GRIEVOUS complaints have been made against the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, for his silence under the heavy charges, which some have endeavoured, of late, to fix upon him. But it ought to be considered, the design of his kind visit was not to dispute, but to preach. And why should he throw away his precious time in writing to convince those, who seem resolv'd not to be convinced? Besides, there may be danger in dis­puting; For 'tis a known maxim, The spirit may be dis­puted away. And when he has so many calls to constant labour in the word and doctrine, is it not rather his duty to attend on this business? I am sure, the Country has need of some such eminent man of God to revive that spirit, which was so much the glory of the late times. And as he is to be here but a little while, he can't be too diligent in going about from place to place, to promote the cause of the people nick named new-lights; for it is certainly upon the decline, and must fall and die, if, instead of con­stant laborious preaching, he should give way to the impor­tunity of those, who, through ignorance, might put him upon medling with controversie.

However, that there may be no longer any pretence for complaint, that due notice is not taken of the hard things objected against Mr. W—d, I shall be at the [Page 4] trouble to consider whatever has been publickly offered tending to give the world a bad opinion of him.

Only, I shall not think it impertinent to make this previous remark; viz. That it's no valid objection a­gainst any man, much less a Gospel-minister, to be much spoken against, and represented as a disturber of the peace, an enemy to order, and a promoter of discord. As good men as Mr. W—d have been thus traduced. And it may be expected in a time of great revival of religion, that men's corruptions should vent themselves, in throwing Families, and Churches, and Towns into great confusion. PHARISEES, tho' friends to the outside of religion, yet can't bear to see it flourish in its power. And if, at such a time, they are filled with rage, and spit their venom, it's no other then may be expected. A state of external peace and quiet, on a religious account, bodes ill to a peo­ple: As, on the other hand, when the peace of formalists and carnal professors is disturbed, and they cry out of those who are the instruments in reviving a spirit of zeal and forwardness in religion, it is a hopeful symptom. Mr. W—d' s being so much the object of the ill will and clamour of your half-way christians, is so far from being an argument in prejudice of his character, that it's the very thing a zealous christian would look for.

I now come to consider the objections that have been made against him.

And I shall first take notice of what has been said a­gainst his Itinerant preaching. And as this seems to be the greatest difficulty in the minds of many, I shall be more large in my vindication of him upon this head. If I can remove away this prejudice, I shall the more easily be heard in what I have further to offer.

'Tis pretended, that the Itinerating practice this good man has taken up, is an occasion of bitterness, and clamour, and evil speaking; and that it has produced alienations, con­tentions [Page 5] and Schisms. And is it any thing strange, that evil should accidentally follow upon that which is good? There is no security against the humours, and passions, and wills of men. It ministers will be envious, and set them­selves against their brother, because he has superior faculties, and meets with greater applause, who can help it? Would they but be humble, and modest, and prefer the man who so far out shines them, we should hear little of those disorders, which are now so loudly complained of. In short, if Mr. W—d is CALLED to this work of Iti­nerating, he must not disobey the call, tho' the lusts of Pharisees should make them wrathful and contentious.

And that he is THUS CALLED will appear evident beyond all reasonable contradiction, (let your letter-learned Gentlemen from the College say what they will) if you only consider in what an extraordinary way he was form'd and trained up for, and then led into this practice, as we have the account in the history of his life; which is the more worthy of special notice, because in writing it, he "received ( preface to his life) assistances from the holy spirit in bringing many things to his remembrance, which otherwise he should have forgotten."

