Wesley Corpus

Wed. 4.--Being the general fast-day, I preached in the morning on those words, “ Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” Coming from the service at St. Luke’s, I'found our house so crowded, that the people were ready to tread one upon another. I had not designed to preach ; but seeing such a congregation, I could. not think it nght to send them empty away ;-and therefore expounded the parable of the barren fig tree. O that it may at length bear fruit! From hence I went to Deptford, where many poor wretches were got together, utterly void both of common sense and common decency. ‘They cried aloud, as if just A ty ‘ i i oe vO Nee 202 | REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Feb. 1741. come from “ among the tombs :” but they could not prevail against the Holy One of God. Many of them were altogether confounded, and, I trust, will come again with a better mind. Tues. 10.--(Being Shrove Tuesday.) Before I began to preach, many men of the baser sort, having mixed themselves with the women, behaved so indecently, as occasioned much disturbance. A constable commanded tnem te keep the peace: in answer to which they knovked him down. Some who were near seized on two of them, and, by shutting the doors, prevented any further contest. Those two were afterward carried hefore a magistrate ; but on their promise of better behaviour, were discharged. Thur. 12.--My brother returned from Oxford, and preached on the true way of waiting for God: thereby dispelling at once the fears of some, and the vain hopes of others ; who had confidently affirmed that Mr. Charles Wesley was still already, and would come to London no more.