If thou excuse, then work thy will, It will, at once, thy goodness show, Soon after this we went to Mr R.'s, where our friends expected us; but we had not been long there, before the wind shifted about on a sudden, and a cry came, the wind is fair, prepare yourselves for sailing. I received the news with an humble joy; but sorrow, I perceived, filled the hearts of my dear friends, who came from London to see me. We immediately retired, intending to intercede for all mankind before we parted, but the people were in such a hurry, for fear the sea should grow too tempestuous to go off, that we were obliged to be very brief Having, therefore, recommended ourselves to God, I took my leave; but oh, what affection did the Deal people express to my unworthy person! for no sooner were they apprized of the wind being fair, than they came running in droves after me to the seashore, wishing me good luck in the name of the Lord; and with tears, and other expressions of kindness, praying for my success and safe return. I was confounded with a sense of God's mercies to me. The sea was very boisterous indeed, and the waves rose mountains high; but God was pleased to give Mr H. and me an unusual degree of faith, and we went on singing psalms and praising God, the water dashing in our faces all the way. Doubtless we were in jeopardy, but wherefore should we fear, having so many on shore praying for us? About five we came on board, and were received with joy, for the ship was under sail, and the people were afraid I should be left behind. As I was going into the great cabin, I fell down the steerage stairs, but received little or no hurt. After we had sailed for a short time, the man of war not moving, we cast anchor again. Mr H. was so sick by the ship's motion after we came on board, that he was obliged to go to bed. Tuesday, January 31. Spent the morning in writing letters, visiting the sick, reading prayers, and preaching to the soldiers. About twelve was pleasingly surprised with another sight of my London friends, who stayed at Deal all night, and finding the ship did not sail, came with some more Deal friends to take me on shore, that I might bid them once more farewell. I was a little unwilling at first, but by their importunity and affectionate entreaties they even compelled me. I accordingly went with them, singing psalms and praising God all the way. But I had scarce been on shore an hour before the man of war gave a signal for sailing; and so we were obliged to hasten back on board. The people expressed much joy at seeing me come to Deal again, and accompanied me to the seashore, as before. The weather being fair, we went on board with pleasure. The ship was under sail, but we met with it, and were received affectionately. I hope that these frequent and sudden removes will put me in mind that I have here no continuing city; and stir me up to live so holily, that were God at any time to say, "This night shall thy soul be required of thee;" I might with pleasure say, "Lo I come." Another thing I could not but reflect on yesterday, when I saw Deal all in a confusion when the wind shifted about so suddenly, some crying for one thing, some another, but all anxious lest their ship should sail without them. Alas! what confusion, thought I, will the inhabitants of the world be in, when in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, they shall hear the voice of the archangel and trump of God, crying aloud, Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment! After I was on board, I preached, read prayers to the soldiers, visited the sick, wrote some letters, and interceded for all mankind on deck, and retired to bed about twelve. Our ship sailed briskly for a few hours; but the wind shifting again, was obliged to return back once more, and we cast anchor in the Downs about nine at night. After this, I went cheerfully about my ministerial business, visited the sick, read prayers and preached to the soldiers, answered some letters I had received in the morning. Sent some books for the soldiers on board the Lightfoot; and at night went on shore at Deal with Mr H., where we were most kindly received, and courteously entertained and lodged at Mr R.'s. The Lord reward him a thousand fold! Did nothing that night, it being late, save that I visited a sick person at her earnest desire and the minister's consent, and talked about half an hour on the benefit of afflictions. Answered two or three letters I received after I came on shore, prayed with some well-disposed people that were at Mr R.'s, and about twelve went to bed. Thursday, February 2. Rose early in the morning, went on board in Mr E.'s boat, intending to read prayers and preach to the soldiers, and then return to Upper Deal to preach there, being asked to do so by the inhabitants and the minister. About ten o'clock there sprung up a pleasant fair gale, which carried us from the Downs near forty miles that day; during which time I read prayers, preached to, and catechised my soldiers, wrote some letters, and had an opportunity of sending them as we sailed by Dover, for which I was desirous to bless God. Any one must needs think I should have been glad to have heard from Mr Wesley,* as he went by Deal; but I considered God ordered all things for the best and therefore I now joyfully went, but not knowing whither I went, and doubted not but he that strengthened David when he went out against Goliath, would also strengthen me against all my spiritual adversaries, and send his Holy Ghost to guide, assist, and comfort me in all emergencies. The good Lord keep me always thus minded! He came from Georgia to England, just as Mr Whitefield left it. Friday, February 3. Let this day be noted in my book, for God wrought for us a wonderful deliverance! About seven in the morning, the men upon deck not keeping a good look out, one of the East India ships in shifting to the wind ran near us so very briskly, that had not captain W. providentially been on deck, and beseeching them for God's sake to tack about, both the ships must inevitably have split one against another. They were within four yards of each other. The captain said he never was in so great danger in his life. God so ordered it, that Mr H. and I knew nothing of it till it was over; but when I was apprized of it I endeavoured to excite all to thankfulness, and returned public thanks at prayers. Too many seemed to be insensible of the mercy received. But, Since God does thus his wond'rous love Those lives to him let us devote, Read public prayers and preached to the soldiers as usual, explained the catechism to the women, exhorted them particularly to be obedient to their own husbands, which they had lately been wanting in; and was pleased to hear the captain, as I came on deck, remind me of the motion I made to him some time ago, about having prayers daily in the great cabin, and withal desired that from henceforward I would read prayers morning and evening to them. This I most readily consented to, it being what I had long desired and prayed for, and what I was just then about to propose to him again. Accordingly I went immediately and acquainted the lieutenant, &c. of the captain's desire, and we began this night to have full public prayers ; and at the request of captain W., I expounded the second lesson, and a glorious lesson it was. Blessed be God! for that I hope we shall now begin to live like christians, and call upon the name of the Lord daily. The very thoughts of God's granting me this petition filled me with joy. Saturday, February 4. Began to have prayers in the great cabin in the morning, read prayers and preached twice to the soldiers as usual; and expounded the second lesson in the evening to the gentlemen, after prayers in the great cabin, which from henceforth I intended, God willing, to continue. Unspeakable I find is, and will be the benefit of it, for it gives me an opportunity of saying many salutary truths, and affords us matter for serious table talk afterwards. Was much pleased to see our ship sail directly before the wind, was enlarged in intercession, furnished three soldiers with books, who began to-day to learn to read. God enabled them not only to read, but to do their duty! Mr H.'s scholars increase. The Lord increase his strength! Sunday, February 5. Joined in spirit with absent friends in holy ordinances, spent some time most delightfully in reading the word of God; read prayers, and made some observations on both the lessons in the great cabin, and then read prayers and expounded both the lessons to the soldiers. O that the Lord would open our understandings! for they are but a dead letter without the illumination of his holy spirit! Read prayers and preached my sermon on justification in the afternoon to the officers, &c. in the great cabin. Began to night to turn the observations made on the lessons in the morning, into catechistical questions, and was pleased to hear some of the soldiers and my companions make such apt answers. I find this an excellent way of instruction; it makes them bring their Bible, and give diligent heed to the things that are spoken; it teaches them the scriptures practically, and consequently will by the divine blessing make them wise unto salvation. Thanks be to God for putting this into my heart! By his assistance I intend to continue it. Monday, February 6. Had no prayers in the morning between decks, but read prayers in the cabin; likewise did the same in the evening, and expounded the |