AVOID CONTROVERSY

I believe the Lord has a people among you, and I wish He may honour Mr. H—— by making him useful to gather them together, and to build them up in their most holy faith. My prayers are not wanting for him and them. Particularly, I desire the Prince of Peace to keep him from a disputing spirit. I do not know that he is given to it, but I know many who are, whose principles, as well as tempers, incline them to be of a self-righteous and therefore of a censorious and wrangling spirit. I have suffered more from such than from all the world beside. Bid Mr. H—— take a warning from me. I advise him to avoid controversy as he would the plague; and if he would be kept entirely, I will tell him how I am kept. The doctrines which others are disputing about, I am living upon. They have ceased to be with me matters of controversy. I have brought them into experience, by which means I am not only certain of their truth, but also receive great profit. Doubting and disputing are at an end; for what room can there be to question any doctrine which is really practical, and brings in great revenue? Thus a man gets to be settled. Others quarrel about the shell; he feeds upon the kernel, and often feasts upon it.

(From a letter of William Romaine)