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/475

 sence will fill it when erected. I could enlarge, but am called away, and therefore subscribe myself,

Your Ladyship's most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for 's sake, G. W.    LETTER DCCCCLIII. To Mr. L.

London, Jan. 3, 1753.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

THOUGH I am very much straitened for time, yet I must sit down, (since you so earnestly desire it) and answer your kind letter. My love does not shift with my scene of action; I would have it in some degree, like my 's to me and his people, "Permanent and unchangeable." Blessed be for such a, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. What can we want then? Or of whom should we be afraid? All his attributes are engaged to keep us on earth, and to set us upon thrones in his glorious kingdom in heaven. Last night I buried one, who I believe is seated there.—Ah lovely appearance of death! Surely my turn will come soon. I am now thirty-eight years of age; little did I think of staying in the land of the dying so long. Well, if it be to call more souls to the ever-loving, ever-lovely, Father, thy will be done!

If thou excuse, then work thy will, By so unfit an instrument; It will at once thy goodness show, And prove thy power omnipotent.

I hope you have had a happy Christmas at Leeds. We have kept holidays here indeed. Sinners have been pricked to the heart, and saints refreshed in their spirits. To the Father of spirits be all the glory. I forgot none of you in my poor prayers: fear not; let us continue to pray, and we shall always find, that our extremity will be 's opportunity to help and appear for us. But there must be a seeming death upon every promise.