Wesley Corpus

The second picture which he engraved, was that which was prefixed to the “Notes upon the New Testament.” Such another instance, I suppose, not all England, or perhaps Europe, can produce. For several months past, he had far deeper communion with God, than ever he had had in his life; and for some days he had been frequently saying, “I am so happy, that I scarce know how to live. I enjoy such fellowship with God, as I thought could not be had on this side heaven.” And having now finished his course of fifty-two years, after a long conflict with pain, sickness, and poverty, he gloriously rested from his labours, and entered into the joy of his Lord. Tues. 8.--I baptized two young women; one of whom found a deep sense of the presence of God in his ordinance; the other received a full assurance of his pardoning love, and was filled with joy unspeakable. Sun. 13.−After a day of much labour, at my usual time, (half-hour past nine,) I lay down to rest. I told my servants, “I must rise at three, the Norwich coach setting out at four.” Hearing one of them knock, though sooner than I expected, I rose and dressed myself; but afterwards, looking at my watch, I found it was but half-hour past ten. While I was con sidering what to do, I heard a confused sound of many voices below; and looking out at the window towards the yard, I saw it was as light as day. Meantime, many large flakes of fire were continually flying about the house; all the upper part of which was built of wood, which was near as dry as tinder. A large deal-yard, at a very small distance from us, was all in a light fire; from which the north-west wind drove the flames directly upon the Foundery; and there was no probability of help, for no water could be found. Perceiving I could be of no use, I took my Diary and my papers, and retired to a friend’s house. I had no fear; committing the matter into God’s hands, and knowing He would do whatever was best. Imme diately the wind turned about from north-west to south-east; and our pump supplied the engines with abundance of water; so that in a little more than two hours, all the danger was over. Mon.