man could not pass without such treatment? At first the rioters scattered, but their captain rallying them, answered with horrible imprecations and stones. My horse took fright, and turned away with me down a steep hill. The enemy pursued me from afar, and followed shouting. Blessed be God, I received no hurt, only from the eggs and dirt. My clothes indeed abhorred me, and my arm pained me a little from a blow which I received at Sheffield." Passing through Newcastle, and preaching there to great profit, he rode to Shields, "where," says he, "I went to church, and the people flocked in crowds after me. The minister spake so low that he could not be heard reading prayers; but I heard him loud enough afterwards, calling to the church-wardens to quiet the disturbance, which none but himself had raised. I fancy he thought I should preach in the church where I stood like some of the first Quakers. The clerk came to me bawling out, "it was consecrated ground, and I had no business to preach on it. That I was no minister," &c. When he had cried himself out of breath, I whispered in his ear that I had no intention to preach there. He stumbled on a good saying, "if you have any word of exhortation to the people, speak to them without." I did so, to an huge multitude waiting in the church-yard : many of them very fierce, threatening to drown me, and what not! I walked through the midst of them, and discoursed in strong awakening words on the Jailor's question, What must I do to be saved? The Church-Wardens and others laboured in vain to interrupt me, by throwing dirt, and even money among the people. Having delivered my message, I rode to the Ferry, crossed it, and met as rough friends on the other side. The mob of North Shields waited to salute me, with the Minister at their head. He had got a man with a horn instead of a trumpet, bade him to blow, and his companions to shout. Others were almost as violent in their

approbation. We went through honour and dishonour; but neither of them hurt us, and by six o'clock with God's blessing we came safe to Newcastle."

He now visited Epworth, Wednesbury, Birmingham, Oxford, London, Bristol, and through Devonshire to St. Ives whilst he was preaching at the latter place he observes; All was quiet, the Mayor having declared his resolution to swear twenty more constables, and to suppress the rioters by force of arms. Their drum he had

seized. All the time I was preaching he stood at a little distance to awe the rioters. He has set the whole town against him, by not giving us up to their fury. But he plainly told Mr. Hoblin, that fire and faggot Minister, that he would not be perjured to gratify any man's malice. He informed us, that he had often heard Mr. Hoblin say, they ought to drive us away by blows, not by argu

ments."

In February 1744 he returned to Wednesbury, and found the people in great commotion, having been inflamed by the Clergyman to oppose the Methodists in their attempts to evangelize the town:-not many days after his arrival, the rioters gave notice that they would come on the Tuesday following, and pull down the houses and destroy the goods of the Methodists. "One would think," says Mr. Wesley, "there was no king in Israel. There is certainly no Magistrate, who will put them to shame in any thing. Mr. Constable offered to make oath that their lives were in danger, but the Justice refused it, saying that he could do nothing. Other of our complaining bretheren met with the same redress, being driven away with revilings. The Magistrates do not themselves tear off their clothes and beat them, they only stand by and see others do it. One of them told Mr. Jones, it was the best thing the mob ever did, so to treat the Methodists; and he himself would give five pounds to drive them out of the country. A

nother, when our brother Ward begged his protection, delivered him up to the mercy of the mob, who had halfmurdered him before, and throwing his hat round his head, cried, huzza boys, well done, stand up for the church."

Mr. Wesley during the remainder of this year, travelled and preached the Gospel, with great zeal, diligence and success, through the whole of the kingdom from Newcastle to the Land's End.

