Whitefield left Pembroke College, Oxford, at the end of May,
1735, and returned to it in the month of March, 1736. The history
of this long interval shall be given in his own words, from the
Autobiography first published in 1740, and revised and re-issued in
1756. He writes:
"As fast as I got strength after my sickness, my tutor, physician,
and some others were still urging me to go into the country,
hoping thereby to divert me, as they thought, from a too intense
application to religion.[36] [I had for some time been aware of
their design, and wrote letters beseeching my mother, if she valued
my soul, not to lay her commands on me to come down. She was pleased
to leave me to my choice; but,] finding at last it was necessary for
my health, and many other providential circumstances pointing out my
way, after earnest prayer for support, by the advice of my friends,
I left my sweet retirement at Oxford, and went to Gloucester, the
place of my nativity.
[36] As heretofore, the passages which Whitefield omitted in the
edition of 1756 are enclosed in brackets.
["Having now obtained mercy from God, and received the Spirit of
adoption in my heart, my friends were surprised to see me look
and behave so cheerfully, after the many reports they had heard
concerning me. However, I soon found myself to be as a sheep sent
forth amongst wolves in sheep's clothing; for they immediately
endeavoured to dissuade me, as they had lately done a friend that
began with me, from a constant use of the means of grace, especially
from weekly abstinence, and receiving the blessed sacrament. But God
enabled me to resist them steadfast in the faith; and, by keeping
close to Him in His holy ordinances, I was made to triumph over all.
"Being unaccustomed for some time to live without spiritual
companions, and finding none that would join heartily with me,--no,
not one,--I watched unto prayer all the day long, beseeching God to
raise me some religious associates in His own way and time.]
"'I will endeavour either to find or make a friend,' had been my
resolution now for some time; and therefore,[37] after importunate
prayer one day, I resolved to go to the house of one Mrs. W----,
to whom I had formerly read Plays, Spectators, Pope's Homer, and
such-like [trifling] books--hoping the alteration she would now
find in my sentiments might, under God, influence her soul. [God
was pleased to bless the visit with the desired effect.] She
received the word gladly. [She wanted to be taught the way of God
more perfectly,] and soon became a fool for Christ's sake. Not long
after, God made me instrumental to awaken several[38] young persons,
who soon formed themselves into a little Society, and had quickly
the honour of being despised at Gloucester, as we had been before
them at Oxford. Thus, _all_ that will live godly in Christ Jesus
must suffer persecution.
[37] "Immediately upon my coming down."--Edit. 1756.
[38] "More."--_Ibid._
"My mind being now more open and enlarged, I began to read the Holy
Scriptures upon my knees, laying aside all other books, and praying
over, if possible, every line and word. This proved meat indeed,
and drink indeed, to my soul. I daily received fresh life, light,
and power from above. [I got more true knowledge from reading the
book of God in one month, than I could _ever_ have acquired from
_all_ the writings of men. In one word,] I found it profitable for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, every way
sufficient to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
every good word and work.
"During my absence from Oxford I spent three weeks at Bristol,
whither I went to see some relations, but could not do them much
good, because of the prejudices they had conceived against me.
However, I daily walked with God, and, going to visit[39] an aunt
then in an almshouse there, God brought in my way a young woman who
was hungering and thirsting after righteousness. She received the
word into an honest and good heart, and since has proved a true
follower of Jesus Christ. [So gracious was the Lord, even in these
my very early days, not to leave Himself without witness, in that
He _thus_ vouchsafed to bless my poor endeavours in _every_ place
whereto His providence now sent me.]
[39] "A relation, then in one of the almshouses."--_Ibid._
"According to His abundant mercy, He also raised me up some temporal
supplies. [For some considerable time, I had followed the example
of Professor Frank, and, whenever I wanted any worldly assistance,
pleaded the Scripture promises for the things of this life, as well
as that which is to come, in the name of Jesus Christ. This is
still my practice, and I never yet failed of success. When I came
from Oxford, on account of my sickness and other extraordinary and
unavoidable expenses, I owed, I think, about £12 or £13; and when I
went to Bristol, I was so poor that I was obliged to borrow money of
my kind hostess, Mrs. H----, with whom I lodged at Gloucester,--and
whose husband and family I pray God eternally to bless,--to bear my
charges on the road. This, I bless God, did not dishearten me; but
I continued pleading the promises in the name of Christ; and, soon
after my coming to Bristol, I received an answer. For, a brother of
mine coming from sea, God inclined him to give me four guineas and
some other necessaries. And when I returned to Gloucester, as I did
after I had continued a short time at Bristol,] those I expected
should assist me did not; but persons I never spoke to, and who, I
thought, were my enemies, were raised up to supply my wants, and
[40] fulfil that promise which I always pleaded, 'Seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you.'
