Wesley Corpus

Last updated: Sept. 3, 2007. "Universal Redemption" (1739)1 cf. Baker list, 14 Editorial Introduction: In late April 1739 John Wesley decided to publish his sermon Free Grace, which challenged the doctrines of limited atonement and unconditional election (points of contention between the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield). Appended to the sermon (pp. 31-35) was a 36-stanza poem affirming "Universal Redemption." The authorship of this poem is unclear, with scholars leaning slightly toward assigning it to Charles Wesley. It was included the next year in HSP (1740), 136-42; but it was dropped after the first edition, perhaps because it continued to appear in subsequent editions of the sermon. John turned to the poem once more when initiating the Arminian Magazine as a journal to defend the universal offer of saving grace, reprinting "Universal Redemption" in the first volume (1778: 235-40). Editions: Charles Wesley(?). "Universal Redemption." In John Wesley's Free Grace, 31-35. Bristol: Farley, 1739. London: Strahan, 1740. 3rd London: Strahan, 1741. 4th London: Foundery, 1754.