Wesley Corpus

‘ed. 12.--I found a little time (having been much importuned) to spend with the soldier in Bridewell, who was under sentence of death. This I continued to do once a day; whereby there was also an opportunity of declaring the Gospel of peace to several desolate ones that were confined in the same place. Tues. 18.--In the evening, just after I had explained, as they came in course, those comfortable words of God to St. Paul, “‘ Be not afraid; but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for J have much people in this city,”--a person spoke aloud in the middle of the room, “ Sir, I am come to give you notice, that, at the next quarter sessions, you will be prosecuted for holding a seditious conventicle.” Tues. 25.--The morning exposition began at five, as I hope it will always for the time to come. Thursday, 27, I had an interview with Joseph Chandler, a young Quaker, who had sometimes spoke in their meeting, with whom I had never exchanged a word before ; as indeed I knew him not either by face or name. But some had been at the pains of carrying him, as from me, a formal challenge to dispute ; and had afterward told him that I had declared, in the open society, I challenged Joseph Chandler to dispute ; and he promised to come, but broke his word. Joseph immediately sent to know, from my own mouth, if these things were so. If those who probably count themselves better Christians, had but done like this honest Quaker, how many idle tales, which they now potently believe, would, like this, have vanished into air! Fri. 28.--From these words, “Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil,” I took occasion to describe that wilderness state, that state of doubts, and fears, and strong temptation, which so many go through, though in different degrees, after they have received remission of sins.