Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

tioned in my "Journal." Again, my lord, the doctor represents that as my opinion concerning quakers in general, 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 and who are only wolves in sheep's clothing. Our Lord, I believe, will not be ashamed to confess us publicly in that day. I pray God we all may approve ourselves such faithful ministers of the New Testament, that we may be able to lift up our heads with boldness. 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 that the sun shines at noon-day. 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. And, however you may censure us as evil doers, and disturbers of the peace, yet if we do 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 possess my soul. I willingly tarry the Lord's leisure. In the mean while 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,

I

Tuesday, July 10.

And obliged servant, George Whitefield. Preached yesterday evening at the brick-yard to about eight thousand people. Dined to-day with my honoured fellow labourer, Mr Wesley, and many other friends at Two-mill-hill, in Kingswood, and preached afterwards to several thousand people, and colliers, in the school-house, which has been

carried on so successfully, that the roof is ready to be put up. The design I think is good. Old as well as young are to be instructed. A great and a visible alteration is made in the behaviour of the colliers. Instead of cursing and swearing, they are heard to sing_hymns about the woods; and the rising generation, I hope, will be a generation of christians. They seem much affected by the word. They melt into tears, and are observed to attend the churches and societies when Mr

Wesley is absent from them. The prospect of their future welfare filled me with joy unspeakable. They took a most affectionate leave of me. Lord, put thou their tears into thy bottle!

Went immediately after sermon was ended with Mr Wesley, and several other friends, to Bath, and preached there to about three thousand people at seven in the evening. It rained a little all the while, but the people were very patient and attentive, and I never had such power given me to speak to the polite scoffers before. Oh, that the scales were removed from the eyes of their minds !

Heard to-day the town-clerk of Bristol did my brother Wesley and me the honour, to desire the grandjury, at their quarter-sessions, to present our meetings, and to have the riot-act read, but they did not regard him. Nay one, that was called to serve on the peti jury, offered to submit to any fine, rather than do any thing against us; who, he said, were the true servants of Jesus Christ. May he meet with that reward which our Lord has promised to all those that shall confess him before men! The hour of persecution is not yet come. These are some distant proofs of it. I really wonder it comes on no faster. Satan, why sleepest thou?

BATH AND BRISTOL.

Wednesday, July 11. Preached at eleven in the morning to a larger audience than last night, and almost with equal power. Hastened to Bristol, and preached in the evening at Baptist-mills to a large congregation. It rained much. But, blessed be God, the people's hearts are so far influenced by the gospel of

Christ, that they care but little whether it rains or shines.

After this, my brother Wesley and I went to the women and men's societies, settled some affairs, and united the two leading societies together. A great harmony and sweetness of soul were amongst us all. My heart was full of love for them, and they wept most sorely at my farewell-exhortation and prayer. How can I be thankful enough to God, for sending me hither to see that the seed has been sown in good ground, and that by the ministry of Mr Wesley it has received great increase. May it still increase with all the increase of God.

Thursday, July 12. Was busied most of the day in fitting a sermon for the press, "On the Indwelling of the Spirit," which I would recommend to all. Preached in the evening to eight or nine thousand people in the Bowling-green, with great freedom and power, and afterwards spent an hour most delightfully with some christian friends. Blessed be God for the communion of saints! Oh! when shall I be translated to the communion of the spirits of just men made perfect! As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so doth my soul long after that perfect fellowship with the sons of God!

Friday, July 13. Preached my farewell sermon at seven in the morning to a weeping and deeply affected audience. My heart was full, and I continued near two hours in prayer and preaching. The poor people shed many tears, and sent up thousands of prayers in my behalf, and would scarce let me go away. Their mites they most cheerfully contributed to the schoolhouse at Kingswood, and proved, I think, to a demonstration, that they had not received the word of God in vain. Blessed be God for seeing this increase of his mercy. Blessed be God for my coming hither to behold some fruits of my labours. Many souls have been strengthened and comforted, inany convinced of sin, and myself also more established and strong in the Lord. As oppositions abound, so do my consolations

much more abound! Who is so good a master as Jesus Christ?

Retired after sermon to vent my heart, which was ready to burst with a sense of God's especial, distinguishing, repeated mercies. Dined with and took a most affectionate leave of a whole roomful of weeping friends. Set out about four o'clock, and reached Thornbury about eight in the evening. It raining exceeding hard most part of the day, there were but few country people. However, I preached to about six hundred from a table in the street. I hope God gave it his blessing.

THORNBURY AND GLOUCESTER.

Saturday, July 14. Preached at eight this morning to an attentive congregation. Breakfasted at a quaker's, and reached Gloucester with my honoured friend, Mr John Wesley, and some others, by three in the afternoon. Went to the cathedral prayers, dined, and afterwards preached to a congregation a third part larger than I have had in this place before. Blessed be God wherever I go, I find my audiences are always more numerous by far at the last than at the first. Lord, make me truly humble and thankful!

Sunday, July 15. Left my honoured friend, Mr Wesley, to preach to about seven thousand souls in Gloucester. And had the pleasure afterwards of hearing that the people heard him gladly. Preached twice in Randwick church, and assisted in administering the sacrament to two hundred and seventy communicants. The congregations were larger than when I preached last. My body being weak, and God being pleased to withdraw himself, I spoke with very little power in the morning; but in the afternoon, God caused my strength to return again, and I preached with much freedom and power in the evening; and at Hampton-common, I was enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and to preach to about twenty thousand souls; all which behaved with great reverence and devotion. After I had done I received fresh invitations to different places, which I proposed to comply with, if the Lord should permit.

Never did I see people more eager after the milk of the word. Their souls were much rejoiced when I told them Mr John Wesley intended to come after to feed them. Lord, grant he may be preferred before me wherever he goes!

Monday, July 16. Lay last night at the house of Mr E-s, of Ebly, and had a most comfortable time of it. Went to Tedbury, about six miles from thence, having been earnestly invited several times, and preached at noon to about four thousand people. Many gracious souls of divers denominations came to meet me, with whom I took sweet counsel. The scoffers, before I came, had threatened to do something. But the power of God's word overcame them. Visited in the afternoon Mr O——, a baptist-teacher, and went afterwards, in company with several friends, to Malmsbury, in Wiltshire, about three miles from Tedbury, whither I had been invited by a letter, signed by fifty-two persons. At seven I preached to about three thousand people, who, I believe, felt the power of God's word. Much opposition had been made by the Pharisees against my coming. And the minister in particular had wrote to the churchwarden to stop me; but he was more noble. Numbers, as I heard afterwards, who were vastly prejudiced against me by lying reports, went away convinced that I spoke the words of truth and soberness. Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.

Tuesday, July 17. Lay with my fellow-travellers at the house of Mr Line, who most gladly received us for our Master's sake. I had a thorn in the flesh sent to buffet me, was weak in body, deserted in mind, and felt myself to be, what I often say we are all by nature, half a devil, and half a beast. With great inward reluctance I rose, and preached to about two thousand souls at eight in the morning; then I retired to my bed again, with an unspeakable pressure upon my heart till noon. Was something better after dinner, and much revived to see what an effectual door was like to be opened in Wiltshire for preaching the gospel. Went

« PoprzedniaDalej »