George Whitefield (1714-1770AD)

by John Greenwood and published July 1st 1769AD after Nathaniel Hone R.A.

The Life and Times of the Rev. George Whitefield, M.A. pdf (2.8mb) docx (867k) by Robert Philip, 1838AD.

Rev. George Whitefield was an outstanding evangelical preacher of the 18th century and the Lord used him to preach the Gospel to great effect both in Britain and America. He was converted in 1735AD aged 20. These are his words on that event:

 “After having undergone innumerable buffetings of Satan, and many months’ inexpressible trials by night and day under the spirit of bondage, God was pleased at length to remove the heavy load, to enable me to lay hold on His dear Son by a living faith, and, by giving me the Spirit of adoption, to seal me, as I humbly hope, even to the day of everlasting redemption. But oh! with what joy—joy unspeakable—even joy that was full of, and big with glory, was my soul filled, when the weight of sin went off, and an abiding sense of the pardoning love of God, and a full assurance of faith broke in upon my disconsolate soul! Surely it was the day of my espousals,—a day to be had in everlasting remembrance. At first my joys were like a spring tide, and, as it were, overflowed the banks. Go where I would, I could not avoid singing of psalms almost aloud; afterwards it became more settled—and, blessed be God, saving a few casual intervals, has abode and increased in my soul ever since.”

J. C. Ryle wrote of George Whitefield.
“The materials for forming a correct opinion about such a man as Whitefield are necessarily very scanty. He wrote no book for the million, of world-wide fame, like Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress.” He headed no crusade against an apostate Church, with a nation at his back, and princes on his side, like Martin Luther. He founded no religious denomination, which pinned its faith on his writings and carefully embalmed his best acts and words, like John Wesley. There are Lutherans and Wesleyans in the present day, but there are no Whitefieldites. No! The great evangelist of last century was a simple, guileless man, who lived for one thing only, and that was to preach Christ. If he did that, he cared for nothing else. The records of such a man are large and full in heaven I have no doubt, but they are few and scanty upon earth.”

The following quote is from the close of John Wesley's funeral oration at Whitefield's Memorial Service on Sunday 18th November 1770.
“I may close this head with observing what an honour it pleased God to put upon His faithful servant, by allowing him to declare His everlasting Gospel in so many various countries, to such numbers of people, and with so great an effect on so many of their precious souls. Have we read or heard of any person since the apostles, who testified the Gospel of the grace of God, through so widely extended a space, through so large a part of the habitable world?  Have we read or heard of any person, who called so many thousands, so many myriads of sinners to repentance? Above all, have we read or heard of any, who has been a blessed instrument in the hand of God, of bringing so many sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God?” 

 George Whitefield. (152k) from "Christian Leaders . . ." by J. C. Ryle, 1878 edition. pdf (101k) docx (54k)

George Whitefield from a painting by John Wollaston, about 1742AD, with a portrait of Mrs. Whitefield.

 SERMONS

1. The Benefits of an Early Piety. (87k) pdf (71k) docx (29k)
2. The Potter and the Clay. (185k) pdf (66k) docx (38k)
3. Blind Bartimeus. (122k) pdf (52k) docx (33k)
4. The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness. (177k) pdf (77k) docx (54k)
5. The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians; or the true Way of Keeping Christmas. (96k) pdf (34k) docx (27k)
6. The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society. (163k) pdf (55k) docx (36k)
7. Marks of a True Conversion. (150k) pdf (65k) docx (34k)
8. The Temptation of Christ. (136k) pdf (54k) docx (35k)

9. A Preservative Against Unsettled Notions . . . (169k) pdf (67k) docx (42k)

10. Christ the only Rest for the Weary and Heavy-Laden. (110k) pdf (37k) docx (27k)

11. Thankfulness for Mercies received, a Necessary Duty. (144k) pdf (50k) docx (32k)

12. Walking with God. (170k) pdf (76k) docx (63k)

13. Saul's Conversion. (165k) pdf (76k) docx (37k)

14. Christ the Support of the Tempted. (120k) pdf (49k) docx (29k)

15. What Think Ye of Christ? (164k) pdf (82k) docx (39k)

16. Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac. (136k) pdf (54k) docx (38k)

