Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 28 – Journal entry 36
LONDON.
Saturday, July 21▪ Set out a little after four in the Morning, and reached London by Breakfast Time. Settled my A…ur, rejoiced with my dear Friends, and preached in the Evening to upwards of ten thousand at Kennington-Common: The poor Souls were ready to leap for Joy at my Return amongst them. The Word sun… deep into their Hearts. Great Numbers melted into Tears, and my own Heart overflowed with Love towards them. Blessed be GOD for what has been done here since I left London, by my honoured Friend and Fellow Labourer Mr. Charles Wesley. Surely, we can see the Fruits of our Labours. All Love, all Glory be to GOD, for giving so great an Increase!
Sunday, July 22. Ever since I was abused at Basingstoke, I have had great Communications from GOD. When Men cast us out, then does JESUS CHRIST chiefly take us up. Who would not be a Christian? There is nothing I des…re on Earth in Comparison of that.—Received a Letter from Mr. Ralph Erskine of Scotland. Some may be offended at my corresponding with him, but I dare not but confess my LORD's Disciples.—Had a pressing Invitation to come into Lincol…shire. Blessed be GOD, the Word runs very swiftly. In vain do our Adversaries stand against the Most High.—Preached at Seven …n the Morning to about Twenty Thousand at Mcor…u…ld…. A greater Power than ever was amongst us. Scoffers and curious Persons daily drop off. Most that come now, I hope, do not come out of Curiosity. Never were Souls more melted down by the Power of GOD's Words. Never did People offer their Mites more willingly. I collected 24 l. 17 s. for the School-House that is erecting at Kingswood, and all seemed sollicitous how to express their Affection. Ye Scoffers, ye blind Pharisees, come and see, and then call these tumultuous, seditious Assemblies if you can. Would to GOD, they behaved so decently in any Church in London. Went to St. Paul's, and received the blessed Sacrament, and preached in the Evening at Kennington-Common to about 30,000 Hearers, and collected 15 l. 15 s. 6 d. for the Colliers. GOD gave me great Power, and I never opened my Mouth so freely against the Letter-learned Clergymen of the Church of England. Every Day do I see the Necessity of speaking out more and more—The most learned of our modern Rabbies, I find now by their Writings, and by their Conferences with me and my Friends, either make our Sanctification a Cause of, whereas it is the Effect of our Justification before GOD, of they entirely interpret away the meaning of all the Doctrines of the Spirit, so as to make Regeneration consist only in a Desire and good Disposition to do the Will of GOD; or, in other Words, in an outward Decency of Life, and a Morality falsely so called. This is the Sum and Substance of the Generality of our modern Doctrine. And therefore, was I to die immediately for speaking, yet I should not die in Peace, unless I bore my Testimony against them. GOD knows my Heart, I do not speak out of Resentment—I heartily wish all the LORD's Servants were Prophets—I wish the Church of England was the Joy of the whole Earth. But I cannot see her sinking into Papistical Ignorance, and Deism refined, and not open my Mouth against those, who by their sensual lukewarm Lives, and unscriptural superficial Doctrines, thus cause her to err—O Lord, send out, we beseech thee, send out thy Light, and thy Truth. Even so come, LORD JESUS, come quickly!
Monday, July 23. This Day I received the following Letter from the Quaker at Basingstoke, at whose House I lodged.
Basingstoke, July 21. 1739. My Dear FRIEND,
When I Yesterday went up to thy Inn, and found thee just gone, I was sorry that I miss'd an Opportunity, both of taking my Leave of thee, and expressing the Sense I had of the Power and Presence of GOD that was with thee, more especially in the latter Part of thy Sermon, and in thy Prayer after it; However, I am truly glad, that thou wert preserved out of the Hands of cruel and unreasonable Men. Thou heardst of the Threatnings of many, but the Malice and blind Zeal of some went further. For hadst thou went to my Friend H— to Bed, or elsewhere towards that Part of the Town, which I believe was expected, there were 10 or 12 Men lying in wait to do thee a private Mischief, which I know by the Testimony of one of those very Men, who boasted to me, We would have given him a secret Blow, and prevented his making Disturbances. This Confession … me out to me in the Warmth of his Zeal, as thinking, perhaps, that I could hate, at least, if not destroy (like him) all that were not of my own Party.
