The habit of the preachers of that day, was to address their people as though they were all pious, and regenerated, and only needed instruction and confirmation. It was NOT a common thing to proclaim the terrors of a violated law and insist on the absolute necessity of being born-again by the Spirit of God, not by the will of man.

Whitefield states..."They (preachers of the day) strengthen the hand of the wicked by promising them eternal life. They comfort people, before the Holy Spirit convicts them.They sow, before they plow and are busy in raising a fabric before laying the Foundation."

He continues... "These foolish builders strengthen man's carnal security by their soft, selfish, cowardly discourses. They have not the courage or honesty to thrust the Nail of Terror into the sleeping souls of unregenerated, professing Christians. They pass over the Law, and casually mention the Ruin and Depravity of Man. They utter not the Sovereignty of God and that Salvation is of the Lord. It be no small wonder, Our Lord will proclaim to most Church-goers, .....Depart from me. I never knew you."
~ George Whitfield