Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia, Title page 1 – Preface
A JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE FROM GIBRALTAR to GEORGIA.
BY Geo. Whitefield, A. B. Of Pembroke-College, Oxford.
CONTAINING Many curious OBSERVATIONS, and Edifying REFLECTIONS, on the ſeveral Occurrences that happen'd in the Voyage.
PHILADELPHIA, … and Sold by B. FRANKLIN, in Market-Street, 1739.
JOURNAL of a VOYAGE FROM Gibraltar to Georgia.
My dear Friends,
THOUGH I know no Reaſon why you ſhould be ſolicitous about any Thing that happens to ſuch a worthleſs Creature as I am, yet as your Love (Oh unmerited Kindneſs!) abounds exceedingly towards me, and I am poſitive you will give Thanks unto our good GOD, for all the Mercies he has confer'd upon me; I have ſent you as full and particular an Account of the Remainder of my Voyage, as the little Leiſure I have had from my Miniſterial Offices would permit me to give.
Monday, February 20, 1737. Spent the Morning on Board, in writing Letters to my dear Friends in England, to acquaint them of my ſafe Arrival. Went in the Afternoon on ſhore to Gibraltar, and was unſpeakably delighted with the Proſpect of t…e Place. My Friend H. and I, din'd at an Inn, and went afterwards with Capt. W. and ſome other Company, to view one Side of the Fort; which to us ſeem'd impregnable, and at the Sight of which I could ſcarce avoid crying out, — Who is ſo great a GOD, as our GOD!
The ſeeing Perſons of all Nations and Languages, gave me great Pleaſure, and the Difference of the Value of their Money and ours, gave me Occaſion to reflect on the Stupidity of thoſe, who place their Happineſs in that which has no intrinſick Worth in itſelf, but only ſo much as we arbitrarily put upon it.
Went into a Romiſh Chappel; wherein were the Relicks of a vaſt deal of Pageantry, and ſe…veral Images of the Virgin Mary, dreſs'd up not like a poor Galilean, but in her Silks and Damasks. O, thought I, who has bewitch… this People, that they ſhould thus depart from th… Simplicity of CHRIST, and go a Whoring after their own Inventions! Surely, was the great St. Paul to riſe from the Dead, and come and view the Romiſh Church, his Spirit would be ſtirred within him, as it was at Athens, to ſee them thus wholly given to Idolatry.
Tueſday, Feb. 21. After having read Prayers and wrote ſome religious Letters, to my Friends in England, went again to Gibraltar, to pay my Reſpects to Governor S. being told by Capt. M. that he expected to ſee me. — The worthy old Gentleman received me with the utmoſt Candour, and gave me a general Invitation to come and dine with him every Day, during my Stay at Gibraltar. I thanked him for his Kindneſs, had about a quarter of an Hour's Converſation with him, and took my Leave for that Time.
At one o'Clock I r…turn'd to dine with him, ac…ding to his Appointment, and was well ple…ſ…d with the …eg…lar Behaviour of the Officers a… T…ble. We had what the Epicurean would call. Coena Dubia — ſuper omnia Vultus acceſſere b…ni, — At Three I took my Leave, and walked about with Capt. W. and other Friends, to take a …econd View of the Fort. Went on Board about Five. Read Prayers, and began expounding the Creed, in the Cabin. Wrote ſome more religious Letters, and went to Bed very thankful to GOD, for ſending me abroad.
Wedneſday, Feb. 22. This Day I intended to ſtay on Board to write Letters; but GOD being pleaſed to ſhew me, it was not his Will, I went on Shore again, and paid both the Miniſters of Gibraltar a Viſit; who received me very affectionately, and offer'd me the Uſe of the Pulpit. O, what a bleſſed Thing is it for the Clergy to dwell together in Unity!
At Eleven, went to public Prayers; and was much pleaſed to ſee many Officers and Soldiers attend the General to Church. Methinks Religion looks doubly amiable in Soldiers! After Prayers, din'd again with the General; who gave me an Invitation, as I went out of the Church. He treated me with uncommon Civility, and deſired me to preach the following. Sunday, which I promiſed to do. We had an elegant Entertainment, but my Thoughts were moſtly employ'd in pitying the Unhappineſs of great Men, who are in ſuch continual Danger of having their Table become a Snare unto them. I had an Opportunity of ſending a Packet of Letters, with my Journal, to my dear Friends in England; May the good Lord give them his Bleſſing!
Went in the Afternoon to viſit a Deſerter, who had ſent me a Letter, deſiring me to intercede for him with the Governour, he being apprehenſive he ſhould die for Deſertion, I intended to anſwer his Requeſt, but the Governor was ſo merciful, that he order'd him to be whipp'd only, which I thought Puniſhment little enough. O Sin! What Miſchief doſt thou make in the World!
In the Evening, I return'd as uſual on Board. Read Prayers, and expounded in the great Cabin. Buried a Child; made an Exhortation to the Soldiers, proper for the Occaſion. Wrote to ſome Friends at Deal, and went to Bed, with unuſual Thoughts, and Convictions, that GOD would do ſome great Things at Gibraltar. O that I was a pure Veſſel, fit for my Maſter's Uſe!
Thurſday, Feb. 23. Continued all this Day on Board; did my uſual Duty in the Ship; and put my dear Friend B—'s Sermon into the Hands of two Officers at Gibraltar, who came to dine on Board with Lieutenant D. They behaved very much like Gentlemen, and ſeemed pleaſed with ſerious Converſation. May the GOD whom I ſerve, add the Chriſtian to the Gentleman!
Friday, Feb. 24. Bleſſed be God, who this Day has ſhewn me, that he has heard my Prayer, and not taken his Loving Kindneſs from me! — Before I reached Gibraltar, I prayed that God would open an effectual Door, at the Place whither we were going, and direct me where I ſhould lodge; and lo! this Day he hath anſwered me! About Ten in the Morning Capt. M. came on Board, telling me that one Major S. a Perſon I never ſaw, had provided me a convenient Lodging, at one Merchant B—'s, and deſired that I would come on Shore. I looking on this as a Call from Providence, received it with all Thankfulneſs, and went with Friend H. on Shore; but not without firſt praying GOD would direct us how to behave.
About the middle of the Town Major S. gave us the Meeting; conducted us to our new Lodgings, which were very commodious, and engaged us to dine with him, and Capt. M. When I ſent you without Scrip, or Shoe, lacked ye any Thing? they ſaid unto Him, Nothing, Lord.
About Eleven was introduc'd by Dr. C. to General C. who was very deſirous of ſeeing me: He receiv'd me exceeding kindly; and after a little ſerious Converſation, we went to Governor S—'s, and from thence to public Prayers; and was highly pleas'd to ſee ſo many Officers attending on the Generals to Church. Dr. C. told me, he had not known Governor S. abſent himſelf from Prayers once theſe ſeven Years; except when he was hinder'd by real Sickneſs. O that all others would let their Light ſo ſhine before Men!
Retir'd in the Evening to our Lodgings. Had Family Prayer. Wrote ſome few Religious Letters. Spent near half an Hour in ſerious Converſation with the People of the Houſe. Gave Thanks for the Bleſſings of the Day, and was ſoon convinc'd that God had ſent me hither of a Truth. Be careful for nothing; but in every,—even the minuteſt Thing, make your Wants known unto God; — for he careth for you.
Saturday, Feb. 25. About Six this Morning went with H. to the Church, to pray with ſome devout Soldiers, who I heard uſed to meet there at that Time, and with whom my Soul was knit immediately.— For all my Delight is in the Saints that are in the Earth, and in thoſe that excel in Virtue.
