Wesley Corpus

5.--Before I came half way to Cork, I was met by about thirty horsemen. We dined at Middleton, and then rode on through a pleasant, well-cultivated country to Cork. In the evening, many in the crowded congregation were much comforted. Fri. 6.--I made an exact inquiry into the state of the society. I found the number was about four hundred, many of whom were greatly in earnest. Many children, chiefly girls, were indisputably justified; some of them were likewise sanctified, and were patterns of all holiness. But how shall we keep up the flame that is now kindled, not only in Cork, but in many parts of the nation? Not by sitting still; but by stirring up the gift of God that is in them; by uninterrupted watchfulness; by warning every one and exhort, ing every one; by besieging the throne with all the powers of prayer; and, after all, some will, and some will not, improve the grace which they have received. Therefore there must be a falling away. We are not to be discouraged at this; but to do all that in us lies to-day, leaving the morrow to God. Sat. 7.--On this day that venerable saint, Mr. Perronet, desired his grandaughter, Miss Briggs, who attended him day and night, to go out into the garden, and take a little air. He was reading, and hearing her read, the three last chapters of Isaiah. When she returned, he was in a kind of ecstasy; the tears running down his cheeks, from a deep sense of the glori ous things which were shortly to come to pass. He continued unspeakably happy that day, and on Sunday was, if possible, happier still. And indeed heaven seemed to be as it were opened to all that were round about him. When he was in bed, she went into his room to see if anything was wanting; and as she stood at the feet of the bed, he smiled, and broke out, “God bless thee, my dear child, and all that belong to thee! Yea, He will bless thee!” Which he earnestly repeated many times, till she left the room. When she went in, the next morning, Monday, 9, his spirit was returned to God! 306 REv. J. Wesley’s [May, 1785. So ended the holy and happy life of Mr. Vincent Perronet, in the ninety-second year of his age.