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down, struck, as was supposed, with death, having the use of all her limbs quite taken from her: but she knew the next day, she should "not die, but live, and declare the loving kindness of the Lord."

Tues. 14.-I met with a person who was to be pitied indeed. He was once a zealous Papist; but, being convinced he was wrong, cast off Popery and Christianity together. He told me at once, "Sir, I scorn to deceive you, or any man living: don't tell me of your Bible: I value it not: I do not believe a word of it." I asked, “Do you believe there is a God? And what do you believe concerning him?" He replied, "I know there is a God; and I believe him to be the sou! of all, the Anima Mundi: if he be not rather, as I sometimes think is more probable, the To IIav, the whole compages of body and spirit, every where diffused. But further than this, I know not all is dark; my thought is lost. Whence I come, I know not; nor what or why I am; nor whither I am going: but this I know, I am unhappy: I am weary of life: I wish it were at an end." I told him, I would pray to the God in whom I believed, to show him more light before he went hence; and to convince him, how much advantage every way a believer in Christ had over an infidel.

Sun. 19.-I found one who was a fresh instance of that strange truth, "The servants of God suffer nothing." His body was well.nigh torn asunder with pain: but God made all his bed in his sickness: so that he was continually giving thanks to God, and making his boast of his praise. At five, I besought all that were present, to "be followers of God, as dear children; and to walk in love as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us." Many who were gathered together for that purpose, endeavoured by shouting to drown my voice: but I turned upon them immediately, and, offered them deliverance from their hard The word sunk deep into them, and they opened not their mouth. Satan, thy kingdom hath suffered loss. Thou fool! How long wilt thou contend with Him that is mightier than thou?

master.

Mon. 20.-I began declaring that " Gospel of Christ" which "is the power of God unto salvation," in the midst of the publicans and sinners, at Short's Gardens, Drury-lane. Wed. 22.—I spent an hour with Mr. St. O what avoλoya, "persuasiveness of speech," is here! Surely, all the deceivableness of unrighteousness. Who can escape, except God be with him? Thur. 23.-I was informed of an awful providence. A poor wretch, who was here last week, cursing and blaspheming, and labouring with all his might to hinder the word of God, had afterward boasted to many, that he would come again on Sunday, and no man should stop his mouth then. But on Friday God laid his hand upon him, and on Sunday he was buried. Yet on Sunday, the 26th, while I was enforcing that great question with an eye to the spiritual resurrection, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" the many-headed beast began to roar again. I again proclaimed deliverance to the captives; and their deep attention showed that the word sent to them, did not return empty. Mon. 27.-The surprising news of poor Mr. S-d's death was confirmed. Surely God will maintain his own cause. Righteous art thou, O Lord!

Sat. Nov. 1.-While I was preaching at Long-lane, the storm was

so exceeding high, that the house we were in shook continually but so much the more did many rejoice in Him whom the winds and the seas obey; finding they were ready to obey his call, if he should then require their souls of them. Mon. 3.-We distributed, as every one had need, among the numerous poor of our society, the clothes of several kinds, which many who could spare them had brought for that purpose. Sun. 9.—I had the comfort of finding all our brethren that are in band, of one heart and of one mind. Mon. 10.-Early in the morning I set out, and the next evening came to Bristol.

I found my brother (to supply whose absence I came) had been in Wales for some days. The next morning I inquired particularly into the state of the little flock. In the afternoon we met together to pour out our souls before God, and beseech him to bring back into the way those who had erred from his commandments. I spent the rest of the week in speaking with as many as I could, either comforting the feebleminded, or confirming the wavering, or endeavouring to find and save that which was lost.

Sun. 16.-After communicating at St. James's, our parish church, with a numerous congregation, I visited several of the sick. Most of them were ill of the spotted fever; which, they informed me, had been extremely mortal; few persons recovering from it. But God had said, "Hitherto shalt thou come." I believe there was not one with whom we were, but recovered. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited many more, partly of those that were sick or weak, partly of "the lame" that had been "turned out of the way;" having a confidence in God, that he would yet return unto every one of these, and leave a blessing behind him. Thur. 20.-My brother returned from Wales. So, early on Friday, 21, I left Bristol, and on Saturday, in the afternoon, came safe to London.

Tues. 25.-After several methods proposed for employing those who were out of business, we determined to make a trial of one which several of our brethren recommended to us. Our aim was, with as little expense as possible, to keep them at once from want and from idleness; in order to which, we took twelve of the poorest, and a teacher, into the society room, where they were employed for four months, till spring came on, in carding and spinning of cotton: and the design answered: they were employed and maintained with very little more than the produce of their own labour.