After we had finiſh'd our Devotions, I made Inquiry into their State; and found that their Society had been ſubſiſting about twelve Years; and that one Sergeant B. (a devout Soldier indeed) now among them, was the firſt Beginner of it. At firſt (they told me) they uſed to meet in Dens, and Mountains, and Caves in the Rocks; but afterwards, on their applying for Leave to build a little Place to retire in, Dr. C. and Governor S. gave them the free Uſe of the Church, where they conſtantly meet three times in a Day; and pray, read, and ſing Pſalms; and at any other Seaſon when they pleaſe. — They have met with much Contempt; and are now in Deriſion, call'd, THE NEW LIGHTS; and glorious Lights they are indeed! For I convers'd cloſely with ſeveral of them, and they made me quite aſham'd of my little Proficiency in the School of Chriſt. Many have join'd with them for a Time, but a ſervile Fear of Man (that Bane of Chriſtianity!) made them draw back. However, ſome continued ſtedfaſt and unmoveable, and tho' deſpiſed by the World, are, no Doubt, highly favour'd of GOD. Governor S. countenances them much; and has ſpoke of them often to me with much Reſpect. Bleſſed be GOD, even the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, who hath not left himſelf without Witneſs at any Place; but hath ſome every-where who ſerve him, and work Righteouſneſs!
The Sunday before we came hither, I was telling my Friend H. that I had Reaſon to think, by what had happen'd to me, that GOD had ſome Work for me to do at Gibraltar. He anſwer'd, there could not be much Good expected from among Soldiers. — I reply'd, No Doubt but God has ſome ſecret ones in all Places, who tremble at his Word. And, lo! he has this Day brought me to them. By this I know thou favoureſt me, O Lord, Thou King of Saints!
There is alſo another Society of the Scotch Church, who in Contempt are called DARK LANTHORNS: It has ſubſiſted about a Year, and is made up of many ſerious Chriſtians, as I was inform'd. I did not think it proper to viſit them; but I ſent to them, as well as to the other Society, ſome proper Books. Had Religious Talk with ſeveral of them, and endeavour'd to unite both Societies together. O when will that Time come, when all Differences about Externals ſhall be taken away, and we all with one Heart, and one Mouth, glorify our Lord JESUS CHRIST?
About Eight, return'd to my Lodgings; and after having wrote ſome Religious Letters, went on Board the Amy (having firſt adviſed with Col. C.) to marry a Couple, who ſent to me Yeſterday, to come and celebrate their Nuptials. I took that Opportunity of exhorting them all to take Heed to the Things that belong to their Peace. Some, I believe, were affected; but the Generality of them behav'd ſo careleſs, that I could not ſee a Difference between thoſe that have a Miniſter among them, and thoſe that have not.
About Twelve, went on Board my own Ship▪ Din'd. Did ſome neceſſary Buſineſs. Read Prayers. Gave my Flo…k a warm Exhortation, and return'd about Five on Shore; where I ſpent near two Hours with the Devout Soldiers in the Church. Many of them convers'd moſt Spiritually; and ſeem'd well acquainted with the Pangs of the New-Birth. May God perfect the good Work begun in their Hearts! O how amiable are thy Servants, O Lord of Hoſts! How would the World admire them, did they ſee their Beauties! But Satan does now, as formerly,— dreſs them up in Bear-skins, in order to have them baited.
Sunday, Feb. 26. Between Five and Six in the Morning, went with Mr. H. and (which I did all the while I was at Gibraltar) ſung Pſalms; pray'd, and expounded the Leſſons to the devout Soldiers in the Church, and was much inlarged. Thanks be given unto Thee, O Lord!
Intended to go and preach to my People. Was prevented by the Violence of the Wind; but … pleas'd to hear of ſome Gibraltar Officers, who din'd that Day on Board the Whitaker, that ſome of my Flock had the Courage to read Prayers, and ſing Pſalms themſelves; and, as I found afterwards, continued to do ſo, during my Abſence from them. Bleſſed be God! I hope I ſhall have ſome that dare to be ſingularly good, and will not be kept out by the Preſs!
Preach'd in the Morning at Gibraltar, before ſuch a Congregation of Officers and Soldiers, as I never before ſaw. The Church, tho' very large, was quite throng'd; and GOD was pleaſed to ſhew me, that he had given extraordinary Succeſs to my Sermon. O how is the Divine Strength magnify'd in my Weakneſs! O God! why doſt thou chuſe to work by ſo unfit an Inſtrument! O grant I may, like a pure Cryſtal, tranſmit all the Light thou poureſt on me, and never claim as my own, what is thy ſole Property!
Din'd, with Friend H. at Governor S—'s, who ſent moſt kindly to invite us. The Law at his Table, was the ſame with that of Ahaſuerus. No one was compell'd; and all the Officers behav'd in ſuch a decent, innocent manner, every Time I din'd there, that they ſurpriz'd me. Surely ſome Fear of God is in this Place!
After Evening Prayers, (for there are none in the Afternoon) I went and expounded, pray'd, and ſung Pſalms with the Society, and had near thirty Hearers. May the Good Lord give it his Bleſſing!
At Night had ſome devout Converſation with my Hoſt and Hoſteſs; who ſeem to love me as their own Son. Pray'd for abſent Friends; and went to Bed, aſham'd I had done ſo little for GOD, on the Sabbath Day. But when we can't do as we would, we muſt do as we can.
Monday, February 27. Went to the Society, and did as Yeſterday; and was viſited afterwards by two of the Nonconforming Society, who ſeem'd to be Iſraelites indeed. I exhorted them to Love and Unity, and not to let a little Difference about a few Externals occaſion any Narrow-Spiritedneſs to ariſe in their Hearts. I adviſed them to come and hear me expound in the Church, which they did; and providentially the Leſſon was the 4th of the Epheſians; from whence I took Occaſion to urge on them, the Neceſſity of loving one another, with a catholic, diſintereſted Love; to be of one Heart, and of one Mind, and to join, without having Reſpect to Perſons, in haſtening the Kingdom of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. I hope GOD gave a Bleſſing to what was ſaid; for I obſerv'd they came conſtantly afterwards; and I was told, there was a perfect Harmony between them. What infinite Miſchief have needleſs Diviſions occaſion'd in the Chriſtian World! DIVIDE ET IMPERA, is the Devil's Motto.
Din'd and Supp'd at General C's, with Mr. H. and was receiv'd moſt cou…teouſ…y. The Lord reward him in that Day! The Officers ſeem'd ſtudious to oblige me; and to be ſollicitous for my ſtay at Gibraltar. — But my Face is ſet to go towards GEORGIA; the Lord direct my going, in his Way!
Tueſday, Feb. 28. Expounded in the Church as uſual. Went on Board. Read Prayers. Expounded to my own Flock. Din'd with Friend H. at Governor S.'s, who ſent to invite us. Expounded to a large Number of Soldiers, in the Evening, at Church.
Was ask'd by Dr. C. in the Name of the Governor; Colonel C. &c. to preach every Prayer-day, while I ſtai… … Gibraltar; which I promiſed to do; and perceived the Word of God to run very ſwiftly. Many of the Inhabitants preſs'd me to ſtay with them, and were exceedingly kind to thoſe that were with me,— for my ſake. Bleſſed be GOD, for thus giving me Favour in his People's Sight! Lord! What am I! or what is in me, that thou ſhould'ſt ſo highly honour me! Grant, O Lord, the more thou exalteſt me, the more I may abaſe myſelf, and always be looking to the Rock, from whence I was h…wn!
Converſed with one of the devout Soldiers, who was under ſtrong Spiritual Trials, and GOD was pleaſed to give him Comfort. I find it neceſſary, more and more every Day, that Miniſters ſhould be tempted, in all Things like unto their Brethren, that they may be able experimentally to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted.
