^1  t:A,>t:  Una       /  -  C^i^     ^  "3 
 
 Srom  t^e  feifitarg  of 
 
 (pxofcBBox  T3?tfRam  ^enrg  (Bteen 
 
 (J^cqueaf^eb  6^?  ^im  fo 
 t^e  feifirarg  of 
 
 (princcton  J^eofogicdf  ^emindrg 
 
 BX  8495  .W5  C64  1^132^,_^ 
 Coke,  Thomas,  1747-1814 
 The  life  of  the  Rev.  John 
 Wesley,  A.M. 
 
THE 
 
 L        I 
 
 OF        THE 
 
 Rev.    JOHN  WESLEY,    A.M. 
 
 IXrCLUDING    AN    ACCOUNT    OF   THE 
 
 GREAT  REVIVAL   OF   RELIGION, 
 
 In    EUROPE    and    AMERICA, 
 
 O  F    W  H  I  C  H 
 
 He  was  the  FIRST  and  CHIEF  INSTRUMENT. 
 
 By  Dr.  COKE  and  Mr.  MOOR  E. 
 
 -'TliHiT/iVi''"i'Tfnrr- 
 
 Circumcijion  h  that  of  the  Hearty  in  the  Spirit,  and  not  in  the  Letter ;  tohoft 
 naije  is  not  of  Men y  but  of  God.  St.  Pau  l. 
 
 AV  quid  FaJfi  dicere  audeamus,     Nc  qvid  Vcri  non  atidcamus, 
 
 Cicero. 
 
 7  . 
 
 L      0      N^     D       0      A' 
 
 Printed  by  G.  P  A  R  A  M  O  R  E,  No  r t h  -G  r  e  f.  x,  WorfliipStreet ; 
 
 And   fold  by  G.  Whitfield,  at  the  Chapelin  the  City-Road;    and  at  all  the 
 Methodifl  Preaching-Houfes  in  Town  and  Country.     1792. 
 
 [PRICE  FIVE  SHILLINGS  IN  BOAR.DS.] 
 
The   DEDICATION. 
 
 TO 
 
 The  Pre  AC  HE  :i  3  of  the  Gofpel,  late  in  con-' 
 neftion  with  the  Rev.  Jo  pin  Wesley. 
 
 Fathers  and  Brethren, 
 
 ^TnO  whom  ean  we,  with  fuch  propriety,  pre- 
 -*-    fent  this  Hillory  of  our  venerable  Father, 
 as  to  you,  who  were  his  companions  in  labour, 
 and  witneffes  alfo  of  the  things  we  record  ? 
 
 Oiir  aim  in  compiling  this  account  of  the 
 Life  of  our  honoured  Friend,  and  of  that  great 
 revival  of  religion,  in  which  he  was  fo  emi- 
 nently engaged  for  more  than  half  a  century, 
 has  been^  firft.  That  mankind  at  large  may 
 know  what  he  was,  and  what  he  did,  or  rather 
 what  God  has  done  by  him.  And,  fecondly. 
 That  all  thofe  who  are  his  fons  in  the  Gofpel, 
 may  have  continually  before  them,  how  faith-» 
 fully,  zealoufiy  and  prudently  he  laboured  : 
 and  may  thereby  be  more  abundantly  ftimu- 
 lated  to  be  followers  of  him,  as  he  was  of 
 Chrift. 
 
 Some  of  you  were  acquainted  with  him,  al- 
 moft  from  the  beginning.      You  know  his  re- 
 
 A  2  folute 
 
iv        The     DEDICATION. 
 
 folule  and  patient  adherence  to  the  plain,  yet 
 powerful,  religion  of  the  Bible.  In  matters  alfo 
 of  difcipline  and  regulation,  you  know  how 
 clofely  he  purAied  the  light  which  beamed 
 upon  him  from  time  to  time  ;  and  how.  by  his 
 vifely  following  the  word  and  providence  of 
 God,  not  only 
 
 '*  Older  from  diforder  fprung :" 
 
 but  religion  has  obtained  that  liability,  the  want 
 of  which  in  former  revivals  has  been  fo  juflly 
 lamented. 
 
 In  the  following  pages  we  have  given,  what 
 we  hope  will  be  found,  a  faithful  narrative  in 
 both  thefe  refpefts.  Thofe  on  whom  the  la- 
 bour and  care  of  this  great  work,  fo  happily 
 beffun  bv  him,  (hall  hereafter  devolve,  will  not, 
 we  truft,  verify  the  remark  of  Mr.  Locke: 
 travelling  eafily  and  fwiftly,  they  will  not  ap- 
 plaud their  ov/n  vigour,  without  confiderin^ 
 what  they  owe  to  thofe,  who  drained  the  bogs, 
 cleared  the  woods,  and  built  the  bridges,  not 
 only  at  the  expence  of  eafe  and  worldly  com- 
 fort, but  often  at  the  hazard^  and  fomctimes 
 even  the  lof>,  of  life. 
 
 The  god  of  this  world  has  hitherto  triumphed 
 over  every  revival  of  true  religion.  Yet  the 
 gates    of  hell    have    never  wholly  prevailed. 
 
 The 
 
The     DEDICATION.        v 
 
 The  Lord  has  raifed  up  another  holy  temple 
 out  of  the  fcattered  lively  ftones  of  the  once 
 beautiful  buildino^.  And  this  he  will  do  ao-ain. 
 if  thofe  who  now  ferve  him,  ^'  leave  their  firft 
 love."  On  you  it  chietly  reils,  whether  the 
 prefent  revival  fliall  continue,  and  keep  its  rank 
 in  that  univerfal  fpread  of  righteoufnefs,  which 
 we  expeft  from  the  Jure  word  of  prophecy, 
 when  the  earth  JJiall  he  full  of  the  knowledge  of 
 the  Lord. 
 
 *'  God  has  given  the  word,  and  great  is  the 
 company  of  the  Preachers.  I  will  fend  by 
 Vv^iom  I  will  fend,"  is  his  unalienable  prero- 
 gative. And  certainly  the  gifts  and  calling  of 
 God  are  zvithout  repentance  on  his  part.  lie 
 will  be  with  you,  while  the  fame  aftive  zeal 
 for  the  good  of  mankind,  with  the  fame  puritv 
 of  intention,  which  flione  in  his  mod  honoured 
 indrument,  is  alfo  found  in  you. 
 
 That  you  may  Ilill  be  *^  Vefi'els  unto  honour, 
 fanflified  and  meet  for  the  Mailer's  ufe,  and 
 prepared  unto  every  good  work,"  is  the  prayer 
 of.  Fathers  and  Brethren, 
 
 Your  affectionate  Fellow-Labourers 
 In  the  Gofpel  of  our  common  Lord, 
 London,  THOMAS  COKE, 
 
 March  i,  1792.  HENRY  MOORE. 
 
 The 
 
The      PREFACE. 
 
 MR.  Wesley  is  univerfally  allowed  tO  have  beeii 
 an  extraordinary  man.  His  long  life,  ("pent  in 
 great  and  uninterrupted  labours,  and  his  great  fuccefs 
 as  a  Minifter  of  the  Gofpel  in  this  and  other  countries, 
 mark  him  out  as  a  highly  diflinguiihed  Character. 
 
 However,  like  all  eminent  men,  he  paid  to  the  Pub- 
 lic the  ufual  tax  of  cenfure.  Many  were  his  enemies, 
 and  many  the  afperiions  thrown  out  againfl  him.  But 
 he  rofe  above  them  all  ;  fo  that  the  general  voice  at 
 length  confeiled,  that  he  was  free  from  vice,  and  that 
 he  was  a  man  of  real  virtue  and  piety.  His  death  put 
 an  end  even  to  that  favourite  accufation,  that  he  was 
 amafling  riches  by  his  influence  over  his  Societies  t 
 he  died  worth  nothing  but  his  Books,  and  left  even 
 thefe  burdened  with  a  larae  debt.  It  is  therefore 
 reafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  a  Hi  (lory  of  the  Life  and 
 Labours  of  this  great  and  good  man  will  be  acceptable 
 to  tlie  Public,  and  efpecially  to  the  truly  religious  of 
 every  denomination. 
 
 Some  who  liave  been  acquainted  with  Mr.  Wesley, 
 and  have  read  his  Journals,  may  perhaps  think  that 
 no  other  account  of  him  is  needful  :  that  his  own 
 writings  arc  abundantly  fuflicient  to  enable  the  Public, 
 to  form  a  jufl  eftimation,  both  of  the  man,  and  of  the 
 great  work  in  which  he  was  fo  eminently  engaged. 
 
 But 
 
The     PREFACE. 
 
 Vll 
 
 But,  though  we  fliould  grant  that  thefe  peiTons  need 
 no  further  information;  it  will  not  follow  that  no  other 
 account  is  neceflary.  Many  thoufands  in  thefe  kino-^ 
 doms,  know  nothing  of  Mr.  V/esley,  but  by  report. 
 Many  alfo  who  knew  and  loved  him,  are  not  able  to 
 purchafe  the  Journals,  though  the  price  is  not  con- 
 iiderable.  And  many  of  thofe  who  have  read  them, 
 wifh  neverthelefs  to  have  a  more  concife,  yet  full, 
 vitw  of  the  Man  and  of  the  Work. 
 
 Such  a  view  we  now  prefent  to  our  readers,  chiefly 
 taken  out  of  his  Journals  and  other  authentic  papers 
 in  print  and  manufcript ;  hoping  it  m^ay  ferve  as  a 
 Focus,  uniting  the  fcattered  rays  of  this  burnino-  and 
 fhining  Light. 
 
 We  fcruple  not  to  faj^,  There  Is  nothing  material  re- 
 fpefting  him,  that  is  not  given  in  this  Volume.  Ail  his 
 private  papers  were  open  to  our  infpettion  for  feveral 
 years.  He  himfelf  alfo  informed  us  of  many  important 
 palfages  of  his  Life,  which  he  never  inferted  in  his 
 Journals,  and  are  known  to  few  but  ourfelves.  Some 
 of  thefe  it  would  have  been  dangerous  or  uncharitable 
 for  him  to  have  publifhed  to  ihe  world.  But  we  are 
 under  no  fuch  difficulty.  The  perfons  concerned,  are 
 now  in  eternity,  and  their  charaders  very  little  knovyn_ 
 to  the  prefent  generation. 
 
 We  are  fenfible  that  Hiftory  is  a  narrative  of  fads, 
 properly  conneded  and  elucidated.  Such  we  trufl  the 
 following  will  be  found,  Mr.  Wlsley  needs  no  Pane- 
 
 gyrifl. 
 
viii  The     PREFACE. 
 
 gy  rifl.  His  works  JJiall  praife  him  in  the  gates.  We  ha\'e 
 therefore  flated  thofe  fa6ls  as  they  arofe,  judging  this  to 
 be  the  cleared  and  mod  fatisfa6lory  way.  To  this  end 
 we  have  divided  our  Work  into  three  Books.  In  the 
 firft,  we  treat  of  his  Relatives,  and  of  his  own  Hiftory 
 till  his  full  converfion  to  God :  in  the  fecond,  of  his 
 labours  in  J^?2^tei,  including  an  account  of  the  Societies 
 raifed  from  time  to  time,  andof  the  rules  of  difcipline 
 obferved  in  them  :  and  in  the  third,  we  give  a  relation 
 of  the  labours  both  of  himfelf  and  of  thofe  connefted 
 with  him,  in  Ireland,  Scotland,  the  Briiijh  IJlcs,  the  Con- 
 tinent of  America,  and  the  Weft  Indies,  We  conclude 
 with  a  review  of  his  Writings  ;  with  an  account  of  feve- 
 ral  incidents  in  the  three  lad  years  of  his  Life,  and  of 
 -  his  lad  Illnefs,  Death  and  Charader ;  and  with  a  diort 
 retrofpecl  of  the  great  Revival  of  Religion,  in  which  he 
 was  the  fird  and  chief  indrument.  In  the  courfe  of  the 
 liidory  we  have  alfo  given  our  readers  a  fketch  of  the 
 date  of  Chridianity  in  thofe  different  parts  of  the 
 world,  in  which  he,  or  the  Preachers  in  covme6lion 
 with  him,  have  Uboured. 
 
 Our  materials  are  fo  abundant,  that  wc  might  have 
 eafily  fwelled  the  Work  into  two  or  ten  Volumes.  But 
 tliis  would  have  anfwered  no  trulj^  valuable  end.  Wq 
 have  no  dedre  to  raife  the  price,  or  weaken  the  force  of 
 ourllidory,  by  unimportant  anecdotes,  or  kdious  dif- 
 fertations.  Our  widi  and  aim  has  be^n  to  do  good  to  all 
 vicn  :  yet,  we  flatter  ourfelves,  that  even  thofe  in  the 
 higher  circles,  whofc  minds  are  bed  informed,  will  not 
 confider  the  pre  fen  t  Wprk  as  dilhouourable  tq  the 
 venerable  Subject  of  it. 
 
 The 
 
The    CONTENTS.         ix 
 
 BOOK     the     FIRS  T. 
 
 I  Page 
 
 NTRODUCTION"  :   Containiiig  an  Account  of 
 
 the  Frogrcfs  of  Religion  m  England  from  the 
 
 Reformation  to  the  year  1738  t 
 
 Chap.  I.  Of  Mr,  Weft/ s  Relations  —  —  8 
 Chap.  II.   0/  his  Birth,  Education,  and  Refidence 
 
 at  Oxford  —  — -  —  38 
 
 Chap.  III.  Of  his  Mijfion  to  America  —  go 
 
 Chap.  IV.    Of  hts  return  to  England,  and  of  his 
 
 Converjion  —  —  —  130 
 
 BOOK     the     SECOND. 
 
 Introduction";  —  —         169 
 
 Chap.  I.  Containing  Mr,  Wtfeys  inlroduclion  of 
 Itinerant  and  Field- Preaching,  and  his  For" 
 mation  of  Societies  —  —  171 
 
 Chap.  II.  Of  the  Progrefs  of  Religion,  receiving 
 Ajfijlants,  regulations  in  the  Society,  the  ClaJJes, 
 Bands,  Watch-Nights,  Love-Feafs,  and  Quar- 
 terly Vifitations :  and  of  the  Death  a7id  Cha- 
 racter of  Mrs.  WeJIey      —       < —         —  21Q 
 
 Chap.  III.  Progrefs  oj  Religion,  zvith  the  Perfe^ 
 cutions  that  followed.  Accounts  from  Germany 
 ofthejlate  of  Religion  in  the  EnglifJi  Army. 
 And  of  the  frjl  Conferences,  with  fome  other 
 particulars  -^  —  —  245 
 
 Chap,  IV.  Progrefs  of  Religion.     Mr,  Wefleys 
 
 Marriage,     His  dangerous  Iltnefs,    Propofals 
 
 for  an  Union  zvith  the  pious  Clergy  of  the 
 
 Church 
 
X  The    C  O  X  T  K  N  t  S. 
 
 Church  of  E}}i^hindi  Remavkahlc  Revival  lit 
 London.  The  Minutes  cf  the  Conference  of  the 
 year  1770.  /iccount  of  Mr,  Fletcher  and  his 
 Writings.  Spread  of  Religion.  tlirougJi  the 
 Land.      The  Deed  cf  Declaration-   —       —      297 
 
 B  O  O  K     Che     T  H  I  R  D. 
 
 CiiAP.  I.  Of  the  Progrefs  of  Chriflianity  in  Lre- 
 land  to  the  year  1747  :  and  of  the  L.ahours 
 cf  Mr.  W(fey,  and  of  the  Preachers  in  con- 
 ouclion  with  him.  in  tliat  Kingdom,  from  that 
 ■period  to  the  year  17  89  —  —  —  360* 
 Chap.  1 1.  Of  the  Progrefs  f  Chriflianity  in  Scot- 
 land from  its  firjl  rife  to  the  year  1751 .  And 
 of  the  labours  of  Mr.  Wefley,  and  thoje  in  con- 
 ncflion  with  him,  in  that  Kuigdo7n^  and  in  the 
 Britifi  Lflcs  :  and  of  his  vifits  to  Holland  402 
 
 Chap.  III.  Of  the  Progrefs  of  Religion  in  North 
 America  to  the  year  1769  :  and  of  the  labours 
 of  the  Preachers  in  connexion  vjith  Mr.VVefey^ 
 in  the  United  States,  Nuva  Scotia,  the  Wefl- 
 Lndia  Iflands,  and  in  Next  found  land         —         441 
 
 Chap.  IV.  A  review  of  Mr.  Wefhfs  Writings, 
 Several  incidents  in  the  tliree  lajl  years  of  his 
 Life  :  his  lajl  Illnefs,  and  Death.  His  Charac- 
 ter :  and  the  Conch fum        —       —       —       480 
 
^tmmitmmamitwtiBitammnKsa 
 
 The    LIFE    of   the 
 
 Reverend  JOHN  WESLEY, 
 
 BOOK    the    FIRST. 
 
 Containing  an  Account  of  the  progrefs  of  Religion  Z7i 
 England,  from  the  Reformation  to  the  year  1738, 
 and  of  the  Family,  Birth,  Youth,  Education,  Rejidencc 
 at  Oxford,  Mijfion  to  Georgia,  and  Return  to  England 
 of  Mr,  Wefcy, 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Containing   an  account  of  the  progrefs  of  Religion  in 
 England  from  the  Reformation  to  the  year  1738. 
 
 %  7^  7E  have  not  been  favoured  with  any  authentic 
 ^  ^  accounts  of  the  introdu6lion  of  Religion  into 
 England  ;  but  that  ignorance  and  fuperftition  of  the 
 deepefl  dye  covered  the  whole  land  till  the  time  of 
 the  Reformation,  is  evident  from  the  united  teftimony 
 of  Hiftorians.     A  variety  of  divine  Providences  con- 
 
 B  curred, 
 
2 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WE?LEY. 
 
 curred,  to  favour  that  glorious  ^ra.  The  noble 
 exertions  of  Wicklife  and  his  followers  prepared  the 
 way.  The  union  of  the  houfcs  of  York  and  Lancajler 
 in  the  peribn  of  Henry  the  eighth,  put  a  final  con- 
 clufion  to  the  unhappy  difcords,  which  rent  this 
 Nation  afunder  for  many  ages.  And  even  the  vices 
 of  that  wicked  Prince,  over-ruled  by  Him  who  delights 
 to  brmg  good  out  of  evil,  became  the  inflruments  of 
 furthering  the  caufe  of  Religion.  All  thefe  con- 
 current events  opened  a  wide  door  for  the  reception 
 of  that  light  and  truth,  which  at  this  time  (hone  fo 
 brightly  on  the  right  hand  and  the  left  throughout 
 the  German  Empire, 
 
 The  God  of  Nature  and  of  Grace  raifed  up  a  con- 
 ftellation  of  worthies  at  this  period,  who  were  as 
 fhining  ornaments  of  human  nature,  as  any  country 
 could  boafl  of,  perhaps,  fince  the  apoflolic  times. 
 Cranmer,  Latimer,  Ridley,  and  the  reft  of  the  Refor- 
 mers of  our  land,  were  formed  for  the  great  work  in 
 which  they  were  engaged  ;  and  under  their  foftering 
 care,  the  feed  of  divine  grace,  watered  by  the  dews  of 
 heaven,  brought  forth  a  plentiful  harveft. 
 
 That  admirable  youth  Edward  the  fixth,  on  the 
 death  of  Henry,  afcended  the  throne.  He  was  a 
 CIniftian  indeed,  wife  and  good  beyond  his  years,  a 
 Jiving  picture  of  the  truths  that  were  taught  by  thofe 
 men  of  God.  One  might  now  have  expefted  that 
 true  Religion  would  have  flourifhed  in  England  :  but 
 it  was  far  otherwife.  Antinomianifm  fpread  her 
 baneful  influence,  and  checked  the  growing  plant  of 
 holincfs.     Lo.livicr   bore  a  faithful  teftimony  againft 
 
 thofe 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  Mfl.  WESLEY.  3 
 
 thofe  who  pleaded  for  freedom  from  the  command- 
 merits  of  Chrift  as  well  as  from  thofe  of  the  Pope. 
 Craiimer  preached  before  the  Court  upon  a  day  ap- 
 pointed for  fafting  and  humiliation,  and  faithfully 
 told  the  chief  men  of  the  nation,  that  they  were  no 
 better  than  the  Papifls ;  and  warned  them,  as  if  in- 
 fpired  with  a  prophetic  fpirit,  that  God  would  enter 
 into  judgment  with  them.  He  did  fo.  He  took 
 their  fainted  King  to  heaven,  and  thus  permitted  the 
 hopes  of  the  Proteftants  to  fall  to  the  ground.  The 
 bloody  Mary  flept  into  the  throne,  and  caufed  the 
 holieft  mien  in  the  land  to  pafs  through  ordeal  flames 
 to  their  eternal  reward. 
 
 But  the  Lord  had  mercy  on  his  people,  and  turned 
 their  captivity.  He  removed  this  bloody  Queen,  and 
 fixed  Elizabeth  in  het  place.  Elizabeth  was  a  zealous 
 Proteftant,  and  though  by  no  means  a  pofTelTor  of 
 true  Religion  herfelf,  encouraged  it  in  others.  The 
 beginning  of  her  reign  was  favourable  to  the  gofpel, 
 but  ihe  foon  convinced  the  world  that  perfecution  is 
 not  confined  to  any  fe6t  or  party.  She  feverejy 
 punilhed  fome  of  the  moft  righteous  men  in  the 
 nation,  becaufe  they  differed  from  the  eftablilhed 
 church  in  refpe61;  to  uniformity  ;  and  thofe  who 
 pleaded  for  the  rights  of  private  judgment,  were  looked 
 upon  as  dangerous  to  the  State.  But  the  Puritans, 
 for  fuch  was  their  general  appellation,  increafed  in 
 proportion  to  their  opprelFion.  However  the  great 
 fpirit  of  Elizabeth,  and  the  wifdom  of  her  adminiflra- 
 tion,  kept  them  within  proper  bounds. 
 
 B  a  During 
 
4  THE  LIFE  dF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 During  the  weak  and  feeble  reign  of  James  the  Firft^ 
 the  Puritans  felt  their  flrength  increafing  more  and 
 more.  And  too  many  of  them,  forgetting  that  word 
 of  God,  "  Vengeance  is  mine,"  encouraged  a  vin- 
 di6live  fpirit,  which  broke  forth  with  ungovernable 
 fury  on  the  unhappy  Charles,  and  overturned  both 
 the  Church  and  State.  Thus  *'  God  ordaineth  his 
 arrows  againfl  the  perfecutors.'' 
 
 llie  ufurper  Cromwell  with  all  his  vices,  was  endued 
 with  many  excellencies.  He  filled,  in  general,  the 
 vacated  Churches  with  the  bed  men  he  could  find. 
 But  alas  !  the  caufe  of  vital  Religion  had  rtceived  a 
 ialal  wound  by  the  troubles  and  civil  broils  which 
 preceded  the  prefent  period.  Politics  had  too  much 
 abforbed  the  true  fpirit  of  the  gofpel ;  fo  that  the 
 great  and  good  Dr.  Owen  himfelf  laments  in  the  mod 
 plaintive  terms,  the  great  decay  of  vital  godlinefs. 
 However,  it  mufl  be  acknowledged,  that  a  confide- 
 rable  meafure  of  pure  religion  flill  continued  in  the 
 land,  as  an  occurrence  which  happened  foon  after 
 the  refloration  of  the  Second  Charles,  evidently 
 demonflrated. 
 
 TRat  wicked  King,  who  filled  Scotland  with  the 
 blood  of  the  holiefl  men  of  that  kingdom,  and  Eng^ 
 land  with  debauchery  andprofanenefs,  was  determined 
 to  lay  the  axe  to  the  root  of  all  Religion-,  and  at  a 
 fin-^le  blow  to  cut  off  from  the  eftablifhed  Church 
 every  Minifter  of  honedy  and  confcience.  "^y  the 
 acl  of  uniformity  he  expelled  two  thoufand  Gofpel-. 
 Miniilers.  Every  Clergyman  was  obliged  to  declare 
 his  foleiim  affent  in  the  face  of  his  congregation  on 
 
 an 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  5 
 
 an  appointed  day  to  the  truth  of  things  he  had  never 
 feen,  or  be  driven  from  his  benefice  and  cure  of  fouls 
 into  poverty  and  difgrace.  Every  Minifler  of  real 
 piety  preferred  every  facrifice  to  that  of  his  con- 
 fcience.  By  this  method  that  atrocious  Government 
 blotted  out  of  the  Eflabhihment  every  faithful  Pailor. 
 "  O,"  cried  out  one  of  them,  the  great  and  pious  Mr. 
 Baxter,  in  the  grief  of  his  foul,  "  that  we  had  but  the 
 gift  of  tongues,  to  enable  us  to  proclaim  the  gofpel  in 
 other  lands,  for  then  I  ihould  be  fatisfied  \" 
 
 Pains  and  penalties,    confifcations    and  imprifon- 
 ments,    were   enacted  and   executed  to  prevent  the 
 ejeded    Miniftcrs   from    the   exercife    of  their   holy 
 fundion.      Ungodlinefs  of  every  fpecies  overflowed 
 the  whole  land,  and  it  became  the  very  fafhion  of  the 
 <iay  to  imitate  the  moft  corrupt  of  Courts  in  all  its 
 vices.     So  fudden  an  overthrow  of  all  that  is  righ- 
 teous and  good,  is  not  to  ht  paralleled  in  the  Hiflory 
 of  any  Nation  under  heaven.     In  all  other  inflances 
 the   people  have  moved  by  progreflive  means  from 
 good  to  evil,  or  from  evil  to' good.     But  here  it  was 
 otherwife.     Religion  in  a  moment  hid  her  beauteous 
 face,  and  was  confined  to  a  few  deftitute  followers  of 
 Chrift,  who  met  on  the  mountains,  or  in  cellars  under 
 ground,  and  were  even  there  purfued  and  difcovered 
 by  thofe  human  beaffs  or  devils,  the   abettors  of  per- 
 fecution.     Thefe  were   the  moft  unhappy  days  this 
 Nation  ever  knew  with  refped;  to  religion.     Never 
 had  there  been  fuch  a  general  contem.pt  of  God.  fuch 
 barefaced  and  fhameiefs  impiety.     Ungodlinefs  and 
 linrighteoufnefs  of  every  kind  prevailed  as  they  had 
 
 B  3  never 
 
6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 never  done  before.  Even  the  very  form  of  Religion 
 was  hooted  out  of  the  Nation.  In  fhort  they  feemed 
 to  flrive  on  every  hand,  that  the  name  of  God  might 
 be  entirely  forgotten. 
 
 The  bigotry  of  James  the  Second  who  was  educated 
 in  all  the  fooleries  of  Popery,  foon  brought  things 
 to  a  crifis.  Aiming  to  reflore  the  Papal  power,  he 
 loft  his  crown.  His  fuccdfor  William,  as  he  owed 
 much  to  the  Puritan  party,  fecurcd  to  them  the  in- 
 eftimable  bleffing  of  liberty  of  confcience,  by  the  aft  of 
 toleration.  From  this  time  Relicrion  bes^an  asain  to 
 lift  up  her  head.  The  Archbifhops  TiUotfon  and 
 Sharpe,  with  other  refpedlable  charaders  their  cotem- 
 poraries,  did  much  for  the  reformation  of  the  land. 
 The  wars  which  followed  with  Lewis  the  Fourteenth 
 of  France,  damped  the  facred  fire.  That  wonderful 
 General,  the  Duke  of  Marlborough  was  the  God  of  the 
 people.  Nothing  was  fpoke  of,  nothing  was  hardly 
 thought  of,  but  the  amazing  and  uninterrupted  vic- 
 tories which  he  gained.  When  peace  was  eftabliflied, 
 **  the  plant  of  God's  own  planting"  again  put  forth 
 her  buds.  It  is  certain  that  the  mild  reicrn  of  ^n?2e 
 and  of  the  Hanoverian  family,  aflifled  much  to  prepare 
 the  way  for  the  great  revival  of  Religion,  in  which 
 God  was  pleafcd  fo  eminently  to  ufe  that  great  man, 
 who  is  the  fubjeft  of  our  prefent  Hiflory.  The  So- 
 cieties for  the  Reformation  of  manners,  which  re- 
 ceived the  fupport  of  the  Government,  and  the  pri- 
 vate Societies  formed  throughout  the  kingdom  by  the 
 zeal  and  ftrong  recommendations  of  the  pious  Do61or 
 tJorneck  and  others,  undoubtedly  gave  a  check  to  that 
 
 dillipation 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  7 
 
 diflipation  of  fpirit,  that  praclical  Atheifm,  and  that 
 perfed  loofenefs  of  Morals,  which  had  fo  entirely  per- 
 vaded the  whole  land.  Many  of  thefe  Societies  re- 
 mained in  being  in  the  year  1738,  and  received  Mr. 
 Wejley  wnth  open  arms,  when  he  entered  on  his  moll 
 extenfive  fphere  of  action. 
 
 Yet,  notwithftanding  thefe  fair  appearances,  true  Re- 
 ligion was  little  known  in  England.     The  great  leading 
 truths  of  the  Gofpel,  the  juilification  of  the  linner  by 
 faith  alone  in   the  merits  of  Chrift,  communion  with 
 the  Father  and  with  his  Son  Jefus  Chrift,  the  alfu- 
 ranee  of  the  favour  of  God,  and  even  the  Doftrine  of 
 Original  Sin,  were  not  credited,  or  at  lealt  not  en- 
 forced, by  the  Clergy  of  the  eftablifhment  in  generaL 
 The  great  Mr.  Law  was  an  exception  indeed.  Though 
 a  Non-juror,  and  deprived  on  that  account  of  the  ex- 
 ercife  of  his  public  Miniflry,  he  enforced  by  his  ex- 
 cellent pen  that  effential  Doctrine  of  the  Gofpel,  the 
 neceffity  of  the  infpiration  of  the  Holy  Ghofl ;  which 
 was  at  that  time  almofl  buried  in  oblivion,   or  at  lea  ft 
 held  in  deep  contempt  in   the   Church   of  England ; 
 notwithftanding  the  many  exprefs  teftimonies  borne 
 in  favour  of  it  in  the  Commion-Prayer  Book.     This 
 confiderable  writer  was  the  great  forerunner  of  the 
 Revival  which  followed,  and  did  more  to  promote  it 
 than  any  other  individual   whatfoever;    yea,    more 
 perhaps  than  the  reft  of  the  nation  collectively  taken. 
 
 Nor  were  the  DifTenters  in  general  in  a  better 
 fituation.  The  piety,  the  zeal,  the  readinef^  to  da 
 and  iufFer  the  will  of  God,  which  fhonc  forth  fo  emi- 
 nently in  the  lives  of  multitudes  of  the  ancient  Puri- 
 
 B  4  tans. 
 
8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 tans,  had  almofl  difappearcd.  Arianifm  and  Socini- 
 anifm  gained  ground  upon  them  with  hafty  flrides. 
 Few  of  their  Minifters  prefled  home  on  the  con- 
 fciences  of  their  hearers  the  grand  truths  of  Rehgion. 
 None  of  them  held  forth  the  aflurance  of  faith  as  the 
 privilege  of  all  believers,  though  fome  of  them  al- 
 lowed it  to  be  the  privilege  of  a  few.  Communion 
 with  God  and  crucifixion  to  the  world  were  parts  of 
 Religion  hardly  thought  of  in  thofe  days. 
 
 Such  was  the  ftate  of  Chriftianity  in  this  nation, 
 when  the  Grace  and  Providence  of  God  called  forth 
 Mr.  Wejley  into  his  great  field  of  aftion.  But  his  Fami- 
 ly, Birth,  Education,  &c.  are  firfl  to  be  confidered. 
 
 CHAP.       I. 
 
 Of    Mr.    Wesley's    Relations, 
 
 THE  Grand^Father  of  Mr.  John  WeJlcy,  hy  his 
 Father's  fide,  was  a  Nonconformift.  He  had  in- 
 volved himfelf  in  the  affairs  of  the  Civil  War  during 
 the  Reign  of  Charles  the  Firfl,  and  was  eje61ed  under 
 the  following  Reign  from  the  living  of  Blanclford  in 
 Dorjctfiiirc  by  the  A61  of  Uniformity.  There  is  a 
 Dialogue  between  this  Gentleman  and  the  then  Bifliop 
 of  BrifLol,  given  us  by  Dr.  Calamy,  As  it  difpjays  the 
 charafter  of  the  man  in  a  much  clearer  view  than  we 
 can  place  it  by  any  thing  we  are  able  to  fay,  and  as  it 
 reflccls  much  honour  upon  the  Bifhop,  confidering 
 the  darknefs  of  the  timeS;  we  give  it  at  large. 
 
 Bifhop, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  9 
 
 Bifhop.  What  is  your  name  ? 
 
 Wefley:  John  Wefley. 
 
 B.  There  are  many  great  matters  charged  upon  you, 
 
 W.  May  it  pleaie  your  Lordfhip,  A4r.  Horlock  was 
 at  my  houfe  on  Tuefday  laft,  and  acquainted  me  that 
 it  was  your  Lordlhip's  defire  I  (hould  come  to  you : 
 and  on  that  account  I  am  here  to  wait  on  you. 
 
 B.  "Qy  whom  were  you  ordained  ?  Or  are  you  or« 
 dained  ? 
 
 W.  I  am  fent  to  preach  the  GofpeL 
 
 B.  ^y  whom  were  you  fent  ? 
 
 W.  l^y  a  Church  of  Jefus  Chrifl. 
 
 B.  What  Church  is  that  ? 
 
 W.  The  Church  of  Chrift  at  Melcojnh. 
 
 B.  That  fa6lious  and  heretical  Church ! 
 
 W.  May  it  pleafe  you,  Sir,  I  know  no  fadion  or 
 herefy  that  Church  is  guilty  of. 
 
 B.  No  !  Did  not  you  preach  fuch  things  as  tend  to 
 fatlion  and  herefy  ? 
 
 W.  I  am  not  confcious  to  myfelf  of  any  fuch 
 preaching. 
 
 B.  I  am  informed  by  fufficient  men,  Gentlemen 
 of  honour  of  this  county,  viz.  Sir  Gerrard  Napper, 
 Mr.  Freak,  and  Mr.  Tregonnel  of  your  doings.  What 
 fay  you  ? 
 
 W.  Thofe  honoured  gentlemen  I  have  been  with; 
 who  being  by  others  mifmformed  proceeded  with 
 fome  heat  againfl  me. 
 
 o 
 
 B.  There  are  oaths  of  feveral  honeft  men,  and  iliali 
 we  take  your  word  for  it,  th^t  all  is  but  mifinfor- 
 mation  ? 
 
 W.  There 
 
10  THE  LH'E  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 W.  There  Wcis  no  oath  given  or  taken.  BcCidrs^ 
 if  it  be  enough  to  accufe,  who  fhall  be  innocent  ? — 
 I  can  appeal  to  the  determination  of  the  great  Day  of 
 Judgment,  that  the  large  catalogue  of  matters  laid  to 
 me,  are  either  things  invented  or  miflaken. 
 
 B.  Did  not  you  ride  with  your  fword,  in  the  time 
 of  the  C07nmittee  of  faftty,  and  engage  with  them. 
 
 W.  Whatever  imprudences  in  civil  matters  you 
 may  be  informed  I  am  guilty  of,  I  fhall  crave  leave 
 to  acquaint  your  lordfhip,  that  his  Majefty  having 
 pardoned  them  fully,  I  fhall  wave  any  other  anfwer. 
 
 B.  In  what  manner  did  the  church  you  fpake  of, 
 fend  you  to  preach  ?  At  this  rate  every  body  might 
 preach. 
 
 W.  Not  every  one.  Everybody  has  not  preach- 
 ing gifts  and  preaching  graces.  Befides,  that  is  not 
 all  I  have  to  offer  to  your  lordfliip  to  juftify  my 
 preaching. 
 
 B.  If  you  preach,  it  mufl  be  according  to  order,  the 
 order  of  the  Church  of  England,  upon  ordination. 
 
 W.  What  does  your  Lordfhip  mean  by  ordination  ? 
 
 B.  Do  not  vou  know  what  I  mean  ? 
 
 W.  If  you  mean  that  fending  fpoken  of  Rom.  x. 
 I  had  it. 
 
 B.   I  mean  that;  What  m.ifFion  had  you? 
 
 W.  I  had  a  million  from  God  and  man. 
 
 B.  You  mufl  have  it  according  to  law,  and  the 
 order  of  the  ChnrcJi  of  England. 
 
 W.   I  am  not  latisfied  in  my  fpirit  therein. 
 
 B.  XuL  fatisficd  m  your  fpirit  I     You   have  more 
 
 new- 
 
^      THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  n 
 
 new-coined  phrafes  than  ever  were  heard  of!     You 
 mean  your  confcience,  do  you  not  ? 
 
 W.  Spirit  is  no  new  phrafe.  We  read  of  being 
 fan6i;ified  in  foul,  body,  and  fpirit. 
 
 B.  By  fpirit  there  we  are  to  underfland  the  upper 
 reo^ion  of  the  foul. 
 
 W.  Some  think  we  ar^  to  take  it  for  the  confcience  : 
 but  if  your  lordfhip  like  it  not  fo,  then  I  fay,  I  am 
 not  fatisfied  in  confcience,  as  touching  the  ordina- 
 tion you  fpeak  of. 
 
 B.  Confcience  argues  fcience,  fcience  fuppofes 
 judgment,  and  judgment  reafon.  What  reafon  have 
 you  that  you  will  not  be  thus  ordained  ? 
 
 W.   I  came  not  this  day  to  difpute  with  your  lord- 
 fhip ;  my  own  inability  would  forbid  me  fo  ta  do. 
 B.   No,  no;  but  give  me  your  reafon. 
 W.  I  am  not  called  to  that  office ;  and  therefore  can- 
 not be  ordained, 
 
 B.  Why  have  you  then  preached  all  this  while  ? 
 W.   I  was  called  to  the  work  of  the  miniflry  ;  though 
 not  the  office.  There  is  as  we  believe,  Vocalio  ad  epics, 
 G?  ad  muniis, 
 
 B.  Why  may  you  not  have  the  office  of  the 
 miniflry  ? 
 
 W.  May  it  pleafe  your  lordfhip,  becaufe  they  are 
 not  a  people  who  are  fit  fubjeds  for  me  to  exercife 
 office-w^ork  among  them. 
 
 B.  You  mean  a  gathered  church  :     but  we  mufl 
 have  no  gathered  churches  in  England ;  and  you  will 
 fee  it  fo.   For  there  mufl  be  a  unity  without  divifions 
 among  us :  and  there  can  be  no  unity  without  uni- 
 formity.— 
 
12  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 formity.- — Well  then,  we  mufl:  fend  you  to  your 
 church,  that  they  may  difpofe  of  you,  if  you  were 
 ordained  by  them. 
 
 W.  I  have  been  informed  by  my  coufm  Pitfidd 
 and  others  concerning  your  lordihip,  thac  you  have 
 a  difpofition  inclined  againfl  morofity.  Ho'.vever 
 you  may  be  prepofFeifed  by  fome  bitter  enemies  to 
 my  perfon :  yet,  there  are  others,  who  can  and  will 
 <Tive  you  another  character  of  me.  Mr.  Gliffon  hath 
 done  it.  And  Sir  Francis  Tulford  defired  me  to  pre- 
 fent  his  fervice  to  you,  and  being  my  hearer  is  ready 
 to  acquaint  you  concerning  me. 
 
 B.  I  aflsied  Sir  Francis  Tulford  whether  the  prefen- 
 tation  to  Whitchurch  was  his  :  Whofe  is  it  ?  He  told 
 me  it  was  not  his. 
 
 W.  There  was  none  prefented  to  it  thefe  lixty 
 years.  Mr.  Walton  lived  there.,  At  his  departure 
 the  people  defired  me  to  preach  to  them ;  and  when 
 there  was  a  way  of  fettlement  appointed,  I  was  by 
 the  truilees  appointed,  and  by  the  triers  approved. 
 
 B.  They  would  approve  any,  who  would  come  to 
 them  and  clofe  with  them.  I  know  they  approved 
 thofe  who  could  not  read  twelve  Hues  of  EngliJJi. 
 
 W.  All  that  they  did  I  know  not :  but  I  was  ex- 
 amined touching  gifts  and  graces. 
 
 B.  I  cjueflion  not  your  gifts,  Mr.  Weflcy  ;  I  will  do 
 you  any  good  I  can  :  but  you  will  not  long  be 
 fuffered  to  preach,  unlcfs  you  will  do  it  according  to 
 
 order. 
 
 W.  I  fliall  fubmit  to  any  trial  you  fliall  plcafe  t© 
 make.     I  fhall  prefcnt  your  lordihip  with  a  confeflion 
 
 of 
 
THF  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  13 
 
 of  my  faith,  or  take  what  other  way  you  pleafe  to 
 infift  on. 
 
 B.  No,  we  are  not  come  to  that  yet. 
 
 W.  I  fhall  delire  thofe  feverals  to  be  laid  together, 
 which  I  look  on  as  juftifying  my  preaching. 
 
 1".   I  was  devoted  to  the  fervice  from  mine  infancy. 
 
 2.  I  was  educated  in  order  thereto  at  fchool,  and 
 in  the  Univeriity  of  Oxford, 
 
 B.  What  age  are  you  ? 
 
 W.  Twenty-five. 
 
 B.   No  fure,  you  are  not ! 
 
 W.  3.  As  a  fon  of  the  prophets,  after  I  had  taken 
 my  Degree,  I  preached  in  the  country,  being  approved 
 of  by  judicious  able  Chriftians,  Minillers  and  others, 
 
 4.  It  pleafed  God  to  feal  my  labour  with  fucqefs, 
 in  the  apparent  converfion  of  many  fouls. 
 
 B.  Yea,  that  is  it  may  be  to  your  way. 
 
 W.  Yea,  to  the  power  of  godlinefs,  from  ignorance 
 and  profanenefs.  If  it  pleafe  your  lordfhip  to  lay 
 down  any  evidences  of  godiinefs,  agreeing  with  Scrip- 
 ture, and  that  are  not  found  in  thofe  perfons  intended, 
 I  am  content  to  be  difcharged  the  Miniftry.  I  will 
 Hand  or  fall  on  the  ijGTue  thereof. 
 
 B.  You  talk  of  the  power  of  godlinefs ;  fuch  as  you 
 fancy. 
 
 W.  Yea,  to  the  reality  of  religion.  Let  us  appeal 
 to  any  common-place-book  for  evidences  of  graces, 
 and  they  are  found  in  and  upon  them. 
 
 B.   How  many  are  there  of  them  ? 
 
 W.   I  number  not  the  people. 
 
 B.  Where  are  they  ? 
 
 W.  Wherever 
 
a  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 W.  Wherever  I  have  been  called  to  preach.  At 
 Radpole,  Mclcomb,  Tiirnwood,  Whitchurch,  and  at  fea. 
 1  lliall  add  another  ingredient  of  my  Miflion. 
 
 5.  When  the  church  faw  the  prefence  of  God  going 
 along  with  ine,  they  did,  by  fading  and  prayer,  on  a 
 day  fet  apart  for  that  end,  feek  an  abundant  bleOing 
 on  my  endeavours. 
 
 B.  A  particular  church  ? 
 
 W.  Yes,  my  Lord,  I  am  not  afhamed  to  own  my- 
 felf  a  member  of  one. 
 
 B.  Why  you  may  millake  the  Apoflles'  intent. 
 They  went  about  to  convert  Heathens.  You  have 
 no  warrant  for  your  particular  churches. 
 
 W.  We  have  a  plain,  full  and  fufficient  rule  for 
 gofpel-worfhip  in  the  New  Tejlament,  recorded  in  the 
 Acls  of  the  Apojiks,  and  in  the  Epijlles. 
 
 B.   We  have  not. 
 
 W.  The  pra61ice  of  the  Apoflles  is  a  ftanding  rule 
 in  thofe  cafes  which  were  not  extraordinary. 
 
 B.  Not  their  pra6lice,  but  their  precepts. 
 
 W.  Both  precepts  and  pradice.  Our  duty  is  not 
 delivered  to  us  in  fcripture  only  by  precepts,  but  by 
 precedents;  by  piomifes,  and  by  threatnings  mixed. 
 We  are  to  follow  them  as  they  followed  Chrifl. 
 
 B.  But  the  Apoftle  faid,  "  This  fpeak  I,  not  the 
 Lord  :"  that  is  by  revelation. 
 
 W.  Some  interpret  that  place,  '•'  This  fpeak  I  now 
 by  revelation  from  the.  Lord,"  not  the  Lord  in  that 
 text  before  inRanced  concerning  divorces.  May  it 
 pleafc  your  lordfliip,  we  believe  that  "  Cultm  non 
 inJlUutus,  cjl  indditui.'* 
 
 B.  1% 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  15 
 
 B.  It  is  falfe. 
 
 W.  The  fecond  commandment  fpeaks  the  fame. 
 Thou  fhalt  not  make  to  thyfelf  any  graven  image. 
 
 B.  That  is,  forms  of  your  own  invention. 
 
 W.  Bifliop  Andrews  ta.king  notice  of  ''  non  facias 
 tibiy"  fatisfied  me  that  we  may  not  worlhip  God,  but 
 as  commanded. 
 
 B.  Well  then  you  will  juftify  your  preaching,  will 
 you,  without  ordination  according  to  law  ? 
 
 W.  All  thefe  things,  laid  together,  are  fatisfa6lory 
 to  me,  for  my  procedure  therein. 
 
 B.  They  are  not  enough. 
 
 W.  There  hasbeenmore  written  in  proof  of  preach- 
 ing of  gifted  perfons,  with  fuch  approbation,  than  has 
 been  anfwered  yet  by  any  one. 
 
 B.  Have  you  any  thing  more  to  fay  to  me,  Mr. 
 Wejley. 
 
 W.   Nothing  :  your  lordfhip  fent  for  me. 
 
 B.  I  am  glad  to  hear  this  from  your  mouth,  you 
 will  (land  to  your  principles  you  fay  ? 
 
 W.  I  intend  it  through  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  to 
 be  faithful  to  the  King's  majefty,  however  you  deal 
 with  me. 
 
 B.  I  will  not  meddle  with  you. 
 
 W' .  Farewel  to  you,  Sir. 
 
 B.  Farewel,  good  Mr.  Wejley, 
 
 His  fon,  Mr.  Samuel  WtJIty,  was  defigned  hy  his 
 father  for  the  Miniflry  among  the  Diffenters,  and 
 was  accordingly  font  to  one  of  their  Academies. 
 Whil^  he  refided  there,  his  fentiments  were  fo  en- 
 tirely   changed,    that  he  left  the  Academy  without 
 
 con  ful  tin  or 
 
 o 
 
tS  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 confulting  any  of  his  relations,  and  entered  as  a  StU-^ 
 dent  of  Exeter  College,  Oxford.  He  took  his  Degrees 
 in  the  ufual  way,  and  being  ordained,  was  appointed 
 Chaplain  of  a  Man  of  War.  After  this  he  was  pre- 
 fented  to  the  Living  of  Epworth,  and  alfo  to  that  of 
 Wroote,  both  in  the  County  of  Lincoln. 
 
 Mr.  Samuel  V/cJUy  married  the  youngefl  daughter 
 of  Dr.  Samuel  AnneJIry,  a  celebrated  Nonconformift, 
 and  firfl  Coufm  to  the  Earl  of  Anglefty.  Dr.  Annejley , 
 was  a  man  of  great  learning  and  piety.  The  grofs  ir- 
 religion  of  the  royal  party  in  the  time  of  the  Civil 
 War,  attached  him  (as  it  did  many  other  good  men, 
 who  lamented  thofe  unhappy  difcords)  to  the  fide  of 
 the  Parliament.  He  was  one  of  the  Preachers  at 
 Whitehall.  But  after  the  death  of  the  King,  he  would 
 have  nothing  to  do  with  thofe  in  power ;  but  applied 
 himfelf  folely  to  his  pafloral  charge.  He  was  eje6led 
 from  the  Living  of  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate,  in  London ^ 
 in  the  year  1662.  Several  excellent  Trafts  were  written 
 by  him  :  among  which  a  Sermon  on  Univerfal  Con- 
 fcientioufnefs  has  been  defervedly  efleemed. 
 
 His  daughter,  Mrs.  We/ley,  was  remarkable,  not  only 
 for  the  graces  of  her  own  fex,  but  alfo  for  the  wifdom 
 and  fortitude  of  the  other.  She  was  indeed  a  help 
 meet  for  her  pious  and  laborious  hulband.  She  bore 
 him  nineteen  children :  and  though  fhe  charged  her- 
 felf  with  the  early  education  of  them  all,  and  wa^, 
 mod  of  the  time,  in  very  llraitened  circumflances, 
 yet  leveral  of  her  letters  abundantly  prove  that  fhe 
 did  not  negleQ;  the  improvement  of  her  mind.  It 
 may  be  profitable  as  well  as  entertaining  to  our 
 Readers,  if  we  give  them  a  few  extrads  of  her 
 Epiillcs.  In 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  17 
 
 in  a  letter  to  her  Ton,  Mr.  John  Wejley,  dated  at 
 Wroote,  June  8,  1725,  fhe  makes  the  following  ob- 
 fervations : 
 
 *'  It  is  flupid  to  fay,  nothing  is  an  affli6lion  to  a 
 good  man.  That  is  an  affli6lion,  which  God  makej^ 
 an  affli6lion,  either  to  good  or  bad.  Nor  do  I  under- 
 ftand,  how  any  man  can  thank  God  for  prefent  mi« 
 fery ;  yet  do  I  very  well  know  what  it  is  to  rejoice  in 
 the  midfl  of  deep  afHi61;ions :  not  in  the  affli6lion  it- 
 felf,  for  then  it  would  necefTarily  ceafe  to  be  one  ;  but 
 in  this  we  may  rejoice,  that  we  are  in  the  hand  of 
 a  God,  who  never  did,  nor  ever  can  exert  his  power 
 inanyafl:  of  injuflice,  oppreffion,  or  cruelty.  In  the 
 power  of  that  fuperior  wifdom  which  difpofes  alJ 
 events,  and  has  promifed,  that  *'  all  things  fhall  work 
 together  for  good"  (for  the  fpiritual  and  eternal 
 good)  '^  of  thofe  that  love  him,"  we  may  rejoice  in 
 hope,  that  Almighty  Goodnefs  '*  will  not  fuffer  us  to 
 be  tempted  above  what  we  are  able,  but  will  with  the 
 temptation  make  a  way  to  efcape,  that  we  may  be  able 
 to  bear  it."  In  a  word,  we  may  and  ought  to  rejoice^ 
 that  God  has  allured  us,  he  will  never  leave  us,  nor 
 forfake  us ;  but  if  we  continue  faithful  to  him,  he 
 will  take  care  to  condu61;  us  fafely  through  all  the 
 changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life,  to  thofe  bleffed 
 regions  of  joy  and  immortality,  v/hcre  fin  and  forrow 
 can  never  enter." 
 
 In  another,  dated  Febiiiary  14,  1735,  fhe  obferves: 
 
 "  Since  God  is  altogether  inacceffible  to  us  but  by 
 Jefus  Chrift,  and  lince  none  ever  was,  or  ever  will  be 
 favf^d  but  by  Him,   is  it  not   abfolutely  necefifary  for 
 
 C  '    ail 
 
s8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 all  people,  young  and  old,  to  be  grounded  in  the 
 knowledge  and  faith  of  Jefus  Chrifl.  By  faith  I  do 
 not  mean,  an  afTent  only  to  the  truths  of  the  Gofpel 
 concerning  him,  but  fuch  an  afTent  as  influences  our 
 pra6lice,  as  makes  us  heartily  and  thankfully  accept 
 him  for  our  God  and  Saviour  upon  his  own  con- 
 ditions.    No  faith  below  this  can  be  faving/* 
 
 In  a  third,  ddtcd  Gainjhoi'oiighy  November  27,  1735, 
 ihe  writes  : 
 
 ''God  is  Beinix  itfclf;  the  I  AM  !  And  therefore 
 mufi:  neceflarily  be  the  Supreme  Good.  He  is  fo 
 infinitely  ble (Ted,  that  every  perception  of  his  blifsful 
 prefence  imparts  a  vital  gladnefs  to  the  heart.  Every 
 degree  of  approach  toward  him,  is  in  the  fame  pro- 
 portion a  degree  of  happinefs.  And  I  often  think, 
 that  were  he  always  prefent  to  our  minds,  as  we  are 
 prefent  to  him,  there  could  be  no  pain  or  fenfe  of 
 mifery.  I  have  long,  fmce  chofe  him  for  my  only 
 good;  my  all,  my  pleafure,  my  happinefs  in  this 
 world,  as  well  as  in  the  world  to  come.  And  although 
 I  have  not  been  fo  faithful  to  his  grace,  as  I  ought  to 
 have  been,  yet  I  feel  my  fpirit  adheres  to  its  choice, 
 and  aims  daily  at  cleaving  ftedfaflly  unto  God.  Yet 
 one  thing  often  troubles  me,  that  notwithflanding  I 
 know,  while  we  are  prefent  with  the  body,  we  are 
 abfent  from  the  Lord ;  notwithflanding  I  have  no 
 tafle,  no  reiifh  left  for  any  thing  the  world  calls  plea- 
 fure ;  yet  I  do  not  long  to  go  home  as  in  reafon  1 
 ought.  This  often  fhocks  me  :  and  as  I  conflantly 
 pray  (almoU  without  ceafmg)  for  thec^  my  fon,   fb  I 
 
 beg 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  19 
 
 heg  you  likewife  to  pray  for  me,  that  God  would 
 make  me  better,  and  take  me  at  the  bell." 
 
 Some  years  before  her  death,  fhe  received  fuch  mani- 
 feftations  of  the  grace  and  love  of  God,  as  delivered 
 her  from  every  doubt  and  every  fear,  and  enabled  her 
 to  rejoice  continually  in  the  Lord.  But  of  thefe  par- 
 ticulars, with  the  circumflances  of  her  death,  we  fhall 
 give  a  full  account  in  the  courfe  of  the  hiftory. 
 
 Thefe  few  extrafts  out  of  a  great  variety  which 
 might  be  produced,  are  fufficient  to  ftiew  the  flrength 
 of  her  underftanding,  and  the  excellence  of  her  fpirit. 
 There  are  alio  fome  Meditations  written  by  her  in 
 the  manner  of  Mrs.  Rowe,  which  evidence  the  piety 
 of  her  mind  in  a  flrong  and  plealing  light. 
 
 But  to  return.  Mr.  Samuel  Wejley,  her  hufband, 
 was  a  man  of  confiderablelearning  and  great  integrity. 
 He  was  alfo  of  eminent  ufefulnefs  as  the  minifter  of 
 a  large  parifli,  the  inhabitants  of  which  in  general 
 neither  feared  God  nor  regarded  man,  when  he  came 
 to  refide  among  them.  His  Paraphrafe  of  the  Book 
 of  Job  inconteftably  proves  the  extent  and  depth  of 
 his  erudition.*      He  wrote  alfo  many  things  in  verfe, 
 
 *'  With  Vidas  piety,  though  not  his  fire," 
 
 as  his  eldefl  fon  remarks.  His  poetry  indeed  is 
 not  generally  admired.  Yet  there  is  ofie  perfor- 
 mance which  abundantly  compenfated  for  all  thofe 
 in  which  he  failed.     It  may  be  doubted  if  there  be  ia 
 
 *  Mr.  Pope  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Szoift,  in  which  he  requefls  the 
 Dean  to  get  fubfcriptions  for  that  work,  obferves,  "  I  call  hira 
 what  he  is,  a  learned  man,  though  you  know  I  do  not  ^dmir^ 
 his  poetry.'' 
 
 C  2  the 
 
20  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  Englifh  language  any  thing  more  excellent  in  it^ 
 kind,  than  his  tranflation  of  Eupolis  hymn  to  the 
 Creator. 
 
 And  therefore,  though  we  are  fenfible  that  this  hymn 
 is  in  the  hands  of  feveral  of  our  readers,  we  cannot 
 refrain  from  prefenting  it  to  the  public,  not  only  as  a 
 proof  of  the  talents  of  this  good  man,  but  as  being 
 one  of  the  ^nt{i  pi6lures  extant  of  Gmtilc  piety. 
 
 T     H     E      H     Y     M     N. 
 
 AUTHOR  of  Being,  Source  of  Light, 
 With  unfading  beauties  bright, 
 Fulnefs,  Goodnefs,  rolling  round 
 Thy  own  fair  orb  without  a  bound  : 
 Whether  thee  thy  fuppHants  call. 
 Truth,  or  Good,  or  One,  or  All, 
 £z,  or  Jao  ;  Thee  we  hail 
 Eflence  that  can  never  fail, 
 Grecian  or  Barbaric  name. 
 Thy  ftcdfafl  Being  ftill  the  fame. 
 Thee  when  morning  greets  the  fkies 
 With  rofy  cheeks  and  humid  eyes ;  . 
 Thee,  when  fweet  declining  day 
 Sinks  in  purple  waves  away  ; 
 Thee  will  I  fing,  O  Parent  Jove, 
 And  teach  the  world  to  praife  and  love. 
 
 Yonder  azure  vault  on  high. 
 Yonder  blue,  low',   liquid  fky,  . 
 
 Karth  on  its  firm  bafis  plac'd. 
 And  with  circling  waves  embrac'd, 
 '  All  creating  pow'r  cdnfefs. 
 
 All  their  mighty  Maker  blefs. 
 
 Thou 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Thou  fhak'ft  all  nature  with  thy  nod, 
 
 Sea,  earth  and  air  confefs  the  God. 
 
 Yet  does  thy  pow'rful  hand  fuftain 
 
 Both  earth  and  heaven,  both  firm  and  main. 
 
 Scarce  can  our  daring  thought  arife 
 
 To  thy  pavilion  in  the  (kies  ; 
 
 Nor  can  Plato's  fclf  declare 
 
 The  bllfs,  the  joy,  the  rapture  there. 
 
 Barren  above  thou  doft  not  reign, 
 
 But  circled  with  a  glorious  train. 
 
 The  fons  of  God,  the  fons  of  light. 
 
 Ever  joying  in  thy  fight .: 
 
 (For  thee  their  filver  harps  are  ftrung,) 
 
 Ever  beauteous,  ever  young. 
 
 Angelic  forms  their  voices  raife. 
 
 And  through  heav'n's  arch  refound  thy  praife. 
 
 The  featherM  fouls  that  fwim  the  air, 
 
 And  ba'he  in  liquid  ether  there. 
 
 The  lark,  precentor  of  their  choir. 
 
 Leading  them  higher  ftill  and  higher, 
 
 Liften  and  learn  ;  th'  angelic  notes 
 
 Repeating  in  their  warbling  throats  : 
 And  ere  to  foft  repofe  they  go. 
 Teach  them  to  their  Lords  below  : 
 On  the  green  turf,  their  mofTy  neft. 
 The  evening  anthem  fwells  their  breafL 
 Thus  like  thy  golden  chain  from  hicrh, 
 Thy  praife  unites  the  earth  and  fky. 
 
 Source  of  light.  Thou  bidft  the  fuu 
 On  his  burning  axles  run  : 
 The  ftars  like  duft  around  him  fly^ 
 And  ftrew  the  area  of  the  fky, 
 
 C  3  H. 
 
22  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEV. 
 
 H    drives  fo  fvvift  his  race  above, 
 Mortals  can't  perceive  him  move : 
 So  fmooth  his  coiirfe,  obHque  or  ftraight, 
 Olympus  fhakes  not  with  his  weight. 
 As  the  queen  of  folemn  night 
 Fills  at  his  vafe  her  orb  of  Hght, 
 Imparted  Kiflre;  thus  we  fee, 
 The  folar  virtue  fliines  by  thee, 
 
 "Eirtfione  we'll  no  more, 
 Imaginary  pow'r,  adore  ; 
 Since  oil,  and  wool,  and  cheerful  wine, 
 And  life-fullaining  bread  are  thine. 
 
 Thy  herbage,  O  great  Pan,  fuftains 
 The  flocks  that  graze  our  Attic  plains ; 
 The  OlivT,  with  frefh  verdure  crown'd, 
 Rifes  pregnant  from  the  ground  : 
 At  thy  command  it  (hoots  and  fprings, 
 And  a  thoufand  bleffings  brings. 
 Minerva  only  is  thy  mind, 
 Wifdom,  and  bounty  to  mankind. 
 The  fragrant  thyme,  the  bloomy  rof'e. 
 Herb,  and  flow'r,  and  Ihrub  that  grows 
 On  Thejsalian  Tempts  plain, 
 Or  where  the  rich  Sahaans  reign, 
 That  treat  the  tafte,  or  fmell,  or  fight, 
 For  food,  for  m.ed'cine,  or  delight ; 
 Planted  by  thy  parent  care. 
 Spring,  and  fmile,  and  flourifli  there. 
 
 O  ye  nurfes  of  foft  dreams, 
 Reedy  brooks,  and  winding  flream«, 
 Or  murm'ring  o'er  the  pebbles  fheen. 
 Or  Aiding  thro'  the  meadows  green, 
 
 Or 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  25 
 
 Or  where  thro'  matted  fetlge  you  creep. 
 Travelling  to  your  parent  deep  : 
 Sound  his  praife,  by  whom  you  rofe. 
 
 That  Sea,  which  neither  ebhs  nor  flows. 
 
 * 
 
 O  ye  immortaf  woods  and  (troves. 
 
 Which  the  enamour'd  Student  loves; 
 
 Beneath  whofe  venerable  fhade, 
 
 For  thought  and  friendly  converfe  made, 
 
 Fam'd  Htcadem,  old  hero,  lies, 
 
 Whofe  fhrine  is  fhaded  from  the  fkies, 
 
 And  thro'  the  gloom  of  filent  night 
 
 Projects  from  far  its  trembling  light : 
 
 You,  whofe  roots  defcend  as  low, 
 
 As  high  in  air  your  branches  grow  : 
 
 Your  leafy  arms  to  heaven  extend, 
 
 Bend  your  heads,  in  homage  bend  ; 
 
 Cedars,  and  pines  that  wave  above,  , 
 
 And  the  Oak  belov'd  oi  Jove. 
 
 Omen,   Monfler,   Prodigy, 
 
 Or  nothing  are,  or,  Jove,  from  theef 
 
 W^hether  varied  nature  play, 
 
 Or  re-invers'd  thy  will  obey, 
 
 And  to  rebel  man  declare 
 
 Famine,  plague,  or  wafteful  war. 
 
 Laugh,  ye  profane,  who  dare  defpife 
 
 The  threatning  vengeance  of  the  Ikies ! 
 
 Whilfl  the  pious,  on  his  guard, 
 
 Undismay'd  is  ftill  prepar'd  : 
 
 Life  or  death,  his  mind's  at  reft. 
 
 Since  what  thou  fend'fl  muft  needs  be  befl« 
 
 No  evil  can  from  thee  proceed  : 
 'Tis  only  fuffer'd,  not  decreed. 
 
 C  4  Darkncf^ 
 
2i  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Darknefs  is  not  from  tlie  fun, 
 Nor  mount  the  fhades  'till  he  is  gone  : 
 Then  does  night  ohfccne  arife 
 From  Erebus,  and  fill  the  fkies  ; 
 Fantafiic  forms  the  air  invade, 
 Daughters  of  nothing  and  of  {fiade. 
 
 Can  we  forget  thy  guardian  care. 
 Slow  to  punifli,  prone  to  fpare  ! 
 Thou  brak'ft  the  haughty  Perfiari's  pride, 
 That  darM  old  ocean's  pow'r  deride ; 
 Their  fliipwrecks  ffrew'd  th'  Eubean  wave. 
 At  Marathon  they  found  a  grave. 
 '   O  ye  bleft  Greeks^  who  there  expir'd, 
 For  Greece  with  pious  ardor  fir'd  : 
 What  fhrines  or  altars  fhall  we  raife 
 To  fecure  your  endlefs  praife  ? 
 Or  nee4  we  monuments  fupply. 
 To  refcue  what  can  never  die  I 
 
 And  yet  a  greater  hero  far 
 (Unlefs  great  Socrates  could  err) 
 Shall  rife  to  blefs  fome  future  dav, 
 And  teach  to  live,  and  teach  to  pray. 
 Come,  unkno'.vn  Inftrufter,  come  ! 
 Our  leaping  hearts  fliaJl  make  thee  room  : 
 Thou  with  Jove  our  vows  (halt  fhare, 
 Of  jfove  and  thee  we  are  the  care. 
 
 O  Father,  King,  whofe  heav'nly  face 
 
 Shines  ferene  on  all  thy  race, 
 
 We  thy  magnificence  adore, 
 
 AM  thy  well  known  aid  implore: 
 
 Nor 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY*  25 
 
 Nor  vainly  for  thy  help  we  call ; 
 
 Nor  can  we  want :  for  Thou  art  All !  * 
 
 We  cannot  omit  obferving  that  the  famous  fpeecli 
 which  was  delivered  by  Dr.  Sacheverel  before  the 
 Houfe  of  Lords,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  was 
 compofed  by  Mr.  Samuel  Wefley  ;  as  his  fon  Mr.  John 
 Wejley  informs  us  in  his  Hiftory  of  England. 
 
 Th^  death  of  this  pious  man,  though  not  accom- 
 panied with  that  clearnefs  of  faith,  or  that  trium- 
 phant joy,  which  many  have  been  favoured  with,  who 
 have  Hved  in  a  brighter  day,  is  neverthelefs  a  ftron^ 
 proof  that  he  walked  in  all  good  confcience  before 
 God.  It  is  thus  defcribed  by  the  late  Mr.  Charlei 
 Wejley  in  a  Letter  to  his  brother  Samuel, 
 
 Epworth,  April  30,  1735, 
 Dear  Brother, 
 *'  AFTER  all  your  defire  of  feeing  my  father  alive, 
 you  are  at  laft  aifured  you  mufl  fee  his  face  no  more 
 till  he  is  raifed  in  incorruption.  You  have  reafon  to 
 envy  us,  who  could  attend  him  in  the  lafl  fiage  of  his 
 illnefs.  The  few  words  he  could  utter  I  faved,  and 
 •hope  never  to  forget.  Some  of  them  were,  ''  Nothino- 
 too  much  to  fufFer  for  heaven.  The  weaker  I  am  in 
 body,  the  ftronger  and  more  fenfible  fupport  I  feel 
 from  God.       There  is  but  a  Hep  between  me  and 
 
 *  This  Hymn  may  throw  light  on  that  palTage  of  St.  Paul 
 refpeaing   the  Heathen,    Rom.  i.  21,  &c.  "  When  they  knew 
 
 God,  they  glorified  him  not  as  God. Wherefore  God  gave 
 
 ftiem  up,  &c."  Their  Polytheifm  was  a  punilhmentconfequent 
 i:pon  their  apoflafy  from  the  true  God, 
 
 death ; 
 
26  THE  LII-E  OF  MR.  WESLEV. 
 
 death ;  to-morrow  I  would  fee  you  all  with  me  round! 
 this  table,  that  vvc  may  once  more  drink  of  the  cup 
 of  blcfhng,  before  we  drink  of  it  new  in  tlie  kingdom 
 of  God.  With  defire  have  I  defired  to  eat  this  pafs- 
 ovcr  with  you  before  I  die.*'  The  morning  he  was 
 to  communicate,  he  was  fo  exceeding  weak  and  full 
 of  pain,  that  he  could  not  without  the  utmoft  diffi- 
 culty receive  the  elementSj  often  repeating,  "  Thou 
 (hakefl  me,  thou  fliakeft  me ;"  but  immediately  after 
 receivincr,  there  followed  the  mofh  vifible  alteration. 
 He  appeared  full  of  faith  and  peace,  which  extended 
 even  to  his  body ;  for  he  was  fo  much  better,  that  we 
 almofl  hoped  he  v/ould  have  recovered.  The  fear  of 
 death  he  had  entirely  conquered,  and  at  laft  gave  up 
 his  lateft  human  dehres  of  finifliing  Joh^  paying  his 
 debts,  and  feeing  you.  He  often  laid  his  hand  upon 
 my  head,  and  faid,  "  Be  fleady.  The  chriftian 
 faith  will  furely  revive  in  this  kingdom ;  you  fhall  fee 
 it,  though  I  fhall  not.'*  To  my  filler  Emily,  he  faid, 
 "  Do  not  be  concerned  at  my  death,  God  will  then 
 begin  to  manifcft  himfelf  to  my  family."  When  we 
 were  met  about  him,  his  ufual  exprefhon  was,  "  Now 
 let  me  hear  you  talk  about  heaven."     On  my  afking 
 
 him,  whether  he   did  not   find  himfelf  worfe,  he  re- 
 
 I 
 
 plied,  "  O  my  drearies,  I  feel  a  great  deal  ;  God 
 chaflens  m.e  with  ftrong  pain,  but  I  praife  him  for  it, 
 I  thank  him  for  it,  I  love  him  for  it."  On  the  25th, 
 his  voice  failed  him,  and  nature  feemed  entirely  fpent, 
 when,  on  my  brother's  afking,  *'  Whether  he  was  not 
 near  heaven,"  he  anfwered  diflinClly,  and  w^ith  the 
 mofl  of  hope  and  triumph  that  could  be  exprefFed  in 
 
 founds, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  27 
 
 founds,  "  Yes,  I  am/*  He  fpolce  once  more  juft  after 
 my  brother  had  ufed  the  commendatory  prayer ;  his 
 iaft  words  were,  "Now  you  have  done  all!"  This 
 was  about  half  an  hour  after  fix,  from  v/hich  time  till 
 fun-fet,  he  made  figns  of  offering  up  himfeif,  till  my 
 brother,  having  again  ufed  the  prayer,  the  very  mo- 
 ment it  was  finifhed  he  expired.  His  paffage  was  lb 
 fmooth  and  infenfible,  that  notwithflanding  the  flop- 
 ping of  his  pulfe,  and  ceafmg  of  all  {ign  of  life  and 
 motion,  we  continued  over  him  a  confiderable  time, 
 in  doubt  whether  the  foul  was  departed  or  no.  My 
 mother  (who  for  feveral  days  before  he  died,  hardly 
 ever  went  into  his  chamber  but  flie  was  carried  out 
 again  in  a  fit)  was  far  lefs  fhocked  at  the  news  than 
 we  expefted,  and  told  us  that  now  fhe  was  heard,  in 
 his  having  fo  eafy  a  death,  and  her  being  ftrengthened 
 fo  to  bear  it." 
 
 His  eldeft  fon,  Samuel,  was  born  at  Epworth,  in  the 
 year  1690.  Concerning  the  childhood  of  this  Gentle- 
 man, there  is  fomething  very  remarkable.  He  did 
 not  fpeak  at  all,  till  he  was  more  than  four  years  old ; 
 and  was  thought  to  be  deficient  in  underftanding. 
 But  he  one  day  anfwered  a  queflion,  which  was  pro-- 
 pofed  to  another  concerning  him,  in  fuch  a  way  as 
 greatly  furprifed  all  that  were  prefent :  and  from  that 
 time  fpoke  without  any  difficulty.  He  was  educated 
 at  Wejiminfler  School,  and  afterwards  took  the  Degree 
 of  Mafter  of  Arts  at  Chrift-Church  College,  Oxford, 
 He  was  allowed  by  all  that  knew  him,  and  were  judges, 
 to  poffefs  a  very  fine  Claffical  tafle,  and  a  very  con- 
 fiderable knowledge  in  the  Sciences,    From  Oxford  he 
 
 returned 
 
2g  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.   WESLEY. 
 
 returned  to  Wejlminjlcr  to  officiate  as  an  Ufher.  On  a 
 vacancy  in  the  place  of  fecond  Mailer,  it  was  thought 
 by  many  of  his  friends,  that  no  perfon  fhould  be  pre- 
 ferred before  him.  But  his  intimacy  with  the  Earl  of 
 Oxfordy  Bifhop  Alter  bury,  and  Mr.  Pope,  and  the  fre- 
 quent exertions  of  his  wit  againfl  Sir  Robert  Walpolc 
 the  Minifler  oF  that  day,  prevented  his  advancement. 
 The  oftenfible  reafon  given,  was  his  being  marriedy 
 which  occafioned  him  to  fend  an  elegant  Poetical 
 Compliment  to  his  wife,  glorying  in  his  fault,  and 
 refufmg  to  repent. 
 
 He  pofTeifed  the  fear  of  God  and  much  benevolence ; 
 but  was  unhappily   prejudiced   againft  fome  of  the 
 highefl  tiiiths  of  the  Gofpel.     Many  of  the  Diffenters 
 infifted  on   thofe  great  truths :    but  he  having  been 
 educated  in  the  highefl  Church-principles,  imbibed  a 
 diflike   to  thofe  very  truths  themfelves,  becaufe  they 
 were  fo  zealoufly  enforced  out    of  the  pale   of  the 
 Church,   although  they  are  fo  plainly  taught  in  the 
 Articles  and  Homilies  of  the  Church  of  England,  Some 
 of  his  Letters  to  his  brother  J^o/z7i  are  ftill  extant,  and 
 evidence    a   mod   determined   difapprobation  of    the 
 new   Faith,    as   he   is   pleafed  to  term    ''   the    Know- 
 ledge of  Salvation  by  the  remiflion  of  our  fins."     He 
 publiflied  a  Quarto  Volume  of  Poems,  fome  of  which 
 were  of  confiderable  merit.     The  battle  of  the  fexes, 
 which  was  fuggefted  to  him  by  a  paper  in  the  Guardian, 
 has  been  much  admired.    We  will  give  fpecimens  of 
 his  abilities  for  Lnglijh  and  Latin  poetry. 
 
 A    H  Y  M  N. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  2^ 
 
 A      HYMN. 
 
 THE  morning-flowers  difplay  their  fvN^eets, 
 And  gay  their  filken  leaves  unfold. 
 As  carelefs  of  the  noon-tide  heats. 
 And  fearlefs.  of  the  evening  cold. 
 
 Nipt  by  the  wind's  unkindly  blaft, 
 
 Parch'd  by  the  fun's  direfter  ray, 
 The  momentary  glories  wafte. 
 
 The  Ihort-lived  beauties  die  away. 
 
 ji 
 So  blooms  the  human  face  divine. 
 
 When  youth  its  pride  of  beauty  (hows : 
 Fairer  than  fpring  the  colours  fhine. 
 
 And  fweeter  than  the  virgin-rofe. 
 
 Or  worn  by  flowly-rolling  years. 
 
 Or  broke  by  ficknefs  in  a  day, 
 The  fading  glory  difappears, 
 
 The  ftiort-lived  beauties  die  away. 
 
 Yet  thefe,  new  rifing  from  the  tomb, 
 
 With  luftre  brighter  far  fhall  fliine  | 
 Revive  with  ever-during  bloom, 
 
 Safe  from  difeafes  and  decline. 
 
 Let  ficknefs  blaft,  let  death  devour. 
 If  heaven  muft  recompenfe  our  pains ; 
 
 Perilh  the  grafs,  and  fade  the  flower, 
 If  firm  the  word  of  God  remains. 
 
 (ki. 
 
30  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 OiiDr.  ALDRICII,  Dean  (?/ Chrift- Church,  Oxon. 
 
 Cum  fubit  illius  laetifTima  frontis  imago, 
 Quern  rioftri  toties  explicuere  lales  : 
 Cum  iubit  &  canum  caput,  Sc  vigor  acer  ocelli^ 
 
 Et  digna  miilus  cum  gravitate  lepos : 
 
 Solvimur  in  lachrymas,  Sc  inania  munera  verfus 
 
 Ad  tumulum  fparfis  fert  Elegia  comis. 
 
 Aldricio,  debcnt  cui  munera  tanta  Camaenas, 
 
 Hoctribuille  parum  eft,  non  tribuifle  fcelus. 
 
 -The  following  tranflation  may  give  fome  faint  idea 
 of  the  original,  though  it  falls  far  fhort  of  it. 
 
 That  cheerful  afpcft  when  we  call  to  mind, 
 So  often  fmiling  at  our  artlefs  verfe  ; 
 
 That  mirth  with  ferious  dignity  combined. 
 That  vivid  piercing  eye,  the  fdver  hairs  : 
 
 We  melt  in  tears,  and  penfively  beftow 
 (Vain  prefents  !)  all  we  have,  our  grateful  lays, 
 
 Small  to  give  this  to  whom  fo  much  we  owe  ! 
 Yet  fm  it  were  this  trophy  not  to  raife. 
 
 JJis  Epitaph  well  exprejifes  his  Character,  mid  we 
 
 believe  docs  not  exceed  the  truth. 
 
 Here  lie,  interred. 
 
 The  Remains  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Wejley,  A.  M, 
 
 Sometime  Student  of  Chrift-church,  Oxon  : 
 
 A  man,  for  his  uncommon  wit  and  learning, 
 
 For  the  benevolence  of  his  temper, 
 
 And  the  fimplicity  of  his  manners, 
 
 Defervedly 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  31 
 
 Defervedly  beloved  and  eflcemed  by  alE 
 All  excellent  Preacher : 
 But  whofe  befl  Termon 
 \Y:\$  xhe  conilant  example  of  an  edifying  life. 
 So  continually  and  zealoufly  employed 
 In  a61:s  of  beneficence  and  charity, 
 That  he  truly  followed 
 His  bleiTed  Mailer's  example, 
 In  going  about,  doing  good. 
 Of  fuch  fcrupulous  integrity, 
 That  he  declined  occafions  of  advancement  in  the  world 
 Thro'  fear  of  being  involved  in  dangerous  compliances. 
 And  avoided  the  ufual  ways  to  preferment 
 As  fludioufly  as  many  others  feek  them. 
 ;         Therefore,  after  a  life  fpent 
 In  the  laborious  employment  of  teaching  youth, 
 Firft,  for  near  twenty  years, 
 As  one  of  the  Ufliers  in  Weflminfler-fchool: 
 
 Afterwards,  for  feven  years. 
 As  head-mafler  of  the  free-fchool,  at  Tiverton^ 
 
 He  refigned  his  foul  to  God, 
 November  6.  1739.  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age. 
 
 Mr.  Charles  WeJIey,  the  third  fon,  was  born  dit  Epworth 
 in  1708.  He  received  part  of  his  education  at  T'T^mz^z/^fr, 
 and  was  afterwards  admitted  as  a  fludent  of  Chrift- 
 Church  College,  Oxford,  where  he  took  tht  degree  of 
 Mafter  of  Arts.  He  was  a  -crood  fcholar  :  and  at  a 
 very  early  age  began  to  difplay  thofe  poetic  talents, 
 which  afterwards  ihone  with  fuch  peculiar  luftre.  It 
 i,s  concerning  his  compofitions,  that   Mr,  John  Wcjley 
 
 write? 
 
S2  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY* 
 
 writes  fuch  flrong  encomiums  in  his  preface  to  hl$ 
 large  Hymn-book.  "  In  thefe  hymns,  (fays  he)  there 
 is  no  doggerel,  no  botches,  nothing  put  in  to  patch 
 lip  the  rhyme  :  no  feeble  expletives.  Here  is  nothing 
 turgid  or  bombafl,  on  the  one  hand,  or  low  and  creep- 
 ing on  the  other.  Here  are  no  cant  exprefhons,  no 
 words  without  meaning.  Here  are  (allow  me  to  fay) 
 both  the  purity,  the  ftrength  and  the  elegance  of  the 
 Engli/Ji  language,  and  at  the  fame  time  the  utmofl 
 fimplicity  and  plainnefs,   fuited  to  every  capacity." 
 
 Mr.  Charles  Wejley  wrote  fhort  hymns  on  mod  of 
 the  remarkable  paffages  of  the  Old  and  New  Tefta^ 
 iTient,  and  very  largely  on  fome  parts  of  both.  His 
 H3'mns  and  facred  Poems  are  an  invaluable  treafure. 
 There  is  not  a  point  of  divinity,  doctrinal,  experi- 
 mental, or  practical,  which  he  has  not  illuflrated  in 
 Vcrje,  which  for  purity,  and  often  for  fublimity,  may 
 \'ie  with  any  thing  in  the  Englifh  language.  But  they 
 efpecially  evidence  that  the  mind  of  the  Writer  was 
 deeply  impreffed  with  his  fubje6l,  and  fully  acquainted 
 with  the  religion  of  the  heart. 
 
 As  a  Preacher  he  was  mighty  in  the  fcriptures,  and 
 poffeifed  a  remarkable  talent  of  uttering  the  moft 
 ft  liking  truths  with  fimplicity,  force  and  brevity.  For 
 fome  years  after  he  left  the  Univerfity,  he  chiefly  tra- 
 velled with  his  brother,  and  fhared  in  all  his  labours 
 and  dangers.  He  then  marned  Mifs  Sarah  Gwynne, 
 a  lady  of  a  confiderable  family  in  the  county  of  Brecon 
 in  South  Wales.  After  his  marriage  he  divided  his 
 miniftry  almofl  entirely  betv.'-ecn  London  and  Brijlol, 
 and  was  rendered, ufeful  in  the  converiion  and  fpirituaf 
 
 piofu 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  33 
 
 profit  of  many  fouls  in  thofe  cities.  The  circum* 
 ftances  of  his  death  are  related  by  his  daughter  Sarah 
 in  a  letter  to  her  uncle  Mr.  John  Wejley^  as  follows  : 
 
 Dear  and  honoured  Uncle, 
 
 "  WE  were  all  prefent,  when  my  dear  refpe6led 
 father  departed  this  life.  His  end  was  what  he  par- 
 ticularly defired  it  might  be,  Peace  ! 
 
 "  For  fome  months  pafl  he  feemed  totally  detached 
 from  earth ;  he  fpoke  very  little,  nor  wifhed  to  hear 
 any  thing  read,  but  the  Scriptures.  He  took  a  folemn 
 leave  of  all  his  friends.  I  once  afked,  if  he  had  any 
 prefages  that  he  fhould  die  ?  he  faid,  "  No  :  but  his 
 weaknefs  was  fuch,  that  he  thought  it  impoffible  he 
 fhould  live  through  March."  He  kindly  bade  me  re- 
 member him :  and  feemed  to  have  no  doubt,  but  I 
 fhould  meet  him  in  heaven. 
 
 "  All  his  prayer  was,  "  Patience  and  an  eafy 
 death  !"  He  bade  every  one  who  vifited  him,  to  fup- 
 plicate  for  thefe,  often  repeating,  *'  an  eafy  death  \" 
 
 "  He  told  my  mother,  the  week  before  he  departed^ 
 that  no  fiend  was  permitted  to  approach  him ;  and 
 faid  to  us  all.    "I  have  a  good  hope  !'* 
 
 "  When  we  afked  if  he  wanted  any  thing,  he  fre- 
 quently anfwered,  "  Nothing  but  Chrifl."  Some 
 perfon  obferved,  that  the  valley  of  the  fhadow  of 
 death  was  hard  to  be  paffed.  "  Not  with  Chrift/'  re- 
 plied he. 
 
 *'  On  March  the  27th  (after  a  moft  uneafy  night)  he 
 prayed  as  in  an  agony,  that  he  might  not  have  many 
 fuch  nights.  "  O  my  God,"  faid  he,  "  not  many  !"  It 
 was  with  great  difficulty  he  feemed  to  fpeak.     About 
 
 D  ten 
 
34  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ten  days  bef"orc,  on  my  brother  Samuel's  entering  tlie 
 room,  he  took  hold  of  his  hand,  and  pronounced, 
 with  a  voice  of  faith,  ''  I  fliall  blefs  God  to  all  eter- 
 nity, that  ever  you  were  born  :  I  am  perfuaded  I 
 fhall'" 
 
 "  My  brotlicr  Charles  alfo  feemed  much  upon  his' 
 mind  :  ';  That  dear  boy,  faid  he,  God  blefs  him  !" 
 He  fpoke  lefs  to  rnc  than  to  the  reft,  which  has  fince 
 given  me  fome  pain.  However,  he  bade  me  truft  in 
 God,  and  never  forfake  him,  and  then,  he  allured  me, 
 he  never  would  forfake  me  ! 
 
 "  The  28th  my  mother  aflced  if  he  had  any  thing 
 to  fay  to  us  ;  raihng  his  eyes,  he  faid,  "  Only  thanks  l 
 Love!  Bleffing!" 
 
 "  Tuefday  and  AVednefday  he  was  not  entirely  fen- 
 fible.  He  flept  much,  without  refrefhment,  and  had 
 the  reftlefsnefs  of  death  for  I  think  the  whole  week. 
 
 ''  He  was  eager  to  depart,  and  if  we  moved  him, 
 or  fpoke  to  him,  he  aufwered,  "  Let  me  die  !  let  me 
 die  I" 
 
 "  A  fortnight  before,  he   prayed  with  many   tears 
 
 for  all  his  enemies,  naming   Mifs .     *'  I  befeech 
 
 thee,  O  Lord,  by  thine  agony  and  bloody  fweat,"  faid 
 he,  '•  that  (he  may  never  feel  the  pangs  of  eternal 
 death  !" 
 
 '*  When  your  kind  letter  to  my  brother  came,  (in 
 which  you  affeftionately  tell  him,  that  you  will  be  a 
 father  to  him  and  my  brother  Samuel,)  I  read  it  to 
 our  father;  "  He  will  be  kind  to  you,"  faid  he, 
 *'  when  I  am  gone  :  I  am  certain,  your  uncle  will  be 
 kind  to  all  of  you.'* 
 
 [\  The 
 J 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  35 
 
 **  The  lafl  morning  (which  wa^  the  29th  of  March) 
 being  unable  to  fpeak,  my  mother  intreated  him  to 
 prefs  her  hand,  if  he  knew  her,  which  he  feebly  did. 
 
 *'  His  lafl  words  which  I  could  hear,  were,  "  Lord 
 ■ — my  heart — my  God  V  He  then  drew  his  breath 
 fhort,  and  the  lafl  fo  gently,  that  we  knew  not  exaclly 
 the  moment  in  which  his  happy  fpirit  fled. 
 
 *^  His  dear  hand  was  in  mine  for  five  minutes  beforCj 
 and  at  the  awful  period  of  his  difTolution. 
 
 "  It  often  had  been  his  defire  that  we  fhould  attend 
 him  to  the  grave  ;  and  though  he  did  not  mention  it 
 again  (as  he  did  the  place  of  his  burial)  during  this  ill- 
 ne{s,  we  all  mean  to  fulfil  his  wifh  ;  trufling  we  fhall 
 be  fupported,  as  we  have  been  hitherto,  inouraffliding 
 iituations.     I  am,  your  affli6led  and  dutiful  Niece, 
 
 S.  Wesley/' 
 '    Chejierfield- Street, 
 April  4,  1788. 
 
 We  know  not  any  thing  remarkable  of  Mr.  Wcjltys, 
 fiflers,  except  of  one  who  married  a  Mr.  Wright.  She 
 is  faid  to  have  been  a  perfon  of  remarkable  under- 
 Handing  and  tafle,  and  of  fome  knowledge  in  the 
 Greek  and  Latin  tongues.  It  is  certain  fhe  pof- 
 feffed  confiderable  poetic  talents,  which  the  following 
 rpecimen  will  abundantly  prove,    , 
 
 D   2  ^FaRE  WEIrt, 
 
3^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 A    Farewell    lo   the   World. 
 
 WHILE  ficknefs  rends  this  tenement  of  clay, 
 Th'  approaching  change  with  pleafure  I  furvey. 
 O'erjoy'd  to  reach  the  goal  with  eager  pace, 
 E'er  my  flow  lite  has  meafur'd  half  its  race. 
 No  longer  fliall  I  bear,  my  friends  to  pleafe, 
 The  hard  conflraint  of  feeming  much  at  eafe, 
 Wearing  an  outward  fmile,  a  look  ferene, 
 While  piercing  racks  and  tortures  lurk  within. 
 Yet  let  me  not,  ungrateful  to  my  God, 
 Record  the  evil,  and  forget  the  good. 
 For  both  I  humble  adoration  pay. 
 And  blefs  the  Power,  who  gives,  and  takes  away. 
 Long  fliall  my  faithful  memory  retain, 
 And  oft  recall  each  interval  of  pain. 
 Nay,  to  high  heaven  for  greater  gifts  I  bend  : 
 Health  I've  enjoy 'd,  and  I  had  once  a  friend. 
 Our  labour  fweet,  if  labour  it  might  feem, 
 Allow'd  the  fportive  and  inflruftive  fcene : 
 Yet  here  no  lewd  or  ufelefs  wit  was  found ; 
 We  poiz'd  the  wavering  fail  withballaft  found. 
 Learning  here  plac'd  her  richer  flores  in  view. 
 Or  wing'd  with  love,  the  minutes  gaily  flew. 
 
 Nay,  yet  fublimer  joys  our  bofoms  prov'd. 
 Divine  benevolence,  by  heaven  belov'd  : 
 Wan,  meagre  forms,  torn  from  impending  death. 
 Exulting,  blefl;  us  with  reviving  breath. 
 The  fhivcring  wretch  we  cloath'd,  the  mourner  chcar'd. 
 And  ficknefs  ceas'd  to  groan,  when  we  appear'd. 
 Unaflc'd,  our  care  afliflis  with  tender  art 
 Their  bodies,  nor  neglefts  th'  immortal  part. 
 
 Sometlm'es 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  37 
 
 Sometimes  in  (hades,  unpierc'd  by  Cynthia  s  beam, 
 Whofe  luflre  glimmer'd  on  the  dimpled  ftream, 
 We  wander'd  innocent  through  Sylvan  fcenes, 
 Or  tripp'd,  like  fairies,  o'er  the  level  greens. 
 From  fragrant  herbage  deck'd  with  pearly  dews, 
 And  flowrets  of  a  thoufand  different  hues. 
 By  wafting  gales,  ^he  mingling  odours  fly, 
 And  round  our  heads  in  whifpering  breezes  figh, 
 Whole  nature  feems  to  heighten  and  improve 
 The  holier  hours  of  innocence  and  love  : 
 Youth,  wit,  good-nature,  candour,  fenfe,  combin'd. 
 To  ferve,  delight,  and  civilize  mankind  ;  / 
 
 In  wifdom's  lore  we  every  heart  engage, 
 And  triumph  to  reflore  the  golden  age. 
 
 Now  clofe  the  blifsful  fcene,  exhaufted  mufe, 
 The  lateft  blifsful  fcene,  that  thou  fhalt  chufe; 
 Satiate  with  life,  what  joys  for  me  remain, 
 Save  one  dear  wifli,  to  balance  every  pain  ; 
 To  bow  my  head,  with  grief  and  toil  oppreft, 
 Till  borne  by  angel-bands  to  everlafting  reft. 
 
 Mr.  John  Wejlcy  fubjoins  to  this  Poem  the  following 
 note :  "  It  is  but  jullice  to  her  memory  to  obferve, 
 that  Ihe  was  at  reft,  before  Ihe  went  hence :  being  for 
 fome  years  a  witnefs  of  that  reft,  which  remains  even 
 here  for  the  people  of  God." 
 
 Mrs.  Hall,  her  filler,  was  a  woman  of  fenfe  and 
 piety.  She  long  furvived  her  unhappy  hufband, 
 whofe  apoftacy,  and  confequent  misfortunes,  have  al- 
 ready been  fufficiently  publiflied.  She  enjoyed  for 
 feveral  years   the   company   and   friendihip   of  her 
 
 D  3  brothers; 
 
S?  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 brothers ;  and  furviving  them  both,  died  in  London  iri 
 July  1791. 
 
 CHAP.     n. 
 
 Of  the  Birth ^  Fducaticn,  and  Refidence  at  Oxford^    of 
 Mr.     Wesley. 
 
 \ /|R.  John  Wefey,  the  fecond  fon  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
 i.  VX  Wefty,  the  grand  fubjecl  of  our  Hiflory,  was  born 
 June  17th,  (old  ftyle)  1703.  Of  his  mere  childhood 
 nothing  very  material  has  reached  us,  except  a  re- 
 markable deliverance  from  fire,  when  he  was  about 
 fix  years  of  age.  What  fo  nearly  concerned  the  life 
 of  fo  great  a  man,  cannot  be  unpleafing,  or  unin- 
 terefling,  to  relate.  By  accident,  as  all  that  have 
 written  concerning  it  have  fuppofed,  but  according 
 to  his  own  account,  by  the  wickednefs  of  fome  of  his 
 father's  parifhioners,  who  could  not  bear  the  plain 
 dealing  of  fo  faithful  and  refolute  a  pallor,  the  par- 
 fonage-houfe  was  {^x.  on  fire.  But  the  following  letter 
 from  Mrs.  Sufannah  We/ley,  to  a  neiglibouring  Clergy- 
 man, with  Mr.  John  Weflcys  additions,  will  afford  full 
 
 information  concernincr  the  whole  tranfadion. 
 
 o 
 
 Epworth,  Aug.  24,  1709. 
 *^''  ON  Wcdnefday  night,  February  the  ninth,  be- 
 tween the  hours  of  eleven  and  t\\^elve,  fome  fparks 
 fell  from  the  roof  of  our  houfe,  upon  one  of  the  chil- 
 dren's (Kittys)  feet.  She  immediately  ran  to  our 
 chamber,  and  called  us.   Mr.  Wefley^  hearing  a  cry  of 
 
 fire 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 39 
 
 tire  in  the  ftreet,  ftarted  up  :   (as  I  was  very  ill,  he  lay 
 in  a  feparafe  room  from  me  :)  and  opening  his  door, 
 found  the  fire  was  in  hisownhoufe.  He  immediatelv 
 came  to  my  room,   and  bade   me  and  my  two  eidell 
 daughters  rife  quickly  and  fhift  for  ourfelves.     Then 
 he  ran,  and  burft  open  the  Nurfery-door,  and  called 
 to  the  maid,   to   bring   out  the   children.     The  two 
 little  ones  lay  in  the  bed  v/ith  her ;     the  three  othei's, 
 in  another  bed.      She  fnatched  up  the  youngeft,  and 
 bade  the  reft  follow  ;  which  the  three  eider  did.  When 
 we  were  got  into  the  hall,  and  were  furrounded  with 
 flames,   Mr.  Wejley  found  he  had  left  the  keys  of  the 
 doors  above  ftairs.     He  ran  up,  and  recovered  them, 
 a  minute  before  the  ftair-cafe  took  fire.        When   wc 
 opened  the  ftreet-door,    the  ftrong    North  Eaft  wind 
 drove  the  flaniesi  in   with   fuch  violence,    that  none 
 could  ftand  againft  them.     But  fome  of  our  children 
 got  out  through  the  windows,  the  reft  through  a  little 
 door  into  the  garden.     I  was  not  in    a    condition    to 
 climb  up  to  the  windows  ;  neither  could  I  get  to  the 
 garden-door.       1  endeavoured  three   times    to    force 
 my  paffage  through  the  ftreet-door,  but  was   as  often 
 beat  back  by  the  fury  of  the  flames.       In  this  diftrefs, 
 I    befought  our  blcffed  Saviour  for  help,    and  then 
 waded  through  the  fire,  naked  as  I  was,  which  did  me 
 no  farther  harm,  than  a  little  fcorching  my  hands  and 
 my  face. 
 
 When  Mr.  Wejley  had  feen  the  other  children  fafe, 
 he  heard  the  child  in  the  nurfery  cry.  He  attempted 
 to  go  up  the  ftairs,  but  they  were  all  on  fire,  and 
 would  not  bear  his  weight.      Finding  it  impoflible  to 
 
 ^  4  give 
 
40  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 give  any  help,    he  kneeled  down  in  the  hall,    and  re- 
 commended the  foul  of  the  child  to  God." 
 
 Mr.  John  Wejley  adds, 
 
 '•I  believe,  it  was  jufl  at  that  time  I  waked  :  fori 
 did  not  cry  as  they  imagined,  unlefs  it  was  afterwards. 
 I  remember  all  the  circumflances  as  diftinftly,  as 
 though  it  were  but  yefterday.  Seeing  the  room  was 
 very  light,  I  called  to  the  maid  to  take  me  up.  But 
 none  anfwering,  I  put  my  head  out  of  the  curtains, 
 and  faw  ftreaks  of  fire  on  the  top  of  the  room.  I  got 
 up,  and  ran  to  the  door,  but  could  get  no  farther,  all 
 the  floor  beyond  it  being  in  a  blaze.  I  then  climbed 
 up  on  a  chef!:,  which  flood  near  the  window  :  one  in 
 the  yard  faw  me,  and  propofed  running  to  fetch  a 
 ladder.  Another  anfwered,  ''  There  will  be  no  time  : 
 but  I  have  thought  of  another  expedient.  Here,  I 
 will  fix  myfelf  againft  the  v/all  :  lift  a  light  man,  and 
 fet  him  on  my  flioulders."  They  did  fo,  and  he  took 
 me  out  at  the  window.  Juil  then  the  whole  roof  fell 
 in  :  but  it  fell  inward,  or  we  had  all  been  crufhed  at 
 once.  When  they  brought  me  into  the  houfe,  where 
 my  father  was,  he  cried  out,  "Come,  neighbours! 
 Let  us  kneel  down  :  let  us  give  thanks  to  God  !  He 
 has  given  me  all  my  eight  children :  let  the  houfe  go  : 
 I  am  rich  enough  V 
 
 *'  The  next  day,  as  he  was  walking  in  the  garden, 
 and  furveying  the  ruins  of  the  houfe,  he  picked  up 
 part  of  a  leaf  of  his  polyglot-bible,  on  which  juffe 
 thofe  words  were  legible,  Vadc  ;  vcnde  omnia  quce  habes, 
 
 (^  aitoUe 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  41 
 
 Cj*  attolle  crucem  (3  Jequere  me.  Go  ;  fell  all  that  thou 
 hajl :  and  take  up  thy  crofs  and  follow  me. " 
 
 We  mufl  not  here  omit  to  remark,  that  the  incen- 
 diaries had  twice  before  attempted  to  burn  the  houfe. 
 
 The  memory  of  Mr.  John  Wejley's  efcape  is  ftill 
 preferved  in  one  of  his  early  prints.  Under  his  por- 
 trait, there  is  a  houfe  in  flames,  with. this  infcription, 
 *'  Is  not  this  a  brand  plucked  out  of  the  burning  ?"  He 
 remembered  this  remarkable  event  ever  after  with  the 
 moft  lively  gratitude,  and  more  than  once  has  intro- 
 duced it  in  his  writings. 
 
 He  feems  to  have  been    impreffed  with  fentiments 
 
 of  religion   at  a  very  early    age  :   and  partook  of  the 
 
 Lord's-Supper  when   he    was   only   eight   years  old. 
 
 From  all  that  he  himfelf  has  related   to  us,  we    have 
 
 reafon  to  believe  that  he  never  loft  thofe  ferious   im- 
 
 preflions.     He  was  placed  when  very  young    at    the 
 
 Charter-Houfe  in  London,  under  that  eminent  fcholar. 
 
 Dr.  Walker,  with  whom   he   foon   became  a  favourite 
 
 on  account  of  his   fobriety  and  application.       Ever 
 
 after  he  retained   a   remarkable  predilection  for  that 
 
 place,  and  was  accufiomed  to  walk  through  it  once  a 
 
 year  during  his  annual  vilit  in  London.     He  had  fome 
 
 reafons  however  to  complain  of  the  ufage  he  received 
 
 at  the  Charter-houfe.     Difcipline  was  fo  exceedingly 
 
 relaxed,  that  the  boys  of  the  higher  forms  were  fuffered 
 
 to  eat  up,  not  only  their  own  portions  of  animal  food, 
 
 but  thofe  alfo  which  were  allowed  the  leifer  boys.     Ey 
 
 this  means  he  was  limited  tor    a  coniiderable  part    of 
 
 the  time  he   remained  at  that  fchool,    to  a  fmail  daily 
 
 portion  of  bread  as  his  only   iolid  food.      One  thing 
 
 jbe    obferv.ed,  as  contributing   among  others   to   his 
 
 general 
 
42  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 general  flow  of  health,  and  to  the  eflabliihment  of  hi^ 
 conflitution,  was  his  invariable  attention  to  a  flrici 
 command  of  his  father,  that  he  fhould  run  round  the 
 Charter-houfe  garden,  which  was  of  confiderable  ex- 
 tent, three  times  every  morning. 
 
 From  the  Charter-houfe  he  was  removed  to  Chrill- 
 Church  College,  Oxford,  where  he  took  his  degree 
 of  Batchelor  of  Arts.  In  the  year  1724,  he  was 
 elefted  Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  and  two  years 
 after  this  he  took  his  degree  of  Mafler  of  Arts. 
 
 He  now  became  confpicuous  as  a  icholar.  Nor 
 was  he  barely  acquainted  with  the  learned  languages  ; 
 he  read  them  as  a  critic,  and  relifhed  all  their 
 beauties. 
 
 He  converfed  fluently  in  Latin,  which  he  fpoke  and 
 x^^rote  with  remarkable  purity  and  elegance.  Thofe 
 who  were  judges  of  the  claflic  writers,  and  were  fre- 
 quently in  his  company,  were  furprited  at  the  readi- 
 nefs  with  which  he  quoted  the  Greek  and  Latin  poets, 
 even  to  his  latefl  days.  The  Greek  Teflament  was  as 
 familiar  to  him  as  the  ErigliJJi,  His  {kill  in  logic  is  fo 
 well  known,  that  it  is  almofl  proverbial.  It  has  been 
 faid  indeed  that  "  he  delighted  to  puzzle  his  opponents 
 by  the  fallacies  of  that  art."  But  he  has  often  declared 
 that  he  never  in  his  life  in  any  difputation,  either  in 
 jeft  or  earned,  defignedly  took  the  wrong  fide  of  the 
 queftion  ;  and  left  he  Ihould  be  brought  infenfibly 
 to  this,  he  always  avoided  being  opponent  in  the 
 public  difputations  at  the  Univerfity.  His  own  words 
 in  anfwer  to  Mr.  Badcock  are  as  follows.  "  It  has  been 
 my  firfl  care  for  many  years,  to  fee  that  my  caufe  was 
 
 '       good^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  43 
 
 (Tood,  and  never,  either  in  jeft  or  earneft,  to  defend 
 the  wrong  fide  of  a  queftion.  And  Ihame  on  me,  if  I 
 cannot  defend  the  right,  after  fo  much  pradice ;  and 
 after  having  been  fo  early  accuftomed  to  feparate 
 truth  from  falfehood,  how  artfully  foever  they  were 
 twifted  together." 
 
 His  Poetic  abilities  were  not  inconfiderable,  but  he 
 did  not  cultivate  them  much  after  he  left  the  Univer- 
 fity.  He  looked  upon  himfelf  as  called  to  higher 
 work ;  and  he  was  loon  fo  fully  employed  therein, 
 that  he  was  obliged  wholly  to  give  up  the  writing  of 
 Poetry.  Neverthelefs,  the  pieces  he  has  publilhed 
 abundantly  prove  the  ftrength  and  elegance  of  his 
 genius  in  this  refjDcft .  We  fhall  feleft  one  of  tliem 
 as  a  fpecimen. 
 
 Part  of  the  i04tli  Psalm  paraphraftd, 
 
 UPBORNE  aloft  on  ventrous  wing. 
 While  fpurning  earthly  themes  I  foar, 
 Througli  paths  untrod  before, 
 What  God,  what  feraph,  fhall  I  fing  ? 
 Whom  but  thee  Ihould  I  proclaim. 
 Author  of  this  wondrous  frame  ? 
 
 Eternal,  uncreated  Lord, 
 Enihrin'd  in  glory's  radiant  blaze ! 
 
 At  whofe  prolific  voice,  whofe  potent  v*'ord. 
 Commanded  nothing  fwift  retired,  and  worlds  began  their  race. 
 Thou,  brooding  o'er  the  realms  of  night, 
 Th'  unbottom'd,  infinite  abyfs, 
 Bad'ft  the  deep  her  rage  furceafe. 
 And  faidit,  let  there  be  light  I 
 
 Ethereal 
 
44  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 JEjihered]  light  thy  call  obey'd, 
 Through  the  wide  void  her  living  waters  paft. 
 Glad  £he  lett  her  native  Ihade, 
 Darknefs  turn'd  his  murmuring  head, 
 Refign'd  the  reins,  and  trembling  fled  ; 
 The  chryftal  waves  roll'd  on,  and  fiH'd  tlie  ambient  wafle. 
 
 In  light,  effulgent  robe,  array 'd 
 
 Thou  letVIl  the  beauteous  realms  of  day; 
 The  golden  towers  inclin'd  their  head, 
 
 As  their  Sovereign  took  his  way. 
 
 The  all-incircling  bounds  (a  fhining  train, 
 Miniftering  flames,  around  him  flew) 
 Through  the  vaft  profound  he  drew» 
 
 When,  lo !   fcquacious  to  his  fruitful  hand. 
 Heaven  o'er  th'  uncolour'd  void,  her  azure  curtain  threw, 
 
 Lo  [  marching  o'er  the  empty  fpace, 
 
 The  fluid  ftores  in  order  rife 
 With  adamantine  chains  of"  liquid  glafs. 
 
 To  bind  Alt  new-born  fabric  of  the  flcies. 
 Downward  th'  Almiglity  Builder  rode^ 
 Old  Ckavs  groan'd  beneath  the  God, 
 
 Sable  clouds  his  pompous  car, 
 Harnell  winds  betore  him  ran. 
 Proud  to  wear  their  Maker's  chain. 
 And  told  with  hoarfe-refcunding  voice  his  coming  from  afar. 
 
 Embryon  earth  the  fignal  knew. 
 And  rear'd  from  night's  dark  womb  her  infant  head  : 
 Though  yet  prevailing  waves  her  hills  o'erfpread, 
 
 And  ftam'd  their  fickly  face  with  pallid  hue. 
 But  when  loud  thimders  the  pnrfuit  began, 
 Back  the  affrighted  fpoilers  ran  : 
 
 In  vain  afpiring  hills  oppos'd  their  race, 
 O'er  hills  and  vales  with  equiil  hallc 
 The  flying  fquadrons  pafl, 
 
 Till 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  45 
 
 Till  fafe  within  the  walls  of  their  appointed  place  : 
 There  firmly  fixt,  their  fare  enclofures  ftand, 
 Unconquerable  bounds  of  ever-during  fand  ! 
 He  fpake  i  from  the  tall  mountain's  wounded  fide, 
 Frelh  fprings  roU'd  down  their  filver-tide  : 
 
 O'er  the  glad  vales,  the  fhinirtg  wanderers  ftray. 
 Soft  murmuring  as  they  flow. 
 While  in  their  cooling  wave  inclining  low, 
 The  untaught  natives  of  the  field  their  parching  thii-fl  allay. 
 High  feated  on  the  dancing  fprays, 
 
 Checquering  with  varied  light  their  parent  ftreams. 
 The  feather'd  quires  attune  their  artlefs  lays. 
 
 Safe  from  tlie  dreaded  heat  of  folar  beams. 
 
 Genial  fhowers  at  his  command. 
 Pour  plenty  o'er  the  barren  land  : 
 Labo.^jring  with  parent  throes. 
 See!  The  teeming  hills  difclofe 
 A  new  birth  :  fee  chearful  green, 
 Tranfitory,  pleafing  fcene. 
 O'er  the  fmiling  landfkip  glow, 
 And  (rladden  all  the  vale  below. 
 Along  the  mountain's  cragg)^  brow, 
 Amiably  dreadful  now  ; 
 See  the  clafping  vine  difpread 
 Her  gently-rifing,  verdant  head : 
 See  the  purple  grape  appear, 
 Kind  relief  of  human  care  1 
 
 Inftinft  with  circling  life,  thy  {kill 
 
 Uprear'd  the  olive's  loaded  bough ; 
 What  time  on  Lebanon?,  proud  hill 
 
 Slow  rofe  the  ftately  cedar's  brow. 
 Nor  lefs  rejoice  the  lowly  plains, 
 
 Of  ufeful  corn  the  fertile  bed, 
 
 Than  when  the  lordly  cedar  reigns, 
 
 A  beauteous,  but  a  barren  fhade. 
 
 While 
 
45  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 While  in  his  arms  the  painted  train, 
 
 WcH-bling  to  the  vocal  grove. 
 Sweetly  tell  their  pleafing  pain, 
 
 Willing  flaves  to  genial  love ; 
 While  the  wild  goats,  an  active  throng, 
 
 From  rock  to  rock  light-bounding  fly, 
 Jehovah's  praife  in  folemn  fong 
 
 Shall  echo  through  the  vaulted  fky. 
 
 The  Hymn  on  the  attributes  of  God,  which  he 
 publifhed  in  his  large  Hymn-Book,  and  was  compofed 
 hy  himfelf,  is  one  of  the  mofl  excellent  of  the  kind 
 in  our  Language.  All  the  Hymns  in  his  various 
 publications,  that  were  borrowed  from  the  German 
 (which  are  many)  were  tranflated  by  him.  But  he 
 has  frequently  urged,  as  another  reafon  for  filencing 
 his  mufe,  that  the  fuperiour  poetic  genius  of  his 
 brother  rendered  it  unneceffary. 
 
 About  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Lincoln  College, 
 he  was  deeply  impreffed  with  the  thoughts  of  eternity: 
 and  has  often  mentioned  his  eleftion  to  his  Fellow- 
 fliip  as  a  mofl  happy  event.  It  enabled  him,  he  faid, 
 to  call  ofF  all  thofe  of  his  acquaintance,  whofe  con- 
 verfation  he  found  injurious  to  him  with  refpe6l  to 
 relicrion.  On  this  occafion,  he  new-modelled  his  whole 
 life,  regulated  his  time,  his  ftudies,  and  his  expences  ; 
 and  chofe  with  great  caution  his  future  companions. 
 In  fhort,  he  a6led  in  every  refpeQ  as  a  man,  who  en- 
 quired, like  Job,  "  Where  is  the  place  of  wifdom  ?" 
 And  came  to  the  famiC  conclufion,  that  ''  the  fear  of 
 the  Lord  is  wifdom,  and  to  depart  from  evil  is  under- 
 daijding." 
 
 Being 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  47 
 
 Being  thus  in  fome  meafure  prepared  for  the 
 Kiiniilry,  for  which  he  had  from  the  beginning  beea 
 defigned  by  his  father,  he  was  ordained  in  the  year 
 1725,  by  Dv.  Potter,  afterwards  Archbifhop  of  Ca?2- 
 terbmy,  and  preached  his  firfl  fermon  at  South  Lye, 
 near  Oxford,  There  is  a  letter  of  his  father's  now 
 extant  relating  to  this  awful  event,  which  cannot  be 
 unpleafing  or  unprofitable  to  the  ferious  reader. 
 
 Wroote,  Jan.  26,  1725. 
 
 Dear  Son, 
 
 ^'  AS  to  what  you  mention  of  entering  into   Holy 
 Orders,  it  is  indeed  a  great  work,      I    am  pleafed   to 
 find,    you  think  it  fo  :    as  well  as  that  you  do  not  ad- 
 mire a  callow  clergyman  any  more  than  I  do.     As  to 
 thf  motives,  if  it  is  no  harm  to  defire  getting  into  that 
 office,  even  as  Eli's  fons,  to  eat  a  piece  of  bread  :  yet 
 certainly  a  defire  and  intention  to  lead  a  ftri61;er  life, 
 and   a   belief  one   fhould  do   fo,  is  a  belter   reafon  : 
 tliough  this  fhould  by  all  means  be  begun  before,   or 
 ten  to  one,  it  will  deceive  us  afterwards.      But  if  a 
 man  be  unwilling  and  undefirous  to  enter  into  orders, 
 it  is  eafy  to  guefs,  whether  he  fay,   fo   much  as  with 
 common  honefly,  that  he  truRs  he  is  *•'  moved  to  it 
 hy  the  Holy  Gholl."     But  the   principal   fpring  and 
 motive,  to  which  all  others  fhould  be  only  fecondary, 
 mufl  undoubtedly  be  the  glory  of  God,  and  the   edi- 
 fication of  our  neighbour.     And  woe  to   him,    who, 
 with  any  meaner  leading  view,  attempts   fo  facred  a 
 work.     For  this  lie  fhould  take  all  the  care  he  pofTibly 
 
43  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 can,  with  the  advice  of  wifer  and  oldei'  men,    (efpc- 
 cially  imploring  the   dire6lion  and   afliflance   of  Al- 
 mighty God,  with  all  humility,  lincerity,   and  inten- 
 tion of  mind,)  to  qualify  hi mfelf.        The    knowledge 
 of  the  languages  is  a  confiderable  help  in  this  matter, 
 which  1  thank  God  all    my    three    fons   have.       But 
 then  this  muft  be  profccuted  to  the  thorough  under- 
 Handing  the  original  text  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,    by 
 converfmg  w^ith  them  long  and  conllantly.     You   afk 
 me,     *'  Which   is  the  bcfl  comment  on  the  Bible?"   I 
 anfwer,  the  Bible  itfelf.      For  the  feveral  paraphrafes 
 and  tranflations  of  it  in  the  polyglot,    compared  with 
 the  original,  and  with  one  another,  are,  in  my  opinion, 
 to  an  honeft,  devout,  induilrious,  and  humble  man, 
 infinitely   preferable    to    any  comment    I    ever    faw. 
 But  Grotius  is  the  beft,    for  the  mofl  part :    efpecially 
 on  the   New  Teftament.     By  all  this   you  fee,   I  am 
 not  for  your  going  too  haflily  into  orders.     When  I 
 am  for  your  taking  them,   you  fhall  know:   and   it  is 
 not  impofhble,  I  may  then  be  with  you,    if   God  fo 
 long  fpare  the  life  and   health   of  your    affedionate 
 father, 
 
 SAMUEL  WESLEY. 
 
 P.  S.  Work  and  write  while  you  can!  You  fee, 
 time  has  fliaken  me  by  the  hand,  and  death  is  but 
 a  little  behind  him.  My  eyes  and  heart  are  now 
 almoft  all  I  have  left.     And  I  blefs  God  for  them  !" 
 
 Some  time  after  his  ele61:ion  to  a  Fellowfhip,  he  was 
 
 appointed    Greek  Lc6lurcr,    and  Moderator  of   the 
 
 Claifes. 
 
 He 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  49 
 
 He  always  regarded  this  lad  appointment,  as  a  very- 
 gracious  providence.  It  gave  him  a  complete  know- 
 ledge of  that  important  branch  of  learning,  by  which 
 he  was  afterwards  enabled  during  his  whole  life  to  de- 
 fend the  truth  againft  all  opponents.  "  For  feveral 
 years,"  fays  he  himfelf,  "  I  was  moderator  in  the  difpu* 
 tations  which  were  held  fix  times  a  week  at  Lincoln  Col- 
 lege nxOxford,  I  could  not  avoid  acquiring  hereby  fome 
 degree  of  expertnefs  in  arguing :  and  efpecially  in 
 difcerning  and  pointing  out  well-covered  and  plau- 
 fible  fallacies.  I  have  fince  found  abundant  realon 
 to  praife  God  for  giving  me  this  honefl  art.  By  this 
 when  men  have  hedged  me  in,  by  what  they  called 
 demonllrations,  I  have  been  many  times  able  to  dafh 
 them  in  pieces :  in  fpite  of  all  its  covers,  to  touch  the 
 \'ery  point  where  the  fallacy  lay  :  and  it  flew  open  in 
 a  moment. "t 
 
 He  was  now  fully  employed  between  his  public 
 ofhces,  and  his  pupils.  Of  the  latter  he  took  the 
 greatefl  care,  accounting  himfelf  not  only  refponlible 
 for  them  to  their  parents  and  the  community,  but  to 
 God.  He  laboured  not  only  to  make  them  fcholars, 
 but  Chriflians  alfo,  and  to  that  end  wrote  a  form  of 
 prayers  for  them  (which  is  flill  extant)  for  every  da/ 
 in  the  week. 
 
 His  own  addrefs  to  the  Tutors  of  the  Univerfity, 
 will  clearly  evidence  the  fpirit  in  which  he  a£led 
 Jiimfelf. 
 
 **  Ye  venerable  men/'  fays  he,  "  who  are  more 
 efpecially  called   to  form  the  tender  minds  of  youth, 
 
 E  to 
 
 ,    f  See  his  works,  vol.  17.  page  79, 
 
50  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 to   difpel  ihcnce  the  fliadcs  of  ignorance    and   error, 
 and  train  them  up  to  be  wife  unto  falvation,   Are  you 
 filled  with  the  Holy  Ghofl  ?    With  all  thofe  fruits  of 
 the  Spirit,    which  your  important  office  fo  indifpen- 
 iably  requires  ?   Is  your  heart  whole  with  God  ?   Full 
 of  love  and  zeal  to  fet  up  his  kingdom  on  earth  ?  Do 
 you  continually  remind  thofe    under  your  care,   that 
 the  one   rational  end  of  all  our  fludies,   is   to  know, 
 love,  and  ferve  tlie  only  true  God,  and   Jefus    Chrifl 
 whom  he  hath  fent  ?    Do  you  inculcate   upon  them, 
 day  by  day,  that  love  alone  never  faileth  ?   (Whereas, 
 whether  there  be  tongues,   they  fhall  fail,    or  philofo- 
 nhical  knowledge,   it   fiiall   vanifh    away  :)   and    that 
 without  love,   all  learning  is  but  fplendid  ignorance, 
 pompous  folly,  vexation  of  fpirit  ?    Has  all  you  teach 
 an  adual  tendency  to  the  love  of  God,  and  all  man- 
 kind for  his  fake  ?    Have    you   an  eye  to  this  end  in 
 whatfoeveryou  prefcribe,  touching  the  kind,  themaji- 
 rter,    and  the  meafure  of   their  fludies :   defning  and 
 labouring,    tliat  wherever  the  lot  of  thefe    young  fol- 
 diers  of  Chrill  is  call,    they  may  be  fo  many  burning 
 and  fhining  lights,    adorning  the  gofpel  of   Chrid  iii 
 all  things  ?  And  permit  me  to  alk,  Do  you  put  forth 
 all  your  flrength   i)i  the  vaft   work  you  have   under- 
 taken ?     Do    you  labour  herein  with  all  your  might  ? 
 Exerting  every  faculty  of   your  foul  ?     Ufing  every 
 talent  which  God  hath  lent  you,  and  that  to  the  utter- 
 mofl  of  your  power  ?  Let  it  not  be   faid,   that  I  fpeak 
 here,  as  if  all  under  your  care    were  intended   to  be 
 clergymen.     Not  fo  :   I  only  fpeak  as  if  they  were  all 
 intended  to  be  Chriflians."*  Mr.  Wejlc/s 
 
 *  ilia  worki^,  vol,  i.  p.  86, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  gj 
 
 Mr.  Wefley's  labours  as  a  tutor,  were  not  in  vain. 
 The  late  Rev.  Mr.  Hervey  was  one  of  his  pupils,  and 
 thus  fpeaks  of  him  with  reference  to  the  advantages 
 he  had  received  under  his  tuition  at  Oxford^  in  a 
 letter  dated,  Oxon,  Sept.  2,    1736. 
 
 "  AS  for  me,  I  am  flill  a  mofl:  weak,  corrupt  crea- 
 ture. But,  bleffcd  be  the  unmerited  mercy  of  God, 
 and  thanks  be  to  your  never  to  be  forgotten  example, 
 *'That  I  am  what  I  am."  And  again, 
 
 '*  Do  you,  dear  Sir,  put  up  your  prayers,  and  Oh! 
 let  the  mighty  God  fet  to  his  feal,  that  it  may  be  unto 
 me  according  to  my  heart's  defire.  Then  will  I  in« 
 vite  you  (my  father,  fhall  I  call  you,  or  my  friend  ? 
 For  indeed  you  have  been  both  unto  me.)  to  meet 
 me  among  the  fpirits  of  juft  men  made  perfe6l : 
 {\\\Q.^  I  am  not  like  to  fee  your  face  in  the  flefh  any 
 more  for  ever !  ^  Then  will  I  bid  you  welcome,  yea, 
 I  will  tell  of  your  love,  before  the  univerfal  aifembly, 
 at  the  tremendous  tribunal." 
 
 \\\  the  poftfcript  he  adds, 
 
 *'  I  heartily  thank  you,  as  for  all  other  favours,  fo 
 efpecially  for  teaching  me  Hebrew.  I  have  cultivated 
 (according  to  your  advice)  this  ftudy,  and  am  (bleffed 
 be  God,  the  giver  of  knowledge)  fomewhat  improved 
 in  this  languao-e." 
 
 In  another  letter,  dated  V/eJlon,  near  Northampton, 
 Dec.  30,1747,  he  obferves,  ''' Affure  yourfelf,  dear 
 Sir,  that  I  can  never  forget  that  tender-hearted  and 
 generous    Fellow    of  Linccln,  who  condefcended  to 
 
 E  .2  take 
 
 :   Mr,  Wef.ey  wa?  jufl;  going  to  fail  for  Georgia  at  this  time. 
 
52        The  life  of  mr.  wesley. 
 
 take  fuch  compafTionate  notice  of  a  poor  undergra- 
 cluatc  :  whom  almoft  every  body  condemned  ;  and 
 no  man  cared  for  his  foul." 
 
 Mr.  Wcjlcy's  own  account  of  his  rehgious  views  and 
 imprelFions  while  at  Oxford,  is  fo  worthy  of  obier- 
 VHtion,  that  we  give  it  without  any  alteration. 
 
 "  IN  the  year  1725,  being  in  the  twenty-third 
 year  of  my  age,  I  met  with  Bifhop  Taylor's  *'  Rules 
 and  exercifes  of  holy  living  and  dying."  In  reading 
 feveral  parts  of  this  book,  I  was  exceedingly 
 affeded  :  that  part  in  particular  which  relates  to 
 purity  of  initniion.  Inflantly  I  refolved  to  dedicate 
 ull  my  life  to  God :  all  my  thoughts,  and  words,  and 
 a6lions :  being  throughly  convinced,  there  was  no 
 medium :  but  that  every  part  of  my  life,  (not  fomc 
 only)  muft  either  be  a  facrificc  to  God,  or  myfelf, 
 that  is.  in  efFe61,  to  the  devil. 
 
 "  In  the  year  1726,  I  met  with  Kempis's  Chrijlian 
 Pattern.  The  nature  and  extent  of  Inward  Religion, 
 the  religion  of  the  heart,  now  appeared  to  me  in  a 
 flron(Tcr  liy^ht  than  ever  it  had  done  before.  I  faw, 
 that  gi^'i^g  even  all  my  life  to  God  (fuppofing  it 
 polhble  to  do  this  and  go  no  farther)  would  profit 
 me  nothing,  unlefs  I  gave  7?iy  heart,  yea,  all  my  heart, 
 to  him.  I  faw  that  "  Simplicity  of  intention  and 
 purity  of  affection,"  one  dcfign  in  all  we  fpeak  or  do, 
 and  one  dtfire,  ruling  all  our  tempers,  are  nideed 
 "  The  wings  of  the  foul,"  without  which  Hic  can 
 never  afcend  to  the  mount  of  God. 
 
 "  A  year  or  two  after,  Mr.  Laxu's  "  Chrijlian  Per^^, 
 fcciion^'  and  "  Seriaus  Call"  were  put  into  my  hands. 
 
 Thefe 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  53 
 
 Thefe  convinced  me  more  than  ever,  of  the  abfoiute 
 impoffibility  of  being  half  a  Chrijiian,  And  I  deter- 
 mined, through  his  grace,  (the  abfokite  necellity  of 
 which  I  was  deeply  fenfible  of,)  to  be  all-devoted  to 
 God,  to  give  him  all  my  foul,  my  body,  and  my 
 fubflance. 
 
 "  In  the  year  1729,  I  began  not  only  to  read,  but 
 to  Jludy  the  Bible  as  the  one,  the  only  flandard  of 
 truth,  and  the  only  model  of  pure  religion.  Hence 
 I  faw.  in  a  clearer  and  clearer  light,  the  indifpenfable 
 necelfity  of  having  the  mind  which  was  in  Chrijt^  and 
 of  walking  as  Chrijl  a!fo  walked  :  even  of  having,  not 
 Jome  part  only,  but  all  the  mind  which  was  in  him,  and 
 of  walking  as  he  walked,  not  only  in  viany  or  in  moji 
 rerpe61s,  but  in  all  things.  And  this  was  the  light 
 wherein  at  this  time,  I  generally  confidered  religion, 
 as  an  uniform  following  of  Chrift,  an  entire  inward 
 and  outward  conformity  to  our  Mafter.  Nor  was  I 
 afraid  of  any  thing  more,  than  of  bending  this  rule  to 
 the  experience  of  myfelf,  or  of  other  men  :  of  allow- 
 ing myfelf  in  any  the  leaft  difconformity  to  our  grand 
 Exemplar."* 
 
 About  this  time  a  ferious  man,  whom  he  had  tra- 
 velled many  miles  to  fee,  laid  to  him,  "  Sir,  you  wifli 
 to  ferve  God  and  go  to  heaven.  Remember  you 
 cannot  ferve  him  alone.  You  mufl  therefore  find 
 companions,  or  make  them  :  the  Bible  knows  nothing 
 of  folitary  Religion."  He  never  forgot  this.  There- 
 fore on  his  return  to  the  Univerfity,  he  firfl  fpoke  to 
 his  brother,  the  late  Mr,  Charles  Wejley,  and  afterwards 
 
 E  3         -  tOE 
 
 ^  His  work"?,  vol.  24.  p.  4,  8-:q^ 
 
54  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 to  ^ir.  Morgan,  Mr.  Jlervey,  Mr.  Whiffielcl,  and  others. 
 When  they  firfl  began  to  meet,  they  read  Di^'inity  on 
 the  Sunday  evenings,  and  on  other  nighls  the  Greek 
 and  Latin  chiffics.  The  fummer  following  they  began 
 to  vifit  the  prifoners  in  the  cafllc,  and  the  fick  poor 
 in  the  town. 
 
 Their  meetings  now  began  to  be  more  dire6lly 
 religious :  they  read  and  confidered  the  Greek  Tefta- 
 ment  on  the  week  evenings,  and  converfed  ciofely 
 and  deeply  on  the  things  of  God.  Tliey  now  likew^ife 
 obferved  the  Falls  of  the  ancient  Church  every  Wed- 
 nefdav  and  Fridai-,  and  communicated  once  a  week. 
 *'  We  were  now,"  Lxy'i  he,  ''  about  fifteen  in  iium.ber," 
 all  of  one  heart  and  of  one  mind." 
 
 The  fpirit  of  this  little  affociation  cannot  be  ex- 
 emplified more  fully,  than  by  giving  at  large  the 
 Scheme  of  Self- Examination  which  was  agreed  upon  and 
 ufed  by  them. 
 
 Love   of   God  and   Simplicity  :  means  of  which  arc 
 Praver  and  Meditation. 
 
 HAVE  I  been  hmple  and  rccollefted  in  every  thing 
 I  fliid  or  did  ?  Have  I  i .  Been  Ji7nple  in  every  thing, 
 i.  e.  looked  upon  God,  as  my  Good,  my  Pattern,  my 
 One  Defire,  m.y  Difpofer,  Parent  of  Good ;  aded 
 wholly  for  him ;  bounded  my  view's  with  the  prefent 
 a61ion  or  hour?  2.  RccolleEled  ?  i.  e.  Has  this  fimple 
 view  been  diflinft  and  uninterrupted  ?  Have  I  done 
 any  thing  without  a  previous  perception  of  its  being 
 the  will    of  God?    Or   without  a  perception  of  its 
 
 being 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  AIR.  WESLEY.  55 
 
 being  an  exercife  or  a  means  of   the   virtue   of   the 
 day  ?   Have  I  faid  any  thing  without  it  ? 
 
 2.   Have  I  prayed  with  fervour?     At  going  in  and 
 out  of  Churc]i  ?  In  the  Church  ?   Morning  and  even- 
 ing in  private  ?  Monday,    Wednefday,   and   Friday, 
 with   my  friends?    At   ji  fi  ng  ?  Before  lying    down? 
 On  Saturdav   noon  ?     All   the  time  I  was  ensrasred  in 
 exteriour  work  ?    In  private  ?  Before  I  went  into  the 
 place  of   public  or  private  prayer,    for  help  therein  ? 
 Have  I  wherever  I  was,  gone  to  Church  morning  and 
 evening,  unlefs  forneceflary  mercy  ?  And  fpent  from 
 one   hour  to  three  in   private  ?     Have    I    in  private 
 prayer    frequently   flopt   Ihort,     and    obferved    what 
 fervour  ?   Have  I  repeated  it  over  and  over,   till  I  ad- 
 verted to  everv  word  ?    Have  I   at    the  beginninsr   of 
 every    prayer   or  paragraph  owned   I  cannot  pray  ? 
 Have  I  paufed  before  I  concluded  in  his   name,   and 
 adverted  to  my  Saviour  now  interceding  for  me  at  the 
 right  hand  of  God,   and  offering  up  theie  prayers  ? 
 
 3.   Have  I  daily  ufed  ejaculations  ?    i.    e.     Have  I 
 every  hour  prayed  for  humility,    faith,    hope,   ]o\"e, 
 and   the  particular  virtue   of   the   day  ?    Conijdered; 
 with  zvIiO'm  I  was  the  lafl  hour,  wiwi  I  did,   and  how  P 
 With    regard  to  recolle6lion,  love  of  man,    humility, 
 felf-denial,  refignation  and  thankfulnefs  ?   Confidered 
 the  next  hour  in  the  fame   refpects,    offered  up   all  J 
 do  to  my  Redeemer,   begged  his   affiflance  in    every 
 particular,  and  commended  my  foul  to  his  keeping  ? 
 Have  I  done  this  deliberately,  (not  in  hafte,)  ferioufly, 
 (not  doing  any  thing  elfe  the  while,)  and  fervently  as 
 }  could .? 
 
 E  4  -i'  Have 
 
50  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 4.  Have  I  duly  prayed  for  the  virtue  of  the  day  ? 
 i.  e.  Have  I  prayed  for  it  at  going  out  and  coming 
 in  ?   Deliberately,  ferioufly,  fervently  ? 
 
 5.  Have  I  ufed  a  CoUeft  at  nine,  twelve  and  three  ? 
 And  Grace  before  and  after  eating  ?  (aloud  at  my  own 
 room.)  deliberately,  ferioufly,  fervently  ? 
 
 6.  Have  I  duly  meditated  ?  Every  day,  unlefs  for 
 necelTary  mercy  ?  1.  From  fix,  Sec,  to  prayers?  2. 
 From  four  to  five,  (What  was  particular  in  the  pro- 
 vidence of  this  day?)  How  ought  the  virtue  of  the 
 day  to  have  been  exerted  upon  it  ?  How  did  it  fall 
 Ihort  ?  (Here  faults.)  3.  On  Sundav,  from  fix  to 
 feven,  with  Kempis  ?  From  three  to  four  on  redemp- 
 tion, or  God's  attributes  ?  Wedneiday  and  Friday  from 
 twelve  to  one  on  the  paffion  ?  After  ending  a  book,  ou 
 what  I  had  marked  in  it  ? 
 
 L  O  V  E     OF     M  A  N, 
 
 ifl.  Havi;  I  been  zealous  to  do,  and  a6live  in  doinsr 
 good  ?  i.  e.  1.  Have  I  embraced  every  probable  op- 
 portunity of  doing  good,  and  preventing,  removing, 
 or  lelfening  evil  ? 
 
 2.  Have  I  purfued  it  with  my  might  ? 
 
 3.  Have  I  thought  any  thing  too  dear  to  part  with, 
 to  ferve  my  neighbour  ? 
 
 4.  Have  I  fpent  an  hour  at  leafl  every  day  in  fpeak* 
 ing  to  fome  one  or  other  ? 
 
 5.  Have  I  given  any  one  up,  till  he  exprefsly  re- 
 nounced me  ? 
 
 6.  Flavc 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  57 
 
 6.  Have  I,  before  I  fpoke    to   any,   learned  as  far 
 •as   I    could,  his  temper,   way  of  thinking,  pafl    life, 
 
 and  peculiar  hindrances,  internal  and  external  ? 
 Fixed  the  point  to  be  aimed  at  ?  Tiien  the  means 
 to  it  ? 
 
 7.  Have  I  in  fpeaking,  propofed  the  motives,  then 
 the  difficulties,  then  balanced  them,  then  exhorted 
 him  io  confider  both  calmly  and  deeply,  and  to  pray 
 earneilly  for  help  ? 
 
 8.  Have  I,  in  fpeaking  to  a  flranger,  explained 
 what  Religion  is  not,  (not  negative,  not  external) 
 and  v/hat  it  is,  (a  recoi'ery  of  the  image  of  God,.) 
 fearched  at  what  flep  in  it  he  flops,  ^txd  what  makes 
 ijim  flop  there  ?   Exhorted  and  direfted  him  ? 
 
 9.  Have  I  perfuaded  all  I  could,  to  attend  public 
 prayers,  fermons  and  facraments  ?  And  in  general,  to 
 obey  the  laws  of  the  Church  Univerfal,  the  Church 
 of  England,  the  State,  the  Univerfity,  and  their  refpec- 
 tive  Colleges  ? 
 
 10.  Have  I,  when  taxed  with  any  acl  of  obedience, 
 iivowed  it,  and  turned  the  attack  with  fweetnefs  and 
 firmnefs  ?  ' 
 
 1 1 .  Have  I  difputed  upon  any  praclical  point,  un- 
 iefs  it  was  to  be  pradifed  juft  then  ? 
 
 12.  Have  I  in  difputing,  (i.)  Defired  my  opponent, 
 to  define  the  terms  of  the  queflion  :  to  limit  it:  what 
 he  grants,  what  denies:  (2.}  Delayed  fpeaking  my 
 opinion  ;  let  him  explain  and  prove  his  :  then  infinu- 
 ated  and  preffed  objedions  ? 
 
 13.  Have  I  after  every  vifit,  alked  him  who  went 
 with  mej  Did  1  fay  any  thing  wrong? 
 
 14.  Have 
 
r,8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 I 
 
 14.  Have  I  when  any  one  afked  advice,  dire6led 
 and  exhorted  him  with  all  my  power  ? 
 
 2dly.  Have  I  rejoiced  v/ith  and  for  my  neighbour 
 in  virtue  or  pleafure  ?  Grieved  with  him  in  pain,  for 
 liim  in  fm  ? 
 
 odly.  Have  I  received  his  infirmities  with  pity,  not 
 anger  ? 
 
 4thly.  Have  I  thought  or  fpoke  unkindly  of  or  to 
 him?  Have  I  revealed  any  evil  of  any  one,  unlefs  it  vras 
 neceffary  to  Ibme  particular  good  I  had  in  ^'iew  ? 
 Ha^'e  I  then  done  it  with  all  the  tendernefs  of  phrafe 
 and  manner,  confident  with  that  end  ?  Have  I  any 
 way  appeared  to  appro\^e  them  that  did  otherwife  ? 
 
 nthly.  Has  good-will  been,  and  appeared  to  be,  the 
 fpring  of  all  my  aftions  toward  others  ? 
 
 6thly.  Have  I  duly  ufed  intercelfion  ?  1.  Before,  2. 
 After  fpeaking  to  any  ?  3.  For  my  friends  on  Sunday  ? 
 4.  For  my  pupils  on  Monday  ?  5.  For  thofe  who  have 
 particularly  dcfired  it,  on  Wednefday  and  Friday  ? 
 6.  For  the  family  in  which  I  am,  every  day  ?'* 
 
 We  may  here  fee  the  great  fincerity  and  earneflnefs 
 of  Mr.  We/ley  and  his  friends.  But  the  darknefs  of 
 their  minds,  as  to  Gofpel-trulhs,  is  very  evident  to 
 thofe  who  are  favoured  with  true,  evangelical  views. 
 They  faithfully  improved  all  the  religious  knowledge 
 they  poilelfed  or  could  acquire  :  and  the  Lord  led 
 them,  or  at  leaft  moll  of  them,  in  due  time,  into  greater 
 light. 
 
 Being  fo  flriQ  in  their  deportment,  fo  conftant  in 
 the  means  ot  grace,  and  zealous  of  good  works,  they 
 loon  began  to  be  noticed  and  ridiculed  by  the  young 
 
 geutlemea 
 
THE  -LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  59' 
 
 gentlemen  of  the  Univerfity,  under  the  appellations 
 of  Sacj'amcntarians,  and  the  Godly  Club,  and  afterwards 
 of  Methodijls.  This  laft  title  was  given  them  in  the  firlf: 
 inflance  by  a  Fellow  of  Merton-CoWege,  in  alkifion  to 
 an  ancient  College  of  Phyficians  at  Roine,  who  were 
 remarkable  for  putting  their  patients  under  regimen, 
 and  were  therefore  called  Methodijlce, 
 
 The  fneers  of  the  young  men  they  little  regarded. 
 But  when  fome  of  the  Seniors  of  the  Univerfity  were 
 offended,  Mr.  Wejlcy  wrote  to  his  father,  and  to  fome 
 other  gentlemen  of  piety  and  learning,  for  advice  : 
 and  the  anfwers  were  favourable.  Part  of  two  Letters 
 from  his  father  we  fubjoin. 
 
 1.  ''AND  now  as  to  your  defigns  and  emplov- 
 ments,  what  can  I  fay  lefs  of  them  than  Valde  probo  ;^* 
 and  that  I  have  the  higheft  reafon  to  blefs  God,  that 
 he  has  given  me  two  fons  together  at  Oxford^  to  whom 
 lie  has  given  grace  and  courage  to  turn  the  war  againfl 
 the  world  and  the  devil,  which  is  the  beft  way  to  con- 
 quer them.  They  have  but  one  more  enemy  to  com* 
 bat  with,  the  flefh  ;  which  if  they  take  care  to  fubdue 
 by  fading  and  prayer,  there  will  be  no  more  fpr  them 
 to  do,  but  to  proceed  fteadily  in  the  fame  courfe,  and 
 expe6l  the  crown  which  fadeth  not  away.  You  have 
 reafon  to  blefs  God  as  I  do,  that  you  have  fo  fail  a 
 friend  as  Mr.  Morgan,  who  I  fee  in  the  moft  difficult 
 fervice  is  ready  to  break  the  ice  for  you.  I  think  I 
 mufl  adopt  Mr.  Morgan  to  be  my  fon,  together  with 
 you  and  your  brother  Charles :  and  v/hen- 1  have  fuch 
 a  Ternion  to  profecute  that  war,    wherein  I   am  now 
 
 *  I  greatly  approve* 
 .  "  Miles 
 
6o  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Miles  Emeritus,  t    I  ihnll  not  be  afliaincd,   when  thity 
 fpeak,  with  their  enemies  in  the  gate. 
 
 **  I  am  afraid  left  the  main  obje6lion  you  make 
 againfl  your  going  on  in  the  buhnefs  with  the  prifoners 
 may  fecretly  proceed  from  flefh  and  blood.  For  -who 
 can  harm  you,  jf  you  arc  followers  of  that  which  25  fo 
 good  ?  and  which  Tviil  be  one  of  the  marks  by  which 
 the  Shepherd  of  Ifratl  will  know  his  llieep  at  the  laft 
 
 day  ? Though  if  it  were  polTible  for  you  to  fuflPer 
 
 a  little  in  the  caufe,  you  would  have  a  Confeflbr's 
 reward.  .You  own  none  but  fuch  as  are  out  of  their 
 ienfes  would  be  prejudiced  againft  your  acling  in  thi^ 
 manner ;  but  fay,  "  Thefe  are  they  that  need  a  Phy- 
 fician/'  But  what  if  they  will  not  accept  of  one, 
 who  will  be  welcome  to  the  poor  prifoners  ?  Go  on 
 then  in  God's  name  in  the  path  which  your  Saviour 
 has  direfted  you,  and  that  track  wherein  your  father 
 has  gone  before  you !  For  when  1  was  an  Under- 
 Graduate  at  Oxford,  I  vifited  thofe  in  the  Caftle  there, 
 and  refleft  on  it  with  great  fatisfa6lion  to  this  day. 
 Walk  as  prudently  as  you  can,  though  not  fearfully, 
 and  my  heart  and  prayers  are  with  you. 
 
 *'  Your  firft  regular  ftep  is  to  confult  with  him  (if 
 any  fuch  there  be)  who  has  a  jurifdiction  over  the 
 prifoners,  and  the  next  is,  to  obtain  the  direftion  and 
 approbation  of  your  BilKop.  This  is  Monday  morn- 
 ing, at  which  fime  I  Ihall  never  forget  you.  If  it  be 
 pollible  I  ihould  be  glad  to  fee  you  all  three  here  in 
 the  fine  end  of  the  fummer.  But  if  I  cannot  have 
 that  fatisfadion,  I  am  fure  I  can  rcacli  you  every  day, 
 
 f  A  zjcrn-out  Soldier* 
 
 though 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  61 
 
 though  you  were  beyond  the  Indies.  Accordingly,  to 
 Him,  who  is  every  where,  T  now  heartily  commit  you^ 
 as  being  your  moft  afFeClionate  and  joyful  father." 
 
 2.  "  THIS  day  I  received  both  yours,  and  this 
 evening  in  our  courfe  of  reading,  I  thought  I  found 
 ^n  anfwer  that  would  be  more  proper  than  any  I  my- 
 felf  could  didate  ;  though  fmce  it  will  not  be  eafily 
 tranflated,   I   fend  it  in  the    original.    2  Cor.  vii.  4. 
 
 criioi/.cn  Tn  x^i^'  *  What   would  yc   be  ?    Would  -^-ou  be 
 
 angels  ?    I   queflion  whether  a  mortal  can  anive  10  a 
 
 greater  degree  of  perfeclion,  than  fteadily  to  do  good, 
 
 and  for  that  very  reafon  patiently  and  meekly  to  fuffer 
 
 evil  :  for  my  part,  on  the  prefent  view  of  your  actions 
 
 and  defigns,   my  daily  prayers  are,    that  God  would 
 
 keep    you    humble ;     and     then    I   am    fure,    if  you 
 
 continue   to  falfey  for  righieonfnefs  Jake,   though  it  be 
 
 but  in  a  lower  degree,  the  Spirit  of  God  and   of  glory 
 
 will  in   fome  good  meafure  rejl upon  you.      Be  never 
 
 weary  of  well-doing  :    never  look  back,  for  you  know 
 
 the   prize   and    the   crown   are  before  you  :   though  I 
 
 can  fcarce  think  fo  meanly  of  you,  as  that  you  would 
 
 be  difcouraged  with  the  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot. 
 
 Ee  not  high-minded,  but  fear  ;    preferve    an  equal 
 
 temper  of  mind  under  whatever  treatment  vou  meet 
 
 with  from    a   not   very  jufl    or   well-natured  world. 
 
 Bear  no  more   fiiil  than  is  neceffary,  but  fleer  fteady. 
 
 The  lefs  you  value  yourfelves  for  thefe  unfafhionable 
 
 duties,  (as  there  is  no  fuch  thing  as  works  of  fupere- 
 
 Togation,)  the  more  all  good  -and  wife  men  will  value 
 
 *  Great  is  my  glorying  of  you.     I  am  filkd  icitk  ccmfort,  I  aw,  ex- 
 ceeding joyfuL 
 
 vou. 
 
62  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 you,  if  they  fee  your  a61iotis  are  of  apiece;  or,  which 
 is  infinitely  more,  He  by  whom  actions  and  intentions 
 are  weighed,  will  both  accept,  efleem  and  reward 
 you/' 
 
 About  this  time  Mr.  Sa7niiel  Wejley,  jun.  wrote 
 the  following  cop}^  of  verfes  to  his  Brotlier  Charles  on 
 the  lame  fubjedl. 
 
 THOUGH  neither  are  o'crilock'd  with  precious  timCj 
 
 If  I  can  "^vrite  it,  you  may  read  my  rhyme  : 
 
 And  find  an  liour  to  anfwer,  I  fuppofe, 
 
 In  verfe  harmoniqus,  or  in  humble  profe; 
 
 What  I  ^vlicn  late  at  Oxford  could  not  fay, 
 
 Aly  friends  {o  num'rous,  and  fo  fliort  my  flay. 
 
 Say,  docs  your  chrillian  purpofe  flill  proceed 
 T'  affift  in  ev'ry  fhape  the  wretches'  need  ? 
 To  free  the  prifoner  from  his  anxious  jail, 
 When  friends  forfakc  him,  and  relations  fail  ^ 
 Or  yet  Avitli  nobler  charity  confpire 
 To  hiatch  the  guilty  from  eternal  fire  ? 
 Has  your  Imall  fquadron  firm  in  trial  Rood, 
 Without  precifenefs,  fingularly  good  ? 
 Safe  march  they  on  'twixt  dangerous  extremes 
 Of  mad  profancnefs  and  enthufiafl  dreams  ? 
 Conftant  in  pray'r,  while  God  approves  th-  ir  pains. 
 His  Spirit  cheers  them,  aud  his  Blood  fuftains! 
 Unmov'd  by  pride  or  anger,  can  they  hear 
 The  fooliih  laughter,  or  the  en\ious  fleer  ? 
 N(^  wonder  wicked  men  blalpheme  then'  care, 
 'iiie  devil  always  dreads  offenfive  war, 
 Where  Jieav'nly  zeal  the  fons  of  night  purfucs, 
 Likely  to  gain,  and  certain  not  to  lofe. 
 
 The 
 
THE  "LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  63 
 
 The  fleeping  confcience  wakes  by  dangers  near, 
 And  pours  the  light  in,  they  fy  greatly  fear* 
 
 One  or  two  quell. ons  more  before  I  end, 
 Tliat  much  concern  a  brother  and  a  friend* 
 Does  yokn  feem  bent  beyond  his  ftrength  to  go. 
 To  his  frail  carcafe  hterally  foe  ? 
 Lavifli  o^  heakh,  as  if  in  hafte  to  die, 
 And  Ihorten  time  t'  enfure  eternity  ? 
 
 The  Bifliop  of  Oxford,  and  the  Minifler  at  the 
 Cctflie,  being  alfo  conrulted,  greatly  approved  of  their 
 proceedings.  But  the  outcry  daily  increahng,  they 
 propofed  both  to  their  friends  and  opponents  the 
 following  queftions  : 
 
 I.  Vv^hether  it  does  not  concern  all  men  of  all  con- 
 ditions, to  imitate  Kim  as  much  as  they  can,  **  who 
 went  about  doing  good  ?" 
 
 Whether  all  Chridians  are  not  concerned  in  that 
 command;  "  \Vhile  wc  have  time  let  us  do  good  to 
 all  men  ?" 
 
 Whether  we  fhall  not  be  more  happy  hereafter^  the 
 more  good  we  do  now  ? 
 
 W^hether  we  can  be  happy  at  all  hereafter,  unlefs 
 we  have,  according  to  our  power,  fed  the  hungry, 
 cloathed  the  naked,  vifited  thofe  that  are  fick  and  in 
 prifon,  and  made  all  thefe  aQions  fubfervaent  to 
 a  higher  purpofe,  even  the  laving  of  fouls  from 
 death  ? 
 
 Whether  it  be  not  our  bounden  duty  always  to  re- 
 mem.ber,  that  He  did  more  for  us,  than  we  can  do  for 
 him,  who  aifures  us,     '_'  Inajmuch  as  yc  have  doiie  it 
 
 unto 
 
6i  TliE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLtY. 
 
 unto  one   of  iheleajl  of  tJuJe  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it 
 unto  me  ?" 
 
 IL  \'\^hether  upon  thefe  canfidcrations  w^e  may  not 
 try  to  do  goad  to  our  acquaintance  ?  Particularly, 
 whether  \vc  may  not  try  to  convince  them  of  the  ne* 
 celhiy  of  being  Chrillians  ? 
 
 Whether  of  the  confequent  necefTity  of  being 
 fcholars  ? 
 
 Whether  of  the  neceffity  of  method  and  induftry 
 in  order  to  either  learning  or  virtue  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  try  to  perfuade  them  to  con- 
 firm and  increafe  their  induflry,  by  eorrjmunicating 
 as  often  as  they  can  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  mention  to  them  the  Authors 
 whom  we  conceive  to  have  wrote  bc/l  on  thofe  fub- 
 je6ls  ? 
 
