“_Sunday._ This was a glorious day indeed. Great and marvellous were the blessings which God bestowed upon me. He blesses me in every duty: all is useful; all works together for my good. I go on my way singing the hundred and thirty-eighth psalm, _They shall sing in the ways of the Lord; for great is the glory of the Lord_.”
“Jesus was with me in all I did. He gave me light, love, help, joy, peace, and strength in all. In his Spirit I went to rest.”
*“Wherever I was, and in whatsoever I did, my soul delighted in God: never had I deeper, or more sweet manifestations of his gracious presence. I could not but praise him, and thirst for more perfect union with him! Surely this is the foretaste of glory! O if Christians did but rightly understand the nature, power, and extent of _the kingdom of God_ in the soul, I am persuaded they would not rest satisfied with bare pardon of sin, and some joy and peace, when they may have perfect and uninterrupted rest! If once sin be totally destroyed, and the Spirit filled with the light, and love of God, it is then neither hurt nor hindred, by any person or thing; but steddily goes on its heavenly journey, united to Christ, more and more daily. _It does not yet appear what we shall be_, even in this world.”
*“O Christ, What hast thou done for me! What shall I say of, or unto thee? This I say, that I love thee! O let it be with all my heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. At intercession, I felt such a degree of the presence of God, as utterly amazed me. O glorious Lord, how shall I bless thee!”
*“My heart continually rested in God, and drank of the living waters; yea, my very body was supported by the joy wherewith my soul was refreshed: so that after preaching three times to-day, beside visiting the sick, and well; my strength was more than when I rose in the morning.”
“_Friday._ A day of fasting (a frequent practice of his.) At prayer my soul was greatly humbled before God. Entire resignation, without much joy, was the state of my heart this day.”
“_Saturday, March 12, 1757._ Preparing for a short journey to-day, and laying up my books, I felt some little distraction. I could bless God however, that I had not money to lay up. Alas, for the rich of this world: how are they to be pitied! How hardly can they be saved? Jesus, make and keep me poor in spirit; nor suffer this world ever to defile me. Suffer not my soul to cleave to the dust, but cause all my affections to flow towards thyself. I would not live upon earth. I desire, pray, and labour, that my heart may be in heaven, with Christ my head.”
“_Sunday 13._ I conversed with one to-day, who told me, that for fourteen years last past, she never found any unhappiness, but always rejoiced in the love of God. Before and after sacrament, I found such desire, as almost made my heart break. My soul and flesh cried, mourned and wept for the perfect love of God. There is a beauty and excellence in holiness, which has quite won my heart.”
“All day, both in reading, prayer, and conversation, I felt something of that promise, John iv. 14. I look for religion to possess, and entirely change me. I see and feel, that Christianity is something divine, living, generous, powerful, and internal. It is _God dwelling in the soul of man_, 2 Corinthians vi. 16.”
*“_Friday 18._ I prayed, and read till twelve. My body began then to complain. It does not like fasting; but my soul did banquet on the rich delicacies of the love and promises of God. I am in the way to heaven; but I want a heavenly nature, heaven _within_ me. My soul can be satisfied with nothing less than God. Jesus, my dear Jesus, let me ever esteem thy blood, and righteousness above the whole world! Through thee I come to God. By thee I enter heaven. Thou art heaven.”
“My heart was penetrated with the goodness and love of God. I see still more clearly, that love is the fulfilling of the law――supreme, constant, and perfect love of God, and pure benevolent love to the whole of human kind.”
Happy soul, when once renew’d, God in thee, and thou in God, Only feel’st within thee move Tenderness, compassion, love. Love immense, and unconfin’d, Love to all of human kind, Love, which willeth all should live, Love, which all to all would give, Love, that over all prevails, Love, that never, never fails: Stand secure, for thou shalt prove All th’ eternity of love.
“There is, there _can_ be no higher, no better, no sweeter divinity than this, _My beloved is mine, and I am his_! O my soul rest in this! Be satisfied, and safe in the protecting, sanctifying, and reviving love of _Immanuel, God with me_.”