Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/484

, who has been much honoured in bringing many poor sinners in Wiltshire to the knowledge of themselves and of. He is a member of the Church of England, but sadly opposed by the clergy in Wiltshire, as well as by many that will come to hear him preach. In a letter, dated November 16th, from Toxham, he writes thus: "The enemy seems to be more awakened in the villages round about us, than before. The ministers of Bramble, Segery, Langley, and many others, have strictly forbidden the church-wardens and overseers to let any of the C's have any thing out of the parish; and they obey them, and tell the poor, if they cannot stop them from following any other way, they will famish them. Several of the poor, who have great families (to my own knowledge) have already been denied any help, for this reason, because they follow this way. Some of the people have, out of fear, denied they ever came, and others have been made to promise they will come no more; whilst the most part come at the loss of friends and all they have. When the officers threatned some to take away their pay; they answered, if you starve us, we will go, and rather than we will forbear, we will live upon grass like the kine. Surely the cries of the distressed people have already entered into the ears of the of Sabaoth." In another letter I received from him last night, he writes thus: "I should be glad if you could mention the cruelty of the ministers of Bramble, and Segery, to the Bishop of Sarum; indeed, their doings are inhuman. The cry of the people, because of their oppression, is very great; several suffer amazingly."—In compliance with my dear friend's request, I presume to lay the matter, as he represents it, before your Lordship, being persuaded that your Lordship will not savour persecuting practices, or approve of such proceedings to keep people to the Church of England. Should this young man leave the Church, hundreds would leave it with him. But I know that at present he has no such design. If your Lordship pleases to give me leave, I would wait upon your Lordship upon the least, notice. Or if your Lordship is pleased to send a line into Wiltshire, to know the truth of the matter, and judge accordingly, it will satisfy, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient son and servant, G. W.