1743

Between Doncaster and Epworth, I overtook one who immediately accosted me with so many and so impertinent questions, that I was quite amazed. In the midst of some of them, concerning my travels and my journey, I interrupted him, and asked, “Are you aware that we are on a longer journey; that we are traveling toward eternity?” He replied instantly, “O, I find you! I find you! I know where you are! Is not your name Wesley? — ’Tis pity! ‘Tis great pity. Why could not your father’s religion serve you? Why must you have a new religion?” I was going to reply; but he cut me short by crying out in triumph, “I am a Christian! I am a Christian! I am a Churchman! I am a Churchman! I am none of your Culamites;” as plain as he could speak; for he was so drunk, he could but just keep his seat. Having then clearly won the day, or, as his phrase was, “put them all down,” he began kicking his horse on both sides, and rode off as fast as he could.

In the evening I reached Epworth. Sunday, 2. At five, I preached on, “So is every one that is born of the Spirit.” About eight I preached from my father’s tomb, on Hebrews 8:11. Many from the neighboring towns asked, if it would not be well, as it was sacrament Sunday, for them to receive it. I told them, “By all means: But it would be more respectful first to ask Mr. Romley, the Curate’s leave.” One did so, in the name of the rest; to whom he said, “Pray tell Mr. Wesley, I shall not give him the sacrament; for he is not fit.”

How wise a God is our God! There could not have been so fit a place under heaven, where this should befall me first, as my father’s house, the place of my nativity, and the very place where, “according to the straightest sect of our religion,” I had so long “lived a Pharisee!” It was also fit, in the highest degree, that he who repelled me from that very table, where I had myself so often distributed the bread of life, should be one who owed his all in this world to the tender love which my father had shown to his, as well as personally to himself.

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I rode to Birstal, where John Nelson gave a melancholy account of many that did run well. I told him I was as willing they should be with the Germans as with us, if they did but grow in grace. He said, “But this is not the case. They grow worse instead of better: They are changed both in their tempers and lives; but not for the better at all. They now do things without scruple, which they could not do before. They are light and trifling in their behavior: They are easy and thoughtless; having now no holy fear, no earnest care to work out their own salvation.”

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I came wet and weary to Sheffield, and on Friday to Donnington-Park, which I left before eight the next morning, in order to go to Wednesbury, in Staffordshire. I was immediately met by a vehement shower of rain, driven full in my face by a strong wind; but in an hour the day was clear and calm. About four in the afternoon I came to Wednesbury. At seven I preached in the Town-Hall: It was filled from end to end; and all appeared to be deeply attentive while I explained, “This is the covenant which I will make after those days, saith the Lord.”

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The Hall was filled again at five; and I proclaimed “the name of the Lord;” “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” At eight we met in the place where my brother preached, made, as it were, for the great congregation. It is a large hollow, not half a mile from the town, capable of containing four or five thousand people. They stood in a half-circle, one above another, and seemed all to receive with joy that great truth, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” In the afternoon Mr. Egginton preached a plain, useful sermon. Almost the whole congregation then went down to the place, where abundance of people were already waiting for us; so that the hollow could not contain them, but was edged round with those who came from all parts. My subject was, “By grace are ye saved through faith.” O that all who heard might experience this salvation!

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I preached at five, at eight, and at three. In the intervals of preaching I spoke to all who desired it. Last night twenty-nine of them were joined together; Tuesday, 11, about an hundred. O that none of these may “draw back to perdition!” Let these “believe unto the saving of the soul.”

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I took my leave of them in the morning by showing the difference between the righteousness of the Law and that of faith; and in the evening, explained to a large congregation at Evesham, “So is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

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I rode to Stratford-upon-Avon. I had scarce sat down before I was informed that Mrs. K., a middle-aged woman, of Shattery, half a mile from Stratford, had been for many weeks last past in a way which nobody could understand; that she had sent for a Minister, but almost as soon as he came, began roaring in so strange a manner, (her tongue at the same time hanging out of her mouth, and her face being distorted into the most terrible form,) that he cried out, “It is the devil, doubtless! It is the devil!” and immediately went away.

I suppose this was some unphilosophical Minister; else he would have said, “Stark mad! Send her to Bedlam.”

I asked, “What good do you think I can do?” One answered, “We cannot tell; but Mrs. K.” (I just relate what was spoken to me, without passing any judgment upon it) “earnestly desired you might come, if you was anywhere near; saying she had seen you in a dream, and should know you immediately: But the devil said, (those were her own expressions,) ‘I will tear thy throat out before he comes.’ But afterwards, she said, his words were, ‘If he does come, I will let thee be quiet; and thou shalt be as if nothing ailed thee, till he is gone away.’”

A very odd kind of madness this! I walked over about noon; but when we came to the house, desired all those who came with me to stay below. One showing me the way, I went up straight to her room. As soon as I came to the bedside, she fixed her eyes, and said, “You are Mr. Wesley. I am very well now, I thank God: Nothing ails me; only I am weak.” I called them up, and we began to sing,

Jesus, thou hast bid us pray,

Pray always and not faint:

With the word a power convey

To utter our compliant.

After singing a verse or two we kneeled down to prayer. I had but just begun, (my eyes being shut,) when I felt as if I had been plunged into cold water; and immediately there was such a roar, that my voice was quite drowned, though I spoke as loud as I usually do to three or four thousand people. However, I prayed on. She was then reared up in the bed, her whole body moving at once, without bending one joint or limb, just as if it were one piece of stone. Immediately after it was writhed into all kind of postures, the same horrid yell continuing still. But we left her not till all the symptoms ceased, and she was (for the present, at least) rejoicing and praising God.

Between one and two I preached at Stratford, on, “The Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sins.” Most of the hearers stood like posts: But some mocked, others blasphemed, and a few believed.

I preached at Evesham in the evening; rode to Painswick the next day, and on Saturday, 15, to Bristol; where, the following week, I spoke to each member of the society, and rejoiced over them, finding they had not been “barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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I preached at Bath. Some of the rich and great were present; to whom, as to the rest, I declared with all plainness of speech,

1. That, by nature, they were all children of wrath.

2. That all their natural tempers were corrupt and abominable; and,

3. All their words and works, which could never be any better but by faith; and that,

4. A natural man has no more faith than a devil, if so much. One of them, my Lord, stayed very patiently till I came to the middle of the fourth head. Then, starting up, he said, “‘Tis hot! ‘Tis very hot,” and got down stairs as fast as he could.

Several of the Gentry desired to stay at the meeting of the society; to whom I explained the nature of inward religion, words flowing upon me faster than I could speak. One of them (a noted infidel) hung over the next seat in an attitude not to be described: And when he went, left half-a-guinea with Mary Naylor, for the use of the poor. On the following days I spoke with each member of the society in Kingswood. I cannot understand how any Minister can hope ever to give up his account with joy, unless (as Ignatius advises) he “knows all his flock by name; not overlooking the men-servants and maid-servants.” I left Bristol on Friday, 28; came to Reading on Saturday, and to Windsor on Sunday morning. Thence I walked over to Egham, where Mr.—— preached one of the most miserable sermons I ever heard: Stuffed so full of dull, senseless, improbable lies, of those he complimented with the title of “False Prophets.”

I preached at one, and endeavored to rescue the poor text (Matthew 7:15) out of so bad hands. About four I left Egham, and at eight in the evening met with a joyful congregation at the Foundery.

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One writing to desire that I would preach on Isaiah 58:1 Isaiah 58, I willingly complied with his request in the evening. A day or two after, I received a letter from a girl of sixteen or seventeen, whom I had often observed, as being in an eminent degree, of a meek and lowly spirit. Some of her words were: “I do not think there were above six or seven words of the true Gospel in your whole sermon. I think nothing ought to concern you, but the errand which the Lord gave you. But how far are you from this! You preach more the Law than the Gospel! “Ah, my poor still sister! thou art an apt scholar indeed! I did not expect this quite so soon.

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My brother and I began visiting the society together, which employed us from six in the morning everyday, till near six in the evening. Sunday, 6. I preached in the morning, on, “While we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men;” and in the afternoon, on, “By manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” So rough a charity sermon was scarce ever heard. But God gave it his blessing; in so much that fifty pounds were contributed, toward finishing the house at Newcastle.

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I called on poor Joseph Hodges, who, after so long withstanding all the wiles of the enemy, has been at last induced, by his fatal regard for Mr. Hall, to renounce my brother and me, in form. But he had perfectly learned the exercise of his arms. He was so happy, so poor a sinner, that to produce either Scripture or reason against him, was mere beating of the air.

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I left London, and (riding early and late) the next evening came to Newark. Here I met with a few who had tasted the good word: One of whom received me gladly, and desired me, whenever I came to Newark, to make his house my home.

