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
16. What follows is added by him who wrote the forgoing relation.
We now parted, after I had promised to be with him, during the short
remainder of his life, as much as my business would permit. _Tuesday_
the 25th, Mr. _Edwards_ administered the Sacrament to him, and examined
him closely as to the state of his soul. He readily answered every
question, and declared his desire to depart and to be with Christ.
About ten at night I came to him again, and found him employed in
exhorting his fellow soldiers, and in praise and prayer. In the same
employment he had been the greatest part of the day. In the same he
continued till about twelve: when his strength being quite exhausted,
he was forced to take some rest. He would fain have slept on his coffin;
but we persuaded him to lie on the straw: when he waked, he asked, what
o’clock it was? And being answered “about three,” he complained that he
had slept too long; but found himself much refresh’d. After Mr. W――――r
had read and expounded a chapter, and spent some time in prayer and
praise, he again exhorted his fellow soldiers, to forsake their sins,
particularly those to which he knew they were addicted.
*17. The morning now advancing, he exprest much longing for the happy
hour, when he was to “put on, as he called it, his wedding dress” and
to be with the Lord. We then left him awhile and when we returned,
found him drest in white, standing on a long form, and exhorting all
the people. We all joined in prayer, after which he broke out in praise
to God his Saviour. Mr. _Edwards_ coming in, asked, how he did? He
answered, “Blessed be God, never happier.” After a few more questions
he withdrew, and _Othen_ getting on the form again, exhorted all that
were present with such joy and fervency of spirit, as testified a hope
full of immortality.
18. He was thus employed, when the officer came, to tell him, the time
was come; he then chearfully stept off the bench, and without any delay
went forwards, and said, “I had a good wife, and I loved her well: but
I now go forth with greater pleasure to die, than I did on my wedding
day to be married.” When he was out of prison and delivered to the
soldiers who were to guard him to the place of execution, he began
singing that hymn with a loud voice,
“Behold the Saviour of mankind,
“Nail’d to a shameful tree!”
Walking on he took notice of a company of young soldiers, to whom he
earnestly said, “take warning by me, I am young; but 27 years of age,
in full health and strength. And yet I shall soon be as water spilt on
the ground, which cannot be gathered up. My morning sun goes down at
ten o’clock. Yet I have found mercy: and so may you. O that you saw the
danger of being out of Christ! If you felt this in the manner I felt it,
especially for three days and three nights, it would make the stoutest
of you tremble.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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