Wesley Corpus

one and at seven in the evening. Thursday, 26.--We rode on, through wind and snow, and reached Manchester. At night I was grieved to hear in all places, from my coming into Cheshire till now, that John Bennet was still speaking all manner of evil; averring, wherever he came, that Mr. W. preached nothing but Popery, denying justification by faith, and making nothing of Christ. Lord, lay not this sin to his charge! March 27.--(Being Good Friday.) I went to the old church, where Mr. Clayton read prayers; I think the most distinctly, solemnly, and gracefully, of any man I have ever heard; and the behaviour of the whole congregation was serious and solemn in every part of the service. But I was surprised to see such a change in the greater part of them, as soon as ever the sacrament was over. They were then bowing, courtesying, and talking to each other, just as if they were going from aplay. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, I spoke severally to each member of the society; and found reason, after the strictest search, to believe that there was not one disorderly walker therein. Tues. 31.--T. M gave me a full account of J. B ’s renouncing all connection with me; adding, “On the 30th of December last, after he had said many bitter things of you to the congregation at Bolton, he spread out his arms and cried, ‘ Popery! Popery! Popery! I have not been in connection with him these three years, neither will I be any more.’ And the same thing he said to all the stewards, at the quarterly meeting on New Year’s Day.” Fri. April 3.--I rode to Bank House, near Rochdale, where T. Mitchell gave me the following account :--