Wesley Corpus

114 REV, J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Dec. 1738. I was troubled. I begged of God an answer of peace; and opened on those words, “‘ As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” I was asking, in the evening, that God would fulfil all his promises in my soul, when I opened my Testament on those words, “‘ My hour is not yet come.” Sun. Dec. 3.--I began reading prayers at Bocardo, (the city prison,) which had been long discontinued. In the afternoon, J received a letter, earnestly desiring me to publish my account of Georgia; and another, as earnestly dissuading me from it, “ because it would bring much trouble upon me.” I consulted God in his word, and received two answers; the first, Ezek. xxxiii, 2-6: The other, “ Thou therefore endure hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Tues. 5.--I began reading prayers, and preaching, in Gloucestergreen workhouse ; and on Thursday, in that belonging to St. Thomas’: parish. On both days I preached at the Castle. At St. 'Thomas’s was a young woman, raving mad, screaming and tormenting herself continually. I had a strong desire to speak to her. The moment I began, she was still. The tears ran down her cheeks all the time I was telling her, “Jesus of Nazareth is able and willing to deliver you.” O where is faith upon earth? Why are these poor wretches left under the open bondage of Satan? Jesus, Master! Give thou medicine to heal their sickness; and deliver those who are row also vexed with unclean spirits! About this time, being desirous to know how the work of God went on among our brethren at London, I wrote to many of them concerning the state of their souls. One or two of their answers I have subjoined.