Wesley Corpus

Fri. 28.-I buried the remains of that venerable mother in Israel, Bilhah Aspernell. She found peace with God in 1738; and soon after, purity of heart. From that time she walked in the light of God’s countenance, day and might, without the least intermission. She was always in pain, yet always re joicing, and going about doing good. Her desire was, that she might not live to be useless: And God granted her desire. On Sunday evening she met her class, as usual. The next day she sent for her old fellow-traveller, Sarah Clay, and said to her, “Sally, I am going.” She asked, “Where are you going?” She cheerfully answered, “To my Jesus, to be sure !” and spoke no more. Saturday, 29, and several times in the following week, I had much conversation with Ralph Mather, a devoted young man, but almost driven out of his senses by Mystic Divinity. If he escapes out of this specious snare of the devil, he will be an instrument of much good. Thur. FEBRUARY 10.--I was desired by that affectionate man, Mr. P , to give him a sermon at Chelsea. Every corner of the room was throughly crowded; and all but two or three gentlewomen (so called) were deeply serious, while I strongly enforced, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life.” 8 R. E.W. J. WESLEY"S [March, 1774. Mon. 14.--In my way to Dorking, I gave another reading to the “Life of Anna Maria Schurman:” Perhaps a woman of the strongest understanding that the world ever saw. And she was likewise deeply devoted to God. So was also Antoinette Bourignon, nearly her equal in sense, though not in learning; and equally devoted to God. In many things there was a sur prising resemblance between them, particularly in severity of temper, leading them to separate from all the world, whom they seemed to give up to the devil without remorse; only with this difference,--Madame Bourignon believed there were absolutely no children of God, but her and her three or four associates: Anna Schurman believed there were almost none, but her and her little community. No wonder that the world returned their love, by persecuting them in every country. Thur. MARCH 3.--I preached at L But O what a change is there !