Thursday 15, I met the Select Society. How swiftly has God deepened his work in these! I have seen very few either in Bristol or London, who are more clear in their experience. The account which all gave, whom I had time to examine, was scriptural and rational. And suppose they spoke true, they are witnesses of the perfection which I preach. Yet, that they may fall therefrom, I know: but that they must, I utterly deny.

After preaching at Evesham about noon, we rode through a furious shower of snow, driven full in our faces to BroadMarston. The very uncommon severity of the weather, somewhat lessened the congregation in the evening. All who were there, seemed prepared for that awful subject, I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.

Saturday 17, We rode, in another bitter day, with the wind and snow, just in our faces, to Birmingham. In the evening, the people were wedged in, as closely as possible: yet many were obliged to go away. We had just the same congregation in the morning. Sunday 18, at half an hour after one, I was to preach at Bromwich-heath: but the house would scarcely contain a fourth part of the congregation. So I made a virtue of necessity, and preached in a ground, where there was room for all that came. And I be lieve God kindled a fire in many frozen hearts.

In the evening, I preached in the house at Wednesbury, a funeral sermon for Elizabeth Longmore, I think the first witness of Christian perfection, whom God raised up in these parts. I gave some account of her experience, many years ago. From that time, her whole life was answerable to her profession, every way holy and unblamable. Frequently she had not bread to eat: but that did not hinder her rejoicing evermore. She had close trials, from her poor apostate husband, in the midst of sharp pain and pining sickness. But she was superior to all, still seeing her father's hand, and, in every thing giving thanks. Her death was suitable to her life.

"No cloud could arise, To darken the skies,

Or hide for a moment Her Lord from her eyes."

All was noon-day. She praised God with every breath, till he took her to himself.

Monday 19, I rode to Cradly. Here also the multitude of people, obliged me to stand abroad, although the northwind whistled round my head. About one I took the field again, at Stourbridge. Many of the hearers were wild as colts untamed. But the bridle was in their mouths. At six I began at Dudley. The air was as cold as I had almost ever felt. But I trust, God warmed many hearts.

Wednesday 21, I took my leave of Wednesbury at five; preached about ten at Billstone: about one at Bilbrook, and about five in the evening, at Wolverhampton. Many here were wild and stupid enough: however the greater part were deeply attentive.

. I now procured an account of two remarkable children, which, I think, ought not to be buried in oblivion.

"About three weeks before Christmas, 1768, William Cooper, at Walsal, in Staffordshire, then nine years old, was convinced of sin, and would frequently say, he should go to hell, and the devil would fetch him. Sometimes he cried out, "I hate him." Being asked, "Whom?" He answered with great vehemence, "God!" This terrified his mother, who not knowing what was the matter with the child, strove to keep it secret.

"But in about a fortnight, it pleased God, to reveal to him his pardoning love. His mouth was then filled with praise, declaring to all what God had done for his soul.

"A few days after Billy was awakened, God was pleased to convince his sister Lucy, then eleven years old. He soon put a song of praise into her mouth also, so that they mightily rejoiced together, in God their Saviour. At the same time, they were both heavily afflicted in their bodies. But so much the more was the power of God manifested, causing them to continue in the triumph of faith, throughout their sharpest pains.

"On December 30, one of their sisters coming to see them, Billy told her, he had been very ill: but, said he, 'I do not mean in my body, but in my soul; I felt my sins

so heavy, that I thought I should go to hell, and I saw the devil ready to drag me away. Nay, for a week, I thought myself just in the flames of hell. The sins that troubled me most were, telling lies and quarreling with my sister. I saw, if God did not forgive me, I was lost. And I knew, quarreling was as great a sin in Lucy as in me, and if she did not get a pardon, and feel the love of Jesus, she could not go to heaven.'

"Lucy said," When I heard Mr. A. describe two sorts of people, one sort washed in the blood of Christ, and the other not, I found I was not, and therefore, if I died so, must go to hell.' Being asked what sin lay most on her conscience, she replied, Taking his name in vain, by repeating my prayers when I did not think of God.'

"When Billy was confessing that he had loved money, Lucy said, 'And so did I; and was angry, if I had not as much as Billy. I loved money more than God, and he might justly have sent me to hell for it.'

"When Billy was asked, how he knew his sins were forgiven: he answered, Christ told me so. I had a great struggle in my heart, with the devil and sin, till it pleased Jesus to come into my soul. I now feel his love in my heart, and he tells me, he has forgiven my sins.'

