_To Mr. J―――― H――――._
_Savannah, June 25, 1740._ _Dearest J――――_,
EVERY letter you write, knits my heart more and more to you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. Your last I received on _Saturday_. GOD had been preparing me for it, by a week’s intimation upon my heart, and by an inexpressible agony in my soul just before it came to hand. Blessed be GOD that our friends preach up poverty of spirit, for that is the only foundation whereon to build solid abiding comfort. The stony ground received the word with joy; but how did those hearers stand in a day of temptation? They fell away; for it is very possible that the heart may have much joy floating on the top of it, and yet be as hard as the nether millstone. Hence it is that so many, who boast of rest in their flashes of joy, are self-willed, impatient of reproof, despisers of others in a mourning state, and wise in their own conceits: whereas the believer, that hath been with his LORD in the wilderness, and has a truly broken and contrite heart, though his joy may not be so extravagant, yet it is substantial. Such a soul hangs upon GOD; thinks before he speaks; and is continually hearkening for what the LORD will say to him, by the small still voice of his spirit. This is the state I want all our friends to arrive at. I cannot see how they can, with assurance, talk of their enjoying solid fellowship with the Father, and his dear Son CHRIST JESUS. I shall not be surprized if many, who seemingly began in the spirit, do end in the flesh, and turn persecutors of the doctrines and disciples of JESUS CHRIST. How can they possibly stand, who never felt themselves condemned criminals? who were never truly burthened with a sense not only of their actual, but original sin, especially that damning sin of unbelief? who were never brought to see and heartily confess, that after they had done all, GOD might, notwithstanding, deny them mercy; and that it is owing merely to his sovereign love in CHRIST JESUS our LORD, that they can have any hopes of being delivered from the wrath to come? It is for preaching in this manner that I like Mess. _T――――s_. They wound deep before they heal; they know that there is no promise made but to him that believeth; and therefore they are careful not to comfort over much those that are convicted. I fear I have been too incautious in this respect, and have often given comfort too soon. The LORD pardon me for what is past, and teach me more rightly to divide the word of truth for the future. Dearest _J――――_, pardon this freedom; I am constrained to write in this manner. I thank you most heartily for your historical letter. Fail not writing to me often. Dearest _J――――_, help me by your prayers: for CHRIST’s sake help me. Our LORD is yet with us. I hear different accounts of things; but I pray for all, and suspend my judgment till you see
Your affectionate brother and servant,