The Enchiridion

J.& C.Wesley: Poetical Works (ed. G.Osborn: Vol. VII, 1870)

Poetical Works of J.& C.Wesley, ed. G.Osborn: Vol.VII, 1870: transcriptions from a copy in St Deiniol's Library, Hawarden.

Hymns on the Trinity, 1767:

Title Page

Editorial Preface

HYMNS

ON THE

TRINITY

[Editorial Preface]

ADVERTISEMENT

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The outbreak of Arianism in this country at the beginning of the last century called forth many valuable defences of fundamental doctrines. Among these was a tract entitled "The Catholic Doctrine of a Trinity proved by above a hundred short and clear arguments expressed in the terms of Holy Scripture, compared in a manner entirely new." The author, the Rev.W.Jones, M.A., appears to have prepared this work while he was Curate of Finedon, in Northamptonshire, about the year 1754, and a third English edition, with some enlargements, was published in 1767, dated from Pluckley, in Kent, of which place he was then Rector. His work is divided into four chapters: in the first of which he proves, by a comparison of texts, the Divinity of Jesus Christ; and in the second, the Deity and Personality of the Holy Ghost. In the third chapter "the objections usually brought to disguise and destroy the Scriptural evidence of this doctrine, taken from the Divine Unity, the attributes and will of God, and the ministration of the Spirit in the economy of grace, all of them falsely interpreted," are dealt with. It is showed that plural names and expressions are used with reference to the divine Being, and that the plural and singilar numbers are interchanged "in a sense which neither grammar nor reason can account for on any principle but that of a real Divine plurality. . . . In the fourth and last chapter the passages of the Scriptures have been laid together, and made to unite their beams in one common centre, the Unity of the Trinity, which unity is not metaphorical and figurative, but strict and real."

The publication thus briefly described is the basis of those "Hymns on the Trinity" which are now before the reader. The poet has followed Mr Jones's arrangement, and made a hymn or hymns on each text or set of texts adduced by him. In some respects he has excelled his original. He repeatedly asserts the doctrine of our Lord's Divine Sonship, by his omission of which Mr Jones has much impaired his claim to be considered as teaching the catholic doctrine of the Trinity. And he has never lost sight of the experimental and practical bearings of that doctrine. Mr Jones has an excellent paragraph at the conclusion of his argument, warning his readers that a sound belief without a holy life will not profit them. But our poet, true to the mission of Methodism, makes experience the connecting link between knowledge and practice, and devotes an entire section of his work to "Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity," in which the doctrine is presented in the most intimate connection with his own spiritual interests, and those of his readers.

Such a mode of treating it is the best answer to those who represent it as a mere metaphysical speculation devoid of practical interest. The force of Scriptural argument, and the depth and tenderness of religious feeling, are here exhibited in inseparable combination, and the whole forms a manual, at once doctrinal and experimental, of very great value. The "higher Christian life" is thus shown to be dependent upon the highest revealed mysteries, and these in their turn to minister illumination, help, and comfort to the humblest believer who receives the testimony of God concerning His Son.

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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 17/6/02)