O thy noble Testimony against the Prophaneness and Vanity of the Age. It rejoiced me not a little. But when thou camest to the Necessity, the Nature and the Rewards of the New-Birth, the true Seed, thou wert carried beyond thyself, the Fountain of Life was opened, and flowed around amongst the Living. I am, for one, a Monument of free Grace and Mercy. O GOD how boundless it thy Love! He hath not hid his Mercies from me. I have often drank of the spiritual Rock, and been a Witness of the Joys of GOD's Salvation. Ay, those Joys, that sweet Presence of CHRIST, that carries Men above the Fear of the World, and enables them to overcome the World; that baptizeth into the Spirit and Nature of the SON OF GOD, and maketh Disciples indeed. It is a Sense of GOD ever near the Influences of his quickening Spirit, that is only able to deter from Evil, crucify the old Nature, create again to GOD, and perform his good and acceptable Will. This will make a thorough Reformation, beginning at the Heart, sanctifying that, guarding of it, and malting it a holy Temple for the holy Spirit to dwell in, then producing holy Thoughts, Longings after divine Enjoyments, Love, Joy, Solidity, Watchfulness, &c.
But, why this to thee? Thou hast drank deep of divine Love; only I know that the good Experiences of GOD's Children are often Causes of mutual Comfort. I have often been sensible of it myself, and therefore, not only thus privately, but publickly have I been strengthened to tell to others, that GOD is good, and that he has done great Things for my Soul. Ministers not thus qualified, and thus sent, may indeed be Ministers of those who sent them, but Ministers of CHRIST they cannot be.
May we, my dear Friend, tho' absent i… Body be present in Spirit, in him who is omnipresent. May we unitedly go on in the Cause of our common LORD and Master, to promote his Honour in winning Souls to him! May we bear a faithful and undaunted Testimony to him before all Men, in the midst of a perverse Generation! May we not flinch, but declare the Truth as it is in JESUS, not daubing, nor daring to make the Way to the Kingdom of GOD wider than it is. And may we finally be received up into the Mansions of Glory, there to live with all the righteous Generations, with those that have washed their Garments white in the Blood of the Lamb, and with those that have laid down their Lives for the Testimony of JESUS, and to sing with them, Hallelujahs, Glory and Praise, forever and ever! May the Antient of Days, the Alpha and Omega, keep thee in his Arms, direct thee by his Spirit, support, comfort and watch over thee, is the fervent Prayer, of my dear Friend, thine in great Sincerity.
J. PORTSMOUTH.
My Friend, Mr. William Seward, received also a Letter from his Brother, in which were the following Paragraphs.
I had a Letter per last Post from Mr.—wherein he speaks of one Mr.—of Corpus Christ College, whom his Uncle, a Clergyman, hath entirely discarded, and wrote to the College to expel him for his Methodistical Notions.
The old Clerk at Breferton, whom I before spoke of, having heard Mr. Whitefield at Bads…y, was so affected, that he told me, he could have no rest in his Spirit; but after searching the Church-Homilies, Articles, &c. and finding the Doctrine every way agreeable to them, he met with the Landlord of Contercup, who discoursing about Mr. Whitefield, told him he had some old Books that set forth the very same Doctrine. Soon after this he went to Work, being a Taylor by Trade, and asking for one of these Books, the others being lent out, he said he had not read above a Page or two, before the Truth broke in upon his Soul like Lightning. He said he could not go on with his Work with any Satisfaction, but … … gers itched to be at his Book again, which the Man lent him home with him; a few … after, he got the other, which so strengthen… and confirmed him, that he could lay his Life down in Defence of the Truth as it is in JESUS. He says, the Gospel appears to him, as though he never read a Line in it before; and it is a greater Miracle to him, that he, an old Sinner, with one Foot in the Grave, should be called at these Years, than if he had seen the Dead raised. He always, by what I can learn, bore a fair Character, and was esteemed by his Neighbours, but now threatned with the Loss of his Bread, for coming to Badsey Society, and declaring his Testimony to the Truth of Mr. Whitefield's Doctrine, or rather I should say, the Doctrine of the Gospel. The Books he met with are very oil, and, he says, were thrown by as waste Paper out of a Clergyman's Library, that was sold after his Death, whereby the Contercup Man met with them, and they seemed very providentially reserved for his Use.
Persons wonder at me, because I talk of Persecution, now the World is become Christian; but alas! was JESUS CHRIST to come down from Heaven at this Time, he would he treated as formerly. And whoever goes forth to preach the Gospel in his Spirit, must expect the same Treatment as his first Apostles met with. LORD, prepare us for all Events.