[40] "Thereby helped to."--Edit. 1756.
["Oh, what sweet communion had I daily vouchsafed with God in
prayer after my coming again to Gloucester! How often have I been
carried out beyond myself when sweetly meditating in the fields! How
assuredly have I felt that Christ dwelt in me, and I in Him! and how
did I daily walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, and was edified
and refreshed in the multitude of peace! Not that I was always upon
the mount; sometimes a cloud would overshadow me; but the Sun of
righteousness quickly arose and dispelled it, and I knew it was
Jesus Christ that revealed Himself to my soul.
"I always observed, as my inward strength increased, so my outward
sphere of action increased proportionably.] In a short time,
therefore, I began to read to some poor people twice or thrice a
week. [I likewise visited two other little Societies besides my own;
and almost every day, both then and since, have found the benefit
of being tempted myself, because that alone taught me how to give
proper advice to those that came to me when tempted.
"Occasionally, as business and opportunity permitted, I generally
visited one or two sick persons every day; and though silver
and gold I had little of my own, yet, in imitation of my Lord's
disciples, who entreated in the behalf of the fainting multitude, I
used to pray unto Him, and He, from time to time, inclined several
that were rich in this world to give me money, so that I generally
had a little stock for the poor always in my hand.] One of the poor
whom I visited in this manner was called effectually by God as at
the eleventh hour. She was a woman above threescore years old, and,
I really believe, died in the true faith of Jesus Christ.
["About this time God was pleased to enlighten my soul, and bring
me into the knowledge of His free grace, and the necessity of
being justified in His sight by faith _only_.[41] This was more
extraordinary, because my friends at Oxford had rather inclined to
the mystic divinity; and one of them, a dear servant of the Lord,
lately confessed he did not like me so well at Oxford as the rest of
his brethren, because I held justification by faith _only_. And yet,
he observed, I had most success. But, blessed be God! most of us
have now been taught this doctrine of Christ, and, I hope, shall be
willing to die in the defence of it. It is the good old doctrine of
the Church of England. It is what the holy martyrs in Queen Mary's
time sealed with their blood, and which I pray God, if need be, that
I and my brethren may seal with ours.
[41] What is meant by this? According to Whitefield's own statement,
he had, some time before, at Oxford, been regenerated by the grace
of the Holy Ghost,--a blessing which is always connected with
justification, or the forgiveness of sins. Both are received at the
same moment, and both by the simple exercise of faith, or trust in
Christ. The only interpretation to be given to what Whitefield here
relates is, that he now, at Gloucester, was made _more thoroughly
to understand_ the great Scripture doctrine of justification by
faith only. The books from which he obtained this added light are
immediately specified.
"Burkitt's and Henry's Expositions were of admirable use to lead me
into this and all other gospel truths. For many months have I been
almost always upon my knees, to study and pray over these books.
The Holy Spirit, from time to time, has led me into a knowledge of
Divine things, and I have been directed, by watching and reading the
Scripture in this manner, even in the minutest of circumstances, as
plainly as the Jews were, when consulting the Urim and Thummim at
the high priest's breast.
"Allein's 'Alarm,' Baxter's 'Call to the Unconverted,' and Janeway's
'Life,' which I read at leisure hours, much benefited me. I bless
God, the partition wall of bigotry and sect-religion was soon broken
down in my heart; for, as soon as the love of God was shed abroad in
my soul, I loved all, of whatever denomination, that loved the Lord
Jesus in sincerity of heart.
"During my stay here,] God enabled me to give a public testimony
of my repentance as to seeing and acting plays. For, hearing the
strollers were coming to town, and knowing what an egregious
offender I had been,[42] [I wrestled with God in prayer to put me
in a way to manifest my abhorrence of my former sin and folly.
