The Persecuted Preacher: Lessons on Perseverance For Revival

Revival is a concept that is sometimes looked at with romanticism. Sometimes with heavy doses of skepticism. We should long to see genuine, deep, and lasting revival in the church and in the world. We shouldn’t be excited about superficial, or short-lived “revival” built off tactics of the flesh. But when genuine revival occurs, is it always only positive?

What negative aspects usually accompany genuine revival? Persecution. When the gospel is being preached, when people and communities are being meaningfully changed for the good, there are also those who are adamantly opposed. Many potentials for revival are cut short or never begun because Christians are unwilling to count the cost. They are unwilling to lovingly endure, to pray for their persecutors, and to bless those who curse them. Charles Wesley was willing to endure and follow the Lord’s example in praying, loving, and preaching. His willingness to persevere led him to see great and enduring fruit through the period known as the First Great Awakening.

What lessons can be learned from Charles Wesley’s perseverance? Charles records instances of opposition and persecution in more than 180 separate entries in his Manuscript Journal. Let’s take a look together at a few of these examples.

The Power of Prayer

An opposer was troublesome, till we prayed him down.

Charles Wesley, March 25, 1739

Charles was preaching. Someone who opposed the message of the gospel was causing trouble. Charles’s response? Pray until the opposition stopped.

This wasn’t quiet, personal prayer. It was out-loud, public prayer.

As the opposer was causing problems, Charles prayed. Out-loud. And he kept praying. Until the opposer settled down.

The Blessing of Opposition

expounded with great liberty of spirit, and found the blessing of opposition.

Charles Wesley, June 11, 1739

Most would consider opposition a curse. Charles considered opposition to be a blessing. Why?

There are at least two reasons.

First, Jesus taught that His followers should consider it a blessing. Charles believed his Master.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus
Matthew 5:10-12

Secondly, Charles believed this was a sign that his preaching was true. Charles had no expectation of persecution or opposition against false, man-pleasing gospel preaching.

In a dispute with a man who believed persecution wasn’t necessary, Charles records:

He insisted that there is no need of our being persecuted now. I told him I was of a different judgment, and believed every doctrine of God must have these two marks: 1) meeting all the opposition of men and devils, 2) triumphing over all. I expressed my readiness to part with him, and all my friends and relations, for the truth’s sake.

Charles Wesley, July 22, 1738

Charles believed that the truth be opposed. He also believed that the truth would overcome. Both opposition and victory were necessary.

Rebuked By Dogs

Some without attempted to make a disturbance by setting on the dogs, but in vain. The dumb dogs rebuked the rioters.

Charles Wesley, August 23, 1739

Charles was preaching indoors. Some on the outside were trying to make a disturbance. As they set the dogs loose to cause disturbance, they found their trap caught only themselves.

He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the hole which he made. His mischief will return upon his own head, And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

Psalm 7:15-16

The Enemy Raged

At two I preached in the Bowling Green, by computation, to six thousand people. Before I began, and after, the enemy raged exceedingly. A troop of his children, soldiers and polite gentlemen, had taken possession of a corner of the Green, and roared like their brethren the two Gergesenes, before the devils were sent into the civiler swine. They provoked the spirit of jealousy to lift up a standard against them. I never felt such power before, and promised the people that they should feel it too. For I saw God had great work to do among us by Satan’s opposition. I lifted up my voice like a trumpet, and in a few minutes drove him out of the field. For above an hour I preached the gospel with extraordinary power…

Charles Wesley, September 16, 1739, emphasis added

As six thousand people gathered to hear the gospel preached in the open-air, Charles records that the enemy gathered, too. They began causing a disturbance before the preaching began. They continued after it was over.

Was Charles discouraged or dissuaded by this display? Quite the contrary.

This show of opposition caused Charles to be stirred. To have godly jealousy for the glory of God. He trusted that this great display of opposition was, in truth, a great display of God’s desire to do something great in their midst.

Charles lifted up his voice like a trumpet. He preached the gospel with power for longer than an hour. He saw the enemy flee before the gospel of God.

We Ride On

Notwithstanding all opposition, we ride on because of the truth.

Charles Wesley, September 23, 1739

Some focus on revival. By focusing on revival, they may come up short. Because when persecution comes, they find discouragement.

Charles didn’t focus on revival. He focused on the truth. By focusing on the truth, he found strength and motivation to endure. No matter what came against him, he was resolved to ride on. Because of the truth.

The Lamb Troubles The Water

It is always the Lamb that troubles the water. … Some lose their bread, some their habitations; one suffers stripes, another confinement; and yet we must not call this persecution. Doubtless they will find some other name for it, when they do God service by killing us!

