The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 1 (of 6)

LAST week I received your kind letter. Blessed be God, who hath brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light. I hope the Redeemer hath now shewn you his hands and his feet, and you can now say, “My Lord and my God.” What have you to do now but to walk humbly with your God, and daily to aspire after the whole mind that was in Jesus? I find but few truly labouring after this. Who can say, “My soul is athirst for God, yea even for the living God:” and yet to such only is the promised blessedness, of being filled, given. As for my own part, I am ashamed to think how unlike I am to my Saviour; I see such beauty in him, that I long to be conformed to his divine image and likeness. May you and I, dear Mr. S——, never rest till we have attained unto it; and the more we do attain, the more willing we shall be to come, as poor sinners, to Jesus Christ; it is a blessed thing, dear Sir, to be brought out of self. It will be continually creeping in: happy they who have power over it. I do not wonder at your being united with Mr. J—— C——: he is a dear soul, and one whom the Lord delights to honour. Blessed be God, the work in our hands every where increases. I am supported and encouraged, quickened and comforted day by day. Jesus loves and blesses me. May he bless you and yours more and more, and cause you to walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. My tender love to all. I hope yet to see you once more in the flesh. In the mean while I beg leave to subscribe myself, dear Sir,

I Thank you for your kind letter. It should have been answered sooner, had an opportunity offered. I bless God for you, who carries on in your soul the spiritual building. I doubt not but the top-stone will yet be brought out, and the builders be made with shouting to cry, “Grace! Grace!” I should think it was not of God, if the work was not opposed.—What difficulties did Nehemiah go through in building the wall? But fear not, the Lord is with you. He built not for man, but for the Lord. By his leave, I propose bringing a school-master and mistress with me. When I shall embark, I know not. The calls here are so loud and numerous, and so few labourers sent forth to act in a popular way, that I think it my duty not to leave England yet. God is pleased to work by my ministry more and more. My soul is refreshed, and my body strengthened and renewed day by day. In Scotland there is a very great awakening; and also in London, Bristol, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. But, notwithstanding all this, my American friends are by no means forgotten. I continually pray for them. The Lord, in his due time, will send me to you. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me in the tenderest manner to all that love the glorious Redeemer. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon them and you: so prays, dear Mr. W——,

I Was much rejoiced to receive a letter from your hands. Blessed be God for carrying on the work, which, I hope, was begun in your heart long ago! I trust you will never rest till you are possessed of the whole mind which was in Christ Jesus. He is our pattern; and if we have true grace in our hearts, we shall be continually labouring to copy after our great exemplar. O the life of Jesus! How little of it is to be seen in those that call themselves his followers. Humility, meekness, love, peace, joy, goodness, faith, and the other blessed fruits of the Spirit, whither are they fled? I fear most take up with the shadow, instead of the substance. God forbid that I, or dear Mr. B——, should be of that unhappy number. Dear Sir, there is an unspeakable fulness, unsearchable riches in Christ. Out of him we are to receive grace for grace. Every grace that was in the Redeemer, is to be transcribed and copied into our hearts. This is Christianity; and without this, though we could dispute with the utmost clearness, and talk like angels, of the doctrines of grace, it would profit us nothing. To prevent the growth of this inward life, I am persuaded satan introduces heresies in the church, hoping thereby to stir up strife, envy, prejudice, and narrowness of spirit; and where these are, there will be every evil work. To this end, sinless perfection hath been propagated in England, and Antinomian principles suffered to be spread among you. But, blessed be God, both in England, and with you, I trust disputations and distractions are abated, and love and unity once more are lifting up their heads. This, at present, is the language of my heart:

“Love is of God; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God.” I am glad you are erecting a society to promote this love. Fear not the smallness of your beginning. What is begun in the fear of God, he will prosper. I believe them to be true followers of Jesus Christ; and though we agree not in all things, yet I pray God to make us one in heart. Now, dear Mr. B——, what shall I say more. The blessed Jesus has been superabundantly good to my soul since my arrival. I have been carried, though through much weakness, as on eagles wings. In England, Wales, and Scotland, God hath blessed my poor labours more than ever. The calls to divers places, are loud and importunate; and, as God has raised up many labourers among you, I think it my duty to stay here some time longer, and to visit Scotland once more. However, my friends abroad are continually upon my heart. I pray God for you night and day. May the Lord fill you with all his fulness! I desire to be remembered to all mentioned in your’s, and to all that love the Lord Jesus. I love you unfeignedly, and entreat you to write again to, dear Sir,

