Wesley Corpus

claws, has a large crown upon his head, and is clothed in scarlet and gold. Mon. 23. I visited, for a few days, the societies in Northamp- tonshire. Monday, 30. I went to High-Wycomb, where the new preaching-house was well filled in the evening. Tuesday, 31. We had such a congregation at noon in Oxford as I never saw there before ; and, what I regarded more than their number, was their seriousness : Even the young gentlemen behaved well ; nor could I observe one smiling countenance, although I closely applied these words, " I am not ashamedof the Gospel of Christ. " Sun. NOVEMBER 5.-I preached at the new chapel, on Luke ix. 55 : " Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; " and showed, that, supposing the Papists to be heretics, schismatics, wicked men, enemies to us, and to our Church and nation; yet we ought not to persecute, to kill, hurt, or grieve them, but barely to prevent their doing hurt. In the ensuing week I finished visiting the classes, and had the satisfaction to findthat the society is considerably increased, both in number and strength, since the Conference. 194 REV. J. WESLEY'S [Dec. 1780. Mon. 20-. I went on to Chatham, and finding the society groaning under a large debt, advised them to open a weekly sub- scription. The same advice I gave to the society at Sheerness. This advice they all cheerfully followed, and with good effect. OnFriday, 24, we agreed to follow the same example at London; and in one year we paid off one thousand four hundred pounds. Mon. 27-. I went to Bedford, and preached in the evening. Tuesday, 28. I preached at St. Neot's. Wednesday, 29. At ten I preached in Godmanchester; and about six in the new House at Huntingdon. I have seldom seen a new congregation behave with such seriousness. Thursday, 30. I came to Luton, and found that child of sorrow and pain, Mrs. Cole, was gone to rest. For many years she had not known an hour's ease ; but she died in full, joyous peace. And how little does she regret all that is past, now the days of her mourning are ended ! Mon. DECEMBER 4.-I visited the eastern societies in Kent, and on Friday returned to London. Sunday, 10. I began