Fri. 28. A gentleman came to me full of good will, to exhort me not to leave the Church; or (which was the same thing in his account) to use extemporary prayer; which, said he, "I will prove to a demonstration to be no prayer at all. For you cannot do two things at once. But thinking how to pray, and praying, are two things. Ergo, you cannot both think and pray at once." Now, may it not be proved by the self-same demonstration, that praying by a form is no prayer at all? e. g. "You cannot do two things at once. But reading and praying are two things. Ergo, you cannot both read and pray at once." Q. E. D. In the afternoon I was with one of our sisters, who, for two days, was believed to be in the agonies of death, being then in travail with her first child: but the pain, she declared, was as nothing to her; her soul being filled, all that time, with "joy unspeakable."

Mon. Dec. 1.-Finding many of our brethren and sisters offended at each other, I appointed the several accusers to come and speak face to face with the accused. Some of them came almost every day this week. And most of the offences vanished away. Where any doubt remained, I could only advise them each to look to his own heart; and to suspend their judgments of each other, till God should "bring to light the hidden things of darkness." Fri. 12. Having received many unpleasing accounts concerning our little society in Kingswood I left London, and after some difficulty and danger, by reason of much ice on the road, on Saturday evening came to my brother at Bristol, who confirmed to me what I did not desire to hear.

Sun. 14.-I went to Kingswood, intending, if it should please God, to spend some time there, if haply I might be an instrument in his hand, of repairing the breaches which had been made; that we might again, with one heart and one mouth, glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mon. 15.--I began expounding, both in the morning and evening, our Lord's sermon upon the mount. In the day time I laboured to heal the jealousies and misunderstandings which had arisen, warning every man, and exhorting every man, "See that ye fall not out by the way."

Tues. 16.-In the afternoon I preached on, "Let patience have her perfect work." The next evening Mr. Cennick came back from a little journey into Wiltshire. I was greatly surprised when I went to receive him, as usual, with open arms, to observe him quite cold; so that a stranger would have judged he had scarce ever seen me before. However, for the present, said nothing, but did him honour before the people. Fri. 19.-I pressed him to explain his behaviour. He told me many stories which he had heard of me: yet it seemed to me something was still behind: so I desired we might meet again in the morning. Sat. 20.-A few of us had a long conference together. Mr. C- now told me plainly, he could not agree with me, because I did not preach the truth, in particular with regard to election. entered a little into the controversy; but without effect.

We then

Sun. 21.-In the morning I enforced those words, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another." Three of our sisters I saw in the afternoon, all supposed to be near death, and calmly rejoicing in hope of speedily going to Him whom their souls loved. At the lovefeast, which we had in the evening at Bristol, seventy or eighty of our brethren and sisters from Kingswood were present, notwithstanding the heavy snow. We all walked back together, through the most violent storm of sleet and snow which I ever remember; the snow also lying above knee-deep in many places. But our hearts were warmed, so that we went on, rejoicing and praising God for the consolation.

Wed. 24.-My brother set out for London. Thursday, 25, I met with such a case, as I do not remember either to have known or heard of before. L- -a Sm, after many years' mourning, was filled with peace and joy in believing. In the midst of this, without any discernible cause, such a cloud suddenly overwhelmed her, that she could not believe her sins were ever forgiven her at all; nor that there was any such thing as forgiveness of sins. She could not believe that the Scriptures were true; nor that there was any heaven or hell, or angel,

or spirit, or any God. One more I have since found in the same state. So sure it is, that all faith is the gift of God; which the moment he withdraws, the evil heart of unbelief will poison the whole soul.

Fri. 26.-I returned early in the morning to Kingswood, in order to preach at the usual hour. But my congregation was gone to hear Mr. C—, so that (except a few from Bristol) I had not above two or three men, and as many women, the same number I had once or twice before. In the evening I read nearly through a treatise of Dr. John Edwards, on "The Deficiency of Human Knowledge and Learning." Surely, never man wrote like this man! At least, none of all whom I have seen. I have not seen so haughty, overbearing, pedantic a writer. Stiff and trifling in the same breath; positive and opiniated to the last degree, and of course treating others with no more good manners than justice. But above all, sour, ill-natured, morose without a parallel, which indeed is his distinguishing character. Be his opinion right or wrong, if Dr. Edwards's temper were the Christian temper, I would abjure Christianity for ever.

