The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 10 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 10 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
9. After his brother’s death, he declared he could not rest through the
earnestness of his desire to follow him. However in the mean time he
put in practice what _Samuel_ spoke of, namely meeting all the family
once a week. He reproved me and his mother in several things; but we
could not reprove him in any. I could not convince him or _Samuel_ of
sin, for two years or more.
10. On _Wednesday, September 10_, in the evening he found himself
out of order; he went to bed something earlier than usual, and soon
appeared to be in a high fever. But his confidence in God was still the
same, and all his words, both that night and the next day, convinced
all who came near him, that the peace of God continually ruled his
heart.
11. On _Thursday_ evening, between nine and ten, his sister sitting by
him said, “Lord, shall I call, and wilt thou not answer? No; it cannot
be. Thou hast promised every one that asks in faith shall receive.”
Then he began praying for his father and mother; for his brothers and
sisters, and in particular for her that sat by him. “O my God marry her
to thyself, make her all glorious within. Give her an undivided heart.”
He then prayed for himself. “Now come O my God, and sanctify me wholly.
Press me closer to thyself. Thou knowest, this is all my desire. Give
me power to declare thy wonderous works before I go hence. _O death
where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?_”
12. As _Mary Busvine_ came to the bedside he looked on her and said,
“Now I am free. Now my heart is at liberty. I will praise my God as
long as I have breath.” After speaking much to the same effect, he laid
still a small time, and then broke out into exceeding loud, vehement
prayer, his voice being quite altered and every sentence ♦pronounced
with uncommon emphasis. He prayed first for all estates and conditions
of men; that the church of Christ might spread over all the nations,
that ten thousand times ten thousand might be converted to God, and all
the people of the earth praise him. Then he prayed for all ministers of
the gospel, from the greatest even to the least; especially for those
whom God had lately employed to seek and save those that were lost
in _Cornwall_. Afterwards he prayed for _John Trembath_ that he might
live to the glory of God, who had brought him back from the gates of
death, and might be a means of saving many souls from the bitter pains
of eternal death. He then prayed for the society: “O Lord unite them as
the heart of one man. O Lord, give them eyes to see whereinsoever they
have departed from thee. O take from them the spirit of unthankfulness,
and suffer them not to bite or devour one another. Heal thou their
backslidings and spread over them the banner of thy love!”
♦ “pronunced” replaced with “pronounced”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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