Continuation of Journal from Savannah to Arrival at Rhode Island, Journal · Entry 15 – Entry 17
Newport and Briſtol.
Wedneſday, Sept. 17. Left Newport in Rhode-Iſland about 9 in the Morning, and reach'd Briſtol, a Town twelve Miles off about Noon; ſeveral Friends from Rhode-Iſland accompanied me, and before we came to the Town, a diſſenting Miniſter, as I found afterwards,—met me, and in the Name of the Court which was then ſitting at Briſtol, invited me and my Friends to dine with them, and alſo to give them a Sermon. I complied. The Gentlemen received us with much Civility, and after Dinner, I preached in the Meeting-Houſe to more People, than might be expected on ſuch ſudden Notice. My Heart was much ſhut up in the Excerciſe; I felt and ſaw but little Power, however the Gentlemen ſeem'd very thankful. I took my Leave about 4 in the Afternoon, and lay at an Inn about ten Miles farther on the Road. Here the Lord gave me a Spirit of Prayer, I wreſtled with God in Behalf of my Self and Friends, ſupp'd comfortably, ſung a Hymn and went to Reſt.—Thanks be to God for his unſpeakable Mercies.
Thurſday, Sept. 18. Roſe a great while before Day, and ſet out as ſoon as it was Light, breakfaſted at a Miniſter's Houſe on the Road, found the People were appriſed of my coming, and were ſolicitous for my Preaching. But being reſolved under God if poſſible to reach Boſton that Night, we travel'd on for near fifty Miles, and came to Boſton about 8 in the Evening; when we were within four Miles of the Town, the Governour's Son, and ſeveral other Gentlemen, and one or two Miniſters, waited at a Gentleman's Houſe to give me the Meeting. They received me with great Gladneſs and told me many more would have come, had not a large Funeral been in the Town, or if there had been more certain Notice of my arriving. This rejoiced me, for I think I can ſtand any thing better then this. It favours too much of humane Grandure. But I muſt be tryed every Way. The Lord be my Helper. After ſtopping a little while, we went altogether in Company to Boſton to the Houſe of one Mr. Staniford, Brother in Law to Dr. Colman, who long ſince had ſent me an Invitation. Several Miniſters and other Gentlemen came in to pay their Reſpects. My Heart was but low, and my Body weak, but at the Requeſt of one of the Miniſters I gave Thanks to our gracious God for bringing me in Safety, and prayed that my coming might be in the Fulneſs of the Bleſſing of the Goſpel of Peace. We then parted, I eat a little Supper and then retired, beſeeching the Lord to raiſe my Heart and make his Power known in the Hearts of his People. Even ſo Lord Jeſus, Amen and Amen.
Friday, Sept. 19. Slept pretty well, and in the Morning perceived freſh Emanations of Divine Light break in upon, and refreſh my Soul. Was viſited by ſeveral Gentlemen, and Miniſters, and went to the Governour's with Joſiah Willard, Eſq; Secretary of the Province, a Man fearing God, and with whom, (tho' before unknown in Perſon) I have correſponded for ſome Time. The Governour received me, with the utmoſt Reſpect, he ſeemed to favour the Things which were of God, and deſired me to come and ſee him as often as I could. At 11 o'Clock I went to publick Worſhip at the Church of England, and afterwards waited on the Commiſſary Home who read Prayers. He received me very courteouſly, and it being a Day, whereon the Clergy of the Eſtabliſhed Church met, I had the Opportunity of converſing with Five of 'em together. I think one of them firſt began with me for calling that Tennent and his Brethren faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt? I anſwered, I believed they were. They then queſtioned me about the Validity of Preſbyterian Ordination? I replied, I believed it was valid. They then urged againſt me a Paſſage in my firſt Journal where I ſaid, That a Baptiſt Miniſter at Deal, did not give me a ſatisfactory Anſwer, concerning his Miſſion. I anſwered, Perhaps my Sentiments were altered. And is Mr. Weſley altered in his Sentiments too ſaid one, for he was very ſtrenuous for the Church, and againſt all other Forms of Government when he was at Boſton. I anſwered, he was then a great Bigot, but God had ſince enlarged his Heart, and I believed he was like minded with me, as to this Particular. I then urged, that a Catholick Spirit was beſt, and that a Baptiſt Miniſter had communicated with me lately at Savannah: And I ſuppoſe, ſays another Clergyman, you wou'd do him as good a Turn, and communicate with him. I