All the rest is in keeping with this, except that some of the lines are not only ribald, but obscene. This was the sort of jeering which Wesley had to meet,jeering which he was often powerless to prosecute, and which it was beneath his dignity to answer. Besides this, he was too much occupied with his own great work to turn aside to chastise all the curs that availed themselves of the liberty to snarl and bark at him. His societies were now so numerous and important, that it was a gigantic task to visit them, and regulate their multifarious affairs once a year. In addition, he was bringing out his Notes on the Old Testament, a work, in itself, quite sufficient for the time and energies of any ordinary man; and, further, he had to enforce and to defend his doctrine of Christian perfection, a doctrine imperfectly understood, and bitterly assailed. Hence the publication of a small 12mo volume of 162 pages, entitled, "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, as believed and taught by the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, from the year 1725, to the year 1765.” "What I purpose," says he, "is to give a plain and distinct account of the steps by which I was led, during a course of many years, to embrace the doctrine of Christian perfection." The book is really historical, rather than doctrinal, and is intended to show, that Wesley's present views were substantially the views which he had held for the last forty years. This was unquestionably true, with the one exception of his now teaching, that Christian perfection is attainable in an instant, and by faith only. When did Wesley begin to teach this? He says, in 1741; but the only evidence he adduces, in support of his affirmation, is the hymn, then published, beginning with the line, "Lord, I believe a rest remains ;" and containing the following stanzas. "Oh that I now the rest might know, Believe and enter in! Now, Saviour, now, the power bestow, 1766 Age 63 Remove this hardness from my heart, To me the rest of faith impart, The sabbath of Thy love!" The question here raised is not whether Wesley's doctrine be true, or whether it be false; but simply when he began to preach it. He says, from the beginning; Dr. Whitehead says otherwise. He writes: "Though Mr. Wesley had so long held the doctrine of Christian perfection, he had not always held, that this state of mind might be attained in one moment; much less, that a person might attain it in his novitiate; nor do I know, that there were any professors of it before 1760, except when death was approaching.” 1 Who will decide this question? It is full of interest, and is not without importance. 1 Life of Wesley, vol. ii., p. 291. CE HARLES Wesley was still preaching, alternately, in London and in Bristol; and was writing and publishing his magnificent "Hymns on the Trinity," and his "Hymns for the Use of Families."1 2 Whitefield's health was better, and he was able to spend most of the year 1767 in itinerating throughout England and Wales, and in preaching to assembled thousands. At Rodborough, he writes: "I was regaled with the company of some simple hearted, first rate old Methodists, of near thirty years' standing." At Haverfordwest, he says: "I am just come from my field throne. Thousands and thousands attended by eight in the morning. Life and light seemed to fly all around. Who knows but preaching may be our grand catholicon again? This is the good methodistical, thirty year old medicine." Again: "Who knows but I may be strengthened to take a trip to Scotland? This itch after itinerating I hope will never be cured till we come to heaven." "14 At Newcastle, he writes: "I have a blessed. Methodist field street preaching plan before me. You may venture to direct for me at Mr. William Shent's, peruke maker, at Leeds; but send me no bad news, unless absolutely necessary. Let me enjoy myself in my delightful itinerancy. It is good, both for my body and soul."5 At Thirsk, in another letter, and in the same strain, he remarks: "My body feels much fatigue in travelling; comforts in my soul overbalance. Every stage, more and more, convinces me that old Methodism is the thing-Hallelujah!" And, again, on his return to London, in October, he observes: "I am just returned from my northern circuit, which has been pleasant, and I trust profitable. Everywhere the fields have been white unto. harvest. I am become a downright street and field preacher. Jackson's "Life of Charles Wesley," vol. ii., p. 232. 2 Whitefield's Works, vol. iii., p. 345. 4 Ibid. p. 351. 5 Ibid. p. 353. 3 Ibid. p. 348. 6 Ibid. p. 354. 