Charles Wesley, September 28, 1739

Some denied that persecution was necessary. It was certainly true that many who claimed to be Christian were not experiencing any persecution.

However, Charles thought these were only Pharisees. Those who were Christian in name only looked upon the persecution falling upon genuine followers of Christ and denied it was persecution.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The Apostle Paul
2 Timothy 3:12

Preparing For The Storm

My subject at the Bowling Green was, ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.’ Great need there is to prepare them for the gathering storm. Already it is come to that, that except a man forsake all that he hath (life only excepted), he cannot be Christ’s disciple.

Charles Wesley, October 6, 1739

Charles didn’t think it was necessary to endure persecution only for himself. He also thought it was necessary to prepare all who desired to follow Christ to do the same.

Teaching on persecution isn’t popular. It’s much more popular to teach lessons with titles like “5 Tips for Finding Joy at work” or “3 Keys for God Answering Your Prayers.”

Charles taught about the need to endure persecution. To prepare yourself as a follower of Christ for the gathering storm.

Get ready. If you are a follower of Christ, it’s coming.

Fleeing From Christ

Great power was in the midst. Satan blasphemed without, but durst not venture his children too near the gospel, when I offered Christ Jesus to them. The enemy hurried them away, and all we could do was pray for them.

Charles Wesley, October 11, 1739

Charles records this as his first time preaching in the open-air at night. It was a powerful time of ministry. And Satan came to oppose in his children.

As these opposers came closer, Charles responded by offering Christ to them. This followed naturally from his view on unlimited atonement. For more on Charles’s view, don’t miss our post on Charles’s view of this Great Truth of the Gospel.

As Christ was freely offered, the blasphemers fled. Afterward, all Charles could do was pray.

Some complain about their persecutors. Charles offered Christ to them and prayed for them that they might be saved.

Charles continued to invite sinners to Christ, including blasphemers and vocal opponents.

The sons of Belial blasphemed. I invited them, till they were quiet as lambs.

April 20, 1740

One Mark of Christ

Henry started up an courageously took me by the nose. The cries of Mrs Seward stopped any farther violence. I was filled with comfort, felt the hand of God upon me, and sat still. Said to Mrs Seward, ‘Be not disquieted, Madam. I have learned to turn the other cheek.’ Henry was as the troubled sea. Benjamin, perfectly composed, said to me, ‘You have now received one mark of Christ.’

Charles Wesley, March 29, 1740

Threats and verbal abuse were being made against Charles this entire month by Henry. It led to physical violence against Charles on this day.

Charles responded by calmly turning the other cheek. He had received a mark of Christ.

So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Acts 5:41

A Sweet Calm Within

In the midst [of] tumult, reproach, and blasphemy, I enjoyed a sweet calm within, even while I preached the gospel with most contention. These slighter conflicts must fit me for greater.

Charles Wesley, March 17, 1740

Charles enjoyed a sweet calm in the midst of contention. He was calmed by the fact that he believed God was preparing him for even more.

Think about that for a second.

Charles was expecting opposition to increase. With greater trial, would come greater victory. More opposition meant more conversions. Charles expected opposition and revival to grow together.

In fact, Charles expressed later in his ministry that where there was no persecution, Charles felt the urge to flee from that place.

At present we pass through honor and good report. The chief persons of the town favour us. No wonder then that the common people are quiet. We pass and repass the streets, pursued by their blessings only. The same favourable inclination is all round the country. Wherever we go, they receive us as angels of God. Were this to last, I would escape for my life to America.

Charles Wesley, August 22, 1748, emphasis added

Most people would desire to stay in the state of blessing and favor only. Charles viewed the absence of persecution as a reason to escape for your life. To go where persecution accompanies the preaching of the gospel of Christ was better according to the teaching of Scripture.

Breaking The Rocks

The opposers had threatened me hard, but all they now could do was to curse and swear. I only invited them to Christ. But I am more and more persuaded that the law has its use, and Moses must bring us to Christ. The promises to the unawakened are pearls before swine. First the hammer must break the rocks, then we may preach Christ crucified.

Charles Wesley, June 4, 1740

Some soften their message when people oppose it. Not Charles. He preached more law.

Charles thought that giving promises to the unawakened was casting your pearls before swine. Instead of wasting the truth, he sought to awaken people with the law first. Break the rocks of pride and self-righteousness with the hammer of Moses.

Only after the rocks are broken up did he then preach Christ crucified and the precious promises of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.

