Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/384

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

she expressed herself, she answered, "yes, and worse." At her request, some time after this, I gave her the holy communion; a communion indeed it was. Never did I see a person receive it with seemingly greater contrition, more earnest desire for pardon and reconciliation with God through Christ, or stronger purposes of devoting her future life to his service. Being weak, she was desired to keep lying on her bed. She replied, "I can rise to take my physic; shall I not rise to pray?" When I was repeating the Communion Office, she applied all to herself, and broke out frequently aloud in her applying. When I said, the burden of them is intolerable, she burst out—"yea very intolerable," with abundance of such like expressions. When she took the bread and wine, her concern gave her utterance, and she spake like one that was ripening for heaven. Those around her, wept for joy.—My cold heart also was touched, and I left her with a full persuasion, that she was either to be taken off soon, or to be a blessing here below. I think she lived about a week afterwards: she continued in the same frame as far as I hear, and I trust is now gone, where she will sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb for ever. The thoughts of this, comforts good Lady G——, and the same consideration, I am persuaded, will have the same effect upon your Ladyship. Only methinks I hear your Ladyship add, "No, I will not stop here. By divine grace I will devote myself to Jesus Christ now, and give him no rest, till I see the world in that light as dear Miss H—— did, and as I myself shall, when I come to die. I will follow my honoured mother as she follows Jesus Christ, and count the Redeemer's reproach of more value than all the honours, riches and pleasures of the world. I will fly to Christ by faith, and through the help of my God, keep up not only the form, but also the power of godliness in heart and life." That the glorious Emanuel may enable your Ladyship to put all this into practice, is the earnest prayer of, Madam,

Your Ladyship's most ready servant for Christ's sake,
G. W.