The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
I went to the sacrament the day I was eighteen, and found uncommon
satisfaction: I exhorted others to do the same, thinking I had now done
all that was commanded me, and that if I continued in the same way, I
should be a very profitable servant.
Soon after this I went to _London_, for eight weeks, where I heard
Mr. _Jones_ (of _Southwark_) preach, and was affected at hearing of
the sufferings of Christ, much as I used to be at seeing or reading
of a tragedy. I was afterwards asked to hear Mr. _Romaine_. I did so,
but could not understand him. The night I left _London_, some persons
were debating about the Millennium. One of them repeated part of the
20th chapter of the _Revelation_. I was struck at the awful words, and
thought if Christ was then to come, I was not prepared to meet him. I
went home very serious, and began to search the scriptures, and to be
more strict than ever. I was often troubled, but knew not the cause,
and was ashamed to confess my fears. My friends thought I had a fever
on my spirits, and I thought so too; but as I read much, I began to
fear, that with all my religion, I was not converted. I wanted to go
to _London_, that I might hear Mr. _Romaine_. A year after I went to
_London_ with my father-in-law. At the inn where we lay, I saw Mr.
_Whitefield_’s sermons. I read what I could, and determined to hear him.
He was not in town; but I was much affected with Mr. _Dyer_’s preaching.
Afterwards I not only went to St. _Dunstan_’s, but to all the methodist
places of worship I knew, and one evening heard Mr. _Walsh_, at
_West-street_. He preached the necessity of that _holiness, without
which none can see the Lord_. His words were as arrows in my heart:
I found all my former righteousness deficient: I knew this could
not obtain mercy; but I did not feel I deserved hell. I wrote to Mr.
_Romaine_ to know, what I should do to be saved? He desired to see me,
and told me, two things were necessary, to know my want of Christ, and
my interest in him. I went home with the greatest reluctance; for I
knew no Christians in the town where I lived. My former acquaintance
thought me mad: my mother was greatly alarmed. Not long after I went
to _Norwich_ for a few days, and found out Mr. _Mitchell_. He spoke
to me of the peace which faith brings to the conscience. I knew myself
a stranger to this; but would willingly have suffered the rack, so
I might attain it. I went home, and was, for five or six weeks, in a
most unhappy situation. Before, I was not bad enough to come to Christ;
now, I was too bad for him to receive; yet the Lord dealt tenderly with
me, and at different times brought many encouraging scriptures to my
mind. But still the stupidity and unbelief I felt caused me to mourn
in secret. Still I was constrained to say,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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