JOURNAL.

No. II.

FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1738, TO SEPTEMBER 16, 1738.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 1, After reading prayers, and explaining a

portion of Scripture to a large company at the inn, I left Deal, and came in the evening to Faversham.

I here read prayers and explained the Second Lesson, to a few of those who were called Christians, but were indeed more savage in their behaviour than the wildest Indians I have yet met with.

Friday 3, I came to Mr. Delamotte's at Blendon, where I expected a cold reception. But God had prepared the way before me; and I no sooner mentioned my name than I was welcomed in such a manner as constrained me to say, "Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not! Blessed be ye of the Lord! Ye have shewn more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning."

In the evening I came once more to London, whence I had been absent two years and near four months.

Many reasons I have to bless God, though the design I went upon did not take effect, for my having been carried into that strange land, contrary to all my preceding resolutions. Hereby, I trust, he hath in some measure "humbled me and proved me, and shewn me what was in my heart." Hereby I have been taught to beware of men. Hereby I am come to know assuredly, that if in all our ways we acknowledge God, he will, where reason fails, direct our paths, by lot or by the other means which he knoweth. Hereby I am delivered from the fear of the sea, which I had both dreaded and abhorred from my youth.

Hereby God has given me to know many of his servants, particularly those of the Church of Hernhuth. Hereby my passage is opened to the writings of holy men in the German, Spanish, and Italian tongues. I hope, too, some good may come to others hereby. All in Georgia have heard the word of God. Some have believed, and began to run well. A few steps have been taken towards publishing the glad tidings both to the African and American Heathens. Many children have learned How they ought to serve God, and to be useful to their neighbour. And those whom it most concerns have an opportunity of knowing the true state of their infant colony, and laying a firmer foundation of peace and happiness to many generations. Saturday 4, I told my friends some of the reasons, which a little hastened my return to England. They all agreed, it would be proper to relate them to the Trustées of Georgia.

Accordingly the next morning I waited on Mr. Oglethorpe, but had no time to speak on that head. In the afternoon I was desired to preach at St. John the Evangelist's. I did so on those strong words, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

I was afterwards informed, "Many of the best of the parish were so offended that I was not to preach there any more."

Monday 6, I visited many of my old friends, as well as most of my relations. I find the time is not yet come when I am to be hated of all men. O may I be prepared for that day!

Tuesday 7, (A day much to be remembered,) at the house of Mr. Weinantz, a Dutch merchant, I met Peter Bohler, Schulius Richter, and Wensel Neiser, just then landed from Germany. Finding they had no acquaintance in England, I offered to procure them a lodging, and did so near Mr. Hutton's, where I then was. And from this time I did not willingly lose any opportunity of conversing with them, while I stayed in London.

Wednesday 8, I went to Mr. Oglethorpe again, but had no opportunity of speaking as I designed. Afterwards I waited on the Board of Trustees, and gave them a short but plain account of the state of the Colony: an account, I fear, not a little differing from those, which they had frequently received before: and for which, I have reason to believe, some of them have not forgiven me to this day.

Sunday 12, I preached at St. Andrew's Holborn, on, Though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. O hard sayings! Who can hear them? Here too, it seems, I am to preach

no more.

Wednesday 15, I waited on the Trustees again, and gave them in writing the substance of what I had said at the last Board. Whatsoever farther questions they asked concerning the state of the Province, I likewise answered to the best of my knowledge.

Friday 17, I set out for Oxford with Peter Bohler, where we were kindly received by Mr. Sarney, the only one now remaining here, of many who, at our embarking for America, were used to take sweet counsel together and rejoice in bearing the reproach of Christ.

Saturday 18, We went to Stanton Harcourt, to Mr. Gambold, and found my old friend recovered from his mystic delusion, and convinced that St. Paul was a better writer than either Tauler or Jacob Behmen. The next day I preached once more at the Castle, in Ox ford, to a numerous and serious congregation.

All this time I conversed much with Peter Bohler, but I understood him not: and least of all when he said, Mi frater, mi frater, excoquenda est ista tua Philosophia. "My brother, my brother, that Philosophy of your's must be purged away."

Monday 20, I returned to London. On Tuesday I preached at Great St. Helen's, on, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Wednesday 22, I was with the Trustees again, to whom I then gave a short account, and afterwards delivered it to them in writing, of the reasons why I left Georgia.

