Wesley Corpus

The mighty, the important stake, And by all methods strives to make His passage safe and his reception sure. God has favored you with many advantages. You have health, strength, and a thousand outward blessings. And why should not you have all the inward blessings which God hath prepared for those that love Him You are good-humored, mild, and harmless; but unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God! But ask, and you shall receive; for it is nigh at hand. -- I am, dear Charles, Your affectionate Uncle. To his Niece Sarah Wesley. NEAR LEEDS, August 4, 1781. MY DEAR SALLY, -- Your last gave me much satisfaction, convincing me that I had not labored in vain. O trust in Him that is stronger than you l Then shall you be enabled to persevere in your resolution. Otherwise you will soon grow weary and relapse into the same dull way. Whenever it depends upon yourself, go to bed soon after ten. [See letter of July 17 to her.] But you will need, in order to do this steadily, more firmness than nature can boast; nothing less will keep you steady herein than the mighty power of God. I have been considering whether there be anything else that is an hindrance to your receiving the blessing that awaits you; and I am persuaded it will not offend you to tell you all that passes through my mind. When any young gentleman came to me at Oxford, I told him plain and downright, ‘Sir, I cannot undertake to make you either a scholar or a Christian unless you will promise me (1) to read those books which I advise, and (2) while you are my pupil read no others.’ Now, my Sally, was not this an hard condition But they soon found the advantage of it. And so would you, if you had the courage to read those books only which were recommended either by my brother or me. [See letter of Sept. 8 to her.] I want you, not to be an half but an whole Christian! Let all that mind be in you that was in Christ! And present your soul and your body a living sacrifice acceptable unto God through Him! -- I am, my dear Sally, Your most affectionate Uncle. To Members and Friends [4] August [7], 1781.