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I reached Epworth. I was to preach at six. But the house not being able to contain half the congregation, I went out and declared, “We love him, because he first loved us.” In the morning, Thursday, 17, I largely explained “the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” And it was high time; for I soon found the spirit of delusion was gone abroad here also; and some began to boast, that Christ had “made them free,” who were still the “servants of sin.” In the evening I preached on that bold assertion of St. John, (indeed of all who have the true Spirit of adoption,) “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

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I rode forward for Newcastle. We inquired at Poplington, a little town three miles beyond York, and hearing there was no other town near, thought it best to call there. A Bible lying in the window, my fellow-traveler asked the woman of the house, if she read that book. She said, “Sir, I can’t read; the worse is my luck. But that great girl is a rare scholar; and yet she cares not if she ever looks in a book; — she minds nought but play.” I began soon after to speak to our landlord, while the old woman drew closer and closer to me. The girl spun on; but all on a sudden she stopped her wheel, burst out into tears, and, with all that were in the house, so devoured our words, that we scarce knew how to go away. In the evening we came to Borough bridge, and Saturday, 19, to Newcastle.

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I went on in expounding the Acts of the Apostles, and St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. In the following week I diligently inquired, who they were that did not walk according to the Gospel. In consequence of which I was obliged to put away above fifty persons. There remained above eight hundred in the society.

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I visited those that were sick. One of these had kept her room for many months, so that she had never heard the voice or seen the face of any Preacher of this way: But God had taught her in the school of affliction. She gave a plain and distinct account of the manner wherein she received a sense of her acceptance with God, more than a year before; and of a fuller manifestation of his love, of which she never after doubted for a moment.

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I preached again at Horsley, and spoke severally with those of the society. The world now begins to take alarm, and to cast out their name as evil. After a very good woman (so called) had used abundance of arguments to hinder her neighbor from going near these people, she told her at length, “Why, none but the wickedest people upon earth go there:” “Nay, then,” replied she, “I will go immediately; for I am sure none upon earth is wickeder than me.” Such be the event of all worldly wisdom!

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I preached at two in Pelton, five miles south of Newcastle. A multitude of people were gathered together from all the neighboring towns, and (which I rejoiced at much more) from all the neighboring pits. In riding home, I observed a little village called Chowden, which they told me consisted of colliers only. I resolved to preach there as soon as possible; for these are sinners, and need repentance.

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I read over in the society, the Rules which all our members are to observe; and desired everyone seriously to consider, whether he was willing to conform thereto or no. That this would shake many of them I knew well; and therefore, on Monday, 7, I began visiting the classes again, lest “that which is lame should be turned out of the way.”

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In the afternoon I preached on a smooth part of the Fell (or Common) near Chowden. I found we were got into the very Kingswood of the north. Twenty or thirty wild children ran round us, as soon as we came, staring as in amaze. They could not properly be said to be either clothed or naked. One of the largest (a girl, about fifteen) had a piece of a ragged, dirty blanket, some way hung about her, and a kind of cap on her head, of the same cloth and color. My heart was exceedingly enlarged towards them; and they looked as if they would have swallowed me up; especially while I was applying these words, “Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you forgiveness of sins.”

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I concluded my second course of visiting, in which I inquired particularly into two things:

1. The case of those who had almost every night the last week cried out aloud, during the preaching.

2. The number of those who were separated from us, and the reason and occasion of it.

As to the former I found,

1. That all of them (I think, not one excepted) were persons in perfect health; and had not been subject to fits of any kind, till they were thus affected.

2. That this had come upon every one of them in a moment, without any previous notice, while they were either hearing the word of God, or thinking on what they had heard.

3. That in that moment they dropped down, lost all their strength, and were seized with violent pain.

This they expressed in different manners. Some said, they felt just as if a sword was running through them; others, that they thought a great weight lay upon them, as if it would squeeze them into the earth. Some said, they were quite choked, so that they could not breathe; that their hearts swelled ready to burst: Others, that it was as if their heart, as if their inside, as if their whole body, was tearing all to pieces.

These symptoms I can no more impute to any natural cause, than to the Spirit of God. I can make no doubt, but it was Satan tearing them, as they were coming to Christ. And hence proceeded those grievous cries, whereby he might design both to discredit the work of God, and to affright fearful people from hearing that word, whereby their souls might be saved. I found,

4. That their minds had been as variously affected as their bodies. Of this some could give scarce any account at all; which also I impute to that wise spirit, purposely stunning and confounding as many as he could, that they might not be able to bewray his devices. Others gave a very clear and particular account, from the beginning to the end. The word of God pierced their souls, and convinced them of inward as well as outward sin. They saw and felt the wrath of God abiding on them, and were afraid of his judgments. And here the accuser came with great power, telling them, there was no hope, they were lost for ever. The pains of body then seized them in a moment, and extorted those loud and bitter cries.

As to the latter, I observed, the number of those who had left the society, since December 30, was seventy-six: —

Fourteen of these (chiefly Dissenters) said they left it, because otherwise their Ministers would not give them the sacrament. Nine more, because their husbands or wives were not willing they should stay in it.

Twelve, because their parents were not willing.

Five, because their master and mistress would not let them come. Seven, because their acquaintance persuaded them to leave it. Five, because people said such bad things of the society. Nine, because they would not be laughed at.

Three, because they would not lose the poor’s allowance. Three more, because they could not spare time to come. Two, because it was too far off.

One, because she was afraid of falling into fits.

One, because people were so rude in the street.

Two, because Thomas Naisbit was in the society.

One, because he would not turn his back on his baptism. One, because we were mere Church of England men. And, One, because it was time enough to serve God yet.

The number of those who were expelled the society was sixty-four: — Two for cursing and swearing.

Two for habitual Sabbath-breaking.

Seventeen for drunkenness.

Two for retailing spirituous liquors.

Three for quarreling and brawling.

One for beating his wife.

Three for habitual, willful lying.

Four for railing and evil-speaking.

One for idleness and laziness. And,

Nine-and-twenty for lightness and carelessness.

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I went in the morning in order to speak severally with the members of the society at Tanfield. From the terrible instances I met with here, (and indeed in all parts of England,) I am more and more convinced, that the devil himself desires nothing more than this, that the people of any place should be half-awakened, and then left to themselves to fall asleep again. Therefore I determine, by the grace of God, not to strike one stroke in any place where I cannot follow the blow.

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I preached again near Chowden; and this I continued to do weekly, as well as at all the other places round Newcastle, (except Swalwell,) where I had preached once.

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As I was preaching at Pelton, one of the old colliers, not much accustomed to things of this kind, in the middle of the sermon, began shouting amain, for mere satisfaction and joy of heart. But their usual token of approbation (which somewhat surprised me at first) was clapping me on the back.

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As I was meeting the Leaders, a company of young men, having prepared themselves by strong drink, broke open the door, and came rushing in with the utmost fury. I began praying for them immediately; not one opened his mouth, or lifted up a finger against us: And after half an hour, we all went away together, in great quietness and love.

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I went to South-Biddick, a village of colliers, seven miles southeast of Newcastle. The spot where I stood was just at the bottom of a semicircular hill, on the rising sides of which many hundreds stood; but far more on the plain beneath. I cried to them, in the words of the Prophet, “O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” Deep attention sat on every face; so that here also I believed it would be well to preach weekly.

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I met a gentleman in the streets, cursing and swearing in so dreadful a manner, that I could not but stop him. He soon grew calmer; told me, he must treat me with a glass of wine; and that he would come and hear me, only he was afraid I should say something against fighting of cocks.

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At the pressing instance of a cursing, swearing, drunken Papist, who would needs bring me into a state of salvation, I spent some hours in reading an artful book, entitled, “The Grounds of the Old Religion.” In the first thirty pages the author heaps up Scriptures concerning the privileges of the Church. But all this is beating the air, till he proves the Romanists to be the Church, that is, that a part is the whole. In the second chapter he brings many arguments to show, that the Scripture is not the sole rule of faith; at least, not if interpreted by private judgment, because private judgment has no place in matters of religion! Why, at this moment you are appealing to my private judgment; and you cannot possibly avoid it. The foundation of your, as well as my, religion, must necessarily rest here. First you (as well as I) must judge for yourself, whether you are implicitly to follow the Church or no; and also, which is the true Church; else it is not possible to move one step forward.

This evening I preached in the shell of the new House, on the Rich Man and Lazarus. A great multitude were gathered together there, most of whom stayed with us, and watched unto the Lord.

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I preached at Burtley, a village four miles south of Newcastle, surrounded by colliers on every side. The greater part of the congregation earnestly attended to those solemn words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor.”

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I was astonished to find it was real fact (what I would not believe before) that three of the Dissenting Ministers (Mr. A——rs, Mr. A——ns, and Mr. B——) had agreed together, to exclude all those from the holy communion, who would not refrain from hearing us. Mr. A——ns publicly affirmed, we were all Papists, and our doctrine was mere Popery. And Mr. B—— in the conclusion of a course of sermons, which he preached professedly against us, went a step farther still: For after he had confessed, “Many texts in the Bible are for them,” he added, “But you ought not to mind these texts; for the Papists have put them in.”

