Wesley Corpus

To George Blackall Date: LONDON, February 25, 1783. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1783) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR BROTHER, -- St. Paul teaches that it is in heaven we are to be joined with ‘the spirits of just men made perfect,’ in such a sense as we cannot be on earth or even in paradise. In paradise the souls of good men rest from their labors and are with Christ from death to the resurrection. This bears no resemblance at all to the Popish purgatory, wherein wicked men are supposed to be tormented in purging fire till they are sufficiently purified to have a place in heaven. But we believe (as did the ancient Church) that none suffer after death but those who suffer eternally. We believe that we are to be here saved from sin and enabled to love God with all our heart. -- I am Your affectionate brother.