In answer to this, I was stirred up to extract][43] Mr. Law's
excellent treatise, entitled 'The Absolute Unlawfulness of the Stage
Entertainments.' [God gave me favour in the printer's sight; and, at
my request, he put a little of it in the _News_][44] for six weeks
successively, and God was pleased to give it His blessing.
[42] "That way."--Edit. 1756.
[43] "I extracted."--_Ibid._
[44] "This was put into the _Gloucester Journal_."--Ibid.
["Having been absent for about six months from the University, I
thought it time to think of returning thither; but, before I came to
a resolution, was convinced of the contrary.
"At my first coming to Gloucester, being used to visit the prisoners
at Oxford, I prayed most earnestly that God would open a door for me
to visit the prisoners here also. Quickly after, I dreamed that one
of the prisoners came to be instructed by me; and it was impressed
much upon my heart. In the morning I went to the door of the county
gaol. I knocked, but nobody came to open it. I thought the hour was
not yet come. I waited still upon God in prayer, and in some months
after came a letter from a friend at Oxford, desiring me to go to
one Pebworth, who was broken out of Oxford gaol, and was retaken
at Gloucester.[45] As soon as I read this letter, it appeared to me
that my prayer was now answered. Immediately I went to the prison,
assuredly gathering that the Lord called me thither. I met with the
person, and, finding him and some others willing to hear the word
of God, and having gained leave of the keeper and two ordinaries, I
constantly read to and prayed with them every day I was in town. I
also begged money for them, whereby I was enabled to release some of
them, and cause provisions to be distributed weekly amongst them,
as also to put such books into their hands as I judged most proper.
I cannot say any one of the prisoners was effectually wrought upon;
however, much evil was prevented, many were convinced, and my own
soul was much edified and strengthened in the love of God and man.
[45] This escaped prisoner is referred to in the following
letter, written at the time to Wesley, in Georgia:--
"REV. SIR,--At length, I have an opportunity of writing to my
spiritual father in Christ. I must first acquaint you that I am
not yet returned to Oxford. God hath opened to me a door into
our Castle. The manner of it was a little surprising. A youth
broke out of Oxford prison, under strong convictions of sin,
and was apprehended here again. Mr. Broughton heard of it, and
bid me visit him. I went, and so have continued reading to the
prisoners ever since.
"God has been pleased, in some measure, to succeed my labours
here; and I hope, in time, we shall have a set of _altogether
Christians_. The Holy Spirit seems to be moving on the hearts of
some young ladies. One I observed quickened in an instant, who
immediately set out for Carmarthen, and, I believe, continues
steadfast amidst a world of temptations. Here are others, also,
that seem to have some pangs of the new birth. A young country
lad came to me the other day, and brought me a peck of apples,
seven miles, on his back, as a token of gratitude for benefits
received, under God, by my hands. He has such a sense of the
Divine Presence, that he walks, for the most part, with his hat
off.
"The devil, I find, has a particular spite against weekly
communion; yet I am in hopes we shall have the sacrament
administered every Sunday at the cathedral. It would have been
mentioned to the bishop before now, but Oxford friends advised
to defer it till next summer.
"But now I have mentioned the bishop: alas! how should I tremble
to tell you how I have been continually disturbed with thoughts
that I, a worm, taken from a common public-house, should, ere
I die, be one myself! If you remember, sir, in my greatest
affliction last Lent, it was told me I should be a bishop, and
therefore must be poor in spirit. That thought came home upon
me with so much force, and so many circumstances have since
occurred to favour the temptation, that I knew not what to do.
I communicated it to Mr. Broughton, and, thanks be to God, it
is somewhat abated. O heavenly Father! for Thy dear Son's sake,
keep me from climbing. Let me hate preferment! For Thy infinite
mercies' sake, let me love a low, contemptible life; and never
think to compound matters between the happiness of this world
and the next!
"My friends here are for drawing me into orders; but I trust God
will still provide for me without it. I know I am not qualified,
and, therefore, by the help of the Lord Jesus, I will not comply.
"I hope all our friends continue steadfast and zealous at
Oxford. I have been with Madam Grenville" (query, Mary
Granville, afterwards the celebrated Mrs. Delany), "who seems to
be a Christian indeed. My love, rev. sir, to the young merchant,
whose example I hope we shall all be enabled to follow, if God
requires our assistance in Georgia. Mr. Charles and Mr. Ingham,
I hope, will accept the same from my unworthy hands.