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While I was reasoning (from the twenty-fourth chapter of the Acts) on “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,” God constrained many of the stout-hearted sinners to tremble. O that they may not put him off to “a more convenient season!”

April 1. — (Being Good-Friday.) I had a great desire to visit a little village called Placey, about ten measured miles north of Newcastle. It is inhabited by colliers only, and such as had been always in the first rank for savage ignorance and wickedness of every kind. Their grand assembly used to be on the Lord’s day; on which men, women, and children met together, to dance, fight, curse and swear, and play at chuck, ball, span-farthing, or whatever came next to hand. I felt great compassion for these poor creatures, from the time I heard of them first; and the more, because all men seemed to despair of them. Between seven and eight I set out with John Heally, my guide. The north wind being unusually high, drove the sleet in our face, which froze as it fell, and cased us over presently. When we came to Placey, we could very hardly stand. As soon as we were a little recovered, I went into the Square, and declared Him who “was wounded for our transgressions,” and “bruised for our iniquities.” The poor sinners were quickly gathered together, and gave earnest heed to the things which were spoken. And so they did in the afternoon again, in spite of the wind and snow, when I besought them to receive Him for their King; to “repent and believe the Gospel.”

On Easter Monday and Tuesday I preached there again, the congregation continually increasing. And as most of these had never in their lives pretended to any religion of any kind, they were the more ready to cry to God as mere sinners, for the free redemption which is in Jesus.

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Having settled all things according to my desire, I cheerfully took leave of my friends at Newcastle, and rode that day to Sandhutton. At our inn I found a good-natured man sitting and drinking in the chimney-corner; with whom I began a discourse, suspecting nothing less than that he was the Minister of the parish. Before we parted I spoke exceeding plain; and he received it in love, begging he might see me when I came that way again. But before I came, he was gone into eternity.

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I preached at Knaresborough and at Leeds, on, “By grace are ye saved through faith.” The three following days I divided between Leeds and Birstal, and on Tuesday rode to Sheffield.

I found the society both here and at Barley-Hall, earnestly pressing on toward the mark; although there had not been wanting here also those who, by fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple.

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I rode in two days to Wednesbury, but found things surprisingly altered. The inexcusable folly of Mr. W — s had so provoked Mr. E — n, that his former love was turned into bitter hatred. But he had not yet had time to work up the poor people into the rage and madness which afterwards appeared; so that they were extremely quiet both this and the following days, while I improved the present opportunity, and exhorted them, morning and evening, to “believe on the Lord Jesus,” and to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.”

Yet on Sunday, 17, the scene began to open: I think I never heard so wicked a sermon, and delivered with such bitterness of voice and manner, as that which Mr. E — preached in the afternoon. I knew what effect this must have in a little time; and therefore judged it expedient to prepare the poor people for what was to follow; that, when it came, they might not be offended. Accordingly, on Tuesday, 19, I strongly enforced those words of our Lord, “If any man come after me, and hate not his father and mother, — yea, and his own life, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” While I was speaking, a gentleman rode up very drunk; and after many unseemly and bitter words, labored much to ride over some of the people. I was surprised to hear he was a neighboring Clergyman. And this, too, is a man zealous for the Church! Ah, poor Church, if it stood in need of such defenders!

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I spent an hour with some of my old friends, whom I had not seen for many years. I rejoiced to find them still loving and open of heart, just as they were before I went to Georgia. In the afternoon I called at Barliswell, near Coventry; where I had formerly spent many pleasant hours. And here likewise I found friendship and openness still: But the master of the house was under heavy affliction; and such affliction as I believe will never be removed, till he is filled with “peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

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I rode to Painswick; and on Saturday, 23, through heavy rain, to Bristol.

I had only a week of rest and peace, which was refreshing both to my soul and body. Sunday, MAY 1. I had an opportunity of receiving the Lord’s Supper, at St. James’s, our parish church. We had another comfortable hour in the afternoon, while I was explaining, “This is the covenant which I will make, saith the Lord; I will put my laws in their mind, and write them in their hearts: And I will be unto them a God, and they shall be to me a people.”

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I set out for Wales, in company with one who was my pupil at Oxford. We could get that night no farther than the Bull, five Welsh miles beyond Abergavenny. The next morning we came to Builth, just as the Church Prayers began, Mr. Phillips, the Rector of Maesmennys, (at whose invitation I came,) soon took knowledge of me, and we began a friendship which I trust shall never end. I preached on a tomb at the east end of the church at four, and again at seven. Mr. Gwynne and Mr. Prothero (Justices of Peace) stood on either hand of me; and all the people before, catching every word, with the most serious and eager attention.

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I rode over such rugged mountains as I never saw before, to Cardiff. But it was late before we came in, so I could not preach that night.

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I preached at eleven in the new room, which the society had just built in the heart of the town; and our souls were sweetly comforted together. About two I preached at Lantrissent; and at Fonmon Castle in the evening, to a loving and serious congregation.

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I was desired to preach at Cowbridge. We came into the town about eleven; and many people seemed very desirous to hear for themselves, concerning the way which is every where spoken against; but it could not be: The sons of Belial gathered themselves together, headed by one or two wretches called Gentlemen; and continued shouting, cursing, blaspheming, and throwing showers of stones, almost without intermission. So that after some time spent in prayer for them, I judged it best to dismiss the congregation.

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I preached in the Castle Yard at Cardiff, at five in the morning and seven in the evening; in the afternoon at Wenvo, where the church was quite filled with those who came from many miles round: And God answered many of them in the joy of their hearts. It was a solemn and refreshing season.

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I returned to Bristol. Most of the week I spent in visiting the Society in Kingswood; whom I now found quite clear of those vain janglings which had, for a time, well-nigh torn them in pieces.

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My brother set out for Cornwall; where (according to the accounts we had frequently received) abundance of those who before neither feared God nor regarded man, began to inquire what they must do to be saved: But the same imprudence which had laid the foundation for all the disturbances in Staffordshire, had broke out here also, and turned many of our friends into bitter and implacable enemies. Violent persecution was the natural consequence of this; but the power of God triumphed over all. May 22. — (Being Whit-Sunday.) I preached both at Kingswood and Bristol, on those solemn words, “Jesus stood and cried, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

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I rode to Cirencester, and preached on a green place, at a little distance from the town, on, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Wednesday, 25. I preached to a little company at Oxford. Thursday, 26. I had a large congregation at Wycombe; from whence I hastened to London, and concluded the day by enforcing those awful words at the Foundery, “The Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world: Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh! Behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.”

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(Being Trinity-Sunday.) I began officiating at the chapel in West-Street, near the Seven-Dials, of which (by a strange chain of providences) we have a lease for several years. I preached on the Gospel for the day, part of the third chapter of St. John; and afterwards administered the Lord’s Supper to some hundreds of communicants. I was a little afraid at first, that my strength would not suffice for the business of the day, when a service of five hours (for it lasted from ten to three) was added to my usual employment. But God looked to that: So I must think; and they that will call it enthusiasm may. I preached at the Great-Gardens, at five, to an immense congregation, on, “Ye must be born again.” Then the Leaders met; (who filled all the time that I was not speaking in public;) and after them, the Bands. At ten at night I was less weary than at six in the morning.

The following week I spent in visiting the society. On Sunday, JUNE 5, the service of the chapel lasted till near four in the afternoon; so that I found it needful, for the time to come, to divide the communicants into three parts, that we might not have above six hundred at once.

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I ended my course of visiting; throughout which I found great cause to bless God; so very few having drawn back to perdition out of nineteen hundred and fifty souls.

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I received a full account of the terrible riots which had been in Staffordshire. I was not surprised at all: Neither should I have wondered if, after the advises they had so often received from the pulpit, as well as from the Episcopal chair, the zealous high Churchmen had rose, and cut all that were Methodists in pieces.

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Resolving to assist them as far as I could, I set out early in the morning; and after preaching at Wycombe about noon, in the evening came to Oxford. Tuesday, 21. We rode to Birmingham; and in the morning, Wednesday, 22 to Francis Ward’s, at Wednesbury.

Although I knew all that had been done here was as contrary to law as it was to justice and mercy, yet I knew not how to advise the poor sufferers, or to procure them any redress. I was then little acquainted with the English course of law, having long had scruples concerning it. But, as many of these were now removed, I thought it best to inquire whether there could be any help from the laws of the land. I therefore rode over to Counselor Littleton, at Tamworth, who assured us, we might have an easy remedy, if we resolutely prosecuted, in the manner the law directed, those rebels against God and the King.

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I left Wednesbury, and in the evening preached at Melbourn, in Derbyshire. I preached at Nottingham (where I met my brother coming from the north) on Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday at Epworth.

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I preached at Awkborough, on the Trent side, to a stupidly-attentive congregation. We then crossed over, and rode to Sykehouse; on Tuesday to Smeton, and on Wednesday to Newcastle.

