But what most of all contributed to the success of his attempts for their good, was his public preaching, to which great numbers of them frequently resorted, wherever he came; induced thereto, chiefly by his preaching in Irish, and such things as they easily understood. There is in the Irish language a peculiarly affecting expressiveness, particularly with respect to the things of God; which, being pressed home upon the conscience, by his zealous and alarming way of preaching, often left them bathed in tears. I saw a very remarkable instance of this in the town of my nativity; preaching there on a market-day, many of the country people running with surprize to hear him, smote their breasts and wept, in such a manner as was entirely new to them, some affirming, that they could go all over the world with him! It may be truly said, he seldom preached a sermon in Irish, from which some of them did not receive advantage. He briefly mentions a few instances himself, as follows,
“After preaching both in Irish and English, a poor papist woman came to me, saying, ‘She came for instruction; for that as she was a poor woman, she could not have it elsewhere, and she wanted to save her soul.’ I told her, that all which was in my power, I would do for her willingly. She wept, and I prayed with her, pointing her for all her soul wanted, to Jesus, who alone is the way, the truth, and the life.”
*Again, “January 4, 1751. My soul was delighted to see with what earnestness the poor Irish, (meaning the Romanists) received the word, being in general deeply affected. O how did they weep, and cry for mercy! May God hear their prayer. Surely this people will rise up in judgment against Protestants, who having the light of the gospel, either neglect or despise it. And also against the pastors of this ignorant people, who hold them in error. O, what have the Romish clergy to answer for before God!”
“April, 1751. Many of them professed after preaching, that they received more benefit from that one sermon, than from all the masses they had attended during their whole life.”
At another time preaching concerning the good Samaritan (Luke x. 30.) “Two members of the church of Rome were deeply convinced of their want of a Saviour, and thirty-four persons joined themselves together, to seek and serve the Lord.”
“Friday, May 8. I conversed with a woman who was formerly of the church of England, but had been seduced by the Romish priests. She was convinced of her error and returned. To God be the glory.”
“After preaching on John i. 17. Sinners cried out mightily. One came confessing her deeds and said, She had lived an adultress, worse than Mary Magdalen; she wept, trembled and roared aloud.”
The circumstance of his preaching and speaking in Irish, (a thing that multitudes, at least of protestants in Ireland cannot do) next to the singular blessing of God upon his labours, contributed most to the success of his endeavours. Though it is observable that when he preached one day in Irish, on Oxmon-Town-Green in Dublin, among those who were affected by the discourse, there was one man cut to the heart, although he did not, at all understand the language.
In a journey once between Cork and Bandon, he fell into conversation with a man who rode some miles with him, till as was his constant manner, he began to apply something to his heart, concerning the worth of his soul, and the way of salvation. But he favouring not the things of God, became [♦]grievously offended. “His prejudice in short ran so high, that he declared, although he were shot for it, he would have satisfaction; adding with an oath, thou shalt never deceive another, for I am resolved to be the death of you just now.”
[♦] “grievosly” replaced with “grievously”