The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
commandments; I have kept none of thy commandments. May such a wretch
come to the Lord? Wilt thou receive me? Wilt thou pardon me? Wilt thou
make me a Christian? Tell me, Lord, shall I go to heaven or hell? Shall
I go to heaven or hell, Lord? O tell me! Shall I go to heaven or hell?
Wilt thou make me a Christian? Wilt thou forgive me?” She then paused
a little, and added, “But _wilt_ thou, Lord? Yes, he will, he will.
But wilt thou Lord? Yes, thou wilt, thou wilt.” Mr. _Dornford_ then
gave out an hymn. She now seemed quite calm: the horror which before
appeared in her countenance was gone, and had left a sweet smile.
Her attention seemed quite fixt. And after remaining some time with
her eyes upward, she said, “Jesus is smiling upon me.” She had at the
same time a sight of him as upon the cross, saying, “I have pardoned
all your sins; and if you pray, I will give you abundant love.” After
she had sat silent a while, she broke out, “O what a sweet Saviour he
is! He has forgiven me all my sins――All, all. Lord, thou wilt, thou
hast forgiven me.――O let them be perfectly forgiven! But shall I ever
sin again, Lord? O don’t let me sin again.” Some time after, she said,
“O what a sweet Saviour thou art! What sweet love is thine! O for more
such love, more such love as thine! But don’t let me sin again! Fill me
with love, that I may never sin again!”
♦ “thy” replaced with “they” per Errata
This scene was striking: but it was nothing to the change that followed.
She was of a far worse natural temper, then any of the children: but
now it might indeed be said, “Love made her willing heart in swift
obedience move.” So great was the change both in will and understanding,
as plainly declared the hand that wrought it.
We sometimes hope, several of them will chuse to be entirely devoted
to God. If so, they may continue together when they grow up, each
following such an employment as she is fit for, and all throwing the
produce of their labour into a common stock, and may not God be pleased
to call some young women, not brought up with us, who have a desire to
devote themselves wholly to God, to cast in their lot with us? Perhaps
some who do not want, may be glad to get out of the hurry of the world,
at least for a season, that the tender flame may not be put out, nor
any unhallowed fires mix with it. How much is something of this kind
wanted? A place of refuge for the weak and unexperienced? How often do
we see those who are just setting out in the good way, either wholly
turned aside, or at least persuaded to take up with a lower way, than
the Spirit of God at first pointed out?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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