PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 88,723 words · 116 reading sections
Part 1
The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A. ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │ …
248 wordsSECTION 2VOLUME XII.
BRISTOL: Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in _Wine-Street_. MDCCLXXII. THE CONTENTS Of the TWELFTH VOLUME. An Extract of the Life and Death of _Thomas Walsh_.…
24 wordsSECTION 3Chapter IV. _Of his last sickness._
An Extract of the Life of the late Rev. Mr. _David Brainerd_.…
12 wordsSECTION 4Part VIII. _After his return from his last journey to Susquahannah, until his death._
Illustration: (‡ decoration) An EXTRACT of the LIFE AND DEATH OF THOMAS WALSH.…
12 wordsSECTION 5CHAPTER IV.
_Of his last sickness and death._ HIS state of body in general (as has been related) was that of a lingering death, which however, being interspersed with intervals of comparative health and strength, admitted of his still going on, in the work of his calling. But by his last sickness is meant, that degree of disease,…
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“I was moreover deeply convinced how possible, yea easy it is, for a person after having received great light, love, power, and joy, to fall notwithstanding, into a certain dulness of soul; and that holy desires, vehement thirstings after God, and the spirit of prayer, may be lessened, and lost. Truly we can keep nothi…
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*During the time he stayed here, I was a daily witness of his manner of life; and saw with much concern, his swift approaching end. He had most of the symptoms of a consumption, in its last stage: which increased upon him every day. _The silver cords_ of life began to _loosen, and the golden bowl_, the whole of this wo…
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Concerning the state of his soul, for a few months before his death, as he wrote nothing on the head during that time, we can speak with less certainty, than of what has been already related. And embarking for _England_ soon after we parted, I neither saw nor heard, any thing particularly concerning him, till a letter …
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Without entring deeply into the matter, one may easily learn herefrom, at least a confirmation of that weighty truth, that _God is not worshipped_, or served _by mens hands, as tho’ he needed any_ person or _thing_. He leaves no one any room to say or think within themselves, that the cause and glory of God needed them…
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Thus we hear one, in his last sickness saying, “I am by the wonderful mercy of God, as full of comfort as my heart can hold, I feel nothing in my soul but Christ, with whom I heartily desire to be.” Another, “I am like a bird upon the wing, and would fain be at _Immanuel_’s land, where the tree of life is. Here I am a …
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His sufferings both of body and mind were great beyond description: but when we consider, thus did God permit concerning him, it puts to silence every doubtful, evil reasoning on the head. By constituting him a perfect sufferer, God thereby, made him the more conformable to his suffering, conquering Son; that _Man of s…
784 wordsSECTION 12ADVERTISEMENT.
THOSE _parts of the following history that are included between_ brackets _thus_ [ ], _are the words of the_ publisher, _Mr._ Jonathan Edwards, _minister of_ Northampton _in_ New-England, _for the most part summarily representing the chief things contained in_ Mr. Brainerd’s _diary: the rest is the account that he give…
59 wordsSECTION 13PART I.
_From his birth to the time when he began to devote himself to the_ study of divinity. [MR. David Brainerd was born April 20, 1718, at Haddam, a town belonging to the county of Hartford, in the colony of Connecticut, New-England. His father, who died when he was about nine years of age, was the worshipful Hezekiah Bra…
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In the beginning of winter, 1738, it pleased God one sabbath-day morning, as I was walking out for secret duties, to give me on a sudden, such a sense of my danger, and the wrath of God, that I stood amazed, and was much distressed all that day, fearing the vengeance of God would soon overtake me. I kept much alone, an…
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*2. Another thing was, that _faith alone_ was the _condition of salvation_; and that God would not come down to lower terms; that he would not promise life and salvation upon my sincere prayers and endeavours. That word, Mark xvi. 16. “He that believeth not, shall be damned,” cut off all hope there; and I found, faith …
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I continued in this state of mind from Friday morning till the sabbath-evening following, July 12, 1739, when I was walking again in the same solitary place, and attempting to pray, but found no heart to engage in that or any other duty. Having been thus endeavouring to pray for near half an hour, (and by this time the…
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One day in particular, (June 1740) I walked in the fields alone, and found such unspeakable sweetness in God, that I thought, if I must continue still in this evil world, I wanted always to be there to behold God’s glory: my soul dearly loved all mankind, and longed exceedingly that they should enjoy what I enjoyed.――I…
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In the time of the awakening at college, several students associated themselves, who were wont freely to open themselves one to another: Mr. Brainerd was one of this company. And it once happened, that he and two or three more of these his intimate friends were in the hall together, after Mr. Whittelsey, one of the tut…
303 wordsSECTION 19PART II.
