sure I have done nothing to gain them. O it is a free gift. It is free for every soul. For Christ has died for all.

"On Thursday morning his mother asked him, How he did? He said, 'I have had much struggling to-night. But my Saviour is so loving to me, I do not mind it: it is no more than nothing to me.

"Then he said, 'I desire to be buried from the room, and I desire Mr. Wesley would preach a sermon over me, on those words of David (unless he thinks any other to be more fit) Before I was af- ← Aicted I went astray: but now I have kept thy word.

"I asked him, 'How do you find yourself now? He said, 'In great pain, but full of love.' I asked, But does not the love of God overcome pain? He answered, 'Yes; pain is nothing to me. I did sing praises to the Lord in the midst of my greatest pain. And I could not help it.' I asked him, If he was willing to die? He replied, 'O yes; with all my heart.' I said, but if life and death were set before you, what would you choose then? He answered, "To die and to be with Christ. I long to be out of this wicked world.

"On Thursday night he slept much sweeter than he had done for some time before. In the morning he begged to see Mr. John Wesley. When Mr. Wesley came, and after some other questions, asked him, What he should pray for? He said, that God would give him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him.' When prayer was ended, he seemed much enlivened, and said, 'I thought I should have died to-day. But I must not be in haste. I am content to stay. I will tarry the Lord's leisure.'

"On Saturday, one asked, If he still chose to die? He said, 'I have no will: my will is resigned to the will of God. But I shall die. Mother, be not troubled. I shall go away like a lamb.'

"On Sunday he spoke exceeding little. On Monday his speech began to faulter. On Tuesday it was gone; but he was fully in his senses, almost continually lifting up his eyes to heaven. On Wednesday his speech being restored, his mother said, 'Jacky, you have not been with your Saviour to-night.' He replied, 'Yes, I have.' She asked, 'What did he say?' He answered, He bid me not be afraid of the devil. For he had no power to hurt me at all, but I should tread him under my feet. He lay very quiet on Wednesday night. The next morning he spent in continual prayer: often repeating the Lord's prayer, and earnestly commending his soul into the hands of God.

"He then called for his little brother and sister to kiss them; and for his mother, whom he desired to kiss him. Then, between nine and ten, he said, 'Now, let me kiss you:' which he did, and imme-, diately fell asleep.

"He lived some months above thirteen years."

Sunday 28, In the evening, I set out for Wales. I lay that night about six miles from Bristol and preached in the morning, March 1, to a few of the neighbours. We then hastened to the Passage; but the boat was gone, half an hour before the usual time. So I was obliged to wait till five in the afternoon: we then set out with a fair breeze. But when we were nearly half over the river, the wind en

tirely failed. The boat could not bear up against the ebbing tide, but was driven down among the rocks: on one of which we made shift to scrabble up, whence about seven we got to land.

That night I went forward about five miles, and the next morning came to Cardiff. There I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jones, of Fonmon, still pressing on into all the fulness of God. I rode with him to Wenvo. The church was thoroughly filled, while I explained the former part of the Second Lesson, concerning the barren Figtree; and the power of the Lord was present, both to wound and to heal.

I explained, in the evening at Fonmon, though in weakness and pain, how Jesus saveth us from our sins The next morning at eight I preached at Bolston, a little town four miles from Fonmon. Thence I rode to Lantrissent, and sent to the minister, to desire the use of his church. His answer was, "He should have been very willing, but the Bishop had forbidden him." By what law? I am not legally convict, either of heresy, or any other crime. By what authority then am I suspended from preaching? By barefaced arbitrary power. Another clergyman immediately offered me his church. But it being too far off, I preached in a large room; spent a little time with the society in prayer and exhortation, and then took horse for Cardiff.

Thursday 4, About noon I preached at Lanissan, and was afterward much refreshed in meeting the little, earnest society. I preached at Cardiff at seven, on Be not righteous overmuch, to a larger congregation than before; and then exhorted the society, To fear only, the being over wicked, or the falling short of the full image of God.

Friday 5, I talked with one, who used frequently to say, "I pray God I may never have this New Faith. I desire, that I may not know my sins forgiven, till I come to die." But as she was some weeks since reading the Bible at home, the clear light broke in upon her soul. She knew, All her sins were blotted out, and eried aloud, "My Lord and my God."