Wedneſday, March 1. Expounded in the Morning; and was highly pleaſed, at my Entrance into the Church, to ſee ſeveral Soldie…s, kneeling in ſeveral Parts of the Houſe of GOD, at their private Devotions.— O happy Gibraltar! that hath ſuch a ſet of praying Men! Some I hear come in, by two o' Clock in the Morning, to pour out their Hearts unto GOD. The Lord perform all their Petitions!
Preach'd according to my Promiſe, to a numerous and affected Audience of Officers; and of the Honourable Women,—not a few.— O that they may with Meekneſs receive the ingrafted Word! And that it may be a Means of ſaving their Souls!
Thurſday, March 2. Spent Part of the Day in writing religious Letters. Din'd and Supp'd at Mr. A.'s, chief Civil Magiſtrate in Gibraltar; and was entertained with uncommon Love and Affection.
Expounded twice in the Church, as uſual; and at Night had above three hundred Hearers. Among whom were many Officers, Ladies, and Doctor C. the Miniſter of the Church, himſelf; who would have had me went up into the Reading Desk, that I might have the greater Command of the People. But I declin'd it that Night.— GOD be prais'd, for ſending me abroad, and proſpering the Work of his Hands upon me!
When all thy Mercies, O my God!
My riſing Soul ſurveys,
Tranſported with thy Love, I'm l…ſt
In Wonder, Love and Praiſe!
Friday, March 3. Still GOD lets me ſee greater Things than before. O that my Thanks may increaſe proportionably!
This Morning, beſides a great Number of Soldiers, near, if not more than a Dozen of the Town's People, came to Church, to hear me expound. Afterwards we breakfaſted with a Gentlewoman, who ſent by Major S. to invite us, and moſt gladly received us, into her Houſe. About Ten, I preach'd my Sermon againſt Swearing, and made a Farewel Application to the Soldiers that were going over to Georgia, out of that Garriſon. The Governor had that Morning review'd them. I deſired they might be order'd to come to Church, that I might have an Opportunity of telling them how to behave, in that Land, which they were going over the Sea to protect. The Colonel and Governor moſt readily conſented, and there was a moſt thronged Audience. GOD was pleaſed to ſet his Seal to my Sermon. Many Officers and Soldiers wept ſorely; and a viſible Alteration was obſerv'd in the Garriſon, for ſome Days afterward. O that their Convictions may end in their Converſion, and that they may bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit!
Bought ſome Wine▪ with the Money I had collected for the Uſe of the ſick Poor in Georgia. The Parſonage Houſe ought to be — the Poor's Storehouſe.
Had above five hundred to hear me expound this Evening; and went up into the Desk, with the Advice of Dr. C. who now conſtantly makes one of my Hearers. After this we ſupp'd at Mr. B—'s, and return'd Home with Joy and great Gladneſs of Heart. Who can expreſs the loving Kindneſs of the Lord, or ſhew forth all his Praiſe!
Saturday, March 4. Expounded in the Morning; more Hearers than ever, ſome of which wept. — Din'd and Supp'd at General C—'s, who ſent laſt Night to invite me and my Friend; treated us with particular Reſpect.
I went in the Afternoon to the Jewiſh Synagogue, and was ſurpriſed to ſee one of the Head of them come from the further End, and put me into one of their chief Seats. But afterwards he told me, he had heard my Sermon yeſterday againſt Swearing, and thank'd me for it. Not unto me, not unto me, O Lord! but unto thy Name, be all the Thanks and Glory.
I continued with them their whole Service; and ſpent moſt of my Time in ſecret Prayer to GOD, that the Veil might be taken from their Hearts; and that bleſſed Time might come, when his choſen People ſhould again be ingrafted into their own Olive-tree, and all Iſrael be ſaved!
Viſited an unhappy Man in Priſon; who laſt Night, in a drunken Fit, murder'd a Fellow Soldier. I providentially met him juſt as he was apprehended, and laid before him the Terrors of the Lord. At firſt he ſeem'd unconcern'd; but in a ſhort Time he was pricked to the Heart; deſired me to come and ſee him, and to-day trembled, and wept bitterly. O Drunkenneſs! what Miſchief haſt thou done! Thy Name is Legion; for, behold! a Troop of Sins cometh along with thee.
In the Evening, I had near, if not more than a thouſand Hearers; and I took Occaſion from the poor Man's Wickedneſs and Misfortune, to warn the Soldiery, not to be drunk with Wine, wherein is Exceſs. A Sin that eaſily beſ…ts the Men of Gibraltar! May they hear and fear, and ſin no more preſumptuouſly!
I had a great Hoarſeneſs upon me, but notwithſtanding, GOD enabled me to ſpeak with Power. When we are weak, then are we ſtrong! What Mercies hath GOD ſhewn me this laſt Week! O that my Friends, when they hear of it, may praiſe Him! For ſurely, GOD hath hearkened to my Prayer! —
Sunday, March 5. After Morning Expoſition in the Church, went and ſaw the Roman Catholics at High Maſs; and ſhall only make this Remark; —That there needs no other Argument againſt Popery, than to ſee the Pageantry, Superſtition, and Idolatry of their Worſhip.
About Ten, went to the Church belonging to the Gariſon. Preach'd to a moſt throng'd Audience, and received what my Soul long'd after,— the Sacrament of CHRIST'S moſt bleſſed Body and Blood. Both the Generals were there, and near fifty more Communicants. The Weekly Collection for the Poor was larger than ever was known; and Dr. C. was ſo affected, that he wiſh'd himſelf a deſpiſed METHODIST. We are not fit for GOD to work by, till we are deſpiſed by Men; that the Excellency and Power of Preaching may be ſeen to be from GOD only.
Din'd at Governour S—'s; and at the Requeſt of the Inhabitants and Gentlemen of the Gariſon, preach'd a ſearching Sermon in the Afternoon. Expounded in the Evening, to above a thouſand Hearers, of all Denominations. Supp'd with General C. and went Home betimes, full of unſpeakable Comfort.— I am never better, than when I am on the full Stretch for GOD. Grant that I may not, like Jehu, drive furiouſly at firſt, and afterwards fall back; but, forgetting thoſe Things which are behind, may I reach out to thoſe Things which are before, and preſs forward toward the Mark, for the Prize of my high Calling in CHRIST JESUS. Methinks I hear my dear Friends ſay, ſilently, AMEN; and may the Great GOD ſay ſo too!
Monday, March 6. Had near, if not more than a Thouſand, at Morning Expoſition; and it being the laſt Day of my Sojourning at Gibraltar, many came to me weeping, telling me what God had done for their Souls; deſiring my Prayers, and promiſing me theirs in Return. Others both gave and ſent me Tokens of their Love, — as Cake, Figs, Wine, Eggs, and other Neceſſari…s for my Voyage; and ſeem'd to want Words to expreſs their Affection. — Surely they would have plucked out their own Eyes to have given me. — The good Lord note their Kindneſs in his Book, and reward them a thouſand-fold!
About Twelve, went to the Church, according to Appointment; and made a farewel Exhortation, as GOD gave me Utterance, to a great Number of weeping Soldiers, Women, &c. Then kneel'd down, and having recommended each other to the Care of GOD, I left them; went out and took my Leave of the two Generals. Viſited the confin'd Priſoner. Din'd at a Gentlewoman's Houſe in the Town. Left near fifty Letters to be ſent to England, and about Four went on Board; accompanied to the Sea-ſide with near 200 Soldiers, Women, Officers, &c. who all ſorrow'd at my Departure, and wiſh'd me good Luck, in the Name of the Lord. Surely I may now expect greater Succeſs abroad, having ſuch an Addition of Interceſſors on my Behalf! O Lord, put their Tears into thy Bottle: and let their Cry come unto Thee!
