Effect of the labors of the Messrs. Wesley

and Mr. Whitefield at Kingswood. Mr. Wesley

at Bath. Statement of his doctrinal views. Se-

parates from the Moravians in London. Forma-

tion of the Methodist Society. Mr. Wesley's mo-

ther. Correspondence between Mr. John and

Mr. Samuel Wesley on Extraordinary Emotions,

and the doctrine of Assurance. Remarks. En-

thusiasm. Divine Influence. Difference be-

tween Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield. Their

reconciliation. Mr. Maxfield. Mr. Wesley's

defence of his calling out Preachers to assist himn

in his work. Remarks....

CHAP. VII.

Persecution in London. Institution of Classes.

Mr. Wesley charged with being a Papist. His

abors in Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Lin-

colnshire. Death of Mrs. Susanna Wesley. La-

bors and persecutions of Mr. Charles Wesley in

Staffordshire and Yorkshire. Increase of the So-

cieties. Mr. Wesley's danger and escape at Wed-

Page

3

6

11

Page

nesbury. His first visit to Cornwall. Riots in

Staffordshire. Preaches for the last time before

the University of Oxford. Correspondence with

the Rev. J. Erskine. His sermon on "A Catho-

lic Spirit." First Conference held. Remarks. 30

CHAP. VIII.

Mr. Charles Wesley's labors in Cornwall,

Kent, Staffordshire, and the North of England.

Persecution at Devizes. Remarks. Mr. Wes-

ley at Newcastle. His Statement of the case be-

tween the Clergy and the Methodists. Remarks.

Labors in Lincolnshire, &c. Persecutions in

Cornwall. Count Zinzendorf. Dr. Doddridge.

Mr. Wesley a writer of Tracts. His sentiments

on Church Government. Extracts from the Mi-

nutes of the early Conferences. Remarks. Mr.

Wesley's labors in different parts of the King-

dom. His zeal to diffuse useful knowledge.

Mobs in Devonshire. Visits Ireland. Succeed-

ed there by his brother. Persecutions in Dublin. 37

ance.

CHAP. IX.

Labors of the Preachers. Doctrinal conversa-

tions of the Conferences. Justification. Repent-

Remarks.

Faith. Assurance.

Fruits

of justifying Faith. Sanctification. Witness of

the Spirit. Remarks. Spirit in which Mr. Wes-

ley sought truth. Miscellaneous extracts from

15 the Minutes of the early Conferences. Notices of

the deaths of Preachers. Remarks..

Methodism in America. Revivals of Religion.

Remarks. Mr. Wesley's labors. Notices of

books from his Journals. Minutes of the Con-

ference of 1770. Remarks. Mr. Shirley's Cir-

cular. Mr. Wesley's "Declaration." Contro-

versy respecting the Minutes. Remarks. In-

23 crease of the Societies. Projects for the manage-

ment of the connection after Mr. Wesley's death. 63

CHAP. XII.

Mr. Wesley's sickness in Ireland. Letter to

the Commissioners of Excise. Visit to the Isle of

Man. Opening of City-road Chapel. "Armi-

nian Magazine." Disputes in the society at Bath.

Mr. Wesley's Letter to a Nobleman. His visit to

Holland. "Deed of Declaration." Remarks.. 72

His parentage. Loss of his mother. Poetic

description of her character. First school. Cru-

elty he experienced there. First serious im-

pressions. Is placed under the care of an emi-

nent oculist. Entrance upon Westminster School.

Character while there. Removal thence. En-

trance upon an attorney's office. Want of em-

ployment there. Unfitness for his profession.

Early melancholy impressions.....

CHAP. II.

Entrance into the Temple. Employment there.

Depression of his mind. Religious impressions.

Visit to Southampton. Sudden removal of sor-

row. Death of his father. Appointment to the

office of reading clerk in the House of Lords.

Dread of appearing in public. Consequent aban-

donment of the situation. Is proposed as clerk

of the Journals. Feelings on the occasion. Vi-

sit to Margate. Return to London. Preparation

for entering upon his office. Distressing sensa-

tions on the occasion. Is compelled to relinquish

it for ever. Serious attack of depression. Visit

of his brother..

CHAP. III.

His removal to St. Alban's. Painful state of

his mind there. Receives a visit from his brother.

