PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 4 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 165,962 words · 259 reading sections
Part 61
These, Rev. Sir, are the real sentiments of my heart. I think they are founded on truth and soberness. And if so, blame me not, as you do (page 21st) for comparing the Church of _England_, as it now subsists, to a _leaky ship_. For is it not too evident that she is not only leaky, but really _sinking_, when several of …
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4th. “To direct ministers ὀρθοποδεῖν to go with a right foot to the truth of the gospel, _Galatians_ ii. 14. in sound preaching, and pure declaring of the word of GOD, by true faith of free justification, because (saith the established doctrine of our church) sincere preachers ever were, and ever shall be but a few; an…
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As for the irregularities I have been guilty of, in curtailing the liturgy, or not using the common-prayer in the fields, &c. I think it needless to make any apology, till I am called thereto in a judicial way by my ecclesiastical superiors. They have laws and courts. In and by those, ecclesiastics are to be judged; an…
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I would observe to you, that I wish every non-resident minister in _England_, could give as good an account of their non-residence, as I can of my absence from _Savannah_. To satisfy you, Rev. Sir, I will acquaint you with the whole. When I first went abroad, I was appointed to be minister of _Frederica_. But upon my a…
823 wordsSECTION 65GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
♦ “meakness” replaced with “meekness”…
4 wordsSECTION 66AN ANSWER TO
The FIRST PART of an ANONYMOUS PAMPHLET, entitled, “Observations upon the Conduct and Behaviour of a certain Sect usually distinguished by the Name of METHODISTS.”…
25 wordsSECTION 67IN A LETTER TO
The RIGHT REVEREND the BISHOP of LONDON, and the other RIGHT REVEREND the BISHOPS concerned in the Publication thereof. _False Witnesses did rise up: they laid to my Charge Things that I knew not_, Psalms xxxv. 11. A LETTER To the Right Reverend The Bishop of LONDON, &c. _London, March 1744._ _My Lords_, THE Apost…
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My name is _Owen_. I am a printer in _Amen-Corner_; and I waited upon you to let you know, that I have had orders from several of the Bishops, to print for their use, such numbers of the _Observations upon the conduct and behaviour of the Methodists_, (with some few additions) as they have respectively bespoken. And I …
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But is not such a motion, at such a season as this, both uncharitable and unseasonable? Is not the administration engaged enough already in other affairs, without troubling themselves with the Methodists? Or who would now advise them to bring farther guilt upon the nation, by persecuting some of the present government’…
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But whether the Methodists are church-men or dissenters, the acts of King _Charles_ II. referred to, page 3. paragraph 1. and page 4, paragraph 2. make nothing against them, neither do they prove the Methodists to be violaters of the statute law, by their being _field-preachers_. And what the author so peremptorily aff…
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That the Methodists, in general, are members of the _Established Church_, the author of the pamphlet himself confesses. For, page 4, paragraph 4. after he has, without proof, charged them with making open inroads upon the national constitution; he adds, that “these teachers and their followers affect to be thought memb…
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At the same time, my Lords, I would not say any thing that might any way encourage disorders; neither would I persuade the Methodists to leave their own parish-churches when the sacrament is administered there. On the contrary, I would have them take the author’s advice, page 6, paragraph 6, “If particular persons are …
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I am not, my Lords, of the Author’s opinion, paragraph 8, page 8, “that this slander (of his being a libeller) is effectually confuted, by looking back to the state of the several religious societies in _London_ and _Westminster_ for many years past.” This will only serve to increase every unprejudiced person’s censure…
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And why, my Lords, should the Author be so averse to _field-preaching_? Has not our Saviour given a sanction to this way of preaching? Was not the best sermon that was ever preached, delivered on a mount? Did not our glorious _Emmanuel_ (after he was thrust out of the synagogues) preach from a ship, in a wilderness, &c…
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♦ “wordly” replaced with “worldly” But I have done. I would not bring a railing accusation against any. Neither would I, my Lords, when giving a reason of the hope that is in me, do it any other way than with meekness and fear. I would therefore now proceed to answer the other parts of the pamphlet; but I shall reserv…
106 wordsSECTION 76AN ANSWER TO
The SECOND PART of an ANONYMOUS PAMPHLET, entitled, “Observations upon the Conduct and Behaviour of a certain Sect, usually distinguished by the Name of METHODISTS:”…
