“And is my dear friend indeed about to take his last flight? I dare not wish your return into this vale of tears; but our prayers are constantly ascending to the Father of our spirits, that, you may die in the embraces of a never-failing Jesus, and in all the fulness of an exalted faith. Oh when will my time come! I groan in this tabernacle, being burdened; and long to be clothed with my house from heaven.
“Farewell! My very dear friend, F-a-r-e-w-e-l-l! Yet a little while, and we shall meet,
“‘Where sin, and strife, and sorrow cease,
And all is love, and joy, and peace.’
“There Jesus will reward you for all the tokens of love which you have showed, for His great name’s sake, to
“Yours most affectionately, in our common Lord,
“G. Whitefield.”
“P.S.—God comfort your mother and relations, and thousands and thousands more that will bewail your departure!”[257]
The following, it is believed, are Hervey’s last letters,—the first to Mr. Cudworth; the second to Lady Frances Shirley:—
“December 15, 1758.