Wesley Corpus

“ Sir,--This is to let you understand, that the man which made the noise last night is named John Beon. He now goes by the name of John . Darsy. He is a Romish priest. We have people enough here in Bristol that know him.” Sat. 19.--I received a letter from Mr.. Simpson, and another from Mr. William Oxlee, informing me that our poor brethren in Fetter-lane were again in great confusion ; and earnestly desiring that, if it were possible, I would come to London without delay. Mon. 21.--1 set out, and the next evening reached London. Wednesday, 23, I went ia SE ss 182 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ April, 1740. to Mr. Simpson. He told me, all the confusion was owing to my brother, who would preach up the ordinances: “ Whereas believers,” said he, ‘are not subject to ordinances ; and unbelievers having nothing to do with them: they ought to be still; otherwise, they will be unbelievers all the days of their life.” After a fruitless dispute of about two hours, I returned home with a heavy heart. Mr. Molther was taken ill thisday. I believe it was the hand * of God that was upon him. In the evening our society met ; but cold, weary, heartless, dead. I found nothing of brotherly love among them now ; but a harsh, dry, heavy, stupid spirit. For two hours they looked one at another, when they looked up at all, as if one half of them was afraid of the other; yea, as if a voice were sounding in their ears, “Take ye heed every one of his neighbour : trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.” I think not so few as thirty persons spoke to me in these two days, who had been strongly solicited, 1. To deny what God had done for their souls; to own they never had living faith. 2. To be still till they had it; to leave off all the means of grace ; not to go to church ; not to communicate ; not to search the Scripture; not to use private prayer; at least, not so much, or not vocally, or not at any stated times.