anſwered, yes. I then urged, that it was beſt, to preach up the New-Birth, and the Power of Godlineſs, and not to inſiſt ſo much on the Form, for People would never be brought to one Mind, as to that, nor did Jeſus Chriſt ever intend it. Yes, but ſays Dr. Cutler, he did. How do you prove it? Why, ſays he, our Lord prayed, that all might be one even as thou Father, and I are one. I replyed, that was ſpoken of the inward Union of the Souls of Believers with Jeſus Chriſt, and not of the outward Church. That cannot be, (ſays Dr. Cutler) for how then could it be ſaid, That the World might know, that thou haſt ſent me? He then taking it for granted, that the Church of England was the only true apoſtolical Church, drew a Parallel between the Jewiſh, and our Church, urging, How God required all Things to be made according to the Pattern given on the Mount. I anſwer'd; Before the Parallel could be juſt, it muſt be proved, that every Thing enjoined in our Church was as much a divine Inſtitution as any Rite or Ceremony under the Jewiſh Diſpenſation. I added farther, That I ſaw regenerate Souls among the Baptiſts, among the Preſbyterians, among the Independants, and among the Church Folks; all Children of God, and yet all born again in a different Way of Worſhip; and who then can tell which is the moſt evangelical? What, ſays the Commiſſary, can you ſee Regeneration with your Eyes? or ſomething to that Purpoſe. Soon after we began to talk of the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST: And the Commiſſary ſaid Chriſt was to make up the Defects of our Righteouſneſs. I aſk'd him, if Converſion was not inſtantanious? He was unwilling to confeſs it; but having juſt before baptiſed an Infant at publick Worſhip; I aſk'd him, Whether he believed that very Inſtant in which he ſprinkled the Child with Water, the Holy Ghoſt fell upon the Child? He anſwer'd, Yes. Then, ſays I, according to your own Principles, Regeneration is inſtantanious, and ſince you will judge of the New-Birth by the Fruits, pray watch that Child, and ſee if it brings forth the Fruits of the Spirit. I alſo ſaid, That if every Child was really born again in Baptiſm, then every baptiſed Infant would be ſaved. And ſo they are, ſays Dr. Cutler. How do you prove that? Why, ſays he, the Rubrick ſays, That all Infants dying after Baptiſm, before they commit actual Sin, are undoubtedly ſaved. I aſk'd, What Text of Scripture there was to prove it? Here, ſays he (holding a Prayer-Book in his Hand) the Church ſays ſo. We then juſt hinted at Predeſtination: I ſaid, I ſubſcribed to the 17th Article of the Church in its plain literal Senſe, with all my Heart. We then talk'd a little about finally falling away from Grace. I ſaid, a true Child of God, though he might fall fouly, yet could never fall finally. But, ſays he, the Article ſays, Men, may fall away from Grace given. But then, ſays I, obſerve what follows, And by the Grace of God, they may riſe again. Several other Things of leſs Conſequence paſſed between us; but being engag'd to dine at my Lodging, and finding how inconſiſtent they were, I took my Leave, reſolving they ſhould not have the Opportunity of denying me their Pulpits. However, they treated me with more Civility than any Set of our own Clergymen have done a long While.
The Commiſſary very kindly urged me to dine with him, but being pre-engaged, I went to my Lodging, and in the Afternoon preached to about 4000 People in Dr. Colman's Meeting-Houſe, and as afterwards, I was told by ſeveral, with great Succeſs. In the Evening, I exhorted and prayed, with as many as came to my Lodgings, and inwardly rejoiced at the Proſpect there was of bringing many Souls in Boſton to the ſaving Knowledge of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Grant this O Father for thy dear Son's ſake. Amen.
Saturday, Sept. 20. Perceived myſelf grow more and more comfortable both in Body and Soul; Was ſweetly refreſh'd by ſeveral Packets of Letters ſent me from different Parts in England and America, giving me an Account of the Succeſs of of the Goſpel; tho' was a little caſt down to find ſome Engliſh Friends had thrown aſide the Uſe of Means, and others were diſputing for ſinleſs Perfection, univerſal Redemption. I know no ſuch Thing aſſerted in the Goſpel, if explain'd aright. Lord, do thou cauſe even this to Work for Good, and give me Grace to oppoſe ſuch Errors, without Reſpect to Perſons, but with Meekneſs, Humility, and Love, Amen, Lord Jeſus, Amen, and Amen.
