- fected much with my preaching, he was as it were become
young again, and used to say, when coming to and returning from Barn, "These are days of the Son of Man indeed!" nay, he was so animated, and so humbled, that he used to subscribe himself my Curate, and went about preaching after me in the country, from place to place. But one evening, whilst preaching, he was struck with death, and then asked for a chair to lean on 'till he concluded his sermon, when he was carried up stairs and died. O blessed God! if it be thy holy will, may my exit be like his! LETTER DXXIV. To the same.
Gloucester, June 27, 1743.
FULL of divine consolations, and at the same time, I trust, deeply sensible of my own vileness, I have just arose from the throne of grace, where I have been laying yours, my own, and the affairs of the whole church, before our common Father and our God. He was pleased to give me sweet access, and to assure me, that if he gave me his presence, he would freely give me all things; but I must wait his time and season, because that will be better for me. I have therefore just now put my soul, as a blank, into the hands of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and desired him to write upon it what he pleases. I know it will be his own image. Methinks I hear you say, Amen. I know you do from your heart; for I believe you love me in the bowels of Jesus Christ, as I do you, God knoweth. Our Saviour, by his wise providence has prevented our receiving each others letters so soon as we expected. I preached Tuesday last in the evening at Bristol, and on Wednesday twice; and once at Kingswood.—On Thursday in the morning I preached there also, and afterwards went to Bath, where I was most cordially received by Mr. C, and one Dr. H, a christian physician, and Lady C. Here our Saviour gave me fresh hints, that if I would stand still and wait his time and way, he would make even my enemies to be at peace with me. I returned in the evening to Bristol, and preached. I think it was this day the news came of his Majesty's fighting, and coming off conqueror. I had observed for
