CHAPTER VI.
_His love to souls, and zeal for promoting the glory of God._
SOME account of his endeavours for the salvation of his neighbour, has already been given. But this being so considerable a part of his character, deserves a more full consideration: though it cannot be told, of how many and various expedients he served himself for the conversion of sinners.
He watched every opportunity; and was literally _instant in season, out of season_; that is continually, at all times and places, seeking how he might best accomplish the end, for which alone he desired to live.
The intenseness of his desire, and his application to this _one thing_, kept him continually as on the wing, spending, and being spent in this behalf; regarding neither reproach, pain, loss, nor death itself. “I have, said he, but one life, and it is a hard case if I cannot readily lose that for his sake, who gave his life a ransom for mine, and for the life of the world. My heart bleeds for the world which lieth in the wicked one.”
It was owing to this likewise, that he embraced every possible opportunity of crying aloud, in the most conspicuous places of public resort, and of enforcing the voice of wisdom, saying, _How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity, and scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge! Turn ye at my reproof; behold I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you._
*Mountains, market-places, highways, meadows, rooms, prisons, and ships, were the frequent theatres of his publishing the gospel of peace. And herein there appeared in him something next to marvellous, being a living fire, continually burning in the love of God and man; still mounting upwards, and kindling all that were capable about him; as prone to fervour and activity, as some are to cold and indolence. He was never weary of well-doing, nor ever spoke slightly, and with indifferent affection of the great God, and of the things of religion; but with a seriousness and reverence, becoming one who by faith saw the Invisible, and looked to be shortly with him!
*He was in truth a mighty adversary to the devil’s kingdom, and took every possible step, which he judged might, in any measure, promote the honour of God, to whose sole glory he sacrificed himself, with all his labours and studies. It is scarcely possible to enable a stranger to him to conceive, the flow of his soul, and energy of his spirit and expressions on these occasions; while he endeavoured by _all means_ to save some. To this end, he truly imparted, not the gospel of God only, but likewise his own soul. It was this noble object which raised him above, even that attention to his body, which it required. It was truly said of him,
He scorn’d his feeble flesh to spare, Regardless of its swift decline; His single aim, his ceaseless prayer To spread the righteousness divine:
He truly triumphed in the cross, Its prints as on his body shew’d, Lavish of life for Jesu’s cause, Whose blood for all so freely flow’d.
The fire which burned in his heart never said “It is enough.” And the success with which it pleased our Lord to prosper his labours, was a constant motive to his going forward. His designs of doing good were without limits, esteeming himself a debtor to all, and embracing in affection, not less than the whole world.
Riding through _Wales_ and finding that, in many places they did not understand _English_, he felt great concern on the occasion, and formed a resolution, if his life and health permitted, to learn the _Welch_ language.
And it was given him not only to believe, and therefore to speak for God; but also to suffer for his cause. But he rejoiced in his sufferings, and filled up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh.
Meantime the _end_, which he still kept in view, together with his frequent reflections, on the love of Jesus; the danger of sinners dying without conversion; and the present salvation to which they are entitled, thro’ the blood of the Lamb: made him more than superior to every thing which, either men, or the malice of _Satan_ could invent against, or inflict upon him.
His warm heart and fervent courage, feared no danger in the discharge of his duty, being well assured that walking uprightly, he walked surely. He dreaded not the faces of men, but where occasion offered, boldly reproved what he saw amiss in every one. Wherever there appeared any probability of his doing good, he was never hindered by the prospect of danger.
In one place, having preached to a vast number of _Romanists_ and others, and a prospect appearing of doing much good, he intended, to go again: but a report prevailed that if he attempted it; a great man would either have him stoned, or sent to jail. On this occasion “I reflected (says he) what God had done in former times for those who put their trust in him. And he gave me strength according to my day. I found my faith in him greatly strengthened, and resolved, simply to rely on his protection; not doubting but that he would stand by me. So I went thither and preached in the name of the Lord.
“The fear of man prevented their giving me entrance into their houses as before; so I stood on a chair in the street, and thanked God for the privilege. They received the word without disturbance, and with joy. On my return I prayed at two houses in the way, and the power of God was greatly in the midst of us. Praised be God, and the Lamb for ever!”
His labours were indeed much beyond his strength; and his zeal would not suffer him to stand still: so that his friends were obliged sometimes (as _Origen_’s mother, to prevent her young son’s burning with his father) to hide his cloaths, or lock him in his room in the morning.
*His whole conversation was like fire, warming, refreshing, and comforting all that were about him, and begetting in their souls a measure of the same zeal for the glory of God, and the salvation of sinners which burned in his own breast. It was not possible to be much with him, and not to hear discourses which bred a detestation of sin, and a love of holiness. To what purpose is it to live (seemed the motto of his life) and not to live to some good purpose?
His endeavours to do good, extended to children also. He first, introduced in many places the custom of meeting weekly, such of them as could attend, in order to instruct them in such truths, as their capacity admitted of. In doing this he desired their parents might be present likewise, to whom his affecting manner of address was not less serviceable, than to the children.
While in _London_, he had several interviews with the _Jews_, frequently attending their synagogues, and reasoning with them out of the _Hebrew_ scriptures. And altho’ I cannot say with certainty that any of them were converted, yet, sure I am from eye witnesses, that they were not able to gain-say the power by which he spoke.
*When at any time he met any of his Christian acquaintance, in the street, or called at their houses passing by, he had always something to say by way of watch-word, which he left upon their minds. Such as, “Well, let us hold out a little longer! Are we pressing forward? Let us hold fast faith, and a good conscience. Are we watching now unto prayer, and pressing after perfect love?” I well remember one instance of the good effects of this, which a person mentioned to me since his death. “I shall never forget, says he, a word which Mr. _Walsh_, taking me by the hand one day, spoke to me in my shop, _’Tis worse than death, my |God| to love, and not my |God| alone_.” It was like a nail in a sure place, and left a useful impression ever after. The gravity and earnestness, with which he delivered these kinds of little memento’s to his friends, carried them, by God’s help to the heart, and left them there. So that I have heard several of his sayings, in this way, called to remembrance, since his decease, by several of his acquaintance.
He did whatsoever he did for God, with all his might, spending his very life in every action, even as tho’ he should merit heaven thereby, and yet, at the same time despising himself as an unprofitable servant.