Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 47
Neshaminy, Abington and Philadelphia.
Friday, November 23. Parted with dear Mr. Tennent, and his other worthy fellow Labourer; but promised to remember each other publickly in our Prayers. Rode to Abington, about 10 Miles from Neshaminy, and preach'd to above 2000 People, from a Porch Window belonging to the Meeting-House, whither I was invited yesterday, after I had preached at Neshaminy. Many of the People seem'd affected, and I think I have not seen greater Things, no not in England. It is surprizing how such vast Bodies of People, so scattered abroad, can be gathered at so short a Warning.—I believe at Neshaminy there might be about 1000 Horses, which the People do not sit on to hear the Sermon as at England, but tie them to the Hedges, and thereby much Disorder is prevented. As soon as I had done, fresh Invitations were made me, to come to several Places, would Time and Business permit. Tho' it was Cold, the People stood very patiently in the open Air, and seemed in no Hurry to return home after the Discourses were ended. What are outward Things to a Soul intent on GOD? less than nothing.
As soon as I had finished, I hasten'd to Philadelphia; and blessed be GOD, found my Family in good order, and all Things carried on according to my Desire. Oh how can I express my Thankfulness for this little Every Son! The LORD has done great Things for us in it; whereat the People of GOD are much rejoiced. Oh that I may now begin to do something for CHRIST! not to justify my Person, but my Faith, and to shew my Love and Gratitude for what GOD has done for my Soul!
Saturday, November 24. Preach'd this Morning in the Church, with much Freedom and Power.—Several came to me, enquiring about inward Feelings, and the receiving the Holy Ghost; and I found many began to be awakened out of their carnal Security, by the Word preach'd. Received an excellent Letter from one grievously vexed with Temptations, whom GOD has been pleased to make me an Instrument of Comforting. Preached again at four in the Afternoon, in the Church, that being judged more convenient than the Market Place, as the Weather was so cold. A vast Concourse of all Denominations were present. GOD gave me, particularly towards the close of my Sermon, to speak with divine Energy.—After Sermon, I visited two sick Persons. Supped comfortably with my Family; and laid me down, with a strong Desire to see my own Unworthiness, and the Freeness and Riches of that Grace, which alone has made me to differ from the most abandon'd of Men. Whatever others may see in themselves I know not; this one Thing I know, I see nothing but Hell in my Soul. And therefore, whenever I do glory, I desire only to glory in thee O LORD!
Sunday, November 25. Had great Travail of Soul, and Struggle within myself, about a Text to preach on; and could not conceive the reason of such uncommon Perplexity. At last I fix'd on one for the Morning; and trusted to GOD to direct me to one for the Evening: But before I came from Church, GOD shewed …ne what I should do; for after I had done Preaching, a young Gentleman, once a Minister of the Church of England, but now a Secretary to Mr. …, stood up with a loud Voice, and wanted the People against the Doctrine I had been delivering; urging, that there was … such … as imputed Righteousness in holy Scripture; that such Doctrine puts a Stop to all Goodness; that we were to be judged for our good Works and Obedience, and were commended to Do and Live. When he had ended, I denied his first Proposition, and brought a Text to prove an imputed Righteousness was a scriptural Expression. But thinking the Church an improper Place for Disputation, I said no more at that Time. The Portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle was, Jer. xxiii. wherein were these Words, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Upon these I discoursed in the Afternoon. I shewed how the LORD JESUS was to be our whole Righteousness; proved how the contrary Doctrine overthrowed all Divine Revelation; answered all Objections, that were made against an imputed Righteousness; produced the Articles of our Church to illustrate it; and concluded with an Exhortation to all, to lay aside a Reasoning Infidelity, and to submit to JESUS CHRIST, who is the End of the Law for Righteousness, to every one that believeth. The Verses at the beginning of the Chapter, out of which the Text was taken, were very remarkable. Jer. Chap. XXIII. Ver. 1,2,3,4. Wo be unto the Pastors th… destroy and scatter the Sheep of my Pasture, saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the Pastors that feed my People, Ye have scattered my Flock, and driven th… away, and have not visited them; Behold, I will visit upon you the Evil of your Doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the Remnant of my Flock, out of all Countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their Folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up Shepherds over them, which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed; neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. GOD was pleased to fulfil the Promise in me, for, blessed be his Name, I was not dismayed. The Word came with Power. The Church was thronged within and without, and all wonderfully attentive; and many, as I am inform'd convinced that the LORD CHRIST was our Righteousness.—In the Evening the Gentleman came to me; but alas! was so very dark in all the Fundamentals of Christianity; and such an entire Stranger to Inward Feelings, that I was obliged to say to him, Art thou a Master of Israel and knowest not these Things? LORD, convict and convert him, … thy infinite Mercies sake!
Went to the Quakers Meeting, for a little Time. Gave the Sacrament a… a private House; and came home, exhorted, prayed and …ung Psalms with a Roomfull of People.—They follow me wherever I go, as they used to do in London; and I believe a noble Gathering of Souls might be in this Place▪ H…re, as elsewhere, they only went Somebody to preach the Truth as it is in JESUS. Dearest LORD, remember thy Church, and revive thy Work amongst them, in the midst of thy Years!
Monday, November 26. Read Prayers, and preached twice in the Church▪ to very … and attentive … perceive, came with great Power; and People new apply to me so fast for Advice under Convictions, and so continually cloud in upon me … I have not Time so much as to write a Letter to my English Friends.—Some little Presents have been sent for the Orphan-House; and a large Collection, I believe, might be made; but I chuse to defer that 'til my Return hither again. As yet it seems absolutely necessary for the good of the Church in general, and my Orphan-House in particular, that I should visit every Place in …, whither I have been before. Good LORD, direct my Goings in thy Way!