Wesley Corpus

Tues, 14.--Mr. Piers rode over with me to Shoreham, and introduced me to Mr. Perronet. I hope to have cause of blessing God for ever, for the acquaintance begun this day. Wed. 15.--I went to Bedlam, at the repeated request of Mr. S$ , who had been confined there above two years. This was the person who, while he was speaking against my brother and me to the society at Kingswood, was in a moment struck raving mad. But it seems God is at length * entreated for him, and has restored him to a sound mind. Thur. 16.--I received a remarkable letter, part of which is here subjoined :--- “August 14, 1744. “Rev. Srr,--I was surprised on Sunday, when you was pleased to tell me, I carried things to extremes, in denying the lawful pleasures in eating. I denied only self indulgence in eating: all which I advance is, that he who will be Christ’s disciple, must absolutely deny himself. It was once a great self denial to me, not to go to a play, or to other diversions; but this is now no self denial to me at all; so that if I was now called to deny myself in these things only, I might take up with what is past, and now live an agreeable, self indulgent life. But God forbid. plainly see every hour produces occasions of self pleasing: and this I apprehend is a sufficient call for, and rule of, self denial. For instance: in the morning, it is a great self denial to rise out of a warm bed; but if I do not, I am immediately condemned as a slothful servant: if I do, I find a great inward blessing. Under the preaching, it is self pleasing to see who is here, who there: but if I do let my eye wander, I become cold and lifeless: if I deny myself, I often find even a present reward. In walking the streets, I can please myself, by looking this way and that; on this chariot, that house and picture; but if I deny myself for Christ’s sake, his consolations abound with me.