Wesley Corpus

And being come to his place, he put her in the inner cell; where she gladly resumed her former exercise, with sackcloth and ashes, and much humiliation, with mourning and watching, and ceaseless calling upon God: And the merciful Lord gave her a sign that he accepted her repent ance, healing many that were sick, through her prayers. “Holy Abraham lived ten years after, beholding her good conversation, and blessing, and praising, and magnifying God. Then, having lived seventy years, he slept in peace. Mary survived him thirty and five years, calling upon God night and day; insomuch that all who passed by glorified God, who saveth them that were gone astray.” Among the believers, who met in the evening, God had kindled a vehement desire of his full salvation. Inquiring how it was that, in all these parts, we have scarce one living witness of this, I constantly received, from every person, one and the same answer:--“We see now, we sought it by our works; we thought it was to come gradually; we never expected to receive it in a moment, by faith, as we did justi fication.” What wonder is it then, that you have been fighting all these years as one that beateth the air? Fri. 22.--I earnestly exhorted all who were sensible of their wants, and athirst for holiness, to look unto Jesus, to come to him just as they were, and receive all his promises. And surely it will not be long before some of these also are fully saved by simple faith. 60 REv. J. wesDEY’s [June, 1761. Sat. 23.--I rode over to Placey. I was wet through, both going and coming; but I did not repent of my journey; such a number gathered together, a great part of whom could rejoice in God. These were quite ripe for all the great and precious promises, which they received with all gladness. Mon. 25.--I rode to Shields, and preached in an open place, to a listening multitude. Many of them followed me to South-Shields; where I preached in the evening to almost double the congregation. How ripe for the Gospel are these also ! What is wanting but more labourers? More! Why, is there not here (as in every parish in England) a particular Minister, who takes care of all their souls?