Friday 30, I met those who believe God has redeemed them from all their sins: they are about sixty in number; I could not learn that any among them walk unworthy of their profession: many watch over them for evil: but they overcome evil with good: I found nothing of self-conceit, stubbornness, impatience of contradiction, or London enthusiasm among them. They have better learned of him that was meek and lowly of heart, to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour.

In the evening, I preached in the New House at Rotherham, on the sure foundation, Ye are saved through faith. It was a season of strong consolation to many. One who had been, for some time, groaning for full redemption, now found power to believe, that God had fulfilled her desire, and set her heart at liberty. Saturday 31, an odd circumstance occurred, during the morning preaching. It was well only serious people were present. An ass walked gravely in at the gate, came up to the door of the house, lifted up his head, and stood stock still, in a posture of deep attention. Might not the dumb beast reprove many who have far less decency, and not much more understanding?

At noon, I preached (the room being too small to contain the people) in a yard, near the bridge, in Doncaster. The wind was high, and exceedingly sharp, and blew all the time on the side of my head. In the afternoon, I was seized with a sore throat, almost as soon as I came to Epworth. However, I preached, though with some difficulty; but afterward I could hardly speak. Being better the next day, Sunday, April 1, I preached about one at Westwood-side; and soon after four, in the Market-place at Epworth, to a numerous congregation. At first, indeed, but few could hear. But the more I spoke, the more my voice was strengthened, till, toward the close, all my pain and weakness were gone, and all could hear distinctly.

Monday 2, I had a day of rest. Tuesday 3, I preached about nine at Scotter, a town six or seven miles east of Epworth, where a sudden flame is broken out, many being convinced of sin almost at once, and many justified. But there were many adversaries stirred up by a bad man, who told them, "there is no law for Methodists:" hence continual riots followed; till, after a while, an upright magistrate took the cause in hand, and so managed both the rioters and him who set them at work, that they have been quiet as lambs ever since.

Hence we rode to Grimsby, once the most dead, now the most lively place in all the county. Here has been a large and swift increase both of the Society and hearers, so that the house, though galleries are added, is still too small. In the morning, Wednesday 4, I explained at large the nature of Christian Perfection. Many who had doubted of it before, were fully satisfied. It remains only, to experience what we believe.

In the evening, the Mayor, and all the gentry of the town, were present; and so was our Lord in an uncommon manner. Some dropped down as dead, but after a while rejoiced with joy unspeakable. One was carried away in violent fits: I went to her after the service; she was strongly convulsed from head to foot, and shrieked

out in a dreadful manner: the unclean spirit did tear her indeed; but his reign was not long: in the morning, both her soul and body were healed, and she acknowledged both the justice and mercy of God.

Thursday 5, About eleven, I preached at Elsham. The two persons who are the most zealous and active here, are the steward and gardener of a gentleman, whom the minister persuaded to turn them off, unless they would leave this way. He gave them a week to consider of it; at the end of which they calmly answered, "Sir, we choose rather to want bread here, than to want a drop of water hereafter." He replied, "Then follow your own consciences, so you do my business as well as formerly."

Friday 6, I preached at Ferry, at nine in the morning, and in the evening; and about noon, in Sir's Hall, at Gainsborough. Almost as soon as I began to speak, a cock began to crow over my head ; but he was quickly dislodged; and the whole congregation, rich and poor, were quiet and attentive.

Sunday 8, I set out for Misterton, though the common road was impassable, being all under water: but we found a way to ride round. I preached at eight, and I saw not one inattentive hearer. In our return, my mare rushing violently through a gate, struck my heel against the gate-post, and left me behind her in an instant, laid on my back at full length: she stood still, till I rose and mounted again; and neither of us was hurt at all.

Monday 9, I had designed to go by Authorp Ferry, and Winterton, to Hull: but we had not gone far, before the wind rose so, that we judged it would be impossible to pass the Trent at Authorp: so we turned back, and went by Ouston and Brigg: the rain beat vehemently upon us all the way. When we came to Brigg, despairing of being able to cross the Humber, we thought it best to turn aside to Barrow. When I was here last, the mob was exceedingly rude and noisy; but all the people were now quiet and attentive. I was much pleased with their spirit and their behaviour, and could not be sorry for the storm.

