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other up in our most holy faith.' He said, 'But what method do you use?' I answered, 'This is the third Sunday. that I have met these my brethren. The first Sunday we read the fifth chapter of St. Matthew, and exhorted one another, to follow after the holiness and happiness there described. Last Sunday we considered the sixth. And now, if we are not hindered, we shall go on to the seventh.' He bade us Go on, and he would stay a little and hear us.' By the desire of the rest I read the chapter, which I had scarce done, when the Lawyer began a long harangue, concerning the danger we were in of running mad. I answered, Sir, as I perceive you have no design to help us, if you will not hinder us, we shall take it as a favour.' He went out directly, and left the Curate with us, who began to exhort us, not to be over anxious about our salvation, but to divert ourselves a little. I told him, 'Sir, we desire whatever we do, to do all to the glory of God.' What,' said he, do you deny all diversions?' I said, 'All which do not agree with that rule.' He hurried away, and said as he went, I wish you do not fall into some error.'

"The following week, grievous threatenings were given out, of what we should suffer if we met again. On Friday 9, a gentleman sent for me, and told me, 'he would hire a mob to pull the house down; for we were the most disturbing dogs in the nation.' I said, 'Sir, if there be a disturbance now, it will lie at your door. A few of us intend to meet on Sunday after sermon, to encourage one another in serving God. You say, if we do, you will have the house pulled down. And then you will say, we have made the disturbance!' He said, he would send for me another time, and have an hour's discourse with me.

"On Sunday, the man at whose house we were to meet, was warned by his landlady, not to receive us; for if he did, the house would surely be pulled down. However, he did receive us. A great many people coming about the house, he told them, 'If they had a mind, they might come in:' so they came in, as many as the house would hold. I told them all, the design of our meeting. Then we prayed, and I read

the first chapter of St. James, and spoke a little on those words, If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. And two more of our brethren testified, by their own experience, that he is a God of truth. They stood as dumb men, until we had done, nor did one afterwards open his mouth against us. "From this time we have been threatened more and more, especially by the gentry, who say they will send us for soldiers. Nevertheless, on Sunday 18, we had a quiet and comfortable meeting. We considered the third chapter of the first epistle of St. Peter, which was the Evening Lesson for the day. We were thankful for the record that is there left us, of the treatment we are to meet with. And we are all much humbled, that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for the sake of Christ.

"I have been ill this fortnight, having got a great cold, but am obliged to keep it to myself as much as I can because a person here cannot have the very form of godliness, but if he be sick, that is the cause of it. I seem not to desire life or death; but that the will of God may be done."

Friday 6, Many of my friends were grieved at the Advertisement which James Hutton had just published, by order of Count Zinzendorf, declaring, that he and his people had no connection with Mr. John and Charles Wesley. But I believed, that declaration would do us no more harm, than the prophecy which the Count subjoined to it, that we should " soon run our heads against the wall." We will not, if we can help it.

Sunday 8, In the evening, I desired the society to stay, that we might commend each other to God, as not knowing how he might see good to dispose of us, before we saw each other's face again.

Monday 9, I left London, and the next morning called on Dr. Doddridge at Northampton. It was about the hour when he was accustomed to expound a portion of Scripture to the young gentlemen under his care. He desired me to take his place. It may be the seed was not altogether sown in vain.

In the evening, the Church at Markfield was full, while I explained, The Scripture hath concluded all under sin. Wednesday 11, I preached at Sheffield. I had designed to go round by Epworth; but hearing of more and more commotions in the north, I judged it best, to go straight on to Newcastle.

Thursday 19, I came to Leeds, preached at five, and at eight, met the society: after which the mob pelted us with dirt and stones, great part of the way home. The congregation was much larger next evening. And so was the mob at our return, and likewise in higher spirits, being ready to knock out all our brains, for joy that the Duke of Tuscany was Emperor. What a melancholy consideration is this! that the bulk of the English nation, will not suffer God to give them the blessings he would; because they would turn them into curses. He cannot, for instance, give them success against their enemies; for they would tear their own countrymen in pieces. He cannot trust them with victory, lest they should thank him by murdering those that are quiet in the land.

