'I FIND WE ARE IMMORTAL UNTIL OUR WORK IS DONE'.
this starts the beginnings of ministry...journal I
i plan to type the more extended portions first (noted by date) and, Lord willing, come back and add fragments i have noted in a journal that give indications of whitefield's (W's) christian life...as a model, an encouragement, indications that prayerfully examined and hopefully lived out would enable some dim imitation of W as W sought to imitate Christ...
in response to W's question on the meaning of 'not a novice' (one of the qualifications of an
overseer) an older man in the ministry answered....a novice in grace, not a novice in years.
4.3.1738 (age 23)
had some further conversation with the young gentleman whose conversion i mentioned before,
and who i hope is really quickened from above.
he told me he used to wonder to hear me talk that
all our thoughts, words and actions ought to be dedicated unto God;
but now he perceived what i said to be true.
how does the new nature give us new notions!
IT SEEMS A DIFFICULT TASK TO THE NATURAL MAN
TO TURN HIS WHOLE LIFE INTO ONE CONTINUED SACRIFICE,
BUT THE SPIRITUAL MAN DOES IT WITH EASE.
he feels a divine attraction in his soul,
which as sensibly draws his heart towards "God,
as the loadstone attracts the needle.
draw us then, o God, and our affections will ascend up after Thee.
4.8 had much of the presence of God with me today.
....the ship sailed all day as though ...carried on the wings of the wind.
PREACHed two sermons, besides my EXPOSITION at 6 in the morning...
the poor people between decks prayed heartily for me.
4.10-1 spent good part of these two days in MENDING MY NETS.
..some more of the sailors were convicted of sin
and others send notes to be prayed for and give thanks as regularly as in any parish.
4.14 today i could have wished for some young PRODIGALs (shamelessly immoral, wasteful)
aboard the Whitaker,
to see one of our soldiers dying.
alas! how did his breast heave, his heart pant and great drops of sweat trickle down his face!
his eyes looked ghastly and the whole man was in a bitter agony.
captain whiting went down between decks with me once or twice to see him.
...about nine at night he expired, i fear without hope, for he killed himself by drinking.
oh that all drunkards would learn from him to be wise in time
and practically consider their latter end!
JOURNAL 2
5.20 (just having arrived at savannah, georgia)
went once more to see tomo chachi,
hearing his nephew tooanoowee was there, who could talk english.
i desired him to enquire of his uncle,
whether he though he should die;
who answered, he could not tell.
i then asked, where he thought he should go after death?
he replied, 'to heaven'.
but alas, how can a drunkard enter there!
i then exhorted tooanoowee (who is a tall proper youth) not to get drunk,
telling him he understood english and therefore would be punished the more, if he did not live better.
i then asked him, 'whether he believed in a hell? and described it by pointing to the fire;
he replied, 'no',
from whence we may easily gather, how natural it is to all mankind to believe there is a place of happiness,
because they wish it may be so
and on the contrary, how averse they are to believe in a place of torment,
because they wish it may not be so.
but God is true and just
and as surely as the good shall go into everlasting happiness,
so the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment.
9.24-5 blessed be God! He has made me frequently REJOICE IN SPIRIT,
and now quite reconciles me to my present RETIREMENT. (alone with God)
WHEN SHALL I HAVE NO WILL BUT GOD'S!
(W has constant ejaculations (sudden, brief, in this case, prayer or praise to God)
10.6 ...most of our fresh provisions are washed overboard and our tackling much out of order,
so that we have a prospect but of an indifferent
(without interest or concern....
i am puzzled by the use of such a word to describe a very perilous and almost fatal sea voyage...)...
just consulted the oxford english dictionary and definition 2 seems to give some light...
'not inclined to one thing or course more than to another' which might indicate
that because of the extremely difficult weather
the boat was often moved far off course...here and there...
such that the voyage took far to long,
almost to the point that all provision of food and water was entirely gone..threatening life itself)
voyage;
but blessed be God, the prospect pleases me,
for now i shall learn, i trust, how to want as well as how to abound,
and how to endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
10.7 ...a desire to see my friends in england, to dispatch my business and to return to my poor flock,
prompts me secretly to wish for a continuance of this prosperous gale.
but Lord, i know not what to pray for as i ought.
DO WITH ME AS SEEMETH GOOD IN THY SIGHT.
only i beseech Thee to SANCTIFY (set apart to Yourself) MY PRESENT RETIREMENT,
that the longer i am upon the sea, the more zealous i may be in Thy service,
when i came upon dry land.
10.14..most of this week has been spent in SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
and in RETIREMENTS (prayer, meditation before God?)
for direction and assistance in the work before me.
my fresh provisions are gone
and the people are put to the allowance of a quart of water each man for a day.
i hope now the spiritual man will grow,
having so little for the natural man to feed on.
amen, Lord Jesus! blessed be God!
i can by His grace, say that i rejoice in necessities and in everything give thanks.
had this sentence out of (matthew?) henry much pressed upon my heart to comfort me in my retirement.
'the mower loses no time whilst he is whetting his scythe'.
10.15 the weather being clam and i being invited yesterday,
went on board the Constant, captain philips, bound from jamaica, which now sails in company with us
and was kindly received both by the captain and his passengers and not only so,
but they spared me what they could of their provisions.
a most providential supply, for ours was quite out.
but EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY,
blessed by His name for thus STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH!
may this be looked upon as a pledge that he will never leave or forsake us.
10.21 ...for God has been pleased to visit me all the week with a variety of inward trials,
which is a sign to me that i shall experience yet more and more of His mercies.
how good is God thus to PREPARE ME BY SUFFERINGS,
THAT SO HIS BLESSINGS MAY NOT BE MY RUIN.
these things to the natural man are not joyous, but grievous;
but God enables me to take comfort in Him
to THANK HIM SINCERELY FOR HIS LOVING CORRECTION
and therefore when i am sufficiently exercised thereby,
i hope it will bring forth in me the peaceable fruits of righteousness. amen.
10.26 was much comforted this evening in reading the 22rd and 34th chapters of ezekiel,
wherein i could not but observe many circumstances of God's dealing with him
corresponding with what i have experienced in myself.
the following verses in particular were set home to my heart,
'also, thou son of man,
the children of thy people are still talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses
and speak one to another, saying,
come, i pray you and hear what word cometh from the Lord.
and they come unto thee as the people cometh
and THEY HEAR THY WORDS,
BUT THEY WILL NOT DO THEM, (his coming reception by many in religious authority in england)
for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after covetousness.
and lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one who hath a pleasant voice,
and can play well on an instrument:
for they hear thy words, but do them not'
who that knows how God has dealt with me since i have been in the ministry,
sees not that this passage answers to my circumstances,
as face answers to face in the water?
however, this i know,
WHAT I HAVE SPOKEN FROM GOD WILL COME TO PASS
and then shall these scoffers and despisers know that a minister of Christ has been amongst them.
o that i may never be brought forth as a swift witness against any;
but we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
10.28 ...GOD HAS this week ENLARGED MY HEART
and FILLED ME WITH GREAT COMFORT
AFTER GREAT INWARD CONFLICTS.
is not all this to prepare me for further trials we are yet to endure ere we get to england?
Lord, Thy grace, i know, will be sufficient for me,
and therefore I REJOICE IN THE PROSPECT OF ENDURING TRIBULATION.
had reason to believe one on board was offended at my ENLARGING one night
on the sin of drunkenness.
i always endeavour to SPEAK WITH THE MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS OF CHRIST;
BUT IF PEOPLE WILL ACCOUNT ME THEIR ENEMY,
BECAUSE , OUT OF LOVE,I TELL THEM THE TRUTH,
I CANNOT HELP THAT.
11.1 ...indeed i cannot say, i have purposely, for these three weeks,
eaten no pleasant food, or fasted as he did (referring to daniel's fast);
but our food is so salt, that i dare eat but little,
so that i am now literally in fastings often.
oh, that i may IMPROVE this blessed season
for HUMILIATION AND EXTRAORDINARY ACTS OF DEVOTION,
(profound dedication or consecration- the making or declaring sacred - to God)
that i may BE DULY PREPARED
TO APPROVE MYSELF A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST,
whether by honour or dishonour, by evil report or good report.
...they tell me they have not above three days' water on board,
allowing a quart to each man a day.
but He, who at one time, at the request of His disciples,
considered the multitude and worked a miracle for their relief
and at another time, at the intercession of moses, gave water to the wandering israelites,
i trust now has heard our prayer and sent this wind with a commission to bring us
where He will supply all our wants.
IF NOT, O BLESSED JESUS, THY WILL BE DONE.
give me grace, i most humbly beseech Thee, to hold out my three watches,
and at the fourth watch i know Thou wilt come. even so, come Lord Jesus.
11.2 for these two days last past, GOD HAS BEEN PLEASED GREATLY TO HUMBLE MY SOUL
AND BRING ME LOW BY SPIRITUAL DESERTIONS.
and today He has thought proper again to send us a contrary wind.
our allowance of water now is but a pint a day, so that we dare not eat much beef.
our sails are exceedingly thin, some more of them were split last night,
and no one knows were we are;
but God does and that is sufficient.
last night HE LIFTED UP THE LIGHT OF HIS BLESSED COUNTENANCE UPON ME
and today FILLS ME WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY;
so that, though i have little to eat, yet i inwardly possess all things.
i am sometimes afraid lest continued abstinence may occasion a bodily sickness.
but WHEREFORE DO I FEAR?
IF IT DOES,
THAT AND EVERYTHING ELSE I KNOW WILL WORK FOR MY GOOD.
what i most dread, is lest any on board should charge God foolishly;
but i CHECK THE FIRST NOTIONS i discern arising in any one's heart,
and endeavour to justify our good God in all the evil that He hath brought upon us.
i put before them the example of the widow of sarepta
and caution them against murmuring like the israelites at the waters of meribah.
thus i endeavour to comfort and support them with the comforts wherewith i myself and comforted of God.
this is now the eighth week i have been aboard.
if my friends ask me why i arrived no sooner, i may truly answer, satan hindered us.
for i believe it is he who is permitted to do this;
but this still gives me greater hopes, that a more effectual door than ever will stand open in england
for preaching the everlasting gospel.
o satan, thou mayest toss me up and down and bring me into jeopardy on every side,
but Jesus Christ is praying for me on the Mount.
and when the time appointed by the Father is come and my soul hereby prepared,
He Whom winds and storms obey, will speak the word
and then i shall have a happy meeting with my dear friends!
11.6 last night, about seven oclock, God was pleased to suffer a violent wind to arise,
which would not permit me to rise till this afternoon,
about which time it began in some measure to abate.
blessed bye God, through the precaution used by our shipmates,
we shipped but little water, only we were driven some leagues back.
the weather was pretty cold and a little cake or tow baked on the cols,
and a very little salt beef was all my provision for the day;
but thus elijah lived for a long while and why not i?
nay, he fasted 40 days and 40 nights and though i dare not presume to do so,
yet if God still brings me into greater wants, i doubt not, but that i shall find that
man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
LORD, I DESIRE not to be exempted from sufferings, but TO BE SUPPORTED under them.
