Mon. Dec. 1.-Finding many of our brethren and sisters offended at each other, I appointed the several accusers to come and speak face to face with the accused. Some of them came almost every day this week. And most of the offences vanished away, Where any doubt remained, I could only advise them each to look to his own heart; and to suspend their judgments of each other, till God should "bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” Fri. 12.-Having received many unpleasing accounts concerning our little society in Kingswood, I left London, and after some difficulty and danger, by reason of much ice on the road, on Saturday evening came to my brother at Bristol, who confirmed to me what I did not desire to hear.

Sun. 14.—I went to Kingswood, intending, if it should please God, to spend some time there, if haply I might be an instrument in his hand, of repairing the breaches which had been made; that we might again, with one heart and one mouth, glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mon, 15.—I began expounding, both in the morning and evening, our Lord's sermon upon the mount. In the day time I laboured to heal the jealousies and misunderstandings which had arisen, warning every man, and exhorting every man, "See that ye fall not out by the way."

Tues. 16.-In the afternoon I preached on, "Let patience have her perfect work." The next evening Mr. Cennick came back from a little journey into Wiltshire. I was greatly surprised when I went to receive him, as usual, with open arms, to observe him quite cold; so that a stranger would have judged he had scarce ever seen me before. However, for the present, said nothing, but did him honour before the people. Fri. 19.-I pressed him to explain his behaviour. He told me many stories which he had heard of me : yet it seemed to me something was still behind: so I desired we might meet again in the morning. Sat. 20.-A few of us had a long conference together. Mr. C― now told me plainly, he could not agree with me, because I did not preach the truth, in particular with regard to election. We then entered a little into the controversy; but without effect.

Sun. 21.-In the morning I enforced those words, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another." Three of our sisters I saw in the afternoon, all supposed to be near death, and calmly rejoicing in hope of speedily going to Him whom their souls loved. At the lovefeast, which we had in the evening at Bristol, seventy or eighty of our brethren and sisters from Kingswood were present, notwithstanding the heavy snow. We all walked back together, through the most violent storm of sleet and snow which I ever remember; the snow also lying above knee-deep in many places. But our hearts were warmed, so that we went on, rejoicing and praising God for the consolation.

Wed. 24.-My brother set out for London. Thursday, 25, I met with such a case, as I do not remember either to have known or heard of before. L- -a Sm—, after many years' mourning, was filled with peace and joy in believing. In the midst of this, without any discernible cause, such a cloud suddenly overwhelmed her, that she could not believe her sins were ever forgiven her at all; nor that there was any such thing as forgiveness of sins. She could not believe that the Scriptures were true; nor that there was any heaven or hell, or angel,

or spirit, or any God.

One more I have since found in the same state. So sure it is, that all faith is the gift of God; which the moment he withdraws, the evil heart of unbelief will poison the whole soul. Fri. 26.—I returned early in the morning to Kingswood, in order to preach at the usual hour. But my congregation was gone to hear Mr. C- SO that (except a few from Bristol) I had not above two or three men, and as many women, the same number I had once or twice before. In the evening I read nearly through a treatise of Dr. John Edwards, on "The Deficiency of Human Knowledge and Learning." Surely, never man wrote like this man! At least, none of all whom I have seen. I have not seen so haughty, overbearing, pedantic a writer. Stiff and trifling in the same breath; positive and opiniated to the last degree, and of course treating others with no more good manners than justice. But above all, sour, ill-natured, morose without a parallel, which indeed is his distinguishing character. Be his opinion right or wrong, if Dr. Edwards's temper were the Christian temper, I would abjure Christianity for ever.

Thur. 30.-I was sent for by one who had been a zealous opposer of "this way.' But the Lover of souls now opened her eyes, and cut her off from trusting in the multitude of her good works: so that, finding no other hope left, she fled, poor and naked, to the blood of the covenant, and, a few days after, gladly gave up her soul into the hands of her faithful Redeemer. At six, the body of Alice Philips being brought into the room, I explained, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." This was she whom her master turned away the last year for receiving the Holy Ghost. And she had then scarce where to lay But she hath now a house of God, eternal in the heavens. Wed. 31.-Many from Bristol came over to us, and our love was greatly confirmed toward each other. At half an hour after eight, the house was filled from end to end, where we concluded the year, wrestling with God in prayer, and praising him for the wonderful work which he had already wrought upon earth.

her head.

