WHITEFIELD’S CHURCH
that he believed St. Paul himself would ordain him were he (St. Paul) then in Gloucester. On Trinity Sunday, 1736, Bishop Benson ordained him. Whitefield says: “I arose early and prayed over St. Paul’s Epistle to Timothy, and more particularly over that precept, ‘Let no one despise thy youth.’ When I went up to the altar I could think of nothing but Samuel standing, a little child, before the Lord.” He was pressed to preach that same afternoon, but had to decline, as he had not been able to compose a ser mon, though he had tried to do so for several days. This caused him some anxiety, which was dispelled by his meditating, and reading Matthew Henry’s comments, on “They essayed to go into Bithynia but the Spirit suffered them not,” and also on the word to' Ezekiel, “Thou shalt be dumb; but when I speak unto thee, then shalt thou speak.” The day after his ordination he says, “Waiting upon God to know what He would have me do, these words, ‘Speak, and hold
him, which Whitefield says he did— “considering within myself what 1 had done to deserve his lordship’s displeasure. When I came to the top of the palace stairs the bishop took my by the hand, told me he was glad to see me, and bid me wait a little until he had put off his habit, and he would return to me again. This gave me an opportunity of praying-to God for His assistance, and adoring Him for His providence over me. At his coming again into the room, he told me he had heard of my character, liked my behavior at church; and in quiring my age, ‘Notwithstanding,’ says he, ‘I have declared I would not ordain any one under three-and twen ty, yet I shall think it my duty to ordain you whenever you come for holy orders.’ He then drew out his purse and made me a present of five guineas.” Whitefield had scruples about enter ing the ministry hurriedly, it was in deed a serious and sacred calling to him. Consulting an old friend, a clergyman, about it, he assured him
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