Chapter XVI: Fire and Fury—1709–1712

The Burning of Epworth Parsonage, 326

A Rescued Hymn, 327

Wesley’s Account of the Fire, 328

Unjust Accusation, 329

Outrages in the Isle of Axholme, 331

Family Destitution, 333

The New Parsonage, 333

Dr Adam Clarke at Epworth, 333

Henry Sacheverell, 334

Sacheverell’s Sermons at Derby and at St Paul’s, 334

Sacheverell’s Trial, 338

Sacheverell’s Defence written by Wesley, 339

Great National Excitement, 342

The New Parliament and Convocation in 1710, 343

Wesley at Convocation, and Events at Epworth, 345

CHAPTER XVII.

PRETERNATURAL NOISES—1716, 1717.

Belief in Ghosts, 348

Witchcraft, 349

Wesley’s Remarks on Apparitions, 349

Samuel Badcock, 350

Wesley Papers and Dr Priestley, 350

Account of Noises at Epworth Parsonage, 350

Divers Opinions respecting them, 357

The Noises really Preternatural, 359

Why Permitted, 360

Effect produced on Emilia Wesley, 361

John Wesley’s firm Belief in Witchcraft, &c., 362