_To Mr. S――――._
_Haverford-west, May 27, 1753._
_My dear Man_,
THOUGH my wife hath not sent me the letter, yet she writes me, “That you have sent me a threatening one.” I thank you for it, though unseen, and say unto thee, if thou art thus minded, “What thou doest, do quickly.” Blessed be GOD, I am ready to receive the most traiterous blow, and to confess before GOD and man, all my weaknesses and failings, whether in public or private life. I laid my account of such treatment, before I published my expostulatory letter.――And your writing in such a manner, convinces me more and more, that _Moravianism_ leads us to break through the most sacred ties of nature, friendship, and disinterested love. But my wife says you write, “That _I am drunk with power and approbation_.” Wast thou with me so long, my dear man, and hast thou known me no better? What power didst thou know me ever to grasp at? Or what power am I now invested with? None, that I know of, except that of being a poor pilgrim. And as for approbation, GOD knows, I have had little else besides the cross to glory in, since my first setting out.――May that be my glory still! But my wife says you write, “That I promised not to print.” I remember no such thing. I know you advised me not to do so, but I know of no promise made. If I remember, I had not then read _Rimius_; but after that, I both heard and saw so many things, that I could not, with a safe conscience, be silent. My wife says likewise, that you write, “The bulk of my letter is not truth.” So says Mr. _Peter B――――_; nay, he says, “that all is a lie:” and I hear he declares so in the pulpit. So that whether I will or not, he obliges me to clear myself in print; and if he goes on in this manner, will not only constrain me to print a third edition, but also to publish the dreadful heap that lies behind. My answers to him, the Count, and my old friend _H――――_, are almost ready. I cannot send them this post, but may have time ere long. O my dear man, let me tell thee, that the GOD of truth and love hates lies: and that cause can never be good, which needs equivocations and falshoods to support it. GOD willing, you shall have none from me. I have naked truth. I write out of pure love: and the LORD JESUS only knows, what unspeakable grief and pain I feel, when I think how many of my dear friends have so involved themselves. If any thing stops my pen, it will be concern for them, not myself. I value neither name, nor life itself, when the cause of GOD calls me to venture both. Thanks be to his great name, I can truly say, that for these many years last past, no sin hath had dominion over me; neither have I slept with the guilt of any known, unrepented sin lying upon my heart: if you will tell me of any, I will be obliged to you. In the mean while, I wish thee well in body and soul, and subscribe myself, my dear _John_,
Your very affectionate, though injured, friend for CHRIST’s sake,