Wesley Corpus

The rain prevented my preaching abroad, though the Room would ill contain the congregation. Observing many there who seemed quite unawakened, I opened and strongly applied Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones. Lord, “breathe upon these slain, that they may live!” Fri. 23.--I rode across the country to Charlton, and found the congregation waiting. In the afternoon we went on to Lympsham; but not without some difficulty. The waters were out; so that it was no easy matter either to ride or walk. My horse got into a ditch over his back in water: Nor could Oct. 1768.] JOURNAL. 345 I get to my lodgings the foot-way, till an honest man took me on his shoulders, and so waded through. Sat. 24.--I returned to Bristol. Tuesday, 27. I preached in Pensford at eight; in Shepton-Mallet at one; and at Wincanton in the evening, with far greater freedom than I used to find among that dead people. About one, Wednes day, 28, I preached at Stallbridge, to a large and seriously attentive congregation. Hence I went on to cold, uncomfort able Shaftesbury, and spoke exceeding strong words. All seriously attended; some seemed to understand, and a few to feel, what was spoken. Thur. 29.--I rode to Frome. The people here seem more alive than most I have seen in the circuit; and this is the more strange, because in this town only there is such a mixture of men of all opinions,--Anabaptists, Quakers, Presbyterians, Arians, Antinomians, Moravians, and what not. If any hold to the truth, in the midst of all these, surely the power must be of God. Friday, 30, we observed as a day of fasting and prayer; and it was a good day for many, who no sooner called, than God answered them in the joy of their heart. Sun. OcToBER 2.--I preached at Kingswood, upon, “Quench not the Spirit.” Possibly this people may now have ears to hear, and may despise prophesyings no more. Hereby they have frequently quenched the Spirit, and destroyed his work in their hearts. Wed. 5.--I rode over to Maiden-Bradley, and preached at a httle distance from the town, to as serious a congregation as I ever saw, many of whom were in tears.