In 1745 he was confined chiefly to London, Bristol and Wales. The following year was consumed in a tour throughout the kingdom. In January 1747, he arrived at Grimsby, where he was saluted with a shouting mob. In the evening he attempted to preach at the Room, but the mob was so violent that he could not proceed. At length one of the rioters aimed a severe blow at Mr. Wesley, which a friend who stood near him received. Another

of them cried out, "What you dog, do you strike a clergyman?" and assailed his comrade. Immediately every man's hand was against his fellow: they began fighting and beating one another, till, in a few minutes, the room was cleared of all disturbers, when Mr. Wesley preached for half an hour, without further molestation. On the 24th of February, he reached the Devizes in his way to Bristol, in company with Mr. Minton. They soon perceived that the enemies of religion had taken the alarm, and were mustering their forces for battle. They began ringing the bells backward, and running to and fro in the streets, as lions roaring for their prey. The curate's mob went in search of Mr. Wesley to seve ral places, particularly to Mr. Philips', where it was expected that he would preach. They broke open, and ransacked the house; but not finding him there, they hastened to Mr. Rogers,' where he and several others being met together, were praying and exhorting one ano

G

ther to continue steadfast in the faith, and through much tribulation, to enter the kingdom. The zealous curate Mr. Innys, stood with them in the street dancing for joy. "This," says Mr. Wesley, " is he, who declared in the pulpit, as well as from house to house, that he himself heard me preach blasphemy before the University, and tell them, if you do not receive the Holy Ghost while I breathe upon you, ye are all damned.' He had been about the town during several days, stirring up the people, and canvassing the gentry for their vote and interest; but could not raise a mob while my brother was here the hour of darkness was not fully come." Mr. Innys, by assiduity, and falsehood boldly asserted as truth, at length engaged the gentlemen of the town in his party, and prevailed with them to encourage the mob. While they beset the house where Mr. Wesley and the company with him were assembled, he often heard his own name mentioned, with, " "Bring him out, bring him out." He observes, "The little flock were less afraid than I expected; only one of our sisters fainted away."—It being now dark, the besiegers blocked up the door with a waggon, and set up lights lest Mr. Wesley should escape. One of the company however, retired unobserved, and with much intreaty prevailed on the mayor to come down. He came with two constables, and threatened the rioters; but so gently that no one regarded him. Having tore down the shutters of the shop, and broken the windows, it is wonderful they did not enter the house: but a secret hand seemed to restrain them. After some time they hurried away to the iwn where the horses were put up, broke open the stable door, and turned out the beasts. "In the mean time," says Mr. Wesley, we were at a loss what to do; when God put it into the heart of our next door neighbour, a Baptist, to take us through a passage into his own house, to offer us his bed, and to engage for our secu

rity. We accepted his kindness, and slept in peace." February 25. "A day never to be forgotten. At seven o'clock, I walked quietly to Mrs. Philips' and began preaching a little before the time appointed. For three quarters of an hour, I invited a few listening sinners to Christ. Soon after Satan's whole army assaulted the house. We sat in a little ground room, and ordered all the doors to be thrown open. They brought a hand engine and began to play into the house. We kept our seats, and they rushed into the passage: 'just then, Mr. Borough the Constable came, and seizing the spout of the engine carried it away. They swore if he did not deliver it, they would pull down the house. At that time they might have taken us prisoners; we were close to them, and none to interpose: but they hurried out to fetch the larger engine. In the mean time we were advised to send for the Mayor; but Mr. Mayor was gone out of town in the sight of the people, which gave great encouragement to those who were already wrought up to a proper pitch by the Curate, and the Gentlemen of the town; particularly Mr. Sutton and Mr. Willy. Mr. Sutton, frequently came out to the mob, to animate their exertions. He sent to Mrs. Philips to say, that if she did not turn that fellow out to the mob, he would send them to drag him out. Mr. Willy passed by again and again, assuring the rioters, that he would stand by them and secure them from the law, do what they would.”

The rioters" now began playing the larger engine; which broke the windows, flooded the rooms, and spoiled the goods. We were withdrawn to a small upper room in the back part of the house; seeing no way to escape their violence, as they seemed under the full power of the old murderer. The first laid hold on the man who kept the Society-house, dragged him away, and threw him into the horse-pond; and it was said, broke his back. We gave ourselves unto prayer, believing that