The English Church in the Eighteenth Century. John Henry Overton

      'ENTHUSIASM.'

      (C.J. Abbey.)

       Meaning of 'Enthusiasm' as generally dreaded in the eighteenth century 226

       A vague term, but important in the history of the period 227

       As entering into most theological questions then under discussion 229

       Cambridge Platonists: Cudworth, Henry More 230

       Influence of Locke's philosophy 234

       Warburton's 'Doctrine of Grace' 237

       Sympathy with the reasonable rather than the spiritual side of religion 237

       Absence of Mysticism in the last century, on any conspicuous scale 238

       Mysticism found its chief vent in Quakerism 240

       Quakerism in eighteenth century 241

       Its strength, its decline, its claim to attention 244

       French Mysticism in England. The 'French Prophets' 246

       Fénelon, Bourignon, and Guyon 249

       German Mysticism in England. Behmen 251

       William Law 253

       His active part in theological controversy 254

       Effects of Mysticism on his theology 255His breadth of sympathy and appreciation of all spiritual excellence 257Position of, in the Deist controversy 259Views on the Atonement 259On the Christian evidences 260Controversy with Mandeville on the foundations of moral virtue 261His speculation on the future state 261On Enthusiasm 263His imitator in verse, John Byrom 264

       The Moravians 265Wesley's early intimacy with W. Law and with the Moravians 266Lavington and others on the enthusiasm of Methodists 269Points of resemblance and difference between Methodism and the Mystic revivals 271

       Bearing of Berkeley's philosophy on the Mystic theology 274

       William Blake 275

       Dean Graves on enthusiasm 276

       Samuel Coleridge 277

       CHAPTER VIII.

      CHURCH ABUSES.

      (J.H. Overton.)

       Fair prospect at the beginning of the eighteenth century 279

       Contrast between promise and performance 279

       Shortcomings of the Church exaggerated on many sides 280

       General causes of the low tone of the Church:—(1) Her outward prosperity 280(2) Influence and policy of Sir R. Walpole 281(3) The controversies of her own and previous generations 282(4) Political complications 282(5) Want of synodal action 282–4

       Pluralities and non-residence 284–6

       Neglect of parochial duties 286–7

       Clerical poverty 287–9

       Clerical dependents 289

       Abuse of Church patronage 290–2

       Evidence in the autobiography of Bishop T. Newton 292–3

       " " " Bishop Watson 293–6

       " " " Bishop Hurd 296–7

       Clergy too much mixed up with politics 297–8

       Want of parochial machinery 298–300

       Sermons of period too sweepingly censured 300

       But marked by a morbid dread of extremes 301

       Political sermons 302

       Low state of morals 303

       Clergy superior to their contemporaries 304

       The nation passed through a crisis in the eighteenth century 306

       A period of transition in the Church 307

       Torpor extended to all forms of Christianity 308

       Decay of Church discipline 309–310

       England better than her neighbours 311

       Good influences in the later part of the century 311–2

       CHAPTER IX.

      THE EVANGELICAL REVIVAL.

      (J.H. Overton.)

       (1.) THE METHODIST MOVEMENT.

       Strength and weakness of the Church in the middle of the eighteenth century 313

       Propriety of the term 'Evangelical Revival' 314

       Contrast between Puritans and Evangelicals 315

       William Law 316

       John Wesley 316–336

       George Whitefield 337–340

       Charles Wesley 340–3

       Fletcher of Madeley 343–6

       Selina, Countess of Huntingdon 347–354

       Other Methodist worthies 355

       (2.) THE CALVINISTIC CONTROVERSY.

       Feebleness and unprofitableness of the controversy 356

       The disputes between Wesley and Whitefield 357–8

       Minutes of the Conference of 1770 358–360

       The 'Circular printed Letter' 360

       Conference of 1771 361

       Controversy breaks out afresh in 1772 362

       Fletcher's checks to Antinomianism 363–5

       Toplady's writings 365

       (3.) THE EVANGELISTS.

       James Hervey 366–370

       Grimshaw of Haworth 370–1

       Berridge of Everton 371–2

       William Romaine 372–4

       Henry Venn 374–7

       Evangelicalism and Methodism contemporaneous 377–8

       John Newton 378–381

       William Cowper 381–3

       Thomas Scott 384–8

       Richard Cecil 388

       Joseph Milner 388–392

       Isaac Milner 392–3

       Robinson of Leicester