11.8..most in the great cabin now begin to be weak and look hollow eyed;
yet a little while and we shall COME TO EXTREMITIES
AND THEN GOD'S ARM WILL BRING US SALVATION.
may we patiently tarry the Lord's leisure. amen, amen.
great part of this day i lay down, being weak and much oppressed in my head;
but at night when some doubted what the end of this visitation would be,
THE FOLLOWING VERSES WERE WITH GREAT COMFORT PRESSED UPON MY SOUL:
'for i am in a strait between tow, having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is far better.
nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
and having this confidence, i know that i shall abide and continue with you all,
for your furtherance and joy of faith,
that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you again'.
thus christians have meat to eat, which the world knoweth not.
in confidence of this and such like texts, that have been from time to time applied to my soul,
i still (as often as my strength will permit),
continue to write letters ready to send when i come on shore,
which reminds me of jeremiah's being commanded to buy land,
when his whole country was about to be carried into captivity.
blessed are they who walk by faith and not by sight.
though one in his haste the other day cried out,
'what jonah have we here on board?
and i answered, 'i am he';
yet many now, i believe, bless God, that i am with them.
for, say they, 'how should we have been blaming and cursing one another,
had not mr. W been amongst us?
BLESSED BE GOD, if my ministry or presence can be instrumental to prevent sin against Thee,
O LORD,TOSS ME ON THE OCEAN AS LONG AS IT PLEASETH THEE.
11.9 enjoyed great peace of mind today and was stronger in body than usual.
we are now making for ireland, and are advancing some leagues towards it.
whether we shall arrive there or not, GOD ONLY KNOWS.
I FIND ALL UNEASINESS ARISES FROM HAVING A WILL OF MY OWN.
and THEREFORE I SIMPLY DESIRE TO WILL WHAT GOD WILLETH.
OH WHEN WILL THIS ONCE BE?
11.10 was much strengthened in our present distress by the second lesson for the day.
it was our saviour's turning the water into wine at the marriage at cana.
we have applied to Him as the holy virgin did and told Him in prayer,
that, 'we have but very little water'.
at present, He seems to turn away His face and to say, 'what have I to do with you?'
but this is only because the hour of extremity is not yet come.
when it is, i doubt not but He will now as richly supply our wants as He did theirs then.
MAY WE IN PATIENCE POSSESS OUR SOULS.
11.11 still we are floating about, not knowing where we are;
but our people seem yet to have hopes of seeing ireland.
i know not whether i am out in my conjecture,
but i imagine some of those ships we have seen,have arrived at england before us.
up[on which, perhaps, my friends will expect me, pray for me and at last give me up for lost.
and then God will restore me to them.
...my outward man sensibly decayeth, but the spiritual man, i trust, is renewed day by day.
i have besought the Lord many times to send us a fair wind;
but now i see He does not think fit to answer me.
I AM WHOLLY RESIGNED, knowing that His grace will be sufficient for me
and that His time is best.
our ship is much out of repair and our food by no means enough to support nature in an ordinary way,
being of the most indifferent kind, too-
an ounce or two of salt beef, a pint of muddy water and a cake made of flour and skimmings of the pot.
i think often on Him who preserved moses in the ark of the bulrushes.
SO LONG AS I LOOK UPWARD MY FAITH WILL NOT FAIL.
11.12 this morning, the doctor of our ship took up the Common Prayer Book,
and observed that he opened upon these words,
'blessed be the Lord God of israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people'.
and so, indeed, He has, for about 8 oclock this morning news was brought that our men saw land
and i went and was a joyful spectator of it myself.
the air was clear and the sun arising in full strength,
so that is is the most pleasant day i have seen these many weeks.
now know i that the Lord will not always be chiding, neither keeping His anger for ever.
for these two or thee days last past, i have enjoyed uncommon serenity of soul,
and given up my will to God.
and now He hath brought us deliverance-from whence i infer,
that A CALMNESS OF MIND AND ENTIRE RESIGNATION TO THE DIVINE WILL,
is the best preparative for receiving divine mercies.
Lord evermore make me thus minded.
as soon as i had taken a view of the land, we joined together in prayer and psalm of thanksgiving
and already began to reflect with pleasure on our late straits.
thus it will be hereafter, the storms and tempests of this troublesome world will
serve to render our haven of eternal rest doubly agreeable.
I FEAR NOW NOTHING SO MUCH AS THE TREACHERY OF MY HEART,
LEST like the ungrateful lepers, I SHOULD NOT TURN TO GOD
AND GIVE THANKS BY LEADING A HOLY LIFE.
but all things are possible with God, on Whose rich mercies and free grace in Jesus Christ,
i alone depend for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
11.14 ...a little before our provision came, i had been noting in my diary,
that i believed deliverance was at hand;
for last night and this morning, i had the most violent conflict within myself that i have had at all.
thus God always prepares me for His mercies.
oh that this may strengthen my faith
and make me willing to follow the lamb wheresoever He shall b e pleased to lead me.
Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.
...why God dealeth thus with me, i know not now, but i shall know hereafter.
however, this i know, that this voyage has been greatly for my good;
for i have had a glorious opportunity of
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES,
COMPOSING DISCOURSES,
WRITING LETTERS,
and COMMUNING WITH MY OWN HEART.
we have been on board just nine weeks and three days,
-a long and perilous, but profitable voyage to my soul;
for i hope, it has taught me, in some measure,
to endure hardships as becometh a minister of Christ.
my clothes have not been off (except to change me) all the passage.
part of the time i lay on open deck;
part on a chest ;
and the remainder on a bedstead with my buffalo's skin.
these things, though little in themselves are great in their consequences
and, WHOSOEVER DESPISETH SMALL ACTS OF BODILY DISCIPLINE,
IT IS TO BE FEARED,
WILL INSENSIBLY LOSE HIS SPIRITUAL LIFE BY LITTLE AND LITTLE.
MANY INWARD TRIALS ALSO GOD HAS BEEN PLEASED TO SEND ME,
which i believe, HE HAS SANCTIFIED TO MY GREAT GOOD.
i am now going on shore, to the house of a wealthy gentleman,
whom God has commanded to receive me....
11.18 where was i last saturday?
in hunger, cold and thirsting;
but now i enjoy fullness of bread and all things convenient for me.
God grant, i may not, jeshurun-like, wax fat and kick.
perhaps it is more difficult to know how to abound, than how to want.
i endeavour to receive both with thanksgiving.
11.21 (speaking of an encounter with a roman catholic) as far as i can find by all i converse with,
they place religion in being of the protestant or roman catholic communion
and are quite ignorant of the nature of INWARD PURITY AND HOLINESS OF HEART.
Lord, the christian world is cast into a deep sleep;
send forth, i beseech Thee. some faithful and true pastors to awaken them out of it.11.24...some other part of the day i was necessarily obliged to go and see the busy part of dublin:
but THE MORE I SEE OF THE WORLD,
THE MORE I GROW SICK OF IT EVERY DAY.
end of this journal a poem by W ( i suppose)
shall i, for fear of feeble man,
Thy Spirit's course in me restrain?
of undismayed in deed and word,
be a true witness to my Lord?
awed by a mortal's frown, shall i
conceal the word of God most High?
how then before Thee shall i dare
to stand or how Thy anger share?
no; let man rage! since Thou wilt spread
Thy shadowing wings around my head:
since in all pain Thy tender love
will still my sweet refreshment prove.
saviour of me, Thy searching eye
does all my inmost thoughts descry (look carefully, discern, espy),
doth ought on earth my wishes raise?
or the world's favour or its praise?
the love of Christ does me constrain,
to seek the wandering souls of men:
with cries, entreaties, tears to save,
to snatch them from the gaping grave.
for this let men revile my name,
no cross i shun, i fear no shame:
all hail reproach and welcome pain,
only Thy terrors, Lord, restrain.
my life, my blood, i here present,
if for Thy truth they may be spent,
fulfill Thy sov'reign counsel, Lord:
Thy will be done! Thy Name ador'd!
give me Thy strength, o God of power,
then let winds blow or thunders roar,
Thy faithful witness will i be-
'Tis fix'd! i can do all through Thee!
THIRD JOURNAL
to the reverend mr. george whitefield
brother in Chris and well beloved,
attend and add thy prayer to mine;
as aaron called, yet inly moved,
to minister in things divine.
faithful and often owned of God,
vessel of grace, by Jesus used;
stir up the gift on thee bestowed,
the gift by hallowed hands transfused.
fully thy heavenly mission prove,
and make thy own election sure;
rooted in faith and hope and love,
active to work and firm t' endure.
scorn to contend with flesh and blood,
and trample on so mean a foe;
by stronger fiends in vain withstood,
dauntless to nobler conquests go.
go where the darkest tempest lowers,
thy foes, triumphant wrestler, foil;
thrones, principalities and powers,
engage, o'ercome and take the spoil.
the weapons of thy warfare take,
with truth and meekness armed ride on
might, through God, hell's kingdom shake,
satan's strongholds, through God, pull down.
humble each vain aspiring boast,
intensely for God's glory burn;
strongly declare the sinner lost,
self righeousness o'erturn, o'erturn.
tear the bright idol from his shrine
nor suffer him on earth to dwell,
t'usurp the place of Blood Divine,
but chase him to his native hell.
be all into subjection brought,
the pride of man let faith abase;
and captivate his every thought,
and force him to be saved by grace.
charles wesley
12.8.1738 about noon, i reached london;
was received with much joy by my christian friends
and joined with them in psalms and thanksgiving for my safe arrival.
MY HEART WAS GREATLY ENLARGED HEREBY.
in the evening went to a truly christian society in fetter lane
and perceived GOD HAD GREATLY WATERED THE SEED SOWN BY MY MINISTRY
when last in london.
the Lord increase it more and more.
..i had an opportunity of PREACHING in the morning at st. helen's
and at islington in the afternoon, to large congregations indeed,
with great DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND WITH POWER.
here seems to be a great pouring out of the Spirit,
and many who were awakened by my preaching a year ago,
are now grown strong men in Christ,
by the ministrations of my dear friends and fellow labourers, john and charles wesley.
blessed by God, i rejoice in the coming of the Kingdom of Hid dear Son.
the old doctrine about Justification by Faith only, i found much revived
and many letters had been sent concerning it to me,
all which i PROVIDENTIALLY MISSED
for now i come unprejudiced and can the more easily see who is right.
and who dare assert that we are not justified in the sight of God
merely by and act of faith in Jesus Christ,
without any regard to works past, present or to come?
12.24 preached twice and went in the evening to crooked lane society,
where God enabled me to WITHSTAND several persons, who cavilled
(raise irritating or trivial objections, oppose with small reason)
against the doctrine of the new birth.
but the PASSION wherewith they oppose
is A DEMONSTRATION that they themselves have not experienced it.
Lord make them partakers of it, for Thy dear Son's sake.
12.25...about four this morning, went and prayed,
and expounded to another society in redcross street,
consisting of near two or three hundred people,
(foot; 'the first time i ever prayed extempore
(on the spur of the moment, with premeditation or preparation)
before such a number in public'.
and the room was exceedingly hot.
i had been watching unto prayer all night,
yet God vouchsafed so to FILL ME WITH HIS BLESSED SPIRIT
that i spoke with as great power as ever i did in my life.
my body was weak, but i found a supernatural strength
and the truth of that saying,
when i am weak, then i am strong'.