 Whether  \vq  may  not  allift  them  a.s  we  are  able 
 from  ti\n^  to  time,  to  form  refolutions  upon  what 
 they  read  in  thofe  Authors,  and  to  execute  them  with 
 flcadincfs  and  perfeverance. 
 
 ill.  Whether  upon  the  confulerarions  above- 
 mentioned,  we  may  not  try  to  do  good  to  thofe  that 
 are  h^nigr}^,  naked,  or  fick  ?  In  particuLar,  whether  if 
 v/e  know  any  neceihtous  family,  we  may  not  give, 
 them  a  little  food,  cloaths,  or  phyfic,  as  they  want  ? 
 Whether  we  may  nat  give  them,  if  they  can  read, 
 a  Bible,  Common-prayer  Book,  or  Whole  Duty  of 
 Man  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  now  and  then  inquire  how 
 they  have  ufed  them ;  explain  what  they  do  not  un- 
 derlland,  and  enforce  what  they  do  ? 
 
 Whether 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  65 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  enforce  upon  them  morq 
 fefpecially  the  neceflity  of  private  prayer,  and  of  fre- 
 quentinp;  the  Church  and  Sacrament  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  contribute  what  httle  we  are 
 able  toward  having  their  children  cloathed  and  taught 
 to  read  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  take  care  that  they  be  taught 
 their  catechifm,  and  fliort  prayers  for  morning  and 
 evenini^  ? 
 
 o 
 
 IV.  Lajlly,  Whether  upon  the  confiderations  above- 
 mentioned  we  may  not  try  to  do  good  to  thofe  that 
 are  in  prifon  ?  In  particular,  whether  we  may  not  re- 
 leafe  fuch  well-difpofed  perfons  as  remain  in  prifon 
 for  fmall  fums  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  lend  fmaller  fums  to  thofe 
 that  are  of  any  trade,  that  they  may  procure  them- 
 felves  tools  and  materials  to  work  with  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  give  to  them  who  appear  to 
 want  it  moft,  a  little  money,  or  cloaths,  orphyfic  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not  fupply  as  many  as  are  feri- 
 ous  enough  to  read,  with  a  Bible,  and  Whole  Duty  of 
 Man  ? 
 
 Whether  we  may  not,  as  we  have  opportunity,  ex- 
 plain and  enforce  thefe  upon  them,  efpecially  with  re- 
 fpe6f  to  public  and  private  prayer,  and  the  blejGTed 
 Sacrament  V 
 
 As  no  perfon  anfwered  thefe  queflions  in  the  nec-a- 
 tlve,  they  went  on  their  way  rejoicing.  But  foon  after 
 this  they  fufFered  a  fevere  iofs  in  the  death  of  Mr. 
 Morgan.  This  gentleman's  character  is  well  drawn 
 up  by  Mr.  Samuel  Weflcy,  jun.  in  the  following  poetic 
 tribute  to  his  memory. 
 
 F  Wc 
 
66  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 IVe  Fools  counted  his  Lift  Madnefi, 
 
 TF  ought  beneath  them  happy  fouls  attend, 
 -*■    Let  Morgan  he^r  the  triumph  of  a  friend. 
 And  hear  well-pleas'd.     Let  Libertines  fo  gay 
 With  carelefs  indolence  dcfpife  the  lay  ; 
 Let  critic  wits,  and  fools  for  laughter  born, 
 Their  verdi6l  pafs  with  fupercilious  fcorn  ; 
 Let  jovial  crowds,  by  wine  their  fenfes  drown'dy 
 5>tamnier  out  cenfure  in  their  frantic  round  : 
 Let  yawning  fluggards  faint  diflike  difplay, 
 Who,  while  they  truft  to-morrow,  lofe  to-day  ; 
 Let  fuch  as  thefe  the  facrcd  fl,rains  condemn  ; 
 For  'tis  true  glory  to  be  hifs'd  by  them. 
 
 Wife  in  his  prime,  he  waied  not  for  noon, 
 Convinc'd,  that  mortal  never  liv'd  too  fotjn. 
 As  if  foreboding  here  his  little  ilay. 
 He  made  his  morning  bear  the  heat  of  day  : 
 Fix'd,  while  unfading  glory  he  purfues. 
 No  ill  to  hazard,  and  no  good  to  lofe. 
 No  fair  occafion  glides  unheeded  by  ; 
 Snatching  the  golden  moments  as  the}'  f[y. 
 Fie  by  few  flcetrng  hours  enfures  eternity. 
 
 Fri-endfhip's  warm  beams  his  artlefs  breafl  infpire. 
 And  lend'reft  rev'rence  for  a  much  lov'd  Sire. 
 He  dar'd  for  heav'n  this  flatt'ring  world  forego, 
 Ardent  to  teacli,  as  dilioent  to  know  : 
 Unwarp'd  by  fenfual  views,  or  vulgar  aims. 
 By  idle  riches,  or  by  idler  names  ; 
 Fearful  of  fm  in  every  clofe  difguife, 
 Un  r.ov'd  by  thrcat'ning,  or  by  glozing  lies. 
 Seldom  indeed  the  wicked  cam.e  fo  far, 
 Forc'd  by  his  pietv  to  defcnfive  war  ; 
 
 Whoffi 
 
"tHE  LIFE  OP  Mii,  WESLEY.  ^j 
 
 Whofe  zeal  for  other  men's  falvatlon  fliown,' 
 Beyond  the  reach  of  hell  fecur'd  his  own  : 
 Glad'ning  the  poor,  where'er  his  fteps  he  turn'd, 
 Where  pin'd  the  orphan,  or  the  widow  mourn'd  ; 
 Where  prifoners  figh'd  beneath  guilt's  horrid  Hain, 
 The  word:  confinement  and  the  heaviefl  chain, 
 Where  death's  fad  (hade  the  uninflrufted  fight 
 Veil'd  with  thick  darknefs  in  the  land  of  light. 
 Our  Saviour  thus  fulfill'd  his  great  defign, 
 (If  human  we  may  liken  to  divine) 
 Heard  each  difeafe  that  bodies  frail  endure, 
 And  preach'd  th'  unhop'd-for  Gofpel  to  the  poor. 
 
 To  means  of  grace  the  laft  rerpe£^  he  (hew'd, 
 Nor  fought  new  paths,  as  wifer  than  his  God  ; 
 Their  facred  ftrength  preferv'd  him  from  extremes 
 Of  empty  outfide  or  enthufiafl  di"eams. 
 
 He  knew  that  works  our  faith  mud  here  employ. 
 And  that  'tis  heaven's  great  bufinefs  to  enjoy, 
 Fix'd  on  that  heav'n,  he  death's  approaches  faw, 
 Nor  vainly  rnurmur'd  at  our  nature's  lav/  : 
 Repin'd  not  that  his  youth  fo  foon  fhould  go. 
 Nor  griev'd  for  fleeting  pleafures  here  below. 
 Of  fharpeft  anguifh  fcorning  to  complain, 
 He  fills  with  mirth  the  intervals  of  pain  : 
 Not  only  unappall'd,  but  joyful  fees 
 The  dark,  cold  paffage  that  maft  lead  to  peace  5 
 Strong  with  immortal  bloom  fecure  to  rife, 
 The  tears  for  ever  banifh'd  from  his  eyes. 
 
 Who  now  regrets  his  early  youth  would  fpend 
 The  life  fo  nobly  that  fo  foon  fhould  end  ? 
 Who  blames  the  flripling  for  performing  more 
 Than  doftors  grave,  and  prelates  of  threefeore  ? 
 
 F  2  Who 
 
«ii        THE  Life  or  ^(R.  weseey. 
 
 Who  now  cftcems  his  fervour  indifcrcet. 
 His  prayers  too  frequent,  or  his  ahns  too  great  ? 
 Wlio  ihinks,  where  blcfl.  he  reigns  beyond  the  Trv, 
 His  c'.'*)wn  too  radiant,  oi  his  throne  too  higii  ? 
 \V]i()  hut  the  fiend,  ^^•hoonce  his  courle  withflood. 
 
 And  wlhfperVl "  Stay  'till  fifty  to  be  good  ?'* 
 
 Sure,  if  hfeliev'd,  t'  obtain  hi.-^  hcllilh  aim, 
 Adjonriirng  to  the  time  that  never  came. 
 
 A  fhorfc  time  after  this  Mr.  John  Wc/Iey  wrote  the- 
 following  letter  to  his  brother  Samuel  sit  V/eJlminJltr , 
 who  appears  to  have  too  readily  received  fome  un- 
 fiivoTirable  reports  concerning  him  and  his  friends  at 
 Oxford, 
 
 Lincoln  College,  Nov.  17,  1731. 
 Dear  Brother, 
 '^  CONSIDERING  the  changes  that  I  re- 
 fnembcr  in  myfelf,  I  fhall  not  at  all  \vonder  if  the.  ^ 
 time  comes,  when  we  differ  as  little  in  our  conclufions 
 as  we  do, now  in  our  premifes.  In  moll  we  feem  to 
 agree  ahcady  ;  efp'ecially  as  to  nhng,  not  keeping 
 much  company,  a?id  fitting  by  a  fire  which  I  always 
 do,  if  any  one  iri  the  room  does,  whether  at  hoine  or 
 abroad.  But  ihcie  are  the  very  things  about  which 
 Others  will  never  agree  with  me.  Had  I  gwtn  up 
 thefc,  or  but  one  of  them,  rifmg  early,  which  implies 
 going  to  bed  early  (though  I  never  am  fleepy  now) 
 and  keeping  fo  little  company,  not  one  man  in  ten  of 
 thofe  that  are  oflended  at  me,  as  it  is,  would  ever  open 
 tlieir  mouth  againit  any  of  the  other  particulars.     For 
 
 th<5 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  % 
 
 the  fake  of  thefe  thofe  ^jce.  mentioned.  The  root  of  the 
 matter  lies  here.  Vvouidi  but  employ  a  third  of  my 
 money,  and  about  half  of  my  time,  as  otlier  foiks  do, 
 Imaller  matters  would  be  eafiiy  overlooked.  But  I 
 .think  '•'  Nil  tanii  eji"  Nothing  is  of  Jo  much  importance, 
 ''  I  have  often  thought  of  a  laying  of  Dr.  Hayward, 
 when  he  examined  me  for  priell's  orders  ;  *'  Do  you 
 know  what  you  are  ^about  ?  You  are  bidding  defiance 
 to  all  mankinds  He  that  would  live  as  a  -ckrifliaii 
 prieil,  ought  to  know  that,  whether  his  hand  be 
 againft  every  man  or  no,  he  mufl  expeO;  every  man's 
 hand  fhould  be  againll  him."  It  is  not  ftrange  that 
 every  man's  hand  who  is  not  a  chriftian,  fhould  be 
 ascainft  him  that  endeavours  to  be  lo.  But  is  it  not 
 hard,  that  even  thofe  that  are  with  us  fhould  be 
 sgainlt  us;  that  a  man's  enemies  (in,  fom.e  degree) 
 Should  be  thofe  of  lac  fame  houfhold  of  faith  ?  Yet 
 fo  it  is.  From  tlie  time  that  a  man  fets  himfelf  to  his 
 bufinefs,  very  many,  even  of  thofe  who  travel  the 
 iame  road,  many  of  thofe  who  are  before,  as  well  as 
 behind  him,  will  lay  fLumblirxg-blocks  in  his -way. 
 One  blames  him  for  not  going  1^11:  enough,  or  for 
 having  made  no  greater  progrefs  ;  anoth-er  for  going 
 (oo  far,  which  perhaps,  flrange  as  it  is,  is  the  more 
 common  charge  of  the  tv/o. 
 
 "  This  being  a  point  of  no  common  concern,  I  defire 
 to  explain  myfelf  upon  it  once  for  all,  and  to  tell  you 
 freely  and  clearly  thofe  general  pofitions,  on  which  I 
 ground  (I  think)  all  thofe  pradices,  for  which  I  am 
 generally  accufed  of  fnigularity.  ift.  As  to  the  end 
 ©f  my  behig  I  lay  it  down   for  a  rule,  that   I   cannot 
 
 ^  3  H 
 
^o  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 be  too  happy,  or  therefore  too  holy,  and  thence  infel^ 
 that  the  more  fleadi'y  I  keep  my  eye  upon  the  prize 
 of  our  high  calhng,  the  better,  and  the  more  of  my 
 thoughts,  and  words,  and  aftions,  are  direQly  pointed 
 at  the  attainment  of  it.  2d.  As  to  the  inflituted 
 means  of  attaining  it,  I  likewife  lay  it  down  for  a  rule, 
 that  I  am  to  ufe  them  every  time  I  may.  3d.  As  to 
 prudential  means,  I  believe  this  rule  holds,  of  things 
 indifferent  in  themfelves ;  whatever  I  know  to  do 
 me  hurt,  that  to  me  is  not  indifferent,  but  refolutely 
 to  be  abflained  from  ;  whatever  I  know  to  do  me 
 good,  that  to  me  is  not  indifferent,  but  refolutely  to 
 be  embraced. 
 
 ''  But  "  it  will  be  faid,  "  I  am  whimfical."  True, 
 and  what  then  ?  If  by  whimjical  be  meant  fimply 
 Jingular,  I  own  it ;  if  fmgular  without  any  reafon,  I 
 deny  it  with  both  my  hands,  and  am  ready  to  give  a 
 reafon  to  any  that  afks  me,  of  every  cuftom  wherein 
 I  wilfully  differ  from  the  world.  I  grant,  in  many 
 fingle  anions,  I  differ  unreafonably  from  others  ;  but 
 not  wilfully;  no,  I  fhall  extremely  thank  any  one 
 \vho  will  teach  me  to  help  it.  But  can  I  totally  help 
 it,  till  I  have  more  breeding,  or  more  prudence,  to 
 neither  of  which  I  am  much  dilpofed  naturally ;  and 
 I  greatly  fear  my  acquired  Ptock  of  either  will  give  me 
 fmall  affiilance  ? 
 
 *'  I  have  but  one  thing  to  add,  and  that  is,  as  to  my 
 being  formal.  If  by  that  be  meant,  that  I  am  not 
 eafy  and  unaffcfted  enough  in  my  carriage,  it  is 
 very  true  ;  but  how  fhall  I  help  it  ?  I  cannot  be  gen- 
 ycdy  behaved  by  inflind;  and  if  I  am  to  try  after  it 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  71 
 
 hy  experience  and  obfervation  of  others,  that  is  not 
 the  work  of  a  month,  but  of  years.  If  by  formal  be 
 meant  that  I  am  ferious,  this  too  is  very  true  ;  but 
 why  (liould  I  help  it  ?  Mirth,  I  grant,  is  fit  for  you  ; 
 but  does  it  follow  that  it  is  fit  forme  ?  Are  the  fame 
 tempers,  any  more  than  the  fame  words  or  a6lions, 
 fit  for  all  circumftances  ?  If  you  are  to  ''  rejoice 
 evermore,"  becaufe  you  have  put  your  enemies  to 
 flight,  am  I  to  do  the  fame,  while  they  continually 
 allault  me  ?  You  are  glad,  becaufe  you  'dre  paffed  Jrom 
 death  to  life:  well ;  but  let  him  be  afraid  who  knows 
 not  whether  he  is  to  live  or  die.  Whether  this  be 
 my  condition  or  no,  who  can  tell  better  than  myfelf  ? 
 Him  who  can,  whoever  he  be,  I  allow  to  be  a  proper 
 judge,  whether  I  do  well  to  be  generally  as  lerious 
 as  I  can.  I  am,  dear  brother,  your's,  and  my  filter's, 
 aifeclionate  brother, 
 
 John   Wesley.'* 
 To  the  Rev.  Mr,  Wejley, 
 Great  Deans-yard^  Viejlmnijler. 
 
 During  the  latter  part  of  Mr.  Wejley's  refidence  at 
 Oxford,  both  he  and  his  brother  Charles  kept  up  a  clofe 
 intimacy  with  Mr.  Law,  Twice  or  thrice  in  the  year, 
 they  travelled  about  fi xty  miles  on  foot  (that  they 
 might  lave  the  more  money  for  the  poor)  in  order  to 
 vifit  him :  and  his  converfation  was  undoubtedly 
 rendered  very  ufeful  to  them.  One  time  Mr.  Lau 
 oblerved  to  Mr.  John  Wefley,  "  You  would  liave  a 
 philofophical  religion,  but  there  can  be  no  fuch  things 
 Religiou  is  the  moil  plain,  hmple  thing  in  the  world> 
 
 F  4  It 
 
72  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 It  is  only  We  love  hi^n,  hccaufe  he  firjl  loved  us.  This  re- 
 mark, as  Mr.  Wejlty  often  obferved,  he  never  after- 
 wards forgot.  Another  time  Mr.  Law  perceiving 
 Mr.  Wejley  much  deje61ed,  inquired  the  reafon.  j 
 "  Becaufe,"  faid  he,  '•  I  fee  fo  httle  fruit  of  all  my 
 labours."  "  My  dear  friend,"  replied  Mr.  Lav)^ 
 '•  You  reverfe  m.atters  from  their  proper  order.  You 
 are  to  follow  the  divine  light,  v/herever  it  leads  you, 
 in  all  your  conduct.  It  is  God  alone  that  gives  the 
 blelTing.  I  pray  you,  alw^ays  mind  your  own  work, 
 and  go  on  with  cheerfulnefs :  and  God,  you  may 
 depend  upon  it,  will  take  care  of  his.  Eefides,  Sir, 
 I  perceive  you  would  fain  convert  the  world.  But 
 you  mufl  wait  God's  own  time.  Nay,  if  after  all  he 
 is  pleafed  to  ufe  you  only  as  a  hewer  of  wood  or  a  drawer 
 cf  loaitr,  you  fhould  fubmit,  yea,  you  fliould  be 
 thankful  to  him  that  he  has  honoured  you  fo  far.'' 
 Tliis  advice  alio,  as  Mr.  V/eJley  repeatedly  acknovv? 
 iedged,   "  was  rendered  very  profitable  to  him." 
 
 Mr.  Wejley  having  occafionally  aiTifted  his  father 
 at  Epworth,  the  old  gentleman  finding  his  health  on 
 the  decline,  and  wifhing  that  his  fon  Ihould  fucceed 
 him,  preifed  him  with  great  earneftnefs  to  make 
 interefl  for  the  next  prefentation.  But  he  was 
 then  fo  wedded  to  a  College -life,  and  to  the  advan- 
 tages he  enjoyed  in  his  retirement  and  chofen  com- 
 panions at  Oxford,  that  he  could  not  be  perfuaded  to 
 confent.  His  aniwer  to  his  father,  (a  copy  of  which 
 he  alio  fent  to  his  eldcfl  brother,  who  had  earnefUy 
 preifcJ  him  on  the  fame  fubjeft,)  is  fo  weighty,  and 
 fhcws  fo  clearly  the  It  ate  of  his  mind  at  this  period, 
 
 that 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  73 
 
 ttrnt  we  lliall  give  it  entire,  notwithilaiiding  its  length  :  ^ 
 for  indeed  we  cannot  without  it  have   a   full  view  of 
 his    fentiments  at   this  time,    or  of  the  realons  which 
 induced  him    to    dechne  applying  for    the  Reclory^ 
 of  Ep worth.  * 
 
 Dear   SIR, 
 
 ift.  "  THE  authority  of  a  parent,  and  the  call  of 
 providence,  are  things  of  fo  facred  a  nature,  that  a 
 queflion  in  which  thefe  are  any  ways  concerned, 
 deferv^es  the  mod  ferious  confideration.  I  am  there- 
 fore greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the  pains  you  have 
 taken  to  fet  ours  in  a  clear  light;  which  I  now  intend 
 to  confider  more  at  large,  with  the  utmoil  attention 
 of  which  I  am  capable.  And  I  fliall  the  more  cheer- 
 fully do  it,  as  being  afTured  of  your  joining  with  me 
 in  earneftly  imploring  his  guidance,  who  will  not 
 fuffer  thofe  that  bend  their  wills  to  his,  to  feek  death 
 in  the  error  of  their  life. 
 
 2d.  ''I  entirely  agree,  that  "'  the  glory  of  God,  and 
 the  different  degrees  of  promoting  it,  are  to  be  our 
 lole  confideration  and  direction  in  the  choice  of  anv 
 courie  of  life  ;"  and  confequently,  that  it  muft  wholly 
 turn  upon  this  fmgle  point,  whether  I  am  to  prefer 
 a  college-life,  or  that  of  a  re6lor  of  a  parifli.  I  do 
 not  fay  the  glory  of  God  is  to  be  my  firlf,  or  my 
 principal  conhderation,  but  my  only  one  ;  fmce  all 
 that  are  not  implied  in  this,  are  abfoluteiy  of  no 
 weight  ;  in  prefence  of  this,  they  all  vaniih  away,  they 
 fkie  lefs  than  the  fmall  dull  of  the  balance. 
 
 3(3.  ''  And, 
 
74  THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY. 
 
 3d.  *'  And,  indeed,  till  all  other  confideratfons  were 
 fet  afide,  I  could  never  come  to  any  clear  determina- 
 tion ;  till  my  eye  was  fingle,  my  whole  mind  was  full 
 of  darknefs.  Every  confideration  dirun6l  from  this, 
 threw  a  fhadow  over  all  the  objects  I  had  in  view, 
 and  was  fuch  a  cloud  as  no  light  could  penetrate. 
 Whereas,  fo  long  as  I  can  keep  my  eye  fingie,  and 
 fleadily  fixed  on  the  glory  of  God,  I  have  no  more 
 doubt  of  the  way  wherein  I  fhould  go,  than  of  the 
 fhining  of  the  fun  at  noon-day. 
 
 4th.  "  That  courfe  of  life  tends  moft  to  the  glory 
 of  God,  wherein  we  can  mod  promote  holinefs  iri 
 ourfelves  and  others.  I  fay  in  ourfelves  and  others, 
 ?.s  being  fully  perfuaded  that  thefe  can  never  be  put 
 plunder.  For  how  is  it  poffible  that  the  good  God 
 fliould  make  our  interefl  inconfiftent  with  our  neigh- 
 bour's ?  That  he  fliould  make  our  being  in  one  flate 
 befl  for  ourfelves,  and  our  being  in  another  beft  for 
 the  Church  ?  This  would  be  making  a  ftrange  fchifm 
 in  his  body  ;  fuch  as  furely  never  was  from  the  begin- 
 ping  of  the  world.  And  if  not,  then  whatever  flate  is 
 beft  on  either  of  thefe  accounts,  is  fo  on  the  other 
 likewufe.  If  it  be  beil  lx)r  others,  then  it  is  fo  for  us ; 
 if  for  us,  then  for  them. 
 
 5th.  "  However,  when  two  w^ays  of  life  are  pro- 
 pofed,  I  fhould  chufe  to  begin  with  that  part  of  tlie 
 queftion,  w^hich  of  thefe  have  I  rational  ground  to 
 {relieve  will  conduce  moll  to  my  own  improvement. 
 And  that  not  only  becaule  it  is  every  phyfician's  con- 
 cern to  heal  himfelf  firft,  but  becaufe  it  feems  we 
 may  judge  with   more  eafe,    and   perhaps  certainty 
 
 too. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  75 
 
 too,  in  which  flate  we  can  moft  promote  holinefs  in 
 ourfelves,  than  in  which  we  can  in  others. 
 
 6th.  "  By  hohnefs,  I  mean  not  fafting,  or  bodily 
 aufterity,  or  any  other  external  means  of  improvc-t 
 ment,  but  the  inward  temper,  to  which  all  thefe  are 
 fubfervient,  a  renewal  of  the  foul  in  the  image  of  God, 
 I  mean  a  complex  habit  of  lowlinefs,  meeknefs,  purity, 
 faith,  hope,  and  the  love  of  God  and  man.  And  1 
 therefore  believe,  that  in  the  ftate  wherein  I  am,  I  can 
 moft  promote  this  holinefs  in  myfelf,  becaufe  I  now  en» 
 jay  feveral  advantages,  which  are  almoft  peculiar  to  it, 
 
 7th.  "  The  firft  of  thefe,  is  daily  converfe  with  my 
 friends.  I  know  no  other  place  under  heaven  where 
 I  can  have  always  at  hand  half  a  dozen  perfons  nearly 
 of  my  own  judgment,  and  engaged  in  the  fame 
 ftudies  :  perfons  who  are  awakened  into  a  full  and 
 lively  conviftion,  that  they  have  only  one  work  to  do 
 upon  earth  ;  who  are  in  forne  meafure  enlightened  fo 
 as  to  fee,  though  at  a  difiance,  what  that  one  work  is, 
 viz.  the  recovery  of  that  hngle  intention  and  pure 
 affeftion  which  were  in  Chrift  Jefus ;  who,  in  order 
 to  this,  have  according  to  their  power  renounced 
 themfelves,  and  wholly  and  abfolutely  devoted  thcm- 
 felves  to  God  :  and  who  fuitably  thereto  deny  them- 
 felves, and  take  up  their  crofs  daily.  To  have  fuch  a 
 number  of  fuch  friends  conftantly  watching  over  my 
 foul,  and  according  to  the  variety  of  occafions,  adr 
 miniflering  reproof,  advice,  or  exhortation,  with  all 
 plainnefs,  and  all  gentienefs,  is  a  bleffing  I  have  not 
 yet  found  any  chriftians  to  enjoy  in  any  other  part 
 of  the  kingdom.  And  fuch  a  bleiTrng  it  is,  fo  con- 
 ijucive,  if  faithfully  ufed,  tp  the  increafe  of  all  holi- 
 nefs, 
 
j5  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 nefs,  as  I  defy  any  one  to  know  the  full  value  of,  till 
 he  receives  his  full  meafure  of  glory. 
 
 8th.  *'  Another  invaluable  bleiTmg  which  I  enjoy 
 here  in  a  greater  degree  than  I  could  any  where  elfe, 
 is  retirement.  I  have  not  onlv  as  much,  but  as  little 
 company  as  I  pleafe.  I  have  no  fuch  thing  as  a 
 trifling  vifitant,  except  about  an  hour  in  a  month, 
 when  I  invite  fomc  of  the  Fellows  tobreakfaft.  Un- 
 lefs  at  that  one  time,  no  one  ever  takes  it  into  his 
 head  to  fet  foot  ^\' ilhin  my  door,  except  he  has  fome 
 bufmefs  of  importance  to  communicate  to  me,  or  I  to 
 him.  And  even  then,  as  foon  as  he  has  difpatched 
 his  bufinefs,  he  immediately  takes  his  leave. 
 
 9th.  "  Both  thefe  blcffings,  the  continual  prefence  of 
 ufeful,  and  uninterrupted  freedom  from  trifling  ac- 
 quaintance, are  exceedingly  endeared  to  me,  when- 
 ever I  have  fpent  but  one  week  out  of  this  place.  The 
 far  greatefh  part  of  the  converfation  I  meet  with 
 abroad,  even  amonsc  thofe  w^hom  I  believe  to  be  real 
 Chiiflians,  turns  on  points  that  are  abfolutely  wide  of 
 my  purpofe,  tlTSt  no  way  forward  me  in  the  bufinefs 
 of  life.  Now,  though  they  may  have  time  to  fpare,  I 
 have  none;  it  is  abfolutely  neceffary  for  fuch  a  one 
 its  me  to  follow  with  all  pofhble  care  and  vigilancCj 
 that  excellent  advice  of  Mr.  Herbert, 
 
 Siill  let  thy  mirHfl  be  bent,  flill  plotting  where, 
 And  whea,  and  how,  the  bufiiicis  may  be  done. 
 
 And  this,  I  blefs  God,  I  can  in  fome  meafure  do,  fo 
 long  as  I  avoid  that  bane  of  piety,  the  company  of  good 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  77 
 
 fort  of  men,  lukewarm  Chrircians  (as  they  are  called.) 
 perfons  that  have  a  great  concern  for,  but  no  fenfe  of 
 religion.  But  thefe  undermine  infenfibly  ail  my  re- 
 folutions,  and  quite  ileal  from  me  the  little  fervour  I 
 have  ;  and  I  never  conre  from  among  the(e  Saints  of 
 the  world  (as  John  ValdeJJo  calls  them)  faint,  diffipated, 
 and  fhornof  all  rfiy  ftrength,  but  I  fay,  '*  God  deliver 
 me  from  a  half-chriltian." 
 
 10th.  "  Freedom  from  care  I  take  to  be  the  next 
 orreatefl  advantagre  to  freedom^  from  ufelefs.  and  there- 
 fore  hurtful  company.  And  this  too  I  enjoy  in 
 greater  perfection  here  than  I  can  ever  expe6l  to  do 
 any  where  elfe.  I  hear  of  fuch  a  thing  as  the  cares  of 
 this  world,  and  I  read  of  them,  but  I  know  them  not. 
 Aly  income  is  ready  for  me  on  fo  many  ftated  days, 
 and  all  I  have  to  do  is  to  count  and  carry  it  home. 
 The  grand  article  of  my  expence  is  food,  and  this  too 
 is  provided  without  any  care  of  mine.  I  have  nothing 
 to  do,  but  at  fuch  an  hour  to  take  and  eat  what  is 
 prepared  for  me.  Aly  Laundrefs,  Barber,  Sec.  are 
 always  ready  at  Quarter-day,  fo  I  have  no  trouble 
 on  account  of  tliofe  expences.  And  for  what  I 
 occafionally  need,  I  can  be  fuDplied  from  time  to  time 
 without  any  expence  of  thought.  Now  to  convince 
 me  what  a  help  to  holinefs  this  is  (were  not  my  ex- 
 perience abundantly  fufficient)  I  fhould  need  no  bet- 
 ter authority  than  St.  Paul's,  '•'  I  would  ha^-e  vou  be 
 without  carefulnefs.  This  I  fpeak  for  your  own 
 .  profit,  that  ye  may  attend  upon  the  Lord  without 
 diflraftion."  Happy  is  he  "  that  careth  only  for  the 
 things  of  the  Lord,    how   lie  may  pieafe  the  Lord." 
 
 He 
 
78  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 He  may  be  holy  both  in  body  and  fpirit,  after  the 
 Apoftle's  judgment,  and  I  think  that  he  had  the  Spirit 
 of  God. 
 
 11th.  ''To  quicken  me  in  making  a  thankful  and 
 diligent  ufe  of  all  the  other  advantages  of  this  place, 
 I  have  the  opportunity  of  public  prayer  twice  a  day, 
 and  of  weekly  communicating.  It  would  be  eafy 
 to  mention  many  more,  and  likewife  to  fliew  many 
 difadvantages,  which  a  perfon  of  greater  courage  and 
 fkill  than  L  could  fcarce  feparate  from  a  country-life. 
 But  w^hatever  one  of  experience  and  refolution  might 
 do,  I  am  very  fenfible  I  ftiould  not  be  able  to  tura 
 afide  one  of  the  thoufand  temptations  that  would 
 immediately  rufli  upon  me.  I  could  not  fland  my 
 ground,  no,  not  for  one  month,  againft  intemperance 
 m  fleeping,  eating  and  drinking  ;  againft  irregularity 
 in  ftudy,  againft  a  general  lukewarmnefs  in  my  af- 
 fcQions,  and  remiffnefs  in  my  <i6lions ;  againft  foft- 
 nefs  and  felf-indulgence,  diredly  oppofite  to  that  dif- 
 cipline  and  hardftiip  which  become  a  foldier  of  Jefus 
 Chrift.  And  then  when  my  fpirit  was  thus  diflblved, 
 I  fliould  be  an  eafy  prey  to  whatever  impertinent 
 company  came  in  my  way.  Then  would  the  cares  of 
 the  world,  and  the  defire  of  other  things,  roll  back 
 with  a  full  tide  upon  me.  It  would  be  no  wonder, 
 if,  while  I  preached  to  others,  I  myfelf  fliould  be  a 
 caft-avv;ay.  I  cannot  therefore  but  obferve,  that  the 
 queftion  does  not  relate  barely  to  degrees  of  perfection, 
 but  to  the  very  eifence  and  being  of  it.  Agitur  de 
 vita  &  Janguine  Tumi.  *     The   point  is,   whether  I 
 
 *  Mv  vtry  life  is  at  fake, 
 
 fiiall, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  79 
 
 fiiall,  or  fhall  not,  work  out  my  falvation,  whether  I 
 Ihali  ferve  Chriil,  or  Belial. 
 
 1 2th.  "  What  ftill  heightens  my  fear  of  this  untried 
 ftate  is,  that  when  I  am  once  entered  inro  it,  be  the  m- 
 conveniencies  of  it  found  more  or  ]eCs—veJIigia  nulla  re- 
 trorjum—''  When  I  am  there,  there  I  mufl  ^<vf^'  If  my 
 prefent  way  of  life  fhould  ever  prove  lefs  advantageous, 
 I  have  almoft  continual  opportunities  of  quitting  it ; 
 but  whatever  difficulties  occur  in  that,  whether  fore- 
 feen  or  unforefeen,  there  is  no  returning,  any  more 
 than  from  the  grave.  When  I  have  once  launched 
 out  into  that  unknown  fea,  there  is  no  recovering  my 
 harbour ;  I  mufl  on  among  whatever  whirlpools,  or 
 ^ocks,  or  fands,  though  all  the  waves  and  florms  go 
 over  me. 
 
 13th.  *' Thus  much  as  to  myfelf.  But  youjuftly 
 obferve,  that  we  are  not  to  confider  ourfelves  alone  ; 
 fmce  God  m.ade  us  all  for  a  focial  life,  to  which  aca- 
 demical fludies  are  only  preparatory.  I  allow  too 
 that  he  will  take  an  exaft  account  of  everv  talent 
 which  he  has  lent  us,  not  to  bury  them,  but  to  employ 
 every  mite  we  have  received  in  difFufmg  holinefs  all 
 around  us.  I  cannot  deny  that  tv^xy  follower  of 
 Chrift  is,  in  his  proportion,  the  light  of  the  world, 
 /that  whoever  is  fuch  can  no  more  be  concealed  than 
 the  fun  in  the  midfl  of  heaven :  that  being-  fet  as  a 
 light  in  a  dark  place,  his  fliining  out  mufl  be  the 
 more  confpicuous ;  that  to  this  very  end  was  his  light 
 given,  that  it  might  fhine  at  leafl  to  all  that  look  to- 
 wards him ;  and  indeed  that  there  is  one  only  way  of 
 hading  it,  which  is,  to  put  it  out.    Neither  can  I  deny 
 
 that 
 
S3  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 thai  it  is  the  indifpenfiible  duty  of  every  cliriniait  id 
 huuMt  both  light  and  heat  to  all  who  are  willing  Id 
 receive  it.  I  am  obliged  likewife,  unlefs  I  lie  againft 
 the  truth,  to  grant  that  there  is  not  fo  contemptible 
 an  animal  upon  earth,  as  one  that  drones  away  life^ 
 "^rithout  ever  labouring  to  promote  the  glory  of  God, 
 and  the  good  of  men;  and  that,  whether  he  be  young 
 or  old,  learned  or  unlearned,  in  a  College  or  out  of 
 It.  Yet  granting  the  fuperlative  degree  of  contempt 
 to  be  on  all  accounts  due  to  a  College-drone ;  a 
 wretch  that  hath  received  ten  talents,  and  yet  em- 
 ploys none  ;  that  is  not  only  promifed  a  reward  by 
 his  gracious  mafter,  but  is  paid  before  hand  for  his 
 work  by  his  generous  founder,  and  yet  works  not  at 
 all ;  allou'ing  all  this,  and  whatever  elfe  can  be  f^id- 
 (for  I  ov/n  it  is  impoilible  to  fay  enough)  againft  the 
 drowfy  ingratitude,  the  lazy  perjury  of  thofe  who  are 
 commonlv  called  harmlels  or  g-ood  fort  of  men  (^  fair 
 proportion  of  whom  I  mud  to  our  fhame  confefs  are 
 to  be  found  in  Colleges)  allowing  this,  I  fay,  1  do  not  * 
 ;ippre]icnd  it  will  conclude  againfl  a  College-life  in 
 general.  For  the  abufe  of  it  does  not  deflroy  the  ufe ; 
 though  there  are  fome  Iiere  who  are  the  lumber ^>f 
 the  cremation,  it  docs  not  foliov/  that  others  may  not 
 be  of  more  fervice  to  the  world  in  this  flation,  than 
 they  could  in  anv  other. 
 
 i.^ih.   ''  That  I   in  particular  could,  might,  it  feems, 
 be  inferred  from   wliat  has  been  proved  already,  viz. 
 That  I   could  be  holier  here  myfelf  than  any  where 
 tlic,  if  I    faithfully  uled  the  blelfings  I  enjoy  ;  for  to  , 
 prove,   that   the  holier  any  man  is  himfelf,  the  more 
 
 fliall 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  8f 
 
 jhtill  he  promote  holinefs  in  others,  there  needs  no 
 more  than  this  one  pojlidatum,  the  help  which  is  done 
 on  earth,  God  does  it  himfelf.  If  fo,  if  God  be  the 
 fole  agent  in  heahng  fouls,  and  man  only  the  inftru- 
 ment  in  his  hand,  there  can  no  doubt  be  made,  but 
 that  the  more  holy  a  man  is,  he  will  make  ufe  of  him 
 the  more.  Becaufe  he  is  more  willing  to  be  fo  ufed  ; 
 becaufe  the  more  pure  he  is,  he  is  the  fitter  inflrument: 
 for  the  God  of  purity  ;  becaufe  he  will  pray  more, 
 and  more  earneflly  that  he  may  be  employed,  and 
 that  his  fervice  may  tend  to  his  Mailer's  glory ;  be- 
 caufe all  his  prayers  both  for  employment  and  fuccefs 
 therein  will  the  more  furely  pierce  the  clouds ;  be- 
 caufe the  more  his  heart  is  enlarged,  the  wider  fphere 
 be  may  a6t  in  without  carefulnefs  or  diftra6lion.  And 
 laftly,  becaufe  the  more  his  heart  is  renewed  in  the 
 image  of  God,  the  more  God  can  renew  it  in  others  hy 
 him,  without  deftroying  him  by  pride  or  vanity. 
 
 •15th.  '•  But  for  the  proof  of  every  one  of  thefe 
 weighty  truths,  experience  is  worth  a  thoufand  rea- 
 '  fons.  I  fee,  I  feel  them  every  day.  Sometimes  I 
 cannot  do  good  to  others,  becaufe  I  am  unwilling  to 
 do  it ;  fliame  or  pain  is  in  the  way  ;  and  I  do  not 
 defire  to  ferve  God  at  fo  dear  a  rate.  Sometimes  I 
 cannot  do  the  good  I  defire  to  do,  becaufe  I  am  ia 
 other  refpeds  too  unholy.  I  knov/  within  myfelf, 
 were  I  fit  to  be  fo  employed,  God  would  employ  me 
 in  this  work.  But  my  heart  is  too  unclean  for  fuch 
 mighty  works  to  be  wrought  by  my  hands.  Some- 
 tidies  I  cannot  accomplilh  the  good  I  am  employed 
 in,  becaufe  I  do  not  pray  more,  and  more  fervently  ; 
 
 O  and 
 
82  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 and  fometimes  even  when  I  do  pray,  and  that  in- 
 flantly,  becaufe  I  am  not  worthy  that  my  prayer 
 Ihould  be  heard.  Sometimes  I  dare  not  attempt  to 
 ■afFifl  my  neighbour,  becaufe  I  know  the  narrownefs 
 t)i'  my  heart,  that  it  cannot  attend  to  many  things, 
 without  utter  confufion,  and  difTipation  of  thought. 
 And  a  thoufand  times  have  I  been  mercifully  with- 
 held fr6m  fuccefs  in  the  things  I  have  attempted  ;  be- 
 caufe were  one  lo  poud  and  vain  enabled  to  gain 
 others,   he  v/ouid  lofe  his  own  foul. 
 
 16  th.  "  From  all  this  I  conclude,  that  where  I 
 am  mofl  holy  myfelf,  there  I  could  mod  promote 
 holihefs  in  others  ;  and,  confequently,  that  I  could 
 more  promote  it  here,  than  in  any  place  under  hea- 
 ven. But  I  have  likewife  other  reafons  befides  this 
 to  think  fo;  and  the  firft  is,  the  plenteoufnefs  of  the 
 harvefl.  Here  is  indeed  a  large  fcene  of  various  aclion. 
 Here  is  room  for  charity  in  all  its  forms.  There  is 
 fcarce  any  way  of  doing  good  to  our  fellow-creatures, 
 for  which  here  is  not  daily  occafion.  I  can  now 
 only  touch  on  the  feveral  heads.  Here  are  poor 
 fiimilies  to  be  relieved ;  here  are  children  to  be  edu- 
 cated :  here  are  work-houfes  wherein  both  young  and 
 old  want,  and  gladly  receive  the  word  of  exhor- 
 tation ;  here  are  prifons  to  be  vifited,  wherein  alorie 
 complication  of  all  human  wants ;  and,  laflly, 
 here  are  the  fchools  of  the  prophets ;  here  are  tender 
 minds  to  be  formed  and  ftrengthened,  and  babes 
 in  Chrift  to  be  inflruded,  and  perfe6led  in  all  ufeful 
 learning.  Of  thefe  in  particular  we  mull  oblerve, 
 that    he    who  gains  only  one,  does  thereby  as  much 
 
 fervice 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  83 
 
 f"  rorld  as   he  cuuiv/.  do  in  a    parifh    in 
 
 u;  -  .  c.  .1.^,  ior  his  name  is  legion;  m  him  are 
 contained  ail  ihofe  who  fhall  be  converted  by  him. 
 He  is  not  a  ling le  drop  of  th>  oxw  of  heaven ;  but  a 
 river  to  make  ^lad  the  city  oj  c. 
 
 1 7th.  "  But  Epwor'h  is  yet  a  larger  fphere  of  a6tion 
 than  this ;  there  I  fhould  have  the  care  of  two  rhou- 
 fand  fouls.  Two  thoufand  fouls  !  I  fee  not  how  any 
 man  living  can  take  care  of  an  hundred.  *  At  leafl 
 I  could  not  ;  I  know  too  well  Quid  valeant  humeri,  t 
 Becaufe  the  weight  that  I  have  already  upon  me,  is 
 almofl  more  than  I  am  able  to  bear,  ou^ht  I  to  in- 
 creafe  it  ten -fold  ? 
 
 -nnponere  Pelio  OJfam 
 
 Scilicet^  atque  OJfa  frondojum  involvere  OlympumA. 
 
 Would  this  be  the  way  to  help  either  myfelf  or  my 
 brethren,  up  to  heaven  ?  Nay,  but  the  mountains  I 
 reared  would  only  crufti  my  own  foul,  and  fo  make 
 me   utterly  ufelefs  to  others. 
 
 18th.  "  I  need  but  jufl  glance  upon  feveral  other 
 reafons,  why  I  am  m.ore  likely  to  be  ufeful  here  than 
 any  where  elfe.  As,  becaufe  I  have  the  joint  advice 
 of  many  friends  in  any  difficulty,  and  their  joint  en- 
 couragement   in    any    dangers.       Becaufe  the   good 
 
 G-  2  biihop 
 
 *  How  greatly  did  God  enlarge  his  heart  as  well  as  his  labours 
 in  procefs  of  time  ! 
 
 +   How  much  I  can  bear, 
 
 1^  To  heap  mountains  upon  moimtains  like  the  ancient  giants,  in 
 Girder  tofrak  heaven^ 
 
24  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 bifliop  and  vice-chancellor  are  at  hand  to  fupply  ("a's  J 
 need  is)  thei;r  want  of  experience  ;  becaufe  we  have 
 the  eyes  of  multitudes  upon  us,  who,  even  withouit 
 defigning  rt,  perform  the  mod  fubflantial  office  of 
 friendfhip,  apprizing  us  where  we  have  already  fallen, 
 and  guarding  u»  from  falling  again  :  laflly,  becaufe 
 we  have  here  a  conflant  fund  (which  I  believe  thrs 
 year  will  amount  to  near  eighty  pounds)  to  fupply 
 the  bodily  Wants  of  the  poor,  and  thereby  prepare 
 their  fouls  to  receivG  in{lru6tion. 
 
 19th.  '•  If  it  be  faidtbat  the  love  of  the  pt^ople  at 
 Epworik  balances  all  thefe  advantages  here  ;  I  alk  how 
 long  will  it  lad  ?  Only  till  I  come  to  tell  them  plainly 
 that  their  deeds  are  evil,  and  to  iriake  a  particular 
 application  of  that  general  fentencc,  to  hy  to  each. 
 Thou  art  the  man  /  Alas,  Sir,  do  I  not  know,  v/hat  | 
 love  they  had  for  yoit  at  firll  ?  And  how  have  they 
 tifed  you  fince  ?  Why,  jufE  as  every  one  will  be  ufed,  | 
 whofe  bufinefs  it  is  to  bring  light  to  them  that  love 
 to  fit  in  darknef>. 
 
 20th.  "'  Notw-ithflandi ng,  therefore,  their  prefent 
 prejudice  in  my  favour,  I  cannot  quit  my  fir  ft  con- 
 clufion,  that  I  am  not  likely  to  do  that  good  any 
 where,  not  c\'cn  at  Epworthy  which  I  may  do  at  Ox- 
 ford.  And  yet  one  terrible  objeclion  lies  in  the  way ; 
 *'  Have  you  found  it  fo  in  fad?  What  have  you  don( 
 there  in  fo  many  years  ?  Nay,  have  not  the  very  atj 
 tempts  to  do  good,  for  want  either  of  a  partieujat 
 turn  of  mind  for  the  bufinefs  you  engaged  in,  or  o| 
 prudence  to  dir^6l  you  in  the  right  method  of  doim 
 it.  not  only  been  unfuccefsful,  but  brousrht  fuch  coi 
 
 temi 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  85 
 
 tempt  upon  yoUj  as  has  in  great  meafure  difqualified 
 you  for  any  future  fuccefs  ?  And  are  there  not  men 
 in  Oxford^  who  are  not  only  better  and  ho.4er  than 
 y^ou,  h\kt  Y/ho  ha\^ng  preferved  their  reputation,  who 
 being  univerCdly  efleemed,  are  every  v/ay  fitter  to 
 promote  the  glory  of  God  in  that  place  ?'* 
 
 21  ft.  "  I  am  not  careful  to  anfwer  in  this  matter. 
 It  is  not  mv  nart  to  fav  whether  God  has  done  any 
 good  by  my  hands  ;  whether  I  have  a  particular  turn 
 of  mind  for  this  or  not ;  or  whether  the  want  of  fuc- 
 cefs in  my  paft  attempts,  was  owing  to  want  of  pru- 
 dence, to  ip-norance  of  the  ri^ht  method  of  aclino-  or 
 to  fome  other  caufe.  But  the  latter  psirt  of  the  ob- 
 je6lion,  that  he  who  is  defpifed  can  do  no  good,  that 
 without  reputation  a  man  cannot  be  ufeful  in  the 
 world,  being  the  ftrong-hokl  of  all  the  unbelieving, 
 the  vain-glorious,  and  the  cowardly  chriftians  (fo 
 called)  I  will  by  the  grace  of  God,  fee  what  reafon 
 that  has  thus  continually  to  exalt  itfelf  againft  the 
 knowledge  of  Chrift. 
 
 2 2d.  "  With  regard  to  contempt  then  (under 
 which  term  I  include  all  the  pafTions  that  border  upon 
 ix,  as  hatred,  envy,  <S:c.  and  all  the  fruits  that  flow 
 fiom  them,  luch  as  calumny,  reproach,  and  perfecu- 
 tion  in  any  of  its  forms)  my  firft  pofition,  in  defiance 
 of  worldly  wildom,  is  this,  *'  Every  true  chriflian  is 
 contemned  wherever  he  lives,  by  ail  who  are  not  fo, 
 and  who  know  him  to  be  fuch,  i.  e.  in  eite6i:,  by  all 
 v/ith  whom  he  converfes  ;  fince  it  is  impoffible  for 
 light  not  to  fhine."  This  polition  I  prove  both  from 
 tjie  example  of  our  Lord,  and  from  his  exprefs  affer- 
 
 G  3  tions. 
 
86  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 tons.       Firft,  from  his  example,  if  the  difciple  is  not 
 above  his   maRer,    nor  the  fervant  above  his    Lord, 
 then,  as  our  mafler  was  defpifed  and  reje6led  of  men, 
 fo  will  everv  one  of  his  true  difciples.     But  the  difci- 
 ple is  not  above  his  mafler,    and  therefore  the  confe- 
 quence  will  not  fail  him  a  hair's-breadth.      Secondly, 
 from  his  own  expi^efs  afferdons  of  this  confequencc. 
 *'  If  ihcy  have  called  the  viajler    of  the  houfe  Beelzebub, 
 howmuch  more  them  of  his    hou/hold  P"    (Matt.   x.   25.) 
 *'   Remember  "    (ye  that  zooidd  fain  forget,  or  evade  it  J 
 •'  The  xvord  that  Ijaid  unto  you,  the  Servant  is  not  greater 
 than  his  Lord,     If  they  have  perfecuted  me,  they  will  aljo 
 pcrfecutc you.*'     And  as  for  that   vain   hope,  that  this 
 belongs  only  to  the  lirfl  followers  of  Chrift,  hear   ye 
 him,   "  All  theft  things  will  they  do  to  yoUy  hecaufe   they 
 know  not  him  that  fent  me.''     And  again,     ''  Becaufe ye 
 are  not   of  the  world,  therefore  the   world  hateth  you.'* 
 (John  XV.  19.)  Both  the  perfons  who  are  hated,    and 
 the  perfons  who  hate  them,   and    the    caufe  of  their 
 iiating  them,  are  here  clearly  determined.     The  hated 
 are  all  that  are  not  of  this  world,    that  are  born  again 
 in  the  knowledixe  and  love  of  God  :   the  haters  are  all 
 that  are  of  this  world,  that  know   not    God,    fo  as  to 
 love  him  with  all  their  flrength  :     the  caufe  of   their 
 hatred  is,  the  entire  irreconcilable  differences  between 
 their    defires,    judgments,    and   affetlions  ;    becaufe 
 thefe  know   not  God,   and  thofe   are  determined  to 
 know  and  purine  nothing  befides  him ;  becaufe  th<fe 
 efteem  and  love  the  world,    and  thofe  count  it  dung 
 and  drofs,  and  fmgly  defire  that  love  of  Chrifl. 
 
 23d.  "  My 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  87 
 
 23d.  "  My  next  pofition  is  this,  ''  Until  he  be 
 thus  contemned,  no  man  is  in  a  ilate  of  falvation." 
 And  this  is  no  more  than  a  plain  inference  from  the 
 former  ;  for  if  all  that  are  not  of  the  world  are  there- 
 fore contemned  by  thofe  that  are,  then  till  a  rnan  is 
 lo  contemned,  he  is  of  the  world,  i.  e.  Out  of  a  ilate 
 of  falvation.  Nor  is  it  poifible  for  all  tlie  trimmers 
 between  God  and  the  world,  for  all  the  dodgers  in 
 religion,  to  elude  this  coniequence,  which  God  has 
 eftablifhed,  and  not  man,  uri'efs  they  could  prove 
 that  a  man  may  be  of  the  v/orid,  i.  e.  void  both  of 
 the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  yet  be  in  a  ilate 
 vof  falvation.  I  mufl  therefore,  with  or  vrithout  leave 
 -  of  thefe,  keep  clofe  to  my  Saviour's  judgment,  and 
 maintain  that  contempt  is  a  part  of  that  crofs  which 
 every  man  mull  bear  if  he  will  follow  him  ;  that  it  is 
 the  badge  of  his  difcipleinip,  the  ilamp  of  his  pro- 
 feflion,  the  conflant  feal  of  his  calling ;  infomuch 
 that,  though  a  man  may  be  defpifed  witjiout  being 
 faved,  yet  he  cannot  be  fa^'ed  without  being  defpifed. 
 24th..  *'  I  ihouid  not  fpend  any  more  words  about 
 this  great  truth,  but  that  it  feems  at  prelent  quite 
 voted  out  of  the  world  ;  the  mailers  in  IJrael,  learned 
 men,  men  of  renown,  feem  abfolutely  to  have  for- 
 gotten it;  nay,  cenfure  thole  who  have  not  forgotten 
 the  words  of  their  Lord,  as  fetters  forth  of  ftranore 
 doctrines .  And  hence  it  is  commonly  aUced,  hozo  can 
 theft  things  he  ?  How  can  contempt  be  necelTary  to 
 falvation  ?  I  anfv/er,  as  it  is  a  neceffary  means  of  pu- 
 rifying fouls  for  heaven  ;  as  it  is  a  bleffed  inflrument 
 <jf  clean fmg   them  from  pride,  v/hich  elfe  would  turn 
 
 G  4  their 
 
88  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 their  very  graces  into  poifon ;  as  it  is  a  glorious  an-  1j 
 tidote  againf^  vanity,  which  would  otherwife  pollute 
 and  deflroy  all  their  labours ;  as  it  is  an  excellent 
 iTiedicine  to  heal  the  anger  and  impatience  of  fpirit, 
 apt  to  infinuate  into  their  befl  employments ;  and, 
 in  a  word,  as  it  is  one  of  the  choiceft  remedies  in  the 
 whole  Magazine  of  God  againft  love  of  the  world,  in 
 which  whofoever  liveth  is  counted  dead  before  him. 
 
 25th.  "  And  hence  (as  a  full  anfwer  to  the  pre- 
 cedmg  obje6lion)  I  infer  one  pohtion  more  :  that 
 our  being  contemned  is  abfolutely  neceflary  to  our 
 doing  good  in  the  world  :  if  not  to  our  doing  fome 
 good  (for  God  may  work  by  Judas)  yet  to  our  doing 
 fo  much  as  we  otherwife  fhould.  For  fmce  God  will 
 employ  thofe  inilruments  moft,  who  are  fitteft  to  be 
 employed;  lince  the  holier  a  man  is,  the  fitter  in- 
 fh-um.ent  he  is  for  the  God  of  hoiinefs  ;  and  fince 
 contempt  is  fo  glorious  a  m.eans  of  advancing  hoii- 
 nefs in  him  that  is  exercifed  thereby  :  nay,  fince  no 
 man  can  be  holy  at  all  without  it,  who  can  keep  off 
 the  confequence  ?  The  being  contemned  is  abfolutely 
 neccifary  to  a  Chriftian's  doing  his  full  meafure  of 
 good  in  the  world.  Where  then  is  the  Scribe  ?  Where 
 is  the  wife  ?  Where  is  the  difputer  of  this  world  ? 
 Where  is  the  rcplicr  againfl  God,  with  his  fage 
 maxims,  ''  He  that  is  defpifcd,  can  do  no  good  in 
 the  world ;  to  be  ufeful,  a  man  mufl  be  eilcemed  ; 
 to  advance  the  glory  of  God,  you  mufl  have  a  fair 
 reputation."  Saith  the  world  fo  ?  But  what  faith  the 
 Scripture  ?  Why,  that  God  hath  laughed  all  this 
 Heathen   wifdom  to  fcorn  !     It  faith,  that  twelve  de-      ' 
 
 f  pi  fed 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  89 
 
 fpifed  followers  of  a  defpifed  Mafler,  all  of  wTiom 
 were  of  no'reputation,  who  were  efleemed  as  the  filth 
 and  oiT-fcouring  of  the  world,  did  more  good  in  it 
 than  all  the  tribes  o^  JjracL  It  faith,  that  the  defpifed 
 mailer  of  thefe  defpifed  followers  left  a  (landing  di- 
 rection to  us,  and  to  our  children,  *'  Blelfed  are  ye" 
 (not  accurfed  with  the  heavy  curfe  of  doing  no  good, 
 of  being  ufelefs  in  the  world)  *'  when  men  ftiall  revile 
 you  and  perfecute  you,  and  fay  all  manner  of  evil  of 
 you  talfely  for  my  name's  fake.  Rejoice  and  be  ex- 
 ceeding giad,  for  great  is  your  reward  m  heaven." 
 
 26th.  "  Thefe  are  part  of  my  reafons  for  chufint^ 
 to  abide  (till  I  am  better  informed)  in  the  ftation 
 wherein  God  has  placed  me.  As  for  the  flock  com- 
 mitted to  your  care,  whom  for  many  years  you  have 
 diligently  fed  with  the  hncere  miik  of  the  word  I 
 truft  in  God  your  labour  fhall  not  be  in  vain,  either 
 to  yourfelf  or  them.  Many  of  them  the  great  Shep- 
 herd has  by  your  hand  delivered  from  the  hand  of 
 the  deftroyer,  fome  of  whom  are  already  entered  in- 
 to peace,  and  fome  remain  unto  this  day.  For  vour- 
 feif,  I  doubt  not,  but  when  your  warfare  is  accom- 
 pliftied,  when  you  are  made  perfe61;  through  fuf- 
 ferings,  you  fliall  come  to  your  grave,  not  with  for- 
 row,  but  as  a  ripe  fhock  of  corn,  full  of  years  and 
 victories.  And  he  that  took  care  of  the  poor  flieep 
 before  you  was  born,  will  not  forget  them  when  yon 
 are  dead.'* 
 
 His  brother  replied,  and  combated  hh  arguments 
 upon  the  ground  of  filial  duty  and  the  probability  of 
 his  being  much  more  ufeful,  (notwith (landing  ail  he 
 
 had 
 
90  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 had  faid  to  the  contrary,)  at  Epioorth  than  at  Ox^ 
 ford:  and  urged  upon  him  his  clerical  engagements. 
 Mr.  Wejleys  reply  to  this,  produced  ftill  further  ex- 
 poftulations  :  and  there  is  much  difplay  of  logical 
 fkill  on  both  fides.  The  conteft  was  at  lad  given  up 
 hy  Samuel,  as  he  {aw  that  "  none,"  to  ufe  his  own 
 words,  "  could  move  his  mind,  but  he  that  made  it." 
 Such  was  the  view  which  his  brother,  (well  qualified 
 to  judge,)  had  of  his  refolute  and  determined  fpirit. 
 An  ingenious  Wriier  of  the  prefent  day,  upon  a  vitw 
 of  this  his  invincible  refolution  in  every  thing  which 
 appeared  to  him  to  concern  religion,  has  declared, 
 "  he  wanted  only  rational  principles  of  religion,  to  be 
 one  of  the  firfl  x)f  human  chara6i:ers.''  Had  he  had 
 07ily  what  that  writer  calls  rational  principles  of  re- 
 ligion, he  might  have  gone  the  ufual  rounds  of  Paro- 
 chial duty  at  Epworth,  and,  it  may  be,  might  have 
 fucceeded  to  what  is  called  a  better  living.  But  how- 
 ever he  might  be  admired  as  a  fcholar  and  a  man,  he 
 certainlv  never  would  have  been  ranked  with  the  Re- 
 formers or  ApOilles  :  nor  would  the  prefent,  not  to 
 fay  future  generations,  rife  up,  as  that  Writer  fays 
 they  will,  and  call  him  blelfed. 
 
 CHAP.      HL 
 
 Of  Mr.  W  E  s  I.  E  Y*s  Mijfwn  to  America, 
 
 WE  are  nov;  come  to  a  more  important  period  of 
 Mr.   Wefey's   Life  than   any  we  have  already 
 eon-fidered.  A  gentleman 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  91 
 
 A  gentleman  who  lias  written  his  Life,  exprefTes  no 
 fmall  lizrprife,  when  he  comes  to  treat  of  his  Million 
 to  Georgia,  at  what  appears  to  him  a  il range  and  un^ 
 accoaijntaMe  chang-e  of  mind  m  one  who  had  iuft  be- 
 fore  evinced  iuci:.  uniliaken  iirmnefs.  ''  We  imagined," 
 fays  he,  ''  that  nothing  iefs  than  ftern  neceffity,  could 
 have  induced  aim  to  quit  his  beloved  retirement."  '•' 
 Had  this  gentleman  enjojed  that  intimacy  with  Mr. 
 Wejlcy  which  we  have  been  favoured  with,  he  would 
 have  been  able  eafily  to  account  for  it. 
 
 From  what  has  been  faid,  it  will  appear  that  Mr. 
 Wejleys  mind  was  deeply  imprelTed  with  religious 
 fentiments.  He  had  devoted  himfelf  entirely  to 
 God.  It  has  appeared  alfo  from  his  own  words 
 how  exceedingly  painful  all  commerce  with  the 
 world  v/as  to  hira :  and  that  he  had  deeply  im- 
 bibed even  that  undue  love  of  retirement,  which  all 
 good  men  have  felt  more  or  Iefs,  from  the  Eo-yptian 
 Hermits  of  the  fecond  century,  down  to  the  elegant 
 and  pious  Cowley.  But  this  was  not  all.  He  was  at 
 that  time  an  admirer  of  the  Myjiic  writers ;  and 
 though  he  had  not  embraced  the  peculiar  fentiments 
 of  thofe  who  were  grofsiy  unfcripturai  (from  the  time 
 that  he  was  Homo  unius  Lihri,  as  he  himfelf  terms  it 
 a  man  of  one  Book,  valuing  none  comparatively  but  the 
 Bible  :)  yet  he  flill  believed,  many  of  the  Myjiic  writers 
 were,  to  ufe  his  own  words,  "  the  befl:  explainers  of 
 the  Gofpei  of  Chrifl."  And  every  one  knows,  as  he 
 has  remarked,  how  continually  thofe  that  are  fuppofed 
 to  be  the  pureft  of  them,  cry  out,  "  To  tht  defert  • 
 to  the  de*:ert  1"  What  wonder  then,  i^  at  this  time,  when 
 
 having 
 
92  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 having  only  attained  to  what  St.  Paul  calls  the  fpirit  | 
 of  bondage  unto  ftar:  at  this  time  when  he  found  every 
 company  and  almoft  every  perfon  difcompofe  his 
 mind  :  when  he  found  all  his  fenfes  ready  to  betray  \ 
 him  into  fin,  upon  every  exercife  of  them  :  and  that 
 all  within  him,  as  well  as  every  creature  he  converfed  - 
 with,  tended  to  extort  that  cry,  ''  0  wretched  man  that 
 I  am,  -who  JJiall  deliver  me  ?'*  What  wonder,  I  fay,  that 
 he  fiiould  clofc  in  with  a  propofal,  which  feemed  at 
 one  ilroke  to  cut  him  off  from  both  the  fmiling  and 
 frowning  v/orld,  and  to  enable  him  to  be  dead  to  the 
 world  and  crucified  with  Chrifl,  which  he  then 
 thought  could  only  be  thus  attained.  This  is  the  ac- 
 count which  he  himfelf  has  given  us  of  his  views  and 
 motives  at  this  period.  It  will  appear  therefore,  that 
 when  he  confented  to  go  as  a  MifTionary  to  Georgia, 
 he  only  manifelled  a  continuation  and  higher  exer- 
 cife of  that  determined  refolution  of  being  feparate 
 from  the  world,  which  he  had  evinced  in  his  refufal 
 to  folicit  the  Living  of  Epworth.  But  that  he  did  not 
 hallily  agree  to  leave  his  pupils,  friends  and  country, 
 JLS  to  be  inferred  from  his  own  Journals,  and  has  been 
 fully  explained  to  us  by  himfelf  in  feveral  convert 
 fations. 
 
 In  the  fpriiig  of  1735,  he  was  called  to  attend  his 
 dying  father,  who  defired  him  to  prefent  to  Queen 
 Caroline  a  book  he  had  juR  finifhed.  Soon  after  his 
 return  to  Oxford,  he  went  to  London  on  this  ac- 
 count, whcn^  he  was  lliongly  folicited  by  Dr.  Burton, 
 one  of  the  Truflees  for  the  new  Colony  at  Georgia, 
 logo  theic  to  preach  to  the  Indians,      This  ]-e  at  firfl 
 
 peremptorily 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  93 
 
 peremptorily  refufed  :  but:  many  providential  inci- 
 dents afterwards  concurred,  which  at  length  con- 
 ^__iirained  him  to  alter  his  refolution.  The  chief  of 
 thefe  refpe6led  his  mother.  When  many  obje61ions 
 v/hich  he  made  were  anfwered,  and  fome  difFicuities 
 which  he  ftarted  were  removed,  he  mentioned  the 
 grief  it  might  give  his  mother.  "  I  am/*  fays  he,  "  the 
 ftafF  of  her  age,  her  chief  fupport  and  comfort/*  It 
 was  alked  in  reply,  "  Will  you  go,  if  your  mothers 
 confent  can  be  obtained  V  This  he  thought  impof- 
 fible  :  however  he  pennitted  the  trial,  fettling  it  in 
 •  his  heart  that  if  flie  ums  willing^,  he  would  receive  it 
 as  the  call  of  God.  Her  anfwer  was  worthy  of  the 
 mother  and  the  fon.  ''Had  I,'*  faid  flie,  ''twenty 
 fons,  I  Ihould  rejoice  that  they  were  all  i'o  employed, 
 though  I  fhould  never  fee  them  more.*'  His  way  was 
 now  plain,  and  therefore  he  delaj-ed  not  to  fulfil  what 
 he  believed  to  be  the  will  of  God  concernino-  him. 
 
 Before  v/e  enter  upon  the  narrative  of  his  voyage 
 and  miiTion,  it  will  be  needful  to  ftate  a  few  particu- 
 lars. We  have  already  ^Q.tn  his  full  determination, 
 evinced  in  many  inflances,  to  be  not  almofl,  but  al- 
 together a  chriftian.  His  predilection  alfo  in  favour 
 of  thofe  Writers  who  explain  the  gofpei  in  a  way  of 
 afcetic  mortifiiration,  has  h^om  m.entioned.  A  mind 
 like  his,  impreifed  from  his  childhood  with  the  fear 
 of  God,  and  a  body  unfubdued  by  floth,  intempe- 
 rance, or  even  delicacy  of  any  kind,  admirably  fitted 
 him  to  bear  all  the  feverities,  into  which  his  fenti- 
 ments  naturally  led  him.  Thus  prepared,  '-  to  tread 
 the  world  beneath  his  feet,"  he  iffued  from  the  retire- 
 ment 
 
91 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ment  of  a  College,  to  embrace  whatever  lie  might 
 meet  with  in  the  new  and  untried  fcenes  which  lay 
 before  him. 
 
 That  he  was,  as  every  real  Minifter  of  Chrifl:  is,  in 
 fome  fenie  and  degree,  led  into  the  wildernefs  to  be 
 tempted,  will  appear  in  the  following  (heets  :  and  in- 
 deed he  always  confidered  his  miilion  in  that  point  of 
 view.  Speaking  in  one  of  his  Appeals  of  his  miniftry 
 in  America,  he  adds,  "  where  God  humbled  me,  and 
 proved  me,  andjliewed  me  zohat  was  in  my  heart'* 
 
 But  he  was  n9t  luifered  to  depart  v/ithout  many 
 earned  remonftrances  from  his  friends.  One,  who  he 
 knev/  did  not  believe  the  Chriilian  revelation,  faid 
 to  him,  '•  What  is  this,  Sir  ?  Ayq  you  turned  Quixote 
 too.  Will  nothing  ferveyoubut  to  encounter  wind- 
 mills ?"  He  calmly  replied,  "  Sir,  If  the  Bible  be 
 not  true,  I  am  as  very  a  fool  and  madman  as  you 
 can  conceive.  But  if  it  be  of  God,  I  am  fobcr-mind- 
 ed.  For  he  has  declared,  "  There  is  no  man  thai  haik 
 lejt  houfc,  or  friends,  or  brethren,  for  the  JdVigdo^n  of  God's 
 fake,  who  fiall  not  receive  manifold  more  in  the  prefent 
 time,  and  in  the  world  to  come  everlafing  life." 
 
 To  a  friend  who  expoilulated  with  him,  he  wrote 
 his  realbns  at  large.  The  fubflance  of  them  has 
 already  been  given.  Speaking  of  his  hope  of  doing 
 good  to  the  poor  heathen,  he  remarks,  that  'he 
 fhould  then  have  the  advantage  of  preaching  to  a 
 people  not  yet  beguiled  by pinlofophy andvain  deceit:  and 
 of  enforcing  the  plain  truth  of  God,  without  its  being 
 foftened  and  rendered  uielcfs  by  the  comments  of 
 men. 
 
 On 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  g^ 
 
 Oil  Tuefday,  06lober  14,  1735,  he  fet  off  from 
 London,  for  Grave  fend,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Inghain, 
 Air.  Delamotte,  and  his  Brother  C/z<2?7^5,  in  order  to  em- 
 bark for  Georgia.  "  Our  end,"  fays  he,  "  in  leaving 
 our  native  country,  was  not  to  avoid  want  (God  hav- 
 ing given  us  plenty  of  temporal  bieffings)  nor  to  gain 
 the  dung  and  drols  of  riches  and  honour  :  but  fingly 
 this,  to  fave  our  fouls  :  to  live  wholly  to  the  glory  of 
 God."  Accordingly  the  two  following  days,  which 
 they  fpent,  partly  on  board,  and  partly  on  iiiore,  thev 
 employed  in  exhorting  one  another,  to  Jhake  ojf  every 
 weight,  and  to  run  with  patience  the  race  fet  before  them  I 
 There  were  fix  and  tvv^enty  Germans  on  board,  mem- 
 bers of  the  Moravian  Church.  Mr.  Wejley  was  much 
 ilruck  with  their  chriflian  deportment,  and  immedi- 
 ately fet  himfelf  to  learn  the  German  language,  in  or- 
 der to  converfe  v/ith  them.  The  Moravian  Biihop 
 alio  and  two  others  of  his  Ibciety,  began  to  learn  Eng- 
 lifh,  for  the  fame  laudable  motive,  we  have  reafon  to 
 believe,  of  enjoying  chriflian  fellowfhip  with  thofe 
 who  fo  manifelliy  appeared  to  be  v/alking  in  the  fam.e 
 way.  He  now  began  to  preach  extcvipore,  which  he 
 afterwards  made  his  conftant  pra6lice  during  his  life. 
 
 "  Believing  "  fays  he,  "  the  denying  ourfelves  in 
 the  fmalieil  inilancc,  might,  by  the  blefTmg  of  God, 
 be  helpful  tons,  we  wholly  left  off  the  ufe  of  flefh 
 and  wine,  and  confined  ourfelves  to  vegetable  food, 
 chiefly  rice  and  bilket."  '*  We  now,"  continues  he, 
 '•'  began  to  be  a  little  regular.  Our  common  way  of 
 living  was  this.  From  four  in  the  morning  till  five 
 we   were    engaged  in  piivate  prayer.      From   five  to 
 
 feven 
 
^ 
 
 95  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 feven  we  read  the  Bible  together,  carefully  comparing 
 it  (that  we  might  not  lean  to  pur  own  underfland- 
 ings)  with  the  writings  of  the  earliefl  ages.  At 
 feven  we  breakfafled.  At  eight  were  the  public 
 prayers.  From  nine  to  twelve  I  uiually  learned 
 German^  and  Mr,  DdavwUc,  Greek.  My  Brother  wrote 
 Sermons,  and  Mr.  Ingham  inflruQed  the  children.  At 
 twelve  we  affembled  together  to  give  an  account  to  : 
 each  other  of  what  we  had  done  fmce  our  laft  meeting,  ' 
 and  what  we  defio-ned  to  do  before  our  next.      About  ' 
 
 o 
 
 one  we  dined.  The  time  from  dinner  to  four,  we  i 
 fpent  in  reading  to  thofe  of  whom  each  of  us  had 
 taken  charge,  or  in  fpeaking  to  them  feverally,  as 
 need  required.  At  four  were  the  evemng  prayers  : 
 when  either  the  fecond  LelTon  was  explained,  (as  it 
 alv/ays  was  in  the  morning)  or  the  children  were  cate- 
 ehifed,  and  inflructed  before  the  congregation.  From 
 five  to  fix  we  again  ufed  private  prayer.  From  fix 
 to  feven,  I  read  in  my  cabin  to  two  or  three  of  the 
 palfengers,  (of  whom  there  were  about  eighty  EngliJJi 
 on  board.)  and  each  of  my  brethren  to  a  few  more 
 in  theirs.  At  ^i::\Q.i\  I  joined  with  the  Germans  in 
 tlieir  public  fervice ;  while  Mr.  Jnghajn  was  reading 
 .  between  the  decks,  to  as  many  as  defired  to  hear. 
 At  eight  we  met  again,  to  exhort  and  inftru6l  one 
 another.  Between  nine  and  ten  we  went  to  bed, 
 where  neither  the  roaring  of  the  fea,  nor  the  motion 
 of  the  fhip,  could  take  away  the  refrefliing  fleep  which 
 God  g-ave  us.'' 
 
 We  have  given  this  account  at  large,  as  a  fpecimen 
 of  his  exadnefs  in  redeeming  the  time.     Thofe  who 
 
 have 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  V/ESLEY.  97 
 
 have  not  been  intimately  acquainted  with  Mr.  Wejley, 
 v/ill  be  furprifed  at  our  declaring,  what  we  are  per- 
 fuaded  is  the  truth,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  fix 
 upon  a  fingle  day  in  the  fifty  three  years  which  fol- 
 lowed, that  was  not  divided  with  as  great  exa6lnefs. 
 The  employments  might  vary  ;  but  not  the  exa6l  at- 
 tention to  the  filling  up  of  every  hour  ! 
 
 That  the  time  he  fpent  with  the  pafTengers  was  not 
 wholly  lofl  upon  them,  we  alfo  learn  from  feveral  paf- 
 fages  in  his  Journals.  Many  were  deeply  awakened  : 
 others  were  inflru6led  in  the  firft  principles  of  the 
 chriftian  religion,  who  were  before  entirely  ignorant ; 
 and  fome  were  prevailed  upon  to  attend  the  public 
 ordinances  of  the  Gofpel,  who  had  lived  for  years  in 
 a  conilant  neglecl  of  them,  by  the  indefatigable  la- 
 bours of  himfelf  and  his  co-adjutors. 
 
 But  though  his  eye  was  fingle  ;  though  his  life  was 
 not  only  harmlefs,  but  exemplary ;  though  he  gave 
 all  his  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  facrificed  eafe  and 
 honour,  and  every  other  temporal  gratification,  that 
 he  might  follow  Chrifl :  yet  it  is  certain  he  was  flill 
 very  little  acquainted  with  true  experimental  reli- 
 gion. This  the  Lord  began  now' to  fhew  him,  firft, 
 by  the  fear  of  death,  which  notwithflanding  all  his 
 efforts  brought  him  into  bondage,  whenever  danp^er 
 was  apparent.  "  At  thofe  times,"  he  remarks,  "  I 
 plainly  felt  I  was  unfit,  becaufe  I  was  unwilling  to 
 die."  But,  fecondly,  the  lively  victorious  faith  he 
 evidently  perceived  in  fome  of  his  fellow-paflengers, 
 flill  more  convinced  him,  that  he  poffelTed  not  the 
 power  of  religion, 
 
 H  Speaking 
 
$^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Speaking  of  the  Germans,  he  remarks,  "  I  had  lorrg 
 before  obferved,  the  great  ferioufnefs  of  their  behavi- 
 our. Of  their  humility  they  had  given  a  continual 
 proof,  by  performing  thofe  fervile  offices  for  the 
 Other  pafTengers,  which  none  of  the  EngliJIi  would 
 undertake;  for  which  they  dehred,  and  would  re- 
 ceive no  pay,  faying,  "  It  was  good  for  their  proud 
 hearts,"  and  "  Their  loving  Saviour  had  done  more 
 for  them."  And  every  day  had  given  them  occafion 
 of  fhewing  a  nieeknefs,  which  no  injury  could  move. 
 If  they  were  puflicd,  ftruck,  or  thrown  down,  they  rofe 
 again  and  went  away  ;  but  no  complaint  was  found  in 
 their  mouth.  There  was  now  an  opportunity  of  try- 
 ing, whether  they  were  delivered  from  the  fpirit  of 
 fear,  as  welt  as  from  that  of  pride,  anger  and  revenge. 
 In  the  midil  of  the  pfalm  wherev/ith  their  fervice  be- 
 gan, the  fea  broke  over,  fplit  the  main-fail  in  pieces, 
 covered  the  fliip,  and  poured  in  between  the  decks,  as 
 if  the  great  deep  had  already  fwallow^ed  us  up.  A  ter- 
 rible fcreaming  began  amxong  the  EngliJJi.  The  Ger- 
 vians  calmly  fung  on.  I  afked  one  of  them  aftervv^ards, 
 ''  Was  you  not  afraid  ?"  He  anfwered,  "  I  thank 
 God,  No."  I  ailced,  "  But  were  not  your  women 
 and  children  afraid  ?"  He  replied  mildly,  "  No  ;  our 
 women  and  children  are  not  afraid  to  die." 
 
 A    circum.flance    occurred    in    the  courfe    of    his 
 Voj-age,  which  is  not  unworthy  of  notice.    Mr.  Wejley  j 
 hearing  art  unufual  noife  in  the  Cabin  of  General  Ogle^\ 
 tkorpc,  (the  Governor  of  GforgzVz,  w^ith  whom  he  failed,) 
 ftepped  in  to  inquire  the  caufe  of  it  :   on  which    the 
 General  immediately  addrelTed  hira,"^'  Mr.  We/le),yon.^ 
 
 mufti 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  gg 
 
 mufl;  excufe  me,  I  have  met  with  a  provocation  too 
 great  for  man  to  bear.  You  know,  the  only  wine  I 
 drink,  is  Cyprus  wine,  as  it  agrees  with  me  the 
 befl  of  any.  I  therefore  provided  myfelf  with 
 feveral  dozens  of  itj  and  this  villain  Grimaldi"  (his 
 foreign  fervant,  who  was  prefent,  and  almoft  dead 
 with  fear.)  "  has  drank  up  the  whole  of  it.  But 
 1  will  be  revenged  of  him.  I  have  ordered  him 
 to  be  tied  hand  and  foot,  and  to  be  carried  to  the 
 man  of  war  which  fails  with  us.  The  rafcal  fhould 
 have  taken  care  how  he  ufed  me  fo,  for  /  never  for* 
 give."  "  Then,  I  hope,  Sir,"  (faid  Mr.  V/e/ley,  looking 
 calmly  at  him,)  "  You  never  Jin.'*  The  General  was 
 quite  confounded  at  the  reproof:  and  putting  his 
 hand  into  his  pocket,  took  out  a  bunch  of  keys,  which 
 he  threw  at  Grimaldi,  fiiying  "  There,  villain,  take 
 my  keys,  and  behave  better  for  the  future." 
 
 Thurfday,  February  5.  They  arrived  in  Savannah" 
 River  in  Georgia,  and  about  eight  the  next  morning 
 landed  on  a  fmail  uninhabited  Ifland.  General  Ogle- 
 thorpe led  them  to  a  riling  ground,  where  they  kneeled 
 down  to  give  tha.nks.  He  then  took  boat  for  Savannah. 
 When  the  reft  of  the  people  came  on  fhore,  they  alfo 
 joined  together  in  prayer.  Upon  this  occalion  Mr, 
 Wrjhy  obferves  that  the  Second  LefTon,  Mark  vi. 
 Teemed  to  him  pecuharly  fuitable. 
 
 On  February  the  yth.  the  General  returned  with 
 Mr.  Spangenberg,  one  of  the  paftors  of  the  Germans, 
 The  fame  piety  which  Mr.  We/ley  had  obferved  in 
 thofe  on  board  the  fhip,  was  alfo  vifible  in  this  gen- 
 tleman. "  I  therefore,"  fays  he,  ''  allced  his  advice 
 with  regard  to  my  own  condud.'*   He  faid,  "  my  bro- 
 
 H   s  thsi 
 
lOo  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ther,  I  mufl  firfl  afk  you  one  or  two  queftions.  Have 
 you  the  witnefs  in  yourfelf  ?  Does  the  Spirit  of  God 
 bear  witnefs  with  your  fpirit  that  you  are  a  child  of 
 God  ?"  I  was  furprifed  and  knew  not  what  to  anfwer. 
 He  obfervedit,  andafkcd,  "  do  you  know  Jefus  Chrifl  ?" 
 I  paufed,  and  faid,  I  know  he  is  the  Saviour  of  the 
 world.  "  True,"  replied  he  :  "  But  do  you  know  he  has 
 faved  you  ?"  I  anfwered,  "  I  hope,  he  has  died  to  fave 
 me."  He  only  added,  ''  do  you  know  yourfelf?"  Ifaid, 
 1  do.     But  I  fear,  they  were  vain  words.'' 
 
 The  houfe  in  which  they  were  to  reiide  not  being, 
 readvy  they  took  up  their  lodging  with  the  Gcnnans. 
 "  We  had  now,"  fays  Mr.  WeJIey,  "  an  opportunity, 
 day  by  day,  of  obferving  their  whole  behaviour.  P'or 
 we  were  in  one  room  with  them  from  morninsc  to  nicrht, 
 unlefs  for  the  little  time  I  fpent  in  walking.  They 
 were  always  employed,  always  cheerful  themfelves,  and 
 in  good  humour  with  one  another.  They  had  put 
 away  all  anger,  and  ftrife,  and  wrath,  and  bitternefs, 
 and  clamour,  and  evil-fpeaking.  They  walked  worthy 
 of  the  vocation  wherewith  they  were  called,  and 
 adorned  the  Gofpel  of  our  Lord  in  all  things.*' 
 
 He  proceeds,  "  Saturday,  Feb.  28.  They  met  to 
 confult  concerning  the  affairs  of  their  church,  Mr. 
 Spangenherg  h^mg  fhortly  to  go  to  Pennjylvania,  and 
 Bifiiop  Nitfchman  to  return  to  Geimany.  After  feveral 
 hours  fpent  in  conference  and  prayer,  they  proceeded 
 to  the  ele6lion  and  ordination  of  a  Bifhop.  The  great 
 fimplicity  as  well  as  folemnity  of  the  whole,  almoil 
 made  me  forget  the  feventeen  hundred  years  between, 
 and  imagine  myfeif  in  one  of  thofe  aifemblies,  where 
 form  and  flate  were  not ;  but  Paul  the  tent-maker  or 
 
 FeUr 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,         loi 
 
 Peter  the   fidierman  prefided  ;    yet  with  the  demon- 
 ftration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power." 
 
 Sunday,  March  7.  He  entered  on  his  miniflry  at 
 Savannah,  by  preaching  on  the  Epiflle  for  the  day, 
 beins:  the  xiiith  of  the  firft  of  Corinthians,  In  the 
 fecond  Leffon,  Luke  xviii.  was  our  Lord's  predi6lion 
 of  the  treatment  which  he  him feif  (and  confequently 
 his  followers)  was  to  meet  with  from  the  world  ;  and 
 his  gracious  promife  to  thofe  who  are  content  Nudi 
 nudum  Chrijlur/i  fequi  :*  Verily  I  fay  unto  you,  there  is  no 
 man  that  hath  left  houfe  or  parents  or  brethren  or  wife,  or 
 children  for  the  kingdom  of  God's  fake,  zuho  fJiall  not  re- 
 ceive manifold  more  in  this  jjrefent  timet  and  in  the  world 
 to  come  everlafling  life, 
 
 "  Yet  "  fays  he,  ''  notwithilanding  thefe  plain  de- 
 clarations of  our  Lord,  notwithftanding  my  own  re- 
 peated  experience,  notwithftanding  the  experience  of 
 ail  the  fmcere  followers  of  Chrift,  whom  I  have  ever 
 talked  with,  read,  or  heard  of ;  nay,  and  the  reafon  of 
 the  thing,  evincing  it  to  a  demonllration,  that  all 
 who  love  not  the  light  mufh  hate  him,  who  is  con- 
 tinually labouring  to  pour  it  in  upon  them  :  I  do  here 
 bear  witnefs  againft  myfelf,  that  when  I  faw  the  num- 
 ber of  people  crovv'-ding  into  the  Church,  the  deep  at- 
 tention with  which  they  received  the  word,  and  the 
 ferioufnefs  that  afterwards  fat  on  all  their  faces  ;  I 
 could  fcarce  refrain  from  giving  the  lie,  to  experience 
 and  reafon,  and  fcripture  all  together.  I  could  hardly 
 believe  that  the  greater,  the  far  greater  part    of  this 
 
 H  3  attentive^ 
 
 *  Nakedly  tofollozo  a  naked. Chrijit 
 
102  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 attentive,  ferious  people,  would  hereafter  trample 
 underfoot  that  word,  and  fay  all  manner  of  evil  falfly 
 of  him  that  fpake  it.  O,  who  can  believe,  what  their 
 heart  abhors  ?  Jefus,  mafter,  have  mercy  on  us  !  Let 
 us  love  thy  crofs  !  Then  fliall  we  believe.  If  we  fiiffer 
 with  Thee,  we/Iiall  alfo  reign  with  Thee  I" 
 
 But  he  did  not  confine  himfelf  to  Savannah.  He 
 gave  Frederica  alfo  a  portion  of  his  labours.  In  going 
 there  he  was  in  imminent  danger  of  being  drowned. 
 His  own  account  of  it  prefents  us  with  a  ftriking  pic- 
 ture of  his  prefence  of  mind. 
 
 *•.  Sunday,  April  4,  About  four  in  the  afternoon,  I 
 fet  out  for  Frederica,  in  a  pettiawga  (a  fort  of  flat-bot- 
 tomed bar2:e.)  The  next  evening  we  anchored  near 
 Skidcway  Ifland,  where  the  water  at  flood  was  twelve 
 or  fourteen  feet  deep.  I  wrapt  myfelf  up  from  head 
 to  foot  in  a  large  cloak,  to  keep  ofl^  the  fand-flies,  and 
 lay  down  on  the  quarter-deck.  Between  one  and  two 
 I  waked  under  water,  being  fo  fafl;  afleep  that  I  did  not 
 find  where  I  was  till  my  mouth  was  full  of  it.  Having 
 left  my  cloak,  I  know  not  how  upon  deck,  I  fwam 
 round  to  the  other  fide  of  the  pettiawga,  where  a  boat 
 was  tied,  and  climbed  up  by  the  rope,  without  any 
 hurt,  more  than  wetting  my  cloaths.  Thou  art  the 
 God  of  whom  cometh  falvation :  thou  art  the  Lord 
 hy  whom  we  efcape  death  \" 
 
 Not  finding  any  open  door  for  the  profecution  of 
 the  grand  defign  which  induced  him  to  vifit  America, 
 the  converfion  of  the  Indians,  he  and  his  tv/o  com- 
 panions confidered,  in  what  manner  they  might  be 
 mofl  ufeful  to  the  little  flock  at  SavannaL     And  they 
 
 agreed. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  103 
 
 sgi-^ed,  ill.  To  advife  the  more  ferious  among  them, 
 to  form  themfelves  into  a  fort  of  Httle  Society,  and  to 
 meet  once  or  twice  a  week,  in  order  to  improve,  in- 
 ftru6t  and  exhort  one  another.  2.  To  leleft  out  of 
 thele  afmaller  number  for  a  more  intimate  union  with 
 each  other,  which  might  be  forwarded,  partly  by  their 
 converfjng  fingly  with  each,  and  partly  by  inviting 
 them  ail  together  to  their  houfe  ;  and  this  accordingly 
 they  determined  to  do  every  Sunday  in  the  afternoon. 
 
 Their  general  method  of  private  in{Lru6iion,  was  as 
 follows  :  Mr.  Delamotte  taught  between  thirty  and 
 forty  children  to  read,  write,  and  cafh  accompts.  Be- 
 fore fchool  in  the  miormnp;,  and  after  fchool  in  the 
 afternoon,  he  catechifed  the  loweft  clafs,  and  en- 
 deavoured to  fix  fomething  of  what  was  laid,  in  their 
 underflan dings  as  well  as  their  memories.  In  the 
 evening  he  inflru6led  the  larger  children.  On  Sa- 
 turday in  the  afternoon  Mr.  Wejlcy  catechifed  them  all. 
 The  fame  he  did  on  Sunday  before  the  evening  fer- 
 vice.  And  in  the  Church,  immediately  after  the 
 fecond  Leifon,  a  feleft  number  of  them  having  re-^ 
 peated  the  catechifm  and  being  examined  in  fomepart 
 of  it,  he  endeavoured  to  explain  at  large,  and  to  en- 
 force that  part,   both  on  them  and  the  congregation. 
 
 Some  time  after  the  evening  fervice,  as  many  of 
 the  parifhioners  as  deli  red  it,  met  at  Mr.  Wrjky's  houfe, 
 (as  they  did  aifo  on  Wednefday  evening)  and  fpent 
 about  an  hour  in  prayer,  hnging  and  mutual  exhorta- 
 tion. A  fmaller  number  (moftly  thofe  who  defigned 
 to  communicate  the  next  day)  met  there  on  Saturday 
 evening;    and  a  few  of   thefe  came  to  him  on   the 
 
 H  4  other 
 
104  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 other  evenings,   and  paiTed  half  an  hour  in  the  fame 
 employment. 
 
 About  this  time  he  wrote  the  Truflees  for 
 Georgia  an  account  of  the  laft  year's  expence  from 
 March  i,  1736,  to  March  1,  1737.  Which,  deduc- 
 ing extraordinary  expences  (fuch  as  repairing  the  Par- 
 fonage-houfe,  and  journeys  to  Frederica)  amounted  for 
 Mr.  Delamotte  and  himfelf  to  44I.  4s.  4d. 
 
 He  had  now  another  proof  of  the  power  of  gofpel- 
 faith.  One  of  the  MoravianshtmgiW  of  a  confumption, 
 he  informed  Bifhop  Nitfchrdan  of  it.  "  He  will  foon  be 
 well,''   faid  he,   "  He    is  ready  for  the   Bridegroom." 
 Calling  to  fee  him  afterwards,  and  afking  hov/  he  did, 
 "  My  departure   (faid  he)  I  hope   is  at  hand."     Mr. 
 Wefley  then  aflced,    "  Are  you  troubled  at  that  ?"    He 
 replied,   "  O  no ;  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Chrift,  is 
 far  better.      I  deiire  no  more  of  this  bad  world.     My 
 hope  and  my  joy  and  my  love  arc  there."     The  next 
 time  he  faw  him,  the  poor  man  faid,  ''  I  dehre  nothing 
 more,  than  for  God  to  forgive  my  many  and  great  fins. 
 I  would  be  humble.     I   would  be  the  humblefl;  crea- 
 ture living.      My  heart  is  humble  and  broken  for  my 
 iins.     Tcli  me,    teach   me,  what  I  (hail  do  to  pleafe 
 God.      I  would  fain  do  whatever  is  his  will."     Mr. 
 Wefey  faid,   '•  It  is  his  will,   you  Ihould  fuflPer."     He 
 anfwered,  '"'  Then  I  will  fuflPer.     I  will  gladly  fuflPer 
 whatever    pleafes    him."      Monday  7.  Finding  him 
 weaker,  he  afked,   "  Do  youilill  defire  to  die  ?"    He 
 faid,    *'  Yes  ;    but  I  dare  not  pray  for  it,   for  fear  I 
 fhould  difpleafe  my  heavenly  Father.      His  will  be 
 done.     Let  him  work  his  will;    in  my  life,    or  in  my 
 death.'*  But 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  105 
 
 But  concerning  himfelf,  he  obferves,  "  This  even- 
 ing we  had  fuch  a  ftorm  of  thunder  and  lightning,  as 
 I  never  faw  before  even  in  Georgia.  This  voice  of 
 God  too,  told  me  I  was  not  fit  to  die  ;  fince  I  was  afraid, 
 rather  than  delirous  of  it !  O  when  fhall  I  wifh  to  be 
 diffolved  and  to  be  with  Chrifl !  When  1  love  him 
 with  all  my  heart." 
 
 Some  time  before  this,  a  few  of  the  Indians  had 
 made  him  a  vifit,  and  feem.ed  defirous  of  hearing  the 
 great  word,  as  they  called  the  preaching  of  the  gofpel. 
 About  twenty  of  them  were  now  at  Savannah.  Five 
 of  the  principal  of  them  came  to  him  with  an  Inter- 
 preter :  and  the  following  interefling  converfation 
 paffed  between  them. 
 
 Q.  Do  you  believe  there  is  one  above,  who  is  over 
 all  things  ? 
 
 Paiifioohee,  one  of  their  chiefs,  anfwered.  We  believe 
 there  are  four  beloved  things  above  :  the  clouds,  the 
 fun,  the  clear  fliy,  and  He  that  lives  in  the  clear  fky. 
 
 O.  Do  you  believe,  there  is  but  one  that  lives  in  the 
 clear  fky  ? 
 
 A.  We  believe  there  are  two  with  him,  three  in  all. 
 
 Q.  Do  you  think,  he  made  the  fun,  and  the  other 
 beloved  things  ? 
 
 A.  We  cannot  tell.     Who  hath  feen  ? 
 
 O.  Do  you  think,  he  made  you  ? 
 
 A.  We  think,  he  made  all  men  at  firfl. 
 
 -Q.  How  did  he  make  them  at  firfl  ? , 
 
 A.  Out  of  the  ground. 
 
 O,  Do  you  believe,  he  loves  you  ? 
 
 A.  I  do  not  know,  I  cannot  lee  him, 
 
 Q.  But 
 
ioS         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  I 
 
 O.  But  has  he  not  often  faved  your  life  ? 
 A.  He  has.     Many  bullets  have  gone  on  this  fide, 
 and  many  on  that  fide,  but  he  would  never  let  them 
 hurt   me.     And  many   bullets   have  gone  into  thefe 
 young  men  ;  and  yet  they  are  alive  ! 
 
 O.  Then,  cannot. he  fave  you  from  your  enemies 
 now  ? 
 
 A.  Yes  ;  but  we  know  not,  if  he  will.  We  have 
 now  fo  many  enemies  round  about  us,  that  I  think  of 
 nothincr  but  death.  And  if  I  am  to  die,  I  fliall  die, 
 and  I  will  die  like  a  man.  But  if  he  will  have  me  to 
 live,  I  ftiali  Live.  Though  I  had  ever  fo  many  ene- 
 mies, he  can  deftroy  them  all. 
 
 Q.  How  do  you  know  that  ? 
 
 A.  From  what  I  have  feen.  When  our  enemies 
 came  againil  us  before,  then  the  beloved  clouds  came 
 for  us.  And  often  much  rain,  and  fometimes  hail  has 
 come  upon  them,  and  that  in  a  very  hot  day.  And  I 
 faw,  when  many  French  and  Cliotlaws  and  other  nations 
 came  againfl  one  of  our  towns.  And  the  ground 
 made  a  noife  under  them,  and  the  beloved  ones  in  the 
 air  behind  them.  And  they  were  afraid,  and  went 
 away,  and  left  their  meat  and  drink  and  their  guns. 
 I  tell  no  lie.     All  thefe  faw  it  too. 
 
 O.  Have  you  heard  fuch  noifes  at  other  times  ? 
 
 A.  Yes,  often  :  before  and  after  almofl  every  battle.  { 
 
 Q.  What  fort  of  noifes  were  they  ? 
 
 A.  Like  the  noife  of  drums  and  guns  and  Ihouting. 
 
 Q.  Have  you  heard  any  fuch  lately  ? 
 
 A.  Yes:    four  days  after  our  lad  battle  with  the 
 French, 
 
 Q.  Then 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  107 
 
 Q.  Then  you  heard  nothing  before  it  ? 
 
 A.  The  night  before,  I  dreamed  I  heard  many  dnams 
 up  there,  and  many  trumpets  there,  and  much  fiamp- 
 .ing  of  feet  and  fliouting.  Till  then  I  thought  we 
 Ihould  all  die.  But  then  I  thought  the  beloved  Ones 
 were  come  to  help  us.  And  the  next  day  I  heari 
 above  a  hundred  guns  go  ofF,  before  the  fight  begun. 
 And  1  faid,  "  when  the  fun  is  tliere,  the  beloved  Ones 
 will  help  us  ;  and  we  (hall  conquer  our  enemies."  And 
 we  did  fo. 
 
 Q.  Do  you  often  think  and  talk  of  the  beloved  Ones  ? 
 
 A.  We  think  of  them  ahvays,  where^-er  we  are.  V/e 
 talk  of  them  and  to  them,  at  hom.e  and  abroad ;  in 
 peace,  in  war,  before  and  after  we  hght ;  and  indeed 
 whenever  and  wherever  we  meet  toi^'ether. 
 
 o 
 
 O^  Where  do  you  think  your  fouls  go  after  death  ? 
 
 A.  We  believe  the  fouls  of  red  men  walk  up  and 
 down  near  the  place  where  they  died,  or  where  their 
 bodies  lie.  For  v/e  have  often  heard  cries  and  noifes 
 near  the  place,  where  any  prifoners  had  been  burnt. 
 
 Q.  Where  do  the  fouls  of  white  men  go  after  death  ? 
 
 A.  We  cannot  tell.    We  have  not  feen. 
 
 O.  Our  belief  is,  that  the  fouls  of  bad  men  only- 
 walk  up  and  dov/n  ;  but  the  fouls  of  good  men  go  ud. 
 
 A.  I  believe  fb  too.  But  I  told  you  the  talk  of  ihe 
 nation. 
 
 (Mr.  Andrews,  the  interpreter.)  They  faid  at  the 
 burying,  (which  Mr.  fVejley  had  attended  fhortiv  be- 
 fore) "  They  knew  what  you  was  doing.  You  was 
 fpeaking  to  the  beloved  Ones  above  to  take  up  the  foul 
 of  the  young  woman.") 
 
 O.  We 
 
io8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 O.  We  have  a  Book  that  tells  us  many  things  of 
 the  beloved  Ones  above.  Would  you  be  glad  to  know 
 them  ? 
 
 A.  We  have  no  time  now,  but  to  fight.  If  wefhould 
 ever  be  at  peace,  we  Ihould  be  glad  to  know. 
 
 Q.  Do  you  expecl  ever  to  know  what  the  white 
 men  know  ? 
 
 (Mr.  Andrews.  They  told  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  They 
 believed  the  time  will  come,  when  the  red  and  white 
 men  will  be  one.) 
 
 O.  What  do  the  French  teach  you  ? 
 
 A.  The  French  Black  *  Ki7igs  never  go  out.  We  fee 
 you  go  about.    We  like  that.  That  is  good. 
 
 O.  How  came  your  nation  by  the  knowledge  they 
 have  ? 
 
 A.  As  foon  as  ever  the  ground  was  found,  and  fit 
 to  ftand  upon,  it  came  to  us,  and  has  been  with  us 
 ever  fmce.  But  we  are  young  men.  Our  old  men 
 know  more.  But  all  of  them  do  not  know.  There 
 are  but  a  few,  whom  the  beloved  One  chufes  from  a 
 child,  and  is  in  them,  and  takes  care  of  them,  and 
 teaches  them.  They  know  thefe  things  :  and  our  old 
 men  pradife ;  therefore  they  know :  but  I  do  not 
 praclife.    Therefore  I  know  little. 
 
 He  was  now  in  hopes  that  a  door  was  opened,  for 
 croinp'  up  immediately  to  the  ChoBaws,  the  leafl 
 poUJliedy  i.  e.  the  leaft  corrupted  of  all  the  Indian 
 nations.  But  upon  his  informing  the  General  of  their 
 defign,  he  objedcd,  not  only  the  danger  of  being  in- 
 tercepted, or  killed  by  the  French  there ;    but  much 
 
 more, 
 
 ♦  So  they  call  the  Priejis, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  ^VESLEY.  109 
 
 tnore,  the  inexpediency  of  leaving  Savannah  deilitute 
 of  a  Minifler.  Thefe  objeftions  he  related  to  hi^3 
 friends  in  tlie  evening,  who  were  all  of  opinion j 
 *'  I'hat  they  ought  not  to  go  yet/* 
 
 Thurfday,  July  1.  The  Indians  had  an  audience^ 
 and  another  on  Saturday,  when  Chicali,  their  head 
 man,  dined  with  the  General.  "  After  dinner,"  fays 
 Mr.  JVej2ey,  "  I  afked  the  grey-headed  old  man,  V/ha£ 
 he  thought  he  was  made  for  ?"  He  faid,  "  He  that  is 
 above,  knows  what  he  made  us  for.  We  know  no- 
 thing. We  are  in  the  dark.  But  white  men  know 
 much.  And  yet  v/hite  men  build  great  houfes,  as  if 
 they  were  to  live  for  ever.  But  v/hite  men  cannot  live 
 for  ever.  In  a  little  time  white  men  will  be  dull  as 
 well  as  I."  I  told  him,  '•  If  red  men  will  learn  the 
 good  Book,  they  may  know  as  much  as  white  men. 
 But  neither  we  nor  vou  can  underRand  that  Book, 
 unlcfs  we  a.re  taught  by  Him  that  is  above  :  and  he 
 will  not  teach,  unlefs  you  avoid  what  you  already 
 know  is  not  good."  He  anfwered,  "  I  believe  that  he 
 will  not  teach  us,  while  our  hearts  are  not  white.  And 
 our  men  do  what  thev  know  is  not  good.  Thev 
 kill  their  own  children.  And  our  women  do  what 
 they  know  is  not  good.  They  kill  the  child  before  it 
 is  born.  Therefore,  He  that  is  above,  does  not  fend 
 us  the  good  Book." 
 
 The  opinion  of  Mr.  Wejley  concerning  the  gods 
 Tvhom  thefe  poor  Heathens  worihipped,  is  worthy  of 
 our  notice.  *'  Meeting,"  fays  he,  ''  with  a  Frenchman  of 
 Iskw  Orleans  on  the  Mijfifippi,  who  had  Yivtd  feveral 
 months  among  thit  ChicaJawSj   he  gave  ixs  a  full  and 
 
 particular 
 
110         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 particular  account  of  many  things  which  had  heeti 
 varioufly  related.  And  hence  we  could  not  but  re- 
 mark, what  is  the  religion  of  nature,  properly  fa 
 called;  or,  that  religion  which  flows  from  natural 
 I'eafon,  unaffiiled  by  Revelation  :  and  that,  even  in 
 thofe  who  have  the  knowledge  of  many  truths ;  and 
 who  converfe  with  their  beloved  Ones  day  and  night. 
 Eut  too  plainly  does  it  appear  by  the  fruits,  That  the 
 Gods  of  thefe  Heaihens  too  are  but  Devils. 
 
 The  fubilance  of  his  account  was  this:  "  Some  years 
 pad  the  Chicajaws  'dud  French  were  friends.  The  French 
 were  then  ming-led  v/ith  the  Nautchee  Lidians,  whom 
 they  ufed  as  ilavcs ;  till  the  Nauichees  made  a  general 
 rirmiT,  and  took  many  of  the  French  prifoners.  But 
 foon  after,  a  French  army  fet  upon  them,  killed  m.any, 
 and  carried  away  the  reft.  Among  thofe  that  v/ere 
 killed  were  fome  Ckicafaws;  whofe  death  the  Chicafaw 
 nation  refented  :  and  foon  after,  as  a  French  boat  was 
 going  through  their  country,  they  fired  into  it,  and 
 killed  all  the  men  but  two.  The  French  refolved  on 
 revenge,  and  orders  were  given  for  many  Indians  and 
 feveral  parties  of  white  men,  to  rendezvous  on  the 
 "iG'-h  of  March,  lyS'S.  near  one  of  the  Chicafaw  towns. 
 The  firfl  party,  conhfling  of  fifty  men,  came  thither 
 fonic  days  before  the  tiruc.  They  ftaid  there  till  the 
 s^lh,  but  none  came  to  join  them.^  On  t\iQ  25th, 
 they  wciQ  attacked  by  two  hundred  Chicafaws.  The 
 French  attempted  to  force  their  way  through  them. 
 Five  or  Ux  and  twenty  did  fo;  the  reft  were  taken 
 prifoners.  71ie  prifoners  were  fent  two  or  three  to  a 
 tov.n  lO  be  burnt.      Only  the  commanding  officer  and 
 
 one 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         ttt. 
 
 One  or  two  more  were  put  to  death  on  the  place  c^ 
 the  engagement. 
 
 *'  I  (faid  he)  and  one  more,  were  faved  by  the  War- 
 rior who  took   us.     The  manner  of  burninor  the  reil 
 
 o 
 
 was,  holdingr  h2:hted  canes  to  their  arms  and  lep-s,  and 
 feveral  parts  of  their  bodies  for  fome  time,  and  then 
 for  a  while  taking  them  away.  The)^  likewife  fluck 
 burning  pieces  of  w^ood  into  their  flefli  all  round,  in 
 which  condition  they  kept  them  from  morning  till 
 evening.  But  they  commonly  beat  them  before  they 
 burn  them.  I  faw  the  Prieil  that  was  with  us  carried 
 to  be  burnt ;  and  from  head  to  foot,  he  was  as  black 
 as  your  coat,  with  the  blows  which  they  had  given 
 him." 
 
 Mr.  Wejley  afked  him,  W^hat  was  their  manner  of 
 life  ?  He  faid,  "  They  do  nothing  but  eat  and  drink  and 
 fmoak  from  morning  till  night,  and  in  a  manner  from 
 night  till  morning.  For  they  rife  at  any  hour  of  the 
 flight  whtn  they  v/ake  ;  and  after  eating  and  drinking 
 as  much  as  they  can,  go  to  ileep  again."  See  Tlic 
 Religion  of  Nature  truly  delineated! 
 
 But  to  return.  Few  would  perhaps  expeQ  that  a 
 pcrlon  fo  abundant  in  labours,  would  entertain  fuch 
 an  opinion  of  himfelf  as  he  expreffes  in  a  letter  to  a 
 friend.  "  How  to  attain  to  the  being  crucified  with 
 Chrift,  I  find  not,  being  in  a  condition  I  neither  defired, 
 nor  expected  in  America,  in  eafe  and  honour  and 
 abundance.  A  ftrange  fchool  for  him  who  has  but 
 gne  bufinefs,  rvij^m^siv  o-icx^'Slov  Trpor  ivdB-ixu  * 
 
 Alas ! 
 f  To  exercifc  himfdf  unto  godllne/s. 
 
112  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Alas !  Few,  we  doubt;  would  have  envied  the  con^ 
 dition,  in  w.ich  he  was  placed.  The  inconveniencies 
 and  dangers  which  he  embraced,  that  he  might  preach 
 the  Golpel  and  do  good  of  every  kind  to  all  that  would 
 receive  it  at  his  hands :  the  expoHng  of  himfelf  to  every 
 chancre  of  feafon,  and  inclemencv  of  weather,  in  the 
 profecution  of  his  work,  were  condilwns,  which  few 
 but  himfelf  would  have  fabmitted  to.  He  frequently 
 flept  on  the  ground,  as  he  journeyed  through  the  woods, 
 covered  with  the  nightly  dews,  and  with  his  cloaths  and 
 hair  frozen  by  the  morning  to  the  earth.  He  v/ould 
 wade  through  fwamps,  or  fwim  over  rivers,  and  then 
 travel  till  his  cloaths  were  drv.  His  health  in  the 
 mean  time,  (Irange  as  it  may  feem,  was  almoft  unin- 
 terrupted. Much  may  be  laid  to  the  account  of  his 
 *'  Iron  body,"  as  his  brother  5'^77zm^/  terms  it,  but  we  think 
 every  pious  mind  will  rather  impute  both  his  health  and 
 prefervation  to  Him  who  numbers  the  hairs  of  our  head, 
 and  whofe  guardian  care  is  efpecially  over  thofe,  who 
 aim  to  walk  worthy  of  hivi  unto  all  pleafmg. 
 
 But  the  honour  and  refpeB:  he  then  enjoyed,  fmail 
 as  it  mud  have  been,  foon  drew  to  an  end.  He  now 
 began  to  experience  more  fully  than  ever,  the  truth 
 of  that  Scripture,  If  any  vian  will  live  godly  m  Chrijl 
 Jefus,  he  fhatl  fuffer  perfecution.  Previous  to  the 
 prefent  period,  fom^e  did  ike  began  to  appear  in  feveral 
 perfons  to  his  rigid  attachment  to  all  the  parts  of  the 
 Rubrick  of  the  Church  o{  England.  High  Church  prin- 
 ciples, as  they  are  termed,  continually  influenced  his 
 condutl:  an  inftancc  of  which  was,,  his  refufing  to  ad- 
 mit one  of  the  holieft  men  in  the  province  to  the  Lord's 
 
 fupper, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  115 
 
 fupper,  (though  he  earncftly  defired  it)  becaufe  he 
 was  a  Diffenter,  unlefs  he  would  fubmit  to  be  re- 
 baptized  !  But  this  appeared  to  him  his  duty :  and 
 in  that  cafe,  till  God  taught  him  better,  it  was  vain  to 
 attempt  to  move  him.  Reflecting  on  this  zeal  at  a 
 future  period,  he  remarks,  ''  Have  I  not  been  finely 
 beaten  with  my  own  flafF?" 
 
 All  things  at  this  period  grew  more  and  more  un- 
 favourable to  his  continuance  in  America.  Oblerving 
 a  coldnefs  in  the  behaviour  of  a  friend,  he  afked  him 
 the  reafon.  He  anfwered,  "  I  like  nothing  you  do  : 
 all  your  fermons  are  fatires  upon  particular  perfons. 
 Therefore  I  v/ill  never  hear  you  more.  And  all  the 
 people  are  of  my  mind.  For  we  will  not  hear  our- 
 felves  abufed. 
 
 "  Befide,  they  fay,  they  are  Proteftants.  But  as 
 for  you,  they  cannot  tell  what  religion  you  are  ofi 
 They  never  heard  of  fuch  a  religion  before.  They  do 
 not  knovv  what  to  make  of  it.  And  then,  your  pri- 
 vate behaviour — All  the  quarrels  that  have  bten  here 
 fince  you  came,  have  been  owing  to  you.  Indeed 
 there  is  neither  man  nor  woman  in  the  town,  who 
 minds  a  word  you  fay.  And  fo  you  may  preach  long 
 enough  •   but  no  body  will  come  to  hear  you." 
 
 The  dread  of  reproof  feems  now  to  have  ripened 
 to  averfion  :  when  an  event  took  place,  which  ulti- 
 matelv  obli'sfed  him  to  leave  Ainerica.  There  is  a 
 filence  obfervcd  in  Mr.  We/leys  Journal  in  refpe6l  to 
 fome  parts  of  this  event,  which  it  is  pollible  has  caufed 
 €ven  friendly  readers,  to  hefitate  concerning  the  pro-?' 
 priety  of  his  condu6l ;  or  at  lead  concerning  that  pro^ 
 
 I  pridy 
 
114  THE  LIFE  CF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 priety  which  they  might  be  led  to  expe6l  from  fo  great 
 a  chavacler.  But  what  has  hitherto  been  defe6live, 
 we  are  happy  in  being  able  to  fupply.  The  a6lors  in 
 this  fcene,  are  now,  we  may  hope,  in  a  better  world : 
 the  lafl  of  them  died  but  a  few  years  fince.  We  are 
 not  therefore  bound,  as  Mr.  We/ley  thought  himfelf, 
 when  he  publifhed  the  account,  to  let  a  vail  be 
 thrown  over  this  tranfaftion  :  rather  we  are  bound  to 
 let  his  innoccncy  appear  a%  the  lights  and  his  jvjl  dealing 
 OrS  the  noon-day. 
 
 General  Oglethorpe  was,  what  is  called,  an  excellent 
 judge  of  human  nature.  He  was  alfo  a  man  of 
 courage  and  cnterprifc.  He  had  enlarged  views  of 
 what  might  be  done  with  proper  inflruments  on  the 
 wide  continent  of  America.  He  had  heard  much  of 
 .Mr.  Wejky  before  he  engaged  himfelf  as  a  Miliionary, 
 having  been  intimate  with  his  eldefl  brother.  But 
 he  faw,  during  the  voyage,  that  ike  half  was  oiot  told 
 him.  He  fiiw  here  a  man  of  great  ability,  a  man 
 fuperiour  to  every  thing  that  ufually  captivates  hu- 
 man nature.  He  faw  a  man,  as  he  thought,  lit  for 
 his  purpofe.  But  Mr.  Wejley's  religion,  or,  as  he 
 termed  it,  his  enthufiafm,  the  General  lamented,  as*- 
 (landing  in  the  way.  On  their  arrival  therefore  in 
 Georgia,  he  refolved  to  try,  if  that  obflacle  was  not  to 
 be  furmounted. 
 
 Mr.  Caujlon,  the  Store-keeper,  and  chief  Magiflrate 
 
 :,  'of  Savannah,  (in    which  ftation  he  was  placed  by  the 
 
 General.)  had  a  young  lady  in  his  houfe,  his   niece, 
 
 of  an   improved  underftanding,   and  elegant  perfon 
 
 and  manners.     The  General  thought  he  had  found 
 
 in 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  115 
 
 in  her  a  proper  bait  for  this  foaring  religionift.  And 
 as  fome  of  the  greatefl  men  that  are  recorded  even  in 
 the  oracles  of  God,  have  fallen  by  this  fnare,  he  had 
 fome  ground  to  hope  for  fuccefs.  But  in  order  to 
 this,  it  was  abfolutely  needful  to  detain  him  for  fome 
 confiderable  time  at  Savannah.  Whenever  therefore 
 he  mentioned  his  uneafinefs  at  being  obflru6led  in  his 
 main  delign,  that  of  preaching  to  the  Indians^  he  was 
 anfwered,  "  You  cannot  leave  Savannah  v/ithout  a 
 Minifter.''  To  this  indeed,  obferves  Mr.  Wejley,  my 
 plain  anfwer  was,  "  I  know  not  that  I  was  under  any 
 obligation  to  the  contrary.  I  never  promifed  to  flay 
 here  one  month.  I  openly  declared  both  before,  at^ 
 and  ever  Jince  my  coming  hither,  that  I  neither  would 
 nor  could  take  charge  of  the  EngliJJi  any  longer  than 
 till  I  could  ffo  amonor  the  Indians"  If  it  was  faid, 
 *'  But  did  not  the  Truftees  of  Georgia  appoint  you  to 
 be  Minifler  of  Savannah?"  I  replied,  *' They  did; 
 but  it  was  not  done  by  my  folicitation :  it  was  done 
 vwithout  either  my  delire  or  knowledge.  Therefore  I 
 cannot  conceive  that  appointment  to  lay  nie  under 
 any  obligation  of  continuing  here,  any  longer  than* 
 till  a  door  is  opened  to  the  Heathens  :  and  this  I  ex- 
 prefsly  declared,  at  the  time  I  confented  to  accept  of 
 that  appointment.'* 
 
 The  young  lady  mentioned  above,  was  introduced 
 to  him  as  a  perfon  who  had  feverely  felt  the  anguilh 
 of  a  wounded  fpirit,  and  now  was  a  fincere  inquirer 
 after  the  way  of  eternal  life.  After  fome  time  he  ob-i 
 I  ,ferved,  that  (he  took  every  poflTible  opportunity  of 
 being  m  his  company.     She  alfc'defired  a  greater  in- 
 
 ^  2  Umacy, 
 
ii5        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 timacy,  but  modcflly  veiled  her  real  motive,  under  ^ 
 requeR,  that  he  would  aflifl  her  in  attaining  a  perfc6: 
 knowledge  of  the  French  tongue. 
 
 Soon  after  this,  tho:  General  called  upoti  him,  and 
 requefled  him  to  dine  with  him  :  adding,  "  Mr.  We/Iej\ 
 there  are  fome  here  who  have  a  wrong  idea  of  your 
 abftemioufnefs.  Thev  think  that  vou  hold-  the  eatin^^f 
 animal  food,  and  drinking  wine,  to  be  unlawful. 
 I  beg  that  you  will  convince  them  of  the  contrary.'* 
 He  refolved  to  do  fo.  At  table  he  took  a  little  of 
 both,  but  a  fever  was  the  confequence,  which  confined 
 him  for  five  days. 
 
 Now  was  the  time  to  try  if  indeed  *^  His  heart  was 
 made  of  penetrable  ftuflP."  Xotwithflanding  an  ex- 
 treme relu6larice  on  his  part,  (v/ho  would  hardly 
 fufFer  even  Mr.  Dclamotte  to  do  any  tiling  for  him.) 
 fhe  attended  him  night  and  day.  She  even  confulted 
 the  General  what  drefs  would  be  miofh  agreeable  to  Mr. 
 We/ley,  and  therefore  came  always  to  him  drelFed  in 
 wdiite,  "  Simplex  Munditiis,"  neatly,  frmply  elegarit. 
 Thofe  who  have  known  Mr.  Wefley,  will  foreftal  oui* 
 judgment  here  :  they  well  know  what  impreflion  all 
 this  was  MkQly  to  make.  He  was  indeed,  as  our  greAt 
 Poet  obferves, 
 
 -' ^'  Of  a  conflant,  loviricr^  nol)Ie  nature  ; 
 
 That  thinks  men  honed,  if  they  feem  but  fo." 
 
 How  then   muR   this  appearance  of  flrong  affe6^io/i,j 
 from  a  woman  of  fcnfe   and  elegance,    nay,  and  as 
 />>ould  f<:'cm,  of  piety  too,  afFed  him  !  Efpeciallv  con- 
 
 fidcriiii 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  117 
 
 iidering,  (it  is  his  own  account,)  that  he  had  never 
 before  familiarly  converfed  with  any  woman,  except 
 his  near  relations.  We  hardly  need  to  add,  that  upon 
 his  recovery,  he  entertained  his  fair  pupil  with  more 
 tjian  ordinary  complacency. 
 
 But  Mr.  Delamotte  had  not  learned,  (to  ufe  a  comr 
 mon  exprefTion  of  Mr.  Wtjleys)  to  "  defy  fufpicion." 
 He  thouc^ht  he  faw 
 
 "  Semblance  of  worth,  not  fubflance/' 
 
 He  therefore  embraced  an  opportunity  of  expoftu- 
 lading  with  Mr.  Wejley  :  and  afked  him  if  he  defigned  to 
 ijiarry  Mifs  CauJI-on  ?  At  the  farne  time  he  fet  forth  in 
 a  flrong  hght,  htr  art  and  hh  ftmplicity.  Though 
 pleafed  with  the  attention  of  his  fair  friend,  Mi'-  Wtjlcy 
 had  not  allowed  himfeif  to  determine  upon  marriage, 
 jyir.  Delamotte  s  queftion  therefore  not  a  little  puzzled 
 Ijim.  Lie  waved  an  anfwer  at  that  time  :  and  per- 
 ceiving the  prejudice  of  Mr.  Delamotte*s  mind  againft 
 the  Lady,  he  called  on  BiHiop  Nitfchman,  and  con- 
 fulted  him.  His  anfwer  was  ftiort.  '*  Marria2:e," 
 laid  he,  '•  you  know  is  not  unlawful.  Whether  it  is 
 now  expedient  for  you,  and  whether  this  Lady  is  a 
 proper  wife  for  you,  ought  to  be  maturely  weighed." 
 Finding  his  perplexity  increafe,  he  determined  to  pro- 
 pole  his  doubts  to  the  Elders  of  the  Moravian  Church. 
 When  he  entered  into  the  houfe,  where  they  were  met 
 together,  lie  found  Mr,  Delamotte  fitting  among  them. 
 On  his  propofing  the  bufinefs,  the  Bifbop  replied^ 
 •'■  We  have  coniidered  }our  cafe.  Will  you  abide 
 by  our  deciiion  ?"  He  anfwered,  '*  I  will."  Then 
 ^■^\di   the    Bilhop,     •'  We    advife  you  to  proceed  no 
 
 I  3  further 
 
ii8         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 further  in  this  bufinefs."  He  replied,  ''  The  v/ill  of 
 tlie  Lord  be  done."  From  this  time,  he  cautioufly 
 avoided  every  thing  that  tended  to  continue  the  inti- 
 macy. He  alfo  poHtely  dechned  receiving  her  vifits 
 at  his  houfe,  though  he  eafily  perceived  what  pain 
 this  change  in  his  condu6l  ^ave  her. 
 
 o  o 
 
 Soon  after  this,  a  young  gentlewoman,  who  had 
 been  fome  tim.e  before  married  to  the  Surgeon  of  the 
 Colony,  and  had  failed  with  the  General  from  Europe, 
 fentfor  him,  and  related  to  him,  under  a  promife  of 
 fecrecy,  what  we  have  now  declared  concerning  the 
 hitherto  myfterious  part  of  this  event  :  adding  thefe 
 words,  "  Sir,  I  had  no  reft  'till  I  refolved  to  tell 
 you  the  whole  affair.  I  have  myfelf  been  urged  to 
 that  behaviour  towards  you,  which  I  am  now  afhamed 
 to  mention.  Both  Mifs  Sophia  and  myfelf  were 
 ordered,  if  we  could  but  fucceed,  even  to  deny  you 
 nothing." 
 
 Mr.  Wejley  kept  his  word,  and  cautioufly  avoided 
 and  concealed  every  thing,  which  could  bring  any  in- 
 convenience on  this  gentlewoman.  He  could  not 
 however  behave  to  the  General,  as  he  had  formerly 
 done.  One  day  he  dropped  fome  expreflions  which 
 made  the  General  change  his  colour,  and  dilcover 
 much  agitation  of  mind.  However,  recovering  him- 
 felf  the  General  replied,  in  a  very  fignificant  manner, 
 *'  You  obferved  yeflerday  the  company  of  Indians 
 tliat  came  into  town.  The  fellow  that  marched  at 
 their  head,  with  his  face  marked  v»'ith  red  paint,  will 
 fhoot  any  man  in  this  Colony  for  a  bottle  of  rum !" 
 ViX,  Wcjlty    did  not  think  it  proper  to  reply  :  but  to 
 
 Ihcw 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  119 
 
 (hew  how  little  he  regarded  the  menace,  he  took  a 
 book  out  of  his  pocket,  and  beginning  to  read,  walked 
 flowly  towards  his  own  houfe. 
 
 The  next  morning,  as  he  was  reading  with  his  back 
 to  the  window,  he  fuddenly  found  his  light  obftruded  ; 
 and  turning  round,  he  perceived  the  Indian  flandmg 
 at  the  window.  He  immediately  flepped  to  the  door, 
 invited  him  to  walk  in,  and  fpread  before  him  the  bed 
 food  that  the  houfe  afforded.  And  as  he  had  learned 
 fome  words  of  the  Indian  language,  he  cheerfully 
 invited  him  to  eat.  The  Indian  for  fome  time  fur- 
 veyed  him  from  head  to  foot  with  great  attention  : 
 then  throwing  down  his  gun,  he  feized  him  in  his 
 anns,  and  kiffed  him  for  feveral  feconds  with  the 
 greateft  eagernefs.  He  then  eat  heartily,  and  de- 
 parted after  another  warm  embrace,  and  with  every 
 appearance  of  the  highell  fatisfadion.t 
 
 The  General  foon  after  this  failed  for  Europe. 
 But  one  of  the  lail  charges  which  he  gave,  and  that 
 in  the  prefence  of  feveral  perfons,  was  "  Caujion,  what^ 
 ever  you  do,  take  heed,  if  you  regard  my  favour,  that 
 
 you  do  not  quarrel  with  Mr.  Wefley."  ^ 
 
 Mifs  Ctiufton  was  now  addreifed  by  a  Mr.  William^ 
 [on ;  and  as  he  was  a  man  of  fubftance,  and  her  uncle 
 
 I  4  and 
 
 i  Was  the  Indian  fent  only  to  intimidate  him  ?  Wc  are  in- 
 clined to  think  fo.  ^ 
 
 ^j,  Many  years  after  this,  General  Oglethorpe  met  Mr.  Wejle.y 
 at  the  houfe  of  his  brother  Charles  in  London,  And  as  foon  as 
 he  entered  the  room,  the  General,  in  the  prefence  of  a  very 
 numerous  company,  advanced,  kneeled  down,  and  kiiTed  his 
 hand ! 
 
130  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 and  aunt  warmly  recommended  him,  file  confented 
 to  receive  him  as  her  hufband,  though  not  without 
 the  appearance  at  lead  of  great  reluctance,  and  fird 
 of  all  endeavouring  to  renew  lier  acquaintance  with 
 Mr.  Wefley.  But  he  would  only  fee  her  and  fpeak  to 
 Iicr  as  her  Pallor;  which  he  continued  to  do,  while 
 any  appearance  of  ferioufnefs  remained  in  her.  At 
 lafl  flie  fent  him  word  "  that  Mr,  Viilliamfon  had  de- 
 fired  fhe  fliould  v/holly  refreiin  from  converfing  with 
 him/' 
 
 About  this  time  he  faw  it  to  be  his  duty  to 
 repel  Mrs.  V/iiliamJon  from  the  holy  communion : 
 but  lirfl  of  ail  he  mentioned  to  her  thofc  things 
 which  he  thought  reprovable  in  her  behaviour.  At 
 this  fhe  appeared  extremely  angry,  faying  fhe  did  not 
 expecl  fuch  ufage  howi  iiim.  Lie  alfo  confulted  his 
 friend  Mr.  Spaiigenhcrg,  to  whom  he  engaged,  that, 
 God  being  his  helper,  he  would  behave  to  all,  rich 
 or  poor,  friends  or  enemies,  without  refpeft  of  per? 
 fons.  lie  alfo  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Mrs, 
 WillLamfon. 
 
 "  AT  Mr.  Cavjlons  reque ft,  I  write  once  more. 
 The  rules  whereby  I  proceed  are  theic  :  So  viany  as  in- 
 tend to  be  partakers  oj  the  holy  communion,  JJiall  fi^rjfy 
 thdr  names  to  the  Curate,  at  lenjl  jome  lime  the  day  bejorc. 
 This  -^ou  did  not  do. 
 
 "  ybid  ?7  any  of  thefe — have  done  any  wrong  to  hi^ 
 neighbour  by  word  or  deed,  fo  that  the  congregation  be 
 thereby  ojj ended,  the  Curate  Jliall  advcrtije  him,  that  in  any 
 wife  he  pre  fame  not  to  covu  to  the  Lord's  table,  until  he 
 Jiath  openly  declared  hivijeif  to  have  truly  repented. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  13  j 
 
 ^'  If  you  offer  yourfelf  at  the  Lord's  table  on  Sunday, 
 
 I  will  advertife  you  (as  I  have  done  more  than  once) 
 
 ^   wherein  you  have  done  wrong.  And  xvhen  you  Jiavc  openly 
 
 declared  your  ft  If  to  have  truly  rcpenud,   I  will  adminiiler 
 
 to  you  the  myfteries  of  God. 
 
 Aug.  IX,  1737.  jdHN    .;  ESLEY." 
 
 A  warrant  was  now  iffued  to  apprehend  him,  Mr. 
 Caiijlon  having  declared,  ''  It  is  I  that  am  infulted.  I 
 have  di^iwn  the  fvvord,  and  I  will  never  llieath  it,  till 
 I  have  fatisfa6lion/' 
 
 Mr.  V/eJleys  chief  fear  at  this  time  was  concerning 
 thole  who  were  weak,  left  they  fhould  be  turned  out 
 of  the  zoay.  "  But  God/'  fays  he,  ''  took  care  of  this 
 aifo.  So  that  on  Sunday  the  14th,  more  were  pre  fen  t 
 at  the  morning  prayers,  than  had  been  for  fome 
 months  before.  Manv  of  them  obierved  thofe  words 
 jn  the  firft  leiTon,  Set  Naboth  on  hi^h  among  the  people ; 
 and  Jet  two  Tnen,  fons  oj Belial^  before  him,  to  hear  witnejs 
 cgaivjl  him," 
 
 Nor  did  he  relax  in  his  labour  during;  the  whole  of 
 this  contention,  as  appears  from  his  own  account. 
 ''  Saturday,  Oct.  15.  Being,"  fays  he,  *•'  at  Highgate^ 
 a  A'illage  five  miles  from  Savannah,  confiding  of  (all 
 but  one)  French  families,  who,  I  found,  knev/  but 
 little  of  the  EnglifJi  tongue,  I  offered  to  read  prayers 
 there  in  French,  every  Saturday  in  the  afternoon. 
 They  embraced  the  offer  gladly.  On  Saturday  the 
 twenty-fecond,  I  read  prayers  in  Gerinan  Jikewile,  to 
 l-.he  German  villagers  of  Hampjkad :  and  fo  continued 
 to  do,  once  a  week.  We  began  the  fervice  (both  at 
 flighgatc  and  Hampjkad)  with  iinging  a  pfaim.     Then 
 
 J  reacj 
 
12a         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY; 
 
 I  read  and  explained  a  chapter  in  the  Fj'ench  or  German 
 Teflament,  and  concluded  with  prayers  and  another 
 pi  aim/' 
 
 He  proceeds,  **  Saturday,  Ocl:.  9.  Some  of  the 
 French  of  Savannah  were  prefent  at  the  prayers  at 
 Bighgaie,  The  next  day  I  received  a  inelTage  from 
 them  all :  '•  that  as  I  read  prayers  to  the  French  of 
 Uighgate,  who  were  but  few,  they  hoped  I  would  do 
 the  lame  to  thofe  of  Savannah,  w^here  there  was  a  large 
 number  who  did  not  underftand  EngliJIi."  Sunday 
 30,  I  began  fo  to  do  :  and  now  I  had  full  employ- 
 ment for  that  holy  day.  The  firfl  EngliJIi  prayers 
 lafced  from  five  till  half  an  hour  pad  fix.  The  Italian 
 (w^hich  I  read  to  a  few  Vandois)  began  at  nine.  The 
 fecond  fervice  for  the  Englijh  (including  the  fermon 
 and  the  holy  communion)  continued  from  half  an 
 hour  pad  ten,  till  about  half  an  hour  pad  twelve. 
 The  French  fervice  began  at  one.  At  two  I  catechifed 
 the  children.  About  three  began  the  EngliJIi  fervice. 
 After  this  was  ended,  I  had  the  happineCs  of  joining 
 v^ith.  as  many  as  my  large  (I  room  would  hold,  in  read- 
 mg,  prayer,  and  finging  praife.  And  about  fix  the 
 fervice  of  the  Moravians  began  :  at  Avhich  I  was  glad 
 to  be  prefent,  not  as  a  teacher,  but  a  learner." 
 
 Mr.  Caujlon  being  determined  to  prefent  a  bill 
 agamfl  him  before  the  C^rand  Jury  of  the  Colony, 
 Mrs.  V/ilUamfon  fwore  to  and  figned  an  affidavit,  in- 
 sinuating much  more  than  it  aiferted  :  but  afferting, 
 "  I'hat  Mr.  Wef.cy  had  many  times  propofed  marriage 
 (o  her,  all  which  propofals  fhe  had  rejected."  Of  this 
 he  dchrcd   a  copy:    Mr.  CaitJlGn  xc^^litd,    "Sir,  You 
 
 may 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  125 
 
 may    have    one   from    any    of    the  News-papers  in 
 America.'* 
 
 On  Thurfday  and  Friday  was  delivered  out  a  lift 
 of  twenty-fix  men,  who  were  to  meet  as  a  Grand  Jury, 
 on  Monday  the  twenty-fecond.  But  this  lift  was  called 
 in  the  next  day,  and  twenty-four  names  added  to  it. 
 Of  this  Grand  Jury  (forty-four  of  whom  only  met) 
 one  was  a  Frenchman^  who  did  not  underfland  EngliJJi, 
 one  a  Fapijl,  one  a  profejjed  Injidel,  three  Baptijls, 
 fixtccn  or  feventeen  others,  DiJJentcrs^  and  feveral 
 others  who  had  perfonal  quarrels  againft  Mr.  Wejleyj 
 and  had  openly  vowed  revenge. 
 
 To  this  Grand  Jury,  on  Monday  the  twenty-fecond, 
 Mr.  Caujlon  gave  a  long  and  earnell  charge,  to  bezoarc 
 of  Jpiriiual  tyranny^  and  to  oppofe  the  new,  illegal  autho' 
 riiy  which  was  ufurptd  over  their  confciences.  Then  Mrs. 
 Williamfon's  affidavit  was  read :  after  which  Mr.  Cauf- 
 ton  delivered  to  the  Grand  Jury,  a  paper  entitled, 
 
 *'  A  Lift  of  Grievances,  prefented  by  the  Grand  Jury 
 for  Savannah,  this  day  of  Aug.  1737." 
 
 This  the  majority  of  the  Grand  Jury  altered  in  fome 
 particulars,  and  o*n  Thurfday,  Sept.  1,  delivered  it 
 again  to  the  Court,  under  the  form  of  two  prefent- 
 ments,  containing  ten  bills,  which  were  then  read  to 
 the  people. 
 
 Herein  they  afferted,  upon  oath,  "  That  John 
 V/eJley,  Clerk,  had  broken  the  laws  of  the  Realnit  contrary 
 to  the  peace  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King,  his  crown  and 
 dignity. 
 
 "  1.  ^y  fpeaking  and  writing  to  Mrs.  Williamfon, 
 againft  her  hufband's  confent ; 
 
 *'2.By 
 
Hi  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 '•  2.  J^y   repelling   lier  from  the  holy  communion  : 
 
 "3.  By  not  declaring  his  adherence  to  the  Church 
 iff  England: 
 
 '•'4.  By  dividing  the  morning-fervice  on  Sundays  : 
 
 "5.  By  rcfuring  to  baptife  Mr.  Parker  s  child  other- 
 wife  than  by  dipping,  except  the  parents  would  certify 
 it  was  weakj  and  notable  to  bear  it  : 
 
 '■'  6.  By  repelling  William  Gough  from  the  holy 
 communion : 
 
 "7.  By  refufing  to  read  the  bi^rial-fcrvice  ov^r  the 
 hody  of  Nathaniel  Polhill : 
 
 "8.  By  calling  himfelf  Ordinary  of  Savannah ; 
 
 "9.  By  rcfuhng  to  receive  Williayn  Aglionhy  as  a 
 godlalhcr,  only  becaufe  he  was  not  a  communicant : 
 
 '•'  10.  Biy  rciuhng  Jacob  Matthews  for  the  fame 
 reafor; ;  and  baptizing  an  Indian  trader's  child  with 
 only  two  fponfors."* 
 
 At  the  third  Court,  which  was  held  on  this  bulinefs, 
 ^Ir.  IVijley  moved  for  an  immediate  hearing  on  the 
 firll  bill,  being  the  only  one  of  a  civil  nature  :  but  it 
 was  rciiiicd.  lie  made  the  fame  motion  in  the  after- 
 noon :   but  wa^;  put  olF  till  the  next  court-day. 
 
 On  the  next  court-day  he  appeared  again  :   as  alfo 
 ^t  the  two  Courts  following  :  but  could  not  be  heard, 
 hccauft  (the  Judge  faid)  Mr.  Wtlliamjon  was  gone  out  of 
 icivii. 
 
 The  fenfe  of  the  minority  of  the  grand  jurors  ^^atm-t 
 ieivcs  (for  they  were  by  no  means  unanimqus)  con? 
 ^x:rning  thefe  prefentments,     may    appear  from    the 
 
 ■    *  How  er:cecdingly  were  tiiey  i{t  a  Iqfs  for  any  real  matter 
 HiviiCfev/itIi  to  C!i>T)!!i4tc  Uimi 
 
 fpllowing 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLElf. 
 
 fbll<7t^ing    paper,    which    they     tranfmitied     to     tlie 
 Truftees. 
 
 To  the  Honourable  the  Tnif.ecs  for  Georgia. 
 
 ''  Whereas  two  prelentments  have  been  inacie,  th's^ 
 one  of  Augufi  23,  the  other  of  Auguftsi,  by  the 
 Grand  Jury  for  the  town  and  county  of  Savannah  in 
 Georgia,  again fl  John  IVeflcy,  Clerk. 
 
 "  We  whofe  names  are  und€n\:ritteti,  being  menr- 
 bers  of  the  faid  Grand  furv,  do  huinblv  be^  leave  to 
 fignify  our  diflike  of  the  faid  prefentments  ;  being  by 
 Inany  and  divers  circumftances  throughly  perfuaded 
 in  OLtrfelves,  that  the  whole  charsre  asraind  Mr.  Wefley, 
 h  an  artifice  of  Mr.  Cavjion's,  deligned  rather  tr* 
 blacken  the  character  of  Mr.  JVe/Iey,  than  to  free  the 
 colony  from  religious  tvranny,  as  he  was  pleafed  in  lih 
 tharste  to  lis  to  term  il.  But  as  thefe  circumftaricef> 
 tvill  be  too  tedious  to  tiouble  your  honours  with,  w€ 
 fiiall  only  beg  leave  to  give  the  reafons  of  our  difTenf: 
 from  the  particular  bills. 
 
 *'  With  regard  to  the  firfl:  bill,  v,~e  do  not  appre-- 
 hend,  that  Mr.  We/Iey  a6led  againft  any  law,  bt 
 writing  or  fpeakiilg  to  Mrs.  V/illiawJon,  fmec  it  doesiwt 
 appear  to  us  that  the  fkid  Mr.  Wejley  has  cither  [poke  t7i 
 private,  or  TV  rote  to  the  faid  Mrs.  William/on.Jince  MrycIi 
 i  2,  (the  day  of  her  marriage,)  except  one  letter  of  July 
 the  5th,  which  he  tvrote  at  the  requejl  of  her  Aunt,  as  a 
 Pajlor  to  exhort  and  reprove  her, 
 
 "  The  fecond  we  do  not  apprehend  to  be  a  true 
 bill,  becaufe  we  humbly  conceive  Mr.  WrjUv  did  not 
 affumc  to  himfelf  any  authority  contrary  t<:>  law  :  for 
 we  uhderflatid,  Every  perjon  intending  to  communicak^ 
 fiQuld  ''  fignijy  his  Qiame  to  the  Curate,  at  leajljomc  time 
 
 the 
 
126         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  day  before,"  which  Mrs.  Williamfon  did  not  do ;  al- 
 though Mr.  Wefley  had  often  in  full  congregation  de- 
 clared, he  did  infill  on  a  compliance  with  that  Rii- 
 brick,  and  hcA  he  fore  repelled,  divers  per fons^  for  non-com- 
 pliance  therewith, 
 
 "  The  third  we  do  not  think  a  true  bill,  becaufe 
 feverai  o'i  its  have  been  his  hearers,  when  he  has  de- 
 clared his  adherence  to  the  Church  of  England,  in  a 
 llronger  manner  than  by  a  formal  declaration ;  by- 
 explaining  and  defending  the  Apoflles\  the  Nicene  diXid 
 the  Athanafian  Creeds^  the  thirty-nine  articles,  the  whok 
 hook  of  Common  Prayer,  and  the  Homilies  of  the  faid 
 church  :  and  becaufe  we  think  a  formal  declaration  is 
 not  required,  but  from  thofe  who  have  received  infti- 
 tution  and  induction. 
 
 ''  The  facl  allcdged  in  the  fourth  bill  we  cannot 
 apprehend  to  be  contrary  to  any  law  in  being. 
 
 *'  The  fifth  we  do  not  think  a  true  bill,  becaufe 
 we  conceive  Mr.  Wefley  is  juftified  by  the  rubrick, 
 viz.  If  they  (the  parents)  certify  that  the  child  is  weak,  it 
 fhall  fiijjict  to  pour  water  upon  it.  Intimating  (as  we 
 humbly  fuppofe)  it  fhall  not  fufHce,  if  they  do  not 
 certify. 
 
 *^  The  fixth  cannot  be  a  true  bill,  becaufe  the  faid 
 William,  Gough,  being  one  of  our  members,  was  fur- 
 prifed  to  hear  himfelf  named,  without  his  knowledge 
 or  privity  ;  and  did  publicly  declare,  It  was  no  griev- 
 ance to  him,  becaufe  the  faid  John  Wefey  had  given  him 
 reajons  with  which  he  was  fatisjied. 
 
 "  The  feventh  we  do  not  apprehend  to  be  a  true 
 bill,  for  Nathaniel  Polhill  was  an  Anabaptijl,  and  dt fired 
 
 in 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  i-j 
 
 in  his  life-time,  that  he  might  not  be  interred  witli  the 
 office  of  the  Church  of  England,  And  farther,  we  have 
 good  reafon  to  beheve.  that  Mr.  Wejlcy  was  at  Frederica, 
 or  on  his  return  thence,  when  Polhiil  was  buried, 
 
 '^  As  to  the  eighth  bill  we  are  in  doubt,  as  not  well 
 knowing  the  meaning  of  the  word  Ordinary,  But  for 
 the  ninth  and  tenth,  we  think  Mr.  V/eJley  is  fufficientlv 
 juftified  by  the  Canons  of  the  Church  ;  which  forbid 
 any  perjon  to  be  admitted  Godfather  or  Godmother  to  any 
 child,  before  the  /aid  per  [on  has  received  the  holy  commu- 
 nion; whereas  William  Aglionhy  and  Jacob  Matthews  had 
 never  certified  Mr.  Wefley,  that  they  had  received  it/' 
 
 This  was  fjgned  by  twelve  ot  the  grand  Jurors,  of 
 whom  three  were  Conftables,  and  fix  more,  Tything- 
 .men  :  who  confequently  would  have  made  a  majority, 
 had  the  Jury  confifled,  as  it  regularly  fliould  have 
 -done,  of  only  fifteen  members,  viz.  the  four  Con- 
 llables  and  eleven  Tythingmen. 
 
 He  now  confulted  his  friends,  whether  God  did  not 
 call  him  to  return  to  E'tigland  ?  "  The  reafon,"  he  ob- 
 ferves,  ''  for  which  I  left  it  had  now  no  force  :  there 
 being  no  poUibility  as  yet  of  inflru6ling  the  Indians: 
 neither  had  I  as  yet  found  or  heard  of  any  Indians  on 
 the  continent  oi  America,  who  had  the  leafl  defire  of 
 being  inflruded.  And  as  to  Savannah,  having  never 
 engaged  myfelf,  either  by  word  or  letter,  to  flay  there 
 a  day  longer  than  I  fhould  judge  convenient,  nor  even 
 take  charge  of  the  people  any  otherwife,  than  as  in 
 my  palhige  to  the  Heathens,  I  looked  upon  myfelf  to 
 be  fully  difcharged  therefrom,  by  the  vacating  of  tha^ 
 ihfign.     IkTides.    there    was   a  probabiUty    of  doinc^ 
 
 more 
 
id8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLeV. 
 
 inore  fervice  to  that  unhappy  people  in  England  tha'(? 
 I  could  do  in  Georgia,  by  repre Tenting  without  fear  cr 
 favour  to  the  Ti'udces,  the  real  flate  the  Colony  was 
 in."  His  friends,  after  deeply  confidering  thefe  things, 
 were  tinanimous,  That  he  ought  to  go.  But  not  yd.  So 
 he  laid  the  thoughts  of  it  afide  for  the  prefent :  being 
 periuaded,  that  when  the  time  was  come,  God  would 
 fiiake  the  tvay  ijlain  bejore  his  face* 
 
 In  confequence  of  this  refoliitiori  he  attended  the 
 Court  again  :  at  which  time  Mi*.  Cavjlon  defired  td 
 fpeak  with  him.  He  theti  read  to  him  fome  affidavits 
 Tvhich  had  been  m.ade  on  the  15th  of  September. 
 In  one  of  which  it  was^aiHrmed,  "  That  he  then  abufeJ 
 Mr.  Caiijlon  in  his  own  houfe,  calling  him  liar,  villain, 
 .!lnd  fo  on."  It  v/as  now  likewife  repeated  before  feve- 
 ral  perfons,  *•  That  he  had  been  reprimanded  at  the 
 lafL  Court,  for  an  enemy  to,  and  hinderer  of  the  pub- 
 lic peace." 
 
 Qn  this  he  confulted  his  friends  again,  who  agreed 
 Ivith  him,  that  the  time  he  looked  for  Wiis  now  come. 
 Accordingly  the  next  morning,  calling  on  Mr.  Caiijion^ 
 he  informed  him,  that  he  defigned  to  fet  out  for  Eng^ 
 land  immediately.  He  alio  fet  up  an  advert! fement  in 
 the  great  fquare  tO  the  fame  effe6l,  and  quietly  pre- 
 pared for  his  journey. 
 
 Oil  Fridav,  Dec.  2,  he  propofed  to  fet  out  for  Ca- 
 rolina about  noon,  the  tide  then  fcrving.  But  about 
 ten  the  Maoi Urates  fcnt  for  him,  and  told  him  that  be 
 Ihould  not  go  out  of  the  province  :  for  he  had  not  yet' 
 j^mfwered  the  allegations  laid  againfl  him.  He  replied, 
 *'    /  have  appeared  at  fix  or  [even  Courts  fuccejfively,    iii 
 
 mder 
 
TPIE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  129 
 
 4irder  to  anfzver  them.  But  I  was  not  fiifcred  Jo  to  do, 
 zuhen  I  defired  it  time  after  time,"  They  then  faid, 
 "  However,  you  mufl  not  go,  unlefs  you  give  fecurity 
 to  anfwer  thofe  allegations  at  our  Court."  He  aflced, 
 "  What  fecurity  ?"  After  confulting  together  about 
 two  hours,  the  Recorder  fliewed  him  a  kind  of  bond, 
 engaging  him,  under  a  penalty  of  fifty  pounds,  to  ap- 
 pear at  their  Court  when  he  fliouid  be  required.  He 
 added,  "  But  Mr.  Williamfon  too  has  defired  of  lis,  that 
 youfiiould  give  hail  to  anfzver  his  action."  Mr.  We/Iey 
 then  told  him  plainly,  Sir,  you  ife  me  very  ill,  and  fa 
 you  do  the  Trufees.  I  will  give  neither  any  bond,  nor  any 
 bail  at  all.      You  knozo  your  bufinefs,  and  I  know  mine. 
 
 In  the  afternoon  the  Magiilrates  publifhed  an  order 
 requiring  all  the  officers  and  centinels,  to  prevent  his 
 going  out  of  the  province  ;  and  forbidding  any  perfon 
 to  affifl  him  fo  to  do.  Being  now  a  prifoner  at  large, 
 in  the  place  where  he  knew  by  experience,  every  day 
 would  give  frefh  opportunity  to  procure  evidence,  of 
 words  he  never  faid,  and  actions  he  never  did  :  he 
 faw  clearly  the  hour  was  come  for  leaving  that  place  ; 
 and  as  foon  as  evening-prayers  were  over,  about  eight 
 o'clock,  the  tide  then  ferving,  he  fhook  the  duft  off  his 
 ■feet,  and  left  J^eorgia,  after  having  preached  the  goi- 
 pel  there,  ('•'  not,"  fays  he,  "  as  I  ought,  but  as  I  was 
 able")   one  year,  and  nearly  nine  months. 
 
 "  Such  ^vas  the  leave,"  fays  a  v/riter  of  Mr.  Wefley's 
 Life, ''  which  oibr  Mijfionary,  (how  refpe61:ful  in  a  man 
 who  owes  much,  if  not  his  all  to  him  !)  took  of 
 .America."  Wt  fcruple  not  to  fay,  (and  we  think  that 
 every  reader  who  candidly  coniiders  the  whole  ac- 
 
 K  count, 
 
igo        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 count,  will  fay.)  fucli  was  the  treatment  that  a  mait 
 of  God  received  from  thofe,  whofe  befl:  interefts  he 
 endeavoured  to  promote.  But  though  clouds  and  dark" 
 lufs  are  around  his  throne,  who  governs  the  world,  Yet 
 right eoujncfs  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  his  feat. 
 Such  a  burning  iind  fhining  light  was  not  to  be  hid  in 
 the  then  uncultivated  wilds  o^  Georgia,  He  who  had 
 fold  all  for  God  and  his  truth,  and  who  was  fitted  to 
 defend  that  truth  againfl  all  the  deceivablenefs  of  the 
 carnal  mind,  with  all  its  additional  weapons  of  vain 
 philofophy  or  worldly  prudence  :  though  permitted 
 by  the  only  wife  God  our  Saviour,  to  be  fifted  as 
 w^heat,  and  tried  in  the  furnace  of  adverfity,  he  was 
 preferved  and  brought  forth  as  gold^  which 
 
 *'  Returns  more  pure,  and  brings  forth  all  its  weight." 
 
 Divine  Providence  was  about  to  lead  him  into  a  field 
 of  a6lion,  in  which  every  gift  that  God  had  given 
 him,  was  tried  to  the  uttermofb,  and  was  found  unto 
 fraife,  and  honour^  and  glory. 
 
 C    H    A    P.      IV. 
 
 Of  Mr.  W  E  s  L  E  Y  '  s  return  to  England,    and  of  his 
 
 Converjion. 
 
