Warrant for Wesley’s Arrest

July 3.  Preaching at Charlestown, immediately after communion I mentioned to Mrs. Williamson (Mr. Causton’s niece) some things I thought reprovable in her behaviour.  At this she appeared extremely angry.

Aug. 7.  I repelled Mrs. Williamson from the holy communion.  And next day Mr. Recorder, of Savannah, issued out a warrant for my arrest.  Mr. Jones, the constable, served the warrant, and carried me before Mr. Bailiff Parker and Mr. Recorder.  I was told that I must appear at the next court.  Mr. Causton came to my house and declared that the affront had been offered to him; that he espoused the cause of his niece; that he was ill-used, and that he would have satisfaction if it was to be had in this world.

To many persons Mr. Causton declared that “Mr. Wesley had repelled Sophy from holy communion purely out of revenge, because he had made proposals of marriage to her which she had rejected, and married Mr. Williamson.”  But when the case came on the grand jury, having heard the charge, declared themselves thoroughly persuaded that it was an artifice of Mr. Causton’s designed “rather to blacken the character of Mr. Wesley, than to free the colony from religious tyranny, as he had been pleased to term it.”

Oct. 7.  I consulted my friends whether God did not call me to return to England.  I had found no possibility of instructing the Indians.  They were unanimous that I ought to go, but not yet.  But subsequently they agreed with me that the time was come.

In London Again

1738.  Feb. 1.  Landed at Deal.  It is now two years and almost four months since I left my native country.  After reading prayers and explaining a portion of Scripture to a large company at the inn, I left Deal, and came in the evening to Feversham.  I here read prayers and explained the second lesson to a few of those who were called Christians, but were indeed more savage in their behaviour than the wildest Indians I have yet met with.

Feb. 26.  Sunday.  I preached at six in the morning at St. Lawrence’s, London; at ten, in St. Catherine Cree’s; and in the afternoon at St. John’s, Wapping.  I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon most, because it gave most offence.

March 4.  I found my brother at Oxford, and with him Peter Boehler; by whom, in the great hand of God, I was, on Sunday, the 5th, clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved.  Immediately it struck into my mind, “Leave off preaching.  How can you preach to others who have not faith yourself?” I asked Boehler whether he thought I should leave it off or not.  He answered, “By no means.”  I asked, “But what can I preach?” He said, “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”

Accordingly, Monday, 6, I began preaching this new doctrine, though my soul started back from the work.  The first person to whom I offered salvation through faith alone, was a prisoner under sentence of death.