Wesley Corpus

8. Just as I began preaching (in the open air, the Room being too small even for the morning congregation) the rain began; but it stopped in two or three minutes, I am persuaded, in answer to the prayer of faith. Incidents of the same kind I have seen abundance of times, and particularly in this journey; and they are nothing strange to them who seriously believe "the very hairs of your head are all numbered." After preaching at Potto about moon, I rode to Thirsk, intending to preach near the house where I alighted; but several gentlemen of the town sent to desire I would preach in the market-place: I did so, to a numerous congregation, most of whom were deeply attentive. I hastened away after preaching, and between nine and ten came to York. I rode to Epworth, and preached at seven in the market-place. Sunday, 12. I preached at the Room in the morning; in the afternoon, at the market-place; and about one, the congregation gathered from all parts in Haxey parish, near Westwood-side. At every place I endeavoured to settle the minds of the poor people, who had been not a little harassed by a new doctrine which honest Jonathan C and his con verts had industriously propagated among them, that "there is no sin in believers; but, the moment we believe, sin is destroyed, root and branch." I trust this plague also is stayed: But how ought those unstable ones to be ashamed who are so easily "tossed about with every wind of doctrine !" I had desired Samuel Meggot to give me some farther account of the late work of God at Barnard-Castle. Part of his answer was as follows: "June 7, 1763. "WITHIN ten weeks, at least twenty persons in this town have found peace with God, and twenty-eight the pure love of God. This morning, before you left us, one found peace, and one the second blessing; and after you was gone two more received it. One of these had belonged to the society before; but, after he turned back, had bitterly persecuted his wife, particularly after she professed the being saved from sin. May 29, he came, in a furious rage, to drag her out of the society. One cried out, 'Let us go to prayer for him.' Pre sently he ran away, and his wife went home.