Samſon's Riddle has been fulfill'd at Gibraltar; out of the Eater came forth Meat, out of the Strong came forth Sweetneſs. Who more unlikely to be wrought upon, than Soldiers! — And yet, among any Set of People I have been, where has GOD made his Power more to be known! Many that were quite ſtark Blind, have received their Sight; many that have fallen back, have relented, and turned unto the Lord again; many that were aſhamed to own CHRIST openly, have waxen bold; and many that were Saints, have had their Hearts fill'd with Joy unſpeakable, and full of Glory. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our Eyes! May he give a Bleſſing to the Books diſperſed among them, and perfect the good Work begun in their Hearts, till the Day of the Lord JESUS! May they be my Joy and Crown of Rejoicing at the laſt Day! And may GOD's Mercies to me in every Place make me more humble, more zealous, more thankful, and more ready to do, or ſuffer, whatever my dear Redeemer has allotted for me. Into his Hands I commend my Spirit, as into the Hands of an all-powerful Preſerver.
About Five, came on Board, and was moſt gladly received by my Flock; whom I hope to love better, for being a little abſent from them. Interceeded, and gave Thanks (as uſual) at Night upon Deck; and was pleaſed that I was again retir'd from the World. It rain'd much, but that made as the more fervent. Water us, O Lord, we beſeech thee, with the Dew of thy heavenly Benediction!
Tueſday, March 7. Went and converſed with, and diſperſed ſome proper Books among the Soldiers that we took from Gibraltar. Three of them belonged to one of the Societies. and deſired, with ſome others, to ſail in our Ship. GOD ſanctify my Miniſtry unto them! Moſt of them are of the Scotch Church, but ſeemed very willing to conform. What a Pity is it, CHRIST's ſeamleſs Coat ſhould be rent in pieces on Account of Things, in themſelves purely indifferent!
At Dinner we were like to be ſtruck againſt, by the Man of War. I ſaw it coming, and compoſed my ſelf for Death; but GOD had Mercy on us▪ commanded the Wind to ſhift about, and deliver'd us out of ſo great a Danger. O that we may ſhew forth our Thankfulneſs, not only with our Lips, but in our Lives! How ought Creatures to live, who are every Moment liable to be called by Death to Judgment!
This Day ſet ſail from Gibraltar; at firſt the Wind was fair, but afterwards blew contrary; which made both me and many others ſick. I ſhould have wonder'd if GOD had not ſent me a Thorn in the Fleſh, after ſuch abundant Succeſs. May I learn to SUFFER, as well as …, thy Will, O GOD.
Had uſeful Conference with Capt. M. who was an Inſtrument (under God) of introducing me at Gibraltar, and who, I truſt, will make a devout Centurion. Grant this, heavenly Father, for thy dear Son's ſake.
Finiſh'd my Expoſition on the Creed, in the great Cabin, and did my other Duty in the Ship as uſual. The Wind blew hard, and GOD ſent abroad his Lightnings great Part of the Day. J. D. my Friend H. and my ſelf alſo, were ſick, but not ſo, as to prevent our Interceſſion for abſent Friends. Whatever befalls me, O Lord, may I never forget their Works and Labour of Love; as yet, bleſſed be GOD! they are always on my Mind, and I bear them on my Heart, whenſoever I go in, and from before the Lord. And nothing does and will ſupport me more, under all Croſſes, than the Hopes of ſeeing them grown in Grace, when I return to England. O GOD, prepare me for ſo great a Bleſſing!
Gave my ſelf (as much as my Indiſpoſition of Body would give me Leave) to the Word of GOD, and Prayer; and was much affected with what is ſaid of Hezekiah, that becauſe he was not thankful enough, for the great Things GOD had done for him, he was permitted to fall, thro' the Pride of his Heart. Alas! What Danger am I in of ſharing the ſame Fate! O my Friends, cry mightily to GOD, that no ſuch Evil come upon me!
Married a Couple on Deck; Capt. M. Capt. W. &c. attended very orderly. I endeavour'd to give them a ſuitable Exhortation, after the Solemnity was over; and hope this Couple did call CHRIST to their Marriage. It's through a Neglect of this, that we have ſo few happy Matches.
The contrary Wind ſtill continuing, my Sea-Sickneſs increas'd moſt bravely, ſo that I was obliged to omit reading Prayers to the Soldiers, and to go to Bed ſooner than uſual. I find this Sickneſs will purge my Body, and hope, thro' Grace, it will purify my Soul. — Every Branch that beareth Fruit, ſays Chriſt, my Father purgeth it, that it may bring forth more Fruit. May that Scripture be fulfilled in my Heart!
My bodily Indiſpoſition ſtill increaſed. There was a great Storm without; but, bleſſed be GOD! a Calm within. Sometimes indeed my Will would inwardly rebel, which plainly ſhew'd me, what a Diſtance I was from GOD; but I hope through inward, and outward Sufferings, I ſhall at length be able to ſay in all Things, — Fat…er, not my Will, but thine be done.
Did my uſual Duty in the great Cabin; and began expounding the ten Commandments. Interceded for Friends on Deck; and went to Bed, full of a Senſe of my own Unworthineſs. O that I could always ſee my ſelf in my proper Colours! I believe I ſhould have little Reaſon to fall down and worſhip myſelf. — God be merciful to me, a Sinner!
Saturday, March 11. Bleſſed be God, the Storm this Morning began to blow over, and Light broke in upon my Soul. Was enabled to read Prayers, and expound both in the Cabin, and to the Soldiers, with more Vigour than I have ſince I left Gibraltar. Had Reaſon to think that Capt. M. grew in Grace, and that my late Indiſpoſition had been ſanctify'd unto me. Suffering Times are Chriſtians beſt improving Times; for they break the Will; wean us from the Creature; prove the Heart; and by them God teacheth his Children, as Gideon, by Thorns and Briars, taught the Men of Succoth.
All the Time of my Indiſpoſition, my dear Friend H. mourn'd over me like a Dove. Bleſſed be God, Familiarity does not breed Contempt between us; but our Love to each other increaſes daily. JESUS CHRIST is the only Rock, whereon true Friendſhip can be built.
Sunday, March 12. Expounded with more Inlargement than uſual; and gave my People Notice, that I intended to ſpeak to them, one by one; to ſee what Account they could give of their Faith. — I have not ceaſed warning every one of you, ſays the Apoſtle. — May I follow his Steps!
Preach'd the Sermon (GOD enabled me to make, in the Storm, before we came to Gibraltar) in the great Cabbin, and GOD was pleas'd to ſet his Seal to it. Had ſome cloſe Converſation with ſome of my Companions, about their Interior. Interceded for abſent Friends, and have Reaſon to hope, my weak Efforts had not been in vain in the Lord. May God give me a thankful Heart!
Bleſſed be God, this is the moſt comfortable Day I have had ſince I came laſt on Board. Slept better than uſual. Was enabled to compoſe freely. Perceiv'd my Appetite to return. Was inlarg'd more, in Interceſſion, and found I had Reaſon to give Thanks for my late Indiſpoſition.— O, how gently does my gracious Maſter deal with me! Tho' Sorrow may endure for a Night, yet Joy cometh in the Morning. Lord, grant that I may ſpend that Health thou haſt now reſtored to me, to thy Honour and Service. 'Tis good for me, that I have been a little chaſtiſed; for who knows but that I might otherwiſe have periſh'd, by being lifted up above Meaſure with my late Succeſs! Lord, give me Humility, tho' it be by Sufferings; ſo ſhall thy Bleſſings never prove my Ruin!