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I immediately inquired into the state of those whom I left here striving for the mastery; and some of them, I found, were grown faint in their minds: Others had turned back “as a dog to the vomit;” but about six hundred still continued striving together for the hope of the Gospel. Monday, July 4, and the following days, I had time to finish the “Instructions for Children.”

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I preached at eight on Chowden-Fell, on, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ever since I came to Newcastle the first time, my spirit had been moved within me, at the crowds of poor wretches, who were every Sunday, in the afternoon, sauntering to and fro on the Sandhill. I resolved, if possible, to find them a better employ; and as soon as the Service at All-Saints was over, walked straight from the church to the Sandhill, and gave out a verse of a psalm. In a few minutes I had company enough; thousands upon thousands crowding together. But the prince of this world fought with all his might, lest his kingdom should be overthrown. Indeed, the very mob of Newcastle, in the height of their rudeness, have commonly some humanity left. I scarce observed that they threw any thing at all; neither did I receive the least personal hurt: But they continued thrusting one another to and fro, and making such a noise, that my voice could not be heard: So that after spending near an hour in singing and prayer, I thought it best to adjourn to our own house,

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I had almost such another congregation, in the High-Street, at Sunderland: But the tumult subsided in a short time; so that I explained, without any interruption, the one true religion, “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

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I preached at the Lower-Spen, seven or eight (northern) miles from Newcastle. John Brown had been obliged to remove hither from Tanfield-Leigh, I believe by the peculiar providence of God. By his rough and strong, though artless, words, many of his neighbors had been much convinced, and began to search the Scriptures as they never had done before; so that they did not seem at all surprised when I declared, “He that believeth hath everlasting life.”

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I preached (as I had done the Wednesday before) to my favorite congregation at Placey, on, “Him hath God exalted with his own right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior.” I then joined a little company of them together, who desire “repentance and remission of sins.”

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I set out from Newcastle with John Downes, of Horsley. We were four hours riding to Ferry-Hill, about twenty measured miles. After resting there an hour, we rode softly on; and at two o’clock came to Darlington. I thought my horse was not well; he thought the same of his; though they were both young, and very well the day before. We ordered the hostler to fetch a farrier, which he did without delay; but before the men could determine what was the matter, both the horses lay down and died.

I hired a horse to Sandhutton, and rode on, desiring John Downes to follow me. Thence I rode to Boroughbridge, on Tuesday morning, and then walked on to Leeds.

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I preached at Birstal and Hightown. After I had visited all the societies in these parts, and preached at as many of the little towns as I could, on Monday, 25, I rode to Barley-Hall. Many from Sheffield were there. We rejoiced greatly together in “Him who justifieth the ungodly.” On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning I preached at Nottingham: On Wednesday evening, at Markfield.

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We rode to Newport-Pagnell, and Saturday, 30, to London.

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A convenient chapel was offered me at Snowsfields, on the other side the water. It was built on purpose, it seems, by a poor Arian misbeliever, for the defense and propagation of her bad faith. But the wisdom of God brought that device to nought; and ordered, by his over ruling providence, that it should be employed, not for “crucifying the Son of God afresh,” but for calling all to believe on his name.

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Upon mention made of my design to preach here, a zealous woman warmly replied, “What! at Snowsfields! Will Mr. W. preach at Snowsfields? Surely he will not do it! Why, there is not such another place in all the town. The people there are not men, but devils.” However, I resolved to try if God was not stronger than them: So this evening I preached there on that scripture, “Jesus said, They that be whole need not a Physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

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Mr. G. assisted me at the chapel; one who had then a deep sense of the goodness of God, in lifting him up from the gates of death, and delivering him out of all his troubles.

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After a few of us had joined in prayer, about four I set out, and rode softly to Snow-Hill; where, the saddle slipping quite upon my mare’s neck, I fell over her head, and she ran back; into Smithfield. Some boys caught her, and brought her to me again, cursing and swearing all the way. I spoke plainly to them, and they promised to amend. I was setting forward when a man cried, “Sir, you have lost your saddle cloth.” Two or three more would needs help me to put it on; but these too swore at almost every word. I turned to one and another, and spoke in love. They all took it well, and thanked me much. I gave them two or three little books, which they promised to read over carefully.

Before I reached Kensington, I found my mare had lost a shoe. This gave me an opportunity of talking closely) for near half an hour; both to the smith and his servant. I mention these little circumstances, to show how easy it is to redeem every fragment of time, (if I may so speak,) when we feel any love to those souls for which Christ died.

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I came to Kingswood in the afternoon, and in the evening preached at Bristol. Wednesday, 24. I made it my business to inquire concerning the truth of a strange relation which had been given me; and I found there was no possibility of doubting it. The plain fact was this: — “The Rev. Mr. — “ (I use the words of a gentleman of Bristol, whose manuscript lies by me) “preached at two or three churches, on these words, ‘Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.’ After showing the different sorts of Dissenters from the Church of England, who (as he said) had only the form of godliness, he inveighed very much against the novel sect, the upstart Methodists; (as he termed them;) which indeed he was accustomed to do, more or less, in almost all his sermons. ‘These are the men,’ said he, ‘whom St. Paul foretold, who have the form, the outward show of holiness, but not the power; for they are ravening wolves, full of hypocrisy within.’ He then alleged many grievous things against them; but without all color of truth; and warned his flock to turn away from them, and not to bid them God speed, lest they should be partakers of their evil deeds. “Shortly after he was to preach at St. Nicholas church. He had named the above-mentioned text twice, when he was suddenly seized with a rattling in his throat, attended with an hideous groaning. He fell backward against the door of the pulpit, burst it open, and would have fallen down the stairs, but that some people caught him, and carried him away, as it seemed, dead, into the vestry. In two or three days he recovered his senses, and the Sunday following died!”

In the evening, the word of God was indeed quick and powerful. Afterwards I desired the men, as well as the women, to meet; but I could not speak to them. The spirit of prayer was so poured upon us all, that we could only speak to God. Having found, for some time, a strong desire to unite with Mr. Whitefield as far as possible, to cut off needless dispute, I wrote down my sentiments, as plain as I could, in the following terms: —

There are three points in debate:

1. Unconditional Election.

2. Irresistible Grace.

3. Final Perseverance.

With regard to the First, Unconditional Election, I believe, That God, before the foundation of the world, did unconditionally elect certain persons to do certain works, as Paul to preach the Gospel: That He has unconditionally elected some nations to receive peculiar privileges, the Jewish nation in particular:

That He has unconditionally elected some nations to hear the Gospel, as England and Scotland now, and many others in past ages: That He has unconditionally elected some persons to many peculiar advantages, both with regard to temporal and spiritual things: And I do not deny, (though I cannot prove it is so,) That He has unconditionally elected some persons to eternal glory. But I cannot believe,

That all those who are not thus elected to glory, must perish everlastingly: Or,

That there is one soul on earth, who has not ever had a possibility of escaping eternal damnation.

With regard to the Second, Irresistible Grace, I believe, That the grace which brings faith, and thereby salvation into the soul, is irresistible at that moment:

That most believers may remember some time when God did irresistibly convince them of sin:

That most believers do, at some other times, find God irresistibly acting upon their souls:

Yet I believe that the grace of God, both before and after those moments, may be, and hath been, resisted: And

That, in general, it does not act irresistibly; but we may comply therewith, or may not:

And I do not deny,

That, in some souls, the grace of God is so far irresistible, that they cannot but believe and be finally saved.

But I cannot believe,

That all those must be damned, in whom it does not thus irresistibly work: Or,

That there is one soul on earth, who has not, and never had, any other grace, than such as does, in fact, increase his damnation, and was designed of God so to do.

With regard to the Third, Final Perseverance, I incline to believe, That there is a state attainable in this life, from which a man cannot finally fall: And that he has attained this, who can say, “Old things are passed away; all things” in me “are become new.”

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My subject, in the evening, was, “As ye have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk ye in him” O what a season was this! I scarce remember such an hour since the first stone of the House was laid.

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I set out for Cornwall. In the evening I preached at the Cross in Taunton, on, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” A poor man had posted himself behind, in order to make some disturbance: But the time was not come; the zealous wretches who “deny the Lord that bought them,” had not yet stirred up the people. Many cried out, “Throw down that rascal there: Knock him down: Beat out his brains:” So that I was obliged to intreat for him more than once, or he would have been but roughly handled.

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I reached Exeter in the afternoon; but as no one knew of my coming, I did not preach that night, only to one poor sinner at the inn; who, after listening to our conversation for a while, looked earnestly at us; and asked, whether it was possible for one who had in some measure known “the power of the world to come,” and was “fallen away,” (which she said was her case,) to be “renewed again to repentance.” We besought God in her behalf, and left her sorrowing; and yet not without hope.

