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
LETTER XLVI.
_To the Same._ _London, April 27, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H――――_, I Rejoice to hear of the affection of my countrymen. It is a good sign, that the word has taken deep root in their hearts. But above all, do I rejoice that dear _Mr. H――――_ is truly sensible of the free grace of GOD in CHRIST. Now, my dear friend, you will be…
236 wordsSECTION 62LETTER XLVII.
_To the Same._ _London, May 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H――――_, THE hour for my imprisonment is not yet come. I am not fit as yet to be so highly honoured. GOD only knows the treachery of my heart; but amidst all my late success, I have scarce felt one self-complacent thought. I speak this to the honour of GOD’s free grace.…
209 wordsSECTION 63LETTER XLVIII.
_To ――――._ _Blendon, June 12, 1739._ _My dear Brethren in CHRIST_, I Am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, and therefore write to you this second letter. I find more and more that satan has desired to have some of you in particular, that he may sift you as wheat, and will strive if possible to divide and separat…
684 wordsSECTION 64LETTER XLIX.
_To the Rev. Mr. ――――_. _Leachlade, July 18, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, THE scene this morning much affected me; you both put me in mind, how that happy pair, _Adam_ and _Eve_, looked when arraign’d by the Almighty after having eaten the forbidden fruit. Behold the same remedy reached out to you as to them.――The seed of the …
335 wordsSECTION 65LETTER L.
_London, July 23, 1739._ _Dear Madam_, YOUR letter filled me with joy and with pity. Pity, to see you tempted, joy, to find you are thought worthy of enduring temptation. Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But be not afraid, JESUS CHRIST is praying for you, and your faith shall not fail. Yo…
278 wordsSECTION 66LETTER LI.
_London, July 23, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H――――_, I Wish you joy of your new-born son. Oh that it may be made a real child of GOD. I purpose, GOD willing, to stand to my promise, either in person, or by proxy. I know not yet, how providence will be pleased to dispose of me. I have written to the Lords of the Admiralty for a …
206 wordsSECTION 67LETTER LII.
_London, July 24, 1739._ _Honoured Sir_, THOUGH but a child in grace, and a novice in the things of GOD, yet I could not escape this opportunity of shewing you, how dear you are to my soul. Though unknown in person, yet you have long since been known to me in spirit. I hoped to have seen you ere I left _London_. I has…
345 wordsSECTION 68LETTER LIII.
_London, July 25, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, NOT a want of love, but of time, has obliged me to shorten my late letters. Had I an hundred hands I could employ them all. The harvest is very great. I am ashamed I can do no more for him, who hath done so much for me; not by way of retaliation, but gratitude. Fain would I love my…
191 wordsSECTION 69LETTER LIV.
_London, July 26, 1739._ _Rev. Sir_, JUST now I received your kind letter, and am endeavouring to catch a few moments to answer it. I thank you for your encouraging hints. O! dear Sir, continue to exhort, and provoke me to love and to good works, that I may with patience run the race that is set before me. Hitherto my…
226 wordsSECTION 70LETTER LV.
_London, July 26, 1739._ _Sir_, I Received your kind letter, but must beg to be excused from dissuading your son to go with ――――. The employment in which he is engaged will, in the end, if faithfully improved, tend much to GOD’s glory and his own good. He now sits by me; I read over your letter to him, and he continue…
157 wordsSECTION 71LETTER LVI.
_London, July 31, 1739._ OH that my head was water and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep over my dear Mr. ――――. What? And has my familiar friend, who has been dear to me as my own soul, has he taken part with, and gone back to the enemy? Surely it cannot be!――And yet I must believe it.――But if any one had …
344 wordsSECTION 72LETTER LVII.
_Bristol, July 31, 1739._ _My dear Brother_, BLESSED be GOD for bringing you in safety home.――He is a GOD hearing prayer. May he sanctify our meeting. I hope to see you here this week. I shall set out for _Deal_ on _Monday_.――I long to hear how the soul of my dear brother prospers.――I long to embrace you in these unwo…
178 wordsSECTION 73LETTER LVIII.
_London, August 3, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, THIS morning I received yours, and though I leave _London_ this evening, yet I cannot but snatch a few moments to send you an answer. I love all that love our LORD JESUS CHRIST. The spirit of CHRIST, with me is the center. I love the man, and you in particular, though…
309 wordsSECTION 74LETTER LIX.
