never saw so large a congregation here on a week-day before; among whom were many of the soldiers, (the remains of the regiment wherein John Nelson was) and seven or eight of the officers. They all behaved well, and listened with deep attention.

Friday 5, This day and the next, I endeavoured to see all who were weary and faint in their minds. Most

of them, I found, had not been used with sufficient tenderness. Who is there that sufficiently weighs the advice of Kempis? "Nole duriter agere cum tentato." Deal not harshly with one that is tempted.

Sunday 7, I preached, as usual, at five and at three, with the spirit of convincing speech. The Rector preached in the afternoon (though it is called Morning Service,) a close, useful sermon, on the Fear of God.

At five I had great numbers of the poor Papists (as well as Protestants) maugre all the labour of their priests. I called aloud, Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money! Strange news to them! One of whom had declared frankly, but a few days before, "I would fain be with you, but I dare not for now I have all my sins forgiven for four shillings a year; and this could not be in your Church." We had a triumphant hour when the Society met. Several captives were set at liberty: one of these was Mr. Joseph Ch-, who had been an eminent man for many years for cursing, swearing, drinking, and all kinds of fashionable wickedness. On Monday last he had rode fifteen miles to Tyrrel's-pass, and came thither before five in the morning. He was immediately convinced, and followed me in from the preaching. I was then examining a class. The words cut him to the heart. He came after me to Athlone, (when he had settled some temporal business) having his eyes continually filled with tears, and being scarcely able to eat, or drink, or sleep. But God now wiped away the tears from his eyes; and he returned to his house, to declare what things God had wrought.

Monday 8, I rode to Aughrim, where the face of things. was quite changed since the time I was there before. Here

was now a serious congregation from all the country round. I preached about seven, and afterwards explained the Nature and Use of a Society. The first who desired to join therein, was Mr. S., his wife, and daughter.

Tuesday 9, I rode to Ahaskra, six miles south, at the desire of Mr. G., the Rector. As the Papists durst not come into the Church, I preached before Mr. G.'s door. I should not have imagined this was the first time of their hearing this preaching, so fixt and earnest was their attention. In the morning, Wednesday 10, I think the congregation was larger than in the evening; among whom was the Rector of a neighbouring parish, who seemed then much athirst after righteousness. Mr. Wade of Aughrim, rode with me hence to Eyre-court, about fourteen miles from Ahaskra. Here I preached in the market-house, a large, handsome room, to a well behaved congregation. Thence I rode on to Birr, and preached at seven to a large unconcerned congregation. The next day, both in the morning and evening, I spoke very plainly and roughly. And the congregation had quite another appearance than it had the night before. So clear it is, that love will not always prevail; but there is a time for the terrors of the Lord.

Friday 12, Before nine we came to Nenagh. I had no design to preach; but one of the dragoons quartered there, would take no denial. So I ordered a chair to be carried out, and went to the market-place. Presently such a congregation was gathered round me, as I had not seen since I left Athlone. To these I spake as I was able, the whole counsel of God, and then rode cheerfully on to Limerick. Between six and seven I preached at Mardyke, (an open place without the walls) to about two thousand people: not one of whom I observed either to laugh or to look about, or to mind any thing but the sermon. Some years since, an old abbey here was rebuilt, with a design to have public service therein: but that design failing, only the shell of it was finished. Of this (lying useless) the Society has taken a lease. Here I preached in the morning, Saturday 13, to six or seven hundred people. We then went to prayers at

the Cathedral, an ancient and venerable pile. In the afternoon I walked round the walls of the town, scarce so large as Newcastle-upon-Tyne. And the fortifications are much in the same repair; very sufficient to keep out the wild Irish.

Sunday 14, being Whitsunday, our Church was more than full in the morning, many being obliged to stand without. I hardly knew how the time went, but continued speaking till seven o'clock. I went at eleven to the Cathedral. I had been informed, it was a custom here, for the gentry especially, to laugh and talk all the time of divine service: but I saw nothing of it. The whole congregation, rich and poor, behaved suitably to the occasion. In the evening, I preached to a numerous congregation on, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. We afterwards met the Society. Six or seven prisoners of hope were set at liberty this day.

