Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/125

 gratitude, I think myself obliged to inform you.I believe, dear Sir, you have often been inwardly offended at me, because you suspected, I thought you to be no true christian. Your suspicions were not groundless. I cannot yet think, that a thorough work of conversion was ever wrought upon your soul. I fear you deny, that " is truly and properly ." I infer this, from your not reading the Nicene Creed, and your palliating that text I once urged to prove it. "I and my Father are one." I doubt also, your owning "Original Sin." This I gather from your wondering I should touch on such a point, when I preached my sermon on justification by. Besides, the sad definition you once gave of religion in a letter to your brother; the stranger also which you seemed to be to the "devil's temptations," when I conversed with you; and your supposing, that conversion was to be wrought in the soul by moral persuasion; all these put together, dear Sir, convince me, that you were never yet truly and effectually born again of. Besides, Reverend Sir, does your going weekly to a club, where the company play at cards, and sit up late at night, does this, dear Sir, agree with your holy vocation, either as a christian or a minister? Be not offended, Rev. Sir, at this plainness of speech. I have forborne a long while; love and gratitude would not suffer me to forbear any longer. I wish I had no occasion to write in this manner. I believe you so ingenuous as not to be angry with me. I pray to quell all resentment in your heart, and send you his holy spirit to guide you into all truth. Your brother's eyes are now in some measure opened: he is convinced of the perfect righteousness wrought out for him by , and ere now I hope hath received faith to apply it to his heart. This is the doctrine of the church of England. Unless you hold this and other evangelical principles, how, dear Sir, is it consistent with sincerity to eat her bread? With humility, respect, and love, do I offer these things to your consideration—Be pleased to weigh them in a proper balance, and reflect from what principle they are wrote, and I am persuaded you will not be offended at, reverend and dear Sir,

You most obliged friend and servant, G. W.