Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/456

 heart! Honoured Sir, be pleased to accept these few lines from a heart overflowing with love to, and for his great name sake to you. With most humble respects, and affectionate returns of gratitude for all favours, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant, G. W.    LETTER CCCCLX. To Mr. E, in Philadelphia.

Edinburgh, Sept. 25, 1742.

My very dear Brother E,

SINCE I wrote last, your other kind letter, dated July 24, came to hand, by which I find matters at Philadelphia are much the same as when you wrote before. I pray to give me wisdom, and a right understanding, to judge of those different jarring accounts that are sent me. As far as I am able to determine, I think some who have the truths of on their side, defend themselves with too great a mixture of their own spirit, and by this means perhaps some persons may be prejudiced even against truth itself. This is one rock, I pray, my dear brother, to keep your soul from splitting against. Again, I think the Mn Brethren shew a better and milder spirit in the general; but many of their principles deviate as far from the truths of, as the east is from the west, or the north from the south. I wish you may not have gone a step too far. It was unjust for Mr. B's brother to be denied preaching in the new building. Shall I commend Mr. B for this? I commend him not. The brethren should have some other place to preach in, and not make that house a Babel. I cannot give up truth for them, or for any other under heaven. I find they are as weak and fallible as those whom they judge not to have drank so deeply of the spirit of ; and therefore, my dear man, though we love all, we must be upon our guard, and follow not man's teaching, but the teaching of the Holy Ghost. Though principles are not to be rested in, yet it is a good thing to have a clear head as well as a clean heart. Some people make nothing of principles; but why are they so zealous in propagating their own? I think, my dear brother, I am a happy