Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/72

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alive. Though now seemingly lost, yet surely you shall be found again. God only knows how such news would rejoice the heart of, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend in the best bonds,
G. W.

LETTER LXI. Dear Mr. —— —— August 7, 1739.

I thank you most heartily for your last: Had you been more particular, I should have thanked you still more. May God reward you for watching over my soul! Pride and selfishness are the tempers of the devil. By the help of my God I will never rest till my Master gives me power to overcome them. It is difficult, I believe, to go through the fiery trial of popularity and applause untainted. Blessed be God, I am now sweetly retired. O help me, my dear Sir, by your prayers, as well as your advice, and believe me desirous to subscribe myself,

Your's most affectionately in our dear Lord Jesus,
G. W.

LETTER LXII. On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739.


Reverend and dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter gave me much satisfaction. It breathed the language of one, who is a Boanerges in the church of God. Excess of business prevented my answering it sooner. As I am now retired from a public life, I trust I shall have time to try my heart and search out my spirit. Forget me not, dear Sir, when you are praying for all those, who travel by land and by water, when storms and winds are blowing over me. I hope I shall always carry you, and others of my dear friends in Wales, upon my heart, whenever I go in and out before the Lord. It would rejoice my soul to hear from you, when abroad. Exhort me, oh exhort me, to be valiant for the truth. Bid, oh bid me, dear Sir, to be mindful of a dying and risen Jesus.—Bid me to remember the riches of his free grace in pulling me as a brand out of the fire, and exhort me to lay down my life for his sake.—Brother Harris, I find, has