Wesley Corpus

Thur. 18.--About one I preached at Beercrocomb. About five we reached Bridgewater. We expected much tumult here, the great vulgar stirring up the small. But we were disappointed. The very week before cur coming, the grand jury had found the bill against the rioters, who had so often assaulted Mary Lockyer’s house. This, and the awe of God, which fell upon them, kept the whole congregation quiet and serious. Before I preached, my strength was quite exhausted, and I was exceeding feverish through mere fatigue. But in riding to Middlesey I revived; and in the morning, Friday, 19, I rose quite well: “ My strength will I ascribe unto thee.” After a long morning’s ride we came to Mr. Star’s, at Waywick. Mr. S., a neighbouring gentleman, who not long since hired a mob to make a disturbance, coming in, Mrs. Star detained: him till the time of preaching. He seemed struck much more than the congregation. In the evening we came to Bristol. Mon. 22.--At eleven I preached at Paulton; about two at Oakhill ; and in the evening at Coleford. Twes. 23.--I went on to Rood, where the mob threatened loud. I determined, however, to look them in the face ; and at twelve I cried, to the largest congregation by far which I I had ever seen in these parts, “ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near.” The despisers stood as men astonished, and neither spoke nor stirred till I had concluded my sermon. Between five and six I preached at Bearfield; the next evening at Blewberry. While I was afterward meeting the society, one -- grievous backslider, who had been for some time as in the belly of hell, was struck to the earth, and roared aloud. He ceased not till God restored the pearl he had lost.--Does not our God “abundantly pardon?” Thur. 25.--I came to Wycomb. It being the day on which the mayor was chosen, abundance of rabble, full of strong drink, came to the preaching on purpose to disturb. But they soon fell out among themselves ; so that I finished my sermon in tolerable quiet.