"Mr. Whitefield is hated, and spoken against by all the
episcopal party and even the most of our clergy labour to
diminish and expose him. But I look upon this youth, as raised
up by God for special service, for promoting true Christianity
in the world, and for reviving it where it is decayed. I see
the man to be all of a piece; his life and conversation to be
a transcript of his sermons. He is singularly fitted to do the
work of an evangelist; and I have been long of opinion, that, it
would be for the advantage of the world, were this still to be a
standing office in the Church. I have myself been witness to the
Holy Ghost falling upon him and his hearers oftener than once;
not in a miraculous, though in an observable manner. Many here
are blessing God, for sending him to this country, though Satan
has raged so much against it. Though he is ordained a minister
of the Church of England, he has always conformed to us, both
in doctrine and worship, and lies open to conform to us in
other points. God, by owning him so wonderfully, is pleased to
give a rebuke to our intemperate bigotry and party zeal, and to
tell us, that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth
anything, but the new creature."[487]
[487] _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. xiii.
One more contemporaneous testimony must suffice. A gentleman,
"eminent for learning and knowledge of the world," remarked:--
"Mr. Whitefield's soundness in the faith, his fervent zeal,
and unwearied diligence in promoting the cause of Christ; the
plainness and simplicity, the affection and warmth of his
sermons, and the amazing power that accompanied them; together
with his meekness, humility, and candid and catholic spirit,
convinced the people that there was reason to think well of him.
Conversions were become rare in Scotland; little liveliness
was to be found even in real Christians; and bigotry and blind
zeal were producing animosities and divisions, and turning away
the attention of good men from matters of infinitely greater
importance. The episcopal clergy gave him no countenance,
though a few of their people did. In the Established Church of
Scotland, some of the more rigid Presbyterians would not hold
communion with him, on account of his connection with the Church
of England, and because he assumed the office of an evangelist,
peculiar, in their apprehension, to the first ages of the
Church. Some were mightily dissatisfied with him for preaching
the Calvinistic doctrines of election, original sin, efficacious
grace, justification through faith, and the perseverance of the
saints; and others, because he inveighed against the playhouse,
dancing assemblies, games of chance, haunting taverns, vanity
and extravagance in dress, and levity in behaviour and
conversation. But, upon many in Edinburgh, of all ranks and
ages, especially young people, deep impressions were made; and
many of them waited on him privately, lamenting their former
immoral lives, or stupid thoughtlessness about religion, and
expressing their anxious concern about obtaining an interest in
Christ, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit."[488]
[488] Gillies' "Memoirs of Whitefield."
_SEVEN MONTHS IN ENGLAND._