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From Here to Forever
In Wesley’s time, men of different gifts did not harmonize upon
every point of doctrine. The differences between Whitefield and
the Wesleys threatened at one time to create alienation, but as they
learned meekness in the school of Christ, mutual forbearance and
charity reconciled them. They had no time to dispute, while error
and iniquity were teeming everywhere.
Wesley Escapes Death
Men of influence employed their powers against them. Many
clergy manifested hostility, and the doors of the churches were closed
against a pure faith. The clergy, denouncing them from the pulpit,
aroused the elements of darkness and iniquity. Again and again John
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Wesley escaped death by a miracle of God’s mercy. When there
seemed no way of escape, an angel in human form came to his side,
the mob fell back, and the servant of Christ passed in safety from
danger.
Of his deliverance on one of these occasions, Wesley said: “Al-
though many strove to lay hold on my collar or clothes, to pull me
down, they could not fasten at all: only one got fast hold of the flap
of my waistcoat, which was soon left in his hand; the other flap, in
the pocket of which was a bank note, was torn but half off. ... A
lusty man just behind, struck at me several times, with a large oaken
stick; with which if he had struck me once on the back part of my
head, it would have saved him all further trouble. But every time,
the blow was turned aside, I know not how; for I could not move to
the right hand or left.
The Methodists of those days endured ridicule and persecution,
often violence. In some instances, public notices were posted, call-
ing upon those who desired to break the windows and rob the houses
of the Methodists to assemble at a given time and place. Systematic
persecution was carried on against a people whose only fault was
seeking to turn sinners to the path of holiness.
The spiritual declension in England just before the time of Wes-
ley was in a great degree the result of teaching that Christ had
abolished the moral law and that Christians are under no obligation
to observe it. Others declared that it was unnecessary for ministers
12
John Wesley, Works, vol. 3, pp. 297, 298.