Wesley Corpus

Then my brother, Mr. Fletcher, and I, and twenty thousand more, who seem both to fear and to love God, are, in reality, children of the devil, and in the road to eternal damnation : “In God’s name I entreat you make me sensible of this I Show me by plain, strong reasons, what dishonour this hope does to Christ, wherein it opposes Justification by Faith, or any fundamental truth of religion. But do not wrest, and wiredraw, and colour my words, as Mr. Hervey (or Cudworth) has done, in such a manner, that when I look in that glass, I do not know my own face ‘Shall I call you,” says Mr. Hervey, ‘my father, or my friend? For you have been both to me.’ So I was, and you have as well requited me ! It is well my reward is with the Most High. Wishing all happiness to you and yours, I am, dear Sir, “Your affectionate brother and servant, “JoHN WESLEY.” On Wednesday and Thursday I spoke severally to the members of the society. I found (just as I expected) that the work of God here is exceeding shallow; yet while so many flock to hear, one cannot doubt but God will cut some of them to the heart. Sun. 19.--Mr. S-, one of the Curates, preached an excellent sermon on receiving the Holy Ghost. I afterwards accepted his invitation to dinner; and found a well-natured, sensible man, and one well acquainted with every branch of learning which we had occasion to touch upon. At seven I preached on, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And truly the people of this place will hear sound doctrine. Wednesday, 22. I exhorted the little society to avoid sloth, prodigality, and sluttishness; and, on the contrary, to be patterns of diligence, frugality, and cleanliness. Thur. 23.--Lighting on a volume of Mr. Seed's sermons, I was utterly surprised. Where did this man lie hid, that I never heard of him all the time I was at Oxford P. His language is pure in the highest degree, his apprehension clear, his judg ment strong. And for true, manly wit, and exquisite turns of thought, I know not if this century has produced his equal. Sat.