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

FROM a heart overflowing with a sense of God’s love, I write you these few lines. Yesterday our Saviour brought us hither. On board, I spent most part of my time in secret prayer. Satan shot many of his fiery darts against me. Our great Michael gave me a shield of faith, by which I was enabled to repel them all. As soon as I came on shore, the holy spirit filled my soul. The Lord commanded people to receive me and my fellow pilgrim into their houses. Our souls rejoiced in him. The people were soon alarmed at my arrival. As soon as I came on shore at Leith, many came blessing me, and weeping, took hold of me. About four in the afternoon we came to Edinburgh. Great numbers followed our coach, and almost catched me in their arms, as soon as I came out of it. How did they weep for joy! It would have melted you down to have seen them. When I came to my lodging, many dear friends came to salute us in the name of the Lord. About seven o’clock I went to see some persons of distinction, whose hearts the Lord reached, when I was here last. Some were ready to faint with excess of joy: with these I prayed and gave thanks. The Holy Ghost filled us with all joy and peace in believing.—At eight I went to a nobleman’s house, where his lady and several other dear friends received us with great gladness. The cushions and bible were immediately brought. I gave a word of exhortation. We sung, and prayed, and spent the remainder of the evening most delightfully in talking of the things of God. When we came home, we joined in blessing God’s holy name. Though late, I scarce knew how to go to rest.—This morning I received glorious accounts of the carrying on of the Mediator’s kingdom. The work of God is beyond expression. Three of the little boys that were converted when I was last here, came to me and wept, and begged me to pray for and with them. A minister tells me, that scarce one is fallen back, who was awakened, either among old or young. The serjeant, whose letter, brother C—— has, goes on well with his company. O my dear brother, help me to praise the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever; and desire all the society to join with you. I believe within these four months you will hear of very great things. Pray that I may be very little in my own eyes, and not rob my dear Master of any part of his glory. We do not forget you. Once a day we meet together and pray for absent friends. He gives us leave, as it were, to ask of him what we will, and promises never to leave or forsake us. For the present, my dear brother, adieu! As opportunity offers, and if possible every post, some or other of my dear friends shall hear, dear brother A——, from

YESTERDAY morning our glorious Emmanuel brought us hither. Your Lordship’s kind letter was put into my hands. I heartily sympathize with your Lordship; but could not help rejoicing on your honoured lady’s account, knowing she is now entered into her blessed Master’s joy. Indeed, my Lord, I think, among christians, death hath not only lost its sting, but its name. I never was so joyful as I am now at the death of those who die in the Lord; and never was so reconciled to living myself. My general language, when I hear of the saints departure, is, “Let them go.” Lately at London we had a sister in Christ departed. Her last words were, “Holy, holy, holy!” she could say no more here; but our Saviour sent for her to finish her song in heaven. I preached over her corpse; our society attended: but surely never did souls triumph over death more than we did that night. Many would say, “O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?” As for my own part, I was enabled to trample death under my feet: and, blessed be God, through rich grace I can do that daily. But then your Lordship may ask, “Why are you reconciled to life?” Because I can do that for Jesus on earth, which I cannot do in heaven: I mean, be made instrumental in bringing some poor, weary, heavy laden sinners to find rest in his blood and righteousness: and, indeed, if our Saviour was to offer either to take me now, or to stay only to take one sinner more, I would desire to stay to take him with me. But whither am I running? O my Lord, death is a delightful topic. Excuse me if I forget myself when writing about it. Blessed be our God for supporting your soul under so close a trial! How sweet will it be to meet your Lady glorified at the great day! Yet a little while, and that happy day shall come. But it is time to answer your Lordship’s question: “How was you on the 24th of last November?” I thank God, very well. My soul was much refreshed with the Redeemer’s presence; and I was rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. I hear of wonderful things in Scotland. I can only fall down and worship. I have seen greater things than ever in England. I expect to see far greater in Scotland. Our Lord will not let his people be disappointed of their hopes. But I must away. We were very happy together with some other dear friends last night. I have not seen your Lordship’s daughters, though they have been so kind as to send to enquire after my health. I hope to see them to-day; and am, my Lord, with all possible respect, my Lord,

