"Life of Mr. Matthew Henry,"-a man not to be despised, either as a scholar or a Christian, though, I think, not equal to his father. On Wednesday I read over once again "Theologia Germanica." O how was it, that I could ever so admire the affected obscurity of this unscriptural writer! Glory be to God, that I now prefer the plain Apostles and Prophets, before him and all his mystic followers.

Thur. 19.—I read again, with great surprise, part of the "Ecclesias tical History of Eusebius." But so weak, credulous, throughly inju dicious a writer, have I seldom found. Friday, 20.-I began Mr. Laval's "History of the Reformed Churches in France;" full of the most amazing instances of the wickedness of men, and of the goodness and power of God. About noon, the next day, I went out in a coach as far as the school in Kingswood; where one of the mistresses lay (as was believed) near death, having found no help from all the medicines she had taken. We determined to try one remedy more; so we poured out our souls in prayer to God. From that hour she began to recover strength, and in a few days was out of danger.

Sun. 22.-Being not suffered to go to church as yet, I communicated at home. I was advised to stay at home some time longer; but I could not apprehend it necessary: and therefore, on Monday, 23, went to the new room, where we praised God for all his mercies. And I expounded, for about an hour, (without any faintness or weariness,) on, "What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord." I preached once every day this week, and found no inconvenience by it. Sunday, 29.-I thought I might go a little further. So I preached both at Kingswood and at Bristol; and afterward spent near an hour with the society, and about two hours at the love-feast. But my body could not yet keep pace with my mind. I had another fit of my fever the next day; but it lasted not long, and I continued slowly to regain my strength.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, I was able to preach again, on, "By their fruits ye shall know them ;" and Friday evening on, "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days thou shalt find it again." Mon. 7. -I preached on, "Trust ye in the Lord Jehovah, for in the Lord is everlasting strength." I was showing, what cause we had to trust in the Captain of our salvation, when one in the midst of the room cried out, "Who was your captain, the other day, when you hanged yourself? I know the man who saw you when you was cut down." This wise story, it seems, had been diligently spread abroad, and cordially believed by many in Bristol. I desired they would make room for the man to come nearer. But the moment he saw the way open, he ran away with all possible speed, not so much as once looking behind him.

Wed. 9.-God humbled us in the evening by the loss of more than thirty of our little company, who I was obliged to exclude, as no longer adorning the Gospel of Christ. I believed it best, openly to declare both their names and the reasons why they were excluded. We then all cried unto God, that this might be for their edification, and not for destruction.

Fri. 11.-I went to Bath. I had often reasoned with myself concerning this place, "Hath God left himself without witness?" Did he

never raise up such as might be shining lights, even in the midst of this sinful generation? Doubtless he has ; but they are either gone "to the desert," or hid under the bushel of prudence. Some of the most serious persons I have known at Bath are either solitary Christians, scarce known to each other, unless by name; or prudent Christians, as careful not to give offence, as if that were the unpardonable sin and as zealous, to "keep their religion to themselves," as they should be, to "let it shine before men." I returned to Bristol the next day. In the evening one desired to speak with me. I perceived him to be in the utmost confusion, so that for a while he could not speak. At length he said, "I am he that interrupted you at the new room, on Monday; I have had no rest since, day or night, nor could have till I had spoken to you. I hope you will forgive me, and that it will be a warning to me all the days of my life."

Tues. 15.-It being a hard frost, I walked over to Bath, and had a conversation of several hours with one who had lived above seventy, and studied divinity above thirty, years: yet remission of sins was quite a new doctrine to him. But I trust God will write it on his heart. In the evening I took down the names of some who desired to strengthen each other's hands in God. Thus "the bread" we have "cast upon the waters is found again after many days." I returned to Bristol the next day. Thursday, 17.-We had a night of solemn joy, occasioned by the funeral of one of our brethren, who died with a hope full of immortality.

Fri. 18.-Being disappointed of my horse, I set out on foot in the evening for Kingswood. I catched no cold, nor received any hurt, though it was very wet, and cold, and dark. Mr. Jones, of Fonmon, met me there; and we poured out our souls before God together. I found no weariness, till, a little before one, God gave me refreshing sleep. Sun. 20.-I preached once more at Bristol, on," Little children, keep yourselves from idols;" immediately after which, I forced myself away from those to whom my heart was now more united than ever; and I believe their hearts were even as my heart. O what poor words are those:-"You abate the reverence and respect which the people owe to their pastors!" Love is all in all; and all who are alive to God must pay this to every true pastor: wherever a flock is duly fed with the pure milk of the word, they will be ready (were it possible) to pluck out their eyes, and give them to those that are over them in the Lord. I took coach on Monday, 21, and on Wednesday came to London. Thursday, 24.-I found it was good for me to be here, particularly while I was preaching in the evening. The society afterward met; but we scarce knew how to part, our hearts were so enlarged toward each other.

