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 CIII.
_To Mr. S._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, I Rejoice that GOD sent you so opportunely to _Monmouth_: I find every day that two are better than one. GOD suffers his dear children to fall into little miscarriages, that the eye may not say to the hand, “I have no need of thee;” or again, the hea…
403 wordsSECTION 122LETTER CIV.
_To the Rev. Mr. T._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, SHALL I promise and not perform? GOD forbid. When I saw you first at _Cardiff_, it rejoiced my heart to hear what GOD had done for your soul. You was then under some displeasure of your rector, if I mistake not, for speaking the truth as it …
377 wordsSECTION 123LETTER CV.
_To Mr. M._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dearest Sir_, EVER since you opened your heart so freely in the garden, you have been much upon my heart. Though absent from, yet I have been present with you. I am acquainted in some measure with the strugglings of a soul just awakening into new life. I know too many have …
314 wordsSECTION 124LETTER CVI.
_To the Rev. Mr. H._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dearest Sir_, IT often concerned me, when in _London_, that I could not enjoy more of your company. Your conversation was always seasoned with grace, and such as became the gospel of CHRIST. Your great kindness, in publicly praying for me, can never be…
425 wordsSECTION 125LETTER CVII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. D._, TEN thousand blessings light upon you and yours! The LORD reward you ten thousand-fold for receiving me and my friends into your house. The LORD shower down his heavenly manna, and feed you with the bread of life for those comfortable meals we have had of your providing s…
420 wordsSECTION 126LETTER CVIII.
_To Mr. N._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Honoured Sir_, BE not displeased at the contents of this; if I was not persuaded that love to your soul, and my duty towards GOD, moved me to write, I should be silent. When last at _Gloucester_, I heard you was highly offended at my meetings in the fields, and at the same …
416 wordsSECTION 127LETTER CIX.
_To Mr. Thomas P._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, THOUGH unknown to you in person, yet as you was pleased to think me worthy of the care of your dear son, I think it my duty to acquaint you of his welfare. I bless GOD that he came with me. He is diligent and pious, and I trust will be a comfort to you in …
357 wordsSECTION 128LETTER CX.
_To the Rev. Mr. R. D._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, I Think I am a little in your debt; if not, love and gratitude call upon me to send you a line. Man appoints, but GOD disappoints: His providence called me away, before I could possibly see _Cornwall_. In about a twelvemonth I purpose ret…
318 wordsSECTION 129LETTER CXI.
_To the Rev. Mr. B._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, YOU have been too kind, and I have been too ungrateful. Business would not permit me to have so much private conversation with you as I ought. Success I fear elated my mind. I did not behave towards you, and other ministers of CHRIST, with t…
387 wordsSECTION 130LETTER CXII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. F._, I Have now time to answer your last letter. It gave me much satisfaction. I rejoice that you begin to know yourself. If possible, satan will make us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. I can tell this by fatal experience. It is not sudden flashes of …
315 wordsSECTION 131LETTER CXIII.
_To the Rev. Mr. S._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, THE favours received at _Hertford_, from you and your dear flock, are not yet out of my mind: They were exceeding endearing, and deserve my utmost acknowledgments. Had providence permitted, I should have paid you another visit; but GOD’s tho…
362 wordsSECTION 132LETTER CXIV.
_To Mr. Wm. D――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My Dear Brother_, YOUR last brought glad tidings. I endeavour to give thanks for you with my whole heart. I trust GOD has enabled you to take the advice you gave me, and that you have been kept from idolatry. Oh my dear brother, let us watch and pray, that we may no…
375 wordsSECTION 133_G. W._
♦ ‘Th’ replaced with ‘The’…
4 wordsSECTION 134LETTER CXV.
_To Madam C――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Madam_, TO be made good by the righteousness and spirit of JESUS CHRIST, is a distinguishing blessing. To be made good, and yet to be great and rich in this world’s goods, is still more extraordinary. Blessed be GOD, who has thus highly favoured you. I trust he hath g…
343 wordsSECTION 135LETTER CXVI.
_To Mr. D――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, GRATITUDE and love call upon me to write a letter of acknowledgment for favours received when lately at ――――. The LORD remember them at that day! You have confessed his servants before men, he has promised to confess such, before his angels in heaven. The pri…
399 wordsSECTION 136LETTER CXVII.
_To a Servant._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ WHEN I was at Mr. ――――, I fear I did not ask you often enough what GOD had done for your soul. I write this to beg your pardon. Want of time was the cause. I believe CHRIST hath manifested himself to your soul. Shew it, I entreat you, by labouring to adorn his gospel in …
202 wordsSECTION 137LETTER CXVIII.
