George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

WHITEFIELD AND WESLE Y AT BLACKHEA TH 99
ejaculations and prayers for him are poured out on every side.
The numbers who flocked to hear him increased, and at
Kennington Common one Sunday their weeping was so loud
as almost to drown his voice.
In the early part of June he preached mostly at Blendon,
Bexley, and Blackheath ; and had great enjoyment in the
fellowship of many friends (among whom was the vicar of
Bexley), who were of the same mind as himself. It was on a
Thursday evening that 'he introduced,' he says, 'his honoured
and reverend friend, Mr. John Wesley, to preach at Black-
heath.' Wesley says in his journal
' I went with Mr. Whitefield to Blackheath, where were, I believe,
twelve or fourteen thousand people. He a little surprised me, by desiring
me to preach in his stead ; which I did (though nature recoiled) on my
favourite subject, "Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." I was greatly moved with
compassion for the rich that were there, to whom I made a particular
application. Some of them seemed to attend, while others drove away
their coaches from so uncouth a preacher.'
me !
Whitefield continues in his journal
' The Lord give him ten thousand times more success than He has given
After sermon we spent the evening most agreeably together, with
many Christian friends, at the " Green Man." About ten we admitted all
to come that would. The room was soon filled. I exhorted and prayed
for near an hour, and then went to bed, rejoicing that another fresh inroad
was made upon Satan's territories, by Mr. Wesley's following me in field-
preaching in London as well as in Bristol. Lord, speak the word, and
great shall the company of such preachers be. Amen. Amen.'
Towards the end of the month his enemies devised a new
scheme for hindering him. Whenever he journeyed reports
were circulated that he was wounded, or killed, or had died
suddenly. Coming to Blackheath one evening, after an
excursion into the country, he found, not his usual twenty