12.30 PREACHED nine times this week
and EXPOUNDED near 18 times, with great power and enlargement.
i am every moment employed from morning till midnight,
i am every moment employed from morning till midnight.
there is no end of people COMING AND SENDING TO ME
and they seem more and more desirous, like new born babes
to be fed with the sincere milk of the word.
what a great work has been wrought in the hearts of many within this twelvemonth!
now know i , that though thousands might come at first out of curiosity,
yet God has prevented (archaic - preceded, anticipated) and quickened them by His free grace!
OH THAT I COULD BE HUMBLE AND THANKFUL!
Glory be to God that HE FILLS ME CONTINUALLY,
NOT ONLY WITH PEACE, BUT ALSO JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST.
before my arrival, i though i should envy my brethren's success in the ministry,
but, blessed by God, i rejoice in it,
and an=m glad to see Christ's Kingdom come,
whatsoever instruments god shall make use of to bring it about.
sometimes i perceive myself DESERTED for a little while and MUCH OPPRESSED,
ESPECIALLY BEFORE PREACHING,
BUT COMFORT SOON AFTER FLOWS IN.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN ME.
OH! FREE GRACE IN CHRIST!
12.31 preached twice to large congregations especially in the afternoon, at spitalfields.
i had a great hoarseness upon me
and was deserted before i went up into the pulpit;
but GOD STRENGTHENED ME TO SPEAK, SO AS TO BE HEARD BY ALL.
after i left spitalfields, my cold being very great,
i despaired of speaking much more that night;
but God enabled me to expound to two companies in southwark
and I WAS NEVER MORE ENLARGED IN PRAYER IN MY LIRE.
these words, 'and the power of the Lord was present to heal them',
were much pressed upon my soul
and indeed i believe it was, for many were pricked to the heart
and FELT THEMSELVES TO BE SINNERS.
OH THAT ALL THE WORLD KNEW AND FELT THAT!
1.1.1739 ..HAD A LOVE FEAST with our brethren at fetter lane
(foot: this society had been formed by john wesley on 5.1.1738.
at first if was but another of the many 'religious societies' attached to the church of england,
but 'out of it eventually sprang the organized Methodism of the 'United Societies',
and also the Moravian Society'.)
and spent the whole nigh in CLOSE PRAYER, PSALMS and THANKSGIVINGS.
God supported me without sleep.
oh, that our despisers were partakers of our joys!
1.5...held a conference at islington, concerning several things of very great importance,
with seven true ministers of Jesus Christ,
despised Methodists, whom God has brought together
from the East and the West, the North and the South.
what we were in doubt about, AFTER PRAYER, WE DETERMINED BY LOT,
and EVERYTHING ELSE WAS CARRIED ON WITH GREAT LOVE, MEEKNESS
AND DEVOTION.
WE CONTINUED IN FASTING AND PRAYER till three oclock
and then parted with a full conviction
that God was going to do great things among us.
OH THE WE MAY IN ANY WAY INSTRUMENTAL TO HIS GLORY!
THAT HE WOULD MAKE US VESSELS PURE AND HOLY,
MEET FOR OUR MASTER'S USE!
expounded twice afterwards in london with power
and then was enlarged for near an hour in prayer, in fetter lane society.
THE SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION INCREASES IN MY HEAR daily.
MAY IT INCREASE MORE AND MORE.
DID NOT FIND THE PITY I OUGHT,
UPON SEEING A BROTHER FULL OF SELF LOVE.
LORD, ENLARGE MY NARROW HEART
AND GIVE ME THAT CHARITY WHICH REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY, BUT IN THE TRUTH.
PERCEIVED SOMETHING A LITTLE BORDERING ON ENVY TOWARDS MY BROTHER H.
I FIND MORE AND MORE THAT TRUE HUMILITY CONSISTS IN
BEING SUBMISSIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE A LITTLE ABOVE
OR A LITTLE BELOW US.
OH WHEN SHALL I COME TO REJOICE IN OTHERS' GIFTS AND GRACES
AS MUCH AS IN MY OWN.
I AM RESOLVED TO WRESTLE WITH JESUS CHRIST BY FAITH AND PRAYER
UNTIL HE THUS BLESSES ME.
1.6 preached six times this week and should have preached a seventh time,
but ONE MINISTER WOULD NOT PERMIT ME,
WHICH CAUSED ME TO PRAY FOR HIM MOST EARNESTLY.
BLESSED BE GOD, I CAN SAY, 'I LOVE MINE ENEMIES'.
1.7 preached twice today and expounded to three societies...
GOD GRANT I MAY PURSUE THE METHOD OF EXPOUNDING
AND PRAYING EXTEMPORE.
I FIND GOD BLESSES IT MORE AND MORE.
1.8...though i sat up all night, yet God carried me through the work of the day
with about an hour's sleep.
expounded in the evening and
CONFUTED A VIRULENT OPPOSER OF OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE NEW BIRTH
AND JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ONLY.
BUT WHAT CAN BE SAID TO THOSE WHO WILL NOT BE CONVINCED?
LORD OPEN THOU THEIR HEARS AND EYES.
spent the remainder of the evening with our BANDS,
which are little combinations of
SIX OR MORE CHRISTIANS MEETING TOGETHER TO COMPARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.
BUILD YE UP ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS ALSO YE DO.
CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER
AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, THAT YE MAY BE HEALED.
1.10 ...reached oxford (where W had come to Christ,
been a despised member of the methodists,
studied (and as a result been ordained)
as i entered the city, I CALLED TO MIND THE MERCIES I HAD RECEIVED SINCE I LEFT IT.
THEY ARE MORE THAN I AM ABLE TO EXPRESS.
OH THAT MY HEART MAY BE MELTED DOWN BY A SENSE OF THEM.
AMEN, LORD JESUS. ..
1.12 ..oh, that i may be prepared for receiving the Holy Ghost tomorrow
by the imposition of hands. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen. (1.13 ordained to the public ministry)
1.15 took a most affectionate leave of my dear Oxon. (oxford);
set out at seven reached london by five
and spent the evening in answering some letters,
especially one from howell harris, an instrument, under God,
of doing much good in wales.
read a pamphlet written against me by a clergyman,
i bless God without any emotion;
prayed most heartily for the author;
opened my heart to my brethren in bonds
and left great peace consequent thereupon.
1.16 after much opposition, read prayers and preached to a thronged and affected audience..
after this, i expounded twice to two companies
and prayed by name for the author of the pamphlet;
let my auditors in tears and went home full of love and joy and peace
which passeth all understanding.
oh, that he felt what i do!
happy, unspeakably happy, would he then be.
...the more i am opposed, the more God enlightens my understanding...
1.18 perceived myself much disordered, so that i was obliged to lie down to sleep;
but afterwards God greatly enlarged my heart and enabled me to expound to two societies.
i made a collection for two poor housekeepers.
I FIND ACTION IS THE BEST WAY TO TAKE ALL OPPRESSION OFF THE SPIRITS.
God will meet and bless us when doing His work.
...preached twice with great power and clearness in my voice to two thronged congregations,
especially in the afternoon, when i believe near a thousand people were in the church yard
and hundreds more returned home that could not come in.
(foot: 'this put me first upon thinking of preaching without doors.
i mentioned it to some friends, who looked upon it as a MAD motion,
however we kneeled down and prayed that nothing may be done rashly'.
expounded twice afterwards, where the people pressed most vehemently to hear the word.
God enabled me to speak with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power
and the remainder of the evening, filled me with a humble sense of His infinite mercies.
i think i am never more humble that when exalted.
1.22 spent all the day in necessary business for my poor flock and in GOING ABOUT DOING
GOOD.
1.23 stayed at home today as usual, to receive people
and still had the comfort of having many come to me
who have been awakened to a sense of the new birth.
what reason have i to bless God for sending me to england!
how does He daily set His seal to my ministry!
praise ye Him, all His hosts; let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!
1.24 ...wrote several letters to my friends at savannah, and
WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
oh, that all who deny the promise of the Father might thus receive it themselves!
1.25 received the sacrament at Bow, where four of my opposers administered,
one of whom was the person who wrote the self answering pamphlet against me.
at first a though darted into my mind that they were of a persecuting spirit,
but soon i checked it and was filled with love towards them.
God grant that they may be like minded towards me.
received a letter from edinburgh, from a truly pious gentleman,
who tells me his heart was knit to me most strongly...
how many are there, whom i know not, praying for me in secret!
surely God intends to bring mighty things to pass.
is not His strength made perfect in weakness?
1.26 waited upon an opposing clergyman and had a conferenced with him of near tow hours.
his grand objection was against our PRIVATE SOCIETIES and using extempore prayer,
which he grounded on the authority of the canons, and the act of charles II.
in answer, i shewed that that Act was entirely levelled against seditious schismatical meetings,
contrary to the church of england, which confines us to a Form in public worship only.
he replied, that ours was public worship, but this i deny.
for ours were societies never intended to be set up in opposition to the public worship,
by law established;
but only in imitation of the primitive christians, who continued daily with one accord in the temple
and yet in fellowship building up one another and exhorting one another from house to house.
1.27 ...had extraordinary comforts this week
heard much of what God has done abroad for me in other places, where i am not known in the flesh
and desired greatly to be humble and thankful.
1.28 received the sacrament at Crooked Lane,
but was a little dissipated;
however, i found i received Christ, and fed on Him in my heart by faith with thanksgiving.
...afterwards expounded to two large companies in the Minories,
with such demonstration of the Spirit as i never spoke with before.
i offered Jesus Christ freely to sinners and many, i believe, were truly pricked to the heart.
now, my friends, your prayers are heard,
God has given me a double portion of His Spirit indeed.
oh free grace in Christ Jesus.
with what love, peace and joy does God fill this soul of mine!
Lord i am not worthy, but Thy mercies in Christ Jesus are infinite.
1.29 expounded twice and sat up till near one in the morning,
with my honoured brother and fellow labourer, john wesley,
in conference with two clergymen of the church of england,
and some other strong opposers of the doctrine of the New Birth.
God enabled me, with great simplicity, to declare what He had done for my soul,
which made them look upon me as a madman.
we speak what we do know and testify that we have seen
and they receive not our witness.
now, therefore, i am fully convinced there is a fundamental difference between us and them.
they believe only an outward Christ,
we further believe that He must be inwardly formed in our hearts also.
but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him;
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1,30 preached at Duke's Place and St. Helen's to crowded audiences
audiences and afterwards expounded twice on Dowgate Hill,
where the people pressed mightily to come in.
the minister of the parish threatens the master of the house with a prosecution,
though it will be hard for him to prove such Societies any ways contrary to thee laws either of God or man.
1.31 slept about two hours; rose at three in the morning
and went with some christian friends in a boat to Gravesend, where i have been long expected.
God inclined the ministers' hearts to let me have the use of both the pulpits
and i preached and read prayers at three in the afternoon at the church without the town;
and did the same at the church in the town
and the people, as elsewhere, hung upon me to hear the word of God.
God is with me wherever i go.
