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FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 Sa^("~ **" ^» !■ ■ 
 
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 >£ t ?IBfP' 
 
 #V: 
 
 
 
LETTER 
 
 TO 
 
 Thofe of his Brethren 
 
 In the 
 
 M I N I S T R T 
 
 Who refufe to admit 
 
 The Rev. Mr. White field 
 
 Into their Pulpits. 
 
 By William 'Shurtleff, M. A. 
 
 And Paftor of the fecond Church in Port/mouth in Nav-Hampjbirt, 
 
 — — , p ■» ' 
 
 With an Appendix containing the Concurrence of fame other 
 
 Minijlers. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 Printed and Sold by Samuel Kneeland and Timothy Green 
 in Queen-Street. 1745, 
 
 6 
 

 
 
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( 3 ) 
 
 
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 Reverend and Beloved. 
 
 RAVING many of you feen fit to publifh your Deter- 
 mination of not admitting the Rev. Mr. IVhitefisld into 
 your Pulpits, and more than implicitly ceniur'd your 
 Brethren who have conducted themfelves towards him 
 in a different Manner : It can't be juft Matter of 
 Offence, that one of them takes the Liberty of addref- 
 fing you in this public Way •, efpecially feeing you are fome of you 
 grown fo my, and become fuch Strangers of late, that he is depriv'd 
 of tfie Opportunity he has fometimes wifh'd for of privately confer- 
 ring with you upon the foregoing Head. 
 
 That fo many are turn'd afide to vain Jangling^ I think calls for 
 Lamentation, and if I know my felf, lam a hearty Mourner for that 
 Spirit of Difcord that is gone forth, and fo far prevails among Mini- 
 fiers as well as private Chriftians. If what I am now writing mould 
 have any Tendency to increale it, and be a Means of further alienat- 
 ing your Affections, I fhall be very forry : Tho' let what will be the 
 Event, it will be fome Support to me, that lam adled by right Views. 
 And as I find my felf in the Exercife of brotherly Love, I mail en- 
 deavour to preferve that Gentlenefs and Meeknefs that lb peculiarly 
 becomes our high and heavenly Profeliion. 
 
 To come then to the Matter in Hand ; in refufing Mr. Whitcfidd 
 the Liberty of your Pulpits, you go upon this Suppojition^ that he has 
 been already the Inftrument of much Mifchief to the Churches of 
 
 Christ 
 
C 4 ) 
 
 Christ in this Land, and that there is a Profpeft of yet more Mif- 
 chief, mould he be indulg'd theLibcrty of preaching to the People 
 of your Charge. 
 
 I. You fuppofe, and many of you exprefly fay, ' That Mr. White- 
 
 * field by his former preaching among us, has been the Occafion of 
 
 * much Mifchief to the Churches of this Land. 
 
 You allow that there is a confiderable Alteration in the State of 
 Religion in thefe Churches now, from what it was fome Years ago, 
 and that Mr. Whitefield has been one great Inftrument of it, and fo 
 far we are agreed. But then you affirm, ' That this Alteration that 
 
 * there is in the State of Religion is for the worfe, and that he is to 
 4 be Jook'd upon as the blameable Caufe ©f all the Diforders that have 
 
 * arifen among us.* And herein 1 am obliged to differ from you. 
 
 [i.] I can by noMeans allow that theStaleof Religion in theChurches 
 of this Land is really alter'd for the worfe within thefe four or five 
 Years part : and that you and I may form a right Judgment of the 
 Matter, let us view it, as it was before that Time, and as it has been 
 fince. 
 
 i. Let us look a little back, and take a View of the- State of 
 ligion as it was in thefe Churches five Tears ago, and for fome 2 
 before. 
 
 An affecting Spectacle I confefs! what n6 ferioiis'Chriflfian c6ul& 
 behold in theTime of it, without a heavy Heart, and fcarce without 
 a w< eping Eye. To fee that folid and fubftantial Piety for which our 
 Anceitors were fo juftly renowned, having long languifh'd under fore 
 Decays, brought fo very low, and feemingly juft ready to expire and 
 give up the Ghoft. 
 
 How did not only Pelagianifm, but Arianifm, Socinianifm, and even 
 Deifm itfelf, and what is falfely call'd by the Name of Free-thinking, 
 here and there prevail ? How much was it grown into Fafhion to 
 throw off all Manner of Regard to nrrict and ferrous Godlinefs ? How 
 many feem'd afliam'd of the Drefs ? and of thofe that wore the Garb, 
 and kept up the Form, what Numbers were there that were content 
 with this, and had but little elfe ? The inftituted Means of Salva- 
 tion, it's evident in many Places, were but lightly efteem'd, and a 
 horrid Contempt was put upon the Miniftry of the IVordi When 
 there was no more than a Monthly Lcffure even in a large Parifii, what 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 a fmall Handful fliould we find attending upon it ? Indeed upon the 
 LorcTs-Day y when the Seafon was inviting, and there was nothing in 
 the Way, there would (it may be) be what fome call a handfome Ap- 
 pearance : That is, there would be a Number of Perfons of both 
 Sexes, efpecially in fome Congregations, richly and curioufly drefs'd % 
 and making as fine and glittering a Shew as if this was the Thing they 
 chiefly aim'd at •, which, with fome might poffibly be what they had 
 principally in View. Accordingly how remote were they for the 
 moil Part from that Serioufnefs and Solemnity that became the Place 
 where they were, and the Bufinefs they were about ? How little did 
 they behave as thofe that came to converfe with an infinitely holy 
 and glorious GOD •, and to fecure the Salvation of a Soul, which, 
 tho' immortal, and of more Worth than the whole World, was in 
 Danger of being loft for ever ? Even whilft the Word of God was 
 difpenfed, how many Eyes, if they were not {lumbering, would he 
 wandering and gazing ? And how little Keed did the Generality 
 give to the Things that they heard ? What Numbers were there, 
 who having after a Sort attended on the Sermon, and fo perform'd 
 their Tafk, went away fatisfied as if there was nothing further re- 
 quired ? How feldom was it that the Word made any abiding Im- 
 . fnons on the Hearers? And fometimes it may be it was but 
 poorly adapted to this Purpofe. 
 
