Wesley Corpus

I preached, about nine, at Scotter, a town six or seven miles east of Epworth, where a sudden flame is broke out, many being convinced of sin almost at once, and many justified. But there were many adversaries stirred up by a bad man, who told them, “There is no law for Methodists.” Hence continual riots followed; till, after a while, an upright Magistrate took the cause in hand, and so managed both the rioters and him who set them at work, that they have been quiet as lambs ever since. Hence we rode to Grimsby, once the most dead, now the most lively, place in all the county. Here has been a large and swift increase both of the society and hearers, so that the House, though galleries are added, is still too small. In the morning, Wednesday, 4, I explained at large the nature of Christian Perfection. Many who had doubted of it before were fully satisfied. It remains only to experience what we believe. In the evening the Mayor and all the Gentry of the town 166 REv. J. wesLEY’s [April, 1764. were present; and so was our Lord in an uncommon manner. Some dropped down as dead; but, after a while, rejoiced with joy unspeakable. One was carried away in violent fits. I went to her after the service. She was strongly convulsed from head to foot, and shrieked out in a dreadful manner. The unclean spirit did tear her indeed; but his reign was not long. In the morning both her soul and body were healed, and she acknowledged both the justice and mercy of God. Thur. 5.--About eleven I preached at Elsham. The two persons who are the most zealous and active here are the steward and gardener of a gentleman, whom the Minister persuaded to turn them off unless they would leave “this way.” He gave them a week to consider of it; at the end of which they calmly answered, “Sir, we choose rather to want bread here, than to want “a drop of water hereafter.” He replied, “Then follow your own conscience, so you do my business as well as formerly.” Fri. 6.--I preached at Ferry at nine in the morning, and in the evening; and, about noon, in Sir N. H.’s hall, at Gainsborough.