Wesley Corpus

To Ebenezer Blackwell LIVERPOOL, July 14, 1764. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1764) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR SIR,--My brother informs me that you have been so extremely ill that your life was hardly expected. [Blackwell lived till 1782.] I really am under apprehensions lest that chariot should cost you your life. If, after having been accustomed to ride on horseback for many years, you should now exchange an horse for a carriage, it cannot be that you should have good health. It is a vain thing to expect it. I judge of your case by my own. I must be on horseback for life, if I would be healthy. Now and then, indeed, if I could afford it, I should rest myself for fifty miles in a chaise; but without riding near as much as I do now, I must never look for health. [In 1772 Wesley's friends bought him a carriage 'to prevent my riding on horseback, which I cannot do quite so well since an hurt which I got some months ago.' See Journal, v. 447.] In the meantime I trust both Mrs. Blackwell and you are looking for health of a nobler kind. You look to be filled with the spirit of love and of an healthful mind. What avails everything else everything that passes away as an arrow through the air The arrow is flown! The moment is gone! The millennial year Rushes on to the view, and eternity's here! [Hymns for New Year's Day. See Poetical Works of J. and C. Wesley, vi. 14.] You want nothing more of this world. You have enough, and (by the peculiar blessing of God) know you have. But you want a thousand times more faith. You want love; you want holiness. The Lord God supply all your wants from the riches of His mercy in Christ Jesus!--I am, dear sir, Your very affectionate servant. Next week I shall set my face toward Bristol.