LETTER CCLXXVIII.
To Mr. S, at Worcester.
Reverend and dear Sir, Gloucester, May 5, 1741.
WITH this, I send you my answer to brother Wesley's sermon, and my account of the Orphan-house. I have seen your letter to Mr. N, and thank you for espousing the cause of a poor despised minister of Jesus Christ. I hope as I make advances in the spiritual life, I shall show my zeal more and more tempered with true christian knowledge and prudence. I would willingly have none of my wild fire mingled with the sacred fire that comes down from God's altar. I desire not only to do things for God, but to do them in the best manner. I am a poor unworthy sinner, and yet, (O sovereign grace!) the Lord works by me day by day. At Bristol, error is in a great measure put a stop to. The Lord manifested himself in the great congregation there, and doth likewise here. Last night, we saw and felt his power. I have had the pleasure of seeing dear Mr. P, and I long for that time when I shall see you, Reverend Sir, and all the chosen of God in the kingdom of heaven. But I desire to wait till my change shall come. Dear Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I have prayed for you often. I am a weak sinful worm. As such pray remember, Reverend Sir,
Your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant in Christ, G. W.
LETTER CCLXXIX. To Mr. Wm. W, at Edinburgh,
Dear Sir, Bristol, May 16, 1741.
I Received both your kind letters, and with this send you my hearty thanks for them. I also thank you for your kind invitation of me to Scotland. God only knows when I can come.—All I can say at present is, I will come when the Lord permits. Sad tares have been sown here. It will require some time to pluck them up. The doctrines of the gospel are sadly run down, and most monstrous errors propagated. They assert, "That the very in-being of sin must be taken out of us, or otherwise we are not new creatures." O dear
