Lawfords's Gate; who having no work, (because of the severe frost,) and no assistance from the parish wherein they lived, were reduced to the last extremity. I made another collection on Thursday; and a third on Sunday; by which we were enabled to feed a hundred, sometimes a hundred and fifty, a day, of those whom we found to need it most.

Tues. 22.-I preached at Bridge Gate, six miles from Bristol: Thursday, 24, at Westerleigh, eight miles from thence. In the evening, at the new room, I expounded Exodus xiv. And we found that God's arm is not shortened, and rejoiced before him with reverence. I was a little surprised, in going out of the room, at one who catched hold of me, and said abruptly, "I must speak with you and will. I have sinned against light and against love. I have sinned beyond forgiveness. I have been cursing you in my heart, and blaspheming God ever since I came here. 1 am damned; I know it; I feel it; I am in hell; I have hell in my heart." I desired two or three, who had confidence in God, to join in crying to him on her behalf. Immediately that horrid dread was taken away, and she began to see some dawnings of hope.

Fri. 25. Another was with me, who after having tasted the heavenly gift, was fallen into the depth of despair. But it was not long before God heard the prayer, and restored to her the light of his countenance. One came to me in the evening, to know if a man could not be saved without the faith of assurance. I answered, "1. I cannot approve of your terms, because they are not scriptural. I find no such phrase as either faith of assurance' or 'faith of adherence' in the Bible. Besides, you speak as if there were two faiths in one Lord. Whereas, St. Paul tells us, there is but one faith in one Lord. 2. By 'Ye are saved by faith,' I understand, ye are saved from your award and outward sins. 3. I never yet knew one soul thus saved without what you call 'the faith of assurance;' I mean a sure confidence, that, by the merits of Christ, he was reconciled to the favour of God."

Sat. 26.-I was strongly convinced, that if we asked of God, he would give light to all those that were in darkness. About noon we had a proof of it: one that was weary and heavy laden, upon prayer made for her, soon finding rest to her soul. In the afternoon we had a second proof,-another mourner being speedily comforted. My Dn was a third, who about five o'clock began again to rejoice in God her Saviour: as did M-y H-y, about the same hour, after a long night of doubts and fears. Thur. 31.-I went to one in Kings wood who was dangerously ill; as was supposed, past recovery. But she was strong in the Lord, longing to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Some of her words, were, "I was long striving to come to my Saviour, and I then thought he was afar off; but now I know he was nigh me all that time: I know his arms were round me; for his arms are like the rainbow, they go round heaven and earth."

I had now determined, if it should please God, to spend some time in Bristol. But quite contrary to my expectation, I was called away, in a manner I could not resist. A young man, who had no thoughts of religion, had come to Bristol, a few months before. One of his acquaintance brought him to me; he approved of what he heard, and for a while behaved well; but soon after, his seriousness wore off; he

returned to London, and fell in with his old acquaintance: by some of these he was induced to commit a robbery on the highway; for which he was apprehended, tried, and condemned. He had now a strong desire to speak with me; and some of his words (in a letter to his friend) were, "I adjure him, by the living God, that he come and see me before I go hence."

Fri. Feb. 1.-I set out, and on Sunday, 3, declared the grace of God at Newbury, from those words of the prophet, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely." And though the church was full of (chiefly) genteel, well-dressed people, they behaved as if they knew God was there. Mon. 4.-I came to Reading, and met with a few still hungering and thirsting after righteousness. A few more I found at Windsor in the evening. The next afternoon I reached London. Wed. 6.-I went to the poor young man who lay under sentence of death. Of a truth God has begun a good work in his soul. O may it be brought to perfection! I think it was the next time I was there, that the ordinary of Newgate came to me, and with much vehemence told me, he was sorry I should turn Dissenter from the Church of England. I told him, if it was so, I did not know it: at which he seemed a little surprised; and offered at something by way of proof, but which needed not a reply.

