1 68 THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED
Wesley waited a little while, and then went down among them. The winds were hushed, and all was calm and still. My heart was filled with love, my eyes with tears, and my mouth with arguments. They were amazed, they were ashamed, they were melted down, they devoured every word. In 1753 Wesley writes that Edward Perronet was believed to be dying some days since at Epworth, and vehemently rejoicing in God. He soon recovered. In December, 1784, Wesley visited the vicar of Shoreham, then ninety-one years of age. His bodily strength is gone, but his understanding is little impaired ; and he appears to have more love than ever.
Two of his sons became Methodist Preachers, and took an active part in the attempt to secure the administration of the Lord s Supper by the Preachers in 1755. Wesley had to hold the reins firmly, but he says in a letter, I think both Charles (Perronet) and you have, in the general a right sense of what it is to serve as sons in the gospel. They did not, however, preach where Wesley desired.
It was at Edward Perronet s house that Charles Wesley met Mrs. Vazeille in July, 1749. He it was who told the poet in February, 1750, that John Wesley was going to marry this lady. I refused his company to the chapel, and retired to mourn with my faithful Sally. In 1756 Edward Perronet was living in a part of the old Archbishop s Palace at Canterbury. He printed The Mitre in 1757, a strong poetic satire on the Church of England and sacerdotal teaching. At Wesley s wish he ceased to sell it, but continued to give it away freely to the Preachers and others. Charles Wesley was deeply distressed and dis turbed (Tyerman s Wesley, ii. 254). Perronet became minister of the Countess of Huntingdon s Chapel, Watling Street, Canter bury, and afterwards of an Independent Church in the city. He died there on January 2, 1792, and was buried in the cloisters of the cathedral. His last words were Glory to God in the height of His divinity ! Glory to God in the depth of His humanity ! Glory to God in His all-sufficiency ! And into His hands I commend my spirit !
Hymn 208. Crown Him with many crowns. THRING (129) AND BRIDGES.
The first verse is from Mr. Bridges Hymns of the Heart, 2nd edition, 1851, entitled In capite ejus diademata multa. Apoc. xix. 12.
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