Wesley Corpus

At ten, a very sensible Clergyman came in, with whom I conversed very largely, as he talked elegant Latin, and exceeding fluently, beyond any I have lately seen on the Continent. Having seen all the friends I proposed to see, on Thursday, 24, I took my leave of this loving people, and the pleasant city of Amsterdam, very probably for ever ; and, setting out at seven in the morning, between two and three in the after noon came to Utrecht. Mr. Vanrocy, the gentleman who had engaged me to lodge, sent a coach to wait for me at my landing; and received me with the courtesy and cordiality of an old Yorkshire Methodist. Fri. 25.--I kept close to my work all the day. I dined at Mr. Loten's, where was such variety of food as I never saw at any Nobleman’s table, either in England or Ireland. In the afternoon we took a view of a widow lady’s gardens in the suburbs of Utrecht. I believe, from the house to the end of the grand vista is about a mile. I think the gardens are not half as broad; but such exquisite beauty and symmetry I never saw before. In grandeur it is not to be named with a few places in England; but in elegance and variety, I verily believe it equals, if not exceeds, any place of the size in Europe. In the evening I expounded to a select company of very honourable ladies, Matt. vii. 24; Miss Loten interpreting for me sentence by sentence: And I know not but God might bless this poor way of preaching to the Dutch, as he did that to the Indians by David Brainerd. Sat. 26.-I had a long conversation with a gentleman whom almost all the religious world take for a madman. I do not know that I have found one of so deep experience since I left London. I have no doubt of his being perfected in love : He has a clear witness of it, and has had many years, without any interruption. I had now an opportunity of being throughly informed concerning the University of Utrecht. As the young gentlemen are scattered over this town, and live without the least control, they do anything, or nothing, as they please; and as they have no tutors, they have none to check them.