Behold, the

none of those things which thou shalt suffer. devil shall cast some of you into prison," &c. Sat., October 27th. I preached at the green, on the strong man armed; and disturbed him in his palace.

I pressed the use of means, as means, from Isai. lviii., which is full of promises to those that walk in the ordinances with a sincere heart. I took occasion to show the degeneracy of our modern Pharisees. Their predecessors fasted twice a week; but these maintain their character for holiness at a cheaper rate. In reverence to the Church, some keep their public day on Friday. None of them regard it, though enjoined, as a fast. As to prayer and sacrament, their neglect is equally notorious. And yet these men cry out, "The Church, the Church!" when they will not hear the Church themselves; but despise her authority, trample upon her orders, teach contrary to her Articles and Homilies, and break her Canons, every man of them, who of late pretend to press their observance.

Sun., October 28th. From Isaiah lvii. 15, "For thus saith the high and lofty One," &c., I spoke closely to the unawakened, and comfortably to the mourners.

In the hard rain I preached at the bowling-green, from, "Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness."

Mon., October 29th. I expounded, with extraordinary assistance, Isaiah lix., that dreadful description of national sin and punishment. While I was speaking, war with Spain was proclaimed, which made us take the more notice of those words: "According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay; fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun: when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."

Tues., October 30th. My brother preached his farewell sermon to the sorrowful colliers. I wrote as follows to the Bishop of Bristol :

"MY LORD, Several persons, both Quakers and Baptists, have applied to me for baptism. Their names are, W. Crease, Mary Crease, Mary Gregory, Rebecca Dicken

son, Anne Spanin, Eliz. Mills, Eliz. Parsons. It has pleased God to make me instrumental in their conviction. This has given them such a prejudice for me, that they desire to be received into the Church by my ministry. They choose likewise to be baptized by immersion; and have engaged me to give your Lordship notice, as the Church requires."

To-day I talked with several who have lately found rest to their souls; particularly Joanna Nichols, justified on Sunday, in hearing the word. It was then she first said, "I have redemption in his blood." Jane Connor, at Baptist-Mills, found the power of the Lord present to heal her. Jane Parker experienced the same, while we were singing. Mary Connor on Thursday night recovered that unspeakable peace which she first received some weeks ago, but lost, by keeping it to herself. John Hooper, at BaptistMills, saw with the eye of faith our Lord as interceding for him with his Father. The word by which faith came was, "Behold, I have graven thee on the palms of my hands."

While my brother was praying among the bands, one attempted to run out. We stopped and found her in an angry despair, refusing to ask for mercy: we continued instant in prayer for her: God was with us of a truth. Several cried out under strong convictions; others were filled with peace and joy in believing.

A few stayed behind the rest, to comfort our despairing sister. God had hid his face from her, and she went on frowardly in the way of her own heart. Inordinate affection is the strong man's armour; and any unmortified desire, which a man allows himself in, will effectually drive and keep Christ out of the heart.

Thur., November 1st. I met Miss Burdock at Mr. Wigginton's, full of good desires, but kept down by the fear of

man.

I told her plainly she would never find peace, till she was deeply convinced of her having denied her Master. She now no longer justified herself, but confessed she had loved father and mother more than Christ. I saw her in the toils, earnest for deliverance, but almost despairing. God enlarged my heart in prayer for her. She went away sorrowful, yet not without hope.

Fri., November 2d. Our thanksgiving notes multiply greatly.

I received a summons from Oxford, to respond in divinity disputations; which, with other concurrent providences, is a plain call to that place.

Sat., November 3d. I spent an hour with many of the Society, in attempts to thank God for all, and especially his late, mercies. I administered the sacrament at M. Williams's: began preaching with much reluctance on, "Fight the good fight of faith." The Lord was with my mouth, when he had opened it. I trust many found he was.

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Sun., November 4th. I preached in Kingswood on Isaiah xlii. 1: "Behold my servant, whom I uphold," &c. We found that Spirit was put upon Him for us. Seldom have

I perceived a greater power amongst us.

I gave the sacrament to one whom I had left waiting for Christ. She was now full of His Spirit, ready for the Bridegroom. No cloud interposed between her Beloved and her; only the thin veil of flesh and blood, which was well-nigh rent asunder. What would I give to be on that death-bed!

