The Life of the Rev. John Wesley, A. M., with Memoirs of the Wesley Family ...

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Preface

THIS volume however deficient in other respects, has the most powerful recommendation, novelty. Even to the numerous members of the church which in this country has been formed by the ministers in connection with the late J&r. Wesley, the events of his life are very imperfectly known ; and the Christian professors of other sects hold opinions of the founder and nature of Methodism, so inaccurate, that this history has been ardently desired, — to impart information to the Societies, and to correct illiberal mistakes.

The Christian feels a peculiar interest in the portrait of those men and gospel ministers, whose piety " like a city set upon a hill, could not be hid ;" whose example so luminously shone among men " that others seeing their good works, glorified their Father ivho is in heaven ;" whose zeal for the Redeemer animated them to surmount every difficulty to propagate that heavenly doctrine, " which is a faitltful saying and zvorthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save even the chief of sinners ;" and whose perseverance and efforts, aided by the Spirit of God, were crowfted with unusual success- ; " numberless sinners being converted from darkness to light,

VIII.

PREFACE 1 -

I make no apology for the manner in which this work is execute^,. It required no colouring, it demanded no painting and artificial dress io recommend it : its own intrinsic value and excelfence will uplroduce it where the gospel is beloved, and zvher*e Christian ministers are esteemed.

The Life of Mif^jVesley will, I hope, expand thi hearts of all those who may study it, <tod the brilliancy of his example stimulate them to " follow him as he followed Christ." If it confirm the resolution of one drooping Christian, and if it convince on% soul only who is now a stranger to the blessed Redeemer ; the best of all objects will be promoted :—and if the Author's defects be con* cealed by the strength of faith, hope, joy, humility and penitence, which it is calculated to excite — much benefit will be derived from this display of the real character of Mr. Wesley, and the genuine nature of Methodism.

Baltimore, June 13, 1807- .

I

THE

LIFE

O* THE

REV. JOHN WESLE* A. M,

THE WESLEY FAMILY.

Mr. John Wesley, Senior.

JxlR. WESLEY's grandfather John Wesley was a non-conformist minister, and one of the worthies ejected by the act of uniformity from his living in Dorsetshire. After having encountered numberless difficulties and trials, a gentleman who owned a house at Preston , gave him the use of it free of any charge for rent ; and there he continued until he was released from this vale of tears to dwell where Jesus reigns in glory. His residence in that village led to the formation of a connection with a society of Christians as their Pastor at Poole, in which relation he minfttered to them until the day of his death : and although he shewed all possible prudence in the management of his meetings— he was often disturbed, several times apprehended, aiuWouf times imprisoned. He died about the year 1670, previous to his father's dissolution, who had also been expelled from his pastoral functions, and who \vas so much affected with the loss of his son, that he did not long survive hlnl.

B l'0 ftlFE OF THE

Dr* Annestey.

Dr. Annesley, the father of Mr. Wesley's mother, one of the ejected Non-conformist ministers, was a remarkable instance of the directing Providence • of God, through the whole of his life. He had in his infancy conceived a desire for the ministerial work; and not long after the death of his father, which event occurred when he was fotf "* years of age only, he began the practice of reading twenty chapters in the holy scriptures daily, which he afterwards continued. Whilst very young, but after he had formed his resolution concerning the ministry, he dreamt that he was a clergyman , and that he was summoned to attend the Bishop of London to be burnt as a martyr. At the age of fifteen he entered Oxford, and took his degrees according to the usual course. In 1644, he was ordained chaplain of the ship Globe, at that time commanded by the admiral. He made a voyage with the fleet ; but having no fondness for a maritime life, he speedily retired from it, and was settled at Cliff, where he was at first most violently opposed — but his piety, forbearance, fortitude and perseverance surmounted every obstacle, and those who had threatened to stone him, separated from him upon his removal to London with tears and much affection.

He was invited to London in 1652, was unanimously chosen to the parish of John the Apostle, became lecturer of St. Pauls — and in 1658 was called to Cripplegate, Subsequent to his ejectment, he sufferid much for his non-conformity, But be continued stedfast : the Pro- -vidence of God signally and frequently interposing for him ; and one person was summoned to Heaven's dread tribunal, whilst signing the warrant to apprehend him. After a most exemplary life, he died as he had lived, in the full enjoyment of the favour of God, and in 1696 resigned hid soul to his heavenly Father, leaving us a memorial " how to live and how to die,"

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REV. JOHN WESLEY. V . n

ft

Mr. Samuel Wesley, senior.

