Wesley Corpus

He answered, ‘I am to eat no more.’ His illness increased; but he was still calm and composed, and resigned to the will of God. Indeed I always beheld in him such faith, love, and divine resignation as I never saw in any other. On Sunday he said, ‘Now my soul is prepared, and made ready to meet the Lord. From this time he was filled with longing desires to depart and to be with Christ; crying out, ‘I cannot stay: I must go to my Beloved, to be with him for ever. Monday, 17. He said, ‘I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of glory, March, 1766.] JOURNAL, 243 which the righteous Judge shall give me at that day.’ Tues day, 18. After receiving the blessed sacrament, he declared to the Minister, “My anchor is cast within the veil, both sure and immovable.” And as long as he had his speech, he preached Christ to every one that came to see him. Indeed his whole life, for many years, was but one dedication of his body and soul to God; praying continually, and being lost in praise and thanksgiving to his adorable Saviour. In all the various dispensations of God’s providence towards him and his family, he was still magnifying and praising his holy name; always thankful, humble, loving, and obedient. Nothing was able to move him one moment, or put him out of temper; but he received every thing from the hand of God, with faith, patience, and resignation. Before his speech failed, he blessed all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and on Thursday morning, February 20, yielded up his soul to God, being ninety-nine years and five months old.” Sat. MARCH 1.--I read Bishop Lowth's ingenious Lectures De Poesi Hebraed, far more satisfactory than any thing on that subject which I ever saw before. He shows clearly, that the noblest poetry may subsist without being beholden either to rhyme or fixed measures. Thur. 6.--Our brethren met once more on account of the public debt. And they did not part till more than the whole (which was six hundred and ten pounds) was subscribed. Sun.