United Societies, London, Bristol, King fwood, and Newcastle upon Tyne. The Sixth EDITION. (Price One Penny) ee . r . id (a 0-7 VS N g x vv 5 WE S Wv t: IN the latter End of the Year 1739. eight or ten Persons came to me im London, who appeared to be deeply ? convinced of Sin, and earnestly groaning for Redemption, They desir'd (as did two or three more the next Day) that I would spend some Time with them in Prayer, and advise them how to flee from the Wrath to come; which they saw continually hanging over their Heads. That we might have more Time for this great Work, I appointed a Day when they might all come together, which thenceforth they did every Week, namely on Thursday, in the Evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their Number increased daily) I gave those Advices from Time to Time which I judg'd most needful for them; and we always concluded our Meeting with Prayer suited to their several Necessities. PLEX Ac; EEC : l hag 4 RuLes, c. of the 2. This was the Rise of the UNITED SOCIETY, first in London, and then in other Places. Such a Society is no other than "a Company of Men having the Form and seeking the Power of Godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the Word of Exhortation, and to watch over one another in Love, that they may help each other to work out their Salvation." 3. That it may the more easily be discern'd, whether they are indeed working out their own Salvation, each Society is divided into smaller Companies, called Classes, according to their respective Places of Abode, There are about twelve Persons in every Class ; one of whom is stiled The Leader, It is his Business, "" I. To see each Person in his Class once a Week at the least; in order To enquire how their Souls prosper. To advise, reprove, comfort or exhort, as "Occasion may require."

To receive what they are willing to give, toward the Relief of the Poor, and the necessary Expences of the Society, II. To meet the Minister and the Stewards of the Society once a Week; in order 3 To inform the Minister of any that are Sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved. . To pay to the Stewards what they have receiv'd of their several Classes in the Week preceding; And To shew their Account of what each Person. has contributed. 4. There is only one Condition previously required, in those who desire Admission into these Societies, a Desire to flee from the Wrath to come, to be saved from their Sins: But, wherever this is really fix'd in the Soul, it will be shewn by its Fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue there- 1.?, that they should continue to evidence their Desire of Salvation; First, By doing no Harm, by avoiding Evil in every Kind; especially, that which is most generally practis'd. Such The taking the Name of GOD in vain; The profaning the Day of the LORD, (either by doing ordinary Work thereon, or by buying or selling:) Drunkenness, l or selling Spirituous Liquors; or drinking them (unless in Cases of extreme Necessity ) Fighting, ele Brawling; Going to Law, Returning Evil for Evil, or Railing, for Railing : The using of Words in buying or selling: 8 x 1 x EE EY" oa. Rur kt, Ec. of the The buying or selling uncustom'd Goods: The giving or taking Things on Usury Uncharitable or unprofitable Conversation: Especially, speaking Evil of Magistrates, or of Ministers : Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us: 1 Doing that we know is not for the Glory of GOD: As The putting on Gold or costly Apparel. The taking such Diversions as cannot be used in the Name of the LORD JESUS : The Singing those Songs, or reading those Books, which do not tend to the Knowledge Ggionod Oo oouD:. 8 Softness, and needless Self- indulgence: Laying up Treasures upon Earth, g. It is expected of all who continue in to evidence their Desire of Salvation. Secondly, By doing Good, by being in every kind, merciful after their Power; as they have Opportunity, doing Good of every

possible Sort, and as far as is possible, to all Men : F To their Bodies, of the Ability which G OD giveth, by giving Food to the Hun- gry, by cloathing the Naked, by visiting or helping them that are Sick, or in Prison. 5 To their Souls, by instructing, reproving or exhorting all we have any Intercourse r i a neo as DO OT 7 Ne ds L : ere N 1 these Societies, that they should continue ray Wich: Fare We ET F ve with: Trampling under Foot chat Enthusiastick Doctrine of Devils, that " we are © not to do Good, unless our Heart be «free i tt - By doing Good cspecially to: them that are of the Floushold of Faith, or groaning so to be: Employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in Business ; and fo much the more, because the World will love its own, and them only. By all possible Diligence and Frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed : By running with Patience the Race that is set before them; denying themselves, and taking up their Cross daily; submitting to bear the Reproach of CHRIST, to be as the Filth and Off-scouring of the World; mand looking that Men should say all mann r of Evil of them falsely, for their Lok p's sake. 6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies, that they should continue to evidence their Desire of Salvation; 5 Thirdly, By attending upon all the Ordinances of GOD : Such are The publick Worship of GOD; The Ministry of the Word, either read Or expounded ; The Supper of the Lord ; Private Prayer ; Searching the Scriptures ; and Fasting or Abstinence, 7. These are the General Rules of our Societies; all which we are taught of GOD to observe, even in his written Word, the only Rule, and the sufficient Rule both of our. Faith and Practice: And all these we know his Spirit writes on every truly awaken'd Heart. Tf there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any one of them, let it be made known un-

