say he preached false doctrine, or true, or any doc- August 12th, being at Newcastle, he desired W. Shent, who was with him, to go to Musselborough. Before he set out, he gave Mr. Wesley the following account of a remarkable trial they had lately had at Leeds. "At Whitecoat-Hill, three miles from Leeds, a few weeks since, as our brother Maskew was preaching, a mob arose, broke the windows and doors, and struck the Constable Jacob Hawley, one of the Society. On this we indicted them for an assault; and the ringleader of the mob, John Hellingworth, indicted our brother the Constable, and got persons to swear the Constable struck him. The Grand Jury threw out our indictment, and found theirs against us, so we stood trial with them, on Monday, July 15th, 1751. The Recorder, Richard Wilson, Esq. gave it in our favour, with the rest of the Court. But the Foreman of the Jury, Matthew Priestley, with two others, Richard Cloudsly, and Jabez Bunnel, would not agree with the rest, 1 rest, being our avowed enemies. The Foreman was Mr. Murgatroyd's great friend and champion against the Methodists. However the Recorder gave strict orders to a guard of Constables, to watch the Jury, that they should have neither meat, drink, candles, or tobacco, till they were agreed in their verdict. They were kept prisoners all that night and the next day till five in the afternoon, when one of the Jury said, he would die before he would give it against us. Then he spake closely to the Foreman concerning his prejudice against the Methodists, till at last he condescended to refer it to one man. Him the other charged to speak as he should answer it to God in the day of judgment. The man turned pale, and trembled, and desired that another might decide it. Another, John Hardwick, being called upon, immediately decided it in favour of the Methodists. After the trial, Sir Henry Ibison, one of the Justices, called a brother, and said, "You see God never forsakes a righteous man, take care you never forsake him." Besides Richard Wilson, Esq. Recorder of Leeds, the following Justices were present; J. Frith, Mayor; Alderman Micklethwait, Alderman Denison, Alderman Sawyer, Alderman Smith, and Alderman Brooks. Sir Henry Ibison was mentioned above. Mr. Wesley Jeft Newcastle, August 24th, and on the 26th, reached Thirsk in Yorkshire, where his Journal for the present year ends. It is evident from the nature of the thing, that he must have met with great difficulties in executing the design of his journey, and have made himself many enemies. But he seldom regarded consequences, when he was convinced that he was doing his duty. His mind, however, was sometimes much burdened. On one occasion, he observes, "Preaching, I perceive, is not my principal business. God knoweth my heart, and all its burdens. O that he would take the matter into his own hand, though he lay me aside as a broken vessel!"-But he was frequently comforted and strengthened in preaching and praying with the Societies. After one of these opportunities he says, "My faith was greatly strengthened for the work. The manner, and the instruments of carrying it on, I leave entirely to God." July 8th, 1754. Mr. Charles Wesley, with his brother, who was indisposed,* Mr. Charles Perronet, and another friend, set out for Norwich. On the 10th, in the evening, they reached Lakenham, where they were informed the whole city was in an uproar about James Wheatley, "Whose works of darkness (says Mr. Wesley) are now brought to light; whereby the people are so scandalized and exasperated, that they are ready to rise and tear him in pieces. We do not therefore wonder that the Clergy are not forward to 'shew their friendly inclination to us; yet one has sent us a civil message, excusing his not visiting us till the tumult is over."-The next day the gentleman with whom they lodged at Lakenham, dined with the Mayor of Norwich, a wise resolute man, who laboured for peace. He was employed all day in taking the affidavits of the women whom Wheatley had tried to corrupt; these accounts were printed and cried about the streets, which occasioned great confusion. "What could Satan, or his apostles, (says Mr. Wesley) do more, to shut the door against the Gospel in this place for ever? Yet several came to us, entreating us to preach. The advertisement we had printed here last See also Mr. John Wesley's printed Journal in his Works, vel, xxix, page 299. ours. last year, disclaiming Mr. Wheatley, did much good, and, with the blessing of God, helped the people to distinguish. Our host also, has assured the Mayor, that Mr. Wheatley is no Methodist, or associate of A letter of Charles Perronet's to Wheatley they have printed there, contrary to our express orders. It is not fit that our hand should be upon him. Fresh discoveries are daily made of his lewdness, enough to make the ears of all who hear to tingle: yet he is quite insensible!" These things are now mentioned, because the notoriety of them at the time appears a sufficient justification of Mr. John Wesley's conduct towards Wheatley. Sunday, July 14th. They walked to Mr. Edward's in Norwich, and at seven o'clock in the morning Mr. Charles Wesley took the field. He preached on HogHill to about 2000 hearers, his brother standing by him. A drunkard or two were troublesome, but more out of mirth than malice. They afterwards went to Church, and the people, both in the streets and at the Cathedral, were remarkably civil. He adds, "The Lessons, Psalms, Epistle, and Gospel, were very encouraging. The Anthem made our hearts rejoice: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sake will I now say, peace be within thee. of the LORD our GOD, will I received the Sacrament at the In the afternoon I went to St. Peter's, and at five o'clock to Hog-Hill, where it was computed that ten thousand persons were present. Again I preached repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. They listened with great seriousness-their hearts were plainly touched, as some shewed by their tears. Because of the house seek thy good.-We hands of the Bishop. Who Who could have thought the people of Norwich would ever more have borne a Field-Preacher ? It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Το him be all the glory, who saith, I will work, and who shall hinder?" July 19th. Mr. John Wesley left them, and Mr. Charles continued his labours. "At night (he says) I had multitudes of the great vulgar and the small to hear me, with three Justices, and nine Clergymen : many, I am persuaded, felt the sharp two-edged sword.-Sunday, July 21st. My audience at seven in the morning was greatly increased. I dwelt chiefly on those words, He hath sent me to preach glad-tidings to the meek, or poor; and laboured, as all last week, to bring them to a sense of their wants; and for this end I have preached the law, which is extremely wanted here. The poor sinners have been surfeited with smooth words and flattering invitations. The greater cause have we for wonder and thanksgiving, that they can now endure sound and severe doctrine. I received the Sacrament again from his Lordship, among a score of communicants. If the Gospel prevail in this place, they will by and by find the difference. July 22d, God is providing us a place; an old large brewhouse, which the owner, a Justice of Peace, has reserved for us. He has refused several, always declaring he would let it to none but Mr. John Wesley. Last Saturday Mr. Edwards agreed, in my brother's name, to take a lease for seven years; and this morning Mr. S. has sent his workmen to begin to put it into repair. The people are much pleased at our having it : SO are not Satan and his Antinomian Apostles." July 27th. He was informed of the death of a person whom he considered and loved as a son in the Gospel, |