We continued in useless debate till about eleven. I then gave them up to God.

Friday 18, A few of us joined with my mother in the great sacrifice of thanksgiving; and then consulted how to proceed with regard to our poor brethren of Fetter-lane: We all saw the thing was now come to a crisis, and were therefore unanimously agreed what to do.

Sunday 20, At Mr. Seward's earnest request, I preached once more in Moorfields, on the work of faith, and the patience of hope, and the labour of love. A zealous man was so kind as to free us from most of the noisy, careless hearers (or spectators rather) by reading, meanwhile, at a small distance, a chapter in the Whole Duty of Man. I wish neither he nor they may ever read a worse book; though I could tell them of a better, The Bible.

In the evening, I went with Mr. Seward to the love-feast in Fetter-lane. At the conclusion of which, having said nothing till then, I read a paper, the substance whereof was as follows:

"About nine months ago, certain of you began to speak contrary to the doctrine we had till then received: The sum of what you asserted is this:

1. That there is no such thing as weak faith; that there is no jus- ←→ tifying faith, where there is ever any doubt or fear, or where there is not, in the full sense, a new and clean heart.

2. That a man ought not to use those ordinances of God, which our ← Church terms means of grace, before he has such a faith as excludes all doubt and fear, and implies a new, a clean heart.

"You have often affirmed, that to search the Scriptures, to pray, 4or to communicate, before we have this faith, is to seek salvation by works; and that till these works are laid aside no man can receive faith.

"I believe these assertions to be flatly contrary to the Word of God. I have warned you hereof again and again, and besought you to turn back to the Law and the Testimony. I have borne with you long, hoping you would turn. But as I find you more and more confirmed in the error of your ways, nothing now remains, but that Ì should give you up to God. You that are of the same judgment, follow me.'

I then, without saying any thing more, withdrew, as did eighteen or nineteen of the Society.

Tuesday 22, Mr. Chapman, just come from Germany, gave me a letter from one of our (once) brethren there: Wherein after denying the gift of God, which he received in England, he advised my brother and me, no longer to take upon us to teach and instruct poor souls; but to deliver them up to the care of the Moravians, whơ alone were able to instruct them. "You," said he, "only instruct them in such errors that they will be damned at last;" and added, "St. Peter justly describes you, who have eyes full of adultery, "and cannot cease from sin; and take upon you to guide unstable souls, and lead them in the way of damnation."

Wednesday 23, Our little company met at the Foundery, instead of Fetter-lane. About twenty-five of our brethren God hath given

us already, all of whom think and speak the same thing; seven or eight and forty likewise, of the fifty women that were in band, desired to cast in their lot with us.

Friday, Aug. 1, I described that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Sunday 3, At St. Luke's, our parish Church, was such a sight as I believe was never seen there before: several hundred communicants, from whose very faces one might judge that they indeed sought him that was crucified.

Monday 4, I dined with one who told me in all simplicity, "Sir, I thought last week, there could be no such rest as you describe; none in this world, wherein we should be so free as not to desire ease in pain. But God has taught me better. For on Friday and Saturday, when I was in the strongest pain, I never once had one moment's desire of ease; but only, that the will of God might be done."

In the evening many were gathered together at Long-Lane, on purpose to make a disturbance, having procured a woman to begin, well known in those parts, as neither fearing God nor regarding man. The instant she broke out, I turned full upon her, and declared the love our Lord had for her soul. We then prayed, that He would confirm the word of his grace. She was struck to the heart, and shame covered her face. From her I turned to the rest, who melted away like water, and were as men that had no strength. But surely some of them shall find, who is their Rock and their strong Salvation.

Saturday 9, Instead of the letters I had lately received, I read a fe of those formerly received from our poor Brethren, who have since denied the work of God, and vilely cast away their shield. O who shall stand when the jealous God shall visit for these things?

Sunday 10, From Gal. vi. 3, I earnestly warned all who had tasted the grace of God, 1. Not to think they were justified, before they had a clear assurance, that God had forgiven their sins, bringing with it a calm peace, the love of God, and dominion over all sin. 2. Not to think themselves any thing, after they had this, but to press forward for the prize of their high calling, even a clean heart, thoroughly renewed after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.