Sa

In the evening I expounded, This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. We afterwards admitted several new members into the society, and were greatly comforted together. turday 6, I left Cardiff about eight, and in the evening came to Bristol. Wednesday 10, I was with a gentlewoman, whose distemper has puzzled the most eminent physicians for many years; it being such as they could neither give any rational account of, nor find any remedy for. The plain case is, She is tormented by an evil spirit, following her day and night. Yea, try all your drugs over and over; but at length it will plainly appear, That this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.

Friday 12, I read part of Dr. Cheyne's Natural Method of Curing Diseases; of which I cannot but observe, it is one of the most ingenious books which I ever saw. But what epicure will ever regard it? For, "the man talks against good eating and drinking!"

Our Lord was gloriously present with us at the watch-night; so that my voice was lost in the cries of the people. After midnight

about a hundred of us walked home together, singing, and rejoicing, and praising God.

and

Friday 19, I rode once more to Pensford, at the earnest request of several serious people. The place where they desired me to preach was a little green spot, near the town. But I had no sooner begun, than a great company of rabble, hired (as we afterwards found) for that purpose, came furiously upon us, bringing a bull which they had been baiting, and now strove to drive in among the people. But the beast was wiser than his drivers, and continually ran, either on one side of us or the other, while we quietly sang praise to God, and prayed for about an hour. The poor wretches finding themselves disappointed, at length seized upon the bull, now weak and tired, after having been so long torn and beaten both by dogs and men, by main strength, partly dragged and partly thrust him in among the people. When they had forced their way to the little table on which I stood, they strove several times to throw it down, by thrusting the helpless beast against it, who of himself stirred no more than a log of wood. I once or twice put aside his head with my hand, that the blood might not drop upon my clothes, intending to go on, as soon as the hurry should be a little over. But the table falling down, some of our friends caught me in their arms, and carried me right away on their shoulders. While the rabble wreaked their vengeance on the table, which they tore bit from bit. We went little way off, where I finished my discourse, without any noise or interrup

tion.

Sunday 21, In the evening I rode to Marshfield, and on Tuesday in the afternoon came to London. Wednesday 24, I preached for the last time, in the French chapel at Wapping, on If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

Thursday 25, I appointed several earnest and sensible men to meet me, to whom I shewed the great difficulty I had long found, of knowing the people who desired to be under my care. After much discourse, they all agreed, There could be no better way, to come to a sure, thorough knowledge of each person, than to divide them into classes like those at Bristol, under the inspection of those in whom I could most confide. This was the origin of our classes at London, for which I can never sufficiently praise God: the unspeakable usefulness of the institution having ever since been more and more mani-` fest.

Wednesday 31, My brother set out for Oxford. In the evening I called upon Ann Calcut. She had been speechless for some time. But almost as soon as we began to pray, God restored her speech. She then witnessed a good confession indeed. I expected to see her no more; but from that hour the fever left her, and in a few days she arose and walked, glorifying God.

Sunday, April 4, About two in the afternoon, being the time my brother was preaching at Oxford, before the University, I desired a few persons to meet with me and join in prayer. We continued herein much longer than we at first designed, and believed we had the petition we asked of God.

Friday 9, We had the first watch-night in London: we commonly choose for this solemn service, the Friday night, nearest the full moon, either before or after, that those of the congregation who live at a distance may have light to their several homes. The service begins at half an hour past eight, and continues till a little after midnight. We have often found a peculiar blessing at these seasons. There is generally a deep awe upon the congregation, perhaps in some measure owing to the silence of the night; particularly in singing the hymn with which we commonly conclude:

"Hearken to the solemn voice!

The awful midnight cry!

Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice,

And feel the Bridegroom nigh."

April 16, Being Good-Friday, I was desired to call on one that was ill at Islington. I found there several of my old acquaintance, who loved me once as the apple of their eyes. By staying with them but a little, I was clearly convinced, That were I to stay but one week among them, (unless the providence of God plainly called me so to do) I should be as still as poor Mr. St- I felt their words as it were thrilling through my veins. So soft! so pleasing to nature! it seemed our religion was but a heavy, coarse thing; nothing so delicate, so refined as theirs. I wonder any person of taste (that has not faith) can stand before them!

