Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia, Journal 3 · Part 1 – Part 2
LONDON.
FRIDAY, December 8. About Noon I reached London, was received with much Joy by my Chriſtian Friends, and joined with them in Pſalms and Thankſgiving for my ſafe Arrival. My Heart was greatly enlarged hereby.
In the Evening went to a truly Chriſtian Society in Fetter-Lane, and perceived God had greatly watered the Seed ſown by my Miniſtry, when laſt at London. The Lord increaſe it more and more.
Saturday, Dec. 9. Waited this Morning on the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and the Biſhop of London, and met with a favourable Reception.
Sunday, December 10. When I was on Board the Mary, thoſe particular Parts of the Book of Jeremiah, which relate to the Oppoſition he met with from the Falſe Prophets, were deeply impreſſed upon my Soul. And now I begin to ſee the Wiſdom of God in it. For five Churches have been already denied me, and ſome of the Clergy, if poſſible, would oblige me to depart out of theſe Coaſts. But I rejoice in this Oppoſition, it being a certain Sign that a more effectual Door will be opened, ſince there are ſo many Adverſaries.
However, I had an Opportunity of preaching in the Morning at St. Helen's, and at Iſ…ngton in the Afternoon, to large Congregations indeed, with great Demonſtrations of the Spirit, and with Power.
Here ſeems to be a great pouring out of the Spirit; and many, who were awakened by my Preaching a Year ago, are now grown ſtrong Men in CHRIST, by the Miniſtrations of my dear Friends and Fellow-Labourers, John and Charles W…ſley. Bleſſed be God, I rejoice in the Coming of the Kingdom of his dear Son.
The old Doctrine about Juſtification by Faith only, I found much revived, and many Letters had been ſent concerning it to me, all which, I providentially miſſed of. For now, I come unprejudiced, and can the more eaſily ſee who is in the Right. And who dares aſſert that we are not ju…tified in the Sight of GOD, merely by an Act of Faith in JESUS CHRIST, without any Regar… to Works paſt, preſent, or to come?
In the Evening I went to Fetter-lane Society, where we had (what might not improperly be called) a Love-Feaſt, eating a little Bread and Water, and ſpending about two Hours in Sing…g and Prayers, and I found my Heart greatly united with the Brethren. Surely a primitive Spirit is reviving amongſt us. May God …it my Heart to theirs more and more!
Sunday, December 24. Preached twice, and went in the Evening to Crooked-lane Society, where GOD enabled me to withſtand ſeveral▪ Perſons, who cavilled againſt the Doctrine of the New Birth. But the Paſſion, wherewith they oppoſe, is a Demonſtration, that they themſelves have not experienced it. LORD make them Partakers of it, for thy dear SON's ſake.
After I left Crooked-lane, I went and expounded to a Company at Mr. B—'s, in Little…Britain ▪ then I went to another Love-Feaſt at Fetter-lane; and, it being Chriſtmas-Eve, continued till near Four in the Morning in Prayer, Pſalms, and Thankſgiving, with many truly Chriſtian Brethren; and my Heart was much enlarged, and full of Love. — GOD gave me a great Spirit of Supplication. Adored be his free Grace in CHRIST JESUS, Amen and Amen.
Monday, Decemb. 25. About Four went and prayed, and expounded to another Society in Red…roſs-ſtreet, conſiſting of near two or three hundred People, and the Room was exceeding hot. I had been watching unto Prayer all Night, yet GOD vouchſafed ſo to fill me with his Bleſſed Spirit, that I ſpoke with as great Power as ever I did in my Life. My Body was weak, but I found a ſupernatural Strength, and the Truth of that ſaying, When I am weak, then I am ſtrong.
At Six I went to Crutched Fryar's Society, and expounded as well as I could, but perceived myſelf a little oppreſſed with Drowſineſs. How does the corruptible Body weigh down the Soul! When ſhall I be delivered from the Burden of this Fleſh?
Preached thrice, and aſſiſted in adminiſtring the Sacrament the ſame Day without going to ſleep. GOD will make his Power to be known in me. — This Day 24 Years, was I baptized, LORD! to what little Purpoſe have I lived? However, I ſealed my Baptiſmal Covenant with my dear Saviour's moſt bleſſed Body and Blood, and truſt in his Strength I ſhall keep and perform it. Amen, Amen.
Saturday, December 30. Preached nine Times this Week, and expounded near 18 Times, with great Power and Enlargement. — Bleſſed be GOD! I am every Moment employed from Morning 'till Midnight. — There's no End of People's coming and ſending to me, and they ſeem more and more deſirous, like New-born Babes, to b… fed with the ſincere Milk of the Word. — What a great Work has been wrought in the Heares of many within this Twelve-month! Now know I… that though Thouſands might come at firſt out of Curioſity, yet GOD has prevented and quickened them by his free Grace.—Oh that I could be humble and thankful.
