In this journey I read over that strange book, "The Life of Sextus Quintus," a hog-driver at first, then a Monk, a Priest, a Bishop, a Cardinal, a Pope. He was certainly as great a genius, in his way, as any that ever lived. He did great things, and designed far greater, but death prevented the execution. And he had many excellent qualities, but was full as far from being a Christian as Henry VIII., or Oliver Cromwell.

Wed. 21. We had our quarterly meeting at London; at which I was surprised to find, that our income does not yet answer our expense. We were again near two hundred pounds bad. My private account I find still worse. I have laboured as much as many writers; and all my labour has gained me, in seventy years, a debt of five or six hundred pounds.

Sunday, 25, was a day of strong consolation, particularly at Spitalfields. At five, I preached in Moorfields, to (it was supposed) the largest congregation that ever assembled there. But my voice was so strengthened, that those who were farthest off could hear perfectly well. the season for field-preaching is not yet over; it cannot, while so many are in their sins and in their blood.

So

Tues. Aug. 3. Our Conference began. I preached mornings as well as evenings. And it was all one. I found myself just as strong as if I had preached but once a day. Sun. 8. At night I set out in the machine, and on Monday reached Bristol. In the way, I looked over Mr. -'s Dissertations. I was surprised to find him a thorough convert of Mr. Stonehouse's, both as to the pre-existence of souls, and the non-eternity of hell. But he is far more merciful than Mr. Stonehouse; he allows it to last (not five millions but) only thirty thousand years!

It would be excusable if these menders of the Bible would offer their hypothesis modestly. But one cannot excuse them, when they not only obtrude their novel scheme with the utmost confidence, but even ridicule that scriptural one, which always was, and is now held by men of the greatest learning and piety in the world. Hereby they promote the cause of infidelity more effectually than either Hume or Voltaire.

Thur. 12. I set out for Cornwall; and the next day we came to Collumpton. For five or six days, I think, the weather has been as hot as it is in Georgia. After preaching

I went on to Exeter with Ralph Mather, then a humble, scriptural Christian.

Sat. 14. I went on to Plymouth-dock, and in the evening preached in the Square.

Sun. 15. As I could not sleep (an uncommon thing with me) till near two in the morning, my companion was afraid I should not be able to go through the labour of the day; but I knew I did not go a warfare at my own cost. At seven, I preached in Mr. Kinsman's preaching-house, on, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." And I think many received the truth in the love thereof. Between one

and two, I preached in the Tabernacle at Plymouth, and in the evening declared in the Square, to a multitude of people, the nature of that love, without which all we say, know, believe, do, and suffer, profits nothing.

Mon. 16. In the evening I preached at St. Austell. Tues. 17. In the Coinage-hall at Truro; at six, in the main street at Helston. How changed is this town, since a Methodist Preacher could not ride through it, without hazard of his life!

It

Wed. 18. I preached in the Town-hall in Penzance. was soon filled from end to end; and it was filled with the power of God. One would have thought, every soul must have bowed down before Him. In the evening I preached at St. Just.

Thur. 20. In Penzance and Marazion; and in the evening, in the Market-place at St. Ives, to the largest congregation I have yet seen in Cornwall.

Sat. 22. I preached in Illugan, and at Redruth.

Sun. 23. In St. Agnes church, a town, at eight; about one, at Redruth; and at five, in the Amphitheatre at Gwenap. The people both filled it, and covered the ground round about, to a considerable distance. So that, supposing the space to be fourscore yards square, and to contain five persons in a square yard, there must be above two and thirty thousand people; the largest assembly I ever preached to. Yet I found, upon inquiry, all could hear, even to the skirts of the congregation! Perhaps the first time that a man of seventy had been heard by thirty thousand persons at once!

Hence I went, by St. Cuthbert's, Port Isaac, Camelford, and Launceston, to Tiverton.

Sat. 28. I returned to Bristol.

Fri. Sept. 3. I went over to Kingswood, and inquired

into the ground of many heavy charges, which had been confidently advanced against the management there. One article was true, and no more; and this fault is now amended.

After

I waited a few days before I set down what has lately occurred among the children here. From the time God visited them last, several of them retained a measure of the fear of God. But they grew colder and colder, till Ralph Mather met them in the latter end of August. Several then resolved to meet in Class again, and appeared to have good desires. On Saturday, September 4, he talked with three of them about four in the afternoon. These freely confessed their besetting sins, and appeared to be greatly humbled. At five, all the children met in the school. During an exhortation then given, first one, then two or three, were much affected. wards two more were taken apart, who were soon deeply distressed; and one of them, (James Whitestone,) in less than half an hour, found a clear sense of the love of God. Near seven, there came down the boys in the school, and Mr. Mather asked, Which of you will serve God?" They all seemed to be thunderstruck, and ten or twelve fell down upon their knees. Mr. Mather prayed, and then James Whitestone. Immediately one and another cried out, which brought in the other boys, who seemed struck more and more, till about thirty were kneeling and praying at once. Before half an hour past nine, ten of them knew that they were accepted in the Beloved. Several more were brought to the birth; and all the children but three or four were affected more or less.

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Sun. 5. I examined sixteen of them, who desired to partake of the Lord's Supper. Nine or ten had a clear sense of the pardoning love of God. The others were fully determined never to rest till they could witness the same confession.

Eighteen of the children from that time met in three bands, besides twelve who met in trial band. These were remarkable for their love to each other, as well as for steady seriousness. They met every day; beside which, all the children met in Class.

Those who found peace were, James Whitestone, Alexander Mather, Matthew Lowes, William Snowdon, John Keil, Charles Farr, John Hamilton, Benjamin Harris, and Edward Keil.

Mon. 6. After Mr. Mather had preached at Pensford, he met the children there. Presently the spirit of contrition fell upon them, and then the spirit of grace and of supplication, till the greater part of them were crying together for mercy, with a loud and bitter cry. And all Miss Owen's children but one (two and twenty in number) were exceedingly comforted.

Fri. 10. I went over to Kingswood, and inquired into the present state of the children. I found part of them had walked closely with God; part had not, and were in heaviness. Hearing in the evening, that they were got to prayer by themselves in the school, I went down; but not being willing to disturb them, stood at the window. Two or three had gone in first, then more and more, till above thirty were gathered together. Such a sight I never saw before nor since; three or four stood and stared, as if affrighted. The rest were all on their knees, pouring out their souls before God, in a manner not easy to be described. Sometimes one, sometimes more, prayed aloud; sometimes a cry went up from them all, till five or six of them, who were in doubts before, saw the clear light of God's countenance.

Sun. 12. Four of Miss Owen's children desired leave to partake of the Lord's Supper. I talked with them severally, and found they were all still rejoicing in the love of God. And they confirmed the account, that "there was only one of their whole number who was unaffected on Monday but all the rest could then say with confidence, 'Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.'" I suppose such a visitation of children has not been known in England these

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hundred years! In so marvellous a manner, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God has perfected praise!"

END OF VOL. III.

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