_To the Rev. Mr. ――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Rev. and dear Sir_, THE many favours I have received at your hands, are still deeply impressed upon my heart; as I have often said, so I say again, I hope they will never be forgotten by me so long as I live. But, reverend Sir, I have observed some particulars i…
495 wordsSECTION 138_G. W._
♦ ‘You’ replaced with ‘Your’…
4 wordsSECTION 139LETTER CXIX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. S――――_, I Love an _Israelite_ indeed, I love a catholic spirit destitute of guile; you I am persuaded are thus minded. The LORD hath highly favoured you: he hath given you a meek and quiet spirit. My heart hath been knit to you, ever since GOD first brought us together. Oh pray…
304 wordsSECTION 140LETTER CXX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, TO think, that you should be engaged publickly to pray for me, hath often given me much satisfaction, and now excites me to send you this letter of thanks: help me still, help me, dear Sir, by your prayers. They will be a means of lifting up my hands when they hang down, and …
353 wordsSECTION 141LETTER CXXI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Brother_, YOU cannot conceive how often you have been upon my thoughts, since I saw you. Eternity itself I hope will not diminish, but more and more increase that love, which I bear you from my heart. Your stature reminds me of little _Zaccheus_: he that called him, I am persuad…
463 wordsSECTION 142_G. W._
♦ ‘mater’ replaced with ‘matter’…
4 wordsSECTION 143LETTER CXXII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. W._, I Long to be in heaven, chiefly to see GOD even as he is; next, that I may have my soul satisfied with the blissful communion of saints. There I hope to see you and your wife, and to shew how sincerely I love you both in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. My heart has went along …
246 wordsSECTION 144LETTER CXXIII.
_To Mr. H._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My dear Brother_, THE christian love I bear to both your sister and you, excites me to send you a line. Providence prevented your sailing with us; but as we have drank into the same spirit, I hope brotherly love will continue and increase between us, to all eternity. I have…
224 wordsSECTION 145LETTER CXXIV.
_To Mrs. ――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _My Dear Friend_, SHALL I have any leisure time and not write you a line of thanks for your works of faith and labours of love? GOD forbid. I know not your name, but I neither forget your house, nor favours. The LORD reward you a thousand fold! I only fear that you have …
285 wordsSECTION 146LETTER CXXV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. ――――_, STILL I must repeat my former request. Be not angry because I did not visit you oftener. I love, I honour you the more for being of low degree. You are thereby rendered more conformable to our dear and common LORD. His business alone prevented my seeing you so often as …
182 wordsSECTION 147LETTER CXXVI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._ _Dear Mr. C――――_, I Cannot forget your frequent attendance on my ministry when last at London. I am pressed in spirit to write you a line, to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. You have learned the truth as it is in JESUS. You have been taught it …
332 wordsSECTION 148LETTER CXXVII.
_New-York, Nov. 16, 1739._ _Reverend Sir_, SEEING a passage in your letter to Mr. _P――――_ concerning me, I find my heart immediately set to send you a line. I love to be acquainted with the true and old servants of JESUS CHRIST, because I delight to sit at their feet and receive instruction from them. You said right, …
413 wordsSECTION 149LETTER CXXVIII.
_New York, Nov. 16, 1739._ _Rev. Sir_, MR. _N――――_, and the report of your sincere love for our dear LORD JESUS, embolden me to write this. I rejoice for the great things GOD has done for many souls in _Northampton_. I hope, GOD willing, to come and see them in a few months. The journal sent with this, will shew you w…
247 wordsSECTION 150LETTER CXXIX.
_New York, Nov. 16, 1739._ _Hon. Mother_, LAST night GOD brought me hither in health and safety. I must not omit informing you of it. Here is likely to be some opposition, and consequently a likelihood that some good will be done. New friends are raised up every day whithersoever we go; the people of _Philadelphia_ ha…
227 wordsSECTION 151LETTER CXXX.
_To the Rev. Mr. P――――._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Rev. and dear Sir_, I HAVE been much concerned since I saw you, lest I behaved not with that humility toward you, which is due from a babe to a father in CHRIST: but you know, reverend Sir, how difficult it is to meet with success, and not be puffed up with it,…
366 wordsSECTION 152LETTER CXXXI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Brother J._, INDEED I love you. Why? Because I hope you are an _Israelite_ indeed; and one of those babes to whom it has been our LORD’s good pleasure to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD. It is special; it is a distinguishing gift. Be humble, dear _James_, be humble. Talk…
228 wordsSECTION 153LETTER CXXXII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. S._, HAS the LORD yet heard your prayer? Often have I heard you say, “Oh! that I had received the faith!” As often, to the best of my knowledge, have I said, “_Amen._” Ere now, I hope our common Master has fulfilled all your petitions, and given you your heart’s desire. If not…
226 wordsSECTION 154LETTER CXXXIII.
