bear it, and willing to imitate Jacob, who was careful of his little ones not to over drive them. Proposed to the captain to read a few prayers in the great cabin every night, which he really consented to, and withal said, he should be glad to hear me preach, whenever I should think proper. Was surprised in the midst of my evening's discourse by the chief mate, who came and told me, that the minister of Upper Deal had sent a boat for me, desiring me immediately to come on shore. Accordingly, after I had concluded, Mr H. and I went and found the minister, which was left to officiate, who desired me, at the request of the inhabitants, to preach the Sunday following. After this, we retired to our lodging in Deal; and after a sermon and long intercession, was unspeakably comforted by the reception of several letters from persons, who, I believe, sincerely fear God; at which my heart was so full, that I could not but kneel down, pray, and return thanks to God for them. Found the number of my hearers greatly increased to-night, and very joyful to see me once more on shore. I sat up till one in the morning, answering my correspondents, and then laid down, filled with such joy as no man could take from me, nor a stranger intermeddle with. Oh, that all men knew the comforts of religion. Saturday, January 21. Spent all the day in writing letters, and delightful conversation with Mr H. At night, the number of my hearers was so increased, that the stairs were full, as well as my room. I expounded to them the twenty-fifth of St Matthew, at which they were much affected, and seemed to love and pray for me most earnestly; and I desire to have no greater portion than the prayers of the poor. Sat up till one, writing letters; gave thanks for the blessing of the week, and then lay down in peace, hoping to rise early the next morning, more fit for my master's service. Sunday, January 22. About nine went on board with captain W., who is always extremely civil. Visited the sick, and read prayers in the cabin. Read prayers, and preached my sermon on early piety, on open deck to the soldiers; the officers, and other gentlemen, attending very seriously. The weather was very cold, but preaching warmed my heart. About noon went on shore with captain W. and Mr H. Dined at the postmaster's, who received us hospitably. Afternoon preached at Upper Deal, on Acts xxviii. 26. Many seemed pricked to the heart, and some so quickened, that they expressed a desire to follow me wherever I should go. O, free grace in Jesus Christ! I have scarce known a time I have preached any where, but I have seen some effect of my doctrine. From the hearts of the mighty, the word of the Lord hath not turned back, the sword of the spirit returned not empty. A proof this, I hope, that the words are not my own, but that God is with me of a truth. May I never, by pride and vain glory, provoke him to depart from me! Stayed all night on shore, to expound the Lord's Prayer, and had a large company to hear me, and should have had seven hundred, as my hostess told me, would the house have held them: so swiftly ran the word of God and prevailed. Was again refreshed by receiving five letters: sat up till past ten to answer some of them, and then went to rest, with comfortable reflections of God's unmerited loving-kindness to me. Ten thousand thousand precious gifts, Nor is the least a thankful heart That tastes those gifts with joy. Through all eternity, to God Monday, January 23. Was much comforted by receiving five more letters; answered some of them; and about eleven in the morning, went on board the Amy, to pay my respects to colonel C., and to visit the soldiers, whom I looked upon as part of my charge. I was received very civilly by the officers; went among the soldiers, inquired into the state of their souls, gave them a word or two of exhortation; promised to bring them some books, (I saw their wants,) and, at the officers' request, to come and preach to them, if opportunity should offer, before we left the Downs. After this, I visited the Lightfoot, our other transport ship, in which were about twelve soldiers and a sergeant they received me kindly. I sat down and conversed with them; promised to send them some books, and to come and preach to them also, if Providence should permit. The Downs being exceeding calm, and the weather clear, going from ship to ship was very pleasant. Mine are but little flocks: O, that it may be my heavenly Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. About two went again on board the Amy to dine with the officers, being kindly invited by them when I was before on board. They all treated me with great kindness, and in the midst of our meal was most agreeably surprised by the coming of two London friends, who made a journey from thence, O unmerited love, on purpose to see me. Dinner being ended, I went and dispersed some books among the soldiers; took my leave and hastened on board my own ship; read prayers and preached, and then went on shore with my friends, not being a little rejoiced to see them. January 23. This night God let me see greater things than before, for so many came to hear me that the poor landlady that owned the house where I lodged sent to her tenants, beseeching them to let no more come in for fear the floor should break under them; and, indeed, there were such numbers, that I first expounded the creed to about eighty, and then the second lesson to as many more; among whom I observed there were many of the chief inhabitants. About eleven they went, and I then rejoiced with my friends for what God had done for my soul, eat a little food, interceded for absent friends, and all man, kind, and went to bed about two in the morning. O, what shall I render unto the Lord for all the mercies he pours down upon me. Tuesday, January 24. Spent all the morning in writing letters, walking, singing of psalms, and intercession all along the seashore, from whence we had a most delightful prospect of the Downs, which afforded me and my friends most noble matter for praise and thanksgiving. Met with a little opposition to-day; but I should have wondered, indeed, if such an effectual door had been opened for preaching Christ, and there had been no adversaries. Nothing has done more harm to the christian church than thinking the examples recorded in the holy scriptures, were written only to be read and not imitated by us More people came to hear me to-night than ever, so that I divided them into two companies again, and providentially from the second lesson for the morning, had a glorious opportunity for showing the absolute unlawfulness of running or buying run goods, a sin that doth most easily beset the Deal people. After exposition, paid Mr. E. a visit, who most kindly entertained us, and offered me his boat to go or come on shore when I pleased, which would save me much expense. After we returned from his house, we kneeled down on the seashore, and prayed for them that opposed themselves, and then went to bed, blessing and praising God. Wednesday, January 25. Went on board in the morning with my friends, intending to read prayers and preach to the soldiers, but they were engaged about their own affairs, and I could not stay long.-Had great civilities showed us by the officers, &c., who treated my friends respectfully, and the captain, upon my request, pardoned a woman who otherwise was to have been sent on shore. After breakfast, returned on shore with my friends, and read prayers, and preached at Upper Deal to a large congregation; I was surprised to see such a number of people, but all Deal seems to be in a holy flame, and, were I prepared for it, I should see still greater things than these. Dined at Mr R.'s, a grocer in Deal, with my friends; we were most hospitably entertained, and what was far better, had an excellent opportunity given me of discoursing for a considerable time on our fall in Adam, and the necessity of our new birth in Jesus Christ. Expounded to two companies again at night the epistle for the morning, and the two lessons for the evening, as most suitable for the day, and was enabled to do it with power. More people came to night than before, so that they now did actually put a prop under the floor of the room. Was agreeably entertained with more letters, and though the duty of the day had a little fatigued me, yet God strengthened me to sit up till three in the morning, answering my christian correspondents. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Thursday, January 26. I had a visit paid me by an anabaptist teacher, who came to discourse with me about the things that belonged to the kingdom of God. By what I could find he was a spiritual man. I asked him several questions about taking the ministerial function, without being called as was Aaron; but he did not answer me to my satisfaction: however, we both agreed in this, that unless a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. I was much comforted by the coming of two more friends from London, with whom I took sweet comfort, and could not but fancy myself once more at London, being surrounded with religious intimates. How sweet must their advantage be, "Tis like refreshing dew, which does Or like the early drops that fall |