Wesley Corpus

small acompass ! A beautiful grove, divided by a serpentine walk, conceals the house from the town. At the side of this runs a transparent river, with a smooth walk on each bank. Beyond this is a level lawn; then the house with sloping gardens behind it. Above these is a lofty hill ; near the top of which is a lovely wood, having a grassy walk running along, just within the skirts of it. But can the owner rejoice in this paradise ? No ; for his wife is snatched away inthe bloom ofyouth ! Thur. 12.-About noon I preached at Watlington ; and in the evening at Oxford, in a large House formerly belonging to the Presbyterians. But it was not large enough : Many could not get in. Such a congregation I have not seen at Oxford, either for seriousness, or number, for more than twenty years. I borrowed here a volume of Lord Chesterfield's Letters, which I had heard very strongly commended. And what did I learn ? That he was aman of much wit, middling sense, and some learning ; but as absolutely void of virtue, as any Jew, Turk, or Heathen that ever lived. I say, not only void of all religion, (for I doubt whether he believed there is a God, though he tags most of his letters with the name, for better sound sake,) but even of virtue, of justice, and mercy, which he never once recommended to his son. And truth he sets at open defiance : He continually guards him against it. Half his letters inculcate deepdissimulation, as the most necessary of all accomplishments. Add to this, his studiously instilling into the young man all the principles of debauchery, when himself was between seventy and eighty years old. Add his cruel censure of that amiable man, the Archbishop of Cambray, (quantum dispar illi,)* as a *What a vast disparity between the two !-EDIT, . Oct. 1775.] JOURNAL mere time-serving hypocrite ! And this is the favourite of the age ! Whereas, ifjustice and truth take place, ifhe is rewarded according to his desert, his name will stink to all generations. Sat. 14. I preached at Finstock. How many days should I spend here if I was to do my own will ! Not so : I am " to do