George Whitefield

“ O let not my prosperity destroy me; but as thou hast made me rich in this world’s goods, for thy infinite mercy’s sake, make me rich towards thee, rich in faith and good works. Suffer me not, O Lord, to say unto gold, thou art my hope, or unto the fine gold, thou art my confidence. Let me not trust in uncertain riches, but in thee, the ever-living God. Let me not lay up for myself treasures on earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but grant I may lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth and rust do corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. ”

“ Reverend and dear Sir, how do you? Are you yet God’s mouth to the people? Surely if the prayers of faith keep me alive, the prayers of faith must open your mouth, and constrain you in preaching to shew forth your glorious Redeemer’s praise. All things are possible with God.
Blest is faith, that trusts his power;
Blest are saints, that wait his hour;
Haste, great Conqueror, bring it near,
Let the wish’d-for thing appear.
But you do not like that I should write about yourself? Will you then permit me to tell you, that in spite of all my corruptions, Jesus still continues to bless unworthy me. ”

“ Believe me, Sir, it is nothing but this flesh of ours, those cursed seeds of the proud apostate, which lie lurking in us, that make us to think ourselves worthy of the very air we breathe. When our eyes are opened by the influences of divine grace, we then shall begin to think of ourselves as we ought to think, even, that God is all, and we are less than nothing. Well, you may cry, O happy temper, could I but learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart, I should certainly find rest to my soul. May God, for his dear Son’s sake, give it to you, to me, and to all our dear friends! ”

“ The first temper that we try to awaken in them is pride: as dangerous a passion as that of lust. We stir them up to vain thoughts of themselves, and do every thing we can to puff up their minds with a sense of their own abilities.
Whatever way of life we intend them for, we apply to the fire and vanity of their minds; and exhort them to every thing from corrupt motives. We stir them up to action from principles of strife and ambition; from glory, envy, and a desire of distinction, that they may overtop all others, and shine above their neighbours in the world. ”

“ Gravesend Bethels, I trust, will not easily be forgotten. I am sure you do not forget to pray for a very worthless worm: a worm, and no man! And yet, (O amazing love!) Jesus, a never-failing, ever-loving, altogether-lovely Jesus, careth for and comforts him on every side. Hitherto it seems like my first voyage. Grace! grace! What hath God wrought? With all thy mercies, glorious Emmanuel, deny not the mercy of a thankful heart! Had I more humility, I should be more thankful to God and man. But I once more bid you and yours farewel. ”

“ May God preserve us from falling out in our way to heaven! The world and the devil are united against us; O that we could all unite against them! “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God.” I long to have all narrow-spiritedness taken out of my heart. Jesus is able to deliver me. His blood is Almighty. I trust I shall not rest, ’till I have felt the full power of it in my soul. Blessed be God, I am still carried on from conquering to conquer. Jesus causes me to triumph in every place. I desire to lie as a poor sinner at his feet, and to cry, Grace! grace! ”

“ All is forgiven, all is forgotten long ago; be strong, and God shall establish thy heart. Look up, and put thy trust in the Lord. He is a merciful Redeemer; otherwise what could worthless, ungrateful, unfruitful, ill, hell-deserving I do? O how great is his love to us-ward! How kindly hath he brought me to New-York! Pray let your mourning be turned into praise, and give thanks to the Lord of all lords in behalf of your unworthy friend. You are my old friend. I have loved thee, and do love thee with a peculiar love. May the Lord increase thee more and more, even thee and thy children! ”

“ ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen!
O Lord, who hast taught us, that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which, whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this, for thy only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. ”

“ Blessed be God for leading you into the knowledge of the mystery of gospel holiness.—Holiness, not built on Moses, or the sandy bottom of our own faithfulness, but on Jesus, that rock of ages, whose faithfulness makes us faithful, and a reliance on whole compleat and all-sufficient righteousness, doings, and sufferings, carries the believer on (without thinking of a reward) to do and suffer, what a legal heart will shrink and boggle at. May this mind be in you and me, and all that love our dear Lord Jesus in sincerity! When the Son of Man makes them thus free, then will they be free indeed. ”

