2 June 1755 – 8 June 1755

We rode to Thirsk, where I met the little society; and then went on to York. The people had been waiting for some time. So I began preaching without delay, and felt no want of strength, though the room was like an oven through the multitude of people.

One of the residentiaries sent for Mr. Williamson, who had invited me to preach in his church, and told him, “Sir, I abhor persectuion; but if you let Mr. Wesley preach, it will be the worse for you.” He desired it nevertheless; but I declined. Perhaps there is a providence in this also. God will not suffer my little remaining strength to be spent on those who will not hear me but in an honorable way.

We were at the minster in the morning and at our parish church in the afternoon. The same gentleman preached at both; but though I saw him at the church, I did not know I had ever seen him before. In the morning he was all life and motion; in the afternoon he was as quiet as a post. At five in the evening, the rain constrained me to preach in the oven again. The patience of the congregation surprised me. They seemed not to feel the extreme heat or to be offended at the close application of those words, “thou art not far from the kingdom of God” [Mark 12:34].