“After preaching on _John i. 17._ Sinners cried out mightily. One came confessing her deeds and said, She had lived an adultress, worse than _Mary Magdalen_; she wept, trembled and roared aloud.”
The circumstance of his preaching and speaking in _Irish_, (a thing that multitudes, at least of protestants in _Ireland_ cannot do) next to the singular blessing of God upon his labours, contributed most to the success of his endeavours. Though it is observable that when he preached one day in _Irish_, on _Oxmon-Town-Green_ in _Dublin_, among those who were affected by the discourse, there was one man cut to the heart, although he did not, at all understand the language.
In a journey once between _Cork_ and _Bandon_, he fell into conversation with a man who rode some miles with him, till as was his constant manner, he began to apply something to his heart, concerning the worth of his soul, and the way of salvation. But he favouring not the things of God, became ♦grievously offended. “His prejudice in short ran so high, that he declared, although he were shot for it, he would have satisfaction; adding with an oath, thou shalt never deceive another, for I am resolved to be the death of you just now.”
♦ “grievosly” replaced with “grievously”
“I was quiet in my mind, being persuaded that the God of _Daniel_ was still the same, I did not feel the least anger, or rising of revenge towards him; and still reproved him whenever he swore. In the midst of his rage I reproved him in _Irish_. He was instantly amazed; and replied, ‘Why did you not speak _so_ to me in the beginning?’ The lion became a lamb, and I then let him know still speaking in _Irish_, what Christ had done for sinners. He departed with a broken heart.”
When some of them once followed him after preaching, desirous of instruction. “I told them (says he) as to religion that it was not a bare profession that would avail any one.――That the true way, was to forsake sin and follow Christ; and that in order thereto, it was needful that a person should, 1st. Be poor in spirit; _feel_ that he is a sinner. 2dly, Mourn on that account with a broken and contrite heart. 3dly, Forsake sin by applying to the Lord for strength. 4thly, Believe in Christ, and him only for salvation; as it is his blood alone, that cleanseth from all unrighteousness: and 5thly, Obey the gospel by conforming to the rules there laid down; living _soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world_.”
This was the sum of what he taught them from time to time, as the way of salvation, which, explained and enforced by the holy scriptures, he opposed to every other device, or tradition of men. And so zealously concerned was he for enforcing these truths wherever he came, that to one, amidst a great number of _Romanists_, whose attention some endeavoured to hinder, he said, “If my doctrine be not according to the word of God, stone me on the spot. Make a sacrifice of me: only hear for yourselves.”
“O that God would call them to the knowledge of the gospel of peace, and open to them a door of salvation. Open Lord the eyes of their priests. Remember the purchase of thy blood, nor suffer those poor souls to perish, for whom Christ hath died.”