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
We were now not only in want of the things above-mentioned, but of
money to keep the house. Just then a guinea was put into the box, and
soon after, another: in a few days one brought us thirty shillings,
saying, “Fear not: only believe.” About the same time we received four
guineas from another hand, which helped us through that quarter. To
avoid tediousness, I pass over many other helps which we received from
time to time; confining myself to those wherein the hand of the Lord is
more eminently to be observed.
*Some time since, being obliged to pay a sum of money in a day’s time,
and having none in the house, nor any due, I attempted to borrow it of
a friend, but could not. I tried another, and was disappointed there
also. Not knowing what to do, I went up stairs and waited before the
Lord, telling him I would yet _trust_ him and _praise_ him. Opening the
last volume of sermons, I cast my eye on this sentence, “Christ charges
himself with all our temporal affairs, when we charge ourselves with
those that relate to his glory.” It was applied to my heart with such
a power, as I had very seldom felt. And such a sense of the immediate
presence of God seized my soul as almost overwhelmed it. O what a
freedom of spirit did I feel! I could truly say,
“All my care on thee is cast.”
In the evening, a person desired to speak with me, and brought me a
little above the sum.
*In Spring we were again reduced to about one penny, and expected a
bill of two or three pounds to be brought in every hour. We looked
to the Lord, and found him again to be a present help. For while we
were consulting what to do, a basket came which one had sent us from
_London_, with some provisions, and a little parcel, in which were four
pounds, three shillings and ninepence.
In August we had an hour of trial again. The children being increased
to ten, we were in great want of linen; but how to procure it for
them we could not tell. I was unwilling to run farther in debt, having
already spent the two next quarters before they came in, nor was that
enough to pay what was owing. And I had nothing in the house. So we
agreed to lay it before the Lord together. While I was alone, it was
violently suggested, “there is so much of _self_ in all you do, that
God is rather dishonoured than glorified thereby.” I said, “Lord, I am
the purchase of thy blood. I plead that only. And I believe thou wilt
not leave me, nor forsake me.” Afterwards I felt much peace. Rising
from my knees, I opened the bible on the following words. _Acquaint
thyself now with him, and be at peace; thereby shall good come unto
thee. Then――the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have
plenty of silver――thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established, and the light shall shine on thy ways._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account