The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 1 (of 2)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 1 (of 2)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770
"Wednesday, June 6. Above sixty of the poor people had passed
the night in Mr. Delamotte's barn, singing and rejoicing. I sang
and prayed with them before the door. George's exhortations left
them all in tears."
These were strange scenes, but want of space forbids comment.
Charles Wesley returned to London, and had a tussle with the
Moravians. Two men, John Shaw and William Fish, were insolently
zealous. "Shaw pleaded for his spirit of prophecy;" and accused
Charles "with love of preeminence," and "with making proselytes
twofold more children of the devil than before." Fish said Charles
was delivered over unto Satan; and both he and Shaw declared
themselves no longer members of the Church of England. Charles was
also greatly annoyed by a mad prophetess, who had sprung up among
the brethren. Whitefield heard of all this, and wrote as follows to
the London Moravians:--
"BLENDON, _June 12, 1739_.
"MY DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST,--I am jealous over you with a godly
jealousy. I find more and more that Satan has desired to have
some of you in particular, that he may sift you as wheat, and,
if possible, divide and separate you all. I hear there is a
woman among you, who pretends to the spirit of prophecy; and,
what is more unaccountable, I hear that Brother B---- (Bray?)
seems to approve of her. You have great need, therefore, to try
the spirits, whether they be of God. The devil is beginning to
mimic God's work, and is now transforming himself into an angel
of light, in order more effectually to gain his point. I cannot
but think that Brother ---- is at present under a spirit of
delusion. He, as well as Brother ----, I believe, imagines there
will be a power given to work miracles, and that now Christ
is coming to reign a thousand years upon the earth. But what
need is there of miracles, such as healing sick bodies, when
we see greater miracles every day done by the power of God's
Word? Why should we tempt God in requiring further signs? As
for our Lord's coming at this time to reign upon the earth, I
answer, 'It is not for us to know the times and seasons, which
the Father hath put in His own power.' That a great work is
begun is evident; that it will be carried on, I doubt not; but
how it will end, I know not, neither do I desire to know. It is
sufficient for me to do the work of the day in its day, and to
rest satisfied in this, that all end in God's glory.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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