Wesley Corpus

Only let me find rest in a better world ! At six I preached in the church to such a congregation as I never saw here before; but I do not wonder if all the country should flock in hither, to a palace in the midst of a paradise. Fri. 4.--I set out early from Raithby, and at eight preached in Horncastle. My design was, to have preached seriously; for which purpose I chose that text, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved;” but I was turned, I knew not how, quite the other way, and could preach scarce anything but consolation. I believe this was the very thing which the people wanted; although I knew it not. We reached Lincoln about twelve. A very numerous congregation of rich and poor were quickly assembled. I 430 REv. J. Wesley’s [July, 1788. preached below hill, in Mrs. Fisher's yard; a large and commodious place. From the quietness of the people one might have imagined that we were in London or Bristol. Indeed the dread of the Lord was on every side; and surely his power was present to heal. In the evening I preached in our new House at Gains borough, which was crowded sufficiently. I spoke strong words, on, “Now is the accepted time;” which seemed to sink deep into the hearts of the hearers. Saturday, 5. In the evening I preached at Owstone, to such a congregation, both for number and seriousness, as I hardly ever saw here before. Afterwards I took a view of what was lately the glory of the town, the great mansion-house built by the late Mr. Pinder's father, when I was a little child. His grandson has left it desolate and without inhabitant, has taken away all the pictures and furniture, blocked up the windows, and cut down the fine rows of trees which formed the avenue ! So fleets the comedy of life away. Sun. 6.--At eight we had such another congregation as that in the evening; to which I expounded that comfortable scripture, the former part of Rev. xiv. I came to Epworth before the church Service began; and was glad to observe the seriousness with which Mr. Gibson read Prayers, and preached a plain useful sermon; but was sorry to see scarce twenty communicants, half of whom came on my account.