_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. C――――_,
I Cannot forget your frequent attendance on my ministry when last at London. I am pressed in spirit to write you a line, to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. You have learned the truth as it is in JESUS. You have been taught it of GOD. Electing love hath snatched you as a brand out of the fire, and you have followed our LORD without the camp, bearing his reproach. The LORD’s tabernacle has lately been pitched in the fields. Ere long it may be driven into the wilderness. I hope you will follow it even there. The divine presence, I am persuaded, will accompany it. Hath not your heart often burnt within you when the Scriptures have been opening to you, though not under a church roof? GOD is not confined to places. Wherever his people are, he will find and visit them. Our LORD (oh stupendous love!) has been pleased to sail with us. I have tasted both of his rod and staff; each has given me unspeakable comfort. My dear brother, help me to praise him. Who so great, so good a GOD, as our GOD? In about a twelve-month I hope to see you again. Oh pray for me, my dear brother, that I may meanwhile be let further into the mysteries of godliness, “GOD manifest in the flesh.” As yet, I find I am but a child, and a meer novice. But this is my comfort, “The LORD who has begun will carry on the good work,” till I am grown a strong man in CHRIST JESUS. I long to know more of his love, I hunger and thirst after the teachings of his blessed spirit. You, I am persuaded, are no otherwise minded. Still press on and faint not. Yet a little while and you shall enter into perfect joy with
Your affectionate brother in our dear LORD JESUS,