Wesley Preaches at Newgate Gaol

Wesley Preaches in Newgate Gaol

Sunday, September 17. (London).—I began again to declare in my own country the glad tidings of salvation, preaching three times and afterward expounding the Holy Scripture, to a large company in the Minories. On Monday I rejoiced to meet with our little society, which now consisted of thirty-two persons.

The next day I went to the condemned felons in Newgate and offered them free salvation. In the evening I went to a society in Bear Yard and preached repentance and remission of sins. The next evening I spoke the truth in love at a society in Aldersgate Street: some contradicted at first, but not long; nothing but love appeared at our parting.

Journal of John Wesley

Rev. John Wesley's Four Resolutions

Wesley’s Four Resolutions

With regard to my own behavior, I now renewed and wrote down my former resolutions.
1. To use absolute openness and unreserve with all I should converse with.
2. To labor after continual seriousness, not willingly indulging myself in any the least
levity of behavior, or in laughter; no, not for a moment.

3. To speak no word which does not tend to the glory of God; in particular, not to talk
of worldly things. Others may, nay, must. But what is that to thee? And,
4. To take no pleasure which does not tend to the glory of God; thanking God every
moment for all I do take, and therefore rejecting every sort and degree of it which I feel I
cannot so thank Him in and for.

Journal of John Wesley

Selection From "Thoughts Upon Methodism"

In November, a large building, the Foundery, being offered him, he began preaching therein, morning and evening; at five in the morning, and seven in the evening, that the people's labor might not be hindered. From the beginning, the men and women sat apart, as they always did in the Primitive Church. And none were suffered to call any place their own, but the first comers sat down first. They had no pews; and all the benches for rich and poor, were of the same construction. Mr. Welsey began the Service with a short prayer; then sung a hymn and preached (usually about half an hour), then sang a few verses of another hymn, and concluded with prayer. His constant doctrine was salvation by faith, preceded by repentance, and followed by holiness.

"Thoughts Upon Methodism" Rev. John Wesley

Selection From "Thoughts Upon Methodism"

In the year 1729 four young students in Oxford agreed to spend their evenings together. They were all zealous members of the Church of England, and had no peculiar opinions, but were distinguished only by their constant attendance on the Church and Sacrament. In 1735 they were increased to fifteen, when the chief of them embarked for America, intending to preach to the heathen Indians. Methodism then seemed to die away; but it revived again in the year 1738, especially after Mr. Wesley (not being allowed to preach in the Churches) began to preach in the fields.

"Thoughts Upon Methodism" Rev. John Wesley

The moment I awakened, “Jesus, Master,” was in my heart and in my
mouth; and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed upon Him and my soul
waiting on Him continually. Being again at St. Paul’s in the afternoon, I could taste the good
word of God in the anthem which began, “My song shall be always of the loving-kindness
of the Lord: with my mouth will I ever be showing forth thy truth from one generation to
another.” Yet the enemy injected a fear, “If thou dost believe, why is there not a more sensible
change? I answered (yet not I), “That I know not. But, this I know, I have ‘now peace with
God.’ And I sin not today, and Jesus my Master has forbidden me to take thought for the
morrow.”

May 25, 1738 Journal of John Wesley

After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations, but I cried out, and they
fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and He “sent me help
from his holy place.” And herein I found the difference between this and my former state
chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as
under grace. But then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered; now, I was always conqueror.

May 24, 1738, Journal of John Wesley

I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, “This cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?” Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth, them according to the counsels of His own will.

May 24, 1738, Journal of John Wesley

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart.

May 24, 1738, Journal of John Wesley