Preached in the Morning with much Freedom and Power, to about 6000 Hearers in Dr. Sewall's Meeting-Houſe, afterwards on the Common to about 8000, and again at Night to a thronged Company at my own Lodgings; and then ſpent the Remainder of the Evening with a few choice Friends in preparing for the Sabbath. Oh that it may be a Day of heavenly Reſt, ſacred to divine Love. Oh! that we may be always in the Spirit on the Lord's Day!
Sunday, Sept. 21. Went this Morning to hear Dr. Colman preach; din'd with his Colleague Mr. Cooper, and preach'd in the Afternoon to a very thronged Auditory, and with great and viſible Effects at Mr. Foxcroft's Meeting-Houſe: Immediately after on the Common to about 15,000, and again at my Lodging as uſual, to a greater Company than before, ſome afterwards came up into my Room, I felt much of the divine Preſence in my own Soul; and though hoarſe, was enabled to ſpeak with much Power, and could have ſpoke I believe 'till Midnight. To ſee the People ſo willing to hear, makes me forget myſelf. Oh that it may be my Sleep, my Meat, and Drink to do the Will of my heavenly Father! Oh that all who come to hear the Word, may take the Kingdom of God by Force. Amen and Amen.
Monday, Sept. 22. Preached in the Morning at Mr. Webb's Meeting-Houſe, to about 6000 Hearers in the Houſe, beſides great Numbers ſtanding about the Doors. The Preſence of the Lord was amongſt them. Look where I would around me, viſible Impreſſions were made upon the Auditory; Moſt wept for a conſiderable Time. But what I muſt give the Preference to, was that gracious Seaſon at the New-North, on Wedneſday the 8th of October, where there was more of the Preſence of God through the whole of the Miniſtration, than ever I had known at one Time through the whole Courſe of my Life. Juſtly might it have been ſaid of that Place, It was no other than the Houſe of God and the Gate of Heaven. Oh how dreadful was the Places and yet Oh how delightful! The LORD JESUS ſeem'd to be viſibly walking in that his Golden Candleſtick, to try ſome of the many Thouſands that were then preſent. But Oh, how few were prepared for ſo holy an Inquiſition? I am ſure I know one, who could not but tremble at the Thoughts of it; and who indeed could help crying out, Wo is me, for I am undone, becauſe I am a Man of unclean Lips, for mine Eyes have ſeen the KING the LORD of Hoſts. Indeed my own Soul was ſo deeply abaſed and overwhelm'd with ſuch unuſual Meltings, that I could have been glad of ſome private Corner in that Houſe to pour out my Soul without Diſturbance to the Audience. The Spirit of God indeed, ſeemed moving upon the Face of the Waters at that Time; and who knows but that to a great many Souls God was pleaſed to ſay, Let there be Light, and there was Light.
In the Afternoon I went to preach at Mr. Checkley's Meeting-Houſe; but God was pleaſed to humble us by a very awful Providence. For when the Meeting-Houſe was filled with People, tho' there was no real Danger, on a ſudden the People were all in an Uproar, and ſo unacountably ſurprized, that ſome threw themſelves out of the Windows, others threw themſelves out of the Galleries, and others trampled upon one another ſo that ſome were actually killed, and others dangerouſly wounded. I happened to come in the midſt of the Uproar, and ſaw two or three lying on the Ground in a pitiable Condition: God was pleaſed to give me Preſence of Mind, ſo that I gave Notice. I would immediately preach in the Common. The Weather was wet, but above eight Thouſand followed into the Fields, to whom, I preached from theſe Words, Go out into the High-Ways & Hedges and compel them to come in. I endeavour'd, as God enabled me, to improve what had befallen us, and tho' Satan in this has bruiſed our Heels; yet I doubt not but even this will be a Means of bruiſing his accurſed Head. Lord thy Judgments are like the great Deep, thy Footſteps are not known, juſt and holy art thou, O King of Saints.