TO shew you how willing I am to comply with your request, and make dear Mr. C—— one of my close correspondents, I sit down this evening to write an answer to your kind letter. What has been doing lately, the transcript on the other side will shew you. Since the writing of that, the blessed Jesus hath been wondrous kind. Yesterday I preached three times, and visited a private society in the evening. To-day I was enabled to preach three times, with great power. Here is such an awakening in this country, as I never heard of, or saw in these parts before: “The fields are white already unto harvest.” It is pleasant to hear the people come and tell how God wrought upon them by my unworthy ministry two years ago. The fruits of the Spirit are now apparent in their lives and conversations. Letters from Scotland bring blessed tidings, as also from Philadelphia. O the blessed effects of field-preaching! O that I was humble, that I was thankful! Help me, my dear friend, to entreat the Redeemer to make me as a little, a very little child. The beginning of next week I hope to be at Bath; but cannot tell exactly the day. I thank my friends for their kind intention to meet me, but I had rather avoid it: the less parade the better. Let us stand still, and we shall see the salvation of God. He will not bless what doth not come from himself. May the Lord make me an Israelite indeed, in whom is no allowed guile! I am glad dear Mr. T—— is coming. My hearty love to him. O that our meeting may be blessed, and all three of us be made a flame of fire! Dear Mr. C——, I love you unfeignedly. I wish, above all things, your soul may prosper. Good night. My soul is filled with Jesus’s love. I am going to pray for you and yours, being, dear Mr. C——, without dissimulation,

Well may your —— say, “you have been in a dream.” When God first shewed me that I must be a new creature, I awaked as it were, into a new world. I stood quite amazed. I was astonished to think, what a deep sleep the world around me was in. Thought I, O that I was made instrumental to some of them! The Lord heard my prayer. He has sent me to awaken the dear man I am now writing to. Not unto me, O God, not unto me, but to thy free grace and rich mercy be all the glory! With your Lordship’s letter to-day, came several others from different parts, all with glad tidings of great joy. O that I was humble and thankful! Why me, Lord, why me? Surely I will join with your —— in saying, not because I chose God, but God (O infinitely ♦condescending majesty!) did chuse me. What shall we render to the glorious Emmanuel? Methinks I hear your —— saying, “Behold, Lord, henceforward I look upon myself as a steward, and not as a proprietor of thy manifold gifts; I will live no longer to myself, but to him that died for me.” Amen, Lord Jesus, amen and amen! Be pleased to excuse the defects of this, being written upon the road. I am now going to London. There has been a great awakening lately in Gloucestershire. I rejoice to hear that the lady —— is so well disposed. May a church be always in your —— house; and every one of your —— family be made a living member of the houshold of faith! No greater thing can be desired in your behalf by, my ——,

♦ ‘conscending’ replaced with ‘condescending’

LETTER CCCXCVIII.

To the Right Honourable Lady M—— H——.

Thales, (near Reading) Feb. 23, 1742.

Honoured Madam,

I Am now upon the road to London. This morning your acceptable letter came to hand. Though somewhat wearied, I would fain answer it before I retire to rest. Blessed be God who causes your Ladyship to be never less alone, than when alone. O Madam, what a comforter is the Holy Ghost? What sweet company is Jesus Christ? What a privilege is it to have fellowship with the great Three-One? A world lying in wickedness knows nothing of it. Every thing yields comfort when the blessed Spirit breathes upon it. Even this scribble, from the chief of sinners, from one who is less than the least of all saints, shall again refresh your soul, if Jesus speaks the word. Amazed am I, that God should work by my hands. But Jesus is love. He yet delights to honour me. I have lately seen the Redeemer riding in his strength, and getting himself the victory in poor sinners hearts. Letters from abroad inform me of the same. O that our glorious Jesus may set the world in a flame of love! Hasten that time, O blessed Jesus: O let thy kingdom come! I have heard from my dear Orphans to-day. They have been reduced to straits; but the Lord hath stirred up a wealthy friend or two to assist them. The everlasting God reward all their benefactors! I find there has been a fresh awakening among them. I am informed, that twelve negroes, belonging to a planter lately converted at the Orphan-house, are savingly brought home to Jesus Christ. This will rejoice your Ladyship’s heart. I am glad to hear that the work goes on in Scotland. The Lord, I trust, will ripen your soul apace for glory. He hath various ways of perfecting his saints. Methinks I see your Ladyship sitting in your chair, and ravished with the Redeemer’s beauty day by day. Sometimes you are as it were washing his feet with your tears; at other times sitting by faith at his feet, and hearing or reading his word. Sometimes your heart is too big to speak; then again, out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth poureth forth hallelujahs. Sometimes you are lost in wonder; at all times longing to be dissolved and to be with Christ; for, when you hear him say, “Rise up, my love, and come away,”

LETTER ♦CCCXCIX.

♦ ‘CCCXCXIX’ replaced with ‘CCCXCIX’

To Mr. Thomas N——, at New-York.

London, Feb. 26, 1742.

