Wesley Corpus

unhappily I ccasented with Mr. Ramsey, and I believe between us we might take more than thirty pounds out of the money collected for building the school in Kingswood. 1 acknowledge the justice of God in overtaking me for my sacrilege, in taking that money which was devoted to God. But he, I trust, has forgiven me this and all my sins, washing them away in the blood of the Lamb. “ Feb. 12, 1739-40. Gwittam Snowne.” T knew not in the morning whether to rejoice or grieve, when they informed me he was reprieved for six weeks; and afterward, that he was ordered for transportation. But known unto God are all his works! Wed. 20.--I explained at Deptford the nature of Christian faith and salvation. Many seemed to receive the word with joy. Others complained, “ Thou biingest strange things to our ears ;” though some of them had not patience to hear what this new doctrine was. Thur. 21.--I had a long conference with those whom I esteem very highly in love. But I could not yet understand them on one point,-- Christian openness and plainness of speech. They pleaded for such a reservedness and closeness of conversation as I could in no wise reconcile with St. Paul’s direction, “By manifestation of the truth” to commend “ ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Yet I scarce knew what to think, considering they had the practice of their whole Church on their side : till I opened my Testament on these ‘words, ‘* What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Tues. 26.--Complaint was made again, (as indeed had been done efore, and that not once or twice only,) that many of our brethren, not content with leaving off the ordinances of God themselves, were ‘continually troubling those that did not, and disputing with them, whether they would or no. The same complaint was made the next night also, at the meeting of the society. I then plainly set before them the things they had done, expostulated the case with them, and earnestly besought them not to trouble or perplex the minds of their brethren any more ; but at least to excuse those who still waited for God in the ways of his own appointment.