Wesley Corpus

DEAR BROTHER, I perceive verba fiunt mortuo Plautus's Poenulus, IV. ii. 18: 'Words are wasted on a dead man.'; so I say no more about your coming to London. Here stand I; and I shall stand, with or without human help, if God is with me. Yesterday Mr. Madan and I with a few more gave the full hearing to the famous Turk and his associate. See letter of Feb. 8. He is an exquisite wretch; was originally a Spanish Jew, afterwards a Turk, then a Papist, then a Jew again, then a Protestant, and now at last (under Mr. Lombardi's wing) a zealous Papist! Concerning his companion we are still in doubt. We fear he is little better; though we cannot prove it. Mr. Gaussen tells us the stroke will come to-morrow evening; the rest say not till Monday. The earthquake which Bell prophesied. The Gaussens were London friends. See C. Wesley's Journal, ii, 217; and previous letter. Let us live to-day! I labor for peace; but they still make themselves ready for battle. Peace be with you and yours! Adieu! To his Brother Charles LONDON, March 6, 1763. DEAR BROTHER, To-morrow I set out for Norwich, which I have delayed as long as possible. I am likely to have rough work there; but the turbulent spirits must bend or break. He spent 'a few quiet, comfortable days . . . without any jar or contention.' See Journal, v. 10. That story of Thomas Maxfield is not true. But I doubt more is true than is good. He is a most incomprehensible creature. I cannot convince him that separation is any evil, or that speaking in the name of God when God has not spoken is any more than an innocent mistake. I know not what to say to him or do with him. He is really mali caput et fons.See letter of Dec. 23, 1762. Mr. Neal has grievously peached his associates. But I shall not hastily saddle myself with him and his seven children. The week after Easter week I hope to visit the classes in Bristol, or the week following. James Morgan is love-sick, John Jones physic-sick: so that I have scarce one hearty helper but La. Coughlan. Lawrence Coughlan. See letters of March 6, 1759 (to Matthew Lowes), and Aug. 27, 1768. We join in love to you both. Adieu! To Samuel Furly