Wesley Corpus

He has all power to deliver us; and perhaps by ways we little think of. It was of the Lord that you did not come with me; you would have been sick, as I am. I am overdone with riding and preaching; indeed twice I preached in the fields. I carry home with me much weakness: The Lord’s will be done. I know I am called to suffer and die. Let us believe and rejoice in the Lord Jesus.” He returned to England in summer in tolerable health, being quite recovered from his consumption. Calling at London, he preached at the New chapel, slept at Newington, and the next day set out for Bristol. He stayed there only a short time, and then retired to Mr. Ireland’s, at Brislington, who, as soon as he was capable, willingly accompanied him to his beloved Madeley. 25. But he did not find such cause of rejoicing here as he had fondly expected. This may be easily gathered from the letter he then wrote to his friend at Newington. It runs thus:-- “MADELEY, June 12, 1781. “I stAYED longer at Brislington than I designed. Mr. Ireland was ill, and would nevertheless come hither with me; so that I was obliged to stay till he was better. And indeed it was well that I did not come without him; for he has helped ame to regulate my outward affairs, which were in great confusion. Mr. Greaves leaves me; and I will either leave Madeley, or have an Assistant able to stir among the people; for I had much rather be gone than stay here to see the dead ..bury their dead. Well, we shall soon remove out of all, and rest from our little cares and labours. You do not forget, I inope, that you have need of patience, as well as I, to inherit the promises; the best and greatest of which are not sealed, but to such as keep the word of Christ's patience, and such as persevere with him in his temptations. Hold on, then, patient faith and joyful hope ! If I were by you, I would preach to your heart and my own a lecture on this text, “We are saved by hope, and by a faith which is never stronger than when it is contrary to all the feelings of flesh and blood. “Pray what news of the glory?