Rev. and Dear Sir, Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.
YOUR kind letters, and kinder visit, have made me frequently to long for a more close correspondence with you. I find my heart drawn out in love towards you, and had God so ordered it, could have wished to have perused what you have written in my defence. I pray God to confer on you that reward, which he has promised to give those who confess him before men. If the gospel continues to run and have such free course, I must suffer, as well as preach for my dear Lord Jesus. Oh lift up your hands, dear Sir, in the congregations of the faithful, that I may willingly, (if need be) resist even unto blood; but not with carnal weapons. Taking the sword out of the hand of God's spirit, I fear has more than once stopped the progress of the gospel. The Quakers, though wrong in their principles, yet I think have left us an example of patient suffering, and did more by their bold, unanimous and persevering testimonies, than if they had taken up all the arms in the kingdom. In this respect I hope I shall follow them as they did Christ, and though I die for him, yet take up no carnal weapon in defence of him in any wise. The doctrines of our election, and free justification in Christ Jesus, are daily more and more pressed upon my heart. They fill my soul with a holy fire, and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour. Surely I am safe, because put into his almighty arms. Though I may fall, yet I shall not utterly be cast away. The spirit of the Lord Jesus will hold, and uphold me. That God may every day enrich you more and more with the anointings of this spirit, is the hearty prayer of, Reverend and dear Sir,
Your most obliged friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
