Notes

NOTES

1. Whence did evil arise? — EDIT.

2. He afterwards married one of Mr. Wesley’s sisters. — EDIT

3. His sister Emelia. — EDIT.

4. The other verses mentioned at the beginning of this letter are omitted, for the reason assigned by Mr. Wesley: They are on a “wrong subject.” EDIT

5. Nothing is worth such a sacrifice as this.EDIT.

6. Written to his father.EDIT.

7. A folio volume in Latin, consisting of Dissertations on the Book of Job, by his father, and dedicated to the Queen. EDIT.

8. What I have been hitherto doing amounts to nothing.EDIT.

9. May life itself no longer be pleasant to me.EDIT.

10. Son of David, have mercy upon me.EDIT.

11. O grovelling souls bent to the earth, and void of heavenly good!EDIT.

12. The person who addressed a series of letters to Mr. Wesley in manuscript under the assumed name of John Smith, and whom the following answers were directed, there is reason to believe, was Dr. Thomas Secker, as that time Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. Secker was born in 1693. The writer of these letters says, “I was confirmed about the age of fourteen. What childish apprehensions I might have had before that time I cannot well say, but for about forty years since,” etc. (These two periods added together will give us fifty four years, or rather fifty three, from his word “about.” Let this be added to 1693, the year of Secker’s birth, and it gives us 1746, the exact date of his letter. His letters are given entire in the Appendix to Moore’s Life of Mr. Wesley, volume 2, page 475, etc.; and some account of the correspondence will be found in the same volume, page 95, etc.EDIT.

13. Volume 1, page 231, of the present edition.EDIT.

14. “Under thy guidance and direction, I entered into my inward parts: And I was unable to enter, because thou wast my Helper. I entered, and saw, with the eye of my soul, (such as it is,) the unchangeable light of the Lord [shining] above this very eye of my soul, and above my mind. I perceived that the light was not of this common kind, which is obvious to all flesh: Neither did it appear as if it was a larger light of the same kind. It was not a light of this description, but of another: a light that differed exceedingly from all these. Nor was it above my mind, in such a manner as the heavens are above the earth: But it was superior, because it made me. He who knows the truth is acquainted with this light; and he who knows it, knows eternity. Charity [or love] knows it.

“O eternal Truth! Thou art my God. Day and night I sigh after thee. And when I obtained my first knowledge of thee, thou didst take me to see that there was something which I might behold. Thou didst likewise beat back the weakness of my own sight, and didst thyself powerfully shine into me. I trembled with love and with horror; and I found myself at a great distance from thee. (I exclaimed, ‘Is truth a nonentity?’ (And thou didst reply from afar, ‘No, indeed! I AM, THAT I AM!’ (I heard this, as we are accustomed to hear in the heart; and there was no ground whatever for doubting. Nay, I could more easily doubt of my existence itself, than that it was not the Truth.” — EDIT

15. Among the shades of Academic groves. — EDIT.

16. Volume 8, page 76, etc., of the present edition. — EDIT.

17. Referring to the discomfiture of the Pretender’s forces in the year 1745. — EDIT.

18. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Francis: — “Yet may not truth in laughing guise be dress’d?” — EDIT.

19. Volume VIII, of the present edition. — EDIT.

20. The purification from his former sins. — EDIT.

21. To do the same thing repeatedly. — EDIT.

22. But, because I seemed reluctant to entertain his views, he expelled me from his dwelling. — EDIT.

23. Saying the same things ten times over. — EDIT.

24. See in the next page Mr. Wesley’s translation of this allusion to 2 Corinthians 11:3. — EDIT.

25. It is the duty of the people to separate themselves from a wicked Bishop. — EDIT.

26. Without accomplishing their design. — EDIT.

27. I did not feel myself to be a boon companion, exactly suitable for such society. — EDIT.

28. It is denied. — EDIT.

29. Entirely. — EDIT.

30. Your own will, instead of reason. — EDIT.

31. With sufficient authority. — EDIT.

32. A relation of the Wesleys. — Edit.

33. For who forbids this? — EDIT.

34. Live this day. — EDIT.

35. Closeted only with him. — EDIT.

36. See Volume III, of the present edition of Mr. Wesley’s Works. — EDIT.

37. This line from Horace is thus translated by Francis: — “Our minds with this exception gay,

That you, our friend, were far away.”

