Wesley Collected Works Vol 11
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-wesley-collected-works-vol-11-337 |
| Words | 385 |
An odd incident followed: A few months after, the
Bishop died of a cancer in his mouth. Perhaps some may
think this was a just retribution for silencing such a Prophet,
on such an occasion I I am not ashamed to acknowledge
this is my own sentiment; and I do not think it any breach
of charity to suppose that an action, so unworthy a Christian
Bishop, had its punishment in this world. 9. When he returned from London in the same year, he was
more frequently invited to preach in several of the neighbouring
churches. And before his quitting the country he gave me a
few printed papers, entitled, “A Christmas-box for Journey
men and Apprentices.” I mention it the rather because I
suppose this was the first thing which he ever published. 10. It was in the beginning of June, 1759, that he returned
the last time from London to Tern-Hall; and being now
less frequently called to public duty, he enjoyed his beloved
retirement, giving himself up to study, meditation, and
prayer, and walking closely with God. Indeed his whole
life was now a life of prayer; and so intensely was his mind
fixed upon God, that I have heard him say, “I would not
move from my seat, without lifting up my heart to God.”
Wherever we met, if we were alone, his first salute was, “Do
I meet you praying?” And if we were talking on any point
of divinity, when we were in the depth of our discourse, he
would often break off abruptly, and ask, “Where are our
hearts now 7” If ever the misconduct of an absent person
was mentioned, his usual reply was, “Let us pray for him.”
ll. It was, as I remember, about the close of this summer,
that he was frequently desired, sometimes to assist, at other
times to perform the whole service for, Mr. Chambers, then
Vicar of Madeley. On these occasions it was, that he con
tracted such an affection for the people of Madeley, as nothing
could hinder from increasing more and more to the day of
his death. While he officiated at Madeley, as he still lived
at the Hall, ten miles distant from it, a groom was ordered
to get a horse ready for him every Sunday morning.