Wesley Corpus

I took a solemn leave of the children at Kingswood. Several of them have been convinced of sin again and again; but they soon trifled their convictions away. 168 Rev. J. wesley's Oct. 1779. -I preached once more in the Square, to a mul titude of people; and afterwards spent a solemn hour with the society, in renewing our covenant with God. I left Bristol, preached at the Devizes at eleven, and in the evening at Sarum. Tuesday, 5. I preached at Whitchurch, where many, even of the rich, attended, and behaved with much seriousness. Wednesday, 6. At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thousand five hundred French prisoners. I was glad to find they have plenty of wholesome food; and are treated, in all respects, with great humanity. In the evening I preached at Portsmouth-Common. Thurs day, 7. I took a view of the camp adjoining to the town, and wondered to find it as clean and meat as a gentleman's garden. But there was no Chaplain. The English soldiers of this age have nothing to do with God! We took chaise, as usual, at two, and about eleven came to Cobham. Having a little leisure, I thought I could not employ it better than in taking a walk through the gardens. They are said to take up four hundred acres, and are admirably well laid out. They far exceed the celebrated gardens at Stow ; and that in several respects: 1. In situation; lying on a much higher hill, and having a finer prospect from the house. 2. In having a natural river, clear as crystal, running beneath and through them. 3. In the buildings therein; which are fewer indeed, but far more elegant; yea, and far better kept, being nicely clean, which is sadly wanting at Stow. And, lastly, In the rock-work; to which nothing of the kind at Stow is to be compared. This night I lodged in the new house at London. How many more nights have I to spend there? I began my little tour into Northamptonshire. In the evening I preached at Stony-Stratford; the next day at Honslip, and at Morton, a little mile from Buckingham. Wed nesday, 13. Having so lately seen Stourhead and Cobham gardens, I was now desired to take a view of the much more celebrated gardens at Stow.