Help! (CJ7 won't run--I goofed) Help!

I am restoring a 1985 CJ7 Laredo with 258ci 4 spd. I pulled all guages, lights, etc. from dash to get a good paint job on it. I have begun to reinstall/replace all lights, guages and switches beginning from the drivers side. I checked guages and lights as I went along with everything working. Then I got to the amp meter and after installing it started the Jeep to ensure it was working -- it was working and the Jeep was running fine. THEN instead of turning the Jeep off, I left it run while connecting the oil guage. Being a bit dark in the garage, me being a bit short on good eyesight, I apparantly reversed the purple wire and the black wire and then when I touched the red wire to the terminal, my Jeep shut down immediately. I reconnected the wires to the proper terminals but it will no longer run. I disconnected the oil guage wires completely but it still does not run. I smell gas fumes and it cranks, but sounds unusual (labors). The battery is good and cranks strong but it will not fire no matter what. I blew a couple of light bulbs when I touched the red terminal and before it shut down, but I have replaced those and they all work now. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START CHECKING to see what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas/solutions/advice for me. OH PLEASE don't chastise me for my stupidity, because I will readily admit it was a dumb idea to connect the oil guage terminals while the Jeep was running, but that is what I did. I am hoping for a solution so that I don't have to tow the Jeep into a shop somewhere and throw up my hands in disgust over my error. Can I by pass something or another to get it running??? Anyone???? HELP!!! Thanking all of you in advance. Dan