PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 3 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 178,550 words · 629 reading sections
LETTER MCCCXXX.
_To Mr. D――――n._ _New-York, June 6, 1765._ _My very dear Friends_, ACCEPT a few loving parting lines. Next _Sunday_, GOD willing, we sail in the _Earl of Halifax_ packet. No ship offered at _Philadelphia_. I am almost too weary to write. JESUS made the wilderness to smile! Grace! grace! I have received letters from …
120 wordsSECTION 422LETTER MCCCXXXI.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Plymouth, July 12, 1765._ _My dear dear Mr. K――――n_, PERHAPS I am arrived a little before the expected time. We have had but a twenty-eight days passage, in the _Hallifax_ packet, from _New-York_, which got into _Falmouth_ last _Monday_. I left the vessel near the _Lizard_, and by the blunder…
287 wordsSECTION 423LETTER MCCCXXXII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Bristol, July 18, 1765._ _My very dear Friend_, JUST now, with great joy, I received your welcome letter, I fear the post will be gone, ere this can be put in. Blessed be GOD, I am a little better. I have a fine commodious house, and am kept from much company. You will certainly know my rout.…
129 wordsSECTION 424LETTER MCCCXXXIII.
_To Mr. E――――s._ _London, August 3, 1765._ _Dear Mr. E――――s_, I AM very weak in body, but gratitude constrains me to send you a few lines of love unfeigned, for your labours of love during my absence abroad. I rejoice to hear they were blessed. Our friends tell me, that the sound of your Master’s feet was certainly …
397 wordsSECTION 425LETTER MCCCXXXIV.
_To Mr. D――――n._ _London, September 6, 1765_. _My very dear Friends_, I AM sorry that matters have been so ordered, as to confine you so long at _Bethesda_. But you have learned to believe, that the Redeemer orders all things well. Soon after my arrival, Lord _D――――h_ was put at the head of the board of trade. This …
236 wordsSECTION 426LETTER MCCCXXXV.
_To Mr. A―――― K――――n._ _London, September 20, 1765_. _My dear Timothy_, PRAY when are we to have the honour of a visit from you? I believe more than three weeks are elapsed since you came to _Bristol_. Mr. _Adams_ is to be your collegue here. I purpose for both of you to preach at the chapel, as well as at the taber…
258 wordsSECTION 427LETTER MCCCXXXVI.
_London, September 28, 1765._ _My very dear Timothy_, THOSE that are _Timothies_ indeed, shall be honoured of Him, whom they desire to honour, with a disinterested spirit. I am glad you find old _Jacob_’s prophecy to be fulfilling. “To _Shiloh_ shall the gathering of the people be.” Nothing is wanting at _Bristol_, _…
364 wordsSECTION 428_G. W._
_P. S._ Since writing the above, I find providence calls me to _Bath_, to open good Lady _Huntingdon_’s chapel. GOD willing, I purpose to set out next _Tuesday_. You must set out for _London_ the same day; otherwise, it may be, _Bristol_ people will not see me. Adieu. Your preaching orders, as to time and place, you wi…
87 wordsSECTION 429LETTER MCCCXXXVII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Bath, October 7, 1765._ _My very dear Friend_, WHAT a providence (as matters have fallen out) that your _Bath_ journey was prevented! Could you have come, and been present at the opening of the chapel, you would have been much pleased. The chapel is extremely plain, and yet equally grand. A m…
199 wordsSECTION 430LETTER MCCCXXXVIII.
_To Mr. D――――n._ _London, October 26, 1765._ _My very dear Friend_, ACCEPT a few hasty but loving lines. Your letters came safe. I thank GOD for their contents. In return I can inform you, that _Bethesda_ matters are likely to come to a speedy and happy issue. We talk of my coming over again. It is not impossible, i…
177 wordsSECTION 431LETTER MCCCXXXIX.
_To ――――, at Sheerness._ _London, January 18, 1766._ _Dearly Beloved_, NOT want of love, but of leisure and health, hath occasioned you the trouble of writing a second letter. And now I am sorry to acquaint you, that it is not in my power to comply with your request. For want of more assistance, I am confined in tow…
268 wordsSECTION 432LETTER MCCCXL.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Bristol, March 17, 1766._ _My dear Mr. K――――n_, THE uncertainty of my motions hath made me slow in writing, and a desire to be a while free from _London_ cares, hath made me indifferent about frequent hearing from thence. In a day or two, I hope matters will be determined. If Mr. _S――――d_ com…
321 wordsSECTION 433LETTER MCCCXLI.