17. Persecution Every Christian's Lot. (128k) pdf (56k) docx (39k)

18. The Folly and Danger of Parting with Christ etc, (149k) pdf (61k) docx (40k)

19. The Lord our Righteousness. (158k) pdf (75k) docx (44k)

20. Christ the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. (152k) pdf (65k) docx (41k)

21. The Pharisee and Publican. (125k) pdf (53k) docx (39k)

22. The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment. (152k) pdf (60k) docx (38k)

23. The Conversion of Zaccheus. (132k) pdf (59k) docx (37k)

24. The Power of Christ's Resurrection. (127k) pdf (42k) docx (34k)

25. The Indwelling of the Spirit, the Common Privilege of All Believers. (143k) pdf (55k) docx (38k)

26. The Eternity of Hell Torments. (117k) pdf (44k) docx (34k)

27. The Great Duty of Family Religion. (131k) pdf (52k) docx (37k)

28. The Method of Grace. (150k) pdf (66k) docx (39k)

29. The Wise and Foolish Virgins. (155k) pdf (73k) docx (43k)

30. On Regeneration. (127k) pdf (54k) docx (37k)

31. Worldly Business No Plea for the Neglect of Religion. (104k) pdf (38k) docx (32k)

32. Spiritual Baptism. (152k) pdf (99k) docx (34k)

33. The Gospel, a Dying Saint's Triumph. (151k) pdf (100k) docx (41k)

34. The Knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Best Knowledge. (121k) pdf (37k) docx (33k)

35. The Folly and Danger of Not Being Righteous Enough. (145k) pdf (71k) docx (41k)

36. The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing. (121k) pdf (47k) docx (32k)

37. Directions How to Hear Sermons. (116k) pdf (39k) docx (33k)

38. The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial. (138k) pdf (49k) docx (36k)

39. Christ's Transfiguration. (128k) pdf (64k) docx (38k)

40. A Penitent Heart, the Best New Year's Gift. (197k) pdf (66k) docx (43k)

41. The Wedding at Cana. (169k) pdf (32k) docx (41k)

42. The Duty of Searching the Scriptures. (115k) pdf (41k) docx (33k)

43. The Resurrection of Lazarus. (195k) pdf (95k) docx (50k)

44. The Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost. (155k) pdf (52k) docx (38k)

45. The Almost Christian. (151k) pdf (52k) docx (37k)

46. Of Justification by Christ. (144k) pdf (46k) docx (35k)

47. The Great Duty of Charity Recommended. (149k) pdf (48k) docx (39k)

48. Satan's Devices. (137k) pdf (54k) docx (37k)

49. Christians, the Temple of the Living God. (135k) pdf (53k) docx (37k)

50. Christ the Only Preservative Against a Reprobate Spirit. (166k) pdf (52k) docx (38k)

51. The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness. (141k) pdf (49k) docx (39k)

52. Intercession Every Christian's Duty. (117k) pdf (47k) docx (37k)

53. An Exhortation not to be Discouraged by the Wicked. (110k) pdf (26k) docx (31k)

54. A Caution Against Despising the Day of Small Things. (140k) pdf (112k) docx (45k)

55. Christ the Believer's Refuge. (155k) pdf (63k) docx (42k)

56. Soul Prosperity. (130k) pdf (90k) docx (39k)

57. Repentance and Conversion. (133k) pdf (93k) docx (40k)

58. The Furnace of Affliction. (133k) pdf (86k) docx (40k)

59. The Beloved of God. (137k) pdf (90k) docx (39k)

60. The Lord our Light. (117k) pdf (51k) docx (33k)

61. Self-inquiry Concerning the Work of God. (134k) pdf (96k) docx (35k)

62. Glorifying God in the Fire. (114k) pdf (48k) docx (32k)

63. The Burning Bush. (110k) pdf (73k) docx (31k)

64. Soul Dejection. (121k) pdf (57k) docx (33k)

65. The Neglect of Christ, the Killing Sin. (166k) pdf (70k) docx (37k)

66. All Men's Place. (105k) pdf (63k) docx (33k)

67. God a Believer's Glory. (119k) pdf (50k) docx (32k)

68. The Good Shepherd. A Farewell Sermon. (135k) pdf (61k) docx (38k)

69. The Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent. (120k) pdf (70k) docx (37k)

70. A Faithful Minister's Parting Blessing. (142k) pdf (39k) docx (32k)

"The following inscription was copied by Dr. Reed from the splendid monument erected by Mr. Bartlett, at Newbury Port, to the memory of Whitefield."

THIS CENOTAPH
Is erected, with affectionate Veneration,
To the Memory of
The Rev. GEORGE WHITEFIELD,
Born at Gloucester, England, December 16, 1714,
Educated at Oxford University; ordained 1736.
In a Ministry of Thirty-four Years,
He crossed the Atlantic Thirteen times,
And preached more than Eighteen Thousand Sermons.
As a Soldier of the Cross, humble, devout, ardent,
He put on the whole Armour of God;
Preferring the Honour of Christ to his own Interest, Repose,
Reputation, and Life.
As a Christian Orator, his deep Piety, disinterested Zeal, and vivid
Imagination,
Gave unexampled Energy to his look, utterance, and action.
Bold, fervent, pungent, and popular in his Eloquence,
No other uninspired man ever preached to so large assemblies,
Or enforced the simple Truths of the Gospel, by Motives
So persuasive and awful, and with an Influence so powerful.
On the Hearts of his Hearers.
He died of Asthma, September 30, 1770,
Suddenly exchanging his Life of unparalleled Labours
For his Eternal Rest.

(Reed and Matheson’s Visit.)

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