our sister Davey. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire!" February 3d, 1746. He opened the new chapel in Wapping, and preached from 1 Cor. xv. 1. Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.-The next day he wrote to a friend, expressing his apprehensions that God was about to pour out heavy judgments on the nation. He says to his friend, "You allow us one hundred years to fill up the measure of our iniquity; you cannot more laugh at my vain fear, than I at your vain confidence."-This, and the preceding year, were times of danger and national alarm: and it is observable that religious peo-` ple are more apprehensive of divine judgments, at such seasons, than other persons. Those fearful apprehensions have been falsely attributed to superstition; but I think they arise from a more rational and laudable principle. Religious persons have a more clear knowledge than others, of the enormity and guilt of national sins; they see more clearly the mercies enjoyed, and know more perfectly the holiness and vengeance of God against sin, when once a nation has filled up the measure of its iniquity; and hence arises their fear, in any public danger, lest this should then be the case. We have not indeed, any certain rule of judging when a nation has filled up the measure of its iniquity, and is ripe for divine vengeance; and therefore may often be mistaken in applying a general principle, in itself true, to a particular instance. But every good man will rejoice, when, in times of public disturbance and danger, God is better to us than our fears and conscious guilt suggested. This was the case of Mr. Wesley.— Being at Bristol when he first heard the news of the victory at Culloden, over the rebel army, he observes, "I spoke "I spoke at night on, He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. We rejoiced unto him with reverence, and thankfully observed the remarkable answer of that petition, All their strength o'erturn, o'erthrow, spears and break their swords: Let the daring Rebels know, The Battle is the Lord's. O! that in this reprieve, before the tide is turned, we may know the time of our visitation." May 29th. He observes, "In Conference, I found many of our children in a thriving condition, not one of those who are justified, dreams that he is sanctified at once, and wants nothing more." What has already been said of Mr. Charles Wesley, sufficiently demonstrates, that he was animated with a disinterested and laudable zeal for the promotion of christian knowledge, among the middling and lower classes of the people. Both his doctrines and practice, tended to discourage a party spirit, and to promote brotherly-love among all denominations of Christians in the kingdom. Those who differ from him in judgment, and are disposed to censure what has been called his irregularity, must notwithstanding, acknowledge the goodness of his motives, and admire his indefatigable diligence. He seldom staid long in one place, but preached the Gospel in almost every corner of the kingdom. In fatigues, in dangers, and in ministerial labours, he was, for many years, not inferior to his brother; and his sermons were generally more awakening and useful. Neither he nor his brother travelled alone; some person always accompanying them, whom they treated rather as a companion, than as a servant. This plan was not adopted merely for the sake sake of convenience; but that they might constantly have persons about them who might be witnesses of their conduct and behaviour. This was prudent, considering the false reports which were propagated concerning them.--June 2d, Mr. Charles Wesley left Bristol, accompanied with a Mr. Waller; intending to visit the brethren in Cornwall. He took a large circuit in his way thither; preaching sometimes in a house, and occasionally in the street, where he met with various treatment from the people. At Tavistock, he found great opposition, the people behaving almost like wild beasts: they were restrained however, from doing any mischief. Here, some of Mr. Whitefield's society at Plymouth, met him, and importuned him to come and preach among them, and he complied with their request. Mr. Whitefield was his particular friend: and no man, perhaps, ever felt the attachment of friendship, in a stronger degree, than Mr. Charles Wesley: yet on account of some difference in opinion he determined to preach, not in their house, but in the streets, or field only. He might perhaps be afraid, lest he should say something in the warmth of an extempore discourse, which would give offence, or promote disputings among them. At length, however, their importunity overcame his resolution and caution. He met them in their house, prayed with them, and endeavoured to provoke them to love and good works. He soon found that God was with them; who does not make those distinctions among his true worshippers, for speculative errors, which men are apt to imagine. Mr. Wesley observes, "I found no difference between them and our children at Kingswood, or the Foundery." He continued a few days, till the 23d, with this earnest artless people, who seemed ready to devour the word. During his stay here, he went over to the Dock, and preached preached Christ crucified to a great multitude of hearers. The word was as a fire, melting down all it touched. He adds, "We mourned and rejoiced together in him that loved us. I have not known such a refreshing time since I left Bristol." Sunday, June 22d, he preached again on a hill in Stoke Church-yard, to upwards of four thousand persons by computation. Some reviled at first, but Mr. Wesley turning to them and speaking a few words, silenced them, the generality behaving as men who feared God. When he had finished his discourse they followed him with blessings ; only one man cursed, and called him Whitefield the second. He now prepared to leave them. Our own children, says he, could not have expressed greater affection to us at parting. If possible, they could have plucked out their own eyes, and have given them to us. Several offered me money; but I told them I never accepted any. Others would have persuaded Mr. Waller to take it; but he walked in the same steps and said their love was sufficient.” Mr. Wesley reached Gwennup, in the West of Cornwall, on the 26th of June, and he gives the following account of the state of the people." Upon examination of each separately, I found the Society in a prosperous way: their suffering had been for the furtherance of the Gospel. The opposers behold and wonder, at their stedfastness and godly conversation.June 29th, my evening congregation was computed to be upwards of five thousand. They all stood uncovered, kneeled at prayer, and hung, Narrantis ab ore.* For an hour and a half, I invited them back to their Father, and * On the mouth of the Speaker. A strong metaphorical expression for attention. and felt no hoarseness, or weariness afterwards. I spent an hour and a half more with the Society, warning them against pride, and the love of the creature; and stirring them up to universal obedience. Monday June 30th, "Both sheep and shepherds, had been scattered in the late cloudy day of persecution but the Lord gathered them again, and kept them together by their own brethren; who began to exhort their companions, one, or more in every Society. No less than four have sprung up in Gwennup. I talked closely with each, and found no reason to doubt that God had used them thus far. I advised, and charged them, not to stretch themselves beyond their line, by speaking out of the Society, or fancy themselves public teachers. If they keep within their bounds as they promise, they may be useful in the Church : and I would to God, that all the Lord's people were prophets like these." July 3d. "At Lidgeon, I preached Christ crucified, and spake with the Classes, who seem much in earnest. Shewed above a thousand sinners at Sithney, the love and compassion of Jesus, towards them. Many who came from Helstone, a town of rebels and persecutors, were struck, and confessed their sins, and declared they would never more be found fighting against God.—July 6th, At Gwennup, near two thousand persons listened to those gracious words, which proceeded out of his mouth, Come unto me all ye that travel and are heavy laden, &c. Half of them were from Redruth, which seems on the point of surrendering to the Prince of Peace. The whole country finds the benefit of the Gospel. Hundreds, who follow not with us, have broke off their sins, and are outwardly reformed; and the persecutors in time past, will not now suffer a word to be spoken against this way. Some of those who fell |