MR WHITEFIELD S JOURNAL IN ENGLAND. 121 Go where the darkest tempest low'rs; The weapons of thy warfare take, With truth and meekness arm'd ride on Humble each vain aspiring boast, T' Be all into subjection brought, And force him to be sav'd by grace. Friday, December 8. About noon I reached London, was received with much joy by my christian friends, and joined with them in psalms and thanksgiving for my safe arrival. My heart was greatly enlarged hereby. In the evening went to a truly christian society in Fetter-lane, and perceived God had greatly watered the seed sown by my ministry, when last at London. The Lord increase it more and more. Saturday, December 9. Waited this morning on the archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishop of London, and met with a favourable reception. Sunday, December 10. When I was on board the Mary, those particular parts of the book of Jeremiah, which relate to the opposition he met with from the false prophets, were deeply impressed upon my soul; and now I begin to see the wisdom of God in it, for five churches have been already denied me, and some of the clergy, if possible, would oblige me to depart out of these coasts; but I rejoice in this opposition, it being a certain sign, that a more effectual door will be opened, since there are so many adversaries. However, I had an opportunity of preaching in the morning at St Helen's, and at Islington in the afternoon, to large congregations indeed, with great demonstration of the spirit, and with power. Here seems to be a great pouring out of the spirit ; and many, who were awakened by my preaching a year ago, are now grown strong men in Christ, by the ministrations of my dear friends and fellow-labourers, John and Charles Wesley. Blessed be God, I rejoice in the coming of the kingdom of his dear son. The old doctrine about justification by faith only, I found much revived, and many letters had been sent concerning it to me, all which I providentially missed of; for now I come unprejudiced, and can the more easily see who is in the right; and who dares assert that we are not justified in the sight of God, merely by an act of faith in Jesus Christ, without any regard to works past, present, or to come? In the evening I went to Fetter-lane society, where we had (what might not improperly be called) a lovefeast, eating a little bread and water, and spending about two hours in singing and prayers, and I found my heart greatly united with the brethren. Surely a primitive spirit is reviving amongst us. May God knit my heart to theirs more and more! Sunday, December 24. Preached twice, and went in the evening to Crooked-lane society, where God enabled me to withstand several persons, who cavilled against the doctrine of the new birth; but the passion wherewith they oppose is a demonstration, that they themselves have not experienced it. Lord make them partakers of it, for thy dear son's sake. After I left Crooked-lane, I went and expounded to a company at Mr B.'s, in Little Britain; then I went to another love-feast at Fetter-lane; and, it being Christmas-eve, continued till near four in the morning in prayer, psalms, and thanksgiving, with many truly christian brethren, and my heart was much enlarged and full of love. God gave me a great spirit of supplication. Adored be his free grace in Christ Jesus, Amen and Amen. Monday, December 25. About four went and prayed, and expounded to another society in Redcross-street, consisting of near two or three hundred people, and the room was exceeding hot. I had been watching unto prayer all night, yet God vouchsafed so to fill me with his blessed spirit, that I spoke with as great power as ever I did in my life. My body was weak, but I found a supernatural strength, and the truth of that saying, when I am weak, then I am strong. At six I went to Crutched Friar's society, and expounded as well as I could, but perceived myself a little oppressed with drowsiness. How does the corruptible body weigh down the soul! When shall I be delivered from the burden of this flesh? Preached thrice, and assisted in administering the sacrament the same day without going to sleep. God will make his power to be known in me. This day twenty-four years was I baptized. Lord! to what little purpose have I lived! However, I sealed my baptismal covenant with my dear Saviour's most blessed body and blood, and trust in his strength I shall keep and perform it. Amen, Amen. Saturday, December 30. Preached nine times this week, and expounded near eighteen times, with great power and enlargement. Blessed be God! I am every moment employed from morning till midnight. There's no end of people's coming and sending to me, and they seem more and more desirous, like new-born babes, to be fed with the sincere milk of the word. What a great work has been wrought in the hearts of many within this twelvemonth! Now know I, that though thousands might come at first out of curiosity, yet God has prevented and quickened them by his free grace. Oh, that I could be humble and thankful! Glory be to God that he fills me continually, not only with peace, but also joy in the Holy Ghost. Be fore my arrival, I thought I should envy my brethren's success in the ministry; but blessed be God, 1 rejoice in it, and am glad to see Christ's kingdom come, whatsoever instruments God shall make use of to bring it about. Sometimes I perceive myself deserted for a little while, and much oppressed, especially before preaching, but comfort soon after flows in. The kingdom of God is within me. Oh! free grace in Christ! Sunday, December 31. Preached twice to large congregations, especially in the afternoon, at Spitalfields. I had a great hoarseness upon me, and was deserted before I went up into the pulpit, but God strengthened me to speak so as to be heard by all. After I left Spitalfields, my cold being very great, I despaired of speaking much more that night; but God enabled me to expound to two companies in Southwark, and I was never more enlarged in prayer in my whole life.-These words, " And the power of the Lord was present to heal them,” were much pressed upon my soul, and indeed I believe it was, for many were pricked to the heart, and felt themselves to be sinners. Oh, that all the world knew and felt that! Monday, January 1. Received the holy sacrament, preached twice, and expounded twice, and found this to be the happiest New-year's-day that I ever yet saw. Oh! what mercies has the Lord shown me since this time twelvemonth! and yet I shall see greater things than these. Oh, that my heart may be prepared to see them! Oh, that my old things may pass away, and all things become new! Had a love-feast with our friends at Fetter-lane, and spent the whole night in close prayer, psalms, and thanksgiving. God supported me without sleep. Oh, that our despisers were partakers of our joys! Tuesday, January 3. Staid at home on purpose to receive those who wanted to consult me. Blessed be God, from seven in the morning till three in the afternoon, people came, some telling me what God had done for their souls, and others crying out, "What shall we do to be saved?" Being obliged to go out after this. I referred several till Thursday. God enabled me to give them answers of peace! How does God work by my unworthy hands! His mercies melt me down. Oh, that I was thankful! Thursday, January 4. Though my cold continued, and I feared it would prevent my speaking, yet God enabled me to expound with extraordinary power in a private society; and then to preach at Wapping chapel, so that the word pierced the hearers' souls; and afterwards I expounded and prayed for an hour and a half with great power and demonstration of the Spirit, and my heart was full of God. How immediately does Jesus Christ reward me for my poor services! As soon as my daily work is done, he says, "Enter thou into the joy of the Lord :"-he commands, and it is done. Friday, January 5. Held a conference at Islington, concerning several things of very great importance, with seven true ministers of Jesus Christ, despised Methodists, whom God has brought together from the east and the west, the north and the south. What we were in doubt about, after prayer, we determined by lot, and every thing else was carried on with great love, meekness, and devotion. We continued in fasting and prayer till three o'clock, and then parted with a full conviction that God was going to do great things among us. Oh, that we may be any way instrumental to his glory; that he would make us vessels pure and holy, meet for our master's use! Expounded twice afterwards in London with great power, and then was much enlarged for near an hour in prayer, in Fetter-lane society. The spirit of supplication increases in my heart daily. May it increase ever more and more! Did not find the pity I ought, upon seeing a brother full of self-love. Lord enlarge my narrow heart, and give me that charity which rejoices not in iniquity, but in the truth. Perceived something a little bordering on envy towards my brother H. I find more and more that true humility consists in being submissive to those who are a little above or a little below us. Oh, when |