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and rode to Sandhutton that night. Two or three miles short of it we overtook a man, whom a woman riding behind him stayed upon his horse. On my saying, "We ought to thank God it is a fair night;" "O Sir, (said the man) so we ought: and I thank him for every thing: I thank him that I am alive; and that the bull which tossed me to-day only broke two or three of my ribs; for he might have broke my neck." Tuesday 17, In the afternoon we came to Leeds. I preached on I am the Resurrection and the Life: afterwards I spent a solemn hour with the Society, and commended them to the grace of God.

Wednesday 18, I rode, at the desire of John Bennet, to Rochdale in Lancashire. As soon as ever we entered the town, we found the streets lined on both sides with multitudes of people, shouting, cursing, blaspheming, and gnashing upon us with their teeth. Perceiving it would not be practicable to preach abroad, I went into a large room, open to the street, and called aloud, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. The word of God prevailed over the fierceness of man. None opposed or interrupted: and there was a very remarkable change in the behaviour of the people, as we afterwards went through the town.

We came to Bolton about five in the evening. We had no sooner entered the main street, than we perceived the lions at Rochdale were lambs in comparison of those at Bolton. Such rage and bitterness I scarcely ever saw before, in any creatures that bore the form of men. They followed us in

full cry to the house where we went;

and as soon as we

were gone in, took possession of all the avenues to it, and filled the street from one end to the other. After some time the waves did not roar quite so loud. Mr. P. thought he might then venture out. They immediately closed in, threw him down, and rolled him in the mire; so that when he scrambled from them, and got into the house again, one could scarcely tell what or who he was. When the first stone came among us through the window, I expected a

shower to follow; and the rather, because they had now procured a bell to call their whole forces together. But they did not design to carry on the attack at a distance: presently one ran up and told us, the mob had burst into the house he added, that they had got J. B. in the midst of them. They had; and he laid hold on the opportunity to tell them of the terrors of the Lord. Meantime D. T. engaged another part of them with smoother and softer words. Believing the time was now come, I walked down into the thickest of them. They had now filled all the rooms below. I called for a chair. The winds were hushed, and all was calm and still. My heart was filled with love, my eyes with tears, and my mouth with arguments. They were amazed, they were ashamed, they were melted down, they devoured every word. What a turn was this! O how did God change the counsel of the old Ahithophel into foolishness! and bring all the drunkards, swearers, sabbath-breakers, and mere sinners in the place, to hear of his plenteous redemption !

Thursday 19, Abundantly more than the house could contain were present at five in the morning, to whom I was constrained to speak a good deal longer than I am accustomed to do. Perceiving they still wanted to hear, I promised to preach again at nine, in a meadow near the town. Thither they flocked from every side; and I called aloud, All things are ready; come unto the marriage. O how have a few hours changed the scene! We could now walk through every street of the town, and none molested, or opened his mouth, unless to thank or bless us.

At one I preached at Shackerley, four miles from Bolton, and thence rode on to Davyholme. Here I received a letter from Richard Cawley of Alpraham, with an invitation from the Minister at Acton. After preaching in the morning at Davyholme, and about ten at Boothbank, in the afternoon, Friday 20, I rode on, and between four and five came to Alpraham. A large congregation was waiting for me, whom I immediately called to seek God while he may be

found. Many came again at five in the morning, and seemed just ready not only to repent, but also believe the Gospel.

Saturday 21, By conversing with several here, I found we were not now among publicans and sinners, but among those who, a while ago, supposed they needed no repentance. Many of them had been long exercising themselves unto godliness, in much the same manner as we did at Oxford: but they were now thoroughly willing to renounce their own, and accept the righteousness which is of God by faith.

A gentleman, who had several years before heard me preach at Bath, sending to invite me to dinner, I had three or four hours serious conversation with him. O who maketh me to differ? Every objection he made to the Christian system has passed through my mind also: but God did not suffer them to rest there, or to remove me from the hope of the Gospel.

I was not surprised when word was brought that the Vicar of Acton had not the courage to stand to his word : neither was I troubled. I love indeed to preach in a Church: but God can work wherever it pleaseth him.

Richard Cawley's

Sunday 22, I preached at seven in house; and about one at Little Acton. We then rode on to Woor; and the next afternoon came, wet and weary

enough, to Wednesbury. I hoped for a few hours rest here; but it was a vain hope for notice had been given that I would preach at Bilbrook in the evening; so I had seven or eight miles to ride back. I preached about six, and again in the morning.

