 made me smile4,i was glad to find that you had not so far thrown off all outward things1 as to resolve not to write to any one2 and ,i thought ,i knew the frame of your heart1 as though ,i was within you4 ,my dear1 dear ,george ,c1 ,i love you tenderly in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and therefore would not have you be deceived4 ,alas1 why do you pervert this text of scripture1 8,be still1 and know that ,i am the ,,lord10 as if it was designed to keep a christian from striving1 or meant a stillness of body1 or waiting upon ,,god only in silence8 ,the expression is taken out of the #dfth ,psalm1 where ,,god's fury against the heathen is described in the most lively colours2 and then lest his people should complain of the severity of his dispensations1 ,,god commands them to be still1 8not to murmur or repine1 knowing that he was the ,,lord1 and might do what seemed him good40 ,thus ,tate and ,brady in their translations explain it1 and this is the true and genuine meaning of that sentence4 ,it hath no reference to stillness in prayer1 or stillness of body4 ,dear brother1 ,i speak to you plainly1 because ,i love you4 ,i think ,i know what it is to wait upon the ,,lord in silence1 and to feel the spirit of ,,god making intercession for me with groanings which cannot be uttered4 ,often have ,i been at such times filled as it were with the fulness of ,,god1 and ,i do now daily carry on a communion with the most high ,,god and the ever-blessed ,,jesus4 ,but all this ,i fear is contrary to the false stillness1 you and some others seem to have fallen into4 ,i was just in the same case some years ago at ,oxford1 when ,i declined writing1 reading1 and such like exercises1 because ,i would be still4 ,the ,,lord convinced me2 ,i pray he may also convince you of this delusion4 ,dear ,george1 consider how contrary your maxim is to our ,saviour's4 ,you say1 8,be still40 ,he says1 8,strive40 ,as in an agony1 8,strive that you may enter in at the strait gate40 ,indeed1 my dear man1 ,i pity you1 knowing you have but a weak judgment1 though a well-meaning heart4 ,you once thought that you was born again2 then1 you found it was only an elapse of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,you used to say1 you wished you could believe from experience in the doctrine of election2 now1 you find as yet no evidence within yourself that you are a real christian4 ,you take too much refuge1 ,i fear1 in the doctrine of universal redemption4 ,it is the finest doctrine in the world to cause a soul to be falsely still1 and to say ,peace1 ,peace1 when there is no peace4 ,you seem to insist upon sinless perfection1 and to think a man hath no real salvation till he literally cannot commit sin4 ,from whose experience do you write this8 ,not from your own1 dear ,george2 for ,i much question1 if ever your heart was truly broken or had a saving closure with ,,christ4 ,you seem to mention ,peter ,bochler as an instance2 but alas1 though he has been washed in the blood of the ,lamb1 so as to be justified from all his sins1 yet like me his feet want washing still1 and will1 till he bows down his head and gives up the ghost4 ,i have conversed with him intimately4 ,take heed1 brother1 of having any thing too much in admiration1 or of thinking you must necessarily find ,,christ at such and such a place4 ,you have been at ,m4 ,i believe you have seen many dear children of ,,god2 but have you returned home with ,,christ in your heart8 ,your letters do not speak much improvement in the school of ,,christ4 ,if ,,god loves you1 he will let you see the vanity of your present imaginations1 and bring you to see that salvation is not of him that willeth1 or of him that runneth1 but of ,,god that sheweth mercy4 ,dear ,george1 be not given to change2 be not too fond of new things4 8,to the law and to the testimony10 and see what ,,christ and his apostles have spoken4 ,i speak this out of love1 and not in reference to myself4 ,if ,,god blesses another ministry to your soul1 ,i rejoice1 yea and will rejoice4 ,but if ,i see you fall into errors1 do not be angry if ,i tell you the truth4 ,if you are1 ,i will notwithstanding love and pray for you4 ,that errors are crept in among you1 ,i think is too plain3 but ,i suspend my judgment till the ,spring1 when1 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be in ,london4 ,in the mean while pray for me1 that ,i may with joy bear to be deserted by those1 who once were blessed and awakened by my ministry1 and to whom ,i am a spiritual father1 though they may have many instructors4 ,dear ,george1 may the ,,lord be with you4 ,he only knows how dear you are to my heart4 ,it is near midnight2 but it was much upon my heart to write you this letter4 ,that ,,god may sanctify it to your edification and comfort1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxli4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c4 ,good-,hope 7,south-,carolina7 ,jan4 #a1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i am now going to ,charles-,town1 in order to embark for ,england2 the cloud of ,,god's providence seems to be moving that way2 ,i have enjoyed much of the divine presence since ,i left ,boston1 and have had a comfortable ,christmas with my dear family at ,georgia4 ,at my return1 ,i found my ,orphan-houshold removed from ,savannah to ,bethesda1 and great improvements made during the time of my absence4 ,the great house will be finished1 ,,god willing1 so as to be habitable1 in about two months4 ,it would have been finished so far by this time1 if the ,spaniards had not taken a schooner loaded with bricks and other provisions to a considerable value2 but ,,god about the same time stirred up the heart of a planter in ,south-,carolina1 lately brought home at the orphan-house to ,,god1 to send my family some rice and beef4 ,at other times1 when they have wanted food1 the ,indians have brought plenty of venison4 ,,god1 every day1 more and more convinces us that this work is of him4 ,his power has been made known1 especially among the young ones4 ,i bless ,,god1 ,i have settled my family to my great satisfaction1 and verily believe ,i shall live to see great things come from the ,orphan-house4 ,,god works upon the hearts of the labourers4 ,one woman hath had a glorious discovery of ,,christ made to her heart3 last week1 two or three men where brought into heart-distress1 and another young man that came to see us1 was made so sick of sin1 as to feel the want of1 and to enquire after the great and all-powerful physician of souls4 ,my family1 ,i think1 consists now of #hi persons4 ,next year my expences will be contracted much2 but at present1 ,i am in debt about #ejj l4 sterling4 ,however1 ,i know in whom ,i have believed1 ,,one who is able to pay it4 ,my public accounts will be published as soon as ,i arrive at ,london1 with a prospect of the ,orphan-house1 and other little houses and gardens annexed unto it4 ,i am now at the house of one ,mr4 ,jonathan ,b1 who1 ,i trust1 with his brother ,mr4 ,h ,b1 and another young man1 lately a player in ,new-,york1 are settled by a living faith in ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,the latter1 ,i intend for the ministry4 ,mr4 ,h ,b's wife died not long since1 rejoicing in ,,god her ,saviour4 ,several others also in these parts are grown in grace1 and ,mr4 ,c's ministry hath been much blessed4,satan hath been sowing tares in old ,england4 ,oh that ,boston ministers and people may pray for me6 ,indeed1 ,i love them in the bowels of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,vale6 longum etsi spero non in ternum1 vale4 ,that ,,christ's kingdom may flourish in your heart1 and that you may greatly promote it in the souls of others1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate unworthy fellow-servant1 in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxlii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c4 ,charles-,town1 ,jan4 #ab1 #agda4 ,dear and ,reverend ,sir1 ,,last ,saturday ,i was taken up for being concerned in correcting the inclosed printed letter1 written by ,mr4 ,h ,bn1 whose conversion you have an account of in the other letter sent herewith4 ,i think it may be for ,,god's glory to have them all printed in ,boston4 ,i am bound over to appear next sessions1 as well as ,mr4 ,b4 ,he1 ,i believe1 for libelling the king1 and ,i for libelling the clergy1 in saying they break the ,canons daily4 ,i think1 dear ,sir1 these are earnests of what ,i must expect to meet with in my native country4 ,opposition1 as yet1 seems to be only like a cloud rising out of the sea1 no bigger than a man's hand4 ,perhaps it will gather to a great body1 and break upon the church of ,,god4 ,our ,,lord will be our refuge in every storm4 ,he is much with my soul1 and fills me abundantly1 ,i could almost say superabundantly1 with his presence4 ,we have seen precious times4 ,one person had a glorious discovery of ,,christ about two days ago4 ,i expect my family will be like the burning bush4 ,i find ,i am in debt for them upwards of six hundred pounds3 but the ,,lord will provide4,my most tender love awaits all that love him4 ,i am to appear at the sessions by an attorney4 ,dear ,sir1 remember1 ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,,cxlii' replaced with #8,,ccxlii' ,,letter ,,ccxliii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c1 at ,rhode ,island4 ,charles-,town1 ,jan4 #af1 #agda4 ,reverend and ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,snatch a few moments to write you a line before ,i embark for ,england4 ,blessed be ,,god1 you are near your desired haven4 ,yet a little while1 and you shall safely arrive in ,abraham's bosom4 ,i pr1 sequar1 esti non passibus equis4,great things ,,god is doing daily4 ,the kingdom of heaven 7,i hope7 is at hand4 ,i am bound over to appear at the sessions here1 by my attorney1 for libelling the clergy1 because ,i corrected the letter inclosed4 ,a scene of suffering lies before me1 but wherefore should ,i fear8 ,our ,,lord strengthens me mightily in the inner man4 ,we have had much of his presence in our assemblies4 ,but ,i must have done4 ,dear and ,reverend ,sir1 adieu4 ,i scarce expect to see you again in the flesh2 but this is my comfort1 ,i shall see and rejoice with you above4 ,there1 ,i will sit and tell you what ,,god hath done for ,your unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxliv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c1 in ,boston4 ,charles-,town1 ,jan4 #af1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,though ,i have packed up two letters for you already1 yet ,i cannot refrain from sending you a third4 ,just now ,i was favoured with yours dated last ,december #a4 ,indeed1 it gave me much comfort1 and endeared the writer of it to me more and more4 ,sir1 why am ,i thus highly favoured6 ,i now wish to sink exceeding low1 and cry out1 ,grace1 grace6 ,o the love of ,,god6 ,the sovereignty of ,,christ6 ,the unchangeable loving-kindness of our heavenly ,father6 ,excuse me1 dear ,mr4 ,c2 my heart is full4 ,i want for all men to love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,it greatly rejoices me1 to hear so many are coming to him4 ,he is a loving tender master4 ,he attends to my minutest wants1 and surprizingly helps me in every emergency4 ,i thank dear ,mr4 ,c1 for the kind token of his love4 ,good measure pressed down and running over1 may ,,god return into your bosom6 ,you will be pleased to correct the press4 ,i am filled with comfort to hear of the conduct of the dear governor1 c4 ,i cannot but think our ,,lord will let his word run1 and be abundantly glorified in ,america4 ,boston people are much upon my heart4 ,the memory of their forefathers is precious to my soul4 ,may you live to see the spirit of scriptural ,puritanism universally prevail6 ,i hope you will write every opportunity4 ,if ,i am in prison1 it will make me arise at midnight to sing praises to ,,god1 to hear that ,boston people are alive to ,,christ4 ,at present1 my heart is full of peace and joy4 ,we have had solemn meetings4 ,i am much strengthened on every side2 but ,i must not say more4 ,time is short4 ,dear ,mr4 ,c1 adieu4 ,may the ,,lord be with you and yours4 ,i could now drop a tear of love4,my love to all4 ,i am yours c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxlv4 ,to ,mr4 ,w ,d1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,minerva1 for ,england1 ,jan4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,mr4 ,p hath just brought me your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that his word runs and is glorified in ,boston4 ,surely1 dear ,sir1 ,i shall never forget that people2 indeed1 they are very near and dear unto my soul4 ,may those of your own household1 in particular1 be not only convicted but converted2 may the dear ,,jesus fill you with all peace and joy in believing1 and enable you to pray for1 dear ,sir1 ,yours in the blessed ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,p4 ,s4 ,excuse great haste2 our ship is just under sail4 ,my dear companions kindly salute you and yours4 ,,letter ,,ccxlvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,wm4 ,g4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #h1 #agda4 in latitude #ce1 #bd ,n4 ,my dear brother1 ,,see how soon ,i write to you1 and from thence infer how ,i love you4 ,whether it proceeds from the pride and naughtiness of my heart1 ,i cannot tell2 but1 ,i frankly confess1 ,i love to see persons humble1 kind1 and courteous to those1 whom ,,god hath made their spiritual fathers4 ,i believe it is well pleasing to ,,god1 and very amiable in the sight of all good men4 ,your christian grateful behaviour to me in this respect1 hath much endeared you to me4 ,,god only knows how ,i love you4 ,i bear you upon my heart1 and often secretly sigh out before the ,,lord18,o let my dear brother ,g live before thee40 ,this is the desire of my soul for you4 ,i cannot wish you a better thing4 ,yet a little while1 and we shall be together again4 ,but1 before that time1 ,i expect to suffer great things4 ,the ,,lord is able to deliver me out of all4 ,i have just now experienced his divine assistance in composing a sermon4 ,this is the sixth which he has enabled me to finish1 since ,i have been on board4 ,o my dear brother1 love a precious ,,christ1 and shew it by adorning his gospel in all things4 ,he has highly favoured you1 indeed he hath4 ,if you and ,i are not eminently holy1 if you and ,i think any thing too much to be done for the ,,lord1 we are of all men the most ungrateful4 ,o the love of ,,christ6 ,i feel it1 ,i feel it4 ,,god now sheds it abroad in my heart4 ,may it abundantly also be shed on you by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,write to me if in prison1 my friends will bring it to me there4 ,,god will hear me for you even in a dungeon4 ,methinks ,i see you weep2 but weep not for me1 unless it be before the ,,lord1 and then ,i care not how soon you retire1 and pour out your prayers in behalf of1 dear ,mr4 ,g1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxlvii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,l1 at ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #aa1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,l1 ,,you was upon the mount when ,i left ,charles-,town2 ,i hope you have not thrown yourself down4 ,keep close to ,,christ1 and cast not off your first love4 ,remember what ,,god has done for your soul4 ,forget not the glorious discovery ,,jesus ,,christ has made of himself to your heart2 and though a cloud should overshadow you1 let not ,satan make you doubt of your being a child of ,,god4 ,o ,mrs4 ,l1 how holy ought you to be in all manner of conversation and godliness6 ,why are you taken8 ,why are you in the arms of everlasting love8 ,methinks ,i hear you cry out1 ,grace6 grace6 ,and well you may2 for indeed you are saved by grace4 ,the free grace of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ be with you now and for ever more4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i experience much of it in the ship4 ,i hope divine grace moves me to send you this small letter4 ,if ,,god blesses it to your soul1 put up a short prayer for ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxlviii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,w1 at ,james-,island4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #aa1 #agda4 ,dear ,madam1 ,,my heart's desire and prayer to ,,god is1 that you may be saved4 ,i hope you will find1 it is not impossible for you to be born again when you are old4 ,,god forbid4 ,though at the eleventh hour1 ,i trust our ,,lord will meet you1 and cause you1 whenever you depart1 with good old ,simeon1 to depart in peace4 ,i heartily thank you1 madam1 for all favours conferred on me and mine4 ,we have not forgotten you on board4 ,i do not forget to mention you in my secret prayers4 ,may ,,god reveal his dear ,son in your soul1 and fill you with all peace and joy in believing6 ,o what a staff will this be to you in your old age6 ,how pleasantly then will you walk by your vault1 and say1 8,there shall ,i lay my weary bones ere long40 ,i hope you do not startle at the thoughts of death4 ,believe in ,,christ4 ,get a saving interest in his blood1 and then you may cry out1 8,o death1 where is thy sting6 ,o grave1 where is thy victory80 ,blessed be ,,god1 the prospect of death is pleasing to my soul4 ,i would not live here always3 ,i want to be gone4 ,that you and ,i1 whenever our appointed time is come1 may live with ,,christ1 is the earnest prayer of1 madam1 ,your obliged friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxlix4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ab1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,t41 ,,must ,i pray for you in the language of ,martha and ,mary1 saying1 8,,lord1 she whom thou lovest is sick60 ,or hath he who touched ,peter's wife's mother1 rebuked the illness that was coming upon you1 when ,i saw you last1 and caused it to leave you8 ,but1 however the ,,lord has dealt with you1 ,i hope he hath been glorified in and by you4 ,i heard he had by his word and spirit spoken to your soul1 and given you satisfaction1 that he had loved you with an everlasting love4 ,i rejoice in it from my soul4 ,the ,,lord increase your comforts daily1 and shew you all his glory4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,t1 think often of your departed sister4 ,follow her as she did ,,christ2 and then shortly1 where she is you shall be also4 ,o the happiness she now enjoys6 ,it is too dazzling for mortal eyes4 ,i want to leap my seventy years1 and fly away to ,,god4 ,well1 it will not be long4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,t1 let us patiently tarry till our change come4 ,our ,,lord will carry us safe through time1 and waft us triumphantly into eternity4 ,the love of ,,christ constrained me to write these lines2 accept them for his sake1 from ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccl4 ,to ,mr4 ,h1 at ,port-,royal1 ,south-,carolina4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h41 ,,the love of ,,christ constrains me to write you a line1 though as yet no further than the western islands4 ,i trust the ,,lord hath called you by name1 and enabled you to say 8,speak ,,lord1 for thy servant heareth40 ,who knows but he may call you yet further1 even to minister before him8 ,whether it be so or not1 make it your daily study to prepare your heart to serve the ,,lord in any station4 ,to be a doorkeeper in the house of ,,god1 is a glorious post4 ,surely1 you and ,i may sing of mercy and electing love4 ,how often have we acted a part for the devil8 ,the remembrance of it is grievous unto me4 ,let us both now labour daily to act a part for ,,god4 ,he heaps kindnesses on me every hour4 ,we have hitherto had a wonderful pleasant passage4 ,i hope it is in some measure owing to your prayers4 ,let this encourage you to pray again4 ,our ,,god is a ,,god hearing prayer4 ,i write now1 lest excess of business should prevent my writing in ,england4 ,the ,,lord is girding me for the battle1 and strengthening me mightily in the inner man4 8,o give thanks unto the ,,lord of all ,lords1 because his mercy endureth for ever40 ,you will not fail writing to ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccli4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,c1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,the ,,lord hath been with me1 and is now with me in an especial manner4 ,i have been enabled to prepare nine discourses for the press4 ,my body waxes stronger1 and last night the great ,,god in a glorious manner filled and overshadowed my soul4 ,i am panting after the compleat holiness of ,,jesus my ,,lord4 ,i have various scenes of action lying before me1 and am waiting upon the ,,lord my ,,god for direction4 ,he assures me that he will be with me4 ,he saith unto me1 8,fear not1 speak out1 no one shall set upon thee to hurt thee40 ,dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,,god's goodness quite surprizes me4 ,i cannot express myself better1 than in a stanza or two of ,erskine in his ,paraphrase upon ,solomon's song4 ,i4 ,what wonders ,,lord dost thou perform1 ,that stoopest thus so low1 ,to put thy beauty on a worm1 ,and then commend it so4 ,,ii4 ,what1 dost thou praise a native black8 ,i blush to find it true2 ,o lend me words to render back ,the praise to whom 'tis due4 ,i hope my love will find acceptance with all your flock who know me1 and who love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,i have often comforted myself and companions with this saying1 8,now ,mr4 ,c and our other friends are praying for us40 ,at the receipt of this1 turn your prayers into praises1 and then turn your praises again into prayers1 in behalf of1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,b4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,my dear brother in ,,christ1 ,,before this is brought to your hands1 ,i suppose you will have been arraigned before the ,chief ,justice4 ,i am persuaded our ,,lord will plead on your behalf1 and strengthen you with his mighty power in the inner man4 ,the greater progress you make in the divine life1 the more you will discover of the enmity that is in the seed of the serpent4 ,it bruised our master's heel2 it will also bruise ours4 ,here is our comfort1 ,,god who cannot lie1 hath told us1 that 8we shall bruise his head40 ,in the strength of this promise1 ,i can give men and devils the challenge4 ,whole legions are ready to beset me4 ,by the help of my ,,god1 ,i shall triumph over all4,i hope we shall grow in grace before we meet again4 ,you and ,i have weak crazy tabernacles2 ,i hope you rejoice in the prospect of putting them off shortly2 blessed be ,,god1 ,i do4,dear ,sir1 get acquainted more and more with electing love2 study the covenant of redemption1 and see how ,,god loved you with an everlasting love4 ,this will cause you to glory only in the ,,lord1 and to pass through the valley of the shadow of death1 with a full assurance of faith2 knowing that ,,christ hath engaged to lodge you safe in eternal glory4 ,thither your dear wife is gone before us2 ,i often think of1 ,i could almost say envy her2 but perhaps that is wrong4 ,yet a little while1 and our precious ,,lord shall take both you1 and ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,,clii' replaced with #8,,cclii' ,,letter ,,ccliii4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 at ,port-,royal4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b41 ,i ,hope you will never forget that day1 hour1 or moment1 wherein ,,god met you at ,savannah4 ,if you have in some measure1 do so no more4 8,awake thou that sleepest1 and ,,christ shall give thee light40 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,no man can serve two masters4 ,use the world1 but let it be as though you used it not4 ,the fashion of this world will soon1 very soon1 fade away4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i am persuaded1 will not be offended at this plain dealing4 ,he knows ,i love him4 ,,god knows it also4 ,with much affection1 ,i subscribe myself ,your friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccliv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,b4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,b41 ,,when you read that ,,jesus loved ,lazarus1 ,mary1 and their sister ,martha1 do you not make a particular application to your own family8 ,i think our ,,lord has been equally kind to your houshold4 ,walk as becometh members of the houshold of faith4 ,i hope you have had full satisfaction about your state1 and know assuredly that ,,christ is your ,saviour4 ,if not1 be not discouraged2 go on the way of duty1 is the way of safety4 ,by-and-by your soul shall magnify the ,,lord1 and your spirit rejoice in ,,god your ,saviour4 ,this is the hearty desire of1 dear ,mrs4 ,b1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,b4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,,your name1 ,jonathan1 puts me in mind of a good old testament worthy4 ,follow him in his faith1 and dare to scale the wall of the ,philistines4 ,be not afraid1 though already bound over as a libeller2 shortly you shall shine in the kingdom of your ,father2 ,i say1 your ,father2 for ,,god is your ,,god1 and will be your guide and guard unto death4 ,does not this astonish you8 ,do not you feel your heart melt8 ,are you not ready to cry out1 8,why me1 ,,lord80 ,the oftener you repeat such language the better4 ,i love to see a soul lie in the dust under a sense of electing love2 you and yours have been highly favoured4 ,may ,,god give you all grace to walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called4 ,i write this out of the fulness of my heart4 ,though not present1 yet ,i fain would converse with you4 ,o that ,i may see you grown in grace6 ,remember me to your wife4 ,the ,,lord be with you both3 ,he hath been1 he is now with me4 ,you are often upon my heart4 ,,god reward you for your kindness to the ,orphans4 ,do not slack your hands towards them4 ,our bountiful master will richly reward you4 ,go on steadily in the use of1 but do not trust in ordinances4 ,you know what ,i mean4 ,be steady and bold1 yet meek and catholic in your conversation and practice2 and if ,,god hath influenced you by my ministry1 give him the glory1 and for ,,christ's sake pray for ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b41 ,i ,think of you often1 indeed ,i do1 ,i long to hear that complete salvation is come to your soul4 ,i say complete salvation1 for my dear friend knows that reformation is not conversion4 ,o that you may experience a life hid with ,,christ in ,,god6 ,some who seemingly put their hands to the plough1 have already shamefully looked back2 will ,mr4 ,b4 also go away8 ,methinks ,i hear him say1 8,whether shall ,i go8 ,,jesus ,,christ alone hath the words of eternal life40 ,true1 ,,jesus alone is the way1 the truth and the life2 flee1 flee to him1 my dear friend2 with arms he stands ready to embrace1 and will save you to the uttermost4 ,remember1 my friend1 the vows of the ,,lord are upon you4 ,these hands reached out to you the sacred symbols of his precious body and blood4 ,these eyes saw you eat and drink of his bread and his wine4 ,o do not betray1 but manfully stand up for the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,you was once bold for satan1 be now bold for your ,,christ4 ,his love excites me to write to1 and pray for you4 ,your wife also ,i intreat the ,,lord to bless1 together with your children4 ,my friends join me in hearty wishes for your welfare4 ,i am1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclvii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d1 at ,edinburgh4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #af1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,if ,i mistake not1 ,mr4 ,m4 informed me1 that you was entered into the ministry2 ,i pray ,,god to enable you to make full proof of it4 ,o dear ,sir1 how holy ought we to be1 who are called to stand before the ,,lord4 ,when ,i consider the greatness of the office and my own unworthiness1 ,i am sometimes quite abashed4 ,this promise1 8,lo ,i am with you always10 is my daily support4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i find it fulfilled in my soul4 ,a great work is begun in ,america1 at ,georgia1 ,south-,carolina1 ,new-,york1 ,philadelphia1 and ,new-,england4 ,,god has confirmed the word by spiritual miracles and signs4 ,you will see what ,i have wrote to dear ,mr4 ,t4 ,your assistance in respect to the ,orphan-house will be very acceptable4 ,i am several hundreds of pounds in debt on that account4 ,the ,,god whom ,i serve is able to discharge it4 ,you have heard of the liberality of the ,new-,england people2 dear ,mr4 ,d ,,god's goodness astonishes me4 ,what6 can ,i think any thing too much to do1 or to suffer for so dear a ,master8 ,i was lately bound over at ,charles-,town in ,south-,carolina1 for libelling the clergy4 ,the libel1 falsely so called1 ,i shall soon send you after my arrival4 ,thus opposition is coming on gradually3 pray that the ,,lord may cover me with all his armour4 ,i am a weak defenceless creature in myself2 ,,jesus alone is my strength and my ,redeemer4 ,i write this on board1 that you may know1 you are not forgotten2 no1 tho' ,i never saw you in the flesh1 you are much beloved by1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in our dear ,,lord's vineyard1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,t1 at ,edisto4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t41 ,,providence prevented my coming to see you at ,edisto1however1 ,i must not omit writing to you now4 ,how is it with your heart8 ,i hope you are not nimis uxorius2 take heed1 my dear ,b1 take heed4 ,time is short4 ,it remains that those who have wives1 be as tho' they had none4 ,let nothing intercept1 or interrupt your communion with the bridegroom of the church4 ,i hope you do not feel such damps of soul1 as you used to complain of4 ,may the ,,lord of glory dispel every black cloud1 and cause you continually to rejoice in his salvation4 ,you have strong passions4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus is stronger3 ,in his strength may you subdue them1 till you are meek as a lamb1 and are become a very little child4 ,i write thus1 because ,i pray for you most heartily4,deal with me in the same manner2 and now1 dear brother1 farewel4 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,he is pleased to refresh my soul1 and give me the prospect of a short passage4 ,i commend myself and affairs to the prayers of your flock1 and ,i earnestly recommend you to the ,,god of all grace4 ,that he may bless you and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,t41 ,your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in the ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclix4 ,to ,mrs4 ,b1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,b41 ,i ,am much obliged to you many ways4 ,the ,,lord reward you a thousand-fold4 ,your prayers are heard4 ,,god is carrying us upon the wings of the wind4 ,the angel of the covenant accompanies us in the way4 ,the present season is a time of refreshing to my soul4 ,i hope it will be a profitable voyage4 ,i think ,i see more into the wickedness of my own heart1 and the unsearchable riches of the ,,lord ,,jesus1 who hath redeemed me by his precious blood4 ,i believe you can say so3 ,why do you shake your head8 ,woman1 why doubtest thou8 ,has not the ,,lord visited your soul8 ,have you not heard him say in his word1 applied by his spirit1 8,i have loved thee with an everlasting love80 ,and do you think ,,god would tell you so1 if it was not so8 ,away therefore with all desponding fears2 come boldly1 with a full assurance of faith1 and draw water plentifully out of the wells of salvation4 ,o that all were comforted1 as ,i am now comforted of ,,god4 ,i would not eat my spiritual morsels alone4 ,i hope1 a letter from you will acquaint me1 how good the ,,lord has been to your soul4 ,i have no greater joy1 than to hear that my christian friends walk in the truth4 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,remember me to your father and sisters4 ,that you all may be true members of the houshold of faith1 prays ,your affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclx4 ,to ,mr4 ,b4 and his wife at ,bethesda4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear brother ,b1 ,,when ,i left ,charles-,town1 the ,,lord seemed to give me a full assurance1 that we should have a speedy passage4,we have hitherto had scarce any contrary winds1 and are now very near the ,western ,islands4 ,we had one storm the first week1 but almost ever since have been favoured with weather as well as wind4 ,o that you would call the family together1 and praise the ,,lord for the mercies conferred on us the unworthiest of the sons of men6 ,i do not know that ,i have failed praying for you one day1 since ,i have been out4 ,i long to hear what the ,,lord hath done for your souls4 ,what say you8 ,do you live in love8 ,do you strive together with me in your prayers8 ,are any of the ,orphan ,lambs bleating after their great ,shepherd8 ,is your mouth opened8 ,is your heart enlarged8 ,is your soul swallowed up in ,,god8 ,does ,bethesda answer its name8 ,is it1 indeed1 an house of mercy8 ,these questions1 ,i hope to have answer'd in the affirmative4 ,if you ask1 how it is with my soul8 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i can reply1 8,very well40 ,the ,,lord gives me a feeling possession of himself4 ,i have been enabled to compose nine discourses for the press4 ,,god willing1 you shall hear from me often4 ,i write this1 that ,i may be ready1 if ,i should hear of any ship coming your way immediately upon my arrival2 receive it as a token of my love1 which ,,god knows is unfeigned1 from ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,j4 ,b1 ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i ,think ,i owe you a letter2 ,i believe you love me in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i hope our love is reciprocal4 ,how can it be otherwise with those1 who have drank of the same spirit8 ,i long for that happy time1 when we shall be swallowed up in the vision and full fruition of the glorious ,godhead4 ,the bunch of grapes makes me long to eat of the full clusters in the heavenly ,canaan4 ,the first-fruits make me pant after the full harvest4 ,perhaps you may go and partake of it first1 and drink new wine before me in the kingdom of our ,father2 ,i hope ,i shall not stay long after you1 if not called before4 ,my soul is sick of love4 ,nothing can satisfy it1 but the full sight and enjoyment of ,,christ4 ,he now visits my soul1 and causes it mightily to rejoice in his salvation4 ,how lovingly he hath dealt with me in other respects1 letters sent to other friends can best inform you4 ,haste1 read1 hear1 and join with them in giving thanks and praying for ,your affectionate friend and brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,s1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,s1 ,,my soul is now in an heavenly frame1 swallowed up in ,,god1 and melted down by the love of my dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,it is almost too big to speak4 ,i will give it vent by writing to you4 ,our master hath been exceeding gracious1 and has shewn me several tokens for good1 which ,i desired of him in secret prayer4 ,last night1 ,i think ,i received as full satisfaction as ,i could desire1 in respect to my marriage4 ,i believe what ,i have done1 is of ,,god2 tho' ,i know not when my heart was more disengaged from earthly thoughts than now4 ,i only desire1 that the dear ,,jesus may be glorified in me1 whether it be by life or by death4 ,i depend on your sending me a particular account of affairs at ,charles-,town4 ,i have wrote to many2 you will hear how my letters are received4 ,i shall be glad to hear how it is with your own soul4 ,i beseech you to live near to ,,christ1 and to keep up a holy walk with ,,god4 ,be inward with ,,god in your duties4 ,trust and hang on ,,god1 even when he hides himself from you4 ,he will be your guide unto death4 ,hunger and thirst daily after the righteousness of ,,christ4 ,be content with no degree of sanctification4 ,be always crying out1 8,,lord1 let me know more of myself and of thee2 ,o let me receive grace for grace of thy dear ,son40 ,this1 at present1 is the full desire of my soul4 ,i am persuaded the ,,lord will satisfy it4 ,,god is love2 we cannot think too highly of him2 we cannot expect too great things to be done by him4 ,his right hand1 ,i believe1 will bring mighty things to pass4 ,i am now entering on a scene of trials4 ,the ,,lord hath sent me on the seas to prepare me for them4 ,not that ,i depend on any stock of grace already received1 ,i would look to ,,christ continually4 ,but whither am ,i running8 ,i forget myself4 ,i almost fancy1 ,i am talking with you4 ,i have only room to acquaint you1 that dear ,j ,s sits by me1 and cordially salutes you1 with ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxiii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s1 ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ag1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,you have been very kind to me in many respects2 but ,i have been ungrateful to you1 and infinitely more so to my gracious ,,god4 ,i have not failed frequently to bemoan my unworthiness4 ,since ,i have been on board1 the ,,lord hath heard the voice of my weeping1 and now fills my soul with all peace and joy in believing4 ,i have been much assisted in composing sermons for the press4 ,at present my soul is closely adverting to ,,god1 who1 ,i believe1 will bring me safe to glory4 ,my bodily strength is much renewed4 ,in short1 ,i am comforted on every side4 ,dear ,sir1 praise the ,,lord in my behalf4 ,o let us magnify his name together4 ,i hope you feel what it is to have fellowship with the ,father and the ,son1 and experience the influences of the ,holy ,ghost1 in delivering your blessed master's message4 ,i salute ,mr4 ,p and your whole church4 ,my request is1 8,brethren1 pray and give thanks for us40,when you write to ,new-,england1 pray remember me to all friends in the kindest manner4 ,that country1 and the people1 lie very near my heart4 ,i hope to be favoured with a line from you ere ,i return from ,england4 ,great perils there await me2 but ,,jesus ,,christ will send his angel1 and roll away every stone of difficulty4 ,in his strength alone is my trust1 and for his sake and in his name1 ,i subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in the ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,bethesda4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #ah1 #agda4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,yesterday we humbled ourselves before ,,god1 and by prayer and fasting sought for a blessing1 and direction in all our affairs4 ,i wish ,i had kept family fasts at ,savannah4 ,suppose you had one monthly at ,bethesda8 ,you will see1 by dear ,brother ,b's letter1 the frame of my mind4 ,since that1 ,i have been a little in the valley1 but the ,,lord is my comforter4 ,i hope ,i grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of myself1 and the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,my heart is much united to ,messrs4 ,ws1 tho' we differ in some particulars4 ,may ,,god make us of one mind1 as well as heart4 ,i shall make all possible haste back1 and remit money to you as often as ,i can4 ,mr4 ,p tells me1 his brother is to send you upwards of a hundred pounds1 and ,i suppose other supplies will be sent from the ,northward4 ,i have also wrote to ,charles-,town4 ,i am persuaded ,,god will not let you want4 ,i would not have any thing left undone1 that is necessary for the family's comfortable subsistence4 ,the ,,lord is our ,shepherd1 therefore we shall not lack4 ,i shall long to hear how the blessed ,,jesus deals with you4 ,he is wonderfully gracious unto me1 and hath made this voyage profitable to my soul4 ,o my friend1 my friend1 the ,,lord be with you4 ,my love is firm to you at the bottom1 tho' sometimes it hath ebbed and flowed2 in heaven it will not be so4 ,on earth it is needful it should2 otherwise1 how should we learn to cease from man8 ,but ,i am a worm and no man1 and deserve to be the outcast of all people4 ,my eyes are now ready to gush out with water4 ,o the sovereign love of ,,christ in chusing me6 ,my dear friend1 let us study to be holy even as he is holy1 and walk even as he also walked4 ,let these be your daily questions1 8,am ,i more like ,,christ8 ,am ,i more meek and patient8 ,does my practice correspond with my knowledge1 and am ,i a light to enlighten and enflame all that are around me80 ,i could say more1 but ,i think to write again when ,i get on shore4 ,,god bless you and yours4 ,i suppose you have heard that ,mr4 ,p sails with ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,s ,w1 at ,bristol4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agda4 ,,and does my friend ,w look again towards ,,god8 ,never did the ,father with greater joy receive the returning prodigal1 than ,i shall embrace you in these unworthy arms1 if you are alive to ,,god4 ,i trust your late tepidity will now make you more fervent in spirit4 ,i pray ,,god to give you a settlement in ,,christ1 that you may be rooted and grounded in love4 ,my brother1 the captain1 gave me a particular account of your soul4 ,i hope he will yet appear for ,,god2 will you also appear with him8 ,why should you strive to please a pleasure-taking world8 ,why should you keep in league with the apparent enemies of ,,god8 ,but no more of this4 ,let old things pass away1 let all things become new4 ,i believe ,,god suffered you to fall1 because you thought more highly of yourself than you ought to think4 ,my love to all4 ,i feel a great union of soul with ,mr4 ,w2 we differ in principles1 but ,i hope the ,,lord will make us of one mind4 ,you must not be surprized1 if ,i publish an answer to ,mr4 ,john ,w's sermon1 entitled1 ,free ,grace4 ,it is wrote in much love and meekness4 ,adieu for the present4 ,give thanks on my behalf4 ,the ,,lord hath dealt wonderously kind with1 dear ,mr4 ,w1 ,yours eternally in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,t ,s1 in ,london4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,have kept your letter by me till now1 that ,i might answer it on my voyage4 ,it speaks the language of a perplexed heart1 and plainly shews me1 that satan loves to keep us in bondage4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i think you have done wrong in holding your peace4 ,i am sure you once felt that freedom of soul1 which you are a stranger to now4 ,the way of duty is the way of safety4 ,whatever you may say to the contrary1 unless you will give the lie to your own experiences1 you must confess1 that you have indeed tasted of the good word of life4 ,you should1 therefore1 have went forwards1 and not have turned back again1 and thereby plunged yourself into darkness2 darkness that may be felt4 ,alas1 you have too eagerly embraced principles 7,i fear7 contrary to the gospel of ,,christ4 ,you are aiming at a false voluntary humility1 and are returning back to the flesh pots of ,egypt4 ,i know my words will have but little force with some1 but ,i must deliver my soul4 ,,god was once pleased to work upon you by my ministry1 and therefore ,i am more solicitous for your welfare4 ,i know the advice you would give me is1 8be still40 ,i hope ,i am1 so far as really to know the ,,lord2 but yet ,i will strive1 yet will ,i walk in all the ordinances of ,,god1 and go on from strength to strength till ,i come to appear before him in his heavenly ,zion4 ,i write this1 out of the fulness of my heart4 ,indeed ,i love you1 and the brethren2 ,i am willing to be the servant of you all4 ,i am less than the least4 ,however1 ,i dare not embrace tenets that are not agreeable to the form of sound words4 ,let me see you as soon as may be after my arrival1 and in the mean while accept of hearty love1 from ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxvii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agda4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,,my conscience almost reproaches me1 that ,i have not wrote to you often1 nor full enough2 accept this as an acknowledgement of my fault4 ,i am sorry for it4 ,we are now about a thousand miles off ,england4 ,i hope this will provoke you to send me a letter immediately after my arrival4 ,i find ,luther's observation to be true3 8,times of reformation are times of confusion20 as yet the churches in ,america are quiet1 but ,i expect a sifting time ere long4 ,my family in ,georgia was once sadly shaken1 but now1 blessed be ,,god1 it is settled1 and1 ,i hope1 established in the doctrines of grace4 ,your name is precious among them4 ,i wish you would send them a long letter4 ,your book on walking with ,,god has been blessed to one ,mr4 ,b1 and others in ,south-,carolina4 ,it hath also been serviceable to a dear friend now with me1 as also to myself4 ,i cannot well tell you what great things are doing abroad4 ,i have a scene of sufferings lying before me2 ,i expect shortly to cry out with the spouse1 8,look not upon me1 because ,i am black1 because the sun hath looked upon me1 my mother's children were angry with me40 ,my ,,lord's command1 now1 ,i believe1 is1 8,take the foxes1 the little foxes that spoil the vines2 for our vines have tender grapes40,help me by your prayers4 ,it is an ease thus to unbosom one's self to a friend1 and an instance of my confidence in you4 ,o1 my dear ,sister1 ,i am less than the least of all saints1 ,i am the chief of sinners1 and yet ,,jesus loves me1 and sheds his love abroad in my heart abundantly by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i have been much assisted in composing some gospel sermons1 which ,i intend for the press4 ,i have sought the ,,lord by prayer and fasting1 and he assures me1 that he will be with me4 ,whom then should ,i fear8 ,hitherto we have had an extraordinary passage1 praise the ,,lord4 ,herewith ,i send you a letter from one of the children which ,,god has given me3 ,he will rejoice to receive a line from you4 ,if possible1 ,i hope1 tho' you are in the decline of life1 to see you face to face before ,i leave ,england4 ,i should be glad to hear how you are as to worldly circumstances2 if ,i can help you in any degree1 freely command ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxviii4 ,to ,t ,k1 at ,london4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #bj1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother ,k1 ,i ,received your kind letter at ,savannah1 and though ,i hope to see you face to face soon after you receive this1 yet love to your dear soul constrains me to write you an answer before ,i come on shore4 ,i find1 since my departure1 the brethren have fallen into errors4 ,dear ,brother ,k will not be offended1 if ,i say1 8,he1 ,i fear1 is one of them20 for his letter bewrayeth him4 ,my dear ,brother1 you say1 8,you have been striving a long1 long while1 but to very little purpose1 c40 ,by this1 ,i suppose1 you have left off the means1 and fallen into stillness2 expecting now1 that ,,jesus ,,christ will so work upon your heart1 that you shall not feel the least stirring of indwelling corruption in your soul2 in short1 that you shall be completely perfect3 ,this was pretty near my case about six years ago1 and now ,i see why ,,god suffered me thus to be tempted1 8that ,i might be more capable of succouring my brethren1 now they are tempted40 ,my dear ,brother1 let us reason together4 8,you have been striving 7you say7 a long while1 but to very little purpose40 ,and what then8 must you be therefore still1 and strive no more8 ,,god forbid3 ,no1 you are yet to wait at the pool4 8,constantly attend on ordinances20 and who knows but by-and-by the loving ,saviour may pass by and visit your soul4 ,have you not1 in some degree at least1 felt his divine power in the use of the means8 ,why should not that encourage you to expect more in the same way8 ,but you say1 8,i find all that is of self is sin40 ,and do you expect ever to do any thing1 or to offer up to ,,god one sacrifice1 without a mixture of sin in it8 ,if you do1 indeed you are building a spiritual ,babel4 ,my dear ,brother1 even our most holy thoughts are tinctured with sin1 and want the atonement of the ,mediator2 and therefore1 if you leave off striving1 because 8whatever is of self is sin10 you must never attempt to do any duty whatsoever again4 ,your stillness hath as much a mixture of self in it1 as your striving1 and if you proceed in this manner1 you must become a professed ,quietist4 ,six weeks did satan keep me under this delusion1 but the ,,lord helped me in the hour of extremity3 ,may he also help my dear ,brother ,k6 ,another error you seem to be fallen into is1 8that a man cannot be a christian1 at least that he is a very weak one1 so long as he finds corruption stirring in his heart40 ,if ,i was to urge the seventh to the ,romans1 you would say1 ,st4 ,paul only speaks of a man under first-awakenings1 and not of a converted man2 but my dear ,brother1 did you ever know a man1 that was not really converted1 delight in the law of ,,god after the inner man8 ,and yet such an one the ,apostle speaks of in the latter part of that chapter4 ,be not deceived1 we are to be holy as ,,christ is holy2 we are to receive grace for grace2 every grace that is in the blessed ,,jesus1 is to be transplanted into our hearts2 we are to be delivered from the power1 but not from the indwelling and being of sin in this life4 ,hereafter1 we are to be presented blameless1 without spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing4 ,if you labour after any other perfection here1 you will labour in vain4 ,st4 ,paul had attained no other1 when he wrote to the ,philippians1 and to the other churches3 ,but my dear ,brother ,k seems to think1 8,i did wrong in writing to ,mr4 ,h to know his sentiments upon several texts of scripture1 and in sending for several of ,calvin's books40 ,and why1 my dear ,brother1 was this wrong8 ,why you say1 8you think it is contrary to ,st4 ,paul in his ,epistles1 when he says1 he would not speak other men's words20 but ,st4 ,paul says no such thing3 ,the place you aim at1 ,i believe1 is #b ,cor4 x4 #af4 8,and not to boast in another man's line1 of things made ready to our hand40 ,my dear ,brother1 examine the context1 and you will find the ,apostle means no more than that he would not enter into other men's labours1 as ver4 #ae4 ,he would not preach where churches were already settled1 but go where the gospel had not been delivered4 ,this1 and this only1 is the meaning of the passage1 which dear mistaken ,mr4 ,k has wrongly quoted4 ,my dear ,brother1 did not ,st4 ,paul bid ,timothy to give himself to reading8 ,what1 if the ,holy ,spirit is to lead us into all truth1 does not the ,holy ,spirit make use of1 and lead us by the means8 ,has he not indited the scriptures8 ,has he not helped holy men to explain those scriptures8 ,and why may ,i not1 in a due subordination to the ,holy ,spirit1 make use of those men's writings8 ,has not my dear ,brother ,k bought sermons8 ,and why then does 8,he make use of other men's words80 ,o1 my dear brother1 you are in the wilderness2 ,,god bring you safe out of it4 ,i suppose1 because the ,dissenters oppose some of your new principles1 you term them enemies2 but1 my dear ,brother1 though there are many ,christless talkers1 and hypocritical formalists among the ,dissenters1 as no doubt there are some such in the purest church under heaven2 yet many of them hold and practice the truth as it is in ,,jesus4 ,but ,i have done4 ,count me not your enemy1 because ,i tell you the truth4 ,i expect that great numbers will look shy on me1 for thus opposing what ,i think to be error4 ,thus the ,galatians treated ,st4 ,paul2 but ,i must be tried every way4 ,i could add a thousand kind things1 but ,i hope you shortly will have a personal interview with ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxix4 ,to ,mrs4 ,j ,f1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #be1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,know you will rejoice at the receipt of this3 ,you have abundant reason2 the ,,lord hath been wonderous kind4 ,we are now flying on the wings of the wind1 and if it continues1 we hope to be at ,cowes the beginning of next week4 ,your kind presents were of great service to my crazy body4 ,the woman passenger has been serviceable in making us bread2 and in short1 ,,god has wonderfully ordered all things for our great conveniency and comfort4 ,o that my dear friends at ,charles-,town1 may hereby be excited to thankfulness on our behalf4 ,i have frequently prayed for you both with my friends1 and when in secret before the ,,lord4 ,indeed you are seldom out of mind4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,f1 ,i believe ,,god sent you to invite me to your house1 and ,i believe the ,,lord will plentifully reward both of you1 for all your works of faith and labours of love4 ,i think henceforward ,i must call you ,mary1 and your husband1 ,i hope1 will be truly stiled ,james the servant of the ,,lord4 ,i trust you will both serve the ,,lord ,,christ1 and give yourselves up to the guidance of his blessed word and providences day by day4 ,it is a glorious privilege to be led by the spirit of ,,god4 ,i think ,i have felt1 and do feel1 at this time1 his sacred influences upon my soul4 ,my body is but weak1 though better by much than when ,i left ,charles-,town2 however1 my soul hath confidence in ,,god4 ,the archers will shoot sorely at me that ,i may fall2 but ,,god will cause my bow to abide in strength1 and my arms shall be strengthened by the hands of the mighty ,,god of ,jacob4 ,i need not ask for a continuance of your prayers1 nor you for mine4 ,i hope we shall be always present with each other in spirit1 at the throne of grace4 ,my dear friend1 adieu3 ,all with me salute you4 ,write often to ,your unworthy guest1 but truly affectionate servant1 friend1 and brother in the ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxx4 ,to ,mrs4 ,f1 in ,charles-,town4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #be1 #agda4 ,i ,hope dear ,mrs4 ,f will not be offended with these few lines2 they are written with a sincere desire to promote your welfare4 ,i want to see you entirely dead to the world1 and alive to ,,god4 ,you have been often convinced under the word2 may it sink deep into your heart4 ,,god1 by the late fire1 hath shewn you the vanity of all things here below2 henceforward set your affections on things above4 ,you are old1 and at the head of a great family2 you have sealed your promise to lead a holy life1 more than once1 by receiving the symbols of the blessed body and blood of ,,christ4 ,henceforth let no profane delight ,divide your consecrated soul2 ,but give it ,,christ1 who has the right1 ,as ,lord and ,master of the whole4 ,be not ashamed to own you have vowed never to dance again3 ,dear ,mrs4 ,f1 fear not contempt4 ,what is it8 only a little breath4 ,rest not in duties2 rest not in outward partial reformation4,he that is in ,,christ1 is a new creature4 ,that old things may pass away1 and all things become new in your heart1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,madam1 ,your sincere friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c1 in ,boston4 ,on board the ,minerva1 ,feb4 #bf1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,accept a few lines from one1 who desires feelingly to stile himself1 less than the least of all4 ,i hope you received my packet from ,charles-,town3 ,what happened to me there1 was only an earnest of future trials4 ,,god hath blessed the reading of the prophecy of the prophet ,jeremiah to my soul2 as also the history of ,joseph1 and hath let me see more into the covenant of redemption between the ,father and the ,son3 ,i am more and more in love with the good old ,puritans2 ,i am pleased at the thoughts of sitting down hereafter with the venerable ,cotton1 ,norton1 ,elliot1 and that great cloud of witnesses1 which first crossed the ,western ocean for the sake of the gospel1 and faith once delivered to the saints4 ,at present1 my soul is so filled1 that ,i can scarce proceed4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,god is with me of a truth2 he now gives me a feeling possession of himself3 ,i bless his holy name for sending me to sea2 it is profitable both for soul and body4 ,i find the ,psalmist's words to be true1 8,the secret of the ,,lord is with them that fear him40 ,o that ,i may walk humbly with my ,,god6 ,the language of my soul is this3 ,correct me when ,i go astray1 ,and lead me in thy perfect way4 ,and now1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,i have in some measure unbosomed my heart4 ,what shall ,i say more8 ,pray for me both in public and private2 give thanks1 as well as pray1 especially for the mercies of this voyage4 ,dear ,sir1 adieu till ,i come on shore1 which ,i hope will be very speedily1 being now in soundings2 then you shall hear again1 ,,god willing1 from ,your truly affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h4 ,london1 ,march #be1 #agda4 ,my dear ,sir1 ,i ,wrote to you immediately on my coming on shore4 ,we arrived at ,falmouth last ,wednesday was sevennight1 and got here the ,sunday following4,blessed be ,,god1 we had a summer's passage4 ,many of our friends1 ,i find1 are sadly divided1 and1 as far as ,i am able to judge1 have been sadly misled4 ,congregations at ,moorfields1 and ,kennington ,common1 on ,sunday1 were as large as usual4,on the following week days1 quite contrary3 ,twenty thousand dwindled down to two or three hundred4 ,it has been a trying time with me4 ,a large orphan family1 consisting of near a hundred1 to be maintained1 about four thousand miles off1 without the least fund1 and in the dearest part of his ,majesty's dominions2 also1 above a thousand pounds in debt for them1 and not worth twenty pounds in the world of my own1 and threatened to be arrested for three hundred and fifty pounds1 drawn for in favour of the ,orphan house1 by my late dear deceased friend and fellow-traveller ,mr4 ,s4 ,my ,bookseller1 who1 ,i believe1 has got some hundreds by me1 being drawn away by the ,mns1 refuses to print for me2 and many1 very many of my spiritual children1 who1 at my last departure from ,england1 would have plucked out their own eyes to have given to me1 are so prejudiced by the dear ,messrs4 ,w4's dressing up the doctrine of ,election in such horrible colours1 that they will neither hear1 see1 nor give me the least assistance3 ,yea1 some of them send threatening letters1 that ,,god will speedily destroy me4 ,as for the people of the world1 they are so imbittered by my injudicious1 and too severe expressions against ,archbishop ,tillotson1 and the ,author of the old ,duty of ,man1 that they fly from me as from a viper2 and what is most cutting of all1 ,i am now constrained1 on account of our differing in principles1 publicly to separate from my dear1 dear old friends ,messrs4 ,j and ,c ,wy1 whom ,i still love as my own soul3 ,but1 through infinite mercy1 ,i am enabled to strengthen myself in the ,,lord my ,,god4 ,i am cast down but not destroyed1 perplexed but not in despair4 ,a few days ago1 in reading ,beza's ,life of ,calvin1 these words were much pressed upon me1 8,calvin is turned out of ,geneva1 but1 behold a new church arises60,,jesus1 the ever loving1 altogether lovely ,,jesus1 pities and comforts me4 ,my friends are erecting a place1 which ,i have called a ,tabernacle1 for morning's exposition4 ,i have not1 nor can ,i as yet1 make any collections2 but let us not fear4,our heavenly ,father1 with whom the fatherless find mercy1 will yet provide2 let us only seek first the kingdom of ,,god1 and his righteousness1 and all other necessary things shall be added unto us4 ,in about a fortnight1 though ,i scarce know an oak from a hickery1 or one kind of land from another1 ,i am subpna'd to appear before parliament1 to give an account of the condition of the province of ,georgia1 when ,i left it4 ,this1 ,i suppose1 is occasioned by the party1 which hath been so inveterate against the honourable the trustees1 whom they accuse of misemploying the public monies4 ,the event1 which undoubtedly will be in favour of the trust1 you may know hereafter4 ,in the mean while1 believe me to be ,yours most affectionately1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c4 ,london1 ,march #be1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,hasten hither with all speed1 and then we shall see what ,,god intends to do for and by us4 ,it is a trying time now in the church4,the ,,lord give us a due mixture of the lamb and lion4 ,some that have been led astray1 begin to recover4 ,the ,,lord make way for his own truths4 ,my love to the ,colliers1 and all friends4 ,many1 ,i suppose1 will be shy4 ,i am become a monster even to several who were wrought upon by my ministry2 but it must needs be that offences should come3 otherwise1 how should ,i learn to cease from man8 ,adieu2 excuse brevity,hasten1 and speak face to face with ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,london1 ,april #aj1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,ordered ,mr4 ,h to send you some sermons and accounts1 some time ago3 ,i suppose he has done it4 ,i have been at the ,parliament-house2 the ,georgia affair was adjourned4 ,the gentlemen seemed apprehensive that my account of the colony1 would have too much weight4 ,it was somewhat of a trial to be in the ,house4 ,i then remembered what the ,apostle said1 8,we are become a spectacle to men and to angels40 ,my appeal will come to nothing1 ,i believe4 ,i have waited upon the ,speaker2 he received me kindly4 ,i cannot yet determine when ,i shall see you4 ,if you fear1 ,i hope you will pray for me4 ,the ,,lord blesses my ministry4 ,salute dear ,mrs4 ,h3 ,i will write to her next2 but you two are one4 ,the ,,lord be with you both4 ,at present ,i am weak in body1 and therefore must beg leave to subscribe myself ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,s ,m1 at ,london4 ,bristol1 ,april #bg1 #agda4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,on ,tuesday1 ,april #bb;d1 ,i left ,london1 and preached on ,wednesday and ,thursday morning at ,newbury1 to large congregations4 ,on ,friday evening ,i preached at ,bristol1 and have continued to do so twice every day to great and affected auditories4 ,i received your kind letter1 and thank you for it4 ,i rejoice in the good news from ,new-,england4 ,last night1 ,i rejoiced much in seeing a soul wonderfully exult in ,,god1 just at the borders of death4 ,great manifestations of the divine presence have attended my sermons4 ,praise the ,,lord ,o my soul6 ,i am glad to find ,mr4 ,s goes on well4 ,pray give my love to brother ,g4 ,my body is sometimes weak1 but my soul rejoices in ,,god my ,saviour4 ,i know not1 whether ,i shall come so soon as proposed to ,london4 ,i find it necessary1 through the increase of awakened souls1 to get a society-room built adjoining to our new tabernacle4 ,i pray ,,god to fill it with his glory1 and beg leave to subscribe myself1 dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h4 ,bristol1 ,april #bh1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,blessed be ,,god for knitting us together in love4 ,may it continue1 and increase till consummated in eternity6 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus direct you4 ,it is now a trying time with the church4 ,our ,,lord is now chiefly wounded in the house of his friends4 ,the ,,lord keep us both from a party spirit on one hand1 and from too much rashness and positiveness on the other4 ,i speak thus1 because you seem offended that some affirm1 8,that there is no such thing as dominion over indwelling sin1 nor rest from working for life wholly40 ,now this is certainly true in one sense4 ,we shall never have such a dominion over indwelling sin1 as entirely to be delivered from the stirring of it2 and the greatest saint cannot be assured1 but some time or other for his humiliation1 or punishment for unfaithfulness1 ,,god may permit it to break out into some actual breach of his law1 and in a gross way too4 ,let us not be high-minded1 but fear4 ,it is equally true1 that we shall not rest wholly from working for life4 ,for whilst there is any part of us unregenerate1 that part will be always leading us to the old covenant4 ,luther often complained of the propensity of his heart this way4 ,if we know ourselves1 we shall find it to be so with us2 but ,i suppose you have been tinctured with the doctrine of sinless