thou art rebuked of him. Thursday 3, in the evening I read to the whole congregation, a plain state of the case, with regard to the Deed of Declaration, which William Moore had so wonderfully misrepresented; and I believe they were fully satisfied.

Friday 4, I took a walk through the Royal Hospital for sick and wounded sailors. I never saw any thing of the kind so complete every part is so convenient, and so admirably neat. But there is nothing superfluous, and nothing purely ornamental, either within or without. There seems to be nothing wanting, but a man full of faith and zeal, to watch over the souls of the poor patients, and teach them to improve their affliction.

In the evening I preached to a large congregation at Plymouth, and it pleased God to give me uncommon liberty in describing the power of faith. What a blessed proof of this has there been here, since I was in the town before!

Preaching at the dock in the evening, I besought all serious people, not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, but to put away all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking. I exhorted them in particular, not to talk about Mr. Moore at all, but to give him up to God.

Sunday 6, I preached at the dock at seven: between one and two I began at Plymouth; and as many as could get in seemed to be deeply affected with the application of those words, Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.

In the afternoon I accepted of an invitation from Dr. Gench, the physician of the hospital, and passed an agreeable hour with a man of sense, and it seems, of considerable learning. At five I preached in the shell of the new house, on The form and power of godliness. In the evening I met the society once more, confirmed in the truth more than ever, and more determined to walk in the good old way, wherein they had continued from the beginning.

Monday 7, We had a pleasant journey to Exeter, and on Tuesday to Bath; but the coach did not come in soon enough for me to preach in the evening; nevertheless, we

had a large congregation in the morning. Wednesday 9, this society too is much improved since I was here last. Many stumbling-blocks are removed out of the way, and brotherly love is increased.

After spending a day or two at Bristol, on Saturday 12, I returned to Bath, and preached to a numerous congregation. Great part of them were present again at six in the morning. Sunday 20, I went over to Kingswood, and preached the funeral sermon of Ann Noble, an old member of the society, who having adorned the gospel above forty years, died in the full triumph of faith.

Monday 21, I set out early and dined at Stroud. The death of Mr. Willis, snatched away in the midst of his years, but a few days before brought abundance of people to the preaching-house. And most of them were deeply serious, so that we had a very solemn hour. Tuesday 22, I preached in Painswick at noon, and at six in the court-house at Gloucester. A multitude of people flocked together; many of whom were of the better sort: and most of them appeared to be, for the present, almost persuaded to be Christians.

Wednesday 23, About eleven, I preached at Tewksbury, and in the evening at Worcester. Thursday 24, I breakfasted at Mrs. Price's, a Quaker, who keeps a boardingschool. I was much pleased with her children, so elegantly plain in their behaviour as well as apparel. I was led, I know not how, to speak to them largely; then to pray. And we were all much comforted. The society is in great peace, and striving together for the hope of the gospel. I have not seen greater earnestness and simplicity in any society since we left London.

I was now considering, how strangely the grain of mustard-seed, planted about fifty years ago, has grown up. It has spread through all Great-Britain and Ireland, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man; then to America, from the Leeward Islands, through the whole Continent, into Canada and Newfoundland. And the societies in all these parts walk by one rule, knowing religion is holy tempers; and striving

to worship God not in form only, but likewise in spirit and in truth.

March 25, (Good-Friday) I hastened to reach Birmingham, before the church service began. A sharper frost I never knew. But indeed our house was hot enough in the evening; and I have not seen a more earnest people. Such an advantage it is, to be fully employed! In every place we find labouring men most susceptible of religion. Such a blessing results from that curse, In the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat bread.

Saturday 26, I had designed to rest; but notice had been given of my preaching at Quinton at noon. As the house would not hold the people, I was constrained, cold as it was, to preach abroad. And they all seemed to feel that solemn question, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

In the evening my heart was enlarged in such a manner as I have seldom known; so that I detained the congregation considerably longer than I am accustomed to do; and all the people seemed determined to glorify God, with their body and their spirit.

