Wesley Corpus

Last updated: December 2, 2009. "Act of Devotion" (1745)1 cf. Baker list, 95 Editorial Introduction: As the Methodist movement began to spread it came under increasing scrutiny from various Anglican leaders. The concerns voiced by these leaders spanned a spectrum from charges of legalism and works-righteousness to the polar worry of possible antinomianism. John Wesley responded to a series of published cautions about the movement in A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, published at the very end of 1744 (and dated 1745). He appended to the tract a short hymn titled "Act of Devotion." While it is unsigned, Charles Wesley's authorship is confirmed by its presence in MS Shent, 172b-173a; and its inclusion in Hymns and Sacred Poems Editions: Charles Wesley. "An Act of Devotion." In John Wesley's A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, Pt. I, 105. London: Strahan, 1745. 2nd no copies known 3rd no copies known 4th Bristol: Grabham, 1758. Included in JW's Works (Bristol: Pine, 1772), vol. 14 hymn on pp. 330-31. 5th London: Hawes, 1778. 5th London: Paramore, 1786.