Wesley Corpus

Fri. 11.--I preached at Sheffield: on Saturday, 12, about ten, at Barley Hall. In the afternoon I rode to Epworth, and immediately went to Mr. Maw’s, to return him thanks for his good offices to Mr. Downes; and his honest and open testimony for the truth, before the worshipful bench at Kirton. It was not his fault, that those honourable men regarded not the laws either of God, or the king. But a soldier they were resolved he should be, right or wrong,--because he was a preacher. So, to make all sure, they sent him away,--a prisoner to Lincoln gaol! My first design was, to have gone the shortest way from Sheffield to Newcastle. But it was well I did not, considering the inexpressible panic, which had spread itself in all places. So that I came just in time to remind all the poor frighted sheep, that * even the hairs of” our “ head are all numbered.” I preached thrice at Epworth on Sunday ; and on Monday, 14, at Ferry. The constable who took Mr. Downes for a soldier, with one of the churchwardens, were of my audience. I was informed, they had threatened great things before I came: but their threatenings vanished into air. At two, many of our brethren at Epworth met, whom I cheerfully commended to the grace of God. We were riding gently toward Fishlake, when two or three persons met us, and begged we would not go that way ; for the town, they said, was all up in arms, and abundance were waiting for us in the.way, many of whom had made themselves very drunk, and so were ripe for any manner of mischief. We accordingly rode to Sykehouse another way. Some came in all haste hither also, to tell us, all the men in the congregation would be pressed. Others affirmed, the mob was just a coming; and that thev 4 . Nia cia a a Bs! 316 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ June, 1744. would certainly fire the house, or pull it down to the ground. I told them, then our only way was, to make the best use of it while it was standing: so I began expounding the tenth chapter of St. Matthew. But no man opened his lips against us. ;