I Hardly Ever So Longed

My Disorder Has Been Attended With Several Symptoms Of A Consumption; And I Have Been At Times Apprehensive That My Great Change Was At Hand: Yet Blessed Be God, I Have Never Been Affrighted; But, On The Contrary, At Times Much Delighted With A View Of Its Approach.

In Prayer I Was Exceedingly Enlarged, And My Soul Was As Much Drawn Out As I Ever Remember It To Have Been In My Life. I Was In Such Anguish, And Pleaded With So Much Earnestness And Importunity, That When I Rose From My Knees I Felt Extremely Weak And Overcome; I Could Scarce Walk Straight; My Joints Were Loosed; The Sweat Ran Down My Face And Body; And Nature Seemed As If It Would Dissolve.

I Longed To Be A Flame Of Fire Continually Glowing In The Divine Service And Building Up Of Christ's Kingdom To My Last And Dying Breath.

As The Most Extravagant Errors Were Received Among The Established Articles Of Their Faith, So The Most Infamous Vices Obtained In Their Practice, And Were Indulged Not Only With Impunity, But Authorized By The Sanction Of Their Laws.

My Soul Often Mourned Of More Time And Opportunity To Be Alone With God