Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 25 – Journal entry 26
Thornbury and Gloucester.
Saturday, July 14. Preached at 8 this Morning to an attentive Congregation. Breakfasted at a Quaker's, and reached Gloucester with my honoured Friend, Mr. John Wesley, and some others, by 3 in the Afternoon. Went to the Cathedral Prayers, dined, and afterwards preached to a Congregation a third Part larger than I have had in this Place before. Blessed be GOD, wherever I go, I find my Audiences are always more numerous by far at the last than at the first.—LORD make me truly humble and thankful.
Sunday, July 15. Left my honoured Friend Mr. Wesly, to preach to about 7000 Souls in Gloucester. And had the Pleasure afterwards of hearing that the People heard him gladly.—Preached twice in Randwick Church, and assisted in administring the Sacrament to 270 Communicants.—The Congregations were larger than when I preached last.—My Body being weak, and GOD being pleased to withdraw himself, I spoke with very little Power in the Morning; but in the Afternoon, GOD caused my Strength to return again, and I preached with much Freedom and Power in the Evenin…; and at Hampton Common, I was enabled to lift up my Voice like a Trumpet, and to preach to about 20000 Souls.—All which behaved with great Reverence and Devotion.—After I had done, I received fresh Invitations to different Places, which I proposed to comply with, if the LORD should permit. Never did I see People more eager after the Milk of the Word. Their Souls were much rejoiced when I told them Mr. John Wesley intended to come after to feed them. LORD grant he may be preferred before me wherever he goes!
Monday, July 16. Lay last Night at the House of Mr. E- s of Ebly, and had a most comfortable Time of it. Went to Tedbury, about six Miles from thence, having been earnestly invited several Times and preached at Noon to about 4000 People.—Many gracious Souls of divers Denominations came to meet me, with whom I took sweet Counsel.—The Scoffers, before I came, had threatned to do something.—But the Power of GOD's Word overcame them. Visited in the Afternoon, Mr. O—, a Baptist Teacher, and went afterwards, in Company with several Friends, to Malmsbury in Wiltshire, about 3 Miles from Tedbury, whither I had been invited by a Letter signed by 52 Persons. At 7 I preached to about 3000 People, who, I believe, felt the Power of GOD's Word. Much Opposition had been made by the Pharisees against my coming; and the Minister in particular had wrote to the Church-warden to stop me; but he was more noble. Numbers, as I heard afterwards, who were vastly prejudiced against me by lying Reports, went away convinced that I spoke the Words of Truth and Soberness. Thou shalt answer for me, O LORD my GOD.
Tuesday, July 17. Lay with my Fellow-Travellers at the House of Mr. Line, who most gladly received us for our Master's Sake. I had a Thorn in the Flesh sent to buffet me, was weak in Body, deserted in Mind, and felt myself to be what I often say we all are by Nature, half a Devil, and half a Beast. With great inward Reluctance I rose and preached to about 2000 Souls at 8 in the Morning, then I retired to my Bed again, with an unspeakable Pressure upon my Heart till Noon. Was something better after Dinner, and much reviv'd to see what an effectual Door was like to be opened in Wiltshire for Preaching the Gospel. Went and paid my Respects to the chief Magistrate, who was my Friend, and reached Cirencester about six in the Evening.
Here also Men breathed out Threatnings against me, but were not impowered to put them in Execution. Numbers came from Neighbouring Towns. My Congregation was as large again as when I preached here last. GOD enabled me, weak as I was, to speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Every Thing was carried on with Decency and Order, and my inward Comforts began to return again. GOD will not always be chiding, neither keepeth He his Anger for ever. How heavily do I drive when GOD takes off my Chariot Wheels. O that I may learn to be meek and lowly in my own Eyes.—LORD give me Humility, or I perish.
Cirencester and Abingdon.
Wednesday, July 18. Found more than ever the Truth of the wise Man's Saying, Wo be to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath not another to help him up. Breakfasted with one Mr. H—r, and preached at 7 in the Morning to about as numerous a Congregation, but with much greater Spirits than last Night.—The Place where I preached was exceeding convenient.—I stood in the Valley, and the People on an Ascent that formed a most beautiful Amphitheatre.—After I had done, GOD gave me some most extraordinary Instances of the Power of his Word. LORD, not unto me, but unto thy Name be all the Glory.
Left Cirencester about 11, dined at Leatchlade, where the Inhabitants were very importunate to hear me, would Time have permitted. I reached Abington, 22 Miles from Cirencester, about 7, and preached to several Thousands soon after I came in. Much Opposition had been made against my Coming.—The Landlord, whose House we offered to put up at, genteelly told us, he had not Room for us; and numberless Prejudices had been industriously spread to prevent my Success; but GOD strengthened me after my Journey, and enabled me to speak, I trust, to the Hearts of many. GOD's Word will make its own Way, let Men say what they please. Our Weapons are not carnal, but mighty through the Divine Power, to the pulling down Satan's Strong-Holds.