_London, August 3, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, I Cannot leave _London_ without answering your last letter. I am convinced that GOD calls me now to _Georgia_, and so are our friends. GOD’s ways are like the great deep.――He will go a way by himself. Exitus acta probat. The prophecy you mention, I dare not apply to myself. What a…
216 wordsSECTION 75LETTER LX.
_Blendon, August 6, 1739._ AND would not dear Mr. ―――― stay for my last letter? What, is he retired into the country to learn how to forget his GOD? Is he got into favour with the polite world? Are not these sad symptoms, that my dearest Mr. ―――― is falling away a-pace? He runned into one extreme lately, and now satan…
168 wordsSECTION 76LETTER LXI.
_――――, August 7, 1739._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Thank you most heartily for your last: Had you been more particular, I should have thanked you still more. May GOD reward you for watching over my soul! Pride and selfishness are the tempers of the devil. By the help of my GOD I will never rest till my Master gives me power t…
118 wordsSECTION 77LETTER LXII.
_On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, YOUR kind letter gave me much satisfaction. It breathed the language of one, who is a Boanerges in the church of GOD. Excess of business prevented my answering it sooner. As I am now retired from a public life, I trust I shall have time to …
276 wordsSECTION 78LETTER LXIII.
_On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739._ _Dear Madam_, I Cannot think of your favours, and yet forbear writing a letter of thanks. I cannot think of your parting tears, and not inform you, how sincerely I pray GOD to comfort and refresh your soul.――Oh Madam, your kindness to such a dead dog as I am, quite…
297 wordsSECTION 79LETTER LXIV.
_On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739._ _Dear Madam_, YOUR affectionate parting, and the tears I observed you to shed, even when I was at a distance from you, made me almost ready to cry out “What mean you to weep and to break my heart?” Oh may our dear LORD put your tears into his bottle, and reward you…
210 wordsSECTION 80LETTER LXV.
_On board the Elizabeth, August 14, 1739._ _My dear Mr. ――――_, AT length we are embarked; our ship is now going to the _Downs_.――Yet a little while, and, GOD willing, I shall see you once more in the flesh. My family consists of more than twelve, besides two children; I hope all are desirous to know CHRIST. GOD streng…
355 wordsSECTION 81LETTER LXVI.
_On board the Elizabeth going to the Downs, August 15, 1739._ _My dear Brother_, THE agony I was in at your departure, and the many strong cryings and tears which I offered up to GOD afterwards, plainly shew, that I love you in sincerity and truth. Though I am now about to launch into the great deep, yet I must write …
367 wordsSECTION 82LETTER LXVII.
_On board the Elizabeth going to the Downs, August 16, 1739._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Thank GOD for his goodness to brother _Howell Harris_. I thank you for informing me of it. The storm is diverted for a while, but I expect it to break upon my head one time or another. GOD has, for a while, prepared me a place of refuge i…
272 wordsSECTION 83LETTER LXVIII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._¹ _Reverend and dear Sir_, THOUGH business prevents my corresponding with you so frequently as I did when in _England_, yet what can hinder me now, but a want of gratitude and love? Accept then, dear Sir, my sincere, though late thanks, for all favours conferred upon me, and assure yourse…
359 wordsSECTION 84_G. W._
¹ Many of the letters of this date were written on ship-board during the passage, but dated when sent off from _Philadelphia_.…
22 wordsSECTION 85LETTER LXIX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, MAN appoints, but GOD disappoints. No doubt it was best, that I should not see your answer to the bishop’s letter before I left _England_. I hope it was wrote with the meekness and gentleness of CHRIST, and then no doubt GOD will give his blessing. Oh, dear Sir, …
382 wordsSECTION 86LETTER LXX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Brethren, and worthy fellow-labourers in CHRIST_, THOUGH I know none of you in person, yet, from the time I heard of your faith and love towards our dear LORD JESUS, I have been acquainted with you in spirit, and have constantly mentioned you in my poor prayers. The good pleasur…
431 wordsSECTION 87LETTER LXXI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Friend_, BECAUSE I will not forget you, I begin to write before we get on shore. How is dear Mr. ――――’s heart? Has he yet recovered his first love? And is that prophecy, “This child is set for the falling and rising again of many in _Israel_,” as yet fulfilled in him. I cannot b…
425 wordsSECTION 88LETTER LXXII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Sister in CHRIST_, WANT of time, not want of respect, has prevented my answering your kind letters. I esteem you highly for CHRIST’s sake. I believe you to be one whom GOD has chosen out of the world, and hath sealed to the day of redemption. Nothing, therefore, shall pluck you …
281 wordsSECTION 89LETTER LXXIII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, YOU cannot well conceive how constantly you have been upon my heart, since I saw you. I think there has been a sympathy between your heart and mine. I have often pitied my dying friend, and as often prayed, that he may leave a word for GOD. I say, prayed, for GOD alone c…
226 wordsSECTION 90LETTER LXXIV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Madam_, I Should think myself highly ungrateful, did I not take all opportunities of acknowledging the many kindnesses I have received at your hands. Your last presents have been exceeding serviceable on board the ship, and every time we have tasted your bounty, I have endeavoured …
