B. Well, then, you will justify your preaching, will you, without ordination, according to law? W. All these things laid together, are satisfactory to me, for my procedure therein. B. They are not enough. W. There has been more written in proof of preaching of gifted persons, with such approbation, than has been answered yet by any one. B. Have you any thing more to say to me, Mr. Wesley? W. Nothing your Lordship sent for me. B. I am glad to hear this from your mouth; you will stand to your principles, you say? W. I intend it, through the grace of God; faithful to the King's Majesty, however you me. B. I will not meddle with you. B. Farewell, good Mr. Wesley. and to be deal with AN EXTRACT OF THE REV. MR. JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNAL, FROM MAY 27, 1765, TO MAY 18, 1768. XIV. MONDAY, May 27th, 1765. I took my leave of Londonderry. Mr. Knox sent his servant to conduct me to Sligo, being now as affectionate as Mr. K., of Sligo, was the first time I was there. Keeping a steady pace, we rode fifteen miles, so called, in fours hours and a half, and came, at noon, to Ballimafay. Here we were shown into a room, where lay a young man, brought near death by a vomiting of blood. Perhaps we were brought into this room, at this time, to save a poor man's life. As we were riding through the mountains in the afternoon, we overtook one who was just come from Derry, and had heard me preach all the time I was there, both in the evening and the morning. I talked plainly both to her and her husband, and they expressed all possible thankfulness. What a At five we reached Donegal, the county town. wonderful set of county towns are in this kingdom! Donegal, and five more, would not altogether make up such a town as Islington. Some have twenty houses in them, Mayo three, and Leitrim, I think, not one. Is not this owing in part to the fickleness of the nation, who seldom like any thing long, and so are continually seeking new habitations, as well as new fashions, and new trifles of every kind? Tues. 28. We breakfasted at Ballyshannon, I believe the largest and pleasantest town in the county. Beyond it, a good-natured man overtook me, with whom I talked largely and closely. He seemed much affected; if it continues, well; if not, I am clear of his blood. About twelve we stopped at a little house, but a cloud of smoke soon drove us out of the first room into another, where the landlord lay, with a grievously bruised and swelled leg. I directed him how to cure it, and thence took occasion to give him some farther advice. Several eagerly listened as well as himself; perhaps some will remember it. In the evening I took my usual stand in the Markethouse, at Sligo; but here how was the scene changed! I have seen nothing like this since my entrance into the kingdom. Such a total want of good sense, of good manners, yea, of common decency, was shown by not a few of the hearers! It is good to visit Sligo after Londonderry honour and dishonour balance each other. :: Have we done nothing here yet? Then it is high time to begin, and try if something can be done now. In the two following days I spoke as strongly as I could, and my labour was not in vain. The congregation increased very considerably, and appeared to be of another spirit. They behaved better the second night than the first, and far better the third night than the second. Many of them, I believe, had a fresh call from God; and at the meeting of the Society, He was eminently present: so that, notwithstanding their decay, I could not but hope there would be a blessing in the remnant.' 66 1 I expected one to meet me at Sligo; but none appearing, I set out alone, at five in the morning, on June the 1st, purposing to ride the new road to Castlebar; but, on second thoughts, I rode straight on to Foxford. At the entrance of the town, I met three gentlewomen: one of them turned, and cried out, Is not that Mr. Wesley?" I thought it odd, but rode on. At the other end of the 66 town, a gentleman met me, and taking hold of my bridle, said, "Sir, I must beg you to turn back, and dine with me at the barracks; there is a lady whom you know, and who will be very glad to see you." I went back, and found one whom I had wished to see more than most persons in the nation, but scarce ever expected to see her more; it was Miss B--n, of Sligo; and I found Mrs. S-n (now a widow) just the same amiable woman that Miss B-n was. I spent an hour or two in close, serious conversation, admiring the good providence of God. So I could not go the new road, which misses Foxford, because God had work for me to do there. About seven I preached at Castlebar, on, "The excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I found another kind of people here than at Sligo, and was much refreshed among them. 66 Sun. 2. Most of the gentry in the town being at the Court-house, in the evening, my text was, We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness." I know not that ever I spake more plain, though I supposed many would be offended; but I was mistaken; high and low seemed to approve: some, I hope, profited. Mon. 3. I rode to Newport, and preached at one, to the largest congregation I remember to have seen there; and on Tuesday evening I took a solemn leave of the congregation at Castlebar. Wed. 5. At five I took horse with a friend, who undertook to bear me company to Galway. We faced the sun all the day, but light clouds and a small breeze made the heat tolerable. After resting an hour at Hollymount, (where the gardens, water-works, and once lovely walks, swiftly running to ruin, give a striking proof that "the fashion of this world passeth away,") we rode on to Mr. Lambert's, near Headford, (a plain, open, hospitable man,) and thence to Galway, one of the largest towns I have seen since I left Glasgow. Our room being small, some of our well-meaning friends were earnest for my preaching in the Exchange. Because I would not disoblige them, I began at seven, and was suffered to go on for a full quarter of an hour! The beasts of the people (just as I expected) then roaring louder and louder, I walked through them without any hinderance or affront, and returned quietly to my lodgings. A large retinue attended me to the door, but it was only to gape and stare; none taking the pains either to lift up a hand, or to say any thing, bad or good. Thur. 6. I was brought on my way by Lieutenant Cook, who was in all the actions at Fort-William-Henry, at Louisbourgh, Quebec, Martinico, and the Havannah; and gave a more distinct account of those eminent scenes of Providence than ever I heard before. Although he was so often in the front of the battle, both against Indians, French, and Spaniards, and in the hottest fire, both advancing and retreating, he never received one wound. So true is the odd saying of King William, that every bullet has its billet." Between five and six we reached Ennis, after a warm day, which much exhausted my strength; but it was soon repaired; and the serious, wellbehaved congregation (though many of them were people of fortune) made amends for the turbulent one at Galway. Such is the chequer-work of life! Fri. 7. I rested at Ennis; and it was well I did; for even in the house the heat was scarce supportable. Sat. 8. I rode to Limerick, and found the preachinghouse just finished. I liked it the best of any in the kingdom, being neat, yea, elegant, yet not gaudy. Sun. 9. In the evening I preached at Mardyke. The heat was violent, even at six; nevertheless there was a numerous congregation, both of Protestants and Papists. Some of the latter behaved with remarkable indecency, talking and laughing as at a play. I turned and reproved them. They took it well, and neither laughed nor talked any more. In the following week I spoke to each member of the Society, and had much satisfaction among them. Concerning several of them, there is all reasonable proof, that they have given God all their heart. Many others are groaning after full salvation, and all the rest are free from outward blame. Why may not every Christian community come as far as this? Wed. 12. In the evening I preached near Mardyke, on a smooth, grassy place, to, I think, the largest congregation which I ever saw in Limerick. A solemn awe seemed to sit on every face, while I declared, in strong words, “He died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him." The next day the rain began, so that all the following days I was constrained to preach in the house. Fri. 14. About noon I preached at Ballygarane, to the small remains of the poor Palatines. As they could not get food and raiment here, with all their diligence and frugality, part are scattered up and down the kingdom, and part gone to America. I stand amazed! Have landlords no common sense, (whether they have common humanity or no,) that they will suffer such tenants as these to be starved away from them? In the evening I |
