Wesley Corpus

“] continued in this temper till I went to a boarding school. There I soon trifled away all the grace of God, and could play as well as the rest, though not without convictions; but I soon stifled them. As I grew in years I grew in sin, and delighted more and more in vanity, till I was fourteen or fifteen years old. [ had then a severe fit of illness, in which I made many good resolutions, and when I recovered, I began to be more strict in outward duties. I went constantly to church and sacrament, but I had the same heart still, that could not forsake my bosom sins, such as. dancing, going to plays, and reading trifiing books. The Spirit of the Lord often reproved me for these things; but I stifled it by thinking, ‘ Such and such a one does so, and they are very good people.’ *“ When Mr Whitefield first preached, J went to hear him, and I found great drawings from God. But till I heard your brother and you, I did not know myself. Then I found I was an unbeliever, and that none could help me but Christ. I cried unto him, and he heard me, and spoke those words with power to my heart,‘ Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee.’ J was in great ecstasy of joy, and love; and cried out, ‘I shall never sin any more.’ This continued about two mouths. But having no acquaintance with any person of experience, I was ignorant of Satan’s devices, when he transformed himself into an angel of light. He suggested, ‘ Christ ’ = Nov. 1745. ] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 357