Tuesday 23, An end was put to the long contest between Dr. Coke and Mr. Durbin, by the doctor's acknowledging, "That the words he had written were too keen, and that he was sorry he had given Mr. D. so much uneasiness."

Wednesday 24, I took a walk in Miss Goldney's garden at Clifton: nothing can be more pleasant. But what is most remarkable is, the long terrace walk, commanding a most beautiful prospect; and the grotto, the largest and most beautiful in its kind that I ever saw. It is admirably well laid out, and decorated with a surprising variety of shells and glittering fossils: "The procuring and placing of which," we are informed, " took the late Mr. Goldney above twenty years!" And he has left it all!

Friday 26, We had a fast-day, which was concluded with a solemn watch-night. At the close of this we sung,

"Ye virgin souls, arise,"

accompanied by the Gloucestershire band of music. Such a concert was never heard in that house before, and perhaps never will be again.

Saturday 27, Two or three friends took me to Blaisecastle, about five miles from Bristol. Mr. F., a person of exquisite taste, built it some years ago, on the top of a hill, which commands such a prospect all four ways, as nothing in England excels. Thence we went to Lord Clifford's seat at King's-Weston. His house, one of the most beautiful I ever saw, stands on a little eminence in his park, and fronts all four ways. The prospect is fine every way, commanding both the land and the water. And the rooms are very elegantly furnished, particularly with excellent pictures. And must the owner leave all these beautiful things? Will death have no more respect for a lord than for a beggar?

Sunday 28, I set out in the mail coach for London. Tuesday 30, having for the present settled my business at London, in the evening I took coach for Lynn, and came thither about noon on Wednesday, October 1. I spent all the time with much satisfaction, as I never found them so much alive before.

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On Friday 3, I set out for Norwich, in the coach odly called The Expedition. Going through Deerham about noon, I was desired to preach, which I willingly did, on Isaiah xxxvii. 3: and in the evening to a huge congrega-. tion at Norwich on the parable of the sower.

Sunday 5, Was a comfortable day, especially at seven in: the morning, when I administered the Lord's-Supper; and at two in the afternoon and six in the evening, when I preached to very serious congregations. Monday 6, I preached at Loddon, North-Cove, and Lowestoffe. When I came into the town, it blew a storm ; and many cried out, "So it always does when he comes:" but it fell as suddenly as it rose; for God heard prayer.

Wednesday 8, I preached at Caster about noon, and at Yarmouth in the evening. Thursday 9, I returned to Norwich; and after preaching in the afternoon, took coach for London.

Friday 10, I appointed a committee for auditing my accounts, and superintending the business of the book-room: which I doubt not will be managed in a very different manner from what it has been hitherto.

Sunday 12, I preached in the morning at the New Chapel; in the afternoon at West-street. Monday 13, I went to Wallingford, and preached to a serious, and it seemed, much affected audience. Tuesday 14, I preached at Witney, which I generally find a very comfortable place. I think much of the impression which was made on the people here, at the time of the great storm, remains still.

Wednesday 15, I preached at Oxford, on Gen. i. 27. We wanted only a larger room: many young gentlemen were there, and behaved well: I hope some of them did not come in vain. Thursday 16, we went on to High Wycombe. Mr. Murlin's settling here has been of great use. Here is now a steady and understanding people; to whom I preached as usual, evening and morning, with a good deal of satisfaction. Friday 17, we returned to London.

Sunday 19, We had, as usual, a comfortable time at

Spitalfields. Monday 20, I set out for Northamptonshire. In the evening I preached to the lovely congregation at Whittlebury, standing fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free. Wednesday 22, I made one more trial of poor Towcester; if happily God might yet breathe on the dry bones, by opening and strongly applying these words, I will heal thy backsliding; I will love thee freely: in the evening, and on Thursday morning I preached at Northampton in the new Presbyterian meeting-house, a large and elegant building, I think, not without effect, and then returned to London.

