the Gospel of Peace to several desolate ones, that were confined in the same place.

Tuesday 25, The morning exposition began at five, as I hope it will always for the time to come. Thursday 27, I had an interview with Joseph Chandler, a young Quaker, who had sometimes spoke in their Meeting; with whom I had never exchanged a word before, as indeed I knew him. not either by face or name. But some had been at the pains of carrying him, as from me, a formal challenge to dispute; and had afterwards told him, "That I had declared in the open society, I challenged Joseph Chandler to dispute. And he promised to come; but broke his word." Joseph immediately sent to know from my own mouth if these things were so? If those who probably count themselves better Christians, had but done like this honest Quaker, how many idle tales, which they now potently believe, would, like this, have vanished into air!

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Saturday 29, I spent another hour with one I had twice conversed with before, and with much the same effect. asked, "Wherein the doctrine I preached differed from the doctrine preached by other ministers of the Church?" I told him, "I hope, not at all from that which is preached by many other ministers. But from that which is preached by some, it differs thus: I preach the doctrine of the Church, and they do not." After he had long and zealously laboured to prove, that "all ministers preached as I did, and there was no difference of doctrine at all," I was obliged to leave him abruptly; and should indeed have feared that my time had been spent to small purpose, but for one piece of history which I then learned, viz. "That he had gone to the Bishop, before his Lordship left Bristol, and informed him, that I said in the public congregation, I had had a conference with the Bishop and twelve clergymen, and had put them all to silence." Was his Lordship so informed? And could he believe even this? O Joseph Chandler, Joseph Chandler!

I think it was about this time that the soldier was executed. For some time I had visited him every day. But

when the love of God was shed abroad in his heart, I told him, "Do not expect to see me any more. He who has now begun a good work in your soul, will, I doubt not, preserve you to the end. But I believe Satan will separate us for a season." Accordingly, the next day I was informed, that the commanding officer had given strict orders, "Neither Mr. Wesley, nor any of his people should be admitted. For they were all atheists." But did that man die like an atheist? Let my last end be like his!

Tuesday, April 1, While I was expounding the former part of the 23d chapter of the Acts, (How wonderfully suited to the occasion, though not by my choice!), the floods began to lift up their voice. Some or other of the children of Belial had laboured to disturb us several nights before. But now it seemed as if all the hosts of the aliens were come together with one consent. Not only the court and the alleys, but all the street, upwards and downwards, was filled with people, shouting, cursing, and swearing, and ready to swallow the ground with fierceness and rage. The Mayor sent order, that they should disperse. But they set him at nought. The chief constable came next in person, who was till then sufficiently prejudiced against us. But they insulted him also in so gross a manner, as I believe fully opened his eyes. At length, the Mayor sent several of his officers, who took the ringleaders into custody, and did not go until all the rest were dispersed. Surely he hath been to us the minister of God for good.

Wednesday 2, The rioters were brought up to the court, the quarter-sessions being held that day. They began to excuse themselves, by saying many things of me. But the Mayor cut them all short, saying, "What Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to you. I will keep the peace: I will have no rioting in this city."

Calling at Newgate in the afternoon, I was informed, "That the poor wretches under sentence of death, were earnestly desirous to speak with me; but that it could not be; Alderman Beacher having just then sent an express

order, that they should not." I cite Alderman Beacher to answer for these souls, at the judgment-seat of Christ.

Thursday 3, I went into the room weak and faint. The Scripture that came in course was, After the way that you call heresy, so worship 1 the God of my Fathers. I know not whether God hath been so with us, from the beginning hitherto. He proclaimed, as it were, a general deliverance to the captives. The chains fell off: they arose and followed Him. The cries of desire, joy, and love, were on every side; fear, sorrow, and doubt, fled away. Verily, Thou hast sent a gracious rain upon thine inheritance, and refreshed it when it was weary.

On Good-Friday I was much comforted by Mr. T's sermon at All-Saints, which was according to the truth of the Gospel; as well as by the affectionate seriousness wherewith he delivered the holy bread to a very large congregation. May the good Lord fill him with all the life of love, and with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.

