Observations placeholder
Wesley, John - Journal 23rd October, 1739 - Dealing with a case of possession
Identifier
024648
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
23rd October, 1739. Returning in the evening, I was extremely pressed to go back to a young woman (Sally Jones) in Kingswood. The fact I nakedly relate, and leave every man to his own judgement on it. I went.
She was nineteen or twenty years old; but, it seems, could not write or read. I found her on the bed, two or three persons holding her. It was a terrible sight.
Anguish, horror and despair, above all description, appeared in her pale face. The thousand distortions of her whole body showed how the dogs of hell were gnawing her heart. The shrieks intermixed were scarce to be endured. But her stony eyes could not weep. She screamed out, as soon as words could find their way,'I am damned, damned; lost for ever. Six days ago you might have helped me . . . I have (now) given myself to him. His I am. Him I must serve. With him I must go to hell. I will be his. I will serve him. I will go with him to hell. I cannot be saved. I will not be saved. I must, I will, I will be damned.'
She then began praying to the devil . . .
We continued in prayer till past eleven; when God in a moment spoke peace into her soul, first of the first tormented, and then of the other. And they both joined in singing praise to Him who had 'stilled the enemy and the avenger'.