The Archbishop's palace is an ancient, venerable pile, and the gardens are extremely pleasant. The late Archbishop had improved them at a large expense; but continual illness prevented his enjoying them, till after four years constant pain, he was called away, one may hope, to the garden of God.

I dined at Mr. B.'s, in Epsom, whose house and gardens lie in what was once a chalk-pit. It is the most elegant spot I ever saw with my eyes; every thing within doors and without, being finished in the most exquisite taste. Surely nothing on earth can be more delightful. O what will the possessor feel, when he cries out,

"Must I then leave thee, Paradise? then leave

These happy shades, and mansions fit for Gods?"

's.

Friday 17, I spent an hour pleasantly and profitably at How gracious is God, who still preserves him unconsumed in fire! How plain, that with God all things are possible; he can draw the sting either of wealth or death! Sunday 19, I preached in the afternoon to a huge multitude in the fields, on Now God commandeth all men every where to repent. Monday 27, I rode to Bedford, and about six, preached on St. Peter's-Green. None of the numerous congregation stood with their heads covered, except the Germans. Blessed be God, that I have not so learned Christ! If they know no better, I cannot help it.

Tuesday 28, I rode on to Mr. Berridge's at Everton, and in the evening went to the Church, but unusually heavy, and hardly expecting to do any good there. I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, We know that we are of God. One sunk down, and another, and another. Some cried aloud in agony of prayer. I would willingly have spent some time in prayer with them but my voice failed, so that I was obliged to conclude the service, leaving many in the Church crying and praying, but unable either to walk or stand. One young man and one young woman were brought with difficulty to Mr. B.'s house, and continued there in violent agonies both of body and soul. When I came into the room, the woman lay quiet, wrestling with God in silent prayer but even the bodily convulsions of the young man were amazing. The heavings of his breast were beyond description: I suppose, equal to the throes of a woman in travail. We called upon God to relieve his soul and body. And both were perfectly healed. He rejoiced in God with joy unspeakable, and felt no pain, or weakness, or weariness. Presently after, the woman also was delivered, and arose rejoicing in God her Saviour.

Wednesday 29, I rode to Lakenheath, and spoke exceedingly plain to an honest, drowsy people. Thursday 30, I preached at the Tabernacle in Norwich, to a large, rude, noisy congregation. I took knowledge, what manner of teachers they had been accustomed to, and determined to mend them or end them. Accordingly the next evening, after sermon, I reminded them of two things; the one, that it was not decent, to begin talking aloud as soon as service was ended, and hurrying to and fro, as in a bear-garden: the other, that it was a bad custom to gather into knots just after sermon, and turn a place of worship into a Coffee-house. I therefore desired, that none would

talk under that roof, but go quietly and silently away. And on Sunday, September 2, I had the pleasure to observe, that all went as quietly away, as if they had been accustomed to it for many years. Monday 3, I met the Society at five, and explained the nature and use of meeting in a Class. Upon inquiry I found, we have now about five hundred members: but a hundred and fifty of these do not pretend to meet at all. Of those, therefore, I make no account. They hang on but by a single thread.

Tuesday 4, I walked to Hemnal, nine miles from Norwich, and preached at one o'clock. The ring-leader of the mob, came with his horn, as usual, before I began: but one quickly catched and threw away his horn, and in a few minutes he was deserted by all his companions, who were seriously and deeply attentive to the great truth, By grace ye are saved, through faith.

Sunday 9, I met the Society at seven, and told them in plain terms, that they were the most ignorant, self-conceited, self-willed, fickle, untractable, disorderly, disjointed Society, that I knew in the three kingdoms and God applied it to their hearts; so that many were profited, but I do not find, that one was offended.

At ten we had another happy opportunity, and many stubborn hearts were melted down. At two the great congregation met, and the power of God was again present to heal: though not so eminently as at five, while I was describing the peace that passeth all understanding. After preaching I was desired to spend an hour with some whom I supposed to be of our own Society; but I soon found my mistake; sensim medios delapsus in hostes. One in particular, warmly told me, "She could not like mine or Mr. Murlin's doctrine: it always threw her into heaviness: but in dear Mr. Cudworth's she could find comfort." I desired we might pray. God quickly answered for himself. Her heart was broken in pieces. She was filled with love, and grief, and shame; but could only tell it by her eyes and her tears.

