When the day arrived, he took his stand, and began his discourse, and found himself surrounded by a promiscuous crowd of enemies and friends. There is a something in the exercise of arbitrary power, that awakens the revolting principles of human nature, and stimulates to resistance. It was plain to all, that the Doctor had been crushed by an act of local authority, which, without appealing to justice, had sheltered itself under the sanction of law. Many, therefore, who disapproved of his preaching, viewed him now as an object of oppression, and espoused his cause, more perhaps from enmity to his oppressors, than from any real attachment to him; and several among them determined to defend the injured man, whom they thought they had a right to ridicule, and even to traduce, on other occasions.

Thus circumstanced between the jarring opinions of his avowed enemies,-of many who had taken no decided part,of his transient supporters, and of his permanent friends, the Doctor proceeded, and was permitted to conclude his first sermon in peace. His enemies, however, on finding that he intended preaching again on the ensuing Sunday, became quite exasperated; and, without any hesitation, threatened to stone him, in case he made his second appearance. But he was neither to be frightened nor deterred, though many of his friends began to think seriously of the consequences that might ensue, if he persisted; especially as hostile preparations were actually making in the face of open day. The Doctor alone appeared without solicitude; and his tranquillity arose from a full conviction, that he was under the immediate inspection and care of an omniscient and omnipresent Being, in whom he had learnt to put his trust.

There resided at this time, not far from Petherton, an amiable family of dissenters, named Edmonds. This family, which was of no small respectability, consisted of the gentleman and his lady, and a son and daughter, both grown to maturity. The son and daughter, though bred up as dissenters, on hearing the report of the Doctor's preaching in times past, had determined to attend the church. This they did; and

conceiving an attachment for him, they became his regular hearers. On the morning of the second Sunday after his expulsion, when the parents proceeded to their own meetinghouse, they cautioned their children against going to the church on that day, well knowing the plans that had been concerted, and their strong attachment to the Doctor. Prudence therefore directed them to give these admonitions, from an apprehension that their children might be involved in troubles, which they could neither remedy nor prevent.

Scarcely, however, had the cautious parents left their home, before their courageous son and daughter began to reflect on the perilous situation of their friend; and, thinking it mean to desert him in time of need, their affection prevailed over parental admonitions; they therefore took their horses, and rode immediately to Petherton. Among the preparations that were made to annoy the congregation, and to drive the Doctor from the field, a large quantity of stones had been collected and placed in some hampers, near the spot on which he was expected to stand. But these hostile appearances were insufficient to divert the Edmondses from their purpose. They accordingly placed themselves, when the Doctor began, one on the right hand and the other on the left, to wait the impending event. To these were joined a great number of other real friends, who had rallied round him in this moment of danger; and with these, associated the enemies of persecution, so that only an inconsiderable party was found to patronize the hampers, and discharge their contents; and these were from the common rabble which every town and parish can produce.

Why men, whose deeds are evil, should prefer darkness to light, requires no great degree of penetration to discover. It was now open daylight; and the persons of all were well known to many, who, from the countenance, which, by their present attitude, they seemed to give the Doctor, tacitly declared, that they intended to espouse his cause against every attempt of illegal violence. Under these circumstances, it became a matter of prudent calculation with every one to avoid casting the first stone. The event was that the Doctor

proceeded in his discourse, and finally concluded, before the hampered proselytes could resolve how to carry their premeditated threats and designs into execution. The service thus concluding without any act of hostility, the young Edmondses took the Doctor with them to their habitation, where he was kindly received by the parents; and from this period, he always made this house his home, during all his future visits to Petherton.

Being now dismissed from his curacy, and having taken an affectionate leave of the congregation, it became a subject of serious consideration with Dr. Coke, to know what course he should take in passing through life. As to church preferment, his hopes were far from being sanguine, although, even to the present hour, the promises of his friends had been calculated to keep alive his expectations. To another curacy, he could without much difficulty, have access. But from what he had already experienced, he had reason to fear that his way would be strewed with briers; and that the general usefulness at which he aimed, would be prevented by obstacles which it would be useless to encounter, while they were sanctioned by superiors, who were more disposed to countenance a mob, than to support him against their outrages.

