the circumstance of being excluded from the Churches, from the satisfaction he experienced in himself, in carrying the Gospel to those who would not come to it, and from the effect of his labours on multitudes of the people, he was fully satisfied that his present plan of proceeding was agreeable to the will of God. But he found, that the favours and friendly attentions of those who disapproved of it, tended to weaken his resolution to persevere in it. Kindness has a wonderfully assimulating influence on the human mind: it melts down opposition in a generous heart; and while a man feels nothing but the most agreeable sensations from it, he is insensibly changed into a conformity with those who shew him favour. Many have been turned from their duty, by kindness and favour, who could not be moved by persecution. Mr. Wesley felt the force of this assimilating principle, and hence he says, that he dreaded their favour more than the stones at Sheffield.

At two o'clock, he found a vast multitude waiting for the word, and strongly exhorted them to repent and believe the gospel, that their sins might be blotted out. He preached again at Birstal, calling upon the poor and maimed, the halt and blind, to come to the great supper. He observes, "My Lord disposed many hearts, I doubt not, to accept the invitation. He shewed me several witnesses of the truth, which they have now received in the love of it. I had a blessed parting with the Society. May 30th, my horse threw me, and fell upon me. My companion thought I had broken my neck; but my leg only was bruised, my hand sprained, and my head stunned, which spoiled me from making hymns, or thinking at all till the next day, when the Lord brought us safe to Newcastle. At seven o'clock I went to the room, which will contain about two

thousand

thousand persons. our mutual faith."

We rejoiced for the consolation of

But

Many persons at Newcastle, had been greatly agitated during the preaching, falling into convulsive motions with strong cries. At their first preaching of the Gospel, many, as he justly observes, were undoubtedly struck down into the deepest distress, which affected both soul and body. Mr. Wesley believed, that such instances might still continue to occur. he soon perceived, that these natural affections, and the outward expressions of them, were easily imitated; and the persons at first so affected, being much noticed and talked of, this became a temptation to others to imitate their state. He says, "I have already detected many counterfeits." We recollect two instances, mentioned in his Journal before this period. A woman at Kingswood was greatly agitated under his preaching, and cried much he turned to her and said, I do not think the better of you for crying, &c. and she presently became quite calm. A young girl at Bristol fell into fits, and seemed like one in a trance. She continued this practice for some time; but at length acknowledged she had done it, that Mr. Wesley might take notice of her. No man ever had a more tender sympathy with those in distress, than Mr. Charles Wesley; but no man abhorred hypocrisy, or a mere assumed appearance of religious concern more than he did. Yet he did not judge persons who appeared to be so affected, till he had the proper evidences on which he could form a true judgment; but he thought it prudent to give them no encouragement, until some evidence of their sincerity appeared. June 4th, "To day (says he) one came who was pleased to fall into a fit for my entertainment. He beat himself heartily : I thought it a pity to hinder him; so, instead of sing

then, she

ing over him, as had often been done, we left him to recover at his leisure. A girl, as she began her cry, I ordered to be carried out. Her convulsions were so violent, as to take away the use of her limbs, till they laid her without at the door, and left her; immediately found her legs, and walked off. Some very unstil sisters, who always took care to stand near me, and tried who should cry loudest, since I have had them removed out of my sight, have been as quiet as lambs. The first night I preached here, half my words were lost, through the noise of their outcries. Last night before I began, I gave public notice, that whosoever cried, so as to drown my voice, should, without any man's hurting or judging them, be gently carried to the furthest corner of the room. But my porters had no employment the whole night! Yet the Lord was with us, mightily convincing of sin and of righteousness."

June 5th. 66

My soul was revived by the poor people at Chowden; and yet more at Tanfield, where I called to great numbers, Behold the Lamb of God, &c. At Newcastle I preached in the crowded square, chiefly to the backsliders, whom I besought with tears to be reconciled to God. Surely Jesus looked upon some of them as he looked upon Peter. June 6th, I had the great comfort of recovering some of those who have drawn back. I trust we shall recover them again for ever. On the 8th, I spake to the Bands separately, and tried their faith. We certainly have been too rash and easy in allowing persons for believers on their own testimony. nay, and even persuading them into a false opinion of themselves. Some souls it is doubtless necessary to encourage; but it should be done with prudence and caution. To tell one in darkness that he has faith, is to keep him in darkness still, or to make him trust in a false

a false light; a faith that stands in the words of men, not in the power of God.-June 13th, I wrote thus to a son in the gospel, Be not over sure that so many are justified. By their fruits ye shall know them. You will see reason to be more and more deliberate in the judgment you pass on persons. Wait for their conversation. I do not know whether we can infallibly pronounce at the time, that any one is justified. I once thought several in that state, who, I am now convinced were under the drawings of the Father. Try the spirits therefore, lest you should lay the stumblingblock of pride in their way, and by supposing them to have faith before they have it, you keep them out of it for ever."

We may perceive by these observations, that Mr. Wesley was a diligent attentive watchman over the people. He carefully explored the unfrequented road through which he had to guide them, and honestly pointed out the flattering by-paths which led to misery and danger. But experience hath repeatedly shewn, that they who most want these salutary cautions, are the least disposed to receive them. Few persons have sincerity enough to be thankful for advice which tends to undeceive them; to strip them of some imaginary comforts, and make them think worse of themselves than they did before. Professors of religion are commonly the most impatient of such advice. It is certain, that these cautions require great prudence and discernment, in applying them to particular persons; but in a large body of people, and among a great number of Preachers, there is much more danger of flattering individuals into a false confidence, with a hope of giving them encouragement, than of hindering their progress by putting them upon a close and severe self-examination. In the one case we tread a slippery path, in the

other

1

other we stand on firm ground. At this early period of the present revival of religion, Mr. Wesley saw the necessity of making these remarks. He repeated them frequently afterwards, and has been censured for so doing. I wish (observes Doctor Whitehead) the necessity of urging such advice on the preachers and people, may not greatly increase, while the practice of doing it is daily diminished.

Mr. Wesley observes, that since he had preached the gospel it never had greater success than at this time at Newcastle, "Yet (says he) we have no fits among us, and I have done nothing to hinder them, only declared that I do not think the better of any one for crying out. -June 16th, I set out for Sunderland, with strong aversion to preaching. I dragged myself to about a thousand wild people, and cried, O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help. Never have I seen greater attention in any people at their first hearing the word. We rode to Shields, went to church, and the people flocked in crowds after me. The Minister spoke so low that he could not be heard in reading prayers; but I heard him loud enough afterwards, calling to the Church-Wardens to quiet the disturbance, whch none but himself had raised. I fancy he thought I should preach in the church where I stood, like some of the first Quakers. The Clerk came to me bawling out, "It was consecrated ground, and I had no business to preach on it. That I was no Minister," &c. When he had cried himself out of breath, I whispered in his ear that I had no intention to preach there. He stumbled on a good saying, "If you have any word of exhortation to the people, speak to them without." I did so, to a huge multitude waiting in the churchyard; many of them very fierce, threatening to drown me, and what not! I walked through the midst of