John Wesley
John Wesley (;, though often pronounced as }} 2 March 1791) was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The societies he founded became the dominant form of the independent Methodist movement that continues to this day.Educated at Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford, Wesley was elected a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1726 and ordained as an Anglican priest two years later. At Oxford, he led the "Holy Club", a society formed for the purpose of the study and the pursuit of a devout Christian life. After an unsuccessful two-year ministry in Savannah, Georgia, he returned to London and joined a religious society led by Moravian Christians. On 24 May 1738, he experienced what has come to be called his evangelical conversion. He subsequently left the Moravians and began his own ministry.
A key step in the development of Wesley's ministry was to travel widely and preach outdoors, embracing Arminian doctrines. Moving across Great Britain and Ireland, he helped form and organise small Christian groups (societies and classes) that developed intensive and personal accountability, discipleship, and religious instruction. He appointed itinerant, unordained evangelists—both women and men—to care for these groups of people. Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social issues of the day, including the abolition of slavery and support for women preachers.
Although he was not a systematic theologian, Wesley argued against Calvinism and for the notion of Christian perfection, which he cited as the reason that he felt God "raised up" Methodists into existence. His evangelicalism, firmly grounded in sacramental theology, maintained that means of grace played a role in sanctification of the believer; however, he taught that it was by faith a believer was transformed into the likeness of Christ. He held that, in this life, Christians could achieve a state where the love of God "reigned supreme in their hearts", giving them not only outward but inward holiness. Wesley's teachings, collectively known as Wesleyan theology, continue to inform the doctrine of Methodist churches.
Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the established Church of England, insisting that the Methodist movement lay well within its tradition. In his early ministry years, Wesley was barred from preaching in many parish churches and the Methodists were persecuted; he later became widely respected, and by the end of his life, was described as "the best-loved man in England". Provided by Wikipedia
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by Wesley, John
Published 1791
Published 1791
printed by G. Paramore, North-Green, Worship-Street; and sold by G. Whitfield, New-Chapel, City-Road; and at the Methodist preaching-houses, in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1790
Published 1790
printed and sold at the New-Chapel, City-Road; and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1777
Published 1777
printed by R. Hawes, and sold at the Foundry, in Moorfields, and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1755
Published 1755
printed by Henry Cock; and sold at the Foundery, near Upper Moor-Fields, and by T. Trye, at Gray's-Inn-Gate; and by R. Akenhead, on Tine Bridge, Newcastle
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by Wesley, John
Published 1750
Published 1750
printed: and sold by G. Woodfall, near Charing-Cross, London; A. Dodd, at the Peacock in the Strand; J. Robinson, Ludgate-Street; T. Trye, near Grey's Inn; and T. James, under the Royal-Exchange
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by Wesley, John
Published 1794
Published 1794
printed by G. Paramore, North-Green, Worship-Street; and sold by G. Whitfield, at the Chapel, City-Road; and at the Methodist preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1796
Published 1796
printed by R. Napper, No. 29, Capel-Street, And sold at the Methodist Preaching-Houses, in Town and Country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1795
Published 1795
printed by G. Paramore, North-Green, Worship-Street. Sold by G. Whitfield, at the Chapel, City-Road; and at the Methodist Preaching-Houses in Town and Country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1798
Published 1798
printed for G. Whitfield, City-Road; and sold at the Methodist preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1798
Published 1798
printed for G. Whitfield, City-Road. and sold at the Methodist preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1797
Published 1797
printed for G. Whitfield, City-Road; and sold at the Methodist preaching-houses in town and country
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by Wesley, John
Published 1745
Published 1745
printed by W. Strahan; and sold by T. Trye, near Gray's-Inn-Gate, Holborn; Henry Butler, at the Corner of Bow-Church-Yard; and at the Foundery, near Upper-Moorfields
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by Wesley, John
Published 1747
Published 1747
printed by S. Powell, and sold at Mr Verney's in Little Ship-Street, by Mrs. Crump in Marlborough-Street, opposite to the Society-House, and Mr Watts in Park-Street, near the Comb