“I was quiet in my mind, being persuaded that the God of Daniel was still the same, I did not feel the least anger, or rising of revenge towards him; and still reproved him whenever he swore. In the midst of his rage I reproved him in Irish. He was instantly amazed; and replied, ‘Why did you not speak so to me in the beginning?’ The lion became a lamb, and I then let him know still speaking in Irish, what Christ had done for sinners. He departed with a broken heart.”
When some of them once followed him after preaching, desirous of instruction. “I told them (says he) as to religion that it was not a bare profession that would avail any one.—That the true way, was to forsake sin and follow Christ; and that in order thereto, it was needful that a person should, 1st. Be poor in spirit; feel that he is a sinner. 2dly, Mourn on that account with a broken and contrite heart. 3dly, Forsake sin by applying to the Lord for strength. 4thly, Believe in Christ, and him only for salvation; as it is his blood alone, that cleanseth from all unrighteousness: and 5thly, Obey the gospel by conforming to the rules there laid down; living soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.”
This was the sum of what he taught them from time to time, as the way of salvation, which, explained and enforced by the holy scriptures, he opposed to every other device, or tradition of men. And so zealously concerned was he for enforcing these truths wherever he came, that to one, amidst a great number of Romanists, whose attention some endeavoured to hinder, he said, “If my doctrine be not according to the word of God, stone me on the spot. Make a sacrifice of me: only hear for yourselves.”
“O that God would call them to the knowledge of the gospel of peace, and open to them a door of salvation. Open Lord the eyes of their priests. Remember the purchase of thy blood, nor suffer those poor souls to perish, for whom Christ hath died.”
CHAPTER V.
He goes to England and labours there.
THE enlargement of soul, with which it pleased God to bless him, left no bounds to his desires, of spreading the favour of the knowledge of Jesus, in every place: and his providential connexions, afforded him a large sphere of action. The people with whom he was more immediately united, and who were, according to the divine disposals, the instruments of his salvation, had now, through the blessing of heaven, spread the joyful sound, well nigh all over England, and Ireland. And hence arose a necessity for many labourers.
It was therefore judged expedient that, (having been successfully employed between two and three years in his native country) he should go to England likewise: to which only the conviction of its being the will of God, could have [♦]reconciled him; feeling what was natural on the occasion, “A struggle within himself on leaving his friends and country.”
[♦] “reciled” replaced with “reconciled”