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Wesley Pushed from a High Wall

Sunday, 7.--I preached, at five, to a quiet congregation, and about eight, at Stithians.  Between six and seven in the evening we came to Tolcarn.  Hearing the mob was rising again, I began preaching immediately.  I had not spoken a quarter of an hour before they came in view.  One Mr. Trounce rode up first and began speaking to me, wherein he was roughly interrupted by his companions.  Yet, as I stood on a high wall and kept my eyes upon them, many were softened and grew calmer and calmer; which some of their champions observing, went round and suddenly pushed me down.  I lit on my feet without any hurt; finding myself close to the warmest of the horsemen, I took hold of his hand and held it fast while I expostulated the case.  As for being convinced, he was quite about it: however, both he and his fellows grew much milder, and we parted very civilly.

Monday, 8.--I preached at five on "Watch and pray," to a quiet and earnest congregation.  We then rode on to St. Ives, the most still and honorable post (so are the times changed) which we have in Cornwall.

Tuesday, 9.--I had just begun preaching at St. Just, when Mr. E. came once more, took me by the hand, and said I must go with him.  To avoid making a tumult, I went.  He said I had promised last week not to come again to St. Just for a month.  I absolutely denied the having made any such promise.  After about half an hour, he handed me back to my inn.

 

Riot Act and a Sermon

Wednesday, 10.--In the evening I began to expound (at Trevonan, in Morva), "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come yet to the waters."  In less than a quarter of an hour, the constable and his companions came and read the proclamation against riots.  When he had done, I told him, "We will do as you require: we will disperse within an hour"; and went on with my sermon.  After preaching, I had designed to meet the society alone.  But many others also followed with such earnestness that I could not turn them back: so I exhorted them all to love their enemies as Christ hath loved us.  They felt what was spoken.

Thursday, 25.--I came back safe, blessed be God, to Bristol.  I found both my soul and body much refreshed in this peaceful place.  Thursday, August 1, and the following days, we had our second Conference, with as many of our brethren that labor in the Word as could be present.

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CCEL
This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
at Calvin College. Last updated on March 22, 2000.
Contacting the CCEL.
Calvin College