Mr. Samuel Wesley, the son of Mr. John Wesley, waa not morcthan nine years of age at the time of his father's dissolution. He imbibed his prejudices against the dissenters at a vefy early age, and entered Exeter college Oxford, without having consulted any of his relations. At this time his fortune consisted of two pounds sixteen shillings ; but by assisting the younger students — and instructing those who applied to him, he supported himself until he took his Bachelor's degree : — as soon as he had procured this testimonial he removed to London, his property having increased to ten pounds fifteen shillings. Here he was ordained Deacon, supplied a curacy during one year, and afterwards accepted of an appointment as chaplain in the fleet. He officiated on board twelve months, and then returned to London, where he obtained a curacy for two years, married, and was presented to a small living in the country, as a reward for some publications which had raised him into notice, and rendered him popular. Being a man of high church principles, and having been known by some publications against the dissenters which manifested much intolerance, he was requested by the friends of James II. to support the declaration ii\ favour of popery, with promises of preferment : but this he absolutely refused, and preached a bold sermon against the King's measures from tjie example of the . -children in the fiery furnace. Mr. Wesley was one of the first writers in defence of the revolution of 1688; -

he dedicated his work to Queen Mary, who soon after \

gave him' the living of Epworth, Lincolnshire, to which was added in 1723 that of Wroote. He would have attained to some rank in the church through the influence of the Duke of Marlboropgh, had he not so virulently opposed, the whigs at the beginning of Queen Anne's reign ; but from this period it appears, that h$

12 UFE OF THE

perceived the evil tendency of his want of christian love, and applied himself entirely to his pastoral duties, and the studies immediately connected with them. This gentleijian possessed considerable genius and erudition : he was the author of a Latin commentary on the book of Job — the history of the Bible — the life of Christ, ai)d some smaller pieces hi verse. . His piety was sterling and influential, and after a long and useful life, he died at Epworth in April, 1735. Mr f Charles Wesley related that event to his brother Samuel in a letter which merits insertion :

Dear Brother ,

After all your desire of seeing my father alive, you are at last assured you must see his face no more till he is raised in incorruption. You have reason to envy us who could attend him in the last stage of his illness. The few words he could utter I saved, and hope never to forget. Some of them were, " Nothing is too much to suffer for heaven. The weaker I am in body, the stronger and more sensible support I feel from God. There is but a step between me and death ; to-morrow I would see you all with me round this table, that we may once more drink of the cup of blessing, before we drink it new in the kingdom of God. With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I die." The morning he was to communicate, he was so exceedingly weak and full of pain, that he dould not without the utmost difficulty receive the elements, often repeating, " Thou shakest me, thou shakest me;" but immediately after receiving, there followed tjie most visible alteration. He appeared full of faith and peace, which extended even to his body ; for he was so much better, that we almost hoped he would have recovered. The fear of death he entirely conquered, and at last gave up his latest human desires of finishing Job, paying his debts,, and seeing you. He often laid his hand

REV. JOHN WESLEY. is

upon my head, and said, " Be steady ! The christian faith will surely revive in this kingdom ; you shall see it, though I shall not." To my sister Emily he said, '* Do not be concerned at my death, God will then begin to manifest himself to my family.'* When we were met about him, his usual expression was, ■** Now let me hear you* talk of heaven." On my asking him whether he did not find himself worse, he replied, " O my Charles, I feel a great deal ; God chastens me with great pain, but I praise him for it, I thank him for it, I love him for it." On the 25th his voice failed him, and nature seemed completely spent, when on my brother's asking, whether he was not near heaven, he answered distinctly, and with the most of hope and triumph, that could be expressed in sounds, " Yes I am." He spoke once more, just after my brother had use.d the commendatory prayer ; his last words were, " Now you have done all !" This was about half an hour after six, from which time till sun-set, he made signs of offering up himself, till my brother again having used the commendatory prayer, the Very moment on which it was finished, he expired. His passage was so smooth and sensible, that notwithstanding the stopping of his pulse, and the ceasing of all signs of life and motion, we continued over him a considerable time, in doubt whether the soul was departed or not. My mother, who for several days before he died, hardly ever went into his chamber but she was carried out agaifr in a fit, was far less shocked at the news than we expected, and told us that now she was heard, in his having so easy a death, and her being so strengthened to bear it."

