A CONTINUATION OF THE REV MR WHITEFIELD'S JOURNAL, DURING THE TIME HE WAS DETAINED IN ENGLAND BY THE EMBARGO. BLACKHEATH, In Kent. Monday, June 4. Went a second time to pay my respects to the archbishop of Canterbury, but his grace was gone out as before. Waited upon the bishop of London, who used me very civilly. Finished all my affairs according to my mind. Took leave of my weeping friends, and went in company with many of them to Blackheath, where was near as large a congregation, as there was at Kennington the last Lord's-day. I think I never was so much enlarged since I have preached in the fields. My discourse was near two hours long, and the people were so melted down, and wept so loud, that they almost drowned my voice. I could not but cry out, " Come, ye Pharisees, come and see the Lord Jesus getting himself the victory."-Afterwards, went to an inn upon the heath, where many came drowned in tears to take a last farewell. The remainder of the evening I spent most comfortably with several of my brethren, and went to bed about twelve o'clock, I hope, in some measure, thankful for the great things we had seen and heard. BLENDON. Tuesday, June 5. Went in the morning to Blendon, five miles from Blackheath, and enjoyed a sweet retreat MR WHITEFIELD S JOURNAL IN ENGLAND. 227 at the house of Mr Delamot. Preached with unusual power on Bexley common, at eleven in the morning, to about three hundred people, and in the evening, near Woolwich, to several thousands. My word, I believe, came with the demonstration of the Spirit. I returned to Blendon rejoicing, and spent the evening most delightfully with many dear christian friends, who came from London to see me. Oh, how does their sweet company cause me to long for communion amongst the spirits of just men made perfect! Accomplish, O Lord, I beseech thee, the number of thine elect, and hasten thy kingdom. BEXLEY AND GRAVESEND. Wednesday, June 6. Breakfasted with many friends, and gave a word of exhortation to many more that came from London to bid me adieu. Their hearts were ready to break with sorrow. But God, I hope, will supply my absence, by raising up more ministers to go in and out before them. About ten in the morning, read prayers, and preached at Bexley church, Mr Peers, the vicar, my brother and fellow-labourer in Christ, having given me a pressing invitation. The congregation was large, and my soul was so filled with God, that the word came with very great power to all that heard me. Blessed be God. After sermon we dined with Mr Peers, and having taken a farewell, we left our friends n tears, and hastened to Gravesend, where I read prayers, and preached in a church near the town to about six hundred people. I have no objection against, but highly approve of, the excellent liturgy of our church, would ministers lend me their churches to use it in. If not, let them blame themselves, that I pray and preach in the fields. GRAVESEND, BEXLEY, AND BLendon. Thursday, June 7. Received two letters from persons, confessing, that they came to hear me out of a bad motive, but were apprehended by the free grace of Jesus Christ. Answered them, and some others. Read prayers, and preached in the same church as I did last night. Took some refreshment, and returned in the evening, and preached in Bexley church, being much excited so to do by the kind solicitations of Mr Peers. The congregation was much larger than we could expect, and most, I believe, were much affected. Here some of Mr Delamot's family gave us the meeting. After sermon I returned to their house at Blendon, praising and blessing God that we had once more an opportunity of building up each other in our most holy faith. Oh! how sweet is this retirement to my soul! God is pleased to meet me in it, and vouchsafe me great measures of his divine presence. I must expect some fresh trials. Dearest Lord, sweeten all thy dispensations with a sense of thy love, and then deal with me as it seemeth good in thy sight! Friday, June 8. Preached at Bexley in the morn、 ing, and at Charlton in the afternoon, whither I was invited by the earl and countess of Egmont. Both before and after sermon they entertained me with the utmost civility. My heart was much comforted by God, and at night I returned with my friends to my sweet retreat at Blendon. Oh! the comforts of having all of one mind in a house! It begins our heaven upon earth. Was I left to my own choice, here would be my rest. For I have a delight herein. But a necessity is laid upon me, and