Wesley Corpus

Thursday, 28, was the day fixed for my going into the country: but all about me began to cry out, “ Sure, you will not go to-day ? ‘See how the rain pours down!” I told them, “I must keep my word if possible.” But before five, the man of whom I had bespoke a horse sent. word, his horse should not go out in such a day. I sent one who orought him to a better mind. So about six I took horse. About nine I called at Killcock: the old landlord was ill of the gout, and his wife of a complication of distempers: but when I told her, “‘ The Lord loveth whom -he chasteneth, and all these are tokens of his love,” she burst out, * O Lord, I offer thee all my sufferings, my pain, my sickness! If thou lovest me, it is enough. Here Iam: take me, and do with me what thou wilt.” Between one and two we came to Kinnegad. My strengh was now pretty well exhausted ; so that when we mounted again, after resting an hour, it was as much as I could do to sit my horse. We had near eleven Irish (measured) miles to ride, which are equal to fourteen English. I got over them pretty well in three hours, and by six reached Tyrrel’s Pass. At seven I recovered my strength, so as to preach and meet the society ; which began now to be at a stand, with regard to number, but not with regard to the grace of God. Fri. 29.--I rode to Temple Macqueteer, and thence toward Athlone. We came at least an hour before we were expected. Nevertheless we were met by many of our brethren. The first I saw, about two miles from the town, were a dozen little boys running with all their might. some bare-headed, some bare-footed and bare-legged: so they had their desire of speaking to me first, the others being still behind. Sat. 30.--I found the roaring lion began to shake himself here also. Some Papists, and two or three good Protestant families, were cordially joined together to oppose the work of God; but they durst not yet do it openly, the stream running so strong against them.