Wesley Corpus

Fri. 29.--I rested at Evesham. Saturday, 30.--I rode to Birmingham, and found God in the midst of the congregation. Sunday, 31.--1 earnestly warned the society against idle disputes and vain janglings ; and afterward preached on, “If ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the Law.” The hearts of many were melted within them; so that neither they nor I could refrain from tears. But they were chiefly tears of joy, from a lively sense of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. At one I was obliged to preach abroad, the room not being able to contain half the congregation. O how is the scene changed here! The last time I preached at Birmingham the stones flew on every side. If any disturbance were made now, the disturber _would be in more danger than the preacher. At five in the evening I preached at Wednesbury, to a still larger congregation ; but no mocker or trifler appeared among them. How many of the last shall be first! Mon. April 1.--I rode to Dudley. The dismal screaming wherewith we were welcomed into the town, gave us reason to expect the same kind of reception as I had when I was there before. I began preaching immediately in a yard not far from the main street. Some at first seemed inclined to interrupt; but when they had heard a little, they grew more attentive, and stayed very quictly to the end; though it rained great part of the time.