Tueſday, March 14. Began to put in Execution what I propoſed on Sunday. Inquired into the Faith of thoſe committed to my Charge; and tho' all of them were not ſo great Proficients as I could wiſh, yet I find they know enough to ſave them, if they put what they know into Practice. So that they can't charge GOD, if they miſcarry. O that the Lord may give them all his Bleſſing!
Had much of the Preſence of GOD with me; and felt ſuch a fervent Love for my Chriſtian Friends, that I feared how I ſhould behave, was GOD to call any of them from me. But I truſt, ſufficient for ſuch an Hour w…uld be the Strength thereof.
Wedneſday, March 15. Was pleaſed much with my preſent Situation; and had Reaſon to bleſs GOD for ſome farther viſible Effects of my Miniſtry. Was highly delighted in ſeeing Friend H. active in teaching the Lambs of my Flock. He has now got a regular School, and the Children begin to come to it, at regular and ſet Hours. Several alſo of the Soldiers learn'd to write and read; ſo that my Friend is likely to make a uſeful Man. GOD make him more and more ſo every Day.
Thurſday, March 16. Preach'd this Afternoon my Sermon againſt Swearing; at which ſeveral of the Soldiers wept. Bleſſed be God, that Sin is much abated among us; and I think a viſible Reformation may be perceiv'd thro' the whole Ship. Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy Name be the Glory, O Lord!
Was much ſtrengthen'd in my preſent Undertaking, by reading the Story of Ezra; and join'd in Interceſſion with thoſe, who ſet apart this Day, as a Day of Faſting and Prayer, for the Sins of the Nation to which we belong. May they prove as effectual as thoſe, which Moſes put up for the Children of Iſrael.
The Sick increaſed to-day. Viſited near … Dozen. May I, by thus frequent viſiting Sick-beds, learn to improve my Time of Health. For, alas! what can be done in Time of Sickneſs! I find but few that are able with any tolerable Patience to ſuſtain their bodily Infirmities; but to have a wounded Spirit at the ſame Time, — Good GOD! who can bear it!
Friday, March 17. Laſt Night God ſent us a fair Wind, and we began to ſail more pleaſantly. I was comforted on every ſide, and enabled to intercede fervently for all Mankind. O that the Love of GOD and Man was ſhed abroad in my Heart!
Saturday, March 18. The Weather being exceeding fair, and the Sea calm, I went with Capt. W. on board the Lightfoot, and din'd with the Gentlemen belonging to the Ship, and Col. C. who came on board to pay them a Viſit. Marry'd a Couple. Diſpers'd Bibles, Teſtaments, Soldier's Monitors, among the Men. Exchang'd ſome Books for ſome Cards, which I threw overboard. Preach'd a Sermon againſt Drunkenneſs, which GOD enabled me to finiſh Yeſterday; and returned in the Evening, highly delighted with ſeeing the Porpuſſes roll about the great Deep. O Lord! the Sea is full of thy Riches! Marvellous are thy Works, and that my Soul knoweth right well! O that I may live to praiſe thee for them! What Mercies have I received this Week! They are more in Number than the Hairs of my Head! O that my Friends would give Thanks for me!
Sunday, March 19. Went on board the Amy ▪ Read Prayers, and preach'd to above 200 Hearers, and marry'd a Couple, which did not behave ſo well as I could wiſh. The Bridegroom laugh'd ſeveral Times, in the midſt of the Solemnity; on which I ſhut up the Book; but he ſhewing his Repentance by Weeping, I then proceeded, and gave to him and the Bride a Bible, as the beſt Preſent I could make them, and exhorted all to Holineſs of Life. GOD give them a hearing Ear, and an obedient Heart!
Din'd with Col. C. who treated us with the utmoſt Civility; and took Care to diſpoſe of ſome Books I brought with me, to proper Perſons.
About Three we return'd to the Whitaker. Read Prayers, and preach'd my Sermon againſt Drunkenneſs. After which, Capt. M. made a uſeful Speech to the Men; and exhorted them to give Heed to the Things which had been ſpoken. Religion is likely to go on well, when both the Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Powers are engaged in keeping up the Purity of it. But, Lord, unleſs thou aſſiſt us, all our Endeavours are but in vain. Vouchſafe then, we beſeech thee, to give us thy Bleſſing.
Had above an Hour's cloſe Converſation with my Companions, concerning their Interior, and walk'd with Friend H. upon Deck, till Twelve at Night, admiring GOD's Wonders in the Deep. Bleſſed be GOD, for ſending us abroad!
Monday, March 20. To-day Col. C. came to dine with us; and in the midſt of our Meal we were entertain'd with a moſt agreeable Sight. It … a Shark, about the Length of a Man, who followed our Ship, attended with five little Fiſhes, called the Pilot-Fiſh; much like unto a Mackarel, but larger. Theſe (I am told) always keep the Shark Company; and, what is more ſurpriſing, tho' the Shark is ſo ravenous a Creature, yet, let him be ever ſo hungry, he never touches one of them, nor are they leſs faithful to him; for if at any time the Shark is hook'd, theſe little Creatures will not forſake him, but cleave cloſe to his Fins, and are often taken up with him. — Go to the Pilot-Fiſh, thou that forſakeſt a Friend in Adverſity; conſider his Ways, and be abaſhed. — This ſingle Sight (one would think) is ſufficient to confute any Atheiſt, if there be ſuch a Fool as a ſpeculative Atheiſt in the World.
After Dinner I read Prayers, and expounded to my own People, and then went on board the Amy, with kind Col. C. who uſed me with uncommon Civility. Marry'd a Couple, and came back to the Whitaker, rejoicing to ſee the Works of the Lord in the Beauty of the great Deep. Who would but come abroad!
Had near two Hours cloſe Converſation with Capt. M. in whom appear'd many Marks of the New-Birth. Surely he will prove a devout Centurion. How ſhall I be conſtrain'd, 'till it be accompliſhed!
Tueſday, March 21. Had freſh Reaſon to be thankful. Capt. M. made me a kind Preſent. The Weather exceeding pleaſant, and, what was the greateſt Bleſſing of all,— GOD's holy Spirit ſeem'd to be moving on the Faces … of the Souls in the Ship. The Weather growing warmer, Friend H. had ſome Cloths hung over to cover his School. His Children come very regularly both to learn, and to ſay their Prayers at Night. Capt. W. takes great Delight in them. Capt. M. much encourages the Soldiers to learn to read and write; ſo that we begin to live as regular now, as we could wiſh to do on Shore. Bleſſed be GOD, for thus making his Power to be known!
Tho' GOD gives me ſo much Comfort, yet my dear England-Friends are ſeldom out of my Mind. Tho' abſent in Body, I am preſent with them in Spirit. The Lord direct my Way unto them, and grant, if ever I return, it may be in the Fulneſs of the Bleſſing of the Goſpel of Peace.
Wedneſday, March 22. Saw a large Grampus rolling and ſpouting out Water, for a long while▪ at a ſhort Diſtance from our Ship. It put me in mind of the Behemoth, ſpoken of by holy Job; and of the Leviathan mentioned by the Royal Pſalmiſt. O GOD! who is like unto thee!
Thurſday, March 23. This Morning began to have Prayers at Six o' Clock, and the Drum beat to call the People. Methinks we grow more and more regular every Day. GOD be praiſed!
Was very fervent in Interceſſion for abſent Friends, and all Mankind. O! Interceſſion is a moſt delightful Exerciſe! How does it ſweeten and purify the Heart!
Viſited near twelve or fourteen ſick Perſons, and yet ſuch is GOD's Mercy to me, that though the Place where they lie, is much confined, and they catch the Fever one of another, yet GOD keeps me from Infection. The Way of Duty is the Way of Safety. Now God hath ſent his Viſitation abroad among us, I hope we ſhall learn Righteouſneſs!