 We who took upon us to be Majtersof AjJembUes, upon Reflection 
 may find Occafion to charge our felves with being too dull and I 
 fih, carelefs and negligent in our public Miniftranoris. I would nor 
 be underftood to infinuate that this was univerfa'ly the Cafe. There 
 were doubtlefs Exceptions to the contrary. But what I intend is, mat 
 it was too commonly fo, or at leaft that theie were too many mourn- 
 ful Inftances of it. It's well if we were none of us among thofe tl.a: 
 corrupt the Word. But if we were not Teachers of Dcclrines that are 
 grofly and notcrioufiy falfe •, are there not fome "weighty Points, fuch 
 as that of Original Sin, Regeneration and Convcrfun, Jujlif.cation by 
 Faith only, &:c. that have not been fo fully and throughly handled, lo 
 clearly explained, and fo flrongly prefTed as they might, and ought to 
 have been ? By which Means too many of our People have had but 
 very confufed and indifferent Notions of them ; and if they have 
 own'd them as Truths, have not had a juft Senfe of the Importance 
 of them. And tho' we faw but li trie Fruit of our Labours in thofe 
 
 B Ti 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 Times I am fpeaking of, how many Ways did we find to fatisfy our 
 felves, and how eafy were we in our want of Succefs ? Were we, 
 one and another of us upon this Account, crying out with the Pro- 
 phet, Wo is me> for Lam as when they have gathered the Summer 
 Fruits^ dec ? Did we constantly make it f.he Matter of our mod bit- 
 ter Lamentation before God, or was it the Subject of our Complaint 
 one to another ? No -, when we met together, our Con.verfation too 
 generally turn'd upon Pointe of a lovver Nature. Religious Conference 
 was ib much laid afide, not only among private Chnjlians, but even 
 among. Miniflers ; that it could not always be eafily introduced. Our 
 Jjfcciation Meetings had not always that Seriouinefs in them that 
 might be expected from Perfons of our facred Character : Infomuch 
 ihat fome have fmce told me, that being occafionally prdent, it was 
 Matter of Stumbling to them to fee us behave as if we had nothing 
 further in View than to fmoke and eat together, to tell a pk-afant 
 otory^&nd to talk of the common and ordinary Affairs of Lite. To 
 be fure, if our Difcourfe reach'd to Matters of Religion, it was fel- 
 dom any further than to Externals and Circumfrantials. You and I 
 muft own, and God grant we may make fuitable Reflections upon it, 
 that the greatelt and weightieft Matters were too much neglected ; 
 that our Time was not fp much of it fpent as might and ought to 
 have been in concerting Meafures how to advance the Kingdom of 
 that dear Redeemer, to whofe fpecial Service we were folemnly de- 
 voted •, and how to fecure the Salvation of the precious Souls we had 
 taken under our Watch and Charge. 
 
 Thefc Hints may ferve to give us fome Reprefentation of the State 
 of Religion as it was in the Generality of the Churches in this Part of 
 the Land, and as far as I am able to judge, in moft other Parts of it, 
 fome Tears ago. And were thofe fuch glorious and happy Days, that 
 you fhouJd fo earneftly wifh, as fome of you feem to do, for their 
 Return ? 
 
 I mud confefs that they don't appear to me in that Light. But 
 it may be you may be ready to fay ; ' Tho' Things were bad then, 
 
 ■ Jook upon them and fee if they are any Thing better •, nay, whe- 
 
 ■ ther all Things being eonfidered, they are not lefs defirable now ? ' 
 
 Accordingly I come, 
 2. To take a View of the State of Religion in thefe Churches 
 fmce the Time I was before fpeaking of. 
 
 The 
 
C 7 ) 
 
 The Reports that were br6ught among us of Mr. Whiicfield and 
 his Miniftry ; of the Multitude that attended it, and the Manner in 
 which they were wrought upon by it, had excited a Thoughtfulnefs 
 in a great many, even before his Arrival among us : And when he 
 came, you are lenfible what Crowds came to hear him, and how ge- 
 nerally they were wrought upon by his Preaching. As it made faving 
 Impreffions upon fome •, lb where it failed of this, it raifed in a great 
 Number a deep and lairing Concern as to their fpiritual and eternal 
 Interests. When Mr. Tennent came among us, this Concern increafed 
 and became more extenfive; fo it continued after he went from us. 
 As People long'd more to hear ; fo Minijlers lov'd more to preach 
 than they had ufed to do, and uiually fpoke with greater Power. 
 Some cf them that were Strangers to true and vital Piety before, be- 
 came now acquainted with it •, and others that were grown in a great 
 Meafure dead and formal, were quicken'd, ftir'd up, and had new 
 Life put into them. Some great and important Doclrines that before, 
 if not wholly omitted, were but gently touch'd •, were now more 
 largely infilled on, more clearly unfolded, and more warmly prefs'd. 
 Our JJfemblies were vaftly throng'd ; and it was rare to fee a carelefs 
 and inattentive Hearer among them all. Their thirfty Souls feem'd 
 greedily to drink down every Word that drop'd from the Preacher's 
 Lips. They heard as for their Lives. And then what a divine 
 Power accompanied the Word from one Time to another ? What 
 Numbers are <here that have been awaken'd out of their Security in 
 Sin ; that have feen the loft and perifhing State they were in ; that 
 being in the utmoft Agony and Anguifh of Soul from the Appre- 
 henfions of divine Wrath, have made it their anxious Inquiry how, 
 and in what Way toefcape •, and that have been applying themfelvts 
 to their Minifters, and others for Direction in this great and weighty 
 Affair ? And tho' fome foon loft their Convictions, and others that 
 went a great Way, have fince apoftatiz'd and drawn back ; yet upon 
 a ftrict and fair Inquiry, you will find a great many in one Place and 
 another that are exhibiting all the Evidence that can be expected of 
 an effectual and thorough Change-, a great many that having been 
 f Mutinies Darknefs, but being noiv Light in the Lsrd, walk as Children 
 of the Light ; and by their good Convedation are bright and Ihining 
 Ornaments to their Chriftian Profellion. 
 
