"All the following week it was at the peril of his life, if any Methodist stirred out of doors. And the case was much the same, during the whole mayoralty of Mr. Crone. But the succeeding mayor, declared in good earnest, There shall be no more mobs or riots in Cork. And he did totally suppress them. So that from that time forward, even the Methodists enjoyed the same liberty with the rest of his Majesty's subjects.

"In the mean time the work of God went on with little opposition, both in other parts of the county of Cork, and at Waterford, and Limerick; as well as in Mountmelick, Athlone, Longford, and most parts of the province of Leinster. In my return from Cork, I had an opportunity of visiting all these. And I had the satisfaction of observing, how greatly God had blessed my fellow-labourers, and how many sinners were saved from the error of their ways. Many of these had been eminent for all manner of sins: many had been Roman Catholics. And I suppose the number of these (Roman Catholics, converted) would have been far greater, had not the good Protestants, as well as the Popish priests, taken true pains to hinder them."

During Mr. Wesley's stay at Cork, and in its neighbourhood, he observes, "All this time God gave us great peace at Bandon, notwithstanding the unwearied labours, both public and private, of Dr. B. to stir up the people. But Saturday 26, many were under great apprehensions of what was to be done in the evening. I began preaching in the main street at the usual hour, but to more than twice the usual congregation. After I had spoke about a quarter of an hour, a clergyman, who had planted himself near me, with a very large stick in his hand, according to agreement opened the

scene.

'he was in

scene. Indeed his friends assured me, drink, or he would not have done it.' But before he had uttered many words, two or three resolute women, by main strength 'pulled him into an house, and after expostulating a little, sent him away through the garden. The next champion that appeared, was a young gentleman of the town.--But his triumph too was short for some of the people quickly bore him away, though with much gentleness and civility.— The third came on with far greater fury: but he was encountered by a butcher of the town, not one of the Methodists, who used him as he would an ox, bestowing one or two heavy blows on his head. This cooled his courage, especially as none took his part. So I quietly finished my discourse."

Mr. Wesley continued his labours in Ireland, till July 22, when he set sail for Bristol. He staid here only a few days, and then went on to visit the societies through the West of England, as far as Cornwall; in which service he spent near six weeks. August 15, He observes, "By reflecting on an odd book which I had read in this journey, The general delusion of Christians with regard to prophecy,' I was fully convinced of what I had long suspected; 1. That the Montanists, in the second and third centuries, were real scriptural Christians and 2. That the grand reason why the miraculous gifts were so soon withdrawn, was, not only that faith and holiness were well-nigh lost, but that dry, formal, orthodox men, began even then to ridicule whatever gifts they had not themselves, and to decry them all, as either madness or imposture."*

Оп

• The Montanists were a sect of Christians, which sprung up about the year of Christ, 171. They took their name from Montanus, a Phrygian

ty

On his return from Cornwall, he preached in the street at Shaftsbury; but none made any noise, or spake one word, while he called the wicked to forsake his way. When he was returned to the house where he lodged, a constable came, and said, "Sir, the mayor discharges you from preaching in this borough any more." Mr. Wesley replied, "While KING GEORGE gives me leave to preach, I shall not ask leave of the mayor of Shaftsbury."

Sept. 8. He came to London, and received the following account of the death of one of the travelling Preachers. "John Jane was never well after walking from Epworth to Hainton, on an exceeding hot day, which threw him into a fever. But he was in great peace and love, even to those who greatly wanted love to him. He was some time at Alice Shadforth's house, with whom he daily talked of the things of God; spent much time in private prayer; and joined likewise with her in prayer several times in a day: On Friday, Aug. 24, he sat in the evening by the fireside about six he fetched a deep sigh, and never spoke more. He was alive till the same time on Saturday, when without any struggle or sign of pain, with a smile on his face, he passed away. His last words were, I find the love of God in Christ Jesus.'

"All his clothes, linen, and woollen, stockings, hat, and wig, are not thought sufficient to answer his funeral expences, which amount to one pound seventeen shillings and three-pence. All the money he had

VOL. II.

S

was

by birth. They made no alteration in the creed, or articles of belief then commonly received. They were abstemious and moral in their conduct. But they maintained that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, were not withdrawn from the faithful and pious; and that they had among themselves the gift of prophecy, &c.

was, one shilling and four-pence."-" Enough (adds Mr. Wesley) for any unmarried Preacher of the gospel, to leave to his executors."-Mr. Wesley spent the remainder of the year in London, Bristol, and the neighbouring places; and in preparing several books for the use of the children at KingswoodSchool.

Mr. Wesley had many difficulties to encounter, not only from those who openly opposed him, but from many who were in connexion with him: especially from some of the Preachers, who already began to wish, that the Methodists might become a distinct and complete body, or church, among themselves; by which step, they would have, in order to support their own existence, a separate interest to maintain, in opposition to the established church, and in some respects to every denomination of Dissenters. This was in flat opposition to Mr. Wesley's design in forming the Methodist societies; which was to promote scriptural holiness through the land, without any particular regard to the distinction of parties. At this time, and for some years afterwards, he frequently corresponded with Mr. Edward Perronet, whom he sincerely esteemed, and to whom he often opened his mind with great freedom. We shall make an extract or two, from the letters written in the present year, relative to this and some other subjects.

From Ireland he observes, "I have abundance of complaints to make, as well as to hear. I have scarce any on whom I can depend, when I am an hundred miles off. 'Tis well if I do not run away soon, and leave them to cut and shuffle for themselves. Here

is

* The letters written by Mr. Wesley to Mr. Perronet, came into the hands of Mr. Shrubsole, after Mr. Perronet's death; who obliged Dr. hitehead with the use of them.

is a glorious people. But, O! where are the shepherds?

I am

"The society at Cork have fairly sent me word, that they will take care of themselves, and erect themselves into a Dissenting congregation. weary of these sons of Zeruiah: they are too hard Dear Ted, stand fast, whether I stand or

for me.

fall."

"Charles, and you But you cannot, or Others can and will

In another letter, he says, behave as I want you to do. will not, preach where I desire. preach where I desire: but they do not behave as I want them to do. I have a fine time between the one and the other." And again in a third, "I think both Charles, and you have, in the general, a right sense of what it is to serve as sons in the gospel. And if all our Helpers had had the same, the work of God would have prospered better, both in England and Ireland." About a fortnight afterwards, he writes thus on the same subject, "You put the thing right. I have not one Preacher with me, and not six in England, whose Wills are broken enough, to serve me as sons in the gospel."

On the subject of reproof, and of remedying things that were amiss, he observes to his friend, "Come on, now you have broke the ice, and tell me the other half of your mind. I always blamed you for When you.

speaking too little, not too much. spoke most freely, as at Whitehaven, it was best for us both.

66

I did not always disbelieve, when I said nothing, But I would not attempt a thing, till I could carry it. Tu quod scis, nescis, is an useful Rule, till I can remedy what I know. As you observe, many

s2

things

Charles Perronet, the brother of Edward.