To Dorothy Furly (June 14, 1757)
June 14, 1757
You have reason to praise God for what he has done and to expect all that he has promised. Indeed, if it were required that you should work this in yourself, your impotence might be a bar to your expectations. And so might your unworthiness, if God required any merit of yours in order to his working in you. But what impotence in you can be a bar to the almighty power of God? And what unworthiness can hinder the free love of God? His love in and through Christ Jesus? So that all the promises lie fair before you. The land flowing with milk and honey, the Canaan of his perfect love, is open. Believe, and enter in!
It is an observation of one of the ancients that it is far easier not to desire praise than not to be pleased with it. A bare conviction that it is, generally speaking, deadly poison may prevent our desiring it, but nothing less than humble love filling the heart will prevent our being pleased with it, for the sense of honour is as natural to man as the sense of tasting or feeling. But when that which is spiritual is fully come, this which is corruptly natural shall be done away.
Whatever enemies you have, it is enough that you have a friend who is mightier than them all. O let him reign in your heart alone! Do not spare to speak with all freedom to, dear Miss Furly,
Your affectionate brother and servant,J. Wesley
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Entry Title: To Dorothy Furly (June 14, 1757)