 But 
 
C 8 ) 
 
 Bat now, tho' this be acknowledg'd, and tho* as far as has been 
 faid, it be allow'd that a very glorious and delightful Scene is open'd 
 to our Vi*w i I know you will be ready to object, * That the Bright- 
 ' nefs of it iseclipfed and obfcured by Reafon of the Diforders that 
 ' have occur'd.' And tho' as I may hereafter have Occafion to ob- 
 ferve, it could hardly be expected we fhould be perfectly free from 
 every Thing of this Kind •, yet I heartily , mourn that fo much of it 
 has arofe. Some Miniflers that were great Friends to the Revival of 
 Religion, thro' an ungovern'd, tho' well meant Zeal, have been car- 
 ried into unbecoming Extreams •, and whilfl: they have been much 
 admir'd and almoft idoliz'd by the People, have been left (and partly 
 it may be for that Reafonj to fall into great Indifcretions. And fo . 
 it has been as to fome others, and I make no Doubt as to fome graci- 
 ous Perfons -, they have run into Errors of Judgment, and Errors of 
 Practice. Some have ftrangely given Way to fpiritual, Pride ; they 
 have difcover'd too much of a cenforious Spirit one towards another ; 
 have been rafb, and uncharitable in judging the Minilters of Christ, 
 and too ready to feparate from them. I have heard of mournful In- 
 ftances of this Nature in the Colony of Connecticut : and we have had 
 too many Examples, of it in thefe Provinces. Some have feparated 
 for. no Caufe, and others upon too (lender Grounds. Tho' as to fome 
 that have withdrawn from the Communion to which they have be- 
 Jong'd •, I have fometirnes thought, that if many of thofe^that make 
 a great Noife about Separations and other Diforders, had been treated 
 juft in the fame Manner, they would have left their Minilters long 
 ago. For you know this dividing Spirit is not confin'd to thofe that 
 are. Friends to what we efteem as a remarkable Work of God's Grace 
 that has been going on among us. No -, thofe that have been difaf- 
 fected jo this W 7 ork have, in fundry Inftances, withdrawn from their 
 Minilters, for their firm and confcientious Attachment to it •,. and 
 where they have fet up a feparate Congregation, if I have been rightly ■■ 
 inform'd, have been encourag'd and afiiited in "t by fuch as have made 
 the. loudeit Complaints of the like Difpofition in others. Thus I have 
 taken a fhort View of the State r of Religion as it was in thefe Churches 
 fome Xears ago, and as it has been fince. , 
 
 And now Brethren, let us weigh Things maturely in our own 
 Minds ; and confider whether the latter State, tho' attended with 
 fome. difa&reable Circumftances, be not really, taking all Things to- 
 gether, 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 gether, more defirable than the former? How many diforder'f 
 Things does the Apoftie Paul complain of in the Church of Corinth, 
 where the Preaching of the Gofpel had been accompanied with a re- 
 markable ErTufion of the Holy Spirit? He tells them of Envying, 
 and Strife, and Divifions, that were among them, which was a Sign of 
 their being too carnal : One faid, I am of Paul, another I am of Apol- 
 los. They were too apt to magnify and adore one Minifter, and to 
 debafe and defpife another. But notwithstanding all this, fo far is the 
 Apoftie from thinking they had better continued in their former State, 
 •hat he could not forbear admiring and gratefully acknowledging the 
 Riches of divine Grace that had been difplay'd among them. Ithank 
 my God, fays he, always en year Behalf, for the Grace cf God that was 
 given you by J e fus Chrift. In the late Times, amidftali the Diforders 
 that have arofe, there has been a deep and fenous Concern among 
 great Numbers as to the Salvation of their Souls. Not a few v.->- 
 have good Reafon to think have been refcued from the Powers cf 
 Dar£nefs,and become the Subjects of the Redeemer's Kingdom. 
 Now does not this which has occafion'd fo much Joy in Heaven, and 
 di fi\i fed fuca a Pieafure thro' the whole angelic Molls, call for Re- 
 joicing from us here upon Earth, and demand our cheaiful Pra:fes ro 
 the GOD of ail Grace ? Is not iuch a State as this preferable to that 
 we were formerly in ? when it was a rare Thing for any to be con- 
 verted from the Error of their Wav, and effectually brought heme 
 to God •, when the Generality of thole that were hot openly vicious, 
 were funk into a dead, hfejefs and formal State •, when they were, the 
 moftof them it is to be fear'd, telling in their Attendance upon Or- 
 dinances, and in an external Conformity to the divine Y I it 
 may be too many without a juft Senfe and Apprehenfion of there be- 
 ing any Thing more requir'd in order to their Acceptance with God. 
 Now if it be really fo, as I conceive it to be, that the Alteration 
 there has been as to the State of Religion in thefe Churches, all 
 Things- being confider'd, be fo r the better and not for the worie -, 
 and if Mr. Whitefeld has had any Hand in the Change which you 
 feern to acknowledge, and I readily allow ; I think he ought to be 
 ^•ghly valued and regarded by us ; that it becomes us to be vrry 
 ihankful to him, but above all to give Glory to God, that has raited 
 up fuch an Inftrumcnt, and made him the Means of fo much Good 
 to us, 
 
 C [2 ] iu: 
 
C 10 ) 
 
 [2.] But then there is a fecond Thing wherein I am oblig'd to 
 differ from you, and that is, as to Mr. Wbitefield\ being the blameable 
 Caufe of all the Diforders that have arifen among us. 
 
 This is what you all manifeftly fuggeft, and fome of you plainly 
 declare. But it is what I can't at prefent be brought to allow, for the 
 following Reafons, (1 .) I fuppofe it is not at all likely that fuch an 
 Alteration fhould be brought to pais, and there be any remarkable 
 Change for the better without fome fuch Diforders as have arifen among 
 us, or others of the like Nature, from the common and ordinary 
 Courfe of Things. (2.) 1 think I can difcern feveral o<lher Caufe s to 
 which they are at Jeaft partly to be afcrib'd. And (3.) I can't find 
 That in Mr. Wbitefield's Conduct which can polTibly bring him under 
 the Charge of being the blameable Caufe of all thefe Diforders. 
 
 1. I fuppofe it not at all likely for any fuch Alteration to be bro't 
 about as to the State of Religion among a People, and there be any 
 remarkable Change for the better, without fome fucb Diforders as thofe 
 that have arifen among us, or others of a like Nature, from the com- 
 mon and ordinary Courfe of Things. 
 