Monday 11, Forty or fifty of those who were seeking salvation, desired leave to spend the night together, at the Society-Room, in prayer and giving thanks. Before ten I left them and lay down. But I could have no quiet rest, being quite uneasy in my sleep, as I found others were too, that were asleep in other parts of the house. Between two and three in the morning I was waked, and desired to come down stairs. I immediately heard such a confused noise, as if a number of men were all putting to the sword. It increased when I came into the room and began to pray. One whom I particularly observed to be roaring aloud for pain, was JW, who had been always till then very sure, that "none cried out but hypocrites:" So had Mrs. S -ms also. But she too now cried to God with a loud and bitter cry. It was not long, before God heard from his holy place. He spake, and all our souls were comforted. He bruised Satan under our feet, and sorrow and sighing fled away.

Saturday 16, I called on one, who being at Long-Lane, on Monday the 4th instant, was exceeding angry at those that "pretended to be in fits," particularly at one who dropped down just by her. She was just going "to kick her out of the way," when she dropped down herself, and continued in violent agonies for an hour. Being afraid, when she came to herself, that her mother would judge of her as she herself had done of others, she resolved to hide it from her. But the moment she came into the house she dropped down, in as violent an agony as before, I left her weary and heavy laden, under a deep sense of the just judgment of God.

Sunday 17, I enforced that necessary caution, Let him that standeth, (o Sonov scaval, where doxav seems expletive, as it is in many other places) take heed lest he fall. Let him that is full of joy and love, take heed lest he fall into pride: He that is in calm peace, lest he fall into desire; and he that is in heaviness through manifold temptations, lest he fall into anger or impatience. I afterwards heard a sermon, setting forth the duty of getting a good estate, and keeping a good reputation. Is it possible to deny, (supposing the Bible to be true) that such a preacher is a blind leader of the blind?

Tuesday 19, I was desired to go and pray with one, who had sent for me several times before, lying in the New-Prison, under sentence of death, which was to be executed in a few days. I went; but the gaoler said, "Mr. Wilson, the curate of the parish, had ordered I should not see him."

Wednesday 20, I offered remission of sins, to a small serious congregation near Deptford. Toward the end a company of persons came in, drest in habits fit for their work, and laboured greatly either to provoke, or divert the attention of the hearers. But no man answering them a word, they were soon weary and went away.

Thursday 21, I was deeply considering those points wherein our German brethren affirm we err from the faith, and reflecting how much holier some of them were than I, or any people I had yet known. But I was cut short in the midst by those words of St. Paul, 1 Tim. v. 21, I charge thee, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels; that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Friday 22, I was desired to pray with an old hardened sinner, supposed to be at the point of death. He knew not me, nor ever had heard me preach. I spoke much, but he opened not his mouth. But no sooner did I name the Saviour of sinners, than he burst out, "The Saviour of sinners indeed! I know it; for he has saved me; he told me so on Sunday morning. And he said, I should not die yet, till I had heard his children preach his Gospel, and had told my old companions in sin that he is ready to save them too."

Saturday 23, A gentlewoman (one Mrs. C) desired to speak with me, and related a strange story: On Saturday the 16th instant, as she informed me, one Mrs. G, of Northampton, deeply convinced of sin, and therefore an abomination to her husband, was by. him put into Bedlam. On Tuesday she slipped out of the gate with some other company; and, after awhile, not knowing whither to go,

sat down at Mrs. C.'s door. Mrs. C. knowing nothing of her, advised her the next day to go to Bedlam again; and went with her, where she was then chained down, and treated in the usual manner. This is the justice of men! A poor highwayman is hanged, and Mr. G. esteemed a very honest man!

Thursday 28, I desired one, who had seen affliction herself, to go and visit Mrs. G. in Bedlam, where it pleased God greatly to knit their hearts together, and with his comforts to refresh their souls.

Disputes being now at an end, and all things quiet and calm, on Monday, September 1, I left London, and the next evening found my brother at Bristol, swiftly recovering from his fever. At seven, it pleased God to apply those words to the hearts of many backsliders, How shall I give thee up Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me: My repentings are kindled together, Hos. xi. 8.

