in the old play house, filled from end to end. So it was the next night. Our own room contained us in the mornings. I was much comforted among the poor people, which, in the midst of disputers, kept straight on, following after peace and holiness. Thur. 7.-I returned to Chatham, and the next day to London, leaving an earnest people at peace with each other, and with all the world.

Mon. 11.-Riding an uneasy horse, I was much tired before I reached Staplehurst. But the serious, earnest congregation soon made me forget my weariness, and I was not a little helped by the spirit of Mr. C., breathing nothing but faith and love. I was again heartily tired when I came to Mr. Holman, near Rye. Judging most of the congregation here to be unawakened, I preached on the story of Dives and Lazarus. God gave me to speak strong words, so that I trust some were pricked to the heart. Wednesday, 13.-I preached at Ewhurst, (it being the quarterly meeting,) both at noon and in the evening. Thursday, 14.We rode through heavy rain to Newbounds, where Mr. l'Anson and his family gladly received us; and I never saw the house so filled before, as it was in the evening. Friday, 15.-I preached at Sevenoaks, and on Saturday returned to London. Being desirous to finish my winter journeys before Christmas, on Monday, 18, I set out for Canterbury. Friday, 22.-I preached at Sittingbourne and Chatham, and on Saturday came to London.

Mon. 25.-(Being Christmas-Day.) We had such a congregation at four, as I have not seen for many years. And from morning to evening we had abundant proof that God is visiting and redeeming his people. Tues. 26.-I read the letters from our preachers in America, informing us that God had begun a glorious work there; that both in New York and Philadelphia multitudes flock to hear, and behave with the deepest seriousness; and that the society in each place already contains above a hundred members. Friday, 29, we observed as a day of fasting and prayer, partly on account of the confused state of public affairs, partly as preparatory to the solemn engagement which we were about to renew.

Mon. January 1, 1770.-About eighteen hundred of us met together: it was a most solemn season. As we did openly "avouch the Lord to be our God, so did he avouch us to be his people."

Wed. 17.-In a little journey, which I took into Bedfordshire, I finished Dr. Burnet's "Theory of the Earth." He is doubtless one of the first-rate writers, both as to sense and style; his language is remarkably clear, unaffected, nervous, and elegant. And as to his theory, none can deny that it is ingenious, and consistent with itself. And it is highly probable, 1. That the earth arose out of the chaos in some such manner as he describes: 2. That the antediluvian earth was without high or abrupt mountains, and without sea, being one uniform crust, inclosing the great abyss: 3. That the flood was caused by the breaking of this crust, and its sinking into the abyss of waters: And, 4. That the present state of the earth, both internal and external, shows it to be the ruins of the former earth. This is the substance of his two former books, and thus far I can go with him. I have no objection to the substance of his third book upon the General Conflagration, but think it one of the noblest tracts which is extant in our language. And I do

not much object to the fourth, concerning the new heavens and the new earth. The substance of it is highly probable.

Tues. 30.—One informed me that Mrs. Kitely, at Lambeth, not expected to live many hours, had a great desire to see me before she died. I went as quick as possible; but when I came, she seemed senseless, as well as speechless. I regarded not this, but spoke to her immediately; and immediately both her understanding and her speech returned, to testify a hope full of immortality. Having had her desire, she fell asleep, two days before her husband,—

A perfect pattern of true womanhood.

A good wife, a good parent, a good mistress; and "her works shall praise her in the gates." How suitable was her death to her life! After many years spent in doing good, she redeemed a poor, friendless youth out of prison, took the gaol distemper, and died.

Sat. February 3, and at my leisure moments on several of the following days, I read with much expectation, a celebrated book,-Rousseau upon Education. But how was I disappointed! Sure a more consummate coxcomb never saw the sun! How amazingly full of himself! Whatever he speaks he pronounces as an oracle. But many of his oracles are as palpably false, as that "young children never love old people." No! Do they never love grandfathers and grandmothers? Frequently more than they do their own parents. Indeed they love all that love them, and that with more warmth and sincerity than when they come to riper years.

