Wesley Corpus

To Mary Cooke Date: LONDON, December 12, 1786. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1786) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR SISTER AND FRIEND, - Once or twice I have been a little out of order this autumn; but it was only for a day or two at a time. In general my health has been better for these last ten years than it ever was for ten years together since I was born. Ever since that good fever which I had in the North of Ireland, [In 1775.] I have had, as it were, a new constitution. All my pains and aches have forsaken me, and I am a stranger even to weariness of any kind. This is the Lord's doing, and it may well be marvelous in all our eyes. You oblige me much (and so your very dear sisters) by being so solicitous about my health: I take it as a mark of your sincere affection. Meantime I wonder at you I I am almost ashamed that you should love me so well. It is plain how little you know me. I am glad to find that the hunger and thirst after righteousness which God has given you does not abate. His promise cannot fail. You shall be filled, yea satisfied therewith. But when you express it, not many will understand you, except Mrs. Bailward [Of Bradford-on-Avon. See Journal, vii. 434-5.] and our dear Betsy Jolmson. [Miss Johnson, of Bristol. See Wesley's Veterans, vi. 101; and letters of Dec. 15, 1763, and Nov. 7, 1788 (to Brackenbury).] However, do not fall to encourage all the believers round about you to press on to this mark. Some will gladly receive the word of exhortation; and surely a few witnesses will be raised up. I cannot tell you how much I am Yours.