Wednesday 3, I met with one who, having been lifted up with the abundance of joy which God had given her, had fallen into such blasIn the phemies and vain imaginations, as are not common to men. afternoon I found another instance, nearly, I fear, of the same kind : One who, after much of the love of God shed abroad in her heart, was become wise, far above what is written, and set her private revelations (so called) on the self-same foot with the written word. She zealously maintained, 1. That Christ had died for angels as well as men. 2. That none of the angels kept their first estate, but all sinned, less or more. 3. That by the death of Christ three things were ef fected: One part of the fallen spirits were elected, and immediately confirmed in holiness and happiness, who are now the holy angels: another part of them having more deeply sinned, were reprobated, who are now devils: and the third part, allowed a farther trial, and in order thereto, sent down from heaven, and imprisoned in bodies of flesh and blood, who are now human souls. In the evening I earnestly besought them all to keep clear of vain speculations, and seek only for the plain, practical truth, which is after godliness.

Thursday 4, A remarkable cause was tried. Some time since, several men made a great disturbance, during the evening sermon here, behaving rudely to the women, and striking the men who spake not to them. A constable standing by, pulled out his staff and commanded them to keep the peace. Upon this, one of them swore he would be revenged; and going immediately to a justice, made oath that he (the constable) had picked his pocket, who was accordingly bound over to the next sessions. At these, not only the same man, but two of his companions swore the same thing. But there being eighteen or twenty witnesses on the other side, the jury easily saw through the whole proceeding, and without going out at all, or any demur, brought in the prisoner, Not guilty.

Friday 5, our Lord brought home many of his banished ones. In the evening we cried mightily unto him, that brotherly love might continue and increase. And it was according to our faith.

Saturday 6, I met the Bands in Kingswood, and warned them with all authority to beware of being wise above that which is written, ←→ and to desire to know nothing but Christ crucified.

Monday 8, We set out early in the morning, and the next evening came to London.

Wednesday 10, I visited one that was in violent pain, and consumed away with pining sickness; but in every thing giving thanks, and greatly rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. From her, we went to another dangerously ill of the small-pox, but desiring neither life nor ease, but only the holy will of God. If these are unbelievers (as some of the still brethren have lately told them) I am content to be an unbeliever all my days.

Thursday 11, I visited a poor woman, who, lying ill between her two sick children, without either physic or food convenient for her, was mightily praising God her Saviour; and testifying, as often as she could speak, her desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.

Sunday 14, as I returned home in the evening, I had no sooner stepped out of the coach, than the mob, who were gathered in great numbers about my door, quite closed me in. I rejoiced, and blessed God, knowing this was the time I had long been looking for; and immediately spake to those that were next me of righteousness and judgment to come. At first, not many heard, the noise round about us being exceeding great. But the silence spread farther and farther, till I had a quiet, attentive congregation. And when I left them they all shewed much love, and dismissed me with a blessing.

Tuesday 16, Many more, who came in among us as lions, in a short space became as lambs; the tears trickling apace down their cheeks, who at first most loudly contradicted and blasphemed. I wonder the devil has not wisdom enough to discern that he is destroying his own kingdom. I believe he has never yet at any one time, caused this open opposition to the truth of God, without losing one or more of his servants, who were found of God while they sought him not.

Wednesday 17, A poor woman gave me an account of what, I think, ought never to be forgotten:-It was four years, she said, since her son Peter Shaw, then nineteen or twenty years old, by hearing a sermon of Mr. Why's, fell into great uneasiness. She thought he was ill, and would have sent for a physician; but he said, "No, no; send for Mr. Wh- "" He was sent for, and came, and after asking a few questions, told her, "The boy is mad. Get a coach, and carry him to Dr. M- Use my name. I have sent several such to him." Accordingly, she got a coach, and went with him immediately to Dr. M's house. When the Doctor came in, the young man rose and said, "Sir, Mr. Wh- has sent me to you." The Doctor asked, "Is Mr. Wh your minister?" and bid him put out his tongue. Then, without asking any questions, he told his mother, "Choose your apothecary and I will prescribe." According to his prescriptions, they the next day blooded him largely, confined him to a dark room, and put a strong blister on each of his arms, with another over all his head. But still he was as mad as before, praying or singing, or giving thanks continually: Of which, having laboured to cure him for