_To Mrs. Martha B._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _My dear Sister_, I Call you not _Martha_, but MARY, for I hope you have chosen the better part, which shall not be taken from you: And yet not so properly may you be said to chuse, as the LORD to have chosen you; for we love GOD, because he first loved us. I can tra…
251 wordsSECTION 155LETTER CXXXIV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. H._, RACHEL brings me glad tidings: She tells me the LORD hath touched your heart by the power of his word, and that your relations have threatened to cast you out for our LORD’s sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad. If you endure to the end, and naked follow a naked CHRIST, gr…
222 wordsSECTION 156LETTER CXXXV.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mr. P._, WHAT a divine sympathy and attraction is there between all those who by one spirit are made members of that mystical body, whereof JESUS CHRIST is the head! I loved your departed wife, now with GOD. I love your daughter, and the church in your house, in the bowels of JESUS…
296 wordsSECTION 157LETTER CXXXVI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mr. H._, IF I remember, you used to express a great value for my person and doctrine, otherwise why should you desire a line from such a wretch as I am? When I look into myself, and consider how poor and miserable, and blind and naked my soul is, I wonder that any one should pay me…
245 wordsSECTION 158LETTER CXXXVII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mrs. A._, THESE words of the psalmist, “Let us rejoice in the strength of our salvation,” often come with great power and comfort upon my soul. You and I need take much notice of them: For otherwise how often should we have fallen away from GOD since our first looking Zion-wards? B…
187 wordsSECTION 159LETTER CXXXVIII.
_To the Rev. Mr. R. E._ _Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Rev. and Dear Sir_, THE cordial and tender love which I bear you, will not permit me to neglect any opportunity of sending to you. I bless the LORD from my soul, for raising you and several other burning and shining lights to appear for him in this midnight of t…
508 wordsSECTION 160LETTER CXXXIX.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Brother_, IT is much upon my heart to send you a line. Although you are not with me, yet as GOD was pleased to touch you by my unworthy ministry, I love you with a peculiar love. Business prevented my writing to you when in _Yorkshire_. I was sorry to hear that Brother _J――――_ had …
272 wordsSECTION 161LETTER CXL.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mr. B._, YOUR kind present of flour has been of singular use to me and my family; I pray GOD, in return, to feed you with that bread which cometh down from heaven. You are one of my first and choicest friends. You have not been ashamed to own me, or to attend on my ministry. It wil…
318 wordsSECTION 162LETTER CXLI.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Reverend Sir_, I AM not willing to go on shore till I have performed my promise, and sent you a line. I heartily wish I could write something which might advance the glory of GOD and the good of his church. As we both profess ourselves ministers of the gospel, these two things ought to …
230 wordsSECTION 163LETTER CXLII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Dear Mr. G._, INDEED I love you, though it was so long before I came to see you. Want of time, not of respect, was the cause. GOD is my judge how earnestly I long after your salvation, and how willingly I would spend and be spent in order to promote it. Oh how closely does true faith in…
424 wordsSECTION 164LETTER CXLIII.
_Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739._ _Mr. H――――_, AS you stand so nearly related to your daughter, who is with me, though I am unknown to you in person, yet I make bold to send you a line to inform you of her welfare. I find she did not confer much with you about her intended voyage; but I hope both you and her will have gr…
435 wordsSECTION 165LETTER CXLIV.
_To the Rev. Mr. P――――._ _Upper Marlborough (Mary Land) Dec. 8, 1739_. _Rev. and dear Sir_, TILL now, I have neither had leisure nor freedom to answer your kind letter. Blessed be GOD, who has opened the hearts of some of his people at _New York_ to receive the word. May he enable you to water what his own right hand…
374 wordsSECTION 166LETTER CXLV.
_Upper Marlborough, Dec. 8, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, I Cannot defer writing to dear Mr. _N――――_ any longer.――This afternoon GOD brought us hither. Some are solicitous for my staying here to-morrow. As it seems to be a call from providence, I have complied with their request. Oh that I may be enabled to lift up my voice like…
432 wordsSECTION 167LETTER CXLVI.
_To Mr. B――――._ _Upper Marlborough, Dec. 8, 1739._ _Dear Sir_, GRATITUDE obliges me to send you a letter of thanks for your last kind present, and all other favours; but the love of our LORD JESUS CHRIST constrains me to write to you, exhorting you earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. I hu…
356 wordsSECTION 168LETTER CXLVII.
