Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/200

 LETTER CXCVIII.

To the Rev. Mr. J B, at New-York.

Reverend and dear Brother,     Savannah, June 13, 1740.

I Have just been reading the three letters you sent some time ago to our dear brother N, and find my heart much inclined to write you a line. Whatever others may do, yet I am far from judging you on account of 's dealings with your soul. I rather rejoice in them, having myself been blessed with many experiences of the like nature. But, my dear brother, if works upon us in an extraordinary manner, we must prepare for temptation, even from our christian brethren.

Most judge of others from what has passed within themselves; and many of the dear children of are too apt to confine  to this or that particular way of acting; whereas he is a sovereign agent: his sacred spirit bloweth when, and where, and how it listeth; and when an uncommon work is to be done, no doubt he will work upon his chosen instruments in an uncommon manner. What the event of the present general awakening will be, I know not. I desire to follow my dear blindfold, whithersoever he is pleased to lead me; and to do just so much, and no more, as his providence points out to me. Wonderful things have been done ever since my arrival at Savannah: Such an awakening among little children, I never saw before. Our dear brother N's letter will acquaint you with particulars. O my dear brother, how ought such manifestations of 's glory, to quicken our souls, and excite us to lay out ourselves more and more in the service of the best of Masters, ! Every day he fills me with himself, and sometimes brings me even upon the confines of eternity. Methinks I often stand upon Mount Pisgah, and take a view of the heavenly Canaan, and then long to be gathered to my people: but, my dear brother, both you and I must suffer, and that great things, before we enter into glory. My work is scarce begun; my trials are yet to come. What is a little scourge of the tongue? What is a thrusting out of the synagogues? The time of temptation will be, when we are thrust into an in