Wesley Corpus

Fri. 17.--I set out for Oxford with Peter Bohler, where we were kindly received by Mr. Sarney, the only one now remaining here, of many who, at our embarking for America, were used to “ take sweet counsei together,” and rejoice in “ bearing the reproach of Christ.” Sat. 18.--We went to Stanton Harcourt, to Mr. Gambold, and found my old friend recovered from his mystic delusion, and convinced that St. Paul was a better writer than either T'auler or Jacob Behmen.--The next day I preached once more at the castle (in Oxford) to a numerous and serious congregation. All this time I conversed much with Peter Bohler, but I understood him not; and least of all when he said, Mi frater, mi frater, excoquenda est ista tua philosophia. ‘ My brother, my brother, that philosophy of yours must be purged away.” Mon. 20.--I returned to London. On Tuesday I preached at Great St. Helen’s, on, “ It any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Wed. 22.--I was with the Trustees again, to whom I then gave a short account (and afterward delivered it to them in writing) of the reasons why I left Georgia. Sun. 26.--I preached at six, at St. Lawrence’s ; at ten, in St. Katherine Cree’s church; and in the afternoon, at St. John’s, Wapping. I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon most, because it gave most offence ; being indeed an open defiance of that mystery of iniquity which the world calls prudence ; grounded on those words of St. Paul to the Galatians, ‘* As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised ; only lest they should suffer persecution for the croys of Christ.” Journal I.--5 62 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ March, 1738 Mon. 2'7.--I tcok coach for Salisbury, and had several opportunities of conversing seriously with my fellow travellers. But endeavouring to mend the wisdom of God by the worldly wisdom of prefacing serious with light conversation, and afterward following that advice of the Mystics, “ Leave them to themselves,” all I had said was written on the sand. ‘ Lord, lay not this sin to” my “ charge !”