Wesley Corpus

By your manner of writing you make me even more desirous of seeing my dear friend than I was before. I hope to have that pleasure next week. On Tuesday evening I expect to be at Bath (probably I shall preach about six o'clock), and on Wednesday noon at Trowbridge. And remember what I told you before! You are not to have a jot of reserve about you. I have frequently observed the passage to which you refer in the 3rd chapter to the Romans; and I have always thought there is no manner of difference between by faith and through faith. So that I still believe the meaning is, It is one God who will show mercy to both, and by the very same means. I shall be glad if it should be in my power to do any service to Miss Martins. If it was convenient for you to be at Bath on Tuesday, I could take you with me to Trowbridge on Wednesday. Peace be with all your spirits. Adieu! To Elizabeth Ritchis [10] LONDON, February 24, 1786. MY DEAR BETSY,-It is doubtless the will of the Lord we should be guided by our reason so far as it can go. But in many cases it gives us very little light and in others none at all. In all cases it cannot guide us right but in subordination to the unction of the Holy One. So that in all our ways we are to acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths. I do not remember to have heard or read anything like my own experience. Almost ever since I can remember I have been led in a peculiar way. I go on in an even line, being very little raised at one time or depressed at another. Count Zinzendorf observes there are three different ways wherein it pleases God to lead His people: some are guided almost in every instance by apposite texts of Scripture; others see a clear and plain reason for everything they are to do; and yet others are led not so much by Scripture or reason as by particular impressions. I am very rarely led by impressions, but generally by reason and by Scripture. I see abundantly more than I feel. I want to feel more love and zeal for God. My very dear friend, adieu! To William Sagar