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the established Church, and freely remonstrated with him; but he had a perfect conviction of John's uprightness, and would allow no other person to cast a censure upon him.

Within the last few years much has been both said and written concerning Wesleyan Methodism, especially in relation to the Church of England, but often with a very imperfect knowledge of the facts of the case. Upon this subject it is hoped that these volumes will serve to correct several mistakes. In what manner the Methodists were led to act independently of the Church's authorities, to open separate places of worship, and administer the sacraments in their own chapels, is here shown. Mr. Charles Wesley, who in theory was a much stricter Churchman than his brother, was the first that administered the holy communion to the Methodists separately. He did this in the school which had been built for the colliers' children at Kingswood, when he and the converted colliers were forcibly repelled from the Lord's table by the Clergy of Bristol; and he continued the practice from that time till the day of his death. Methodism throughout the country, at this day, is but an assimilation to Methodism as it was administered by him in London for nearly half a century.

It has been deemed requisite to state at large Mr. Charles Wesley's strong and persevering opposition to the general administration of the sacraments in the Methodist chapels, and the irrepressible desire for that privilege which prevailed in many of the societies 'soon after their formation. For more than thirty years Mr. John Wesley resisted this claim, though often, as he confesses, with a doubting conscience; but at length he clearly saw that the desired boon could not be finally withheld. He therefore conceded the point in

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some instances to his societies in England; and he fully yielded to their spiritual necessities and wishes, on this subject, both in America and Scotland. In doing this he deeply grieved his brother; but so strong was his sense of duty, that he sacrificed his tenderest feelings, and chose rather to wound his most endeared friend than absolutely deny his spiritual children the means of edification. His ordinations, viewed in this light, demonstrate the strength of his conviction that he was bound thus far to violate the order of the established Church.

The design of the writer in compiling these volumes, and in committing them to the press, is not merely the correction of mistakes in matters of opinion and history, much less the gratification of a vain curiosity by the relation of a series of singular and striking facts, but the advancement of Christian piety. Personal histories more instructive than those of John and Charles Wesley have seldom been offered to the consideration of mankind. They were both religiously educated, strictly moral in their lives, and for many years rigorously exact in the performance of their various duties; yet they felt that they were neither holy nor happy and never did they attain lasting peace of mind, and power over inward sin, till they sought these blessings in the exercise of a lively faith in the sacrifice of Christ. From that time, tillthe end of their lives, it was their great business and concern to recommend this salvation as universally attainable by the same means. The nation was deeply sunk in ignorance, profligacy, and irreligion, when they, with their estimable friend Mr. Whitefield, entered upon their wonderful career of apostolic labour. Their strenuous and persevering exertions, accompanied by a large amount of personal sacrifice,

were ceaselessly directed, not to party purposes, but to the one object of turning men from sin to holiness. The weapons of their warfare, like those of the Apostles, were exclusively spiritual. They conquered the world by the power of truth and love. The doctrine which they constantly preached, and upon which the seal of the divine blessing was visibly impressed, was that of present deliverance from sin, its guilt, and misery, and power, by faith in the Lord Jesus; and ten thousand happy converts, reclaimed from every evil, attested the truth of their report. The singleness of purpose with which these men laboured, the spirit of prayer and of absolute trust in God which marked their entire course, their burning love to Christ, their solemn conviction of the truth of the Gospel, their yearning affection for the souls of men, must be apparent to every reader. All these peculiarities of character were a direct effect of that rich anointing of the Holy One which rested upon them, and which produced in them so striking a resemblance to Him who had compassion upon the multitudes when they fainted, and were as sheep having no shepherd." It is by a ministry exercised in the same spirit of pious zeal and enterprise that the world will be turned to righteousness.

There never was a time at which it was more needful to inculcate the leading doctrines of the Protestant Reformation, than in the present day, when so many agencies are at work to revive and extend the unscriptural dogmas of Popery. In what manner John and Charles Wesley exerted themselves to counteract this system of spiritual wickedness, both in its theological tenets and its assumption of secular domination, the subjoined narrative declares. They believed the Church of Rome to be the greatest corrupter of evan

gelical truth, the most formidable enemy to the liberties of mankind, and the most bloody and persecuting power that ever exercised the divine patience and tormented mankind; and therefore the declared object of God's righteous malediction. Faithfully did they labour to counteract the sorceries of Rome, by exciting a spirit of universal inquiry on the subject of religion, and by calling attention from merely outward forms and ceremonies, to the spiritual worship of God. In life and death they declared, with all the confiden ce that inspiration itself can give, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but faith that worketh by love."

London, May 21st, 1841.

CONTENTS.

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