Tuesday, February 20. This day my master honoured me more than ever he did yet. About ten in the morning, in compliance with a summons received from the apparator yesterday, I waited upon the rev. Mr R——I, the chancellor of Bristol, who now plainly told me he intended to stop my proceedings. "I have sent for the Register here, sir," says he, "to take down your answer.' Upon which he asked me by what authority I preached in the diocese of Bristol, without a license. I answered I thought that custom was grown obsolete. “And why, pray sir,” replied I, "did not you ask the Irish clergyman this question, who preached for you last Thursday?" He said that was nothing to me. He then read over part of the ordination-office, and those canons that forbid any minister preaching in a private house, &c.; and then he asked me what I said to them? I answered, that I apprehended those canons did not belong to professed ministers of the church of England; but he said they did. "There is also a canon," said I, "sir, forbidding all clergymen to frequent taverns and play at cards; why is not that put in execution?" Why does not somebody complain of them," says he, "and then it would." When I asked him why I was thus taken particular notice of, referring to my printed discourses for my principles, he said I preached false doctrine, upon which, I answered him not a word, but told him, notwithstanding those canons, I could not but speak the things that I knew, and was resolved to proceed as usual. "Observe his answer then," said he," Mr Register;" and turning to me, added, "I am resolved, sir, if you preach or expound any where in this diocese, till you have a license, I will first suspend, and then excommunicate you." I then took my leave. He waited upon me very civilly to the door, and told me, "what he did was in the name of the clergy and laity of the city of Bristol;"-and so we parted.

Being taken ill, just before I went to the chancellor, in my return home, I found I had not so much joy as peace. But, however, I did not perceive the least motion of resentment to arise in my heart. And to show

how little I regarded such threatenings, after I had joined in prayer for the chancellor, I immediately went and expounded at Newgate as usual, where God gave me great joy, and wondrously pricked many to the heart, as though he would say, this is the way, walk in it. After this we dined with several christian friends with the kind keeper of the prison, and rejoiced exceedingly at the thoughts that we should one day or other sing together in such a place as Paul and Silas did. God prepare us for that hour, for I believe it will come. I shall be exalted, I must be humbled.

At four, there was a general expectation of my preaching at St Nicholas's: thousands went to hear me; but the lecturer sent word that orders were given by Mr Br, that I should not preach in his church, which rejoiced me greatly. Lord, why dost thou thus honour me?

men.

At five I went and expounded on the first of St James, to a christian assembly indeed, who were much affected; and afterwards I hasted to Nicholas-street, where was a great crowd waiting for me upon the stairs, yard, and entry of the house, as well as in the room itself. I expounded the ninth of St John, exhorted all to imitate the poor beggar, and not to fear the face of God was pleased to fill me with unspeakable joy and power. All were wondrously touched, and when after my exposition I prayed particularly for the chancellor, the whole company was drowned in tears, and said most earnest Amens to all the petitions I put up for him. It is remarkable, we have not had such a continued presence of God amongst us, as we have had since I was threatened to be excommunicated; but thus it was formerly, so it will be now. When we are cast out, Christ will more clearly reveal himself to us.

Wednesday, February 21. Had several come to me this morning, to inquire about the state of their souls, amongst whom was a little girl of thirteen years of age, who told me in great simplicity, "she was pricked through and through with the power of the word;" and, indeed, a good work, I believe, has been wrought in

her heart. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise.

Preached at Newgate with uncommon freedom and power, and observed the audience to be quite melted down. After this I made a collection for the poor prisoners, and at my return home was much comforted by another gracious soul, whom God brought unto me, and who was willing to follow me not only to Georgia, but also to prison and to death.

At three in the afternoon, according to my appointment, I went to Kingswood amongst the colliers. God highly favoured us in sending a fine day, and near two thousand people were assembled on that occasion. I preached on John, ch. iii. ver. 3, and enlarged for near an hour, I hope to the comfort and edification of those that heard me. God grant the seed sown, may not fall on stony or thorny, but on good ground.