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I preached at seven to a handful of people. The sermon we heard at church was quite innocent of meaning: What that in the afternoon was, I know not; for I could not hear a single sentence. From church I went to the Castle; where were gathered together (as some imagined) half the grown persons in the city. It was an awful sight. So vast a congregation in that solemn amphitheater! And all silent and still, while I explained at large, and enforced, that glorious truth, “Happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” I went thence to poor Mr. V—— the Clergyman, lying under sentence of death. He had for some time acted the lunatic; but I soon put him out of his play; and he appeared to have wit enough in his anger. I designed to close in with him immediately; but two cruelly-impertinent gentlemen would needs come into the room; so that I could say no more, but was obliged to leave him in their hands.

The lad who was to die the next day was quite of another spirit: He appeared deeply affected while we were speaking, and yet more during our prayer; and no sooner were we gone than he broke our into a bitter cry. — Who knows but he might be heard by Him that made him?

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We rode forward. About sun-set we were in the middle of the first great pathless moor beyond Launceston. About eight we were got quite out of the way; but we had not gone far before we heard Bodmin bell. Directed by this, we turned to the left, and came to the town before nine.

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In the evening we reached St. Ives. At seven I invited all guilty, helpless sinners, who were conscious they “had nothing to pay,” to accept of free forgiveness. The Room was crowded both within and without; but all were quiet and attentive.

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I spoke severally with those of the society, who were about one hundred and twenty. Near a hundred of these had found peace with God: Such is the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness’ sake! As we were going to church at eleven, a large company at the market-place welcomed us with a loud huzza: Wit as harmless as the ditty sung under my window, (composed, one assured me, by a gentlewoman of their own town,)

Charles Wesley is come to town,

To try if he can pull the churches down.

In the evening; I explained “the promise of the Father.” After preaching, many began to be turbulent; but John Nelson went into the midst of them, spoke a little to the loudest, who answered not again, but went quietly away.

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We had a day of peace. Friday, 2. I preached at Morva, about eight miles west of St. Ives, on the North Sea. My text was, “The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea; — the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

I observed an earnest, stupid attention in the hearers, many of whom appeared to have good desires; but I did not find one who was convinced of sin, much less who knew the pardoning love of God.

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I rode to the Three-cornered-Down, (so called,) nine or ten miles east of St. Ives, where we found two or three hundred sinners, who had been some time waiting for us. They all appeared quite pleased and unconcerned; and many of them ran after us to Gwenuap, (two miles east,) where their number was quickly increased to four or five hundred. I had much comfort here, in applying these words, “He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor.” One who lived near, invited us to lodge at his house, and conducted us back to the Green in the morning. We came thither just as the day dawned. I strongly applied those gracious words, “I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely,” to five or six hundred serious people. At Trezuthan-Downs, five miles nearer St. Ives, we found seven or eight hundred people, to whom I cried aloud, “Cast away all your transgressions; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” After dinner I preached again to about a thousand people, on Him whom “God hath exalted to be a Prince and a Savior.” It was here first I observed a little impression made on two or three of the hearers; the rest, as usual, showing huge approbation, and absolute unconcern.

At seven I met the society at St. Ives, where two women, who came from Penzance, fell down as dead, and soon after cried out, in the bitterness of their souls. But we continued crying to God in their behalf, till He put a new song in their mouths. At the same time, a young man of the same place, who had once known the peace of God, but had sinned it away, had a fresh and clear manifestation of the love of God.

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I preached at Morva, on “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” But still I could not find the way into the hearts of the hearers, although they were earnest to hear what they understood not.

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I preached to two or three hundred people at Zennor, (four miles west of St. Ives,) and found much goodwill in them, but no life. It was much the same on Thursday, while I preached at Cannegy-Downs, (five miles south of St. Ives,) on the resurrection of the dry bones. There is not yet so much as a shaking among them; much less is there any breath in them.

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I rode in quest of St. Hilary-Downs, ten or twelve miles southeast of St. Ives. And the Downs I found, but no congregation, — neither man, woman, nor child. But by that I had put on my gown and cassock, about an hundred gathered themselves together, whom I earnestly called “to repent and believe the Gospel.” And if but one heard, it was worth all the labor.

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There were Prayers at St. Just in the afternoon, which did not end till four. I then preached at the Cross, to, I believe, a thousand people, who all behaved in a quiet and serious manner.

At six I preached at Sennan, near the Land’s End; and appointed the little congregation (consisting chiefly of old, grayheaded men) to meet me again at five in the morning. But on Sunday, 11, great part of them were got together between three and four o’clock: So between four and five we began praising God; and I largely explained and applied, “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.”

We went afterwards down, as far as we could go safely, toward the point of the rocks at the Land’s -End. It was an awful sight! But how will these melt away, when God ariseth to judgment! The sea between does indeed “boil like a pot.” “One would think the deep to be hoary.” But “though they swell, yet can they not prevail. He hath set their bounds, which they cannot pass.”

Between eight and nine I preached at St. Just, on the green plain near the town, to the largest congregation (I was informed) that ever had been seen in these parts. I cried out, with all the authority of love, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” The people trembled, and were still. I had not known such an hour before, in Cornwall.

Soon after one, we had such another congregation, on the north side of Morva church. The Spirit of the Great King was in the midst. And I was filled both with matter and words, even more abundantly than at St. Just. “My strength will I ascribe unto thee.”

At Zennor I preached about five, and then hastened to St. Ives, where we concluded the day in praising God with joyful lips.

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I preached at one on Trezuthan-Downs, and in the evening at St. Ives. The dread of God fell upon us while I was speaking, so that I could hardly utter a word: But most of all in prayer, wherein I was so carried out, as scarce ever before in my life.

I had had for some time a great desire to go and publish the love of God our Savior, if it were but for one day, in the Isles of Scilly: And I had occasionally mentioned it to several. This evening three of our brethren came and offered to carry me thither, if I could procure the Mayor’s boat, which, they said, was the best sailor of any in the town. I sent, and he lent it me immediately. So the next morning, Tuesday, 13, John Nelson, Mr. Shepherd, and I, with three men and a pilot, sailed from St. Ives. It seemed strange to me to attempt going in a fisher-boat, fifteen leagues upon the main ocean; especially when the waves began to swell, and hang over our heads. But I called to my companions, and we all joined together in singing lustily and with a good courage, —

When passing through the wat’ry deep,

I ask in faith his promis’d aid;

The waves an awful distance keep.

And shrink from my devoted head;

Fearless their violence I dare:

They cannot harm, — for God is there.

About half an hour after one, we landed on St. Mary’s, the chief of the inhabited islands.

We immediately waited upon the Governor, with the usual present, viz., a newspaper. I desired him, likewise, to accept of an “Earnest Appeal.” The Minister not being willing I should preach in the church, I preached, at six, in the street, to almost all the town, and many soldiers, sailors, and workmen, on, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” It was a blessed time, so that I scarce knew how to conclude. After sermon I gave them some little books and hymns, which they were so eager to receive, that they were ready to tear both them and me to pieces.

For what political reason such a number of workmen were gathered together, and employed at so large an expense, to fortify a few barren rocks, which whosoever would take, deserves to have them for his pains, I could not possibly devise: But a providential reason was easy to be discovered. God might call them together to hear the Gospel, which perhaps otherwise they might never have thought of.

At five in the morning I preached again, on, “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” And between nine and ten, having talked with many in private, and distributed both to them and others between two and three hundred hymns and little books, we left this barren, dreary place, and set sail for St. Ives, though the wind was strong, and blew directly in our teeth. Our pilot said we should have good luck, if we reached the land; but he knew not Him whom the winds and seas obey. Soon after three we were even with the Land’s End, and about nine we reached St. Ives.

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I preached to four or five hundred on St. Hilary-Downs; and many seemed amazed. But I could find none, as yet, who had any deep or lasting conviction.

In the evening, as I was preaching at St. Ives, Satan began to fight for his kingdom. The mob of the town burst into the room, and created much disturbance; roaring and striking those that stood in their way, as though Legion himself possessed them. I would fain have persuaded our people to stand still; but the zeal of some, and the fear of others, had no ears: So that, finding the uproar increase, I went into the midst, and brought the head of the mob up with me to the desk. I received but one blow on the side of the head; after which we reasoned the case, till he grew milder and milder, and at length undertook to quiet his companions.

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I preached at St. Just, and at the Land’s-End, where, in the morning, Sunday, 18, I largely declared, (what many shall witness in due time,) “By grace are ye saved through faith.”

The congregation at St. Just was greatly increased, while I proclaimed to every convicted sinner, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

About one I preached at Morva, on Romans 8:15, to the largest congregation I had seen in Cornwall. The society afterwards met, consisting of above an hundred members. Which of these will endure to the end?

At Zennor I preached on Isaiah 53:1 Isaiah 53, feeling no weariness at all; and concluded the day with our brethren at St. Ives, rejoicing and praising God.

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We were informed, the rabble had designed to make their general assault in the evening. But one of the Aldermen came, at the request of the Mayor; and stayed with us the whole time of the service. So that no man opened his mouth, while I explained, “None is like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heavens unto thy help, and in his excellency upon the sky.”

