were convinced, we are no Papists. How wisely does God order all things in their season!

Monday 2, I rode to Newcastle. The next day, I met the Stewards, men who had approved themselves in all things. They are of one heart and of one mind. I found all in the house of the same spirit; pouring out their souls to God many times in a day together, and breathing nothing but love and brotherly kindness.

Wednesday 4, Being Ash-wednesday, I spent some hours in reading the Exhortations of Ephraim Syrus. Surely never did any man, since David, give us such a picture of a broken and contrite heart.

This week I read over with some young men, a Compendium of Rhetoric, and a System of Ethics. I see not why a man of tolerable understanding may not learn in six months time, more of solid Philosophy than is commonly learned at Oxford, in four (perhaps seven) years.

Sunday 8, I preached at Gateshead, and declared the loving-kindness of the Lord. In the evening, observing abundance of strangers at the room, I changed my voice and applied those terrible words, I have overthrown some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and the rest of you were as brands plucked out of the burning; yet have ye not turned unto me, saith the Lord.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, I examined the classes. I had been often told, "It was impossible for me, to distinguish the precious from the vile, without the miraculous discernment of spirits." But I now saw, more clearly than ever, that this might be done, and without much difficulty, supposing only two things: First, courage and steadiness in the examiner Secondly, common sense and common honesty in the leader of each class. I visit, for instance, the class in the Close, of which Robert Peacock is leader. I ask, "Does this, and this person in your class, live in drunkenness or any outward sin? Does he go to Church, and use the other means of grace? Does he meet you as often as he has opportunity? Now if Robert Peacock has common sense, he can answer these questions truly,

and if he has common honesty, he will. And if not, some other in the class has both, and can and will answer for him. Where is the difficulty then of finding out, if there be any disorderly walker in this class? And consequently, in any other? The question is not, concerning the heart, but the life. And the general tenor of this, I do not say, cannot be known, but cannot be hidden, without a miracle.

Where then is the need of any miraculous discernment, in order to purge one of these societies? Nay, where is the use of it? For if I had that discernment, I am to pass sentence only ex allegatis & probatis: not according to what I miraculously discern, but according to what is proved in the face of the sun.

The society, which, the first year, consisted of above eight hundred members, is now reduced to four hundred. But, according to the old proverb, the half is more than the whole. We shall not be ashamed of any of these, when we speak with our enemies in the gate.

Friday 13, I found Mr. P. and I. almost discouraged, at the doctrine of absolute and connotative nouns. I wonder any one has patience to learn Logic, but those who do it on a principle of conscience, unless he learns it, as three in four of the young gentlemen in the Universities do; that is, goes about it and about it, without understanding one word of the matter.

In some of the following days I snatched a few hours, to read "The History of the Puritans." I stand in amaze. First, at the execrable spirit of persecution, which drove those venerable men out of the Church, and with which Queen Elizabeth's clergy were as deeply tinctured as ever Queen Mary's were; Secondly, at the weakness of those holy confessors, many of whom spent so much of their time and strength in disputing about surplices and hoods, or kneeling at the Lord's supper!

Thursday 19, I considered, What would I do now, if I were sure I had but two days to live? All outward things are settled to my wish. The houses at Bristol, Kingswood, and Newcastle, are safe. The deeds whereby they are con

veyed to the Trustees, took place on the 5th instant. My Will is made. What have I more to do, but to commend my soul to my merciful and faithful Creator?'

Some days I spent in every week in examining the So cieties round Newcastle. And great cause I found to rejoice over them.

Tuesday 24, I rode to Blanchland, about twenty miles from Newcastle. The rough mountains round about were still white with snow. In the midst of them is a small winding valley, through which the Darwent runs. On the edge of this the little town stands, which is, indeed, little more than a heap of ruins. There seems to have been a large cathedral church, by the vast walls which still remain. I stood in the church-yard, under one side of the building, upon a large tomb-stone, round which, while I was at prayers, all the congregation kneeled down on the grass. They were gathered out of the lead mines from all parts; many from Allandale, six miles off. A row of children sat under the opposite wall, all quiet and still. The whole congregation drank in every word, with such earnestness in their looks, that I could not but hope that God will make this wilderness sing for joy.

