Wesley Corpus

Thur. 6.--The Count carried me with him to the Count of Solmes, where I observed with pleasure the German frugality. Three of the young Countesses, (though grown up) were dressed in linen; the Count and his son in plain cloth. At dinner, the next day, a glass of wine and a glass of water were set by every one, and if either were emptied, a second. They all conversed freely and unaffectedly. At ten at night we took coach again, and in the morning reached Marienborn. I lodged with one of the brethren at Exckershausen, an English mile from Marienborn, where I usually spent the day, chicfly in conversing with those who could speak either Latin o: English ; not being able, for want of more practice, to speak German readily. And here I continually met with what I sought for, viz. living proofs of the power of faith : persons saved from inward as well as outward sin, by “ the love of God shed abroad in their hearts ;” and from all doubt and fear, by the abiding witness of “ the Holy Ghost given unto them.” Sun. 9.--The Count preached in the old castle at Runneberg, (about ihree English miles from Marienborn,) where is also a small company of those who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Wednesday, 12, was one of the conferences for strangers; where one of Frankfort proposing the question,--Can a man be justified and not know it? the Count spoke largely and scripturally upon it, to this effect :-- 1. Justification is the forgiveness of sins. 2. The moment a man flies to Christ he is justified ; 3. And has peace with God; but not always joy: 4. Nor perhaps may he know he is justified, till long after. 5. For the assurance of it is distinct from justification itself. 6. But others may know he is justified by his power over sin, by his seriousness, his love of the brethren, and his “ hunger and thirst after rignteousness,” which alone prove the spiritual life to be begur 7. To be justified is the same thing as to be born of God. (Not so.) 8. When a man is awekened, he is begotten of God, and his fear 80 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [July, 1738 and sorrow, and sense of the wrath of God, are the pangs of the new birth.