perfection4 ,no wonder therefore you write thus4 ,may ,,god give you a right judgment in all things1 and enable you rightly to divide the word of truth6 ,as for assurance1 ,i cannot but think1 all who are truly converted must know that there was a time in which they closed with ,,christ3 ,but then1 as so many have died only with an humble hope1 and have been even under doubts and fears1 though they could not but be looked upon as christians2 ,i am less positive than once ,i was1 lest haply ,i should condemn some of ,,god's dear children4 ,the farther we go in the spiritual life1 the more cool and rational shall we be1 and yet more truly zealous4 ,i speak this by experience4 ,dear brother ,h will not be angry with me4 ,i hope1 and believe1 you pray for me4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus carries me on4 ,many have been convinced at ,london4 ,i preach here twice daily1 to large congregations1 with great power4 ,the ,,lord1 ,i believe1 will yet bring mighty things to pass4 ,i am1 dear ,h1 ,your most affectionate brother in our dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxvii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s4 ,bristol1 ,may #a1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,am glad to hear by brother ,m1 that the ,,lord is with you4 ,may you increase with all the increase of ,,god4 ,the more we do1 the more we may do for the dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,he strengthens me here mightily4,i am enabled to speak here with great power1 rather greater than when at ,london4 ,my congregations are as large as usual1 and they go refreshed away4 ,this is the ,,lord's doings2 may all that is within us praise his holy name6 ,exhort the dear ,london people to pray for us4 ,the ,,lord be with you all4 ,dear ,sir1 pray for ,your affectionate brother and unworthy fellow-labourer in our ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s1 at ,worcester4 ,gloucester1 ,may #e1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,with this1 ,i send you my answer to brother ,wesley's sermon1 and my account of the ,orphan-house4 ,i have seen your letter to ,mr4 ,n1 and thank you for espousing the cause of a poor despised minister of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i hope as ,i make advances in the spiritual life1 ,i shall show my zeal more and more tempered with true christian knowledge and prudence4 ,i would willingly have none of my wild fire mingled with the sacred fire that comes down from ,,god's altar4 ,i desire not only to do things for ,,god1 but to do them in the best manner4 ,i am a poor unworthy sinner1 and yet1 7,o sovereign grace67 the ,,lord works by me day by day4 ,at ,bristol1 error is in a great measure put a stop to4 ,the ,,lord manifested himself in the great congregation there1 and doth likewise here4 ,last night1 we saw and felt his power4 ,i have had the pleasure of seeing dear ,mr4 ,p1 and ,i long for that time when ,i shall see you1 ,reverend ,sir1 and all the chosen of ,,god in the kingdom of heaven4 ,but ,i desire to wait till my change shall come4 ,dear ,sir1 be pleased to pray for me4 ,i have prayed for you often4 ,i am a weak sinful worm4 ,as such pray remember1 ,reverend ,sir1 ,your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,wm4 ,w1 at ,edinburgh4 ,bristol1 ,may #af1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,received both your kind letters1 and with this send you my hearty thanks for them4 ,i also thank you for your kind invitation of me to ,scotland4 ,,god only knows when ,i can come4,all ,i can say at present is1 ,i will come when the ,,lord permits4 ,sad tares have been sown here4 ,it will require some time to pluck them up4 ,the doctrines of the gospel are sadly run down1 and most monstrous errors propagated4 ,they assert1 8,that the very in-being of sin must be taken out of us1 or otherwise we are not new creatures40 ,o dear ,sir1 exhort all to pray for me1 that ,i may be faithful to my ,,lord1 and yet kept gentle in my temper4 ,at present1 our dear ,,lord causes me to triumph in every place4 ,his gospel gets ground1 and his power is manifested among us day by day4 ,the fields are white1 every where ready unto harvest4 ,our ,,lord ,i trust will gather his wheat into his heavenly garners4 ,my kind respects attend ,mr4 ,m and ,mr4 ,d4 ,had ,i time ,i would write a long letter to each4 ,but ,i am interrupted4 ,however1 ,i am glad to snatch a few moments to beg a continuance of your prayers for a poor unworthy worm1 and to assure you that ,i am1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,e ,e1 at ,sterling4 ,bristol1 ,may #af1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,owe you much love4 ,only want of time1 prevents my writing to you oftner4 ,this morning ,i received a kind letter from your brother ,ralph1 who thinks it best for me wholly to join the associate presbytery1 if it should please ,,god to send me into ,scotland4 ,this ,i cannot altogether come into4 ,i come only as an occasional preacher1 to preach the simple gospel to all that are willing to hear me1 of whatever denomination4 ,it will be wrong in me to join in a reformation as to church government1 any further than ,i have light given me from above4 ,if ,i am quite neuter as to that in my preaching1 ,i cannot see how it can hinder or retard any design you may have on foot4 ,my business seems to be1 to evangelize1 to be a ,presbyter at large4 ,when ,i shall be sent into your parts ,i know not4 ,i write this1 that there may not be the least misunderstanding between us4 ,i love and honour the associate ,presbytery in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,with this ,i send them my due respects1 and most humbly beg their prayers4 ,but let them not be offended1 if in all things ,i cannot immediately fall in with them4 ,let them leave me to ,,god4 ,whatever light he is pleased to give me1 ,i hope ,i shall be faithful to it4 ,our dear and precious master still carries me on4 ,,god enables me to fight my way through4 ,the gospel doctrines1 ,i believe1 will yet prevail4 ,i feel a divine power attending my ministrations4 ,i preach twice daily1 and am invited to many places4 ,i believe the ,,lord intends to keep me on this side the water for some time4 ,blessed be ,,god1 all places are alike to me4 ,o dear ,sir1 pray for me4,i am a poor unworthy worm4 ,i love you tenderly1 but am almost ashamed to subscribe myself ,your brother in the best of bonds1 ,g4 ,w4 #8lettter' replaced with #8letter' ,,letter ,,cclxxxi4 ,to ,d ,a1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,may #af1 #agda4 ,i ,am glad to receive a line once again from dear brother ,a4 ,i rejoice that ,,god lets you see more and more into the corruptions of your heart4 ,the more perfect you are1 the more will you see and bewail your imperfections in thought1 word1 and deed2 the more will you be made to sing1 8,in the ,,lord alone1 and not in myself1 have ,i compleat righteousness and strength40 ,the doctrine of electing love1 is precious to my soul4 ,i am enabled to speak of it feelingly to others4 ,my soul is kept in peace and sweetness4 ,our ,,lord's cause needs not noise and rashness4 ,i desire that none of my wild-fire may be mixed with the pure fire of holy zeal coming from ,,god's altar4 ,i think it my duty to wait1 to go on simply in preaching the everlasting gospel1 and ,i believe we shall yet see the salvation of ,,god4 ,methinks1 the cloud begins to break off your mind2 ,i pray ,,god to keep you from extremes4 ,brother ,h is more and more enlightned2 but withal1 more and more quickened every day4 ,he finds there is no such thing as sinless perfection1 and yet is pressing after holiness of heart and life rather more than ever4 ,may ,,god make my dear brother ,a thus minded6 ,for indeed ,i love him in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,we have had frequently sweet communion with ,,god1 and one another4 ,i should have rejoiced to have conversed with you at ,bristol4 ,this is my comfort1 yet a little while and we shall converse in the kingdom of heaven1 for ever and ever4 ,my soul is waiting for this salvation4 ,i know not when ,i shall go to ,axminster4 ,when ,i do1 you shall have timely notice4 ,,god blesses my ministry1 wherever he sends me4 ,i am invited to fresh places daily4 ,dear ,mr4 ,a1 ,i1 even worthless ,i1 subscribe myself1 ,yours most affectionately in the loving ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,c4 ,bristol1 ,may #ah1 #agda4 ,dear ,brother ,c1 ,i ,received your letter this morning1 and am just setting out for ,wiltshire4 ,the ,,lord hath been much with us4 ,yesterday ,i preached three times4 ,at every sermon1 a sweet melting was observed in the congregation4 ,last night ,i gave your sister the sacrament2 she is recovering4 ,i afterwards1 administered the sacrament at ,mr4 ,t's1 and had a love feast4 ,,jesus was in the midst of us4 ,i know not but ,i may come towards ,london next week4 ,i wonder not at your heaviness4,before every increase of your work1 you must expect some trials4 ,humblings are necessary for your spirit1 and mine4 ,i return my love to all4 ,i must away4 ,brother ,h rejoices in spirit1 and joins with me1 who am1 ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxiii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,bristol1 ,may #bc1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,bless ,,god for making any thing of mine useful to your soul4 ,may the blessed ,,jesus breathe upon you day by day1 and make you eminently useful to the church of ,,god4 ,i think you write with a kind of prophetic spirit4 ,the ,,lord only knows how he will be pleased to dispose of me4 ,great afflictions ,i am sure of having1 and a sudden death1 blessed be ,,god1 will not be terrible4 ,i know that my redeemer liveth4 ,i every day long to see him1 that ,i may be free from the remainder of sin1 and enjoy him without interruption for evermore4 ,i desire patiently to wait1 till my blessed change shall come4 ,the ,,lord hath been with me here4 ,there is a great awakening in ,wiltshire1 and the work is most wonderfully carried on in ,new-,england4 ,i hope to send you a letter1 shortly1 that will rejoice your heart4 ,i leave ,bristol1 and go through ,wiltshire to ,london next ,monday4,i then purpose going to ,staffordshire1 and then through ,wales to ,scotland4 ,a wider door than ever is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel4 ,i have now only time to beg your prayers1 and to assure you that ,i am ,your most affectionate though weak and unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,r1 at ,philadelphia4 ,bristol1 ,may #bc1 #agda4 ,dear ,i1 ,i ,rejoice to find1 that you see1 feel1 and bewail1 the plague of your heart4 ,may the ,,lord shew it you more and more6 ,it will excite your love to the dear ,,lord ,,jesus more fervently4,i return my love to your sister4 ,i thought ere now she had been with ,,jesus4 ,i believe1 she has the grace of ,,god in truth1 and therefore our ,,lord will make her conqueror over all4 ,i am glad to hear of the success of the gospel in ,boston4 ,it is a gathering time there1 but a winnowing time with us here4 ,all is ordered for the good of the church1 by ,,christ ,,jesus3 ,let us1 my dear brother1 keep close to him in this and every trying time4 ,we shall find but few1 very few1 true followers of the ,lamb of ,,god4 ,may you and ,i be in the happy number6 ,,god is pleased to give success to the word preached4 ,though ,i am opposed much1 ,,jesus is my strength4 ,the ,,lord will enable me to fight his battles4 ,my love to ,peggy1 and all that love ,,jesus4 ,forget not to pray for ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,t4 ,bristol1 ,may #bc1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,am glad to receive a letter from you4 ,i was fearful1 lest ,i had done something to offend you4 ,i thank you and the other gentlemen for their kind invitation of me to ,scotland4 ,i believe it will be near three months before ,i can see ,edinburgh4 ,on ,monday ,i set out for ,london3 then ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to go into ,essex1 and then to return through ,bristol and ,wales in my way to you4 ,i intreat all the brethren to pray for me1 that ,i may come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of ,,christ4 ,i am a poor1 weak1 unworthy worm4 ,,god hath been with me here1 and in ,gloucestershire4 ,in ,wiltshire there is a great awakening4 ,abroad in ,new-,england the work goes on wonderfully4 ,o dear ,sir1 never was such a weak wretch sent on such an important errand4 ,i have many trials of various kinds4 ,,jesus supports me2 ,,jesus makes me more than conqueror4 ,he is a dear and a tender master4 ,dear ,sir1 help me to praise him4 ,i will write to all the gentlemen that wrote to me1 if ,i can any way redeem time4 ,in the mean while1 be pleased to remember me to them in the kindest manner1 and believe me to be ,your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,savannah4 ,london1 ,june #a1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,received a short letter from you1 but it was dated in ,january last4,i have sent several to ,georgia1 and lately also a parcel of things for the children4 ,,god appears much in our congregations4 ,we seldom or never have a dry meeting4 ,as to outward things1 ,i never was more embarrassed2 but my consolations are equivalent4 ,praise the ,,lord1 ,o my soul6 ,i am apprehensive of no opposition from the government4 ,i have waited on the ,speaker4 ,he treated me kindly1 and assured me that there would be no persecution in this king's reign3 they know ,i am loyal from principle1 but ,i believe ,i shall yet be greatly humbled4 ,the story of ,joseph in the prison1 and ,david in his troubles before he came to the throne1 has been much and comfortably pressed upon my soul4 ,i hope you enjoy peace6 ,may the ,,lord bless you and the whole household4 ,i am sometimes enabled to pray with great faith for you all4 ,the ,,lord will yet provide4 ,i am to preach thrice to day4 ,it is now past five in the morning4 ,i am going to the tabernacle lately erected for a morning lecture4 ,we have sweet meetings1 blessed be ,,god6 ,in the bowels of our common ,,jesus1 ,i subscribe myself ,yours eternally1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,i4 ,c1 at ,bristol4 ,london1 ,june #c1 #agda4 ,i ,have enjoyed the especial presence of ,,god ever since ,i came to ,london4 ,i preach three times daily4 ,the ,,lord is remarkably with me4 ,congregations increase4 ,i am going to have a society-room joined to the tabernacle4 ,the ,,lord is really on our side4,o let us be meek and quiet6 ,o let us wait1 and we shall see the salvation of ,,god4 ,i preach daily at ,deptford4 ,our dear master helps me to preach and pray with great power4 ,your ministry hath been blessed4 ,let us both give all the glory to everlasting ,love4 ,salute the dear brethren4 ,remember me most kindly to all in ,wine-street4 ,ever yours in the blessed ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cclxxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,r ,e4 ,london1 ,june #d1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,have now a little time to myself4 ,i must improve it and answer your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god1 for enabling me to write any thing1 that may be of service to his church1 and of comfort to your soul4 ,glory be to our dear and common ,,lord1 his cause here succeeds4 ,truth gets ground4 ,the ,,lord strengthens me mightily4 ,his power is manifested in our congregations4 ,conversion work is going on apace among us4 ,i am not yet determined1 about the exact time of coming to ,scotland3 but ,i believe1 ,i shall be with you in about three months4 ,i can't but think the associate presbytery1 are a little too hard upon me4 ,if ,i am neuter as to the particular reformation of church government till ,i have further light1 it will be enough4 ,i come simply to preach the gospel1 and to be received only as an occasional itinerant preacher by all1 and not to enter into any particular connection whatever4 ,the ,,lord1 ,i hope1 will order my goings in his ways4 ,i desire to hear frequently from you4 ,i have need of your prayers4 ,my trials are great1 my comforts far greater4 ,i am a poor worm1 and yet ,,jesus delights to honour me4 ,we are likely to have settled societies in several places4 ,,jesus rides on from conquering to conquer4 ,i am1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy fellow-labourer and affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8parcular' replaced with #8particular' ,,letter ,,cclxxxix4 ,london1 ,june #f1 #agda4 ,my ,brother ,h ,h1 ,i ,do assure you1 that my heart is as your heart4 ,i am quite sick of ,christless consenters4 ,they talk1 and that is all4 ,i 7like you7 am heartily despised by most of them4 ,i am resolved to open against their luke-warmness1 and worldly-mindedness4 ,may ,,god open my mouth wide when ,i come to ,wales4 ,outward enemies are now more quiet4 ,enemies within the church1 carnal professors1 and self-righteous ,pharisees1 most try us4 ,let us not fear1 ,,jesus ,,christ will give us the victory over all4 ,,god mightily strengthens me4 ,our congregations are very large and solemn4 ,i never had greater freedom in preaching4 ,,god enables me to cast all my care upon him1 with a full assurance that he careth for me4 ,you need not fear my believing any reports to your disadvantage4 ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i was not in the least offended1 when ,b ,h wrote me word that 8you thought in some things ,i did not act as a little child40 ,the more open you are with me the better4 ,if nature and pride rise in my heart1 ,i will go to ,,jesus1 abhor myself1 and pray for my dear reprovers4 ,all that ,i can say is1 that ,i desire to be a very little child4 ,all things are possible with ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he is wonderfully kind to me4 ,truth1 ,i believe1 will prevail4 ,i want to see you face to face4 ,satan does not love that ,,christ's ministers should come together4 ,i wish you could come up immediately1 and stay at ,london whilst ,i am in the country3 or rather go and preach at ,bl1 ,gloucester1 and ,wiltshire1 for about a fortnight1 and then come up to ,london4 ,this1 ,i believe1 will be best4 ,about that time1 ,,god willing1 ,i shall return from ,essex1 and then we can consult what is best to be done for the cause of our dear master4 ,o ,,jesus is love6 ,i am glad to hear brother ,rowld is with you4 ,go on in the strength of our dear ,,lord1 and you shall see satan like lightning fall from heaven4 ,times are not yet dark enough for the dawning of a thorough reformation4 ,at even-tide ,,god speaks4 ,my love to all that follow ,,jesus ,,christ with an unfeigned simplicity4 ,may the ,,lord hide your precious soul under the shadow of his almighty wings6 ,cease not to pray for ,yours eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxc4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d1 at ,dedham in ,essex4 ,london1 ,june #f1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,multiplicity of business has prevented my answering your kind letter4 ,however1 ,i have often borne you upon my heart before the ,,lord4 ,your case1 methinks1 is somewhat like that man of ,,god1 ,j4 ,bunyan's4 ,he was often so depressed with a sense of sin in the pulpit1 that he has been tempted to hold his peace4 ,this has been my case also both in public and in private4 ,i find the best way is to press forward1 and to look up to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he is faithful to his promises4 ,i write but short1 having but little time1 and because ,i hope soon to see you in ,essex4 ,i pray ,,god to clear up your evidences1 and give you no rest till he fills you with a full assurance of faith4 ,our ,,lord rides on triumphantly here4 ,he enables me to go on from conquering to conquer4 ,i am a poor weak unworthy worm4 ,as such1 be pleased to remember1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the gospel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxci4 ,to ,mrs4 ,r4 ,london1 ,june #f1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,r41 ,i ,have been much hindred in answering your letter4 ,perhaps you have expected too much comfort from man4 ,that comfort is alone lasting1 which comes from ,,god4 ,i know not your experiences1 and therefore cannot so well judge of your case3 however1 ,i would have you press forward1 and labour after a full assurance of faith4 ,judge not yourself by others joys and comforts4 ,look not too much upon the happiness you think others may enjoy4 ,this may lead you to repine and murmur against ,,god4 ,look to yourself1 and to ,,christ4 ,remember1 you deserve nothing1 and therefore he does you no wrong4 ,remember also1 that he is full of love1 and therefore in his own due time will manifest himself to your soul4 ,that you may patiently tarry the ,,lord's leisure1 and be blessed with abundance of peace1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,mrs4 ,r1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcii4 ,to ,mr4 ,k4 ,london1 ,june #h1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,like your last letter best4 ,there is one thing you still lack1 8to be convinced of unbelief40 ,by faith1 and not by works1 are you to be justified in the sight of ,,god4 ,make use of the means4 ,you must take care that you do not rest in them4 ,you must not think any thing you can do1 will in the least recommend you to the favour of ,,god2 and yet you must strive1 as if you were to be saved by your striving4 ,the only cause of our acceptance with ,,god lies at the feet of sovereign mercy1 through ,,christ4 ,entreat the ,,lord to give you faith1 and who knows but he may have mercy upon you4 ,remember you are a poor sinner1 and deserve nothing4 ,that ,,god may reveal his dear ,son in you1 is the hearty prayer of ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 at ,kingswood4 ,london1 ,june #h1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,how sweetly does providence order all things for us6 ,just before yours came1 ,i was resolved to send you #bj l4 to begin the society-room at ,kingswood4 ,mrs4 ,c gives it1 and ,i believe will make it up fifty4 ,this gentlewoman hath been made happily instrumental in relieving me out of my late distress4 ,you know how ,i was threatened to be arrested1 soon after my arrival1 for above three hundred pounds1 due on account of the ,orphan-house in ,georgia1 and ,i do not know but a writ was actually taken out4 ,this drove me to my knees4 ,,god gave me to wrestle1 with strong cryings and many tears1 both before and after ,i went to rest,i could plead with him that it was not for myself but his poor4 ,the example of ,professor ,frank encouraged me to pray1 tho' ,i found he ventured only week by week2 but my situation in such a foreign climate constrained me to run upon larger arrears4,,god was pleased to give me an answer of peace4 ,having as ,i thought a full assurance of immediate help from some quarter or another1 ,i went to sleep most comfortably4 ,early the next morning a friend came to me to enquire1 if ,i knew where a gentlewoman of his acquaintance might put out three or four hundred pounds4 ,i replied1 let her lend it to me1 and in a few months1 ,,god willing1 she shall have it again4,upon being acquainted with my circumstances1 she most chearfully sent me the sum ,i wanted1 and thus my enemies were disappointed of their hope4 ,praise the ,,lord1 ,o my soul6,but to return4 ,i would have you lay the foundation immediately1 but take care of building too large or too handsome4 ,notwithstanding my present embarrassments1 who knows1 but it may be in my power to discharge my ,orphan-house debt1 and make collections here for ,kingswood-school too8 ,when ,i could get no assistance at all from my old friends and spiritual 7prejudiced7 children1 and was almost quite pennyless1 and left to sit alone like a sparrow upon the house-top1 a serious person1 whom ,i never saw or heard of1 came the other day and put a guinea into my hand4 ,at receiving it1 something as it were said to me1 8,cannot that ,,god who sent this person to give thee this guinea1 make it up fifteen hundred80 ,as ,i told a friend immediately1 to whom ,i ran down1 so ,i shall tell you2 ,i doubt not but this will be the case4 ,my debt is all for ,,god1 and contracted in providing for the fatherless and widow4 ,as to the work here1 though perhaps ,i may be blamed by some for venturing so far1 blessed be ,,god1 it goes on sweetly4 ,all things happen for the furtherance of the gospel4 ,i have wrote brother ,s to let you have twenty pounds4 ,yours eternally in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 #8heared' replaced with #8heard' ,,letter ,,ccxciv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s1 at ,charles-,town4 ,london1 ,june #i1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,wrote you a few lines lately from ,bristol4 ,since that1 ,i have had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you2 for which ,i thank you heartily4 ,what ,mr4 ,p brings with him1 will inform you how affairs stand here4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the word runs and is glorified4 ,the heat of the battle is now1 ,i hope1 pretty well over4 ,,god is pleased to give me great power1 and to strengthen me both in body and soul4 ,our congregations are large and awful4 ,we generally see and feel much of the divine presence in the sanctuary4 ,many are pricked to the heart4 ,i have three truly experienced young men that joined me4 ,affairs being somewhat settled here1 ,i am going a long journey of several months1 thro' several counties in ,england1 ,wales1 and ,scotland4 ,the door was never opened wider for my preaching the everlasting gospel4 ,i am glad to hear by ,mrs4 ,s1 c4 of your faithfulness to our common ,,lord4,o1 dear ,sir1 what are we that we are called out to speak in his great name6 ,let us never fear suffering for owning his eternal truths4,the witnesses cannot be slain 'till they have finished their testimony4 ,at present here is no great fear of opposition from the men in power2 tho' ,i hear the ,house of ,lords intend to give a hearing to my appeal4 ,however it be1 ,i am easy4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus over-rules every thing for the good of his church4 ,i suppose ,i cannot come over to you 'till about next ,spring4 ,in the mean while1 tho' absent in body1 ,i am present with you in spirit1 and am1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your very affectionate1 but unknown brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,p1 in ,georgia4 ,london1 ,june #i1 #agda4 ,dear brother ,p1 ,i ,am sorry to hear you are still in darkness4 ,let the little light you have1 make you hold up your head1 and think not of changing your station without a proper call4 ,we are apt to place our happiness in places1 and often think we do not please ,,god1 because we do not please ourselves4 ,but ,i find the fault is in the heart1 not the place4 ,wait1 therefore1 my dear brother1 still patiently upon the ,,lord4 ,who knows1 but by and by ,,jesus ,,christ may lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon your soul8 ,why should you doubt it8 ,my dear brother1 ,,christ is love4 ,he tries1 but yet supports me2 nay1 makes me more than conqueror thro' his love4 ,you will hear by other letters1 how it goes with the church in ,england4 ,she is shaken1 but it is only that she may be the more settled4 ,my love to your wife4 ,i hope you find her an help-meet for you4 ,may the ,,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob1 bless1 preserve1 and keep you4 ,may you both walk in the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost1 and be edified2 and may ,,god give you hearts to remember ,your affectionate friend1 and brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcvi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,f1 at ,southampton4 ,london1 ,june #ac1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,just now ,i received your kind letter1 and the generous benefaction of you and your friends for the ,orphan-house4 ,it came very opportunely1 and strengthens my faith in the blessed ,,jesus4 ,i find he will help me by ways ,i know not4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 the love of ,,god to such an unworthy worm quite amazes me4 ,surely1 if ,i did not stand up for free distinguishing grace1 the very stones would cry out against me4 ,blessed be our glorious ,emmanuel1 the gospel runs and is glorified4 ,a wonderful power attends the word preached4 ,every day1 ,i believe1 some or other are pricked to the heart4 ,i have also glad tidings from abroad4 ,in ,new-,england there is an extraordinary work of ,,god4 ,i hope the dear ,,jesus will set the whole world in a flame4 ,dear ,sir1 help me with your prayers4 ,the archers shoot sore at me that ,i may fall1 but the ,,lord is my helper4 ,i hope my thanks will find acceptance with your other friends1 who joined in helping my poor ,orphans4 ,good measure pressed down and running over1 may the ,,lord return into your bosoms4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i pray ,,god to make you a flaming fire1 and fill you with a holy burning zeal for promoting our dear ,redeemer's kingdom4 ,i find but few truly zealous4 ,the love of too1 too many is waxed cold4 ,i thank you1 dear ,sir1 for encouraging me1 and beg leave to subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcvii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,london1 ,june #ac1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,received your kind letter4 ,you do not know1 and therefore think too highly of me4 8,less than the least of all10 shall be my motto still4 ,providence is pleased to prevent my leaving ,london on ,monday next4 ,i must necessarily defer my journey to ,hertfordshire and ,essex1 till the ,monday following4,i approve of the circuit you have fixed1 but ,i chuse to preach at each place twice4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i most heartily thank you for promising me your assistance in respect to the orphans4 ,i am persuaded our ,,lord will be well pleased4 ,he gives me great encouragement4 ,we daily feel and see his presence in the great congregation4 ,i hear glorious news from abroad3 ,new-,england is in a holy flame4 ,o that we at home1 may be stirred up to spend ourselves1 and be spent1 for the good of souls6 ,dear ,sir1 pray that such a mind may be given to ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,s1 at ,worcester4 ,london1 ,june #ac1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,thank you heartily for your last kind letter3 ,as you are so aged and infirm1 ,i take it as an especial favour1 that you are pleased to write to me4 ,you need make no apology1 reverend ,sir1 for your plain dealing3 ,i love those best1 who deal most sincerely with me4 ,whatever errors ,i have been1 or shall be guilty of in my ministry1 ,i hope the ,,lord will shew me1 and give me grace to amend4 ,this is the language of my heart2 ,correct me when ,i go astray1 ,and lead me in the perfect way4 ,i also thank you1 dear ,sir1 for your kind benefaction4 ,my arrears upon the ,orphan-house are yet large2 but ,i hope ere long the ,,lord will enable me to pay them all4 ,at present1 ,i am kept from doubting4 ,unworthy as ,i am1 ,,jesus ,,christ is yet with me1 and is pleased daily to strengthen me both in soul and body4 ,my ministry 7for ever adored be sovereign grace7 is attended with a continual power4 ,i am shortly going a large circuit1 perhaps as far as ,scotland4 ,dear ,sir1 let your prayers follow after me4,i am a poor1 weak1 unworthy worm2 as such be pleased to remember1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your obedient1 though unworthy brother and servant in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccxcix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 at ,bristol4 ,hertford1 ,july #a1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,the ,,lord has been with me greatly1 ever since ,i left ,london4,i have been enabled to preach twice every day1 and to ride several miles4 ,the congregations have been every where very large4 ,,god's presence has accompanied the word4 ,people's hearts have been enlarged4 ,within these few days1 we have collected near a hundred pounds for the poor orphans4 ,numbers of souls1 ,i believe1 are under convictions4 ,in some places we have had near ten thousand hearers4 ,invitations are so pressing1 that ,i purpose going another circuit to ,bedford1 and to preach in the counties round about for near a fortnight1 and then return to ,london4 ,i hope the ,,lord is with you2 ,i am somewhat weak in body1 but sweet and comfortable in my soul4 ,dear ,j joins with me in love to you and all4 ,pray for1 ,yours in the best bonds1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccc4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,savannah4 ,colchester1 ,july #ab1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,have not heard from you since you wrote last ,january4 ,i have been a circuit into ,hertfordshire1 ,essex1 ,bedfordshire1 ,cambridgeshire1 and ,suffolk4 ,i have been enabled to preach twice daily1 and to ride several miles4 ,congregations have been surprisingly large2 the word is attended with power1 and the alarm in the country rather greater than ever4 ,contributions arise and increase4 ,you are all much upon my heart4 ,,god will yet provide for you4 ,i write this in great haste4 ,,god gives me much of his presence4 ,i am more and more convinced1 that evangelizing is my proper business at present4 ,,god gives me great access every where4 ,the ,,lord be with you all1 ,amen and ,amen6 ,to the best of my knowledge1 ,i have neglected no opportunity of writing4 ,i am ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccc4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,london4 ,coggeshall1 ,july #ac1 #agda4 ,i ,received your letter at ,bury2 but cannot think matters are quite ripe1 or you duly qualified for settling a church4 ,,god lets me see more and more1 that ,i must evangelize4 ,i find you are for settling3 do as ,,god shall direct1 ,i am easy4 ,i only wish you may find settled persons to be your assistants4 ,without this1 a church cannot be rightly ordered4 ,i have no freedom1 but in going about to all denominations4 ,i cannot join with any one1 so as to be fixed in any particular place4 ,every one hath his proper gift4 ,field-preaching is my plan3 ,in this ,i am carried as on eagles wings4 ,,god makes way for me every where4 ,the work of the ,,lord increases4 ,i am comforted night and day4 ,o free grace to such an hell-deserving sinner6 ,i pray ,,god to give you a right judgment in all things4 ,i am1 dear brother ,h1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccci4 ,to ,mrs4 ,d1 at ,gransden4 ,london1 ,july #ag1 #agda4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,i ,bless ,,god that ,i saw you at ,gransden4 ,the ,,lord was with us1 and has been with me the remaining part of my journey4 ,we shall yet see greater things than these4 ,wonderful things from abroad4 ,the inclosed will shew you1 how desirous my family is of corresponding with you4 ,pray write to my dear little orphans1 boys and girls4 ,,god1 ,i hear1 hath been working powerfully upon their hearts4 ,i would have you also write to ,mr4 ,j ,b1 a converted planter2 to ,mrs4 ,b1 his kinswoman1 who has lately received the assurance of faith2 to ,mr4 ,c1 a dear baptist minister2 to ,mrs4 ,s1 who is carried on the wings of faith and love2 and to my dear ,mr4 ,h1 who is ,superintendant of the ,orphan-house affairs4 ,you will excuse this freedom4 ,i am willing your usefulness should be as extensive as may be4 ,may the ,,lord bless you ever1 more and more4 ,i expect to go to ,scotland shortly4 ,a ship will soon sail towards ,georgia4 ,write soon1 dear ,mrs4 ,d1 to ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccii4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,h1 in ,gloucester4 ,london1 ,july #ah1 #agda4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,god has mightily blessed my journey in the country4 ,thousands1 and ten thousands1 have flocked to hear the word4 ,it was attended with power1 and near a hundred and eighty pounds were collected for the ,orphan-house4 ,i know you will give thanks on my behalf4 ,on ,thursday morning1 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to embark for ,scotland3 ,i am persuaded the ,,lord calls me thither4 ,invitations1 both from the ,seceders1 and others that do not secede from the ,kirk1 are very strong4 ,i should be glad of a line next post4 ,it is now near eleven at night4 ,i hope my friends will accept my thanks for their kind benefactions to the dear orphans1 and with their prayers follow1 dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,ever yours in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,b ,s4 ,lewisham1 ,july #bc1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,though ,i have but little time1 yet ,i must redeem a little to answer your kind letter4 ,,god is doing great things1 both at home and abroad4 ,the inclosed will in some measure inform you4 ,every day our ,,lord appears for us in the great congregations4 ,weak as ,i am in myself1 the ,,lord is my strength4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 ,i am a worm and no man2 ,i deserve to be the outcast of the people1 and yet the ,,lord delights to honour me4 ,free1 free grace6 ,i long to be above1 that ,i may praise ,,god as ,i desire4 ,in about two days ,i hope to embark for ,scotland4 ,i will come and visit you when providence permits4 ,in the mean while1 ,i beg that you will pray that the glorious ,,jesus would bless all my poor endeavours to promote his glory6 ,my love to all that love the dear ,emmanuel4 ,in his great name1 ,i subscribe myself ,your affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,h1 at ,gloucester4 ,lewisham1 ,july #bc1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend1 ,i ,thought to have embarked this morning for ,scotland1 but am likely to be detained a day or two4 ,i must therefore send you a line4 ,wonderful things is the ,,lord doing for me4 ,in the country ,i meet with surprising success4 ,in ,london ,i see such things that ,i never saw in ,england before4 ,a mighty power almost continually accompanies the word4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus is pleased to strengthen me very much in the inner man4 ,o1 my dear friend1 give thanks for1 and pray that ,i may walk humbly with my ,,god4 ,the ,,lord be with you and yours4 ,i hope both you and dear ,mrs4 ,h do keep close to ,,god4 ,my love to all that love the dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,,god willing1 you shall have a line from ,scotland4 ,wonderful news is come from abroad1 which will ere long rejoice your heart1 and cause you to give thanks in behalf of1 my dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,ever yours in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccv4 ,to ,mr4 ,t1 at ,colchester4 ,lewisham1 ,july #bc1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,providence detaining me one day more1 ,i snatch a few moments to answer your kind letter1 and to return ,mr4 ,a thanks for his kind present4 ,how good is the blessed ,,jesus to me the chief of sinners6 ,he takes care both of my body and soul4 ,his power has attended me lately1 more than ever it did before in ,england4 ,,god's right hand is bringing mighty things to pass4 ,i earnestly intreat our ,,lord1 that you may live above the world1 and be dead to all things here below4 ,dear ,sir1 there is nothing like a life of faith4 ,it is a glorious thing to be able to say1 8,not ,i live1 but ,,christ liveth in me40 ,then1 are we christians indeed1 when we come to live on the invisible realities of another world4 ,this1 and this only1 is true and undefiled religion4 ,may ,,god make you a lively partaker thereof4 ,i hope my kind respects will find acceptance with ,messrs4 ,v1 ,d1 ,j1 and all friends4 ,fail not to pray for ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,b4 ,greenwich1 ,july #bd1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,b1 ,,to-,,morrow1 ,,god willing1 ,i embark for ,scotland1 and hope to redeem time abroad to answer my dear lambs letters3 ,they rejoiced me exceedingly4 ,what ,i have done with yours1 the inclosed will shew4 ,pray be particular in your accounts4 ,much good has been done by those sent already4 ,you cannot tell how many hearty prayers are put up for you all1 daily4 ,may they enter into the ears of the ,,lord of ,sabaoth6 ,the work is beginning afresh in ,england4 ,the ,holy ,ghost descends in a glorious manner1 amidst the congregation4 ,weak1 unworthy as ,i am1 ,,jesus ,,christ works in and by me4 ,o sovereign free grace6 ,i have sent the letter to ,mrs4 ,d4 ,i have lately seen her4 ,her conversation is as weighty as her letters4 ,you will receive more from her1 ,i hope1 before it be long4 ,i believe you are where ,,god would have you to be4 ,i despair not of seeing your mouth opened remarkably for ,,god4 ,o that the dear ,,jesus may bless you1 and the whole houshold6 ,i should rejoice to see you1 but ,,god1 ,i believe1 will detain me here the ,winter4 ,mr4 ,p's brother is to pay for the use of the ,orphan-house seventy-five pounds4 ,shortly ,i hope to send you fresh supplies4 ,in the mean while ,i assure you all1 that you are constantly upon my heart4 ,my head pains me2 good night4 ,the ,,lord be with you all4 ,expect to hear again very speedily from1 dear ,brother ,b1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,b1 at ,south-,carolina4 ,greenwich1 ,july #bd1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,,with much pleasure ,i received your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god1 even the ,father of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 who ,i trust hath begotten you1 and called you out of darkness into his marvellous light4 ,what an honour is it1 that we should be counted worthy to suffer the least degree of reproach for his great name sake8 ,i am ashamed to think how little ,i do1 or suffer for him4 ,o free grace6 sovereign and electing love6 how sweet to the soul1 who really feels the power of it6 ,may we walk worthy of that holy vocation wherewith we are called6 ,i hear your brother is dead2 happy soul6 you and ,i shall go and see him by and by4 ,i thank you heartily for your kindness to the dear orphans4 ,i am sure ,,god will amply repay you4 ,the ,,lord be with you and yours4 ,i must away to the ship bound for ,scotland4 ,i will answer dear ,mrs4 ,b's letter1 when ,i get on board4 ,adieu4 ,o pray for ,ever yours in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,f1 at ,charles-,town4 ,greenwich1 ,july #bd1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,f1 ,i ,rejoice to hear the ,,lord is carrying on a good work in your soul4 ,i hope you will not think all is done1 because you have been baptized and received into full communion4 ,i know too too many that 8make a ,,christ of their adult baptism10 and rest in that1 instead of the righteousness of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,,god forbid that you should so learn ,,christ4 ,o my dear friend1 seek after a settlement in our dear ,,lord1 so that you may experience that life which is hid with ,,christ in ,,god4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,f1 ,i thank you heartily for your kind letter4 ,it rejoices my soul to hear1 that you and ,mr4 ,f are going on hand in hand to heaven4 ,this is the sacred end of marriage2 to be helpers of each other in the great things of ,,god4 ,i am not yet entered into that state4 ,i am looking up to ,,christ1 and shall wait his direction4 ,the gospel runs1 and is glorified4 ,the work is beginning a fresh in ,england4 ,never was my preaching attended with so great power on this side the water4 ,our ,,lord pours his comforts into my soul1 and rejoices me with the glad news ,i hear from your parts4 ,may you all increase and multiply in every good word and work4 ,my most tender love to all4 ,as fast as possibly ,i can1 each shall hear from1 my dear friends1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccix4 ,to ,mr4 ,h1 at ,georgia4 ,greenwich1 ,july #bd1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,before the boat comes to take me down to the ship1 ,i would write you a line or two4 ,i greatly rejoice to hear that you live in love4 ,but ,i shall not be surprised1 if1 after this remarkable work of the spirit1 you meet with some trials4 ,but fear not3 we are all in the ,mediator's hands4 ,i find all things work together for my good1 and so ,i am sure you will4 ,my dear friends1 ,i know you sympathize with me4,indeed1 ,i also do with you4 ,my dear1 dear family1 you are continually upon my heart4 ,i redeem a moment or two as often as ,i can to write to you4 ,,god only knows how ,i love and long after you in the bowels of the ever-blessed ,,jesus4 ,o may you lean on his bosom1 and may his banner over you be love4 ,adieu6 for the present4 ,i must soon away to the ship4 ,i have ordered hats and shoes for the children1 and intend sending brother ,h's order and other things1 with some cash1 very shortly4 ,but the arrears hang on me yet4 ,my ,,lord bears my burden2 may he bear all yours for you6 ,i am persuaded he will4 ,with great tenderness ,i subscribe myself1 dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccx4 ,to ,mrs4 ,s1 at ,charles-,town4 ,in a boat going to ,gravesend1 ,july #bd1 #agda4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,s1 ,i ,am now in a boat1 in order to embark for ,scotland4 ,i have the conveniency of writing upon a trunk1 and therefore cannot be easy without sending you a line4 ,i rejoice to hear that you are carried upon the wings of love4 ,methinks ,i see you sitting under the ,redeemer's shadow with great delight1 and exalting his free grace in plucking you as a brand out of the fire4 ,o when shall we go to heaven1 that we may praise ,,god for what he hath done for our poor souls6 ,the ,,lord is better to me than ever4 ,conviction1 and conversion1 both in town and country1 are beginning again4 ,the divine presence is much manifested in our assemblies4 ,blessed be the ,,lord1 who is also working with you4 ,the spiritual prosperity of the orphan family1 rejoices my heart4 ,,god will ere long1 ,i believe1 make a separation between the precious and the vile4 ,poor ,mr4 ,g1 ,commissary ,gd1 and ,chief ,justice ,w1 bitter1 bitter1 though unsuccessful persecutors1 what will become of you8 ,o that ,,god may grant them repentance unto life6 ,what reason have you and ,i1 dear ,mrs4 ,s1 to exalt rich distinguishing grace6 ',tis that alone hath made the difference4 ,i believe ,i need not remind you to pray1 dear ,mrs4 ,s1 for ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxi4 ,to ,serjeant ,b1 at ,gibraltar4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 bound from ,london to ,leith1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i ,am glad to hear that you are yet alive1 and what is more1 ,i trust you are alive to ,,god4 ,perhaps ,i may never see you again on this side eternity4 ,o that we may approve ourselves good soldiers of ,,jesus ,,christ6 ,how bright will our crown be then1 at that last great day6 ,i find there is nothing like being valiant for the truth4 ,,jesus ,,christ is a glorious captain4 ,he makes me more than conqueror through his love4 ,i have seen great things1 within these few months4 ,i should have answered you sooner1 but could not get time till now3 ,i am embarked for ,scotland4 ,i hope you take particular care to beat down self-righteousness1 and exalt the ,,lord ,,jesus alone in your hearts4 ,i find1 the only happiness is to lie down as a poor sinner at the feet of the once crucified1 but now exalted ,lamb of ,,god1 who died for our sins and rose again for our justification4 ,i rejoice to hear1 that some even at ,gibraltar still dare to own a too too much neglected ,saviour4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the governor is so favourable to you4 ,this is a great motive to love and thankfulness4 ,the work of ,,god still goes on in ,england1 and other parts4 ,o for that glorious period1 when the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the ,,lord as the waters cover the seas6 ,that our dear ,,lord may every day reign as king in all your souls1 is the prayer of1 dear ,serjeant1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxii4 ,to ,miss ,r4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,miss1 ,a ,few hours ago ,i came on board4 ,to shew that you are in my mind1 ,i employ some of my first leisure time in answering your letter4 ,the condition you are in now1 ought not to make you think that ,,jesus ,,christ has cast you off1 and that it will be presumption in you to believe on him4 ,the ,,lord is now shewing you1 that you are poor1 and miserable1 and blind1 and naked1 and such only are the persons that think they want his almighty aid4 ,i fear you look too much into yourself1 and from thence are discouraged4 ,whereas you should look directly to ,,christ1 and come to him in all your blood4 ,you will always fly from him1 as long as you count him your enemy4 ,but do not think so hardly of him2 ,,jesus is the sinner's friend4 ,o how doth his bowels yearn towards you6 ,are you made willing to be made whole8 ,,christ invites and commands you to come to him2 venture then upon him4 ,if you never have believed yet1 it is time for you to believe now4 8,,lord1 give me faith60 for faith is the free gift of ,,god 4 ,what if your heart be hard1 ,,jesus can soften it4 ,what if you have yet no marks of your election8 surely you dare not say1 8,you are not elected10 or that ,,christ hath not died for you1 even for you4 ,it is1 indeed1 a bad thing to have only notions in the head1 and no solid experience in the heart4 ,but it is a good thing to be convinced of this4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who hath given you to bewail it4 ,look upon this as a token for good4,trust not to means2 when they are taken from you1 ,,christ can and will work without them4 ,the ,,lord may bring you help in a way1 and at a time you know not of4 ,your extremity shall be ,,god's opportunity4 ,if the ,,lord vouchsafes to bless this letter in the least degree to your comfort1 it will much rejoice the heart of1 dear ,miss1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,georgia4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,with much pleasure ,i have again read over your kind letter4 ,,god is a ,,god hearing prayer4 ,my dear brother ,h is awakened out of sleep4 ,help me men1 help me angels1 to praise ,,god in his behalf6 ,my dear brother1 ,i pray ,,god you may never lie down again4 ,,christ is now giving you light2 walk and rejoice in that light4 ,keep close1 keep close1 my dear man1 and let nothing steal away your poor heart from the blessed ,,jesus4 ,give it all to him1 give it to him1 hard1 earthly1 sensual1 devilish1 as it is4 ,he will wash it in his precious blood4 ,do not tie him down to any degree of conviction4 ,so that he brings you home1 let him do it in that way he shall think best4 ,what a loving ,saviour have you to deal with6 ,you cannot conceive how kind he is1 even to me every day4 ,i feel and see his power more and more4 ,he seems to be beginning his work afresh in ,england1 and it gladdens my heart to hear he is among you at ,bethesda4 ,o do nothing to grieve the blessed spirit6 ,let your conversation be such in all things1 as becomes the gospel of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,have the greatest regard for the little lambs4 ,do nothing that may prove a stumbling block to their precious souls4 ,warm yourself by talking to them4 ,be not one moment idle4 ,redeem your precious time2 for you know not when your ,,lord may come4 ,my brother1 my heart is full of love to thee4,may you be a beloved physician6 ,beloved of the ,,lord1 beloved of the ,,lord's people1 and a continual comfort to ,your most unworthy1 though truly affectionate brother1 and servant in the dear ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,wm4 ,g4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother ,g1 ,,your kind letter ,i have just been reading over a second time4 ,it gave me comfort2 but the high stile extorted a smile or two from me4 ,i believe you have been reading over ,mrs4 ,d's letters4 ,you wanted to imitate her way of writing1 but fail for want of her experience4 ,it is a good thing not to go out of our depth4 ,methinks ,i see you look down and blush2 but look up again immediately to ,,jesus ,,christ3 ,he knows whereof we are made1 and remembers we are but dust4 ,indeed ,i write to my dear man out of much love4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that all things are carried on with such decency and order4 ,i pray ,,god that you may so live1 that all who come to see you may say1 8,surely ,,god is in this place40 ,your prayers in my behalf are heard4 ,i am quickened1 and strengthened mightily both in soul and body3 controversial points are ended1 and the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ triumphs gloriously4 ,i find my heart often drawn towards ,bethesda4 ,i hope ,i shall yet meet you again in the flesh1 and embrace you one by one in my unworthy arms4 ,in the mean time1 ,i commit you to the bosom of ,,jesus4 ,may you lean upon his breast1 and sit under his shadow with great delight6 ,may you be truly simple1 truly childlike1 and every way conformable to our great exemplar the spotless ,lamb4 ,i long for that time1 when we shall sit down at his marriage supper3 though ,i have the lowest place1 it will suffice1 dear brother ,g1 ,your affectionate brother1 friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,s1 at ,georgia4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,john1 ,,your case puts me in mind of that passage1 where we are told that our ,,lord looked upon ,peter4 ,surely1 he has looked upon and prayed for you1 otherwise how would ,satan have sifted you8 ,but see what comfort another passage may afford you1 8,go tell my brethren and ,peter40 ,poor1 weeping1 penitent ,peter must in no wise be forgotten4 8,go tell them that ,i am risen40 ,here are glad tidings of great joy to a disconsolate soul4 ,may ,,god apply it to your's in particular4 ,dear ,john1 may you learn from hence to stab your dear ,saviour no more4 ,i wonder not that you are in darkness4 ,,god will surely visit your offences with a rod1 and your backslidings with some spiritual scourge4 ,that is enough to keep us from sinning1 though we know that his loving-kindness he will not utterly take from us1 nor suffer his truth to fail4 ,how dearly did ,david pay for his stolen sweets8 ,what anguish has your poor soul felt1 since ,i left you4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that he has awakened you out of sleep4 ,o free grace6 ,i rejoice1 yea and ,i will rejoice4 ,that you may never provoke ,,god to leave you to yourself1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,john1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxvi4 ,to ,rebekah ,b1 an ,orphan at the ,orphan-house4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,bekky1 ,,and is the ,,lord still striving with you8 ,o then admire his patience1 and give him your whole heart4 ,i had no other end in bringing you to ,bethesda1 but that you might be brought to ,,jesus4 ,i hope you will yet find it a house of mercy to your soul4 ,take heed of resting in conviction4 ,you know by experience how sadly it wears off4 ,you may well wonder1 that ,,god has not sent you to hell long ago4 ,i pray ,,god1 that his goodness may lead you to repentance1 and that you may walk before the ,,lord in all well-pleasing1 so long as you live4 ,what sweet opportunities do you enjoy6 ,how freely may you go into the woods1 and pour out your heart before the dear ,,jesus4 ,how early was ,samuel acquainted with the ,,lord1 and why should not you be acquainted with him8 ,unless you are1 you can never be at peace4 ,come then1 my dear lamb1 and wander no longer2 return to the shepherd and bishop of your soul4 ,behold1 he shed his blood for you1 and will carry you to heaven1 rejoicing over you to all eternity4 ,away to him then in all your blood1 just as you are2 and when you are near to ,,god1 forget not ,your affectionate friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxvii4 ,to ,elizabeth ,g1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,betty1 ,i ,am glad you begin to feel the hardness of your heart1 and your utter inability to pray4 ,i pray ,,god you may in all things see your helplessness1 that you may come as a poor helpless nothing to ,,jesus ,,christ1 and take him for your all in all4 ,i wonder not that satan endeavours to terrify your soul4 ,you know how he tore the young child in the ,gospel1 whilst he was coming to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,your convictions at present seem to arise from a fear of hell2 but before you receive this1 ,i hope the ,,lord ,,jesus will have sealed your pardon1 and have said1 8,be of good cheer1 thy sins are forgiven thee40 ,o ,betty1 why has ,,god singled you out8 ,why was you brought to ,bethesda8 ,away when you read this1 and bless ,,god for it1 and devote yourself again and again to that ,,lord1 who has bought you with his precious blood4 ,having much forgiven you1 love much4 ,lie down in the dust1 and be continually looking to the rock from whence you are hewn4 ,to hear that you1 and my dear family1 love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 will much rejoice the heart of ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxviii4 ,to ,mary ,a1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,molly1 ,,upon reading your letter1 ,i put up this prayer1 8,,lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon her soul40 ,you once had joy4 ,i found it puffed you up4 ,i pray ,,god to humble you by your present darkness4 ,you may now see what a poor wretch you are1 how proud1 how earthly1 how sensual1 how devilish2 and yet1 stupendous love6 ,,jesus ,,christ will still receive you4 ,your loving ,saviour opens his arms1 and invites you to throw the whole of your load upon him4 ,i am persuaded he will receive you3 go to him then1 and confess that you have sinned4 ,he will receive you2 for what says the scripture8 8,look unto me1 all ye ends of the earth1 and be ye saved40 ,surely ,molly ,a is included here4 ,the dear ,,jesus is all love4 ,he has brought you to a house of mercy4 ,out of love1 keep his commandments1 and love all that are around you4 ,be willing to be the servant of all1 and from gratitude to ,,god study to be a comfort to ,your sincere friend in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxix4 ,to the ,honourable ,j ,b1 ,esq4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,hon4 ,sir1 ,,with much pleasure ,i received yours by the hands of your son1 who offered to do me any service that lay in his power4 ,this1 as well as your other past favours1 quite surprize1 and ought to humble me2 for who am ,i1 that ,i should be thus highly honoured8 ,o sovereign grace6 ,o distinguishing love6 ,if ,i did not stand up in defence of that1 the very stones would cry out against me4 ,indeed1 honoured ,sir1 your kindness makes me almost to blush1 and the love of ,,jesus quite confounds me4 ,i am lost1 ,i want to sink into nothing whenever ,i think of ,,christ's dying for me4 ,i really think1 ,i am the most ungrateful sinner that ever was1 and yet the ,redeemer follows me with his mercies every day4 ,unspeakable are the trials wherewith ,i have been visited since my arrival4 ,but out of all the ,,lord delivers me4 ,i experience daily much of his divine presence2 a wider door than ever is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel1 and ,,god seems to be beginning his work again in ,old-,england3 it adds to my joy1 to hear what the ,,lord is doing amongst you4 ,blessed1 for ever blessed be ,,god1 for causing such a stirring among the dry bones4 ,i pray the glorious ,redeemer1 to carry on the good work begun1 and to make ,new-,england the joy of the whole earth4 ,i suppose you have heard1 honoured ,sir1 of the remarkable effusion of the spirit among the children of the orphan-house4 ,surely1 ,,jesus ,,christ is about to bring mighty things to pass4 ,whilst the kings of the earth are enlarging their dominions1 ,i trust our ,,lord will usher in his4,i shall not be surprized1 if after this great commotion in ,new-,england1 ,i hear that some outward troubles befal them4 ,the removal of you1 honoured ,sir1 from being governor1 ,i take to be no good sign4 ,i hope this has no other effect upon your own heart1 than to make you more and more hunger and thirst after that righteousness1 which neither men nor devils shall ever be able to take from you4 ,,god only knows1 how often ,i have prayed1 that this affliction may be sanctified unto you4 ,i think1 honoured ,sir1 ,i cannot forget you and your people4 ,both are dear1 very dear to my soul4 ,i sometimes long to see ,boston again1 that ,i may rejoice in what great things the ,,lord has done2 but various circumstances concur to detain me on this side the ocean1 all the next ,winter4 ,i am now in my passage to ,scotland4 ,what the ,,lord is pleased to do there1 your honour may hear in my next4 ,i rejoice1 that ,i am a little retired from the world1 and have the opportunity1 honoured ,sir1 of writing to you4 ,how sweet is retirement when ,,christ is present in the heart8 ,having him1 ,i find ,i possess all things4 ,happy they that can wrap themselves in ,,god4 ,may you and yours be thus happy6 ,this will enable you1 honoured ,sir1 to rejoice in tribulation1 and give thanks for every thing that does befal you4 ,tho' the ship is moving1 and ,i am somewhat sick1 ,i know not how to leave off4 ,indeed1 ,i love and honour you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,that you and yours may be rooted and grounded in his love1 and filled with all the fulness of ,,god1 is the hearty prayer of1 honoured ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxx4 ,to the ,reverend ,dr4 ,c1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,had the pleasure of yours1 and have taken the freedom to publish part of it1 because ,i thought our ,,lord's cause might be promoted thereby4 ,glory be to the ever blessed ,,jesus1 for the great work begun in your province4 ,glory be to his great name1 for raising up instruments to carry it on2 especially for working so powerfully among the sons of the prophets4 ,a most promising omen this for dear ,new-,england4 ,reverend ,sir1 the searcher of hearts only knows1 how deeply the welfare of your people is impressed upon my soul4 ,i continually make mention of them in my poor prayers1 both public and private1 and have not failed to give thanks in their behalf4 ,you seem a little offended1 that ,i did not mention old ,mr4 ,ws4 ,it was1 because by his conversation ,i could not find he came up to that character which you gave him4 ,mr4 ,s ,i truly value1 and lately have had reason to think much better of him than formerly1 when his experiences to me seemed too superficial2 but ,i am a poor1 weak1 fallible worm1 and therefore my judgment is of little worth4 ,i rejoice to hear that the ministers with you help forward the work of ,,god4 ,i find no such enemies to the cross of ,,christ1 as those who keep up the form of religion1 and are orthodox in their notions1 but are ignorant of an experimental acquaintance with ,,jesus4 ,however1 the work of ,,god is beginning afresh4 ,i have free access every where1 and have been upon the full stretch preaching to large auditories twice a day1 for some time past4 ,the ,,lord is pleased to strengthen me both in body and soul4 ,his presence fills the assemblies1 and1 ,i verily believe1 we shall yet see glorious days4 ,i have sweet accounts from the ,orphans4 ,i thank you1 dear ,sir1 for your care concerning them4 ,i have been in great straits2 but the dear ,,jesus helps me through them all4 ,help me1 dear ,sir1 help me to praise him4 ,my tender love awaits both you and your people4 ,i am glad to hear1 that my kind hostess is recovered4 ,may the ,,lord strengthen her mightily1 and cause her to go down to the grave in peace6 ,i earnestly desire a continuance of your own and people's prayers in behalf of1 reverend ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxi4 ,to ,john ,d1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,my dear child1 ,i ,thank you for your letter3 ,i neither forgot you nor my promise4 ,o that ,,god may effectually work upon your heart betimes1 for you cannot be good too soon1 or too good4 ,the little orphans at ,georgia are crying out1 8,what shall we do to be saved80 ,and ,i am glad to hear1 that this is the language of some little ones in ,new-,england4 ,if you know any of them1 pray give my love to them1 and tell them1 ,i pray that ,,jesus ,,christ may be revealed in their dear hearts4 ,how early was ,,jesus ,,christ in the ,temple1 first hearing1 and then asking questions8 ,how did he love the little children1 how did he take them up in his sacred arms and bless them2 and when he was just ascending to the highest heaven1 how tenderly did he speak to ,peter1 and bid him 8feed his lambs40 ,let all this encourage you to come unto him4 ,he will certainly receive you1 tho' you have been wicked2 nay1 he will abundantly pardon you4 ,and what comfort will you enjoy1 when you know your sins are forgiven you8 ,you will then have a heaven upon earth4 ,in expectation of seeing you a christian indeed1 and grown in grace1 ,i subscribe myself ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxii4 ,to the ,honourable ,j ,w1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,presuming it would not be disagreeable to you1 ,i have taken the liberty to print part of the letter you was so kind as to send me4 ,surely it will rejoice the hearts of thousands1 to hear what good things the ,,lord is doing in these parts4 ,it has put much gladness into my heart1 and caused me to give many thanks in behalf of the people of ,new-,england4 ,how good is our ,,god6 ,when things are a little troublesome without1 he sends his gospel to comfort his children within4 ,surely ,,jesus ,,christ is about to set the world in a flame4 ,he is working powerfully at home2 he is working powerfully abroad4 ,i trust he will continue working1 'till the earth be filled with the knowledge of the ,,lord1 as the waters cover the sea4 ,i hope you will yet feel more of this light and life in your own heart1 before you go hence1 and be comforted with the comforts wherewith ,i am daily comforted of ,,god4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,jesus is a precious ,master4 ,he1 as it were1 dandles me upon his knees4 ,he carries me in his arms1 he fights all my battles1 and makes me more than conqueror thro' his love4 ,my work is great1 but my supports are greater4 ,he assures me from day to day1 that he will never leave me nor forsake me4 ,my infirmities often make me blush1 and yet ,,jesus passes them all by4 ,dear ,sir1 think often on the love of ,,christ3 think of his dying love2 that must give you comfort4 ,i rejoice at this opportunity of writing to you4 ,i thank you for your kind caution4 ,i pray ,,god to teach me how to improve it4 ,help me1 dear ,sir1 with your prayers2 and accept of these few lines from1 honoured ,sir1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,e ,d1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,d1 ,i ,am to be blamed for not sending you a line4 ,i am an ungrateful creature2 ungrateful to my earthly friends1 unspeakably more so to the friend of all4 ,pardon me this once4 ,,god willing1 you shall have no reason to complain of me any more4 ,if you remember1 once in my sermon ,i said1 8,o that ,new-,england was full of new creatures60 ,i hope the ,,lord in some measure is going to answer that prayer4,it rejoices my heart1 to hear that the gospel runs so swiftly1 and is so remarkably glorified amongst you4 ,this is the ,,lord's doings1 and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes4 ,blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see2 blessed are the ears that hear the things which we hear1 for many righteous men have desired to see and hear them1 and have not4 ,i rejoice also to hear1 that there is like to be a church in your house4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 take care that none of you rest1 till you have got fast hold of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,my kind love to dear ,mrs4 ,d4 ,may ,,christ's justifying blood be upon you and your children4 ,i return my love to all that are so kind as to remember me4 ,i believe ,i shall not see you this ,winter4 ,the work is very great1 and goes on very prosperous in ,england4 ,however1 you are all upon my heart1 and the more heartily you pray for me1 the sooner shall ,i be restored unto you4 ,i hope ,i feel the benefit of your dear people's prayers2 for ,,god comforts and strengthens me daily1 and carries me on from conquering to conquer4 ,on shore1 ,i have scarce time to write a line2 being now on board1 ,i take this opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks for your kind letter1 and of assuring you that ,i am1 dear ,mr4 ,d1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxiv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,r1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bf1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother ,r1 ,,how glad was ,i to receive a letter from your hands1 having heard nothing of1 or from you particularly1 since we parted4 ,what great things has the ,,lord shewn us since that time4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 8and yet ,i can tell of greater things40 ,i believe we shall see far greater yet before we die4 ,the work is beginning afresh here4 ,i sometimes think ,b ,g must take a voyage over to ,old-,england4 ,most of our ,london ministers too much shun the cross1 and do not appear boldly for ,,god4,now the ,,lord hath worked so powerfully in your college1 ,i have less to say against your joining with ,mr4 ,w4 ,i am glad to hear you speak plainly and closely4 ,what comfort will this afford you in a dying hour8 ,go on1 my dear brother1 go on2 venture daily upon ,,christ1 go out in his strength1 and he will enable you to do wonders4 ,he is with me more and more4 ,i have been sweetly carried thro' the heat and burden of every day's labour4 ,,jesus bears all my burdens4 ,,jesus enables me to cast all my cares upon him4 ,o then let us magnify his name together6 ,i am now going to ,scotland1 knowing not what will befal me4 ,what ,,god does1 you may expect to hear shortly4 ,in the mean while1 let us pray for and write to each other4 ,as iron sharpeneth iron1 so doth the letters of a man his friend4 ,your last ,i have printed3 ,,god's glory called me to it4 ,my dear brother1 adieu6 ,dear ,brother ,s sits by and salutes you4 ,my kind love awaits ,mr4 ,w1 and all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,in hopes of receiving another letter from you shortly1 ,i subscribe myself1 dear ,mr4 ,r4 ,your very affectionate1 tho' very unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxv4 ,to the ,students1 c4 under convictions at the colleges of ,cambridge and ,new-haven1in ,new-,england and ,connecticut4 ,dear ,gentlemen1 ,,with unspeakable pleasure have ,i heard1 that there seems to be a general concern among you about the things of ,,god4 ,it was no small grief to me1 that ,i was obliged to say of your college1 that 8your light was become darkness20 yet are ye now become light in the ,,lord4 ,i heartily thank ,,god1 even the ,father of our glorious ,redeemer1 for sending dear ,mr4 ,t among you4 ,what great things may we not now expect to see in ,new-,england1 since it has pleased ,,god to work so remarkably among the sons of the prophets8 ,now we may expect a reformation indeed1 since it is beginning at the house of ,,god4 ,a dead ministry will always make a dead people4 ,whereas1 if ministers are warmed with the love of ,,god themselves1 they cannot but be instruments of diffusing that love among others4 ,this1 this is the best preparation for the work whereunto you are to be called4 ,learning without piety1 will only make you more capable of promoting the kingdom of satan4 ,henceforward1 therefore1 ,i hope you will enter into your studies not to get a parish1 nor to be polite preachers1 but to be great saints4 ,this1 indeed1 is the most compendious way to true learning3 for an understanding enlightened by the spirit of ,,god1 is more susceptible of divine truths1 and ,i am certain will prove most useful to mankind4 ,the more holy you are1 the more will ,,god delight to honour you4 ,he loves to make use of instruments1 which are like himself4 ,i hope the good old divinity will now be precious to your souls1 and you will think it an honour to tread in the steps of your pious forefathers4 ,they were acquainted with their own hearts4,they knew what it was to be tempted themselves1 and therefore from their own experience knew how to succour others4 ,o may you follow them1 as they followed ,,christ4 ,then great1 very great will be your reward in heaven4 ,i am sure you can never serve a better ,master than ,,jesus ,,christ1 or be engaged in a higher employ than in calling home souls to him4 ,i trust1 dear gentlemen1 you will not be offended at me for sending you these few lines4 ,i write out of the fulness of my heart4 ,i make mention of you always in my prayers4 ,forget me not in yours4 ,i am a poor weak worm4 ,i am the chief of sinners1 and yet1 ,o stupendous love6 the ,,lord's work still prospers in my unworthy hands4,fail not to give thanks1 as well as to pray for ,your affectionate brother and servant1 in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,d1 at ,boston4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #be1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,your's as well as other letters1 which ,i received from ,boston1 gave me no small satisfaction4 ,now1 now ,i live1 if poor sinners are flocking for life to the dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,how may we suppose the angels to be rejoicing over ,boston1 and other places in ,new-,england6 ,how glad are they to see the lectures frequented as in times of old1 and the spirit of your good forefathers reviving among you6 ,sure it must be delightful to see black and white1 young men and maidens1 old men and children1 praising the name of the ,,lord4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who in this great awakening hath not passed by your house4 ,fear not1 dear ,sir3 ,who knows but the blessed ,,jesus may yet visit you with the light of his blessed countenance8 ,i rejoice to hear he has been gracious to your wife and daughter4 ,i pray ,,god1 you may be all built up in our most holy faith1 and go on from strength to strength1 till you come to appear before the ,,lord ,,christ in glory4 ,i thank ,,god1 who hath heard prayer on my behalf4 ,i am strengthened daily both in body and soul1 and have reason to think my ministry is blessed more and more4 ,let ,,god's goodness to me1 encourage you to expect great things from our ,,lord4 ,he is able and willing to do for us more abundantly than we can ask or think4 ,that you and your dear family may daily drink of his divine pleasures1 as out of a river1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxvii4 ,to ,john ,r1 an ,orphan1 at the ,orphan-house4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,john1 ,i ,remember you once wanted to go away from ,bethesda4 ,adore the free grace and mercy of that ,,god1 who has kept you there4 ,i trust1 it will prove the saving of your precious and immortal soul4 ,to see oneself lost and condemned by nature1 is the first step to conversion4 ,i hope before this time you have found yourself saved by grace3 for 8by grace alone you are to be saved1 and that not of yourselves1 it is the gift of ,,god40 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus hath indeed been knocking at the door of your heart4 ,i trust1 now he will break the door open1 and give himself admission4 ,dear ,john1 you may well wonder1 that the ,,lord hath not sent you to hell4 ,i trust1 that you feel you deserve it4 ,o that ,,god may pluck you as a brand out of the burning4 ,this was my only view in bringing you to ,bethesda4 ,this is the only desire of the dear friends who have the rule over you2 they watch for your soul1 c4 ,the devil 7as you observe7 watches to destroy it3 and1 therefore1 my dear boy1 away to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he can take away the heart of stone3 he can give you an heart of flesh4 ,all things are possible with ,him4 ,that ,,god may give you grace to take the kingdom of heaven with a holy violence1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,john1 ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxviii4 ,to ,james ,m1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,james1 ,i ,am glad to hear by dear brother ,b's letters1 that your soul has received comfort4 ,i am comforted at the news4 ,may ,,god increase it daily1 'till your joy be full4 ,i must think ,,god loves you1 and that he has begun a good work in your soul4 ,i hope to find at my return that it is carried on1 and that you have been pressing forward towards the mark for the prize of your high calling in ,,christ ,,jesus your saviour4 ,dear ,james1 ,i do not forget you4 ,i hope you never will forget the love of ,,christ1 who died and hath given himself for you4 ,does not the very thought of this make you even to weep8 ,do you not want some private place where to vent your heart8 ,away then1 ,i will detain you no longer4 ,retire into the woods4 ,go look to him whom you have pierced1 and with a godly sorrow mourn for your sins1 as a woman for her first-born4 ,at the same time1 forget not to sigh out a prayer in behalf of1 dear ,james1 ,your affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxix4 ,to ,thomas ,webb1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,thomas1 ,,how inconsistent is the devil6 ,how artfully does he strive to keep poor souls from ,,christ6 ,sometimes he labours to drive poor souls into despair2 sometimes to presumption4 ,these are the two rocks1 against which he would fain have poor souls to make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience4 ,i pray ,,god to enable you to steer a middle course4,may you see your misery1 and at the same time see your remedy in the cross and wounds of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he calls to all weary heavy laden souls2 consequently he calls you4 ,your coming to him1 will be a proof of your election4 ,the devils know nothing of ,,god's decrees4 ,if ever he should tempt you so again1 say1 8,if ,i do perish1 ,i will perish at the feet of ,,christ40 ,he is willing to save1 to save to the uttermost4 ,he sees1 he feels your anguish4 ,he longs to rejoice over you4 ,venture therefore upon him4 ,thomas1 be not faithless1 but believing4 ,,christ shall yet shew you his hands and his feet4 ,he is the same now1 as he was yesterday1 full of love and condescension to self-condemned sinners4 ,that you may experience the full power and efficacy of the ,redeemer's blood1 is the ardent prayer of1 dear ,thomas1 ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxx4 ,to ,william ,b4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,i ,thought your father had sent for you from ,bethesda2 but ,i hope your heavenly ,father has kept you there to bring you home to himself4 ,your deadness has often grieved me4 ,o that ,i may have reason to sing1 at my return1 8,billy ,b was dead1 but is alive again2 he was lost1 but is found40 ,you do well to pray to ,,god1 to search your heart1 and to try your reins2 for otherwise your treacherous heart will deceive you4 ,i would not have you forget what the ,,lord is doing for you1 for ten thousand worlds4 ,o defer not repentance to a death-bed4 ,it will be hard to strive with principalities and powers1 when you can scarce turn in your bed4 ,a man1 at that time1 can hardly bear up under his bodily infirmities2 but a wounded spirit who can bear8 ,reject1 therefore1 such a horrid temptation1 with the utmost abhorrence4 ,be a worker together with ,,god2 and now ,,god is working in you to will and to do1 see that you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling4 ,do not stab your ,saviour any more4 ,dear ,billy1 think on his bitter agony and bloody sweat1 and fly to him1 as a ,redeemer ready and willing to receive you4 ,that you may be happy in him here1 and with him hereafter1 is the hearty prayer of ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxi4 ,to ,r ,w1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,richard1 ,,the contents of your letter pleased me4 ,i have sometimes thought1 if ,,god did not convert ,richard ,w1 he would be one of the most unhappy boys in the world4 ,you have head-knowledge2 and unless you are made to see the sinfulness of your heart1 it will much increase your condemnation4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who yet hath patience with you1 and seems to be striving with your soul4 ,i do not wonder that the devil tells you1 8it is time to repent when you are a man40 ,you may well say1 it is the devil that tells you so3 ,such a suggestion cannot come from ,,god4 ,behold1 now is the accepted time1 now is the day of salvation6 ,,jesus will even now accept you1 vile as you are1 and ungrateful as you have been3 if you feel your misery1 and fly to him for succour1 he will accept you4 ,every conviction cries1 8,come1 ,richard1 come to me1 that thou mayest have rest40 ,let me advise you1 as old ,eli advised young ,samuel3 say1 8,speak1 ,,lord1 for thy servant heareth40 ,i am your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxii4 ,to ,john ,f1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,john1 ,i ,willingly fulfil your request1 and sit down to write you a line or two4 ,i am glad you begin to see the wickedness of your own heart4 ,you cannot conceive what a mystery of iniquity is hid therein4 ,the more you see it1 the more you will find the want of a saviour1 and adore ,,god for giving his dear ,son to die for sinners4 ,there was once a young man1 named ,john1 who leaned on the ,saviour's bosom1 and was his particular favourite4 ,what if you should be thus highly honoured4 ,would it not be an amazing instance of love and condescension8 ,and what doth the ,saviour do less1 for all that feel themselves poor1 lost1 undone sinners8 ,nay1 does he not do for them infinitely more8 ,yes1 he does4 ,come to him1 therefore1 by faith1 and he shall embrace you in the arms of his mercy1 clothe you with his righteousness1 sanctify you by his spirit1 guide you by his counsel1 and after death receive you up into glory4 ,look up1 then1 and never rest till you have it4 ,conviction is not conversion4 ,but you know who has promised not to quench the smoaking flax1 or break the bruised reed4 ,that this promise may be fulfilled in your soul1 is the hearty prayer of ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxiii4 ,to ,l ,m1 an ,orphan4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bg1 #agda4 ,dear ,l ,m1 ,,and are little boys and girls1 at this and that corner of the wood1 crying unto the ,,lord8 ,i hope you1 dear ,l1 are always among them2 and may the ,,lord hear your prayers1 when you cry unto him6 ,surely he will1 if you feel yourselves poor sinners4 ,never did ,,jesus reject an humble suppliant4 8,suffer 7says he7 little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not2 for of such is the kingdom of heaven40 ,dear ,l1 take all possible care to cherish your convictions4 ,,god has spoken once1 yea twice to you1 in an extraordinary manner4 ,you are one of the oldest2 you ought to go before the rest1 and to encourage them to follow the ever-blessed ,,jesus4 ,satan will1 no doubt1 be very busy2 and therefore you ought to be busy also4 ,you fight under a good captain1 even ,,jesus ,,christ1 who will tread all enemies under your feet4 ,my dear child1 redeem your precious time4 ,fight the good fight of faith2 and when you are wrestling with ,,god1 fail not to pray for ,your sincere friend1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,thomas ,j1 at ,savannah4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bi1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,thank you for your continued kindness to my dear family4 ,the ,,god whom ,i serve1 will richly reward you4 ,i am more and more convinced1 that the ,orphan-house is of ,,god4 ,he will uphold it with his mighty arm4 ,dear ,sir1 there is nothing like a life of faith4 ,it is more and more pleasant to me every day4 ,i pray ,,god1 you may experience it every moment1 and be enabled entirely to overcome the world4 ,my letters1 to my dear family1 will inform you1 how the ,,lord hath been pleased to deal with me4 ,blessed be his name1 he hath delivered1 he does1 he will yet deliver4 ,my soul has been among lions4 ,,jesus hath been my helper4 ,i am very comfortable within1 and experience more of the divine presence in preaching1 ,i think1 than ever ,i did before in ,england4 ,i suppose ,i shall not embark for ,america till ,spring4 ,whatever good offices you are pleased to do for my family1 shall be then fully acknowledged by1 dear ,sir1 ,your obliged friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,l1 at ,bristol4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #bi1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,l1 ,,we are now within thirty miles of our desired haven4 ,we have had a pleasant passage4 ,before ,i go ashore1 ,i would fain answer your kind letter4 ,fear not for ,bristol4 ,no weapon formed against ,zion shall prosper4 ,let us wait patiently1 and we shall certainly see the salvation of ,,god4 ,the ,,lord is beginning his work afresh4 ,i suppose brother ,c has told you something of it4 ,i never felt greater power in ,england4 ,i have had ,,god's continued presence during the passage4 ,,god has given me sweet sleep at night1 and a good appetite to my food by day4 ,faithful is he who hath promised1 that those who wait upon the ,,lord shall renew their strength4 ,i speak thus freely to you1 because ,i know you will be thankful on my behalf4 ,i hope both you and your dear wife1 are making daily advances in the divine life4 ,whilst others are disputing1 let us be growing4 ,this will be the best way to convince those1 who you find will not be convinced any other way4 ,adieu6 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,may your soul breathe nothing but gentleness and love6 ,i am1 dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h1 at the ,orphan-house4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,july #cj1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,have been five days on board1 and am now just at our desired haven4 ,,god's presence has sweetened the passage1 and ,i have had freedom to write many letters besides those sent to ,bethesda4 ,if you1 and dear brother ,b1 think proper1 the little ones may be called1 and the letters read before you4 ,a word of exhortation1 and a short prayer1 may not be unseasonable4 ,i thank you all for the tender care you take of the dear lambs4 ,you serve a master1 who will richly reward all your pains4 ,i hope there will come a time1 when ,i shall embrace and weep over you all with tears of love6 ,at present1 ,i feel myself a poor sinner1 and stand amazed at ,,god's goodness and patience extended towards me4 ,i am less than the least of his mercies4 ,you may expect to hear from me again shortly4 ,o do not forget to pray for me4 ,my dear friends1 for the present1 adieu6 ,the ,,lord be with your spirit4 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #a1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,the ,,lord was very gracious to me on board4 ,he gave us a pleasant passage4 ,as you know that the ,messrs4 ,erskines gave me the first invitation to ,scotland1 and hath been praying for me in the most public1 explicit1 ,i could almost say extravagant manner1 for near two years last past1 ,i was determined to give them the first offer of my poor ministrations4 ,accordingly1 ,i went yesterday to ,dumfermling1 where dear ,mr4 ,r ,e hath got a large and separate1 or1 as it is commonly termed1 seceding meeting-house4 ,he received me very lovingly4 ,i preached to his and the town's people4,a very thronged assembly,after ,i had done prayer1 and named my text1 the rustling made by opening the bibles all at once1 quite surprized me3 a scene1 ,i never was witness to before4 ,our conversation after sermon1 in the house1 was such as became the gospel of ,,christ4 ,they entertained me with various accounts of the success of the ,seceders labours2 and1 as a proof of ,,god's being with them1 ,mr4 ,r's son-in-law told me1 that1 at one of their late occasions1 a woman was so deeply affected1 that she was obliged to stop her mouth with an handkerchief to keep herself from crying out4 ,they urged a longer stay1 in order to converse more closely1 and to set me right about church government1 and the solemn league and covenant4 ,i informed them1 that ,i had given notice of preaching at ,edinburgh this evening2 but1 as they desired it1 ,i would in a few days return1 and meet the associate presbytery in ,mr4 ,r's house4 ,this was agreed on4 ,dear ,mr4 ,e accompanied me1 and this evening ,i preached to many thousands1 in a place called ,the ,orphan-house ,park4 ,the ,,lord was there4 ,immediately after sermon1 a large company1 among whom were some of the nobility1 came to salute me4 ,amidst our conversation1 came in a portly1 well-looking ,quaker1 nephew to ,messrs4 ,e1 formerly a ,baptist minister in the north of ,england1 who1 taking me by the hand1 said1 8,friend ,george1 ,i am as thou art2 ,i am for bringing all to the life and power of the everliving ,,god3 and1 therefore1 if thou wilt not quarrel with me about my hat1 ,i will not quarrel with thee about thy gown40 ,in this respect1 ,i wish all1 of every denomination1 were thus minded4 ,i find ,,god has blessed my works in these parts4 ,i am most cordially received by many that love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i have just been in company with a nobleman1 who1 ,i believe1 truly fears ,,god2 and also with a lady of fashion1 that discovers a christian spirit indeed4 ,i already hear of great divisions4 ,but ,,jesus knows how to bring order out of confusion4 ,i hope the ,,lord is much with you1 my dear brother4 ,o may you be anointed more and more1 till you are filled with all the fulness of ,,god4 ,be pleased to read this to all in ,wine-street2 and remember me kindly to all that love the glorious ,redeemer4 ,he is a dear1 dear ,,jesus4 ,tho' we die for1 yet let us not deny him in any wise4 ,pray that such a mind may be always given to ,your weak and unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,g4 ,w1 at ,maxton4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #a1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,your kind letter1 like all other tokens of my precious ,master's love1 quite amazes me4 ,i hear you are a good old soldier of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,o that you had wrote to me sooner6 ,i want the advice and exhortation of those who have been in ,,christ before me4 ,the ,,lord is pleased greatly to bless me4 ,his work seems to be beginning afresh in ,england4 ,how it goes on abroad1 the papers sent with this will inform you4 ,help me1 dear ,sir1 help me with your prayers1 that the ,,lord may bless my coming here4 ,i hope some have felt the divine presence in this evening's exercise4 ,thro' grace ,i can say1 ,i did1 and do now4 ,o that ,i could be humble and thankful6 ,o that my heart glowed with the love of ,,god and men6 ,i would breathe nothing but love4 ,i would love all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus1 of whatsoever denomination4 ,may the ,,lord heal our divisions1 and grant that we may not thereby provoke him to send us a common persecution to drive us together6 ,o that we may stand in a trying hour4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i shall be glad to see you at ,edinburgh any day after ,wednesday next1 and then we can settle when to come into your parts4 ,i am willing to preach the gospel to all4 ,it is now late1 but ,i was willing to write1 lest something should hinder me on ,monday4 ,dear ,sir1 good night4 ,i commend you to ,,god1 thank you for your prayers1 and desire a continuance of them in behalf of ,your affectionate younger brother1 and fellow-labourer in the ,redeemer's vineyard1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,thomas ,n1 at ,new-,york4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #h1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,have written you several letters2 and ,i rejoice to hear that the work of the ,,lord prospers in the hands of ,messrs4 ,ts1 c4 am glad they intend to meet in a synod by themselves4 ,their catholic spirit will do good4 ,the associate presbytery here1 are so confined1 that they will not so much as hear me preach1 unless ,i only will join with them4 ,mr4 ,ralph ,e1 indeed1 did hear me1 and went up with me into the pulpit of the ,cannon-gate church4,the people were ready to shout for joy2 but1 ,i believe1 it gave offence to his associates4 ,i met most of them1 according to appointment1 on ,wednesday last4,a set of grave venerable men6 ,they soon proposed to form themselves into a presbytery1 and were proceeding to chuse a moderator,i asked them for what purpose8 ,they answered1 to discourse1 and set me right1 about the matter of church-government1 and the solemn league and covenant4 ,i replied1 they might save themselves that trouble1 for ,i had no scruples about it2 and that settling church-government1 and preaching about the solemn league and covenant1 was not my plan2 ,i then told them something of my experience1 and how ,i was led out into my present way of acting4 ,one in particular said1 he was deeply affected2 and the dear ,mr4 ,e desired they would have patience with me1 for that having been born and bred in ,england1 and never studied the point1 ,i could not be supposed to be so perfectly acquainted with the nature of their covenants4 ,one1 much warmer than the rest1 immediately replied1 8that no indulgence was to be shown me2 that ,england had revolted most with respect to church government2 and that ,i1 born and educated there1 could not but be acquainted with the matter now in debate40 ,i told him1 ,i had never yet made the solemn league and covenant the object of my study1 being too busy about matters1 as ,i judged1 of greater importance4 ,several replied1 that every pin of the tabernacle was precious4,i said1 that in every building there were outside and inside workmen2 that the latter1 at present1 was my province2 that if they thought themselves called to the former1 they might proceed in their own way1 and ,i should proceed in mine4 ,i then asked them seriously1 what they would have me to do2 the answer was that ,i was not desired to subscribe immediately to the solemn league and covenant2 but to preach only for them till ,i had further light4 ,i asked1 why only for them8 ,mr4 ,ralph ,e said1 8they were the ,,lord's people40 ,i then asked1 whether there were no other ,,lord's people but themselves2 and supposing all others were the devil's people1 they certainly had more need to be preached to1 and therefore ,i was more and more determined to go out into the highways and hedges2 and that if the ,pope himself would lend me his pulpit1 ,i would gladly proclaim the righteousness of ,,jesus ,,christ therein4 ,soon after this1 the company broke up2 and one of these1 otherwise venerable men1 immediately went into the meeting-house1 and preached upon these words1 8,watchman1 what of the night8 ,watchman1 what of the night8 ,the watchman said1 ,the morning cometh1 and also the night1 if ye will enquire1 enquire ye2 return1 come40 ,i attended2 but the good man so spent himself in the former part of his sermon1 in talking against prelacy1 the common-prayer book1 the surplice1 the rose in the hat1 and such like externals1 that when he came to the latter part of his text1 to invite poor sinners to ,,jesus ,,christ1 his breath was so gone1 that he could scarce be heard4 ,what a pity that the last was not first1 and the first last6 ,the consequence of all this was1 an open breach4 ,i retired1 ,i wept1 ,i prayed1 and after preaching in the fields1 sat down and dined with them1 and then took a final leave4 ,at table a gentlewoman said1 she had heard that ,i had told some people1 that the associate presbytery were building a ,babel4 ,i said1 8,madam1 it is quite true2 and ,i believe the ,babel will soon fall down about their ears30 but enough of this4 ,,lord1 what is man1 what the best of men8 but men at the best6 ,i think ,i have now seen an end of all perfection4 ,our brethren in ,america1 blessed be ,,god1 have not so learned ,,christ4 ,be pleased to inform them of this letter4 ,i have not time to write now4 ,the ,,lord blesses my preaching here1 and the work1 ,i think1 is begun afresh in ,london4 ,i preach to many thousands daily1 and several have applied to me already under convictions4 ,i have been here about eight days4 ,you may expect to hear from me shortly again4 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ3 ,he will bless you for what you have done for the poor orphans4 ,he comforts me on every side4 ,o free grace6 ,dear brother ,s salutes you all4 ,ever yours in our common ,,lord1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxl4 ,to ,mr4 ,t ,g1 at ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #h1 #agda4 ,,you will see1 my dear brother1 by the following1 what ,,god is still doing for me4 ,on ,sunday evening1 ,i preached in a field near the ,orphan-house1 to upwards of fifteen thousand people2 and on ,monday1 ,friday1 and ,saturday evening1 to near as many4 ,on ,tuesday ,i preached in the ,cannongate church2 on ,wednesday and ,thursday at ,dumfermling2 and at my return on ,friday morning1 at about eight o'clock1 ,i preached at a town called ,queens-,ferry1 seven miles from ,edinburgh4 ,every where the auditories were large1 and very attentive4 ,great power accompanied the word4 ,many have been brought under convictions2 and ,i have already received several invitations to different places1 which1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend to comply with4 ,at present ,i can say no more1 but desire you to pray for1 and expect soon to hear further from1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxli4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w1 at ,dundee4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #aj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,just now had the pleasure of your letter2 for which be pleased to accept my hearty thanks4 ,i trust your prayers will be heard in my behalf4 ,glory be to free grace6 many are here brought under convictions4 ,unworthy as ,i am1 the glorious ,emmanuel is pleased to clothe his word with power4 ,i am amazed at his loving-kindness1 and want heaven and earth to join with me in praising his holy ,name4 ,by your son ,i have sent some papers1 and shall gladly receive any from you4 ,i wish you would not trouble yourself or me in writing about the corruptions of the ,church of ,england4 ,i believe there is no church perfect under heaven2 but1 as ,,god1 by his providence1 is pleased to send me forth simply to preach the gospel to all1 ,i think there is no need of casting myself out4 ,the divisions in ,scotland are affecting1 and undoubtedly they will occasion great searchings of heart4 ,i pray ,,god to support us in a trying hour4 ,i am not yet determined1 when ,i shall come your way4 ,i can only promise1 it shall be the first opportunity1 and that you shall be apprized of it some time before4 ,in the mean time1 be pleased to bear me upon your heart4 ,i am a weak helpless worm4 ,your correspondence will always be agreeable to me4 ,that you may daily receive fresh anointings from above1 is the hearty prayer of1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate1 tho' younger brother and servant in the ,gospel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,o4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #aj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,thank you for your kind and obliging letter4,i had not time to answer it before4 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to come into the northern parts4 ,the precise time ,i cannot yet tell4 ,for ever adored be the ,,lord for his free grace6 the word is accompanied with great power4 ,several apply to me daily under convictions4 ,i find it best simply to preach the pure gospel1 and not to meddle at all with controversy4 ,the present divisions are a sore judgment to ,scotland4 ,this is my comfort1 ,,jesus is king4 ,he will either heal1 or bring good out of them4 ,i have been with several of the associate presbytery2 but ,i see no hopes of accommodation4 ,o that the power of religion may revive6 ,nothing but that can break down the partition wall of bigotry4 ,dear ,sir1 forget not to pray for me4 ,i see more and more that ,i am nothing1 and that ,,jesus is all in all4 ,did ,i know how1 ,i would send you some papers2 but ,i hope ere long to have a personal interview2 and in the mean while1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxliii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,lord ,r4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #aa1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,though ,i am just going out1 yet ,i cannot satisfy myself without snatching a few moments to write to you4 ,i hope this will find your ,lordship safe at your journey's end1 rejoicing in ,,god for giving his angels charge concerning you in the way4 ,it will please your ,lordship1 to inform you that the ,,lord of all ,lords hath dealt most lovingly with me1 since your departure hence4 ,his power hath been frequently made known in the great congregation1 and many come to me daily1 crying out1 8,what shall ,i do to be saved80 ,the work of the ,,lord also goes on in ,america1 and in ,england1 so that ,i hope we shall see the kingdom of ,,god come with power4 ,this is the full desire of my soul4 ,i am determined to seek after and know nothing else4 ,for besides this1 all other things are but dung and dross4 ,o my ,lord1 why should we that are pilgrims1 mind earthly things8 ,why should we that are soldiers1 entangle ourselves with the things of this life8 ,heavenly-mindedness is the very life of a christian4 ,it is all in all4,i pray the ,,lord that your heart may be drawn more and more towards him1 and be fill'd with all his fulness4 ,i could say more1 but ,mr4 ,g ,w waits for me4 ,i am1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxliv4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h1 in ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #aa1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother ,h1 ,,though my eyes are dim1 and my body calls for rest1 yet ,i would fain send you a line before ,i go4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus is getting himself into many hearts4 ,i scarce feel any restraint in preaching4 ,both in public and private1 the ,,lord clothes his word with power4 ,poor souls come to me under deep convictions4 ,sweet letters are sent to me of the success of my writings and sermons2 and several pressing invitations to many places4 ,i hope ,,god is beginning such a work here1 as he begun1 and is now carrying on in ,new-,england4 ,night and day ,,jesus fills me with his love4 ,my bodily strength is daily renewed4 ,the ,,lord is pleased to open my mouth wide2 praise him for it4 ,i have preached twice1 and talked1 and walked much to day4 ,my dear man1 good-night4 ,the ,,lord be with you6 ,ever1 ever yours1 in the most adorable ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlv4 ,to the ,most ,honourable the ,mss of ,ln4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #ab1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,i ,am surprized to find your ,lordship so condescending as to write to me4 ,how bright does humility shine in great personages8 ,it is this renders ,,god so amiable to his creatures4 ,he is infinitely good1 and withal infinitely condescending4 ,what an unparalleled instance was that of his loving kindness1 his giving his only begotten ,son to die for sinful man4 ,how low did ,,jesus stoop when he lay in a manger1 much more when he hung upon the accursed tree4 ,when ,i think of this mystery of godliness1 ,i am lost in thought4 ,this makes me to despise all human happiness1 and sets my soul a longing for a full fruition of my ,,jesus4 ,i pray ,,god to give your ,lordship grace to determine to know nothing but ,,jesus ,,christ1 and him crucified4 ,he is the only center of true happiness4 ,in him alone1 solid1 lasting joys are to be found4 ,having ,,jesus1 ,i find in him ,i possess all things4 ,but whither am ,i going8 ,your ,lordship will excuse me4 ,my heart at present is enlarged4 ,i pray ,,god to visit your ,lordship with his great salvation4 ,i thank your ,lordship for your intended benefaction to the poor ,georgia orphans4 ,i hope the glorious ,emmanuel will accept it at your hands4 ,i have sent your ,lordship another parcel1 seeing the first hath miscarried4 ,i shall follow it with my poor prayers1 being1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #ac1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,i ,longed to receive a letter from you4 ,blessed be ,,god1 my longing was satisfied this day4 ,my heart is much united to you1 and carried out for you4 ,i utterly disapprove of some persons separating principles4 ,i find1 ,satan now turns himself into an angel of light1 and stirs up ,,god's children to tempt me to come over to some particular party4 ,the associate ,presbytery have been hard upon me2 but ,i find no freedom1 any longer than ,i continue just as ,i am1 and evangelize to all4 ,i know not that ,i differ from you in one thing4 ,glory be to ,,god for what he has done at ,london6 ,he is doing great things here4 ,i walk in the continual sunshine of his countenance4 ,every day1 fresh seals are given of my ministry4 ,this morning ,,god opened my voice to speak to preachers of the gospel4 ,be pleased to accept of this summary account of my proceedings4 ,on ,sunday morning1 ,i visited and preached to the orphans here1 and in the evening to as many people as the ,sunday before4 ,every day since1 excepting ,monday1 ,i have preached either in the churches or field twice a day1 and yesterday ,i collected upwards of ninety-three pounds for the ,georgia orphans4 ,people are daily coming under deep convictions1 and fresh invitations are sent me to preach at divers places round about4 ,on ,sunday1 ,i purpose to preach in the country1 and also the greatest part of the following week1 and shall return again1 ,,god willing1 about ,friday to this city4 ,o my brother1 exhort all to praise the ,,lord4 ,i have most sweet letters from many awakened ones4 ,,god1 ,i believe1 will work in the ministers and young students hearts4 ,even so ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,amen4 ,pray fail not writing to ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,d ,e1 at ,sterling4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #ac1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,received your kind letter1 and heartily bless ,,god1 if any thing dropping from my unworthy lips was made of service to your soul4 ,i believe1 ,,god inclined me to speak to you4 ,the sons of the prophets are much upon my heart4 ,i pray ,,god that you may be polished shafts1 and noble instruments in his hands1 of building up living temples for the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the treatment ,i met with from the associate presbytery1 was not altogether such as ,i expected4 ,it grieved me1 as much as it did you4 ,i could scarce refrain from bursting into a flood of tears4 ,i wish all were like-minded with your honoured father and uncle3 matters then would not be carried on with so high an hand4 ,i fear they are led too much4 ,such violent methods1 such a narrow way of acting1 can never be the way to promote and enlarge the kingdom of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,it surely must be wrong to fix such bounds to ourselves1 as forbid even our hearing those who love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 and have also been owned of him4 ,,christ would not have done so4,supposing the scheme of government which the associate presbytery contend for to be scriptural1 yet forbearance and long-suffering is to be exercised towards such as may differ from them2 and ,i am verily persuaded1 there is no such form of government prescribed in the book of ,,god1 as excludes a toleration of all other forms whatsoever4 ,was the ,new ,testament outward tabernacle to be built as punctual as the old1 as punctual directions would have been given about the building it2 whereas1 it is only deduced by inference1 and thus we see ,independents1 ,presbyterians1 and ,episcopalians bring the same text to support their particular scheme1 and ,i believe ,,jesus ,,christ thereby would teach us to exercise forbearance and long-suffering to each other4 ,was the associate presbytery scheme to take effect1 out of conscience1 if they acted consistently1 they must restrain1 and grieve1 if not persecute many of ,,god's children who could not possibly come into their measures2 and ,i doubt not but their present violent methods1 together with the corruptions of that assembly1 will cause many to turn ,independents1 and set up particular churches of their own4 ,this was the effect of archbishop ,laud's acting with so high an hand2 and whether it be presbytery or episcopacy1 if managed in the same manner1 it will be productive of the same effects4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i have not so learned ,,christ4 ,i preach the simple gospel1 and our glorious ,,jesus is pleased to attend it with his power4 ,every day ,i feel more and more of the divine presence1 and people are coming to me crying1 8,what shall we do to be saved40 ,the love of ,,jesus fills my soul1 and constrains me to write thus freely to you4 ,o dear ,sir1 ,i love and honour your pious father4 ,remember me in the kindest manner to the good old man4 ,i pray ,,god1 his last days may not be employed too much in the non-essentials of religion4 ,my heart is knit to the family4 ,,god forbid1 that any thing should hinder us from taking sweet counsel together4 ,,god willing1 ,i am to preach at ,falkirk on ,tuesday evening1 and purpose to be at ,sterling that night1 and to preach twice there the next day4 ,if it was thought advisable1 ,i would collect for the ,orphan-house at ,georgia in the afternoon4 ,the ,,lord be with you1 and all the family4 ,forget me not in your prayers4,i am a poor unworthy wretch4 ,as such1 pray for ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #ae1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,it would make your heart leap for joy1 to be now in ,edinburgh4 ,i question if there be not upwards of #cjj in this city seeking after ,,jesus4 ,every morning1 ,i have a constant levee of wounded souls1 many of whom are quite slain by the law4 ,,god's power attends the word continually1 just as when ,i left ,london4 ,at seven in the morning1 we have a lecture in the fields1 attended not only by the common people1 but persons of great rank4 ,i have reason to think several of the latter sort are coming to ,,jesus4 ,little children also are much wrought upon4 ,,god much blesses my letters from the little orphans4 ,he loves to work by the most contemptible means4 ,o my dear brother1 ,i am quite amazed1 when ,i think what ,,god hath done here in a fortnight4 ,my printed journals and sermons have been blessed in an uncommon manner4 ,i am only afraid lest people should idolize the instrument1 and not look enough to the glorious ,,jesus1 in whom alone ,i desire to glory4 ,congregations consist of many thousands4 ,never did ,i see so many bibles1 nor people look into them1 when ,i am expounding1 with such attention4 ,plenty of tears flow from the hearers eyes4 ,their concern appears various ways4 ,i preach twice daily1 and expound at private houses at night1 and am employed in speaking to souls under distress great part of the day4 ,i have just snatched a few moments to write to my dear brother4 ,o that ,,god may enlarge your heart to pray for me4 ,this afternoon ,i shall preach out of town1 and also to-morrow4 ,next post1 ,,god willing1 you shall have another letter4 ,i walk continually in the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the love of ,,christ quite strikes me dumb4 ,o grace6 grace6 ,let that be my song4 ,adieu4 ,my dear fellow- traveller joins with me in hearty love to you all4 ,i must away4 ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxlix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,georgia4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #bd1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,with very great difficulty ,i get time to write this4 ,the ,,lord is doing great things in ,scotland4 ,i preach twice daily to many thousands with great power4 ,i have collected here very near two-hundred pounds1 and have a prospect of collecting much more4 ,mr4 ,n has drawn upon me for three hundred pounds sterling4 ,i have paid two of it4 ,some hundreds remain yet unpaid4 ,,god gives me to put my trust in him4 ,i have bought five hundred yards of cloth for the dear orphans winter's wear1 and shall send you the other things you mentioned4 ,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord is with you4 ,i do not wonder at the contempt you meet with1 or the calumnies which are spread abroad4 ,remember the burning bush4 ,o my friend1 my dear friend1 how shall ,i thank you for your prayers1 care1 and love8 ,i am willing to wash all your feet4 ,perhaps in the ,spring1 ,i may embark2 but cannot yet determine4 ,i have written to you many letters1 and ,i always remember you in my prayers4 ,i am glad to hear that you can go to market without money4 ,the ,,lord increase your faith4 ,my dear brother1 ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i will do what ,i can for ,mr4 ,b4 ,i thank dear ,mr4 ,j1 from my heart1 for his great kindness4 ,i wrote to him and to ,mr4 ,b1 and near thirty more1 a month ago4 ,expect also some money shortly4 ,i had rather bear any burden1 than have my dear family burdened4 ,i thank ,mr4 ,w for his care4 ,his brethren here are well4 ,i have not time to tell you1 how ,i love and esteem you for the care you take of the dear lambs4 ,i long to weep over you all4 ,excuse me for not writing particularly4 ,the ,,lord be with you all4 ,as soon as ,i can possibly redeem time1 you shall hear again1 my dear ,mr4 ,h1 from ,ever yours in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccl4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,r ,e4 ,edinburgh1 ,aug4 #bd1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letter4 ,i believe it proceeded from love2 but1 as yet1 ,i cannot think the solemn league and covenant is any way obligatory upon me4 ,indeed1 dear ,sir1 you mistake if you think ,i temporize on account of the orphans4 ,be it far from me4 ,i abhor the very thought of it4 ,i proceed now1 just as ,i have done ever since ,i came out in the ministry2 and so far from not setting a hedge about our ,,lord's garden1 that was ,i called to it1 ,i should set a much closer hedge than that which the associate presbytery are planting4 ,i should enquire into people's experiences1 before ,i admitted them to the ,,lord's table4 ,i would have church members meet in church fellowship1 and tell one another what ,,god has done for their souls4 ,you seem to think ,i am not open to light4 ,that ,i may give you satisfaction1 ,i am willing to confer with ,mr4 ,w at ,perth1 where ,i am to be by divine permission on ,thursday1 ,september #c4 ,on ,tuesday next1 about four in the afternoon1 ,i purpose preaching at ,dumfermling4,i am engaged to sup at your collegue's house1 but intend to lie at yours4 ,in the mean time be pleased to pray for me1 and to remember my love to all your family2 and believe me1 reverend ,sir1 to be ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccli4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,o1 at ,aberdeen4 ,perth1 ,sept4 #c1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,have received two letters from you1 which much affect me1 knowing how unworthy ,i am of such endearing expressions1 or indeed of any notice at all4 ,but what shall ,i say8 ,grace6 grace6 ,,jesus loves me1 and so does his servant for ,,jesu's sake4 ,o free grace6 ,i am sorry to find that any should insinuate1 my not coming to ,aberdeen is owing to your cold invitation4 ,such a thought never entered my heart1 but quite the contrary4 ,the distance of the way1 and my pressing call to ,england1 will keep me from you1 and nothing else4 ,i love and honour you for my master's sake4 ,i should be glad to wash your feet1 and if possible ,i will yet see you4 ,but if ,,god should not permit me1 dear ,sir1 be not offended4 ,the ,,lord is pleased to give me much freedom and power in preaching4 ,congregations are every where large1 and they have been very liberal to my poor orphans4 ,o that ,i was humble1 and thankful6 ,i am the chief of sinners3 ,i feel myself such4 ,o the efficacy of ,,christ's blood6 ,it is omnipotent2 it hath saved me4 ,dear ,sir1 my heart is melted down with the love of ,,jesus4 ,he is a dear master4 ,he hath suffered no evil to befal me1 as you have already heard4 ,i have not so much as hurt my foot against a stone4 ,help me to praise him4 ,worthy is the ,lamb that was slain1 to receive all honour and glory and riches and power and blessing6 ,with much difficulty1 ,i get time to send you these few lines4,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your very affectionate1 obedient friend1 younger brother1 and servant in the gospel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,p4 ,s4 ,for nine days past1 ,i have continued preaching with great power twice every day1 to very large and affected auditories in many towns and villages4 ,,letter ,,ccclii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #ai1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,though nature calls for rest1 and ,i am to preach four times to-morrow1 yet ,i cannot go to bed without answering your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god for any good done at ,dundee6 ,not unto me1 not unto me1 but unto ,,jesus ,,christ be all the glory4 ,thanks be to ,,god1 ,i can yet send you more glad tidings4 ,at ,creif we had a most precious meeting4 ,at ,glasgow ,i preached ten times4 ,the ,,lord was with me of a truth4 ,the congregations were very large1 as were the contributions1 and many were brought under the deepest convictions4 ,with great regret we parted1 and with great joy was received at ,edinburgh4 ,i had some thoughts of abiding in ,scotland longer1 but last night ,i received a letter1 which almost determined my return to ,england4 ,next ,saturday1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to leave this place1 and shall return into these parts1 if providence points a way1 in the ,spring4 ,i do not despair of seeing ,scotland like ,new-,england4 ,reverend ,sir1 for the present adieu4 ,my poor body bids me to stop4 ,o when shall ,i sleep no more6 ,i am exceedingly weary1 but am affectionately1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most unworthy and obedient brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccliii4 ,to ,mr4 ,t ,g1 in ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,sep4 #bd1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,this serves to inform you1 that on ,sunday last ,i preached here four times1 twice in a church1 and twice in the fields2 in the evening ,i collected twenty pounds for the royal infirmary4 ,on ,monday morning1 ,i visited the children in three hospitals1 and preached in the evening in the park2 also at ,kinglassy1 ,aberdour1 and ,innerkeithing1 on ,tuesday and ,wednesday4 ,on ,thursday ,i visited the prison1 and in the evening preached to the children of the city1 with a congregation consisting of near twenty thousand in the park4 ,it is remarkable that many children are under convictions1 and every where great power and apparent success attend the word preached4 ,calls to divers places1 are so numerous and importunate1 that ,i think it my duty to stay in ,scotland some time longer3 being in haste1 can say not more at present4 ,my love to all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccliv4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lord ,l4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #be1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,though nature calls for rest1 yet love and gratitude oblige me to sit up to answer your ,lordship's letter1 lest ,i should not have time in the morning4 ,blessed be the glorious ,redeemer6 who seems in some degree to be working upon your heart4 ,my prayer to ,,god is1 that these convictions may continue1 'till they end in a sound conversion4 ,you do well1 my ,lord1 to fear1 lest they should wear off4 ,i have not had so much acquaintance with the world as your ,lordship2 but ,i know it is a deceitful thing1 and without the utmost care and watchfulness1 will insensibly divert the soul from ,,god4 ,your ,lordship is in a dangerous situation4 ,a fear of contempt1 and a love for honour1 falsely so called1 render religion unfashionable amongst the rich and polite part of mankind4 ,but the blood of ,,jesus is almighty1 and makes the soul more than conqueror4 ,here is the fountain to which you and ,i must apply1 to wash away all our sins4 ,and is it yet open for all poor sinners8 ,come then1 my ,lord1 and lay yourself at the feet of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,he can1 he will1 if you believe on him1 abundantly pardon you4 ,but faith is the gift of ,,god4 ,i pray ,,god to give you no rest1 'till you have received the full assurance of faith4 ,then will you recover your primitive dignity1 trample earth under your feet1 and with your soul be panting after ,,god4 ,o my ,lord1 it is a blessed thing to have fellowship with the ,father1 and with the ,son4 ,i am a poor despised minister of ,,jesus ,,christ2 but ,i would not change my ,master for ten thousand worlds4 ,i have food to eat1 that the world knows nothing of4 ,i long to have your ,lordship taste of it too1 and shall as it were travail in birth 'till ,,jesus ,,christ is formed in you4 ,your ,lordship need not remind me to pray for you4 ,your eternal welfare is much upon my heart4 ,my ,lord1 now is the accepted time1 now is the day of salvation4 ,the blessed spirit is now striving with you1 and saying1 8,my son1 give me thy heart2 what hast thou to do any more with idols80 ,i hope your reply will be1 8,,lord1 ,i give thee my heart1 my whole heart1 and will no longer keep back from thee the least part40 ,then will your ,lordship be truly happy2 for so far as we are void of ,,god1 so far we are miserable4 ,but whither am ,i running8 ,it is late2 but your ,lordship desired a long letter1 and therefore ,i have taken the liberty to write freely4 ,i am sensible of the honour put upon me by your ,lordship1 and hope ,i shall never betray any trust reposed in me4 ,i pray ,,god to sanctify this1 and bless our fellowship when we meet together4 ,i thank your ,lordship for your concern about the orphans4 ,i am persuaded you will in no wise lose your reward4 ,i hope your ,lordship received my last letter1 which gave an account of my intended preaching at ,kinglassie and ,coupar4 ,may the glorious ,,jesus sanctify my continuance in these parts1 to the promoting his own glory and the good of souls6 ,i think ,i can say1 8to me to live is ,,christ40 ,it revives me to see so many seeking after ,,jesus4 ,at ,kinglassie the power was extraordinary4 ,o free grace6 that ,,god should make use of such a wretch as ,i am4 ,i desire to lie humbly in the dust1 and say1 8,why me1 ,,lord1 why me80 ,fear not1 my ,lord1 ,i have received remission of sins by the blood of ,,jesus4 ,into his arms1 ,i am just about to commend your ,lordship4 ,i pray ,,god to visit your soul with his salvation2 and hoping my humble respects will find acceptance with your ,lordship1 your lady1 and lady ,ann1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclv4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lord ,r4 ,gallashiels1 ,sept4 #bh1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,your letter ,i fear has been too long unanswered1 but gratitude will not permit me to defer answering it any longer4 ,i have also received your ,lordship's liberal benefaction for the orphans1 for which and all other favours1 your ,lordship hath my hearty thanks4,the innumerable instances of ,,god's goodness quite melt me down4 ,the word of ,,god prevails more and more4 ,every where ,,jesus ,,christ is getting himself the victory in poor sinners hearts4 ,young and old from many quarters fly to the gospel1 as doves to the windows4 ,i trust1 your ,lordship's daughters will feel the power of ,,christ's blood4 ,happy they1 who do feel it4 ,they rest in ,,god4 ,they are sons and daughters of the ,,lord ,almighty4 ,what a rich person is the poorest christian8 ,he is joint heir with ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,supported with this thought1 and feeling the power of it in my soul1 ,i can despise all sublunary enjoyments1 and long to be wholly swallowed up in ,,god4 ,happy day1 when we shall converse with the world no more6 ,i pray ,,god to give me patience to wait 'till ,,jesus comes4 ,i would leap my seventy years1 and fly upon the wings of faith and love1 into the blessed ,redeemer's presence4 ,i hope your ,lordship is thus minded4 ,may the glorious ,emmanuel keep you so1 'till your soul is carried into ,abraham's bosom4 ,this is the hearty prayer of1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient and obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclvi4 ,to the ,right ,honourable lord ,l ,edinburgh1 ,oct4 #b1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,last night ,i returned from the south country1 and receiv'd your ,lordship's kind letter4 ,my invitation to ,coupar was in the name of many3 who the persons were that signed the letter ,i cannot tell4 ,i have sent it inclosed in this4 ,had ,i known it to have been more agreeable to your ,lordship1 ,i would have appointed the meeting at ,melvill2 but ,i fear1 as such public notice has been given1 it will be now impracticable4 ,i cannot possibly stay with your ,lordship all ,tuesday1 being to preach at ,dundee4 ,but in my return from ,aberdeen1 ,i hope to be at your ,lordship's house4 ,i am glad your ,lordship intends to be at ,kinglassie4 ,i shall have both sermons very early1 and hope the glorious ,,jesus will be with us in our going to ,melvill4 ,o my ,,lord1 ,i want a thousand tongues to set off the ,redeemer's praise4 ,having him1 tho' ,i have nothing else1 ,i find ,i possess all things4 ,i have not forgotten your ,lordship since ,i wrote last4 ,you are1 and will be much upon my heart4 ,i have heard of the piety of your ,lordship's ancestors1 and hope many prayers are yet in store for you4 ,above all1 ,i trust1 ,,jesus prays for you1 and then you cannot but be a conqueror2 nay1 more than conqueror over the world1 the flesh and the devil4 ,take courage then1 my ,lord1 and fear not to follow a crucified ,,jesus without the camp1 bearing his sacred reproach4 ,beware of honour1 falsely so called3 dare to be singularly good1 and be not ashamed of ,,jesus or his gospel4 ,o that you may find it to be the power of ,,god to your salvation6 ,look but to ,,christ by faith1 and your ,lordship's great possessions will not retard1 but further and promote your progress in the divine life4 ,what sweet communion will your ,lordship then enjoy with ,,god1 in your walks and gardens8 ,it will then be a little paradise to your soul1 and every thing you meet with1 will only draw you so much nearer to ,jehovah1 in whom all fulness dwells4 ,this ,i find by daily experience2 and that your ,lordship may daily experience the same1 is the earnest prayer1 my ,lord1 of ,your ,lordship's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,melvill1 ,october #e1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,have1 by the ship that brings you this1 sent you #gj l4 worth of different sorts of goods to be disposed of1 and the money to be applied for the use of the ,orphan-house4 ,you are to let ,mr4 ,b have #bj l4 ,i have also sent #fjj yards of cloth1 a present of my own1 to make the boys and girls gowns and coats1 some whereof ,i have had made up here4 ,the other things were given by various persons4 ,amongst these1 you will find some damask table-cloths1 which ,i desire you will sell1 they being too good1 in my opinion1 for our use4 ,o my dear friend1 how faithful is the ,,lord ,,jesus6 ,he has now enabled me to pay my brother1 and ,mr4 ,n's bill of three hundred pounds sterling4 ,there is yet #bjj l4 to be paid1 which ,i borrowed since my arrival in ,england2 but very shortly ,i hope to discharge that also4 ,i have been in ,scotland about two months1 and think to be