Wesley Corpus

I found the people in general were more settled than when I was here before; but they were in danger of running from east to west. Instead of thinking, as many then did, that none can possibly have true faith but those that have trances or visions, they were now ready to think that whoever had any thing of this kind had no faith. Mon. 4.--After preaching to a large congregation at Wrest lingworth, we rode on to Harston. I never preached a whole sermon by moonlight before. However, it was a solemn * These were the words I wrote at the time. 78 REv. J. Wesley’s [Jan. 1762. season; a season of holy mourning to some; to others, of joy unspeakable. Tues. 5.--I preached in Harston at nine, and about eleven at Wiltstow, three miles farther, to a people just ripe for, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden.” In the afternoon we set out for Stoke, on the edge of Suffolk. As we rode through Haverhill, we were saluted with one huzza, the mob of that town having no kindness for Methodists. But all was quiet at Stoke; for Sir H A will suffer no disturbance there. The congregation came from many miles round, and God was in the midst of them. Their hearty prayers went up on every side; and many felt the answer to them. Wed. 6.--The largeness of the congregation at five showed they were not forgetful hearers. I preached longer than I am accustomed to do; but still they were not satisfied. Many crowded after me into the dwelling-house. After speaking a few words, I went to prayer. A cry began, and soon spread through the whole company; so that my voice was lost. Two seemed to be distressed above all the rest. We conti nued wrestling with God, till one of them had a good hope, and the other was “filled with joy and peace in believing.” In the afternoon it blew a storm, by the favour of which we came into Haverhill, quite unmolested. But, notwithstanding wind and rain, the people crowded so fast into the preaching house, that I judged it best to begin half an hour before the time; by which means it contained the greater part of them.