 THE  account   of  his  journey  to  Charleflon,  from 
 which  place  he  em.barked  for  England,   contains 
 fuch  a  ilriking  and  fuitable  clofe  to  his   labours    and 
 
 dan  ere  rs 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  131 
 
 dangers  in  America,    that  v/e  think  ourfelves  juftified 
 in  giving  it  in  his  own  words. 
 
 '•'  Saturday,  Dec.  3.  We  came  to  Purryfhurg  early 
 in  the  morning,  and  endeavoured  to  procure  a  Guide 
 for  Port-Royal.  But  none  being  to  be  had,  we  fet 
 out  without  one,  an  hour  before  fun-rife.  After 
 walking  two  or  three  hours,  we  met  with  an  old  man, 
 who  led  us  into  a  fmall  path,  near  which  was  a  line 
 oi  blazed  trees,  (i.  e.  marked  by  cutting  off  part  of  the 
 bark)  by  following  which,  he  faid,  w^e  might  eafily 
 come  to  Port-Royal  in  five  or  fix  hours. 
 
 *'  We  were  four  in  all ;  one  of  whom  intended  to 
 go  for  England  with  me ;  the  other  two  to  fettle  in 
 Carolina.  About  eleven  we  came  into  a  large  fwamp, 
 where  we  wandered  about  till  near  two.  We  then 
 found  another  blaze,  and  purfued  it,  till  it  divided 
 into  two  ;  one  of  thefe  we  followed  through  an  almofl 
 im.paffable  thicket,  a  mile  beyond  which  it  ended.  We 
 made  through  the  thicket  again,  and  traced  the  other 
 blaze,  till  that  ended  too.  It  now  grew  toward  fun- 
 fet,  fo  we  fat  down,  faint  and  weary,  having  had  no 
 food  all  day,  except  a  ginger-bread  cake,  which  I  had 
 taken  in  my  pocket.  A  third  of  this  we  had  divided 
 among  us  at  noon  ;  another  third  we  took  now  ;  the 
 reft  we  referved  for  the  morning ;  but  we  had  met 
 with  no  water  all  the  day.  Thru  fling  a  ftick  into 
 the  ground,  and  finding  the  end  of  it  moift,  two  of 
 our  company  fell  a  digging  with  their  hands,  and 
 at  about  three  feet  depth,  found  water.  We  thanked 
 God,  drank,  and  were  refrefhed.  The  night  was 
 fharp ;  however  there  was  no  complaining  among  us ; 
 
 K   2  but 
 
13-^  THE  LIFE  OF  AIR.  WESLEY. 
 
 but   after  havinrr  commended  ouiTelves  to  God,   wc? 
 
 o 
 
 lay  down  clofc  together,  and  (I  atleail)  flept  till  near 
 fix  in  the  morningf. 
 
 ''  Sunday,  Dec.  4.  God  renewing  our  flrength,  we 
 arofe  neither  faint  nor  weary,  and  refolved  to  make 
 one  trial  more,  to  find  a  path  to  Port-Royal.  We 
 fleered  due  E^fl ;  but  finding  neither  path  nor  blaze, 
 and  the  woods  growing  thicker  and  thicker,  we  judged 
 it  would  be  our  befl;  courfe  to  return,  ii  we  could,  by 
 the  way  we  came.  The  day  before,  in  the  thickefl 
 part  of  the  woods,  I  had  broke  many  )'Oung  trees,  I 
 knew  not  why,  as  we  walked  along:  thefe  we  found  a 
 great  help  in  feveral  places,  where  no  path  was  to  be 
 fcen  ;  and  bctv/ccn  one  and  tvro  God  broucrht  us  fafe 
 to  Benjamin  Arien's  houfe,  the  aid  man  we  lelt  the  day 
 before. 
 
 *•  In  the.  evening  I  read  French  prayers  to  a  nu- 
 merous-family, a  mile  hoixi  uirien'^  ;  one  of  whom 
 tmdcrtook  to  guide  us  to  Port- Royal.  In  the  morn- 
 ing we  fet  out.  About  fun-fet,  we  alked  our  Guide, 
 If  he  knew  where  he  v/as  ?  Who  frankly  anfwered, 
 No.  However  we  puflied  on,  till  about  feven  we  came 
 to  a  plantation,  and  the  next  evening  (after  many  dif- 
 ficulties and  delays)  we  landed  on  Port-Royal  Ifland. 
 
 "  Wednefday  7.  We  walked  to  Beavfort ;  where 
 Mr.  Jones  (the  Minifler  of  Beaufort)  with  whom  I 
 lodged  during  my  fhort  flay  here,  gave  me  a  lively 
 idea  of  the  old  EngliJIi  hofpitalitv.  On  Thurfday  Mr. 
 Dtlaynotte  came  ;  with  whom,  on  Friday  9th,  I  took 
 boat  for  Charlejlon.  After  a  flow  paflage  hy  reafon 
 of  contrary  wind,   and  fome   conflid  (our  provifions 
 
 falling 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  133 
 
 falling  iliort)  with  hunger  as  well  as  cold,  we  came 
 thither  early  in  the  morning,  on  Tuefday  the  13th." 
 
 He  here  parted  with  his  faithful  friend  Mr.  Dda- 
 motie,  from  whom  he  had  been  but  a  fev/  days  fena- 
 rate  fince  their  departure  from  England.'^' 
 
 On  board  the  Ihip  he  had  leifure  to  enter  into  a 
 Ciofe  examination  of  himfelf,  and  to  Jearcli  out  his  Jpirit 
 in  the  light  which  thofe  late  remarkable  providences 
 afforded  him.  The  Lord  had  now  given  him  abun- 
 dant means  of  felf-knowledge,  and  they  were  not  loft 
 upon  him.  He  more  than  ever  felt  what  he  had  fub- 
 fcribed  to  at  his  ordination,  that  he  was  "  far  gone 
 from  original  righteoufnefs,"  and  had  fallen  Jliort  of 
 the  glory  of  God,  that  glorious  image  of  God,  in  which 
 
 man  Vv^as  at  fir  ft  created.  He  had  felt  much  of  this 
 in  the  late  trials  through  which  he  paiTed.  He  had 
 weighed  himfelf  m  the  balance  of  the  fan61uary,  the 
 word  of  God  ;  and  had  attentively  marked  the  lively 
 vitlorious  i"aithofmore  experienced  chriftians.  "  And 
 now,"  fays  he,  "it  is  upwards  of  two  years  fmce  I 
 left  my  native  country,  in  order  to  teach  the  Georgia 
 Indians  the  nature  of  chriftianity  ;  but  w^hat  have  I 
 learned  myfelf  in  the  mean  time  ?  Why  (what  I  leaft 
 of  all  fufpe6led)  that  I  v/ho  went  to  A7nerica,  to  con- 
 vert others,  was  never  converted  myfelf.  /  ard  not  mad, 
 though  I  thus  fpeak  :  but  [peak  the  words  cf  truth  and 
 fob  erne fs ;  if  haply  fome  of  thofe  v/ho  ftill  dream  may 
 aw^ake,  and  fee,  that  as  I  am,  fo  are  they, 
 
 f  Mr.   Charles  JVejley,  findin.:?  the  climate  did  not  agree  with 
 bjin,  had  returned  home  in  July,  1737. 
 
 K  3  ''  Are 
 
134  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 "  Are  they  read  in  philofophy  ?  So  was  L  In 
 ancient  or  modern  tcngues  ?  So  was  I  alfo.  Are  they 
 verfed  in  the  Science  of  Divinity  ?  I  too  have  ftudied 
 it  many  years.  Can  they  talk  fluently  upon  fpiritual 
 things  ?  The  very  fame  could  I  do.  Are  they  plente- 
 ous  in  alms  ?  Behold,  I  gave  all  my  goods  to  feed  the 
 poor. 
 
 "  Do  they  give  of  their  labour  as  well  as  their  fub- 
 flance  ?  I  have  laboured  more  abundantly  than  they 
 all.  Are  they  willing  to  fijfer  for  their  brethren  ?  I 
 have  thrown  up  my  friends,  reputation,  eafe,  country; 
 I  have  put  my  life  in  my  hand,  wandering  into  (Irange 
 lands  ;  I  have  given  my  body  to  be  devoured  by  the 
 deep,  parched  up  with  heat,  confumed  by  toil  and 
 wearinefs,  or  whatfoever  God  fhail  pleafe  to  bring 
 upon  me.  But  does  all  this  (be  it  more  or  lefs,  it 
 matters  not)  make  me  acceptable  to  God  ?  Docs  all 
 I  ever  did  or  can,  know,  Jay,  give,  do  or  fuffa\  juflify 
 me  in  his  fight  ?  Yea,  or  the  conjlant  uje  of  all  the 
 means  of  grace  ?  (which  neverthelefs  is  meet,  right,  and 
 our  bounden  duty)  or  that  /  know  nothing  of  tnyfelf, 
 that  I  am  as  touching  outward,  moral  righteoufnefs 
 blamelefs  ?  Or,  (to  com.e  clofer  yet)  the  having  a 
 ratioiml  conviction  of  all  the  truths  of  chriftianity  ? 
 Does  all  this  give  a  claim  to  the  holy,  heavenly,  divine 
 charader  of  a  Chrijlian  ?  ^y  no  means.  If  the  ora- 
 cles of  God  are  true,  if  we  are  ftill  to  abide  by  the 
 law  and  the  tejlimony  ;  all  thefe  things,  though  when 
 ennobled  by  faith  in  Chrifl,  they  are  holy,  and  jufl 
 and  good,  yet  without  it  are  dung  and  drofs, 
 
 ''  This 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         135 
 
 ^^  This  then  have  I  learned  in  the  ends  of  the 
 learth,  that  I  dim  fallen  JJiort  oj  the  glory  of  God;  that 
 my  whole  heart  is  altogether  corrupt  and  aboininabk, 
 and  confequently  my  whole  life  (feeing  it  cannot  be, 
 that  an  evil  tree  fliould  bring  forth  good  fruit  ;)  that  my 
 own  works,  my  own  fufFerings,  my  own  righteoufnefs, 
 are  fo  far  from  reconciling  me  to  an  offended  God, 
 fo  far  from  making  any  atonement  for  the  leafh  of 
 thofe  fins,  which  are  more  in  number  than  the  hairs  of 
 rdv  head,  that  the  mofl  fpecious  of  them  need  an  atone- 
 ment themfelves,  or  they  cannot  abide  his  righteous 
 judgment :  that  having  the  Jentence  of  death  in  my  heart, 
 and  having  nothing  in  or  of  myfelf,  to  plead,  I  have 
 no  hope,  but  that  of  being  juftified  freely,  through  the 
 redemption  that  is  in  Jejus ;  I  have  no  hope,  but  that 
 if  1  feek  I  fliall  find  the  Chrift,  and  be  found  in  him,  not 
 having  my  own  righteoufnefs,  but  that  which  is  through  the 
 faith  of  Chriji,   the  righteoujnefs  which  is  of  God  by  faith. 
 
 "   If  it  be  faid,    that  I  have   faith    (for  many   fuch 
 things  have  I  heard,  from  many  miferable  comforters) 
 
 I  anfwer  lo  have  the  Devils, a  fort  of  faith  ;  but 
 
 iliii  they  are  flrangers  to  the  covenant  of  promife.  So 
 the  Apoflles  had  even  at  Cana  in  Galilee,  when  Jefus 
 firfl  manifejiedfonh  his  glory  ;  e\'en  then  thej%  in  a  fort, 
 believed  on  him  ;  but  they  had  not  then  the  faith  that 
 overcometh  the  world.  The  faith  I  want  is,  A  fure  trujl 
 and  confidence  in  God,  that  through  the  merits  of  Chrijt^ 
 my  fins  are  forgiven,  and  I  reconciled  to  the  favour  of  God, 
 I  want  that  faith  which  St.  P^zt/ recommends  to  ail  the 
 world,  cfpeciallj/  in  his  Epiftle  to  the  Rojnans  :  that 
 faith  which  enables  every  one  that  hath  it  to  cry  out, 
 
 K   4  I  live 
 
136  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 /  live  not  ;  but  Chrijl  liveth  in  rae.  :  and  the  life  which  I 
 now  live,  I  live  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved 
 me,  and  gave  hini/e//Jor  me.  I  want  that  faith' which 
 none  has  without  knowing  that  he  hath  it  (though 
 many  imagine  they  have  it,  who  have  it  not.)  iorwho- 
 foever  hath  it,  is  J  reed  from  fin,  the  whole  body  ^f  Jin  is 
 dejlroyed  in  him  :  he  is  freed  from  fear,  having  peace 
 with  God  through  Clwiji,  and  7'ejoicing  in  hope  of  the  glory 
 of  God.  And  he  is  freed  from  doubt, /i^u'n?^ //z^ /ot^ 
 rf  God  Jlicd  abroad  in  his  heart,  through  the  Holy  Ghcfc 
 which  is  given  unto  him  ;  which  Spirit  it/el/ bea'reth  wit^ 
 nejs  w'lh  his  fpirit,»ihat  he  is  a  child  of  God." 
 
 On  Wednefday,  Feb.  1.  1758,  between  four  and 
 five  in  the  morning,  he  landed  at  Deal',  and  was  foon 
 informed  that  Mr.  Whitefield  had  failed  for  America 
 the  day  before,  in  order  to  afiift  him.  He  read  prayers 
 and  expounvded  a  portion  of  Scripture  at  the  Inn,  as 
 he  did  alfo  at  other  places  on  the  road  ;  and  on 
 Friday  tlie  third  arrived  in  London. 
 
 After  waiting  on  General  Oglethorpe,  and  on  the 
 Truilees  of  Georgia,  he  w^as  invited  to  preach  in 
 feverai  of  the  churches.  He  novv'  began  to  be  popu- 
 lar, appearing  in  a  new^  charaQer,  as  a  Miffionary 
 lately  returned  from  preaching  tlie  Gofpel  to  the 
 Indians  in  America.  The  churches  w^here  he  preached, 
 were  crowded.  T\i\s>  foon  produced  a  complaint, 
 that  there  v/as  no  room  '^  for  the  hejl  in  the  parifh  :' 
 and  that  objeQion,  united  to  the  offence  vrJiich  was 
 given  by  iiis  plain  heart-fearching  fermons,  produced 
 in  each  place  at  lafl;  the  following  repulfion,  "  Sir, 
 you  muff  preach  here  no  more." 
 
 About 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  137 
 
 ■  About  this  time  he  teceived  a  letter  from  a  friend 
 in  Lincolnfliire,  intreating  him  to  ferve  the  church  of 
 a  Mr.  Hume,  fometime  before  deceafed.  during  its 
 vacancy.  The  occafion  of  this  letter,  with  all  the 
 circumflances  connefted  with  it,  is  fo  very  extraor- 
 ■dinary,  that  we  doubt  not  but  we  fhali  be  pardoned 
 if  we  relate  the  whole. 
 
 When  Mr.  Samuel  Wejleys  Parfonage-houfe  was 
 burnt  at  Epzvorlh,  as  formerly  related,  many  of  the 
 neighbouring  gentry,  who  held  Mr.  Wejley  m  very 
 high  efleem,  opened  their  houles  to  him  and  his 
 family.  One  gentleman  received  Mr.  and  Mrs, 
 V/eJley,  another  one  of  the  children  :  and  thus  the 
 "w^hoie  family  was  difpofed  of.  Mr.  John  Wejley,  who 
 was  then  only  fix  years  old,  was  received  into  the 
 houfe  of  Mr.  Hume,  a  neighbouring  Clergyman, 
 There  he  continued  for  a  year,  till  his  father's  houfe 
 was  rebuilt :  and  has  confelfed  that  he  loved  that 
 family,  while  he  refided  among  them,  as  well  as  ever 
 he  did  his  own.  Mr.  Hmne  had  four  fons  and  one 
 daughter.  Three  of  the  fons  were  educated  at  Ox- 
 ford, and  entered  into  holy  Orders :  the  other  went 
 into  the  Guinea- trade,  and  fettled  on  the  Coafi  of 
 Africa. 
 
 Mr.  Wefley  reading  the  letter  above-mentioned  en- 
 quired of  one  of  his  Lincolnfiire  friends,  whether  Mr. 
 Hume  was  dead.  '*  Have  you  not  been  informed  of 
 the  calamities  of  that  family,"  replied  his  friend?  '-'I 
 have  not,"  faid  Mr.  Wefey.  "I  will  then,"  faid  he, 
 '''  relate  them  to  you." 
 
 *•  About 
 
138         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 "  About  nine  months  ago  Mr.  Hume  was  ridinjr  out: 
 and  watering  his  horfe  at  a  large  pond,  the  unruly 
 bead  plunged  out  of  his  depth  ;  by  which  Mr.  Hume 
 was  fo  wetted,  that  he  caught  a  violent  cold,  which 
 was  followed  by  a  fever  that  caufed  his  death.     Lord 
 
 mr. the    Patron  of  Mr.   Hume's  Livin^^,  was   deter- 
 
 mined  it  fhould  remain  in  the  family  as  long  as  pof- 
 fible  ;  and  therefore  gave  the  eldeil  fon  a  prefenta- 
 tion  of  it.  Mr.  Hume,  the  father,  had  juft  rebuilt 
 the  Parfonaore-houfe  before  he  died  :  the  fon  took 
 polTeflion  before  it  v/as  dry,  and  the  dampnefs  of  it 
 occafioned  his  fpeedy  death.  The  fecond  fon  was 
 then  prefented  to  the  Living ;  and  he  died  alfo  a  few 
 weeks  after  his  indu6lion.  The  third  fon  (his  brother 
 d^^ing  fuddenly)  fet  off  from  Oxford  to  receive  the 
 prefentation.  In  his  way  he  lay  at  the  houfe  of  an 
 old  acquaintance  of  his  father.  The  gentleman  of 
 the  houfe  had  a  beautiful  daughter,  with  whom  yOung 
 Mr.  Hume  immediately  fell  in  love  :  he  therefore,  be- 
 fore he  departed,  begged  permiflTion  to  return,  and 
 make  propofals  ;  to  which  the  father  confented.  Mr. 
 Hume,  after  his  induction  to  his  Living,  returned 
 according  to  his  engagement,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
 marriage  was  completed.  But  in  fix  weeks  after  the 
 nuptials  the  Lady  was  brought  to  bed;  and  Mr. 
 Hume  foon  afterwards  died  with  grief. 
 
 "  Now,  Sir,"  faid  the  Lincolnfiire  gentleman,   '^  You 
 
 may  have  a  Living  and  a  wife  :    for  Lord  has 
 
 declared  that  if  Mifs  Hume  is  married  to  a  Clergyman 
 within  fix  months  from  the  death  of  her  Brother,  the 
 Living  fbaii  be  part  of  her  fortune ;  and  Mifs  Hume 
 
 has 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  139 
 
 has  confented  with  much  apparent  fatisfadion,  that 
 you  ihould  be  invited  to  fupply  the  Church."  But 
 Mr.  WeJIey  was  too  much  imprelTed  with  the  thoughts 
 of  eternity,  to  pay  any  attention  to  this  propofal. 
 
 The  conclufion  of  this  mournful  Epifode  Ihould 
 not  be  omitted.  Mrs.  Hume,  foon  after  the  death  of 
 her  third  fon,  received  a  letter  from  the  only  re- 
 maining one,  informing  her  he  was  juft  going  to  fail 
 from  Africa  to  England  with  a  fortune  fufhcient  to 
 make  the  whole  family  comfortable  :  and  in  a 
 few  days  after,  fhe  received  a  letter  from  the  Captain 
 of  a  fwift-failing  veffel,  who  had  been  hailed  by  the 
 fliip  in  which  her  fon  failed ;  by  whom  fhe  was  in- 
 formed that  her  fon  had  died  on  his  paffage  of  a  dif- 
 oider  which  then  raged  in  the  fiiip.  Mrs.  Hume, 
 finking  under  the  v/eight  of  fuch  a  complication  of 
 misfortunes,  foon  died  of  a  broken  heart.  Mifs  Hume, 
 about  a  mionth  after  the  death  of  her  m.other,  was  in 
 company  with  a  Phyfician,  w^ho  looking  ftedfaflly  at 
 her  obferved,  "  Madam,  you  take  opium  :  I  know  it 
 by  your  eyes  ;  and  1  am  afraid  you  have  put  it  out 
 of  my  power  to  recover  you."  She  confeffed  that  the 
 misfortunes  of  the  family  had  fo  entirely  deprived 
 her  of  reft,  that  fhe  had  taken  laudanum,  to  obtain  a 
 little  repofe.  The  Phyfician  prefcribed.  In  a  fort- 
 night fhe  recovered  her  appetite,  her  colour,  and  in  a 
 good  meafure  her  health.  The  Phyfician  then  ad- 
 vifed  her  to  take  a  table-fpoonful  of  a  Julap  he  had 
 prefcribed  for  her,  whenever  fhe  found  herfelf  in- 
 clined to  be  fick.  A  few  days  after  this  fhe  defired 
 jithe  fervant  to  bring  her  a  fpoonful   of  the  Julap. 
 
 The 
 
140  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 The  fervant  mi  Raking  the  bottle  of  Laudanum  for 
 the  fulap,  brouglit  her  a  fpoonful  of  the  Laudanum, 
 which  -Ihe  drank  :  and  foon  afterwards  (he  fell  afleep, 
 and  awoke  no  more. 
 
 When  Mr.  Wcfley  received  information  of  the  death 
 of  the  lafi  of  the  family,  he  recoilecled  a  remarkable 
 obfen'ation  made  to  him  by  his  mother  many  years 
 before.  He  had  been  commending  to  her  in  very 
 ih"ong  terms  Mr.  Hume  and  his  amiable  family. 
 "  John,"  replied  Mrs.  Wejley,  ''  depend  upon  it,  that 
 family  will  com.e  to  an  untimely  end."  Mrs.  Wejley 
 was  a  v.^oman  fo  far  from  being  given  to  cenfure,  that 
 .  Mr.  Vvejlty  alked  with  fome  furprife,  "  Madam, 
 why  do  y^^w  fpcak  fo  fevereh^  of  fo  lovely  a  family  ?'' 
 *'  John,''  faid  ihe,  "  I  will  tell  you  why.  I  have  ob- 
 ferved  in  various  indances  in  the  courfe  of  my  life, 
 that  where  perfons  have  grofsly  violated  the  fifth 
 commandment,  and  afterwards  have  been  brought  to 
 the  fear  of  God,  the  Lord  has  reverfed  the  promife, 
 and  punifhed  them  for  their  tranfgreffion  with  tem- 
 poral death.  Mr.  Hume  and  his  family  lie  under 
 this  cenfure.  I  remember  the  time  when  his  mother  , 
 lived  under  his  roof.  Me  ufed  her  cruelly.  He 
 jrradged  evcrv  bit  of  meat  ilie  put  into  her  mouth, 
 iHid  the  whole  family  partook  of  his  fpirit.  And,  de- 
 pend upon  it,  God  Vvill  remember  them  for  this." 
 
 To  return.  On  Tuefday  the  7th.  ('•'  a  day,"  ob- 
 ferves  Mr.Vl^eJley,  "  m.uch  to  be  remembered")  He 
 met  Peter  Bohkr  and  two  other  perfons  belonging  to 
 the  Moravian  church,  who  v/ere  jufl  landed  from 
 Germany,   Having  been  already  acquainted  v/ith  fome 
 
 of 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         141 
 
 t3F  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  in  tliat  church,  he  re- 
 ceived them  with  the  jTieatefl  cordialitv,  and  foon  after 
 v/ent  with  Pele?'  Bohler  to  Oxford, 
 
 He  was  nov/  ^v^ell  prepared  to  hear  wdiat  could  be 
 faid  upon  the  nature  and  Jruits  cf  chrijiian  Jaiih,  But 
 though  he  was  a  fincere  inquirer  after  truth,  and  there- 
 fore faid  both  to  God  and  rnan  ''  What  I  knou^  not, 
 teach  thou  me/'  yet  in  a  point  of  iuch  irnportance, 
 lie  would, 
 
 *•   Not  to  Man,   but  God  fubmit  \' 
 
 And  therefore  he  made  continual  objeftions,  which 
 caufed  his  friend  to  reply  more  than  once,  Mi  Jraier, 
 Mi  f  rater,  excoquenda  ejl  ijia  tiia  Philofophia  :  '•'  Mv 
 Brother,  my  Brother,  that  philofophv  of  yours  mu ft 
 be  purged  away."  The  reproach  which  formerly  he 
 endured  at  Oxford,  now  again  revived  :  and  even  as 
 he  walked  through  the  fquares  of  the  Colleges,  he  was 
 mocked  and  laughed  at.  Upon  one  of  thofe  occafions, 
 the  (Iranger  perceiving  that  Mr.  Wefley  Vv^as  troubled 
 at  it  chiefly  for  his  fake,  faid  with  a  fmile,  Mi  Jrater  ; 
 noil  adho^ret  veftbus,  "  My  Brother,  it  does  not  even 
 ilick  to  our  cloaths." 
 
 He  now  went  to  fee  his  brother  Samuel  and  fome 
 other  friends,  and  afterwards  took  a  longer  journey. 
 At  this  time  he  renewed  and  wrote  down  the  following 
 refolutions,  with  refpect  to  his   own  behaviour. 
 
 1.  To  ufe  abfolute  opennefs  and  unreferve,  with 
 all  he  ihculd  converfe  wuth. 
 
 2.  To 
 
142         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 2.  To  labour  after  continual  ferioufnefs,  not  wiU 
 lingly  indulging  himfelf  in  any  the  leafl  levity  of  be- 
 haviour, or  in  laughter,  no,  not  for  a  moment. 
 
 3.  To  fpcak  no  word  which  did  not  tend  to  the 
 glory  of  God  ;  in  particular,  not  a  tittle  of  worldly 
 things.  *'  Others  may,"  faid  he,  "  nay,  mufl:.  But 
 what  is  that  to  me  ?"  And 
 
 4.  To  take  no  pleafure  which  did  not  tend  to  the 
 glory  of  God  ;  thanking  God  every  moment  for  all 
 he  took,  and  therefore  rejeQing  every  fort  and  degree 
 of  it  which  he  felt  he  could  not  fo  thank  him  iii  and 
 
 for. 
 
 His  brother  Charles  being  dangeroufly  ill,  he  return- 
 ed to  Oxford,  Here  he  again  largely  converfed  with 
 Peter  Bo/ikr,  and  '-'  by  him,"  faid  ho,  (•'  in  the  hand 
 of  the  great  God)  I  was  clearly  convinced  of  the 
 want  of  thai   faith,  whereby  alone  we  are  faved." 
 
 Immediately,  he  felt  an  inclination  to  leave  off 
 preaching.  "  How,''  thought  he,  "  can  I  preach  to 
 others,  who  have  not  faith  myfelf  V  He  afked  his 
 friend,  whether  he  fliould  leave  it  off  or  not.  '^ 'Qy 
 no  means/'  faid  he,  "  Preach  faith  'till  you  have  it  ; 
 and  then  becauje  you  have  it,  you  -wdl  preach 
 faith." 
 
 But  a  difficulty  flill  remained.  How  is  this  faith 
 given  ?  He  had  now  no  obje61;ion  to  vv^hat  liis  friend 
 faid  of  the  nature  of  chriflian  faith  ;  that  it  is  (to  ufe 
 the  words  of  the  Church  of  England)  a  fare  trufl 
 and  confidence  which  a  man  hath  in  God,  that  through  the 
 merits  of  Chrijl  his  fins  are  forgiven,  and  he  reconciled  to 
 the  favour  of  God,     ''  Neither"    faid   he,    *' could   I 
 
 deny 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  i^g 
 
 deny  eiiher  the  happinefs  or  holinefs  which  he  de- 
 scribed, as  fruits  of  this  Hviiig  faith.  Thofe  palFages 
 of  Sciipture,  The  Spirit  it  (elf  bear  clh  zvitnefs  with  our 
 Sipj'it.  that  w€  are  the  children  of  God:  And,  He  that  he* 
 iiiveth  hath  the  witnefs  in  him f elf.  fully  convinced  nie 
 of  the  former  !  as,  Whatfoever  is  bom  of  God,  doth  not 
 €ommit  fin  ;  and  V/hofoeve?'  believeih  is  horn  of  God,  did. 
 of  the  latter.  But  I  could  not  compreliend  what  he 
 fpoke  of  an  inflantaneous  work.  I  could  not  under- 
 Ifand,  how  this  faith  (hould  be  j^iven  in  a  moment  : 
 how  a  man  could  at  once  be  thus  turned  from  darknefs 
 to  light,  from  fin  and  mifery  to  righteoufnefs  and  jov 
 in  the  Holy  Ghoil.  I  fearched  the  fcrirjtures  ap^ain, 
 touching  this  very  thing,  particularly  the  ABs  of  the 
 Apofiles :  but,  to  my  utter  aflonifliment,  found  fcarce 
 any  inflances  there  of  other  than  mflantaneous  conver* 
 fions  ;  fcarce  any  other  fo  flow  as  that  of  St.  Paul -who 
 w^as  three  days  in  the  pangs  of  the  nev/  birth.  I  had 
 but  one  retreat  left  j  viz.  "  Thus,  I  grant  God  wrought 
 in  th^z  jirji  ages  of  chrifhianity  :  but  the  times  are 
 changed.  What  reafon  have  I  to  believe  he  works  in 
 t\\t  fame  manner  now  ?" 
 
 "  But,"  proceeds  he,  *'  I  was  beat  out  of  this  re- 
 treat too,  by  the  concurring  evidence  of  feveral  living 
 witneCTes :  who  teftified  God  had  thus  wrought  in  them- 
 felves ;  giving  them  in  a  moment',  fuch  a  faith  in  the 
 blood  of  his  Son,  as  tranflated  them  out  of  darknefs 
 mto  light,  out  of  fm  and  fear  into  holinefs  and  happi- 
 iiefs.  Here  ended  my  difputing.  I  could  now  only 
 ^Ay  out,  '^  Lord,  help  thou7ny  unbehe/I" 
 
 He 
 
141  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 He  proceeds,  *'  I  afked  P.  Bohler  again,  Whether  I 
 ou2:ht  not  to  refrain  from  teaching  others  ?"  He  faid, 
 *'  No  ;  do  not  hide  in  the  earth  the  talent  God  hath 
 given  you."  Accordingly  I  fpoke  clearly  and  fully  at 
 Bltndon  to  Mr.  Delamotits  famil)-,  of  the  nature  and 
 fruits  of  chriftian  faith.  Mr.  Broughton  and  my  Brother 
 were  there.  Mr.  Broughton^  great  objedion  was,  He 
 could  never  think  that  I  had  not  faith,  who  had  done  and 
 fujfercd  fuch  things.  My  Brother  was  very  angry,  and 
 told  me,  /  did  not  know  what  mifchief  I  liad  done  by 
 talking  thus*  And  indeed  it  did  pleafe  God  then  to 
 kindle  a  fire,  which  I  truil  fliali  never  be  extin- 
 guifhed.'* 
 
 He  now  declared  every  where  the  faith  as  it  is  iiv 
 jfus :  •'  a  ftrange  do6lrine,"  fays  he,  "  which  fome, 
 who  did  not. care  to  contradi61  (for  indeed  how  could 
 thev,  w^ithout  denying  both  the  Bible  and  the  Church 
 of  England)  yet  knew  not  what  to  make  of.  But  fome 
 xvho  were  throughly  bruifed  by  fm,  willingly  heard, 
 and  received  it  gladly." 
 
 His  friend  Bohler  foon  after  failed  for  America. 
 Upon  this  occalion,  he  remarks  in  the  fulnefs  of  his 
 heart,  "  O  what  a  work  hath.  God  begun  fmce  his 
 coming  into  England :  ilich  a  one  as  fliail  never  come 
 to  an  end,  till  heaven  and  earth  fliall  pafs  away  !'* 
 There  were  now  indeed  feveral  witnelfes  to  the  truth 
 which  he  had  fpoken,  whofe  teftimony  mightily 
 encouraged  others  to  come  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
 that  they  alfo  might  "be  partakers  of  like  precious 
 faith.'' 
 
 They 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         145 
 
 They  now  began  to  form  themfelves  into  a  little 
 Society,  as  he  and  his  pious  companions  had  before 
 done  in  Ojcford,  arid  afterward  in  Georgia.  They  then 
 agreed,  in  obedience  to  the  word  of  God,  given  by 
 St.  James,  (ch.  v.  i6.) 
 
 1 .  That  they  would  meet  together  once  a  y^^^  to 
 covfejs  their  faults  one  to  another,  and  pray  one  for  ano- 
 ther, that  they  might  be  healed  : 
 
 2 .  That  the  perfons  fo  meeting  fhould  be  divided 
 into  i^eveY2il. Bands,  or  little  companies,  none  of  them 
 confi fling  of  fewer  than  five,  or  more  than  ten 
 perfons. 
 
 3.  That  every  one  in  order  Ihould  fpeak  as  freely, 
 plainly  and  concilely  as  he  could,  the  real  ftate  of  his 
 heart,  v»^ith  his  feveral  temptations  and  deliverances, 
 fince  the  lall  time  of  meeting. 
 
 4.  That  all  the  Bands  fhould  have  a  conference  at 
 eight  every  Wednefday  evening,  begun  and  ended 
 ivdth  finging  and  prayer, 
 
 5.  That  any  who  defired  to  be  admitted  into  this 
 Society  fhould  be  afked,  What  are  your  reafons  for 
 defiring  this  ?  Will  you  be  entirely  open,  ufing  no 
 kind  of  referve  ?     Have   you  any  obje61ion  to  any  of 
 
 jour  orders  ?   (which may  then  be  read.) 
 
 6.  That  when  any  new  member  was  propofed, 
 I  every  one  prefent  fliould  fpeak  clearly  and  freely  what- 
 lever  objection  he  might  have  to  him. 
 
 7.  That  thofe  againft  whom  no  reafonable  objeftion 
 ;;appeared,  fliould  be,  in  order  for  their  trial,  formed 
 jinto  one,  or  more  diflin6l  BandvS,  and  fome  perfon 
 agreed  on  to  afTift  them. 
 
 L  8    That 
 
146         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 8.  That  after  two  months  trial,  if  no  obje6tion  then 
 appeared,  they  ihould  be  admitted  into  the  Society. 
 
 9.  That  every  fourth  Saturday  fhould  be  obferved 
 as  a  day  of  general  intcrceffion. 
 
 10  rhat  on  the  Sunday  feven-night  following,  there 
 fliould  be  a  general  love-feaft,  from  feven  till  ten  in 
 the  evening. 
 
 1 1 .  That  no  particular  member  fliould  be  allowed 
 to  a6]:  in  any  thing,  contrary  to  any  order  of  the  So- 
 ciety :  and  that  if  any  perfons,  after  being  thrice  ad- 
 moniflied,  fhould  not  conform  thereto,  they  fliould 
 no  longer  be  efleemed  as  members. 
 
 About  this  time  he  was  invited  to  preach  in.  fome 
 of  the  churches.  But,  as  before,  many  (particularly  of 
 the  chief  perfons  in  his  congregations)  would  not  en- 
 dure his  plain,  heart- fearching  difcourfes.  He  was 
 foon  told  at  each  of  thefe  alfo,  "  Sir,  you  muft  preach 
 here  no  more."  "  So  true,"  fays  he,  ''  did  I  find 
 the  words  of  a  friend  in  a  letter  to  my  Brother  at  this 
 time  ;"  v/hich  v^ere  as  follows  : 
 
 *'  I  have  feen  upon  this  occafion,  more  than  ever  I 
 could  have  imagined,  how  intolerable  the  doQrine  of 
 faith  is  to  the  mind  of  man;  and  how  peculiarly  in- 
 tolerable to  religious  men.  One  may  fay  the  moft 
 unchridian  things,  even  down  to  Deifm  ;  the  mofl 
 enthufiadic  things,  fo  they  proceed  but  upon  mental 
 raptures,  lights  and  unions ;  the  moft  fevere  things, 
 even  thfc  whole  rigour  of  afcetic  mortification  :  and  all 
 this  will  be  forgiven.  But  if  you  fpeak  of  faith  ia 
 fuch  a  manner  as  makes  Chrifl  a  Saviour  to  the  ut- 
 moft;  a  moft  univerfal  help  and  refuge;  in  fuch  a 
 
 manner 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  147 
 
 manner  as  takes  away  glorying,  but  adds  happinefs  to 
 wretched  man  ;  as  difcovers  a  greater  pollution  in  the 
 befl  of  us,  than  we  could  before  acknowledge,  but 
 brinors  a  greater  deliverance  from  it  than  we  could 
 before  expe6l :  if  any  one  offers  to  talk  at  this  rate,  he 
 iliali  be  heard  with  the  fame  abhorrence,  as  if  he  was 
 j>o  in  a:  to  rob  mankind  of  their  falvation,  their  Medi- 
 ator,  or  their  hopes  of  forgivenefs.  I  am  perfuaded 
 that  a  Montanijl  or  a  Novatian,  who  from  the  height  of 
 his  purity  Ihould  look  down  with  contempt  upon  poor 
 fmners,  and  exclude  them  from  all  mercy,  would  not 
 be  thought  fuch  an  overthrower  of  the  Gofpel,  as  he 
 who  fhould  learn  from  the  author  of  it,  to  be  a  friend 
 of  publicans  and  fmners,  and  to  fit  down  upon  a 
 level  with  them  as  foon  as  they  begin  to  repent. 
 
 *'  But  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at.  For  all  r^- 
 ligious  people  have  fuch  a  quantity  of  righteoufnefs^ 
 acquired  by  much  painful  exercife,  and  formed  at  laft 
 into  current  habits ;  which  is  their  wealth,  both  for 
 this  world  and  the  next.  Now  all  other  fchemes  of 
 religion  are  either  fo  complaifant,  as  to  tell  them,  they 
 are  very  rich  and  have  enough  to  triumph  in  :  or 
 elfe  only  a  little  rough,  but  friendly  in  the  main,  by 
 telling  them,  their  riches  are  not  yet  fufficient,  but  by 
 fuch  arts  of  felf- denial,  and  mental  refinement,  they 
 may  enlarge  the  flock.  But  the  do6lrine  of  faith  is 
 a  downright  robber.  It  takes  away  all  this  wealth, 
 and  only  tells  us,  it  is  depofited  for  us  with  fomebody 
 elfe,  upon  whofe  bounty  we  mufl  live  like  mere  beg- 
 gars. Indeed  they  that  are  truly  beggars,  vile  and 
 filthy  fmners  'till  very  lately,    may  floop    to  live    in 
 
 L  2  this 
 
KiS        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 'this  dependent  condition  :  it  fuits  them  well  enough. 
 But  they  who  have  long  diflinguifhed  themfelves  from 
 the  herd  of  vicious  wretches,  or  have  even  gone  be- 
 yond moral  men  ;  for  them  to  be  told,  that  they  are 
 either  not  fo  well,  or  but  the  fame  needy,  impotent, 
 'infignificant  veffels  of  mercy  with  the  others  :  this  is 
 more  ftiockins^  to  reafon  than  tranfubllantiation.  For 
 reafon  had  rather  refign  its  pretenfions  to  judge  what 
 is  bread  or  flefh,  than  have  this  honour  wrefled  from 
 it,  to  be  thQ  afchite6l  of  virtue  and  rightcoufnefs.  But 
 where  am  I  running  ?  My  defign  was  only  to  give  you 
 warning,  that  wherever  you  go,  this  fooliJJineJs  cf 
 ''preaching  will  alienate  hearts  from  }'(>u,  and  open 
 mouths  againfl  you." 
 
 He  was  now  hroMght  to  the  birth.  His  foul  truly 
 waited  upon  God,  knowing  that  Jrom  him  cometh  our 
 Talvation.  But  fo  much  the  more  did  he  abhor  hivi- 
 pif,  and  repent  as  in  dtijl  and  ajlies.  As  he  now  expeded 
 that  Chrifl  given  for  him,  would  be  manifefted  in 
 jiim,  healfofelt  that  compundion,  that  deep  felf- 
 abafcment,  which  mud  ever  precede  true  living  faith 
 in  the  Son  of  God.  His  ilateof  mind  at  this  time  he 
 thus  pathetically  expreffes  in  the  following  letter  to 
 a  friend: 
 
 *«  O  why  is  it,  that  fo  great,  fo  wife,  fo  holy  a 
 God,  will  ufe  fuch  an  inftrument  as  me  !  Lord,  let 
 the  dead  bury  their  dead !  But  wilt  thou  fend  the  dead 
 to  raife  the  dead  ?  Yea,  thou  fendeft  whom  thou  wilt 
 fend,    and  llicwcfl   mercy  by  whom  thou   zviU   fhew 
 
 mercy  ! 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         149 
 
 mercy  !  Amen  !  Be  it  then  according  to  thy  will  !  If 
 thou  fpeak  the  word,  Judas  fhall  caft  out  devils.—- 
 
 "  I  feel  what  you  fay   (though  not  enough)   for  I 
 am  under  the  fame   condemnation.     I    fee   that    the 
 whole  law   of  God  is  holy,  jull  and  good.     I    kno'»v 
 et.-ery  thought,  every  temper  of  my  foul  ought  to  bear 
 God's  image  and  fuperfcription.     But  how  am  I  fal- 
 len from  the  glory  of  God  !   I  feel,  that  I  am  fold  under 
 fin.     I  know;  that  I  too   deferve  nothing  but  wrath, 
 being  full   of   all  abominations,  and  having  no  good 
 thin  or  in  mc,  to  atone  for  them,  or  to  remoVe  the  wrath 
 of  God.      All  my  works,  my  righteoufnefs,  my  prayers 
 need  an  atonement  for  themfeives.   So  that  my  mouth 
 is   flopped.      I  have  nothing  to  plead.      God  is  holy, 
 I  am  unholy.      God  is  a  confuming  fire.      I  am  alto- 
 gether a  fmner,  meet  to  be  confumed. 
 
 "  Yet  I  hear  a  voice,  (and  is  it  not  the  voice  of 
 God  ?)  faying  Believe,  and  thoiijlialt  be  faved.  He  that 
 hdicveih,  is  prj/ed  frofn  death  unto  life.  God  fo  loved  the 
 world,  that  he  gave  his  only -begot  ten  Son  thai  who/oever 
 hdieveth  on  himi  Jlioidd  not  perijh,  hut  have  everlajltjig  - 
 if}. 
 
 "  O  let  no  one  deceive  us  bv  vain  words,  as  if  we 
 had  already  attained  this  faith  !  By  its  fruits  we  fhall 
 know.  Do  we  already  feel  peace  with  God,  and  joy  in 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  ?  Does  his  Spirit  bear  witnefs  with  our 
 fpirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of  God  ?  Alas !  with  mine 
 he  does  not.  Nor,  I  fear  with  your's.  O  thou  Sa- 
 viour of  iTien,  fave  us  from  truiling  in  any  thing  but 
 Thee  I  Draw  us  after  Thee !  Let  us  be  empcied  of 
 ourfeives,  and  then   fill  us  with  all  peace  and  joy 
 
 L  3  in 
 
150  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 in  believing,    and   let  nothing  feparate  us  from   thy  | 
 love,  in  time  or  in  eternity  !" 
 
 The  account  which  immediately  follows,  is  of  fuch 
 deep  importance,  that  we  are  conilrained  to  give  it 
 entire  in  his  own  words.  Nor  need  we  apologize  for 
 the  len.crth  of  it,  when  it  is  confidered  that  the  converfion 
 of  Mr.  Wejltyx^  a  point  of  the  utm.oft  magnitude,  not 
 only  to  himfelf,  but  to  others.  For  it  was  not  till 
 after  this,  that  God  was  pleafed  to  own  him  in  fuch  a 
 remarkable  manner  in  the  falvation  of  fouls,  as  was 
 evidenced  in  his  future  labours. 
 
 '•  What  occurred  on  Wednefday,  May  24.  I  think 
 bell  to  relate  at  large,  after  premifing  what  may  make 
 it  the  better  underflood.  Let  him  that  cannot  receive 
 it,  aik  of  the  Father  of  lights,  that  he  would  give  more 
 bsrht  to  him  and  me. 
 
 o 
 
 •'  I  believe,  till  I  was  about  ten  vears  old,  I  had 
 not  finned  away  that  waJJiing  of  the  Holy  Ghojt  which 
 was  given  me  in  baptifm,  having  been  ftriftly  educa- 
 ted and  carefully  taught,  that  I  could  only  be  faved 
 hy  univerjal  obedience,  by  keeping  all  the  commandments  of 
 God ;  in  the  meaning  of  which  I  was  diligently  in- 
 flrucled.  And  thofe  inflruftions  fo  far  as  they  re- 
 fpeded  outward  duties  and  fins,  I  gladly  received 
 and  often  thought  of.  But  all  that  was  faid  to  me  of 
 inward  obedience,  or  hoHnefs,  I  neither  underflood 
 nor  remembered.  So  that  I  was  indeed  as  ignorant 
 of  the  true  meaning  of  the  law,  as  I  as  of  the  Gofpel 
 of  Chrijl. 
 
 ''  The 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  151 
 
 ^^  The  next  fix  or  feven  years  were  fpent  at  fchool  : 
 where  outward  reftraints  being  removed,  I  was  much 
 more  negligent  than  before  even  of  outward  duties, 
 and  almoil  continually  guilty  of  outward  fms,  which 
 I  knew  to  be  fuch,  though  they  w*ere  not  fcandalous 
 in  the  eye  of  the  world.  However  I  Rill  read  the 
 Scriptures,  and  faid  my  prayers,  morning  and  evening. 
 And  what  I  now  hoped  to  be  faved  by,  was,  1 .  Abt 
 being  fo  bad  as  other  people,  2.  Having  Jlill  a  kindnejs 
 for  religion.  And  3.  Reading  the  Bible,  going  to  Church, 
 and  Joying  my  prayers, 
 
 *'  Being  removed  to  the  Univerfity,  for  five  years 
 I  Hill  faid  my  prayers  both  in  public  and  in  private, 
 and  read  with  the  Scriptures  feveral  other  books  of 
 religion,  efpecially  comments  on  the  New  Teftament, 
 Yet  I  had  not  all  this  while  fo  much  as  a  notion  of  in- 
 ward holinefs  ;  nay,  went  on  habitually  and  (for  the 
 moil  part)  very  contentedly,  in  fome  or  other  known 
 fin :  indeed  with  fome  intermiflions  and  fhort  ilrug- 
 gles,  efpecially  before  and  after  the  holy  communion, 
 which  I  was  obliged  to  receive  thrice  a  year.  I  can- 
 not well  tell,  what  I  hoped  to  be  faved  by  now,  when 
 I  was  continually  finning  againil  that  little  light  I 
 had  :  unlefs  by  thofe  tranfient  fits  of  what  many  di- 
 vines taught  me  to  call  repentance, 
 
 "  When  I  was  about  twenty  two,  my  father  preffed 
 me  to  enter  into  holy  orders.  At  the  fame  time  the 
 providence  of  God  directing  me  to  Kempiss  Ckriftian 
 Pattern,  I  began  to  fee,  that  true  religion  was  feated 
 in  the  heart,  and  that  God's  \a\\'  extended  to  all  our 
 thoughts  as  well  as  words  and  aciions,     I  was  how- 
 
 L  4  ever 
 
152  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.       . 
 
 ever  very  angry  at  Kempis,  for  bjing  too  Jlritl,  though 
 I  read  him  only  in  Dean  Stanhope  s  tranflation.  Yet  I 
 had  frequently  much  fenfible  comfort  in  reading  him, 
 fuch  as  I  was  an  utter  ftranger  to  before :  and  meet- 
 ing likewife  with  a  religious  friend,  which  I  had  never 
 had  'till  nou%  I  began  to  alter  the  whole  form  of  my 
 converfation,  and  to  fet  in  earneft  upon  a  new  life.  I 
 fet  apart  an  hour  or  two  a  day  for  religious  retirement. 
 I  communicated  every  week.  I  watched  againfl;  all 
 fin,  whether  in  word  or  deed.  I  began  to  aim  at  and 
 pray  for  inward  holinefs.  So  that  now,  doing  fc  muchy 
 and  living  Jo  good  a  life,  I  doubted  not  but  I  was  a 
 good  chriflian. 
 
 "  Removing  foon  after  to  another  College,  I  exe- 
 cuted a  refolution,  which  I  was  before  convinced  was 
 of  the  utmoil  importance,  ftiaking  off  at  once  all  my 
 trifling  acquaintance.  I  began  to  fee  more  and  more 
 t\\t  value  of  time.  I  applied  m.yfelf  clofer  to  ftudy. 
 I  watched  more  carefully  againfl  aclual  fins  :  I  adviled 
 others  to  be  religious,  according  to  that  fcheme  of  re- 
 ligion, by  which  I  modelled  my  own  life.  But  meet- 
 ing now  with  Mr.  Law's  Chriftian  PerfeElion  and  Serious 
 Call  (although  I  was  much  offended  at  many  parts  of 
 both,  yet)  they  convinced  me  more  than  ever,  of  the 
 exceeding  height  and  breadth  and  depth  of  the  law  of 
 God.  The  light  flowed  in  fo  mightily  upon  my  foul, 
 that  every  thing  appeared  in  a  new  view.  I  cried  to 
 God  for  help,  and  refolved  not  to  prolong  the  time  of 
 '  obeying  him,  as  I  had  never  done  before.  And  bv 
 my  continued  endeavour  to  keep  his  whole  law,  inward 
 and  outward,    to  the  lUnioJl  of  my  powtr^    I   was   per- 
 
 fuaded, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEV.  153 
 
 fuaded,  that  I  fhould  be  accepted  of  him,  and  that  I 
 was  even  then  in  a  Hate  of  falvation. 
 
 ''  In  1730,  I  began  vifiting  the  prifons,  affiiling 
 the  uoor  and  fick  in  town,  and  doing  what  other  good 
 I  couid  by  my  prefence  or  my  little  fortune  to  the 
 bodies  and  fouls  of  all  men.  To  this  end  I  abrido-ed 
 myfelf  of  all  fuperfluities,  and  many  that  are  called 
 neceffaries  of  life.  I  foon  became  a  by-word  for  fo 
 doing,  and  I  rejoiced  that  viy  name  was  caji  out  as  evil. 
 The  next  fpririg  I  began  obferving  the  Wednefday 
 and  Friday  Faffs,  commonly  obferved  in  the  antient 
 Church  ;  taking  no  food  till  three  in  the  afternoon. 
 And  nov\^  I  knew  not  how  to  go  any  farther.  I  dili- 
 gently ftrove  againfl  all  hn.  I  omitted  no  fort  of 
 felf-denial  which  I  thought  lawful :  I  carefully  ufed, 
 both  in  public  and  in  private,  all  the  means  of  grace 
 at  all  opportunities.  I  omitted  no  occafion  of  doinc^ 
 good.  I  for  that  reafon  fulTered  evil.  And  all  this 
 I  knew  to  be  nothing,  unlefs  as  it  was  direfted  to- 
 v/ard  inward  holinefs.  Accordingly  this,  the  imac^e 
 of  God,  was  what  I  aimed  at  in  all,  by  doing  his  will, 
 not  my  oivn.  Yet  when  after  continuing  fome  rears 
 in  this  courfe,  I  apprehended  myfelf  to  be  near  death, 
 I  could  not  find  that  all  this  gave  me  any  comfort, 
 or  any  aifurance  of  acceptance  with  God.  At  this  I 
 was  then  not  a  little  furprized  ;  not  imagining  I  had 
 been  ail  this  time  building  on  the  f^md,  nor  con- 
 fidering  that  olher  foundation  can  no  man  lay,  than  that 
 which  is  laid  by  God,  even  Chriji  Jefus. 
 
 '•  Soon  after,  a  contem.plative  man  convinced  me 
 itiil  more  than  I  was  convinced  before,  that  outward 
 
 works 
 
154  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 works  are  nothing,  being  alone  :  and  in  feveral  con- 
 vcrfations  inflru6led  me,  how  to  purfue  inward  holi- 
 nefs,  or  a  union  of  the  foul  with  God.  But  even  of 
 his  inflruClions  (though  I  then  received  them  as  the 
 words  of  God)  I  cannot  but  now  obferve,  i .  That  he 
 fpoke  fo  incautioufly  againfl  trvjling  in  outward  works, 
 that  he  difcouraged  me  from  doing  them  at  all.  2.  That 
 he  recommended  (as  it  were,  to  fupply  what  was 
 wanting  in  them)  mental  prayer,  and  the  like  exercifes, 
 as  the  moft  effedlual  means  of  purifying  the  foul,  and 
 uniting  it  with  God.  Now  thefe  were  in  truth,  as 
 much  viy  own  works  as  vifiting  the  fick  or  cloathing 
 the  naked,  and  the  union  with  God  thus  purfued,  was 
 as  really  my  own  righieoufnejs,  as  any  I  had  before  pur- 
 fued, under  another  name. 
 
 "  In  this  rejined  way  of  trufling  to  my  own  works 
 and  my  own  righteoufnefs  (fo  zealoufly  inculcated  by 
 the  Myjlick  v/riters,)  I  dragged  on  heavily,  finding  no 
 comfort  or  help  therein,  till  the  time  of  my  leaving 
 England.  On  Ihip-board  however  I  was  again  aftive 
 in  outward  works  :  where  it  pleafed  God  of  his  free 
 mercy,  to  give  me  twenty-fix  of  the  Moravian  bre- 
 thren for  com.panions,  who  endeavoured  to  fliew  me 
 a  more  excellent  way.  But  I  undcrflood  it  not  at 
 iirfl.  I  v/as  too  learned  and  too  wife.  So  that  it 
 feemed  foolifhnefs  unto  me.  And  I  continued  pre^ich- 
 ing  and  following  after  and  trufting  in  that  righteouf- 
 nefs, whereby  no  flcfii  can  be  juftihed. 
 
 *'  All  the  time  I  was  at  Savannah,  I  was  thus  heating- 
 the  air.    Being  ignorant  of  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrilt, 
 which  by  a  living  faith    in  him   bringcth  falvatioii 
 
 to\ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  155 
 
 to  every  one  that  believeth,  I  fought  to  eftablifh  my  own 
 righteoufnefs,  and  fo  laboured  in  the  fire  all  my  days. 
 I  was  now,  properly  under  the  Law  ;  I  knew  that  the 
 Law  of  God  was  fpiritual ;  I  confented  to  it,  that  it  was 
 good.  Yea,  /  delighted  in  it,  after  the  inner  man.  Yet 
 was  I  carnal,  fold  under  fin.  Every  day  was  I  con- 
 ftrained  to  cry  out,  What  I  do,  I  allow  not ;  for  what  I 
 zvould,  I  do  not,  but  what  I  hate,  that  I  do.  To  will  is 
 indeed  prefent  with  me  ;  but  how  to  perform  that  which 
 is  good,  I  find  not.  For  the  good  which  I  would,  I  do 
 not ;  but  the  evil  which  I  would  not,  that  L  do.  /  find  a 
 Law,  that  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  prefent  zuith  me: 
 even  the  law  in  my  members  warring  againfi  the  law  of 
 my  mind,  and  ilill  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the  law 
 of  fin,  * 
 
 ''  In  this  ftate,  I  was  indeed  fighting  continually, 
 but  not  conquering.  Before,  I  had  willingly  ferved 
 fin  ;  now  it  was  unwillingly,  but  flili  I  ferved  it.  I 
 fell  and  rofe,  and  fell  again.  Sometimes  I  was  over- 
 come, and  in  heavinefs  :  fometimes  I  overcame,  and 
 was  in  joy.  For  as  in  the  former  llate,  I  had  fome 
 foretaftes  of  the  terrors  of  the  law,  fo  had  I  in  this, 
 of  the  comforts  of  the  Gofpel.  During  this  whole 
 flruggle  between  nature  and  grace  (which  had  now 
 continued  above  ten  years)  I  had  many  remarkable 
 returns  to  prayer,  efpecially  when  I  was  in  trouble  :  I 
 had  many  fenfible  comforts,  which  are  indeed  no  other 
 than  fhort  anticipations  of  the  life  of  faith.  But  I  was 
 ftill  under  the  law,  not  under  grace  (the  ftate  which  moll 
 who  are  called  Chriftians,   are  content  to  live  and  die 
 
 in,) 
 *  Rovi*  vii. 
 
156         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 in.)  For  I  was  only  JJriving  with,  not  freed  from  fin: 
 neither  had  I  the  wiinejs  of  the  Spirit  with  my  fpirit : 
 and  indeed  could  not;  for  I  j ought  it  not  by  faith  ^ 
 hut  (as  it  were)  by  the  -works  of  the  law. 
 
 '•  In  my  return  to  England,  January  1738,  being 
 in  imminent  danger  of  death,  and  very  uneafy  on  that 
 account,  I  was  flrongly  convinced,  that  the  caufe  of 
 that  uneafinefs  was  unbelief,  and  that  the  grdning  a 
 true,  living  faith,  w^as  the  one  thing  needful  for  me. 
 But  fliil  I  fixed  not  this  faith  on  its  right  obje6i:  :  I 
 meant  only  faith  in  God,  not  faith  in  or  through 
 Chrift.  Again,  I  knew  not  that  I  was  wholly  void  of  . 
 this  faith  ;  but  only  thought,  /  had  not  enough  of  it. 
 So  that  when  Peter  Bohler,  whom  God  prepared  for 
 ine  as  foon  as  I  came  to  London,  affirmed  of  true  faith 
 in  Chrifl:  (which  is  but  one)  that  it  had  thofe  two 
 fruits  infeparably  attending  it,  '*'  Dominion  over  fin, 
 and  conflant  peace  from  a  fenfe  of  forgivenefs,"  I  was 
 quite  amazed,  and  looked  upon  it  as  a  new  Gofpel. 
 If  this  was  fo,  it  was  clear,  I  had  not  raith.  But  I 
 was  not  v/iliinff  to  be  convinced  of  this.  Therefore  I 
 dilputcd  with  all  my  might,  and  laboured  to  prove, _ 
 that  faith  might  be  v/here  thelc  were  not ;  efpecially 
 where  the  fenfe  of  forgivenefs  was  not  :  for  all  tlie 
 Scriptures  relating  to  this,  I  had  been  long  fince 
 taught  to  conftrue  away,  and  to  call  all  Prefbyterians 
 who  fpoke  othervv'ife.  Befides,  I  well  faw,  no  one 
 could  (in  the  nature  of  things)  have  fuch  a  fenfe  of 
 forgivenefs,  and  not  feel  it.  But  I  felt  it  not.  If 
 then  there  was  no  faith  without  this,  all  my  pre- 
 tenfions  to  faith  dropped  at  once. 
 
 **  When 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  157 
 
 *'  When  I  met  Peter  Bohlcr  again,  he  confented 
 to  put  the  difpute  upon  the  ilTue  which  I  defired, 
 viz.  Scripture  and  Experience.  I  firfl  confulted  the 
 Scripture.  But  when  I  fet  ahde  the  crloiTes  of  men, 
 and  fimply  confidered  the  words  of  God,  comparino^ 
 them  tOGfether,  cndeavourinsf  to  illuftrate  the  obfcure 
 by  the  plainer  paffages,  I  found  they  all  made  againfl 
 me,  and  was  forced  to  retreat  to. my  laft  hold,  "  That 
 experience  w^ould  never  agree  with  tht  literal  inter- 
 pretation of  thofe  Scriptures.  Nor  could  I  therefore 
 allow  it  to  be  the  true,  till  I  found  fom.e  livinsr  wit- 
 nelles  of  it."  He  repHed,  "  He  could  fhew  me  fuch 
 at  any  time ;  if  I  defired  it,  the  next  day."  And 
 accordingly  the  next  day,  he  cam.e  again  with  three 
 others,  all  of  whom  tefbified  of  their  own  perfonal 
 experience,  that  a  true  living  faith  in  Chrifl  is  in- 
 feparable  from  a  fenfe  of  pardon  for  all  paft,  and 
 freedom  from  all  prefent  fms.  They  a4ded  v/ith  one 
 mouth,  that  this  faith  was  the  gift,  the  free  gift  of 
 God,  and  that  he  would  furely  bellow  it  uDon  everv 
 foul,  who  earneftly  and  perfeveringly  foug-ht  it.  I 
 was  now  thoroughly  convinced;  and,  by  the  s^race 
 of  God,  I  refolved  to  feek  it  unto  the  end,  1.  ^y 
 abfolutely  renouncing  all  dependence,  m  whole  or 
 in  part,  upon  7)iy  own  works  or  righteoufnefs,  on  which 
 I  had  really  grounded  my  hope  of  falvation.  thoucrh 
 I  knew'  it  not,  from  my  youth  up.  2.  By  adding  to 
 the  cnjlant  lift  of  all  the  other  means  of  grace,  continual 
 prayer  for  this  very  thing,  juflifying,  faving  faith,  a 
 full  reliance  on  the  blood   of  Chrifl  Ihed  for  me ;  a 
 
 truft 
 
158         THE  LIFE  OF  iMR.  WESLEY. 
 
 trufl   in   him,   as   my  Chrift,  as  my  fole  juflification, 
 i'andlifi cation  and  redemption. 
 
 *'  I  continued  thus  to  feck  it  (though  with  fl range 
 indilfercnce,  duhiefs  and  coldnefs,  and  unufually 
 frequent  relapfes  into  fm)  till  Wednefday,  May  2  j. 
 I  think  it  was  about  ^yq:  this  morning,  that  I  opened 
 my  Tcftament  on  thofc  words,    t«  //aV^a  '^pj'  y-ct\  riijux. 
 
 There  are  given  unto  us  exceeding  great  and  precious 
 promifes,  that  by  thefe  ye  might  be  partakers  of  the  divine 
 nature,  2  Pet.  i.  4.  Juft  as  I  went  out,  I  opened  it 
 again  on  thofe  words,  Thou  art  not  far  from  the  king^ 
 dom  of  God.  In  the  afternoon  I  was  aiked  to  go  to 
 St.  PauVs.  The  Antli^m  was.  Out  of  the  deep  have 
 I  called  unto  Thee,  0  Lord :  Lord,  hear  my  voice.  0  let 
 thine  ears  conjider  well  the  voice  of  my  complaint.  If 
 thoUy  Lord,  wilt  be  extreme  to  mark  what  is  done  amifs, 
 0  Lord,  who  may  abide  it  ?  But  there  is  mercy  with  thee  ; 
 therefore  thou  fialt  be  feared.  0  Ifrael,  trufl  in  the  Lord: 
 for  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with  him  is  plen- 
 ieous  redemption.  And  he  /Jmll  redeem  Ifrael  from  all 
 his    fim. 
 
 "  In  the  evening  I  went  very  unwillingly  to  a 
 Society  in  Alderfgate-Sireet,  where  one  was  reading 
 Luther's  Preface  to  the  Epiftle  to  the  Romans.  About 
 a  quarter  before  nine,  while  he  was  defcribing  the 
 change  which  God  works  in  the  heart  through  faith 
 in  Chrift,  I  felt  my  heart  ftrangely  warmed.  I  felt  / 
 did  trufl  in  Chrijl,  Chrif  alone  for  falvation  :  and 
 an  afjurancc   was  given    me,    That  he  had  taken  away 
 
 viy 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  159 
 
 Wiy  Jins,  even  mine,  andfaved  raefrom  the  law  of  Jm  and 
 death.V 
 
 His  foul  now  magnijied  the  Lord,  and  his  fpirit  rejoiced 
 in  God  his  Saviour,  Becaufe  he  was  a  Jon,  God  fent 
 forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  his  heart,  crying,  Abba 
 Father  :  the  Spirit  itfdf  bearing  zvittvefs  with  his  fpirit 
 that  he  was  a  child  of  God.  The  love  of  God  was  fied 
 abroad  in  his  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghojl  given  unto  him. 
 And  he  rejoiced  in  God,  by  whom  he  had  now  received  the 
 atone^nent. 
 
 Now  that  he  was  a  child  of  God,  he  brought  forth 
 the  fruit  of  the  Spirit :  as  foon  as  he  was  thus  enabled 
 to  love  God,  he  loved  every  child  of  man.  "  Imme- 
 diately/' fays  he,  "  I  began  to  pray  with  all  my 
 might  for  thofe  v/ho  had  in  a  more  efpecial  manner 
 defpitefully  ufed  me  and  perfecuted  me  \"  And  in 
 this  thankful,  loving,  happy  frame  of  mind  he  con- 
 tinued, believing  in  God,  and  zealous  of  good 
 works. 
 
 His  heart  was  now  enlarged  to  declare,  as  he  never 
 had  before,  the  loving-kindnefs  of  the  Lord.  It  was 
 his  meat  and  drink  to  do  his  holy  and  acceptable  wilL  The 
 word  of  God  dwelt  I'ichlyin  him,  and  was  in  his  mouth 
 as  a  fiarp  two-edged  [word  to  the  wicked,  but  to  thofe 
 who  felt  the  anguiih  of  a  wounded  fpirit,    who  had 
 
 turned 
 
 +  Mr.  Wejle.y  acknowledged,  many  years  after  this,  that 
 fome  of  his  expreffions  in  the  above  account  concerning  his 
 ftate  under  the  law,  were  too  ftrong  :  that  he  was  then  in  a 
 ftate  of  falvation  as  a  fcrvant,  but  not  as  a  child,  of  God  :  and 
 that  he  had  a  meafure  of  faith,  but  not  the  proper  chrijiian 
 faith. 
 
i6o  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 turned  at  God's  ref^roof,  he  was  a?i  able  Minijler  of  the 
 New  Tejiament,  holding  forth  the  word  of  lije,  that  they 
 alfo  might  rejoice  in  God  their  Saviour. 
 
 But  he  alio  experienced  what  it  was  to  be  weak  in 
 this  faith,  as  well  as  afterwards  to  be  ftrong  in  the 
 Lord  and  in  the.  power  of  his  might.  He  was  often 
 in  heavinefs  through  manifold  temptations.  Some- 
 times fear  came  fuddenly  upon  him ;  fear  that  he 
 had  deceived  himfelf,  and.  (lopped  fhort  of  that  grace 
 of  God  which  he  had  fought  for.  At  other  times 
 liftters  which  he  received  from  injudicious  perfons 
 concerning  tlie  new  birth,  and  the  fruits  of  chriftian 
 faith,  exceedingly  troubled  him.  Few  helped,  and 
 many  Clrove  (mod  of  them  ignorantly)  to  hinder  him  : 
 to  caufe  him  to  call  away  that  confidence  which  hath  great 
 reco7npence  of  reward. 
 
 But  the  Lord,  who  had  brought  him  up  out  of  tlie 
 horrible  pit  of  guilt  and  unbelief,  fulFered  not  his  ten- 
 der new-born  fpirit  to  faint  before  him*  He  often 
 lifted  up  his  head  witli  joy,  and  girded  him  with 
 Hrength. 
 
 Under  thefe  various  exercifes  of  mind,  he  deter- 
 mined to  retire  for  a  fliort  time  to  Germany.  *'  I 
 had  fully  purpofed,"  ftiys  he,  "  before  I  left  Georgia 
 ^o  to  do,  if  it  fhould  pleafe  God  to  bring  me  back 
 lo  Europe.  And  I  now  clearly  faw  the  time  was 
 come.  My  weak  mind  could  not  bear  to  be  thus 
 fawn  afunder.  And  I  hoped  the  converfing  with 
 thofe  holy  men,  who  were  themfelves  living  witnefTes 
 of  the  full  power  of  faith,  and  yet  able  to  bear  with 
 thofe  that  arc  weak,    would  be  a  means,  under  God, 
 
 of 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  i6l 
 
 t)f  fo  ellablifhingmy  foul,  that  I  might  ^o  on  from  faith 
 to  faith,  and  from  frength  to  frcngth." 
 
 Accordingly,  having  taken  leave  of  his  mother, 
 he  embarked  at  Gravefend,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Ing~ 
 'am,  and  onThurfday  morning,  June  15th.  landed  at 
 Rotterdam.  , 
 
 On  his  journey  through  Holland  smd  Gerynany  hz 
 converfed  with,  and  was  hofpitably  entertained  by 
 many,  who  were  happy  partakers  of  the  faith  of  the 
 Gofpel  :  efpecially  dit  Marienbourn,  where  he  firfl  con- 
 Verfed  with  Count  Zinzaidorf  Count  de  Solmes,  and 
 other  ,eminent  perfons  ;  and  with  a  large  com- 
 pany of  witneiTcs  of  the  po^s^er  of  true  religion. 
 From  this  place  he  wrote  a  letter  to  his  Brother  Samuely 
 of  which  the  following  is  an  extracl : 
 
 ^'  GOD  has  given  me  at  length  the  defire  of  my 
 heart.  I  am  with  a  church  whofe  converfation  is  in 
 heaven,  in  whom  is  the  mind  that  was  in  Chrifl,  and 
 who  fo  walk  as  he  walked.  As  they  have  all  one 
 Lord  and  one  faith,  fo  they  are  all  partakers  of  on© 
 fpirit,  the  fpirit  of  meeknefs  and  love,  v/hich  uni- 
 formly and  continually  animates  all  their  converfation. 
 O  how  high  and  holy  a  thing  chriftianity    is  !  And 
 
 how  widely  aidant  from   that — I  know  not  what . 
 
 which  is  fo  called,  though  it  neither  purifies  the  heart, 
 nor  renews  the  life,  after  the  image  of  our  bieffed 
 Redeemer,'* 
 
 In  their  way  to  Hernhuth,  he  and  his  company  were 
 iioppod  at  the    city  of  Weymar   a  confiderable    time, 
 
 M  and 
 
i62         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 and  at  lad  brought  before  the  late  King  of  Prajfur, 
 then  Prince  Royal,  (as  Mr.  Wejley  was  afterwards  in- 
 formed.) The  Prince  among  other  inquiries  aflced 
 him,  "  What  are  you  going  fo  far  as  Hernhuth  for?" 
 Mr.  WeJlcy  anfvvered,  ''  To  fee  the  place  wliere  the 
 chriftians  live."  The  Prince  then  looked  hard  at 
 them,  and;  let  them  go. 
 
 On  Tuelday  the  hrft  of  Augufl,  they  arrived  at 
 HernhiUh,  a  fettlement  of  the  Moravians,  in  upper 
 Liifatia.  The  inhabitants  of  this  place  were,  at  leail 
 in  the  general,  truly  pious  perfons,  who  came  there 
 from  many  parts  of  Europe,  to  efcape  the  pollutions 
 of  the  world,  and  live  whollv  to  God.  No  immorality 
 was  allowed  among  them  :  and  every  thing  that 
 tended  to  p^enuine  reli.f^^ion  was  introduced,  and  car- 
 nellly  enforced.  \n  this  place,  Mr.  V/tjley  converfed 
 with  feveral  perfons,  that  were  deeply  experienced  in 
 the  ways  of  God.  He  alfo  heard  fome  of  them  preach, 
 and  was  thereby  abundantly  ftrengthened  in  the 
 grace  of  God.  He  fpeaks  particularly  of  the  benefit- 
 he  recei\6ed  by  the  converfation  of  Michael  Linner  tlie 
 chief  Elder  of  the  church,  and  Chrijlian  David,  who 
 was,  under  God,  the  firfl  planter  of  it.  ,  Of  the  hitter 
 he  thus  fpeaks, 
 
 '•  Four  times  I  enjoyed  the  blefling  of  hearing  him 
 preach,  during  the  few  days  I  fpent  here  ;  and  every 
 time  he  chofe  the  very  fubje6i:  which  I  fhould  have 
 dchred,  had  I  fpoken  to  him  before.  Thrice  he 
 defcribed  the  flate  of  thofe  who  are  weak  vi  faith,  who 
 are  juflified,  but  have  not  yet  a  new,  clean  heart; 
 who  have  received   forgivenefc  through  the  blood  of 
 
 Chrijl 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         163 
 
 Chrijl,  but  have  not  received  the  indwelling  of  the 
 Holy  Ghoft.  This  flate  he  explained  once,  from 
 BlrJ/cd  are  the  poor  in  fpirit :  for  their  s  is  the  ki7i^dom 
 cf  heaven  :  when  he  fhewed  at  large  from  various  fcrip- 
 tures,  that  many  are  children  of  God  and  heirs  of  the 
 promifes,  long  before  their  hearts  are  foftened  by  holy 
 Qiiourning,  before  they  are  comforted  by  the  abiding 
 witnefs  of  the  fpirit,  melting  their  fouls  into  all  gen- 
 tlenefs  and  meeknejs ;  and  much  more,  before  they 
 are  renewed  in  all  that  righteoujnefs,  which  they  hun^ 
 gered  and  thirjled  after,  before  they  are  pure  in  heart 
 from  all  felf  and  fin,  and  merciful  as  their  Father 
 which  is  in  heaven  is  merciful. 
 
 "  A  fecond  time  he  pointed  out  this  Hate  from  thofe 
 words,  Who  fJiall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  !  I 
 thank  God,  throughjcfus  Chrifl:  our  Lord,  There  is  there" 
 
 fore  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Chrifl  Jefus. 
 Hence  alfohe  at  large  both  proved  the  exiftence,  and 
 fiiev.'-ed  the  nature  of  that  intermediate  date,  which 
 moft  experience  between  that  bondage  which  is  defcri- 
 bed  in  the  7th  chapter  of  the  Epiftle  to  the  Romans, 
 and  the  full  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God, 
 defcribed  in  the  eighth  chapter  and  in  many  other 
 parts  of  Scripture. 
 
 '•'  This  he  yet  again  explained  from  the  Scriptures 
 which  defcribe  the  flate  the  Apoftles  were  in,  from  our 
 Lord's  death  (and  indeed  for  fome  time  before)  till 
 the  defcent  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  at  the  day  of  PentecoR. 
 
 IThey  were  then  clean,  as  Chiijl  himfelf  had  borne  them 
 itnefs,  by  the  word  which  he  hadfpoken  unto  them.  They 
 ;hen   had  faith^  otherwife  he  could  not  have  prayed 
 
 M  2  for 
 
i&4  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 for  tlicm,  that  their  Jail/i  might  7iOit  fail.  Yet  thej* 
 were  not  properly  converted, ;  they  were  not  delivered 
 froTii  the  fpirit  of  fear;  they  had  not  new  hearts  ;  nei- 
 ther had  they  received  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghojl. 
 
 "'  The  fourth  fermon  which  he  preached,  concerning 
 the  ground  of  our  faith,  made  fuch  an  imprelfion  upon 
 me,  that  when  I  went  home,  I  could  not  but  write 
 down  the  fubitance  of  it,  which  was  as  follows  : 
 
 "  The  word  of  reconciliation  which  the  Apoflles 
 pi'cached,  as  the  foundation  of  all  they  taught,  was 
 that  wc  are  reconciled  to  God,  nothy  our  own  works,  nor 
 by  our  oivn  righteoufnefs^  but  wholly  andjolely  by  the  blood 
 vj  Chriit. 
 
 ''  Eut  you  will  far,  mud  I  not  gricix  and  mourn 
 for  my  fins  ?  Mufl  I  not  humble  myfelf  before  God  ? 
 Is  not  this  jufl  and  "right  ?  And  mull  I  not  firft  do 
 this  before  I  can  expe6l  God  to  be  reconciled  to  me  ? 
 I  anfwer,  it  is  jufl  and  right.  You  mud  be  hum- 
 bled before  God.  You  mult  have  a  broken  and  con- 
 trite heart.  Eut  then  obferVe,  this  is  not  your  own 
 'ivoi-k.  Do  you  grieve  that  you  are  a  fmner  ?  This  is 
 the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghod.  Are  you  contrite  ?  Are 
 you  humbled  before  God  ?  Do  }ou  indeed  mourn, 
 and  is  your  heart  broken  Vvdthin  you  ?  All  this  work- 
 .  cth  the  felf-fame  Spirit. 
 
 "  Obferve  aorain,  this  is  not  the  foundaiion.  It  is 
 not  this  by  which  }'0u  are  juftilied.  This  is  not  tlie 
 rightcoufnefs,  this  is  no  part  of  the  rightcoufnefs  by 
 which  you  are  reconciled  unto  God.  You  grieve  for 
 your  lins.  You  are  deeply  humble.  Your  heart  is, 
 broken.     Well.  But  all  this  is  nothing  to  your  jufti- 
 
 ficatioii. 
 
TriE  LIFE  OF  MR.  \VESLEY.  165 
 
 licatlon.  The  remiCion  of  your  fins  is  not  owin^  to 
 this  caufe,  either  in  whole  or  in  part.  Nay,  obferve 
 farther,  that  it  nwy  hinder  jufdiication,  that  is,  if  you 
 build  any  thing  upon  it ;  if  you  think,  I  mufl  be  fj 
 or  fo  cantrite  :  I  mult  grieve  more,  before  I  can  be 
 juilified.  Undorfiand  this  well.  To  think  you  mull 
 be  rtiorc  oontriie,  more  humble,  7nore  grieved,  mor-e 
 fenfible  of  the  weight  of  fm,  before  you  can  be  jufli- 
 hed;  is,  to  lay  your  contrition,  your  grief,  your 
 humiliation  for  the  foundation  of  your  being  jufli- 
 iied  ;  at  leaft  for  a  part  of  the  foundation.  Therefore 
 it  hinders  your  juilihcation  ;  and  a  hindrance  it  is 
 which  muu  ber removed,  before  you  can  lay  the  right 
 foundation.  The  rio'ht  foundation  h,  not  your  con- 
 trition  (though  that  is  not  your  own)  not  your  righte^ 
 •oufnefs,  nothing  o^ your  own  :  nothing  that  is  wrought 
 in  you  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  but  it  is  fomelhing  loith- 
 Qiit  you,  viz.  ^he  righteoufnefs  and  the  blood  of 
 Chrifi. 
 
 '•  For  this  is  tiie  word,  To  him  that  helievdh  on  God 
 that  jiijlijieth  the  iingoJ/y,  his  faith  is  counted  for  righte- 
 cu/nefs.  See  ye  not,  that  nothing  in  us  is  the  founda- 
 tion ?  There  js  no  connexion  between  God  and  the 
 ungodly.  There  is  no  tie  to  unite  them.  They  arS 
 altogether  feparate  from  each  other.  They  have 
 nothinf'-  in  common.  There  is  nothing^  iefs  or  more 
 in  the  ungodly,  to  join  them  to  God.  Works> 
 righteoufnefs,  contrition  ?■  No.  Ungodlinefs  only. 
 This  then  do,  if  you  will  lay  a  right  foundation.  Go 
 ftraight  to  Chrifi  with  all  your  ungodiineis.  Teii  hln, 
 ^'  Thou  whole   eyes   are  as   a  iiame  of  fire  fearching 
 
 M  3  my 
 
 ^"^ 
 
i66         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 my  heart,  feed  that  I  am  ungodly.  I  plead  nothing 
 elfe.  I  do  not  fay,  I  am  humble  or  contrite  ;  but  I 
 am  ungodly.  Therefore  bring  me  to  him  that  jufti- 
 fieth  the  ungodly.  Let  thy  blood  be  the  propitiation 
 for  me.   For  there  is  nothing  in  me  butungodlinefs." 
 
 *'  Here  is  a  myllcry.  Here  the  wife  men  of  the 
 •world  are  loft,  are  taken  in  their  own  craftinefs.  This 
 the  learned  of  the  world  cannot  comprehend.  It  is 
 fooliihnefs  unto  them  :  fin  is  the  only  thing  which 
 divides  men  from  God.  Sin  (let  him  that  heareth 
 underftand)  is  the  only  thing  which  unites  them  to 
 God,  i.  e.  the  only  thing  which  moves  the  Lamb  of 
 God  to  have  compalhon  upon,  and  by  his  blood,  to 
 give. them  accefs  to  the  Father. 
 
 "  This  is  the  word  oj  7'econciliation  which,  we  preach. 
 This  is  the  foundation  which  never  can  be  moved. 
 By  faith  we  are  built  upon  this  foundation  :  and  this 
 faith  alfo  is  the  2:ift  of  God.  It  is  his  free  gift,  which 
 he  now  and  ever  giveth  to  every  one  that  is  willing 
 to  receive  it.  And  when  they  have  received  this  gift 
 of  God,  then  their  hearts  will  melt  for  forrow  that  they 
 have  offended  him.  But  this  gift  of  God  lives  in  the 
 heart,  not  in  the  head.  The  faith  of  the  head,  learned 
 from  men  or  books,  is  nothing  worth.  It  brings  nei- 
 ther remiflion  of  fins,  nor  peace  with  God.  Labour 
 then  to  believe  with  your  whole  heart.  So  fhall  you 
 h.  we  redemption  through  the  blood  of  Chrijl,  So 
 fnaJl  you  be  cleanfedfrom  ail  fin.  So  fliall  ye  go  on 
 fron-i  ftrength  to  ftrength,  being  renewed  day  by  day 
 in  ri  ^hteoufnefs  and  all  true  holinefs.'* 
 
 He 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         iB'j 
 
 He  was  alfo  much  flrengthened  by  the  religious  ex- 
 perience  of  feveral  holy  men,  with  whom  he  converfed 
 during  his  ftay  in  this  truly  chriftian  place.      One  of 
 thefe,  Arvid  Gradin  gave  him  at  his  requeft  a  defini- 
 tion in  writing  of  the  7rA'.;^o!pcpia  7J-KEW?,  the  full  ojfurance  of 
 faith,  in  the  following  words,    "  Requies  in  fanguine 
 Chrifli ;  firma  fiducia  in  Deum,  et  perfuafio  de  gratia 
 divina ;  tranquilitas  mentis  fumma,    atque  ferenitas  et 
 pax  ;     cum     abfentia   omnis     defiderii     carnalis,     et 
 ceiratione  peccatorum  etiam  internomm."    He  added, 
 (teftifyingat  the  fame  time  it  was  his  own  experience,) 
 '•  Verbo,    cor  quod    antea   inftar    maris    turbulent! 
 agitabatur,  in  fumma  fuit  rcquie,  inflar  maris  fereni  et 
 tranquilli.'*     Repofe  in  the  blood  of  Chrijl :  a  firm  con^ 
 fidencc  in  God,  and  perfafion  of  his  favour  :  ferene  peace 
 and  fiedfafi  tranquillity  of  mind,  with  a  deliverance  from 
 flefily  [unholy]  defire,  and  f'om  every  outward  and  inward 
 fin.  In  a  word,  the  heart  which  before  was  tof  like  a  troubled 
 fea,  was  fill  and  quiet,  and  in  a  jived  calm. 
 
 This  was  the  fiiil  pxcount  Mr.  Wefty  had  heard 
 Irom  any  li'^'ing  man  as  his  oion  experience,  of  what  he 
 had  before  learned  from  the  oracles  of  God.  And  as 
 hy  the  former  teftimonies,  he  was  encouraged  to 
 hold  fail  tlie  beginning  of  his  confidence,  fo  by  this 
 he  was  flimulated  to  prefs  forwards  after  all  the  pri- 
 vileges of  his  high  calling,  that  his  joy  might  be  fuH. 
 
 "  Gladly,"  fays  he,  '•'  would  I  have  fpent  my  life 
 here,  but  my  Mafter  calling  me  to  labour  in  another 
 part  of  his  vineyard,  on  Monday  Augufl  14,  I  v/as 
 couftrained  to  take  my  leave  of  this  happy  place." 
 On  his  departure  be  makes  this  reflection,  "  O  when 
 
 M  4  iliail 
 
i6S 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fhall  this  chriflianity  cover  the  earfh,  as  iJie  vjateri 
 cover  the  fca  !"  Afler  vifjting  Projeffor  Franck  at  Halle ^ 
 (Ton  of  the  great  Proffjfor  Franck)  and:  viewing  the 
 fchools  at  Jena  founded  by  Biiddceus,  he  arrived  at  Rol- 
 ferdam,  v/here  he  took  fhip,  and  failed  for  England. 
 He  was  now  flrengthened  to  do  and  fuffer,  whatever 
 the  wife  and  holy  God,  whom  ho,  Jervcd'xvith  his  [pvit 
 in  the  Gofpel  of  his  Son,  (hould  permit  to  come  upon 
 him  in  the  prolecution  of  his  great  dehgn,  of  fpending 
 his  life  in  teflifying  the  Gofpel  of  the  grace  of 
 God. 
 
 The 
 
[     1^9    ] 
 
 The    LIFE    of   the 
 Reverend  JOHN  W  E  S  L  E  Y. 
 
 BOOK    the    SECOND. 
 
 Containing  an  Account  of  his  Labours  in  England, 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 "E  have  now  followed  the  great  man  who  is  the 
 fubjed  of  our  Hillory  through  his  youth  and 
 part  of  his  manhood  :  and  are  come  to  that  impor- 
 tant period,  from  which  he  became,  firfl  the  contempt 
 and  afterwards  the  wonder  of  thefe  kingdoms  and 
 America, 
 
 We  may  eahly  perceive  the  fam^e  benevolent  fpirit, 
 the  Hmie  burning  zeal  for  doing  good,  and  the  fame 
 fixed  unalterable  determination  of  mind,  in  their  in- 
 fant feeds,  during  his  refidence  at  Oxford,  vvdiich  after- 
 wards bore  him  up  under  every  difficulty,  temptation, 
 oppofition,and  perfecution  which  hem^twith,throucrh 
 the  whole  courfe  of  his  Life. 
 
 His  great  abflem.ioufnefs  of  living  in  Georgia,  the 
 fudden  changes  of  heat  and  cold,  his  fatip-ues  and 
 dangers    in    travelling    through   the    vail  woods  of 
 
 America, 
 
i-jo         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 America,  all  ferved  to  prepare  him  for  the  unremitted 
 labours  and  clofe  trials  which  he  afterwards  endured 
 with  the  greateft  fortitude,  yea,  with  alacrity  and 
 cheerfulnefs. 
 
 The  Providence  of  God,  throu^rh  the  whole  of  his 
 life  to  this  remarkable  asra  of  his  Hillory,  feemed  to 
 be  pointing  out  his  way  to  the  great  work  which  we 
 now  come  with  pleafure  to  relate.  Even  to  thofe 
 who  are  moft  acquainted  with  his  Journals,  and  the 
 various  accounts  of  his  labours  that  have  been  already 
 publifhed,  it  mufl  flill  be  a  delight,  under  a  new  dif- 
 pofition  of  them,  to  read  of  his  great  fuccefs  in  the 
 falvation  of  mankind,  and  of  his  various  exertions 
 for  the  accomplifhment  of  this  end.  "Their  minds" 
 can  hardly  too  often  "  be  ftirred  up  to  remembrance'* 
 on  fo  ufeful  a  theme.  A  thoufiind  profitable  ideas 
 will  aflbciate  themfclves  with  the  accounts  ^v'hich  they 
 read.  And  v.hile  they  are  treading  his  fleps  in  his . 
 various  rounds  of  dutv,  they  will  themfelves  catch  the 
 facred  flame,  and  in  their  refpc6live  fpheres  of  a6iion 
 will  with  the  aid  of  divide  ornice  follow  him  as  he  fol- 
 lowed  Chrifl.  but  hand  pajjibus  a-qitis.  *  And  to  thofe 
 who  arc  unacquainted  with  his  hiRory,  we  are  certain 
 the  following  fheets,  though  written  with  all  the  can- 
 dour and  fmcerity  in  (ur  power,  without  the  in- 
 tentional exaggeration  of  any  circumflance,  muft  be 
 furprifmg  in  a  high  degree.  And  we  flatter  ourfelvcs 
 with  the  hope,  that  this  Lliflory  will  ferve  to  remove 
 the  prejudices  of  many  pious  minds,  that  have  re- 
 ceived all  their  information  from  the  reports  of  per- 
 forms, 
 *  Not  zvith  et^ual  ffpsp 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  171 
 
 fons,  who  have  been  infiuenced  by  bigotry  or  by  a 
 fpirit  of  party. 
 
 We  fhall  in  the  following  book-confine  ourfelves  to 
 his  labours  and  fuccefs  in  England  :  becaufe  a  view  of 
 the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  every  kingdom, 
 country  and  ifland,  confidered  diflinftly  and  fepa- 
 rately,  will  furnifh  a  more  complete,  and  lefs  con- 
 fufed,  profpeft  of  the  whole,  than  could  be  given  in 
 the  way  of  Journal,  by  following  him  continually 
 from  nation  to  nation. 
 
 We  fhall  no  longer  detain  our  reader  from  the 
 Hiflory  itfelf;  but  pray  that  *' the  Father  of  lights 
 and  giver  of  every  good  and  perfe6t  gift"  may  ac- 
 company him  in  his  perufal  with  his  gracious  bene- 
 didtion. 
 
 CHAP.       I. 
 
 Containing  Mr.  Wesley's  i^itrodiicHon  of  Iti^^era^t 
 and  Fiei.d-Pre ACHING,  and  his  Jirjt  formation  oj" 
 Societies. 
 
 N  Saturday,  September  17,  1738,  he  arrived  in 
 London,  It  was  ilill  his.  defire  to  preach  in  a 
 church,  rather  than  any  other  place.  But  this  he 
 feldom  could  do.  The  fame  obflrudions  were  in  the 
 way  that  had  before  iliut  the  doors  of  fo  many 
 churches  againft  him.  Rather  the  offence  was  now 
 iAcreafed  :  the  people  flocked  to  hear  him  more  than 
 €ver.      Solvation  by  Faith,  which  he  now  preached 
 
 every 
 
172         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 iCv'ery  where  wiih  zral,  though  a  principal  do61:iineor 
 the  Church  of  England,  was  little  underftood  and  Id's 
 approved.     But  as  he  had  the  will,  fo  the  Rrovidence 
 of  God  gaive   him  the  means  of  teflifying  the  Gofpel. 
 Jlis  own  little  Society  was  now  increafed  to  thirty-two    % 
 perions  :   and   many  other  religious  Communities  in 
 various  parts  of  the  town  received  him  gladly.     New^ 
 gate  was   not   yet  (hut   againil  him.       He    made  ex- 
 curfions   into   the    country  alfo,  vifited  Oxford,   and    \ 
 preached  to  the  prifoners  in  the  Cadle.       Being  thus,*  : 
 to  ufe    St.  Paul's  words,  Injtant,   in  jcafon,' and  cut  of  y\ 
 ftafon  ;  embracing  every   opportunity  that  offered,  of  •' 
 publicly  decl?Jx-ing  the  truth,  and   of  enforcing  it  aHb,    ' 
 in  every  company,  and  to  every  individual  with  whom 
 he  converied :    it   could  not   be,    but   many   reports 
 would  be  fpread  concerning  him,  in  every  place.   The 
 c^tdi   as  of  old  was,    '•  Some   [aid,  he  is  a  good  man  ; 
 ,  and  others  [aid,  nay,    but  he  dcceivclh  the  ■people  :  and  the 
 lf}inUitude  was  divided." 
 
 The  points  he  chiefly  infifted  on,  were  four:  firfl, 
 that  orthodoxy  (or  right  opinions)  is,  at  beft,  but  a  very 
 llenderj^^ri  of  religion,  if  it  can  be  allowed  to  be  any 
 part  of  it  at  all :  that  neither  does  religion  conhfl  in 
 negatives  J  in  bare  harmlelfnefs  of  any  kind ;  nor  merely 
 in  externals,  doing  good,  or  ufing  the  means  of  grace, 
 in  works  of  piety  (fo  called)  or  of  charity  :  that  i-t  is 
 nothinp"  fhort  of,  or  different  from,  The  wind  that  was 
 in  Chrijf,'  the  image  of  God  flampt.  upon  the  heart, 
 inward  right  ton fnefs  attended  with,  the  peace  of  God, 
 and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghojl,  Secondl}^  That  the  only 
 y/av  under  heaven  to  this  religion^    u   to   repent  arid 
 
 belie  us 
 
tHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  173 
 
 hliete  the  Gofpel,  or  (as  the  Apoflle  -ivords  it)  Repentance 
 towards  God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jefus  ChrijL 
 Thirdly,  That  by  this  faith,  He  that  tvorketh  not,  hut 
 believeth  on  him  that  ju[lijieth  the  ungodly,  is  juftified 
 freely  by  his  grace  through  the  j'edemplion  which  is  in  JeCus 
 Chrift.  And  iaflly  :  That  being  jiijiijied  by  faith,  we 
 tafce  of  the  heaven  to  which  Tve  are  2:oino- :  we  are 
 holy  and  happy  :  w^c  tread  down  fin  and  fear,  and  Cit 
 in  heavenly  places  with  Chrijl  Jefus, 
 
 Many  of  thofe  who  heard  this,  began  to  cry  out, 
 tliat  he  brought  ^r^??^e  things  to  their  ears :  that  this^ 
 Wc>s  a  doctrine  which  they  never  heard  before,  or,  at- 
 ^,  leaf!:,  never  regarded.  '•  They  fearched'the  fcriptures, 
 whether  thefe  things  were  fo ;"  and  acknovv^ledged 
 "  the  truth  asjt  is  ni  Jefus."  Their  hearts  alfo  were 
 influenced  as  well  as  their  underflandings,  and  they 
 determined  to  follow  Jefus  Chrill,  and  him  crucijied. 
 
 .  But  while  lie  thus  flrove  to  be  a  warker  together 
 v/ith  God,  to 
 
 *'  Catch  the  brands  out  of  the  fire  : 
 To  fnatch  them  from  the  vero:e  of  hell  :" 
 
 he  did  not  negle6l  liirilfelf.  PvCceiving  a  letter  fram 
 a  friend  concerning  the  marks  of  true  converfion,  he 
 determined  more  clofely  to  .examine  himf elf,  whether  he 
 was  in  the  faith, 
 
 **'  The  furefl  teR,"  fays  he,  "  whereby  we  can 
 examine  ourfelves,  whether  we  be  indeed  in  the  faith, 
 is  that  given  by  St,  Paul.     If  any  man  he  in  Chrijl,  he 
 
 13 
 
174         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 is  a  new  ci'eaiure.     Old  things  arepaji  away.     Behold,  alt 
 things  are  become  new. 
 
 "  Fir  ft.  His  judgments  are  new:  his  judgment  of 
 himfelf.  of  happineis,  of  holinefs. 
 
 *'  He  judges  himfelf  to  be  altogether  fallen  fhort  of 
 the  glorious  image  of  God.  To  have  no  good  thing 
 abidinc^  in  him  ;  but  all  that  is  corrupt  and  abomina- 
 ble  :  in  a  word,  to  be  wholly. earthly,  fenfual,  and 
 dovilifii  :   a  motley  mixture  of  beaft  and  devil. 
 
 "  Thus,  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrift,  I  judge  of 
 myfelf.  Therefore  I  am,  in  this  refpcct,  a  ncvv^  crea- 
 ture. 
 
 "  Again.  His  judgment  concerning  happinefs  is 
 new.  lie  w  ould  as  foon  expecf  to  dig  it  out  of  the 
 earth,  as  to  find  it  in  riches,  honour,  pleafure  (fo 
 called)  or  indeed  in  the  enjoyment  of  any  creature.  ' 
 He  knows  there  can  be  no  happinefs  on  earth,  but  in 
 the  enjoyment  of  God,  and  in  the  foretafte  of 
 thofe  rivers  of  pleafure  which  Jlow  at  his  right  hand  for 
 evermore. 
 
 "■  Thus,  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrift,  I  judge  of 
 happinefs.  Therefore  I  am,  in  this  refpecf,  a  new 
 creature. 
 
 *'  Yet  again,  his  judgment  concerning  holinefs  is^ 
 new.  He  no  longer  judges  it  to  be  an  outward  thing  : 
 to  confift  citlicr  in  doing  no  harm,  in  doing  good,  or 
 ni  ufing  the  ordinances  of  God.  He  fees  it  is,  the  life 
 of  God  in  the  foul ;  the  image  of  God  frefli  ftamped 
 on  the  heart  :  an  entire  renewal  of  the  mind  in  every 
 temper  and  thought,  after  the  likcnefs  of  him  that 
 v::eated  it, 
 
 Thus^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  AIR.  WESLEY.  175 
 
 *'  Thus,  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrifl,  I  judge  of 
 hohaefs.  Therefore  I  am  in  this  refpeft  a  new  crea- 
 lure. 
 
 "  Secondly,  His  defigns  are  new.  It  is  the  defign  of 
 his  life,  not  to  heap  up  treafures  upon  earth,  not  to 
 gain  the  praife  of  men,  not  to  indulge  the  dehre  cf 
 the  flefh,  the  delire  of  the  eye,  or  the  pride  of  hfe  ; 
 but  to  regain  the  image  of  God;  to  have  the  hfe  of 
 God  again  phmted  m  his  foul ;  and  to  be  renewed 
 after  his  likenefs,  in  righteoufnefs  and  all  true  holinefs. 
 
 '•  This,  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrifl,  is  the  delign 
 of  my  life.  Therefore  I  am,  in  this  refpe6l5  a  new 
 creature. 
 
 •'Thirdly.  Hisdefires  are  new,  and  indeed  the  whole 
 train  of  his  paihons  and  inclinations.  They  are  no 
 longer  fixed  on  earthly  things.  They  are  now  fet  on 
 the  things  of  heaven.  His  love  and  joy  and  hope,  his 
 lorrow  and  fear,  have  all  refpecl  to  things  above. 
 They  all  point  heavenward.  Where  his  treafure  is, 
 there  is  his  heart  aifo. 
 
 '•  I  dare  not  fay  I  am  a  new  creature  in  this  refpe6l. 
 For  other  defires  often  arife  in  my  heart.  But  they 
 do  not  reign.  I  put  them  ail  under  my  feet  "  through 
 Chrift  which  flrengtheneth  me."  Therefore  I  believe 
 he  is  creating  me  anew  in  this  alfo,  and  that  he  has 
 begun,   though  not  finifhed  his  work. 
 
 ''  Fourthly,  His  converfation  is  new.  It  is  always 
 eafoned  xuiih  [alt,  and  jit  to  minijler  grace  to  >  the 
 ^'e,artru 
 
 Sa 
 
17^         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ''  So  is  mine  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrifl.  There  - 
 fore^in  this  refped,  I  am  a  new  creature. 
 
 '•  Fifthly,  His  actions  are  new.  The  tenor  of  his  Hfe." 
 Cngly  points  at  tJie  glory  of  Cod.      All  his  fubftance 
 and  time  are  devoted  thereto.    Whether  he  eats  or  drinks 
 or  whatever  he  docs,  it  either  fprings  from,  or  leads  to 
 the  love  of, God  and  man. 
 
 '-  Such,  by  the  grace  of  God  in  Chrifl,  is  the  tenor 
 of  my  life.  Therefore,  in  this  relpecl,  I  am  a  new 
 creature.'' 
 
 Hearing  Mr.  TVhitrJield  was  returned  from  Gsorgia, 
 he  haftened  to  London  to  meet  him.,  and  they  once 
 more  took  fweet  counfel  together.  'A  few  other 
 Clergymen  now  united  with  them,  being  convinced 
 that  the  New  DoBrine,  vulgarly  called  Methodi/r/i,  was 
 indeed  the  old  do6lrine  of  the  Bible,  and  of  the 
 Church  of  England. 
 
 An  inflance  of  the  fervency  of  this  little  baud  of 
 chriflian  foidiers,  will  not  perhaps  be  unpleafingi 
 Beinsc  aifembled  together  with  feveral  -others  on  the 
 ifl.  of  January,  1739,  they  continued  in  prayer  till 
 the  night  was  far  fpent.  '*  About  three  in  the  morn- 
 ing,'' fays  he,  "  the  power  of  God  came  mightily 
 upon  us,  infomuch  that  many  cried  out  for  exceeding 
 joy,  and  many  fell  to  the  ground.  As  foon  as  we 
 were  recovered  a  little  from  that  awe  and  amazement 
 at  the  prefence  of  his  Majefty,  we  broke  out  with  one 
 voice,  We  praife  thee,  0  God ;  we  acknowledge  Thee  io 
 he  the  Lord.'* 
 
 To  awaken  a  drowfy,  carclefs  world,  funk  in  fm  and 
 fenfuality,the  Lord  at  this  time  was  pleafcd  to  u'orkin 
 
 an 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  177 
 
 an  extraordinary'  manner.  In  feveral  places  w^hilc 
 Mr.  Wejley  was  expounding  the  Scriptures,  many 
 *  perfons  trembled  and  fell  down  before  him.  Some 
 cried  aloud,  and  others  appeared  convulfed,  as  in  the 
 agonies  of  death.  Many  of  thefe  were  afterwards 
 eminent  pofTenbrs  of  the  holinefs  and  happinefs  of  re- 
 ligion ;  and  declared,  that  they  had  at  the  time  above 
 mentioned  fuch  a  deep  fenfe  of  the  dreadful  nature 
 of  fm,  and  of  the  jufl  wages  of  it,  that  they  were  con- 
 ftrained  to  cry  aloud  for  the  difquietude  of  their  heart. 
 In  others  the  change  which  the  Scripture  fpeaks  of, 
 as  evidencing  a  true  converiion,  was  not  fo  apparent: 
 while  in  fome,  neither  godly  forrow  for  fin,  peace  or 
 joy  in  believing,  nor  any  real  change  of  heart  and  life, 
 followed  the  imprefiions  which  were  then  made  upon 
 them. 
 
 Mr.  Wefley  at  this  tim.e  maturely  compared  thefe 
 appearances  of  things  with  the  word  of  God,  and  efpe- 
 ciaily  wilh  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God  on  the 
 fouls  of  men  as  defcribed  in  the  word.  He  thereby 
 clearly  faw,  (hat  every  religious  pang,  every  enthu» 
 liaflic  conceit,  mud  not  be  taken  for  true  converiion. 
 At  the  fame  time  he  perceived,  from  feveral  palTages 
 >both  of  the  Old  and  New  Teftament,  that  the  opera- 
 tions of  the  Spirit  of  God  have  occafionally  produced 
 fuch  lively  and  powerful  a6lings  of  the  paiTions  of 
 fear,  forrow,  joy,  and  love,  as  maifl  necellkrily  have 
 •caufed  at  the  time  confiderable  agitations  of  the  body. 
 He  alfo  knew  that  feveral  of  the  fathers  of  the  church 
 
 N  in 
 
178  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 in  the  three  firfl.  centuries,  fpcak  often  of  fuch  a  work 
 among  the  people.* 
 
 Nor  was  he  ignorant,  that  in  our  own  land,  fmce 
 the  reformation,  when  the  violations  of  the  laws  of  God, 
 the  atonement  of  Chrifl,  and  t.:c  remilFion  of  fms  have 
 been  preached  with  the  demonjiiaiion  of  the  Spirit  and  of 
 power,  fuch  irnpreihons  have  been  made  thereby,  in 
 innumerable  inllances,  that  even  the  body  feemed  to 
 fail  before  them.t 
 
 Yet  it  is  certain,  that  throughout  the  whole  of  his 
 life  he  wifhed  that  all  things  fhould  be  done,  even  m 
 the  opinion  of  men,  decently  and  in  order.  But  he  had 
 one  only  defign,  which  was  to  bring  men  to  that 
 knowledge  and  love  of  God,  which  makes  them  holy 
 and  happy  :  ufeful  in  their  lives,  and  peaceful  in  their 
 death.  He  therefore  thankfully  acquiefced  in  every 
 means  which  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  ufe  for  the  ac« 
 complifhment  of  this  great  end.     And  when  he   fawr 
 
 thofe 
 
 *  The  words  of  the  grcixt  John  Chryjojlcm  are  remarkable.  Com- 
 ment on  Romans  viii.  15.  "  Ye  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adop- 
 tion, by  which  toe  cry,  Abba,  Father  !"  "  This  is  the  fird  word 
 we  utter,"  lays  he,  *'  ^itro.  1:0.7  ^uvjAO-rar  ^^i^vuq  iKeTvoc^,  xai  to» 
 ^hov  '^a^dioij^^ov  J'.ox^vy.a.'vuv  loy^ov  :"  after  thoje  amazing  throes,  [or 
 birth-pan^s,)  and  that  ftrangt  and  wonderful  manner  of  bringing 
 Jorthr 
 
 \  The  inflancc  of  that  learned,  laborious  and  fuccefsful 
 Miniflerof  the  Church  of  England,  Mr.  Bolton,  is  well  known, 
 lie  was  awakened  by  the  preaching  of  the  celebrated  Mr.  Ptr- 
 kins  in  the  Univerfity  of  Cambridge  j  and  was  affefted  with  fuch 
 terrors,  as  caufed  him  to  throw  himfelf  on  the  ground,  and 
 roar  with  inexpreHible  anguifh  ;  yea,  fometimes  he  lay  pal^ 
 and  fenfclefs  like  one  that  was  dead. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         179 
 
 thofe  extraordinary  efFeds  accompanied  by  a  godly 
 forrow  for  fin,  and  earnefl  defires  to  be  delivered  from 
 it  :  when  he  faw  men  deeply  convinced  of  the  wane 
 of  a  Saviour,  and  this  conviQion  followed  by  humble 
 lovinor  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  enablin.^  themx  to  walk 
 worthy  of  the  Lord  who  had  called  them  to  his  king- 
 dom and  glory,  he  therein  rejoiced,:  nor  could  the 
 imprudent  zeal  of  a  few,  or  the  noife  and  confufion 
 which  fometimes  attended  this  extraordinary  work, 
 caufe  him  to  relax  in  his  efforts  to  turn  men  Jrom 
 darknefs  to  light,  and  Jrom  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 
 
 The  reafoning  of  a  Writer  of  that  day,  by  no  means 
 prejudiced  in  his  favour,  is  well  worthy  of  conii dera- 
 tion. **  What  influence,"  fays  he,  "  fudden  and 
 (harp  awakenings  may  have  upon  the  body,  I  pretend 
 not  to  explain.  But  I  make  no  queflion  Satan,  fo 
 far  as  he  gets  power,  may  exert  himfelf  on  fuch  occa- 
 fions,  partly  to  hinder  the  good  work  in  the  perfons 
 vv^ho  are  thus  touched  with  the  fharp  arrows  of  con- 
 vielion,  and  partly  to  difparage  the  work  of  God,  as 
 if  it  tended  to  lead  people  to  diftraftion." 
 
 After  preaching  in  many  places,  he  was  carAeflly 
 entreated  by  Mr.  Whitefield  and  another  perfon  to  come 
 to  Brijlol.  It  appears  that  he  complied  with  this  in- 
 vitation with  great  relu6lance :  and  not  till  he  had 
 ufed  every  means  he  could,  to  know  what  was  the  -^v^ll 
 of  the  Lord  concerning  him..  His  Brother  Chaides  was 
 extremely  averfe  to  his  going  there,  which  feems 
 to  have  been  one  caufe  of  his  hefitation.  Another 
 he  himfelf  has  often  mentioned.  Lie  thought  much 
 of  death  ;  and  as  his  conflitution  feemed  to  him  not 
 
 N  2  likely 
 
iBo  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 likely  to  fupport  itfclF  long  under  the  great  and  cor^-. 
 tinual  labours  he  was  engaged  in,  he  judged  it  pro- 
 bable that  his  courfe  was  nearly  finifhed.  At  this 
 time,  thofe  fine  words  of  his  friend  Mr.  Gamhold  weie 
 almoft  continually  in  his  mind  : 
 
 Ere  longr  wlicn  Sov're!o;n  wifdom  wills. 
 
 My  foul  an  iin known  path  fnall  tread, 
 And  ftrangely  leave,  who  llrangely  fills 
 
 This  frame,  and  waft  me  to  the  dead': 
 O  what  is  death  ! — 'tis  hfe's  lail  (hore, 
 
 Where  vanities  are  vain  no  mare  : 
 Where  all  purfuits  their  goal  obtahi, 
 
 And  hfe  is  all  rc-touch'd  again  : 
 Where  in  their  bright  refult  fliall  rife 
 
 Thoughts,  yirtueSj  friendfhips,  griefs,  and  joys. 
 
 He  did  not  therefore  dare  to  wafle  a  moment,  o,r 
 undertake  any  employment  which  he  had  reafon  to 
 believe,  was  not  as^reeable  to  the  will  of  God.  How- 
 ever  he  Wcis  at  lad  prevailed  on  to  go,  and  for  this  he 
 had  caufe  to  praife  the  W'ife  Difpofer  of  all  things. 
 
 Mr.  Whitefidd  had  a  little  before,  begun  to  preach 
 in  the  fields  and  high- ways  near  Brijlol  ;  the  religious 
 Societies  which  firll  received  him,  not  being  able  to 
 provide  room  for  a  tenth  part  of  the  people  that 
 crowded  to  hear  him.  When  Mr.  Wejlcy  arrived,  he 
 alfo  began  to  expound  in  one  of  the  Societj'-rooms. 
 But  being  encouraged  by  confidering  the  example  of 
 our  Lord,  who  preached  upon  a  mountain,  and  having 
 no  place    that  would    contaiin    the    multitudes  that 
 
 flocked 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         i8i 
 
 l!'6cked  together,  *•  I  fubmitted/'  fays  he,  "  to  be  yet 
 more  vile,  and  proclaimed  in  the  high-ways  the  glad 
 tidings  of  falvation,  fpeaking  from  a  little  eminence 
 in  a  ground  adjoining  to  the  city,  to  about  three  thou- 
 fand  people.  The  Scripture  on  which  I  fpoke  was 
 this,  (is  it  poflible,  any  one  fhould  be  ignorant,  that 
 it  is  fulfilled  in  every  true  minifler  of  Chrifl  ?}  The 
 Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  hccaufc  he  hath  anointed  me 
 to  preach  the  gofpcl  to  the  poor.  He  hath  fent  vie  to  heal 
 the  broken-hearted ;  to  preach  deliverance  to  the  captives, 
 and  recovery  of  Ji'ght  to  the  blind :  to  Jet  at  liberty  them 
 that  arc  bruifed,  to  proclai'tn  the  acceptable  year  of  the 
 Lord." 
 
 It  appears,  that  his  adopting  this  way  of  preaching 
 the  Go  (pel  to  the  poor,  was  not  of  choice.  ''  When," 
 fays  he,  "  I  was  told,  I  mufl  preach  no  more,  in  this,  and 
 this,  arid  another  church,  fo  much  the  more  thofe  who 
 Could  not  hear  me  there,  flocked  together  when  I  was 
 at  any  of  the  Societies :  where  I  fpoke  more  or  lefs, 
 though  with  much  inconvenience,  to  as  many  as  the 
 room  I  was  in  would  contain.  But  after  a  time, 
 finding  thofe  rooms  could  not  contain  a  tenth  part  of 
 the  people  that  were  earnefl  to  hear,  I  determined  to 
 do  the  fame  thing  in  England,  which  I  had  often' 
 done  in  a  warmer  climate:  namely,  when  the  houfe 
 would  not  contain  the  congregation,  to  preach  in  the 
 bpen  air.  This  I  accordingly  did,  firft  in  Brijlol, 
 where  the  fociety-rooms  were  exceeding  fmall ;  and 
 at  Kings-wood,  where  we  had  no  room  at  all ;  after- 
 Wards  in  or  near  London. 
 
 N  3  '  ''  Ana 
 
iS2         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 **  And  I  cannot  Hiy,  I  have  ever  fcen  a  more 
 awful  fight,  ihan  when  on  Rofe-Green,  or  on  the  top  of 
 Ilanhani' Mount,  fome  thoufands  of  people  were  joined 
 together  in  folemn  waiting  upon  God,  while 
 
 "  They  Ho  d,  and  under  open  air  ador'd 
 The  God  who  made  both  air,  earth,  heaven,  and  fky." 
 
 And  whether  they  were  liflening  to  his  word,  with 
 attention  flill  as  night  :  or  were  lifting  up  their  voice 
 in  praife,  as  the  found  of  many  waters  :  many  a  time 
 have  I  been  conflrained  to  fay  in  my  heart,  How 
 dreadful  is  this  place  I  This  aljo  is  no  other  than  ike  honje 
 of  God  f  This  is  the  gate  of  heaven  ! 
 
 *'  Be  pleafed  to  obferve,  ifl.  That  I  was  forbidden, 
 as  by  a  general  confent,  to  preach  in  any  church 
 (though  not  by  any  judicial  fcntence)  for  preaching 
 fiich  doBrine.  This  was  the  open,  avowed  caufe  :  there 
 was  at  that  time  no  other,  either  real  or  pretended, 
 (except  that  the  people  crowded  lo.)  2.  That  I  had 
 no  defire  or  defign  to  preach  in  the  open  air,  till  after 
 this  prohibition.  3;.  That  when  I  did,  as  i-t  was  no 
 matter  of  choice,  fo  neither  of  premeditation.  There 
 was  no  fcheme  at  all  previoufly  formed,  which  was  to 
 be  fupported  thereby  :  nor  had  I  any  other  end  in- 
 "^icw  than  this,  to  fave  as  many  fouls  as  I  could. 
 4.  Field-preachi7ig  was  therefore  a  fudden  expedient,  a 
 thing  fubmitted  to,  rather  than  cliofcn  ;  and  there- 
 fore fubmitted  to,  becaufe  I  thought  preaching  even 
 thus  better  than  not  preaching  at  all ;  Firft,  in  regard 
 to  my  own  foul,  becaufe  a  difpcnjationofthc  Gojpel  being 
 
 committed 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  183 
 
 committed  to  me,  I  did  not  dare,  not  to  preach  the  Gofpel: 
 Secondly,  in  regard  to  the  fouls  of  others,  whom  I 
 eveiy  where  faw,  fcekmg  death  in  the  error  of  their 
 lifer 
 
 He  ftiil  continued  to  expound  in  the  Society-rooms; 
 but  it  was  in  the  open  air  that  the  Lord  chiefly  wrought 
 by  his  nnniflry.       Many  thoufands  now  attended  the 
 word.   In  the  fuburbs  of  Brijlol,  at  Bath,  in  Kingswood, 
 on  Hanhayn- Mount  a.nd  Rofe- Green,   many  who  had  fet 
 all  laws,  human   and  divine,    at   defiance,   and  were 
 utterly  without  God  in  the  world,  now  fell  before  the 
 Majefly  of  heaven,  and  joyfully  acknowledged  that 
 a  prophet  was  fent  among  them.     Cries  and  tears  on 
 every  hand  frequently  drowned  his  voice,  while  many 
 exclaimed  in  the  bitternefs  of  their  foul.   What  fi all  I 
 do  to  he  faved  ?    Not   a  few  of  thefe  were  foon  (and 
 frequently  while  he  was  declaring   the  willingnefs  of 
 Chrifl  to  receive  them)    filled  with  peace  and  joy   in 
 believing,  and  evidenced  that  the  work  was  really   of 
 God,  by  holy,  happy,  and  unblamable  walking  before 
 him.     Blafphemies  were   now   turned  to  praife,   and 
 the  voice  of  joy  and  gladnefs  was  found,  where  wick- 
 ednefs  and  mifery  reigned  before. 
 
 A  few  here  aifo  in  the  firfl  inflance,  and  then  a 
 greater  number,  agreed  to  meet  together  to  edify  and 
 flrengthen  each  other  according  to  the  example  of  the 
 Society  in  London,  Some  of  thefe  were  defirous  of 
 building  a  room  large  enough  to  contain  not  only 
 the  Society,  but  fuch  alfo  as  might  defire  to  be  pre- 
 fent  with  them  when  the  Scripture  was  expounded. 
 And  on  Saturday  the  12th.  of  May,    1739,    the  firfl 
 
 N  4  ftone 
 
i84        THE  LIFE  OF  xMR.  WESLEY, 
 
 ftone  was  laid  with  the  voice   of  praile   and  thankf-j 
 
 giving. 
 
 As  this  was  the  firfl  preaching.-houfe  that  wajy 
 creeled,  Mr.  We/ley  has  been  particular  in  the  relation 
 of  fome  circuinllances  concerning  it.  "  I  had  not, 
 ^t  firft,"  fays  he,  "  the  lead  apprehcnfion  or  dcfign  of 
 being  perfonally  engaged,  either  in  the  expence  of  this 
 work,  or  in  the  dircQion  of  it :  having  appointed 
 eleven  Feoffees,  on  whom  I  fuppofed  thefe  burthens 
 would  fall  of  courfe.  But  I  quickly  found  my  mil- 
 take  :  firft  with  regard  to  the  expence  :  for  the  whole 
 undertaking  miufl  have  flood  flill,  had  not  I  imme- 
 diately taken  upon  myfclf  the  payment  of  all  the: 
 workmen  ;  fo  that  before  I  knew  where  I  ^\'as,  I  had 
 contracted  a  debt  of  more  tliaii  a  hundred  and  fifty 
 pounds.  And  this  I  was  to  difchaige  how  I  could ; 
 the  fubfcriptions  of  both  Societies  not  amounting  to 
 one  quarter  of  the  fum.  And  as  to  the  diredion  of 
 the  work,  I  prefently  received  letters  from  my  friends? 
 iji  London,  Mr.  Wliiteficldm  particular,  backed  v.'ith  a 
 m^elfage  by  one  juil  come  from  -thence,  that  neither 
 he  nor  they  would  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
 buildin.cr,  neither  contribute  any  thin?  towards  it. 
 unlefs  I  would  inflantly  difcharge  all  Feoffees,  and  do 
 every  thing  in  my  ovv^n  name.  Many  reafons  they 
 gave  for  this;  but  one  was  enough,  viz.  "That  fuch 
 Feoffees  always  would  have  it  in  their  powerj  to  con-* 
 troul  me,  and  if  I  preached  not  as  they  liked,  to  turn 
 me  out  of  the  room  I  had  built."  I  accordingly 
 yielded  to  tlicir  advice,  and  calhng  all  the  Feoffees  to- 
 gether,  cancelled  (no  man  oppofingj   the  inilruments 
 
 made 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  if^s 
 
 made  before,  and  took  the  whole  management  into 
 my  own  hands.  Money,  it  is  true,  I  had  not,  nor  any 
 human  prolpetl:  or  probabihty  of  procuring  it.  But 
 I  knew  the  earth  is>  the  Lord's,  and  the  fiilnefs  thereof,  and 
 in  his  name  fet  out,  nothing  doubtmg." 
 
 His  ordinary  employment  (in  public)  was  now  a.s 
 follows  ;  every  morning  he  read  prayers  and  preached 
 at  Newgate.  Every  evening  he  expounded  a  por- 
 tion of  Scripture,  at  one,  or  more  of  the  Society ^ 
 rooms.  On  Monday  in  the  afternoon  he  preached 
 abroad  near  Brijlol ;  on  Tuefday  at  Bath  and  Two 
 Mile- Hill  alternately.  On  WedneMay  at  Bapiijt-Millsy 
 Every  otlier  Thurldav  near  Pcnsjord.  E\  ery  other 
 Friday  in  anotlier  part  of  Kingswood.  On  Saturday 
 in  the  afternoon  and  Sunday  morning  in  the  Bowling- 
 Green  (which  lies  near  the  middle  of  the  city.)  On 
 Sunday  at  eleven  near  Hanham- Mount.  At  two  at 
 Clifton,  and  at  five  on  Rofe-Green,  *'  And  hitherto,'^ 
 lays  lie,  "  as  7ny  day  is,  fo  my  Jlrength  hath  been," 
 
 In  the  city,  in  the  fuburbs,  and  in  Newgate,  finners 
 were  daily  humbled  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God, 
 and  made,  by  his  grace,  new  creatures  in  Chrifl  Jefus. 
 Befides  the  general  bleffing  which  accompanied  his 
 labours,  the  Lord  gave  fpecial  times  of  ref refiling  from 
 his  pre  fence.  "  Seeing,"  obferves  Mr.Wefcy,  "many 
 of  the  rich  at  CI f ton  church,  my  heart  was  much 
 pained  for  them,  and  I  was  carneflly  defirous  that  fome 
 even  of  them  might  m^er  into  thekingdoin  of  heaven.  But 
 full  as  I  was,  I  knew  not  where  to  begin,  in  warning 
 them  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  till  my  Tefla- 
 ment  opened   on  thefe  words,   /  cayne  not  to_  call  th^ 
 
 ■  righteous^ 
 
ji86  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 righteous,  hut  finners  to  repentance:  in  applying  v/hich, 
 my  foul  was  lb  enlarged,  that  methought  I  could  have 
 cried  out  (in  another  ienle  than  poor,  vain  Archimedes) 
 ''  Give  me  where  to  Hand,  and  I  will  (hake  the  earth/' 
 God's  fendincr  forth  lis^rhtningr  with  the  ram,  did  not: 
 hinder  about  fifteen  hundred  from  flaying  at  Rvfe^ 
 Green.  Our  Scripture  was,  It  is  the  glorious  God  that 
 maketh  the  thunder.  The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  mighty  in 
 operation f  the  voice  of  the  Lord  is  a  glorious  voice.  In 
 the  evening,  I  fpoke  to  three  whofe  fouls  were  all 
 Horm  and  temped,  and  immediately  there  was  a  great 
 calm/' 
 
 DurincT  this  whole  time,  he  v/as  almof^  continually 
 aCced,  either  by  thofe  who  purpofely  came  to  Briflol, 
 to  enquire  concerning  this  flrange  work,  or  by  his  old 
 or  new  correfpondents,  How  can  thefe  things  he  ?  And 
 innumerable  cautions  were  given  him  (generally 
 grounded  on  grofs  mifreprefentations  of  things)  "Not 
 to  regard  vifions  or  dreams  ;  or  to  fancy  people  had 
 remiilion  of  fms,  bccaufe  of  their  cries  or  tears,  or 
 bare  outward  profefhons/'  His  Brother  *S'^??z2/f/ having 
 written  to  him  on  this  head,  the  fum  of  his  anfwcF 
 was  as  follows : 
 
 '•  The  quellion  between  us  turns  chiefly,  if  not 
 wholly,  on  matter  of  facf.  You  deny,  that  God  does 
 now  work  thefe  efFcch  :  at  leafl,  that  he  works  them 
 in  this  manner.  I  aihrm  both  ;  bccaufe  I  have  heard 
 thefe  things  with  my  own  cars,  and  feen  them  with 
 my  eyes.  I  have  feen  (as  far  as  a  thing  of  this  kind 
 can  be  feen)  v(try  many  perfons  changed  in  a  ^loment, 
 from  the  fpirit  of  fear,  horror,  defpair,  to  the  i'pirit  of 
 
 love, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY^  187 
 
 love,  joy  and  peace  ;  and  from  fmful  defire,  till  then 
 reigning  over  them,  to  a  pure  defire  of  doing  the  will 
 of  God.  Tliefe  are  matters  of  fa 61,  whereof  I  have 
 been,  and  almofl:  daily  am,  an  eye  or  ear-witnefs. 
 What  I  have  to  fay,  touching  vifions  or  dreams,  is 
 this  :  I  know  feveral  perfons  in  whom  this  great 
 change  was  vv-rought,  in  a  dream,  or  during  a  ftrong 
 rcprefentation  to  the  eye  of  their  mind,  of  Chriil  either 
 on  the  crofs  or  in  glory.  This  is  the  fact  :  let  any 
 judge  of  it  as  they  pleafe.  And  that  fuch  a  change 
 was  then  wrought,  appears  (not  from  their  lliedding 
 tears  only,  or  falling  into  fits,  or  crying  out  :  thefe 
 are  not  the  fruits,  as  you  feem  to  fuppofe,  whereby  I 
 judge,  but)  from  the  whole  tenor  of  their  life,  till 
 then  many  ways  wicked  ;  from  that  time,  holy,  jufl 
 and  good. 
 
 ''  I  will  fhev/  T'ou  him  that  was  a  lion  till  then,  and 
 is  now  a  lamb;  him  that  was  a  drurvkard,  and  is  now 
 exemplari ly  fober  :  the  whoremonger  that  was,  who 
 now  abhors  the  very  garment  fpotted  by  the  flefh. 
 Thefe  are  my  living  arguments  for  what  I  aifert,  viz. 
 That  God  does  now,  a%  aforetime,  give  remijfion  of  Jin  s^ 
 and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghof,  even  to  us  and  to  our  chil- 
 dren :  yea,  and  that  alzvays  fuddenly,  as  far  as  I  have 
 known,  and  often  in  dreams  or  in  the  vifions  of  God.  If 
 it  be  not  fo,  I  am  found  afalfe  wdtnefs  before  God. 
 For  thefe  things  I  do,   and  by  his  grace,  will  tellify/' 
 
 But  fome  faid,  "  Thefe  were  purely  natural  effe6ls  ; 
 the  people  fainted  away,  only  becaufe  of  the  heat  and 
 clofenefs  of  the  rooms."  And  others  were  fure,  "  It 
 was  all  a  cheat :  they  might  help  it^  if  they  w^ould. 
 
i83        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Elfe  why  were  thefe  tlnngs  only  in  their  private  So- 
 cieties ?  Why  were  they  not  done  in  the  face  of  the 
 fun  ?"  Flowever,  on  Monday  May  the  twenty- fir  ft,  the 
 Lord  anfwered  for  himfelf.  For  while  Mr.  Wcjley  was 
 enforcing  thefe  words,  Be  JIill,  and  kiloxu  that  I  dm  God, 
 the  Lord  bejran  to  niakc  bare  his  arm,  not  in  a  clofe 
 room,  neither  in  prii^ate,  but  in  the  open  air,  and 
 before  more  than  two  thouf^md  witneffes.  One  and 
 another  and  another  vrcre  ft  ruck  to  the  earth,  trem- 
 bling- exceedingly  at  the  pre  fence  of  his  power.  Others 
 cried,  with  a  loud  and  bitter  cry.  What  miijl  we  do  to  be 
 javtd?  And  in  lefs  than  an  hour,  feven  perfons,  wholly- 
 unknown  to  Mr.  V/rJley  till  that  time,  were  rejoicing 
 and  fmging,  and  with  all  their  might  giving  thanks  to 
 ,  the  God  of  their  falvation. 
 
 In  the  evening:,  he  was  interrupted  at  Nicholas'^ 
 Street,  almoft  as  foon  as  he  had  begun  to  fpeak,  by 
 the  cries  of  one  who  was  pricked  to  the  heart,  and 
 flrongly  groaned  for  pardon  and  peace.  Yet  he 
 went  on  to  declare  what  Cod  had  ah"cady  done, 
 in  proof  of  that  important  trutli,  That  he  is  not 
 zoilling  any  JJioidd  perijh,  hut  that  all  Jliould  come  to  re- 
 'penlance.  Another  dropped  down,  clofe  to  one  who 
 was  a  ftfong  afferter  of  the  contrary  doClrine.  While 
 he  ftood  aftonifhed  at  the  hght,  a  little  boy  near  him 
 ivas  feized  in  the  fame  manner.  A  yoUng  man  who 
 Hood  behind,  fixed  his  eyes  on  him,  and  funk  down 
 himfelf  as  one  dead  :  but  foon  beoan  to  roar  out  and 
 beat  himfelf  ao-ainft  the  ground,  fo  that  fix  men  could 
 frarcely  hold  him.  Flis  name  was  Thomas  Maxjield. 
 la   the  mean  while  many  others  began  to  cry  out  ib 
 
 ihe 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  1B9 
 
 the  Saviour  of  all,  that  he  would-come  and  help  them, 
 infomuch  that  all  the  houfe,  (and  indeed  all  the  (Ireet 
 for  fome  fpace)  was  in  an  uproar.  But  the  truly 
 ferious  continued  in  prayer  ;  and  before  ten,  the 
 greater  part  found  reft  to  their  fouls. 
 
 Notwithftanding  all  the  encouragement  he  met  with, 
 it  appears  .that  he  had  frequently  many  uneafy 
 thoughts  concerning  this  unufual  manner  of  adminif^ 
 tering  among  them.  But  after  frequently  laying  it 
 before  the  Lord,  and  calmly  weighing  whatever  ob^ 
 jedions  he  heard  againfl  it,  he  could  not  but  adhere 
 to  what  he  had  fome  time  before  wrote  to  a  friend, 
 who  had  freely  fpoken  his  fentimerits  concerning  it. 
 An  extra6i:  of  that  letter  we  here  fubjoin  ;  that  the 
 whole  may  be  placed  m  a  clear  light. 
 
 '•'  You  think  ''  I  ought  to  fit  iliil ;  becaufc  other- 
 wife  I  fhould  invade  another's  office,  if  I  interfered 
 w4th  other  people's  bufmefs,  d^na  intermeddled  with 
 fouls  that  did  not  belong  to  me."  You  accordingly 
 aik,  "  How  is  it  that  I  affemble  chriftians  who  are 
 none  of  my  charge,  to  hng  pfalm^s  and  pray  and  hear 
 the  Scriptures  expounded  :  and  think  it  hard  to  juilify 
 doing  this  in  other  men's  parifhes,^  upon  Catholic 
 principles  ?" 
 
 ''  Permit  m.e  to  fpeak  plainly.  If  by  Catholic  prin- 
 ciples, you  mean  any  other  than  Scriptural,  they  weigh 
 nothing  with  me  :  I  allow  no  other  rule,  whether  of 
 faith  or  pradice,  than  the  holy  Scriptures.  But  on 
 Scriptural  principles,  I  do  not  think  it  hard,  to  juilify 
 whatever  I  do.  God  in  Scripture  commands  me,  ac- 
 cording to.  my  power,  tQ  inftniCt  the  ignorant,  reform 
 
 tin 
 
190  THE  LIFK  Of  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  wicked,  confirm  the  virtuous.  Man  forbids  me 
 to  do  this  in  another's  parifh  ;  that  is,  in  efiecl,  to  do 
 it  at  all ;  feeing  I  have  now  no  parifli  of  my  own,  nor 
 probably  ever  (hall.  Whom  then  fhall  I  hear  ?  God  or 
 man  ?  If  it  be  jujl  to  oh-cy  man  rather  Ihan  GoJ,  judge  you. 
 A  difpenfation  of  the  Gofpel  is  committtd  to  vie,  and  woe  is 
 me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gofpel.  But  where  fliall  I  preach 
 it  upon  the  principles  you  mention  ?  Why,  not  in 
 Europe,  Afa,  Africa,  or  America  :  not  in  any  of  the 
 chriflian  parts,  at  leaft,  of  the  habitable  earth;  for 
 all  thefe  are,  after  a  fort,  divided  into  parifhes.  If  it 
 be  faid,  "  Go  back  then  to  the  heathens  from  whence 
 you  came."  Nay,  but  neither  could  I  now,  (on  your 
 principles)  preach  to  them.  For  all  the  heathens  in 
 Georgia  belong  to  the  parifli  either  of  Savannah  or 
 Frederica. 
 
 *'  Suffer  me  now,  to  tell  you  my  principles  in  this 
 matter.  I  look  upon  all  the  world  as  my  parifh  ;  thus 
 far  I  mean,  that  in  whatever  part  of  it  I  am,  I  judge 
 it  meet,  right  and  my  bounden  duty,  to  declare 
 unto  all  that  are  willing  to  hear,  the  glad  tidings  of 
 falvation.  This  is  the  work  which  I  know  God  has 
 called  me  to.  And  fure  I  am,  that  his  blefling  attends 
 it.  Great  encouragement  have  I  therefore  to  be  faith- 
 ful, in  fulfilling  the  work  he  hath  given  me  to  do. 
 His  fervant  I  am,  and  as  fuch  am  employed  (glory  be 
 to  him)  day  and  night  in  his  fervicc.  I  am  employed 
 accordmg  to  the  plain  direction  of  his  word,  As  I 
 have  opporiunity  of  doing  good  unto  all  7nen.  And  hi^s 
 providence  clearly  concurs  with  his  word  ;  which 
 has   diren<}^aged   me    from   all     things    elfe,     that    I 
 
 might 
 
 'o"to^^    —    — Q. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         19c 
 
 might  fingly  attend  on  this  very  thing,    and  go  about 
 doing  good. 
 
 "  If  you  afk,  "  How  can  this  be?  How  can  one 
 do  good,  of  whom  vien  fay  all  manner  of  evil  ?'*  I  will 
 put  you  in  mind,  (thoucrh  you  once  knew  this,  yea, 
 and  much  eflabiifhed  me  in  that  great  truth)  the  more 
 evil  men  fay  of  me  for  my  Lord's  fake,  the  more  good 
 he  will  do  by  me.  That  it  is  for  his  fake  I  know  and 
 he  knoweth,  and  the  event  agreeth  thereto  ;  for  he 
 mightily  confirms  the  words  I  fpeak,  by  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  given  unto  thole  that  hear  them.  O  my  friend, 
 my  heart  is  moved  toward  you.  I  fear,  you  have 
 herein  made  fhip wreck  of  the  faith.  I  fear,  Satan 
 transformed  into  an  angel  erf  light,  hath  affaulted  you, 
 and  prevailed  alfo.  I  fear,  that  offspring  of  hell, 
 worldly  or  myflic  prudence,  has  drawn  you  away 
 from  the  limplicity  of  the  Gofpel.  Hov/  tlk  could 
 you  ever  conceive,  that  the  being  reviled  and  hated  of 
 all  men,  (hould  make  us  lefs  fit  for  our  Mailer's  fer- 
 vice  ?  How  elfe  could  you  ever  think,  oi  faving your^ 
 f elf  and  them  that  hear  you,  without  being  the  filth  and 
 oj^scouring  of  the  world  ?  To  iii\%  hour,  is  this  Scrip- 
 ture true.  And  I  therein  rejoice,  yea,  and  will  re- 
 joice. Blelfed  be  God,  I  enjoy  the  reproach  of 
 Chrill !  O  may  you  alfo  be  vile,  exceeding  vile  for 
 his  fake  !  God  forbid,  that  you  Ihould  ever  be  other 
 than  generally  fcandalous  :  I  had  almoll  faid,  univer- 
 fally.  If  any  man  tell  you,  there  is  a  new  way 
 of  following  Chrift,  he  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in 
 him,'*- 
 
 Thofe 
 
t()2  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Thofe  who  Iiave  read  tlie  accounts  of  the  great  re- 
 vivals Ok  true  religion  in  many  parts  of  Europe,  and 
 in  our  own  country  in  particular,  will  eafily  perceive 
 the  Jamenejs  of  thofe  devices  of  Satan,  wdiereby  he 
 perverts  the  right  waj's  of  the  Lord.  Latimer,  as  well 
 as  Luther,  complains  of  thole  who  knowing  that  we  are 
 ■juflified  by  faich  alone,  difallow  the  fruits  of  faith.  It 
 could  not  be  but  that  the  fower  of  tares  would  en- 
 deavour by  every  means  to  overturn  this  blelTed 
 work.  Mr.  We/hy  was  now  called  to  oppofe  three 
 grand  deceptions  of  the  enemy  of  (ouls  :  ift.  Antino- 
 tnianihn,  the  making  void  the  law  throuirh  faith: 
 ^dly,  Unfcriptural  Jlillnefs,  the  neglecc  of  the  Ordir 
 jiances  of  the  Gofpel,  particularly,  prayer,  hearing 
 and  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  the  Lord's-iupper  : , 
 »  gdly,  Atterjtion  to  drcavis,  vijiom,  and  men's  own 
 iviaginaiioiis  and  feelings,  without  bringing  them  to 
 the  only  fure  tefl;,  the  oracles  cf  God. 
 
 Something  of  this  kind  began  now  to  appear  in 
 feveral  places,  and  efpecially  in  London.  But  thole 
 who  fell  into  thrfe  errors,  v/cre  in  general  fincere 
 pcrfons,  thcit  defired  fo  know  the  truth,  and  do  the 
 will  of  God.  It  was  noi.  therefore  duTicult  for  him  at 
 this  time  to  bring  iheni  back  to  the,  faiih  once  delivered 
 to  the.  Jaint^.  He  warned  tlicm,  that  Chrifl  no  more 
 deligncd  to  make  us  free  from  his  own  law,  than 
 from  hoiinefs  or  heaven  :  that  the  ChriRian  Ordi- 
 nances were  real  means  of  grace  ;  and  tliat  God  does 
 \>y  them  convey  preventing,  juRifying,  and  fandi- 
 fying  grace  to  thofe  who  humbly  ufe  them.  Tiijit  m 
 rcfpecl  to  dreams,  yiiiDns  or  revelations,  fuppofcd  to 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  ig^ 
 
 be  made  to  their  fouls :  or  to  tears,  or  any  other  in- 
 voluntary efFeds  wrought  on  their  bodies  :  thefe  were 
 in  themfelves  of  a  doubtful,  difputable  nature  :  they 
 might  be  from  God,  or  they  might  not  ;  and  were 
 therefore  not  fimply  to  be  relied  on  (any  more  than 
 iimply  to  be  condemned)  but  to  be  brought  to  the 
 only  certain  teft,  the  law  and  the  teftimony. 
 
 He  now  laboured  in  many  places  between  London 
 and  BriJloL  In  Moorfields,  on  Kennington^Common^ 
 Elackheath,  Sec.  Many  thoufands  attended  his  miniftry. 
 In  every  place  God  bore  witnefs  to  his  truth :  mul- 
 titudes were  convinced,  that  the  wages  of  fin  is  death, 
 hut  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through  Jejiis  Chrijl : 
 and  they  brought  forth  fruit  meet  for  repentance  ; 
 and  not  a  few  found  redemption  through  his  blood,  the 
 forgivenefs  of  their  fns. 
 
 Various  and  ilrange  were  the  reports  concern- 
 ing him.  As  Jeremiah,  he  could  fay,  "  I  heard  the 
 defaming  of  many,  Report,  faid  they,  and  we  will  re- 
 port it  again."  The  mofl  common  rumour  was,  that 
 he  was  a  Jefuit,  and  had  evil  defigns  againft  the 
 Church,  if  not  againft  the  State.  Various  were  the 
 publications  concerning  him.  Moft  of  thefe  lived 
 but  a  fevvT  days  or  weeks,  the  writers  being  totally  ig- 
 norant of  the  fubje6l  they  wrote  upon.  Some  of 
 them  however  were  not  unworthy  of  notice,  which 
 he  anfwered  with  great  ability,  and  which  we  fhall 
 take  fome  notice  of,  when  we  come  to  treat  of  his 
 writings. 
 
 His  mother  now  began  to  attend  his  miniftry,  being 
 convinced  that  he  fpoke  the  words  of  truth  a^d  fober- 
 
 O  nefs. 
 
194         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 .nefs.  She  had  for  fome  time  lived  with  her  fon-in-law 
 Mr.  Hall,  and  by  mifreprefentations  had  been  led  to  9 
 think  that  her  {ons  John  and  Charles  were  in  a  danger-  V 
 oils  error.  Her  fon  Samuel,  who  was  deeply  pi'cju- 
 diced  againft  his  brothers'  preaching  and  behaviour, 
 laments  with  great  furprife  in  a  letter  to  his  mother, 
 written  about  this  time,  that  "  She  fhould  counte- 
 nance the  fpreading  delufion,  fo  far  as  to  be  one  of 
 Jack's  congregation.'*  But  Mr.  Wejley  folves  this 
 difficulty.  "  Monday,  September  3,"  fays  he,  "  I  talked 
 largely  with  uiy  mother,  vv^ho  told  me.  That  till  a  fhort 
 time  fince,  fhe  had  fcarce  heard  fuch  a  thing  men- 
 tioned, as  the  having  forgivenefs  of  lins  now,  or  God's 
 Spirit  bearing  witnefs  with  our  fpirit :  much  lefs  did 
 Ihe  imagine,  that  this  was  the  common  privilege  of 
 all  true  believers.  *''  Therefore  (faid  fhe)  I  never 
 durft  afk  for  it  myfelf.  But  two  or  three  weeks  ago, 
 while  my  fon  Hall  was  pronouncing,  thofe  words,  in 
 delivering  the  cup  to  me,  The  blood  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrijl,  -which  was  given  for  thee  ;  the  words  fhuck 
 through  my  heart,  and  I  knew  God  for  Chrift's  Hike 
 had  forgiven  me  all  my  fins/' 
 
 *'  I  aiked.  Whether  her  father  (Dr.  Annfley)  had 
 not  the  fame  f<iith?  And,  Whether  fhe  had  not  heard 
 Lim  preach  it  to  others  ?  She  anfwered,  "  He  had  it 
 himfelf,  and  declared  a  little  before  his  death,  that 
 lor  more  than  forty  years,  he  had  no  darknefs,  no 
 fear,  no  doubt  at  all,  of  his  being  accepted  in  the  Be- 
 loved. But  that  neverthelefs,  fhe  did  not  remember 
 to  have  heard  him  preach,  no,  not  once,  explicitly 
 upon  it ;    whence  flie  fuppofed  he  alfo  looked  upon 
 
 it 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         1^95 
 
 it  as  the  peculiar  bleffing  of  a  few,  not  as  promifed  to 
 all  the  people  of  God." 
 
 After  this  fhe  lived  with  Mr.  John  We/Iey,  and  joy- 
 fully attended  his  miniflry  till  God  called  her  to  a 
 better  world. 
 
 A  ferious  Clergyman,  convinced  of  his  uprightnefs, 
 but  yet  ilao-gcred  at  a  condu6l  which  he  thought  con- 
 trary  to  the  interefls  of  the  eftabliflied  church,  defired 
 to  know,  in  what  points  he  differed  from  the  Church 
 of  England F  "  I  anfwered,"  fays  Mr.  Wtjley,  ''To 
 the  bed  of  my  knowledge,  in  none  :  the  do6lrines  we 
 preach,  are  the  do6lrines  of  the  church  of  England : 
 indeed  the  fundamental  do6trines  of  the  church, 
 clearly  laid  down,  both  in  her  prayers,  articles,  and 
 homilies. 
 
 "  He  afked,  in  what  points  then  do  you  differ  from 
 the  other  Clergy  of  the  church  of  England  ?  I  an- 
 fwered,  In  none  from  that  part  of  the  Clergy  who 
 adhere  to  the  doctrines  of  the  church  ;  but  from  that 
 part  of  the  Clergy  who  diffent  from  the  church 
 (though  they  own  it  not)  I  differ  in  the  points  follow- 
 ing : 
 
 "  Firft,  They  fpeak  of  j unification,  either  as  the 
 fame  thing  with  fandification,  or  as  fomething  confe- 
 quent  upon  it.  I  believe  jullification  to  be  wholly 
 diftind  from  fan 611  fi cation,  and  neceffarily  antecedent 
 to  it. 
 
 "  Secondly,  They   fpeak  of  our  own  holinefs  or 
 
 good  works,  as  the  caufe  of  our  jullification  ;  or,  that 
 
 Jor  the  fake  ofivhich,  on  account  ofwhich^  we  are  juftified 
 
 before  God.     I  believe,  neither  our  own  holinefs  nor 
 
 O  2'  good 
 
tg6        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY/ 
 
 good  works  are  any  part  of  the  caufe  of  our  juftifica- 
 tion  ;  but  that  the  death  and  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift 
 are  the  whole  and  fole  caufe  of  it;  or  that  /or  the  fake 
 efwhichy  on  account  0/ which,  we  are  juftified  before 
 God. 
 
 *'  Thirdly,  They  fpeak  of  good  works,  as  a  condition 
 
 of  juftification,  necefTarily  previous  to  it.  I  beheve 
 no  good  work  can  be  previous  to  juflification,  nor 
 confequently  a  condition  of  it :  but  that  we  are  jufli- 
 fied,  (being  till  that  hour  ungodly,  and  therefore 
 incapable  of  doing  any  good  work)  by  faith  alone, 
 faith  without  works,  faith  (though  producing  all,  yet) 
 including  no  good  work. 
 
 *'  Fourthly,  They  fpeak  of  fan6lification  (orholi- 
 nefs)  as  if  it  were  an  outward  thing,  as  if  it  confided 
 chiefly,  if  not  wholly,  in  thefe  two  points,  1.  The 
 doing  no  harm,  2.  The  doing  good  (as  it  is  called) 
 i.  e.  The  ufmg  the  means  of  grace,  and  helping  our 
 neiglibour. 
 
 *'  I  believe  it  to  be,  an  inward  thing,  namely,  The 
 life  of  God  in  the  foul  of  man;  a  participation  of  the 
 divine  nature ;  the  7)iind  that  mas  in  Chriji  ;  or,  The  re^ 
 ncwal  of  our  heart,  after  the  image  of  Him  that  created  us. 
 
 "  Laflly,  They  fpeak  of  the  new  birth,  as  an  out- 
 ward thing,  as  if  it  were  no  more  than  baptifm  ;  or, 
 at  mod,  a  change  from  outward  wickednefs  to  outward 
 goodnefs ;  from  a  vicious  to  (what  is  called)  a  vktuous 
 life.  I  believe  it  to  be  an  inward  thing ;  a  change 
 from  inward  wickednefs  to  inward  goodnefs  :  an  entire 
 change  of  our  inmofl  nature  from  the  image  of  the 
 
 devil; 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  $97 
 
 devil,  (whxerein  we  are  born.)  to  the  image  of  God  : 
 a  chano^e  from  the  love  of  the  creature  to  the  love  of 
 the  Creator,  from  earthly  and  fenfual,  to  heavenly 
 and  holy  affedipns  :  in  a  word,  a  change  from  the 
 tempers  of  the  fpirits  of  darknefs,  to  thofe  of  the 
 angels  of  God  in  heaven, 
 
 *'  There  is  therefore  a  wide,  efTential,  fundamental, 
 irreconcilable  difference  between  us :  fo  that  if  they 
 fpeak  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus,  I  am  found  a  falfe 
 witnefs  before  God.  But  if  I  teach  the  way  of  God 
 in  truth,  they  are  blind  leaders  of  the  blind." 
 
 He  was  now  earneftly  preifed  to  vifit  Wales,  which 
 he  did  about  the  middle  of  06lober.  He  preached 
 in  many  places  in  that  principality  :  and  though  the 
 frofl  fet  in,  and  was  very  fevere,  multitudes  gladly 
 heard  him,  even  in  the  open  air,  and  many  turned  to 
 the  Lord. 
 
 About  this  time  Mr.  Wejlcy  made  the  following  re- 
 marks on  the  great  work,  which  God  had  already 
 wrought  by  his  miniftry.  '•  Such  a  work  this  hath  been 
 in  m.any  refpeds,  as  neither  we  nor  our  fathers  had 
 known.  Not  a  few  whofe  fins  were  of  the  n  ofl 
 flagrant  kind,  drunkards,  fwearers,  thieves,  whore- 
 mongers, adulterers,  have  been  brought  from  darknefs 
 unto  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 
 Many  of  thefe  were  rooted  in  their  wickednefs,  havino* 
 long  gloried  in  their  fhame,  perhaps  for  a  courfe  of 
 many  years,  yea,  even  to  hoary  hairs.  Many  had  riot 
 fo  much  as  a  notional  faith,  being  Jews,  Arians, 
 Deifls  or  Atheiils.  Nor  has  God  only  made  baie  his 
 jirm  in  thefe  lafl  days,  in  behalf  of  open   pubhcans 
 
 O  3  and 
 
198         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 and  finners  ;  but  many  of  the  pharifees  alfo  have  be- 
 lieved on  him ;  of  the  righteous  that  needed  no 
 repentance  :  and  having  received  the  fcntence  of  death 
 in  themfelveSp  have  then  heard  the  voice  that  raifeth 
 the  dead :  have  been  made  partakers  of  an  inward, 
 vital  rehgion,  even  righteoufnefs  and  peace  and  joy  in 
 the  Holy  Ghoft. 
 
 *'  The  manner  wherein   God    hath  wrought    this 
 
 o 
 
 work,  is  as  ftrange  as  the  work  itfelf.  In  any  parti- 
 cular foul,  it  has  generally,  if  not  always,  been  wrought  J; 
 in  one  moment.  As  the  lightning  fiiining  from 
 heaven,  fo  was  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man,  either 
 to  bring  peace  or  a  fword  ;  either  to  wound  or  to 
 heal ;  either  to  convince  of  fin,  or  to  give  remiflion 
 of  fins  in  his  blood.  And  the  other  circumftances 
 attending  it  have  been  equally  remote  from  vrhat  hu- 
 man wifdom  w^ould  have  expefted.  So  true  is  that 
 word,  "  My  ways  are  not  as  your  ways,  nor  my 
 thoucrhts  as  your  thoughts."  Thefe  extraordinary 
 circumftances  feem  to  have  been  defigned  by  God,  for 
 the  further  manifeflation  of  his  work,  to  caufe  his 
 pov/er  to  be  known,  and  to  awaken  the  attention  of  a 
 drowfy  world.'* 
 
 That  myflery  of  iniquity  which  had  appeared 
 before,  now  ripened  apace.  The  Society  which  had 
 been  formed  in  London  loon  after  his  return  from 
 Georgia^  was  much  increafed  in  number,  and  in  gene- 
 ral confifled  of  thofe  who  walked  worthy  of  their 
 caUing.     But  doubtful  dilputations  had  for  fome  time 
 
 interruptecl 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  199 
 
 interrupted  their  harmony,  and  they  feemed  no  longer 
 to  keep  '•  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of 
 peace." 
 