Good effects of it. His recovery. How it was

effected. His subsequent happiness. Pleasing

conversation with Dr. Cotton. The delightful

manner in which he now passed his time. De-

scription of his experience. His gratitude to

God. Employs his brother to look out for him a

new residence. Leaves St. Alban's. Feelings

on the occasion...

CHAP. IV.

Removal to Huntingdon. Sensations there.

Engages in public worship for the first time after

his recovery. Delight it afforded him. Com-

mences a regular correspondence with some of

his friends. Pleasure he experienced in writing

on religious subjects. Anxiety of his mind for

the spiritual welfare of his former associates. At-

tributes their continuance in sin chiefly to infi-

delity. Folly of this. Beauty of the Scriptures.

Absurdity of attributing events to second causes,

Instead of to the overruling providence of God.

105

111

Dependence upon Divine direction the best sup

port in affliction. Forms some new connections.

Becomes acquainted with the Unwin family.

Happiness he experienced in their company.... 115

CHAP. V.

ven.

Cowper becomes an inmate of Mr. Unwin's

family. Is much delighted with their society.

Describes the manner in which they spent their

time.

His opinion respecting the knowledge

which Christians will have of each other in hea-

What will engage their thoughts there.

Just views of Christian friendship. Strength of

his religious affections. Humbling views of him-

self. Melancholy death of Mr. Unwin. Cow-

per's reflections upon it. Mr. Newton's unex-

pected but providential visit to Mrs. Unwin. Cow-

per's determination to remain with the family.

Their removal from Huntingdon to Olney.............. 118

CHAP. VI.

His

Commencement of Cowper's intimacy with

Mr. Newton. Pleasure it afforded him.

charitable disposition. Means provided for its

indulgence, by the munificence of the late J.

Thornton, Esq. Mr. Thornton's death. Cow-

per's poetic tribute to his memory. Remarks on

the insufficiency of earthly objects to afford peace

to the mind. His great anxiety for the spiritual

welfare of his correspondents. Consolatory re

marks addressed to his cousin. Severe affliction

of his brother. Cowper's great concern on his

behalf. Happy change that takes place in his

brother's sentiments on religious subjects. His

death. Cowper's reflections on it. Deep im-

pression it made upon his mind. Description of

his brother's character. Engages with Mr. New-

ton to write the Olney Hymns. Cowper's severe

indisposition....

CHAP. VII.

Great severity of Cowper's mental depression.

His presentiment of it Its consequences. Re-

marks upon its probable cause. Absurdity of at-

tributing it, in any degree, to religion. Mrs. Un-

win's great attention to him. His aversion to the

company of strangers. Symptoms of his reco-

very. Domesticates three leverets. Amusement

they afford him. Mr. Newton's removal from

Olney. Introduction of Mr. Bull to Cowper

121

His translation of Madame de la Guyon's poems,

at Mr. Bull's request. Commences his original

productions, at the suggestion of Mrs. Unwin.

Renews his correspondence with Mr. and Mrs.

Newton. Describes the state of his mind.....

CHAP. VIII.

126

Makes preparations for publishing his first vo

lume. Reasons assigned for it. Beneficial effects

of composition on his mind. His comparative

indifference to the success of his volume. Great

care, nevertheless, with which he composed it.

His readiness to avail himself of the assistance

and advice of his friends. The interest which

Mr. Newton took in his publication. Writes the

preface for the volume. Cowper's judicious re-

ply to some objections that had been made to it.

Publication of the volume. Manner in which it

was received. Continuance of Cowper's depres-

sion. State of his mind respecting religion. His

warm attachment to the leading truths of the gos

pel. Ardent desires to make his volume the

means of conveying them to others.....

130

CHAP. IX.

......

Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with

Lady Austin. Pleasure it affords him. Poetic

epistle to her. Her removal to Olney. Benefi-

cial influence of her conversational powers on

Cowper's mind. Occasion of his writing John

Gilpin. Lines composed at Lady Austin's re-

quest. Induced by her to commence writing The

Task. Principal object he had in view in com-

posing it. Sudden and final separation from

Lady Austin. Occasional severity of his depres-

sive malady. Hopes entertained by his friends of

his ultimate recovery. His own opinion upon it.