"Your very humble servant and son in Christ Jesus,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."*
* _Methodist Magazine_, 1798, p. 359.
"Thus employed, I continued in my own city three months
longer--despised indeed by man, but highly blessed by the grace
of God. My understanding was enlightened, my will broken, and my
affections more and more enlivened with a zeal for Christ. Many
such, I believe, were added to our little Society as shall be saved.
Fresh supplies came from unexpected hands to defray my expenses at
the University; and, at the end of nine months, I returned thither,
to the natural joy and comfort of my friends, till I was called into
holy orders--the particular circumstances of which I shall relate in
the following section.
"From the time I first entered the University, especially from the
time I knew what was true and undefiled Christianity, I entertained
high thoughts of the importance of the ministerial office, and was
not solicitous what place should be prepared for me, but how I
should be prepared for a place.][46] That saying of the apostle,
'Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the
condemnation of the devil;' and that first question of our excellent
ordination office, 'Do you trust that you are _inwardly_ moved by
the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office and administration?'
used even to make me tremble whenever I thought of entering into
the ministry. [The shyness that Moses and some other prophets
expressed, when God sent them out in a public capacity, I thought,
was sufficient to teach me not to run till I was called. He who
knoweth the hearts of men is witness that I never prayed more
earnestly against anything than I did against entering into the
service of the Church _so soon_. Oftentimes I have been in an agony
of prayer, when under convictions of my insufficiency for so great a
work.] With strong crying and tears, I have often said, 'Lord, I am
a youth of uncircumcised lips! Lord, send me not into Thy vineyard
yet!' [And sometimes I had reason to think God was angry with me for
resisting His will. However, I was resolved to pray _thus_, as long
as I could. If God did not grant my request by keeping me out of it,
I knew His grace would be sufficient to support and strengthen me
whenever He sent me into the ministry.]
[46] "Being now about twenty-one years of age, some began to enquire
when I was to take orders; but--" Edit. 1756.
"To my prayers I added my endeavours, and wrote letters to my
friends at Oxford, beseeching them to pray to God to disappoint the
designs of my country friends, who were for my taking orders as soon
as possible. Their answer was, 'Pray we the Lord of the harvest to
send thee and many more labourers into His harvest.' [Another old
and worthy minister of Christ,[47] when I wrote to him about the
meaning of the word 'novice,' answered, it meant a novice in grace,
not in years; and he was pleased to add, if St. Paul were then at
Gloucester, he believed St. Paul would ordain me.] All this did not
satisfy me. I still continued instant in prayer against going into
holy orders, and was not thoroughly convinced it was the Divine
will, till God, by His providence, brought me acquainted with the
present Bishop of Gloucester.[48]
[47] This was probably the Rev. Thomas Cole, born in Gloucester,
in the year 1679, and educated for the ministry in the Independent
Academy at Abergavenny. In 1718, he became the pastor of an
Independent Church in his native city. When Whitefield was a
pupil in St. Mary de Crypt School, he used frequently to attend
Mr. Cole's ministry; and often diverted his schoolfellows by a
ridiculous relation of some of the good man's pious anecdotes. On a
schoolfellow admonishing him, and saying, "George, one day you may
be a preacher yourself," the youngster replied, "If I am, I will not
tell stories as old Cole does." A few years after this, Whitefield
preached in Cole's pulpit, and used several anecdotes to illustrate
the subject of his discourse. When the service was concluded, Mr.
Cole, good-humouredly, laid his hand on Whitefield's shoulder, and
said, "I find Whitefield can tell stories as well as old Cole."
Stimulated by Whitefield's example, Mr. Cole became a sort of
local itinerant, and, in the villages round about Gloucester, and
frequently out of doors, preached three or four times every week. He
was seized by death, whilst preaching at Nymphsfield, on August 4,
1742, and entered into the joy of his Lord in the sixty-fourth year
of his age.--_Theological Magazine_, 1803, p. 461.
[48] "Dr. Benson, the late worthy Bishop of Gloucester."--Edit. 1756.
