CHAPTER IV.

_A short account of the endeavours of the Romish clergy, to prevent his usefulness among their people. The means he made use of to instruct them, and the success which he met with therein._

NOTWITHSTANDING the strict laws which are in force, to prevent the propagation of Popery in these kingdoms, and to restrain the attempts of _Romish_ priests and jesuits; it is no secret, that both in _Ireland_ and _England_, their endeavours, are as unwearied as ever. They compass sea and land all round the globe, and hardly stick at any thing that may contribute towards their making proselytes.

The endeavours of this servant of Christ, to convert to him members of that communion, stirred up their clergy against him wherever he came. His name was well known in all their churches; and in whatsoever place there appeared but a probability of his coming, the priests took care, to render him as obnoxious to the people as they possibly could; insomuch, that they stuck at nothing, though never so false, to compass their end. They however carefully avoided his having opportunity to talk with themselves. I do not find that from the time of his leaving their communion, he had ever any settled personal interviews with them, although for the sake of their poor ignorant people, for whom he had the tenderest compassion, he has frequently desired it; sometimes even in public. One ♦occasional conversation only, with one of their priests, on board a ship, in a passage from _England_ to _Dublin_, he relates, as follows, “We discoursed on the following particulars. 1. The Pope’s infallibility. 2. Transubstantiation. 3. Invocation of saints. 4. Purgatory. But he could not withstand the force of plain scripture, and therefore withdrew. The company were greatly pleased to find, how little the _Romish_ clergy have to say for themselves, when opposed by arguments taken from scripture and reason.”

♦ “occcasional” replaced with “occasional”

In one place, (_C――――l_) the priest informed his congregation, (to such low shifts were they driven) and industriously spread abroad, “that he had been a servant boy to a certain priest, and that having stolen his master’s books, he learned to preach by that means.”

The conduct of another of them at _Cork_, was still more extraordinary. There was in that place a vast resort of _Catholics_ (so called) to his sermons, which were often under the open firmament, as well as daily within doors, both in _Irish_ and _English_; and among the _Romanists_, who were happily stirred up thereby to a concern for their salvation, there was one elderly woman, who had been in some religious office among them. She entirely forsook their communion, constantly attended his sermons, and thenceforward, received the Lord’s supper in the church of _England_.

The _Romish_ priests became strangely irritated, and laboured vehemently to stop the growing evil; to which end, one of them affirmed to the people, that “As to that _Walsh_, who had some time before turned heretic, and went about preaching, he had been dead long ago: and that he, who then preached in this manner, was but the devil in his shape.”

But their endeavours, proved in great measure ineffectual; for, however a few persons might receive ill impressions from such insinuations; yet several of their communion in many places heard him gladly, and would not be hindered therefrom. Rather, the more the priests urged them, they prevailed the less. His labours, and prayers, and tears, for their poor straying souls, over whom his bowels so often yearned, had, on many the desired effect; being thereby, not only reformed from Popery, but really converted to God.

Of the common natives of _Ireland_, it has been frequently observed, that of all the natives of the globe, there are none who exceed them for hospitality, good nature, and susceptibility of religious impressions. It might well therefore, occasion the ‘yearning of the bowels’ of this lover of souls, to see such multitudes of them detained in total ignorance by their priests, to whom they pay the most implicit obedience.

*And hence it was, that from the beginning of the concern which he felt for his own soul, he set himself, by all possible means _to turn them from darkness to light_. And whither in the highways, at inns, in the city or country, he let slip no probable means of instructing them. One circumstance which is much more common in _Ireland_ than _England_, I mean the number of street beggars, furnished him with frequent opportunities of this kind.

His manner of addressing them was easy and familiar: talking to them always in a stile suited to their capacity and prejudices. He avoided entirely the difference of churches, and all matter of dispute, speaking only of the dreadful evil of sin, the great affairs of eternal life, and eternal death, of judgment, and of the sufferings and sacrifice of the Son of God. And his discourses had often such immediate effect, that falling on their knees, and smiting their breasts, they have wept, and cried for mercy, in the open streets. He always concluded his instructions with giving them money, if he had it, which indeed was not always the case.

It would be tedious to enumerate all the conversations, and various intercourses which he had with members of that communion, and the good effects which were produced by them. Two or three only, may be related from his own accounts.

“This day ―――― came to my room. I asked him, how he hoped to be saved? And having talked together in _Irish_ for some time, he became greatly affected, and said, ‘I have saved some money to leave to some _Priest_ or _Friar_ when I die, in order to procure me the forgiveness of my sins, and I am willing to leave it to you, if you will accept of it.’ I told him, that no man could forgive his sins; that the gift of God was not to be purchased with money; and that only the blood of Christ, our great _High-priest_, could cleanse from sin. He was deeply wounded, and cried earnestly to God, to whom, after prayer I commended him.”

At another time he writes, “A poor woman, a papist, came to my room, desirous of salvation. I prayed with her in _Irish_. She frequently fell on her knees and cried for mercy, resolving no more to regard the priest’s curses, but to seek her salvation according as the word of God directs.”

Again, “Being on a journey, where I breakfasted (it was a Romanist’s) I reproved the landlord for swearing, and talked to all who were present. I exhorted likewise a woman at the door, to seek from God, repentance and salvation. She cried with amaze! To the blessed Virgin, and to the twelve apostles to help her. But I taught her to direct her prayers to God the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ.”

*Beside his frequent occasional conversations with them, he went to as many of their own houses as he could get admittance, where he regarded the children and servants, even as the masters and mistresses.

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”

“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.”