The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Lord’s-day, June 29. I preached both parts of the day. God was pleased
to afford me both freedom and power; in both exercises. God’s people
were refreshed and melted with divine things; one or two comforted,
who had been long under distress; convictions, in divers instances,
powerfully revived; and one man in years much awakened, who had not
long frequented our meeting, and appeared before as stupid as a stock.
God amazingly renewed my strength. I was so spent at noon, that I could
scarce walk, and all my joints trembled; so that I could not sit, nor
so much as hold my hand still: and yet God strengthened me to preach
with power in the afternoon. I spent some time afterwards in conversing
particularly, with several persons. I prayed afterwards with a sick
child, and gave a word of exhortation, and returned home with more
health than I went out; although my linen was wringing wet upon me,
from a little after ten in the morning, till past five in the afternoon.
My spirits also were considerably refreshed; and my soul rejoiced in
hope, that I had through grace done something for God. In the evening I
walked out, and enjoyed a sweet season in secret prayer and praise. Oh,
for spirituality and holy fervency, that I might _spend and be spent_
for God to my latest moment!
[On Wednesday he went to Newark, to a meeting of the Presbytery. The
remaining part of the week he spent there, and at Elisabeth-Town.]
*Monday, July 7. My spirits were considerably refreshed. There is no
comfort, I find, in any enjoyment, without enjoying God, and being
engaged in his service. In the evening I had the most agreeable
conversation that ever I remember in all my life, upon God’s being _all
in all_, and all enjoyments being just _that_ to us which God makes
them, and no more. It is good to begin and end with God.
Saturday, July 12. This day was spent in fasting and prayer by my
congregation, as preparatory to the sacrament. I discoursed, both parts
of the day. God gave me assistance in my discourses, and divine power
attended the word; so that this was an agreeable season. Afterwards I
led them to a solemn renewal of their covenant, and fresh dedication of
themselves to God. This was a season both of solemnity and sweetness,
and God was in the midst of us.
Lord’s-day, July 13. I administered the sacrament of the Lord’s supper
to thirty-one persons of the Indians. God seemed to be present in
this ordinance; the communicants were sweetly refreshed. Oh, how they
melted, even when the elements were first uncovered! There was scarcely
a dry eye among them, when I took off the linen, and shewed them the
symbols of _Christ’s broken body_.――Having rested a little, after the
administration of the sacrament, I visited the communicants, and found
them generally in a sweet loving frame. In the afternoon I discoursed
upon _coming to Christ_. This was likewise a season of much tenderness.
I returned home much spent, yet rejoicing in the goodness of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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