Chapter I: Two Hundred Years Ago—1640–1665

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Convocation in 1640, 1

Divine Right of Kings, 1

Civil Wars Commenced, 2

Ejected Clergymen, 3

Ecclesiastical Outrages, 4

Sports Suppressed, 4

New Sects, 4

Assembly of Divines, 5

Church of England during the Commonwealth, 6

Cromwell’s “Triers,” 7

Morals of the Nation, 8

Restoration of Charles II., 10

Persecutions, 12

Archbishop Usher’s Scheme, 12

“The Healing Declaration,” 13

Meeting to Revise the Liturgy, 14

Solemn League and Covenant, 15

Act of Uniformity, 16

Alterations in Book of Common Prayer, 17

St Bartholomew’s Day, 19

Three Classes of Conforming Ministers, 20

Nonconforming Ministers, 21

Conventicle Act, 25

Five-Mile Act, 25

CHAPTER II.

PARENTAGE—1600–1670.

Bartholomew Wesley, 28

His Attempt to Arrest King Charles, 29

His Ejectment and Death, 32

John Wesley’s Birth, 32

John Wesley at Oxford, 33

John Wesley’s Appointment to Preach, 34

John Wesley’s Dialogue with Bishop of Bristol, 36

John Wesley’s Arrest and Trial, 43

John Wesley’s Ejectment and Persecutions, 46

John Wesley’s Friend, Joseph Alleine, 47

John Wesley’s Character and Portrait, 50

“The Patriarch of Dorchester,” 51

Thomas Fuller, 52