Sunday 18, I found the work of God was still greatly increasing here: although many stumbling-blocks had been thrown in the way, and some by those who were once strong in grace: but this is no wonder: I rather wonder, that there are not abundantly more. And so there would be, but that Satan is not able to go beyond his chain.

Monday 20, I preached at Macclesfield about noon. As I had not been well, and was not quite recovered, our brethren insisted on sending me in a chaise to Burslem. Between four and five I quitted the chaise, and took my horse. Presently after, hearing a cry, I looked back, and saw the chaise upside-down (the wheel having violently struck against a stone) and well nigh dashed it to pieces. About seven I preached to a large congregation at Burslem: These poor potters four years ago, were as wild and ignorant as any of the Colliers in Kingswood. Lord, thou hast power over thine own clay!

Tuesday 21, I rode to Birmingham, and on Thursday to Towcester. I would willingly have rested there: but our brethren desiring me to go a little farther I walked on, (about three miles) to Whittlebury. Here I found a truly loving and simple people. I preached at the side of the new Preaching-house: I suppose most of the town were present. Friday 24, I took horse carly, and in the afterpoon came once more safe to London.

About this time I received the following letter

"God is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever! He was, is, and will be all in all! Being a minute part of the whole, let me consider myself alone. Where was I before my parents were born? In the mind of him who is all in all. It was God alone that gave me a being, amongst the human race. He appointed the country in which I should begin my existence. My parents were also his choice. Their situation in mind, body, and estate, was fully known to him. My parents are answerable for my education in infancy. My capacity was from above. That I improved so little was mostly owing to my connexions; but partly to my own inattention or idleness. In most things, whilst an infant,

whether good or evil, I was certainly passive, i. e. I was instructed or led by others, and so acted right or wrong. In all the incidents of life, whether sicknesss, health, escapes, crosses, spiritual or temporal advantages or disadvantages, I can trace nothing of myself during my childhood. And till I became a subject to my own will perhaps I was innocent in the eyes of infinite justice: for the blood of Jesus Christ certainly cleanseth from all original sin, and presents all spotless, who die free from the guilt of actual transgression.

"At what time I became a subject to my own will, I cannot ascertain; but from that time in many things I' offended. First, against my parents; next, against God! And that I was preserved from outward evils, was not owing to the purity of my own will; but to the grace of Christ øver-ruling and preventing me.

66 My natural will ever cleaved to evil: and if I had ever any good in me, it came from above. What is called good nature is a divine gift, and not from the corrupt root. My will could not produce good, and in various instances it was in a manner annihilated, before grace could fix any good in me. In other words, my will acts from the motions of the Old Adam where I transgress; but what is good im me is from the grace of Christ working, whilst my own will is made passive or unresisting. Thus my life has been so far holy, as I gave up my own will and lived in God, who is all in all.

"From the time I could sin, I trace the divine goodness, in preserving me from innumerable evils, into which my own will would have led me. The unknown temptations and evils, perhaps, are infinitely more numerous than the known. If my will were only not resisting, when I received or did any good, how little was it concerned in my conviction, my conversion, my peace, and the sphere of life I engaged in, after receiving such divine blessings! My concern about my soul's welfare, the time of my conversion, the ministers raised up to be the instruments of it, the place of my first hearing the Gospel, and various other circum

stances, that instrumentally brought about those great and blessed events in my life, were no more from any thing in myself, than my birth and education. Rather, my will was overpowered and grace triumphed over it.

"From these reflections I conclude, that whatever blessings I have enjoyed as to parents, country, education, employments, conversion, connections in life, or any exterior on interior circumstance, all came from God, who is all in all! And whatever in my past life is matter of repentance and lamentation, has arisen chiefly from my corrupt will, though partly from a defective judgment, ever prone to err ! So that upon the whole, I have great cause to be thankful that God has been so much the all in all of my life; at the same time, I must bewail that I ever followed my own cor rupt will in any thing.

