God,
is, that some truly spiritual believers, though they much wish me to stay,
themselves see that I ought to go to Bristol.

May 7. Having received a letter from Bristol on May 5th, it was answered
today in such a way that the Lord may have another opportunity, to prevent
our going thither, if it be not of Him. Especially we will not move a
single stone out of the way in our own strength, and much less still be
guilty of a want of openness and plainness, nor would we wish by such
means to obtain Bethesda chapel.

May 11. The Lord seems to try us about Bristol. There was reason to
expect a letter the day before yesterday, but none came; also today there
is no letter. Even this is very good for us. Yea, I do wish most heartily
that we may not have Bethesda chapel, if it be not good for us.

May 15. Just when I was in prayer concerning Bristol, I was sent for to
come to Brother Craik. Two letters had arrived from Bristol. The brethren
assembling at Gideon accept our offer to come under the conditions we have
made, i.e., for the present to consider us only as ministering among them,
but not in any fixed pastoral relationship, so that we may preach as we
consider it to be according to the mind of God, without reference to any
rules among them; that the pew-rents should be done away with and that we
should go on, respecting the supply of our temporal wants, as in
Devonshire. We intend, the Lord willing, to leave in about a week, though
there is nothing settled respecting Bethesda chapel.

May 16. I preached for the last time at Bishopsteignton, and took leave
of the brethren. May 17. I went to Exmouth, and, after preaching, took
leave of the brethren. May 21. I began today to take leave of the brethren
at Teignmouth, calling on each of them. In the evening I went over to
Shaldon to take leave of the brethren, of whom brother Craik has had the
oversight. It has been a trying day. Much weeping on the part of the
saints. Were I not so fully persuaded that it is the will of God we should
go to Bristol, I should have been hardly able to bear it.

May 22. The brethren at Shaldon and Teignmouth say, that they expect us
soon back again. As far as I understand the way in which God deals with
his children, this seems very unlikely. In every respect we have seen the
Lord's goodness, and all proves that it is His will that we should go to
Bristol. This full persuasion has helped me to withstand all the tears of
the saints. Towards