"Mr. Whitefield, who had his orders among us, and still
professes himself a member of the Church of England, tells us
of some conversations he had with Quakers, in his journeyings.
It seems they could not agree about the use of the sacraments
and the payment of tithes; but, says he, 'I think their notions
about walking and being led by the Spirit are right and good.'
The young man, you perceive, is in a very hopeful way! He is a
Quaker already in the first and leading principle of that sect;
and, as to his scruples about tithes, etc., they may _abate_ as
he grows better acquainted with his associates."
In "the Life of Whitefield, by an Impartial Hand," the young
preacher is accused, by the Rev. J. Tucker, of "propagating
blasphemous and enthusiastical notions." Mr. Tucker dolorously
adds:--
"Some of Mr. Whitefield's followers have insulted and reviled
me in passing along the streets; and declared that they looked
upon me as the enemy of God and His religion. This was owing to
Mr. Whitefield's pointing at me so often in his prayers, and
describing me in his harangues to the populace." Mr. Tucker
further relates, that, "to gain credit with the populace,
Whitefield often had in his mouth at Bristol this dreadful
imprecation, 'If what I say be not strictly true, may all that
ever heard me, may you that now hear me, and all that shall hear
me hereafter, rise up in judgment against me, and rejoice at my
_damnation_!'"
Mr. Wilder, in his Sermon "preached before the University of Oxford,
August 5, 1739," abounds in abusive epithets, which need not be
quoted; but two or three extracts will be useful as displaying the
fiery, fuming spirit of this university preacher; and the animosity
with which Whitefield was regarded.
"I cannot dismiss this point, without taking notice of the
indecent, false, unchristian reflections cast on the clergy of
our Church, charging them with popery and perjury, than which
nothing is more unjust, except the cruel mercies of those,
who pass sentence of damnation upon all who have not the same
spiritual pride, vanity, and enthusiasm as themselves."
"He" (Whitefield) "is but a young son of the prophets, yet,
if we will take his word for it, he is as much inspired, and
felt the Holy Ghost at imposition of hands, as much as Elisha
did, when Elijah dropped his mantle. Nay, he has the modesty to
compare himself, in his labours and afflictions, with the great
apostle of the Gentiles, and even with the Son of God Himself."
"Let us hear what this inspired man saith of the new birth. We
find, from his writings, that the new birth is a conversion and
change wrought in the mind of a man, by a sensible operation of
the Spirit of God; and that those who have not experienced some
such sensible change, in their hearts, are not born again, nor
in a state of salvation. If this be true, how few of all the
millions of the professors of Christianity are there, that have
been, or will be saved! Scarce any but the itinerant preacher,
a few of his followers, and some Quakers. If this doctrine be
true, how is the God of all mercy and goodness, the God of love,
comfort, and joy, turned into a cruel and tyrannical being, that
delights not to save, but to destroy mankind!"
"That they" (the Methodists) "teach doctrines inconsistent with,
and destructive of Christianity, appears from their encouraging
religious exercises, to the neglect of other Christian duties.
How many, while they run gaping after the spiritual food which
these rambling teachers pretend to distribute to them from
heaven, leave their business at random, and their families to
want the necessary food of this life; not considering that it is
their duty to attend, at the appointed seasons, on the services
and ordinances of God, under their proper pastors, not in
highways, in fields, or commons, but in those places which are
set apart for, and dedicated to, God's honour and worship."
"His" (Whitefield's) "boasting of the Lord's assisting him to
lift up his voice like a trumpet, makes me believe, that, rather
than return to a sober mind, and leave the field, to preach
sound doctrine in our churches, he is resolved to make his voice
the trumpet of war; and reduce, if possible, this Church and
State to anarchy and confusion: as it was effected once in the
last century, when by a successful rebellion begun, fomented,
and carried on, by the like spiritual enthusiasts, the life
of the best of kings was barbarously taken away; the best of
monarchies changed into a democracy; and this truly apostolical
Church wounded, mangled, and, by papists and puritans,
crucified, like our Saviour, between two thieves."
Such are fair specimens of the sermon which Mr. Wilder[250]
"preached before the University of Oxford." Young Whitefield was far
from perfect; and, certainly, the same may be said respecting his
rebukers.
[250] Rector of St. Aldates.
The Rev. Charles Wheatley, in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, was less
violent in his language than Mr. Wilder; but, in foot-notes, gives
unguarded extracts from Whitefield's Journals, and exclaims, "Was
there ever such a medley of vanity, and nonsense, and blasphemy
jumbled together?" In his sermon, also, he speaks of the Methodists,
as "assuming to themselves, upon all occasions, the peculiar
language of the Holy Ghost; equalling themselves, in everything they
do, to prophets and apostles; and boasting of immediate inspirations
and extraordinary communications with God; and, in proof of it,
laying a blasphemous claim to greater miracles than ever were
performed by our blessed Saviour Himself." Mr. Wheatley's sermon and
foot-notes were almost altogether levelled against Whitefield.