Mrs. Wesley.

Mrs. Wesley, the mother of Mr. Johji Wesley, was the daughter of Dr. Annesiey, and some years younger thsyat her husband. She enjoyed the privilege of a pious education, ajid, early imbibed a reverence for religion ;

before she* was thirteen years of age, she had examined the controversy between the Dissenters and the Episcopacy — and immediately subsequent to that scrutiny, studied the evidences of natural and revealed religion with sedulous care. Although she always employed one hour in the morning and one in the evening in devotional exercises, unless prevented by sickness, or any insuperable engagement, no woman was more diligent or more attentive in her domestic duties. She had nineteen children, ten of whom grew up to be educated : this duty fell upon her, and it was impossible for the children to have had a better instructor : she had acquired some knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages in her youth, had read much, thought deeply, and in general very accurately on every part of natural and revealed religion, and on the common affairs of life : she had studied human nature well, and knew how to adapt her discourse either to youth or age ; she had commenced in life with a determination to think and judge for herself, and not to be influenced by custom in matters of importance, unless when custom appeared to be founded in reason and truth. This principle governed her in the education of her children; disapproving of the CQmmon modes of governing and instructing youth, she adopted those methods which appeared to her to be the most rational and proper. Their rising, dressing, eating, exercise, and every thing which related; to them was managed by rule, unless when sickness hindered. They were very early taught obedience to their parents, and to wait their decision in every thing which they were to have Qr to do. As soon as they could speak, they learnt the Lord's prayer, and were made to repeat it at rising and bed time constantly : and as they grew bigger, they recited a short prayer for their parents, and some collects, a short catechism, and some 'portions of scripture, as their memories could bear them. They were early made to distinguish the sabbath from other days ; and were r.

REV." JOHN WESLEY.

soon instructed to be quiet at family pray6W> and to ask a blessing immediately before meals, which they used to do by signs before they could kneel or speak. Her method of teaching them to read is detailed in a letter to Mr. John Wesley. " None of them were taught' to read till five years old, except Kezzy, in whose case I was over-ruled ; and she was more years in learning than any of the rest had been months. The way of teaching was this: the day before a child began toiearn, the house was set in order, every one's work appointed them, and a charge given that none should come into the room from nine till twelve, or from two till five, which were our school-hours. One day was allowed the child wherein to learn its letters, and each of them did in that time know all its letters, great and small, except Molly and Nancy, who were a day and a half before they knew them perfectly ; for which I then thought them very dull ; but the reason why I thought them so was, because the rest learned them so readily, and your brother Samuel, who was the first child I ever taught, learnt the alphabet in -a* few hour$. He was five years old on the tenth of February ; the next d&y he began to learn, and as soon as he knew the letters began at the first chapter of Genesis. He was taught to spell the first verse, then to read it over and over, till he could read it at once without any hesitation ; so on to the second, &c. till he took ten verses for a lesson, which he quickly did. Easter fell low that year, ,and by Whitsuntide he could read a chapter very well ; for he read continually, and had such a prodigious memory, that I cannot remember ever to have told him the same word twice. What was yet more strange, any word he had learnt in his lesson, he knew wherever he saw it, either in his bible or any other book, by which means lie learnt very soon to read an English author weU.

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" The sao* method wfcs observed with' them all. As ,soon as they knew the letters they were first put to spell and read one lirte, then a ver&G, never leaving till perfect in their lesson^ were it shorter or lohger. So one or other continued reading at school time without any intermission ; And before we left school, each child read what he had learnt that morning ; and ere we parted in the afternoon, whit they Tbad learned that day."

