October 29th, he came once more to Bristol, where, he observes, that he had only spent one day for six months. On the 31st, he set out for Wales, and reached Cardiff on the first of November. "The gentlemen, (says he) had threatened great things if I ever came there again. I called in the midst of them, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by," &c. The love of God constrained me to speak and them to hear. The word was irresistible. After it one of the most violent opposers took me by the hand, and pressed me to come and see him. The rest were equally civil all the time I staid; only one drunkard made some disturbance, and when sober, sent to ask my pardon.-The voice of praise and thanksgiving was in the Society. Many are grown in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I passed an hour with the wife and daughter of the Chief Bailiff, who are waiting as little children for the kingdom of God."

November 6th. Mr. Wesley returned to Bristol. On the 16th he preached at Bath in his way to Cirencester, and the Lord gave testimony to his word. He travelled on, and preached at Evesham, Gutherton, Quinton, and Oxford; and on the 23d, at the Foundery. He staid in London, labouring in public and private, for the good of the people, till January 30th, 1744, when he again set out for the North, recommended to the grace of God by all the brethren. On the first of February, he came to Birmingham. He observes, "A great door is opened in the country, but there are many adversaries." The Preacher at Dudley had been cruelly abused by a mob of Papists and Dissenters; the Dissenters being stirred up by Mr. Whiting their minister." It is probable, (says Mr. Wesley) that he 'would have been murdered, but for an honest Quaker, who favoured his escape by disguising him in his

broad

broad hat and drab coloured coat.

Staffordshire, at

present, seems the seat of war." Mr. Wesley here uses the word Dissenters in the common acceptation, as denoting either Presbyterians, Independents, or Baptists; but which of these denominations is here intended we do not know. No men have cried out with more vehe→ mence against persecution, when under the rod, than the Dissenters; and yet we find that their principles and practices have sometimes been at variance. I am inclined to think, (observes Doctor Whitehead) that the Friends, or Quakers, as they are commonly called, are the only denomination of Christians in England, of any long standing, who have never been guilty of persecution, in some form or other. Candour must acknowledge that this is greatly to their praise.

February 2d. "I set out with brother Webb, for Wednesbury, the field of battle. We met with variety of greetings on the road. I cried in the street, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." Several of our persecutors stood at a distance, but none offered to make the least disturbance. I walked through the blessings and curses of the people (but the blessings exceeded) to visit Mr. Egerton's widow. Never have I observed such bitterness as in these opposers. February 3d, I preached, and prayed with the Society, and beat down the fiery self-avenging spirit of resistance, which was rising in some to disgrace, if not to destroy the work of God." Mr. Wesley preached within sight of Dudley, and then waited on the friendly Captain Dudley, who had stood in the gap, and kept off persecution at Tippen-Green, while it raged all around. He then returned in peace

through the enemy's country.

The rioters now gave notice that they would come on the Tuesday following, and pull down the houses

and

and destroy the goods of the Methodists. "One would think (says Mr. Wesley) there was no King in Israel. There is certainly no Magistrate, who will put them to shame in any thing. Mr. Constable offered to make oath that their lives were in danger, but the Justice refused it, saying that he could do nothing. Others of our complaining brethren met with the same redress, being driven away with revilings. The Magistrates do not themselves tear off their clothes and beat them, they only stand by and see others do it. One of them told Mr. Jones, it was the best thing the mob ever did, so to treat the Methodists; and he himself would give five pounds to drive them out of the country. Another when our brother Ward begged his protection, delivered him up to the mercy of the mob, who had half murdered him before, and throwing his hat round his head, cried, huzza boys, well done, stand up for the church."-Such Magistrates, sworn to maintain the public peace, and such defenders of a national church, are a lasting disgrace to any government. Mr. Wesley adds, "No wonder that the mob, so encouraged, should say there is no law for the Methodists. Accordingly, like outlaws they treat them, breaking their houses, and taking away their goods at pleasure: extorting money from those who have it, and cruelly beating those who have it not. February 4th, I spoke with those of our brethren who have lost this world's goods, and found them entirely resigned to the will of God; all thoughts of resistance, blessed be God, are over. The chief of them said to me, "Naked came I into the world, and I can but go naked out of it." They are resolved, by the grace of God, to follow my advice, and to suffer all things. Only I wished them to go round again to the Justices and give information of their danger. Mr. Constable said he had just been

with

with one of them, who redressed him only by bitter reproaches, that the rest were of the same mind, and could not plead ignorance, because the rioters had the boldness to set up papers inviting all the country to risewith them to destroy the Methodists.-At noon I returned to Birmingham, having continued two days in the lion's den unhurt.".

Mr. Wesley now set out for Nottingham, where he arrived on the 6th, and found that here also, the monster persecution was lifting up its destructive head. "Our brethren (says he) are violently driven from their place of meeting, pelted in the streets, &c. and mocked with vain promises of justice by the very man who underhand encourages the rioters. An honest Quaker has hardly restrained some of our brethren from resisting evil: but henceforth I hope, they will meekly turn the other cheek."

"He

Mr. Wesley and his friends at Nottingham sent a person to Litchfield, to get intelligence of what mischief had been done in Staffordshire, by the rioters in their threatened insurrections. He returned on the ninth, and Mr. Wesley gives the following account. met our brother Ward, who had fled thither for refuge. The enemy had gone to the length of his chain: all the rabble of the county were gathered together, and laid waste all before them. I received a note from two of the sufferers, whose loss amounts to two hundred. pounds. My heart rejoiced in the great grace which was given them; for not one resisted evil; but they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. We gave God glory, that Satan was not suffered to touch their lives they have lost all besides, and rejoice with joy unspeakable."

Mr. Wesley now went on to Newcastle, preaching every where, as he had opportunity. The year forty

four,

four, was considered as a time of public danger. There was much talk of the Pretender, and the French threatened an invasion in support of his pretensions to the Crown of England. In this critical situation of affairs, it was thought proper by many, that Mr. John Wesley should write an address to the King in the name of the Methodists. This address was accordingly drawn up but not delivered. On the 6th of March Mr. Charles Wesley, wrote to his brother on this subject, as follows. "My objection to your address in the name of the Methodists, is, that it would constitute us a sect: at least it would seem to allow that we are a body distinct from the National Church; whereas we are only a sound part of the Church. Guard against this, and in the name of the Lord address to morrow.” -March 14th, being at Birstal, a person informed him there was a Constable who had a warrant in which his name was mentiond. Mr. Wesley sent for him, and found it was, To summon witnesses to some treasonable words said to be spoken by one Wesley." He was just leaving Birstal when this information was given him; but he now determined not to go forward for London as he intended, thinking it better to appear before the Justices at Wakefield the next day, and look his enemies in the face. Accordingly, he rode to Wakefield the next morning, and waited on Justice Burton at his Inn, with two other Justices, Sir Rowland Wynn, and the Rev. Mr. Zouch. He informed Mr. Burton, that he had seen a warrant of his, summoning witnesses of some treasonable words, said to be spoken by one Westley: that he had put off his journey to London, that he might answer whatever should be laid to

his

See Mr. John Wesley's Works, vol. xxviii. page 209, where the Address itself is inserted.