[917] This Edmund Keene was the late bishop of Ely.
[920] The spire or steeple of South Lynn Church was not then blown down, but stood twenty years longer, and its fall was among the memorable events which distinguished the commencement of this reign. It is somewhat remarkable that the Grey Friars Steeple, the slightest of all our buildings of that kind, has hitherto withstood the severest blasts.
[927] It is said that when they had nearly completed one part of their work, and were ready to congratulate themselves on its impervious, impassable, and impregnable aspect, a greyhound that followed one of the gentlemen, making a sudden spring, flew over it in an instant, which so cooled their ardour, damped their spirits, and discouraged them, that they had no longer any heart at all to proceed: for they concluded, that if that greyhound could do so, the Highlanders, if they came, would not fail to storm every thing of that kind that might happen to stand in their way.—So apprehensive and confident were they for some time that the rebels would come this way, that they readily gave heed to every flying and idle report that coincided with that notion. It was at one time believed, that their vanguard had nearly reached Wisbeach, and even that some of their scouts or spies were actually in Marshland. The last belief arose from the circumstance of two travelling Scotchmen happening then to pass through Marshland, whom every body took to be no other than rebel spies. A strong party was sent from Lynn to take them up, who, among other things, questioned them, if they had arms? To which they answered, “Yes, they had twa,” lifting up both their arms at the same time.
[932] The present writer is earnestly desirous to do ample justice, and give all due commendation to the persevering and unwearied exertions of the different descriptions of our Lynn dissenters. They have certainly done much good, here as well as elsewhere. After all, it must be allowed and confessed that the miserable bigotry, illiberality and intolerance, which they have often discovered, and particularly on a recent occasion, constitute a vast and sad drawback from the merit of their exertions, and the praise to which their labours are entitled. But on this head we shall be more explicit, when we come to the present state of the town.
[935] That the evangelical clergy and their patrons should be at all alarmed, at the growth, or progress of methodism, seems not a little singular and strange, considering that they themselves are looked upon as one sort of methodists, and have certainly and evidently contributed, in a very large measure, to the increase and prosperity of that sect. They, sorely, did not mean or wish to make their hearers dissenters, but the spirit of their system and the drift of their ministry appear to have a strong tendency that way.
[936] At Lynn, and some other places, the Wesleyans alone bear the name of Methodists: whereas the Whitefieldians are here denominated Independents, which name they have likewise assumed in many other places. In some of the western parts the name of Methodists is given only to them, and the others are called Wesleyans, and sometimes Wesleys: but on this subject we will say more hereafter.
[937] Whether it will so happen or not, it is certain that the methodist Constitution is well worth the attention of the statesman and philosopher, as well as the historian. It is admirably calculated for making numerous proselytes, and becoming the predominant religion of a country—especially that of the Wesleyan community; whose whole plan and organization discover exquisite skill and judgment, with a most deep and accurate knowledge of human nature. In all which respects John Wesley appears no way inferior to any of the heads of our modern orders or sects, from Francis and Dominic down to Emanuel Swedenburg and Joanna Southcote; not excepting Ignatius Loyola, Martin Luther, John Calvin, or even Fox and Penu and count Zinzendorff.
[941] See Belsham v. 414, &c.
[942] Belsham v. 86.
[950] The writer of the above extract further says, that during the said electioneering tumult,