 Indeed if the Change was univerfal, there would be a more hopeful 
 Profpect upon this Account. Tho' in Cafe it was fo, ifa whole Peo- 
 ple were to partake of the faving Influences of the Holy Spirit, and 
 every Individual to be really and effectually chang'd ; yet unlefs they 
 were without any Remains of indwelling Sin and Corruption, or had 
 arriv'd to fuch a Perfection in Knowledge and Hoiinefs as is not to 
 be expected in the prefent State ; it is not likely, tho* they were of 
 one Heart, they would be all of one Mind, and exactly agree in their 
 Sentiments ; but even in this Cafe fome Sort of Differences and Dif- 
 orders might arife. What then is to be expected when the Change is 
 io far from univerfal, that it does not extend to the bigger Part? 
 
 1c would be flrange, all Things confiderefl, if the principal Inftru- 
 ments and Agents in carrying on fuch a Work, did notfometimes flep 
 out of theWay, and behave fomewhat amifs,beingMen of like Paffions: 
 And it would be as flrange, if the Subjecls of it were not in fome In- 
 flances mifled and betray'd into fome Irregularities, or other, thro' the 
 remaining Lujls and Corruptions of their own Hearts. But then 
 befides this, Satan feeing his Kingdom at fuch a Time making, and 
 finding it dimi.nifh'd, to be Hire will be fadly enrag'd, and will not fail 
 to flir up all Manner of Diforders, as far as he is permitted. And 
 
 wicked 
 
( I« I 
 
 wicked Men having many, if not the moft of them, their carnal Peace 
 and Reft in fome Meafure interrupted and difturb'd, and their Cor- 
 ruptions inflam'd -, will be apt to raife a mighty Clamour a iainfl: fuch 
 a Work, and ail the Promotes of it, and let themfelves all they can 
 to oppofe its Progrefs •, which muft needs Occafion more or left of 
 Difturbance. Accordingly, let us learch the /acred Records, or con- 
 iult any Church Hijlory whatfoever, ancient or modern -, and when 
 fhall we find there was any confiderable Reformation among a People, 
 or any remarkable Revival of Religion quite free from Diforders. 
 'J'hat it fhould be fo, is hardly pojjikle in the Nature of theThing, and 
 what none can reafonably expect. 
 And then, 
 2. I think there are other Caufes to be difcern'd befides Mr. White- 
 field's coming among us, to which, the Diforders that have arifen,may 
 in a great Meafure be afcrib'd. There have been Indifcretion* and 
 Miftakes as was before faid, even in well difpos'd Perfons, Minijlers, 
 and others, from whence fome of thefe Irregularities, may have had 
 their Rife : But this does not throw the Fault of them upon Mr. 
 White field. Nay fuppofing they were owing to the Conducl of the Iti- 
 nerant Preachers that have fince been among us ; fuppofing they were 
 all bad Men, and purpofely cariwing on an ill Defign •, f which by the 
 Way is very foreign from my Thoughts :) But I fay, fuppofing it was 
 fo, I don't fee how Mr. Whitefield is any more chargeable with what 
 they have done, than the real Apojiles of our Lord were to be faulted 
 for thofe Deceivers that afterwards arofe, and faid they were A potties 
 and were not, but were Liars •, or than they by their working of true 
 Miracles, became frhe blameable Cau/e of Simon % Sorceries, and made 
 themfelves guilty of the Impolitions occafion'd by his Signs, and lying 
 Wonders. And then, befides the Mifchief that has arifen from the 
 Mifconduct of real and pretended Friends of the remarkable Work 
 of God's Grace that has been geing on among us ; it's eafy to fee 
 how much Confufion has been occafion'd by thofe that have rafhJy 
 and warmly fet themfelves againjl it. Yea, its poflfible, that fome that 
 have made the loudeft Outcries againft Diforders, may be among the 
 principal Caufes of them. And here Brethren, I hope you'l excufe 
 my Freedom in propofing it, as a Matter of your Enquiry, Whether 
 or no, you your felves have none of you been inlenfibly Faulty upon 
 this Account ; whether you have none of you by your own Conducl, 
 
 or 
 
( fc ) 
 
 or by the Influence which your Advice has had upon others, been in- 
 ftrumental of the Differences and Confufions that are fo much the 
 Subject of Complaint ? But I difmifs this Head, and come to fay 
 
 3. That I can't find That in Mr. WhitefuW s Conduct, which can 
 poifibly bring him under the Charge of being the blameabU Caufe of 
 all theie Diforders. 
 
 I don't fay, that he has never been ram, and that he has been free 
 from allManner of Imperfections : tho' I think,if hislmperfections had 
 been Id's, his many fhiningExcellencies & Endowments might have too 
 far attracted and fix'd our admiring Eyes j and as fbme may be apt 
 to pay him undue Honours now, the Danger then would have been 
 greater and more extenfive. But fuppofing we don't fee his Foibles 
 in the fame Light, but that they appear greater in your Eyes, than 
 they do in mine, they raiuft be ftrangely magnified to make him the 
 faulty Caufe of all our Diforders. 
 
 IS any Part of his Conducl be thought to difcover any Tincture of 
 Enthufiaftn, which has been common with fome of the moft eminent 
 and celebrated Servants of Christ : 1 cant think that his Preaching 
 can be faid to lay a Foundation for it, in which he always infills on 
 the written Word, and not any fudden Impreflions made upon 
 our Minds, as being the Rule of our Behaviour. Nor do I conceive 
 there is fuch a Spread and Prevalency of this Error, as fome have 
 been apt to imagine. Some there are I make no Doubt that are too 
 much govern'd by lmpulfes : But I believe it's much more common 
 for Perfons (tho' it be a Thing allow'd by all ferious Chriftians, that 
 the Holy Ghost is from Time to Time (lining us up to that which 
 is goodj to take too little Notice of what he fecretly fuggefts to them •, 
 and by far the greater Number, if they don't ridicule, it's to be fear'd 
 in a great Meafure flight, neglect, and overlook the Motions of the 
 blessed Spirit, and are fo far from Enthufiafm that they are faulty 
 upon the other Extream. 
 