Sunday 26, I preached at six at St. Lawrence's: at ten, in St. Katharine's Creed-church; and in the afternoon at St John's, Wapping. I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon most, because it gave most offence; being, indeed, an open defiance of that mystery of iniquity which the world calls Prudence: grounded on those words of St. Paul to the Galatians, As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised, only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Monday 27, I took coach for Salisbury, and had several opportunities of conversing seriously with my fellow-travellers. But endeavouring to mend the wisdom of God by the worldly wisdom of prefacing serious with light conversation, and afterwards following that advice of the Mystics Leave them to themselves, all I had said was -written on the sand. Lord lay no this sin to my charge! Tuesday 28, I saw my mother once more. The next day I prepared for my journey to my brother at Tiverton. But on Thursday morning, March 2, a message-That my brother Charles was dying at Oxford, obliged me to set out for that place immediately. Calling at an odd house in the afternoon, I found several persons there who seemed well-wishers to religion, to whom I spake plainly; as I did in the evening both to the servants and strangers at my Inn.

With regard to my own behaviour, I now renewed and wrote down my former resolutions.

1. To use absolute openness and unreserve, with all I should converse with.

2. To labour after continual seriousness, not willingly indulging myself, in any the least levity of behaviour, or in laughter, no not for a moment.

3. To speak no word which does not tend to the glory of God; in particular, not to talk of worldly things. Others may, nay must. But what is that to thee? AndTM

4. To take no pleasure which does not tend to the glory of God thanking God every moment for all I do take, and therefore rejecting every sort and degree of it which I feel I cannot so thank him in and for.

Saturday, March 4, I found my brother at Oxford, recovering from his pleurisy and with him Peter Bohler: by whom, in the hand of the great God, I was on Sunday the 5th clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved. Immediately it struck into my mind, "Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others, who have not faith yourself?" I asked Bohler, whether he thought I should leave it off, or not? He answered, By no means. I asked, "but what can I preach?". He said, "Preach faith, till you have it, and then, because you have it, you will preach faith,"

Accordingly, Monday 6, I began preaching this new doctrine, The first person to

though my soul started back from the work.

Peter Bohler had many

whom I offered Salvation by faith alone, was a prisoner under sentence of death. His name was Clifford. times desired me to speak to him before.

But I could not prevail

on myself so to do; being still, as I had been many years, a zealous asserter of the impossibility of a death-bed repentance.

Friday 10, Peter Bohler returned to London. Tuesday 15, I set out for Manchester, with Mr. Kinchin, Fellow of Corpus Christi, and Mr. Fox, late a prisoner in the city prison. Between five and six, we called at Chapel on the Heath, where lived a poor man, some time prisoner in the Castle of Oxford. He was not at home; but his wife came to us, to whom Mr. Kinchin spoke a few words, which so melted her heart, that she burst out into tears and we went on rejoicing and praising God.

About 8, it being rainy and dark, we lost our way; but before 9, came to Shipston, having rode over, I know not how, a narrow footbridge, which lay across a deep ditch near the town. After supper I read prayers to the people of the Inn, and explained the Second Lesson; I hope not in vain.

The next day we dined at Birmingham, and soon after we left it, were reproved for our negligence there (in letting those who attended us go, without either exhortation or instruction) by a severe shower of hail. At Hedgeford, about five, we endeavoured to be more faithful; and all who heard seemed serious and affected.

In the evening we came to Stafford. The mistress of the house joined with us in family prayer. The next morning one of the servants appeared deeply affected, as did the hostler before we went. Soon after breakfast, stepping into the stable, I spake a few words to those who were there. A stranger who heard me said, "Sir, I wish I was to travel with you." And when I went into the house, followed me, and began abruptly, " Sir, I believe you are a good man, and I come to tell you a little of my life." The tears stood in his eyes all the time he spoke; and we hoped not a word which was said to him was lost

At Newcastle, whither we came about ten, some to whom we spoke at our Inn, were very attentive; but a gay young woman waited on us, quite unconcerned however, we spoke on. When we went away, she fixed her eyes, and neither moved nor said one word, but appeared as much astonished as if she had seen one risen from the dead.

Coming to Holms-Chapel about three, we were surprised at being shewn into a room where a cloth and plates were laid. Soon after, two men came in to dinner. Mr. Kinchin told them, " If they pleased, that gentleman would ask a blessing for them." They stared, and, as it were, consented; but sat still while I did it, one of them with his hat on. We began to speak on turning to God, and went on, though they appeared utterly regardless. After a while their countenances changed, and one of them stole off his hat, and laying it down behind him said, "All we said was true; but he had been a grievous sinner, and not considered it as he ought: but he was resolved, with God's help, now to turn to him in earnest.” We exhorted him and his companion, who now likewise drank in every word, To cry mightily to God, that " he would send them help from his holy place."