Wesley Corpus

Tues. 13.--A large congregation was present at five, and stood unmoved, notwithstanding some heavy showers. At noon I preached at Cleg Hill; at five in the barrack yard again, where the concourse of people was greater than before. Mr. P., the minister of a neighbouring parish, and another clergyman who came with him, received the truth in love: Mrs. P. (his wife) -found rest to her soul. But how is it, that almost in every place, even where there is no lasting fruit, there is so great an impression made at first, upon a considerable number of people? The fact is this:--every where the work of God rises higher and higher, till it comes to a point. Here it seems for a short time to be ata stay. And then it gradually sinks again. All this may easily be accounted for. At first curiosity brings many hearers: at the same time God draws many by his preventing grace to hear his word, and comforts them in hearing. One then tells another. By this means, on the one hand, curiosity spreads and increases, and, on the other, drawings of God’s Spirit touch more hearts ; and many of them more powerfully than before. He now offers grace to all that. hear; most of whom are in some measure affected, and more or less moved, with approbation of what they hear, desire to please God, and July 1756.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 611 good will to his messenger: these principles, variously combined and increasing, raise the general work to its highest point. But it cannot stand here; for, in the nature of things, curiosity must soon decline. Again, the drawings of God are not followed ; and thereby the Spirit of God is grieved. The consequence is, he strives with this and this man no more, and so his drawings end. Thus both the natural and supernatural power declining, most of the hearers will be less and less affected. Add to this, that in the process of the work, “it must be that offences will come.” Some of the hearers, if not preachers also, will act contrary to their profession. jither their follies or faults will be told from one to another, and lose nothing in the telling. Men once |