down his preaching-house that night." In the evening, Mr. R. S. overtook a large company of bargemen walking towards it, whom he immediately accosted, and asked, "If they would go with him and hear a good sermon !" Telling them, "I will make room for you, if you were as many more. They said, they would go with all their hearts. 66 But, neighbours," said he, "would it not be as well to leave those clubs behind you? Perhaps some of the women may be frightened at them." They threw them all away, and walked quietly with him to the house, where he set them

in a pew.

In the conclusion of my sermon, one of them who used to be their captain, being a head taller than his fellows, rose up, and looking round the congregation, said, "The gentleman says nothing but what is good, I say so, and there is not a man here that shall dare to say otherwise."

Thursday 5, I began examining the Classes, and every person severally, touching that bane of religion, evil speaking; as well as touching their manner of life before they heard this preaching, and by comparing what they were with what they are now, we found more abundant cause to praise God.

Friday 20, I was informed of a remarkable providence. One going home the last watch-night, met a woman in BlackFriars, who enquired, which was the way to the water-side? She said, "It is so late, I doubt you will get no boat." The woman answered, "I do not want one. On this she stopped and began to question her more closely, "what she was going to do?" After a while, she confessed she was going to drown herself, being under heavy affliction. But she was soon brought to a better mind, and seemed resolved to cast her care on him who had so signally cared for her.

Sunday 22, I spent an hour with Mary Cheesebrook, a strange monument of the mercy of God. About six years ago, she was without God in the world, being a kept mistress. An acquaintance brought her one evening to the Chapel in West-street, where God gave her a new heart. She shed abundance of tears, she plucked out the right eye,

and cast it from her; and from that time procured for herself, by hard labour what was needful for life and godliness. She missed no opportunity of coming to the preaching; often after a hard day's work at May-Fair, she came to the Foundery in the evening, running the greater part of the way. Every Saturday, after paying her little debts, she gave away all the money that remained; leaving the morrow to take thought for the things of itself.

Two years ago she caught a violent cold, which she neglected, till it settled upon her lungs. I knew nothing of her illness till it was past cure, she being then worn to a skeleton. Upon my mentioning her case to Mrs. ———, she sent her half-a-guinea. Molly immediately sent for a poor man, a baker, of whom she had lately taken her bread. She owed him about ten shillings. But an earnest dispute arose between them. For the man would not take the money, saying, "She wanted it more than he." But at length she prevailed, saying, "She could not die in peace, if she owed any man any thing."

But I found that something still lay upon her mind. Upon my pressing her to speak freely, she told me it was a concern for her child, a girl about eight years old, who, after she was gone, would have no friend to take care either of her soul or body. I replied, "Be at rest in this thing also. I will take care of the child." From that time she lay (two or three weeks) quietly waiting for the salvation of God.

Friday 27, Poor Mr. Simpson spent an hour with me, distressed on every side: drawn up to London by fair and specious promises: and then left to perish, unless he would promise, "Never more to preach out of a Church."-Alas! what a method of conversion is this! I love the Church too. But I would no more starve men into the Church, than burn them into it.

Saturday 28, Mr. H., one of the first ten who met in band with my brother and me, desired to speak with me. I had not exchanged a word with him before, since we parted at Fetter-lane. He said, "About six years ago, the Brethren told me, it was the will of the Lamb, that I should give

myself to the public work, quitting all secular business." He obeyed, discharged his men, sold his goods, parted with his house. From that time he not only preached, but was employed in places of the greatest trust.

About two years ago, having many doubts upon his mind, concerning their method of proceeding, he wrote a long letter to the Count, who seemed to take it well; and he continued labouring as before, both in preaching and in the government of the Church.

But about a month ago, he was ordered to leave off preaching, and return to his trade. Having learned not to dispute, but obey, he hired a house, and set up a sign. Nevertheless he could not be easy. He mused much, and prayed much, and at last resolved to come to me.

He seemed to tell me all his heart, both at this and our following interviews. If he only seemed, let him look to it. Ego in portu navigo.