["Before I conversed with his lordship, God was pleased to give me
previous notice of it. Long ere I had the least prospect of being
called before the bishop, I dreamed, one night, I was talking with
him in his palace, and that he gave me some gold, which seemed to
sound again in my hand. Afterwards, this dream would often come
into my mind; and whenever I saw the bishop at church, a strong
persuasion would arise in my mind that I should very shortly go to
him. I always checked it, and prayed to God to preserve me from ever
desiring that honour which cometh of man. One afternoon it happened
that the bishop took a solitary walk, as I was told afterwards,
to Lady Selwyn's, near Gloucester, who, not long before, had made
me a present of a piece of gold. She, I found, recommended me to
the bishop]; and, a few days after,[49] as I was coming from the
cathedral prayers [thinking of no such thing], one of the vergers
called after me, and said the bishop desired to speak with me. I
[forgetful at that time of my dream] immediately turned back,[50]
considering within myself what I had done to deserve his lordship's
displeasure. [51]When I came to the top of the palace stairs, the
bishop took me by the hand, told me he was glad to see me, and bid
me wait a little till he had put off his habit, and he would return
to me again. [This gave me an opportunity of praying to God for His
assistance, and adoring Him for His providence over me.]
[49] "One afternoon as I was coming from the cathedral prayers, one
of the vergers was sent to inform me that his lordship desired to
speak with me."--Edit. 1756.
[50] "And imagining it was to chide me, I began to consider."--Edit.
1756.
[51] "But to my great surprise."--Edit. 1756.
"At his coming [again] into the room, the bishop told me he had
heard of my character, liked my behaviour at church, and, enquiring
my age, said, 'Notwithstanding I have declared I would not ordain
any one under three and twenty, yet I shall think it my duty to
ordain you whenever you come for holy orders.' [He then made me a
present of five guineas to buy me a book, which, sounding again in
my hand, put me in mind of my dream; whereupon my heart was filled
with a sense of God's love.]
"Before I came home, this news[52] had reached my friends; who,
being fond of my having such a great man's favour, were very
solicitous to know the event of my visit. Many things I hid from
them; but, when they pressed me hard, I was obliged to tell them how
the bishop, of his own accord, had offered to give me holy orders
whenever I would; on which they, knowing how I had depended on the
declaration his lordship had made some time ago, that he would
ordain none under three and twenty, said,--and I began to think
myself,--'That if I held out any longer I should fight against God.'
At length, I came to a resolution, by God's leave, to offer myself
for holy orders the next Ember days.
[52] "Of the bishop's sending for me."--Edit. 1756.
"The only thing now in dispute was into what part of my Lord's
vineyard I should be sent to labour first. God had given me much
success in Gloucester; and, my friends being desirous of having me
near them, I had thoughts of settling among them. But, when I came
to Oxford, my friends there urged several reasons for my continuing
at the University. 'The Mr. Wesleys had not long gone abroad, and
now no one was left to take care of the prison affairs,' etc. They
further urged, 'That God had blessed my endeavours _there_, as well
as at Gloucester; that the University was the fountain-head; that
every gownsman's name was legion; and that if I should be made
instrumental of converting one of _them_, it would be as much as
converting a whole parish.' At the same time, unknown to me, some
of them sent to that great and good man, the late Sir John Philips,
who was a great encourager of the Oxford Methodists;[53] and, though
he had never seen, but only heard of me, yet he sent word he would
allow me £30 a year, if I would continue at the University. Upon
this, finding the care of the prisoners would be no more than, under
God, I could undertake with pleasure, and knowing the University was
the best place to prosecute my studies, I resolved, God willing,
to wait at Oxford a blessing on the firstfruits of my ministerial
labours.
[53] This was in the month of March, 1736, immediately after
Whitefield's return to Oxford (Whitefield's Works, vol. i., p. 13).
Charles Wesley, on his return from Georgia, writes:--1736, December
6. I waited upon good old Sir John Philips, who received me as one
alive from the dead. Here I heard a most blessed account of our
friends at Oxford; their increase both in zeal and number" (C.
Wesley's Journal, vol. i., p. 56). Sir Thomas Philips was one of
the first members of the Society in Fetter Lane ("Life and Times of
Countess of Huntingdon," vol. i., p. 77). He died a few weeks after
Charles Wesley saw him. Hence, the following from the _Gentleman's
Magazine_ for 1737, p. 60:--Died, January 5, 1737, Sir John Philips,
Bart., of Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire; uncle to Sir Robert
Walpole's lady. He served in several Parliaments for Pembroke and
Haverfordwest'; was one of the commissioners for building the fifty
new churches; and one of the Society for the Reformation of Manners."