Our twentieth Article defines a true church, "a congregation of faithful people, wherein the true word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered." According to this account, the Church of England is that body of faithful people, (or holy believers,) in England, among whom the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered. Who then are the worst Dissenters from this Church? 1. Unholy men of all kinds; swearers, Sabbath breakers, drunkards, fighters, whoremongers, liars, revilers, evil speakers; the passionate, the gay, the lovers of money, the lovers of dress, or of praise, the lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: all these are Dissenters of the highest sort, continually striking at the root of the Church; and themselves belonging in truth to no Church, but to the synagogue of Satan. 2. Men unsound in the faith; those who deny the Scriptures of truth; those who deny the Lord that bought them; those who deny justification by faith alone, or the present salvation which is by faith; these also are Dissenters of a very high kind: for they likewise strike at the foundation; and were their principles universally to obtain, there could be no true Church upon earth: Lastly, those who unduly administer the sacraments; who (to instance but in one point) administer the Lord's Supper to such as have neither the power nor the form of godliness. These, too, are gross Dissenters from the Church of England, and should not cast the first stone at others. Tues. 12.-The young man who was to die the next day, gave me a paper, part of which was as follows:

"As I am to answer to the God of justice and truth, before whom I am to appear naked to-morrow, I came to Bristol with a design to go abroad, either as a surgeon or in any other capacity that was suiting. It was there that I unfortunately saw Mr. Ramsey. He told me, after one or two interviews, that he was in the service of Mr. John Wesley; and that he would introduce me to him, which he did. I cannot but say, I was always fond of the doctrine that I heard from him; however, VOL. III.

12

unhappily I consented with Mr. Ramsey, and I believe between us we might take more than thirty pounds out of the money collected for building the school in Kingswood. I acknowledge the justice of God in overtaking me for my sacrilege, in taking that money which was devoted to God. But he, I trust, has forgiven me this and all my sins, washing them away in the blood of the Lamb.

66 Feb. 12, 1739-40.

GWILLAM SNOWDE."

I knew not in the morning whether to rejoice or grieve, when they informed me he was reprieved for six weeks; and afterward, that he was ordered for transportation. But known unto God are all his works!

Wed. 20.-I explained at Deptford the nature of Christian faith and salvation. Many seemed to receive the word with joy. Others complained, "Thou bringest strange things to our ears;" though some of them had not patience to hear what this new doctrine was.

Thur. 21.-I had a long conference with those whom I esteem very highly in love. But I could not yet understand them on one point,Christian openness and plainness of speech. They pleaded for such a reservedness and closeness of conversation as I could in no wise reconcile with St. Paul's direction, "By manifestation of the truth" to commend "ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Yet I scarce knew what to think, considering they had the practice of their whole Church on their side: till I opened my Testament on these words, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me."

Tues. 26.-Complaint was made again, (as indeed had been done before, and that not once or twice only,) that many of our brethren, not content with leaving off the ordinances of God themselves, were continually troubling those that did not, and disputing with them, whether they would or no. The same complaint was made the next night also, at the meeting of the society. I then plainly set before them the things they had done, expostulated the case with them, and earnestly besought them not to trouble or perplex the minds of their brethren any more; but at least to excuse those who still waited for God in the ways of his own appointment.

Sat. March 1.-Many that were in heaviness being met together, we cried to God to comfort their souls. One of these soon found that God heareth the prayer. She had before been under the physician's hands; her relations taking it for granted she was "beside herself." But the Great Physician alone knew how to heal her sickness. Mon. 3.

I rode by Windsor to Reading, where I had left two or three full of peace and love. But I now found some from London had been here, grievously troubling these souls also; labouring to persuade them, 1. That they had no faith at all, because they sometimes felt doubt or fear. And, 2. That they ought to be still; not to go to church, not to communicate, not to search the Scriptures : "Because," say they, "you cannot do any of these things without trusting in them." After confirming their souls we left Reading, and on Wednesday, 5, came to Bristol. It was easy to observe here, in how different a manner God works now, from what he did last spring. He then poured along like a rapid flood, overwhelming all before him. Whereas now,

He deigns his influence to infuse,
Secret, refreshing as the silent dews.

Convictions sink deeper and deeper. Love and joy are more calm, even, and steady. And God, in many, is laying the axe to the root of the tree, who can have no rest in their spirits till they are fully renewed in the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.

