George Whitefield

“ No, live a social life. But then, dear Sir, beg of the Lord Jesus to free you from the love of the world; thence, thence arises that fear of man which now so shackles and disturbs your soul. Dare, dear Sir, to be singularly good. If Christ be your Saviour, make him a present of your pretty character. Honour him, and he will honour you. He indulges you much, and gently leads you on. Let the same love constrain you, dear Sir, to press forwards, and never rest till you can give up children, name, life, and all into his hands who gave his precious blood for you. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Look, therefore, honoured Madam, to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. In all your afflictions, he is afflicted. He will bring you out of this furnace, like gold purified seven times in the fire. Good Lady H―― is weak too, but I trust will yet live to declare the works of the Lord. Ashby is not worthy of so rich a pearl. Was I not afraid of hurting your Ladyship, I would give you some particulars of my circuit. Let it suffice to inform your Ladyship, that the gospel plough seems to prosper. New ground has been broken up, and seed sown, that I trust will bear fruit to life eternal. ”

“ Reverend and very dear Sir,
I Lately received your last kind letter, and am glad to find that you are enabled to joy in tribulation, and to say, “Father, not my will, but thine be done.” May the Lord increase your faith, and if you should be called to give up your Isaac, your dear yoke-fellow, may you, Aaron like, hold your peace, and by an undissembled resignation to the divine will, glorify your God! My wife has been in pitiable circumstances for some time. The Lord only knows what will be the issue of them. This is my comfort, “all things work together for good to those that love God.” ”

“ Is it not a pity that any of us should fall out in our way to heaven? When we meet next, remember that a floor and blanket is all the lodging, and a chick or fowl, boiled or roasted, is all the food I desire at Ebenezer. What is a pilgrim life without a pilgrim heart? O that I was like my Lord! Then should I endure hardness, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.—The encouragement for raising silk will be continued. O that Georgia may prove a fruitful soil for raising children unto Abraham! We wait for thy salvation, O Lord. For the present, reverend Sir, adieu. ”

“ To be plucked as a brand out of the burning, to be one of those few Mighty and Noble that are called effectually by the grace of God; what consolation must this administer to your Ladyship under all afflictions! What can shake a soul whose hopes of happiness, in time and eternity, are built upon the rock of ages? Winds may blow, rains may and will descend even upon persons of the most exalted stations; but they that trust in the Lord Jesus Christ never shall, never can be totally confounded. ”

“ Then shall we be more and more content to think, and let think, and be studious to be of one heart, where we cannot be of one judgment or mind. The sweetness of such a spirit, is unspeakable; it brings with it its own reward; it frees the soul from a thousand needless jealousies, and selfish passions, and enables it to put the reins of government into his hands, who alone orders all things well. Lord, increase in us this spirit, and give us more and more to love all that bear thy image, though they may not in all things agree with us! ”

“ I cannot agree with you in some principles, but that need not hinder love; since I trust we hold the foundation, even “Jesus, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever.” Will you salute, in the kindest manner, all the followers of the Lamb within your sphere of action? Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon all their dear souls! I thank them for remembering a poor pilgrim, who though faint is still pursuing, and determined, in the strength of Jesus, to spend and be spent more and more for the good of poor sinners. Perhaps before I see you, I may visit Bermudas and Cape-Breton. ”

“ O my dear Sir, what a blessed thing is it to have the Redeemer to be our friend. If we can but truly say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” how safely may we put our souls into his hands, as into the hands of a faithful creator! I hope my dear Mr. D―― will not rest till he can say so.—The frequent indispositions of body that you are under, are so many loud calls to prepare for another world.—Nothing but the righteousness of Christ imputed, and the holiness of Christ imparted to your soul, can make you happy in a dying hour. ”

“ Grace! grace! I am now in Winter quarters, where our Lord gives us fresh conquests, gained by his word every day. We do not dispute, but love. I find more and more that truth is great; and however seemingly crush’d for a while, will in the end prevail. But there must be a kind of death upon every promise, and upon every thing that is done for God. Thus hath it been with Georgia and Bethesda. O that we may learn to wait! Then shall we certainly see the salvation of God. I pity our dear friends in Charles-Town. ”

“ 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. ”