Wesley Corpus

“ Dear Sir,--For more than three years I walked clearly in the light of God’s countenance. Nothing could interrupt my peace, nor did I feel the least rising of any evil temper; so that I believed I was, in the full sense, born of God; but at last, I found I had been mistaken. It isnow about a year since I found, I could not bear all things; I could not bear to be slighted by those I loved. This occasioned pride and resentment to rise in my heart, so that I was forced to own, ‘I have still an evil heart” Then I was tempted to despair; but the Lord was still nigh me, and lifted up my head. He showed me my sin; yet did he not hide himself from me; but I could still call him, ‘ my Lord, and my God.’ 356 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Nov 1740 “It does not appear to me, that there is any need for us, in this case. tu ary to pull down one another. For though a person does think he has attained, when he has not; yet if he be simple and sincere, and desires to know himself, God will show him, in the time and manner that seemeth him best. As to myself, I often think, had I been faithful to the grace of God, I never had needed to know trouble more. For I believe he would have carried me on from grace to grace. till he had made me meet for glory. But I know not, if it is needful that I should see more of my heart. May his will be done! Only make me faithful in the fight, and then do what seemeth thee good.