— EDIT.

38. According to the rules of art. — EDIT.

39. Hasten onward with caution.— EDIT.

40. The head and fountain of the evil. — EDIT.

41. Words are wasted on a dead man. — EDIT.

42. For a translation of this passage see the preceding page.— EDIT.

43. Professedly. — EDIT.

44. In the spirit and temper of prize-fighters. — EDIT.

45. Do you know of any method which would be preferable? — EDIT.

46. He has no brains. — EDIT.

47. For the translation of this Greek, see Volume VIII. — EDIT.

48. This passage from Virgil may be thus rendered. — EDIT.

49. Old men that have attained to their sixtieth year. — EDIT.

50. All else is frothy laughter, and but dust. — EDIT.

51. We who are the chiefs. — EDIT.

52. O that the rest were like-minded! — EDIT.

53. Farewell. — EDIT.

54. This accommodated passage from Terence is thus translated by Colman: —

“Now you may show what kind of man you are;

———— and in a cause

Worthy the utmost reachings of your soul.”

— EDIT.

55. Farewell. — EDIT.

56. The care of souls. — EDIT.

57. For a translation of this quotation see page 129. — EDIT.

58. Farewell to all of you. — EDIT.

59. I am entirely occupied with it. — EDIT.

60. Or, according to sister Martha’s account, my sixty second.— C. W.

61. “He is vanished; he is escaped.” Spoken by Cicero respecting Catiline. — EDIT.

62. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Boscawen: — “My former happy life restore.” — EDIT.

63. Each of us in turn asks and grants indulgence. — EDIT.

64. This quotation from Terence, as applied by Mr. Wesley, may be thus rendered: “This affair has brought him again into favor.” — EDIT.

65. For a translation of this passage from Terence, see page 142.

66. Translated in Volume X. — EDIT.

67. Among the papers of Mr. Charles Wesley is the following copy of a letter, which he appears to have written at his brother’s suggestion, and addressed to some person who was concerned in the erection of the chapel at Birstal. It shows the importance which he, as well as his brother, attached to the settlement of chapels upon the Methodist plan, so that they might never be alienated from the connection by the caprice of individuals, but always be used for the purpose of their original erection.

— EDIT.

SIR, LONDON, July 29, 1782.

I WAITED to see my brother before I could answer your very sensible letter. You was informed that my brother carefully perused the Deed, and attentively examined and considered it, in the presence of several persons.

He did in the presence of several persons hear it read, but never read it himself, either before or after. Upon hearing it, he immediately and earnestly objected to it. A long and vehement debate ensued, at the close of which he rose up, and flatly declared he could not in conscience sign it. Therefore judge you, whether he was likely to say, that he “would not hesitate a moment after he had examined the Deed.”

In the evening, after he had finished a hard day’s labor, and was preparing for rest, some of them came again, and in truth worried him to sign it.

The case has not been fairly represented to you. You have been informed that “ about thirty one years ago, a number of poor Methodists purchased ground, and built a preaching-house.” But how? At the instance of my brother, all the Methodists of the neighboring societies contributed to the building; and this in confidence that it would be settled on the same plan as all our preaching-houses were. “But the founders had a right to settle it as they pleased.” True; but the Trustees were not the founders; although they lent a considerable sum of money for the completing of the building; as many others have done in all parts of England, who yet never imagined, this gave them a right to appoint the Preachers! “Accordingly they settled it” — They! I know not who: Certainly not the original contributors — “on nineteen members of the society.” And pray, who could give these nineteen such a privilege over the rest? It seems to me here is no good foundation. All the society were willing my brother should name Trustees: But who besides had any authority to name them, I cannot understand! But be this as it may, “The founders did not choose, that after Mr. Wesley’s death a body of men whom they knew not should appoint their Preachers, but the Trustees.” The founders! Who were they? The fifty or five hundred subscribers? These are the real founders; and nine-tenths of these did and do choose that all the Travelling Preachers should be appointed, not by the Trustees of any particular houses, but (after Mr. Wesley’s death) by the General Conference, that the Methodists may be one body throughout the three kingdoms.

