Wesley Corpus

I had a deep, tear ing cough, and was exceeding heavy and weak. However, I made shift to preach at Weaver’s Hall, and to meet the penitents. Sunday, 16. I found myself considerably worse. However, I preached in the morning; but had such a fever in the afternoon, that I was obliged to take my bed. I now knew not what to do, having fixed the next morning for beginning my journey to Ireland, and sent notice to Stroud, Gloucester, and various other places, of the days wherein I purposed to visit them. But Mr. Collins kindly undertook to supply my place at Stroud, and the other places, as far as Worcester. Lying down in bed, I took part (being able to swallow no more) of a draught which was prepared for me. It gave me four or five and twenty stools, and a moderate vomit; after which I fell fast asleep. Monday, 17. Mr. Collins set out. About six in the morning, finding myself perfectly easy, I set out in the afternoon, and overtook him at Stroud. But it was as much as I could do; for I was in a high fever, though with out any pain. After giving a short exhortation to the society, I was very glad to lie down. My fever was exactly of the same kind with that I had in the north of Ireland. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I was just the same : The whole nervous system was violently agitated. Hence arose the cramp, with little intermission, from the time I lay down in bed till morning: Also a furious, tearing cough, usually recur ring before each fit of the cramp. And yet I had no pain in my back, or head, or limbs, the cramp only excepted. But I had no strength at all, being scarce able to move, and much less to think. In this state I lay till Friday morning, when a violent fit of the cramp carried the fever quite away. Perceiv May, 1783.] JOURNAL. 245 ing this, I took chaise without delay, and reached Worcester in the afternoon. Here I overtook Mr. Collins again, who had supplied all my appointments, and with a remarkable blessing to the people. But being much exhausted, I found rest was sweet. Saturday, 22. In the morning I gave a short exhortation, and then went on to Birmingham. Sun.