PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 87,066 words · 109 reading sections
Part 1
The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A. ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │ …
211 wordsSECTION 2VOLUME XIII.
BRISTOL: Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in _Wine-Street_. MDCCLXXII. THE CONTENTS Of the THIRTEENTH VOLUME. ⭘ Letters written by Mr. _Brainerd_ ⭘ An Extract from Miss _Mary Gilbert_’s Journal ⭘ An Extract from _Elizabeth Harper_’s Journal ⭘ A short Account of _Ann Johnson_ ⭘ A short Account of _Ann Rogers_ ⭘ A short A…
671 wordsSECTION 3DAVID BRAINERD.
♦ duplicate word “and” removed * * * * * To his Brother John, at Yale-college in New-Haven. _Kaunaumeek, December 27, 1743_. _Dear Brother_, I LONG to see you, and know how you fare in your journey through the world of sorrow, where we are compassed about with “vanity, confusion, and vexati…
326 wordsSECTION 4DAVID BRAINERD.
♦ “where” replaced with “whence” per Errata * * * * * To his Brother Israel, at Haddam. _Kaunaumeek, January 21, 1743‒4_. _My dear Brother_, ――THERE is but one thing, that deserves our highest care; and that is, that we may answer the great _end_, for which we were made, _viz._ to _glorify_…
786 wordsSECTION 5DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * * To a special Friend. _The Forks of Delaware, July 31, 1744._ *――CERTAINLY the greatest, the noblest pleasure of intelligent creatures must result from their acquaintance with the blessed God, and with their own immortal souls. And Oh, how divinely sweet is it, to look into our own s…
604 wordsSECTION 6DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * * To his Brother John, at College. _Crosweeksung, in New-Jersey, December 28, 1745._ _Very Dear Brother_, ――I AM in one continued and uninterrupted hurry; and divine Providence throws so much upon me, that I do not see it will ever be otherwise. May I “obtain mercy of God to be faith…
222 wordsSECTION 7DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * * To his Brother Israel, at College, written a few Months before his Death. _Boston, June 30, 1747._ _My dear brother_, IT is from the sides of _eternity_ I now address you. I am heartily sorry, that I have so little strength to write what I long to communicate to you. But let me tel…
384 wordsSECTION 8DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * * To a young Gentleman, a _Candidate_ for the _Ministry_, written at the same time. _Very dear Sir_, HOW amazing it is, that the _living_ who _know they must die_, should notwithstanding “put far away the evil day,” in a season of health and prosperity: and live at such an awful dista…
577 wordsSECTION 9DAVID BRAINERD.
* * * * * To his Brother John, at Bethel, the Town of Christian Indians in New-Jersey, written at Boston, ♦not long before his death. ♦ “before” replaced with “not long before” per Errata _Dear Brother_, *I AM now just on the verge of _eternity_, expecting very speedily to appear in the unse…
564 wordsSECTION 10DAVID BRAINERD.
SOME Reflections _and_ Observations ON THE Preceding _Memoirs_ of Mr. BRAINERD. I. WE have here an opportunity, in a very lively _instance_, to see the _nature_ of _true religion_; and the _manner_ of its _operation_ when exemplified in a high degree. Particularly it may be observed. 1. How greatly Mr. Brainerd’s rel…
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*His religious affections were attended with _evangelical humiliation_; consisting in a sense of his own insufficiency, and despicableness. How deeply affected was he almost continually with his great defects in religion; with his vast distance from that spirituality that became him; with his ignorance, deadness, unste…
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*Mr. Brainerd’s comforts were not like those of some other persons, which are attended with a spiritual satiety, and put an end to their religious longings, at least to the ardency of them. On the contrary, how were they always attended with longings and thirstings after greater degrees of conformity to God! And the gr…
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IV. Is there not much in the preceding memoirs to teach and excite to duty, us who are called to the work of the ministry? What a deep sense had he of the importance of that work, and with what weight did it lie on his mind? How sensible was he of his own insufficiency for this work: and how great was his dependence on…
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The time and circumstances of his illness were so ordered, that he had just opportunity to finish his journal. A foundation was hereby laid for a concern in others for that cause, and proper care and measures to be taken for the maintaining it after his death. As it has actually proved to be of great benefit in this re…
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*I would not conclude my observations on the merciful circumstances of Mr. Brainerd’s death, without acknowledging with thankfulness, the gracious dispensation of Providence to me and my family in so ordering, that he (though the ordinary place of his abode was more than two hundred miles distant) should be cast to my …
175 wordsSECTION 16TO THE READER.
