I began preaching in our own house soon after five. Mr. Mayor meantime was walking
in the 'Change, and giving orders to the town drummers and to his sergeants--doubtless to
go down and keep the peace! They accordingly came down to the house, with an innumerable
mob attending them. They continued drumming, and I continued preaching till I had finished
my discourse. When I came out, the mob immediately closed me in. Observing one of the
sergeants standing by, I desired him to keep the King's peace; but he replied, "Sir, I have no
orders to do that." As soon as I came into the street, the rabble threw whatever came to hand;
but all went by me or flew over my head; nor do I remember that one thing touched me. I
walked on straight through the midst of the rabble, looking every man before me in the face;
and they opened on the right and left, till I came near Dant's Bridge. A large party had taken
possession of this, one of whom was bawling out, "Now, hey for the Romans!" When I came
up, they likewise shrank back, and I walked through them to Mr. Jenkins's house; but a
Papist stood just within the door and endeavored to hinder my going till one of the mob (I
suppose aiming at me, but missing) knocked her down flat. I then went in, and God restrained
the wild beasts so that not one attempted to follow me.
But many of the congregation were more roughly handled, particularly Mr. Jones, who was covered with dirt and escaped with his life almost by miracle. The main body of the mob then went to the house, brought out all the seats and benches, tore up the floor, the door, the frames of the windows, and whatever of woodwork remained; part, of which they carried off for their own use, and the rest they burned in the open street.
But many of the congregation were more roughly handled, particularly Mr. Jones, who was covered with dirt and escaped with his life almost by miracle. The main body of the mob then went to the house, brought out all the seats and benches, tore up the floor, the door, the frames of the windows, and whatever of woodwork remained; part, of which they carried off for their own use, and the rest they burned in the open street.
Finding there was no probability of their dispersing, I sent to Alderman Pembrock, who
immediately desired Mr. Alderman Windthrop, his nephew, to go down to Mr. Jenkins,
with whom I walked up the street, none giving me an unkind or disrespectful word.
The Journal of John Wesley
The Journal of John Wesley
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