Wesley Corpus

I have not time to write to you so full and so plain upon the point as I have written in the sermons that are printed. I have a thousand other things to do, and I have said all I can say. Here is a precipice on each side. To say every man can believe to justification or sanctification when he will is contrary to plain matter of fact. Every one can confute it by his own experience. And yet if you deny that every man can believe if he will, you run full into absolute decrees. How will you untie this knot? I apprehend very easily. That every man may believe if he will I earnestly maintain, and yet that he can believe when he will I totally deny. But there will be always something in the matter which we cannot well comprehend or explain.--I am, &c. To William Ripley [22] WESTMINSTER, November 13, 1777. DEAR BILLY,--It is well if the houses both at Driffield and Guisborough be not too small. Mr. Atlay will send you a complete set of my Works. If you increase in substance, you are in great danger of decreasing in grace. Treacle-plasters would very probably prevent that crackling of the joints. To prevent worldly-mindedness be as much employed in the work of God as you possibly can. Peace be with you and yours!--I am, dear Billy, Your affectionate brother. To Mr. Will. Ripley, In Whitby, Yorkshire. To Mary Bishop LONDON, November 16, 1777. DEAR MISS BISHOP,--You have entirely taken away my fear (indeed, not a vehement one) of your following the example of poor Miss Flower and connecting yourself with the Quakers. [See letters of Oct. 22, 1777, and May 15, 1778, to her.] I am glad you are not tossed to and fro even by those you love well, and hope you will always say, ' I am a friend to Socrates and to Plato, but much more to truth.'