Some will think that more space has been devoted to this unhappy affair than its importance merits; but those who have had the perseverance to make themselves acquainted with all the Methodist facts of the year 1739, will think otherwise, as there can be no doubt that this unfortunate _contretemps_ in Westminster was the real or pretended occasion of much of the clerical opposition which Whitefield soon encountered in Bristol, Bath, and other places; and it certainly was the beginning of the furious onslaughts upon Methodism and the Methodists, which, for so many months, disgraced the _Weekly Miscellany_ and Dr. Hooker, its trenchant editor. Several of these attacks will be noticed hereafter; but one must be introduced now, inasmuch as its date is nearly the same as that of the imbroglio at St. Margaret's. In his leading article of February 10, 1739, Mr. Hooker[176] wrote:-- "At first, we only looked upon the Methodists as well-meaning, zealous people, whom the irreligious boldness of these wicked times had driven somewhat too far into the contrary extreme of infidelity. They were a sort of Protestant supererogators, that would be righteous over-much; and there were hopes that, when this devotional effervescence had boiled over, they would return to that proper medium where true piety and Christian prudence fix the centre. But, instead of that, they have proceeded so far as to eject the _Liturgy_ and the _usual Expositors_ out of their meetings, and have declared for _extemporary_ effusions both in their _prayers_ and _expoundings_. The _laity_ are allowed to be _teachers_, and even _women_, as I am informed, begin to usurp public offices. They pretend to a sort of _sinless perfection_, and boast of _inward joys_ above other Christians. They distinguish themselves from others by having _received the faith_, with which, and other cant phrases, they are united together like a sect of _Religious Freemasons_. In general, they seem to be practising over the lesson set them by the _old Puritans_ before the beginning of the _grand rebellion_." [176] One of Whitefield's assailants in the _Weekly Miscellany_ of February 10, 1739, died a week after his attack was published. (Whitefield's Journal, p. 33.) Three days after he preached at St. Margaret's, Whitefield, accompanied by William Seward, set out for Bristol. "I never was more opposed," says he, "and never met with so great success. I hope I shall learn more and more every day, that no place is amiss for preaching the Gospel. God forbid that the word of God should be bound because some deny the use of their churches! The more I am bid to hold my peace, the more earnestly will I lift up my voice like a trumpet, and tell the people what must be done in them before they can be finally saved by Jesus Christ." [177] [177] Whitefield's Journal.