Wesley Corpus

Wednesday, 30. I walked over to Winchelsea, said to have been once a large city, with abundance of trade and of inhabitants, the sea washing the foot of the hill on which it stands. The situation is exceeding bold, the hill being high and steep on all sides. But the town is shrunk almost into nothing, and the seven churches into half an one. I preached at eleven in the new Square, to a considerable number of serious people; and at Rye in the evening, where were many that are “not far from the kingdom of God.” Thursday, 31. 446 Rev. J. wesLEY’s [Nov. 1771. I preached at Robertsbridge. As yet the whole town is willing to hear: And we may hope, after the stony and the thorny ground hearers are deducted, some will “bring forth fruit with patience.” Sat. NoveMBER 2.--I returned to London. Monday, 4. I went in the stage-coach to Colchester, in which I met with two agreeable companions, whose hearts were quite open to instruction. Tuesday, 5. In our way to Bury we called at Felsham, near which is the seat of the late Mr. Reynolds. The house is, I think, the best contrived and the most beautiful I ever saw. It has four fronts, and five rooms on a floor, elegantly, though not sumptuously, furnished. At a small distance stands a delightful grove. On every side of this, the poor, rich man, who had no hope beyond the grave, placed seats, to enjoy life as long as he could. But being resolved none of his family should be “put into the ground,” he built a structure in the midst of the grove, vaulted above and beneath, with niches for coffins, strong enough to stand for ages. In one of these he had soon the satisfaction of laying the remains of his only child; and, two years after, those of his wife. After two years more, in the year 1759, having eat, and drank, and forgotten God, for eighty-four years, he went himself to give an account of his stewardship. In the evening I preached at Bury; and on Wednesday, 6, rode on, through heavy rain, to Lynn. The people “received the word with joy;” though few, as yet, had any “root in themselves.” Thursday, 7. I was desired by the prisoners to give them a word of exhortation. They received it with the utmost eagerness.