Tuesday 10, The wind abating, we took boat at Barton, with two such brutes as I have seldom seen their blasphemy, and stupid, gross obscenity, were beyond all I ever heard; we first spoke to them mildly; but it had no effect: at length we were constrained to rebuke them sharply, and they kept themselves tolerably within bounds till we landed at Hull. I preached at five, two hours sooner than was expected; by this means, we had tolerable room for the greatest part of them that came; and, I believe, not many of them came in vain.

Wednesday 11, Between eight and nine, I began preaching at Beverly, in a room which is newly taken: it was filled from end to end, and that with serious hearers: perhaps, even these may know the day of their visitation. About one, I began at Pocklington. Here, likewise, all were quiet, and listened with deep attention. When I came to York, at five in the afternoon, I was fresher than at seven in the morning. During the preaching, many were not a little comforted; and one old follower of Christ, more than seventy years of age, was now first enabled, to call him Lord, by the Holy Ghost.

I found that a most remarkable deadness had overspread this people, insomuch that not one had received remission of sins, for several months last past. Then it is high time for us to prophesy on these dry bones, that they may live. At this I more immediately pointed, in all my following discourses; and I have reason to believe, God spoke in his Word: to him be all the glory.

Thursday 12, I spent an hour with John Manners, weak in body, but not in spirit. He is fairly worn out in a good service, and calmly waits till his change shall come. Sunday 15, in the evening, many even of the rich were present, and seriously attentive: but, oh! how hardly shall these enter into the kingdom! how hardly escape from the desire of other things!

Monday 16, I preached at Tollerton, at one. The congregation was large and serious: some were deeply affected, and wept much: many received comfort. At six, I began preaching in the street at Thirsk. The congregation was exceedingly large. Just as I named my text, What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, a man on horseback, who had stopped to see what was the matter, changed colour and trembled. Probably he might have resolved to save his soul, had not his drunken companion dragged him away.

Tuesday 17, In consequence of repeated invitations, I rode to Hemsley. When I came, Mr. Conyers was not at home; but his house-keeper faintly asking me, I went in. By the books lying in the window and on the table, I easily perceived how he came to be so cold now, who was so warm a year ago. Not one of ours, either verse or prose, was to be seen, but several of another kind. O that our brethren were as zealous to make Christians, as they are to make Calvinists!

He came home before dinner, and soon convinced me that the Philistines had been upon him: they had taken huge pains to prejudice him against me, and so successfully, that he did not even ask me to preach; so I had thoughts of going on; but, in the afternoon, he altered his purpose, and I preached, in the evening, to a large congre gation. He seemed quite surprised, and was convinced, for the present, that things had been misrepresented: but how long will the conviction last? perhaps, till next month.

Wednesday 18, I called upon another serious clergyman, vicar of a little town, near Pickering. He immediately told me, how he had been received by warm men to doubtful disputations. He said, this had, for a time, much hurt his soul; but that now the snare was broken. About one, I preached at Snainton, eight or nine miles beyond Pickering, to a small but deeply serious congregation. When I came to Scarborough, though the wind was very high, and very sharp, the multitude of people constrained me to preach abroad; and all, but a few noisy children, behaved remarkably well.

Thursday 19, The room was filled at five; and the congregation this evening was larger than the last. How is the face of things changed here within a year or two! The Society is increased fourfold; most of them are alive to God, and many filled with love; and

all of them enjoy great quietness, instead of noise and tumult, since God put it into the heart of a honest magistrate, to still the madness of the people.

I wrote a letter to-day, which, after some time, I sent to forty or fifty clergymen, with the little preface annexed:

"Rev. Sir,

"Nearly two years and a half ago, I wrote the following letter. You will please to observe, 1, That I propose no more therein, than is the bounden duty of every Christian: 2, That you may comply with this proposal, whether any other does or not. I myself have endeavoured so to do, for many years, though I have been almost alone therein, and although many, the more earnestly I talk of peace, the more zealously make themselves ready for battle. "I am, Rev. Sir,

"Dear Sir,

"Your affectionate brother, "JOHN WESLEY."

