Wesley Corpus

15. I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefuliy used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there, what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, “ this cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?” Then was I taught, that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation: but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth them, according to the counsels of his own will. 16. After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations , ‘but cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. J as often lifted up my eyes, and He “ sent me help from his holy place.” And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the Law, as well as under grace. But then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered ; now, I was always conqueror. 17. Thur. 25.--The moment I awaked, “ Jesus, Master,’”’ was in my heart and in my mouth; and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed upon him, and my soul waiting on him continually. Being again at St. Paul’s in the afternoon, I could taste the good word of God in the anthem, which began, “ My song shall be always of the loving kindness of the Lord: with my mouth will I ever be showing forth thy truth from one generation to another.” Yet the enemy injected a fear, “If thou dost believe, why is there not a more sensible change ?”” I answered, (yet not I,) “ That I know not. But this I know, I have ‘now peace with God.’ AndI sin not to-day, and Jesus my Master has forbid me to take thought for the morrow ” May, 1738.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 15