I Heartily rejoice at the awakening at Cambuslang, and elsewhere. I believe you will both see and hear of far greater things than these. I trust that not one corner of poor Scotland will be left unwatered by the dew of God’s heavenly blessing. The cloud is now only rising as big as a man’s hand; yet a little while, and we shall hear a sound of an abundance of gospel rain. Our glorious Emmanuel has given us much of his divine presence since my arrival. O that it may accompany me to Cambuslang! God willing, I hope to be with you the beginning of next week; but cannot exactly tell the day. In the mean while, forget not to pray for, reverend and dear brother,

I Arrived here last Saturday evening from the West, where I preached all the last week: as, twice on Monday at Paisley, six miles from Glasgow; on the Tuesday and Wednesday, three times each day, at Irvine, 16 miles from thence; on Thursday, twice at Mearns, fifteen miles from that; on Friday, three times at ♦Cumbernauld; and on Saturday, twice at Falkirk, in my way to Edinburgh. In every place there was the greatest commotion among the people as was ever known. Their mourning in most of the places, was like the mourning for a first-born. The auditories were very large, and the work of God seems to be spreading more and more. Last sabbath-day I preached twice in the park, and once in the church, and twice every day since. A number of seats and shades, in the form of an amphitheatre, have been erected in the park, where the auditory sit in a beautiful order. I have received very agreeable news from my family abroad.—I purpose going to Cambuslang to-morrow, in order to assist at the communion; and shall preach at various places westward before I return here. I intend to embark for America as soon as possible after I leave Scotland. Thus you see, my dear brother, how I have been employed. O give thanks to our blessed Saviour, for his great unparalleled goodness to a most unworthy worm. Indeed I have seen and felt such things, as I never saw and felt before. I never was enabled to preach so powerfully as whilst I have been in the West. I hear that brother C—— is in the country, and that you exhort in the society. May the Lord open your mouth, and cause your lips to shew forth his praise! Let us talk of his loving-kindness all the day long. God gives me faith for my poor orphans. Help me with your prayers. God will supply all my wants. Glory be to his name, I am kept from doubting. My brother, I love you dearly. You have been a close and faithful brother. May the Lord bless you and yours. Adieu! Pray fail not of writing as particular as may be, to,

Most affectionately yours in Christ,

G. W.

♦ ‘Cambernauld’ replaced with ‘Cumbernauld’

LETTER CCCCXXVII.

To Mr. H——, at the Orphan-house.

Edinburgh, July 7, 1742.

My very dear friend, faithful steward, and brother in Christ,

LAST Monday I received an agreeable packet of letters from you. I think they are dated in October and December last. They rejoiced our hearts. As soon as I read yours, my wife said, let us give thanks and pray. Accordingly we kneeled down, and had very near access to the Father of Mercies on your behalf. At night, after our coming home, we did the same. Our common Lord enabled us to wrestle in faith. We all felt our hearts drawn mightily towards you. I could wish for wings to fly unto you. I long to thank you in person, for your faithfulness to your poor unworthy, but most affectionate friend. My dear brother, God is still doing greater things for me than ever. The awakening here in Scotland is unspeakable. The congregations in the West, are just like those which you and I saw at Foggs-Manor, in Pensylvania. God seems to awaken scores together. I never was enabled to preach so before. O that I may lie low at the feet of my dear Redeemer! to whose image I am studying to be more conformed every day. Your letter to dear brother A—— pleased us very much. I have desired him to print it. I paid a three hundred pound bill drawn upon me by Mr. N——, as well as Mr. B——’s: whether you include that in the eleven thousand pounds, I know not. However, blessed be God, if it were eleven thousand more I hope I should be kept from doubting. At present, I am looking up to our great Housholder for fresh supplies; which I believe he will give me, and which I will send to you as soon as possible. I hope to see you soon, and to thank you in particular for your faithfulness to me. My friend and brother, you shall in no wise lose your reward. I believe God will take Georgia into his own hands. Its affairs have lately been before the House of Commons. Mr. Ste—— was reprimanded for his abuse of the trustees; the use of rum was granted, but the use of slaves denied. Let us stand still, be instant in prayer, and we shall certainly see the salvation of God. I am yet made to hope against hope, in behalf of poor Georgia. The Lord strengthen your weak body, and continually comfort your soul. That you may be filled with all the fulness of God, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. H——,

