John Wesley's Political World

This book employs a global history approach to John Wesleys (17031791) political and social tracts. It stresses the personal element in Wesleys political thought, focusing on the twin themes of liberty and loyalty. Wesleys political writings reflect on the impact of global conflicts on Britain and provide insight into the political responses of the broader religious world of the eighteenth century. They cover such topics as the nature and origin of political power, economy, taxes, trade, opposition to slavery and to smuggling, British rule in Ireland, relaxation of anti-Catholic Acts, and the American Revolution. Glen OBrien argues that Wesleys political foundations were less theological than they were social and personal. Political engagement was exercised as part of a social contract held together by a compact of trust. The book contributes to eighteenth-century religious history, and to Wesley Studies in particular, through a fresh engagement with primary sources and recent secondary literature in order to place Wesleys writings in their global political context.