My very dear Brother,

I Have herewith sent you a parcel. Be pleased to read the letters, and send them as directed. I received your kind letter, dated in December, and thank you for all kindnesses shewn to the poor orphans. The Lord Jesus will richly reward you. Before yours came, the Lord had given me an enlarged heart, and unfeigned love and freedom to converse with all his dear children, of whatever denomination. I talk freely with the Messrs. W——’s, though we widely differ in a certain point. Most talk of a catholic spirit; but it is only till they have brought people into the pale of their own church. This is downright sectarianism, not catholicism. How can I act consistently, unless I receive and love all the children of God, whom I esteem to be such, of whatever denomination they may be? Why should we dispute when there is no probability of convincing? I think this is not giving up the faith, but fulfilling our Lord’s new command, “Love one another:” and our love is but feigned, unless it produces proper effects. I am persuaded, the more the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, the more all narrowness of spirit will subside and give way: besides, so far as we are narrow spirited, we are uneasy. Prejudices, jealousies, and suspicions make the soul miserable, so far as they are entertained. But enough of this: my dear brother N—— is of my mind. Only let me give you one caution: Take heed that your getting acquainted with any new set of Christians, does not lead you insensibly to despise others of your old acquaintance. Watch, and deal very tenderly with all; otherwise you will grow reserved and artful, and lose a simple, open, guileless, Israelitish spirit, before you are aware. There needs a close adherence to the motions of the Holy Spirit, and a constant watching over the corruptions of our own hearts, in order that we may walk before God as very little children. O that I was a little child indeed! Jesus can make me one. My dear brother, I thank you for your kind invitation. God willing, I shall accept it, if ever I see New-York. But I think Providence calls me once more to Scotland. I have been lately plowing up some fallow ground, and now preach twice every day. The Lord does indeed bless the word, and gives me to rejoice in the felicity of his chosen. Be so kind now and then to drop a line to my dear orphan-family. As opportunity offers, and the Lord gives freedom, you shall hear from, dear brother N——,

The greater advances you make in the divine life, the more you will see what a dream you and the polite world have been in. And O the distinguishing grace of God to you! Methinks I hear you calling on angels and archangels to join in praising our common Lord. Well may you say, “You are not henceforth your own:” No, dear Miss, let Jesus have your whole heart. Let his blood, his wounds be continually before you. God forbid that you should now glory, save in the cross of Christ, by whom the world is crucified to you, and you unto the world. Pity the poor christless creatures about you. Pray for them, as the Holy Spirit gives you freedom. Tell them of the love of Jesus. They need no other motive. This, backed with almighty power, must break the most hardened heart. With much pleasure I reflect on the blessed consolations I have been favoured with, whilst explaining the scriptures to you and your honoured relations. O that not one may remain unconverted! May Jesus look on them; then will they look on him and be saved. Blessed be God for sending me to Scotland, if it was only to bring you home. Ere long I hope to visit your country again; and then, O that I may see you all meek, humble, heavenly-minded, close followers of the bleeding Lamb! Thanks be to God, he hath directed me to a wife, who was once gay, but now with you can sing,

I Remember my promise. You are to be one of my close correspondents. I am unworthy to write to any; but love, the love of Jesus will constrain me frequently to write to you. I hope you are not offended, because you did not see me in Bath again. The glorious Emmanuel pointed out my way hither. Since I came (O amazing goodness!) he has been wonderfully kind to me, and to his people. I am much assisted daily, in preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ. Life and power fly all around, and the Redeemer is getting himself the victory daily in many hearts. Letters from abroad give me glorious accounts. In New-England, the work goes on amazingly. In Scotland, the awakening is greater and greater. The spirit of God has been striving among the little orphans in Georgia, and in Carolina I hear that twelve negroes belonging to a planter, converted at the Orphan-house, are savingly brought home to Jesus Christ. Indeed the Lord is about to do great things. “Blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see; blessed are the ears that hear the things that we hear;” blessed are those that the Lord employs as his own children, to bring about his great designs. O that my dear Mr. C—— may be made a flaming fire, and a spiritual father to thousands! 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 Lord Jesus Christ. 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 Jesus 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 Christ, 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 Christ, 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 Jesus 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 Jesus Christ? 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 Christ, 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 Lord Jesus, 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 Jesus 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. Lord, evermore give my dear friend and his wife living faith, which may purify their hearts, enable them to overcome the world, and will work by love! The Lord make you both as little children before him! This is the prayer of, dear Mr. C——,

I Now snatch a few moments to answer your kind letter. As yet, I have no intimation from providence in respect to coming into your parts. The cloud at present doth not seem to move that way. So many places want supplies, that I could wish I had a thousand lives and tongues. Jesus Christ should have them all. Only I am astonished, that the Lord of the harvest should send out such a worthless labourer, or rather loiterer as I am. But his grace is free, like himself infinite; “For to me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Blessed be God, I do not preach in vain. The accounts from New-England, Scotland, and Carolina, are surprizing. In London, the word of the Lord runs and is glorified. Every day we see the Redeemer’s stately steps. I have not time, dear Sir, to tell you what great things our great master is doing for his people, and yet I believe we shall see greater things than these. From Georgia also, I have great accounts. The spirit of the Lord hath been breathing upon the orphans. I thank you, dear Sir, for your intended benefaction, and kind invitation. If ever our dear Lord calls me your way, I shall accept it: though I am utterly unworthy to come under any one’s roof, but more especially that Jesus should come under the roof of the house of my soul.—But Jesus is love. That his love may be abundantly shed abroad in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,