_He goes into the provinces of Leinster and Connought and preaches the word there._
HIS way into those parts had, in some degree, been prepared before him: many having received that gospel, which he preached from others of his brethren. He followed them flaming with desire for the salvation of souls, and with zeal for the glory of his master. By this stripling many stout-hearted _Goliah’s_ were reduced to _the obedience of_ Christ.
His labours now, were greater than he had hitherto known; for beside preaching always twice, and sometimes thrice a day, he often travelled many miles between. But it was rendered pleasant to him, doing it heartily as to the Lord. Where love is, there is no labour, and if there be labour, the labour is loved. Yes, it carries a burden without a burden. His endeavours were crown’d with much success. Multitudes of people of all denominations attended his preaching, wherever he came; so that in a little time he was generally known all around the country.
Now therefore did the God of this world stir up his emissaries. He has been sometimes waylaid in his journey, and escaped their hands, only by remarkable interpositions of divine providence. It may be tedious to enumerate all the instances. The following I set down abridged from his journal.
“_Thursday, January 4, 1750._ With much weakness of body, I preached this morning, and soon after set out for _Rosgrea_. About a mile from the town I met a large company armed with clubs. Seventy-eight men were sworn upon the occasion. At the first sight of them I was a little daunted; but I prayed to the Lord for direction, and was strengthened. They compelled me to alight, saying, They would bring a minister of the church of _England_ and a _Romish_ priest to talk with me. I let them know, I preached not against any particular church, but against sin and wickedness in _all_. I said, supposing three persons among you of different denominations; it may be a Churchman, a Quaker, and Papist, sitting down and drinking to excess, begin to dispute, each affirming, that his was the best religion: where is the religion of all these men? Surely they are without any, unless it be that of _Belial_. They are of their father the devil, while his works they do.”
“After some further discourse on the design of my coming to preach to them, and appealing to themselves concerning the necessity of it, their rage seemed abated, and then told me, they would let me go on condition that I would swear never more to come to _Rosgrea_. But when I resolutely refused this, they consulted on rougher measures; and after much debate, were determined to put me into a well, which they had prepared for that purpose. They hurried me away into the town, where I was surrounded as by so many human wolves. They held a consultation again, and resolved either to make me swear, or to put me into the well. But I refused either to swear or promise. Some then cried vehemently ‘Put him in,’ but others as positively said, ‘They should not.’
“After some time the parish minister came, who behaved well, and desired I might be set at liberty. They consented, provided I would go out of town immediately. From an inn, where they confined me, they brought me out into the street, and it being market-day, I began to preach to the people. But taking me by the back, they hurl’d me before them out of town. At length I got on horseback, and taking off my hat, I prayed for them some considerable time. I then called upon them in the name of God, for Christ’s sake, to repent; and told them, as to myself, in the cause of God, I feared neither devils nor men; that to do their souls good was my sole motive of coming among them, and that if God permitted, they might put me in the well, or stone me; be it how it would, I was content.”
“I came off from them at length in peace of conscience, and serenity of mind. From the first of it to the last, I was not the least disturbed, nor stirred in anger or malice towards them. O God, it is thou alone that hast wrought this deliverance for me.”
He abode in those parts for some months, and went through both evil and good report. While going about daily, he endeavoured, by all means the conversion of their souls. He often wanted proper necessaries for his body, and much impaired his health, through the greatness of his fatigues. But this by no means dampt the concern which he felt for perishing sinners, great numbers of whom were present to his view wherever he came. A desire of being instrumental towards opening their eyes, and turning them to God, brought him among them; nor could any personal inconveniences alter his purpose, till providence directed his way elsewhere.