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
12. I now began to be in great trouble, not knowing what to do. At
length my companion and I determined to lay violent hands on ourselves.
In this resolution I continued till night. Then I began to think of
the consequences of self-murder. Betimes in the morning I went to
prayer, and continued praying ’till about ten o’clock. In my distress I
bethought me of one _James Harbuckle_, a drummer in our regiment. When
he came I told him of my condition, and he began to talk to me of the
love of Christ to sinners: of repentance toward God, and faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ. In the evening he was obliged to go; but he promised
to send some of his brethren to me. Two of them came at night and
explained more at large what _James Harbuckle_ had said. From this time
I found another kind of trouble: my sins were so set in array against
me, that not an evil work or word, or thought, I had ever given way to,
but was brought to my remembrance. Yet I was not so much troubled for
fear of hell, as for grief that I had offended so good a God, and had
crucified the Son of God afresh. For three days and three nights my
distress was so great, that it was as if all my flesh was tearing off
my bones, and my bones breaking in pieces, which made me often look at
my hands and legs, to see if it was not so.
13. My load so increased, that I was just ready to despair of mercy,
when on a sudden it all dropt off. I was on my knees at prayer, when
in a moment all my fear was gone. I knew I had redemption in the blood
of Christ, the forgiveness of my sins: and the love of God was shed
abroad in my heart, enabling me to love all mankind, even my enemies:
and him in particular who had been the cause of my deserting. And I
had an earnest desire to see and tell him so. And I found every day
an increase in love, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I was so delivered from the fear of death, that I could have rejoiced
to have died that instant; being filled with prayer, and praise, and
thanksgiving, such as no tongue can express. And this sense of the love
of God to my soul, I never since lost, not for a moment.
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