King, (from the right principle, the fear of God,) who were before as, reeds shaken with the wind. But his soul was grieved within him, at the extreme ungodliness of those who were appointed to defend the land. He, therefore, wrote the following letter to one of the Magistrates: “SIR, "The fear of God, the love of my country, and the regard I have for his Majesty King George, constrain me to write a few plain words to one, who is no stranger to these principles of action. "My soul has been pained day by day, even in walking the streets of Newcastle at the senseless, shameless wickedness, the ignorant profaneness of the poor men, to whom our lives are intrusted. The continual cursing and swearing, the wanton blasphemy of the soldiers in general, must needs be a torture to the sober ear, whether of a Christian or an honest infidel. Can any that either fear God or love their neighbour, hear this without concern? Especially, if they consider the interest of our country, as well as of these unhappy men themselves? For can it be expected, that God should be on their side, who are daily affronting him to his face? And if God be not on their side, how little will either their number, or courage, or strength avail? "Is there no man that careth for these souls? Doubtless there are some who ought so to do. But many of these, if I am rightly informed, receive large pay, and do just nothing. "I would to God it were in my power, in any degree, to supply their lack of service. I am ready to do what in me lies, to call these poor sinners to repentance, once or twice a day, (while I remain in these parts,) at any hour, or at any place. And I desire no pay at all for doing this, unless what my Lord shall give at his appearing. "If it be objected, from our heathenish poet, 'This conscience will make cowards of us all :' I answer, let us judge by matter of fact. Let either friends or enemies speak. Did those who feared God, behave as cowards at Fontenoy? Did John Haime the dragoon betray any cowardice, before or after his horse sunk under him? Or did William Clements, when he received the first ball in his left, and the second in his right arm? Or John Evans, when the cannon-ball took off both his legs? Did he not call all about him, as long as he could speak, to praise and fear God, and honour the king? As one who feared nothing, but lest his breath should be spent in vain ? "If it were objected, that I should only fill their heads with peculiar whims and notions! That might easily be known. Only let the officers hear with their own ears; and they may judge, whether I do not preach the plain principles of manly, rational religion. "Having myself no knowledge of the General, I took the liberty to make this offer to you. I have no interest herein; but I should rejoice to serve, as I am able, my king and country. If it be judged, that this will be of no real service, let the proposal die and be forgotten. But I beg you, Sir, to believe, that I have the same glorious cause, for which you have shewn so becoming a zeal, earnestly at heart: And that therefore I am, with warm respect, " SIR, "Your most obedient servant, "JOHN WESLEY." A polite answer was returned by the Magistrate; and the General, being informed of it, gave his consent; in consequence of which, Mr. Wesley preached to the soldiers as long as he continued in those parts. In the year 1745, Mr. C. Wesley confined his labours chiefly to London, Bristol, (including the neighbouring places,) and Wales. He observes, August 1, "We began our conference, with Mr. Hodges, four of our assistants, Herbert Jenkins, and Mr. Gwynne. We continued it five days, and parted in great harmony and love."-On the 25th, he was in Wales, and Mr. Gwynne sent his servant, to shew him the way to Garth; but having some time before sprained his leg, and having taken too much exercise after the accident, he was unable to go; and at length left Wales, without visiting that family. The following is a remarkable instance of his zeal in doing good to the vilest and most wretched of human beings. "October 9.-After preaching at Bath, a woman desired to speak with me. Society, but left it through offence, She had been in our and fell by little and little into the depth of vice and misery. I called Mrs. Naylor to hear her mournful account. She had lived some time in a wicked house, in Avon-street; confessed it was hell to her to see our people pass by to the preaching; but knew not We bid her fly for her life, Mrs. Naylor kept her with what to do, nor how to escape. and not once look behind her. herself till the morning, and then I carried her with us in the coach to London, and delivered her to the care of our sister Davey. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" February 3, 1746, Mr. C. Wesley 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 great national alarm; and religious people are more apprehensive VOL. II. F 66 THE LIFE OF MR. WESLEY. of divine judgments, at such seasons, than other persons. This has been falsely attributed to superstition; but 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 just anger of God against sin. What might have been the visitation of God, if this revival of true religion had not taken place, may be easily imagined by those who believe His word. Mr. C. Wesley being at Bristol when he first heard the news of the victory at Culloden, over the rebel army, he observes, "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, Snap their spears and break their swords : Let the daring rebels know, The battle is the Lord's !* "Oh that in this reprieve, before the tide is turned, we may know the time of our visitation.” * This is one stanza of his noble hymn, written at that awful time. CHAPTER III. OPPOSING PROGRESS OF RELIGION, WITH ITS ATTENDANT SUFFERINGS THE Rebellion being now crushed, Mr. C. Wesley proceeded, in 1746, to Cornwall, and was cheered by the steadiness of the flock there in those troublous times. The laymen were found useful on this occasion. He observes, "Monday, June 30. 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 fancying 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."-It is highly probable, England would have tasted before this time the horrors of the French Revolution, if it were not for this teaching. The common people were then ripe for any mischief. They are now taught better. “July 3.—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 |