2.1 read prayers and expounded on the third of st. john;
expounded a third time on the conversion of st. paul in the evening.
i had great freedom of speech and was filled with exceeding great joy
at the consideration of what great things God yet continues to do for my soul;
and yet i shall see greater things than these.
i spent the remainder of the evening in singing hymns and religious conversation;
took boat about eleven; spoke warmly to the passengers
and came to london rejoicing, about five in the morning.
the Lord preserve my going out and my coming in, from this time forth for evermore.
2.2 slept about two hours; went and preached at Islington...
had a great number of communicants.
this is the first time i have preached without notes
(for when i preached at Deptford and Gravesend, i only repeated a written sermon)
but i find myself now, as it were, constrained to do it...
2.3...i find i gain greater light and knowledge by preaching extempore,
so that i fear i should quench the Spirit, did i not go on to speak as He gives me utterance.
2.4 was warmed much by talking to an almost Christian, who came to ask me certain questions....
preached again at Christ Church, Spital fields;
and gave thanks, and sang psalms at a private house.
went thence to st. Margaret's, Westminster;
but something breaking belonging to the coach, could not get thither till the middle of prayers.
went through the people to the minister's pew, but, finding it locked,
i returned to the vestry till the sexton could be found.
being there informed that another minister intended to preach,
i desired several times that i might go home.
my friends would by no means consent, telling me i was appointed by the trustees to preach
and that if i did not, the people would go out of the church.
at my request, some went to the trustees, churchwardens and minister;
and, whilst i was waiting for an answer, and the last psalm being sung,
a man came with a wand in his hand, whom i took for the proper church officer
and told me i was to preach.
i, not doubting that the minister was satisfied, followed him to the pulpit
and God enabled me to preach with greater power than i had done all the day before. .
after this, i prayed with and gave a word or two of exhortation to a company that waited for me.
then i went to a lovefeast in Fetter Lane,
where I SPENT A WHOLE NIGHT IN WATCHING UNTO PRAYER
AND DISCUSSING SEVERAL IMPORTANT POINTS
WITH MANY TRUE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS.
about four in the morning, we went all together and broke bread at a poor sick sister's room;
and so we parted, i hope, in a spirit not unlike that of the primitive christians.
this has been a sabbath indeed!
how has God owned me before near 12,000 people this day!
how had He strengthened my body!
how has He willed and satisfied my soul!
now know i, that i did receive the Holy Ghost at imposition of hands,
for i feel it as much as elisha did when elijah dropped his mantle.
nay, others see it also and my opposers, would they but speak,
cannot by confess that God is with me of a truth.
wherefore then do they fight against God?
2.5 WENT ABOUT GATHERING FOR MY POOR LITTLE FLOCK...
2.6 was refreshed much this morning and found that the sleep of a labouring man was sweet.
waited on the bishop of gloucester with brother john wesley
and received his lordship's liberal benefaction for georgia.
went to St. helen's where satan withstood me greatly
-for ON A SUDDEN I WAS DESERTED AND MY STRENGTH WENT FROM ME.
but i thought it was the devil's doing and therefore was resolved to resist him steadfast in the faith.
accordingly, though i was exceedingly sick in reading the prayers
and almost unable to speak when i entered the pulpit,
yet God gave me courage to begin and before i had done,
i waxed warm and strong in the Spirit and offered Jesus Christ freely
to all who would lay hold on Him by faith.
many, i believe, were touched to the quick,
for they seemed to feel what was spoken and said hearty and loud Amens to my sentences.
...after this, the people waited in great companies to see and follow me;
but i got away from them by going out at a back door.
perhaps, hereafter, i may be let out in the same manner to escape the fury of mine enemies.
...i expounded with great enlargement at Dowgate Hill...
they sighed and mourned and wept sorely, when i mentioned my departure from them...
2.8 i find MUCH SERVICE MIGHT BE DONE TO RELIGION ON JOURNEYS,
IF WE HAD BUT COURAGE TO SHOW OURSELVES CHRISTIANS IN ALL PLACES.
others sing songs in public houses, why should not we sing psalms?
and when we give the servants money,
why may we not with that give them a little book and some good advice?
i know by experience it is very beneficial.
God grant this may be always my practice.
left Windsor about ten in the morning, dined at Bagshot
and reached Basingstoke at five in the evening.
not meeting with our friends, who were to come from Dummer,
i wrote to some christian brethren i had left behind me
and afterwards was agreeably surprised by several who came uninvited to see me.
after a little conversation i perceived they were desirous to hear the Word of God
and being in a large dining room in the public house,
i gave notice i would expound to as many as would come .
in a short time, i had above a hundred very attentive hearers,
to whom i expounded for above an hour, for which they were very thankful.
blessed by God for this opportunity!
i hope i shall learn more and more every day,
that no place is amiss for preaching the gospel.
God forbid, that the word of God should be bound,
because some out of a misguided zeal deny the use of their churches.
though they bid me no more speak to the people in this way,
yet i cannot but speak the things that i have seen and felt in my own soul.
the more i am bidden to hold my peace, the more earnestly will i lift up my voice like a trumpet
and till the people what must be done in them before they can be finally saved by Jesus Christ.
2.9 after breakfast and prayer with the family where we lodged,
i set out for Dummer (a PARISH once for a little while UNDER MY CARE)
and met with near a dozen christian brethren, with whom we
TOOK exceeding sweet COUNSEL (exchange advice, ideas, opinions), PRAYED, and
SANG PSALMS and ate our bread with gladness and singleness of heart.
i wish all knew who cheerful we, THAT ARE BEGINNING TO BE CHRISTIANS, live.
and if the beginning be so sweet, what must the end of believing be?
oh the goodness of God in thus bringing me back to the places where i have been already!
Lord MELT DOWN MY HEART WITH A SENSE OF THY UNMERITED LOVE. Amen. Amen.
after having written several letters, i returned with my friends to Basingstoke,
where i was appointed to EXPOUND (explain, interpret scripture)
accordingly, in the evening i went to a large room prepared for that purpose and expounded for an hour.
the place was very much thronged, many were very noisy
and others did us the honour of trowing up stones at the windows.
but i spoke so much the louder, being convinced some GOOD must come out from a place
WHERE OPPOSITION IS.
i should doubt whether i was a true minister of Christ, was i not opposed.
and i find it does me much good;
for IT DRIVES ME NEARER to MY LORD and master, Jesus Christ, with Whom i long to dwell.
after exposition, near twenty friends came to visit me
and two young men in particular (once leaders of the Religious Society, but since fallen back).
they cam, i believe, with a design to puzzle me about the doctrine of regeneration;
but alas, they soon shewed what strangers they were to it.
one was so full of zeal that he could not keep his seat
and both were entirely ignorant of the indwelling of the Spirit.
one thing they took care to shew as much as possible, viz.
that they had read the Fathers (i suppose the english translations))
but at the same time, denied EXPERIENCE IN RELIGION.
poor me! i pitied and told them how they rested in learning, falsely so called,
while they were strangers to the POWER OF GODLINESS IN their HEARTs.
at last, FINDING NO PROBABILITY OF CONVINCING THEM and being called away to supper.
i and my friends TOOK our LEAVE IN LOVE,
WITH TRUE CONCERN TO SEE WHAT AN UNHAPPY SPIRIT OUR OPPOSERS ARE OF.
afterwards, WE PRAYED FOR THEM
and endeavoured to bless God for making us to triumph, through His dear Son, in every place.
...about four in the afternoon we returned to basingstoke, in order to expound.
,,,we expected ill treatment ere we returned home and some did begin to interrupt me;
but God enabled me to speak with such irresistible power,
that they were quite struck dumb and confounded.
many said, 'we will never oppose agin'
others said, they would follow me thithersoever i should go
and the hearts of God's children as well as my own
were FILLED WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE.
this night i hope salvation is come to this place.
after exposition many christian friends came to see me
and about nine at night we set out for Dummer.
but no one can tell what ENLARGEMENT OF HEART GOD GAVE me.
MY SOUL WAS FULL OF INEFFABLE COMFORT AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST.
i poured out my heart before the throne of grace as i rode by the way
and FELT THE SPIRIT OF GOD WORKING IN ME
and ENABLING ME TO INTERCEDE MOST EARNESTLY FOR MY DEAR FRIENDS.
Lord hear my prayers and let my cry come unto Thee....
2.11 rose FULL OF LOVE AND JOY,
BUT AFTERWARDS, ON A SUDDEN WAS DESERTED
AND THEN TAKEN VERY ILL IN BODY.
I STRUGGLED JUST LIKE ONE IN HIS LAST AGONIES
AND LONGED TO STRETCH MYSELF INTO GOD.
after having vomited several times i was obliged to go to bed.
OH HOW DID I LONG TO BE DISSOLVED AND BE WITH JESUS CHRIST!
how did i wish for the wings of an eagle, that i might fly away to heaven!
but that happy hour is not yet com.
there are many promises to be fulfilled in me,
many souls to be called,
many sufferings to be endured,
before i go hence....
2.12...reached salisbury with my companion in travel..here i wrote several letters to my..friends
..and sent for mr. chubb (foot: thomas..author of True Gospel of Jesus Christ Asserted)
in order to have a conference with him..not ..home..
..i fear, like simon magus, he has bewitched many about salisbury with his false doctrines.
Lord, suffer not Thy people to believe a lie,
though they have held the truth in unrighteousness.
raise up some true pastors amongst them,
who may acquaint them with the nature and necessity of the new birth
and point out to them the blessed Spirit,
whereby they may have that repentance wrought in their souls,
which the self righteous mr. chubb
falsely asserts may be wrought in them by a moral persuasion..
2.14 ...i then waited on (to call upon, visit)
doctor C..desiring i might have the use of the abbey church to preach for the orphan house,
the trustees having obtained leave of the bishop before i went to georgia.
but he was pleased to give me an absolute refusal to preach either on that or any other occasion,
without a positive order from the king or Bishop.
I ASKED HIM HIS REASONS.
he said, he was not obliged to give me any.
upon which i took my leave and retired with my friends
and prayed for him most fervently....
2.15sat up till past one in the morning answering my friends' letters, having no time otherwise.
received a letter from a dear christian brother wherein were these words,
'i was told that mr. B said to mr. C,
'i believe the devil in hell is in you all.
W has set the town on fire and now he is gone to kindle a flame in the coutry'.
shocking language for one who calls himself a minister of the gospel.
but, my dear friend, i trust this will not move you, unless it is to pity him
and pray the more earnestly that he may experience the power of those truths he is now opposing
and have the same fire kindled in his breast, against which he is so much enraged.
for i trust i am persuaded it is not a fire of the devil's kindling
but a holy fire that has proceeded from the Holy and Blessed Spirit.