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I concluded my preaching here, by exhorting all who had “escaped the corruption that is in the world,” to “add to” their “faith, courage, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.” At eleven I spent some time with our brethren in prayer, and commended them to the grace of God. At ‘Trezuthan-Downs I preached to two or three thousand people, on the “highway” of the Lord, the way of holiness. We reached Gwennap a little before six, and found the plain covered from end to end. It was supposed there were ten thousand people; to whom I preached Christ our “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” I could not conclude till it was so dark we could scarce see one another. And there was on all sides the deepest attention; none speaking, stirring, or scarce looking aside. Surely here, though in a temple not made with hands, was God worshipped in “the beauty of holiness.” One of those who were present was Mr. P——, once a violent adversary. Before sermon began, he whispered one of his acquaintance, “Captain, stand by me; don’t stir from me.” He soon burst out into a flood of tears, and quickly after sunk down. His friend caught him, and prevented his falling to the ground. O may the Friend of sinners lift him up!

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I was waked, between three and four, by a large company of sinners, who, fearing they should be too late, had gathered round the house, and were singing and praising God. At five I preached once more, on, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” They all devoured the word. O may it be health to their soul, and marrow unto their bones!

We rode to Launceston that day. Thursday, 22. As we were riding through a village called Sticklepath, one stopped me in the street, and asked abruptly, “Is not thy name John Wesley?” Immediately two or three more came up, and told me I must stop there. I did so; and before we had spoke many words, our souls took acquaintance with each other. I found they were called Quakers; but that hurt not me; seeing the love of God was in their hearts.

In the evening I came to Exeter, and preached in the Castle; and again at five in the morning, to such a people as I have rarely seen; void both of anger, fear, and love.

We went by Axminster, at the request of a few there that feared God, and had joined themselves together some years since. I exhorted them so to seek after the power, as not to despise the form, of godliness; and then rode on to Taunton, where we were gladly received by a little company of our brethren from Bristol.

I had designed to preach in the yard of our inn; but before I had named my text, having uttered only two words, “Jesus Christ,” a tradesman of the town (who, it seems, was Mayor elect) made so much noise and uproar, that we thought it best to give him the ground. But many of the people followed me up into a large room, where I preached unto them Jesus. The next evening, Saturday, 24, we arrived safe at Bristol.

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I preached at Bristol in the morning, and at Kingswood in the afternoon, on, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” A vast congregation, in the evening, were quite serious and attentive.

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I had a great desire to speak plain to a young man, who went with us over the New-Passage. To that end I rode with him three miles out of my way; but I could fix nothing upon him. Just as we parted, walking over Caerleon-bridge, he stumbled, and was like to fall. I caught him, and began to speak of God’s care over us. Immediately the tears stood in his eyes, and he appeared to feel every word which was said: So I spoke, and spared not. The same I did to a poor man, who led my horse over the bridge; to our landlord and his wife; and to one who occasionally came in: And they all expressed a surprising thankfulness.

About seven in the evening, we reached Kirk-Howell, four miles beyond Abergavenny. Tuesday, 27. We came to Mr. Gwynne’s, at Garth. It brought fresh to my mind our first visit to Mr. Jones, at Fonmon. How soon may the master of this great house too be called away into an everlasting habitation!

Having so little time to stay, I had none to lose. So the same afternoon, about four o’clock, I read Prayers, and preached, to a small congregation, of the “faith” which is “counted to us for righteousness.” Very early in the morning, I was obliged to set out in order to reach Cardiff before it was dark. I found a large congregation waiting there, to whom I explained Zechariah 9:11: “By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.”

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I preached at the Castle of Fonmon, to a loving, simple people. Friday, 30. It being a fair, still evening, I preached in the Castle-yard at Cardiff; and the whole congregation, rich and poor, behaved as in the presence of God. Saturday, OCTOBER 1. I preached at Carphilly in the morning, Lantrissent at noon, and Cardiff at night.

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Fearing my strength would not suffice for preaching more than four times in the day, I only spent half an hour in prayer with the society, in the morning. At seven, and in the evening, I preached in the Castle; at eleven, in Wenvo church; and, in the afternoon, in Port-kerry church, on, “Repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”

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I returned to Bristol, and employed several days in examining and purging the society, which still consisted (after many were put away) of more than seven hundred persons. The next week I examined the society in Kingswood; in which I found but a few things to reprove.

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The Leaders brought in what had been contributed, in their several classes, toward the public debt: And we found it was sufficient to discharge it; which was therefore done without delay.

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I left Bristol, and preached in the evening, to a very civil congregation, at Painswick. Tuesday, 18. I preached to a little earnest company, at Gutherton, near Tewkesbury; and in the evening, at Evesham, on the happiness of him “whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”

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I called on Mr. Taylor, at Quinton, six or seven miles north of Evesham. About eleven I preached in his church, to a thin, dull congregation; and then rode on to Birmingham.

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After preaching, to a small, attentive congregation, I rode to Wednesbury. At twelve I preached in a ground near the middle of the town, to a far larger congregation than was expected, on, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” I believe every one present felt the power of God; and no creature offered to molest us, either going or coming; but the Lord fought for us, and we holden our peace. I was writing at Francis Ward’s, in the afternoon, when the cry arose, that the mob had beset the house. We prayed that God would disperse them; and it was so: One went this way, and another that; so that, in half an hour, not a man was left. I took our brethren, “Now is the time for us to go;” but they pressed me exceedingly to stay. So, that I might not offend them, I sat down, though I foresaw what would follow. Before five the mob surrounded the house again, in greater numbers than ever. The cry of one and all was, “Bring out the Minister; we will have the Minister.” I desired one to take their captain by the hand, and bring him into the house. After a few sentences interchanged between us, the lion was become a lamb.

I desired him to go and bring one or two more of the most angry of his companions. He brought in two, who were ready to swallow the ground with rage; but in two minutes they were as calm as he. I then bade them make way, that I might go out among the people. As soon as I was in the midst of them, I called for a chair; and, standing up, asked, “What do any of you want with me?” Some said, “We want you to go with us to the Justice.” I replied, “That I will, with all my heart.” I then spoke a few words, which God applied; so that they cried out, with might and main, “The gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his defense.” I asked, “Shall we go to the Justice tonight, or in the morning?” Most of them cried, “Tonight, tonight;” on which I went before, and two or three hundred followed; the rest returning whence they came. The night came on before we had walked a mile, together with heavy rain. However, on we went to Bentley-Hall, two miles from Wednesbury. One or two ran before, to tell Mr. Lane they had brought Mr. Wesley before his Worship. Mr. Lane replied, “What have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Go and carry him back again.” By this time the main body came up, and began knocking at the door. A servant told them Mr. Lane was in bed. His son followed, and asked what was the matter. One replied, “Why, an’t please you, they sing psalms all day; nay, and make folks rise at five in the morning. And what would your Worship advise us to do?” “To go home,” said Mr. Lane, “and be quiet.”

Here they were at a full stop, till one advised, to go to Justice Persehouse, at Walsal. All agreed to this; so we hastened on, and about seven came to his house. But Mr. P—— likewise sent word, that he was in bed. Now they were at a stand again; but at last they all thought it the wisest course, to make the best of their way home. About fifty of them undertook to convoy me. But we had not gone a hundred yards, when the mob of Walsal came, pouring in like a flood, and bore down all before them. The Darlaston mob made what defense they could; but they were weary, as well as outnumbered: So that in a short time, many being knocked down, the rest ran away, and left me in their hands.

To attempt speaking was vain, for the noise on every side was like the roaring of the sea. So they dragged me along till we came to the town; where seeing the door of a large house open, I attempted to go in; but a man, catching me by the hair, pulled me back into the middle of the mob. They made no more stop till they had carried me through the main street, from one end of the town to the other. I continued speaking all the time to those within hearing, feeling no pain or weariness. At the west end of the town, seeing a door half open, I made toward it, and would have gone in; but a gentleman in the shop would not suffer me, saying, they would pull the house down to the ground. However, I stood at the door, and asked, “Are you willing to hear me speak?” Many cried out, “No, no I knock his brains out; down with him; kill him at once.” Others said, “Nay, but we will hear him first.” I began asking, “What evil have I done? Which of you all have I wronged in word or deed?” And continued speaking for above a quarter of an hour, till my voice suddenly failed: Then the floods began to lift up their voice again; many crying out, “Bring him away! Bring him away!”

In the mean time my strength and my voice returned, and I broke out aloud into prayer. And now the man who just before headed the mob, turned, and said, “Sir, I will spend my life for you: Follow me, and not one soul here shall touch a hair of your head.” Two or three of his fellows confirmed his words, all got close to me immediately. At the same time, the gentleman in the shop cried out, “For shame, for shame! Let him go.” An honest butcher, who was a little farther off, said, it was a shame they should do thus; and pulled back four or five, one after another, who were running on the most fiercely. The people then, as if it had been by common consent, fell back to the right and left; while those three or four men took me between them, and carried me through them all. But on the bridge the mob rallied again: We therefore went on one side, over the milldam, and thence through the meadows; till, a little before ten, God brought me safe to Wednesbury; having lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my hands.

