it to the powder under the place where the preacher was to Presently more people came, who were greatly

amazed at the diabolical work.

They immediately set

They at last found a

about looking for the perpetrator. man sleeping in a certain retired hole, and upon examining him, they discovered the whole of the dreadful scheme, which was not very much unlike the Gunpowder Plot. However the only punishment the trembling creature had, was prayers and supplications to heaven for mercy and compassion to his poor immortal soul.

Yet afflictions, through the over-ruling providence of God, become beneficial. Yea, we are purified from vanity, self-sufficiency, and other corruptions, in the furnace of affliction; and we come out of it as gold purified from its dross. Spiritual pride will ever derive support even from our gifts and graces. Paul, in consequence of the revelations granted to him, was in danger of being puffed up, therefore the Lord was pleased to afflict him with a thorn in the flesh. So Rowlands no doubt benefitted greatly by these troubles from within and without, and was made a more complete and experienced preacher. Corruptions were doubtless checked and greatly subdued in him. He was indeed kept very humble; he would not even accept the ruling power of the connexion, though always awarded. to him.—The afflicted man becomes more sober, temperate, teachable, and humble: he sees more of the nothingness of things temporal, and the excellency of things spiritual. He becomes more acquainted with his God, enjoys more of him, and cleaves more to him.-What expansion and strength were given to Abraham's faith by afflictions; to Moses's meekness by provocation; to Job's patience by calamities; to Stephen's compassionate and forgiving spirit by injuries!-In like manner, doubtless, these and other graces were exercised and strengthened in Rowlands by afflictions, and he became more acquainted with spiritual things, and was more holy and happy. And no doubt

afflictions increase the glory of the christian beyond the grave. 2 Cor. iv. 17. Even our great Master, it is said, was made perfect by suffering. The most successful and celebrated reformers have, in general, been in great affliction one way or another, like their blessed Master, though at a very great distance from him in this as well as every other respect. Luther said that three things were requisite to make a preacher,—prayer, meditation, and trials. Rowlands was much exercised in them all. Many a preacher has, like him, a lively and buoyant spirit, which, if not curbed, might lead them, by some hasty inconsiderate expressions on various subjects, into snares and difficulties.

A few sentences from Rowlands' writings on affliction, shall be introduced here.-"Oh! sanctified adversity carries the richest pearl in its mouth: it makes sin odious to us, and the return of the Saviour's presence doubly sweet! By it we are made meet for the Master's use.-Shall we not kiss the rod which scares away our sins, and whips our corruptions to death ?-God separates thee by afflictions from thy idols, that they may not be as fuel to inflame thy corruptions, or as thieves to steal thy heart from him.—If thou hast been taught of God to distrust thine own heart, to be vile in thine own eyes, and to take no idolatrous delight in creature comforts, thou hast received ten thousand better answer to thy prayers than if thou hadst been lifted up by joyful frames, or hadst obtained thy fond wish in every prayer. The lowly graces of the Spirit thrive best under

crosses.

We shall conclude this chapter with reflections, partly in the words of another.-Mysterious are the dealings of Providence in the affairs of the church. Heresies spring up in its bosom at the very time truth breaks forth in every direction.-Persecutions arise to harass the faithful, yet, at the same time, display their graces before the world, and give new energy and extension to the cause of religion !—What holiness, meekness, and charity did then adorn Rowlands and

K

his friends! Moreover the testimony they bore to Jesus, under the Spirit's influence, was then preeminently attended with demonstration and power! With what new fervour and emotion was their preaching distinguished! Wherever they went, the cause of Christ mightily prevailed, thousands were subdued and converted.-Amidst every vicissitude the cause of gospel truth advances, and in the course of years the fruits of divine influences, though apparently transient, are distinctly seen in the increasing prosperity of the church. -It is by the accumulation of many comparatively small operations that a city is built, and becomes the emporium of commerce; and that a country is reclaimed from a state of nature, and is converted into an enclosed and cultivated region. It is by the united efforts of frequent periods of sunshine, alternating with rain, that, notwithstanding the interruptions of chilling blasts, lowering clouds, bursting tempests, the year is at last crowned with plenty, and glows in all the beauties of summer.

