_Of some particulars previous to his conversion._
AFTER having made use of every means, which either men or books could suggest, but without the desired effect, (being now in the nineteenth year of his age) as he returned to his lodging one evening in the city of _Limerick_, March 17, 1749, he saw an uncommonly large concourse of people assembled in a place called the _Parade_ adjoining to the main street. He turned aside to see what it meant; and perceiving a man preaching to the people in the open air (a thing then quite new in _Ireland_,) he eagerly stopped to know what he said. And hearing him (Mr. R. S.) from _Matthew xi. 28._ affectionately, and earnestly entreat all persons to _come to_ Jesus Christ, _that they might find rest to their souls_: and withal exhorting them to search the scriptures, and see for themselves if what he said was not true; it filled him with wonder, and with desire to know more of this matter.
He had of a long time sorely felt the want of rest, that is, happiness in his soul. And notwithstanding all his endeavours to obtain it, like the poor woman in the gospel,¹ who _had spent all that she had upon physicians and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse_, his case became every day more insupportable. A pressing invitation therefore to partake of, and an assurance of finding the very thing he so wanted, could not fail of being acceptable to him.
¹ Mark v. 25.
So impenetrable is the abyss of God’s judgments! _Great things doth he, which who can comprehend!_ He had prepared the soul of his servant to receive with inexpressible joy, the gospel of peace, and sent it him in a way which he least of all expected, and which the wisdom of man would never have made choice of, Thus,
While yet he toil’d, a sudden cry Proclaim’d th’ approaching multitude, Who told of Jesus passing by, Of free redemption in his blood: Upstarted light, the beggar blind, He sprang the healing touch to meet, Cast all his filthy rags behind, And groan’d for faith at Jesu’s feet.
“But here (says he) it may be needful, in order the better to understand some particulars which will be hereafter related, to premise ♦a few things relative to this preacher, and the people to whom he belonged, 1st, he was one of the people called _Methodists_, and a member of the church of _England_. 2dly, This people began to preach Christ, and justification thro’ his blood, about the year 1738, having had their beginning at _Oxford_, in the Rev. Mr. _John_ and _Charles Wesley_; the former a fellow of _Lincoln College_, and the latter, student of _Christ Church_. These two brothers having obtained mercy themselves, were called of God to publish his love to others likewise, by preaching the gospel of the kingdom, to every creature that would hear the _joyful sound_. Accordingly, out they go into the lanes and highways, crying in the _voice of wisdom_ to the _sons of men_, beseeching and compelling sinners to turn to God, to come to that _feast of marrow and fat things_, which he hath prepared for all who will but accept of life and salvation.”¹
♦ duplicate word “a” removed
¹ See Luke xiv. 16‒24. Proverbs viii. 1‒5. and compare with Proverbs i. 24.
“After these servants of God had been thus employed for some time, it pleased their divine Master, to send forth other labourers also into his harvest, to assist in the same blessed work: not indeed such as human wisdom would have appointed, the great or wise men of this world; but quite the contrary: the poor (for the most part) and as St. _Paul_ says, the _base_ and _weak_, that thus, leaving no room for boasting or glorying in man, _whoso glorieth might glory in the Lord_.”¹
¹ 1 Corinthians i. 25‒31.
“Some of these, after preaching the gospel in the streets and highways, to their own countrymen, brought the _glad tidings_ to _Ireland_ also; where, going about from place to place, thro’ cities and villages, they freely declared, what they had so freely received, to every one that would hear. And glory be to God, their labour of love was not in vain. He that sent them, gave their word his blessing, so that many received it gladly; and having felt its power, to this day bring forth fruit with patience; the fruit of righteousness, to the glory of God.”