Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/85

 *vinced of the sin of unbelief. Oh dear Mrs., it is a difficult thing to believe aright; it can only be given from above. I know many of my acquaintance, who love to hear me talk and preach, and who receive me gladly into their houses; but alas! I fear they are self-righteous, and were never yet truly convinced of sin. They have good desires, and therefore flatter themselves, that they are good christians: But I fear many of them are only foolish virgins. I would not have dear Mrs. or her husband of this number. If she hath followed on to know the, I am persuaded ere now, she is in some measure brought out of herself, and taught of to rely only on for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. If thus minded, your soul is at peace with, itself, and the world. If not, let her ask and it shall be given her, let her seek and she shall find, let her knock and a door of mercy shall be opened unto her.—All things are possible to him that believeth—Oh dear Mrs., my heart is inlarged towards you; I long for your salvation: press on and faint not. Whenever I come, I shall expect to suffer. But though we die for, oh let us pray that we may not deny him in any wise. Nothing but the free almighty grace of can uphold,

Your sincere friend in , G. W.

LETTER LXXVII.

Rev. and Dear Sir,      Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.

I Think I may say of you, as the Samaritans did upon another occasion, I believe you to be a true lover of our dear . Not merely because my brother told me so, but because I have it under his own hand. Your last kind letter has knit my heart most closely to you. I love those that thunder out the word. The christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it. I pray to strengthen you more and more, and cause you to triumph in every place. Though absent in body, I am present with you in spirit. It would rejoice me to hear of your success in the. In about a twelvemonth I purpose,