sister now breathed the same spirit, doubt and fear being fled away. I preached at Ahascragh in the evening. Great part of the congregation were Papists; some of whom in the morning, Friday 6, were under strong convictions. I returned to Athlone in the afternoon, and Saturday 7, set out for Longford. Calling at Kenagh in the way, I unexpectedly found a large congregation waiting for me; to whom I declared Jesus Christ, our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. About seven I preached at Longford, in the middle of the town. It rained all the time but none regarded it. I was a little interrupted by a poor, drunken Papist, who spoke a few drolling words. I intreated the people to let him alone; but I could not prevail: one pulled him by the ears, another by the hair, till he was dragged away, and all was quiet.

A large congregation came at five, Sunday 8; nor did the rain drive any of them away. The word now sunk deep. Some dropped down, and one or two were carried away. At nine I preached to a much larger congregation, and the word was sharper than ever. Four or five could not bear it, but went away: some would have gone away, but could not; for the hand of the Lord pressed them to O fair beginning! But what will the end be?

the earth.

I preached again at Kenagh in my return, to a simple, loving people. Mr. M., a gentleman late of Moat, bore me company to and from Longford. Two years ago he was strongly prejudiced; and when Mr. W. preached at Moat, his son was in the mob which drummed him out of the town. Yet he could not but enquire of one and another, till one desired him to read The Almost Christian. In the midst of it, he cried out, "I am the man ;" and from that time was convinced more and more. He had met me at Birr, and again at Ahascragh, whence he rode with me to Athlone, and to Longford. During the second sermon、 at Kenagh, he felt a great change; yet durst not say, his sins were forgiven. But in riding thence to Athlone, the cloud vanished away, and he could boldly say, My Lord and my God.

Monday 9, I preached in the evening at Tyrrel's-pass, and at five in the morning, Tuesday 10. Thence we rode to Drumcree, sixteen Irish miles to the north of Tyrrel'spass. In our way, we stopped an hour at Mullingar. The Sovereign of the town came to the Inn, and expressed much desire that I should preach; but I had little hopes of doing good by preaching in a place where I could preach but once, and where none, except myself, would be suffered to preach at all. We came to Mr. N.'s about two. Many fine people came from various parts in the evening, and were perfectly civil and unconcerned: so what was said to them was written on the sand.

Wednesday 11, It was not so with the morning congregation. There were few dry eyes among them. Some would have sunk to the ground, had not others supported them. And none seemed more affected than Mrs. N. herself. There was the same spirit in the evening: many cried out aloud; and all received the word with the deepest attention.

Thursday 12, The congregation at five was larger than that on Tuesday evening and surely God gave to many both the hearing ear, and the understanding heart. Friday 13, I preached once more at Portarlington, and afterwards reproved this Society likewise, for the miserable covetousness of some, and lukewarmness of others. It may be, they will be zealous, and repent, and do the first

works.

Saturday 14, I returned to Dublin; and on Sunday 15, preached on Oxmantown-green, to such a congregation as I never saw in Dublin, nor often in Ireland before. Abundance of soldiers were of the number. Such another congregation I had there between two and three in the afternoon, notwithstanding the violent heat of the sun; and all were attentive. In the evening I preached in the garden at Dolphin's-barn and neither here did I observe, in the numerous congregation, any that appeared careless or inattentive.

:

Tuesday 17, I read the Letters in our Garden, to near

twice as many people as were there on Sunday evening. Thursday 19, I met the class of soldiers: nineteen are resolved to fight the good fight of faith; eleven or twelve of whom already rejoice in God through Christ, by whom they have received the Atonement. When the So

ciety met, some sinners, whom I knew not, were convicted in their own consciences, so that they could not refrain from confessing their faults in the face of all their brethren. One of these I had but just received in another I had declared to be excluded but he pleaded so earnestly to be tried a little longer, that there was no refusing and we wrestled with God on his behalf, that sin might no more have dominion over him.

Friday 20, The delay of the Captain with whom I was to sail, gave us an opportunity of spending a joyful night together; and likewise of preaching once more, on Sunday 22, upon Oxmantown-green. We went on board immediately after, and set sail about ten, with a small, fair wind. In the afternoon it failed, and the tide being against us, we were obliged to come to an anchor.