The Devil Lost Ground

the devil stirred up his oldest servants, who violently rushed upon others, beating, and tearing, and driving them away from me. I rode up to a ruffian who was striking one of our colliers, and prayed him rather to strike me. He would not, he said, for all the world, and was quite overcome. I turned upon one who struck my horse, and he also sank into a lamb. Wherever I turned, Satan lost ground, so that he was obliged to make one general assault, and–by the few violent colliers–forced on the quiet ones into the town.

Charles Wesley, September 22, 1740

This long entry in the journal records violent opposition against Charles and his hearers. Yet, Charles put himself in the middle of the opposition. He sought to protect those being abused. As he did so, some of the violent aggressors softened.

Charles took his growing company and prayed.

From one till three we spent in prayer that evil might be prevented, and the lion chained. Then news was brought to us that the colliers were returned in peace. They had quietly walked into the city without sticks or the least violence. … All who saw were amazed, for the leopards were laid down. Nothing could have more shown the change wrought in them than this rising.

Ibid.

Charles peacefully, prayerfully, lovingly, and powerfully ministered in the midst of violent aggression. The effects of his conduct in the midst of persecution were obvious to all observers.

Stirring Up Strife

Satan began to show his wrath at the many sore disappointments he has met with this very day. He could not set the children of God against each other [meaning Charles and Howell Harris], and was therefore forced to make use of his own. The physician, who had gone out of church on Sunday, stirred up him companions, and unusually heated with wine, came and demanded satisfaction of me for calling him a Pharisee. … Here he lifted up his cane and struck me.

Charles Wesley, November 18, 1740

A device of the enemy is to attempt to stir up strife among believers. Charles and Howell Harris disagreed with each other on the Calvinistic scheme of predestination and reprobation. For more on Charles’s strong words against Calvinism, don’t miss this post.

Despite their doctrinal disagreements, Charles knew they were brothers in Christ. Both he and Howell refused to take the bait.

So, if opposition was going to come, it would need to come from an outsider to the faith. A drunk and angry physician filled the role. Charles was once again physically assaulted for his preaching of the gospel.

The Wolf Keeping The Sheep

Anne Ayling and Anne Davis could not refrain from railing. John Cennick never offered to stop them. Alas! We have set the wolf to keep the sheep! God gave me great moderation toward him, who, for many months, has been undermining our doctrine and authority.

Charles Wesley, November 30, 1740

Although Charles and Howell Harris would not take the bait to dispute between themselves, there were others among the Methodist Societies which were determined not to be so civil.

This particular instance was the fruit of the disagreements on Calvinistic doctrine. Charles laments that they had set a wolf to keep the sheep. This wolf had sought to undermine instead of edify. The result was opposition from those who were once considered friends.

This serves as an important lesson of what happens when doctrine is lifted up above Christ. With Howell Harris, there was unity because Christ was the priority. With Cennick, there was strife because doctrine was the prevailing focus.

Doctrine is important. But no one is saved by a doctrinal statement. Salvation is found in Christ alone.

Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

The Apostle Paul
1 Corinthians 1:12-13

Watch!

It is good for us to be assaulted by Satan and his children. They watch for our halting, which makes us watch against it.

Charles Wesley, April 30, 1741, emphasis original

Persecution is a good thing.

Why? Because as the persecutors watch for the Christians to fall away, it causes those who are working out their salvation with fear and trembling to look out for stumbling in this regard.

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

Jesus
Mark 4:16-17

Charles believed that Scripture testified of the possibility of Christians falling away from the faith. Therefore, anything that encouraged Christians to watch against this potential stumbling block would be considered a blessing. That included the vigilance resulting from the watchful eyes of their persecutors.

Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

Romans 11:20-22, bold added

Teaching To Warn

Gave an exhortation to repentance though Satan greatly withstood me, thereby teaching me never to let go unwarned the poor sinners that come on such occasions.

Charles Wesley, May 22, 1741

Opposition taught Charles to never let an opportunity pass without warning sinners of their need to repent and believe the gospel.

Accepting The Challenge

The prince of this world was displeased. One of his subjects threw a stone into the room, which had no permission to hurt. We accepted it as a challenge to stay and continued an hour longer, singing and praising God.

Charles Wesley, May 24, 1741

Charles wasn’t intimidated in this case. As a stone was thrown into their gathering, Charles and his group were emboldened, not frightened. They accepted this persecution as a challenge to stay.

To sing God’s praises longer.

They didn’t view this as a challenge to God’s sovereignty, His goodness, or His protection. They viewed it as an invitation and opportunity to praise God in the midst of persecution. They trusted in God’s goodness and protection in the midst of the trial.

