Wesley Corpus

ness and in the deep; warning all to beware of drawing back unto perdition, and calling upon God with strong cries and tears. On Sunday he found a little dawning of hope ; this gradually increased all the day. On Monday, he knew God had healed his backsliding, and sorrow and sighing fled away. .He continued all day in fervent prayer, mingled with praise and strong thanksgiving. “ This nigit,” said he, “ will be a glorious night to me; my warfare is accomplished; my sin is pardoned.” Then he broke out again into vehement prayer. About eight he left off speaking; and soon after, without any struggle or groan, gave up his soul to God. Wed. April 1.--I rode to Winlinton Mills, a place famous above many, and called the rebels to lay down their arms, and be reconciled to God through his Son. I saw neither old nor young that behaved amiss; for the dread of the Lord was upon them. Sun. 5.--We set out early, and about eight went out into the market place at Hexham. A multitude of people soon ran together, the greater I Byes si 4 394 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [April, 1747. ade mad as colts untamed. Many had promised to do mighty things ut the bridle was in their teeth. I cried aloud, “ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” They felt the sharpness of the two-edged sword, and sunk into seriousness on every side: insomuch that I heard not one unkind or uncivil word, till we left them standing, and staring one at another. At one I preached at Horsley; and about five in the evening at Newcastle. Mon. 6.--Having been informed, there were many large collieries three or four miles north or northwest from Durham, I rode to a village called Renton, in the midst of them, and proclaimed, “« The Lord God, gracious and merciful.” Abundance of people gave earnest heed to every word which was spoken; kneeled down when I prayed, sung (after their manner) when I sung, and crowded into the house where I went in; crying out, one and all, « A, they were only too long a coming! Why did they not come sooner ?”