At five, preaching on John xix. 34, A soldier pierced his side, and there came forth blood and water, I was enabled to speak strong words, both concerning the atoning blood, and the living, sanctifying water. Many were deeply convinced of their want of both; and others filled with strong consolation.

Monday 7, At the pressing instance of Howel Harris, I again set out for Wales. In the evening I preached repentance and remission of sins, at Lanvachas, three miles from the New Passage. Tuesday 8, I preached at Pontypool, on, By grace ye are saved through faith: and in the evening at Lanhithel, three miles from thence, on I know that in me dwelleth no good thing.

Wednesday 9, After reading prayers in Llanhithel church, I preached on those words, I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. In the afternoon, Howel Harris told me, how earnestly many had laboured to prejudice him against me; especially those who had gleaned up all the idle stories at Bristol, and retailed them

in their own country. And yet these are good Christians! These whisperers, tale-bearers, backbiters, evil-speakers! Just such Christians as murderers or adulterers. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

In the evening I expounded at Cardiff the story of the Pharisee and Publican. The next day, Thursday 10, after preaching thrice, I rode to Watford, five miles from Cardiff, where a few of us joined together in prayer, and in provoking one another to love and to good works.

Friday 11, I preached in Lantarnum Church, on, By grace ye are saved through faith. In the afternoon I preached at Penreul, near Ponty-Pool. A few were cut to the heart, particularly Mrs. A-d, who had some time before given me up for a Papist, Mr. Es, the Curate, having averred me to be such, upon his personal knowledge, at her house in Ponty-Pool. I afterwards called, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. And there was a shaking indeed. Three or four came to me, in such mourning as I had hardly ever scen; as did a poor drunkard between eleven and twelve, who was convinced by the word spoken on Tuesday.

Saturday 12, After preaching at Lanvachas in the way, in the afternoon I came to Bristol, and heard the melancholy news, "That, one of the chief of those who came to make the disturbance on the 1st of this month, had hanged himself. He was cut down, it seems, alive, but died in less than an hour: A second of them had been for some days in strong pain, and had many times sent, to desire our prayers. A third came to me himself, and confessed, he was hired that night, and made drunk on purpose: But when he came to the door, he knew not what was the matter, he could not stir, nor open his mouth."

Monday 14, I was explaining the Liberty we have, to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, when one cried out, as in an agony, "Thou art a hypocrite, a devil, an enemy to the Church. This is false doctrine. It is not the doctrine of the Church. It is damnable doctrine. It is the doctrine of devils." I did not perceive that any

were hurt thereby; but rather strengthened, by having such an opportunity of confirming their love toward him, and returning good for evil.

Tuesday 15, I received the following note:

"Sir, This is to let you understand, That the man which made the noise last night, is named John Beon. He now goes by the name of John Darsy. He is a Romish Priest. We have people enough here in Bristol that know him."

Saturday 19, I received a letter from Mr. Simpson, and another from William Oxlee, informing me, that our poor Brethren at Fetter-lane were again in great confusion; and earnestly desiring, that if it were possible, I would come to London without delay.

Monday 21, I set out, and the next evening reached London. Wednesday 23, I went to Mr. Simpson. He told me, "All the confusion was owing to my brother, who would preach up the ordinances: Whereas believers, said he, are not subject to ordinances and unbelievers have nothing to do with them. They ought to be still: otherwise they will be unbelievers all the days of their life.”

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After a fruitless dispute of about two hours, I returned home with a heavy heart. Mr. Molther was taken ill this day. I believe it was the hand of God that was upon him. In the evening, our society met; but cold, weary, heartless, dead. I found nothing of brotherly love among them now, but a harsh, dry, heavy, stupid spirit. For two hours, they looked one at another, when they looked up at all, as if one half of them were afraid of the other; yea, as if a voice were sounding in their ears, Take ye heed every one of his neighbour: Trust ye not in any brother. For every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

I think, not so few as thirty persons spoke to me in these two days, who had been strongly solicited, 1. To deny what God had done for their souls, to own they never had living faith 2. To be still, till they had it, to leave off all the means of grace; not to go to Church, not to communicate,