Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/244

 that with Queen Esther she may say, "If I perish, I perish." Then shall she see the King of kings holding out a golden sceptre, and not an iron rod. But I forget myself again. Honoured Madam, be pleased to pardon me, and accept what I have written as the overflowings of a heart that hath been wrestling with, for the salvation of your Ladyship, your honoured sister, and of all related to you. This is the best proof I can give of my being, honoured Madam, Your Ladyship's most obliged, obedient, and willing servant for 's sake, G. W.     LETTER DCCXXXVIII. To the Countess of Hn.

Honoured Madam,     Exeter, Feb. 24, 1749.

AFTER I wrote to your Ladyship last post, from Plymouth, I received the letters you was pleased to communicate to Mr. C. They came quite unexpected. I think it is enough, that my letters are received, not without being answered; but the will humble me by mercies. O that they may have that blessed effect upon my soul! Inclosed, your Ladyship hath my answers. I have sent them open, that your Ladyship may (if not too long) peruse them. Whilst I was writing, the fire kindled, and I did not well know how to leave off. I rejoice that your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good among the rich and great. Mr. C, in his last, writes thus: "Mr. G went with me to wait on her Ladyship; where he owns he spent two hours with more pleasure, than he ever remembered to have done in any company before: and, I must freely own, he spoke my own sentiments." I believe that your Ladyship will daily reap the fruit of a catholic spirit, and a free conversation with the truly gracious of all denominations. It is a conduct truly god-like. Dear Mr. T has much of it. I parted from him on Thursday afternoon. He was once almost blinded by weeping under the word. He was rejoiced to see the flocking at Plymouth. Indeed it was very encouraging. Our seemed to keep the best wine until the last. At Tavistock, ten miles from Plymouth, I preached