Wesley Corpus

Such a congregation I have not seen at Oxford, either for seriousness, or number, for more than twenty years. I borrowed here a volume of Lord Chesterfield’s Letters, which I had heard very strongly commended. And what did I learn?--That he was a man of much wit, middling sense, and some learning; but as absolutely void of virtue, as any Jew, Turk, or Heathen that ever lived. I say, not only void of all religion, (for I doubt whether he believed there is a God, though he tags most of his letters with the name, for better sound sake,) but even of virtue, of justice, and mercy, which he never once recommended to his son. And truth he sets at open defiance: He continually guards him against it. Half his letters inculcate deep dissimulation, as the most necessary of all accomplish ments. Add to this, his studiously instilling into the young man all the principles of debauchery, when himself was between seventy and eighty years old. Add his cruel censure of that amiable man, the Archbishop of Cambray, (quantum dispar illi,)* as a mere time-serving hypocrite And this is * What a vast disparity between the two 1-EDIT. Oct. 1775.] JOURNAL. 57 the favourite of the age ' Whereas, if justice and truth take place, if he is rewarded according to his desert, his name will stink to all generations. Sat. 14.--I preached at Finstock. How many days should I spend here if I was to do my own will ! Not so : I am “ to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Therefore this is the first day I ever spent here: And perhaps it may be the last. Sun. 15.--About eight I preached at Witney. I admired the seriousness and decency of the congregation at church. I preached at five, on, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self;” a word that is sufficient to convince all mankind of sin. In meeting the select society, I was much comforted to find so few of them losing ground, and the far greater part still witnessing that “the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin.” Mon. 16.--We had a lovely congregation at five. About mine I preached at Oxford; in Newnham at one; and in the evening at Wallingford. Tuesday, 17.