Pleasing proofs of the power of religion on his

mind. Tenderness of his conscience. Serious

reflections. Aversion to religious deception and

pretended piety. Bigotry and intolerance, with

their opposite vices, levity and indifference, deplor-

ed. Sympathy with the sufferings of the poor.

Enviable condition of such of them as are pious,

compared with the rich who disregard religion... 134

CHAP. X.

Publication of Cowper's second volume of

poems. Manner in which it was received by the

public. His feelings on the occasion. Great self-

abasement. Renewal of his correspondence with

Lady Hesketh. Acceptance of her proffered as-

sistance. Her projected visit to Olney. Cow

per's pleasing anticipations of its results. Her

arrival. Cowper's removal from Olney to Weston.

His intimacy with the Throckmortons. Happi-

ness it afforded him...

CHAP. XI.

Extracts from his correspondence. Description

of the deep seriousness that generally pervaded

his mind. His remarks to justify his removal

from Olney. Vindicates himself and Mrs. Un-

win from unjust aspersions. Reasons for under-

taking the translation of Homer. His opinion of

Pope's. Unremitting attention to his own. Im

mense pains he bestowed upon it. His readiness

to avail himself of the assistance of others. Vex-

ation he experienced from a multiplicity of critics.

Just remarks upon criticism. Determination to

persevere in his work. Justifies himself for un-

dertaking it. Pleasure he took in relieving the

poor. Renewal of his correspondence with Ge-

140

Pleasure he enjoyed in his new residence. Sud-

den death of Mrs. Unwin's son. Cowper's dis-

tress on the occasion. Experiences a severe at-

tack of illness. Is compelled to relinquish, for a

time, his labors of translation. Mr. Rose's first

visit to him. His sudden recovery. Manner of

spending his time. Peculiarities of his case. Is

dissuaded from resuming his translation. His de-

termination to persevere in it. Applies to it with

the utmost diligence. Great care with which he

translated it. His admiration of the original.

Providential preservation of Mrs. Unwin. His

painful depression unremoved.....

CHAP. XIII.

150

Pressing invitations of his friends to write a

poem on the Slave Trade. Reasons for declining

it. Correspondence with Mrs. King. Particular

description of his feelings. Death of Sir Ashley

Cowper. Description of his character. Great

severity of Cowper's depression. Is again urged

to write on the Slave Trade. Again declines it.

Assigns particular reasons for it. His indefa-

tigable application to Homer. Notice he took of

passing events. Mr. and Mrs. Newton's visit to

Weston. The pleasure it afforded Cowper. Lady

Hesketh's visit. Completion of the Iliad, and

commencement of the Odyssey. His unwearied

application to Homer not allowed to divert his at-

tention from religion. Occasional composition of

original poetry. Readiness to listen to any altera-

tion that might be suggested in his productions.. 155

CHAP. XIV.

Mrs. Unwin much injured by a fall. Cowper's
anxiety respecting her. Continues incessantly
engaged in his Homer. Expresses regret that it
should, in some measure, have suspended his cor-
respondence with his friends. Revises a small
volume of poems for children. State of his mind.
Receives as a present from Mrs. Bodham, a por
trait of his mother. Feelings on the occasion.
Interesting description of her character. His af-
fectionate attachment to her. Translates a series
of Latin letters from a Dutch minister of the gos-
pel. Continuance of his depression. Is attack-
ed with a nervous fever. Completion of his trans-
lation. Death of Mrs. Newton. His reflections
on the occasion. Again revises his Homer. His
unalterable attachment to religion.......
160

CHAP. XV.

Publication of his Homer. Anxiety respecting

it. To whom dedicated. Benefits he had derived

from it. Feels the want of employment. Pre-

pares materials for a splendid edition of Milton's

poetic works. Vindicates his character. Attempts

of his friends to dissuade him from his new en-

gagement. His replies. The commencement of

his acquaintance with Mr. Hayley. Pleasure it af

forded Mr. Hayley. Mrs. Unwin's first attack of

paralysis. Manner in which it affected Cowper..

Remarks on Milton's labors. Reply to Mr. New-

ton's letter for original composition. Continu-

ance of his depression. First letter from Mr.

Hayley. Unpleasant circumstances respecting it.

