Wesley Corpus

DEAR SAMMY, There is but one possible way to gain the victory: conquer desire, and you will conquer fear. But as long as you are a slave you must be a coward. Be free therefore, or you can't be bold. Never write to that person at all, nor of her The reference is to his love affairs. See letter of March 14.; and continue instant in prayer. Cut off the right hand and cast it from you; otherwise you will be a poor dastardly wretch all your days, and one sin will punish another till the day of grace is at an end. I am Your affectionate brother. To Ebenezer Blackwell MARLBOROUGH, March 1, 1756. DEAR SIR, I hope the enclosed See next letter, which was probably enclosed to Blackwell to be forwarded to James West. will do, for I have not leisure to alter it any more. To make professions does not belong to me; it is quite foreign to my character. Let those who mean nothing talk like Goneril and Regan in King Lear. Wesley knew his Shakespeare, and annotated the fine quarto copy presented to him by a gentleman in Dublin. The two unworthy daughters make great professions: Goneril: Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty. Regan: I . . . find I am alone felicitate In your dear highness's love. By God's help I will do what a good subject ought. Wishing Mrs. Blackwell and you all health of soul and body, I am, dear sir, Your affectionate servant. To James West 9 MARLBOROUGH, March 1, 1756. SIR, A few days since, Mr. Whitefield and I desired a friend to ask your advice, to whom it would be proper to make an offer of rafting a company of volunteers for His Majesty's service. We apprehended the number would be about five hundred, Finding Mr. Whitefield has since been persuaded that such an offer is premature, I am constrained to make the following independently of him: To raise for His Majesty's service at least two hundred volunteers, to be supported by contributions among themselves; and to be ready in case of an invasion to act for a year (if needed so long) at His Majesty's pleasure; only within . . . miles of London.