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And almost as many were present at five in the morning,' whom I exhorted to go on to perfection, which many of them, Mr. Clarke informs me, are earnestly endeavouring to do.

Tuesday 21, We took a walk to one of our friends in the country. Near his house stood, what they call, The College: it is a free school, designed to train up children for the University, exceeding finely situated, in a quiet recess, surrounded by tall woods. Not far from it stands on the top of a high hill (I suppose a Roman mount) an old chapel, believed to be the first Christian church which was built in the island. From hence we had a view of the whole island, the pleasantest I ever saw, as far superior to the Isle of Wight as that is to the Isle of Man. The little hills, almost covered with large trees, are inexpressibly beautiful; it seems they are to be equalled in the Isle of Guernsey. In the evening I was obliged to preach abroad, on Now is the day of salvation. I think a blessing seldom fails to attend that subject.

:Wednesday 22, In the evening, the room not containing the people, I was obliged to stand in the yard. I preached on Rom. iii. 22, 23, and spoke exceedingly plain. Even the gentry heard with deep attention. How little things does God turn to his own glory. Probably many of these flock together because I have lived so many years! And perhaps even this may be the mean of their living for

ever!

Thursday 23, I rode to St. Mary's, five or six miles from St. Helier's, through shady, pleasant lanes. None at the house could speak English, but I had interpreters enow. In the evening our large room was thoroughly filled. I preached on By grace ye are saved, through faith: Mr. Brackenbury interpreted sentence by sentence, and God owned his word, though delivered in so awkward a manner: but especially in prayer; I prayed in English, and Mr. B. in French.

The houses here are exactly like those in the interior parts of Wales, equal to the best farmer's houses in Lin

colnshire. And the people in general are far better behaved than our country farmers in England.

Friday 24, I returned to St. Helier's. The high wind in the evening prevented my preaching abroad: however, on more than the house would contain, I enforced those awful words, It is appointed unto men once to die. I believe the word fell heavy on all that heard, and many wished to die the death of the righteous.

Saturday 25, Having now leisure, I finished a sermon on Discerning the Signs of the Times. This morning I had a particular conversation, (as I had once or twice before) with Jeannie Bisson of this town, such a young woman as I have hardly seen elsewhere. She seems to be wholly devoted to God, and to have constant communion with him. She has a clear and strong understanding, and I cannot perceive the least tincture of enthusiasm. I am afraid she will not live long. I am amazed at the grace of God which is in her. I think she is far beyond Madam Guion, in deep communion with God and I doubt whether I have found her fellow in England. Precious as my time is, it would have been worth my while to come to Jersey, had it been only to see this prodigy of grace.

In the evening God was with us in a very uncommon manner, while I opened and enforced those comprehensive words, We preach Christ crucified. I know not when we have had such an opportunity. It seemed as if every soul present would have found the salvation of God!

Sunday 26, Dr. Coke preached at five and I at nine o'clock. Afterwards I heard the English service at church; but the congregation was nothing nearly so large as ours at five in the morning. We had a French sermon in our room at three. Afterwards I met the society, many of whom came from the country, and understood no English; so Mr. Brack, enbury interpreted for me again; afterwards we both prayed. Many of the people seemed greatly affected. Between five and six I began preaching in the yard: but before I had finished my sermon it poured down with rain; so I was obliged to conclude abruptly.

Monday 27, Captain Cabot, the master of a Guernsey sloop, called upon us early in the morning, and told us, "If we chose to go that way he would set out between five and six." But the wind being quite contrary, we judged it best to wait a little longer. In the evening, being appointed to preach at seven, I was obliged to preach within: we were extremely crowded; but the power of God was so manifested while I declared, We preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, that we soon forgot the heat, and were glad of being detained a little longer than we intended.

I thought when I left Southampton to have been there again as this day; but God's thoughts were not as my thoughts. Here we are shut up in Jersey, for how long we cannot tell. But it is all well; for thou, Lord, hast done it. It is my part to improve the time, as it is not likely I should ever have another opportunity of visiting these islands.