 And then as to the AnUmmian Errors, and other dangerous Doc- 
 trines complain'd of; I never perceiv'd or heard of any Thing in his 
 Sermons or Converfation, when formerly among us, that had any direct 
 Tendency to promote them. There are I fuppofe none of us but are 
 liable to Slips, .and may let drop unguarded Expreflions ; and when 
 we are cautioning our Hearers again ft one Extream, are apt to fay 
 fome Things that, are liable to be abuftdas countenancing the con- 
 trary . 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 trary : And if we had all been as curiouQy and critically watch'd as 
 Mr. Wbitefield has been ; we mould fome of us, I fear, have come off 
 but poorly, and who of us would have efcap'd fo well ? But I'm pcr- 
 fwaded you'll find it a difficult Tafk from any Thing he has faid, to 
 fix upon him theCharge of being theAflfertor andEncourager of thefc, 
 or any other falfe, and heretical Doctrines. 
 
 And then as to our Separations which are fo confidently afcrib'd to 
 him ; tho' if I remember right, there was not an Infiance of one of 
 them /;'// more than a Tear after he went from us : upnn the moil fair 
 and impartial View I am able to take, I can't look upon him as their 
 defign'd Author, or as being upon any Account the main Spring and 
 Origen of them. What looks the moft plaufibly this Way, and what 
 1 am fenfible you are at once ready to alledge is, what he has faid of 
 the Minijiers and Colleges. But I very much qutftion, whether this 
 has had fo pernicious an Effect as fome have conceiv'd. I am not 
 pleading for the'Thing in it /elf. I own it to be rafh and unwarrantable, 
 and he himfelf has publickly- acknowledg'd it to be fo. Bjt I am 
 fpeaking of the Confcquence of it ; and queftion whether it has been fo 
 formidable as fome have been ready to apprehend, and can't think 
 of our Separations as proceeding from ir. If he has exprefs'd his 
 Fears refpecting the good State of the greater Part of the Mini/try 
 among us •, he has not pointed out any particular Perfbns as the Ob- 
 jedt of his Fears, nor call'd upon any to withdraw from them upon 
 this Account. And granting that his thus exprefllng his Fears be 
 without juft Grounds, and that it may be hurtful upon fomeAccounts ; 
 may it not have been ferviceable upon otheis ? And is it not likely 
 that he might intend it for Good ? Tho', if it was fo, I don't lay 
 that his good Intention in the Thing is in it felf a fufTicient Vindica- 
 tion of it. But let it be how it will, ought we not in this Cafe to 
 Jook beyond the Inftrument, and to have an Eye to the sitream 
 Director ? Did David obfervc the Hand of God, in the Revilings 
 of a wicked Shimei ; and fhall we take no Notice of it, in fuch an 
 Animadverfion in one whom, if we will lay afide Prejudice, we mud 
 needs account as one of his faithful Servants ? Methinks we in the 
 Miniftry fhould, one and another of us, upon thisOccafion ref.ect and 
 fay, * It is not for nothing, but is for fome wife and good Purpofc, 
 ' that this our Brother has been permitted to make this Remark ; 
 • may I not look upon it as a Call to me to take Heed to myfclf, 
 
 D and 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 f and to look narrowly into my own Heart? Accordingly I amre- 
 
 * folved to examine my felf, and to enquire more clofely than ever 
 
 * into my own State. 5 Inftead of being fill'd with Wrath and Bit- 
 ternefs againft the Injirument y which feems to be the Cafe with too 
 many, and may be likely to prevent their looking any further •, fuch 
 Reflections as thefe appear to be proper and becoming : And 1 am 
 well affur'd .that this is the Ufe that fome have made of it, and that it 
 has been over-ruled for their Advantage. And now fhould not this 
 Confideration in fome Meafure moderate our Refentment of the iup- 
 pufed Injury, and make us the more ready to pafs it by ? Jofeph 
 feems to be of <his Mind with Refpect to his Brethren, when they afk 
 his Forgivenefs of the Wrong they had done him : He fpeaks of it 
 as that which mould induce him the more freely and readily to grant 
 their Requeft, that tho' they thought Evil againjl him, God meant it 
 unto Good. And how much more fhould it be fo in this Cafe, when 
 both God and Man, as we trull, meant, it not for Evil, but for 
 Good. 
 
 I may fay much the fame, as to what is faid of the College. Mr. 
 White field feems to lament that the Students there have had fuch a 
 corrupt Tafte as to the Authors that have been in the greatefl Repute, 
 and mo ft read among them. And I fuppofe you have heard fome fe- 
 riousDi vines among our felves often lament the fame : I'm lure lhave, 
 tho' I was not always exactly of the fame Ser timerts as to their being 
 fo much Caufe of Lamentation upon thatAccount. Fie further feems 
 to lament that there was not moreCare taken of theYouth as toThings 
 of afpiritaal Nature ; and that they were not more ferioufly and clofely 
 applied to upon that Account. I have heard a venerable Dottor now 
 with God, make the fame Complaint with Refpect to the College 
 fome Years as;o : And feveral that have fince come from thence have 
 told me with a good deal of feeming Concern, that they [never had a 
 Word faid to them there, upon any Thing of this Nature. Now as 
 much as I value fome of the Gentlemen of the College, I don't think 
 it -is fo grofs an Affront to imagine, they might in fome Refpecls 
 have dilcharg'd their Truft better, and that it's a Thing impoflible 
 that any Manner of Blame fhould belong to them. If Mr. fVhitefield's 
 Informers and the other young Gentlemen have glvenafalfe Report, 
 they are? worthy of Blame. If what they have faid be true, it's 
 < her ncedkte, or a Thing of but little Confequence, for the Youth 
 
 there, 
 
( *5 ) 
 
 there, tho' they are many of them likely to have the Care of other - .; 
 Souls, to be ferioufly and frequently difcourled with concerning th<\r 
 own, and for any great Care to be taken that they *nay themieivc- I w 
 the early Subjects of a real Change •, or elie thole that have had die 
 Charge of them are not altogether free from Fault: and as I can'c 
 think them above Admonition, it's Pity that any Circumfrance re- 
 fpeding the Perfon that gives it, or the Manner in which it's given, 
 mould To far raife their Anger as to deprive them of the Benefit of it. 
 I am truly forry to fee it meeting with fo warm a Refentment from 
 them, and to find fuch a Handle made of it by fo many of my 
 Brethren. 
 