here about a fortnight longer4 ,,god is pleased to give me health1 and to bless my ministrations in an abundant manner4 ,the little children in the hospitals1 are much wrought upon4 ,saints have been stirred up and edified1 and many others1 ,i believe1 are translated from darkness to light1 and from the kingdom of satan to the kingdom of ,,god's dear ,son4 ,the good that has been done1 is inexpressible4 ,i am intimate with three noblemen1 and several ladies of quality1 who have a great liking for the things of ,,god4 ,i am now writing in an earl's house1 surrounded with fine furniture2 but glory be to free grace6 my soul is in love only with ,,jesus3 he helps me more and more4 ,i feel but little straitness in preaching1 and we have often sweet appearances of the divine presence in our large assemblies4 ,as to my own soul1 it is very comfortable and composed2 ,i feel the power of ,,jesus more1 and the power of indwelling sin less4 ,i am daily waiting for the coming of the ,son of ,,god4 ,i fear ,i am too impatient to be gone2 but what can the soul do1 when sick of love8 ,i have some thoughts of visiting ,ireland4 ,whether ,i shall do that1 or come to ,america in the ,spring1 ,,god only knows4 ,i pray for1 and long to see you and the rest of my dear family4 ,i trust1 ,i then shall behold1 what ,i long to behold1 a houshold of faith1 a company of poor sinners walking in the simplicity and love of the meek and lowly ,,jesus4 ,o that you may so live1 that whosoever comes amongst you may say1 8,surely ,,god is in this place40 ,thousands of prayers are put up for us1 and thousands of lies are spread abroad against us4 ,but ,,jesus enables me to fight my way through all1 and ,i am persuaded he will make me more than conqueror through his love4 ,in ,england1 the work goes on well4 ,brother ,c is much blessed in ,wiltshire2 and brother ,h wrote me word some time ago1 that he had examined about three hundred souls of our society1 most of which had been wrought upon since my return from ,georgia4 ,help me to cry1 ,grace6 grace6 ,my dear friend and brother1 for the present adieu6 ,i love you in the bowels of a crucified ,,jesus4 ,brethren1 pray for us4 ,i am ever1 ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h in ,edinburgh4 ,melvill1 ,october #e1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,i ,received your kind letter with the bill1 and also that signed by you1 and my other friends at ,edinburgh4 ,i take all they say in good part1 but think some of their reasonings a little too worldly4 ,the calumnies of evil men are not to be regarded4 ,i value them not in the least4 ,my largest donations have been from the rich and substantial4 ,the mites which the lower sort of people have given1 ,i am persuaded will not prevent their paying their debts1 or impoverish their families4 ,mr4 ,w1 in a letter to ,mr4 ,s1 wishes there may be a private contribution for myself2 but ,i know nothing of1 and will not admit of any such thing4 ,i make no purse2 what ,i have1 ,i give away4,freely ,i have received1 freely ,i desire to give4 8,poor1 yet making many rich10 shall be my motto still4 ,my great and professed design1 is to bring poor sinners to ,,jesus ,,christ3 but as my orphan family abroad is now large1 and daily to be provided for1 without the least visible fund1 and ,i believe much glory will redound to ,,god from that house2 ,i think it my duty to speak to those1 who ,i believe1 for ,,christ's sake1 are willing to help them4 ,i would have no one afraid of doing too much good1 or think1 that a little given in charity will impoverish the country4,may ,,god reward you1 and all others that have assisted me for his dear ,son's sake6 ,my poor prayers will always attend my ,scotch friends4 ,when ,i shall go to ,england1 ,i know not1 but ,i hope ,,god will direct me4 ,i must have done4 ,dear ,sir1 may the ,,lord be with you1 and be your ease in pain4 ,my kindest respects attend your kind wife1 and all my dear friends4 ,i thank you and them for their advice1 and desire to subscribe myself1 with much affection1 dear ,sir1 ,your obliged1 and affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,m1 at ,dornock4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #i1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,some time past1 ,i received a letter from your ,presbytery of ,sutherland1 and if ,i mistake not1 with your name subscribed4 ,however1 as ,i this night have seen your son1 ,i think it my duty in a letter to you1 to thank the reverend presbytery for their kind invitation2 but as my stay in ,scotland is so short1 and ,sutherland so far ,northward1 ,i cannot think of going thither at this time4 ,notwithstanding1 my prayer to ,,god is1 that the glorious gospel may flourish in your hands1 and that you may bring many1 very many souls to ,,jesus4 ,this1 reverend ,sir1 unless my heart deceives me1 is my only aim4 ,for this let men revile my name1 ,i shun no ,cross1 ,i fear no shame2 ,all hail reproach1 and welcome pain1 ,only thy terrors1 ,,lord1 restrain6 ,o1 dear ,sir1 my heart is warmed with the love of ,,jesus2 whilst ,i am writing1 the fire kindles4 ,amazing1 that ,,jesus should suffer me to speak for him6 ,but what shall we say8 ,his grace is free4 ,dear ,sir1 help me to cry1 ,grace6 grace6 ,surely ,i shall sing it in heaven4 ,i long to be there1 but am willing to tarry the ,,lord's leisure4 ,dear ,sir1 excuse this freedom2 ,i hope ,i am writing to one that loves ,,jesus4 ,i would write more1 but must away to give a word of exhortation4 ,that the ,,lord ,,jesus may fill you with all joy and peace in believing1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 c4 in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclx4 ,to ,major ,m4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #i1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,being come thus far ,northward1 and hearing that you are this way1 ,i cannot forbear writing1 though nature calls for sleep4 ,i was concerned ,i could not see you at ,london2 but hope this will find you retired from a noisy world1 and walking with your dear spouse as becometh the gospel of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,it is what ,i have longed and prayed for many a time4 ,i am of the same mind as formerly4 ,nothing but ,,jesus can satisfy the soul4 ,aided by his ,almighty power1 ,i still go on through good report and evil report1 preaching the gospel4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i am not ashamed of it4 ,for1 ,i find it1 as do many others1 to be the power of ,,god to our eternal salvation4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 ,i feel more and more of the love of ,,christ every day4 ,it is past expression4 ,i hope ere now you have had it shed abroad in your heart abundantly1 by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,a letter informing me of this1 will rejoice my soul4 ,be pleased to direct to me at ,mr4 ,t's1 ,edinburgh4 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose leaving ,scotland in about a fortnight4 ,whether ,i shall see you in the flesh1 ,i know not4 ,however1 since ,i know what ,,god once did for you1 be not offended1 if ,i charge you1 dear ,sir1 not to let me miss you at ,,god's right-hand in the great day4 ,but ,,god only can bring this to pass3 ,that you and your dear wife may be kept by his mighty power unto salvation1 prays1 dear ,sir1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxi4 ,to ,mrs4 ,ann ,d1 at great ,gransden4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #i1 #agda4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,,this evening your letter came to hand4 ,though it is past eleven at night1 and ,i have rode many miles this day1 yet ,i cannot go to-bed without sending you a line4 ,i fear1 by your manner of writing1 you are offended with me for my last letter4 ,i knew very well1 it would be a trial to you2 but ,i wrote out of pure love1 and am glad it is now in your power to clear your husband1 which ,i much desired to do4 ,i have too many aspersions of the same nature cast upon me1 not to sympathize with you both4 ,but ,,jesus is our advocate1 and ere long we shall see all the accusers of the brethren cast down4 ,in spite of all1 ,,jesus has been1 and is getting himself the victory in many sinners hearts4 ,i am yet carried on day by day1 strengthened in body1 and much refreshed and comforted in soul4 ,your letter gives me a little present pain1 lest my last should have pained you4 ,but ,,god permits these things to happen among ourselves1 to teach us to look off from all creatures1 and to centre all our happiness in himself4 ,glory be to ,,god for his almighty love6 ,at my first coming here1 things looked a little gloomy2 for the magistrates had been so prejudiced by one ,mr4 ,b1 that when applied to1 they refused me the use of the kirk-yard to preach in4 ,this ,mr4 ,b is collegue with one ,mr4 ,o1 at whose repeated invitation ,i came hither4 ,though collegues of the same congregation1 they are very different in their natural tempers4 ,the one is what they call in ,scotland1 of a sweet blooded1 the other1 of a choleric disposition4 ,mr4 ,b is neither a ,seceder1 nor quite a ,kirk-man1 having great fault to find with both4 ,soon after my arrival1 dear ,mr4 ,o took me to pay my respects to him2 he was prepared for it1 and immediately pulled out a paper1 containing a great number of insignificant queries1 which ,i had neither time near inclination to answer4 ,the next morning1 it being ,mr4 ,o's turn1 ,i lectured and preached2 the magistrates were present4 ,the congregation very large1 and light and life fled all around4 ,in the afternoon ,mr4 ,b officiated2 ,i attended4 ,he began his prayers as usual2 but in the midst of them naming me by name1 he intreated the ,,lord to forgive the dishonour that had been put upon him1 by my being suffered to preach in that pulpit2 and that all might know what reason he had to put up such a petition1 about the middle of his sermon1 he not only urged that 8,i was a curate of the church of ,england10 but also quoted a passage or two out of my first printed sermons1 which he said were grossly ,arminian4 ,most of the congregation seemed surprized and chagrined1 especially his good-natured collegue ,mr4 ,o1 who immediately after sermon1 without consulting me in the least1 stood up and gave notice1 that ,mr4 ,whitefield would preach in about half an hour4 ,the interval being so short1 the magistrates returned into the session's-house1 and the congregation patiently waited1 big with expectation of hearing my resentment4 ,at the time appointed1 ,i went up1 and took no other notice of the good man's ill-timed zeal1 than to observe in some part of my discourse1 that if the good old gentleman had seen some of my later writings1 wherein ,i had corrected several of my former mistakes1 he would not have expressed himself in such strong terms4 ,the people being thus diverted from controversy with man1 were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of ,,god4 ,all was hushed6 and more than solemn6 and on the morrow the magistrates sent for me1 expressed themselves quite concerned at the treatment ,i had met with1 and begg'd ,i would accept of the freedom of the city4 ,but of this enough4 ,the ,,lord1 my dear sister1 my support2 let us both continually fly to him1 and then let men or devils do their worst4 ,,christ will by and by take away our reproach4 ,into his hands ,i commend your spirit4 ,good night2 the ,,lord be with you and yours6 ,i hope to set out for ,england soon4 ,pray write when you hear of my arrival there1 and so convince me1 that you are not angry with ,your affectionate tho' unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,w1 at ,edinburgh4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #aj1 #agda4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,just snatch a few moments to answer your letter4 ,want of leisure prevented my doing it before4 ,i have not as yet seen your mother's memoirs4 ,happy are you in having such a parent4 ,no doubt many prayers are in store for you4 ,as for your entering upon the ministry1 ,i cannot advise you1 'till you have gotten full satisfaction that you are born again of ,,god4 ,i know more than one1 who are ready to give up their ministry for want of this2 and as for my own part1 ,i could not feelingly press the love of ,,god to others1 unless ,i was sure of his love to myself4 ,i know not what may have passed between ,,god and your soul4 ,you can tell1 ,i suppose1 whether or not ,,god's spirit witnesseth with your spirit1 that you are a child of ,,god8 ,for he that believeth1 hath the witness in himself4 ,if you have got this with a moderate share of learning1 a good elocution and a burning love for precious souls1 then1 ,i think you may do service in a public station4 ,if godly1 and real experienced friends are for your entering into the ministry1 their advice is somewhat to be regarded4 ,if their advice proceeds from worldly motives1 do not mind them at all4 ,the discouragements you meet with from some1 are not worth your notice4 ,if ,,god loves you1 he will try you every way4 ,prayer1 meditation1 and temptation1 are three necessary qualifications for a gospel minister4 ,i know not what to say about your going to ,georgia4 ,in ,pensylvania1 and other places1 there are most noble opportunities of preaching the gospel of ,,jesus4 ,but ,i hope to be in ,edinburgh in about ten days1 and then shall be glad to converse with you4 ,in the mean time1 dear ,sir1 ,i commend you to ,,god1 and desire you would not forget the unworthy creature1 who now subscribes himself ,yours in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxiii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j ,w4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #aj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,brother1 ,i ,have for a long time expected that you would have sent me an answer to my last2 but ,i suppose that you are afraid to correspond with me1 because ,i revealed your secret about the lot4 ,though much may be said for my doing it1 yet ,i am sorry now1 that any such thing dropped from my pen1 and ,i humbly ask pardon4 ,i find ,i love you as much as ever1 and pray ,,god1 if it be his blessed will1 that we may be all united together4 ,it hath been for some days upon my heart to write to you1 and this morning ,i received a letter from brother ,h1 telling me how he had conversed with you and your dear brother4 ,may ,,god remove all obstacles that now prevent our union6 ,though ,i hold particular election1 yet ,i offer ,,jesus freely to every individual soul4 ,you may carry sanctification to what degrees you will1 only ,i cannot agree that the in-being of sin is to be destroyed in this life4 ,o1 my dear brother1 the ,,lord hath been much with me in ,scotland4 ,i every morning feel my fellowship with ,,christ1 and he is pleased to give me all peace and joy in believing4 ,in about three weeks ,i hope to be at ,bristol4 ,may all disputings cease1 and each of us talk of nothing but ,,jesus1 and him crucified6 ,this is my resolution4 ,the ,,lord be with your spirit4 ,my love to brother ,c1 and all that love the glorious ,emmanuel4 ,i am1 without dissimulation1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxiv4 ,to ,peter ,b4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #aj1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,write this1 to ask pardon for mentioning your name in my answer to brother ,w's sermon4 ,i am very sorry for it4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 for ,,christ's sake ,i forgive you4 ,i thank you1 and shall be glad of a conference with you when ,i come to ,london4 ,there have been faults on both sides4 ,i think1 my dear brother1 you have not acted simply in some things4 ,let us confess our faults to one another1 and pray for one another1 that we may be healed4 ,i wish there may be no dissention between us for the time to come4 ,may ,,god preserve us from falling out in our way to heaven6 ,the world and the devil are united against us2 ,o that we could all unite against them6 8,,god is love1 and he that dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,,god40 ,i long to have all narrow-spiritedness taken out of my heart4 ,,jesus is able to deliver me4 ,his blood is ,almighty4 ,i trust ,i shall not rest1 'till ,i have felt the full power of it in my soul4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i am still carried on from conquering to conquer4 ,,jesus causes me to triumph in every place4 ,i desire to lie as a poor sinner at his feet1 and to cry1 ,grace6 grace6 ,i find ,i am shortly to be called before the higher powers4 ,help me1 my dear brother1 by your prayers4 ,in about nine days ,i think to leave ,scotland4 ,i commend you to ,,jesus1 and desire to subscribe myself1 dear brother ,b1 ,yours affectionately in the bleeding ,lamb1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxv4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,c4 ,aberdeen1 ,october #ac1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,received your letters1 and am glad to hear that the glorious ,emmanuel is pleased to countenance your ministry4 ,may he smile on you more and more1 and make you the spiritual father of many children6 ,i have very great reason to be thankful to our common ,saviour4 ,he hath been with me greatly1 both in ,england and ,scotland4 ,i generally preach twice every day1 sometimes three1 even four times1 and generally expound in private every night4 ,the ,,lord has fought many battles for me1 and still continues to make me more than conqueror through his love4 ,this morning ,i felt his power in the pulpit1 and now feel it much in my soul4 ,o what a blessed thing it is1 to have ,,god's spirit witness with our spirit1 that we are ,,god's children6 ,this1 glory be to free grace6 ,i have continually2 and let me be in what frame soever1 my soul is waiting for the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,blessed be ,,god1 it will not be long ere ,i shall see him as he is4 ,the sight ,i have of him by faith1 ravishes my soul3 how shall ,i be ravished when ,i see him face to face6 8,,lord1 purify me1 even as thou art pure2 for only the pure in heart see thee60 ,my dear brother1 the love of ,,god now fills my soul4 ,may you feel it shed abroad abundantly in your heart6 ,about ,spring1 perhaps1 ,i may leave ,england4 ,forget not to pray for me4 ,i am1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,ever yours in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxvi4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,earl of ,l4 ,brechen1 ,october #ag1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,i ,would have wrote to your ,lordship from ,aberdeen1 but could not then determine when ,i should be at ,melvill4 ,this comes to acquaint your ,lordship1 that1 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be at your ,lordship's house on ,wednesday night1 and to preach at ,coupar on ,thursday4 ,i should be glad if the magistrates were apprized of it1 and the tent fixed in a more convenient place1 and at a less distance from the ground4 ,i cannot tell your ,lordship1 how good the glorious ,emmanuel has been unto me4 ,he has caused me to triumph in every place1 and fills my soul with joy unspeakable1 even with joy that is full of glory4 ,i wish your ,lordship was not almost1 but altogether such as ,i am1 excepting my indwelling corruptions4 ,o my ,lord1 none but ,christians know the pleasure of renouncing the world for ,,god4 ,i am persuaded you felt unspeakable pleasure at ,coupar4 ,i hope those days have continued with you4 ,happy are you in having a consort that will forward you in the spiritual life4 ,that you may both live together as becomes heirs of the grace of ,,god1 and have all joy and peace in believing1 is the earnest prayer of1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,thomas ,g1 at ,london4 ,dundee1 ,october #ba1 #agda4 ,dear ,brother ,g1 ,,you will see1 by the following1 what ,,god is still doing for me4 ,on ,wednesday night last ,i left ,aberdeen1 after preaching there seven times1 besides expounding in private4 ,before ,i came among them1 numbers were much prejudiced against me2 but ,,god was pleased to attend my ministry with such power1 that all opposition fell before me4 ,many were brought under great convictions4 ,the magistrates made me free of the city2 and the people much regretted my speedy departure from them4 ,on ,thursday last ,i preached at ,stonhithe and ,benham2 on ,friday1 thrice at ,montrose2 on ,saturday twice1 and on ,sunday thrice at ,brechen1 and lectured in the evening at a private house4 ,on ,monday ,i preached twice at ,forfar2 on ,tuesday twice at ,coupar1 in ,angus2 and once at ,dundee1 five miles from ,coupar1 at four in the afternoon1 and again at night2 here ,i have also preached twice this day4 ,the presence of ,,god accompanies me more and more4 ,wherever ,i have preached1 ,i hear of the good fruits of it1 both in convicting sinners1 and reviving saints4 ,at ,dundee1 the concern among the hearers is very remarkable4 ,people are still more desirous to hear the word4 ,but1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose shortly to set out for ,england4 ,my dear brother1 pray for me1 that ,i may be humble and thankful4 ,i am glad to hear your wife is recovered4 ,my love to her1 and all friends4 ,i am1 with cordial affection1 ,dear brother ,g1 ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxviii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,lord ,l4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #bf1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,it is now past eleven at night2 all is wrapt in awful silence4 ,my soul is in a quiet composed frame4 ,i have been giving your ,lordship's letter a second reading1 with aspirations to ,,god whilst ,i perused it4 ,surely ,,god has not let me wrestle with him in vain4 ,the ,holy ,spirit seems to be moving upon the face of your soul4 ,i trust ,,god hath said1 8,let there be light10 and therefore there is light4 ,o that the work may be carried on1 till you enter into that rest which remains for the people of ,,god4 ,i trust your ,lordship will now awake into a new world1 and know what it is to live by faith4 ,did ,i not know the power of ,,christ's blood1 ,i should fear for you4 ,but ,i commend you to a glorious ,redeemer1 that will certainly take care of you4 ,as ,i left your ,lordship's house1 ,i was thinking1 that the narrow escape your ,lordship had between the stones1 foreboded something good4 ,,jesus has taken care of you when in your blood4 ,i hope he is now passing by you1 and saying unto you1 8,live40 ,o that the stone of infidelity1 which before lay at the door of your heart1 may be now rolled away6 ,o that you may rise1 be loosed from your corruptions1 and go about doing good6 ,satan will not let you go without much opposition4 ,he will desire to have you1 that he may sift you as wheat4 ,but if ,,jesus prays for you1 all will be well4 ,the comfort which you had with him in reading the psalms1 is a taste of the food believers daily eat1 and which the carnal world knows nothing of4 ,my ,lord1 if you could be brought once to love secret prayer1 and to converse feelingly with ,,god in his word1 your heaven will begin on earth2 you will enjoy more pleasure than in all manner of riches4 ,what will those avail1 if you are not rich towards ,,god8 ,be1 therefore1 my ,lord1 much in secret retirement4 ,commune with your own heart in your chamber1 and be still1 and you will then hear the secret whispers of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,as for praying in your family1 ,i intreat you1 my ,lord1 not to neglect it4 ,you are bound to do it4 ,apply to ,,christ for strength to overcome your present fears4 ,they are the effects of pride1 or infidelity1 or of both4 ,after once or twice1 the difficulty will be over4 ,o that the blessed ,spirit may enable you to make intercession with groaning that cannot be uttered6 ,it rejoices me to think1 that ,i shall one day perhaps see a church in ,melvill house4 ,happy1 happy are you1 my ,lord1 in having such a consort1 who will forward your ,lordship in every good word and work4 ,how sweet will it be for you to go early to your devotions1 striving to live like the first happy pair1 before they had eaten the forbidden fruit4 ,as ,,god shall enable me1 ,i shall bear you both upon my heart4 ,,god forbid that ,i should sin against him in ceasing to pray for you4 ,my riding upon your ,lordship's horse1 will often remind me to pray for the donor4 ,my ,lord1 you are upon my heart4 ,methinks ,i would undergo the pangs of the new birth for you2 but ,,jesus can carry you through4 ,fear not4 ,go on in his strength1 and your ,lordship will be enabled to stand the shock of all4 ,i should be glad to hear1 from time to time1 what the ,,lord is doing for your soul4 ,since your ,lordship has laid your commands upon me1 ,i shall write as often as possible4 ,if your ,lordship is pleased to write within this week1 a letter may be directed to me at ,mrs4 ,j's1 in ,abergavenny4 ,if afterwards1 at ,mr4 ,s's1 ,grocer1 in ,wine-street1 ,bristol4 ,your ,lordship may depend on my secresy2 no one hath seen your ,lordship's letter1 but ,mr4 ,s1 who copies this1 and who is as my own soul4 ,his prayers1 ,i trust1 will benefit your ,lordship4 ,his humble respects await both you and your lady4 ,once more1 ,i pray ,,god to bless you both together4 ,but it is late1 the clock has struck twelve4 ,methinks ,i could wish the cry was now made1 8,behold1 the bridegroom cometh40 ,my soul longs to go forth to meet him4 ,this evening ,i was greatly refreshed by preaching on these words1 8,this is my beloved1 and this is my friend1 oh daughters of ,jerusalem40 ,o when shall ,i see him as he is6 ,well may your ,lordship say1 8,he is altogether lovely40 ,the more you know him1 the more you will have reason to commend him4 ,eternity is too short to utter all his praise4 ,with a heart full of affection and thanks for all favours1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 at ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #bg1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,although it be past eleven at night1 yet ,i cannot miss a post4 ,the ,,lord is doing very great things here4 ,at ,dundee the ,c was very extraordinary4 ,on sabbath-day1 the ,,lord enabled me to preach four times1 and to lecture in the evening at a private house4 ,yesterday ,i preached three times1 and lectured at night4 ,this day ,,jesus has enabled me to preach seven times4 ,once in the church1 twice at the girl's hospital1 once in the park1 once at the old people's hospital1 and afterwards twice in a private house4 ,notwithstanding1 ,i am now as fresh as when ,i arose in the morning4 8,they that wait upon the ,,lord shall renew their strength2 they shall mount on wings like eagles40 ,it would delight your soul to see the effects of the power of ,,god4 ,both in the church and park the ,,lord was with us4 ,the girls in the hospital were exceedingly affected1 and so were the standers-by4 ,one of the mistresses told me1 she is now awakened in the morning by the voice of prayer and praise2 and the master of the boys says1 that they meet together every night to sing and pray2 and when he goes to their rooms at night to see if all be safe1 he generally disturbs them at their devotions4 ,the presence of ,,god1 at the old people's hospital1 was really very wonderful4 ,the ,holy ,spirit seemed to come down like a mighty rushing wind4 ,the mourning of the people1 was like the weeping in the valley of ,hadadrimmon4 ,they appear more and more hungry4 ,every day ,i hear of some fresh good wrought by the power of ,,god4 ,i scarce know how to leave ,scotland4 ,i believe ,i shall think it my duty to pay the inhabitants another visit as soon as possible4 ,may the ,,lord order my goings in his ways6 ,above five hundred pounds hath been collected1 in money and goods1 for the poor orphans4 ,let all that is within me praise ,,god's holy name4 ,to-morrow1 ,,god willing1 ,i shall leave this place1 and go through ,wales1 in my way to ,london4 ,you may hear from me on the road4 ,at present1 ,i must conclude2 it is very near twelve4 ,i intreat you to pray and give thanks for1 dear brother ,c1 ,your's most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxx4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,lord ,l4 ,abergavenny1 ,nov4 #aj1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,i ,cannot bear the thoughts of forbearing to write to your ,lordship any longer4 ,i know your ,lordship will be pleased to hear that we had a good journey4 ,,christ's presence made it so4 ,the horse carried me exceeding well4 ,my heart was often drawn out to pray for the donor4 ,does your ,lordship's soul prosper8 ,has ,,jesus said1 8,be of good cheer1 it is ,i2 be not afraid1 thy sins are forgiven thee40 ,can it yet be said1 8,behold1 he prayeth40 ,i find a restraint upon me now1 so that ,i cannot write4 ,,god calls me to retirement2 being to enter into the marriage state to-morrow4 ,i am persuaded your ,lordship will not fail to pray1 that we may1 like ,zachariah and ,elizabeth1 walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the ,,lord blameless4 ,i hope my most humble respects will find acceptance with your ,lady4 ,indeed1 my ,lord1 you are both much upon my heart4 ,though ,i have only liberty now to subscribe myself1 with all gratitude1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient and obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,t1 at ,edinburgh4 ,abergavenny1 ,nov4 #ai1 #agda4 ,,this morning ,i received your kind letter2 for which1 and all other favours1 you have my most hearty thanks4 ,i remembered you in prayer1 soon after your's came to hand3 blessed be ,,god for the news which it contained4 ,i yet expect to hear of1 if not to see far greater things in ,scotland4 ,the ,,lord has begun1 and he will carry on a work1 which shall make the ears of his enemies to tingle4 ,i have enjoyed much of the divine presence since we parted4 ,on ,saturday ,i was married1 in the fear of ,,god1 to one who1 ,i hope1 will be a help meet to me4 ,,god has been pleased to work1 by my hands1 since ,i have been in ,wales4 ,o stupendous love6 ,o infinitely condescending ,,god6 ,be pleased to direct your next to ,london4 ,i hope to be there in about three weeks4 ,my wife ,i shall leave in the country for some time4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t1 pray for us4 ,i do for you and yours4 ,labour after an abiding of ,,god in your soul1 so that you may continually by faith see him who is invisible4 ,do not be content with being a dwarf in religion3 aspire after the utmost degrees of inward purity and holiness4 ,i could go on1 but must write some more letters4 ,dear brother ,s1 and my dear wife1 salute you and all friends4 ,they are not forgotten1 dear ,mr4 ,t1 by ,your most unworthy1 but most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lady ,d1 in ,scotland4 ,bristol1 ,nov4 #bb1 #agda4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,,at length ,i have a little leisure4 ,i must improve it1 by writing a letter to your ,ladyship4 ,the many favours conferred on me1 loudly called for a more speedy acknowledgment2 but hitherto1 business for my ,master has prevented4 ,dear ,mrs4 ,c's letter will inform your ,ladyship that ,i have altered my state2 ,i trust for the better2 for ,i think my soul is more intimately united to ,,jesus ,,christ than ever4 ,i would humbly hope your ,ladyship can say so too2 for there is no happiness till we can feel an union of soul with ,,god4 ,that1 and that only1 as your ,ladyship has often heard me assert1 is true and undefiled religion4 ,your own experience will best convince you of the truth thereof4 ,your ,ladyship enjoys great advantages1 and glorious means of making progress in spiritual things4 ,you are rich in this world's goods2 may ,,god make you rich in faith and good works6 ,my ,master will not forget the kindness you have shewn to one of the least of his servants4 ,it gives me comfort to think1 what sweet freedom of spirit ,i have enjoyed1 when opening the scriptures in your ,ladyship's house4 ,surely ,,god was with us of a truth4 ,the savour of it is not yet gone off my own soul1 nor1 ,i hope1 from your ,ladyship's also4 ,since ,i left ,edinburgh1 ,i have put up many hearty prayers for you and your family4 ,the ,,lord make it an houshold of faith1 and make you perfect1 entire1 lacking nothing6 ,the glorious ,emmanuel seems to be repairing the breaches of his tabernacle1 which were fallen down4 ,in ,wales we had much of the divine presence4 ,the people there are so hungry after the word1 that they are resolved not to leave wrestling with the ,most ,high1 till he shall be pleased to send me thither4 ,o that ,,god may incline your ,ladyship to intercede in my behalf6 for ,i long to be humble1 and to lie low as a very poor sinner at the ,redeemer's feet4 ,i think ,i can say1 he brings me nearer and nearer to himself daily2 and ,i will not rest1 till ,i am moulded into the image of my bleeding ,,lord4 ,i pray ,,god that your ,ladyship may be content with no degrees of holiness2 but may be daily pressing forward1 till you arrive at the mark of the prize of the high calling in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,mr4 ,s desires to join with me in sending our most affectionate respects and thanks to your ,ladyship and all friends4 ,our particular respects await dear ,mr4 ,mc,v4 ,i trust he will yet live to see glorious days of the ,son of ,man4 ,surely ,,christ is getting himself the victory4 ,may he long reign king in your soul1 and reward you a thousand-fold for every token of love shewn to1 honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxiii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,earl of ,l4 ,bristol1 ,nov4 #bd1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,my heart longs to send you another letter4 ,i wish1 above all things1 that your soul may prosper4 ,i had an extraordinary power given me to pray for you lately in ,wales4 ,,god gave me to wrestle1 and ,i think an assurance that ,i should prevail4 ,i am looking out for an answer4 ,your ,lordship's next letter1 ,i hope1 will afford me matter for rejoicing in your behalf4 ,your ,lordship is now entered on the field of battle3 you are engaged in a cruel1 but a glorious warfare4 ,go on2 though faint1 yet still pursue3 nil desperandum1 ,christo duce1 auspice ,christo4 ,my prayer for your ,lordship is this3 ,give him a will1 give him the pow'r1 ,still equal to the war2 ,great ,captain of ,salvation1 thou ,thy trembling soldier chear6 ,o1 my ,lord1 it is a blessed thing to fight the ,redeemer's battles3 ,i find he makes us more than conquerors through his love4 ,i still enjoy much of the divine presence1 and hope ,i pass from glory to glory daily4 ,i preach here at six in the morning1 and also in the evening4 ,,god causes his goodness to pass before us4 ,in a week ,i hope to set out for ,london4 ,be pleased to direct your next thither4 ,the lords have returned my appeal4 ,at present1 a hook is put in the leviathan's nose4 8,when a man's ways please the ,,lord1 he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him40 ,i hope your ,lady prospers both in body and soul4 ,my own1 and dear fellow-travellers most humble respects and prayers attend your whole houshold4 ,i am1 with great affection1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxiv4 ,to ,t ,e1 in ,edinburgh4 ,bristol1 ,nov4 #bg1 #agda4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,when we parted1 ,i promised your wife to write upon the road2 but ,i found it impracticable4 ,since ,i came to ,wales ,i have had no time4 ,now ,i have1 ,,god gives me freedom4 ,though late1 be pleased to accept a letter of thanks for all favours4 ,i think we felt each others spirits1 both1 ,i trust1 united mystically1 really1 and eternally to ,,christ1 our common head1 and to one another in love4 ,o that all would center here4 ,it would then be said once again1 8,see how these ,christians love one another40,as for my own part1 ,i am resolved not to rest till every thing1 contrary to true1 catholic1 christian love1 be rooted out of my soul4 ,,christ's blood and spirit are able to do this for me4 ,i only need to pray to ,,god to make me willing to have it done4 ,be pleased to help me1 my dear friend1 when ,,god enables you to draw near unto him4 ,my dear companion would beg the same4 ,our tender love awaits both you and your wife4 ,i am lately entered into the marriage relation4 ,,jesus was called to2 ,,jesus was present at the marriage4 ,we have lately enjoyed much of the divine presence4 ,many precious promises have been pressed upon my soul4 ,i believe ,i shall see greater things than ever4 ,we cannot expect too great things from ,,god4 ,but ,i must have done4 ,i am waited for4 ,accept these few lines in love1 from ,your affectionate friend and brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,a1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,nov4 #cj1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letter4 ,though ,i hope to see you on ,friday1 yet love constrains me to send you an answer4 ,i rejoice that your soul is thirsting for holiness4 ,,god grant it may never cease till you experience the full and glorious liberty of his children4 ,i see plainly how satan loves to drive to extremes4 ,since there is no such thing as having the in-being of sin destroyed1 he would not have people press after a delivery from the power of it4 ,this is also owing to the corruption of our own hearts4 ,the old man doth not love to be crucified and slain2 but ,i hope the language of your heart and mine is this1 ,reign in me1 ,,lord1 thy foes controul1 ,that would refuse thy sway2 ,diffuse thy image thro' my soul1 ,and bring the perfect day4 ,scatter the last remains of sin1 ,and seal me thine abode2 ,o set me purified within2 ,a temple meet for ,,god4 ,my root of holiness thou art1 ,for faith hath made thee mine2 ,with all thy fulness fill my heart1 ,till ,i am wholly thine4 ,no wonder1 when we come to be thus minded1 if carnal ministers1 and carnal professors of all kinds1 cry out against us4 ,nay1 even some who have tasted that the ,,lord is gracious1 having slumbered and slept1 and mixed too much with the world1 even such frequently fight against their privileges1 and rest in an infant state of piety4 ,but1 ,i believe1 the ,,lord will rouse them1 and let the world know1 what the blood of ,,jesus can and will do4 ,blessed be his name1 we have a growing church at ,bristol4 ,yesterday1 and several other times1 the ,,lord hath filled many as with new wine4 ,sometimes ,i scarce have known whether ,i have been in or out of the body2 but1 ,i find1 the more ,i receive of grace1 the more ,i desire to lie as a poor1 very poor sinner at the feet of the wounded ,lamb4 ,several have just now been with me1 who have this last week1 especially yesterday1 drank deep of divine love4 ,they are now full of the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i pray that they may walk humbly with their ,,god2 for it is a good thing to know how to manage a manifestation aright3 nature so frequently and artfully blends with grace1 that1 for want of a close watch and tender walk1 we grieve the ,holy ,spirit4 ,hence arise deadness and darkness in the soul4 ,unbelief creeps in1 the chariot wheels of divine love are taken off1 and the soul drives heavily4 ,let us1 therefore1 my dear brother1 live a life of great nearness to ,,jesus2 and labour day by day to perfect holiness in the fear of ,,god4 ,there is a glorious rest to be entered into even here4 ,may the ,,lord make us partakers of it6 ,but why should ,i in the least doubt it8 ,thou wilt give strength1 thou wilt give power1 thou wilt in time set free3 ,this1 great ,deliverer1 let me hope2 this1 not for self1 but ,thee4 ,for the present1 adieu6 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h4 ,london1 ,dec4 #g1 #agda4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,came hither last ,friday1 and received a packet of letters from ,bethesda2 but wonder to find none from you4 ,when ,i read brother ,grant's account of the circumstances of the family1 ,i remember what the ,,lord pressed upon my soul on ship-board1 8,the bridegroom shall be taken from them1 and then shall they fast in those days40 ,however1 be not discouraged2 professor ,f's students were once obliged to sell their cloaths to buy candles4 ,the work of ,,god advances here greatly4 ,we have a large society1 consisting of several hundreds1 and a noble place to meet in3 ,i have called it a ,tabernacle1 because1 perhaps1 we may be called to move our tents4 ,in ,wiltshire1 and at ,kingswood1 there are many good souls1 and two new houses built4 ,in ,wales the door is opened wider than ever4 ,from thence 7,abergavenny7 the ,,lord has given me a wife4 ,her name was ,james1 a widow1 between thirty and forty years of age4 ,she has been a housekeeper many years4 ,once gay2 but1 for three years last past1 a despised follower of the ,lamb of ,,god4 ,i left her about three weeks ago1 and am going to-morrow to settle affairs1 and to bring her up to ,london4 ,i thank your dear wife for her letter3 had ,i freedom ,i would answer it3 but ,i have essayed several times before ,i could finish this4 ,my sister ,g is dead3 ,i trust she slept in ,,jesus4 ,,god is pleased to let me feel more of his power than ever4 ,o that his whole mind was in me6 ,i hunger and thirst after righteousness3 blessed be ,,god1 there is a promise that such shall be filled4 ,by the letters sent with this1 my dear family will see that ,i have not forgotten them4 ,no3 ,i pray for them continually4 ,i cannot certainly tell when ,i shall leave ,england4 ,providence detains me here4 ,the work is very extraordinary in ,scotland4 ,i hear daily accounts of its continuance and increase4 ,the door is opened in all places4 ,the ,lords see through ,mr4 ,g's enmity1 and will have nothing to do with my appeal3 so that a hook is put into the leviathan's jaws4 ,i believe we shall see greater things than ever4 ,my dear friend1 salute all most tenderly in my name2 ,i am exceedingly engaged1 or each of them should hear particularly from1 ,ever1 ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxvii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lord ,r4 ,gloucester1 ,dec4 #ai1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,this comes to acknowledge the receipt of your ,lordship's kind letter1 dated ,november #ith4 ,business has prevented my answering it sooner4 ,the ,,lord is yet pleased to deal bountifully with me4 ,in ,england1 as well as ,scotland1 the ,redeemer is riding on from conquering to conquer4 ,about ,spring ,i hope to see ,scotland again1 and then1 if possible1 ,i will come as far as your ,lordship's house4 ,i have lately been at ,bristol1 and ,london1 and have had the pleasure of seeing the church walk in the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i have preached here twice every day1 for some days last past4 ,the ,,lord greatly countenances my administrations1 and gives me constant peace and uninterrupted joy in believing4 ,this is what1 ,i trust1 our glorious ,emmanuel will confer upon your ,lordship4 ,,christ wills that our joy should be full2 but we entangle ourselves with the world1 we indulge ourselves in sensual pleasures1 we trifle away our time in what the world calls innocent diversions1 and thereby we grieve the spirit of ,,god1 and lose the comforts we should otherwise enjoy1 from a close walk and communion with ,,god4 ,most complain of a deadness and leanness in their souls2 what is it owing to8 ,not to ,,god1 but to ourselves4 ,we leave ,,god1 and then ,,god leaves us4 ,not that we can keep ourselves by our own faithfulness2 but notwithstanding1 we must be faithful1 and workers together with ,,god4 ,i know not why ,i am led to write thus to your ,lordship1 but nothing else occurs to my mind at present4 ,i am athirst for holiness myself1 and long to see others athirst also4 ,o my ,,lord6 ,i see such beauty and transcendent excellencies in ,,christ1 that ,i long to have his whole mind and image stamped upon my soul4 ,nothing can satisfy me1 but the highest degrees of sanctification and inward holiness4 ,here1 ,i believe1 ,i am laudably ambitious4 ,my ,saviour wills my sanctification1 my ,saviour would have me filled with all the fulness of ,,god4 ,even so ,,lord ,,jesus come quickly6 ,dear ,mr4 ,s humbly salutes your ,lordship1 and prays for your temporal and eternal welfare1 with1 my ,,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient1 obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 at ,london4 ,gloucester1 ,dec4 #bb1 #agda4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,last ,thursday evening the ,,lord brought me hither4 ,i preached immediately to our friends in a large barn1 and had my master's presence4 ,on ,friday and ,saturday ,i preached again twice4 ,both the power1 and the congregation increased4 ,on ,sunday ,,god by a particular providence opened a door for my preaching in ,st4 ,john's1 one of the parish churches4 ,the late incumbent was my grand opposer4 ,he being dead1 and the new minister not having taken possession1 the power of the pulpit was in the church-wardens hands4 ,,god inclined them to let me preach there on ,sunday morning1 and yesterday afternoon4 ,great numbers came1 and the ,,lord gave me unspeakable power4 ,on ,sunday afternoon1 after ,i had preached twice at ,gloucester1 ,i preached at ,mr4 ,f's at the hill1 six miles off and again at night at ,stroud4 ,the people seem to be more hungry than ever1 and the ,,lord to be more amongst them4 ,yesterday morning ,i preached at ,painswick in the parish church1 here in the afternoon1 and again at night in the barn4 ,,god gives me unspeakable comfort1 and uninterrupted joy4 ,here seems to be a new awakening1 and a revival of the work of ,,god4 ,i find1 several country people were awakened when ,i preached at ,tewksbury1 and have heard of three or four that have died in the ,,lord1 who were called under ,,god by me4 ,we shall never know what good field-preaching has done1 till we come to judgment4 ,many who were prejudiced against me1 begin to be of another mind1 and ,,god shews me more and more1 8that when a man's ways please the ,,lord1 he will make even his enemies to be at peace with him40 ,to-morrow morning ,i purpose to set out for ,abergavenny1 and to preach at ,bristol1 in ,wilts1 ,gloucester1 and ,gloucestershire1 before ,i see ,london4 ,the people in these parts seem excellently well disposed4 ,i hope the work of the ,,lord prospers in your hand2 though absent in body1 ,i am present with you in spirit4 ,may the ,,lord ,jehovah comfort you continually with those comforts wherewith ,i am comforted in him6 ,i hope my comforts are of a right nature2 they humble at the same time that they exalt me4 ,i find all my happiness lies in a crucified ,,god4 ,to the blest fountain of thy blood1 ,incarnate ,,god1 ,i fly2 ,here let me wash my spotted soul1 ,from crimes of deepest dye4 ,a guilty1 weak1 and helpless worm1 ,into thy arms ,i fall2 ,be thou my strength and righteousness1 ,my ,,jesus1 and my all4 ,pray for ,your unworthy brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxix4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the ,lord ,l4 ,abergavenny1 ,dec4 #bd1 #agda4 ,my ,lord1 ,,this day ,i received a letter from your ,lordship1 which1 ,i find1 your ,lordship wrote before my third and last came to hand1 wherein ,i gave your ,lordship an account of the circumstance of my marriage4 ,as soon as ,i received your ,lordship's letter1 ,i kneeled down and prayed1 that your ,lordship might be entirely delivered from unbelief1 and be made a partaker of that faith1 which will make you more than conqueror over all4 ,blessed be ,,god1 for convincing you thus far4 ,i hope the event will prove1 that ,,jesus is taking possession of your whole heart4 ,your ,lordship's opinion of those who call themselves christians1 is very just4 ,free grace has opened your eyes4 ,your ,lordship can therefore join in the following verses1 which ,i think applicable to your ,lordship's case4 ,i4 ,long did my soul in ,,jesu's ,form1 ,no comeliness or beauty see2 ,his sacred name by others priz'd1 ,was tastless still1 and dead to me4 ,,ii4 ,men call'd me christian1 and my heart ,on that delusion fondly staid2 ,moral my hope1 my ,saviour self1 ,till mighty grace the cheat display'd4 ,,iii4 ,thanks to the hand that wak'd my soul1 ,that shew'd me wretched1 naked1 poor2 ,that sweetly led me to the rock1 ,where all salvation stands secure4 ,,iv4 ,glad1 ,i forsook my righteous pride1 ,my moral1 tarnish'd1 sinful dress2 ,exchang'd my loss away for ,,christ1 ,and found the robe of righteousness4 ,if your ,lordship from your soul can sing thus1 fear not that ,,jesus will leave you4 ,o unbelief1 injurious bar1 ,source of tormenting fruitless fear2 ,wherein thy loud objections fall1 8,tis finished10 still shall answer all4 ,remember1 my ,lord1 the ,redeemer's love is everlasting4 ,if he has passed by1 and said unto you 8,live10 you shall live for evermore2 for whosoever liveth and believeth in ,,jesus1 shall never die4 ,does my ,lord believe this8 ,then welcome into the new world1 welcome among the despised ,israel of ,,god1 welcome into the ,mediator's kingdom1 where you shall have all peace and joy in believing4 ,when first ,i was awakened1 ,refreshed1 ,i thought my joys compleat1 ,when lo6 ,immanuel's bounties rise2 ,still fresh discoveries he unfolds1 ,the lovely treasures yet surprize6 ,my ,lord1 ,i now wonder no longer at the choice of ,moses4 ,well might he count the reproach of ,,christ of more value than all the riches of ,egypt4 ,,god forbid1 therefore1 that you or ,i should henceforth glory1 save in the cross of ,,christ4 ,it will be more honour to be a suffering servant of ,,christ1 than to be the king's commissioner4 ,your ,lordship will pardon this freedom4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 8,there is no comparison40 ,indeed there is none4 ,i would not change my post for ten thousand kingdoms4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that has given you a distant view of the emptiness of all things here below1 and the insufficiency of every thing to make us happy besides ,,god4 ,may these things be realized1 and stamped upon your ,lordship's heart6 ,then what a happy creature will your ,lordship be8 ,how will it rejoice me to see your ,lordship next ,spring4 ,i know not but my friends prayers may draw me there1 about that time4 ,in the mean while1 ,i pray ,,god from time to time to grant you a growth of grace1 that you may know what it is to abide in ,,god1 and have a constant indwelling of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i rejoice to hear that lady ,ann seems to look heavenward4 ,may ,,jesus make her a wise virgin6 ,for her encouragement1 ,i have sent an extract of a letter lately sent to me by a friend in ,london2 and that your ,lordship may know how it is with me1 ,i have sent a copy of a letter ,i wrote to that friend a day or two ago4 ,last night ,i came hither1 and preached this afternoon4 ,i purpose shortly to go to ,gloucester1 ,bristol1 ,wiltshire1 and so to ,london4 ,the church there as well as elsewhere flourishes4 ,the time for favouring ,zion1 ,i believe1 is indeed come4 ,you see1 my ,lord1 how long my letters are1 when ,i have freedom and leisure4 ,i have thought several times to write to your ,lordship1 but was restrained till ,i received your ,lordship's letter this morning4 ,be pleased to direct your next to be left with ,mr4 ,p ,s1 ,leadenhall-street1 ,london4 ,my prayers shall follow this4 ,o may ,,jesus breath upon it1 and then it must be blessed to your soul6 ,i heartily and humbly salute the elect lady your wife4,may you both be filled with all the fulness of ,,god6 ,my dear wife and ,mr4 ,s join heartily with me4 ,we all plead at the throne of grace in your behalf1 and ,,god alone knows1 how often you are remembered and wrestled for1 by1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxx4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lady ,mary ,h4 ,abergavenny1 ,dec4 #bd1 #agda4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,,this morning ,i received your ,ladyship's kind letter2 when perused1 ,i laid it before the ,,lord of all ,lords1 and prayed for you and yours with all my power4 ,my dear wife and ,mr4 ,s joined heartily with me1 and by this send their most humble respects4 ,we do not despair of waiting upon your ,ladyship next ,spring3 but ere that time1 we may be all launched into the world of spirits1 where we shall sing glory to him that sitteth upon the throne for ever4 ,does not your ,ladyship long for that happy hour8 ,methinks ,i hear you ready to say ,i4 ,how long1 great ,,god6 how long must ,i1 ,immers'd in this dark prison lie8 ,when shall ,i leave this dusky sphere1 ,and be all mind1 all eye1 all ear8 ,,ii4 ,i long to see that excellence1 ,which at such distance strikes my sense2 ,my soul attempts to disengage ,her wings from this her earthly cage4 ,,iii4 ,wouldst thou1 ,great ,love1 once set her free1 ,hast'ning she'd quick unite to thee2 ,she'd for no guardian angels stay1 ,but fly and love thro' all the way4 ,this1 ,i believe1 was the language of your honoured mother's heart1 who is now joined with the heavenly choir above4 ,methinks ,i hear her say1 8,daughter1 follow me as ,i followed ,,christ2 aspire after the highest degrees of holiness1 for the more holy you are1 the nearer shall you sit to the ,,god-,man ,,christ ,,jesus1 the deeper insight shall you have into the beatific vision40 ,this1 honoured ,madam1 is a great motive to my soul to copy after my glorious ,,jesus4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that made my letter savory to your soul4 ,for this1 and all other mercies1 ,i desire to lie in the dust1 and kiss the ,redeemer's feet4 ,i do not wonder that ,mary loved to sit there3 ,i do not wonder that another ,mary wiped them with the hairs of her head4 ,was my ,,lord here1 ,i should wish for a thousand alabaster boxes of ointment1 to break for him4 ,but ,,jesus says1 8,give me thy heart1 and ,i desire no more40 ,my soul replies1 ,take my poor heart1 and let it be ,for ever clos'd to all but thee2 ,seal thou my breast1 and let me wear ,that pledge of love for ever there4 ,how blest are they who still abide1 ,close shelter'd in thy bleeding side2 ,who life and strength from thence derive1 ,and by thee move1 and in thee live4 ,o honoured ,madam1 ,i am amazed at ,,jesus's love4 ,i willingly1 join with you in saying1 8,amen1 ,hallelujah6 ,worthy1 indeed1 is the ,lamb that was slain40 ,i bless ,,god for enlarging your heart1 and giving you freedom to write4 ,it is sweet to communicate our thoughts of ,,jesus4 ,i hope the ,,lord will bless this to your ,ladyship1 and reward you for all past favours4 ,my humble respects attend ,mr4 ,h1 and my hearty love to your little lambs4 ,i prayed for them this morning4 ,when ,i go to town1 ,i hope to wait upon the ,marquis4,i have been a short circuit into ,gloucestershire1 and find the divine presence accompanying me more and more4 ,o that ,i was humble6 ,o that ,i was thankful6 ,i4 ,and can it be that ,i should gain ,an interest in the ,saviour's blood8 ,died he for such as caus'd his pain1 ,sinners who him to death pursu'd8 ,,ii4 ',tis mystery all1 ,messiah dies2 ,who can explore this strange design8 ,in vain the curious seraph tries ,to sound the depths of love divine4 ,but whither am ,i going8 ,your ,ladyship will excuse me2 whilst ,i am writing1 the fire kindles4 ,thro' all eternity to ,,god1 ,a grateful song ,i'll raise2 ,but ,o eternity's to short1 ,to utter all his praise4 ,with expectation of another letter1 and with hearty prayers for your temporal and spiritual welfare1 ,i subscribe myself1 honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's obedient servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,samuel ,m1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,dec4 #bh1 #agda4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,,both my wife and ,i received your letters4 ,i send this1 to thank you for them4 ,i came from ,abergavenny on ,saturday night4 ,my dear wife was pretty well2 ,i expect her here on ,friday4 ,we shall bring no more goods to ,london1 than we shall use2 but ,i know not what to say about coming to your house1 for brother ,s tells me1 you and your family are dilatory1 and that you do not rise sometimes till nine or ten in the morning4 ,this1 dear ,mr4 ,m1 will never do for me2 and ,i am persuaded such a conduct tends much to the dishonour of ,,god1 and to the prejudice of your own precious soul4 ,sometimes ,i have looked upon you with grief2 you have busied yourself about the outward affairs of religion in respect to others1 and all the while ,i fear neglected to look into1 and study the improvement of your own heart4 ,i think you go backwards instead of forwards4 ,i fear your present business will not answer1 and ,i am sure you will have no solid comfort1 till you look less abroad and more at home4 ,somebody said1 you was like the ,athenians1 who desired to hear some new-thing4 ,i thought the observation was too just4 ,you are jealous about principles1 7which is right7 but all the while your own practice is not sufficiently watched over4 ,i have heard that you spend much time in coffee-houses1 and from your own house4 ,i hope these things are not so2 and it is with grief and out of tender love that ,i now mention them to you4 ,for some time ,i felt my heart quite locked up from writing to you4 ,mr4 ,m will not be offended with me for this plain dealing4 ,you know ,i love you1 and ,i am sure this letter proceeds from love4 ,i know too much of my own weakness and infirmities to insult others2 and when a brother is overtaken in a fault1 ,i desire to restore him in the spirit of meekness4 ,but ,i know how much the glory of ,,god is concerned in our walk4 ,the eyes of the world are now in an especial manner upon you4 ,how holy ought you and ,i1 dear ,mr4 ,m1 to be1 in all manner of conversation and godliness6 ,labour therefore1 my dear brother1 to get an abiding presence of ,,god in your heart4 ,be willing to be searched4 ,pray that you may feel the full power of the ,redeemer's blood2 and walk in the continued comforts of the holy ghost4 ,be not slothful in business4 ,go to bed seasonably1 and rise early4 ,redeem your precious time3 pick up the fragments of it1 that not one moment may be lost4 ,be much in secret prayer4 ,converse less with man1 and more with ,,god4 ,accept this advice1 given in great love4 ,i purpose staying here about a fortnight4 ,dear ,mr4 ,m1 ,i am ,your affectionate though unworthy brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w1 at ,dundee4 ,bristol1 ,dec4 #cj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,should blame myself much1 for not writing to you before now1 was ,i conscious it was owing to any wilful neglect3 but my master's business hath so engaged me1 that ,i really have not had an opportunity4 ,,god gave us a sweet journey to ,england4 ,since my return hither1 ,i have been at ,gloucester1 ,bristol1 in ,wales1 and at ,london1 and have great reason to bless our ,emmanuel for what he has done for his church4 ,my soul hath drank largely of the divine love4 ,i have been carried as on eagles wings1 and am now better in health than perhaps ever since ,i have been in the ministry4 ,i preach here twice daily4 ,in about a fortnight1 ,i shall remove to ,london1 where ,i purpose to continue1 ,,god willing1 till the weather permits of field-preaching again4 ,about ,spring1 if ,providence favours1 ,i hope to pay you a second visit4 ,in the mean while1 ,i should be glad to hear from you1 what fruits you have seen spring from my first4 ,i hope the ,,lord will make your latter end greatly to increase4 ,i shall rejoice to hear of your success4 ,my soul is much engaged for poor ,scotland4 ,i shall be glad to hear who has succeeded the good ,mr4 ,w of ,perth4 ,ah dear man6 ,he is now gone into the world of spirits1 where there is no seceding1 but all join in one common strife1 who shall praise their ,,lord and master in the most exalted strains4 ,i long to follow1 but desire patiently to wait till my blessed change come4 ,what a comfort1 dear ,sir1 is it to think1 that death is conquered4 ,how sweet to be one of ,,christ's waiting servants6 ,it is a blessed post6 ,and such honour belongs to all his saints4 ,thanks be to ,,god for this unspeakable gift4 ,dear ,sir1 whilst ,i am writing1 the fire kindles4 ,i long to leap my seventy years4 ,welcome eternity2 ,i want to see time swallowed up4 ,but ,i must have done1 having other letters to write4 ,my kind love to your household and all friends4 ,i hope ere long you will send a line to1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxiii4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,o1 at ,aberdeen4 ,bristol1 ,dec4 #cj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,long to write you a line1 to testify the undissembled love my soul bears towards you4 ,i also long to hear what ,,jesus hath done at ,aberdeen4 ,i believe he sent me thither1 and ,i am persuaded he did not send me there in vain4 ,i have experienced fresh wonders of mercy1 since ,i saw you4 ,the ,,lord has blessed my ministry in ,england1 and in ,wales1 where ,i trust ,i was married in the ,,lord2 and as ,i married for him1 ,i trust ,i shall thereby not be hindered1 but rather forwarded in my work4 ,o for that blessed time when we shall neither marry nor be given in marriage1 but be as the angels of ,,god6 ,my soul longs for that glorious season4 ,perhaps1 sometimes ,i am too impatient4 ,but who that has tasted of ,,jesus 's love1 can forbear longing to be with him8 ,i long to see him as he is1 and my soul will never be compleatly satisfied till ,i arise after his divine likeness4 ,this1 ,i believe1 is the desire1 and frequently the frame of dear ,mr4 ,o's soul4 ,but ,i believe we both have crosses to take up1 and many trials to undergo1 before we shall be admitted to the beatific vision4 ,alas6 ,what a stranger am ,i to the meekness which was in ,,jesus8 ,how much acrimony is there in my temper1 that wants to be taken away8 ,blessed be ,,god1 my ,saviour is omnipotent4 ,he can1 he will deliver me4 ,he can1 he will conform me to himself4 ,i think ,i can sing these lines1 ,my root of holiness thou art1 ,for faith hath made thee mine3 ,with all thy fulness fill my heart1 ,till all ,i have be thine4 ,dear ,sir1 what a fulness is there in ,,jesus8 ,what a pity is it1 that we should not draw largely out of it8 ,why should we be content with low degrees of holiness8 ,why should we be always dwarfs in religion8 ,i am quite ashamed of my low stature4 ,i am an unprofitable servant4 ,o dear ,mr4 ,o1 pray for me1 that the ,,lord may purge me1 and that ,i may bring forth more fruit4 ,i have lately been at ,london1 ,gloucester1 ,wilts1 and ,wales4 ,the work of the ,,lord prospers4 ,i preach here twice every day4 ,that ,,god may bless and reward you all1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,o1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxiv4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w1 at ,gallishiels4 ,bristol1 ,december #cj1 #agda4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,the love of ,,jesus constrains me to trouble you with a letter at this time4 ,nothing but his work should have prevented my writing to you sooner4 ,but you know how it used to be with me4 ,o how little do ,i for ,,jesus1 who has done so much for me6 ,i abhor myself in dust and ashes4 ,i run to hide myself in his wounds4 ,his righteousness1 his blood alone can recommend me to the ,father4 ,o that ,i was like ,,christ1 that his whole mind was wrought in my soul6 ,i am now panting after his image2 ,i am now thirsting after his purity and holiness2 help me1 dear ,sir1 help me by your prayers1 that ,i may feel the power of the ,redeemer's blood4 ,he hath done great things already for me2 but as yet ,i have asked nothing4 ,greater things are yet before me4 ,there is an inexhaustible fulness1 out of which the ,redeemer would have me draw continually4 ,o for faith1 for strong faith6 ,i more would bless1 ,i more would thank1 ,i more would live to ,jesu's praise4 ,since my return1 ,i have been visiting the churches4 ,they grow and increase daily4 ,i preach twice every day4 ,the ,,lord is among us4 ,i hope ,i shall hear the same from you4 ,in about fourteen days ,i go to ,london4 ,about ,spring ,i hope to see ,scotland once more4 ,i have good news from the ,orphan-house4 ,as yet1 ,i have not freedom to write out the sermon which you mention4 ,through inadvertence1 ,i did not send you ,mr4 ,m's letter4 ,,god's time is best4 ,perhaps disputes about church-government had better subside4 ,i am determined to know nothing but ,,jesus ,,christ1 and him crucified4 ,be pleased to remember me to dear ,mr4 ,o1 at ,kelso4 ,i hope he behaves like a good soldier of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,my kind respects attend your son4 ,be pleased to accept of the same in a most tender manner from dear ,mr4 ,s1 and from1 dear ,sir1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,r ,s1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,jan4 #b1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,s1 ,i ,find freedom to answer your kind letter immediately4 ,i thank ,,god for blessing my writing to your poor soul4 ,your salvation ,i long1 and pray for4 ,so that souls are built up in their holy faith1 let the ,redeemer make use of what instrument he pleases4 ,brother ,robert1 it is a blessed thing to have always a ,catholic spirit4 ,i am persuaded1 ,,jesus will give it to me4 ,i am resolved never to rest1 'till self-love1 bigotry1 prejudice1 and all narrowness of spirit be expelled out of my soul4 ,blessed be the ,redeemer's free grace6 ,i see more and more into the inward recesses of my mind4 ,dear ,robert1 there is such a thing as passing from glory to glory4 ,for ,,jesus ,,christ's sake1 strive to enter in at the straight gate1 and never cease striving 'till you enter into that rest which awaits the people of ,,god4 ,it is a sweet thing to abide in ,,jesus's wounds1 and from a feeling possession of ,,god in the heart1 to be able to say1 8,my fellowship is with the ,father and the ,son40 ,it is true we are not to live1 or rely on our frames4 ,the righteousness of ,,jesus ,,christ alone1 and not our doings or sufferings1 can recommend us to the ,father4 ,but however1 we ought always to labour to be in a sweet and humble frame1 and be watchful against any thing whatever1 that may interrupt our communion with ,,god4 ,peace and joy should flow in a believer's soul1 like a river4 ,if any thing should obstruct the passage1 he should not rest 'till faith overflows1 and drives it away before him4 ,i know not what others may say1 but thro' grace ,i can sing with bishop ,ken1 8,to my soul it's hell to be1 ,but for a moment void of thee40 ,o the fulness that there is in ,,christ6 ,it fills my heart1 and out of the abundance of my heart my pen writeth4 ,dear ,robert1 may the ,,lord bless it to your soul1 and that will greatly rejoice ,your most unworthy1 though most affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,i ,h1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,jan4 #b1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,h1 ,i ,owe you a letter1 and very much love4 ,i thank you for calling to see me1 when last in ,london4 ,may the love of ,,jesus be shed abroad abundantly in your heart by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,my soul is now thirsting after the ,redeemer's love4 ,i trust you and ,i1 and all the brethren1 shall watch and pray against every thing in our hearts1 that is any way selfish1 or contrary to the boundless love of our exalted head4 ,i long after a solid1 real1 undissembled union with all that bear the ,redeemer's image4 ,if ,i know any thing of my heart1 ,i care not how the old man be crucified and cut to pieces1 so that ,i may put on the new man1 which is created after ,,god in righteousness and true holiness4 ,blessed be the free1 rich1 and sovereign grace of our glorious ,redeemer6 who has begun the good work in my soul4 ,great1 very great things hath ,,jesus done for me1 a worthless worm3 but ,i see infinitely greater things lying before me4 ,there is an inexhaustible fulness in ,,jesus ,,christ1 out of which ,i hope to draw to the endless ages of eternity4 ,o the meekness1 the love1 purity and holiness1 that is in ,,jesus4 ,why should we be dwarfs in holiness8 ,if ,,christ came into the world1 that we might have life1 and so much the more abundantly1 why should we not ask and seek for it1 especially since we are sure to obtain8 ,my dear brother1 you see how free ,i write4 ,love constrains me to do so4 ,o that ,i was a flame of fire6 ,i have lately been at ,gloucester4 ,the ,,lord was with us of a truth4 ,in ,bristol1 ,,god attends me with his mighty power4 ,last night ,,jesus rode on triumphantly indeed4 ,sometimes my heart is so full1 that ,i am tempted to think ,my joy complete3 ,when lo6 ,emmanuel's mercies rise1 ,still fresh discoveries he unfolds1 ,the lovely treasures yet surprize4 ,unbelief says1 this will not hold to-morrow2 when lo1 8to-morrow is as the day past1 and much more abundant40 ,i find there is yet oil1 if there be yet a vessel1 and an empty heart to contain it4 ,pray that my heart may be emptied of self1 and that ,,jesus may be my all in all4 ,i pray ,,god1 that none of us may give in to narrowness of spirit1 but look up to ,,jesus for power over self1 in all its shapes4 ,yesterday ,i went to hear ,mr4 ,c4 ,the ,,lord helped him1 ,i believe1 in some part of his discourse4 ,i would be free2 ,i would meet more than half way2 but we are all too shy4 ,the ,,lord fill his soul with more of the disinterested love of ,,jesus4 ,to-night ,i begin a general monthly meeting to read corresponding letters4 ,pray give thanks for the success of the gospel in my unworthy hands4 ,it shall be returned1 as ,,jesus shall enable ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxvii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,k1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,jan4 #d1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,sister1 ,,this morning1 in a letter from brother ,c1 ,i heard that your dear husband was dangerous ill of the small-pox4 ,i was touched with a tender sympathy of your case2 ,i immediately kneeled down1 and laid your circumstances before our compassionate high-priest4 ,i doubt not1 but he is touched with a feeling of your afflictions1 and will give you grace to help in time of need4 ,i hope the language of your heart is this3 ,thy gifts1 if call'd for1 ,i resign1 ,pleas'd to receive1 pleas'd to restore2 ,gifts are thy work1 it shall be mine ,the giver only to adore4 ,i was1 before ,i received the news of your dear husband's illness1 thinking that ,,god's people must meet with uncommon trials4 ,we shall often find ,,god's providences as it were contradicting his promises4 ,thus it was with ,abraham and ,jacob1 and thus ,i believe it is in some degree or other with all the children of ,,god2 for otherwise1 how can faith be exercised8 ,i doubt not but the enemy of souls will now be very busy with you1 and break in with his fiery darts upon your soul2 but ,i pray ,,jesus to keep you from staggering through unbelief4 ,may you be strong in faith1 giving glory to ,,god6 ,against hope1 may you believe in hope4 ,however your husband may be disposed of1 my prayer for you is1 8,,lord6 make her still and resigned40 ,i think the love of ,,christ constrains me to write you this letter4 ,who knows but the ,,lord may bless it to your soul8 ,however1 as you love the ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,i hope you will receive it as a token of unfeigned christian sympathy and affection from1 dear ,sister1 ,your most unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccclxxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,peter ,s1 in ,london4 ,bristol1 ,jan4 #g1 #agdb4 ,i ,have been obeying your request3 ,i mean1 bowing my knees before the ,,god and ,father of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ in your behalf4 ,o that he may live before thee2 that he may escape the pollutions that are in the world through lust2 that he may be filled with all the fulness of ,,god1 was the breathing and language of my heart4 ,i trust the ,,lord is now working upon brother ,s4 ,he seems to have had some discoveries of the ,redeemer's love4 ,may my dear ,peter receive the full assurance of faith1 and be truly fixed upon the rock of ages6 8,even so ,,lord ,,jesus come quickly4 ,amen and amen40 ,excuse my writing to you in this manner1 but ,,god has put into my heart such an undissembled love for you1 and your dear brothers1 that ,i cannot be satisfied 'till ,i see the ,redeemer's love shed abroad in all your hearts by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,ah ,peter1 ,peter1 ,i trust ,,jesus prays for thee1 and then the world shall not steal away thy heart from ,,god4 ,satan hath been sifting me severely1 these two or three days4 ,i have had some close combats with the great dragon1 but ,,jesus hath gotten himself the victory4 ,i am enabled greatly to rejoice4 ,for1 8,blessed is the man that endureth temptations2 when he is tried1 he shall receive the crown of life40 ,the brightness of it1 even at this distance1 dazzles my sight4 ,yet a little while1 and ,,jesus ,,christ shall give it unto us4 ,dear brother ,k has got the start of us4 ,happy man6 ,he is at the end of his race4 ,i sympathize with1 and have been praying for his surviving friends4 ,the ,,lord enable us all to walk so circumspectly1 that the common enemy may not have an occasion to speak reproachfully of us4 ,but whither am ,i running8 ,excuse me1 dear ,peter4 ,,god gives me freedom in writing to1 and praying for you4 ,i hope dear brother ,r received my last in good part4 ,,god only knows how the happiness of both of you is longed for by1 dear brother1 ,yours in the crucified ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 #8his' replaced with #8is' ,,letter ,,ccclxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 in ,london4 ,gloucester1 ,jan4 #bh1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,on ,friday last ,i left ,bristol1 having first settled affairs almost as ,i could wish4 ,at ,kingswood1 ,i administred the sacrament4 ,on ,wednesday night it was the lord's passover2 on ,thursday we had a sweet love-feast2 on ,friday the lord was with me twice at ,tockington2 on ,saturday morning ,i broke up some fallow ground at ,newport1 by preaching with power to about two thousand people1 and in the evening to many thousands at ,stroud with wonderous power2 on ,monday morning at ,painswick1 and ever since twice a day here4 ,our congregations ,i think are larger than at ,bristol4 ,the word proves sharper than a two-edged sword4 ,every sermon is blessed4 ,these words follow1 8,i have much people in this city40 ,i am just now going to ,chafford4 ,to-morrow ,i expect my wife4 ,in my next1 ,i will send you word what ,i intend to do4 ,i was one day at ,bath4 ,i should be glad to see brother ,r's defence before it be published4 ,i told him of it2 ,i believe he will be upon his guard4 ,his soul prospers4 ,sinless perfection ,i fear will be propagated in these parts4 ,the ,,lord in his due time will root out that pernicious weed4 ,i thank you for writing to me4 ,pray write to me often4 ,,god willing1 ,i shall examine ,hampton ,society to-night4 ,the same ,i think to do in ,wiltshire4 ,i want to be in ,london as soon as may be4 ,pray that ,i may know the ,,lord's will4 ,we must away to ,chafford4 ,the ,,lord be with you1 and abundantly refresh you4 ,my most tender love awaits all4 ,brethren1 pray for ,yours most affectionately in ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxc4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,g ,t4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #b1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,brother1 ,i ,have longed for some time to send you a line1 and have wondered that ,i have heard no oftener from you2 but as ,i know my own circumstances1 ,i can the more easily guess how it is with you4 ,,god has been very good to me since my arrival4 ,i found when ,i came at first1 ,i had all my work to begin again4 ,brother ,w had so prejudiced the people against me1 that those who were my spiritual children would not so much as come and see me2 nay they have gone by me whilst preaching in ,moor-fields1 and stopped their ears4 ,this ,i find in some measure hath been your case1 and ,,god wisely permits this1 to teach us to cease from man4 ,paul's ,epistles to the ,galatians much comforted me4 ,besides1 ,i was embarrassed with brother ,seward's death4 ,he died without making any provision for me1 and ,i was at the same time much indebted for the ,orphan-house4,but all this was to humble and prepare me for future blessings4 ,the ,,lord hath enabled me1 blessed be his name1 to keep steady to my principles and usual practice4 ,a new and numerous church has been raised at ,london4 ,in ,essex1 the ,,lord was wonderfully with me4 ,every where the congregations increase4 ,in ,bristol ,,god enabled me to fight my way through4 ,we have hired a large hall1 and have expounded there twice a day4 ,in ,scotland1 the work1 for its beginning1 is rather greater than at ,new-,england4 ,i hear continually of the seed sown increasing1 and springing up4 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose paying ,scotland another visit4 ,i have lately been at ,bristol1 and both there1 and here1 and also at ,london1 the word runs and is glorified4 ,through the tender mercies of our ,,god1 ,i have been carried as on eagles wings through a variety of outward and inward trials4 ,the greatness of which none knows but ,,god and my own soul4 ,about eleven weeks ago ,i married1 in the fear of ,,god1 one who was a widow1 of about thirty-six years of age1 and has been a housekeeper for many years2 neither rich in fortune1 nor beautiful as to her person1 but1 ,i believe1 a true child of ,,god1 and would not1 ,i think1 attempt to hinder me in his work for the world4 ,in that respect1 ,i am just the same as before marriage4 ,i hope ,,god will never suffer me to say1 8,i have married a wife1 and therefore ,i cannot come40 ,i am glad that matters are settling so amicably at ,philadelphia4 ,what a pity is it1 that we should fall out in the way to heaven6 ,i would do any thing except defiling my conscience1 and giving up what ,i think is truth1 to prevent it4 ,the associate brethren are much to be blamed2 ,i never met with such narrow spirits4 ,i do not forget you1 or your brethren1 or the churches in your parts4 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,he is pleased to shew me more and more of my own heart1 and day by day refreshes my soul4 ,my body is weak as usual2 but ,,jesus is my strength4 ,help me to praise him4 ,pray send a line to1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 though most unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxci4 ,to ,mr4 ,s1 at ,new-,brunswick4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #b1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,s1 ,,last week ,i received your kind letter4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who hath brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light4 ,i hope the ,redeemer hath now shewn you his hands and his feet1 and you can now say1 8,my ,,lord and my ,,god40 ,what have you to do now but to walk humbly with your ,,god1 and daily to aspire after the whole mind that was in ,,jesus8 ,i find but few truly labouring after this4 ,who can say1 8,my soul is athirst for ,,god1 yea even for the living ,,god30 and yet to such only is the promised blessedness1 of being filled1 given4 ,as for my own part1 ,i am ashamed to think how unlike ,i am to my ,saviour2 ,i see such beauty in him1 that ,i long to be conformed to his divine image and likeness4 ,may you and ,i1 dear ,mr4 ,s1 never rest till we have attained unto it2 and the more we do attain1 the more willing we shall be to come1 as poor sinners1 to ,,jesus ,,christ2 it is a blessed thing1 dear ,sir1 to be brought out of self4 ,it will be continually creeping in3 happy they who have power over it4 ,i do not wonder at your being united with ,mr4 ,j ,c3 he is a dear soul1 and one whom the ,,lord delights to honour4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the work in our hands every where increases4 ,i am supported and encouraged1 quickened and comforted day by day4 ,,jesus loves and blesses me4 ,may he bless you and yours more and more1 and cause you to walk in the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,my tender love to all4 ,i hope yet to see you once more in the flesh4 ,in the mean while ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxcii4 ,to ,mr4 ,w4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #b1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,w1 ,i ,thank you for your kind letter4 ,it should have been answered sooner1 had an opportunity offered4 ,i bless ,,god for you1 who carries on in your soul the spiritual building4 ,i doubt not but the top-stone will yet be brought out1 and the builders be made with shouting to cry1 8,grace6 ,grace60 ,i should think it was not of ,,god1 if the work was not opposed4,what difficulties did ,nehemiah go through in building the wall8 ,but fear not1 the ,,lord is with you4 ,he built not for man1 but for the ,,lord4 ,by his leave1 ,i propose bringing a school-master and mistress with me4 ,when ,i shall embark1 ,i know not4 ,the calls here are so loud and numerous1 and so few labourers sent forth to act in a popular way1 that ,i think it my duty not to leave ,england yet4 ,,god is pleased to work by my ministry more and more4 ,my soul is refreshed1 and my body strengthened and renewed day by day4 ,in ,scotland there is a very great awakening2 and also in ,london1 ,bristol1 ,wiltshire1 and ,gloucestershire4 ,but1 notwithstanding all this1 my ,american friends are by no means forgotten4 ,i continually pray for them4 ,the ,,lord1 in his due time1 will send me to you4 ,in the mean time1 be pleased to remember me in the tenderest manner to all that love the glorious ,redeemer4 ,grace1 mercy1 and peace be multiplied upon them and you3 so prays1 dear ,mr4 ,w1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,james ,r1 in ,philadelphia4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #b1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,r1 ,i ,was glad to hear 7though by another hand7 of your safe arrival4 ,may your soul prosper1 being rooted and grounded in love1 and built upon the rock of ages1 the dear ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the church is in much greater peace than when you left ,england4 ,there hath been a very great awakening in several places4 ,,god hath brought order out of confusion2 and 7as he always will7 hath caused even our divisions1 though no thanks to us1 to work for good4 ,i hear you have had a sifting time at ,philadelphia4 ,i never yet heard of a work of ,,god1 but some such thing happened4 ,this is my comfort1 the government of the church is upon the ,redeemer's shoulders2 and therefore the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it4 ,i hope ere now ,,christ has revealed himself in your heart1 and given you the witness of the ,spirit4 ,for he that believeth1 hath the witness in himself4 ,i suppose you will be glad to hear1 that the ,,lord hath1 in a good degree1 delivered me from the embarrassments with which ,i was environed when you embarked4 ,,god was then preparing me for further mercies4 ,we must be humbled before we are exalted4 ,i suppose you have heard of my marriage4 ,the ,,lord hath given me a daughter of ,abraham2 she joins in sending love to you and all1 with1 dear ,mr4 ,r1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,t4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #e1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,brother1 ,,on ,tuesday ,i received yours4 ,i bless ,,god for delivering brother ,r out of the hands of his enemies4 ,i am persuaded he will deliver your brother ,william also4 ,by your desertion and temptations1 ,i believe ,,god is preparing you for a fresh work4 ,i believe you would be better1 if you would always evangelize4 ,i shall write to some friends about ,mr4 ,c's principles4 ,i thank you for your kind caution4 ,my mistakes often humble me4 ,never did ,,jesus send out a more weak and worthless wretch4 ,i have not freedom now to continue writing a journal as usual4 ,i shall proceed1 for the future1 in a more compendious way4 ,since ,i wrote the inclosed1 we have seen a glorious appearance of the ,son of ,man4 ,o infinite condescension6 ,the ,,lord is with me4 ,that he may be abundantly with you1 and bless your labours more and more1 is the hearty prayer of1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate and loving1 though most unworthy brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxcv4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 at ,philadelphia4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #e1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i ,was much rejoiced to receive a letter from your hands4 ,blessed be ,,god for carrying on the work1 which1 ,i hope1 was begun in your heart long ago6 ,i trust you will never rest till you are possessed of the whole mind which was in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,he is our pattern2 and if we have true grace in our hearts1 we shall be continually labouring to copy after our great exemplar4 ,o the life of ,,jesus6 ,how little of it is to be seen in those that call themselves his followers4 ,humility1 meekness1 love1 peace1 joy1 goodness1 faith1 and the other blessed fruits of the ,spirit1 whither are they fled8 ,i fear most take up with the shadow1 instead of the substance4 ,,god forbid that ,i1 or dear ,mr4 ,b1 should be of that unhappy number4 ,dear ,sir1 there is an unspeakable fulness1 unsearchable riches in ,,christ4 ,out of him we are to receive grace for grace4 ,every grace that was in the ,redeemer1 is to be transcribed and copied into our hearts4 ,this is ,christianity2 and without this1 though we could dispute with the utmost clearness1 and talk like angels1 of the doctrines of grace1 it would profit us nothing4 ,to prevent the growth of this inward life1 ,i am persuaded satan introduces heresies in the church1 hoping thereby to stir up strife1 envy1 prejudice1 and narrowness of spirit2 and where these are1 there will be every evil work4 ,to this end1 sinless perfection hath been propagated in ,england1 and ,antinomian principles suffered to be spread among you4 ,but1 blessed be ,,god1 both in ,england1 and with you1 ,i trust disputations and distractions are abated1 and love and unity once more are lifting up their heads4 ,this1 at present1 is the language of my heart3 ,let us find out the ancient way1 ,our wond'ring foes to move2 ,and force the heathen world to say1 ,see how these ,christians love4 8,love is of ,,god2 and he that dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,,god40 ,i am glad you are erecting a society to promote this love4 ,fear not the smallness of your beginning4 ,what is begun in the fear of ,,god1 he will prosper4 ,i believe them to be true followers of ,,jesus ,,christ2 and though we agree not in all things1 yet ,i pray ,,god to make us one in heart4 ,now1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 what shall ,i say more4 ,the blessed ,,jesus has been superabundantly good to my soul since my arrival4 ,i have been carried1 though through much weakness1 as on eagles wings4 ,in ,england1 ,wales1 and ,scotland1 ,,god hath blessed my poor labours more than ever4 ,the calls to divers places1 are loud and importunate2 and1 as ,,god has raised up many labourers among you1 ,i think it my duty to stay here some time longer1 and to visit ,scotland once more4 ,however1 my friends abroad are continually upon my heart4 ,i pray ,,god for you night and day4 ,may the ,,lord fill you with all his fulness6 ,i desire to be remembered to all mentioned in your's1 and to all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,i love you unfeignedly1 and entreat you to write again to1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxcvi4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,c1 at ,bath4 ,gloucester1 ,feb4 #e1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,to shew you how willing ,i am to comply with your request1 and make dear ,mr4 ,c one of my close correspondents1 ,i sit down this evening to write an answer to your kind letter4 ,what has been doing lately1 the transcript on the other side will shew you4 ,since the writing of that1 the blessed ,,jesus hath been wondrous kind4 ,yesterday ,i preached three times1 and visited a private society in the evening4 ,to-day ,i was enabled to preach three times1 with great power4 ,here is such an awakening in this country1 as ,i never heard of1 or saw in these parts before3 8,the fields are white already unto harvest40 ,it is pleasant to hear the people come and tell how ,,god wrought upon them by my unworthy ministry two years ago4 ,the fruits of the ,spirit are now apparent in their lives and conversations4 ,letters from ,scotland bring blessed tidings1 as also from ,philadelphia4 ,o the blessed effects of field-preaching6 ,o that ,i was humble1 that ,i was thankful6 ,help me1 my dear friend1 to entreat the ,redeemer to make me as a little1 a very little child4 ,the beginning of next week ,i hope to be at ,bath2 but cannot tell exactly the day4 ,i thank my friends for their kind intention to meet me1 but ,i had rather avoid it3 the less parade the better4 ,let us stand still1 and we shall see the salvation of ,,god4 ,he will not bless what doth not come from himself4 ,may the ,,lord make me an ,israelite indeed1 in whom is no allowed guile6 ,i am glad dear ,mr4 ,t is coming4 ,my hearty love to him4 ,o that our meeting may be blessed1 and all three of us be made a flame of fire6 ,dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,i love you unfeignedly4 ,i wish1 above all things1 your soul may prosper4 ,good night4 ,my soul is filled with ,,jesus's love4 ,i am going to pray for you and yours1 being1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 without dissimulation1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxcvii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable the 4 ,thales1 near ,reading1 ,feb4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,,and does the dear know assuredly that ,,jesus hath died for him8 ,sing1 ,o heavens6 ,rejoice1 ,o earth6 ,i would join with angels and archangels in singing 8,glory to ,,god on high40 ,welcome1 my 1 into the world of new creatures4 ,you are infinitely more happy than those who have lately been preferred1 and kissed his ,majesty's hand4 ,,jesus hath holden out his golden scepter1 and given you a patent for eternal life4 ,methinks ,i hear your now saying1 8,i account the reproach of ,,christ1 of more value than all the riches of ,egypt40 ,be gone1 vain world1 my heart resign1 ,for ,i can be no longer thine2 ,a nobler1 a diviner guest1 ,hath took possession of my breast4 ,well may your say1 8you have been in a dream40 ,when ,,god first shewed me that ,i must be a new creature1 ,i awaked as it were1 into a new world4 ,i stood quite amazed4 ,i was astonished to think1 what a deep sleep the world around me was in4 ,thought ,i1 ,o that ,i was made instrumental to some of them6 ,the ,,lord heard my prayer4 ,he has sent me to awaken the dear man ,i am now writing to4 ,not unto me1 ,o ,,god1 not unto me1 but to thy free grace and rich mercy be all the glory6 ,with your ,lordship's letter to-day1 came several others from different parts1 all with glad tidings of great joy4 ,o that ,i was humble and thankful6 ,why me1 ,,lord1 why me8 ,surely ,i will join with your in saying1 not because ,i chose ,,god1 but ,,god 7,o infinitely condescending majesty67 did chuse me4 ,what shall we render to the glorious ,emmanuel8 ,methinks ,i hear your saying1 8,behold1 ,,lord1 henceforward ,i look upon myself as a steward1 and not as a proprietor of thy manifold gifts2 ,i will live no longer to myself1 but to him that died for me40 ,amen1 ,,lord ,,jesus1 amen and amen6 ,be pleased to excuse the defects of this1 being written upon the road4 ,i am now going to ,london4 ,there has been a great awakening lately in ,gloucestershire4 ,i rejoice to hear that the lady is so well disposed4 ,may a church be always in your house2 and every one of your family be made a living member of the houshold of faith6 ,no greater thing can be desired in your behalf by1 my 1 ,your most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 #8conscending' replaced with #8condescending' ,,letter ,,cccxcviii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lady ,m ,h4 ,thales1 7near ,reading7 ,feb4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,i ,am now upon the road to ,london4 ,this morning your acceptable letter came to hand4 ,though somewhat wearied1 ,i would fain answer it before ,i retire to rest4 ,blessed be ,,god who causes your ,ladyship to be never less alone1 than when alone4 ,o ,madam1 what a comforter is the ,holy ,ghost8 ,what sweet company is ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,what a privilege is it to have fellowship with the great ,three-,one8 ,a world lying in wickedness knows nothing of it4 ,every thing yields comfort when the blessed ,spirit breathes upon it4 ,even this scribble1 from the chief of sinners1 from one who is less than the least of all saints1 shall again refresh your soul1 if ,,jesus speaks the word4 ,amazed am ,i1 that ,,god should work by my hands4 ,but ,,jesus is love4 ,he yet delights to honour me4 ,i have lately seen the ,redeemer riding in his strength1 and getting himself the victory in poor sinners hearts4 ,letters from abroad inform me of the same4 ,o that our glorious ,,jesus may set the world in a flame of love6 ,hasten that time1 ,o blessed ,,jesus3 ,o let thy kingdom come6 ,i have heard from my dear ,orphans to-day4 ,they have been reduced to straits2 but the ,,lord hath stirred up a wealthy friend or two to assist them4 ,the everlasting ,,god reward all their benefactors6 ,i find there has been a fresh awakening among them4 ,i am informed1 that twelve negroes1 belonging to a planter lately converted at the ,orphan-house1 are savingly brought home to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,this will rejoice your ,ladyship's heart4 ,i am glad to hear that the work goes on in ,scotland4 ,the ,,lord1 ,i trust1 will ripen your soul apace for glory4 ,he hath various ways of perfecting his saints4 ,methinks ,i see your ,ladyship sitting in your chair1 and ravished with the ,redeemer's beauty day by day4 ,sometimes you are as it were washing his feet with your tears2 at other times sitting by faith at his feet1 and hearing or reading his word4 ,sometimes your heart is too big to speak2 then again1 out of the abundance of your heart1 your mouth poureth forth hallelujahs4 ,sometimes you are lost in wonder2 at all times longing to be dissolved and to be with ,,christ2 for1 when you hear him say1 8,rise up1 my love1 and come away10 ,your heart would fain outfly the wind1 ,and leave all earthly loves behind4 ,this1 ,i trust1 is the life your ,ladyship lives4 ,this is life indeed4 ,they who live otherwise1 are dead whilst they live4 ,they call for our compassion and prayers2 for who hath made the difference8 ,distinguishing grace6 ,o the unsearchable riches of ,,christ8 ,i could speak of him for ever2 but it grows late2 nature calls for rest4 ,o when shall ,i in endless day1 ,for ever chase dark sleep away2 ,and hymns with the celestial quire ,incessant sing1 and never tire8 ,come1 ,,lord ,,jesus1 come quickly6 ,the ,,lord be with your spirit1 and abundantly bless both you1 ,mr4 ,h1 and your child4 ,indeed ,i do not forget your ,ladyship2 your last should not have remained so long unanswered1 but it came only to-day into the hands of1 honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccxcix4 #8,,cccxcxix' replaced with #8,,cccxcix' ,to ,mr4 ,thomas ,n1 at ,new-,york4 ,london1 ,feb4 #bf1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,i ,have herewith sent you a parcel4 ,be pleased to read the letters1 and send them as directed4 ,i received your kind letter1 dated in ,december1 and thank you for all kindnesses shewn to the poor orphans4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus will richly reward you4 ,before yours came1 the ,,lord had given me an enlarged heart1 and unfeigned love and freedom to converse with all his dear children1 of whatever denomination4 ,i talk freely with the ,messrs4 ,w's1 though we widely differ in a certain point4 ,most talk of a catholic spirit2 but it is only till they have brought people into the pale of their own church4 ,this is downright sectarianism1 not catholicism4 ,how can ,i act consistently1 unless ,i receive and love all the children of ,,god1 whom ,i esteem to be such1 of whatever denomination they may be8 ,why should we dispute when there is no probability of convincing8 ,i think this is not giving up the faith1 but fulfilling our ,,lord's new command1 8,love one another30 and our love is but feigned1 unless it produces proper effects4 ,i am persuaded1 the more the love of ,,god is shed abroad in our hearts1 the more all narrowness of spirit will subside and give way3 besides1 so far as we are narrow spirited1 we are uneasy4 ,prejudices1 jealousies1 and suspicions make the soul miserable1 so far as they are entertained4 ,but enough of this3 my dear brother ,n is of my mind4 ,only let me give you one caution3 ,take heed that your getting acquainted with any new set of ,christians1 does not lead you insensibly to despise others of your old acquaintance4 ,watch1 and deal very tenderly with all2 otherwise you will grow reserved and artful1 and lose a simple1 open1 guileless1 ,israelitish spirit1 before you are aware4 ,there needs a close adherence to the motions of the ,holy ,spirit1 and a constant watching over the corruptions of our own hearts1 in order that we may walk before ,,god as very little children4 ,o that ,i was a little child indeed6 ,,jesus can make me one4 ,my dear brother1 ,i thank you for your kind invitation4 ,,god willing1 ,i shall accept it1 if ever ,i see ,new-,york4 ,but ,i think ,providence calls me once more to ,scotland4 ,i have been lately plowing up some fallow ground1 and now preach twice every day4 ,the ,,lord does indeed bless the word1 and gives me to rejoice in the felicity of his chosen4 ,be so kind now and then to drop a line to my dear orphan-family4 ,as opportunity offers1 and the ,,lord gives freedom1 you shall hear from1 dear brother ,n1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccc4 ,to ,miss 1 at ,edinburgh4 ,london1 ,feb4 #bg1 #agdb4 ,dear ,miss1 ,i ,did not receive your letter till this night4 ,whilst ,i was reading it1 my heart grew warm with thankfulness to that ,,god1 who1 ,i trust1 by his almighty ,spirit hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light4 ,in his light you now see light4 ,do you not1 dear ,miss ,w1 find what ,i said to be true1 8,that ,,jesus ,,christ is the fairest among ten thousands40 ,is he not altogether lovely8 ,henceforth you may well say1 ,i bid this world of noise and shew1 ,with all its flattering snares1 adieu4 ,the greater advances you make in the divine life1 the more you will see what a dream you and the polite world have been in4 ,and ,o the distinguishing grace of ,,god to you6 ,methinks ,i hear you calling on angels and archangels to join in praising our common ,,lord4 ,well may you say1 8,you are not henceforth your own30 ,no1 dear ,miss1 let ,,jesus have your whole heart4 ,let his blood1 his wounds be continually before you4 ,,god forbid that you should now glory1 save in the cross of ,,christ1 by whom the world is crucified to you1 and you unto the world4 ,pity the poor christless creatures about you4 ,pray for them1 as the ,holy ,spirit gives you freedom4 ,tell them of the love of ,,jesus4 ,they need no other motive4 ,this1 backed with almighty power1 must break the most hardened heart4 ,with much pleasure ,i reflect on the blessed consolations ,i have been favoured with1 whilst explaining the scriptures to you and your honoured relations4 ,o that not one may remain unconverted6 ,may ,,jesus look on them2 then will they look on him and be saved4 ,blessed be ,,god for sending me to ,scotland1 if it was only to bring you home4 ,ere long ,i hope to visit your country again2 and then1 ,o that ,i may see you all meek1 humble1 heavenly-minded1 close followers of the bleeding ,lamb6 ,thanks be to ,,god1 he hath directed me to a wife1 who was once gay1 but now with you can sing1 ,i4 ,come1 ,saviour ,,jesus1 from above1 ,assist me with thy heavenly grace2 ,withdraw my heart from worldly love1 ,and for thyself prepare the place4 ,,ii4 ,o let thy sacred presence fill1 ,and set my longing spirit free2 ,which pants to have no other love1 ,but night and day to feast on ,thee4 ,,iii4 ,that path with humble speed ,i'll seek1 ,wherein my ,saviour's footsteps shine2 ,nor will ,i hear1 nor will ,i speak ,of any other love but thine4 ,,iv4 ,to ,thee my ling'ring soul aspires2 ,to ,thee ,i offer all my vows2 ,keep me from vain and false desires1 ,my ,,god1 my ,saviour1 and my spouse4 ,v4 ,wealth1 honour1 or whatever else ,this transitory world can give1 ,tempt as you will1 my heart repels1 ,to ,,christ alone resolved to live4 ,,vi4 ,thee ,i can love1 and thee alone1 ,with inward joy and holy bliss2 ,to find thou tak'st me for thy own1 ,o what a happiness is this6 ,dear ,miss1 whilst ,i am writing1 the love of ,,jesus fills my soul4 ,i have been talking to night of his love to poor sinners4 ,o that his spirit may break afresh upon your soul when you are reading this6 ,i must now commend you to the ,redeemer's care4 ,in the world you shall have tribulation2 be not afraid1 ,,jesus hath overcome the world4,i have many letters before me unread2 but ,i could not help writing this long one to you4 ,accept it as a token of unfeigned regard for the good of your precious soul1 and depend on the prayers of1 dear ,miss ,w1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccci4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,c4 ,london1 ,march #d1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,i ,remember my promise4 ,you are to be one of my close correspondents4 ,i am unworthy to write to any2 but love1 the love of ,,jesus will constrain me frequently to write to you4 ,i hope you are not offended1 because you did not see me in ,bath again4 ,the glorious ,emmanuel pointed out my way hither4 ,since ,i came 7,o amazing goodness67 he has been wonderfully kind to me1 and to his people4 ,i am much assisted daily1 in preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of ,,christ4 ,life and power fly all around1 and the ,redeemer is getting himself the victory daily in many hearts4 ,letters from abroad give me glorious accounts4 ,in ,new-,england1 the work goes on amazingly4 ,in ,scotland1 the awakening is greater and greater4 ,the spirit of ,,god has been striving among the little orphans in ,georgia1 and in ,carolina ,i hear that twelve negroes belonging to a planter1 converted at the ,orphan-house1 are savingly brought home to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,indeed the ,,lord is about to do great things4 8,blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see2 blessed are the ears that hear the things that we hear20 blessed are those that the ,,lord employs as his own children1 to bring about his great designs4 ,o that my dear ,mr4 ,c may be made a flaming fire1 and a spiritual father to thousands6 ,dear ,mr4 ,t1 who was so kind as to come and see me last night1 ,i trust is coming on4 ,i hope both you and him will experience a solid establishment in the grace of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,there is no rest here1 no true solid lasting rest1 till we come to this4 ,our hearts are deceitful above all things4 ,we seek rest in outward things4 ,we change our places1 circumstances1 and stations2but if ,,jesus loves us1 he will put a thorn in the place where we would fain nestle4 ,a soul that has had some awakenings1 and been wandring from ,,christ1 is like ,noah's dove which could find no rest for the sole of its foot1 till it came back to the ark again4 ,this ark is ,,christ1 and when we are safely locked in there1 and the soul hath received an abiding witness1 then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh4 ,this is the reason why ,,jesus bid his disciples to wait for the promise of the ,father4 ,filled with this1 the woman of ,samaria could not but call on others to come and see4 ,and were we but animated1 led and influenced by this spirit1 what a blessed union would there be among all the churches of ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,it is a want of more of this1 that now at present disunites us4 ,i despair therefore of a greater union1 till a greater measure of the spirit be poured from on high4 ,hence1 therefore1 ,i am resolved simply to preach the gospel of ,,christ1 and leave others to quarrel by and with themselves4 ,to contend1 where there is no probability of convincing1 only feeds and adds fuel to an unhallow'd fire1 which a misguided zeal kindles in the heart4 ,love1 forbearance1 long-suffering1 and frequent prayer to your dear ,,lord ,,jesus1 is the best way to extinguish and put it out4 ,o love1 true1 simple1 christian1 undissembled love1 whither art thou fled6 ,the language of my heart is1,but whither am ,i going8 ,you see1 my friend1 how freely ,i write4 ,the blessed ,,jesus warms and fills me1 whilst ,i am writing4 ,i know1 though ,i am unworthy1 you will send me a line in return4 ,methinks ,i could wash your feet4 ,methinks1 ,i long to see your shackles drop off1 and your soul free for the uninterrupted service of the best of masters4 ,faith in his bloody wounds is the only means4 ,,lord1 evermore give my dear friend and his wife living faith1 which may purify their hearts1 enable them to overcome the world1 and will work by love6 ,the ,,lord make you both as little children before him6 ,this is the prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,yours affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccii4 ,to ,mr4 ,a4 ,london1 ,march #d1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,a1 ,i ,received your comfortable letter concerning the dear lambs at ,heriot's hospital4 ,i pray ,,god give you grace to feed them1 that they may grow in grace as they grow in years1 and make perpetual advances in the knowledge of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,be pleased to salute them from me1 in the kindest manner4 ,entreat them1 ,o exhort them to remember their ,creator in the days of their youth1 and to keep close by his wounded side4 ,tell them1 dear ,sir1 from time to time1 of the power and efficacy of his all-atoning blood3 it purifies the heart1 overcomes the world1 and fills the believer with joy unspeakable and full of glory4 ,watch over their dear souls day by day1 and wait closely upon the ,,lord yourself1 that you may be taught of him to feed his lambs4 ,it is a work of the utmost importance4 ,no less than infinite wisdom can be sufficient for you2 but if any man lack wisdom1 let him ask it from above2 ,,god giveth liberally to the lovers of his dear ,son1 and upbraideth not4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,god is love4 ,he hath loved me1 and is pleased to work by me more and more4 ,at home1 and abroad1 ,,jesus ,,christ rides on gloriously4 ,i hope1 at my return to ,scotland1 to see greater things than ever4 ,when it shall be1 ,i know not yet4 ,,god's people must pray me to them4 ,with difficulty ,i get time to write this4 ,i once more salute you and the dear lambs1 and am1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,k1 at ,exon4 ,london1 ,march #f1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,now snatch a few moments to answer your kind letter4 ,as yet1 ,i have no intimation from providence in respect to coming into your parts4 ,the cloud at present doth not seem to move that way4 ,so many places want supplies1 that ,i could wish ,i had a thousand lives and tongues4 ,,jesus ,,christ should have them all4 ,only ,i am astonished1 that the ,,lord of the harvest should send out such a worthless labourer1 or rather loiterer as ,i am4 ,but his grace is free1 like himself infinite2 8,for to me1 who am less than the least of all saints1 is this grace given1 that ,i should preach to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of ,,christ40 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i do not preach in vain4 ,the accounts from ,new-,england1 ,scotland1 and ,carolina1 are surprizing4 ,in ,london1 the word of the ,,lord runs and is glorified4 ,every day we see the ,redeemer's stately steps4 ,i have not time1 dear ,sir1 to tell you what great things our great master is doing for his people1 and yet ,i believe we shall see greater things than these4 ,from ,georgia also1 ,i have great accounts4 ,the spirit of the ,,lord hath been breathing upon the orphans4 ,i thank you1 dear ,sir1 for your intended benefaction1 and kind invitation4 ,if ever our dear ,,lord calls me your way1 ,i shall accept it3 though ,i am utterly unworthy to come under any one's roof1 but more especially that ,,jesus should come under the roof of the house of my soul4,but ,,jesus is love4 ,that his love may be abundantly shed abroad in your heart1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant unknown1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,g ,h1 in ,gloucester4 ,london1 ,march1 #ab1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,,by no means leave off reading to the society4 ,it is not taking too much upon you1 or going out of your depth4 ,the cause of your so much as thinking to decline1 is not good4 ,the more unworthy you are1 the more glory will you give to a glorious ,redeemer3 the greater sinner you are1 the more feelingly will you read of1 and recommend the glorious ,ransom paid for sinners4 ,go on1 my dear man2 venture boldly to the throne of grace2 fear not4,,god will heal our backslidings2 he loves us freely4 ,,jesus hath been my glorious ,saviour4 ,i would have mentioned this affair of the society in my last1 but ,i was then ignorant of it4,my dear wife has written to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 ,how does the dear woman as to spirituals8 ,i do not despair of seeing you both good christians4 ,,jesus is almighty4 ,go to him just as you are4 ,the ,,lord be with you both6 ,i suppose you have seen the letter sent to dear ,m4 ,c by brother ,s4 ,my tender love to him1 and all that love the blessed ,emmanuel4 ,i have seen ,mr4 ,j4 ,the ,,lord is wonderfully good to me4 ,pray send a line to1 dear ,sir1 ,yours affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccv4 ,to ,miss ,r4 ,london1 ,march #ah1 #agdb4 ,dear ,miss1 ,i ,am yet of opinion1 there is mercy and love laid up for you in the heart of the blessed ,,jesus4 ,you look backward1 instead of forward4 ,you look into yourself1 instead of looking up to ,him1 who is mighty and willing to save4 ,o that you may have strength to go to him just as you are6 ,you would then be delivered from your bondage4 ,the case of the poor ,syrophnician woman may give you comfort4 ,how did the ,lamb of ,,god seem as it were to turn lion8 ,how did he seem to turn a deaf ear to her complaints8 ,and yet heard and loved her all the while4 ,why may not you believe8 ,he will yet say to you1 8,be it unto you even as thou wilt40 ,i fear some tell you1 that it is well to doubt4 ,indeed they are mistaken4 ,dear ,miss1 expect great things from ,,jesus ,,christ4 8,he is able to do abundantly for you above what you can ask or think40 ,his name1 his nature is ,love4 ,fear not2 be not faithless1 but believing4 ,wait1 and you shall yet see the salvation of ,,god4 ,in ,,jesus there is plenteous redemption4 ,that you may feel the full power of his blood1 prays1 dear ,miss1 ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,w1 in ,bristol4 ,london1 ,april #f1 #agdb4 ,my dear1 yea very dear ,brother1 ,,you must needs think1 that your kind letter gave me no small pleasure4 ,glory be to ,,god for that rich love wherewith he hath loved you6 ,surely ,,jesus ,,christ will be now exceeding precious to your dear soul4 ,what does he now require of you1 but to walk humbly1 closely1 and with a child-like simplicity before him8 ,he hath followed you1 as well as prevented you with his mercies1 and would suffer nothing to take you out of his hands4 ,satan hath desired you1 satan has sifted you as wheat2 but ,,jesus1 that friend of sinners1 hath prayed for you1 and therefore your faith hath not failed4 ,the ,,lord hath looked upon my dear ,samuel4 ,methinks ,i see him weeping tears of love1 and saying1 8,speak1 ,,lord1 thy servant heareth now40 ,i doubt not but many will reproach you for your past backsliding1 and question your future stability4 ,let all serve to humble you in the dust1 and drive you to the loving ,,jesus for refuge4 8,in him10 surely shall my dear friend say1 8,i have righteousness and strength40 ,look up to him1 and you shall be delivered from1 nay1 made more than conqueror over every temptation4 ,he will fight your battles for you1 and crown you when you have done4 ,dear ,mr4 ,w1 the love of ,,jesus now swallows up my soul4 ,i see him more and more lovely every day4 ,in ,,jesus there is plenteous redemption4 ,he came1 that we might have life1 nay that we might have it more abundantly4 ,o what a blessing is it to be redeemed from a vain conversation1 and from this present evil world4 ,o that every poor sinner felt it6 ,then would his children agree in one1 and divisions would be at an end4 ,blessed be our ,,lord1 there is a greater prospect of union than ever4 ,it is what my soul longs after1 and labours for4 ,it is a great pity that poor pilgrims should fall out in their way to heaven2 but this will be1 till we get more of the divine spirit4 ,pray we therefore for a great effusion of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,blessed be ,,god1 we feel the ,holy ,ghost daily in our congregations4 ,it surprizes me to see what a company of settled1 solid christians are amongst us4 ,the work goes on daily4 ,this morning1 how did ,,jesus pierce and melt poor sinners hearts8 ,amazing accounts are brought from abroad4,fresh awakenings in many places at home4 ,does not your soul long to tell sinners1 ,,jesus is ,love4 ,i am glad to hear you are so active4 ,go on in the strength of the triumphing ,lamb4 ,my heart is warm4 ,welcome home again1 my dear friend1 welcome to ,,jesus your ,,lord and your ,,god4 ,pray write often1 dear ,mr4 ,w1 to ,your most affectionate friend1 brother and servant in the glorious ,emmanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,o1 in ,leominster4 ,london1 ,april #f1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,your letter gave me uncommon pleasure1 and confirm'd me more in the opinion1 that where our ,,lord gives a will1 he will also give an opportunity of glorifying his great and most adorable name4 ,indeed1 ,i believe there is such a work begun1 as neither we nor our fathers have heard of4 ,the beginnings are amazing2 how unspeakably glorious will the end be6 ,from ,new-,england1 fresh and surprizing glad tidings are sent2 the ,,lord takes poor sinners there by hundreds1 ,i may say by thousands4 ,in ,scotland1 the fruits of my poor labours are abiding and apparent4 ,in ,wales1 ,i hear the word of the ,,lord runs and is glorified1 as also in many places in ,england4 ,in ,london1 our ,saviour is doing great things daily2 we have many dear growing children among us1 who can say1 8,our fellowship is with the ,father and the ,son40 ,we scarce know what it is to have a meeting without tears4 ,our ,,lord always meets with us4 ,my dear brother1 ,i rejoice to hear that you are helped in your work4 ,let this encourage you2 go on1 go on2 the more we do1 the more we may do for ,,jesus4 ,i sleep and eat but little1 and am constantly employed from morning till midnight1 and yet ,i walk and am not weary1 ,i run and am not faint4 ,my strength is daily renewed4 ,my bow abides in strength1 and my hands are upholden by the arms of the mighty ,,god of ,jacob4 ,o free grace6 ,it fires my soul1 and makes me long to do something more for ,,jesus4 ,it is true indeed1 ,i want to go home2 but here are so many souls ready to perish for lack of knowledge1 that ,i am willing to tarry below1 as long as my master hath work for me to do4,when ,i shall come your way1 ,i cannot determine4,all ,i say is1 ,i will come when the ,,lord gives me leave4 ,at present my call is in ,london1 where ,i propose staying for some time4 ,my wife came up last ,saturday1 and joins with me in wishing you all manner of success4 ,i am1 my dear brother1 ,yours most affectionately in our glorious ,emmanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 in ,gloucestershire4 ,london1 ,april #h1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,j ,c1 ,,yours came to hand last night4 ,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord is with you1 and that he was pleased to bless my poor labours in ,gloucestershire4 ,i would have you to dispute as little as possible4 ,awakened souls should be told to look continually to the ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,the more you are acquainted with ,,christ1 and the more deeply you drink into his spirit1 the more solid you will grow4 ,fear not because of your present trials2 8the ,,lord is thy ,,god2 he will never leave thee nor forsake thee40 ,cast all your care upon him1 he careth for you4 ,your wife's illness shall work for good4 ,the things ,i promised1 are provided and shall be sent speedily4 ,brother ,h will be with you1 ,,god willing1 next week2 ,i pray ,,god that his coming may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace6 ,our ,,lord is with us much here4 ,i preach twice daily4 ,our society grows4 ,my master fills me with his presence1 and continually meets with us4 ,my tender love awaits all the society4 ,be strong in the ,,lord1 and in the power of his might4 ,seek after a nearer conformity to the blessed ,,jesus4 ,grow in grace2 and as you are enabled1 dear ,john1 pray for ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccix4 ,to ,captain ,g1 in ,philadelphia4 ,london1 ,april #bb1 #agdb4 ,dear ,brother ,g1 ,i ,hope this will find you very happy in the love of ,,christ4 ,i was glad to hear you had so good a time1 before our friends left you4 ,i wish you no less1 than that you may be filled with all the fulness of ,,god4 ,we have had a glorious ,easter1 or rather a ,pentecost4 ,,jesus ,,christ is risen indeed4 ,i have been preaching in ,moorfields1 and our ,saviour carries all before us4 ,nought can resist his conquering blood4 ,it would have delighted you1 to have seen the poor sinners flock from the booths1 to see ,,jesus lifted up on the pole of the gospel4 ,i have received many tickets from young apprentices1 c4 c4 ,our society goes on wonderfully well4 ,every day we hear of fresh conquests4 ,,god's children are expecting very great things4 ,i believe they will not be disappointed of their hope4 ,but ,i am in haste4 ,your wife was well the last time ,i saw her4 ,brother ,s and his wife have been to see her4,my dear wife and brother ,s kindly salute you1 and all that love our glorious ,emmanuel4 ,pray write a line to1 dear brother ,g1 ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccx4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,j1 in ,yorkshire4 ,london1 ,april #bb1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,thank you and your wife for your kind benefaction4 ,our ,saviour1 ,i believe1 will take it kindly at your hands4 ,i rejoice that the work of our common master is carried on in ,yorkshire4 ,we see greater things than ever at ,london4 ,the awakening is quite fresh4 ,i never was strengthened more4 ,every day1 poor sinners are brought home to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,our people are filled as with new wine2 it seems to be a ,pentecost4 ,i have preached six or seven times in ,moorfields1 these holidays4 ,it would rejoice you to see the people flock from satan's booths to hear the gospel of the ,son of ,,god4 ,the people seem to have such a spirit of supplication poured out upon them1 that ,i believe we shall see great things4 ,i am often weak in body1 but1 as my work requires1 ,i am proportionably strengthened in the inner man4 ,was there ever such a sinner as ,i am8 ,was there ever such a ,saviour as my ,saviour8 ,low at thy feet1 ,o ,,jesus1 let me lie1 ,and love and praise to all eternity4 ,i salute all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity1 and am1 dear brother ,j1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,l4 ,london1 ,may #aa1 #agdb4 ,,with this1 ,i send you a few out of the many notes ,i have received from persons1 who were convicted1 converted1 or comforted in ,moorfields1 during the late holidays4 ,for many weeks1 ,i found my heart much pressed to determine to venture to preach there at this season1 when1 if ever1 satan's children keep up their annual rendezvous4 ,i must inform you1 that ,moorfields is a large spacious place1 given1 as ,i have been told1 by one ,madam ,moore1 on purpose for all sorts of people to divert themselves in4 ,for many years past1 from one end to the other1 booths of all kinds have been erected1 for mountebanks1 players1 puppet shows1 and such like4 ,with a heart bleeding with compassion for so many thousands led captive by the devil at his will1 on ,whit-,monday1 at six o'clock in the morning1 attended by a large congregation of praying people1 ,i ventured to lift up a standard amongst them in the name of ,,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,perhaps there were about ten thousand in waiting1 not for me1 but for satan's instruments to amuse them4,glad was ,i to find1 that ,i had for once as it were got the start of the devil4 ,i mounted my field pulpit1 almost all flocked immediately around it4 ,i preached on these words1 8,as ,moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness1 so shall the son of man be lifted up1 c40 ,they gazed1 they listened1 they wept2 and ,i believe that many felt themselves stung with deep conviction for their past sins4 ,all was hushed and solemn4 ,being thus encouraged1 ,i ventured out again at noon2 but what a scene6 ,the fields1 the whole fields seemed1 in a bad sense of the word1 all white1 ready not for the ,redeemer's1 but ,beelzebub's harvest4 ,all his agents were in full motion1 drummers1 trumpeters1 merry andrews1 masters of puppet shows1 exhibiters of wild beasts1 players1 c4 c4 all busy in entertaining their respective auditories4 ,i suppose there could not be less than twenty or thirty thousand people4 ,my pulpit was fixed on the opposite side1 and immediately1 to their great mortification1 they found the number of their attendants sadly lessened4 ,judging that like saint ,paul1 ,i should now be called as it were to fight with beasts at ,ephesus1 ,i preached from these words3 8,great is ,diana of the ,ephesians40 ,you may easily guess1 that there was some noise among the craftsmen1 and that ,i was honoured with having a few stones1 dirt1 rotten eggs1 and pieces of dead cats thrown at me1 whilst engaged in calling them from their favourite but lying vanities4 ,my soul was indeed among lions2 but far the greatest part of my congregation1 which was very large1 seemed for a while to be turned into lambs4 ,this encouraged me to give notice1 that ,i would preach again at six o'clock in the evening4 ,i came1 ,i saw1 but whatthousands and thousands more than before if possible1 still more deeply engaged in their unhappy diversions2 but some thousands amongst them waiting as earnestly to hear the gospel4 ,this satan could not brook4 ,one of his choicest servants was exhibiting1 trumpeting on a large stage2 but as soon as the people saw me in my black robes and my pulpit1 ,i think all to a man left him and ran to me4 ,for a while ,i was enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet1 and many heard the joyful sound4 ,,god's people kept praying1 and the enemy's agents made a kind of a roaring at some distance from our camp4 ,at length they approached nearer1 and the merry andrew1 7attended by others1 who complained that they had taken many pounds less that day on account of my preaching7 got upon a man's shoulders1 and advancing near the pulpit attempted to slash me with a long heavy whip several times1 but always with the violence of his motion tumbled down4 ,soon afterwards1 they got a recruiting serjeant with his drum1 c4 to pass through the congregation4 ,i gave the word of command1 and ordered that way might be made for the king's officer4 ,the ranks opened1 while all march'd quietly through1 and then closed again4 ,finding those efforts to fail1 a large body quite on the opposite side assembled together1 and having got a large pole for their standard1 advanced towards us with steady and formidable steps1 till they came very near the skirts of our hearing1 praying1 and almost undaunted congregation4 ,i saw1 gave warning1 and prayed to the captain of our salvation for present support and deliverance4 ,he heard and answered2 for just as they approached us with looks full of resentment1 ,i know not by what accident1 they quarrelled among themselves1 threw down their staff and went their way1 leaving however many of their company behind1 who before we had done1 ,i trust were brought over to join the besieged party4 ,i think ,i continued in praying preaching and singing1 7for the noise was too great at times to preach7 about three hours4 ,we then retired to the tabernacle1 with my pockets full of notes from persons brought under concern1 and read them amidst the praises and spiritual acclamations of thousands1 who joined with the holy angels in rejoicing that so many sinners were snatched1 in such an unexpected1 unlikely place and manner1 out of the very jaws of the devil4 ,this was the beginning of the tabernacle society4,three hundred and fifty awakened souls were received in one day1 and ,i believe the number of notes exceeded a thousand2 but ,i must have done1 believing you want to retire to join in mutual praise and thanksgiving to ,,god and the ,lamb1 with ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxii4 ,to the same4 ,london1 ,may #ae1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,,fresh matter of praise2 bless ye the ,,lord1 for he hath triumphed gloriously4 ,the battle that was begun on ,monday1 was not quite over till ,wednesday evening1 though the scene of action was a little shifted4 ,being strongly invited1 and a pulpit being prepared for me by an honest quaker1 a coal merchant1 ,i ventured on ,tuesday evening to preach at ,mary le bon fields1 a place almost as much frequented by boxers1 gamesters1 and such like1 as ,moor-fields4 ,a vast concourse was assembled together1 and as soon as ,i got into the field pulpit1 their countenance bespoke the enmity of their hearts against the preacher4 ,i opened with these words8,i am not ashamed of the gospel of ,,christ1 for it is the power of ,,god unto salvation to every one that believeth40 ,i preached in great jeopardy2 for the pulpit being high1 and the supports not well fixed in the ground1 it tottered every time ,i moved1 and numbers of enemies strove to push my friends against the supporters1 in order to throw me down4 ,but the ,redeemer stayed my soul on himself1 therefore ,i was not much moved1 unless with compassion for those to whom ,i was delivering my master's message1 which ,i had reason to think1 by the strong impressions that were made1 was welcome to many4 ,but satan did not like thus to be attacked in his strong-holds1 and ,i narrowly escaped with my life3 for as ,i was passing from the pulpit to the coach1 ,i felt my wig and hat to be almost off4 ,i turned about1 and observed a sword just touching my temples4 ,a young rake1 as ,i afterwards found1 was determined to stab me1 but a gentleman1 seeing the sword thrusting near me1 struck it up with his cane1 and so the destined victim providentially escaped4 ,such an attempt excited abhorrence2 the enraged multitude soon seized him1 and had it not been for one of my friends1 who received him into his house1 he must have undergone a severe discipline4 ,the next day1 ,i renewed my attack in ,moor-fields2 but would you think it8 after they found that pelting1 noise1 and threatnings would not do1 one of the merry ,andrews got up into a tree very near the pulpit1 and shamefully exposed his nakedness before all the people4 ,such a beastly action quite abashed the serious part of my auditory2 whilst hundreds of another stamp1 instead of rising up to pull down the unhappy wretch1 expressed their approbation by repeated laughs4 ,i must own at first it gave me a shock2 ,i thought satan had now almost outdone himself2 but recovering my spirits1 ,i appealed to all1 since now they had such a spectacle before them1 whether ,i had wronged human nature in saying1 after pious ,bishop ,hall1 8that man1 when left to himself1 is half a devil and