vinced of sin, and some who were rejoicing in God, and walking in the light of his countenance.

Wednesday 23, I was shewn Dr. Taylor's new Meetinghouse, perhaps the most elegant one in Europe. It is eight square, built of the finest brick, with sixteen sash-windows below, as many above, and eight sky-lights in the dome, which indeed are purely ornamental. The inside is finished in the highest taste, and is as clean as any nobleman's saloon. The communion-table is fine mahogany; the very latches of the pew-doors are polished brass. How can it be thought that the old, coarse Gospel should find admission here?

Thurday 24, A man had spoken to me the last week, as I was going through Thetford, and desired me to preach at Lakenheath, near Mildenhall in Suffolk: I now purposed so to do, and rode thither from Thetford. One Mr. Evans had lately built a large and convenient preaching-house there, at his own expense. It was more than filled at six o'clock, many standing at the door. At five in the morning (as uncommon a thing as this was in those parts) the house was nearly filled again, with earnest, loving, simple people. Several of them came into Mr. E.'s house afterwards, stood a while, and then burst into tears. I promised to call upon them again, and left them much comforted.

Saturday 26, I returned to London. Much confusion had been in my absence, occasioned by some imprudent words, spoken by one who seemed to be strong in the faith. Monday 28, I heard all who were concerned, face to face, but was utterly unable to judge, whether there was wilful sin, lying, on either side, or only, human infirmity. For the present I leave it to the Searcher of hearts, who will bring all things to light in due season. Wednesday 30, I had another long hearing of the same intricate cause. But with no more success: one side flatly affirmed, the other flatly denied. This is strange! But it is more strange, that those who seem so strong in faith, should have no union of spirit with each other.

Monday, December 5, I baptized Henriquez Judah Seniore, a Portuguese Jew, more than sixty years of age :

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he seemed to have no confidence in himself, but to be waiting for the Consolation of Israel. Sunday 11, in the evening I retired to Lewisham, and spent the following days in finishing, "A Preservative against unsettled Notions in Religion:” designed for the use of all those who are under my care, but chiefly of the Young Preachers. Sunday 18, I had an opportunity (which I had long desired) of spending an hour or two with the Rev. Mr. —. I would have appointed a time for our meeting weekly but he declined it. Why? I cannot tell.

Friday 23, John Nelson wrote me a letter, part of which I have subjoined:

“We have had four triumphant deaths lately, of three men and one woman. The woman was Hannah Richardson, of Brestfield. When Enoch Williams preached there, she was the bitterest persecutor in the town, and vowed if ever he preached there again, she would help to stone him to death but he never went to try. The only one of this way in the town was Ruth Blacker. Against her she was violently enraged, till Ruth went to her house, reasoned the case, and at length persuaded her to go to Dewsbury, to hear Mr. Charles Wesley. That day God begot her by his word, so that she could never rest till she found Christ in her own heart. And for two years she has been a steady follower of him. By her zeal and circumspect walking, many have been since stirred up to seek the Lord. As soon as she was taken ill, she began to praise God more than ever, for the work he had wrought in her soul. She said, 'At first I thought I had no will, and that God's love was all that was in my heart. But when my little I found my heart was not free: God in my soul for two hours. and now I am fully assured, he does take up all the room in my heart. He has sanctified me throughout, body, soul, and spirit. I am a witness for Jesus Christ, that he is a greater Saviour than Adam was a sinner. O watch and pray, and ye shall not be overcome in the hour of temptation. Keep close to your meetings, and the Lord will meet you. If you

child gave a sudden shriek, and it damped the love of But the Lord is come again,

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neglect these or private prayer, you will become barren in your own souls, and the God of this world will get an advantage over you. But if you keep close to God and one another, you will find Jesus a Saviour to the uttermost, as I, the most unworthy of mankind, do.'. For some time before she died, her prayer was turned into praise. All her prayer then was, Thy will be done!' We have one by us that we think will hardly live till to-morrow, who is above seventy, and is as a shock of corn fully ripe, crying out, Come, Lord Jesus!"" In the Christmas week I rode down to Bristol: where, Sunday, January 1, 1758, we began the year with the great congregation at four, rejoicing and praising God.

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Tuesday 3, At the request of several of my friends, I wrote "A Letter to a Gentleman at Bristol," in order to guard them from seeking salvation by works on the one hand, and Antinomianism on the other. From those who lean to either extreme I shall have no thanks. But Wisdom is justified of her children.

