At Kingswood the society, which had been much diminished, had now again nearly three hundred members, “many of whom,” says he, “were now athirst for full redemption, which for some years they had almost forgotten.” He desired all in Bristol and its neighbourhood, who believed themselves to be entirely sanctified, to meet him. About eighteen responded. He says, “I examined them severally, as exactly as I could; and I could not find anything in their tempers (supposing they spoke true) any way contrary to their profession.”
On October 31, Wesley returned to London, and immediately began a course of sermons on Christian perfection. On November 23 he went to Canterbury, where he found many with “a deeper work of God in their heart than they ever had before.” On Sunday, November 29, he writes: “We had a lovefeast in London, at which several declared the blessings they had found lately. We need not be careful by what name to call them, while the thing is beyond dispute. Many have, and many do daily, experience an unspeakable change. After being deeply convinced of inbred sin, particularly of pride, self will, and unbelief, in a moment, they feel all faith and love; no pride, no self will, or anger; and, from that moment, they have continual fellowship with God, always rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. Whoever ascribes such a change to the devil, I ascribe it to the Spirit of God.”
With the exception of a brief visit to Colchester, the remainder of the year was spent in London, part of the time being occupied in writing “Farther Thoughts on Christian Perfection,” and part in removing misunderstandings fomented by Thomas Maxfield and others, which will have to be more fully noticed in ensuing pages.
The following letter to Charles Wesley, who was out of health, is full of interest.
“London, December 26, 1761.
“Dear Brother,—Spend as many hours in the congregation as you can; but exercise alone will strengthen your lungs; or electrifying, which I wonder you did not try long ago. Never start at its being a quack medicine. I desire no other; particularly since I was so nearly murdered by being cured of my ague secundum artem. You should always write standing and sloping.
“We are always in danger of enthusiasm; but I think no more now than any time these twenty years. The word of God runs indeed, and loving faith spreads on every side. Do not take my word, or any one else’s; but come and see. It is good to be in London now.
“It is impossible for me to correct my own books. I sometimes think it strange, that I have not one preacher that will and can. I think every one of them owes me so much service.
“Pray tell R. Sheen, I am hugely displeased at his reprinting the Nativity Hymns, and omitting the very best hymn in the collection,—‘All glory to God in the sky,’ etc.
“I beg they may never more be printed without it. Omit one or two, and I will thank you. They are namby-pambical. I wish you would give us two or three invitatory hymns; we want such exceedingly. My love to Sally. My wife gains ground. Adieu!