Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/138

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be magnified in your weakness: A living faith will support you under all. When your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will take you up. The greatest foes you will find to be those of your own heart. Subdue these, and outward crosses will affect you but little. To conquer yourself will be a laborious task; but if you believe, Jesus Christ shall even do this for you. Get out of yourself, rely wholly on, and be a co-worker with him, and he shall be to you wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Rachel greatly wishes this, but not more sincerely than

Your friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.



LETTER CXXXV.


Dear Mr. P. Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1739.

WHAT a divine sympathy and attraction is there between all those who by one spirit are made members of that mystical body, whereof Jesus Christ is the head! I loved your departed wife, now with God. I love your daughter, and the church in your house, in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Blessed be God that his love is so far shed abroad in our hearts, as to cause us to love one another, though we a little differ as to externals: For my part, I hate to mention them. My one sole question is, Are you a christian? Are you sealed by Christ's spirit to the day of redemption? Are you hungering and thirsting after the perfect, everlasting righteousness of Jesus Christ? If so, you are my brother, my sister, and mother. I desire to love you as myself. This is my temper; I am persuaded it is your's. Why otherwise did you so gladly receive me into your house? The Lord reward you and the rest of your christian brethren. Indeed I am present with you in spirit, and wish you good luck in the name of the Lord. O be not slack to praise him in my behalf; for I have experienced some rich anointings of his holy spirit, and have been made to see more into the wonders of redeeming love. Did I know more of your names, I would write to more. This is my comfort, I trust our names are written in the book of life. Yet a little while, and we shall