_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._ _London, April 25, 1766._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, NOT want of love, but of leisure and better health, hath prevented your hearing from me more frequently. I find I cannot do as I have done. But, through infinite, free, and sovereign mercy, I am enabled to ascend my gospel throne th…
451 wordsSECTION 434LETTER MCCCXLII.
_To W―――― P――――, Esq._ _Tottenham-Court, May 15, 1766._ THOUGH at present in almost a breathless state, by preaching for the best of Masters last night, yet a weak worm hopes to be strengthened to give the holy sacrament at seven next _Sunday_ morning, and, if able, to preach afterwards at ten. If good Mr. _R――――_ an…
185 wordsSECTION 435LETTER MCCCXLIII.
_To W―――― P――――, Esq._ _Tottenham-Court, June 2, 1766._ WHAT a mercy, that GOD’s elect, knit by the blessed Spirit, (that common centre of unity) in one communion and fellowship, can, though absent, be present with each other on earth! What an infinitely greater mercy, that they are assured they shall meet never to p…
295 wordsSECTION 436LETTER MCCCXLIV.
_To Mr. H――――y._ _Bath, June 12, 1766._ LAST night we lay at the _Devizes_. This morning we breakfasted at _Shaw-House_, near _Melksom_, with Mr. _C――――n_. In my way hither, I called upon Mrs. _E――――n_. Her account of Miss _Winter_’s decease, was by no means unpleasant. She was taken suddenly, and though speechless, …
160 wordsSECTION 437LETTER MCCCXLV.
_To Mr. K――――n._ _Cottam, near Bristol, June 19, 1766._ _My dear Friend_, HERE I am, in a large vacant country house, where Mrs. _Wollaston_ was last Summer. She hath got the start of me; but my turn must come by and by. As my feverish heat continues, and the weather is too wet to travel, I have complied with the ad…
191 wordsSECTION 438LETTER MCCCXLVI.
_To W―――― P――――, Esq._ _London, November 1, 1766._ _Happy Heirs of the Grace of Life_, BY your giving young Mr. _R―――― H――――_ hints about a proper direction, I have inferred, that a line, though from one who is less than the least of all, would not be altogether unacceptable. I am sure my poor prayers are continuall…
489 wordsSECTION 439LETTER MCCCXLVII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Bath, November 12, 1766._ _My dear Friend_, THROUGH mercy I slept at Mr. _C――――_’s, as proposed, but have been low ever since my coming here. _Bath_ air, I believe, will never agree with me long. However, if good is done, all will be well. They tell me, that _Sunday_ and last night were seaso…
241 wordsSECTION 440LETTER MCCCXLVIII.
_To the Same._ _Bath, November 20, 1766._ _My dear Friend_, ON _Tuesday_ evening I preached at _Bristol_ to a very crouded auditory, though the weather was very foul. Last night I administered the sacrament there also. We used near eight bottles of wine. I trust some tasted of the new wine of the kingdom. This morni…
303 wordsSECTION 441LETTER MCCCXLIX.
_To the Same._ _Bristol, November 23, 1766._ _Dear Sir_, SUCH a numerous brilliant assembly of the mighty and noble, I never saw attend before at _Bath_. Every thing is so promising, that I was constrained to give notice of preaching next _Sunday_. I hope the Redeemer will give us a blessed sabbath. I trust already …
190 wordsSECTION 442LETTER MCCCL.
_To W―――― P――――, Esq._ _At my Tottenham-Court Bethel, Six in the Morning, December 30, 1766._ _My very dear Sir_, THE _Christmas_ holiday season hath prevented my sending an immediate answer to your last kind letter. The order therein given shall be readily complied with, and the love therein expressed, returned, b…
502 wordsSECTION 443LETTER MCCCLI.