January 1, 1741.-I explained, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” But many of our brethren, I found, had no ears to hear; having disputed away both their faith and love. In the evening, out of the fulness that was given me, I expounded those words of St. Paul, (indeed of every true believer,) "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Sat. 3.-The bodies of Anne Cole and Elizabeth Davis were buried. I preached before the burial, on, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Some time after Elizabeth Davis was speechless, being desired to hold up her hand, if she knew she was going to God, she looked up, and immediately held up both her hands. On Wednesday, I had asked Anne Cole, whether she chose to live or die. She said, "I do not choose either: I choose nothing. I am in my Saviour's hands; and I have no will but his. Yet I know, he will restore me soon." And so he did, in a few hours, to the paradise of God.

Sun. 4.--I showed the absolute necessity of "forgetting the things that are behind," whether works, sufferings, or gifts, if we would " press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling." In the evening, all

the bands being present, both of Bristol and Kingswood, I simply related what God had done by me, for them of Kingswood in particular; and what return many of them had made, for several months last past, by their continual disputes, divisions, and offences; causing me to go heavily all the day long. Wed. 7.—I found another believer, patiently waiting for the salvation of God; desiring neither health, nor ease, nor life, nor death; but only that his will should be done. Thur. 8.-I expounded the twenty-third psalm; and many were led forth by the waters of comfort: two especially, who never knew till then, that their "iniquities were forgiven, and their sin covered."

Sun. 11,-I met with a surprising instance of the power of the devil. While we were at the room, Mrs. J. -s, sitting at home, took the Bible to read; but on a sudden threw it away, saying, "I am good enough; I will never read or pray more." She was in the same mind when I came; often repeating, "I used to think I was full of sin, and that I sinned in every thing I did; but now I know better: I am a good Christian; I never did any harm in my life; I don't desire to be any better than I am." She spoke many things to the same effect, plainly showing, that the spirit of pride, and of lies, had the full dominion over her. Monday, 12.—I asked, “Do you desire to be healed?" She said, "I am whole." "But do you desire to be saved?" She replied, "I am saved; I ail nothing; I am happy." Yet it was easy to discern, she was in the most violent agony, both of body and mind; sweating exceedingly, notwithstanding the severe frost, and not continuing in the same posture a moment. Upon our beginning to pray, she raged beyond measure; but soon sunk down as dead. In a few minutes she revived, and joined in prayer. We left her, for the present, in peace.

Mon. 12. In the evening our souls were so filled with the spirit of prayer and thanksgiving, that I could scarce tell how to expound, till I found where it is written, "My song shall be always of the loving kindness of the Lord. With my mouth will I ever be showing thy truth, from one generation to another."

All this day, Mrs. J- -s was in a violent agony, till, starting up in the evening, she said, "Now they have done. They have just done. C prayed and Humphreys preached. (And indeed so they did.) And they are coming hither as fast as they can." Quickly after they came in. She immediately cried out, "Why, what do you come for? You can't pray. You know you can't." And they could not open their mouths; so that, after a short time, they were constrained to leave her as she was. Many came to see her on Tuesday ;-to every one of whom she spoke, concerning either their actual or their heartsins, and that so closely, that several of them went away in more haste than they came. In the afternoon Mr. J- sent to Kingswood for me. She told him, " Mr. Wesley won't come to-night; he will come in the morning. But God has begun, and he will end the work by himself. Before six in the morning I shall be well." And about a quarter before six the next morning, after lying quiet awhile, she broke out, "Peace be unto thee; (her husband;) peace be unto this house. The peace of God is come to my soul. I know that my Redeemer liveth." And for several days her mouth was filled with his praise, and her “talk was wholly of his wondrous works.”

Thur. 15.-I went to one of our brothers, who, being (as was supposed) struck with death, was rejoicing with joy unspeakable. His mouth overflowed with praise, and his eyes with tears, in hope of going soon to Him he loved. Mon. 18.-I found, from several accounts, it was absolutely necessary for me to be at London. I therefore desired the society to meet in the evening, and having settled things in the best manner I could, on Tuesday set out, and on Wednesday evening met our brethren at the Foundery. Thur. 22.-I began expounding where my brother had left off, viz. at the fourth chapter of the First Epistle of St. John. He had not preached the morning before; nor intended to do it any more. “The Philistines are upon thee, Samson." But the Lord is not "departed from thee." He shall strengthen thee yet again, and thou shalt be "avenged of them for the loss of thy eyes.'