to them who watch over that Soul, as they that must give an Account. We will admonish him of the Error of his Ways: We will bear with him for a Season. But then if he repent not, he hath no more Place among us, We have deliver'd our own Souls. Joun Wesley, Charles WESLEY May 1, 1743: a. at. 2 Pl r CRT, _ + 1 RR ng = 1 9 n 1 TIL pf = LS For those who are convinced of Sin. O Most compassionate High Priest, Full of all Grace we know thou art: Fal n puts its Hand upon thy Breast, And feels beneath thy panting Heart. 2 Thy panting Heart for Sinners bleeds 3. Thy Mercies and Compassions move; Thy groaning Spirit interceeds, And yearn the Bowels of thy Love. 3. Hear then the Pleading Spirit's Prayer, (The Spirit's Will to Thee is known). For all who now thy Sufferings share, And still for full Redemption groan. 4 Poor tempted Souls, with Tempests toss'd, And Strangers to a Moment's Peace; Disconsolate, afflicted, lost, Lost in an howling Wilderness. 5 Torn with an endless War within, Vext with the Flesh and Spirit's Strife, And struggling in the Toils of Sin, And agonizing into Life. 6 O let the Pris'ners mournful Cries As Incense in thy Sight appear ;. Their humble Wailings pierce the Skies, If haply they may see thee near: 7 The Captive Exiles make their Moans, From Sin impatient to be tree ; Call home, call home thy banish'd ones! Lead Captive their Captivity ! Shew them the Blood that bought their Peace, The Anchor of their steadfast Hope; And bid their guiltyTerrors cease, And bring the ransom'd Pris'ners up. 9. Out. 3 10 A PRAVER, c. I 9 Out of the Deep regard their Cries, 4 The Fallen raise, the Mourners chear : I O Sun of Righteousness arise, I And scatter all their Doubts and Fear ! 4 10 Pity the Day of feeble Things; 3 O gather ev'ry halting Soul, 5 9 And drop Salvation from thy Wi ings, 2 And make the contrite Sinner whole e. T 11 Stand by them in the fiery Hour, : Their Feebleness of Mind defend; And in their Weakness how thy Power, And make them patient to the End. 3 12 O satisfy their Soul in Drought ; ) - Give them thy saving Health to see, - "i 1 And let thy Mercy find them out; b 8 And let thy Mercy reach to me. . 13 Hast Thou the Work of Grace begun, 5 And brought them to the Birth in vain ?- n O let thy Children see the Sun! 85 Let all their Souls be born again! 1 14 Relieve the Souls whose Cross we bear, For whom. thy suffering Members mourn ; - Answer our Faith's effectual Prayer: b Bid ev'ry Child be born. 15 Hark how thy Turtle Dove complains, And fee us weep for Zion's Woe ! Pity thy suff ring People's Pain; Avenge us of cur Inbred Foe, 26 Whom Thou hast bound, O Lord, expel, - And take his Armour all away ; The Man of Sin, the Child of Hell, The Devil in our Nature slay. 17 Him and his Works at once destroy, The Being of all Sin erase, And turn our Mourning into Joy, And cloath us with the Robes of Praise, 18 Then, when our Suff rings all are past, - O let us pure and perfect be, And gain our Calling's Prize at last, For ever sanctified in Thee. Rage r 8 th ana N Food E. H OI, D! how good a Thing . It is to dwell in Peace, How pleasing to our King, This Fruit of Righteousness, When Brethren all in One agree; Who knows the Joys of Unity Where all are sweetly joyn'd, True Followers of the Lamb, The fame in Heart and Mind, And think and speak the same, And all in Love together dwell ; The Comforts unspeakable. Where Unity takes place, The joys of Heaven we prove; This is the Gospel-Grace, The Unction from above, The Spirit on all Believers shed, Descending swift from CHRIST our Head. JESUS, our great High Priest, For Us the Gift receiv'd, For Us, and All the rest, Who have in him believ'd ; F.ven to his Skirts the meanest name That longs to love the bleeding Lamb.

I And make them patient to the End. 3 12 O satisfy their Soul in Drought ; ) - Give them thy saving Health to see, - "i 1 And let thy Mercy find them out; b 8 And let thy Mercy reach to me. . 13 Hast Thou the Work of Grace begun, 5 And brought them to the Birth in vain ?- n O let thy Children see the Sun! 85 Let all their Souls be born again! 1 14 Relieve the Souls whose Cross we bear, For whom. thy suffering Members mourn ; - Answer our Faith's effectual Prayer: b Bid ev'ry Child be born. 15 Hark how thy Turtle Dove complains, And fee us weep for Zion's Woe ! Pity thy suff ring People's Pain; Avenge us of our Inbred Foe, 26 Whom Thou hast bound, O Lord, expel, - And take his Armour all away ; The Man of Sin, the Child of Hell, The Devil in our Nature slay. 17 Him and his Works at once destroy, The Being of all Sin erase, And turn our Mourning into Joy, And cloath us with the Robes of Praise, 18 Then, when our Sufferings all are past, - O let us pure and perfect be, And gain our Calling's Prize at last, For ever sanctified in Thee. Rage r 8 th ana N Food E. H OI, D! how good a Thing . It is to dwell in Peace, How pleasing to our King, This Fruit of Righteousness, When Brethren all in One agree; Who knows the Joys of Unity Where all are sweetly joyn'd, True Followers of the Lamb, The same in Heart and Mind, And think and speak the same, And all in Love together dwell ; The Comforts unspeakable. Where Unity takes place, The joys of Heaven we prove; This is the Gospel-Grace, The Unction from above, The Spirit on all Believers shed, Descending swift from CHRIST our Head. JESUS, our great High Priest, For Us the Gift receiv'd, For Us, and All the rest, Who have in him believ'd ; Even to his Skirts the meanest name That longs to love the bleeding Lamb.

a . A 8 10 r . 2»; Eos OWE" a ne bt er a «bes. - n 4 a IT Mate" Crier Sor is 3 e S 5 r n 12 E SES ood I SL 57 ov r oo eee eee tug, 2 ů 2 2s? R Ce Ie re nts 2 CR a N I, " EIS "=; - KG 1 At BE + - CAC a 5 oY In Him when Brethren join, And follow after Peace, The Fellowship divine He promises to bless, His choicest Graces to bestow, Where Two or Three are met below. The Riches of his Grace In Fellowship is given, To Zion's chosen Race, The Citizens of Heaven; He fills them with his choicest Store, And gives them Life for Evermore.