This book employs a global history approach to John Wesley’s (1703–1791) political and social tracts. It stresses the personal element in Wesley’s political thought, focusing on the twin themes of ‘liberty and loyalty’. Wesley’s political writings reflect on the impact of global conflicts on Britain and provide insight into the political responses of the broader religious world of the eighteenth century.
They cover such topics as the nature and origin of political power, economy, taxes, trade, opposition to slavery and to smuggling, British rule in Ireland, relaxation of anti-Catholic Acts, and the American Revolution. Glen O’Brien argues that Wesley’s political foundations were less theological than they were social and personal. Political engagement was exercised as part of a social contract held together by a compact of trust.
The book contributes to eighteenth-century religious history, and to Wesley Studies in particular, through a fresh engagement with primary sources and recent secondary literature in order to place Wesley’s writings in their global political context.
1. Introduction: Liberty and Loyalty in the Atlantic World
2. The Divine Right of Rulers
3. Resisting the Patriot Mob
4. The ‘Execrable Villainy’ of the Slave Trade
5. The Work of God in North America
6. The State of the Nation and its People
7. Keeping ‘the Papists’ in Order
8. Conclusion: Politics as a Subset of the Drama of Salvation
Index
Biography
Glen O'Brien is Research Coordinator at Eva Burrows College within the University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia. He is a Research Fellow of the Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research and an Honorary Fellow of the Manchester Wesley Research Centre, UK.
"O’Brien gifts us with a comprehensive overview of Wesley’s political and social writings, focusing on the connection of liberty and loyalty. This is a very welcome addition to Wesley studies, for scholars and general readers alike." -Randy L. Maddox, Duke Divinity School
"This thematic study skilfully fills a significant lacuna in scholarship on Wesley. The multidisciplinary approach of the book situates it in the context of eighteenth-century political thought, transatlantic history, and global history, offering new insights to scholars in these fields of study." - Geordan Hammond, Manchester Wesley Research Centre
"This book offers a new, insightful study of the political thought of John Wesley. Grounded in contemporary scholarship, this is a very important scholarly work with deep relevance to contemporary political issues." - Ted A. Campbell, Southern Methodist University