"In the meanwhile, having before made some observations upon the
thirty-nine Articles, and proved them by Scripture,[54] I strictly
examined myself by the qualifications required for a minister in
St. Paul's Epistle to Timothy, and also by every question that I
knew was to be publicly put to me at the time of my ordination. This
latter I drew out in writing at large, and sealed my approbation of
it every Sunday at the blessed sacrament. At length, Trinity Sunday
being near at hand, and having my testimonials from the college, I
went, a fortnight beforehand, to Gloucester, intending to compose
some sermons, and to give myself more particularly to prayer.
[54] "At least to my own satisfaction."--Edit. 1757.
["But God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. When I came to
Gloucester, notwithstanding I strove and prayed for several days,
and had matter enough in my heart, yet I was so restrained that
I could not compose anything at all. I mentioned my case to one
clergyman. He said, 'I was an enthusiast.' I wrote to another who
was experienced in the divine life. He gave me some reasons why
God might deal with me in that manner, and withal promised me his
prayers. I joined with him in importunate supplication to know
whether this restraint was from God or not. At last, in reading Mr.
Henry upon the Acts of the Apostles, this passage was much pressed
upon my heart, 'We assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit
suffered us not.' Looking a little farther, I found a quotation out
of Ezekiel, wherein God said to that young prophet, just after He
had given him a divine and public commission, 'Thou shalt be dumb;
but when I speak unto thee, then thou shalt speak.' This made me
quite easy. The remainder of the fortnight I spent in reading the
several missions of the prophets and apostles, and wrestled with God
to give me grace to follow their good examples.]
"About three days before the time appointed for ordination, the
bishop came to town. The next evening, I sent his lordship an
abstract of my private examination upon these two questions: 'Do you
trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon
you this office and administration?' And, 'Are you called according
to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the laws of this realm?'
The next morning, I waited on the bishop. He received me with much
love, telling me 'he was glad I was come; that he was satisfied with
the preparation I had made, and with the allowance given me by Sir
John Philips. I had myself,' said he, 'made provision for you of two
little parishes; but since you choose to be at Oxford, I am very
well pleased. [I doubt not but you will do much good.'] Upon this,
I took my leave, abashed with God's goodness to such a wretch, but
withal exceedingly rejoiced that, in every circumstance, He made my
way into the ministry so very plain before my face.
"This, I think, was on Friday. The day following I continued in
abstinence and prayer. In the evening, I retired to a hill near the
town, and prayed fervently for about two hours, in behalf of myself
and those that were to be ordained with me.
"On Sunday morning, I rose early, and prayed over St. Paul's Epistle
to Timothy, and more particularly over that precept, 'Let no one
despise thy youth.' [When I went up to the altar, I could think of
nothing but Samuel's standing a little child before the Lord with
a linen ephod.] When the bishop laid his hands upon my head,[55]
[my heart was melted down, and] I offered up my whole spirit, soul,
and body to the service of God's sanctuary. I read the Gospel, at
the bishop's command, with power, and afterward sealed the good
confession I had made before many witnesses, by partaking of the
holy sacrament of our Lord's most blessed body and blood.
[55] "If my vile heart doth not deceive me."--Edit. 1756.
["Being restrained from writing, as was before observed, I could not
preach in the afternoon, though much solicited thereto; but I read
prayers to the poor prisoners, being willing to let the first act of
my ministerial office be an act of charity.
"The next morning, waiting upon God in prayer to know what He would
have me to do, these words, 'Speak out, Paul,' came with great power
to my soul. Immediately my heart was enlarged. God spake to me by
His Spirit, and I was no longer dumb. I finished a sermon I had in
hand some time before. I began another; and preached the Sunday
following to a very crowded audience, with as much freedom as though
I had been a preacher for some years.
"Oh, the unspeakable benefit of reading to the poor, and exercising
our talents while students at the University! Such previous acts
are very proper to prepare us for the work of our Lord, and make us
not unapt to teach in a more public manner. It is remarkable that
our Lord sent out His Apostles on short missions before they were
so solemnly authorized at the day of Pentecost. Would the Heads
and Tutors of our Universities follow His example, and, instead
of discouraging their pupils from doing anything of this nature,
send them to visit the sick and prisoners, and to pray with, and
read practical books of religion to the poor, they would find such
exercises of more service to them, and to the Church of God, than
all their private and public lectures put together.
