Wesley Corpus

“ As soon as the Foundery was taken, I went thither constantly, morning as well as evening. But I had no desire of being acquainted with any of the society, much less of joining therein; being strongly resolved never to turn my back on the profession I was educated in. The next year I furnished myself with the books which John and Charles Wesley had printed. I compared them with Robert Barclay’s ‘ Apology,’ and with | the Bible; and of many things I was convinced: but what they said of justification I could not comprehend ; and I did not much concern myself about it, being but slightly convinced of sin. “Tt was my custom to rise some hours before the family, and spend that time in reading. One Sunday morning I was just going to open my Bible, when a voice (whether inward or outward I cannot tell) seemed to. say very loud, ‘ God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven thee.’ I started up, ‘took the candle, and searched all about to see if any one was near; but there was none. I then sat down, with such peace and joy in my soul as cannot be described. While I was musing what it could mean, I heard it again, saying, ‘Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee.’ I trembled exceedingly, not with fear, but such an emotion as I cannot express. Yet IL got up the second time, and opened the door, to see if it was any human voice. Soon after it was repeated the third time, still louder; which drove me on my knees to prayer, being overwhelmed with the love of God, and, for the time, utterly imcapable of doubt or fear. “JT now saw the New Testament in a different light than I had ever done before. All the day I was comforted with promises from it, either read or brought to my mind. Yet the thought, ‘ May not all this be a delusion?’ frequently darted into me; but it as often drove me to prayer ; upon which all doubt presently vanished away