Glory be to GOD that be fills me continually, not only with Peace, but alſo Joy in the HOLY GHOST. — Before my Arrival, I thought I ſhould envy my Brethren's Succeſs in the Miniſtry; but Bleſſed be GOD▪ I rejoyce in it, and am glad to ſee CHRIST's Kingdom come, whatſoever Inſtruments GOD ſhall make Uſe of to bring it about. — Sometimes … perceive my ſelf deſerted for a little While, and much oppreſſed, eſpecially before preaching, but Comfort ſoon after flows in. — Th… Kingdom of GOD is within me. O free Grace in CHRIST!
Sunday, December 31. Preached twice to large Congregations, eſpecially in the Afternoon, at Spittlefields. — I had a great Hoarſeneſs upon me, and was deſerted before I went up into the Pulpit; but GOD ſtrengthened me to ſpeak, ſo as to be heard by all.
After I left Spittlefields, my Cold being very great, I deſpaired of ſpeaking much more that Night. — But GOD enabled me to expound to two Companies in Southwark, and I was never more enlarged in Prayer in my whole Life.— Theſe Words, And the Power of the Lord was preſent to heal them, were much preſſed upon my Soul, and indeed I believe it was. For many were prick'd to the Heart, and felt themſelves to be Sinners. O that all the World knew and felt that!
Monday, January 1. Received the Holy Sacrament, preached twice, and expounded twice, and found this to be the happieſt New-Year's Day that I ever yet ſaw. Oh! What Mercies has the Lord ſhewn me ſince this Time Twelvemonth! And yet I ſhall ſee greater Things than theſe. O that my Heart may be prepared to ſee them! O that my old Things may paſs away, and all Things become new!
Had a Love-Feaſt with our Brethren at Fetter-lane, and ſpent the whole Night in cloſe Prayer. Pſalms, and Thankſgivings.— GOD ſupported me without Sleep, Oh that our Deſpiſers were Partakers of our Joys!
Tueſday, January 2. Staid at Home o… purpoſe to receive thoſe, who wanted to conſult me. — Bleſſed be GOD, from ſeven in the Morning, till three in the Afternoon, People came, ſome telling me what GOD had done for their Souls, and others crying out, What ſhall we do to be ſaved? Being obliged to go out after this, I referred ſeveral 'till Thurſday.— GOD enabled me to give them Anſwers of Peace! How does God work by my unworthy Hands! His Mercies melt me down, O that I was thankful!
Thurſday, January 4. Though my Cold continued, and I feared it would prevent my ſpeaking, yet GOD enabled me to expound with extraordinary Power in a private Society; and then to preach at Wapping-Chappel, ſo that the Word pierced the Hearers Souls; and afterwards I expounded and prayed for an Hour and an Half with great Power and Demonſtration of the Spirit, and my Heart was full of GOD. How immediately does JESUS CHRIST reward me for my poor Services! Aſſoon as my daily Work is done, he ſays, Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord, He commands, and it is done.
Friday, January 5. Held a Conference at Iſlington, concerning ſeveral Things of very great Importance, with ſeven true Miniſters of JESUS CHRIST, deſpiſed Methodiſts, whom GOD has brought together from the Eaſt and the Weſt, the North and the South.— What we were in doubt about, after Prayer, we determined by Lot, and every Thing elſe was carried on with great Love, Meekneſs and Devotion.— We continued in Faſting and Prayer 'till three o' Clock, and then parted with a full Conviction that GOD was going to do great Things among us. O that we may be any way inſtrumental to his Glory! That he would make us Veſſels pure and holy, meet for our Maſter's Uſe!
Expounded twice afterwards in London with great Power, and then was much enlarged for near an Hour in Prayer, in Fetter-lane Society.— The Spirit of Supplication increaſes in my Heart daily.— May it increaſe ever more and more!
Did not find the Pity I ought, upon ſeeing a Brother full of Self-love. Lord enlarge my narrow Heart, and give me that Charity which rejoices not in Iniquity, but in the Truth. — Perceived ſomething a little bordering on Envy towards my Brother H. — I find more and more, that true Humility conſiſts in being ſubmiſſive to thoſe, who are a little above, or a little below us.— Oh when ſhall I come to rejoice in others Gifts and Graces as much as in my own! I am reſolved to wreſtle with JESUS CHRIST, by Faith and Prayer 'till he thus bleſſes me.
Saturday, January 6. Preached ſix Times this Week, and ſhould have preached a ſeventh Time, but one Miniſter would not permit me; which cauſed me to pray for him moſt earneſtly, Bleſſed be God, I can ſay, I love mine Enemies.
Expounded twice or thrice every Night this Week. The Holy Ghoſt ſo powerfully worked upon my Hearers, pricking their Hearts, and melting them into ſuch Floods of Tears, that a ſpiritual Man ſaid, He never ſaw the like before.—GOD is with me of a Truth. Adored be his unmerited Goodneſs, I find his Grace quickening me more and more every Day. My Underſtanding is more enlightned, my Affections more enflamed, and my Heart full of Love towards GOD and Man. — Oh! that the Scoffers of theſe laſt Days were not only almoſt, but altogether ſuch as I am, except theſe indwelling Corruptions!
