Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/26

 never leave off watching, reading, praying, striving, till you experimentally find formed within you. In a particular manner, my dear friend, watch against all temptations to sloth. When you receive the sacrament, earnestly endeavour to be inwardly bettered by it the week following. Live every day as holily as you can. Be frequent in self-examination morning and evening. Pray earnestly from your heart. Wrestle with, beg him to hasten the new birth. Moreover be careful, diligent in your calling, labour hard with your own hands, that you may have to give to him that needeth. And labour not so much for the meat that perisheth, as to neglect pursuing that which endureth to eternal life. O Mr. H. my bowels are enlarged towards you. Believe me to be your sincere, tho' unworthy friend, G. W.     LETTER XII. To the Same.

Dear Mr. H.     Oxon, April 22, 1736.

NOW tell me the truth, have not you called me ungrateful? If you have not, it is more than I deserve. I have nothing to plead but business, as an excuse for not answering your last kind letter. Well, forgive me this once, and if I offend so again, then call me ungrateful indeed. You order'd me to make no acknowledgments for kindnesses received. You'll suffer me to ask another favour, if not to return any more thanks. Be so kind then, dear Sir, to desire your brother to write to me as soon as possible. My good friend, Sir John Philips, has promised me thirty pounds a year, if I'll continue at Oxford, and yet I am in doubt, whether that annuity, and the being appointed to serve the prison here, will be a sufficient title for orders, therefore I beg both his advice and prayers. This is all I think that concerns outward affairs. But this solemn season naturally leads me to say a word or two on a more important subject, "the death and passion of our blessed Lord and Saviour." If I mistake not, you commemorate it to-morrow at Crypt. And blessed be, I do at Christ Church. And oh that we may commemorate it as we ought;