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lowed not with us." Monday 21, I besought them in my farewel sermon, "To forget the things which are behind, and press on to the prize of their high calling."

Tuesday 22, I preached at Norton, five miles from Fer. rybridge, and in the evening at Sykehouse. Here I received a full account of poor David Taylor, once a workman that needed not to be ashamed. Three years since, he knew all we preached to be true. Then Mr. I. brought him over to German stillness. When I talked with him at Sheffield, he was thoroughly sensible of his mistake: but Mr. Simpson soon drew him into it again. A third time he was deeply convinced by my brother, and unconvinced shortly after. He was once more brought into the Scripture way by Mr. Graves, and seemed to be established therein, But in a few months he veered about to the old point, and has been a poor sinner indeed ever since.

Wednesday 23, I rode to Leeds, preached in the evening and morning, Thursday 24, and went on to Birstal, where I preached at one in the afternoon; and again about seven in the evening. Friday 25, at the desire of Arthur Bate, I rode to Wakefield, in order to talk with his wife. But I soon found I did not come to talk, but to hear. After an hour or two, we rode on to Barley-hall, where I preached on God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. Thence we rode to Sheffield, where I preached in perfect peace, on We know that we are of God.

Saturday 26, I went on to Nottingham. In the morn ing, Sunday 27, I preached in the house at five, and about eight, at the High-cross, on Why will ye die, O house of Israel? I went thither again from St. Mary's, in the afternoon, and proclaimed to an immense multitude, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. I saw not one scoffer, or one trifler, but all to a man appeared serious and attentive.

Monday 28, I rode to Breson, and spent an hour or two in conversation with Mr. Simpson: the oddest, honestest enthusiast surely, that ever was upon earth. Before we

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parted he told me, "One thing I do not like; your taking away my flock at Nottingham. Just now that text is brought to my mind. It is the very case. Pray read it out." I did so, as follows, And Abraham reproved Abimelech, because of the well which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. I desired him to read my answer in the next verse, And Abimelech said unto Abraham, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither heard 1 any thing thereof from thee, save this day.

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In the afternoon I rode to Markfield. After preaching there twice, on Tuesday 29, I went on to Hinckley, and preached to a large and quiet congregation. We rode to Market-Harborough that day, the next to Hockley, and on Thursday, December 1, to London.

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I had full employment here for some weeks following, in speaking severally to the members of the society. Many of these I was obliged to set aside; there remained about two and twenty hundred persons.

January 1, 1744, I received a letter from a poor man, written in the fulness of his heart, as follows:

"Herein is written lamentation, and mourning, and woe.

SIR,

"I have had but very little rest since I left you, the cause of which was, my leaving God first. It is true, I did in a very solemn manner, on my knees break from you, as though I had done so, merely to please God; but by what followed, it appears otherwise. For I no sooner broke off from you, than I began to think how I might make a worldly advantage by it. O, thought I, I shall not now be so scrupulous in many things, particularly in doing work on the Lord's day. Then I got me some rabits and fowls, and I would be sure to feed and clean them well on that day, and to be out on the hunt for food for them. And I took care my poor family should be sharers with me in the drudgery; or else they must expect many a sour look and bitter word at least. I then grew worse and worse; insomuch that I

have given such occasion to the enemy to blaspheme, such a wound to religion, as I could not heal, were I to live ten thousand years. O what have I done! O what have I lost! O that I might be admitted into God's favour once more! Pray for me, I beseech you; if you can see any hope left, if you do not think that repentance will be denied me, though I seek it carefully with tears. Then if you can think of any shame that will be bad enough for me to undergo, before I am admitted into that company I so willingly left, see whether I will not readily submit to it. O that God would be pleased to bring me into light and love again! How careful would I be of his grace! How would I deny myself, take up my cross, endure shame, suffer persecution of every kind, follow the dear Lord Jesus without the camp! But I have crucified him afresh. O that I could give full scope to my mind. But I cannot. These lines are but a very imperfect description of the state, condition, and desire, of that backslider, that apostate, that traitor,

"JOHN EWER."

