Wesley Corpus

But why should he condemn wine toto genere, which is one of the noblest cordials in nature? Yet stranger, why should he condemn bread? Great whims belong to great men. Tues. 10.--I preached at Bath; Wednesday, 11, at Frome; Thursday, 12, at Keynsham. Here, too, the seed, which seemed lost for so many years, at length begins to spring up. After seeing so many instances of this kind, how can we despair of any people? Saturday, 14. I preached abroad at Bedminster. Many horsemen stopped, and had strange things brought to their ears: Perhaps some of whom, we may hear, by and by, were found of Him they sought not. Sun. 15.--At eight I preached on the quay; at five in St. James’s, Barton. Many strangers stopped at both places. Surely this is casting our bread upon the waters! This week I visited the rest of the neighbouring societies, and found them increasing both in grace and number. Thursday, 26. I preached once more at Bath, to an elegant congregation, on, “Knowledge puffeth up.” But, I trust, many of them can witness that “love edifieth ;” builds us up both in holiness and happiness. Mon. 30.--I took leave of Bristol for the present; and, having preached at Pensford and Shepton-Mallet in the way, came to Shaftesbury; and preached to a numerous congre gation, but wonderfully unconcerned. I scarce know a town in England where so much preaching has been to so very little purpose. Tues. OCTOBER 1.--I went on to Salisbury. Wednesday, 2. I preached at Whitchurch; Thursday, 3, at Winchester. I now found time to take a view of the cathedral. Here the sight of that bad Cardinal’s tomb, whom the sculptor has placed in a posture of prayer, brought to my mind those fine lines of Shakspeare, which he put into the mouth of King Henry the Sixth : Lord Cardinal, If thou hast any hope of Heaven's grace, Give us a sign. He dies, and makes no sign. On Thursday and Friday evening I preached at Ports mouth Common. Saturday, 5. I set out at two. About ten some of our London friends met me at Cobham, with 444 REv. J. wesLEY’s [Oct. 1771. whom I took a walk in the neighbouring gardens, inexpress ibly pleasant, through the variety of hills and dales; and the admirable contrivance of the whole.