Tues., November 1st. I took horse some hours before day, and by ten reached Cardiff. The gentlemen had threatened great things, if I ever came here again. I called, in the midst of them, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by," &c. The love of Christ constrained me to speak, and them to hear. The word was irresistible. After it, one of our most violent opposers took me by the hand, and pressed me to come to see him. The rest were equally civil all the time I stayed. Only one drunkard made some disturbance, but, when sober, sent to ask my pardon.

The voice of praise and thanksgiving was in the Society. Many are grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.

I passed an hour with the wife and daughter of the Chief Bailiff, who are waiting as little children for the kingdom of God.

Wed., November 2d. I declared, in the Castle-yard, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." At noon my commission was still, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." I find the truth of Mr. Hodges's observation, "The Gospel makes way for the law."

Thur., November 3d. I read prayers and preached at Wenvo; then in our old chapel at the Castle; and rejoiced with my dear friends in sure and steadfast hope of the glory of God.

Fri., November 4th. I prayed with the Society at five; preached at seven; rode back to Cardiff, and joined in fervent intercession. I preached faith in the blood of Christ to the poor weeping prisoners; made a collection for them, and distributed books; besought them at the room to be reconciled to God; and the power of the Lord bore all before it.

Sat., November 5th. I took a sweet leave of the brethren, and got to the Passage by ten; but the boatmen, notwithstanding our entreaties, could not be persuaded to pass in that weather.

Sun., November 6th. I took boat at nine, nothing doubting. The floods lifted up their voice; but faith saw Jesus walking on the water, and heard his voice, "It is I, be not afraid." In eight minutes we were brought safe to land, by Him who rides in the whirlwind.

At two I preached to the colliers, from, " Said I not unto thee, If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Their spirit bore me up, as on eagles' wings. We all rejoiced in our strong salvation.

Sun., November 13th. In the word, and sacrament, and love-feast, the Lord showed that the efficacy of his ministration doth not depend on the life or holiness of the Minister.

Wed., November 16th. I preached in Bath, on my way to Cirencester. There the Lord gave testimony to his word, "I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions." I preached at Gutherton, Evesham, Quinton, Oxford; and on Thursday, November 24th, at the Foundery.

Sun., November 27th. I gave the sacrament to about a thousand of the Society; and we poured out our souls in prayer. Wed., November 30th. I was greatly assisted to declare, "The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

Thur, December 8th. I called on Mr. Witham, given over by his Physicians; trembling at the approach of the King of terrors, and catching at every word that might flatter his hopes of life.

Fri., December 9th. I prayed with him again, and found him somewhat more resigned.

Mon., December 19th. I was mostly employed for some days past in comforting an afflicted friend, whose son lay dying of the small-pox.

Tues., December 20th. I prayed in great faith for Mr. Witham; the time of whose departure draws nigher and nigher.

Fri., December 23d. At half-hour past seven in the evening he broke out, "Now I am delivered! I have found the thing I sought. I know what the blood of sprinkling means." He called his family and friends to rejoice with him. Some of his last words were, "Why tarry the wheels of his chariot? I know that my Redeemer liveth. Just at twelve this night my spirit will return to Him." While the clock was striking twelve, he died like a lamb, with that word, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Sat., December 24th. I called on friend Keen's son, just as his wife had told her dream, that I should come that morning. They both seem truly simple of heart.

Our meeting was not in vain. I rode in the afternoon to Bexley.

Christmas-day. I heard that one of our fiercest persecutors, who had cut his throat, and lay for dead some hours, was miraculously revived, as a monument of divine mercy. Many of his companions have been hurried into eternity, while fighting against God. He is now seeking Him whom once he persecuted; was confounded at the sight of me, much more by my comfortable words, and a small alms. He could only thank me with his tears.

I read prayers, and preached, "Glory be to God in the highest," to a people who now have ears to hear.

Mon., December 26th. I spent four days between Wilmington, Welling, and Bexley, preaching the Gospel.

Fri., December 30th. I called on a friend, near death, yet unprepared for it; and faithfully, not fashionably, told him his condition.

Sat., December 31st. I visited, at his desire, an opposer of the truth, till softened by the approach of death, and showed him his want of a Saviour. He now expresses incredible eagerness for redemption in the blood of Jesus.

PART VIII.

