Wesley Corpus

I saw one who, many years ago, was a “minister of God to us for good,” in repressing the madness of the people, --Sir John Gonson, who was near fifty years a Magistrate, and has lived more than ninety. He is majestic in decay, having few wrinkles, and not stooping at all, though just dropping into the grave, having no strength, and little memory or understanding. Well might that good man, Bishop 202 REv. J. wesley’s [Dec. 1764. Stratford, pray, “Lord, let me not live to be useless!” And he had his desire: He was struck with a palsy in the evening, praised God all night, and died in the morning. Monday, 10, and the three following days, I visited Canter bury, Dover, and Sandwich, and returned to London on Friday, 14. In the machine I read Mr. Baxter's book upon apparitions. It contains several well-attested accounts; but there are some which I cannot subscribe to. How hard is it to keep the middle way; not to believe too little or too much ! Sun. 16.--I buried Mrs. Prior, housekeeper to Mr. P., who told me, “On night, just at one, I rung, and said to my man coming in, ‘Mrs. Prior is dead. She just now came into my room, and walked round my bed. About two, the nurse came, and told me she was dead. I asked at what time she died; and was answered, “Just at one o’clock.’” Thur. 27.--I preached and administered the sacrament at the new chapel in Snowsfields. How well does God order all things! By losing the former chapel we have gained both a better House and a larger congregation. Fri. 28.--Between two and three in the morning, I was sent for to John Matthews. For some months he had frequently said, “I have no more doubt of being in heaven, than if I was there already.” A little before we came, one asked, “How do you do now?” He answered,-- “The Lord protects, for ever near.” When I came in, he was perfectly sensible, but too weak to speak. Just at three I began to pray. I had scarce prayed two minutes, when, without any struggle, or sigh, or groan, he fell asleep. A man of so faultless a behaviour I have hardly ever been acquainted with.