Wesley Corpus

One cried out, ‘Let us go to prayer for him.’ Pre sently he ran away, and his wife went home. Not long after, he came in like a madman, and swore he would be the death of her. One said, ‘Are you not afraid lest God should smite 138 REv. J. wesLEY’s [June, 1763. you?” He answered, ‘No; let God do his worst, I will make an end of her, and the brats, and myself too, and we will all go to hell together. His wife and children fell down, and broke out into prayer. His countenance changed, and he was as quiet as a lamb. But it was not long before a horrible dread overwhelmed him; he was sore distressed: The hand of God was upon him, and gave him no rest, day or night. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, he went to her who prayed for him when he came to drag his wife out, begging her, with a shower of tears, to pray for his deliverance. On Thursday he wrestled with God till he was as wet all over with sweat as if he had been dipped in water. But that evening God wiped away his tears, and filled him with joy unspeakable. “This morning, while brother Story was at prayer, God gave him a witness in himself, that he had purified his heart. When he was risen from his knees, he could not help declaring it. He now ran to his wife, not to kill her, but to catch her in his arms, that they might praise God, and weep over one another with tears of joy and love.” Mon. 13.--Even in Epworth a few faithful servants of Satan were left, who would not leave any stone unturned to support his tottering kingdom. A kind of gentleman got a little party together, and took huge pains to disturb the congregation. He hired a company of boys to shout, and made a poor man exceeding drunk, who bawled out much ribaldry and nonsense, while he himself played the French horn. But he had little fruit of his labour. I spoke a few words to their champion, and he disappeared. The congregation was not at all disturbed, but quietly attended to the end. Wed.