Wesley Corpus

were in America were closely shut up in Boston, by a. numerous army holding them in on every side, and gaping to. swallow them up. And these within the town were in want of all things, while those without abounded with all things. This they gloried in, as a manifest proof that God was on. their side. As they now were confident of success, the talk of liberty was over: Independency was the word; this was avowed without any disguise or reserve. And, indeed, liberty was come to an end; it had no longer any being in the confederate colonies. If any one dared to speak a little in favour of the King, or in disfavour of the Congress, he was soon taught to know his lords and masters, whose little finger was heavier than the loins of Kings. 16. At length the King published a Proclamation for a General Fast in England, that we might “humble ourselves before God, and implore his blessing and assistance.” Some of the patrons of independency mocked at this, and endeavoured to turn it into ridicule. A company of them met at an inn in Bristol on the fast-day, and had a plentiful entertainment. Others stormed and raved at this hypocrisy, as they were pleased to term it. However, there is all reason to believe that God was well pleased with it. We now openly acknowledged him, and he openly acknowledged us. From this very time, the tide. turned. The King’s forces (which many said was impossible) made good their landing at the place proposed, and that without any loss at all. They took possession of Long Island, and with next to no opposition. They took the island and city of New-York, with all its boasted fortifications. They drove the rebels out of their almost inaccessible posts, though defended by strong intrenchments. They took Fort Washington and Fort-Lee, which an handful of men might have defended against a numerous army. At all these places they took warlike stores in abundance, beside some thousands of prisoners. They took possession of Rhode-Island, and everywhere drove the rebels before them like a flock of sheep. 17. Where are now the two or three hundred thousand men, that we were told would pour down upon us? But what, if they did? What would a million do, if they ran away as soon as the English appeared?