_To Mr. and Mrs. D――――n._ _London, March 4, 1767._ _My very dear Friends_, THANK GOD that you have been so providentially detained on your side the water. Indeed you would find it hard to live here. I would fain have you see _Bethesda_ put on its college dress. That hour, I humbly hope, is now not very far off. What…
196 wordsSECTION 444LETTER MCCCLII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Norwich, April 11, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, STILL I serve a GOD whose mercy endureth for ever. Mr. _D――――n_ received us most gladly. As sweet a gospel excursion as at any time. The _Cambridge_ interview, I trust, was of GOD. I met, within three miles of _Norwich_, with another clergyman of th…
187 wordsSECTION 445LETTER MCCCLIII.
_To the Same._ _Rodborough, May 13, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, MY new horse failed the first night; but, through mercy, we got here yesterday about seven in the evening. I was regaled with the company of some simple-hearted, first-rate old Methodists, of near thirty years standing. GOD willing, I am to preach to-morro…
189 wordsSECTION 446LETTER MCCCLIV.
_To Mrs. M――――h._ _Gloucester, May 20, 1767._ _Dear Mrs. M――――h_, AND is the right hand at last cut off? How long, how painful the operation! How aukward, how uneasy ♦to be without it! But hush, nature: it is the LORD’s doing. His own right arm shall bring salvation; his presence shall alleviate the pain. Perhaps th…
238 wordsSECTION 447_G. W._
♦ removed duplicate “to”…
3 wordsSECTION 448LETTER MCCCLV.
_To Mr. and Mrs. S――――n._ _Gloucester, May 21, 1767._ _My very dear Friends_, SURELY your many favours demand a speedy return of thanks. They are all put down in his book, who is not so unrighteous as to forget any work of faith, or labour that proceedeth of love. This is the principle from which, I am persuaded, yo…
270 wordsSECTION 449LETTER MCCCLVI.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Gloucester, May 25, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, I AM just setting out in a post-chaise for _Haverford-west_; and have, therefore, drawn upon you in favour of Mr. ――――, for twenty pounds. This is expensive. But it is for one, who hath promised not to send us a warfare on our own charges. We had a…
198 wordsSECTION 450LETTER MCCCLVII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Haverford-west, May 31, 1767._ _My dear dear Friend_, YOUR spiritual mind medley was very agreeable. I could wish for a second dose, but know not what direction to give about sending it. My rout is not yet fixed. I am just come from my field throne. Thousands and thousands attended by eight i…
284 wordsSECTION 451LETTER MCCCLVIII.
_To Mr. and Mrs. D――――n._ _Haverford-west, June 1, 1767._ _My very dear Friends_, YOU will be so kind as to shew all manner of _Bethesda_ civilities to the bearer, Mr. _Edward E――――n_. I trust, he hath been truly moved by the Holy Ghost, to enter into the ministry. With him I hoped to have sent the charter, or rathe…
151 wordsSECTION 452LETTER MCCCLIX.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Gloucester, June 10, 1767._ _My very dear Friend_, BLESSED be GOD, I am got on this side the _Welsh_ mountains! Blessed be GOD, I have been on the other side. What a scene last _Sunday_! What a cry for more of the bread of life! But I was quite worn down. Blessed be GOD, I am now better than …
206 wordsSECTION 453LETTER MCCCLX.
_London, July 21, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, I HOPE, ere this comes to hand, you will have taken your second degree. A good degree indeed: to be a preacher, a young preacher, a mobbed, perhaps a stoned preacher――O what an honour! How many prayers will you get when I read your letter at Tabernacle; and the prayers of so ma…
280 wordsSECTION 454LETTER MCCCLXI.
_London, August 6, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, IT is late; but I must answer your request. The inclosed made me pity, smile, and rejoice: smile at the writer’s worn-out sarcasms, pity his ignorance, and rejoice that you are thus called to be a martyr, a living martyr for our common LORD. Fear not, only go forwards; you kno…
356 wordsSECTION 455LETTER MCCCLXII.
_To Mr. A――――s._ _London, August 14, 1767._ _My very dear Tommy_, I AM sorry to hear you have been sick. This hath been my case. Blessed be GOD, I am better. Who knows but I may be strengthened to take a trip to _Scotland_. This itch after itinerating, I hope will never be cured till we come to heaven. Though laymen…
265 wordsSECTION 456LETTER MCCCLXIII.