There is something observable in the very place of his birth into the world. For he was "born in an Inn." And is it any wonder, if this memorable circumstance "has been of service to him in exciting him to follow the ex­ample of his saviour, who was born in a stable, and laid in a manger belonging to an inn?" And 'tis really sur­prising, that, while even an infant, "his mother was us'd to say, she expected more comfort from him then any o­ther of her children." It must indeed be owned, ( pag. 2.) ‘he was froward from his mother's womb,—soon gave pregnant proofs of an impudent temper,—was addicted to lying, stealing, sabbath breaking, and other vices.’ But yet ( pag. 3.) ‘he had early (even before his re­pentance, [Page 6] for these sins) such movings on his heart as were sufficient to satisfy him, that God loved him with an everlasting love, and had seperated him, even from his mother's womb, for the work to which he was after­wards pleased to call him.’ And tho' as yet in an unconverted state, and so a motley mixture of half beast and half devil, he had ( pag. 7.) great foretastes of the ‘ Divine love, and was filled with such unspeakable rap­tures, in St. John' s Church, that he was carried out even beyond himself.’ But what deserves a more than ordinary remark, ( pag. 4.) ‘he was always fond of being a Clergy-man, and used frequently (when a child) to imitate the ministers reading prayers, and to make little sermons in little books as long as his finger.’ And so strong was his inclination to the ministry, ‘that while he was employed ( pag. 6.) in a common tavern, put on his blue apron, washed mops, cleaned rooms, and became a professed and common drawer, he composed two or three sermons, and dedicated one of them to his elder brother.’ Nay, he was favoured with an intimation from heaven, signifying it to be the will of God that he should be a minister; ‘For as he was going (pag. 11.) on an errand for his mother, an unaccountable but very strong impression was made upon his heart, that he should preach and print quickly.’ 'Tis true his mother upon his innocently telling her the story, "like Joseph' s parents when he told them his dream, turning short upon him, cry'd out, what does the boy mean? Prithee hold thy tongue." And the prophane carnal part of the world may treat this undoubted revelation in the same light rude manner. But Mr. W—d' s remark will rebuke them as it did her. "God (says he) has since shewn from whom this impression came."

And the traces of Divine providence in making way for his going to the University, that he might be fitted for the ministry, were very signal.

[Page 7] I observed before, that He was station'd as a common Drawer in an Inn. But, upon his mother's being obliged to leave the Inn, and ‘his quarrelling (pag. 6.) with his sister, and carrying his resentment to such a height, that his proud heart could scarce suffer him to speak to her for three weeks together,’ an end was put to his busi­ness in the tavern. And having now little or no imploy­ment, "much of his time (pag. 8.) was spent in reading plays, and sauntering about from place to place." But lo! while he was Idly wasting his time, one morning, in reading a play to his sister, he was moved to speak to her in the following words, (pag. 8.) ‘ sister, I believe God intends something for me which we know nothing of: As I have been diligent in business, I believe many would have me for an apprentice; but every way seems to be barred up, so that God, I think, will provide for me some way or other.’ Some may think these words no more than common ones; and indeed Mr. W—d himself, at the time, seems to have had the same opinion of them. But as he piously observes, ‘ God afterwards shewed him, they came from him.’ And this is too evident to ad­mit a denial; for in a little time a way was opened for his maintainance at College. Upon this he re-enter'd his old School; which I could not omit to mention, because it was the occasion of his giving a specimen of what the world might, in time, expect from him. ‘His Master (pag. 9.) set him a theme to translate into Latin. And tho' he had made no application to the Classicks for so long a time, he had but one considerable fault in his exercise. This he believed (as well he might) somewhat surprised his ma­ster, and has afforded him matter of praise and thanks ever since.’ There are other instances of his uncommon promptness at School, and such as were evident Prog­nosticks of that spirit and manner, in which he would appear when he should come forth into the world, ‘He was re­mark'd [Page 8] (pag. 9.) for his elocution, and making speeches be­fore the corporation at their annual visitations.’ And such was his dexterity at reading and acting plays, even while he was at school, ‘that his master compos'd something of this kind for him, (pag. 5.) and caused him to dress himself in Girls cloths (which, as he says, he had often done) to act a part before the Corporation.’ This indeed has since caused him much sorrow; ‘But God (as he religiously notes, pag. 5.) brought good out of this evil, as it was a means of strengthening his memory, and teaching him a proper gesture of speaking,’ even that which now appears so beautiful, and recommends him to the love and esteem of so great a part of the world.

