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trates, for not properly protecting the Methodists.

But seven years prior to the persecution in Cork, the most tremendous outrages had been committed against the Methodists in several towns only a few miles from Birmingham. At Wednesbury, Darlaston, and in the neighbourhood, a most lawless and destructive mob, committed acts of destruction and cruelty for several days together, and were encouraged by the magistrates. Houses were stripped of their furniture; large quantities of goods were carried away; and feather-beds were cut up, and the feathers strewed in the streets. They broke open houses, pulled off some of the roofs, and destroyed many windows. Men, wo men with child, and even children, were knocked down and abused with all the fury of the worst of savages. None of the neighbouring magistrates would exert their authority, to quell the mobs, or protect the Methodists. And when Mr. John Wesley came into that neighbourhood, the mob of Darlaston beset the house where he was, and cried, "Bring out the minister." He went out, and said, "Here I am, what do you want with me?' They replied, "To go with us to the justice." "That I will, said he, with all my heart." So he walked before, and two or three hundred of them followed after, first to one justice, and then to another, but the justices made excuses, and would not be seen. Probably the principal reason of this was, they were aware the mob had no just and well-founded accusation against Mr. Wesley, and therefore a hearing before a magistrate, must have procured his release, and have dispersed the rioters. But these unjust judges, these nominal justices, were so filled with the spirit of injustice, that though they could not so torture the law as to touch Mr. Wesley, yet they could encourage the mob to

to persecute him, under pretence of bringing him to justice, and then refuse to see him or them, that his injuries might be prolonged.

When the Darlaston mob dispersed, he fell into the hands of another, which came pouring down like a flood from Walsal. These beasts of the people, dragged him along, and when he attempted to go into a house, they pulled him back by the hair of his head. But such was the kind interference of a protecting Providence, that at length he was delivered out of the mouths of these lions, and with far less injury than might have beenexpected. Thomas Beard and John Nelson were pressed for soldiers; because they were Methodists, and sundry other outrages and cruelties were practised. And it is but just to remark, that all persecution does not consist in acts of violence. A man may be persecuted, by being slandered, defamed, and degraded. And the Methodists here had as large a portion of this sort of persecution, as perhaps ever was the lot of any people upon earth. But this treatment has neither surprized nor dismayed them. So far from this, that they have taken it as an evidence of their being the people of God. They call to mind those words of Jesus Christ, "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. And "Blessed are ye, when men revile, and persecute, and say all manner of evil of you falsely."

After passively enduring persecution for some time, Sir John Ganson, Chairman of the Middlesex Justices, waited on Mr. Wesley, in the name of his brethren, to say, that the Justices had orders from the government, to do Mr. Wesley and his friends justice, whenever they should apply; his Majesty being determined, that no man in his dominions should be persecuted for conscience' sake.

It was, indeed, become absolutely necessary that something should be done to quell the increasing

tumults. Of the necessity of this, the very enemies of the Methodists were very sensible. In Staffordshire, the mob turned upon their employers, and threatened, that unless they would give them money, they would treat them, as they had already treated the Methodists.

The Methodists made repeated application for protecting justice to the Quarter Sessions and Assizes. At the Quarter Sessions they were frequently dissappointed; they had generally better success at the Assizes; and at the King's Bench they were almost always triumphant. And by degrees it became generally understood, that the Methodists had a right to liberty and protection, the same as other men, and also that they were determined to claim their rights accordingly. However, a little before Mr. Wesley's death, attempts were made in some parts of England, to prosecute the Methodists under the Conventicle Act. But this was a measure so shocking to the candid and liberal part of the public, that it was soon abandoned, and that even by those whose spirit and principles, were the most intolerant.

But such was the rapid increase of the Methodists, and such the increasing jealousy and fear of the high-church and Tory party in the nation, that a few years ago, a plan was very deliberately and systematically arranged, for suppressing Methodism by Act of Parliament, and that with all the plausibility of gentle, deceitful, studied forms, and lavish professions of love of liberty and religion, and all good things. The snare, however, was discovered, before it was too late and the trumpet being blown in Zion, and a solemn alarm being sounded, prompt and effectual measures were taken, and the religious liberty which was intended to be curtailed, has eventually greatly enlarged. So can God bring good out of evil.

But we must go more deeply into this subject when we come to speak of the active part which Dr. Coke took in opposing the progress of Lord Sidmouth's Bill. That was a day of the trumpet and alarm; a day of clouds and thick darkness. But I must not indulge in any further anticipation upon this head. The reader shall have it in due

season.

From the commencement of the work, Mr. Wesley and Methodism, met with other opposers, besides mobs. Many of the Clergy employed their pens in opposition to this alarming innovation. Almost every thing that is evil was charged upon Mr. Wesley. And had it not been for the determined firmness of King George the Second, against persecution, Mr. Wesley would not have been long permitted to travel over the nation to form, instruct, and build up Societies. When the King was urged to sanction coercive measures, he answered "No man shall be persecuted for his religion, while I sit upon the Throne of Britain."

Innumerable pamphlets were published against these new ways, and especially against Mr. Wesley. Some of these he did not think it worth his while to take any notice of. But sundry others received a full and particular answer, as his works amply testify. His "Appeals to Men of Reason and Reli gion" give a very comprehensive view, both of the opposition he had to contend with, and his dexterous ability to defend himself and the cause to which he was devoted. One of Mr. Wesley's biographers very properly remarks, that "whoever wishes either to vindicate or attack Methodism, should, by all means, make himself master of this work." The first part of this work is entitled "An earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion;" and the latter, "A farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion." The whole fills 280 octavo pages; and Mr. Wesley finished writing it on the 18th of December, 1745.

He prefixed for his motto, John vii. 51, Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doth ?

Nothing can give a fuller view of the confidence which he had in his own integrity, and in the goodness of his cause, than the first paragraph. Although, says he, it is with us a very small thing to be judged of you, or of man's judgment, seeing we know God will make our innocency as clear as the light, and our just dealing as the noon-day; yet we are ready to give any that are willing to hear, a plain account both of our principles and actions: às having renounced the hidden things of shame, and desiring nothing more, than by manifestation of the truth to commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

I conceive that nothing can give the reader a more accurate view of the motives and principles of Mr. Wesley and the Methodists, than a few more paragraphs out of the same publication.

"We see," says he, (and who does not?) "the numberless follies and miseries of our fellow creatures. We see on every side, either men of no region at all, or men of a lifeless formal religion. We are grieved at the sight, and should greatly rejoice, if by any means we might convince some that there is a better religion to be attained, a religion worthy of God that gave it. And this we conceive to be no other than love; the love of God and of all mankind, the loving God with all our heart, and soul, and strength, as having first loved us, as the fountain of all the good we have received, and of all we ever hope to enjoy ; and the loving every soul which God hath made, every man on earth, as our own soul."

"This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never-failing remedy, for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and hap

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