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/48

 Exeter with dear Mr. K, who came here to meet my dear friend. Yours, &c. G. W.    LETTER DXXXVIII. To the Same.

Exeter, October 28, 1743.

I Have strong conviction that our intends doing something in the west. Since my arrival here, letters of invitation have come from many parts. I thank you for your kind sympathy under the many trials, with which I have been surrounded and exercised. I find there is a needs-be for all; for by our being acquainted with the enemy's work in our own hearts, we see how he works on others, and are enabled to speak better to their hearts. "Whether we are afflicted (says the apostle) or whether we are comforted, it is for your sake." Besides, by temptation we are kept from sinking into formality, and consequently are taught better to handle our spiritual weapons, and discover what is amiss both in heart and life. For this cause, we are commanded to rejoice when we fall into divers temptations. I thank for giving you some experience of these things. We must now all be Calebs; all heart, but at the same time, all humility. Feeling we can do nothing of ourselves, yet believing we can do all things through strengthening us. Blessed be his Name, the common people begin to feel. I preached between two and three this afternoon on Southern-hay, and expounded in the evening at Mr. K's. Even some of the polite were much affected last night; and this morning, O what a blessed season had we! I believe I shall think it my duty to stay in these parts for some time. Continue to pray for me, and assure yourself that you are never forgotten by

Yours, &c. G. W.