Wesley Corpus

I took a solemn leave of the children at Kingswood. Several of them have been convinced of sin again and again; but they soon trifled their convictions away. 168 Rev. J. wesley’s [Oct. 1779. Sun. 3.-I preached once more in the Square, to a mul titude of people; and afterwards spent a solemn hour with the society, in renewing our covenant with God. Mon. 4.--I left Bristol, preached at the Devizes at eleven, and in the evening at Sarum. Tuesday, 5. I preached at Whitchurch, where many, even of the rich, attended, and behaved with much seriousness. Wednesday, 6. At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thousand five hundred French prisoners. I was glad to find they have plenty of wholesome food; and are treated, in all respects, with great humanity. In the evening I preached at Portsmouth-Common. Thurs day, 7. I took a view of the camp adjoining to the town, and wondered to find it as clean and meat as a gentleman’s garden. But there was no Chaplain. The English soldiers of this age have nothing to do with God! Fri. 8.--We took chaise, as usual, at two, and about eleven came to Cobham. Having a little leisure, I thought I could not employ it better than in taking a walk through the gardens. They are said to take up four hundred acres, and are admirably well laid out. They far exceed the celebrated gardens at Stow ; and that in several respects:--1. In situation; lying on a much higher hill, and having a finer prospect from the house. 2. In having a natural river, clear as crystal, running beneath and through them. 3. In the buildings therein; which are fewer indeed, but far more elegant; yea, and far better kept, being nicely clean, which is sadly wanting at Stow. And, lastly, In the rock-work; to which nothing of the kind at Stow is to be compared. This night I lodged in the new house at London. How many more nights have I to spend there? Mon. 11.--I began my little tour into Northamptonshire. In the evening I preached at Stony-Stratford; the next day at Honslip, and at Morton, a little mile from Buckingham. Wed nesday, 13. Having so lately seen Stourhead and Cobham gardens, I was now desired to take a view of the much more celebrated gardens at Stow.