You yourself very properly observe, of the first Deed, that great inconveniences might follow from vesting nineteen Trustees with a power to choose one another, and to appoint and displace Preachers at their pleasure. But you think, “the present Trustees could not legally transfer any of their power to the Conference.” Then how can they transfer any of their power to the Leaders? or indeed to any other persons whatever? “A body of men whom their neighbors had entrusted with their concerns” — Their neighbors! No; they knew nothing of the matter. They desire that the Conference, not the Trustees, after all Wesley’s death, may appoint and displace the Preachers. And if that bad Deed, which determines the contrary, cannot be abrogated, or, at least, so; “modified as to consist with the intention of the real founders,” by giving the Conference a conditionate power with the Trustees, they will protest against it with both their hands.

You add: “As long as the Conference appoints Preachers with candid impartiality, we doubt not their appointments will be acquiesced in by the Trustees and Class Leaders.” But, according to this Deed, the Conference has no more business than the Parliament to appoint Preachers at all.

From the beginning of Methodism till now, (to touch on one more point,) the Assistants appointed the Stewards in all societies: But this Deed gives the Trustees and Leaders this power; which they think is “necessary to insure the repayment of the three hundred and fifty pounds to be advanced for the building.” Necessary! Not at all. How many thousand pounds, advanced for buildings, have been paid within these forty years, though all the Stewards in England, Scotland, and Ireland, have been hitherto appointed by my brother or the Assistants!

You conclude your letter with a very just observation: — “The civil and religious rights of mankind have seldom been promoted by the assemblies of Ecclesiastics of any denomination: And they never will be, unless they are composed of men devoted to God, and dead to all the allurements of ease, and avarice, and ambition.” This is undoubtedly true; and this, we humbly hope, is the real character of most (at least) of those persons that meet in our assemblies. We hope, likewise, that “their consultations will always be moderated by some wise and truly religious man;” otherwise, that God will sweep away the very name of Methodist from the earth. Upon the whole, I cannot, I dare not, sign that Deed. I can have nothing to do with it.

If the house should nevertheless be built, and settled upon that plan, I apprehend the consequence would be this:

l. No Methodist Preacher would ever preach in it. If any did, the whole body would disclaim him.

2. My brother would immediately set a subscription on foot for buying ground and building another house. The Trustees then might do what they pleased with theirs.

I am, Sir, Your humble servant.

68. The first and grand mistake. — EDIT.

69. The whole of our redemption by Christ is a metaphor. — EDIT.

70. It is not good that the supreme power should be lodged in many hands: Let there be one chief governor. — EDIT.

71. A person who presides over the rest. — EDIT.

72. This quotation from Juvenal is thus translated by Gifford: — “While something yet of health and strength remains, And yet no staff my faltering step sustains.”

— EDIT.

73. Nothing is of equal consequence with this. — EDIT.

74. It is to be regretted, that no biographical account of this very excellent man was ever published; and so many years have now elapsed since his death, that few particulars of his personal history can be recovered. He was a principal partner in a banking establishment in Lombard-street, London; and had a country residence at Lewisham, in Rent, a few miles from the metropolis. For many years he was the intimate and cordial friend of Mr. Wesley; as the following letters, and numerous passages in Mr. Wesley’s Journal, abundantly testify. To Lewisham Mr. Wesley was accustomed to retire when writing for the press; and from that place, it will be observed, many of his sermons and other works are dated. Here he found an asylum during his serious illness in the year 1754, which was expected to terminate in his death; and from this place he was removed to the Bristol Hot-wells. Considerable sums of money were intrusted by Mr. Blackwell to Mr. Wesley for distribution among the poor; and some of the letters addressed to him show in what manner his bounty was applied. Mrs. Hannah Dewal and Mrs. Blackwell, so often mentioned in this correspondence, were women of exemplary piety, and both died in the Lord. Among the manuscripts left by Mr. Charles Wesley are two excellent hymns, of considerable length, on the death of these Christian ladies. Mrs. Blackwell died March 27, 1772. The second Mrs. Blackwell was the niece of Bishop Lowth. Her father was also a Clergyman. The late Mr. Charles Wesley, so justly celebrated for his musical talents, who was intimately acquainted with the family, stated to the writer of this note, that the Bishop once dined with Mr. Wesley by appointment at Lewisham; on which occasion he refused to sit above Mr. Wesley at table; and in declining that honor, to which his rank in the Church entitled him, said to Mr. Wesley, “May I be found at your feet in another world!” Mr. Wesley, as might be supposed, still manifested considerable uneasiness; and the Bishop ended the dispute by requesting as a favor that he might sit below Mr. Wesley, inasmuch as he was deaf on one ear, and wished not to lose one word of Mr. Wesley’s conversation. Under the date of July 24, 1782, Mr. Wesley says, in his Journal, “My brother and I paid our last visit to Lewisham, and spent a few pensive hours with the relict of our good friend Mr. Blackwell. We took one more walk round the garden and meadow, which he took so much pains to improve. Upwards of forty years this has been my place of retirement, when I could spare two or three days from London. In that time, first Mrs. Sparrow went to rest; then Mrs. Dewal; then good Mrs. Blackwell; now Mr. Blackwell himself. Who can tell how soon we may follow them?” Among the manuscript poems of Mr. Charles Wesley is a hymn entitled, “For Mr. Blackwell Departing, April 21, 1782;” and another, entitled, “On the Death of Mr. Ebenezer Blackwell, April 21, 1782.” In the latter of these compositions Mr. Blackwell is described as a man of Christian piety, who devoted a large proportion of his increasing property to the relief of the poor. — EDIT.

