Wesley Corpus

Wed. 6.--I mentioned to the congregation another means of increasing serious religion, which had been frequently practised by our forefathers, and attended with eminent blessing; namely, the joining in a covenant to serve God with all our heart and with all our soul. I explained this for several mornings following ; and on Friday many of us kept a fast unto the Lord, beseeching him to give us wisdom and strength, to promise unto the Lord our God and keep it. Mon. 11.--I explained once more the nature of such an engagement, and the manner of doing it acceptably to God. At six in the evening we met for that purpose, at the French church in Spitalfields. After I had recited the tenor of the covenant proposed, in the words of that blesssd man, Richard Alleine, all the people stood up, in testimony of assent, to the number of about eighteen hundred persons. Such a night I scarce ever saw before. Surely the fruit of it shall remain for ever. Sat. 16.--I buried the remains of a rough, honest, friendly man, Captain Edward Stotesbury. But the lion was become a lamb before God took him to himself. Sun. 17.--I took my leave of the congregation in Moorfields, by applying those awful words, “ It is appointed for men once to die ;” and early in the morning set out for Cornwall. In the evening I preached to a sleepy congregation at Reading, on, “ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God ;” and to much such another on Tuesday evening at Salisbury, on, “ Harden not your hearts.” On Wednesday, 20, at noon, I preached at Shaftesbury, to a much more lively people. In the afternoon both my fellow traveller and I were fairly worn out. We betook ourselves to prayer, and received strength. Nor did we faint any more, till, on Friday, 22, we reached Plymouth Dock. And I found myself far less weary then, than on Monday, when I came to Colebrook.