|
|
Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII
Contents:
IV.
1. But was it possible, that all these things should be done without a flood of opposition? The prince of this world was not dead, nor asleep; and would he not fight, that his kingdom might not be delivered up? If the word of the Apostle be found true, in all ages and nations, "All they that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution;" if this be true, with regard to every individual Christian, how much more with regard to bodies of men visibly united together with the avowed design to overthrow his kingdom! And what could withstand the persecution he would not fail to stir up against a poor, defense. Less, despised people, without any visible help, without money, without power, without friends.
2. In truth, the God of this world was not asleep. Neither was he idle. He did fight, and that with all his power, that his kingdom might not be delivered up. He "brought forth all his hosts to war." First. He stirred up the beasts of the people. They roared like lions, they encompassed the little and defenseless on every side. And the storm rose higher and higher, till deliverance came in a way that none expected. God stirred up the heart of our late gracious Sovereign to give such orders to his Magistrates as, being put in execution, effectually quelled the madness of the people. It was about the same time that a great man applied personally to His Majesty, begging that he would please to "take a course to stop these run-about Preachers." His Majesty, looking sternly upon him, answered without ceremony, like a King, "I tell you, while I sit on the throne, no man shall be persecuted for conscience’ sake."
3. But in defiance of this, several who bore His Majesty’s commission have persecuted them from time to time; and that under color of law; availing themselves of what is called the Conventicle Act: One in particular, in Kent, who, some years since, took upon him to fine one of the Preachers and several of his hearers. But they thought it their duty to appeal to His Majesty’s Court of Kings Bench. The cause was given for the plaintiffs; who have ever since been permitted to worship God according to their own conscience.
4. I believe this is a thing wholly without precedent. I find no other instance of it, in any age of the Church, from the day of Pentecost to this day. Every opinion, right and wrong, has been tolerated, almost in every age and nation. Every mode of worship has been tolerated, however superstitious or absurd. But I do not know that true, vital, scriptural religion was ever tolerated before. For this the people called Methodists have abundant reason to praise God. In their favor he hath wrought a new thing in the earth: He hath stilled the enemy and the avenger. This then they must ascribe unto Him, the Author of their outward as well as inward peace.
Contents:
Chicago: John Wesley, "IV.," Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII, ed. Thomas Jackson in Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII (London: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872), Original Sources, accessed October 30, 2024, http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=3VBC92WNNPGBRN9.
MLA: Wesley, John. "IV." Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII, edited by Thomas Jackson, in Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII, London, Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872, Original Sources. 30 Oct. 2024. http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=3VBC92WNNPGBRN9.
Harvard: Wesley, J, 'IV.' in Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII, ed. . cited in 1872, Collected Works of John Wesley, Volume VII, Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, London. Original Sources, retrieved 30 October 2024, from http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=3VBC92WNNPGBRN9.
|