Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/45

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about our ears, and teaching us lessons of obedience to him, whom winds and storms obey. God give us grace to learn them. Mr. B. can inform you, what other particulars have happened to us, since we left you; I need only add, that the divine goodness attends us wherever we go. Oh dear Sir! who would but leave their few ragged, tattered nets to follow Jesus Christ? Who would but follow the Lamb wheresoever he shall be pleased to lead? Pray, dear Sir, that I may always do so, and then, I am sure, God will never leave or forsake me. You see, dear Sir, I have answered your kind letter much sooner than expectation, in order to express how sincerely I value your friendship, though you differ from me in some outward modes. Indeed, Sir, I hope the favours I have received from you and others of your christian brethren, will never go out of my mind; but I shall often plead them (as I have done already) at the throne of grace. I would willingly be of so catholic a spirit, as to love the image of my divine master, wherever I see it: I am far from thinking God's grace is confined to any set of men whatsoever: no, I know the partition-wall is now broken down, and that Jesus Christ came to redeem people out of all nations and languages and tongues; and therefore his benefits are not to be confined to this or that particular set of professors. I only wish, that I may have grace given me to preach the truth, as it is in Jesus; and then, come what will, I hope I shall (as I do, blessed be God) rejoice.

You know, Sir, what a design I am going upon, and what a stripling I am for so great a work; but I stand forth as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and I doubt not, but he that has and doth, will still deliver unto the end. God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst.—Dear Sir, I could write more, but nature calls for rest. Be pleased to give my hearty love to all you and I know, and acquaint them, how safe I am here; for otherwise the tempestuous night might put them and others in pain for, Dear Sir,

Your unworthy, though affectionate friend,
G. W.