86 "that sublime, science on which eternal happiness depends, of more widely diffusing it, and more "efficaciously persuading others to embrace it; of restoring fallen christianity, binding up the wounds "of the Church, and healing her divisions.-He is a "man whose business it is to perform and direct all the "parts of divine worship before the whole Church; "to offer to God, the desires, the prayers, the praises, "and thanksgivings of the people assembled.-This "Pastor is a man divinely called, an Ambassador of "God sent to men, that he bring as many souls as "possible, from darkness to light, from the world to "Christ, from the power of satan to God, from the way of perdition to the way of salvation: a man who by public preaching and private instruction, faithfully explains the word of God, especially the "doctrines of salvation contained in it, and by the 66 simplicity and clearness of explanation adapts them "to the capacity of every individual person. O tre"mendous employment !"* "I have no intention, (observes Dr. Whitehead) by these observations, to reflect on any denomination of men filling the sacred office; I have introduced them merely with a view to shew, what are the qualifications essentially necessary in a Minister of the Gospel, con ́sidering them as distinct from those peculiarities of opinion and modes of worship by which true Christians are distinguished from one another; and to illustrate the character of Mr. Wesley as a true Gospel Minister. He possessed the requisites for his office in no small degree he had a clear view of the state of human nature, and of the doctrines of the Gospel, pointing out God's method of restoring sinners to his favour and image. Sin blinds the understanding, hardens Werenfelsius in Dissert. de Scopo Doctoris Theologi. the the heart, makes the conscience insensible of the defilement of evil, and renders a man eareless of his spiritual and eternal concerns. Like a wise master-builder, he explained and enforced the doctrines of repentance towards God, and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as first principles in christian experience; as the entrance into it, and the foundation on which it is built. His own experience illustrated and confirmed the scriptural views he obtained of these doctrines: hé spoke of them in their proper order, and described their effects with clearness and firmness, not as the uncertain conjectures of a speculative philosophy, but as the certain practical truths of divine revelation. He was now in the habit of giving a practical application to the higher principles of the gospel, in the government of his heart and life, and was daily growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in a way which could not deceive him, where theory and practice were thus combined. He was therefore, well prepared for the Ministry, not only by learning and deep study, in which he had been conversant for many years, but also by such exercises of the heart, as led him to a thorough knowledge of human nature, and of the method of salvation laid down in the gospel. If all the Ministers in England, of every denomination, were thus qualified for their office, and animated with the same zeal, to propagate the truths of religion by every means in their power, what an amazing change should we soon see in the morals of the people! It is an awful consideration, that Ministers, who are set for the defence of the gospel, and the propagation of true christian piety, should be the hinderances of it in any degree, through a want of knowledge experience, diligence and zeal. It would be well if every Minister would seriously examine himself on these these heads, as Mr. Wesley did, and keep in view the account which he must soon give to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls." Though Mr. Wesley had been very diligent in his Master's service, since the 21st of May, he had not yet been able to preach. On Sunday, July 2nd, he observes, "Being to preach this morning for the first "time, I received strength for the work of the ministry. "The whole service at Basingshaw Church, was won derfully animating, especially the gospel, concerning "the miraculous draught of fishes. I preached salva"tion by faith, to a deeply attentive audience, "and afterwards gave the cup. Observing a woman "full of reverence, I asked her if she had forgiveness " of sins? she answered with great sweetness and humility, Yes, I know it now, that I have forgive22 ness. 66 "I preached again at London-Wall, without fear or "weariness. As I was going into the Church, a woman caught hold of my hand and blessed me most heartily, telling me she had received forgiveness of "sins while I was preaching in the morning." In the evening they held a meeting for prayer, when two other persons found peace with God. July 10th, Mr. Wesley, was requested by the Rev. Mr. Sparks, to go to Newgate: he went and preached to the ten malefactors under sentence of death. But he 66 66 observes it was with a heavy heart. My old prejudices (says he) against the possibility of a death"bed repentance, still hung upon me, and I could hardly hope there was mercy for those whose time "was so short." But in the midst of his languid discourse, as he calls it, his mind acquired a sudden confidence in the mercy of God, and he promised them all pardon in the name of Jesus Christ, if they would even even then, as at the last hour, repent and believe the gospel. He adds, "I did believe they would accept "the proffered mercy, and could not help telling "them, I had no doubt but God would give me every "soul of them." He preached to them again the next day with earnestness, from the second lesson, when two or three began to be deeply affected. 66 This day Mr. Wesley received a letter from Mr. William Delamotte, giving an account of his mother. "I cannot keep peace, (says he) the mercies of God 66 come so abundantly on our unworthy family, that I am not able to declare them. Yet as they are his blessings through your ministry, I must inform you "of them, as they will strengthen your hands, and prove helpers of your joy.-Great then, I believe, "was the struggle in my mother, between nature and grace: but God, who knoweth the very heart and "reins, hath searched her out. Her spirit is become "as that of a little child. She is converted, and Christ "hath spoken peace to her soul. "begun in her the morning you "though she concealed it from you. The next morn 66 66 66 66 This change was left us (the 8th) ing when she waked, the following words of Scripture were present to her mind: "Either what woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one of them, "doth not light a candle and sweep the house diligent"ly till she find it." She rose immediately, took up "Bishop Taylor, and opened on a place which so strongly asserted this living faith, that she was fully "convinced. But the enemy preached humility to "her, that she could not deserve so great a gift. God, "however, still pursued, and she could not long for bear to communicate the emotions of her soul to me.` "We prayed, read, and conversed for an hour. The "Lord made use of a mean instrument to convince "her "her of her ignorance of the word of God. Through"out that day she was more and more enlightened by "the truth, till at length she broke out, "Where "have I been? I know nothing; I see nothing; my "mind is all darkness; how have I opposed the "Scripture !" She was tempted to think, she was labouring after something that was not to be attained; σε but Christ did not suffer her to fall: she flew to him "in prayer and singing, and continued agonizing all "the evening. The next morning, when reading in "her closet, she received reconciliation and peace. "She could not contain the joy attending it: nor for"bear imparting to her friends and neighbours, that "she had found the piece which she had lost. Satan "in vain attempted to shake her: she felt in herself, "Faith's assurance, Hope's increase, Mr. Sparks asked him if he would preach at St. Helen's. He agreed to supply Mr. Broughton's place, who was at Oxford," Arming our friends, (says "Mr. Wesley) against the faith." He adds, "I preached faith in Christ to a vast congregation, "with great boldness, adding much extempore." In his discourses, Mr Wesley proposed the doctrines of the gospel with clearness, and illustrated them with great strength of evidence from the Scriptures, in which he was remarkably ready; and delivering them in a warm animated manner, he generally carried conviction to the minds of those who gave him a fair and candid hearing. After this Sermon, Mrs. Hind, with whom Mr. Broughton lodged, sent for Mr. Wesley, and acknowledged her agreement with the doctrine he had preached; she wished him to come and talk with Mr. |