About six in the evening I expounded to a society without Lawford's-gate, and afterwards to another in Baldwin-street; both were exceedingly crowded and attentive. At first I could not speak so strongly, because I had exerted myself so much upon the mount; but afterwards God gave me a fresh supply of grace, and I was enabled to go through my work cheerfully. Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world..

BATH.

Thursday, February 22. Observing Providence called me, this morning I went, with some christian friends, to Bath; where I was much comforted by meeting with several that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. More especially, I was edified by the pious conversation of the reverend Mr Griffith Jones, whom I have desired to see of a long season. His words came with power, and the account he gave me of the many obstructions he had met with in his ministry, convinced me that I was but a young soldier, just entering the field. Good God, prepare me manfully to fight whatsoever battles thou hast appointed for me. I can do all things through the strengthening me,

BRISTOL.

Friday, February 23. Returned hither about ten this morning. About eleven, went as usual, and preached a written sermon at Newgate, and collected two pounds five shillings for the prisoners. Many, I believe, were much affected. To God be all the glory.

After dinner, I was taken very ill, so that I was obliged to lie upon the bed: but, looking upon it only as a thorn in the flesh, at three I went, according to appointment, and preached to near four or five thousand people, from a mount in Kingswood, with great power. The sun shone very bright, and the people standing in such an awful manner round the mount, in the profoundest silence, filled me with a holy admiration. Blessed be God for such a plentiful harvest. Lord, do thou send forth more labourers into thy harvest.

This done, God strengthened me to expound to a society without Lawford's gate, and afterwards to another in the city, and afterwards to a third. And I spoke with more freedom the last time than at the first. When I am weak, then am I strong.

Saturday, February 24. About ten in the morning I waited on the chancellor, and showed a letter I had received from the lord bishop of Bristol. My Master gave me great boldness of speech, and I asked the chancellor why he did not write to the bishop according to his promise? And, I think, he answered, he was to blame. I then insisted on his proving I had preached false doctrine, and reminded him of his threatening to excommunicate me in the name of the clergy and laity of the city of Bristol. But he would have me think that he had said no such thing; and confessed, at this time, that he had neither heard me preach, ncr read any of my writings. I asked him his reasons for prohibiting my collecting for the orphan-house. He answered, it would hinder the people's benefactions to the Bristol clergy. I replied, "It would by no means hinder their contribution, and that the clergy ought first to subscribe themselves for example's sake."

After much conversation on this subject, I, with all meekness, told him I was resolved to go on preaching, and that if collections were not made here for the poor Georgians, I would lay it entirely upon him; adding withal, I would not be one that should hinder such a design for the universe.

After I left the chancellor, I went and preached at Newgate; and at three in the afternoon, went to a poorhouse without Lawford's gate; but the room and yard being full, I stood upon the steps going up to the house, and preached to them from thence. Many that were passing along the road on horseback, stood still to hear me; and, I hope, many were bettered by what was spoken.

This evening I declined going to any society, that I might have a little time to write letters; amongst which, I wrote the following one to the bishop of Bristol.

"My Lord, Bristol, February 14, 1738. "I humbly thank your lordship for the favour of your lordship's letter. It gave abundant satisfaction to me, and many others, who have not failed to pray in a particular manner for your lordship's temporal and eternal welfare. To-day I showed your lordship's letter to the chancellor, who, notwithstanding he promised not to prohibit my preaching for the orphanhouse, if your lordship was only neuter in the affair, has influenced most of the clergy to deny me their pulpits, either on that or any other occasion. Last week he was pleased to charge me with false doctrine. To-day he has forgot that he said so. He also threatened to excommunicate me for preaching in your lordship's diocese. I offered to take a license, but was denied. If your lordship should ask, what evil I have done? I answer, none, save that I visit the religious societies, preach to the prisoners in Newgate, and to the poor colliers in Kingswood, who, they tell me, are little better than heathens. I am charged with being a dissenter; though many are brought to the church by my preaching, not one taken from it. Indeed the