On Tuesday 24, About noon we came to Dudley. At one I went to the Market-place, and proclaimed the name of the Lord to a huge, unwieldy, noisy multitude, the greater part of whom seemed in no wise to know wherefore they were come together. I continued speaking about half an hour, and many grew serious and attentive, till some of Satan's servants pressed in, raging and blaspheming, and

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throwing whatever came to hand. I then retired to the house from which I came. The multitude poured after, and covered over with dirt many that were near me; but I had only a few specks: I preached in Wednesbury at four to a nobler people, and was greatly comforted among them so I was likewise in the morning, Wednesday 25. How does a praying congregation strengthen the Preacher !

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After preaching again at one, I rode to Birmingham. This had been long a dry uncomfortable place; so I expected little good here: but I was happily disappointed. Such a congregation I never saw there before; not a scoffer, not a trifler, not an inattentive person, so far as I could discern, among them. And seldom have I known so deep, solemn a sense of the power, and presence, and love of God. The same blessing we had at the meeting of the Society; and again at the morning preaching. Will then God, at length, cause even this barren wilderness to blossom and bud as the rose ?

Thursday 26, We came to Knowle between nine and ten, a furious, turbulent place from the beginning. I began preaching directly in the yard of the Inn, to a few gaping, staring people, before the mob could assemble. They increased apace, and were tolerably attentive. In the afternoon we rode to Evesham, where I preached in the evening and morning, and then went forward to Stanley. The congregation was larger than could have been expected, upon a few hours warning; and they all appeared both glad to hear, and willing to embrace the word of reconciliation. In the evening I preached at Wall-bridge, near Stroud; and the next day, Saturday 28, reached Bristol.

Sunday 29, I preached both at Kingswood and Bristol, on Ye have need of patience. It was more particularly at Bristol that God refreshed my soul, and applied, what I spoke, to my own heart.

Monday 30, I retired to Kingswood, to write part of the Volume of Sermons which I had promised to publish this winter. Wednesday, November 8, I preached in Bath at

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noon, and at Seend in the evening: on Thursday evening, the 9th, at Reading; and on Friday in London.

Here I found an excellent letter from a friend abroad; part of which I add in his own words; being unable so to translate them, as not to lose great part of the spirit of the Original:

"Charissime Frater,

"Gratia, pax, & multifariæ Spiritus Sancti consolationes tibi tuæque Societati sint, & multiplicentur a Deo nostro per Servatorem nostrum. Amen.

"Tuas gratissimas Ratcormucki datas accepi, & ex illis summo cum gaudio grandem in variis Anglia & Hibernia partibus januam vobis apertam esse intellexi, dum multi adversarii evangelicæ doctrinæ sese opponerent.

"Literas tuas ad D. Perronet datas (A plain Account, &c.) non quidem legi, sed devoravi., Omniaque adeo mihi arriserunt, ut vix me cohibere possim, quin Londinum devolem, veniam & videam Societatis tuæ ordinationes. Sed catenis variis quasi vinctus, nolens volens hic adstrictus sum. Quamprimum tamen literas illas vertam & typis mandabo, una cum tractatulo illo, The Character of a Methodist.Forte, si non multos, aliquos excitabit clericos aut laicos, ad vestigia evangelica integrius premenda.-Admodum mihi placet, te nec sectæ alicui, nec dogmatibus specificis sectarum adhærere, nec patronum eorum agere, sed cuique libertatem relinquere de iis credendi quid velit, modo vere in Deum Filiumque ejus dilectum credat, Deum ex toto corde amet, a peccatis abstineat, & vitam vocatione evangelica dignam ducat. Mi Jane, dilectissime, frater, rogo, precor, & obtestor per viscera misericordiarum Dei & Filii sui, ut ipsissimam hanc vitam insistas, ac premere pergas, nec polemicis te immisceas. Certa solummodo bonum illud fidei puræ, integræ, evangelicæ certamen, nec ullos hostes præter carnem corruptam, ejusque desideria mundana debelles. Cane pejus & angui fugias dogmata multiplicare, & de non necessariis disputare, quæ bina Satanæ stratagemata fuere quibus ecclesiam ab integritate & simplicitate evangelica sensim aberrare fecit.

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