of 1739, which probably led to the second interview between the Archbishop and Mr. C. Wesley, as the two gentlemen were known to be particularly intimate: the Archbishop was very severe, and talked of excommunication, not on account of the doctrines which Mr. Wesley and his fellow-labourers preached, but because of their irregularity. He bore the reproof with great firmness while in his presence; but after leaving him, he fell into much heaviness, and for several days suffered a severe inward conflict. He perceived that it arose from the fear of man. Mr. Whitefield urged him to preach in the fields the next Lord's day by this step he would break down the bridge, render his retreat difficult or impossible, and be forced to fight his way forward in the work of the Ministry. This advice he followed. June 24th, "I prayed, says he, and went forth, "in the Name of Jesus Christ. I found near a thousand helpless sinners, waiting for the word in Moorfields. "I invited them in my Master's words, as well as name; "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, "and I will give you rest. The Lord was with me, even "me, the meanest of his messengers, according to his promise. At St Paul's, the Psalms, Lessons, &c. for "the day, put new life into me and so did the sacra"ment. My load was gone, and all my doubts and

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scruples. God shone on my path, and I knew this was his will concerning me.-I walked to Kennington-Common, and cried to multitudes upon multi"tudes, Repent ye and believe the Gospel."

After a journey to Oxford which occupied him but three or four days, although he preached before the University on Justification, and was engaged with the Vice Chancellor in endeavouring to exculpate the Methodists. from the stigma which was attached to them, he returned to London, and on the 8th of July in Moorfields addressed a congregation which was computed to in

clude ten thousand auditors-and on the same day another at Kennington-Common; from this period his labours daily increased, and his success through the mercy of God was proportionate.

It is impracticable and it would be unprofitable, to detail the various towns and villages through which Mr. Wesley travelled after he had determined upon. itinerancy. The selections which have been made, contain the striking events only in which he was concerned.

He commenced itinerant on the 16th of August 1739, and on the following day was hindered altogether from preaching at Wickham; passing through Oxford, he arrived at Evesham, where some good was done in the name of the Lord. Thence he proceeded to Gloucester, and upon his arrival sent to borrow the church: the clergyman returned a civil message," that he should be happy to drink a glass of wine with Mr. Wesley, but that he durst not lend him the pulpit." Mr. Whitefield, his friend's brother, lent him his field which suited the emergency, and was equally profitable to all engaged in the service. He continued his tour to Painswick, and dispensed the Gospel to a large assembly in the street: this town he visited again, and the church being too small to contain the people who had collected, he stood in one of the windows of the church which had been opened for the purpose, and by this mean, those within and those without who alone were supposed to amount to two thousand people, were able to understand him. He now hastened to Bristol-and throughout his whole journey, received every mark of Christian esteem and fellowship from every sect of the Dissenters. In Bristol, Kingswood, or the neighbouring villages, he generally preach- ed twice or thrice each day to large congregations, many of whom acknowledged that the "Gospel was the power of God to their salvation." Bradford, Glouces

ter, Bengeworth, Westcot, Idbury, Oxford, Evesham, and the surrounding country were included in the circle through which he travelled at the commencement of the year 1740 but in August his labours were interrupted by a fever which endangered his life so much, as to admit of the publication of a report that he had been called to his heavenly home. He recovered in September, and quelled a mob of Colliers who were hastening to Bristol in a tumult on account of the high price of corn.-Soon after this he visited Wales-and in one instance was exposed to some danger from a strong opposition which had been excited against his ministerial work. During the Sermon on Sunday, while Mr. Wesley was describing the state of the Pharisee, a Physician of the place found himself hurt, rose from his seat and walked out of the church. On the Tuesday following, being unusually heated with wine, and urged on by a company of Players determined on mischief, he came to the house where the people were assembled, to demand satisfaction for the injury he supposed that he had received. He struck Mr. Wesley and several of the women with his cane, and raged like a madman, till the men forced him out of the room, and shut the door. Soon after, it was broken open by a Justice of the Peace, and the Bailiff or head Magistrate. "The latter began expostulating with me," says Mr. Wesley," upon the affront offered to the Doc-. "tor. He said, as it was a public injury, I ought to make "him a public satisfaction. I answered, Mr. Bailiff, I "honour you for your office sake; but were you, or his

Majesty King George among my hearers, I should tell "you both, that you are by nature sinners, or, children "of wrath even as others. In the church while preach"ing I have no superior but God, and shall not ask man "leave to tell him of his sins. As a Ruler it is your du"ty to be a terror to evil doers, but a praise to them "that do well. Upon thus speaking to him, he became

"exceedingly civil, assured me of his good will, that " he had come to prevent me from being insulted, and "that no one should touch a hair of my head."

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"While we were talking, the Doctor made another attempt to break in and get at me, but the two Jus"tices and others, with much trouble sent him away; "and we continued our triumph in the name of the "Lord our God. The shout of a King was among us. "We sang unconcerned, though the Players had beset "the house, were armed, and threatened to burn it. "The ground of their quarrel with me was, that the preaching of the Gospel had starved them. We pray"ed and sang with great tranquility till one in the morning then I lay down till three. I rose again, and was "scarcely got into the room when they discovered a play"er, who had stolen in unobserved. They seized him, "and F. Farley wrested the sword from him. There was no need of drawing it, for the point and bladę were stript of the scabbard about an hand's breadth. "Great was our rejoicing within, and the uproar of the Players without. My female advisers were by no "means for my venturing out, but wished me to defer

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my journey. I preferred Mr. Wells' advice, to go "with him through the midst of our enemies. We called "on the poor creature whom they had secured. On sight "of me he cried out, "Indeed Mr. Wesley, I did not "intend to do you any harm." That, I answered, was "best known to God and his own heart; but told him "that my principle was to return good for evil, and "therefore desired that he might be released. I assured "him of my good wishes, and with Mr. Wells walked to "the water side, no man forbidding me.'

Until the middle of July 1741, Mr. Wesley's labours were confined principally to London and Bristol and their vicinity—at that time he travelled in Wales, and was employed with great success in various parts of the king

dom until May 1743 :-in which month he reached Sheffield, and having arrived at the meeting, he says, "As soon as I was in the desk with David Taylor, the floods began to lift up their voice. An Officer in the Army contradicted and blasphemed. I took no notice of him, but sang on. The stones flew thick, striking the desk and the people. To save them, and the house from being pulled down, I gave out, that I should preach in the street and look them in the face. The whole army of the alien Chaldeans followed me. The Captain laid hold on me, and began rioting: I gave him for answer, A word in season, or advice to a Soldier. I then prayed, particularly for his majesty king George, and preached the gospel with much contention. The stones often struck me in the face. I prayed for sinners, as servants of their master the devil; upon which the captain ran at me, threatening revenge for abusing, as he called it, "the king his master." He forced his way through the brethren, drew his sword, and presented it to my breast. I immediately opened my breast, and fixing my eye on his, and smiling in his face, calmly said, "I fear God and honour the king." His countenance fell in a moment, he fetched a deep sigh, and putting up his sword, quietly left the place. He had said to one of the company who afterwards informed me, "You shall see if I do but hold my sword to his breast, he will faint away." His course led him to Thorpe; of his treatment there he thus informs us: "David Taylor told me, that the people of Thorpe, through which we should pass, were exceedingly mad against us. So we found them as we approached the place, and were turning down the lane to Barley-Hall. The ambush rose, and assaulted us with stones, eggs, and dirt. My horse flew from side to side, till he found his way through them. They wounded D. Taylor in the forehead, and the wound bled much. I turned back, and asked, what was the reason a clergy