Attacking Satan’s Headquarters

Satan took it ill to be attacked in his headquarters, that Sodom of our land, Bath. While I was explaining the trembling jailer’s question, he raged horribly in his children. They went out and came back again and mocked and at best roared, as if each man’s name was Legion.

Charles Wesley, July 11, 1741

Charles viewed preaching the gospel as an act of spiritual warfare. As he proclaimed liberty to captives through the gospel, he knew that the enemy would not take it lightly.

So, Charles expected that Satan would attempt to defend his territory when Christians came to plunder the kingdom of darkness.

For more on the offensive nature of the church (instead of defensive), check out my book Gate Crashers – link on our theology resources page.

The Song of Violence

Here the storm of persecution is a little blown over. He that letteth at present is a Quaker. The mayor likewise keeps off the song of violence.

Charles Wesley, May 18, 1743

Charles mentions two factors that were helping to diminish the persecution. One was the faithfulness of a fellow laborer in Christ of a different theological persuasion (a Quaker).

The other influence in keeping back violence was the mayor.

This should help us to understand the importance of praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as praying for those in authority.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

The Apostle Paul
1 Timothy 2:1-2, Emphasis added

Trusting in God

Walked through the town amidst the noisy greetings of our enemies and stood on the steps of the market-house. A host of men was laid against us. The floods lifted up their voice and raged horribly. … The street was full of fierce Ephesian beasts (the principal man setting them on), who roared and shouted, and threw stones incessantly. Many struck without hurting me. … They mocked us, but had no commission to touch an hair of our heads.

Charles Wesley, May 21, 1743

Charles possessed a balanced view of trusting in God’s sovereign protection. As a man commissioned to preach the gospel, Charles entrusted himself to a faithful God. He knew that he could not be harmed unless it was the will of God.

At the same time, he knew the danger of presuming upon God’s protection and foolishly plunging headlong into danger without the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I cannot help observing from what passed yesterday that we ought to wait upon God for direction when and where to preach, much more than we do. A false courage, which is fear of shame, may otherwise betray us into unnecessary dangers. Farther we may learn not to lean on that broken reed, human protection. To seek redress by law, unless we are very sure of obtaining it, is only to discover our own weakness and irritate our opposers.

Charles Wesley, February 8, 1744

Hell Was Moved

Hell from beneath was moved to oppose us. … The stones often struck me in the face. … He forced his way through the brethren, drew his sword, and presented it to my breast. My breast was immediately steeled. I threw it open, and fixing mine eye on his, smiled in his face, and calmly said, ‘I fear God and honor the king.’ … The rioters followed and exceeded in their outrage all I have seen before. Those of Moorfields, Cardiff, and Walsall were lambs to these. … Satan now put it into their hearts to pull down the Society-house, and they set to their work … They laboured all night for their Master and by morning had pulled down one end of the house.

Charles Wesley, May 25, 1743

This gives a flavor of the intensity of the persecution Charles endured. Violence. Threats of death. Destruction of property. And the power of God.

On more than one occasion Charles comments that had God not protected him and his companions, they surely could have been killed by their persecutors. Here’s just one example.

The ambush rose and assaulted us with stones, eggs, and dirt. My horse flew from side to side, till he forced his way through them. David Taylor they wounded in his forehead, which bled much. … answered with horrible imprecations and stones that would have killed both man and beast had they not been turned aside by an hand unseen. … Blessed be God, I got no hurt, but only the eggs and dirt.

Charles Wesley, May 27, 1743, emphasis added

In some cases, the divine deliverance was so obvious that it resulted in the conversion of their opposers.

Took several new members into the Society; and among them, the young man whose arm was broke, and (upon trial) Munchin, the late captain of the mob. He has been constantly under the word since he rescued my brother. I asked him what he thought of him. “Think of him!” said he: “That he is a man of God, and God was on his side when so many of us could not kill one man.”

Charles Wesley, October 25, 1743

Related Questions

What caused persecution in the early church? The early church began as a movement within Judaism in the Roman empire. As Christians began to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, that was met with resistance from both Jew and Gentile. Jews, like Saul of Tarsus, persecuted this claim as blasphemous. Romans persecuted this claim as treasonous.

How did persecution help spread the church? As Christianity was persecuted, it caused believers to flee to new areas. As they fled, they continued to preach Christ in these new places (Acts 8:4). For those who stayed through the persecution, their loving conduct often softened the hearts of their persecutors (1 Peter 2:12). Both caused faith to spread.