 In  order  to  give  a  full  view  of  the  nature  of  thofe 
 difputes,  we  fubjoin  a  flatement  of  them  drawn  up 
 by  Mr.  Wejlev,  immediately  after  converfing  with  one 
 of  thofe  who  v/ere  principally  concerned. 
 
 '•  Monday,  December  31.  I  had  a  long  and  parti- 
 cular converfation  with  Mr.  Molther.  I  weighed  all 
 his  words  with  the  utmoft  care,  defired  him  to  explain 
 what  I  did  not  underftand;  afked  him  again  and  again. 
 Do  I  not  miftake  what  you  fay  ?  Is  this  your  mean- 
 ing, or  is  it  not  ?  So  that  I  think,  if  God  has  given 
 me  any  meafure  of  underflanding,  I  could  not  mi  (lake 
 him  much.' 
 
 ''  As  foon  as  I  came  home,  I  befought  God  to  alTifl 
 rwQ,  and  not  fuffer  the  blind  to  go  out  of  the  way.  I 
 then  wrote  down  what  I  coaiceived  to  be  the  diflFe- 
 a^nce  bptween  us,  in  the  following  words  : 
 
 ''  As  to  Jailh,  you  believe, 
 
 '•'1.  There  are  no  degrees  of  faith,  and  that  no  man 
 has  any  degree  of  it,  before  ail  things  in  him  are  be- 
 come new,  before  he  has  the  full  affurance  of  faith, 
 the  abiding  witnefs  of  the  Spirit,  or  the  clear  percep- 
 tion, that  Chriit  dwelleth  in  him. 
 
 •*  2.  Accordingly  you  believe,  there  is  710  juflifyirig 
 faith,  or  flate  of  juflification,  fhortof  this. 
 
 '"  3. Therefore  you  believe,  that  that  gift  of  God, which 
 p:iany  received  fmce  Peter  Bohler  came  into  England^ 
 
 O  4  viz, 
 
soo  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Vi.     "  A  fure  confidence  of  the  love  of  God  to  them/* 
 was  7iol  jujli/ying  faith, 
 
 *'  4.  And,  that  the  jo)'  anSAove  attending  it,  were  from 
 aniraal  fpirits,  from  nature  or  ijnapnaiion  ;  not  joy  in 
 the  Holy  Ghofl,  and  the  rea!  love  of  God,  fhed  abroad 
 in  their  hearts. 
 
 *'  Whereas  I  believe, 
 
 '^  1 .  There  are  degrees  infaiih,  and  that  a  man  may 
 have  fome  degree  of  it,  before  all  things  in  him  are  be- 
 come new,  before  he  has  the  full  alTurance  of  faith, 
 the  abiding  witnefs  of  the  Spirit,  or  the  clear  percep- 
 tion that  Chrifl  dwelleth  in  him. 
 
 "  2.  Accordingly,  I  believe,  there  is  a  degree  ofjujli^ 
 fying  faith  (and  confequently  a  (late  of  juflification) 
 Ihort  of,  and  commonly  antecedent  to,  this. 
 
 "3,  And,  I  believe  that  that  gift  of  God,  which 
 many  received  iince  Peter  Bohler  c?ime  into  England, 
 viz.  *'  A  fure  confidence  of  the  love  of  God  to  thenii" 
 was  jufli fying  faith, 
 
 *'  4.  And  that  the  yo^' and  love  attending  it,  were  not 
 from  animal  fpirits,  from  nature  or  imagination ;  but  a 
 meafure  of  joy  in  the  HoJy  Ghofl,  and  of  the  love  of 
 God  fhed  abroad  in  their  hearts. 
 
 ''  As  to  the  way  to  faith;  you  believe, 
 
 *'  That  the  way  to  attain  it  is,  to  wait  for  Chrifl,  and 
 be  /I ill,  i.  e. 
 
 *'  Not  to  ufe  (what  rve  term)  the  means  of  grace:  not 
 (o  2:0  to  church  :  not  to  communicate  :  not  'to  fafl : 
 
 XI  Gt 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  201 
 
 not  to  ufe  fo  much  private  prayer :  not  to  read  the 
 Scripture  :  (becaufe  you  believe,  Thefe  are  not  means 
 cf  grace,  i.  e.  do  not  ordinarily  convey  God's  grace 
 to  unbelievers  :  ■  and,  that  it  is  impofhble  for  a  man  to 
 ufe  them,  without  trujling  in  them.) 
 
 ''  Not  to  do  temporal  good  :  nor  to  attempt  doing 
 fpiritual  good  :  becaufe  you  believe,  no  fruit  of  the 
 Spirit  is  given,  by  thofe  Vvdio  have  it  not  themfeives. 
 And,  that  thofe  who  have  not  faith  are  utterly  blind, 
 and  therefore  unable  to  guide  other  fouls. 
 
 *'  V.'nereas  I  believe, 
 
 ''  The  way  to  attain  it  is,  To  wait  for  Chriil  and 
 be  jtiU; 
 
 ''  In  ufing  all  the  means.of  grnce, 
 
 '  Therefore  I  believe  it  right,  for  him  who  knows  he 
 has  not  faith,  (i.  e.  that  con<^uering  faith,) 
 
 *'  To  go  to  Church  :  to  Communicate  :  to  Fall :  to 
 ufe  as  much  private  prayer  as  he  can,  and  to  read  the 
 Scripture  ;  (becaufe'  J  believe,  Theie  are  means  ofgrace^ 
 i.  e.  do  ordinarily  convey  God's  grace  to  unbelievers  : 
 and,  that  it  is  poflible  for  a  man  to  ufe  them,  without 
 irnjiing  in  them.) 
 
 *'  To  do  alt  temporal  good  he  can  :  and  to  endeavour 
 after  doing  fpiritual  good  :  becaufe  I  know,  many 
 fruits  of  the  Spirit  are  given,  hy  thofe  who  have  them 
 not  themfeives :  and  that  thofe  who  have  not  faith, 
 or  but  in  the  lowefl  degree,  may  have  more  light 
 from  God,  more  wifdom  for  the  guiding  of  other 
 fouls,  than  many  that  are  llrong  in  faith. 
 
 ''As 
 
202         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 *'  As  to  the  manner  of  propagating  the  faith,  you  be- 
 lieve (as  I  have  alio  heard  others^  affirm) 
 
 '*  That  we  may,  on  fome  accounts,  ujc  guile  : 
 
 **  By  faying  what  we  know  will  deceive  the  hearers, 
 or  lead  them  to  think  the  thing  which  is  not  :  by  dc- 
 fcribing  things  a  Utile  beyond  the  truth,  in  order  to  their 
 coining  up  to  it :  and  by  fpeaking,  as  if  we  meant, 
 %vhat  we  do  not. 
 
 *'  But  I  believe,  that  we  may  not  ufe  guile ,  on  any 
 account  Vv^hatfoever  :  that  we  may  not  on  any  account 
 lay,  what  we  know  will,  and  defign  fliould,  deceive 
 the  hearers  :  that  we  may  not  deicribe  things  one  jot 
 beyond  the  truth,  whether  they  cojne  up  to  it,  or  no  :  and 
 that  we  may  not  fpeak,  on  any  pretence,  as  z/^we 
 meant,  wlvAt  indeed  we  do  not. 
 
 *'  Laflly,  As  to  the  fruits  of  your  thus  propagating 
 the  faith  in  England,  you  believe, 
 
 ''  Much  good  has  been  done  by  it :  many,  unfettled 
 from  a  falfe  foundation  :  many  brought  into  true 
 Jlillnefs,  in  order  to  their  coming  to  the  true  foun- 
 dation :  fome  grounded  thereon ;  who  were  wrong 
 before,  but  are  right  now, 
 
 *•  On  the  contrary,  I  believe,  that  very  little  good, 
 but  much  hurt  has  been  done  by  it :  many,  who 
 were  beginning  to  build  holinefs  and  good  works,  on 
 the  true  foundation  of  faith  in  Jefus,  being  now 
 wholly  unfettled  and  loll  in  vain  reafonings  and 
 doubtful  difputations  :  many  others  being  brought 
 into  a.  J  a  If e  uni'cTiptui'Sil  Jiillnejs ;  fo  that  they  are  not 
 likely   to  come  to   any   true  foundation :  and  manj- 
 
 being 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         203 
 
 being  , grounded  on  a  faith  which  is  without  works  • 
 fo  that  they  who  were  right  before,  are  wrong  now." 
 His  attention  to  thefe  things  did  not  hinder  hini 
 from  being  flill  abundant  in  kibours.  He  novy^ 
 viiited  many  parts  of  DevonJJiire,  where  mukitudes 
 heard  him  gladly.  He  continued  alfo  from  time  to 
 time  his  ufual  labours  in  and  near  Brijlol :  and  at 
 the  earnefl  invitation  of  Mr.  Howell  Harris  oi  Brecon-' 
 fare,  he  made  a  fecond  vifit  to  Wales, 
 
 But  the  vain  reafonings  and  difputings  mentioned 
 above,  again  revived  in  London;  the  eiTecls  of  which 
 were,  that  not  one  in  ten  of  the  believers  retained  his 
 *^  firjl  love  :"  and  moil  of  the  reft  were  in  the  utmofl 
 confufion.  "  I  found,"  fays  he,  "  more  and  more 
 undeniable  proofs,  that  the  Chriftian  ftate  is  a  con- 
 tinual -warfare,  and  that  we  have  need  every  moment 
 io  watch  and  pray,  lejl  we  enter  into  temptation.  Out- 
 ward trials  indeed  were  now  removed,  and  Peace  was 
 in  all  our  borders.  But  fo  much  the  more  did  inward 
 trials  abound ;  and  ij  one  meniber  fitffered,  all  ike 
 members  fiiffered  with  it.  So  ftrange  a  fymoathv  did 
 I  never  obferve  before  :  whatever  confiderable  temp- 
 tation fell  on  any  one,  unaccountably  fpreadincr 
 itfelf  to  the  reft,  fo  that  exceeding  few  were  able  to 
 efcape  it." 
 
 Finding  there  was  no  time  to  delay,  without  utterly 
 deftroying  what  he  believed  to  be  the  caufe  of  God 
 }ie  refolved  to  ftrike  at  the  root  of  the  grand  de~ 
 lufion;  and  accordingly,  from  the  words  o^  Jeremiah 
 Stand  in  tk  way;  ajk  for  the  old  paths,  he  gave  an  ac- 
 count of  the  work  of  God  among  them  from  the  be- 
 ginnings 
 
204     .     THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  ' 
 
 p^inninsx,  bearincr  at  the  fame  time  the  moll  un^ 
 equivocal  teflimoriy  againO:  the  unfcriptural,  mif- 
 chievous  refinements,  lately  introduced  to  the  weaken- 
 ing, if  not  deftroying,  the'  faith  of  many. 
 
 The  hearts  of  moil  of  the  brethren  in  London,  be- 
 came now  quite  eflranged  from  him.  A  few  however 
 ftill  cleaved  to  him,  and  ftrengthened  him  much.  He 
 Hill  hoped  that  the  reft  would  yet  hear  the  Scripture, 
 and  return  to  the  faith  and  love  which  they  once 
 enjoyed.  But  finding  on  the  contrary  that  they  1 
 laboured  to  pervert  the  few  that  were  faithful,  he 
 law  nothing  remained  but  that  he  fhould  give  them 
 up  to  God  :  which  he  did  in  the  moft  folemn  manner, 
 on  Sunday,  July  20,  1740.  At  the  conclufion  of  the 
 evening  feivice,  he  read  a  paper,  containing  a  fhort 
 ftatement  of  thofe  dodrines  which  had  been  lately 
 introduced  among  them  :  after  which,  he  added  the 
 following  words : 
 
 *•  I  believe  thefe  alTertions  to  be  flatly  contrary  to 
 the  word  of  God.  I  have  warned  you  hereof  agrain 
 and  again,  and  befought  you  to  turn  back  to  the  law 
 and  tlie  teflimony.  I  have  borne  with  you  long, 
 hoping  you  would  turn.  But  as  I  find  you  more 
 and  more  confirmed  in  the  error  of  your  ways, 
 nothing  now  remains,  but  that  I  fhould  give  you 
 up  to  God.  You  that  are  of  the  fame  judgment, 
 follow  me.'* 
 
 When  he  had  thus  fpoke,  he  withdrew,  as  did 
 eighteen  or  nineteen  of  the  Society. 
 
 Some  time  after  this,  Count  Zinzendor_ff,  who  ar- 
 rived in  Evdand  after  the  romnienccmcnt  of  the  dif- 
 
 pute,  .1 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  205 
 
 pute,  defiled  an  intervieT\r  with  him,  in  Gr^jv's-Inn- 
 Walks.  Mr.  Wtjley  met  him  according  to  appoint- 
 ment. But  the  Count  ftrenuouily  inhflmg  on  thofe- 
 points  which  Mr,  Wtjley  accounted  errors,  as  above 
 related,  they  parted  without  the  leail  prorpe6l  of  a 
 reconciliation.  * 
 
 But  he  ftiil  loved  and  efteemed  the  people,  from 
 vrhom  he  was  now  obliged  to  feparate  himfelf.  As  a 
 proof  of  this,  he  obferves  in  the  Addrefs  to  the  Mora- 
 vian Church,  which  he  annexed  to  an  account  of  the 
 whole  tranfa61;ion,  and  foon  afterwards  publiilied, 
 
 /'  I  have  delayed  thus  long,  bccaufe  I  loved  you,  and  was 
 therefore  unwilling  to  grieve  you  in  any  thing :  and  like- 
 wife  becaufe  I  was  afraid  of  creating  another  chfiade  to  that 
 union,  which  (if  I  know  my  own  heart  in  any  degree)  I 
 dcfirc  above  all  things  under  heaven.  But  I  dare  no  hmger 
 delay,  left  ray  filence  fliould  he  a  jnare  to  any  others  of  the 
 children  of  God ;  and  lefl  you  yourjelves  fJiould  he  7nore 
 confirmed  in  what  I  cannot  reconcile  to  the  law  and  the 
 tefiimony.  This  would  flrengthen  the  bar  which  I  long  to 
 remove.  And  were  that  once  taken  out  of  the  way,  I  Jhoukl 
 Tijoice  to  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  hovfe  of  God,  a  hewer  of 
 wood  or  drawer  ofzcater  among  you.  Surely  IwouldfoU 
 hio you  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  or  remain  with  you  in  the 
 uttermoft  parts  of  the  fea* 
 
 ''  What  unites  my  heart  to  you  is,  The  excellency  (in  many 
 
 ''ejpeBs)  of  the  doB^rine  taught  among  you :   your  laying 
 
 the  true  foundation^    God  was  in  Chrill  reconciling  the 
 
 world  to  himfelf,  your  declaring  the  free  grace  of  God 
 
 the 
 
 *  See  the  converfation  at  large  in  the  latter  part  of  Mr. 
 Wejley's  fourth  Journal. 
 
2o6         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ihe  caiife,  and  faith  the  condition  of  jujlijication  :  your 
 bearing  witnefs  to  thoje  great  fruits  of  faith,  righteoufnefs, 
 and  peace,  and  joy  in  fche  Holy  Ghofh ;  ~  and  that  Jure 
 mark  thereof  he  that  is  born  of  God,  doth  not  commit 
 fin. 
 
 *'  /  magnify  ihe  grace  oyCod  which  is  in  many  among 
 you,  enabling  you  to  love  him  who  hath  Jirjl  loved  us ;  teach^ 
 ingyoic,  in  whatjoever flate  you  are,  therewith  to  he  content : 
 caufing  you  to  ira^nple  under  foot  the  lujt  of  the  flefi, 
 ihe  lufl  of  ihe  eye  and  ihe  pride  of  life:  and  above  all, 
 giving  you  to  love  one  another,  in  a  manner  ihe  world 
 knoweth  not  of 
 
 "  /  praije  God,  that  he  hath  delivered  and  yet  doth 
 deliver  you,  from  thofe  outward  fins  that  oveyfpread  the 
 face  of  the  earth.  No  curfing,  no  light  or falfe  Jwearing , 
 no  prof aning  the  name  o/"  God  is  heard  among  you  :  no 
 rchhery  or  theft,  no  gluttony,  or  drunkennejs,  no  whoredofii 
 or  adultery,  no  quarrelling  or  brawling  (thoJe  fcandals  of 
 ihe  chrijlian  name)  are  found  within  your  gates:  no 
 diverfions  but  fuch  as  become  faints,  as  may  be  ufed  in  ihe 
 name  of  ihe  Lord  Jefus.  You  regard  not  outward  adorn^ 
 ing,  hut  rather  dcfire  the  ornament  of  a  ferious,  meek  and 
 quiet  fpirit.  You  are  not  flothful  in  bufmefs,  but  labour 
 'to  cat  your  ozvn  bread  ;  and  zvifely  manage  ihe  Mammon 
 of  unrighteoufnefs,  that  ye  may  have  to  give  to  others 
 alfo,  to  feed  the  hungry,  and  cover  the  naked  with  a 
 garment" 
 
 It  is  here  necelTary  to  obferve,  that  Mr.  Wefeys 
 objcclions  to  the  Moravians,  with  whom  he  had  been 
 conne6led,  (though   without   leaving  the  Church  of 
 
 Englandf) 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         207 
 
 England,)  from  the  beginning  of  his  acquaintance  with 
 Peter  Bohler,  were  not  levelled  at  the  whole  Body, 
 but  only  at  that  part  of  it  wdiich  refided  in  London. 
 
 He  now  met  his  little  Society  at  his  Preaching-houfe 
 near  Moorfields,  which  was  generally  known  by  the 
 name  of  the  Foundery  (becaufe  it  w^as  originally  builfc 
 for  the  cafling  of  cannon.)  In  this  place  he  alfo  re- 
 gularly preached.  His  word  vras  05vned  of  God,  and 
 his  Society  rapidly  increafed.  He  therefore  now  faw 
 it  nece(fary  to  draw  up,  jointly. with  his  Brother,  rules 
 for  his  Societies,  in  London, .  Bri/iol,  Kingswood,  and 
 other  parts  of  the  kingdom  :  and  as  they  contain  as 
 fine  a  fyflem  of  chriftian  ethics,  as  w^as  "ever  perhaps 
 drawn  up  in  fo  fmall  a  compafs,  and  have  been  the 
 rules  by  which  hnce  that  time  the  w^hole  connedlion 
 has  been  governed,  we  think  it  our  indifpenfable  duty 
 to  give  them  a  place  in  the  prefent  Hiftory. 
 
 I.  There  is  one  only  condition  previoully  required 
 of  thofe  who  defire  admiffion  into  thefe  Societies,  a 
 dejire  to  flee  /r 0771  the  lorathto  come,  to  he  faved  from  their 
 fins :  but,  wherever  this  is  really  fixed  in  the  foul,  it 
 will  be  fhewn  by  its  fruits.  It  is  therefore  expe61ed 
 of  all  who  continue  therein,  that  they  fhould  continue 
 to  evidence  their  dehre  of  falvation, 
 
 Firft,  By  doing  no  harm,  by  avoiding  evil  in  every 
 kind  ;  efpecialiy,  that  which  is  mofl  generally  pradif- 
 ed.     Such  is 
 
 The  taking  the  name  of  God  in  vain  : 
 
 The  profaning  the  day  of  the  Lord,  either  by 
 doing  ordinary  work  thereon,  or  buying  or  felling  : 
 
 Drunkennefs^ 
 
2oS  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Drunkennefs,    buyi'ig   or   [tiling  fpp-ituous    liquors  ^ 
 
 or  di'inking  ihcm,  unkTs  in  cafes  oi    extreme  necefTUy  : 
 
 Fighting,   quarrelling,  brawling  >    hroihar  going  lo 
 
 law  vnlh.  brother;   returning  evil  for  evil,    or    railing 
 
 for  railing  :  the  i[fing  many  words  in  buying  or  felling  ; 
 
 The  buying  or  Jtllmg  uncuflomed  goods': 
 
 The  giving  or  taking  things  oh  ujury  :   i.  e.  unlawful 
 interefl : 
 
 Uncharitable   or  improfUahle  converfation  ;  particu- 
 larly fpeaking  evil  of  magiilrates,  or  of  miniflers  : 
 
 Doing  to  others  as  we  would  not  they  fhould  do 
 unto  us : 
 
 Doing  what  w^e  know  is  not  for  the  glory  of  God  : 
 
 As,  The  putting  on  of  gold  or  eojlly  appareL 
 
 The  taking  fuck  diverfions  as  cannot  be  ufed  in  the 
 name  of  the  Lord  Jefus  : 
 
 The  Jinging  thofe  Jongs,  or  reading  thofe  hooks, 
 which  do  not  tend  to  the  knowledge  or  love  of  God  : 
 
 Softnefs,  and  needlefs  felf-indulgence  : 
 
 Laying  up  trcafure  upon  earth  : 
 
 Borrowing  without  a  probability  of  paying;  or 
 taking  up  goods  without  a  probability  of  paying  for 
 them. 
 
 n.  It  is  expe6led  of  all  who  continue  in  thefe  So- 
 cieties, that  they  ihould  continue  to  evidence  their 
 defire  of  falvation. 
 
 Secondly,  By  doing  good,  by  being  in  every  kind 
 merciful  after  their  power,  as  they  have  opportunity, 
 doing  good  of  every  polTible  fort,  and  as  far  as  is  pof- 
 lible  to  all  men ; 
 
 To 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  209 
 
 *'  To  their  bodies,  of  the  ability  which  God  giveth, 
 by  giving  food  to  the  hungry,  by  clothing  the  naked, 
 hv  vifiting  or  helping  them  that  are  fick  or  in  prifon, 
 
 ''  To  their  fouls,  by  inftruQing,  reproving,  or  ex- 
 horting all  we  have  any  intercourfe  with  :  trampling 
 under  foot  that  enthufiaflic  doftrine  of  devils,  that 
 ••  We  are  not  to  do  good,  unlefs  our  hearts  be  Jree 
 
 to  itr 
 
 *'*  By  doing  good  efpecially  to  them  that  are  of  the 
 houfehold  of  faith,  or  groaning  fo  to  be  :  employing 
 them  preferably  to  others,  buying  one  of  another, 
 helping  each  other  in  bufinefs :  and  fo  much  the 
 more,  becaufe  the  world  will  love  its  own,  and  them 
 only. 
 
 "  By  all  polTible  diligence  and  frugality,  that  the 
 Gofpel  be  not  blamed. 
 
 *'  Qy  running  with  patience  the  race  that  is  fet  before 
 them,  denying  themfelves  and  taking  up  their  crofs  daily; 
 fubmitting  to  bear  the  reproach  of  Chrift ;  to  be  as 
 the  filth  and  ofFscouring  of  the  world  ;  and  looking 
 that  men  iliould  fay  all  manner  of  evil  of  them  faljely 
 for  the  Lord's  fake. 
 
 "  3.  It  is  expe6led  of  all  who  deiire  to  continue  in 
 thefe  Societies,  that  they  fhould  continue  to  evidence 
 their  deiire  of  falvation, 
 
 ''  Thirdly,  By  attending  on  all  the  ordinances  of 
 God:  fuch  are 
 
 "  The  public  worfhip  of  God  :  The  miniflry  of 
 the  word,  either  read  or  expounded  : 
 
 ••  The   fupper  of  the  Lord ;    family   and  private 
 
 P  prayer; 
 
2i6         THE  LIF£  of  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 prayer;    fearching   the   fcriplures  :    and    fdfling    ot 
 abftinence. 
 
 "  Tliefc  are  the  general  rules  of  oi\r  Societies ;  all 
 which  we  are  taiight  of  God  to  obfervc,  even  in  his 
 written  word,  the  only  rule,  and  the  fufficient  rule 
 both  of  our  faith  and  pra6lice.  And  all  thefe  we 
 know  his  Spirit  writes  on  ever)'  truly  awakened  hearts 
 If  there  be  any  among  us  who  obferve  them  not,  who 
 habitually  break  any  of  them,  let  it  be  made  known 
 unto  them  who  v/atch  over  that  foul,  as  they  that 
 mufl:  give  an  account.  We  will  admohifh  him  of  the 
 error  of  his  ways  ;•  we  will  bear  with  him  for  a  feafon. 
 But  then  if  he  repent  not,  he  hath  no  more  place 
 among  us.     We  have  delivered  our  own  fouls. 
 
 John   Wesley, 
 Charles  Wesley.'*  ■ 
 
 CHAP.       H. 
 
 Of  the  progrefs  of  Religion,  receiving  AJfiftants,  regula- 
 tions in  ike  Society,  the  Clajfes,  Bcuids,  Watch- Nights^ 
 Love-Feajls,  and  Oiiarterly  Vijitations :  and  of  tlie 
 Death  and  Character  of  Mrs,  Wesley. 
 
 E  now  Av  ent  on  with  his  labours,  and  with  the 
 fame  fuccefs.  Multitudes,  as  before,  attended 
 liis  miniftry,  and  many,  renouncing  ungodlincfs,  were 
 brought  into  the  liberty  'of  the  Gofpel.  Many  alfo 
 were  the  witnefTes,   who,  after  patiently  fulTering  the 
 
 afflidions 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  211 
 
 :fiiTIi(51;ions  which  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  lay  upon 
 them,  refigned  their  fouls  into  the  hands  of  God,  with 
 triumphant  praife  andjoy. 
 
 For  a  confiderable  time  Mr.  Wlutefield  continued 
 to  labour  in  union  with  him  :  and  fometimes  they 
 appeared  in  the  pulpit  together.  Mr.  Whitejield,  after 
 his  fec'ond  vifit  to  America,  was  well  received  hy 
 many  pious  miniflers  in  the  northern  flates.  Almofl 
 all  thefe  were  of  Mr.  Calvin  s  fentiments,  and  afferted 
 abfolute  Predeilination.  Mr,  Whilefield  being  edified 
 hy  their  piety,  began  in  a  little  time  to  relifh  their 
 creed.  They  ftrongly  recommended  to  him  the 
 writings  of  the  Puritan  divines,  which  he  from  that 
 time  read  with  much  pleafure,  approving  all  he  found 
 therein,  as  he  informs  Mr.  V/eJley  in  a  letter  which  he 
 wrote  to  him  on  the  fubjeft.  The  confequence  was, 
 that  on  his  return  to  England  he  could  not  join  his 
 old  friend  in  the  work  of  the  miniilry,  with  the  fame 
 cordiality  as  before. 
 
 As  Mr.  Wejley  fully  believed,  and  firmly  afferted, 
 that  God  is  not  willing  that  any  Jlioidd  perijli,  but  that  all 
 JJiould  come  to  the  knowledge  oj  the  truth  and  he  Javed, 
 he  had  now  another  error  to  oppofe.  The  Calviniflic 
 fentiments  had  been  long  held  by  a  great  part  of  the 
 diffenting  congregations,  but  did  not  appear  for  fome 
 time  among  thofe,  who  were  converted  in  the  prefen'r 
 revival  of  relioon.  This  however  was  not  of  lon<y 
 continuance* 
 
 *'  One  evening,*'  fays  Mr.  Wejtey,  ''  Mr.  Acourt 
 complained,  that  Mr.  Nowers  had  hindered  his  going 
 into  the  Society.     Mr.  Nowers  anfwered,   it  was    hy 
 
 P  2  Mr, 
 
212  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 mV.  C.  WefJeys  order.     *'  What,  (fays  Mr.  A )  do 
 
 you  refute  admitting  a  perfon  into  your  Society,  only 
 becaufe  he  differs  from  you  in  opinion  ?"  I  anfweredj 
 *'  No.  But  what  opinion  do  you  mean  ?"  Lie  faid, 
 *'  That  of  eleftion.  I  hold  a  certain  number  is  eleded 
 from  eternity.  And  thefe  muft  and  fhall  be  faved. 
 And  the  reft  of  mankind  muft  and  fiiall  be  damned. 
 And  many  of  your  Society  hold  the  fame."  I  re- 
 plied, "  I  never  aiked,  whether  they  hold  it  or  no. 
 Only  let  them  not  trouble  others  by  difputing  about 
 it."  He  faid,  "  Nay,  but  I  -will  difpute  about  it." 
 What,  wherever }'0u  come  ?  "'  Yes,  wherever  I  come." 
 Why  then  v/ould  you  come  among  us,  who  you  know 
 are  of  another  mind  ?  *•'  Becaufe  you  are  all  wrong, 
 and  I  am  refolved  to  fefc  you  all  right."  I  fear  your 
 coming  with  this  view,  would  neither  profit  you  nor 
 us.  He  concluded,  "  Then  I  will  go  and  tell  all  the 
 world,  that  you  and  your  brother  are  falfe  prophets. 
 And  I  tell  you,  in  one  fortnight  you  will  all  be  in  % 
 confufion." 
 
 Soon  after  this,  the  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  Mr. 
 Whitefidd  to  hirh,  was  printed  without  the  permiflion 
 of  eitlier,  and  great  numbers  of  copies  were  given  to 
 the  people  both  at  the  door  of  the  Foundery  and  in 
 the  houfe  itfelf.  Mr.  Wejley  having  procured  one  of 
 them,  related  (after  preaching)  the  naked  fadir  to  the 
 congregation,  and  told  them,  ''  I  will  do  juft  what  I 
 believe  Mr.  Whilefield  would,  were  he  here  him- 
 felf."  Upon  which  he  tore  ic  in  pieces  before  them 
 all.  Every  one  who  had  received  it,  did  the  fam.e. 
 So  that    in   two    minutes,  there   was  not  a  whole 
 
 copy 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.,         S13 
 copy  kft.  "  Ah,  poor  Ahithophel !  added  Mr.  Wejley, 
 
 *'  Ibi  omnis  effujus  labor  /"+ 
 
 The  diflurbance,  however,  which  this  opinion  occa* 
 fioned  at  Brijiol,  and  the  parts  adjacent,  was  not  fo 
 ibon  or  fo  eafily  quieted.  Mr.  Wc/ley  had  pe.mitted 
 an  excellent  young  man,  Mr.  Cennick,  afterwards  a 
 miniiter  of  the  Moravian  church,  to  pray  with  and  ex- 
 hort the  Society  at  Kingswood,  as  well  as  to  fuperintend 
 the  fchool  during  his  abfence.  Mr.  Cennick  now  em- 
 braced the  do6lrine  of  the  Decrees,  and  foon  after  feems 
 to  have  lof^  all  love  and  refpe6l  for  his  former  friend 
 fpeaking  againft  him  and  his  dodrine  with  much  con- 
 tempt and  bitternefs.  The  confequence  was,  that 
 after  fome  fruitlefs  eflForts  to  heal  the  breach  Mr. 
 Cennick  departed,  and  carried  off  with  him  about  fifty 
 of  the  Society,  whom  he  formed  into  a  feparate  con- 
 nexion. Mr.  WeJIey  mourned  over  this  younrr  man 
 in  fuch  a  manner,  as  evidenced  that  he  held  him  in 
 high  efleem.  We  have  reafon  to  believe  that  Mr. 
 Cennick  was  afterwards  convinced  of  his  mi  flake,  and 
 lived  many  years  an  a6live  and  fuccefsful  minifter  of 
 the  Gofpel. 
 
 But  Mr.  We/ley  was  now  to  fulFer  tliG  lofs  of  a  flill 
 more  beloved  friend.  Mr.  Whitejield's  ^vQ]udicQ,  fmce 
 the  change  in  his  opinions,  feemed  incurable.  ''  Having 
 heard  much,"  fays  Mr.  WeJIey,  "  of  Mr.  Whitejield's  un- 
 kind behaviour,  fmce  his  return  from  Georgia,  I  went 
 to  hear  him  fpeak  for  himfelf,  that  I  might  know  how 
 to  judge.  I  much  approved  of  his  plainnefs  of  fpeech. 
 
 P  3  He 
 
 i  So  all  your  labours  lojl  ! 
 
214         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 He  told  me,  "  He  and  I  preached  two  different  Gof, 
 pels,  and  therefore  he  not  only  would  not  join  with,, 
 or  give  me  the  right-hand  of  fellowfliip,  but  was  re- 
 folved  publicly  to  preach  againft  me  and  my  brother, 
 wherefoever  he  preached  at  all."  Mr.  Hall  (who 
 went  with  me)  put  him  in  mind  of  the  promife  he  had 
 made  but  a  few  days  before,  that  "  whatever  his 
 private  opinion  was,  he  would  never  publicly  preach 
 againft  us.'*  He  faid,  "  That  promife  was  only  an 
 efre6l  of  human  weaknefs,  and  he  was  now^  of  another 
 mind.'' 
 
 From  this  time  tlrey  had  no  clofe  or  intimate  union 
 vv'ith  each  other.  Yet  it  clearly  appears,  that  this 
 circumftance  gave  both  of  them  pain.  They  had 
 loved  long,  and  loved  well.  They  were  convinced  of 
 each  other's  finceri ty.  They  often  therefore  viiited, 
 and  fometimes  preached  for  each  other  during  many 
 years.  Mr.  Whitefield  alv/ays  fpoke  in  the  moft  re- 
 fpe61:ful  terms  of  Mr.  IVeJley  :  while  the  latter,  though 
 he  continued  to  bear  the  llrongeft  teftimony  againft 
 abfolute  Predeftination,  ever  efteemed  and  fpoke  of  1 
 Mr.  Whiiefield  as  a  man  of  God,  and  as  an  eminent 
 minifter  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 Mr.  Whiiefield,  in  his  will,  written  with  his  own  hand, 
 obferves,  "  I  leave  a  mourning-ring  to  my  honoured 
 and  dear  friends  and  difinterefted  fellow-labourers,  the 
 Rev.  Mefl^-s.  jfolin  and  Charles  We/ley,  in  token  of  my 
 indiiloluble  union  with  them,  in  heart  and  chriftian 
 affection,  notwithftanding  our  difference  in  judgment 
 about  fome  particular  points  of  do6lrine."  On  Mr. 
 Whitefield' s  death,  his  Executors  deiired  Mr.  Wefiey  tQ 
 
 preacl^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  215 
 
 preach  his  Funeral-fermon  in  his  chapels  near  MooT", 
 fields  and  Tottenham-Court- Road,  in  London,  which  he 
 did  in  a  manner  that  did  honour  to  them  both.  Mr. 
 Charles  Wejley  pubhfhed  a  poetic  tribute  to  the  memory 
 of  this  srreat  and  good  man,  which  was  written  with 
 much  afFeftion  and  refpe6i;. 
 
 We  cannot  give  lo  complete  an  idea  of  the  ear- 
 ned defire  of  Mr.  Wejley  to  effe6t  a  reconciliation 
 with  Mr.  Whitfield,  as  by  inferting  in  his  own  words 
 the  conceflions  which  he  made  for  the  accomplifh- 
 ment  of  fo  dehrable  an  end. 
 
 "  Having  found  for  fome  time/'  fays  he,  '*  a  flrong 
 defire  to  unite  with  Mr.  Whitefield,  as  far  as  poiTible, 
 to  cut  off  needlefs  difpute  I  wrote  down  my  fentiments, 
 as  plain  as  I  could,  in  the  foUowinsr  terms  : 
 
 - "  There  are  three  points  in  debate,  1 .  Unconditional 
 eletlion,   2.  Irrefiftible  grace,  3.   Final  perfeverance. 
 
 "  With  regard  to  the  firft,  unconditional  eleftion, 
 I  believe, 
 
 "  That  God  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  did 
 unconditionally  eleB  certain  perfons  to  do  certain  works, 
 as  Paul  to  preach  the  Gofpel. 
 
 ^''  That  he  hdiS  unconditionally  elecled'(ome  nations  to 
 receive  peculiar  privileges,  the  Jevjijli  nation  m  par- 
 ticular : 
 
 '•'  That  he  has  unconditionally  elcBed  fome  nations  to 
 hear  the  Golpel,  as  England  and  Scotland  jiow,  and 
 manv  others  in  loaft  asf:es  : 
 
 "  Tiiat  he  has  unconditionally  eleEled  fom.e  perfons  to 
 many  peculiar  advantages,  both  vrith  regard  to  tem- 
 poral and  fpiritual  things  : 
 
 P  4  ■  ':  And 
 
2i6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 "And  I  do  not  deny  (though  I  cannot  prove  it  is  fo,) 
 
 *'  That  he  has  unconditionally  cltEcd  Ibme  perfons, 
 thence  eminently  ililed,  the  eleft,  to. eternal  glory, 
 
 *'  But  I  cannot  believe, 
 
 *'That  all  thofe  who  are  not  thus  elected  to  glory,  mujl 
 perilh  everiaftingly :   Or 
 
 *•  That  there  is  one  foul  on  earth,  who  has  not,  nor 
 ever  had,  a  pojjlhility  of  efcaping  eternal  damnation. 
 
 *'  With  regard  to  the  fecond,  irrefiftible  grace,  I  be- 
 lieve 
 
 "That  the  grace  which  brings  faith,  and  thereby  fal- 
 vation  into  the  foul,  is  irrefiftible  at  that  moment. 
 
 "  That  mod  believers  may  remember  fome  time 
 when  God  did  irrefijtihly  convince  them  of  fin  : 
 
 "  That  moft  believers  do  at  fome  other  times  find 
 God  irrefijiibly  a6ling  upon  their  fouls  : 
 
 "  Yet  I  believe.  That  the  grace  of  God  both  before 
 and  after  thofe  moments,  may  be  and  hath  been  re- 
 fifted  :  And 
 
 *'  That,  in  general,  it  does  not  act  irre/JJlibly,  hut  wc 
 may  comply  therewith,  or  may  not, 
 .  ''  And  I  do  not  deny, 
 
 "  That  in  thofe  eminently  ftiled  the  elect  (if  fucli 
 there  be)  the  grace  of  God  is  fo  far  irrefijlihle,  that  they 
 cannot  but  believe  and  be  finally  faved. 
 
 *•'  But  I  cannot  believe 
 
 *'  That,  All  thofe  raiijl  be  damned,  in  whom  it  does 
 not  thus  irrefijlihly  work  :   Or 
 
 *'  That  there  is  one  foul  on  earth,  who  has  not,  and 
 never  had  any  other  grace,  than  fuch  as  does  in  fa6]; 
 
 iiicreafe 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  V/ESLEY.  217 
 
 increafe  his  damnation,   and  was  defigned  of  God    lb 
 I    to  do. 
 
 *'  With  regard  to  the  third,  final  perfeverance,  I  be- 
 lieve, 
 
 ■    *'  That  there  is  a  flate   attainable  in  this  life,   from 
 which  a  man  cannot  finally  fall  : 
 
 *'  That  he  has  attained  this,  who  is,  according  to  St. 
 P^iii's  account,  a  new  creature  ;  that  is,  who  can  fay. 
 Old  things  are  pafl  away  ;  all  things  in  me  are  become 
 new, 
 
 *'  And  I  do  not  deny 
 
 *'  That  ail  thofe  eminently  fiiled  the  ele6l,  will  in- 
 fallibly perfevere  to  the  end." 
 
 As  the  people  who.  placed  themfelves  under  his 
 care  daily  increafed,  he  was  involved  in  a  confiderable 
 difficulty  :  either  he  muft  confine  his  labours  to  thofe 
 whom  he  could  vifit  conftantly  or  within  a  fhort  fpace 
 of  time,  or  endeavour  to  procure  fome  other  affiflance 
 for  them.  It  feems  he  at  firll  had  fome  hopes  that 
 the  Miniflers  of  the  refpe61;ive  parifhes  would  watch 
 oyer  thofe  who  were  lately  turned  from  the  error  of 
 their  ways.  In  this  however  he  was  difappointed  ; 
 which  induced  him  to  try  other  methods,  and  at  lafl 
 drew  forth  that  defence  of  himfeif,  which  he  makes  in 
 the  third  part  of  his  Farther  Appeal  to  men  of  Reafon 
 jand  Religion. 
 
 ''  It  pieafed   God,'*    fays  he,    "  by    two  or  three 
 
 .Miniflers  of  the   Church  of  England,    to   call  many 
 
 I  jfinners   to    repentance;  who,  in  feveral  parts,  were 
 
 undeniably  turned  from  a  courfe  of  fin,  to  a  courfe  of 
 
 :boIinefs» 
 
 ''  The 
 
2i8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 '•  The  Miniflers  of  the  places  where  this  was  done, 
 ought  to  have  received  thofe  Miniflers  with  open 
 arms  ;  and  to  have  taken  them  who  had  juO:  begun 
 to  ferve  God,  into  their  peculiar  care  ;  watching  over 
 them  in  tender  love,  left  they  fliould  fall  back  into 
 the  ihave  of  the  Devil. 
 
 *'  Inftead  of  this,  the  greater  part  (poke  of  thofe ; 
 Minillers,  as  if  the  devil,  not  God,  had  fent  them. 
 Some  repelled  them  from  the  Lord's  table  :  others  | 
 ilirred  up 'the  people  againft  them,  reprefenting  them 
 even  in  their  public  difcourfes,  as  Fellows  not  Jit  to  live  : 
 Pofnjh,  Heretics,  Traitors ;  Confpirators  againft  their 
 King  and  Country, 
 
 '•  And  how  did  they  watch  over  the  fmners  lately 
 reformed  ?  Even  as  a  leopard  watcheth  over  his  prey. 
 They  drove  fome  of  them  alfo  from  the  Lord's  table; 
 to  which,  till  now,  they  had  no  defire  to  approach., 
 They  preached  all  manner  of  evil  concerning  them,i 
 openly  curling  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord-  They; 
 turned  many  out  of  their  w^ork  :  perfuaded  others  to 
 do  fo  too,  and  harafled  them  all  manner  of  ways. 
 
 •■  The  event  was,  that  fome  were  wearied  out,  and 
 io  turned  back  to  their  vomit  again.  And  then  thefe 
 ;:\ood  paftors  gloried  over  them,  and  endeo^voured  to 
 lltake  others  by  their  example. 
 
 '•  When  the  Minifters,  by  whom  God  had  helped 
 diem  before,  came  again  to  thofe  places,  great  part 
 of  their  work  was  to  begin  again  ;  if  it  could  be 
 begun  again  :  but  the  relapfers  were  often  fo  hardened 
 ia  lir?,  tliat  no  imprcftion  could  be  made  upon  them. 
 
 ''  Wh:.^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 21 
 
 !       *'  What   could   they  do  in  a  cafe  of  fo  extreme  ne- 
 j  ^peffity  ?   Where  fo  many  fouls  hiy  at  ftake  ? 
 
 "No  Clergyman  would  afiifi:  at  all.  The  expedient 
 that  remained  was,  to  find  fome  one  amonp"  them- 
 felves,  who  was  upright  of  heart,  and  of  found  judg- 
 ment in  the  things  of  God  :  and  to  defire  him  to  meet 
 the  reft  as  often  as  he  could,  in  order  to  confirm  them, 
 as  he  was  able,  in  the  ways  of  God,  either  by  readino- 
 to  them,  or  by  prayer,  or  by  exhortation." 
 
 With  this  view  he  had  formerly  appointed  Mr. 
 Cennick  to  refide  at  Kingswood.  But  the  want  of  an 
 affiftant  of  this  kind  was  particularly  felt  in  London. 
 The  Society  in  that  city  had  recently  and  deeply  ex- 
 perienced the  mifchievous  efFe^is  of  that  inftrti6lion, 
 which  is  not  according  to  the  oracles  of  God.  And 
 therefore,  when  he  was  about  to  leave  London  for  a, 
 feafon,  he  appointed  one  whom  he  judged  to  be 
 ftrong  in  faith,  and  of  an  exemplary  converfation,  to 
 meet  the  Society  at  the  ufual  times,  to  pray  with  them, 
 and  give  them  fuch  advice  as  might  be  needful.  This 
 was  Mr.  Maxfield;  of  whofe  remarkable  converiion  at 
 Brijiol,  we  have  before  fpoken.  This  young  man, 
 being  fervent  in  fpirit,  and  mighty  in  Ihe  Scriphirts, 
 greatly  profited  the  people.  They  crowded  to  hear 
 him  :  and  by  the  increafe  of  their  number,  as  well  as 
 ,by  their  earncft  and  deep  attention,  they  mfenfibly 
 led  him  to  go  further  than  he  at  firft  defigned.  He 
 began  to  preach  :  and  the  Loid  fo  bleifed  the  word, 
 that  many  were  not  only  deeply  awakened  and 
 brought  to  repentance,  but  were  alfo  made  happy  in 
 ^  confcioufnefs  of  pardon.     The  Scripture-marks  of 
 
 true 
 
2  20 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 true  con^crfion,   inv>'ard   peace  and  power  to  walk  in 
 all  holinefs,  evinced  the  work  to  beof  God. 
 
 Some  hovv^ever  were  oxFended  at  this  irregularity,  as 
 it  was  terrried.  A  complaint  was  made  in  form  to  Mr. 
 Weilcy,  and  he  haftcned  to  London  in  order  to  put  a 
 flop  to  it.  His  mother  then  lived  in  his  houfe,  ad- 
 joining to  the  Foundery.  When  he  arrived,  fhe  per- 
 ceived that  his  countenance^  was  exprefiive  of  diffatis- 
 fa61ion,  and  inquired  the  caufc.  '•  Thomas  Maxfield,'* 
 faid  he  abruptly,  *'  has  turned  Preacher,  I  find."  She 
 looked  attentively  at  him,  and  replied,  "  John,  you 
 know  what  my  fentiments  have  been.  You  cannot 
 fufpecl  me  of  favouring  readily  any  thing  of  this 
 kind.  But  take  care  what  you  do  with  refpecl  to 
 that  young  man,  for  he  is  as  furely  called  of  God  to 
 preach,  as  you  are.  Examine  what  have  been  the 
 fruits  of  his  preaching  :  and  hear  him  alfo  yourfelf.'* 
 He  did  fo.  His  prejudice  bowed  before  the  force  of 
 truth  :  and  he  could  only  fay,  "  It  is  the  Lord  :  let 
 him  do  xvJiat  Jeemeih  him  good,'* 
 
 In  other  places  alio,  the  fame  afliflance  was  af- 
 forded. It  appears  indeed  from  what  he  has  faid  at' 
 various  times,  that  he  only  fuhmitted  with  reluctance  to 
 it.  Flis  high- church  pnnciples  flood  in  his  way. 
 But  fuch  effecis  were  produced,  that  he  frequently, 
 found  himfelf  in  the  predicament  of  Peter,  who  being 
 queflioned  in  a  matter  fomewhat  fimilar,  could  only 
 relate  the  fa6l3  and  fay,  *•'  what  was  /,  that  I  couldwith^ 
 Jland  God  V 
 
 But  the    Lord   was  about  to  fhew  him  flill  greater 
 thmgs   than  thcfe.       An   honefl   man,   a  Mafon,  of 
 
 Birjlal 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  VrESLEY.  221 
 
 Birftul    in    YorlxfJiire,   wliofe  name  was    John  Ndfon, 
 coming  up   to   London   to   ivork    at    jiis  trade,    heard 
 'that  word  which  he  found  to  be  the  power  of  God  unto 
 falvation*     Nelfon  had  full   buhnefs    in    London,   and 
 large  wages.      But  from  the  time  of  his  finding  peace 
 with  God,  it  was  continually  on  his  mind,  that  he  muft 
 return  to  his  native  place.     Pie  did  fo,  about  Chrifl- 
 mas,   in   the  year    1740.     'Flis  relations  and  acquain- 
 tance foon  began  to  inquire,     ''  What   he   thought  of 
 this  new  faith  ?    And  whether  he  believed,  there  was 
 any   fuch   thing,    as    a   man's    knowing   that   his  hns 
 were   forgiven  ?"    John   told  them  point  blank,  That 
 this  new  faith,   as   they  called  it,  was  the  old  faith  of 
 the   gofpel :    and   that  he  himfelf  \¥as  as  fure  his  fins 
 w^cre  forgiven,  as   he   could  be  of  the  (hining  of  the 
 fun."     This  was  foon  noifed  abroad  ;  more  and  more 
 came    to    inquire    concerning  thefe   ftrange    things. 
 Some  put   him  upon   the  proof  of  the  great  truths, 
 which    fuch   inquiries  naturally   led  him  to  mention. 
 And   thus  he   was   brought   unawares  to   quote,  ex- 
 plain,  compare   and   enforce   feVeral  parts  of  Scrip- 
 '  ture.     This  he  did  at  firft,   fitting  in  his  houfe,  'till 
 ih.Q  company   increafed,   fo   that  the  houfe  could  not 
 contain  them.      Then  he  fiood  at  the  door,  which  he 
 vvas  commonly  obliged  to  do  in  the  evening,  as  foon 
 ;ts  he  came  from  work.      God  immediately  fet  his  feal 
 to  what  was  fpoken :   and  feveral  believed,  and  there- 
 fore declared,  that  God  was  merciful  alfo  to  their  un~ 
 righteoufnefs,  and  had  forgiven  all  their  fms. 
 
 Here   was   a  Preacher  and    a   large  congregation, 
 many  of  whom  were  happy  partakers  of  the  faith  of 
 
 the 
 
222         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  gofpel,  raifed  up  without  the  direQ  interferenc::'c 
 of  Mr.  Wefley.  He  therefore  now  fully  acquiefced  iii 
 the  order  of  God,  and  rejoiced  that  the  thoughts  of  God 
 zuere  not  as  his  confined  thoughts.  His  rnind  was  en-  ' 
 iarsced  with  the  love  of  God  and  man  :  and  he  deter- 
 mined  more  firmly  than  ever,  to  fpend  and  be  fpent, 
 for  the  glory  of  his  name.  Nelfons,  Journal  was  af- 
 terwards publiflied,  and  is  now  extant.  Arid  it  it 
 liard  to  fay  which  is  molt  to  be  admired,  the  ftrength 
 of  his  underftanding,  unafiifted  by  human  leai'ning ; 
 his  zeal  for  the  falvation  of  fouls  ;  or  the  injuries  and 
 opprcflions  which  he  fuflPered  from  thofe  who  "  knew 
 iiot  what  fpirit  they  were  of/' 
 
 Mr.  Wefley  vifitcd  this  good  man  at  his  earnefl  re» 
 iquefl,  and  from  that  time  laboured  much  in  YorkfJiire. 
 In  no  part  oi  England  has  religion  taken  a  deeper  root^ 
 or  had  a  wider  fpread,  than  in  this  favoured  county. 
 The  people,  who  are  numerous,  are  alfo  induftrious, 
 and  in  general  fully  employed.  They  have  learned 
 to  be  *'  diligent  in  bufmefs,  and  fervent  ih  fpirit, 
 fcrving  the  Lord."  Not  only  in  all  the  capital  towns^ 
 but  in  all  the  villages  alfo,  numerous  Societies  were 
 formed ;  and  Chriflian  fellowfhip,  till  then  unknown, 
 has  given  to  religion  a  ftability,  arid  a  beauty,  which 
 can  hardly  be  conceived  by  thofe  who  know  it  not. 
 
 Mr.   Wefley  at  this  time  vifited  Nexucaflle-upori'Tyne^ 
 and  the  iaeisfhbourinjr  towns  and  villages.     As  there  is 
 
 o  o  o 
 
 fomethinsc  remarkable  in  the  commencement  of  his 
 labours  in  this  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  as  he  ever 
 after  had  a  peculiar  attachment  to  the  town  o^  New* 
 cafle,  in  which  he  himfelf  ere6led  a  large  Preaching- 
 
 houfe, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         2^3 
 
 iioufe,  we  fhall  give  the  <iccount  of  his  entrance  on  that 
 work  in  his  own  words. 
 
 "  Friday,  May  28.  1742.  We  came  to  Netocajllc 
 about  fix  in  the  evening,  and  afteralhort  refrefhment, 
 walked  into  the  town.  I  was  furprifed  ;  fo  much 
 drunkennefs,  curfmg  and  (wearing  (even  from  the 
 mouths  of  little  children)  do  I  never  remember  to 
 have  {ten  and  heard  before,  in  fo  fmall  a  compafs  of 
 time.  Surely  this  .place  is  ripe  for  Htm,  v/ho  came  not 
 to  call  the  righteous,  but  Jinners  to  repentance, 
 
 "  Sunday  30.  At  {^wtn  I  walked  down  to  Sand- 
 gate,  the  poorefl  and  rnofi:  contemptible  part  of  the 
 tov/n,  and  Handing  ?.t  tlie  end  of  the  flreet  with  Tchn 
 Taylor,'^  began  to  fmg  the  hundredth  pfaim.  Three 
 or  four  people  came  to  fee  what  was  the  matter,  v/ho 
 foon  ing^'eafed  to  four  or  five  hundred.  1  fuppofe^ 
 there  might  be  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred,  before  I  had 
 done  preaching  :  to  whom  I  applied  thofe  folemn 
 words,  He  was  wounded  for  our  tranjgrejfions,  He  wa^ 
 hruifed  for  our  iniquities;  the  chaftijement  of  cur  peaCe 
 was  upon  Him,  and  by  hisjiripes  we  are  healed. 
 
 "  Obfsrving  the  people  when  I  had  done,  to  Ptand 
 •gaping  and  flaring  upon  m.e,  with  the  moft  profound 
 aftoniilimeht,  I  told  them,  "  If  you*  defire  to  know 
 who  I  am,  my  name  is  John  Wefley.  At  five  in  the 
 evening,  with  God's  help,  I  defign  to  preach  here 
 again/' 
 
 "  At  five,  the  hill  on  which.  I  defigned  to  preach, 
 .was  covered  from  the  top  to  the  bottom.  I  never  faw^ 
 fo  large  a  number  of  people  together,    either  in  Moor-- 
 
 fields^ 
 *  A  good  man  who  travelled  with  him  at  that  time. 
 
224         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Jichh,  or  on  Kennington-Common.  I  knew  it  was  not 
 poiTible  for  the  one  half  to  hear,  although  my  voice 
 was  then  ftrong  and  clear,  and  I  flood  fo  as  to  have 
 them  all  in  view,  a-^  they  were  ranged  on  the  fide  of 
 the  hill.  '  The  word  oF  God  which  I  fet  before  them 
 Was,  I  will  heal  tiieir  hackfliding,  I  will  love  ihtm  Jrttly. 
 After  preaching,  the  poor  people  were  ready  to  tread 
 me  under  foot,  out  of  pure  love  and  Idndnefs.  It  was 
 fome  time  before  I  could  poflibly  gtt  out  of  the  prefs. 
 I  then  went  back  another  way  than  I  came.  But 
 feveral  were  got  to  our  Inn  before  me ;  by  whom  I 
 was  vehemently  importuned,  to  flay  with  them,  at 
 leafl,  a  few  days  :  or,  however,  one  day  more.  But  I 
 could  not  confent ;  having  given  my  word,  to  be  at 
 Birflal,  with  God's  leave,  on  Tuefday  night." 
 
 He  nov/  alio  vifited  Epworth,  his  native  place,  where 
 his  father  had  been  Reclor  of  the  parifh  for  many 
 years,  and  had  borne  a  faithful  teflimiOny,  though 
 almoft  all  the  feed  feemed  to  have  been  fown  as  by  the 
 high-way  fide,  "  It  being  many  years,''  fays  he,  "  fince 
 I  had  been  in  Epworih  before,  I  went  to  an  Inn,  in 
 the  middle  of  the  town,  not  knowing  whether  there 
 were  any  left  in  it  now,  who  would  not  be  afliamed  of 
 my  acquaintance.  But  an  old  fervant  of  my  father, 
 with  two  or  three  poor  women,  prefently  found  me 
 out.  I  afl^Lcd  her,  "  Do  you  know  any  in  Epworih 
 who  are  in  earned  to  be  faved  ?"  She  anfwered,  "  I 
 am,  by  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  I  know  I  am  faved 
 through  faith."  I  aflced,  "  Have  you  then  the  peace 
 of  God  ?  Do  you  know   that   he  has  forgiven  your 
 
 fins  r 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  225 
 
 fins  ?"  She  replied,  "  I  thank  Godj  I  know  it  i/elL 
 And  many  here  can  fay  the  fame  thing/' 
 
 He  proceeds,  "  Sunday,  June  6,  1742.  A  little 
 before  the  fervice  began,  I  went  to  Mr.  Romky  the 
 curate,  and  offered  to  aflifl  him  either  by  preaching  or 
 reading  prayers.  But  he  did  not  choofe  to  accept  of  my 
 afliftance.  The  church  was  exceeding  full  in  the  after- 
 noon, a  pamour  being  fpread^  that  I  was  to  preach. 
 But  the  fermon  on  Quench  ndt  the  Spirit,  was  not  fuita- 
 ble  te  the  expedation  of  many  of  the  hearers.  Mr. 
 Romky  told  them,  ^'  One  of  the  moft  dangerous  ways 
 of  quenching  the  Spirit  was  by  enthufiafm  :  and  en- 
 larged on  the  charafter  of  an  enthuhaft,  in  a  very 
 florid  and  oratorical  manner.  After  fermon  John 
 T'i^)'/or  flood  in  the  church-yard,  and  gave  notice  as 
 the  people  were  coming  out,  "  Mr.  Wejley,  not  being 
 permitted  to  preach  in  the  church,  defigns  to  preach 
 here  at  fix  o'clock.'' 
 
 "  Accordingly  at  fix  I  came,  and  found  fuch  a  con- 
 gregation, as  I  believe  Epworth  never  faw  before.  I 
 ftood  near  the  eafl  end  of  the  church,  upon  my  father's 
 tombflone,  and  cried.  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  not  meat 
 and  drink  ;  hut  righteovjnefs,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
 Ghojlr 
 
 He  continues,  "  Friday  11,  I  preached  again  at 
 Epworth  on  Ezekiel's  vifion  of  the  refurre61:ion  of  the 
 dry  bones.  And  great  indeed  was  the  ihaking  among 
 them  :  lamentation  and  great  mourning  were  heard  ; 
 God  bowing  their  hearts,  fo  that  on  every  fide,  as 
 with  one  accord,  they  lifted  up   their  voice  and  wept 
 
 Q  aloud  „ 
 
226  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 aloud.  Surely  he  who  font  his  Spirit  to  breathe  upon 
 them,  will  hear  their  cry  and  help  them. 
 
 "  Saturday  12.  I  preached  011  the  nghteoufnefs  of 
 the  law  and  the  righteoufnefs  of  faith.  While  I  was 
 fpeaking,  feveral  dropped  down  as  dead  :  and  among 
 the  reft,  fuch  a  cry  was  heard,  of  fmners  groaning  for 
 th^  righteoufnefs  of  faith,  as  almoft  drowned  my  voice. 
 But  many  of  thefe  foon  lifted  up  their  heads  with  joy, 
 and  broke  out  into  thankfgiving  :  being  alfured,  they 
 now  had  the  defire  of  their  foul,  the  forgivenefs  of  their 
 fins. 
 
 '^  1  obferved  a  gentleman  there,  who  was  remarka- 
 ble for  not  pretending  to  be  of  any  religion  at  all.  I 
 was  infoTmed  he  had  not  been  at  public  worfhip  of 
 any  kind  for  upwards  of  thirty  yeaa-s.  Seeing  him 
 Hand  as  motion! efs  as  a  flatue,  I  afked  him  abruptly, 
 "  Sir,  are  you  a  fmner  ?"  He  replied  with  a  deep  and 
 broken  voice,  "  Sinner  enough,"  and  continued 
 flaring  upwards,  'till  his  wife  and  a  fervant  or  two, 
 who  were  all  in  tears,  put  him  into  a  chaife  and  carried 
 him  home. 
 
 '•  Sunday  13.  At  fix  I  preached  for  the  la  ft  time 
 in  Epworth  church-yard  (being  to  leave  the  town  the 
 next  morning,)  to  a  vaft  multitude  gathered  together 
 from  all  parts,  on  the  beginning  of  our  Lord's  fermon 
 on  the  mount.  I  continued  amonc^  them  for  near 
 three  hours  :  and  yet  we  fcarcc  knew  how  to  part. 
 O  let  none  think  his  labour  of  love  is  loft,  becaufe 
 the  fruit  does  not  immediately  appear.  Near  forty 
 years  did  my  father  labour  here.  liut  he  faw  little 
 fiuit  of  all  his  labour.     1  took  fome  pains  among  this 
 
 people 
 
THE  LIt'E  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         227 
 
 people  too  :  and  my  fliength  alfo  feemed  fpent  iii 
 vain.  But  now  the  fruit  appeared.  There  were 
 fcarce  any  in  the  town,  on  whom  either  my  father  or 
 I  had  taken  any  pains  formerly,  but  the  feed  fown  fa 
 loner  fince,  now  fprungup,  bringing  forth  repentance 
 and  remiffion  of  fins." 
 
 On  another  vifit  to  Epworth,  he  obfer^^es,  "  Sun- 
 day, January  2,  1743.  At  five  I  preached  on  So  is 
 tvtry  out  who  is  horn  of  the  Spii'it.  About  eight  I 
 preached  from  my  father's  tomb,  on  Heb.  viii.  11. 
 Many  froni  the  neighbouring  towns,  afked,  If  it  would 
 not  be  well,  as  it  was  Sacrament-Sunday,  for  them  to 
 receive  it  ?  I  told  them,  '*  ^y  all  means.  But  it 
 would  be  more  refpeftful  firfl:  to  aik  Mr.  Romley,  the 
 curate's  leave."  One  did  fo,  in  the  name  of  the  reft. 
 To  whom  he  faid,  "  Pray  tell  Mr.  We/ley,  I  fhall  not 
 give  him  the  facrament.     For  he  is  not  fit.'* 
 
 **  How  wife  a  God  is  our  God  !  There  could  not 
 have  been  fo  fit  a  place  under  heaven,  where  this 
 Ihould  befall  me  firil,  as  my  father's  houfc,  the  place 
 of  my  nativity,  and  the  very  place,  where,  according 
 to  the  Jlriciejl  feB  of  our  religion,  I  had  fo  lorig  lived  a 
 pharifee  !  It  was  alfo  fit  in  the  highefl  degree,  that  he 
 who  repelled  me  from  that  very  table,  where  I  had 
 myfelf  fo  often  difiributed  the  bfead  of  life,  fliould 
 be  one  who  owed  his  all  in  this  world,  to  the  tender 
 love  which  my  father  had  fhewn  to  his,  as  well  as 
 perfonally  to  himfelf." 
 
 As  the  various  Societies  now  began  to  walk  by 
 rule,  and  to  be  trained  up  in  the  difcipline  as  well  as 
 dodrine  of  the  Lord^  we  Ihall  here    give    a    circum- 
 
 O  2  flantial 
 
228         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 llantial  account  of  the  dijcipline  which  was  gradually 
 introduced  among  them:  only  obferving  that  there 
 was  no  previous  clefign  or  plan  at  all,  but  every  thing 
 arofe  juil  as  the  occafion  offered.  And  as  this  is  fo 
 delicate  and  fo  importafit  a  part  of  Mr.  Wcjleys  Life, 
 and  of  the  Hiflory  of  that  revival  of  religion,  in  which 
 he  was  the  chief  inftrument,  we  will  give  the  relation  in 
 his  own  words. 
 
 With  regard  to  the  formation  of  the  Societies,  he 
 obferves,  ''  It  quickly  appeared,  that  their  thus  uniting 
 together  an fwered  the  end  propofed.  In  a  few  months 
 the  far  greater  part  of  thofe  who  had  begun  to  fear 
 God,  and  work  righttouliufs,  but  were  not  united  to- 
 gether, grew  faint  in  their  minds,  and  fell  back  into 
 what  they  were  before.  Mean  v/hile  the  far  greater 
 part  of  thofe,  who  were  thu^  united  together,  con-- 
 tinned  ftriving  to  enter  in  at  the  Jirait  gate,  and  to  Idy 
 hold  on  eternal  lije. 
 
 *'  Upon  refIe61ion,">  continues  he,  "  I  could  ndt 
 but  obferve,  this  is  the  very  thing  which  was  from  the 
 beginning  of  chriftianity.  In  the  earliefl  times,  tho^e 
 whom  God  had  fent  forth,  preached  the  Go j pel  to  every 
 creature.  And  the  S»  ^y.^carai.  the  body  of  hearers,  were 
 moRly  either  Jews  or  Heathens.  Lut  as  foon  as  any  of 
 thefe  were  fo  convinced  of  the  truth,  as  to  fdrfake  fiii 
 and  feek  the  Gofpel-falvation,  they  immediately 
 joined  them  together,  took  an  account  of  their  names, 
 advifed  them  to  watch  o^•er  each  other,  and  met  thefe 
 7:«7>5x5/L^£>o»  (catechumens,  as  they  were  then  called)  apart 
 from  the  great  congregation,  that  they  might  inflrucl, 
 rebuke,  ex liort,  and  pray  with  them,  and  for  them,  ac- 
 cording to  their  feveral  flccelTities,  *' But 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         229 
 
 *^  But  it  was  not  long  before  an  obie6lion  was  made 
 to  this,  which  had  not  once  entered  into  my  thought. 
 *'  Is  not  this  making  a  fchifm  ?  Is  not  the  joining 
 thefe  people  together,  gathtring  churches  out  of  churches  ?" 
 -  "  It  was  eafily  anfwered,  if  you  m.ean  only  ^^//ze?"- 
 ing  people  out  of  buildings  called  churches,  it  is.  But  if 
 you  mean,  dividing  chriilians  from  chriilians,  and  fo 
 deftroying  chrillian  fellov/iliip,  it  is  not.  For  ift. 
 Thefe  were  not  chriilians  before  they  were  thus  joined. 
 Moil  of  them  were  barefaced  heathens.  2.  Neither 
 are  they  chriftians,  from  whom  you  fuppofe  them  to 
 be  divided.  You  will  not  look  me  in  the  face,  and 
 fay  they  are.  What !  Drunken  chriilians  ?  Curfmg 
 and  fwearing  chriilians  ?  Lying  chriilians  ?  Cheating 
 chriilians  ?  If  thefe  are  chriflians  at  all,  they  are 
 devil  clirijiians  (as  the  poor  Malabarians  term  them.) 
 3.  Neither  are  they  divided  any  more  than  they 
 were  before,  even  from  thefe  wretched  devil  chrif- 
 iians.  They  are  as  ready  as  ever  to  affiil  them, 
 and  to  perform  every  oflice-^qf  real  kindnefs  toward 
 them.  4.  If  it  be  faid,  *'but  there  are  fome  true 
 chrifdans  in  the  parilli,  and  you  dellroy  the  chrifdan 
 fellowfhip  between  thefe  and  them.''  I  anfwer,  that 
 which  never  exiiled,  cannot  be  deflroyed.  But  the 
 fellovv'fiiip  you  fpeak  of,  never  exiiled.  There- 
 fore, if  cannot  be  deflroyed.  V/hich  of  thofe  true 
 chriflians  had  any  fuch  fellowfhip  with  thefe  ?  Who  . 
 watched  over  them  in  love  ?  Who  marked  their 
 growth  in  grace  ?  Who  advifed  and  exhorted  them 
 from  time  to  time  ?  W^ho  prayed  with  them  and  for 
 them  as  they  had  need  ?  This,  and  this  alone  is  chrif- 
 li^in  feliowfliip  :  but  alas  !   Where  is  it  to  be  found  ? 
 
 Q  3  Look 
 
230        THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY. 
 
 Look  Eajl  or  Wefl,  North  or  South  :  name  what  parifh 
 you  pleafe.  Is  this  chriflian  fellowfliip  there  ?  Ra- 
 ther.are  not  the  bulk  of  the  pariiliioners  a  mere  rope 
 of  fand  ?  What  chriftian  connexion  is  there  between 
 them  ?  What  intercourfe  in  fpiritual  things  ?  \Vhat 
 ivatching  over  each  other's  fouls  ?  What  bearing  of 
 one  another's  burdens  ?  What  a  mere  iefl  is  it  then, 
 to  talk  fo  gravely,  of  dejlroying  what  never  was  ?  The 
 real  truth  is  juft  the  reverfe  of  this :  we  introduce 
 chriflian  feiiowfnip  where  it  was  utterly  dejlroyed. 
 And  the  fruits  of  it  have  been  peace,  joy,  love,  and 
 zeal  for  every  good  word  and  work. 
 
 *'  But  as  much  as  we  endeavoured  to  watch  over 
 each  other,  we  foon  found  fome  who  did  not  live  the 
 Gofpel.  I  do  not  know,  that  any  hypocrites  were  crept 
 in  ;  for  indeed  there  was  no  temptation.  But  feveral 
 grew  cold,  and  gave  way  to  the  fins  which  had  long 
 eafily  befet  them.  We  quickly  perceived,  there  were 
 many  ill  confequences  of  fuffering  thefe  to  remain 
 among  us.  It  was  dangerous  to  others ;  inafmuch  as 
 all' fin  is  of  an  infe6i;ious  nature.  It  brought  fuch  a 
 fcandal  on  their  brethren,  as  expofed  them  to  what 
 was  not  properly,  the  reproach  of  Chrifl.  It  laid  a 
 flumbling-block  in  the  way  of  others,  and  caufed  t\iQ 
 puth  to  be  evil  fpoken  of. 
 
 *•  We  groaned  under  thefe  inconveniencies  long, 
 before  a  remedy  could  be  found.  At  length,  while 
 we  were  thinking  of  quite  another  thing,  we  ftruck 
 upon  a  method  for  which  we  have  caufe  to  blefs  God 
 ever  fmce.  I  was  talking  with  feveral  of  the  Society 
 in  Brijlolj  concerning  the  means  of  paying  the  debts 
 
 there ; 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         231 
 
 there;  when  one  flood  up  and  faid,  *'  Let  every 
 member  of  the  Society  give  a  penny  2l  week  'till  all  are 
 paid."  Another  anfwered,  "  But  many  of  them  are 
 poor,  and  cannot  afford  to  do  it."  "  Then,  faid  he, 
 put  elcen  of  the  pooieft  with  me,  and  if  they  can 
 give  any  thing,  well.  I  will  call  on  them  weekly,  and 
 :  if  they  can  give  viothing,  I  will  give  for  them,  as  well  as 
 formyfelf.  And  each  of  you  call  on  eleven  of  your 
 neighbours  weekly  :  receive  what  they  gi^^,  and  make 
 up  what  is  wanting/'  It  was  done.  In  a  while  fome 
 of  thefe  inform.ed  me,  "  they  found  fuch  and  fuch  a 
 one  did  not  live  as  he  ought."  It  flruck  me  imme- 
 diately,  *'  This  is  the  thing  ;  the  very  thing  we  have 
 I  wanted  fo  lonsc."  I  called  tos^ether  all  the  Leaders  of 
 ^  the  claffes,  (fo  we  ufed  to  term  them  and  their  com- 
 \  panies)  and  defired,  that  each  would  make  a  parti- 
 cular inquiry  into  the  behaviour  of  thofe  whom  he 
 faw  weekly  :  they  did  fo.  Many  diforderly  v/aikers 
 were  dete6led.  Some  turned  from  the  evil  of  their 
 ways.  Some  were  put  away  from  us.  Many  faw  it 
 with  fear,  and  rejoiced  unto  God  with  reverence. 
 
 "  As  foon  as  poffible  the  fame  method  was  ufed  in 
 London  and  all  other  places.  Evil  men  were  dete6led, 
 .and  reproved.  They  were  borne  with  for  a  feafon. 
 \  If  they  forfook  their  fins,  we  received  them  gladly  : 
 if  they  obflinately  perfifted  therein,  it  was  openly  de- 
 clared, that  they  were  not  of  us.  The  reft  mourned 
 and  prayed  for  them,  and  yet  rejoiced,  that  as  far  as 
 in  us  lay,  the  fcandal  was  rolled  away  from  the 
 Society,  ^ 
 
 04  "It 
 
 'v 
 
S3^         THE  LIFE  OF  iMR.  WESLEY. 
 
 "  It  is  the  bunnefs  of  a  Leader, 
 
 *'  I.  To  fee  each  peiTon  in  his  Clafs,  once  a  week  at. 
 the  leaft  :  in  order,  to  inquire  how  their  fouls  profper  ? 
 To  advife,  reprove,  comfort  or  exhort,  as  occafion 
 may  require ;  to  receive  what  they  are  wilHng  to  give 
 toward  the  rehef  of  the  poor. 
 
 "11.   To  meet  the  Minifler  and  the  fte wards  of  the 
 Society,   in  order  to' inform  the  Minifler  of  any  that 
 ure  fick,  or  of  any  that  are  diiorderly  and  will  not  be- 
 reproved ;  to  pay    the    flewards  what  they  have   re- 
 ceived of  their  feveral  ClafiTes  in  the  week  preceding. 
 .  "  At  firfl  they  vifited  each  perfon  at  his  own  houfe  : 
 but  this  was  foon  found  not  lb  expedient.     And  that 
 on  many  accounts,      i.   It  took  up  more  time,    than 
 mod  of  the   leaders  had  to  fpare.      2.   Many  perfons 
 lived  with  mailers,  miflreffes,  or  relations,  who  would 
 not  fuffer  them  to  be  thus  vifited.     3.  At   the  houfes 
 of  thofe  who  were  not  fo  averfe,   they  often  had  no. 
 opportunity  of  fpeaking  to   them   but   in  company. 
 And  this  did  not  at  all  anfwer  the  end  propofed,  of  ex- 
 horting, comforting  or  reproving.     4.   It  frequently 
 happened   that  one   afTnmed   what    another    denied. 
 And  this  could  not  be  cleared  up  without  feeing  them, 
 together:  5.   Little  mifunderflandings  and  quarrels  of 
 various  kinds  frequently  arole  among  relations  or  neigh- 
 bours ;  effectually  to  reniove  which  it  was  needful  to  fee 
 them  all  face  to  face.     Upon  all  thefe  confiderations 
 it  was  asfreed,  that  thofe  of  each  Clafs  Ihould  meet  all 
 together.     And  by  this  means,  a   more  full  inquiry 
 was  made  into  the  behaviour  of  every  perfon.     Thofe 
 who  could  not  be  vifited  at  home,    or  no  otherwife 
 
 thar\ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  233. 
 
 than  in  company,  had  the  fame  advantage  with  others. 
 Advice  or  reproof  was  given  as  need  required  ;  quar-. 
 rels  made  up,  mifunderftandings  removed.  And  after 
 an  hour  or  two  fpent  in  this  labour  of  love,  they  con-* 
 eluded  with  prayer  and  thankfgiving. 
 r  *'  It  can  fcarce  be  conceived,  what  advantages  have 
 been  reaped  from  this  little  prudential  regulation. 
 Many  now  happily  experienced  that  Chriilian  fellow-, 
 fhip,  of  which  they  ha.d  not  fo  much  as  an  idea  be^ 
 fore.  They  began  to  bear  one  another's  burdens,  and 
 naturally  to  care  Jor^  each  other.  As  they  had  daily  a 
 more  intimate  acquaintance  with,  fo  they  had  a  more 
 endeared  aftedion  for  each  other.  And  fpeaking  the 
 truth  in  love,  they  grew  up  into  hivi  in  all  things,  who  is 
 the  head,  even  Chrijl :  from  whora  the  whole  body,  fitly 
 joined  together,  and  compacted  by  that  zvhich  every  joint 
 Jiipplied,  according  to  the  efcciual  working  in  the  meajurc 
 of  every  part,  increafed  nnto  the  edifying  if  elf  in  love, 
 
 *'  About  this  time,  I  was  informed,  that  feveral 
 perfons  in  Kingswood  frequently  met  together  at  the 
 School,  and  (when  they  could  fpare  the  time)  fpent 
 the  greater  part  of  the  night  in  pi'ayer  and  praife  and 
 thankfgiving.  Some  advifed  me  to  put  an  end  to  this  : 
 but  upon  weighing  the  thing  throughly,  and  com- 
 paring it  with  the  pradice  of  the  ancient  Chrifiians, 
 I  could  fee  no  caufe  to  forbid  it.  Rather,  I  believed, 
 it  might  be  made  of  more  general  ufe.  So  I  fent 
 them  w^ord,  ''  I  defigned  to  watch  with  them,  on  the 
 Friday  neareft  the  full-moon,  that  v/e  might  have 
 light  thither  and  bagk  again."  I  gave  public  notice 
 of  thi?,  the  Sunday  before,  and  withal^  th?Lt  I  intended 
 
 ta 
 
234         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 to  preach ;  defiring,  they  and  they  only  would  meet 
 me  there,  who  could  do  it  without  prejudice  to  their 
 "bufinefs  or  families.  On  Friday  abundance  of  people 
 came.  I  began  preaching  between  eight  and  nine; 
 and  we  continued  till  a  Uttle  beyond  the  noon  of 
 night,  finging,  praying,  and  praifing  God. 
 
 '•  This  we  have  continued  to  do  once  a  month  ever 
 fince,  in  Brijiol,  London,  and  Ncwcajik,  as  well  as  Kings- 
 zuood.  And  exceeding  great  are  the  bleffings  we  have 
 found  therein  :  it  has  generally  been  an  extremely 
 folemn  feafon  ;  when  the  word  of  God  funk  deep  into 
 the  hearts,  even  of  thofc  who  till  then  knew  him  not. 
 If  it  be  faid,  "  this  was  only  owing  to  the  novelty  of 
 the  thing  (the  circumftance  which  ftiil  draws  fuch 
 multitudes  together  at  tliofe  feafons)  or  perhaps  to  the 
 awful  filence  of  the  night :"  I  am  not  careful  to  an- 
 fwer  in  this  matter.  Be  it  fo  :  however,  the  impreffion 
 then  made  on  many  fouls,  has  never  fince  been  ef- 
 faced. Now  allowing,  that  God  did  make  ufe  either 
 of  the  novelty  or  any  other  indifferent  circumftance, 
 in  order  to  bring  finners  to  repentance,  yet  they  are 
 brought.  And  herein  let  us  rejoice  together. 
 
 *'  Nay,  may  I  not  put  the  cafe  farther  yet  ?  If  I 
 can  probably  conjcfture,  that  either  by  the  novelty 
 of  this  ancient  cuftom,  or  by  any  other  indifferent  cir- 
 cumftance, it  is  in  my  power  to  fave  a  foul  from 
 de.alhy  and  hide  a  multitude  of  fins :  am  I  clear  before 
 God,  if  I  do  it  not  ?  If  I  do  not  fnatch  that  brand 
 out  of  the  burning  ? 
 
 **  As  the  Society  increafed,  I  found  it  required  ftill 
 greater  care  to  feparate  tlie  precious   from  the  vile. 
 
 In 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  235 
 
 In  order  to  this,  I  determined,  at  leafl  once  in  three 
 months,  to  talk  with  every  member  myfelf,  and  to 
 inquire  at  their  own  mouths,  as  well  as  of  their 
 Leadens  and  neighbours,  whether  they  grew  in  orace 
 and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl  ?  At 
 thefe  feafons  I  likewife  particularly  inquire,  Whether 
 there  be  any  mifunderflanding  or  differences  amoncr 
 them  ?  That  every  hindrance  of  peace  and  brotherly 
 love  rnay  be  taken  out  of  the  way. 
 
 ''  To  each  of  thofe,  of  whofe  lerioufnefs  and  c^ood 
 converfation  I  found  no  reafon  to  doubt,  I  s"ave  a 
 teflimony  under  my  own  hand,  by  writino-  their 
 name  on  a  ticket  prepared  for  that  purpofe  ;  everv 
 ticket  implying  as  flrong  a  recommendation  of  the 
 perfon  to  whom  it  was  given,  as  if  I  had  wrote  at 
 length,  "  I  believe  the  bearer  hereof  to  be  one  that 
 fears  God  and  works  righteoufnefs." 
 
 "  Thofe  who  bore  thefe  tickets  (thefe  s^V^oa^  or 
 Tejfcrce,  as  the  ancients  termed  them  ;  bemo-  of  jufl 
 the  fame  force  with  the  iTTfroAa*  cvrarmx^i  commendatory 
 letters  mentioned  by  the  Apoftle)  wherever  they  came, 
 were  acknowledged  hy  their  brethren,  and  received 
 with  all  cheerfulnefs.  Thefe  were  likewife  of  ufe  in 
 other  refpeds.  ^y  thefe  it  was  eafily  diflinguiHied 
 when  the  Society  were  to  meet  apart,  who  were  mem.- 
 bers  of  it,  and  who  not.  Thefe  aifo  fupphed  us  with 
 a  quiet  and  inoffenfive  method  of  removing  any  dii-^ 
 orderly  member.  He  has  no  new  ticket  at  the  quar- 
 terly  vifitation ;  (for  fo  often  the  tickers  are  changed} 
 and  hereby  it  is  immediately  known,  that  he  is  no 
 longer  of  this  community. 
 
 ''  The 
 
535  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 *'  The  thing  whicli  I  was  greatly  afraid  of  all  this 
 time,  and  which  I  refolved  to  ufe  every  poflible 
 method  of  preventing  was,  a  narrownefs  of  fpirit,  a 
 party-zeal,  a  being  flraitened  in  our  own  bowels  ;. 
 that  miferabie  bigotry,  which  makes  many  fo  unready  , 
 to  believe,  that  there  is  any  v/ork  of  God  but 
 among  themfelves.  I  thought  it  might  be  a  help 
 a.crainil  this,  frequently  to  read,  to  all  iv^ho  were  wiL 
 ling  to  hear,  the  accounts  I  received  from  time  to 
 time,  of  the  work  Vviiich  God  is  carrying  on  in  the 
 earth,  both  in  our  own  and  other  countries,  not; 
 among  us  alone,  but  among  thofe  of  various  opinions, 
 and  denominations.  For  this  I  allotted  one  evening 
 in  every  month.  And  I  find  no  caufe  to  repent  my 
 labour.  It  is  generally  a  time  of  flrong  confolation 
 to  thofe  who  love  God,  an^d  all  mankind  for  his  fake  : 
 as  well  as  of  breaking  down  the  partition-walls,  which 
 either  the  craft  of  the  devil,  or  the  folly  of  men  has 
 built  up  :  and  of  encouraging  every  child  of  God  to 
 fay,  (O  when  ihail  it  once  be  ?)  Whofoever  doih  the  will 
 cf  my  lather  which  is  in  heaven^  the  Jhrjie  is  7ny  brother 
 and  Jijler  and  vioiher, 
 
 *'  l^Y   the  bleiling  of  God  upon  their  endeavours, 
 to  help  one  another,   many   found  the  pearl  of  great 
 price.     Being  juflified   b)'   faith,  they  ha.d  peace  with 
 God  through  our  Lord  jefiis  Chrijl.     Thefe  felt  a  more 
 tender  affection  than  i^efore,   to  thofe   who  were  par-  . 
 takers  of  like  precious  faith  :    and   hence  arofe  fucli  a  ' 
 confidence  in  each  other,  that  they  poured  out  their'] 
 fouls  in  each  other's  bofom.  •    Indeed  they  had  great 
 need  fo  to  do :    for  the  w^r  was  not  over,  as  they  had 
 
 fiippofcd, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  .MR.  WESLE;y.         <^3; 
 
 fuppofed.  But  they  had  RUl  to  VvTeflle  both  with 
 flefli  and  blood,  and  with  principaHties  and  powers  : 
 io  that  temptations  v/ere  on  every  fide  :  and  often 
 temptations  of  fuch  a  kind,  as  they  knew  not  how  to 
 ipeak  of  in  a  Chifs ;  in  wdiich  perfons  of  every  fort, 
 youiig  and  old,  men  and  women,  Tnet  together, 
 
 "  Thcfe  therefore  wanted  Ibme  means  of  clofcr 
 union  :  they  wanted  to  pour  out  their  hearts  with- 
 out referve,  particularly  with  regard  to  the  hn  which 
 did  flill  ecifily  k/d  them,  atid  the  temptations  which 
 were  mofl  apt  to  prevail  over  them.  And  they  w^ere 
 the  miore  dehrous  of  this,  when  they  obferved  it  Vv^as 
 the  exprefs  advice  of  an  infpired  writer,  Conje/s  jour 
 faults  one  to  another,  and  pray  one  for  another  that  ye  may 
 
 T      7       J    1   y. 
 
 oe  acatca.  ^ 
 
 "  In  compliance  with  their  defife,  I  divided  them 
 into  fmaller  companies  ;  putting  the  married  or  llngle 
 men,  and  m.arried  or  fingle  women  together.  The 
 chief  Rules  of  thefe  Bands,  (i.  e.  little  companies  ; 
 fo  that  old  Englijh  word  hgnifies)  run  thus : 
 
 '*  In  order  to  confefs  our  faults  one  to  another,  oiid 
 pray  one  for  another  that  zoe  may  he  healed,  \vt  in- 
 tend, 1.  To  meet  once  a  wt^^  at  leafl  :  2.  To  'Come 
 punctually  at  the  hour  appointed  :  3.  To  begin  with 
 hnging  or  prayer:  4.  To  fpeak,  each  of  us  in  order, 
 freely  and  plainly,  the  true  flate  of  our  foul,  with  the 
 faults  we  have  committed  in  thought,  word  or  deed, 
 and  the  temptations  we  have  felt  fmce  our  lafl  meet- 
 ing :  and,  5.  To  defire  fome  perfon  among  us  (thence 
 called  a  Leader)  to  fpeak  his  ov/n  Piate  firlf ,  and  then  to 
 a.ik  the  reft  in  order,  as  many  and  as  fearching  queftions 
 
 *  Jam,  V,  16, 
 
23S  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 as  may  be,  concerning    their  flate,   fins   and   temp- 
 tations. 
 
 "  In  order  to  increafe  in  them  a  grateful  fenfe  of 
 all  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  I  defired  that  one  evening 
 in  a  quarter,  they  fhould  all  come  together  that  we 
 might  eat  h'ead  (as  the  ancient  Chriftians  did)  uitk 
 gladnefs  and  finglcnejs  of  heart.  At  thefe  Lovc-Frnjis 
 (fo  we  termed  them,  retaining  the  name,  as  well  as 
 the  thing,  which  was  in  ufe  from  the  beginning)  * 
 our  food  is  only  a  little  plain  cake  and  water.  But 
 we  feidom  return  from  them,  v/ithout  being  fed,  not 
 only  with  the  vuat  that  peripieth,  but  with  that  which 
 endure th  to  everlajling  hje, 
 
 "  Great  and  many  are  the  advantages  which  have 
 ever  fince  flowed,  from  this  clofer  union  of  the  be- 
 lievers with  each  other.  They  prayed  one  for  another, 
 that  they  might  be  healed  of  the  faults  they  had  con- 
 feffed  ;  and  it  was  To.  Tlie  chains  were  broken  :  the 
 bands  were  burft  in  funder,  and  fin  had  no  more 
 dominion  over  them.  Many  were  delivered  from  the 
 temptations,  out  of  which  rill  then  they  found  no 
 way  to  efcape.  They  were  built  up  in  our  moft  holy 
 faith.  They  rejoiced  in  the  Lord  more  abundantly. 
 They  were  ftrengthened  in  love,  and  more  cfFe61:ually 
 provoked  to  abound  in  every  good  work. 
 
 "  And  yet  while  moft  of  thefe  who  were  thus  in- 
 timately joined  together,  went  on  daily  from  faith  to 
 faith  ;  fome  fell  from  the  faith,  either  all  at  once,  by 
 falling  into  known,  wiiful  fm :  or  gradually,  and 
 almofl  infcnfibly,  by  giving  way  in  what  they  called 
 
 little 
 
 *  Jude  12, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  2qq 
 
 little  things  :  by  fins  of  omifTion,  by  yielding  to  heart- 
 lins,  or  by  not  watching  unto  prayer.  The  exhorta- 
 tions and  prayers  uTed  among  the  behevers,  ^i^  no 
 longer  profit  thefe.  They  wanted  advice  and  in- 
 fl;ru6lions  fuited  to  their  cafe :  which  as  foon  as  I 
 obferved,  I  feparated  them  from  the  rcfl,  and  defired 
 
 f  them  to  meet   me  anart  on  Saturday  eveninars. 
 
 '''  At   this  hour,  all  the  hymns,    exhortations   and 
 
 \  prayers,   are    adapted   to   their  circumflances :   beino* 
 
 I  wholly  fuited  to  thofe  who  did  fee  God,  but  have  now 
 loft  the  light  of  his  countenance  :  and  who  mourn 
 after  hirri,  and  refufe  to  be  comforted,    till  they  know 
 
 \  he  has  healed  all  their  backllidinor-. 
 
 "  By  applying  both  the  threats  and  promifes  of 
 Cod,  to  thefe  real  (not  nominaj)  penitents,  and  by 
 crying  to  God  in  their  behalf,  wc  endeavoured  to 
 bring  them  back  to  the  great  Shepherd  and  Biffiop  of 
 their  fouls  ;  not  by  any  of  the  fopperies  of  the  Roman- 
 church,  although  in  fome  meafure  countenanced  by- 
 antiquity.  Inprefcribing  hair-fLiirts,  and  bodih^  au- 
 flerities,  we  durft  not  follov*'  even  the  ancient  church  ; 
 although  we  had  unawares  done  fo,  both  in  dividing- 
 •t  wi^oi  the  believers  from  the  reft  of  the  Society,  and 
 in  feparating  the  penitents  from  tliem,  and  appointin-?" 
 Ta  peculiar  fervice  for  them.'' 
 
 Upon  his  return    from    Yorkjlure,.  Mr.  IVefoCv  fpent 
 
 fome  time  in    and    near    BriftjL      He   then   revifited 
 
 \ondon,  where    he    arrived  on  Tuefday,    lulv    20th. 
 
 ^1742,   being  haftened  by  the  account  of  his  mother's 
 
 |[llnefs.     He  found   her  on    the  borders    of   eternity. 
 
 Free  from   all  doubt  and  fear,    and  from   every  defir- 
 
 "■  >  *■ ' 
 
 bat 
 
2  40         tHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 but  (as  foon  as  God  fhould  call)    "  To  depart  and  t<J 
 be  with  Chrifl." 
 
 But  we  mufl  beg  leave  to  give  Mr.  Wejleys  own  ac- 
 count of  this  awful  occurrence.  "  Friday,  July  30. 
 About  three  in  the  afternoon,  I  went  to  my  mother,  : 
 and  found  her  change  was  near.  I  fat  down  on  the 
 bed-fide.  She  was  in  her  laR  conflict  ;  unable  to 
 fpeak,  but  I  believe  quite  fenfihle.  Her  look  was 
 calm  and  ferene,  and  her  eyes  fixed  upward,  while  we 
 com.mended  her  foul  to  Obd.  From  three  to  four, 
 the  iilver  cord  was  loofcning,  and  the  wheel  breaking 
 at  the  ciftern  :  and  then  without  any  flruggle  or  figh 
 or  groan,  the  foul  Was  fet  at  liberty.  We  flood  round 
 the  bed,  and  fulfilled  her  laft  requefl,  uttered  a  little 
 before  flie  loft  her  fpeecb,  "  Children,  as  foon  as  I  am 
 releafed,  fmg  a  pfalm  of  praife  to  God.'* 
 
 '•  Sunday,  Auguft  1.  Almoft  an  innumerable  com- 
 pany of  people  being  gathered  together,  about  ^vt  in 
 the  afternoon,  I  committed   to  the   earth  the  body  of 
 my  mother,  to  fleep  with  her  fathers.     The  portion 
 of  fcripture  from  which  I  afterwards  fpoke  was,   I  faxo  ■! 
 a  great  vjJiite  throne  and  Him  that  fat  on  it ;  from  whofc 
 face  the  earth  and    the  heaven  fled  aivay,  and  there  was 
 found  no  place  for  them.     And  I  f aw  the  dead  f mall  and- 
 great  /land  before  God,    a?id  the  books  were  opened — And 
 the  dead  were  judged  out  of  thoje  things  which  were  written 
 in  the  books,  according  to  their  works.     It  was  one  of  the 
 moll  folemn  aifemblies  I  ever  law,  or  cxpe6l  to  fee   on 
 this  fide  eternity* 
 
 *'  We  fet  up  a  plain  flone  at  the  head  of  her  grave, 
 
 infcribed  with  the  followino^  words  : 
 
 iff 
 
 ''  Herd 
 
The  life  of  mr.  Wesley,      ^t 
 
 *'  Here  lies  the  body  of  Mrs.  Siifannah  We/ley,  the 
 youngefl  and  lafl  furviving  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel 
 Annc/ley" 
 
 *'  IN  fure  and  fledfaft  hope  to  rife 
 And  claim  her  manlion  in  the  fkies^ 
 A  chrillian  here  her  flefli  laid  down, 
 The  crofs  exchanging  for  a  crown. 
 
 True  daughter  of  affliftion  fhe 
 Inur'd  to  pain  and  mifer)% 
 Mourn'd  a  long  night  of  griefs  and  fears^ 
 A  legal  night  of  feventy  years. 
 
 The  Father  then  reveal'd  his  Son, 
 Him  in  the  broken  bread  made  known* 
 She  knew  and  felt  her  fms  forgiven. 
 And  found  the  earnefl  of  her  heaven. 
 
 Meet  for  the  lellowfhip  above. 
 She  heard  the  call,  "  Arife,  my  love  :" 
 *'  I  come,"  her  dying  looks  replied. 
 And  lamb-like,  as  her  Lord,  Ihe  died." 
 
 We  cannot  but  further  obferve,  That  eveii  fhe  fas 
 Well  as  her  father  and  grandfather,  her  hufband,  and 
 her  three  fons)  had  been,  in  her  meafure  and  deorree. 
 a  preacher  of  righteoufnefs.  This  we  learn  from  a 
 letter,  wrote  long  fince  to  her  hufband;  part  of  which 
 we  herefubjoin. 
 
 fch.  6,  1711-12, 
 
 **  AS  I  am  a  woman,  fo  1  am  alfo  miftrefs  of  a  large 
 family.      And   though  the    fuperiQr   charge   of  the 
 
 R  fouls 
 
^4 2         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fouls  contained  in  it,  lies  upon  you, — yet  in  your  aB-* 
 fence  I  cannot  but  look  upon  every  foul  you  leave 
 under  my  care,  as  a  talent  committed  to  me  imder  a 
 truft,  by  the  great  Lord  of  all  the  families  both  of  hea- 
 ven and  earth.  And  if  I  am  unfaithful  to  him  or 
 you,  in  negleding  to  improve  thefe  talents,  how  fliall 
 I  anfwer  unto  him,  when  he  fhall  command  me  to 
 render  an  account  of  my  flewardfhip  ? 
 
 *'  As  thefe  and  other  fuch  like  thoughts  made  me  s^ 
 firfl  take  a  more  than  ordinary  care  of  the  fouls  of  my 
 children  and  fervants ;  fo  knowing  our  religion  re- 
 quires a  flri<^  obfervation  of  the  Lord's  day,  and  noi: 
 thinking  thai  we  fully  anfwered  the  end  of  the  infti- 
 tution  by  going  to  church,  unlefs  we  filled  up  the 
 intermediate  fpaees  of  time  by  other  a6ls  of  piety  and 
 devotion  :  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  fpend  fome  part 
 of  the  day  in  reading  to  and  inflrufling  my  family. — 
 And  fuch  time  I  efteemed  fpent  in  a  way  more  accep- 
 table to  God,  than  if  I  had  retired  to  my  own  private 
 devotions. 
 
 ^'  This  was  the  beginning  of  my  prefent  praftice. 
 Other  people's  coming  m  and  joining  with  us  wa$ 
 merely  accidental.  Our  lad  told  his  parents  :  they 
 £rft  defired  to  be  admitted  :  then  others  that  hearJ. 
 of  it,  begged  leave  alfo.  So  our  company  increafed- 
 to  about  thirty  :  and  it  fcldom  exceeded  forty  laff 
 winter. —  'M 
 
 "  But  foon  after  you  went  to  London  lafl,  I  lighteoj 
 on  the  account  of  the  Dani/Ji  miffionaries.     I  was,  lj 
 think,  never  more  affeCled  with  any   thing.      I  could 
 not  forbear  fpending  good  part  of  th^t  evening,  in 
 
 prajfuig 
 
TxHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  243 
 
 prailing  and  adoring  the  divine  goodnefs  for  infpiring 
 them  with  fuch  ardent  zeal  for  his  glory. — For  feveral 
 days  I  could  think  or  fpeak  of  little  elfe.  At  laft  it 
 came  into  my  mind,  Though  I  am  not  a  man,  nor  a 
 niinifler,  yet  if  my  heart  were  fmcerely  devoted  to 
 God,  and  I  v/as  infpired  with  a  true  zeal  for  his 
 glory,  I  might  do  fomewiiat  more  than  I  do.  I 
 thought,  I  might  pray  for  and  fpeak  to  thofe  with 
 w^hom  I  converfe  with  more  warmth  of  afFe6lion.  I 
 rcfolved  to  begin  firfl;  with  my  own  children.  After- 
 wards I  difcourfed  more  freely  and  afFe6lionately  with 
 thofe  few  neighbours  that  came  to  me.  I  chofe  the  bed 
 and  mod  awakening  fermons  we  have.  And  I  fpent 
 fomewhat  more  time  with  them  in  fuch  exercifes, 
 without  being  careful  about  the  fuccefs  of  my  under- 
 taking. Since  this  our  company  increafed  every  night. 
 For  I  dare  deny  none  that  afk  admittance. 
 
 *'  Lafl  Sunday  I  believe  we  had  above  two  hundred. 
 And  yet  many  went  away  for  want  of  room,  to  ftand. 
 
 "  We  banifh  all  temporal  concerns  from  our  Society. 
 None  is  fufFered  to  mingle  any  difcourfe  about  them 
 with  our  reading  or  finging.  We  keep  clofe  to  the 
 bufmefs  of  the  day,  and  when  it  is  over,  all  go  home. 
 ■^y  "  I  cannot  conceive,  why  any  fhould  reflecl  upon 
 you,  becaufe  your  -wife  endeavours  to  draw  people 
 to  church,  and  to  reftrain  them  from  profaning  the 
 Lord's  day,  by  reading  to  them  and  by  other  perfua- 
 fions.  For  my  part,  I  value  no  cenfure  upon  this 
 account.     I  have  long  fmce  Ihook   hands  with  the 
 
 R  z  world: 
 
244         THE  LIFE  GF  MR.  WESLfit; 
 
 world :  and  I  heartily  wifh,  I  had  never  giverr  theni 
 fnore  reafon  to  fpeak  againfl  me. 
 
 *'  As  to  its  looking  particular,  I  grant  it  does.  And 
 to  does  almofl  any  thing  that  is  ferious,  or  that  may 
 any  way  advance  the  glory  of  God  or  the  falvation* 
 of  fouls. — • 
 
 "  As  for  your  propofal,  of  letting  fome  o-ther  perfon^ 
 read  :  alas !  You  do  not  confi-der  what  a  people  thefe 
 are.  I  do  n-ot  think  one  man  among  them  could  read 
 a  fermon  wkhont  fpelling  a  good  part  of  it.  Nor 
 has  any  of  our  family  a  voice  ftrcng  enough  to  be 
 heard  by  fuch  a  number  of  people. — 
 
 ''  But  there  is  one  thing  about  which  I  am  much 
 diffatisfied  ;  that  is,  Their  being  prefent  at  family- 
 prayers.  I  do  not  fpeak  of  any  concern  I  am  under, 
 barely  becaufe  fo  many  are  prefent.  For  thofe  who 
 have  the  honour  of  fpeaking  to  the  Great  and  Holy 
 God,  need  not  be  afhamed  to  fpeak  before  the  whole 
 world  :  but  becaufe  of  my  fex.  I  doubt,  if  k  is  pro- 
 per for  me  to  prefent  the  prayers  of  the  people  to- 
 God.  Lafl  Sunday  I  would  fain  have  difmiffed  them 
 before  prayers ;  but  they  begged  fo  earneftly  to  flay, 
 I  durfl  not  deny  them. 
 
 To    the    Rev.  Mr.  We/Iey,   in   St.  MargareCs  church- 
 yard,   Weflviinjler^'* 
 
 The  few  traits  we  have  given  of  this  Lady,  are 
 fufficicnt  to  difeover  her  genuine  chara6ler.  She  waj 
 a  woman  of  found  undcrflanding  and  great  penetra- 
 tion. She  pofleiled  a  fingle  eye  :  fhe  inquired  after 
 truth,  and  followed  it  wherever  ihe  found  it.     Her  re-* 
 
 folutioia 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 247 
 
 folution  was  unfhaken :  the  fmiles  and  frowi 
 world  fhe  trod  under  her  feet ;  but  at  the  fai 
 tiifcovered  the  greateft  caution  in  admitting  a  ^  _ 
 
 as  true,  which  to  her  appeared  novel.  In  fome  things 
 Ihe  evidenced  the  foul  of  a  Miffionary  ;  and  therefore 
 was  peculiarly  qualified  to  refide  with  her  fon,  whofe 
 high-church  principles  might  otherwife  have  induced 
 fiim,  as  in  the  cafe  of  Mr.  Maxfield,  to  rejed:  that 
 affiflance,  which  the  Lord  afforded  him,  and  which 
 was  fo  indifpenfably  neceffary  to  enable  him,  tQ 
 ^iffufe  the  favG:ur  and  pow.er  of  religion  through  this 
 and  diftaut  l,9.nds.. 
 
 CHAP.     HI, 
 
 Progrefs  of  Religion,  with  the  PerfeciUions  that  followed. 
 Accounts  from  Germany  of  the  Jiate  of  Religion  in  the 
 Englifli  Army,     And  of  ihe  firjl  Confer enceSy    with 
 fome  other  particulars., 
 
 MR.  WESLEY  haviTig  now  feveral  helpers  after 
 his  own  heart,  the  work  of  God  profpered  in 
 many  places.  Many  Societies  were  fornied  in  Somer- 
 fetfiire,  Wiltfire,  Gloucejlerfiir^,  Leicejlerfiire,  Warwick- 
 fJiire,  Lincolnfiire,  Nottinghamfiire,  and  in  feveral  parts 
 .of  Yorkfiire.  And  thofe  in  London,  Brijiol,  Kingswooi 
 ,and  Newcajile  upon  Tyn€,  were  m^ch  iiicreafed. 
 
 But  as  in  the  beginning  of  chriftianity,  fo  it  was 
 flow.  This  fed  was  every  where  fpoken  againjl.  But 
 Jjts  ejiemies  ^^r^  not  content  with  this.     In  the  year 
 
 ^  3  i7is?. 
 
2iG  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  V/ESLEY, 
 
 1 740,  feveral  rioters  who  had  long  diflurbed  the  meet- 
 ings in  Brijiol,  were  emboldened  by  impunity.  Their 
 numbers  alfo  incrcafed,  fo  as  to  fill,  not  only  the 
 court  before  the  preaching-houfe,  but  a  confiderable 
 part  of  the  ftreet.  The  Mayor  fent  them  orders  to 
 difperfe  :  but  they  fet  him  at  defiance.  He  then  dif- 
 patched  feveral  of  his  officers,  who  took  the  ringleaders 
 into  cuftody.  The  next  day  they  v/ere  brought  into 
 court,  it  being  the  time  of  the  quarter-fcfhons.  There 
 they  received  a  fevere  reprimand  :  and  from  that  time, 
 the  Societies  in  BriJlol  enjoyed  almoil  uninterrupted 
 peace. 
 
 In  London  the  rioters  were  not  fo  eafdv  fubdued. 
 They  affembled  at  various  places,  and  frequently 
 treated  Mr.  Wtjfley  and  many  of  Iiis  ferious  hearers  in 
 a  cruel  manner.  They  followed  them  with  fhowers 
 of  flones,  and  once  attempted  to  unroof  the  Foundciy, 
 where  the  congregation  was  alfembled,  and  had  nearly 
 accomplifhed  their  defign.  The  common  cry  v.-as, 
 *'  You  may  treat  them  as  you  pleafe,  for  there  is  no 
 law  for  them."  But  Sir  John  Ganfon  the  chairman 
 of  the  Middlcfcx  ']u^iQCs  called  on  Mr.  Wefley,  and  in- 
 forrned  him,  That  he  had  no  need  to  fuller  thefc 
 riotous  mobs  to  moleft  him  :  adding,  "  Sir,  I  and 
 the  other  Middkfex  Magiftrates  have  orders  from  above, 
 to  do  you  juilice  whenever  you  apply  to  us.'*  A 
 fliort  time  after  he  did  apply.  Juilice  was  done, 
 though  not  with  rigour  ;  and  from  that  period  the 
 Society  had  peace  in  London.  We  are  happy,  that 
 from  authentic  information  we  can  inform  the  public, 
 that  his  late  Majefly,  on  a  reprefentation  made  to  him 
 
 of 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  247 
 
 ^f  the  perfecutions   fufFered  by  the  Societies  at  this 
 time,  declared  that  "  No  man  in  his  dominions  Ihould 
 f'  be  peiTecuted  on  the  account  of  religion,  while  he  ht 
 I   on  the  throne  :"    A  declaration,   that  refle6led  much 
 honour  on  the  King. 
 
 However  the  rioters  in  the  country,  particularly  in 
 Staff ord/Iiirc,  were  not  fo  eahly  quelled.  In  the 
 beginning  of  1743,  Mr.  V/eJky  vifited  Wcdnefjury,  and 
 preached  in  the  Town-hall  morning  and  evening,  and 
 alfo  in  the  open  air.  He  alfo  vifited  the  parts  adja- 
 cent, and  more  efpecially  thofe  which  were  inhabited 
 hy  colliers.  Many  appeared  to  be  deeply  afFeQed, 
 and  about  a  hundred  defired  to  join  together.  In 
 two  or  three  months  thefe  were  increafed  to  between 
 three  and  four  hundred,  and  enjoyed  much  peace 
 upon  the  whole.  But  in  the  fummer  following  there 
 was  an  entire  change.  Mr.  Egginton  the  miniiler 
 of  Wednepjitry,  with  feveral  neighbouring  juflices  of 
 tho.  peace,  ftirred  up  the  bafefl  of  the  people  ;  on 
 which  fuch  outrages  followed,  as  were  a  fcandal  to 
 the  chriflian  name.  Riotous  mobs  were  fummoned 
 together  by  the  found  of  horn  :  men,  women,  and 
 children  Vv^ere  abufcd  in  the  mod  fliockinsf  manner  : 
 being  beaten,  iloned,  covered  with  mud :  fome  even 
 pregnant  women,  treated  in  a  manner  that  cannot  be 
 mentioned.  In  the  mean  time  their  houfcs  vrere 
 broke  open  by  any  that  plea  fed,  and  their  goods 
 fpoiled  or  carried  away,  fome  of  the  owners  Handing 
 hy,  but  not  daring  to  oppofc,  as  it  would  have  been 
 ;d;  the  peril  of  their  lives.     Mr.  Wejlcys  owu  account 
 
 R  4  <5f 
 
248        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 of  thofe  riots,  as  far  as  they  related  to  himfelf,  is  fo 
 remarkable,  that  we  make  no  fcruple  of  inferting  it 
 at  large. 
 
 "  Thurfday,  06lober  20,  1743.  After  preaching  at 
 Bir7?iingham,  I  rode  to  V/edneJhury.  At  twelve  I  preached 
 in  a  ground  near  the  middle  of  the  town,  to  a  far  larger 
 congregation  than  was  expeQed,  on,  Jejas  Chriji,  the 
 fame  yejlerday  and  to-day  and  for  ever,  I  believe  every 
 one  prefent  felt  the  power  of  God,  and  no  creature 
 offered  to  molefl  us. 
 
 ''  I  was  writing  at  Francis  Ward's  in  the  afternoon, 
 when  the  cry  arofe,  that  "  the  mob  had  befet  th6 
 houfe."  We  prayed,  that  God  would  difperfe  them. 
 And  it  was  fo :  fo  that  in  half  an  hour,  not  a  man 
 was  left.  I  told  our  brethren,  *'  Now  is  the  time  for 
 us  to  go  :"  but  they  prelfed  me  exceedingly  to  flay. 
 So,  that  I  might  not  offend  them,  I  fat  down,  though 
 I  forefaw  what  would  follow.  Before  five  the  mob 
 furroundcd  the  houfe  again,  in  greater  numbers  than 
 ever.  The  cry  of  one  and  all  was,  *'  Bring  out  the 
 Minifter  :  we  will  have  the  Minifler/*  I  defired  one, 
 to  take  their  Captain  by  the  hand,  and  bring  him  into 
 the  houfe.  After  a  few  fentences  interchanged  be- 
 tween us,  the  lion  was  become  a  lamb.  I  defired  him 
 to  go  and  bring  one  or  two  more  of  the  mofl  angry  of 
 his  companions.  He  brought  in  two,  who  were  ready 
 to  fwallow  the  ground  with  rage  ;  but  in  two  minutes, 
 they  were  as  calm  as  he.  I  then  bade  them  make  way, 
 tliat  I  might  go  out  among  the  people.  As  foon  as  I 
 was  in  the  midfl  of  them,  I  called  for  a  chair,  and 
 (landing  up  afked  ^'  What  do  any  of  you  want  with 
 
 me  5 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         ^ig 
 
 jne  ?'*  Some  faid,  *'  We  want  you  to  go  with  us  to 
 the  Juflice,"  I  replied,  "  Tiiat  I  will  with  all  my 
 heart."  I  then  fpoke  a  few  words,  which  God  ap- 
 plied ;  fo  that  they  cried  out  with  might  and  main, 
 **  The  gentleman  is  an  honeft  gentleman,  and  we  will 
 fpill  our  blood  in  his  defence/'  I  afked,  ''  Shall  we 
 go  to  the  Juflice  to  night  or  in  the  morning?"  Molb 
 of  them  cried,  *'  To  night,  to  night  :"  on  which  I 
 went  before,  and  two  or  three  hundred  followed. 
 
 *'  The  night  came  before  we  had  walked  a  mile, 
 together  with  heavy  rain.  However  on  we  went  to 
 Bentley-hall,  two  miles  from  Wcdnejhury .  One  or  two 
 ran  before  to  tell  Mr.  Lane,  "  They  had  brought  Mr. 
 Wejley  before  his  Worlhip."  Mr.  Ld7ie  replied,  "  What 
 have  I  to  do  with  Mr.  Wejley  ?  Go  and  carry  him  back 
 again."  ^y  this  time  the  main  body  came  up,  and 
 began  knocking  at  the  door.  A  fervant  told  them, 
 *'  Mr.  Lane  was  in  bed."  His  fen  followed,  and 
 afked,  "  What  was  the  matter?"  One  rephed,  "Why, 
 an't  pleafe  you,  they  fing  pfalms  all  day ;  nay,  and 
 make  folks  rife  at  five  in  the  morning.  And  what 
 would  your  Worfhip  advife  us  to  do  ?"  "  To  go  home, 
 faid  Mr.  Lane^  and  be  quiet." 
 
 "  Here  they  were  at  a  full  flop,  till  one  advifed, 
 "  To  go  to  Juflice  Perfehoufe  at  Walfal,'*  All  agreed 
 to  this.  So  we  haflened  on,  and  about  feven  came  to 
 his  houfe.  But  Mr.  Perfehoufe  likewife  fent  word, 
 *'  That  he  was  in  bed."  Now  they  were  at  a  fland 
 again  :  but  at  lafl  they  all  thought  it  the  wifefl  courfe 
 to  make  the  bell  of  their  way  home.  About  fifty  of 
 them  undertook  to  convoy  me.     But  we  had  not  gone 
 
 a  hundred 
 
*50  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 a  hundred  yards,  when  the  mob  of  WaJfal  came, 
 pouring  in  like  a  flood,  and  bore  down  all  before 
 them.  The  Daria/lon-moh  made  what  defence  they 
 could  ;  but  they  "were  weary,  as  well  as  out-numbered. 
 So  that  in  a  fhort  time,  many  being  knocked  down, 
 the  reft  ran  away,  and  left  me  in  their  hands. 
 
 "  To  attempt  fpcaking  was  vain  ;  for  the  noife  on 
 every   fide   was  like  the  roaring  of  the  fea.     So  they 
 dragged   me  along  till  we  came  to  the  town  :  where 
 (being  the  door  of  a  large  houfe  open,  I  attempted  to 
 c-o  in  ;  but  a  man  catching  me  by  the  hair,  pulled  me 
 back  into   the   middle   of  the  mob.     They  made  no 
 more  flop  till  they  had  carried  me  through  the  main- 
 iireet.      I   continued   fpeaking  all  the  time   to   thofe 
 within  hearing,  feeling  no  pain  or  wearinefs.     At  the 
 Weft-end  of  the  town,  feeing  a  door  half  open,  I  made 
 toward  it,  and  would  have  gone  in.    But  a  gentleman 
 in  the   fnop   would   not  fufFer  mc,    faying,    "  They 
 would  pull   the  houfe  down  to  the  ground."     How- 
 ever,  I   ftvood   at  the  door  and  afked,  "  Are  you  wil- 
 ling to  hear  me  fpeak  ?"  Many  cried  out,   "  No,  no  ! 
 knock  his   brains   out :    down  with  him  :  kill  him  at 
 once.'*     Others  faid,    '•'  Nay  ;  but  we  will  hear  him 
 iirft."     I   began  afking,    "  What  evil   have  I  done  ? 
 Which  of  you  all  have  I  wronged  in  word  or  deed  ?'* 
 And   continued   fpeaking   for  above  a  quarter  of  an 
 hour,  till  my  voice  fuddcnly  failed.     Then  the  floods 
 brgan  to  lift  up  their  voice  again;    many  crying  out, 
 ''  Bring  him  av/ay,  bring  him  away." 
 
 "    In   the   mean   tune  my   llrength  and  my  voice 
 retumcd,   and    I    broke  out  aloud  into  prayer.     And 
 
 now 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  251 
 
 DOW  the  man  jvho  jufl  before  headed  the  mob,  turned, 
 and  laid,  "  Sir,  I  will  fpend  my  life  for  you.  Follow 
 me,  and  not  one  foul  here  fhall  touch  a  hair  of  )'our 
 head."  Two  or  three  of  his  fcllovv^s  confirmed  his 
 words,  and  got  clofe  to  me  immediately.  At  the  fame 
 time  the  gentleman  in  the  (hop  cried  out,  "  For 
 fhame,  for  fhame,  let  him  go."  An  honefl  butcher, 
 who  was  a  little  farther  off,  faid,  "It  was  a  fhame 
 they  fiiould  do  thus  :"  and  pulled  back  four  or  five 
 one  after  another,  who  were  running  on  the  mo  ft 
 fiercely.  The  people  then,  as  if  it  had  been  by  com- 
 mon confent,  fell  back  to  the  right  and  left :  while 
 thofe  three  or  four  men  took  me  between  them,  and 
 carried  me  through  them  all.  But  on  the  bridge  the 
 mob  rallied  again :  we  therefore  went  on  one  fide, 
 over  the  Mill-dam,  and  thence  through  the  meadows : 
 till  a  little  before  ten,  God  brought  me  fafe  to  Wednef- 
 hiiry :  having  lofl  only  one  flap  of  my  waiflcoat,  and 
 a  little  ikin  from  one  of  my  hands. 
 
 *'  I  never  faw  fuch  a  chain  of  providences  before  :  fo 
 many  convincing  proofs,  that  the  hand  of  God  is  oa 
 every  perfon  and  thing,  over-ruling  as  it  feemeth  him 
 good. 
 
 "  A  poor  woman  of  DarlaJlGn  who  had  headed 
 that  mob,  and  fworn  that  none  fhould  touch  me, 
 when  fhe  faw  her  fellows  give  way,  ran  into  the 
 thickefl  of  the  throng,  and  knocked  down  three  or 
 four  men,  one  after  another.  But  many  a(faulting 
 her  at  once,  fhe  was  foon  overpowered,  and  had 
 probably  been  killed  in  a  fev\r  minutes,  (three  men 
 foeping   her  down,  and  beating  her  with   all  their 
 
 might) 
 
^5^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 might)  liad  not  a  man  called  to  one  of  them,  **  Flold, 
 Tojn,  hold  !"  "  Who  is  there,  faid  Tom  ?  What,  honefl 
 Munchin  ?  Nay  then,  let  her  go/'  So  they  held  their 
 hand  and  let  ker  get  up,  and  crawl  home  as  well  as 
 Che  could. 
 
 "  From  tlie  besrinning  to  the  end  I  found  the  fame 
 prefcnce  of  mind,  as  if  I  had  been  fitting  in  my  own 
 iludy.  But  I  took  no  thought  for  one  moment  before 
 another  :  only  once  it  came  into  my  mind,  that  if 
 they  fliould  throw  me  into  the  river,  it  would  fpoil 
 the  papers  that  w^erc  in  my  pocket.  For  myfelf,  I  did 
 iiot  doubt  but  I  fhould  fwim  acrofs^  having  biit  a  thin 
 coat,  and  a  light  pair  of  boots. 
 
 **  ^Y  how  gentle  degrees  does  God  prepare  us  for 
 his  will !  Two  years  ago  a  piece  of  a  brick  grazed  my 
 jDhoulders.  It  was  a  year  after,  that  a  Hone  flruck  me 
 between  the  eyes.  Laft  month  I  received  one  blow  : 
 and  this  evening,  two  :  one  before  we  came  into  the 
 town,  and  one  after  we  were  gone  out.  But  both 
 were  as  nothing  :  for  though  one  man  flruck  me  on 
 the  breafl  with  all  his  might,  and  the  other  on  the 
 mouth  with  fuch  a  force  that  the  blood  gufhed  out 
 immediately;  J  felt  no  more  pain  from  either  of  the 
 blows,  than  if  they  liad  touched  me  with  a  draw. 
 
 "It  ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  that  when  the  refl 
 of  the  Society  made  all  hafle  to  efcape  for  their  lives, . 
 four  only  would  not  ftir,  William  $itch,  Edward  Slater^ 
 John  Gri£iths,  and  Joan  Parks :  thefe  kept  with  me, 
 refolving  to  live  or  die  together.  And  none  of  them 
 received  one  blow,  but  William  Sikh,  who  held  m^ 
 hy  tht  ^nn  fjom  one  end  of  the   town  to  the  other. 
 
fHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  25^ 
 
 He  was  then  dragged  away  and  knocked  down  :  but 
 he  foon  rofe  arid  got  to  me  again.  I  afterwards  afked 
 him,  "  What  he  expe^ied  when  the  mob  came  upoi:i 
 its  ?"  He  faid,  *'  To  die  for  him  who  had  died  for  us : 
 and  he  felt  no  hurry  or  fear,  but  calmly  waited  till 
 God  fliould  require  his  foul  of  him." 
 
 "  When  I  came  back  to  Francis  Ward's,  I  found 
 mariy  of  our  brethren  waiting  upon  God.  Many  alfo 
 whom  I  never  had  {^^n  before,  came  to  rejoice  with 
 us.  And  the  next  morning,  as  I  rode  through  the 
 town  in  my  way  to  Nottingham,  every  one  I  met  ex- 
 prelfed  fuch  a  cordial  affeQion,  that  I  could  fcarce 
 believe  what  I  faw  and  heard/' 
 
 About  this  time  a  Captain  Turner,  of  BriJIol,  a 
 member  of  the  Methodifl  Society,  landed  at  St.  Ives  in 
 Cornwall,  and  was  agreeably  furprifed  to  find  a  few 
 perfons  who  feared  God,  and  conftantly  met  together. 
 They  were  much  refrefhed  by  him,  as  he  was  by 
 them.  On  his  mentioning  this  at  BriJloL  Mr.  Charles 
 We/ley  went  there  with  two  of  the  Preachers,  whof<2 
 labours  were  bieffed  to  many.  Mr.  John  Wefuy  foon 
 after  made  them  a  vifit,  and  found  a  confiderable 
 Society,  many  of  whom  enjoyed  peace  with  God. 
 But  both  he  and  his  ferious  hearers  were  roughly- 
 handled  by  the  Redor,  the  Curate  and  the  Gentry, 
 who  fet  the  mob  upon  them  on  every  occafion.  Many 
 of  the  people  were  wounded  ;  and  the  Preaching- 
 houfe   at  St.  Ives  was  pulled  down  to  the  ground,* 
 
 The  perfecution  Mr.  Wejley  met  with  in  Falmouth 
 j^ind  its  neighbourhood,  is  fo  remarkable,  that  we  fhal|» 
 give  his  own  defcription  of  it:  and  this,  with  the 
 
 account 
 
2^4  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY^. 
 
 account  of  tlic  perfecution  at  Wtdnefhury,  will  give 
 our  readers  fome  idea  of  the  fuflPerings  Mr.  Wejlty 
 endured  in  the  commencement  of  hisextenfive  labours. 
 "  Thurfday,  July  4.  I  rode  to  Falmouth.  About 
 three  in  the  afternoon  I  went  to  fee  a  gentlewoman 
 who  had  been  indifpofed.  Almofl  as  foon  as  I  faC 
 down,  the  houfe  was  befet  on  all  fides  by  an  innu- 
 merable multitude  of  people.  A  louder  or  more  con- 
 fufed  noife  could  hardly  be  at  the  taking  of  a  city  by 
 ftorm.     At    firft  Mrs.  B.   and   her    dausrhtcr    endea- 
 
 o 
 
 Youred  to  quiet  them.     But  it  was  labour  loft.     They 
 might  as  well  have  attempted  to  flili  the  raging  of  the 
 fca,   and  were  therefore  foon  glad  to  fbift   for   them* 
 ielves.     The   rabble   roared   with    all     their    throats, 
 "  Bring  out  the  Canorii7n  !  Where  is  the  Canorum  ?" 
 (an  unmeaning  w^ord    which  the  CorniJJi  rabble   then 
 ufed  inftead  of  MdkodijL)     No    anfwer   being  given, 
 they  quickly    forced   open  the  outer  door,  and  filled 
 the  paffiige.     Only  a  wainfcot-partition   was   between 
 us,  which  was   not  likely   to    fland  long.     I    imme- 
 diately took  down  a  large  looking-glafs    which  hung 
 againfl  it,  fuppofmg  the  whole  fide  would  fall  in  at 
 once.       They  began  their  work  with   abundance   of 
 bitter  imprecations.     A  poor   girl  who    was    left  in 
 the    houfe,    was    utterly    aftonifiied,   and   cried  out, 
 ''  O  Sir,    what    mud  we   do  ?"    I  faid,    "  We  mufl 
 pray."     Indeed  at  that  time,   to  all  appearance,    our 
 Jives  were  not  worth  an  hour's  purchale.      She  afked, 
 "  But,  Sir,  is  it  not  better  for  you  to  hide  yourfelf  ? 
 To  get  into  the  clofet  ?"  I  anfwered  "  No.     It  is  bed 
 for  me  to  fland  jufl  where  I  am."     Among  thofe  with- 
 out, 
 
TIJE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESFEY.  2^^ 
 
 D^ 
 
 out,  were  the  crews  of  fome  privateers,  which  were 
 Icitely  come  into  the  harbour.  Some  of  thefj.,  being 
 angry  at  the  flownefs  of  the  reft,  thruil  them  away, 
 and  coming  up  altogether,  fet  their  flioulders  to  the 
 inner  door,  and  cried  out,  *'  Avaft,  lads,  avaft  !" 
 Away  went  all  tliC  hinges  at  once,  and  the  door 
 ieli  back  into  the  room.  I  ftepped  forward  into 
 tlic  midft  of  them  and  faid,  "  Here  I  am.  VvHiich 
 of  you  has  any  thing  to  fay  to  me  ?  To  which  of  you 
 have  I  done  any  wrong?  To  you  ?  Or  you  ?  Or  you  ?'* 
 I  continued  fpeaking,  till  1  came  into  the  middle  of 
 the  ilreet,  and  then  raifmg  my  voice,  faid,  "  Neigh- 
 bours, countrymen  !  Do  you  defire  to  hear  me  fpeak?" 
 They  cried  vehemently,  ''  Yes,  yes.  He  Ihall  fpeak. 
 He  (hall.  Nobody  (hall  hinder  him.'*  But  havincr 
 nothing  to  (land  on,  and  no  advantage  of  ground,  I 
 could  be  heard  by  few  only.  Floweverl  fpoke  with- 
 out intermiflion  ;  and  as  f^ir  as  the  found  reached, 
 the  people  were  flill :  till  one  or  two  of  their  captains 
 iurned  about  and  fwore,  "  Not  a  man  Ihall  touch 
 him.'*  Mr.  Thomas,  a  Clergyman,  then  came  up,  and 
 afked,  "  Are  you  not  aftiamed  to  ufe  a  ftranger  thus  ?'* 
 He  was  foon  feconded  by  two  or  three  gentlemen  of 
 the  town,  and  one  of  the  Aldermen  ;  with  whom  I 
 walked  down  the  town  fpeaking  all  the  time,  till  I 
 came  to  Mrs.  Madderns  houfe.  The  gentlemen  pro- 
 pofed  fending  for  my  horfe  to  the  door,  and  defned 
 me  to  ftep  in  and  reft  the  mean  time.  But  on  fecond 
 thoughts,  they  judged  it  not  advifable  to  let  me  go 
 out  among  the  people  again.  So  they  chofe  to  fend 
 tny  horfe  before  me  to  Pcnryn,^  and  to  fend  nie  thither 
 
 by 
 
^rS         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 '0 
 
 by  water :  the  fea  running  clofe  by  the  backdoor  of 
 the  houfe  in  which  we  were. 
 
 *'  I  never  faw  before,  no,  not  at  Walfal  itfelf,  the  hand 
 of  God  fo  plainly  fhewn  as  here.  J  here  I  had  many 
 companions,  who  were  willing  to  die  with  me:  here 
 not  a  friend,  but  one  fimple  girl ;  who  likewife  was 
 hurried  away  from  me  in  an  inflant,  as  foon  as  ever 
 Ihe  came  out  of  Mrs.  B*s  houfe.  There  I  received  fome 
 blows,  loft  p^rt  of  my  clothes,  and  was  covered  over 
 with  dirt.  Here,  although  the  hands  of  perhaps  fome 
 hundreds  of  people  were  lifted  up  to  ftrike  or  throw, 
 they  were  one  and  all  ftopped  in  the  midway,  fo  that 
 not  a  man  touched  me  with  one  of  his  fingers.  Nei- 
 ther was  any  thing  thrown  from  firft  to  laft  :  fo  that 
 I  had  not  even  a  fpeck  of  dirt  on  my  clothes.  Who 
 can  deny,  that  God  heareth  the  prayer  ?  Or  that  he 
 hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  T* 
 
 The  Preachers  in  the  different  parts  of  the  kingdom 
 w^ere  permitted  to  driiik  of  the  fame  cup,  yea,  in  many 
 inftances  fulFered  greater  perfecutions  than  Mr.  We/ley 
 himfelf.  Stones,  dirt  and  rotten  eggs  were  the  com- 
 mon weapons  of  the  mob.  In  fome  inftances,  as  irt 
 that  of  Mr.  Thomas  Mitchell,  they  were  thrown  into 
 ponds  of  water,  and  held  down  till  they  were  nearly 
 drowned.  Applications  were  made  for  redrefs  to  the 
 neighbouring  Magiftrates,  but  generally  in  vain. 
 They  then,  under  the  patronage  of  Mr.  Wejley,  had 
 recourfe  to  the  Court  of  King's  Bench,  and  in 
 every  inftance  found  the  raoft  ample  juftice.  The 
 Judges  of  that  Court  a61;ed  on  every  occafion  with 
 the  greateft  uprightnefs  and  impartiality :    the  con- 
 
 fequence 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         257 
 
 ffequence  of  which  was,  that  peace  was  in  general  per^ 
 fccllv  reflored. 
 
 Mr.  Wejlty  now  preached  in  mofl  of  the  towns  in 
 Cornwall:  and  the  feed  fown,  through  the  bleffing  of 
 God,  produced  a  plentiful  harveft.  Perhaps  there 
 is  no  part  of  thefe  kingdoms  where  there  has  .been  a 
 more  general  change.  Hurling,  their  favourite  but  a 
 mofL  brutal  diveriion,  at  which  limbs  were  frequently- 
 broke,  and  lives  loil,  is  now  hardly  heard  of:  and 
 that  fcandal  of  humanity,  which  had  been  fo  con- 
 ftantly  pra6lifed  on  all  the  coafts  of  Cornwall,  the 
 plundering  veffels  that  flruck  upon  the  rocks,  and 
 often  murdering  thofe  that  efcaped  from  the  wreck,  is 
 now  well  nigh  at  an  end,  But  it  is  not  harmleffnefs 
 or  outward  decency  alone,  which  has  evidenced  the 
 reality  of  their  religion,  but  Faith  working  by  love,  pro- 
 ducing all  inward  and  outward  holinefs. 
 
 About  the  time  of  the  perfecutions  in  Cornwall, 
 John  Ndfon  of  Birjial  in  YorkJIiire,  who  has  been 
 mentioned  before,  and  Thomas  Beard  an  honefl  in- 
 duflrious  man,  were  preffed  and  fent  off  as  foldiers, 
 for  no  other  crime  either  committed  or  pretended, 
 than  that  of  calling  finners  to  repentance.  John  Nclfon 
 was  after  much  ill  ufagre  releafed  bv  an  order  from  the 
 Secretary  at  War,  and  preached  the  Gofpel  many  years. 
 But  Thomas  Beard  funk  under  his  oppreffions.  He 
 was  then  lodged  at  the  Hofpital  at  Newcajlle,  where 
 he  praifed  God  continually.  His  fever  increaling, 
 he  was  bled.  His  arm  feflered,  mortified,  and  was 
 Cut  off :  two  or  three  days  after  which,  God  figned 
 his  difcharge,  and  called  him  up  to  his  eternal  home* 
 
 S  On 
 
2/;8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 •o 
 
 On  Friday,  Augull  24,  1744.  Mr.  We/ley  preached 
 for  the  lafl  time  at  Oxford  before  the  Univerfity.  He 
 had  preached  to  them  twice  before,  fince  the  time  he 
 began  to  declare  the  truth  in  the  fields  and  highways. 
 Thofe  fermons  are  printed  in  the  firft  volume  of  his 
 Works,  and -arc  well  worthy  of  a  ferious  perufal. 
 *'  I  am  now,"  fays  he,  "clear  of  the  blood  of  thofe 
 men.  I  have  fully  delivered  my  own  foul.  And  I 
 am  w^ell  pleafed  that  it  Ihould  be  the  very  day,  on 
 which,  in  the  lafl  century,  near  two  thoufand  burn- 
 ing and  fhining  lights  were  put  out  at  one  ftroke. 
 Yet  what  a  wide  difference  is  there  between  their  cafe 
 and  mine  !  They  were  turned  out  of  houfe  and  home, 
 and  all  that  they  had :  whereas  I  am  only  hindered 
 from  preaching,  without  any  other  lofs :  and  that  in 
 a  kind  of  honourable  manner  :  it  being  determined, 
 that  when  my  next  turn  to  preach  came,  they  w^ould 
 pay  another  perfon  to  preach  for  me.  And  fo  they 
 did  twice  or  thrice  :  even  to  the  time  that  I  refigned 
 my  fellowfhip." 
 
 A  few  letters  which  Mr.  Wefley  received  about  this 
 time  from  fome  of  the  Englifh  foldiers  in  Germany, 
 Ihew  the  power  of  religion  in  the  midft  of  the  tumults 
 of  war  in  fo  ftriking  a  point  of  view,  that  we  make  no 
 apology  for  inferring  them  :  efpecially  as  the  princi- 
 pal inflrument  of  the  work  therein  related,  was  after- 
 wards a  preacher  in  connexion  with  him  for  many 
 years.  We  fhall  give  them  together,  though  written  at 
 fome  diflance  of  time  from  each  other  ;  as  they  will 
 hereby  afford  a  more  complete  view  of  this  work  of 
 God  in  the  Britifh  army. 
 
 Rev. 
 
*  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         2,59 
 
 Rev.  SIR, 
 
 **  We  marched  to  the  camp  near  BrvJJels,  on  the  firfl 
 bf  May  1744.  There  a  few  of  us  joined  in  a  Society,  be- 
 ing fenfible,  v^rhere  two  or  three  are  gathered  together 
 in  his  name,  there  is  our  Lord  in  the  midfh  of  them. 
 Our  place  of  meeting  v/as  a  fmall  wood  near  the  camp. 
 XVe  remained  in  this  camp  eight  days,  and  then  re- 
 moved to  a  place  called  Arjk.  Here  1  began  to  fpeak 
 openly,  at  a  fmall  di fiance  from  the  camp,  jufl  in  the 
 middle  of  the  EngliJJi^  army.  And  here  it  pieafed 
 God  to  give  me  fome  evidences,  that  my  labour  was 
 tiot  in  vain.  We  fung  a  hymn,  which  drew  about 
 two  hundred  foldiers  together,  and  they  all  behaved 
 decently.  After  I  had  prayed,  I  began  to  exhorC 
 them,  and  though  it  rained  very  hard,  yet. very  few 
 went  away.  Many  acknowledged  the  truth  ;  in  par- 
 ticular a  young  man,  John  Greenwood,  who  has  kepfc 
 with  me  ever  fince,  and  whom  God  has  lately  beert 
 pieafed  to  give  me  for  a  fellow-labourer.  Our  Society 
 is  now  mcreafed  to  upwards  of  two  hundred,  and  the 
 hearers  are  frequently  more  than  a  thoufand  ;  although 
 many  fay,  I  am  mad ;  and  others  have  endeavoured 
 to  incenfe  the  Field- Marfhal  again  11  us.  I  have  been 
 fent  for,  and  examined  feveral  times.  But,  bleffed 
 be  God,  he  has  always  delivered  me. 
 
 "  Many  of  the  officers  have  come  to  hear  forthem- 
 felves,  often  nine  or  ten  at  a  time.  J  endeavour  to 
 lofe  no  opportunity.  During  our  abode  in  the  camp 
 at  ArJk,  I  have  preached  thirty-five  times  in  feven 
 days.  One  of  thofe  times  a  foldier  who  was  pre  fent, 
 tailed  aloud  to  his  comrades,  to  come  away,  and  not 
 hear  that  fool  any  longer.     But  it  pieafed  God,   t6 
 
 S  2  fend 
 
26o        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fend  the  word  fpoken  to  his  heart :  fo  that  he  roarecJ 
 out  in  the  bitternefs  of  his  foul  for  a  cojifiderable  time  : 
 and  then  He  who  never  fails  thofe  that  feek  him, 
 turned  his  heavinefs  into  joy.  He  is  now  never  fo 
 happy  as  when  he  is  proclaiming  the  loving-kindncfs 
 of  God  his  Saviour. 
 
 ''  I  was  a  little  fhocked  at  my  firfl  .entrance  on 
 this  great  work,  becatxfe  I  was  alone,  having  none  to 
 help  me.  But  the  Lord  helped  me,  and  foon  ,raifed 
 up  William  dementis,  and  in  June,  JgIiu  Evans  be- 
 longing to  the  "train,  to  my  afhilance.  Since  we  have 
 been  in  this  camp,  we  have  built  two  fmall  tabernacles^ 
 in  which  we  meet  at  eight  in  the  m.orning,  at  three 
 in  the  afternoon,  and  feven  at  night :  and  commonly 
 two  whole  nights  in  each  week. 
 
 "  Since  I  began  to  writs  this,  we  are  comie  to 
 our  quarters :  fo  that  our  Society  is  now  divided. 
 Some  of  us  are  in  Bruges,  and  fome  in  Ghent.  But  it 
 has  pleafed  the  Lord  to  leave  neither  place  without  a 
 teacher.  For  John  Grtenwood  and  I  are  in  this  city  : 
 and  B.  Clements  and  Evans  are  in  Ghent,  So  that 
 we  truft  our  Lord  v./ill  carry  on  his  work  in  both  places* 
 
 **  We  that  are  in  Bruges  have  hired  a  fmall  place, 
 in  which  we  meet.  And  our  dear  Lord  is  in  the 
 midifof  us.  Many  times  the  tears  run  down  every 
 face,  and  joy  reigns  in  every  heart.  ^   . 
 
 '•'  I  fhall  conclude  with  a  full  aifurance  of  your 
 prayers,  with  a  longing  dclire  to  fee  you.  O,  when 
 will  the  joyful  meeting  be  !  Perhaps  not  on  this  fide 
 death.     If  not,  my  Mailer's  will  be  done. 
 
 Your  unworthy  brother  in  the  Lord, 
 
 To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wc/lcy^  John  Haime,'' 
 
 Ghent, 
 
.  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  2^1 
 
 Ghent,  Nov.  12.  O.  S.   1744. 
 .     'Rev,    SIR, 
 
 *'  WE  made  bold  to  trouble  you  with  this,  to  ac- 
 quaint you  with  fome  of  the  Lord's  deahngs  with  us 
 iieVe.  We'  have  hired  two  rooms,  one  fmall  one, 
 wherein  a  few  of  us  meet  every  day  at  one  o'clock  ; 
 and  another  large  one  for  public  fervice,  where  we 
 meet  twice  a  day,  at  nine  in  the  m.orning  and  four  in 
 the  afternoon  ;  and  the  hand  of  the  Omnipotent  God 
 is  with  us,  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  flrong-holds  of 
 Satan. 
 
 ^'  The  feventh  inflant,  when  we  were  met  top"ether 
 in  the  evening,  as  I  was  at  prayer,  one  that  was  kneel- 
 ing by  me,  cried  out  (like  a  woman  in  travail)  "  My 
 Redeemer  !  my  Redeemer  !"  Which  continued  about 
 ten  minutes.  When  he  was  afked,  "  What  Vv^as  the 
 matter,"  he  faid,  "  He  had  found  that  which  he  had 
 often  heard  of,  that  is,  a  heaven  upon  earth  :"  and 
 fome  others  had  much  ado  to  forbear  crying  out  in 
 the  fame  manner. 
 
 '•'  Dear  Sir,  I  am  a  flranger  to  you  in  the  flefb.  I 
 know  not  if  I  have  feen  you  above  once,  when  I  faw 
 you  preaching  on  Kennington-Common,  And  then  I 
 hated  you,  as  much  as  now  {hy  the  grace  of  God)  I 
 love  you^  The  Lord  purfued  me  with  conviclions 
 from  my  infancy,  and  I  often  made  abundance  of  good 
 refolutions.  But  finding  as  often  that  I  could  not 
 keep  them  (as  being  made  wholly  in  my  ov/n  ftrength) 
 I  at  length  left  off  all  ftriving,  and  gave  myfelf  over 
 to  all    m.anner  of  lewdnefs  and  profanenefs.     So   I 
 
 S  3  continued 
 
^6z         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 continued  for  fomc  years,  till  the  battle  of  Dcttingcn^ 
 The  balls  then  came  very  thick  about  me,  and  my 
 comrades  fell  on  every  lide.  Yet  I  was  preferved  un- 
 hurt. A  fev/  da.ys  after  this,  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to 
 vilit  me  again.  The  pains  of  hell  gat  hold  iipon  me, 
 the  fnares  of  death  encompaffed  me.  I  durll  no  lon- 
 ger commit  any  outward  fin,  and  I  prayed  God  to  be 
 merciful  to  my  foul.  X^ow  I  was  at  a  lofs  for  books. 
 But  God  took  care  for  this  alfo.  One  day  as  I  was 
 at  work,  I  found  an  old  Bible  m  one  of  the  train-wag- 
 gons. To  read  this,  I  foon  forfook  my  old  com- 
 panions :  all  but  one,  who  was  ftill  a  thorn  in  my 
 flefh.     But  not  long  after  he  fickened  and  died. 
 
 *'  JVIy  Bible  was  now  my  only  companion,  and  I 
 believed  myfelf  a  very  good  Chriftian,  till  we  cam€ 
 to  winter- quarters,  where  I  met  with  John  Haivie. 
 But  I  was  foon  lick  of  his  company.  For  he  robbed 
 me  of  my  treafure  ;  he  flole  away  my  gods,  telling  me, 
 *'  I  and  my  works  were  going  to  hell  together."  Thi^ 
 was  ifrange  do6lrine  to  me,  who  being  wholly  igno- 
 rant of  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrifl,  fought  only  to 
 cflablifh  my  own  righteoufnefs.  And  being  naturally 
 of  a  llubborn  temper,  my  poor  brother  was  fo  per- 
 plexed with  me,  that  fometimes  he  was  vefolved  (as 
 he  afterwards  told  me)  to  forbid  my  coming  to  him 
 any  more, 
 
 **  When  the  Lord  had  at  length  opened  my  ^y^s^ 
 and  fhewn  me  that  by  grace  we  are  faved,  through  faith, 
 I  began  immediately  to  declare  it  to  others,  though  I 
 had  not  as  yet  experienced  it  myfelf.  But  Oftober 
 ?3,  as  William  Clement s^'^^s  at  prayer,  I  felt  on  a  fudden 
 
 a  great 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  263 
 
 a  great  alteration  in  my  foul.  My  eyes  overflowed 
 with  tears  of  love.  I  knew  I  was  through  Chrift  re- 
 I  conciled  to  God  ;  which  enflamed  my  foul  with  fer- 
 vent love  to  him,  whom  I  now  faw  to  be  my  complete 
 Redeemeri 
 
 ''•  O  the  tender  care  of  Almighty  God,  in  bringing 
 up  his  children  !  How  are  we  bound  to  love  fo  in- 
 dulgent a  Father,  and  to  fall  down  in  wonder  and 
 adoration  of  his  great  and  glorious  name  for  his  ten- 
 der mercies  ! — Dear  Sir,  I  beg  you  will  pray  for  him, 
 who  is  not  worthy  to  be  a  door-keeper  to  the  lead  of 
 my  Mailer's  fervants, 
 
 jfohn  Evans,"  * 
 
 Rev.    SIR,  06lober  10,  1745. 
 
 *'  I  ihall  acquaint  you  with  the  Lord's  dealings 
 with  us  fince  April  lad.  We  marched  from  Ghent  to 
 Allojl  on  the  14th,  where  I  met  with  two  or  three  of 
 our  brethren  in  the  fields,  and  we  fung  and  praved 
 together,  and  were  comforted.  On  the  15th,  I  met  a 
 fjnall  company  about  three  miles  from  the  town,  and 
 the  Lord  filled  our  hearts  with  love  and  peace.  On 
 the  17th,  we  marched  to  camp  near  Brujfds.  On  the 
 18th,  I  met  a  fmall  congregation  on  the  fide  of  a  hill, 
 and  fpoke  from  thofe  words,  Let  u$  go  forth  therefore 
 to  him  without  the  cmiip,  bearing  his  reproach.      On  the 
 
 S  4  28th, 
 
 *'  He  continued  both  to  preach  and  to  live  the  gofpel,  till 
 the  battle  of  Fontenoy.  One  of  his  companions  faw  him  there, 
 laid  acrofs  a  cannon,  (both  his  legs  having  been  tahen  off  by  a 
 chain-ihot)  praifing  God,  and  exhorting  all  that  were  roan4 
 about  him";  which  he  did,  till  his  fpiiit  returned  t;o  God» 
 
2^4         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 28th,  I  fpoke  from  thofe  words  o^  Ifaiah,  Thus  faith 
 VIC  Lord  concerning  the  houfe  of  Jacob  ;  Jacob  JJiall  not 
 now  be  aJJiamed,  neither  JJmll  his  face  now  wax  pale.  On 
 the  29th,  we  marched  clofe  to  the  enemy,  and  when  I 
 faw  them  in  their  camp,  my  bowels  moved  toward 
 them,  in  love  and  pity  for  their  fouls.  We  lay  on 
 our  arms  all  night.  In  the  morning,  April  30,  the 
 cannon  began  to  play  at  Iralf  an  hour  after  four  :  and 
 the  Lord  took  away  all  fear  from  me,  lo  that  I  went 
 into  the  field  with  joy.  The  balls  flew  on  either 
 hand,  and  men  fell  in  abundance  ;  but  nothing 
 touched  me  till  about  two  o'clock.  Then  I  received, 
 a  ball  through  my  left  arm,  and  rejoiced  fo  much  the 
 more.  Soon  after,  I  received  another  into  my  right, 
 which  obliged  me  to  quit  the  field.  But  I  fcarce 
 Icnew  whether  I  was  on  earth  or  in  heaven.  It  was 
 one  of  the  fweetefl  clays  I  ever  enjoyed. 
 
 William  Clements." 
 
 Leave  near  Antwerp, 
 
 Odober  21,  1745. 
 Rev.    S  I  R, 
 
 *'  Since  I  wrote  to  you  lafl,   I  have  gone  through 
 
 great  trials.      It  was  not  the  leaft,  that  I  have  loft  my 
 
 dear  brother   Clements  for    a    feafon,    he    being  ftiot 
 
 through  both  the  arms.     To  try  me  farther,  J.  Evans 
 
 and  Bijliop  were   both  killed  in  the  battle,  as  was  J^ 
 
 Greenwood  foon   after.     Two  more  who  fpoke  boldly 
 
 in  the  name  of  Jefus,  are  fallen  into  the  world  again. 
 
 So  I   am  left  alone.      But  I  know  it  is  for  my  good. 
 
 Seeing  iniquity  fo  much  abound,   and   the  love   of 
 
 many 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  265 
 
 many  wax  cold,    adds  wings  to  my  devotion,  and  my 
 faith  grows  daily  as  a  plant  by  the  water- fide. 
 
 '•   The  Lord  has  been  pleafed  to  try  our  little  flock, 
 and  to  fhew  them  his  mighty  power.   Some  days  before 
 the  late  battle,   one  of  them  Handing  at  his  tent-door, 
 broke  out  mto  raptures  of  joy,  knowing  his  departure 
 was  at  hand,  and  Vv^as  fo  filled  with  the  love  of  God, 
 that   he  danced  before  his  comrades.     In   the   battle, 
 before  he  died,  he  openly  declared,    "I  am  going  to 
 reft  from   my  labours  in  the  bofom  of  Jefus."     I  be^ 
 lieve  nothing  like  this  was  ever  heard  of  before,  in  the 
 midft  of  fo  wicked  an   army   as   ours.       Some  were 
 crying  out  in  their  wounds,     "  I  am  going  to  my  Be- 
 loved :"  others,  "  Come,  Lord  Jefus,  come  quickly  :" 
 and   many   that   were   not  wounded,  were  cryino-  to 
 their  Lord,  to  take  them  to  himfelf.      There  was  fuch 
 boldnefs  in  the  battle  among  this  little  defpifed  flock, 
 that  it  made  the  officers,   as  well  as  common  foldiers 
 amazed.     And  they  acknowledge  it  to  this  day.     As 
 to  my  own   part,   I   ftood  the  lire  of  the  enemy  for 
 above  feven  hours.     Then  my  horfe  was  fhot  under 
 me,   and  I   was   expofed  both  to  the  enemy  and  our 
 own  horfe.      But  that  did  not  difcourage  me  at  all  ; 
 for  I  knew  the  God  oi^.Jacob  was  with  me.     I   had  a 
 long  way  to  go,   the  balls  flying  on  every  fide  ;   and 
 thoufands  lay  bleeding,  groaning,  dying  and  dead  on 
 each  hand.     Surely  I  was  as  in  the  fiery  furnace,  but 
 it  never  finged  one  hair  of  my  head.      The  hotter  it 
 grew,  the  more  ftrength  was  given  m.e.     I  was  full  of 
 joy  and  love,  as  much  as  I  could  well  bear.     Going 
 gxii  I  met  one  of  our  brethren  with  a  little  diih  in  his 
 4  band,' 
 
^.66        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 hand,  feeking  for  water.  He  fmiled,  and  faid,  he  had 
 got  a  fore  wound  in  his  leg  :  I  afked,  ''  Have  you  got 
 Chrifl  in  your  heart  ?"  He  anfwered,  ''  I  have,  and  I 
 have  had  him  all  the  day.  BlelTed  be  God,  that  I  ever 
 faw  your  face."  Lord,  what  am  I,  that  lihould  be 
 counted  worthy  to  fet  my  hand  to  the  gofpel-plough  ? 
 Lord,  humble  me,  and  lay  me  in  the  duft  ! 
 
 yohn  Haime,*' 
 
 The  work  in  England  now  extended  with  a  rapidity, 
 which  far  exceeded  the  expedations  of  themcfi  fan- 
 guine.  For  fome  years  the  Preachers  moved  round 
 the  kingdom  as  Mr.  Wc/ley  thought  beft  from  time  to 
 time  without  any  regular  plan.  But  he  now  found 
 it  abfolutely  neceifary  to  divide  the  whole  work  into 
 Circuits,  appointing  fo  many  Preachers  to  each  Circuit, 
 This  plan  was  attended  with  fo  many  difficulties,  and 
 required  fo  m.uch  thought,  contrivance  and  forefight, 
 that  he  judged  it  expedient  to  fummon  annually  a 
 .confiderable  number  of  the  Preachers,  in  order  to 
 confult  together  concerning  the  affairs  of  the  Societies. 
 The  Preachers,  thus  met  with  him  at  their  head,  he 
 termed  The  Conference:  which  name  is  now  fo  per- 
 fedly  famihar  among  the  people,  that  the  Confer- 
 ence is  always  underftood  as  lignifying  the  body  of 
 Preachers  thus  annually  alTembled.  His  defign  in 
 calling  them  together,  was  not  merely  for  the  re- 
 gulation of  the  Circuits,  but  alfo  for  the  review  of 
 their  doctrines  and  difcipline,  and  for  the  examina- 
 tion of  their  moral  condu6l :  that  thofe  who  were 
 to   adminiifer  v/ith    him   in   hcly  things,   might  be 
 
 thoroughly 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  267 
 
 thoroughly  furnifhed  for  every  good  work,  for  '•'  iht 
 Javuig  of  their  own  [ouh  as  well  as  them  that  heard  them  J' 
 f  In  treating  on  fo  effential  a  part  of  the  difcipline 
 eflablifhed  by  Mr. We.fley^  as  the  annual  Conferences,  from 
 which  infinite  bleffings  through  the  grace  of  heaven 
 have  been  derived,  not  only  in  the  government  and 
 union  of  the  xvhole  connection,  but  in  the  prefervation 
 and  enforcement  of  purity  and  hohnefs  among  the 
 Preachers;  we  fhall  be  neceiTarily  obh'ged  to  fpeak  of 
 many  things,  which  hundreds  of  our  readers  are  already 
 perfe6lly  acquainted  with  :  but  they  will  excufe  us, 
 when  they  recoUeft,  that  it  will  be  impoffible  to  o^ive  a 
 complete  view  to  the  world  of  that  great  work,  of  which 
 Mr.  Wejley  was  the  principal  inflrument,  without  en- 
 larging on  fo  important  a  branch  of  it.  For  which 
 purpofe  we  ftiall  give  feveral  extrads  of  the  mofl;  re- 
 markable Converfations  which  paifed  in  thefe  Con- 
 ferences, efpecially  in  the  earliefl  of  them,  when  the 
 grand  points  in  refpe6l  both  to  Doftrines  and  Dif- 
 cipline were  laid  down,  methodifed  and  eftablifhed, 
 which  have  continued  unfliaken  even  to  the  prefent 
 day, 
 
 CONVERSATION     I. 
 