Oh, that such a fire may not only be kindled,
but blow into a flame all england and all the world over!'
after having breakfasted and prayed with some religious friends,
i went ..to public worship,; from thence to the Rev mr. gibbs, minister of st. mary redcliffe,
who i was informed had promised to lend me his church to preach in for the orphan house.
but he, in effect, gave me a refusal , telling me that he could not lend his church
without a special order from the chancellor.
upon this i immediately waited upon the chancellor to whom i had sent the night before.
but he told me frankly that 'he would not give any positive leave,
neither would he prohibit any one who should lend me a church,
but he would advise me to withdraw to some other place till he had heard from the bishop
and not preach on that or any other occasion'.
i asked him his reasons.
he answered, 'why will you press so hard upon me?
the thing has give a general dislike'.
i replied, 'not the design of the orphan house:
even those who disagree with me in other particulars approve of that.
and as for the gospel, when was it preached without dislike?'
soon after this i took my leave and waited upon the reverend the Dean,
who received me with great civility.
when i had shewn him my georgia accounts and answered him a question or two about the colony,
i asked him, 'whether there could be any just objection against my preaching in churches
for the orphan house?
after a pause for a considerable time, he answered he 'could not tell'.
but, somebody knocking at the door, he replied,
'mr W, i will give you an answer some other time; now i expect company'.
'will you be pleased to fix any, sir? said i.
'i will send to you, said the dean.
O christian simplicity whither art thou fled!
WHY DO NOT THE CLERGY SPEAK THE TRUTH
-that it is not against the orphan house, but against me and my doctrine, that their enmity is leveled.
...blessed by God! the good seed sown by my ministry though but as a grain of mustard seed,
is now being watered by the dew of heaven,
beginning to grow into a great tree.
Lord, this is Thy doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.
2.16 began this morning to settle a daily exposition and reading prayers to the prisoners in newgate.
i opened it by enlarging on the conversion of the jailor
and i trust the same good work will be experienced in this prison before i leave it...
2.17...about one in the afternoon i went with my brother seward and another friend to Kingswood.
(foot this first sermon of W's at kingswood was the means under God of the conversion of thomas maxfield, who became one of J. wesley's most famous preachers.)
and was most delightfully entertained by an old disciple of the Lord.
my bowels have long since yearned toward the poor colliers (coal miner)
who are very numerous and as sheep having no shepherd.
after dinner therefore i went upon a mount and spake to as many people as came unto me.
they were upwards of 200.
blessed by God that i have now broken the ice!
i believe i never was more acceptable to my Master than when i was standing
to teach those hearers in the open fields.
some may censure me, but if i thus pleased men i should not be the servant of Christ.
2.20..at five i went and expounded on the first of james to a christian assembly, who were much affected
and afterwards i hastened to nicholas street, where was a great crowd waiting for me
upon the stairs, yard and entry of the house, as well as in the room itself.
i expounded the ninth of st. john and exhorted all to imitate the poor beggar
and not to fear the face of men.
GOD WAS PLEASED TO FILL ME WITH UNSPEAKABLE JOY AND POWER.
all were wondrously touched and when after my exposition,
i prayed particularly for the chancellor,
the whole company was in tears and said most earnest Amens to all the petitions i put up for him.
it is remarkable we have not had such a continued presence of God amongst us
since i was threatened to be excommunicated.
but thus it was formerly, so it will be now.
when we are cast out, Christ will more clearly reveal Himself to us.
2.22...more especially i was edified by the pious conversation of the rev. mr. griffith jones,
whom i have desired to see of a long season.
his words came with power and the account he gave me of
THE MANY OBSTRUCTIONS HE HAD MET WITH IN HIS MINISTRY,
convinced me that i was but a young soldier, just entering the field.
good God prepare me manfully to fight whatsoever battles Thou hast appointed for me.
i can do all things through Thee strengthening me.
2.24...i wrote the following (letter) to the bishop of bristol.
'my lord,-i humbly thank your Lordship for the favour of your Lordship's letter.
it gave abundant satisfaction to me and many others,
who have not failed to pray in a particular manner for your lordship's temporal and eternal welfare.
today, i shewed your Lordship's letter to the chancellor,
who notwithstanding he promised not to prohibit my preaching for the orphan house,
if your lordship was only neutral in the affair)
has influenced most of the clergy to deny me their pulpits, either on that or any other occasion.
last week he was pleased to charge me with false doctrine.
today he has forgotten that he said so.
he also threatened to excommunicate me for preaching in your lordship's diocese.
i offered to take a licence but was denied.
if your Lordship should ask, what evil i have done?
i answer, none, save that i visit the Religious societies, preach to the prisoners in newgate
and to the poor colliers in kingswood, who, they tell me are little better than heathens.
i am charged with being a dissenter
though many are brought to the church by my preaching, not one taken from it.
the chancellor is please to tell me my conduct is contrary to the canons,
but i told him those canons which he produced were not intended against such meetings as mine are,
where his Majesty is constantly prayed for and every one is free to see what is done.
i am sorry to give your Lordship this trouble,
but i thought it proper to mention these particulars,
that i might know of your Lordship wherein my conduct is exceptionable.
(liable to exception or objection; objectionable)
i heartily thank your Lordship for your intended benefaction.
i think the design is truly good
and will meet with success, because so much opposed.
God knows my hear.
i desire only to promote His glory.
if i am spoken evil of for His sake, i rejoice in it.
my Master was long since spoken evil of before me....'
2.25 what mercies has my good God shown me this day!
..at four i hastened to kingswood.
at a moderate computation, there were about 10,000 people to hear me.
the trees and hedges were full.
all was hush when i began.
the sun shone bright and God enabled me to preach for an hour with great power
and so loudly that all, i was told, could here me
mr b spoke right
the fire is kindled in the country
and i know all the devils in hell shall not be able to quench it.
...anything is welcome to me that God sends.
2.28..intended to go and preach upon the mount in kingswood, but was dissuaded from it
by a report that the waters were out.
however many, as i was told afterwards, came from far to hear me,
so that it repented me that i went not.
when people are willing to hear,
it is a pity that any minister should be slow to preach.
3.2...i READ PRAYERS at the hospital.
THE LESSONS were exceedingly applicable and gave us comfort....
3.4 rose much refreshed in spirit and gave my early attendants a warm exhortation as usual.
went to newgate and preached with power to an exceedingly thronged congregation.
then hastened to Hannam Mount, three miles from the city, where the colliers live altogether..
God favoured us in the weather.
above 4000 were ready to hear me
and God enabled me to PREACH WITH THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT.
the ground not being high enough, i stood upon a table
and the sight of the people covering the green fields and their deep attention,
pleased me much.
i hope that same Lord, Who fed so many thousands with bodily bread,
will feed all their souls with that BREAD WHICH cometh down from heave.
for many came from far.
at four in the afternoon i went to the mount on Rose Green
and preached to above 14,000 souls
and so good was my God that all could hear.
...i spoke with great freedom but thought all the while was i do continually when i ascend the mount,
that hereafter i shall suffer as well as speak for my Master
's sake.
Lord, strengthen me against that hour.
Lord, i believe (O help my unbelief!) that Thy grace will be more than sufficient for me....
3.6 ...at the inn where we put up there was an unhappy clergyman
who would not go over in the passage boat because i went in it.
alas! i thought i, this very temper would make heaven itself unpleasant to that man,
if he saw me there.
i was likewise told that in the public kitchen he charged me with being a dissenter.
a little after, as i passed by, i saw him shaking his elbows over a gaming table.
i heartily wish those who charge me causelessly with with schism
and being righteous overmuch,
would consider that the canon of our church forbids our clergy to frequent taverns...
3.7...(in cardiff)...i preached from the judge's seat to about a hundred hearers.
most were very attentive, but some mocked.
however i offered Jesus Christ freely even to them
and should have rejoiced if they would have accepted Him,
but their foolish hears were hardened.
Lord, make them monuments of Thy free grace!
after i cam from the seat, was much refreshed with the sight of my dear brother HOWELL HARRIS,
whom, though i knew not in person , i have long since loved in the bowels of Jesus Christ
and have often felt my soul drawn out in prayer in his behalf.
A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT has he been in those parts,
A BARRIER AGAINST PROFANENESS AND IMMORALITY and
AN INDEFATIGABLE PROMOTER OF THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
about three or four years god has inclined him to go about doing good.
he is now about twenty five years of age.
twice he has applied (being every way qualified) for Holy Orders,
but was refused under a false pretence that he was not of age,
though he was then 22 years and 6 months.
about a month ago he offered himself again, but was put off.
upon this, he was an IS STILL RESOLVED TO GO ON IN HIS WORK
and indefatigable zeal has he shown in his Master's service.
for these three years (as he told me from his won mouth)
he has discoursed almost twice every day for three or four hours together,
not authoritatively as a minister, but as a private person exhorting his christian brethren.
he has been, i think, in seven counties and has made it his business to
go to wakes etc., to turn people from such lying vanities.
many alehouse people, fiddlers, harpers, etc. (demetrius like)
sadly cry out against him for spoiling their business.
he has been made the subject of numbers of sermons,
has been threatened with public prosecutions
and had constables sent to apprehend him.
but God has blessed him with INFLEXIBLE COURAGE
-instantaneous strength has been communicated to him from above
and he still continues to go on from conquering to conquer.
he is of a most catholic spirit,
loves all who love our Lord Jesus Christ
and therefore he is styled by bigots, a dissenter.
he is contemned by all who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of god,
but God has greatly blessed his pious endeavours.
many call and own him as their spiritual father
and i believe would lay down their lives for his sake.
he discourses generally in a field, but at other times in a hour, from a wall, a table or anything else.
he has established nearly thirty societies in south wales
and still his sphere of action is enlarged daily.
he is full of faith and the Holy Ghost.
when i first saw him my heart was knit closely to him.
i wanted to catch some of his fire
and gave him the right hand of fellowship with my whole heart.
after i had saluted him and given a warm exhortation to a great number of people who followed me to the inn,
we spent the remainder of the evening in taking sweet counsel together
and telling one another what god had done for our souls.
...a divine and strong sympathy seemed to be between us
and i was resolved to promote his interest with all my might.
accordingly, we took an account of the several Societies
and agreed on such measures as seemed most conducive to
promote the common interest of our lord....
3.12...had the pleasure of hearing that the mayor and sheriffs of bristol had absolutely forbidden
the keeper of newgate letting mew preach there any longer,
because i insisted upon the necessity of the new birth.
the keeper as much concerned and told them i preached agreeably to scripture
but they were offended at him. 'they answered and said unto him,
thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us?' john 9.34
...God is with me and i fear neither men nor devils.
3.14 being forbidden to preach in the prison and being resolved not to give place to my adversaries,
i preached at baptist mills, a place very near the city to three of four thousand people, from these words
'what think ye of Christ?'
blessed by God, all things happen for the furtherance of the gospel.
i now preach to ten times more people than i should if i had been confined to the churches.
surely the devil is blind and so are his emissaries
or otherwise they would not thus confound themselves.
every day i am invited to fresh places.
i will, by the divine assistance, go to as many as i can.
the rest i must leave unvisited....
3.17 returned to bristol about eight in the morning and had the pleasure of hearing
that mr. Mayor etc. had engaged a clergyman to preach to the poor prisoners at newgate,
rather than agree to a petition they had presented to have me.
'some preach Christ out of contention supposing to add afflictions to my bonds
and others of good will:
however, Christ i s preached and i therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice'.
had the honour of seeing another letter intended against me put in print
and God rewarded me for it by giving me such extraordinary power at the poor house this afternoon
that great numbers were quite melted and dissolved into tears.
the enemies of god's church undesignedly do God's work.
i never am so much assisted, as when persons endeavour to blacken me
and i find the number of my hearers so increase by opposition,
as well as my own inward peace and love and joy,
that i only fear a calm.
but the enmity that is in the heart of all natural men against God, will not suffer them to be quiet long.
i only say i would send my adversaries to school to gamaliel.