75. This quotation from Cicero on the Nature of the Gods is thus translated by Dr. Franklin:—

“How much more laudable would it be, to acknowledge you do not know what you do not know, than to follow that blunderer, whom you must surely despise!” — EDIT.

76. The prime fallacy. — EDIT.

77. The whole of our redemption by Christ is a mere metaphor. — EDIT.

78. Mr. Wesley’s housekeeper at Bristol. — EDIT.

79. This letter, though directed to Mr. Cownley, was addressed to the society at Leominster. — EDIT.

80. This quotation from Ovid is thus translated by Addison: — “I steer against their notions; nor am I

Born back by all the current of the sky.” — EDIT.

81. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Francis: — “To the instruction of an humble friend,

Who would himself be better taught, attend.” — EDIT.

82. Those who are clever in their particular profession. — EDIT.

83. From several expressions in this letter, it appears to have been addressed to the Reverend John Berridge, Vicar of Everton. — EDIT.

84. This quotation from Terence is thus rendered by Dr. Samuel Patrick: —

“But now all is at your peril. I ride safe in the harbor.” — EDIT.

85. I prefer truth to the dearest friend. — EDIT.

86. Probably the conduct of John Bennet, who renounced his connection with Mr. Wesley about this period, and vehemently preached against him in that part of the country. — EDIT.

87. Volume 6 of the present edition of Mr. Wesley’s Works. — EDIT.

88. We add the following lines from the Rev. Charles Wesley to Mr. Rankin, written on the same occasion. — EDIT.

MY DEAR BROTHER, March 1, 1775.

TO spare you the expense, I delayed answering your letter; but I bear you always on my heart, and rejoice when the Lord blesses you with success. He giveth grace, more grace, to the humble: Therefore wrestle with him for deep humility.

As to the public affairs, I wish you to be like-minded with me. I am of neither side, and yet of both; on the side of New England, and of Old. Private Christians are excused, exempted, privileged, to take no part in civil troubles. We love all and pray for all, with a sincere and impartial love. Faults there may be on both sides; but such as neither you nor I can remedy: Therefore, let us, and all our children, give ourselves unto prayer, and so stand still and see the salvation of God. My love to Captain Webb, when you see him, and to Mr. Bowden, to whom I owe letters, and much love. Show yours for me, by praying more for me and mine.

Yours in the old love, C. W.

89. One of the Preachers in America. — EDIT.

90. One of the English Preachers. He was a different person from the Preacher to whom the preceding letter was addressed. — EDIT.

91. The Preacher then stationed in the Edinburgh Circuit. — EDIT.

92. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Francis: — “Wherefore, Maecenas, would you thus engage

Your bard, dismiss’d with honor from the stage,

Again to venture in the lists of fame,

His youth, his genius, now no more the same?” — EDIT.

93. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Boscawen: “Destroy, build castles in the air,

Now love the round, and now the square.” — EDIT.

94. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Boscawen: - “Far different are my thoughts and strain.” — EDIT.