Wednesday 4, I rode to Kingswood, and rejoiced over the School, which is at length what I have so long wished it to be, a blessing to all that are therein, and a honour to the whole body of Methodists.

Monday 9, I began a letter to Mr. Toogood, author of "The Dissenting Gentleman's Reasons." I think, the most saucy and virulent satire on the Church of England, that ever my eyes beheld. How much rather would I write practically than controversially. But even this talent I dare not bury in the earth. Friday 13, having ended my business at Bristol, I rode on to Newbury, and the next day to London. Now, if it be the will of God, I should be glad of a little rest. If not, let me rejoice to be without it.

Tuesday 17, I preached at Wandsworth. A gentleman come from America, has again opened a door in this desolate place. In the morning I preached in Mr. Gilbert's house. Two Negro servants of his, and a Mulatto, appear to be much awakened. Shall not his saving health be made known to all !nations? Saturday 28, I was enquiring of William Hurd,

who discharged him from the army? And he might fairly say, God discharged him; his officers being determined not to do it. Nevertheless, he stood among the men whom they had picked out for that purpose. And when he came in his turn, his discharge was written, and no man gainsayed.

Sunday 29, We had an uncommon blessing at Weststreet, and a still greater at Spital-fields. Some could not refrain from crying aloud to God. And he did not cast out their prayers. Many thanksgivings have since been offered to God, for the blessings of that hour. Wednesday, February 1, I talked with a gentlewoman who had been a mighty good Christian for nearly seventy years: but she now found herself out, and began to cry with many tears to the Friend of sinners for pardoning mercy.

Friday 3, Mr. Parker (last year Mayor of Bedford ) preached at the Foundery. A more artless preacher I never heard; but not destitute of pathos. I doubt not, he may be of much use among honest, simple-hearted people.

Sunday 12, At the request of the Vicar, Mr. J., I rode over to Uxbridge. I preached for him both morning and afternoon, to a large and serious congregation. How uncommon a providence is this! The Gospel was preached in the Church at Hayes. Several of the parishioners ran from it, and took pews at Hillington. It followed them into Hillington Church, where I preached twice in one day. Some of them went to Uxbridge. And now it is come to torment them at Uxbridge also!

Wednesday 15, I read over the "Memoirs of the House of Brandenburg." Quanta de spe decidi! It is hard to determine from his writing, whether the author be a Mahometan or a Christian. I suppose he is as near one as

the other.

On Friday 17, The public fast, I preached at West-street in the morning, at Spital-fields in the afternoon, and Bulland-Mouth in the evening; every where to a crowded audience. Indeed every place of worship throughout the City was extremely crowded all the day long. Surely all

the prayers which have been offered up this day, will not fall to the ground!

Monday 20, I rode, through much rain, to Maldon in Essex. Their new preaching house is large; but it would in no wise contain the congregation, which flocked together in the evening. For a time there was much persecution here; but all is now calm and quiet. And, probably, good will be done, if those who now run well, do not draw back to perdition. We had a large congregation at five in the morning, and more than we had room for in the evening. Fair blossoms! But which of these will bring forth fruit? O Lord, thou knowest! Wednesday 22, it rained without ceasing, till we came to a small inn, nineteen miles from Maldon. Here we dried our clothes. Soon after, the rain ceased, and we had a pleasant ride to London.

Monday 27, Having a sermon to write against the Assizes at Bedford, I retired for a few days to Lewisham. Friday, March 3, I returned to London. Monday 6, I took horse about seven o'clock. The wind being East, I was pleasing myself, that we should have it on our backs. But in a quarter of an hour, it shifted to the North-west, and blew the rain full in our faces: and both increased, so that when we came to Finchley-common, it was hard work to sit our horses. The rain continued all the way to Dunstable, where we exchanged the main road for the fields, which having been just ploughed were deep enough. However, before three we came to Sundon. Hence, on Thursday 9, I rode to Bedford, and found the sermon was not to be preached till Friday. Had I known this in time, I should never have thought of preaching it, having engaged to be at Epworth on Saturday. Mr. came to me in the evening, and said, "He could not remain as he was any longer; that he had no rest in his spirit, while he was thus halting between two; and therefore desired to go with me, without delay." I answered, "If he were so resolved, he was welcome to set out with me for Epworth the next day." He said, "He would." We spent some time in prayer, and parted for the present.