25 wordsSECTION 77IN A SECOND LETTER TO
The RIGHT REVEREND the BISHOP of LONDON, and the other the Right Reverend the BISHOPS concerned in the Publication thereof. _My heart’s desire and prayer to GOD for |Israel| is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record, that they have a zeal for GOD, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of G…
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Our author in the following paragraph under the forementioned query tells us, “That the bishops indeed and also our two universities have power to grant _licenses to preach_, of a larger extent, to such clergymen as they judge proper; who, in virtue thereof may, if they chuse, travel from place to place as itinerants. …
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But, my Lords, what can this author mean by writing thus? for supposing the practice of itinerant preaching was primarily occasioned by the low talents of many incumbents in the more early days of the reformation, does it therefore follow, that there can be no other just cause assigned for itinerant preaching now? What…
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But to return to an examination of the other part of the author’s preface. After he has taken it for granted, that many irregularities are justly charged upon these itinerant preachers, as “Violations of the laws of church and state,” he adds, “It may be proper to enquire, whether the doctrines they teach, and those le…
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His 5th and 6th queries, page the 10th, are like unto them. They run thus, “Whether those exalted strains in religion, and an imagination of being already in a _state of perfection_, are not apt to lead men to spiritual pride, and to a contempt of their fellow-christians; while they consider them as only going on in wh…
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It is true, our author would appear an advocate for both; but does not his _third query_, page 9th, plainly prove him a real friend to neither; especially the latter? He there asks, “whether in particular, the carrying the doctrine of justification by faith alone to such a heighth, as not to allow, that a careful since…
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To this query our author annexes the following observation. “The words of the pious and judicious Mr. _Chillingworth_ are very material to this purpose: For my part, says he, I do heartily wish that by public authority it were so ordered, that no man should ever preach or print this doctrine, that faith alone justifies…
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May not this also, my Lords, serve as an answer to our author’s 10th _query_, page 12th. “Whether it be for the service of religion, to discourage people from reading Archbishop _Tillotson_’s Sermons and the _Whole Duty of Man_? to whom our Methodists might have added many more of our best writers after the restoration…
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Here he charges these itinerants (though without proof, as he had done in the preceding one) with “_setting up their own schemes, as the great standard of christianity_,” and with telling people that “they neither are, nor can be true christians, but by adhering to their doctrines and discipline, and embracing christia…
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But our Author, it seems, looks upon what they call success, in a different light, and therefore, in this _9th Query_, further asks, “How it can be reconciled to christian humility, prudence, or charity, to indulge their own notions to such a degree, as to perplex, unhinge, terrify, and distract the minds of multitudes…
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The distracting people’s minds to such a degree as to occasion sudden roarings, agonies, screamings, tremblings, dropping-down, ravings, and such like, is by no means the great end proposed by these itinerants preaching, much less was it ever urged by them as an _essential mark_ of the co-operation of the Spirit of GOD…
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But it seems, by _Query 7_, page 10, that our Author doubts whether there be any such thing as a _sudden_ and _instantaneous change_. For he there enquires, “Whether a gradual improvement in grace and goodness, is not a better foundation of comfort, and of an assurance of a gospel new birth, than that which is founded …
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What rules the Author of the _Whole Duty of Man_ may have laid down to keep recreations of all kinds within the bounds of innocence, it may be needless here to enquire. Is it not sufficient, my Lords, to mention, that the holy scriptures (wherein the whole duty of man, and that too in respect both to faith and practice…
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My Lords, might it not reasonably have been hoped, that your Lordships were too well acquainted with real and inward religion, to think that a soul born of GOD, and made partaker of a divine nature, can stoop so low, and act so unlike itself, as to seek for recreation in gaming? Does not the glorious and plenteous rede…
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Your Lordships most obedient son and servant,…
7 wordsSECTION 92GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