Monday 23, The wind shifting to the South, and blowing hard, in the afternoon the Captain seemed under some concern. There was all reason to expect a stormy night; and he despaired of getting into the Bristol Channel, and knew the danger of beating about, when it was pitch-dark, among these rocks and sands. It was much on my mind, They cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distress. I knew not why we should not cry to Him as well as they. Immediately the wind came fair, and blew so fresh, that in less than two hours we came into the Bristol Channel.

But the danger was not over. About eleven I was waked by a huge, confused noise, and found we were in a vehement squall of wind, thunder, and rain, which brought the sailors to their wit's end: they could not see across the ship, only just while the lightning was glaring in their eyes. This made them fear running foul, either of the Welsh Sands

on the one hand, or the rocky shore of Lundy on the other. So they took in the sails, and let us drive. The motion then was wonderful. It blew a storm, and the wind being contrary to the tide, the sea ran mountain-high. The ship had no goods, and little ballast on board; so that it rolled as if it would overset every moment. It was intensely dark, and neither the Captain nor any man else knew where we were; only that we were tossing in a bad, narrow channel, full of shoals, and rocks, and sands. But does not God hear the prayer? Mr. Hopper and I believed it our duty to make the trial again; and in a very few moments the wind was small, the sea fell, and the clouds dispersed : so we put up a little sail, and went on quietly and slowly till the morning dawned. About nine in the evening we reached Pill, where I took horse, and rode on to Bristol.

Wednesday 25, I found the comfort of being among those whose hearts are stablished in grace. Thursday 26, I walked over to Kingswood, and found our family there lessened considerably. I wonder how I am withheld from dropping the whole design; so many difficulties have continually attended it: yet if this counsel is of God, it shall stand; and all hinderances shall turn into blessings.

Sunday 29, At seven I preached at Points-pool, an open place, a little without Lawford's-gate, just in the midst of the butchers, and all the rebel-route, that neither fear God, nor reverence man. But I believe some of them found it good to be there. How does God surround this city on all sides! Yet still, not many wise, not many rich, not many noble are called.

Monday 30, I set out for Shaftsbury. The rain began when we set out, which a strong wind drove full in our faces. It did not stop for five hours, so that I was well drenched to the very soles of my feet: so I was very willing to stop at Shepton-mallet. The next morning we came to Shaftsbury. The rain made it impracticable to preach abroad in the evening; otherwise the threatnings of great and small would not have hindered. I suppose the house contained

four or five hundred people; it was soon filled from end to end the chief opposers of John Haime were there; but none stirred, none spoke, none smiled: many were in tears; and many others were filled with joy unspeakable.

Hence we

Wednesday, August 1, At five in the morning the Room was nearly full. I was constrained to continue my discourse considerably longer than usual. Several of those, who had been the bitterest persecutors, were present. Perhaps they will be doers as well as hearers of the Word. rode to Beer-crocombe, and the next day, Thursday 2, to Collumpton. I preached in a little meadow near the town, soon after six in the evening: about the middle of my discourse, hard rain began; but few of the congregation stirred. I then spent an hour with the Society; and not without a blessing.

Friday 3, Being informed, many at Tiverton desired to hear me, I rode over about noon. But I could find none there who had any concern about the matter, except one poor man, who received me gladly. I went straight to the Market-place, where abundance of people quickly gathered together; and not one interrupted, or spoke, or smiled. Surely good will be done in this place. The congregation at Collumpton in the evening was far larger than before. At four in the morning we took horse; at ten the rain began, and ceased no more till we came to Plymouth-dock at seven in the evening.

Sunday 5, I preached at eight; but though the warning was so short, the Room could not contain the congregation. At five in the evening I preached in a much larger room, the Tabernacle in Plymouth; but neither could this contain the numbers who flocked from all parts. And I was surprised at the decency of their behaviour. They were as still as one of our London congregations.

Monday 6, I rode to St. Mewan's, and found a large congregation (notwithstanding the rain) waiting for me. As I came out, a huge man ran full against me: I thought it was by accident, till he did it a second time, and began to curse and swear; on which I turned a little out of the