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/400

 to become strong, and turn your lightness of spirit into solid joy. Till then, be content rather to appear stupid, than by giving way to the luxuriancy of unsanctified wit, bring guilt upon your soul. Thus, dear Sir, I have endeavoured to answer your letter; though I must confess, as you are so near, I had rather converse with you personally. You may use freedom with me. I rejoice that the glorious hath in any degree blessed my poor administrations to you. I need not, therefore, remind you to give him all the glory, and entreat you to pray for me, who am the very chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but for 's sake, dear Sir,

Your very ready servant, G. W.    LETTER DCCCLXXVIII. To Mr. B.

My very dear Friend,     London, Jan. 18, 1751.

YOUR kind letter I received this morning. The love I owe you for 's sake, constrains me to send you an immediate answer. From the same motive I just now wrote to Mr. B. Poor man! This is a home-stroke indeed! I hope he and his yoke-fellow will now take a large step to heaven. May prepare us, my dear friend, for the finishing trials! We must all have them in our turns. But wherefore should we fear? Out of very faithfulness, our heavenly Father causes us to be troubled. Of his infinite mercy he hath lately been pleased to visit me with a threatening illness. I was just casting anchor;—but it seems I must put out to sea again. O that it may be to direct others to the way that leads to the haven of eternal rest! Who knows but I may sound the gospel once more in Scotland? I have some thoughts of coming for a little while, before I embark for America. You will desire all the societies to pray, that the would order my goings in his way. I rejoice that they hold on their way. May they hold on and hold out to the end! My constant prayer for them is, that they may increase with all the increase of. Many in town have been awakened this Winter. O that I was humble! When shall that once be? O that