_To Captain B――――._ _Williamsburgh, (Virginia) Dec. 15, 1739._ HITHER GOD brought us last night; I trust the same gracious being, by his good providence, has conducted you safe to _Philadelphia_. I cannot say, I have met with so much as even an _almost christian_, since I parted from you, till I came to _Colonel Whit…
356 wordsSECTION 169LETTER CXLVIII.
_To the Rev. Mr. G―――― T――――._ _Williamsburgh, Dec. 15, 1739._ _My dear Brother_, BE not angry because you have not heard from me. Indeed I love and honour you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. You are seldom out of my thoughts; but till now I have not had liberty given me, to send you a line――I trust the work goes on g…
297 wordsSECTION 170LETTER CXLIX.
_To Mrs. C._ _Newton, Cape Fear, Dec. 28, 1739._ _My dear Sister in CHRIST_, JUST now we have been singing the hymn, which we sung at _Broad-oak_; and as I generally do at such seasons, I thought of that happy time wherein we sung it in your great hall. It was a time much to be remembered, an anticipation, I believe,…
336 wordsSECTION 171LETTER CL.
_Savannah, Jan. 16, 1740._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, WITH much pleasure (tho’ not till last week) I received your kind affectionate letter. I thank you for it with all my soul, and pray GOD to reward you for this, and all other your works of faith and labours of love. You may depend on my not being prejudiced against y…
528 wordsSECTION 172LETTER CLI.
_Savannah, Jan. 22, 1740._ _My Hon. Friend and Brother in CHRIST_, YOUR last letter quite confounded me. What am I, that I should be thus highly favoured! I can only say, that “Less than the least of all GOD’s mercies,” shall be my motto still. I have experienced many inward trials, since I saw you last. But I find th…
374 wordsSECTION 173LETTER CLII.
_To the Rev. Mr. C._ _Savannah, Jan. 24, 1740_ _Rev. and dear Sir_, I Received your kind, though undeserving letter, and now snatch a few moments from my other avocations, in order to send you a short answer. May GOD who knits the elect in one communion and fellowship, sanctify our friendship and correspondence to th…
264 wordsSECTION 174LETTER CLIII.
_To Mr. W. D._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _My dear Brother in CHRIST_, BLESSED be GOD, for the good report I hear of your zeal for our dear _Emanuel_. Go on, I beseech you by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS; go on, and I am persuaded the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in your hands. If I am thrown aside as a b…
202 wordsSECTION 175LETTER CLIV.
_To Mrs. D._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _Dear Madam_, I Rejoice to hear that you are likely to be cast out of your mother’s Will _only_ for following CHRIST. This may be only the beginning of temptations. GOD, I believe, out of love will try you to the uttermost. You have drank deep of heavenly comforts; you must ple…
154 wordsSECTION 176LETTER CLV.
_To Captain M._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _Dear Sir_, I Rejoice to hear of your good health, and take this opportunity of sending you Mr. _Law_’s and Mr. _Haliburton_’s life; which I pray GOD to sanctify to your benefit and comfort. I hope you will watch over your heart, and take care to keep up those convictions, w…
178 wordsSECTION 177LETTER CLVI.
_To the Rev. Mr. W. T._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _My dear and honoured Brother_, BLESSED be GOD, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants.――I am abased to think what our all-gracious Redeemer hath done by my unworthy hands, and rejoice to hear that he is working by your’s. Oh that you may experience fres…
181 wordsSECTION 178LETTER CLVII.
_Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _My dear Sister_, I Rejoice to hear that you are enabled to see not only the freeness but eternal duration of GOD’s grace. Till the sinner is convinced of this, I am persuaded he can neither work from a principle of true love, nor give JESUS CHRIST the honour due unto his name. He must alway…
544 wordsSECTION 179LETTER CLVIII.
_To Mrs. Elizabeth W――――._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _My dear Sister_, I Have been just reading over your letter, and felt a sweet sympathy with the writer. Oh that it may increase till we are filled with all the fulness of GOD! Some passages in your letter were dangerous to my soul. Whenever you see any growth of g…
221 wordsSECTION 180LETTER CLIX.
_To Mr. J. N._ _Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740._ _Dear Sir_, I Hope you will excuse my not answering your kind letter sooner.――The many avocations that at present surround me, prevented it. I rejoice to hear that our LORD JESUS is getting himself the victory in the hearts of poor sinners. I hope many will now rejoice in his…
305 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.