In the Evening perceived myſelf weak in Body ſo that I could not ſay much at the Houſe where I ſupped; but God, by his bleſſed Spirit, greatly refreſhed and comforted my Soul. Bleſſed be God, I find what our Saviour ſays, exceeding true, He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath ſpoken, out of his Belly ſhall flow Rivers of living Waters. I drink of God's Pleaſures as out of a River. Oh that all were made Partakers of this living Water,—they would never thirſt after the deadly Pleaſures of this lower World.
Tueſday, Sept. 23. Went this Morning with Dr. Colman and the Secretary to Roxbury, three Miles from Boſton, to ſee one Mr. Walter, a good old Puritan, who with his Predeceſſor Mr. Eliot, commonly called the Apoſtle of the Indians, but now with God, have been Paſtors of that Congregation 106 Years. I had but little Converſation with him, my Stay was ſo very ſhort; but I remember he told me, he was glad to hear I ſaid, Man was half a Devil, and half a Beaſt. The more People drink into God's Spirit, the more I find they are inclined to debaſe the natural Man.
About 11 we returned, and I preached in Mr. Gee's Meeting-Houſe, but not to a very crowded Auditory, becauſe People were in doubt where I would preach. Dined at the Secretary's. Preached in the Afternoon at Dr. Sewall's to a thronged Congregation, and exhorted and prayed as uſual at my own Lodging; at neither Place without ſome Manifeſtation of a divine Power accompanying the Word.—Lord, let thy Preſence always follow me, or otherwiſe I ſhall be but as a ſounding Braſs, or a tinkling Cymbal.
Wedneſday, Sept. 24. Went this Morning to ſee and preach at Cambridge, the chief College for training up the Sons of the Prophets in all New-England. It has one Preſident, four Tutors, upwards of one hundred Students: It is ſcarce as big as one of our leaſt Colleges in Oxford; and as far as I could gather from ſome who well knew the State of it, not far ſuperiour to our Univerſities in Piety and true Godlineſs.—Tutors neglect to pray with and examine the Hearts of their Pupils. Diſcipline is at too low an Ebb: Bad Books are become faſhionable amongſt them:—Tillotſon and Clark are read inſtead of Sheppard, Stoddard, and ſuch like evangelical Writers, and therefore I choſe to preach from thoſe Words, We are not as many who corrupt the Word of God: And in the Concluſion of my Sermon, I made a cloſe Application to Tutors and Students. A great Number of neighbouring Miniſters attended, as indeed, they do at all other Times, and God gave me great Freedom and Boldneſs of Speech. The Preſident of the College, and Miniſter of the Pariſh, treated me very civilly. In the Afternoon I preached again in the College-Yard, without particular Application to the Students: I believe there were 7000 Hearers:—The Holy Spirit melted many Hearts. The Word was attended with a manifeſt Power: And a Miniſter ſoon after wrote me Word, that he believed one of his Daughters was ſavingly wrought upon at that Time. Lord, add daily to thy Church ſuch as ſhall he ſaved.
Paid my Reſpects to the Lieutenant Governour, who lives at Cambridge; returned in the Evening to Boſton, and exhorted and prayed with many People, who were waiting round the Door for a ſpiritual Morſel. I believe our Lord did not ſend them empty away. Bleſſed Jeſus, Feed them all with the Bread of Life which cometh down from Heaven.
Thurſday, Sept. 25. Preached the Weekly-Lecture at Mr. Foxcroft's Meeting-Houſe, but was ſo oppreſſed with ſuch a Senſe of my baſe Ingratitude to my deareſt Saviour, that Satan would fain have tempted me to hold my Tongue, and not invite poor Sinners to Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe I was ſo great a Sinner my ſelf: But God enabled me to withſtand the Temptation: And ſince Jeſus Chriſt had ſhewn ſuch Mercy to and did not withdraw his Holy Spirit from me, the chief of Sinners, I was enabled the more feelingly to talk of his Love: And afterwards found that one Stranger in particular, was in all Probability, effectually convinced by that Morning's Sermon. After publick Worſhip, I went at his Excellency's Invitation, and dined with the Governour; moſt of the Miniſters of the Town were invited with me. Before Dinner, the Governour ſent for me up into his Chamber: He wept, wiſh'd me good Succeſs in the Name of the Lord, and recommended himſelf, Miniſters, and People to my Prayers. Immediately after Dinner, at the Governour's Motion, I prayed explicitly for them all; went in his Coach to the End of the Town, but had ſuch a Senſe of my Vileneſs upon my Soul, that I wondred People did not ſtone me. Croſs'd the Ferry, and preached at Charleſtown, a Town lying on the North-Side of Boſton: The Meeting-Houſe was very capacious, and quite filled; a gracious Melting was diſcernable thro' the whole Congregation, and I perceived much Freedom and Sweetneſs in my own Soul; tho' the Damp I felt in the Morning was not quite gone off. Oh when ſhall I be free from indwelling-Sin! O Lord deliver me from the Body of this Death.
