Wesley Corpus

this I rejoiced ; but I was grieved to find that Ralph Mather's falling into Mysticism and Quakerism hadwell nigh put an end to that uncommon awakening which he had before occasioned among the children. But the nextday I found, the little maids at Publow, who found peace by his means, had retained all the life which they had received ; and had indeed increased therein . Tues. 15. I beganmynorthernjourney, and wentby Stroud, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury, to Worcester. Thursday, 17. I preached in the Town-Hall at Evesham, to a numerous and serious congregation. Friday, 18. I returned to Worcester. The society here continues walking together in love, and are not moved by all the efforts of those who would fain teach them another Gospel. I was much comforted by their steadfastness March, 1774 ] 9 and simplicity. Thus let them " silence the ignorance of foolish men!" Sat. 19. In the evening I preached at Birmingham, and at eight in the morning. At noon I preached on Bramwick-Heath ; and, the Room being far too small, stood in Mr. Wiley's court- yard, notwithstanding the keen north-eastwind. At Wednes- bury, likewise, I was constrained by the multitude of people to preach abroad in the evening. I strongly enforced upon them the Apostle's words, " How shallwe escape, ifwe neglect so great salvation ? " If we do not " go on to perfection," how shall we escape lukewarmness, Antinomianism, hell-fire ? Mon. 21. I preached at nine in Darlaston, and about noon at Wolverhampton. Here I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fletcher, and we took sweet counsel together. Tuesday, 22. At five I explained that important truth, that God trieth us every moment, weighs all our thoughts, words, and actions, and is pleased or displeased with us, according to our works. I see more and more clearly, that "there is agreat gulffixed" between us and all those who, by denying this, sap the very foundation both of inward and outward holiness . At ten I preached at Dudley, and in the afternoon spent some time in viewing Mr. Bolton's works, wonderfully ingeni- ous, but the greater part of them wonderfully useless. Wed- nesday, 23. I preached at Ashby-de-la-Zouch ; and Thursday, 24,went on to Markfield. The church was quickly filled. I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, " Lazarus, come