expense, I determined to go round the classes, and beg for the rest, till I had gone through the whole society.

Friday, March 2, I began to put this in execution. While I was at a house in Spital-fields, a Justice of Peace came with the parish-officers, being on their search for Papists. I was glad of the opportunity to talk with them at large, both of our principles and practice. When I went out, a pretty large mob attended me to the door of the house to which I was going. But they did us no hurt, only gaped, and stared, and hallooed as loud as they could. Monday 5, I was much pressed to write an Address to the King, which I did in the following terms:

"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty :

"The humble Address of the Societies in England and Wales, in derision, called Methodists,

"MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,

"SO inconsiderable as we are, a people scattered, and peeled, and trodden under foot from the beginning hitherto, we should in no wise have presumed, even on this great occasion, to open our lips to your Majesty, had we not been induced, indeed constrained so to do by two considerations: the one, that in spite of all our remonstrances on that head, we are continually represented as a peculiar sect of men, separating ourselves from the Established Church: the other, that we are still traduced as inclined to Popery, and consequently disaffected to your Majesty.

"Upon these considerations, we think it incumbent upon us, if we must stand as a distinct body from our brethren, to tender for ourselves, our most dutiful regards to your sacred Majesty: and to declare in the presence of Him we serve, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, That we are a part (however mean) of that Protestant Church, established in these kingdoms: That we unite together for this, and no other end, to promote, so far as we may be capable, justice, mercy, and truth, the glory of God, and peace and good will among men: That we detest and abhor the

fundamental doctrines of the Church of Rome, and are steadily attached to your Majesty's royal person and illustrious house.

"We cannot indeed either say, or do more or less than we apprehend consistent with the written Word of God. But we are ready to obey your Majesty to the uttermost, in all things which we conceive to be agreeable thereto. And we earnestly exhort all with whom we converse, as they fear God, to honour the King. We, of the Clergy in particular, put all men in mind to revere the higher powers as of God; and continually declare, Ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.'

"Silver and gold (most of us must own) we have none. But such as we have, we humbly beg your Majesty to accept; together with our hearts and prayers: May He who hath bought us with his blood, the Prince of all the kings of the earth, fight against all the enemies of your Majesty, with the two-edged sword that cometh out of his mouth! And when he calleth your Majesty from this throne, full of years and victories, may it be with that voice, Come, receive the Kingdom prepared for thee, from the beginning of the world!

"These are the continual prayers of your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects,

"JOHN WESLEY, &c." But upon farther consideration, it was judged best to lay it aside. Sunday 11, I found it was absolutely necessary for me to spend a few days at Bristol. In the evening I set out. As I rode through Newbury the next day, my horse fell, and threw me into a deep mire. I was not hurt; but after cleaning myself a little, went on, and came to Kingswood between one and two on Tuesday. I preached here with great enlargement of heart,, as I did at Bristol in the evening.

Wednesday 14, I endeavoured to clear up the misunderstandings which had arisen, by hearing the contending parties face to face. It was as I suspected, a mere strife of

words: of which they were all so fully sensible, that I believe they will not so easily again fall into this snare of the devil.

Thursday 15, I talked largely with the Kingswood Stewards, concerning the state of their Schools and Society; and then with the Master, Mistress, and Children, and found great cause to bless God on their behalf. In the evening I preached at Bristol, on I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; and after commending myself to their prayers, I rode to Marshfield.

Saturday 17, We reached London. Sunday 18, was a day of rest. Tuesday 20, having received a summons from the Justices of Surry, to appear at their Court at St. Margaret's-Hill, I did so, and asked, "Has any one any thing to lay to my charge?" None made any reply. At length, one of the Justices said, "Sir, are you willing to take the oaths to his Majesty, and to sign the Declaration against Popery?" I said, I am; which I accordingly did, and returned home.