373 wordsSECTION 91LETTER LXXV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. ――――_, WHEN last abroad, I could not write to you for want of knowing your name. Blessed be GOD we have since been better acquainted, and I now know your name and place of abode. May the GOD, whom I desire to serve, richly reward you for receiving me into your house. You were …
376 wordsSECTION 92LETTER LXXVI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. ――――_, AS I do not forget to pray for, so I do not forget to write to you, to make a proper acknowledgment of your and your husband’s love; exhorting you to save yourselves from this untoward generation. Before I left _London_, I perceived GOD was working upon your soul. I tru…
322 wordsSECTION 93LETTER LXXVII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and Dear Sir_, I Think I may say of you, as the _Samaritans_ did upon another occasion, I believe you to be a true lover of our dear LORD JESUS. Not merely because my brother told me so, but because I have it under his own hand. Your last kind letter has knit my heart most closely …
385 wordsSECTION 94LETTER LXXVIII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and Dear Sir_, SINCE I saw you last, you cannot well tell with what pleasure I have reflected on the uncommon power that frequently attended the word at _Bexley_. It was to me a sign of GOD’s good will, both to ministers and people. The former I was convinced of, before I left _Eng…
350 wordsSECTION 95LETTER LXXIX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ AND how does my dear Mr. _H――――s_? Is he yet commenced a _field preacher_? I am persuaded my dear friend is under the guidance of GOD’s spirit, and therefore am convinced he will be directed for the best. He desires to do his LORD’s will, and shall he not know it? Undoubtedly he shall. N…
363 wordsSECTION 96LETTER LXXX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and dear Sir_, THOUGH but little acquainted with you, yet I write this to assure you, what a cordial respect I have for you. The love of GOD, which I trust, through his free grace, is shed abroad in both our hearts, constrains me to love you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. I remembe…
474 wordsSECTION 97LETTER LXXXI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Friend and Brother_, I Love you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, as a proof of it, I send this. I heartily wish I could correspond with you oftener. Your advice would always be seasonable to me; because you have been a long time in the school of CHRIST. I am but just now entering …
517 wordsSECTION 98LETTER LXXXII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and Dear Sir_, YOUR kind letters, and kinder visit, have made me frequently to long for a more close correspondence with you. I find my heart drawn out in love towards you, and had GOD so ordered it, could have wished to have perused what you have written in my defence. I pray GOD …
328 wordsSECTION 99LETTER LXXXIII.
_To the brethren in ――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ TWICE did I purpose to come and see you at ――――, but was prevented by that all-wise providence, which ordereth all things for the best: however, though absent, I am not unmindful of you. As a testimony thereof I send you this. And oh that you may be filled wit…
338 wordsSECTION 100LETTER LXXXIV.
_To ――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Brethren in CHRIST_, THE cordial love I bear you, will not suffer me to neglect writing to you: as GOD has been pleased to bless my ministry to your souls, so I think it my duty to watch over you for good, and assure you, constantly you are all upon my heart. Your la…
483 wordsSECTION 101LETTER LXXXV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and Dear Sir_, WHY so long silent during my stay in _England_? why did you not write me a letter of reproof, and smite me friendly for what you thought amiss in the discourse between me and a friend at _Bristol_? I should have taken it kindly at your hands. When I am unwilling to b…
337 wordsSECTION 102LETTER LXXXVI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My Rev. and very dear Brother_, EVER ♦since I was favoured with your last most endearing letter, you have been upon my heart more and more. As I wish all the LORD’s servants were prophets, so it gives me uncommon pleasure, when the LORD raises up one of our own church. Believe me, dear …
370 wordsSECTION 103_G. W._
♦ removed duplicate word ‘since’…
4 wordsSECTION 104LETTER LXXXVII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, I Hope dear brother ―――― hath satisfied you about the queries in your last. I trust you are not angry with me for being so long silent. Excess of business was the cause. I write you this, my dear brother, to assure you I have not forgotten you. No, you are upon my heart;…
318 wordsSECTION 105LETTER LXXXVIII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear brother in CHRIST_, AS there has been joy in heaven at your conversion, so I can assure you there has been on earth. I, and my friends, have not failed to give thanks, that you our brother was dead, but is alive again; was lost, but is found. Oh blessed be GOD for calling you at…
227 wordsSECTION 106LETTER LXXXIX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Miss B._, THOUGH, when I came first to London, I thought you had not made the progress which might be expected in the twelve months, for want of company; yet your last behaviour gave me reason to think that you was yet alive to GOD. Oh, dear Miss B――――, do not slumber or sleep, but…
203 wordsSECTION 107LETTER XC.
