a warning. But I was equally convinced, 3, That there had been no dishonesty on either side. Wednesday 14, I saw the Westminster Scholars act the Adelphi of Terence: an entertainment not unworthy of a Christian! O how do these Heathens shame us! Their very comedies contain both excellent sense, the liveliest pictures of men and manners, and such fine strokes of genuine morality, as are seldom found in the writings of Christians. Monday 19, I spent an hour with B. Johnson. If the account she gives be true, what blessed creatures are both those gentlemen and their wives! That would use the most scurrilous language, yea, strike and drive out of their house, and that in a rainy night, a young gentlewoman, a stranger, far from home, for "joining with the Methodists." Do these call themselves Christians! Nay, and Protestants ! Call them Turks. Papists is too good a name ! Tuesday 20, I went to Shoreham. Here I read Mr. Archdeacon Blackburn's Considerations on the Penal Laws against Papists. In the Appendix, p. 198, to my no small surprise, I read these words, said to be written by a gentleman at Paris. "The Popish party boast much of the increase of the Methodists, and talk of that sect with rapture. How far the Methodists and Papists stand connected in principles, I know not: but I believe, it is beyond a doubt, that they are in constant correspondence with each other." It seems, this letter was published in the St. James's Chronicle. But I never saw or heard of it, till these words were printed in the Canterbury Journal, as Mr. Blackburn's own. And he has nearly made them his own, by his faint note upon them, I would willingly hope, some doubt may be made of this." Indeed he adds, "Mr. Whitefield took timely care to preclude all suspicions of his having any connections with Popery." Yea, and Mr. Wesley much more; even as early as August 31, 1738. Again in my Journal, August 27, 1739, I published the only Letter which I ever wrote to a Popish Priest. And it is in proof of this proposition, (an extraordinary proof of my connexions with Popery!) "No Romanist, as such, can expect to be saved, according to the terms of the Christian Covenant." Many things to the same purpose occur in the Journals, and the Appeals to Men of Reason and Religion: over and above those whole Treatises which I have published entirely upon the subject, A Word to a Protestant, a Roman Catechism, and The Advantages of the Members of the Church of England, over the Members of the Church of Rome. What amazing ignorance then, not to say impudence, does it imply, for any one, at this time of day, to Tax me with having any connexions with Popery. In the latter end of this month I took some pains in reading over Dr. Young's Night Thoughts, leaving out the indifferent lines, correcting many of the rest, and explaining the hard words: in order to make that noble work more useful to all, and more intelligible to ordinary readers. Sunday, January 1, 1769, We met, as usual, at Spitalfields Chapel, to renew our Covenant with God. And we never do this without a blessing. Many were comforted and many strengthened. Monday 9, I spent a comfortable and profitable hour with Mr. Whitefield, in calling to mind the former times, and the manner wherein God prepared us for a work, which it had not then entered into our hearts to conceive. Tuesday 17, I rode to Chesham. Our own Room being neither so large, nor so convenient, Mr. Spooner, the Dissenting Minister, gave me the use of his Meeting. There was a great number of hearers. They were very attentive: and I doubt, that was all. Tuesday 24, I went (by land and water) to Sheerness. Our place here would by no means contain the congregation. A large number of them attended in the morning, and seemed just ripe for the blessing. It is an advantage to the people here, that they are in a little corner of the land, shut up, as it were, from all the world, but not from the Gospel or Spirit of Christ. Thursday 26, I returned to Chatham and preached in the great Meeting, on God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Friday 27, I returned to London. The same day Elizabeth Vandome went to rest. A month or two ago, when she was first taken ill, she dictated the following letter: "Dear and Rev. Sir, "WHEN I first heard the Gospel from you, I was convinced of sin, and nothing could satisfy me, but a sense of pardoning love. For a month the garment of weeping was put upon me night and day; till one day, as I was repeating those words, "I trust in Him that stands between The Father's wrath and me: I look for all from Thee;' I was struck down to the ground, and felt the arm of the Lord revealed in me. I knew that God was reconciled: I felt sanctification begun. The fight of faith ensued, and for three quarters of a year, I was struggling with my own will. Sometimes I was in an agony: I was