Sun. 25.—I enforced that great command, "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men :" and in the evening, those solemn words, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Wed. 28.—Our old friends, Mr. Gambold and Mr. Hall, came to see my brother and me. The conversation turned wholly on silent prayer, and quiet waiting for God; which, they said, was the only possible way to attain living, saving faith.

Sirenum voces, et Circes pocula nôsti?

(Know'st thou the' enchanted cup, and Siren's song?) Was there ever so pleasing a scheme? But where is it written? Not in any of those books which I account the Oracles of God. I allow, if there is a better way to God than the scriptural way, this is it. But the prejudice of education so hangs upon me, that I cannot think there is. I must therefore still wait in the Bible-way, from which this differs as light from darkness. Fri. 30.-I preached in the morning, on, “Then shall they fast in those days;" and in the afternoon spent a sweet hour in prayer with some hundreds of our society.

Sun. Feb. 1.-A private letter, wrote to me by Mr. Whitefield, having been printed without either his leave or mine, great numbers of copies were given to our people, both at the door and in the Foundery itself. Having procured one of them, I related (after preaching) the naked fact to the congregation, and told them, "I will do just what I believe Mr. Whitefield would, were he here himself." Upon which I tore it in pieces before them all. Every one who had received it, did the same. So that in two minutes there was not a whole coov left. Ah! poor Ahithophel!

Ibi omnis effusus labor ! (So all the labour's lost !])

Wed. 4.-Being the general fast-day, I preached in the morning on those words, "Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" Coming from the service at St. Luke's, I found our house so crowded, that the people were ready to tread one upon another. I had not designed to preach; but seeing such a congregation, I could not think it right to send them empty away; and therefore expounded the parable of the barren fig O that it may at length bear fruit! From hence I went to P ford, where many poor wretches were got together, utterly void common sense and common decency. They cried aloud, a

tree.

come from "among the tombs :" but they could not prevail against the Holy One of God. Many of them were altogether confounded, and, I trust, will come again with a better mind.

Tues. 10.-(Being Shrove Tuesday.) Before I began to preach, many men of the baser sort, having mixed themselves with the women, behaved so indecently, as occasioned much disturbance. A constable commanded them to keep the peace: in answer to which they knocked him down. Some who were near seized on two of them, and, by shutting the doors, prevented any further contest. Those two were afterward carried before a magistrate; but on their promise of better behaviour, were discharged. Thur. 12.-My brother returned from Oxford, and preached on the true way of waiting for God: thereby dispelling at once the fears of some, and the vain hopes of others; who had confidently affirmed that Mr. Charles Wesley was still already, and would come to London no more.

:

Mon. 16.--While I was preaching in Long-lane, the host of the aliens gathered together: and one large stone (many of which they threw) went just over my shoulder. But no one was hurt in any degree for thy "kingdom ruleth over all." All things now being settled according to my wish, on Tuesday, 17, I left London. In the afternoon, I reached Oxford, and leaving my horse there, set out on foot for Stanton Harcourt. The night overtook me in about an hour, accompanied with heavy rain. Being wet and weary, and not well knowing my way, I could not help saying in my heart, (though ashamed of my want of resignation to God's will,) O that thou wouldest "stay the bottles of heaven;" or, at least, give me light, or an honest guide, or some help in the manner thou knowest! Presently the rain ceased; the moon broke out, and a friendly man overtook me, who set me upon his own horse, and walked by my side, till we came to Mr. Gambold's door.

Wed. 18.-I walked on to Burford; on Thursday to Malmsbury; and the next day to Bristol. Saturday, 21.-I inquired, as fully as I could, concerning the divisions and offences which, notwithstanding the earnest cautions I had given, began afresh to break out in Kingswood. In the afternoon I met a few of the bands there; but it was a cold uncomfortable meeting. Sunday, 22.-I endeavoured to show them the ground of many of their mistakes, from those words, "Ye need not that any man teach you, but as that same anointing teacheth you ;" —a text which had been frequently brought in support of the rankest enthusiasm. Mr. Cennick, and fifteen or twenty others, came up to me after sermon. I told them they had not done right in speaking against me behind my back. Mr. C- Ann A- and Thomas Bissicks, as the mouth of the rest, replied, they had said no more of me behind my back than they would say to my face; which was, that I did preach up man's faithfulness, and not the faithfulness of God.

In the evening was our love-feast in Bristol: in the conclusion of which, there being mention made that many of our brethren at Kingswood had formed themselves into a separate society, I related to them at large the effects of the separations which had been made from time to time in London; and likewise the occasion of this, namely, Mr. C-'s preaching other doctrine than that they had before received.