The Danger of Riches

Fri 24 Sep 1779: James Gerrish, Junior, of Rode near Frome, was for several years zealous for God. But he too grew rich, and grew lukewarm, till he was seized with a consumption. At the approach of death, he was ‘horribly afraid’; he was ‘in the lowest darkness and in the deep’. But he ‘cried unto God in his trouble’ and was ‘delivered out of his distress’. He was filled with peace and joy unspeakable, and so continued till he went to God. His father desired I would preach his funeral sermon, which I accordingly did this day at Rode. I concluded the busy day with a comfortable watch-night at Kingswood.