Tuesday 28, I took the stage coach for Rye, which promised to be there by six in the evening: but the coachman lingered so, that, in the afternoon, I found they did not intend to be there till near eight: so at Hawkhurst I took a post-chaise, which, with much ado, reached it soon after six. Being informed the service was begun, I did not stay to eat or drink, but went directly to the preaching-house, which was sufficiently crowded, and as soon as I could get through the people, I began with solemn prayer, and then: explained and applied that glorious truth, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. We had another happy opportunity at five in the morning. Knowing now there was no depending on the coach, I took a chaise, and by that mean came early to Sevenoaks, where, in the evening, I found uncommon liberty of spirit, in exhorting the audience to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Saturday, November 1, All saint's day, I preached at Snowsfields on Rev. xiv. 1, a comfortable subject, and I always find this a comfortable day. Monday 3, I began visiting the classes, a work which usually takes up about a fortnight. Sunday 9, I preached at West-street, and found uncommon liberty in enforcing that caution, Quench not the Spirit. On Wednesday 12, and the following days, I visited the country societies: some of which, that of Mitcham in particular, is swiftly increasing in the grace of God.

Monday 17, I set out for Hertfordshire. In the evening I preached at Hinxworth to a deeply serious congregation : VOL. VI.

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the next evening in the church at Wrestlingworth, to the largest congregation I have seen there these twenty years. Wednesday 19, I crossed over to Bedford, but where to lodge I did not know: but one met me in the street, and said Mr. desired I would go straight to his house: I did so, and found myself in a palace, the best house by far in the town, where I was entertained not only with the utmost courtesy, but, I believe, with sincere affection. Our room was much crowded in the evening, and pretty well filled in the morning and as all disputes are at an end, there is great reason to hope that the work of God will increase

here also.

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Thursday 20, We had a lovely congregation at St. Neots, who seemed ripe for the promises: so I preached on our Lord's words to the leper, I will be thou clean! Friday 21, about noon, I preached at Huntingdon : and in the evening at Godmanchester: still it is the day of small things here; but a few are "fighting the good fight of faith."

Monday 24, I went to Canterbury. As all the preachers are in earnest, God has blessed them through the whole circuit. This evening we had a large and deeply serious congregation, and not a few of them in the morning. Tuesday 25, though it blew a storm, and was piercingly cold, we were sufficiently crowded at Dover, where the work of God is very lively, and continually increasing. Wednesday 26, our room at Sandwich being small, both the dissenting ministers sent to offer me the use of their chapels; I willingly accepted one of them, which was far larger than ours, and very commodious. I believe God spoke to many hearts. In the evening we had another storm, with much snow and sleet however, our house at Margate was well filled and I was much comforted by the earnestness of the congregation.

Friday 28, A little preaching-house being just built at St. Peter's (two miles from Margate) notice had been given, without my knowledge, of my preaching there in the morning it was utterly inconvenient on many accounts: the wind was piercingly cold, and the ground covered with

snow, However, I would not disappoint the congregation: so I preached at nine, and hastened to Canterbury, where the house was, as usual, well filled and God gave us his blessing.

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Tuesday, December 2, I went on to Chatham, and preach. ed in the evening on We walk by faith, not by sight. Wednesday 3, I went to Sheerness, where the society is considerably increased since I was here before. Thursday 4, at noon I preached at Feversham, where, after a long winter, the seed seems to be springing up. The congregation was very large and deeply attentive. In the evening I preached in the new house at Brompton. I had not preached there between thirty and forty years: and there is now a fair prospect here also. Friday 5, I returned to London.

Monday 8, I had the pleasure of meeting an old friend, who gave me a pleasing account of the death of his mother, which had made so deep an impression upon him, that he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. Wednesday 10, and the following days, I corrected my brother's posthumous poems, being short psalms (some few excepted) on the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. They make five volumes in quarto, containing eighteen or nineteen hundred pages. They were finished April 25, 1765, and revised the eighth time, May, 1787: many of these are little, if any thing, inferior to his former poems, having the same justness and strength of thought, with the same beauty of expression; yea, the same keenness of wit, on proper occasions, as bright and as piercing as ever.

Monday 15, In the evening I preached at Miss Tuelon's school in Highgate. I think it was the coldest night I ever remember. The house we were in stood on the edge of the hill, and the east wind sat full in the window. I counted eleven, twelve, one, and then was obliged to dress, the cramp growing more and more violent: but in the morning, not only the cramp was gone, but likewise the lameness which used to follow it.

About this time I was reflecting on the gentle steps whereby age steals upon us. Take only one instance: four years