And so it is with the influences of the Spirit. From the visible effusion of the divine power on the assembled multitude, on the day of pentecost, down to the present time, his operations have been similar in their nature and effects, resembling rather gleams of blessed sunshine from a sky generally overcast, than the steady brightness of an unclouded atmosphere; but the genial light and warmth have been reflected and diffused; the gracious intentions of heaven are accomplished and accomplishing; the seed is sown and grows; amidst the obstructions the season advances and harvest approaches.-History of Revivals.

CHAP. IX.

Rowlands' success in North Wales.

THE cause of religion was very low for years in North Wales, though it prospered greatly in South Wales. The hearers in general were very few. Only about two hundred persons were at Bala association in the year 1767.

Rowlands, however, notwithstanding all difficulties and discouragements in that part of the country, never ceased in his exertions for its reformation and everlasting benefit.* His ministry was greatly blessed for the conversion of sinners, wherever he travelled, to the very end of his important life. He was, indeed, very popular, throughout the principality, and great respect was paid to him everywhere, especially by christians. If a king had gone through the country, he could not have been received with greater joy than Rowlands was. It is said that he continued nearly to the close of his life to travel through most of the counties of Wales once a year :-the churches and chapels were scarcely ever sufficiently spacious to contain the people that flocked to hear him.-There was generally no great impression made under the ministry of the exhorters or lay

"The cause of religion was cruelly persecuted and oppressed in North Wales. Some poor people, who gave reception to the gospel at this time, were fined in the sum of £80. Some were entirely ruined, being robbed by this means of all their little pittance, the hard-earned fruit of honest labours. To such a height did the enemy's rage ferment, that in some instances it deprived these poor mountaineers of all the goods which served to furnish their humble cottages! Yes, even the pillow has been taken away by these sons of Belial, from beneath the head of the helpless and unoffending babe, while it slept in the cradle."-The History of the Calvinistic Methodists.

preachers, that were in the habit of travelling in connexion with him over the cold mountains of Wales;-it was like kindling a little fire here and there. But when Rowlands went through those.northern counties, preaching the word, the effect was wonderful; and those beginnings under the exhorters were then greatly stirred up and enlarged, under God's blessing upon his ministry.-The dying embers were blown up and kindled into a large fire.

Rowlands depended entirely for success upon divine influence. He, being blessed with great fervour, and so animated in his style of preaching, betrayed in a few instances some degree of impatience when he was the hearer of a heavy cold sermon. It was then, as it is now, usual in Wales to have double lectures.-A preacher, who was on some occasion appointed to preach before Rowlands, was very cold and inanimate in his address; Rowlands, seeing a man near him eminent for the warmth of his devotional feelings in prayer, beckoned to him, and requested him to engage in a short prayer before his sermon, in hopes the thick cloud that was hanging over them might be dispersed. The man, humbly looking up to God by faith, in obedience to the call, was honoured on this occasion with an extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit of grace and supplication, and wrestled with great importunity for the influence of the Spirit upon the ministry, making marked reference to the words in Cant. iv. 16, where the Spirit's operations are viewed under the idea of wind.* A heavenly gale des

* There is an allusion to this remarkable circumstance in Christmas Evans's Life, and the above prayer is there thus stated. "Lord Jesus,” said the holy man, "I beseech thee, by thy blood and agony, to hear me. Thy ministers have been trying to winnow here the past evening, (by preaching,) and this morning also, but nothing is done! Not the least breath of heavenly wind, O Lord, has yet favoured this meeting!" Then he repeated the following words with great earnestness : "Wind, Lord! wind, gracious Lord! For the wind is now in thine hand, as it ever has been. Amen."