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
On Thursday, October 6, he lay for a considerable time, as if he was
dying. At which time, he was heard to utter in broken whispers, such
expressions as these; “He will come, he will not tarry.――I shall soon
be in glory.――I shall soon glorify God with the angels.”――But after
some time he revived.
The next day, viz. Wednesday, October 7, his brother John arrived from
New-Jersey, where he had been detained much longer than he intended, by
a mortal sickness prevailing among the Christian Indians. Mr. Brainerd
was refreshed with seeing him, and appeared fully satisfied with the
reasons of his delay; seeing the interest of religion and of the souls
of his people required it.
The next day, Thursday, October 8. He told me it was impossible for
anyone to conceive the distress he felt in his breast. He manifested
much concern lest he should dishonour God by impatience. He desired
that others would be much in lifting up their hearts to God for him.
He signified, that he expected to die that night; but seemed to fear
a longer delay: and the disposition of his mind with regard to death
appeared still the same that it had been all along. And notwithstanding
his bodily agonies, yet the interest of Zion lay still with great
weight on his mind; as appeared by some considerable discourse he
had that evening with the Rev. Mr. Billing, one of the neighbouring
Ministers, concerning the great importance of the work of the ministry.
And afterwards, when it was very late in the night, he had much
discourse with his brother John, concerning his congregation in
New-Jersey, and the interest of religion among the Indians. In the
latter part of the night, his bodily distresses seemed to rise to a
greater height than ever; and he said to those then about him, that “it
was another thing to die than what people imagined;” explaining himself
to mean, that they were not aware what _bodily_ pain and anguish is
undergone before death. Towards day, his eyes fixed; and he continued
lying immoveable, till about six o’clock in the morning, and then
expired, on Friday, October 9, 1747, when his soul was received by his
dear Lord and Master, as an eminently faithful servant, into a state of
perfection of holiness, and fruition of God, which he had so often and
so ardently longed for.
Much respect was shewn to his memory at his _funeral_; which was on
the Monday following, after a sermon preached the same day, on that
solemn occasion. His funeral was attended by eight of the neighbouring
ministers, seventeen other gentlemen of liberal education, and a great
concourse of people.]
The End of the _Twelfth_ Volume.
ERRATA, Volume XII.
Page 19, line 2, _delete of_
Page 19, line 17, replace sickness_es_
Page 20, line 13, replace _glo_rious
Page 25, line 10, replace _closing eyes_
Page 53, line 19, replace _ti_n
Page 106, line 3, replace con_fo_rmed
Page 112, line 21, replace it was _not_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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