PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 1 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 179,792 words · 543 reading sections
Part 1
The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │…
195 wordsSECTION 2THE WORKS OF THE REVEREND GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A.
Late of PEMBROKE-COLLEGE, OXFORD, And Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of HUNTINGDON.…
14 wordsSECTION 3CONTAINING
All his SERMONS and TRACTS Which have been already published:…
10 wordsSECTION 4WITH
A SELECT COLLECTION of LETTERS, Written to his most intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction, in _England_, _Scotland_, _Ireland_, and _America_, from the Year 1734, to 1770, including the whole Period of his Ministry.…
34 wordsSECTION 5ALSO
Some other PIECES on IMPORTANT SUBJECTS, never before printed; prepared by Himself for the Press. To which is prefixed, An ACCOUNT of his LIFE, Compiled from his Original PAPERS and LETTERS.…
31 wordsSECTION 6LONDON:
Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry; and Messrs. KINCAID and BELL, at Edinburgh.…
16 wordsSECTION 7MDCCLXXI.
Entered at STATIONERS-HALL, agreeable to Act of Parliament.…
8 wordsSECTION 8ADVERTISEMENT.
THIS complete Edition of the late Rev. Mr. WHITEFIELD’s Works (printed under the Direction of his Executors) it is presumed, will be highly acceptable to all his Friends, as the just and proper Monument of his Memory and Merit; and both pleasing and useful to the Public in general, but especially to those who desire to…
248 wordsSECTION 9LETTER I.
_To Mr. G. H._ _Oxon, July 18, 1734._ _Dear Sir_, HAVING heard the melancholy news of your brother’s death, I could not help sending you a line, to let you know how much I am concerned. Indeed, I cannot say, I am so much grieved on his account, as for that sorrow, which the loss of so valuable a youth must necessaril…
304 wordsSECTION 10LETTER II.
_To Mr. G. H._ _Bristol, Sept. 10, 1734._ _Dear Sir_, THIS morning I wrote to you in haste, expecting Mr. _I._ would soon be going; but to my great satisfaction, he came hither this night, and soon afterwards, your very much wished-for letter was brought to hand; which (after ten thousand thanks for so many repeated …
721 wordsSECTION 11LETTER III.
_To Mr. H._ _Oxon, Sept. 17, 1734._ _Dear Sir_, I Had the favour of your letter last _Friday_, which brought me the agreeable news of your and Mrs. _H._’s welfare, together with the much-desired account of your approving the scheme, inclosed in my last. Indeed, I did not doubt of its meeting with a candid reception, …
489 wordsSECTION 12LETTER IV.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, Dec. 4, 1734._ _Dear Sir_, I Am heartily glad to hear that the _country parson_ has had so good an effect upon you, and that you are resolved to set in earnest, about working out your salvation: Be sure quench not these first motions; but go on vigorously and manfully, without the least regard t…
253 wordsSECTION 13LETTER V.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, Feb. 20, 1735._ _Dear Sir_, I Believe you think me a strange sort of a person, for not being so good as my word in coming down this winter; and what is worse, in not letting you have a line to acquaint you of my reasons for it. And, indeed, I am not as yet determined; providence having ordered (…
561 wordsSECTION 14LETTER VI.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, March 6, 1735._ _Dear Sir_,…
11 wordsSECTION 15Part 15
I Had the favour of your letter by Mr. _H._ and, as desired, I have made enquiry about the post-masters and clerks of Merton. As to the former, I hear, that the five senior fellows have each a power to elect one in his turn, and that there is now a vacancy, but one ready on the spot to supply it, and no likelihood of t…
1,173 wordsSECTION 16Part 16
Your sincere friend and most obliged humble servant,…
8 wordsSECTION 17LETTER VII.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, June 12, 1735._ _My dear Friend_, LAST night about eight o’clock, your good spouse and myself came safe to our journey’s end, and met with a very kind reception from all parties. After you left us, the ladies grew more serious, and at last by the assistance of _Mr. Norris_, our discourse ran …
329 wordsSECTION 18LETTER VIII.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, Sept. 5, 1735._ _Dear Sir_, HOW welcome is a line from a faithful friend? even as welcome as a shower of rain in a droughty season. But here’s the misfortune, the very kindnesses of friends may be cruelty: Commendations, or even the hinting at them, are poison to a mind addicted to pride. A n…
270 wordsSECTION 19_G. W._