"Thus God dealt with my soul. At the same time, by His gracious
providence, He supplied me with all things needful for my body
also. For He inclined the bishop's heart to give me five guineas
more; and, by this time, a quarter's allowance was due to me from
Sir John Philips; both which sums put together fully served to
defray the expenses of my ordination, and of taking up my bachelor's
degree, which was conferred on me at Oxford the week after my being
ordained, when I was about one and twenty years of age.
"These changes from a servitor to a Bachelor of Arts--from a common
drawer to a clergyman--were no doubt temptations to think more
highly of myself than I ought to think; and some were therefore
jealous over me, as I trust they always will be, with a godly
jealousy. God, who is rich in mercy, thereby forewarned me of my
danger, stirred up my heart to pray against spiritual pride, and
kept me, as I hope He will to the end, in some measure always
humbled before Him.
"Thus did God, by a variety of unseen acts of providence and grace,
train me up for, and at length introduce me into, the service of His
Church."]
Here ends all that is _biographical_ in Whitefield's "Short Account
of God's Dealings with him from his Infancy to the time of his
entering into Holy Orders." The pamphlet concludes with an address
to the reader, and with Addison's hymn, beginning--
"When all Thy mercies, O my God."
What ought to be said respecting this remarkable publication? At the
time, it was pre-eminently remarkable, much more so than it would
have been a hundred years afterwards. The world was not accustomed
to such pious outpourings. It might have passed muster among
Cromwell's Roundheads; and in the present age it would probably
have died a silent death, no one either brandishing the scalping
knife of the censorious critic, or dropping the tear of a loving
lamenter upon its tomb. A hundred and thirty years ago the state
of things was widely different to the circumstances now existing.
Then religion was ridiculed rather than revered. Rare were the
pious biographies committed to the press. It was almost--perhaps an
absolutely--unheard-of thing for a man to publish his own religious
experience. At all events, never before had a young clergyman of
the Church of England, only twenty-five years of age, perpetrated
an act like this. Bishops, priests, deacons, and literati of
all descriptions were unpleasantly surprised; many were almost
savagely indignant. Who was the piously pert neophyte writing in
a strain like this? How should his publication be treated? Would
it be best to be silently contemptuous? That was impossible; for
the writer, though so young, had become one of the most notorious
men in England. Would it be wise to review it out of existence by
philosophical and sober disquisitions on its mysterious expressions,
its general style, and its startling statements? Nay, this would
be _infra dignitatem_. The only way remaining was to treat the book
with disdainful ridicule, and its youthful author with the sarcastic
severity merited by a vain, conceited, bouncing enthusiast, whose
religion had made him mad.
This was the kind of treatment young Whitefield had to meet. Did he
deserve it? Answers to this question will be different, according
to the standpoints occupied. The man of the world will say "Yes."
The response of the educated, fastidious religionist will, perhaps,
be to the same effect--quite as firm, though not so loud. Men who
experience and practise the same religion Whitefield did, will
yield a general approval, but object to particular statements and
expressions.
This, substantially, was done by Whitefield himself, when,
sixteen years afterwards, he published his revised edition. As
already stated, in the preface of 1756, he distinctly declares
that many mistakes have been rectified, and many passages, justly
exceptionable, erased. In the foot notes, the reader has seen the
rectifications; and, in the passages which are bracketed, he has
seen the erasures. There can be no question that the sentences
and paragraphs omitted were faults. Whitefield was simple-minded,
humble, and ingenuous; but, in order to magnify the grace of God,
he sometimes furnished the censorious critic with an opportunity
to pronounce him vain, conceited, self-glorious, proud of prayer
and piety. Such a judgment, however, would be unjust. Whitefield's
autobiography has many faults; but they are mental rather
than moral,--the faults of defective training, inexperience,
youthfulness, and impulsive ardour,--rather than of self-conceit and
pride. No man knew Whitefield better than Wesley did, and no man
had a wider acquaintance with human character; and yet Wesley, in
advanced life, perfectly exonerated Whitefield from charges like the
fore-mentioned, and declared, in reference to the very statements
contained in the book now in question, that, "For their artless
and unaffected simplicity, they may vie with any writings of the
kind."[56]
[56] Wesley's Works; vol. vi., p. 163.