66 Being asked, how he did he replied, 'Happy in Jesus: Jesus is sweet to my soul.' Do you choose to live or die?' He answered, Neither. I hope, if I live, I shall praise God; and if I die, I am sure I shall go to him. For he has forgiven my sins, and given me his love.'

6

"One asked Lucy, how long she had been in the triumph of faith she answered, Only this week before, I had much to do with Satan: but now Jesus has conquered him for me.' While she was speaking, feeling great pain of body, she said, 'OI want more of these pains, more of these pains, to bring me nearer to Jesus.'

"One speaking of knowing the voice of Christ, she said, 'The voice of Christ is a strange voice to them who do not know their sins are forgiven. But I know it. For he has pardoned all my sins, and given me his love.

And O what

a mercy, that such a hell-deserving wretch as I, should be made to taste of his love!

"Billy had frequent fits. When he found one coming, he, with a smile, laid down his head, saying, 'O sweet love!' or, "O sweet Jesus!' And as soon as he came to himself, being asked how he did; he would reply, I am happy in the love of Christ.'

"When a gentleman said, 'My dear, you could praise God more, if it were not for those ugly fits;' he replied, Sir, they are not ugly; for my dear Jesus sent them. And he has given me patience to bear them. And he bore more for my sins.

"One night a gentleman and his wife came to see them: and the gentleman looking on Lucy, said, 'She looks as if nothing were the matter with her she is so pleasant with her eyes.' She replied, 'I have enough to make me look so; for I am full of the love of God.' While she spoke, her eyes sparkled exceedingly, and the tears flowed down her cheeks. At this Billy smiled, but could not speak; having been speechless for more than an hour. It seemed he was just going into eternity: but the Lord revived him a little: and as soon as he could speak, he desired to be held up in bed, and looked at the gentleman, who asked him, how he did: he answered, 'I am happy in Christ: you are.' He said, 'I hope I can say I am.' Has Christ pardoned your sins?' He said, bas.' Sir,' said Billy, hope will not do. For I had this hope, and yet if I had died then, I should surely have gone to hell. But he has forgiven me all my sins, and given me a taste of his love. If you have this love, you will know it and be sure of it: but you cannot know it without the power of God. You may read as many books about Christ ás you please;' (he was a great reader,) but if you read all your life, this will only be in your head, and that head will perish. So that if you have not the love of God in heart, you will go to hell. But I hope you will not: I will pray to God for you, that he may give you his love.'

and I hope Billy asked, 'I hope he

your

"Another coming to see them enquired how they were:

Billy said, 'Happier and happier in Christ: Are you so? He said, 'No; I am not so happy as you.' 'Why,' said Billy, what is the matter? I am afraid you do not pray to Christ, for I am sure he is willing to make you happy.'

"One who sat by, seemed struck with the discourse, but did not speak. Billy observing her, said, And you do not pray as you ought. For if you had the love of Christ in your heart, you would not look down so. I wish you and every one had it.' One said, My dear, would not you give it them, if you might?' He answered, No: for that would be to take Christ's work out of his hands.'

6

"Many who heard what great things God had done for them, said, 'It will not be so with you always. If you should live to come into the world again, he would leave you in the dark.' They answered, 'We do not think so: for our Jesus has promised, that He will never leave us.'

"A young woman, who had told them so before, speaking in this manner a second time, Billy said to her, Miss, Are you assured of your interest in Christ?' She answered,

I hope I am in Christ: but assurance is no way essential.' He replied, But if you have his love, you will be sure you` have it. You will know it in your heart. I am afraid, your hope is only in your head. Do you never quarrel with any body?' She said, 'No.' But,' says he, You quarrel with God's word. For he has promised me, None shall pluck me out of his hand. And you say, the world will: so you make God a story-teller.' At this she went away displeased.

"There were few came to see them, when either of them was able to speak, but they enquired into the state of their souls, and without fear, told them the danger of dying without an assurance of the love of God.

"One coming to see them, was talked to very closely by Billy, till she could bear no more. She turned to Lucy, and said, 'You were always good children, and never told stories.' Yes, Madam,' said Lucy, but I did, when I was afraid of being beat: and when I said my prayers; for And I called him, my Father, And as to praying, I could

I did not think of God. when I was a child of wrath.