Wesley Corpus

Wed. 3.--I met with one who, having been lifted up with the abundance of joy which God had given her, had fallen into such blasphemies and vain imaginations as are not common to men. In the afternoon I found another instance, nearly, I fear, of the same kind: one, who, after much of the love of God shed abroad in her heart, was become wise far above what is written, and set her private revelations (so called) on the self-same toot with the written word. She zealously maintained, 1. That Christ had died for angels as well as men. 2. That none of the angels kept their first estate ; but all sinned, less or more. 3. That by the death of Christ three things were effected : one part of the fallen spirits were elected, and immediately confirmed in holiness and happiness, who are now the holy angeis; another part of them, having more deeply sinned, were reprobated, who are now devils; and the third nart, allowed a further trial; and in order thereto, sent down from peaven, and imprisoned in bodies of flesh and blood, who are now human souls.--In the evening I earnestly besought them all to keep clear of vain speculations, and seek only for the plain, practical “truth, which is after godliness.” Thur. 4.--A remarkable cause was tried: some time since, several men made a great disturbance during the evening sermon here, behaving rudely to the women, and striking the men who spake not to them. A constable standing by, pulled out his staff, and commanded them to keep the peace. Upon this one of them swore he would be revenged ; and going immediately to a justice, made oath, that he (the constable) 194 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Sept. 1740. had picked his pocket, who was accordingly bound over to the next sessions. At these, not only the same man, but two of his companions, swore the same thing. But there being eighteen or twenty witnesses on the other side, the jury easily saw through the whole proceeding, and without going out at all, or any demur, brought in the prisoner not guilty. Fri. 5.--Our Lord brought home many of his banished ones. In the evening we cried mightily unto him, that brotherly love might continue and increase. And it was according to our faith.