Wesley Corpus

Thur. 14. I returned to Canterbury, and had a long con- versation with that extraordinary man, Charles Perronet. What a mystery of Providence ! Why is such asaint as this buried alive by continual sickness ? In the evening we had a larger congregation than before. I never saw the House thoroughly filled till now : And I am sure the people had now a call from God, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear. Fri. 15. In the evening I preached at Chatham, and on Saturday returned to London. In the evening Ipreached akind of funeral sermon at Snowsfields, for that upright woman, Jane Binknell. Formany years she was a pattern of all holiness ; and, for the latter part of her life, of patience. Yet as she laboured under an incurable and painful disorder, which allowed her little rest, day or night, the corruptible body pressed down the soul, and frequently occasioned much heaviness. But,before she went, the clouds dispersed, and she died in sweet peace; but not in 64 REV. J. WESLEY'S JOURNAL. [Jan. 1776. such triumphant joy as did Ann Davis, two or three weeks before. She died of the same disorder ; but had withal, for some years, racking pains in herhead day and night, which in a while rendered her stone-blind. Add to this, that she had a kind husband; whowas continually reproaching her for living so long, and cursing her for not dying out of the way. Yet in all this she did not " charge God foolishly ;" but meekly waited till her change should come. To-day I read Dr. Beattie's Poems ; certainly one of the best Poets of the age. He wants only the ease and simplicity of Mr. Pope. I know one, and only one, that has it. Mon. 18.-I took another little journey, and in the evening preached at Bedford. Tuesday, 19. I dragged on, through miserable roads, to St. Neot's, and preached in a large room to a numerous congregation. Understanding that almost all the Methodists, by the advice of Mr.-, had left the church, I earnestly exhorted them to return to it. In the evening I preached at Godmanchester. Wed. 20. I preached at Luton ; the next evening, at Hert- ford ; and on Friday morning, returned to London. This day we observed as a day of fasting and prayer, and