In the Evening I exhorted and prayed as uſual at my Lodging: And bleſſed be God, I found a great Alteration in the Hearers; they now began to melt and weep under the Word. Oh that the Lord may beat them down with the Hammer of his Word, 'till the Heart of Stone be entirely taken away. Even ſo Lord Jeſus, Amen and Amen.
Friday, Sept. 26. Preach'd in the Morning at Roxbury from a little Aſcent to many Thouſands of People, with much of the divine Preſence amongſt us. Several I think came afterwards to me telling how they were ſtruck at that Time under the Word, and a Miniſter wrote to me thus,
Reverend and dear Sir,
AFTER my ſincere Affection and very humble Service to you, I return you my hearty Thanks for your good Services Yeſterday, and eſpecially at Roxbury, my native Place. I can't but admire and greatly rejoice in thoſe extraordinary Gifts and Graces which it has pleaſed the Father of Lights to confer upon you, and to ſee how much the Intention of them is anſwer'd in your flaming Devotion, and zealous and indefatigable Endeavours to do Good to Souls, and thereby advance the Kingdom and Intereſt of our deareſt Lord.—I think I never ſaw a more attentive Audience, or more weeping Eyes than Yeſterday and Monday.—The Holy Spirit, the alone Author of ſpiritual Life, ſeem'd in a very wonderful Manner to be moving upon the Waters of the Sanctuary, breathing upon the dry Bones.—For my own Part, I was much affected, for which I deſire to give our glorious Lord the Praiſe.
Dined at Judge Dudley's: Preached in the Afternoon from a Scaffold erected without Mr. Byles's Meeting-Houſe, to near double the Number as in the Morning; ſnatched a few Moments to write a few Lines to Friends at England, gave a ſhort Exhortation to a great Crowd of People, and ſpent the Remainder of the Evening with ſeveral Miniſters at Mr. H—n's; our Converſation tended to the Uſe of Edifying. After Supper ſung Pſalms. One prayed, and then we took our leave. Oh that the Lord may anſwer our Requeſts, and revive his Work in the midſt of the Years; We wait for thy Salvation, O Lord. O let thy Kingdom come.
Saturday, Sept. 27. Preach'd this Morning at Mr. Welſteed's Meeting-Houſe. Dined with Col. Wendell. And preach'd in the Afternoon on the Common to about 15000 People. But Oh how did the Word run! It rejoiced me to ſee ſuch Numbers greatly affected, ſo that ſome of them I believe could ſcarcely abſtain from crying out, That that Place was no other than a Bethel, and the Gate of Heaven. After Sermon, I viſited, and prayed with two different Perſons, that were much hurt in the late Fright, and then went home to my Lodgings.—The Power, and Preſence of the Lord accompanied, and followed me.—Many now wept exceedingly, and cryed out under the Word, like Perſons that were really hungring and thriſting after Righteouſneſs. And after I left them God gave me to wreſtle with him in my Chamber in Behalf of ſome dear Friends then preſent, and others that were abſent from us; the Spirit of the Lord was upon them all, it made Interceſſion with Groanings that cannot be uttered. Oh let them enter into thy Ears, O Lord of Sabaoth.
