What question did this study set out to answer?

This article examines textual discrepancies in John Wesley’s Christian Library, focusing on a specific alteration.

February 6, 2026

A Textual Enigma in John Wesley’s Christian Library

Key Points

This article examines textual discrepancies in John Wesley’s Christian Library, focusing on a specific alteration.
Analyzed the 1755 edition and the later edition by Thomas Jackson.
Identified and described the removal of text and insertion of Wesley's sermon.
Examined historical context and implications of these changes.
Documented the removal of key material from Beveridge's extract.
Highlighted the integration of Wesley's sermon without proper acknowledgment.
Concluded that the original enigma surrounding the texts remains unresolved.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explores a textual discrepancy between the two editions of John Wesley’s Christian Library. In 1755, Wesley included an extract of William Beveridge’s Private Thoughts Upon Religion in volume 47. Seventy years later Thomas Jackson altered Wesley’s extract by removing material and in its place inserting Wesley’s sermon The Lord Our Righteousness, without any note or footnote alerting the reader of the addition. This article explains in detail the nature of the enigma and offers some possible solutions. But in the end, the enigma remains since we do not have concrete answers.

اسأل الذكاء الاصطناعي

Bookmark

View Full Paper