 It might be look'd upon by fome as rafh and unwarrantable in Dr. 
 Burnet, and as bearing too hard upon the €lergy of bis own Church, 
 and even upon the Seats of Learning, publickly to fay as he does in 
 his Preface to his Pajhral Care, * That the much greater Part of 
 ' thole that came to be ordain 'd, are ignorant to a Degree not to be 
 4 apprehended by thofe who are not oblig'd to know. The eafieft 
 ' Part of Knowledge, fays he, is that to which they are the greatelt 
 
 * Strangers •, I mean the plaineft Parts of Scripture, which they fay 
 
 * in Excufe of their Ignorance, that their Tutors in the Univerfines 
 ' never mention the Reading of to them •, fo that they* can give r.o 
 ' Account, or at leaft a very imperfect one of the Contents even of 
 ' the Gofpel.' This he fays, and a g 1- eat deal more to the lika r P'iir- 
 poie. But I never heard that it enrag'd the ferious Part of tbeClergy ; 
 and I don't believe they would any of them have bar'd their Pulpits 
 againft him, had they the Power to do it. 
 
 Thus Brethren, I have confider'd you as going upon the Suppofni- 
 oiv that Mr. Whitefidd has been heretofore the Inftrument of a gieat 
 deal of Mifchief to the Churches of this Land ; and have g;ven you 
 the Realons of my Diffent from you upon that Head. 
 
 And then, 
 II. You fuppofe there is a Profpect of yet further Mifchief fliould 
 he be, indulg'd the Liberty of preaching to the People of yourCharge, 
 and are therefore determin'd not to admit him into your Pulpits. 
 
 But not having Penetration enough to difcern any juft Grounds for* 
 fuch a Suppofition, I mult here alio take Le^v^ to be of a different 
 Opinion. 
 
 As 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 As For Itinera it Preaching in general, enough I think has been faid 
 upon it. 1 fbalJ only add, that I have been fomething furprized to 
 find fome Men in Reputation for Senfe and Learning talking of it as 
 they have done, as a Thing not now to be tolerated where there are 
 ftated Minifters, even fuppofmg no particular and exprefs Direction to 
 be given for it in Scripture. It's often pleaded, and I believe pretty 
 generally granted, that there is no fuch exact Model of Difcipline and 
 Management laid down in the Word of God, to be obferv'd by the 
 Church of Christ in all the Ages of it, but that there are fome 
 Things left to humane Prudence as the Circumftance of Time and 
 Place may require. Accordingly the Church of England feems to look 
 upon Itinerant Preachers as proper at this Day. There have been 
 Perfons employ'd under that Character, and call'd by that Name in 
 thefe Colonies by the Society for the Propogation of the Gofpel ; and 
 I have feen a printed Account of their Preaching from Town toTown. 
 And as to the Objection of any One's taking this upon himfelf ; I 
 believe when you find one of fo much Self-denial to itinerate as Mr. 
 IVhitefield does ; one fo well recommended by Men of Learning and 
 Piety abroad j one that upon taking a little Pains, you may fatisfy 
 your felves has his Attainments in Knowledge and Grace ; one that is 
 of the like Faith and Converfation, and as far as you are able to judge, 
 has fuch a flaming Love to Christ, and deep Concern for Souls ; 
 and one whom God has fo far own'd and honour'd with fo much 
 Succefs ;you will have no juft Reafon to queftion his Call or Qualifi- 
 cations. If when he was formerly among us, he was upon fome Ac- 
 counts ram, all Things being confider'd we need not wonder at it. 
 But he has now had further Experience and Time to obferve and 
 correct his Mi flakes. And what juft Apprehenfions you can have of 
 Mifchief to your felves or to your People by admitting him into your 
 Pulpits, I can't eafily conceive. Does he preach any other Doctrines 
 than were preach'd by the firji Reformers, and by our pious Prede- 
 cejjors •, any other than were held by them, and are held by us to be 
 agreable to the Form of found Words contain'd in the Scriptures, and 
 to the Faith once deliver'd to the Saints ? If any of you preach dif- 
 ferent Doctrines, I don't wonder that you are fomething fearful of re- 
 ceiving him into your Pulpits. In this Cafe it may be hurtful to'you 
 
 at preient, tho' even then it might be of eminent Service to you and 
 your People in the End. But I take it for granted that it's othcrwife 
 
 with 
 
( '7 ) 
 
 With the moft, if not all of you : And if you are Preachers of the 
 fame Doctrines, what Apprehenfions can you have of Danger from 
 him ? If we mould feel ourfeJves unduly mov'd, and find our Cor- 
 ruptions rais'd at his fuperiour Fame, and the great Applaufe he meets 
 with among our People, it may ferve to fhew us the Wickednefs of 
 our own Hearts. However angry we may be at any one's having 
 the Epithet of Half Devil, we may from thence fee that we have too 
 much of the Temper of the wicked One, and mould endeavour to 
 check and fupprels that Spirit that lujietb to Envy. Has that great 
 Head of the Church, who ads his own Sovereignty in bellowing his 
 Gifts, furnifh'd this Servant of his with lbme diitinguifhing Endow- 
 ments, fhall we diiown them, or go about to If Hen them ? No ; oh 
 the contrary, let us be willing to fee, ard ready to acknowledge them 
 to the Glory of the free and bountiful Beflov.er of them, and d»n*c 
 let oar Eye be evil becaufe He is good, if We faithfully devote our 
 felves to our Work, we need not be under any d'ftrefTing Fears of 
 lofing our Efhem among our People, we fhall have as much of it as 
 will be beft. And I'm fatisfied that your admittirg Mr. Whiiffield 
 into your Pulpits, where the greater Part of your People are not pre- 
 judiced againlc him, will tend rather to increafc than diminifh it. 
 Your Resolution to keep him out, inftead of being of any Service, 
 will, I am perfwaded, be of hurtful Tendency as to what I am now 
 fpcakingof: Efpecially if whilft you debar him your Puhvts, you 
 are ready to admit almofl any others, tho' it may be not well quali- 
 fied upon any Account, it will be apt to raife JcafoufieS in many of 
 your Heareis, and to lelTtn your Intereft in their AfiVcl.cn and Re- 
 gard. And as there can be no jiift Apprehenfion of Mifchiefto ycur 
 felves by encouraging Mr. lVkii:fic;d\ preaching to the People of 
 your Charge, what but a groundlefs and meerly imaginary ProfpecT: 
 can you have of Mifchief to them ? There br.s, I truft, been much 
 Good done where he has been freely admitted ; but who have been 
 hurt by his Miniflry ? I have joyfully and thankfully receiv'd him 
 into my Pulpit as often as there has been Opportunity for it ; and I 
 hope many of the dear People with whom 1 am more immediately 
 concern'd, will have Caufe of bleffing Gon eternally on his Account: 
 But I am not confeious of any Mifchief that has accrued from his 
 Preaching. Thro' the unmerited Favour of Heaven we are as free 
 from Confufibns, and enjoy as much Peace as any Congregation I 
 