I might go on, and take a view of Mr. W—d after his Entrance into College; especially his spiritual exercises, temptations, self denials, and acquirements of Divine Know­ledge. But this would carry me too great a length. How­ever, I can't wholly pass over this period of his life. How sorely was he exercised by Satan? How many were his Temptations? of how long continuance? He seems indeed to have been rather disordered in his mind than "im­posed on by the Devil," when, because he could not compose his College theme, ‘he imagined (pag. 24.) he was directed by the holy spirit to go down in the Hall, confess he could not make a theme, and so publickly suffer for his master's sake.’ And 'tis probable, he was under the like disorder, when he "who used (pag. 23.) to be most forward in exhorting his companions, could set whole nights without speaking scarce any thing." But to what short of some satanick exercise could it be owing, ‘that he tho't (pag. 21.) the Devil would appear to him every stair he went up, as Servitor, about ten at night, to the Gentlemen's rooms? And that he was so troubled by the Devil, when he lay down to rest, that, for some months, he scarce slept above three hours in a night?’ And how [Page 9] great was his self denial, when, ‘in order to get (pag. 22.) the mastery of his sensual appetite, by the help of Jesus Christ, he left off eating Pye, fruit, and the like; chose the worst sort of food; wore mean apparel, wollen gloves, a patched gown, and dirty shoes?’

But I must not forget to relate the extraordinary manner in which he was set free from his spiritual troubles, and filled with the Joy of a sound convert. This I can't express so well as in his own words, which are these (pag. 29.) ‘one day perceiving an uncommon drought and a noisome clamminess in my mouth, and using things to allay my thirst, but in vain; it was suggested to me, that when Jesus Christ, cried out, I thirst, his sufferings were near over.—Upon this I threw my self upon the bed, cry­ing out I thirst, I thirst: Soon after I perceived my load go off, a spirit of mourning was taken from me, and I knew what it was truly to rejoice in the Lord.—At first, after this, I could not avoid singing Psalms, wherever I was.’ Was there ever a more clear and unexceptionable conversion? Was there ever a conversion attended with more uncommon circumstances? Here was a suggestion: And from whence came it, unless immediately from the third heavens? And here likewise was the more special occasion of it, an uncommon drought and a noisome clamminess in his mouth. And what was the thing intimated by this suggestion? Why, that he should cry out, as Jesus Christ did just before his sufferings ended, I thirst, I thirst. And what was the effect? Why, his immediate freedom from spiritual trouble, and a heart truly to rejoice in the Lord. And how was this made evident? Why, in singing Psalms wherever he was. Can even an Infidel, after this stupen­dous account, call in question the truth of his conversion, or the spirituality of his joy arising herefrom? It would favour of prophaness to admit of the least doubt.

[Page 10] And the manner of his acquiring Knowledge in Divine Things was as much beyond that which is common to or­dinary men. For "he read (pag. 31.) the holy scriptures on his knees, laying aside all other books, and praying over, if possible, every line and word." In which way, as he remarks, "he got more true knowledge in one month than he could acquire from humane writings in a year." His laying aside all other books, must not be understood too strictly, but with the exception of Burkitt' s and Henry' s expositions, which were of admirable use to him. And no wonder, for ‘many months did he (pag. 34.) kneel to study and pray over these books, as tho' he had been sitting at his master's feet.’ And behold! what special communications he received immediately from the spirit of truth! ‘The holy spirit (says he, pag. ibid) has from time to time let me into the knowledge of divine things: And I have been directed, by watching and reading the holy scripture in this manner, even in the minutest cir­cumstances, as plainly as the Jews were, who consulted the URIM and THUMMIM at the HIGH PRIEST' s breast.’ Was there ever a man, since the apostolic times, so wonder­fully instructed in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of Christ? And is it possible any one should be so blinded with prejudice as not to see, that he was furnished in an ex­traordinary manner for uncommon service in the ministry of the Gospel?