'if this work be not of God, says he, it will come to nought
but if it be, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found to fight against god.'
3.18 had the pleasure of seeing my morning audience so much increased that above a hundred
were obliged to stand without in the street.
was taken ill for about two hours but, notwithstanding,
was enabled to go and preach at hannam to many more than were there last sunday
and in the afternoon i really believe no less than 20,000 were present at rose green.
blessed are the eyes which see the things which we see.
surely God is with us of a truth.
to behold such crowds stand about us in such an awful silence
and to hear the echo of their singing run from one end of them to the other
is very solemn and surprising.
my discourse continued for near an hour and a half..collected for the orphan house
and it pleased me to see with what cheerfulness the colliers and poor people threw in their mites.
contrary to my expectation, having a cold upon me,
GOD ENABLED ME afterwards TO EXPOUND for above an hour to a crowded society
WITH GREAT FREEDOM AND PLAINNESS OF SPEECH.
..what a mystery is the divine life!
Oh that all were partakers of it!
3.19 after having refreshed myself and friends by reading a packet of letters from london
and dispatched some other business, according to appointment,
i set out for bath and got thither about tree in the afternoon.
dinner being ended, through great weakness of body and sickness in my stomach,
i was obliged to lie down upon the bed,
but the hour being come for my preaching, i went
WEAK AND LANGUID as i was, DEPENDING ON THE DIVINE STRENGTH
and i think, SCARCE EVER PREACHED WITH GREATER POWER.
there were about four or five thousand of high and low, rich and poor, to hear.
as i went along i observed many scoffers and when i got upon the table to preach
many laughed
but before i had finished my prayer all was hushed and silent
and ere i had concluded my discourse, God, by His Word, seemed to impress a great awe upon their minds;
for all were deeply attentive and seemed much affected with what had been spoken.
men may scoff for a little while but there is something in this foolishness of preaching
which well make the most stubborn heart to bend and break.
'is not My Word like fir, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces.'...
3.2?...the church being refused, i preached on a mount.
our Master being with us, i preached with power.
we came on our way rejoicing...
3.22...and as for my own part did i not firmly believe that Jesus Christ was truly and properly God,
i never would preach the gospel again...
3.24...after sermon i collected for the orphan house
and the poor people so loaded my hat with their mites that i wanted somebody to hold up my hands.
the cheerfulness with which they gave is inexpressible
and the many prayers they joined with their alms, i hope,
will lay a good foundation for the house intended to be built.
after this God brought me to some more of His own dear children
and i spent the remainder of the evening in expounding to a society
where almost all were drowned in tears, when i mentioned my departure to them.
the good Lord send somebody amongst them to water what His own right hand hath planted.
3.25 God will work and who shall hinder?
i am shut out of the prison and my sister's room was not large enough to contain a fourth part
of the people who come to me on a sunday morning.
but God put it into the hearts of some gentlemen to lend me a large bowling green
where i preached to about 5000 people
and mad a collection for my poor orphans rill my hands were quite weary.
blessed be God that the bowling green is turned into a preaching place!
this i hope is a token that assembly rooms and playhouses will soon be put to the same use.
O may the Word of God be mighty to the pulling down of these strongholds of the devil!
preached at hannam to a larger congregation than ever and again in the afternoon
to upwards of (as it was computed) 23,000 people.
i was afterwards told that those who stood farthest off could hear me very plainly.
Oh may God speak to them by His Spirit at the same time that He enables me
to lift up my voi8ce like a trumpet!
about eight i went to the society in nicholas street
and with great difficulty at last got up into the room, which was extremely hot.
at the close of my exhortation i recommended a charity school which was opened by this society today.
i collected at the door myself and few passed by without throwing in their mites.
yet a little while and i hope bristol will be as famous for charity schools as london.
we must not despise the day of small things.
the Lord make me humbly thankful.
3.26 still God has pleased to give me fresh tokens of His love.
letters are sent me and people come to me continually,
telling me what god hath done for their souls by my unworthy ministry.
at four in the afternoon i preached again at the bowling green to, i believe, seven or eight thousand people.
the sun shone bright and the windows and balconies of the adjoining houses were filled with hearers.
i was uncommonly enlarged in prayer and CARRIED OUT BEYOND MYSELF in preaching,
especially when i came to talk of the Love and Free Grace of Jesus Christ.
the concern the people were in is inexpressible
and i am sure that thousands come not out of curiosity
but a sincere desire of being fed with the milk of the word....
it was near an hour and a half before the people could go out.
many were very faint because of the throng which was so great that they trod one upon another.
...after i had done i went to a christian house where many waited for me.
at my return home, my Master paid me my wages:
for my soul was filled with an intenseness of love
and i knew what it is not only to have righteousness and peace,but joy in the Holy Ghost.
this is my continual food...
3.27 ..i preached in a yard belonging to the glass houses where many dwell
who i was informed neither feared God nor regarded man.
..whilst i was preaching i heard many people behind me holloing and making a noise
and supposed they were set on by somebody on purpose to disturb me.
i was not in the least moved but rather increased the more in strength,
but when i had done and enquired the cause of that noise,
i was informed that a gentleman (being drunk) had taken the liberty to call me 'dog'
and say, 'that i ought to be whipped at the cart's tail'
and had offered money to any who would pelt me.
instead of that the boys and people near began to cast stones and dirt at him.
i knew nothing of it till afterwards when i expressed my dislike of their behaviour,
but could not help observing what sorry wages the devil gives his servants...
3.28 ...preached in the afternoon at publow, a village about five miles from bristol,
to several thousands of people.
the church was offered but not being sufficient to contain a third part of the audience,
by the advice of friends i preached in the fields,
which put me in mind of our lord's saying,
'go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in'.
found out some more of God's secret ones;
received some temporal mercies;
expounded to the Society in baldwin street
and went to a friend's house where we ate our bread with gladness and singleness of heart.
Oh the comforts of a spiritual life!
3.30 preached this afternoon near Coal pit Heath, seven miles for m bristol,
a place to which i was earnestly invited and where great numbers of colliers live.
i believe there were above two thousand people assembled on this occasion.
the weather was exceedingly fair,
the hearers behaved very well,
and the place where i preached being near the maypole,
i took occasion to warn them of misspending their time in revelling and dancing.
oh, that all such ENTERTAINMENTS were put a stop to.
i see no other way to effect it,
but by going boldly and calling people from such lying vanities in the name of Jesus Christ.
that reformation which is brought about by a coercive power will be only outward and superficial,
but that which is done by the force of God's Word, will be inward and lasting.
Lord, make me meet by Thy grace for such a work and then send me. ...
4.2 spent a good part of the morning in talking with those who came to take their leave,
and tongue cannot express what a sorrowful parting we had.
floods of tears flowed plentifully and my heart was so melted,
that I PRAYED FOR THEM WITH STRONG CRYINGS-AND MANY TEARS.
the scene was very affecting.
about one, i was obliged to force myself away.
crowds were waiting at the door to give me a last farewell
and near twenty friends accompanied me on horseback.
blessed be God for the marvelous great kindness He hath shown me in this city!
many sinners, i believe, have been effectually converted;
numbers have come to me under convictions
and all the children of God have been exceedingly comforted.
various presents were sent me as token of their love.
several thousands of little books have been dispersed among the people...
what gives me the greater comfort is the consideration that my dear and honoured friend, mr. wesley,
is left behind to confirm those who are awakened,
so that when i return from georgia,
i hope to see many bold soldiers of Jesus Christ.
4.4...the curate being very solicitous for it i preached first, (he having read prayers_ in the church,
but there being great numbers that could not come in,
i went afterwards and preached to all the people in the field.
my own heart was much enlarged and the divine presence was much amongst us
and indeed i always find i have most power when i speak in the open air.
a proof this to me, that God is pleased with this way of preaching....
4.6...i chose particularly to go hither, because when my brother howell harris was there last,
some of the baser sort beat a drum and huzzaed around him, on purpose to disturb him.
but God suffered them not to move a tongue now,
though i preached form the very same place
and prayed for him by name, as i have in every pace where i have preached in wales.
God forbid i should be ashamed either of my Master or His servants.
many thousands were there from all parts to hear me
and God gave me such extraordinary assistance,
that i was carried out beyond myself
and i believe the scoffers Felt me to some purpose.
OH THAT THE LOVE OF CHRIST MAY MELT THEM DOWN!...
4.7...oh how swiftly has this week passed off!
to me it has been but as one day.
how do i pity those polite ones who complain that time hangs heavy upon their hands.
let them but love Christ and spend their whole time in His service
ans they will find no dull melancholy hours.
want of the love of God i take to be the chief cause of indolence and vapours.
oh that our gentry would be up and doing for Jesus Christ.
they would not complain then for the want of spirits....
4.10...the minister of st. michael's was pleased to lend me his church yesterday and today,
but some wealthy demetius's being offended at the greatness of the congregations
and alleging that it kept people form their business,
he was influenced by some of them to deny the use of his pulpit any more on a week day.
Alas! what an enmity there is in the natural man against the success of the gospel!
how fond are they of pharaoh's objection,
'ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say, let us go worship the Lord'....
4.17 ...i felt a freedom in my spirit and was enabled to preach with power to near two thousand people.
many were convicted.
one was drowned in tears, because she had said i was crazy
and some were so filled with the Holy Ghost
that they wer almost unable to support themselves under it.
this, i know, is foolishness to the natural and letter learned men,
but i write this for the comfort of God's children.
they know what these things mean....
i write this to shew how far a man may go and yet know nothing of Jesus Christ.
behold, here was one who constantly attended on the means of grace,
was exact in his morals,
humane and courteous in his conversation,
who gave much in alms,
was frequent in private duties
ans yet, till about six weeks ago, as destitute of any saving experimental knowledge of Jesus Chris
as those on whom His Name was never called
and who still sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
blessed be God that although not many rich, not many mighty, not many noble are called, yet some are.
who would but be accounted a fool for Christ's sake?
how often has my companion and honoured friend, mr. william Seward,
been deemed a madman even by his very brother for going to georgia,
but not God has made him an instrument of converting his brother.
this more and more convinces me that WE MUST BE DESPISED BEFORE
WE CAN BE VESSELS FIT FOR GOD'S USE.
as for my own part i find by happy experience,
the more i am contemned the more God delights to honour me in bringing home souls to Christ.
ans i write this for the encouragement of my fellow labourers
who have all manner of evil spoken against them falsely for Christ's sake.
let them not be afraid by rejoice and e exceeding glad,
for the Spirit of God and of glory shall rest upon their souls.
4.22
dearest mr. kinchin,
just now have i received the blessed sacrament and have been praying for you.
LET ME EXHORT YOU, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus,
not to resign your parsonage till you have consulted your friends at london.
it is undoubtedly true that ALL IS NOT RIGHT
WHEN WE ARE AFRAID TO BE OPEN TO OUR DEAR BRETHREN.
satan has desired to sift you as wheat.
he is dealing with you as he did with me some years ago,
when he kept me in my closet near six weeks,
because i could not do anything with a single intention.
so he would have you not preach till you have received the Holy Ghost
in the full assurance of it
and that is the way never to have it at all.
