ministering the sacrament at Bexley church. Many came from far, and expected to hear me, but the diocesan had been pleased to insist on the vicar's denying me the pulpit; whether for just cause God shall judge at the last day. If we have done any thing worthy the censures of the church, why do not the right reverend the bishops call us to a public account? If not, why do they not confess and own us? It is well we can appeal to the great bishop of souls. They say, it is not regular our going out into the highways and hedges, and compelling poor sinners to come in. We ought not so to beseech them to be reconciled to God. They desire to know by what authority we preach, and ask, what sign showest thou that thou doest these things? But, alas! what farther sign would they require? We went not into the fields till we were excluded the churches: and has not God set his zeal to our ministry in an extraordinary manner? Have not many that were spiritually blind received their sight? Many that have been lame strengthened to run the way of God's commandments? Have not the deaf heard? the lepers been cleansed? the dead raised? and the poor had the gospel preached unto them? That these notable miracles have been wrought, not in our own names, or by our own power, but in the name and by the power of Jesus of Nazareth, cannot be denied. And yet they require a sign? But verily there shall no other sign be given to this evil and adulterous generation!

Preached in the afternoon to about three hundred people in justice Delamot's yard, and in the evening on Blackheath, to upwards of twenty thousand, on these words, " And they cast him out." I recommended to the people the example of the blind beggar, reminded them of preparing for the gathering storm, and exhorted them in the name of Christ Jesus to follow the example of this meek lamb of God, supposing my enemies should think that they did God, good service to kill me. I dread nothing more than the false zeal of my friends in a suffering hour. God grant we may

learn when we are reviled, not to revile again; when we suffer may we threaten not; but commit our souls into the hands of him that judgeth righteously. Lord, endue us with the spirit of thy first martyr, St Stephen, that we may pray most earnestly even for our very murderers! LONDON.

Monday and Tuesday, June 24, 25. Came hither privately last night. Went to a love feast in Fetterlane, and intended setting out the next morning, being greatly importuned thereto, for Gloucester in the stage coach, but there were no vacant places. Spent the day in writing letters, and settling some affairs. Preached

in the evening to about as many as usual at Kenningtoncommon, with great and visible success. Spent a delightful hour with many christian friends. Took coach about eleven at night, and reached Cirencester by ten the next evening. Justly may I say, I am a stranger and pilgrim upon earth: for I have here no continuing city. May I always be preparing myself for that which is to come, a city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God!

CIRENCESTER AND GLOUCEster.

Wednesday, June 26. Waited on the minister of the parish, and asked him for the use of his pulpit, but he refused it, because I had not my letters of orders. Went to public worship at eleven, and preached to about three thousand people in a field near the town about twelve. Was afterwards visited by several gracious souls of the baptists' congregation, who brought me five guineas for the orphan-house; set out about four in the afternoon, and reached Gloucester about seven in the evening, to the inexpressible joy of many. The late report of my being dead has only served to make my present visit more welcome. Thus all things work together for good to those that love God. Soon after I came into town, I visited the society, and expounded for the space of an hour to more people than the room (though it was large) would contain. Blessed be God, all heard the word most gladly. I now see the

seed sown when I was here last, was not all sown of stony, thorny ground: no, some has been received into honest and good hearts. This is the Lord's doing-to him be all the glory through Jesus Christ.

GLOUCESTER.

Thursday, June 27. Preached in the morning to about one thousand people in my brother's field. Went to public prayers at the cathedral. Waited upon the bishop, who received me very civilly. Visited some sick persons in the afternoon who sent for me. Preached at night to upwards of three thousand. God was

pleased to give me uncommon freedom and liberty in speaking. Much power from above was amongst us. Great numbers were melted into tears, and most, I believe, went convicted away. Thanks be to God, who thus giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. GLOUCESTER AND PAINSWICK.

