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
Thursday, December 10. My uncle gave an exceeding comfortable and
profitable discourse from _Isaiah xl. 1_. _Comfort ye, Comfort ye
my people, saith your God._ My soul was much refreshed, herein God
fulfilled that promise, _Before they call, I will answer_, for I went
without the least expectation of a blessing, and scarcely dared to pray
for one, knowing my great unworthiness. However the Lord met me, and
gave fresh hopes and desires, for which may I bless his name, while I
have breath.
*Sunday 13. In the evening Mr. _C――――k_ preached a sermon on these
awful words, _Revelation vi. 17_. _For the great day of his wrath is
come, and who shall be able to stand?_ Who indeed but those who have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, who
have made the judge their friend! These and these only shall stand with
boldness in that day. Lord, shall I be one of that number?
Friday 25. I found a blessing at the Lord’s table, where I solemnly
dedicated myself to him, who gave himself for me. O may it be
unreservedly and irrevocably! Lord, here is my heart; O take and seal
it; seal it for thy courts above.
Sunday 27. Our house being in such confusion, as it has been for some
days past, by reason of the sickness which has been in it, my mind has
not been in that composed sweet frame as I could wish: but one blessing
I have experienced, which is, I have been enabled to exercise patience,
so as not to murmur and fret, tho’ every thing has gone cross with me.
Nay thro’ the mercy of God, I have rejoiced in it: and been thankful
for having an opportunity of chearfully bearing the cross; for all
which I desire to praise my God.
Monday, December 23. In the evening Mr. _T――――r_ made a useful
discourse on _Lamentations iii. 22_. _It is of the Lord’s mercies that
we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not._ He shewed the
many ways whereby we might have been consumed; and the many mercies we
have received from God. When I first went into the chapel, my mind was
exceedingly disturbed by many evil tempers. But in singing this verse,
“From anger set our spirits free,
It worketh not thy righteousness:
In patience let us wait on thee,
And quietly our souls possess:”
The thought cross’d my mind: shall I thus mock God; pray to him to
compose my mind, while I am yielding to these tempers? I resolved to
strive against them: thro’ his strength I overcame them, and found a
blessing tho’ entirely unexpected.
*Friday 29. I was confined to my bed, being much indisposed. O what a
short transition from time to eternity! I thought much of dying, but
felt no fear: not because I was now ready, but I firmly believed the
Lord would cut short his work in righteousness if he called me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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