'Tis true, he was invested with the sacred office in the ordinary way. But what a wide difference may you discern between him and most other ministers? 'Tis remarkable, tho', about a fortnight before his ordination, ‘he strove and prayed (pag. 41.) for several days together, and had mat­ter eno' in his heart, yet he was so restrained that he could not compose any thing at all.’ This may look like a trivial circumstance, but it gave occasion for the pressure of that passage in the acts upon his heart, (pag. ibid.) [Page 11] "We essayed to go to Bythinia, but the spirit suffered us not:" And it was owing to this, that we are able so clearly to see the resemblance between him and the inspir'd young Ezekiel. For it was upon this occasion, that he has pointed us to the passage wherein "God said (pag. ibid.) to that young prophet, just after he had given him a Divine and public commission, Thou shall be dumb, but when I speak un­to thee then shalt thou speak." And it must convince the most violent opposer Mr. W—d has in the world to con­sider, ‘that the very morning (pag. 43.) after his or­dination, upon waiting upon God in prayer to know what he would have him to do, those words, speak out Paul, came with great power on his heart.’ And the effect was little short of miraculous, ‘for immediately his heart was enlarged, God spake to him by his spirit, he was no longer dumb.’

And as the manner of Mr. W—d' s preparation for the ministry, and of his first entering on this service, very evidently distinguish him from other ministers; shall any wonder that he is not stationed in some particular parish? Do men light a candle, and put it under a Bushel? Like the sun in the heavens he should diffuse his benign influences far and wide, that all, so far as is possible, may receive benefit. Thus he has done, and thus he is resolved to do, in spite of all the opposition of men and devils. And set none think he takes too much upon him; for God taught him, when he quitted his parish at savanna, to preach at large. "God (says he, Journ. from N. England to Falm. pag. 12.) seems to shew me it is my duty to evangelise, and not to fix in any particular place." And has not he, and all the world, reason to believe, that he is doing the will of the Lord, while he goes from Country to Country, and Town to Town, preaching the name of Jesus? What wonderful success does he every where meet with? How sweetly are people melted? How do their hearts leap for [Page 12] joy? What troops attend him? How many Towns are alarmed at his coming? What crowds follow him, and admire him as some great power of God? And more than all this, han't his call to this manner of preaching been confirmed by the incontestible evidence of miracles? 'Tis true, he acknowledged in the high church-yard of Glasgow, discoursing on those words of Nicodemus, John 3. 2. No man can do those miracles which thou dost, unless God be with him; I say he frankly acknowledged (vid. state of religion in N. England, printed at Glasgow, pag. 67.) that he had cur'd no bodily diseases; but he declared publickly, at the same time, that greater miracles than these had been wro't, MIRACLES ON THE SOULS OF MEN. And he appeals to the world, in his 4th Journal, pag. 10. 17. in such words as these, "Has not God set his seal to our Mi­nistry in an EXTRAORDINARY manner? Have not the Lepers been cleansed, the dead raised? Have not many that were spiritually blind, received their sight? And many that have been lame, strengthened to run the way of God's com­mandments▪ That these NOT ABLE MIRACLES have been wro't, not in our own names, and by our own power, but in the name, and by the power of Jesus of Nazareth, cannot be denied."

And will any, after such clear and strong evidence of his Divine mission, reflect upon him for his zeal and diligence in ob-ying the heavenly call? Is it nothing that he has been so wonderfully form'd for and trained up to, this ser­vice? That he has been in so extraordinary a manner called to it, and succeeded in it? What would men have? If they will be blind, they must be blind. There is no help for it, if they won't see the sun when it shines at noon day.

The other objections against Mr. W—d are of trivial [Page 13] importance. This being so fully answered, a few words may suffice for the rest.