half a beast20 or as the great ,mr4 ,law expressed himself1 8a motley mixture of the beast and devil40,silence and attention being thus gained1 ,i concluded with a warm exhortation1 and closed our festival enterprizes1 in reading fresh notes that were put up1 praising and blessing ,,god amidst thousands at the tabernacle1 for what he had done for precious souls1 and on account of the deliverances he had wrought out for me and his people4 ,i could enlarge2 but being about to embark in the ,mary and ,ann1 for ,scotland1 ,i must hasten to subscribe myself1 ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,p4 ,s4 ,i cannot help adding1 that several little boys and girls who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit1 while ,i preached1 and handing to me peoples notes1 though they were often pelted with eggs1 dirt1 c4 thrown at me1 never once gave way3 but on the contrary1 every time ,i was struck1 turned up their little weeping eyes1 and seemed to wish they could receive the blows for me4 ,,god make them in their growing years great and living martyrs for him1 who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings perfects praise6 ,,letter ,,ccccxiii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,m1 in the ,isle of ,man4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 bound to ,scotland1 ,may #bf1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,received your letter on ,saturday last1 and felt great concern on my soul1 while perusing it4 ,one thing especially pleased me2 ,i found by the contents1 that a report ,i had lately heard concerning you was false2 for ,i had heard1 that the bishop seeing your zeal1 and finding his opposition had inflamed1 at last had ordered the clergy to open the church doors for you1 and that now you had done with appearing openly in the defence of the glorious ,gospel4 ,blessed be ,,god this is not true6 ,though ,i find1 both you and your people have been greatly discouraged4 ,i see no way of extricating yourself1 but by acting up to the dictates of your own conscience1 and leaving the consequences to the great head and king of the church4 ,you find1 dear ,sir1 a sensible withdrawing of the spirit ever since you gave way4 ,it would not have been so1 had you obeyed ,,god rather than man4 ,up then1 and be doing1 and the ,,lord will be yet with you4 ,if you cannot preach freely in the ,isle of ,man1 go whithersoever the ,,lord shall be pleased to lead you4 ,our commission is very extensive3 8,go into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature40 ,we want labourers much in ,england4 ,if our ascended ,saviour hath given you popular gifts1 and freedom and authority in speaking without notes1 you need not fear4 ,he will assist you from time to time1 and make you a blessing to many souls4 ,your being a minister of the established church1 will be an advantage1 and your age also will give you yet more authority2 but an unction from the ,holy ,one of ,israel is the best qualification2 ,i would therefore1 dear ,sir 7if such a one as ,i1 am capable of advising7 by all means persuade you to humble yourself before the great bishop of your soul1 and ask him again and again what he would have you to do8 ,i am apt to think1 he will not restore to you the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost1 or stablish you with his free spirit1 'till you give up yourself simply to follow the dictates of his providence and spirit4 ,then let men or devils say or do their worst4 ,how can we know ,,god's power unless we try it8 ,not that ,i would have you1 dear friend1 do any thing rashly4 ,no1 8he that believeth doth not make haste40 ,wait upon the ,,lord1 and he will certainly shew you what he would have you to do4 ,i wonder not that your brother's love is grown cold4 ,it is hard for one in his station1 unless he be thoroughly inured to contempt1 and will give ,,god leave to act in his own way1 to withstand a whole body of lukewarm1 prejudiced1 envious1 malignant clergy4 ,these1 have always been the greatest opposers of true vital religion4 ,these1 were our ,saviour's most bitter enemies4 ,these1 will be ours also1 if we come forth in his spirit1 and preach by his power4 ,but blessed be ,,god1 ,i can say by happy experience1 our glorious ,emmanuel will make us more than conquerors over them all4 ,he hath continually fought my battles for me1 and ,i am persuaded will do so to the end4 ,of late1 ,i have seen more of his power and goodness than ever1 and ,i trust we shall yet see greater things than these4 ,i am now once more going to ,scotland1 and purpose 7,,god willing7 the latter end of the year to embark for ,america4 ,pray let me hear from you1 and if possible let me have a personal interview4 ,i hope this will reach you4 ,in the next1 be pleased to tell me how to direct1 for ,i have forgotten4 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,i wish you abundant prosperity in the name of the exalted ,redeemer1 and am ,your affectionate brother and servant1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,s ,m1 in ,gainsborough4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bf1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,your letter dated ,may #eth was very agreeable to me4 ,i think it savoured of a true ,israelitish spirit1 and therefore ,i find freedom to send you a plain and simple answer4 ,who ,j ,h is1 ,i cannot tell4 ,if he was converted by my unworthy ministry1 or others by his means1 let our dear ,,jesus have all the glory4 ,i shall know who they are1 at the great day4 ,mr4 ,p ,i know very well4 ,i believe he is a good man1 but am not enough acquainted with his proceedings1 either wholly to commend or condemn them4 ,whether he preaches in public1 or converses only in a private manner1 ,i know not4 ,this one thing ,i know1 if he be sent of ,,god1 ,i wish him prosperity4 ,the answer which our ,,lord gave to those who forbad such as were casting out devils in his name1 because they followed not with them1 makes me particularly cautious1 how ,i interrupt any one that seems to speak of ,,jesus with sincerity of heart4 ,as for his speaking so little against the church of ,england1 ,i cannot discommend him for that4 ,i find it best to talk only of ,,jesus's blood1 and the power of his ,redemption1 and not dwell much on outward things or outward worship4 ,when the woman of ,samaria asked our ,,lord1 8where men ought to worship10 he diverted the discourse from the outward to the inward worship4 8,the worship of the ,father in spirit and in truth40 ,some things may be wrong in the church of ,england1 and in this mixed state we must never expect to see a perfect church1 or a perfect man4 ,it is therefore my constant aim to agree with all the children of ,,god1 as far as ,i can1 and not to quarrel though we differ in some points4 ,in civil society1 one family does not differ with another1 because it hath not the same orders in every respect4 ,would to ,,god we observed the same rule in spirituals4 ,the world falls out enough with us2 it is pity we should fall out among ourselves4 ,my brother1 ,i have written to you out of the fulness of my heart2 whether ,i shall see your face in the flesh1 ,i know not4 ,at present1 my call is to ,scotland4,if the cloud should move towards ,lincolnshire1 my answer is1 8,,lord1 lo ,i come60 ,i am quite confounded when ,i think that such a wretch as ,i should ever be employed in preaching the everlasting gospel4 ,i often fall down under a sense of ,,god's distinguishing mercy1 and with awful adoration am frequently made to cry out1 8,why me1 ,,lord2 why me80 ,o my brother1 help me to praise the ,lamb of ,,god1 that taketh away the sins of the world4 ,a wonderful work is carried on both at home and abroad4 ,i shall be glad to hear from you again4 ,be pleased to direct as before4 ,i am1 in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,b1 in ,london4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bg1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,b1 ,,your letter was sweet to my heart4 ,business prevented my answering it on shore4 ,our ,saviour is pleased at this time to give me leisure and freedom4 ,i will now endeavour to answer it on board4 ,i need not tell you1 ,i love you4 ,,god has often bore witness to our fellowship1 by giving us his presence1 and filling us as with new wine4 ,what has happened of late to disunite1 will in the end1 ,i am persuaded1 only promote a closer union4 8,out of the eater will come forth meat1 and out of the strong will come forth sweetness40 ,blessed be our ,saviour's free grace6 ,i feel my heart more and more enlarged towards1 and more and more disposed to love and honour all denominations of believers1 than ever ,i experienced before4 ,in all societies of christians under heaven1 there must necessarily be persons of a different standing in the school of ,,christ4 ,those who are not solidly established in the love of ,,god1 will fall too much in love with the outward form of their particular church1 be it what it will4 ,but as the love of ,,god gets the ascendency1 the more they will be like him and his holy angels1 and consequently rejoice when souls are brought to ,,jesus1 whatever instruments may be made use of for that purpose4 ,if therefore some that you and ,i know1 are too confined 7as ,i believe is too much the case72 if they do not preach more frequently1 and abound more in good works1 ,i think it is for want of having their hearts more inflamed with the love of ,,god1 and their graces kept in more constant exercise4 ,to stir up the gift of ,,god that is in us1 is an apostolical injunction2 and if we do not keep upon our watch we shall fall into a false stillness4 ,nature loves ease2 and as a blind zeal often prompts us to speak too much1 so tepidity and lukewarmness often cause us to speak too little4 ,divine wisdom alone1 is profitable to direct2 and ,i would be very cautious how ,i speak1 least ,i should take too much upon me4 ,i love those you mention1 from my soul2 and all ,i can say is1 8,,lord1 do thou lead and guide both them and us40 ,we are blind helpless creatures4 ,i wish there was more confidence between us all2 but ,i see that none but the spirit of ,,god can outwardly unite us1 and therefore ,i have now given it up into the ,redeemer's hand4 ,only this ,i pray1 that ,i may be one of the first and not the last in bringing back the king4 ,if ,i have at any time set improper bounds to the spirit of ,,god1 or grieved it in his children1 ,i desire to be very low1 and to be broken hearted for it4 ,i am sure it hath not been done willingly4 ,i must own1 ,i have sometimes opposed you1 because ,i think you have made1 and are yet making1 too much haste4 ,you seem to be like-minded with those1 who in our ,saviour's time thought that the kingdom of ,,god would then come3 but you know how our ,,lord checked them for it1 and told them1 8it was not for them to know the particular times and seasons of his coming to set up his kingdom40 ,i believe with you1 that our glorious ,emmanuel is about to do great things4 ,but how1 when1 and where1 ,i leave to his divine1 sovereign disposal4 ,i desire strictly to mind the particular plan assigned me2 at the same time to look about1 and see what others the wonderful counsellor is pleased to employ in other districts3 and though they may differ from me in some points1 ,i wish them abundant prosperity in the name of our common ,,lord4 ,i am of your mind with respect to the church of ,england4 ,this1 this is the constant1 abiding1 intense language of my heart2 8,,lord ,,jesus1 let thy kingdom come40 ,you see1 my dear brother1 how fully ,i write to you4 ,it is because ,i love you4 ,o that we may be taught to bear one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,,christ6 ,may the ,,lord keep us all from falling out in our way to heaven4 ,amen and amen6 ,you and yours will join heartily in the same petition1 with ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxvi4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,o1 at ,leominster4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bg1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,have not till now had time to answer your kind letter4 ,i rejoice abundantly in the use our dear ,,lord is beginning to make of you4 ,may he use and bless you ever more and more4 ,our ,,lord loves to encourage faith4 ,they that trust in him1 shall find now as well as formerly1 that 8it shall be given them in that hour what they shall speak40 ,this ,i find true by happy experience1 and am persuaded shall prove the truth of it more and more4 ,since my last1 the captain of our salvation has carried me on to fresh conquest1 and caused his people to rejoice exceedingly in his great salvation4 ,our society is in great order4 ,if the ,,lord gives us a true catholic spirit1 free from a party sectarian zeal1 we shall do well4 ,i am sorry to hear that there is so much narrowness among some of the brethren in ,wales4 ,brother ,h complains sadly of it4 ,i hope dear ,mr4 ,o will be kept free1 and not fall into disputing about ,baptism or other non-essentials2 for ,i am persuaded1 unless we all are content to preach ,,christ1 and to keep off from disputable things1 wherein we differ1 ,,god will not bless us long4 ,if we act otherwise1 however we may talk of a catholic spirit1 we shall only be bringing people over to our own party1 and there fetter them4 ,i pray the ,,lord to keep dear ,mr4 ,o and me from such a spirit4 ,dear ,sir1 may the ,,lord be with you6 ,remember us poor but willing pilgrims1 especially him who is less than the least of all1 but ,your affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxvii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j ,s1 at ,stockport4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bi1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,received your letter some time ago1 but through multiplicity of business could not possibly answer it on shore4 ,i do not remember seeing you at ,london2 but if you love the ,redeemer in sincerity1 and preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and with power1 ,i wish you all possible success in the name of the ,,lord4 ,as for coming into your parts1 it is intirely uncertain4 ,my present call is to ,scotland4 ,how my ,master will dispose of me hereafter1 ,i know not4 ,i simply desire to go whither he shall be pleased to call me4 ,i am amazed that he should call me any where1 or employ me as his ambassador to beseech poor sinners to be reconciled to ,,god4 ,but what shall we say8 ,i can only fall down at the feet of the ,lamb1 and cry1 ,grace6 grace6 ,of late the ,,lord hath done greater things for me1 and his church1 than ever2 and yet greater things ,i am persuaded he is about to bring to pass4 ,dear ,sir1 help me at the throne of grace1 and as you seem to have a thirst for the ,redeemer's glory1 recommend me to the prayers of ,,god's people1 being the chief of sinners1 but1 for the ,redeemer's sake1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxviii4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,d1 in ,essex4 ,may #bi1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,your letter lies by me1 yet unanswered2 the contents however have not been forgotten before the ,,lord4 ,surely the days of your pilgrimage will ere long be ended1 and the star which you once saw1 appear to you again1 and cause you to rejoice with exceeding great joy4 ,i think there is something very extraordinary in the ,,lord's dealing with you4 ,i can only resolve it into the divine sovereignty1 and say1 8even so1 ,father1 for so it seemeth good in thy sight40 ,this is often the language of my heart1 with respect to ,,god's dealing with my own soul4 ,many things our ,saviour does to me1 which ,i know not now4 ,it is sufficient that ,i shall know hereafter1 and that ,i know thus far even now1 8that all things are working together for good40 ,dear ,mr4 ,d1 indeed ,i love and pray for you4 ,our ,saviour1 ,i trust1 will yet set your feet in a large room1 and enable you to run the way of his commandments2 ,thro' winds1 and clouds1 and storms1 he'll gently clear the way2 ,wait then his time1 so shall this night soon end in joyous day4 ,my tender love await the flock at ,dm2 ,i pray for them and you4 ,our ,saviour hath done great things of late in ,london4 ,i believe he will yet do more in ,scotland4 ,o my brother1 forget not to pray for the chief of sinners4 ,your truly affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxix4 ,to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c1 at ,bath4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bi1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,not want of love1 but excess of business prevented my answering your kind letter dated ,april #fth4 ,in ,london ,i had scarce time to eat bread1 or to take my natural rest4 ,our blessed ,saviour1 with his own right hand got himself the victory in many hearts1 and brought mighty things to pass4 ,i never saw the like before4 ,i must renew my old request1 8,help1 my dear friend1 help me to be thankful40 ,i am now going a second time to ,scotland1 and purpose1 ,,god willing1 at the latter end of the year to embark for ,america4 ,my soul is a thirst for the salvation of poor sinners4 ,these words1 8,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature1 c40 have been particularly pressed upon my heart4 ,o1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 if the ,,lord has accounted us worthy1 putting us into the ministry1 how careful should we be to make full proof thereof8 ,,god willing1 when ,i come on shore ,i will begin in earnest4 ,for alas6 hactenus nihil feci4,indeed ,i am ashamed of myself from the bottom of my heart4 ,was not my ,master's love like himself1 infinite1 ,i should have been cast off long before this time4 ,but ,i find those whom he loves1 he loves to the end4 ,mr4 ,w1 myself1 and others1 are instances of this4 ,i hope our great ,shepherd will now carry him in his arms1 and not let him to stay again4 ,i have wrote to ,mr4 ,t from on board4,if you go to him1 or labour elsewhere1 that the blessed ,,jesus may be always with you1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,c1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxx4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 in ,london4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bi1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,your letter much affected me4 ,i hope the contents have made the angels to rejoice1 and that before this time you have found rest in the wounded ,lamb4 ,that ,,god1 who first spoke light out of darkness1 ,i trust is beginning to shine into your heart1 and to perfect a new creation in your soul4 ,you are not the first1 dear friend1 by thousands1 who have thought themselves rich and increased in goods1 not considering they were poor and miserable and blind and naked4 ,i suppose you can now join with me in the following verses3 ,i4 ,long did my soul in ,jesu's form ,no comeliness nor beauty see2 ,his sacred name by others priz'd1 ,was tasteless still and dead to me4 ,,ii4 ,men call'd me ,christian1 and my heart ,on that delusion fondly stay'd2 ,moral my hopes1 my ,saviour self1 ',till mighty grace the cheat display'd4 ,,iii4 ,thanks to the hand that wak'd my dream1 ,that shew'd me wretched1 naked1 poor2 ,that sweetly led me to the ,rock1 ,where all salvation stands secure4 ,,iv4 ,glad1 ,i forsook my righteous pride1 ,my moral1 tarnish'd1 sinful dress1 ,exchanged my dross away for ,,christ1 ,and found the robe of righteousness4 ,these lines1 dear ,sir1 ,i think are very emphatical4 ,i trust you can now repeat them from your heart4 ,if so1 hail happy man6 ,,jesus hath washed you in his blood1 and given you eternal life4 ,you now then have nothing to do1 but to live to him1 who hath lived and died for you1 and if necessary would die again for you with all his heart4 ,surely our ,saviour loves you1 otherwise he would not have shewed you all these things4 ,i love you for his sake 7though unknown72 and if he hath been pleased to work by my unworthy ministry1 let him have all the glory1 and forget not to pray for the poor1 weak instrument1 who has not forgotten to pray for you1 being1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant1 in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h1 in ,wales4 ,on board the ,mary and ,ann1 ,may #bi1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,though ,i could not write to you on shore1 yet ,i must not omit writing to you on board4 ,i am heartily sorry that such a narrow spirit prevails in ,wales4 ,i have written to ,mr4 ,h4 ,but what shall we say8 ,the ,redeemer's love alone can unite and keep together his flocks4 ,disputing with bigots and narrow-spirited people will not do4 ,i intend henceforward to say less to them1 and pray more and more to our ,,lord for them4 8,,lord1 enlarge their hearts10 is my continual prayer for such1 who are so streightened in their own bowels4 ,blessed be ,,god1 this partition-wall is breaking down daily in some of our old friends hearts in ,london4 ,i exhort all to go where they can profit most4 ,i preach what ,i believe to be the truth1 and then leave it to the spirit of ,,god to make the application4 ,when we have done this1 ,i think we have gone to the utmost bounds of our commission4 ,o my brother1 ,i find more and more1 nothing but that wisdom1 which is from above1 can teach us how to build up souls4 ,i never was so much assisted in this kind of work1 as since ,i came to ,london last4 ,we have public societies twice a week1 and a general meeting for reading letters once a month4 ,our ,,lord has been much with us4 ,we seem to move on now in gospel dignity1 and are terrible as an army with banners4 ,if the ,,lord inclines you1 a visit to ,london would be very acceptable4 ,our people can now bear searching more than formerly4 ,i find that our ,,lord hath particularly blessed you that way4 ,we have had a most blessed funeral of one of our sisters in ,,christ1 and the awakening1 ,i think1 has been as great as when ,i first came out1 and abundantly more solid4 ,the ,easter ,holidays were high days indeed4 ,my wife doth not forget her friends in ,wales4 ,but our ,,lord has seen fit to exercise her with exceeding close inward trials4 ,she and all with me most cordially salute you4 ,i expect great things in ,scotland4 ,if possible1 at my return1 ,i hope to see you in ,wales4 ,but future things belong to ,,god4 ,adieu4 ,forget not to pray for ,your affectionate brother pilgrim1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,a1 in ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,june #d1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,a1 ,,from a heart overflowing with a sense of ,,god's love1 ,i write you these few lines4 ,yesterday our ,saviour brought us hither4 ,on board1 ,i spent most part of my time in secret prayer4 ,satan shot many of his fiery darts against me4 ,our great ,michael gave me a shield of faith1 by which ,i was enabled to repel them all4 ,as soon as ,i came on shore1 the holy spirit filled my soul4 ,the ,,lord commanded people to receive me and my fellow pilgrim into their houses4 ,our souls rejoiced in him4 ,the people were soon alarmed at my arrival4 ,as soon as ,i came on shore at ,leith1 many came blessing me1 and weeping1 took hold of me4 ,about four in the afternoon we came to ,edinburgh4 ,great numbers followed our coach1 and almost catched me in their arms1 as soon as ,i came out of it4 ,how did they weep for joy6 ,it would have melted you down to have seen them4 ,when ,i came to my lodging1 many dear friends came to salute us in the name of the ,,lord4 ,about seven o'clock ,i went to see some persons of distinction1 whose hearts the ,,lord reached1 when ,i was here last4 ,some were ready to faint with excess of joy3 with these ,i prayed and gave thanks4 ,the ,holy ,ghost filled us with all joy and peace in believing4,at eight ,i went to a nobleman's house1 where his lady and several other dear friends received us with great gladness4 ,the cushions and bible were immediately brought4 ,i gave a word of exhortation4 ,we sung1 and prayed1 and spent the remainder of the evening most delightfully in talking of the things of ,,god4 ,when we came home1 we joined in blessing ,,god's holy name4 ,though late1 ,i scarce knew how to go to rest4,this morning ,i received glorious accounts of the carrying on of the ,mediator's kingdom4 ,the work of ,,god is beyond expression4 ,three of the little boys that were converted when ,i was last here1 came to me and wept1 and begged me to pray for and with them4 ,a minister tells me1 that scarce one is fallen back1 who was awakened1 either among old or young4 ,the serjeant1 whose letter1 brother ,c has1 goes on well with his company4 ,o my dear brother1 help me to praise the ,lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever2 and desire all the society to join with you4 ,i believe within these four months you will hear of very great things4 ,pray that ,i may be very little in my own eyes1 and not rob my dear ,master of any part of his glory4 ,we do not forget you4 ,once a day we meet together and pray for absent friends4 ,he gives us leave1 as it were1 to ask of him what we will1 and promises never to leave or forsake us4 ,for the present1 my dear brother1 adieu6 ,as opportunity offers1 and if possible every post1 some or other of my dear friends shall hear1 dear brother ,a1 from ,your most affectionate1 though most unworthy brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxiii4 ,to the ,right ,honourable ,lord ,r4 ,edinburgh1 ,june #d1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,yesterday morning our glorious ,emmanuel brought us hither4 ,your ,lordship's kind letter was put into my hands4 ,i heartily sympathize with your ,lordship2 but could not help rejoicing on your honoured lady's account1 knowing she is now entered into her blessed ,master's joy4 ,indeed1 my ,lord1 ,i think1 among christians1 death hath not only lost its sting1 but its name4 ,i never was so joyful as ,i am now at the death of those who die in the ,,lord2 and never was so reconciled to living myself4 ,my general language1 when ,i hear of the saints departure1 is1 8,let them go40 ,lately at ,london we had a sister in ,,christ departed4 ,her last words were1 8,holy1 holy1 holy60 she could say no more here2 but our ,saviour sent for her to finish her song in heaven4 ,i preached over her corpse2 our society attended3 but surely never did souls triumph over death more than we did that night4 ,many would say1 8,o death6 where is thy sting8 ,o grave6 where is thy victory80 ,as for my own part1 ,i was enabled to trample death under my feet3 and1 blessed be ,,god1 through rich grace ,i can do that daily4 ,but then your ,lordship may ask1 8,why are you reconciled to life80 ,because ,i can do that for ,,jesus on earth1 which ,i cannot do in heaven3 ,i mean1 be made instrumental in bringing some poor1 weary1 heavy laden sinners to find rest in his blood and righteousness3 and1 indeed1 if our ,saviour was to offer either to take me now1 or to stay only to take one sinner more1 ,i would desire to stay to take him with me4 ,but whither am ,i running8 ,o my ,lord1 death is a delightful topic4 ,excuse me if ,i forget myself when writing about it4 ,blessed be our ,,god for supporting your soul under so close a trial6 ,how sweet will it be to meet your ,lady glorified at the great day6 ,yet a little while1 and that happy day shall come4 ,but it is time to answer your ,lordship's question3 8,how was you on the #bdth of last ,november80 ,i thank ,,god1 very well4 ,my soul was much refreshed with the ,redeemer's presence2 and ,i was rejoicing in hope of the glory of ,,god4 ,i hear of wonderful things in ,scotland4 ,i can only fall down and worship4 ,i have seen greater things than ever in ,england4 ,i expect to see far greater in ,scotland4 ,our ,,lord will not let his people be disappointed of their hopes4 ,but ,i must away4 ,we were very happy together with some other dear friends last night4 ,i have not seen your ,lordship's daughters1 though they have been so kind as to send to enquire after my health4 ,i hope to see them to-day2 and am1 my ,lord1 with all possible respect1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxiv4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,m1 at ,cambuslang4 ,edinburgh1 ,june #h1 #agdb4 ,reverend and very dear ,brother1 ,i ,heartily rejoice at the awakening at ,cambuslang1 and elsewhere4 ,i believe you will both see and hear of far greater things than these4 ,i trust that not one corner of poor ,scotland will be left unwatered by the dew of ,,god's heavenly blessing4 ,the cloud is now only rising as big as a man's hand2 yet a little while1 and we shall hear a sound of an abundance of gospel rain4 ,our glorious ,emmanuel has given us much of his divine presence since my arrival4 ,o that it may accompany me to ,cambuslang6 ,,god willing1 ,i hope to be with you the beginning of next week2 but cannot exactly tell the day4 ,in the mean while1 forget not to pray for1 reverend and dear brother1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxv4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,e ,e1 at ,sterling4 ,edinburgh1 ,june #aj1 #agdb4 ,reverend and very dear ,sir1 ,i ,am now at ,mr4 ,g's house2 and finding his wife about to set out for ,sterling1 the love which ,i bear you1 for my dear ,master's sake1 constrains me to send you a line4 ,it is some concern to me1 that our difference as to outward things1 should cut off our sweet fellowship and communion with each other4 ,,god knows my heart1 ,i highly value and honour you4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i do assure you ,i love you and your brethren more than ever4 ,i applaud your zeal for ,,god2 and though1 in some respects1 ,i think it not according to knowledge1 and to be levelled frequently against me1 yet indeed ,i feel no resentment in my heart1 and should joyfully sit down and hear you and your other brethren preach4 ,i salute them all2 and pray our common ,,lord to give us all a right judgment in all things4 ,i hope the glorious ,emmanuel will be present at the sacrament1 and make himself known to you in breaking of bread4 ,i have made bold to send you the inclosed pamphlets1 and should be glad to know your opinion of them4 ,when ,i shall come to ,sterling1 ,i know not4 ,however1 ,i earnestly pray for you and yours4 ,i could drop a tear4 ,o when shall the time come1 when the watchmen will see eye to eye8 ,hasten that time1 our ,,lord and our ,,god6 ,but perhaps ,i am troublesome4 ,forgive me1 reverend and dear ,sir1 being1 without dissimulation1 your ,younger brother and servant in the gospel of ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,d ,a1 in ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #g1 #agdb4 ,dear ,friend1 ,i ,arrived here last ,saturday evening from the ,west1 where ,i preached all the last week3 as1 twice on ,monday at ,paisley1 six miles from ,glasgow2 on the ,tuesday and ,wednesday1 three times each day1 at ,irvine1 #af miles from thence2 on ,thursday1 twice at ,mearns1 fifteen miles from that2 on ,friday1 three times at ,cumbernauld2 and on ,saturday1 twice at ,falkirk1 in my way to ,edinburgh4 ,in every place there was the greatest commotion among the people as was ever known4 ,their mourning in most of the places1 was like the mourning for a first-born4 ,the auditories were very large1 and the work of ,,god seems to be spreading more and more4 ,last sabbath-day ,i preached twice in the park1 and once in the church1 and twice every day since4 ,a number of seats and shades1 in the form of an amphitheatre1 have been erected in the park1 where the auditory sit in a beautiful order4 ,i have received very agreeable news from my family abroad4,i purpose going to ,cambuslang to-morrow1 in order to assist at the communion2 and shall preach at various places westward before ,i return here4 ,i intend to embark for ,america as soon as possible after ,i leave ,scotland4 ,thus you see1 my dear brother1 how ,i have been employed4 ,o give thanks to our blessed ,saviour1 for his great unparalleled goodness to a most unworthy worm4 ,indeed ,i have seen and felt such things1 as ,i never saw and felt before4 ,i never was enabled to preach so powerfully as whilst ,i have been in the ,west4 ,i hear that brother ,c is in the country1 and that you exhort in the society4 ,may the ,,lord open your mouth1 and cause your lips to shew forth his praise6 ,let us talk of his loving-kindness all the day long4 ,,god gives me faith for my poor orphans4 ,help me with your prayers4 ,,god will supply all my wants4 ,glory be to his name1 ,i am kept from doubting4 ,my brother1 ,i love you dearly4 ,you have been a close and faithful brother4 ,may the ,,lord bless you and yours4 ,adieu6 ,pray fail not of writing as particular as may be1 to1 ,most affectionately yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 #8,cambernauld' replaced with #8,cumbernauld' ,,letter ,,ccccxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h1 at the ,orphan-house4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #g1 #agdb4 ,my very dear friend1 faithful steward1 and brother in ,,christ1 ,,last ,monday ,i received an agreeable packet of letters from you4 ,i think they are dated in ,october and ,december last4 ,they rejoiced our hearts4 ,as soon as ,i read yours1 my wife said1 let us give thanks and pray4 ,accordingly we kneeled down1 and had very near access to the ,father of ,mercies on your behalf4 ,at night1 after our coming home1 we did the same4 ,our common ,,lord enabled us to wrestle in faith4 ,we all felt our hearts drawn mightily towards you4 ,i could wish for wings to fly unto you4 ,i long to thank you in person1 for your faithfulness to your poor unworthy1 but most affectionate friend4 ,my dear brother1 ,,god is still doing greater things for me than ever4 ,the awakening here in ,scotland is unspeakable4 ,the congregations in the ,west1 are just like those which you and ,i saw at ,foggs-,manor1 in ,pensylvania4 ,,god seems to awaken scores together4 ,i never was enabled to preach so before4 ,o that ,i may lie low at the feet of my dear ,redeemer6 to whose image ,i am studying to be more conformed every day4 ,your letter to dear brother ,a pleased us very much4 ,i have desired him to print it4 ,i paid a three hundred pound bill drawn upon me by ,mr4 ,n1 as well as ,mr4 ,b's3 whether you include that in the eleven thousand pounds1 ,i know not4 ,however1 blessed be ,,god1 if it were eleven thousand more ,i hope ,i should be kept from doubting4 ,at present1 ,i am looking up to our great ,housholder for fresh supplies2 which ,i believe he will give me1 and which ,i will send to you as soon as possible4 ,i hope to see you soon1 and to thank you in particular for your faithfulness to me4 ,my friend and brother1 you shall in no wise lose your reward4 ,i believe ,,god will take ,georgia into his own hands4 ,its affairs have lately been before the ,house of ,commons4 ,mr4 ,ste was reprimanded for his abuse of the trustees2 the use of rum was granted1 but the use of slaves denied4 ,let us stand still1 be instant in prayer1 and we shall certainly see the salvation of ,,god4 ,i am yet made to hope against hope1 in behalf of poor ,georgia4 ,the ,,lord strengthen your weak body1 and continually comfort your soul4 ,that you may be filled with all the fulness of ,,god1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,yours eternally in the strictest bonds of gospel love1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxviii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,whitefield4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #g1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,love1 ,,since ,i wrote the last1 ,i have seen such things as ,i never beheld before4 ,yesterday morning ,i preached at ,glasgow to a very large congregation4 ,at noon ,i came to ,cambuslang1 the place which ,,god hath so much honoured4 ,i preached at two1 to a vast body of people1 and at six in the evening1 and again at nine at night4 ,such a commotion surely never was heard of1 especially at eleven at night4 ,it far out-did all that ,i ever saw in ,america4 ,for about an hour and a half there was such weeping1 so many falling into deep distress1 and expressing it various ways1 as is inexpressible4 ,the people seem to be slain by scores4 ,they are carried off1 and come into the house like soldiers wounded in1 and carried off a field of battle4 ,their cries and agonies are exceedingly affecting4 ,mr4 ,m preached after ,i had ended1 till past one in the morning1 and then could scarce persuade them to depart4 ,all night in the fields1 might be heard the voice of prayer and praise4 ,some young ladies were found by a gentlewoman praising ,,god at break of day4 ,she went and joined with them4 ,the ,,lord is indeed much with me4 ,i have preached twice to-day already1 and am to preach twice1 perhaps three times more4 ,the commotions increase4 ,to-morrow1 and on sabbath-day1 ,i shall preach at ,calder2 on ,monday1 here again2 and on ,tuesday at ,kilsyth1 and then1 ,,god willing1 at ,glasgow4 ,i am persuaded the work will spread more and more4 ,my kindest respects to all4 ,accept of the same from1 my dear love1 ,yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxix4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,w1 of ,dundee4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #g1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,your letter gave me some little concern1 ,i thought it breathed much of a sectarian spirit2 to which ,i hoped dear ,mr4 ,w was quite averse4 ,methinks you seem1 dear ,sir1 not satisfied1 unless ,i declare myself a ,presbyterian1 and openly renounce the church of ,england4 ,,god knows that ,i have been faithful in bearing a testimony against what ,i think is corrupt in that church4 ,i have shewn my freedom in communicating with the church of ,scotland1 and in baptizing children their own way4 ,i can go no further4 ,as for what you mention about the ,quakers1 ,i know not what particular exceptionable passages there were in my sermons1 in which ,i mentioned them4 ,that some good souls are among the ,quakers1 ,i doubt not4,for such ,i have charity1 because our ,,lord hath given to them his spirit4,though ,i am a strenuous defender of the righteousness of ,,christ1 and utterly detest ,arminian principles1 yet ,i know that ,,god gave me the ,holy ,ghost1 before ,i was clear in either as to head-knowledge3 and therefore1 dear ,sir1 ,i am the more moderate to people who are not clear1 supposing ,i see the divine image stamped upon their hearts4 ,mr4 ,w1 ,mr4 ,l1 c4 ,i take to be holy men of ,,god1 though they think far widely from me1 and from each other in some particular branches of doctrine4 ,dear ,sir1 be not offended at my plain speaking4 ,i find but few of a truly catholic spirit4 ,most are catholic till they bring persons over to their own party1 and there they would fetter them4 ,i have not so learned ,,christ4 ,i desire to act as ,,god acts4 ,i shall approve1 and join with all who are good in every sect1 and cast a mantle of love over all that are bad1 so far as is consistent with a good conscience4 ,this ,i can do without temporizing2 nay ,i should defile my conscience if ,i did otherwise4 ,as for my answer to ,mr4 ,m1 dear ,sir1 it is very satisfying to my own soul4 ,morning and evening retirement is certainly exceeding good2 but if through weakness of body1 or frequency of preaching1 ,i cannot go to ,,god in my usual set times1 ,i think my spirit is not in bondage4 ,it is not for me to tell how often ,i use secret prayer2 if ,i did not use it1 nay1 if in one sense ,i did not pray without ceasing1 it would be difficult for me to keep up that frame of soul1 which by the divine blessing ,i daily enjoy4 ,if the work of ,,god prospers1 and your hands become more full1 you will then1 dear ,sir1 know better what ,i mean4 ,but enough of this4 ,,god knows my heart1 ,i would do every thing ,i possibly could1 to satisfy all men1 and give a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and fear2 but ,i cannot satisfy all that are waiting for an occasion to find fault3 our ,,lord could not2 ,i therefore despair of doing it4 ,however1 dear ,sir1 ,i take what you have said in very good part3 only ,i think you are too solicitous to clear up my character to captious and prejudiced men4 ,let my master speak for me4 ,blessed be ,,god1 he will1 so long as ,i simply throw myself into his almighty arms4 ,i am glad the work goes on with you4 ,glory be to ,,god1 we have seen glorious things in the ,west4 ,my tender love to all that are pleased to remember me4 ,when ,i shall come your way1 ,i know not4 ,on ,friday1 ,,god willing1 ,i go to ,cambuslang1 where ,i expect to see great days of the son of man4 ,that ,,god may bless you abundantly more and more1 and cause your latter end greatly to increase1 is the hearty prayer of1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,yours c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxx4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,a1 in ,dublin4 ,glasgow1 ,july #ab1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,on ,saturday ,i received your very kind letter1 and being just now returned from ,cambuslang1 ,i snatch a few moments to acknowledge it4 ,i have long since waited for a call to ,ireland4 ,in such an important step1 ,i care not to proceed without great caution4 ,when ,i find the cloud of divine providence moving your way1 ,i trust the language of my heart will be1 ,,lord1 ,i come to do or suffer thy will6 ,in the mean while1 ,i will watch unto prayer4 ,i doubt not but you1 reverend and dear ,sir1 will help me herein4 ,i thank you most heartily1 for being jealous over me4 ,i believe it is with a godly jealousy4 ,i wish ,i was more jealous over myself4 ,but blessed be ,,god1 this ,i can say in the midst of the honours wherewith the glorious ,emmanuel hath honoured me1 8,not unto me1 ,o ,,lord1 not unto me1 but unto thy name be all the glory40 ,dear ,sir1 ,i think ,i am the worst of the sons of men4 ,yet ,i dare not deny what the blessed ,,jesus hath done for my sinful soul4 ,he is pleased 7,o infinitely condescending ,,god67 to honour me still more and more4 ,saturday last ,i came to ,cambuslang1 and ,i think ,i never saw such things before4 ,the work seems to be spreading4 ,o that it may reach and overspread poor ,ireland also6 ,all things are possible with ,,god4 ,now the ,,lord is watering so many other places1 ,i pray he may not leave that intirely destitute and dry4,o for faith to expect great1 and very great things from ,,god6 ,he does not love to disappoint people of their hope4 ,dear ,sir1 my heart is now enlarged with a sense of the freeness and fulness of the ,redeemer's loving-kindness4 ,you1 dear ,sir1 are an old weather beaten soldier4 ,you are ripened for glory1 and are ready to sing your ,nunc dimittis4,i am just about to begin to be a soldier4 ,but1 blessed be ,,god1 ,i shall follow soon4 ,the hopes of bringing more souls to ,,jesus ,,christ1 is the only consideration that can reconcile me to life4 ,for this cause ,i can willingly stay long from my wish'd-for home1 my wished-for ,,jesus4 ,but whither am ,i going8 ,i forget myself when writing of ,,jesus 4 ,his love fills my soul1 ,o free grace6 ,surely ,i shall sing the loudest in heaven2 but ,i must have done2 nature calls for rest4 ,depending on the continuance of your prayers1 and with my hearty salutation to all that love the blessed ,,jesus1 ,i subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 though younger and most unworthy brother and servant in the gospel of ,,god's dear ,son1 ,g4 ,w4 ,now lettest thou thy servant1 c4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,c1 in ,london4 ,new-,kilpatrick1 ,july #ae1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,of all my fellow-labourers letters1 ,i think yours come the sweetest to my soul4 ,you do not forget the rock from whence you was hewn1 and therefore the ,,lord will honour you more and more4 ,though ,i have so small a degree of humility myself1 ,i can see and admire it in others4 ,it is the queen of graces4 ,o beg of the exalted ,,jesus to make me humble4 ,indeed ,i have need of humility1 for ,i am honoured more and more4 ,what ,i have sent you already1 does not near come up to what ,i have seen since4 ,last ,thursday night1 and ,friday morning1 there was such a shock in ,edinburgh as ,i never felt before4 ,o what a melting and weeping was there6 ,i have heard blessed effects of it since4 ,all glory be to ,,god through ,,christ4 ,on ,friday night ,i came to ,cambuslang1 to assist at the blessed sacrament4 ,on ,saturday ,i preached to above twenty thousand people4 ,in my prayer the power of ,,god came down and was greatly felt4 ,in my two sermons1 there was yet more power4 ,on sabbath day1 scarce ever was such a sight seen in ,scotland4 ,there were undoubtedly upwards of twenty thousand people4 ,two tents were set up1 and the holy sacrament was administered in the fields4 ,when ,i began to serve a table1 the power of ,,god was felt by numbers2 but the people crouded so upon me1 that ,i was obliged to desist and go to preach at one of the tents1 whilst the ministers served the rest of the tables4 ,,god was with them1 and with his people4 ,there was preaching all day by one or another1 and in the evening1 when the sacrament was over1 at the request of the ministers ,i preached to the whole congregation4 ,i preached about an hour and a half4 ,surely it was a time much to be remembered4 ,on ,monday morning1 ,i preached again to near as many2 but such an universal stir ,i never saw before4 ,the motion fled as swift as lightning from one end of the auditory to another4 ,you might have seen thousands bathed in tears4 ,some at the same time wringing their hands1 others almost swooning1 and others crying out1 and mourning over a pierced ,saviour4 ,but ,i must not attempt to describe it4 ,in the afternoon1 the concern again was very great4 ,much prayer had been previously put up to the ,,lord4 ,all night in different companies1 you might have heard persons praying to1 and praising ,,god4 ,the children of ,,god came from all quarters4 ,it was like the passover in ,josiah's time4 ,we are to have another in about two or three months1 if the ,,lord will4 ,one ,mr4 ,w1 a minister1 who has great popular gifts1 was as well as others much owned and helped at this time4 ,on ,tuesday morning ,i preached at ,glasgow1 7it was a most glorious time7 and in the afternoon twice at ,inchannon4 ,the ,,lord gave a blow to many4 ,yesterday morning ,i preached there again1 and here twice4 ,every time there was a great stir1 especially at this place4 ,a great company of awakened souls is within the compass of twenty miles1 and the work seems to be spreading apace4 ,i am exceedingly strengthened1 ,o unmerited mercy6 both in soul and body1 and cannot now do well without preaching three times a day4 ,the ,,lord gives me great confidence about the ,orphan-house1 and assures me that he will provide for me and mine4 ,o help me to thank him4 ,call upon all to bless his holy name4 ,i know you will not be slack to praise him4 ,i rejoice1 my dear brother1 to find that you enjoy so much of ,,god4 ,may he fill you with all his fulness4 ,the trials you meet with1 will only make you a more able minister of the ,new ,testament4 ,i am of your mind with respect to 4 ,he will not prosper4 ,the ,,lord hates sectarian zeal4 ,dear brother1 adieu4 ,expect to hear every opportunity from ,yours most affectionately and eternally in the blessed ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxii4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,r1 in ,london4 ,inchannon1 ,july #ba1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,i ,heartily rejoice that the ,,lord is blessing and owning you4 ,go on1 dear ,sir1 go on1 and you will certainly find the glorious ,emmanuel will be with you more and more4 ,it is observable1 that there is but one thing in scripture1 that we are commanded to do out of season1 preaching4 ,be instant therefore1 dear ,sir1 in season and out of season4 ,the ,,lord will stand by you and strengthen you1 and deliver you from wicked and unreasonable men4 ,you will find the blessedness of the cross1 and the spirit of ,,christ and of glory to rest upon your soul4 ,the ,messrs4 ,e and their adherents1 would you think it1 have appointed a publick fast to humble themselves1 among other things1 for my being received in ,scotland1 and for the delusion1 as they term it1 at ,cambuslang1 and other places2 and all this1 because ,i would not consent to preach only for them1 till ,i had light into1 and could take the solemn league and covenant4,but to what lengths may prejudice carry even good men8,from giving way to the first risings of bigotry and a party spirit1 good ,,lord deliver us6 ,your most affectionate brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,m ,a1 at ,morpeth4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #bf1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i ,just now received and read your letter4 ,it much affected me4 ,it bespeaks the language of an uneasy restless heart4 ,in reading it1 ,i thought of the great ,austin1 who used1 when he prayed against lust1 secretly to wish that his prayer might not be answered1 and yet he made a most eminent saint1 and shone in the church as a star of the first magnitude4 ,i likewise thought how our ,saviour would receive you1 if here on earth2 even as he received and answered the poor woman taken in adultery4,i am sure he would say1 8,neither do ,i condemn thee40 ,another text offers itself1 8,i will heal their backslidings1 and love them freely40 ,,god does not say1 ,i will heal thy backsliding for any certain term of years1 but ,i will heal thy backslidings in general4 ,dear ,sir1 if you have been a backslider these fifty years1 nay1 was it possible for you to have been a backslider a thousand years1 yet if with hearty repentance and true faith you turn unto him1 he will abundantly pardon you4 ,o dear ,sir1 if any one had need to despair of mercy1 ,i had2 but ,,jesus has washed me in his blood1 and ,i know that my ,redeemer liveth4 ,your temptations1 and atheism1 and hard thoughts of ,,god1 do not surprize me4 ,dear ,sir1 what else can be expected from a heart desperately wicked1 and deceitful above all things8 ,dear ,sir1 let all this drive you to the fountain which is open for sin and all uncleanness4 ,i once1 in your circumstances1 thought ,,christ was hard-hearted2 but now ,i find1 nay have long since found1 that his heart is full of love4 ,take courage1 dear ,sir2 draw near to the ,lamb of ,,god that taketh away the sin of the world4 ,return1 thou wandering prodigal1 thy heavenly father is running to meet thee4,come back1 thou fluttering dove1 ,,jesus is ready to take thee into the ark4 ,may ,,god bless this to you6 ,if he does1 ,i will bless his name4 ,i am a vile sinner1 and have need to lie low before him1 whom ,i have pierced by my transgression and unprofitableness1 times without number4 ,in his blood and righteousness ,i find perpetual refuge4 ,many in these parts are flying to him4 ,may you1 ,sir1 add to the happy number4 ,you are but a sinner1 and ,,jesus died for sinners4 ,come and welcome to ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i expect to remain in ,scotland a few months1 and hope to be your way1 if the ,,lord direct4 ,if your way should be directed hither1 ,i should be glad to see you2 if not1 you are welcome to write to me4 ,as my multiplicity of affairs will admit1 you shall be answered by1 dear ,sir1 ,your truly affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxiv4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,mc,l4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #bh1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,with this1 ,i suppose1 you will receive several young ones1 who ,i think have acted wrong in leaving their respective employs under parents and masters to go after me4 ,be pleased to examine them1 and send them home4 ,the ,,lord was with me at ,falkirk1 and is pleased to work by me here4 ,o free grace6 ,i am persuaded ,i shall have more power1 since dear ,mr4 ,g hath printed such a bitter pamphlet4 ,now ,i begin to be a disciple of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,i rejoice and am exceeding glad4 ,the archers shot sore at me that ,i might fall1 but the ,,lord is1 and the ,,lord will be my helper4 ,at present ,i can add no more2 but beg the continuance of your prayers for me and mine4 ,we all join in hearty salutation to you and your whole houshold4 ,i am1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most obedient humble servant1 and brother in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,d ,a1 in ,london4 ,edinburgh1 ,july #cj1 #agdb4 ,dear ,brother ,a1 ,,what is the meaning ,i hear no oftner from you8 ,it always gives me great pleasure to hear of your welfare4 ,i write to you as often as possible4 ,at present ,i am somewhat indisposed in body2 but1 glory be to ,,god1 the joy of the ,,lord is in my soul4 ,i feel a blessing ,i cannot express4 ,july #ca4 ,so far ,i wrote yesterday1 but was obliged through illness to leave off4,notwithstanding1 in the pulpit the ,,lord out of weakness makes me to wax strong1 and causes me to triumph more and more4 ,one of the associate presbytery has published the most virulent pamphlet ,i ever saw1 ascribing all that has been done here1 and even in ,new-,england1 c4 to the influence of the devil4 ,o how prejudice will blind the eyes even of good men4 ,last night some of my friends thought ,i was going off2 but how did ,,jesus fill my heart6 ,to-day ,i am1 as they call it1 much better2 next post1 if able1 ,i will send you some more news4 ,my health will not permit me to enlarge now4 ,in less than a month1 we are to have another sacrament at ,cambuslang1 a thing not practised before in ,scotland4 ,i entreat all to pray in an especial manner for a blessing at that time4 ,our blessed master is exceeding good to us4 ,o help me to praise him for the signal unmerited mercies conferred on1 dear brother ,a1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,b1 in ,south-,carolina4 ,august #f1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i ,have just been walking with a nobleman in his fine house1 and likewise talking with him about the house not made with hands1 of which you and ,i are heirs4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who has given us the earnest of an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified4 ,this you shall surely in a very little time be a possessor of1 notwithstanding of late satan has bruised your heel4 ,that cunning1 cruel archer has shot sorely at you1 that you might fall1 but the ,,lord has been1 and the ,,lord will be your helper4 ,even this shall work together for good to your own and many other souls4 ,our ,saviour would never have given satan leave to have sifted you1 had he not prayed for you1 and intended to bring great good out of it4 ,if it makes you more like a little child1 and your friends and acquaintance more watchful and self-diffident1 it will be very well4 ,o dear ,sir1 ,i see every day plainer and plainer that ,i am nothing1 have nothing1 and can do nothing1 and yet ,i can do all things through ,,jesus ,,christ strengthening me4 ,what ,,god has lately done for me and his church1 is unspeakable4 ,ere long ,i hope to tell you face to face4 ,in the mean time1 be pleased to remember me in your prayers and praises4 ,accept my hearty thanks for all favours conferr'd on my orphan family4 ,be pleased to remember me in the kindest and most cordial manner1 to all your dear relations1 and believe me to be1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,your most obliged affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,r ,s4 ,strath-martin1 ,august #aj1 #agdb4 ,dear brother ,robert1 ,i ,can never let a letter of yours lie long unanswered4 ,the love ,i bear to you and yours is unfeigned1 and ,i continually remember you before the ,,lord4 ,his word runs and is much glorified in these parts4 ,i trust it also makes advances in your soul4 ,how is it with you1 my dear brother ,r8 ,do you grow in grace8 ,is the world more under your feet than usual8 ,do you find a real1 solid1 abiding rest in ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,or is it only transitory and superficial8 ,it is a very uncommon thing to be rooted and grounded in the love of ,,jesus4 ,i find persons may have the idea1 but are far from having the real substance4 ,to say1 8,i am a poor sinner10 and to be a poor sinner indeed1 are two different things4 ,methinks ,i hear my dear man say1 and so they are4 ,well then1 let us go to ,,jesus1 and he will make us poor and yet free4 ,blessed be his name1 ,i feel the power of his precious1 life-giving1 all-atoning blood more and more every day4 ,i was happy when at ,london4 ,i am ten times happier now4 ,the ,,lord hath done great things for us1 whereof we are glad4 ,how is my dear ,peter8 ,is his heart yet established and settled upon the rock8 ,or is the dove only fluttering about the door of the ark8 ,if so1 may the dear ,redeemer reach out his almighty and extended arm1 and take him in6 ,dear ,b ,i hope grows1 because he seems to see more of his heart4 ,we shall certainly bear fruit upwards1 in proportion as we take root downwards4 ,may the eternal spirit breathe upon this letter1 and bless it to your soul6 ,o my brother1 keep close to ,,jesus4 ,do not be content1 unless you feel a sensible growth in your soul4 ,accept my hearty love from1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxviii4 ,to ,p1 at ,london4 ,strath-martin1 ,august #aj1 #agdb4 ,dear ,p1 ,,the great trouble which ,i gave you when at ,london1 and the readiness you shewed in waiting upon a poor unworthy minister of ,,christ1 hath made me often to pray for you1 and also to hope1 that in time you would be brought to love the ,,lord ,,jesus himself4 ,i trust that time is now come1 and that the glorious ,emmanuel hath at length captivated and taken full possession of your heart4 ,will you give me leave to ask a few friendly questions8 ,has religion sunk out of your head into your heart8 ,you was civilized when ,i was at ,london3 ,are you yet really converted8 ,your affections were now and then raised towards1are they now centered in and fixed on the ,,lord ,,jesus8 ,if you can answer these questions in the affirmative1 ,i pronounce you a wise virgin1 even wise to eternal salvation2 blessed art thou among women4 ,if not1 ,i do not despair of you4 ,,jesus can change the heart4 ,,jesus can make of a proud pharisee1 a poor sinner4 ,let you and ,i then1 dear ,p1 apply to the ,redeemer's blood4 ,he can wash us as white as snow4 ,i feel his power every day more and more1 and so do those with me4 ,may we go on from strength to strength1 till grace be swallowed up in glory4 ,we see great days of the son of man in ,scotland4 ,may the kingdom of ,,god come with full power over all the earth6 ,the ,,lord be with you4 ,accept this as a token of unfeigned love1 from ,your affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 at the ,orphan-house4 ,cambuslang1 ,august #ag1 #agdb4 ,,and has my dear brother ,b got the start of me8 ,what1 put into prison before me8 ,i wish you joy1 my dear brother1 with all my heart4 ,had ,i been at ,savannah1 surely ,i would gladly have come 7and if there had been need7 gladly have washed your feet4 ,i doubt not but your imprisonment was for ,,christ's sake4 ,i am persuaded1 the letter from your friend that doubted1 was the sorest stab of all2 but all is intended to draw us from the creature1 even from the new creature1 and bring us nearer to the ,creator1 ,,god blessed for evermore4 ,paul's friends deserted1 and no doubt judged him4 8,all they in ,asia forsook me10 says he2 and again1 8,at my first trial no man stood by me20 and what follows8 but 8the ,,lord stood by me30 and will he not1 dear brother1 also stand by you8 ,i cannot help believing but that ,georgia will yet be a glorious colony4 ,the counsel of ,,god shall stand4 ,he surely put it into my heart to build the ,orphan-house4 ,he certainly brought you to ,georgia to superintend it4 ,he will bless you and yours4 ,i join in blessing ,,god with you1 and in admiring how he has spread a table for my dear family in that wilderness4 ,but what shall we say8 ,the ,,lord loves to encourage faith2 and since his honour is so much concerned1 ,i am sure he will vindicate it1 and never suffer his enemies to say thus of us1 8,there1 there1 so would we have it40 ,i am kept from the least doubting2 and ,,god only knows how many prayers of faith ,i have put up for you4 ,i have often wished as it were for the wings of a dove1 that ,i might fly unto you1 and take you one by one into my unworthy arms1 and weep over you with tears of love4 ,blessed be ,,god1 the time draws near apace4 ,i am just now about to publish a further account of the ,orphan-house1 and hope shortly to collect some more money towards its support4 ,i am blessed with far greater success than ever1 and satan roars louder4 ,you will see by what ,i here send1 how the archers of different classes shoot at me2 but the ,,lord 7for ever adored be his never-failing love7 causes my bow to abide in strength1 and enables me to triumph in every place4 ,the comforts and success the ,,lord gives to me1 is unspeakable4 ,last ,,lord's day1 ,i believe there were here thirty thousand people1 and above two thousand five hundred communicants4 ,the work spreads1 and ,i believe will yet spread4 ,my bodily strength is daily renewed1 and ,i mount on the wings of faith and love like an eagle4 ,i can only cry ,grace6 grace6 ,my dear brother1 ,i feel every day more and more1 that ,i am a poor1 very poor sinner4 ,i often wonder why ,,jesus suffers me to live1 much more to speak for him4 ,but he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy4 ,o free grace6 ,oh unparalleled love of an infinitely condescending ,,god6 ,whilst ,i am musing1 the fire kindles4 ,surely we shall have a happy meeting in ,georgia4 ,my ,master will1 ,i trust1 come along with me4 ,otherwise1 may ,i not go up hence4 ,in the mean while1 ,i pray him to quicken and revive your dear souls1 and fill you as with new wine4 ,thus he deals with me and mine daily4 ,i am retired for a day1 on purpose to write letters4 ,the ,,lord bless them to your dear souls1 whom ,i love in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i wish you had told me who stood by at ,savannah and brought you refreshment4 ,greet them1 and give them particular thanks in my name4 ,my heart is full2 ,i know not how to stop4 ,but ,i must write to the trustees1 and to others4 ,i heard nothing of the affair1 till ,i received your letter last week4 ,a word or two of yours to ,mr4 ,o1 ,i think a little too harsh2 but ,paul spoke once a little too harsh to the high-priest4 ,our ,,jesus will overlook this2 and reward you for your imprisonment by and by4 ,adieu6 my dear man1 adieu6 ,forget not1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxl4 ,to the ,honourable ,trustees for ,georgia4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ag1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,gentlemen1 ,,some letters1 which ,i received last week from ,georgia1 occasion my troubling you with this1 which ,i doubt not will meet with a candid reception at your hands4 ,i find that ,mr4 ,h and ,mr4 ,b have been taken up by a warrant1 and were imprisoned above a week1 for a thing which1 ,i believe1 none of you1 honoured gentlemen1 will judge cognizable by the civil magistrate4 ,it seems that ,mr4 ,b1 in a private conversation with ,mr4 ,o1 7who1 ,i suppose1 is the present minister of ,savannah7 told him1 8,he was no #8christian'2 that he wondered at the impudence of young men in subscribing articles they did not believe2 and that he should think it his duty to warn his friends not to hear him40 ,i acknowledge that such language was too harsh2 but ,mr4 ,h1 who did not say near so much1 was linked in the same prosecution1 and imprisoned with him4 ,mr4 ,j1 who was then at ,frederica1 being informed of it1 declared such a procedure to be illegal2 and his ,excellency ,general ,oglethorp1 desired my friends to lay the matter before the board of the ,honourable ,trustees4 ,i being now upon the spot1 they have sent to me a very particular account of what has passed2 which1 if you please1 honoured gentlemen1 ,i will transmit unto you1 or1 when ,i come to ,london1 will wait upon you in person4 ,i find also1 that my friends were denied a copy of the proceedings of the court3 in which1 ,i am persuaded the honourable gentlemen to whom ,i am writing1 will think they have been wronged4 ,my friends require no satisfaction1 but only desire such a proceeding may be animadverted upon2 knowing that otherwise it will be a great discouragement to people's settling in ,georgia4 ,i am sorry also to inform you1 honoured gentlemen1 that five very small children1 7,swiss or ,dutch7 whose parents lately died in their passage from ,england1 have had their goods sold at ,vendue1 and are bound out till the age of twenty-one years4 ,this ,i think directly contrary to the grant given me by you1 honoured gentlemen2 for thereby ,i was impowered to take as many orphans into the house as my fund would admit of4 ,the magistrates1 ,i understand1 have also been at the ,orphan-house1 and claim a power to take away the children when they please1 whether the children chuse it1 or complain of ill-treatment1 or not4 ,this grieves some of the children1 and makes others of them insolent1 who are hereby taught1 that they have a power to go away when they will4 ,this1 honoured gentlemen1 must be very discouraging to those who are entrusted with their education2 and who1 ,i am persuaded1 aim at nothing but the glory of ,,god1 the welfare of the colony1 and the salvation of the children's souls4 ,i suppose that the magistrates 7,i mean ,mr4 ,p and ,mr4 ,t7 have taken such a liberty from the instructions which were sent1 honoured gentlemen1 from you some time ago4 ,but ,mr4 ,j has told them1 they have misunderstood you2 and his ,excellency ,general ,oglethorp ,i find has wrote to you1 honoured gentlemen1 about it4 ,by the accounts ,i have1 our plantation thrives well2 and ,mr4 ,h hopes we shall do with white servants alone4 ,i do assure you1 honoured gentlemen1 ,i will do all ,i can1 with the most disinterested views1 to promote the good of ,georgia3 only ,i beg the management of the ,orphan-house1 and orphans1 may be secured to me and my successors for ever2 and that the magistrates be not suffered to disturb us1 when there is no ground of complaint4 ,they acknowledged1 when at the ,orphan-house last1 that the children were taken good care of1 both as to their bodies and souls2 and will it not then1 honoured gentlemen1 tend much to the welfare of the colony1 that the ,orphan-house should meet with all possible encouragement4 ,his ,excellency ,general ,oglethorp has informed my friend ,mr4 ,h1 that1 if ,i desired it1 he thought you would grant me a greater tract of land1 which ,i should be obliged to give away in a certain term of years1 and that we might have our own magistrates1 as have the people of ,ebenezer4 ,whether ,i shall desire such a favour1 ,i know not2 but1 if ,i should1 ,i desire to know1 what you1 honoured gentlemen1 would say to it4 ,many have applied to me to settle in ,georgia2 hitherto ,i could give them no encouragement4 ,i wish ,i may be enabled to give them a great deal for the future4 ,indeed1 honoured gentlemen1 ,i do not desire to find fault4 ,i doubt not but you have been prejudiced both against me and my friends4 ,the event will shew what friends we are to ,georgia4 ,the ,orphan-house will certainly be of great utility to the colony2 and the children educated therein1 ,i trust1 will be the glory of the society to which they belong4 ,they are bred up to industry1 as well as to other things2 and are taught to fear ,,god1 and honour the king4 ,i am glad to hear that you have lately sent over a gentleman who 7,i suppose7 will do justice4 ,i think ,i desire nothing else2 and heartily pray ,,god to bless him1 and you1 honoured gentlemen1 and all that are concerned in the management of ,georgia affairs4 ,i hope to be in town in about two months2 in the mean while1 ,i would beg the favour of a line by your secretary2 and also entreat you1 honoured gentlemen1 to write to the magistrates of ,savannah1 to let the ,orphan-house managers alone4 ,if ,i or my friends should happen to say or do any thing amiss1 ,i assure you1 honoured gentlemen1 you shall have all possible satisfaction given you by them1 and also by1 honoured gentlemen1 ,your very humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxli4 ,to ,mr4 ,h1 in ,georgia4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ag1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,with a great deal of pleasure ,i received your letters dated ,may #adth1 #bfth1 #bith1 and ,june #ast4 ,blessed be ,,god6 for all his goodness1 in providing for my dear family in that wilderness1 by such various unexpected ways4 ,it caused my heart to leap for joy4 ,i find you have been wrongfully imprisoned4 ,i should have been glad 7if time had permitted7 that you had wrote me word1 how it has been with your soul under such a circumstance4 ,i hope the spirit of ,,christ and of glory rested upon you4 ,glad should ,i have been to have sung and prayed with you2 but my hour is not yet come4 ,i have just now wrote to the trustees1 and intend waiting upon them as soon as ,i come to ,london4 ,i am persuaded the ,,lord will influence their hearts to do us justice4 ,i am glad you wrote so properly to the ,general1 and that ,,god hath given you favour in his sight4 8,when a man's ways please the ,,lord1 he makes his very enemies to be at peace with him40 ,i intend sending him and ,mr4 ,jones a letter of thanks4 ,i owe ,mr4 ,s only about ninety pounds1 and about a hundred and fifty more in all1 upon the ,orphan-house account in ,england4 ,i am just publishing a further account1 which ,i am persuaded the ,,lord will bless4 ,i would not have you to undertake any business you do not like4 ,i think the ,,lord has fitted you for your present station4 ,professor ,franck held it dangerous to change persons frequently1 who were entrusted with the care of the orphans4 ,i am of your opinion as to hiring servants4,it is impossible to tell you1 my dear man1 what ,i have seen1 heard1 and felt since ,i came last to ,scotland4 ,the glorious ,emmanuel rides daily on in the chariot of his gospel1 from conquering and to conquer4 ,the congregations are just like that at ,fogg-,manor4,i am opposed on all sides4 ,dear ,mr4 ,e's people have lately kept a fast upon my account4 ,the kirk presbyters also1 now they see the ,seceders splitting1 notwithstanding ,i have been instrumental in ,,god's hands1 in some degree1 in stopping the secession1 begin to call some of their ministers to account for employing me3 but who can stand before envy8 ,in the midst of all1 my dear ,master keeps me leaning upon himself1 and causes me to walk in the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost from morning to night4 ,i wish time would have allowed you to have wrote a little about his love1 and to have abounded more in thanks for the opportune supplies which he sent you4 ,but ,i am sure that my dear ,mr4 ,h is not wanting in either of these4 ,i think that ,i see you grow in grace4 ,i assure you1 you are dearer to me than ever4 ,my wife readily excuses your not writing1 knowing what it is to be in a hurry of business4 ,o pray that we may have a prosperous voyage to you1 by the will of ,,god4 ,by this time ,i suppose you are a father4 ,may ,,god teach you and your wife how to order the child6 ,i have much to say to you both1 when ,i see you4 ,my dear old friend1 and first fellow-traveller1 ,,god has yet great blessings in store for us4 ,he will give grace and glory1 and no good thing will he with-hold from them that lead a godly life4 ,methinks ,i am conversing with you now4 ,may ,,god give us a happy meeting6 ,he will1 he will6 ,for the present ,i must bid my dear man good night4 ,i stole this day from public preaching1 to dispatch my private affairs4 ,all join in hearty love to1 and prayers for you4 ,accept of the same in the most tender manner1 from1 my dear ,mr4 ,h1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant till death1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlii4 ,to his ,excellency ,general ,oglethorp4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,i ,most heartily thank you for being so kind to my family in ,georgia1 and for espousing my friends cause when ,i think they were apparently wronged4 ,in a letter1 ,i yesterday laid the case before the honourable trustees1 not doubting but they will preserve us from oppression1 and from persecution in all its shapes4 ,i think we have only the glory of ,,god1 and the good of the colony at heart4 ,prejudices may be raised against us by evil reports and misrepresentations2 but your ,excellency is more noble than to hearken to insinuations1 which are not supported by evident matters of fact4 ,i am sure ,,god will bless you for defending the cause of the fatherless1 and espousing the cause of injured innocence4 ,my friends1 ,i trust1 will at all times readily acknowledge any thing they may either say or do wrong2 and1 if ,i know any thing of my own heart1 ,i would not offend any one causelessly and wilfully1 for the world4 ,in a few months ,i hope to see ,georgia4 ,in the mean while1 ,i beg your ,excellency to accept these few lines of thanks from1 honoured ,sir1 ,your ,excellency's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxliii4 ,to ,thomas ,j1 ,esq41 in ,georgia4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,j1 ,,with this ,i send you my repeated thanks for your great kindness to my dear family4 ,the ,father of ,mercies and the ,,god of all ,consolations will plentifully reward you for such well-doing4 ,in a few months ,i hope to thank you in person4 ,,god hath done1 and is still doing greater things for me than ,i am able to express4 ,indeed many souls have been born again1 both in ,england and ,scotland1 since ,i left you at ,georgia4 ,i desire to cast my crown at the feet of ,,jesus1 and to cry ,grace6 grace6 ,dear ,sir1 what a charming word is that8 ,i am sure ,i can freely own1 that all my salvation is of grace1 unmerited1 distinguishing1 electing grace6 ,if ,i could be saved by my own righteousness1 ,i had rather be saved by the righteousness of ,,christ2 because that way of salvation brings most glory to our glorious ,,god4 ,i doubt not but ,mr4 ,j is like-minded4 ,may he be so more and more1 and daily feel the full power of the ,redeemer's blood6 ,be pleased to remember me to all that are pleased to enquire after unworthy me1 who am1 dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxliv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,b1 at the ,orphan-house4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sister ,b1 ,,has the ,,lord called for your dear lambs8 ,if so1 ,i trust you have been enabled to say1 8,the ,,lord gave1 and the ,,lord hath taken away3 blessed be the name of the ,,lord40 ,i am glad to find you was so well reconciled to your dear husband's imprisonment4 ,it is sweet when wives are strengthened to encourage their husbands in a suffering hour4 ,then are they helps meet for them indeed4 ,you do well1 my dear ,sister1 to lament the vileness of your heart4 ,i find more and more that my heart is desperately wicked4 ,but1 blessed be ,,god1 ,i have a fountain to go and wash in every moment1 even the blessed fountain of the ,mediator's blood4 ,there ,i can have free access2 there ,i can wash1 and daily be made clean4 ,indeed1 my dear sister1 without dissimulation1 ,i am a poor1 very poor sinner2 but ,i am rich in ,,jesus1 and rejoice in his great salvation from day to day4 ,i long to see you and my dear family1 to acquaint you what ,,god hath done for my soul3 and yet he is still doing more and more4 ,he does1 he will delight to honour me4 ,i thank you for the great respect you pay me for his great name's sake4 ,i will endeavour not to be behind with you1 and the rest of my dear friends1 in humility and love4 ,i am1 my dear sister1 most sincerely1 ,your affectionate friend1 brother1 and servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlv4 ,to ,mr4 ,b4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,i ,think there is a mystery in the ,,lord's dealing with you and your brother4 ,surely he would never suffer you to be thus tempted1 did he not intend to honour you by and by4 ,what our ,saviour does to us now we know not2 it is enough that he hath assured us we shall know hereafter4 ,i rejoice to hear that you have so many christian negroes4 ,i hope they are only the first-fruits of a more glorious harvest4 ,though the work may be at a stop for a while1 fear not2 ,,jesus will revive his own work in his own time4 ,notwithstanding our blunders1 imprudence1 and the opposition of enemies from without1 yet the counsel of the ,,lord shall stand1 and he will set his king upon his holy hill of ,zion4 ,the ,mediator's kingdom makes glorious advances here4 ,i cannot tell you the hundredth part4 ,i verily believe we shall see greater things abroad4 ,i know you pray that ,i may have a prosperous journey to you1 by the will of ,,god4 ,i expect to embark for ,georgia in a few months4 ,in the mean while1 you shall not be forgotten by1 dear ,mr4 ,b1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlvi4 ,to ,mrs4 ,t1 in ,south-,carolina4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,friend1 ,i ,am glad to hear by your sister1 that you are become a despised follower of the lowly ,,jesus4,o glorious character6 ,i am persuaded you had rather have that title truly applied to you1 than to be empress of the universe4 ,i long to see you1 and to hear you tell what a happy change you feel4 ,how does dear ,mr4 ,t8 ,is he yet truly broken1 and going hand in hand with you to heaven8 ,happy pair6,i know1 by sweet experience1 the comforts you enjoy4 ,death itself shall not part you4 ,i hope1 nothing that has happened to dear ,mr4 ,b will prove a stumbling block to your soul4 ,such things must be glory to him1 that has said 8all things shall work together for good40 ,my dear friends1 what a mystery is the christian life8 ,happy those1 who are acquainted with it4 ,that it may be revealed more and more in your hearts1 is the earnest prayer of1 dear friends1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h ,h4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #bf1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,glad was ,i last night to receive a letter from your hands4 ,i love your simple honest heart1 and earnestly pray the dear ,redeemer to give you a true1 lasting1 abiding rest in himself4 ,blessed be his name1 ,i think ,i can say1 through free grace1 that ,i am in a measure entered into it1 and know what it is by happy experience1 to pass from glory to glory every day4 ,my dear brother1 ,i am opposed on every side2 the archers shoot sore at me that ,i may fall1 but the ,,lord is my helper4 ,he causes my bow to abide in strength1 and makes me more than conqueror through his love4 ,the account sent with this1 will shew you how often ,i have been enabled to preach2 but with what efficacy and success1 pen cannot describe4 ,the glorious ,redeemer seems to be advancing from congregation to congregation1 carrying all before him4 ,the ,messrs4 ,e's people have kept a fast for me1 and give out1 that all the work now in ,scotland is only delusion1 and by the agency of the devil4 ,o1 my dear brother1 to what great lengths in bigotry and prejudice may good men run8 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i can see the differences between ,,god's children1 and yet love them from my heart4 ,what you said about poor ,wales1 affected me4 ,i laid upon my face this day1 and for some time pleaded with groans unutterable1 for direction in that1 and several other matters of great consequence4 ,i fear my dear brother thinks too highly of me4 ,indeed1 ,i feel myself to be a poor sinner1 and yet ,i am rich in ,,christ1 and lean upon his bosom from morning to night2 nay1 all the night long4 ,by his grace alone ,i am what ,i am2 and if he is pleased to honour me so far1 ,i should be glad to help the brethren in ,wales4 ,i am sorry to hear there has been such divisions4 ,but dividing times generally precede settling times4 ,upon the receipt of your last1 ,i wrote to ,mr4 ,o4 ,last night ,i received his answer4 ,he speaks very honourably of you1 but thinks that you are too censorious1 in condemning a whole society for the faults of but some1 and too bigotted also to your own way4 ,my dear brother will excuse this4 ,i would not deal so freely1 or take such liberty1 did ,i not believe you would take it kindly4 ,my brother1 my soul loves you4 ,dear ,miss ,nancy wrote me word you was at my house1 7,i rejoiced7 and that you prayed heartily for unworthy me4 ,the ,,lord reward1 and fill you with all joy and peace in believing6 ,our ,,lord is sovereign in his dealing with his dear children4 ,i walk in much liberty4 ,o free grace6 ,your being so exercised with inward conflicts1 helps you to search hypocrites4 ,but glory be to our heavenly ,father1 there is a glorious rest awaits us1 and all the children of ,,god4 ,i think ,i feel a foretaste of it now2 nay1 ,i believe ,i feel the thing itself in a degree1 and when ,i speak of it1 ,i speak what ,i know4 ,o infinitely condescending ,,god6 ,my brother1 my heart is full4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus bless you1 and fill your dear soul with all his fulness6 ,so prays1 with his whole heart1 ,your most affectionate though most unworthy brother1 and willing servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlviii4 ,to ,mrs4 ,l1 in ,bristol4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #bf1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,mother1 ,i ,rejoice to hear that you have been so long under my roof4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that ,i have a house for my honoured mother to come to4 ,you are heartily welcome to any thing my house affords1 as long as you please4 ,i am of the same mind now1 as formerly4 ,if need was1 indeed these hands should administer to your necessities4 ,i had rather want myself than you should4 ,i shall be highly pleased when ,i come to ,bristol1 and find you sitting in your youngest son's house4 ,o that ,i may sit with you1 in the house not made with hands eternal in the heavens6 ,ere long1 your doom1 honoured mother1 will be fixed4 ,you must shortly go hence1 and be no more seen4 ,your only daughter1 ,i trust1 is now in the paradise of ,,god4 ,methinks ,i hear her say1 8,mother1 come up hither40 ,,jesus1 ,i am sure1 calls you in his word4 ,may his spirit enable you to say1 8,,lord1 lo ,i come60 ,my honoured mother1 ,i am happier and happier every day4 ,,jesus makes me exceeding happy in himself4 ,i hope by ,winter to be at ,bristol4 ,if any enquire after me1 please to tell them1 ,i am well both in body and soul1 and desire them to help me to praise free and sovereign grace4 ,o that my dear1 my very honoured mother may be made an everlasting monument of it6 ,how does my heart burn with love and duty to you8 gladly would ,i wash your aged feet1 and lean upon your neck1 and weep and pray 'till ,i could pray no more4 ,with this ,i send you a thousand dutiful salutations1 and ten thousand hearty and most humble thanks for all the pains you underwent in conceiving1 bringing forth1 nursing1 and bringing up1 honoured mother1 ,your most unworthy1 though most dutiful son1 'till death1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxlix4 ,to ,mr4 ,a1 in ,london4 ,cambuslang1 ,aug4 #bg1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother ,a1 ,,this day fortnight ,i came to this place1 to assist at the sacramental occasion with several worthy ministers of the church of ,scotland4 ,such a passover has not been heard of4 ,the voice of prayer and praise was heard all night4 ,it was supposed1 that between #cj and #dj1jjj people were assembled1 and #cjjj communicated4 ,there were three tents4 ,the ministers were enlarged1 and great grace was among the people4 ,i preached once on ,saturday1 once on the ,,lord's ,day morning1 served five tables1 and preached about ten at night to a great number in the ,church-yard4 ,though it rained much1 there was a great awakening4 ,on ,monday at seven in the morning1 the ,reverend ,mr4 ,webster preached1 and there was a very great commotion1 and also in the third sermon when ,i preached1 a very great and serious concern was visible through the whole solemnity4 ,the ,,lord's people went home much refreshed4 ,on ,thursday ,i preached twice at ,greenock2 on ,friday three times at ,kilbride1 and again on ,saturday once1 and twice at ,stevenson2 on ,sunday four times at ,irvine4 ,on ,monday once at ,irvine1 and three times at ,kilmarnock2 on ,tuesday once at ,kilmarnock1 and four times at ,stewarton2 on ,wednesday once at ,stewarton1 and twice at the ,mearnes2 and yesterday twice at this place4 ,i never preached with so much apparent success before4 ,at ,greenock1 ,irvine1 ,kilbride1 ,kilmarnock1 and ,stewarton1 the concern was great3 at the three last very extraordinary4 ,the work seems to spread more and more4 ,o1 my friend1 pray and give praise in behalf of the most unworthy wretch that was ever employed in the dear ,redeemer's service4 ,i speak this from my inmost soul4 ,i must cry out continually1 8,why me ,,lord1 why me80 ,my dear brother ,a1 ,i love you dearly in the bowels of the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i think ,i could live with you always4 ,the ,,lord1 ,i think1 hath given you a meek and teachable disposition4 ,o what is it to be as little children6 ,i am glad to find1 you so hunger and thirst after a continual abiding rest in ,,god4 ,assure yourself1 the ,,lord will fill and satisfy your soul4 ,he is faithful1 who hath promised1 who also will do it4 ,wait1 and thou shalt see and feel the salvation of ,,god4 ,i think ,i have seen it more for some days past1 than in any journey before4 ,our ,saviour loves to let us see yet greater things4 ,o for a large heart to receive all the fulness of ,,god6 ,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord is with you at the ,tabernacle4 ,may his glory appear1 and shine in it more and more6 ,i believe it will3 ,i believe ,,god will bless your school4 ,our ,,lord's ,disciples are generally too much in a hurry2 at least ,i am4 ,they are not content to wait4 8,he that believeth1 doth not make haste40 ,o for a passive1 tender1 truly broken1 child-like heart6 that we could watch in reality1 and from moment to moment hear the cry of every ,christian1 with every call from ,,god1 whether by his providence or spirit4 ,it is said1 that ,,god brought and kept ,abraham at his feet4 ,o that we were always there1 waiting for divine direction6 ,blessed be his name1 ,i am for the most part at the feet of ,,jesus1 and indeed he graciously teaches me moment after moment4 ,i have many things before me now4 ,i know brother ,a will help me by his prayers4 ,blessed be ,,god1 our heaven is begun here4 ,your truly affectionate brother and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccl4 ,to ,mr4 ,s ,c1 in ,deptford4 ,glasgow1 ,sept4 #b1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother ,c1 ,i ,am just now come from the pulpit1 wherein ,i have experienced much of the ,redeemer's power1 and seen his stately outgoings in the sanctuary4 ,my brother1 the cry of my heart is1 8and will ,,god indeed dwell with such a wretch as ,i am40 ,methinks a voice echo's from above1 8,i have dwelt in thee1 ,i do dwell in thee1 ,i will dwell in thee for evermore40 ,my heart replies1 8,,lord1 ,i believe and worship40 ,a heart that no desire can move1 ,but still to adore1 believe1 and love4 ,this1 my dear brother1 is the present1 and indeed continual bent of my soul1 which ,i trust prospers4 ,i feel myself to grow more poor inwardly2 ,i see1 ,i am but a learner in the school of ,,christ1 and my dear ,master teaches me new lessons every day4 ,about a week ago1 ,i think he did more for me than ever ,i saw before4 ,glory be to ,,god1 that he is so much with you at ,london4 ,i rejoice1 yea and ,i will rejoice4 ,i am amazed when ,i hear1 as ,i do almost every day1 of some fresh persons wrought upon by my unworthy ministry4 ,this humbles me very much1 and brings me very low at the feet of the ever-loving ,,jesus4 ,i dare not deny that ,i am one of his chosen2 but ,i am jealous for myself and for those about me1 lest we should grieve the holy ,spirit1 and oblige him to withdraw for our ingratitude1 unfruitfulness1 pride1 selfishness1 and insensibility of the blessings we enjoy4 ,last night ,i went to sleep quite angry1 but chiefly with myself4,i saw that ,i had received much1 and did so little for my ,,god1 and ,,christ1 that ,i could feelingly smite upon my breast1 lay my head upon my pillow1 and close my eyes with these words1 8,,god be merciful to me a sinner80 ,and to-day1 what have ,i seen and felt1 yea what do ,i now feel8 ,my soul is swallowed up in ,,god4 ,his presence is filling my soul1 and renewing my bodily strength4 ,here is free grace1 my dear brother4 ,was you here1 ,i think ,i could now warm your heart with a lecture upon the unparalleled love of ,,jesus2 but time is short3 blessed be ,,god1 an eternity is before me1 but 8eternity too short to utter all his praise40 ,i think ,i love you and yours unfeignedly1 and rejoice that you enjoy sweet fellowship together4 ,glory be to ,,god1 that you have gotten many living stones4 ,trust the great ,redeemer1 the all-wise contriver and perfecter of his spiritual temple1 to put them together4 ,i have been faulty in looking too much to foreign help1 and despising that which ,,god had given me4 ,when our ,,lord was to feed the multitude1 he would not create new bread1 but multiplied the loaves that were already at hand4 8,ye need not send them away1 give ye them to eat10 said he3 so say ,i to my dear brethren at the tabernacle4 8,work with the materials you have40 ,in doing the work1 ,,god will teach you how to do it4,experience will grow up with the work itself4 ,thus ,,god hath dealt with me1 and so he continues to deal4 ,may his blessed spirit guide you all into all truth1 and give you a right judgment in all things6 ,i love to see the little child in others1 though ,i see so little of it in my unworthy self4 ,but ,i must not exceed2 other business demands my attention4 ,write to me often about the state of the church4 ,mr4 ,e's people rather run greater and greater lengths in misguided zeal4 ,our love to all4 ,i intreat a continuance of your prayers1 because the archers are shooting from every quarter at1 dear brother ,c1 ,your poor weak brother in the kingdom and patience of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccli4 ,to ,brother ,t1 in ,london4 ,glasgow1 ,september #d1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,i ,hope this letter will find you1 where your last left you1 at the feet of the meek and lowly ,,jesus4 ,my dear brother1 it is a delightful situation3 ,mary found it so4 ,o true poverty of spirit1 what a rare1 yet what a precious thing it is6 ,the foundation of it1 is a deep1 abiding knowledge of the corruption of the heart1 and its desperate wickedness4 ,i find more and more the necessity of leaning upon my beloved1 whilst travelling through the wilderness of this world4 ,i find ,i am yet but learning in the school of ,,christ1 and scarce know any thing as ,i ought to know4 ,i often blush at a sense of my unfruitfulness1 ingratitude1 c4 and yet am made continually to rejoice in his great salvation4 ,my brother1 press on and faint not2 though faint1 yet still pursue4 ,when your father and mother forsake you1 the ,,lord will take you up4 ,i do not wonder at your father's opposition4 ,his letter bespeaks him to be a man of a very bad spirit4 ,i thought proper to burn it4 ,my brother1 pray for him1 and beg of ,,jesus that you may behave with all meekness1 humility and love4 ,i would enlarge1 but time is short1 and much of my dear ,master's business is lying before me4 ,for the present1 adieu6 ,my kind love to all4 ,may the ,,lord keep you unspotted from the world4 ,you shall overcome by the blood of the ,lamb4 ,we see wond'rous things here4 ,pray and give thanks for ,your affectionate friend1 and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclii4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 in ,london4 ,glasgow1 ,sept4 #d1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,b1 ,i ,embrace a few moments to answer your kind letter4 ,not want of love but leisure prevented my doing it before2 yet ,i have not forgotten you in my prayers4 ,your case hath been upon my heart4 ,i pray ,,god you may be enabled1 at this time especially1 to plead the promise of temporal blessings4 ,remember1 my dear brother1 you can call ,,god1 your ,,god and ,father3 if so1 your ,,god will supply all your wants4 ,these words were so pressed upon my soul once when in extremity1 that ,i hope ,i shall never forget them3 8,be careful for nothing1 but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving1 let your requests be made known unto ,,god40 ,i have for these eight or nine years past1 had no visible settled fund1 but fetched in all temporal supplies by pleading the promises4 ,my ,,god never failed me1 he never will4 ,this morning ,i have been lecturing upon ,elisha's multiplying the widow's oil4 ,the ,,lord ,,god of ,elisha is yet living4 ,o that you may have faith to apply to him4 ,o that you may be willing to be made poor4 ,my brother1 ,i find freedom in writing to you4 ,blessed be ,,god1 who hath made any thing that ,i have spoken of use to your soul4 ,tell your wife1 she must take my advice1 and pray with you4 ,she sins1 ,i think1 in omitting it4 ,i rejoice to hear that the ,,lord is with you at the tabernacle4 ,may he be with you more and more6 ,my brother1 ,,god is doing wonders here indeed4 ,every day he shews us great things4 ,yesterday1 and the day before1 how did he display his power8 ,i am lost when ,i think of it4 ,o that ,,god should ever dwell with such an ill and hell-deserving wretch as ,i am6 ,amazing6 ,thy mercies1 ,o ,,god1 they humble me4 ,adieu4 ,your unworthy and affectionate friend and brother1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccliii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,n4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #ac1 #agdb4 ,my very dear brother ,n1 ,i ,have just been writing to our dear brother ,g ,t1 and now sit down to write to you4 ,both your letters came to me at the same time1 and had ,i not been used to trials of that nature1 would have affected me much4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t speaks many things1 that ,i know are too true of the ,moravian ,brethren2 but his spirit seems to be too much heated1 and ,i fear some of his own wild-fire is mixed with that sacred fire of zeal1 which comes from ,,god4 ,my dear brother1 ,i want to be more like unto ,,god1 who sees and corrects all things that are amiss1 and yet continues unmoved in his own nature4 ,i want to be more like unto ,,jesus1 ,,god blessed for evermore6 who sees all the quarrels and heart-risings of his children one amongst another1 and yet bears with1 and loves them still4 ,my heart doth not reproach me1 for my kindness and friendship with those that differ from me4 ,i think ,i have been led by the word and spirit of ,,god into this part of my conduct2 but ,i confess that ,i am jealous1 and trust with a godly jealousy1 over many who talk and write of the ,lamb1 and who mimic some particular persons in their outward way of behaviour1 but yet are not truly poor in spirit4 ,they act too much like me1 who at my first setting out imitated the outward shew of humility in ,monsieur ,dezenly1 before ,i got true simplicity of heart4 ,indeed1 ,i have too little of it now4 ,but1 blessed be ,,god by his free grace1 ,i am what ,i am4 ,i think ,i can say ,i am made unfeignedly happy in the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 and can discover in some measure between a false and disguised holiness4 ,glory be to the ,redeemer's name1 ,i walk in light and liberty1 and am enabled to rejoice in the ,,lord always4 ,though ,i can say to corruption1 8,thou art my sister10 yet ,i can with a full assurance of faith at all times say1 8,,god is my father1 and all is mine1 because ,i am ,,christ's40 ,my dear1 very dear host and brother1 ,i pray ,,god that you and ,i may more experience the glorious liberty of the children of ,,god3 a liberty not from the in-being1 but from the reigning power and dominion of sin4 ,,jesus came to make us kings1 as well as priests1 and it is our privilege to reign upon the earth4 ,we that believe1 do enter into rest4 ,faith is of an all-conquering nature1 and causes us to trample sin1 death1 and hell under our feet4 ,my dear brother1 ,i experience more1 unspeakably more of the ,redeemer's power1 than when ,i saw you last4 ,my happiness increases daily1 and ,i am persuaded will increase1 'till grace is swallowed up in glory4 ,my principles as to the fundamentals of the gospel are just the same as yours4 ,i cannot renounce those precious truths1 that ,i have felt the power of1 and which were taught me not of man but of ,,god4 ,at the same time1 ,i would love all that love ,,jesus1 though they differ from me in some points4 ,the angels love all the true worshippers of ,,jesus every where1 and why should not we8 ,if our brethren will quarrel with us1 let us not quarrel with them4 ,o my dear brother1 ,i pray our dear ,redeemer to give you meekness to those1 who may not see so far as you do4 ,i entreat you1 my dear brother1 to overcome their evil with your good4 ,zeal for ,,god may excite others to oppose you1 as well as you to oppose them2 therefore bear with and love them4 ,this will shew you to be a disciple indeed1 and to have that mind1 which was in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,o that we grew up into his divine likeness1 and were indeed conformed to our great ,exemplar6 ,how truly simple and void of guilt should we be6 ,our brother1 ,i fear1 has not dealt uprightly with me4 ,at first he called me a servant of ,,god1 and then a blasphemer and deceiver1 and said1 ,i should be in a miserable condition4 ,pray tell ,p of it1 and acquaint him at the same time1 that ,i grow happier and happier in the ,lamb every day1 and more and more honoured by the great ,head and ,king of the ,church4 ,o simplicity6 whether art thou fled8,in a short time ,i hope to embark for ,georgia1 and then1 ,,god willing1 ,i shall see you face to face4 ,wonderful things have been doing here2 things unspeakable and full of glory4 ,the confusions abroad are no greater than what ,i expected to hear of4 ,just such a scene hath been at home2 but the glorious ,emmanuel will over-rule all for good4 ,why have you not written to my poor family in ,georgia8 ,i am persuaded great things will come from the orphan-house4 ,o remember1 my dear brother1 to exercise catholic love in all its branches4 ,i love and long much to see you4 ,i shall write1 ,,god willing1 to ,mr4 ,w4 ,i find his spirit is also imbittered4 ,may the ,,lord sweeten all your hearts6 ,with hearty thanks for all favours1 ,i am1 my very dear brother1 ,most affectionately yours in the glorious ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccliv4 ,to ,mr4 ,e1 in ,philadelphia4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #ad1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,your kind letter came to hand a few days ago1 and ,i rejoice to hear that you are now happy4 ,i wish you may be really settled and rooted and grounded in love1 and no longer so tossed about as you have been in times past4 ,i find many talk and boast of rest1 of which ,i fear they have not yet got a feeling possession4 ,there is as much difference between these two1 as between a shadow and the substance4 ,far be it from me1 to think thus of you1 my dear brother4 ,no1 ,i believe our ,saviour has really loved and washed you in his blood1 and redeemed you unto ,,god1 that you might be a king and priest1 and reign upon the earth4 ,there is plenteous redemption in the blood of ,,jesus4 ,he came1 not only that we might have life1 but that we might have it more abundantly4 ,he that believeth on ,,jesus1 out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water4 ,they that believe enter into rest4 ,o glorious redemption6 ,o glorious liberty of the children of ,,god6 ,blessed are they who have not seen1 and yet have believed2 they1 who having not seen1 yet have loved ,,jesus1 and do rejoice with joy unspeakable1 even with joy that is full of glory4 ,blessed be ,,god1 that you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago4 ,in a year's time1 you will be ashamed to think what a dwarf you are now4 ,a believer is to pass from glory to glory4 ,it is ignorance and pride that makes us think we have already attained4 ,the more we are acquainted with ,,jesus1 the more we shall be acquainted with our own hearts1 and grow more truly poor in spirit every day4 ,indeed1 my dear brother1 ,i am a thousand times happier than when you saw me4 ,,jesus hath saved me from many corruptions1 and is every day transforming me more and more into his own likeness4 ,i cannot rest1 unless ,i feel a sensible growth in my soul1 and find that ,i get more of the true artless simplicity that was in ,,jesus4 ,blessed be ,,god for that fulness which is in ,,christ1 out of which we are all to receive grace for grace4 ,many1 many souls have lately been drawing out of this fulness4 ,i am amazed at his love to me6 ,o free grace6 ,o sovereign1 distinguishing1 unmerited love6,i think you did well in receiving some particular persons into your house4 8,be not forgetful to entertain strangers10 says the ,apostle4 ,i cannot think it is right1 to be so far carried away with an orthodox scheme1 as to neglect acts of love to the members of ,,christ's body4 ,give me leave1 my dear brother1 to behave with all meekness toward those1 who may not be so well affected toward such whom you love4 ,if you do not take care1 and keep close to the blessed ,,jesus1 your spirit may be imbittered1 and you may yet insensibly sink into bigotry4 ,some of our ,english friends1 ,i am sure1 have done so4 ,it is a blessed thing to be kept free4 ,,jesus can do this for you1 my dear brother1 and ,i am persuaded he will4 ,in the love of a crucified ,,jesus1 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclv4 ,to ,mr4 ,m1 at ,cambuslang4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #ae1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,brother1 ,,your kind letter ,i received this morning4 ,i wonder you can love me1 for ,i feel myself more unworthy every day2 and yet1 dear ,sir1 the ,king of ,kings still delights to honour me4 ,at ,cumbernauld1 and ,torphichen1 the ,,lord was with me4 ,i was much led to discourse upon walking with ,,god1 and had a sweet opening upon those words1 8,and ,enoch walked with ,,god1 c40 ,since ,i have been at ,edinburgh1 the ,,lord has much blessed me1 and given me some fresh teachings from his blessed spirit4 ,i believe hundreds are fed day by day4 ,o dear ,sir1 help me to adore free grace4 ,may ,,god reward you for all kindnesses shewn to me and mine6 ,indeed1 dear ,sir1 ,i have scarce patience with myself4 ,i can do so little in the day for ,,god1 that when ,i go to bed at night1 ,i am quite ashamed4 ,i trust ,i shall begin to do something now4 ,dear ,sir1 help me1 help me by your prayers1 that ,i may stir up the gift of ,,god that is in me4 ,i shall not easily forget you2 fear not1 the ,,lord will yet be with you4 ,i have sent to ,messrs4 ,o and ,l4 ,i fear ,i cannot reach either of their places2 but1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to come home once more to ,cambuslang1 and then must take a long1 long farewel4 ,blessed be ,,god1 we shall meet by and by1 never to part any more4 ,then1 dear ,sir1 our warfare will be accomplished1 and the archers will shoot at us no more4 ,my soul glows with love whilst ,i am writing4 ,sometimes ,i am enabled to look within the veil1 and to take a view of the promised land4 ,i am nothing1 but ,,christ is my all4 ,for the present1 adieu6 ,dear ,sir1 adieu6 ,my love to ,robert1 surnamed ,nathaniel4 ,all with me dearly love him4 ,o join with him in praying1 and giving thanks for us1 especially1 dear ,mr4 ,m1 for ,your weak1 unworthy1 though happy brother and servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,f1 in ,pensylvania4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #bb1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,f1 ,i ,received your two kind letters1 dated ,june the #ast and #fth1 and can only say1 ,,christ is king in ,zion1 and orders all things well4 ,i think you cannot have a scene of greater confusion among you1 than there has been in ,england4 ,but blessed be ,,god1 matters are brought to a better issue1 and though we cannot agree in principles1 yet we agree in love1 ,tho'1 as you know1 ,i am clear in the truths of the gospel1 yet ,i find that principles of themselves1 without the spirit of ,,god1 will not unite any set of men whatever2 and where the spirit of ,,god is in any great degree1 there will be union of heart1 though there may be difference in sentiments4 ,this ,i have learnt1 my dear brother1 by happy experience1 and find great freedom and peace in my soul thereby4 ,this makes me to love many1 though ,i cannot agree with them in some of their principles4 ,i dare not look upon them as wilful deceivers1 but as persons who hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel4,mr4 ,w ,i think is wrong in somethings1 and ,mr4 ,l wrong also2 yet ,i believe that both ,mr4 ,l and ,mr4 ,w1 and others1 with whom we do not agree in all things1 will shine bright in glory4 ,it is best therefore for a gospel-minister1 simply and powerfully to preach those truths he has been taught of ,,god1 and to meddle as little as possible with those who are children of ,,god1 though they should differ in many things4 ,this would keep the heart sweet1 and at the same time not betray the truths of ,,jesus4 ,i have tried both the disputing1 and the quiet way1 and find the latter far preferable to the former4 ,i have not given way to the ,moravian ,brethren1 or ,mr4 ,wy1 or to any1 whom ,i thought in an error1 no not for an hour4 ,but ,i think it best not to dispute1 when there is no probability of convincing4 ,i pray you1 for ,,christ's sake1 to take heed lest your spirit should be imbittered1 when you are speaking or writing for ,,god4 ,this will give your adversaries advantage over you1 and make people think your passion is the effect of your principles4 ,since ,i have been in ,england this time1 ,calvin's example has been very much pressed upon me4 ,you know how ,luther abused him4 ,as we are of ,calvinistical principles1 ,i trust we shall in this respect imitate ,calvin's practice1 and shew all meekness to those who may oppose4 ,my dear brother1 you will not be offended at my using this freedom4 ,i am a poor creature1 unworthy to advise you2 but ,i simply tell you a little of my own experience4 ,may the ,,lord give you1 and all that stand up for the doctrines of the gospel1 a right judgment in all things6 ,for ,,jesus ,,christ's sake1 as much as in you lies1 put a stop to disputing4 ,it imbitters the spirit1 ruffles the soul1 and hinders it from hearing the small still voice of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,may you be filled with all joy and peace in believing6 ,,god has been very gracious to me here4 ,wonderful things have been done in ,scotland4 ,when ,i shall come to you1 ,i cannot as yet determine4 ,i hope to embark in a few months4 ,in the mean time1 be pleased to remember me to all that love the glorious ,emmanuel1 and accept this in tenderest love from1 my very dear brother1 ,your most affectionate though most unworthy brother and servant in the kingdom and patience of ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #bd1 #agdb4 ,my most endeared ,friend and ,brother1 ,,your short letter1 dated ,july the #adth1 ,i received two days ago1 to my great satisfaction4 ,i am glad my dear family is removed to ,mr4 ,b1 and rejoice1 that our glorious ,,god had raised him and his brother up1 to be such friends in time of need4 ,our all-wise ,saviour saw this1 and therefore sent them to be converted at the ,orphan-house4 ,o ,,lord1 thou art fearful in praises1 glorious in holiness1 doing wonders6 ,i trust this will find you1 my dear friends1 and my dear lambs1 happily settled at ,bethesda4 ,i cannot think1 ,,god will give you over into the enemies hands1 or that he will suffer the enemy to abide in ,georgia for any considerable time4 ,my thoughts have been variously exercised1 but my heart kept stedfast and joyful in the ,,lord of all ,lords1 whose mercy endureth for ever4 ,the kings taking ,lot1 and ,abraham recovering him out of their hands1 hath been much pressed upon my heart4 ,abraham's going into the land of ,canaan1 and being driven out by a grievous famine soon after he came there1 has also been applied to my soul4 ,and those words of ,moses1 8,these enemies which you see1 you shall see them no more10 have fallen with great warmth1 and wait upon me4 ,these things put together1 keep my mind humbly depending upon ,,god1 in a full assurance that some great and good event for the kingdom of ,,jesus will ere long be brought about4 ,i am supported in a peculiar manner1 and kept from staggering through unbelief4,with this1 ,i send you a continuation of the ,orphan-house account1 which ,i printed to satisfy the public1 and to promote future collections4 ,the news about the ,spaniards1 perhaps may strike a damp upon the collection at this time2 but even this shall work for good4 ,,god has a wheel within a wheel4 ,o1 my dear brother1 how do ,i long to be with you6 ,you need not say1 8if possible now come over10 for ,i have long wished for the wings of a dove to fly to ,georgia4 ,i yet owe upwards of two hundred and fifty pounds in ,england1 upon the ,orphan-house account1 and have nothing towards it4 ,how is the world mistaken about my circumstances3 worth nothing myself1 embarrassed for others1 and yet looked upon to flow in riches8 ,our extremity is ,,god's opportunity4 ,o faith1 thou hast an all-conquering power6 ,surely1 my dear man1 you and the rest of you will grow now in this time of trial4 ,fear not1 neither be dismayed3 the ,,lord your ,,god will fight for you4 ,i put my trust in him1 and through his mercy ,i shall not miscarry4 ,he still strengthens me to go on from conquering to conquer4 ,i pray for you1 ,i think and dream of you almost continually4 ,i long1 ,i long to be with you1 and methinks could willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying1 though a ,spaniard's sword should be put to my throat4 ,but alas6 ,i know not how ,i should behave1 if put to the trial3 only we have a promise1 8that as our day is1 so our strength shall be40 ,i would gladly write to you all1 but being so variously employed1 having the superintendency of so many souls and so many spiritual affairs1 in many different places1 ,i feel a little of what ,st4 ,paul says1 when he wrote these words1 8besides that which cometh upon me daily1 the care of all the churches40 ,what am ,i8 ,,lord1 ,i adore and worship6 ,i hope ere now you have had letters from brother ,g and ,philadelphia friends4 ,some there1 are suspicious that ,i am joined with the ,moravian ,brethren1 but indeed ,i am not4 ,my principles are still the same2 only as ,i believe many of them love the ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,i would love and be friendly to them1 as ,i would be to all others1 who ,i think bear the image of our common ,master1 notwithstanding some of my principles differ from theirs1 and are as far distant as the ,east is from the ,west4 ,glory be to ,,god1 for keeping me stedfast to those truths1 which himself and not man hath taught me4 ,i feel the power of them more and more every day1 and am continually made happier and happier in the righteousness of the glorious ,redeemer4 ,o free1 sovereign1 distinguishing1 electing1 everlasting1 infinitely condescending love6 it quite amazes me4 ,the thoughts of this love carry me above every thing4 ,my dear friend1 the ,spaniards cannot rob us of this1 nor can men1 or devils4 ,it is immutable and eternal as ,,god himself4 ,may the meditation on this1 lead us nearer and nearer to ,,god in ,,christ1 that we may every day1 every hour1 every moment be more and more conformed to his blessed image1 and ripen more and more for eternal glory4 ,but ,i must have done4 ,adieu6 my dear man1 adieu6 ,i am ready to weep tears of love4 ,humbly hoping1 that ,i shall shortly hear of the spiritual and temporal welfare of you all1 ,i subscribe myself1 with the utmost sincerity and affection1 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclviii4 ,to the ,reverend ,dr4 ,c1 in ,boston4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #bd1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,to my great and abundant satisfaction1 ,i received your long wished for letter of ,june #c4 ,it was late at night ere it came to hand2 but ,i could not go to rest without reading it4 ,i read1 and rejoiced1 and prayed for the writer with my whole heart4 ,o reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,god only knows how closely ,i am knit to the dear ministers and people of ,new-,england4 ,they are ever upon my heart1 and it rejoiced me to find ,i was not forgotten 7unworthy as ,i am7 by them4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i am glad to hear that the work still goes on2 be not surprized1 if you are forsaken4 ,paul was served so1 and when ,i came to ,england most of my old friends and spiritual children were exceedingly prejudiced against me4 ,our great high-priest sees these trials to be necessary for us1 to try our faith1 and teach us to cease from man4 ,i hope they have produced this blessed effect in some measure upon my soul4 ,there seems to be such a scene in ,philadelphia1 as we have had in old ,england4 ,i have wrote to ,mr4 ,t4 ,he in a late letter thinks me too charitable2 but my conscience doth not reproach me for that4 ,my principles are still the same4 ,i embrace the calvinistical scheme1 not because ,calvin1 but ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,i think1 has taught it to me4 ,i go on preaching the cross and power of the ,redeemer1 and desire to say as little as possible about others1 lest thereby ,i should divert people's minds from the simplicity of the gospel4 ,i have often found that opposing1 instead of hurting1 makes erroneous people become more considerable4 ,this made me wish1 that the ,boston ministers would not take up so much time in speaking against the ,exhorters4 ,it will only set the people the more upon following after them2 but ,i cannot well judge at such a distance1 and indeed ,i find ,i am such a poor creature1 that ,i scarce know any thing yet1 as ,i ought to know4 ,at the same time1 ,i will not deny what ,i have received2 no1 this would be dishonouring my dear ,saviour4 ,he makes me daily more and more happy in himself1 and ,i continually rejoice in his great salvation4 ,at present he supports me in an uncommon manner1 and the news of the ,spaniards attacking ,georgia affects me no otherwise1 than to increase my faith and confidence in him1 whom ,i am sure careth for me and mine4 ,o dear ,sir1 what a glorious thing is divine faith6 ,may you have much of it1 and feel the power of it more and more every day6 ,with repeated salutations and returns of love1 ,i once more subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend1 younger brother1 and servant in the glorious gospel of the ever blessed ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclix4 ,to ,jonathan ,b1 ,esq41 in ,new-,england4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #be1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,i ,rejoiced to hear by the reverend and dear ,dr4 ,c1 that you are retired from the world1 full of piety and devotion4 ,i congratulate you1 honoured ,sir1 upon your happy change1 and pray that you may be filled with all the fulness of ,,god4 ,exceedingly engaged as ,i am1 ,i could not but send a line to you1 because ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i remember your command2 ,i have you upon my heart1 and pray the glorious ,emmanuel to do more abundantly for you and yours1 than you are able to ask or think4 ,it is impossible to tell you what the ,,lord hath done for unworthy me4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,i feel a bliss ,i cannot express4 ,my happiness in ,,jesus increases daily4 ,i am only ashamed of my unfruitfulness1 and the little ,i do for ,,god4 ,indeed1 honoured ,sir1 ,i could wish for a thousand lives4 ,my ,,jesus should have them all4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 8thus it is with me40 ,hail then happy man6 ,all generations shall call you blessed4 ,honoured ,sir1 my soul is full in the midst of many trials4 ,o what a glorious redemption hath ,,jesus purchased for us6 ,indeed it is a plenteous redemption4 ,by the power of his death we are enabled to tread sin1 death1 and satan under our feet4 ,this is the present frame of my soul4 ,o free grace6 unsearchable riches6 ,the brightness of it dazzles the eyes of my faith4 ,,lord1 ,i adore and worship in the temple of my heart6 ,honoured ,sir1 be pleased to accept these few lines from a heart overflowing with love to ,,god1 and for his great name sake to you4 ,with most humble respects1 and affectionate returns of gratitude for all favours1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 honoured ,sir1 ,your most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclx4 ,to ,mr4 ,e1 in ,philadelphia4 ,edinburgh1 ,sept4 #be1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother ,e1 ,,since ,i wrote last1 your other kind letter1 dated ,july #bd1 came to hand1 by which ,i find matters at ,philadelphia are much the same as when you wrote before4 ,i pray ,,god to give me wisdom1 and a right understanding1 to judge of those different jarring accounts that are sent me4 ,as far as ,i am able to determine1 ,i think some who have the truths of ,,god on their side1 defend themselves with too great a mixture of their own spirit1 and by this means perhaps some persons may be prejudiced even against truth itself4 ,this is one rock1 ,i pray ,,god1 my dear brother1 to keep your soul from splitting against4 ,again1 ,i think the ,mn ,brethren shew a better and milder spirit in the general2 but many of their principles deviate as far from the truths of ,,jesus ,,christ1 as the east is from the west1 or the north from the south4 ,i wish you may not have gone a step too far4 ,it was unjust for ,mr4 ,b's brother to be denied preaching in the new building4 ,shall ,i commend ,mr4 ,b for this8 ,i commend him not4 ,the brethren should have some other place to preach in1 and not make that house a ,babel4 ,i cannot give up truth for them1 or for any other under heaven4 ,i find they are as weak and fallible as those whom they judge not to have drank so deeply of the spirit of ,,christ2 and therefore1 my dear man1 though we love all1 we must be upon our guard1 and follow not man's teaching1 but the teaching of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,though principles are not to be rested in1 yet it is a good thing to have a clear head as well as a clean heart4 ,some people make nothing of principles2 but why are they so zealous in propagating their own8 ,i think1 my dear brother1 ,i am a happy sinner1 and have really entered into an abiding rest in ,,god1 through the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ2 but yet the stirrings of corruption ,i expect in some degree or other1 till ,i breathe my last4 ,this ,i hope is all that dear ,mr4 ,t insists on4 ,my dear brother1 love the brotherhood1 but do not give up the truths of ,,god2 and when you are brought off from idolizing one creature1 take care you do not insensibly fall into idolizing another4 ,do not think that all things the most refined christian in the world does1 is right2 or that all principles are wrong1 because some that hold them are too imbittered in their spirits4 ,it is hard for good men1 when the truths of ,,god are opposed1 to keep their temper1 especially at the first attack4 ,nothing but the all-conquering blood of the dear ,redeemer can destroy the wild-fire in the heart4 ,you will see what ,i have wrote to the dear ,trustees4 ,i hope our loving ,saviour will incline you to comply with my advice4 ,i believe it is from him1 and will much tend to the prosperity of ,zion4 ,that1 ,i trust1 we have all at heart4 ,i pray ,,god we may be enabled so to act1 as to do nothing to obstruct it1 but bear and forbear with one another in love1 and give way in some things to promote the common good4 ,you see1 my dear man1 how freely ,i write to you4 ,it is out of the fulness of my heart4 ,i hope you and ,i shall be happily surprized1 in finding each other better than we expected4 ,,god forbid that we should live one hour without growing more like the blessed ,lamb of ,,god4 ,i am too credibly informed1 that some make it their business to prejudice my friends against me4 ,such wisdom cometh not from above4 ,they are as the false apostles1 of whom ,saint ,paul spoke1 8,they would exclude us1 that you might affect them40 ,but glory be to free grace6 ,i can repose myself in ,,jesus1 and am happy in him4 ,however ,i may be dealt with by man1 blessed be his name1 ,i am now happy in the midst of various trials1 even beyond expression4 ,i only add1 through grace ,i have laid the foundation2 let others beware how they build thereon4 ,adieu1 my dear brother4 ,i am1 with cordial respects and affection1 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxi4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,e ,j1 in ,wales4 ,edinburgh1 ,oct4 #f1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,yesterday your kind and profitable letter came to hand4 ,my dear wife being embarked1 ,i opened1 read1 and now snatch a few moments to answer it4 ,i took your hints upon ,jacob's ladder1 and preached upon it with freedom yesterday in the afternoon4 ,i trust some will be induced to begin to climb1 and others be stirred to climb faster2 at least ,i shall myself for one1 for indeed ,i am ashamed ,i have mounted no higher yet4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i am ascended so far as to have the world almost out of my sight1 and ,i see my dear master standing at the top reaching out his hand1 ready to receive me up into heaven4 ,indeed1 my dear brother1 the ,,lord hath dealt most bountifully with me2 he gives me to rejoice in all his dispensations towards me4 ,it well becometh ,,god's children to give thanks for all things that befal them1 since it is ,,god 's will concerning them4 ,i am taught more and more every day to live by faith in the ,son of ,,god1 who loved and gave himself for me4 ,,god keeps me1 and brings me where ,i would desire to be1 at his feet1 waiting his will1 and watching the motions of his blessed spirit1 word1 and providence4 ,here ,i find safety and refuge amidst the various storms of opposition and reproach which ,i daily meet with4 ,,god is on my side1 ,i will not fear what men nor devils can say of1 or do unto me4 ,the dear ,messrs4 ,es have dressed me in very black colours4,mr4 ,g's pamphlet will shew you how black4 ,dear men1 ,i pity them4 ,writing ,i fear will be in vain4 ,surely they must grieve the holy spirit much4 ,o for a mind divested of all sects and names and parties6 ,i think it is my one simple aim to promote the kingdom of ,,jesus1 without partiality and without hypocrisy1 indefinitely amongst all4 ,i care not if the name of ,george ,whitefield be banished out of the world1 so that ,,jesus be exalted in it4 ,glory be to his great name1 we have seen much of his power and greatness in ,scotland4 ,the work in the west still goes on and increases4 ,last sabbath-day1 and ,monday1 very great things1 greater than ever1 were seen at ,kilsyth4 ,there is a great awakening also at ,muthel1 and many living stones building up in ,edinburgh4 ,i preach twice every day with great power1 and walk in liberty and love4 ,at the same time ,i see and feel my vileness1 and take the blessed ,,jesus to be my righteousness and all4 ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to go through ,newcastle and ,yorkshire to ,england4 ,ireland ,i believe must be left till another circuit4 ,in about three weeks1 ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to leave ,scotland1 and hope to spend a month ere long in ,wales4 ,my dear and honoured brother1 ,i hope the ,,lord will give you an heart to pray for me1 for indeed ,i am a very poor sinner1 and many are waiting for my halting2 but ,,jesus is able and willing to make me stand4 ,i have been much strengthened1 since the ,spaniards have invaded ,georgia4 ,i think ,i am like the ark surrounded on all sides with waves1 but through free rich grace am enabled to swim above all4 ,ere long1 ,i shall rest on mount ,zion in the arms of my beloved ,,jesus4 ,here is love would make me drop a tear1 and set my pen a writing quicker1 but other business calls for me4 ,dear ,sir1 be pleased to pray for me1 and remember me to your dear wife1 and all the followers of the ,lamb4 ,pray write to ,mr4 ,mc,c immediately1 and send as often as you can1 dear ,mr4 ,j1 to ,your weak1 unworthy1 but truly affectionate brother and servant1 in the kingdom and patience of ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxii4 ,to ,colonel ,g4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #g1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,though ,i never had the pleasure of seeing you1 yet ,i have often prayed for you1 and can assure you ,i love you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,i hope you will not be offended with me1 for troubling you with this4 ,your honoured lady tells me1 you will not4 ,love1 ,i am persuaded1 inclines me to write1 and ,i doubt not but you will receive it in the same spirit4 ,dear ,sir1 ,i rejoice to hear that you are a good soldier of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and that you delight to fight the ,redeemer's battles4 ,may you be covered with all his armours and filled with all his fulness6 ,i have the pleasure often to go without the camp1 and to bear a little of his sacred reproach1 and ,i prefer it to all the treasures in the world4 ,weak as ,i am1 my ,,jesus makes me more than conqueror through his love4 ,he has brought mighty things to pass here1 and gotten himself the victory in many hearts4 ,i trust1 there is not a day passes but some poor creature or another is plucked as a brand out of the burning4 ,i wish ,i could hear ,,god was more in the camp4 ,blessed be his name for raising you up1 honoured ,sir1 to lift a standard for him4 ,may you be endued with the meekness of ,moses1 the courage of ,joshua1 the zeal of ,paul1 and a large portion of the blessed spirit of ,,christ6 ,i hope1 honoured ,sir1 you will now and then remember me a poor sinner1 and speak a word for me to the ,king of kings and ,,lord of lords1 that ,i may not turn my head in the day of battle1 but rather die for1 than deny him in any wise4 ,neither you nor yours are forgotten by me4 ,indeed ,i am a poor creature1 but happy1 very happy in the once crucified1 but now exalted ,,jesus4 ,for his sake1 and in his great name1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 honoured ,sir1 ,your affectionate humble servant1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxiii4 ,to the ,reverend ,mr4 ,j ,w4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #aa1 #agdb4 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,,about ten days ago1 ,i sent you a packet by my dear wife1 which ,i hope you will have received ere this comes to hand4 ,yesterday morning ,i had your kind letter dated ,october #e4 ,in answer to the first part of it1 ,i say1 8,let old things pass away1 and all things become new40 ,i can heartily say1 8,amen0 to the latter part of it4 8,let the king live for ever1 and controversy die40 ,it has died with me long ago4 ,i shall be glad to see the extract of your journal4 ,be pleased to send it immediately1 under cover1 to ,mr4 ,e1 member of parliament in ,edinburgh4 ,i shall not leave ,scotland in less than three weeks4 ,before yours came1 ,i had engaged to go through ,newcastle in my way to ,london4 ,i rejoice to hear the ,,lord has blessed your dear brother's labours4 ,i am enabled to preach twice daily with great power1 and find ,i walk in light and liberty continually4 ,like the ark1 ,i am surrounded on all sides1 but enabled to swim triumphantly over all4 ,o free grace6 ,i thank you1 dear ,sir1 for praying for me1 and thank our common ,,lord for putting it in your heart so to do4 ,i have been upon my knees praying for you and yours4 ,o that nothing but love1 lowliness1 and simplicity may be among us4 ,it grieves me to see what a sad spirit prevails among ,mr4 ,e's people4 ,father1 forgive them6 ,i trust you will remember my poor orphans4 ,,god gives me strong faith for them1 though no news yet