Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/320

 thought themselves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and I should proceed in mine. I then asked them seriously, what they would have me to do; the answer was that I was not desired to subscribe immediately to the solemn league and covenant; but to preach only for them till I had further light. I asked, why only for them? Mr. Ralph E said, "they were the 's people." I then asked, whether there were no other 's people but themselves; and supposing all others were the devil's people, they certainly had more need to be preached to, and therefore I was more and more determined to go out into the highways and hedges; and that if the Pope himself would lend me his pulpit, I would gladly proclaim the righteousness of therein. Soon after this, the company broke up; and one of these, otherwise venerable men, immediately went into the meeting-house, and preached upon these words, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night, if ye will enquire, enquire ye; return, come." I attended; but the good man so spent himself in the former part of his sermon, in talking against prelacy, the common-prayer book, the surplice, the rose in the hat, and such like externals, that when he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor Sinners to, his breath was so gone, that he could scarce be heard. What a pity that the last was not first, and the first last! The consequence of all this was, an open breach. I retired, I wept, I prayed, and after preaching in the fields, sat down and dined with them, and then took a final leave. At table a gentlewoman said, she had heard that I had told some people, that the associate presbytery were building a Babel. I said, "Madam, it is quite true; and I believe the Babel will soon fall down about their ears:" but enough of this. , what is man, what the best of men? but men at the best! I think I have now seen an end of all perfection. Our brethren in America, blessed be, have not so learned. Be pleased to inform them of this letter. I have not time to write now. The blesses my preaching here, and the work, I think, is begun afresh in London. I preach to many thousands daily, and several have applied to me already under convictions. I