He has been charged with uncharitableness; and to make good the charge we have been told of his "reflections upon Arch Bishop Tillotson, Commissary Garden, and Mr. H—n of Newport." But a distinction ought to be made between uncharitableness, and true christian faithfulness. And shall a man be called censorious and uncharitable, be­cause he is faithful in opening a brother to himself, and shewing him his danger? Or because he guards the world against the infection of bad books, which are the more likely to do hurt, as they appear under the name of an Arch­Bishop? This is rather an instance of charity, than an ar­gument of the want of it: And this charity in Mr. W—d is the more noble, as by the very exercise of it he expos'd himself to the clamour of lukewarm for malists.

A mighty noise also has been raised against him as an uncharitable man, because he has intimated it to be his belief concerning the Colleges, "that their light was darkness, darkness that might be felt." But did he not mention the ground of his belief, it's being complained of by the most godly ministers? And have not the Gentlemen of the College given awful reason for fear, lest there should be too much truth in what these godly ministers have complained of? Who have been more violent in their opposition to the good work, Mr. W—d has been the great instrument in reviving in the land? And if our Colleges were not in an evil state, how came it about, that so much money was collected, in all parts of the land, for building and endowing the Shepherd's Tent, that Nursery of true converts for the maintaining and carrying on the good work in our Churches? Alas! that our hopes were so soon dashed in pieces! We have this, however, to support us, that we may, in a little time, expect a supply from the Orphan house, out of the dear [Page 14] lambs, trained up under the care of that experienced Chri­stian, and able Divine, the Reverend Mr. Barber; a Gen­tleman chosen and approbated by Mr. W—d, as a man after his own heart.

The last instance of his uncharitableness is collected from those words in his New-England Journal, ‘I fear many, nay, most that preach, do not experimentally know Christ.’ And if he meant the ministers in this land, wherein was he blame-worthy? Is there not reason for such a fear? Don't many, nay, the most, of our ministers oppose the good work? Can this be denied? And what blacker mark can they have upon them? I am sure Mr. W—d' s opinion of this kind of persons was, (Jour. 4th. pag. 17.) that they were in danger of the guilt (it not actually under it) of the Blasphemy against the holy Ghost. And such emi­nent men of God as Mr. E—ds, Mr. T—t, Mr. C—r, and others I could name, were of the same mind. And shall Mr. W—d be complain'd of, because he han't charity for this sort of men? How much better would it be for the Churches, if all such pharisees and wolves in sheep's cloathing could be removed from their places?

It has likewise been mentioned to Mr. W—d' s disho­nour, that he is an Enthusiast. But zealous forward Chri­stians, especially ministers, must expect to be spoken of in names of obloquy. I may appeal to all who have ever read Mr. W—d' s writings, whether they ever saw in them any one real mark of an enthusiastical turn of mind? 'Tis true, he appears from the current strain of them all, to be a man extraordinarily assisted, directed and conducted. And we have abundant reason to think, no one, since the days of the Apostles, has had such constant and immediate commu­nications from another world. And if men will miscal this Enthusiasm, I can only pity their prophaness. May it [Page 15] not be feared, whether they an't back-door friends to all influences from above? And if they don't take care, they may commence Infidels e're they are aware.

In fine, Mr. W—d has been charged not only with violating his subscriptions; but with breaking his promises, by praying and administring the sacrament without the Use of the forms in the book of common prayer. But as I am not acquainted with the subscriptions and canons, and such­like trumpery of the Church of England, I can rest satis­fied with an implicit faith in Mr. W—d' s honesty and inte­grity; and the rather, as I have so abundantly proved him to be a man under an extraordinary guidance.

I know not what reception this Essay of mine will meet with in the world: But this I know, that I had a good in­tention in writing it; and I heartily wish my design may be answered, in opening the eyes of people, and leading them into just conceptions of the Gentleman, who is so much the subject of the Controversies of the present day.