Tuesday 28, Being still detained by contrary winds, I preached at six in the evening to a larger congregation than ever, in the assembly-room. It conveniently contains five or six hundred people. Most of the gentry were present, and I believe felt that God was there in an uncommon degree. Being still detained, I preached there again the next evening to a larger congregation than ever. I now judged I had fully delivered my own soul; and in the morning, the wind serving for Guernsey, and not for Southampton, I returned thither, not unwillingly, since it was not by my choice, but by the clear Providence of God: for, in the afternoon, I was offered the use of the assembly-room, a spacious chamber in the market-place, which would contain, at least, thrice as many as our former room. I willingly accepted the offer, and preached at six to such a congregation as I had not seen here before. And the word seemed to sink deep into their hearts. I trust it will not return empty.

Wednesday 29, I designed to have followed the blow in the morning; but I had quite lost my voice: however, it was restored in the evening, and I believe all in the assembly-room, (more than the last evening,) heard distinctly,

while I explained and applied, I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. In the morning, Thursday 30, I took a solemn leave of the society. We set out about nine, and reached St. Peter's in the afternoon. Good is the will of the Lord. I trust he has something more for us to do here also. After preaching to a larger congregation than was expected, on so short a notice, on God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, I returned to Mont-Plaisir, to stay just as long as it should please God. I preached there in the morning, Friday 31, to a congregation serious as death. Afterwards I looked over Archbishop Usher's Letters, and was surprised to find that great man was fully convinced, 1, That the Septuagint translation continually adds to, takes from, and changes the Hebrew text at pleasure. 2, That this could not possibly be owing to mistake, but must have been done by design. 3, That the original translation of it was lost long ago, and what has ever since gone under that name is a spurious copy, abounding with omissions, additions, and alterations of the Hebrew text; yet not such as any way destroys the foundation.

I designed to preach abroad in the evening; but the furious wind drove us into the house: however, our labour was not lost; for many felt the sharpness of the two-edged sword while I was expounding Gal. vi. 14.

Saturday, September 1, This day twelvemonth I was detained in Holland by contrary winds. All is well, so we are doing and suffering the will of our Lord. In the evening, the storm driving us into the house again, I strongly exhorted a very genteel audience, (such as I have rarely seen in England) to ask for the old paths, and walk therein.

Sunday 2, Being still pent up by the north-east wind, Dr. Coke preached at six in the morning to a deeply affected congregation. I preached at eight, on Rom. viii. 33. At one Mr. Vivian, a local preacher, preached in French, the language of the island. At five, as the house would not contain half the congregation, I preached in a tolerably sheltered place, on the joy there is in heaven over one sinner that repenteth; and both high and low seemed to hear it

gladly. I then designed to meet the society, but could not. The people pressed so eagerly on every side that the house was filled presently; so that I could only give a general exhortation, To walk worthy of their profession.

I was in hopes of sailing in the morning, Monday 3, but the storm so increased that it was judged impracticable. The congregation, however, in the evening increased every day; and they appeared to be more and more affected; so that I believe we were not detained for nothing; but for the spiritual and eternal good of many.

Tuesday 4, The storm continued, so that we could not stir. I took a walk to-day, through, what is called, the New Ground, where the gentry are accustomed to walk in the evening: both the upper ground, which is as level as a bowling-green, and the lower, which is planted with rows of trees, is wonderfully beautiful. In the evening I fully delivered my own soul by shewing what it is to build upon a rock. But still we could not sail, the wind being quite contrary as well as exceedingly high. It was the same on Wednesday. In the afternoon we drank tea at a friend's who was mentioning a captain just come from France, that proposed to sail in the morning for Penzance, for which the wind would serve, though not for Southampton. In this we plainly saw the hand of God: so we agreed with him immediately; and in the morning, Thursday 6, went on board, with a fair, moderate wind: but we had but just entered the ship when the wind died away. We cried to God for help: and it presently sprung up, exactly fair, and did not cease till it brought us into Penzance-bay.

We appeared to our friends here as men risen from the dead. Great was their rejoicing over us; and great was the power of God in the midst of the congregation, while I explained and applied those words, Whosoever doth the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Saturday 8, Dr. Coke preached at six to as many as the preaching-house would contain. At ten I was obliged to take the field by the multitude of people that flocked together. I found a very uncommon liberty of speech among VOL. VI.

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