95. I am overcome by the force of truth. — EDIT.

96. The righteousness of the law is legal righteousness. — EDIT.

97. Throw away that thirst for books. — EDIT.

98. The dreadful dropsy increases by indulgence. — EDIT.

99. Nothing is of so much importance. — EDIT.

100. Mr. Wesley here refers to a pressing invitation which Mr. Benson had received to visit America. — EDIT.

101. We subjoin a letter from Mr. Charles Wesley to Mr. Benson. — EDIT.

MY DEAR BROTHER, THE FOUNDRY, March 6, 1773.

I HAVE barely time to say, your own reasons for not yet going to America, and Christopher Hopper’s, are unanswerable. Mr. F. is only the Captain’s echo. The Captain’s impressions are no more (or very little more) to be depended on than George Bell’s. He is an inexperienced, honest, zealous, loving enthusiast. God only knows whether you may not be called to America by and by. At present your call is not clear: Therefore stand still; and send our friends a loving, explicit refusal.

I do not want a heart to visit my very dear friends at Newcastle, but a body. If to my willing mind I had health and strength, still more is wanted; namely, a faithful man to attend me, and money to defray our expenses. When all these things meet, yon may meet me once more in the north.

I have left my family, all but Charles, at Bristol. My old love to brother Hopper, Cownley, sister Proctor, and all my Newcastle friends. Stir them up to pray for me. I shall not need your prayers much longer. Errwso en Crisw. 102

102. Farewell in Christ.

103. Whose mouth it is necessary to stop. — EDIT.

104. The manner. — EDIT.

105. This quotation from Horace, and part of the sentence with which it is connected, are thus translated by Smart:

“He would often, as a great feat, dictate two hundred verses in an hour, standing in the same position.” — EDIT.

106. This was a misrepresentation. — W. C.

107. Mr. Churchey was now about to publish his large volume of poems, which Mr. Wesley permitted him to print at his own press. — EDIT.

108. This softness of mind must be cast away. — EDIT.

109. This person was a member of the Methodist society at an early period after its formation. He afterwards separated himself from his old friends, and questioned the truth of some of their religious tenets; especially the witness of the Spirit, and Christian perfection. He addressed several letters to Mr. Wesley, under the ashamed name of P. V.; and these called forth the replies now before the reader. In his last letter, Mr. Tompson disclosed his real name. The entire correspondence was published with Mr. Wesley’s consent, in the year 1760, in an octavo pamphlet, with the following title: — “Original Letters between the Reverend Mr. John Wesley, and Mr. Richard Tompson, respecting the Doctrine of Assurance, as holden by the former: Wherein that Tenet is fully examined; with some Strictures on Christian Perfection.” From this pamphlet, the subjoined letters have been copied. — EDIT.

110. Evidence or conviction. — EDIT.

111. Author of “Family Prayers, and Moral Essays in Verse and Prose.” He presented a copy of this work to Mr. Wesley, which occasioned their correspondence. A sermon on the occasion of his death, by Dr. Kippis, and selections from his papers, were published in 1782, in a small octavo volume, printed at Chesterfield. From this volume these letters of Mr. Wesley have been copied. — EDIT.

112. Mr. Wesley’s Answer to Dr. Taylor, on Original Sin. — EDIT.

113. This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Smart: “No one is born without vices.” — EDIT.

114. This quotation from Terence is the rendered by Colman: — “ The mind Falls easily from labor to delight.” — EDIT.

115. This quotation from Juvenal is thus translated by Gifford: — For youth is facile, and its yielding will

Receives, with fatal ease, the’ imprint of ill.” — EDIT.

116. Mr. Fletcher’s “Appeal.” — EDIT.

117. This is the whole of the letter. Mr. Wolfe was appointed that year for the Bristol Circuit. — EDIT.

118. We subjoin the following letter to the same individual from Mr. Charles Wesley. — EDIT.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, July 2, 1774.

GO on in the narrow way of the cross, praying, trusting, and laboring more abundantly. I shall always be glad to hear of your success. The first point is, “Take heed to thyself;” and then “to the doctrine.” Personal holiness we should above all things labor after, that we may be a pattern to the flock. My wife joins in love to your partner, etc., etc., with,

My dear brother,

Your sincerely affectionate friend.