Wesley Corpus

He began his sermon nearly in these words: “The last Lord’s day I preached on, ‘ Doing as you would be done to,’ in hopes of preventing such proceedings as are contrary to all justice, mercy, and humanity. As I could not do that, I have chosen these words for your present consideration, ‘ Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’ ” He concluded nearly thus: “1 am sorry any such outrage should be committed, particularly in this parish, where I have been teaching so many years. And to how little purpose! I will remove, as soon as possibly I can, from a place where I can do so little good. O what an account have they to make, who have either occasioned or encouraged these proceedings! May God grant that they may repent in time! That they may know what spirit they are of ! That they may, before it is too late, acknowledge and love the truth as it is in Jesus!” I preached again in the same place at one and at four; and the whole congregation were quiet and serious. Mon. 6.--Finding no ship ready to sail, I determined to return to Whitehaven: so I took horse with my wife between nine and ten, and - in the evening preached at Manchester. Tues. 7.--We rode to Bol- b40 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [July, 1752 ton; on Wednesday, to Chipping ; and on Friday, 10, reached White haven. Sun. 12.--I took my old stand in the market place, about seven in the morning, and proclaimed “the Lord God, gracious and merciful, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.” In the afternoon we had an awakening sermon at the new church, on, “ One thing is needful.” At five I preached in the room, on, “‘ To fear the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil, is understanding.”