Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/302

 LETTER CCCXIX.

To the Honourable J B, Esq;

Hon. Sir,     On board the Mary and Ann, July 26, 1741.

WITH much pleasure I received yours by the hands of your son, who offered to do me any service that lay in his power. This, as well as your other past favours, quite surprize, and ought to humble me; for who am I, that I should be thus highly honoured? O sovereign grace! O distinguishing love! If I did not stand up in defence of that, the very stones would cry out against me. Indeed, honoured Sir, your kindness makes me almost to blush, and the love of quite confounds me. I am lost, I want to sink into nothing whenever I think of 's dying for me. I really think, I am the most ungrateful sinner that ever was, and yet the Redeemer follows me with his mercies every day. Unspeakable are the trials wherewith I have been visited since my arrival. But out of all the delivers me. I experience daily much of his divine presence; a wider door than ever is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel, and seems to be beginning his work again in Old-England: it adds to my joy, to hear what the is doing amongst you. Blessed, for ever blessed be, for causing such a stirring among the dry bones. I pray the glorious Redeemer, to carry on the good work begun, and to make New-England the joy of the whole earth. I suppose you have heard, honoured Sir, of the remarkable effusion of the spirit among the children of the orphan-house. Surely, is about to bring mighty things to pass. Whilst the kings of the earth are enlarging their dominions, I trust our will usher in his.—I shall not be surprized, if after this great commotion in New-England, I hear that some outward troubles befal them. The removal of you, honoured Sir, from being governor, I take to be no good sign. I hope this has no other effect upon your own heart, than to make you more and more hunger and thirst after that righteousness, which neither men nor devils shall ever be able to take from you. only knows, how often I have prayed, that this affliction may be sanctified unto you. I think, honoured Sir, I cannot forget you and your