Aldersgate or Fetter Lane

third had strong convulsions and only groaned, and the fourth convulsed with strong cries
and tears. Whitefield was able to witness for himself at once four different manifestations
of the Spirit to which he had previously objected. As Wesley summarized, “From this
time, I trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth
him.” 96
There were many other similar manifestations of the work of the Spirit in people
during the first seven months of 1739. 97 On June 15, for instance, Wesley observed:
Some sank down and there remained not strength in them; others exceedingly
trembled and quaked; some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every
part of their bodies, and that so violently that often four or five persons could not
hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and many epileptic fits, but none of
them were like these, in many respects. I immediately prayed that God would not
suffer those who were weak to be offended. 98
Wesley was aware that some would explain away the spiritual phenomenon as natural
physical conditions such as hysteria and epilepsy. He was convinced by observation that
this was not the case.
In addition to physical manifestations of the Spirit in those hearing Wesley
preach, there were other types of supernatural occurrences. Between February 9 and
February 17 Wesley reported the (partial) healing of an eleven-year-old boy who “runs
about beating and tearing himself,” bites, pinches, and “lays his hands on the fire and
sticks pins in his flesh.” Wesley reports that “a few of us prayed with him, and from that
time (as his parents since informed us) he had more rest (although not a full deliverance)
29
96
Wesley, “July 7, 1739,” Works, vol. 19, 78-9.
97
April 18, April 21, April 23, April 26, April 27, May 1, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 19, May
20, June 15, June 16, June 22, June 23, June 30, and July 1of 1739 (see these dates in Wesley, Works, vol.
19).
98
Wesley, “June 15, 1739,” Works, vol. 19