 IT  is  defired,  that  all  things  be  confidered  as  in 
 the  immediate  prefence  of  God.  That  we  may  meet 
 with  a  fmgle  eye,  and  as  little  children,  who  have  every 
 thing  to  learn :  that  every  point  which  is  propofed, 
 inay  be  examined  to  the  foundation.     That  every 
 
 perfon 
 
268  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 peiTon  may  fpeak  freely  whatever  is  in  his  heart :  and 
 that  every  queflion  wliich  arifes,  may  be  thoroughly 
 debated  and  fettled, 
 
 Q.  1 .  Need  we  be  fearful  of  doing  this  ?  What  arc 
 we  afraid  of  ?  Of  overturning  our  firil  principles  ? 
 
 A.  If  they  are  faife,  the  fooner  they  are  overturned, 
 the  better.  If  they  are  true,  they  will  bear  the  flrictefl 
 examination.  Let  us  all  pray  for  a  willingnefs  to  re- 
 ceive light,  to  knov/  of  every  doQrine,  whether  it  be 
 of  God. 
 
 O.  z.  How  may  the  time  of  this  Conference  be 
 made  more  eminently  a  time  of  watching  unto  prayer  ? 
 
 A.  1.  While  we  are  converfing,  let  us  ha\^e  an 
 efpecial  care,  to  fet  God  always  before  us.  2.  In  the 
 intermediate  hours,  let  us  redeem  all  the  time  we  can 
 for  private  exercifes.  3.  Therein  let  us  give  our- 
 -felves  to  prayer  for  one  another,  and  for  a  blefling  on 
 this  our  labour. 
 
 Q.  3.  How  far  does  each  of  us  agree  to  fubmit  to 
 the  judgmicnt  of  the  m.ajority  ? 
 
 A.  In  fpeculative  things,  each  can  only  fubmit  fo 
 far  as  his  judgment  ftiall  be  convinced :  in  every 
 pradiccil  point,  each  will  fubmit  fo  far  as  he  can 
 without  wounding  his  confcienee. 
 
 O.  4.  Can  a  Chrifiian  fubmit  any  farther  than  this, 
 Xo  any  man,  or  number  of  men  upon  earth  ? 
 
 A.  It  is  plain,  he  cannot ;  either  to  Biiliop,  Con- 
 vocation, or  General  Council.  And  this  is  that  grand 
 principle  of  private  judgment,  on  which  all  the  re- 
 formers proceec^ed  :  ''  Every  m^n  muit  judge  for 
 tiimfelf ;  becaufe  e^'ery  man  mufl  give  an  account  of 
 Jiiinfelf  tq  Guc]/'  IL  Tlic 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  269 
 
 IL  The  deiign  of  the  meeting  was  propofed, 
 namely  to  confider,  1.  What  to  teach.  2.  How  to 
 teach.  And  3.  What  to  do.  i.  e.  How  to  regulate  our 
 do6lrine,  difcipline  and  pra6lice.  They  began  with 
 ,  confidering  the  do6lrine  of  j unification  :  the  queflions 
 relating  thereto,  with  the  fubftance  of  the  anfwers 
 given,  were  as  follows. 
 
 O.    1.  What  is  it  to  be  iuilified  ? 
 A.    To   be    pardoned,    and    received   into  God's 
 favour  ■   into  fuch  a  ftate,  that  if  we  continue  therein 
 we  fhaii  be  finally  faved. 
 
 O.   2.   Is  faith  the  condition  of  iuftification? 
 
 A.  Yes;  for  every  one  who  believeth  not  is  con* 
 demned  ;  and  every  one  who  believes  is  juflified. 
 
 O.  3.  But  mufh  not  repentance,  and  works  meet 
 for  repentance,  go  before  this  faith  ? 
 
 A.  W^ithout  doubt  :  if  hy  repentance  you  mean 
 conviclion  of  lin  ;  and  by  works  meet  for  repentance^ 
 obeying  God  as  far  as  we  can,  forgiving  our  brother, 
 ceafing  to  do  evil,  doing  good,  and  ufing  the  ordi- 
 nances according  to  the  power  we  have  received. 
 
 O.  4.  What  is  faith? 
 
 A.  Faith  in  general  h,  a  divine,  fupernatural 
 ''EAEvxocr*  Of  things  not  feen  ;  i.  e.  of  paft,  future  or 
 fpiritual  things  :  it  is  a  fpiritual  fight  of  God  and  the 
 thinga  of  God. 
 
 Firft,  a  finner  is  convinced  by  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 "  Chrijl  loved  me  and  gave  himfelffor  me" — This  is  that 
 faith  by  which  he  is  juflified  or  pardoned,  the  moment 
 he   receives  it.     Immediately  the   fame    Spirit  bears 
 
 witnefs;, 
 *  ConviBion  or  Evidence^ 
 
270         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ^vitnefs,   "  Thou  art  pardoned  :  thou  hafl  redemption 
 
 in  Piis  blood." And  this  is    faving  faith,  whereby 
 
 the  love  of  God  is  (hed  abroad  in  his  heart. 
 
 O.  5.  Have  all  chriflians  this  faith  ?  May  not  a 
 man  be  juflified  and  not  know  it  ? 
 
 A.  That  all  true  chriftians  have  fuch  a  faith  as  im-i> 
 plies  an  affurance  of  God's  love,  appears  from  Rom, 
 viii.  15.  16.  Eph.  iv.  32.  2  Cor.  xiii.  5.  Heb,  viii.  10*  ■ 
 1  John  iv.  13.  and  V.  19.  And  that  no  man  can  be 
 juftified  and  not  know  it,  appears  farther  from  the : 
 nature  of  the  thing.  For  faith  after  repentance  is 
 eafe  after  pain,  reft  after  toil,  light  after  darknefs.  It 
 appears  rJfo  from  the  immediate,  as  well  as  diftanfc 
 fruits  thereof. 
 
 O,   6.  But  mav  not  a  man  sfo  to  heaven  without  it  ? 
 
 A.  It  docs  not  appear  from  holy  writ  that  a  man 
 who  hears  the  Gofpel,  can  :  (Mark  xvi»  i6.)  whatever 
 a  heathen  may  do.     Rom.  ii.  14. 
 
 Q.  7.  What  are  the  immediate  fruits  of  juftifying 
 fliith  ? 
 
 A.  Peace,  joy,  love,  p  m^er  over  all  outward  fin, 
 and  power  to  keep  down  inward  fin. 
 
 Q.  8.  Does  any  one  believe,  who  has  not  the  wit^ 
 nefs  in  himfelf,  or  any  longer  than  he  fees,  loves,  obeys 
 God? 
 
 A.  We  apprehend  not ;  feeing  God  being  the  very 
 efTence  of  faith  •  love  and  obedience  the  infeparable 
 properties  of  it. 
 
 Q.  9.  What  fms  arc  confiftent  with  juftifying 
 faith? 
 
 A.  No 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  Vv^ESLEY.  271 
 
 A.  No  wilful  fiti.  If  a  believer  wilfully  fjis,  A\q 
 calls  away  his  faith.  Neither  is  it  poflible  be  fliould 
 have  jyjlifying  faith  again^  without  previouOy  re- 
 penting. 
 
 O.  10.  Mujl  every  beHever  come  into  a  Rate  of 
 doubt,  or  fear,  or  darknefs  ?  Will  lie  do  fo,  unlefs 
 by  ignorance  or  unfaithfulnefs  ?  Does  God  otherwiie 
 withdraw  himfelf  ? 
 
 A.  It  is  certain,  a  believer  need  never  again  com© 
 into  condemnation.  It  feems,  he  need  not  come  into 
 a  ftate  of  doubt,  or  fear,  or  darknefs  :  and  that  (ordi- 
 narily at  leaft)  he  will  not,  unlefs  by  ignorance  or 
 unfaithfulnefs.  Yet  it  is  true,  That  the  firfl:  joy  does 
 feldom  lad  long  :  that  it  is  commonly  followed  by 
 doubts  and  fears;  and  that  God  frequently  permits 
 great  heavinefs  before  any  large  manifeflation  of 
 himfelf. 
 
 Q.  11.  Are  works  neccffary  to  the  continuance  of 
 faith  ? 
 
 A.  Without  doubt ;  for  a  man  may  forfeit  th^  free 
 gift  of  God,  either  by  fins  of  omiflion  or  commiflion, 
 
 Q.   12.  Can  faith  be  loft,  but  for  want  of  works  ? 
 
 A.  It  cannot  but  through  difobedience. 
 
 Q.   13.  How  is  faith  made  perfect  by  works  ? 
 
 A.  The  more  we  exert  our  faith,  the  more  it  is  in- 
 •reafed.     To  him  that  hath,  fhall  be  given. 
 
 Q.  14.  St.  P^iJ  fays,  Abraham  was  not  jujiified  by 
 Tvorks.  St.  James,  he  was  jiijlified  by  xuorks.  Do  th^^j 
 not  contradi6l  each  other  ? 
 
 A.  No:  1.  Becaufe  they  do  not  fpeak  of  the  fame 
 j unification,      St.  Paul  fpeaks    of  that  juftification, 
 
 which 
 
272  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 which  was  when  yi^rfl^/z^wi  was  feventy-five  years  olcf, 
 above  twenty  years  before  Ifaac  was  born.  St  James 
 of  that  iuftification,  which  was  when  he  offered  up 
 Jfaac  on  the  aUar. 
 
 2dly.  Becaufe  they  do  not  fpeak  of  the  fame  works  : 
 St.  Paul  fpeaking  of  works  that  precede  faith  :  St. 
 James,  of  works  that  fpring  from  it, 
 
 O.  15.  In  what  fen fe  is  Adams  fin  imputed  to  all 
 mankind  ? 
 
 A.  In  J  dam  2i\l  die,  i.  e.  i.  Our  bodies  then  be- 
 came mortaL  2.  Our  fouls  died,  i.  e.  were  difunited 
 from  God.  And  hence,  3.  We  are  all  born  with  a 
 flnful,  devilifh  nature  :  by  reafon  whereof,  4.  We  are 
 children  of  wrath,  liable  to  death  eternal.  Rom.  v.  18* 
 
 Eph.  ii.  3. 
 
 O.  16.  In  what  fenfe  is  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift 
 imputed  to  all  mankind,  or  to  believers  ? 
 
 A.  We  do  not  find  it  exprefsly  affirmed  in  Scrip-* 
 tare,  That  God  imputes  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrifl  to 
 any.  xilthough  we  do  find,  That  faith  is  imputed 
 to  us  for  righteoufnefs. 
 
 That  text,  "  As  hy  one  mans  difohedience  all  men  were 
 made  Jinners,  fo  hy  the  obedience  of  one,  all  were  made 
 righteous,"  we  conceive  means,  by  the  merits  of  Chrifl 
 all  men  are  cleared  from  the  guilt  of  Ada7ns  a6lual  fm. 
 
 We  conceive  farther,  That  through  the  obedience 
 and  death  of  Chrifl,  1 .  The  bodies  of  all  men  become 
 immortal  after  the  refurre6lion,  2.  Their  fouls  receive 
 a  capacity  of  fpiritual  life ;  and,  3.  An  a6lual  fpark 
 o'r  feed  thereof :  4.  All  believers  become  children  of 
 grace,  reconciled  to  God,  and  5.  Are  made  partakers 
 of  the  divine  nature,  Q-   ^7- 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        273 
 
 O.  17.  Have  we  not  leaned  towards. /4n/!mowz^?2f/wP 
 
 A.  We  are  afraid  we  have. 
 
 O.   18.  What  is  Antinomianifm? 
 
 A,  The  dotlrine  which  makes  void  the  law  through 
 faith. 
 
 Q.   19.  What  are  the  main  pillars  thereof? 
 
 A.  1.  That  Chriftabohftied  the  moral  law.  2.  That 
 'therefore  chriftians  are  not  obliged  to  obferve  it.  3. 
 That  one  branch  of  chriflian  liberty,  is  liberty  from 
 obeying  the  commandments  of  God.  4.  That  it  is 
 bondage,  to  do  a  thing  becaufe  it  is  commanded,  or 
 forbear  it  becaufe  it  is  forbidden.  5.  That  a  believer 
 is  not  obliged  to  ufe  the  ordinance's  of  God,  or  to  do 
 good  vv^orks.  6.  That  a  preacher  ought  not  to  exhort 
 to  good  works :  not  unbelievers,  becaufe  it  is  hurtful  ^ 
 not  believers,  becaufe  it  is  needlefs. 
 
 HL  O.  1.  Is  a  fenfe  of  God's  pardoning  love  ab- 
 folutely  neceffary  to  our  being  in  his  favour  ?  Or  may 
 there  be  fome  exempt  cafes  ? 
 
 A.  We  dare  not  fay,  There  are  not. 
 
 O.  2.   Is  it  neceffary  to  inward  and  outward  hoH- 
 ilefs  ? 
 ft.   A.  We  incline  to  think  it  is. 
 
 Q.  3.  Does  a  man  believe  any  longer  than  he  fees 
 a  reconciled  God  ? 
 
 A.  We  conceive  not.  But  we  allow  there  may  be 
 infinite  degrees  in  feeing  God  :  even  as  many  as 
 there  are  between  him  who  fees  the  fun,  when  it 
 fliines  on  his  eye-lids  clofed,  and  him  who  (lands 
 with  his  ty^s  wide  open  in  the  full  blaze  of  its 
 beams, 
 
 T  Q.  4. 
 
274         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Q.  4.  Does  a  man  believe  any  longer  than  he  loves 
 God? 
 
 A.  In  no  wife.  For  neither  drcumcifion  nor  un- 
 circumcifion  avails,  without  faith  working  by  love. 
 
 Q.  5.  Have  we  duly  confidered  the  cafe  of  Corne- 
 lius ?  Was  not  he  in  the  favour  of  God,  when  his 
 prayers  and  alms  came  up  for  a  memorial  bejorc  God  ? 
 i.  e.   Before  he  believed  in  Chrift  ? 
 
 A.  It  does  feem  that  he  was,  in  fome  degree.  But 
 "we  fpeak  not  of  thofe  who  have  not  heard  the  Gofpel. 
 
 Q.  6.  Is  a  believer  conftrained  to  obey  God  ? 
 
 A.  At  fiifl  he  aften  is.  The  love  of  Chrifl  con- 
 flraineth  him.  After  this,  he  may  obey,  or  he  may 
 not ;   no  confLraint  being  laid  upon  him. 
 
 Q.   7.   Can  faith  be  lofl,  but  through  difabedience  ? 
 
 A.  It  cannot.  A  believer  firfl  inwardly  difobeys, 
 inclines  to  fin  with  his  heart :  then  his  intercourfe 
 with  God  is  cut  off,  i.  e.  his  faith  is  loft.  And  after 
 this,  he  may  fall  into  outward  fin,  being  now  weak, 
 and  like  another  man. 
 
 Q.   8.  How  can  fuch  a  one  recover  faith  ? 
 
 A.  By  repenting,  and  doing  the  firft  w^orks,  Rev. 
 ii.   5. 
 
 O.  9.  Do  we  ordinarily  reprefent  a  juftified  ftate 
 fo  great  and  happy  as  it  is  ? 
 
 A.  Perhaps  not.  A  believer,  walking  in  the  light, 
 is  incxprefhhly  great  and  happy, 
 
 Q.  10.  Should  we  not  have  a  care  of  depreciating 
 juftifi cation,  in  order  to  exalt  the  flate  of  full  fandi- 
 fication  ? 
 
 2  '  A.  Undoubtedly 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        ^75 
 
 A.  Undoubtedly  we  fhould  beware  of  this  :  for  one 
 may  infenfibly  Aide  into  it. 
 
 O.   11.  How  fliall  we  erfe6l;ually  avoid  it  ? 
 
 A.  When  we  are  going  to  fpeak  of  entire  fandifi- 
 tation,  let  us  firll  defcribe  the  bleffings  of  a  juftified 
 flate  as  ftrongly  as  poflible* 
 
 Q.  12.  Does  not  the  truth  of  the  Gofpel  lie  very- 
 near  both  to  Calvinifm  and  Antinomidnifm  ? 
 
 A.  Indeed  it  does  :  as  it  were,  within  a  hair's 
 breadth.  So  that  it  is  altogether  foolifh  and  finful, 
 becaufe  we  do  not  quite  agree  either  with  one  or  the 
 other,  to  run  from  them  as  far  as  ever  we  can. 
 
 O.  13.  Wherein  may  we  come  to  the  very  edge  of 
 Calvinifm  ? 
 
 A.  1 .  In  afcribing  all  good  to  the  free  grace  of  God  t 
 2.  In  denying  all  natural  free  will,  and  all  power  an- 
 tecedent to  grace  :  and  3.  In  excluding  all  merit  from 
 man ;  even  for  what  he  has  or  does  by  the  grace  of 
 Godi 
 
 Q.  14.  Wherein  may  we  come  to  the  edge  of 
 Alii  ino7nianif 771  ? 
 
 A.  1.  In  exalting  the  merits  and  love  of  Chrifti 
 2.   In  rejoicing  evermore. 
 
 Q.  15.  Does  faith  fuperfede  (fet  afide  the  neceffity 
 of)  holinefs  or  good  works  ? 
 
 A.  In  no  wife.  So  far  from  it,  that  it  implies 
 both,  as  a  caufe  does  it's  efFe6ls. 
 
 IV.  Q.   1.  What  is  fincerity  ? 
 
 A.  Willingnefs  to  know  and  do  the  whole  will  of 
 .God.  The  lowed  fpecies  thereof  feems  to  ht  faith- 
 Julnefs  in  that  which  is  little* 
 
 T  a  p.  2. 
 
i'jG         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WFlSLEV. 
 
 O.   2.  Has  God  any  regard  to  man's  fincerity  r 
 
 A.  So  far,  that  no  man  in  any  flate  can  podiblv 
 bleafe  God  without  it :  nor  indeed  in  any  moment 
 wherein  he  is  not  fmcere. 
 
 Q.  3.  But  can  it  be  conceived  that  God  has  any 
 regard  to  the  fmcerity  of  an  unbcHever  ? 
 
 A.  Yes,  fom.uch,  that  if  he  perfevere  therein,  God 
 will  infallibly  give  him  faith. 
 
 p.  4.  What  regard  may  we  conceive  him  to  have, 
 to  the  fincerity  of  a   believer  ? 
 
 A.  So  much,  that  in  every  fmcere  believer  he  fulfils 
 all  the  great  and  precious  promifes. 
 
 Q.  5.   Whom  do  you  term  a  fincere  believer  ? 
 
 A.  One  that  walks  in  the  light,  as  God  is  in  the 
 light,' 
 
 O.   6.   Is  not  fi'nceritv  all  in"  all  ? 
 
 A.  All  Vvdll  follov/  pcrfcvering  {iVyCtrity.  God  gives 
 every  thino-  with  it  ;   nothinc^  without  it. 
 
 O.  7.  Are  not  then  iincerity  and  faith  cquivalen" 
 terms  ? 
 
 A.  By  no  means.  It  is  at  lea  [I  as  riearly  related  to 
 works  as  it  is  to  faith.  Far  example  :  who  is  fincen^ 
 before  he  believes  ?  He  that,  according  to  the  powe,r 
 he  has  received,  brings  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance. 
 Who  is  fihcerc  after  he  believes  ?  lie  that,  from  a 
 fenfe  of  God's  love,  is  zealous  of  all  good  works. 
 
 O.  8.  But  do  you  confider,  That  we  are  under  the 
 covenant  of  Gcrace  ?  And  that  the  covenant  of  works 
 is  now  aboliihed  ? 
 
 A.  Ail  mankind  were  under  the  covenant  of  grace, 
 from    the  very  hour  that    the   origuial    promifc  was 
 
 made. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  277 
 
 made.  If  hy  the  covenant  of  works  you  mean,  That 
 of  unrmnina-  obedience , made  with  Adam  before  the 
 fall :  no  man,  but  Adam,  was  ever  under  that  cove- 
 nant. 
 
 V.  Q.  I.  Is  not  the  whole  difpute  of  falvation  by 
 faith,  or  hy  works,   a  mere  flrife  of  word%  ? 
 
 A.  \xi  afferting  faivation  by  faith,  we  mean  this; 
 1.  That  pardon  (faivation  begun)  is  received  by  faith, 
 producing  works.  2.  That  hoKnefs  (faivation  con- 
 tinued) is  faith  working  hy  love  :  3.  That  heaven 
 (faivation  finilKed)  is  the  reward  of  this  faith. 
 
 If  thofe  who  afl'ert  faivation  by  works,  or  by  faith 
 and  works,  mean  the  fame  thing  (underftanding  by 
 faith,  the  revelation  of  Chrifl  in  us  ;  by  faivation, 
 pardon,  holinefs,  glory)  we  will  not  drive  with  them 
 at  all.  If  they  do  not,  this  is  not  a  jirifc  of  words : 
 but  the  very  vitals,  the  elfence  of  chrillianity  is  the 
 thing  in  queftion.    . 
 
 Q.  2.  May  not  fome  degree  of  the  love  of  God  go 
 before  a  diftinft  fenfe  of  jullification  ? 
 
 A.   We  believe  it  may. 
 
 VL  The  do6trine  of  fantlification  was  confidered  : 
 ith  regard  to  which  the  quellions  afked  and  the  fub- 
 ance  of  the  anfwers  given,  were  as  follows. 
 
 O.   1 .   What  is  it  to  be  fanci:if2ed  ? 
 
 A.  To  be  renewed  in  the  image  of  God  in  rightc^ 
 I  oufnefs  and  true  holinefs. 
 
 Q.  2.  Is  faith-the  condition,  or  the  inflrument  of 
 I  fan tlifi  cation  ? 
 
 A.  It  is  both  the  condition  and  inflrument  of  it. 
 When  we  begni  to  believe,  then  fandification  begins^ 
 
 T  3  And 
 
278  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 And  as  faith  increafes,    holinefs   increafes,  till  we  are 
 created  anew. 
 
 Q.  3.  What  is  implied  in  being  a  perfect  Chrijlian  ? 
 
 A.  The  loving  the  Lord  our  God  with  all  our  heart, 
 and  with  ail  our  mind,  and  foul,  and  flrength.  Deut. 
 vi.  5.  XXX.  6.    Ezek.  xxxvi.  25 — 29. 
 
 Q.  4,  Does  this  imply,  That  all  inward  fm  is  taken 
 away  ? 
 
 A.  Without  doubt  :  or  how  could  he  be  faid  to  be 
 {dL.vt6.from  all  his  uncleannejjcs  ?  Ezek.  xxxvi.  29. 
 
 O.  5.  Can  we  know  one  who  is  thus  faved  ?  What 
 is  a  reafonable  proof  of  it  ? 
 
 A.  We  cannot;  without  the  miraculous  difcernment 
 of  fpirits,  be  infallibly  certain  of  thofe  who  are  thus 
 faved.  But  we  apprehend,  thefe  would  be  the  bed 
 proofs  which  the  nature  of  the  thing  admits.  1.  If 
 we  had  fuihcient  evidence  of  their  unblamable  be- 
 haviour preceding.  2.  If  they  gave  a  diftincl;  account 
 of  the  time  and  manner  wherein  they  were  faved  from 
 fm,  and  of  the  circumftances  thereof,  with  fuch  found 
 fpeech  as  could  not  be  reproved.  And  3.  If  upon 
 a  ftrift  inquiry  afterwards  from  time  to  time,  it  ap- 
 peared that  all  their  tempers  and  words  and  a6lions 
 were  holy  and  unreprovable. 
 
 Q.  6.  How  fhould  we  treat  thofe  who  think  they 
 have  attained  this  ? 
 
 A.  Exhort  them  to  forget  the  things  that  are  be- 
 hind, and  to  watch  and  pray  always,  that  God  'may 
 fearch.  the  ground  of  their  hearts. 
 
 VII.  O.  1.  How  much  is  allowed  by  our  brethren 
 who  differ  from  us,  with  regard  to  entire  fan6lification  ? 
 
 A,  They 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  279 
 
 A.  They  grant,  1.  That  every  one  mufl  be  entirely 
 fanctified,  in  the  article  of  death  :  2.  That  till  then,  a 
 beHever  daily  grows  in  grace,  comes  nearer  and  nearer 
 to  perfedion.  3.  That  we  ought  to  be  continually 
 preffing  after  this,   and  to  exhort  all  others  fo  to  do. 
 
 O.   2.   What  do  we  allow  them  ? 
 
 A.  We  grant,  1.  That  many  of  thofe  who  have 
 died  in  the  faith,  yea,  the  greater  part  of  thofe  we  have 
 known,  were  not  fan6lified  throughout,  not  made  per- 
 fe6l  in  love,  till  a  httle  before  death:  2.  That  the 
 term  "  fandified"  is  continually  applied  by  St.  Paul, 
 to  all  that  were  jufliSed,  were  true  believers :  3,  That 
 by  this  term  alone,  he  rarely  (if  ever)  means,  faved 
 from  all  fm  :  4.  That  confequently,  it  is  not  proper 
 to  ufe  it  in  this  fenfe,  without  adding  the  word 
 *•  Wholly,  entirely,"  or  the  like  :  5.  That  the  in- 
 fpired  writers  almofl  continually  fpeak  of  or  to  thofe 
 who  were  juilified  ;  but  very  rarely,  either  of  or  to 
 thofe,  who  were  wholly  fanftified  :  6.  That  confe- 
 quently. it  behoves  us  to  fpeak  in  pubhc  almofl  con- 
 tinually of  the  ftate  of  j unification  :  but  more  rarely, 
 in  full  and  explicit  terms,  concerning  entire  fan6lifi- 
 cation. 
 
 O.  3.  What  then  is  the  point  wherein  we  divide  ? 
 
 A.   It  is  this  :  whether  we  fhould  expeQ  to  be  faved 
 from  all  fin,  before  the  article  of  death  ? 
 
 O.  4.   Is  there  any  clear  Scri^txirt  promife  of  this? 
 That  God  will  fave  us  from  all  fm  ? 
 
 A.  There  is.    Pfalm  cxxx.  8,  He  piall  redeem  Ifrael 
 'from  all  ki$  iniquities, 
 
 T  4  This 
 
2  8o  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 This  is  more  largely  exprefied  in  the  prophecy  of 
 JEzekiel :  then  zvill  I  fprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and 
 ye  Jliall  be  dean  ;  from  all  your  Jilthinefs  and  from  all 
 your  idols  I  will  cleavfe  you — I  will  alfo  fave  you  from  all 
 your  uncleanncjfes,  xxxvi.  25,  29.  No  promife  can  be 
 more  clear.  And  to  this  the  Apoflle  plainly  refers  in 
 that  exhortation,  Having  ihcje  promifes,  let  us  cleanfe 
 cur  [elves  from  all  filthinejs  of  flefli  and  fpirit,  perfeEling 
 holijiefs  in  the  fear  of  God.  2.  Cor.  vii.  1.  Equally 
 clear  and  expr  ^f^.  is  that  ancient  promife,  The  Lord  thy 
 God  will  circumcije  thine  heart  and  the  heart  of  thy  feed, 
 to  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart  and  with  all  thy 
 foul    Deut.  xxx.  6. 
 
 O.  5.  But  does  any  affertion  anfvverable  to  this,  occur, 
 in  the  New  Teftament  ? 
 
 A.  There  does,  and  that  laid  down  in  the  plainefl 
 terms.  So  1  John  iii.  8.  Tor  this  purpoje  the  Son  of 
 God  was  manifejied,  that  he  might  deflroy  the  works  of  the 
 devil :  the  works  of  the  devil,  without  any  limitation 
 or  reflriftion  :  but  all  fin  is  the  work  of  the  devil. 
 Parallel  to  which  is  that  affertion  of  St.  Paul,  Eph.  v. 
 25.  27.  Chrijt  loved  the  Church,  and  gave  himfelf  for  it — 
 thai  he  might  prcfent  it  to  Imnfelf  a  glorious  Church,  not 
 having  [pot  or  wrinkle  or  any  fuck  thing,  hut  that  itfliould 
 he  holy  and  without  hlemiflu 
 
 And  to  the  fame  effed  is  his  affertion  in  Rom.  viii, 
 
 3,4.   God  [tnt   his  Son that  the  righteoujnefs  of  the 
 
 law  might   be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  fief h 
 hut'  after  the  Spirit, 
 
 Q.   6.  Does  the  New  Teftament  afford  any  farther 
 ground  for  expecting  to  be  faved  from  all  fin  ? 
 
 A.  Undoubtedly 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  sSi 
 
 .  A.  Undoubtedly  it  does,  both  in  thofe  prayers  ani 
 commands  which  are  equivalent  to  the  ftron'^ell 
 aliertions. 
 
 O.   7.  What  prayers  do  you  mean  ? 
 
 A.    Prayers  for  eii lire  fandihcation  ;  which,   wer-c 
 there  no  luch  thing,  would  be  mere  mockery  of  God- 
 Such,   in  particular,    arc,   1.  Deliver  us  from  evil ;  or 
 ratiier,  uno  t5  iroy.i^l.  from  the  evil  one.    Now  when  this  is 
 done,    when  we  are  delivered  from  all  evil,   there  can 
 be  no  fin  remaining.     2.  Neither  pray  I  for  ihcjc  alonc^ 
 hut  for  them   alio   which  Jhall  believe  on  me  through  their 
 -word:  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou.  Father,  art  in  vi^^ 
 "■and  I  in  thee  ;  that  they  aljo  may  he  one  in  us :  I  m  thcnu 
 and  thou  in  me^  that  thty  may  be  made  perftci  m  one.  John 
 xvii.  20,  21,  23.     3.   /  bov)  my  knees  unto  the  Father  cf 
 Diir  Lord  Jejus  Chiifl — iliat  lie  xoould  grant  you — that  yi: 
 being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  may  he  able  to  co7nJ?re^ 
 liend  with  all  Saints,  what  is  the  breadth   a?id  length,  ajid 
 depth,  and  height ;  and' to   know  the  love  of  Chri H  which 
 pafjeth  knowledge,  that  ye  might  he  filled  with  all  the  hd- 
 nefs  of  God.  Eph.  iii.  14,  16—19.     4.   The  very  Gcd  vf 
 peace  fanciify  you  wholly.     And  I  pray   God,  your  whuk 
 fpirit  and  foul  and  body  be  prejervedblaraelejsunto  the  ccvzr 
 ing  of  our  .Lord  Jefus  Chnjl.   1  TheiT.  v,  23. 
 
 Q.  8.  What  commands  are  there  to  the  fame  ^ffeci  ^ 
 A.  1.  Be  ye  perfeB  as  your  Father  which  is  in  htavt^ 
 is  perfect.  Matt.  v.  ult.  2.  Thou  f halt  love  the  Lord  th%^ 
 God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  foul,  and  vjith  aE 
 thy  mind.  Matt.  xxii.  37.  But  if  the  love  of  God  fill  ail 
 ihe  heart,  there  can  be  no  hn  thcie, 
 
 I  O.  9.  Tut 
 
 ;^ 
 
282  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Q.  9.  But  how  does  it  appear,  that  this  is  to  be 
 done  before  the  article  of  death  ? 
 
 A.  Firfl,  from  the  very  nature  of  a  command,  which 
 is  not  given  to  the  dead,  but  to  the  living.  Therefore, 
 Thou  JJialt  love  God  with  all  thy  heart,  cannot  mean, 
 Thou  ihalt  do  this  when  thou  died,  but  while  thou 
 lived. 
 
 Secondly,  from  exprefs  texts  of  Scripture  :  1.  The 
 grace  of  God  that  bringeth  falvation  hath  appeared  to  all 
 men ;  teaching  us,  that  having  renounced  (a^-ir^o-a/^evo*)  2m- 
 godlinefs  and  worldly  hijls,  we  JJiould  live  foberly,  righ- 
 teoujly  and  godly  in  this  prejent  world :  looking  for — the 
 glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour 
 f-tjvLS  Chrijl ;  who  gave  himjdf  for  us,  that  he  might  re^ 
 deem  us  from  all  iniquity  ;  and  purify  unto  himjelf  a  pe- 
 
 culiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works.  Tit.  ii.  11 14* 
 
 2.  He  hath  raijed  up  a  horn  of  falvation  for  us — to  per- 
 forin the  mxrcy  promifed  to  our  fathers  ;  the  oath  which 
 he  fware  to  our  father  Abraham,  that  he  would  grant 
 unto  us,  that  we  being  delivered  out  cf  the  hands  of  our 
 enemies,  might  Jcrvc  him  without  fear,  in  holinejs  and 
 righteoufncfs  before  him,  all  the  days  of  our  life,  Luke 
 i,  69,  Sec 
 
 O.  10.  Is  there  any  example  in  Scripture  of  pcr- 
 fons  who  had  attained  to  this  ? 
 
 A.  Yes,  St.  JoJLn  and  all  thofe  of  whom  he  fays  in 
 his  firfl  epiflle,  iv.  17.  Herein  is  our  love  made  perf eel, 
 that  wt  may  have  boldnefs  m  the  day  of  judgment,  hecaufe 
 as  he  is^  fo  are  we  in  this  world. 
 
 Q.  11.  Does  not  the  preaching  perfe6iion  with 
 harfhncfs,  tend  to  bvinsc  believers  into  a  kindofbon- 
 dage,  or  flavilh  fear  ?  A.  It 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WES4.EY.         283 
 
 A.  It  does.  Therefore  we  fliould  always  place  it 
 in  the  moft  amiable  light,  fo  that  it  may  excite  only- 
 hope,  joy  and  defire. 
 
 O.  12.  Why  may  we  not  continue  in  the  joy  of 
 faith  even  till  we  are  made  perfe6l  ? 
 
 A.  Why  indeed  ?  Since  holy  grief  does  not  quench 
 this  joy  :  fmce  even  while  we  are  under  the  crofs, 
 while  we  deeply  partake  of  the  fufFerings  of  Chrift,  we 
 may  rejoice  with  joy  unfpeakable. 
 
 O.  13,  Do  we  not  diicourage  believers  from  re- 
 joicing evermore  ? 
 
 A.  We  ought  not  fo  to  do.  Let  them  all  their 
 life  long,  rejoice  unto  God,  fo  it  be  with  reverence. 
 And  even  if  lightnefs  or  pride  fhould  mix  with  their 
 joy,  let  us  not  flrike  at  the  joy  itfelf  (this  is  the  gift 
 of  God)  but  at  that  lightnefs  or  pride,  that  the  evil 
 may  ceafe  and  the  good  remain. 
 
 Q.  14.  But  ought  we  not  to  be  troubled,  on  account 
 of  the  finful  nature  which  dill  remains  in  us  ? 
 
 A.  It  is  good  for  us  to  have  a  deep  fenfe  of  this, 
 and  to  be  much  aihamed  before  the  Lord.  But  this 
 fhould  only  incite  us,  the  more  earneftly  to  turn  unto 
 Chrift  every  moment,  and  to  draw  light,  and  life,  and 
 ftrength  from  him,  that  we  may  go  on,  conquering 
 and  to  conquer. 
 
 VIII.  Q.  1.  In  what  view  may  we  and  our  M^er5 
 be  confidered  ? 
 
 A.  Perhaps  as  extraordinary  mefifengers  (i.  e.  out 
 of  the  ordinary  way)  defigned,  1 .  To  provoke  the 
 regular  minifters  to  jealoufy.     2.  To   fupply    their 
 
 lack 
 
J284         THE-  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Jack  of  feryicc,    toward  thofc  who   are  periihing  for 
 want  of  knowledge. 
 
 Q.   2.  What" is  the  oiiice  of  a  hdpcr? 
 A.  To  feed  and  guide  the  flock:    in  particular, 
 1.  To  preach  morning  and  evening.     2.  To   meet 
 the  Society  and  the  Bands  weekly.     3.  To  meet  the 
 Leaders  weekly. 
 
 Q.  3.  What  are  the  rules  of  a  helper  in  refpe6l  to 
 his  general  conduS:  ? 
 
 A.  Be  diligent.  Nei^erbe  unemployed  a  moment. 
 Never  be  triflingly  employed. 
 
 Be  ferious.  Let  your  motto  be,  holinefs  to  the 
 Lord.  Avoid  all  lightnefs,  jelling,  and  foolifh 
 talking. 
 
 Believe  evil  of  no  one  ;  unlefs  you  fee  it  done, 
 take  heed  how  you  credit  it.  Put  the  bed  conflruc- 
 tion  on  every  thing.  You  know  the  Judge  is  always 
 fuppofed  to  be  on  the  prifoner's  fide. 
 
 Speak  evil  of  no  one  :  elfe  your  word  efpecially, 
 would  eat  as  doth  a  canker:  keep  your  thoughts 
 within  your  own  bread,  till  you  come  to  tlie  perfon 
 concerned. 
 
 Tell  every  one  what  you  think  wrong  in  him,  and 
 that  plainly  as  foon  as  naay  be  :  elfe  it  will  fefler  h\ 
 your  heart.  Make  all  haile  to  call  the  fire  out  of  your 
 tofom. 
 
 Be  afliamed  of  nothing  but   fin  :  not  of  fetching    \ 
 wood  (if  time  permit)  or  drawing  water. 
 
 Be  punctual.     Do  every  thing  exa6tiy  at  the  time, 
 And  in  general,  do  uot  vwid  our  rules,  but  kaf  them. 
 
 You 
 
The  life  of  mr.  Wesley. 
 
 'J 
 
 Vou  have  nothing  to  do,  but  to  fave  fouls.  There- 
 fore fpend  and  be  fpent  in  this  work.  And  go  always 
 not  only  to  thofe  that  want  you,  but  to  thofe  thafc 
 Want  you  moil. 
 
 Obferve.  It  is  not  your  bufmefs,  to  preach  fo 
 inany  times,  and  to  take  care  of  this  or  that  Society  : 
 but  to  fave  as  many  fouls  as  you  can;  to  brinp-  as 
 many  fmners  as  you  poflibly  can  to  repentance,  and 
 with  all  yourpov/er  to  build  them  up  in  that  holinefs 
 Wuhout  which  they  cannot  fee  the  Lord. 
 
 IX.  Q.  V/hat  general  method  of  employino-  our 
 time  would  you  advife  lis  to  ? 
 
 A.  We  advife  you,  i.  As  often  as  pofTible  to  rife 
 at  iour.  2.  From  four  to  five  in  the  mornino-  and 
 from  five  to  fix  in  the  evening,  to  meditate,  pray  and 
 lead,  partly  the  Scripture  w^ith  the  notes,  partly  the 
 clofely  praftical  parts  of  what  we  have  publifhed.  q. 
 t'rom  fi:^;  in  the  morning  till  twelve  (allowing  an  hour 
 for  breakfaft)  to  read  in  order,  v/ith  much  praver,  firil 
 I  iechriftian  library,  and  the  other  books  w^hich  we 
 1  .  ve  publiihed  in  profe  and  verfe,  and  then  thofe 
 \    iich  we  naVe  recommended. 
 
 In  tlje  afternoon,  follow  Mr.  Baxter's  plan  :  that  is, 
 
 in-:o  every  houfe  in   courfe,    and    teach  every  one 
 
 young  and  old,  if   they  belong  to  us,    to  be 
 
 is,  inwardly  and  outwardly. 
 
 every  particular  plain  to   their  underfland- 
 
 '-n  their   memory  ;  write  it  in  their  heart. 
 
 there  mull  be  line  vpon  line,  precept 
 
 hat  patience,  what  love,  what  know- 
 
 .  je  for  this  ? 
 
 X.  Q.  J.  Whe 
 
28G        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 X.  O.  1.  Who  is  the  AJJ^/Iant  ?  ^' 
 
 A.  That  preacher  in  each  circuit,  who  is  appointed 
 from  time  to  time,  to  take  charge  of  the  Societies  and 
 the  other  preachers  therein. 
 
 O.   2.  What  is  the  bufinefs  of  an  Adiflant  ? 
 
 A.  1.  To  fee  that  the  other  preachers  in  his  circuit 
 beh?.ve  well,  and  want  nothing  :  2.  To  vifit  the 
 ClalTes  quarterly,  regulate  the  Bands,  and  deliver 
 tickets  :  3.  To  take  in,  or  put  out  of  the  Society  or 
 the  Bands  :  4.  To  keep  Watch-nights  and  Lo\^e-feafls  ; 
 5.  To  hold  Quarterly-meetings,  and  therein  diligently, 
 to  inquire  both  into  the  temporal  and  fpiritual  ftate 
 of  each  Society  :  6.  To  overlook  the  accounts  of  all 
 the  ftewards. 
 
 XL  Q.   1.   \yc  wc  not  DiJfenUrs  F 
 
 A.   No.     Although  we  call   finners    to  repentance] 
 in  all  places  of  God's   dominion  ;    and  although  wej 
 frequently  ufe  extcviporary  prayer,   and  unite  together' 
 in  a  religious  Society  ;  yet  we  are  not  DiJJenters  in  the 
 only  fenfe  which  our  law  acknowledges,  namely  thofe 
 who  renounce  the  fcrvice  of  the  church.    W^e  do  not : 
 we  dare  not  feparate  from  it.     We  are   not   Seceders, 
 nor  do  we  bear  any  refemblance    to   them.     We    fet 
 out  upon    quite  oppofite  principles.     The   Seceders, 
 laid  the  very   foundation  of   their   work,   in  judging] 
 and  condemning-  others.      We  laid   tlie  foundation  oi 
 our  work,  in  judging  and  condemning  azir/Wt^es,  Thej 
 
 *  By. the  Affiftani  was  meant  the  chief  preacher  in  a  Circuit, 
 who  immediately  ajfijicd  Mr.  Wcjley  in  the  regulation  of  th< 
 Societies. 
 
 begii 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  aS; 
 
 begin  every  where,  with  fliewing  their  hearers,  How 
 fallen  the  Church  and  Mimjlcrs  are.  We  begin  every 
 where,  with  lliewing  our  hearers,  hov/  fallen  they  are 
 themfches. 
 
 Q.  2.  But  what  reafons  are  there,  why  v/e  fliould 
 not  feparate  from  the  Church  ? 
 
 A.  Among  others,  thofe  which  have  been  already- 
 printed,  entitled  "  Reafons  againfl  a  feparation  from 
 the  Church  of  England." 
 
 We  allow  two  exceptions,   i.  If  the  Pariih  Minifler 
 
 be  a  notoriouOy  wicked  man  :   2.  If  he  preach  Socini- 
 
 anifm,  Arianifm,  or  any  other  effentially  falfe  do6lrine, 
 
 XII.  O.   1.  How  ihall  we  try  thofe  who  think  thev 
 
 are  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  to  preach  ? 
 
 A.  Inquire,  1.  Do  they  know  God  as  a  pardoning 
 God  ?  Have  they  the  love  of  God  abiding  in  them  ? 
 Do  they  defire  and  feek  nothing  but  God  ?  And  are 
 they  holy  in  all  manner  of  converfation  ?  2.  Have 
 they  gifiS,  (as  well  as  grace)  for  the  work  ?  Have  they 
 (in  fome  tolerable  degree)  a  clear,  found  under- 
 ftanding  ?  Have  they  a  right  judgment  in  the  things 
 of  God  ?  Have  they  a  jufl  conception  of  falvation  hy 
 faith?  And  has  God  given  them  any  degree  of  ut- 
 terance ?  Do  they  fpeak  jufliy,  readily,  clearly  ? 
 3.  Have  they  fruit  ?  Are  any  truly  convinced  of  fm, 
 •^n^L  converted  to  God,  by  their  preaching  ? 
 
 As  long  as  thefe  three  marks  concur  in  any  one, 
 we  believe  he  is  called  of  God  to  preach.  Thefe  we 
 receive  as  fufficicnt  proof,  that  he  is  moved  thereto  by 
 the  Holy  Gho/t. 
 
 Q.  2.  What  method  may  we  ii(e  in  receiving  a 
 new  helper.  A,  A  proper 
 
§SS         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 A.  A  proper  time  for  doing  this,  is  at  a  Conference 
 .u'tcr  folemn  fading  and  prajer. 
 
 Every  perfon  propofed  is  then  to  be  prefent ;  andi 
 each  of  them  may  be  aflced, 
 
 "  Have  you  faith  in  Chrifl  ?  Ave  yon  going  on  to 
 'f^n-ficuon  ?  Do  you  expecl  to  be  perftcled  in  love  in 
 this  lift?  Are  you  groaning  after  it  ?  Are  you  re- 
 iblved  to  devote  yourfelf  wholly  to  God  and  to  his 
 Tvork  ?  Have  vou  confidered  the  rules  of  a  hdpcr  ? 
 U'ill  you  keep  them  for  confcience  fake  ?  Are  you 
 determined  to  employ  all  your  time  in  the  work  of 
 trod  ?  Will  you  preach  every  morning  and  evening? 
 Will  you  diligently  inRrutl  the  children  in  every 
 place  ?  Will  you  vifit  from  houfe  to  houfe  ?  Will  you 
 jcTommend  fafting,  both  by  precept  and  example  ? 
 
 Y\'e  may  then  rccc^ive  him  as  a  probationer,  by  giving 
 him  the  Minutes  of  the  Conference  infcribed  thus  :  j 
 '  '-'a  A.  B.  You  think  it  your  duty  to  call  fmners  to  '" 
 repentance.  >»Iake  full  proof  hereof,  and  we  fhall  re- 
 joice to  receive  vou  as  a  fellow -labourer."  Let  hini 
 ai.-n  read,  anol^carefally  weigh  what  is  contained 
 therein,  tliat  if  he  has  any  doubt,  it  may  be  removed. 
 
 When  he  has  been  on  trial  four  years,  if  recom- 
 mended by  the  AinFrant,  he  may  be  received  into  full 
 eonne<^lion. 
 
 It  may  be  ufeful  to  add  a  few  remarks  on  the  metho 
 purfiied  in  the  choice  of  the  Itinerant  Preachers,  as' 
 r;>;;ny  have  foiTned  the  mod  erroneous  ideas  on  the 
 lubjecl,  imagining  they  are  employed  with  hardly 
 any  prior  preparation,  i.  They  are  received  aa 
 piivate  members  of  the  Society  on  trial.    2.  After 
 
 (^uarte 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         ^89 
 
 quarter  of  a  year,  if  they  are  found  deferving,  tliey  are 
 admitted  as  proper  members,  3.  When  their  grace 
 and  abihties  are  fufhciently  manifeft,  they  are  ap- 
 pointed Leaders  of  ClalTes.  4.  If  they  then  difcover 
 talents  for  more  important  fervices,  they  are  employ- 
 ed to  exhort  occafionally  in  the  fmaller  congregations, 
 when  the  preachers  cannot  attend.  5.  If  approved 
 in  this  Hne  of  duty,  they  are  allowed  to  preach.  6g 
 Out  of  thefe  men,  who  are  called  local  preachers,  are 
 {tleB:ed  the,  itinera7it  preachers,  who  are  firft.  propofed 
 in  the  Conference,  and,  if  accepted,  are  nominated 
 for  a  circuit.  7.  Their  charafters  and  condu6l  are 
 examined  annually  in  the  Conference  :  and  if  they 
 continue  faithful  for  four  years  of  trial,  they  are  re- 
 ceived into  full  connexion.  At  thefe  Conferences 
 alfo  flricl;  inquiry  is  made  into  the  condu(5l  and  fuc- 
 cefs  of  every  preacher :  arid  thofe  who  are  found 
 deficient  in  abilities,  are  no  longer  employed  as  Itine- 
 rants ;  while  thofe  whofe  condu6l  has  not  been  agree- 
 able to  the  Gofpel,  are  expelled,  and  thereby  de« 
 prived  of  ail  the  privileges  even  of  plivate  members 
 of  the  Society. 
 
 The  lalary  of  each  preacher  is  tv^^elve  pounds  per 
 annum  for  himfelf :  the  fame  for  his  wife  :  and,  if 
 wanted,  four  pounds  for  each  of  his  children,  till  they 
 are  able  to  fupport  themfelves ;  he  being  allowed  food 
 for  himfelf  and  horfe  wherever  he  goes.  Thus  care 
 is  taken,  that  none  of  them  lliall  grow  rich  hy  the 
 Gofpel. 
 
 Mr.  Wejleys  great  love  of  exadnefs  and  order  was 
 iiow  abundantly  gratified.     In  every  place  where  he 
 
 U  ot 
 
2'90         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 or  the  preachers  in  connexion  with  him' laboured,  thf: 
 flime  rules  were  obferved  in  the  formation  and  go- 
 vernment of  the  Societies.  From  this  time,  the  work 
 of  reformation,  and  of  true  religion,  went  forward 
 with  a  regularity,  and  famenefs,  which  will  render 
 the  remainder  of  our  work  comparatively  eafy.  Wc 
 have  now  only  to  treat  of  the  moll  remarkable  occur- 
 lences. 
 
 In  the  tumultuous  years  of  forty-five  and  forty-fix,  i 
 during  the  Rebellion,  the  work  of  God  fpread  with 
 great  rapidity,     llie  Scriptures  declare,   *' When  the  J 
 judgments  of  God  are  abroad  in  the  earth,  the  nations  ] 
 will    learn   righteoufnefs.'*     The    Miniflers    of   God 
 went   through    the  land,  calling  upon   finners  to  re- | 
 pent,  and  many  had  ears  to  hear  the  things  that  made 
 Jot  their  peace. 
 
 At  this  time  all  denominations  of  people  were  ad- 
 dreflPing  the  King,  and  teftifying  their  attachment  to 
 the  augufl:  family  that  now  fills  the  throne.  Mr. 
 IVeflcy  and  thofe  in  connexion  with  him,  tefiified  this 
 with  every  breath  they  drew:  but  he  was  unwilling  to 
 addrefs  his  Majefly,  left  his  Societies  fhould  be  con- 
 fidered  as  a  feparate  body.  Yet  he  at  length  yielded 
 fo  far  to  importunity,  as  to  draw  up  the  following  i 
 addrefs,  which  however  from  the  before-mentioned 
 motive  on  further  confideration  he  did  not  prefent. 
 The  thoughts  and  flile  of  a  man  of  God  may  be  eafily 
 fcen  therein,  rather  than  the  laboured  eloquence  fo 
 common  upon  fuch  occafions. 
 
 "  To 
 
cc 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY*         2gi 
 
 To  the  King's  mofl  excellent  Majefly  : 
 
 ''  The  humble  addrefs  of  the  Societies  in  England  and 
 Wales,  called  Methodifts: 
 
 *      *'  MgJI  gracious  Sovereign.^ 
 
 ''SO  inconfiderable  as  we  are,  a.people  featured  and 
 peeled  and^ trodden  under  foot  from  the  beginning  hitherto, 
 we  fliould  in  no  wife  have  prefumed,  even  on  this 
 great  occafion,  to  open  our  lips  to  your  Majelly,  had 
 we  not  been  induced,  indeed  conftrained  fo  to  do,  by 
 twQ  confiderations  :  the  one,  that  in^  fpite  of  all  our 
 remonflrances  on  that  head,  we  are  continually  repre-- 
 Tented  as  a  peculiar  fe61;  of  men,  feparating  ourfelves 
 from  the  eflablifned  church  :  the  other,  that  we  are 
 ilill  traduced  as  inclined  to  popery,  and  coiifequently 
 di(^iffe61;ed  to  your  Majefly. 
 
 ''  Upon  thefe  confiderations,  we  think  it  incumbent: 
 upon  us,  if  we  muit  Hand  as  a  didinct  body  from  our 
 brethren,  to  tender  for  ourfelves,  our  mofl  dutiful 
 regards  to  your  facred  Majefly  :  and  to  declare  in  the 
 prefence  of  Him  we  ferve,  the  King  of  Kings,  and 
 Lord  of  Lords,  that  we  are  a  part  (however  mean) 
 of  that  Proteftant  church,  eflablifhed  in  thefe  king- 
 doms :  that  %ve  unite  together  for  this,  and  no  other 
 end,  to  promote,  fo  far  as  we  may  be  capable,  juflice, 
 mercy,  and  truth,  the  glory  of  God,  and  peace  and 
 good-will  among  men  :  that  we  detefl  and  abhor  the 
 fundamental  dodrines  of  the   church   cf  Rcme,  and 
 
 U    2  ^^S 
 
n^z        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 are  fteadily  attached  to  your  Majefly's  royal  perfon 
 and  illuflrious  houfe. 
 
 "  We  cannot  indeed  fay  or  do  either  more  or  lefs, 
 than  we  apprehend  confiflent  with  the  written  word 
 of  God.  But  we  are  ready  to  obey  your  Majefly  to 
 the  uttermofl,  in  all  things  which  we  conceive  to  be 
 agreeable  thereto.  And  we  earneftly  exhort  all  with 
 whom  we  converfe,  as  they  fear  God,  to  honour  the 
 King.  We  of  the  clergy  in  particular,  put  ail  men 
 in  mind,  to  revere  the  higher  powers  as  of  God  ;  and 
 continually  declare,  ye  mufl  needs  be  fubje6l,not  only 
 for  wrath,  but  alfo  for  confcience  fake. 
 
 *'  Silver  and  gold  (mod  of  us  mull:  own)  we  have 
 none.  But  fuch  as  we  have,  we  humbly  beg  your 
 Majclly  to  accept,  together  with  our  hearts  and 
 prayers.  May  He  who  hath  bought  us  with  his 
 blood,  the  Prince  of  all  the  Kings  of  the  earth,  fight 
 againfl  all  the  enemies  of  your  Majefty,  with  the  two- 
 cd<red  fword  that  cometh  out  of  his  mouth  !  And 
 when  he  calleth  your  Majefty  from  this  throne,  full 
 of  years  and  vi6lories,  may  it  be  with  that  voice, 
 *'  Come,  receive  the  kingdom  prepared  for  thee,  from 
 the  beginning  of  the  world  !" 
 
 "  Thefe  are  the  continual  prayers  of  your  Majefty 's 
 dutiful  and  loyal  fubjects, 
 
 Jor^N   Wesley,    Be" 
 
 Newcajlle  upon  Tyne  was  a  place  of  almoft  continual 
 alarm  during  the  troubles  in  Scotland,     Utrt  therefore- 
 Mr.  WeJIey  remained  a   confiderable  time:    and  liis 
 a  labour! 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         293 
 
 labour  was  not  in  vain.  Many  now  learned  truly  to 
 honour  the  King,  (from  the  right  principle,  the  fear 
 of  God,)  who  were  before  as  reeds  fhaken  with  tlis. 
 wind.  But  his  foui  was  grieved  within  him,  at  the 
 extreme  ungodlinefs  of  thofe  who  were  appointed  to 
 defend  the  land.      He  therefore  wrote  the  followincr 
 
 o 
 
 letter  to  one  of  the  magiilrates. 
 
 «  o 
 
 SIR, 
 
 *'  THE  fear  of  God,  the  love  of  my  country,  and  the 
 regard  I  have  for  his  Majefty  King  George,  conllrain 
 me  to  write  a  few  plain  words  to  one,  who  is  no 
 ftranger  to  thefe  principles  of  aftion. 
 
 '•'  My  foul  has  been  pained  day  by  day,  even  in  walk- 
 ing the  flreets  of  Newcojile,  at  the  fenfelefs,  fhamelefs 
 wickednefs,  the  ignorant  profanenefs  of  the  poor  men, 
 to  whom  our  lives  are  intruded.  The  continual 
 curfing  and  fwearing,  the  wanton  blafphemy  of  the 
 foldiers  in  general,  mufi;  needs  be  a  torture  to  the  fober 
 ear,  whether  of  a  chriflian  or  an  honefl:  infidel.  Can 
 any  that  either  fear  God  or  love  their  neighbour,  hear 
 this  without  concern  ?  Efpecially,  if  they  conliderthe 
 interefl  of  our  country,  as  well  as  of  thefe  unhappy 
 men  themfelves  ?  For  can  it  be  expected,  that  God 
 fhould  be  on  their  fide,  who  are  dauy  affronting  him 
 to  his  face  ?  And  if  God  be  not  on  their  lide,  how 
 little  will  either  their  number,  or  courage,  or  flrength 
 ■■^vail  ? 
 
 'Ts  there  no  man  that  careth  for  thefe  fouls  ?  Doubt- 
 lefs  there  are  fome  who  ought  fo  to  do.     But  many  of 
 
 V  3  thefe, 
 
294  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 thefe,  if  I  am  rightly  informed,  receive  large  pay,  and 
 do  jufl  nothing. 
 
 *'  I  would  to  God  it  were  in  my  power,  in  any  de- 
 gree, to  fupply  their  lack  of  fervice.  I  am  ready  to 
 do  what  in  me  lies,  to  call  thefe  poor  fmners  to  re- 
 pentance, once  or  twice  a  day  (while  I  remain  in  thefe 
 parts)  at  any  hour,  or  at  any  place.  And  I  defire  no 
 pay  at  all  for  doing  this  :  unlefs  what  my  Lord  fball 
 give  at  his  appearing. 
 
 *'  If  it  be  objeded  (from  our  heathenifh  poet)  '-This 
 confcience  will  make  cowards  of  us  all :"  I  anfwer, 
 let  us  judge  by  matter  of  facl.  Let  either  friends  or 
 enemies  fpeak.  Did  thofe  who  feared  God,  behave 
 as  cowards  at  Fontenoy  ?  Did  John  Ilaime  the  dragoon 
 betray  any  cowardice,  before  or  after  his  horfe  funk 
 under  him  ?  Or  did  JVilliam  CkmentSy  when  he  re* 
 ceived  the  firfl  ball  in  his  left,  and  the  fecond  in  his 
 right  arm  ?  Or  John  Evans,  when  the  cannon-bali 
 took  off  both  his  legs  ?  Did  he  not  call  all  about  him 
 as  long  as  he  could  fpeak,  to  praife  and  fear  God,  and 
 honour  the  king  ?  As  one  who  feared  nothing,  but  lefl 
 his  breath  ftiould  be  fpent  in  vain  ? 
 
 *'If  it  were  objecled,  that  I  fhould  only  fill  theirheads 
 with  peculiar  v/hims  and  notions  !  That  might 
 eafily  be  known.  Only  let  the  officers  hear  with, 
 their  own  ears  :  and  they  may  judge,  whethei 
 I  do  not  preach  the  plain  principles  of  manly,  rati- 
 onal  religion. 
 
 "  Having  myfelf  no  knowledge  of  the  General, 
 look  the  liberty  to  make  this  offer  to  you.     I  have  n( 
 interell  herein  :  but  I  ihoulcj  rejoice  to  ferve,  as  I  ai 
 
 ableJ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  295 
 
 able,  my  King  and  Country.  If  it  be  judged,  that 
 this  will  be  of  no  real  fervice,  let  the  propofal  die,  and 
 foe  forgotten.  But  I  beg  you.  Sir,  to  believe,  that  I 
 have  the  fame  glorious  <:aufe,  for  which  you  have 
 ^  fhewn  fo  becoming  a  zeal,  earneflly  at  heart  :  and  that 
 therefore  I  am,  with  warm  refpe6t, 
 
 S  IR, 
 Your  mod  obedient  fervant, 
 
 John   Wesley/* 
 
 A  polite  anfwer  was  returned  by  the  Magiflrate  ; 
 ^nd  the  General  being  informed  of  it,  gave  his  con- 
 fent  ;  in  confequence  of  which  Mr.  Wejley  preached 
 to  thefoldiers  as  long  as  he  continued  in  thofe  parts. 
 
 On  the  24th  of  June,   1748,  he  opened  his  large 
 fchool  at  Kingswood.     He  had  long  before  built  a  fmall 
 one  for  the  children  of  the  colliers,  which  flill  exifts. 
 The  laft  was  intended  for  the  children  of  our  principal 
 friends,  that  they  might  receive  a  complete  education 
 in  the  languages  and  fciences,    without   endangering 
 their  morals  in  the  great  fchools,  where  vice  is  fo  pre- 
 valent.   In  time,  many  of  the  Preaqhers  married,  and 
 had  families.     Their  little  pittance  was  not  fudicient 
 to  enable  them,   to  fupport  their  children  at   fchool. 
 The  uninterrupted  duties  of  the  itinerant  life  would 
 not  permit  the  father  to  give   his  fon   the   neceflary 
 education  he  required  ;  and  it  is  well  known  how  im- 
 podiblc  it  is  in  the  general  for  a  mother  to  inilru61:,  or 
 even  to  govern,    a  fon  after   a   given   age,    efpecially 
 during  the  ab fence  of  the  father.     On  thefe  conhder- 
 ations,  after  a  few  years,  the  fchool  was  appropriated 
 
 U  4  to 
 
ic^G        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 to  the  education  of  a  coniiderable  number  of  the 
 Preachers'  fons,  as  well  as  of  the  children  of  private 
 independent  members.  At  prefen:  the  fons  of  the 
 Preachers  make  about  three  fourths  of  the  children. 
 Thefe  are  inftrucled,  boarded  and  clothed  :  and  the 
 charity  is  iupported  by  an  annual  colleclion  made 
 in  all  the  chapels  belonging  to  the  Societies  in 
 thefe  kingdoms.  The  colleclion  is  now  fo  increafed, 
 that  a  few  fmall  fums  out  of  it  are  allowed  tow^ards  the 
 education  of  Preachers'  daughters.  Mr.  We/ley  drew 
 up  a  fet  of  rules  for  this  fcliool,  which  have  been 
 highly  admired  by  mod  that  have  feen  them. 
 
 But  this  pious  defign,  like  all  human  inftitutions, 
 often  fell  below  the  expeQatio.ns  of  the  benevolent 
 founder.  Yet,  notwithflanding  this,  it  has  been  pro- 
 du6live  of  much  good.  Scores,  if  not  hundreds,  of 
 ufeful  Preachers  have  been  thereby  preferved  for  the 
 general  work,  and  have  been  enabled  to  devote  their 
 whole  life  to  the  immediate  fervice  of  God,  who  mufl 
 ptherwife  have  funk  under  the  weight  of  their  families, 
 and  fettled  in  fome  trade  for  their  fupport.  The  pre- 
 fent  head-mafter  is. well  qualified  for  his  office,  and 
 Las  ever  given,  fince  his  firfl  appointment  to  it,  great 
 fatisfa6lion. 
 
 A  circumftance  refpeding  the  ere6iion  of  this 
 edifice  deferves  to  be  remembered.  Mr.  Wcjlty  was] 
 mentioning  to  a  Lady,  with  whom  he  was  in  company! 
 in  the  neighbourhood  of  Brijlol,  his  defire  and  defigqj 
 of  ere6ling  diChriJiian School,  fuch  as  would  not  difgrac( 
 the  apoflolic  age.  The  Lady  was  fo  plcafed  with  hisl 
 views,  that  {he  immediately  went    to  her  fcrutoirej 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  297 
 
 land  brought  him  five  hundred  pounds  in  bank-notes, 
 defiring  him  to  accpt  of  them,  and  to  enter  upon 
 his  plan  immediately.  He  did  lb.  Afterwards  being 
 in  company  with  the  fame  Lady,  fhe  inquired  how 
 the  building  v\rent  on  ;  and  whether  he  ftood  in  need 
 of  further  affidance.  He  informed  her  that  he  had 
 laid  out  all  the  money  he  had  received,  and  that  he 
 was  three  hundred  pounds  in  debt ;  at  the  fame  time 
 apologizing,  and  intreating  her  not  to  confider  it  as  a 
 concern  of  hers.  But  ffie  immediately  retired,  and 
 brought  him  the  fum  he  wanted. 
 
 C     H     A     P.       IV. 
 
 J^rogrefs  of  Religion.  Mr.  We/leys  marriage.  His  dan^ 
 geroiis  Illnejs.  Propofals  for  an  union  with  the  pious 
 Clergy  of  the  Church  of  England.  Remarkable  revival 
 in  London,  The  Minutes  of  the  Confrence  of  the  year 
 ijjo.  Account  of  Mr.  Fletcher  and  his  Writings. 
 Spread  of  Religion  through  the  Land.  The  Deed  cf 
 Declaration. 
 
 TT  has  been  already  feen  how  perfeveringly  Mr, 
 -^  Wefley  laboured  in  Georgia.  From  what  has  httn 
 laid  of  him  after  his  return  to  England,  it  will  as 
 clearly  appear  that  he  did  not  in  the  ieaft  relax.  He 
 generally  preached  three  or  four  and  fometimes  five 
 times  a  day,  and  often  rode  forty,  fifty  or  threefcore 
 jniles.  We  fhall  prefent  our  readers  with  an  account 
 '  <^f  one  of  his  journeys  from  London  to  Epworth,  taken 
 from  his  own  Journals,  as  a  fpecimen  of  his  mode  of 
 la-aveUing.  <«  Tuefday 
 
298         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY^ 
 
 "  Tudday,  February  10,  1  747.  *  My  brother  re- 
 turned from  the  North,  and  1  prepared  to  fupply  his 
 place  there.  Sunday  15,  I  wa-s  very^weak  and  faint. 
 But  on  Monday  16,  I  rofc  foon  after  three,  hvely  and 
 ftrong,  and  found  all  my  complaints  v»^ere  fled  away 
 like  a  dream. 
 
 "I  was  wondering  the  day  before  at  the  mildnefs  of 
 the  weather,  fuch  as  feidom  attends  me  in  my  jour- 
 neys. But  my  wonder  now  ceafed  :  the  wind  was 
 turned  full  North,  and  blew  fo  exceeding  hard  and 
 keen,  that  when  we  came  to  Hafjielcl^  neither  my  com- 
 panions nor  I  had  much  ufe  of  our  hands  or  feet. 
 After  relting  an  hour,  we  bore  up  again  through  the 
 wind  and  fnow,  which  drove  full  in  our  faces.  But 
 this  was  only  a  fquall.  In  Baldock-^&\d  the  ftorm  be- 
 gan in  earneft.  The  large  hail  drove  fo  vehemently  1 
 in  our  faces,  that  we  could  not  fee,  nor  hardly  breathe.  | 
 However  before  two  o'clock  we  reached  J5(3/io^^,  where 
 one  met  and  conduced  us  fafe  to  Potten,  About  fix 
 I  preached  to  a  ferious  congregation. 
 
 "  Tuefday  17,  we  fet  out  as  foon  as  it  was  well  light. 
 But  it  was  really  hard  work  to  get  forward.  For  the 
 ire  would  not  well  bear  or  break.  And  the  untracked 
 fnow  covering  all  the  road,  we  had  much  ado  to  keep 
 our  horfes  on  their  feet.  Mean  time  the  wind  rofe 
 higher  and  higher,  till  it  was  ready  to  overturn  both 
 
 *   We  concluded  the   former   cliapter   witli    an    account  ofJ 
 Kingszoood-{choo\,  though  it  was  opened  a  year  afler  this  date. 
 Much  of  that  chapter  con(in;ed  of  regulations  and  inftitutions: 
 and  therefore  we  thought  it  well  to  clofe  the  whole  with  thati 
 ;iCcount, 
 
 man 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  299 
 
 man  and  bead.  However  after  a  fhortbaitat  Bugdcn^ 
 we  pufhed  on,  and  met  in  the  middle  of  an  open 
 field  with  fo  violent  a  ftorm  of  rain  and  hail,  as  we 
 had  not  had  before.  It  drove  through  our  coats, 
 great  and  fmail,  boots  and  every  thing,  and  yet  froze 
 as  it  fell,  even  upon  our  eye- brows  :  fo  that  we  had 
 fcarce  either  ftrength  or  motion  left,  when  we  canie 
 into  the  Inn  at  Stillon, 
 
 "Vv^e  now  gave  up  our  hopes  of  reaching  Granthmn^ 
 the  fnow  falling  fader  and  fader.  However  we  took 
 the  advantage  of  a  fair  blad,  and  made  the  bed  of  our 
 way  to  Stamford- Heath,  But  here  a  new  difficulty 
 arofe,  from  the  fnow  lying  in  large  drifts.  Some- 
 times horfes  and  men  were  well  nigh  fwallowed  up» 
 Yet  in  lefs  than  an  hour  we  were  brought  fafe  to  Slam- 
 ford.  Being  willing  to  get  as  far  as  we  could,  we 
 made  but  a  diort  dop  here  ;  and  about  fun-fet  came, 
 cold  and  weary,  yet  v/ell,  to  a  little  town  called 
 JBrig-coJlerton. 
 
 "  Wednefday  18.  Our  fervant  came  up  and  fald, 
 *'  Sir,  there  is  no  traveling  to-day.  Such  a  quantity 
 of  fnow  has  fallen  in  the  night,  tliat  the  roads  are 
 quite  filled  up."  I  told  him,  "  At  lead  we  can  walk 
 twenty  miles  a  day,  with  our  horfes  in  our  hands.*' 
 So  m  the  name  of  God  we  fet  out.  The  North  Ead 
 wind  was  piercing  as  a  fword,  and  had  driven  the 
 fnow  into  fuch  uneven  heaps,  that  the  main  road  was 
 not  paffable.  However  we  kept  on,  a  foot  or  on 
 horfebaclc,  till  we  came  to  the  White  Lion  at  Gran- 
 tham. Some  from  Grimfoy  had  appointed  to  meet  us 
 here.     But  not  hearing  any  thing  of  them,  (for  they 
 
 ^  were 
 
goo         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 were  at  another  houfe  by  mi  flake)  after  an  hour's  reft 
 we  fet  out  frraight  for  Epworth, 
 
 *'  Thurfday  19.  The  froft  was  not  fo  fharp  :  fo  that 
 we  had  httle  difficulty  till  we  came  to  Haxey-Car.  But 
 here  the  ice  which  covered  the  dikes  and  great  pare  of 
 the  common,  v/ould  not  bear,  nor  readily  bre.k.  Nor 
 did  we  know,  there  being  no  track  of  man  or  beaft, 
 what  parts  of  the  dikes  were  fordable.  However  we 
 committed  ourfelvcs  to  God,  and  went  on.  We  hit 
 all  our  fords  exa6lly,  and  without  any  fall  or  con- 
 iiderable  hinderance  came  to  Epworth  in  two  hours, 
 full  as  well  as  when  we  left  London" 
 
 Thus,  flrange  as  it  may  feem,  did  he  labour  whilft 
 he  could  ride  on  horfeback ;  nor  do  we  believe  there 
 could  be  an  inftance  found,  during  the  fpace  of  fifty 
 years,  wherein  the  feverell  weather  hindered  him  even 
 for  one  day  ! 
 
 Many  were  the  *'  hair-breadth  cfcapes,**  which  he 
 experienced  during  that  time ;  and  which  he  has 
 noted  in  his  Journals,  with  lively  gratitude  to  Him 
 v/ho  numbers  the  hairs  of  our  head.  In  this  year  he 
 records  a  remarkable  one. 
 
 **  I  took  horfe"  fays  he,  "  in  Br?Jlol  for  Wzck,  where 
 I  had  appointed  to  preach  at  three  in  the  afternoon. 
 1  was  riding  by  the  wall  through  St.  Nicholas'  gate  (my 
 horfe  having  been  brought  to  the  houfe  where  I  dined) 
 jufl  as  a  cart  turned  fhort  from  St.  Nicholas  ftreet,  and 
 came  fwiftly  down  the  hill.  There  was  jufl  room  to  pafs 
 between  the  wheel  of  it  and  the  wall ;  but  that  fpace  was 
 taken  up  by  the  carman.  I  called  to  him  to  go  back,  or  I 
 
 inuft 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.  301. 
 
 tiiuil  ride  over  him.  But  the  man,  as  if  deaf,  walked 
 ftraight  forward.  This  obliged  me  to  hold  backmj 
 horfe.  In  the  mean  time  the  fliaft  of  the  cart  came 
 full  aorainft  his  flioulder,  with  fuch  a  fhock  as  beat 
 him  to  the  irround.  He  fiiot  nie  forward  over  his 
 head,  as  an  arrow  out  of  a  bow,  v/here  I  lay,  with  my 
 arms  and  lef^-s,  I  know  not  how,  ft  retched  out  in  a 
 line,  clofe  to  the  wall.  I'he  wheel  ran  by,  clofe  to 
 iny  lide,  but  only  dirtied  my  clothes.  I  found  no 
 flutter  of  {|3irit,  but  the  fame  compofure  as  if  I  had 
 been  htting  in  my  ftudy.  When  the  cart  was  gone, 
 I  rofe.  Abundance  of  people  gathered  I'ound,  till  a 
 gentleman  dcfired  me  to  flep  into  his  fliop.  After 
 cleaning  mylelf  a  little,  I  took  horfe  again,, and  was  at 
 Wick  by  the  time  appointed.  I  returned  to  BriJlQl 
 (where  the  report  of  my  being  killed  had  fpread  far 
 and  wide)  time  enough  to  praife  God  in  the  great 
 congregation,  and  to  preach  on.  Thou,  Lord,  fJialt  favt 
 both  man  and  hea/t," 
 
 He  now  vifited,  wit^h  thofe  that  laboured  with  him, 
 many  parts  of  YorkJJiire,  LancaJJnre,  Berlyjliire,  and 
 CJieJhire,  where  he  had  never  hcxin  before.  He  alfo 
 \\i{\ttdi  Plymouth  and  many  other  places  in  the  Weft  : 
 and  in  every  place  the  work  of  God  profpered.  (Mr. 
 Wcjley  obferves,  "  This  is  no  cant  word  :  it  means  the 
 converfion  of  ftnners  from  fm  to  holii^efs.")  But  ftili 
 they  were  obliged  in  many  parts  to  carry  their  lives  in 
 :  their  hands.  Some  inftances  of  this  have  been  related 
 already.     We  will  mention  one  more  in  his  own  words. 
 
 "  Friday,  February  12,  1748.  After  preaching  at 
 Oakhill^  a  village  in  SomerfetJJiire,  I  rode  on  to  Sheplon- 
 
 Malldt, 
 
302        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Mallett,  but  found  the  people  all  under  a  flrange  con- 
 flernation.  A  mob,  tliey  faid,  was  hired,  and  made 
 fufficiently  drunk  to  do  all  manner  of  mifchief.  I 
 bec^an  preaching  between  four  and  five ;  and  none 
 hindered  or  interrupted  at  all.  We  had  a  bleffed 
 opportunity,  and  the  hearts  of  many  were  exceedingly 
 comforted.  I  wondered  what  was  become  of  the  mob. 
 But  we  were  quickly  informed,  they  miftook  the  place, 
 imagining  I  fhould  alight  (as  I  ufed  to  do)  at  William 
 Stone  i  houfe,  and  had  fummoned  by  drum  all  their 
 forces  together  to  meet  me  at  my  coming.  But  Mr, 
 Stoindclls  (one  of  the  Preachers)  innocently  carrying 
 me  to  the  other  end  of  the  town,  they  did  not  find 
 their  miila.ke  till  I  had  done  preaching. 
 
 "  Hov/ever  they  attended  us  from  the  Preaching- 
 houfe  to  Viilliam  Stone  s^  throwing  dirt,  flones  and 
 clods  in  abundance  •  but  they  could  not  hurt  us,  only 
 Mr.  Swindells  had  a  little  dirt  on  his  coat,  and  I  a  few 
 fpecks  on  my  hat. 
 
 '-  After  v/e  had  gone  into  the  houfe,  they  began 
 throwing  large  flones,  in  order  to  break  the  door. 
 But  perceiving  this  would  require  fome  time,  they 
 dropped  that  defign  for  the  prefent.  They  then  broke 
 ^11  the  tiles  on  the  Pent-houfe  over  the  door,  and 
 poured  in  a  fhower  of  flones  at  the  windows.  One 
 of  their  Captains,  in  his  great  zeal,  had  followed  us 
 into  the  houfe,  and  was  now  fhut  in  with  us.  He  did 
 not  like  this,  and  would  fain  have  got  out ;  but  it 
 was  not  poHible.  So  he  kept  as  clofe  to  me  as  he 
 could,  thinking  himfelf  fafeft  when  he  was  near  me. 
 But  (laving  a  little  behind,  fwhen  I  went  up  two  pair 
 
 of 
 
THE  LIFE-OF  MR.  WESLEY.         303 
 
 of  flairs,  and  Hood  dofe  on  one  fide,  where  we  were  a 
 little  fheltered.)  a  large  Rone  flruck  him  on  the  fore- 
 iiead,  and  the  blood  ipoiued  out  like  a  flream.  He 
 cried  out,  '•'  O  Sir,  are  we  to  die  to-night  ?  What 
 muft  I  do  ?  What  muft  I  do  ?"  I  fliid,  '•'  Pray  to 
 God.  He  is  able  to  deliver  you  from  all  dano-er." 
 He  took  my  advice,  and  began  praying,  I  believe,  as 
 he  had  fcarce  ever  done  before. 
 
 '•'Mr.  Sioindelh  and  I  then  went  to  prayer :  after 
 which  I  told  him,  *'  We  mufl  not  ftay  here.  Wc 
 muil  go  down  immediately."  He  faid,  ''  Sir,  wc  can- 
 not flir,  you  fee  how  t\\&  (tones  fly  about."  I  walked 
 ilraight  through  the  room,  and  down  the  (lairs ;  and 
 not  a  ilone  came  in,  till  we  were  at  the  bottom.  -  The 
 mob  had  ju ft  broke  open  the  door,  when  v/e  came 
 into  the  lower  room ;  and  while  they  buril  in  at  one 
 door,  we  walked  out  at  the  other.  Nor  did  one  man 
 take  any  rtotice  of  us,    though   wc   were   within  five 
 
 yards  of  each  other. 
 i/ 
 
 *'  They  filled  the  houfe  at  once,  and  propofed  (tU 
 ting  it  on  fire.  But  one  of  them  remembering  that 
 his  own  houfe  was  next,  pcrfuaded  them  not  to  do  it. 
 Hearing  one  of  them  cry  out,  "  They  are  gone  over 
 the  grounds,"  I  thought  the  hint  was  good.  So  \vq 
 went  over  the  grounds  to  the  far  end  of  the  town, 
 where  one  waited,  and  undertook  to  guide  \\^  to 
 Oakhill, 
 
 "  I  was  riding  on  in  Shcpton-Lane,  it  being  now 
 quite  dark,  v>dien  he  cried  out,  *'  Come  down  :  come 
 down  from  th^  bank."  I  did  as  I  was  defired;  but  th^ 
 [bank  being  high,  and  the  fide  aimoft  perpendicular, 
 
 ■  I  came 
 
304  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 I  came  down  all  at  once,  my  horfe  and  I  tumbliri^^ 
 one  over  another.  But  we  both  rofe  unhurt.  Iil 
 lefs  than  an  hour  v/e  came  to  Oakhill,  and  the  next 
 morning  to  Brijlol." 
 
 Mr.  We/lcy  had  hitherto  preferred  a  fingle  life,  be- 
 caufe,  as  he  himfelf  obferves,  he  believed  he  could  be 
 more  ufeful  in  a  lingle  than  in  a  married  flate  :  "  and 
 I  praife  God."  fays  he,  *'  who  enabled  me  fo  to  do.'* 
 He  now  as  fully  believed,  that  in  his  prefent  circum- 
 ilances  he  might  be  more  ufeful  in  a  married  Hate : 
 into  which,  upon  this  clear  conviclion,  and  by  the 
 advice  of  his  friends,  he  entered  fome  time  after. 
 
 Previous  to  this  ftep,  he  had  publifhed  a  fmall  tra6l 
 entitled  "  Thoughts  on  a  fingle  life.'*  He  therein 
 advifed  all  unmarried  perfons,  who  were  able  to  re- 
 ceive it,  to  follow  the  counfel  of  our  Lord  and  St. 
 FauL  and  "  remain  lingle  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven's 
 fake.'*  But  in  the  fame  tra6l  he  pronounces  after  St. 
 Faiil,  the  ^\forhidding  to  marry,  to  be  a  doEtrine  of 
 devils,"  and  declares  "  it  cannot  be  doubted  but  a  m,an 
 may  be  as  holy  in  a  married  as  in  a  lingle  ftate.'' 
 Nor  did  he  ever  fuppofe  that  this  precept  was  de- 
 ligned  of  God  for  the  many.  Several  years  after  his 
 marriage  he  mentions  in  his  Journal  his  again  reading 
 over  that  tra61:,  and  obferves,  "I  am  of  the  fame  mind 
 flill :  and  I  mud  be  fo,  till  I  give  up  my  Bible." 
 
 We  fhould  not  have  faid  fo  much  on  the  prefent 
 occafion,  if  it  was  not  for  the  many  fleers  that  have 
 been  call  at  Mr.  WeJJey  on  this  account.  The  bed 
 excufc  that  can  be  made  for  thofe  gentlemen  wJio  have 
 indulged  their  wit  on  this  fubj eft.  is  that  they  knew^. 
 
 nothing 
 
The  life  of  mr.  Wesley.       305 
 
 nothing  of  the  matter :  that  they  had  never  ferioufly 
 confidered  thofe  pafTages  of  the  Bible  alluded  to,  nor 
 ever  read  over  what  Mr,  Wefley  has  faid  upon  it.  If 
 was  quite  enough  for  them  to  hear  that  he  had  re- 
 commended celibacy,  and  had  afterwards  married  ; 
 which  all  candid  men,  who  believe  the  Saiptures, 
 mufl;  be  fenfible,  involves  neither  blame  nor  contra- 
 diction. 
 
 But  it  is  certain,  Mr.  Wejleys  marriage  was  not 
 what  is  commonly  called  a  happy  one.  We  cannot 
 take  upon  us  to  Hate  in  every  refpeft  what  were  the 
 caufes  of  that  inquietude,  which  for  fome  years  lay 
 fo  heavy  upon  him.  It  might  arife,  in  fome  degree^ 
 from  his  peculiar  fituation  with  refpe61;  to  the  great 
 work  in  which  he  was  eno-aged.  He  has  more  than 
 once  mentioned  to  us,  that  it  was  agreed  between 
 him  and  Airs.  Wejley,  previous  to  their  marriage,  that 
 he  ftiould  not  preach  one  fermon,  or  travel  one  mile 
 the  lefs  on  that  account.  "  If  I  thought  I  fhould," 
 faid  he,  "  My  dear,  as  well  as  I  love  you,  I  would 
 never  fee  your  face  more.^' 
 
 But  Mrs.  Wefley  did  not  long  continue  in  this 
 mind.  She  would  fain  have  confined  him  to  a  more 
 domefiic  life  :  and  having  found  by  experience 
 that  this  was  impofTible,  (he  unhappily  gave  place  to 
 jealoufy.  This  entirely  fpoiled  her  tem.per,  and  drove 
 her  to  many  outrages.  She  repeatedly  left  his  houfe, 
 but  was  brought  back  by  his  earneft  importunities. 
 At  lail  (he  feized  on  part  of  his  Journals  and  many 
 other  papers,  which  fhe  would  never  afterwards 
 reflore  ;  and  taking  her  final  departure,  left  word  that 
 
 X  fhe 
 
3o6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEf . 
 
 file  never  intended  to  return.  Who  then  can  wondeic, 
 that  after  all  this  he  fhould  only  obferve,  "  Non  earn 
 reliqui,  non  dimili  ;  non  revocabo  ?'*  I  have  not  left 
 her;  I  ha-ve  not  put  her  away ;  I  will  not  call  her  hack. 
 She  died  in  the  year  1781,  at  Cambtrwellj  near  London.. 
 A  flone  is  placed  at  the  head  of  her  grave,  \n  the 
 church-yard  of  that  place,  fetting  forth,  *'  That  fhe 
 was  a  woman  of  exemplary  piety ;  a  tender  parent, 
 and  a  ftnc<n"e  frfe:*id.'' 
 
 What  f6rtune  fhe  pofTefTed  at  her  death,  fhe  left  to 
 Zi  Mr.  Vizclle,  her  fon  by  a  former  hufband.  To  Mr. 
 We/ley  flie  bequeathed  a  ring.  There  are  feveral 
 letters  which  palTed  between  them  relative  to  their 
 nmlual  ivneafincis.  Thcfc  letters  are  now  before  us; 
 but  they  would  add  nothing  material  to  the  account 
 which  we  have  given.  We  fhall  only  prefent  our 
 readers  with  a  long  poflfcript  of  one  of  his,  as  it  is 
 a  furamary  of  the  unhappy  difpute. 
 
 ''  I  cannot  but  add  a  few   words  ;   not  by  ^ray  of  j 
 reproach,  but  of  advice.     God   has  ufed  many  means  j 
 to  curb  your  ftubborn  will,  and  break  the  impetuofity 
 of  your    temper.     He  has  given  you   a   dutiful    bufc' 
 iickly  daughter  :  he  has  taken  away  one  of  your  fons. 
 Another  has  been  a  grievous  crofs,    as  the  third  pro-l 
 bably  ^rill  be.     He  has  fufFered  you  to  be  defraudedj 
 of  much  money  :  he  has  chaflened   you  with   flrong 
 pain.     And  flill  He  may  fay   "How  long  lifteft  thou 
 up    thyfelf  againfl    me  ?"     Are  you    more    humble,' 
 more  gentle,   more  patient,  more  placable   than  yoii 
 w^as  ?   I  fear  quite  the  reverie  :   I    fear  your   natural 
 tempers   arc  rather  increafed  than  diminifiied.       O 
 
 bevvaie 
 
THE  LtFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  3D7 
 
 hewafe  left  God  give  you  up  to  your  own  heart's  lulls, 
 and  let  you  follow  your  own  imaginations. 
 
 "  Under  all  thefe  confli6ls  it  might  be  an  unfpeaka- 
 ble  bleffing,  that  you  have  a  hiifbarld,  who  knows  your 
 temper  and  can  bear  with  it :  who,  after  yoii  have  tried 
 him  numberlefs  ways,  laid  to  his  charge  things  that  he 
 knew  not,  robbed  him,  betrayed  his  confidence,  re- 
 vealed his  fecrets,  given  him  a  thdufand  treacherous 
 Wounds,  purpofely  afperfed  and  murdered  his  cha- 
 rafter,  and  made  it  your  bujinefs  fo  to  do,  under  the 
 poor  pretence  of  vindicating  your  own  chara6ler, 
 (whereas  of  what  importance  iS  your  character  to 
 mankind,  if  you  was  buried  jufl  now  ;  or  if  you  had 
 never  lived,  wha*t  lofs  would  it  be  to  the  caufe  of  God?) 
 who,  I  fay,  after  all  thefe  provocations  is  ftill  willing 
 to  forgive  you  all ;  td  overlook  what  is  pall,  as  if  it 
 had  not  been,  and  to  receive  you  with  open  arms  f 
 only  not  while  you  have  a  fvVOrd  in  your  hand,  with 
 which  you  are  continually  flriking  at  me,  though  you 
 fcahnot  hurt  me.  If,  notwithftanding,  you  continue 
 flriking,  what  can  I,  what  can  all  reafonable  men  think, 
 but  that  cither  yoii  are  utterly  dut  of  yoiir  fenfes,  or 
 your  eye  is  not  fmgle  :  that  you  married  me  only  for 
 my  money ;  that  being  difappointed,  you  was  almofl 
 always  out  of  humour  :  that  this  laid  you  open  to  a 
 ihoiifand  fufpicions,  which,  once  avv^akened,  could 
 .fleep  nb  more. 
 
 ''  My  dear  Molly,  let  the  time  paft  fuHice.     If  you 
 have  riot  (to  prevent  my  giving  it   to   bad  woment) 
 
 +    Her  jealoufy    having  ftrangely  iaduced  her  to  bring  that 
 I    terrible  charge  againft  him, 
 
 X   2  iobbed 
 
go8 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 robbed  me  of  my  fab  fiance  too  ;  if  3^ou  do  no(: 
 "blacken  me,  on  purpofe  that  when  this  caufes  a  breach 
 between  us,  no  one  may  believe  it  to  be  your  fault : 
 ilop,  and  confider  what  you  do  :  as  yet  the  breach 
 may  be  repaired  ;  you  have  wronged  me  much  :  but 
 not  beyond  forgivenefs.  I  love  you  flill,  and  am  as 
 clear  from  all  other  women  as  the  day  I  was  born. 
 At  length  know  me,  and  know  yourfelf.  Your  enemy 
 I  cannot  bx^ :  but  let  me  be  your  friend.  Sufpe6l 
 me  no  more ;  afperfe  me  no  more  ;  provoke  me  no 
 more.  Do  not  any  longer  contend  for  maftery,  for 
 power,  money  or  praife.  Be  content  to  be  a  private 
 infignificant  perfon,  known  and  loved  by  God  and 
 me.  Attempt  no  more  to  abridge  me  of  my  liberty, 
 which  I  chiim  by  the  laws  of  God  and  man.  Leave 
 me  to  be  governed  by  God  and  my  own  confcience, 
 Then  fhall  I  govern  you  with  gentle  fway,  and  fhew 
 that  I  do  indeed  love  you  even  as  Chrifl  the 
 church.  ' 
 
 Soon  after  his  marriage,  be  rcfigned  his  fellowihip. 
 His  letter  of  refignation  was  as  follows  :  **  Ego 
 Johannes  Wefley,  Collegii  Lincolnienlis  in  Academia 
 Oxonienfi  Socius,  quicquid  mihi  juris  efl  in  przediQa 
 Societate,  ejufdem  Re6lori  &  Sociis  fponte  ac  libere 
 religno  :  illis  univerGs  &  fmgulis  perpetuam  pacem 
 ac  omnimodo  in  Chriflo  felicitatem  exoptans."  / 
 John  WeJIcy,  /cllozv  of  Lincoln  College^  Oxford,  ■  freely 
 refign  to  the  Rector  and  Fellows,  whatfoevcr  belongs  to  me 
 in  that  Society  :  earnejlly  xuijliing  to  them  all,  and  to  each 
 oj  ihcvi,  continual  peace,  and  all  Jcucily  in  Chrijl. 
 
 Mr, 
 
.       THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  309 
 
 Mr,  We/ley  had  hitherto  enjoyed  remarkable  health, 
 confidering  his  great  and  continual  labour,  and  ex* 
 pofures  of  every  kind.  But  in  the  month  of  Oftober 
 i753,foon  after  his  coming  to  London,  he  was  attacked 
 with  aconfumptive  diforder,  which  brought  him  to 
 the  gates  of  death.    After  ftruscfflinsr  fome  time  ai^ainft 
 
 o  Ob  O  o 
 
 it,  he  retired  to  Lcwijham  near  London,  for  the  benefit 
 of  air  and  gentle  exercife.  It  was  at  this  place,  that, 
 as  he  dbferves.  not  knowing  how  it  might  pleafe  God 
 to  difpofe  of  him,  and  "  to  prevent  vile  panegyrick/' 
 he  wrote  as  follows  : 
 
 Here  lieth 
 The  Body  of  John  Wejley, 
 A  Brand  plucked  out  of  the  burning  : 
 Who   died  of  a  Confumption  in  the  fifty-firft  year 
 
 of  his  age  : 
 Not  lea^dng,  after    his    debts    are  paid,   ten  pounds 
 
 behind  him  : 
 praying, 
 ,     God  be  merciful  to  me  an  unprofitable  Servant ! 
 
 He  ordered,  that  this  infcription,  if  any,  (liould  be 
 placed  on  his  Tomb-Hone. 
 
 From  LewiJJiam  he  removed  to  the  Hot- Wells  near 
 Brijiol,  where  it  pleafed  God,  in  anfwer  to  the  prayerS 
 of  thoufands,  to  renew  his  llrength,  and  to  enable 
 him  ag^ain  to  declare  his  truth.  This  he  did  at  (irfl  to 
 a  few  perfons  at  his  apartments  in  the  evenings  ;  the 
 Lord  thus  preparing  him  for  his  ufual  labours,  to 
 which  he  foon  after  returned.     He  was  confined  upon 
 
 X  3  the 
 
3io         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  whole  about  four  months.  Part  of  this  time  he 
 employed  in  writing  notes  on  the  New  Teftament,  a 
 work  which  he  had  long  purpofed  to  undertake,  but 
 for  which  he  never  could  find  time  before.  "  I  now," 
 fays  he,  "  can  neither  travel  nor  preach  ;  but,  bleffed 
 be  God,  I  can  flill  re^id,  write  and  think  :  Q  that  it 
 may  be  to  his  glory  !" 
 
 While  Mr.  Wefky  was  confined,  he  received  the 
 following  letter  from  Mr.  Whiteficld,  which  is  fo  ex- 
 »  preflive  of  the  high  opinion  which  that  great  and  good 
 man  entertained  of  him,  and  fo  honourable  to  hii 
 piety  and  feelings,  that  we  make  no  apology  for  in^ 
 fertins;  it. 
 
 Bripl  Dec,  3,  1753. 
 
 *'  Rev,  and  verv  dear  Sir, 
 '•■  If  fceino:  vou  fo  weak  when  leavinsc  London  dif- 
 treffed  me,  the  news  and  profpecl  of  your  npproaching 
 dilfolution  hath  quite  weiglied  me  down.  I  pity 
 myfelf  and  the  church,  but  not  you  :  a  radiant  throne 
 awaits  you,  and  ere  long  you  will  enter  into  your 
 Mailer's  joy  :  yonder  he  ftands  with  a  maffy  crown, 
 ready  to  put  it  on  your  head  amidfh  an  admiring 
 throng  of  Hiints  and  angels.  But  I,  poor  I,  that 
 have  been  waiting  for  rny  dillblution  thefe  nineteen 
 years,  mud  be  left  behind  to  grovel  here  below  ? 
 Well !  this  is  my  comfort :  it  cannot  be  long  ere  the 
 chariots  will  be  fent  even  for  wprthlefs  me.  If  prayers 
 can  detain  the^n,  even  you,  Rev.  and  very  dear  Sir, 
 (hall  not  leave  u§  yet  :  but  if  the  decree  is  gone  forth, 
 that  you  miill  qow  fall  alleep  in  Jefus,   may   he    kifs 
 
 your 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  31 1 
 
 your  foul  away,  and  give  you  to  die  in  the  embraces 
 of  triumphant  love  !  If  in  the  land  of  the  dying,  I 
 iiope  to  pay  my  lad  refpe6ls  to  you  next  week.  If 
 not,  Rev.  and  very  dear  Sir,  F — a — r — e — w — e — 11. 
 Ego  fequar,  etfi  non  paffibus  sequis.''^  My  heart  is 
 too  big,  tears  trickle  down  too  fall,  and  you  are  I  fear 
 too  weak  for  me  to  enlarge.  Underneath  you  may 
 there  be  Chrifl's  everlafting  arms.  I  commend  you 
 to  his  never-failing  mercy,  and  am, 
 
 Rev.  and  very  dear  Sir, 
 Your  mofl  affe6lionate,  fympathizing, 
 And  afRifted  younger  brother, 
 In  the  Gofpel  of  our  common  Lord, 
 
 G.  White  FIELD." 
 
 Mr.  Wcfcty  always  fuppofed  that  God's  defign  in 
 laifingup  the  Methodifts,  fo  called,  was,  "  To  reform 
 the  nation,  efpecially  the  church ;  and  to  fpread 
 fcriptural  holinefs  over  the  land.'*  He  therefore  Hill 
 greatly  wilhed  that  the  Clergy  would  co-operate  with 
 him.  ;  or  at  leafl  favourably  receive  thofe  who  in 
 their  feveral  parilhes  -w^xo,  turned  from  ignorance  and 
 profanenefs  to  true  religion.  This  in  general  was  not 
 the  cafe.  However  fome  were  of  a  better  mind. 
 The  late  Mr.  Walker  of  Truro  in  Cornroallf  and  a  few 
 others,  not  only  loved  and  preached  the  Gofpel,  but 
 were  well  difpofed  towards  him  and  thofe  under  his 
 care.  Some  of  thefe  gentlemen  aflifled  at  the  firfl 
 Conferences.  But  after  fome  years  they  feemed  un- 
 willing to  fhare  in  his  reproach.     To  avoid  this,  they 
 
 i  I  fnall  follow,,  though  not  with  equal  fleps. 
 
312  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 dt  fired  that  he  v/ould  give  up  his  Societies  which 
 were  formed  in  their  refpe^live  pariihes,  into  their 
 care.  As  this  propofal  involves  a  queftion,  which  it 
 has  fometimes  been  thought  he  could  not  eafily  an- 
 fwer,  viz.  "  If  you  love  the  church,  why  do  not  you 
 give  up  your  people  to  thofe  in  the  church,  whom  you 
 yourfelf  believe  to  be  real  Miniflers  of  Chrifl  T'  We 
 ihall  infert  his  reply  to  the  above-mentioned  gentle- 
 man, who  wrote  to  him  on  the  fubje6l  in  behalf  of 
 hjmfelf  and  his  brethren. 
 
 Hel/lon,  Cornxvall,  Sept.  16,  1757. 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 
 ^*  Nothing  can  be  more  kind  than  the  mentioning 
 to  me  whatever  you  think  is  amifs  in  my  condu6l. 
 And  the  more  freedom  you  ufe  in  doing  this,  the  more 
 I  am  indebted  to  you.  I  am  thoroughly  perfuaded 
 that  you  *'  wifh  me  well :"  and  that  it  is  this,  together 
 with  a  ''  concern  for  the  common  interefls  of  reli- 
 gion," which  obliges  you  to  fpeak  with  more  plain^ 
 nefs  than  otherwife  vou  would.  The  fame  motives 
 induce  me  to  lay  afide  all  referve,  and  tell  you  the 
 naked  fentiments  of  my  heart. 
 
 You  fay,  "If  you  believed  Mr.  Vowler  to  be  a 
 gracious  perfon  and  a  Gofpel-minifter,  why  did  you 
 not,  in  juftice  to  your  people,  leave  them  to  him  ?'* 
 
 J,  H.  affured  me,  that  Mr.  Vowler  had  a  clear 
 convi6]:ion  of  his  being  reconciled  to  God.  If  fo,  I 
 could  not  deny  his  being  a  gracious  perfon.  And  I 
 heard  him  preach  the  tr^e,  though  not  the  whole  Gofpel. 
 But  had  it  been  the  whole,  there  are  feveral  reafons 
 
 ftill, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  313 
 
 ftill,  why  I  did  not  give  up  the  people  -to  him.  1 .  No 
 one  mentioned  or  intimated  any  fuch  thing,  nor  did 
 it  once  enter  into  my  thoughts.  But  if  it  had,  2.  I  do 
 not  know,  that  every  one  vvho  preaches  the  truth,  has 
 wifdom  and  experience  to  govern  a  flock  :  I  do  not 
 know  that  Mr.  Vowler  in  particular  has.  He  may,  or 
 he  may  not.  3.  I  do  not  knov/  v/hetherhe  would  or 
 could  give  that  flock,  all  the  advantages  for  holinefs 
 which  they  now  enjoy  :  and  to  leave  them  to  him, 
 before  I  was  afTured  of  this,  would  be  neither  juftice 
 nor  mercy.  4.  Uniefs  they  were  alfo  affured  of  this, 
 they  could  not  in  confcience  give  up  themfelves  to 
 him.  And  I  have  neither  right  nor  power  to  difpofe 
 of  them,  contrary  to  their  confcience. 
 
 *'  But  they  are  his  already  by  legal  eflablifliment." 
 If  they  receive  the  Sacrament  from  him  thrice  a  year, 
 and  attend  his  miniflrations  on  the  Lord's-day,  I  fee 
 no  more  which  the  Law  requires.  But,  to  go  a  little 
 deeper  into  this  matter  of  legal  ejlahhjhmtnt.  Does  Mr. 
 Conon  or  you  think,  that  the  King  and  Parliament  have 
 a  right  to  prefcribe  to  me,  what  PaPtor  I  fliall  ufe  ? 
 If  they  prefcribe  one  which  I  know  God  never  lent, 
 am  I  obliged  to  receive  him  ?  If  he  be  fent  of  God, 
 can  I  receive  him  with  a  clear  confcience  till  I  know- 
 he  is  ?  And  even  when  I  do,  if  I  believe  my  former 
 Pallor  is  m.ore  profitable  to  my  foul,  can  I  leave  him 
 without  lin  ?  Or  has  any  man  living  a  right  to  require 
 this  of  me  ? 
 
 I  -''extend  this  to  every  Gofpel-minifler  in  En  glands 
 Before  I  could  with  a  clear  confcience  leave  a  Metho* 
 dift  Society  even  to  fuch  a  one,  all  thefe  confiderations 
 jnuft  come  in.  And 
 
8^4 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 And  with  regard  to  the  people  :   far  from  thinking 
 that  ''  the  withdrawincr  our  Preachers  "  from  fuch  a 
 
 o  . 
 
 Society  without  their  confent,  would  prevent  a  repa- 
 ration from  the  church,  I  think  it  would  be  the 
 direct  way  to  caufc  it.  While  we  are  with  them,  our 
 advice  has  weight,  and  kei^ps  them  to  the  church. 
 But  were  we  totally  to  withdraw,  it  would  be  of  little 
 or  no  weight.  Kay,  perhaps,  refentment  of  our  un-> 
 kindnefs  (as  it  would  appear  to  them)  would  prompt 
 them  to  adi  in  flat  oppoiition  to  it. 
 
 Again,  you  fay,  "  Before  an  union  can  be  effected, 
 fomething  mull  be  done  on  your  part."  Tell  me 
 what,  and  1  will  do  it  without  delay,  however  con- 
 trary it  may  be  to  my  eafe  or  natural  inclination : 
 provided  only,  that  it  confifts  with  my  keeping  a  con- 
 fcience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and  toward  man. 
 It  would  not  con  fill  with  this,  to  give  up  the  flock- 
 under  my  care  to  any  other  Minifler,  till  I  and  they 
 were  convinced,  they  would  have  the  fame  advan- 
 tages for  holinefs  under  him,  which  they  now  enjoy. 
 But  ''  paying  us  vifits,  can  ferve  no  other  purpofe 
 than  to  bring  us  under  necdlels  difficulties."  I  will 
 fpeak  very  freely  on  this  head.  Can  our  converfing 
 together  ferve  no  other  purpofe  ?  You  feem  then  not 
 to  have  the  lead  conception  of  your  own  want  of  any 
 fuch  thing  !  But  wlicther  you  do  or  not,  I  feel  my 
 want  !  I  am  not  i?i  memet  totus  teres  ah  que  rotundus.^ 
 I  want  more  light,  more  flrength,  for  my  perfonal 
 walking  with  God.     And   I  know^   not  but  he  i^iay 
 
 *  J  am  not  all-fuflicicnt^ 
 
 g>v 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 3^5 
 
 give  it  me  through  you.  And  whether  you  do  or 
 no,  1  want  more  light  and  ftrength  for  guiding  the 
 flock  committed  to  my  charge.  May  not  the  Lord 
 fend  this  alfo,  by  whom  he  will  fend  ?  And  by  you 
 as  probably  as  by  any  other  ?  It  is  not  improbable 
 that  he  may  by  you  give  me  clearer  light,  either  as  ^o 
 do6trine  or  difcipline.  And  even  hereby,  how  much 
 comfort  and  profit  might  redound  to  thoufands  of 
 thofe,  for  whom  Chrifl  hath  died  ?  Which  I  appre- 
 hend would  abundantly  compenfate  any  di£icidties  thafe 
 might  arife  from  fuch  converfation. 
 
 I  f peak  as  a  fool:  bear  with  me.  I  am  clearly 
 fatisfied  that  you  have  far  more  faith,  more  love,  and 
 more  of  the  mind  which  w^as  in  Chrifl  than  I  have. 
 But  have  you  more  gifts  for  the  work  of  God  ?  Or 
 more  fruit  of  your  labour  ?  Has  God  owned  you 
 more  ?  I  would  he  had,  a  thoufand  fold  !  I  pray  God, 
 that  he  may!  Have  you  at  prefent  more  experience 
 of  the  wifdom  of  the  world  and  the  devices  of  Satan  ? 
 Or  of  the  manner  and  method  wherein  it  pleafes 
 God  to  counterwork  them  in  this  period  of  his  provi- 
 dence ?  Are  you  fure,  God  would  add  nothing  to 
 you  by  me,  (befide  what  he  might  add  to  me  by  you  ?) 
 Perhaps  when  the  time  is  flipt  out  of  your  hands 
 ^vhen  I  am  no  more  feen,  you  may  wifh  you  had  not 
 |reje6led  the  afliflance  of  even 
 
 Your  affeftionate  brother, 
 
 John  Wesley." 
 To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walker, 
 i^  TrikTQ, 
 
 That 
 
3i6         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 That  he  fincerely  wifhed  to  -unite  with  every 
 Minifler  of  the  Church  of  England  who  hved  and 
 preached  the  Gofpel,  is  evident  from  his  whole  be* 
 haviour  towards  them,  and  from  many  palTages  in  his 
 Journals.  A  few  years  after  the  above  correfpondence 
 with  Mr.  Walker^:  he'  wrote  to  all  thofe  Clergymen, 
 who,  he  believed,  anfwered  the  above  defcription, 
 propoling,  in  the  fulnefs  of  his  heart,  that  they  Ihould 
 unite  to  forward  the  real  w^ork  of  God  in  the  fou!s  of 
 men.     Llis  letter  upon  that  occafion  is  as  follows  ; 
 
 Rev.    SIR, 
 
 "  Near  two  years  and  a  half  ago,  I  WTOte  the  fol- 
 lowing letter.  You  will  pleafe  to  obferve,  i .  That  I 
 propofe  no  more  therein,  than  is  the  bounden  duty 
 of  every  Chriflian :  that  you  may  comply  with  this 
 propofal,  whether  any  other  does  or  not.  I  myfelf 
 have  endeavoured  fo  to  do  for  many  years,  though  I 
 have  been  almoft  alone  therein;  and  although  many, 
 the  more  earneftly  1  talk  of  peace,  the  more  zealouflv 
 make  ihcivfclves  ready  for  battle, 
 I  am,  Rev.  Sir, 
 
 Your  alTcctionate  brother,  • 
 
 JOI-IN    WESLEY." 
 
 Dear  S  I  R, 
 ''  It  has  pleafed  God  to  givQ  you  both  ih^  will  and 
 the  power,  to  do  many  things  for  his  glory,  (although 
 you  are  often  afliamed  you  have  done  *fo  little, 
 and  wifh  you  eouid  do  a  thoufand  times  more.)  This 
 induces  mc  to  mention  to  you^  what  has  been  upon 
 
 my 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.  317 
 
 my  tnind  for  many  years  :  and  what  I  am  perfuaded 
 would  be  much  for  the  glory  of  God,  if  it  could  once 
 be  effected.  And  I  am  in  great  hopes  it  will  be,  if 
 you  heartily  undertake  it,  truiling  in  him  alone. 
 
 Some  years    fmce,     God   began   a  great    work    in 
 England:   but  the  labourers  were  few.      At  firil   thofe 
 few  were  of  one  heart :   but  it  was  not  {o  long.     Firll 
 •one  fell  off,   then  another  and  another,  till  no  two  of 
 us  were  left  together  in  the  vv^ork,   befide  my  brother 
 and  me.     This  prevented  much  good,  and  occanoned 
 ["much  evil.       It  grieved  our  fpirits,  and  weakened  our 
 I  hands.      It  gave  our  common  enemies  huge  occaiioit 
 I  to  blafpheme.      It  perplexed  and  puzzled  m^any  fin- 
 cere   Chrillians,     It   caufed  many    to   draw  back  to 
 perdition.      It  grieved  the  holy  Spirit  of  God. 
 
 As  labourers  increafed,  difunion  increafed,  of- 
 fences were  multiplied.  And  inftead  of  coming  nearer 
 to.  they  flood  farther  and  farther  off  from  each  other : 
 till  at  length  thofe  \t"ho  were  not  only  brethren  iii 
 Chrift,  but  fellow-labourers  in  his  gofpel,  had  no 
 more  connexion  or  fellowfhip  with  each  other,  than 
 Proteftants  have  with  Papifls. 
 
 But  ought  this  to  be  ?  Ought  not  thofe  who  are 
 i  united  to  one  common  head,  and  employed  by  him 
 in  one  common  work,  to  be  united  to  each  other  ?  I 
 I  fpeak  now  of  thofe  labourers,  who  are  Miniflers  of 
 the  Church  of  England,     Thefe  are  chiefly 
 
 Mr.  Perronet,  Romaine,  Newton,  Shirley :  Mr. 
 Downing,  Jeffe,  Adam :  Mr.  Talbot,  Ryland,  Stil- 
 lingfleet,  Fletcher  :  Mr.  Johnfon,  Baddcley,  Andrews, 
 Jane  :    Mr.  Hart,  Symes,  Brown,  Rouquet:  Mr.  Sel- 
 
 Ion. 
 
3i8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 Ion,  Venn,  Richardfon,  Burnet,  Fiirley,  Crook :  My. 
 Eaftwood,  Conyers,  Bentley,  King :  Mr.  Berridge^ 
 Hicks  :  G,  W.  J.  W.  C.  W.  John  Richardfon,  Ben^ 
 jamin  Colley. 
 
 Not  excluding  any  other  Clergymen,  who  agree  in 
 thefe  eflentials,  j| 
 
 I.  Original  fin, 
 IL  JufUfication  by  faith, 
 
 in.  HoHnefs  of  heart  and  Hfe  :    provided  their  lif^/ 
 be  anfwerable  to  their  dodrine. 
 
 *'  But  what  union  would  you  defire  among  thefe  ?" 
 Not  an  union  in  opinions.  They  might  agree  or  dif- 
 agree,  touching  abfolute  decrees  on  the  one  hand,  and 
 perfedion  on  the  other.  Not  an  union  in  expriffions, 
 Thefe  mfty  ftill  fp£ak  of  the  imputed  righteoujnefs,  and 
 thofe  of  the  merits  of  Chrifl,  Ndt  an  union,  with  re- 
 gard to  outward  order.  Some  may  dill  remain  ^z«Vc 
 regular  ;  fome  quite  irregular  ;  and  fonie  partly  regular 
 and  partly  ij-rcgular.  But  thefe  things  being  as  they 
 are,  as  each  is  perfuaded  in  his  own  mind,  is  it  not  a 
 tnpfl  defirable  thing,  that  we  fhould 
 
 1.  Remove  hindrances  out  of  the  way  ?  Not  judge 
 ^ne  another,  not  dejpifc  one  another,  ilo't  envy  one 
 another  ?  Not  be  dijpleafed  at  one  another's  gifts  or 
 fuccefs,  even  though  greater  than  our  own  ?  Not  loait 
 for  ar.other's  halting,  much  lefs  vjifh  for  it,  or  rejoice 
 therein  ? 
 
 Never  fpeah  difrefpe6lfully,  flightly,  coldly,  or  un- 
 kindly of  each  other  :  never  repeat  each  other's  faults,' 
 rnillakes,  or  infirmities,  much  lefs  lijlen  for  and  gather 
 them   up :    never  fay  or  do  any  thing  to  hinder  each 
 
 other's  ufefuliief:),  cither  diredlly  ot  indirc6lly  ? 
 
 Is 
 
THfi  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 3^9 
 
 is  it  not  a  mofl  defirdble  thing,  that  we  fhould 
 k.  Love  as  brethren?  Think  well  of  and  honour  one 
 another  ?  Wijh  all  good,  all  grace,  all  gifts,  all  fuccefs, 
 yea,  greater  than  our  own  to  each  other  ?  ExpeB 
 God  will  anfwer  our  wiHi,  rejoice  in  every  appearance 
 thereof,  and  praife  him  for  it  ?  Readily  believe  good 
 of  each  other,  as  readily  as  we  once  believed  evil  ? 
 
 Speak  refpe61fully,  honourably,  kindly  of  each 
 other  :  defend  each  Other's  charaQer  :  fpeak  all  the 
 good  we  can  of  each  other  :  recommend  one  another 
 where  we  have  influence  ;  each  help  the  other  on  in 
 liis  work,  and  cnlai'ge  iiis  influence  by  all  th.Q  honeft 
 ineans  we  can  ? 
 
 This  is  the  union  which  I  have  long  fbucrht  after. 
 And  is  it  not  the  duty  of  every  one  of  iis  fo  to  do  ? 
 Would  it  riot  be  far  better  for  ourfelves  ?  A  means 
 of  promoting  both  our  holinefs  and  happinefs  ? 
 W^ould  it  not  remove  much  guilt  from  thofe  who  have 
 been  faulty  in  any  of  thefe  inftances  ?  And  much 
 pain  from  thofe  who  have  kept  themfelves  pure  ? 
 Would  it  not  be  far  better  for  the  people:  who  fufiPer 
 Severely  frdni  the  clafhings  and  contentions  of  their 
 leaders,  which  feldom  fail  to  occaiion  many  unprc-=i 
 fitable,  yea,  hurtful  difputes  among  them  ?  Would 
 it  not  be  better  even  for  the  poor,  blind  world,  robbing 
 them  of  their  fport,  '^  O  they  cannot  agree  amonrr 
 themfelves  ?"  Would  it  not  be  better  for  the  zuhol& 
 tuork  of  God,  which  would  then  deepen  and  widen  on 
 every  fide  ? 
 
 *'  But  it  will  never  be  :  it  is  utterly  impolible/* 
 Certainly  it  is  with  men.     Who  imagines  zve  cm  do 
 
 s? 
 
320         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WES|:.Er. 
 
 this  ?     That  it  can  be  efiPecled   by  any  human  power  ? 
 
 Ail  nature  is  againft  it,  every  infirmity,  every  -wrom 
 
 temper   and  pajjion ;    love  of  honour  and   praife,   of 
 
 povv'er,  of  pre-erninence  ;  or  anger,  refentment,  pride 
 
 long-contracled   habit,    and  prejudice  lurking  in  tei 
 
 thoufand   forms.     The   devil   and  all   his  angels   an 
 
 againft  it.     For    if   this  takes   place,    how    fhall    hil 
 
 kingdom  (land  ?     All  the  world,  all  that  know  not  Got 
 
 are  againil  it,  though  they  may  feem  to  favour  it  for 
 
 feafon.     Let  us  fettle  this  in  our  hearts,  that  we  mai 
 
 be  utterly  cut   off  from  all  dependence  on   our  owi 
 
 flrength  or  wifdom. 
 
 But  furely  with  God  all  things  are  pojfihle,     Therei 
 
 fore  allihiiigs  are  pojfihle  to  him  that  helieveth:      And  thij 
 
 union  is  propofed  only  to  them  that  believe,  that  ihei 
 
 their  faith  by  their  works. 
 
 When  Mr.   C.    v/as  objeding   the  impofTibility 
 
 ever  effecting  fuch  an  union,   I    went  up  flairs,  am 
 
 after  a  little  prayer,  opened  Kempis  on  thefe  words  : 
 
 *'   Expecla   Dominurn :    Viri:iter   age  :     noli    difli- 
 
 dere :   Noli  difcedere,  fed   corpus  &  animam  expone 
 
 conftanter  pro  gloria  Dei."* 
 
 I  am,  dear  Sir, 
 
 Your  alFe^lionate  fervant, 
 
 Scarborough,  John   Wesley." 
 
 April  2g.   1764. 
 
 Of  thirty-four  Clergymen  to  whom  he  addrcffed 
 the  above,  only  three  vouchfafed  him  an  anfvrer  !  The 
 one  which  he  received  from  the  late  Vicar'  of  Shore- 
 
 *   Wait  upon  the   Lord  :  play  the  man  :  doubt  not  :  jJirink  not  : 
 but  facrificc  foul  and  body  continually  for  the  glory  of  God, 
 
 ha7n. 
 
rh 
 
 rilE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  32^ 
 
 ham,,  in  Kent,  is  fuch  a  picture  of  that  blelTed  man  (now 
 with  God)  that  we  doubt  not  but  it  will  be  acceptable 
 to  our  readers. 
 
 Shoreham,  April   1764. 
 My  Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 ''  Your's  of  the  19th  inftant  gave  me  both  pain  and 
 pleafure. 
 
 "  I  was  highly  delighted  with  your  ardent  wifhes 
 and  endeavours  for  promoting  the  fpirit  of  the  go/pel 
 among  the  preachers  and  other  pfofcjjors  of  it : — but 
 deeply  concerned  at  the  difappointment  and  oppofi- 
 tion  you  have  met  with  ! 
 
 "It  has  been  always  a  leading  principle  with  me  (and 
 I  pray  God  confirm  and  ftrengthen  it  more  and  more) 
 to  love  all  thofe  labourers  of  Chrijl,  who  give  proof  by 
 their  diligence^  their  fioly  and  heavenly  behavioicr,  that 
 they  love  our  Lord  Jcfiis  Chrijl  in  Jincerity ;  even  though 
 their  fenUmcnts,  in  many  things,  fhould  differ  from 
 mine, 
 
 "  And  therefore,  though  it  be  ahfurd  to  Qx'pt^  an 
 entire  union  offenlinients  in  all  things ;— yet  the  endea- 
 vouring, by  every  chriilian  method,  to  keep  the  unity 
 of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace, — is  the  indifpeniable 
 duty  of  all  chriflians.  Whs^re  this  fpiritual peace  a7id 
 Union  are  not, — thevQ  faith  working  by  love  is  not :  and, 
 ^where  this  divine  faith  is  wanting, — there  Chri/l  is 
 Wanting  :  there  his  Spirit  is  wanting :  and  then,  neither 
 circumcijion  nor  uncircumcifion  will  avail  us  any  thing  I 
 
 *'  In  this  nielancholy  fituation,  whilfl  we  are 
 ftrangers  to  the  divine  fruits  of  the  HcJ)'  Spirit, — let  out 
 gifts  and  talents  be  v«^hat  they  may  ; — let  us  fpeak  with 
 
 Y  ^  th 
 
322         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEt. 
 
 the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels ;  we  are  yet  nothing  iti 
 the  fight  of  God  !  Nay,  though  his  Spirit  Ihould 
 fpread  the  gofpcl,  by  our  miniflry,  in  the  hearts  of 
 thoufands ;  yet  our  own  fouls  will  remain  but  a  bar- 
 ren wilder nefs !   and  Ckrijl  may  fayj— '^  /  never  knew 
 
 ''  How  ought  Vv'e  therefore  always  to  pray, — that 
 the  peace  of  God  may  ever  rule  in  our  hearts : — that  we 
 may  be  rooted  and  grounded  in  love ;  and  that  we  may 
 €on^2in{\y  folloto  after  the  things,  which  make  for  peace  ; 
 and  things  wherewith  one  may  edijy  another  f 
 
 ''  This  is  the  go/pel  cf  Jefas  Chri/l-  !   And  may  God 
 imprcfs  it  thoroughly  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  ail ! 
 • — .\nd  may  the  poor  dc.fpifcd  fleck  grew  in  grace  and  in 
 the  know  ledge  of  cur  Lord  and  Saviour  Jejus  Chrif! 
 I  am,  dear  Sir, 
 
 Your's  mofl  affetlionately, 
 
 Vincent  Perronet/' 
 
 A  Writer  of  Mr.  JVejleys  Life  mentions  the  above 
 circular  letter,  (the  only  one  he  ever  fent,)  and  the 
 failure  of  the  projeded  union  :  and  then  adds,  ''  His- 
 only  refource  therefore  was  in  Lay-preachers."  Muft 
 not  his  readers  imagine  from  this  obfervation,  tha& 
 thofe  preachers  were  employed  fubfequently  to  that 
 propoial,  and  to  fupply  its  failure  ?  Whereas  the 
 real  trulh  is,  they  were  employed  more  than 
 •twenty  years  before  the  propoial  was  made !  Be- 
 fides,  the  very  words  of  the  letter  clearly  evidence, 
 that  no  fuch  unic*n  was  propofed  as  would  make  the 
 leaft  difiFerence  v/ith  refpc^t  to  the  preachers.  It  ii 
 1  therefore 
 
tHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  323 
 
 therefore  furprifing  that  the  gentleman  alluded  to, 
 who  was  himfelf  employed  as  an  itirierant  preacher 
 for  feveral  years,  fhould  deviate  fo  much  from  the 
 real  truth.  Many  other  particulars  in  the  Life  he  has 
 written,  are  related  with  the  fame  fidelity  and  can- 
 dour. 
 
 As  we  have  fpoken  fo  little  concerning  the  calling 
 (of  thofe  Preachers  who  laboured  with  Mr.  Wejley^ 
 being  defirous  our  readers  might  chiefly  attend  to  him 
 whofe  memoirs  we  write,  and  to  the  great  work  in 
 which  he  was  engaged,  we  believe  it  will  not  be  un* 
 acceptable  to  lay  before  them  his  thoughts  on  this 
 iubje6l  after  almolt  twenty  years  trial.  He  has  given 
 fhem  very  fully  in  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walker 
 of  Truro,  which  we  here  fubjoin. 
 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 **  1  have  one  point  in  view,  To  promote,  as  far 
 "lis  I  am  able,  vital,  pra6iical  religion  ;  and  by  the 
 grace  of  God,  to  beget,  preferve,  and  increafe,  the 
 life  of  God  in  the  fouls  of  men.  On  this  lingle  prin- 
 I  ciple  I  have  hitherto  proceeded,  and  taken  no  flep 
 but  in  fubferviency  to  it.  With  this  viev/,  when  I 
 found  it  to  be  abfolutely  neceffary  for  the  continuance 
 of  the  work,  v/hich  God  had  begun  in  many  fouls 
 (which  their  regular  pajlors  generally  ufed  all  pofTible 
 means  to  deftroy)  I  permitted  feveral  of  their  brethren, 
 whom  I  believe  God  had  called  thereto,  and  Qualified 
 for  the  work,  to  comfort,  exhort,  and  inflrucl:  thofe 
 who  were  athirft  for  God,  or  who  walked  in  the  light 
 of  his  countenance.     But,  as  the  perfons  fo  qualified 
 
 y  a  were 
 
324         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 were  few,  and  thofe  who  wanted  their  affiflance  very 
 many,  it  followed,  that  moll  of  thefe  were  obliged  to 
 travel  continually  from  place  to  place  ;  and  this  occa- 
 fioned  feveral  regulations  from  time  to  time,  which 
 were  chiefly  made  in  our  Conferences. 
 
 "  So  great  a  bleffing  has,  from  the  beginning,  at- 
 tended the  labours  of  thefe  Itinerants,  that  we  have 
 been  more  and  more  convinced  every  year,  of  the 
 more  than  lawfulnefs  of  this  proceeding.  And  the 
 inconveniencies,  moft  of  which  we  forelaw  from  the 
 very  firft,  have  been  both  fewer  and  fmaller  than  were 
 expcfted.  Rarely  two  in  one  year,  out  of  the  whole 
 number  of  Preachers,  have  either  feparated  themfelves, 
 or  been  rejeded  by  us.  A  great  majority  have  all 
 along  behaved  as  becometh  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift,  and, 
 I  am  clearly  perfuaded,  ftill  dehre  nothing  more  than 
 to  fpend  and  be  fpent  for  their  brethren. 
 
 '*  But  you  advife,  "  That  as  many  of  our  Preachers 
 as  are  fit  for  it,  be  ordained  ;  and  that  the  others  be 
 fixed  to  certain  Societies,  not  as  Preachers,  but  as 
 readers  or  infpcctors." 
 
 *•  You  oblige  me  by  fpeaking  your  fentiments  fo 
 plainly  :  with  the  lame  plainnefs  I  will  anlwer.  So 
 far  as  I  know  myfelf,  I  have  no  more  concern  for  the 
 reputation  of  Methodifm,  or  my  own,  than  for  the  re- 
 putation of  Preftcr  John.  I  have  the  fame  point  in 
 view,  as  when  I  fet  out,  The  promoting  as  I  am  able, 
 vital,  pra6lical  religion  :  and  in  all  our  difcipline,  I 
 ftill  aim  at  the  continuance  of  the  work  which  God 
 has  already  begun  in  fo  many  fouls.  With  this  view, 
 and  this  only,  I  permitted  thofe  whom  I  believed  God 
 
 had 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  325 
 
 Jiad  Called  thereto,  to  comfort,  exhort,  and  inRrucl 
 their  brethren.  And  if  this  end  can  be  better  an- 
 fwered  fome  other  way,  I  ihall  fubfcribe  to  it  without 
 delay. 
 
 *'  But  is  that  which  you  propofe  a  better  way  ? 
 This  ihould  be  coolly  and  calmly  confidered. 
 
 *'  If  I  miftake  not,  there  are  now  in  the  county  of 
 Cornzuall  about  four  and  thirty  little  Societies,  part  of 
 whom  now  experience  the  love  of  God  ;  part  are  more 
 or  lefs  earneflly  feeking  k.  Four  Preachers,  Peter 
 Jaco,  Thomas  Johnfon,  William  Crabb,  and  William 
 Alwood,  defign  for  the  enfuing  year,  pardy  to  call 
 other  iinners  to  repentance,  but  chiefly  to  feed  and 
 guide  thofe  few  feeble  fheep  :  to  forward  them,  as  of 
 the  ability  which  God  giveth,  in  vital,  pradical 
 religion. 
 
 *'  Now  fuppofe  we  can  efFe61:,  That  Peter  Jaco,  and 
 Thomas  Johnjon^  be  ordained  and  fettled  in  the  Cura- 
 cies of  Bury  an  and  St.  Jujt :  and  fuppofe  William 
 Crabb,  and  William  Alwood,  fix  at  Launcejion  and  Ply- 
 mouth-Dock as  readers  and  exhorters  :  will  this  anfwer 
 the  end  which  I  have  in  view,  fo  well  as  travelling 
 through  the  county  ? 
 
 "  It  will  not  anfwer  it  fo  well,  even  with  regard  to 
 thofe  Societies,  among  whom  Peter  Jaco  and  Thomas 
 John/on  are  fettled.  Be  their  talents  ever  fo  great, 
 they  will  ere  long  grow  dead  themfelves,  and  fo  v/ill 
 moll  of  thofe  that  hear  them.  I  know,  were  I  myfelf 
 to  preach  one  whole  year  in  one  place,  I  Ihould  preach 
 both  myfelf  and  mofl  of  my  congregation  afieep.  K- or 
 can   I  believe,  it  was-  ever  the  will  of  our  Lord,  that 
 
 Y  3 
 
S26        THE  LIFE  OF  iMR.  WESLEY. 
 
 any  congre-ration  lliould  have  only  one  teacher.  We 
 have  found  by  long  and  conflant  experience,  that  a 
 freouent  change  of  teachers  is  bed.  This  Preacher 
 has  one  talent,  that  another.  No  one  whom  I  ever 
 yet  knew,  has  all  the  talents  wliich  are  needful  for 
 heginning^  continuing  and  peifecling  the  work  of  grace 
 in  a  whole  congregation. 
 
 ^'  But  fuppofe  this  would  better  anfwer  the  end, 
 with  reorard  to  thofe  two  Societies,  would  it  anfwer  in 
 thofe  where  William  Alzuood  and  William  Crabbwere 
 fettled  as  infpe6lors  or  readers  ?  Firfh,  who  fhall  feed 
 them  with  the  milk  of  the  word  ?  The  Miniflers  of 
 their  parifhcs  ?  Alas,  they  cannot  :  they  themfelves 
 neither  know,  nor  live,  nor  teach  the  Gofpel.  Thefe 
 readers  ?  Can  then  either  they,  or  I,  or  you,  always 
 find  fomething  to  read  to  our  congregation,  which 
 will  be  as  exattly  adapted  to  their  W3ints,  and  as  much 
 bleffed  to  them  as  our  preaching  ?  And  here  is  ano- 
 ther difHculty  ftill  :  what  authority  have  I  to  forbid 
 their  doing  what  I  believe  God  has  called  them  to  do  ? 
 I  apprehend  indeed,  that  there  ought,  if  pofTible,  to 
 be  both  an  outward  and  inward  call  to  this  work  :  yet, 
 if  one  of  the  two  be  fuppofed  wanting,  I  had  rather 
 want  the  outward  than  the  inward  call.  I  rejoice  that 
 I  am  called  to  preach  the  Gofpel  both  by  God  and 
 man.  Yet  I  acknowledge,  I  had  rather  have  the 
 divine  without  the  human,  than  the  human  without 
 the  divine  call. 
 
 *'  But  waving  this,  and  fuppofmg  thefe  four  Socie- 
 ties to  be  better  provided  for  than  they  were  before  : 
 Tyhat  becomes  of  the  other  thirty  ?  Will  they  profper 
 
 as 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  327 
 
 as  well  when  they  are  left  as  fheep  without  a  fhep- 
 herd  ?  The  experiment  has  been  tried  again  and 
 again  ;  and  always  with  the  fame  efFe61; :  even  the 
 ilrong  in  faith  grew  weak  and  faint;  many  of  the 
 weak  made  (hip wreck  of  the  faith.  The  awakened 
 fell  afleep ;  finners  changed  for  a  while,  returned  as 
 a  dog  to  the  vomit.  And  fo,  by  our  lack  of  fervice, 
 many  of  the  fouls  perifhed  for  whom  Chrill  died. 
 Now,  had  we  willingly  withdrawn  our  fervice  from 
 them,  by  voluntarily  fettling  in  one  place,  what  ac- 
 count of  this  could  we  have  given  to  the  great  Shepherd 
 lof  all  our  fouls  ? 
 
 *'  I  cannot  therefore  fee,  how  any  of  thofe  four 
 Preachers,  or  any  other  in  like  circumftances,  can 
 ever,  while  they  have  health  and  flrength,  ordained  or 
 unordained,  fix  in  one  place,  without  a  grievous 
 wound  to  their  own  confcience,  and  damage  to  the 
 general  work  of  God.  Yet  I  truft  I  am  open  to  con- 
 idQion  ;  and  your  farther  thoughts  on  this  or  any 
 iubje6l,  will  be  always  acceptable  to, 
 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 Your  auedionate  brother  and  fellow  labourer, 
 
 John  Wesley." 
 
 To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walker. 
 
 We  cannot  here  omit  mentioning  that  excellent  and 
 laborious  Minifler,  the  late  Mr.  GrimJJiaw,  Redor  of 
 Haworth  in  YorkJJiire,  who  about  this  time  went  to  his 
 reward.  He  was  indeed  a  man  of  God.  He  heartily 
 joined  Mr.  Wejley  in  his  work,  and  was  fo  great  an  in- 
 ftvument  of  promoting  the  revival  in    YorkJIiirc,   that 
 
 Y  4  ,     we 
 
3^8         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 we  fliall  be  excufed,  if  we  give    Mr.  We/Iey's  own    ac- 
 count  of  his  truly  chriftian  life,  and  apofloiic  labours. 
 *'  It  was  at  this  time  that  Mr.  Gritnfliaw  fell  afleep. 
 He  was  born  Sept,  3,     1708,  at    Brindle,    fix   miles 
 fouth  of  Prejlon  in  Lancajhire,  and  educated  at  the 
 fchools  of  Blackburn  and  Hejkin,  in  the  fame  county. 
 Even  then  the  thoughts  of  death  and  judgment  made 
 fome  imprefTion  upon  him.     At  eighteen  he  was  ad- 
 mitted at  Chrijl's  College  in  Cambridge.     Here  bad  ex- 
 ample  fo  carried  him  away,    that  for  more  than  two 
 years  he  feemed  utterly  to  have  loft  all  fenfe  of  feri- 
 pufnefs  ;  which  did  not  revive,  till  the  day  he  was  or- 
 dained deacon,    in  the  year  1731.     On  that  day  he 
 was  much  aflfe^ed  with  the  fenfe  of  the  importance  of 
 the  miniflerial  office.     And  this  was  increafed  by  his 
 converfing  with  fome  at  Rochdale,    who  met  once  a 
 week  to  read  and  fmg  and  pray.     But  on  his  removal 
 to  Todmorden  foon  after,  he  quite  dropped  his  pious 
 acquaintance,  conformed  to  the  world,  followed  all 
 its  diverfions,  and  contented  himfelf  with  "  doing  his 
 ^uty"  on  Sundays. 
 
 But  about  the  year  1734,  he  began  to  think  fc- 
 rioufly  again.  He  left  off  all  his  diverfions ;  he 
 began  to  catcchife  the  young  people,  to  preach  the  ab- 
 folute  neceflity  of  a  devout  life;  and  to  vifit  his 
 people,  not  in  order  to  be  merry  with  them  as  before, 
 but  to  prefs  them  to  feek  the  falvation  of  the^r 
 fouls. 
 
 At  this  period  alfo,  he  began  himfelf  to  pray  in  fe- 
 <:ret  four  times  a  day.  And  the  God  of  all  grace, 
 who  prepared  his  heart  to  pray,  foon  gave  the  anfwer 
 
 to 
 
 m 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 329 
 
 to  Ills  prayer:  not  indeed  as  he  expected;  not  in  joy 
 or  peace,  but  by  bringing  upon  i)i;n  very  flrong  and 
 painful  conviclions  of  his  own  guilt,  and  helplefsnefs, 
 ;and  mifery ;  by  difcovering  to  him  what  he  did  not 
 fufpe6l  before,  that  his  heart  v/as  deceitful  and  def- 
 perately  vv^icked  ;  and  what  was  more  affli6]:ing  ftill, 
 that  all  his  duties  and  labours  couid  not  procure  him 
 pardon,  or  gain  him  a  title  to  eternal  life.  In  this 
 trouble  he  continued  more  than  three  years,  not  ac- 
 quainting any  one  with  the  diflrefs  he  fuffered;  till 
 one  day,  (in  1742,)  being  in  the  utmofl  agony  of 
 mind,  there  was  clearly  reprefented  to  him,  Jefus 
 Chrifl  pleading  for  him  with  God  the  Father,  and 
 gaining  a  free  pardon  for  him.  In  that  moment  all 
 his  fears  vanifiied  away,  and  he  was  filled  with  joy 
 unfpeakable.  ''  1  was  now,  fays  he,  willing  to  re- 
 nounce m.yfelf,  and  to  embrace  Chrifl;  for  my  all  in 
 all.  O  what  light  and  comfort  did  I  enjoy  in  my 
 own  foul,  and  what  a  tafle  of  the  pardoning  love  of 
 God!" 
 
 All  this  time  he  was  an  entire  ftranger  to  the  people 
 called  Methodifls,  whom  afterwards  he  thought  it  his 
 duty  to  countenance,  and  to  labour  with  in  his 
 neis^hbourhood.  He  was  an  entire  ftranp-er  alfo  to 
 all  their  writings,  till  he  catl^  to  Haworth.  And 
 then  the  good  efFe6ts  of  his  preaching  foon  became 
 vifible.  Many  of  his  'flock  were  brought  into  deep 
 concern  for  falvation,  and  wrere,  in  a  little  time  after, 
 filled  with  peace  and  joy  through  believing.  And  as 
 in  ancient  times,  the  whole  congregation  have  been 
 pften  feen  in  tears,  on  account  of  their  provocations 
 
 again  H 
 
330        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 againft  God,  and  under  a  fcnfe  of  his  goodnefs  in 
 yet  fparing  them. 
 
 His  lively  manner  of  reprefenting  the  truths  of  God 
 could  not  fail  of  being  much  talked  of,  and  bringing 
 rnany  hundreds  out  of  curiofity  to  Haworih  church  : 
 who  received  fo  much  benefit  by  what  they  heard, 
 that  when  the  novelty  was  long  over,  the  church  con- 
 tinued to  be  full  of  people,  many  of  whom  came  from 
 far,  and  this  for  twenty  years  together. 
 
 Mr.  GrimJIia-w  was  now  too  happy  himfelf  in  the 
 knowledge  of  Chrill,  to  reft  fatisfied,  without  taking 
 every  method,  he  thought  likely,  to  fpread  the  know- 
 ledge of  his  God  and  Saviour.  And  as  the  very  in- 
 digent conftantly  make  their  want  of  better  cloaths 
 to  appear  in,  an  excufe  for  not  coming  to  church  in 
 the  day-time,  he  contrived,  for  them  chiefly,  a  lefture 
 on  Sunday-evenings,  though  he  had  preached  twice 
 in  the  day  before.  God  was  plea  fed  to  give  great 
 fuccefs  to  thefe  attempts,  which  animated  him  ftill 
 more  to  fpend  and  be  fpent  for  Chrift.  So  the  next 
 year  he  began  a  method,  w^hich  was  continued  by 
 him  for  ever  after,  of  preaching  in  each  of  the  four 
 hamlets  he  had  under  his  care  three  times  every 
 month.  By  this  means  the  old  and  infirm,  who 
 could  not  attend  the  church,  had  the  truth  of  God 
 brought  to  their  houfes ;  and  many,  who  were  fo 
 profane  as  to  make  the  dillance  from  x)\q^  houfe  of 
 God  a  reafon  for  fcarce  ever  coming  to  it,  were  al- 
 lured to  hear.  By  this  time,  the  great  labour  with 
 which  he  inllrudcd  his  own  people ;  the  holinefs  of 
 liis  convcrfaUon,   and  the  benefit,    which  very  many 
 
 froui 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  331 
 
 from  the  neighbouring  parifhes  had  obtained  by  at- 
 tending his  rainifliy  ;  concurred  to  bring  upon  him 
 many  earnefl  intreaties  to  come  to  their  houfcs,  who 
 lived  in  the  neighbouring  parilhes,  and  expound  the 
 word  of  God  to  fouls  as  ignorant  as  they  had  been 
 themfclves.  This  requeft  he  did  not  dare  to  refufe: 
 fo  that  while  he  provided  abundantly  for  his  own 
 flock,  he  annually  found  opportunity  of  preaching 
 near  three  hundred  times,  to  congregations  in  other 
 parts. 
 
 And  for  a  courfe  of  fifteen  years,  or  upwards,  he 
 ufed  to  preach  every  week,  fifteen,  twenty,  and 
 fometimes  thirty  times,  befides  vifiting  the  fick,  and 
 other  occafional  duties  of  his  function.  It  is  not  eafy 
 to  afcribe  fuch  unwearied  diligence,  chiefly  among 
 the  poor,  to  any  motive  but  the  real  one.  He 
 thought  he  would  never  keep  filence,  while  he  could 
 fpeak  to  the  honour  of  that  God,  who  had  done  fo 
 much  for  his  foul.  And  while  he  faw  finners  perifli- 
 in?  for  lack  of  knowledge,  and  no  one  breakino^  to 
 them  the  bread  of  life,  he  was  conflrained,  notwith- 
 ftanding  the  reluctance  he  felt  within,  to  give  up  his 
 name  to  flill  greater  reproach,  as  well  as  all  his  time 
 and  flrength  to  the  work  of  the  miniftry. 
 
 During  this  intenfe  application  to  what  was  the. 
 delight  of  his  heart,  God  was  exceeding  favourable 
 to  him.  In  fixteen  years  he  was  only  once  fuf- 
 pended  from  his  labour  by  ficknefs,  though  he  dared 
 all  weathers,  upon  the  bleak  mountains,  and  ufecj, 
 his  body  with  lefs  compaflion,  than  a  merciful  man 
 would  ufe  his  bead.     His  foul  at  various  times  en- 
 
 joyc4 
 
332  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 joyed  large  manifeRations  of  God's  love ;  and  he 
 drank  deep. into  his  Spirit.  His  cup  ran  over,  and 
 at  fome  feafons,  his  faith  was  fo  flrong  and  his  hope 
 fo  abundant,  that  higher  degrees  of  fpiritual  delight 
 would  have  overpowered  his  mortal  frame. 
 
 In  this  manner  Mr.  Grimjliaxo  employed  all  his 
 powers  and  talents  even  to  his  lad  illnefs.  And  his 
 labours  were  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  He  faw  an  ef- 
 fe6lual  change  take  place  in  many  of  his  flock  ;  and  a 
 reftraint  from  the  commiffion  of  fin  brought  upon  the 
 parifh  in  general.  He  faw  the  name  of  Jefus  exalted, 
 and  many  fouls  happy  in  the  knowledge  of  him,  and 
 walking  as  became  the  gofpel.  Happy  he  was  him- 
 felf,  in  being  kept  by  the  power  of  God,  unblamable 
 in  his  converfation  :  happy  in  being  beloved  in  feveral 
 of  the  lafh  years  of  his  fife,  by  every  one  in  his  parifh  ; 
 who,  whether  they  would  be  perfuaded  by  him  to  for- 
 fake  the  evil  of  their  ways,  or  no,  had  no  doubt  that 
 Mr.  Grimjhatx)  was  their  cordial  friend.  Hence,  at  his 
 departure,  a  general  concern  Avas  vifible  through  his 
 parifli.  Hence  his  body  was  interred  v/ith  what  is 
 more  ennobling  than  all  the  pomp  of  a  royal  funeral : 
 for  he  was  followed  to  the  grave  by  a  great  multitude, 
 with  afFe6lionate  fighs,  and  fnany  tears  ;  who  cannot 
 flill  hear  his  much-loved  name  without  weeping  for 
 the  guide  of  their  fouls,  to  whom  each  of  them  was 
 dear  as  children  to  their  father. 
 
 His  behaviour,  throughout  his.  lafl  ficknefs,  was  of 
 a  piece  with  the  lafl  twenty  years  of  his  life.  From 
 the  very  firfl:  attack  of  his  fever,  he  welcom.ed  its  ap- 
 proach.    His  intimate  knowledge  of  Chrifl  abolifhed 
 
 all 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         333 
 
 all  the  relu6lance  nature,  feels  to  a  dilToiution  ;  and 
 triumphing  in  Him,  who  is  the  refurre6lion  and  the 
 life,  he  departed  April  7th,  1762,  in  the  55th  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  tvv'enty-hrft  of  eminent  ufefulnefs/* 
 
 Whoever  feriouily  conliders  the  foregoing  pages, 
 will  readily  conclude  that  the  work  carried  on  by  Mr. 
 TVe/lcy  Rudhis  afiiftants  was  really  of  God.  The  great 
 concern  for  religion,  which  was  evident  in  many  thou- 
 fands,  who  were  before  carelefs,  or  profane ;  the  zm- 
 prejjion  made  on  their  minds,  of  the  importance  of 
 et'ernal  things  ;  their  being  fo  deeply  convinced  of  the 
 number  and  heinoufmjs  of  their  lins,  from  which  con- 
 ^  vi6lion  fp  rung /ri/z/i  meet  for  repentance  :  their  being 
 made  happy  partakers  of  righteoufnefs,  peace,  and  joy  in 
 the  Holy  GhcJI,  and  walking  in  all  holinefs,  were  de- 
 monftrable  proofs  of  this.  For  is  there  any  name 
 given  under  heaven,  whereby  men  can  be  thus  faved, 
 ;   but  the  name  of  Chritl  alone  ? 
 
 But  the  Lord,  at  fundry  times,  and  in  divers  places, 
 poured  out  his  Spirit  in  a  remarkable  manner.  This 
 religious  concern,  thefe  divine  iinprejjions,,  and  their  con- 
 fequent  fruits,  attended  the  preaching  of  God's  word 
 in  fo  great  a  degree  upon  thofe  occaiions,  that  more 
 were  converted  in  a  few  months,  or  even  weeks  or 
 days  at  fuch  times,  than  for  feveral  years  before. 
 -Many  parts  of  thefe  kingdoms  have  been  thus  favour- 
 ed, at  different  feafons ;  but  efpecially  about  the  year 
 1760,  and  for  fome  years  after.  In  London  particu- 
 larly this  revival  of  rehgion  was  great  and  confpicu- 
 ous  ;  many  hundreds  were;  added  to  the  focieties,  and 
 the  word  of  the  Lord  was  glorified  among  them. 
 
 The 
 
334  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 The  city  of  London  had  been  highly  favoured  frorrl 
 the  commencement  of  Mr.  Wejleys  labours.  He  ufually 
 refided  there  during  the  winter  months.  There  were 
 now  feveral  chapels  therein  under  his  diredion.  In 
 fome  of  thefe,  on  every  Lord's  day,  the  ferVice  of  the 
 church  of  England  was  performed,  and  the  Lord's 
 Supper  adminiflered.  Mr.  Maxjield,  whom  we  have 
 already  mentioned,  was  ordained  by  the  late  Bifhop  of 
 Londonderry,  who  refided  for  fome  time  at  Bath  for  the 
 benefit  of  his  health.  The  Eifliop  received  him  at 
 Mr.  Wejleys  recommendation,  faying,  ''  Sir,  I  ordain 
 you,  to  aiTift  that  good  man,  that  he  may  not  work 
 himfelf  to  death."  He  did  affift  Mr.  Wejley  for  fome 
 years,  and  was  eminently  ufeful. 
 
 At  the  beginning  of  this  great  revival  of  religion 
 Mr.  Maxfield  was  in  London.  For  fome  time  he  la- 
 boured in  concert  with  Mr.  Wejley  and  the  other 
 "Dreachers.  But  this  did  not  continue.  The  fower 
 of  tares,  the  enemy  of  God  and  man,  began  now  again 
 to  pervert  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord.  While  hun- 
 dreds rejoiced  in  God  their  Saviour  with  joy  unfpeak- 
 able  and  full  of  glory,  and  yet  walked  humbly  with 
 him,  bemg  zealous  of  whatfoever  things  are  pure  and 
 lovely  and  of  good  report ;  others  were  not  fo  mind^ 
 cd.  Inilead  of  the  faith  which  worketh  by  love,  An* 
 tinomianifm  reared  its  head  again.  Dreams,  vifions 
 and  revelations  were,  now  honoured  more  than  the 
 written  word.  Some  of  the  preachers  bluntly  and 
 fharply  oppofed  the  fpreading  errors  ;  which  feemed 
 only  to  make  things  worfe.  But  on  Mr.  We/ley's  ar- 
 rival in  town,  the  vifionaries  flood  reproved.     For  a 
 
 confidcrable 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         335 
 
 confiderable  time,  as  he  himfelf  confelTes,  he  knew  not 
 how  to  a6l.  He  faw  that  much  good  was  done  •  but 
 he  alfo  faw  that  much  evil  was  intermixed.  Some  who 
 appeared  to  be  very  ufeful  among  the  people,  never- 
 thelefs  encouraged  thofe  things  which  are  fubverfive 
 of  true  order,  and  contrary  to  Scripture.  He  loved 
 Mr.  Maxfield  much,  and  hoped  all  good  concerning 
 him.  Yet  he  could  not  but  fee  that  he  rather  encou- 
 raged thofe  evils  than  oppofed  them.  He  therefore  , 
 retired  to  Canterbury  for  a  few  days,  from  whence  he 
 fent  him  the  following  letter. 
 