“ GLAD was I last night to receive a letter from your hands. I love your simple honest heart, and earnestly pray the dear Redeemer to give you a true, lasting, abiding rest in himself. Blessed be his name, I think I can say, through free grace, that I am in a measure entered into it, and know what it is by happy experience, to pass from glory to glory every day. My dear brother, I am opposed on every side; the archers shoot sore at me that I may fall, but the Lord is my helper. He causes my bow to abide in strength, and makes me more than conqueror through his love. ”

“ Perhaps, after my return from Glasgow, I may be here a fortnight. My poor tabernacle is so far restored, as to mount the gospel throne once a day. Perhaps the sea air may brace me up a little more: but after all, it is only like the glimmering of a candle before it goes out. Death will light it up in a better world. Work on, my dear son, work on. The night cometh when no man can work. O that I had done more for the blessed Jesus! O that I could think more of what he hath done for me! Never mind being counted singular. O that you may be more and more vile every day! ”

“ But your Ladyship is too well grounded to hearken to his delusive insinuations, and too noble to refuse to give your whole heart to Him who has bought it with no less price than that of his own most precious blood.—What a price is now put into your Ladyship’s hands! What a glorious opportunity is now afforded you, to shew even before kings, that we are made kings indeed, and priests unto God, and that it is our privilege as christians to reign over sin, death, hell, the world, and ourselves, even whilst here on earth. Methinks I see angels gazing to see how your Ladyship acts your part. ”

“ Oh the free-grace of Christ Jesus our Lord! My dear Brother, let us continue instant in season and out of season.—Let us continually preach up free-grace, though we die for it; we cannot lose our lives in a better cause. As I am enabled, I remember you at the throne of grace; in general I sigh out my prayers.—But the spirit, I trust, makes intercession for me with groanings that cannot be uttered.
I have not had much enlargement in preaching, since I have been here; but my heart is often weighed down, and torn to pieces with a sense of my desperately wicked and deceitful heart. ”

“ You see, Sir, what wages Satan gives; death even in this world, and alas! eternal death in the world to come. God keep you from this second death, and then temporal shame will be but little. The way you know; Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is mighty, and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. Come then, dear Sir, and throw yourself at the feet of his mercy. He will not only pardon, but abundantly pardon you. In Jesus Christ there is a fountain opened for sin and for all uncleanness. ”

“ We have not a moment of time to lose. We ought to be continually saying, “What shall we render unto the Lord?” O for zeal! O for activity in his glorious service! A crucified Jesus! An incarnate God! What doth his love, his dying, yet never-dying love demand at our hands? Answer that question who can. It will nonplus men and angels. Blessed be his free grace, we find here that his name is Wonderful. Our new tabernacle is compleated, and the workmen all paid. What is best of all, the Redeemer manifests his glory in it. Every day, souls come crying, “What shall we do to be saved?” ”

“ Oh, dear honoured Sir, I wish you as much success as your own heart can wish. Was you here, I would weep over you with tears of love, and tell you what great things God hath done for my soul, since we parted last. Indeed and indeed, I often and heartily pray for your success in the gospel: May your inward strength and outward sphere increase day by day! May God use you as a choice and singular instrument of promoting his glory on earth, and may I see you crowned with an eternal and exceeding weight of glory in the world to come! ”

“ I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart, will cleave unto him, and in spite of men and devils go on in that narrow way which leads to life eternal. God’s grace will be sufficient for you. He hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never to leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the burning bush, he is in the fiery furnace. He can and will make us more than conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship go on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on your beloved Saviour? In him alone is all your strength found. ”

“ Help me, thou friend of sinners, to be nothing, and to say nothing, that thou mayest say and do every thing, and be my all in all!—What a happiness is it to be absorbed and swallowed up in God? To have no schemes, no views, but to promote the common salvation. This be my happy lot! Your Ladyship will still add to my innumerable obligations, by praying for me. How shall I express my gratitude?—Tears trickle from my eyes, whilst I am thinking of your Ladyship’s condescending to patronize such a dead dog as I am. But it is because I belong to Jesus. He will, he will reward your Ladyship openly. ”

“ This, Madam, is the faith that you have so often heard me preach, and of which I pray God you may be a partaker. Though you have it not yet, you need not despair; God will give it to all who sincerely ask of him. It is true, Madam, that not many mighty are called; but it is not your riches shall keep you from heaven if you truly believe on the Lord Jesus. Faith in him will enable you to overcome the world, and cause you even to triumph over the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Faith will set you above the fear of man, and enable you to rejoice in being accounted a fool for Christ’s sake. ”