1. AMONG the innumerable novelties which have appeared in the world, within half a century, I do not remember to have seen the experience of a child written by herself. Herein much variety is not to be expected, nor any art or ornament at all: as she set down from time to time, merely for her own use, just what occurre…
232 wordsSECTION 17JOHN WESLEY.
_Liverpool_, April 7th, 1768. * * * * * A short ACCOUNT of Miss MARY GILBERT. THE ensuing account it is hoped may animate those who are in the morning of life, to a due improvement of their time, in _remembering their_ CREATOR _in the days of their youth_; so that they may offer him the first…
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As soon as she had learned to write, she seldom failed noting down whatever appeared useful in any author she read; and having a very retentive memory, she stored it with scripture truths, so that many of her relatives and others, were greatly surprised at her readiness in repeating, and finding out almost any text in …
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Thus though young in years, she contemplated her latter end, and applied her heart unto true wisdom, and is now reaping the vast advantage in a blest eternity. She was so exercised in the needful duty of self-inspection, as to discern the imperfection of her best performances, and utterly to disclaim every other hope o…
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Friday 4. I awoke with some degree of comfort, and had my thoughts stayed on the things of God. I found a desire, while I heard the book of martyrs read, of being like them; but could not submit to die for the truth as they did; it seemed too great a trial to flesh and blood: yet I trust was the Lord to call me to it, …
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Wednesday 16. I arose this morning with some degree of recollection and stayedness upon my spirit. It partly continued all the day; but in the evening, yielding to levity, I lost it. Lord, give me power over a trifling spirit! Give me a continual sense of thy presence! Then I shall not easily yield to this or any other…
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Monday 4. This morning we experienced God’s providential care over us; for the chimney of the little parlour took fire, and might have done great mischief had it not been discovered in time. Thus the Lord took care of us ♦where we knew of no danger, and could not take care of ourselves. ♦ “when” replaced with “where” …
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Sunday 24. Mr. Murry, preached from _Numbers xxiii. 10_. _Let me die the death of the righteous_, &c. O may I not only die his death, but also live his life; for indeed ’tis impossible to do the former, unless we first do the latter. Saturday 30. Mr. F――――l, in the evening preached on _John xx. 19_. _Peace be unto you…
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Saturday 27. I was in a very cold dead frame all the day, and when I retired to prayer in the evening, I found no life, but still I had the blessing of waiting upon God, and an earnest desire and panting in my soul for faith, tho’ I could not utter a word. Lord, let me never rest till I get this pearl of great price in…
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*Sunday 26. In the afternoon we went to Mrs. _C――――s_ to see the corpse of her daughter. I was not at all shocked at the sight, but it brought many serious reflections to my mind. How is she who not many months ago was in all the bloom and vigour of youth, cut down like a flower! So, just so, thought I, must I shortly …
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Friday 21. In the evening I went to the chapel; there was no preaching, but a private meeting. Having been much refreshed, especially in the singing that hymn _Wrestling Jacob_, I had no reason to repent going. My desires were much enlarged after God, with a hatred to sin. O that I may indeed forsake it, and hate it as…
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Monday 19. I was much disordered with a violent cold in my head, and so I continued all Tuesday and Wednesday, that I scarce could read, or pray, or do any thing else, as I would have done. But praised be God, my mind was kept in a sweet composed frame, and I had much of the spirit of prayer. O the goodness of God to m…
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Monday 21. I arose this morning with an earnest desire, and a determination by the grace of God to give myself up to him. O may I never, never rest, till I fully rest in him. Tuesday 22. My soul was in a serious frame, but in the evening I gave so much way to an inordinate desire after a foolish thing, that my mind wa…
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Saturday 14. This day, as well as the day before, my body was much disordered. In the evening when I retired, I was humbled under a sense of past mercies received, and my own unfaithfulness to God. Sometimes I am all alive, I am so in earnest, so diligent in the means, and take such delight in them! Then one thing, or …
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Tuesday 7. This day I found great enlargement in prayer, which made me perform that duty with much pleasure: but when my soul is dead, it is a most burthensome task. Thursday 9. I went to chapel. Mr. _R――――s_ preached on _Psalms xxxiv. 14_. _Seek peace and ensue it._ The sermon was tedious, and I so cold, that I was q…