Friday, June 29. Preached in my brother's field in the morning to a very large and very affected congregation, went to the cathedral service, visited some religious friends, and preached, at the earnest invitation of many who had heard me before, to above three thousand souls in Painswick-street. All was hushed and silent. The Divine Presence was amongst us. Many children of God were fed with the sincere milk of the word. All rejoiced to see me alive again, and thanked God abundantly in my behalf. It well becometh the righteous to be thankful.

STROUD AND GLOUCESTER.

Saturday, June 30. Spent the evening with some christian friends, lay at Painswick, and preached about ten in the morning to near two thousand people, in the bowling-green belonging to the George-inn, in Stroud, three miles from thence. God was with us. After sermon I went in company with many friends to Gloucester, where I preached at seven in the evening to a larger and more affected congregation than ever. Blessed be God, the word has free course. Oh! that t may run and be glorified through all the earth.

GLOUCESTER, RANDWICK, AND HAMPTON COMMON. Sunday, July 1. Preached at seven in the morning to a much increased audience in my brother's field. Breakfasted at Gloucester, and preached at eleven in the morning, read prayers in the afternoon, and preached again in the afternoon at Randwick church, about seven miles from Gloucester. The church was quite full, about two thousand were in the churchyard, who, by taking down the window that lay behind the pulpit, had the conveniency of hearing. Many wept sorely.

After evening service I hastened to Hampton-common, and to my great surprise, found no less than twenty thousand on horseback and foot ready to hear me. New strength was imparted to me from above. I spoke with greater freedom than I had done all the day before. About twelve at night I reached Gloucester much fresher than when I left it in the morning. Surely Jesus Christ is a gracious master. They that wait upon him shall renew their strength.

Monday, July 2. Preached this morning in my brother's field to a larger audience than ever. Found my spirits much exhausted by yesterday's labours, but notwithstanding a sweet power was amongst us. After dinner I went to Tewksbury, where I found much opposition had been made by the bailiff against my coming. Upon my entrance into the town, I found the people much alarmed, and as soon as I was got into the inn, four constables came to attend me. But a lawyer being there who was my friend, he demanded the constable's warrant, who being not able to produce one, he sent them about their business. At eight o'clock I went into a field lent me by one Mr H-ds, which lay without the liberties of the town. My audience consisted of two or three thousand people. I spoke with freedom, and most, as I afterwards heard, went satisfied and affected away. The remainder of the evening I spent most agreeably with many christian friends who accompanied me on my journey. I perceived a fresh supply of spirits to be given me froin

above, and rejoiced that God led me on from conquering to conquer.

TEWKSBURY AND EVESHAM.

Tuesday, July 3. Waited this morning upon Mr J-s, one of the town-bailiffs, and asked him in meekness, "For what reason he sent the constables after me?" He said, "It was the determination not of himself, but of all the council." He then said, "The people were noisy, and reflected upon the bailiffs." I answered, "That was owing to their sending the constables with their staves to apprehend me, when I should come into town." Upon this he began to be a little angry, and told me, "A certain judge said, he would take me up as a vagrant was I to preach near him." I answered," He was very welcome to do as he pleased; but I apprehended no magistrate had power to stop my preaching even in the streets if I thought proper." "No, sir," says he, "if you preach here tomorrow, you shall have the constables to attend you." After this I took my leave, telling him, "I thought it my duty as a minister to inform him, that magistrates were intended to be a terror to evil doers, and not to those who do well. And I desired he would be as careful to appoint constables to attend at the next horserace, balls, and assemblies, &c."

About nine in the morning we left Tewksbury, and reached Evesham about noon. The poor people were much alarmed, hearing I had been abused at Tewksbury; and the magistrates of Evesham had threatened to apprehend me if I preached within their liberties. Upon this, Mr Benjamin Seward thought it advisable to preach near his house, which I did from a wall, to near one thousand hearers, and, I believe, to good effect. At my return to the inn, I could not but observe to my friends how gradually the opposition increased. At present it seems to be like the cloud which Elijah's servant saw. No bigger than a man's hand; but, by and by, it will gather apace, and break upon the church of God. But the God whom we serve is able to deliver us.