"My present state of life, I believe, is from God. In a bad state of health, out of employment, and retired from all engagements in the world, I use the means for my recovery, and it is not from any evil principle that I am a cypher : but I cannot yet obtain health, business, or a sphere of usefulness. Nor can I ascertain how far I am culpable as to being what I am. My present duty is, submission to the Divine Will. I study for improvement, and pray for such blessings as I want. Is not God all in all as to my present state? I have no desire so strong as this, Let thy blessed will be done in and upon me. And the prayer which governs my soul continually is, O may my will die day by day; and may God in Christ Jesus, be all in all to me, and in me, and mine, during our life, in our last moments, and to all eternity! Anten."

Finding it was not expedient to leave London, during the ferment which still continued by reason of Mr. M.'s separation from us, I determined not to remove from it before the Conference. This began on Tuesday, July 19, and ended on Saturday 23. And it was a great blessing, that we had peace among ourselves, while so many were making them→ selves ready for battle.

Monday, Aug. 1, I began visiting the classes again, and

T

found less loss than might reasonably have been expected as most of those who had left us, spake all manner of evil, without either fear or shame! Poor creatures! Yet he that betrayed them into this, hath the greater sin.

Monday 15, I went in the one-day Machine to Bath, where one of our friends from Bristol met me, (as I had desired) in the afternoon, and took me thither in a post chaise. Wednesday 17, being informed that the boat at the Old Passage would go over at six o'clock, I took horse at four, and came to the Passage a few minutes after six. But they told us they would not pass till twelve, and I had appointed to preach in Chepstow at eleven. So we thought it best to try the New Passage. We came thither at seven, and might probably have stayed till noon, had not an herd of oxen come just in time to the other side. In the boat which brought them over, we crossed the water, and got to Chepstow between ten and eleven. As it had rained almost all the day, the house contained the congregation. Hence we rode to Coleford. The wind being high, I consented to preach in their new room. But large as it was, it would not contain the people, who appeared to be not a little affected's of which they gave a sufficient proof, by filling the Room at five in the morning.

Thursday 18, We breakfasted at a friend's, a mile or two from Monmouth, and rode to Crick-howell, where I ins tended to dine; but I found other work to do. Notice had been given, that I would preach, and some were come many miles to hear. So I began without delay, and I did not ob serve one light or inattentive person in the congregation. When we came to Brecknock, we found it was the assize week, so that I could not have the Town-hall, as before; the Court being to sit there, at the very time when I had ap pointed to preach. So I preached at Mr. James's door: and all the people behaved as in the presence of God.

Friday 19, I preached near the Market-place, and afterwards rode over to Treyecka. Howell Harris's house is one of the most elegant places which I have seen in Wales. The little chapel and all things round about it, are finished in an

uncommon taste; and the gardens, orchards, fish-ponds, and mount adjoining, make the place a little paradise. He thanks God for these things, and looks through them. About six-score persons are now in the family; all diligent, all constantly employed, all fearing God and working righteousness. I preached at ten to a crowded audience, and in the evening at Brecknock again: but to the poor only: the rich (a very few excepted) were otherwise employed.

Saturday 20, We took horse at four, and rode through one of the pleasantest countries in the world. When we came to Trecastle, we had rode fifty miles in Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire. And I will be bold to say, all England does not afford such a line of fifty miles length, for fields, meadows, woods, brooks, and gently-rising mountains, fruitful to the very top. Caermarthenshire, into which we came soon after, has at least as fruitful a soil. But it is not so pleasant, because it has fewer mountains, though abundance of brooks and rivers. About five I preached on the Green, at Caermarthen, to a large number of deeply attentive people. Here two gentlemen from Pembroke met me; with whom we rode to St. Clare, intending to lodge there; but the inn was quite full. So we concluded to try. for Larn, though we knew not the way, and it was now quite dark. Just then came up an honest man who was riding thither: and we willingly bore him company.

Sunday 21, It rained almost all the morning. However we reached Tenby about eleven. The rain then ceased, and I preached at the Cross, to a congregation gathered from many miles round. The sun broke out several times and shone hot in my face; but never for two minutes together. About five I preached to a far larger congregation at Pembroke. A few gay people behaved ill at the beginning. But in a short time they lost their gaiety, and were as serious as their neighbours.

Wednesday 24, I rode over to Haverford-west. Finding it was the assize week, I was afraid the bulk of the people would be too busy to think about hearing sermons. But I was mistaken: I have not seen so numerous a congregation