_London, August 26, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, MR. ―――― hath just now been with me, and shewed me your letter, expecting also a sight of mine. But my letters are brought late, and to-morrow I go to preach at Lady _F――――y S――――y_’s. I therefore, though quite ill, must send you a few lines now. Go to JESUS; learn to pray of…
155 wordsSECTION 457LETTER MCCCLXIV.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Leeds, September 11, 1767._ _My very dear Friend_, THROUGH the tender mercies of our GOD, we arrived here last night about six o’clock. In the way, I was enabled to preach both at _Northampton_ and _Sheffield_. Good seasons! The _Americans_ were gone the day before I arrived at the last place…
202 wordsSECTION 458LETTER MCCCLXV.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Newcastle, September 20, 1767._ _My dear very dear Friend_, PREACHING and travelling prevent writing. Through unmerited mercy, I am well. Upon the maturest deliberation, after earnest prayer, and for several peculiar reasons, which you shall know hereafter, I decline going to _Scotland_ this …
231 wordsSECTION 459LETTER MCCCLXVI.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Thirsk, September 28, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, NEVER was I so long a stranger to _London_ affairs before. But being detained here, by the persuasion of friends, an express is gone to fetch what letters may have been sent to _Leeds_. I want to know the determination about the society sermon, a…
217 wordsSECTION 460LETTER MCCCLXVII.
_To Mr. and Mrs. S――――n._ _Leeds, September 30, 1767._ _My dear Friends_, GRACE, mercy and peace, be multiplied upon you and yours, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Our LORD! Our GOD! Glorious words, glorious thought, glorious feeling, glorious experience! Enough to make us rejoice with joy unspeakable; even with a jo…
156 wordsSECTION 461LETTER MCCCLXVIII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Leeds, October 1, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, YOUR letter to Mr. _Shent_ reached me yesterday at _Thirsk_, and hastened me hither. That from _A―――― B――――_, I almost impatiently wait for. Blessed be GOD, that matters go on so well in town. It is the same to the LORD, to save by few as by many. No…
202 wordsSECTION 462LETTER MCCCLXIX.
_To Mrs. H――――._ _Leeds, October 3, 1767._ _My good Shunamite_, JUST as your letter came, I was taking pen in hand, to send you a few lines. What a mercy, when good news comes from town and country! And what news so good, as that of the word of the LORD JESUS running and being glorified? This hath been the case with…
206 wordsSECTION 463LETTER MCCCLXX.
_To Mr. W――――y._ _Huthersfield, October 6, 1767._ _My dear Mr. W――――y_, HOW is death scattering his arrows all around us! even into our houses. Perhaps, ere now, your dear yoke-fellow, as well as dear Mr. _Langworthy_, and Mr. _Wright_’s mother, are laid in the silent grave. Surely, the call to us is loud, yea very …
197 wordsSECTION 464LETTER MCCCLXXI.
_To Mr. A――――s._ _London, October 12, 1767._ _My very dear Tommy_, GOOD-morrow. This comes to enquire how you and yours do? I am just returned from my northern circuit. It hath been pleasant, and I trust profitable. Praise the LORD, O our souls! Every where the fields have been white ready unto harvest. I am become …
231 wordsSECTION 465LETTER MCCCLXXII.
_London, October 23, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, BY your brother _Peter_’s letter, the hour of expulsion is not yet come. Surely they will not be so imprudent, or act so contrary to the laws of _English_ liberty. I long to know what statutes they say you have broken, what concessions have been made. Your diocesan will make…
219 wordsSECTION 466_G. W._
_P. S._ I shall send the original to your _Fidus Achates_, in ――――, but I shall keep a copy. Who knows? _Sauls_ may yet become _Pauls_.…
26 wordsSECTION 467LETTER MCCCLXXIII.
_To Mr. A――――s._ _London, October 24, 1767._ _My very dear Tommy_, WAS not Mrs. _J――――s_ very near her time, and her husband consequently thereby detained in town, you would herewith receive a mandamus to come up to court. The first vacancy you may depend upon. In the mean while, may the country all round about ring…
212 wordsSECTION 468LETTER MCCCLXXIV.