 "  Without  any  preface  or  ceremony,  which  is 
 needlefs  between  you  and  m.e,  I  will  fim.ply  and  plain- 
 ly tell  what  I  diOike,  in  your  dodrine,  fpirit,  or  out- 
 ward behaviour.  W^hen  I  {d^y yours,  I  include  brother 
 Bell  and  Otven,  and  thofe  who  are  moil  clofely  con- 
 r]e6led  with  them. 
 
 "1,1  like  your  do6lrine  of  perftclioTiy  or  pure 
 love  :  love  excluding  fm.  Your  infifting  that  it  h 
 merely  by  faith :  that  confequently  it  is  injlantaneous, 
 ^though  preceded  and  followed  by  a  gradual  work) 
 and  that  it  may  be  now,  at  this  inflant. 
 
 "  But  I  diilike,  your  fuppofing  man  may  be  as 
 perfe6l  as  an  angel,  that  he  can  be  ahfolutely  perfe6l  : 
 that  he  can  be  irifallihle,  or  above  being  tempted  :  or, 
 that  the  m.oment  he  is  pure  in  heart,  he  cannot  Jail 
 from  it. 
 
 *'  I  diOike  the  faying.  This  vras  nat  known  or 
 taught  among  us,  till  within  tv-^o  or  three  years.  I 
 grant,  you  did  not  know  it.  You  have  over  and 
 over  denied  inftantatieous  fandification  to  me.     But 
 
 1  have 
 
33^  TME  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 I  have  knoVv-n  and  taught  it  (and  fo  has  my  brother^ 
 as  our  writings  &ew)  above  thefe  twenty  years. 
 
 "  I  dirhke  your  dire6lly  or  indire£l^y  depreciating 
 juilihcation  :  faying,  a  juiliOed  perfon  is  not  in  Chriji, 
 is  not  bom  of  God,  is  not  fancitjitd,  not  a  temple  of  the 
 Holy  Ghcjl. ;  or  that  he  cannot  pleafe  God,  or  cannot 
 grow  in  grace, 
 
 "  I  diflike  your  faying,  that  one  faved  from  fin, 
 needs  nothing  more  than  looking  to  Jcfus,  needs  not  to 
 hear  or  think  of  any  thing  elfe  :  believe,  believe  is 
 enough:  that  he  needs  no  felf-examination,  no  times 
 of  private  prayer :  needs  not  mind  little,  or  outward 
 things  :  and  that  he  cannot  be  taught  by  any  perfon, 
 who  is  not  in  the  lame  ftate. 
 
 ''  I  diflike  your  affirming,  that  juftified  perfons  in 
 general  perfecute  them  that  are  faved  from  fin :  that 
 ihty  have  perfecuted j)'r/it  on  thi^  account :  and  that  for 
 ttoo  years  pall,  you  have  been  more  perfecuted  h}'  the 
 two  brothers,  than  ever  you  was  hy  the  world  in  all 
 your  hfe. 
 
 ''  2.  As  to  your  fpirit,  I  like  your  confidence  in 
 God,  and  your  zeal  for  the  falvation  of  fouls. 
 
 "  But  I  diflike  fomething  which  has  the  appear- 
 ance of  pride,  of  o\'ervaluing  yourfeives  and  under- 
 valuing others  :  particularly  the  Preachers,  thinking 
 not  only  that  they  are  blind,  and  that  they  are  not 
 fcnt  of  God  ;  but  even  t^iat  they  are  dead  ;  dead  to 
 God,  and  walking  in  the  way  to  hell :  that  "  they  are 
 going  one  way,  you  another  ;"  that  "  they  have  no  life 
 in  them!"  Your  I'peaking  of  yourjelves,  as  though  you 
 were  the  only  men  who  knew  and  taught  the  Gofpel  ; 
 
 and 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         337 
 
 and  as  if,  not  only  aU  the  Clergy,  but  all  the  Methodijls 
 befides,  were  in  utter  darknefs. 
 
 **  I  diflike  fomething  that  has  the  appearance  of 
 tnthujiafoi :  ovevv3ilmng  feeli7igs  and  inward  imprejfions : 
 miflaking  the  mere  work  of  imagination  for  the  voice 
 of  the  Spirit :  expe6ling  the  end  without  the  means, 
 and  undervaluing  reafon,  knowledge  and  wifdom  in 
 general. 
 
 1^,^     *'  I  diilike  fomething  that  has  the  appearance  of 
 
 Antinomianifm  ;  not  magnifying  the  law,  and  making 
 
 it  honourable  :  not  enough  valuing  iendernefs  of  coii" 
 
 fcience,  and  exaft  watchfulnejs  in  order  thereto  :  ufing 
 
 faith  rather  as  contradiftinguifhed  from  holinefs,  than 
 
 as  produ6live  of  it. 
 
 *'  But  what  I  moft  of  all  diftike  is,  your  Uttlenefs 
 tflove  to  your  brethren,  to  your  own  fociety  :  your 
 want  o^  union  of  heart  with  them,  and  bowels  of  mer^ 
 ties  toward  them :  your  want  of  meeknefs,  gentlenefs^ 
 longfuffcring  :  your  i?npatience  of  contradiBion :  your 
 counting  every  man  your  enemy  that  reproves  or  ad- 
 monifhes  you  in  love  :  your  bigotry  and  narrownefs  of 
 fpirit,  loving  in  a  manner  only  thofe  that  \o\q.  you  : 
 your  cenforioujnefSi    pronenefs  to  think  hardly  of  all, 
 
 i .  who  do  not  exa6lly  agree  with  you :  in  one  word^ 
 your  divifive  fpirit.  Indeed  I  do  not  believe,  that 
 any  of  you  either  defign  or  defire  a  feparation.     But: 
 
 i  you  do  not  enoughy^^r,  abhor  and  deteji  it,  fhudder- 
 
 j  ing  at  the  very  thought.  And  all  the  preceding  tem- 
 pers tend  to  it,  and  gradually  prepare  you  for  it. 
 Obferve,  I  tell  you  before !  God  grant  you  may 
 immediately  and  afFeclionately  take  the  warning  ! 
 
 Z     '  !-'3.  At 
 
538         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 *'  3.  As  to  your  outward  behaviour,  I  like  the  gene* 
 ral  tenor  of  your  life,  devoted  to  God,  and  fpent  in 
 doing  good. 
 
 "  But  I  diflike  your  flighting  any,  the  very  leaft 
 rules  of  the  Bands  or  Society  ;  and  your  doing  any 
 thing  that  tends  to  hinder  others  from  exa6lly  ob- 
 ferving  them.     Therefore 
 
 *'  I  diflike  your  appointing  fuch  meetings,  as  hinder 
 others  from  attending  either  the  public  preaching,  or 
 their  Clafs  or  Band ;  or  any  other  meeting,  which 
 the  rules  of  the  Society  or  their  office  require  them  to 
 attend. 
 
 "  I  diflike  your  fpending  fo  much  tme  in  feveral 
 meetings,  as  many  that  attend  can  ill  fpare  from  their 
 other  duties  of  their  calling,  unlefs  they  omit  either 
 the  preaching,  or  their  Clafs  or  Band.  This  na- 
 turally tends  to  diifolve  our  Society,  by  cutting  the 
 linews  of  it. 
 
 "As  to  your  more  public  meetings,  I  like  the  pray- 
 ing fervently  and  largely  for  all  the  blefhngs  of  God. 
 And  I  know  much  good  has  been  done  hereby,  and 
 hope  much  more  will  be  done. 
 
 *'  But  I  diflike  feveral  things  therein:  1.  The  ling- 
 ing,  or  fpeaking,  or  praying,  of  feveral  at  once  :  2. 
 The  praying  to  the  Son  of  God  only,  or  more  than  to 
 the  Father  :  3.  The  uling  improper  expreffions  in 
 prayer  :  fometimes  too  bold,  if  not  irreverent :  fome- 
 timcs  too  pompous  and  magnificent,  extolling  your- 
 felves  rather  than  God,  and  telling  him  what  you  are^ 
 not  what  you  want :  4.  Ufing  poor,  flat,  bald,  hymns: 
 g.  The  never  kneeling  at  prayer :  6.  Your  uling 
 a  poflures 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.'         339 
 
 poflures  or  gellures  highly  indecent :  7.  Your  fcream- 
 ing,  even  fo  as  to  make  the  words  unintelligible  :  8. 
 Your  affirming  people  will  be  juftified  or  fandified 
 jufl  now  :  9.  The  affirming  they  are,  when  they  are 
 not:  10.  The  bidding  them  fay,  I  believe  :  11.  The 
 bitterly  condemning  any  that  oppofe,  calling  them 
 wolves,  &c.  and  pronouncing  them  hypocrites,  or 
 not  juftified. 
 
 "  Read  this  calmly  and  impartially  before  the  Lord 
 
 in  prayer.  So  fhall  the  evil  ceafe,  and  the  good 
 remain.  And  you  will  then  be  more  than  ever 
 united  to 
 
 Your  affectionate  Brother, 
 Canterbury,  Nov.  2,  1762.  J.  Wesley." 
 
 It  does  not  appear  that  this  letter  had  any  efFe6l, 
 George  Bell,  mentioned  above  as  an  intimate  of  Mr, 
 Maxfield,  was  a  Serjeant  in  the  Life-guards.  He  wa5 
 at  one  time  unqueft ionably  a  man  of  piety,  of  deep 
 communion  with  God,  and  of  extraordinary  zeal  for 
 the  converfion  of  fouls.  But  he  was  not  a  man  of  un- 
 derftanding :  his  imagination  was  lively,  but  his 
 judgment  weak.  While  therefore  he  hearkened  to 
 the  advice  of  thofe  who  had  longer  experience  in  the 
 ways  of  God  than  himfelf,  as  well  as  more  knowledge 
 of  the  devices  of  vSatan,  he  was  a  pattern  to  all,  and 
 eminently  ufeful  to  his  brethren.  But  not  continuing 
 to  regard  either  them  or  his  Bible,  he  fell  into  enthu- 
 fiafm,  pride,  and  great  uncharitablencfs.      Yet  Mr. 
 
 .  Z  .  2  Wc/ky, 
 
3-4^        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLET. 
 
 WcJIey,  it  appears,  was  very  tender  over  this  poor 
 man.  *'  Being  determined/*  fays  he,  "  to  hear  for  my- 
 ii?]f,  I  flood  where  I  could  hear  and  fee  without  being* 
 {Qtn.  George  Bell  prayed,  in^  the  whole,  pretty  near 
 an  hour.  His  fervour  of  fpirit  f  could  not  but  ad- 
 i^nirc.  I  afterwards  told  him  v/hat  I  did  not  admire  : 
 namely,  i .  His  fcreaming  tvtry  now  and  then  in  fa 
 ftrange  a  mannrr,  that  on€  could  fcarce  tell  what  he 
 faid  :  2.  His  thinking  he  had  the  miraculous  difcern- 
 ment  of  fpirits  :  and  3;.  His  fbarply  condemning  his 
 ©ppofers." 
 
 A  member  g^  tJie  Society,  foon  after,  obferved  to- 
 Mr.  WeJIcy,  ''  Sir,  I  employ  feveral  men.  Now,  if  one 
 of  my  fei-vants  will  not  follov/  m.y  directions;  is  rt  not 
 right  in  me  to  difcard  him  at  once  ?  Pray,  Sir, 
 apply  this  to  Mr.  BclL"  H^  anfwered,  "  It  is  right 
 to  difcard  fuch  Tijervant.  But  what  v/ould  you  do, 
 i-f  he  were  yeui  Son  ?"  All  this  time,  he  was  blamed 
 on  every  hand:  by  fomc,  becaufe  he  did  not  reprove 
 thofe  peifons  :  hy  themfelves,  becaufe,  as  they  faid,  he 
 was  continually  i^eproving  them.  ''  I  had  a  fecond  op- 
 portunity,'' obferves  Mr.  WeJ/ty,  "  of  hearing  George 
 Bell.  I  bclim^e,  part  of  what  he  fliid,  was  from  God 
 ^'this  was  my  reflexion  at  that  time)  part  from  an 
 heated  imagination.  But  as  li€  did  not  fcream,  and 
 there  was  nothing  dangeroufly  wrong,  I  do  not  y^t 
 fee  caufe  to  hinder  him."  He  heard  him  once  more 
 on  that  d,vy  fennight.  "I  was  then  convinced,"  fays- 
 he,  "  that  he  mufl  not  continue  to  pray  at  the  Foun- 
 dery.  The  reproach  of  Chiift  I  am  willing  to  bear; 
 1  but 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  3^1 
 
 Irat  not  the  reproach  of  Esthufiafm,   if  I  can  help 
 it, 
 
 *•  All  this  time,"  he  proceed-s,  "  I  did  not  want  in- 
 formation from  ail  quarters,  That  Mr.  Maxjield  wds, 
 at  the  bottom  of  all  this :  that  he  was  the  life  of  the 
 caufe  :  -that  he  was  continually  fpiriting  up  all  with 
 whom  he  was  intimate,  againfl  me  :  that  he  told 
 Chem,  I  was  not  capable  of  teacliing  them  ;  and  in^ 
 fmuated,  that  none  was  but  hirafelf ;  and  that  the 
 inevitable  confeq-uence  mufl  be,  a  divifion  in  the 
 Society/* 
 
 But  George  Bell  became  flill  more  wild :  and  as  he 
 took  every  ftrong  impreffion  made  upon  his  mind,  as 
 a  revelation  from  God,  he  at  lafl  propheiied,  in  Jan, 
 1763,  That  "the  end  of  the  world  would  be  on  the 
 ^Sth.  of  February  following.'*  Mr.  fF^.'?^^  explicitly 
 declared  againil  this,  firll  in  the  Society,  then  in 
 preaching,  and  afterwards  in  the  public  papers. 
 When  the  day  arrived,  he  preached  at  Spitaljiclds  in 
 the  evening  on  '•  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God/'  thus 
 turning  to  religious  profit,  the  terror  which  had 
 Seized  upon  many.  After  expounding  the  paffage, 
 he  largely  (hewed  the  utter  abfurdity  of  the  fuppo- 
 iition,  that  the  world  would  be  at  an  end  that  night. 
 But  notwithilanding  all  he  could  fay,  many  were 
 afraid  to  go  to  bed,  and  fome  wandered  about  in  the 
 fields,  being  perfuaded,  that  if  the  world  did  not  end, 
 at  ieafl  London  would  be  fwallowed  up  by  an  earth- 
 quake. But  he  went  to  bed  at  his  ufual  time,  and 
 was  fail  aileep  about  t^n  o'clock. 
 
 2)  3  Thiui^s 
 
§42  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Things  now  ripened  apace  for  a  feparation  :  to 
 prevent  which  (if  poflible)  he  delired  all  the  Preachers, 
 as  they  had  time,  to  be  prefent  at  all  meetings,  when 
 He  could  not  himfelf ;  particularly  at  the  Friday-meet- 
 ing, in  the  chapel  at  Wejl-Street.  At  this  Mr.  Maxfidd 
 was  highly  offended,  and  v/rote  to  him  as  follows  : 
 
 '*  I  wrote  to  you,  to  afk  if  thofe  who  before  met 
 at  brother  Guilford's,  might  not  meet  in  the  chapel. 
 Soon  after  you  came  to  town,  the  Preachers  were 
 brought  into  the  meeting,  though  you  told  me  again, 
 and  again,  they  ihould  not  come.''  (True  ;  remarks 
 Mr.  We/Iey,  but  lince  I  faid  this,  there  has  been  an 
 entire  change  in  the  fituation  of  things.)  *'  Had  I 
 known  this,  I  would  rather  have  paid  for  a  room  out 
 of  my  own  pocket.  I  am  not  fpeaking  of  the  people 
 that  met  at  the  poundery  before  :   though  I  let  fome  of 
 
 them'  come  to  that  meeting. If  you  intend  to  have 
 
 the  Preachers  there  to  watch,  and  others  that  /  think 
 very  unjit,  and  will  not  give  me  liberty  to  give  leave 
 to  fome  that  /  think  Jit  to  be  there,  I  fhall  not  think 
 it  my  duty  to  meet  them." — So  from  this  time  he  kept 
 a  feparate  meeting  elfewhere. 
 
 Shortly  after  this,  Mr,  MaxJieldYt^n^td.  to  preach  at 
 the  Foundcry  according  to  appointment.  Mr.  Wejley 
 who  was  at  Wejlminflcr,  where  he  intended  to  preach, 
 hearing  this,  immediately  returned  to  the  Foundcry^ 
 and  preached  himfelf  on  the  words  of  Jacob,  If  I  am 
 Icreavedofmy  children,  I  am  bereaved.     Thus  was  that 
 
 breach 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         343 
 
 treach  made,  which  could  never  afterwards  be  made 
 up. 
 
 Mr.  Maxjield  lived  about  twenty  years  after  this 
 reparation,  and  preached  in  a  meeting-houfe  near 
 Moorfields  to  a  large  congregation.  Several  who  fepa- 
 rated  with  him,  continued  with  him  to  the  laft : 
 though  far  the  greater  part  returned.  Mr.  We/ley 
 mourned  over  him,  as  an  old  and  valuable  friend,  and 
 as  the  fir  ft  Preacher  of  the  Gofpel,  who  fubmitted  to. 
 his  direftion.  But  he  always  confidered  his  behaviour 
 in  the  prefent  inftance,  as  both  ungrateful  andunjuft: 
 as  well  as  giving  a  ftab  to  the  caufe  of  true  religion 
 in  London,  which  it  did  not  entirely  recover  for  feveral 
 years.  Poor  George  Bell  is  ftill  alive ;  but  he  makes 
 no  pretenfions  to  religion.  He  has  been  for  many 
 years  a  deplorable  inftance  of  the  danger  which 
 arifes  even  to  truly  pious  perfons,  from  giving  place 
 to  any  imprejfion  that  does  not  agree  with  the  only  true 
 flandard,   The  word  of  God, 
 
 The  great  revival  of  religion  was  not  however 
 flopped  by  this  unhappy  feparation,  or  by  the  extra- 
 vagance which  led  to  it.  Mr.  Wejley  foon  after  vilited. 
 many  parts  of  England,  in  which  he  found  the  fame 
 deep  concern  for  genuine  piety,  with  the  fame  inward,, 
 experimental  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  as  our 
 Redeemer  and  San6lifier,  which  had  been  fo  remarka- 
 ble in  London,  Mean  time  the  crowds  that  flocked 
 to  hear  the  word  of  God,  were  immenfe.  At  Newcajllc 
 Upon  Tyne,  he  was  obliged  to,  preach  in  the  open  air  at 
 jp.ve  ill  tjie  morning ! 
 
 ?4  Q-^ 
 
344  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 On  his  return  to  London  he  examined  the  Societ^-j, 
 and  found  that  one  hundred  and  feventy-five  perfons 
 had  feparated  from  their  brethren.  But  the  gracious 
 work  of  God  ftill  continued  among  thofe  who  re- 
 mained. 
 
 *'  I  flood  and  looked  back,"  fays  he,  *'  on  the  late 
 occurrences.  The  peculiar  work  of  this  feafon  has  been, 
 iv^hat  St.  Paul  calls  The  perfcEling  of  the  faints.  Many 
 perfons  in  London,  Brijlol,  York,  and  in  various  parts 
 both  of  England  and  Ireland,  have  experienced  fo 
 deep  and  univerfal  a  change,  as  it  had  not  before  en- 
 tered into  their  hearts  to  conceive.  After  a  deep  con- 
 vi6lion  of  inbred  fin,  of  their  total  fall  from  God,  they 
 have  been  fo  filled  with  faith  and  love,  (and  generally 
 in  a  moment)  that  fin  vanifhed,  and  they  found  from 
 that  time,  no  pride,  anger,  evil  defire,  or  unbelief. 
 They  could  rejoice  evermore,  pray  without  cealing, 
 and  in  every  thing  give  thanks.  Now  whether  we 
 call  this  the  deJlruHion  or  fufpeiijion  of  fin,  it  is  a  glori- 
 ous work  of  God  :  fuch  a  work,  as  confidering  both 
 the  depth  and  extent  of  it,  we  never  fav/  in  thefc  kingr 
 doms  before. 
 
 **  It  is  poffible,   fome  who  fpoke  in  this  manner 
 
 were  miflaken :  and  it  is  certain,   fome  have  lofl  what 
 
 « 
 
 they  then  received.  A  few  (very  few  compared  to 
 the  whole  number)  firfl  gave  way  to  enthufiafm,  then 
 to  pride,  next  to  prejudice  and  offence,  and  at  lafl 
 feparated  from  their  brethren.  But  although  this  laid 
 a  huge  flumbling-block  in  the  way,  ftill  the  work  of 
 God  Went  on.  Nor  has  it  ccafed  to  this  day  in  any 
 of  its  branches,  G od  ftill  convinces,  juftifies5faRClifieso 
 
 We 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  34 
 
 Q» 
 
 We  have  loll  only  the  drofs,  the  enthufiafm,  the  pre- 
 judice and  offence.  The  pure  gold  remains,  faith 
 working  by  love,  and  we  have  ground  to  believe,  in- 
 creafes  daily." 
 
 The  doclrines  of  the  Bible,  of  the  reformation,  and 
 
 of  the   Church  of  England,    were  now  preached  in 
 
 ^mofl  every  part  of  the  land.    Prefent  falvation  by 
 
 grace    through   faith,    and   univerfal  obedience  as   the 
 
 fruit  thereof,    urged    on    the    confciences    of    men, 
 
 caufed  praBicai  chrijlianity   again    to   revive.       And 
 
 .  to  ufe   the  words  of    a    pious    and  elegrant  writer  * 
 
 *'  Leaning  on    her  fair    daughters    Truth   and   Love, 
 
 She   took  a  folemn  walk  through  the  kingdom,  and 
 
 gave  a  foretafte     of    heaven  to  all   that  entertained 
 
 her.'*    *'  She  might,**  fays  he,    "  by  this  time  have 
 
 turned   this  favourite  ifle  into  a    land  flowing  with 
 
 fpiritual    milk    and    honey  :    if  Apoliyon,  dilguifcd 
 
 in  his  angelic  robes,    had  not  played,  and  did   not 
 
 continue  to  play,  his  old  (antinomian)  game." 
 
 We  have  already  {atn  this  myftery  of  iniquity 
 break  out  on  particular  occafions.  But  the 
 deadly  leaven  fpread  far  and  wide :  and  many 
 of  thofe,  whofe  hearts  it  had  alienated  from  God, 
 had  ftill  *'  a  name  to  live.'*  Some  of  them  were 
 even  accounted  pillars  in  their  refpe6live  congrega- 
 tions, who,  while  the  truly  pious  wept  and  prayed 
 for  them,  were  *'  at  eafe  in  Zion,**  having  only  the 
 form  of  godlinefs,    with    a  confidence  at    the    fame 
 
 *  The  late  Rev,  Mr.  Fletcher,  Vicar  of  Maddty,  Salop, 
 
 time 
 
§40         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY; 
 
 time  that  their  ftate  was  good,  bccaufe  ihey  knew  not 
 xuJiat  fpirit  they  were  of. 
 
 It  may  not  be  unacceptable,  if  we  give  a  piQure  of 
 this  fatal  dclufion,  drawn  by  the  fame  mafterly  hand. 
 "  At  this  time  we  fland  particularly  in  danger  of 
 fplitting  upon  the  Antinomian  rock.  Many  fmatterers 
 in  Chriftian  experience  talk  of  finifhed  falvation  in 
 Chrifl,  or  boafl  of  being  in  a  Hate  of  juflification  and 
 fan6lification,  while  they  know  little  of  themfelves, 
 and  lefs  of  Chrifl.  Their  whole  behaviour  teflifies, 
 that  their  heart  is  void  of  humble  love,  and  full  of 
 carnal  confidence.  They  cry,  Lord,  Lord,  with  as 
 much  alTurance,  and  as  little  right,  as  the  foolifh  vir- 
 gins. They  pafs  for  fweet  Chriilians,  dear  children 
 of  God,  and  good  believers ;  but  their  fecret  referves 
 evidence  them  to  be  only  fuch  believers  as  Simon 
 Magus,  Ananias,  and  Sapphira, 
 
 *'  Some  with  Diotrephes,  love  to  have  the  pre-eminence, 
 end  prate  malicious  zvords,  and  not  content  therewith,  they 
 do  not  themfelves  receive  the  brethren,  and  forbid  them  that 
 tvould.  Some  have  forjaken  the  right  way,  and  are  gone 
 ajlray,  following  the  way  of  Balaam,  who  loved  the  wages 
 of  unrig hteoufnefs ;  they  are  wells  without  water,  clouds 
 without  rain,  and  trees  without  fruit :  with  Judas  they 
 try  to  load  themfelves  with  thick  clay,  endeavour  to  lay  up 
 treafxres  en  earth,  and  make  provifion  for  the  flefi  to 
 fidfl  the  liijls  thereof  Some,  with  the  incefluous 
 Corinthian,  are  kd  captive  by  fefily  lujls,  and  falJ^ 
 into  the  greatell  enormities.  Others  with  the  lan- 
 guage of  the  awakened  publican  in  their  mouths,  are 
 fall  aflecp  in  their  fpirits  :    you  hear  them  fpeak   of 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  347 
 
 the  corruptions  of  their  hearts  in  as  unafFefled  and 
 airy  a  manner,  as  if  they  talked  of  freckles  upon  their 
 faces  :  it  feems  they  run  down  their  finfui  na- 
 ture, only  to  apologize  for  their  finful  practices ;  or 
 to  appear  great  proficients  in  felf-knowledge,  and 
 court  the  praife  due  to  genuine  humility. 
 
 ^'  Others  quietly  fettled  on  the  lees  of  the  Laodicean 
 flate,  by  the  whole  tenor  of  their  life  Jay  they  arc  rich 
 and  increafed  in  goods  and  have  need  of  nothing :  utter 
 firangers  to  hunger  and  ihirft  after  righteoifnefs,  they 
 never  importunately  beg,  never  wreflle  hard  for  the 
 hidden  manna  :  on  the  contrary,  they  fing  a  requiem 
 to  their  poor  dead  fouls,  and  fay,  '•'  Soul,  take  thine  cafe, 
 thou  hafl  goods  laid  up  in  Chrift  for  many  years,  yea,  for 
 ever  and  ever;"  and  thus,  like  Demas,  they  go  on 
 talking  of  Chrifl  and  heaven,  but  loving  their  eafe, 
 and  enjoying  this  prefent  world, 
 
 '•  Yet  many  of  thefe,  like  Herod,  hear  and  enter- 
 tain us  gladly  ;  but  like  him  alfo  they  keep  their  be- 
 loved fin,  pleading  for  it  as  a  right  eye,  and  faving  it 
 as  aC  right  hand.  To  this  day  their  bofom-corruption 
 is  not  only  alive,  but  indulged ;  their  treacherous 
 Delilah  is  hugged;  and  their  fpiritual^^<7^  walks  deli- 
 cately, and  boafts  that  the  bitternef  of  death  is  pafl,  and 
 he  fhall  never  be  hezved  in  pieces  before  the  Lord :  nay, 
 to  dare  fo  much  as  to  talk  of  his  dying  before  the  body, 
 becomes  an  almxofl  unpardonable  crime. 
 
 *'  Forms  and  fair    (hows  of  godlinefs  deceive  us  : 
 
 tnany,  whom  our  Lord  might  well  compare  to  whited 
 
 fepulchres,    look  like   angels   of  light  w^hen    they  are 
 
 abroad,    and  prove  tormenting  fiends  at  home.     We 
 
 fee 
 
348  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 fee  them  weep  under  fermons,  we  hear  them  pray 
 and  ling  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  angels  ;  they 
 even  profefs  the  faith  that  removes  mountains;  and 
 yet  by  and  by  we  difcover  they  Humble  at  every  mol«^ 
 hill ;  every  trifling  temptation  throws  them  into 
 peevifhnefs,  frctfulnels,  impatience,  ill  humour,  dif- 
 content,  anger,  and  fometimes  into  loud  paflion. 
 
 *'  Relative  duties  are  by  many  grofsly  negle^led  ; 
 hufbands  flight  their  wives,  or  wives  negledl  and 
 plague  their  hufbands ;  children  are  fpoiled,  parents 
 difregarded,  and  mailers  difobeyed :  yea,  fo  many 
 are  the  complaints  againfl:  fervants  profeffing  godli- 
 nefs  on  account  of  their  unfaithfulnefs,  indolence, 
 pert  anfwering  again,  forgetfulnefs  of  their  menial 
 condition,  or  infolent  expe6lations,  that  fome  ferious 
 perfons  prefer  thofe  who  have  no  knowledge  of  the 
 truth,  to  thofe  who  make  a  high  profefTion  of  it. 
 
 "  Knowledge  is  certainly  increafcd ;  many  run  to  and 
 fro  after  it,  but  it  is  feldom  experimental ;  tht  power 
 of  God  is  frequently  talked  of,  but  rarely  felt,  and  too 
 often  cried  down  under  the  defpicable  name  o^ frames 
 and  feelings,  Num.bers  yk^/^,  by  hearing  a  variety  of 
 Gofpel-miniflers,  reading  all  the  religious' books  that 
 are  publifhed,  learning  the  befl  tunes  to  our  hymns, 
 difputnig  on  controvez'ted  points  of  doftrine,  telling 
 or  hearing  Church-news,  and  liilening*  to  or  retailins^ 
 fpirituai  fcandal.  But  alas !  few  Jirive  in  pangs  of 
 heart-felt  conviclions,  few  de$iy  ihe^nfelves  and  lake  vp 
 their  crojs  daily  ;  few  take  the  kingdcm  oj  heaven  by  the 
 holy  viclence  of  wrcftling  faith,  and  agonizing  prayer  ; 
 few  Jeej  and  fewer  live  in,  the  kingdom  of  God,  which 
 
 iS 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         349 
 
 is  righteoufnefs,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  GIioJl,  In  a 
 tvord,  many  fay,  Lo  !  Chnjl  is  here  ;  and  lo  f  he  is  there; 
 but  feviT  can  coRfiflently  witnefs,  that  the  kingdom  of 
 heaven  is  within  them, 
 
 "  Many  afTert  that  the  clothing  0/  the  King  s  daughter 
 is  0/ wrought  gold,  but  few,  very  few  experience  that 
 J/ie  is  all  glorious  within  ;  and  it  is  well,  if  many  are  not 
 bold   enough   to  maintain  that  ffie  is  *'  all  full  of  cor- 
 ruptions." With  more  truth  than  ever  we  may  fav, 
 
 *'  Ye  different  fec^s,  wlia  all  declare 
 Lo  !  h^re  is  Chrift,  of  Chrift  is  there  j 
 Your  flronger  proofs  divinely  give. 
 And  fhevt^  us  where  ihe  ChriJHans  live. 
 Your  claim,  alas !  ye  cannot  prove, 
 Ye  want  the  genuine  mark  of  love.'' 
 
 '^  The  confequences  of  this  high,  and  yet  lifelefs^ 
 profeflion,  are  as  evident  as  they*  are  deplorable. 
 Selfifli  views,  fmifler  defigns,  inveterate  prejudice, 
 pitiful  bigotry,  party-fpirit,  felf-fufficiency,  contempt 
 of  other.%  envy,  jealoufy,  maUng  men  o^enders  for  cs 
 Tvord — pofTibly  a  fcriptural  word  too,  taking  advantage 
 of  each  other's  infirmities,  magnifying  innocent  mif. 
 fakes,  putting  the  worft  conllrudion  upon  each  other's 
 words  and  aclions,  falfe  accufations,  backbitino-. 
 malice,  revenge,  perfecution,  and  a  hundred  fuch 
 evils,  prevail  among  religious  people,  to  the  great 
 aftonifliment  of  the  children  of  the  world,  and  the 
 unfpeakable  grief  of  the  true  Ifraelites   that  yet   re- 
 
 mam  among  us. 
 
 « 
 
 Buf 
 
^AO         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 i3 
 
 ''  But  tliis  is  not  ail.  Some  of  our  hearers  do  'not 
 even  keep  to  the  great  outlines  of  heathen  morality : 
 not  f.itisncd  practically  to  reje6l  Chrift's  declaration, 
 that  it  is  more  blejjcd  to  give  than  to  receive,  they  pro- 
 ceed to  that  pitch  of  covetoufnefs  and  daring  injuflicc, 
 as  not  to  pay  their  jud  debts ;  yea,  and  to  cheat  and 
 extort,  whenever  they  have  a  fair  opportunity. 
 How  few  of  our  Societies  are  there,  where  this  or 
 fome  other  evil  has  not  broken  out,  and  given  fuch 
 fliakes  to  the  ark  of  the  gofpel,  that  had  not  the  Lord 
 wonderfully  interpofed,  it  mufl  long  ago  have  been 
 overfet  ?  And  you  know  how  to  this  day  the  name  and 
 truth  oj  God  are  openly  hlafpheined  among  the  baptized 
 Heathen^  through  the  Antinomian  lives  of  many,  who 
 Jay  they  are  Jews  when  they  are  not,  but  by  their  works 
 declare  they  are  of  the  fynagogue  of  Satan.  At  your 
 peril  therefore,  my  brethren,  countenance  them  not  : 
 I  know  you  would  not  do  it  clefignedly,  but  you  may 
 
 do  it  unawares  ;    therefore   take   heed more  than 
 
 ever  take  heed  to  your  do61:rine.  Let  it  be  fcrip^ 
 turally  evangelical :  give  not  the  children's  bread  un- 
 to dogs :  comfort  not  people  that  do  not  mourn. 
 When  you  fhould  give  emetics,  do  not  adminifter 
 cordials,  and  by  that  means  ftrengthen  the  hands  of 
 the  fiothful  and  unprofitable  fervant." 
 
 Mr.  Wejley  had  from  the  beginning  borne  a  faithful 
 tcftimony  againft  this  deluhon.  In  his  fermon  preached 
 before  the  Univerfity  of  Oxford,  fo  early  as  the  year 
 1738,  he  admitted  that  the  do61trine  of  falvation  by 
 faith  was  often  thus  abufed.  '*'  Many,"  fays  he,  *'  will 
 now,  as  in  the  Apoftles'  days,  continue  in  Jin ^  that  grace 
 
 may 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  351 
 
 Tfi^y  abound.  But  their  blood  ivS  on  their  own  head. 
 The  goodnefs  of  God  ought'  to  lead  them  to  repen- 
 tance; and  fo  it  will,  thofe  who  are  fincere  of  heart." 
 After  a  trial  of  more  than  thirty  years,  he  was  abun- 
 dantly confirmed  in  this  fentiment. 
 
 Therefore,  to  raife  a  bulwark  againfl  this  overflow- 
 ing of  ungodlinefs,  the  evil  principle  which  occafioned 
 it  was  taken  into  confide  ration,  in  the  Conference  of 
 the  year  1770.  Minutes  of  this  Conference  were  foou 
 afterwards  publifhed,  in  which  were  inferted  the  fol- 
 lowing propolitions. 
 
 "  Take  heed  to  your  do6lrine/* 
 
 We  faid  in  1744,  "  We  have  leaned  too  much  to- 
 ward Calvinifm."  Wherein  ? 
 
 1 .  With  regard  to  inmi's  faithfidncjs.  Our  Lord 
 himfelf  taught  us  to  ufe  the  expreffion,  therefore  we 
 ought  never  to  be  afhamed  of  it.  We  ought  fleadiiy 
 to  affert  upon  His  Authority,    that  if   a  man  is  not 
 
 faithful  in  the  unrighteous  mam7non,  God  zuill  not  givs 
 kim  the  true  riches. 
 
 2.  With  regard  to  working  for  life,  which  our  Lord 
 exprefsly  commands  us  to  do.  Labour,  (ep^afeo-^c)  jite- 
 :rally,  work  for  the  meat  that  endureth^to  everlafting  life. 
 And  in  fa61:,  every  believer,  till  he  comes  to  glory, 
 worksy^r,  as  well  disfrom  life. 
 
 .3.  We  have  received  it  as  a  maxim,  That  "a  man. 
 jfi  to  do  nothing,  in  order  to  Juftifcation,'*  Nothing 
 can  be  more  faife.  Whoever  defires  to  find  favour 
 with  God,  fhould  ceafe  from  evil  and  learn  to  do  zuelL 
 So  God  himfelf  teaches  by  the  Prophet  Ifaiah.  Who- 
 ever repentSj  fliould  do  works  mtdfor  repentance.     And 
 
 i  if 
 
 IP* 
 
352         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 if  this  is  not  171  order  to  find  favour,  what  does  he  ddi 
 them  for  ? 
 
 Once  more  review  the  whole  affair  : 
 
 1.  Who  of  us  is  noio  accepted  of  God  ? 
 
 He  that  now  believes  ih  Chrift,  v/ith  a  loving,  obe- 
 dient heart. 
 
 2.  But  who  among  thofe  that  never  heard  of 
 Chrift  ? 
 
 He  that  according  to  the  light  he  has,  fcareth  Gott 
 and  workdh  righteoujnefs. 
 
 3.  Is  this  the  fame  with  he  that  isfuiccre  ? 
 Nearly,  if  not  quite. 
 
 4.  Is  not  this  Salvation  by  works  ? 
 
 Not  by  the  merit  of  works,  biit  hy  works  as  a 
 tondition, 
 
 5.  What  have  we  then  been  difputing  about  for 
 thefe  thirty  years  ? 
 
 I  am  afraid,  ahout  tvords  :  (Namely,  in  foime  of  the 
 foregoing  inftances.) 
 
 6.  As  to  merit  itfelf,  of  which  we  have  been  {o 
 dreadfully  afraid  :  We  are  rewarded  according  to  our 
 Tvorks,  yea,  hccaufe  of  our  works.  How  does  this  differ' 
 from,  for  the  fake  of  our  works  ?  And  how  differs 
 this  from  Secunduni  merita  operum  ?  "Which  is  no 
 more  than,  as  our  works  defervc  ?  Can  you  fplit  this 
 hair  ?  I  doubt,  I  cannot. 
 
 7.  The  grand  obje6Lion  to  one  of  the  preceding 
 propofitions,  is  drawn  from  matter  of  fa6l.  God 
 does  in  fa6ljuflify  thofe,  who  by  their  own  confefJioni 
 neither  feared  God,  nor  wrought  righteoiifnefs*  Is  this 
 an  exception  to  the  general  Rule  ? 
 
 It 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  353 
 
 It  is  a  doubt,  whether  God  makes  any  exception 
 at  all.  But  how  are  we  fure  that  the  perfon  in  quef- 
 tion,  never  did  fear  God  and  work  righteoufnefs  ? 
 His  own  thinking  fo,  is  no  proof.  For  we  know,  how 
 all  that  are  convinced  of  fin,  under-value  themfelves 
 in  every  refpetl. 
 
 8.  Does  not  talking,  without  proper  caution,  of  a 
 jifji^jied  or  JanBiJied  Ji ate ^  tend  to  millead  men  ?  Al* 
 mod  naturally  leading  them  to  truft  in  what  was  done 
 in  one  moment  ?  Whereas,  we  are  every  moment 
 f  leafing  or  difpleafing  to  God,  according  to  our  works'. 
 According  to  the  whole  of  our  prefent  inward  tem- 
 pers, and  outward  behaviour/' 
 
 It  is  hardly  poflible  for  us  to  give  a  jufl  idea  of  the 
 noife  which  thefe  propofitions  occafioned  among  the 
 religious  profelTors  of  the  land.  Some,  whofe  carnal 
 confidence  was  Ihaken  by  them,  cried  out  amain^ 
 that  they  were  contrary  to  the  Gofpel,  and  that  Mr, 
 Wejley  had  in  them  contradi6led  all  his  former  decla- 
 rations. Some  even  of  the  truly  pious  feemed  ftag- 
 gered  at  them;  and  though  they  lamented  the  abufe 
 of  Gofpel-truths,  could  hardly  bear  fo  flrong  an  an- 
 tidote. The  late  Honourable  and  Rev.  Mr.  Shirley, 
 Chaplain  to  the  truly  pious  Countefs  of  Huntingdon 
 lately  deceafed,  entered  the  lifts  in  form.  He  wrote 
 a  circular  letter  to  all  the  ferious  Clergy  of  the  land. 
 I  inviting  them  to  proteft  againft  this  dreadful  herefy 
 in  a  body. 
 
 This  open  attack  called  fort*h  Mr.  Fletcher  from 
 his  ''  beloved  obfcurity.'*  The  temper  of  this  Gentie-^ 
 man,  as  a  Writer  of  the   prefent  day  has  well  ob- 
 
 A  :?,  fervedj 
 
^^:^i  tliE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ferved,  did  not  incline  him  to  Polemic  Divinity.  He 
 was-  devout,  pious,  and  laborious  in  his  calling,  in  a 
 degree  feldom  equalled  fmce  the  days  of  the  Apollles, 
 But  being  flimulatcd  by  his  love  of  truth  to  engage 
 in-  the  controverfy,  he  {hewed  him felf  a  ceanplete  maf- 
 ter  of  his  fubjeft.  In  his  hands,  the  ableil  of  his 
 antagonifls  were  as  the  lion  in  the  hands  of  Sampjon, 
 He  demonflrated,  that  thofe  proportions  were  equal- 
 ly agreeable  to  fcrip'ture,  reafon,  and  the  writings  of 
 the  foundeft,  even  of  the  Calviniflic  Divines.  He 
 largely  ihewed,  that  as  the  day  of  judgment  differs 
 from  the  day  of  convcrjion,  fo  mull  the  conditions  of 
 juflijicaiicn.  That  as  in  the  one  we  are  confidered  as  viere 
 finncYs,  and  raifed  out  of  guilt  and  mifery  by  an  a6t 
 of  God's,  mercy,  through  faith  in  the  merits  of  his- 
 Son :  fo-,  in  the  other ^  we  are  confidered  as  members 
 of  the  myftical  Body  of  Chrift  ;  and  being  enabled 
 hy  his  grace  to  do  works  acceptable  to  God,  we  are 
 juftified  in  tha^  awful  day  by  the  evidence  of  thofe 
 works^.  inward  and  outward  :  and  yet,  that  we  are 
 indebted  for  both  to  that  glorious  a6l  of  divine  lovc^ 
 proclaimed  by  St.  Paul,  "  God  mas  in  Chrijl  recon- 
 ciling ihe  world  to  Jivrnftlf."  And,  laftly,  that  the 
 propofitions  in  queftion  fecured  the  one  without  at  all 
 v/cakening  the  other.. 
 
 In  all  the  controverfies,  in  which  Mr.  Wtfley  was. 
 hitherto  concerned,  he  flood  alone.  In  this  he  had 
 but  little  to  do.  He  wrote  one  or  two  fmall  tracts; 
 but,  as  the  Revicu^crs  of  that  day  obferved,  he  foon 
 retired  from  the  held,  and  went  quietly  on  in  his. 
 3  labour^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  p^^ 
 
 o33 
 
 labour,  happy  in  being  fucceeded  by  fo  able  an 
 auxiliary.  Mr.  //efc/?>?- abounded  in  rime  as  well  as 
 talents  for  the  work.  He  equally  excelled  in  temper 
 as  in  (kill.  And  while  he  expofed  the  errors  of  his 
 miftalcen  opponents,  he  did  honour  to  their  piety. 
 He  died  in  tlie  year  1785,  lamented  by  all  tha  lovers 
 of  true  religion  and  uleful  learning,  that  were  ac- 
 quainted either  with  his  perfon  or  his  writings.  Our 
 admiration  of  his  characler  would  lead  us  to  fpeak 
 much  more  concerning  him,  but  that  his  life  is  pub- 
 lifhed.      To  it  wc  refer  our  readers. 
 
 From  this  time  Mr.  WeJJey  was  but  little  troubled 
 hy  the  advocates  for  abfolute  predeflination.  Mr. 
 Fletcher's  works  have  been  a  ftanding:  anfwer  to  all 
 thofe  who  affert  it ;  as  w^eil  as  highly  ufeful  to  thofe 
 who  have  been  troubled  concerning  queftions  on  this 
 fubjeft.  They  are  publilhed  in  feven  volumes  duode- 
 cimo, and  are  well  Vv^orthv  the  attention  of  all  ferious 
 perfons. 
 
 Religion  was  now  great]^^  increafed  in  the  land.     In 
 every    county,    and  in  mod    of  the    towns  and    vil- 
 lages of  England,   Societies  were  formed,  and  Chapels 
 ^cre6led  for  public  worfhip.     Thefe  were  fupplied  by 
 more  than  two  hundred  Itinerants,    ailiiled  by  many 
 hundred  local  Preachers.     Mr.   WeJIey's  great  defire  to 
 remain  in  anion  with  the  Church  of  England,    fo  far 
 as  the  work  he  ums  engaged  in  would  permit,   would 
 not  allow  him  to  apply  for  a  legal  eRablifhrnent,  or 
 for  any  thin?  which  mi^ht  sfive  to  ih^  Societies  under 
 it  his  care  tht  form  of  a  fcparate  Bod\-, 
 I  ■'.'  A  a  3  With 
 
35^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 With  rerpe6l  to  the  Chapels,  there  was  but  little 
 fear,  that  any  of  them  would  be  alienated,  while  lie 
 lived,  from  the  purpofe  for  which  they  were  built. 
 Mod  of  them  were  fettled  on  trufhees,  who  were  ta 
 permit  him  and  thofe  he  fhould  appoint,  to  preach  in 
 them  from  time  to  time.  After  his  death,  thofe  wha 
 fhould  be  appointed  at  the  yearly  Conferences  of  the 
 ^Teachers,  were  to  enjoy  the  fame  privilege. 
 
 But  a  queftion  arofe,  when-ever  the  Trufl-Deeds 
 ivere  mentioned,  "  Who  are  Tlie  Confer enuT'  It  wajj 
 difficult  to  define  the  term  ;  and  it  was  thought  a  court 
 of  law,  or  even  of  equity,  could  not  eahly  decide 
 upon  it,  in  cafe  of  any  difpute  with  the  truftees. 
 He  faw,  if  fome  remedy  was  not  provided,  Itinerant 
 preaching  would  probably  foon  be  at  an  end.  There- 
 fore at  the  defire  of  the  Conference,  affembled  at 
 Brijiol'm  the  year  1783,  he  took  the  opinion  of  one  of 
 the  greatefl  lawyers  in  the  kingdom,  who  anfwered,. 
 "  There  is  ex>  way  of  doing  this,  but  by  naming  a 
 determinate  number  of  perfonf?.  The  Deed  which 
 names  thefe,  niufl  be  enrolled  in  Chancery.  Then- 
 it  will  (land  good  in  law." 
 
 Mr.  Wejley  executed  a  Deed  agreeably  to  this  ad- 
 vice. But  as  this  flep  has  occalioned  much  conver- 
 sation, and  given  much  pain  to  feveral  perfons,  we 
 Ihall  give  his  own  explanation  and  defence  of  this- 
 meafure,   as  publifbed  in  the  Arminian  Magazine. 
 
 "  My  firfl  thought  was  to  name  a  very  few,   fup* 
 pofe  ten  or  twelve  perfons.     Count  Zinz€7id oiff  n^mc^ 
 only  fix,  who  were  to  prefide  over  the  Community 
 
 aftc» 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  357 
 
 after  his  deceafe.  But  on  fecond  thoughts,  I  believed 
 there  would  be  more  fafety  in  a  greater  number  of 
 Counfellors,  and  therefore  named  a  hundred,  as 
 many  as  I  judged  could  meet  without  too  great  an 
 cxpence,  and  without  leaving  any  Circuit  naked  of 
 Preachers  while  the  Conference  was  affembled. 
 
 "  In  naming  thefe  Preachers,  as  I  had  no  advifer, 
 fo  I  had  no  refpeQ  of  perfcns  ;  but  I  fimply  fet  down 
 thofe,  that  according  to  the  bed  of  my  judgment  were 
 moil  proper.  But  I  am  not  infallible.  I  might 
 miflake,  and  think  better  of  fome  of  them  than  they 
 deferved.  However,,  I  did  my  befl  ;  and  if  I  did 
 wrong,  it  was  not  the  error  of  my  will,  but  of  my 
 judgment. 
 
 "  But  what  need  was  there  for  any  Deed  at  ail  ? 
 There  was  the  utmofl  need  of  it.  Without  fome  au- 
 thentic Deed  fixing  the  meaning  of  the  term,  the 
 moment  I  died  the  Conference  had  been  nothing. 
 Therefore  any  of  the  proprietors  of  the  land,  on  which 
 our  Preaching- houfes  were  built,  might  have  feized 
 them  for  their  own  ufe,  and  there  v/ould  have  been 
 none  to  hinder  them,  for  the  Conference  would  have 
 been  nobody,  a  mere  empty  name. 
 
 "  You  fee  then,  in  all  the  pains  I  have  taken  about 
 this  abfolutely  neceffary  Deed,  I  have  been  labouring' 
 not  for  myfclf,  (I  have  no  interefl  therein  ;)  but  for 
 the  whole  Body  of  Methodifls  :  in  order  to  fix  them 
 upon  fuch  a  foundation  as  is  likely  to  fland  as  long 
 as  the  fun  and  moon  endure  :  That  is,  if  they  con- 
 tiiiue  to  walk  by  faith,  and  to  Ihew  forth  their  faith  by 
 
 Aa  g  their 
 
oc8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 oo 
 
 their  works :  othcrwife  I  pray   God   to    root  out  tlie 
 memorial  of  them  irom  the  earth. 
 
 John   Wlslf-y." 
 
 Mr.  We/ley  fays,  '*  he  had  no  advifer.''  He  means, 
 in  refped  to  the  nuinber  or  choice  of  the  perfons  men- 
 tioned. And  this  we  know  to  be  llricljy  the  truth, 
 notwithflandiiiff  all  that  has  been  faid  to  the 
 contrary. 
 
 Mr.  V/eJley  having  found,  that  the  fears  of  many 
 were  alarmed,  left  the  powers  he  had  invefted  in  the 
 Conference  fhould  be  ahuftd  through  intereft  or  par- 
 tiality, wrote  the  following  letter,  which  he  depofited 
 in  the  hands  of  a  friend,  to  be  by  him  prefented  to  the 
 Cotiference  at  their  firft  meeting^  after  his  deceafe. 
 
 Chejier,  April  7  th,   1785. 
 To  the  Methodift  Conference. 
 My  dear  Brethren, 
 
 *'  SOME  of  our  travelling  Preachers  have  exprefled 
 a  fear,  That  after  w.y  deceafe  ^^ou  would  exclude  them 
 either  from  preaching  in  connexion  with  you,  or  from 
 fome  other  privileges  which  they  now  enjoy.  I  know 
 no  other  way  to  prevent  any  fuch  inconvenience,  than 
 to  leave  thefe  my  laft  words  v/iih  you. 
 
 I  befeech  you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  you 
 never  avail  vourfelvcs  of  the  Deed  of  declaration,  to 
 affume  any  lupcriori ty  over  your  brethren  :  but  let  ail 
 things  go  on,  among  thofe  Itinerants  who  chuie  to 
 remain  tocrethcr,  exa5lly  in  the  fame  manner  as  when 
 I  was  with  you,  io  far  as  circumflances  will  permit. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  359 
 
 In  particular  I  befeech  you,  if  you  ever  loved  me, 
 and  if  you  now  love  God  and  your  brethren  :  to  have 
 no  refpeft  of  perfons,  in  ftationing  the  Preachers,  in 
 chufing  children  for  Kingswood-ichool,  in  difpofing 
 of  the  yearly  contribution  and  the  Preachers'  Fund, 
 or  any  other  public  money.  But  do  all  things  with 
 a  fingle  eye,  as  I  Have  done  from  the  beginning.  Gp 
 on  thus,  doing  all  things  without  prejudice  or  parti- 
 ality, and  God  will  be  with  you  even  to  the  end, 
 
 John   Wesi.zv." 
 
 Though  it  does  not  €xa6lly  follow  in  the  order  of 
 time,  we  think  it  proper,  as  the  conclufion  of  this 
 fubjeO:,  to  obferve,  that  the  above  letter  was  accords 
 ingly  prefented  in  July  1791.  Mr.  Jofeph  Bradford, 
 who  delivered  it,  being  delayed  on  the  road,  did  not 
 arrive  till  the  Conference  had  alTembled  feveral  hours. 
 And  it  is  with  great  pleafure  we  add,  that  they  had 
 paffed  a  vote  to  the  fame  purport,  and  almofh  in  the 
 fame  words,  before  i\i.^Y  l^^e^^  o^  fucli  a  requcft's 
 being  in  exiftence ! 
 
 From  this  time  Mr.  Wejlcy\i€idi  osx  his  way,  without 
 interruption.  The  work  of  God  increafcd  every  year. 
 New  Societies  were  formed,  in  all  of  which  the  fame 
 rules  were  obferved.  Though  now  declining  in  ths 
 vale  of  years,  he  fiackened  not  his  pace.  He  flill  rofe 
 at  four  in  the  morning,  preached  two,  three  or  four 
 times  a  day,  and  travelled  between  four  and  five  thou- 
 fand  miles  a  year,  going  once  in  two  years  through 
 Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  He  faw  continually  more 
 4ir\^  more  fruit  of  his  labour,  and   of  the  labour  of 
 
 A  ^  4  thafe 
 
36o         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 thofe  in  connexion  with  him.  He  laid  no  Jlrefi  on 
 opinions  or  modes  of  worlhip,  dcfiring  only  that  the 
 love  of  God  and  man  through  hving  faith  in  Chrifl  as 
 "  God  manifeft  in  the  flefh,"  fhould  be  the  ruHng 
 principle  of  the  life,  and  fhew  itfeif  by  an  uniform 
 pra6lice  of  juftice,  mercy,  and  truth.  Pie  accordingly 
 gave  the  right-hand  of  fellowfhip  to  all  who  walked 
 hy  this  rule,  however  they  might  differ  from  him  in 
 thofe  fpeculative  points,  of  which  they  are  to  give  au 
 account  to  God  alone. 
 
 The 
 
r  361  ] 
 
 The    LIFE    of  the 
 Reverend  JO  HN  WESLEY. 
 
 MSB^^gSSa^EBBni 
 
 B  O  O  K    the    T  H  I  R  D. 
 
 Containing  an  Account  of  the  Labours  of  Mr.  Wesley 
 and  of  the  Preachers  in  connexion  tuith  him,  in  IrC" 
 land,  Scotland,  the  Ifles  of  Man,  Jerjey,  Guernjey  and 
 Alderney,  on  the  Continent  of  America,  in  NewfouncUandj 
 and  in  the  I/lands  of  the  Wejl-Indies :  a  review  of  Mr. 
 Wesley's  Writings  :  Jeveral  incidents  in  the  three  lajh 
 years  of  his  Life :  his  lafl  Jllnefs,  Death  and  CharaEkr : 
 and  the  conclujion, 
 
 CHAP.      I. 
 
 Of  the  Progrefs  of  Chrijlianity  in  Ireland  to  the  year 
 1747  :  and  of  the  Labours  of  Mr.  Wesley,  and  of 
 the  Preachers  in  connexion  with  him,  from  that  period 
 to  the  year  1789. 
 
 SECTION       I. 
 
 THE  accounts  tranfmitted  down  to  us  of  the  in* 
 troduciion  and  progrefs  of  Chriltianity  in  Ireland^ 
 during  the  earher  ages,  are  fo  full  of  legends  and 
 fables,  that  no  dependence  can  be  placed  upon  them, 
 St.  Patrick  viiited  that  kingdom  about  the  middle  of 
 the  fifth  century.      But  it  is  certain  that  Chriflianity 
 
 had 
 
.-,62        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 <^ 
 
 had  been  propagated  there  for  a  confiderable  time 
 before  that  period.  The  venerable  Bede  informs  us, 
 that  about  the  middle  of  the  feventh  century  many  of 
 the  pious  Anglo-faxons,  fomc  of  whom  were  of  con- 
 fiderable rank,  w-ent  over  to  Ireland,  botli  for  the  fake 
 of  religion  and  of  learning,  and  were  received  by  the 
 Iri/Ji  with  the  utmofl  benevolence  :  yea,  they  were 
 maintained,  inflru^ted,  and  furnifhed  with  books, 
 without  fee  or  reward;  "  a  mod  honourable  tefli- 
 mony,'*  fays  Lord  Lyttkton,  ''  not  only  to  the  learning, 
 but  likewife  to  the  hofpitality  and  bounty  of  that 
 nation/'  And  it  is  very  probable  that  vital  religion 
 then  flourifhed  in  fome  degree. 
 
 Soon  after  this,  Ireland  became  the  fchooi  of  learning 
 for  all  Europe.  In  the  beginning  of  the  eighth  century 
 the  Hibernians  v/ere  chiefly  known  by  the  name  of 
 Scots :  and  their  Clergy  were  the  only  Minifters  in 
 Europe  (the  Culdees  in  North-Britain  excepted)  who 
 refufed  to  fubniit  their  underflandings  to  implicit 
 authority.  They  travelled  through  diftant  lands  to 
 receive  and  communicate  knowledge  both  fpiritual 
 and  natural,  and  were  defervedly  diilinguiflied  above 
 all  other  people  for  their  culture  of  the  fciences,  and 
 for  their  improvement  in  and  propagation  of  all  the 
 ufeful  knowledge,  which  thofe  times  of  ignorance 
 would  admit.  This  chara6ler  of  them  has  been 
 eilablilhed  beyond  a  doubt  by  the  mod  authentic 
 records  of  antiquity.  Benedict  of  Aniane  in  Langiicdoc 
 proves,  that  they  were  the  firfl  introducers  of  the 
 Schohijlic  Theology  in  Europe,  which  indeed  was  the 
 j-eafl   of  their  commendations.      At  this  period,  and 
 
 perhaps 
 
THE  LIFZ  OF  iMR.  WESLEY.         363 
 
 perhaps  feme  time  before,  '•'  the  Irijh  icholars,"  to 
 life  the  words  of  Cariiden,  "  had  profited  fo  notably  ia 
 Chriftianity,  that  Ireland  w^s  termed  Sandorum  Patria, 
 the  country  of  Saints." 
 
 The  fuperiority  of  that  kingdom  in  thofe  times  for 
 piety  and  learning  over  all  the  other  nations  o^ Europe, 
 and  the  furprihng  ignorance  of  the  people  in  the  fuc- 
 ceeding  ages,  probably  arofe  from  the  following  caufes. 
 When  the  Goths  and  Vandals  invaded  the  Roman  em- 
 pire in  the  year  250,  and  continued  their  ravages  till 
 the  empire  was  totally  deflroyed  in  the  year  476, 
 Ireland  being  very  remote  from  the  horrid  fcene,  and 
 having  never  been  a  part  of  the  Roman  empire  as 
 England  was,  enjoyed  peace  and  tranquillity  in  the 
 niidil  of  thofe  troubles,  and  became  an  afylum  from 
 thofe  barbarous  conquerors.  In  confequence  of  which^ 
 the  arts  and  fciences  were  much  cultivated  there,  the 
 genius  of  the  people  being  turned  to  literature. 
 Several  Princes  were  therefore  lent  there  from  the  Con- 
 tinent for  their  education. 
 
 But,  in  the  latter  end  of  the  eighth  century,  when- 
 the  Danes  (thofe  northern  ravagers)  and  afterwards 
 the  Saxons,  broke  in  upon  their  repofe,  mvaded  their 
 fertile  country,  and  carried  war  and  rapine,  wherever 
 I  they  came,  Ireland  was  made  a  fcene  of  blood  :  and 
 the  generality  of  the  inhabitants  were  reduced  for  a 
 long  feries  of  years  10  the  moft  abjed  ftate  of  flavery. 
 
 This  eafily   accounts  for  the  decay  of  learning  in 
 
 Ireland.     The  people  became  difpirited,  and  ih&  men 
 
 -of  literature  were   deflroyed:    or  if  any  of  them  fur- 
 
 vived,  it  was  impolTible    for    them  to   purfue  their 
 
 fludies 
 
364  THE  LIFIl  of  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fludies  amidft  war  and  Slaughter.  However,  thofe 
 northern  plunderers  were  at  length  entirely  driven 
 out  of  the  kingdom  after  many  bloody  battles :  and 
 in  the  years  that  followed,  matters  were  changed  for 
 the  better. 
 
 In  the  twelfth  century  arofe  Malachius,  Archbifhap 
 of  Armagh,  a  mxoft  excellent  man,  if  we  make  al-^"* 
 lowances  for  the  errors  of  Popery,  which  were  at  that 
 time  embraced  by  the  whole  nation.  Bernard  com- 
 pares him  to  the  fun,  arifing  upon  the  earth,  and  dif- 
 pelling  darknefs. 
 
 In  the  fourteenth  century,  the  grace  and  providence 
 of  God  raifed  up  another  Archbilhop  of  the  fame  See, 
 to  blefs  mankind-  His  name  was  Richard  Jitzralph. 
 He  was  a  man  of  genuine  piety,  and  a  zealous  oppofer 
 of  the  order  of  mendicant  Friars,  and  alio  of  fome 
 of  the  opinions  of  the  church  of  Rome.  He  was 
 therefore  cited  to  appear  before  a  Confiftory  of  the 
 Pope  and  Cardinals,  at  Avignon,  where  he  defended 
 himfelf  in  a  manner,  which  evidenced  him  one  of  the 
 mofl  learned  men  of  the  age.  Bellarmine,  that  grand 
 defender  of  Popery,  gives  a  ipecial  caution  againfl  the 
 reading  of  his  writings,  declaring  that  they  favoured 
 of  herefy,  and  that  John  Wickli^e,  the  firfl:  Englijh  Re- 
 former, received  fome  of  his  herefits  from  him. 
 
 Yet  notwithflanding  this  early  appearance  of  good, 
 the  Reformation  which  made  fo  rapid  a  progrefs  in- 
 many  other  countries,  moved  on  very  llowly  in  Ireland, 
 Brown,  Archbiihop  of  Dublin,  under  the  reign  of  Henry 
 the  eighth,  exerted  his  utmofh  influence  to  overturn 
 the  authority  of  the  church  of  Rc^ne^   and  met  v*'ith 
 
 confidcrable 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         31S5 
 
 confiderable  fuccefs  in  his  own  diocefe  :  and  in  the 
 reiffn  of  Edward  the  fixth,  Protellantifm  became  the 
 eftabhfhed  religion  of  the  country.  The  attention  of 
 the  Englifli  Government,  during  the  fhort  reign  of 
 Mary,  was  wholly  employed  in  the  attempts  that  were 
 made  to  extirpate  Proteflantifm  in  England.  They 
 had  not  time  to  begin  their  bloody  plan  in  Ireland, 
 
 From  that  period  the  Proteflant  religion  has  in  gene- 
 ral had  the  afcendency,  though  the  Romanijis  have  been 
 always  far  more  numerous  than  the  Proteflants,  and 
 €ven  now  bear  the  proportion  of  about  three  to  one. 
 But  the  Romani/h  of  that  country,  as  a  body,  are  at 
 prefent  the  moil  deeply  ignorant  of  any  in  Europe^ 
 and  the  m.ofl  fuperfiitious  of  any,  except  perhaps  the 
 lower  people  in  Spai7i  and  PoriugaL 
 
 The  Proteftants  in  Ireland  have  had  a  few  fhinino" 
 lights  among  them,  Bifhop  Bedell  can  never  be  for-^ 
 gotten,  while  piety  remains  in  the  world.  He  was  ap- 
 pointed to  the  united  Bifhopricks  of  Kilmore  iind  Ardagh 
 in  the^year  1628.  When  he  entered  on  his  diocefe,  he 
 found  it  fo  full  of  diforders,  that  there  was  fcarcely 
 a  found  part  in  it.  But  he  laboured  in  the  mighty 
 power  of  God,  and  religion  lifted  up  her  head.  Many 
 even  of  the  Popifh  Priefls  w^ere  converted  by  him, 
 liot  only  from  their  falfe  opinions,  but  from  the  error 
 of  their  wa.ys. 
 
 James  UJJier,  Archbifhop  of  Armagh,  was  a  cotem- 
 porary  of  Bifhop  Bedell,  His  v/ritings  will  ever  be 
 held  in  the  highefl  eftimation  by  the  learned  world. 
 And  he  was  alfo  a  man  of  prayer,  a  man  that  delighted 
 in  communion  with  God.     But  he  was  foftnefs  iddL 
 
 He 
 
366         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 lie  ivanled  the  courage  which  was  necefTary  to 
 inanaize  tlie  hard  work  of  reforminor  abufes  :  and 
 therefore  he  left  things  in  the  Rate  in  which  he  found 
 them.  In  his  days  the  dreadful  rnalfacre  of  the  Pro- 
 tcflants  happened  ;  when  about  200,000  of  them 
 were  butchered  in  the  mofl  cruel  manner. 
 
 From  the  death  of  Archbifhop  UJlicr,  the  eflablifhed 
 church  of  Ireland  funk  more  and  more  into  mere 
 formality,  fo  that  foon  there  was  (with  fome  exceptions 
 among  the  Clergy  and  Laity)  a  general  ignorance 
 concernincr  the  nature  of  true  crodlinefs. 
 
 During  the  perfecuting  reign  of  Charles  the  fecond, 
 
 multitudes  of   the   pious   members   of  the  church  of 
 
 Scotland  croffed  the  channel,  (which  is  at  the  narroweft 
 
 part  but  a  few  leagues  in  breadth,)  and  took  refuge  in 
 
 the  province  of  Uljler.     Their  defcendents  are  now  fo 
 
 increafed  in    number,   that   they   make   perhaps  the 
 
 majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  province.      Much 
 
 of  the  power  of  God  relied  on   their  churches   for  a 
 
 confidcrable   time  :    but   through  the  common  abufe 
 
 of  eafe  and  afhuence,  they  fell  by  degrees.     They  are 
 
 now   divided   into   two   grand   parties,  generally  dif- 
 
 tinguifhed  by  the  names  of  Old  Lights  and  New  Lights, 
 
 Among  the  Old  Lights,  who  hold  the  fentiments  of  the 
 
 church  of  Scotland,    there  are  feveral  holy  and  zealous 
 
 MinifLers,   and   many    truly  pious   perfons   that   are 
 
 private  members  of  their  churches.      The  New  Lights, 
 
 among   whom   are   almofl  all   tho.  rich  DiJJenters,  are 
 
 either  Arians  or  Socinians,    with  perhaps  a  very  few 
 
 exceptions  to  the  contrary. 
 
 From 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.   WESLEY.         367 
 
 From  all  that  has  been  advanced,  a  judgment  may- 
 he  formed  of  the  ftate  of  religion  in  Ireland,  when  Mr. 
 Wej2ey  made  his  firfl  viiit  to  that  kingdom.  In  the 
 eflabliilied  church  there  was  hardly  any  thing  but  the 
 form  remaining.  Among  the  Diffenters  a  very  con- 
 fiderable,  if  not  the  major  part  of  them,  had  embraced 
 vtry  dangerous  errors ;  and  but  few,  comparatively 
 knew  any  thing  of  the  power  of  religion  :  and  the 
 Roman  Catholics  were  buried  in  the  profoundefi  igno^ 
 ranee  and  fuperllition. 
 
 SECTION      11. 
 
 Of  the   labours    of  Mr,  We/ley  and  of  the  Preachers  in 
 Connexion  with  him,  in  Ireland, 
 
 gn 
 
 "^  /f  R.  WESLEY  feems  to  have  had  butonedefi 
 ^lYX  fi-Qj^  iiiQ  commencement  of  his  Miniftry,  and 
 which  he  invariably  purfued  till  his  Spirit  returned  to 
 God,  viz.  To  be  as  ufeful  as  pofTible  to  his  fellow- 
 creatures,  efpecially  with  regard  to  the  falvation  of 
 their  fouls.  He  therefore  never  faid,  upon  any  fuc- 
 cefs  which  he  met  with,  ''  It  is  enough."  In  this  re- 
 fpea  alfo,  he  '•  forgot  the  things  behmd,  and  reached 
 forth  to  thofe  before."  The  fame  he  continually 
 inculcated  upon  thofe  v^ho  laboured  with  him.  Ar- 
 cordmgly  one  of  the   charges  which  he  gave   them  at 
 
 their  admiflion,  as  we  have  already  obferved,  was 
 
 ''  Obferve  !  It  is  not  your  bufmefs  to  preach  fo  many 
 times,  and  to  take  care  of  this  ©r  that  Society,  but  to 
 fave  as  many  fouls  as  you   can  ;  to  bring  as    man^^ 
 
 dnnGrs 
 
§68        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 finners  as  you  polTibly  can  to  repentance,  and  with  all 
 your  power  to  build  them  up  in  that  holinefs,  without 
 which  they  cannot  fee  the  Lord/* 
 
 Agreeably  to  this,  they  have  from  the  beginning 
 gone  from  place  to  place  :  and  having  formed  Societies 
 of  tlwfe  who  turntd  to  God,  (for  they  take  charge  of  none 
 clfe.)  they  immediately  vifited  new  places,  beginning 
 to-  preach  generally  in  the  open  air,  on  a  horfe-block, 
 or  on  whatever  oflFered.  At  length  one  of  the  Preachers, 
 a  Mr.  Williams,  then  zealous  for  God,  croffed  the 
 channel,  and  began  to  preach  in  Dublin.  Multitudes 
 flocked  to  hear ;  and  for  fome  time  there  was  much 
 diflurbance,  chieHy  though  not  wholly  from  the  lower 
 clafs,  vv^ho  are  moflly  Romanijls,  He  foon  formed  a 
 fmail  Society,  feveral  of  whom  were  happy  witneffes 
 of  the  truth  they  had  heard,  viz.  That  God  does  now 
 alfo  "  give  the  knowledge  of  falvation  by  the  re- 
 miilion  of  fins/'  to  thofe  who  repent,  and  believe  the 
 Gofpel. 
 
 Mr.  Williams  wrote  an  account  of  his  fuccefs  to 
 Mr.  Wtfuy,  who  determined  to  viiit  Ireland  immedi-  | 
 ately.  Accordingly,  on  Tuefday,  Augufl  the  ^thi 
 iy47,  he  fet  out  from  Brijlol,  and  palling  through 
 Wales,  arrived  in  Dublin  on  Sunday  the  9th.  about  ten 
 o*clock  in  the  forenoon.  A  circumflance  almofl  in- 
 ftantly  occurred,  which  he  confidered  as  a  iokai  Jor 
 good.     We  will  relate  it  in  his  own  words  : 
 
 "  Soon  after  we  landed,  hearing  the  bells  ringing 
 for  church,  I  went  thither  direclly.  Mr.  Liintll  (the 
 chief  member  of  the  Society)  came  to  the  Quay  jufl 
 after  I  was  gone,  and  left  word  at  the  houfe  where  our 
 
 things 
 
THE  Life  of  mr.  wesley,  369 
 
 things  were,  *'  He  would  call  again  at  one/*  He  did 
 fo,  and  took  us  to  his  houfe.  About  three  I  wrote  a 
 line  to  the  Curate  of  St.  Mary's  ;  who  fent  me  word 
 *'  He  lliould  be  glad  of  my  afTiftance."  So  I  preached 
 there  (another  gentleman  reading  prayers)  to  as  gay 
 and  fenfelefs  a  congregation  as  ever  I  faw.  After 
 fermon  Mr.  R.  thanked  me  very  aflPedionately,  and 
 defired  I  would  favour  him  with  my  company  in  the 
 morning. 
 
 "  Monday  lO.  I  met  the  Society  at  Rve,  and  at  fix 
 preached,  on  Repent  ye,  and  believe  the  gofpel.  The  room, 
 large  as  it  was,  would  not  contain  the  people,  who  all 
 feemed  to  tafte  the  good  word. 
 
 "  Between  eight  and  nine  I  went  to  Mr.  R.  (the 
 Curate  of  St.  Marys.)  He  profefTed  abundance  of 
 good-will,  commended  my  fermon  in  flrong  terms, 
 and  begged  he  might  fee  me  again  the  next  morning. 
 But  at  the  fame  time  he  exprelTed  the  mofl  rooted 
 prejudice  againfl  Lay-preachers,  or  preaching  out  of  ^ 
 church  ;  and  faid,  the  Archbifhop  of  Dublin  was  re- 
 folved  to  fuffer  no  fuch  irregularities  in  his  diocefe. 
 
 "  I  went  to  our  brethren,  that  we  might  pour  out 
 our  fouls  before  God.  I  then  went  flraight  to  wait 
 upon  the  Archbifhop  myfelf.  But  he  was  gone  out 
 of  town. 
 
 *'  in  the  afternoon  a  gentleman  defired  to  fpeak 
 irith  me.  He  was  troubled  that  it  was  not  with  him 
 as  in  times  pall.  At  the  age  of  fourteen,  the  power 
 'of  God  came  mightily  upon  him,  conftraining  him 
 t^  rife  out  of  bed,  to  pour  out  his  prayers  and  tears, 
 from  a  heart  overflowed  with  love  and  joy  in   the 
 
 B  b  Holy 
 
$7o  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Holy  Ghoil.  For  fome  months  he  fcarce  knew  whe- 
 ther he  was  in  the  body,  continually  walking  and  talk- 
 ing with  God.  He  has  now  an  abiding  peace  ;  but 
 cannot  reft,  till  the  love  of  God  again  filb  his  heart/' 
 
 The  houfe,  then  ufed  for  preaching,  was  fituate  in 
 Marl!)orough-Rrc€t,  and  was  originally  defigned  for 
 c\  Lutheran  church.  It  contained  about  four  hundred 
 people  :  but  four  or  five  times  the  number  might 
 ftand  in  the  )'ard  which  was  very  Ipacious.  An  im- 
 menfc  multitude  alFcmlDled  there  to  hear  him,  on 
 Monday  evening,  among  whom  were  many  of  the 
 rich,  and  Miniilers  of  all  denominations.  He  fpoke 
 ftrongly  and  clofely  on,  The  Scripture  has  concluded  all 
 under  Jin,  that  the  promife  by  faith  of  Jejus  Chrijl  might 
 he  given  to  them  that  believe;  and  obferves,  that  no 
 perfon  feemed  offended.  All,  for  the  pre  fen  t  at  leaft, 
 feemed  convinced  that  he  fpake  as  the  oracles  of  God, 
 
 The  next  day  he  waited  on  the  Archbifhop.  They 
 converfed  for  two  or' three  hours,  in  which  time  he 
 aniwered  an  abundance  of  objeftions.  He  con- 
 tinued to  preach  morning  and  evening  to  large  con- 
 gregations, and  had  more  and  more  reafon  to  hope 
 they  would  not  all  be  unfruitful  hearers. 
 
 Having  examined  the  Society,  which  then  confifted 
 of  about  two  hundred  and  eighty  members,  and  ex- 
 plained at  large  the  rules  (already  mentioned)  he  failed 
 for  England,  leaving  Mr.  Williams  and  Mr..  Trembath 
 to  take  care  of  this  little  flock.  Many  of  thefe,  he  ob- 
 ferves, were  ,  ftrong  in  faith,  and  of  an  exceeding 
 teachable  fpiiit :  and  therefore  on  this  account  fliould 
 2  be 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  371 
 
 be  watched  over  with   the  more  care,  as  being  al^T-jit 
 equally  fufceptible  of  good  or  ill  imprefTions, 
 
 Mr.  Charles  Wefley  went  over  fhortly  after,  and 
 preached  in  Dublin^  and  in  other  parts  of  the  king- 
 dom, chiefly  Cork,  Alhlone,  and  Bandon  :  and  had 
 reafon  to  blefs  God,  that  in  every  place  he  faw 
 fruit  of  his  labours.  Near  Athlone  he  v/as  in  immi- 
 nent hazard  of  his  life.  For,  within  about  a  mile 
 of  the  town,  he  was  way-laid  by  a  very  numerous 
 Popifh  mob,  which  he  very  narrowly  efcaped  by  fet- 
 ting  fpurs  to  his  horfe.  But  this  had  a  happy  efFe6l, 
 as  it  prejudiced  all  the  Proteflants  in  his  favour.  Soon 
 after  this,  Mr.  John  Wejley  publifhed  an  Addrefs  to  the 
 Roman  Catholics  :  a  very  fmall  tra6l  ;  but  clearly 
 ftating  the  points  wherein  we  agree,  and  wherein  we 
 differ ;  and  equally  confpicuous  for  argument  and 
 temper. 
 
 The  Society  in  Duhlin  enjoyed  their  fun-fhine  but 
 for  a  little  time.  A  perfecution  commenced,  on  which 
 Mr.  Trembath,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  We/ley,,  makes  the  fol- 
 lowing obfervations.  "  I  believe  this  perfecution  was 
 permitted  for  good,  that  we  might  not  trufl  in  an  arm 
 of  flefh.  We  thought  that  the  Magiftrates  would  do 
 US  juflice  ;  but  in  this  we  were  difappointed.  It  like- 
 wife  drives  us  all  to  prayer  and  watchfulnefs,  and 
 alfo  caufes  us  to  love  each  other  better  than  ever; 
 fo  that  we  are  like  fheep  driven  by  the  wolf  into  the 
 fold.  When  we  went  out,  we  carried  our  lives  in 
 our  hands ;  but  all  this  did  not  hinder  us  once  frora 
 meeting  together  at  the  ufual  hours.  The  Society 
 ftili  increafed,   and  thofe  who  had  the  root  in  them- 
 
 13  b  2  felves 
 
 1 
 
372  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 felves  Rood  like  marble  pillars  ;  and,  by  the  grace  of 
 God,  were  refolved  rather  to  die  with  Chrifl,  than 
 to  deny  him.  All  the  city  was  in  an  uproar :  fome 
 faid,  it  is  a  fliame  ;  the  men  do  no  harm.  Others 
 laid,  the  dogs  dcferve  all  to  be  hanged.  BlefTed  be 
 God,  we  walk  unhurt  in  fire  !  'Nov/  we  can  literally 
 fay,  we  live, by  faith  :  and  the  lefs  we  have  of  human 
 help,  the  more  we  (hall  have  of  divine." 
 
 Mr.  We/Iey,  accompanied  by  MeflVs  Meriton  and 
 Swinddls^  arrived  early  in  the  fpring  of  the  following 
 year  1748,  before  his  brother  (ailed  for  England.  He 
 110  longer  confined  himfelf  to  the  houfe,  but  preached 
 on  Oxmaniown-Green,  adjoining  the  Barrack.  He 
 preached  alfo  at  N^-wgate  ;  and  after  a  few  days  fpent 
 in  Duhlin,  he  viflted  many  parts  of  the  country.  In 
 ieveral  places  lie  wavS  conflrained  to  preach  in  the 
 open  air,  by  rcafon  of  the  multitude  that  attended. 
 Many  of  the  foldiers  alfo  in  every  place,  gladly  heard 
 th^  word,  and  forty  troopers  were  at  this  time  menj-r 
 bers  of  the  Society  at  Fliilipjlown.  In  many  of  the 
 tov/ns  in  the  provinces  of  Leinjler  and  Munjler,  and  in* 
 fome  of  Connaught,  Societies  were  formed,  which  have 
 increafed  continually  fmce  that  time,  and  have  adorned 
 ilie  do6>a-ine  of  God  their  Saviour.  What  he  had  t& 
 encounter,  even  when  no  violence  was  offered  to  him, 
 we  may  learn  from  a  palfage  in  his  JournaL 
 
 *'  Tuefday,  May  3,  1748.  I  rode  to  Birr,  twenty 
 miles  from  Athlonc  ;  and  the  key  of  iht  SefTions- 
 houfc  not  being  to  be  found,  declared  The  grace  of 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chrijl,  in  the  (Ireet,  to  a  dull,  rude^^ 
 fenfekfs  multitude.  Many  laughed  the  greater  part 
 1  d[ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         373 
 
 •of  the  time.  Some  went  away  jufl  in  the  middle  of  a 
 fentence.  And  yet  when  one  cried  out  (a  Carmelite 
 Friar,  Clerk  to  the  Prieft)  "  You  lie,  you  lie  :"  the 
 zealous  Protellants  cried  out,  "  Knock  him  down." 
 And  it  was  no  fooncr  faid  than  done.  I  faw  fome 
 buille,  but  knew  not  what  was  the  matter,  till  the 
 whole  was  over." 
 
 But  the  Lord  gave  a  balance  to  this  contempt.  For 
 on  the  loth,  when  he  left  Athlone  (which  he  vifited 
 after  Birr)  he  with  much  difficulty  broke  away  from 
 that  immea far  ally  loving  people  (to  ufe  his  own  expref- 
 fion  ;)  and  not  fo  foon  as  he  imagined  neither;  for 
 when  he  drew  near  to  the  turnpike,  about  a  m.ile 
 from  the  city,  a  multitude  waited  for  him  at  the  top 
 of  the  hill.  They  fell  back  on  each  fide,  to  make  him 
 way,  and  then  joined,  and  clofed  him  in.  After  fing- 
 ing  two  or  three  verfes,  he  put  forward,  when  on  a 
 fudden  he  was  furprifed  by  fuch  a  cry  of  men,  wo- 
 men and  children,  as  he  had  never  heard  before.  "  Yet 
 a  little  while,"  faid  he,  fpeaking  of  this  interefling 
 '^;ccurrence,  "  and  we  fhall  meet  to  part  no  more;  and 
 forrow  and  lighing  (hall  flee  away  for  ever." 
 
 On  his  return  to  Dublin,  he  fpent  fome  davs  there 
 previous  to  his  departure  for  England,  On  one  of 
 thefe  days,  while  he  was  preaching  on  the  Green  near 
 the  Barrack,  a  man  cried  out,  "  Aye,  he  is  a  Jefuit : 
 that's  plain."  To  which  a  Popifh  Priell,  who  hap- 
 pened to  be  near,  replied,  *'  No,  he  is  not,  I  would 
 to  God  he  was!" 
 
 B  b  ■:?  Soon 
 
574  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 Soon  after  lie  Huled,  the  zealous  mob,  whofov  Tome 
 time  had  greatly  incommoded  thofe  who  attended  at 
 ihe  Preachjng-houfe  in  Marlborough-Jireet,  made  an 
 attack  in  forni.  They  abufed  the  Preacher  and  the 
 congregation  in  a  very  grofs  manner.  They  then  • 
 pulled  dowii  the  pulpit,  and  carrying  it  with  the^^ 
 benches,  itito  the  flreet,  made  a  large  fire  of  them, 
 round  which  they  fhouted  for  feveral  hours. 
 
 Thofe  Preachers,  who  rem'ained  in  the  kingdom, 
 continued  their  labour  with  much  fuccefs.  Mr. 
 Swindells  vi{itt& Limeyick,  one  of  the  moft  confiderable 
 cities  in  the  province  of  MimJIer.  The  Lord  much 
 blcifed  his  labours  there,  fo  that  a  Society  was  fooij 
 formed ;  and  the  religious  impreflion  was  fo  great  on 
 thQ  inhabitants  in  general,  that  Mr.  IVeflcy  obferves,  oi^ 
 his  vifit  to  that  city  the  following  year,  that  "  he 
 found  no  oppofition  ;  but  every  one  feemed  to  fay,- 
 ''  Bleffed  is  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lorcl.'' 
 
 But-  in  Cork  the  fcene  was  very  different.  For| 
 more  than  three  months,  a  riotous  mob,  headed  by  a 
 Ballad-finger,  whofe  name  was  Butler,  had  declared 
 open  war  againft  thefe  new  reformers,  and  all  "wh 
 attended  their  preaching.  To  give  a  detail  of  thei 
 violence  would  be  almxofl  too  (hocking  to  humar^ 
 nature.  They  fell  upon  men  and  women,  old  an 
 young,  with  clubs  and  fwords,  and  beat  and  wounde 
 them  in  a  dreadful  manner.  But  they  were  not  con-? 
 tent  with  thus  abufmg  the  people  when  attending  the| 
 preaching.  They  furrounded  their  houfes,  wounded 
 their  cuRomers,  broke  their  windows,  and  threatened 
 to  pull  their  houfes  down,  unlefs  they  would  engag||J 
 
 to 
 \ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 375* 
 
 fo  have  this  way  !'  The  common  epitltets  iifed  on  thofe 
 occafions  by    Butler  and  his  party,  were  heretic  dogs, 
 
 and  heretic  b s:  and  feveral  even  of  the  magiftrates  "^^ 
 
 rather    encouraged,     than   ft  rove    to   prevent     thefe 
 dif  orders.  •  '        .*•„  .  . 
 
 A  Mr.  Jones,  a  confiderable  merchant,  who  was  a 
 member  of  the  Socioty,  applied  to  the. mayor,  but 
 could  obtain  no  redrefs.  The  hoi^fe  of  a  Mr.  Sullivan 
 being  befet,  and  the  rnob  beginning  to  pull  it  down,  , 
 he  applied  to  the  mayor,  who  after  much- importunity 
 came  with  him  to  the  fpot.  When  they  were  in  the 
 midft  of  the  mob,  the  mayor  faid  aloud,  '*  It  is  your 
 own  fault  for  entertaining  thofe  Preachers  :  if  you 
 will  turn  them  out  of  your  houfe,  I  will  engage  there 
 Ihall  be  no  harm  done ;  but  if  vou  will  not  turn  them 
 jout,  you  muft  take  what  you  get."  On  this  the  mob 
 fet  up  an  huzza,  and  threw  ftones  fafler  than  before. 
 Mr.  Sullivan  exclaimed,  ''"This  is  fine  ufacre  under 
 a  Proteftant  Government.  If  I  had  a  prieil  faying 
 mafs  in  every  room  of  it,  my  houfe  would  not  be 
 touched."  The  m.ayor  replied,  "  The  priefts-  are 
 tolerated  ;  but  you  are  not.  You  talk  too  much  : 
 go  in,  and  fhut  up  your  doors."  Seeing  no  remedy, 
 he  did  fo ;  and  the  mob  continued  breaking  the 
 windows,  and  throwing  ftones  into  the  houfe,  till  near 
 twelve  at  night.  A  poor  woman  having '  exprefted 
 fome  concern  at  feeing  Butler  with  his  ballads  in  one 
 hand  and  a  Bible  in  the  other,  out  of  which  he  preached 
 in  his  way,  M\\  Shei'iff  Reily  ordered  his  bailiff  to  carry  • 
 her  to  Bridavell,  where  £he  was  confined  for  two 
 days ! 
 
 B  b  4  After 
 
37^         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 After  this,  ft  was  not,  for  thofe  who  had  any  regard 
 either  to  their  perfons  or  goods,  to  oppofe  Mr.  Butler. 
 So  the  poor  people  patiently  fufFered  whatever  he  or 
 his  mob  thought  proper  to  inflift  upon  them,  'till 
 theaflTzes  drew  on,  at  which  time  they  doubted  not- 
 to  find  a  fufficient,  though  late  relief. 
 
 Accordingly  on  Augufh  19,  1749,  twenty-eight 
 depofitions  (from  which  the  above  fa6ts  are  taken) 
 were  laid  before  the  Grand  Jury.  But  they  did  not 
 find  any  one  of  thefe  bills.  Inflead  of  this,  they  made 
 that  memorable  prefentment,  which  is  worthy  tp  be 
 preferved-  in  their  records  to  all  fucceeding,genera«- 
 tions. 
 
 "  We  find  and  prefent  Charles  Wejley,  to  be  a  per- 
 fon  of  ill  fame,  a  vagabond,  and  a  common  diflurber 
 of  his  Majefty's  peace,  and  we  pray  that  he  may  be 
 tranfported. 
 
 We  find  and  prefent  Thomas  Williams^  &c. 
 
 We  find  and  prefent  Robert  Stoindells,  Sec, 
 
 We  find  and  prefent  Jonathan  Reeves,  <S:c. 
 
 We  find  and  prefent  James  Wheatly,  Sec. 
 
 ■  "We  find  and  prefent  John  Larvjood,  &c. 
 We  find  and  prefent  Jof&'ph  McAidiff]  Sec, 
 We  find  and  prefent  Charles  Skelton,  Sec. 
 
 ■  We  find  and  prefent  William  Tooker,  Sec. 
 We  find  and  prefent  Daniel  Sullivan,  Sec. 
 
 Butler  and  his  mob  were  now  in  higher  fpirlts 
 than  ever.  They  fcoured  the  fl:reets,  day  and  night ; 
 frequently    hallov/ing   as   they   went  along,    "   Five 
 
 pounds 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY,         37/ 
 
 pounds  for  a*  fwaddler*s  head'/*  Their  Chief  declaring 
 to  them  all,  "  He  had  full  liberty  now,  to  do  what., 
 ever  he  would." 
 
 ■'  In  themidfl  of  thi.s  brutality  and  injuflice,  religion 
 filed  her  cheering  light,  2nd  diffufed  happinels  almofl 
 at  the  gates  of  the  city.  At  Rathcorrnick,  within  about 
 twelve  miles  of  ^  Cork,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lloyd,  the  Reclor, 
 had  received  Mr.  Wejley  into  his  church,  and  fincerely 
 ftrove  to  advance  the  good  work  in  which  he  was  .en- 
 gaged. A  letter  received  from  that  Gentleman  about 
 this  time,  forms  a  flriking  contrail  to  thedifordSrs  wc 
 hftve  been  relating. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  '  . 
 
 *'  Your  favour  of  the  15th  inflant;  I  received  the 
 ^2d.  I  am  more  fatisfie'd  than  ever,  that  you  aim  at 
 nothipg  "but  what  has  an  immediate  tendency  to  the 
 glory  of  God  and  the  falvation  of  mankind. 
 
 "  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  your  defign,  con- 
 fidered  in  this  light  (allowing  even  of  fome  miftakes) 
 mufl  be  deemed  very  praife-worthy.  As  to  myfelf, 
 in  particular,  I  mud  own  it  gives  me  infinite  fatis- 
 faQion,  to  find  that  you  have  fpoken  to  fo  good  an 
 efFe61:  in  our  town  and  neighbourhood.  My  church 
 is  more  frequented  than  ever  it  was ;  and  I  have  the 
 ."pleafure  of  feeing  a  greater  decency,  and  more  of  zeal 
 and  attention  than  I  could  have  dared  to  promife  my- 
 felf:  which  has  alfo  this  effeCl;  upon  me,  that  I  -fincj 
 
 *  A  name  firft  given  to  Mr.  Cennick,  from  his  preaching  on 
 thofe  words,  "  Yejhalljmd  the  Babe  wrapped  in  Jzvaddlin^'duthes^ 
 4yin^  in  a  vian^^r,'^^ 
 
378  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 myfelf  better  difpofed  than  ever,  to  diRribute  to  thofe 
 who  attend  my  miniflry,  fuch  food,  as  may  yield 
 them  comfort  here,  and  happinefs  hereafter.  I  heartily 
 wifh  this  may  continue,  and  that  the  people  may  not 
 cool.  If  fo,  we  may  hope  to  fee  wickednefs  generally 
 decline,  and  virtue  and  godlinefs  take  place.  I  fee 
 this  work  of  yours,  through  God's  blefling,  thus  fuc- 
 cefsfully  carried  on,  without  any  ill-will  or  jealoufy, 
 •and  could  wifh  that  all  the  Clergy  were^  in  that 
 refpe6t,  of  the  fame  mind  with  me. 
 
 *'  Your  fociety  here  keeps  up  well;  and  is,  I  be- 
 lieve, confiderably  increafed  fince  you  left  it.  I  fre- 
 quently attend  the  preaching ;  and  though  I  am  much 
 refle6led  on  for  it,  this  does  not  in  any-wife  difcourage 
 me.  While  I  am  confcious  to  myfelf  that  I  do  no 
 harm,   I  amcarelefs  of  what  men  can  fay  of  me. 
 
 '^.Michael  Poor,  Isitely  3.  Roma7ii/i,  who  is  now  of 
 your  fociety,  read  his  recantation  on  Sunday  lad. 
 — Pray  let  us  know,  when  you  or  your  brother  intend 
 for  this  kingdom  and  town  :  for  be  fure,  none  wifh 
 more  fincerely  to  fee  and  converfe  with  you  than  I, 
 who  am  fincerely, 
 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 Aug.  29,   1749.  Your  very  afiPedionate 
 
 Brother  and  fervant, 
 
 Richard  Lloyd," 
 
 In  confequence  of  the  fliameful  refufal  of  juflice 
 above-mentioned,  the  rioters  continued  the  fame  out^ 
 rages  during  the  greater  part  of  the  following  winter. 
 At  the  lent-alfizes,  the  Preachers  (who  made  up;  the 
 
 wholq 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  379 
 
 whole  number  then  travelling  in  the  kingdom,  or  at 
 ieaft  as  many  of  them  as  had  ever  been  in  Cork  or  its 
 neighbourhood)  afiembled  at  the  houfe  of  Mr.  Jones, 
 and  went  from  thence  in  a  body  to  the  Court,  accom- 
 panied by  Mr.  Jones  and  other  reputable  inhabitants. 
 His  Majedy's  judge  behaved  as  became  him.  He 
 inquired  where  v/ere  the  perfons  prefented.  On  their 
 being  pointed  out  to  him,  he  fe^med  for  fome  time 
 vilibly  agitated,  and  unable  to  proceed.  He  at  length 
 called  for  the  evidence,  on  which  Butler  appeared. 
 On  his  faying,  in  anfwer  to  the  firft  queftion,  that  he 
 was  a  ballad-finger,  the  judge  defired  him  to  withdraw, 
 obferving,  That  it  was  a  pity  he  had  not  been  pre- 
 fented. No  other  perfon  appearing,  he  turned  to  the 
 Preachers,  and  faid,  *'  Gentlemen,  there  is  no  evi- 
 dence againft  you  :  you  may  retire  :  I  am  forry  that 
 you  have  been  treated  fo  very  improperly.  I  hope 
 the  .police  of  this  city  will  be  better  attended  to  for 
 the  lirnx  to  come.'' 
 
 It  was  now  generally  believed  that  there  would  be 
 no  more  riots  in  Cork,  But  the  flame  of  perfecu^ion 
 was  not  yet  extin6l.  Mr.  We/ley  arrived  in  Ireland  in 
 t\\&  month  of  April,  1750;  and  having  preached  in 
 Dublin,  and  the  intermediate  places,  he  arrived  in 
 Cork  :  and  at  the  repeated  invitation  of  Mr.  Alderman 
 Pembrcck  came  to  his  houfe.  On  the  morrow,  being 
 the  Lord's-day,  be  went  about  eight  o'clock  to  HaTYi^ 
 mond's  MajJJi,  being  iniormed  that  the  ufual  place  of 
 preaching  would  by  no  means  contain  thofe  who  de- 
 fired  to  hear.  The  congregation  was  large  and  atten- 
 tive. 
 
38o         THE  LI]£  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 tive.  A  few  of  the  rabble  gathered  at  a  diRance  : 
 but  by  httle  and  little  they  drew  near,  and  mixed 
 with  the  congregation:  and  he  preached  to  as  quiet 
 and  orderly  an  airembiy,  as  he  could  have  met  with 
 in  any  church  in  England  or  Ireland. 
 
 In  tlie  afternoon,  a  report  being  fp read  abroad,  that 
 the  mayor  defigned  to  hinder  his  preaching  on  the 
 MarJJi  in  the  evening,  he  defired  Mr.  Skelton  and  Mr. 
 Jones  to  wait  upon  him,  and  inquire  concerning  it. 
 Mr.  Skelton  afked,  If  Mr.  We/ley's  preaching  there, 
 would  be  difagreeable  to  him  ?  Adding,  "  Sir,  if  it 
 is,  Mr.  WtJIey  will  not  do  it."  He  replied  warmly, 
 "'Sir,  I'll  have  no  mobbing."  Mr.  Skelton  faid,  ''Sir, 
 there  was  none  this  morning."  He  anfwered,  **  There 
 was.  Are  there  not  churches  and  meeting-houfes 
 enough  ?  I  will  have  no  more  mobs  and  riots."  Mr. 
 Skelton  replied,  "  Sir,  neither  Mr.  Wejley,  nor  they 
 that  heard  him,  made  either  mobs  or  riots."  He  then 
 anfwered  plainly,  ''  I  will  have  no  more  preaching  : 
 and  if  Mr.  Wejley  attempts  to  preach,  I  am  prepared 
 for  him." 
 
 He,  however,  began  preaching  in  the  houfe  foon 
 after  ^yq,  Mr.  .Mayor  in  the  mean  time  was  walking 
 in  the  Exchancre.  and  crivingr  orders  to  the  town-drum- 
 mers  and  to  his  ferjeants — doubtlefs  to  go  down  and 
 keep  the  peace  !  They  accordingly  came  down  to  the 
 houfe,  with  an  innumerable  mob  attending  them.  They 
 continued  drumming,  and  Mr.  Wejley  continued 
 preaching,  till  he  had  finifhed  his  difcourfe.  When 
 he   came   out,   t\\Q  mob  immediately    cloied  him  in, 
 
 Obferving  one  of  the  ferjeants  ftanding  by,  he  defired 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.  381 
 
 him  to  keep  the  King's  peace  :  but  he  replied,  *'  Sir, 
 I  have  no  orders  to  do  that."  As  foon  as  he  came  into 
 the  flreet,  the  rabble  threw  whatever  came  to  hand. 
 But  all  went  by  him,  or  flew  over  his  head  ;  nor  did 
 one  thincr  touch  him.  He  walked  on  flraight  through 
 the  midfl  of  the  rabble,  looking  every  man  before 
 him  in  the  face  :  and  they  opened  on  the  right  and 
 left,  till  he  came  near  Dani's  Bridge,  A  large  party 
 had  taken  pofTefTion  of  this,  one  of  whom  was  bawl- 
 ing out,  "  Now,  hey  for  the  Romans  \"  When  he 
 came  up,  iliey  likewife  fhrunk  back,  and  he  walked 
 through  them  to  Mr.  Jenkins's  houfe.  But  a  Ro- 
 maniil  flood  juft  within  the  door,  and  endeavoured 
 to  hinder  him  from  going  in  ;  till  one  of  the  mob 
 (aiming  at  him,  but  milling)  knocked  down  the  Ro- 
 manift.  He  then  went  in,  and  God  reflrained  the 
 wild  beafts,  fo  that  not  one  attempted  to  follow 
 him. 
 
 But  many  of  the  congregation  were  more  roughly 
 handled ;  particularly  Mr.  Jones,  who  was  covered 
 with  dirt,  and  efcaped  with  his  life  almofl  by  mii-acle. 
 The  main  body  of  the  mob  then  went  to  the  houfe, 
 brought  out  all  the  feats  and  benches,  tore  up  the 
 floor,  the  door,  thoi  frames  of  the  windows,  and  what- 
 ever of  wood- work  remained;  part  of  which  they 
 carried  off  for  their  own  ufe,  and  the  reft  they  burnt 
 in  the  open  ftreet. 
 
 Finding  there  was  no  probability  of  their  difperfing, 
 M.r.WefLcy  fent  to  Alderman  P^m^?"OC/^, who  immediately 
 defired  Mr.  Alderman  Winthrop,  his  nephew,  to  go 
 down  to  him  at  Mr.  Jenkins' :  with  whom  he  walked 
 
 up 
 
382  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Up  the   flreet,    none  giving  him  an  unkiad  or  difrc- 
 fpe6lful  word. 
 
 Monday  21.  lie  rode  on  to  Bandon.  From  three 
 in  the  afternoon  till  paftfeven,  the  mob  of  CtJ7'A  march- 
 ed in  grand  proceflion,  and  then  burnt  him  in  effigy 
 near  'DanL's- Bridge, 
 
 While  they  were  fo  bufily  employed,  Mr.  Haitghton, 
 one  of  the  Preachers,  took  the  opportunity  of  going 
 down  to  Hammond's  Marjh.  He  called  at  a  friend's 
 houfe.  there  ;  where  the  good  woman  in  great  care 
 locked  him  in.  But  obferving  many  people  were  met, 
 he  threw  up  the  fafli,  and  preached  to  them  out  of  the 
 window.  Many  fcemed  deeply  aiFefted,  even  of  thofe 
 who  had  been  perfecutors  before.  And  they  all  quietly 
 retned  to  their  feveral  homes,  before  the  mob  was  at 
 leifure  to  attend  them. 
 
 Tuefday  22.  I'he  mob  and  drummers  v/ere  moving 
 again,  between  three  and  four  in  the  morning.  The 
 fam.e  evening  they  came  down  to  the  Marih,  but 
 flood  at  a  diilance  from  Mr.  Stochdalcs  houfe,  till  the 
 drums  beat,  and  the  Mayor's  ferjeant  beckoned  to 
 them,  on  which  they  drew  up,  and  began  the  attack. 
 The  Mayor  being  lent  for,  came  with  a  party  of 
 foldiers,  and  faid  to  the  mob,  ''  Lads,  once,  twice, 
 thrice,  I  bid  you  go  home.  Now  I  have  done,"  He 
 then  went  back,  taking  the  foldiers  with  him.  On 
 Vv'hich  the  mob,  piiriuant  to  their  inflrm^lions,  went 
 on  and  broke  all  the  ^Ti^s^  and  mod  of  the  window- 
 frames  m  pieces. 
 
 Wednefday    23.    The  mob  was   fiill  patrolling  the 
 ilreets,   abufing  all  that  were  called  Mclhodi/ls,    and 
 
 threatening 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,         '383 
 
 threatening  to  murder  them,  and  pull  down  their 
 houfes,  if  they  did  not  leave  this  way, 
 
 Thurfday  24.  They  again  afliiulted  Mr.  Siockdales 
 houfe,  broke  down  the  boards  he  had  nailed  up 
 ag-ainft  the  windows,  deflroved  what  little  remained 
 of  the  window- frames  and  fhutters,  and  damaged  a 
 confiderable  part  of  his  goods. 
 
 Friday  25.  One  Roger  O'Farrel  fixed  up  an  ad- 
 vertifement  at  the  public  Exchange,  ■  that  he  was 
 ready  to  head  any  m.ob,  in  order  to  pull  down  any 
 houfe  that  fhould  dare  to  harbour  a  Szvaddkr. 
 
 All  this  time  Mr.  JVe/Iey  enjoyed  peace  at  Bandortf 
 notwithftanding  the  unwearied  labours,  both  public 
 and  private,  of  Dr. ,   to  flir  up  the  people.     But 
 
 Saturday  26.  Many  were  under  great  apprehen- 
 fions  of  v/hat  was  to  be  done  in'  the  evening.  He 
 began  preaching  in  the  main  flreet  at  the  ufual  hour, 
 but  to  more  than  twice  the  ufual  congregation.  After 
 he  had  fpoken  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  a  Clergy- 
 man who  had  planted  himfelf  near  him,  with  a  very 
 large  flick  in  his  hand,  according  to  agreement, 
 opened  the  fcene.  (Indeed  his  friends  faid,  -'  he  wa$ 
 in  d^'ink,  or  he  would  not  have  done  it.''j  But  before 
 he  had  uttered  many  words,  two  or  three  refolute 
 women,  by  main  ftrength,  pulled  him  into  a  houfe, 
 and,  after  expoflulating  a  little,  fent  him  away  through 
 the  garden.  But  here  he  fell  violently  on  her  that 
 conduced  him,  not  in  anger,  but  love,  (fuch  as  it 
 was)  fo  that  fhe  was  conftrained  to  repel  force  by 
 force,  and  cufF  him  foundly.  before  he  would  let 
 her  go. 
 
 The 
 
3S4  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  W£SLEY. 
 
 The  next  champion  that  appeared,  was  one  Mr. 
 ][[ ^  a  young  gentleman  of  the  town.  He  was  at- 
 tended by  two  others,  with  piflols  in  their  hands. 
 But  his  triumph  too  was  but  fhorfe :  for  fome  of  the 
 people  quickly  bore  him  away,  though  with  much 
 gentlenefs  and  civility. 
 
 The  third  came  on  with  far  greater  fury  :  but  he 
 was  encountered  by  a  butcher  of  the  town,  (not  one 
 of  the  fociety)  who  ufed  him  as  he  would  an  ox^ 
 bellowing  one  or  two  hearty  blows  upon  his  head. 
 This  cooled  his  courage,  efpecially  as  none  took  his 
 part.     So  Mr.  WeJIty  quietly  finifiied  his  difcourfe. 
 
 Sunday  27.  At  eight  in  the  evening,  he  was  favoured 
 tvith  fuch  a  glorious  fhower  as  ufually  follows  a  florm. 
 After  the  church- fervice,  he  began  preaching  again  on, 
 The  Scripture  hath  concluded  ail  under  fin.  In  the  even- 
 ing a  large  multitude  flocked  together ;  fuch  a  con- 
 gregation was  probably  never  before  feen  in  Bandon  ; 
 and  the  fear  of  God  was  in  the  midfl.  A  folemn  awe 
 feemed  to  run  through  the  whole  multitude,  while  he 
 enlarged  on,  God  forbid  that  I  fould  glory,  fve  in 
 the  crof  of  our  Lord  Jfus  Chrif. 
 
 In  the  midfl  of  the  above  riots,  he  v\'rote  the  fol- 
 lowing hymn,  which  is  {o  excellent,  and  was  fo 
 fuitable  to  the  time  in  which  it  was  compofed,  that, 
 though  ii  is  probably  known  to  the  majority  of  our 
 readers,  we  cannot  refrain  from  adorning  our  hi  (lory 
 with  it :  and  more  particularly,  as  it  will  give  an  ad- 
 mirable view  of  the  ipirit,  in  which  he  bore  this  un- 
 juft  and  cruel  treatment ;  as  well  as  afford  another 
 inflance  of  his  genius  for  poetry,  though  he  chofe  to 
 give  the  laurel  to  his  brpther,  '*  Yc 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         385 
 
 "  YE  fimple  fouls,  that  ftray 
 Far  from  the  path  of  peace, 
 (That  unfrequented  way 
 To  hfe  and  happinefsj 
 How  long  will  ye  your  folly  love, 
 And  throng  the  downward  road, 
 And  hate  the  wifdora  from  above, 
 And  mock  the  fons  of  God  ? 
 
 Madnefs  and  mifery 
 
 Ye  count  our  life  beneath  ; 
 And  nothing  great  can  fee. 
 Or  glorious  in  our  death  : 
 As  born  to  fuffer  and  to  grieve, 
 
 Beneath  your  feet  we  lie, 
 And  utterly  contemn'd  we  live, 
 And  unlamented  die. 
 
 Poor  penfive  fojourners, 
 
 O'erwhelm'd  with  griefs  and  woes ; 
 Perplex 'd  with  needlefs  fears. 
 And  pleafure's  mortal  foes  : 
 More  irkfome  than  a  gaping  tomb, 
 
 Our  fight  ye  cannot  bear. 
 Wrapt  in  the  melancholy  gloom 
 Of  fanciful  defpair* 
 
 So  wretched,  and  obfcure. 
 
 The  men  whom  ye  delpife ; 
 So  foolifli,  weak,  and  poor. 
 Above  your  fcorn  we  rife ; 
 Our  confcience  in  the  Holy  Ghofl 
 
 Can  witnefs  better  things  j 
 For  He  whofe  blood  is  all  our  boaft, 
 Hath  made  us  priefts  and  kings, 
 
 C  c  Riches 
 
386  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 Riches  unfearehable 
 
 In  Jelu's  love  we  knou-. 
 And  pleafures  from  the  well 
 OF  life  our  fouls  o'erflow, 
 Prom  him  the  fpirit  we  receive 
 Of  wifdom,  love,  and  power ; 
 And  alway  forrowful  we  live, 
 Rejoicin"g  evermore. 
 
 Awgels  our  fervants  are, 
 
 And  keep  in  all  ourwavs. 
 And  in  their  hands  they  be'ar 
 The  facrcd  fons  ot  grace  : 
 Our  guardians  to  that  heavenly  blifs, 
 
 Thev  all  our  fleps  attend; 
 And  God  himfelf  our  Father  is. 
 And  Jefus  is  our  Friend. 
 
 Willi  him  we  walk  in  white, 
 
 We  m  his  image  fhine  ; 
 Our  robes  are  robes  of  light. 
 Our  righteoufnefs  divine : 
 On  all  the  groveling  kings  of  earth 
 
 With  pity  we  look  down, 
 And  claim  in  virtue  of  our  birth 
 A  never-fading  crown." 
 
 Shortly  after  thefe  riots  in  Cork,  Butler  went  to 
 Waterford,  and  raifed  diflurbances  in  that  city.  But 
 happening  to  quarrel  with  fome  who  were  as  ready  to 
 flied  blood  as  himfelf,  his  right  arm  was  cut  ofF  in  tlie 
 fray.  Being  thus  difabled,  the  wretch  dragged  on  the 
 remainder  of  his  life  in  unpitied  mifery.  His  fellow- 
 rioters  at  Cork,  were  intimidated  by  the  foldiers  in 
 garrifon,   many  of  whom  began  now   to  attend  the 
 
 preaching. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  387 
 
 preaching.  At  length  peace  was  reRored  ;  and  the 
 next  time  Mr.  V/eJley  vifited  that  city,  he  preached 
 without  diflurbance.  A  largre  Preachincr-houfe  was 
 foon  after  built,  in  which  the  people  quietly  afTembled. 
 There  are  fev/  places,  where  religion  has  prof- 
 pered  m'^re  than  in  Cork,  Being  reviled  fo7'  the  name 
 of  Chrifl,  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  has  rejled  upon 
 them:  and  many  have  been  the  living  and  dying  wit- 
 nelfes  of  the  power  of  true  religion.  The  principal 
 inhabitants  have  been  long  convinced  of  the  folly  and 
 wickednefs  of  the   authors   and  encouraoers   of  thofe 
 
 o 
 
 perfecutions :  and  on  a  late  vifit,  the  Mayor  invited 
 Mr.  Wefey  to  the  Manfion-houfe,  and  feemed  to  con- 
 fider  his  company  as  an  honour. 
 
 Several  circuits  were  now  formed.  The  Preachers 
 who  came  over  with  Mr.  Weficy  from  time  to  time, 
 vifited  the  Societies  regularly,  and  preached  in  new 
 places,  as  the  way  was  opened  for  them.  Several 
 Preachers  were  alfo  raifed  up  among  the  natives : 
 tnen,  who,  after  they  had  found  acceptance  with  God 
 tliemfelves,  and  feen  the  deplorable  (late  of  the  people 
 around  them,  had  no  reft  till  they  declared  the  way-^ 
 of  falvation.  Some  of  thefe  had  been  Romani/Is,  and 
 for  many  years  depended  for  falvation  on  the  pagean- 
 try and  forms,  ufed  by  men  as  wicked  as  themfelves. 
 Thefe  were  as  flames  of  fire,  when  they  found  the 
 new  and  living  way  of  faith  in  Chrift,  and  love  to  God 
 and  man.  They  laboured  and  fullered,  if  by  any 
 means  they  might  fave  fouls  from  death. 
 
 The  late  Mr.  Thomas  Wal/Ji  was  an  eminent  indance 
 of  this  kind.      His  converfion  was  confpicuous ;  his 
 
 C  c  2  eommunion 
 
388        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 communion  with  God  was  deep  and  folid,  and  his 
 labours  and  fufFerings  remarkable.  We  doubt  not, 
 but  a  fhort  €xtra6l  from  the  Journal  of  this  man  of 
 God  will  be  acceptable  to  our  readers,  efpecially 
 as  it  clearly  fhews  what  the  Preachers  of  that  day  had 
 to  encounter,  )3i  teflifying  the  gofpel  of  the  grace  of 
 God. 
 
 *'  Thurfday,  January  4,  1750.  With  much  weak- 
 nefs  of  body,  I  preached  this  morning,  and  foon  after 
 fet  out  for  Refer ea.  About  a  mile  from  the  town, 
 1  met  a  large  company,  armed  with  clubs.  Seventy- 
 eiglit  men  were  fv«^orn  upon  the  occafion.  At  the 
 lirll  fight  of  them,  I  was  a  little  daunted ;  but  I  prayed 
 to  the  Lord  for  dire6lion,  and  was  flrengthened.  They 
 compelled  me  to  alight,  faying,  they  would  bring  a 
 Minifler  of  the  Church  of-  England  and  a  RomiJJi 
 Prieil  to  talk  with  mc.  I  let  them  know  I  contended 
 with  no  man  concerning  opinions,  nor  preached 
 againft  any  particular  church,  but  againfl  fm  and 
 wickcdnefs  in  all.  1  laid,  fuppofing  three  perfons 
 among  you  of  different  denominations ;  it  may  be  a 
 Churchman,  a  Quaker,  and  a  Romanifl,  fitting  down^ 
 and  drinking  to  excefs,  begin  to  difpute,  each  affirm- 
 ing, tliat  his  v/as  the  befl  religion  :  where  is  the  re- 
 ligion of  all  thefe  men  ?  Surely  they  are  without  any, 
 unlels  it  be  that  of  Belial,  They  are  of  their  father 
 the  devil,  while  his  works  they  da.  And  if  they  live 
 and  die  in  this  condition,  hell  mufl  be  their  eternal 
 portion.      This  they  could  not  gainfay. 
 
 "  After  fome  further  difcourfe  on  the  defign  of  my 
 
 coming  to  preacii  the  goipei  to  them,  and  appealing 
 
 1  to 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  389 
 
 to  themfelves  concerning  the  neceflity  of  it,  their  rage 
 feemed  a  little  abated.  They  then  told  me,  they 
 would  let  me  go,  on  condition  that  I  would  fwear 
 never  more  to  come  to  Rofcrea.  But  when  I  re- 
 folutely  refufed  this,  they  confulted  on  rougher 
 meafures  ;  and  after  much  debate,  were  determined 
 to  put  me  into  a  well,  which  they  had  prepared  for 
 that  purpofe.  They  hurried  me  away  into  the  town, 
 where  I  was  furrounded,  as  by  fo  many  human 
 wolves.  They  held  a  confultation  again,  and  re- 
 folved  either  to  make  me  fwear,  that  I  would  never 
 more  come  thither,  or  elfe  to  put  me  into  the  welL 
 But  I  refufed  either  to  fwear  or  promife.  Some  then 
 cried  vehemently  that  I  fhould  go  into  the  water,  but 
 others  contradiQed,  and  as  pofitively  faid  I  fhould 
 not. 
 
 **  After  fome  time,  the  Parifh-Minifter  came,  who 
 behaved  well,  and  defired  I  might  be  fet  at  liberty. 
 They  confented,  provided  I  would  go  out  of  town 
 immediately.  From  an  inn,  where  they  confined 
 me,  they  brought  me  out  into  the  ftreet,  and  it  being 
 market-day,  I  began  to  preach  to  the  people.  But 
 feizing  me  by  the  coat,  they  hurried  me  before  them 
 out  of  town.  At  length  I  got  on  horfeback,  and 
 taking  off  my  hat,  I  prayed  for  them  fome  con- 
 fiderable  time.  I  then  called  upon  them  in  the  name 
 of  God,  for  Chriil's  fake,  to  repent;  and  told  them, 
 as  to  myfelf,  in  the  caufe  of  God,  I  feared  neither 
 devils  nor  men  ;  that  to  do  their  fouls  good  was  my 
 1  fole  motive  of  coming  among  them,  and  that,  if  God 
 
 C  c  3  permitted. 
 
390  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 permitted,  they  might  put  me  into  the  well,   or   even 
 ilone  me.;  that  be  it  how  it  would,  I  wds  content. 
 
 '•  I  came  ofF  from  them  at  length  in  peace  of  con- 
 fcience  and  ferenity  of  mind.  From  the  fir  ft  to  the 
 lafl,  I  UMS  not  the  leaft  diftm-bud,  nor  felt  anger  or 
 malice  towards  them.  O  God,  it  is  Thou  alone  that 
 haft  wrou'^ht  this  deliverance  for  me.  in  reftraininsc 
 the  malice  of  men  and  devils,  not  fuifering  them  to 
 hurt  me,  when  they  role  up  againft  me.  Therefore 
 with  angels,  and  archangels,  I  laud  and  magnify  thy 
 holy  name,  thy  tender  mercy  and  paternal  afle6lion 
 tov/ards  me,  O  holy  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft." 
 
 Mr.  Wal/Ji  preached  with  great  fuccefs  in  many 
 parts  of  Ireland  ^nd  England.  But  his  Ibul  chiefly 
 mourned  over  the  poor  ignorant  people  of  that  com- 
 munion which  he  had  renounced.  For  their  fakes  he 
 often  preached  in  /ry/j,  which  lie  perfc6lly  under- 
 ftood  :  and  many  of  themi  ivere  thereby  turned  to  God. 
 But.  as  one  obfcrvcs,  his  foul  was  too  large  for  his  body. 
 At  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  he  died  an  old,  old 
 man,  being  worn  out  by  his  great  and  uninterrupted- 
 labours. 
 
 The  w  ork  of  (/od  had  hitherto  extended  only  to 
 the  tiiree  Southern  provinces  :  it  now  began  alfo  in 
 Uljlcr.  The  people  of  this  province  are  moftly  mem- 
 bers of  the  Eftabiiihment,  or  Proteftant  DiiTenters.  And 
 fhey  are  well  employed.  The  Linen-manufa6lure» 
 has  given  a  f[)ur  to  induftry,  which  has  been  ex- 
 ceeding friendly  to  the  progrefs  of  religion.  In  fome. 
 parts  of  this  province,  the  Romanijls  are  numerous; 
 but  flil]  they  bear  a  fmall  proportion  to  the  bulk  of 
 X  the 
 
I  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  ,391 
 
 tilt  iiibabitants.  Here  the  word  of  the  Lord  has^-had 
 indeed  free  courfe,  and  is  glorified.  My.  Wejlty  al- 
 ways vifited  this  part  of  the  kingdom  with  peculiar 
 pleafure.  The  pooreft  of  the  people  receive  the  truth 
 with  all  readinefs  of  mind ;  and  many  of  them  are 
 rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdo7?i. 
 
 The  circuits  were  now  regularly  fupplied.  The 
 fame  difcipline  was  obferved  in  all  the  Societies,  and 
 Mr.  We/Iey  began  to  hold  Conferences  with  the  Preachers, 
 
 .  as  with  thofc  in  England.  By  this  means  the  work  of 
 religion  w^s  greatly  forwarded.*  Love  to  God  and  love 
 to  man  abounded  more  and  more ;  and  thofe  wiio  be- 
 fore were  either  deplorably  ignorant  and  wicked,  or 
 refled  in  the  form  of  godiinefs,  no^\^  worjhippcd  God  in 
 the  Jpint^  rejoiced  in  Chrijl  Jejus,  and  had  no  confidence 
 in  the  jlejh, 
 
 p.  Tiie  great  revival  which  began  in  London,  about  the 
 year  1760.  and  fpread  through  mod  parts  of  England, 
 was  known  alfo  in  this  kingdom.  In  many  places  the 
 Spirit  of  God  mightily  attended  the  preaching  of  the 
 word  and  prayer.  In  Dublin,  in  the  year  1762,  in 
 every  ordinance  the  Lord  did  indeed  give 
 
 *'  O'erwht'liniiip-  lliowers  ot  faviiiQ"  ffiace." 
 
 Many  who  for  years  had  known  the  plague  of  their  own 
 heart,  now  walked  in  uninterrupted  righteoiifnefs,  peace 
 and  joy ;  praying  without  ceojing,  and  in  every  thing 
 giving  thanks. 
 
 ".     In  fome  rcfpc6ls,    Mr.    Wefey  preferred   the   work 
 
 in  Dublin,  even  to  that  in  London.     ''  Firfl,"    fays  he, 
 
 :.-**  ISiLs  far  greater,  in  proportion  to  the  time,  and  to  the 
 
 C  c  4  number 
 
892         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 number  of  people.  That  Society  had  above  feven 
 and  twenty  hundred  members  :  this,  not  a  fifth  part 
 of  the  number.  Six  months  after  the  flame  broke  out 
 there,  we  had  about  thirty  witnefTes  of  the  great  fal- 
 vation.  In  Dublin  there  were  above  forty,  in  lefs  than 
 four  months.  Secondly,  the  work  was  more  pure. 
 In  all  this  time,  there  were  none  of  them  headflrong 
 or  unadvifable,  none  that  were  wifer  than  their 
 teachers  :  none  who  dreamed  of  being  immortal,  or  in- 
 fallibly incapable  of  temptation  :  in  Ihort,  there  were 
 no  whimfical  or  enthufiaflic  perfons.  All  were  calm, 
 and  fober-minded." 
 
 Thofe  who  have  travelled  through  Ireland,  need 
 not  be  informed,  how  difficult  of  accefs  many  parts 
 of  that  kingdom  are,  efpecially  in  the  province  of 
 Uljler»  But  the  love  of  God  and  man  forces  its  way 
 through  every  difficulty.  In  villages  and  fcattered 
 cottages,  furrounded  with  mountains  or  bogs,  and 
 out  of  all  road,  pure  religion  and  undefiled  has 
 diffufed  her  cheering  rays,  gladdening  the  wildernefs. 
 It  may  be  truly  faid, 
 
 "  Kark  !  the  waftes  have  found  a  voice ; 
 Lonely  deferts  now  rejoice." 
 
 Many  of  the  poorell  of  the  people  are  now  fo  well  in- 
 flru6led  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  that  they  need  not 
 be  afhamed  to  give  an  account  of  the  hope  that  is  in 
 them,  before  the  mod  pipus  and  learned  *of  th^ 
 nation ! 
 
 A  rem-vi^iable 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        393 
 
 A  remarkable  providence  fometimes  attended  the 
 efforts  of  the  Preachers  to  introduce  the  Gofpel  into 
 thofe  faftncfTes,  About  the  year  1768,  John  Smith, 
 a  zealous  Preacher,  who  had  been  himfelf  reclaimed 
 from  great  wickednefs,  -wd.^prcjjtcl  injpirit  to  go  and 
 preach  at  Glenann,  a  fmall  place  furrounded  with 
 mountains,  on  the  fea-fhore  oppofite  the  North  of 
 Scotland.  Near  this  town  he  overtook  a  young  lady- 
 riding  behind  a  fervant ;  and  on  herTaying,  it  was 
 a  very  wicked  place,  he  afked,  "  Are  there  no  good 
 men  there  T'  She  faid,  "  Yes,  there  is  one  William 
 Hunfxr,''  He  rode  into  the  town,  and  inquired  for 
 Williayn  Hunter  s  houfe.  When  he  ca'me  to  tht  door, 
 a  young  woman  was  fweeping  the  houfe.  He  afked 
 her  name,  and  being  anfwered,  "  Betty  Hunter,'* 
 alighted,  and  faid,  "  Betty  take  my  horfe  to  an  inn, 
 and  tell  every  one  you  meet,  A  gentleman  at  our  houfe 
 has  good  news  to  tell  you  at  feven  o'clock/'  At  feven 
 the  houfe  was  well  filled.  John  preached  to  them 
 twice  a  day,  for  nine  days.  A  Society  was  then 
 formed  which  continues  to  this  day.  When  he  took 
 his  leave,  he  had  only  three  pence  :  however,  he  afked 
 the  landlady,  "  What  am  I  to  pay  for  my  horfe  ?" 
 '•'  Nothing,  Sir,"  faid  the  woman  :  "  A  gentleman  has 
 S*^    paid  all;  and  will  do  fo,  if  you  flay  a  month.'* 
 
 At  other  times,  they  fufrered  feverely   in   thofe  at- 
 tempts.    Very  fhortly  after  the  above  event,  Mr.  John 
 :   McBurney,  another  Preacher,  was  invited  to  preach  at 
 I,  a  Mr.  Perry's,  within  a  few  miles  of  £7i7iijkillen^  He  ac- 
 cordingly went  there.  In  the  evening,  while  the  congre- 
 V  gation  was  finging  a  hymn,  a  large  mob  befct  the  houfe. 
 
 I 
 
394 
 
 THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Six  of  the fc  rufhcd  in,  armed  with  clubs,  and  imme- 
 diately le'il  upon  tl\e  people.  But  many  of  them 
 ioinincr  tofyether,  thrufl  the  rioters  out,  and  (hut  and 
 fadened  the  door.  On  this  they  broke  every  pane  of 
 fflafs  in  the  windows,  and  threw  in  a  large  quantity 
 of  ilones.  They  then  broke  into  tJie  houfc  through 
 a  weak  part  of  the  wall,  and  hauling  out  both  men 
 and  women,  beat  them  without  mercy.  Soon  after, 
 they  dragged  out  Mr.  McBuiiiey,  whom  they  inflantly 
 knocked  down.  They  continued  beating  him  on  tlie 
 head  and  breafl,  while  he  lay  fenfelefs  on  the  ground. 
 Yet  after  awhile,  coming  a  little  to  himfelf,  he  got  up; 
 but  not  being  quite  fenfible,  daggered,  and  fell  again. 
 Then  one  of  them  let  his  toot  upon  his  face,  fwear- 
 i-n'y  'he  would  tread  the  Holy  Ghofl  out  of  him,". 
 Another  ran  his  ftick  into  his  mouth.  As  foon  as  he 
 could  fpeak,  he  laid,  "May  God  forgive  vou  ;  I  do." 
 They  then  fet  him  on  his  horfe,  and  one  of  the 
 ruffians  got  up  behind  him,  and  forced  him  to  gallop 
 down  the  rocky  mountain  to  the  town.  I'here  they 
 kept  him,  till  a  gentleman  took  him  out  ot  their  hands, 
 and  entertained  and  lodged  him  in  the  mofl  liofpi- 
 table  manner.  But  his  bruiles,  on  the  head  and 
 breaO:  in  particular,  would  not  JuHer  him  to  lleep. 
 After  lingering  a  few  years,  \v^  died  at  Cumrs,  in  con- 
 fe<|uence  of  this  treatment.  He  preached  almolt  to 
 the  lafl  week  of  his  hie,  aird  went  to  his  reward,  re- 
 joicing in  (rod  his  Savioar. 
 
 A  few  months  after  this  good  man  had  been  thus 
 tcverely  treated,  a  iiirioiis  mob  way-laid  Mr.  Wc/Icy 
 w.nhin  a  few  mile::  o'i  the    fame  place.     One   of  liis 
 
 liorfcs 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  V/ESLEY. 
 
 395 
 
 IioiTes  wanting  a  fhoe,  he  went  forward  to  Ennijkillenf 
 accompanied  by  two  friends.  The  mob,  in  the  mean 
 time,  attacked  the  chaile.  beat  in  the  pannels  with 
 flones,  and  ahnoft  covered  it  with  dirt  and  morter. 
 ,  When  he  entered  the  town,  a  large  party  encountered 
 him  :  but  many  foldiens  in  the  flreet,  accofting  him 
 refpedfully,  the  mob  flirunk  back,  and  he  palled 
 through  unhurt. 
 
 The  mofi  dangerous  illnefs  v/hich  Mr.  Weflry  ever 
 had,  previous  to  that  which  removed  him  to  a  better 
 world,    was  in  this  kingdom,   in  the  fummer  of  1775. 
 
 On  June  13th.  he  found  himfelf  indifpofed  in  the 
 morning,  but  fuppofed  it  would  foon  go  off.  In  the 
 afternoon,  the  weathei-  being  extremely  hot,  he  lay 
 down  on  the  grafs  in  Mr.  Lock's  orchard  at  CockhilL 
 This  he  had  been  accuflomed  to  do  for  forty  v^ars^ 
 and  never  remembered  to  have  been  hurt  by  it.  Only 
 he  never  before  lay  on  his  face,  in  which  pollure  he 
 ell  afleep.  He  waked  a  little,  and  but  a  little  out  of 
 order,  and  preached  with  eafe  to  a  multitude  of  peo- 
 ple. Afterwards  he  was  much  worfe.  However,  the 
 *.i.ext  day  he  v/ent  on  a  few  miles,  to  the  Grange,  The 
 table  was  placed  there  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  all  the 
 time  he  was  preaching,  a  ftrong  and  fharp  wind 
 blew  full  on  the  left  fide  of  his  head.  And  it  was 
 not  without  great  difficulty,  that  he  concluded  his" 
 fermon.  He  now  found  a  deep  obflrudion  in  his 
 bread ;  and  his  pulfe  was  exceeding  weak  and  low. 
 He  fhivered  with  cold,  (though  the  air  was  fnltry  hot.) 
 only  now  and  then  burning  for  a  fev/  minutes.  He 
 went  early  to  bed,  drank  a   draught   of  treacle  and 
 
 water, 
 
39^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 water,  and  applied  treacle  to  the  foles  of  his  feet.   He 
 lay  till   feveu  on  Thurfday  I5l:h,    and  fek  confidera- 
 bly  better.    But  he  found  nearl)^  the  fame  obfl;ru6^ion 
 in  his  breafl,    with  a  low,    weak  pulfe.     He   burned 
 and  {hivercd  by  tuins,   and  if  he  ventured  to  cough, 
 it  jarred  his  head  exceedingly.     In  going  on  to  Derry 
 Anvil,    he  found  he  could  not  attend  to  what  he  was 
 rcaduig,  not   even   for  three  ininutes   together  :    his 
 thoughts  were  perpetually  fhifting.     Yet  all  the  time 
 he  was  preaching  in  the  evening,  (although  he  flood 
 in  the  open    air,  with  the  wind  whillling   round   his 
 head)  his  mind  was  as  compofed  as  ever.  Friday  i6th, 
 in  p'oing  to  Lurgan^    he  was  again  unable  to  fix   his 
 attention  on  what  he  read  :  yet  while  he  was  preach- 
 in<y  in  the  evening  on  the  parade,  he  found  his  mind 
 perfeQly  compofed,   though  it  rained  a  great  part  of 
 the  time.      Saturday  17  th,  he  was  perfuaded  to  fend 
 for  Dr.  Laws,    a  fenfible  and  fl-iilful  phyfician.     The 
 Do6lor  told  him,  "  He  was   in  a  high  fever,  '  and  ad- 
 vifed  him  to  lie  by.**     But  he  anfwered,  "  That  could 
 not  be  done  ;    as  he  had  appointed  to  preach  at  feve- 
 ral  places,     and   muft    preach  as  long  as    he    could 
 fpeak."      The   phyfician   then  prefcribed   a    cooling 
 draught,  with  a  grain  or  two  ofcamphire,  as  his  nerves 
 ■were  univerfally  agitated.       This  he  took  with  him  to 
 Tandrages  :     but  when  he  came  there,   he    was   not 
 able  to  preach;   his  underftanding  being  quite  con- 
 fufed,  and  his  ftrength  entirely  gone.    Yet  he  breathed 
 freely,  and  had  not  the  leafl  thirfl:,  nor  any  pain  from 
 head  to  foot, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         397 
 
 He  was  now  at  a  full  (land  whether  to  aim  at  Lijhurn, 
 or  to  pufh  forward  for  Dublin?  But  his  friends  doubts 
 ing  whether  he  could  bear  fo  long  a  journey,  he 
 v^cnt  to  Derry-Aghy,  a  gentleman's  feat  on  the  fide  of 
 a  hill,  two  miles  beyond  Lijhurn.  Here  nature  funk, 
 and  he  took  to  his  bed:  but  he  could  no  more  turn 
 himfelf  therein,  than  a  new-born  child.  His  memory 
 failed  as  well  as  his  flrength,  and  in  a  great  meafure 
 I  his  underftanding.  Only  thofe  words  ran  in  his  mind, 
 when  he  faw  Mifis  Gayer  on  one  fide  of  the  bed,  look- 
 ing at  her  mother  on  the  other, 
 
 **  She  fat,  like  patience  on  a  monument, 
 *'  Smiling  at  grief." 
 
 But  flill  he  had  no  thirfl,  no  difficulty  of  breathing, 
 no  pain  from  head  to  foot. 
 
 He  could  give  no  account  of  what  followed  for 
 two  or  three  days,  being  more  dead  than  alive.  Onlv 
 he  remembered  it  was  difhcult  for  him  to  fpeak,  his 
 throat  being  exceedingly  dry.  But  Mr.  Jojeph  Brad- 
 ford obferves,  that  he  faid  on  the  Wednefday,  "  It 
 will  be  determined  before  this  time  to-morrow ;"  that 
 his  tongue  was  much  fwoln,  and  as  black  as  a  coal ; 
 that  he  was  convuifed  all  over;  and  that  for  fome 
 time  his  heart  did  not  beat  perceptibly,  neither  was 
 any  pulfe  difcernible. 
 
 In  the  night  of  Thurfday,  the  2 2d,  Mr.  Bradford 
 came  to  him  with  a  cup,  and  faid,  *'  Sir,  you  muft 
 take  this/'  He  thought,  *'  I  will,  if  I  can  fwallow, 
 to  pleafe  him  :  for  it  will  do  me  neither  harm  nor 
 
 good." 
 
398         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 good."  Me  rook  k,  and  foon  after  began  to  vomi't  ; 
 his  heart  began  to  beat,  and  his  pulfe  to  play  again. 
 And  from  that  hour,  the  extremit)^  of  the  fymptoins 
 abated.  The  next  ddy,  he  fat  up  feveral  hours,  and 
 walked  four  or  live  times  acrofs  the  room.  On 
 Saturday,  he  fat  up  all  day,  and  walked  acrofs  the 
 room  many  times,  without  any  wearinefs.  On  Sun-^ 
 day,  he  came  down  flairs,  and  fat  Jeveral  hours  in  the 
 parlour.  On  Monday,  he  walked  out  before  the 
 houfe  :  on  Tuefday,  he  took  an  airing  in  the  chaife  : 
 and  on  Wednefday,  trufling  in  God,  to  the  aflonifli- 
 nicnt  of  his  friends,  he  fet  out  for  Dublin. 
 
 It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  during  the  extremity  of 
 his  illnefs,  while  many  thoufands  in  the  three  king- 
 doms were  praying  for  his  recovery,  two  of  the 
 Preachers,  one  near  the  place  where  he  lay,  the  other 
 in  the  county  of  Kent  m  Enghnd,  while  pra)'ing  for 
 him,  had.thofe  words,  fpoken  ougmAWy  o^  Hezekiak, 
 (Ifaiah  xxxviii.  5.)  impreifed  upon  their  minds  with 
 remarkable  force,  "  /  unit  add  unto  his  days  fifteen 
 years."  After  this,  he  lived  fifteen  years  and  a  few- 
 months. 
 
 In  the  year  1783,  that  blelTed  man,  the  late  Rev. 
 Mr.  Fletcher,  vifited  Dublin,     He  was  indeed  one  of 
 
 "  The  hcav'n-born  race  of  Prices  and  Kings." 
 
 His  preaching  was  (to  ufe  St.  Peter  s  words)  with  the 
 Holy  Ghof  fent  down  from  heaven.  His  converfation 
 was  that  of  a  Seraph.  And  his  whole  life  was  fuch  a 
 Jiving  piclurc  of  the  truths  he  taught,  that  his  name 
 is     fUll     among     that    people    as    ointment    poured 
 
 forth. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 399 
 
 forth.  A  revival  began  under  his  minifliy,  which 
 has  lafled  to  this  day.  The  Preachers  who  fucceeded, 
 as  well  as  thole  who  were  cotemporary  with  him, 
 were  lively,  zealous  men,  and  ftricl  in  difcipiine. 
 "Fhe  confequence  was,  that  the  Society  increafed,  till 
 it  became  double  what  it  ever  was  before ;  and  many 
 experienced  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of 
 God.  Mr.  We/ley  greatly  rejoiced  over  them  in  his 
 two  lad  vifits  to  Ireland  ;  and  often  declared  that  he 
 found  a  reft  in  that  city,  which  he  never  did  before. 
 Indeed  the  whole  kingdom  began  to  pronounce  him 
 blelfed.  Many  Clergymen,  fome  of  whom  were 
 eminent  in  the  literary  world,  invited  him  to  their 
 houfes  and  churches,  and  feemed  to  look  upon  them- 
 ielves  as  honoured  by  his  company.  The  general 
 voice  appeared  to  be,  Ke  hath  done  all  things  well ! 
 
 There  were  however  a  few  jarring  ftrings.  A  pert 
 young  man,  who  had  been  fome  years  before  a 
 member  of  one  of  the  Societies  in  YorkJJiire,  and  was 
 aftervvards  ordained  in  the  Church  of  England,  of- 
 ficiated at  this  time  in  Dublin,  in  a  Chapel  licenfed 
 under  the  Toltration-AB,  This  dilfenting //z^A-CAzircA- 
 ■man  attacked  him  in  the  public  papers  on  account  of 
 his  irregularity,  and  did  his  utmoft  to  tread  his  hoary 
 honours  in  the  duft.  Mr.  Wejlcy  wrote  a  fhort  an- 
 fwer ;  but  did  not  think  it  proper  to  continue  the 
 controverfy  with  luch  an  opponent.  In  a  letter  to  a 
 friend,  he  mentioned  "the  obloquy  which  was  cafl 
 upon  him,"  but  adds,  *'  Reputation  is  nothing  to  me  : 
 1  ferve  God,'* 
 
 However 
 
400        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 However  painful  the  Philippics  of  this  young  man 
 were  to  his  friends,  they  were  difregarded  by  this 
 aged  fervant  of  Chrift.  He  rejoiced  greatly  in  the 
 fuccefs  of  his  labours.  He  faw  rehgion  profper,  and 
 hold  on  its  happy  courfe  throughout  the  land.  He 
 fat  in  his  circle  of  friends,  who  were  as  bis  own  foul, 
 in  the  lafl  Conference  which  he  held  in  Dublin,  and 
 delightfully  called  to  mind  the  former  days.  He  might 
 iay  on  thi.^  occafion  alfo, 
 
 '*  O  the  fathomlefs  love. 
 
 That  has  dcign'd  to  approve 
 And  profper  the  v/ork  of  my  hands ! 
 
 With  my  palloral  crook 
 
 I  went  over  the  brook. 
 And  behold!  I  am  fpread  into  bands  !"" 
 
 "  I  had  much  fatisfadion,*'  fays  he,  "  in  this  Con- 
 ference ;  in  which  converfing  with  between  forty  and 
 fifty  travelling  Preachers,  I  found  fuch  a  body  of 
 men,  as  I  hardly  believed  could  have  been  brought 
 together  in  Ireland  :  men  of  fo  found  experience  ;  fo 
 deep  piety,  and  fo  flrong  underftanding,  that  I  am 
 convinced,  they  are  no  way  inferior  to  the  Engli/Ji 
 Conference,  except  it  be  in  number." 
 
 A  few  days  after  this,  (in  July  1789,)  he  took  a 
 folemn  farewel  of  thefe  his  fons  in  the  Gofpel,  expe6l- 
 ing  to  fee  them  no  more,  till  they  fhould  meet  in  the 
 paradife  of  Cod. 
 
 C  H  A  P- 
 
TFIE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  401 
 
 CHAP.      IL 
 
 Of  the  progrtjs  of  Chrijlianity  in  Scotland  from  it^  firji 
 rife  to  the  year  1751.  And  of  the  labours  of  Mr.  Wes- 
 ley, and  thole  in  connexion  with  him,  in  that  kingdom,- 
 ctnd  in  the  Britifi  If  est  arid  of  his  vifits  to  Hollands- 
 
 SECTION       I. 
 
 T}EDE,   as  well  as  all  the  ancient  Hifloriagraplier^ 
 "^     of    Scotland,    and   indeed    moft    of   the    writers 
 on-  the   fubje6l,   unite  in  fentiment,  that  fome  of  the 
 'difciples  of  St.  John  the  Apoftle,  who  fled  from  the 
 perfecutions  which  raged  throughout  the  Ro7nan  Em- 
 pire under  the  reign  of  DomitianyWere  the  firfl:  planters 
 ©f  chriflianity  in  Scotland.     Our  holy  religion  did  not 
 receive  a  proper  eflabiifliment  in  that  kingdom  till  the 
 beginning  of  the  third  century.     About  the  year  201, 
 Donald  the  firft,  King  of  Scotland',  with  his  Oueen  and 
 feveral  of  his   nobles,   was  publicly   baptized   by  the 
 Chriftian  Miffionaries  :    from  which  time  chriftianity 
 might   be  faid   in  fome   fenfe  to  be   the  national  re- 
 ligion.   Its  extenfion  was  further  promoted  by  various 
 emigrations  from  Soitth  Britain,  during  the  perfecutions 
 of  the  Roinan  Emperors^,  Aurtliiis  and  Dioclefian:  and 
 ;.at  this  period  it  received  a  legal  eftablithment. 
 
 The  dire6lion  of  religious  matters  was  at  this  a^ra 
 placed  in  the  hands  of  a  number  of  pious  men,  (fome 
 of  whom  were  men  of  great  erudition,)  who  bore  the 
 appellation  of  Culdees,  quafi  CuUores  Dei,  fays  Buchanan, 
 (as  being  worfiifpers  of  God.)  Thefe  Culdees  appear  to 
 
 D  d  have 
 
402         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 have  been  the  firfl  Chriflian  Mmifters  in  Scotland^ 
 that  proceeded  on  a  fixed,  regular  and  cxten five  plan:; 
 and  under  their  influence,  we  have  reafon  to  believe, 
 vital  religion  flourifhed.  But  thf^  accounts  tranfmitted 
 down  to  us  concerning  them  are  in  general  fo  imper- 
 ft6t,  that  we  can  enter  into  no  particular  detail,  nor 
 form  any  exa6l  couclufion,  concerning  the  flate  of 
 inward  religion.  They  were  governed  by  Bifhops  or 
 Overfeers,  whom  they  chofe  out  of  their  own  body, 
 but  whom  they  invefled  with  no  pre-eminence  of  rank. 
 
 From  v/hat  has  been  obierved,  it  appears,  that 
 chriflianity  was  introduced,  planted  and  nourifhed  in 
 Scotland  in  perfeQ  independence  of  the  See  of  Rome. 
 In  this  manner  it  took  root  and  fiouriihed  in  all  its 
 native  fimplicity  till  ?he  fifth  century,  when  the  Bilhop 
 of  Rome  fcnt  over  a  Priefl,  whofe  name  was  Palladius, 
 in  order  to  introduce  all  the  peculiarities  of  that 
 church  into  that  kingdom.  Palladius  prevailed  ;  and 
 \n  a  fliort  time  the  whole  nation  was  brought  into  fub- 
 jeQion  to  tlie  See  of  P.ome.  The  fpiritual  darknefs 
 which  then  overfpread  Chrillendom,  covered  alfo 
 Scotland.  But  it  mufl  be  acknowledged,  that  the  Scotch 
 nation  did  never  yield  that  perfe6i;ly  blind  obedience 
 to  the  Pope,  which  {o  infamoufly  difgraced  mofl  of 
 the  other  nations  of  Europe, 
 
 The  Culdees  remained  a  diflind  order,  and  prefervcd 
 their  independence,  even  to  the  fourteenth  century. 
 But  the  Church  of  P^omc,  according  to  the  fpirit  of  its 
 religion,  continually  liarraifed  and  oppreffed  them, 
 till,  under  the  reign  oF  Robert  Eruce^  they  became 
 extin^. 
 
 X  It 
 
-     THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.  403 
 
 It  is  remarkable,  that  when  Popery  triumphed  in 
 Scotland  over  every  oppofition  by  the  extinchion  of 
 the  order  of  the  Ciddees;  at  the  very  fame  time  a 
 powerful  oppofition  was  raifed  in  England  againfl  the 
 errors  of  that  corrupt  religion  by  yohn  Wickliffe,  the 
 forerunner  in  the  work  of  reformation  to  yohn  Hufs 
 and  Jerome  of  Prague,  as  they  were  to  Martin  Luther 
 and  John  Calvin, 
 
 When  the  light  broke  forth  with  fuch  power  ill 
 England,  under  thofe  eminent  inftruments  of  good, 
 thofe  great  defenders  of  the  truth,  Cranmer,  Latimer^ 
 and  their  fellow-labourers :  and  wdien  the  arts  and 
 fciences  began  to  lift  up  their  languid  heads  out  of  » 
 the  dungeons  of  ignorance  and  fuperflition,  Scotland 
 began  to  inquire  after  truth.  The  reformation  from 
 Popery  in  that  kingdom,  began  in  the  reign  of  James 
 the  fifth.  During  the  reign  of  his  daughter  Mary  it 
 gained  coniiderable  flrength  :  till  at  laft  the  grace  and 
 providence  of  God  raifed  up  that  great  Reformer 
 Joh?i  Knox,  that  Apollle  of  Scotland,  who  completed 
 the  glorious  work,  and  overturned  the  whole  fabrick 
 of  fuperflition. 
 
 He  overturned  it  entirely,  in  refpecl  to  its  external 
 form,  thou2:h  flill  the  remains  of  it  were  not  incon- 
 fiderable.  Much  pure  religion  was  undoubtedly  to 
 be  found  at  this  time  in  Scotland.  But  foon  the  fpirit 
 of  the  world,  that  grand  Antichrift,  that  myflery  of 
 iniquity,  began  to  work.  Politics  were  more  and 
 more  mixed  with  Chriflianity.  This  fpirit  raged  with 
 great  violence,  during  the  reign  of  the  unfortunate 
 Mary,  and  more  particularly  w^hilfl  James  the  baflard 
 
 D  d   ?.  W3S 
 
4c)4  'i'HE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 was  Regent  of  Scotland.  'Di^Mne  Providence  faw  it, 
 and  {'uiTered  one  of  the  fevercft  perfecutions  to  fail 
 on  that  church,  that  Britain  ever  knew,  if  we  confider 
 its  extent,  and  the  numerous  objeds  that  felt  its  op- 
 prefhve  power. 
 
 We  fliotild  be  carried  far  bevond  the  limits  of  our 
 prefent  work,  if  we  entered  into  a  detail  of  the  caufes 
 of  that  dreadful  perfecution,  which  raged  in  Scotland 
 under  the  reign  of  Charles  the  fecond.  Innumerable 
 perfons  were  put  to  death  in  various  ways.  Many 
 were  fhot.  Manv  were  faflened  to  the  fea-fhore  be- 
 low  the  high  water  mark,  till  the  tide  came  up  and 
 drowned  them.  Many  holy  Miniflcrs  had  their  legs 
 broke  to  pieces  in  the  hoot^  an  engine  made  of  iron, 
 which  by  the  means  of  fcrews  was  gradually  com- 
 preifed,  till  the  whole  leg  was  entirely  crufhed  and 
 dtflrayed.  Several  of  thefe,  it  mufk  be  acknow- 
 ledged, fufFered,  becaufe  they  would  not  fubmit  to 
 the  new  Epifcopacy,  which  Charles  endeavoured  to 
 eilabiilli.  But  multitudes  endured  excruciating  tor- 
 ments, and  death  ilfelf,  for  the  caufe  of  real  piety.  The 
 iufferings  of  the  Puritans  in  England  were  little  in  com- 
 parifon  to  thefe.  But  we  refer  our  readers  for  a  full  ac- 
 count of  them,  to  a  colledion  of  authentic  records  on 
 the  fubjetl,  in  two  volumes  folio,  publiflied  by  the 
 Rev.  Rokrt  Wodrow,  and  entitled  "  a  Iliflory  of  tlie 
 fufferings  of  the  Church  o^  Scotland." 
 
 Kor  fliould  we  here  forget  that  eminent  and  holy 
 
 nwn,  of  the  Epifcopal  party,  Dr.  Leighton,  Archbifhop 
 
 of  Glajgozu.      He  was  a  burning  and  a  Jliining  lioht.     If . 
 
 all  the  Biiliops  iu  that  kingdom  had  been  like  to  him, 
 
 2  Scotland 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         405 
 
 Scotland  would  liAve  known  nothing  of  perfecuUon  ; 
 and  il:  is  very  probable,  love  would  ha.ve  etfeQed, 
 what  force  was  not  able  to  pertonn. 
 
