The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 11 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 11 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
16. Many such speeches he uttered with incredible fervor, tho’ he could
not pronounce them distinctly, by reason of the extreme dryness of his
throat, occasioned by the fever. At last, stopping his speech, he fixed
his eyes stedfastly on heaven, for a quarter of an hour together, with
a smiling look, and full of reverence, as if he saw some extraordinary
sight. After which gathering all his strength, he sat up in his bed,
took off his cap, and holding it in his hand, said, (with words half
stifled in his throat, as well by the ardor of his spirit, as the
weakness of his body)
“I adore you, I adore you.”
17. The curate having used the service of the church, to which he
attended with great devotion, answering to every prayer, asked him,
if he would not give a blessing to his children? He answered, “How
so, good Sir, shall I presume to give a blessing in your presence? I
should be happy to receive one from you.” But being urged thereto, and
told the church allowed it, he lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven,
saying,
“May it please God to bless you and to preserve you by his grace from
the malignity of the world, that you may have no part therein! And
above all, my children, may you live in the fear and love of God, and
yield due obedience to your mother!”
18. On _Saturday_, about half an hour past ten in the forenoon, ♦being
just recovered out of a violent convulsion, looking attentively on
those that were present, he made signs with his hands, head, and eyes,
with a pleasant countenance, for an intimate friend to come near him.
Which being done, he said,
♦ “been” replaced with “being”
“Sir, I have one word to say to you before I die:” (then pausing a
little to recover his strength, he testified his affection to him, but
in words that could not distinctly be understood. At length raising his
voice, and speaking more articulately, he went on) “The perfection of
a Christian life, is to be united to God by faith. Let us not entangle
ourselves in novelties. Let us adore his conduct over us, and continue
faithful to him unto the end. Let us adhere to that one God, crucified
for our salvation. Let us unite all our actions, and all that is in us
to his merits; hoping that if we continue faithful to him by his grace,
we shall be partakers of the glory of his Father. I hope we shall there
see one another one day, which shall never have an end.”
19. Some time after, fixing his eyes upon heaven, he said, “The
holy Jesus, where is he?” They brought him his picture, which he
affectionately kissed. Then turning himself he presently entered his
last agony; which held about a quarter of an hour, the greatest part
of which he spent in pronouncing the name of Jesus; making as well as
he could, acts of resignation, and commending his spirit to God: After
which he expired sweetly, and his holy soul departed to its place of
rest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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