_From the time that he began to devote himself to the_ study of divinity, _till he was examined and licensed to_ preach. [MR. Brainerd, the spring after his expulsion, went to live with the Rev. Mr. Mills, of Ripton, to follow his studies with him, in order to his being fitted for the ministry; where he spent the grea…
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Thursday, April 15. My desires centered in God, and I found a sensible attraction of soul after him: _I long for God_, and a conformity to his will, in inward holiness, ten thousand times more than for any thing here below. Lord’s-day, April 18. I retired early this morning in the woods; and was enabled to plead with …
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*Wednesday, April 28. I withdrew to my usual place of retirement, and spent about two hours in secret. I felt much as I did yesterday morning, only weaker and more overcome. I seemed to hang wholly on my dear Lord; wholly weaned from all other dependencies. I knew not what to say to my God, but only _lean on his bosom_…
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Tuesday, June 15. I had the most ardent longings after God, that I ever felt in my life: at noon, in secret, I could do nothing but tell my dear Lord, that he knew I longed for nothing but _himself_, nothing but _holiness_; that _he_ had given me these desires, and he _only_ could give me the thing desired. I never see…
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Thursday, July 29. I was examined by the association met at Danbury, as to my learning, and experiences in religion, and received a licence from them to preach the gospel of Christ. Afterwards I felt much devoted to God: joined in prayer with one of the ministers; and went to bed resolving to live devoted to God all my…
60 wordsSECTION 24PART III.
_From the time of his being licensed to preach, till he was appointed_ Missionary _to the_ Indians. FRIDAY, July 30, 1742. I rode from Danbury to Southbury; preached there from 1 Peter iv. 6. I had much of the comfortable presence of God in the exercise: I seemed to have power with God in prayer, and power to get hold…
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Thursday, September 16. I enjoyed much of God in secret prayer: felt an uncommon resignation, to _be_ and _do_ what God pleased. Some days past, I felt _great perplexity_ on account of my past conduct: _my bitterness_, and want of Christian kindness and love, has been _very distressing_ to my soul: the Lord forgive me …
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Wednesday, October 28. I was not a little concerned about preaching in the afternoon: felt exceedingly _without strength_, went into the house, ashamed to see any come to hear such an unspeakably worthless wretch. However God enabled me to speak with clearness, power, and pungency. Thursday, November 4. [At Lebanon] I…
883 wordsSECTION 27PART IV.
