As far as I can find by all I converse with, they place religion in being of the Protestant or Roman catholic communion, and are quite ignorant of the nature of inward purity and holiness of heart. Lord, the christian world is cast into a deep sleep. Send forth, I beseech thee, some faithful and true pastors to awaken them out of it! DUBLIN. Thursday, November 22. Came forwards last night, lo a place called Neas, thirty-three miles from Burrass and Össery, and reached Dublin about noon, without the least fatigue or weariness. Blessed be God, he causes me to renew my strength, or otherwise it would not be thus with me. Two things I can remark much for the credit of Irefand, that the roads, especially to Dublin, are surprisingly good, and provisions exceeding cheap. A person may travel without much expense.. Friday, November 24. Went to-day with Mr Bradford, brother to Mr Bradford of Georgia, to visit doctor Delany, who most kindly received me, and invited me to dine with him on Sunday. Some other part of the day I was necessarily obliged to go and see the busy part of Dublin; but the more I see of the world, the more I grow sick of it every day. God grant this sickness may increase! Sunday, November 26. Preached twice to-day at the churches of Warborough and St Andrew's, I believe with success; for God enabled me to speak with power; and the people, as it were, not only hung upon me to hear me in the morning, but also flocked to the church where I preached in the afternoon; so that it was like a London congregation. Great good might be done in Dublin, by preaching charity sermons for the establishing protestant schools. Tuesday, November 28. By the advice, and through the introduction of doctor Delany, I waited on doctor Rundel, bishop of Londonderry, and on his grace the archbishop of Armagh, lord primate of all Ireland. The former engaged me to dine with him on the morrow it I staid in town; the latter to dine with him at three in the afternoon, at which time I waited on his grace, and was courteously received both by him and his clergy. Having heard of me, as the bishop of Derry told me, from some friend at Gibraltar. Now God begins to show me why he so visited me in the ship. Sweetest Jesus give me humility, and I shall see yet greater things than these! ENGLAND PARK-GATE. Thursday, November 30. After near twelve months' absence from London, three months from Georgia, and a pleasant passage of twenty-four hours from Dublin, to my inexpressible comfort, God brought me to Parkgate, and so fulfilled a promise which was pressed upon my heart last Innocents-day, in Hampshire, when I was under a great concern what my mother would say to the resolution I had then made to go to Georgia."Rachel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord, refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewarded; and there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border." Jer. xxxi. 15-17. Many other promises there are which I have laid up in my heart. I pray God I may be so blessed as to believe, for there certainly will be a fulfilling of these things which God by his Spirit hath spoken unto my soul. NANTWICH. Friday, December 1. Rode from Park-gate to Nantwich, in hopes of seeing my old friend Mr Salmon, but God was pleased to disappoint me. However, he enlarged my heart, and enabled me to write several letters to friends at Dublin; and I now, as I have often done before, make this remark, "that God never disappoints us one way, but he opens a door to do good in another." MANCHESTER. Saturday, December 2. Reached Manchester by four this afternoon, and was much edified by dear Mr Clayton's judicious christian conversation, for the benefit of which, I came so far out of my way. Sunday, December 3. Preached twice at Mr Clayton's chapel to a thronged and very attentive audience, especially in the afternoon, assisted with six more ministers in administering the blessed sacrament to three hundred communicants. Never did I see a table more richly spread, nor a greater order and decency observed. Blessed be God for my coming to Manchester; I hope it has greatly benefitted and strengthened my soul.This has been a sabbath indeed! May it prepare me for that eternal rest which awaits the children of God! STONE. Monday, December 4. Set out at daybreak and got to Stone, thirty-four miles from Manchester, by five in the evening; was a little fatigued, but quite refreshed by the morning. Blessed be God for these conveniencies. Oh, that I may always look upon myself as a stranger and a sojourner upon earth!. Friday, December 8. After having rode thirty-six miles on Tuesday, and twenty-four on Wednesday, on Thursday, about three in the afternoon, reached St Alban's. In the morning I set out for London, and was agreeably surprised with the sight of some of my christian friends on the road, who were coming to meet me, which put me in mind of St Paul's friends meeting him at the three taverns, and I, like him, was not a little comforted. Oh, that I may, like him also, be willing to follow my master wheresoever he shall be pleased to call me, not counting even my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy! Shall I, for fear or feeble man, Aw'd by a mortal's frown, shall I No; let man rage! since thou wilt spread Saviour of men! thy searching eye The love of Christ does me constrain, For this let men revile my name, My life, my blood I here present, Give me thy strength, O God of power! 120 A CONTINUATION OF THE REV. MR. WHITEFIELD'S JOURNAL FROM HIS ARRIVAL AT LONDON, TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THENCE ON HIS WAY TO GEORGIA. TO THE REV MR GEORGE WHITEFIELD. BROTHER in Christ, and well belov'd, Faithful, and often own'd of God, Fully thy heavenly mission prove, Scorn to contend with flesh and blood, |