Wesley Corpus

By how gentle degrees does God prepare us for his will! Two years ago a piece of brick grazed my shoulders. It was a year after that the stone struck me between the eyes. Last month I received one blow, and this evening two ; one before we came into the town, and one after we were gone out; but both were as nothing: for though one man struck me on the breast with all his might, and the other on the mouth with such a force that the blood gushed out immediately, I felt no more pain from either of the blows, than if they had touched me witha straw. It ought not to be forgotten, that when the rest of the society made all haste to escape for their lives, four only would not stir, William Sitch, Edward Slater, John Griffiths, and Joan Parks; these kept with me, resolving to live or die together ; and none of them received one blow, but William Sitch, who held me by the arm, from one end of the town to the other. He was then dragged away and knocked down; but he soon rose and got to me again. I afterwurd asked him, what he expected when the mob came upon us. He said, “ To die for Him who had died for us:” and he felt no hurry or fear; but calmly waited til] God should require his soul of him. I asked J. Parks, if she was not afraid, when they tore her from me. She said, “ No; no more than I am now. I could trust God for you, as well as for myself. From the beginning I had a full persuasion that God would deliver you. I knew not how; but I left that to him, and was as sure asif it were already done.” I asked, if the report was true, that she had fought for me. She said, “ No; I knew God would fight for his children.” And shall these souls perish at the last? WhenT i yee Uct. 1743.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 299