Wesley Corpus

“Coming to himself, he called once and again, saying, ‘Child, where art thou? Behold, here are two days that thou hast not opened thy mouth in the praise of God.” Finding that none answered, and that she was not there, he perceived the vision related to her; and he groaned in spirit, and said, “O Saviour of the world, bring back this lamb into thy fold, that my grey hairs come not down with sorrow to the grave | Lord, despise not my supplication; but send down thy hand, and take her out of the mouth of the dragon that hath devoured her !’ “After a season he heard where she was; and, having learned all things concerning her, he called one of his friends, and said to him, ‘Bring me an horse and the habit of a soldier:’ And having put it on, with a large cap on his head, he left his cell, and rode away. Being come to the place, he alighted, and went in; and, after a time, said to the inn keeper, ‘Friend, I have heard thou hast a beautiful damsel here: Call her to me, that I may rejoice with her. Being called, she came. When the holy man saw her in her harlot’s attire, he was melting into tears; but he refrained himself, that she might not perceive it. After they sat down, she embraced him, and kissed his neck; and she smelled the smell of his cell, and called to mind past things; and, groaning deeply, said, ‘Woe is me! What am I?’ The inn-keeper, being astonished, said, “Mary, thou hast now been with us two years, and I never heard thee groan before, or heard such a word from thee. What is come to thee?” She answered, ‘Would I had died three years since; then I had been happy.” “Immediately Abraham said to him, ‘Prepare us a supper, that we may rejoice together; for I am come from far for her sake. After supper she said to him, ‘Let us go into the chamber: And when they were come in, he saw a bed made ready; and he sat upon it, and said, ‘Make fast the door.” She made it fast, and came to him.