Wesley Corpus

In the afternoon, an old friend (now with the Moravians) labourea much to convince me, that I could not continue in the Church of England, because I could not implicitly submit to her determinations ; “ for this,” he said, * was essentially necessary to the continuing in any church.” Not to the continuing in any, but that of the Brethren ; if it were, I could be a member of no church under heaven. For I must still insist on the right of private judgment. I dare call no man, Rabbi. I cannot yield either implicit faith or obedience to any man or number of men under heaven. Fri. 13.--I was desired to visit a poor sinner, who had just made his fortune on board a privateer, and was preparing to enjoy it, when he was summoned of God, to arise and go hence. I found God had shown him terrible things, and had afterward cut the work short in his soul. For he already knew in whom he had believed, and a few days after slept in peace. Mon. 16.--I had an hour’s conversation with Mr. Simpson, (not the same with him above mentioned,) a man of a _ clear head and a loving heart. But, O the abyss of the providence of God! , I saw him some time after ina fever. Before this intermitted, the bark was poured in upon him. He was cured of his fever, and deprived of his senses ; and has been confined ever since. Is it not the Methodists who have driven this man also distracted ? Sat. 28.--I inquired more particularly of Mrs. Noweas. concerning her little son. She said, he appeared to have a continual fear of God, 370 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [July, 1746.