Wesley Corpus

About five, even the larger court house being too small to contain the congregation, I the more readily complied with the desire of the prisoners, to preach in the street, near the prison door. I spoke as plain and as home as ever in my life, on, “Ye must be born again.” Poor James was now resolved to speak, and got on a little eminence on purpose. And what could hinder him? Why Vou faucibus hesit. [His words stuck in his throat.] He cawed and cawed, but could utter nothing, hardly three words together. This also hath God wrought: he hath stopped the mouth of the gainsayer, and preserved the weak from being offended. Mon, 26.--Mr. Walsh met me at Belfast, and informed me, that the 614 REV. J. WESLEY'S JOURNAL. [ Aug. 1756 day before he was at Newtown, intending to preach: but while he was at prayer, Mr. M r came with a drunken mob, seized him by the throat, and dragged him along, till a stout man seized him, and constrained him to quit his hold. Mr. W., having refreshed himself at a friend’s house, began a second time. But in a quarter of an hour, Mr. M., having rallied his mob, came again: on which Mr. W. gave him ' the ground, and walked away over the fields. In the evening I spoke very plain at Lisburn, both to the great vulgar, and the small. But between Seceders, old self-conceited Presbyterians, New-Light men, Moravians, Cameronians, and formal Church men, it is a miracle of miracles, if any here bring forth fruit to perfection. The country between Lisburn and Moira is much like Berkshire, having fruitful vales on each side of the road, and well-wooded hills running even with them, at a small distance. At seven I preached in the market house at Lurgan. Many of the gentry were met at the room over it, it being the time of the assembly. The violins were just tuning ; but they ceased till I had done ; and the novelty at least drew and fixed the attention of the whole company.