 E kr.o* 
 
r 18 ) 
 
 know of. So far is he from giving Countenance to Separations or 
 other Diforders, that I have often heard him bear Teftimony againft 
 them. And I allure you, if I had been in itru mental of preventing 
 one from preaching to this People, whofe Labours God had. fo re- 
 markably blefs'd, and whom he had made initrumental of faving 
 Good to fo many Souls, I mould have been ftarful whether ] had not 
 been a Means of obftructing their eternal Interefts ; and as I mould 
 have been unable to have anfwer'd it to God or my own Confcience, 
 I mould have laid a Foundation for great Unafinefs and Perplexity 
 of Mind. 
 
 . Thus Brethren I have confider'd the Suppofirion you have gone 
 upon in your Conduct with Refpect to NirJVkiitfield^nd have (hewn 
 you why it does not appear to me to be well grounded. 
 
 And now Bicthren, tho' thefe Things may have no Weight 
 at all with you, and tho' you may ftill think you are in the 
 Right in (hutting out of your Pulpits this zealous Preacher of Chnit, 
 and his pureGofpH ; give me Leave to ask whether you are able upon 
 a cool and calm Thought of Things to approve of the Spirit and 
 .Temper that appears in what fome of you have published relating to 
 him ; and whether you can reflect upon it with any real Satisfaction of 
 Mind ? Is it fitting to fpeak of him in fo angry and infulting a Way, 
 and to let your Expreffions favour of io much Wrath and Bitternefs ? 
 Is this a true Gofpel Spirit? Even tho' we were reviled, would it be- 
 come us to revile again ? Did our Lord and Matter do thus ? No ; 
 he has left us a Pattern of a quite contrary Spirit, and it peculiarly be- 
 comes hisMmifters to learn of him who was meek and lowly in Heart. 
 And then further, Is thatSpirit of rafh Judging, that difcovers itfelf in fome 
 of your Writings a Thing that will admit of a fair and eafy Defence ? 
 You are fenfible there have been fad Complaints of the Prevalency of 
 fuch aSpirit of late ; and it is greatly to be regretted that there has been 
 any Occafion for them. You don't like that any mould take upon 
 them to know and judge the Hearts of others ; to pronounce them 
 Pharifees, and to fix any fuch like opprobrious Characters upon them. 
 And I allure you I am as far as any of you from approving the Practice, 
 and yet I am greatly miflaken if you are not fome of you doing the 
 fame Thing with Refpect to Mr. IVhitefield. You exprefly fpeak of 
 his [antlimonious Pretences ; you charge him with the Oftentation of a 
 proud, Pbarif&e, and with carrying on the molt wicked and hypocritical 
 
 Defigns, 
 
( '9 ) 
 
 Defigns. Now is this ram judging a Crime in itfelf, and what you 
 feverely ceniure in others, and is it excufeable in you ? Have not one 
 and another of you been complaining of it as one of the Diforders of 
 the pefentTimes, and fpeaking of it as aFault ? How then can I for- 
 bear faying, Out of thine own Mouth thou art condemned? wherein thou 
 judgeji another, condemneji thou not thy fe If, feeing thou that judgeji doji 
 the fame Thing ? 
 
 And then it feems to me, and fome other of your Brethren, that it 
 would have been as well if fome of you had not been quite fo for- 
 ward in cenfuring others befides Mr. IVhitefidd. Whillt you have 
 been charging him with Want of Refpect to his Superiours in Age, 
 and alio in Learning aad Grace ; have not fome of you, that are but 
 ycung, fhewn your fclves defective upon the like Account, in fpeak- 
 ing fo feverely of your Fathers that have countenanced Mr IVhitefield's 
 preaching among us ? Elpecially in reprefenting thofe in luch .an 
 odious Light, and as having acted fo unbecoming a Part, that have 
 afk'd him to affift in the Admimfirution of the Sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper •, which muft point more particularly at the venerable 
 Mr. Chever. of Chelfea, and the venerable Dr. Colman of Bolton? 
 Methinks that ancient Injunction mould have been iome Check to 
 you, Thou JJjalt rife up before the hoary Head, and honour the Face of 
 the old Man : And that it had been better for thole of you that are fo 
 much their Inferiours in Years, and it may be upon other Accounts, 
 to have tarried a little ionger, at lead to have waited 'till you had fome 
 Difcourfe with thofe ancient and worthy Divines, and heard what they 
 had to fay in their own Defence, before you had thus publickly ani- 
 madverted upon them. 
 
 But after all, however it may be with fome, I can't but hope that 
 many of you, tho' you may have conceiv'd a Didike to fome Part of 
 Mr. lVhitcfield'% Conduct, and don't think it beft to call him in to 
 your Alfiftance in your Labours ; are under no fuch Prejudices, but 
 that you think well of him in the main, and account him a faithful 
 Servant of Jesus Christ. But then I'm fure if it be fo, and you 
 have any true Love for the Matter whom he fei ves j you muft needs 
 be in fome Meafure affected with the reftlefs Rage and bitter Enmity 
 with which he is conftantly purfued, and feel fome Reientings of 
 Heart on the Account of the cruel and hard Ufage he from Time to 
 Time meets with. And here 1 would take Leave to propoie it to 
 
 you 
 
< 20 ) 
 
