Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/139

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sit down together in the kingdom of our Father. A place, though on a lower form, is, I humbly hope, prepared for

Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.



LETTER CXXXVI.


Dear Mr. H. Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

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 the least regard. But what shall we say? God will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy. I am entirely indebted to free grace for all I have, am, or shall be. You also, I trust, dear Sir, are ready to subscribe to this; for what have we but what we have received? What should we have been had God left us to ourselves? Oh let a sense of this free, distinguishing love constrain us to obedience: A christian needs no other motive. That is a true gospel-faith which works by love. I often think it almost presumption to think of rewards in a future state; my Master amply rewards me in this: But present mercies are only earnests of future favours. Be not therefore, dear Sir, weary of well-doing, for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. The Lord hath multiplied his favours towards me since I saw you last. We have had a long but pleasant and profitable voyage. Oh sing praises unto our God in behalf of, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.



LETTER CXXXVII.


Dear Mrs. A. Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

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? But the