Wesley Corpus

So far God has brought you already. You do believe He is able and willing to save you. You believe He is willing to save you now. The additional faith that He does save you is still wanting, and this is peculiarly His own gift. Expect it every moment, in every ordinance, in prayer, in hearing, in conversation, in the Lord's Supper, in reading, perhaps in reading this letter. Look up! All is ready; why not now Only believe, and yours is heaven. [This letter is at the end of a volume of James Oddie's sermons in MS.] To Philothea Briggs LEWISHAM, December 3, 1772. MY DEAR PHILLY,--You are yourself a living witness of this religion. But it is only in a low degree. I grant you are only just beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable blessing that He shows you this in so clear and strong a light. And undoubtedly He is able to make you just as serious as Miss March or Nancy Bolton; and yet this is consistent with much cheerfulness. You shall have more or less of reproach, as He chooses. Your part is to leave all in His hands, who orders all things well. You might very properly have said, 'Sir, I have no connexion with these. They are to answer for themselves.' Read the Short History of Methodism, [See Works, viii. 347-51; Green's Bibliography, No. 229.] and you see it plain. Go straight forward, and you shall be all a Christian! I expect that you will be more and more a comfort to, my dear Philly, Yours affectionately. To Ann Bolton LONDON, December 5, 1772. MY DEAR SISTER,--I know not that ever you asked me a question which I did not readily answer. I never heard any one mention anything concerning you on that account; but I myself was jealous over you. [See letter of Nov. 28.] Perhaps I shall find faults in you that others do not; for I survey you on every side. I mark your every motion and temper, because I long for you to be without spot or blemish.