FROM JANUARY 1ST, 1744, TO DECEMBER 30TH, 1744.

SUNDAY, January 1st, 1744. I rode to Bexley, and expounded the character of wisdom. (Prov. iii.) God, as it seems, is turning the heart of this people back again. A surprising change I find in walking the streets. Nothing but kind salutations, instead of my usual reception with stones and curses.

Tues., January 3d. I triumphed with an old disciple of fourscore, dying in the faith.

Thur., January 5th. I finished H.'s account of the iniquitous Synod of Dort; iniquitous even in the judgment of a predestinarian. God deliver me from their tender mercies! Sun., January 8th. At the chapel I explained and applied the barren fig-tree. The convincing Spirit was present. A company of players roared mightily for their master; but could not stop the course of the word.

Sun., January 15th. My text was, "Rejoice, O daughter of Sion; behold, thy King cometh." His near approach did gladden our hearts; and in the sacrament our joy was increased.

Sat., January 21st. I preached the Gospel in Snowsfields, with much contention; and continued in prayer and thanksgiving, till our enemies quitted the field.

Sun., January 22d. I expounded the parable of the sower, God applying his own word. I exhorted the bands to join in the great work which God is working in our days.

Sun., January 29th. I assisted my brother and Mr. Gordon in administering the sacrament to almost our whole Society, of above two thousand.

Mon., January 30th. I set out with our brother Webb for Newcastle, commended to the grace of God by all the brethren. By Wednesday afternoon we found our brother Jones at Birmingham.

Wed., February 1st. A great door is opened in this country, but there are many adversaries. At Dudley, our Preacher was cruelly abused by a mob of Papists and Dissenters; the latter stirred up by Mr. Whitting, their Minister. Probably he would have been murdered, but for an honest Quaker, who helped him to escape, disguised with his broad hat and coat. Staffordshire, at present, seems the seat of war.

Thur., February 2d. I set out with brother Webb for Wednesbury, the field of battle. I met with variety of greetings on the road. I cried, in the street, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Several of our persecutors stood at a distance; but none offered to make the least disturbance.

I walked through the blessings and curses of the people, (but the blessings exceeded,) to visit Mr. Egginton's widow. Never have I observed such bitterness as in these opposers; yet they had no power to touch us.

Fri., February 3d. I preached and prayed with the Society, and beat down the fiery, self-avenging spirit of resistance, which was rising in some, to disgrace, if not destroy, the work of God.

I preached, unmolested, within sight of Dudley. Many Shimeis called after me, and that was all. I waited on the

friendly Captain Dudley, who has stood in the gap at Tipton-green, and kept off persecution, while it raged all around. I returned in peace through the enemy's country.

On Tuesday next, they have given it out, that they will come with all the rabble of the country, and pull down the houses, and destroy all the goods of our poor brethren. One would think there was no King in Israel. There is certainly no Magistrate, who will put them to shame in anything. Mr. Constable offered to make oath of their lives being in danger; but the Justice refused it, saying, he could do nothing. Others of our complaining brethren met with the same redress, being driven away with revilings. The Magistrates do not themselves tear off their clothes, and beat them; they only stand by, and see others do it. One of them told Mr. Jones, it was the best thing the mob ever did, so to treat the Methodists; and he would himself give £5 to drive them out of the country. Another, when our brother Ward begged his protection, himself delivered him up to the mercy of the mob, (who had half murdered him before,) threw his hat round his head, and cried, "Huzza, boys! Well done! Stand up for the Church!" No wonder that the mob, so encouraged, should say and believe that there is no law for Methodists. Accordingly, like outlaws they treat them, breaking their houses, and taking away their goods at pleasure; extorting money from those that have it, and cruelly beating those that have

not.

The poor people from Darlaston are the greatest sufferers. The rioters lately summoned them, by proclamation of the crier, to come to such a public house, and set to their hands that they would never hear the Methodist Preachers, or they should have their houses pulled down. About a hundred they compelled by blows. Notwithstanding which, both then and at other times, they have broken into their houses, robbing and destroying. And still if they hear any of them singing or reading the Scripture, they force open their doors by day and by night, and spoil and beat them with all impunity. They watch their houses, that none may go to Wednesbury; and scarce a man or woman but has been knocked down in attempting it.

Their enemies are the basest of the people, who will not