YOUR letter gave me some little concern, I thought it breathed much of a sectarian spirit; to which I hoped dear Mr. W—— was quite averse. Methinks you seem, dear Sir, not satisfied, unless I declare myself a Presbyterian, and openly renounce the church of England. God knows that I have been faithful in bearing a testimony against what I think is corrupt in that church. I have shewn my freedom in communicating with the church of Scotland, and in baptizing children their own way. I can go no further. As for what you mention about the Quakers, I know not what particular exceptionable passages there were in my sermons, in which I mentioned them. That some good souls are among the Quakers, I doubt not.—For such I have charity, because our Lord hath given to them his spirit.—Though I am a strenuous defender of the righteousness of Christ, and utterly detest Arminian principles, yet I know that God gave me the Holy Ghost, before I was clear in either as to head-knowledge: and therefore, dear Sir, I am the more moderate to people who are not clear, supposing I see the divine image stamped upon their hearts. Mr. W——, Mr. L——, &c. I take to be holy men of God, though they think far widely from me, and from each other in some particular branches of doctrine. Dear Sir, be not offended at my plain speaking. I find but few of a truly catholic spirit. Most are catholic till they bring persons over to their own party, and there they would fetter them. I have not so learned Christ. I desire to act as God acts. I shall approve, and join with all who are good in every sect, and cast a mantle of love over all that are bad, so far as is consistent with a good conscience. This I can do without temporizing; nay I should defile my conscience if I did otherwise. As for my answer to Mr. M——, dear Sir, it is very satisfying to my own soul. Morning and evening retirement is certainly exceeding good; but if through weakness of body, or frequency of preaching, I cannot go to God in my usual set times, I think my spirit is not in bondage. It is not for me to tell how often I use secret prayer; if I did not use it, nay, if in one sense I did not pray without ceasing, it would be difficult for me to keep up that frame of soul, which by the divine blessing I daily enjoy. If the work of God prospers, and your hands become more full, you will then, dear Sir, know better what I mean. But enough of this. God knows my heart, I would do every thing I possibly could, to satisfy all men, and give a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and fear; but I cannot satisfy all that are waiting for an occasion to find fault: our Lord could not; I therefore despair of doing it. However, dear Sir, I take what you have said in very good part: only I think you are too solicitous to clear up my character to captious and prejudiced men. Let my master speak for me. Blessed be God, he will, so long as I simply throw myself into his almighty arms. I am glad the work goes on with you. Glory be to God, we have seen glorious things in the West. My tender love to all that are pleased to remember me. When I shall come your way, I know not. On Friday, God willing, I go to Cambuslang, where I expect to see great days of the son of man. That God may bless you abundantly more and more, and cause your latter end greatly to increase, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