Mr. Hayley's first visit to Weston. Kind manner

in which he was received. Mrs. Unwin's second

severe paralytic attack. Cowper's feelings on

the occasion. Mr. Hayley's departure. Cowper's

warm attachment to him. Reflections on the re-

cent changes he had witnessed. Promises to visit

Eartham. Makes preparations for the journey.

Peculiarity of his feelings on the occasion......

CHAP. XVI.

Journey to Eartham. Incidents of it. Safe

arrival Description of its beauties. Employ-

ment there. Reply to a letter from Mr. Hurdis,

on the death of his sister. State of Cowper's

mind at Eartham. His great attention to Mrs.

Unwin. Return to Weston. Interview with Ge-

neral Cowper. Safe arrival at their beloved re-

treat. Violence of his depressive malady. Re-

grets the loss of his studious habit. Ineffectual

efforts to obtain it. Warmth of his affection for

Mr. Hayley. Dread of January. Prepares for

a second edition of Homer. Commences writing

notes upon it. Labor it occasioned him. His

close application. Continuance of his depres-

sion. Judicious consolatory advice he gives to his

friends. Letter to Rev. J. Johnson on his taking

orders. Pleasure it afforded him to find that his

relative entered upon the work with suitable feel-

ings. Reply to Mr. Hayley respecting a joint

literary undertaking.......

CHAP. XVII.

Mr. Hayley's second visit to Weston. Finds

Cowper busily engaged. Great apprehensions

respecting him. Mrs. Unwin's increasing infirmi-

ties. Cowper's feelings on account of it. Vigor

of his own mind at this period. Severe attack of

depression. Deplorable condition to which he

was now reduced. Management of his affairs

Page

166

173

kindly undertaken by Lady Hesketh. Mr. Hay.

ley's anxieties respecting him. Is invited by Mr.

Greathead to pay Cowper another visit. Com-

plies with the invitation. Arrival at Weston.

How he is received by Cowper. Inefficiency of

the means employed to remove his depression.

Handsome pension allowed him by His Majesty.

His removal from Weston to Norfolk, under the

care of the Rev. J. Johnson. Death of Mrs. Un-

win. How it affected Cowper. Recovers suffi-

ciently to resume his application to Homer. Fi-

nishes his notes. Letter to Lady Hesketh, de-

scriptive of his feelings. Composes some origi-

nal poems. Translates some of Gay's fables into

Latin. Rapid decay of his strength. Last illness.

Death..

CHAP. XVIII.

Description of his person, his manners, his dis-

position, his piety. His attachment to the Esta-

blished Church. His attainments. Originality

of his poetry. His religious sentiments. The

warmth of his friendship. His attachment to the

British constitution. His industry and persever-

ance. Happy manner in which he could console

the afflicted. His occasional intervals of enjoy-

ment. Character as a writer. Powers of de-

scription. Beauty of his letters. His aversion

to flattery, to affectation, to cruelty. His love of

liberty, and dread of its abuse. Strong attach-

ment to, and intimate acquaintance with the

Scriptures. Pleasure with which he sometimes

viewed the works of creation. Contentment of

his mind. Extract from an anonymous critic.

Poetic tribute to his memory..

......

Page

178

185

CHAP. I.

The Reformation. Luther. Birth of Melanc-

thon. His education. Early proficiency. Re-

sidence at Pforzheim, Heidelberg and Tubingen.

Takes his degree. Obtains an early and remark-

able celebrity. Honored by Erasmus and Bishop

Latimer. Édits Nauclerus. Renders assistance

to Capnio in his contention with the monks. His

public lectures and literary zeal. His removal to

a Greek Professorship in the University of Wit-

temberg. Commencement of his friendship with

Luther...

CHAP. II

General Observations. Revival and purifica-

tion of the Peripatetic Philosophy by Melancthon.

His early labors at Wittemberg, and his increas-

ing influence throughout Germany. Extracts

from his Oration "de Corrigendis Adolescentiæ

Studiis.".

CHAP. III.

The State of Religion. Relics. Indulgences.

Tetzel. Progress of the Controversy with the

Court of Rome. Melancthon's Narrative of Lu-

ther. Public Disputation at Leipsic. Its Effects.

Paper war between Melancthon and Eckius.

Concise but satisfactory pamphlet and admirable

spirit of the former...

CHAP. IV.

Sin-

Melancthon's marriage. His domestic charac

ter. His exemplary virtues. His boundless li-

berality. Account of his favorite servant John.

