OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. FELLOW OF LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD; IN WHICH ARE INCLUDED, THE LIFE OF HIS BROTHER, THE REV. CHARLES WESLEY, A. M. STUDENT OF CHRIST CHURCH; AND MEMOIRS OF THEIR FAMILY: COMPREHENDING AN ACCOUNT OF The Great Revival of Religion, IN WHICH THEY WERE THE FIRST AND CHIEF INSTRUMENTS, BY THE REV. HENRY MOORE, ONLY SURVIVING TRUSTEE OF MR. WESLEY'S MSS. According to this time it shall be said, "WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT 155 "Not by might, nor by power, but by MY SPIRIT," saith the Lord of Hosts. Venturæque hiemis memores, æstate laborem IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. VIRGILII GEORG. NEW-YORK, PUBLISHED BY N. BANGS AND J. EMORY, FOR THE METHODIST Az Hoyt, Printer. 1826. CONTENTS. Accounts from Germany of the State of Religion in the English Army—The First Conferences-The Labours of the Brothers, and of their Assistants, Progress of Religion, with its Attendant Sufferings-Mr. Wesley's Expostula- tion with the Opposing Clergy-His Advice to the People respecting their Per- Mr. Wesley's Correspondence with some Eminent Men in Scotland and Eng- land-Rough Sketch concerning Justifying Faith-Opening of Kingswood Of the Labours of Mr. Wesley, and of his Brother Mr. C. Wesley, and of the Preachers in connexion with them in Ireland, with the Persecutions that Mr. Wesley's Labours and Providential escapes-His Opinion of the Monta- nists--Death of Mr. Jane-His Private Correspondence-Fall of Wheatley, Extraordinary Event preceding Mr. Wesley's Marriage-Verses on that Occa sion His Marriage-Renewed Engagement between Him and his Brother Mr. Wesley's dangerous Illness-Mr. C. Wesley's renewed Labours-Mr. Wes- ley's re-assumption of itinerancy-His Correspondence with the Rev. Mr. Walker, of Truro-His Proposal for a Union of the Evangelical Clergy of that Labours of Mr. Wesley, and his Assistants, in Scotland-Controversy respect- ing Mr. Hervey's Letters-Recent Revival of that Controversy by Dr. Proposal to Mr. Fletcher fully to unite with Mr. Wesley in the Work-Remark- able Death of Mr. Downs-Mr. Wesley's dangerous Illness in Ireland-Dis- pute concerning the American Revolution-Curious Anecdote concerning Labours and Opposition in the Isle of Man-Secession of an Eminent Preacher --Protestant Association-Mr. Wesley's Letter on that Occasion-His Letter to the Bishop of London, and Sir Henry Trelawney-Thoughts on “Dr. Par- son's Remains of Japhet"-Curious Questions put to Mr. Wesley-His Letter respecting the Sabbath-day, addressed to one of His Majesty's Ministers- Continuance of Mr. Wesley's Labours-His Visit to Ireland-Account of the Work of God in the French Islands-Mr Wesley's visits to them-Latter days and Death of Mr. Charles Wesley-A Review of his Character.... THE LIFE OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. BOOK THE FIFTH. CHAPTER I. PROGRESS OF RELIGION, WITH THE PERSECUTIONS THAT FOLLOWED. MR. WESLEY having now several helpers after his own heart, the work of God prospered in many places. Many societies were formed in Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and in several parts of Yorkshire. And those in London, Bristol, Kingswood, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, were much increased. But as in the beginning of Christianity, so it was now: This sect was every where spoken against. But its enemies were not content with this. In the year 1740, several rioters, who had long disturbed the meetings in Bristol, were emboldened by impunity. Their numbers also increased, so as to fill, not only the court before the preachinghouse, but a considerable part of the street. The mayor sent them orders to disperse; but they set him at defiance. He then despatched several of his officers, who took the ringleaders into custody. The next day they were brought into court, it being the time of the quartersessions. There they received a severe reprimand; and from that time, the Society in Bristol enjoyed almost uninterrupted peace. In London the rioters were not so easily subdued. They assembled at various places, and frequently treated Mr. Wesley and many of his serious hearers in a shameful manner. They followed them with showers of stones, and once attempted to unroof the Foundery, where the congregation was assembled, and had nearly accomplished their design. The common cry was, "You may treat them as you please, for there is no law for them." But Sir John Ganson, the chairman of the Middlesex Justices, called on Mr. Wesley, and informed him, "that he had no need to suffer these riotous mobs to molest him;" adding, “Sir, I and the other Middlesex Magistrates have orders from above, to do you justice whenever you apply to us." A short time after, he did apply. Justice was done, though not with rigour; and from that period the Society had peace in London. It was very confidently stated, in that day, that when the question concerning the persecutions suffered by the Societies at this time, came before the Council, the King declared, that "No man in his dominions should be persecuted on the account of religion, while he sat on the throne." His late Majesty also, and indeed all that dynasty, have acted on the same principle. |