among others, the
church being half-full almost before any doors were open publicly; which
is the first time that I have done so these many years since I used to
go with my father and mother, and so got into the gallery, beside the
pulpit, and heard very well. His text was, "Now the God of Peace--;" the
last Hebrews, and the 20th verse: he making a very good sermon, and very
little reflections in it to any thing of the times. Besides the sermon,
I was very well pleased with the sight of a fine lady that I have often
seen walk in Graye's Inn Walks, and it was my chance to meet her again
at the door going out, and very pretty and sprightly she is, and I
believe the same that my wife and I some years since did meet at Temple
Bar gate and have sometimes spoke of. So to Madam Turner's, and dined
with her. She had heard Parson Herring take his leave; tho' he, by
reading so much of the Common Prayer as he did, hath cast himself out of
the good opinion of both sides. After dinner to St. Dunstan's again; and
the church quite crowded before I came, which was just at one o'clock;
but I got into the gallery again, but stood in a crowd and did
exceedingly sweat all the time. He pursued his text again very well; and
only at the conclusion told us, after this manner: "I do believe that
many of you do expect that I should say something to you in reference to
the time, this being the last time that possibly I may appear here.
You know it is not my manner to speak any thing in the pulpit that is
extraneous to my text and business; yet this I shall say, that it is not
my opinion, fashion, or humour that keeps me from complying with what is
required of us; but something which, after much prayer, discourse, and
study yet remains unsatisfied, and commands me herein. Wherefore, if it
is my unhappiness not to receive such an illumination as should direct
me to do otherwise, I know no reason why men should not pardon me in
this world, and am confident that God will pardon me for it in the
next." And so he concluded. Parson Herring read a psalm and chapters
before sermon; and one was the chapter in the Acts, where the story of
Ananias and Sapphira is. And after he had done, says he, "This is just
the case of England at present. God he bids us to preach, and men bid
us not to preach; and if we do, we are to be imprisoned and further
punished. All that I can say to it is, that I beg your prayers, and the
prayers of all good Christians, for us." This