Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 61
VIRGINIA. Seal's Church.
Thursday, December 11. Had a short delightful Passage over the River this Morr… which we could not pass last Night. Rejoiced that GOD had brought us into another Province. Observed the Country to be much more open, and the Road …ter than in Maryland. Passed over two more Ferries in the Day's Journey; but were put to some little Inconveniency for want of finding a publick House in the Way. However at last we met a poor Woman in our Road, who was going …o sell Cakes to the Trained Bands, of whom we bought one Cake apiece. A few Miles further, a Planter let us have some Provender for our …; and after several Intimations, a little Milk and Small Beer for ourselves; by the Strength of which, by six a Clock, we got to a Place called Seal's Church, 29 Miles from Potomack. Here we called at a Person's House, to which we were recommended▪ but the … of it not being at home, the Overseer, at first, … unwilling to receive it: However … we were we…, and …, …e was at last … … to … all Night; and … with a good Fire, … on thy Hearth, which …, and aff…ded us no small Matter for Praise and Thanksgiving. Oh that we may … … in that Duty more and more!
Wednesday, December 12. Took a little Breakfast. Went on, having pleasant …ads and a warm Day, till we came to Piscataway …, 18 Miles off; where the M…n of the House spared us some Corn and Sheav… for our Ho…ses; but had neither Milk nor … in the House for ourselves: However I endeavour'd to feed him with Spiritual Bread: But he seriously asked one of us, If I was not a Quaker? because, I suppose, he heard me talk of the Necessity of being born again of the Spirit. If I talk of the Spirit, I am a Quaker:—If I say Grace at Breakfast and behave serious, I am a Presbyterian. Alas! what must I do to be accounted a Member of the Church of England? About one we set out, and before four in the Afternoon we reached an Ordinary. Here we were most opportunely refreshed with what Meat there was in the House. There being no other publick▪ House for some Miles, and we being wearied more than common, for want of usual Sustenance, we tarried all Night. In the Evening some Gentlemen came disordered in Liquor; but the Woman of the House kept them from us, so we slept very comfortably on the Beds that she made us in the Kitchen. I talked of Religion as much as I could; but the Woman thought GOD was very merciful; that it would be no Harm to swear by her Faith; that we were to be born again after Death, and such like. However she was very sollicitous to please us. And I could not help remarking▪ how the Devil loves to represent GOD as all Mercy or all Justice:—When Persons are awakened, he would, if possible, tempt them to despair; when dead in Trespasses and Sins, he tempts them to presume. LORD, preserve us from making Ship wreck against either of these Rocks! Give us such a Sense of thy Justice, as to convince us, that we cannot be saved if we continue in Sin; and such a Sense of thy Mercy, as may keep us from Despair, if we have a living Faith in thy dear Son, and are … born again of thy blessed Spirit.
Thursday, Dec. 13. Set out just as the Sun rose. Got to an Ordinary by Noon. Eat of what was set before us with Comfort, and some Degree of Thankfulness; and reached the House of Col Whiting, Father to my dear Friend Capt. Whiting, long before Night. Here GOD spread a plentiful Table for us, and, what was still more desirable, sent to us a well inclined Person, to whom, I trust, my Conversation was much blessed. That Passage in St. John, wherein it is said, that our LORD must needs go through Sama…ia, when the poor Woman was to …e converted, has often been affecting to my Mind. The same good Providence, I trust, … me through these Parts for the sake of the … before mentioned. Oh that like the … at the Well, he may … in his Heart, and be filled with a … Zeal, to go and invite his Neighbours! Amen. So be it.