national fast; and it was observed with due solemnity.
WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Wesley Starts a Magazine Mon. Nov. 14.—Having been many times desired, for near forty years, to publish a magazine, I at length complied ; and now began to collect materials for it.
If it once begin, I incline to think it will not end but with my life.
Wed. Dec. 17.—Just at this time there was a combination among many of the post-chaise drivers on the Bath road, especially those that drove in the night, to. deliver their passengers into each other's hands.
One driver stopped at the spot they had appointed, where another waited to attack the chaise.
In consequence of this many were robbed ; but I had a good Protector still.
T have travelled all roads, by day and by night, for these forty years, and never was interrupted yet.
1778. Friday, Jan. 27, was the day appointed for the national fast; and it was observed with due solemnity.
All shops were shut up ; all was quiet in the streets; all places of public worship were crowded; no food was served upin the King's house till five o'clock in the evening. Thus far, at least, we acknowledge God may direct our paths.
Sun. June 28.—I am this day seventy-five years old; and I do not find myself, blessed be God, any weaker than I was at five-and-twenty.
This also hath God wrought !
Wesley Discusses Old Sermons Tues. Sept. 1.—I went to Tiverton. I was musing here on what I heard a good man say long since—
"Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I could seven years ago."
Whatever others can do, I
Sepr.1778 WESLEY AND HIS SERMONS
really cannot.
I cannot write a better sermon on the Good Steward, than I did seven years ago: I cannot write a better on the Great Assize, than I did twenty years ago: I cannot write a better on the Use of Money, than I did near thirty years ago: nay, I know not that I can write a better on the Circumcision of the Heart, than I did five-and-forty years ago.
Perhaps, indeed, I may have read five or six hundred books more than I had then, and may know a little more history, or natural philosophy, than I did : but I am not sensible that this has made any essential addition to my knowledge in divinity.
Forty years ago I knew and preached every Christian doctrine which I preach now.
Among the Ruins Thur. 3.—About noon I preached at Cathanger, about eight miles from Taunton.
It was an exceeding large house, built (as the inscription over the gate testifies) in the year 1555, by Sergeant Walsh, who had then eight thousand pounds a year; perhaps more than equal to twenty thousand now.
But the once famous family is now forgotten; the estate is mouldered almost into nothing ; and three quarters of the magnificent buildings lie level with the dust.
I preached in the great hall, like that of Lincoln College, to a very serious congregation.
In the evening I preached at South-Petherton, once a place of renown, and the capital of a Saxon kingdom; as is vouched by a palace of King Ina still remaining, and a very large and ancient church.
I suppose the last blow given to it was by Judge Jefferies, who, after Monmouth's rebellion, hanged so many of the inhabitants, and drove so many away, that it is never likely to lift up its head again.
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WESLEY'S JOURNAL
Nov. 1778
City Road Chapel Opened Sunday, November 1, was the day appointed for opening the new chapel in the City-road. It is perfectly neat, but not fine; and contains far more people than the Foundery : I believe, together with the morning chapel, as many as the Tabernacle.
Many were afraid that the multitudes, crowding from all parts, would have occasioned much disturbance.
But they were happily disappointed: there was none at all: all was quietness decency, and order.
I preached on part of Solomon's Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple; and both in the morning and afternoon (when I preached on the hundred forty and four thousand standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion), God was eminently present in the midst of the congregation.
Mon. 2.—I went to Chatham, and preached in the evening to a lively, loving congregation.
Tuesday, 3. I went by water to Sheerness.
Our room being far ton small for the people that attended, I sent to the Governor to desire (what had been allowed me before) the use of the chapel.
He refused me (uncivilly enough), affecting to doubt whether I was in orders!
So I preached to as many as it would contain in our own room.
Wed. 4.—I took a view of the old church at Minster, once a spacious and elegant building.
It stands pleasantly on the top of a hill, and commands all the country round. We went from thence to Queensborough, which contains above fifty houses, and sends two members to Parliament.
Surely the whole Isle of Sheppey is now but a shadow of what it was once.
Thur. 5.—I returned to Chatham, and the following morning set out on the stage-coach for London.
At the end of Stroud, I chose to walk up the hill, leaving the
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