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Friday 31. I was much tempted to fretfulness this morning, but thro’ mercy was restrained from letting it break out into words or actions, thanks be to God for this; as also that I found a degree of liberty in prayer. Monday, February 3. When I awoke this morning, I found an earnest desire to spend the day to the glor…
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Wednesday, April 2. The Rev. Mr. _Wesley_ gave us his company to tea, and afterwards preached on _Romans viii. 33, 34_. I found my mind very wandering. The next evening he preached again on _John v. 8, 9_. Jesus _saith unto him, rise take up thy bed and walk_. I found a blessing this evening though I sought it not as I…
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Sunday 27. Mr. _M――――s_ preached on _Matthew xi. 20, 30_. _Take my yoke upon you_, &c. O what would I not give to be enabled so to do! But alas as yet I am like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. O Lord, help me this day to take thy sweet yoke upon me, and learn of thee, for I am truly convinced that till then, I shal…
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Sunday 25. In the evening Mr. _M――――_ made a sweet Discourse on _Acts xvi. 30_. _Sirs, what must I do to be saved?_ Indeed I thought I had power to believe, I found the blessing nigh; but O my faithless heart drew back and lost the precious pearl. Unbelief again prevailed and left me helpless, but blessed be God, not a…
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Sunday 29. In the morning Mr. _R――――_’s text was in _Romans viii. 32_. _He that spared not his own son_, &c. O these encouraging, these heart reviving words! Why, O my soul art thou so backward to believe the promises of God? Surely he is not a man, that can deceive thee. O then believe the record true. Then, and not t…
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Sunday 24. I was some part of this day employed in reading Mr. _Morgan’s crucified Jesus_. O that I could copy after my afflicted, self-denying Master! He never sought to please himself; but alas for me, how seldom is it I seek to please any other! Lord, forgive me: let me learn to deny myself, take up my cross and fol…
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“None but Christ to me be given, None by Christ in earth or heaven.” Sunday 23. I found my soul much quickened in private duty to-day. O how good is it to draw nigh to God, and yet how loath am I to do it! Sunday 30. In reading the scripture, and one of the volumes of the Library, I found a degree of enlargement, and…
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Sunday 28. This morning the family went to the house of God, but a violent cold confined me at home; however, the Lord was present there also, for my soul was greatly refreshed in private duty. Indeed all the day I found great sweetness and comfort in my soul, though my cold unfitted me for any set waiting upon God. W…
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Friday 17. This day being Good-Friday, we went to the sacrament at the Cathedral, but in no means whether public or private, was my soul blest, tho’ I found great attention to the sermon preached by Mr. _G――――d_ in the evening, upon the words with which our once dying, tho’ now ever living Saviour closed his suffering,…
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♠ “better” replaced with “be better” per Errata Lord shall my soul be carried by angels into _Abraham_’s bosom, or hurried by fiends into endless torments! Lord ’tis true, I am a great sinner; but Jesus is an Almighty Saviour. I entirely renounce all dependence upon myself. “This all my hope, and all my plea, For me …
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Thursday 19. The committing a known sin, threw me into exquisite distress, so that I hardly dared to go to prayer, and Satan making the best of his opportunity sorely wounded me; yea, had slain me, had not the sinner’s friend stept in to rescue me, and given me hope. This hope was confirmed in meeting my class on Tuesd…
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[This illness, after a day or two, much increased, and appeared to be a putrid fever: but her mind continued stayed upon God. About a fortnight, after she was taken, she expressed a full confidence in him, being wholly delivered from the fear of death. A few days after, her speech and hearing were taken away, by the vi…
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4. A few more circumstances relating to this amiable woman, may not be unacceptable to the reader. _Elizabeth_, the daughter of _William_ and _Joan Tuck_, was born at _Penzance_, _December 20, 1734_. She was brought to _Redruth_, when about four years old, and as she grew up, lived as other harmless people did. _June 3…
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Friday 16. Blessed be God, he has shewn me to-day my weakness and helplessness more than ever. I am amazed to see the greatness of God, as well as his unbounded love in Christ Jesus, I see, that unless he save me by free grace, I must perish for ever. This morning I can believe he has given me the blessing. Glory be to…
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Monday 9. Blessed be God, I can still believe. Satan thrusts sore at me with his fiery darts. But they have no point: they cannot enter my soul: the Lord keeps me in the trying hour. Thursday 12. I rose with new desires to seek the Lord, and I found him at the morning preaching. After dinner, some of our neighbours we…