ON Saturday I received your very kind letter, and being just now returned from Cambuslang, I snatch a few moments to acknowledge it. I have long since waited for a call to Ireland. In such an important step, I care not to proceed without great caution. When I find the cloud of divine providence moving your way, I trust the language of my heart will be, Lord, I come to do or suffer thy will! In the mean while, I will watch unto prayer. I doubt not but you, reverend and dear Sir, will help me herein. I thank you most heartily, for being jealous over me. I believe it is with a godly jealousy. I wish I was more jealous over myself. But blessed be God, this I can say in the midst of the honours wherewith the glorious Emmanuel hath honoured me, “Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy name be all the glory.” Dear Sir, I think I am the worst of the sons of men. Yet I dare not deny what the blessed Jesus hath done for my sinful soul. He is pleased (O infinitely condescending God!) to honour me still more and more. Saturday last I came to Cambuslang, and I think I never saw such things before. The work seems to be spreading. O that it may reach and overspread poor Ireland also! All things are possible with God. Now the Lord is watering so many other places, I pray he may not leave that intirely destitute and dry.—O for faith to expect great, and very great things from God! He does not love to disappoint people of their hope. Dear Sir, my heart is now enlarged with a sense of the freeness and fulness of the Redeemer’s loving-kindness. You, dear Sir, are an old weather beaten soldier. You are ripened for glory, and are ready to sing your Nunc dimittis¹.—I am just about to begin to be a soldier. But, blessed be God, I shall follow soon. The hopes of bringing more souls to Jesus Christ, is the only consideration that can reconcile me to life. For this cause I can willingly stay long from my wish’d-for home, my wished-for Jesus. But whither am I going? I forget myself when writing of Jesus. His love fills my soul, O free grace! Surely I shall sing the loudest in heaven; but I must have done; nature calls for rest. Depending on the continuance of your prayers, and with my hearty salutation to all that love the blessed Jesus, I subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, though younger and most unworthy brother and servant in the gospel of God’s dear Son,

G. W.

¹ Now lettest thou thy servant, &c.

LETTER CCCCXXXI.

To Mr. J—— C——, in London.

New-Kilpatrick, July 15, 1742.

My dear Brother,

OF all my fellow-labourers letters, I think yours come the sweetest to my soul. You do not forget the rock from whence you was hewn, and therefore the Lord will honour you more and more. Though I have so small a degree of humility myself, I can see and admire it in others. It is the queen of graces. O beg of the exalted Jesus to make me humble. Indeed I have need of humility, for I am honoured more and more. What I have sent you already, does not near come up to what I have seen since. Last Thursday night, and Friday morning, there was such a shock in Edinburgh as I never felt before. O what a melting and weeping was there! I have heard blessed effects of it since. All glory be to God through Christ. On Friday night I came to Cambuslang, to assist at the blessed sacrament. On Saturday I preached to above twenty thousand people. In my prayer the power of God came down and was greatly felt. In my two sermons, there was yet more power. On sabbath day, scarce ever was such a sight seen in Scotland. There were undoubtedly upwards of twenty thousand people. Two tents were set up, and the holy sacrament was administered in the fields. When I began to serve a table, the power of God was felt by numbers; but the people crouded so upon me, that I was obliged to desist and go to preach at one of the tents, whilst the ministers served the rest of the tables. God was with them, and with his people. There was preaching all day by one or another, and in the evening, when the sacrament was over, at the request of the ministers I preached to the whole congregation. I preached about an hour and a half. Surely it was a time much to be remembered. On Monday morning, I preached again to near as many; but such an universal stir I never saw before. The motion fled as swift as lightning from one end of the auditory to another. You might have seen thousands bathed in tears. Some at the same time wringing their hands, others almost swooning, and others crying out, and mourning over a pierced Saviour. But I must not attempt to describe it. In the afternoon, the concern again was very great. Much prayer had been previously put up to the Lord. All night in different companies, you might have heard persons praying to, and praising God. The children of God came from all quarters. It was like the passover in Josiah’s time. We are to have another in about two or three months, if the Lord will. One Mr. W——, a minister, who has great popular gifts, was as well as others much owned and helped at this time. On Tuesday morning I preached at Glasgow, (it was a most glorious time) and in the afternoon twice at Inchannon. The Lord gave a blow to many. Yesterday morning I preached there again, and here twice. Every time there was a great stir, especially at this place. A great company of awakened souls is within the compass of twenty miles, and the work seems to be spreading apace. I am exceedingly strengthened, O unmerited mercy! both in soul and body, and cannot now do well without preaching three times a day. The Lord gives me great confidence about the Orphan-house, and assures me that he will provide for me and mine. O help me to thank him. Call upon all to bless his holy name. I know you will not be slack to praise him. I rejoice, my dear brother, to find that you enjoy so much of God. May he fill you with all his fulness. The trials you meet with, will only make you a more able minister of the New Testament. I am of your mind with respect to ——. He will not prosper. The Lord hates sectarian zeal. Dear brother, adieu. Expect to hear every opportunity from