Thursday 22, I gave the society an account of what had been done with regard to the poor. By the contributions and collections, I had received about one hundred and seventy pounds; with which above three hundred and thirty poor had been provided with needful clothing. Thirty or forty remaining still in want, and there being some debts for the clothes already distributed, the next day, being Good-Friday, I made one collection more of about six and twenty pounds. This treasure, at least, neither rust nor moth shall corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal.

Saturday 24, My brother and I agreed it was enough for one of us to stay in town, while the other endeavoured to strengthen our brethren in other parts. So on Monday 26, I set out, and came in the evening to Newbury. While I was at breakfast the next day, two or three poor men were, with many oaths, relating their exploits the day before. I turned, and appealed to their own hearts, "Whether they were doing well?" They owned their fault, and were so loving, I could scarce get away.

I called at a house in the afternoon, wherein the first person I met, was so drunk that she could not speak plain, and could but just make shift to curse and swear. In the next room I found three or four more merry people, keeping Easter in much the same manner. But their mirth was soon spoiled. They gave earnest heed to the things they little regarded before, and knew not how to express their thankfulness for my advice, and for a few little books which I left with them.

In the evening I preached at Bristol. On Wednesday and Thursday I settled all things there, and on Friday 30, rode to Middlesey, where I preached to a small, serious congregation. Saturday 31, calling at Chard, I lit upon a poor woman unawares, who was earnestly groaning for redemp tion. At noon we spent an hour with a little company in Axminster, and hastened on for Crockern-wells. But the hail and snow falling fast, we could not reach it till past nine o'clock.

Sunday, April 1, I rode to Sticklepath. At one I preached in an open place, on This is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. A storm of rain and hail began while I was preaching: but the congregation did not move. At five I preached again. Many of the poor people followed me to the house at which I lodged and we could not consent to part, till I had spent another hour in exhortation, and prayer, and thanksgiving.

I read to-day the strange account of that John Endicot, Governor of New-England, and his associates there, who beat and imprisoned so many of the poor Quakers, and murdered William Robinson, Marmaduke Stephenson, and others. O who would have looked for Father-Inquisitors at Boston! Surely these men did not cry out against Popish cruelty!

Monday 2, I preached at five, and rode on towards Launceston. The hills were covered with snow, as in the depth of winter. About two we came to Trewint, wet and weary enough, having been battered by the rain and hail for some hours. I preached in the evening to many more than the

house would contain, on the happiness of him whose sins are forgiven. In the morning Diggory Isbell undertook to pilot us over the great Moor, all the paths being covered with snow, which in many places was driven together, too deep for horse or man to pass. The hail followed us for the first seven miles; we had then a fair, though exceeding sharp day. I preached at Gwenap in the evening, to a plain, simple-hearted people; and God comforted us by each other.

Wednesday 3, About eleven we reached St. Ives. I was a little surprised at entering John Nance's house, being received by many who were waiting for me there, with a loud (though not bitter) cry. But they soon recovered, and we poured out our souls together in praises and thanksgiving.

As soon as we went out, we were saluted, as usual, with a huzza, and a few stones or pieces of dirt. But in the evening none opened his mouth, while I proclaimed, I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.— -I will call upon the Lord which is worthy to be praised; so shall I be safe from my enemies.

Thursday 5, I took a view of the ruins of the house which the mob had pulled down a little before, for joy that Admiral Matthews had beat the Spaniards. Such is the Cornish method of thanksgiving! I suppose, if Admiral Lestock had fought too, they would have knocked all the Methodists on the head.

Both this morning and evening the congregation was as large as the house could well contain. In the society, God did indeed sit upon his people, as a refiner's fire. He darted into all (I believe, hardly one excepted) the melting flame of love! so that their heads were as water, and their eyes as fountains of tears.

Friday 6, I spoke with the members of the society seve rally, and observed with great satisfaction, that persecution had driven only three or four away, and exceedingly strengthened the rest. The persecution here was owing in great measure to the indefatigable labours of Mr. Hoblin,

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