Sunday 18, In the afternoon one who had tasted the love of God, but had turned again to folly, was deeply convinced, and torn as it were to peices by guilt, and remorse, and fear. And even after the sermon was ended, she continued in the same agony, it seemed both of body and soul. Many of us were then met together in another part of the house; but her cries were so piercing, though at a distance, that I could not pray, nor hardly speak, being quite chilled every time I heard them. I asked, whether it were best to bring her in, or send her out of the house? It being the general voice, she was brought in, and we cried to God, to heal her backsliding. We soon found, we were asking according to his will. He not only bade her depart in peace but filled many others, until then heavy of heart, with peace and joy in believing.

Monday 19, At noon I preached at Brentford, and again about seven in the evening. Many who had threatened to do terrible things were present; but they made no disturbance at all,

Tuesday 20, Was the day on which our noisy neighbours had agreed to summon all their forces together; a great number of whom came early in the evening, and planted themselves as near the desk as possible. But He that sitteth in heaven laughed them to scorn.

The

greater part soon vanished away; and to some of the rest, I trust his word came with the demonstration of his spirit.

Friday 23, I spent an agreeable hour with Mr. Wh-. I believe he is sincere in all he says, concerning his earnest desire of joining hand in hand, with all that love the Lord Jesus Christ. But if (as some would persuade me) he be not, the loss is all on his own side. I am just as I was. I go on my way, whether he go with me, or stay be

hind.

⚫Sunday 25, At five I preached in Radcliff-square, near Stepney, on I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. A 4 multitude of them were gathered together before I came home, and filled the street above and below the Foundery. Some who apprehended we should have but homely treatment, begged me to go in as soon as possible. But I told them, "No; provide you for yourselves. But I have a message to deliver first." I told them, after a few words, Friends, let every man do as he pleases. But it is my manner when I speak of the things of God, or when another does, to uncover my head" which I accordingly did, and many of them did the same. I then exhorted them to repent and believe the Gospel. Not a few of them appeared to be deeply affected. Now, Satan, count thy gains.

66

Monday 26, I called on one who was sorrowing as without hope, for her son who was turned again to folly. I advised her to wrestle with God for his soul.. And in two days, he brought home the wandering sheep, fully convinced of the error of his ways, and determined to choose the better part.

Saturday, May 1, One called, whom I had often advised, "Not to hear them that preach smooth things." But she could not believe there was any danger therein, "Seeing we were all (she said) children of God." The effects of it which now appeared in her were these: 1, She was grown above measure wise in her own eyes. She knew every thing as well as any could tell her, and needed not to be taught of man. 2. She utterly despised all her brethren, saying, "They were all in the dark; they knew not what faith meant." 3, She despised her teachers as much, if not more than them, saying, "They knew nothing of the Gospel; they preached nothing but the law, and brought all into bondage who minded what they said." "Indeed," said she, "after I had heard Mr. Sp—I was amazed; for I never since heard you preach one good sermon. And I said to my husband, My dear, did Mr. Wesley always preach so?' And he said, 'Yes, my dear; but your eyes were not opened.''

6

Thursday 6, I described that falling away, spoken of by St. Paul to the Thessalonians, which we so terribly feel to be already come, and to have overspread the (so called) christian world. One of my hearers was highly offended at my supposing any of the Church of England to be concerned in this. But his speech soon betrayed him to be of no church at all, zealous and orthodox as he was. So that after I had appealed to his own heart, as well as to all that heard him, he retired with confusion of face.

Saturday 8, One of Fetter-lane mentioning a letter he had received from a poor man in Lincolnshire, I read and desired a copy of it: part of which is as follows:

May 3, 1742.

66 SAMUEL MEGGOT TO RICHARD RIDLEY.

"BROTHER, "I have now much communion with thee, and desire to have more. But till now I found a great gulph between us, so that we could not one pass to the other. Therefore thy letters were very death to me, and thou wast to me as a branch broke off and thrown by to wither.