Wesley Corpus

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. Upon the whole, I do not know that ever I read a more dangerous writer; one who so wonderfully blends together truth and falsehood; solid piety, and wild enthusiasm. Tues. 7.--Our little Conference began, at which about twenty Preachers were present. On Wednesday we heard one of our friends at large, upon the duty of leaving the Church; but after a full discussion of the point, we all remained firm in our judgment, that it is our duty not to leave the Church, wherein God has blessed us, and does bless us still. Sun. 12.-After I had several times explained the nature of it, we solemnly renewed our covenant with God. It was a time never to be forgotten; God poured down upon the assembly “the spirit of grace and supplication;” especially in singing that verse of the concluding hymn, To us the covenant blood apply, Which takes our sins away; And register our names on high, And keep us to that day. This afternoon, Mr. Delap, one of our Preachers, walking through the city, met a crowd of people running from a mad dog, who had bit several persons: He walked on, took up a large stone, struck the dog on the head, and knocked him down; he then leaped upon him, and dispatched him; while the people crowded round, and gave him abundance of thanks. Ou Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited many of 132 REv. J. WESLEY’s [July, 1778. those who had left the society; but I found them so deeply prejudiced, that, till their hearts are changed, I could not advise them to return to it. Thur. 16.-I went with a few friends to Lord Charlemont's, two or three miles from Dublin. It is one of the pleasantest places I have ever seen: The water, trees, and lawns, are so elegantly intermixed with each other; having a serpentine walk running through a thick wood on one side, and an open prospect both of land and sea on the other. In the thickest part of the wood is the Hermitage, a small room, dark and gloomy enough. The Gothic temple, at the head of a fine piece of water, which is encompassed with stately trees, is delightful indeed.