I deny that I am an enthusiast in the common sense of the word. I am no visionary. I do not pretend to any new revelations, to any extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, to any particular inspiration, or to any prophetic spirit.
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"Women's preaching is flatly contrary to the Bible."
"I have often thought, that if I were to choose a way to travel, it should be on foot."
"I am a man of one book."
"God grant that we may all make a good end!"
"I have no time to be in a hurry."
English Anglican cleric and founder of Methodism, whose open-air preaching and class-meeting structure created the largest 18th-century evangelical revival. Closely associated with Charles Wesley (his hymn-writing brother) and George Whitefield (early co-revivalist, later doctrinal opponent). For an intellectual contrast, see George Whitefield, Calvinist evangelical revivalist — Whitefield's predestinarian Calvinism vs Wesley's free-grace Arminian theology split the early Methodist movement permanently in the 1739-41 break. The founding evangelical Calvinist-Arminian schism — the two parallel evangelical traditions American Christianity descends from.
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Wesley is defending himself against the charge of 'enthusiasm' — a term meaning fanaticism or delusion in the 18th century, specifically claiming direct divine inspiration without rational basis. He asserts his faith rests on Scripture and reason, not personal visions or private revelations. He distances himself from radical sectarian movements claiming special divine gifts, positioning Methodism as rational, disciplined Christianity rather than emotional fanaticism or dangerous religious excess.
Wesley founded Methodism as a methodical, disciplined approach to faith — 'method' is literally in the name. An Oxford-educated Anglican minister, he emphasized structured devotion, field preaching, and charitable works over mystical experience. Critics frequently accused Methodist revivalists of dangerous emotional excess. Wesley consistently appealed to Scripture and Anglican tradition to distinguish his systematic faith from charismatic claims that would undermine his credibility with Church establishment and educated society.
The 18th century Enlightenment elevated reason above revelation, making claims of divine inspiration deeply suspect among educated elites. 'Enthusiasm' was a damning pejorative associated with radical Puritans, French Prophets, and Quakers who claimed direct divine communication — groups widely viewed as socially dangerous and mentally unstable. Wesley's Methodist revival emerged amid this tension between religious fervor and rationalist skepticism, forcing him to justify revivalist passion as compatible with Scripture and established reason.
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