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John Wesley's Journal, Wednesday May 24th
1738:
What occurred on Wednesday the 24th, I think best
to relate at large, after premissing what may
make it the better understood. Let him that
cannot receive it ask of the Father of lights
that He would give more light both to him and me.
I think it was about five this morning, that I
opened my Testament on those words, 'There are
given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises even that ye should be partakers of
the divine nature' (2 Peter i.4). Just as I went out I opened
it again on those words, 'Thou art not far from the kingdom
of God.' In the afternoon I was asked to go to St. Paul's. The
anthem was, 'Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord:
Lord, hear my voice. O let Thine ears consider well the voice
of my complaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what
is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? But there is mercy
with Thee; therefore thou shalt be feared. O Israel, trust in the
Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is
plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from
all his sins.
In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society
in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading
Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the
Romans. About a quarter before nine, while
he was describing the change which God works in the
heart through faith in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an
assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even
mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
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