About this time I received a remarkable letter from abroad, an extract of which follows:

"Berlin, August 26, 1759. "GOD has again wrought publickly in this place, in the presence of many thousands of people. A soldier of the King's Guards was sentenced to be hanged, for desertion and theft. He was a wretch abandoned to all manner of wickedness. General Keith was much concerned for his soul. He earnestly desired me to take the charge of it, though we saw no prospect of success. I visited him the day he was condemned, being Thursday. He seemed quite careless and unconcerned. I endeavoured to convince him of sin; but did not perceive any effect. I begged of him not to deceive his own soul, but to consider the condition he was in. On Friday, this began to sink into his heart, and on Saturday, much more. Perceiving this, I much insisted on those words, This is a faithful saying, and wor thy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The effect was astonishing. He laid hold on them by faith, and not only his burden was gone, but he had such experi

ence of the love of Christ, as it is impossible to describe. His peace, triumph, and joy increasing every hour, till the night before his execution and indeed were never more observable, than when he was brought out of prison. In his way to the place of execution he praised God, for dragging him, as it were, with chains to heaven, What! said he, will God, after all my hellish actions, give me eternal life into the bargain?" The efficacy of the blood and death of Christ being made known to him by the Holy Ghost, he spoke of nothing but his wedding-day which was to be this 13th of August. Every one that looked upon him was struck. Officers and all were moved. Being entered into the ring, I once more prayed with him, and gave him the last blessing. But the very instant he was to be turned off, Colonel H. called out, Pardon! I was thunder-struck, and Mittelstadt protested, it was to him, like a ball shot through his body. He fainted away for some time. Being recovered, his first words were, Why was I not rather hanged, or even crucified, than pardoned? Why am I thus stopped in my course? I should now have been with Christ!' I was myself more afraid of him now than ever: but the grace of God was strong in his soul; and ever since it has continued the same. Yesterday I was informed by one who went on purpose to inquire, that his whole employ during his confinement. (which is to continue six months) is reading, praying, and comforting himself with the blood of Christ."

6

Monday 10, We took horse at half an hour after four. Before eight it was as warm as it is usually at Midsummer. And from ten we had the sun in our faces, all the way to Colchester: but we had the wind in our faces too, or the heat would have been insupportable. I was in a fever from the moment I came into the house: but it did not hinder me from preaching on the Green, and afterwards meeting the Society. I then lay down as soon as possible, but could not sleep a quarter of an hour, till between two or three in the morning. I do not know, that I have lost a night's sleep before, sick or well, since I was six years old: but it is all one; God is able to give strength, either with sleep or without it. I rose at my usual time, and preached at five, without any faintness or drowsiness.

Thursday 13, We set out between four and five, and rode to Dunmow, about four and twenty miles: but here we were at a full stop: none could direct us any farther. So we were to cross the Country as well as we could. But whenever we were at a loss (eight or ten times) we met some one to help us out. So, about half an hour past one, we were come within sixteen miles of Sundon. An honest blunderer then undertook to direct us a nearer way. By his help we wandered up and down, till our sixteen miles grew into six and twenty. However, we got to Sundon before seven, where a considerable number of people soon met: to whom I explained, (what they seemed to know very little of) the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday 14, I returned to London. Saturday 15, having left orders for the immediate repairing of West-street Chapel, I went to see what they had done, and saw cause to praise God for this also. The main timbers were so rotten, that in many places one might thrust his finVOL. 2.-3 L

gers into them. So that, probably, had we delayed till Spring, the whole building must have fallen to the ground.

Monday 17, I went to Canterbury. Two hundred soldiers, I suppose, and a whole row of officers, attended in the evening. Their number was increased the next evening, and all behaved as men fearing God. Wednesday 19, I preached at Dover, in the new room, which is just finished. Here also the hearers increase, some of whom are convinced, and others comforted daily. Thursday 20, I strongly applied at Canterbury, to the soldiers in particular, He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. The next day, in my return to London, I read Mr. Huygen's "Conjectures on the Planetary World." He surprised me; I think he clearly proves, that the moon is not habitable: that there are neither

"Rivers nor mountains on her spotty globe."

