THE CRYSTAL I A RECORD OF 1665. 535 



vivors ; but it is to be feared that the feelings of the time will pass 

 away with the sorrows thereof, and be lost in the returning cares and 

 bustle of life. 



The gay Jack Dinford went forth like the rest, and, for the first 

 time since the Restoration, designed to go to church ; but St. Giles's 

 was full to the threshold, so was St. Clement's, and so were St. Dun- 

 stan's and St. Bride's. Going on, I beheld, near Fleet-ditch, a crowd 

 listening to a man who held forth to them from the highest step be- 

 fore the door of a house. I afterwards learned that this was Master 

 Ephraim Jenkin, the silenced minister of St. Stephen's. His text 

 was, " 1 will plead against him with pestilence !" and while he con- 

 sidered the plague as the Lord's strong and awakening plea with us 

 as a notoriously sinful people, he in conclusion spoke in such a man- 

 ner as doth, I trust, make my own prospect beyond that grave in 

 which I must soon lie down, more cheerful than they were before I 

 heard him. During this sermon three men and two women fell down 

 dead, or dying, but no stir took place in consequence thereof. 



Yes, my well-beloved Thomas, I might certainly come to you if I 

 would, but it would be of no use ; and as I feel my time now draw- 

 ing very near, I will wind up all my communications to you by 

 stating the grounds on which this conviction is founded. 



In the month of May, last year, I went with some friends to spend 

 a jovial evening at the Pied Bull, in Islington. Among the company 

 was the famous Doctor Henwick, who is never loth to be of such 

 parties, to the entertainment of which, by his wit, and the amusing 

 tales he hath to tell, no man knows better how to contribute. His 

 convivial powers makes his company highly acceptable on such 

 occasions, and we all thought ourselves very happy in having secured 

 him for the evening. He did not disappoint us in the expectations 

 by which we had been induced to invite him, so that I do not recol- 

 lect any evening, unless such as were spent with Margaret, in which 

 I have enjoyed more harmless satisfaction. 



At last, when the conversation began to flag a little, as it will 

 sometimes do in the best and most amusing company, Ralph Wingley 

 began to banter the Doctor on the subject of his occult pretensions 

 and pursuits, and, among other things, inquired whether he had per- 

 formed his journey to Battersea on terra firma, or on a dragon or 

 broom-stick through the air. The Doctor parried these attacks with 

 good humour and much spirit; but at last remarked with some 

 seriousness " Nevertheless, you do not question my power, gen- 

 tlemen !" 



I was infinitely astonished, my dear brother, to see my gay and 

 jocular friends quite damped by this observation. They looked 

 stealthily at one another, and were silent. Provoked at this, I briskly 

 exclaimed, "I do, Doctor, if no one else does!" 



" Do you so, Master Dinford ? Well, I will engage to satisfy you 

 ere this day seven-night, if you are willing to be convinced. But as 

 there is fasting in the business, to which I am not partial, you must 

 on your part, if satisfied, agree to feast this good company again next 

 Thursday no, Friday." 

 " Done, Doctor/' 