Sunday, Sept. 28. Preach'd in the Morning at Dr. Sewall's Meeting-Houſe, to a very crowded Auditory, and almoſt with as much Power and viſible Appearance of God among us as Yeſterday in the Afternoon. Collected l. 555 for my little Lambs, was taken very ill after Dinner; vomited violently, but was enabled to preach at Dr. Colman's in the Afternoon to as great if not greater began to queſtion whether Congregation than in the Morning. Here alſo l. 470 were collected for the Orphan-Houſe in Georgia, in both Places all Things were carried on with great Decency and Order; People went ſlowly out, as though they had not a Mind to eſcape giving; and Dr. Colman ſaid, it was the moſt pleaſant Time he ever had enjoyed in that Meeting-Houſe through the whole Courſe of his Life. Bleſſed be God; after Sermon, I perceived my ſelf ſomewhat refreſhed. Supped very early. Had the Honour of a private Viſit from the Governor, who came full of Affection, to take his Leave of me for the preſent. Went at their Requeſt, and preach'd to a great Number of the Negroes on the Converſion of the AEthiopian, Acts 8. At which the poor Creatures, as well as many white People, were much affected; and at my Return, gave a Word of Exhortation to a Crowd of People who were waiting at my Lodgings. My animal Spirits were almoſt exhauſted; and my Legs, through Expence of Sweat and Vomiting, almoſt ready to ſink under me; but the Lord viſited my Soul, and I went to Bed greatly refreſhed with divine Conſolations. Oh, what am I that I ſhould thus daily be fed with heavenly Manna? Lord thou filleſt my Soul with Marrow and Fatneſs. O let me praiſe thee with joyful Lips!
Marblehead, Salem and Ipſwich.
Monday, Sept. 29. Set out about 7 in the Morning, got to Marblehead, a large Town 20 Miles from Boſton, about 11; preach'd to ſome Thouſands in a broad Place in the middle of the Town, but not with much viſible Effect. Din'd with Mr. Barnard, one of the Miniſters of the Place. Rode to Salem, 4 Miles from Marblehead, and preach'd there alſo to about 7000 People: Here the Lord manifeſted forth his Glory. One Man was, I believe, ſtruck down by the Power of the Word. In every Part of the Congregation Perſons might be ſeen under great Concern: One Mr. Clark, a good Miniſter, as is granted by all Lovers of God, ſeemed to be almoſt in Heaven. Salem is the firſt ſettled, and except Boſton, the largeſt Town in all New-England; but rather, as far as I could ſee and hear, excells it for Politeneſs. Upon Enquiry, I found the Inhabitants had been ſadly divided about their Miniſter; and God was pleaſed, before I knew their Circumſtances, to direct me to a ſuitable Subject. Lord, heal their Diviſions, and grant that with one Heart and one Mind they may endeavour to glorify thy holy Name. After the Exerciſe, I immediately ſet out and got to Ipſwich, another large Town, 16 Miles (the Way we went) diſtant from Salem. Two or three Gentlemen came to meet me, and I and my Friends were kindly entertain'd at the Houſe of Mr. R—rs, one of the Miniſters of the Place. The Lord reward him, and all others a thouſand Fold, who refreſh our Bowels in the Lord.
Ipſwich, Newbury and Hampton.
Tueſday, Sept. 30. Preach'd at Ipſwich about 10 in the Morning, to ſome Thouſands: The Lord gave me Freedom, and there was a great Melting in the Congregation. Din'd, ſet out and reach'd Newbury, another large Town, twelve Miles diſtant from Ipſwich, about 3. Here again the Lord accompanied the Word with his Power: The Meeting-Houſe was very large, many Miniſters were preſent, and People were greatly affected. Bleſſed be God, his divine Power attends us more and more. Took Ferry immediately after Sermon; went with Mr. Cotton, Miniſter of the Place, who came to meet me in a Chaiſe to Hampton, another great Town, 9 Miles from Newbury. The Night was both dark, and rainy; but he, with whom the Darkneſs is no Darkneſs, brought us in Safety to Hampton, where I was pleaſed to ſee more Plainneſs in Mr. Cotton's Houſe than I had ſeen in any Miniſter's Houſe ſince my Arrival. His Wife was as one that ſerveth. Oh that all Miniſters Wives were ſo: For there is nothing gives me more Offence than to ſee Clergymens Wives dreſſed out in the Pride of Life; they bring a Reproach upon Religion; they generally live up to the utmoſt of their Income, and being above working after their Huſbands Deceaſe, they are of all Women the moſt miſerable. From ſuch a Wife good Lord of thy infinite Mercy deliver my Soul.