_From the time of his being appointed_ Missionary, _to his entrance on his mission among the Indians at Kaunaumeek_. FRIDAY, November 26. I had still a sense of my own vileness, and endeavoured as much as I could to keep alone. O what a nothing, what dust and ashes am I!――I enjoyed some comfort in spreading my complai…
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*Lord’s day, January 23. I scarce ever felt myself so unfit to exist, as now: I saw I was not worthy of a place among the Indians, where I am going; I thought I should be ashamed to look them in the face, and much more to have any respect shewn me. Indeed I felt myself banished from the earth, as if all places were too…
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*Monday, March 7. This morning when I arose, I found my heart go after God in longing desires of conformity to him: and in secret prayer I found myself sweetly drawn out in praises to God for all he had done to and for me, and for all my inward trials and distresses; my heart ascribed glory, glory, glory to the blessed…
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_From his first beginning to instruct the Indians at Kaunaumeek, to his_ Ordination. FRIDAY, April 1, 1743. I rode to Kaunaumeek, near twenty miles from Stockbridge, where the Indians live, and I lodged on a little heap of straw. I was greatly exercised with inward distresses all day; and in the evening seemed to have…
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After several weeks I found my distance from the Indians a very great disadvantage, as I was obliged to travel forward and backward almost daily on foot having no pasture in which I could keep my horse. And after all my pains, I could not be with them in the evening and morning, which were hours when they could best at…
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[One main occasion of that distressing gloominess, next to natural ♦melancholy, was reflecting on his past errors and misguided zeal at _college_. Therefore he repeated his endeavours for reconciliation with the governors of the college. And although he had been at New-Haven, in June, and had attempted a reconciliation…
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*Thursday, August 25. I find it is impossible to enjoy peace and tranquility of mind without a careful improvement of time. This is really an imitation of God and Christ Jesus: “My father worketh hitherto, and I work,” says our Lord. And, if we would be like God, we must see that we fill up our time for him.――I daily l…
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*God has made me willing to do any thing, that I can do, consistent with truth, for the sake of peace, and that I might not be a stumbling-block and offence to others. For this reason I can chearfully give up what I verily believe, after the most impartial search, is my right. God has given me that disposition, that if…
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I thought, it came in a good season; for my heart seemed fixed on God, and therefore I was not surprised: but this news only made me more serious, and taught me that I must not please myself with any of the comforts of life which I had been preparing. Lord’s-day, October 23. I had some freedom and warmth, both parts o…
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Monday, December 5. I rode to Stockbridge, but was almost outdone with the extreme cold. I had some refreshing meditations by the way; but was barren and lifeless, much of the day. Thus my days roll away, with but little done for God; and this is my burden. Tuesday, December 6. I was perplexed to see the vanity and le…
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*Friday, January 6. Feeling my extreme weakness, and want of grace, I set apart this day for fasting and prayer, neither eating nor drinking from evening to evening. And my soul intensely longed, that the dreadful spots and stains of sin may be washed away. My mind was greatly fixed on divine things: my resolutions for…
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Thursday, February 9. I observed this day as a day of fasting and prayer, intreating of God to bestow upon me his blessing and grace: especially to enable me to live a life of mortification to the world, as well as of resignation and patience. I enjoyed a realizing sense of divine power and goodness in prayer: and was …
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*Saturday, March 10. I felt exceeding dead to the world, and all its enjoyments: I was ready to give up life and all its comforts, as soon as called to it; and yet then had as much comfort of life as almost ever I had. Life itself appeared but an empty bubble; the riches, honours, and enjoyments of it extremely tastele…
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¹ The Indians at Kaunaumeek being but few in number, and Mr. Brainerd having now been labouring among them about a year, and having prevailed upon them to leave Kaunaumeek, and remove to Stockbridge, to live constantly under Mr. Sergeant’s ministry; he thought he might now do more service for Christ among the Indians e…
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On May 10. I met with a number of Indians in a place called Minnissinks, about an hundred and forty miles from Kaunaumeek, and directly in my way to Delaware river. With these Indians I spent some time, and first addressed their _king_ in a friendly manner; and after some discourse, I told him I had a desire to instruc…
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Thursday, May 17. I was greatly distressed with a sense of my vileness; appearing to myself too bad to walk on God’s earth. God was pleased to let me see my inward pollution to such a degree, that I almost despaired of being made holy. In the afternoon I met with the Indians, according to appointment, and preached to t…
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_From his ordination, till he began to preach to the Indians at Crosweeksung._ THURSDAY, June 14. I wondered, that God should open the hearts of any to treat me with kindness: and saw myself to be unworthy of any favour, from God or men. I had much pain in my head; however I determined to set out on my journey towards…
