once of the Society, but lately turned scoffer and disturber of the word. The Lord hath now set his misdeeds before him, and he cries out vehemently for mercy. Another rioter, J. Wilson, is humbled in like manner; in immediate answer to our prayer last night. I conferred with a sincere person, who had been turned out of the way by the vain boastings of some whose life contradicted their profession. In the evening we found a mighty spirit of prayer among the bands, and earnestly cried for the blotting out of all our sins against love. Wed., December 12th. I rose again at midnight, and prayed with more life than before. John Nelson came. Thur., December 13th. I admitted twenty new members. I took my leave in Acts xx. It was a solemn time of prayer and love. Fri., December 14th. I set out, with N. Salthouse, in the severe frost; and on Sun., December 16th, arrived safe at Epworth. Mon., December 17th. I wrote thus to a friend : "My greatest trouble is, that I have innocently brought such a burden upon my friends, especially one: neither can I conceive it possible that this trouble should be wholly removed here. The joint may perhaps be set, but the halting will continue till I come to the land where all things are forgotten. 66 God, who hath known my soul in adversity, causes me also to know it. That He loves me, I can no more doubt than of his being. He has likewise given me to love others with a pure love; particularly one person, from whom I never expect or desire any farther communication of good, than I do from my mother, or other spirits of just men made perfect. And, however Providence may work, I mean never more to see that person (if without sin I may forbear) till we stand together at the judgment-seat.” * *The following hymn, it would appear, was written upon this occasion: "O my Galilean King, Can I glory in this shame ? Tues., December 18th. I expounded Rev. vii. in tears all were comforted. All were Wed., December 19th. I rode to Sikehouse; and thence to our brother Pindar's: Thursday, December 20th, to Birstal. Sun., December 23d. I parted with our brethren in Lord, thou know'st, and thou alone, In thy sight my spirit stands; "Inwardly, like other men, Wholly born in sin I am; For the honour of thy Name; "Nought have I whereof to boast, Subject of the drunkard's songs, Mark of Pharisaic zeal, All the virtuous rage of hell. "Master, is it not for thee ? If I suffer for thy cause, Bless the sacred infamy, Crown the scandal of thy cross; Now the peaceful answer give, "Me if thou hadst never sent, Satan's strongest holds to' o'erthrow, Make me as his children black? "Lord, my time is in thy hand : Judged in man's unrighteous day, Leeds, commending them to God, and to the word of his grace. There was a general mourning, as if I was taking my last leave. The blessing of the Lord still followed us, both at Morley and at Birstal. Fri., December 28th. I preached at Sheffield and Nottingham on my journey; and this evening was refreshed by our brother Hogg and Butts, who met me at St. Alban's. Sat., December 29th. We continued in prayer from three to four; then took horse, with joyful confidence and desire, to see London. By seven we entered the Foundery. I read prayers at the chapel, and preached from Isai. li., with great enlargement. I received much spiritual strength and comfort in the sacrament. Sun., December 30th. My brother read prayers; I preached on, "He shall save his people from their sins." At night on, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings!" God gave testimony to his word, and endued my soul with more strength and boldness than ever. PART IX. FROM JANUARY 4TH, 1745, TO DECEMBER 31ST, 1746. FRIDAY, January 4th, 1745. All were melted into gracious tears at the sacrament. I heard of one who had lately received the seal of forgiveness under me, when I was more than usually dead. I expounded John i. at Short's-gardens, and the power of the Lord was present: our old friend Keen was broken to pieces by it. Sun., January 13th. I visited a sister, who walks through the valley of the shadow of death, and fears no evil. I tasted the sweet consolation and blessedness of tears. I have found these few last days more comfort, both in preaching and prayer, than for some years. Is not our God a very present help in time of trouble? In much distress at the altar, I cast mine eye on that word, "It is good for me to have been in trouble." My heart was full of prayer. At last I broke out into tears and strong cries, and all with me. It was indeed a glorious time of visitation. Sat., January 19th. I prayed with our brother Grey, ready for the Bridegroom, and rejoicing in hope of a speedy dissolution. I preached at the chapel, on, “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord;" and found, both in the word, and in prayer, and at the altar, the double blessing which now continually attends us. Sat., January 26th. Mr. Erskine came to me at Short'sgardens with a message which the Bishop of London had sent to L. H.,* "that, if I would come to him, and declare my innocency, touching the scandals, and take the sacrament upon it, he would desire no farther satisfaction, but himself clear me." I immediately consented, and sent my brother advice of it. Sun., January 27th. I paid my last visit to our poor unstable brother Cowper; who is now so holy in Christ, as to say, "I renounce the doctrine which your brother preaches, and trample it under my feet, as a doctrine of devils." I discoursed on, "These are they that came out of great tribulation." Both by the word and at the sacrament the Lord answered for himself. I buried a sister, who departed in the Lord. I called the multitude at the Foundery, "Come, for all things are now ready." I met the bands; and a solemn, mournful assembly it was. I could speak, sing, pray for nothing but death. We mixed our tears and souls together in that love which death cannot violate. Fri., February 1st. At our watchnight I described the new Jerusalem; (Rev. xxi. ;) and great was our rejoicing before the Lord. Sun., February 3d. At the sacrament and among the bands I was enabled to pour out my soul in prayer, and carried them all with me to the throne of grace. Sun., February 10th. I received the never-failing blessing at the sacrament. Our prayer, after it, always opens heaven. Sun., February 17th. I was strengthened by a zealous Quaker, who informed me he had received the Spirit of adoption in hearing me a year ago, and has walked in the light from that time to this. Wed., February 20th. In asking, at the chapel, "Is * Probably Lady Huntingdon.-EDIT. there no balm in Gilead ?" I found, with many others, that there was; and a good Physician too, whose power was even then present to heal. Sun., February 24th. We had the spirit of prayer in the sacrament, as usual. The word at night had great effect. My subject was, the returning prodigal. Tues., February 26th. I gave the sacrament to one on Saffron-hill; and found faith that the Lord was at work. Going down, they asked me to see another dying in the room below. As I entered, I heard her make confession of the faith which she received that moment, as she had told those about her she should; and that she could not die in peace till she saw me. She was full of triumphant joy, and said to me, “I am going to paradise: it will not be long before you follow me." My soul was filled with her consolation. Sat., March 2d. At the chapel I expounded, "Thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity;" and He covered us with a covering of his Spirit. Sun., March 3d. Our hearts were bowed down before the Lord, both in the word and sacrament. Sat., March 9th. I dined at our brother Arvin's, just after his wife had taken her flight to paradise. Sun., March 10th. I expounded the woman of Canaan ; and was carried out after the sacrament in strong intercession for my departed friends. One of them was there, unknown to me, but went out before my prayer. Wed., March 13th. God gave me strong words at the chapel, against the Antinomian delusion. Sat., March 16th. I spake with one of the Society, lately a Papist, who is much haunted by her old friends, especially her confessor, who thunders out anathemas against her; and threatens to burn me,-if he could catch me at Rome. I sent my respects to the gentleman, and offered to talk with him before her, at my own lodgings, or wherever he pleased; but received no answer. Thur., March 21st. I expounded Isai. xxxv. Many of our brethren from the Tabernacle were present. Our Lord did not send us empty away; but applied the word of his grace to our hearts. Sun. evening, March 24th. I set out for Bristol with T. |