"It has pleased God to give you both the will and the power to do many things for his glory, (although you are often ashamed you have done so little, and wish you could do a thousand times more.) This induces me to mention to you, what has been upon my mind, for many years; and what I am persuaded would be much for the glory of God, if it could once be effected: and I am in great hopes it will be, if you heartily undertake it, trusting in him alone.

"Some years since God began a great work in England, but the labourers were few: at first those few were of one heart, but it was not so long. First one fell off, then another and another, till no two of us were left together in the work, beside my brother and me: this prevented much good and occasioned much evil-it grieved our spirits and weakened our hands-it gave our common enemies great occasion to blaspheme-it perplexed and puzzled many sincere Christians-it caused many to draw back to perdition-it grieved the Holy Spirit of God.

"As labourers increased, disunion increased; offences were multiplied and instead of coming nearer to, they stood farther and farther off from each other; till at length those who were not only brethren in Christ, but fellow labourers in his Gospel, had no more connexion or fellowship with each other, than Protestants have with Papists.

"But ought this to be? Ought not those, who are united to one common head, and employed by him in one common work, to be united to each other? I speak now of those labourers, who are Ministers of the Church of England. These are chiefly

"Mr. Perronet, Romaine, Newton, Shirley;

"Mr. Downing, Jesse, Adam;

"Mr. Talbot, Riland, Stillingfleet, Fletcher;

"Mr. Johnson, Baddily, Andrews, Jane;

"Mr. Hart, Symes, Brown, Rouquet; "Mr. Sellon;

"Mr. Venn, Richardson, Burnet, Furly; "Mr. Conyers, Bently, King;

"Mr. Berridge, Hicks; J. W. C. W. John Richardson.

"Not excluding any other clergyman, who agree in these essentials.

"I. Original sin,

"II. Justification by faith,

"III. Holiness of heart and life: provided their life be an

swerable to their doctrine.

"But what union would you desire among these?' Not an union in opinions. They might agree or disagree, touching absolute decrees on the one hand, and perfection on the other. Not an union in expressions. These may still speak of the imputed righteousness, and those of the merits of Christ. Not an union, with regard to outward order. Some may still remain quite regular; some quite irregular; and some partly regular and partly irregular. But these things being as they are, as each is persuaded in his own mind, is it not a most desirable thing, that we should,

"1, Remove hindrances out of the way? Not judge one another, not despise one another, not envy one another. Not be displeased at one another's gifts or success, even though greater than our own. Not wait for one another's halting, much less wish for it, or rejoice therein.

"Never speak disrespectfully, slightly, coldly, or unkindly of each other. Never repeat each other's faults, mistakes, or infirmities, much less listen for and gather them up. Never say or do any thing to hinder each other's usefulness, either directly or indirectly.

"Is it not a most desirable thing, that we should,

"2, Love as brethren? Think well of and honour one another? Wish all good, all grace, all gifts, all success, yea greater than our own to each other? Expect God will answer our wish; rejoice in every appearance thereof, and praise him for it? Readily believe good of each other, as readily as we once believed evil?

"Speak respectfully, honourably, kindly of each other. Defend each other's character. Speak all the good we can of each other. Recommend one another where we have influence. Each help the other on in his work, and enlarge his influence by all the honest. means he can.

"This is the union which I have long sought after: and is it not the duty of every one of us so to do? Would it not be far better for ourselves? A means of promoting both our holiness and happiness? Would it not remove much guilt from those who have been faulty in any of these instances? And much pain from those who have kept themselves pure? Would it not be far better for the people, who suf fer severely from the clashings and contentions of their leaders, which seldom fail to occasion many unprofitable, yea, hurtful disputes among them? Would it not be better, even for the poor, blind world, robbing them of their sport? O they cannot agree among themselves." Would it not be better for the whole work of God, which would then deepen and widen on every side?

"But it will never be: It is utterly impossible.' Certainly it is with men. Who imagines we can do this? That it can be effected