P. S. If Mr. Pauncefort’s petitions run after this manner for me, I should be thankful: “That GOD would finish the good work he has begun in me, that I may never seek nor be fond of worldly preferment; but employ every mite of those talents it shall please GOD to entrust me with, to his glory and the church’s good, and…
81 wordsSECTION 20LETTER IX.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, Sept. 18, 1735._ _Dear Sir_, AS you did not expect to hear from me till _Mr. B――――d_ came, I hope you have not as yet accused me of being too dilatory in writing. Now I have taken the freedom, what can be more proper for me to begin with, than to return ten thousand thanks for those innumerab…
229 wordsSECTION 21LETTER X.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, March 13, 1736._ _Dear Sir_, I Have now but just time to acquaint you, that GOD gave me a pleasant and safe journey, and what was still a greater blessing, a joyful meeting with my zealous, hearty, sincere friends. The alderman bore my expences, and was very agreeable company; so that on all acc…
227 wordsSECTION 22LETTER XI.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, April 2, 1736._ _Dearest Sir_, WHAT a comfort is it for christian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindness of the LORD? O let his praises be ever in our mouths, that we may be telling of his salvation from day to day. O _dear Sir_, I heartily join with you in the delightful duty of th…
496 wordsSECTION 23LETTER XII.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, April 22, 1736._ _Dear Mr. H._, NOW tell me the truth, have not you called me ungrateful? If you have not, it is more than I deserve. I have nothing to plead but business, as an excuse for not answering your last kind letter. Well, forgive me this once, and if I offend so again, then call me ung…
449 wordsSECTION 24_G. W._
♦ ‘necesary’ replaced with ‘necessary’…
4 wordsSECTION 25LETTER XIII.
_To Mr. S._ _Gloucester, June 20, 1736._ _My dear Friend_, THIS is a day much to be remember’d, O my soul! for about noon, I was solemnly admitted by good _Bishop Benson_, before many witnesses, into holy orders, and was, blessed be GOD, kept composed both before and after imposition of hands. I endeavoured to behave…
290 wordsSECTION 26_G. W._
♦ ‘goal’ replaced with ‘gaol’…
4 wordsSECTION 27LETTER XIV.
_To the Same._ _Gloucester, June 23, 1736._ _Dear Friend_, NEVER a poor creature set up with so small a stock. When the good Bishop, who ordained me on Sunday, gave out last year in his visitation charge, that he would ordain none under full three and twenty, my heart leap’d for joy, for then I thought my friends wou…
330 wordsSECTION 28LETTER XV.
_Gloucester, June 28, 1736._ _Dear Mrs. H._, ACCORDING to my promise I am now seated to write you a farewell letter. For providence seems to demand my presence at _Oxford_ immediately, and therefore I propose being there, GOD willing, on _Monday_ night. But first let me return dear Mrs. _H._ my heartiest thanks for al…
504 wordsSECTION 29LETTER XVI.
_To Mr. H._ _Gloucester, June 30, 1736._ _My Dear Friend_, GLORY! glory! glory! be ascribed to an almighty triune GOD.――Last _Sunday_ in the afternoon, I preached my first sermon in the church of St. _Mary De Crypt_, where I was baptized, and also first received the sacrament of the LORD’s supper. Curiosity, as you m…
281 wordsSECTION 30LETTER XVII.
_To Mrs. H._ _Oxon, July 7, 1736._ _Dear Mrs. H._, WHAT shall I say in defence of my seemingly ungrateful silence? Why, I hope, your kindness will accept of the reasons I gave in Mrs. _Well_’s letter, as a sufficient excuse for it, nothing but those, I assure you, being the cause of it. Well then, presuming on your k…
791 wordsSECTION 31LETTER XVIII.
_To Mr. H._ _Oxon, Oct. 14, 1736._ _Dearest Sir_, I Was agreeably detained, as you was pleased to term it, last _Tuesday_, in reading your kind letter, and had I not been assisted by the grace of GOD to receive every thing with an equal, undisturbed mind, perhaps the contents of it might have given me some small unea…
937 wordsSECTION 32LETTER XIX.
_To the Same._ _Oxon, Nov. 5, 1736._ _Dearest Sir_, HEREWITH I have sent you seven pounds to pay for Mr. _Henry_’s Commentary. Dear Esqr. _Thorold_ lately made me a present of ten guineas, so that now (for ever blessed be the divine goodness) I can send you more than I thought for. In time, I hope to pay the apotheca…
404 wordsSECTION 33LETTER XX.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, Feb. 10, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, WHAT shall I say? I cannot be with you this week. Methinks, it would be almost sinful to leave _Bristol_ at this critical juncture, there being now a prospect of making a very considerable collection for the poor _Americans_. The whole city seems to be alarmed. Chu…
172 wordsSECTION 34LETTER XXI.