Preached this Evening at Hackney-Marsh to about two thousand People.—I prayed and discoursed for above two Hours, and with greater Demonstration of the Spirit than ever.—Floods of seemed Tears were shed by the Hearers, and the Doctrine seemed to make its own Way into their Hearts. Every Day have I more and more Reason to rejoice in what GOD has done for my own, and others Souls. Thousands at the great Day will have Reason to bless GOD for Field-Preaching. Then our Pharisees will believe. But LORD, grant the Veil may be taken from their Hearts, and the Scales from their Eyes, before that dreadful Day! For then Convictions will come too late.
Tuesday, July 24. Dispatched my private Affairs, and preached in the Evening at Kennington-Common, to about 15000. The Doctrine, I believe, distilled like the Dew. May the Lord JESUS water their thirsty Souls!
Wednesday, July 25. Preach'd this Evening at Edmonton, at the Desire of many. The Congregation was large and attentive, and I rejoiced in having an Opportunity of offering Salvation freely to the Rich. Oh, that all in high Stations were rich towards GOD!
Thursday, July 26. Preached to upwards of ten Thousand at Hackney-Marsh, where I appointed purposely to preach, because there was to be an Horse-Race in the same Field. Blessed be GOD, I had the Pleasure of bearing my Testimony against such unchristian Entertainments. Very few left the Sermon to see the Race, and some of those returned back again quickly, to whom I took Occasion of speaking with something of the Love and Simplicity of CHRIST, To him be all the Glory. I think this is a manifest Proof of the Success of our Doctrine. By the Help of GOD I will still go on to attack the Devil in his strongest Holds. The common People go to these Diversions for Want of knowing better. If we can once draw them from these, their Minds will be better prepared to receive the Gospel. Prosper, O LORD, this Work of my Hands upon me!
Friday, July 27. Preached at Kennington-Common to my usual Number of Hearers; went to Lewisham, was kindly entertained by Mrs.—and lay at the House of Mr.—both which received me and my Friends with Joy. Blessed be GOD for all his Mercies.
Saturday, July 28. Spent a comfortable Hour with my Friends in the Morning; went to pay a Visit to the Family of Justice Delamotte, at Blendon, where we exhorted and built up each other in the Knowledge and Fear of GOD. Preached at Blackheath in the Evening, and came home rejoicing that I saw great Fruits of my Ministry. The Bills which are sent to me, plainly prove, that GOD has worked on Numbers of Souls. At the Judgment Day you shall see, O Pharisees, what Good has been done by this Foolishness of Preaching. Many I believe, come to the Fields to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. GOD se…keth such to worship him.
Sunday, July 29. Preached this Morning in Moorfields to a much larger Congregation than we had last Sunday, and collected 24 l. 9 s. for the School at Kingswood. Received the Sacrament at St. Paul's, and preached at Kennington-Common in the Evening, where 20 l. was collected. GOD sent us a little Rain; but that only washed away the curious Hearers.—Near thirty Thousand stood their Ground, and GOD, I believe, watered them with the Dew of his heavenly Blessing. A more visible Alteration for the better is made in the People daily, a good Work is wrought in the Hearts of Numbers. It would be endless to recount how many come to me under strong Convictions of their lo…t Estate. GOD has begun, GOD will carry on the good Work in their Souls;—Even so, Lord JESUS!
Monday, July 30. Was busied all the Morning in directing those to believe in JESUS CHRIST, who came asking me, What they should do to be saved? Preached at Plaistow, about 6 Miles from London, and an uncommon Power was in the Congregation.—My own Heart was much enlarged, and I returned home much rejoiced within myself that the Lord JESUS was pleased still to manifest himself more and more amongst us.
Tuesday, July 31. Preached at Newington near Hackney, to about twenty thousand People, many of whose Hearts, as well as my own, were warmed under the Word. I preached upon Genesis iii. 15. and I hope the Seed of the Woman is now bruising the Serpent's Head to some Purpose. Amen, Lord JESUS, Amen!
Wednesday, August 1. Preached this Evening at Mary Le Bone Fields, at the other End of the Town, to near thirty Thousand, and went afterwards to take my Leave of Fetter-lane Society. We parted in Love, and I hope the next Time we meet, we shall be in or at least nearer Heaven. Oh, that we may comfort one another with the Prospect of this Thing.
Thursday, August 2. Preached at Newington to upwards of twenty Thousand People, and came home much rejoicing to see what a great Work GOD has done in this City. Thousands and I believe ten Thousands, come constantly to hear. Scoffers seem afraid to shew their Heads, being frequently overpowered by GOD's Word. I hope the Time is coming which the Prophet speaks of: Behold ye Despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I will work a Work in your Days, which you shall in no wise believe, though a Man declare it unto you.
