Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/341

 *ers as usual; but in the midst of them naming me by name, he intreated the to forgive the dishonour that had been put upon him, by my being suffered to preach in that pulpit; and that all might know what reason he had to put up such a petition, about the middle of his sermon, he not only urged that "I was a curate of the church of England," but also quoted a passage or two out of my first printed sermons, which he said were grossly Arminian. Most of the congregation seemed surprized and chagrined, especially his good-natured collegue Mr. O, who immediately after sermon, without consulting me in the least, stood up and gave notice, that Mr. Whitefield would preach in about half an hour. The interval being so short, the magistrates returned into the session's-house, and the congregation patiently waited, big with expectation of hearing my resentment. At the time appointed, I went up, and took no other notice of the good man's ill-timed zeal, than to observe in some part of my discourse, that if the good old gentleman had seen some of my later writings, wherein I had corrected several of my former mistakes, he would not have expressed himself in such strong terms. The people being thus diverted from controversy with man, were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of. All was hushed! and more than solemn! and on the morrow the magistrates sent for me, expressed themselves quite concerned at the treatment I had met with, and begg'd I would accept of the freedom of the city. But of this enough. The , my dear sister, my support; let us both continually fly to him, and then let men or devils do their worst. will by and by take away our reproach. Into his hands I commend your spirit. Good night; the be with you and yours! I hope to set out for England soon. Pray write when you hear of my arrival there, and so convince me, that you are not angry with

Your affectionate tho' unworthy brother and servant in , G. W.