_To the Same._ _Stonehouse, April 26, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, BE pleased to send the _Poor Country Curate_, and _Flavel’s Husbandry Spiritualized_. I know not what to do for want of a clock in the house. How shall I know, how my precious time passes away? You’ll mind your promise to come. Here are lovely, solitary, and pl…
131 wordsSECTION 35LETTER XXII.
_To the same._ _Stonehouse, May 4, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, WHY does not Mr. _H._ let me hear from or see him? Surely no evil has befallen either him or his family in their way to eternity. Why then tarry their horses? Why are they so long in coming to visit the country, which now looks like a second paradise, and which, t…
276 wordsSECTION 36LETTER XXIII.
_To the Same._ _Stonehouse, May 11, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, I Thank you for your last, and bless GOD that you got home safe: your observations on the weather were pertinent and spiritual. Honest _James_ and I, were out in the midst of the lightning, and never were more delighted in our lives. May we be as well pleased, wh…
127 wordsSECTION 37LETTER XXIV.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, May 24, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, BY the particular good providence of GOD, I got safe to _Bristol_ yesterday by ten in the morning, and was received (unworthy as I am) with the utmost civility and kindness. I have learnt from hence the benefit of setting out on our journey to eternity betimes, and …
137 wordsSECTION 38LETTER XXV.
_To Mrs. H._ _Oxon, July 14, 1737._ _Dear Mrs. H._, IF you remember, I promised you a long and particular letter when I was at _Gloucester_, and nothing hinders but I may now perform it. Permit me then first, to begin this, as I would all my letters, with thanks to you and kind Mr. _H._ for your inexpressible favours…
673 wordsSECTION 39LETTER XXVI.
_To Mr. H._ _London, Sept. 28, 1737._ _My Dear Friend_, I Thank you for your last kind letter and kinder wishes. May they be turned into prayers, and heard at the throne of grace. Blessed be GOD for your new correspondence with our _Oxford_ friends. I hope you will be instrumental to build each other up in the knowle…
283 wordsSECTION 40_G. W._
♦ ‘its’ replaced with ‘it’s’ ♠ removed duplicate ‘for’…
7 wordsSECTION 41LETTER XXVII.
_To the Same._ _London, Oct. 25, 1737._ _Dearest Sir_, MULTIPLICITY of business prevented my writing to you before. But though you have not heard from me by letter, yet you may assure yourself, dear Sir, I never forget mentioning you in my prayers. GOD knows that I and some other friends intercede most fervently for …
286 wordsSECTION 42LETTER XXVIII.
_To the Same._ _Nov. 14, 1737._ _Dear Sir_, I Heartily thank you for your last, and having a few moments, sit down to answer it. Let not my friends trouble me with temporal offers, I shall accept (GOD assisting me) of no place this side _Jordan_. We embark for _Georgia_ in about three weeks or a month at farthest. Yo…
322 wordsSECTION 43LETTER XXIX.
_To Mrs. H._ _London, Dec. 23, 1737._ _Dear Mrs. H._, ONCE more I send you a line. Nothing but an excess of business, should have prevented me writing to you oftner. Your favours, I hope, will never be forgotten, and never cease to be mentioned before the throne of grace, GOD only knows, how earnestly I have recommen…
592 wordsSECTION 44LETTER XXX.
_To Mr. H._ _Margate, Jan. 9, 1738._ _Dear Sir_, HITHER the good providence of GOD has safely brought us; our ship cast anchor near this town, and my dear fellow-traveller and I came on shore (to our great comfort) to buy some things we wanted. We have been most courteously treated by the curate of the place, and had…
490 wordsSECTION 45LETTER XXXI.
_To Mrs. H._ _Deal, Jan. 11, 1738._ _Dear Mrs. H._, HITHER has GOD safely brought us. Pray give thanks on my behalf. We have had two little storms, the one we escaped by being at _Margate_, the other we were enabled to bear manfully, and to pray for you and yours on open deck in the midst of it. All the officers are …
214 wordsSECTION 46LETTER XXXII.
_To Mr. ――――._ _Deal, Jan. 21, 1738._ SUPPOSE I answer _dear Mr. ――――_ before I reach _Georgia_, Will he be angry? I fancy not. I had a mind to write to you again, before I received yours. For as you have been so liberal in your presents, it would be unpardonable in me, was I niggardly in my letters. No, my dear frie…
422 wordsSECTION 47LETTER XXXIII.