I never saw such a chain of providences before; so many convincing proofs, that the hand of God is on every person and thing, over-ruling all as it seemeth him good.

The poor woman of Darlaston, who had headed that mob, and sworn, that none should touch me, when she saw her followers give way, ran into the thickest of the throng, and knocked down three or four men, one after another. But many assaulting her at once, she was soon overpowered, and had probably been killed in a few minutes, (three men keeping her down and beating her with all their might,) had not a man called to one of them, “Hold, Tom, hold!” “Who is there?” said Tom: “What, honest Munchin? Nay, then, let her go.” So they holden their hand, and let her get up and crawl home as well as she could.

From the beginning to the end I found the same presence of mind, as if I had been sitting in my own study. But I took no thought for one moment before another; only once it came into my mind, that if they should throw me into the river, it would spoil the papers that were in my pocket. For myself, I did not doubt but I should swim across, having but a thin coat, and a light pair of boots.

The circumstances that follow, I thought, were particularly remarkable:

1. That many endeavored to throw me down while we were going, down-hill on a slippery path to the town; as well judging, that if I was once on the ground, I should hardly rise any more. But I made no stumble at all, nor the least slip till I was entirely out of their hands.

2. That although many strove to lay hold on my collar or clothes, to pull me down, they could not fasten at all: Only one got fast hold of the flap of my waistcoat, which was soon left in his hand; the other flap, in the pocket of which was a bank note, was torn but half off:

3. That a lusty man just behind, struck at me several times, with a large oaken stick; with which if he had struck me once on the back part of my head, it would have saved him all farther trouble. But every time the blow was turned aside, I know not how; for I could not move to the right hand or left.

4. That another came rushing through the press, and raising his arm to strike, on a sudden let it drop, and only stroked my head, saying, “What soft hair he has!”

5. That I stopped exactly at the Mayor’s door, as if I had known it, (which the mob doubtless thought I did,) and found him standing in the shop, which gave the first check to the madness of the people.

6. That the very first men whose hearts were turned were the heroes of the town, the captains of the rabble on all occasions, one of them having been a prize-fighter at the bear-garden.

7. That, from first to last, I heard none give a reviling word, or call me by any opprobrious name whatever; but the cry of one and all was, “The Preacher! The Preacher! The Parson! The Minister.”

8. That no creature, at least within my hearing, laid any thing to my charge, either true or false; having in the hurry quite forgot to provide themselves with an accusation of any kind. And, Lastly, That they were as utterly at a loss, what they should do with me; none proposing any determinate thing; only, “Away with him! Kill him at once!” By how gentle degrees does God prepare us for his will! Two years ago a piece of brick grazed my shoulders. It was a year after that the stone struck me between the eyes. Last month I received one blow, and this evening two; one before we came into the town, and one after we were gone out; but both were as nothing: For though one man struck me on the breast with all his might, and the other on the mouth with such a force that the blood gushed out immediately, I felt no more pain from either of the blows, than if they had touched me with a straw.

It ought not to be forgotten, that when the rest of the society made all haste to escape for their lives, four only would not stir, William Sitch, Edward Slater, John Griffiths, and Joan Parks; these kept with me, resolving to live or die together; and none of them received one blow, but William Sitch, who holden me by the arm, from one end of the town to the other. He was then dragged away, and knocked down; but he soon rose and got to me again. I afterwards asked him, what he expected when the mob came upon us. He said, “To die for Him who had died for us:” And he felt no hurry or fear: but calmly waited till God should require his soul of him.

I asked J. Parks, if she was not afraid, when they tore her from me. She said, “No; no more than I am now I could trust God for you, as well as for myself. From the beginning I had a full persuasion that God would deliver you. I knew not how; but I left that to him, and was as sure as if it were already done.” I asked, if the report was true, that she had fought for me. She said, “No; I knew God would fight for his children.” And shall these souls perish at the last?

When I came back to Francis Ward’s, I found many of our brethren waiting upon God. Many also whom I never had seen before, came to rejoice with us. And the next morning, as I rode through the town in my way to Nottingham, every one I met expressed such a cordial affection, that I could scarce believe what I saw and heard.

I cannot close this head without inserting as great a curiosity in its kind as, I believe, was ever yet seen in England; which had its birth within a very few days of this remarkable occurrence at Walsal.

“Staffordshire.

“To all High-Constables, Petty-Constables, and other of His Majesty’s Peace Officers, within the said County, and particularly to the Constable of Tipton:” (near Walsal:)

“WHEREAS, we, His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said County of Stafford, have received information that several disorderly persons, styling themselves Methodist Preachers, go about raising routs and riots, to the great damage of His Majesty’s liege people, and against the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King: “These are, in His Majesty’s name, to command you and every one of you, within your respective districts, to make diligent search after the said Methodist Preachers, and to bring him or them before some of us His said Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, to be examined concerning their unlawful doings.

“Given under our hands and seals, this day of October, 1743. “J. Lane.

“W. Persehouse.”

(N.B. The very Justices to whose houses I was carried, and who severally refused to see me!)

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I rode from Nottingham to Epworth, and on Monday set out for Grimsby; but at Ferry we were at a full stop, the boatmen telling us we could not pass the Trent: It was as much as our lives were worth to put from shore before the storm abated. We waited an hour; but, being afraid it would do much hurt, if I should disappoint the congregation at Grimsby, I asked the men if they did not think it possible to get to the other shore: They said, they could not tell; but if we would venture our lives, they would venture theirs. So we put off, having six men, two women, and three horses, in the boat. Many stood looking after us on the river-side, in the middle of which we were, when, in an instant, the side of the boat was under water, and the horses and men rolling one over another. We expected the boat to sink every moment; but I did not doubt of being able to swim ashore. The boatmen were amazed as well as the rest; but they quickly recovered, and rowed for life. And soon after, our horses leaping overboard, lightened the boat, and we all came unhurt to land. They wondered what was the matter I did not rise, (for I lay along in the bottom of the boat,) and I wondered too, till, upon examination, I found that a large iron crow, which the boatmen sometimes used, was (none knew how) run through the string of my boot, which pinned me down that I could not stir; so that if the boat had sunk, I should have been safe enough from swimming any further.

The same day, and, as near as we could judge, the same hour, the boat in which my brother was crossing the Severn, at the New-Passage, was carried away by the wind, and in the utmost danger of splitting upon the rocks. But the same God, when all human hope was past, delivered them as well as us.

In the evening, the house at Grimsby not being able to contain one-fourth of the congregation, I stood in the street, and exhorted every prodigal to “arise and go to” his “Father.” One or two endeavored to interrupt; but they were soon stilled by their own companions. The next day, Tuesday, 25, one in the town promised us the use of a large room; but he was prevailed upon to retract his promise before the hour of preaching came. I then designed going to the Cross, but the rain prevented; so that we were a little at a loss, till we were offered a very convenient place, by a “woman which was a sinner.” I there declared “Him” (about one o’clock) whom “God hath exalted, to give repentance and remission of sins.” And God so confirmed the word of his grace, that I marveled any one could withstand him.

However, the prodigal holden out till the evening, when I enlarged upon her sins and faith, who “washed our Lord’s feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.” She was then utterly broken in pieces, (as, indeed, was well-nigh the whole congregation,) and came after me to my lodging, crying out, “O Sir! ‘What must I do to be saved?”’ Being now informed of her case, I said, “Escape for your life. Return instantly to your husband.” She said, “But how can it be? Which way can I go? He is above an hundred miles off. I have just received a letter from him; and he is at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.” I told her, “I am going for Newcastle in the morning: You may go with me. William Blow shall take you behind him.” And so he did. Glory be to the Friend of sinners! He hath plucked one more brand out of the fire. — Thou poor sinner, thou hast “received a Prophet in the name of a Prophet:” And thou art found of Him that sent him.

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I enlarged upon those deep words, “Repent, and believe the Gospel.” When I had done, a man stood forth in the midst, one who had exceedingly troubled his brethren, vehemently maintaining (for the plague had spread hither also) that they ought not to pray, to sing, to communicate, to search the Scriptures, or to trouble themselves about works, but only to believe and be still; and said with a loud voice, “Mr. Wesley! let me speak a few words. Is it not said, ‘A certain man had two sons: and he said unto the younger, Go work today in my vineyard: And he answered, I will not; but afterwards he repented and went?’ I am he. I said yesterday, ‘I will not go to hear him; I will have nothing to do with him.’ But I repent. Here is my hand. By the grace of God, I will not leave you as long as I live.”

