[¹] He was then going to England the third, and which was the last time.
“Meeting the penitents, I could hardly speak in the last prayer, I was so overpowered with the presence and majesty of God.”
“I rose early this morning, after watering my pillow with my tears more than ever I remember to have done before.”
“Throughout the various exercises of the day I had strong assurance, that the Lord would eternally save me; especially as I sat at dinner, conversing with my brethren of the things of God.”
“Having this evening to myself without preaching (a rare thing with him) I shut myself up, and sought the Lord with prayers and tears. Shew me, my Lord, thy glory, or let me die that I may see thee! If I cannot perfectly love thee, and do thy will upon earth, send for me and take my soul to heaven. But Lord, God, hast thou not spoken by Moses, Deuteronomy xxx. 6. and by Ezekiel xxxiv. 23–32. If these are thy words and promises, I pray and plead, that they may be fulfilled in me, according to their utmost extent, O come and baptize me with fire!”
“At prayer with some friends, the Lord applied powerfully to my heart, ‘Go and sin no more!’ Now the Lord has answered for himself. I believe it is his will, that from this moment I should sin no more! and that I should have such a faith, as never to depart from Christ in thought, word, or deed; that so, being inseparably one with him I should walk in the spirit, and sing and praise him evermore! Angels praise my Saviour!”
“1757. Sunday. All the day I was happy in my Lord, rejoicing in confidence that he would save me eternally. I could pray, and love, and weep.”
“It was a day of great blessing, and of great trials. I came home through much snow and rain. But it was all sweet with Christ. I called on the strong for strength; and after meditation, lay down in peace.”
“Thursday. I employed all the day in reading the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, save some time which I spent in endeavouring to convince a man, that there is salvation for a person though he does not make use of the church liturgy.”
“With a heart full of matter, I preached on Ephesians vi. 11. I could truly say, that the law of thy mouth is dearer unto me, than thousands of gold and silver.”