Wesley Corpus

Sat. SEPTEMBER 1.--This day twelvemonth I was detained in Holland by contrary winds. All is well, so we are doing and suffering the will of our Lord. In the evening the storm driving us into the House again, I strongly exhorted a very genteel audience (such as I have rarely seen in England) to “ask for the old paths, and walk therein.” Sun. 2.-Being still pent up by the north-east wind, Dr. Coke preached at six in the morning to a deeply affected congregation. I preached at eight, on Rom. viii. 33. At one, Mr. Vivian, a Local Preacher, preached in French, the language of the island. At five, as the House would not contain half the congregation, I preached in a tolerably sheltered place, on the “joy there is in heaven over one sinner that repenteth;” and both high and low seemed to hear it gladly. I then designed to meet the society, but could not. The people pressed so eagerly on every side, that the House was filled presently; so that I could only give a general exhortation, to walk worthy of their profession. I was in hopes of sailing in the morning, Monday, 3; but the storm so increased, that it was judged impracticable. The congregation in the evening increased every day; so I trust we were detained for good purpose. They appeared to be more and more affected; so that I believe we were not detained for nothing. Tues. 4.--The storm continued, so that we could not stir. I took a walk to-day, through what is called the New-Ground, where the Gentry are accustomed to walk in the evening. Both 398 REv. J. wesley’s [Sept. 1787. the upper ground, which is as level as a bowling-green, and the lower, which is planted with rows of trees, are wonderfully beautiful. In the evening I fully delivered my own soul, by showing what it is to build upon a rock. But still we could not sail; the wind being quite contrary, as well as exceeding high. It was the same on Wednesday. In the afternoon we drank tea at a friend's, who was mentioning a Captain just come from France, that proposed to sail in the morning for Penzance; for which the wind would serve, though not for Southampton.