Friday, March 24. To-day the Sick ſtill increaſed, and Friend H. very ready to aſſiſt and carry Things to them. Nothing more uſeful than the viſiting Sick-Beds. How are thoſe to be pitied, who barbarouſly ſhun ſuch improving Sights!
Had ſtill freſh Reaſon to bleſs GOD for the Succeſs of my Miniſtry, — Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy Name, be all the Glory! We begin now to live ſo happy on Ship-board, that I believe we ſhall part from each other with Regret. By this may all Men know that we are CHRIST's Diſciples, that we love one another.
Saturday, March 25. Sail'd 154 Miles the laſt 24 Hours. Was much delighted in ſeeing many Porpuſſes playing about the Ship; one of which Capt. W. catch'd, and Part of its Liver we had dreſſed for Dinner. It had a Head much like a Pig, and about ſix Feet long. The Works of the Lord are exceeding great and to be admired of all them that have a Delight in Him.
Church'd a Woman, who lately was deliver'd of a dead Child; and afterwards gave her an Exhortation applicable to her Circumſtances. GOD grant ſhe may apply it to her Heart!
Sunday, March 26. This Day I hope GOD magnified his Power, in the Converſion of a young Gentleman on Board, whom he had been pleaſed to viſit with a Fever. His Convictions were ſtrong; and, as far as I could find, a thorough Renovation begun in his Heart. The good Lord perfect it, till the Day of his Diſſolution! Now GOD begins to ſhew me wherefore He hath ſent me. O that I was humble! that I might be fit for the HIGH and LOFTY ONE, which inhabiteth Eternity, to work by!
Preach'd a Sermon in the Afternoon, on Luke iii.14. And the Soldiers likewiſe came unto Him, and demanded, ſaying, And what muſt we do? And he ſaid unto them, Do Violence to no Man, neither accuſe any Man falſly, and be content with your Wages. I made it at the Requeſt of Capt. M. who ſeems in earneſt about the great Work of his Salvation. He has read Arnd…s True Chriſtianity, and is now reading Law's Chriſtian Perfection; Books worth their Weight in Gold, and which GOD has bleſſed to the Converſion of many. But what are Books without thy Spirit, O Lord! Do thou bleſs them unto him, and they ſhall be bleſſed.
Exchanged ſome bad Books that were on Board, (which I threw immediately into the Sea) for ſome good ones. Bleſſed be GOD! all I have found them with, (as yet) have been ready to ſurrender them up; and I find it by daily Experience more and more, that People who are thoroughly awakened to a Senſe of the divine Life, cannot bear to read any thing trifling; but throw away their uſeleſs Books, as thoſe did the Books of Divination and curious Arts, which we read of in the Acts, who were converted by St. Paul.
Monday, March 27. Laſt Night GOD was pleaſed to take away a black Boy of Capt. Wh—'s, after he had been ill of a violent Fever for ſome Days. — He was never baptized, but I had a Commiſſion from his Maſter (who ſeem'd much affected at his Death) to inſtruct and baptize him, if it pleaſed GOD he ſhould recover; but GOD ſaw fit to order it otherwiſe: His holy Will be done! —
About Ten in the Morning, he was wrapped up in a Hammock, and thrown into the Sea. I could not read the Office over him, being unbaptized; but Capt. M. order'd the Drum to beat, and I exhorted all the Soldiers, Sailors, &c. as GOD gave me Utterance, to remember their CREATOR in the Days of their Youth, and prepare for the Time when the Sea ſhould give up its Dead, and all Nations be called together, to appear before the SON of GOD. O that they may be made wiſe by it! that they may lay to Heart what has been ſaid, and practically conſider their latter End!
Had our bleſſed Saviour been here, I believe he would have wept to ſee what Havock Sin has made among us. Do thou, Lord, teach us ſo to number our Days, that we may apply our Hearts to Wiſdom.
This Day Capt. M. began to come at Six in the Morning, and join in Prayers on Deck, inſtead of having Prayers in the great Cabin. Surely our Soldiers will be without Excuſe, ſince their Captain leads ſo good an Example. Bleſſed be GOD, I have no Reaſon to complain of them, for they come very regularly twice a Day to Prayers; and an Oath ſeems to be a ſtrange Thing among them. Many Marks of a ſound Converſion appear in ſeveral on Board; and we live in perfect Harmony and Peace, loving and beloved by one another. Surely, my Friends▪ your Prayers are heard; continue inſtant in them, and you ſhall ſee greater Things than theſe; for GOD delights in the Proſperity of his Servants.
Wedneſday, March 29. Sail near 160 Miles every 24 Hours, for ſeveral Days. Moſt delightful pleaſant Weather, and much of God's Preſence among us.
Heav'n is, dear Lord, where-e'er thou art;
O! never, then, from us depart:
For to my Soul, 'tis Hell to be,
But for one Moment, void of thee.
Thurſday, March 30. Still more Fruits of a true Converſion being wrought in ſome in the Ship. I hope many of us ſhall have Reaſon to to bleſs GOD, for coming on Board the Whitaker. GOD grant, while I preach to others, I myſelf may not be a Caſt-away. But God is Love; and he will not, if my Eye be ſingle, let his Bleſſings deſtroy me. He preſerved young David from Spiritual Pride, when the People cried out, Saul hath ſlain his Thouſands, but David his Ten Thouſands; and let the ſame Power be exerted in preſerving me alſo, O my SAVIOUR!
I.
Renew thy Likeneſs, LORD, in me;
Lovely and gentle may I be!
No Charms but theſe to thee are dear,
No Anger may'ſt thou ever find,
No Pride in my unruffled Mind,
But Faith and Heav'n-born Peace be there.
II.
A patient and victorious Mind,
A Life that all things caſts behind,
Brings forth, obedient to thy Call;
A Heart that no Deſire can move,
But ſtill t'adore, to praiſe and love,
Give me, my Lord, my Life, my All.
Friday, March 31. This being the Crucifixion of our bleſſed Lord, I preached a Sermon on the penitent Thief; and I hope God gave it his Bleſſing. We began Prayers later than uſual; ſo, before I had done, Darkneſs came upon us, which put me in Mind of that Darkneſs which overwhelm'd the World, when the GOD of Nature ſuffer'd. O that our Hearts may rend like the Rocks, and our Souls ariſe from the Death of Sin, as the Bodies of thoſe did from their Graves, to appear to many in the holy City, after our LORD's Reſurrection!
Had a good Inſtance of the Benefit of breaking Children's Wills betimes. Laſt Night, going between Decks, as I do every Night, to viſit the Sick, and examine my People, I asked one of the Women to bid her little Boy, that ſtood by her, ſay his Prayers: She anſwer'd, his elder Siſter would, but ſhe could not make him. Upon this, I bid the Child kneel down before me, but he would not, till I took hold of his Feet, and forc'd him down. I then bid him ſay the Lord's Prayer, being informed by his Mother, he could ſay it if he would; but he obſtinately refuſed, till at laſt, after I had given him ſeveral Blows, he ſaid his Prayers as well as I could expect. I gave him ſome Figs for a Reward, and lo! this ſame Child, tho' not above four Years of Age, came to-night upon Deck, when the other Children came to ſay their Prayers, to my Friend H. and he burſt out into a Flood of Tears, and would not go away till he had ſaid his too.
I mention this as a Proof of the Neceſſity of early Correction. Children are ſenſible of it ſooner than Parents imagine; and if they would but have Reſolution to break their Wills throughly when young, the Work of Converſion would be much eaſier, and they would not be ſo troubled with perverſe Children when they are old.