Thur. 30.-I was sent for by one who had been a zealous opposer of "this way." But the Lover of souls now opened her eyes, and cut her off from trusting in the multitude of her good works: so that, find ing no other hope left, she fled, poor and naked, to the blood of the covenant, and, a few days after, gladly gave up her soul into the hands of her faithful Redeemer. At six, the body of Alice Philips being brought into the room, I explained, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." This was she whom her master turned away the last year for receiving the Holy Ghost. And she had then scarce where to lay her head. But she hath now a house of God, eternal in the heavens.

Wed. 31.-Many from Bristol came over to us, and our love was greatly confirmed toward each other. At half an hour after eight, the house was filled from end to end, where we concluded the year, wrestling with God in prayer, and praising him for the wonderful work which he had already wrought upon earth.

January 1, 1741.--I explained, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." But many of our brethren, I found, had no ears to hear; having disputed away both their faith and love. In the evening, out of the fulness that was given me, I expounded those words of St. Paul, (indeed of every true believer,) "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Sat. 3.--The bodies of Anne Cole and Elizabeth Davis were buried. I preached before the burial, on, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Some time after Elizabeth Davis was speechless, being desired to hold up her hand, if she knew she was going to God, she looked up, and immediately held up both her hands. On Wednesday, I had asked Anne Cole, whether she chose to live or die. She said, "I do not choose either: I choose nothing. I am in my Saviour's hands; and I have no will but his. Yet I know, he will restore me soon." And so he did, in a few hours, to the paradise of God.

Sun. 4.--I showed the absolute necessity of "forgetting the things that are behind," whether works, sufferings, or gifts, if we would "press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling." In the evening, all

the bands being present, both of Bristol and Kingswood, I simply related what God had done by me, for them of Kingswood in particular; and what return many of them had made, for several months last past, by their continual disputes, divisions, and offences; causing me to go heavily all the day long. Wed. 7.-I found another believer, patiently waiting for the salvation of God; desiring neither health, nor ease, nor life, nor death; but only that his will should be done. Thur. 8.-I expounded the twenty-third psalm; and many were led forth by the waters of comfort: two especially, who never knew till then, that their "iniquities were forgiven, and their sin covered."

Sun. 11.-I met with a surprising instance of the power of the devil. While we were at the room, Mrs. J— -s, sitting at home, took the Bible to read; but on a sudden threw it away, saying, "I am good enough; I will never read or pray more." She was in the same mind when I came ; often repeating, "I used to think I was full of sin, and that I sinned in every thing I did; but now I know better: I am a good Christian; I never did any harm in my life; I don't desire to be any better than I am." She spoke many things to the same effect, plainly showing, that the spirit of pride, and of lies, had the full dominion over her. Monday, 12.-I asked, "Do you desire to be healed?" She said, "I am whole." "But do you desire to be saved?" She replied, "I am saved; I ail nothing; I am happy." Yet it was easy to discern, she was in the most violent agony, both of body and mind; sweating exceedingly, notwithstanding the severe frost, and not continuing in the same posture a moment. Upon our beginning to pray, she raged beyond measure; but soon sunk down as dead. In a few minutes she revived, and joined in prayer. We left her, for the present, in peace.

Mon. 12.-In the evening our souls were so filled with the spirit of prayer and thanksgiving, that I could scarce tell how to expound, till I found where it is written, "My song shall be always of the loving kindness of the Lord. With my mouth will I ever be showing thy truth, from one generation to another."

All this day, Mrs. Js was in a violent agony, till, starting up in the evening, she said, "Now they have done. They have just done. C prayed and Humphreys preached. (And indeed so they did.) And they are coming hither as fast as they can." Quickly after they came in. She immediately cried out, "Why, what do you come for? You can't pray. You know you can't." And they could not open their mouths; so that, after a short time, they were constrained to leave her as she was. Many came to see her on Tuesday;—to every one of whom she spoke, concerning either their actual or their heartsins, and that so closely, that several of them went away in more haste than they came. In the afternoon Mr. J sent to Kingswood for me. She told him," Mr. Wesley won't come to-night; he will come in the morning. But God has begun, and he will end the work by himself. Before six in the morning I shall be well." And about a quarter before six the next morning, after lying quiet awhile, she broke out, "Peace be unto thee; (her husband;) peace be unto this house. The peace of God is come to my soul. I know that my Redeemer liveth." And for several days her mouth was filled with his praise, and her "talk was wholly of his wondrous works."

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