AN EXTRACT OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNAL, No. XII. FROM MAY 6, 1760, TO OCTOBER 28, 1762. TO THE READER. AM sensible, there are many particulars in the ensuing Journal, which some serious persons will not believe, and which others will turn to ridicule. But this I cannot help, unless by concealing those things, which I believe it my bounden duty to declare. I cannot do otherwise, while I am persuaded, that this was a real work of God: and that he hath so wrought this, and all his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance. I have only to desire, That those who think differently from me, will bear with me, as I do with them: and that those who think with me, That this was the most glorious work of God, which has ever been wrought in our memory, may be encouraged to expect to be themselves partakers of all the great and precious promises: and that without delay; seeing Now is the accepted time! Now is the day of salvation! LONDON, JAN. 31, 1767. VOL. IV. JOURNAL. No. XII. FROM MAY 6, 1760, TO OCTOBER 28, 1762. UESDAY, May 6, I had much conversation (at Car rickfergus) with Monsieur Cavenac, the French General, not on the circumstances, but the essence of religion. He seemed to startle at nothing; but said more than once, and with much emotion, "Why, this is my religion! there is no true religion besides it." Wednesday 7, I rode to Larne. The rain which had continued with little intermission, for several days, stopped this afternoon; so that I had a very large as well as serious congregation and I spoke to them with the utmost plainness: but I could not find the way to their hearts. Thursday 8, We rode over the mountains to Ballimena, and had just passed through the town, when a man came running out of the field, called me by my name, and pressed me much to preach there: but I could not stay, having appointed one to meet me at Portglenone, which he accordingly did, and brought me to Mr. Burrows, near Garvah. Friday 9, A little rest was acceptable. Saturday 10, I preached, morning and evening, in Mr. B's house, to a well-behaved congregation, though of various denominations, Churchmen, Papists, Presbyterians, Cameronians. One Seceder likewise ventured in: but the moment he heard, "Our Father, which art in heaven," he ran away with all speed. Sunday 11, We had such a congregation in the Church, as perhaps had not been there in this century. And I believe God reached some of their hearts: several were in tears. I spoke extremely plain; especially to those who were full of their own wisdom and righteousness. Monday 12, Returning through Ballimena, I preached in the Market-house, to a large concourse of people: and God was there of a truth. I have found no such spirit in any congregation since I left Dublin. Thence I rode to Moira, and preached to a very civil congregation: but there is no life in them! Tuesday 13, My Irish horse was thoroughly tired. However, with much difficulty, partly riding, and partly walking, about eight in the evening I reached Coot-hill. I preached in the house now, and at five in the morning; but at eleven in the Market-house, where I delivered my own soul, to most of the Protestants in the town. Having procured a fresh horse, I rode on to Belturbet, a town in which there is neither Papist nor Presbyterian. But to supply that defect, there are Sabbath-breakers, drunkards, and common-swearers in abundance. Thursday 15, we rode through a delightful country to Swadling-bar, famed for its mineral waters. Soon after, my new horse began to tire, so that it was with much difficulty I got to Sligo. Friday 16, I walked round the ruins of the Abbey, formerly one of the largest in the kingdom. The walls of it are standing, and three sides of the cloysters are entire. But you can scarcely tread, either within or without, unless you will step upon sculls or human bones, which are every where scattered up and down, as dung upon the earth. Surely no other nation, Christian or heathen, would endure this. In the evening the congregation was a little disturbed by two or three giddy officers. I spoke to them and they stopped: but they soon recovered their spirits, and behaved-as they used to do at Church! Sunday 18, I preached at nine to a large congregation, who all seemed to hear with the understanding. At five in the evening they were not less attentive, though abundantly more numerous. On Monday we met, for the last time, between four and five. Many were deeply affected, and all received the word with all readiness of mind. But which of these will bring forth fruit with patience? God only knoweth. Monday 19, We rode to Castlebar, where I preached in the evening. I was particularly concerned for the poor backsliders. It seems as if most of us said in our hearts, "If they have a mind to go to hell, let them go." Not so: rather let us pluck the brands, willing or unwilling, out of the burning! Thursday 22, I rode to Newport, and preached at seven in the evening. I suppose all the Protestants in the town were present, and many of the Papists, notwithstanding the prohibition and bitter curses of their Priests. So has God spread the line from sea to sea, from Dublin on the east to this place on the western ocean, May the 25th, being Whitsunday, Mr. Ellison desired me to assist him at the Lord's-Supper. Tuesday 27, there was a remarkable trial here. A Swedish ship, being leaky, put into one of our harbours. The Irish, according to custom, ran to plunder her. A neighbouring gentleman hindered them, and for so doing demanded a fourth part of her cargo. And this, they said, The law allows! But where, meantime, is the Law of God? To hear this cause, all the gentlemen of the Country were come to Castlebar. It was to be heard in the Court-house, where I preached. So they met an hour sooner, and heard the sermon first. Who knows but even some of these may be found of Him they sought not? Wednesday 28, I rode to Hollymount, and the next day to Aughrim, where were a people alive to God. I told them plainly what things they wanted still. And surely God will supply all their wants ! Trinity-Sunday, June 1, I preached about nine in the Market-house at Athlone, on There are Three that bear record in heaven-and these three are one. Afterwards, at the Minister's desire, I read prayers in the Church, and in the evening preached on the Connaught side of the river, on Ye must be born again. Both Papists and Protestants attended and some seemed cut to the heart. Tuesday 3, I met the Classes, and was agreeably surprised, to find that bitterness against the Church, with which many were infected when I was here before, was now entirely over. Yet the deadness which it had occasioned, remained, and I doubt it will not soon be removed. Friday 6, I preached in the evening at Ahasker, where the bulk of the congregation were Papists: yet the decency of their behaviour was such as might have made many Protestants ashamed. Sunday 8, I rode over to Aughrim again. Understanding the Rector had none to assist in the service, I offered to read prayers for him, which he willingly accepted. Immediately after the Church service, I preached to a numerous congregation, and returned to Athlone, soon enough to speak once more to a large concourse of all ranks and religions. But great part of them were as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke, neither taught of God, nor man. Monday 9, About one I preached at Abidarrig, and then rode on to Longford. The town was so thronged by reason of the approaching fair, that we had much ado to pass. But this increased the evening congregation much: among whom was Dr. Hort, then Rector of the parish, a learned, sensible, pious man, and a pattern both for Clergy and Laity. Tuesday 10, I rode to Drumersnave, a village delightfully situated. Almost the whole town, Protestants and Papists, were present at the sermon in the evening: and a great part of them in the morning: But, O! how few of them will bear fruit to perfection! At noon William Ley, James Glasbrook and I rode to Carrick-upon-Shannon. In less than an hour, an Esquire and Justice of the Peace, came down with a drum, and what mob he could gather. I went into the garden with the congregation, while he was making a speech to his followers in the street. He then attacked William Ley, (who stood at the door) being armed with a halbert and long sword; and ran at him with the halbert, but missing his thrust, he then struck at him, and broke it short upon his wrist. Having made his way through the house to the other door, he was at a full stop. James Glasbrook held it fast on the other |