_COMMENCEMENT OF MINISTRY._
1736.
Sunday, June 20, 1736, was a grand day to Whitefield. In the
imposing old cathedral, founded by Osric, "sub-regulus" of Ethelred,
King of Mercia--an edifice in which Robert of Gloucester, author
of the rhyming "Chronicle of England," had been a monk; and John
Hooper, the immortal martyr, had been Gloucester's first Protestant
prelate--stood a youth, who, five years before, had been a common
tapster in an adjoining public-house. For three years and a half,
by acting as a servitor, he had almost entirely maintained himself
in Pembroke College, Oxford. His progress in learning had been such
that he was soon to be a Bachelor of Arts. By the unsolicited and
exceptional favour of Bishop Benson, at the early age of a little
more than twenty-one, he now presented himself for admission into
holy orders. Notwithstanding his wickedness as a child, and his
fondness for "playing roguish tricks," he had always wished to be a
clergyman, and had, many a time, amused himself and the companions
of his boyhood by imitating ministers reading prayers. In his
eighteenth year, before he went to Oxford, he had told his mother
that he meant, ere long, to be a preacher; and had been rebuked for
his arrogance by the good woman asking what he meant, and telling
him to hold his tongue. But now the fond mother was, probably,
present, in the fine old church, to witness the consummation of
her George's wish--her heart filled to overflowing with honest
pride and pious gratitude. And there, in all likelihood, was
Gabriel Harris, one of Whitefield's earliest friends; and Robert
Raikes, the manager and printer of the _Gloucester Journal_, one
of Whitefield's warm admirers, and the _reputed_ founder of Sunday
schools; and also not a few of Whitefield's young companions, with
whom, in days not long since past, he had acted theatricals, for the
amusement of the mayor and aldermen of the city, and of the head
master of St. Mary de Crypt's pleasure-loving school. The hour was a
solemn one for the young candidate, but it was also full of joy. He
writes:--
"GLOUCESTER, _June 20, 1736_.
"This is a day much to be remembered; for, about noon, I was
solemnly admitted by good Bishop Benson, before many witnesses,
into holy orders. I endeavoured to behave with unaffected
devotion. I trust I answered every question from the bottom of
my heart. I hope the good of souls will be my only principle of
action. Let come what will--life or death--I shall henceforwards
live like one who this day, in the presence of men and angels,
took the holy sacrament upon the profession of being inwardly
moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon me that ministration in the
Church. This I began with reading prayers to the prisoners in
the county gaol. Whether I myself shall ever have the honour of
styling myself a prisoner of the Lord, I know not; but indeed,
my dear friend, I can call heaven and earth to witness that,
when the bishop laid his hand upon me, I gave myself up to be a
martyr for Him, who hung upon the cross for me. Known unto Him
are all future events and contingencies. I have thrown myself
blindfold, and I trust without reserve, into His almighty hands."
In such a spirit Whitefield entered upon his life-long work. He
coveted the ministry, and yet he seemed to dread it. He was eager
for the fight, but he trembled at being sent before his Master
called him. In one of the last sermons that he preached in England,
on August 30, 1769, he told the crowd, in his London tabernacle, "I
never prayed against any corruption I had in my life, so much as I
did against going into holy orders. I have prayed a thousand times
till the sweat has dropped from my face like rain, that God, of His
infinite mercy, would not let me enter the Church before He called
me. I remember once in Gloucester--I know the room--I look up at
the window when I am there and walk along the street--I know the
bedside, and the floor upon which I prostrated myself, and cried,
'Lord, I cannot go. I shall be puffed up with pride, and fall into
the condemnation of the devil. I am unfit to preach in Thy great
name. Send me not, Lord, send me not yet.'"[57] No wonder that God
honoured the ministry of such a man. He sought no earthly emoluments
or rank. He durst not begin to preach until he was satisfied of a
call from God; but, receiving that, it was no high-sounding boast,
when he declared his readiness, not only to become a prisoner, but a
martyr for his Divine Redeemer.
[57] Eighteen Sermons, by G. Whitefield. Taken in shorthand by
Gurney, p. 445.