Wesley Corpus

I began a journey through some of our societies, to desire their assistance towards the expense of the new chapel. I preached at Birmingham on Monday, 7; in Congleton, on Tuesday; and on Wednesday went on to Macclesfield. The new church here is far the most elegant that I have seen in the kingdom. Mr. Simpson read Prayers, and I preached on the first verse of the Second Lesson, Heb. xi. And I believe many felt their want of the faith there spoken of. The next evening I preached on Heb. xii. 14: “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” I was enabled to make a close application, chiefly to those that expected to be saved by faith. I hope none of them will hereafter dream of going to heaven by any faith which does not produce holiness. Fri. 11.--I preached at Stockport about ten, and at Man chester in the evening. Monday, 14. I preached about noon at Warrington, and in the evening at Liverpool; where many large ships are now laid up in the docks, which had been 96 REv. J. wesley’s [May, 1777. employed for many years in buying or stealing poor Africans, and selling them in America for slaves. The men-butchers have now nothing to do at this laudable occupation. Since the American war broke out, there is no demand for human cattle. So the men of Africa, as well as Europe, may enjoy their native liberty. Wed. 16.--About noon I preached at Wigan; in the even ing, at the new House in Bolton, crowded within and without, on the “wise man” who “built his house upon a rock.” Many here are following his example, and continually increasing both in the knowledge and love of God. Thur. 17.--I called upon Mr. Barker, at Little-Leigh, just tottering over the great gulf. Being straitened for time, I rode from thence to Chester. I had not for some years rode so far on horseback, but it did me no hurt. After preaching, I took chaise, and came to Middlewich, a little before the Liverpool coach, in which I went on to London. I have now finished Dr. Gell’s “Essay toward an Amend ment of the last Translation of the Bible.” This part only takes in the Pentateuch; but many other texts are occasion ally explained.