Wesley Corpus

Wed. 10.--I preached in the morning, on the inward kingdom of God. And many, I trust, found they were Heathens in heart, and Christians in name only. In the afternoon we came to J C----n’s; about ten miles beyond Markfield ; a plain, open-hearted man, desireus to know and do the will of God. I was a little surprised at what he said: ‘A few months since there was a great awakening all round us: But since Mr. S---- came, three parts in four are fallen as fast asleep as ever.” I spoke to him of drawing people from the Church, and advising them to leave off prayer. He said, there was no Church ot England left; and that there was no Scripture for family prayer, nor for praying in private at any other particular times ; which a believer need not do. I asked, what our Saviour then meant by saying, “ Enter into thy closet and pray.” He said, “ Oh! that means, Enter into the closet of your heart.” Between five and six we came to Ogbrook, where Mr. S----n then was. I asked Mr. Greaves, what doctrine he taught here. He said, “The sum of all is this: ‘If you will believe, be stil. Do not pretend to do good; (which you cannot do till you believe ;) and leave oft what you call the means of grace; such as prayer and running to church and sacrament.’” About eight, Mr. Greaves offering me the use of his church, I explained the true Gospel stillness; and in the morning, Thursday, 11, to a large congregation, “ By grace are ye saved through faith.” In the afternoon we went on to Nottingham, where Mr. Howe received us gladly. At eight the society met as usual. I could not but observe, 1. That the room was not half full, which used, till very