Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia, Journal 3 · Part 27 – Part 30
ABERGAVENNY and COMIHOY.
Thurſday, April 5. Spent ſome Time very comfortably with my dear Friends at Pontypool, in ſinging, praying, and religious Conferences; and then, in Company with about thirty on Horſeback, I came to Abergavenny, ten Miles from Pontypool, by eleven in the Morning. — All the Way as we journeyed, GOD ſtrengthned me mightily in the inner Man, and I could think of nothing ſo much as Joſhua going from City to City, and ſubduing the devoted Nations. — Here I expected much Oppoſition, having been informed, that many intended to diſturb me.
But GOD impreſſed a divine Awe upon all; ſo that though there were many Oppoſers preſent when I preached, yet not any dared to utter a Word. — GOD cauſed me to ſpeak with extraordinary Authority, and I did not ſpare the polite Scoffers in the leaſt. Oh that they may come to the Knowledge of the Truth, and be ſaved! The Place I preached from, was the Backſide of a Garden, belonging to one Mr. W—s, who invited me to Abergavenny, and erected a Place very commodious for my ſtanding upon; ſo that the People, (in Number about two Thouſand) could all hear very well. Afterwards we retired, and ſung a Hymn; and ſome Ladies having the Curioſity to come and hear us, I took that Opportunity of diſſuading them againſt Ball… and Aſſemblies, and all other polite Entertainments. I hope GOD intended them good: For afterwards, I heard they were the chief Miſtreſſes of the Aſſembly in Abergavenny. Oh the polite World! How are they led away by lying Vanities.
After Dinner, I went, according to Appointment, with about forty on Horſeback, to Comihoy, five Miles from Abergavenny, and found the Miniſter of the Church to be a hearty Friend, and two or three others like minded with him. This rejoyced me exceedingly; and to ſee how loving the poor People were to me, much increaſed my Joy. — The Church not being quite large enough to hold half the Congregation, I preached from the Croſs in the Churchyard. — The Word came with Power. — Did not GOD call me elſewhere, I could ſpend ſome Months in Wales very profitably: The longer I am in it, the more I like it. To me they ſeem a People ſweetly diſpoſed to receive the Goſpel. — They are ſimple and artleſs. They have left Bigotry more than the Generality of our Engliſhmen; and, through the Exhortations of Howel Harris, and the Miniſtry of others, they are hungring and thirſting after the Righteouſneſs of JESUS CHRIST. — When I had done, I haſted back with my Friends to Abergavenny, where we were kindly entertained; and, after having written a Letter or two, and expounded to three Rooms full of People, I went to Bed, rejoycing that my Eyes every Day ſaw the Salvation of GOD.
CARLEON and TRELEK.
Friday, April 6. Set out about eight in the Morning from Abergavenny, with near a dozen Friends on Horſeback; and ſoon after near fifty or ſixty more joined us; moſt of whom, I hope, had been effectually called by the Grace of GOD. About Noon we reached Carleon, fifteen Miles from Abergavenny, a Town famous for having thirty Britiſh Kings buried in it, and producing three noble Chriſtian Martyrs. I choſe particularly to go hither, becauſe when my Brother Howel Harris was there laſt, ſome of the baſer Sort beat a Drum, and huzza'd around him, on purpoſe to diſturb him. — But GOD ſuffered them not to move a Tongue now, though I preached from the very ſame Place, and prayed for him by Name, as I have in every Place where I have preached in Wales. GOD forbid I ſhould be aſhamed either of my Maſter or his Servants. — Many Thouſands were there from all Parts to hear me, and GOD gave me ſuch extraordinary Aſſiſtance, that I was carried out beyond myſelf; and I believe the Scoffers felt me to ſome Purpoſe. Oh that the Love of CHRIST may melt them down.
After Dinner, we parted with ſome of our Friends, who were obliged to return home, becauſe they came from far. And it gave …e great Pleaſure to ſee how affectionately the poor People came, with Tears in their Eyes, bleſſing GOD for my Miniſtry, ſhaking me by the Hand, and praying for my ſpeedy Return amongſt them. —Surely Godlineſs has the Promiſe of the Life that now is, as well as that which is to come. The Numbers of my Enemies are inconſiderable; but my Friends cannot be numbred. And what gives me more Satisfaction, is, that they are Friends of GOD's making, not of the World's, who follow not only for Intereſt, but ſuch as love me for the Sake of JESUS CHRIST, and who, I believe, would go with me to Priſon, or to Death.
At three in the Afternoon we ſet out for Trelek, ten Welch Miles from Carleon; but the Miles being very long, we could not reach thither till it was almoſt dark; ſo that moſt of the People who had been waiting for me, were returned home: However, the Church being denied, I ſtood upon the Horſe-block before the Inn, and preached from thence for about three Quarters▪ of an Hour to thoſe that were le…t behind; but I could not ſpeak with ſuch Power as uſual: For, though the Spirit was willing, the Fleſh was weak through the Fatigue of the paſt Day. LORD, when ſhall I be delivered from the Burden of this Fleſh.
CHEAPSTOW.
Saturday, April 7. Found myſelf but weak in Body when I roſe in the Morning, and it being a very rainy Day, I reſolved to ſtay at Cheapſtow (which we reached by eleven of the Clock.) Great Numbers that came from the Countries round about, were ready to hear; but the Miniſter being unwilling to lend the Pulpit on a Week Day, I only exhorted the Pe…ple in the Dining-Room where I lodged. I believe GOD was with us. Oh how ſwiftly has this Week paſſed off! To me it has been but as one Day. How do I pity thoſe polite ones, who complain that Time hangs heavy upon their Hands! Let them but love CHRIST, and ſpend their whole Time in his Service, and they will find no dull melancholl… Hours. Want of the Love of GOD I take to be the chief Cauſe of Indolence and Vapours. O that our Gentry would up and be doing for JESUS CHRIST! They would not complain then for the Want of Spirits.
Sunday, April 8. Aroſe much refreſhed, and highly pleaſed with the laſt Afternoon's Retirement; read Prayers, and preached twice at Cheapſtow Church to very attentive Congregations, many of whom came from far. After Sermon, I gave a Word of Exhortation, and prayed with ſeveral that came to the Inn, and GOD was pleaſed to give it his Bleſſing. — About five, I ſet out, with my Friends, to Colford, eight Miles from Cheapſtow, and went and viſited the religious Society, which has met with much Oppoſition. Good GOD! wherever I go, People are ready to periſh for Lack of Knowledge, and are as ignorant of JESUS CHRIST, as the Papiſts. My Heart within me is broken becauſe of the Prophets. Jer. 23.
At Night, I was pleaſed with the Company of ſeveral Friends, who came from Pontypool to ſee me once more. — We ſpent the Evening very agreeably in ſinging Pſalms, Prayer and Converſation, and, I hope, edified one another in Love.
COLFORD and GLOUCESTER.
Monday, April 9. Preached this Morning in the Market-houſe to about one hundred People, and afterwards talked with Effect to ſome Scoffers at the Inn. After this, I ſet out for, and reached Glouceſter about Noon; where I was refreſhed by a great Packet of Letters, giving me an Account of the Succeſs of the Goſpel in different Parts. GOD grant I may ſee it come as powerfully amongſt my own Countrymen.