John Wesley in West Oxfordshire

Extracts from Wesley's Journal

South Leigh Parish Church

Burford

Wednesday October 3rd 1739

About six in the evening I came to Burford and at seven preached to, it was judged, twelve or fifteen hundred people. Finding many approved of what they heard, that they might not rest in that approbation, I explained an hour or two after the holiness of a Christian; and, in the morning, I showed the way to this holiness.

Witney

Wednesday July 16th 1783

I went on to Witney. There were uncommon thunder and lightning here last Thursday, but nothing to that which was there on Friday night. About ten the storm was just over the town and both the bursts of thunder and lightning, or rather sheets of flame, were without intermission.

Those that were asleep in the town were waked, and many thought the Day of Judgement was come. Men, women, and children, flocked out of their houses, and kneeled down together in the streets. With the flames the grace of God came down also in a manner never know before. And as the impression was general, so it was lasting, it did not pass away with the storm; but the spirit of seriousness, with that of grace and supplication continued.

A prayer meeting being appointed on Saturday evening, the people flocked together, so that the preaching house was more than filled, and many were constrained to stand without the door and windows.

On Sunday morning, before the usual time of service, the church was quite filled. such a sight was never seen in that church before; the Rector himself was greatly moved, and delivered a pressing, close sermon with uncommon earnestness. When I came on Wednesday the same seriousness remained on the generality of the people.

I preached in the evening, at Wood Green, where a multitude flocked together, on the ‘Son of Man coming in his Glory’. The word fell heavy upon them and many of their hearts were as melting wax.

Finstock

Wednesday 14th October 1776

In the evening I preached at Finstock to a congregation gathered from many miles around. How gladly could I spend a few weeks in this delightful solitude! But I must not rest yet. as long as God gives me strength to labour, I am to use it.

South Leigh

Wednesday 16th october 1774

I preached at Southlye – here it was that I preached my first sermon six and forty years ago. One man was in my present audience who heard it. Most of the rest are gone to their long home.

Eynsham

January 1764

[It had been raining for several days] Between twelve and one we crossed Eynsham Ferry. The water was like a sea on both sides. I asked the ferryman ‘Can we ride the causeway?’ He said ‘Yes, Sir if you keep to the middle.’

But this was the difficulty, as the whole causeway was covered with water to a considerable depth and this in many parts ran over the causeway with a swiftness and violence of a sluice. Once my mare lost both her fore feet, but she gave a spring, and recovered the causeway; otherwise we must have taken a swim, for the water on either side was ten or twelve feet deep. However after one or two plunges more, we got through and came safe to Witney.

 

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