Wesley Corpus

To Elizabeth Ritchie Date: LONDON, August 12, 1776. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1776) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR BETSY,--To talk of ' thinking without ideas' is stark nonsense. Whatever is presented to your mind is an idea; so that to be without ideas is not to think at all. Seeing, feeling, joy, grief, pleasure, pain are ideas. Therefore to be without ideas is to be without either sense or reason. Mr.---- certainly does not understand the word; he mistakes it for images. O desire nothing different in nature from love! There is nothing higher in earth or heaven. Whatever he speaks of which seems to be higher is either natural or preternatural enthusiasm. Desire none of those extraordinaries. Such a desire might be an inlet to a thousand delusions. I wish your desires may all center in that: I want the witness, Lord, That all I do is right! According to Thy will and word, Well pleasing in Thy sight! I ask no higher state, Indulge me but in this! And soon, or later, then translate To my eternal bliss. You say Satan had laid a snare for you. What snare was that I am concerned in whatever concerns you. 0 continue to remember in all your prayers Yours most affectionately.