nature any such thing as a lithontriptic, a medicine that could dissolve the stone without dissolving the bladder. But I am now convinced there is no arguing against matter of fact. The facts here alledged are too recent to be denied, and too clear to be evaded: therefore I cannot but earnestly advise every one that has this dreadful distemper to try without delay, if he can afford it, this sovereign remedy.

Friday 4, I returned to London. Sunday 6, I preached a funeral sermon for that great and good man Mr. Fletcher, and most of the congregation felt that God was in the midst of them. In the afternoon I buried the remains of Judith Perry, a lovely young woman, snatched away at eighteen : but she was ripe for the bridegroom, and went to meet him in the full triumph of faith. Sunday 13, I preached at: Shoreditch-church. The congregation was very numerous, and the collection unusually large.

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Monday 14, This week I read over again, and carefully, considered, Mr. Fry's tract upon Marriage. I wonder it is not more known, as there is nothing on the subject like it in the English tongue. I still think he has proved, to a demonstration, that no marriages are forbidden, either by the Law of God or of England, but those of brothers and sisters, and those in the ascending and descending line. The con, trary supposition seems to be built wholly in a misinterpre tation of that expression in the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus, Thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. But this he clearly shews, does not mean to marry a woman, but to deflower her!

Sunday 21, I preached in Bethnal-Green church, and spoke as plainly as I possibly could, on Having the form of godliness, but denying the power of it. And this I judged to be far more suitable to such a congregation, than talking of justification by faith.

Having promised our friends at Winchester to come and open their preaching-house, when it was ready, I set out on Thursday 24, and preached there in the evening to a numerous congregation. But I have not seen a people less affected; they seemed to be mere stocks and stones: however, I

have cast my bread upon the water: possibly it may be found again after many days. On Friday evening we went into the mail-coach, and reached London at eight in the morning.

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Sunday 27, As soon as I had concluded my sermon at the new chapel, I hastened away to preach at St. Luke's, one of the largest parish churches in London. It was thoroughly filled, as it was seven years ago, when I preached there before. God enabled me to speak strong words on the epistle for the day. And I believe some felt that it was now high: time to awake out of sleep.

Monday 28, I went to Canterbury; the chapel was more than filled. On Tuesday I found at Dover also a considerable increase of the work of God. Wednesday 30, I went on to Margate. Some years since we had a small society here, but a local preacher took them to himself; only two or three remained, who, from time to time, pressed our preachers to come again. And to remove the objection, that "there was no place to preach in;" with the help of a few friends they built a convenient preaching-house. Thursday I opened it in the evening; the congregation was large, and perfectly well behaved. And I cannot but hope, that after all the stumbling-blocks there will be a people here, who will uniformly adorn the gospel of Christ. On Friday I returned to London.

Monday, December 5, And so the whole week, I spent every hour I could spare in the unpleasing, but necessary work of going through the town, and begging for the poor men who had been employed in finishing the new chapel. It is true, I am not obliged to do this; but, if I do it not, no body else will.

Sunday 11, I strongly enforced St. James's beautiful description of the wisdom from above. How hard is it to fix even on serious hearers, a lasting sense of the nature of true religion! Let it be right opinions, right modes of worship, or any thing, rather than right tempers!

Thursday 22, I preached at Highgate. Considering how magnificent a place this is, I do not. wonder so little good

has been done here. For what has religion to do with palaces?

Sunday 25, Being Christmas-Day, I preached at the new chapel early in the morning, and in the evening; about eleven at West-street. Monday 26, I baptized a young woman brought up an Anabaptist: and God bore witness to his ordinance, filling her heart, at the very time, with peace and joy unspeakable.

This week I endeavoured to point out the Erata in the eight volumes of the Arminian Magazine. This must be done by me; otherwise, several passages therein will be unintelligible.

Sunday, January 1, 1786, We began that solemn service, the renewing of our covenant with God, not in the evening as heretofore, but at three in the afternoon, as more convenient for the generality of the people. And God was with us of a truth.

Monday 9, At leisure hours this week I read the life of Sir William Penn, a wise and good man. But I was much surprised at what he relates concerning his first wife, who lived, I suppose, fifty years, and said a little before her death, “I bless God I never did any thing wrong in my life!" Was she then ever convinced of sin? And if not, could she be saved on any other footing than a heathen?