I met Miss Burdock once more with her sister, and spent two hours in awakening and exhorting them. I doubt not but they will yet break through the host of the Philistines, and draw water out of the well of Bethlehem.

I expounded the parable of the sower; and in the evening our Lord's divine prayer, John xvii. Many, I trust, found him then interceding for them.

Mon., November 5th. I met some of the bands at our sister Linford's. In prayer one received forgiveness. We had a greater blessing at the Hall than ever before. I summed up all I had said, either to publicans or Pharisees, to the comfort or discomfort of every one present.

I spent the time of conference with the candidates for baptism. All seem prepared for that holy ordinance.

In the Brick-yard I discoursed on the woman with the issue of blood. God magnified his strength in my weakness. Several cried out they were healed! Virtue was gone out of Him. They heard his voice, "Thy faith hath made thee whole go in peace."

Many had fellowship with Christ in his sufferings, while

I spoke of them in the words of St. John. He melted us into tears of love. I knew not how to leave them, so many testified that they then tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.

Tues., November 6th. I was called to a woman at Bedminster. I have seldom seen a soul more deeply plunged in the spirit of bondage, or under stronger pangs of the new birth. She received immediate relief in prayer; and came at noon to tell me that her yoke was wholly broken off.

PART V.

FROM MARCH 14TH, 1740, тO DECEMBER 31ST, 1740.*

FRI., March 14th. By eleven I reached Gloucester, where the very last spark, I think, is gone out. In the evening I preached to a few people in Mr. Whitefield's field, on Isai. liii. 1: "Who hath believed our report ?" I was a little revived just before by Mrs. Wynn of Painswick telling me, she and two more of her family had lately received forgiveness. There was more stirring among the dry bones than I expected.

Sat., March 15th. Between two and three we came to Bengeworth. I sent for Mr. Seward. Answer was returned that he had taken physic, but would send his brother Henry to me. Mr. Henry followed me to Mr. Canning's, and fell upon me without preface or ceremony: I was the downfal of his brother, had picked his pocket, ruined his family, come now to get more money, was a scoundrel, rascal, and so forth, and deserved to have my gown stripped over my He concluded with threatening how he would beat me, if he could but catch me on Bengeworth-Common. I spoke little, and with temper.

ears.

All letters, I find, have been intercepted since Mr. Seward's illness; his fever called madness, his servants set over him as spies, &c. Be sure he is to know nothing of my being here; but I mean to give him an hint of it tomorrow, by shouting from the top of his wall.

*No record of Mr. Charles Wesley's labours during the months of December, 1739, and January and February of this year, has been preserved.-Edit.

Sun., March 16th. I preached the law and Gospel last night, from Isai. xl., with much freedom and power: appointed the usual place for preaching. Mr. Henry came to dissuade me; said, "Four Constables are ordered to apprehend you, if you come near my brother's wall: so come at your peril."

I walked toward the place. An officer from the Mayor met and desired me to come to him. I said I would first wait upon my Lord, and then upon him, whom I reverI went on.

enced for his office' sake.

Mr. Henry met me

with threats and revilings. I began singing,

"Shall I, for fear of feeble man,

Thy Spirit's course in me restrain ?"

He ran about raving like a mad man, and quickly got some men for his purpose; who laid hold on me.

I asked by what authority? Where was their warrant? Let them show that, I would save them the trouble of using violence. They said they had none, but I should not preach there; and hurried me away amid the cries of the people. Truly their tongues were set on fire of hell. Henry cried, “ Take him away, and duck him." I broke out into singing with T. Maxfield, and let them carry me whither they would. At the bridge in the lane they left me. There I stood, out of the liberty of the Corporation, and gave out,

"Angel of God, whate'er betide,

Thy summons I obey!"

Some hundreds they could not frighten from hearing me, on, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Never did I feel so much what I spoke. The word did not return empty; as the tears on all sides testified.

Then I waited upon Mr. Mayor: the poor sincere ones followed me trembling. He was a little warm at my not coming before. I gave him the reason, and added, that I knew no law of God or man which I had transgressed; if there was any such, desired no favour. He said he should not have denied me leave to preach, even in his own yard; but Mr. Henry Seward and the 'Pothecary had assured him, it would quite cast his brother down again. I said it would rather restore him; for our Gospel was life from the dead.