of the ,spaniards leaving ,georgia4 ,yesterday morning a dear little hospital girl went off in triumph4 ,the work is still increasing in ,scotland1 especially at ,kilsyth4 ,surely we shall see great things ere long4 ,dear friend1 my soul is on fire4 ,o let us not fall out in the way6 ,let us bear with1 and forbear one another in love4 ,,god be praised for giving you such a mind4 ,my kind love to all that love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,in much haste1 and with great thanks for your last letter1 ,i subscribe myself1 reverend and very dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 though younger brother1 in the gospel of our glorious ,emmanuel1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxiv4 ,to ,mrs4 ,ann ,d1 in ,huntingdonshire4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #ac1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,sister1 ,,with great pleasure ,i received your kind letters4 ,they increased that love1 which ,i had before to the writer of them4 ,i redeem a few moments to return you an answer to them1 and am ashamed to think how ,i put you off2 but ,i see you consider my circumstances1 and love to our dear ,,jesus inclines you to excuse me4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i can still send you an account of the increase of ,emmanuel's kingdom4 ,i preach always twice1 sometimes three or four times in a day4 ,the people are more eager than ever1 and much solid work is done for ,,god4 ,my strength is daily renewed4 ,still ,i desire to cry1 grace6 grace6 ,i am fondled exceedingly1 ,i scarce have any damp4 ,my soul continually magnifies the ,,lord1 and my spirit rejoices in ,,god my ,saviour4 ,i know you will help me to praise him4 ,i collected last week #abh l4 for my poor orphans4 ,i have sent you an account of them4 ,you will continue writing to1 and praying for my dear family4 ,i hope to see you before ,i embark4 ,by this1 you will receive a line from one ,mr4 ,r1 an humble walker with ,,god1 and ,mr4 ,t1 a bookseller1 who ,i believe loves the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,pray answer them4 ,i would have your correspondence enlarged1 and therefore ,i set other people writing to you1 though ,i cannot write so much myself4 ,my dear sister1 adieu4 ,the ,,lord be with you1 and yours4 ,i am now in a lady's family1 whom ,,god has blessed4,we have several such here4 ,with great sincerity and affection1 ,i subscribe myself1 ,ever yours1 in yours and mine1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,t1 in ,edinburgh4 ,glasgow1 ,october #bj1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t1 ,,your letter much refreshed me4 ,thanks be to ,,god1 for putting it into your heart to write to unworthy me4 ,the blessed ,,jesus hath been the author of our friendship1 and therefore it will be blessed4 ,i rejoice much1 that the ,,lord is with you and your ministers4 ,may you all increase with all the increase of ,,god6 ,o that the societies may remember to pray and give thanks on my behalf4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t1 what deliverances hath the ,,lord wrought for me8 ,before the news came of the ,spaniards leaving ,georgia1 the words came to my mind1 that were pressed on me in the park with great power3 8,these enemies which you have now seen1 you shall see no more40 ,what a life is a life of faith8 ,i know ,i am reckoned enthusiastic1 even by many christian friends1 in respect to my ,orphan-house2 but 8he that believeth1 doth not make haste40 ,i find we must be tried by friends1 as well as by foes4 ,all is intended to bring us nearer to the friend of all4 ,i hope ,i improved my interest in him just now1 for you and yours1 and for all ,edinburgh friends4 ,as soon as we had perused the letters1 we kneeled down1 and prayed1 and gave thanks4 ,good news came from ,london1 ,i hope1 next post1 to hear that our dear friends have got safe thither4 ,o what reason have ,i to be thankful6 ,help me still1 my dear ,mr4 ,t1 to praise the ,,lord4 ,i hope to be with you next week4 ,in the mean time pray for1 and if leisure permit1 drop a line to1 dear ,mr4 ,t1 ,ever yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxvi4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,t1 in ,edinburgh4 ,london1 ,nov4 #f1 #agdb4 ,dear ,mr4 ,t1 ,,about five this evening1 our ever blessed ,,jesus brought us hither1 and gave us a happy meeting with our dear friends4 ,how good is ,,jesus to the chief of sinners6 ,he solaced my soul all the way1 and gave his angels charge concerning us1 otherwise we must have been frequently hurt in our ways3 but he heard the prayers of his people4 ,i am persuaded he gave them a spirit of supplication in our behalf4 ,i felt it1 ,i feel it now1 and long to preach again4 ,my dear friend1 remember us in the dearest manner to all4 ,i hope to write to several on ,monday next4 ,how sweet is rest after fatigue6 ,how sweet will heaven be1 when our journey is ended4 ,forgive the brevity of this4 ,ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,h1 at ,bethesda4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ab1 #agdb4 ,my dearest ,friend and ,brother in a crucified ,,jesus1 ,,how do ,i long to come over to see you1 and the rest of my dear family8 ,how do ,i long to hear how it is with your dear souls1 and that you are returned to ,bethesda in safety6 ,the cloud seems now to be moving toward ,america4 ,i trust ,i shall be with you in a few months4 ,wonderful great things did the ,,lord perform for me and his people in ,scotland4 ,the concern expressed at my departure1 was really unspeakable4 ,o my dear1 my very dear brother1 the love of ,,god to such an unworthy wretch quite amazes me4 ,i rode post1 and came here in rather less than five days from ,edinburgh on ,saturday last1 and here seems to be a new awakening4 ,we have been obliged to enlarge the tabernacle4 ,the ,,lord's glory does indeed appear in it4 ,dear brother ,h has been sent with a sweet searching commission4 ,brother ,c is much blest in ,wiltshire4 ,the word runs and is glorified in ,wales1 and ,,god is raising some fresh witnesses of the power of his dear ,son's blood in ,gloucestershire4 ,blessed are the eyes that see the things that we see4 ,,god doth greatly countenance us indeed4 ,o free grace6 ,o electing love6 ,the collections in ,scotland were large4 ,at ,edinburgh1 ,i collected #abh l4 at one time1 and #dd l4 at another2 at ,glasgow about #abh l4 with private donations4 ,i think we got about #cjj l4 in all4 ,blessed be ,,god1 ,i owe nothing now in ,england on the ,orphan-house account2 what is due is abroad4 ,i think since ,i have been in ,england1 we have got near #aejj l4 ,the ,,lord will raise up what we want further2 glory be to his name4 ,he keeps my faith from failing1 and upholds me with his right hand1 and makes me happier in himself every day4 ,my wife lies now very weak4 ,she was tossed for ten days in her voyage from ,scotland3 ,the ship was in imminent danger1 but the ,,lord gave her much of his presence1 and ,i trust she will be ready shortly for another voyage4 ,she heartily and most lovingly greets you all1 as does in haste1 ,ever1 ever yours1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxviii4 ,to ,lady ,frances ,g4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ac1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,,mindful of my promise1 which ,i made before ,i left ,edinburgh1 ,i now steal a few moments to send your ,ladyship a letter of thanks1 and which ,i trust will find you sitting under the ,redeemer's shadow with great delight4 ,it rejoiced me when ,i heard that our infinitely condescending ,,god had blessed my unworthy ministry1 to recover your ,ladyship from a state of darkness and spiritual desertion4 ,glory1 glory be to rich1 free and sovereign grace6 ,i trust your ,ladyship will now be kept in the love of ,,god1 and no idol interpose between the ,redeemer and your soul4 ,i hope the dear ,colonel is now in his proper place1 and that you can think of him without anxiety or distracting care4 ,this is that freedom1 wherewith ,,jesus ,,christ makes us free4 ,to love all things in him1 and for him1 and to love him above all4 ,thus we have peace and joy4 ,whenever we deviate from it1 we fall into darkness and distress of soul4 ,i pray ,,god your ,ladyship may be thus kept1 and enabled to rejoice in ,,god all the day long4 ,for ever adored be free grace4 ,i have enjoyed much freedom of soul since ,i left ,edinburgh4 ,very good was my master to us on the road1 and still better to me now ,i am in ,london4 ,we have blessed seasons4 ,o who can express the loving-kindness of the ,,lord1 or show forth all his praise6 ,we beg your prayers2 and wishing you and your honoured ,colonel all manner of prosperity1 ,i beg leave to subscribe myself1 with unfeigned thanks for all past favours1 honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxix4 ,to ,miss ,s4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ac1 #agdb4 ,,as ,i have been writing to the honourable lady ,frances1 ,i am willing to inclose a line to you4 ,i trust it will find you walking by faith1 and trampling upon the lust of the eye1 the lust of the flesh1 and the pride of life4 ,this is the happiness which ,,jesus ,,christ has purchased for poor sinners4 ,this is that better part1 which ,i hope you have been enabled to choose1 and in which1 ,i trust1 through grace you will be enabled to persevere even to the end4 ,dear ,miss1 if this be the case1 well will it be with you1 and happy1 exceedingly happy shall you be4 ,methinks ,i hear you say1 8,i feel my happiness begun40 ,keep close1 ,dear ,miss1 keep close to the lovely ,,jesus1 and you will find it increase day by day4 ,many1 many temptations and difficulties you will meet with2 but fear not2 look unto ,,jesus1 and he will make you more than conqueror through his love4 ,never rest without looking up to him1 in and for every thing you stand in need of4 ,he will richly supply all your wants4 ,i speak this by happy experience4 ,many blessings have ,i received since ,i came hither4 ,o help me to praise our prayer-hearing ,,god4 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxx4 ,to the ,honourable ,lady ,jane ,h1 in ,edinburgh4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ac1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,,it is with some regret1 that ,i look back upon my not writing to you1 when ,i was at ,glasgow4 ,i resolved ever since1 to send your ,ladyship a line as soon as possible1 after ,i reached ,london4 ,being now somewhat settled1 ,i attempt in the divine strength to put my design in execution4 ,and now1 honoured ,madam1 what shall ,i say8 ,i hope this will find you a very poor sinner1 and sitting at ,,jesu's feet4 ,with pleasure ,i have often thought your ,ladyship has been made willing to become truly1 inly poor1 and to feel the full power of the ,redeemer's precious blood4 ,if ,i mistake not1 your soul is athirst for ,,god1 yea to be filled with all the fulness of ,,god4 ,go on1 dear ,madam1 for ,,god shall satisfy all your desires3 ,he has promised1 and he will perform4 ,i find my happiness in ,,jesus increasing daily1 and that there is no end of his goodness4 ,greatly did he strengthen me on the road2 greatly has he blessed me since ,i came hither4 ,i believe your ,ladyship will hear shortly from ,mr4 ,h4 ,he is a dear soul indeed1 and left ,london on ,thursday morning last1 full of simplicity and love4 ,the work goes on bravely in ,wales1 and elsewhere4 ,surely it is the midnight cry2 ,surely the bridegroom is coming4 ,methinks ,i hear your ,ladyship say1 8,then ,i will make ready to go forth to meet him40 ,that you may be always ready to obey the most sudden call1 is the hearty prayer of1 honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's most obliged humble servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxi4 ,to ,miss ,n's4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ac1 #agdb4 ,dear young ,ladies1 ,,this week ,i wrote a few lines to your honoured mamma4 ,i now snatch a few moments to send a line to you4 ,and why8 ,because ,i love you both in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and wish above all things1 that your dear souls may prosper4 ,i saw a happy alteration in you for the better1 whilst ,i was at ,edinburgh1 and my constant prayer is1 that you might still go on from strength to strength4 ,here seems to be a new awakening4 ,we had a glorious fast-day indeed4 ,i trust you had the same at ,edinburgh4 ,i am sure we prayed heartily1 it might be so4 ,o ,edinburgh6 ,edinburgh6 ,i think ,i shall never forget thee4 ,surely many can say1 8,our fellowship has been with the ,father and with the ,son40 ,and now though absent1 we may have fellowship together in and through the eternal ,spirit4 ,thus it is with me1 and thus it is1 ,i believe1 with my dear wife4 ,she most heartily joins with me in saluting your most honoured mamma1 as well as yourselves4 ,wishing that your lamps may be always trimmed1 and your loins always girded1 and that you may be continually in readiness to meet the heavenly bridegroom2 ,i subscribe myself1 dear young ladies1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxii4 ,to 4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ae1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,it has given me some concern1 that ,i could not write to your ,lordship before ,i left ,e4 ,my departure from thence was very sudden1 and it was but a few days before that ,i heard of your ,lordship's illness4 ,however1 ,i have not been unmindful of your ,lordship1 and ,i trust1 in answer to prayer1 our ,,lord has rebuked your fever1 and that this will find you risen and ministring unto him4 ,o1 my ,lord1 ,i think ,i can say1 8,it is good for me that ,i have been afflicted20 for had it not been so1 ,i should have gone astray4 ,how apt are we when in health1 to follow ,,jesus afar off1 and sink into tepidity and a laodicean spirit8 ,may this sickness be sanctified to the purging of your ,lordship's soul1 and be a means of drawing you nearer to ,,god6 ,our glorious ,high-priest still continues to load me with his benefits4 ,he dealt most tenderly with me on the road1 and blesses me much here4 ,i am now in my winter quarters1 preparing for a fresh campaign4 ,happy they that fight under the ,redeemer's banner6 ,that your ,lordship may be always fighting the good fight of faith1 and at length lay hold on eternal life1 is the earnest prayer of1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient and obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s1 of ,bristol4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ae1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,s1 ,i ,gave thanks on your behalf1 when ,i read your letters2 being encouraged thereby to hope1 that ,,jesus ,,christ is indeed about to take full possession of your soul4 ,a proper season this to enter into the marriage state1 an union representing the mystical union between ,,jesus ,,christ and his ,church4 ,my brother1 you cannot think of it with too much solemnity4 ,it is a matter of great importance1 in which the future comfort of your life much depends4 ,i would advise you to read over the matrimonial office1 and turn it into a prayer4 ,as for outward affairs1 ,i think it quite proper to have them settled1 as ,i am a minister of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and ought therefore to be freed as much as may be from all worldly incumbrances4 ,be pleased to draw out your account1 and when the captain comes1 desire him to draw out his1 that receipts may pass on both sides4 ,i shall pay ,mr4 ,n as desired4 ,i am glad you are so friendly with ,mr4 ,w4 ,i trust we shall learn more and more to love one another4 ,yours most affectionately in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxiv4 ,to the ,bishop of ,bangor4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ag1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,the inclosed was sent by a young man1 who was coming up to ,london1 and was in his way as far as ,ludlow1 on purpose to wait on your ,lordship about the contents of it4 ,if your ,lordship pleases1 ,i will wait upon your ,lordship for your ,lordship's answer4 ,the character your ,lordship has for candour and moderation1 makes me believe1 your ,lordship will not favour any persecuting proceedings against those that love the ,,lord ,,jesus in sincerity4 ,if your ,lordship thinks proper to speak with me1 upon the least intimation1 you shall be attended by1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j1 of ,toven in ,wales4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother1 ,,how sweetly does the blessed ,,jesus guide the meek in his way6 ,i believe your turning back from ,ludlow was of ,,god4 ,dear brother ,h was about that time going into ,wales1 and the ,,lord sending me hither 7unworthy as ,i am7 to transact affairs for you4 ,i have seen your letter to ,mr4 ,l1 and likewise that from brother ,c1 to the bishop of ,bangor4 ,i am just now sending it to him1 with a letter from myself1 desiring leave to wait upon his ,lordship4 ,what the event will be1 our ,,lord only knows4 ,this1 however1 we know1 8,all things shall work together for good to those that love ,,god20 and the gates of hell shall never prevail against the church of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,what you have met with1 is no more than might be expected long ago4 ,there has been a hook in the ,leviathan's jaws1 or otherwise our mouths had been stopped long before this time4 ,i had once the honour of being publickly arraigned1 for not reading the ,common ,prayer in a ,meeting-house4 ,at another time1 ,i was taken up by a warrant for correcting a letter wherein were these words1 8,shall our ,clergy break the ,canons40 ,the prosecutions were unjust1 but there is our glory4 ,i remember when ,socrates was about to suffer1 his friends grieved1 that he suffered unjustly4 ,what1 says he1 would you have me suffer justly8 ,if we are buffetted for our faults1 and take it patiently1 says a greater than ,socrates1 we are not to glory2 8but if we are reproached for ,,christ1 and suffer as ,christians1 happy are we40 ,i think our present sufferings are for him4 ,surely the spirit of ,,christ and of glory will rest upon you4 ,however1 ,i trust this storm will soon blow over4 ,if possible1 let an open separation from the church be avoided4 ,mr4 ,h can tell you more by word of mouth4 ,i trust the glorious ,,jesus has sent him amongst you1 in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace4 ,he is a dear soul4 ,i am persuaded you are dear to him3 ,i find you are dear to me1 though ,i never saw you4 ,it is enough1 that we have drank into one spirit4 ,this creates an indissoluble union4 ,pray remember my kind love to dear brother ,c4 ,i wish him joy with all my heart2 but would not have him deny that exhorting is preaching4 ,the ,chancellor will be too many for him2 for to be sure1 exhorting is at least one part of preaching4 ,granting this1 he has warrant enough1 notwithstanding1 from scripture1 to tell others what ,,god has done for his soul1 and to bid them come and see and believe in a precious ,,christ4 ,o that word6 ,how sweet is it to my soul8 ,it is like ointment poured forth4 ,had ,i time1 ,i could tell you much of his love4 ,he has been exceeding good to me in ,scotland3 ,he is still so to me here4 ,vile1 base1 ungrateful as ,i am1 he lets me lean on his bosom night and day4 ,my dear brother1 help me to praise him1 and engage all the brethren's prayers in behalf of one1 less than the least of all saints1 but ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxvi4 ,to the ,reverend ,dr4 ,c1 in ,boston4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,glad was ,i to receive another letter from you1 before ,i sent off my packets4 ,i thank our loving ,,lord1 for granting me the continuance of his ministers affections4 ,i hope this1 and all his other mercies1 will lead me nearer and nearer to himself the fountain of all mercies4 ,surely the friends of ,,jesus pray in my behalf2 for ,i am still strengthened more than ever1 and enabled to rejoice in his goodness all the day long4 ,the confusion at ,new-,england has given me concern2 but our ,,lord will over-rule all for good4 ,i was sorry to hear of ,mr4 ,d's imprisonment2 and to be imprisoned for an unguarded expression1 ,i think is too1 too severe1 and not for the honour of ,boston at all4 ,had ,i been in his place1 ,i should have accepted bail4 ,when ,i shall come to ,boston1 the ,,lord ,,jesus only knows4 ,i believe it will not be long4 ,i find ,i shall come in perilous times2 but that all-gracious ,saviour1 who has helped me hitherto1 will guide me by his council1 and give me a true scriptural zeal4 ,this is what ,i desire all my friends to beg in my behalf4 ,how hard is it to keep in the true narrow path1 when speaking for the ,,lord ,,jesus8 ,,god preserve me1 and all his ministers1 from defending his truths and cause in our own1 or under the influence of a false spirit6 ,it destroys the very cause we would defend4 ,as yet1 in ,scotland there have been but few of the disorders complained of amongst you4 ,but as the work increases1 ,i suppose the enemies stratagems will increase also4 ,this is my comfort1 ,,jesus reigns4 ,the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against his church4 ,i have had a late instance of his power and goodness1 in driving the ,spaniards out of ,georgia4 ,i hear they are gone4 ,i hope the ,orphans are now at ,bethesda in peace4 ,the continuation of my account1 ,i have sent with this1 and a parcel of my sermons4 ,be pleased to dispose of them1 as you shall think proper4 ,i salute all my ,reverend brethren that preach ,,jesus ,,christ in sincerity4 ,i wish them prosperity with all my heart1 and pray for them every day1 ,reverend ,sir1 my soul is now filled with a sense of redeeming love4 ,o why me1 ,,lord1 why me8 ,even so my ,saviour1 for so it seemed good in thy sight6 ,but ,i can write no more1 having much business on my hands4 ,we go on well here4 ,our ,,lord blesses us much4 ,i am1 with much affection1 ,rev4 ,sir1 ,your most unworthy and younger brother in the gospel of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxvii4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,e4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,your letter pleased me much4 ,as soon as ,i read it1 ,i kneeled down1 prayed1 and gave thanks on your behalf4 ,how faithful is he that hath said1 8,i will never leave thee1 or forsake thee40 ,surely the ,,lord intends to honour you1 in making you an instrument in bringing many sons to glory4 ,i hope he will bless your first public essays to serve the interest of his great name1 and enable you to go on from strength to strength4 ,i cannot think you will be long without a feeling possession of your ,,god4 ,shortly1 ,i trust1 you will be touched with a coal from the heavenly altar1 and be made to say1 8,,lord send me40 ,i think our ,saviour has given you great knowledge in the scriptures4 ,may you be kept close to and be daily taught of him4 ,my prayer for you is1 ,take his poor heart1 and let it be ,for ever clos'd to all but thee4 ,i think you may study conveniently in ,scotland2 but in this and every thing else1 ,i pray the ,,lord ,,jesus to direct and guide your soul4 ,i most heartily love you1 and wish you prosperity in the name of the ,,lord4 ,our blessed ,saviour has been exceeding kind1 since ,i have been here4 ,i go on my way rejoicing1 and am strengthened day by day4 ,that you may abundantly experience the same1 is the hearty prayer of1 dear ,sir1 ,yours most affectionately in ,,christ ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxviii4 ,to ,mr4 ,m1 ,isle of ,man4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ai1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,i ,am concerned to find by your last1 dated ,november #dth1 that the letter ,i sent you from ,scotland did not come to hand4 ,but providence over-ruleth all things2 even this shall work for good4 ,i wonder not1 if the ,,lord has given you more zeal1 that you meet with more opposition4 ,however1 ,i would not have you rash1 or over hasty in leaving the ,isle of ,man4 ,wait1 continue instant in prayer1 and you shall see the salvation of ,,god4 ,i have not heard from my family abroad for some time1 and cannot give you any determinate answer about your going to ,georgia1 because ,i know not how their affairs stand4 ,,god will yet shew you what he would have you to do4 ,even so ,,lord ,,jesus1 ,amen and ,amen6 ,our glorious ,emmanuel blessed me exceedingly after we parted from ,scotland1 and blesses me in like manner1 now he has brought me to ,england4 ,vile1 ungrateful as ,i am1 he vouchsafes to give me much of his presence1 and keeps me under the shadow of his wings4 ,let his goodness to me1 encourage you to hope and trust in him4 ,remember1 dear ,sir1 ,,jesus came to make poor sinners happy1 and to give them victory over their lusts and passions4 ,plead his promises1 be much in secret prayer1 and never give ,,god rest1 'till your soul is filled with all his fulness4 ,that the ,,lord may hasten that blessed time1 wherein his kingdom shall come with full power into your dear soul1 is the earnest prayer of1 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend1 brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,b1 at ,bethesda4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ai1 #agdb4 ,,blessed1 blessed be ,,god1 the packet is not gone2 so that ,i have just time to tell you1 ,i received your kind1 very kind letter1 though ,i have not time to read it thoroughly1 least ,i should miss this opportunity4 ,,god only knows how ,i sympathize with you and my dear family4 ,though ,i have no money to pay ,mr4 ,jones1 c4 yet1 if ,i can take up two or three hundred pounds upon my own account1 ,i will come over1 ,,god willing1 the very first opportunity4 ,the time of your fasting1 ,i hope is now near over1 and the days of your mourning ended4 ,remember the burning bush2 it was on fire1 but not consumed4 ,surely some great good is to come out of the ,orphan-house4 ,blessed be ,,god1 for strengthening you to stay with my dear family4 ,ten thousand blessings descend upon your soul6 ,i wish dear brother ,g joy4 ,i am much obliged to my dear friend and faithful steward4 ,next ship1 ,i hope to answer his letters distinctly4 ,o my dear man1 ,i do not forget any of you4 ,,god1 and not my own will1 has kept me on this side the water so long4 ,but surely you must judge me sometimes4 ,you need not make any apology for moving2 it is what ,i wished you might do4 ,your care and tenderness towards me1 makes me long to embrace and weep over you one by one4 ,forget you6 no1 no2 ,i think ,i could rather die for you4 ,my brother1 my dear brother1 go on4 ,surely ,,god is with us4 ,great things are to come out of ,georgia4 ,remember ,abraham1 how did he sojourn in the land of ,promise1 as in a strange land8 ,the ,,lord increase your faith4 ,my tenderest love1 and ten thousand thanks1 to dear ,mr4 ,js4 ,,god will bless him for helping you4 ,the ,,lord ,,jesus be with you all4 ,ever1 ever yours1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxx4 ,to the ,bishop of ,bangor4 ,london1 ,nov4 #ai1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,this evening ,i received your ,lordship's kind letter4 ,i humbly thank your ,lordship for it4 ,it confirmed me in the character given me of your ,lordship's spirit4 ,i verily believe your ,lordship abhors every thing that has a tendency to persecution1 and yet1 in my humble opinion1 if ,mr4 ,c is not somewhat redressed1 he is persecuted indeed4 ,that your ,lordship may know his spirit1 and the spirit of the person who came as far as ,ludlow on the business1 ,i have sent your ,lordship a letter from each1 which was written some time ago to ,mr4 ,h ,h4 ,in them your ,lordship will see their whole hearts4 ,i verily believe they would rather die than wilfully speak or write a falshood4 ,my ,lord1 the whole of the matter seems to be this3 ,in ,wales they have little fellowship meetings1 where some well-meaning people meet together1 simply to tell what ,,god has done for their souls4 ,in some of these meetings1 ,i believe ,mr4 ,c used to tell his experience1 and to invite his companions to come and be happy in ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,he is therefore indicted as holding a conventicle2 and this ,i find is the case of one1 if not two more4 ,now1 my ,lord1 these persons thus indicted1 as far as ,i can judge1 are loyal subjects to his ,majesty1 and true friends to1 and attendants upon the ,church of ,england service4 ,you will see by these letters1 how unwilling they are to leave her2 and yet1 if all those acts1 which were made against persons meeting together to plot against ,church and ,state1 were put in execution against them1 what must they do8 ,they must be obliged to declare themselves ,dissenters4 ,i assure your ,lordship1 it is a critical time in ,wales4 ,hundreds1 if not thousands1 will go in a body from the ,church1 if such proceedings are countenanced4 ,i lately wrote them a letter1 dissuading them from separating from the ,church1 and ,i write thus freely to your ,lordship1 because of the excellent spirit of moderation discernible in your ,lordship1 and because ,i would not have 7to use your ,lordship's own expression7 8such a fire kindled in1 or from your 7,lordship's7 diocese40 ,i would beg the favour of your ,lordship to return me the inclosed1 because ,i have not kept copies4 ,i send them to your ,lordship just as they are1 that your ,lordship may see the whole affair1 and censure what is exceptionable4 ,i really believe the writers will thank your ,lordship for it4 ,i ask pardon for taking up so much of your ,lordship's time1 but ,i thought your ,lordship would desire to have all possible information1 that you might be better capable of judging4 ,i pray the great ,shepherd and ,bishop of souls to direct your ,lordship in this1 and every other affair that comes before you1 and that you may be saluted at the great day with an ,euge bone1 is the hearty and fervent prayer of1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxi4 ,to ,mr4 ,c4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bj1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,brother ,c1 ,i ,catch a few moments to give you an account of my agency4 ,your letter ,i sent to the ,bishop of ,bangor1 inclosed in one from myself4 ,his answer you have transcribed in this4 ,that he might not be imposed upon by the ,chancellor's representing of things1 ,i last night sent his ,lordship another long letter1 with that which you wrote to dear brother ,h some time ago4 ,as the ,bishop seems to be a man of a moderate spirit1 ,i trust this storm will blow over4 ,in the mean while1 let us wait upon the ,,lord1 commit the cause into his hands who judgeth righteously1 and pray1 that we may be 8as wise as serpents1 and harmless as doves40 ,glad shall ,i be to serve you1 my dear brother1 in this1 or any other affair1 for advancing our glorious ,mediator's kingdom4 ,let this be our comfort1 the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it4 ,let us go on then1 and never fear what men or devils can say of1 or do unto us4 ,i suppose this is the language of your heart1 ,the love of ,,christ doth me constrain ,to seek the wand'ring souls of men3 ,all hail reproach1 and welcome pain1 ,only thy terrors1 ,,lord1 restrain4 ,and if so1 surely the spirit of ,,christ and of glory will rest upon you4 ,our dear brother ,c is sadly used in ,wiltshire4 ,the compassionate ,redeemer of souls pities my weakness1 and suffers very little disturbance to be made4 ,we have sweet times1 and1 vile as ,i am1 ,,jesus is pleased to keep me near him4 ,i hope this will find your dear soul sitting under his shadow with great delight4 ,i know you not in the flesh1 but hope to see you before ,i embark4 ,letters call me loudly to ,georgia4 ,my dear family are returned to their ,bethesda in safety4 ,o help me1 my dear brother1 to praise the ,,lord4 ,salute all the brethren in behalf of ,yours most affectionately1 c4 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxii4 ,to ,mr4 ,v1 ,secretary to the ,trustees of ,georgia4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bj1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend waiting upon the honourable ,trustees at the time appointed4 ,yesterday ,i received a packet of letters from my friends at the ,orphan-house4 ,i find they are returned in safety to ,bethesda1 and give a noble account of the ,general's conduct4 ,blessed be ,,god1 for enabling him to repel the enemy2 but now another distress is come upon poor ,georgia4 ,a violent sickness rages and has taken off many4 ,my letters say1 the ,orphan-house surgeon had #ej under his hands4 ,this1 ,i trust1 will more and more convince the ,honourable ,trustees1 of the benefit the ,orphan-house is and will be to the ,colony4 ,i hear1 that ,mr4 ,o1 the minister of ,savannah1 is dead4 ,i know one ,mr4 ,m1 a clergyman in the ,isle of ,man1 who would go over and supply his place1 if he was applied to4 ,the ,bishop of ,sodor and ,man ,i believe will give him a recommendation4 ,you may acquaint the ,honourable ,trustees with this1 and let me know their answer4 ,i hope in about two months to embark for ,georgia4 ,i find ,,god has given my family a good crop2 but the hands are sick1 so they cannot speedily carry it in4 ,what condition the ,orphan-house was in lately1 the inclosed will shew4 ,be pleased to let the ,honourable ,trustees have a sight of it1 and believe me to be1 dear ,sir1 ,your obliged friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxiii4 ,to ,mr4 ,c4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bj1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,the first part of your letter did not surprize me at all1 though it made me look up to the ,,lord for you4 ,i believed you would be down in the valley of humiliation soon2 but fear not1 it is only that you may be exalted the more4 ,i trust1 this will find you mounting on wings like an eagle1 walking1 yet not weary2 running1 yet not faint4 ,,god has1 does1 and will remarkably appear for you4 ,doubtless1 you are his servant and minister4 ,he therefore that touches you1 touches the apple of ,,god's eye4 ,poor ,wiltshire people6 ,i pity them4 ,if ,i knew their ,bishop1 ,i would apply to him on their behalf4 ,i wrote to the ,bishop of ,bangor for our brethren in ,wales1 and have received a very favourable answer4 ,the wrath of man shall turn to ,,god's praise1 and the remainder of it he will restrain4 ,how wonderfully has he appeared in all ages for his church and people6 ,my dear family abroad has been marvellously preserved4 ,blessed be ,,god1 they are returned to ,bethesda in peace4 ,we have sweet seasons daily1 and ,i am carried in the arms of love4 ,my ,master careth for me1 and seems to order my goings in his way4 ,o help me to praise him4 ,i think you are never forgotten by1 my dear ,c1 ,your most affectionate brother and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxiv4 ,to ,mr4 ,j ,e4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,dear ,sir1 ,,how gently does the ,,lord deal with his followers8 8,as a father pitieth his own children1 so is the ,,lord merciful to them that fear him40 ,now your father is a little uneasy1 your grandfather is more favourable4 ,the ,,lord will never suffer you to be tempted above what you will be enabled to bear4 ,he will make a way for you to escape4 ,i am glad you have determined to study at ,e4 ,two things1 ,i would earnestly recommend to your constant study1 the book of ,,god1 and your own heart4 ,these two1 well understood1 will make you an able minister of the ,new ,testament4 ,in what manner you shall be hereafter employed1 ,i would have you be indifferent about4 8,take no thought for the morrow40 ,let the ,,lord send you1 when and where he will send you4 ,in the mean while1 do as much for ,,god in a private way as you can4 8,exercise thyself unto godliness10 and walk so humbly1 that all may know our ,,lord has chosen you to be a gospel prophet4 ,i rejoice1 that the work is still going on4 ,blessed be ,,god1 we have good times here4 ,i am kept in great liberty4 ,be pleased to desire all to accept of hearty love from1 dear ,sir1 ,your most affectionate friend and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxv4 ,to the ,earl of 4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,since ,i wrote to your ,lordship1 ,i have received a comfortable packet of letters from ,georgia1 giving me an account of my family's safe return to their ,bethesda4 ,the deliverance of ,georgia from the ,spaniards1 one of my friends writes me1 is such as cannot be parralleled1 but by some few instances out of the ,old ,testament4 ,i find that the ,spaniards had cast lots1 and determined to give no quarter4 ,they intended to attack ,carolina1 but wanting water they put into ,georgia1 and so would take that ,colony in their way4 ,but 8the race is not to the swift1 nor the battle to the strong40 ,providence ruleth all things4 ,they were wonderfully repelled and sent away1 before our ships were seen4 ,surely ,,god remembered the prayers of the poor orphans1 and the earnest cries which have been put up on their behalf4 ,i find they now live at a smaller expence4 ,they hunt and shoot for a good part of their food4 ,their crop gives them a considerable quantity of peas1 potatoes1 c4 and they kill some of their own stock4 ,there has been a great sickness at ,savannah4 ,some of the labourers have been taken off1 but none of the children1 as ,i hear1 have died as yet4 ,i hope this will find your ,lordship perfectly recovered1 and your honoured consort1 ,lady 1 and all your ,lordship's family1 rejoicing in ,,god4 ,he is pleased to give me much of his love1 and to bless me every day4 ,several of our friends in ,wales have been unjustly excommunicated4 ,i have sent two letters1 and have received kind answers from the ,bishop of ,bangor4 ,perilous times1 perhaps1 are coming on2 but this is my comfort1 8the gates of hell shall never prevail against the church of ,,christ40 ,hoping for a line from your ,lordship1 if it be not too much trouble1 ,i subscribe myself1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient1 obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxvi4 ,to ,miss ,w4 ,london1 ,november #bc1 #agdb4 ,my dear ,miss ,w1 ,,your letter affected me much1 and if it had not been for business1 ,i should have answered it ere now4 ,it is the hardest thing in the world to keep the creature in his proper place4 ,we are apt to esteem the ministers of ,,jesus either too much or too little4 ,one while1 we could pluck out our eyes to give them2 at another time1 run into a contrary extreme1 and not pay them that respect which is their due for their ,master's sake4 ,the love that a child of ,,god feels for its spiritual father1 is certainly unspeakable4 ,o how can ,i but love him1 who under ,,god has brought me from darkness into light6 ,methinks ,i hear dear ,miss ,w say1 8how indeed60 ,but here is danger1 lest the affections should be too much entangled1 and we unwilling to give up the beloved object to our ,,god4 ,this1 ,i suppose1 is dear ,miss ,w's case1 and ,i can say1 ,i know how sore this trial is1 ,for ,i have felt the same4 ,o what have ,i suffered in parting from spiritual friends1 especially such as were my ,isaac's6 ,but ,,christ's grace has been sufficient for me1 and so it will be for you4 ,i have prayed for you1 and hope by this time dear ,miss ,w can say1 my spiritual ,father keeps his proper place1 and ,i walk in liberty and the love of ,,god4 ,indeed1 my dear ,miss1 no one but the searcher of hearts knows1 what a real concern ,i have for your eternal welfare4 ,i verily believe ,i shall see you sitting at the right hand of your ,redeemer4 ,surely he has captivated and stolen your heart away4 ,i hope nothing will divert you from him2 but with a single eye to his glory1 you will go through good report and evil report1 'till you come to the blessed place1 where the wicked will cease from troubling1 and your weary soul enjoy an everlasting rest4 ,glad shall ,i be to hear from you every opportunity4 ,ere long ,i must away4 ,pray our ,saviour to help me under all my difficulties1 but at the same time help me to praise him3 for amidst all my various circumstances1 ,i am kept joying in ,,god1 and made more than conqueror through his love4 ,we have had blessed times since my arrival here4 ,your most affectionate friend and servant in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxvii4 ,to the ,bishop of ,bangor4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,i ,humbly thank your ,lordship for your ,lordship's second kind letter4 ,your ,lordship shall have ,mr4 ,c's letter whenever your ,lordship pleases to demand it4 ,i sent it for no other purpose1 than to let your ,lordship into the affair as far as lay in my power4 ,i am quite willing your ,lordship should hear both sides4 ,i doubt not but your ,lordship will do justice4 ,the candour and moderation which breathe in your ,lordship's letters1 and your condescension in writing to me1 incline me to take the freedom of begging your ,lordship's acceptance of my last volume of sermons1 and the ,orphan-house accounts1 from1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obliged1 obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxviii4 ,to ,professor ,frank1 in ,germany4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bd1 #agdb4 ,rev4 ,sir1 ,,long have ,i designed writing to you1 but something or another has always prevented me4 ,however1 ,i can now defer it no longer4 ,for though ,i never saw you in the flesh1 yet ,i love and highly esteem you in the bowels of ,,jesus ,,christ1 and wish you much prosperity in the work of the ,,lord4 ,your honoured father's memory is very precious to me4 ,his account of the ,orphan-house hath1 under ,,god1 been a great support and encouragement to me in a like undertaking4 ,how it prospers1 the account sent with this will inform you4 ,only it will be proper to observe1 that since the publication of the last1 there have been upwards of #cjj l4 collected4 ,i am yet about #djj l4 in arrears4 ,but ,i know in whom ,i have believed1 for the carrying on of that building4 ,hitherto it has answered its motto1 and has been like the burning bush on fire1 but not consumed4 ,the ,colony's late deliverance from the ,spaniards was very extraordinary4 ,i cannot but think the ,,lord intends yet to do great things for ,georgia4 ,how is it with the ,saltzburghers8 ,i have not heard4 ,sometime ago ,i sent them over twenty pounds1 and wish it was in my power to send them more4 ,about ,january1 ,,god willing1 ,i intend to embark4 ,in the mean while1 ,i should be glad to know1 ,rev4 ,sir1 how it is with your ,orphan-house8 and whether you have any commands to ,georgia8 ,i suppose you have heard of the work of ,,god in ,scotland4 ,indeed the word has run and been glorified1 and ,,jesus has gotten himself the victory in many hearts4 ,in ,england also he is pleased to bless us4 ,here are many close followers of the blessed ,lamb of ,,god1 and though there is a difference of opinion between me and ,mr4 ,w1 yet ,,jesus pities us and blesses us all4 ,i long for that time1 8when the watchmen shall all see eye to eye2 when the leopard shall lie down with the kid1 the lion eat straw like the ox1 and the people of ,,god learn war and jangle no more40 ,hasten that time1 ,o glorious ,emmanuel1 and let thy kingdom come6,rev4 ,sir1 whilst ,i am writing1 the fire of love kindles in my heart4 ,i am amazed1 to think the blessed ,,jesus should employ such an unworthy wretch as ,i am3 ,but thy grace is free1 for1 ,o my ,,god1 it found me out4 ,the love you bear to the lovely ,,jesus1 ,i am persuaded will excite you to pray for me4 ,glad should ,i be of a line from you1 and the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,ulspurgher2 but ,i deserve no regard for not writing to you both4 ,but you know how to forgive1 for ,,god for ,,christ's sake hath forgiven you4 ,hoping therefore for a line from you by the hands of the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,z1 ,i subscribe myself1 ,reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged1 affectionate1 tho' unworthy younger brother and servant in the kingdom and patience of the blessed ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,cccclxxxix4 ,to ,mr4 ,p1 of ,newbury4 ,london1 ,nov4 #bg1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,this morning ,i received your sweet and lovely letter4 ,it humbled me before ,,god2 but ,i rejoiced1 as ,i had long since publickly recanted all that is exceptionable in that extract4 ,i think ,i was overseen in publishing it2 but this is not the first blunder ,i have made4 ,my mistakes have been so many1 and my imprudence so great1 that ,i have often wondered that the glorious ,,jesus would employ me in his service4 ,but he has proved his eternal goodness1 long-suffering1 and love1 by bearing with me1 and1 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 he still delights to honour me4 ,since ,i have been in ,london1 he has given me great freedom of soul1 and caused his word to come with power4 ,i have news of my family being safe at ,georgia4 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to embark next ,january4 ,i most heartily thank you for this last instance of your love1 and pray our dear ,,jesus to reward you for it4 ,your seeing what a poor1 weak1 fallible creature ,i am1 ,i trust will stir you up to be more earnest for me at the throne of grace4 ,next week ,i intend sending you a parcel1 wherein you will have more particular accounts of the work in ,scotland4 ,i hear the gospel flourishes in ,gloucestershire and ,wales4 ,dear ,mr4 ,c will be sadly missed4 ,but he is in peace1 and the residue of the spirit is in the ,redeemer's hands4 ,that you and your dear flock and family may experience a large effusion of it in your dear souls1 is and shall be the earnest prayer of1 dear and ,rev4 ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 tho' most unworthy brother and servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxc4 ,to the ,bishop of ,sarum4 ,nov4 #cj1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,i ,beg your ,lordship's pardon for troubling you with this4 ,i believe your ,lordship will not be offended1 when you know the cause4 ,there is one ,mr4 ,c1 a true lover of ,,jesus ,,christ1 who has been much honoured in bringing many poor sinners in ,wiltshire to the knowledge of themselves and of ,,god4 ,he is a member of the ,church of ,england1 but sadly opposed by the clergy in ,wiltshire1 as well as by many that will come to hear him preach4 ,in a letter1 dated ,november #afth1 from ,toxham1 he writes thus3 8,the enemy seems to be more awakened in the villages round about us1 than before4 ,the ministers of ,bramble1 ,segery1 ,langley1 and many others1 have strictly forbidden the church-wardens and overseers to let any of the ,c's have any thing out of the parish2 and they obey them1 and tell the poor1 if they cannot stop them from following any other way1 they will famish them4 ,several of the poor1 who have great families 7to my own knowledge7 have already been denied any help1 for this reason1 because they follow this way4 ,some of the people have1 out of fear1 denied they ever came1 and others have been made to promise they will come no more2 whilst the most part come at the loss of friends and all they have4 ,when the officers threatned some to take away their pay2 they answered1 if you starve us1 we will go1 and rather than we will forbear1 we will live upon grass like the kine4 ,surely the cries of the distressed people have already entered into the ears of the ,,lord of ,sabaoth40 ,in another letter ,i received from him last night1 he writes thus3 8,i should be glad if you could mention the cruelty of the ministers of ,bramble1 and ,segery1 to the ,bishop of ,sarum2 indeed1 their doings are inhuman4 ,the cry of the people1 because of their oppression1 is very great2 several suffer amazingly40,in compliance with my dear friend's request1 ,i presume to lay the matter1 as he represents it1 before your ,lordship1 being persuaded that your ,lordship will not favour persecuting practices1 or approve of such proceedings to keep people to the ,church of ,england4 ,should this young man leave the ,church1 hundreds would leave it with him4 ,but ,i know that at present he has no such design4 ,if your ,lordship pleases to give me leave1 ,i would wait upon your ,lordship upon the least notice4 ,or if your ,lordship is pleased to send a line into ,wiltshire1 to know the truth of the matter1 and judge accordingly1 it will satisfy1 my ,lord1 ,your ,lordship's most obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxci4 ,to ,mr4 ,j4 ,london1 ,dec4 #d1 #agdb4 ,,if my dear brother ,j took it kind1 that ,i called at his house1 ,i am sure ,i took it much kinder that he was pleased to send unworthy me so kind a letter4 ,it has so affected me1 that ,i have been praying before my ,saviour for you2 and though nature calls for rest1 ,i cannot obey it1 before ,i have written to my dear ,mr4 ,j4 ,vile1 unfaithful as ,i am1 my ,master lets me have my hands full of work4 ,from morning 'till midnight ,i am employed1 and1 glory be to rich grace1 ,i am carried through the duties of each day with chearfulness1 and almost uninterrupted tranquility4 ,our society is large1 but in good order1 and we make improvements daily4 ,my ,master gives us much of his gracious presence1 both in our public and private administrations4 ,in our love-feasts1 ,,jesus comes and says1 8,peace be unto you40 ,in our great congregation1 he gives poor sinners to look1 and mourn1 and live4 ,in ,scotland the work was very extraordinary4 ,in ,wales the word runs and is glorified much4 ,in ,gloucestershire1 ,wiltshire1 and ,bristol1 our ,,lord gets himself the victory in many hearts4 ,in ,newcastle1 our brother ,w's are blessed much1 and ,i heartily rejoice to hear that our dear ,saviour is so much among you4 ,if ,i know any thing of this my desperately wicked heart1 ,i am dead to parties1 and freed from the pain1 which on that account once disturbed the peace of my soul4 ,indeed1 ,,jesus has taken many things from me1 and made me to experience1 that in him there is plenteous redemption4 ,about ,january1 ,i purpose1 ,,god willing1 to embark for ,georgia4 ,my dear family hath been wonderfully preserved4 ,as the ,orphan-house was built by faith1 ,i trust the gates of hell shall never prevail against it4 ,methinks ,i hear my dear ,mr4 ,j say1 ,amen4 ,i most cordially salute your dear ,lady1 dear brother ,s1 and all the brethren4 ,i saw our dear ,s before he went4 ,i intended having some sweet fellowship with the church in ,yorkshire1 but was prevented by riding post4 ,if dear brother ,h1 or ,d1 or any of the brethren1 have any thing to say to a poor sinner1 ,i should be glad to hear from them4 ,let this provoke you1 my dear brother1 to send me another letter4 ,i'll redeem time from sleep1 rather than it should not be answered by1 my dear ,mr4 ,j1 ,your most affectionate1 though unworthy1 sinful and younger brother in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxcii4 ,to the ,bishop of ,bristol4 ,london1 ,dec4 #e1 #agdb4 ,my ,lord1 ,,as your ,lordship was pleased to contribute towards the ,orphan-house in ,georgia1 ,i think your ,lordship has a right to hear how that undertaking succeeds4 ,i have made bold to send your ,lordship the accounts of it1 which are published4 ,since the last was printed1 ,i have collected about #cjj l4 and have heard that my family are all safe at the ,orphan-house4 ,i have also taken the freedom of sending your ,lordship my last volume of sermons2 in accepting of which1 your ,lordship will much oblige ,your ,lordship's most obedient son and servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxciii4 ,to ,mr4 ,s1 at ,worcester4 ,london1 ,dec4 #i1 #agdb4 ,rev4 and dear ,sir1 ,,however engaged ,i may be1 ,i think it my duty to answer your kind letter as soon as possible4 ,it is not fit that my ,master's aged servant should wait long for an answer from a younger brother1 especially as ,i know you write with so much difficulty4 ,i thank you1 ,rev4 ,sir1 for your plain dealing4 ,it is what pleaseth me well4 ,indeed1 ,i feel myself a poor1 vile1 worthless creature1 and am glad to receive advice from you1 who have been so long in the ,redeemer's service4 ,however ungrateful it may be to the old man1 the language of my heart is1 8,,lord1 search me and try me1 and whatever secret wickedness lurks in my soul1 discover it to me1 and give me power over it1 that nothing may divert me from that way1 which leads me to life everlasting40 ,your advice1 ,rev4 ,sir1 in respect to preaching1 was salutary and good1 and if ,i may speak any thing of myself1 is what ,i keep close to4 ,i am remarked for my evangelical preaching1 and comforting the mourners of ,zion4 ,i am never so much in my element1 as when ,i preach free grace to the chief of sinners4 ,as to the gentleman you mention1 ,i do not remember ,i ever conversed with such a person4 ,i believe there can scarce an instance be given of any one sent to ,bedlam by my sermons4 ,but ,i rejoice in this1 and all other calumnies that are cast upon me4 ,all hail reproach1 welcome pain1 ,only thy terrors1 ,,lord1 restrain4 ,i must have some thorn in the flesh1 to serve as a poise to the great honour my ,master is pleased to put upon me4 ,in ,scotland1 my reception was extraordinary4 ,it was almost wholly amongst the people and clergy of the kirk1 with many of the highest rank4 ,i was very intimate with several persons of quality1 who ,i trust have been awakened to a true sense of the divine life1 and enabled to count all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of ,,christ ,,jesus their ,,lord4 ,my chief opposition was from the dear ,mr4 ,es and the associate presbytery4 ,they first invited me to ,scotland2 but finding ,i would preach for the ministers of the established church1 as well as for them1 they spoke all manner of evil against me falsly1 and imputed all the work in ,scotland and ,new-,england to the agency of the evil spirit4 ,i pitied1 prayed for1 and loved them1 and do so still4 ,o1 reverend ,sir1 what thanks shall ,i give to my ,,lord for carrying me through so many trying dispensations8 ,i know you will help me to adore and praise him4 ,i am much blessed here4 ,we have many gracious souls4 ,ere long ,i must leave them4 ,i have not the least thought of seeing ,worcester4 ,glad shall ,i be to kiss your aged hands2 but ,i shall see you in glory4 ,begging the continuance of your prayers1 and with all possible thanks for all favours1 ,i subscribe myself1 reverend and dear ,sir1 ,your most obliged and affectionate friend and younger brother and servant in ,,jesus1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxciv4 ,to ,mr4 ,d1 of ,edinburgh4 ,london1 ,dec4 #ah1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,friend and ,brother1 ,,last night1 just before your kind letter came to hand1 ,i had been lying on my face before our compassionate ,high-,priest1 telling him what great expences lay before me for his great ,name sake4 ,i wanted #cjj l4 to pay for the ,orphans1 and much to pay for my own necessary expences1 which he1 by his providence1 brought upon me4 ,your letter came as an answer to my prayer4 ,it humbled1 at the same time that it elated my soul1 and greatly strengthened my faith4 ,surely the ,,lord is on my side1 and the ,orphan-house will stand unconsumed in fire4 ,the enemies1 and even many friends of ,,jesus speak against it2 but this is all to bring me nearer to the blessed ,,jesus1 and to convince me that our extremity is ,,god's opportunity4 ,my dear man1 ,,god will abundantly bless you for helping me at this juncture4 ,i can find but few1 who think it a favour to do any thing for ,,god1 and love to help a friend to the very last4 ,o1 dear ,sir1 was you here1 ,i could weep over you1 and thank you most heartily4 ,last night ,i was enabled to intercede for you very much4 ,,god will hear my prayer1 and not let my dear friend lose his reward4 ,the #afth of this month was my birth-day4 ,it made me blush to think how much sin ,i have committed against1 and how little good ,i have done for ,,god4 ,as soon as ,i opened and read your letter1 amazed1 ,i cried out1 ,i am the vilest wretch living1 and so ,i think now4 ,i know you will pray for me1 and thank our ,saviour too4 ,he is very kind to me4 ,our society goes on well4 ,i am now in my winter-quarters1 preparing for a fresh campaign4 ,though ,i richly deserve it1 yet our infinitely condescending ,,jesus will not lay me aside1 until he has performed all his good pleasure in and by me4 ,wishing you1 my dear ,sir1 all the blessings of the everlasting covenant1 and sending you ten thousand thanks for all favours1 ,i subscribe myself1 ,your most obliged affectionate friend1 brother1 and unworthy servant in ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxcv4 ,to ,mr4 ,i4 ,london1 ,dec4 #ba1 #agdb4 ,my very dear ,brother1 ,,when your letters come1 ,i find great freedom to send immediate answers4 ,a proof this1 ,i trust1 that our ,saviour intends our brotherly love not only to continue1 but increase4 ,this day ,i dined with old ,mr4 ,f1 and was kindly entertained by him and his wife4 ,i then remembered what sweet counsel we had there taken together1 and rejoiced in the happy prospect of our being ere long for ever together with our blessed and glorious ,,lord4 ,my brother1 what has our ,saviour done for us since that time8 ,what is he doing for us now8 what did he do ere time began8 what will he do when time shall be no more8 ,o how sweet is it to be melted down with a sense of redeeming love6 ,it is this must strike the rock1 and break the bars of unbelief asunder4 ,o6 to be kept always low at the feet of ,,jesus6 ,it is right1 my brother1 always to insist on poverty of spirit1 and emptying the creature of self4 ,i heartily join with you in your petition for yourself and unworthy me4 ,i know what a dreadful thing it is1 to carry much sail without proper ballast1 and to rejoice in a false liberty4 ,joy floating upon the surface of an unmortified heart1 is but of short continuance4 ,it puffs up1 but doth not edify4 ,i thank our ,saviour that he is shewing us here more of our hearts1 and more of his love4 ,i doubt not but he deals so with you4 ,i heartily greet your dear houshold1 and your societies1 and return my love to ,mr4 ,s4 ,i have heard him mentioned by lady ,f ,g4 ,if our ,saviour gives me leave1 ,i would gladly come to ,yorkshire4 ,but ,i think the cloud points strongly towards ,georgia4 ,he hath taken wonderful care of the sheep left in yonder wilderness1 and interposed mightily in their behalf4 ,i know you will thank him for it4 ,i have had a loving conference with dear ,mr4 ,b1 and have received a sweet gospel-letter from dear ,mr4 ,h4 ,with this ,i send to him1 you1 and yours1 and all the brethren1 most hearty love1 and am1 my very dear brother1 ,ever yours in ,,christ1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxcvi4 ,to the ,honourable ,colonel ,g4 ,london1 ,dec4 #ba1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,sir1 ,,your kind letter put me in mind of righteous ,lot1 whose soul was grieved day by day at the ungodly conversation of the wicked4 ,it was the same with holy ,david4 ,his eyes1 like yours1 honoured ,sir1 gushed out with water because men kept not ,,god's law4 ,let this be your comfort1 honoured ,sir1 that ere long 8the wicked shall cease from troubling you1 and your weary soul shall be at rest40 ,our ,saviour will give you a discharge1 when you have fought a few more battles for him4 ,an exceeding and eternal weight of glory is laid up for you1 which ,,god the righteous judge shall give you at that day4 ,i confess your situation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a disciple of the prince of peace4 ,but persons can better judge for themselves1 than strangers can judge for them4 ,however1 ,i cannot say1 ,i would change posts4 ,indeed1 honoured ,sir1 ,i think mine is a glorious employ4 ,i am not ashamed of my master1 though my master may well be ashamed of me4 ,i know no other reason1 why ,,jesus has put me into the ministry1 than because ,i am the chief of sinners1 and therefore fittest to preach free grace to a world lying in the wicked one4 ,blessed be ,,god1 he gives much success1 and for the generality answers your prayers1 by giving me a thriving soul in a healthful body4 ,but ,o my unfruitfulness6 ,i am often ashamed that ,i can do no more for that ,,jesus who hath redeemed me by his own most precious blood4 ,honoured ,sir1 the thoughts quite confound me4 ,o that ,i could lie lower6 then should ,i rise higher4 ,could ,i take deeper root downwards1 then should ,i bear more fruit upwards4 ,i want to be poor in spirit4 ,i want to be meek and lowly in heart4 ,i want to have the whole mind that was in ,,christ ,,jesus4 ,blessed be his name for what he has given me already4 ,blessed be his name1 that out of his fulness ,i receive grace for grace4 ,o that my heart was ,,christ's library6 ,i would not have one thief to lodge in my ,redeemer's temple4 8,,lord1 scourge out every thief10 is the daily language of my heart4 ,the ,,lord will hear my prayer1 and let my cry come unto him4 ,i have just been writing to your honoured lady4 ,i think she grows in grace4 ,may you and yours be filled with all the fulness of ,,god6 ,in about six weeks1 ,,god willing1 ,i purpose to embark for ,georgia4 ,our ,,lord has wonderfully appeared for my poor orphans4 ,i am yet in arrears for them1 but my ,,god knows how to supply all my wants4 ,i am enabled to cast all my care upon him1 believing that he careth for me4 ,i hope to have the favour of another letter before ,i embark4 ,in the mean while1 ,i beg the continuance of your prayers1 and am1 honoured ,sir1 ,your most affectionate1 though very unworthy brother1 and servant in our glorious head1 ,g4 ,w4 ,,letter ,,ccccxcvii4 ,to ,lady ,jane ,h ,c4 ,london1 ,dec4 #bc1 #agdb4 ,honoured ,madam1 ,,how are we obliged to your ,ladyship8 ,had ,i time ,i would endeavour to tell you2 but this is my comfort1 when ,i have not time to write1 ,i have a heart given me to pray for my dear friends1 and you1 ,honoured ,madam1 have a constant share in my poor petitions4 ,i find by yours to my wife1 that you complain of darkness4 ,ere now1 ,i hope the day-star hath again risen in your heart1 and you have been made to rejoice with exceeding great joy4 ,our ,,lord will not leave you comfortless2 he will send the ,holy ,ghost to comfort you4 ,the time of singing of birds shall come4 ,our ,,lord will not be always chiding4,this is only to shew you more of your heart1 and make you what you long to be1 a very poor sinner4 ,our hearts1 ,honoured ,madam1 are so desperately wicked1 deceitful above all things1 that without repeated instances of feeling our helplessness and misery1 we should forget ourselves1 and run away from the feet of our ,,lord and ,saviour4 ,he therefore1 in love1 empties before he fills2 humbles before he exalts4 ,at least1 he is pleased to deal thus with me4 ,i thank him for it1 from my inmost soul3 for was it not so1 his mercies would destroy us4 ,he helps me also to praise him4 ,when ,i discover a new corruption1 ,i am as thankful as a centinel keeping watch in a garrison1 would be at spying a straggling enemy come near him4 ,i stand not fighting with it myself in my own strength1 but run immediately and tell the captain of my salvation4 ,by the sword of his spirit1 he soon destroys it1 and makes me exceeding happy4 ,this is what ,i call a simple looking to ,,christ4 ,i know of no other effectual way of keeping the old man down1 after he has gotten his deadly blow4 ,look up then1 dear ,madam1 to a wounded ,saviour4 ,go to him as a little child4 ,tell him your whole heart4 ,he will hear your lisping1 and set your soul at liberty4 ,he is pleased graciously to answer my petitions1 and to bless my poor labours4 ,we have many good souls in our society1 that are gently coming into the knowledge of themselves4 ,our ,saviour deals most lovingly with us indeed4 ,last night we had a general love-feast4 ,it was exceeding awful and refreshing4 ,i could have wished for some of my dear ,scotland friends4 ,i was enabled to pray for them most fervently4 ,may ,,jesus bless this letter to your soul6 ,wishing1 above all things1 that it may be in health and prosper1 and with humble acknowledgments for all favours1 ,i subscribe myself1 ,honoured ,madam1 ,your ,ladyship's most obliged humble servant1 ,g4 ,w4 ,the ,,end of the ,,first ,,volume4