Friday, August 3. Spent the Day in compleating my Affairs, taking my Leave of my dear Friends, and preached in the Evening to near twenty Thousand at Kennington-Common. I chose to discourse on St. Paul's parting Speech to the Elders at Ephesus, Acts xx. at which the People were exceedingly affected, and almost prevented my making any Application. Many Tears were shed, when I talked of Leaving them. I concluded all with a suitable Hymn, but could scarce get to the Coach, for the People's thronging me, to take me by the Hand, and give me a parting Blessing. And here I cannot but shut up this Part of my Journal with a Word or two of Exhortation to my dear Brethren, whosoever they are, whom GOD shall stir up to go forth into the Highways and Hedges, into the Lanes and Streets, to compel poor Sinners to come in. You see, my dear Brethren, what great Things GOD has already done.—It is unknown how many have come to me under strong Convictions of their fallen Estate, and what Numbers of Bills I have received from Persons seeking CHRIST, desiring to be awakened to a …ense of Sin, and giving Thanks for the Benefits GOD has imparted to them by my Ministry. Letters of Invitation have been sent me from different Parts of the Kingdom. O my dear Brethren, have Compassion on our dear LORD's Church, which he has purchased with his own Blood.—Suffer none of them to be as Sheep having no Shepherd, or worse than none, those blind Leaders of the Blind, who let them perish for Lack of Knowledge, and are no better than Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing. If you are found faithful, you must undergo a strong Persecution. A Person in Power told me, nothing but the Fear of Strengthening my Interest. kept off the Storm. But the Enmity of the natural Man is so great against GOD, that if the Good Work, which is begun is carried on, it will soon break through all Restraints, though thereby our Enemies will confound themselves; but the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Oh arm People against a Suffering Time; exhort them always to be obedient to the higher Powers; remind them again and again, that our Kingdom is not of this World, and that it does not become Christians to resist the Powers that are ordained of GOD, but patiently to suffer for the Truth's Sake. At present GOD calls me to Trials of a different Nature; but I am persuaded, e'er long, it will be given me not only to believe, but also to suffer for our LORD's Sa…. Oh let us strive together in our Prayers, that we may fight the Good Light of Faith, that we may have that Wisdom which cometh from above, that we may never suffer for our own Faults, but only for Righteousness Sake. Then will the Spirit of CHRIST and of Glory … upon our Souls, and being made perfect by suffering here, we shall be qualified to reign eternally with JESUS CHRIST hereafter. Amen, Amen!
Eternal Universal LORD,
Maker of Heav'n and Earth art Thou.
All Things sprang forth t'obey thy Word,
Thy pow'rful Word upholds them now▪
Why then with unavailing Rage,
Did Heathen with thy People join,
And impotently fierce engage,
To execute their vain Design?
Indignant Kings stood up t'oppose,
The LORD, and his Messiah's Reign,
And Earth's confederate Rulers rose,
Against their GOD in Council vain.
Surely against thy Holy Son,
(Son of thy Love and sent by Thee,
One with th' anointing Spirit, One
With thy co-equal Majesty.)
Herod and Pilate both combin'd,
Thy Sov'reign Purpose to fulfil,
Gentiles and Jews unconscious join'd,
… accomplish thy Eternal Will.
And now their idle Fury view,
And now behold their Threatnings, LORD,
Behold Thy faithful Servants too,
And strengthen us to speak thy Word,
Embolden'd by thine outstretch'd Arm,
Fill us with Confidence Divine,
With Heav'nly Zeal our Bosom warm,
That all may own the Work is Thine.
May see the Tokens of thy Hand,
Its Sovereign Grace its healing Pow'r,
… Happiness withstand,
And fight against their GOD no more.
Now let their Opposition cease,
Now let them catch the quick'ning Flame,
And for…'d to yield, the Signs increase,
The Wonders wrought by JESU's Name.
A CONTINUATION Of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield's JOURNAL FROM His Embarking after the Embargo. To His Arrival at Savannah in Georgia.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed and Sold by B. FRANKLIN, in Market-street, 1740.
A CONTINUATION OF Mr. Whitefield's JOURNAL, &c.
Lewisham, Deptford and Blendon.
SATURDAY, August 4. Lay last Night at the House of one Mrs. S—w, being strongly invited. Went in the Morning to Deptford. Pray'd, sung Psalms, and gave a Word of Exhortation at 2 or 3 Houses. Re…urn'd to dine with Mrs. Sparrow. Expounded to a Room full of People. Preached at Blackheath to about 10,000; and went and lay at Blendon, to the great Comfort and Rejoicing of my Soul. Oh that my Mouth was …ver filled with the Divine Praise!
