Wesley Corpus

thus sucking the blood of a poor, beggared prisoner? Would not this be execrable villany, if the paper and writing together were only six-pence a sheet, when they have stripped him already of his little all, and not left him fourteen groats in the world? Sun. 5.--Believing one hinderance of the work of God in York, was the neglect of field-preaching, I preached this morning at eight, in an open place, near the city walls. Abundance of people ran together, most of whom were deeply attentive. One or two only were angry, and threw a few stones; but it was labour lost; for none regarded them. Mon. 6.--I rode to Tadcaster, and preached within, the rain not suffering us to be abroad, as I intended. In the evening I preached at Otley, and afterwards talked with many of the society. There is reason to believe that ten or twelve of these are filled with the love of God. I found one or two more the next day at Fewston, a few miles north of Otley, (where I preached at noon,) whom God had raised up to witness the same good confession. And, indeed, the whole congregation seemed just ripe for receiving all the promises. Wed. 8.--I rode to Knaresborough, where it was expected we should not meet with so friendly a reception. But the Lord is King. Our own House being too small, I preached in the assembly-room. Most of the people looked wild enough when they came in; but they were tame before they went out; and behaved as decently and seriously as the congregation at Otley. Indeed, the mob never was so furious here, as they were formerly at Otley; where the good Magistrate directed, “Do what you will to them, so you break no bones.” But may not a man cut his neighbour's throat without breaking his bones? July, 1761.] JOURNAL, 67 The remaining part of this week I preached at Guiseley, Bingley, and Keighley. Sunday, 12. I had appointed to be at Haworth; but the church would not near contain the people who came from all sides: However, Mr. Grimshaw had provided for this by fixing a scaffold on the outside of one of the windows through which I went after Prayers, and the people likewise all went out into the church-yard. The afternoon congregation was larger still.