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*Lord’s day, July 1. After I came to the Indians, my mind was confused; and I felt nothing of that sweet reliance on God, that my soul has been comforted with in days past. In the afternoon I felt still barren, when I began to preach; I seemed to myself to know nothing, and to have nothing to say to the Indians; but so…
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Saturday, July 21. Towards night my burden respecting my work among the Indians began to increase much; and was aggravated by hearing sundry things that looked very discouraging, in particular that they intended to meet together the next day for an idolatrous feast and dance. Then I began to be in anguish: I thought I …
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[From these Indians he returned to the Irish settlement, and there preached to a numerous congregation: where was a considerable appearance of awakening. Thursday, he returned home, exceedingly fatigued and spent; still in the same mortification to the world, and solicitous for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom: and …
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Tuesday, October 2. I set out on my journey, in company with my dear brother Byram, and my interpreter, and two chief Indians from the Forks of Delaware. We travelled about twenty-five miles, and lodged in one of the last houses on our road; after which there was nothing but a hideous and howling _wilderness_. Wednesd…
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*Friday, October 19. I had an abasing sense of my own unholiness; and felt my soul melt and mourn, that I had grieved a gracious God, who was still kind to me, notwithstanding all my unworthiness. My soul enjoyed a sweet season of sorrow, that I had wronged that blessed God, who was reconciled to me in his dear Son. My…
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[Within the next twelve days he spent much time in hard labour, to make a little cottage, to live in by himself.] Thursday, December 6. Having now a happy opportunity of being retired in a house of my own; I set apart this day for secret prayer and fasting, to implore the blessing of God on myself, on my poor people, …
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Tuesday, December 18. I went to the Indians, and discoursed to them near an hour, and at last God helped me to speak with warmth. My interpreter also was amazingly assisted; and I doubt not but “the Spirit of God was upon him.” And presently most of the grown persons were much affected, and the tears ran down their che…
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Lord’s-day, February 3. In the morning, I was somewhat relieved of that gloom, that my mind has of late been exercised with; and was enabled to pray with composure and comfort. But, however, I went to my Indians trembling; for my soul “remembered the wormwood and the gall” of Friday last; and I was greatly afraid I sho…
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[The next day, he set out on his journey; and it was above five weeks before he returned.――The special design of this journey was “To raise some money among Christian friends, in order to support a ♦colleague with me in the wilderness, (I having now spent two years in a very solitary manner) that we might be together; …
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[The next day, he set out on his journey to Susquahannah, with his interpreter. He endured great hardships in his way thither through a hideous wilderness: where, after having lodged one night in the open woods, he was overtaken with a north-easterly storm, in which he was ready to perish. Having no shelter, and not be…
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¹ Mr. Brainerd having, when at Boston, wrote and left with a friend a brief _relation_ of his labours with the Indians, during the space of time between November 5, 1744, and June 19, 1745, concludes with this passage: “As my body was very feeble, so my mind was scarce ever so much discouraged about the conversion of t…
82 wordsSECTION 55PART VII.
_From his first beginning to preach to the Indians at Crosweeksung, till he returned from his last journey to Susquahannah._ [WE are now come to that part of Mr. Brainerd’s life, wherein he had his greatest _success_. After all his agonizing in prayer, and travelling in birth, for the conversion of the Indians; and af…
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Friday June 28. The Indians being now gathered, a considerable number of them, from their several distant _habitations_, requested me to preach twice a day to them, being desirous to hear as much as they could while I was with them. I chearfully complied, and could not but admire the goodness of God, who had inclined t…
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When I first employed him in the beginning of summer 1744, he was well fitted for his work in regard of his acquaintance with the Indian and English language; and in regard of his desire that the Indians should conform to the customs and manners of the English. But he seemed to have no impression of religion, and in th…
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*And upon strict observation of his Christian temper, and unblemished behaviour for so considerable a time, I think I have reason to hope that he is “created anew in Christ Jesus to good works.” His name is Moses Tinda Tautamy; he is about fifty years of age, and pretty well acquainted with the notions and customs of …
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August 5. After a sermon had been preached by another minister, I preached, and concluded the public work of the solemnity from John vii. 37. In my discourse I addressed the Indians in particular, who sat by themselves in a part of the house; at which time one or two of them were struck with deep concern, who had been …
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*I stood amazed at the influence that seized the audience almost universally, and could compare it to nothing more aptly than a mighty torrent, that bears down and sweeps before it whatever is in its way. Almost all persons of all ages were bowed down together, and scarce one was able to withstand the _shock_ of this s…
824 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.