Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 68
New-Town on Cape-Fear River.
Friday, December 28. Had a very blusterous Night, and the Weather continued very rainy most part of the Day. However, the LORD strengthen'd us to go on our Way. After about 15 Miles Ride, we comfortably refreshed both ourselves and Horses, at a poor Widows Ordinary, who a few Days agone had buried her Husband; which made her more thoughtful, and better prepared for Religious Discourse. After Dinner we had a pleasant Ride to Newtown on Cape-Fear River, near 18 Miles from the Place where we baited: It is a little, but thriving Place for Trade; and we rejoiced greatly, that the LORD had brought us thus far on our Journey, and had not suffer'd us to go out of our Way, thro' so many almost uninhabited Woods, nor so much as to hurt our Feet against a Stone. The little wet Weather to Day, made our Inns the more acceptable; and we could not help reflecting, that it is in our spiritual as in our temporal Journeys, sometimes the Sun of Righteousness arises with great Lustre upon our Hearts; sometimes a Cloud overshadows us, and Storms surround us. LORD, enable us, thro' b…th, continually to press forward; and suffer us not to grow … in our Minds: For we know, that one … of the bea…ick Vision, will make amends for all.
Saturday, December 29. Thought proper to Rest to Day, for the Ease of our Beasts.—Had another Opportunity of writing some Letters to England. Din'd with one Mr. M…y, the Naval-Officer, who gave us an Invitation last Night to his House: And spent the remainder of the Day in putting down some Things that lay upon my Heart. Sanctify them, O LORD, to the promoting thy Glory, and the Good of Mankind.
Sunday December 30. Wrote some more Letters to my Friends in England. Read Prayers and preached, both Morning and Evening, in the Court-House, to as many as could be expected at so short a Warning. There being many of the Scotch amongst the Congregation, who lately came over to settle in North-Carolina, I was led out in the Afternoon to make a particular Application to them, and …o remind them of the Necessity of living … Live…, if they intended to prove a Blessing to th… Province, and thereby give a Proof of their, … in assenting to those … which I … been delivering and which they had heard preached to them with great Purity … Charnels in their native Country. After Service, a Gentleman told me, that several were affected: Two other Gentleman came, and pressed me to stay longer; but being intent on my Journey, about five in the Evening, I and my Friends passed a Ferry, about three Miles, and lay comfortably at the House of the High-Sheriff of the County. Here we met with some other Persons, whom I prayed with, and instructed, to the best of my Power; for which they seemed thankful. Much good night he done, by artfully bringing in Religious Conversation. Our LORD did so wherever he …. And every true Minister of JESUS CHRIST ought to live so ex…mpla…ly, that wheresoever he comes the People should expect some …ying Discourse immediatly to deep from his Mouth. The Scripture says, The … Lot entered into …our. So ought every good Man to bring Light and Heat with him, wheresoever he comes. Wicked Men may lead us an Example of Boldness.
They can brave th' eternal Laws,
Zealous in their Master's Cause.
JESU, shall thy Servants be
Less resolv'd and bold for thee!
Monday, December 31. Set out early, and met with more Perils by Land, than we have been exposed to yet. It having rain'd almost the whole Night; the Swamps and Creeks which lay in the Way, were filled with Water: And the Bridges being out of Repair, rendered Travelling very dangerous. In one Place we were obliged to swim our Horses. In many, the Water was so very high that they could not be passed without much Difficulty. I was such a Coward, as to be sometimes a little fearful. GOD sent us two Guides, by whose Assistance we were carried thro' all, and brought at Night to a little House, where with Pleasure we reflected on the Dangers of the Day; and reminded one another of the unspeakable Satisfaction we might expect hereafter, from a View of those many Crosses, Difficulties and Temptations, which we must necessarily endure whilst here on Earth. Oh that we may learn to endure any Pain, despise any Shame, submit to any Difficulties, out of a believing Prospect of what we shall hereafter reap from them, when placed in Glory at the Right Hand of GOD.