Wesley Corpus

If you would give all the substance of your house for it, it would be utterly despised; and all the medicines under the sun avail nothing in this distemper. The whole materia medica put together, will do you no lasting service; they do not strike at the root of the disease: But you must remove the cause, if you wish to remove the effect. But this cannot be done by your own strength; it can only be done by the mighty power of God. If you are convinced of this, set about it, trusting in Him, and you will surely conquer. First. Sacredly abstain from all spirituous liquors. Touch them not, on any pretence whatever. To others they may sometimes be of use; but to nervous persons they are deadly poison. Secondly. If you drink any, drink but little ten, and none at all without eating, or without sugar and cream. “But you like it without.” No matter; prefer health before taste. Thirdly. Every day of your life take at least an hour’s exercise, between breakfast and dinner. If you will, take another hour before supper, or before you sleep. If you can, take it in the open air; otherwise, in the house. If your cannot ride or walk abroad, use, within, a dumb-bell, or a wooden horse. If you have not strength to do this for an hour at a time, do it at twice or thrice. Let nothing hinder you. Your life is at stake. Make everything yield to this. Fourthly. Take no more food than mature requires. Dine upon one thing,-except pudding or pie. Eat no flesh at supper; but something light and easy of digestion. Fifthly. Sleep early and rise early; unless you are ill, never lie in bed much above seven hours. Then you will never lie awake. Your flesh will be firm, and your spirits lively. Sixthly. Above all,-- Give not your passions way; God gave them to thee under lock and key. Beware of anger; beware of worldly sorrow; beware of the fear that hath torment; beware of foolish and hurtful desires; beware of inordinate affection; remember the kind command, “My son, give me thy heart !” Then shall there be no more complaining of lowness of spirits But “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” shall keep thy heart and mind in Christ Jesus! MELVILL-House, May 20, 1784.