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 for the notion of Christian perfection and against Calvinism. His evangelicalism, firmly grounded in sacramental theology, maintained that means of grace sometimes had 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

1
by Wesley, John
Published 1782
printed by J. Paramore, at the Foundery, Moorsields : and sold at the New Chapel, in the City-Road; and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's preaching-houses in town and country

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by Wesley, John
Published 1761
printed by William Pine, in Narrow-Wine-Street

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by Wesley, John
Published 1751
printed by S. Powell, in Crane-Lane

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by Wesley, John
Published 1750
printed by Felix Farley

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by Wesley, John
Published 1745
printed by Felix Farley

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by Wesley, John
Published 1796
printed for G. Whitfield, New-Chapel, City-Road; and sold at the Methodist preaching-houses, in town and country

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by Wesley, John
Published 1772
printed in the year

11
by Wesley, John
Published 1780
printed by R. Hawes, and sold at the New Chapel in the City-Road, and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's preaching-houses in town and country

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by Wesley, John
Published 1787
printed by J. Paramore , at the Foundry, Upper Moorfields : 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 1746
printed by Felix Farley

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by Wesley, John
Published 1775
printed by R. Hawes

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by Wesley, John
Published 1760

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by Wesley, John
Published 1762
printed: and sold by W. Flexney , near Gray's-Inn Gate, Holbourn ; by G. Keith , in Gracechurch street ; by T. James, under the Royal-Exchange

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by Wesley, John
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 1742
printed by Felix Farley. And sold at his shop in Castle-Green, and by John Wilson , in Wine-Street : in London, by Thomas Trye, near Gray's-Inn-Gate, and Thomas Harris , on the Bridge ; and at the Foundery in Upper-Moor-Fields