Wesley Corpus

But (2) Does not common sense teach us e malls minimum Now, I insist upon it that your falling in the street or the congregation once every month is a less evil than the shutting yourself up: so that - were it pronouncedly a voice from heaven, 'Either shut thyself up, or endure this shame once a month, or even once a week; take thy choice' - it would be wisest to choose the latter, for it is incomparably the less evil of the two. It is indisputably plain to every impartial person that, by thus cooping yourself up, you hurt your body; by want of air and exercise you weaken it continually. I wonder you have not fits every day. And you hurt your soul by neglecting the ordinances of God, which you have no authority to do unless you were sick in bed. My dear Alleck, let there be no delay! Break through! at all hazards, break through! Go out this very day, and trust God! If your mother hinders you, she will kill you with kindness; and I am not sure that it will not cost her the life of another child, though God tries milder methods first. I say again, go out to-day, and every day. It will help both your body and your soul, as well as remove a great burthen from the mind of Yours in tender affection. To Francis Wrigley LISBURN, June 11, 1785. MY DEAR BROTHER, - I am glad you are so far recovered. Do as much as you [can] and no more. You that are upon the spot are the best judges concerning William Ellis. I refer it wholly to you whether he should preach or no till I come into Cornwall myself. You cannot suffer any one to preach either at St. Austell or elsewhere that is tainted with Calvinism or Antinomianism. 'Tis far easier to prevent the plague than to cure it. - I am Your affectionate friend and brother. To Mr. Wrigley, At Mr. Flamank's, In St. Austell, Cornwall. To his Brother Charles DUBLIN, June 19, 1785.