I've been reading through an 1800 version of John Fletchers Checks to Antinomianism. It is one of the best theological books I have ever read.It is made up of a collection of Letters that John Fletcher wrote to Pastors and Preachers who publicly came against John Wesley and His connection. These letters are full of humility, satire, and scriptures. They are very interesting, humorous, and educating!He really hits hard his points. He strongly urges the requirement of living a holy life and working out your salvation with fear and trembling. He strongly points out scripture after scripture to prove conditional salvation, and the requirement of continual obedience.The whole book is just a masterpeice. It's a two volume set.I encourage everyone to purchase an old copy of Fletchers Checks. These letters are very applicable to today. Some of the antinomianism that he describes in his day is flurishing in our day.I also wanted to recommend "Life of Gideon Ouseley" by Rev Arthur. It's a short and simple biography of the life and ministry of this open air preacher. Read stories of him preaching at Catholic funerals and also standing up in pews after Church services to correct the preacher. This man was a revivalist and he saw souls saved!
Wesley thought John Fletcher to be "the holiest man who ever lived." I've heard accounts that when Fletcher would enter a place and remove his hat, men would stop playing cards and joking. They would hide their cards under the tables until Fletcher left. When asked why they stopped, they would say, "How can we do these things before a man with a face like that!" Reminds me of Stephen's angelic face and Peter and John being recognized as Christians by the Pharisees. I am awestruck by men like Fletcher and Wesley - men who walked in such a measure of anointing and intimacy with Jesus Christ that the ungodly took notice of their countenance. Men may possess great skills in expository preaching and writing and in the expounding of theology - but in how many can heathen actually [i]see[/i] the unmarred image of Christ?
_________________Paul Frederick West
Where can people find these books? I took a quick look on Amazon and nothing came up.Thanks,Brad.
_________________Brad Wright
I find most of my books at abe.comI recommend buying the unabridged versions.There is no doubt that the power to their preaching is not entirely credited to their strong words, as strong as they were (and I mean strong), but to their private, passionate prayers and the God who answered them!We need men like that today - who literally walk with God!
Gideon Ouseley preached in the streets, did drive by preaching, gave out gospel tracts, and did door to door, dispite threats of arrests and beatings.I've been reading through "Life of Gideon Ouseley" by Rev. Arthur. Gideon was a revivalist in Ireland in the 1800s. He was with the Methodists and was considered "The Irish Wesley".This book records stories like this very often, "From this we proceeded to Pettigo and preached in the streets, in what they call their great market. This was a blessed day to many; some could hardly retrain themselves from crying out in the open market."But Gideon not only did street preaching, he also did drive by preaching. "but we stormed the little town as we rode along, sounding a brief but loud call to repentance."Not only did Gideon street preach and do drive by preaching, but he also gave out gospel tracts. "He was so encouraged by the effect of distrubiting 'pamphlets,' that he wished they had thousands to give away." This next quote shows one2one, tracts, and open air: "talking to the people and distrubuting papers, and lifting up a voice of warning in every place through which they passed."Gideon also did what we would call "door to door".They were told by officers, "I charge you not to preach in the street anymore. Your doctrine is very good, but you make such a noise that the town is annoyed." To which Gideon responded, "We do make a noise, but ours is a hallowed noise."In their day, "they were making the street resound....They talked of the great and terrible day, when sin shall be uncovered, and the righteous shall shine like the sun at the Lord's right hand. Then they called loudly on every sinner there to lose no time but surrender at once to the Lord Jesus Christ before it was too late."What was the result of his ministry? "we had bloodshed and battery, and narrowly escaped with our lives." And regarding Ouseley, "The devil and his people seemed to hate him most of all." "The mob violently attacked them" and "the clergy came out against them" and "rulers...took counsel together that we should no more preach in the street" and 'military officers turned violently against them" but also "they saw people weeping and praying in the streets" and "the power of God fell".
http://truthinheart.com/EarlyOberlinCD/CD/Fletcher/jfindex.htmI found the Fletcher "Checks" book online at that website.
_________________Melissa