1767 Age 64 1767 I wish the city, and want of riding, may not hurt me. Νο Age 64 nestling, no nestling on this side Jordan. Heaven is the believer's only resting place. There we shall not be disturbed."1 Whitefield was again in his best beloved element. Alas! not for long! With the exception of a short visit to Colchester, Norwich, and Yarmouth, Wesley spent the first two months of 1767 in London; and, on Ash Wednesday, March 4, "dined at a friend's with Mr. Whitefield, still breathing nothing but love." The two Wesleys and Whitefield, three old friends, were now "a threefold cord not quickly broken." Their opinions differed, but their hearts were one. Ever and anon, means were used to create division; but the efforts failed. In some things, Wesley and his brother held conflicting sentiments so strongly, that it was difficult to work in harmony; but love not only ruled their hearts, but their speech and lives. The following letter, addressed to Charles Wesley, is illustrative of this. "LONDON, February 12, 1767. "DEAR BROTHER,-What I mean is, Bishop Lowth is sometimes hypercritical, and finds fault where there is none. Yet, doubtless, his is the best English grammar that is extant. I never saw 'Hermes'; the author of it is a rooted deist. "Pray take care that brother Henderson wants nothing. Sickness is an expensive thing. "You are not yet (nor probably I) aware of pickthanks. Such were those who told you I did not pray for you by name in public; and they are liars into the bargain, unless they are deaf. "The voice of one, who truly loves God, surely is,- "Tis worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.' "Such an one is certainly as much athirst for sanctification as he was once for justification.' You remember, this used to be one of your constant questions. It is not now; therefore, you are altered in your sentiments and, unless we come to an explanation, we shall inevitably contradict each other. But this ought not to be in any wise, if it can possibly be avoided. "I still think, to disbelieve all the professors" [of sanctification] "amounts to a denial of the thing. For if there be no living witness of what we have preached for twenty years, I cannot, dare not, preach it any longer. The whole comes to one point: is there, or is there not, any Whitefield's Works, vol. iii., p. 357. instantaneous sanctification between justification and death? I say, yes. You often seem to say, no. What arguments brought you to think so? Perhaps they may convince me too. "There is one question more, if you allow me there is such a thing; can one who has attained it fall? Formerly I thought not ; but you, with Thomas Walsh and John Jones, convinced me of my mistake. "On Monday I am to set out for Norwich. Divide the men and women at once: so we do in London. I shall not be in town again till this day fortnight. 'Oh for a heart to prais y God!" " What is there beside ? Παντα γελως και παντα κονιs. Adieu ! "JOHN WESLEY.”1 At this period the versatile Dr. Dodd was a large contributor to the Christian Magazine, for which service he received £100 per annum. Eleven years previous to this, Wesley had condescended to enter into a long correspondence with him, on the subject of Christian perfection.2 Dodd, under a fictitious name, now revived the subject; and Wesley says, "I at length obliged Dr. Dodd by entering into the lists with him." Wesley's letter was published in Lloyd's Evening Post, of April 3, 1767. "March 26, 1767. "SIR,-Many times, the publisher of the Christian Magazine has attacked me without fear or wit; and, hereby, he has convinced his impartial readers of one thing, at least, that (as the vulgar say), ‘his fingers itch to be at me;' that he has a passionate desire to measure swords with me. But I have other work upon my hands: I can employ the short remainder of my life to better purpose. "The occasion of his late attack is this: five or six and thirty years ago, I much admired the character of a perfect Christian drawn by Clemens Alexandrinus. Five or six and twenty years ago, a thought came into my mind, of drawing such a character myself, only in a more scriptural manner, and mostly in the very words of Scripture. This I entitled the 'Character of a Methodist,' believing, that curiosity would incite more people to read it, and, also, that some prejudice might thereby be removed from candid men. But, that none might imagine I intended a panegyric either upon myself or my friends, I guarded against this in the very title page, saying, in the name of both myself and them, 'Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.' To the same effect, I speak in the conclusion: 'These are the principles and practices of our sect; these are the marks of a true Methodist' (that is, a true Christian as I immediately after explain myself). By these alone, do those, who are in 1 1 Wesley's Works, vol. xii., p. 123. 2 See p. 232 of this volume. 1767 Age 64 |