Sunday, January 7. Preached twice to Day, and expounded with great Power to three Societies, one of which I never viſited before.— GOD grant I may purſue the Method of expounding and praying extempore. I find God bleſſes it more and more.
Had another Love-Feaſt, and ſpent the whole Night in Prayer and Thankſgiving at Fetter-lane. — There was a great pouring out of the Spirit amongſt the Brethren; but I cannot ſay I was ſo full of Joy as the laſt Night we ſpent together.
Monday, January 8. Tho' I ſat up all Night▪ yet GOD carried me through the Work of the Day with about an Hour's Sleep. — Expounded in the Evening, and confuted a virulent Oppoſer of the Doctrine of the New Birth, and Juſtification by Faith only. — But what can be ſaid to thoſe that will not be convinced? Lord, open thou their Hearts and Eyes.
Spent the Remainder of the Evening with our Bands, which are little Combinations of ſix or more Chriſtians meeting together to compare their Experiences. Build ye up one another, even as alſo ye do. — Confeſs your Faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.
Tueſday, January 10. Stay'd at home again to day, to talk with thoſe that came to conſult me, and found that GOD has awakened ſeveral, and excited in them a Hunger and Thirſt after Righteouſneſs by my Sermon on the Power of CHRIST's Reſurrection, and Have ye received the Holy Ghoſt? Every Day I hear of ſomebody or another quickened to a Senſe of the divine Life. — Oh what abundant Reaſon have I to be thankful.
This Evening I preached a Sermon at Great St. Helens, for erecting a Church for the Salt… burghers, and collected Thirty-three Pounds! Bleſſed be GOD! The People gave moſt readily, many wiſhing they had more to give; for which we afterwards prayed and gave Thanks.
OXFORD.
Wedneſday, January 11. Slept about three Hours, roſe at five, ſet out at ten, and reached Oxford by five in the Evening. As I entered the City, I called to mind the Mercies I had received ſince I left it. They are more than I am able to expreſs. Oh that my Heart may be melted down by a Senſe of them, Amen, Lord JESUS! — Spent the Remainder of the Evening very agreeably with ſeveral Chriſtian Friends.— May GOD ſanctify our Meeting!
Friday, January 12. Breakfaſted with ſixteen or ſeventeen Chriſtian Brethren; expounded and read Prayers at the Caſtle, to many devout Souls. Afterwards I waited on the Biſhop of Glouceſter, who received me very kindly. — Waited on the Maſter of Pembroke? afterwards on the Arch-deacon. — Went to public Worſhip at Pembroke. — Supp'd, prayed, and ſung Pſalms with a Room full of Brethren at Mr. F—'s; then adjourned to Corpus Chriſti College, where GOD aſſiſted me to talk clearly of the New Birth, and Juſtification by Faith alone, with one that oppoſed it. — Lord, open thou our Eyes, that we may prove what is that acceptable and perfect Will of God! — Received the Holy Sacrament at St. Mary's, expounded with great Power at Mr. F—'s, went with the other Candidates for Holy Orders to ſubſcribe to the Articles, and ſecretly pray'd that we all might have our Names written in the Book of Life. — Drank Tea with a well-diſpoſed Gentleman Commoner, and had cloſe Converſation with many others at Corpus Chriſti College. — I enjoyed great Tranquility of Soul, and had much Reaſon to bleſs GOD for ſending me to the Univerſity. Oh! that I may be prepared for receiving the HOLY GHOST to Morrow by the Impoſition of Hands. Amen, Lord JESUS, Amen.
Sunday, January 14. This, bleſſed be GOD, has been a Day of fat Things. — Roſe in the Morning, and prayed and ſung Pſalms luſtily, and with a good Courage; and afterwards was ordained Prieſt at Chriſt's Church. Before, I was a little diſſipated, but at Impoſition of Hands, my Mind was in an humble Frame, and I received Grace in the Holy Sacrament.— That I might begin to make Proof of my Miniſtry, I preached, and adminiſtred the Sacrament at the Caſtle; and preached in the Afternoon at St. Albans to a crowded Congregation. — The Church was ſurrounded with Gownſ-men of all Degrees, who, contrary to their Cuſtom, ſtood attentive at the Windows during my Sermon. — GOD enabled me to preach with the Demonſtration of the Spirit, and with Power, and quite took away my Hoarſeneſs, ſo that I could lift up my Voice like a Trumpet. — After Sermon, I joined in giving Thanks to our good GOD for all the Mercies he had conferred upon me; then I read Prayers at Carfax, expounded to a large and devout Company both of Men and Women at a private Houſe, and ſpent the Remainder of the Evening with thirteen more, where GOD gave me great Cheerfulneſs of Spirit.