Wesley Corpus

To Ann Bolton Date: LONDON, January 29, 1773. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1773) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER,--In obedience to that direction, ‘ In wickedness be ye children, but in understanding be ye men,’ I would in every respect both act and speak in the most accurate manner I could. And in speaking for God, particularly in public, we have a farther direction, ‘ If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.’ Now, in the oracles of God there is no improper expression. Every word is the very fittest that can be. If, therefore, when I am speaking in pubic or private you should observe me drop any improper expression, or if you see any such in my writing (for I often write in hast), I shall be obliged to you for telling me of it. And this I should look upon as an additional proof of your real affection for me. ‘ I would fain cure my friend,’ says that excellent man Dr. Hammond [Dr. John Hammond (died 1617), physician to James I], ‘ not only of the plague, but even of warts.’ So I would do to you. I would fain remove the Last blemish which I may at any time observe either in your temper or words or actions. Deal you so with me and with all that you love. This is not wordly but heavenly wisdom. I do not advise either Sammy Wells [Samuel Wells, then Assistant in Oxfordshire, and her brother Edward] or Neddy Bolton to use any harder words than are found in St. John’s First Epistle. But I advise both them and you to improve your understanding by every possible means. It is certain knowledge is an excellent gift of God when under the guidance of love. I thank you and our other friends for your kind assistance. As soon as it is convenient you will answer my questions. Indeed, you leave nothing undone to oblige, my dear Nancy, Yours most affectionately.