God will be found in the use of means
and our Lord sent out His disciples to preach
BEFORE they had received the Holy Ghost in that most plentiful manner at the day of pentecost.
besides, consider, my dear brother, what confusion your separation from the church will occasion.
the prison doors (at oxford) are already shut (against us),
our society is stopped
and most are afraid almost to converse with us.
i can assure you that my being a minister of the church of england
and preaching its articles, is a means, under God of drawing so many after me.
as for objecting about the habits, robes, etc., good God!
i thought we long since knew that the kingdom of God did not consist in any externals.
but in righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost....George Whitefield...
4.24 perceived myself much strengthened yesterday and this morning
and told my friends how these words were impressed upon me,
'and more than meet the gathering storm'.
about nine oclock after i had exhorted the brethren,
the vice chancellor came in person to the house where we were assembled,
having threatened to do so some time ago,
if they continued to build up one another in that manner.
he sent for me downstairs, being informed that i was in the house.
when i first saw him i perceived he was in a passion which he soon expressed in such language as this:
'have you, sir, a name in any book here?'
'yes sir', said i, but i intend to take it out soon.
'yes and you had best take yourself out too, replied he,
or otherwise i will lay you by the heels.
what do you mean by going about alienating the people's affections from their proper pastors.
your works are full of vanity and no0nsense.
you pretend to inspiration.
if you ever come again in this manner among these people, i will lay you first by the heels
and these shall follow'.
upon this he turned his back and went away.
i desired the brethren to join in prayer for him.
took my leave, being just about to set out as the vice chancellor came in.
i soon found by the comforts God gave me,
how glorious it was to suffer anything for the sake of Jesus Christ.
however i must not forget mentioning,
that i exhorted all the brethren not to forsake the assembling themselves together,
though no pastor should be permitted to come amongst them,
for so long as they continued steadfast in the communion of the Established Church,
i told them no power on earth could justify hindering them
from continuing in fellowship as the primitive christians did,
in order to build up each other in the knowledge and fear of God.
oh what advantage has satan gained over us by our brother kinchin's putting off his gown!
however though he is permitted to bruise our heel,
yet we shall in the end bruise his head.
the gates of hell shall never prevail against the church of Jesus Christ, either visible or invisible...
4.27...lt not the adversaries say, i have thrust myself out of their synagogues.
no, they have thrust me out.
and since the self righteous men of this generation count themselves unworthy,
i go out into the highways and hedges and compel
harlots, publicans and sinners to come in, that my Master's house may be filled.
they who are sincere will follow after me to hear the word of God. ...
4.29 preached in the morning at moorfields to an exceeding great multitude.
at ten went to Christ Church and heard dr. trapp
preach most virulently against me and my friends j upon these words,
'be not righteous overmuch: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?'
God gave me great serenity of mind,
but alas! the preacher was not so calm as i wished him.
his sermon was founded upon wrong suppositions
(the necessary consequence of his hearing with other men's ears)
not to say that there were many direct untruths in it.
and he argued so strenuously against all INWARD FEELINGS,
that he plainly proved that, with all his learning, he knew nothing yet as he ought to know.
i pray God rebuke his spirit and grant that that sermon way never rise up in judgment against him....
5.6...went to public worship morning and evening and , at six, preached at kennington.
such a sight i never saw before.
i believe there were no less than fifty thousand people
and near fourscore coaches, besides great numbers of horses.
there was an awful silence among them.
God gave me great enlargment of heart.
i continued my discourse for an hour and a half
and when i returned home i was filled with such love, peace and joy that i cannot express it.
i believe this was partly owing to some opposition i met with yesterday.
it is hard for men to kick against the pricks.
the more they oppose the more shall Jesus Christ be exalted.
our adversaries seem to have come to an extremity while for want of arguments to convince,
they are obliged to call out to the civil magistrate to compel me to be silent,
but i believe it will be difficult to prove our assemblies in the fields either disorderly or illegal...
5.12...in the evening i preached to about twenty thousand people at kennington as usual,
the weather continuing remarkably fair whilst i was delivering my Master's message.
i offered Jesus Christ to all who could apply Him to their hearts by faith.
oh that all would embrace Him!
the Lord make them willing in the day of His power....
5.19 had the pleasure of being an instrument, under God, with mr. seward,
of bringing a young man out of bethlehem (foot: bedlam), who was lately put into that place for being,
as they term it METHODICALLY MAD.
the way i came to be acquainted with him, was by his sending me the following letter-
to the rev. mr. whitefield
bethlehem hospital, no. 50
dear sir,
i have read your sermon upon the new birth and hope i shall always have a
due sense of my dear redeemer's goodness to me,
who has so infinitely extended His mercy to me,
which sense be pleased to confirm in me by your prayers and may Almighty God bless and preserve you
and prosper your ministerial function.
i wish, sir, i could have some explanatory notes upon the new testament,
to enlighten the darkness of my understanding,
to make me capable of becoming a good soldier of Jesus Christ,
but above all, should be glad to see you.
i am, dear Sir, yours affectionately with my whole heart, joseph periam.
according to his request i paid him a visit and found him in perfect health both in body and mind.
a day or tow after, i and mr. seward went and talked with his sister, who gave me
the three following symptoms of his being mad.
1. that he fasted for near a fortnight.
2. that he prayed so as to be heard four stories high.
3. that he had sold his clothes and given (them) to the poor.
this the young man himself explained to me before and ingenuously confessed,
that under his first awakenings he was one day reading the story of the young man whom our Lord
commanded to sell all and to give to the poor
and thinking it must be taken in the literal sense, out of love to Jesus Christ he sold his clothes
and gave the money to the poor.
this is nothing but what is common to persons at their first setting out in the spiritual life.
satan will, if possible, drive them to extremes.
if such converts were left to God or had some experienced person to consult with,
they would soon come into the liberties of the gospel.
but how should those who have not been tempted like unto their brethren,
be able to succour those that are tempted?
may the 5th i received a second letter form him.
bethlehem, no. 50
worthy sir,
query 1. if repentance does not include a cessation from sin and turning to virtue
and though notwithstanding i want that deep contrition mentioned by some divines,
yet as i live not willfully in any known sin and firmly believe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
may i not thereby be entitled to the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection,
in perseverance of knowledge and practice of my duty?
query 2. if i am in prison, whether i may not, without offence to god,
make use of endeavours to be discharged,
by which i may be enabled to get into a pious family
and consequently be grounded and firmly settled in the love of God,
which is my desire.
for i am surrounded with nothing by profaneness and wickedness?
query 3. if my objections t being imprisoned are inconsistent or wicked, which are,
that i am obliged to submit to the rules of the house, in going to my cell at seven or eight oclock at night
and not let out till sex or seen in the morning,
by which i am debarred the use of candle and consequently books,
so that all the time, except what is spent in prayer and meditation, is lost:
which exercises, though good, are by so constant repetition and for want of change, deadened.
query 4. if i should , by the goodness of God, be discharged,
whether i may, without offence to the gospel of Jesus Christ,
follow the business of an attorney at law, to which i was put as a clerk
and by conscientious discharge of that duty,
be thereby entitled to a heavenly inheritance?
my fear is this point arises from our Lord's advice about going to law. matthew 5.40
query 5. if i cannot be discharged by proper application
(which application pray be pleased to let me have),
how can i best spend my time to the glory of "God, myself and brethren's welfare?
and please to give me rules for the same.
these questions whether momentary or not, i leave to your judgment.
if you think they deserve an answer, should be glad to have them solved,
surely i cannot but act with the utmost circumspection, which gives me occasion to trouble you herewith.
i hope, sir, the circumstance of the place i am in may excuse the manner in which i have written to you,
and count it not an affront, for God is witness how i love and esteem the ministers of Jesus Christ,
for Whose dear sake may the God of infinite love and goodness stablish and confirm you
in daily success of your ministerial labours,
which are the daily prayers of your most unworthy but faithful humble servant. joseph periam
PS. i am afraid, sir, i misbehaved myself when you so kindly came to see me;
but if i did in any measure, your christian love and charity will excuse it,
for not being warned of your coming , the surprise, though pleasant,
so fluttered my spirits, that i was overburdened with joy.
'O how pleased should i be to see you!'
...he is now with me and i hope will be an instrument of doing good.
5.9 ...afterwards i spent two hours at fetter lane society where we had a most useful conference concerning the necessity of every christian to have some particular calling (note: job)
whereby he may be a useful member of the society to which he belongs.
we all agreed.. for my own part, i think if a man will not labour, neither ought he to eat.
to be so intent on pursuing the one thing needful
as to neglect providing for those of our own households
in my opinion is to be righteous over much.
6.1 dined at old ford and gave a short exhortation to a few people in a field
and preached in the evening at a place called mayfair near hyde park corner.
the congregation, i believe, consisted of near 80,000 people.
it was by far the largest i ever preached to yet.
in the time of my prayer there was a little noise
but they kept a deep silence during my whole discourse.
a high and very commodious scaffold was erected for me to stand upon
and though i was weak in myself yet god strengthened me to speak so loud
that most could hear and so powerfully that most, i believe, could feel.
all love, all glory be to god through Christ!
6.9 was much pleased and edified in reading bishop hall's Christ Mystical and erskine's Sermons, both whose words, with boehme's Sermons, i would earnestly recommend to everyone.
6.22 read part of jenks' Submission to the Righteousness of Christ, a most excellent book.
7.3 waited this morning upon mr. j, one of the town bailiffs and asked him in meekness,
'for what reason he had sent the constables after me?
he said, 'it was the determination, not of himself, but of all the council.
he then said, 'the people were noisy and it reflected upon the bailiffs.
i answered, 'that was owing to their sending the constables with their staves
to apprehend me when i should come into the town.
upon this he began to be a little angry and told me, 'a certain judge said he would take me up as a vagrant were i to preach near him.
i answered, 'he was very welcome to do as he pleased,
but i apprehended no magistrate had power to stop my preaching even in the streets,
if i thought proper.
'no sir, said he, and if you preach here tomorrow you shall have the constables to attend you.
after this i took my leave telling him,
'i thought it my duty as a minister to inform him that magistrates
were intended to be a terror to evildoers and not to those who do well.
and i desired he would be as careful to appoint constables to attend
at the next horse races, balls and assemblies.