SOME REMARKS Upon a late CHARGE against ENTHUSIASM, Delivered by The Right Reverend Father in GOD, RICHARD, Lord Bishop of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_, to the Reverend the CLERGY in the several parts of the Diocess of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_, in a _Triennial Visitation_ of the same in 1741; and published at their…
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The first attempt of this nature which we meet with in his Lordship’s charge, is page the 12th. His words are these: “That I may proceed in a regular manner, with regard to those passages of scripture that I shall select on this occasion, I chuse to begin with the original promise of the Spirit, as made by our LORD, a …
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But this inward teaching and indwelling of the Spirit, his Lordship will by no means allow even the primitive christians to have had in common, and therefore, page 35th (which I come to next, for method’s sake) he comments upon another remarkable scripture, that, in his Lordship’s opinion, ‘has been misapplied to later…
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But does not his Lordship here argue from a mistaken supposition, that the Apostle, in the 8th of the _Romans_, is speaking of the miraculous power our LORD gave to his first Apostles to work miracles, in confirmation that their doctrine was of GOD? Is there any such thing so much as hinted at through the whole chapter…
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The Spirit here spoken of, according to his Lordship, was the Spirit acting in the _inspired person_, who in the apostolical age, says his Lordship, page 24th, “had the gift of prayer, and interceded for the whole congregation; so that what is here said of the Spirit, is ♦by an easy figure transferred to the spiritual …
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And supposing this may be one sense of the words, yet if this be the sole meaning of the Apostle’s expression, would it not have better become such a scholar as _Paul_ was, to have said, “He came to them in the demonstration of the scriptures, rather than of the Spirit?” Can any parallel passage be produced, where the …
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His Lordship goes on, page 31st, to comment upon the 13th verse of the 1st _Corinthians_ 2d. thus: “The apostle adds, ‘Which things also we speak not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, (_viz._ as before by oratory and philosophy) but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.’ From…
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Is not this matter of fact? Are not these words of truth and soberness? Be not angry therefore, but bear with me a little, if like _Elihu_, “I speak that I may refresh myself. For behold my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles.” Let his Lordship write what he pleases to the contrar…
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But further; supposing his Lordship had shewn, that every one of those passages he has commented upon, had been misapplied by modern enthusiasts; yet are there not besides a great cloud of witnesses to be fetched from the lively oracles, to prove that the _indwelling_, and _inward witness_ of the Spirit, are the privil…
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And now, my _Reverend Brethren_, if these things be so, may not that question be very justly put to you, which our LORD on a like occasion asked _Nicodemus_, a ruler of the _Jews_: “Are ye masters of _Israel_? Are ye ministers of the Church of _England_, and know not these things?” What has his Lordship been doing so m…
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♦ “solemny” replaced with “solemnly” ♠ “fedral” replaced with “federal” ♣ “undestanding” replaced with “understanding” O my reverend brethren, my heart is in pain for you: indeed I could weep over you. Surely you are not all of his Lordship’s mind. And yet the _title-page_ of this Charge seems at least to imply, tha…
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Suffer me also (as undoubtedly you requested his Lordship to publish this charge for their instruction) to give a word of exhortation to your _Parishioners_. You see, Sirs, that I have used great plainness of speech in my remarks upon this charge of your Right Reverend Diocesan. Do not without examination contradict an…
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As for those among you, who in derision are termed _Methodists_, be you thankful to that GOD, who I trust has made you wise unto everlasting salvation, and given you not only to believe on the LORD JESUS, but also to suffer for his name. You have lately been enabled joyfully to bear the spoiling of your goods¹. Think i…
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Finally, I would drop a word to YOU, who have been lately called out into the highways and hedges, and have been honoured as instruments to compel many poor sinners to come in. Against you, my brethren, his Lordship’s charge seems to be particularly levelled. But I am persuaded you will be nothing terrified thereby, si…
900 wordsSECTION 106GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