That there is no sea, no water on her surface, nor any atmosphere. And hence he very rationally infers, that "neither are any of the secondary planets inhabited." And who can prove that the primary are? I know, the earth is. Of the rest I know nothing.

Sunday 23, A vast majority of the immense congregation in Moorfields were deeply serious. One such hour might convince any impartial man, of the expediency of field-preaching. What building, except St. Paul's Church, would contain such a congregation? And if it would, what human voice could have reached them there? By repeated observations I find, I can command thrice the number in the open air, that I can under a roof. And who can say, the time for field-preaching is over, while, 1, Greater numbers than ever attend: 2, The converting, as well as convincing power of God, is eminently present with them?

Monday 24, I preached about eight at Brentford, and in the even.ng at Basingstoke, to a people slow of heart, and dull of understanding. Tuesday 25, I preached in the new house at Whitchurch, and at Salisbury in the evening. The new room there is, I think, the most complete in England. It strikes every one of any taste that sees it: not with any single part, but an inexpressible something in the whole. The militia from Hampshire being in town, a large number of them were at the preaching: but it was as music to a horse: such brutish behaviour have I seldom seen. The next evening, they behaved, if possible, worse than before. However, many of them, I believe, were struck. For they came again in the morning, and then appeared to be of quite another spirit, earnestly attending to what was spoken. Thursday 27, I had appointed to preach at seven in the evening at Bradford: but when I came, I found Mr. Hart was to preach at six. So I delayed, till the Church-service was ended; that there might not appear, (at least on my part) even the shadow of opposition between us.

Friday 28, I reached Bristol. Sunday 30, the weather being fair and calm, I preached in the new square, for the sake of many people, who do not choose to come to the Room. My text was, Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. I believe, many found

desires of coming to him. O that they may be brought to good effect!

Monday, October 1, All my leisure time, during my stay at Bristol, I employed in finishing the fourth volume of Discourses; probably the last which I shall publish. Monday 15, I walked up to Knowle, a mile from Bristol, to see the French prisoners. Above eleven hundred of them, we were informed, were confined in that little place without any thing to lie on, but a little dirty straw, or any thing to cover them, but a few foul thin rags, either by day or night, so that they died, like rotten sheep. I was much affected, and preached in the evening on Exod. xxiii. 9, Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Eighteen pounds were contributed immediately, which were made up four and twenty the next day. With this we bought linen and woollen cloth, which were made up into shirts, waistcoats, and breeches. Some dozen of stockings were added; all which were carefully distributed, where there was the greatest want. Presently after, the Corporation of Bristol sent a large quantity of mattresses and blankets; and it was not long before contributions were set on foot, at London, and in various parts of the kingdom: so that I believe, from this time, they were pretty well provided with all the necessaries of life.

Monday 22, I left Bristol, and having preached at Shepton, Coleford, Frome, and Salisbury in my way, on Thursday 25, Î determined to try, if I could do any good at Andover. The congregation at ten in the morning was small; in the evening their number was increased, and I think some of them went away, crying out, God, be merciful to me a sinner!

Friday 26, I rode to Basingstoke. I was extremely tired when I came in, but much less so after preaching. I then sent to inquire, if there were a vacant place in any of the coaches which were going to London the next day. But they were all full: and I had promised to send back my mare to Bristol. The only way that remained was, to take Joseph Jones's horse, and let him ride behind one of the coaches. So I ordered the horse to be brought soon after four in the morning, and was waiting for the coach, when a post-chaise drove by. I rode close after it, though it was so dark, I could not see my horse's head; but I could hear, which was enough. About day-break, it drove away; but then I could see the road. It rained without intermission, from the time I took horse, until I came to the Foundery: so that I was wet through a great part of the day: but it did me no hurt at all.

Sunday 28, I found the ancient spirit in the congregation, both at Spital-fields and the Foundery. Tuesday 30, I preached at Deptford, and rejoiced to find an increasing work there also. Wednesday and Thursday I spent in revising and perfecting a Treatise on Electricity. Friday, November 2, I spent an hour with that miracle of mercy, Miss - a clear proof, that God can, even without external means, preserve a bush in the midst of the fire.

Sunday 4, As I was applying those words, They neither marry, nor are given in marriage: for neither can they die any more: for