Wesley Corpus

WESTMINSTER, November 15, 1775. MY DEAR SISTER,--I cannot immediately give an answer to your question, because we have not yet received an answer from the Committee for letting the City lands. If they grant our petition and allow us a piece of ground to build on (as it is most probable they will), there will be no time for any one to come to London in hope of procuring money for other buildings. Our friends will certainly give all that they can spare toward erecting a new Foundery, and all will be little enough. One great difference between the outward and inward work of God is, inward holiness is mostly instantaneous, given in a large degree at the moment when we are justified, or when we are sanctified or saved from inbred sin; but outward holiness is mostly gradual--wrought by little and little while we deny ourselves and take up our cross and work together with Him. I think you would do well to have a thorough consultation with two or three of our friends that understand the world. Certainly these might be found in or near Leeds. And whatever was then judged best should be speedily and rigorously put in execution.--I am, my dear sister, Your ever affectionate brother. To John Valton [30] DEPTFORD, November 20, 1775. MY DEAR BROTHER,--We had hardly any frost last winter; perhaps you will have little more the ensuing. I am commonly more pinched by the November cold than by that which comes after Christmas. But, be that as it may, our wisdom is to take no thought for the morrow. And with every temptation that comes to-day there is a way to escape. You are just in your place, doing and suffering the will of your Lord in the way to which He has called you. Go on in His name and in the power of His might. Exhort all men to believe in Him now, and all believers now to grasp the prize, to look for Christ in a pure and sinless heart--I am Your affectionate brother. To Mr. John Valton, At Mr. Hans', In High Wycombe. To Ann Bolton LONDON, November 26, 1775.