LETTER DCCCCXII.
To Mr. S C.
Charles-Town, Feb. 5, 1752.
As I love you most tenderly in the bowels of Jesus Christ, you may easily guess, what great pleasure both your kind letters gave me. They came attended with a great blessing, and knit my heart, if possible, nearer to you than ever. Part of the first, indeed, I mean that which respected the Tabernacle-house, gave me uneasiness; but your last removed it, and made me thankful to our common Redeemer, who in spite of all opposition, I find will cause his word to run and be glorified. Poor Mr. W is striving against the stream; strong assertions will not go for proofs, with those who are acquainted with the divine life, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit even to the day of redemption. They know, that their stock is now put into safe hands; that the covenant of grace is not built upon the faithfulness of a poor fallible, changeable creature, but upon the never-failing faithfulness of an unchangeable God. This is the foundation whereon I build. "Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief! Having once loved me, thou wilt love me to the end; thou wilt keep that safe, which I have committed unto thee: establish thy people more and more in this glorious truth; and grant that it may have this blessed effect upon us all, that we may love thee more, and serve thee better!" All truths, unless productive of holiness and love, are of no avail. They may float upon the surface of the understanding; but this is to no purpose, unless they transform the heart. This, I trust, the dear Tabernacle preachers and people will always have deeply impressed upon their minds. Let us not dispute, but love. Truth is great, and will prevail. I am quite willing that all our hearers shall hear for themselves. The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of liberty. You remember what I have often told you about Calvin. He was turned out of Geneva for several years; but in less than twelve years time they wished for their Calvin again. But what is Calvin, or what is Luther? Let us look above names and parties; let Jesus, the ever-loving, the ever-lovely Jesus, be our all in all.—So that