Sunday 8, In the evening I rode to Brentford, on Monday to Marlborough, and the next day to Bristol.

Wednesday 11, I began examining the society: and not before it was wanted. For the plague was begun. I found many crying out, "Faith, Faith! Believe, believe!" But making little account of the fruits of faith, either of holiness or good works. In a few days they came to themselves, and had a more thorough understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus.

Wednesday 25, I preached at Bath, on James ii. 14, Can faith save him? Many of the audience appeared to be deeply convinced. And one, though a gentlewoman, could not conceal the emotion of her mind, but broke out into strong cries and tears. Perhaps even here the Bread we have cast upon the waters, shall be found after many days.

Friday 27, Having finished the work I proposed, I left Bristol, and Saturday 28, reached London.

Wednesday, February 1, Just before the time I had designed to begin preaching at the Chapel, I was seized with such a pain as I do not remember ever to have felt before in my life. But I forgot it as soon as I had read my text, Psal. xviii. 1. &c. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. And from that time I felt it no more.

About this time the soldiers abroad began to meet together, as we learned from the following letter:

"SIR,

GHENT, FEB. 2, 1744.

"I make bold to send you these lines. February 18, 1743, we began our march for Germany. I was then much cast down, and my heart was ready to break. But the day we marched to Mastritcht, I found the love of God shed abroad in my heart, so that I thought my very soul was dissolved into tears. But this lasted not above three weeks, and then I was in heaviness again; till on April 24, as I was walking in the fields, God broke my hard heart in pieces. And yet I was not delivered from the fear of death. I went to my quarters very sick and weak, in great pain of soul and body. By the morning I was so weak I could scarce go. But this proved a sweet night to my soul. For now I knew there was no condemnation for me, believing in Christ Jesus.

"June 16, The day we engaged the French at Dettingen, as the battle began, I said, "Lord, in thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded." Joy overflowed my soul, and I told my comrades, "If I fall this day, I shall rest in the everlasting arms of Christ." Now I felt, I could be content to be cast into the sea, for the sake of my dear brethren, so their eyes might be opened, and they might see, before it was too late, the things that belong unto their

peace.

"When we came to winter quarters, there were but three of us joined together. But now, by the blessing of God, we are increased to twelve. And we have reason to believe, the hand of the Lord is with us. I desire, for the sake of

Him whom we follow after, that you would send us some instructions, how to proceed in our little society.God is become a mouth to me, and has blessed even my words to some of their souls. All praise, and glory, and honour, be unto Him, and to the Lamb for ever and ever!

"From your affectionate brother,

"J. H."

Wednesday 15, We were informed of the invasion intended by the French, who were expected to land every hour. I therefore exhorted the congregation, in the words of our Lord, (Luke xxi. 36.) Watch ye and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man.

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Thursday 16, In the evening after expounding the third chapter of Jonah, I besought every one to turn from his evil way, and cry mightily to God: and enlarged on these words, Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

We observed Friday 17, as a day of solemn Fasting and Prayer. In the afternoon, many being met together, I exhorted them, now, while they had opportunity, to make to themselves, friends of the mammon of unrighteousness: to deal their bread to the hungry, to clothe the naked, and not to hide themselves from their own flesh. And God opened their hearts, so that they contributed near fifty pounds, which I began laying out the very next hour, in linen, woollen, and shoes, for them whom I knew to be diligent, and yet in want. In the evening I expounded Daniel iii. and those words in particular: The God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace. But if not, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden Image which thou hast set up.

Saturday 18, I received an account from James Jones, of another kind of invasion, in Staffordshire. The substance of it was as follows:

"On Monday January 23, a great mob gathered toge→ ther, at Darlaston, a mile from Wednesbury. They fell upon a few people who were going to Wednesbury, and

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