Wesley Corpus

To Hannah Ball Date: SUNDERLAND, May 30, 1772. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1772) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER,--Do you not remember that fine remark in the Christian Instructions, 'Nothing is more profitable to the soul than to be censured for a good action which we have done with a single eye' [Christian Reflections, from the French, in Works (1773 ed.), p. 211, sect. 208. See Green's Bibliography, No. 295.] Mr. H[artly], then, may have profited you more than you thought. Oh, it is a blessed thing to suffer in a good cause! I was never more struck than with a picture of a man lying upon straw with this inscription, 'The true effigy of Francis Xavier, the apostle of the Indies, forsaken of all men, and dying in a cottage.' Here was a martyrdom, I had almost said, more glorious than that of St. Paul or St. Peter! O woman, remember the faith! Happy are you to whom it is given both to do and to suffer the will of God! It is by this means that He will confirm your soul against too great sensibility. It is then only too great when it hurts the body or unfits you for some part of your duty. Otherwise it is a blessed thing to sorrow after a godly sort. Whatever you read in the Life of Mr. De Renty and Gregory Lopez or the Experience of E. J. is for you. Christ is ready! all is ready! Take it by simple faith!--I am, my dear sister, Your affectionate brother.