Wesley Corpus

11.--This week I spent my scraps of time in reading Mr. Wodrow’s “History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland.” It would transcend belief, but that the vouchers are too authentic to admit of any exception. O what a blessed Governor was that good-natured man, so called, King Charles the Second ! Bloody Queen Mary was a lamb, a mere dove, in comparison of him ! Monday, 25, and the following days, in the intervals of more important work, I carefully read the pleadings at Edin burgh, in the famous Douglas cause. So intricate a one I never heard, I never read of before. I cannot but believe the birth was real. But the objections are so numerous, and so strongly urged, I cannot at all wonder that many should believe otherwise. Mon. FEBRUARY 8.--I met with a surprising poem, entitled, “Choheleth; or, the Preacher.” It is a paraphrase, in tolerable verse, on the Book of Ecclesiastes. I really think the author of it (a Turkey Merchant) understands both the difficult expressions, and the connexion of the whole, better than any other, either ancient or modern, writer whom I have seen. He was at Lisbon during the great earthquake, just then sitting in his night-gown and slippers. Before he could dress himself, part of the house he was in fell, and blocked him up. By this means his life was saved; for all who had run out were dashed in pieces by the falling houses. Thur. 18.--Having been importunately pressed thereto, 312- REv. J. wesley’s [March, 1768. I rode (through a keen east wind) to Chatham. About six in the evening I preached at the barracks, in what they call the church. It is a large room, in which the Chaplain reads Prayers, and preaches now and then. It was soon as hot as an oven, through the multitude of people; some hundreds of whom were soldiers: And they were “all ear,” as Mr. Boston says, scarce allowing themselves to breathe. Even between five and six the next morning the Room was warm enough. I suppose upwards of two hundred soldiers were a part of the audience. Many of these are already warring a good warfare, knowing in whom they have believed. Tues. 23.--I rode to Shoreham, and preached at five in Mr. P.'s house; but the next day I preached in the church, being St. Matthias's Day.