Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 7 – Journal entry 8
Blendon, Bexley, and Blackheath.
Tuesday, June 12. Read Prayers at Bexley Church.—Begun (being pressed thereto both in Spirit and by my Friends) to put some of my Extempore Discourses in Writing.—Preached at Blackheath in the Evening to about 20000 People and spent the remaining Part of the Night, with rather more Friends, and as much Chearfulness, Decency and Devotion as on Sunday Night last Several People of different Ranks stood by, as before. Some, I hope, went away edified, for GOD gave me great Enlargement of Soul, and the Exhortation which was long and powerful▪ I believe, reached their Hearts. GOD grant we may thus always continue to let our Light shine before Men. It cannot but bring Glory to our Father which is in Heaven.
Wednesday, June 13. Retired in the Morning to Blendon. Preached, as usual, at Blackheath, and went with my Fellow-Travellers to Lewisham, about a Mile off, to the House of Mrs. S…, who has frequently pressed me to abide there. How does GOD raise me up Friends unsought for in every Place! Who would but naked follow a naked CHRIST? After Supper I expounded to, and prayed with several Gentlemen and Ladies, whom Mrs. S—had invited to hear the Word. Oh that it may take de…p …oot in their Hearts!
Thursday, June 14. Spent the whole Day in my pleasant and profitable Retreat at Blendon. And in the Evening had the Pleasure of introducing my Honoured Friend Mr. John Wesley to preach at Blackheath. The LORD give him ten thousand times more Success than He has given me! After Sermon we spent the Evening most agreeably together with many Christian Friends at the Green Man. About ten we admitted all to come in that would: The Room was soon filled. GOD gave me Utterance. I exhorted and prayed for near an Hour, and then went to Bed, rejoicing that another fresh Inrode was made into Satan's Territories, by Mr. Wesley's following me in Field-Preaching, as well in London as in Bristol. LORD, give the Word, and great shall be the Company of such Preachers▪ Amen. Amen.
Friday, June 15. Continued at Blendon all Day. Preached with great Power in the Evening at Blackheath to about as many …, and after retired to …, where I and my Friends were again most kindly … Mr. S—May the Lord bless her House, as he did the House of …, and make each of our … an … of the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, June 16. Returned in the Morning to Blendon. Finished some Writings I had in Hand, and preached in the Evening at Blackheath, on Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac. GOD make us Partakers of such a working Obedient Faith!
Sunday, June 17. Preached with much Power in Bexley Church, and helped to administer to near 300 Communicants, most of which came from London.—Baptiz'd a Person of 28 Years of Age, whom GOD had work'd upon by my Ministry. Din'd at Blendon, and took sweet Counsel with many Christian Friends. Preached to above 20000 People at Blackheath, and afterwards sup'd again at the Green Man. There were near 300 in the Room. GOD was pleased to give me extraordinary Assistance in exhorting and Prayer, which I continued till Eleven o'Clock, and then retired to Bed, much pleas'd to think Religion, which had long been sculking in Corners, and was almost laugh'd out of the World, should now begin to appear abroad, and openly shew herself at Noon-Day. Let them count us Vain-glorious for thus confessing CHRIST before Men. It is a small Thing with us to be judged of Men's Judgment. To our own Master we stand or full. What we are the last Day will shew.
Hertford.
Monday, June …. An Embargo being laid … …pping for some Weeks, I had time to go to …ord, whither I was invited by … pressing Letters, declaring how GOD had work'd by my Ministry, when I was there last.—We din'd and pray'd with Madam Cook of Newington, and her Family, and reached the Place intended by seven at Night. A most kind Reception I met … from many Christians. At eight I preached, according to Appointment, with Freedom of Spirit, to about 4000 People, who were quite silent and attentive. Blessed be GOD, I found myself much stronger than when I was here last. GOD grant I may so live that my Progress may be made known unto all Men!
Tuesday, June 19. Preached this Morning about seven o'Clock to near 3000 People with uncommon Enlargement of Heart, and apparent Success. Many came to me under strong Convictions of their fallen Estate, and their Want of a GOD-MAN to be their Mediator.—Many I heard of besides who had been much worked upon by my Preaching.—Several Christian Families, I find, had been comforted, and such immediate Effects produced, that I could not help rejoicing in Spirit exceedingly. Breakfasted, din'd, pray'd and sung Hymns with Mr. S—, a Dissenting Minister; was visited by some Quakers, and in the Afternoon waited upon Mr. Th—…od, a Baptist Teacher, who, unknown to me, had sent a Horse to fetch me from London. Preached about seven in the Evening to about five Thousand Souls upon the Faith of Abraham, in which GOD was pleased to give me great Freedom, and the People great Attention. I believe GOD has much People in and near Hertford. His especial Providence which detains me in England sent me hither.—I trust they have received a second Benefit, Not unto me, O LORD, not unto me, but unto thy Name, unto thy free Grace in CHRIST JESUS our LORD, be all the Glory.