Sunday 29, About six in the morning Mrs. Witham slept in the Lord. A mother in Israel hast thou also been, and thy works shall praise thee in the gates. Some years ago, before Mr. Witham died, she seemed to stand on the brink of eternity. But God renewed her strength, till she had finished the work which he had given her to do. She was an eminent pattern of calm boldness for the truth, of simplicity and godly sincerity of unwearied constancy in attending all the ordinances of God, of zeal for God, and for all good works; and of self-denial in every kind. Blessed is the dead that hath thus lived and died in the Lord! For she rests from her labours, and her works follow her.

Monday 30, I set out early, and called on Mr. H. at Brentford, who rode on with me to Basingstoke that night. We were thoroughly wet with the heavy rain, which intermitted in the night, but began again before we took horse in the morning.

Tuesday, December 1, About noon we reached Stockbridge. The rain then changed into snow. Seeing no prospect of fair weather, after resting a while, we set out in the

midst of the storm. It blew such a hurricane, as I have scarce known in England, and that full in our teeth, so that our horses reeled to and fro, and had much ado to keep their feet. The snow likewise drove so vehemently in our faces, in riding over the open Downs, where for several miles there was neither house nor tree, nor shrub to shelter, that it was hard labour to get forward. But in about an hour, the sky cleared up, and we rode on comfortably to Salisbury.

From the concurring account of many witnesses, who spoke no more than they personally knew, I now learned as much as is hitherto brought to light, concerning the fall of poor Mr. H.

Twelve years ago he was, without all question, filled with faith and the love of God. He was a pattern of humiabove all, of self-denial:

lity, meekness, seriousness, and

so that in all England I knew not his fellow.

It were easy to point out the several steps, whereby he fell from his steadfastness; even till he fell into a course of adultery, yea, and avowed it in the face of the sun!

Thursday 3, I took my leave of this uncomfortable place, and set out for Bristol. But the heavy rains, together with the melting snow, had made the lower parts of the road scarce passable. However, we made a shift to reach Philipsnorton that night, and Bristol the next day.

We found fresh proof every day, that God had brought us hither, both to give and to receive a blessing.

Monday 14, We had a glorious hour, with a few that knew the Lord: we then rode to Bearfield, where I preached at noon, with a deep sense of his presence. Some who were laughing when I began, hid their faces soon, being ashamed to be seen in tears. We rode on in the afternoon, and came the next evening, thoroughly weary and wet to Reading.

Monday 21, I went to Newington. Here, in the intervals of writing, I read the deaths of some, of the order de la Trappe. I am amazed at the allowance which God makes for invincible ignorance. Notwithstanding the mixture of superstition, which appears in every one of these,

yet what a strong vein of piety runs through all! What deep experience of the inward work of God! Of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!

Being not convinced, that I yet delivered my own soul, with regard to that unhappy man, on Tuesday 22, I wrote once more to Mr. Hall, as follows :

"DEAR BROTHER,

66 LONDON, DEC. 22, 1747.

1, When you were at Oxford with me, fourteen or fifteen years ago, you were holy and unblamable in all manner of conversation. I greatly rejoiced in the grace of God which was given unto you, which was often a blessing to my own soul. Yet even then you had frequently starts of thought which were not of God, though they at first appeared so to be. But you were humble and teachable: you were easily convinced, and those imaginations vanished away.

"2, More than twelve years ago, you told me, God had revealed it to you, that you should marry my youngest sister.' I was much surprised, being well assured that you were able to receive our Lord's saying (so you had continually testified,) and to be a Eunuch for the kingdom of heaven's sake. But you vehemently affirmed, 'The thing was of God you were certain it was his will. God had made it plain to you, that you must marry, and that she was the very person.' You asked and gained her consent, and fixed the circumstances relating thereto.

one.

"3, Hence I date your fall. Here were several faults in You leaned altogether to your own understanding, not consulting either me, who was then the guide of your soul, or the parents of your intended wife, till you had settled the whole affair. And while you followed the voice of nature, you said, 'It was the voice of God.'

"4, In a few days you had a counter revelation, That you were not to marry her, but her sister.' This last error was far worse than the first. But you were now quite above conviction. So, in spite of her poor astonished parent, of her brothers, of all your vows and promises, you shortly after jilted the younger, and married the elder sister. The