Placed in circumstances of comparative affluence, he was under no necessity of seeking employment for bread. He therefore resolved to pause for a season, till those clouds should dissipate, which, at present, gathered round him, on every side, and completely shut the avenues of reasonable hope. An inward sense of the divine favour, a consciousness of his own rectitude of intention, and the consolations of a few friends, were his only solace. Hence in the midst of darkness he was enabled to confide in God, although he could form no conception of those approaching dispensations, which have conspired to render his name immortal.

CHAPTER III.

First interview with Mr. Wesley at Taunton-Joins the Metho dists-Appointed to London-Popular among the peopleVisits the Societies-Contends with difficulties-Bears an active part in procuring the deed of declaration-Testimony of Mr. Wesley and Dr. Coke respecting the deed of declaration-Presides in the first Irish Conference-Testimonies of approbation in favour of Dr. Coke-State of Religion in Ireland.

IT has sometimes been observed in the natural world, that excessive darkness is but a prelude to approaching day; and in the moral world we frequently discover, in the economy of God, that "behind a frowning Providence he hides a smiling face." Dr. Coke had thus far experienced the darkness and the frown, but these were to be succeeded by daylight and smiles.

While affairs were in a state of agitation at Petherton, he had accidentally learned that Mr. Wesley was to preach at Taunton on a given day, and was to sleep the ensuing night at the house of the Rev. Mr. Brown, in Kingston. As this was the gentleman from whom Dr. Coke had received the works of Mr. Fletcher, an intimacy had taken place between them. The Doctor therefore thought this a favourable opportunity for an interview with Mr. Wesley, from whose conversation he hoped to reap much spiritual advantage. He accordingly took his horse, and rode that day to Kingston, that he might enjoy the company of this venerable servant of Jesus Christ in the evening, after he returned from preaching at Taunton.

He would not, however, presume to hear Mr. Wesley preach in any place besides the church, although he had tra

welled twenty miles to enjoy his company and conversation. Nothing at this time could be more repugnant to his feelings and judgment, than the thoughts of separating from the Establishment, within the pale of which he had resolved to live and die. Of his conversation with Mr. Wesley and Mr. Brown we have no memorial. But from the manner in which Mr. Wesley has recorded the interview, we may be fully satisfied it was highly pleasing to both parties.

"I preached," says Mr. Wesley, in his Journal of August 18, 1776, "at Taunton, and afterward went with Mr. Brown to Kingston. Here I found a clergyman, Dr. Coke, late a Gentleman Commoner of Jesus College, in Oxford, who came twenty miles on purpose to meet me: I had much conversation with him, and an union then began which I trust shall never end." This appears to have been their first interview; and although the language might not have been prophetic, the event proved perfectly consonant to his expectations in time, and who can doubt that it has been renewed with increasing ardour since they have met in the world of spirits!

But this union of spirit was not yet matured to an unity of action. However, as Mr. Wesley during this interview, unfolded to him his plans, and communicated his designs, he was furnished with an opportunity of reflecting upon what he had heard, and of deliberately sitting down to count the cost, if he had any latent intention of finally joining him in the work in which he was engaged.

At what particular time Dr. Coke was dismissed from his curacy is rather uncertain; but this uncertainty is confined within a very narrow compass. And consequently, as his removal from Petherton finally determined him to join Mr. Wesley, the event of this union is involved in the same degree of uncertainty. It is plain, however, that this removal, and this union, must have taken place between August, 1776, and August, 1777, since in the former date we behold their first interview, and in the latter we perceive that union formed which had been virtually anticipated.

Mr. Wesley, in his Journal of the 19th of August, 1777,