Mr. Wesley usually attended the sittings of convocation ; during hi* absence in the year 1712, Mrs. Wesief formed a little meeting at her house orf the Sabbath day Evenings, when she read a sermon, prayed and conversed with the people who came for this purpose. She acquainted her husband of their meeting, who, on account of the newness and singularity of the thing, made some .objections against it. Her answer is dated the 6th of February, 1712, in which she says$ €i I heartily thank you for dealing so plainly and faithfully with me in a matter of no common concern. The main of your ob- : jections against pur Sunday evening meetings^ are, first, that it wilt look particular ; secondly, my sex ; and, lastly, your being at present in a public station and character ; to all which I shall answer briefly.

iC As to its looking particular,' I grant it does, and so* docs almost every thing that is serious, or that may any wijr advance the glory of God, or the salvation of souls, if it be performed out of a pulpit or in the way of common conversation ; because, in our corrupt age, the utmost care and diligence ha\ r ebeen used to banish all* discourse of God or spiritual concerns out of society ; as if religion were never to appear out of the closet, and we were to be ashamed of nothhig so much as of professing ourselves to be christians.

c . c To your second I reply, that as I am a woman, so I am also mistress of a large family. And though the superiour charge of the souls contained in it lies upon.

I you as bead of the Family, and as their itiinister ; yet in your absence I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my care, as a talent committed to me under a trust by the grieat Lord of all the families of heaven and of earth ; and if I am unfaithful to him or to you, in neglecting to improve these talents, how shall I answer unto him, when he shall command me to render an*accouftt of my stewardship.

, " As these, and other such like thoughts, made me at first take a more than ordinary care of the souls of my children and servants ; so, knowing that our most holy religion requires a strict observance of the Lord's day, 1 and not thinking that we fully answer the end of the institution by going to church only ; but that likewise we are obliged to fill up the intermediate spaces of that sacred time by other acts of piety and devotion, I thought it my 'duty to spend some part of the day in reading to, and instructing my family; especially in your absence, when having no afternoon service, we jha$e so much leisure for such exercises ; and such time I esteem spent Jfi-a^ay^more acceptable to God than if 1 had retired to my own private devotions.

'f This was the "beginning of my present practice : other people's coming in ajid joining with us was purely accidental. Our lad told his parents ; they first desired to be admitted ; then others who heard of it begged leave also ; so pur company increased to about .thirty, and seldom exceeded forty last winter ; and why it increased since, I leave you to judge, after you have read what follows.

" Soon after you went to London, Emity found in your study the account of the Danish Missionaries ; which, having never seen, I ordered her to read to me. I was never, I think, more affected with any thing than 1 , with the relation of their travels ; and was exceedingly m t:

pleased with th^hoble design in which they were engaged* Their labours refreshed my soul beyond measure, and I could not forbear spending a good part of that evening in praising and adoring the Divine Goodness, for inspiring those good men with such an ardent zeal for his glory, that they were willing to hazard their lives and all that is esteemed dear to men in this world, to advance the honour of their Master Jesus ! For several days I could think or speak of little else. At last it came into my mind ; though I am not a man, nor a minister df the gospel, and so cannot be engaged in such a worthy employment as they were ; yet, if my heart* were sincerely devoted to God, and if \ were inspired with a true zeal for his glory, and did really desire the salvation of souls, I might do somewhat more than I do. I thought I might live in a more exemplary manner in some things ; I might pray more for %thfi people^ and speak with more warmth to those ^vith whom I have an opportunity of conversing. However, I resolved to * begin with my own children; and accordingly I proposed and observed the following mej^od, I take such a proportion of time as I can best spare every night,* to discourse with each child by himself, on something tnaf relates to his principal concerns. On Monday I talk with Molly ; on Tuesday with Hetty ; Wednesday with Nancy ; Thursday with Jacky ; Friday with Patty \ Saturday with Charles ; and with Emily and Suky together on Sunday.

" With those few neighbours who then came to me, I discoursed more freely and affectionately than before ; I chos# the best and most awakening sermons which we had, and I spent more time with them in such exercises. Since this our company has increased every night ; for I dare to deny none who ask admittance. Last Sunday I believe we had above 200, and yet many went away for want of room. »

JREV. JOHN WESLEY. . 19

" But I never dared positively to presume to hope that God would make use of me as an instrument in doing good ; the farthest ,1 wer expected wasj it may be, who can tell ? With God all things are possible ; I will resign myself to him : Or, as Herbert better expresses it,

** Only, since God doth often make Of lowly matter, for higfh uses meet, „ I throw me at his feet ;

There will I lie, until my Maker seek For some mean stuff, whereon to shew his skill, r ' Then is my time-*— — "

And thus I rested, without passing any reflection on niyself, or forming any judgment about the success or event of this undertaking.