Monday 15, A company of revellers and dancers had, in the afternoon, taken possession of the place where I used to preach. Some advised me to go to another place; but I knew it needed not. As soon as ever I came in sight, the holyday mob vanished away.

Tuesday 16, I went to dine on the Island, (so they call a peninsula without the walls.) We had hardly dined, when one and another of the neighbours came in, till we had a company of sixteen or eighteen. We joined together in prayer and praising God, and many, I believe, went home rejoicing. How does the frequency and greatness of the Works of God make us less (instead of more) sensible of them! A few years ago, if we heard of one notorious sinner truly converted to God, it was matter of solemn joy to all that loved or feared him. And now that multitudes of every kind and degree, are daily turned from the power of darkness to God, we pass it over as a common thing! O God, give us thankful hearts!

Wednesday 17, I met the class of soldiers, eight of whom were Scotch Highlanders. Most of these were brought up well; but evil communications had corrupted good man

VOL. II.

I i

ners. They all said, from the time they entered into the army, they had grown worse and worse. But God had now given them another call, and they knew the day of their visitation.

Saturday 20, I saw a melancholy sight. A gentlewoman, of an unspotted character, sitting at home, on May 4, 1747, cried out, that 'something seized her by the side.' Then, she said, it was in her mouth. Quickly after she complained of her head. From that time she wept continually for four months, and afterwards grew outrageous; but always insisted That God had forsaken her, and that the devil possessed her body and soul.' I found it availed nothing to reason with her. She only blasphemed the more; cursing God, and vehemently desiring, yet fearing to die. However, she suffered me to pray, only saying, 'It signified not, for God had given her up.' Her brother gave me almost as strange an account of himself. Some years since, as he was in the full career of sin, in a moment he felt the wrath of God upon him, and was in the deepest horror and agony of soul. He had no rest, day or night, feeling he was under the full power of the devil. He was utterly incapable of any business, so that he was obliged to shut up his shop. Thus he wandered up and down in exquisite torture, for just eighteen months: and then in a moment the pressure was removed: he believed God had not forsaken him. His understanding was clear as ever. He resumed his employ, and followed it in the fear of God.

Monday 22, The more I converse with this people, the more I am amazed. That God has wrought a great work among them is manifest. And yet the main of them, believers and unbelievers, are not able to give a rational account of the plainest principles of religion. It is plain, God begins his work at the heart; then the inspiration of the Highest giveth understanding.

Wednesday 24, A gentlewoman called upon me, with her son, who, she informed me, was given over last summer, having long been ill of a wasting distemper, and expected death every day. In this state, he was one day in

an agony of prayer, when God revealed to him his pardoning love. He immediately declared this to his mother, telling her also, "I shall not die now; God has told me so." And he recovered from that very hour. About eight, several of us took boat for Newtown, six miles from Limerick. After dinner we took boat, in order to return. The wind was extremely high. We endeavoured to cross over to the leeward side of the river: but it was not possible. The boat being small, and overloaded, was soon deep in water; the more so, because it leaked much, and the waves washed over us frequently. And there was no staying to empty it; all our men being obliged to row with all their strength. After they had toiled about an hour, the boat struck upon a rock, the point of which lay just under the water. It had four or five shocks, the wind driving us on, before we could get clear. But our men wrought for life: and about six o'clock God brought us safe to Limerick.

Sunday 28, I preached at Mardyke in the evening, on God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. I never saw, even at Bristol, a congregation which was at once so numerous and so serious.

Monday 29, I set out for Cork. We breakfasted at Brough, nine miles from Limerick. When I went into the kitchen, first one or two, then more and more of the neighbours gathered round me, listening to every word. I should soon have had a congregation, but I had no time to stay. A mile or two beyond Killmallock, (once a large and strong city, now a heap of ruins,) we saw the body of a man lying dead in the highway, and many people standing and looking upon it. I stopped and spoke a few words, all listened attentively, and one who was on horseback rode on with us. We quickly fell into discourse; I soon perceived he was a Priest, and found he was a sensible man. I gave him a book or two at parting, and he dismissed me with"God bless you," earnestly repeated twice or thrice. We stopped awhile at Killdorrery in the afternoon, and took the opportunity of speaking closely to every one that understood English, and of giving them a few books. What a nation