A LETTER TO The Reverend the PRESIDENT, and PROFESSORS, TUTORS, and HEBREW INSTRUCTOR, of HARVARD-COLLEGE in CAMBRIDGE; In ANSWER to A TESTIMONY Published by them against the Reverend Mr. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, and his Conduct. 2 Corinthians vi. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.――_As deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well know…
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Besides, ought you not to have quoted the passages as they stand in my life, and then every one must see, I was far from acting according to dreams, even in these instances. The first I mentioned because it was a means under GOD of awakening me in some degree, as I suppose hath been the case of many; and is this a cond…
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“Other instances (you say, page _ibid._) there are, wherein he shews it to be his custom to attribute any common turn of his mind to a motion of the Holy Spirit upon him, without any more reason than any man may, any recollections of his memory, or sudden suggestion of his own understanding. Such a one you have, Journa…
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Again, (page _ibid._) you bring a fresh accusation against me. “Sometimes, and indeed very frequently, he (in a most enthusiastic manner) applies even the historical parts of scripture particularly to himself, and his own affairs; and this manner he endeavours particularly to vindicate, _Sermon on Searching the Scriptu…
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Page 8, you go on thus: “To mention but one instance more, though we are not of such letter-learned as deny, that there is such an union of believers to CHRIST, whereby they are one in him, as the Father and he are one, as the Evangelist speaks, or rather the Spirit of GOD by him; yet so letter-learned we are, as to sa…
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♦ “Silvianus” replaced with “Salvianus” But if such a way of writing displeases you now, and you are of the opinion, “That a believer may have a satisfaction, that he hath the assistance of the Spirit of GOD with him, in so continual and regular a manner, that he may be said to dwell in him, and yet have no feeling of…
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But that which affords you the greatest occasion to denominate me a censorious, uncharitable, and slanderous man, and which I apprehend chiefly stirs up your resentment against me is, to make use of your own expression, page 9. “My reproachful reflections upon the Society which is immediately under our care.” I think t…
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To proceed: again you say, page 11. “We think it highly proper to bear our testimony against Mr. _Whitefield_, as we look upon him to be a _deluder_ of the people. And here we mean more especially, as to the collections of money, which, when here before, by an extraordinary mendicant faculty, he almost _extorted_ from …
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The manner of my preaching you seem, page 12. “as much to dislike, and bound to bear a testimony against, as the man himself.” And why? because it is extempore preaching. This, to use your own words, page _ibid._, “We think by no means proper; for that it is impossible that any man should be able to manage any argument…
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Lastly, you are pleased to say, page _ibid._ “We think it our duty to bear our strongest testimony against that itinerant way of preaching, which this Gentleman was the first promoter of among us, and still delights to continue in.” Now by an itinerant preacher (you say) “We understand one that hath no peculiar charge …
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THE whole design and business of this discourse, being the propagation of the gospel, and the saving of men’s souls, I have thought it not unmeet to acquaint you with another work to that end, which we have set on foot in this county, and to propound it to your consideration, and humbly invite you to an universal imita…
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THE communication of the heavenly evangelical light, for the glory of our Redeemer, in the conversion, edification and salvation of men’s souls, is that which we are bound to by many obligations, as christians, and as ministers of CHRIST, for his church, and therefore must needs be solicitous thereof: and it is that wh…
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This is and shall be my endeavour, and was so when I was here last, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, notwithstanding some of my expressions have been made to speak things, and convey ideas which I never intended. And therefore, Gentlemen, judge ye, whether you have said right in page 11th, “And …
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Gentlemen, I profess myself a _Calvinist_ as to principle, and preach no other doctrines than those which your pious ancestors, and the founders of _Harvard College_, preached long before I was born. And I am come to _New-England_, with no intention to meddle with, much less to destroy the order of the _New-England_ ch…
463 wordsSECTION 120_G. W._
_P. S._ I have been obliged to be very brief, on account of the variety of business in which I am necessarily engaged, and my daily calls to preach the everlasting gospel. REMARKS ON A PAMPHLET, ENTITLED, The Enthusiasm of METHODISTS and PAPISTS compared;…
45 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.