Wesley Corpus

To Freeborn Garrettson Date: LONDON, January 24, 1789. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1789) Author: John Wesley --- MY DEAR BROTHER, -- It signifies but little where we are, so we are but fully employed for our good Master. Whether you went, therefore, to the east, it is all one, so you were laboring to promote His work. You are following the order of His providence wherever it appeared, as an holy man strongly expressed it, in a kind of holy disordered order. But there is one expression that occurs twice or thrice in yours which gives me some concern: you speak of finding 'freedom' to do this or that. This is a word much liable to be abused. If I have plain Scripture or plain reason for doing a thing well. These are my rules, and my only rules. I regard not whether I had freedom or no. This is an unscriptural expression and a very fallacious rule. I wish to be in every point, great and small, a scriptural, rational Christian. In one instance formerly you promised to send me your Journal. Will you break your word because you do not find freedom to keep it Is not this enthusiasm O be not of this way of thinking I You know not whither it may lead you. You are called to Square your useful life below By reason and by grace. But whatever you do with regard to me you must do quickly, or you will no more in this world. Your affectionate friend and brother.