Blend…n, Bexley and Blackheath.
Sunday, August 5. Rose much strengthen'd and refreshed in the inner Man. Expounded, prayed and sung Psalms at Mr. Delamotte's Door, with a great Number of Souls that came from London. Read Prayers and assisted in Administring the Sacrament to several hundred Communicants at Bexley Church. Preached to about 15,00, in Justice Delamotte's Yard: And again in the Evening to about 20,000 at Blackheath.—The Weather was wet but only a few were driven away by it.—Great Power came upon me from above, and I opened my Mouth with all Boldness.—GOD water'd us with the Dew of his Heavenly Blessing. Oh that we may all grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of the LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Blendon and Chatham.
Monday, August 6. Spent the former Part of the Day most agreeably at Blendon, and preach'd in the Evening at Chatham, about 18 Miles from thence, to above 12,000 People.—I never, observed more Decency and Order in any Place, at my first preaching, than at that. Had a Conference, after Sermon, with one, who, I fear, with some others maintains Antinomian Principles.—From such may all that know them turn away! For tho', to use the Words of our Church Article, Good Works do not justify us, yet they follow after Justification; so that a true Faith may be known by them, as a Tree by its Fruits.
Chatham, Blendon, Blackheath and Lewisham.
Tuesday, August 7. Left Chatham early this Morning. Dined at Blendon; and preached in the Evening at Blackheath.—It rained very much the whole Day.—We expected but little Company: However there were about 2000, whom GOD richly rewarded for waiting in the Rain.—I discoursed on the Conversion of Zach…us the Publican,—and I hope there was Joy in Heaven over some of my Hearers repenting.—Out of the Abundance of my Heart my Mouth spake.—They received my Doctrine as the Thirsty Ground receives the former and the latter Rain.—I know not when I have been more delighted. LORD, in doing thy Commandments there is great Reward!
Lewisham, Deptford and Blackheath.
Wednesday, August 8. Lay at Lewisham. Went on board the Ship now fallen down to Deptford, and sanctified it by the Word of GOD, and by Prayer. Din'd at Mr. W—s of Lewisham, and preach'd at Blackheath, to near 20,000 People, on the Pharisee and the Publican. I felt much Freedom in myself, and could not but take Notice of a Fundamental Mistake his Lordship of London was guilty of, in a Pastoral Letter published this Day; for in it he exhorts his Clergy so to explain the Doctrine of Justification by Faith alone, as to make our good Works a necessary Condition of our Justification in the Sight of GOD.—St. Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians, pronounces a dreadful ANATHEMA against the Maintainers of such Doctrines.—I pray GOD his Lordship may see his Error, and thereby be freed from so tremendous a Sentence.
On board Ship, Lewisham and Blackheath.
Thursday, August 9. Went this Morning, and continued on Board till Afternoon, settling my little Family. Dined at Lewisham: Preached at Blackheath, to a very large Congregation. Took a little Refreshment, and went and lay on Board, in order to be ready to finish my Affairs in the Morning. Several Companies of Friends came to see me in my floating Habitation; and some continued with me all Night. In answer to their Prayers, I doubt not but we shall be as safe as Noah was in the Ark. Every Place is alike to those who have the Presence of GOD with them.
Heav'n is, dear LORD, where-e'er thou art,
O never then from me depart,
For to my Soul 'tis Hell to be
But for one Moment void of thee.
Lewisham, Blackheath and Blendon.
Friday, August 10. Finished my Ship Business. Breakfasted at Lewisham. Spent the Remainder of the Day most comfortably at Blendon; and preach'd in the Evening to a yet greater Congregation at Blackheath. The People expecting it would be the last Time, were much affected with Sorrow; but a great Shout of Rejoicing was heard amongst them, when I told them of my continuing to preach till Monday. GOD has made himself a willing People in the Day of his Power. Oh all ye Servants of the LORD, bless ye the LORD, praise him and magnify him for ever.
Blendon and Blackheath.
Saturday, August 11. Began in the Spirit of Love and Meekness, to answer the Bishop of London's Pastoral Letter.—I pray GOD give it his Blessing. Continued all Day at Blendon. Preached in the Evening at Blackheath, and returned to Blendon, with an earnest Desire to fit and prepare my Soul for the approaching Sabbath. O how do I long for that Rest, which awaits the Children of GOD in a future State! LORD give me Patience to wait 'till my wish'd for Change cometh!