Wesley Corpus

There were a few wild colts here also; but all the rest (and they were not a few) were serious and deeply attentive. So were most of the congregation even at Boston, though much astonished, as not being used to field-preaching. Thur. 13.--I took a walk through the town. I think it is not much smaller than Leeds; but, in general, it is far better built. The church is indeed a fine building. It is larger, loftier, nay, and rather more lightsome, than even St. Peter’s at Norwich; and the steeple is, I suppose, the highest tower in England, nor less remarkable for the architecture than the height. The congregation in the evening was far more numerous than the day before; and I trust God fixed the arrows of conviction in not a few of their hearts. We went forward, after preaching at a friend’s house, about nine miles from Boston. Friday, 14. We rode to Billingford; and on Saturday, to Norwich. After spending a few days here, and a few more at Yarmouth and Colchester, on Saturday, 22, I returned to London. I found the work of God swiftly increasing here. The congregations, in every place, were larger than they had been for several years. Many were from day to day convinced of sin. Many found peace with God. Many backsliders were healed, yea, filled with joy unspeakable. And many believers entered into such a rest, as it had not before entered into Oct. 1761. JOURNAL. 73 their hearts to conceive. Meantime, the enemy was not wanting in his endeavours to sow tares among the good seed. I saw this clearly, but durst not use violence, lest, in plucking up the tares, I should root up the wheat also. Tues. SEPTEMBER 1.--Our Conference began, and ended on Saturday. After spending a fortnight more in London, and guarding both the Preachers and people against running into extremes on the one hand or the other, on Sunday, 20, at night, I took the machine, and on Monday, 21, came to Bristol. Here likewise I had the satisfaction to observe a consider able increase of the work of God. The congregations were exceeding large, and the people hungering and thirsting after righteousness; and every day afforded us fresh instances of persons convinced of sin, or converted to God.