But why go I to the bar or stage to fetch vouchers in defence of earnestness in heart and action, when speaking for the most High God, and offering salvation to precious and immortal souls, for whom the ever-adorable Mediator shed his precious blood. You know, Reverend Sir, the character given of Bucolspherus, one of the Reformers, Vividus vultus, vividi oculi, vividæ manus, denique omnia vivida. You have also heard of a Prophet who was commanded by the Lord God himself, to smite with his hand, and stamp with his foot; and gospel-ministers in general are commanded to “cry aloud, and spare not, and to lift up their voices like trumpets.” But why refer I even to Reformers or Prophets? Rather let me mention the God and Saviour of all, even our Lord Jesus Christ; on whose manner of preaching, the multitudes that followed him, when he came down from the mount, made this just observation, that “He spake as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” And after his resurrection, when beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself, the two disciples at Emmaus said one to another, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” And I believe we may venture to affirm, that if preachers in general spake and opened the scriptures more under the influence and energy of his blessed Spirit, whether in consecrated or unconsecrated ground, within or without doors, they would find their hearers hearts in a degree would burn within them too.
But I have done.—You will be so good, Reverend Sir, as to pardon not only the freedom but prolixity of this. I have already mentioned my motives for writing; and therefore shall now close with the advice given upon a similar occasion to an ecclesiastical council by Gamaliel, a doctor of law, and had in reputation among all the people: “And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it: lest haply ye be found to fight against God.” To this God, and the word of his grace, I most humbly recommend you and the whole University; and earnestly praying, that all at all times may have a right judgment given them in all things, I beg leave to subscribe myself, Reverend Sir,
Your willing servant for Christ’s sake,
George Whitefield.
OBSERVATIONS
ON
Select Passages of Scripture.
TURNED INTO
Catechetical Questions.
Begun, March 12, 1738.
OBSERVATIONS on Select Passages of Scripture.
LUKE, Chapter XXIII.