Wesley Corpus

To Samuel Bardsley BOLTON, April 3, 1772. DEAR SAMMY,--I am glad you are got into your circuit again. [Bardsley was now in the Derbyshire Circuit.] Now put forth all your strength. Never be ashamed of the old Methodist doctrine. Press all believers to go on to perfection. Insist everywhere on the second blessing as receivable in a moment, and receivable now, by simple faith. Read again the Plain Account of Christian Perfection. And strive always to converse in a plain, unaffected manner.-- I am, dear Sammy, Yours affectionately. To Philothea Briggs WHITEHAVEN, April 12, 1772. Your affections were apt to be too impetuous, and sometimes uneven too; but nature yields to healing grace, which I trust has made you both more calm and more steady. [See letter of Sept. 13, 1771.] And what will it not make you if you persevere All that is amiable, holy and happy! Already He that loves you gives you a taste of what He has prepared for you. Let patience have its perfect work, and you shall be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. See that you make the best of life! The time is short! To his Brother Charles PERTH, April 26, 1772. DEAR BROTHER,--I meant Mr. Buller. [See letter of March 25.] I have not been at Leeds; so I can give you no account of the matter. I find by long experience it comes exactly to the same point, to tell men they shall be saved from all sin when they die; or to tell them it may be a year hence, or a week hence, or any time but now. Our word does not profit, either as to justification or sanctification, unless we can bring them to expect the blessing while we speak. I hope Fox [John Fox, of London. See Journal, v. 5.] is in peace. But he had no business there. I suppose the madman was another of the name. I am glad you have done justice to Mrs. Blackwell's [She died on March 27. Charles had written some memorial verses, which are given in his Journal, ii. 383-9.] memory. I do not believe either Brother Wildman or any other spoke those words. I cannot believe it at all, unless you or Brother Mather heard them. Many tell you tales of that sort which are not true at all.