Wesley Corpus

Sun. 6.--A little before the service began, I went to Mr. Romley, the curate, and offered to assist him either by preaching or reading prayers. But he did not care to accept of my assistance. The church was exceeding full in the afternoon, a rumour being spread that I was to preach. But the sermon on “ Quench not the Spirit,” was not suitable to the expectation of many of the hearers. Mr. Romley told them, one of the most dangerous ways of quenching the Spirit was by enthusiasm ; and enlarged on the character of an enthusiast, in a very florid and oratorical manner. After sermon John Taylor stood in the churchyard, and gave notice, as the people were coming out, “ Mr. Wesley, not being permitted to preach in the church, designs to preach here at six o’clock.” Accordingly at six I came, and found such a congrega tion as I believe Epworth never saw before. I stood near the east end of the church, upon my father’s tombstone, and cried, ‘ The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” At eight I went to Edward Smith’s, where were many not only of Epworth, but of Burnham, Haxey, Ouston, Belton, and other villages round about, who greatly desired that I would come over to them and help them. I was now in a strait between two; desiring to hasten forward in my journey, and yet not knowing how to leave those poor bruised reeds in the confusion wherein J found them. John Harrison, 206 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [June, 1742. it seems, and Richard Ridley, had told them in express terms, * All the ordinances are man’s inventions ; and if you go to church or sacrament, you will be damned.” Many hereupon wholly forsook the church, and others knew not what to do. At last I determined to spend some days here, that I might have time both to preach in each town, and to speak severally with those, in every place, who had found or waited for salvation.