| " Your third objection I leave to be answered by your

r own jucjghrtlhti We meet not upon any worldly de-

sigh. We banish all temporal concerns from our soi w . ciety ; none is siiffered to mingle any discourse about

! them with our reading or singing; we keep close to

tW business of the day, and as soon as it is over they all go home. And where is the harm of this ? If I and my children went a visking on Sunday nights, or if we admitted of impertinent visits, as too many do who think themselves good christians, perhaps it would be thought no scandalous practice, though in truth it would be so ; therefore, why any should reflect upon you, let your station be what it will, because your wife endeavours to draw people to church, and to restrain them, by reading and other persuasions, from their profanation, of God's most holy day, I cannot conceive. But if any should be so mad as to do it, I wish you would not regard it. For my part, I value no censure on this account : I have long since shook hands with the world, and I heartily wish I had never given them more reason to speak against me.

ii As for your proposal of letting some other person read, alas ! you do not consider what a people these are.

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L t tO LIFE OF THE

I do not think one ihan among them could read a s*r~ mon, without spelling a good part of it ; and would that edify the rest ? Nor has any of our family a voice strong enough to be heard by such a number- of people,

" But there is one thing about which I am much dissatisfied ; that is, their being present at family prayers. I do not speak of any concern I am under, barely because so many are present. For those who have the honour of speaking to the great and holy God, need not be ashamed to speak before the whole world, but because of my sex. I doubt, if it be proper for me to present the prayers of the people to God. Last Sunday I would fain have dismissed them before prayers ; . but they begged so earnestly to stay, I dared not to deny them."

Mrs. Wesley, although satisfied of the propriety of her own conduct, determined tp abide by her husband** decision. Inman the curate and some others highly disapproved of it, and complained to Mr. Wesley of this*' conventicle ; and the representations which were made, induced. him to write to her in terms of strong disap*. probation. Her answer is dated February 25th.

" Some few days since," saysshe^ "I received a letter from you, I suppose dated the 16th instant ^ which I made no great haste to answer ; because I judged it necessary for both of us to take some time to consider, before you determine in a matter of such great: impor* tance. I shall not inquire how it was possible that<you. should be prevailed on, by the senseless clamours of two or three of the worst of your parish; to condemn what you so lately approved : but I shall tell you my thoughts in as few words as possible. I do not hear of » more than three or four persons who are against our. meeting, of whom Inman is the chief. He and Whitely , , I believe, may call it a conventicle ; but we hear no

REV, JOHN WE*LEY. 21

outcry htit e, nor ha* a»y one said u word against it to me. And %that does their Gall$ng it a conventicle signify ? does: it alter the nature of <the thing ? or do you ^ think that what they say is si su&dlent respon to forbear

a thing that has already done much good, and by the blessing of God may do mnch iftore ? If its being called , a^onventicle by those who knqw in their conscience that

they niisrepresent it, did really make it one, what you • * say would be somewhat to the purpose : but it is plain

I in fact, that this, one thing has brought more people to

church than ever any thing did in so short a time. We used not to have above twenty or twenty-five at eveni ing service, x whereas now we have between two and

i three hundred ; which are more than ever came before

I to hear Inman in the morning.

*" Besides the constant attendance on the public wor- ^ ship of God, our meeting has wonderfully conciliated

the minds of this people toward* us, so that we. now live iji' the greatest amity imaginable ; and what is still bet* ter, they are very much reformed in their behaviour on the Lord's (Jay 5 and those who used to be playing in the streets, now come to^hear a good sermon read, which is surely more acceptable to Almighty God.

" Another, reason for what I- do,, is, that I have no other, way- of coiiversing. with this people, and therefore have rt& oCjier Way of doing them good; but by this I have an ^opportunity of' exercising the greatest and noblest charity, that is, charity to their souls.

4C Some families who seldom went to church, now go constantly ; and one person who has not been there for seven years, is now prevailed upon to go with the rest.

" There are many other good consequences of this ineeting, which I have not time to mention. Mpt I beseech you to weigh all things in an impartial balance ; on the one side, the honour of Almighty God, the doing

1, much good to many souls, and tke friendship of the> best among whom we liv% ; on the other, if folly, impiety, and vanity may abide in the scale against so ponderous a weight, the "senseless objections of a few scandalous persons, laughing at us, and censuring us as precise and hypocritical : and when you have duly considered all things, let m£ know your positive determination.