Letters on Spiritual Subjects
John Fletcher's spiritual correspondence emerged from his pastoral ministry in the coal-mining parish of Madeley, Shropshire, where he served for twenty-five years until his death in 1785. As John Wesley's designated theological successor and the most learned defender of Methodist doctrine, Fletcher found himself counseling believers across England through an extensive network of letters. These writings addressed the practical struggles of Christian discipleship among working-class converts, university students, and fellow ministers navigating the tensions between Anglican orthodoxy and Methodist revival.
Flether's letters demonstrate his commitment to what he termed "the scripture way of salvation," carefully tracing the stages of spiritual development from initial conviction through justification to entire sanctification. Unlike systematic treatises, these personal exchanges reveal his pastoral wisdom in meeting individuals where they are spiritually. He addresses doubt with theological precision, spiritual dryness with encouragement rooted in scripture, and moral failures with calls to renewed faith. Throughout, Fletcher maintains that Christian perfection—understood as perfect love rather than sinless perfection—remains both possible and necessary for believers. His correspondence shows particular attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, often correcting both antinomian excess and legalistic rigidity among his correspondents.
These letters preserved Fletcher's influence long after his death, shaping Methodist spirituality well into the nineteenth century and establishing him as one of Methodism's most balanced theological voices. His ability to combine doctrinal clarity with pastoral sensitivity made these writings essential reading for Methodist preachers and committed laypeople. Modern readers seeking guidance on progressive sanctification or those interested in eighteenth-century evangelical spirituality will find Fletcher's correspondence invaluable. However, those uncomfortable with perfectionist language or seeking purely devotional rather than doctrinal content may find his approach too theologically demanding.