But I object to his temper, more than to his judgment: he is a mere misanthrope: a cynic all over. So indeed is his brother-infidel, Voltaire; and well nigh as great a coxcomb. But he hides both his doggedness and vanity a little better; whereas here it stares us in the face continually. As to his book, it is whimsical to the last degree; grounded neither upon reason nor experience. To cite particular passages would be endless; but any one may observe concerning the whole, the advices which are good are trite and common, only disguised under new expressions. And those which are new, which are really his own, are lighter than vanity itself. Such discoveries I always expect from those who are too wise to believe their Bibles.

Thur. 8.-I went to Wandsworth. What a proof have we here, that God's "thoughts are not as our thoughts!" Every one thought no good could be done here; we had tried for above twenty years. Very few would even give us the hearing; and the few that did, seemed little the better for it. But all on a sudden, crowds flocked to hear; many are cut to the heart; many filled with peace and joy in believing; many long for the whole image of God. In the evening, though it was a sharp frost, the room was as hot as a stove. And they drank in the word with all greediness; as also at five in the morning, while I applied, "Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean!"

Tues. 13.-I read, with all the attention I was master of, Mr. Hutchinson's Life, and Mr. Spearman's Index to his Works. And I was more convinced than ever, 1. That he had not the least conception, much less experience, of inward religion: 2. That an ingenious man may prove just what he pleases, by well devised scriptural etymologies; VOL. IV.

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especially if he be in the fashion, if he affects to read the Hebrew with out vowels: and, 3. That his whole hypothesis, philosophical and theological, is unsupported by any solid proof.

Fri. 23.-I was desired to hear Mr. Leoni sing at the Jewish synagogue. I never before saw a Jewish congregation behave so decently. Indeed the place itself is so solemn, that it might strike an awe upon those who have any thought of God. Wed. 28.-I sat down to read and seriously consider some of the writings of Baron Swedenborg. I began with huge prejudice in his favour, knowing him to be a pious man, one of a strong understanding, of much learning, and one who thoroughly believed himself. But I could not hold out long. Any one of his visions puts his real character out of doubt. He is one of the most ingenious, lively, entertaining madmen, that ever set pen to paper. But his waking dreams are so wild, so far remote both from Scripture and common sense, that one might as easily swallow the stories of "Tom Thumb," or "Jack the Giant Killer."

Mon. March 5.-I came to Newbury, where I had been much impor tuned to preach. But where? The Dissenters would not permit me to preach in their meeting house. Some were then desirous to hire the old play house; but the good mayor would not suffer it to be so profaned! So I made use of a workshop,-a large, commodious place. But it would by no means contain the congregation. All that could hear behaved well; and I was in hopes God would have a people in this place also. The next evening I preached at Bristol, and spent the rest of the week there. Monday, 12.-I went to Stroud, where the house was filled as usual. Tuesday, 13.-I went by Painswick and Gloucester to Tewkesbury. Wednesday, 14.-I preached in the new room, which is just finished, at Upton; and thence rode on to Worcester, where I preached in a large, old, awkward place, to a crowded and much affected audience. Afterward I met the society of about a hundred members, all of one heart and one mind; so lovingly and closely united together, that I have scarce seen the like in the kingdom.

Thur. 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 all whom I had time to examine gave, 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."

Sat. 17.-We rode, in another bitter day, with the wind and snow just in our face, to Birmingham. In the evening the people were wedged in as close as possible; yet many were obliged to go away. We had just the same congregation in the morning. Sunday, 18.-At half-hour after one I was to preach at Bromwich Heath; but the house would scarce 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 believe 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.

Mon. 19.-I rode to Craidley. Here also the multitude of people obliged me to stand abroad, although the north wind 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. Wed. 21.-I took my leave of Wednesbury at five, preached about ten at Bilstone; 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 quarrelling with my sister. I saw, if God did not forgive me, I was lost: and I knew quarrelling 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 repeat

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ing 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.'

"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.' 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, 'O I 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 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 me, as me, 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 gentlewoman, looking on Lucy, said, 'She looks as if nothing was 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, and I hope you are.' He said, 'I hope I can say I am.' Billy replied, 'Has Christ pardoned your sins?' He said, 'I hope he has.' 'Sir,' said Billy, ‘hope wilì 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 as 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 your 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."

"Another, coming to see them, inquired 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.'