ready to weep my life away, fearing the sins I felt in my heart would never be done away. Yet I believed there was a rest for the people of God, a rest from all sin. One day, conversing with one about the things of God, he said, 'You would have all things become new, before you believe. But that is not the way. You must believe first.' When he went away the spirit of prayer and supplication rested upon me. Yet I felt bound with twice ten thousand ties. However, I wrestled on till the Lord broke in upon my soul, like the sun in his glory. He loosened me at once from all my bonds, and I knew I loved him with all my heart. Jesus appeared with hair as white as wool, and garments down to his feet, and gave me to sit with him in heavenly places. And from that time (which is seven and twenty years ago) I have felt no temper contrary to love. I have no desire contrary to the will of God. On this bed of sickness, I have communion with the Church triumphant. I know, that 'Jesus is my brother now, And God is all my own.' When the tempter comes, my soul cleaves to Jesus, and I am kept in perfect peace. "I thought it my duty, to leave this short account of the gracious dealings of God with my soul: as you were the instrument he was pleased to make use of, for the beginning and furthering of his work. O may the Lord strengthen you and your brother, and increase in you every fruit of his Spirit. And when you fail on earth, may we meet in heaven, and praise the Great Three-One to all eternity!' This account was written some time past when the was şick in bed. But since then God raised her up, and enabled her still to be useful to others, though in great weakness of body. When she took to her bed again, about three weeks ago, she had a remarkable dream. She thought she saw Mr. W. labouring with his might to keep the people from falling into a deep pit, which very few of them perceived. The concern she was in awaked her in great emotion. On Tuesday evening last, she desired to be set up in bed, to meet her Class. Her voice faultered much. She earnestly exhorted them all, to live near to God, and to keep close together: adding, "I shall soon join the Church above." She spoke no more: all was silent rapture; till on Friday morning, without sigh or groan, she resigned her spirit to God. Such a living and dying witness of the perfect love of God, which she enjoyed for eight and twenty years, one would think sufficient to silence all the doubts and objections of reasonable and candid men. Saturday, 28, I began visiting the Classes. In the intervals I looked over the Transactions of the Royal Society. Is not that a little too severe, Turpe est difficiles habere nugas 2 * If this be true, and if it had been well considered, would half of these Transactions have had a being? Nay, were It is a shameful thing to treat trifles as matters of consequence. men convinced of this, what would become of the greater part of the philosophical experiments in Europe? Monday, February 6, I spent an hour with a venerable woman, nearly ninety years of age, who retained her health, her senses, her understanding, and even her memory to a good degree. In the last century she belonged to my grandfather Annesley's congregation, at whose house her father and she used to dine every Thursday, and whom she remembers to have frequently seen in his study, at the top of the house with his window open, and without any fire, winter or summer. He lived seventy-seven years, and would probably have lived longer, had he not began water-drinking at seventy. Friday 10, I went to Deptford on purpose to see honest William Brown, worn out with age and pain, and long confined to his bed, without the use of either hand or foot. But he has the use of his understanding and tongue, and testifies, that God does all things well. And he has no doubt or fear, but is cheerfully waiting till his change shall come. Monday 13, I rode to Colchester, and had the satisfaction of seeing such a congregation, both this evening and the following, as I never saw in that house before. Wednesday 15, I rode to Bury, and found not only an attentive audience, but a little Society athirst for God. Thursday 16, supposing we had but five and forty miles to Yarmouth, I did not set out till nearly seven, but it proved threescore; likewise it rained all day, and part of the road was very bad. However, God strengthened both man and beast; so we reached it before six in the evening. As we were both thoroughly wet, I was a little afraid for my companion, who was much older than I; though he had not lived so many years. But neither of us was any worse. The congregation was the largest I ever saw at Yarmouth. And I spoke far more plainly (if not roughly) than ever I did before. But I doubt, if, after all the stumbling blocks laid in their way, any thing will sink into their hearts. 6 |