Wesley Corpus

To Elizabeth Ritchie Date: LONDON, January 19, 1782. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1782) Author: John Wesley --- It seemed a little strange to me, my dear Betsy, that I did not hear from you for so long a time. But I imputed your silence to your bodily weakness, of which several of our friends sent me word. From our brethren in various parts of England and Ireland I have very pleasing accounts of the uncommon blessings which many received at the time of renewing their covenant with God. I am glad to hear that you at Otley had your share. That point, entire salvation from inbred sin, can hardly ever be insisted upon, either in preaching or prayer, without a particular blessing. Honest Isaac Brown [The preacher at Keighley. He is named in the Deed of Declaration, and is one of four to whom Wesley left any money found in his pockets and bureau after his death.] firmly believes this doctrine, that we are to be saved from all sin in this life. But I wish, when opportunity serves, you would encourage him (1) to preach Christian perfection, constantly, strongly, and explicitly; (2) explicitly to assert and prove that it may be received now and (3) (which indeed is implied therein) that it is to be received by simple faith. In every state of mind, in that of conviction or justification or sanctification, I believe every person may either go sensibly backward, or seem to stand still, or go forward. I incline to think all the persons you mention were fully sanctified. But some of them, watching unto prayer, went on from faith to faith; while the others, being less watchful, seemed to stand still, but were indeed imperceptibly backsliding. Wishing you all may increase with all the increase of God, I am Ever yours.