The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. Edited by
Nehemiah Curnock. Vol. IV. (Charles H. Kelly, 10s. 6d.)—We must chronicle the appearance of the fourth volume of the Standard Edition of Wesley's Journal, which covers the period from 1751 to 1762. It will be found to contain as many interesting things as its pre- decessors. Here, for instance, are some reflections called up by a study of Baxter's "History of the Councils " :—
" What a company of execrable wretches have they been (one cannot justly give them a milder title) who have almost in every age, since St. Cyprian, taken upon them to govern the Church ? How has one Council been perpetually cursing another, and delivering all over to Satan, whether predecessors or contem- poraries, who did not implicitly receive their determinations, though generally trifling, sometimes false, and frequently unin- telligible or self-contradictory ! Surely Mahometanism was let loose to reform the Christians ! I know not but Constantinople has gained by the change."
Or, again, we may quote Wesley's criticism of "a celebrated book, 'The Fable of the Bees ' " :— " Till now I imagined there had never appeared in the world such a book as the works of Machiavel. But do Mandeville goea far beyond it. The Italian only recommends a few vices, as useful to some particular men and on some particular occasions. But the Englishman loves and cordially recommends vice of every kind ; not only as useful now and then, but as absolutely necessary at all times for all communities ! Surely Voltaire would hardly have said so much."
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