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Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

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‘John Wesley, displeased at not being thought of as formerly, andoffended with <strong>the</strong> easy way of salvation as taught by <strong>the</strong> Brethren,publicly spoke against our doctrines in his sermons.’ 78Whitefield and Harris became increasingly opposed to <strong>the</strong> Wesleys’universalism 79 and <strong>the</strong>ir doctrine of entire sanctification. When Whitefieldreturned to England in 1741 after his second visit to America, he preached at<strong>the</strong> Foundry and what he said caused much displeasure to <strong>the</strong> Wesleys. Yearslater, in 1778, John Wesley wrote that on that occasion in 1741, Whitefield‘preached <strong>the</strong> absolute decrees, in <strong>the</strong> most peremptory and offensivemanner.’ 80 In Whitefield’s account of <strong>the</strong> sad meeting he reflects: ‘It wouldhave melted any heart to have heard Mr Charles Wesley and me weeping,after prayer, that if possible, <strong>the</strong> breach might be prevented.’ 81Attempts at reconciliation came to nothing despite <strong>the</strong> efforts of Selina,Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791), 82 who had tried to bring <strong>the</strong> factions ofEvangelicals toge<strong>the</strong>r.<strong>The</strong> Countess of Huntingdon was a remarkable figure who played a major rolein <strong>the</strong> 18 th Century Evangelical Revival. Born into <strong>the</strong> aristocratic Shirleysfamily, she was brought up with her two sisters on <strong>the</strong> family estate atStaunton Harold, between Ashby-de-la-Zouche and Donington Park. Insurroundings of landscaped woods with an ornamental lake and stone bridge,she enjoyed <strong>the</strong> privileged life of <strong>the</strong> nobility. Intelligent and well educated,Selina found herself asking deep questions about ultimate issues from an earlyage, particularly after attending <strong>the</strong> funeral of a girl of nine – her own age.78Benham, Daniel, Memoirs of James Hutton, London, 1856, p 54.79<strong>The</strong> word ‘universalism’ used in <strong>the</strong> 18 th Century did not mean that everyone would besaved, but that <strong>the</strong> gospel was on offer to all people. High Calvinists such as John Gill, acontemporary of Wesley, refuted this and said that Christ died only for <strong>the</strong> elect, who werepredestined by God for salvation.80Dallimore, Arnold, George Whitefield, <strong>the</strong> life and times of <strong>the</strong> great Evangelist of <strong>the</strong> 18 thCentury Revival, Vol ii, Banner of Truth Trust, 1980, p 542.81Dallimore, Arnold, George Whitefield, <strong>the</strong> life and times of <strong>the</strong> great Evangelist of <strong>the</strong> 18 thCentury Revival, Vol ii, Banner of Truth Trust, 1980, p 541.82Cook, Faith, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, her pivotal role in <strong>the</strong> 18 th CenturyEvangelical Awakening, <strong>The</strong> Banner of Truth Trust, 2001, pp 219-220.Page 114

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