such occasions his wife always
used to send her servants to bed, and sat up herself; to await the return
of her husband. When at last he came, she used to receive him most kindly,
never reproach him in the least, either at the time or afterwards, nor
complain at all on account of his late hours, by which she was kept from
seasonable rest. Moreover, if it should be needful to assist him in
undressing himself, when he had drunk to excess, she would do this also in
a very kind and meek way. Thus it went on for a long time. One evening,
this gentleman was again, as usual, in a wine-house, and having tarried
there with his merry companions till midnight, he said to them: "I bet,
that if we go to my house, we shall find my wife sitting up and waiting
for me, and she herself will come to the door and receive us very kindly;
and if I ask her to prepare us a supper, she will do it at once without
the least murmur, or unkind expression, or look." His companions in sin
did not believe his statement. At last, however, after some more
conversation about this strange statement, (as it appeared to them,) it
was agreed that they would all go, to see this kind wife. Accordingly they
went, and, after they had knocked, found the door immediately opened by
the lady herself, and they were all courteously and kindly received by
her. The party having entered, the master of the house asked his wife to
prepare supper for them, which she, in the meekest way, at once agreed to
do; and, after awhile, supper was served by herself; without the least
sign of dissatisfaction, or murmur, or complaint. Having now prepared all
for the company, she retired from the party to her room. When she had left
the party, one of the gentlemen said: "What a wicked and cruel man you
are, thus to torment so kind a wife." He then took his hat and stick, and,
without touching a morsel of the supper, went away. Another made a similar
remark, and left, without touching the supper. Thus one after another
left, till they were all gone, without tasting the supper. The master of
the house was now left alone, and the Spirit of God brought before him all
his dreadful wickedness, and especially his great sins towards his wife;
and the party had not left the house half an hour, before he went to his
wife's room, requesting her to pray for him, told her that he felt himself
a great sinner, and asked her forgiveness for all his behaviour towards
her. From that time he became a discipl