Wesley Corpus

Soon after, a gentleman of Merton college, who was one of our little company, which now consisted of five persons, acquainted us that he had been much rallied the day before for being a member of The Holy Club; and that it was become a common topic of mirth at his college, where they had found out several of our customs, to which we were ourselves utter strangers. Upon this I consulted my father again, in whose answer were these words :-- “© December 1. “‘ This day I received both yours, and this evening, in the course of our reading, I thought I found an answer that would be more proper than any | myself could dictate; though since it will not be easily translated, I send it in the original. IWoAAy mor xavxnoig UmEp UpLwye TETANPWMO TH TapaxAnTsl, vMEpTEpITCEVoLON TH yopa:* 2 Cor. vii, 4. What would you be? Would you be angels? I question whether a mortal can arrive to a greater degree of perfection, than steadily to do good, and for that very reason patiently and meekly to suffer evil. For my part, on the present view of your actions and designs, my daily prayers are, that God would keep you humble; and then I am sure that if you continue ‘to suffer for righteousness’ sake,’ though it be but in a lower degree, ‘the Spirit of glory and of God’ shall, in some good measure, ‘rest upon you.’ Be never weary of well-doing: never lock back ; for you know the prize and the crown are before you: though * Great is my glorying of you I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful. 8 d INTRODUCTORY LETTER. { can scarce think so meanly of you, as that you would be discouragea with ‘the crackling of thorns under a pot.’ Be not high-minded, but fear. Preserve an equal temper of mind under whatever treatment you meet with from a not very just or well-natured world. Bear no more sai than is necessary, but steer steady. The less you value yourselves for these unfashionable duties, (as there is no such thing as works of supererogation,) the more all good and wise men will value you, if they see your actions are of a-piece ; or, which is infinitely more He by whom actions and intentions are weighed, will both accept, esteem, and reward you.”