Wesley Corpus

Sun. 12.--At the request of the vicar, Mr. J., I rode over to Uxbridge. I preached for him, both morning and afternoon, to a large and serious congregation. How uncommon a providence is this! The Gospel was preached in the church at Hayes. Several of the parishioners ran from it, and took pews at Hillingdon. It followed them into Hillingdon church, where I preached twice in one day. Some of them went to Uxbridge: and now it is come to torment them at Uxbridge also. Wed. 15.--I read over the “ Memoirs of the house of Brandenburgh.” Quanta de spe decidi! [How was I disappointed !] It is hard to determine from his writing, whether the author be a Mohammedan or a Christian. I suppose he is as near one as the other. On Friday, 17, the public fast, I preached at West-street in the morning, at Spitalfields in the afternoon, and Bull-and-Mouth in the evening; every where to a crowded audience. Indeed every place of worship throughout the city was extremely crowded all the day long. Surely all the prayers which have been offered up this day will not fall to the ground! Mon. 20.--I rode through much rain to Maldon, in Essex. Their new preaching house is large ; but it would in nowise contain the congregation which flocked together in the evening. For a time there was much persecution here ; but all is now calm and quiet: and probably good will be done, if those who now run well do not draw back to perdition. We had a large congregation at five in the morning, and more than we had room for in the evening. Fair blossoms! But which of these will bring forth fruit?’ O Lord, thou knowest! Wed. 22.--It rained without ceasing till we came to a small] inn, nineteen miles from Maldcn. Here we dried our clothes. Soon after the rain ceased, and we had a pleasant ride to London. Mon. 2'7.--Having a sermon to write against the Assizes at Bedford, I retired for a few days to Lewisham. 650 REV. J WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ March, 1758