Wed. 12.-I found a little time (having been much importuned) to spend with the soldier in Bridewell, who was under sentence of death. This I continued to do once a day; whereby there was also an opportunity of declaring the Gospel of peace to several desolate ones that were confined in the same place. Tues. 18.-In the evening, just after I had explained, as they came in course, those comfortable words of God to St. Paul, "Be not afraid; but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city,”—a person spoke aloud in the middle of the room, "Sir, I am come to give you notice, that, at the next quarter sessions, you will be prosecuted for holding a seditious conventicle." Tues. 25.—The morning exposition began at five, as I hope it will always for the time to come. Thursday, 27, I had an interview with Joseph Chandler, a young Quaker, who had sometimes spoke in their meeting, with whom I had never exchanged a word before; as indeed I knew him not either by face or name. But some had been at the pains of carrying him, as from me, a formal challenge to dispute; and had afterward told him that I had declared, in the open society, I challenged Joseph Chandler to dispute; and he promised to come, but broke his word. Joseph immediately sent to know, from my own mouth, if these things were so. If those who probably count themselves better Christians, had but done like this honest Quaker, how many idle tales, which they now potently believe, would, like this, have vanished into air! Fri. 28.-From these words, "Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil," I took occasion to describe that wilderness state, that state of doubts, and fears, and strong temptation, which so many go through, though in different degrees, after they have received remission of sins.

Sat. 29. I spent another hour with one I had twice conversed with before; and with much the same effect. He asked wherein the doctrine I preached differed from the doctrine preached by other ministers of the Church. I told him, "I hope not at all from that which is preached by many other ministers. But from that which is preached by some, it differs thus: I preach the doctrine of the Church, and they do not." After he had long and zealously laboured to prove, that all ministers preached as I did, and there was no difference of doctrine at all; I was obliged to leave him abruptly; and should indeed have feared, that my time had been spent to small purpose, but for one piece of history which I then learned, viz. that he had gone to the bishop, before his lordship left Bristol, and informed him that I said in the public congregation, I had had a conference with the bishop and twelve clergymen, and had put them all to silence. Was his lordship so informed? And could ne believe even this? O Joseph Chandler, Joseph Chandler!

For

I think it was about this time that the soldier was executed. some time I had visited him every day. But when the love of God was shed abroad in his heart, I told him, "Do not expect to see me any more. He who has now begun a good work in your soul, will, I

doubt not, preserve you to the end. But I believe Satan will separate us for a season." 99 Accordingly, the next day, I was informed that the commanding officer had given strict orders, neither Mr. Wesley, nor any of his people, should be admitted; for they were all Atheists. But did that man die like an Atheist? Let my last end be like his !

Tues. April 1.-While I was expounding the former part of the twenty-third chapter of the Acts, (how wonderfully suited to the occasion! though not by my choice,) the floods began to lift up their voice. Some or other of the children of Beliat had laboured to disturb us several nights before: but now it seemed as if all the host of the aliens were come together with one consent. Not only the court and the alleys, but all the street, upward and downward, was filled with people, shouting, cursing, and swearing, and ready to swallow the ground with fierceness and rage. The mayor sent order, that they should disperse. But they set him at nought. The chief constable came next in person, who was, till then, sufficiently prejudiced against us. But they insulted him also in so gross a manner, as, I believe, fully opened his eyes. At length the mayor sent several of his officers, who took the ringleaders into custody, and did not go till all the rest were dispersed. Surely he hath been to us "the minister of God for good."

Wed. 2.-The rioters were brought up to the court, the quarter sessions being held that day. They began to excuse themselves by saying many things of me. But the mayor cut them all short, saying, "What Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to you. I will keep the peace: I will have no rioting in this city." Calling at Newgate in the afternoon, I was informed that the poor wretches under sentence of death were earnestly desirous to speak with me; but that it could not be; Alderman Beecher having just then sent an express order that they should not. I cite Alderman Beecher to answer for these souls at the judgment seat of Christ.

Thur. 3.-I went into the room, weak and faint. The scripture that came in course, was, "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers." I know not, whether God hath been so with us from the beginning hitherto : he proclaimed, as it were, a general deliverance to the captives. The chains fell off: they arose and followed him. The cries of desire, joy, and love, were on every side. Fear, sorrow, and doubt, fled away. Verily thou hast "sent a gracious rain upon thine inheritance, and refreshed it when it was weary." On Good Friday I was much comforted by Mr. T's sermon at All Saints, which was according to the truth of the Gospel; as well as by the affectionate seriousness wherewith he delivered the holy bread to a very large congregation. May the good Lord fill him with all the life of love, and with all "spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus." At five, preaching on John xix, 34, "A soldier pierced his side, and there came forth blood and water;" I was enabled to speak strong words, both concerning the atoning blood, and the living sanctifying water. Many were deeply convinced of their want of both; and others filled with strong consolation.

Mon. 7.-At the pressing instance of Howel Harris, I again set out for Wales. In the evening I preached "repentance and remission of sins," at Lanvachas, three miles from the New Passage. Tuesday, 8,