In the evening I came back to Newlands, where also John Brown has gathered a society. O! what may not a a man of small, natural talents do, if he be full of faith and love! ·

Sunday 29, After preaching at South Biddick at five, 1 hastened to Sunderland, where I preached at eight, and again at two, in the main street, to a Kennington-Common congregation. I admire the spirit of this people. From the first day I preached here to this hour, I have not seen a man behave indecently. Those who did not approve, quietly went away.

Monday 30, I had leisure to reflect on the strange case of Francis Coxon, who was at first the grand support of the society at Biddick. But after a time he grew weary of welldoing, complaining, "That it took up too much of his

time." He then began to search after curious knowledge, and to converse with those who were like-minded. The world observed it, and courted his company again, "Now he was not so precise." His school was filled with children. Money flowed in, and he said, Soul, take thy ease for many years. He came to Newcastle with John Reach the Satur day after I came; but had no leisure to call upon me. At night they set out homeward. He was walking a little before his companion, about three miles from Newcastle, in a way he knew as well as his own house-floor, when John heard him fall, and asked, "What is the matter?" He answered, "God has overtaken me. I am fallen into the quarry, and have broken my leg." John ran to some houses that were near, and having procured help, carried him thither. Thence he was removed to another house, and a Surgeon sent for, who came immediately. He soon recovered his spirits, and asked how long it would be before he could be in his school again? And on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, was full of the world, nor was God in all his thoughts. On Wednesday, the Surgeon told him honestly, "He thought he could not live." Then he awoke out of sleep. The snares of death came about him; the pains of hell overtook him. He continued all Thursday and Friday in the lowest pit, in a place of darkness, and in the deep, warning all to beware of drawing back unto perdition, and calling upon God with strong cries and tears. On Sunday, he found a little dawning of hope: this gradually increased all the day. On Monday, he knew God had healed his backsliding, and sorrow and sighing fled away. He continued all day in fervent prayer, mingled with praise and strong thanksgiving. "This night ( said he ) will be a glorious night to me. My warfare is accomplished. My sin is pardoned." Then he broke out again into vehement prayer. About eight he left off speaking, and soon after, without any struggle or groan, gave up his soul to God.

Wednesday, April 1, I rode to Winlinton Mills, a place famous above many, and called the Rebels, "To lay down

their arms, and be reconciled to God through his Son." I saw neither old nor young that behaved amiss, for the dread of the Lord was upon them.

Sunday 5, We set out early, and about eight went out into the market-place at Hexham. A multitude of people soon ran together, the greater part mad as colts untamed. Many had promised to do mighty things. But the bridle was in their teeth. I cried aloud, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. They felt the sharpness of the two-edged sword, and sunk into seriousness on every side; insomuch, that I heard not one unkind or uncivil word, till we left them standing and staring one at another. At one I preached at Horsely; and about five in the evening at Newcastle.

Monday 6, Having been informed there were many large collieries, three or four miles north and north-west from Durham, I rode to a village, called Renton, in the midst of them, and proclaimed, The Lord God, gracious and merciful. Abundance of people gave earnest heed to every word which was spoken; kneeled down when I prayed, sung (after their manner) when I sung, and crowded into the house when I went in, crying out, one and all, "Aye, they were only too long a coming! Why did they not come sooner?"

Tuesday 7, Finding the people about Dent's-hole were grown dead and cold, I preached there at twelve o'clock; If happily it might please God yet again to breathe on the dry bones that they might live.

Wednesday 8, I found the congregation at Blanchland abundantly increased. I preached in the evening at Spen, and the next day at noon to a serious congregation at Winlinton Mills; a gentleman who had talked of making a disturbance, found not one man to second him.

Friday 10, Having settled all the societies in the country, I began examining that of Newcastle again. It was my particular concern, to remove, if possible, every hindrance of brotherly love. And one odd one I found creeping in upon us, which had already occasioned much evil; namely,