Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia, Journal 3 · Part 22
BATH.
Monday, March 19. After having refreſhed myſelf and Friends, by reading a Packet of Letters from London, and diſpatched ſome other Buſineſs, according to Appointment, I ſet out for Bath, and got thither about three in the Afternoon. Dinner being ended, through great Weakneſs of …, and Sickneſs in my Stomach, I was obliged … lie down upon the Bed; but the Hour being come for my preaching, I …, weak and l…nguid as I was, depending on the Divine Strength, and, I think, ſcarce ever preached with greater Power. There were about 4 or 5000, of High and Low, Rich and Poor, to hear. As I went along, I obſerved many Scoffers; and when I got upon the Table to preach, many laughed; but before I had finiſhed my Prayer, all was huſht and ſilent; and …'…r I had concluded my Diſcourſe, GOD, by his Wor…, ſeemed to impreſs a great Awe upon their Mind; for all were deeply attentive, and ſeemed much affected with what had been ſpoken. Men may ſcoff for a little while, but there is ſomething in this Fooliſhneſs of Preaching which will make the moſt ſtubborn Heart to bend or break. Is not my Word like Fire, ſaith the Lord, and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces?
Tueſday, March 20. Had the Pleaſure of hearing of the Succeſs of my Diſcourſe yeſterday upon many Souls, eſpecially upon two little Children, who were obſerved to come home crying, and to retire to Prayers. — Spent the Morning in writing Letters, and viſiting ſome few righteous Souls that live in this Sodom. — GOD has a Remnant every where. — At eleven o' Clock I read Prayers at the Hoſpital, and was greatly comforted by the ſecond Leſſon▪ which was the 7th of St. John. After Dinner I was taken ill again; but notwithſtanding, GOD ſtrengthned me to preach to about as great a Congregation as yeſterday, …, I believe, with great Succeſs; …or ſom… …, and all ſeemed much affected, and were very ſilent. — The Remainder of the Evening I ſpent with many gracious Souls, who came to my Lodgings, with whom I took ſweet Counſel, and went to Bed full of Comfort and unſpeakable Joy. Bleſſed be GOD, I can ſay, The Life which I now live in the Fleſh, I live by the Faith of the Son of GOD, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me.
Wedneſday, March 21. Breakfaſted this Morning with one Mr. M—r, who kindly invited me and my Friends. — Perceived a great Freedom in my Spirit, and afterwards went to a private Houſe, where many were aſſembled to hear the Word. — But GOD only can …ll how their Hearts were melted down. — Oh! how did the poor Souls weep over me! How did they pray that I would come amongſt them again! Surely, I might have ſaid with St. Paul on another Occaſion, What mean you to weep, and to break my Heart? — But I could do no more than pray that GOD would ſend them ſome faithful Labourer. Having diſperſed among them ſome of my Sermons on the Marks of the New Birth, I at length took my leave, and retired to my Lodgings. — Every Time I look upon the Bath, I think on the Pool of Betheſda. O bleſſed JESU, look down with Compaſſion on it; and as thou haſt cured many impotent Perſons by theſe healing Waters, heal, I beſeech thee, the Diſeaſes of their ſin-ſick Souls, by the Power of thy all-quickening ſtrengthening Grace. — Even ſo, Lord JESUS! Amen.