Wesley Corpus

I had desired John Haime to preach at Wedieshuns = ; but when I - came, he had but just begun the hymn: so I had an opportunity, which I did not expect, of speaking again to that willmg people. What a work would have been in all these parts, if it had not been for doubtful disputations! If the predestinarians had not thrown back those who began to run well, partly into the world, partly to the Baptists, and partly into endless disputes concerning the secret counsels of God! Waile we carried our lives in our hands, none of these came near; the waves ran two high for them; but when all was calm, they poured in on every side, and bereaved us of our children. Out of these they formed one society here, one at Dudley, and another at Birmingham. Many indeed, though torn from us, would not stay with them, but broke out into the wildest enthusiasm. But still they were all called Methodists ; and so all their drunkenness and blasphemies (not imputed to a believer) were imputed to us! Tues. 2.--I preached at Darlaston, late a den of lions: but most of the fiercest of them God has called away by a train of amazing strokes ; and those that remain are now as lambs. I preached in the evening at Wednesbury ; where, notwithstanding the rain, every man, woman, and child, stayed to the end. I gave them all an earnest caution not to lean on broken reeds, on opinions of any kind: and even the predestinarians received it in love, and told me it was highly seasonable. Wi ed. 3.--I made an end of visiting the classes, miserably shattered April, 1751. | REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 3 501