Selections from the Writings of John Wesley

This volume contains the following writings of John Wesley: • Wesley's Own Preface to His Sermons • 10 Sermons • 15 Treatises • 31 Letters • 6 Illustrations About the Author John Wesley (1703-1791) was an eighteenth-century century Anglican evangelist and founder of the Wesleyan Tradition. He is also credited as the founder of the Methodist church. While at Oxford University, John and his brother Charles founded the "Holy Club" which was ascribed the epitaph "Methodists", because of their focus upon following rules when it came to personal conduct and religious observances. The Methodism movement under Wesley's direction took the lead in many social justice issues of the day, including prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley's strength as a theologian lay in his ability to combine seemingly contradicting theological views. Wesley is best known for his promotion of what he termed "Christian perfection," or holiness of heart and life. Wesley insisted that in this life, the Christian could come to a state where the love of God, or perfect love, reigned supreme in one's heart. The doctrines which Wesley revived, restated, and emphasized in his sermons and writings are present personal salvation by faith, the witness of the Spirit, and sanctification.