Wesley Corpus

Thursday, 25. I rode across the country to Whitchurch, and spent an agreeable evening with that lovely family. Friday, 26. I went on to Shrewsbury, where Mr. Fletcher met me. Sunday, 28. I preached at Madeley, morning and afternoon. The church could not near contain the congregation; but, the window near the pulpit being open, those without could hear as well as those within. Monday, 29. I went on to Worcester. Our brethren had chosen a place for me, in a broad street, not far from the cathedral, where there was room for thousands of people; and we soon had company enough, part serious, part like the wild ass’s colt; but in a while the serious part prevailed, and silenced, or drove away, the rabble, till we had a tolerable degree of quietness, and concluded in peace. Thur. AUGUST 1.--I rode to Cheltenham, and preached near the market-place, to a large and quiet congregation. Friday, 2. I went on to Kingswood. Sunday, 4. We had above six hundred and fifty communicants at Bristol. In the afternoon I preached in St. James's, Barton, to an huge multitude; and all were still as night. Tues. 6.--We had more Preachers than usual at the Con ference, in consequence of Mr. Shirley’s Circular Letter. At ten on Thursday morning he came, with nine or ten of his friends. We conversed freely for about two hours; and I believe they were satisfied that we were not so “dreadful heretics” as they imagined, but were tolerably sound in the faith. Aug. 1771.] JOURNAL. 441 Mon. 12.--I set out for Wales, and after preaching, at Chepstow and Brecknock, on Wednesday, 14, came to the Hay. Here I met with Dr. Maclaine's Translation of “Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History,” Certainly he is a very sensible translator of a very sensible writer; but I dare not affirm that either one or the other was acquainted with inward religion. The translator mentions, without any blame, Mr. Shinstra’s “Letter against Fanaticism;” which, if the reasoning were just, would fix the charge of fanaticism on our Lord himself, and all his Apostles. In truth, I cannot but fear, Mr. Shinstra is in the same class with Dr. Conyers Middleton; and aims every blow, though he seems to look another way, at the fanatics who wrote the Bible. The very thing which Mr.