 The  pcrlecution  anfwered  the  gracious  defign  of 
 Piovidence.  The  church  of  Scotland  became  a  glory 
 among  the  churches,  yea,  *'  the  glory  of  Chrift." 
 She  was  indeed  "  like  fiiver  feven  times  purified  m 
 the  furnace/* 
 
 Soon  after  this,  the  Prince  of  Or^ng*?,  that  friend  of 
 ^mankind,   afcended   the   BrUiJh  throne.       Liberty   of 
 confcience  was    then   univerfally  granted  through  the 
 Ifiand.      But,  alas!   no  iooner  was  the  rod  removed, 
 than  luke-AMrmnels  on  the  one  hand,  and  mndelity  on 
 the  other,  began  to  prevail  in  Scotland  ;  and  have  con- 
 tinued to  incrcafe  even   to  the  preient  day.      So  th^ 
 jittie,  very  little,  of  the  true  power  of  godlinefs  is  now 
 U)  be  found  in  that  kingdom.       Thofe  who  retain  the 
 ientiments  of  the  reformed  church,     do    in  general 
 regard  opinions,    not   only  more   than    experimental 
 religion,    but    even   more     than     common     morality. 
 \\^hiie  a  very   confiderable  part,  yea,  we  have  reafon 
 to  fear,  iha  majority  of  the  General  Churca  Aifezn 
 of  the  nation,  have  more  orlefs  embraced  the  Anan  or 
 Socinian  fyftem. 
 
 We  write  thus,  not  as  if  .the  labours  of  Mr.  Wefley, 
 |ind  of  the  Preachers  in  conne6iion  v/ith  hun,  have  been 
 in  vain  even  in  Scotland,  Numbers  have  expciienced 
 converting  grace  by  the  indrunientality  of  their 
 minidry  :  and  m.any  of  theie,  we  doiibt  fot  .re 
 already  fafely  lodged  mAhraliams  bofom.  We  may  alfo 
 ()bferve  that,  in  the  whole  kingdom  of  Scotland,  aierc 
 
 0^3  vvere 
 
4o6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 were  feveral  zealous  miniflers  who  defired  nothing 
 upon  earth  fo  much  as  the  ccnverfion  of  fouls,  and 
 many  private  perfons  who  experienced  the  real  power 
 of  religion,  when  Mr.  We/ley  hrH  vifited  that  country  : 
 and  that  there  are  feveral  fuch  ftill,  who  have  not, 
 and  never  had,  any  conne61ion  with  his  Societies. 
 Some  of  thefe  received  Mr.  We/Iey  with  open  arms, 
 particularly  the  late  truly  pious  Dr.  Gillics  of  Glafgow, 
 But  we  haften  to  the  hiilory  which  more  particularly 
 concerns  us. 
 
 S  E  C  T  I  O  N     IL 
 
 N  the  month  of  April  1751,  Mr.  Wejlty  firfl  vifited 
 Scotland,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Chrijlopher  Hopper. 
 Colonel  Galalin,  then  in  quarters  at  Mujfelborough  near 
 Edinburgh,  had  preffed  him  to  pay  him  a  vifit.  Mr. 
 Wejlty  having  mentioned  this  to  Mr.  Whitejield,  he 
 replied,  "  You  have  no  bufinefs  there  :  for  your 
 principles  are  fo  well  known,  that  if  you  fpoke  like 
 an  angel,  none  would  hear  you.  And  if  they  did, 
 you  would  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  difpute  with  one 
 and  another  from  morning  to  night."  He  anfwered, 
 "  If  God  fends  me,  people  will  hear.  And  I  will  give 
 them  no  provocation  to  difpute  :  fori  will  Rudioufl^ 
 avoid  controverted  points,  and  keep  to  the  funda- 
 mental truths  of  chriflianity.  And  if  any  flill  begin 
 to  difpute,  they  may  :  but  I  will  not  difpute  with 
 them." 
 
 lie 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         407 
 
 He  went.  Hundreds  and  thoufands  flocked  to  hear  * 
 and  he  was'  enabled  to  keep  his  word.  He  avoided 
 whatever  might  enc^ender  flrife,  and  infilled  upon  the 
 gran'd  points,  the  religion  of  the  heart,  and  falvation 
 hy  faith,  at  all  times,  and  In  all  places.  And  by  this 
 means,  he  cut  off  all  occaiion  of  difpute. 
 
 At  MiiJIelborovgh  efpecially  he  was  kindly  received. 
 Whereas  in  the  kirk  (as  Mrs.  G^/^^m  informed  him) 
 there  ufed  to  be  laughing  and  talking,  and  all  the  marks 
 of  the  groffefl  inattention  :  it  was  far  otherwife  in  the 
 fchool-room,  where  he  preached.  The  people  re- 
 mained as  flatues  from  the  beginning  of  the  fermon  to 
 the  end.  He  ufed  great  plainnefs  of  fpeech  toward 
 them  ;  and  they  all  received  it  in  love  :  fo  that  the 
 prejudice  which  the  devil  had  been  feveral  years 
 planting,  was  torn  up  by  the  roots  in  one  hour. 
 After  preaching,"  one  of  the  bailiffs  of  the  town,  with 
 one  of  the  elders  of  the  kirk,  came  to  him,  and  begrged, 
 '•'  he  w^ould  fiay  with  them  a  while,  if  it  were  but  two 
 or  three  days,  and  they  would  fit  up  a  far  larger  place 
 than  the  fchool,  and  prepare  feats  for  the  congrega- 
 tion." Eut  his  time  v/as  fixed.  All  therefore  he 
 could  now  do,  was  to  give  them  a  promife  that  Mr. 
 Hopper  fliould  come  back  the  next  week,  and  fpend  a 
 few  days  with  them.  Mr.  Hopper  did  accordingly  re- 
 turn at  the  time  appointed,  and  preached m.orning and 
 e^-ening  to  large  congregations,  who  heard  with,  the 
 greatefl:  attention. 
 
 In  April  1753,  Mr.  ]Vefiey  again  vifited  Scotland, 
 Lie  now  entered  it  on  the  fide  of  Dimfries,  In  paflino- 
 j;he  lands  v/hich  lie  between  Bonas  and  that  town,   tho. 
 
 D  d  4  Innkeeper 
 
4o8         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 ! 
 Innkeeper  who  guided  him,  afked  with  great  fimpHcit)% 
 *'  How  much  a  year  he  got  bypreadhing  thus  ?"  This 
 gave  him  an  opportunity  of  explaining  to  his  guide, 
 th-it  kind  of  ffain,  to  which  he  leemed  an  utter  flrancrer. 
 He  appeared  to  be  quite  amazed,  and  fpoke  not  one 
 word  good  or  bad  till  he  took  his  leave. 
 
 When  he  arrived  at  Glajgow,  that  excellent  man 
 Dr.  Gillies  received  him  in  a  truly  chriflian  fpirit ;  and 
 invited  him  to  preach  in  his  church.  Upon  this  Mr. 
 TT^/y7f;/  remarks,  "  Surely  with  God  nothing  is  im- 
 poihble  !  A\  ho  would  have  believed  five  and  twenty- 
 years  ago,  either  that  the  miniffer  w^ould  have  defired 
 it,  or  that  I  ftiould  have  confented  to  preach  in  a  Scotch 
 Kirk  I"  He  preached  alfo  at  the  prifon ;  and  then  re- 
 turned by  Edinburgh  and  Tranent  to  England.  Not 
 Jon-J-  after,  Mr.  Wardrobe,  Minifter  of  Baths-ate  in 
 Scotlaiid,  the  twin-(bul  of  Dr.  Gillies,  preached  at  Mr. 
 Wejlcys  chapel  in  Newcaflle,  to  the  no  fmall  amaze- 
 ment and  difpleafure  of  fome  of  his  zealous  country- 
 men. Some  time  after  this,  Mr.  Wtjley  received  from 
 Dr.  Gillies  the  following  account  of  the  death  of  that 
 excellent  man  : 
 
 "  Air.  Wardrobe  died  lad  nif^ht.  He  was  feized  on  Sab- 
 bath  lafl,  jufl  as  he  was  going  to  the  Kirk,  with  a  moft 
 violent  cholic,  which  terminated  in  a  mortification  of 
 his  bowels.  The  circumflances  of  his  death  are  wor- 
 thy to  be  recorded.  With  what  pleafure  did  he  receive 
 the  meflage,  and  depart  in  all  the  triumph  of  a  con- 
 queror I  Crying  out,  "  My  warfare  is  accoinpHJhtd :  I 
 have  fought  the  good  fight  :  my  vi^lory  is  completed. 
 Crowns  of  grace  fhall  adorn  this  head  (taking  off  his 
 
 cap) 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  409 
 
 cap)  and  palms  be  put  into  thefe  hands.  Yet  a  little 
 xvhilc,  and  I  ihall  fmg  for  ever.  I  know  that  my  Rx- 
 deevier  liveih."  When  he  was  Vv'ithin  a  few  moments 
 of  his  la  ft.  he  gave  me  his  hand,  and  a  little  after  faid, 
 *•  N'ow  Ictiejl  thou  thy  Jervant  depart  in  peace  ;  for  mine 
 eyes  ham  feen  iky  falvatlcn."  Were  I  to  repeat  half 
 what  he  fpoke,  I  fhould  write  you  three  hours.  It 
 iliall  fuffice  at  this  time  to  fay,  that  as  he  has  lived  the 
 life,  (o  lie  died  the  death  of  a  Clirinian.  We  weep 
 ziot  for  him  ;  we  weep  for  ourfelves.  I  wifli  we  may- 
 know  how  to  improve  this  awful  judgment,  fo  as  to 
 i>e  alfo  ready,  not  knov/ing  when  our  Lord  cometh." 
 
 Mr.  Adams,  minifter  of  Falkirk,  wrote  thus  :  ''  On 
 Friday  night,  about  ten,  I  witneued  Mr.lVardrobeof 
 Balhgates  entrance  into  tlie  joy  of  his  Lord.  But  ah  ! 
 Who  can  help  mourning  the  lof:  to  the  church  of 
 Chrift  ?  His  amiable  chara6ler  gave  him  a  dininguifhed 
 wei-^ht  and  influence  :  which  his  Lord  had  given  him 
 to  value,  only  for  its  fuoferviency  to  his  honour  and 
 glory.  He  was  fuddcnly  taken  ill  on  the  laft:  Lord's- 
 day,  and  from  the  firll:  moment  believed  it  was  for 
 death.  I  went  to  lee  him  on  Thurfday  evening,  and 
 heard  fome  of  the  livelieft  exprefhons  of  triumphant 
 faith,  and  of  zeal  for  the  glory  of  Chrift  and  the  fal- 
 vation  of  fouls,  mixed  with  the  moft  amiable  humility 
 and  modefty.  Yet  a  little  -while,  faid  he,  and  this  mortal 
 Jhall put  on  immortality.  Mortality Jh all  he  fuaUoTjoed  up 
 of  life  :  this  vile  body  jajliioned  like  to  his  glorious  body  I 
 0  for  the  vi5lory  f  I  Jhall  get  the  vi^ory.  I  know  in 
 whom  I  have  believed.  Then  with  a  remarkable  audible 
 voicC;  lifting  up  his  hands  he  cried  out,  Ofor  a  draught 
 
 of 
 
4iO  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  Vv^ESLEY. 
 
 of  the  well  of  the  wafer  of  life,   thai  I  may  begin  the  fovg 
 before  I  go  off  to  the  cJiurch  triumphant  I  I  go  forth  in 
 tkv  name,  snaking  mention  of  thy  righteoufiejs,  even  thine 
 only.     I  die  at  the  feet  of  mercy,     Then  ilretching  out 
 his  arms,   he  put  his  hand  upon  his  head,    and  with 
 the  mod  ferene,  fleady,,  and  majellic  eye  I  ever  faw, 
 looking  upwards,    he  laid,    Crowns  of  grace,   crowns  of 
 grace,  and  palms  in  their  hands  I  0   Lord  God  of  truth, 
 into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  fpirit  /  After  an  unexpeded 
 revival,  he  faid,  0,  I  fear  his  tarrying,  Icjl   the  profpecl 
 become^nore  dark,  I fometimesfear  he  may  fpare  me  to  live, 
 and  to  he  lefs  faithful  than  he  has  helped  7ne   to  be  hitherto. 
 He  faid  to  me,  You  that  are  miniflers,  bear  a  proper  tefti- 
 viony  agaiiifl  the  p^offfors  of  this  age,  who  have  a  form  of 
 godlinejs  without   the  power.     Obferving   fome   of  his 
 people  about  the  bed,  he  faid.  May  I  have  fome  feals 
 among  you  !  0  where  will  the  ungodly  andfinners  of  Bath- 
 gate appear  ?  Labour  to  be  in  Chrifl,     Then  he  ftretched 
 out  his  hand  to   feveral,   and  faid,   Farewel,  farewel  f 
 And  novj,  0  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  9  My  hope  is  m  thee  ! 
 Once  or  twice  he  faid,  Let  me  be  laid  acrojs  the  bed  to 
 expire,  where  I  have  fometiines  prayed  and  fometiiyies  medi- 
 tated with  pleafure.     He  expreffed   his  grateful    i'enfe 
 of  the  affiduous  care  which  Mr.  Wardrobe  of  Cult  had 
 taken   of  him  :  and   on  his    replying,    "  Too    much 
 could  not  be  done  for    fo  valuable  a  life,"    faid,    0 
 [peak  not  fo,  or  you  xvill  provoke  God.     Glory   beta   God, 
 that  I  have  ever  had  any  regard  paid  me,  for  Chrifl' s  Jake." 
 I  am  greatly  funk  under  the  e^-ont.      O  help  by  your 
 prayers,    to  get  the  ptoper  lubmifhon   and    improve- 
 ment." 
 
 The 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  411 
 
 The  Lord  was  pleafed,  in  Scotland  alfo,  to  cJioofe  the 
 foolifli  things  of  the  zuurfd  to  carry  on  his  work.  Not 
 only  fuch  men  as  Dr.  Gillies,  Mr.  Wardrobe,  and  Mr. 
 We/lty,  but  fometimes  foldiers  in  quarters  or  on  re- 
 cruiting parties,  or  tradefmen  who  went  thither  to  get 
 employment,  were  the  inRruments  of  turning  many 
 to  God,  who  had  before  fought  death  in  the  error  of 
 their  ways. 
 
 The  firfl  Societies  were  thofe  of  Mujfclhorough  and 
 Dunbar :  many  of  w^hom,  at  his  next  viht  in  the  vcar 
 1757,  could  rejoice  in  God  their  Saviour.  During 
 this  tour  he  preached  in  the  open  air  in  every  place, 
 and  rernarks  that  he  was  agreeably  furprifed  at  tlie 
 limplicity  and  teachabienefs  of  many  who  atfcndfeid 
 his  miniftry.  Steadivefs  indeed  he  looked  for  m  the 
 people  of  North-Britain  :  and  he  rejoiced  to  find  alio 
 thofe  other  pleafing  qualities  in  many. 
 
 lie  vifi ted  5co//<:772i  again  in  1761,  and  found  the 
 labours  of  the  Preachers  were  not  in  vain.  Mr, 
 Hopper  met  him  at  Edinburgh,  v/here  the  preaching 
 was  now  well  attended.  From  thence  he  went  to 
 Dundee  and  Aberdeen.  At  the  latter  place  he  xv^as 
 treated  with  much  refpe6l  by  the  Principal  and  other 
 eminent  perfons  of  the  Univerfity.  He  preached  firfl 
 in  the  College-clofe,  and  then  in  the  Hall,  which  vv^is 
 crowded  even  at  five  in  the  morning  !  in  every  place 
 fome  defired  to  unite  with  him  (according  to  the 
 rule)  to  meet  together  weekly,  to  provoke  each  other  to 
 love  and  to  good  works. 
 
 An  anecdote,  which,  we  doubt  not,  will  be  tDleafino" 
 to  our  readers,    is  mentioned  by  A'lr.  Wejley  on   this 
 
 occalion. 
 
412  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 occafion.  *'  May  4.  About  noon/'  fays  he,  "  I  toot 
 a  walk  to  the  Kmg's  College  in  Old  Aberdeen.  It  has 
 three  fides  of  a  fquare  handfomely  built,  not  unlike 
 Queen  s  College  in  Oxford.  Going  up  to  fee  the  hall, 
 we  found  a  large  company  of  ladies  with  fe-^^eral  gen- 
 tlemen. They  looked,  and  fpoke  to  one  anotlier,  after 
 which  one  of  the  gentlemen  took  courage,  and  came 
 to  me.  He  faid,  "  We  came  lad  night  to  the  College* 
 Cln/e,  but  could  not  hear,  and  fhould  be  extremely 
 obliged,  if  you  would  give  us  a  fhort  difcourfe  here/' 
 I  knew  not  what  God  migrht  have  to  do,  and  fo  bes^an 
 without  delay,  on  God  was  in  Chrijl  reconciliiig  the 
 world  unto  Jiiwfelf.  I  believe,  the  word  was  not  loft. 
 It  fell  as  dew  on  the  tender  s^rafs." 
 
 The  work  of  God  nou^  profpered  much.  Many 
 were  brought  to  the  knowledge  and  io\'e  of  God  by 
 the  preaching  of  Mr.  Roberts  and  Mr.  Haniy,  at  Edin- 
 burgh, Dundee,  and  Aberdeen.  But  Satan  was  not  idle. 
 He  made  even  a  good  man  the  caufe  of  unfpeakable 
 evil.  The  late  Mr.  Hervey,  whofe  graceful  fenfe  of 
 Mr.  Wefleys  fatherly  kindnefs  towards  him  when  he 
 was  his  pupil  at  Oxford,  we  have  inferted  luch  ftrong 
 teftimonies  of,  was  perfuaded  by  a  Mr.  Cadworlh,  an 
 Antinomian  teacher,  to  write  a  pamphlet  againll  him. 
 Cudworth  boafted,  that  Mr,  Hervey  had  permitted  him 
 *'  to  put  out,  and  put  in,  what  he  pleafed,"  in  this 
 performance.  In  England  this  tra6t  was  but  little 
 attended  to,  the  advocates  for  particular  redemption 
 being  comparatively  few.  But  a  Mr.  Erfnne,  a  man 
 greatly  efteemed  in  Scotland,  having  republifhed  it  in 
 that   kingdom,    with  a  preface  wherein    he  bitterly 
 
 iliveighecj 
 
TFIE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  413 
 
 iaveighed  againd  what  he  called  the  unfoundncfs  of  Mr. 
 
 We/ley's  principles,    caufed  a  flood  of  calumny  to  go 
 
 forth,  to  the  hurt  of  many  who  before  earneflly  foug-hfc 
 
 the  kingdom  of  God,    "  O,"  faid  one  of  the  Preachers 
 
 then  labouring  in  Scotland,  "  the  precious  convi6lions 
 
 which  thefe  letters  have  deftroyed  !   Many   that  have 
 
 often   declared    the   great   profit  they  received  under 
 
 our  miniilry,   were  by  thsfe  induced  to  leave  us.   This 
 
 made  me  mourn  in  fecret  places  !"  Lady  Gardiner,  the 
 
 w^dow   of  that   truly   chriflian    foldier     who   fell   at 
 
 Prejlon-Pans  fighting  for  his  lawful  fovereign,  was  one 
 
 of  thofe.      A  letter  which  fhe  wrote  to  Mr.  IVeJhy  a 
 
 fhort  time  before    Mr.  Herveys    were  publifhed,   as  it 
 
 does  honour  to  the  piety  of  the  writer,  fo  it  is  a  clear 
 
 proof  of  the  evil  which  may  arife  from  an  immoderate 
 
 attachment  to  fy  flems  of   doftrine ;  which  oftentimes 
 
 influences  the  excellent  of  the  earth,   even  to  forfake 
 
 thofe  whom  they  before  eileemed  as  angels  of  God. 
 
 We  will  crive  it  at  larcre. 
 o  o 
 
 Edinburgh,  July  25,  ijG^. 
 Rev.  and  very  dear  Sir, 
 *'  I  perfuade  myfelf  that  you  will  not  be  difpleafed. 
 at  my  taking  the  liberty  to  write  to  you.  You  have 
 caufe  to  blefs  God  for  his  having  dire61;ed  you  in 
 fending  Preachers  to  this  place.  As  to  thofe  of  them 
 I  have  heard,  I  have  caufe  to  thank  God  that  they 
 came  hither.  There  has  been  a  comfortable  reviving 
 of  late  :  fome  finners  are  newly  awakened  :  fome 
 formalifts  have  got  their  eyes  opened  :  fome  back- 
 iliders  are  recovered  ;  and,  I  believe,  many  faints  Iiave 
 
414  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 been  much  edified.  Mr.  Roberts'  preaching  has  been 
 remarkably  blelTed  to  many  in  Edinburgh ;  and  fo  was 
 Mr.  Ilanby's,  the  fhort  time  he  flayed.  O  that  their 
 fermons  may  be  blcffed  wherever  they  preach !  I 
 verily  beHcve  God  fent  them. 
 
 "  I  have  never,  I  own^b^en  at  the  preaching-houfe 
 in  a  morning  yet,  as  they  preach  fo  early  :  but  I  ven- 
 tured to  the  high  fchool-yard  the  morning  you  left 
 Edinburgh;  and  it  pleafed  God,  even  after  I  had  got 
 home,  to  follow  part  of  your  fcrmon  with  a  blefling  to 
 •me;  and  I  think  it  my  duty  to  mention,  that  God 
 has  often  of  late  dealt  very  bountifully  with  me* 
 Well  may  I  be  aifonifhed  at  it,  when  I  confider  my 
 own  unworthinefs.  But  I  dare  venture  to  f^iy,  that 
 Chrifl  and  all  with  Chrifl  is  mine.  I  beg  a  fhare  in 
 your  prayers ;   and  am,  very  dear  Sir, 
 
 Your  fifler  in  Chrifl;  Jefus, 
 
 Frances  Gardiner** 
 
 But  many  vjaters  cannot  quench  love.  Thofe  who 
 fought  not  their  own  things,  but  the  things  of  Qhrijl,  re- 
 doubled their  efforts.  Very  foon  after  thofe  bitter 
 waters  were  let  out,  Mr.  Taylor  vifited  Glafgow,  and 
 for  feveral  weeks  together  preached  in  the  open  air. 
 As  the  winter  came  on,  his  difficulties  were  great. 
 But  being  determined  fully  to  deliver  his  foul,  he 
 fold  his  horfe,  and,  while  h-e  thus  fupported  himfelf, 
 he  continued  daily  to  teftify  Repentance  towards  God, 
 avd  faith  in  our  Lord  Jc/us  Chrijl.  At  length  he  faw' 
 fruit  of  his  labour.  Some  turned  to  God,  and  ac- 
 knowledged his  meffenger.  A  place  was  then  pro- 
 vided 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  415 
 
 '  vided  for  him  to  preach  in,  and  the  little  Societv  was 
 foon  incifeafed  to  ieventy  perfons. 
 
 The  Preachers  now  penetrated  into  the  Highlanch  : 
 and  at  his  next  vifit  Mr.  K-^^/f)' preached  at  Invernefu 
 All  in  this  place  feemed  to  hear  him  gladly,  and  a 
 Society  was  afterwards  formed  which  continue-s  to 
 this  day.  On  his  return  to  Edinburgh,  finding  it  was 
 the  time  of  celebrating  the  Lord's  fupper,  he  laid 
 afide  his  laft  portion  of  bigotry,  and  partook  of  thivS 
 holy  ordinance  at  the  V/efl-Kirk  ! 
 
 But  though  of  a  truly  catholic  fpirit,  he  was  firm  to 
 his  own  principles.  He  abhorred  that  fpeculatiVe 
 Latitudinarianifm,  that  indifference  to  all  opinions, 
 which  fome  men  have  applauded  as  true  liberality. 
 He  knew  God  had  given  us  a  ftandard  of  truth  ;  and 
 that  nothing  was  indifferent,  which  was  found  there- 
 in. On  this  fubje6t  he  ufed  great  plainnefs  of  fpeech  ; 
 an  inftance  of  which  he  foon  after  gave  to  the  fame 
 people  with  whom  hehad  com.municated. 
 
 "  The  fumx,"  he  obfcrves,  "  of  what  I  fpoke  was  this  : 
 
 I  love  plain  dealing.  Do  not  you  ?  I  will  ufe  it 
 now.     Bear  with  miC. 
 
 I  hang  out  no  falfe  colours,  but  fhew  you  all  I  am, 
 all  I  intend,  all  I  do. 
 
 I  am  a  member  of  ih&  church  of  England :  but  I 
 love  good  men  of  every  church. 
 
 My  ground  is,  the  Bible.  Yea,  I  am  a  Bible-bigot. 
 I  follow  it  in  all  things,  both  great  and  fmall. 
 
 Therefore,  1 .  I  always  ufe  a  JJiort,  private  prayer, 
 when  I  attend  the  public  fervice  of  God.  Do  not 
 you?  Why  do  you  not  ?  L^  not  this  according  to  the 
 Bible?  2,1  [land, 
 
4i6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 2.  I  Jland,  whenever  I  fing  the  praifes  of  Gofi  in' 
 public.  Does  not  the  Bible  give  you  plain  precedents 
 for  this  ? 
 
 3.  I  always  kneel  before  the  Lord  my  Maker,  when 
 I  pray  in  public. 
 
 4.  I  generally  in  public  ufe  the  Lord's  prayer  ;  be- 
 eaule  Chriil  has  taught  me,  When  I  pray,  to  fay — 
 
 I  advife  every  Preacher  Gonne6led  with  me,  whether 
 in  Enpland,  or  Scotland,  herein  to  tread  in  rriy  fleps." 
 
 In  1769,  and  the  following  years,  the  Preachers 
 laboured  much  among  the  Highlanders,  Mr.  Mc  Nalx 
 b'es^an,  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Duncan  IVright.  And 
 their  labours  were  attended  with  fuccefs.  In  the  years 
 177O5  ^''i^  ^'^yj^-'  niany  were  converted  to  God.  After 
 having  made  a  Goniiderable  proficiency  in  the  Erje 
 language,  Mr.  Wright  ufually  preached  to  them  three 
 times  a  day  in  difierent  places,  befides  once  in  the 
 ftreet.  "  Though  by  this  means,  fiiys  he,  I  had  many 
 an  aching  head  and  pained  breail,  yet  it  was  d^^light- 
 ful  to  fee  hundreds  of  them  attending,  with  flreaming 
 eyes  and  attention  flili  as  night  :  or  to  hear  them,  in 
 their  fimple  way,  finging  the  praifes  of  God  in  their 
 own  tongue.  If  ever  God  faid  to  my  heart.  Go,  and  I 
 Will  he  with  thee,  it  v/as  then.  1  extol  the  name  of  my 
 adorable  Mafter,  that  mv  labours  were  not  in  vain. 
 How  eladlv  would  I  have  fuent  mv  life  with  thefe 
 dear  fouls  !  But  Vi\y  health  would  not  pei'mit  it."  At 
 Mr.  Wesley's  next  viht,  the  Magillrates  oi  Perth  mid 
 Arbroatii  prefented  him  wilh  the  freedom  of  their  re^ 
 fpctlive  cities. 
 
 la 
 
tME  LIFE  OF  Mli.  WESLEY.         417 
 
 In  the  following  years  the  few  Miniflers  who  treated 
 him  with  refpe6l,  and  rejoiced  in  his  labours,  bein^ 
 taken  to  a  better  world,  he  felt  the  different  fpirit  of 
 thofe  who  fucceeded.  While  fome  evert  of  the  no- 
 bility and  many  of  the  gentry  of  that  kingdom  honour- 
 ably received  him,  he  thus  remarks  concerning  Invert 
 Tiefs^  **  I  find  a  new  face  of  things  here.  Good  Mr. 
 Mackenzie  has  been  for  fome  years  removed  to  Abra^ 
 hams  bofom.  Mr.  Frazer,  his  colleague,  a  pious  man, 
 of  the  old  ftamp,  is  likewife  gone  to  re  11.  The  three 
 prefent  Minillers  are  of  another  kind;  fo  that  I  have 
 no  more  place  in  the  Kirk."  Others  were  not  content 
 with  this,  but  fpoke  all  manner  of  evil  concerning  him, 
 faithfully  retailing  all  the  flander  which  the  AntinO" 
 Tnians  of  England  fpoke  or  publillied  of  him  from  time 
 to  time.  Some  refufed  to  adminifter  the  Lord's  fupper 
 to  the  members  of  his  Societies,  or  even  to  baptize  their 
 children.  They  even  made  Mr.  Wejleys  liberality  of  fen- 
 timent,  his  defire  to  promote  religion  without  forming  a 
 diftincl  church,  an  argument  againft  him,  infilling 
 that  the  Methodifts,  fo  called,  were  not,  and  could 
 not  be,  a  church  of  Chrift,  becaufe  they  had  not  the 
 facraments  among  them  :  and  this  latter  argument 
 efpecially,  had  no  fmall  influence  in  diminifliing  his 
 Societies  and  obftru^ling  the  progrefs  of  the  work. 
 
 Having  patiently  fuffered  thefe  things  for  a  con- 
 fiderable  time,  to  the  great  detriment  of  true  religion, 
 he  at  length  refolved  to  give  his  Societies  in  that  king* 
 dom,  all  tl^  help  he  polhbly  could.  He  therefore, 
 at  the  Conference  held  in  London  in  the  year  1785, 
 being  affifled  by  two  other  Prefbyters  of  the  church  of 
 
 E  e-  England^ 
 
41 8  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 England,  '*  fet  apart/*  to  ule  his  own  words,  *'  three 
 of  our  well  tried  Preachers, ^oA?i  Pawfon,  Thomas  Hanby, 
 and  Jofcph  Taylor,  to  minifler  in  Scotland,"  (i.  e.  to 
 adminifler  the  lacraments  of  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's 
 Supper.)  ''  I  trull,"  continues  he,  "  God  will  blefs 
 their  miniftrations,  and  fhew  that  he  has  fent  them/** 
 From  this  time  the  Societies  in  Scotland,  have  had  a 
 ftability  which  they  had  not  before.  Many  of  them 
 have  coniiderably  increafed  ;  and  the  whole  has  been 
 more  than  doubled.  But  the  additional  helps  now 
 afforded  them,  they  were  not  compelled  to  ufe.  The  re- 
 eeivin?  of  the  facraiTicnts  is  not  made  a  term  of  com- 
 niunion.  A  few  who  ftill  communicate  at  the  Kirk, 
 are  freely  permitted  fo  to  do.  The  original  bond  of 
 mnion  dill  fubfifls,  without  any  alteration,  viz.  a  j 
 delire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  the  evi- 
 dencing of  it  by  a  godly  life  and  converfation. 
 
 The  great  and  pious  Mr.  Baxter  obferves,  that 
 nations  change  their  religious  fentiments,  as  they  da 
 their  common  cuftoms  and  manners;  and  wonders  ?j 
 that  this  fhould  be  found  even  among  the  miniflers 
 of  God.  But  it  is  not  found  among  the  Minijlers  of 
 God,  Whatever  worldly  Miniflers  do,  they  are  iledfaft 
 and  unmovable.  They  fpeak  as  the  oracles  of  God, 
 and  turn  not  afide  therefrom  to  the  right-hand  or  to 
 the  left.  Scotland,  it  is  certain,  like  Geneva,  has,  hncc 
 the  Reformation,  ran  from  high  Calvinifm,  to  almofl 
 as  high  Arianifm  or  Socinianifm :  the  exceptions, 
 efpecially  in  the  cities,  are  but  few.     And  who  can 
 
 *'Mr.  JVcf.ey  luid  the  year  before  this,  urdainecl  Miniflers  for 
 America  :  of  which,  in  its  place. 
 
 1  Ilcm 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  419 
 
 ftem  the  torrent  ?  Only  thofe  who  know  experimen- 
 tally the  Truth  as  it  is  m  jefiis,  A  few  of  thefe,  Mr. 
 We/ley  has  been,  under  God,  the  happy  inflrument  of 
 introducing  into  that  kingdom  :  and  many  hear  their 
 word,  and  find  it  to  be  the  power  of  God  unto  falvation* 
 Thefe,  we  truft,  will  not  be  as  reeds  ihaken  with  the 
 wind.  As  they  imitate  the  angels  of  God  in  wor- 
 fliipping  Chrill,  as  God  over  all,  hlejfed  for  ever ;  fo 
 they  declare  that  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Chrifl^ 
 he  is  none  of  his*  Here  then  we  may  hope  will  the 
 proud  waves  of  worldly  religion  be  flayed :  until 
 God  calls  that  once  highly-favoured  nation  to  return 
 unto  him,  to  worfJiip  God  in  the  Spirit^  rejoice  in  Chrijl 
 JefaSy  and  have  no  confidence  in  the  JlefJi. 
 
 SECTION       III. 
 
 THE  Ifle  of  Man  is  fuppofed  to  derive  its  name 
 from  the  Saxon  word  Mang,  which  fignifies 
 among  ;  becaufe  lying  in  St,  George's  Channel,  it  is 
 almoft  at  an  equal  diftarlce  from  tpjte  kingdoms  of 
 England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  It  is  about  thirty 
 miles  in  length,  and  twelve  in  breadth.  It  is  faid 
 to  have  been  originally  the  rendezvous  of  the  Scan^ 
 dinavian  rovers.  In  the  year  1263,  the  King  G^  Man 
 became  tributary  to  the  King  of  Scotland,  Edward  the 
 Firil  of  England  afterwards  obtained  the  dominion, 
 Edward  the  Third  bellowed  it  on  his  favourite  M072- 
 tague,  Earl  of  Salifhury.  The  Earls  of  Northumberland 
 and  Derby  afterwards  poireifed  it :  but  by  the  failure 
 
 E  e  2  of 
 
42Q  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 of  heirs  male  in  the  lafl  mentioned  family,  it  de* 
 fcended  to  the  Duke  of  Aihol,  who  married  the  fifter 
 of  the  lafl  lord  Derby  in  that  line. 
 
 Its  convenience  for  fmuggling,  made  it  for  many- 
 years  a  ilore-houfe  for  illicit  dealers,  to  the  inex- 
 pTeifible  prejudice  of  his  Majefly's  Revenue.  It  was 
 alfo  an  afylum  for  infolvent  perfons,  and  the  vicious 
 of  every  defcription,  who  fied  thither  from  the  neigh- 
 bouring kingdoms,  as  to  a  fan6luai*y.  The  confe- 
 quence  was  an  almoll  total  forgetfulnefs  of  God,  with 
 idlenefs  and  immorality  of  every  kind. 
 
 This  open  profanenefs  was  a  little  checked  hy  the 
 labours  of  that  excellent  man,  Dr.  Thomas  Wil/oji,  who 
 was  Biihop  of  the  Ifland  for  fifty-feven  years,  and  died 
 in  1755,  aged  ninety-three.  Few  perfons  in  thefe 
 latter  times  have  more  adorned  the  Epifcopal  cha- 
 radler  than  this  Prelate.  His  piety,  benevolence  and 
 hofpitality,  were  fo  confpicuous,  as  to  gain  the  efteem 
 of  even  the  enemies  of  our  nation.  Cardinal  Fleury 
 ]]ad  (o  much  veneration  for  his  chara6ler,  that  he 
 obtained  an  order  from  the  Court  of  France,  that  no 
 privateer  of  that  nation  fhould  ravage  the  I  fie  of 
 Man, 
 
 In  the  year  1765,  the  Englijh  Government  pur- 
 chaled  the  cufloms  and  fovereignty  of  the  Ifland  from 
 the  Duke  of  Athol,  for  70,0001.  the  Duke  retaining  his 
 territorial  property.  From  this  time  the  outward 
 manners  of  the  people  have  been  changed  much  for 
 the  better.  But  ftill  vital  religion  was  very  little 
 known  among  them,  and  immorality  more  or  lefs  pre- 
 vailed in  every  part. 
 
 2  In 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         42.1 
 
 In  1774,  a  Mr.  Lowry  removed  from  the  Ifle  of 
 Man  to  Liverpool.  He  then  lived  according  to  the 
 courfe  of  this  world.  But  happening  to  hear  fome  of 
 the  Preachers  in  connexion  with  Mr.  We/ley,  he  was 
 awakened  ;  and  turning  to  God,  he  foon  found  re- 
 demption through  Chrift,  the  forgivenefs  of  his  fins. 
 Immediately  he  began  to  mourn  over  his  native  Ifle, 
 which  he  now  faw  lying  in  darknefs  :  and,  under  this 
 concern  of  mind,  applied  to  Mr.  John  Crook^  a  zealous 
 man,  at  that  time  a  Local  Preacher,  who  readily  under- 
 took to  vifit  the  I  (land. 
 
 Mr.  Crook  went  thither  in  the  month  of  March  1775. 
 On  Sunday  morning  the  11th,  he  preached  his  firfl 
 fermon  in  the  Court- houfe  at  Douglas,  Tlie  con- 
 gregation was  fmall ;  but  in  the  evening  he  was 
 obliged  to  preach  abroad  on  account  of  the  multitude 
 that  came  together.  \\'hen  he  concluded  his  dif- 
 courfe,  a  native  of  Ireland,  whofe  brother  was  a 
 member  of  one  of  the  Societies  in  that  kingdom,  in- 
 vited  him  to  his  houfe  :  as  did  Mr.  Kayles,  2l  native 
 of  Scotland,  after  the  fermon  on  the  followinsf  dav. 
 
 On  Wednefday  he  went  to  Cajlktown,  where  he 
 found  the  fame  gracious  Providence  directing  his 
 way.  A  Mr.  Brookes  from  Brijlol,  who  had  heard 
 him  on  the  Sunday,  procured  a  place  for  him,  which 
 was  formerly  ufed  as  a  Ball-room,  and  gave  notice 
 to  all  the  people,  fo  that  he  had  a  large  and  attentive 
 congregation.  The  next  evening  fuch  a  multitude  came 
 together,  that  he  was  obliged  to  preach  in  the  open 
 air  by  candle-light.  A  fervant  belonging  to  the  Gover- 
 nor was  then  convinced  of  "the  truth,  and  from  that 
 time  behaved  in  the  moil  friendly  manner.     The  next 
 
 E  e  3  Lord's 
 
422         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Lord's  day,  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and  the  Minifler 
 of  Cajiletown  were  among  his  hearers. 
 
 In  the  week  following  he  vifited  Peeltown,  where  he 
 abode  three  weeks,  preaching  to  large  congregations. 
 At  this  place  he  was  greatly  encouraged.  His  hearers 
 were  chiefly  the  poor,  and  mod  of  them  fifhermen. 
 They  received  the  word  with  all  readinefs  of  mind, 
 and  when  he  departed,  they  followed  him  with  tears 
 and  bleflings. 
 
 He  then  returned  to  Liverpool,  his  bufinefs  not  per- 
 mitting his  longer  abfence.  On  his  fecond  vifit, 
 he  found  many  were  flill  willing  to  hear  :  but  there 
 v/ere  alfo  many  oppofers.  Mofl  of  the  rich  who  heard 
 ^t  the  beginning,  now  withdrew  themfelves  from  fo  j 
 plain  a  Preacher.  The  reports,  ufual  on  fuch  oc- 
 Cafions,  were  now  propagated  concerning  him,  that  he 
 preached  new  doQrines,  was  an  enemy  to  works,  and 
 only  wanted  their  money.  To  fhew  the  falfehood  of 
 the  firll  report,  he  read  the  Homilies  of  the  Church  of 
 England  in  every  place.  This  was  attended  with 
 much  good.  But  the  rabble,  being  no  longer  awed 
 by  the  prefence  of  the  richer  inhabitants,  frequently 
 difturbed  and  interrupted  him  in  the  rudefl  manner, 
 A  paper  alfo  was  put  up  at  the  Quay,  warning  the 
 people  againft  "  the  hypocritical  field-preacher,  who 
 had  lately  crept  in  among  them  to  fubvert  the  church 
 of  Chrifl '/'  to  w.iich  were  ^dded  fome  curious 
 anecdotes. 
 
 A  wicked  man  was  encouraged  by  thefe  circum- 
 iLmccs  to  alfault  him  at  Douglas,  and  in  other  re- 
 fpe6j;s  to  ufe  him  in  a  very  improper  mariner  :  but 
 
 ridinff 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        423 
 
 VI din 2:  home  drunk  throucrh  the  town  of  Bella  Salla, 
 this  unhappy  man  was  thrown  from  his  horfe,  and 
 killed  on  the  fpot. 
 
 At  Peel,  an  old  warehoufe  was  procured  for  him  to 
 preach  in  ;  but  in  the  midfl  of  the  fermon,  the  beam 
 which  fupported  the  loft  gave  way,  and  the  floor 
 funk  fevcrai  feet.  Mr.  Crook  cried  out,  he  knew 
 not  why,  "  Fear  not.  God  will  help  us.  You  fhall 
 not  be  hurt.'*  And  fo  it  was.  The  beam  refted  on 
 a  hogfhead,  which  was  on  the  ground-iloor,  and  funk 
 no  farther. 
 
 A  few  in  Cafikioxvfi,  and  a  much  greater  number  in 
 Peel,  now  agreed  to  unite  together  and  form  a  So» 
 ciety,  having  had  the  Rules  explained  to  them.  Mr. 
 Crook  now  faw  fruit  of  his  labour,  and  took  charge  of 
 thofe  with  joy,  watching  over  them,  and  exhorting 
 them  to  adorn  the  gofpel  of  God  their  Saviour  in  all 
 things. 
 
 The  Ifland  was  foon  after  joined  to  the  Whitehaven 
 circuit,  and  vifited  regularly  by  the  Preachers,  and  by 
 Mr.  Crook,  who  now  commenced  an  Itinerant.  In  the 
 year  1776,  the  work  profpered  greatly.  InCaJlktown 
 efpecialiy  they  were  vifited  with  '*  overwhelming 
 fliowers  of  faving  grace."  Many  were  fo  convinced 
 of  fm,  as  to  cry  aloud  for  the  difquietude  of  their 
 lieart ;  while  others  rejoiced  in  God  their  Saviour  with 
 joy  unfpeakable  and  fall  of  glory.  Nor  was  Satan  idle, 
 A  fiddle  was  brought  to  the  Preaching-houfCj  and 
 the  rabble  fliouted  mightily;  but  nothing  could  ihake 
 the  fleadinefs,  or  divert  the  attention  of  the  con-^ 
 ^regation, 
 
 E  e  4  In 
 
4-24  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 In  Baroole,  Salhy,  and  Ballaugh,  Societies  were  alfo 
 formed,  and  the  members  were  truly  alive  to  God. 
 But  fo  much  the  more  were  offences  multiplied,  and 
 all  manner  of  evil  fpoken  both  of  the  Preachers  and 
 people.  Ballads  were  fung,  and  obloquy  of  every 
 kind  was  call  upon  them.  When  Mr.  Crook  vifited 
 Cajlletown,  the  fchool-boys  were  fet  upon  him.  They 
 followed  him  through  the  flreet,  fhouting.  and  throw- 
 ing whatever  came  to  hand.  In  the  evening  a  large 
 mob  affembled  at  the  houfe  where  he  was  preaching, 
 and  affaulted  it  with  flones  and  bricks.  They  con^- 
 tinued  their  affault  till  the  people  came  out,  whom 
 they  attacked  with  the  greatefl  violence.  Several 
 were  wounded,  Mr.  Crook  efpecially,  who  was  refcued 
 out  of  their  hands  with  much  difficulty.  The  Minifter 
 oi Peel  however  continued  friendly.  He  had  eyes  to 
 fee  the  good  that  was  done.  His  church  was  now 
 well  filled  on  the  Lord's-day,  and  his  monthly  facra- 
 ments  attended  by  upwards  of  three  hundred  com- 
 municants. 
 
 Mr.  Crook  finding  the  difturbances  continue  at 
 Cajlletowrit  applied  to  Colonel  Dawfon,  the  Lieutenant 
 Governor,  who  treated  him  in  a  very  polite  and 
 friendly  manner,  and  gave  immediate  orders  to  pre- 
 vent fuch  tumults  for  the  time  to  come  ;  declaring 
 publicly,  that  he  would  execute  the  law  in  the  fe- 
 verefl:  manner  upon  thofe  who  (hould  difturb  any 
 people  in  their  religious  worfhip.  But  the  Governor, 
 Mr.  Wood^  arriving  foon  after,  caufed  the  execution  of 
 thofe  orders  to  be  iufpended, 
 
 Shortly 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  425 
 
 Shortly  after  the  Governor's  arrival,  theBifhop  ilTued 
 a  Mandate  to  all  *'  Reftors,  Vicars,  Chaplains  and 
 Curates,  within  the  Ifle  and  Diocefe  of  Man,  com- 
 manding them  to  be  watchful,  and  by  every  means  to 
 prevent  their  flocks  being  led  away  and  feduced  by  un- 
 authorifed  teachers  ;  and  to  prefent  all  perfons  who 
 held  any  place  under  the  Ecclefiaftical  authority,  who 
 ihould  be  found  attending  their  rainiflrations :  and  to 
 repel  from  the  Lord's  table  every  fuch  teacher  that 
 ihould  offer  to  be  a  partaker  of  the  holy  communion." 
 
 By  this  Bull,  as  it  was  commonly  called  in  the 
 Ifland,  many  well  inclined  perfons  were  deterred  from 
 attending  the  preaching,  and  the  rabble  were  en- 
 couraged to  continue  their  outrages.  But  the  Gover- 
 nor was  a  man  of  fenfe;  and  though,  as  he  informed 
 Mr.  Crook,  he  did  not  choofe  to  quarrel  with  theBifhop, 
 he  fpoke  fo  decidedly  againfl  all  perfecution,  that 
 the  mob  foon  lofl  courage.  He  alfo  refufed  to  permit 
 the  order  to  be  read  in  his  own  chapel.  His  ladv, 
 a  pious  woman,  fpoke  warmly  againfl  fuch  intolerant 
 proceedings,  fo  that  in  a  little  time  the  people  af- 
 fembled  in  peace.  Colonel  Daivfon  introduced  Mr. 
 Crook  into  the  Governor's  chapel,  where  the  Minifler 
 ventured  to  difobey  the  Bifhop,  and  adminiftered  to 
 him  the  holy  communion.  The  Preachers  flood  near 
 the  Governor's  gates,  and  preached  to  large  congre- 
 gations, none  daring  to  molefl  them,  the  Governor 
 and  his  family  fitting  in  a  convenient  room  to  hear. 
 A  Fafl  which  was  obferved  by  the  Societies  on  ac- 
 count of  thefe  troubles,  was  attended  with  a  remark- 
 ^bl^  tlefhng,      The   Societies  increafed  in  number 
 
 every 
 
426        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 every  day  ;  and  as  they  were  reproached  for  the  name 
 of   Chrill,  they  received    the   bleffings    promifed    to 
 
 fuch. 
 
 The  Lord  now  gave  them  additional  help.  Firfl 
 one,  and  then  feverai  perfons  were  raifed  up  among 
 themfclves,  who,  with  the  approbation  of  the  AJJi/Ianty 
 exhorted  and  preached  botli  in  the  Manks  language 
 and  in  Englifli,  to  the  edification  and  comfort  of 
 their  hearers.  The  K^v .  Edward  Smyth,  who  at  that  time 
 refided  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  paid  them  avifit  about 
 this  time,  and  his  labours  were  profitable  to  many. 
 Before  he  left  the  ifland,  Mr.  We/ley  arrived,  May  30, 
 171  n  :  and  was  received  with  great  refpe6l  by  all  the 
 people.  Mr.  Wood,  the  Governor,  was  a  little  before 
 taken  to  a  better  world.  Mrs.  Wood  invited  Mr.  Wefley 
 toherhoufe,  and  feemed  to  think  herfelf  honoured  by 
 his  company.  Some  of  the  Clergy  alfo  politely  vifited 
 him  ;  but  they  could  not  invite  him  to  their  pulpits, 
 as  the  Bifiop  had  forbidden  it.  Lie  preached  through- 
 out the  ifland,  in  the  houfes,  the  church-yards,  and 
 the  market-places,  and  was  heard  with  great  attention 
 by  immenfe  multitudes. 
 
 The  interdi61  ftili  remained  with  rerpc6l  to  the 
 Lord's-Supper.  On  this  fubjeft  Mr.  WfJIey  obferves, 
 '*  Is  any  Clergyman  obliged  either  in  law  or  confci- 
 cnce,  to  obey  fuch  a  prohibition  ?  By  no  means.  The 
 toill  even  of  the  King  does  not  bind  any  Englijii' 
 fubie6t,  unlefs  it  be  feconded  by  an  exprefs  law. 
 How  much  lefs  the  will  of  a  Bilhop  ?  But,  it  is  an-^ 
 fwered,  did  not  vou,  at  your  ordination,  take  an  oath 
 to  obey  him  ?  No  :   nor  Any  Clergyman  in  the  three 
 
 kingdoms* 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.    •      427 
 
 kingdoms.  This  is  a  mere  vulgar  error.    Shame  that  it 
 fhould  prevail  almofl  univerfally  !" 
 
 Before  iMr.  Wejky's  next  vifit,  the  Bifiiop  was  dead. 
 His  fuccelFor  was  a  man  of  a  very  different  fpirit ; 
 and  has  proved  a  blefling  to  the  ifland.  When  Mr. 
 WeJIey  arrived,  all  was  peace.  Before  his  departure, 
 he  made  the  following  remarks,  with  v/hich  we  fhall 
 conclude  this  account. 
 
 *'   Having    now   vifited    the    Iiland   round,    Eaf}, 
 South,  North,  and  Weft,    I  was  thoroughly  convin- 
 ced, that  we   have  no  fuch   Circuit  as  this,    either  in 
 England,  Scotland,  or  Ireland.     It  is  fhut  up  from  the 
 world  :  and  having  little  trade,  is  vifited  by  fcarce  any 
 flrangers.     Here  are  no  Romanifts,    no  Dillenters  of 
 any   kind,   no   Calvinifts,    no  difputers.     Here  is  no 
 oppolition,   either  from  the  Governor,    (a    mild,  hu- 
 mane man)  from  the  Bifhop  (a  good  man)  or  from  the 
 bulk  of  the  Clergy.  One  or  two  of  them  did  oppofe  for 
 a  time  :   but  they  feem  now  to  underftand  us  better. 
 So  that  we  have  now  rather  too  little,  than  too  much 
 reproach :   the   fcandal    of  the   crofs  having  for  the 
 prefent   ceafed.       The   natives    are    a  plain,    artlefs, 
 fimple  people ;  unpolifhed,  that  is,   unpolluted  :   few 
 of   them  are  rich   or  genteel  ;   the   far  greater  part, 
 moderately  poor.     And  moft   of  the    ftrangers    that 
 fettle  among  them,   are  men  that  have  feen  afflidion. 
 The  Local  Preachers,  twenty-two  in  number,  are  men 
 of  faith  and  love,    knit  together  in  one  mind  and  one 
 judgment.     They  fpeak  either  Manks  or  Englifli,  and 
 follow  a  regular  plan,  which  the  Aftifiant  gives  them 
 mpnthly. 
 
 The 
 
428  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 The  Ide  is  fuppofed  to  have  thirty  thoufand  in- 
 habitants. Allowing  half  of  them  to  be  adults,  and 
 our  Societies  to  contain  one  or  two  and  twenty 
 hundred  members,  what  a  fair  proportion  is  this  ? 
 What  has  been  feen  like  this,  in  any  part  either  of 
 Great- Britain,  or  Ireland  ?" 
 
 S    E    C    T    I  O    N      IV. 
 
 \  now  proceed  to  treat  of  a  work,  fmall  at 
 prefent,  but  likely  to  be  of  the  greatefl  mag- 
 nitude in  its  confequences.  In  the  countries  we  have 
 hitherto  confidered  (the  I/Ie  of  Man  excepted)  the 
 Englijh  language  has  been  univerfally  fpoken.  But 
 Divine  Providence  led  Mr.  Wefley,  with  the  Preachers 
 in  connexion  with  him,  into  an  unexpe6led  line  of 
 uftfulnefs. 
 
 The  Iflands  of  Jcrfey,  Guernfcy  and  Alderney,  are 
 fituated  in  St.  Michael's  Bay,  near  the  Coaft  of  Nor^ 
 mancJy.  They  are  the  only  remains  of  the  Norman 
 dominions  annexed  to  Great-Britain  by  William  the 
 Conqueror.  The  inhabitants  in  general  (thofe  of  the 
 two  principal  towns  excepted)  fpcak  only  French, 
 
 Jerfey  was  known  to  the  ancient  Romans  under  the 
 name  of  Cccjarea.  It  is  twelve  miles  in  length,  and 
 contains  about  twenty  thoufand  inhabitants.  Guernfey 
 is  fcven  or  eight  miles  long,  and  contains  about  fifteen 
 thoufand  people.  Thefe  two  Iflands  are  exceedingly 
 fertile  and  healthy.  Alderney  is  about  eight  miles  in 
 circumference,  and  has  about  three  or  four  thoufand 
 inhabitants,  '         In 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        429 
 
 In  a  regiment  of  foidiers,  which  xvas  fent  over  to 
 Jerfey  in  the  late  war,  there  were  a  few  ferious  Chrif- 
 tians  who  had  heard  the  gofpel  in  one  of  the  fea-port 
 towns  of  England.  Thefe  men,  finding  no  help  for 
 their  fouls  in  the  Ifland,  wrote  to  Mr.  Wejley,  entreat- 
 ing him  to  fend  them  a  Preacher.  Mr.  Brackenburv, 
 a  gentleman  of  fortune  in  LincolnJJiire,  who  had  joined 
 the  Society,  and  foon  afterwards  preached  in  con- 
 nection with  Mr.  Weflcy,  was  prefent  when  the  letter 
 was  received,  and  offered  his  fervice,  as  he  had  fome 
 acquaintance  with  the  French  language.  Mr.  Wejlty 
 readily  accepted  the  offer.  Mr.  Brackenhiry  fet  ofF 
 for  Jerfey,  rented  a  houfe  in  the  town  of  St.  Hdier, 
 preached  the  gofpel  through  the  Ifland,  and  was  the 
 means  of  turning  many  from  their  fins  to  God.  At 
 firft,  his  religious  affemblies  were  greatly  difturbed, 
 particularly  in  the  parifh  of  St.  Mary,  by  a  miferable 
 fet  of  ungodly  men,  who,  on  an  appeal  to  the  civil 
 Magiflrate,  were  fined,  and  obliged  to  give  fecurity 
 for  their  good  behaviour. 
 
 In  the^year  1786,  Mr.  PFe/7^^  fent  another  Preacher, 
 Mr.  Adam  Clarke,  to  the  Ifland  of  Jerfey.  Mr.  Clarke 
 preached  feveral  times  in  the  town  of  St.  Aiibin,  fur- 
 rounded  by  a  very  violent  mob,  from  whom  he  re- 
 ceived much  abufe  ;  and  was  often  in  danger  of  lofmof 
 his  life.  The  rioters  tore  the  houfe  in  which  he  preach- 
 ed, almofl  to  pieces.  At  another  time,  one  of  the 
 Magifhrates  headed  a  large  mob,  and  pulled  down  Mr. 
 Clarke  from  the  pulpit  with  his  own  hands.  The 
 drummer  of  the  St.  Auhin  militia  was  then  called, 
 who  had  the  honour  of  beating  the  Minifler  of  God, 
 
 and 
 
430         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 and  afterwards  of  drumming  him  through  and  out  of 
 the  town.  Mr.  Clarke^  however,  was  not  to  be  inti- 
 midated by  the  ufage  he  met  with,  but  continued  his 
 vihts  and  labours,  till  he  at  lafl  outweathered  the 
 ftorm.  Regular  preaching  was  then  eilablifhed  in  the 
 town,  and  even  the  mob  themfelves  reverenced  the 
 Preacher. 
 
 From  this  time  religion  flourifhed  more  and  more 
 in  the  L^and  of  Jcrfey.  Many  Preachers  were  raifed 
 am.ong  the  natives,  and  Societies  formed  all  over  the 
 Ifland. 
 
 In  the  courfe  of  thefe  events,  a  fhop-keeper  of  the 
 Iiiand  of  Giiernft)\  whofe  name  was  Arrive,  vifited 
 Jo'-jcy,  and  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Brackenbury 
 was  convinced  of  fin.  He  then  invited  Mr.  Bracken* 
 bury  to  vifit  Guernfey.  He  went,  and  w^as  univerfally 
 well  received.  Many  of  the  gentry  opened  their 
 houfes  to  him,  and  permitted  him  to  preach  in  their 
 parlours.  Dr.  Coke,  who  about  this  time  vifited  the 
 French  I Lidinds,  followed  Mr.  Brackenbury  xw  Guernfey , 
 and  formed  the  fjrft  Society  in  that  Ifland.  After- 
 wards Mr.  Clarke,  with  much  pain  and  difficulty,  ac- 
 companied by  many  remarkable  providences,  ereQed 
 a  very  commodious  Chapel  in  the  town  of  St.  Peter, 
 in  which  a  large  congregation  regularly  attended. 
 Much  good  was  done,  till  a  foppifh  Minifler  (as  a 
 pious  man  then  on  the  Ifland  obferves  in  a  letter  now 
 before  us)  came  there  from  England,  and  introduced 
 doubtful  difputations,  refpe^^ing  the  decrees  of  God^ 
 among  the  people,  and  thereby  exceedingly  injured 
 the  congregation  and  the  work  in  general.     ''It  ne-arly 
 
 col! 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  431 
 
 coll  me  my  life.*'  fays  the  fame  perfon,  *'  To  bring 
 back  into  the  way  of  falvation,  thofe  whom  he  had 
 been  fo  unhappy  as  to  turn  out  of  it.*' 
 
 Mr.  Dc  Queteville,  a  native  o^  Jcrfey,  was  ah^o  very 
 ufeful  in  the  Ifland  of  Guernfey,  particuLarly  in  the 
 country  parts,  where  the  French  language  alone  is 
 fpoken.  But  he  endured  great  perfecutions.  The 
 moft  horrid  things  were  laid  to  his  charge.  A  profe- 
 cution  was  carried  on  againfl  him  in  the  fupreme  court, 
 with  the  deiign  of  procuring  a  fentence  of  baniih* 
 ment.  But  the  very  witneffes  who  were  employed  to 
 fwear  the  falfefi  things  againfl  him,  and  mo  (I  pro- 
 bably intended  it  w^hen  they  firll  appeared  before  the 
 Court,  were  yet  (Irangely  conflrained  to  give  the  moft 
 pointed  evidence  in  his  favour;  which  entirely  coun- 
 tcrafted  all  the  defigns  of  his  enemies. 
 
 In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1787,  Mr.  Clarke  vlfi- 
 ted  the  Ifle  of  Alderney.  When  he  arrived,  he  knew 
 not  where  to  go  :  he  had  no  acquaintance  in  the  Ifland. 
 nor  had  any  perfon  invited  him  thither.  For  fome 
 time  he  was  perplexed  in  reafoning  on  his  fituation, 
 till  that  word  of  the  God  of  Mzj^02Z/27'2^5  powerfully  im- 
 prelled  his  mind,  "  Into  whatfoever  houfe  ye  enter, 
 firfl  fay,  peace  be  to  this  houfe, — and  in  the  fame 
 houfe  remain,  eating  and  drinking  fuch  things  as  they 
 give.'*  Luke  x.  5.  7. 
 
 On  this  he  took  courage,  and  proceeded  to  the 
 town,  which  is  about  a  mile  diflantfrom  the  harbour. 
 After  having  walked  fome  way  into  it,  he  took  par-^ 
 ticular  notice  of  a  very  poor  cottage,  into  which  he 
 found  a  ftrong  inclination  to  enter.     He  did  fo,  v/ith 
 
 a  "  Peace 
 
432         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 a  "  Peace  be  to  this  houfe  !"  and  found  in  it  an  old 
 man  and  woman,  who,  underflanding  his  bufinefs, 
 bade  him  '•  w^elcome  to  the  beft  food  they  had,  to  a 
 little  chamber  where  he  might  fleep,  and  (what  was 
 IHll  more  acceptable)  to  their  houfe  to  preach  in." 
 He  now  faw  clearly  the  hand  of  Providence  in  his 
 favour,  and  was  much  encouraged. 
 
 Being  unwilling  to  lofe  any  time,  he  told  them  he 
 would  preach  that  evening,  if  they  could  convene  a 
 congregation.  The  flrange  news  fpread  rapidly 
 through  the  town;  and  long  before  the  appointed  hour, 
 a  multitude  of  people  flocked  together,  to  whom  he 
 fpoke  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  nearly  as  long  as  the 
 little  flrength  he  had  after  the  fatigues  of  his  voyage', 
 remained.  When  he  had  concluded,  it  v/as  with 
 much  difficulty  he  could  perfuade  them  to  depart, 
 after  promifmg  to  preach  to  them  again  the  next 
 evening.  He  then  retired  to  his  little  apartment, 
 where  he  had  not  relied  twenty  minutes,  when  the 
 good  woman  of  the  houfe  came  and  entreated  him  to 
 preach  again,  as  fcveral  of  the  gentry  (among  whom 
 was  one  of  the  Juflicesj  were  come  to  hear  what  hei 
 had  to  fiiy. 
 
 He  went  down  immediately,  and  found  the  houfe 
 once  more  full.  Deep  attention  fat  on  every  face, 
 while  he  (hewed  the  great  need  they  flood  in  of  a  Sa- 
 viour, and  exhorted  them  to  turn  immediately  fiom  all 
 their  iniquities  to  the  living  God.  He  continued  in  this 
 good  work  about  an  hour,  and  concluded  with  in- 
 forming 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  43J 
 
 forming  them  what  his   defign  was  in  vifiting  their 
 Ifland,  and  the  motives  that  induced  him  thereto. 
 
 Having  ended,  the  Juflice  ftepped  forward,  ex- 
 changed a  few  very  civil  words  with  him,  and  defired 
 to  fee  the  book  out  of  which  he  had  been  fpeaking. 
 He  handed  his  Bible  to  him.  The  Juflice  looked  at 
 it  with  attention,  and  returned  it  with  apparent  fatis- 
 fa6lion.  The  congregation  then  departed  :  and  the 
 concern  evident  on  many  of  their  countenances,  fully- 
 proved,  that  God  had  added  his  teftimony  to  that  of 
 his  fervant. 
 
 The  next  evening  he  preached  again  to  a  large 
 attentive  company.  But  a  fmgular  circumflance  hap- 
 pened the  following  day.  While  he  was  at  dinner, 
 a  conflable  came  from  a  perfon  in  authority,  to  folicit 
 his  immediate  appearance  at  a  place  called  the  Bra^y 
 (where  feveral  reputable  families  dwell,  and  where  the 
 Governor's  ftores  are  kept)  to  preach  to  a  company  of 
 gentlemen  and  ladies,  who  were  waiting,  and  at  whofe 
 dehre  one  of  the  large  ftore-rooms  was  prepared  for 
 the  purpofe.  He  immediately  went,  and  in  a  quarter 
 of  an  hour  after  his  arrival,  a  large  company  was  af- 
 fembled.  The  gentry  were  not  fo  partial  to  them* 
 felves,  as  to  exclude  the  failors,  fmugglers  or  la-- 
 bourers.  All  heard  with  deep  attention,  except  an 
 EngliJJi  gentleman,  fo  called,  who  perhaps  meant  to 
 fliew  the  Iflanders  that  he  defpifed  facred  things. 
 
 The  next  Lord's  day  in  the  evening,  he  preached 
 again  in  the  fame  place  to  a  much  larger  congre- 
 gation, compofed  of  the  principal  gentry  of  the  Ifland. 
 
 F  f  The 
 
434         "THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 The  day  following,  being  the  time  appointed  for 
 his  return,  many  were  unwilling  he  fhouM  leave  them, 
 faying,  "  We  have  much  need  of  fuch  preaching  and 
 fuch  a  Preacher:  we  wifh  you  would  abide  in  the 
 Ifland,  and  go  back  no  more."  Plowever,  the  veffel  ^ 
 being  aground,  he  was  detained  till  the  next  morning 
 lo  the  great  joy  of  his  new  friends,  when  after  a 
 tender  parting  he  left  the  Ifland. 
 
 After  this,  the  native  Preachers,  rajfed  up  in  Jtrfcy 
 and  Guernfty,  vifited  this  little  Ifland  :    and   by   their     | 
 means   a   chapel  has    been    ereded,   a   large    Society 
 formed,   and  many   fouls  biought  to  an  acquaintance 
 with  God. 
 
 On  Monday,  Auguft  6,  1787,  Mr.  V/efley  with  Dr. 
 Coke  and  Mr.  Bradford,  fet  off  from  the  Manchejler 
 Conference  to  vifjt  the  Jr^?2c/ilfiands.  On  the  11th, 
 they  failed  from  Southampton,  but  contrary  winds  and  I 
 ftormy  weather  obliged  them  to  fly  for  refuge,  firf^  1 
 into  the  port  of  Yarmouth  in  the  liie  of  Wight,  and 
 afterwards  into  that  of  ^tL'^??^;^^.  On  the  14th,  they 
 cxpcdcd  to  reach  the  Ifle  of  Guernfey  in  the  after- 
 noon :  but  the  wind  turning  contrary,  and  blowing 
 hard,  they  were  obliged  to  fail  for  Alderney.  But  they 
 were  very  near  being  fhipwrecked  in  the  Bay.  Being 
 in  the  midfl  of  rocks,  with  the  fea  riplmg  all  around 
 them,  the  wind  totally  failed.  Had  they  continued 
 in  this  htuation  many  m.inutes  longer,  the  veJTel  muft 
 have  ft  ruck  on  one  or  other  of  the  rocks.  So  they 
 went  to  prayer,  and  the  wind  Iprung  up  inflantly, 
 and    brought    them    about    fun-fet    to    the    port    of 
 
 Alicrncy^ 
 
 At 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         435 
 
 At  eight  the  next  morning,  Mr.  Wejley  preached  on 
 the  Beach,  near  the  place  where  he  lodged ;  and  be- 
 fore his  hymn  was  ended,  had  a  tolerable  congre- 
 gation. Soon  after  he  had  concluded,  the  Governor 
 of  the  Ifland  waited  Upon  him  with  very  great 
 courtefy.  After  which,  he,  with  his  company,  failed 
 for  Gucrnfcy, 
 
 On  his   arrival,  he  went  into  the  country,  to  the 
 houfe   of  Mr.    De  Jcrfey,    a   gentleman    of    fortune, 
 whofe  whole  family  have    been   converted  to   God. 
 At  five  the  following  morning,  he  preached  in  a  large 
 room  of  Mr.  De  Jcrfcy's  to   a  very   ferious  congre- 
 gation ;  and  in  the  evening  to  a  crowded  audience  in 
 the  Preaching-hoilfe  in  the  town  of  St,  Peter.     On 
 the  i8th,  he  and  Dr.  Coke  dined  with  the  Governor, 
 who  ftudied  to  Ihew  him  every  mark  of  civility.     On 
 the  2Gth,  he  fet  fail  for  the  Ifle  o^  jferfey,  Mr.  Bracken-' 
 bury  received  him  on  his  arrival,  and  in  his  houfe  Yit 
 frequently   preached    to    exceeding    ferious    congre- 
 gations.   '•'  Even   the    gentry,'*    obferves    Mr.  We/ley^ 
 fpeakmg  of  his  vifit  to  this  Ifland,   "  heard  with  deep 
 attention.      What  little  things  does  God  ufe  to  ad- 
 vance  his    own    glory  !     Probably,"    continues    he, 
 "  many  of  thefe  flock  together,   becaufe  I  have  lived 
 fo  many   years  !    And  perhaps  even  this  may  be  the 
 means  of  their  living  for  ever!"    In  the  country  he 
 preached    in    Englijh^    Mr.  Brackenhury  interpreting 
 fentence  by   fentence  :  and  even  in  this  inconvenient 
 way  of  fpeaking,   God  owned  his  word.     Being  de- 
 tained  a  conflderable    time  by  contrary  winds,   the 
 
 F  f  5  Aflbmbly- 
 
43^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 AfTcmbly-room  was  offered  him,  in  which  he  preached 
 to  very  large  congregations,  and  to  the  profit  of  many* 
 On  the  29th,  the  wind  flill  continuing  to  blow 
 from  the  EnghJJi  coaft,  he  returned  to  the  Ifle  of» 
 Guernfey:  where  the  winds,  or  rather  a  kind  Providence, 
 detained  him  till  the  (ixth  of  September.  Hardly  a 
 gentleman  or  lady  in  the  town  of  SL  Peter  omitted  a 
 fingle  opportunity  of  attending  his  miniftry.  So  uni- 
 verfal  and  fleady  an  attendance  of  the  rich  and  the 
 gay,  he  never  before  experienced.  During  this  vifit, 
 he  was  favoured  with  hngular  powers  of  elocution  ; 
 and  delivered  a  feries  of  difcourfes  peculiarly  fuited 
 to  his  hearers.  On  the  6th.  a  fhip  failed  for  Mount's 
 Bay  in  Cornwall :  and,  the  wind  not  permitting  him 
 to  fail  for  Southampton,  he  took  his  paffagc  in  it,  and 
 on  the  next  day  landed  at  Penzance. 
 
 There  is  now  a  furplus  of  native  Preachers  in  the 
 French  I  Hands,  two  of  whom  have  already  vifited 
 France,  and  have  formed  fome  fmall  Societies  near 
 Caen  in  Normandy :  fo  that  there  is  a  fair  profp€61;  of 
 a  great  work  of  God  in  that  populous  kingdom,  in 
 which  liberty  of  conlcience  is  now  fully  allowed. 
 
 Before  we  conclude  the  prefent  fe61;ion,  we  fhall 
 give  a  very  brief  account  of  Mr.  Wejleys  two  vifits  to 
 Holland. 
 
 On  the  1 2th  of  June,  1 783,  he  failed  from  Harwich, 
 and  landed  at  Helvoet/luy s  the  following  day.  Mr. 
 WeJIey's  defcriptions  of  the  natural  beauties  and 
 curiofities  o^  Holland,  are  entertaining  in  a  high  degree, 
 but  do  not,  we  think,  dircdly  come  within  the  limits 
 2  of 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  437 
 
 of  our  work.  He  was  favoured  with  the  company  of 
 many  eminent  Minifters  of  the  church  of  Holland,  a^ 
 well  as  of  the  EngJiJIi  Minifters  in  the  commercial 
 towns.  With  i\\Q  former  he  converfed  in  Latin.  In  the 
 epifcopal  church  at  Rotterdam  he  prea.ched  twice  to 
 large  congregations ;  the  firfl  time,  on  God  createdman 
 in  his  own  image,  and  the  people  "feemed,  all  but 
 their  attention,  dead  :"  the  fecond  time,  on  God  liath 
 given  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son. 
 
 At  the  Hague,  he  was  invited  to  tea  by  Madam  dt 
 Vqjfenaar,  a  lady  of  the  firfl  rank  in  that  city.  She  re- 
 ceived him  with  that  eafy  opennefsand  affability,  which 
 is  aimofl  peculiar  to  chriflians,  and  perfons  of  quality. 
 Soon  after  cam^e  ten  or  twelve  ladies  more,  who  feemed 
 to  be  of  her  own  rank,  (though  dreffed  quite  plain,) 
 and  two  moft  agreeable  gentlemen,  one  of  whom  was 
 a  Colonel  in  the  Prince's  guards.  After  tea,  he  ex- 
 pounded the  three  firfl  verfes  of  the  thirteenth  of  the 
 firfl  Epiflle  to  the  Corinthians ;  and  Captain  M —  in- 
 terpreted fentence  by  fentence.  Mr.  We/ley  then 
 prayed,  and  Colonel   V —  prayed  after  him. 
 
 On  the  following  day,    he  dined  at    Mrs.  L -'s. 
 
 Her  mother,  upwards  of  feventy,  feemed  to  be  con- 
 tinually rejoicing  in  God  her  Saviour.  The  daughter 
 breathed  the  fame  fpirit  :  and  her  grand  children, 
 three  little  girls  and  a  boy,  feemed  to  be  all  love.  A 
 gentleman  coming  in  after  dinner,  Mr.  We/ley  found 
 a  particular  defire  to  pray  for  him.  In  a  little  while, 
 the  ftranger  melted  into  tears,  as  indeed  did  mofl  of 
 the  company.  The  next  day  Madam  de  VaJJenaar  in- 
 vited Mr.  Wejley  to  a  meeting  at  a  neighbouring  lady's 
 
 F  f  3  boufe  j 
 
43S  TflE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 houfe  ;  where  he  expounded   GaL  vi.    14,  and  Cap- 
 tain M,  interpreted  as  before.  » 
 
 In  his  way  from  Haerlem  to  Amflerdam,  he  met 
 with  feveral  fellow-paffengers  who  were  truly  ferious. 
 Some  of  them  fung  hymns  in  a  very  pleafmg manner: 
 and  his  and  their  hearts  were  fo  knit  together  in 
 chriflian  love,  that  their  partmg  at  AmJUrdam  was 
 very  afFeding. 
 
 In  that  city  he  vifited  a  lady  of  large  fortune,  who 
 appeared  to  be  entirely  devoted  to  God.  "  There  is 
 fuch  a  childlike  fimplicity"  (obferves  Mr.  Wejlcy  con- 
 cerning Amjlcrdam)  "  in  all  that  love  God  in  this 
 city,  as  does  honour  to  the  religion  they  profefs." 
 
 After  performing  fervice  in  the  Englifh  church,  he 
 vifited  a  Mr.  B.  who  had,  not  long  before,  found 
 peace  with  God.  This  gentleman  was  full  of  faith 
 and  love,  and  could  hardly  mention  the  goodnefs  of 
 God  without  tears.  His  lady  feemed  to  be  exadly 
 of  the  fame  fpirit.  From  thence  he  went  to  another 
 houfe,  where  a  large  company  was  alTembled ;  and  all 
 feemed  open  to  receive  inilruclion,  and  defirous  to  be 
 altoig^ether  chriflians. 
 
 On  the  28th  of  June,  he  made  the  following  ob- 
 fervation  :  *'  I  have  this  day  lived  fourfcore  years  ; 
 and,  bv  tlie  mercy  of  God,  my  eyes  are  not  waxed 
 dhn  ;  and  what  little  flrength  of  body  or  mind  I  had 
 thirty  years  fmce,  jufl  the  fame  I  have  now.  God 
 grant  I  may  never  live  to  be  ufelefs,  Rather  may  I 
 
 My  body  wlih  my  charge  lay  dow,n, 
 And  ccafe  at  once  to  work  and  live/' 
 
 On 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  439 
 
 On  the  next  day  he  preached  in  the  Englifh  church 
 at  Utrecht,  a  very  faithful,  fearching  fermon ;  and 
 afterwards  dined  with  a  merchant,  who  feemed  to  be 
 deeply  acquainted  with  religion.  In  the  evening,  at  the 
 delire  of  feveral  perfons,  he  repeated  in  a  private  houfe 
 the  fubllance  of  his  morning's  iermon,  to  a  large 
 company,  Mr.  Toydcmea  (the  Profeffor  of  Law  in  the 
 Univerfity)  interpreting  it  fentence  by  fentence.  The 
 congregation  then  fung  a  Dutch  hymn,  and  Mr, 
 V/eJley  and  his  companions  an  Englijli  one.  After- 
 wards Mr.  Regukt,  a  venerable  old  man,  fpent  fome 
 time  in  prayer,  for  the  eftablifhment  of  peace  between 
 the  two  nations. 
 
 On  Tuefday,  July  i .  He  failed  from  Helvoetjluys ; 
 but  through  contrary  winds  did  not  arrive  at  Harwich 
 till  the  Friday  following.  He  obferves  on  the  whole, 
 that  the  perfons  with  whom  he  converfed  in  HoUandy 
 were  of  the  lame  fpirit  with  his  friends  in  England  : 
 and  that  he  was  as  much  at  home  in  Utrecht  and  Am- 
 fterda?}?.,  as  in  Brijiol  and  London. 
 
 In  the  year  1786,  he  again  vi^ittd  Holland.  Nothing 
 new  arofe  during  this  tour.  Many  of  the  Minifters 
 waited  on  him.  Some  of  the  churches  were  opened. 
 He  preached  and  expounded  in  many  private  houfes ; 
 and  received  many  marks  of  courtefy  from  feveral 
 pious  perfons  of  rank  and  fortune,  particularly  from 
 Mr.  Lotcn,  one  of  the  Burghomafters  of  Utrecht,  who 
 both  at  this  time  and  on  his  former  vifit,  feemed 
 iludious  to  fhew  him  proof  of  his  regard  and  attention. 
 Mifs  Loten,  his  daughter,  a  m.oft  amiable  and  pious 
 young  lady,  continued  to  correfpond  wuth  Mr.  We/ley 
 
 F  f  4  till 
 
440  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 till  his  death,  in  the  Englijli  language,  which  fhe  well 
 undeiflood. 
 
 He  had  no  defign  in  vihting  Holland,  to  form  So- 
 cieties. He  made  thefe  vifits  partly  for  relaxation, 
 and  partly  to  indulge  and  enlarge  his  Catholic  fpirit, 
 by  forming  an  acquaintance  with  the  truly  pious  in 
 foreign  nations.  He  often  with  great  fatisfa6lion  re- 
 flc6led  on  the  famenefs  of  true  religion  in  every 
 country.  He  faw  that  the  genuine  fpirit  of  piety,  in 
 every  time  and  phice,  tends  to  promote  union  of 
 heart  and  brotherly  kindnefs.  The  fame  fimplicity 
 of  manners  and  drefs  he  alfo  obferved,  even  in  thofe 
 of  the  highefl  rank  tliat  profeffcd  godlinefs.  The 
 meetings  for  Chriliian  fellowfhip  he  found  to  be  very 
 Ijmilar  to  thofe  he  had  himfelf  eflablifhed.  But  as 
 few  of  the  Minifters  of  the  church  of  Holland  fcemed 
 to  encourage  or  rightly  underftand  the  excellency  of 
 this  great  help  to  piety  ;  and  as  the  intolerant  fpirit 
 of  the  national  Eflablifhment  prevented  thefe  pious 
 pejfons  from  having  Miniders  after  their  own  heart, 
 they  were  on  thefe  accounts  deprived  of  the  advantages 
 of  chriftian  difcipline.  Being  therefore  in  a  great  mea- 
 fure  left  to  themfelves,  thofe  in  the  higher  circles  have 
 formed  an  union  which  feems  to  exclude  the  poor. 
 We  need  not  obfcrve  how  contrary  this  is  to  the  fpirit 
 of  Chriflianity  :  but  the  Lord  will  in  his  own  good 
 time  remove  from  that  lovely  people  this  want  of 
 conformity  to  his  pure  gofpeh 
 
 CHAP. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,  441 
 
 CHAP.      HL 
 
 Of  the  progrefs  of  Religion  in  North  America  to  the  year 
 1769  :  and  of  the  labours  of  the  Preachers  in  conneUion 
 with  Mr.  Wesley,  in  the  United  States,  Nova  Scotia^ 
 the  WeJl'India  Ifands,  and  in  Newfoundland. 
 
 SECTION       I. 
 
 T^HOSE  parts  of  North- America,  v/hich  either  have 
 -*-  been  or  are  united  to  Great- Britain,  are  the  only 
 objefts  of  confideration'  in  the  prefent  work,  as  they 
 form  the  grand  field  in  which  the  gofpei  has  been 
 planted  by  the  Preachers  in  conneclion  with  Mr. 
 Wefey.  We  muft,  in  this  view,  except  New  Britain 
 and  Canada,  the  former  of  w^hich  (though  of  great 
 extent)  is  inhabited  only  by  a  few  fettlers  and  the 
 native  Indians,  and  the  latter  chiefly  by  Roman 
 Catholics,  who  are  much  more  attached  to  the  fuper- 
 ftitions  of  their  religion,  than  the  inhabitants  of 
 f ranee,  from  whom  they  originally  fprung. 
 
 In  taking  a  general,  but  curfory  vit^v  of  the  (late 
 and  progrefs  of  religion  in  the  different  parts  of  that 
 great  Continent,  which  fail  under  our  infpcdion,  we 
 fhali  regularly  proceed  /row  A^orlh  to  South,  rather 
 than  confider  the  fubje6l  according  to  the  times  of  the 
 firil  fettlements  of  the  country,  as  this  method  may 
 afford  a  more  fimple  and  conne6led  view  of  the 
 whole;    and  as    the  work  of  God  which   has  been 
 
 carried 
 
412         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 carried  on  by  Mr.  Wtficy  and  the  Preachers  in  con* 
 ne6lion  with  him,  has  reguhirly  proceeded  inihat  Line, 
 if  we  except  Nova  Scotia  and  New  England, 
 
 Nova  Scotia,  which  is  now  divided  into  two  Pro- 
 vinces, one  of  which  is  called  New  Brun/wick,  and  the 
 other  retains  its  ancient  name,  was  firft  fettled  by  the 
 Englijh  in  the  reign  o^  James  the  Firft.  But  the  in- 
 habitants were  fo  few,  that  it  could  fcarcely  bear  the 
 name  of  a  Province  till  1749,  when  three  thoufand 
 families  were  lent  over  to  colonize  the  country.  But 
 tme  religion,  however  it  mij^ht  have  dwelt  in  the 
 hearts  of  a  few  in  the  midft  of  the  uncultivated  wafles, 
 was  in  general  not  to  be  found  in  that  Province  till 
 the  conclufion  of  the  late  civil  war.  At  that  time  a 
 confiderable  number  of  Refugees,  who  had  been  for 
 years  members  of  the  Societies  in  connection  with 
 Mr.  Wejlty  in  the  United,  States,  removed  with  others 
 to  Nova  Scotia,  and  have  there  kindled  a  flame  of  pure 
 religion,  which,  we  trull,  will  never  be  exringuiflied. 
 
 In  1606,  James  the  Firft  creeled  two  companies  for 
 the  colonization  of  New  E'i'^gland,  then  included  under 
 the  creneral  name  of  Virginia.  But  no  res[ular  fettle- 
 ments  were  then  formed  :  a  fmall  trade  on]y  was 
 carried  on  with  the  Indians.  But  under  the  violent 
 pcrfecutions  of  the  Non-conformifts  by  Archbilhop 
 Laud,.rmny  of  that  oppreffed  people  fled  for  refuge 
 to  N'ew  England,  and  with  indefatigable  and  unre^ 
 mitted  zeal,  ^  through  almoft  e\-cry  difficulty  and 
 danger  that  could  obftru6l  fo  hazardous  an  under- 
 taking, changed  the  face  of  a  great  tracl;  of  country 
 from   a  waftc  wildernefs  to  an  improved  and  culri, 
 
 vated 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  443 
 
 vated  land.  Thcfe  firfl  Settlers,  or  very  many  of 
 them  at  leail,  did  undoubtedly  experience  the  vital 
 power  of  godUnefs,  and  were  joined  by  a  multitude 
 of  others,  that  fled  from  the  tyranny  of  Charles  the 
 Second. 
 
 For  fome  confiderable  time  all  the  holy  fruits  of 
 religion  vvere  manifelled  among  them.  But.asufual, 
 an  uninterrupted  flow  of  profperity  damped  the  facred 
 flame  :  and  perhaps  their  wars  with  the  Indian 
 nations  might  alfo  contribute  towards  it.  Then  ap- 
 peared the  fame  fpirit  among  themifelves,  which  they 
 had  fo  much  oppofed  in  England.  The  views  of 
 mankind  were  not  fufficiently  enlarged  at  that  period, 
 to  enable  them  to  fee  the  importance  of  Univerfal 
 Toleration  to  the  profperity  of  Society.  None  of 
 them  feem  to  have  had  a  conception,  that  a  mofl 
 perfe6l  civil  amity  may  be  preferved  among  thofe  who 
 differ  in  the  fpeculative  points  of  Theology.  They 
 therefore  perfecuted  all  the  emigrants,  who,  like 
 themfelves,  had  left  their  native  country  for  a  more 
 comfortable  habitation  than  they  found  at  home,  but 
 who  unhappily  differed  from  them  cither  in  modes  of 
 worfhip  or  religious  fentiments.  Of  thefe  the  Ouakers 
 were  the  moll  offenfive  to  them,  and  were  cruelly, 
 yea,  inhumanly  treated  by  them.  Mercy  and  pure 
 [  religion,  infeparable  companions,  then  forfook  the 
 land.  They  loft  their  piety  :  and,  to  fay  the.  beft  of 
 (hem,  were  a  flouri/Jiingy  commercial  people. 
 
 In  1729,  the  Lord  raifed  up  that  eminent  man, 
 ^r.  Jonathan  Edwards.     In  his  time  religion  flourifhed 
 
 again 
 
444  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 again   in   New   England.       A  very   brief  account  of 
 this  revival  we  fliaii  give  in  his  own  words. 
 
 *'  In  the  town  of  Northannpton  in  New  England, 
 after  a  more  than  ordinary  lic^ntioufne fs  in  the  peo- 
 ple, a  concern  for  religion  began  to  revive  in  1729, 
 but  more  obfervedly  in  1733  ;  when  there  was  a  ge- 
 nera) reformation  of  outward  diforders,  which  has 
 continued  ever  lince. 
 
 *'  About  this  time  I  began  to  preach  concerning 
 Jiijlificatio'n  by  Faith  alone.  This  was  attended  with  a 
 very  remark^rfjle  bieffing.  Then  it  was,  that  the 
 Spirit  of  God  began  wonderfully  to  work  among  us. 
 A  great  and  earnell:  concern  about  the  things  of  God 
 ran  through  all  parts  of  the  town.  All  talk  but  of 
 eternal  things  was  laid  afide.  The  converfation  in 
 all  companies  (uniefs  fo  far  as  was  neceffary  for  the 
 carrying  on  of  worldly  bufmefs)  was  wholly  upon 
 religion.  Hence  there  foon  appeared  a  glorious  al- 
 teration, fo  that  in  1735,  the  town  feemed  to  be  full 
 of  the  prefence  of  God.  There  were  remarkable 
 tokens  of  God's  prefence  almofl  in  every  houfe : 
 parents  rejoicing  over  their  children  as  new-born, 
 hufbands  over  their  wives,  and  wives  over  their 
 hufbands." 
 
 He    proceeds  to  defcribe   the  amazing  fpread   of 
 that  work  in  New  England  ;  and   then    adds  :     *'  this 
 fliower  of  divine  bleffrngs  has  been  yet  more  extenfive. 
 There  was  no  fmall  degree  of  it   in  (ome  parts  of  the   : 
 jerfeys. 
 
 "  God  has  alfo  feemed  to  go  out  of  his  ufual  way 
 in  the  quicknefs  of  his  work.     It  is   wonderful   that 
 
 perfons 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,         445 
 
 perfons  fhould  be  fo  fudaenly  anS  yet  fo  greatly 
 changed.  Many  have  been  taken  from  a  looi'e  and 
 carelefs  way  of  living,  and  feized  vrith  flrong  con- 
 vi6lions  of  their  guilt  and  mifery  ;  and  in  a  very 
 little  time  old  things  have  palled  away,  and  all  things 
 have  become  new  with  them." 
 
 There  v/ere  many  alfoin  New  England  and  among 
 the  Indians,  truly  converted  to  God,  by  thofe  eminent 
 and  laborious  Miniflers  Mr.  Elliott  and  Mr.  Brainerd, 
 
 In  1739,  Mr.  George  Wkitejield  made  his  fecond 
 vifit  to  America ;  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Mod  High 
 did  indeed  reft  upon  that  great  man.  He  revived 
 that  pure  religion,  which  was  fo  remarkable  in  the 
 time  of  Dr,  Edwards,h\xt2ihtvh\s  death  had  decayed. 
 Great  was  his  zeal,  and  great  his  fuccefs.  *'  God 
 fpoke  the  word,  and  great  was  the  company  of  the 
 Preachers."  The  zealous  Miniflers  raifed  by  his 
 labours,  who  were  diftinguilhed  by  the  denomination 
 of  New  Lights,  became  the  mod  numerous  body  in 
 New  England :  and,  ftrange  as  it  may  appear,  the  old, 
 vii^Q,  literary  body  of  Prefoyterians,  in  a  fynod  held 
 among  themfelves,  formally  thruil  out  or  excommu- 
 nicated the  majority  ;  declaring  thty  would  have  no 
 miniilerial  union  with  fuch  an  illiterate  body  of  men. 
 But  the  real  Miniflers  of  God  were  not  to  be  lilenced 
 by  fuch  means.  However,  this  revival  alfo  was  but 
 of  (liort  duration.  Formality  on  the  one  hand,  and 
 Antinomianifm  on  the  other,  again  recovered  their 
 afcendency. 
 
 The  States  of  Nexv  York  and  Neio  jerfey,  the  former 
 ©f  which  was  firfl  fettled  by  the  Englijli  in  1664,    and 
 
 the 
 
"US  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  latter  fometime  in  the  reign  of  Charles  IL  were 
 never  remarkable  for  rehgion,  till  they  were  vifited  by 
 fome  of  the  members  of  Mr.  We/ley's  Societies.  Being 
 fo  near  New  England,  they  indeed  partook  in  .  a 
 fmall  meafure  of  its  revivals,  efpecially  thofe  under 
 Dr.  Edwards  and  Mr.  Wliilejield. 
 
 Pennfylvania,  which  formerly  included  the  httle 
 Hate  of  Delaware,  was  pofTefTcd  originally  by  the 
 Dutch  and  Swedes ;  but  was  fettled  by  the  EngliJJi  in 
 the  reign  of  Charles  IL  under  the  direftion  of  that 
 great  and  good  man,  William  Penn,  the  Quaker.  The 
 iirfl  fettlers,  as  we  may  naturally  exptO:,  were  chiefly 
 perfons  of  his  own  perfuafion  :  and  the  Quakers  make 
 now  a  very  confiderable  part  of  that  State.  They  cer- 
 tainly had,  and  now  have,  real  religion  among  them. 
 The  quaintnefs  of  their  manners,  and  their  ideas  con- 
 cerning the  fuperior  light  of  their  difpenfation,  have 
 kept  them  from  being  much  known,  and  from  being 
 very  ufeful.  But  the  noble  facrifice  of  all  their  Jlaves, 
 whom  they  have  emancipated  to  a  man,  is  a  proof  to 
 a  demonllration,  that  the  major  part  of  the  chief  rulers 
 of  their  Society  at  lead,  are  devoted  to  the  glory  of 
 God  and  the  good  of  their  neighbour. 
 
 In  refpeQ  to  the  religion  of  P ennjylvania  (that  of 
 the  Quakers  excepted)  we  can  fay  but  little  in  its 
 commendation  :  though  we  doubt  not  but  Mr.  White- 
 Jield  kindled  the  flame  of  divine  love  in  the  hearts  of 
 feveral  individuals,  during  his  fhort  vifits  to  Phila^ 
 delphia.  So  great  a  light  mufl  have  fiione  in  every 
 place  ;  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghofl  which  con- 
 tinually 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         447 
 
 tinually  attended  his  miniftry.  could  not  any  where 
 be  entirely  ioft. 
 
 The  five  States  to  the  South  of  thofe  already  men- 
 tioned, viz.  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  and  South-^Ca^ 
 rolina,  and  Georgia,  may  be  confidered  together.  The 
 Baptiils  who  are  numerous  in  fome  parts  of  thefe 
 States,  have  been  ufeful  to  thoufands  both  of  whites 
 and  blacks.  The  abilities  of  their  minifters  in  general 
 were  peculiarly  fmall :  but  their  zeal  was  much,  and 
 God  was  pleafed  to  own  it.  To  this  day  a  confidera- 
 ble  meafure  of  real  religion  is  to  be  found  among:  tl^em, 
 though  we  fear  that  much  of  "  the  fine  gold  is  become 
 drofs."  A  confiderable  number  of  their  Preachers 
 have  embraced  the  doQrine  of  univerfai  reflitution, 
 and  thereby  introduced  much  controverfy  and  diflen- 
 fion  into  their  church.  Here  and  there,  in  that 
 vaft  tra6i  of  country,  from  the  mofl  eaflern  point  of 
 Maryland  to  the  mofl:  weftern  point  of  Georgia^  fome 
 Minifters  were  alfo  to  be  found,  that  fprung  from  the 
 labours  of  Mr.  V/ kite  field,  who  were  more  or  lefs  zealous 
 for  the  falvation  of  fouls. 
 
 But  what  (hall  we  fay  for  the  Clergy  of  the  Church 
 of  England  in  thefe  States,  at  the  times  now  under  con- 
 fideration  ?  We  would  fain  draw  a  veil  over  them,  if 
 the  truth  of  hiftory  would  permit  it.  Notwithftand- 
 ing  the  purity  and  many  other  excellencies  of  their 
 liturgy,  articles  and  homilies,  they  were,  with  a  few- 
 exceptions  to  the  contrary,  as  bad  a  fet  of  men  as  per- 
 haps ever  difgr.iced  the  Church  of  God  :  nor  had  their 
 wretched  flocks,  at  the  diftance  of  three  or  four 
 i  dioufand  miles  from  the  fource  of  ecclefiaftical  power, 
 1  t\i^ 
 
448         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 the  lead  hopes  of  redrefs.  But  we  mufl  acknowledge, 
 and  blefs  God  for  it,  that  the  change  has  been  abun- 
 dantly for  the  better,  fince  they  have  been  favoured 
 with  an  epifcopacy  of  their  own. 
 
 Such  was  the  ftate  of  religion  on  that  continent, 
 when  the  prefent  revival,  by  the  means  of  Mr.  We/ley 
 and  the  Preachers  in  connexion  with  him,  was  car- 
 ried by  divine  Providence  over  the  Atlantic  ocean, 
 and  pierced  through  the  immenfe  forells  of  America, 
 
 S     E     C     T     I     O     N       IL 
 
 N  confidering  the  progre fs  of  this  revival,  we  fhall 
 divide  it  into  three  parts  :  the  firfl,  confiding  of 
 the  work  before  the  civil  war;  the  fecond,  of  its  pro- 
 grefs  during  the  war ;  and  the  third,  of  its  continua- 
 tion from  the  peace  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Wejley. 
 
 L  During  the  fpace  of  thirty  years  pafl,  feveral  per- 
 fons,  members  of  Mr.  Wcjleys  Society,  emigrated 
 from  England,  and  Ireland,  and  fettled  m  various  parts 
 oi  America,  .About  twenty  years  ago,  Philip  Embury, 
 a  local  Preacher  from  Ireland,  began  to  preach  in  the 
 city  of  New-York,  and  formed  a  fociety  of  his  own 
 countrymen  and  the  citizens:  About  the  fame  time 
 Robert  Strarvbridge,  another  local  Preacher  from  /re- 
 land,  fettled  in  Frederic-county  in  Maryland,  and 
 preaching  there,  formed  fome  focieties.  About  this 
 period  alfo  Mr,  Webb,^a.  Lieutenant  in  the  army, 
 preached  at    Ntiu-York   and  Philadelphia   with  great. 
 
 f„cce.. 
 
tHE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.         44g' 
 
 f  iccefs,  arid  with  the  affiftance  of  his  friends  ere6lecl 
 a  chapel  in  New-York,  which  was  the  firfl  chapel  in 
 Mr.  Wejleyi  connexion  in  America.  Induced  by  the 
 fuccefs  he  met  with,  and  by  an  earneft  defire  of  faring 
 foul§,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  We/ley,  earnellly  im- 
 portuning him  to  fend  Miffionaries  to  that  Continent* 
 Accordingly  Mr.  Wejley  nominated  Mr.  Richard  Boards 
 man  and  Mr.  JofephPihnoor^s  Miflionaries  for  ^??2f 77V^, 
 who  landed  at  Philadelphia  in  1769,  and  v/ere  the  firfl 
 Jiiiurant  Preachers  in  conne6rion  with  Mr.  Wejley  on 
 that  Continent.  A  few  days  after  their  landing,  Mr. 
 Fihnoor  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr,  We/Iey,  of  which  the  foU 
 lov/ing  is  an  extra6l : 
 
 i  Philadelphia,  Ocl.  31,  1769, 
 Reverend   SIR, 
 
 *'  By  the  bl effing  of  God  we  are  fafe  arrived  here 
 ;after  a  tedious  paiTage  of  nihe  weeks; 
 
 *•  We  were  not  a  little  fiirprifed  to  find  Captain 
 Webb  in  tou^i,  and  a  Society  of  about  a  hundred 
 members,  who  defire  to  be  in  clofe  connexion  with 
 you.  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous 
 in  our  eyes. 
 
 **  I  have  preached  fevefal  times,  and  the  people 
 flock  to  hear  in  multitudes.  Sunday  evening  I  went 
 out  upon  the  Common.  I  had  the  ftage  appointed 
 for  the  horfe-race,  for  my  pulpit,  and  I  think  between 
 four  or  five  thoufand  hearers,  who  heard  with  at- 
 tention flili  as  night.  BlelTed  be  God  for  field- 
 preaclMng  ?  When  I  began  to  talk  of  preaching  at 
 five   o'clock  in  the  morning,    the  people  thouorht  it 
 
 G  g  would 
 
4SO         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 would  not  anfwer   in  America  :    however  I  refolved 
 to  try,  and  had  a  very  good  congregation. 
 
 '•  Here  feems  to  be  a  great  and  effe6lual  door 
 opening  in  this  country,  and  I  hope  many  fouls  will 
 be  gathered  in.  The  people  in  general  like  to  hear 
 the  w^ord,  and  feem  to  have  fome  ideas  of  falvation  by 
 
 grace. 
 
 Mr.  Eoardman  obferves  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Wcfley  h-om 
 Nexv  York,  dated  April  24,  1769.  *' Our  houfe  con- 
 tains about  feventeen  hundred  hearers.  About  a  third 
 part  of  thofe  who  attend  the  preaching,  get  in ;  the 
 reft  are  glad  to  hear  without.  There  appears  fuch  a 
 willingnefs  in  the  Americans  to  hear  the  vrord,  as  I 
 never  law  before.  They  have  no  preaching  in  fome 
 parts  of  the  back  Settlements.  I  doubt  not  but  an 
 eflPe6lual  door  will  be  opened  among  them.  O  may 
 thq  Moft  High  now  give  his  Son  the  Heathen  for  his 
 inheritance !  The  number  of  Blacks  that  attend  the 
 preaching,  affcds  me  much/' 
 
 Mr.  Pilmoor  vifited  Maryland,  Virginia  and  North 
 Carolina,  and  preached  in  thofe  States^  with  con- 
 iiderable  fuccefs. 
 
 About  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1  77  i,  .Mr.  Wejley 
 fent  over  Mr.  Francis  Ajhury  and  Mr.  Richard  V/right 
 to  ih(t  afnftance  of  the  former  MiiTionaries.  Mr. 
 Ajhury  was  then,  as  he  has  been  ever  (ince,  inde- 
 fatigable in  his  labours.  He  flaid  not  long  in  the 
 cities.  Moil  of  his  time  he  fpcnt  in  the  villages 
 and  plantations,  forming  Societies  in  many  places 
 'He  frequently  complains  in  his  Journal,  which  was 
 publifhcd  in  AmcriQa^  that  his  brethren  were  too  fond 
 
 of 
 
'      tHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  XVFSLEY-        45  i 
 
 of  the  cities ;  arid  juflly  obferves  that  ho  exteftfive' 
 work  could  be  carried  on  in  America^  unlefs  the 
 Preachers  devoted  more  of  their  time  to  the  plan- 
 tations ;  the  cities  and  towns  being  very  few,  and  a 
 great  majority  of  the  inhabitants  fettled  in  the  in- 
 terioLir  parts  of  the  country. 
 
 In  1773,  Mr.  TF^dj)' fent  over  Ml".  Thomas  Rankirt 
 and  Mr.  George  Shadford.  When  they  arrived,  they 
 found  that  the  Societies  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
 had  laid  afide  almoft  all  dilcipline,  and  were  little 
 better  than  a  rope  of  fand.  Mr.  Rankin,  who  was  a 
 ftrenuous  advocate  for  all  the  various  branches  of 
 the  economy  eflablifhed  by  Mr.  Wejfey,  and  was  in- 
 vefted  by  him  with  confiderable  authority,  foon  re- 
 duced ^vtry  thing  into  order.  He  and  Mr.  Shadford 
 laboured  for  near  five  years  On  that  Continent, 
 travellincc  throudi  all  the  States  between  New  York 
 and  North  Carolina  iriclufive^  forming  Societies  and 
 preaching  the  gofpel  with  great  fuccefs. 
 
 "  At  our  firfl  little  Conference  in  Philadelphia,  ]\x\y 
 1773,"  obferves  Mr^  Rankin  in  his  , own  printed  ac- 
 count, **  we  had  about  a  thoufand  in  the  diflPerent; 
 Societies,  and  fix  or  feven  Preachers  i  arid  in  May 
 1777,  we  had  forty  Preachers  in  the  different  circuits, 
 and  about  feven  thoufand  members  in  the  Societies  ; 
 befides  many  hundreds  of  Ne^oes,  who  were  cori- 
 vinced  of  fm,  and  many  of  them  happy  in  the  love  of 
 God.  Were  it  not  for  the  Cit^il  War,  I  have  reafori 
 to  believe  the  work  of  God  would  have  flouriftled  m  a 
 inore  abundant  manner,  as  both  rich  and  poor  gladly 
 
 G  g  9:  embraced 
 
452         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 embraced  the  truths  of  the  gofpel,  and  received  the 
 Preachers  with  open  arms." 
 
 We  Ihall  give  a  fhort  account  of  one  of  the  revivals 
 in  Virginia  at  this  period,  which  may  in  fome  degree 
 be  confidered  as  a  fpecimen  of  them  all. 
 
 '•  In  1770  and  1771,  there  was  a  confiderable  out- 
 pouring of  the  Spirit  of  God  at  a  place  called  White- 
 Oak,  In  the  year  1772,  the  revival  was  more  con- 
 fiderable, and  extended  itfelf  in  fome  places  for  fifty 
 or  fixty  miles  round.  It  increafed  flill  more  in  the 
 following  year.  In  the  fpring  of  1774,  it  was  more 
 remarkable  than  ever.  Tears  fell  plentifully  from  the 
 tyts  of  the  hearers,  and  fome  were  conflrained  to  cry 
 out.  In  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1775,  there  was  as 
 great  a  revival  of  religion,  as  perhaps  was  ever  known 
 in  country-places  in  io  Ihort  a  time  :  but  it  became 
 fcill  more  confiderable  in  January  1776.  Mr.  Shad- 
 ford  then  preached  in  Virginia  :  and  while  the  ears  of 
 tliG  people  w^ere  opened  by  novelty,  God  fent  his 
 vovil  home  upon  their  hearts.  Many  fmners  were 
 powerfully  convinced,  and  mercy !  mercy !  was  their 
 cry.  Gonveriions  were  frequent ;  and  the  people  of 
 God  were  infpircd  with  new  life  and  vigour,  by  the 
 happinefs  of  others  ;  and  entreated  God  with  ftrono" 
 cries  and  tears,  fo  to  "  circumcife  their  hearts,"  that 
 they  might  "  love  him  with  all  their  heart,"  andfervc 
 him  with  all  their  ftrength. 
 
 *'  X^umbers  of  old  and  grey-headed,  and  of  middle- 
 aged  perfons,  of  youth,  yea,  of  little  children,   were 
 the  fubjc<is  of  this  work.     There  were   inilances  of 
 s  the 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         453 
 
 the  latter  from  eight  or  nine  years  old.  Some  of 
 the  children  were  exceeding  happy  in  the  love  of 
 God  ;  and  fpoke  of  the  whole  procefs  of  the  work  of 
 God,  of  their  convidlions,  the  time  when,  and  the 
 manner  how  they  obtained  deliverance,  with  fuch 
 clearnefs  as  might  convince  an  Atheift,  that  this  was 
 nothing  but  the  great  power  of  God. 
 
 *'  This  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  fo  extended  iifelf, 
 that  it  foon  took  in  a  circumference  of  between  four 
 and  five  hundred  miles,  including  fourteen  counties 
 in  Virginia,  and  two  in  North  Carolina. 
 
 **  At  one  meeting  held  in  Boijfeaus  Chapel,  the 
 windows  of  heaven  were  opened  indeed,  and  the  rain 
 of  Divine  Influence  continued  to  pour  down  for 
 more  than  forty  days.  At  the  Love-feaft  then  held, 
 it  feemed  as  if  the  whole  houfe  was  filled  with  the 
 pre  fence  of  God.  A  flame  kindled,  and  ran  from 
 heart  to  heart.  Many  were  deeply  convinced  of  fin; 
 many  mourners  were  filled  with  confolation  j  and 
 many  believers  were  fo  overwhelmed  with  love,  that 
 they  could  not  doubt  but  God  had  enabled  them  to 
 love  him  with  all  their  heart. 
 
 "The  multitudes  that  attended  on  thefe  occafions,  re- 
 turned  home  all  alive  to  God,  and  fpread  the  flame  thro* 
 theirrefpeftive  neighbourhoods,  which  ran  fromfamily 
 to  family.  So  that  within  four  weeks,  feveral  hundreds 
 foi^nd  the  peace  of  God.  And  fcarce  any  convert^ 
 fation  was  to  be  heard,  but  concerninor  the  thing-s  of 
 God.  The  unhappy  difputes.  between  Englaiid  and 
 her  Colonies,  had  till  this  time  engrolfed  the  con- 
 yerfation   of  -ill  the   people,    but    feemed    now  in 
 
 G  g  3  TTiQfl 
 
454        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 mod  companies  to  be  forgotten,  while  things  of  far 
 greater  importance  lay  fo  near  the  heart.  Iti  many 
 large  companies  one  carelefs  perfon  could  not  be 
 feen  :  and  the  far  greater  part  feemed  perfcclly  happy 
 in  a  clear  fenfe  of  the  love  of  God. 
 
 "  It  has  been  frequently  obferved,  that  there  never 
 was  any  remarkable  revival  of  religion,  but  fome  degree 
 of  enthufiafm  was  mingled  with  it ;  iome  wild-jire^  as  it 
 is  called,  mixed  with  the  facred  fiame.  This  work  was 
 not  quite  free  from  it.  But  it  never  rofe  to  any  con- 
 fiderable  height,  nor  v/as  of  long  continuance.  In 
 fome  meetings  there  was  not  that  order  obferved, 
 which  could  have  been  wifhed.  Some  of  the 
 alTemblies  refembled  the  congregation  of  the  Jews  at 
 laying  the  foundation  of  the  fecond  Temple  in  the 
 days  of  Ezra.  Some  wQpt  for  grief;  others  fhouted 
 for  joy,  fo  that  it  was  hard  to  diftinguifli  one  from 
 the  other.  So  it  was  here.  The  mourning  and 
 diflrefs  were  fo  blended  with  the  voice  of  joy  and  glad- 
 nefs,  that  it  was  hard  to  diilinguifh  the  one  from  the 
 other.  But  the  voice  of  joy  prevailed,  the  people 
 ihouting  with  a  great  fhout,  fo  that  it  might  be  heard 
 ^far  off. 
 
 "  In  a  (hort  time  a  great  work  was  wrought :  and 
 it  v/as  evident  beyond  all  contradiction,  that  many 
 open  and  profligate  fmners  of  all  forts  were  effedually 
 &nd  laftingly  changed  into  pious,  uniform  chriflians." 
 
 II.  When  the    Civil  War  became  general  in   that 
 
 country  J    Mr.   Rankin^    with    other    Preachers    from 
 
 J^n^land,     who    had     fpoken     publicly     in     behalf 
 
 of  the    Britifli  Caufe,  were  obliged   to  fly   for  their 
 
 1  lives. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  455 
 
 lives.  And  of  all  the  European  Miffionaries,  Mr. 
 Franch  AJhury  alone  was  determined  to  bear  the  heat 
 and  burxkn  of  that  day.  Though  he  had  preferved 
 a  perfe6l  neutrality,  and  had  fpoke  nothing  in  public 
 or  private  on  the  merits  of  the  war,  yet  he  was  obliged, 
 from  the  fufpicions  already  raif^d  againfl  the  Societies, 
 to  conceal  himfelf  for  two  years  in  the  county  of  Kent 
 in  Delaware,  at  the  houfe  of  a  Mr.  White,  a  Juftice  of 
 the  Peace,  and  a  member  of  the  Society.  In  the 
 houfe  of  this  gentleman,  he  held  two  Conferences 
 with  all  the  Preachers  he  could  collet^t  in  the  midft  of 
 the  troubles.  But  a  gentleman  of  Delaware^  who 
 became  a  very  celebrated  charader  by  his  publications 
 entitled  The  Farmer  s  Letters,  John  Dickcnjon,  Efq. 
 predecelTor  to  ^r.  Franklin  in  the  Government  of 
 Pennfylvania,  with  great  candour  gave  him  a  firong 
 letter  of  recommendation,  by  virtue  of  which  he  ven- 
 tured and  continued  to  travel  throuo;h  the  States  with- 
 out  any  moleflation. 
 
 Many  of  the  Preachers,  that  were  dubious  con- 
 cerning the  merit  of  the  war,  and  therefore  fcrupled 
 to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  States  in  which 
 they  refpe61ively  laboured,  were  fined  or  imprifoned. 
 But  in  ttYtry  inftance,  thofe  who  were  confined,  foon 
 found  fome  powerful  friend,  yea,  often  one  who  had 
 no  conneciion  with  the  Society,  who  ufed  his  influ- 
 ence with  the  Governor  and  Council  of  the  State,  and 
 ©btained  their  liberty.  Frequent  inflances  there  were, 
 when  the  Preachers  were  brought  before  ths  Judges, 
 that  they  bore  fuch  a  pointed  teftimony  againft  fin, 
 ^nd  preached  with  fuch  power  the  doSrines  of  the 
 
 Gg  4  Gofpd, 
 
455         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Cofpel,  that  the  Judges  were  at  a  lofs  in  what  manner 
 to  behave  to  them.  Mr.  MoorCy  a  Preacher  in  Baltic 
 more,  delivered,  on  pne  of  thofe  occafions,  fuch  a 
 fermon  from  the  Bar,  as  filled  the  Judges  and  the 
 whole  Court  with  admiration,  at  the  elegance  of  his 
 di6lion,  and  the  ftrength  of  his  arguments.  The 
 AfTembly  of  Maryland,  partly  perhaps  to  deliver  the 
 Judges  from  the  trouble  which  was  given  them,  and 
 partly  out  of  a  fpirit  of  candour,  palled  an  Act  ex- 
 prefsly  to  allov/  the  Methodift  Preachers,  fo  called,  to 
 exercife  their  fun6lion  without  taking  the  oath  of 
 allegiance. 
 
 Some  time  before  this,  a  remarkable  occurrence 
 happened  in  a  county  in  Maryland.  Mr.  Chew,  one 
 of  the  Preachers,  was  brought  before  Mr.  Downs,  then 
 Sheriff  of  the  county,  and  afterwards  a  member  of 
 the  General  AfTembly  of  the  State.  The  Sheriff  de- 
 manded, whether  he  was  a  Minifler  of  the  GofpeL 
 On  receiving  from  Mr.  Chew  an  anfwer  in  the 
 affirmative,  he  required  him  to  take  the  oath  of  alle- 
 giance. Mr.  Chew  anfwered  him,  that  he  had  fcruples 
 on  his  mind,  and  therefore  could  not  confent  at  pre- 
 fent.  Mr.  Doions  informed  him,  that  he  was  bound 
 on  oath  to  execute  the  laws,  and  mufl  in  fuch  cafe 
 commit  him  to  prifon.  Mr.  Chezo  calmly  replied, 
 that  he  by  no  means  wifhed  to  be  the  caufe  of  perjury, 
 jind  therefore  was  perfeftly  refigned  to  fufFer  the 
 penalty  incurred.  *'  You  are  a  ft  range  man,"  cried 
 the  Sheriff,  "  and  I  cannot  bear  to  punifh  you.  I 
 will  therefore  make  my  own  houfe  your  prifon."  He 
 accoidingly  committed  him  under  his  hand  and  feal, 
 
 anc} 
 
THE  UFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        457 
 
 and  kept  him  in  his  own  houfe  for  three  months, 
 during  which  time  the  Sheriff  was  awakened  and  his 
 lady  converted.  They  foon  afterwards  joined  the  fo- 
 citty  :  and  Mr.  Downs  with  the  afliftance  of  fome 
 neighbouring  gentlemen,  built  a  Preaching-houfe 
 for  the  Society  at  Tuckaho,  the  place  where  he  lives. 
 
 During  the  Civil  War,  the  focieties  were  deflitute 
 of  the  facraments,  except  in  two  or  three  of  the  cities. 
 They  could  not  obtain  baptifm  for  their  children,  or 
 the  Lord's   fupper  for   themfelves,  from  the  Prelby- 
 terian,  Independent  or  Baptifl  Miniflers,  but  on  con- 
 dition that  they  would  leave  the  fociety  of  which  they 
 were  members,  and  join  thofe  churches  refpe6lively  : 
 and  almofl  all  the  clergy  of  the  church  of  England 
 had  left  the  country.     The  focieties  in  general  were 
 fo   grieved    on   this   account,    and  fo  influenced  the 
 minds  of  the  Preachers  by  their  incelfant  complaints,, 
 that    in  the  year    1778,    a    conliderable  number   of 
 them    earneftly    importuned    Mr.    AJhury     to     take 
 proper  meafures,  that   the  people   might  enjoy  the 
 privileges  of  all  other  churches,    and   no  longer  be 
 deprived  of  the  chriftian  facraments.      Mr.   AJbitrys 
 attachment  to  the  church  of  England  was  at  that  time 
 exceeding    flrong:     he    therefore    refufed   them   any 
 redrefs.     On  this  the  majority  of  the  Preachers  with- 
 drew from  him,  and   confequently  from  Mr.   Wejley^ 
 and  chofe    out  of   themfelves  three   fenior  brethren 
 who    ordained    others   by    the    impofition    of    their 
 hands.     The  Preachers   thus   fet  apart,  adminiftered 
 i\\^  facraments  to  thofe  they  judged  proper  to  receive 
 itj  ia  every  place  where  they  came.     However,  Mr. 
 
 AJhury^ 
 
453  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 AJlury^  by  indefatigable  labour  and  attention,  and  by 
 all  the  addrefs  in  his  power,  brought  them  back  one 
 after  another  :  and  by  a  vote  of  one  of  the  Con- 
 ferences, the  Ordination  was  declared  invalid ;  and  a 
 perfc6l  reunion  took  place. 
 
 IIL  ^^hen  peace  was  eflablifhed  between  Great- 
 Britain  and  the  Slates,  the  intercourfe  was  opened  be- 
 twixt the  focieties  in  both  countries.  Mr.  Wefuy  then 
 received  from  Mr.  AJhiiry  a  full  account  of  the  pro- 
 grefs  of  the  work  during  the  war  ;  and  efpecially  of 
 the  divihon  which  had  taken  place,  and  the  ditlicul- 
 ties  he  met  with,  before  it  was  healed.  He  aifo  in- 
 formed Mr.  Wtjfley  of  the  extreme  uneafinefs  of  the 
 people's  minds  for  want  of  the  facraments  :  that 
 thoufands  of  their  children  wcie  unbaptized,  and  the 
 members  of  the  focieties  in  general  had  not  partaken 
 oi  the  Lord's  fupper  for  many  years.  Mr.  WeJIcythe^n 
 confidercd  the  fubjecl,  and  informed  Dr.  Coke  of  his 
 defjgn  of  drawing  up  a  plan  of  Church -government, 
 and  of  eflablifliing  an  ordination  for  his  jbncncan  fo- 
 cieties. But,  cautious  of  entering  on  fo  new  a  plan,  he 
 iifterwards  fufpended  the  execution  of  his  purpofe, 
 and  weighed  the  whole  for  upwards  of  a  year. 
 
 At  the  Conference  held  in  Leeds  in  1784,  he  de- 
 clared his  intention  of  fendmg  Dr.  Coke  and  fotne 
 other  Preachers  to  America.  Mr.  Richard  WJuitcoai 
 and  Mr.  Thomas  Vajcy  offered  themfelves  as  Mif-* 
 Conaries  for  that  purpt^fe,  and  vi^rc  accepted.  Be- 
 fore they  failed,  Mr.  W(jhy  abridged  the  Common 
 Prayer-book  of  the  Cimrch  of  EnglapJ,  and  wrote  to 
 Dr.  Coke,  then  in  London^  deSr^ng  him  to  i«eet  him 
 
 in 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         459 
 
 in  Brijlol,  to  receive  fuller  powers ;  and  to  bring  the 
 Rev.  Mr.  Creighton  with  him.  The  Dr.  and  Mr. 
 Crdghton  a(^cordingly  met  him  in  Brijlol ;  v/hen,  with 
 their  afiTi fiance,  he  ardained  Mr.  Richard  Wkatcoat  and 
 Mr.  Thomas  Vajcy  Prefoyters  for  America :  and,  being 
 peculiarly  attached  to  every  rite  of  the  Church  ot 
 England,  did  afterwards  ordain  Dr.  Coke  a  Superin* 
 tendent,  giving  him  letters  of  ordination  under  his 
 hand  and  feal,  and  at  the  fame  time  the  following  letter 
 to  be  printed,  and  circulated  in  America, . 
 
 Briflol,  Sept.  10.   1784. 
 To  Dr.  Coke,  Mr.  Asbury  and  our  Brethren  in 
 North-America, 
 
 **  By  a  very  uncommon  train  of  providences,  m^ny 
 of  the  provinces  of  North- America  are  totally  disjoined 
 from  their  mother- country,  and  creeled  into  inde- 
 pendent States.  The  En'gliJJi  government  has  no 
 authority  over  them  either  civil  or  ecclefiaftical,  any 
 more  than  over  the  States  of  Holland.  A  civil  autho^ 
 rity  is  exercifcd  over  them,  partly  by  the  Congrefs, 
 partly  by  the  provincial  Allemblies.  But  no  one  either 
 exercifes  or  claims  any  ecclefiaflical  authority  at  all. 
 In  this  peculiar  fituation  fome  thoufands  of  the  inha- 
 bitants of  thefe  States  defire  my  advice  ;  and  in  com- 
 pliance with  their  defire,  I  have  drawn  up  a  little 
 flcetch. 
 
 "  Lord  King*s  account  of  the  primitive  Church 
 convinced  me  many  years  ago,  that  bifhops  and  pref- 
 oyters are  the  iame  order,  and  confequently  have  the 
 
 fame 
 
46o         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fame  right  to  ordain. t  For  many  years  I  have  been 
 importuned  from  time  to  time,  to  exercife  this  right, 
 by  ordaining  part  of  our  travelling  Preachers.  But  I 
 have  ftill  refufed  :  not  only  for  peace*  fake  ;  but  be- 
 caufe  I  was  determinedj  as  little  as  poiTible  to  violate 
 the  eftablifhed  order  of  the  national  Church  to  which 
 I  belonf^ed. 
 
 "  But  the  cafe  is  widely  diflPerent  between  England 
 and  North' America.  Here  there  are  bifhops  who  have 
 a  legal  jurifdi^lion.  In  America  there  are  none,  nei- 
 ther any  parilh  Miniflers,  So  that  for  fome  hundred 
 miles  together  there  is  none  either  to  baptize  or  to  adr 
 minifler  the  Lord's  fupper.  Here  therefore  my  fcruples 
 are  at  an  end:  and  I  conceive  myfelf  at  full  liberty,  as 
 I  violate  no  order,  and  invade  no  man's  right,  by 
 appointing  and  fending  labourers  into  the  harveft. 
 
 *'  I  have  accordingly  appointed  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr. 
 Francis  AJhiuy,  to  be  joint  Superintendents  over  our 
 brethren  in  North-America:  as  alfo  Richard  Wliatcoat 
 and  Thomas  Vafey,  to  a 61  as  Elders  among  them,  by 
 baptizing  and  adminiflring  the  Lord's  fupper.  And 
 I  have  prepared  a  liturgy,  little  differing  from  that  of 
 the  Church  of  England  (I  think,  the  bed  conflituted 
 national  Church  in  the  world)  which  I  advife  all  the 
 travelling  Preachers  to  ufe  Qfi  the  Lord's  day,  in  all 
 
 +  A  pious  Prelate  lately  deceafcd,  remarks  on  this  trans- 
 aflion,  *'  If  a  Prejhytcr  can  ordain  a  Bijliop^  then  th".  greater  is 
 bkffcd  of  the  lefs^  and  the  order  of  all  things  is  inverted."  No  ; 
 not  if  Mr.  JVejIey's  pofitlon  be  true,  that  they  are  the  faint  order. 
 The  Bifhop  fliould  have  overthrown  this  pofition,  (if  he  could) 
 to  have elUblilhcd  his  own, 
 
 th^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR,  WESLEY.  461 
 
 iht  congregations,  reading  the  Litany  only  on  Wed- 
 nefdays  and  Fridays,  and  praying  extempore  on  all 
 other  days.  I  alfo  advife  the  Elders  to  adminiiler 
 the  fupper  of  the  Lord  on  every  Lord's  day. 
 
 *'  If  any  one  will  point  out  a  more  rational  and 
 fcriptural  way,  of  feeding  and  guiding  thofe  poor 
 Iheep  in  the  wiidernefs,  I  will  gladly  embrace  it.  At 
 prefent  I  cannot  fee  any  better  method  than  that  I 
 have  taken. 
 
 *'  It  has  indeed  been  propofed,  to  defire  the  Englijh 
 Bifhops,  to  ordain  part  of  our  Preachers  for  America. 
 But  to  this  I  objeft,  1.  I  defired  the  Bifhop  of  London 
 to  ordain  only  one  ;  but  could  not  prevail :  2.  If  they 
 confented,  we  know  the  flownefs  of  their  proceedings ; 
 but  the  matter  admits  of  no  delay,  3.  If  they  would 
 ordain  them  now,  they  would  likewife  expeft  to  govern 
 them.  And  how  grievoufly  would  this  entangle  us  ? 
 4.  As  our  American  brethren  are  now  totally  di fen- 
 tangled  both  from  the  State,  and  from  the  EngliJJi 
 Hierarchy,  wc  dare  not  entangle  them  again, 
 either  with  the  one  or  the  other.  They  are  now  at 
 full  liberty,  limply  to  follow  the  Scriptures  and  the 
 Primitive  Church.  And  we  judge  it  beif  that  they 
 Ciould  ftand  fall  in  that  liberty,  wherewith  God  has 
 fo  flrangely  made  them  free. 
 
 John   Wesley." 
 
 Dr.  Coke  with  Mellrs.  Whatcoat  and  Vafey  failed  ac- 
 cordingly for   Ajnerica,   in  the  month  of  September. 
 On  their  arrival,  a  general  Conference  of  the  Preachers 
 was  held  in  Baltimore,  at  which  the  plan  of  Church- 
 government 
 
4^2        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 government  propofed  by  Mr.  Wefley,  wasunanimoufiy 
 and  thankfully  received  and  adopted.  Mr.  Afbury 
 was  ordained  a  Superintendent,  and  a  fele6l  number 
 of  the  Preachers,  Elders  and  Deacons.  It  Vv'-as  alfa 
 rcfolved,  in  order  to  preferve  the  purity  of  their 
 ininiflrj^  that  none  fhould  ever  be  ordained,  till  they 
 tvere  firfl  elefted  by  a  majority  of  the  Conference, 
 and  were  then  approved  by  the  Superintendents'* 
 The  Society  in  the  States  then  confifted  of  about 
 fifteen  thoufand  members  :  but  the  work  fo  rapidly  in-^ 
 Creafed  In  the  fix  following  years,  that  they  amounted 
 to  between  fixty  and  feventy  thoufand  at  the  death  of 
 Mr.  Wejley,  • 
 
 The  limits  of  our  hiflory  will  by  no  means  allo'wr 
 tts  to  enter  into  a  minute  detail  of  the  great  out-* 
 pourings  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  various  revivals  that 
 have  taken  place  on  that  Continent,  between  Georgia 
 and  MaJJachiifets  fince  the  year  1784.  We  fhall  only 
 infert  two  accounts  as  fpecimens  of  the  whole, 
 given  by  thofe  who  were  eye-witnelfe5  of  this  great 
 work. 
 
 1.  In  July  1777,  there  was  a  very  remarkable 
 revival  of  I'cligion,  in  the  town  of  Pcierjhurgh  in 
 Virginia,  and  in  many  of  the  counties  round  about* 
 Prayer-m.ee tiiigs  were  frequently  held  both-  in  the 
 town  and  in  the  neighbourhood  for  many  miles 
 lound.  From  five  to  ten  perfons  were  commonly 
 converted  at  a  meeting,  even  when  there  were  no 
 Preachers  prefcnt.  The  meetings  often  continued 
 for  fix  or  feven  hours  together,  v^t  one  quarterly- 
 meeting     held    at    a    place    called   Mayherfs  chapel^ 
 
THE  LIFE  OF   MR.  WESLEY.         4^3 
 
 the  power  of  God  was  among  the  people  of  a  truth, 
 many  hundreds  being  deeply  awakened,  and  about 
 one  hundred  and  fifty  converted,  in  two  days.  The 
 congregation  con (i Red  of  about  four  thoufand  perfons. 
 
 The  next  quarterly-meeting  was  held  at  a  place  called 
 Joness  chapel  in  Mecklenburg  county.  This  meeting 
 was  divinely  favoured  beyond  defcription.  The  ivylit 
 of  the  mourners  was  fufficient  to  penetrate  the  mod 
 carelefs  heart :  and  the  believers  prefented  a  faint 
 viQ,\'^  of  heaven,  and  of  the  love  of  God  to  man.  The 
 divine  power  came  down  upon  the  people,  before  one 
 Preacher  arrived.  Sometimes  the  fight  of  each  other, 
 before  they  fpoke,  caufed  their  eyes  to  melt  in  tear.s, 
 and  their  cups  ran  over ;  fo  that  they  broke  out  inl:a 
 loud  praifes  to  God.  Some,  when  they  met,  would 
 hang  on  each  other,  and  weep  aloud,  and  praife  the 
 Lord.  Others,  when  the  believers  began  to  fpeak  of 
 what  God  v/as  doing,  were  melted  down,  and  the 
 flame  ran  through  the  whole  comnanv. 
 
 The  Preachers  came  up  together ;  and  hy  the  time 
 they  got  within  half  a  mile  of  the  chapel,  they  heard 
 the  people  praifmg  God.  When  they  came  up,  they 
 found  numbers  weeping,  both  in  the  chapel  and  in  the 
 open  air.  Some  were  on  the  ground  crying  for 
 mercy,  others  in  extaiies.  They  ruihed  in  among" 
 them,  and  tried  to  filence  them,  but  all  in  vain. 
 
 The  utmoft  the  Preachers  could  do,  was  to  go* 
 among  the  diftreffed,  and  encourage  them.  The  old 
 members  of  the  Society  alfo  did  the  fame.  Some 
 were  lying  as  in  the  pangs  of  death;  many  were  as 
 cold  as  ciay,  aiid  as  ftiil  as  if  dead  :  fo  that  among  fix 
 
 or 
 
4^4  THIl  life  of  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 or  feven  thoufand  people,  there  were  few  compara- 
 tively that  had  the  proper  ufe  of  their  bodily  powers^ 
 fo  as  to  take  care  of  the  red.  Hundreds  of  the  be- 
 lievers were  fo  overcome  with  the  power  of  God,  that 
 they  fell  down  as  in  a  fwocn,  and  lay  for  twenty  or 
 thirty  minutes,  and  fome  for  an  hour.  During  this 
 time,  they  were  happy  beyond  defcription  :  and  when 
 they  came  to  themfelves,  it  was  with  loud  praifes  to 
 God,  and  with  tears  and  fpeeches,  enough  to  melt 
 the  hardefl  heart.  If  one  looked  round,  the  righteous 
 appeared  to  be  in  heaven,  and  the  wicked  in  hell.  The 
 Preachers  then  went  afF  into  the  woods,  and  preached 
 to  a  large  congregation. 
 
 The  next  day  the  Society  met  at  nine  in  the  morn^ 
 ing  to  receive  the  Lord's  fupper,  while  feme  of  the 
 Preachers  went  into  the  woods,  to  preach  to  thofe 
 that  did  not  communicate.  While  one  of  them  was 
 enlarging  on  that  pallage  of  holy  writ,  "  The  Spirit 
 and  the  bride  fay  come,  <^c."  the  power  of  God  fell 
 down  on  the  people;  and  fuch  bitter  lamentations 
 were  heard,  that  he  was  obliged  to  defill.  Many  fcores 
 of  black  as  well  as  white  people  fell  to  the  earth,  and 
 lay  in  agonies  till  the  evening. 
 
 In  the  evening  as  many  of  the  mourners  were 
 collected  as  polfible,  and  placed  under  an  arbour. 
 The  fight  of  them  was  a  dreadful  refemblance 
 of  hell,  'numbers  of  poor  creatures  being  in  everjr 
 pofture  that  didrelTed  perfons  could  get  iato,  and 
 doleful  lamentations  heard,  comparable  to  thofe  which 
 we  may  conceive  to  be  the  lamentations  of  the  damned. 
 Thcfc  commonly  obtained  peace  in  one  moment,  rofe 
 
 up 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEV.  465 
 
 tip  out  of  their  diftrefs  when  their  burden  fell  off, 
 clapped  their  hands,  and  praifed  God  aloud.  Many 
 pf  thefe  people  came  gut  from  their  houfes  pericca- 
 fing,  and  ra^hng  againfl  this  flir  (as  thev  called  it,)  and 
 were  ftruck  doiva  in  a  very  extraordinary  manner. 
 
 A  few  days  after  this,  a  crowded  cpngregration  w^ 
 affemblcd  at  Jones-Hole  church.  I'he  people  devoured 
 the  word  as  fafi:  as  it   w\^s  delivered.     About    half  of 
 them   were    converted    perfons,     whpfe    hearts    were 
 glowing  with    love  to  God.      They  tyere  entreated  tQ 
 •I>e  ftill,  for  the  fake   of   the    reil  who  wanted  to  hear 
 the  fermon  :  for   many  of  (;hem  vv^ere  ready   to  break 
 out  in  praifes  to  God.     Some  were  fo  fiiH  of  love  and 
 gratitude,    that    thofe    who    were    near    held     thenii 
 down  ori  their  feats,  knowing  that  if  they  looked  up, 
 and  faw  others  in  th.Q  fame  heavenly  frames,  they  muil 
 inevitably  cxy  aloud,   fo  that  the  congregation   woulcj 
 not  be  able  to  hear  the  Preacher.     But  in  the  applica- 
 tion of  the  fermon,  one  of  them  irrefiilibly  broke  out 
 into  praifes.       In  a  minute  this  ran.  through  the  con- 
 gregation, and  about  Hve  hundred  at  once  broke  outin' 
 loud  praifes,  while  the  unawakerjed  feemed  to  be  ftruck 
 with  a  divine  power.     Many  of  them  cried  for  mercy, 
 fome  on  their  knees,  others  iiretched   on  the  ground. 
 In  the  height  of  this  commotion,  eleven  rafters  of  the 
 houfe  broke  down  at  once  with  a  dreadful  noife  w'nh- 
 .out   hurting  any  one;  and,    what  was  amazing,    not- 
 one  of   the   congregation,  except  the  Preacher  i\\  the 
 pulpit,  feemed  to  hear  it :   fo  mighty  was   the  power 
 pt  God  among  th^  people  ! 
 
 nh  It 
 
466  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 It  was  furprifing  to  behold  fo  great  a  revival,  an^ 
 yet  fo  little  perfccution.  The  reafon  was,  the  \vicked 
 were  flruck  with  fuch  a  fupernatural  power,  that  they 
 were  conflrained  to  fay,  "  The  work  is  of  God."  The 
 young  converts  flood  fall  beyond  expe6lation.  In 
 SnJJex  county,  in  the  courle  of  the  fummer,  there 
 were  about  fixteen  hundred  converted ;  in  Brun/wick 
 county,  abouc  eighteen  hundred ;  and  in  Amdia 
 county  about  eight  hundred. 
 
 It  may  be  neceffary  to  obferve,  that  we  do  not  judge 
 of  converfions,  only  by  thofe  high-raifed  affections, 
 which  God  gives  from  time  to  time  according  to  the 
 counfel  of  his  own  will,  perhaps,  am.ong  other  reafons, 
 to  alarm  a  drowfy  world;  and  inflances  of  which  we 
 find  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  well  as  in  the  accounts 
 tranfmitted  down  to  lls  in  all  ages,  and  in  all  the 
 nations  of  chriftendom,  hnce  the  eflablifliment  of 
 chriftianity  :  but  hy  the  ,con/cqu€7it  J-riuts,  by  a  holy 
 life  and  converfation,  by  every  heavenly  temper 
 breathing  forth  through  all  the  relative  duties  of  life, 
 and  in  all  the  words  and  a6lions  of  the  man. 
 
 2.  At  a  Quarterly-meeting  held  in  Balti-morey  in  tlie 
 State  of  Maryland,  on  the  8th,  and  9th  of  Augufi:-, 
 1789,  and  during  the  following  week,  the  kingdom  of 
 Satan  fuffercd  great  lofs.  The  firll  day  of  the  Quarteri}-- 
 mceting  was  profitable  to  numbers :  many  cried  and 
 wept  bitterly  for  mercy,  and  fomc  fouls  were  born  of 
 God.  Sunday,  the  fecond  day,  was  a  moft  awful  and 
 glorious  day.  In  the  Love-feall  at  eight  in  the  morn- 
 ing the  Society  enjoyed  a  little  Pentecoft,  and  dwelt 
 a5  it  were  in  the  fuburbs  of  heaven.     Glory  appeared 
 
 to 
 
The  life  of  mr.  wesley.       467 
 
 to  reft  on  every  countenance,  while  the  people  one 
 after  another  feelingly  declared  what  God  had  done  for 
 their  fouls,  as  if  their  tongues  were  touched  with  a  live 
 coal  from  the  heavenly  altar. 
 
 In  public  preaching,  the  word  was  fo  accompanied 
 by  the  energy  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  that  there  were  few 
 but  felt  its  mighty  power.  Some  of  the  greateft  re- 
 vilers  of  the  work  were  conftrained  to  tremble  and 
 weep.  The  congregation  broke  up  on  Sunday  night 
 very  late,  after  many  were  converted.  Some  were 
 two,  three  or  four  hours  on  their  knees,  others 
 proftrate  on  the  floor,  moft  earneftly  agonizing  for 
 mercy,  till  they  could  rejoice  in  God  their  Saviour. 
 What  power  !  What  awe  refted  on  the  people  ! 
 
 Some,  after  they  went  home,  could  not  fleep,  but 
 wept  and  prayed  all  liight.  The  next  day  was  fuch  a 
 time  as  can  hardly  be  defcnbed,  fo  as  to  give  a  juft 
 idea  of  it.  The  Lord  took  the  caufe  into  his  owni 
 hand,  and  proved  that  he  could,  and  would  work  for 
 his  own  glory  and  the  falvation  of  fouls. 
 
 Earlv  in  the  mornincr  a  Preacher  was  fent  for  to 
 vifit  a  refpedable  young  lady,  who  had  not  clofed  her 
 ■^yts  the  whole  night.  When  he  went  into  the  room, 
 fhe  was  in  the  arms  of  a  young  woman  who  had  lately 
 found  peace,  weeping  and  praying,  but  aimoft  ex- 
 haufted.  His  heart  was  much  affefted  at  feeing  hex* 
 penitential  forrow.  She  now  faw  the  vanity  of  the 
 v/orld,  and  the  need  of  a  Saviour.:  fhe  felt  her  mifery 
 and  loft  condition,  and  her  cry  and  prayer  was, 
 *'  Save,  Lord,  or  I  perifh."  He  exhorted  her  to  be^ 
 lieve.  and  then  fung  and  prayed  with  her.      She  con- 
 
 H  h  2  tinned 
 
408  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 tinucd  m  this  fituation  for  feveral  hours,  till  a  con- 
 llderable  number  of  the  members  of  the  Society,  full 
 of  faith,  were  cone6led  to  fupplicate  heaven  in  her 
 behalf:  and  the  Lord  fuddenlv  fhed  abroad  his  love  - 
 iQ  her  heart,  fo  that  Die  lifted  up  her  voice  with  others 
 in  loud  praifes  to  God. 
 
 This  was  only  a  fmall  part  of  that  day's  work. 
 About  ten  in  the  morning,  a  company  of  mourners 
 alfembled  together  at  a  private  houfe,  where  the  work 
 of  converfion  began.  Firfl  one,  then  another,  entered 
 into  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  The  news 
 fpread;  the  people  collefted,  till  the  houfe  and  ftreet 
 were  filled  with  numerous  believers  and  a  wondering 
 multitude  :  and  this  continued  without  the  leaft  in- 
 termiffion  till  night.  They  then  repaired  to  the 
 church,  which  was  prefently  filled  (though  no  pre- 
 vious appointment  had  been  made  for  divine  fervice 
 on  that  night)  and  they  did  not  break  up  till  two 
 o'clock  the  next  morning  :  which  made  fixteen  hours 
 without  intermiffion,  except  while  they  were  going 
 from  the  private  houfe  to  the  church. 
 
 Some,  who  came  there  quite  carelefs,  and  indeed 
 makinsf  aderifion  of  thd  whole,  were  converted  before 
 tJK'v  returned.  Many  hard-hearted  oppofers  were 
 conquered  at  laft,  and  earnefUy  fought  falvation. 
 
 At  the  fame  time  the  country-circuits  throughout 
 Maryland,  feemed  to  flame  with  holy  love.  The 
 Preachers  were  zeal  itfelf,  and  the  holy  fire  ran  as  in 
 Uubbie.  On  the  cof.trary  lide  of  the  Chefapeak-Bay 
 there  was  a  mighty  v/ork,  hundreds  in  different  parts 
 turning  to  God.     O  that  thcfc  manifcflatiuns  of  the 
 
 Lord's 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  .       Ai^g 
 
 Lord's  power   and   love  may   be  felt  throughout  that 
 whole  continent !   Lord  !    haften  the  time  ! 
 
 We  might  fill  a  volume  with^ccounts  (imilar  to 
 the  above,  of  this  great  revival  in  the  States  oi  America: 
 but  as  Mr.  Wejley  vv^as  only  concerned  in  the  direction 
 of  it,  at  a  diflance  and  not  in  perfon,  the  above  (hall 
 fulhce. 
 
 Of  the  work  in  N'ova  Scotia  and  iVezv  B^'Vn/wick.  ^ve, 
 have  lefs  to  fay.  Mr.  William  PAack,  a  native  o^York- 
 JJiire,  and  a  very  zealous  and  ufeful  Preacher  of  the 
 Gofpel,  has  refidcd  in  one  or  other  of  thofe  provinces 
 for  many  years.  During  the  war,  he  repeatedly  im- 
 portuned Mr.  Weftey  to  fend  Preachers  to  help  him. 
 But  Mr.  V/eJley  was  determined  not  to  fend  any 
 Mifhonaries  acrofs  the  Atlantic  during  the  unhappy 
 conteft.  Mr.  Black  therefore  laboured  by  himfelf,  en- 
 deavouring to  preferve  alive  the  little  flame  he  had 
 kindled  by  the  grace  of  Ood.  But  his  extenfive  cir- 
 cuit prevented  his  enforcing  as  he  wifhed  the  difcipline 
 prefcribed  by  Mr.  Wtjlcy.  After  the  peace,  the  MelTrs. 
 Mamii  tVv^o  Preachers  from  the  States,  vrent  to  Nova 
 Scotia  with  the  Refugees,  and  acted  in  conjuntlion 
 with  Mr.  Black.  Mr.  We/ky  alfo  foon  after  fent  over 
 Mr.  Wray,  a  Preacher,  to  affift  him.  At  tlic  death  of 
 Mr.  Wtjlty^  there  Was  a  Society  of  about  five  hundred 
 Whites  and  about  two  hundred  l*].iclc.s  in  that  country, 
 .^  and  a  profpecl;  of  greater  good.  Several  fhort,  but 
 \  very  pleahng  account^s  \^CL\t  written  by  Mr.  Black  to 
 \.  Mr.  Wtjley,  fimilar  but  not  nearlv  equal  to  ihc  accounts 
 already  givtn  of  the  work  of  religion  in  fhe  Stats^. 
 
 H  h  3  SE.CTI  ON 
 
 I 
 
476         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 SECTION       III. 
 
 1.  nr^HE  great  revival  in  Europe  did  not  merely 
 -*-  extend  to  the  Continent  of  America,  The 
 JJlands  alfo  were  made  partakers  of  the  benefits  thereof. 
 The  work  of  God  in  the  Wejl-India  Ifles,  began  in 
 Antigua.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Nathaniel  Gilbert,  who 
 had  heard  the  Gofpel  in  England^  but  was  then  re- 
 lident  in  that  Ifland,  dated,  May  lo,  1760,  which 
 Mr.  Weflcy  calls  "  an  account  o^  the  dawn  of  a  Gof- 
 fel-day,"  has  the  following  remarlcs.  "  How  cautious 
 ought  we  to  be  of  judging  ?  I  verily  thought  I  had 
 come  to  a  perfe6lly  heathenifh  country,  where  there 
 was  not  a  chriRian  to  be  found  :  but,  blefled  be  God, 
 there  are  a  few  here  that  fear  him.  He  has  not  left 
 himfelf  without  witnefs  in  this  dry  and  barren  wilder- 
 nefs,  though  tlie  number,  I  fear,  is  very  fmall  indeed. 
 About  two  weeks  before  we  fettled,  I  fignified  to  one 
 or  two  perfons,.  that  as  there  was  no  fervice  at  church 
 in  the  afternoon,  any  perfon  difpofed  to  join  my 
 family,  was  welcome.  I  had  on  the  firll  Sunday  fix 
 |)2fides  my  own  family,  on  the  fecond  nine,  and  on 
 the  third  about  eighteen:  and  it  is  now  not  onjy  fpread 
 through  the  town,  that  I  have  preached,  but  I  believe 
 through  this  Ifland.  I  find  my  difpofition  very  averfe 
 to  the  practice  of  the  Law,  and  indeed  inclined  to 
 nothing  but  the  care  of  fouls.  A  falfe  fiiame  and  the 
 fear  of  man,  which  I  have  found  troublefome  for  feve- 
 ral  years,  was  fuddcnly  removed,  (I  knov/  not  how,) 
 ^he  day  before  I  fiift  expounded  in  the  ;own.' 
 
 1  '  Mr. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF   MR.  WESLEY.       ,  471 
 
 Mr.  Francis  Gilbert,  his  brother,  alfo  cbferves, 
 *"  The  ground  feems  to  be  prepared  for  the  feed  ;  for 
 many  are  ready  to  hear,  and  I  truft  from  a  better  prin- 
 ciple than  mere  curiofity.  We  have  taken  a  houfe  for 
 preaching.  But  it  is  not  half  large  enough,  though 
 it  will  contain  two  hundred  perfons.  It  has  been 
 crowded  every  night,  while  a  number  of  attentive 
 hearers  ftood  without." 
 
 Mr.  Nathaniel  Gilbert,  who  was  no  lefs  than  the 
 Speaker  of  the  Houfe  of  AfTembly,  continued  his 
 labours  in  the  midft  of  great  reproach,  till  he  had 
 formed  a  Society  of  two  hundred  negroes,  all  of  whom 
 were  convinced  of  lin,  and  many  of  them  truly  con- 
 verted to  God.  At  his  death  thefe  were  as  Iheep 
 without  a  fhepherd.  About  this  time  the  Moravians 
 fent  Miffionaries  to  the  Wejl-Indies,  Vv^ho  brought  a 
 few  of  thofc  poor  deftitutes  into  their  Society. 
 
 About  thirteen  years  ago,  Mr.  John  Baxter,  a  ftiip- 
 wright  of  the  Royal  Dock  at  Chatham.,  and '  a  local 
 Preacher  in  conne61:ion  with  Mr.  Wcjlcy,  went  to 
 Antigua  to  work  for  his  Majefty  in  EngliJJi  Harbour, 
 The  love  of  Chrift  foon  conftrained  him  to  bear  a 
 public  teflimony  for  the  King  of  Kings.  He  colle61:ed 
 the  fcattered  remains  of  Mr.  Gilbert's  labours  ;  and 
 for  feven  or  eight  years,  with  furprifing  aihduity, 
 walked  through  the  dews  of  the  e\'cnings,  when  his 
 work  in  the  harbour  was  over,  to  inftru6lfor  an  hour 
 the  jQaves  on  the  plantations  :  and  the  Sabbath-days 
 he  entirely  devoted  to  religious  labours.  In  this  way 
 dti^  he  lay  himfelf  out  for  the  caufe  of  Gcd,  enduring 
 very  great  oppofition  and  perfecution,  till  he  had 
 faifed  df  Society  of  at    lead  one  thoufand  jnembers, 
 
 H  h  4  almod 
 
4f2         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 a]inofl  all  of  wliom  were  blacks.  Of  thefe  fev^at 
 preacbtd  :  and  though  their  Language  and  abilities 
 were  not  fufhcient  for  the  inilrutlion  of  the  whites, 
 tliey  were  highly  prox^table  to  the  people  of  their  ow^ 
 colour. 
 
 In  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1787,    Dr.  Coke    failed 
 for    Nova  Scotia  v/ith   three    Milhonaries.       But   th^ 
 we ficrly  winds  from  the  coaft   of  America  blew  wifh 
 fuch  violence,   that  the  captain  of  the  vcllci  in  which 
 they  failed,  after  fbivi rig  in  rain  to  reach  the  harbour 
 of  HaUJax,  was  obliged  to  bear  off  foi"  the  Weft-Indies, 
 After  inexpreflible  da  tigers  and    fulferings  during    ;i 
 voyage  of  thirteen  weeks,    they  landed  at   Antigua  011 
 Chriflmas-day.     Mr.  Baxter  and  the  Society,  as  foon 
 as  they    knew    them,   r.-joiccd   exceedingly    at    their 
 arrival.      During  the   fhort   time    Dr.  Coh   renjaincd 
 there,  the  congregations   were  large,  and  the  blelhngs 
 many  to  the  truly  faithful.      Mr.  Warrenner  remained 
 in  the  L^and,    to  aiFift    Air.  Baxter,    and  under    their 
 minhlry  and  that  of  their  fuccelfors  the  work  of  God 
 flouriflied  abundantly.     Between  two  and  three  thou- 
 fand  negroes,  with  Ji  very  few  whites,    were  united  in 
 Society,    hundreds  of  whom  were  truly   converted  to 
 God.     The  effe6ts  of  true  religion  were  fo  great,  that 
 militrlry  law,  which  had  been  conflantly   enforced   at 
 f.hriilmas  for  fear  of  the  infurreclion  of  the  negroes, 
 v>'ho  were  at  that  feafon  of  the    year  allowed   two   or 
 three   days    of  recreation,     was   now   become  a  mere 
 form  ;   though  at  hrii  it   had  originated  in  Urgent  nc- 
 ceOity.     Ail  the  candid  men  among  the  planters   ac- 
 knowledge,   that   the   religious  negroes   are   the   befl 
 z  fervants 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         473 
 
 fervants  they  have  :  that  they  will  obey  more  faith- 
 fully without  a  whip,  than  the  others,  however 
 feverely  piinifhed.  In  the  town  of  St.  John^  the 
 hegroes  that  compofe  the  congregation,  who  are  chiefly 
 domeflic  fervants,  drefs  on  the  Lord's  day  in  the  mod 
 pleahng  manner.  The  women  wear  white  linen 
 gowns,  petticoats,  handkerchiefs,  and  caps.  The 
 men  alfo  appear  equally  clean  :  and  in  the  whole 
 congregation  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  fpot  of 
 dirt.  But,  what  is  flill  infinitely  preferable,  many  of 
 them  are  ornaments  oi  civil  Society,  and  for  deep 
 chriflian  experience  may  put  to  the  blufh  many  great 
 profeifors  in  theie  kingdoms. 
 
 The  fpirit  of  refignation  and  of  zeal  for  the  falva* 
 tion  of  fouls,  v/as  very  remarkably  evidenced  in  one 
 inilance  by  the  Society  in  the  town  of  St.  John, 
 During  Dr.  Cokes  viht  to  the  Ifland,  the  chapel  was 
 filled  everv  evening  by  the  gentlemen  and  -  ladies  of 
 the  town,  fo  that  the  negroes  were  obliged  to  fland 
 without,  at  the  windows  :  and  yet,  though  the  chapel 
 had  been  ere6led  by  the  numerous,  continued,  but 
 fmall  fubfcriptions  of  the  blacks,  they  bore  their  ex- 
 pulfion  out  of  tiieir  own  chapel,  not  only  without  the 
 leall  complaint,  but  with  joy  and  exultation;  in  hopes 
 that  the  whites  might  be  profited  by  the  preaching 
 of  the  word.  But,  alas  !  the  imprellion  made  on  the 
 minds  of  the  gentry  m  general,  was  only  like  the  early 
 dew. 
 
