Nathaniel. All with me dearly love him. O join with him in praying, and giving thanks for us, especially, dear Mr. M, for
Your weak, unworthy, though happy brother and servant in Jesus Christ, G. W.
LETTER CCCCLVI. To Mr. F, in Pensylvania.
Edinburgh, Sept. 22, 1742.
My dear Brother F,
I Received your two kind letters, dated June the 1st and 6th, and can only say, Christ is king in Zion, and orders all things well. I think you cannot have a scene of greater confusion among you, than there has been in England. But blessed be God, matters are brought to a better issue, and though we cannot agree in principles, yet we agree in love, Tho', as you know, I am clear in the truths of the gospel, yet I find that principles of themselves, without the spirit of God, will not unite any set of men whatever; and where the spirit of God is in any great degree, there will be union of heart, though there may be difference in sentiments. This I have learnt, my dear brother, by happy experience, and find great freedom and peace in my soul thereby. This makes me to love many, though I cannot agree with them in some of their principles. I dare not look upon them as wilful deceivers, but as persons who hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel.—Mr. W I think is wrong in somethings, and Mr. L wrong also; yet I believe that both Mr. L and Mr. W, and others, with whom we do not agree in all things, will shine bright in glory. It is best therefore for a gospel-minister, simply and powerfully to preach those truths he has been taught of God, and to meddle as little as possible with those who are children of God, though they should differ in many things. This would keep the heart sweet, and at the same time not betray the truths of Jesus. I have tried both the disputing, and the quiet way, and find the latter far preferable to the former. I have not given way to the Moravian Brethren, or Mr. W—y, or to any, whom I thought in an error, no not for an hour.
