The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Methodism; Wesley, John, 1703-1791
3. “A Short Greek Grammar.” 12mo, 80 pages.
4. “A Short French Grammar.” 12mo, 35 pages.
Of course these were designed for the use of Kingswood school. On the
subject of languages, Wesley writes: “The Greek excels the Hebrew as
much in beauty and strength as it does in copiousness. I suppose no
one from the beginning of the world wrote better Hebrew than Moses.
But does not the language of St. Paul excel the language of Moses, as
much as the knowledge of St. Paul excelled his? I speak this, even
on supposition, that you read the Hebrew, as I believe, Ezra, if not
Moses, did, with points; for if we read it in the modern way, without
points, I appeal to every competent judge, whether it be not the most
equivocal.”[163] It is a curious fact, that Wesley advised no one above
twenty years of age to think of learning Greek or Latin, on the ground
that he could then employ his time abundantly better.[164] French he
considered to be “the poorest, meanest language in Europe,” and “no
more comparable to the German or Spanish, than a bagpipe is to an
organ.”[165]
5. “Serious Thoughts upon the Perseverance of the Saints.” 12mo, 24
pages. This was a timely production, and, though concise, is written
with much calmness and ability. Wesley admits, that both sides of the
question are attended with great difficulties,—difficulties such as
unassisted reason is unable to remove; and, therefore, says he, “let
the living oracles decide. If these speak for us, we neither seek nor
want further witness.” He clearly shows, that Calvinists constantly
avail themselves of two fallacies. “1. They perpetually beg the
question by applying, to particular persons, texts which relate only
to the church in general; and some of them only to the Jewish church
and nation, as distinguished from all other people. 2. They take for
granted, as an indisputable truth, that whatever our Lord speaks to, or
of His apostles, is to be applied to all believers.”
6. Eleven volumes of the “Christian Library,” from Vol. II. to Vol.
XII. inclusive, and making altogether three thousand two hundred and
fifty 12mo printed pages.
Vol. II. contains a continuation of John Arndt’s “True Christianity.”
Vols. III. to VI., inclusive, are occupied with an abridgment of Fox’s
Book of Martyrs; and Vols. VII. to XII. with extracts from the works
of Bishop Hall, Robert Bolton, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibbes, Dr. Goodwin,
William Dell, and Dr. Manton.
1752.
[Sidenote: 1752 Age 49]
The year 1752 is skipped by the whole of Wesley’s biographers; and yet
it was not devoid of incident.
Charles Wesley was now on terms of intimate friendship with the
Countess of Huntingdon, and frequently preached and administered
the sacrament in her ladyship’s house, to personages of great
distinction.[166]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account