Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 66
Path-Town.
Saturday, Decemb▪ 22. Set out by Break of Day, and came by E…ght at Night, to Bath-Town, near 50 Miles from B…ll's Ferry.—It is by far the longest Stage and the worst Roads we have had since we began our Journey. They Ground most part of the Way was wet and wampy; the Land in… habited, and a very ensible Alteration was discernible in the Weaher.—It was as hot as it generally is about May … England; but we had a sweet Breeze of Wind …ermix'd, which made our Riding through the …oods in the Day Time exceeding pleasant. …bout Mid-Way we met with an Ordinary, here we refreshed ourselves and Beasts. We observed a Variety of Birds: and in the Even…g heard the Wolves on one Side of us, barking … a Kennel of Hounds: Which made me …lect on what the Psalmist says, "The Lions …ing after their Prey, do seek their Meat from GOD".
They range all Night, on Slaughter bent,
'Till summon'd by the rising Morn,
To skulk in Dens, with one Consent
The conscious Ravagers return.
GOD's Providence sent us a Guide, and better Entertainment at our Inn than we have had for some Time. As we rode along, one of my Friends said, How dreadful must it be for a natural Man to be placed in such a howling Wilderness, surrounded with those many Wolves, Bears and Tygers, which come forth at Night, Reading upon him; but then, added he, how infinitely more dreadful must it be, to be cast into Hell, and surrounded continually with the Howlings of demand Spirits! When we came to our Inn we were told of a Man and Woman, who were one Night surrounded with a Kennel of these Wolves, and pursued by them a long Way. This made me think of another Expression of Mr. Gilbert Tennent's, The Creatures are up in Arms against us, to revenge their Maker's Quarrel. Thanks be to GOD, for the Death and Resurrection of our dear Lord JESUS, who has not only deliver'd us from the Power of wild Beasts, but from Death and Hell itself.
Tho' in the Paths of Death I tread,
With gloomy Horrors overspread;
My stedfast Heart shall fear no Ill,
For thou, O LORD, art with me still:
Thy friendly Crook shall give me Aid,
And guide me thro' the dreadful Shade.
T… in a … and rugged Way,
Thro' … … …lds I stray;
Thy Bounty shall my Pains beguile.
The barren Wilderness shall smile,
With sudden … and Herbage crown'd:
The Streams shall murmur all around.
Sunday, Decemb. 23. Sent to the Minister of the Place, and had some Conversation with him last Night. Preach'd about Noon to about 100 People, which, as I found, was an extraordinary Congregation; there being seldom more than a Score at Church. In my Preaching I felt … Divine Presence: I did not spare to tell the Hearers, how I thought GOD was angry with them, because he had sent them for a long Time a Famine of the Word, and not given them a teaching Priest. All seem'd attentive to what was spoken. After Sermon one poor Woman came with a full Heart, desiring my Prayers. I asked her, whether she had been convicted by the Sermon, or whether she knew CHRIST? She answered, she had been seeking him for some Time; but wanted to find a Minister who had Understanding in divine Things.—Poor Woman! thy Case is common. Most that handle the Law, know not what they say, nor whereof they affirm. LORD JESUS! in thy Mercy puri…y the Sons of Levi; accomplish the Number of thing Elect, and hasten thy Kingdom. O make no long Tarrying, our LORD and our GOD!