Wesley Corpus

It lies on the top of a fruitful hill, at a small distance from the town; and commands the whole view of a lovely country, east, west, north, and south; and it is laid out with the finest taste imaginable. The ground I took for a park I found was an orchard, tufted with fruit trees and flowering-shrubs; and surrounded with a close, shady walk. I spent another hour with the amiable family this morning; and it was an hour I shall not soon forget: But it will never return For one, if not more, of that lovely company, are since removed to Abraham's bosom. In the evening I preached to a large congregation at Newry; and on Saturday morning returned to Dublin. I had now just finished Xenophon's Kupe IIzièsia ; some parts of which I think are exceeding dull, particularly his numerous speeches, and above all the tedious dialogue between Cyrus and Cambyses. But what a beautiful picture does he draw of Cyrus ! What an understanding ! and what tempers' Did ever a Heathen come up to this? Not since the world began. Few, exceeding few, even of the best instructed Christians have attained so unblamable a character. July, 1778.] JOURNAL. 131 Sun. 28.--I am this day seventy-five years old; and I do not find myself, blessed be God, any weaker than I was at five-and-twenty. This also hath God wrought !- All this week I visited as many as I could, and endeavoured to confirm their love to each other; and I have not known the society for many years so united as it is now. Sat. JULY 4.--A remarkable piece was put into my hands; the “Life of Mr. Morsay:” And I saw no reason to alter the judgment which I had formed of him forty years ago. He was a man of uncommon understanding, and greatly devoted to God. But he was a consummate enthusiast. Not the word of God, but his own imaginations, which he took for divine inspirations, were the sole rule both of his words and actions. Hence arose his marvellous instability, taking such huge strides backwards and forwards; hence his frequent darkness of soul: For when he departed from God’s word, God departed from him.