Saturday, April 1. Wonderful pleaſant Sailing ſtill; but, what was intirely better, had Reaſon to think ſeveral went forward in the great Work of their Salvation. O that we may be buried with CHRIST in Baptiſm, and riſe with him to Newneſs of Life!
Sunday, April 2. Roſe early this Morning, and join'd in Spirit with my dear abſent Friends, who were receiving the Holy Euchariſt, and celebrating our bleſſed Lord's Reſurrection. I find my not being in Prieſt's Orders is a great Hindrance to my Miniſtry; which will oblige me to return to England as ſoon as poſſible. The good Lord prepare me for that ſecond Impoſition of Hands.
Preached a Sermon in the Afternoon on Philippians ii.10. That I may know him, and the Power of his Reſurrection. O that we may all experience it in our Hearts! for without it, Chriſt, as to us, is dead in vain.
Monday, April 3. Had ſome further Converſation with the young Gentleman, whoſe Converſion I mentioned before, and who, I hope, is quickened from above. He told me, he uſed to wonder to hear me talk, that all our Thoughts, Words and Actions, ought to be dedicated unto God; but now he perceived what I ſaid to be true. How does the new Nature give us new Notions! It ſeems a difficult Task to the natural Man, to turn his whole Life into one continued Sacrifice; but the Spiritual Man does it with Eaſe. He feels a Divine Attraction in his Soul, which as ſenſibly draws his Heart towards God, as the Load-ſtone attracts the Needle. Draw us then, O GOD, and our Affections will aſcend up after thee!
About Eleven went on Board the Lightfoot. Pray'd with a ſick Man. Preach'd my Sermon on the penitent Thief. Afterwards went on Board the Amy. Catechiſed the Children. Din'd of a Dolphin. Preach'd to the Soldiers. Return'd about Six. Read Prayers. Viſited the Sick. Interceded for Friends, and went to Bed bleſſing and praiſing God.
April 7. Great Enlargement of Heart has been given me for theſe four Days laſt paſt; particularly to-day, in which God hath vouchſafed me much of his Preſence, and aſſiſting Grace. Obſerved ſtill ſtrong Signs of a thorough Converſion being wrought in ſome on Board. Had moſt delightful Sailing, and every Thing that is pleaſant, as this vain World can afford. Theſe are Preparatives for future Trials. Welcome in the Name of God! He will uphold me, if it be not for the Corruptions of my own Heart, which are continually creeping up. What have I to diſturb my Peace? But as long as thoſe Amalekites remain in my Soul, I ſhall never be perfectly at Eaſe. LORD, keep me but ſtriving, and I ſhall at laſt be more than Conqueror, through JESUS CHRIST that loved me.
April 8. Went on Board the Lightfoot, and Amy; and preached to the Soldiers of each Ship. Din'd with Colonel C. who continues extremely civil; and at my Return, found the Sick increaſe on my Hands. But few of the Ship eſcape! The good Lord make all their Beds in their Sickneſs! Had much of God with me today. The Heat uncommonly temperate, as it has been for ſome time. The Ship ſail'd all Day, as tho' ſhe was carried on the Wings of the Wind. Preached two Sermons, beſides my Expoſition at Six in the Morning, and I hope God ſet his Seal to them. Was well pleaſed to hear by my Friend H. (who is very active in carrying Things to the Sick) that the poor People between Decks pray'd heartily for me and Capt. M. who ſeems to improve every Day. And now indeed we live more comfortably in the great Cabin, than can eaſily be imagin'd. We talk of little elſe but GOD and CHRIST. GOD has greatly bleſſed — the Country Parſon's Advice to his Pariſhioners, to Capt. W. and ſcarce a Word is to be heard among us, when we are together, but what has reference to our Fall, in the Firſt, and our new Birth in the ſecond Adam,— the LORD from Heaven. So that we all (I truſt) are …ſolved to put my Afternoon's Text into Practice, and are determined not to know any Thing, ſave JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified. Grant this, O Father, for thy dear SON's ſake! O that I knew how to be thankful! O that▪ Heaven and Earth would join with us, in praiſing God! For,
I would not, LORD, alone
Thy Praiſes celebrate;
I'd call the bleſſed Angels down,
I'd move the World's united State,
Till they in Fervence, all
Thy gracious Acts relate.
April 10, and 11. Spent good Part of theſe two Days in mending my Nets. Had exceeding pleaſant Weather. Some more of the Sailors were convinced of Sin; and others ſend Notes to be prayed for, and give T…anks as regularly as in any Pariſh. Bleſſed be God, we live very comfortably!
To-day Capt. Wh— caught a Dolphin, which was moſt beautiful when drawn out of the Water, but his Colours ſoon change. Juſt ſo is Man: He flouriſheth for a little while, but when once Death cometh, how quickly is his Beauty gone! A Chriſtian may learn a Leſſon of Inſtruction from every Thing he meets with.
April 14. To-day I could have wiſhed for ſome young Prodigal aboard the Whitaker, to ſee one of our Soldiers dying. Alas! How did his Breaſt heave, his Heart pant, and great Drops of Sweat trickle down his Face! His Eyes looked ghaſtly, and the whole Man was in a bitter Agony! Capt. Wh— went down between Decks with me once or twice to ſee him, and I uſed the laſt Prayer over him ſeveral times. About Nine at Night he expired, I fear, without Hope; for he killed himſelf with drinking. O that all Drunkards would learn from him, to be wiſe in Time, and practically conſider their latter End!
April 15. This Morning I buried the dead Soldier, in Time of public Prayers. Choſe proper Leſſons, and gave the Soldiers a ſuitable Exhortation. But I was ſo affected with a Senſe of the Miſery of fallen Man, that I could not ſpeak with my uſual Vigour. JESUS wept!
To-day was call'd in a Hurry to pray by one of the devout Soldiers, who came from Gibraltar, and who was ſuppos'd to be expiring. I came; I ſaw; I rejoiced in Spirit, for his Soul ſeem'd full of GOD. Inſtead of being affrighted at the Approach of the King of Terrors, he welcom'd it, and ſaid he was going to his dear Redeemer. Then he fell, as it were, into a Trance, and pour'd out his Heart in repeating ſome very applicable Verſes out of the Pſalms, on which we thought he would have died. But lo! GOD brought him from the nethermoſt Hell! for that Inſtant the Fever left him, and he recover'd. O what Difference is there between him that feareth GOD, and him that feareth him not, in their laſt Hours! LORD, let me die the Death of the Righteous, and let my future State be like his.
Exercis'd a little Diſcipline this Evening on a Boy, whom Capt. M. had taken Notice of above a Week agone, for behaving ill at Church; and ſaid he would deliver him up to me. I therefore, by the Advice of his Maſter, order'd him to be ty'd, 'till he could repeat the 51ſt Pſalm, which he repeated to-night very ſolemnly, in the midſt of the Congregation. May it be a Warning to him for the future!
April 16. Read Prayers. Expounded at Six in the Morning, and preach'd at Ten to my own People. Then went and preach'd on board the Lightfoot, and afterwards din'd. Read Prayers, and preach'd on board the Amy. Return'd about Five in the Evening to the Whitaker. Read Prayers and preach'd. Viſited the Sick, and went to Bed, bleſſing GOD for the Strength of the Day.—All the Officers continue extremely kind; and ſome, ſtudious to oblige me all they can.—The Good Lord reward them a thouſand-fold!
This Evening I was ſent for by a Sailor, who had been the moſt remarkable Swearer on board, and whom I in an eſpecial manner warn'd about two Days agone; telling him, I believ'd GOD would remarkably viſit him, as well as the others. He laughed and ſaid, he hoped not. But to-night he ſent for me trembling, and burning with a ſcorching Fever; told me what grievous Sins he had been guilty of, and pray'd moſt fervently for Repentance.— Two or three of the ſame Stamp have been taken in the like manner. God grant they may flee from the Wrath to come! Sinner… muſt either bend or break.
