[227] Mr. Turell names “thirteen particulars;” or, in other words, objections to the “new-light movement.” The censorious spirit; the representing assurance to be the essence of saving faith, and that, without this assurance, none should come to the Lord's table; the false witness of the Spirit; the insecurity of dreams, spiritual visions, and impulses; preaching without study; esteeming unconverted ministers as useless; the preaching and praying of women in public; the want of decent order in public worship; the over-estimate of sudden light and comfort in the soul; and the singing of unauthorized hymns in unauthorized places,--all these are spoken of as objectionable features in the Whitefield regenerating processes. Mr. Turell expresses an ardent zeal in every true work of God's Spirit, and as jealous a caution against every counterfeit work. It is very clear that the revival times woke up the slumbering energies of the Medford preacher, and caused him to think and write and preach and print better than he had ever done before. His pamphlet called out a sharp and well-reasoned answer, under this title: “A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Croswell to the Rev. Mr. Turell, in answer to his Direction to his People. Boston, 1742.” He takes up the several “particulars” in order, and, in many of them, demolishes Mr. Turell's conclusions; while, in others, he is mastered by superior force. Where Mr. Turell objects to ministers preaching without notes, Mr. Croswell replies, and says: “The more any of us improve in the divine life, the less paper we shall want in order to preach the gospel.” Mr. Croswell concludes his reply with these words:--
I look upon your little pamphlet to be more infectious and poisonous than the French prophets, “the trial of Mr. Whitefield's spirit,” or any other pamphlet of this kind we have been infected with. That God may grant repentance to you for writing it, and to others for spreading it abroad, especially to ministers who have given them about in their own parishes, is the hearty prayer of your well-wisher and humble servant, Andrew Croswell.This attack and others moved Mr. Turell to further expressions of opinion; and he published, in 1742, another pamplet, entitled--
Mr. Turell's Dialogue between a Minister and his Neighbor about the Times. To which is added, An Answer to Mr. John Lee's Remarks on a Passage in the Preface of his Direction to his People, &c.
