Wesley Corpus

To Ellen Gretton Date: LAMBETH, February 12, 1782. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1782) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER, -- If it pleases God to visit us with adversity, undoubtedly He will send a blessing with it. It will be for our profit, a means of weaning us from the world and uniting us more closely to Him. And if afterwards He changes it for prosperity, this also will be for good. It is our wisdom to improve the present state, be it one or the other. With what will be we have nothing to do. We need take no thought for the morrow. As yet I do not see my way clear, but wait for farther evidence, before I can determine whether I should put out toward Ireland or Scotland. If I do set out for Ireland and am driven back again, [As he had been in April 1781. See letter of May 8 of that year.] I shall say, Good is the will of the Lord. ‘With good advice make war.’ Do not hastily engage in anything so far that you cannot retreat. One would be particularly wary in that circumstance, which, as Prior observed, Slay or strife, Is all the color of remaining life. [Prior’s Solomon, ii. 234-5: ‘Love Why ’tis joy or sorrow, peace or strife; ‘Tis all the color of remaining life.’] Concerning this especially be much in prayer, and the unction of the Holy One will guide you. -- I am, my dear Nelly, Yours very affectionately. My kind love to Sister Fisher and Brother Derry. [See letter of Jan. 5 to Miss Gretton.]