Wesley Corpus

For forty hours he never closed his eyes, nor tasted either meat or drink. He was then at his wit’s end, and went to the window, looking to drop into hell instantly, when he heard those words, “I will be merciful to thy unrighteousness, thy sins and imiquities will I remember no more.” All his load was gone; and he has now for many years walked worthy of the Gospel. Mon. 22.--I preached at Penryn in the evening. It rained before and after, but not while I was preaching. While we were at prayer, a sheet of light seemed to fill the yard, and “the voice of the Lord” was heard over our heads. This fixed the impression they had received upon the minds of many; as if it had said, in express terms, “Prepare to meet thy God!” On Wednesday evening, having (over and above meeting the societies) preached thirty times in eleven days, I found myself a little exhausted; but a day’s rest set me up: So on Friday, 26, I preached at noon again near Liskeard. In the afternoon we had rain and wind enough; and when we came to Saltash, no boat would venture out: So we were obliged to take up our lodgings there. Sat. 27.--Finding there was no hope of passing here, the wind being as high as ever, we determined to ride round by 22 REv. J. weslEY’s [Oct. 1760. the new bridge. The rain still fell on either side; but for near twenty miles we had not one drop, and not a considerable shower all day. Soon after four in the afternoon we came safe to Plymouth-Dock. I had but a melancholy prospect here, finding most of the people dead as stones: And when I took an account of the society, only thirty-four, out of seventy, were left. At seven in the evening, and at five in the morning, I strongly exhorted them to return to God. At eight I did the same, and at five in the afternoon; and God made his word as an hammer. At the meeting of the society, likewise, strong and effectual words were given me. Many were convinced afresh; many backsliders cut to the heart: And I left once more between sixty and seventy members. Mon.