Epitaph on his tomb stone. Candor of Melanc

thon. His meekness. Sympathy. Interesting

Letter written to a friend, who had sustained a

painful family bereavement. His Piety.

cerity. Wit. Memory. Temperance. Modesty.

Humility. Parental conduct. His value for

Time. Marriage and settlement of his two

daughters. Character of his sons-in-law, George

Sabinus and Casper Peucer. Notice of Thurzo,

Bishop of Breslaw..

CHAP. V.

The Pope's Bull against Luther. His retalia

tion. Diet at Worms. Luther's seizure and im-

prisonment at the Castle of Wartenberg. Feel-

ings of Melancthon. Condemnation of Luther

by the Sorbonne. Melancthon's satirical re-

joinder. His publication under the feigned name

of Didymus Faventinus. His declamation on the

study of Paul. Extracts from his Loci Com

munes, or Theological Common Places. Trans-
actions relative to the abolition of private Mas-

Bes.

CHAP. VI.

The Anabaptists. Disturbances of Carlostadt.

Luther's return to Wittemberg. Account of his

German version of the Scriptures, with the as-

sistance of Melancthon and others. Luther's

conference with Stubner. His letter of apology

for stealing Melancthon's MS. copy of his Com-

Extracts from that

mentary on the Romans.

Commentary. Progress of the Reformation.

Page

277

283

286

294

Page

Rise of the Sacramental Controversy. Death of

Muncer. Melancthon's excursion in Germany.

Death of Mosellanus. His Epitaph. Melanc-

thon's iutroduction to the Landgrave of Hesse.

Death of Nesenus. His Epitaph. Death of Fre-

deric the Wise. Translated extracts from Me-

lancthon's Funeral Oration. His Epitaph. Lu-

ther's marriage. Controversy with Erasmus.

Melancthon's visits to Nuremberg to found an

Academy. Translated extracts from his oration

at the opening of the Institution. Publications. 309

CHAP. VII.

John succeeds his brother Frederic in the Elec

torate. Changes. Diet of Spires. Melancthon's

Memorial. The Landgrave of Hesse promotes

the Reformation in his dominions. Melancthon's

"Libellus Visitorius." Commissioners appoint-

ed to inspect the Reformed Churches. Second

Diet of Spires. Anecdote of the Landgrave of

Hesse. Remarkable story of Grynæus. Me-

lancthon's visit to his mother. Continuance of

the Sacramental Controversy. Conference at

Marpurg. Melancthon's Commentary on the

Epistle to the Colossians....

CHAP. VIII.

Brief notice of general affairs. Appointment

of the Diet of Augsburg. Translation of the

Augsburg Confession. Popish Confutation.

Subsequent proceedings. Melancthon's Apolo-

gy. Decree of the Diet. Deliberation of the

Reformers. Striking anecdote of Melancthon.

Anecdote of the Archbishop of Ments.

CHAP. IX.

Smalcald. Unfavorable circumstances an-

nounced. The Emperor retracts at Ratisbon and

agrees to the suspension of all legal processes

Death of the Elector

against the Protestants.

John. Melancthon's Funeral Oration. His Epi-

taph. Succeeded by John Frederic. The Em-

peror urges on the Pope a general Council. Con

tinuance of the Sacramental Controversy. Me-

lancthon and Bucer confer with the Landgrave.

A vain attempt at Leipsic to restore union between

contending parties. Francis I. urges Melancthon

to repair to France. Their correspondence.

Entreaties of the Langoan family to the same

purpose. Bellay goes into Germany and invites

Melancthon into France. The Elector interposes

to prevent the journey. Henry VIII. invites

Melancthon into England. Their correspond-

ence. The King of England's eagerness in des-

patching messengers to France, to prevent Me-

lancthon's continuance there if he were arrived,

or otherwise to dissuade him from going. Curi-

ous original documents on the subject. A larger

commission sent into Germany. Melancthon's

communication with Archbishop Cranmer. State

of his health. Takes a journey. Injurious re-

ports circulated. Writes against the Anabaptists.

Conferences with Bucer and Capito.

CHAP. X.

A General Council proposed. Meeting at

Smalcald. Melancthon writes on the Pope's Su-

premacy, and against the manner of appointing

320

324

334