March 27, (Easter-Day) I preached at seven, on The Lord is risen indeed, with an uncommon degree of freedom, and then met the local preachers, several of whom seemed to have caught the fashionable disease, Desire of Independency: they were at first very warm, but at length agreed to act by the rules laid down in the Minutes of the Conference.

The weather now changed. Small rain fell some hours, and then turned into snow; this made it very dirty: however, the poor people got through, and filled Darlaston church. Hence I returned to Wednesbury; but could not preach abroad, the ground being covered with snow: as many as could, crowded into the house. A love-feast followed, at which many plain people spoke without reserve. The artless propriety with which they spoke, must be truly astonishing to all who did not consider that promise, Ye shall be all taught of God.

VOL. VI.

C

Monday 28, I preached a kind of funeral sermon, on Sarah Wood, one of the first members of the society. For above fifty years she adorned the gospel, being a pattern of all holiness. She was confined to her bed for several months. Being asked, If time did not hang upon her hands; she answered, "No, the Bible is my delight." "How can that be," said her friend, "when you cannot see?" "Very well," said she," for the Lord brings it to my remembrance." So, without doubt or fear, she delivered up her soul to her merciful and faithful Creator.

About eleven I preached at Wolverhampton, and spent the afternoon with the amiable family at Hilton-Park. Tuesday 29, at noon, I preached in the room at Stafford, to a deeply affected congregation. This was the more strange, because there are few towns in England less infected with religion than Stafford. In the evening I preached at Newcastle, to a very serious and much affected congregation. Wednesday 30, we found a difficulty at Lane-End: even at noon the house contained not a third of the congregation: the wind was piercing cold: nevertheless I preached abroad; and God warmed our hearts. In the evening I was greatly comforted among our brethren at Burslem, well established in grace. And such another congregation I met with, Thursday 31, at Congleton.

Friday, April 1, I came to Macclesfield, where Mr. Simpson had given notice of my preaching in his church. Here I fully delivered my own soul; and on Saturday 2, went on to Manchester. Sunday 3, our brethren flocking in from all parts, the house, large as it is, could not contain them. It was supposed we had twelve hundred communicants.

Monday 4, I preached to our old, loving congregation at Bolton. Tuesday 5, at noon, I preached at Wingate, in the open air: the congregation were quite ripe for all the gospel blessings, devouring every word. In the evening I preached at Wigan. I never before saw this preachinghouse full but it was more than full to-night; and with deeply attentive hearers.

Wednesday 6, I preached at Liverpool; but I found no

ship there ready to sail; so, Thursday 7, (after preaching at Warrington in the way) I hastened to Chester. Neither was there any ship at Parkgate ready to sail; so Friday 8, we took coach, and reached Holyhead between four and five on Saturday in the afternoon. Between nine and ten we went on board the Clermont packet: but it was a dead calm, till past ten on Sunday 19, when the company desired me to give them a sermon. After sermon, I prayed that God would give us a full and speedy passage; while I was speaking, the wind sprung up, and in twelve hours brought us to Dublin-Bay. Does not our Lord still hear prayer ? I found such a resting place at our own house, as I never found in Ireland before, and two such preachers, with two such wives, I know not where to find again. In the evening, and so every evening beside, we had Sunday evening congregations. And in the morning they were larger by a third part, than those I had, when I was here last.

On Tuesday and the three following days I examined the society: I never found it in such a state before: many of them rejoiced in God their Saviour, and were as plain in their apparel, both men and women, as those in Bristol and London. Many, I verily believe, love God with all their hearts; and the number of these increases daily. The number of the whole society is seven hundred and forty-seven. Above three hundred of these have been added in a few months: a new and unexpected thing! In various places indeed we have frequently felt

"The overwhelming power of saving grace;" which acted almost irresistibly. But such a shower of grace never continued long; and afterwards men might resist the Holy Ghost as before. When the general ferment subsides, every one that partook of it, has his trial for life. And the higher the flood, the lower will be the ebb; yea, the more swiftly it rose, the more swiftly it falls. So that if we see this here, we should not be discouraged. We should only use all diligence, to encourage as many as possible, to press forward, in spite of all the refluent tide. Now especially we should warn one another, not to grow weary or faint in our minds: