The poor man that was with me might have starved, if my friends had not brought him meat: For when they had locked us up, they went to their lodging, and took no more thought of us that night. Here we had not so much as a

stone to sit on.

When the man and I were laid down on a little stinking straw, "Pray you, Sir, (said he,) are all these your kins. folk, that they love you so well? I think they are the most loving people that ever I saw in my life." I answer, ed," By this you may know that they are Jesus Christ's disciples; for this is the mark he himself has given, whereby all men might know his disciples from the unbelieving world."

At four in the morning, my wife and several more came to the dungeon, and spoke to me through the hole of the door; and I said, " Jeremiah's lot is fallen upon me." Then it came to my remembrance, that when I was about thirteen or fourteen years old, I often thought if God would make me like Jeremiah, to stand and speak his words to the people in the streets, as he did, I should not mind who cast dirt at me. And now I am in some measure treated as he was, for persuading men to flee from the wrath to come.

My wife said, "Fear not; the cause is God's for which you are here, and he will plead it himself. Therefore be not concerned about me and the children: for he that feeds the young ravens will be mindful of us. He will give you strength for your day; and after we have suffered a while, he will perfect that which is lacking in our souls, and then bring us where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest.”

So they all said that were with her at the door. I was greatly refreshed at finding my wife so strong in faith, when she was like to be left with two children, and big with another at the same time; and said, "I cannot fear either man or devil, so long as I find the love of God as I do now: for he hath cheered my heart as with sweet wine, ever since he suffered me to be cast into prison. O that I may be faithful unto death, and I shall receive the crown

of

of life! For not one word of Jesus shall fall to the ground, till all be accomplished."

About five in the morning they took me out, and we were guarded to Leeds, and stood in the street till ten. Hundreds flocked to see me. Some said, "It is a shame to send a man for a soldier for speaking the truth; for many of our neighbours that follow the Methodists, and were as wicked before as any people in the town, are now like new creatures; for we don't hear an ill word come out of their mouths." Others cried, "I wish they were all hanged out of the way, for they make the people go mad; and we cannot get drunk or swear, but every fool must correct us, as if we were to be taught by them. But I hope they will now be brought to nought, for that is one of the worst of them."

As I was standing, a jolly well-dressed woman came up to me, and put her face almost to mine, and said, "Now, Nelson, where is thy God? Thoù saidst at Shent's door, as thou wast preaching, thou wast no more afraid of his promise failing, than thou wast of dropping through the heart of the earth."

I replied, "Look in the 7th chapter of Micah, and the 8th and 10th verses.'

Several

Just as the church began, I was guarded to the jail, and the others ordered to the ale-house. The jail-keeper here was very civil; for he let my friends come in several times to see me. I thought of the Pilgrim's Progress; for hundreds of people in the street stood and looked at me thro' the iron grate, and were ready to fight about me. would have given bail for me, if they would let me out ; but I was told that one hundred pounds were refused, which were offered by a stranger for me. I am too notorious a criminal to be allowed such favours; for Christianity is a crime which the world can never forgive.

At night I believe a hundred of our friends were with me in the jail together. We sang a hymn, and prayed. I gave an exhortation, and parted. But Mr. H. was not willing that I should lie on stinking straw, and sent me a bed to lie on. I find the time is not yet come for me to be hated

hated of all men for the sake of Christ. I pray God to give me strength for that day! Glory be to his holy Name, hitherto his grace is sufficient for me, and I hang upon his promise for strength in my next trials.