Sat. 26. The morning congregation was increased to above thrice the usual number, while I explained, "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ." At Longlane likewise, in the evening, I had a crowded audience, to whom I spoke from those words, " O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out." Sun. 27.-After diligent inquiry made, I removed all those from the congregation of the faithful, whose behaviour

or spirit was not agreeable to the Gospel of Christ: openly declaring the objections I had to each, that others might fear, and cry to God for them.

Thur. 31.-By the unusual overflowing of peace and love to all, which I felt, I was inclined to believe some trial was at hand. At three in the afternoon my fever came; but, finding it was not violent, I would not break my word, and therefore went at four and committed to the earth the remains of one who had died in the Lord a few days before; neither could I refrain from exhorting the almost innumerable multitude of people, who were gathered together round her grave, to cry to God, that they might die the death of the righteous, and their last end be like hers. I then designed to lie down; but Sir John G— coming, and sending to speak with me, I went to him, and from him into the pulpit, knowing God could renew my strength. I preached, according to her request who is now with God, on those words with which her soul had been so refreshed a little before she went hence, after a long night of doubts and fears: "Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself. For the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." At the society which followed, many cried after God with a loud and bitter cry. About ten I left them, and committed myself into his hands, to do with me what seemed him good.

Fri. Jan. 1, 1742.-After a night of quiet sleep, I waked in a strong fever, but without any sickness, or thirst, or pain. I consented, however, to keep my bed; but on condition that every one who desired it, should have liberty to speak with me. I believe fifty or sixty persons did so this day; nor did I find any inconvenience from it. In the evening I sent for all the bands, who were in the house, that we might magnify our Lord together. A near relation being with me when they came, I asked her afterward, if she was not offended. "Offended!" said she: "I wish I could be always among you. I thought I was in heaven." This night also, by the blessing of God, I slept well, to the utter astonishment of those about me, the apothecary in particular, who said, he had never seen such a fever in his life. I had a clear remission in the morning; but about two in the afternoon, a stronger fit than any before; otherwise I had determined to have been at the meeting of the bands: but good is the will of the Lord.

Sun. 3.-Finding myself quite free from pain, I met the leaders, morning and afternoon; and joined with a little company of them in the great sacrifice of thanksgiving. In the evening, it being the men's love-feast, I desired they would all come up. Those whom the room would not contain, stood without; while we all with one mouth sung praise to God. Mon. 4.—I waked in perfect health. Does not God both kill and make alive? This day, I understand, poor Charles Kinchin died! Cui pudor, et justitiæ soror, Incorrupta fides, nudaque veritas, Quando ullum invenient parem?

Where will his like be found, for modesty,

Unblemisn'd faithfulness, and naked truth?

I preached morning and evening every day, for the remaining part of the week. On Saturday, while I was preaching at Long-lane, a rude out lift up their voice on high. I fell upon them without delay. Some

But from

pulled off their hats, and opened their mouth no more: the rest stole out one after another. All that remained were quiet and attentive. Sun. 10.-I got a little time to see Mr. Dolman. Two years ago he seemed to be dying of an asthma; being hardly able to rise at eight o'clock in the morning, after struggling as it were, for life. the time he came thither first, he rarely failed to be at the Foundery, by five o'clock. Nor was he at all the worse; his distemper being suspended, till within a very few days. I found him just on the wing, and full of love, and peace, and joy, in believing. And in the same spirit (as I afterward understood) he continued, till God took him to himself. Mon. 11.-I went twice to Newgate at the request of poor R-R- who lay there under sentence of death; but was refused admittance. Receiving a few lines from him the day he was to die, I desired Mr. Richards to try if he could be admitted then. But he came back with a fresh refusal. It was above two years before, that, being destitute and in distress, he applied to me at Bristol for relief. I took him in, and employed him for the present, in writing, and keeping accounts for me. Not long after I placed him in the little school, which was kept by the United Society. There were many suspicions of him during that time, as well as of his companion, Gwillam Snowde; but no proof appeared, so that, after three or four months, they quietly returned to London. But they did not deceive God, nor escape his nand. Gwillam Snowde was soon apprehended for a robbery, and, when condemned, sent for me, and said, nothing lay heavier upon him, than his having thus returned evil for good. I believe it was now the desire of poor Rtoo, to tell me all that he had done. But the hour was past: I could not now be permitted to see or speak with him. So that he who before would not receive the word of God from my mouth, now desired what he could not obtain. And on Wednesday he fell a sacrifice to the justice of a long-offended God. O consider this, ye that now forget God, and know not the day of your visitation!