_To Mr. C――――._ _London, October 24, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, SUPPOSING you made this addition to the motto of your coat of arms, _Nemo me impune lacessit_? He that toucheth GOD’s people, toucheth the apple of GOD’s eye. That is a very tender part. I am glad your diocesan is expected soon. I have no suspicion of his be…
303 wordsSECTION 469LETTER MCCCLXXV.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Tottenham-Court, Saturday Morning, October 31, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, I WISH some one hour could be fixed for the triumvirate, to meet once a week. Some business might then be done for both ends of the town. Regular dispatch is beautiful. What your hand findeth to do, do it with all your mi…
137 wordsSECTION 470_G. W._
¹ Referring to the sermon he preached at the tabernacle, to the Society for promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor, on _Wednesday_, the 28th instant; the collection amounting to 105l. 13s. his friend he was writing to being one of the Stewards.…
42 wordsSECTION 471LETTER MCCCLXXVI.
_To Mr. G――――s._ _London, November 14, 1767._ _My dear Sir_, ALL know my mind. Go forward, I think is the royal word of command. We may then indeed have a red-sea to pass through. But the threatening waves shall become a wall on the right hand and on the left. I am ashamed to find so many silenced by mere _Bruta Ful…
196 wordsSECTION 472LETTER MCCCLXXVII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Tottenham-Court, November 27, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, NONE but GOD knows what a concern lies upon me now, in respect to _Bethesda_. Friends can guess, and a little sympathize, and I thank them for it; but the Friend of sinners alone can shew what is to be done. At present, as to this particu…
188 wordsSECTION 473LETTER MCCCLXXVIII.
_London, December 1, 1767._ _Dear Sir_, _QUANTUM mutatus ab illo!_ As you now do not suffer outwardly, I expect to hear that you suffer inwardly. Nothing else can preserve you this winter season, or prepare you for another spring. A spring, I trust, you will yet have. Then shall poor _Sampson_’s locks grow again, and…
293 wordsSECTION 474_G. W._
_P. S._ Dear Mr. ―――― must hear from me next. GOD bring all your souls out of prison. Amen and amen.…
21 wordsSECTION 475LETTER MCCCLXXIX.
_To the Hon. and Rev. Mr. S――――y._ _Bath, December 8, 1767._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, HOW glad was I to hear by the _London Shunamite_, that you and your Lady were well; that GOD had given you a son; that you reflected on your preaching at _Tottenham-Court_ chapel with pleasure; that you had gotten a curate; an…
348 wordsSECTION 476LETTER MCCCLXXX.
_To Lady S―――― S――――._ _Bath, December 9, 1767._ _Honoured Madam_, ALL hath been awful, and more than awful. On _Saturday_ evening, before the corpse was taken from _B――――n-House_, a word of exhortation was given, and a hymn sung in the room where the corpse lay. The young Earl stood with his hands on the head of th…
649 wordsSECTION 477LETTER MCCCLXXXI.
_Bristol, December 12, 1767._ _My dear Captain_, I HOPE this will find you rejoicing with trembling, on account of an additional careful comfort. Thus it must be in this mixed state of things. Yet a little while, and our joy will be permanent, uninterrupted, and without alloy. For five days together we have been atte…
198 wordsSECTION 478LETTER MCCCLXXXII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Bristol, December 16, 1767._ _My dear Friend_, WE have been favoured with golden seasons here. I have been enabled to preach thrice, and to administer the holy sacrament. Thousands went away on _Sunday_, because they could not come in. The word hath been attended with great power. Grace! grac…
206 wordsSECTION 479LETTER MCCCLXXXIII.
_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._ _London, December 28, 1767._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, WHY do you and I exchange letters so seldom? Perhaps it would be better to correspond more frequently. This brings you the good news of the triumphant death of the late Earl of _B――――n_. He behaved like the patriarch _Jacob_, when by …
434 wordsSECTION 480LETTER MCCCLXXXIV.
_To Mr. W――――b._ _London, February 4, 1768._ _My dear Sir_, WHO would but converse when together, like persons that may never meet again till launched into an endless eternity. I hope this was in some measure our case, when we dined lately at Mr. _H――――t_’s. One of the company, I find, is gone, and I trust to eat br…
158 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.