keep them in so exact order, as we might do a smaller number. However, this still comes nearer a Christian school than any I know in the kingdom. Sunday 17, I preached to a serious congregation, in Princes'-street, many of whom came from the ships on the river, and gaped and stared, as if they had never heard a sermon before. In the afternoon I preached near the New Square, on What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. I was in hopes this would remove rather than increase prejudice; but I was much mistaken. One of the hearers soon after told his friend, "Mr. W. is as dark and blind as ever." Tuesday 19, between twelve and one I preached at Freshford; and on White's-Hill, near Bradford, in the evening. By this means many had an opportunity of hearing, who would not have come to the Room. I had designed to preach there again the next evening; but a gentleman in the town desired me to preach at his door. The beasts of the people were tolerably quiet, till I had nearly finished my sermon. They then lifted up their voices, especially one, called a gentleman, who had filled his pockets with rotten eggs. But a young man coming unawares, clapped his hands on each side, and mashed them all at once. In an instant he was perfume all over; though it was not so sweet as balsam! Friday 22, I saw poor Mrs. - at Bristol, on the very brink of despair. I prayed for her in faith; and not many days after, found her sweetly rejoicing in God her Saviour. Saturday 23, I rode to Pill, and preached in the street, (the only way to do much good there,) to a more numerous and more attentive congregation than I have seen there for many years. Thursday, October 5, I had the satisfaction to find, that two of our brethren, with whom I had taken much pains, had at length put an end to their Chancery suit, and closed their debate by a reference. Sunday 8, I permitted all of Mr. Whitefield's Society, that desired it, to be present at our love-feast. I suppose there were a thousand of us in all. And we were not sent empty away. Monday 9, I preached at Bristol, Pensford, Shepton-Mallet; and in the evening at Wincaunton. The people here had just as much feeling as the benches on which they sat. Tuesday 10, I preached in Shaftsbury, at noon; and in the evening at Salisbury. Here I was in a new world. The congregation was alive, and much more the Society. How pleasing would it be to be always with such! But that is not our calling. Wednesday 11, I preached in Rumsey at noon; in the evening at Winchester. Thursdry 12, I preached at Fareham about one; and at Portsmouth-Common, in the evening. I very narrowly missed meeting the great Pascal Paoli. He landed in the Dock but a very few minutes after I had left the water side. Surely he, who hath been with him from his youth up, hath not sent him into England for nothing. Lord, shew him what is thy will concerning him! And give him a kingdom that cannot be moved. Saturday 14, Setting out at two in the morning, I came to London in the afternoon. Sunday 15, my brother and I had such a congregation at Spitalfields, as has not been there since the covenant-night. The Foundery was equally crowded in the evening. Is God about to work here as he did some years ago? If so, having learned experience by the things we have suffered, I trust we shall not quench the Spirit as we did before. Monday 16, I began my journey into Oxfordshire, and in the evening preached at Henley. A great part of the congregation was perfectly void both of sense and modesty. But at this time they were unusually quiet, as I did not take them out of their depth, in opening and applying those words, It is appointed unto men once to die. Tuesday 17, We went to Wallingford, a town I never saw before, though I lived so many years at Oxford. How white are the fields here unto the harvest! The whole town seemed flocking together, rich and poor, in the evening, and received the word with joy. But who will endure to the end? Abundance of people came again at five in the How plea But we must morning, and were ready to devour the word. sant it is to see the dawn of a work of grace! not lay too much stress upon it. Abundance of blossoms! But when the sun is up, how many of these will wither; away. : : Having appointed to preach in Oxford at ten, I was under some difficulty. I did not like to preach in the Dissenting Meeting-house and I did not see how to avoid it. But the proprietors cut the knot for me, by locking up the doors. So I preached in James Mears' garden and to such a congregation as I had not had in Oxford since I preached in St. Mary's Church. Thence we went on to Witney, where we have now a large and commodious house. It was well filled in the evening; and (whoever else did) I found it good to be there; especially at the meeting of the Society: the spirit of glory and of Christ was among them. I had designed to spend another day here. But two of our friends, who were come on purpose from Broadmarston, importuned me much to go thither. So I set out with them on Thursday, and came to Broadmarston in the afternoon. The lovely family, and the congregation from all parts, made me full amends for my labour. Great was our glorying in the Lord. Many felt the two-edged sword, and many were filled with consolation. Friday 20, I had appointed to be in Oxford at eight. So I took horse at two, and took chaises from Shipston, which brought me thither at my time. After spending an hour quite agreeably with a few young, serious students, I set out for Ipstone, near Stoken Church. But I was obliged, when we came to the bye-road, to quit my chaise, and go as I could, partly on horseback, and partly on foot. The congregation had waited for me some time. So I began immediately, on Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man. In the evening I preached to a lively congregation at High Wycombe, and on Saturday reached London. Monday 23, I rode to Towcester, and preached to a heavy, unawakened people, on what they did not seem at all to think of, namely, that they were to die. I believe it suited them they appeared to be more affected than with any discourse I had ever preached. Tuesday 24, I preached at Alston in a large malt-room, where one side of my head was very warm, through the crowd of people; the other very cold, having an open window at my ear. Between six and seven I preached at Northampton, and it was an awful· season. This evening there was such an aurora borealis, as I never saw before: the colours, both the white, the flame colour, and the scarlet, were so exceedingly strong and beautiful. But they were awful too: so that abundance of people were frightened into many good resolutions. Wednesday 25, At ten, I was forced to preach abroad at Brighton, by reason of the great concourse of people: and at Haddon, about one. I believe at both places, God applied his word to their hearts. Thursday 26, about nine I preached at Harpole, to a thirsty multitude: at one, to nearly the same number at Weedon; in the evening at Whittlebury. Friday 27, about noon, we had a serious congregation at Cranfield, and at Bedford, in the evening. Saturday 28, I preached about one at Hertford, and at Snowsfields in the evening and after preaching three times a day for three days, and four times a day for two more, I found no more hoarsness or weariness than when I set out from London. Monday 30, I set out with a little company of our friends, and the next day came to Norwich. At six I preached in the shell of the new house, crowded enough both within and without. Thursday, November 2, We went to Yarmouth, a cold, dead, uncomfortable place. Friday 3, 1 laboured to gather up the fragments of the poor Society, shattered to pieces by Presbyterians, Anabaptists, and disputers of all kinds: especially by one unhappy man, who had risen among ourselves. In the evening I strongly exhorted them, to repent and do the first works. Saturday 4, We returned to Norwich. In going to Yarmouth, I had called upon a young woman, alive to God, but exceedingly ill. She died before I came back. This afternoon I was desired to bury her. I took the opportunity of preaching at five in the burying-ground, to a multitude of people, who were all attention, as though they had already seen the dead standing before God. Monday 6, and the following days, I visited as many of the people, sick and well, as I possibly could. And on Friday 10, leaving them more united, than they had been for many years, I took coach again, and the next afternoon came to London. In the coach, going and coming, I read several volumes of Mr. Guthrie's ingenious History of Scotland, I suppose as impartial a one as any to be found, and as much to be depended upon. I never read any writer before, who gave me so much light, into the real character of that odd mixture, King James the First: nor into that of Mary Queen of Scots, so totally misrepresented by Buchanan, Queen Elizabeth's pensioner, and her other hireling writers: and not much less, by Dr. Robertson. Them he effectually exposes, shewing how grossly they contradict matter of fact, and one another. He likewise points out the many and great mistakes of Dr. R. such as seem to imply either great inattention or great partiality. Upon the whole, that much injured Queen appears to have been far the greatest woman of that age, exquisitely beautiful in her person, of a fine address, of a deep unaffected piety, and of a stronger understanding even in youth, than Queen Elizabeth had at threescore. And probably the despair wherein Queen Elizabeth died, was owing to her death, rather than that of Lord Essex. Friday 17, I preached at a Chapel near St. John-street, built on the very spot of ground, whereon, many hundred years ago, Pardon Church stood. In this and the following week I visited the Society in London, containing now scarcely nineteen hundred members. So has God cut us short, since the wound received by a false friend, from which we are now slowly recovering. Saturday 25, I went down to Mr. Perronet's, just recovering from a long illness. In the evening I preached in the |