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/394

 John has put his hand to the gospel plough, and am not without hopes that his lot will be to itinerate, at least for a while. He seems to be qualified for such an employ. I shall be glad to see him on the other side of the water. Had I the management of a thousand youths, if circumstances would allow, they should travel for one year at least, before they took upon them a settled charge. Methinks I hear you say, "What! will you take my Benjamin away?" This was old Jacob's infirmity. You love too well to refuse giving up the young lad, if it should appear in providence that the  hath need of him either at home or abroad. I pray to direct and bless you both, and to establish his covenant with you and your seed for ever. You are now on the decline of life. I have been just reading about the year of jubilee. How joyful were the prisoners when they heard of the approach of that wish'd-for day! How much more joyful may those be, who having an interest in, are waiting for the last trump, to proclaim our eternal jubilee in heaven! This, my dear friend, is your happy lot. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice. The day of our complete redemption draweth nigh. Let us then lift up our heads, and let us lift up our hearts to praise him, from whom alone cometh our salvation. I could enlarge, but am called away. My hearty love to all enquiring friends. I think to write to your son soon. We had a happy day yesterday among the Great Ones. I am, my very dear Sir, Yours most affectionately in our dear, G. W.     LETTER DCCCLXXII. To Doctor W.

My dear Doctor,     London, Dec. 17, 1750.

I Received your kind letter, and would have answered it much sooner, had I not been prevented by sickness. For near a fortnight past, I have been confined to my room; but through the divine blessing, am now enabled to preached again. Praise the, O my soul. My disorder was a violent fever: hath rebuked it. I am raised up once more. O may it be that I may minister unto him! For me to live is. But alas! how little do I live to his glory! Yesterday I en