 We  cannot  omit  recording  the  great  facrifice  made 
 at  this  time  by  Mr.  Baxter  :  who  gave  Up  an  income 
 of  four  hundred  pounds  currency  per  annum,  which 
 
 he 
 
474  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 lie  received  from  the  Government  as  ftore-keeper  in 
 EngliJJi  Harbour,  that  he  might  devote  himfelf  wholly 
 to  the  work  of  God  among  the  Negroes,  though  he 
 knew  that  his  dependence  for  a  livelihood  would  be 
 then  wholly  on  Providence. 
 
 Nothing  can  more  evidence  the  fincere  lave,  which 
 the  members  of  the  Society  in  this  Ifland  bear  to- 
 wards each  other,  than  the  attention  they  give  to  thofe 
 among  them,  who  are  fick.  They  attend  ihem,  as  far 
 as  pollibie,  v/ith  the  greateft  patience  and  diligence ; 
 and,  by  little  fubfcriptions  among  themielves,  procure 
 the  bcft  medical  afliilance. 
 
 The  inhabitants  of  this  Ifland  amount  to  about 
 feven  thoufand  Whites,  and  about  thirty  thou- 
 fi^nd  Blacks.  Two  thoufand  two  hundred  of  the 
 latter  are  united  in  Society,  befides  about  two  thou- 
 faad  that  are  .members  of  the  Moravian  church.  The 
 members  of  both  Societies,  wehavereafon  to  believe, 
 are  more  or  lefs  awakened.  Such  a  divine  feed,  fuch 
 a  holy  leaven,  is  not  perhaps  to  l>e  found  within  fo 
 fmall  a  compafs  in  any  other  part  of  the  globe. 
 
 2.  From  Antigua,  Dr.  Coke  with  two  or  three  Mif- 
 fionaries  viGted  the  Ifland  of  St.  Vincent^  Here  the 
 planters  have  been  fmgularly  kind,  and  have  almoft 
 univerf\lly  opened  their  plantations  to  the  Mif- 
 fionarics.  The  inhabitants  amount  to  about  one 
 thoufand  Whites,  and  about  eight  or  ten  thoufand 
 Blacks.  From  four  to  five  hundred  of  the  latter  are 
 joined  in  Society.  But  the  Ifland  being  newly  fettled, 
 and  the  Negroes  in  general  natives  oi  Africa,  the  work 
 of  God  is  at  preient  very  fuperficial  among  them. 
 
 A  remarkably; 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  475 
 
 A  remarkable  circumflance  occurred  in  tins  If]an4 
 which  deferves  to  be  recorded,  as  it  fhews  the  wicked-^ 
 nefs  of  man  in  his  Hate  of  nature.  One  night,  about 
 Ghriftmas  1790,  a  company  of  rioters  broke  into  the 
 chapel  which  the  MifTionaries  had  purchafed  and 
 fitted  up  in  Kingfron,  They  then  damaf^ed  the  benches 
 and  other  tilings,  and  aftenv^ards  feized  on  the  Bible, 
 carried  it  to  the  public  gallows,  and  hung  it  in  fonii 
 thereon  ;  where  it  was  found  l^he  next  morning.  The 
 Magiflrates  of  the  Illand  very  nobly  advertifed  a  re- 
 ward of  a  hundred  pounds  for  the  difcovery  of  any 
 of  the  perpetrators  of  this  audacious  villainy. 
 ,  3.  The  third  liland  which  Dr.  Coke  and  the  Mif- 
 fionaries  vifited,  was  St.  Christopher's.  Great  has  been 
 the  fuccefs  of  the  word  of  God  in  this  Ifland,  A 
 Society  of  about  one  thoufand  five  hundred  members 
 has  been  raifed,  many  of  whom  are  alive  to  God,  and 
 examples  of  virtue  to  all  around  them.  This  Ifland 
 contains  nearly  the  fame  number  of  inhabitants  as 
 that  of  Antigua. 
 
 4.  The  fourth  Ifland  vifited  by  the  Preachers  was 
 St.  Eujiatius,  which  belongs  to  the  Dutch  Wefl;-India 
 Company.  Here  they  met  with  a  very  violent  per- 
 fecution  from  the  Government  itfelf,  the  only  inlrance 
 lince  the  commencement  of  this  great  revival,  where 
 the  Government  of  any  country  has  openly  and  pro- 
 feiredfy  fupported  a  perfecution.  Dr.  Coke  and  the 
 other  Miflionaries  were  at  lafl:  driven  out  of  the 
 Jfland.  But  before  they  departed,  a  feed  of  divine 
 grace,  was  not  only  fown,  but  took  deep  root  in  the 
 hearts  of  many.     Two  hundred  precious,  perfecuted 
 
 foub 
 
470  THE  LIFE  OP^  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 fouls  have  united  together  according  to  the  rules  laid 
 down  by  ^Ir.  Wejley  :  and  fevcn  or  eight  exhortera 
 have  been  raifcd  among  themfelves.  This  Society 
 has  indeed  verified  the  ancient  proverb,  Virtus  Jub 
 fondere  crcfclt :  piety  and  holine fs  flourifh  under  the 
 crofs.  In  proportion  to  their  numbens,  they  pro- 
 bablv  exceed  all  the  Societies  in  that  archipelago,  for 
 genuine  rehgion  and  all  its  lacred  fruits.  This  little, 
 Idand  contains  about  one  thouflmd  five  hundred 
 whites,  and  about  feVen  or  eight  thoufand  blacks. 
 
 5.  In  178?,  Mr.  Wejlty  fent  Dr.  Coke,  with  fe- 
 veral  Miihonaries,  to  the  Wejl- Indies,  to  extend  that 
 blelFed  work  which  the  Lord  had  lo  lignally  begun. 
 Thcv  landed  in  Ba^'hadocs  on  December  9.  This 
 I  (land  contains  about  twenty- five  thoufand  whites* 
 and  about  {tvtnty  thoufimd  blacks  :  but  the  in* 
 habitants  feem  to  be  farther  from  the  kingdom  of  Godj 
 more  relu6lant  to  receive  inilrudion,  and  more  callous 
 to  convi6lion,  than  thofe  ol  any  other  of  the  wind- 
 ward I  Hands.  However  the  profpecl  begins  to 
 brighten,  and  there  has  been  lately  fome  appearance 
 of  fuccels. 
 
 6.  The  Iflandof  iVi?t;z5  was  vifited  in  th^  next  place. 
 The  inhabitants  confifl  of  about  four  hundred  whites^ 
 r^nd  about  ten  thoufand  blacks.  Lour  or  fiv€  hundred 
 ol  ihii  negroes  are  united  in  Society.  The  plaftters  are 
 exceeding  friendly  ;  and  much  good  is  likely  to  be 
 done. 
 
 7.  The  Ifland  of  Torlula  alfo  was  this  year  vifited 
 by  Dr.  Coke  and  others.  It  contains  about  one  thou- 
 fand whites,  and  about  nine  thoufand  blacks.     There 
 
 are 
 
TFIE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  477 
 
 are  feveral  fmall  Hands  around  it,  the  whole  forming 
 a  fmail  archipelago  of  thcmfelves.  Great  has  been 
 tliQ  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God  on  the  inhabitants 
 of  this  Kttle  group  of  Iflands  :  fo  that  one*  thoufand 
 five  hundred  of  them  have  been  truly  turned  to  God. 
 
 8.  In  January  1789,  Dr.  Coke  vifited  the  Ifland  of 
 Jamaica :  and  began  a  work  there  through  the  divine 
 bleiling,  againft  which,  we  trufl,  the  gates  of  hell  will 
 not  prevail.  He  was  fucceeded  by  others  :  the  fpirit 
 of  perfecution  has  raged  in  that  Ifland  with -extreme 
 fury  :  fo  that  the  lives  of  many  pious  perfons  have 
 been  almoO:  miraculoufly  faved  from  the  rage  of  the 
 mob.  A  Society  of  two  hundred  members  has  been 
 raifed  in  Kingjlon,  The  Ifland  is  an  objeci  of  con- 
 fiderable  magnitude.  The  inhabitants  amount  to 
 about  twenty-five  thoufand  whites,  and  about  thi*ee 
 hundred  thoufand  blacks  and  mui.attoes. 
 
 9.  In  1 790,  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr.  Baxter  vifited  Grenada, 
 They  were  received  with  great  courtefy  by  the  Go- 
 vernor and  many  of  the  principal  gentlem.en  of  the 
 Ifland.  A  fmall  Society  has  been  formed  in  the  tov/n 
 <if  St.  George:  but  no  extenlive  good  will  ever  be 
 wrought  in  that  Illand,  till  fuch  A'lifTionaries  arc 
 ftationed  there,  as  are  able  to  preach  in  French,  whi^rh 
 ,is  the  native  language  of  far  the  greateft  part  ox  the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 10.  In  Dominica,  an  attempt  has  been  made  with 
 confiderable  fuccefs.  One  hundred  and  fiftv  blacks 
 were  convinced  of  fm.  But  the  holy  man  who  v/as 
 appointed  to  the  care  of  that  work,  Mr.  McCornock,  v/as 
 ieizcd,  through  excellive  fatigue,  with  an  inflamrnatory 
 
 fe\',er, 
 
478         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 fever,  of  which  he  died  :  and  his  place  has  never  yet 
 been  filled  up.  Santa  Cruz,  and  the  other  DaniJJi 
 liles,  are  open  to  the  Miffionaries.  So  that  in  thivS 
 part  of  the  globe,  it  may  be  truly  (iiid,  "  The  harveR 
 is  great,  but  the  labourers  are  few." 
 
 We  might  have  enlarged  on  the  various  occafions, 
 when  God  was  pleafed  to  favour  this  people  with 
 times  of  refreJJiing  from  his  prefence.  But  this  being 
 "one  of  the  remote  works  of  the  honoured  fubje6l  of 
 our  hiflory,  carried  on  hy  his  delegate  and  other 
 MiflionarieSj  we  have  only  touched  upon  the  various 
 iJarticulars,  referring  our  readers  for  a  full  account  to 
 the  Journals  of  Dr.  Coke.  A  complete  view  of  the 
 whole  work  of  God,  of  which  Mr.  Wcfey  was  the 
 firll  and  chief  inilrument,  could  not  be  given,  v/ith- 
 out  taking  into  our  account  this  infant  work  in  the 
 American  Ifles. 
 
 11.  About  the  vear  1768,  Mr.  Coughlan,  a  traveNing 
 Preacher  in  connexion  with  Mr.  Wcfcy,  was  ordained 
 by  the  Bifhop  of  London  at  the  requeft  of  the  Society 
 for  the  propagation  of  the  Gofpel,  that  he  might  be 
 qualihed  for  the  office  of  a  MifTionary  for  the  Ifland 
 of  Ncufoundlaitd. 
 
 For  three  years  and  upwards  he  laboured  in  Hat- 
 hour-Grace  and  Carbonnear"  without  any  apparent 
 fuccefs  and  in  the  mid  ft  of  great  perfecution.  He 
 was  profecuted  in  the  chief  court  of  the  Ifland,  but 
 efcaped  the  fury  of  his  enemies.  In  letters  to  tlTe 
 Society  for  tlie  propagation  of  the  Gofpel,  he  was  ac- 
 cufed  of  almofl:  every  thing  that  was  bad.  When  his 
 enemies  found  that  thefe  methods   were  not  fufficient 
 
 to 
 
tHE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         479 
 
 to  remove  him,  they  employed  a  Phyficiaii  to  poifori 
 him,  who  was  foon  afterwards  converted  to  God,  and 
 difcavered  this  wic^ked  defigri. 
 
 At  laft  the  Lord  cdndefcended  tovifit  this  mi  ferahle 
 people,  and  poured  out  his  Spirit  abundantly.  Man\^ 
 were  foon  turned  to.  the  Moft  Hi^h.  Mr.  Cmchlan 
 immediately  united  the  truly  fincere  in  regular  Clafifes* 
 On  this  the  perfecution  gr^\M  hotter  ;  till  at  lafl  he 
 was  fummoned  before  the  Gov^ernor  :  but  the 
 Governor  declared  in  his  favour,  and  appainted  him 
 a  Juftice  of  the  Peace  ;  on  which  the  perfecution 
 ceafed,  and  he  laboured  for  four  years  in  much  quiet- 
 nefs  and  with  great  fuccefs.  He  then  returned  to 
 England, 
 
 On  Mr.  Ct^w^/zto's  departure,  'Slv.  StrcUonTxnd^lr, 
 Tlioomey,  two  local  Preachers  in  conne6i;ion  with  Mr. 
 Wejley,  undertook  the  care  of  the  Societies  which  Mr. 
 CouMan  had  formed :  but  thtit  gentlemen  beinir 
 much  engaged  in  mercantile  buhnefs,  the  Societies 
 foon  fell  into  decay. 
 
 Some  years  after  this,  Mr.  V/eflcy  appointed  Mr. 
 ^JoJin  McGcary  as  a  Miffionary  for  New/onndland,  vrho 
 went  over  accordingly.  In  1790,  Mr.  McGeary  \v\io 
 had  returned  to  England,  was  appointed  a  fecond  time 
 for  that  Ifland,  and  vv^as  rendered  ufeful  to  the  people. 
 A  little  after  Mr.  V/cJleys  death,  Mr.  Black,  who  had 
 the  care  of  the  Societies  in  Nova  S coda' ?ind  New  Bruvj^ 
 .wick,  vihted  Newfoundland^  and  was  remarkably  ufefuL 
 Such  a  revival  took  place  under  his  labours,  as  v/ili 
 not  foon  be  forgotten.  Thus  in  this  barren  fpot  the 
 Lord  has  raifed  up  a  people  to  ferve  him.     *'  Pie  has" 
 
 indeed 
 
48o         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 indeed  ''  made  a  way  in  the  wildernefs,  and  rivers  ii| 
 the  defert."  That  dreary,  rocky,  uncultivated  coaft 
 is  likely  to  bring  forth  a  plentiful  harvefl  for  the 
 Lord. 
 
 CHAP.      IV. 
 
 A  review  of  Mr.  Wesley's  V/rilings,  Several  incidents 
 in  the  three  laft  years  of  his  Life  :  his  lajl  Illnefs^  and 
 death.     I  lis  Character  :  and  the  Conclufion. 
 
 S     E     C     T     I     O     N       I. 
 
 'TPHOSE  who  have  hitherto  confidered  Mr.  Weflcy 
 -■"  as  a  writer,  have  fallen  under  great  miftakes. 
 There  was  a  unity  in  his  charader,  of  v/hich  they  were 
 either  totally  ignorant,  or  not  fufficientiy  fenhble  : 
 and  without  this  it  was  not  poffible  to  do  him  judice. 
 In  the  vfiar  17^5,  he  tells  us,  he  made  a  reiblution,  to 
 dedicate  all  his  life  to  God  :  all  his  thoughts,  words, 
 and  actions ;  being  thoroughly  convinced  there  was  no 
 medium  ;  but  that  every  part  of  his  life,  (not  fvifi 
 only)  muff  either  be  a  facrihce  to  God,  or  himfelf, 
 that  is  in  effecl  to  the  devil. 
 
 It  is  in  this  hght  his  writings,  as  well  as  all  his 
 labours,  are  to  be  viewed.  His  defign  in  writing  and 
 in  preaching  was  the  fame,  \iz.  that  he  might  be 
 faithful  to  every  talent  committed  to  him,  and  that 
 all  might  itfue  in  bringing  glory  10  God,  and  peace 
 and  srood  will  to  men. 
 
 Seeing 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  481 
 
 Seeing  it  was  his  one  aim  to  do  all  the  good  in  his 
 power,  it  would  have  been  flrange,  if  he  had  not  in  a 
 life  of  eighty-eight  years,  produced  many  books.  If 
 his  extrafts  from  other  Authors  be  taken  into  the 
 account,  they  amount,  great  and  fmall,  to  feveral 
 hundreds. 
 
 In  the  year  1749,  he  began  to  fcle61:  and  abridge 
 the  works  of  the  wifefl  and  mod  pious  men  that  have 
 lived  lince  the  days  of  the  Apoftles,  in  order  to  form  a 
 Chrijlian  Library.  He  began  with  the  Epiftles  and 
 other  writings  of  the  Apoflolic  fathers,  Ignatius^ 
 Polycarp^  Clemens  Romanus,  Sec,  He  waded  through 
 a  prodigious  number  of  books  on  pra6lical  and  ex- 
 perimental religion,  in  regular  fucceflion  according  to 
 the  times  when  they  were  written :  and  at  length 
 completed  a  work  of  fifty  volumes.  When  we  con* 
 fider  that  he  reduced  many  folios  and  quartos  to  a 
 pocket  volume :  that  he  did  this  in  the  midil  of 
 labour,  v/hich  many  would  think  in  itfelf  fufficient  to 
 wear  out  the  mofl  robufl  of  mankind :  that  he 
 abridged  fome  of  thofe  volumes  on  horfeback,  and 
 others  at  Inns,  or  houfes,  where  he  ftaid  but  a  few- 
 days  or  hours,  how  aftonifliing  will  his  indullry  and 
 perfeverance  appear  ! 
 
 He  willingly  embraced  any  toil  which  might  pro- 
 mote the  wifdom,  or  happinefs  of  mankind.  Witk 
 this  view,  he  compiled  a  Syftem  of  Natural  Philofo- 
 phy,  comprifmg  therein  v.'hat  is  known  with  any 
 certainty,  or  is  likely  to  profit  thofe  who  have  pleafure 
 in  the  works  of  God  :  who  confider, 
 
 I  i  ''  Thefe, 
 
482        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 **  Tliefe,  as  they  change,  Almighty  Father !  thefe 
 Are  but  the  vaiicd  God  !" 
 
 And  his  labour  was  not  lofl.  Even  the  learned  have 
 admired  this  performance,  as  an  ufeful  and  editying 
 compendium.  Mr.  Wejley  received  letters  highly  ex- 
 prcfTive  of  fatisfa6lion,  from  fome  of  the  firll  names 
 in  Oxfordy  to  whom  he  had  prefented  it. 
 
 From  the  fame  motive  he  compiled  his  hiftorical 
 ivorks.  He  had  not  time  to  be  original  in  thofe 
 produdions.  He  therefore  chofe  the  beft  he  could 
 hnd,  Civil,  and  Ecclefiaftical ;  and  abridged,  added, 
 or  altered,  as  he  believed  the  truth  required,  and  to 
 fuit  the  convenience  of  the  purchafer :  his  chief  aim 
 beino-  to  fpread  religious  and  ufeful  knowledge  among 
 the  poor  or  middling  clafs  of  men. 
 
 To  unbend  the  mind,  and  innocently  amufe  it,  he 
 recommended  the  moft  excellent  Poems,  and  fome 
 other  writings  in  the  Englijli  language  :  and  publifhed 
 a  colle6lion  of  the  former  in  three  volumes.  With 
 the  fame  defign  he  abridged  that  much  efleemed  pro- 
 du6lion,  the  Fool  of  Oiialily,  by  the  late  Mr.  Brooke^ 
 He  much  admired  this  work,  confidcred  in  the  view- 
 mentioned  above ;  as  tending  not  only  to  entertain, 
 but  alfo  to  foften  and  amend  the  heart,  and  open 
 every  avenue  to  pity  and  benevolence. 
 
 His  controverfial  pieces  he  wrote  as  need  required. 
 Firft,  to  preferve  thofe  who  wer-e  in  danger  of  being* 
 feduced  from  the  plain  religion  of  the  Bible  :  and, 
 fecondly,  i'f  poffible,  to  recover  thofe  who  had  fallen 
 into  the  fnare.  The  chief  of  thefe  is  his  Trcatife  on 
 a  Original 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.        483 
 
 Original  Si^i,  in  anfwer  to  the  late  Dr.  Taylor  of 
 Norwich,  the  moft  lubtle,  refined,  plaufible  Socinian 
 of  the  prefent  age  :  and  whofe  writings  gained  the 
 more  credit,  as  he  was  a  man  of  fobriety  and  benevo^ 
 lence.  The  Doclor  never  could  be  prevailed  on  to 
 anfwer  Mr.  We/ley,  as  he  had  done  his  other  op- 
 ponents. Whether  he  was  convinced  or  not,  ft  is 
 certain  his  efleem  was  gained  ;  and  he  ever  fpoke  of 
 Mr.  We/Iey  in  terms  of  the  higheft  refpeft. 
 
 Many  of  thofe  who  v/rote  againft  Mr.  We/ley  were 
 far  from  bemsr  refpeQable :  and  fome  of  them  were 
 deflitute,  either  of  ability  or  information.  Some  of 
 his  friends  have  regretted,  that  he*  would  condefcend 
 to  beftow  an  anfwer  upon  them.  But  though  th'efe 
 Writers  knew  neither  the  man  they  vilified,  nor  the 
 fubje6l  they  treated,  yet  they  generally  made  a  fierce 
 attack,  however  ciumfy,  on  fome  part  of  what  he 
 efleemed  the  truth  of  God.  To  this  they  were  in- 
 debted for  an  anfwer.  And  many  who  never  faw  the 
 publications  of  thefe  gentlemen,  have  been  edified  by 
 his  replies ;  the  truth  appearing  to  them  in  a  iliii 
 llronger  light  than  ever  before. 
 
 It  v/as  in  thofe  pieces  that  his  confummate  Ikill 
 in  argument  appeared  with  fuch  advantage.  He 
 needed  not  to  complain  concerning  any  of  his  op- 
 ponentSj 
 
 "  Quo  teneam  vultum  mutantem  Protea  nodo  ?"  * 
 
 He  could  bind  the  fubtlefl  of  them.     He  perceived  in 
 a  moment  when  they  departed   from   the   queflion, 
 
 I  i  2  .    fhifted 
 
 *  How  Jliall  I  hold  one  who  is  continually  changing  his  Jhapt? 
 
484        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Ihifted  the  terms,  or  ufed  any  fallacy.  And  as  he  was 
 attacked  from  every  quarter,  there  is  fcarce  any  point 
 of  divinity;  which  he  has  not  illuftrated  and  con- 
 firmed in  thofe  occafional  publications. 
 
 His  Notes  on  the  New  Teflament  we  have  already 
 mentioned,  as  being  compofed  during  his  illnefs  in  the 
 year  1753,  and  chiefly  during  his  confinement  at  the 
 Hot-Vv'^ells,  near  BriJloL  As  he  avows  in  his  preface, 
 that  he  took  Baigelius  for  his  model,  we  cannot  be 
 furprifed  that  mofc  of  his  Notes  are  concifely  ex- 
 planatory. Thofe  v/ho  have  read  the  Gnomon  of 
 Bengelius,  and  efpecially  his  preface  to  the  Latin 
 edition,  need  not  be  informed,  with  what  a  degree  of 
 abhorrence  that  learned  man  fpeaks  of  long  comments, 
 as  tending  to  draw  oiF  the  reader's  attention  from  the 
 Scripture  itfelf ;  or  as  leading  him  to  magnify  fome 
 parts  of  it  to  the  negleft  or  lightly  efteeming  of  other 
 parts,  equally  given  by  the  Divine  Author  for  our 
 profit.  How  exactly  did  thefe  two  great  men  agree 
 in  fentimcnt! 
 
 Some  time  after  the'publication  of  his  New  Tefla- 
 ment, he  was  flrongjy  folicited  to  write  a  Comment 
 oii  the  Old  Teflament  alfo.  But  his  various  labours 
 rendered  this  impoffible.  He  at  length  fo  far  com- 
 plied with  importunity,  as  to  fele6l  and  abridge  the 
 Comments  of  thofe  writers  who  are  moft  highly 
 efleemed,  particularly  Henry  and  Poole  ;  leaving  out 
 what  he  thought  needlefs,  or  inconfifient  with  truth, 
 and  adding  what  he  conceived  neceilary  to  perfect 
 the  fenfe,  or  make  it  conduce  more  direftly  to  the 
 fpiritual  profit  of  the  reader.  Thofe  who  can  relifii 
 1  the 
 
'     THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         4^5 
 
 the  Holy  Scriptures  in  their  own  naked  majefty,  have 
 ufed  this  help  with  thankfulnefs. 
 
 Among  his  Original  Works,  his  Sermons,  and  his  Ap^ 
 peals  to  Men  of  Reafon  and  Religion,  dtkrve  particular 
 notice.  Of  his  deOgn  in  writing  the  former,  as  well  as 
 of  his  method  of  inveltigating  truth  in  general,  he  has 
 given  us  the  following  ftriking  account  in  his  preface, 
 
 *'  I  dehgn  plain  truth  for  plain  people.  Therefore 
 of  fet  purpofe  I  abflain  from  all  nice  and  philofophi^ 
 <;al  fpeculations,  from  all  perplexed  and  intricate 
 reafonings  ;  and  as  far  as  pofiible  from  even  the  fhew 
 of  learning,  unlefs  in  fometimes  citing  the  original 
 Scripture,  Nothing  appears  here  in  an  elaborate, 
 elegant,  or  rhetorical  drefs.  I  mention  this,  that  curious 
 readers  may  fpare  themfelves  the  labour  of  feeking  for 
 what  they  will  not  find. 
 
 "My  defign  is,  in  fome  fenfe,  to  forget  all  that  I 
 have  ever  read  in  my  life.  I  mean  to  fpeak,  in  the 
 general,  as  if  I  had  never  read  one  Author,  antient  or 
 modern,  (always  excepting  the  infpired.)  I  am  per^ 
 fuaded,  that  on  the  one  hand,  this  may  be  a  means  of 
 enabling  me  more  clearly  to  expre fr>  the  fentiments  of 
 my  heart,  while  I  limply  follow  the  chain  ot  my  own 
 thoughts,  without  entangling  myfelf  with  thofe  of 
 other  men  :  and  that,  on  the  other,  I  (hall  come  with 
 fewer  weights  upon  my  mind,  with  lefs  of  lorejudice 
 and  prepoiTeilion,  either  to  fearch  for  mvidf.  or  to 
 deliver  to  others,  the  naked  truths  of  the  gofpel. 
 
 '*  To  candid  reafonable  men,  I  a-n  not  ?haid  to  lay 
 open  what  have  been  theinmofl  thoughts  of  my  heart, 
 I  have  thought,   I   am  a  creature  of  a,  day>  palling 
 
 Jig  through 
 
^85  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 through  life,  as   an  arrow  through  the  air.     I  am   a 
 fpirit  come  from   God,    and  returning  to  God :  jull: 
 hovering  over  the  great  gulph  ;    till   a  few  moments 
 hence,   I   am    no    more   feen  ;   I    drop  into    an   un- 
 changeable eternity  !    I  want  to  know  one  thing,  the 
 way  to  heaven  :   how  to  land  fafe  on  that  happy  fhore. 
 God  himfelf  has  condefcended  to  teach  the  way  ;  for 
 this  very  end  he  came  from  heaven.     Pie  hath  written 
 it   down   in  a  book.     O  give  me  that  book  !   At  any 
 price,  give  me   the   book  of  God !  I  Jiave  it  :  here  is 
 knowledge  enough  for   me.     Let  me  be  Homo  unius 
 lihri,  ^     Here  then  I  am,  far  from  the  bufy  ways  of 
 men.     I  fit  down  alone :  only   God  is  here.     In  his 
 prefence  I  open,  I  read  his  book  ;  for  this  end,  to  find 
 the  way  to  heaven.      Is  there  a  doubt  concerning  the 
 meaning  of  what  I  read  ?  Does  any  thing  appear  dark 
 or  intricate  ?  I  lift  up  my  heart  to  the  Father  of  lights. 
 *'  Lord,  is  it  not  thy  word,  If  any  man  lack  zvifdom,  let 
 him  ajk  it  of  God  ?    Thou  givtji  liberally,  and  uphraidejl 
 not.  Thou  haft  faid,   If  any  be  willing  to  do  thy  will,  he 
 fhall  know,  I  am  willing  to  do  :  let  me  know  thy  will : 
 I   then  fearch  after  and  confider  parallel  paffages  of 
 Scripture,  comparing  fpiritiial  things  xoith  fpiritnal.     I 
 meditate  thereon,  with,  ail  the  attention  and  earneft- 
 nefs  of  which  my  mind  is  capable.     If  any  doubt  ftill 
 remains,  I  confult  thofe  who  are  experienced  in   the 
 things  of  God  :  and  then  the  writings  whereby,  being 
 dead,  they  yet  fpeak.    And  what  I  thus  learn,  tt»at  \ 
 teach," 
 
 Aftc^ 
 
 *  A  man  of  on;  tpoh» 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  487 
 
 After  fuch  an  account  as  this,  to  confider  his 
 fermons  according  to  the  ufual  mode  of  criticifm, 
 would  be  unfair — we  had  aimofl  faid  irreverent. 
 They  fully  anfwer  the  expectation,  which  the  pious 
 and  fenfible  reader  is  led  to  form  by  this  exordium. 
 His  firfh  four  volumes  contain  the  fubftance  of  what 
 he  ufually  declared  in  the  pulpit.  He  deligned  by 
 them  to  give  a  view  of  what  St.  P^iJ  calls  (t^>  a^aXoyU* 
 T'iJs  ^iffw?]  J^he  analogy  of  Faith.  They  are  written  with 
 great  energy  ;  and,  as  much  as  poIUble,  in  the  very 
 words  of  the  infpired  writers.  He  was  fully  of 
 Luthc7''srmr\d,  who  declared,  that  divinity  was  nothing 
 elfe,  than  a  grammar  of  the  language  of  the  Holy  pholl. 
 
 His  other  fermons  were  written  occafionally.  The 
 Jafl  four  volumes  (which  he  wrote  for  his  Magazine) 
 have  been  much  admired,  even  by  thofe  v/ho  were  not 
 much  difpofed  to  relifh  his  doftrines  in  general. 
 They  certainly  contain  abundance  of  information  ; 
 and  are  written  not  only  with  his  ufual  flrencrth,  but 
 with  more  than  ufual  elegance.  Two  of  the  lafl  fer- 
 mons which  he  wrote,  (the  latter  of  which  he  finilhed 
 about  fix  weeks  before  his  death.)  are  inferior  to 
 nothing  he  ever  compofed,  if  to  any  thing  in  the 
 EngliJJi  Jsinguage.  The  fubjeds  were  remarkably 
 ilriking.  The  former  was  from  Pfalm  Ixxiii.  20. 
 Even  like  as  a  dream  when  one  awaketh,  Jo  Jlialt  thou 
 make  their  image  to  vanijh.  out  of  the  city.  The  latter, 
 from  Hebrews  xi.  1.  Faith  is  the  evidence  of  things  not 
 Jeen,  In  this  lalt  difcourfe  he  has  given  his  thoughts 
 on  the  feparate  Jlate,  the  flate  of  fouls  from  death  to 
 ih^  refurrediorip     The  thoughts  are  deep  and  high ; 
 
 1*4  Y^t 
 
488         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 yet  rational  and  fcrlptural  ;  worthy  of  one,  who 
 {landing  on  the  verge  of  time,  looked  forward  into 
 that  eternity  which  he  had  long  and  earneftly  con- 
 templated. 
 
 ^'  Leaving  the  old,  both  woikls  at  once  they  view, 
 *'  Who  Hand  upon  tlic  threfliold  of  the  new." 
 
 Yet  the  whole  is  confidered  with  that  diffidence, 
 which  becomes  an  embodied  fpirit.  How  deep  and 
 facred  is  the  fubjeft  ! 
 
 "  Sacred  how  iiigh,  and  deep  how  low, 
 He  knew  not  here,  but  died  to  know  I" 
 
 Llis  Appeals  (apologies  they  would  have  been  called 
 in  the  ancient  church)  anfwer  the  idea,  which  the  term 
 7na/ierl)  prodi'Mion  uhi2illy  gives  us.  They  were  writr 
 ten  in  the  fulnels  of  his  heart;  while  beholding  the 
 zuorld  lying  in  the  wicked  one,  he  wept  over  it.  We  could 
 <ilmofl  venture  to  affert,  that  no  unprejudiced  perfon 
 can  read  them,  without  feeling  their  force,  and  ac- 
 knowledging their  jullnefs.  It  is  certain  they  have 
 convinced  many  perfons  who  were  deeply  prejudiced  ; 
 and  thofe  too  of  confiderable  learning.  It  has  been 
 remarked,  that  thofe  who  truly  preach  the  Gofpel, 
 do  it  with  a  Jlaming  tongue.  We  are  ready  to  make 
 a  fimilar  remark  refpecling  thcfe  Appeals.  The  flame, 
 the  power,  and  yet  the  fobriety  of  love,  are  highly 
 manifeft  in  them.  Vv^e  cannot  but  carneflly  recom- 
 mend them  to  all,    who  dehre  to  know  what  fpirit  he 
 
 was 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  489 
 
 rvas  of,  while  contending  againfl  almofl  the  whole 
 world  ;  and  wheUier  it  really  was  for  the  truth  of  God, 
 he  fo  contended. 
 
 About  fourteen  years  ago,  he  ben-anto  publilh  a 
 periodical  work,  which  he  called  the  Armmian 
 Magazine,  as  he  defigned  to  infert  therein  .  extracts 
 and  original  treat! les  on  Univtrjal  Rcrlcmplion..  Maqy 
 of  thefe  are  of  great  value  ;  and  were  written;  by  men 
 of  great  erudition.  In  this  work  he  reprinted  an 
 Original  Tra6l  of  bis  own,  entitled  "  Predeflination 
 Calmly  Confidered."  Concerning  this  piece,  a  Writer 
 of  Mr.  Wefitys  Life,  who  cannot  be  fufpeded  of  parti- 
 ality, has  obferved,  "  It  is  a  model  of  contro\'erfy  ; 
 clear  and  cogent ;  concife  and  argumentative  ;  and 
 the  more  convincing,  bec.iufe  the  fpirit  in  which  it  is 
 v/rittenis  as  amiable,  as  the  reafoning  is  unanfwerable. 
 Perhaps  there  is  not  in  the  Englijli  language,  a  trea- 
 tife  which  contains  in  fo  fmall  a  compafs,  fo  full  and 
 jnaflerly  a  refutation  of  the  principle  he  oppofes." 
 
 In  this  work  he  alfo  publiihed  an  original  fermon 
 every  two  months.  Concerning  thefe  we  have  aK 
 ready  fpoken.  This  publication  has,  upon  the  whole, 
 been  very  profitable  to  its  numerous  readers.  It  is 
 a  Chrillian  Library  in  itfelf,  containing  Controverhal, 
 Dodrinal,  and  Experimental  Divinity,  in  profe  and 
 verfe,  animated  by  accounts  of  the  Triumphant 
 Deaths  of  many  holy  perfons.  Natural  PhilofophV, 
 and  remarkable  Anecdotes  from  Hiifory  and-  Travels, 
 have  alfo  a  place  therein.  In  compilations  of  this 
 nature,  it  could  hardly  be  expected  that  nothing 
 trifling   {h'ouid  ever   appear.      Some   things   of  this 
 
 kind 
 
490       The  life  of  mr.  wesley. 
 
 kind  have  been  acknowledged :  and  it  is  hoped  more 
 abundant  care  will  be  taken,  that  this  publication  {hall 
 not  aiiain  be  thus  lelFencd  in  its  real  value. 
 
 What  has  been  faid  of  Mr.  Wrjley's  defign  in 
 writing,  may  alfo  be  faid  of  his  Jlile..  His  concifenefs, 
 which  has  been  often  remarked,  did  not  arife  from 
 his  abhorring  circumlocution  as  a  writer  only,  but 
 alfo  as  a  Chrifliaiu  He  has  often  told  us,  that  he 
 made  a  confcience  of  ufing  no  more  words  on  any 
 fubjecl  than  were  ftriclly  neceffary.  We  are  not  fure 
 that  he  did  not  fometimes,  on  this  account,  complain, 
 with  Horace, 
 
 ' ! brevis  efle  laboro, 
 
 Obfcums  fio. 
 
 Striving  to  he  concife,  I  become  ohfcure.  But  this  was 
 rarely  the  cafe.  His  perfpicuity  is  as  remarkable 
 as  the  manlinefs  of  his  fliie. 
 
 His  original  works  have  great  force  and  energy; 
 This,  we  have  often  thought,  arofe,  in  a  good  degree, 
 from  a  circumftance  not  generally  known.  He  never 
 fet  himfelf  to  confider  a  fubject,  before  the  neceffity  of 
 his  treating  upon  it  firfl  appeared.  Even  then,  he 
 never  wrote  a  line,  till  his  mind  was  fully  impreffed 
 with  the  nature  aifd  im.portance  of  it.  He  has  faid 
 on  one  of  thofe  occafions,  as  Job,  Koiu,  if  I  hold  viy 
 iongxie,  I  Jliall  give  up  the  Ghoji  !  And  he  might  have 
 often  faid  the  fame.  His  ideas  came  thus  warm, 
 both  from  the  head  and  the  heart.  His  foul  was  in 
 the  fubjed  :  and  hence  the  indelible  impief]ions  often 
 made  upon  the  minds  of  the  readers. 
 
 We 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         491 
 
 We  fjhali  conclude  this  account,  partly,  in  the 
 -words  of  the  Writer  v/e  have  ah'eady  mentioned  : 
 *'  If  ufefulnefs  be  excellence  ;  if  public  good  ought 
 to  be  the  chief  obje6l  of  attention  in  public  cha- 
 radlers ;  and  if  the  greatefb  benefaftors  to  mankind 
 are  mofh  eiliniable  ;  Mr.  IVeflcy  will  be  long  re- 
 membered as  one  of  the  be  ft  of  Writers,  as  well  as 
 of  m^en,  as  he  was,  for  more  than  fifty  years,  the  moft 
 dili^rent  and  indefatij^able/' 
 
 .^^.xv        ^...V*      .X.^O.^V.j^. 
 
 SECTION       IL 
 
 ^URING  the  latter  years  of  Mr.  We/leys  life,  he 
 was  a  wonder  unto  many.  To  fee  a  man  at 
 the  age  of  fourfcore  years  and  upwards,  perfeverino" 
 in  dail)'-  labours,  from  which  even  the  young  and 
 vigorous  would  recede  as  from  an  intolerable  burden  : 
 To  fee  him  rifing  in  the  morning  at  four ;  travelling" 
 from  thirty  to  fixty  or  feventy  miiles  a  day ;  preaching 
 daily  two,  three,  or  four,  yea,  fometimes  five  fermons ; 
 reading,  writing,  vifiting  the  fipk,  converfing  with  his 
 friends,  and  fuperintending  the  Societies  wherever  he 
 came ;  and  in  all  this  labour  and  care,  to  fee  him  a 
 ilranger  to  wearinefs  either  of  body  or  mind  :  this 
 was  a  new  thing  in  the  earthy  and  excited  the  admira- 
 tion of  mankind. 
 
 We  have  already  noted  the  obfervations  which  he 
 piade  on  his  birth-day,  in  Holland,  in  the  year  1783, 
 that  ^^  by  the  mercy  of  God  his  eyes  were  not  waxed 
 ^im^  and  y/hat  ilreaigth  of  body  or  mind  he  had  ihirty 
 
 years 
 
492         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 years  before,  the  fame  he  had  then."  And  we  find 
 fimilar  remarks  yearly  in  his  journal  till  the  year 
 1787.  In  the  month  of  Auguft  in  that  year,  the 
 weather  being  intenfely  warm,  he  found  himfelf  more 
 relaxed  than  ufual ;  and  from  this  time  he  never  en- 
 ioyed  that  flrength  for  which  he  had  hitherto  been  fo 
 remarkable.  On  the  firft  of  March  in  the  following 
 year,  on  his  leaving  London,  he  remarked,  that  he 
 found  a  difference  by  the  increafe  of  years  in  the 
 following  refpe6ls,  lie  was  lefs  aQive,  and  walked 
 flower,  particularly  up  hill  :  his  memory  was  not  fo 
 quick  ;  and  he  could  not  read  fo  well  by  candle-light  : 
 but  that  all  his  other  powers  of  body  and  mind  re- 
 mained jufl  as  they  had  been  for  many  years. 
 
 On  his. birth-day  in  this  year  (June  'lS,  1788,)  he 
 obferves,  "I  this  day  enter  on  my  eighty-fixth  year. 
 And  what  caufe  have  I  to  praife  God,  as  for  a  thoufand 
 foiritual  blefRngs,  fo  for  bodily  bleffings  alfo  ?  How 
 little  have  I  fuffercd  yet,  by  "  the  ruih  of  numerous 
 years !"  It  is  true,  I  am  not  fo  agile  as  I  was  in  times 
 pafi  ;  I  do  not  run  or  walk  fo  fad  as  I  did.  My  fight 
 is  a  little  deca.ycd.  My  left  eye  is  grown  dim,  and 
 hardly  ferves  me  to  read.  I  have  daily  fome  pain  in 
 the  ball  of  my  right  eye,  as  alfo  in  my  right  temple 
 {occafioned  by  a  blow  received  fome  months  fnice) 
 and  in  my  right  flioulder  and  arm,  which  I  impute 
 partly  to  a  fprain,  and  partly  to  the  rheumatilm.  I 
 fmd  likewife  fome  decay  in  my  memory,  with  re- 
 gard to  names,  and  things  lately  pad  :  but  not  at  all, 
 with  regard  to  what  I  have  read  or  heard,  twenty, 
 forty  or  fixty  years  ago.    Neither  (Jo  I  find  my  decay 
 
 in 
 
THE  LIFE.  OF  MR.   WESLEY.  493 
 
 in  my  hearing,  fmell,  tafle  or  appetite  (though  I 
 want  but  a  third  part  of  the  food  I  did  once)  nor 
 do  I  feel  any  fuch  thing  as  wearinefs,  either  in  travel- 
 ling  or  preaching.  And  I  am  not  confcious  of  any 
 decay  in  writing  fermons,  which  I  do  as  readily,  and  I 
 believe,  as  corre6lly  as  ever. 
 
 To  what  caufe  can  I  impute  this,  that  I  am  as 
 I  am  ?  Firil,  doubtlefs,  to  the  power  of  God,  fitting 
 me  for  the  work  to  v^rhich  I  am  called,  as  long  as  he 
 pleafes  to  continue  me  therein  :  and  next,  fubordi- 
 nately  to  this,  to  the  prayers  of  his  children. 
 
 May  we  not  impute  it,  as  inferior  means : 
 
 1.  To  my  conftant  exercife  and  change  of  air  ? 
 
 2.  To  my  never  having  loft  a  night's  fleep,  lick  or 
 well,  at  land  or  at  fea,  fince  I  was  born  ? 
 
 3.  To  my  having  fleep  at  command,  fo  that  v/hen- 
 ever  I  feel  myfelf  almoft  worn  out,  I  call  it,  and  it 
 comes,  day  or  night  ? 
 
 4.  To  my  having  conftantly,  for  above  iixty  years, 
 rifen  at  four  in  the  morning  ? 
 
 5.  To  my  conftant  preaching  at  five  in  the  morn* 
 ing,  for  above  fifty  years  ? 
 
 6.  To  my  having  had  fo  little  pain  in  my  life,  and 
 fo  little  forrow,  or  anxious  care  ? 
 
 Even  now,  though  I  find  pain  daily,  m  my  eye,  or 
 temple,  or  arm,  yet  it  is  never  violent,  and  fcldom 
 lafts  many  minutes  at  a  time. 
 
 Whether  or  not  this  is  fent,  to  give  mc  warning, 
 that  I  am  fliortly  to  quit  this   tabernacle,    I    do  not 
 
 know : 
 
494         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 know  :  but  be  it  one  way  or  the  other,  I  have  only  to 
 fay, 
 
 "  My  remnant  of  days 
 
 I  fpend  to  his  praife 
 WIio  died  the  wliole  world  to  redeem  : 
 
 Be  they  iti any  or  few. 
 
 My  days  are  his  due. 
 And  they  all  are  devoted  to   HiinT* 
 
 It  had  been  reported,  that  Mr.  Charles  Wejley  had 
 faid  a  little  before  he  died,  that  his  brother  would 
 outlive  him  but  one  year.  Mr.  Wejley  did  not  pay 
 much  attention  to  this ;  but  he  feemed  to  think  that, 
 confidering  his  years,  and  the  fymptoms  of  decay 
 which  he  had  marked  in  himfelf,  fuch  an  event  waS 
 highly  probable.  Yet  he  made  not  the  lead  altera- 
 tion in  his  manner  of  living,  or  in  his  labours.  He 
 often  faid  to  us  during  that  year,  "  Now,  what  ought 
 J  to  do  in  cafe  I  am  to  die  this  year?  I  do  not  fee 
 what  I  can  do,  but  to  go  on  in  my  labour  jufl  as  I 
 have  done  hitherto  :"  and  in  his  Journal  he  remarks, 
 *'  If  this  is  to  be  the  laft  year  of  my  life,  I  hope  it  will 
 be  the  be  ft.  I  am  hot  careful  about  it,  but  heartily 
 receive  the  advice  of  the  Angel  in  Milton, 
 
 *'  How  well  is  thine  :  how  long  permit  to  hcav'n." 
 
 In  convcrhng  on  this  fubjed  before  he  left  London^ 
 
 he  obferved  to  us,    *'  Mr.  Stonehoufe  faid  many  years 
 
 ago,  that  my  brother  and  I  fhould  die  in  the  harnefs. 
 
 My  brother  did  not.     But,  I  believe  I  Ihall." 
 
 He 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 495 
 
 He  accordingly  refufed  to  liflen  to  the  advice  of 
 many  who  loved  him  :  and,  contrary  to  their  earnelt 
 entreaties,  went  to  Ireland  at  the  ufual  time.  He 
 travelled  through  that  kingdom  once  more,  as  we 
 have  related  in  its  place.  In  Dublin  he  made  the  fol- 
 lowing remarks  on  his  birth-day  :  *'  This  day  I  enter 
 on  my  eighty-feventh  year.  I  now  find  I  grow  old. 
 1.  My  fight  is  decayed,  fo  that  I  cannot  read  a  fmali 
 print,  except  in  a  ftrong  Hght :  2.  My  Jlrength  is  de- 
 cayed^ fo  that  I  walk  much  flower  than  I  did  fome 
 years  fince  :  3.  My  memory  of  names,  whether  of  per- 
 fons  or  places,  is  decayed  :  I  am  obliged  to  flop  a 
 little  to  recollect  them.  What  I  fliould  be  afraid  of 
 is,  if  I  took  thought  for  the  morrow,  that  my  body 
 fliould  weigh  down  my  mind,  and  create  either  flub^ 
 hornnefs  by  the  decreafe  of  my  underllandincr,  or 
 peevijiine/s  by  the  increafe  of  bodily  infirmities.  But 
 thou  flialt  anfwer  for  me,  O  Lord  my  God/' 
 
 On  the  firft  day  of  the  following  year,  (1790)  he 
 remarks,  ''  I  am  now  an  old  man,  decayed  from  head 
 to  foot.  My  eyes  are  dim  :  my  right  hand  fliakes 
 much:  my  mouth  is  hot  and  dry  every  mornincr.  I 
 have  a  lingering  fever  almofh  ev^^  day.  My  motion 
 is  weak  and  flow.  However,  blefled  be  God,  I  do 
 not   flack  my   labour.      I  can  preach  and  write  dilL" 
 
 Being  in  the  houfe  with  him  when  he  wrote  thus 
 we  were  greatly  furprifcd.  We  knew  it  muft  be  as 
 he  faid ;  but  we  never  could  have  imagined  his  weak- 
 nefs  was  fo  great.  He  ftill  rofe  at  his  hour,  and  went 
 through  the  many  duties  of  the  day,  not  indeed  with 
 the  fame  apparent  vigour,  but  without  complaint,  and 
 
 with 
 
496    .      THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 with  a  degree  of  refolution  that  was  aftonilhing.  He 
 would  flill,  as  he  afterwards  remarks,  "  do  a  little  for 
 God,  before  he  dropped  into  the  dull/' 
 
 We  fhould  greatly  rejoice  to  be  able  to  teftify,  that 
 his  days  of  weaknefs  were  days  of  uninterrupted  tran- 
 quillity.   That  he  might  enjoy  even  more  than 
 
 *'  The  foul's  caliT]  ilmihinc,  and  the  heartfeh  jcy," 
 
 was  certainly  the  wifli  of  every  benevolent  mind.  God 
 had  made  all  thofe,  Vvho  had  been  his  enemies  in  years 
 pafl,  to  be  at  peace  with  him.  Eut  he  had  flill  to 
 contend  with  that  "  jealoufy"  which  "  is  cruel  as  the 
 grave,"  and  never  to  be  fatisfied. 
 
 He  often  obferved,  that  in  a  courfe  of  fifty  years  he 
 had  never  either  premeditately  or  zvillingly  varied  from 
 the  church  of  England  in  one  article  either  of  doClrine 
 or  difcipline:  but  that  through Tzec^^',  not  choice,he  had 
 ilowly  and  warily,  and  with  as  little  offence  as  pofhble, 
 varied  in  fome  points  of  difcipline,  by  preaching  in  the 
 fields,  by  extemporary  prayer,  by  employing  Lay- 
 Preachers,  by  forming  and  regulating  Societies,  and 
 by  holding  yearly  Conferences  :  but,  that  he  did  none 
 of  thefe  things  till  BEwas  convinced  of  the  necefTity 
 of  them,  and  could  no  longer  omit  them  but  at  tiie 
 peril  of  his  foul.  And  his  conflant  v/ifh  and  prayer 
 was,  that  ail  who  laboured  with  him,  or  were  under 
 his  care,  might  herein  tread  in  his  Heps. 
 
 To  flraitcn  the  terms  of  church-com.munion  is 
 feldom  ferviceable  to  a  church.  Were  it  certain  that 
 none  are  of  the  church  of  England  who  violate  its 
 rules,  it  would  follow  that  the  church  has  exceeding 
 
 few 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         igy 
 
 few  members,  even  among  the  Clergy,  There  are  but 
 fev\r  of  thefe,  who  do  not  fecretly  difapprove  of  fome  of 
 the  Ar licks,  and  openly  violate  many  of  the  Canons. 
 It  would  be  fafer,  as  well  as  more  liberal,  to  allow 
 every  one  to  be  of  the  churchy  who  attends  its  worfhip, 
 and  receives  its  facramenfcs :  and  it  will  be  hard  to 
 prove  they  are  not. 
 
 The  generality  of  the  Preachers  and  people  in  con- 
 nexion with  Mr.  We/Icy,  were  of  the  Ellabliihjsd 
 Church.  Neverthelefs,  as  a  defence  againfl  the  vio- 
 lence of  brutal  men,  the  greater  number  of  the 
 Preachers  and  Chapels  v/ere  licenfcd  accordmg  to  the 
 Toleration  AH.  That  A61;,  we  are  feniible,  was  m^ade 
 for  the  protection  of  thofe  who  diffent  from  the 
 Eflablifiied  Church,  and  particularly  to  free  them 
 from  the  penalties  of  the  Conventicle  AH,  The  Preachers 
 who  laboured  with,  and  the  Societies  which  were 
 formed  by  Mr.  Wejley,  repofed  however  under  the 
 fhdidiow  qH  Aq  Toleration  AH,  .  But  about  three  years 
 before  Mi^  Wcjlcy^  death,  certain  friends  of  the  church 
 refolved  to  deal  wifely  with  them.  They  confidered, 
 *'  Thefe  men  profefs  to  be  of  t^  church  of  England. 
 What  then  have  they  to  do  wm\  the  Toleration  AH  ?  J 
 They  fliall  have  no  benefit  from  it."  And  they  aQed 
 accordingly.  In  vain  did  thofe  who  applied  for 
 licenfes,  plead,  that  they  only  deiired  to  defend  thcm- 
 felves  againfl  the  violence  of  ungodly  and  lawlels 
 men,  and  to  avoid  the  penalties  of  an  A61,  which 
 perhaps  was  made  to  prevent  fcditious  meetings, 
 but  in  reality  forbids  religious  affemblies  of  every 
 defcription,  except  in  the  Churches  of  the  Eftablifn. 
 
 K  k  ment. 
 
498  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 rnent.  The  anfwer  was  fliort;  *'  You  fhall  have 
 no  licenfe,  uniefs  you  declare  yourfelves  Dijfeniers,'* 
 Some,  who  confidered,  that  the  holding  meetings  for 
 prayer  or  pi  caching,  without  the  authority  of  the 
 Diocefan,  was  in  fa6l  a  kind  of  diflent,  declared  their 
 wiilingnefs  (though  others  refufed  this  conceflion)  to 
 be  called  DifTenters  in  the  certificate.  But  neither  did 
 this  avail  them.  They  were  told,  '''  You  mufh  not 
 only  profefs  yourfelves  DifTenters :  you  mufl  declare, 
 that  you  fcruple  to  attend  tlie  fervice  or  facraments 
 of  the  church,  or  we  can  grant  you  no  relief:  for  the 
 Acl  in  que  ft  ion  was  made  only  for  thofe  who  have 
 thefe  fcruples/* 
 
 In  various  places,  both  Preachers  and  people  were 
 thus  treated.  In  the  mean  time  the  informers  were 
 not  idle.  If  any  one  dared  to  have  preaching,  or  a 
 meeting  for  prayer  or  chrift:ian  fellowfhip  in  his  houfe, 
 information  was  given,  and  all  that  were  prefent  at 
 the  meeting  were  fined,  according  to  the  penal  claufes 
 laid  dov/n  in  tnc  Conventicle- A^.  A  great  majority 
 of  thofe  who  thus  offen'l  d,  were  tradefmen  and  la- 
 bourers, who  feverely  ielt  tiie  fines  which  were  thus 
 levied  upon  them.  Some  appealed  to  the  Ouarter- 
 SelFions ;  but  no  relief  could  be  obtained  :  they  had 
 no  liceiije,  and  therefore  the  law,  as  thus  interpreted, 
 Ihewed  them  no  mercy. 
 
 Mr.  WeJIcy  faw  this  evil  with  a  degree  of  pain  which 
 he  had  feldom  experienced.  He  perceived  whereto  it 
 tended,  and  that  if  perfifted  in,  it  would  oblige  him 
 to  give  up  the  work  in  which  he  had  been  engaged, 
 and  vvliich  he  believed  to  be  the  work  of  God ;  or  to 
 l^oaiate  from  the  EiUbliihed  Church.  He  loved  and 
 2  reverenced 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  xMR.  WESLET.  499 
 
 reverenced  the  King,  and  all  who  were  in  authority 
 under  him ;  but  he  could  not  behold  this  mafter- 
 piece  of  the  wifdom  from  beneath,  without  detefta* 
 tion.  Efteeraing  it  his  duty  to  expoftulate  with  thofe 
 who  w^ere  mod  zealous  in  this  work,  he  wrote  the 
 following  letter  to  a  Prelate,  in  whofe  Diocefe  this 
 kind  of  perfecution  mofl  abounded. 
 
 My  Lord, 
 
 *'  IT  may  feem  ftrange,  that  one  who  is  not  ac- 
 quainted with  your  Lordlhip,  fhould  trouble  you  with 
 a  letter.  But  I  am  condrained  to  do  it :  I  believe  it 
 is  my  duty  both  to  God  and  your  Lordfln'p.  And  I 
 mufl  fpeak  plain  ;  having  nothing  to  hope  or  fear  in 
 this  world,  which  I  am  on  the  point  of  leaving. 
 
 *'  The  Mcthodifls,  in  general,   my  Lord,  are  mem- 
 bers of  the  Church  of  England.      They   hold  all  her 
 doQrines,  attend  her  fervice,  and  partake  of  her  facra* 
 ments.     They   do  not  willingly  do  harm  to  any  one, 
 but   do  what    good    they  can  to  all.     To  encourage 
 each  other  herein,    they  frequently  fpend  an  hour  to- 
 gether in  praj^er  and  mutual  e?;hortation.      Permit  me 
 then  to  alk,  Qui  bono  ?  Yo\:  what  reafonable  end,  would 
 your  Lordfliip  drive  thefe  people  out  of  the  church  ? 
 Are   they  not  as   quiet,  as   inoIFcnfive,  nay,  as  pious, 
 as  any  of  their  neighbours  ?  Except  perhaps  here  and 
 there  a  hair-brained  man,  who  knows  not  what  he  is 
 about.      Do  you   aCc,    "  Who  drives  them  out  of  the 
 Church  ?"  Your  Lordfhip  does  :  and  that  in  the  mod 
 cruel  manner;  yea,   and   the  mod  diGngenuous  man- 
 ner.    They  defire  a  Yicqw^q  to  wordiip  God  after  their 
 
 K  k  2  Qwxi 
 
500  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 own  confcience.  Your  Lordfliip  rcfufes  it:  and  then 
 punifhes  them  for  not  having  a  licenfe  !  So  your 
 Lordiliip  leaves  them  only  this  alternative,  ''  Leave 
 the  Church,  or  llarve."  And  is  it  a  Chriflian,  yea, 
 a  Protellant  Biihop,  that  fo  perfecutes  his  own  flock? 
 1  fay,  perfecutes  :  for  it  is  perfecution,  to  all  intents 
 and  purpofes.  You  do  not  burn  them  indeed,  but 
 you  ftarve  them  :  and  how  fmall  is  the  difference  ? 
 And  your  Lordfliip  does  this,  under  colour  of  a  vile, 
 execrable  law,  not  a  whit  better  than  that  de  Ha^retico 
 eonicjurendo  I '^  So  perfecution,  which  is  banifhed  oust 
 of  France,  is  again  countenanced  in  England ! 
 
 O  my  Lord,  for  God's  fake,  for  Chrifl's  fake,  for 
 pity's  lake,  faffcr  the  poor  people  to  enjoy  their  re- 
 ligious, as  well  ao  civil  liberty !  I  am  on  the  brink 
 of  eternity  !  Perhaps  fo  is  your  Lordfhip  too  !  How 
 foon  may  yon  alio  be  called,  to  give  an  account  of 
 your  ftewardfliip,  to  the  Great  Shepherd  and  Bifliop 
 of  our  {qvAs  ?  May  he  enable  both  you  and  me  to  do 
 it  with  joy  !  So  prays. 
 
 My  Lord, 
 Your  Lordfliip's  dutiful  Son  and  Servant. 
 
 John    Weslev^, 
 Hull,  June    26,   1790. 
 
 Mr.  Wcjhy  had  liitherto  ordained  Miniftcrs  only  'Ui 
 America  and  Scotland.  But  during  the  period  we  have 
 mentioned,  being  aflilled  by  other  Prefbyters  of  the 
 Qhnrchi)^ England,  he  fet  apart  a  certain  number  of 
 Preachers  for  tlie  facred  oflice  by  the  impofltion  of  his 
 hands  and  pra)er,  without  fending  them  out  of  Eng- 
 land: (one  of  thefe  he  ordained. after  writing  the  above 
 
 1  letter, 
 
 *  Conccnii7icr  the  lurnir.z  of  Heretics, 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  501 
 
 letter,  and  but  a  fliort  time  before  his  death  :)  ftrongly 
 adviling  them  at  the  lame  time,  that  according  to  his 
 example,  they  (houid  continue  united  to  the  Efla- 
 bli filed  Church,  fo  far  as  the  work  in  which  they  were 
 engaged,  would  permit. 
 
 To  avoid  an  extreme  fo  very  painful  to  him  as 
 feparating  from  the  church,  he  took  counfel  with 
 fome  of  his  friends,  who  advifed  that  an  application 
 fhould  be  made  to  parliament  for  the  repeal  of  the 
 ConventicU  AB,  Several  of  the  members  of  the  Houfe  of 
 Commons,  who  were  convinced  of  his  lincere  attach- 
 ment to  the  prefent  Government,  and  of  the  inexpe- 
 diency of  that  law  in  the  prefent  day,  were  inclined  to 
 favour  the  application.  But  his  increafing  infirmities 
 prevented  his  bellowing  that  attention  to  it  which  was 
 needful.  He  would  omit  none  of  his  religious  duties, 
 or  labours.  Herein  he  would  iiflen  to  no  advice.  His 
 almofl:  continual  prayer  was,  "  Lord,  let  me  not  live 
 to  be  ufelefs."  At  every  place^  after  giving  to  the  So- 
 ciety what  he  defired  them  to  conlider  as  his  laft  ad- 
 vice, To  love  a%  brethren,  fear  God,  and  honour  the  king, 
 Ijq  invariably  concluded  with  that  verfe, 
 
 "  O  tliat  without  a  ling'rlng  groan 
 
 I  may  the  welcome  word  receive  ; 
 My  bod)'  with  my  charge  hiy  down, 
 And  ceafe  at  once  to  uork  and  live." 
 
 In  this  manner  he  went  on  'till  the  ufual  time  of  his 
 leaving  London  approached.  Determined  not  to  relax, 
 Jie  fent  his  chaife  and  horfes  before  him  to  Brijloly  and 
 
 K  k  3  took 
 
502  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 took  places  for  himfclf  and  his  friend  in  the  Bath 
 coach.  But  the  \*igoious  mind  could  no  longer  fupr 
 port  the  body.  It  funk,  though  by  flow  and  ahnpft 
 imperceptible  degrees,  until 
 
 «  The  weary  wheels  of  life  flood  fllll  at  lafl." 
 
 On  Thurfday  the  17th  of  February,  1791,  he 
 preached  at  Lambeth.  When  he  came  home,  he  feemed 
 not  to  be  well :  and  being  afked,  How  he  did  ?  He 
 faid,   he  believed  he  had  caucrht  cold. 
 
 Friday  the  18th,  he  read  and  wrote  as  ufual,  and 
 preached  at  Chelfea  in  the  evening.  But  he  was  ob- 
 liged to  flop  once  or  twice,  and  to  inform  the  people, 
 his  cold  fo  affe6ied  hi*  voice  as  to  prevent  his  Ipeaking 
 without  thofc  neceflary  paufes. 
 
 Saturday  the  j  9th,  he  filled  up  mofl  of  his  time 
 with  reading  and  writing,  though  his  fever  and  weak- 
 nefs  feemed  evidently  increafing.  At  dinner  he  dehred 
 a  friend  to  read  to  him  three  or  four  chapters  out  of 
 the  Book  of  Job.  He  rofe  (according  to  cuilom) 
 early  the  next  morning,  but  utterly  unfit  for  his 
 Sabbath  day's  exercife.  At  {^VQ.n  o'clock  he  was 
 obliged  to  lie  down,  and  flept  between  three  and  four 
 hours.  When  he  av/oke,  he  faid,  *'  I  have  not  had 
 fuch  a  comfortable  fleep  this  fortnight  pad."  In  the 
 afternoon  he  lay  down  again,  and  flept  an  hour  or 
 two  :  afterwards  two  of  his  own  difcourfes  on  our 
 Lord's  fermon  on  the  Mount  were  read  to  him,  and  in 
 the  evening  he  came  down  to  fupper. 
 
 Monday  the  21ft,  he  feemed  much  better;  and 
 though  his  friends  tried  to  difTuade  him  from  it,  would 
 
 keep 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  503 
 
 keep  an  engagement  made  fome  time  before  to  dine  at 
 Tvjickenham,  When  he  returned  home,  he  Teemed 
 better  :  and  on  Tuefdiiy  went  on  with  his  ufual  work  ; 
 and  preached  in  the  evening  at  the  Chapel  in  the 
 City- Road. 
 
 On  Wednefdayhe  went  to  Lcatherhead,  and  preach- 
 ed to  a  fmall  company  on  "  Seek  ye  the  Lord,  while  ht 
 Viay  be  found  ;  call  ye  upon  him,  rvJiile  he  is  near,"  Here 
 ended  the  miniflerial  labours  of  this  man  of  God. 
 On  Thurfday  he  flopped  at  Mr.  Wolff's  at  Balaam,  At 
 this  place  he  was  cheerful  ;  and  feemed  nearly  as  well 
 as  ufual,  till  Friday  about  breakfafl  time,  when  he 
 grew  very  heavy.  About  eleven  o'clock  he  returned 
 home  ;  and  having  fat  down  in  his  room,  deli  red  to 
 be  left  alone,  and  not  to  be  interrupted  for  half  an 
 hour  by  any  one. 
 
 When  the  limited  time  was  expired,  feme  mulled 
 wine  was  given  him.  He  drank  a  little,  and  feemed 
 fleepy  ;  but  in  a  few  minutes  threw  it  up,  and  faid, 
 *'  I  mufl:  lie  down."  He  accordingly  was  put  to  bed, 
 and  lay  moft  of  the  day,  having  a  quick  pulfe,  and  a 
 burning  fever. 
 
 Saturdav  the  26th,  he  continued  much  the  fame  ; 
 fpoke  but  little,  and  if  roufed  to  anfwer  a  queflion, 
 or  take  a  little  refrefhment,  (which  was  feldom  mqre 
 than  a  fpoonful  at  a  time)  he  foon  dofed  again. 
 
 On  Sunday  morning  he  got  up,  took  a  cup  of  tea, 
 and  feemed  much  better.  While  fitting  in  his  chair, 
 he  looked  quite  cheerful,  and  repeated  the  latter  part 
 of  that  verfe  in  the  Scripture  Hymns  on  *'  lor  fake  me. 
 tiot^  when  my  Jlrcngthfaileth :" 
 
 Kk4  *^  Till 
 
roi         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 u    -^ 
 
 "  I'ill  gly.l  I  lay  this  body  down, 
 Thy  rcrvant,  Lord,  attend; 
 And  O  i   my  lile  of  mercy  crown 
 With  a  triumpliant  end  !" 
 
 Soon  after,  in  a  mod  emphatical  manner,  he  faid, 
 '*  Our  friend*  Lazarus  fleepeth/'  Some  who  were  then 
 prefent,  fpeaking  rather  too  much  to  him,  he  tried 
 to  exert  himfelf,  but  was  foon  exhaufted  and  obliged 
 to  lie  down.  After  awhile,,  he  looked  up.  and  faid, 
 '•'  Speak  to  me,  I  cannot  fpeak/'  On  which  one  of  the 
 company  faid,  ''  Shall  \^e  pray  with  you,  Sir  ?"  He 
 earneftly  replied,  ''  Yes."  And  while  they  prayed, 
 his  whole  foul  feemed  eng-a^ed  with  God  foi'  an  an- 
 fwer,  and  he  added  a  hearty  Amen. 
 
 About  half  after  two,  he  faid,  *'  There  is  no  need 
 for  more  than  what  I  faid  at  Briflol.  My  words  theii 
 were, 
 
 "  I  die  chief  of  (inne'rs  am, 
 But  Jefus  died  for  me  !"  ^ 
 
 One^faid,  '•  Is  this  the  prefent  language  of  your  heart, 
 
 and  do  you  now  feel  as   you  then  did  ?"  He  replied, 
 
 **  Yes."     When  the  fame  perfon  repeated 
 
 *•'  Bold 
 
 *  At  the  -B?-z/2t}/ Conference  in  the  year  1783,  Mr.  Wejley  was 
 taken  very  ill :  neither  he  nor  his  friends  thought  he  would  re- 
 cover. From  the  nature  of  his  complaint,  he  thought  a  fpafm 
 would  probably  fcizc  his  ftomacli,  and  occafion  fudden  death. 
 Under  thefc  views  of  his  fituation,  he  faid  to  Mr.  Bradford,  "  I 
 have  been  reflecling  on  my  paft  life  :  I  have  been  wandering  up 
 znd  down  between  fifty  and  hxty  years,   endeavouring  in    my 
 
 poor 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  505 
 
 •*  Bold  I  approach  th'  eternal  throne, 
 
 And  claim  the  crown  through  Chrifl  my  own," 
 
 and  added,  **  'Tis  enough.  He,  our  precious  Im^ 
 manuel  has  purchaied,  has  promifed  all ;"  heearneflljr 
 replied,  '•  He  is  all  !  He  is  all!"  and  then  faid,  "  I 
 will  go."  Soon  after,  to  his  niece  Mifs  We/ley,  who 
 fat  by  his  bed-iide,  he  faid,  ''  Sally,  have  you  zeal  for 
 God  now  ?"  After  this  the  fever  was  very  high,  and 
 at  times  afFe6led  his  head  :  but  even  then,  though 
 his  head  was  fubje6i;  to  a  temporary  derangement,  his 
 heart  feemed  wholly  engaged  in  his  Mailer's  work. 
 
 In  the  evening,  he  got  up  again,  and  while  fitting  in 
 his  chair,  he  faid,  '*  how  necelTary  is  it  for  every  one 
 to  be  on  the  right  foundation  ! 
 
 I  the  chief  oF  linners  am, 
 But  Jefus  died  forme! 
 
 We  mud  be  juflified  by  faith,  and  then  go  on  to 
 fan6lification." 
 
 He  flept  mofl  of  the  following  day,  and  fpoke  but 
 little ;  yet  that  little   teilified   how   much    his  whole 
 
 poor  way,  to  do  a  Httle  good  to  my  fellow-creatures:  and,  now 
 it  IS  probable  that  there  are  but  a  few  fteps  between  me  and 
 <lcath,  and  what  have  I  to  truft  to  for  falvation  ?  I  can  fee 
 nothing  which  1  have  done  or  fuffered,  that  will'bear  looking  at. 
 I  have  no  other  plea  than  this  :  I  the  chief  of  finnersam  :  but 
 Jefus  died  forme."  The  fentiment  here  expreffed,  and  his  re- 
 ference to  it  in  his  iaft  ficknefs,  plainly  flrew  how  fteadily  he 
 had  perfevered  in  the  fame  views  pf  the  Gofpel,  with  which  he 
 '    ^et  out  to  preach  itp" 
 
 heart 
 
5o6  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 heart  was  taken  up  in  the  care  of  the  churches,  the 
 glory  of  God,  and  the  things  pertaining  to  that  king- 
 dom to  which  he  was  haflening.  Once  in  a  low,  but 
 very  diftin6l  voice,  he  faid,  *'  There  is  no  way  into 
 the  hohefl  but  by  the  blood  of  Jefus." 
 
 He  afterwards  inquired,  what  the  words  were  on 
 which  he  preached  at  Hampjlead  a  fhort  time  before. 
 He  was  told,  they  were  thefe :  "  Ye  know  the  grace  of 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chrijl,  that,  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for 
 your  fakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his  poverty  might 
 be  7ich.'*  He  replied,  "  That  is  the  foundation,  the 
 only  foundation,  and  there  is  no  other."  He  alfo 
 repeated  three  or  four  times  in  the  fpace  of  a  few 
 hours,  ^^  Wehave  boldnefs  to  enter  into  the  holiejl  by   the 
 
 blood  of  Jf^^'* 
 
 Tuefday,  March  ift.  after  a  very  refllefs  night 
 (though  when  afked  whether  he  was  in  pain,  he  gene- 
 rally anfwered,  '*  No,"  and  never  complained  through 
 his  whole  illnefs,  except  once,  when  he  felt  a  pain  in 
 his  left  bread:,  when  he  drew  his  breath)  he  bega^ 
 finging, 
 
 •'  All  glory  to  God  in  tlie  fky, 
 
 And  peace  upon  earth  be  reftor'd: 
 O  Jefus,  exalted  on  high, 
 
 Appear  our  omnipotent  Lord  \ 
 Who,  meanly  in  Bethlehem  horn, 
 
 Didfl  rtoop  to  redeem  a  loll  race  ; 
 Orxe  more  to  thy  people  return, 
 
 Ar.d  rei«n  in  thy  kingdom  of  grace. 
 
 Oh! 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  507 
 
 *'  Oh !  wouldft  thou  again  be  made  known. 
 
 Again  in  the  Spirit  defcend  ; 
 And  fet  up  in  each  of  thine  own 
 
 A  kingdom  that  never  fhall  end. 
 Thou  only  art  able  to  blefs, 
 
 And  make  the  glad  nations  obey  ; 
 And  bid  the  dire  enmity  ceafe, 
 
 And  bow  the  whole  world  to  thy  fway." 
 
 Here  his  ftrength  failed ;  but  after  lying  flill  awhile, 
 he  called  for  a  pen  and  ink.  They  were  brought  to 
 him:  but  thofe  active  fingers  which  had  been  the 
 blelfci  initruments  of  conveying  fpiritual  confolation 
 and  ufeful  inilru6lion  to  thoufaads,  could  no  lonsrer 
 perform  their  office.  Some  time  after,  he  faid,  '•'  I 
 want  to  write  :"  But  on  the  pen's  being  put  into  his 
 hand,  and  the  paper  held  before  him,  he  faid,  *'  I 
 cannot.'*  One  of  the  company  anfwered,  "  Let  me 
 write  for  you,  Sir :  tell  me  what  you  would  fay.** 
 *'  Nothing,"  replied  he,  *'  But,  that  God  is  with  u5." 
 In  the  forenoon  he  faid,  *'  I  will  get  up.'*  While 
 they  were  bringing  his  clothes,  he  broke  out  in  a  man- 
 ner, which,  conhdering  his  extreme  weaknefs,  alio- 
 iiiflied  all  prefent,  in  thefe  words, 
 
 "  r\l  praife  my  Maker  while  I've  breath. 
 And  when  my  voice  is  lofl  in  death, 
 
 Praife  fliall  employ  my  nobler  pow'rs; 
 My  days  of  praife  lliall  ne'er  be  paft, 
 While  life,  and  thought,  and  being  laft. 
 Or  immortality  endures, 
 
 •*  Happ3t 
 
508  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 "  Happy  the  man,  whofc  hopes  rely 
 On  Ifrael's  Gocl ;  he  made  the  fky^ 
 
 And^arth  and  feas  with  all  tlicir  train  ; 
 His  trutli  ior  ever  (lands -fecure, 
 He  faves  tli'  opprefs'd,  he  feeds  the  poor. 
 And  none  fliall  find  his  promife  vain." 
 
 At  another    time  he    was  fecblv    endeavourinor  to 
 
 fpcak,  beginning  **  Nature  is Nature  is/'     One 
 
 that  was  prefent,  added  **  Nearly  exhaufled,  but  you 
 are  entering  into  a  new  nature,  and  into  the  Society  of 
 blelled  Spirits.'*  He  anfwered  ''  Certainly  ;"  and 
 clafped  his  hands  together,  faying  ''  Jefus  !"  the  reft 
 could  not  be  well  heard,  but  his  lips  continued  moving 
 as  in  fervent  prayer. 
 
 When  he  got  into  his  chair,  he  appeared  to  change 
 for  d^^ath  :  but  regardlefs  of  his  drying  frame,  he  faid, 
 with  a  weak  voice,  "Lord,  thou  givefl  ftrength  to 
 thofe  that  can  fpeak,  and  to  thofc  that  cannot.  Speak, 
 Lord,  to  all  our  hearts,  and  let  them  kno^v  that  thou 
 loofc'R  the  tongue.'*     He  then  fung 
 
 ''  To  Fatker,  Son,  and  Holy  Gholl, 
 Who  f.vcedy  all  agree." 
 
 Here  his  voice  failed  him,    and  after  gafping    for 
 
 breath,  he  fiid,   "  Nov\r  we  have   done Let  us  all 
 
 ^ny!'  He  was  then  laid  on  the  bed,  from  which  he 
 rufc  no  more.  After  lying  iliii,  and  fieeping  a 
 little,  he  delired  thofe  who  were  prefent  to  pray 
 iiud  praife.  They  knelt  down,  and  the  room 
 teemed  to  be  filled  v/ith  t!ie  divine   prcfence.       A 
 
 little 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         509 
 
 little  after,  he  faicl,  ''  Let  me  be  buried  in  nothing  but 
 what  is  woollen,  and  let  my  corpfe  be  carried  in  my 
 coffin  into  the  chapel.'*  Then,  as  if  done  with  all 
 below,  he  ag-ain  heg-g-ed  thcv  would  pray  and  praife. 
 Several  friends  that  were  in  the  houfe  being  called  up, 
 they  all  kneeled  doxvn  to  prayer,  at  which  time  his 
 fervour  of  fpirit  was  vifible  to  every  one  prefent.  But 
 in  particular  parts  of  the  prayer  his  whole  foul  feemed 
 to  be  engaged  in  a  manner,  which  evidently  fiiew^d  . 
 how  ardently  he  longed  for  the  full  aecompliiliment 
 of  their  united  deiires.  And  when  Mr.  BrGaJbtniyK'RS 
 praying  in  a  very  expreflive  manner,  that  if  God  was 
 about  to  take  avv'ay  their  father  to  his  eternal  rcil,  he 
 would  be  pieafed  to  continue  and  increafe  his  blefling 
 upon  the  do6lrine  and  difcipline,  which  he  had  long 
 made  his  aged  fervant  the  means  of  propagating  and 
 eftablilhing  in  the  world  :  iuch  a  degree  of  fervour 
 accompanied  his  loud  Amen,  as  was  every  way  ex* 
 preffive  of  his  foul's  being  engaged  in  the  anfwer  of 
 the  petitions. 
 
 On  riling  from  their  knees,  he  took  hold  of  all  their 
 hands,  and  with  the  utmoft  placidnefs  faiuted  them, 
 and  faid,    "  Farewell,  farewell." 
 
 A  little  after,  a  perfon  coming  in,  he  Rrove  tQ  fpeak, 
 but  could  not.  Findmg  they  could  not  underfland 
 him,  he  paufed  a  littk,  and  with  all  the  remaining 
 llrength  he  had,  cried  out,  *' The  best  of  all  is, 
 God  is  -\vith  us;''  and  then,  lifting  up  his  dying 
 arm  in  token  of  viclory,  and  raifmg  his  feeble  voice 
 with  a  holy  triumph  not  to  be  exprclTed,  he  again  re- 
 peated the  heart-reviving  words^  "  Thk  sest  of  all 
 IS,  God  is  with  us/'  Seeing 
 
510         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Seeing  fome  perfons  Handing  by  his  bed- fide,  he 
 afked,  "  Who  are  thefc  ?"  and  being  informed  xvho 
 they  were  ;  M'r.  Rogers  laid,  "  Sir,  we  are  come  to 
 rejoice  with  you;  you  arc  going  to  receive  your 
 crown/'  "  It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  he  replied,  and 
 marvellous  in  our  eyes."  On  being  told  that  his  fiiler- 
 in-law  Mrs.  IVeJJey  was  come,  he  faid,  ''  He  giveth 
 his  fervants  reft."  Pie  thanked  her,  as  fhe  preffed  his 
 h?nd,  and  afFe6lionatelv  endeavoured  to  kiis  her.  On 
 wetting  his  lips  he  faid,  "  We  thank  thee,  O  Lord, 
 for  thefe  and  all  thy  mercies:  blefs  the  Church  and 
 King ;  and  grant  us  truth  and  peace,  through  JeTus 
 Chrift  our  Lord,   for  ever  and  ever  \" 
 
 At  another  time,  he  faid.  "  He  caufeth  his  fervants 
 to  lie  down  in  peace."  I'hen  pauling  a  little,  he 
 cried,  "The  clouds  drop  fatnels!'*  and  foon  after, 
 *'  The  Lord  is  v/ith  us,  the  God  oi  Jacob  is  our  re- 
 fuge !"  He  then  called  thofe  prefent  to  prayer : 
 and  though  he  was  greatly  exhaulled,  he  appeared 
 ftili  more  fervent  in  fpirit.  Thefe  exertions  were 
 however  too  much  for  his  feeble  fram^e ;  and  moft 
 of  the  night  following,  tliough  he  often  attempted 
 to  repeat  the  Pfalm  before-mentioned,  he  could 
 only  utter 
 
 "I'llpraifc rilpraife!" 
 
 On  A\'cdnefday  morning,  the  clofing  fcenc  drew 
 rear.  Mr.  Bradford,  his  faithful  friend,  prayed  with 
 liim,  and  the  laft  word  he  was  heard  to  articulate  was, 
 **  Farewell  !"  -'^  few  minutes  before  ten,  while  feveral 
 of  his  friends  were  kneeling  around  his  bed ;  without 
 
 a  lingering 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  511 
 
 a  lingering  groan,  this  man  of  God,  this  beloved 
 Pallor  of  thoufands,  entered  into  the  joy  of  his 
 Lord. 
 
 At  the  defire  of  many  friends  his  corpfe  was  placed 
 in  the  New  Chapel,  and  remained  there  the  day  be- 
 fore his  interment.  His  face  during  that  time  had  a 
 heavenly  fmile  upon  it,  and  a  beauty  which  was  ad- 
 mired by  all  that  fatv  it.  The  crowds  which  came  to 
 fee  him,  while  he  lay  in  his  coffin,  were  fo  great,  that 
 his  friends,  apprehenfive  of  a  tumult,  if  he  was  in- 
 terred at  the  ufual  time,  determined  to  bury  him, 
 contrary  to  their  firfl  refolution,  between  five  and  fix 
 in  the  mornmg ;  of  which  no  notice  was  given  till 
 late  the  preceding  evening:  notwithftanding  which,  the 
 intelligence  had  fo  far  tranfpired,  that  fome  hundreds 
 attended  at  that  early  hour.  Thefe,  with  many  tears, 
 faw  his  dear  remains  depofited  in  the  vault,  which 
 he  had  fome  years  before  prepared  for  himfelf,  and 
 for  thofe  Itinerant  Preachers  who  (hould  die  in  Lon* 
 don.  Thofe  whom  he  loved  in  life,  he  chofe  not  to 
 be  divided  from  in  death. 
 
 The  funeral  fervice  was  read  by  the  late  Rev.  Mr. 
 Richard/on,  who  had  ferved  him  as  a  Son  in  the  Gofoel 
 for  near  thirty  years,  and  who  now  lies  with  him  in 
 the  fame  vault.  When  Mr.  Richardfon  came  to  that 
 part  of  the  fervice,  ''  For  as  much  as  it  hath  pleafed 
 Almighty  God  to  take  unto  himfelf  the  foul  of  our 
 dear  Brother,  Sec"  he  fubflituted,  with  the  moft  tender 
 emphafis,  the  epithet  Father  inftead  of  Brother ;  which 
 had  fo  powerful  an  effe6l  on  the  congregation,  that 
 from  filent  tears,  they  feemed  univerfally  to  burfl  out 
 into  loud  weeping.  The 
 
ri2  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 •J 
 
 The    Infcription   on  his    Coffin    was 
 
 Johannes  Wesley,  A.  M. 
 
 Olim.  Soc.  Coll.  Lin.  Oxon. 
 
 Ob.  2do.'die  Martii,  1791. 
 
 An.  yEt.  88.  * 
 
 The  Inscription    on   Mr.  Wesley's   To m b • 
 
 To  the  Memory  of 
 
 The  Venerable  John  Wesley,  A.  M. 
 Late  Fellow-  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford. 
 
 This  Great  Light  arofe, 
 
 (By  the  fingular  Providence  of  God) 
 
 To  enlighten  These  Nations, 
 
 And  to  revive,  enforce,  and  defend, 
 
 The  Pure,  Apoflolical  Doctrines  and  Practices  of 
 
 The  Primitive  Church  : 
 
 Which  he  continued  to  do,  by  his  Writings  and  his 
 
 Labours, 
 
 For  more  than  Half  a  Century  : 
 
 And,  to  his  inexprelFible  Joy, 
 
 Not  only,  beheld  their  Influence  extending. 
 
 And  their  Efficacy  witnelTed, 
 
 In  the  Hearts  and  Lives  of  Many  Thousands, 
 
 As   well,   in   The  Western   World,    as  in  These 
 
 Kingdoms: 
 
 But 
 
 *  John  Wcjfley,  Mafter  of  Arts,  formerlv  Fellow  of  Lincoln- 
 College,  Oxford,  died  on  the  fecond  day  of  March.  »79^,  in  the 
 eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         513 
 
 But  alfo,  far  above  all  human  Power  or  Expe6lation, 
 Liv'd  to  fee  Provision   made,  by  the  lingular  Grace 
 
 of  God, 
 
 For  their  Continuance  and  Establishment, 
 
 To  THE  Joy  of  Future  Generations! 
 
 Reader,  If  thou  art  conftrain'd  to  blefs  the  Instru* 
 MENT,  Give  God  the  Glory  I 
 
 After  having  langui/Jied  a  few  days,  He,  at  length, 
 Jinijhed  his   Course   and  his  Life  together:  glorioufly 
 triumphing  over  Death,  March  2,  An.  Dom.  1791,  in 
 the  Eighty -eighth  Year  of  his  Age, 
 
 The  foUowing  is  a  Copy  of  his  Last  Will  and 
 Testament. 
 
 In  the  name  of  God,  Amen  ! 
 
 1  JOHN  WESLEY,  Clerk,  fometime  Fellow  of 
 Lincoln-CoWtgt,  Oxford,  revoking  all  others,  appoint 
 this  to  be  my  laft  W^ill  and  Teftament. 
 
 I  give  all  my  Books  now  on  fale,  and  the  copies  of 
 them  (only  fubje6l  to  a  rent  charge  of  85I.  a  year  to 
 i\\Q  widow  and  children  of  my  Brother)  to  my  faith- 
 ful friends,  John  Horton,  Merchant,  George  Wolff,  Mer- 
 chant, and  William  Marriott,  Stock-Broker,  all  of  Lon-- 
 don,  in  tiuft  for  the  general  Fund  of  the  Methodifl 
 Conference  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  God,  by  Itine- 
 rant Preachers  :  on  condition  that  they  permit  the 
 fpllowing  Committee,   Thomas  Coh.  James  fircighton, ' 
 
 h  I  Peard 
 
514         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 Peard  Dickenfon,  Tho?nas  Rankin,  George  Whilfield,  and 
 the  London  AfTiflant  for  the  time  being,  ftill  to  fuper^ 
 intend  the  Printing  Prefs,  and  to  employ  Hannah 
 Paramore  and  George  Paramore  as  heretofore,  unlefs 
 four  of  the  Committee  judge  a  change  to  be  needful.  * 
 
 I  give  the  Books,  Furniture,  and  whatever  elfe  be- 
 longs to  me  in  the  three  houfes  at  Kingfwood  in  trufl 
 to  Thomas  Coke,  Alexander  Mather,  and  Henry  Moore, 
 to  be  ftill  employed  in  teaching  and  maintaining  the 
 children  of  poor  travelling  Preachers. 
 
 I  give  to  Thomas  Coke,  Do6lor  yoh7i  Whitehead,  and 
 Jlenry  Moore  all  the  Books  which  are  iu  my  (ludy  and 
 
 bedchamber 
 
 'I'  Above  a  year  and  a  half  after  making  of  thi'S  Will,  Mr. 
 Wejley  executed  a  Deed,  in  which  he  appointed  feven  gentle- 
 men, viz.  Dr.  Thor/ias  Coke,  and  MefTrs.  Alexander  Mather, 
 Peard  Dickenfon,  John  Valton,  James  Rogers,  Jofeph  Taylor,  and 
 Adam  Clarke,  Truj'lees  for  all  his  Books,  Pajnphlets  and  Copy- 
 Rightj  for  carrying  on  the  Work  of  God  by  Itinerant  Preachers, 
 according  to  the  enrolled  Deed,  which  we  have  already  men- 
 tioneq.  Eut  Dr.  Coke  being  in  America  at  the  time  of  Mr, 
 IVeJley's  death,  the  Peed  was  fuffered  to  lie  dormant  till  his 
 return.  The  three  Executors  then  took  the  advice  of  two  of 
 the  moll  eminent  Counfellors  in  the  kingdom,  who  informed 
 them  that  the  Deed  was  of  a  iefiamentary  nature,  and  therefore 
 faperfeded  the  Will  with  refpefl;  to  the  Books,  &c.  The  D-ced 
 v/as  then  prefented  to  the  Judge  of  the  Prerogative  Court  of 
 Canterbury,  who  received  it  as  the  third  Codicil  of  Mr.  Wtjley's 
 Will  :  on  which  the  three  Executors  delivered  up  their  general 
 Probate,  and  received  a  new  one  limited  to  thofe  particulars 
 which  were  not  mentioned  in  the  Deed.  At  the  fame  time  a, 
 pj-obatc  was  granted  by  the  Court  to  the  feven  Truftees, 
 cpnftituting  tliem  Executors  for  all  the  Books,  Pamphlets  and 
 Copy-Hight,  of  vyhich  Mr.  Wejley  dictl  polfellcd ;  and  cq>^ 
 J  owering  them  to  pay  all  his  debts  and  legacies. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  515 
 
 bedchamber  at  London,  and  in  my  fludies  elfewhere, 
 in  truft  for  the  ufe  of  the  Preachers  who  Ihall  labour 
 there  from  time  to  time. 
 
 I  give  the  coins,  and  whatever  elfe  is  found  in  the 
 drawer  of  my  Bureau  at  Loiidon,  to  my  dear  grand* 
 daughters  Ma?y  and  Jane  Smith. 
 
 I  give  all  my  Manufcripts  to  Thovzas  Coke,  Doftor 
 Whitehead,  and  Henry  Moore,  to  be  burnt  or  publifhed 
 as  they  fee  good. 
 
 I  give  whatever  Money  remains  in  my  Bureau  and 
 Pockets  at  my  deceafe  to  be  equally  divided  between 
 Thomas  Brifcoe,  William  Collins,  John  Eajlon,  and  Jfaao 
 Brown. 
 
 I  defire  my  Gowns,  Caflbcks,  Saflies,  and  Bands, 
 may  remain  at  the  Chapel  for  the  ufe  of  the  Clergy- 
 men attending  there. 
 
 I  defire  the  London  Afliflant  for  the  time  being  to 
 divide  the  reft  of  my  wearing  apparel  between  thofe 
 four  of  the  travelling  Preachers  that  want  it  moft  ; 
 only  my  pellife  I  give  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Creighton :  my 
 watch  to  my  friend  Jofeph  Bradford  ;  my  gold  feal  to 
 Eliz.  Ritchie. 
 
 I  giw^  my  chaife  and  horfes  to  James  Ward  and 
 Charles  Wheeler,  in  truft,  to  be  foM,  and  the  money  to 
 be  divided,  one  half  to  Hannah  Abbott,  and  the  other 
 to  the  poor  members  of  the  Seled  Society. 
 
 Out  of  the  fir  ft  money  which  arifes  from  the  fale 
 of  Books,  I  bequeath  to  my  dear  fifter  Martha  Hall 
 (if  alive)  40I.  to  Mr.  Creighton  aforefaid  40I.  and  to 
 the  Rev.  Mr.  Heath  60L 
 
 And  whereas  I  am  empowered  by  a  late  Deed  to 
 ^?n^e  the  perfons  who  are  to  pyeach  in  the  New  Chapel 
 
 L  I   2i  :^% 
 
51^         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 at  London  (the  Clergymen  for  a  continuance)  and  hy 
 another  Deed  to  name  a  Committee  for  appointing 
 Preachers  in  the  New  Chapel  at  Bath,  I  do  hereby 
 appoint  yohn  Richard/on,  Thomas  Coke,  Jamts  Creightorif 
 Pcard  Dickenjon,  Clerks,  Alexander  Mather,  William 
 Tliompfon,  Henry  Moore,  Andrew  Blair,  John  Valto')!, 
 jfofci)h  Bradford,  James  Rogers,  and  V/'dliam  Myles,  to 
 preach  in  the  New  Chapel  at  London,  and  to  be  the 
 Committee  for  appointing  Preachers  in  the  New 
 Chapel  at  Bath. 
 
 I  likewife  appoint  Henry  Brooke,  Painter,  Arthur 
 Keen,  Gent,  and  William  Whitejione,  Stationer,  all  of 
 Duhlm,  to  receive  ihe  annuity  of  5I.  (Englifa)  left  to 
 Kingjwood  School  by  the  late  Roger  Shiel,  Efq. 
 
 I  give  61.  to  be  divided  among  the  iix  poor  men, 
 named  by  the  Affiftant,  who  (hall  carry  my  body  to 
 the  grave  ;  for  I  particularly  defire  there  may  be  no 
 herfe,  no  coach,  no  efcutcheon,  no  pomp,  except  the 
 tears  of  them  that  loved  me,  and  are  following  me  to 
 Abraham's  bofom.  I  folemnly  adjure  my  Executors 
 in  the  name  of  God,  punQually  to  obferve  this. 
 
 Laftly,  I  give  to  each  of  thofe  travelling  Preachers 
 who  fhall  remain  in  the  Conne6i:ion  fix  months  after 
 my  dcceafe,  as  a  little  token  of  my  love,  the  eight 
 volumes  of  fermons. 
 
 I  appoint  John  Horton,  George  Wolff,  and  William 
 Marriot,  afore faid,  to  be  Executors  of  this  my  iafc 
 Will  and  Teftament,  for  which  trouble  they  will 
 receive  no  recompence   till   the   Rerurre6lion  of  the 
 
 jua. 
 
 Witnefs  my  hand  and  feal,  the  20th  day  of  February 
 1789,  JOHN     V/ESLEY.     (feal.) 
 
 Signed^ 
 
tME  hl^E  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         517 
 
 Signed,  fealed,  and  delivered,  by  the  faid 
 Tcftator  as  for  his  lafl  Will  and  Teftament, 
 in  the  prefence  of  us 
 
 WILLIAM  CLULOW, 
 ELIZABETH  CLULOW. 
 Should  there  be  any  part  of  my  perforial  Eftate  uri- 
 difpofed  of  by  this  my  Will  :    I  give  the  fame  unto 
 my  two  Nieces  £.  Elli/on,  ^.nd  S.  Collet,  equally. 
 
 JOHN  WESLEY. 
 WILLIAM  CLULOW, 
 ELIZABETH  CLULOW. 
 
 Feb.  25,   1789, 
 I  give  my  Types,  Printing- Preffes,  and  every  thino- 
 pertaining  thereto  to  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin,  and  Mr. 
 George   IVhitJield,  in    tiull,  for    the  ufe  of  the    Con- 
 ference. 
 
 JOHN  WESLEY. 
 
 SECTION       III. 
 
 nr^HERE  is,  perhaps,  nothing  more  difficult,  than 
 A  to  form  a  true  judgment  of  the  chara6lers  of 
 men.  Our  information  in  this  refpecl  is  in  general 
 partial  or  defeQive.  Mankind  are  too  much  taken 
 up  with  their  own  real  or  fuppofed  warits,  the  calls 
 of  penury,  or  the  infatiable  cravings  of  defire,  to  at- 
 tend to  other  men.  A  few  there  are  in  every  age, 
 v/ho  emerge  from  the  obfcurity,  which  the  multitude 
 of  perfons  and  thiilgs  makes  the  common  lot.  Thefe 
 cannot  be  loft  in  the  general  mafs.  Their  ftation, 
 their  talents,  their  virtues,  or  their  crimes,  make  theni 
 
 J^  1  3  confpicuous. 
 
51 8         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 confpicuous.  Mankind  are  obliged  to  look  at  them ; 
 and  they  are  confidered  as  friends  or  enemies,  as  their 
 a6^ions  are  fuppofed  to  afFe6l  the  general  weal. 
 
 Yet  with  regard  to  thefe,  how  hard  is  it  to  form  a 
 true  judgment  ?  Concerning  the  greateft  men  that 
 have  hctn  in  the  world,  how  partial  is  the  information, 
 how  great  the  variety  of  opinions ! 
 
 **  One  thinks  on  Luther  heaven's  own  Spi;it  fell, 
 Another  deems  him  inflrument  of  hell !" 
 
 Even  the  plainefl  fads  are  feen  m  different  calours, 
 according  to  the  mirror  which  refleds  them.  And 
 may  not  even  chridian-  charity  admit  the  juRnefs 
 of  the  Fleathen's  remark,  when  he  accounts  for  the 
 obloquy  often  cafl  upon  the  greatefl  m.en  ? 
 
 Dirara  qui  contudit  Hydrarn, 
 
 Notaque  fatali  portenta  labore  fubegit, 
 Gomperit  invidiam  fupremo  fine  domari. 
 Urit  enim  fulgore  fuo,  qui  pnegravat  ancs 
 Infra  fe  pofitas :  extinftus  amabitur  fdcm. 
 
 "  The  greatefl  men,  e'er  they  refign  their  breaih. 
 Find  envy  is  not  conqiier'd  but  by  dcaih; 
 The  great  Alcides,  every  labour  paft, 
 .  Had  flill  that  monfter  to  fubdue  at  laft. 
 Oppreff'd  we  feel  the  beam  direftly  beat : 
 Thefe  Suns  of  glory  pleafe  not  till  they  ki,'' 
 
 Pope. 
 
 If  it  be  ih^n  a  truth,  th?t  even  the  world,  on  tht^c 
 accounts,  does  not  always  love  its  own  :  how  fliould  it 
 love,  and  confcquently  be  difpofed  to  judge  favour- 
 ably of,   thofe  who  are   not  of  the  world,  but  wha 
 
 teflify 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  5119 
 
 teflify  continually  that  its  deeds  are  evil  ?  Thofe  wh6 
 i-eCeive  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  of  God,  will  eafily  ad- 
 mit the  truth  of  this  obfervation.  If  indeed,  "  Satan 
 be  the  God  of  this  world :"  and  if  thbfe  who  are  truly 
 Miiiiflers  of  Chrifl,  be  "  AmbaJJadors  for  God,"  and 
 confequently  their  whole  employment  be  fb  counter- 
 act, defeat,  and  deftroy  whatever  is  contrary  to  the 
 kingdom  of  God  :  if  they  are  riot  to  "  count  their  lives 
 dear  to  themfelves,"  fo  t}iey  may  be  faithful  witneflTeSj 
 and  clear  from  the  blood  of  all  men  :  if  thefe  Scriptures 
 are  allowed  to  be  the  truth  :  how  reafbnable  is  the 
 Warning  of  our  Lord,  *^  The  difciple  is  not  above  his. 
 majier :  if  they  have  called  the  majler  of  the  houfe  Beelzebub^ 
 how  miich  more  they  of  his  houfehold :  woe  be  unto  you, 
 tvhen  all  men  Jhall  fpeak  well  of  you :  but  blejfcd  are  ye^ 
 ivhen  men  JJiall  revile  you,  and  fpeak  all  manner  of  evil 
 againjl  you  falfely,  for  fo  perfccutcd  they  the  Prophets 
 that  were  before  you." 
 
 That  Mr.  Wefey  largely  drank  of  this  cup,  that  it 
 was  indeed  airnoR  the  only  cup  which  men  held  to 
 his  lips  for  many  years,  is  well  known,  and  has 
 abundantly  appeared  from  the  faQs  which  we  have 
 laicj  before  our  readers.      He  alfb 
 
 **  Stood  pilloried  on  infamy's  high  ftagc, 
 And  bore  tlie  pelting  fcorn  of  lialf  an  age," 
 
 llut  he  did  indeed  bear  it.  He  turned  not  afide  to 
 the  right  hand  or  to  the  left.  He  flackened  not  his 
 pace.  Whatfoever  he  was  called  to  do,  he  did  it 
 with  his  might,  and  was  never  hindered  either  hy 
 honour  or  diJJionour,  by  ^ood  report  or  evil  report, 
 
 L  1  4  It 
 
520         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 It  will  appear  from  thefe  memoirs,  that  we  are  not 
 under  the  fame  difficulties  in  forming  a  judgment  of 
 him,  as  of  moll  other  men.     His  life,  from   the  time 
 that  he  became  generally  known,  was  fpent  in  public. 
 Many  were  the  witneifes  of  the  manner  in  which  he 
 filled  up  all  his  time.      He  alfo  could  fay,  In  fecret  I 
 have  done  nothing.     We  may    add,   that   perhaps   no 
 man   has  given   a  m.ore  minute   account  of   himfelf 
 than  Mr.  Wef.cy  has  done.      He  has   publiflied  to  all 
 men  his   religious  experience,   and  the  labours    and 
 fufFerings   of  his  life,  from   day   to  day.     And  with 
 refpeQ  to  the  7notive  which  influenced  him,  which  was 
 fo  long  difputed,  no  cloud  remains  upon  him.      In 
 thf  honour  due    to    Mojes,   he   alfo   claims    a    (hare. 
 Placed  at  the  head  of  a   great  people  by  Him   who 
 called  them,  he  reaped  nothing  but   toil    and  danger. 
 Knowing  that    his    flation  was  from  God,    he  never 
 employed  its  influence,   either   for   his    own    emolu- 
 ment,  or  for  the  aggrandizement  of  his  family.     His 
 only  care  was,  to  be  faithful  unto  death  ;    aud  to  fee 
 that  no  impediment  fhould  arife  by  his  means  in  the 
 way  of  thofe,  whom  God  fliould  call  to  carry  on  that 
 work  which  was  begun  by  him  :  and  of  this   he  has 
 largely  informed  us. 
 
 We  fhall  introduce  his  Chara^ler  with  a  fhort  re- 
 view of  the  chief  incidents  of  his  life  ;  and  then  pro- 
 ceed to  a  more  particular  delineation  of  him,  both  as 
 a  man,  and  as  a  Minifl:er  of  Chrifl;. 
 
 Mr.   IVe/ley  enjoyed  the  inefl;imable  advantage  of  a 
 
 religious   education.      He   faw    no    irreligion  in   his 
 
 parents  :  they  continually  warned  him  againfl  it,  as 
 
 1  the 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.    WESLEY.  521 
 
 the  greatefl  poITible  evil ;  and  he  v/as  not  unfaithful. 
 The  fobriety,  induftry,  and  piety  of  his  youth  were 
 highly  exemplary.  He  never  was  oj  the  world  in  the 
 grofs  fenfe  of  that  exprelTion.  His  chief  employmciil^ 
 as  well  as  highefl  ambition,  in  thofe  days  which  are 
 fo  commonly  confumed  in  vanity  or  vice,  was 
 
 *'  Inter  filvas  Academi  qnacrere  veium :" 
 **  To  learch  out  truth  iu  acadeiiiic  groves." 
 
 But  his  high  attainments  in  Literature,  did  not  caufe 
 him  to  forget  God  or  eternity.  Rather,  the  more  he 
 knew,  the  more  he  was  inclined  to  fay  with  Solonmn^ 
 This  alfo  is  vanity :  and  with  Mofes,  who  was  (killed  in 
 all  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians,  he  declared,  that  to 
 be  wife  was  to  rtmcmhei'  ouf  latter  end.  He  was 
 fenfible  of  his  high  original,  that  he  came  from  God  ;- 
 and  he  remembered  his  high  calling,  to  return  to  God, 
 through  him  who  has  declared  himfelf  tlie  way^  ike 
 truth,  and  the  life. 
 
 To  the  praife  of  him  who  girded  him  xvith  flrength^ 
 we  have  to  record  he  took  not  counjel  with  flejJi  and  blood. 
 He  took  his  flation  firmly  on  the  Lord's  fide.  He 
 7nade  hafle,  and  delayed  not^  to  keep  his  commandments^ 
 And  when  for  this,  his  name  was  cafl  out  as  evil,  he 
 patiently  fubmitted  to  be  a  follower  of  Him  who  was 
 defpijed  and  rejeBed  of  men,  and  who  covered  not  his  face 
 from  flame  and  fpitting. 
 
 But  before  honour  is  humility.  To  this  his  redeeming 
 God  now  led  him.  He  turned  his  eyes  inward.  He  dif- 
 covered  to  him  how  far  he  was  gone  from  original 
 righteoufnefs.  He  fhewed  him  as  his  foul  could  bear, 
 the  depths  of  inbred  fin.      Mr.  Wefey  .now  fubmitted 
 
 to 
 
522         THE   LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 to  talce  upon  him  his  true  charader  ;  and  he  adeJ 
 agreeably  thereto.  He  humbled  himfelf  before  God. 
 The  pride  of  the  fcholar  was  loft  in  the  abafcment  of 
 the  Jinner.  This  was  the  gracious  return,  with  which 
 the  Lord  recompenfed  the  zeal,  that  led  him  from  his 
 parent,  friends,  academical  honours,  and  every  thing 
 the  world  calls  good  and  great.  Painful  felf-know- 
 iedo^e  was  the  good  he  reaped  from  this  coftly  facrifice. 
 But,  hlejfed  are  the  poor  in  fpirit,  for  theirs  is  the 
 kingdom  of  heaven.  Some  foretafles  of  this  the  Lord 
 had  already  given  him  :  but  now,  out  cf  his  Julnefs  he 
 received,  and  grace  for  grace.  He  was  endued  -with  power 
 from  on  high.  He  was  chofen  out  of  the  world.  He  be- 
 came zealous  for  the  Lord.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
 was  upon  him,  hecaufe  he  had  anointed  him  to  preach  the 
 gofpel  to  the  poor,  to  heal  the  broken  in  heart,  and  to  pro- 
 claim the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord. 
 
 Zeal  and  Prudence  are  the  chief  graces,  whereby  a 
 man  is  fitted  to  ferve  his  neighbour.     The  former   is 
 dangerous,  when  alone  ;   and  the  latter  ufelefs.      But 
 tvhen   united,   how  mighty    are    they    in   operation ! 
 They  are  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners. 
 
 They  were  united  in  Mr.  Wefley.  Uke  Paul,  the 
 cry  of  his  heart  from  the  moment  he  knew  the  loving- 
 kindnefs  of  the  Lord,  was,  What  wouldjl  thou  have  7ne  to 
 do?  He  alfo  could  fay,  The  zeal  of  thine  houfe  hath  eaten 
 me  up.  The  love  of  Chrifl  conftrained  him  to  burft 
 every  band  afunder,  that  v/as  inconiiftent  with  the 
 glory  of  God  and  the  happinefs  of  man.  In  vain  did 
 worldly  men  lament  the  violated  order,  ufider  which 
 iloth  and  impiety   had  found  an  honourable  afylum. 
 
 Filled 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  523 
 
 Filled  with  the  fpirit  of  love  and  of  a  foRnd  mind, 
 he  cried  out,  "  What  is  this  order  of  which  you 
 fpeak  ?  Will.it  ferve  inflead  of  the  knowledge  and 
 love  of  God  ?  Will  this  order  refcue  thofe  from  th^ 
 fnare  of  the  devil,  who  are  taken  captive  by  him  at 
 his  will  ?  Will  it  keep  thofe  who  are  efcaped  a  little 
 way,  from  turning  back  into  Egypt  ?  If  not,  how 
 fhall  I  anfwer  it  to  God,  if,  rather  than  violate  I  know 
 not  what  order,  I  facrifice  thoufands  of  fouls  thereto  i* 
 I  dare  not  do  it.  It  is  at  the  peril  of  my  foul.  In- 
 deed if  by  order  were  meant  true  chriflian  difcipline, 
 whereby  all  the  living  members  of  Chrifl  are  knit 
 together  in  one,  and  all  that  are  putrid  and  dead 
 immediately  cut  off  from  the  bodv  :  this  order  I 
 reverence,  for  it  is  of  God.  But  where  is  it  to  be 
 found  ?  Where  but  among  the  very  people  whom 
 you  continually  blame  for  their  violation  and  con- 
 tempt of  it  V 
 
 But  how  inviolably  did  he  keep  all  order  confiflent 
 with  faving  fouls  from  death  !  Herein  his  truly  Chrif- 
 tian  prudence  eminently  fhone.  He  rendered  to  all 
 their  due,  whether  to  the  King  as  Supreme,  or  to 
 his  Minifters  in  Church  or  State  ;  exhorting  con- 
 tinually all  who  were  under  his  care,  that  they  fhould 
 thus  adorn  the  do6lrine  of  God  their  Saviour,  and 
 evidence  to  all  men  their  earned  defire  to  lead  a  peace- 
 able life  in  all  godlinejs  and  honejly. 
 
 And  how  great  was  his  labour  to  fave  fouls  from 
 death  !'  He  was  indeed  a  perfect  foe  to  reft,  though  no 
 man  was  more  fitted  to  enjoy  whatfoever  of  wife,  or 
 good,  or  ufeful,  or  elegant  can  be  found  in  retirement, 
 
 Evtn 
 
524        THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY* 
 
 Even  unto  hoary  hairs,  and  beyond  the  ufual  life  of 
 man,  he  was  abundant  in  labours.  The  Lord  to 
 whom  he  had  given  his  whole  life,  feemed  to  grant 
 him  a  difpenfation  from  the  general  lot.  His  flrengtli 
 at  more  than  fourlcore  years,  was  not  labour  and  forrow. 
 He,  to  the  laft,  fought  not  to  do  Jus  own  will,  but  the  will 
 cf  him  that  Jcnt  him.  He  foared  above  that  harmlefs 
 Tvifh  which  the  generality  of  mankind  indulge,  To 
 crown 
 
 "  A  youtli  of  labour  with  an  age  of  eafe.'* 
 
 •    He  flackened  not  his  pace  to  the  laft  week  of  his  lifci 
 
 He  refi crned  his  foul    and    his   charge   together,   inta 
 
 the  hands  of  his  merciful  and  faithful  Redeemer. 
 
 Refpefting  fuch  a  man,  even  the  fmallefl  particulars 
 
 will  not  be  unpleafmg.      He  'vas,  in  his  perfon,  rather 
 
 below    the   middle  iize,  but    remarkably    well    prO- 
 
 t)ortioned.      He    had   what   fome    call  a    clean  con- 
 
 Hitution  in  a  high  degree.     He  feemed  not  to  have  an 
 
 atom  of  fuperfluous  flefh,   and  yet  was  mufcular  and 
 
 ftrong.       His  whole   perfon     was   exprcfiive   of   the 
 
 a6livity  a^nd  health,  which  generally  arifes  from  flrong 
 
 bodily  powers,  preferved  by  temperance  and  exercife^ 
 
 His  face  was  remarkably  fine,   even  to  old  age.     The 
 
 frefhnefs  of  his  complexion  continued  to  the  laft  week 
 
 of  his  hfe.     His  whole  countenance   was   highly   ex- 
 
 preffive  and  intcrefling  :  it  has  often  been   obferved, 
 
 that  many  who  were  deeply  prejudiced  againfl   him, 
 
 have  been   changed  in   a    moment  into  fentiments  of 
 
 veneration  and  efleem,  on  being  introduced  into  his 
 
 pre  fence. 
 
 He 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         525 
 
 He  was  a  pattern  of  neatnefs  and  fiinplicity,  not 
 only  in  his  perfon,  but  in  every  circumflance  of  his 
 life.  In  his  chamber  and  ftudy,  during  his  winter 
 months  of  refidence  in  London,  we  beheve  there 
 never  was  a  book  niifpiaced,  or  even  a  fcrap  of  paper 
 left  unheeded.  He  could  enjoy  every  convenience  of 
 life ;  and  yet,  he  acled  in  the  fmallefl;  things,  like  a 
 man  who  was  not  to  continue  an  hour  in  one  place. 
 He  fcemed  alv/.iys  at  home,  fettled,  fatisfied  and 
 happy  :  and  yet  was  ready  every  hour  to  take  a 
 journey  of  a  thoufand  miles. 
 
 His  converfation  was  always  pleafins:,  and  fre- 
 quently interefting  and  inilruclive  in  the  highelt 
 degree.  By  reading,  travelling,  and  continual  ob- 
 fervation,  he  had  a  fund  of  knowledge,  vv^hich  he 
 difpenfed  with  a  propriety  and  perfpicuity,  that  we 
 believe  has  been  rarely  equalled.  The  Greek  and 
 Latin  claffics  were  as  familiar  to  him  as  the  mofi:  com.- 
 mon  EngUlh  authors  ;  and  fo  were  many  of  the  befb 
 French  writers.  Yet  though  fo  richlv  furnifhed,  we 
 believe  thofe  of  the  mofl  improved  tafle  have  never 
 obferved  in  him  the  affe6tacion  of  learning.  He 
 joined  in  every  kind  of  difcourfe  that  was  innocent. 
 As  he  knew  that  all  nature  is  full  of  God,  he  became 
 all  things  to  all  men  in  converiing  on  thofe  fubje6ls. 
 But  his  delight  was  to  fpeak  of  God  as  being  in  Clirijt 
 reconciling  the  world  to  himjelf;  and  he  ftrove  to  bring 
 every  converfation  to  this  point.  One  thing  has 
 aftonifhed  thofe  who  have  been  much  in  his  company. 
 He  generally  concluded  the  converfation  with  two  or 
 three  verfes  of  a  hymn,   illuilrative  of  what  had  juft 
 
z-iS         THE   LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 been  fpoken  ;  and  this  he  was  enabled  to  do  from  the 
 
 inexhauflible  flores  of  his  own,  but  efpecialiy   of   his 
 
 » 
 
 brother's  poetry,  of  which  his  memory  was  a  rich 
 repofitory.  Thus  the  philofopher,  and  the  man  of  the 
 world,  were  often  furpriied  into  a  confeilion  of  Chrift 
 as  filling  all  in  all,  and  were  obliged  to  recolle(5l  the 
 advice  of  the  old  Heathen, 
 
 '*  Mufes,  begin  and  end  with  God  iupienic," 
 
 The  late  Dr.  Sa7niiel  John/on,  with  whom  Mrs.  Hall, 
 Mr.  Wefleys  filler,  was  intimate  for  fome  years,  defired 
 that  fhe  would  procure  him  an  interview  with  her 
 brother.  She  made  known  his  defire  to  Mr.  We/Iey, 
 and  a  dav  was  accordingly  appointed  for  liim  to  dine 
 with  the  Dodor,  at  his  houfe  in  SaliJhury^Court.  The 
 Doclorconformed  to  Mr.  Wtjley's  hours,  and  appointed 
 two  o'clock  :  the  dinner  however  Vv^as  not  ready  till 
 three.  They  converfed  'till  that  time.  Mr.  V/eJley  had 
 fet  apart  two  hours  to  fpend  with  his  learned  hoft. 
 In  confequence  of  this,  he  rofe  up  as  foon  as  dinner 
 was  ended,  and  departed.  The  Do6lor  was  extremely 
 difappointed,  and  could  not  conceal  his  chagrin.  Mrs. 
 Hall  faid,  "  Why,  Do6lor,  my  Brother  has  been  with 
 you  two  hours  !"  He  replied,  "  Two  hours.  Madam  \ 
 1  could  talk  all  day,  and  all  night  too  with  your 
 Brother." 
 
 We  liave  already  mentioned  his  exa6lnefs  in  re- 
 deeming time.  I'his  m^ufl:  appear  to  every  reader  of 
 refleclion  from  the  many  and  various  duties  of  his, 
 eminent  fituation,  which  he  punftually  fulfilled.  But 
 flill  we  think  it  hardly  poffibic  far  thofc  vcho  were  uot 
 
 intimate 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  527 
 
 intimate  with  him,   to  have  a  juft  idea  of  his  faithful- 
 
 nefs  in  this  refpeft.       In  many  things  he  was  gentle 
 
 and  eafy  to  be  entreated:  in  this  point  decifive  and 
 
 inexorable.      One  day  his  chaife  was  delayed  beyond 
 
 the  appointed  time.     He  had  put  up  his  papers,  and 
 
 left  his  apartment.       While   waiting  at  the  door,    he 
 
 was   heard   to   fay,   by   one  that   flood  near  him,  **  I 
 
 have  lofl  ten  minutes  for  ever!" 
 
 Befides  his  Journal,  in  which  he  recorded  the  daily 
 
 events  of  his  life,  he  kept  a  Diary  in  which  he  exaQly 
 
 noted  the  employment  of  every  hour.     He  wrote  this 
 
 in  fliort  hand.      His  hour  of  rifing,  his  preaching,  what 
 
 he  read  or  wrote  till  breakfaft,    and  the  after  duties  of 
 
 the  day,  were  faithfully  recorded.     He  carried  a  book 
 
 of  this  kind  continually  with  him,  in  the  firfl  pagc.x>f 
 
 which  he  always  wrote  this  concife  determination, 
 
 *'  I  refolve,  Deo  juvante,  § 
 
 1 .  To  devote  an  hour  morning  and  evening  :  no 
 pretence  or  excufc  whatfoever.  * 
 
 2.  To  converfe  KaraGiov;  t  no  iightnefs :  nOs^TpaTA:^."^ 
 He  was  equally  faithful  in  reipecl  to  the  worldly 
 
 goods,  with  which  the  Great  Proprietor  of  heaven  and 
 
 earth  had  intrufled  him.      He  flri6tly  followed  the 
 
 rules  he  laid  down  for  others  :  he  gamed  all  he  could 
 
 (viz.  by  writing)  without  hurting  his  foul,  his  body, 
 
 ox  his  neighbour.     He  faved  all  he  could,   cutting  ofF 
 
 every  needlefs  expence,  and  wafting  nothing.     And 
 
 he  gave  all  he  could :  he  rendered  unto  God  the  things 
 
 which 
 ^  With  the  help  of  God, 
 
 *  Thefc  hours  were  for  private  prayer, 
 
 t  According  to  God  j  Jetting  God  bejore  his  eyeu 
 
528         THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 which  were  God's.  He  faithfully  difpenfed  all  he 
 could  thus  gain  and  fave,  being  "  Merciful  after 
 his  power,  willing  to  communicate,  glad  to  diftribute, 
 laymg  up  for  himfelf  a  good  foundation  againft  the 
 time  to  come,  that  he  might  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 
 
 In  this  point  even  thofe  who  have  feemed  defirous 
 to  find  fault,  have  been  conftrained  to  do  him  juflice. 
 "  Perhaps,"  fays  one  of  them,  "  the  moil  charitable 
 man  in  England,  was  Mr.  Wejley,  His  liberality  to 
 the  poor  knew  no  bounds.  He  gave  away  not  merely 
 a  certain  part  of  his  income,  but  all  he  had.  His  own 
 neceflities  provided  for,  he  devoted  all  the  reft  to  the 
 necefTities  of  others.  He  engaged  in  this  good  work 
 at  an  early  period.  When  he  had  thirty  pounds  a 
 year,  he  lived  on  twenty-eight,  and  gave  away  forty 
 {hillings.  The  next  year  receiving  fixty  pounds,  he 
 itili  lived  on  twenty-eight,  and  gave  away  two  and 
 thirty.  The  third  year  he  received  ninety  pounds,  and 
 gave  av/ay  lixty-two.  The  next  year  he  received  a 
 hundred  and  twenty  pounds.  Still  he  lived  on  twenty- 
 eight,  and  gave  to  the  poor  ninety-two.  In  this  ratio 
 he  proceeded  during  the  rcfl  of  his  life  :  and  we  are 
 perfuaded  that  upon  a  moderate  calculation  he  gave 
 away  in  fifty  years;,  upwards  of  thirty  thoufand 
 pounds." 
 
 In  mercy  to  the  bodies  of  men,  Iiis  friend  Mr. 
 Ilozvard  v/as  the  only  perfon  we  know,  who  could  be 
 comnared  to  him.  The  extenfive  work  of  love  in 
 which  they  were  both  engaged,  ipade  it  dXmoR  im- 
 poffible  for  them  to  converje  together  in  this  world. 
 But  they  have  eternity    to  [iv^  together.      I'hey  aro 
 
 nQW 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEt.  529 
 
 how  in  that  world,  where  the  inhabitants  JJiall  no  more 
 Jay  I  am  fick  ;    and  thoufands  who  have  bleJGTed  them 
 upon  earth,  have  welcomed  them  into  thoft  everlajlin^ 
 habitations » 
 
 A  letter  now  before  us,  from  Alexander  Knox,  Efq; 
 of  Londonderry  in  Ireland^  contains  a  pleafing  anecdote 
 of  that  great  and  good  man,  Air.  Howard.      As  it  alfa 
 refpeds    Mr.    Wejley^  we   fliall  make  no  apology   for 
 giving  it  to  our  readers.   **'  Mr.  Howard,'*  obferves  our 
 Correfpondent,    *'  In  the  courfe  of  his  tour  through 
 Ireland  in   the  year  1787,  fpent  a  few  da)s  in  Lon^ 
 /donderry.      I  earneflly  wifhed   to  fee  him;    but    bad 
 health  confined    me    to    the   houfe,    and  1  thought  I 
 could  not  be    gratified.      Such    v/ere   my   thoug^its, 
 wJien    I    was     told    a    gentleman   had   called   to  fee 
 me.     It   was  Mr.  Howard  I    I  was   moft  delightfully 
 furprifed.      I  acknowledge  it  as  one  of  the  happieO: 
 moments  of  my  life.      He  came  to  fee  me,  becaufe  he 
 underflood    I    was    Mr.  We/ley's  friend.       He  began 
 irn mediately  to  fpeak   of  Jiim.      He  told  me  he  had 
 feen  him  fiiortly  before,  in  Dublin  :  that  he  had  fpcnt 
 fome  hours  with  him,    and  was  greatly  edified  by  his 
 converfaliotl.   "  I  was,  faid  he.  encouraged  by  him  to 
 go  Oil  vigoroufly  with  my  own  defigns.     I  faw  in  him; 
 how  much  a  fingle  man  might  atchieve  by  zeal  and 
 perfeverance.     And  I  thought,  why  may  not  I  do  as 
 much  in  my  way,  as  Mr.  We/ley  has  done  in  his,  if  1 
 am   only   as   adiduous   and  perfevering  ?    And  I  de- 
 termined I  would  purfue  iny  work  with  more  alacrity 
 than  ever."     I  cannot  quit  this  fubje6l,  continues  Mr. 
 Knox,    without  obferving,    that  cxxepting  Mr.  We/ley 
 no  man  ever  gave  me  a  more  perfe6l  idea  of  angelic 
 
 M  rm  goodnefs. 
 
530  TME  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 gcodners  than  Mr.  Howard.  His  whole  converfation 
 exhibited  a  mofl  interefling  tiffue  of  exalted  piety, 
 meek  fimplicity,  and  glowing  charity.  His  linking 
 adieu  I  never  fhall  forget.  Farewell,  Sir,  faid  he; 
 when  we  meet  again,  may  it  be  in  heaven,  or  farther 
 on  our  way  to  it !  Precious  man  !  May  your  prayer 
 be  anfwered  !   Cum  tua  lit  anima  mea."  * 
 
 In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1789,  Mr.  Howard 
 called  at  Mr.  We/Icy's  houfe  in  the  City-Road,  London, 
 in  order  to  take  his  leave  of  him,  as  he  was  a^ain 
 flying  to  the  Continent  at  the  call  of  mercy.  Fie 
 carried  his  laft  Quarto  upon  the  Jails,  tender  his  arm, 
 in  order  to  prefent  it  to  his  friend.  But  Mr.  Wejley 
 was  on  his  way  to  Ireland.  He  favoured  us  with  his 
 company  for  upwards  of  an  hour.  Fie  delightfully 
 called  to  mind  the  former  days,  when  he  had  firft 
 heard  Mr.  Wtjlty  at  his  Seat  in  BedfordJJiire,  and  w^ell 
 recolle6led  the  difcourfe  which  made  the  firft  deep 
 impreffion  on  his  mind.  The  text  was  Ecclef.  ix.  la. 
 Whaffoever  thy  hand  Jindeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might ; 
 for  there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  7ior  knowledge,  nor  wifdom 
 in  the  grave  whither  thou  goejl,  "  I  have,"  fiiid  he, 
 *'  but  one  thing  to  do,  and  I  ftrive  to  do  it  with  my 
 might.  The  Lord  has  taken  away  whatfoever  might 
 be  an  incumbrance.  All  places  are  alike  to  me,  for  I 
 find  mifcrj^  in  all.  He  gives  me  continual  health.  I 
 have  no  need  to  be  careful  for  any  thing.  I  eat  no 
 animal  food  ;  and  can  have  all  I  want  in  the  moft 
 inconvenient  lituation.  Prefent  my  refpe6ls  and 
 Jove  to  Mr.  Wejley.     Tell  him  I  hoped   to  have  feen 
 
 2  him 
 
 *  May  my  Joid  hi  vjilh  thine! 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY,         531 
 
 him  once  more.  Perhaps  we  may  meet  ag-afn  in  this 
 v*^orld;  but  if  not,  we  (hall  meet,  I  truft,  in  a  beLter." 
 We  hung  upon  his  lips,  delighted.  Such  a  pi6lure 
 of  love,  fimplicity,  and  cheerfulnefsj  we  have  feldom 
 feen.  Taking  his  leave,  he  obferved,  "  I  have  gained, 
 I  think,  a  little  knowledge  concerning  the  Plague.  I 
 fhall  therefore,  after  vifiting  the  Ruffian  camp,  pafs 
 into  the  TurkiJIi,  and  from  thence  by  Conjtantinople  to 
 Egypt."  So  he  purpofed  •  his  heart  being  enlarged 
 with  the  love  of  God  and  man.  But  while  this  ano-d 
 of  mercy  was  miniflering  to  the  fiends  of  war,  in  the 
 hofpital  of  the  Rvjfian  camp,  God  faid,  It  is  enough, 
 Come  up  hither :  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
 Lord  ! 
 
 But  to  return.  We  have  obferved,  that  it  was  not 
 eafy  to  do  juftice  to  Mr.  V/eJley  as  a  Writer,  without 
 confidering  the  deep  motive  from  which  he  a6led  in 
 this  and  all  things,  viz.  a  fingle  delire  to  pieaie  God. 
 We  are  ready  to  make  the  fame  obfervation  refpeQin^ 
 him  as  a  Preacher.  It  appears  from  fome  difcourfes 
 which  he  delivered  before  he  went  to  Georgia,  that  he 
 had  ceafed  even  then  to  be  conformed  to  this  world 
 in  that  chara6ler  alfo.  We  find  nothing  of  what  St. 
 Paul  calls  the  deceitful  words  of  man's  wifdo^n  in  them: 
 nothing  of  that  artificial  eloquence,  fo  much  admired 
 hy  thofe  who  have  formed  their  tafte  only  by  Heathen 
 mailers.  It  was  faid  of  fome  of  the  Fathers  in  the 
 Chrillian  church,  (who  had  been  Philofophcrs,  the 
 Literati  of  that  day,)  that  they  came  into  CanaanlTud^.n 
 with  Egyptian  gold.  They  did  fo  ;  and  in  a  little 
 time  they  perfuaded    the    fimple-heaited  to  prize  it 
 
 M  m  2  more 
 
532  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY, 
 
 more  than  the  gold  of  the  San6i;uary.  They  were 
 indeed  the  firft  grand  corrupters  of  the  gofpel  of 
 Chrift.  How  very  foon,  Hke  the  Philofophical  Divines 
 of  the  prelent  day,  did  they  intrude  into  ihofe  things 
 which  they  had  not  feen^  and  which  only  God  can  re- 
 veal, vainly  puffed  up  in  their  jleflily  mind?  Mr.  Wejley 
 renounced  this  vain  deceit,  and  betook  himfelf,  even 
 thus  early,  to  the  fare  word  of  prophecy.  But  efpecially 
 after  the  full  light  of  the  gofpel  fhone  upon  his  heart, 
 he  was  fledfafh  and  immovable  herein,  fpeaking  in 
 every  refpeft  as  the  oracles  of  God  :  holding  forth  the 
 promifc  of  the  Father,  ihc  jujlifying  7\nd  fanViifying  in- 
 fluences  of  the  Holy  Ghojl,  to  all  who  repent  and  believe 
 the  gofpel.  Speaking  of  fomc  in  that  dav  v/ho  were 
 flill  fond  of  philofophizing,  he  obferves,  "  My  foul  is 
 fick  of  this  fublime  divinitv.  I^^t  mine  be  that  of  a 
 little  child  :  and  [ct  the  dcepell  words  I  ufe  to  ex- 
 prefs  it,  be  thofe  I  find  in  the  oracles  of  God.'* 
 
 This  facrifice  made  by  Air.  Wejley  is,  we  fear,  too- 
 generally  overlooked.  Men  can  fee  and  acknowledge 
 the  facrifice  of  his  country,  friends,  and  all  thofe 
 gratifications  for  which  fo  many  pine.  But  to  become 
 a  fool  for  Chrifl^s  fake  I  To  perfevere  to  the  end  of 
 his  life  in  this  foolipinefs  cf  preaching  I  To  know  no- 
 thing in  this  refpeQ  alfo  but  Jefus  Chrift  and  hiiu 
 crucified  !  This  was  a  facrifice  indeed,  efpecially  in  a 
 man,  of  whom  it  might  be  Jaid,  that  he 
 
 "  Had  iiuide  the  whole  internal  world  his  own.'* 
 
 A  view  of  the  excellence  of  this  facrifice,  added  to  the 
 
 many   other  excellencies  he  poffeifed,  drew  forth  the 
 
 %  following 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  533 
 
 following  beautiful  compliment  from  an  elegant  Poet 
 of  the  prefent  day  : 
 
 *'  O,  I  have  fcen,  fiior  hope  perhaps  in  vain, 
 Ere  lite  go-down  to  fee  furh  fights  again,} 
 A  Veteran  warrior  in  the  chriftian  field. 
 Who  never  fdw  the  fword  he  conld  not  wiehl. 
 Grave  without  dulnefs,  learned  without  pride, 
 Exa61  yet  not  precifc,  though  meek,  keen-eyed» 
 A  rnan  that  coukl  have  toil'd  at  their  own  plav, 
 A  dozen  would-be's  ot  the  modern  ddv. 
 AVho,  when  occafion  juftified  its  ufe, 
 Had  wit  as  bright  as  readv  to  produce. 
 Could  fetch  from  records  of  an  earlier  age, 
 Or  from  Philofophy's  enlighten'd  page, 
 l-im  rich  materials,  and  regale  your  ear. 
 With  flrains  it  was  a  privilege  to  hear. 
 Yet,  above  all,  his  luxury  fuprenie 
 And  his  chief  glory  was  the  Gofpel-theme ; 
 There  he  was  copious  as  old  Greect  or  Ronidt 
 His  happy  eloquence  feem'd  there  at  home. 
 Ambitious  not  to  Jliinc  or  to  excels 
 But  to  treat  jujily  zvhat  he  Loved  fo  icelir'* 
 
 Happy  eloquence  indeed  !  For  though  the  wifdom 
 (if  the  world,  which  is  foolijhnejs  with  God,  was  excluded 
 both  from  his  creed,  and  from  his  fermons  ;  yet  how 
 lichly  v/as  his  mind  flored  with  Gofpel- truth  !  How 
 llrong,  how  full,  how  perfpicuous  was  his  elocution  ! 
 We  cannot  call  to  mind  thofe  happy  times;  when  we 
 have  fat  at  his  feet,  and  heard  him  hold  forth  the 
 word  of  life,  without  recollefting  that  beautiful  palfage 
 in  Hoviery 
 
 M  m  3  '^^' 
 
534         THE  LIFE  OF  xMR.  WESLEY. 
 
 AAA    OTS   o>3  IXlUcr  >"^i   //."/-/OSa  'BTa.^U'  V^CHVr,Vf 
 
 **   When  Alreiis^  fon  harang-icfl  the  lifl'ning  train, 
 Jiirt  ^^•a,s  his  fcnTc,  and  his  exprciTion  plain; 
 His  words  iuccincl,  vet  lull,  witliout  a  iauh  ; 
 He  fpoke  no  mure  than  jnft  the  thing  he  oiiii;iit.'* 
 
 Pope, 
 
 Even  when  fatigue  of  body,  or  peculiar  exercifes 
 of  mind,  cauied  him  to  fall  (hort  of  his  ufqal  excel- 
 lence, yet  the  remark  of  Dr.  Bcattk  of  Ahcrdeai,  who 
 had  heard  him  at  one  of  thole  feafons,  was  generally 
 verified,  "  It  was  not  a  majhrly  Jermon,  yet  none  but  a 
 vwjler  could  have  preached  it." 
 
 To  detract  from  this  manifold  excellence,  rr^uch  has 
 been  faid  concerning  his  ambition,  and  love  of  power  : 
 and  indeed  it  would  be  (Irange,  if  he  had  efcapcd  a 
 charge  of  this  kind.  You  take  too  much  upon  you  is  a 
 ccnfure  of  an  ancient  date  :  and  to  which  all  who 
 have  truly  ferved  Chrifl;,  have  been  obliged  to  fubmit. 
 Whether  he  really  loved  power,  is  only  known  to  the 
 Searcher  of  Hearts,  and  will  appear  in  thaf  day  when 
 God  Jh all  judge  the  fecrets  of  men*  It  is  certain,  he 
 always  denied  it,  and  that  in  the  moil:  folemn  manner. 
 Anfwering  forhimfelf,  when  thus  accufed  feveral  years 
 ago,  he  obferves,  "  When  thofe  perfons,  ivho  after- 
 wards compofed  the  Society,  firft  put  tliemfelves  under 
 my  care,  the  defire  was  on  their  part,  not  imnc.  My 
 dcfire  was  to  live  and  die  in  retirement.  Jiut  I  did 
 not  fee  that  I   could   refufe  them  my  help,  and  be 
 
 guiltlefs 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  535 
 
 guiltlefs  before  God.  What  is  then  my  power  ?  It  is  a 
 power  of  admitting  into,  and  excluding  from,  the  So- 
 cieties under  my  care  :  Of  choofing  and  removing 
 Leaders,  and  Stewards ;  of  receiving  or  not  receiving 
 Helpers;  and  of  appointing  them  zvhen,  where,  and 
 how  to  help  me.  And  as  it  was  merely  in  obedience 
 to  the  Providence  of  God,  and  for  the  good  of  the 
 people,  that  I  at  firfl  accepted  this  power,  which  I 
 never  fought,  nay,  a  hundred  times  laboured  to  throw 
 o£F,  fo  it  is  on  the  fame  coniiderations,  not  for  profit, 
 honour,  or  pleafure,  that  I  ufe  it  at  this  day. 
 
 ''  But  feveral  gentlemen  are  offended  at  my  having 
 Jo  much  power.  My  anfwer  to  them  is  this,  I  did  not 
 fcek  any  part  of  this  power  :  it  came  upon  me  un- 
 awares. But  when  it  was  come,  not  daring  to  bury 
 that  talent,  I  ufed  it  to  the  befl  of  my  judgment. 
 Yet  I  was  never  fond  of  it.  I  alwavs  did,  and  do  now 
 bear  it  as  my  burden :  the  burden  which  God  lays  upon 
 me;   and  therefore  I  dare  not  ^•et  lay  it  down." 
 
 It  has  been  our  aim  in  ftating  the  particulars  of  his 
 life,  that  the  reader  might  himfelf  form  a  judgment  of 
 Mr.  Wejleys  charafter.  And  we  beliei^e,  upon  a  re- 
 view of  thofe  particulars,  the  candid  will  be  ready  to 
 allow,  that  whatever  degree  of  power  he  enjoyed,  he 
 received  it  in  the  order  of  God,  and  confequently  it 
 was  his  bounden  duty  to  be  faithful  to  it ;  which  he 
 could  not  be,  if  he  had  laid  it  down  without  a  manifell 
 providence  calling  him  fo  to  do.  An  attentive  reader 
 cannot  but  fee,  that  from  the  time  he  truly  turned  to 
 God,  he  took,  according  to  Chrifl's  diredion,  the  lowejl 
 
 M  m  4  Jcat^ 
 
53^  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 feat.  To  efcapc  fiom  worldly  lufls  in  every  fenfe  of 
 the  expreflion,  he  would  fain  have  buried  himfelf  iu 
 the  uncultivated  wilds  of  Amoica,  among  thole  who 
 ipain 
 
 *'  III  quefl  of  prey,  and  live  upon  their  bow," 
 
 happy  in  the  idea  of  leaving  all  the  world,  to  be  au 
 unknown,  unhonoured  inflrument  in  the  hand  of 
 God,  in  giving  to  his  Son  the  heathen  for  his  inherit 
 tance.  Difappointed  in  this,  he  haftened  to  bury 
 himfelf  in  his  loved  retirement  at  Oxford.  Jufl  then 
 Lie,  upon  whofe  ftioulders  is  the  government,  faid, 
 *•  Come  up  higher  !  Give  this  man  place  \"  Thus  was 
 the  Scripture  fulfilled.  lie  humbled  himfelf  before  Gcd^ 
 and  was  exalted  in  due  time. 
 
 And  he  was  faithful  to  that  which  God  conferred 
 upon  him.  He  ufed  it  according  to  his  holy  word. 
 We  believe  even  thole  wdio  have  pined  at  his  pre- 
 eminence, have  never  charged  him  with  feeking  his 
 ovvm  eafe  or  advantage  thereby.  To  the  end  of  his 
 life  he  endured  hardnefs  as  a  good  foldier  of  Jefus  Clirijt, 
 and  could  fay  to  the  mod  aclive,  "  Come  on  !  Follow 
 me !"  And  with  refpe6t  to  the  difciplinc  which  he  in- 
 troduced, this  too  he  laboured  to  form,  not  according 
 to  his  own  will,  eafe,  or  advantage,  but  according  to 
 the  Bible,  and  to  the  purell  ages  of  the  chrillian 
 church.  He  confidered  it  v/ith  all  the  attention  of 
 Vv'hich  he  was  mafler  ;  he  took  counfel  with  thofe 
 \vho  laboured  with  him,  and  with  the  moft  pious  of 
 his  friends  :    and  when,   after  feveral   years    trial,  he 
 
 was» 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.  ^37 
 
 was  convinced  hy  the  blefled  effefts  that  followed, 
 that  he  was  not  miflaken,  he  would  not  fuffer  a  flcne 
 of  the  building  to  be  removed  by  thofe  ^'ho  did  not 
 love  fuch  flridnefs.  When  they  attempted  it,  they 
 found  him  watchful,  and  not  to  be  taken  by  furpiife  ; 
 and  their  force  availed  as  little  as  their  wifdom.  As 
 his  temper  was  naturally  impetuou-s,  and  as  he  was  a 
 flranger  to  difTunulation,  we  are  not  fure  that  he  did 
 not  upon  fome  of  thofe  occahons  fpeak  with  a  degree 
 of  warmth,  which  cannot  be  wholly  defended.  But 
 it  was  gone  in   a  moment.     It  might  be  faid  of  him 
 
 *'   He  carried  anger,  as  the  flirit  ])eHrs  fire; 
 Which  much  enlorced,  Ihevvs  a  lially  li)<:nl., 
 And  itrain'ht  is  cold  aixain." 
 
 And  no  man  was  ever  more  fenfible  of  thofe  impro^ 
 prieties  than  he  was,  or  more  ready  to  acknowledge 
 them.  We  have  feen  inflances  of  this,  when  he  has 
 afked  the  offended  perfon  forgivenefs  in  fuch  a  genuine 
 fpirit  of  humility,  as  drew  tears  from  all  that  were 
 prefent. 
 
 Perhaps  there  never  was  a  man  more  free  from 
 jealoufy  or  fufpicion  tlian  Mr.  We/ley,  As  he  uled 
 no  guile  himfelf,  he  never  fufpecled  it  in  others.  It 
 was  not  eafy  to  convince  him,  that  any  one  had  iuv 
 tentionally  deceived  him ;  and  when  convinced  by 
 facls,  he  would  allow  no  more  than  that  it  was  lb  in 
 that  fmgle  inflance.  He  firmly  held  the  loving,  noble 
 XyOgic  of  the  Gofcei,   as  welj  as  that  of  the  fchools, 
 
538  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 and  knew,  tliat  to  argue  thus  from  a  particular  to  a 
 general,  was  a  fallacy  which  Chrid  would  not  hold 
 guiltlcl's.  One  happy  conftquence  of  this,  (among  ten 
 thou  (and,)  was,  that  his  numerous  friends  refted  fecure 
 of  his  love,  and  knew  that  they  had  only  to  purfue 
 the  path  of  uprightnefs,  to  poifefs  it  to  the  end  un- 
 diminilhed. 
 
 We  fliall  conclude  this  review  with  the  following 
 beautiful  piClure  of  our  honoured  Father,  drawn  by 
 his  friend  Mr.  KiioXf  whom  we  have  already  men- 
 tioned. We  the  more  willingly  prefent  it  to  our 
 readers,  as  it  confirms  fome  particulars  which  we  have 
 related,  and  happily  exprelFcs  others  which  we  have 
 omitted. 
 
 *'  Very  lately  *  I  had  an  opportunity  for  fome 
 davs  together  of  obferving  Mr.  We/ley  witli  attention. 
 I  endeavoured  to  confider  him,  not  fo  much  with  the 
 eve  of  a  friend,  as  v/ith  the  impartiality  of  a  Philo- 
 fopher :  and  I  mud  declare,  every  hour  I  fpent  in  his 
 company,  afforded  jne  frefli  reafons  for  eflcem  and 
 veneration.  So  fine  an  old  man  I  never  faw.  The 
 Jiappinefs  of  his  mind  beamed  forth  in  his  counte* 
 nance  :  every  look  Ihewed  how  fully  he  enjoyed 
 
 *'  The  gay  remembrance  of  a  life  well  fpent  '* 
 
 Wherever  he  went,  he  diffufed  a  portion  of  his  own 
 felicity.  P^afy  and  affable  in  his  demeanour,  he  ac- 
 commodated himfelf  to  every  fort  of  company,  and 
 fhewed  how  happily  the  mofl  finifhed  courtefy  may 
 
 be 
 
 *  In  the  year  i  jSg. 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         539 
 
 be  blended  with  the  mofl  peifecl:  piety.  In  his  con- 
 verfation  we  might  be  at  a  lofs,  whether  to  admire 
 mofl,  his  fine  ClafTical  tafte,  his  extenfive  knowledge 
 of  men  and  things,  or  his  overflowing  goodnefs  of 
 heart.  While  the  gravQ  and  ferious  were  charmed  with 
 his  wifdom,  his  Iportive  Tallies  of  innocent  mirth  de- 
 lighted even  the  young  and  thoughtlefs ;  and  both 
 faw  in  his  uninterrupted  cheerfulnefs  the  excellency 
 of  true  religion.  No  cynical  remarks  on  the  levity  of 
 youth  embittered  his  difcourfes.  No  applaufive  re- 
 trofpe6l  to  pad  times  marked  his  prefent  difcontent. 
 In  him  even  old  age  appeared  delightful,  like  an 
 evening:  without  a  cloud ;  and  it  was  impoffible  to 
 obferve  him  without  wilhing  fervently,  "  May  my 
 latter  end  be  like  his!" 
 
 •■  But  I  find  myfelf  unequal  to  the  talk  of  deh'nea- 
 ting  fuch  a  charatler.  What  I  have  laid,  may  to  fome 
 appear  as  panegyric  ;  but  there  are  numbers,  and 
 thofe  of  tafle,  and  difcernment  too,  who  can  bear  wit- 
 nefs  to  the  truth,  though  by  no  means  to  the  perfecl- 
 nefs  of  the  fketch  I  have  attempted.  With  fuch  I  have 
 been  frequently  in  his  company;  and  every  one  of 
 them,  I  am  perfuaded,  would  fubfcribe  to  all  I  have 
 faid.  For  my  own'  part,  I  never  was  (o  happy  as 
 while  with  him,  and  fcarcely  ever  felt  more  poignant 
 l-egret  than  at  parting  from  him ;  for  well  I  knew, 
 
 *'  I  ne'er  lliould  look  upon  bis  like  again  I'* 
 
 The 
 
Sio  THE  LIFE  OF  AIR.  WESLEY. 
 
 The     C  O  X  C  L  U  S  I  O  N. 
 
 "TXTE   have  now   delineated   at  large  this   man  of 
 ^   '     God.     We   have  followed  him  from  his   in- 
 fancy  to   his   grave.      We  have  endeavoured  to  note 
 every  important   ftep   he  took  ;   and  to  difcover  the 
 fecret  fprings  of  his  actions,  and  the  motives  that  in- 
 fluenced him  :    which   we  have   deduced    from    the 
 whole   tenor  of  his   life,  from  the  account  which  he 
 himfclf  has  given  of  his  defigns,  from  the  beil  letters 
 which  have   paifed   between  him  and   his  eorrefpon- 
 dents,     and  from    all   the  authentic   information  we 
 could   draw   from  every  quarter.     And  may  we  not 
 challenge  Univerfil  Hiflor^'  to  produce  a  Minifler  of 
 the  Gofpcl,  that  has  been  fo  fuccefsfui  in  his  labours, 
 if  we  confider  the  extent  of  the  work  in  which  he  was 
 engaged,   and   the   depth   and   folidity    of    the  work 
 itfelf. 
 
 l^hefe  three  kingdoms  have  been  pervaded  by  the 
 influence  of  his  miniftry,  and  by  the  miniflry  of  thole 
 who  have  laboured  in  conne6lion  with  him,  in  a 
 manner  that  is  ailonifhing  !  Its  power  has  been  felt, 
 not  only  in  the  cities,  and  in  the  towns,  but  even  in 
 the  Imallefl  villages.  It  has  reached  the  very  bottom 
 of  the  mines,  and  has  brought  fpirituai  light  where 
 nothing  but  darknefs,  fpirituai  and  natural,  reigned 
 before.  Thoufands  of  Tinners  and  Colliers  have 
 been  changed  from  brutes  to  men,  from  fmners  of  the 
 gruifell   kind  to  Cliriliiaus  that  h-^ve  adorned  in   all 
 
 things 
 
THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY.         541 
 
 things  the  goipel  of  God  their  Saviour.  It  has.picrced 
 through  the  vafl  wildernefs  of  America,  and  vifited 
 thoufands  of  faniihes  that  were  ihut  up  from  the 
 gofpel  in  every  other  way.  The  places  mofl:  di/TicuJt 
 of  accefs  have  not  been  fufhcicnt  to  obflrucl  its  rapid 
 courfe.  It  has  flretched  itfelf  beyond  the  Apalachidu 
 mountains,  to  the  borders  of  the  Ohio^  and  to  the  great 
 lakes  of  that  vafl  continent.  It  has  flied  its  facred  influ- 
 ence on  the  Iflands  of  the  Sea  :  nor  were  the  difhcukies 
 arifin^  from  their  infular  fituation.  (ufncient  to  retard 
 its  progre fs.  But  how  would  the  primary  inllrument 
 of  this  bleiled  work  have  triumphed,  if  he  had  lived 
 but  a  few  months  longer,  and  had  feen  or  been  m^ 
 formed  of  the  pleafing  profpeft  of  fuccefs,  with  which 
 the  French  Preachers  have  been  favoured  in  the  pro- 
 vince of  Normandy ! 
 
 The  genuinenefs  and  depth  of  the  work  crown  the 
 whole.  Thofe  who  are  acquainted  with  Mr.  W(yicy's 
 Societies,  and  are  candid  obfervers,  mufh  know  that, 
 there  are  few,  if  any,  bodies  of  people  now  upon 
 earth,  that  manifefl  a  greater  crucifixion  to  the  world 
 and  all  its  follies  and  vain  amufements  ;  or  who  aim 
 more  at  the  true  reliorion  of  the  heart.  This  mav  be  ac- 
 counted  for  from  two  caufes  under  the  blefhn^  of  God. 
 1.  Our  venerable  Friend,  who  has  been  the  fubje6c 
 of  our  Hillory,  continually  infilled  both  in  his 
 fermons  and  writings  on  the  vanity  of  all  opinions, 
 except  the  great  effcntial  do6lrines  of  the  gofpeL 
 His  conflant,  invariable  cry  was,  "  Religion  is  no- 
 thing elfe  but  HOLY  tempers  and  heavenly  dis- 
 positions. 
 
512  THE  LIFE  OF  MR.  WESLEY. 
 
 POSITIONS.  2.  The  flricl  diicipline  which  he  efla^ 
 bhfhcd,  fcivcd  iis  a  conllarit  purifier  of  the  Societies, 
 It  "  learched  Jcrujakm  with  candies  ;"  and  was  con- 
 tinually lopping  ofF  the  unfound  parts.  Thefe  caufes, 
 under  the  blefiing  of  the  Moll  High,  kept  the  eyes 
 of  the  people  on  that  "  one  thing  needful,"  a  holy 
 heart,  produftive  of  a  Ao/)'  UJe. 
 
 We  are  fenhble,  that  no  grace  received  from  God 
 in  this  life,  takes  us  out  of  a  flate  of  trial :  and  that 
 the  holieft  perfons,  if  they  do  not  watch  and  pray, 
 will  certainly  enter  into  temptation.  Many  have 
 thus  fallen  :  but  wholefome  Chriflian  diicipline  has 
 hitherto  preferved  the  body,  and  will,  we  trufl,  con- 
 tinue to  preferve  it,  through  divine  grace,  till  *'  the 
 earth  fhall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Date  Due 
 
 53 
 
 i>> 
 
 ^^VXM»»,.;^^