In the afternoon I buried the body of James St. Angel, who, having long been tried in the fire, on Monday, in the full triumph of faith, gave up his spirit to God. I heard of several to-day, who began to run well, but did not endure to the end. Men fond of their own opinions tore hem from their brethren, and could not keep them when they had done; but they soon fell back into the world, and are now swallowed up in its pleasures or cares. I fear those zealots who took these souls out of my hands, will give but a poor account of them to God. On Thursday and Friday, I visited the sick; by many of whom I was greatly refreshed. Monday, 18.-We greatly rejoiced in the Lord at Longlane, even in the midst of those that contradicted and blasphemed. Nor was it long before many of them also were touched, and blasphemies were turned to praise.

Thur. 21.-I again visited many that were sick, but I found no fear either of pain or death among them. One (Mary Whittle) said, “I shall go to my Lord to-morrow; but before I go, he will finish his work." The next day she lay quiet for about two hours, and then opening her eyes, cried out, "It is done, it is done! Christ liveth in me! He lives in me:" and died in a moment. Fri. 22.-I met the society in Short's Gardens, Drury-lane, for the first time. Sat. 23.

-I called on another who was believed to be near death, and greatly triumphing over it. "I know," said she, "that my Redeemer liveth, and will stand at the latter day upon the earth. I fear not death; it hath no sting for me. I shall live for evermore."

Mon. 25.-While I was explaining at Long-lane, "He that committeth sin is of the devil;" his servants were above measure enraged. They not only made all possible noise; (although, as I had desired before, no man stirred from his place, or answered them a word;) but violently thrust many persons to and fro, struck others, and brake down part of the house. At length they began throwing large stones upon the house, which forcing their way wherever they came, fell down, together with the tiles, among the people, so that they were in danger of their lives. I then told them, "You must not go on thus; I am ordered by the magistrate, who is, in this respect, to us the minister of God, to inform him of those who break the laws of God and the king: and I must do it, if you persist herein; otherwise I am a partaker of your sin." When I ceased speaking they were more outrageous than before. Upon this I said, "Let three or four calm men take hold of the foremost, and charge a constable with him, that the law may take its course." They did so, and brought him into the house, cursing and blaspheming in a dreadful manner. I desired five or six to go with him to justice Copeland, to whom they nakedly related the fact. The justice immediately bound him over to the next sessions at Guildford.

I observed when the man was brought into the house, that many of his companions were loudly crying out, "Richard Smith, Richard Smith!" who, as it afterward appeared was one of their stoutest champions. But Richard Smith answered not; he was fallen into the hands of one higher than they. God had struck him to the heart; as also a woman, who was speaking words not fit to be repeated, and throwing whatever came to hand, whom he overtook in the very act. She came into the house with Richard Smith, fell upon her knees before us all, and strongly exhorted him never to turn back, never to forget the mercy which God had shown to his soul. From this time we had never any considerable interruption or disturbance at Long-lane; although we withdrew our prosecution, upon the offender's submission and promise of better behaviour.

Tues. 26.-I explained at Chelsea, the faith which worketh by love. I was very weak when I went into the room; but the more "the beasts of the people" increased in madness and rage, the more was I strengthened, both in body and soul; so that I believe few in the house, which was exceeding full, lost one sentence of what I spoke. Indeed they could not see me, nor one another at a few yards' distance, by reason of the exceeding thick smoke, which was occasioned by the wild-fire and things of that kind, continually thrown into the room. But they who could praise God in the midst of the fires, were not to be affrighted by a little smoke. Wed. 27.-I buried the body of SARAH WHISKIN, a young woman late of Cambridge; a short account of whom follows, in the words of one that was with her, during her last struggle for eternity:

"The first time she went, intending to hear Mr. Wesley, was January 3; but he was then ill. She went again, Tuesday, 5, and was not dis