Wesley Corpus

I rode to Epworth in the afternoon. Sunday, 21.--I preached in the house at five, on, ‘“ Quench not the Spirit ;” about eight, at the Cross; and again in the evening, to most of the adults in the town. Poor Mr. R.’s sermon, from beginning to end, was another “ railing accusation.” Father forgive him; for he knoweth not what he doeth! Mon. 22.--I rode with William Holmes to Norton, and after preaching there to a small company, went on to Oulton, three miles from Leeds, where a numerous congregation was waiting. On Tuesday 1 preached at Leeds, Armley, and Birstal. The next evening I was constrained to continue my discourse there, near an hour longer than usual; God pouring out such a blessing, that I knew not how to leave off. Thur. 25.--I preached at Horton and Bradford. Here I could not but observe, how God has made void all their labour who “ make void the law through faith.” Out of their large societies in these towns, how small a remnant is left! In Horton, scarce ten persons out of fourscore; in Bradford, not one soul. Friday and Saturday, at John Bennet’s request, I preached at several places in Lancashire and Cheshire. Sun. 28.--I preached at five, (as I had done over-night,) about a mile from Altringham, on, ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” A plain man came to me afterward and said, “ Sir, I find Mr. Hutchings and you do not preach the same way. You bid us read the Bible, and pray, and go to church; but he bids us let all this alone; and says, if we go to church and sacrament, we shall never come to Christ.” At nine 1 preached near Stockport, to a large congregation : thence we rode to Bongs, in Derbyshire, a lone house, on the side of a high, steep mountain, whither abundance of people were got before us. I preached on God’s justifying the ungodly ; and his word was as dew upon the tender herb. At five I preached at Mill Town, near Chapel-enle-Frith. The poor miller, near whose pond we stood, endeavoured to drown my voice; by letting out the water, which fell with a great noise. But it was labour lost; for my strength was so increased, that I was heard to the very skirts of the congregation.