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Saturday 5. I went to bring home my little child from my mother-in-law’s. On the road I called to see a neighbour, who asked for my husband and mother. I said, without thinking, they gave their service to her. But how was I surprised, as soon as the words were out of my mouth! I cried to God for pardon, yet continued i…
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Tuesday 12. Some part of the day, I was dull and heavy; till I cried to the Lord, and he quickened me. In the afternoon, when the maid spoke, I felt lightness flashing on me as quick as lightning. But the Lord lifted up his standard against it: and it went as quick as it came. May he keep me from it as from the greates…
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*Sunday 15. After I went to bed, I was much distrest, for cutting a ribband to wear. I was never till now convinced, that it was prophaning the Lord’s-day: blessed be God for convincing now! O what trouble was I in for a quarter of an hour! But I cried to God, and he rose on my soul again. May he abide therein, till ti…
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Wednesday 29. Blessed be God, Christ has been exceeding precious to me to-day. O how my heart was enlarged to poor souls! If I could have my liberty, I would spend all the time in the service of God, and have nothing to do with the world. Yet I see my own helplessness more and more, and that it is of pure love I am out…
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Monday 31. Blessed be God, that I am out of hell, that I have hope of seeing him in glory, and that he gives me now to commune with him, even as a man with his friend. Yet I want to be more watchful over my words. I believe it is my privilege to speak no more words than are necessary, and to the glory of God. The Lord …
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Friday 16. I had reasoning about going to church, whether it was _necessary_ to go so often? But when I brought it to the word of God, I saw, after we have done all, we are unprofitable servants. Lord let me resist him stedfast in the faith. Thursday 22. Yesterday I was troubled concerning one of our brethren; but res…
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Saturday, August 2. I have been for several days much disordered in body. In my illness I had hardly power to pray, or to do any thing. O may I prize health more, and make full use of it, when the Lord sends it. Glory be to God, I had no fear of death, and no anxious care for my children. I only wanted more power to pr…
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Monday 24. I was calm and serene all this day, and had power to restrain my words. But in the evening I was much tempted, when one told me, Mr. _Mason_ designed to make me leader of a band. I found it hard to leave my sisters, and harder still to undertake so important a charge. When he gave me the paper the next day, …
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Sunday 18. Blessed be God, I have to-day found much life and light in my soul at church. And I had a solemn time, in accompanying the relicks of sister _Harris_ to the grave. We fulfilled our promise, in singing her body to church, as we did her soul to glory. I was afterwards tempted both to lightness and to impatienc…
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Wednesday 8. I want to have every thought brought into obedience to Christ: And to feel continually the awful sense of the presence of the great God! I have had a thankful and a melting heart, to think what blessed helps my children have in their tender years; and indeed, in looking back on my own life, and on the bles…
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Saturday 11. At a funeral, I was much tempted to look at those who were still in their sins, and to prefer myself before them. But presently it came, _Who maketh thee to differ?_ For a moment I sunk almost into despair. But I thought on the love of God, and received comfort. So busy is the enemy, first to lift us up, a…
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Monday 2. When I waked, my husband soon began talking to me about worldly business. It was lawful, but I quickly found it was not expedient: For I had not so much power to pray as usual. But, in the evening, blessed be God, I waited upon him in a sweet, calm peace, at the preaching. Only I found a little reasoning, “Wh…
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Wednesday 30. Though I was greatly burthened in body, I enjoyed much peace of mind. But I was desirous, that those who had so highly dishonoured God should be openly expelled from us. Lord, lay thy mighty hand upon them, and sink them into deep repentance, that they may cry mightily to God, that he may enable them to r…
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2. On February 14, 1747. Her husband brought her to _Dublin_. But she was still the same: “I do not remember, said she, that I had any thought, whether I had a soul or not, till I was about twenty-eight years old.” At that time she began to reflect with terror, on the immortality of her soul. She saw and felt, that hel…
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8. During the last ten years of her life, she had many and great conflicts. The sense of inbred sin, and of her having so many times offended God, after she had known his love, often lay heavy upon her mind, and pierced her with deep sorrow. The earnest desire of her soul was, to be wholly given up to God. But she was …
879 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.