Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/388

 *sands! Dear Mr. T, who was so kind as to come and see me last night, I trust is coming on. I hope both you and him will experience a solid establishment in the grace of our . There is no rest here, no true solid lasting rest, till we come to this. Our hearts are deceitful above all things. We seek rest in outward things. We change our places, circumstances, and stations;—but if loves us, he will put a thorn in the place where we would fain nestle. A soul that has had some awakenings, and been wandring from, is like Noah's dove which could find no rest for the sole of its foot, till it came back to the ark again. This ark is, and when we are safely locked in there, and the soul hath received an abiding witness, then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is the reason why bid his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father. Filled with this, the woman of Samaria could not but call on others to come and see. And were we but animated, led and influenced by this spirit, what a blessed union would there be among all the churches of ? It is a want of more of this, that now at present disunites us. I despair therefore of a greater union, till a greater measure of the spirit be poured from on high. Hence, therefore, I am resolved simply to preach the gospel of, and leave others to quarrel by and with themselves. To contend, where there is no probability of convincing, only feeds and adds fuel to an unhallow'd fire, which a misguided zeal kindles in the heart. Love, forbearance, long-suffering, and frequent prayer to your dear, is the best way to extinguish and put it out. O love, true, simple, christian, undissembled love, whither art thou fled! The language of my heart is,—But whither am I going? You see, my friend, how freely I write. The blessed warms and fills me, whilst I am writing. I know, though I am unworthy, you will send me a line in return. Methinks I could wash your feet. Methinks, I long to see your shackles drop off, and your soul free for the uninterrupted service of the best of masters. Faith in his bloody wounds is the only means. , evermore give my dear friend and his wife living faith, which may purify their hearts, enable them to overcome the world, and will