“ May he that hath wounded, in his own due time and way heal and ease them!—He is the awakened sinners only refuge. To Him the weary and heavy laden are invited. Let them but come to him, and he will, indeed he will give them rest. O that those who have begun to put their hands to the plough, may be kept from looking back! Awakening times are like spring times. Many blossoms, but not always so much fruit. However, glory, glory be to God, that the Winter of deadness is in some degree over, and that a Spring time of grace is seen at Kendal. ”

“ So many called out of one family, is a peculiar mercy. Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see, and the ears that hear the things you hear. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you all! Who knows but we may see each other on this side eternity? I am wishing every day for wings to fly to my dear America once more; but at present the way seems to be hedged up. A fresh work is breaking out here, and the Redeemer seems to be manifesting his glory in many souls. ”

“ My Jesus should have them all. Methinks I hear you say, “thus it is with me.” Hail then happy man! All generations shall call you blessed. Honoured Sir, my soul is full in the midst of many trials. O what a glorious redemption hath Jesus purchased for us! Indeed it is a plenteous redemption. By the power of his death we are enabled to tread sin, death, and satan under our feet. This is the present frame of my soul. O free grace! unsearchable riches! The brightness of it dazzles the eyes of my faith. Lord, I adore and worship in the temple of my heart! ”

“ Sorry am I, very sorry, dear Sir, that the church is not to have the benefit of your labours. But what shall we say? God is a sovereign God. He must do what he will with his own. This comforts me, that I trust you have learned to be in the world, and yet not of it. Well then, since it must be so, go, dear Sir, and trade for God. Let merchants see by your example, that Jesus Christ can make many saints in a store. O may you daily taste, and feel the efficacy of his all-atoning, heart-cleansing, world-conquering, precious blood! I trust this is dearer and weightier to me than ever. ”

“ May the Redeemer own and bless what is sent in it! Then all will be well. I know your prayers will not be wanting. I am glad you have found out another thief, that lay hid in the chambers of imagery, which are in your heart. Time and temptation will draw out ten thousand more, which as yet, you know nothing of. Happy they, who can discover, pluck out, and cut off their right hand and right eye corruptions. This must be done, or we shall only take up with the bare semblance of holiness. The Redeemer must sit as a refiner’s fire upon our hearts, or we shall never be purified as gold or silver. ”

“ Indeed I thank you from my very heart: for I feel myself unworthy of your notice. Every day I love and honour you more and more; and when you come to judgment, God will shew you how many tears I have shed in secret for you and my dear sister. O let them not be in vain! Honoured Mother, fly to Jesus.—Behold, with open arms, yonder he stands, ready to embrace you, if you feel your misery, and are willing to come to him to find rest. May the great God, who only can govern the wills and affections of sinful men, make you willing in the day of his power! ”

“ However, the regard I bear to your Ladyship, constrains me to inform your Ladyship, that my heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that this sickness may not be unto death, but to his glory, and the present and eternal good of your better part, your precious and immortal soul. This, no doubt, is the end of afflictions: God’s name and nature is Love. He cannot, therefore, chastise us for any other purpose, than that we may be made partakers of his holiness.—Every cross and disappointment, every degree of pain, brings this important call with it, “My son, my daughter, give me thy heart.” ”

“ He that believeth on Jesus, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. They that believe enter into rest. O glorious redemption! O glorious liberty of the children of God! Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed; they, who having not seen, yet have loved Jesus, and do rejoice with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. Blessed be God, that you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago. In a year’s time, you will be ashamed to think what a dwarf you are now. A believer is to pass from glory to glory. ”

“ How sweet must his fruit be unto your Ladyship’s taste! Surely it is sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb. And if the first-fruits are so delightful, how infinitely delightful must the full harvest be! Go on, honoured Madam, and whatever others may do, still keep pursuing after more and more of that better part, which shall never be taken away from you. Jesus is full of grace, and full of truth. Believers are welcome to him every moment. He is ready to water them continually with the dew of his heavenly blessing. ”

“ Surely sovereign, rich, and free grace was never exalted more than in the mercy shewn to me, who am in truth the unworthiest of the sons of men.—Honoured Sir, it rejoices me to hear that there are so many at New England, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and dare to shine as lights in the world amongst a crooked and perverse generation.—I wish they may be all Aquila’s and Priscilla’s to me, and teach me the way of God more perfectly; for I long to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ”

