Wesley Corpus

Fri. 27.--Poor Mr. Simpson spent an hour with me, distressed on every side; drawn up to London by fair and specious promises ; and then left to perish, unless he would promise, never more to preach out ofachurch. Alas! what a method of conversion is this! I love the church too: but I would no more starve men into the church, than burn them into it. Sat. 28.--Mr. H., one of the first ten who met in band with my brother and me, desired to speak with me. I had not exchanged a word with him before, since we parted at Fetter-lane. He said, about six years ago, the Brethren told him, it was the will of the Lamb, that he should give himself to the public work, quitting all secular business. He obeyed, discharged his men, sold his goods, parted with his house. From that time, he not only preached, but was employed in places of the greatest trust. ' About two years ago, having many doubts upon his mind concerning their method of proceeding, he wrote a long letter to the Count, who seemed to take it well and he continued labouring, as before, both in preaching and in the government of the Church. But about a month ago, he was ordered to leave off preaching and return to his trade. Having learned not to dispute, but obey, he hired a house and set up asign: nevertheless he could not be easy; he mused much and prayed much, and at last resolved to come to me. He seemed to tell me all his heart, both at this and our following interviews. If he only seemed, let him look to it. Ego im portu navigo, [I am safe. ] Sun. 29.--About six in the morning, Mrs. Witham slept in the Lord. A mother in Israel hast thou also been, and thy works shall praise thee in the gates. Some years ago, before Mr. Witham died, she seemed to stand on the brink of eternity. But God renewed her strength, till she had finished the work which he had given her to do. She was an eminent pattern of calm boldness for the truth, of simplicity and godlv ii Dec. 1747.] REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 411 sincerity ; of unwearied constancy in attending all the ordinances of