Wesley Corpus

The people, gathered from all parts, were waiting. So I went immediately to the market-place; and, standing under a large tree, testified, “This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” The House at Derby was throughly filled in the evening. As many of the better sort (so called) were there, I explained, (what seemed to be more adapted to their circumstances and experience,) “This only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have found out many inventions.” Thur. 6.--In going to Ilston we were again entangled in miserable roads. Wegotthither, however, about eleven. Though the church is large, it was sufficiently crowded. The Vicar read Prayers with great earnestness and propriety: I preached on, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness;” and the people seemed all ear. Surely good will be done in this place; though it is strongly opposed both by the Calvinists and Socinians. We went on in a lovely afternoon, and through a lovely country, to Nottingham. I preached to a numerous and well behaved congregation. I love this people: There is something wonderfully pleasing, both in their spirit and their behaviour. Fri. 7.--The congregation at five was very large, and convinced me of the earnestness of the people. They are greatly increased in wealth and grace, and continue increasing daily. Saturday, 8. I walked through the General Hospital. I never saw one so well ordered. Neatness, decency, and common sense, shine through the whole. I do not wonder that many of the patients recover. I prayed with two of them. One of them, a notorious sinner, seemed to be cut to the heart. The case of the other was quite peculiar: Both her breasts have been cut off, and many pins taken out of them, as well as out of her flesh in various parts. “Twelve,” the Apothecary said, “were taken out of her yesterday, and five more to-day.” And the physicians potently believe, she swallowed them all; though nobody can tell when or how ! Which is the greater credulity? To believe this is purely natural 2 Or to ascribe it to preternatural agency? In the evening many felt The' o'erwhelming power of saving grace : 342 REv. J. Wesley's [July, 1786.