 you as a Thing worthy of Confederation, Whether in what yon have 
 done, you have not help'd to ftrengthen the Hands of thofe that are 
 Enemies to true and vital Religion, and given too much Countenance 
 to them ? For whether you are fenfible of it or no, they are all to a 
 Man much gratified with what you have done. I would not, Bre- 
 thren, be underftood as exhibiting lb grofs a Charge againfl you, as 
 that you have been doing this by Defign ; nor would I be thought to 
 include all that approve of your Conduct among the Enemies of Re- 
 ligion : No •, I make no Doubt but fome of its Friends and Patrons, 
 by fome Means or other, may be led into fome Sort of DifafFection to 
 Mr. IVhitefield, and may in the main be well pleafed with your Man- 
 ner of proceeding againft him. But I am fatisfied it is grievous to 
 by far the greater Part of the Generation of God's Children •, and as 
 I before faid, has gain'd you the univerfal Approbation of Perfons of 
 a contrary Character. I dare fay, there is not a Deift, an Arian, zSo- 
 cinian, &c. that there is not a profane Per/cn, a Senfualijt, or any im- 
 moral Liver in the whole Country, not one of corrupt Principles, or 
 diflblute Manners, but what has a much higher Efteem of you, than 
 before. Perfons of thisCharacterare loading you with theirAppIaufes, 
 and think they can't fay too much in your Praife. Much Good may 
 it do you ; I envy you not the Honour of their Applaufe. 
 
 I have omitted faying anyThing to fome of your Objections againrt 
 Mr. Whitifieldy partly becaufe I think enough has been faid to them 
 by others, and partly for Fear of extending my Letter to too great a 
 Length. 
 
 And now, Brethren, if I have in any Thing exprefs'd my felf in an 
 unbecoming Manner, and fo as to lay my felf open to your jufr. Re- 
 ientment, as I have not done it fenfibly and Ly De fign, I hope 1 fliall 
 have your Excufe : And as what has been written is well meant, I 
 fhall be glad if it be well receiv'd, and pray that the Things luggeiled 
 may meet with a mature Deliberation. 
 
 Upon the whole, If you can't be perfuaded but that I have too 
 high an Opinion of Mr. Whitefidd, and queftion whether he be the 
 Perfon I conceive him to be : I would only further fay to you, Come 
 and fee ', converfe with him freely and without Prejudice, as I trufl that 
 I and many others have done ; and 1 make no Doubt but you'll dif- 
 cover as much of Christ in him •, that you'll fee as mining a Patterp 
 of Love to God and Man, of Meckncfs, Humility and Self-denial ; 
 
 a 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 a Pattern of as much true Zeal for the promoting of that Kingdom of 
 GOD, which is not Meat and Drink, but Righteoufnefs, and Peace, and, 
 'Joy in the Holy Ghojl -, as great an Example of Diligence, and a care- 
 ful redeeming of Time, as you have beheld in any one you have been 
 acquainted with. 
 
 And now Brethren, May you and I be Followers of him in all 
 Things wherein he follows Christ. Particularly, May all Buternefs, 
 and Wrath, and Anger, and Clamour, and Evil fpeaking be put away 
 from us, with all Malice : May we be kind one to another, tender heart- 
 ed, forgiving one another, as God for Christ'j Sake forgives us. 
 
 And Oh ! that the fweet and peaceable Spirit of the Gofpel might 
 univerfally fpread and prevail : That the Time may come when the 
 Wolf Jhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard fljall lie down with 
 the Kid ; the Calf, the young Lion, and the Fat ling together, and a little 
 Child Jhall lead them : When they fid all not hurt or deflroy in all God'j 
 holy Mountain ; when the Earth /ball be full of the Knowledge of the 
 Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea. For Zion'j Sake let us not hold 
 our Peace, and for Jerufalem'j Sake ht us not rejt, 'till we perceive 
 this glorious Day to dawn, and 'till the Darknefs and Shadows begin to 
 flee away, Wifhing and looking for ir, 
 
 I conclude and remain, 
 
 Your very affectionate Friend and Brother, 
 
 Portfmouth, May 3. 1745. 
 
 William Slmrtleff. 
 
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 A P P E N D I 3 
 
 To our Rev, Brethren in theMiniftry, 
 who refofe the Rev. Mr. White field 
 their Pulpits. 
 
 J?*v. and Beloved, 
 
 WE whofe Names are underwritten, being at the Houfe of our 
 dear Brother, the Reverend Mr. IVilliam Shurtleff, at Portf- 
 mouth •, he was pleated to communicate to us what he had written, 
 with Refpedt to the Reverend Mr. Whilefield : And we do readily 
 embrace this Opportunity of teftifying our Satisfaction therewith ; 
 and heartily with that what he has judiciously prepared for the Prefs, 
 and is hereby likely to fall into your Hands, may be accompanied 
 with the divine Bleffing, to change your Thoughts with Refpect to 
 the Reverend Mr. Wbitefield, whofe Praife is defervedly in many of 
 the Churches of our dear Redeemer, in this Land ; and your De- 
 termination, which we think, and muft be fo free as to fay, appears 
 to us without Foundation, that you fliould refufe him the Liberty of 
 your Pulpits. We cannot but exprefs ourThankfuInefs to God, who 
 has rais'd up Mr. Whilefield^ and evidently owned and honoured him 
 with fo much Succefs in preaching the everlafting Gofpel of Jesus 
 Christ in this Land ; and fo gracioufly conducted him, as that he 
 can in our Judgment, by no Means be the culpable Caufe of any Di- 
 vifu rn or Separations that have prevailed in any of our Churches. 
 And we earnestly defire, that fuch of our reverend and dearBrethren, 
 as labour under any Prejudices with Refpect to Mr. Whilefield, would 
 
 take 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 2 3 
 
 take the Opportunity freely to converfe with him : In fa doing, we 
 doubt not but Prejudices would be removed, he would be wel- 
 com'd into Pulpits, and probably become inftrumental of reviv- 
 ing and carrying on the glorious Work of God in your refpective 
 Charges •, which would be further Ground of Joy and Rejoycing to 
 us, who are your Brethren and Fellow Labourers in the Gofpel of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 Jeremiah Wife, Pallor of the Church in Berwick. 
 
 John Roger s^P^ov of the fecondChurch in Kittery. 
 
 James Pike, Paftor of the Church in Somerfwortb. 
 
 SamuelChandler,V&ft:QV of thz fecondChurch inTork, 
 
*£>*#; 
 
 
 SB 
 
 
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 V^^^he^^V^^* ^ JMJ 
 
 
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 Hr ' * r mo "»■ 
 
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