At five on Monday morning, I was let out of jail, and we marched off for York directly; many of our friends went with us out of town near three miles; but when I came to take my leave, they mourned as one that had lost his first-born. I spoke comfortable words to them, and bade them "stand fast, in nothing terrified by your adversaries; which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. So the peace of God be with you all." We came to York by three, and were brought before several of the officers at the Black Swan, in Coney-street, who seemed to rejoice as men that had taken great spoil, and saluted me with many a grievous oath. It brought something to my mind, which I had spoken in the fields to the Lord, when he had broken a great cloud that was on my soul, through my refusing to preach when many desired me, and I had time, but consulted with flesh and blood, and, Jonah like, fled from the presence of the Lord, down into a valley near the side of a wood, where God laid his hand on me, and brought my soul into such distress, that I threw myself on the ground, and requested for death; seeing it more agreeable to flesh and blood to be a shepherd's dog than a preacher of the gospel; for his hand is against every man, and every man's hand against him. But at the remembrance of the prophets and the apostles, and Christ himself, what contradictions and tribulations they all met with, the cloud broke, and my soul was so refreshed with the love of God, that I cried out, "My Lord and my God! Now thou hast given me strength, forsake me not; and if thou send me to hell to preach to devils, I am ready to go."

1

When I was before these officers, and heard such language, I thought hell could not be much worse than the company. I was in. I asked them, "Do you believe there is a God, and that he is a God of truth?" They said, "We

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"We do." I answered, "I cannot believe you, I tell you plainly." Why sa?" I replied, "I cannot think that any man of common understanding, who believes that God is true, dares take his name in vain; much less do you believe that God can hear you, when you pray him to damn your souls. Now suppose God should grant you the damnation you pray for, what miserable wretches would you be? Do you know that you must one day appear before that God, who will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain ???

As I reasoned with them about a future state, they seemed to shrink as if I had thrown fire at them; but they soon put away the conviction, and said, "You must not preach here, for you are delivered to us for a soldier; and must not talk so to us that are officers." I answered, "There is but one way to prevent me." They asked, "What is that?" I replied," It is to swear no more in my hear ing."

Then we were guarded through the city, but it was as if hell were moved from beneath to meet me at my coming. The streets and windows were filled with people, who shouted and huzza'd, as if I had been one that had laid waste the nation. But the Lord made my brow like brass, so that I could look on them as grasshoppers, and pass through the city as if there had been none in it but God and myself. Oh that I may never offend my gracious God, or provoke him to take his loving-kindness from me! Then though I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Even now I find his word ful filled, where he saith, I will deliver thee from sudden fear, and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Verily, thou art a God of truth! O, be merciful to this great city, whose streets ring with curses; and turn upon them a pure language, that their souls may be saved, and the enemy disappointed of his hope!

I was brought to the guard-house, and the officers cast lots for me, and it was Captain S's lot to have me, Then they offered me money, but I refused to take it; and they bade the sergeant hand-cuff me, and send me to prison.

I was

I was guarded thither by a file of musqueteers, but not hand-cuffed, and kept two nights and part of three days ; during which time, I was beset with such cursers and swearers as could hardly be matched out of hell. So I had work enough both day and night to reprove them. I found they could not stand my words, but the most hardened among them shrunk, and wished they could leave it off, and never swear more.

Several of the town's people came and asked me of the doctrine that the Methodists preached, which makes their names, said they, to be loathed by all sects and parties in the nation. My answer was, "The same doctrine it is," which made Jews and Gentiles conspire against Jesus Christ, who first preached it; and whoever he be that bears the same testimony, must meet with the same treat ment. Our Lord hath said, Ye shall be hated of all men for my sake.' And again, If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.' What! do you think Christ would be found a liar, and all his apostles, who told us of the things that are done in this our day! Nay, verily, heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one word of Christ's shall fall to the ground.'

When I had opened the scriptures, and told them the fundamental points of our doctrine, they said one to another," This people is not what the world represents them for if this be their doctrine, there is not a man in England can contradict them." They offered me strong drink, but I told them I did not chuse it; wished me out of my enemies' hands, and left me to my company of drunkards and

swearers.

I may indeed say, I have fought with beasts at York, for so these men live; yet my speaking to them was not in vain; for they bridled their tongues in my presence after the first twenty-four hours. When they spake any blas phemous words, if I did but turn, and look them in the face, they looked like criminals before the magistrate.

The next morning I lay on the boards to rest me, and fell asleep; when I dreamt of Daniel in the lion's den. I was awakened by one crying, " Nelson! Nelson!" and I started