Tuesday 24, I was desired to go and hear the King de liver his speech in the House of Lords; but how agreeably was I surprised: he pronounced every word with exact propriety. I much doubt whether there be any other king in Europe that is so just and natural a speaker.

Tuesday 31, I had a more particular account of Joseph Lee than ever I had before. When I went first to Newcastleupon-Lyme, I chose him, being a man full of faith and love, to be one of the leaders, steward of the society, and caterer for our family. He discharged his trust with the utmost ability and integrity. He walked humbly and closely with God, and was a pattern to all the town, as well as to all the society.. But after some time he was persuaded to quit Newcastle, and settle at Nottingham. There he fell

among Antinomians, and trusting in his own strength, gradually sucked in their opinion, grew less and less strict, and lost first the power, and then the very form of religion. After he had lived some years openly and avowedly without God in the world, while he was one evening quite merry with his jovial companions, one of them said, “Why, Mr. Lee, you were once very godly: you were one of those mad Methodists!" He answered not a word, but leaned his arm on the table and died.

Sunday, February 5, In the morning, while I was apply. ing at the new chapel that solemn declaration, The Lord's hand is not shortened that he cannot save, nor is his ear waxed heavy, that he cannot hear, he did indeed speak aloud by his word, so that the stout-hearted trembled. I broke out into prayer: the power of God came mightily upon us, and there was a general cry: but the voice of two persons prevailed over all the rest. One praying, and the other shrieking as in the agonies of death. God relieved the former in a few minutes; the other, not till evening.

This week, in travelling, I read over Dr. Stuart's History of Scotland. He is a writer indeed! As far above Dr. Robertson as Dr. Robertson is above Oldmison. He proves beyond all possibility of doubt, that the charges against Queen Mary were totally groundless; that she was betrayed basely by her own servants, from the beginning to the end: and that she was not only one of the best princesses then in Europe, but one of the most blameless, yea, and the most pious women!

Monday 13, I went to Mitcham, and found a little company just started up, who were all on fire for God. The house being too small, I preached at the front of a house adjoining to the road, where the earnestness of the people made amends for the keenness of the north wind.

Sunday 19, I preached in Horsleydown-church, where, to my no small surprise, no man, woman, or child, seemed to know me, either by face or by name! But before I had done, many of the numerous congregation knew that God was there of a truth.

Monday 20, I paid my last visit to that saint of God, Ann Shortland, dying of a cancer in her breast, in continual pain, but triumphing over pain and death.

Sunday 26, I took a solemn leave of the congregation at the new chapel, at West-street, and at Brentford. Monday 27, we went on to Newbury, with little interruption from the snow; and I had a comfortable opportunity, with a large and serious congregation. But I have not passed such a night for these forty years, my lodging-room being just as cold as the outward air. I could not sleep at all till three in the morning. I rose at four and set out at five; but the snow, which fell in the night, lay so deep, it was with much difficulty we reached Chippenham. Taking fresh horses there we pushed on to Bath, and found a larger congregation than could well be expected.

Wednesday, March 1, I had appointed to preach in Trowbridge at noon; but we could not get thither till half an hour after: I then preached without delay; and in the evening in Bristol, on O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory? Afterwards I visited one, who could say with M. de Renty, "I bear with me an experimental verity, and a plenitude of the presence of the ever-blessed. Trinity." In the afternoon I went over to Kingswood, and found the school in excellent order.

Sunday 5, I read prayers and preached, and administered the sacrament to above five hundred communicants. At three I preached in Temple church, and at five in the new room: on Friday I baptized a young negro, who appeared to be deeply serious and much affected, as indeed did the whole congregation. Saturday 11, I rode over to Churchill, about twelve miles from Bristol, where Dr. Barry read prayers, and I preached to a serious congregation.

Monday 13, I left Bristol, taking Mr. Bradburn with me, as I judged a change of place and of objects would be a mean of calming his mind, deeply affected with the loss of a beloved wife. In the evening I preached at Stroud: Tuesday 14, at noon in Painswick, with uncommon liberty; and in the evening at Gloucester. I preached in the old church VOL. VI.

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