Wesley Corpus

Tues. January 1, 1754. I returned once more to London. On Wednesday, 2, I set out in the machine, and the next afternoun came to Chippenham. Here I took a post-chaise, in which I reached Bristol about eight in the evening. I began drinking the water at the Hot Well, having a lodging at a small distance from it; and on Sunday, 6, I began writing Notes on the New Testament; a work which I should scarce ever have attempted, had I not been so ill as not to be able to travel or preach, and yet so well as to be able to read and write. I went on now in a regular method, rising at my hour, and writing from five to nine at night; except the time of riding, half an hour for each meal, and the hour between five and six in the evening. I went in a coach to Bristol, and gave a short exhortation to the society. In the evening one or two of our neighbours desired to join in our family prayers ; a few more soon made the same request, so that I had a little congregation every night. After a few nights I began to add a short exhortation, so preparing myself for a larger congregation. Mr. Bruce came with Mr. Milner, who had been for some time melancholy, even to madness ; but by proper application to his mind, as well as body, the disorder sensibly abated in a short time. My wife desiring to pay the last office to her poor dying child, set out for London, and came a few days before''he went home rejoicing and praising God. Sun. February 3. I went in a chaise to Kingswood, and administered the sacrament to a small congregation. I expected Mr. M to assist ; but he slipped away and hid himself till I had done. I was sent for by one of my neighbours, dying of a consumption She seemed full of good desires: but who does not, when death stands at the door? '7. My brother came down from London, and we spent several days together, in comparing the translation of the Evangelists with the original, and reading Dr. Heylyn's " Lectures," and Dr. Doddridge's Family Expositor."