April 18. Greatly delighted in ſeeing two Water Spouts. One of which ran along for ſeveral Miles, and, by the eſpecial Providence of GOD, eſcaped us. We ſaw it coming, and were ſurpriſed to obſerve a ſudden Calm for about ſix Minutes round the Whitaker, when the other Parts of the Sea boil'd like a Pot. But ſurely the everlaſting I AM ſaid unto the Sea at that Inſtant, Let there be a Calm in that Place. For by that means our Ship was immediately ſtopp'd in her Courſe, and ſo the Water Spout paſſed by, before we came up to it; otherwiſe it would have torn our Sails in Pieces. GOD's Hand was ſo viſible in this, that ſeveral ſaid, they never beheld the like before. O how does Providence wa…h over us, when we think nothing of it! Who would but live well, to be under the immediate Protection of ſuch an overruling Power?
After this ſeveral Squalls came upon us, which afforded me glorious Matter for adoring that great GOD, whom Winds and Storms obey. — The Sailors were in great Hurry and Confuſion, but, to my Comfort, not one ſingle Oath was heard all the while. — A Proof this, that Sailors may pull the Ropes, without ſwearing; and that the Words ſpoken to them, have not altogether fallen to the Ground. — Bleſſed be God!
April 22. Fled, as it were, on the Wings of the Wind, for ſome Days paſt. Sometimes 170, ſometimes 178 Miles in 24 Hours. I find GOD generally ſends us the ſtrongeſt Winds, when neareſt our Port. May I learn from hence a Leſſon of Inſtruction; and the nearer I come to my Haven of eternal Reſt, the quicker may I move!
Spent moſt of this Day in writing Letters to my dear Friends in England. In particular, Supplication for Direction how to act, in the Land whither I am going. The Thoughts of my own Weakneſs, and the Greatneſs of thoſe Trials, which I muſt neceſſarily expect, fill me with an holy Dread. But wherefore do I fear? The Eternal, Almighty, I AM, hath ſent me, and will, no Doubt, protect me.
April 23. Preach'd twice to-day to my People, and ſpent moſt of the reſt of the Day in earneſt Prayer for the Divine Aſſiſtance, in my preſent Undertaking; being, as we imagin'd, near the Haven where we would be. The Morning Leſſons were exceeding applicable, ſo that we could not help taking Notice of it. By this I know GOD favours me.
May 1. This Morning went out on Deck; after being confin'd to my Bed for a Week by a violent Fever, with which all, except three or four in the Ship, have been viſited. I was blooded thrice; vomited once, and bliſter'd; and, bleſſed be GOD, can ſay, 'tis good for me that I have been afflicted; for as Affliction abounded, Conſolation much more abounded, and God enabled me to rejoice with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory. Satan deſired to have me, to ſift me as Wheat; but JESUS CHRIST pray'd for me, and my Faith fail'd not.
I have all the Conveniencies I could have on Shore. Capt. W. turn'd out of his own Bed for me. J. D. and Mr. H. ſat up with me every Night, and nothing was wanting to make my Sickneſs comfortable and eaſy. Bleſſed be GOD, for theſe abundant Mercies in CHRIST JESUS!
I hope I ſhall now experimentally ſympathize with thoſe that are ſick; and learn to be more tender-hearted to my Fellow Chriſtians. I am now made whole. May I ſin no more, but be more fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord, leſt a worſe Evil befal me.
May 5. About Ten o' Clock this Morning, buried the Cook of the Ship, who expired laſt Night. I could have wiſh'd for a thouſand Tongues, to have ſounded a loud Alarm to my People; but the Sight of the Corps, and the Weakneſs of my Body, would but juſt permit me to read out the Office. Lord what is Man! O! why are others taken, and I left, but that GOD's Long-ſuffering ſhould lead me to Repentance! Grant it, O Lord, for thy dear SON's ſake.
In the Afternoon privately, I baptiz'd a new-born Infant. Thus it is; ſome coming into the World, others going out of it continually. Good God, who can deſire to live here always.
After having lain about the Coaſt for a Week, this Afternoon we ſaw Savannah River, and ſent off for a Pilot. O what Joy appear'd in every one's Countenance! How infinitely more joyful will the Children of GOD be, when having paſs'd thro' the Waves of this troubleſome World, they arrive at the Haven of eternal Reſt! Haſten, O LORD, that bleſſed Time, and let thy Kingdom come!
Sunday, May 7. Laſt Night, by the Bleſſing of GOD, we caſt Anchor near Tibby Iſland, about 24 Miles off Savannah; and to-day GOD gave me Strength to preach my Farewel Sermon; which I have not ſent you, and at which many wept. After this I took Boat with my Friend H. and arriv'd ſafe at Savannah (having a moſt pleaſant Paſſage) about ſeven in the Evening; and how GOD is pleaſed to deal with me, I will endeavour to inform you hereafter.
In the mean Time, fail not to give Thanks for all the Mercies I have received, tho' we had a long, yet it was an exceeding pleaſant Paſſage. GOD in Compaſſion to my Weakneſs has ſent me but a few Trials, and ſanctified thoſe he hath ſent me. I am now getting forth among Wolves; but he that protected Abram, when he went out, not knowing whither he went, will alſo guide and protect me; and therefore I can't cloſe this Part of my Journal better, than with Mr. Addiſ…n's Tranſlation of the 23d Pſalm▪
THE Lord my Paſture ſhall prepare,
And feed me with a Shepherd's Care;
His Preſence ſhall my Wants ſupply,
And guard me with a watchful Eye:
My Noon-day Walks he ſhall attend,
And all my Mid-night Hours deſend.
When in the ſultry Glebe I faint,
Or on the thirſty Mountain pant;
To fertile Vales, and dewy Meads,
My weary wand'ring Steps he leads,
Where peaceful Rivers, ſoft and ſlow,
Amid the verdant Landskip flow.
Though in the Paths of Death I tread,
With gloomy Horrors overſpread;
My ſtedfaſt Heart ſhall fear no Ill;
For thou, O Lord, art with me ſtill;
Thy friendly Crook ſhall give me Aid,
And guide me through the dreadful Shade.
Though in a bare and rugged Way,
Through devious lonely Wilds I ſtray;
Thy Bounty ſhall my Pains beguile,
The barren Wilderneſs ſhall ſmile,
With ſudden Greens and Herbage crown'd▪
And Streams ſhall murmur all around.
FINIS.
CONTINUATION Of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield's JOURNAL FROM His Arrival at SAVANNAH, TO His Return to LONDON.
PHILADELPHIA, Printed and Sold by B. FRANKLIN, in Market-Street, 1739.
THE PREFACE.
THOUGH the Journals already publiſh'd, were printed without my Knowledge, yet as GOD has been pleaſed to let me ſee, by Letters ſent to me, that he has greatly bleſſed them, I now upon the Importunity of Friends, conſent to the publiſhing a Continuation of them, that thoſe pious Perſons who have interceded in my behalf, may ſee what GOD, in anſver to their Prayers, has done for my Soul.
I am ſenſible that this, as well as every Thing elſe of ſuch a Nature, muſt neceſſarily meet with great Contempt from natural Men, who are Strangers to the Influences of the HOLY GHOST upon the Heart. But what have I to do with them? If any of GOD's Children receive the …aſt Conſolation from my Experiences, Let almoſt, formal Chriſtians be offended, and the Scoffers of theſe laſt Days mock on. — I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.