_To my Brother._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ THOUGH I have wrote now for some years to my dear brother, and have availed nothing, yet I cannot cease striving with him; who knows but at length the Almighty may remove the scales from his eyes, and enable him to see the want of a Redeemer. Indeed, my dear brother, yo…
210 wordsSECTION 108LETTER XCI.
_To Madam M――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ I Cannot think of the repeated assistances you gave me by the loan of your coach, and at the same time forbear sending you a line of thanks. But what is of greater concern, I think it my duty to write to you about a more important affair; I mean the salvation of your p…
371 wordsSECTION 109LETTER XCII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear brother H._, I Congratulate you on your success at _Monmouth_. GOD has yet further work for you to do, ere you are called before rulers and governors, for his name sake. By divine permission, in about a twelve-month, I hope to make a second use of your field pulpits. Our principles…
407 wordsSECTION 110LETTER XCIII.
_To Mr. and Mrs. D――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Friends_, WHEN I consider how constantly you attended my ministry, how gladly you received me into your house, and how affectionately you took your last farewell; methinks gratitude obliges me to send you a line. It hath often given me pleasure to see i…
249 wordsSECTION 111LETTER XCIV.
_To the Rev. Mr. P――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend Sir_, YOU may justly censure me as unkind for not answering your kind letter. I can only plead by way of excuse an hurry of business, and my sudden departure from _England_. At my return, GOD willing, I purpose to see _Newbury_, and there to preach the…
290 wordsSECTION 112_G. W._
♦ insert omitted word ‘to’…
4 wordsSECTION 113LETTER XCV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. ――――_, WAS not my heart with your heart, when we rode by the way and talked to each other concerning the Scriptures? I thought our souls tallied together, and that we had both drank of the same spirit. I have often, since that time, admired the grace of GOD in you, and even now…
443 wordsSECTION 114LETTER XCVI.
_To Mrs. Ann D._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Sister in CHRIST_, I Owe you several letters, I will pay you one now; have patience with me and I will pay you all. If any one ought to long to enjoy the communion of saints hereafter, I ought in a particular manner. GOD has highly favoured me in the acquaintan…
469 wordsSECTION 115LETTER XCVII.
_To the Rev. Mr. R._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Brother R._, BEFORE I left _England_, I heard of your progress in _Leicestershire_ and _Nottingham_. I then rejoiced, yea, and I do now rejoice that GOD hath sent you forth into his vineyard. I wish you all imaginable success with my whole heart. The next n…
340 wordsSECTION 116LETTER XCVIII.
_To the Rev. Mr. T._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, BEFORE I saw, I loved you. Ever since our personal acquaintance, I have often thought, what a noble instrument you might be of turning many to righteousness, if your heart was entirely freed from the world, and inflamed with the love of GOD.…
336 wordsSECTION 117LETTER XCIX.
_To the Rev. Mr. D. W._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, I Love you, though I have been so ungrateful as not to write to you. I love you in the bowels of our common Master whose name we bear, and in whose glorious service we are both employed. Oh, dear Sir, what are we that we should be so high…
394 wordsSECTION 118LETTER C.
_To the Rev. Mr. H._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H._, I Received no answer to my last, yet I must write to you again. The many happy hours I spent with you when at _Oxon_, and the benefit I have received from your instructions and example, are yet fresh upon my memory. I long to have my dear friend come …
370 wordsSECTION 119LETTER CI.
_To the Rev. Mr. K._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Brother K._, I Long to hear how it is with you, and the church in your house. I verily believe, though it is but a little flock, yet it will be our heavenly Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. How happy is it, when all are of one mind in a house; a…
348 wordsSECTION 120LETTER CII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. F._, THE LORD reward you for all your works of faith and labours of love! They shall be brought forth as so many evidences of your lively faith, when we meet before our LORD in judgment. Does not the prospect of that glorious day, often fill your soul with joy? It does mine. W…
413 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.