Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/144



Dear Mr. G.     Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

Indeed I love you, though it was so long before I came to see you. Want of time, not of respect, was the cause. is my judge how earnestly I long after your salvation, and how willingly I would spend and be spent in order to promote it. Oh how closely does true faith in our head, knit all his members in love to one another; what a divine harmony and attraction is there between them, when they have drank into and been made partakers of one and the same spirit? How does the love of dilate and enlarge their hearts! How do all little distinctions about externals fall away, and every other name is swallowed up in the name of ? This, my dear brother, is that catholic spirit, which will cement all denominations of sincere professors together. This is the spirit of which free distinguishing grace has made you a partaker, and which I pray we both may partake of every day more and more. He is faithful who has promised, who also will do it. I find it is not in vain that we have believed in. He is, and his work is perfect; his love is like himself unchangeable; his gifts and callings are without repentance, and therefore, though I am but a babe in, yet I am persuaded I shall see you crowned with glory. Then, my dear brother, we shall have time enough together. Then, there will be no parting, no fear of falling; but we shall drink eternally of those pleasures which flow from 's right hand for evermore. Supported with this hope, what hinders but I may come once again, when the permits, and offer 's everlasting righteousness to poor perishing sinners. The devil and his servants will rage horribly, and perhaps cast me into prison, nay, put me to death: But if you will come and visit me, by the help of my, I will preach to you even there; for I am not ashamed of the gospel of. I have felt it to be the power of God unto my salvation. Oh, my brother, the fire kindles whilst I am writing; but I must have done. Pray salute those dear souls that I spoke to at your house, and all