I Heartily rejoice that the Lord is blessing and owning you. Go on, dear Sir, go on, and you will certainly find the glorious Emmanuel will be with you more and more. It is observable, that there is but one thing in scripture, that we are commanded to do out of season, preaching. Be instant therefore, dear Sir, in season and out of season. The Lord will stand by you and strengthen you, and deliver you from wicked and unreasonable men. You will find the blessedness of the cross, and the spirit of Christ and of glory to rest upon your soul. The Messrs. E—— and their adherents, would you think it, have appointed a publick fast to humble themselves, among other things, for my being received in Scotland, and for the delusion, as they term it, at Cambuslang, and other places; and all this, because I would not consent to preach only for them, till I had light into, and could take the solemn league and covenant.—But to what lengths may prejudice carry even good men?—From giving way to the first risings of bigotry and a party spirit, good Lord deliver us!

I Just now received and read your letter. It much affected me. It bespeaks the language of an uneasy restless heart. In reading it, I thought of the great Austin, who used, when he prayed against lust, secretly to wish that his prayer might not be answered, and yet he made a most eminent saint, and shone in the church as a star of the first magnitude. I likewise thought how our Saviour would receive you, if here on earth; even as he received and answered the poor woman taken in adultery.—I am sure he would say, “Neither do I condemn thee.” Another text offers itself, “I will heal their backslidings, and love them freely.” God does not say, I will heal thy backsliding for any certain term of years, but I will heal thy backslidings in general. Dear Sir, if you have been a backslider these fifty years, nay, was it possible for you to have been a backslider a thousand years, yet if with hearty repentance and true faith you turn unto him, he will abundantly pardon you. O dear Sir, if any one had need to despair of mercy, I had; but Jesus has washed me in his blood, and I know that my Redeemer liveth. Your temptations, and atheism, and hard thoughts of God, do not surprize me. Dear Sir, what else can be expected from a heart desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things? Dear Sir, let all this drive you to the fountain which is open for sin and all uncleanness. I once, in your circumstances, thought Christ was hard-hearted; but now I find, nay have long since found, that his heart is full of love. Take courage, dear Sir; draw near to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Return, thou wandering prodigal, thy heavenly father is running to meet thee.—Come back, thou fluttering dove, Jesus is ready to take thee into the ark. May God bless this to you! If he does, I will bless his name. I am a vile sinner, and have need to lie low before him, whom I have pierced by my transgression and unprofitableness, times without number. In his blood and righteousness I find perpetual refuge. Many in these parts are flying to him. May you, Sir, add to the happy number. You are but a sinner, and Jesus died for sinners. Come and welcome to Jesus Christ. I expect to remain in Scotland a few months, and hope to be your way, if the Lord direct. If your way should be directed hither, I should be glad to see you; if not, you are welcome to write to me. As my multiplicity of affairs will admit, you shall be answered by, dear Sir,

WITH this, I suppose, you will receive several young ones, who I think have acted wrong in leaving their respective employs under parents and masters to go after me. Be pleased to examine them, and send them home. The Lord was with me at Falkirk, and is pleased to work by me here. O free grace! I am persuaded I shall have more power, since dear Mr. G—— hath printed such a bitter pamphlet. Now I begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I rejoice and am exceeding glad. The archers shot sore at me that I might fall, but the Lord is, and the Lord will be my helper. At present I can add no more; but beg the continuance of your prayers for me and mine. We all join in hearty salutation to you and your whole houshold. I am, reverend and dear Sir,