“ This, Madam, is the privilege of all believers. Trials, which harden others, purify and soften them. The love of God turns every thing into what is more valuable than gold. It brings light out of darkness, and causes others blindness to increase our spiritual sight. O glorious privilege! happy change! How much are you indebted, honoured Madam, to free grace, for making you in any degree a partaker of it! Alas! alas! but few of your Ladyship’s station in life choose to strive to enter into that strait gate which leadeth unto life eternal. ”

“ 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 surprizes me. How much more ought you and I, and all mankind, to adore the unspeakable goodness of our heavenly Father, who has so loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Dear Madam, never rest till you have a lively faith in Christ Jesus. ”

“ Few have expected my life, but at present I seem to be getting strength. By the grace of God, it shall all be employed in the dear Redeemer’s service. I find no inclination to settle. My Heart (O free grace!) is yet springing for God, and I am determined to die fighting. I hope matters go on well with you. Indeed I remember you daily, and pray that you all may be filled with all the fulness of God. I am here travelling through a wilderness; but I trust leaning on my beloved. Jesus is my rock, my stay, my God, and my all. ”

“ O how sweet is it to be melted down with a sense of redeeming love! It is this must strike the rock, and break the bars of unbelief asunder. O! to be kept always low at the feet of Jesus! It is right, my brother, always to insist on poverty of spirit, and emptying the creature of self. I heartily join with you in your petition for yourself and unworthy me. I know what a dreadful thing it is, to carry much sail without proper ballast, and to rejoice in a false liberty. Joy floating upon the surface of an unmortified heart, is but of short continuance. ”

“ It is a blessed, and careful thing, to be a true Christian. The first step to it is a broken heart, a heart melted down with a sense of sin, and flying to Jesus Christ for righteousness, sanctification and eternal redemption. Thousands indeed place christianity in good desires, and the having good desires; but this and much more a person may have, and yet miscarry at last. Pure and undefiled religion consists in a lively faith in Jesus Christ, as the only mediator between God and man. A faith that changes and renews the whole soul, takes it entirely off the world, and fixes it wholly upon God. ”

“ I preach the simple gospel, and our glorious Jesus is pleased to attend it with his power. Every day I feel more and more of the divine presence, and people are coming to me crying, “What shall we do to be saved.” The love of Jesus fills my soul, and constrains me to write thus freely to you. O dear Sir, I love and honour your pious father. Remember me in the kindest manner to the good old man. I pray God, his last days may not be employed too much in the non-essentials of religion. My heart is knit to the family. God forbid, that any thing should hinder us from taking sweet counsel together. ”

“ 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 to you. I love those that thunder out the word. The christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it. I pray God to strengthen you more and more, and cause you to triumph in every place. ”

“ Indeed, honoured Sir, I think mine is a glorious employ. I am not ashamed of my master, though my master may well be ashamed of me. I know no other reason, why Jesus has put me into the ministry, than because I am the chief of sinners, and therefore fittest to preach free grace to a world lying in the wicked one. Blessed be God, he gives much success, and for the generality answers your prayers, by giving me a thriving soul in a healthful body. But O my unfruitfulness! I am often ashamed that I can do no more for that Jesus who hath redeemed me by his own most precious blood. ”

“ My heart is now much affected: indeed I love and honour you. Dear, dear Sir, study the covenant of grace, that you may be consistent with yourself: hasten O Lord, the blessed time! I fancy I shall embark for England about Spring; but am not yet determined. God shews me his goodness plenteously every day. I dwell in Christ, and Christ in me: glory be to sovereign grace. I seem to have a new body, and the Lord Jesus greatly enriches my soul. O I am a poor sinner! but our Lord frequently manifests himself in such a manner, that it throws me into an agony which my body is almost too weak to bear. ”

“ It is out of the fulness of my heart. I hope you and I shall be happily surprized, in finding each other better than we expected. God forbid that we should live one hour without growing more like the blessed Lamb of God. I am too credibly informed, that some make it their business to prejudice my friends against me. Such wisdom cometh not from above. They are as the false apostles, of whom Saint Paul spoke, “They would exclude us, that you might affect them.” But glory be to free grace! I can repose myself in Jesus, and am happy in him. ”