_Deal, Jan. 25, 1738._ _Dear Sir_, I Am ashamed of my ingratitude in not writing to you before; but you’ll not wonder I am ungrateful to my friends, when I tell you I am ungrateful to my GOD. However, as I always remark’d you for your charity, I know you will imitate Him you so resemble, and upon my promise of amendme…
516 wordsSECTION 48LETTER XXXIV.
_Gibraltar Harbour, Feb. 24, 1738._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Bless GOD for inclining your heart to take my advice. I know it was intended well, and I hope proceeded from the spirit of GOD. The many fatal consequences I have daily seen, proceeding from conversing with lukewarm christians, makes me jealous of my dear friends,…
358 wordsSECTION 49LETTER XXXV.
_To Mr. ――――._ _Gibraltar, Feb. 25, 1738._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Should think myself unworthy of your friendship, did I not send you a line now GOD has brought me in safety hither. I know you will give thanks, and therefore, GOD forbid I should sin against the LORD in not informing you of it.――Your prayers have already …
524 wordsSECTION 50LETTER XXXVI.
_Gibraltar, Feb. 27, 1738._ _Dear Sir_, EVER since I left _Gravesend_, I remember the fulness of your heart. I have been a constant petitioner at the throne of grace for you, and intended writing to you before, but was ♦let hitherto. However, GOD has now brought me safe to _Gibraltar_, and as I have time, I should thi…
443 wordsSECTION 51_G. W._
♦ ‘lett’ replaced with ‘let’…
4 wordsSECTION 52LETTER XXXVII.
_To Mrs. H._ _At Sea, April 14, 1738._ _Dear Mrs. H._, THOUGH through excess of business, and the shortness of the time, that was allotted me, I wrote but a few lines to you from _Gibraltar_, yet, what hinders, but that I may send you a longer letter now? It’s true we are now near a thousand miles from _Georgia_; but…
577 wordsSECTION 53LETTER XXXVIII.
_To Mr. ――――._ _On board the Whitaker, April 17, 1738._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, TO assure you I do not forget you, I write to you, as yet, eight hundred miles off shore. Your honest heart has won my affections. I make mention of you and your’s continually at the throne of grace in my prayers, and shall have no greater pleas…
420 wordsSECTION 54LETTER XXXIX.
_To Mr. ――――._ _On board the Whitaker, May 6, 1738._ _My dear Friend_, HOW goes time? I can scarce tell; for I have been some time past, as one would think, launching into eternity. GOD has been pleased graciously to visit me with a violent fever, which he notwithstanding so sweetened by divine consolations, that I w…
339 wordsSECTION 55LETTER XL.
_To Mr. H._ _Savannah, June 10, 1738._ _Dearest Sir_, ABOUT five weeks I have been at _Savannah_, where providence seems to intend continuing me for some time. GOD has graciously visited me with a fit of sickness; but now I am lively as a young eagle. All things have happened better than expectation. _America_ is not…
425 wordsSECTION 56LETTER XLI.
_To Mr. ――――._ _Kilrush, (Ireland) Nov. 16, 1738._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Have not forgot you; and as a proof of it, send you this to acquaint you of my safe arrival here. I know you will rejoice and give thanks, and pray that my coming to _London_ may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. GOD has don…
299 wordsSECTION 57LETTER XLII.
_To Mr. H._ _London, Dec. 30, 1738._ _My dear Friend_, I Am appointed by the trustees to be minister of _Savannah_. The bishop of _London_ (Doctor _Gibson_) accepts the title, and has given me letters demisory to any other bishop. I have waited also on Doctor _Secker_, bishop of _Oxford_, who acquaints me that our wo…
194 wordsSECTION 58LETTER XLIII.
_To the Same._ _London, Jan. 27, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, IF I forget Mr. _H._ and his wife, may my right-hand forget her cunning. Excess of business alone was the cause of my silence. I sleep but little, very little. Had I a thousand hands, I could employ them all. I scarce know what it is to have an idle moment. It is la…
239 wordsSECTION 59LETTER XLIV.
_To the Mr. ――――_. _Basingstoke, Feb. 8, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, THOUGH I desired you to write first, yet the love I bear you, will not suffer me to wait so long before you hear from me.――Just now has GOD brought us to _Basingstoke_, where I hope an effectual door will be opened before we leave it, as well as at _Windsor…
362 wordsSECTION 60LETTER XLV.
_To Mr. H――――._ _Oxon, April 24, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H――――_, BLESSED be GOD for working upon your heart by my ministry. I hope the wish’d-for time will come, when I shall see you full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Copies may be taken of my letter; but I would not have it printed, because I intend, when retir’d from the w…
289 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.