woe unto me if I preach not the gospel. Saturday, June 9. Was much pleased and edified in reading bishop Hall's "Christ Mystical," and Erskine's sermons, both whose works, with Boehm's sermons, I would earnestly recommend to every one. Preached in the evening at Dulwich, to not a very large congregation, and went afterwards to Blackheath, and spent a most agreeable evening with many christian friends, who came thither on purpose to give me the meeting. Blessed be God, all behaved as though their conversation was in heaven. BLENDON, BEXLEY, AND BLACKHEATH. Sunday, June 10. Hastened back to Blendon, where more of our brethren came last night to see me Preached with more power than ever, and assisted in administering the sacrament to about two hundred communicants in Bexley church. Dined, gave thanks, and sung hymns at Mr Delamot's. Preached with great power in the evening on Blackheath, to above twenty thousand people, and collected sixteen pounds seven shillings for the orphans. After sermon I went to the Green Man, near the place where I preached, and continued till midnight, instant in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, and christian conversation. I believe there were near fifty or sixty of us in all. Great deNumbers cency and much devotion were to be seen. stood by as spectators. God enlarged my heart much in prayer and exhortation. And in short every thing was so well regulated, that all unprejudiced persons that came in must say, surely God is in this place. Many of them watched unto prayer and praise all night. I think it every christian's duty to be particularly careful to honour and glorify God in places where he is most dishonoured. Some can sing the songs of the drunkards in public-houses, others can spend whole nights in chambering and wantonness, why should christians be ashamed to sing the songs of the lamb, and spend nights, as their Lord did before them, in exercises of devotion? Silent have we been too long, Aw'd by carth's rebellious throng, Hallelujah. BLACKHEATH, BEXLEY, DULWICH, AND BLENDON. Monday, June 11. Prayed, sung with, and gave a warm exhortation to those that continued at Blackheath all night. Read prayers at Bexley church. Dined with Mrs S—, at Lewisham, a gentlewoman, who gladly received both me and my friends into her house. Preached in the evening to a much larger audience than before at Dulwich, and then hastened back to Blendon, in company with some who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. Oh, how swiftly and delightfully do those hours pass away which are spent in christian conversation! BLENDON, BEXLEY, AND BLACKHEATH. Tuesday, June 12. Read prayers at Bexley church. Begun, being pressed thereto both in spirit and by my friends, to put some of my extempore discourses into writing. Preached at Blackheath in the evening to about twenty thousand people, and spent the remaining part of the night, with rather more friends, and as much cheerfulness, decency, and devotion as on Sunday night last. Several people of different ranks stood by, as before: some, 1 hope, went away edified; for God gave me great enlargement of soul, and the exhortation, which was long and powerful, I believe, reached their hearts. God grant we may thus always continue to let our light shine before men. It cannot but bring glory to our Father which is in heaven. Wednesday, June 13. Retired in the morning to Blendon; preached, as usual, at Blackheath, and went with my fellow-travellers to Lewisham, about a mile off, to the house of Mrs S-, who has frequently pressed me to abide there. How does God raise me up friends unsought for in every place! Who would but naked follow a naked Christ? After supper I expounded to, and prayed with several gentlemen and ladies whom Mrs S had invited to hear the word. Oh, that it may take deep root in their hearts? Thursday, June 14. Spent the whole day in ny pleasant and profitable retreat at Blendon; and in the evening had the pleasure of introducing my honoured and reverend friend Mr John Wesley to preach at Blackheath. The Lord give him ten thousand times more success than he has given me! After sermon, we spent the evening most agreeably, together with many christian friends at the Green Man. About ten we admitted all to come in that would. The room was soon filled. God gave me utterance. I exhorted and prayed for near an hour, and then went to bed, rejoicing that another fresh inroad was made into Satan's territories, by Mr Wesley's following me in field |