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
Friday 28. When I awoke this morning, I felt a thankfulness to God
for safely bringing me to see the end of my fifteenth year, and for an
earnest desire to spend the remainder of a short life to his glory. How
time flies? It was but the other day since I was but a little infant,
utterly unable to help myself: in this tender state the Lord provided
me good parents and kind friends, whose constant care it has been,
to train me up for heaven, and to dedicate me to him betimes. Now
I am come to years of reason, should it not be my one endeavour, my
constant aim to glorify God in my body and in my spirit, which are his
by creation and redemption, as also by the early dedication which my
dear parents made of me to him? Should I not from my heart ratify and
confirm by my own act and deed, that which they promised on my behalf?
Lord I am willing, I am truly willing so to do. _Jesus_ Lord lend me
thine aid, and I will devote myself to thee, body, soul, and spirit,
a living sacrifice. Lend me thine aid, and I will take thee for my
prophet, to teach me; my priest to atone for my sins, and my king to
reign over me. Come dear Lord, and take me for thine own? Thine in time,
and thine to eternity.
Monday, March 3. This week I have been confined by a severe cold,
however I have not been remiss in private duties, though I have found
little life in them. A sort of stupidity has overspread my mind, which
has made me unfit for any duty. This I can account for no other way
than by my disorder, which always throws me into this dull frame. O
how this vile body weighs down the soul! How happy are those who are
delivered from it!
Sunday 16. This week as well as the former I have found my heart as
cold, dead, and hard as it was possible; nor even has it been broke or
softened while waiting upon the Lord either in private prayer, or under
the word. On Friday evening at the watch-night, I found my mind very
wandering, but towards the latter end it was more composed, and I
really believe the Lord waited to be gracious to me, but my unbelieving
heart put the blessing away, by thinking I was not worthy! O my God,
when shall I be worthy?
Sunday 23. I found my heart greatly melted in the afternoon while I was
meeting my band, and at some liberty afterwards in private prayer, but
my old companion coldness returned in the evening.
Thursday 27. As we were going to chapel this evening, a parcel of
genteel well-dressed boys set upon us, throwing dirt in such a manner
as almost blinded us, and hallowing and hooting after us. O what enmity
is in the heart of man against every thing that is good even when
children? O how gracious has God been to me, that I have never been
taught to despise and treat any person ill, either on account of any
natural infirmities, or of the religion they profess; but from my
earliest infancy have I been trained up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord: how will this enhance my condemnation, if I make not a
right use of these privileges!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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