Wesley Corpus

In this journey, as well as in many others, I observed a mistake that almost universally pre vails; and I desire all travellers to take good notice of it, which may save them both from trouble and danger. Near thirty years ago, I was thinking, “How is it that no horse ever stumbles while I am reading?” (History, poetry, and philosophy I com monly read on horseback, having other employment at other times.) No account can possibly be given but this: Because then I throw the reins on his neck. I then set myself to observe; and I aver, that in riding above an hundred thousand miles, I scarceever remember any horse (except two, that would fall head over heels any way) to fall, or make a considerable stumble, while I rode with a slack rein. To fancy, therefore, that a tight rein prevents stumbling is a capital blunder. I have repeated the trial more frequently than most men in the kingdom can do. A slack rein will prevent stumbling, if any thing will. But in some horses nothing can. 394 REV. J. WESLEY’s [April, 1770. Thur. 29.--I preached in the new preaching-house at Rochdale, and on Saturday, 31, at Chester. Tuesday, APRIL 3. I went on to Liverpool. On Wednesday and Thursday I read Mr. Sellon’s answer to Elisha Coles's book on God’s Sovereignty, so plausibly written, that it is no wonder so many are deceived thereby. Fri. 6.--I preached in Wigan at noon, and in the evening at Bolton. Sunday, 8. After preaching at eight and one, I hastened on to James Edmundson’s, preached to a few serious people, and gave directions to his poor sick daughter, which it is possible may save her life. Monday, 9. I rode on to Ambleside; on Tuesday, to Whitehaven. Here I found a faintness had spread through all. No wonder, since there had been no morning preaching for some months. Yet, every morning I was here, the congregations were as large as they had been for many years. Thursday, 12. I met such a company of children as I have not found within an hundred miles. Several of them appeared to be convinced of sin; five rejoicing in God their Saviour: And, upon inquiry, I found their whole behaviour was suitable to their profession.