“I was all day deeply engaged with God: wept much, and prayed earnestly, yet I had not much joy. I had a full and firm confidence that he would fulfil his word of promise to my soul. My weakness can do nothing without thy power. I lay hold on thy strength, and offer myself to thy holy will. O let me glorify thee, as well by suffering as by doing.”
“This morning I met with a woman where I breakfasted, who was exceeding happy in God. A few weeks ago I met her in the same place, but she was then utterly dead and careless. I then spoke plainly to her, and at parting, after prayer, said ‘I pray God you may never rest till you rest in Christ.’ The words were applied to her heart, and her burden increased every day, so that she was brought almost to black despair, when God revealed his love in her heart. She could now scarce tell it thro’ weeping. O what a God is the God of the Christians!”
“January 1758, Sunday 1. We met at four, and after prayer I preached on Psalms xc. 12. We had the good Mr. —— at the chapel, whose humility and fervour, more than compensated for the irregularity of his sermon. I have had much more happiness on other days, than on this sabbath, tho’ not more sincerity and resignation. I feel my weakness and confess my ignorance, and implore the wisdom and power of God.”
“After being some hours in my room, the fire from heaven went through me, and I could praise the Lord continually, for his goodness to me. I find such an impression of his power and love, as cannot be expressed in words.”
*“This whole sabbath was both a delight and honourable to me. Such revelations of God’s goodness; such manifestations of his Spirit, and such operations of his love, I never felt. My very outward man was affected and refreshed. It cannot be declared what I then felt. Oh there is much in these words, Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Whatsoever I did, the Lord made it to prosper. O holy Father, let all the hosts of heaven praise and adore thy name!”
“God is love. This is the foundation of all my hopes. I feel much shame, because of my infirmities; but I have also sweet consolations.”
“I was seized with a violent pain in my stomach, and was exceeding ill; however by the mercy and power of God, I went through the duties of the day with delight, and could thank God for pain, so as I never could before.”
“As I read my Greek testament this morning, my soul magnified the Lord for the description, and progress of his work, contained in the acts of the apostles. And while I am now writing, my soul is so cheared with the fire of love, as I cannot describe, unless to such as experience the same.”
“Lord, I have not publickly preached for thee this day, but I have had many blessings from thee, and mine heart has been in thy work. I beseech thee bless the labours of thy more faithful servants, whom I have heard.”
*“I have great cause to praise God, that I am free from worldly care. Surely I was appointed to this work in which I am engaged. O that I may obtain mercy of the Lord, to be found faithful! O Jesus, plead thou my cause in the heavens, and fill me with thy grace here upon earth. All my hope of heaven stands in thee! O shew me, if there be ought in me which thou abhorrest? And let me hear thee say, ‘Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee.’”