A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield.

WESLEY, John.

Item Number: 101618

London: J. and W. Oliver, 1770.

First edition of Wesley’s sermon preached at the funeral of fellow founder of Methodism, Reverend George Whitefield. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf with gilt ruling and title to the front panel. One of the three founders of the Methodist movement along with John and Charles Wesley, Whitefield gained widespread recognition during his 1740 journey to North American where he preached a series of revivals that became part of the “Great Awakening.” He preached nearly 20,000 sermons throughout his ministry, enthralling large audiences with a potent combination of drama and rhetoric. In very good condition.

One of the three founders of Methodism, English minister John Wesley wrote, edited and abridged over 400 theological and political publications. A clear and concise writer, his Forty-Four Sermons and Notes Upon the New Testament became Methodist doctrinal standards distinguished by Wesley's theological focus on the primacy of Scripture, assurance of salvation, imparted righteousness, and the possibility of perfection in love. A key step in the development of Wesley's ministry was travelling and preaching outdoors; moving across England and Ireland Wesley appointed hundreds of unordained evangelists who, in turn, traveled and preached as he did, becoming leaders in resolving many social issues of the day including the abolition of slavery.