Wesley Corpus

To Samuel Furly Date: LONDON, September 8, 1761. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1761) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR SAMMY,--I hope we have effectually provided against that evil disease the scribendi cacoethes in our preachers, as we have agreed that none shall publish anything for the time to come till he has first submitted it to the judgement of his brethren met in Conference. That is really a fine passage which you cite from Mr. Ridley. He is an excellent writer. I have often seen that text cleared up before, but never in so convincing a manner. What all our brethren think concerning that circumstance of entire sanctification--that it is instantaneous, although a gradual growth in grace both precede and follow it, you may see in the Minutes of the Conference, wherein it was freely debated. Any of the good old Puritans would have been no less amazed had they come into one of our congregations and heard us declare that God willeth every man without exception to be saved. O Sammy, shake off the disputandi cacoethes, and be a quiet, simple, loving Christian!--I am, with love to Nancy, Your affectionate friend and brother. You seem to fear receiving any hurt from Mr. Venn. Therefore I fear he does hurt you. To the Rev. Mr. Furly, At Kippax, Near Ferry Bridge, Yorks.