Wesley Corpus

would not disappoint the congregation ; but as soon as I had done preaching, set out, and about four in the morning came to Otley. I minutely inquired into the circumstances of her illness. She is dropped suddenly into the third stage of a consump- tion, having one or more ulcers in her lungs, spitting blood, having a continual pain in her breast, and a constant hectic fever, which disables her from either riding on horseback, or bearing the motion of a carriage. Meantime, she breathes 'nothingbut praise and love. Short-lived flower, and ripe for abetter soil ! Sat. 10. After travelling between ninety and a hundred [May, 1777. miles, I cameback to Malton ; and,having rested an hour, went on to Scarborough, and preached in the evening. But the flux which I had had for a few days so increased, that at first I found it difficult to speak. Yet the longer I spoke the stronger I grew. Is not God a present help ? Sun. 11. I experienced a second time what one calls, febris ex insolatione.* The day was cold; but the sun shone warm on my back, as I sat in the window. In less than half an hour I began to shiver, and soon after had a strong fit of an ague. I directly lay down between blankets, and drank largely of warm lemonade. In ten minutes the hot fit came on, and quickly after I fell asleep. Having slept half an hour, I rose up and preached. Afterwards I met the society ; and I found no want of strength, but was just as well at the end as at the beginning. Mon. 12. I preached atBridlington ; Tuesday, 13, in the morning at Beverley; and in the evening at Hull, on, "Narrow is theway that leadeth unto life. " And yet, blessed be God, there are thousands walking in it now, who a few years since thought nothing about it. Wed. 14. At eleven I preached at Pocklington, with an eye to the death of that lovelywoman, Mrs. Cross. Agayyoung gentleman, with a young lady, stepped in, stayed five minutes, and went out again,with as easy anunconcern as if they had been listening to a ballad-singer. I mentioned to the congrega- tion the deep folly and ignorance implied in such behaviour. These pretty fools never thought that for this very opportunity