7.9 on thursday i received a letter from the bishop of gloucester
in which his lordship affectionately admonished me to exercise my authority i received
in the manner it was given me;
his lordship being of opinion that i ought to preach the gospel
only in the congregation wherein i was lawfully appointed thereunto.
today i sent his lordship the following answer-
my Lord,
i thank your lordship for your lordship's kind letter.
my frequent removes from place to place prevented my answering it sooner.
i am greatly obliged to your lordship, in that you are pleased to watch over my soul
and to caution me against acting contrary to the commission give me at ordination.
but if the commission we then receive obliges us to preach nowhere
but in that parish which is committed to our care,
then all persons act contrary to their commission when they preach occasionally in any strange place
and consequently your lordship equally offends when you preach out of your own diocese.
as for inveighing against the clergy without a cause,
i deny the charge.
what i say i am ready to make good whenever your lordship pleases.
let those who bring reports to your lordship about my preaching,
be brought face to face
and i am ready to give them an answer.
st. paul exhorts timothy not to receive an accusation against an elder under tow or three witnesses.
and even nicodemus could say the law suffered no man to be condemned unheard.
i shall only add that i hope your lordship will inspect the lives of your other clergy
and censure them for being over remiss
as much as you censure me for being over righteous.
it is their ralling from their Articles and not preaching the truth as it is in Jesus
that has excited the present zeal of those whom they, in derision,
call the methodist preachers.
dr. stebbing's sermon (for which i thank you lordship)
confirms me more and more in my opinion
that i ought to be instant in season and out of season.
for, to me, he seems to know no more of the true nature of regeneration
than nicodemus did when he came to Jesus by night.
your lordship may observe that he does not speak a word of original sin
or the dreadful consequences of our fall in adam
upon which the doctrine of the new birth is entirely founded.
no; like other polite preachers,
he seems to think that st. paul's description of the wickedness of the heathen
is only to be referred to them of past ages.
whereas i affirm we are all included as much under the guilt and consequences of sin as they were.
again, my lord, the doctor entirely mistakes us when we talk of
the SENSIBLE operations of the Holy Ghost.
he understands us just as those jews understood Jesus Christ,
who, when our lord talked of giving them that bread which came down from heaven, said,
'how can this man give us his flesh to eat?
i know not that we use the word sensible when we talk of the operations of the Spirit of God,
but if we do we do not mean that God's spirit manifests itself to our senses,
but that it may be perceived by the soul as really as any sensible impression made upon the body.
but to disprove this the doctor quotes our Lord's allusion to the wind in the third chapter of st. john,
which is one of the best texts he could urge to prove it.
for it the analogy of our Lord's discourse be carried on
we shall find it amounts to this much:
that although the operations of the Spirit of God can no more accounted for
than how the wind cometh and whither it goeth
yet they may be as easily felt by the soul as the wind may be felt by the body.
but, says the doctor, 'these men have no proof to offer for their inward manifestations.
what proof, my lord, does the doctor require?
would he have us raise dead bodies?
have we not done greater things than these?
i speak with all humility.
has not God by our ministry raised many dead souls to a spiritual life?
verily if men will not believe the evidence God has given that He sent us,
neither would they believe though one rose from the dead.
besides by lord the doctor charges us with things we are entire strangers to
-such as denying men the use of god's creatures
and encouraging abstinence, prayer etc, to the neglect of the duties of our station.
Lord, lay not this sin to his charge!
again, my lord, the doctor represents as my opinion concerning quakers in general
that which i only meant of those i conversed with in particular.
but the doctor and the rest of my reverend brethren are welcome to judge me as they please.
yet a little while and we shall all appear before the great Shepherd of our souls.
there, there, my lord, shall it be determined who are His true ministers
and who are only wolves in sheep's clothing.
our Lord, i believe, will no be ashamed to confess us publicly in that day.
i pray God we may all approve ourselves such faithful ministers of the New Testament
that we may be able to lift up our heads with boldness1
as for declining the work in which i am engaged,
my blood runs chill at the very thoughts of it.
i am as much convinced it is my duty to act as i do,
as i am that the sun shines at noonday.
i can foresee the consequences very well.
they have already, in one sense, thrust us out of the synagogues.
by and by they will think it is doing God service to kill us.
but, my lord, if you and the rest of the bishops cast us out,
our great and common master will take us up.
though all men should deny us, yet will not He.
however you may censure us as evil doers and disturbers of the peace,
yet, if we suffer for our present way of acting, your lordship, at the great day
will find that we suffer only for righteousness' sake.
in patience, therefore, do i possess my soul.
i will willingly tarry the Lord's leisure.
in the meanwhile i shall continually bear your lordship's favours upon my heart
and endeavour to behave so as to subscribe myself,
my Lord, your lordship's obedient son and obliged servant,
george whitefield
7.19
sir,
being a civil magistrate in this town i thought it my duty, for the preservation of the peace,
to forbid you or at least dissuade you from preaching here.
if you persist in it in all probability, it may occasion a disturbance,
which i think it is your duty as a clergyman, as well as mine, to prevent.
if any mischief should ensue (whatever pretence you may afterwards make in your own behalf)
i am satisfied it will fall on your own head being timely cautioned by me, who am, sir, your most humble servant, john abbot.
PS the legislature has wisely made laws for the preservation of the peace,
therefore i hope no clergyman lives in defiance of them.
to this i immediately sent the following answer:
honoured sir,
i thank you for your kind letter
and i humbly hope a sense of your duty and not a fear of man caused you to write it.
if so, give me leave to remind you, honoured sir, as a clergyman
that you ought to be not only a terror to evil doers but a praise to them that do will.
i know of no law agaisnt such meetings as mine.
if any law exists i believe you will think it your duty, honoured sir, to apprise me of it
that i may not offend against it.
if no law can be produced, as a clertyman,
i think it my duty to inform you that you ought to protect
and not in any way to discourage or permit others to disturb
an assembly of people meeting together purely to worship God.
tomorrow, honoured sir, i hear there is to be an assembly of another nature.
be pleased to be as careful to have the public peace preserved at that
and to prevent profane cursing and swearing and persons breaking the sixth commandment
by bruising each other's bodies by cudgeling and wrestling.
if you do not this i shall rise up against you at the great day
and be a swift witness against your partiality.
i am, honoured sir, your ery humble servant
7.20 after breakfast i waited in person on the mayor
to see what law could be produced against my meetings.
as soon as i began to talk with him i perceived he was a little angry.
he said, 'sir, you sneered at me in the letter you sent last night.
though i am a butcher, yet sir..i..
i replied, i honoured him as a magistrate
and only desired to know what law could be produced against my preaching;
in my opinion there could be none becusethere was never any such thing as field preaching before.
i then instanced the trial of p, the quaker where the jury, notwithstanding they were so hardly used,
gave a verdict in favour of him.
sir..you ought to preach in a church.
'and os i would..if your minister would give me leave.
'sir..i believe you have some sinister ends in view;
why do you go abouyt making a disturbance?
i answered, 'i make no disturbance.
it was hard i could not come into your town without being insulted.
ift was your business, sir, to wait
and if there was any riot in my meetings, then, and not till then, to interpose.
he then said, 'sir, you wrote to me about the revel today-i have declared against it.
'but, said i, you ought, sir, to go and read the riot act and put an entire stop to it.
i then pressed him to shew me a law against meetings, urging,
that if there had been any law they would havew een stopped long since.
he answered, 'it was an odd way of preaching.
but sir, i must go away to a fair;
before you came i had written you another letter which i will send you yet if you please.
upon this i thanked him, paid him the respect due to a magistrate and took my leave.
soon after i had returned to my company he sent me the following letter;
7.20
Rev. sir,
i received your extraordinary letter
and could expect no other from so uncommon a genius.
i apprehend your meetings to be unlawful
having notoleration to protect you in it.
my apprehension of religion always was and i hope always will be,
that God is to be worshipped in places consecrated and set apart for His service
and no in brothels and places where all manner of debauchery may have been committed
but how far this is consistent with your actions, i leave you to judge.
as for the other assembly you were pleased to mention,
'tis contrary to my will having never given my consent to it nor approvedof it
but discouraged it before your reverendship came to this town
and if these cudgellers persist in it i shall set them upon the same level with you
and think you all breakeres of the public peace.
you very well know thaere are penal laws against cursing and swearing
and i could wish there were the same agaist deceit and hyupocrisy.
your appearing against me as a swift witness at the day of judgment
i must own is a most terrible thing
and may serve as a bugbear for children or people of weak minds,
but believe me, reverend sir, those disguises will have
but little weight amongst men of common understanding. yours, john abbot
PS i told you i had a letter written. i make old to send it.
to this i sent the following answer:
7.20
honoured sir,
does mr. mayor do well to be angry?
alas!what evil have i done?
i honour you as a magistrate
but as a minister i am obliged to have no respect of persons.
your apprehending my meetins to be unlawful does not make them so.
there is no need of a toleration to protect me when i do ont
act unconformable to any law, civil or ecclesiastical.
be pleased to prove that my meeting are schismatical, seditious or riotous,
and then i will submit.
but you say they are upon unconsecrated ground.
honoured sir, give me leave to inform you that God is not now confined to places,
but seeketh such to worship Him who worship in spirit and in truth.
where two or three are gathered together in Christ's name
there willChrist be in the midst of them.
the church by our ministers in their prayer before their sermons,
is defined to be not the church walls but a congregation of christian people.
such is mine.
as for judging me, to my own Master i stand or fall.
at His dreadful tribunal i will meet you
and then you shall see what is in the hear of, honoured sir, your very humble servant...
bout eight ocolck i went into a field lent me by mr. h
and though one said i should not go out of basingstoke alive if i preached there
and another said the drum should beat just by me yet i had little or no interruption
and God gave me power to speak against revelling
and those few scoffers that were there were not able to gainsay or resist it.
as i came from the field passing through the churchyared
the boys headed by some of the baser sort saluted me as before,
calling me strange names which i trust was received in the spirit of our dear master.
after this i prayed and sag psalms at the inn with some few disciples and then took my leave.
as i passed by on horesback i saw a stage built for the cudgellers and wrestlers
and as i rode further i met divers coming to the revel which affected me so much
that i had no rest in my spirit.
and therefore having asked counsel of God, though i had gone above a mile from the town,
i could not bear to see so many dear souls for whom Christ died ready to perish
and no minister or magistrate interpose.
so i told my dear fellow travellers that i was resolved to follow the example of howell harris in wales
and to bear my testimony against such lying vanities
let the consequences as to my own person be what theywould.
they immediately consenting i rode back to the town,
got upon the stage errcted for the wrestlers and began to shew them the error of their ways.
many seemed ready to hear what i had to say
but one, more zealous for his master than the rest
and fearing conviction every time i so much as attempted to speak,
set the boys upon repeating their huzzas.
i felt willing to be offered up
if i might save some of those to whom i was about to speak.
while i was on the stage one struk me with his cudgel.
at last finding the devilwould not permit them to give me audience,
i got off and after much thronging and pushing me,
i mounted my horse with the inward satisfaction that i had now begun to attack the devil in his strongest holds
and had borne my testimony against the detestable diversions of this generation.
ye magistrates who are called gods in scripture, why seep you?
why do you bear the sword in vain?
why cound me a troubler of israel and why say i teach people to be idle,
when you connive at, if not subscribe to, such meeting as theds,
which not only draw people from their bodily work, but directly tend to destroy their precious and immortal souls.
surely i shall appear against you at the judgment seat of Christ,
for these diversions keep people from true christianoity as much as paganism itself.
i doubt not it will require as much courage and power to divert people from these thing,
as the apostles exerted in converting the heathen from their dumb idols.
however in the strength of my Master i will now enter the lists
and begin an offensive war with satan and all his host.
iof i perish, i perish,
but i shallhave the testimony of a good conscience
and be free from the blood of all men.
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