[191] See "The Oxford Methodists," pp. 220-223.
[192] Ibid.
[193] The italics are Whitefield's own. This was odd doctrine for him to teach! It must always be remembered, however, that Whitefield was a warm-hearted preacher,—never a learned, logical theologist.
[194] Whitefield's Journal, 1739, p. 87.
[195] Memoirs of James Hutton, pp. 93, 146, 177.
[196] The following is taken from an old newspaper: "We hear from Oxford that the Vice-Chancellor, hearing of Mr. Whitefield's arrival there, sent him word that he must not preach in Oxford, and hoped he would leave the place, which he did accordingly the beginning of this week."
[197] The Dissenting minister at Gloucester.
[198] The Universal Weekly History of May 5 contained the following: "On Saturday last, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, being denied the use of a pulpit, preached to a prodigious concourse of people on a tombstone, in Islington churchyard. Last Sunday morning, he did the same from the wall near Bedlam; and, in the afternoon, near the gallows on Kennington Common, to a vast number of people." Read's Weekly Journal, of the same date, says: "The followers of Parson Whitefield have done a vast deal of damage to the tombs and gravestones in Islington churchyard." It also adds that the question of Whitefield's exclusion from the pulpit of Islington Church was decided by a committee of ten; five chosen by Mr. Stonehouse, the vicar, and five by the parish vestry. Their decision was unanimous.
[199] Two days afterwards, Charles Wesley was similarly prohibited, and was told "the devil was in them all;" that is, in himself, Whitefield, and the vicar. Mr. Stonehouse waited upon the bishop; but had to leave him "close, shut up, and sour." In reference to Whitefield, Charles Wesley writes: "April 25. I heard G. Whitefield, very powerful, at Fetter Lane. April 27. I heard G. Whitefield in Islington churchyard. The numerous congregation could not have been more affected within its walls."
[200] Read's Weekly Journal of May 5th, says Whitefield preached from the same text as Dr. Trapp, and adds, "As the people were kept waiting a long time for the preacher, Dr. Rock cunningly took the advantage of his absence, and talked so pathetically to the multitude of the efficacy of his packets, that he disposed of abundance of them; and it is thought the quack for the body made greater profit that afternoon than the quack for the soul."