MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. CHAP. I. Mifcellaneous Articles relative to the Family. THE ardour for biographical infor THE mation was perhaps never fo great as in the prefent age. In fuch a period no apology can be deemed neceffary, for attempting the hiftory of a man, fo eminent and diftinguifhed as the fubject of thefe memoirs. The fingular manner in which he was first introduced to the notice of the public; the peculiarity of his character; and the authority he fo A long maintained over a numerous and rapidly-increafing fect, muft render an accurate review of fuch a life a valuable acquifition. The author of these memoirs is afraid to flatter either his readers or himself with promises of abfolute impartiality. He wishes indeed to arrive at this diftinction, and is determined to attempt it: but fuch is the force of particular prepoffeffions, and fo few writers of history or biography have fucceeded in this most effential circumftance, that he trembles for himself, and is checked by a just anxiety, left he fhould fall into a too general error, and become fubject to the common condemnation. The character of this gentleman is fo eccentric, and fo peculiarly has he been distinguished, by his fituation, from the eft of mankind, that it is impoffible ei ther to speak or to think of him, within the ufual limits of moderation. As none ever judged of Luther or Calvin, or any head of a party, as they would of more private characters; fo it must be with Mr Wesley. His friends and admirers will doubtlefs confider him as an apostle, and rank him with the most diftinguished perfons of the primitive. times; while his enemies, who probably conftitute the more numerous body, will not fail to regard him as a hypocrite, or an enthusiast. Some will perhaps go yet farther; and, by a ftrange combination, unite thefe characters together. The family, from which he is defcended, will be better known to posterity, from his own character, and from the fect, of which he is the founder, than from the genius and abilities of his anceftors. His grandfather, John Wesley, long maintained over a numerous and rapidly-increafing fect, muft render an accurate review of fuch a life a valuable acquifition. The author of these memoirs is afraid. to flatter either his readers or himfelf with promifes of abfolute impartiality. He wishes indeed to arrive at this diftinction, and is determined to attempt it: but fuch is the force of particular prepoffeffions, and fo few writers of hiftory or biography have fucceeded in this most effential circumstance, that he trembles for himself, and is checked by a just anxiety, left he fhould fall into a too general error, and become fubject to the common condemnation. The character of this gentleman is fo eccentric, and fo peculiarly has he been diftinguished, by his fituation, from the reft of mankind, that it is impoffible ei |