[139] See a book of unusual interest, "Lives of the Early Methodist Preachers," ed. by Rev. I. Jackson. Wesleyan Book-Room, London, 3 vols. 1865. In the controversy between Wesley and Toplady on Predestination, etc., a controversy marked by the worst features of the time, the fiery Welshman was put forward to take the leading part on the Arminian side. Nothing could exceed the severity of Toplady's remarks and the fierceness of his attacks, both on the character and teaching of the veteran preacher, John Wesley, whom all the world now agrees to honor as one of the most devout, unselfish, and useful men who have adorned the Christian Church in any age. Right manfully did the "Welsh Cobbler," as Olivers was contemptuously styled, stand up for the doctrine of free grace. In his hands Wesley was quite content to leave the work of reply to Toplady's _Zanchius_, quietly remarking, "I can only make a few strictures, and leave the young man Toplady to be further corrected by one that is fully his match, Thomas Olivers." Tyerman[140] speaks of Olivers as a man of high intellectual power; but "laments that the fiery Welshman undertook to meet the furious Predestinarian with the not too respectable weapons of his own choosing." What this means may be imagined by the following sample of Toplady's personalities in this strife of tongues. He says, "Mr. Wesley skulks for shelter under a cobbler's apron;" and again, "Has Tom the Cobbler more learning and integrity than John the Priest?" It must be confessed that Cobbler Tom hit hard in reply. But an end has now come to the discreditable and useless strife; and, happily, it is in no danger of revival; while the hymns written by the pious Calvinist[141] and the zealous Arminian are both alike sung with devout emotion wherever the Saviour's name is known and adored. [140] "Life of Wesley," vol. iii. p. 108. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1870. [141] Toplady wrote the fine hymn "Rock of Ages," etc. Besides several controversial tracts, Olivers wrote a number of hymns, and is known as the composer of a number of Psalm-tunes.[142] He continued his ministry in London till March, 1799, when he died at the age of seventy-four. He was buried in John Wesley's tomb, in the City Road Chapel Yard, London, as a token of the esteem in which he was held by Wesley and his friends. [142] "_Helmsley_" has been set down to Olivers; but Mr. Benham says it was composed by Martin Madan, Cowper's uncle, author of "_Thelyphthora_." See Cowper's "Poems," Globe Ed., Intro., p. 34. THOMAS HOLCROFT, DRAMATIST, NOVELIST, ETC.[143] [143] "Memoirs of the late Thomas Holcroft, written by Himself, and Continued to the Time of his Death from his Diary," by W. Hazlitt. The Traveller's Library, vol. xvii. 1856.