Wesley Corpus

. everlasting strength.” I was showing, what cause we had to trust in the Captain of our salvation, when one in the midst of the room cried out, “ Who was your captain, the other day, when you hanged yourself? I know the man who saw you when you was cut down.” ‘This wise story, it seems, had been diligently spread abroad, and cordially believed by many in Bristol. I desired they would make room for the man to come nearer. But the moment he saw the way open, he ran away with all possible speed, not so much as once looking behind him. Wed. 9.--God humbled us in the evening by the loss of more than thirty of our little company, who I was obliged to exclude, as no longer adorning the Gospel of Christ. I believed it best, openly to declare both their names and the reasons why they were excluded. We then all cried unto God, that this might be for their edification, and not for destruction. Fri. 11.--I went to Bath. I had often reasoned with myself concerning this place, “ Hath God left himself without witness?” Did he Dec. 1741. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 237 never raise up such as might be shining lights, even in the midst of this sinful generation? Doubtless he has ; but they are either gone “to the desert,” or hid under the bushel of prudence. Some of the most serious persons I have known at Bath are either solitary Christians, scarce known to each other, unless by name ; or prudent Christians, as careful not to give offence, as if that were the unpardonable sin: and as zealous, to “keep their religion to themselves,” as they should be, to “let it shine before men.” I returned to Bristol the next day. In the evening one desired to speak with me. I perceived him to be in the utmost confusion, so that for a while he could not speak. At length he said, “T am he that interrupted you at the new room, on Monday ; I have had no rest since, day or night, nor could have till I had spoken to you. I hope you will forgive me, and that it will be a warning to me all the days of my life.”