William Blow, Mrs. S., and I set out at six. During our whole journey to Newcastle, I scarce observed her to laugh or even smile once. Nor did she ever complain of any thing, or appear moved in the least with those trying circumstances which many times occurred in our way. A steady seriousness, or sadness rather, appeared in her whole behavior and conversation, as became one that felt the burden of sin and was groaning after salvation. In the same spirit, by all I could observe or learn, she continued during her stay at Newcastle. Not long after, her husband removed from thence, and wrote to her to follow him. She set out in a ship, bound for Hull. A storm met them by the way; the ship sprung a leak; but though it was near the shore, on which many people flocked together, yet the sea ran so exceeding high, that it was impossible to make any help. Mrs. S. was seen standing on the deck, as the ship gradually sunk; and afterwards hanging by her hands on the ropes, till the masts likewise disappeared. Even then, for some moments, they could observe her floating upon the waves, till her clothes, which buoyed her up, being thoroughly wet, she sunk, — I trust, into the ocean of God’s mercy. AN EXTRACT

OF THE

REV. MR. JOHN WESLEY’S

JOURNAL

FROM OCTOBER 27, 1743, TO NOVEMBER 17, 1746

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We rode with William Holmes, “an Israelite indeed,” from Epworth to Sykehouse. Here I preached at ten, and hastened on to Leeds; from whence, setting out early in the morning, I had hopes of reaching Wensley-Dale before it was dark; but it could not be: So in the dusk of the evening, understanding we had five or six miles still to ride, I thought it best to procure a guide. In less than an hour, it being extremely dark, I perceived we were got out of all road. We were in a large meadow, near a river, and (it seemed to me) almost surrounded with water. I asked our guide, “Do you know where you are?” and he honestly answered, “No.” So we rode on as we could, till about eight we came to a little house, whence we were directed into a lane which led to Wensley.

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Mr. Clayton read Prayers, and I preached, on, “What must I do to be saved?” I showed, in the plainest words I could devise, that mere outside religion would not bring us to heaven; that more could go thither without inward holiness, which was only to be attained by faith. As I went back through the church-yard, many of the parish were in high debate what religion this Preacher was of. Some said, “He must be a Quaker;” others, “an Anabaptist:” But, at length, one deeper learned than the rest, brought them all clearly over to his opinion, that he was a Presbyterian-Papist

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We set out early in the morning, and in the evening came to Newcastle.

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The following advertisement was published: —

FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. ESTE,

By the Edinburgh Company of Comedians, on Friday, November 4, will be acted a Comedy, called,

THE CONSCIOUS LOVERS;

To which will be added, a Farce, called,

TRICK UPON TRICK;

OR

METHODISM DISPLAYED.

On Friday, a vast multitude of spectators were assembled in the Moot-Hall to see this. It was believed there could not be less than fifteen hundred people, some hundreds of whom sat on rows of seats built upon the stage. Soon after the Comedians had begun the first act of the play, on a sudden all those seats fell down at once, the supporters of them breaking like a rotten stick. The people were thrown one upon another, about five foot forward, but not one of them hurt. After a short time, the rest of the spectators were quiet, and the actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats gave a cracks, and sunk several inches down. A great noise and shrieking followeth; and as many as could readily get to the door, went out and returned no more. Notwithstanding this, when the noise was over, the actors went on with the play. In the beginning of the third act the entire stage suddenly sunk about six inches: The players retired with great precipitation; yet in a while they began again. At the latter end of the third act, all the sixpenny seats, without any kind of notice, fell to the ground. There was now a cry on every side; it being supposed that many were crushed in pieces: But, upon inquiry, not a single person (such was the mercy of God!) was either killed or dangerously hurt. Two or three hundred remaining still in the Hall, Mr. Este (who was to act the Methodist) came upon the stage and told them, for all this, he was resolved the farce should be acted. While he was speaking, the stage sunk six inches more; on which he ran back in the utmost confusion, and the people as fast as they could out of the door, none staying to look behind him.

Which is most surprising, — that those players acted this farce the next week, or that some hundreds of people came again to see it?

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We had an useful practical sermon at St. Nicholas’s church in the morning, and another at St. Andrew’s in the afternoon. At five I preached to a willing multitude, on the Prodigal Son. How many of these were lost, and now are found!

In the following week I endeavored to speak severally to each member of the society. The numbers I found neither to rise nor fall; but many had increased in the knowledge and love of God.

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Sunday, 13, and the following days, I preached and regulated the societies at Painsher, Tanfield, and Horsley.

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I preached at the Spen, on, Christ Jesus our “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” I have seldom seen an audience so greatly moved, since the time of my first preaching at Bristol. Men, women, and children wept and groaned, and trembled exceedingly: Many could not contain themselves in these bounds; but cried with a loud and bitter cry. It was the same at the meeting of the society; and likewise in the morning, while I was showing the happiness of those “whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” I afterwards spake with twelve or fourteen of them severally; and found good ground to believe, that God had given them to “taste of the good word, and of the powers of the world to come.”

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After preaching at Newcastle morning and evening, I earnestly exhorted the society to beware of speaking evil of each other, and of censuring those who followed not with us. Monday, 21. I besought them in my farewell sermon, to “forget the things which are behind, and press on to the prize of their high calling.”

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I preached at Norton, five miles from Ferrybridge, and in the evening at Sykehouse. Here I received a full account of poor David Taylor, once a workman that needed not to be ashamed. Three years since, he knew all we preached to be true: Then Mr. I. brought him over to German stillness. When I talked with him at Sheffield, he was thoroughly sensible of his mistake: But Mr. Simpson soon drew him into it again. A third time he was deeply convinced by my brother; and unconvinced shortly after. He was once more brought into the Scripture-way by Mr. Graves, and seemed to be established therein; but in a few months he veered about to the old point; and has been “a poor sinner” indeed ever since.

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I rode to Leeds; preached in the evening, and morning, Thursday, 24, and went on to Birstal, where I preached at one in the afternoon; and again about seven in the evening. Friday, 25. At the desire of Arthur Bate, I rode to Wakefield, in order to talk with his wife: But I soon found, I did not come to talk, but to hear. After an hour or two we rode on to Barley-Hall, where I preached, on, “God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Thence we rode to Sheffield, where I preached, in perfect peace, on, “We know that we are of God.”

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I went on to Nottingham. In the morning, Sunday, 27, I preached in the House at five; and about eight, at the High Cross, on, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” I went thither again from St. Mary’s in the afternoon, and proclaimed to an immense multitude, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever.” I saw not one scoffer, or one trifler; but all, to a man, appeared serious and attentive.

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I rode to Breson, and spent an hour or two in conversation with Mr. Simpson; the oddest, honestest enthusiast, surely, that ever was upon earth. Before we parted he told me, “One thing I don’t like; your taking away my flock at Nottingham. Just now that text is brought to my mind; it is the very case; pray read it out.” I did so, as follows: “And Abraham reproved Abimelech, because of the well which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.” I desired him to read my answer in the next verse. “And Abimelech said unto Abraham, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither heard I any thing thereof from thee, save this day.” In the afternoon I rode to Markfield. After preaching there twice, on Tuesday, 29, I went on to Hinckley, and preached to a large and quiet congregation. We rode to Market-Harborough that day, the next to Hockley, and on Thursday, December 1, to London.

I had full employment here for some weeks following, in speaking severally to the members of the society. Many of these I was obliged to set aside: There remained about two and twenty hundred persons. January 1, 1744. — I received a letter from a poor man, wrote in the fullness of his heart, as follows: —

“Herein is written lamentation, and mourning, and woe. “SIR,

“I HAVE had but very little rest since I left you, the cause of which was, my leaving God first. It is true, I did in a very solemn manner, on my knees, break from you, as though I had done so merely to please God; but by what followed, it appears otherwise; for I no sooner broke off from you, than I began to think how I might make a worldly advantage by it. O, thought I, I shall not now be so scrupulous in many things, particularly in doing work on the Lord’s day. Then I got me some rabbits and fowls, and I would be sure to feed and clean them well on that day, and to be out on the hunt for food for them. And I took care my poor family should be sharers with me in the drudgery; or else they must expect many a sour look and bitter word at least. I then grew worse and worse; in so much that I have given such occasion to the enemy to blaspheme, such a wound to religion, as I could not heal, were I to live ten thousand years. O What have I done! O what have I lost! O that I might be admitted into God’s favor once more! Pray for me, I beseech you, if you see any hope left; if you do not think that repentance will be denied me, though I seek it carefully with tears. Then if you can think of any shame that will be bad enough for me to undergo before I am admitted into that company I so willingly left, see whether I will not readily submit to it. O that God would be pleased to bring me into light and love again! How careful would I be of his grace! How would I deny myself, take up my cross, endure shame, suffer persecution of every kind, follow the dear Lord Jesus without the camp! But I have crucified him afresh. O that I could give full scope to my mind! But I cannot. These lines are but a very imperfect description of the state, condition, and desire, of that backslider, that apostate, that traitor, “John Ewer.”

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