On Saturday and Sunday I preached at Armley, Birstal, and Leeds; and on Monday 16, rode to Osmotherly. Tuesday 17, I saw the poor remains of the old chapel on the brow of the Hill; as well as those of the Carthusian Monastery (called Mount-Grace) which lay at the foot of it. The walls of the Church, of the Cloister, and some of the cells, are tolerably entire. And one may still discern the partitions between the little gardens, one of which belonged to every cell. Who knows but some of the poor, superstitious monks, who once served God here, according to the light they had, may meet us by and by, in that house of God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens !

Wednesday 18, About five we came to Newcastle, in an acceptable time. We found the generality of the inhabitants, in the utmost consternation: news being just arrived, that the morning before, at two o'clock, the Pretender had entered Edinburgh, A great concourse of people were with us in the evening, to whom I expounded the third chapter

of Jonah; insisting particularly on that verse, Who can tell, if God will return, and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not ?

Thursday 19, The Mayor, (Mr. Ridley) summoned all the householders of the town, to meet him at the Town-hall: and desired as many of them as were willing, to set their hands to a paper, importing, that they would, at the hazard of their goods and lives, defend the town against the common enemy. Fear and darkness were now on every side; but not on those who had seen the light of God's countenance. We rejoiced together in the evening with solemn joy, while God applied those words to many hearts, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified.

Friday 20, The Mayor ordered the townsmen to be under arms, and to mount guard in their turns, over and above the guard of soldiers, a few companies of whom had been drawn into the town on the first alarm. Now also Pilgrimstreet gate was ordered to be walled up. Many began to be much concerned for us, because our house stood without the walls. Nay, but the Lord is a wall of fire unto all that trust in Him.

I had desired all our brethren, to join with us this day, in seeking God by fasting and prayer. About one we met and poured out our souls before Him. And we believed he would send an answer of peace.

Saturday 21, The same day the action was, came the news of General Cope's defeat. Orders were now given for the doubling the guard, and for walling up Pandon, and Sally-port gates. In the afternoon I wrote the following Letter:

"To the Worshipful, the Mayor of Newcastle.

"SIR,

"My not waiting upon you at the Town-hall, was not owing to any want of respect. I reverence you for your office sake; and much more for your zeal in the execution of it. I would to God every Magistrate in the land, would copy after such an example! Much less was it owing to any

disaffection to his Majesty King George. But I knew not how far it might be either necessary or proper for me to appear on such an occasion. I have no fortune at Newcastle. I have only the bread I eat, and the use of a little room for a few weeks in the year.

"All I can do for his Majesty, whom I honour and love, I think not less than I did my own father, is this, I cry unto God day by day, in public and private, to put all his enemies to confusion. And I exhort all that hear me, to do the same, and in their several stations to exert themselves as loyal subjects, who so long as they fear God, cannot but honour the King.

"Permit me, Sir, to add a few words more, out of the fulness of my heart. I am persuaded you fear God, and have a deep sense, that his kingdom ruleth over all. Unto whom then (I may ask you) should we flee for succour, but unto Him whom by our sins we have justly displeased? O, Sir, is it not possible to give any check to these overflowings of ungodliness? To the open, flagrant wickedness, the drunkenness and profaneness, which so abound, even in our streets. I just take leave to suggest this. May the God whom you serve, direct you in this, and all things! This is the daily prayer of, Sir,

"Your obedient Servant, for Christ's sake,

"J. W." Sunday 22, The walls were mounted with cannon, and all things prepared for sustaining an assault. Meantime our poor neighbours on either hand, were busy in removing their goods. And most of the best houses in our street were left without either furniture or inhabitants. Those within the walls were almost equally busy, in carrying away their money and goods; and more and more of the gentry every hour, rode southward as fast as they could. At eight I preached at Gateshead, in a broad part of the street, near the Popish Chapel, on the wisdom of God in governing the world! How do all things tend to the furtherance of the Gospel!

I never saw before so well-behaved a congregation in any

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