John Wesley – Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament

Fourth Edition, Corrected
London, 1789
Printed and sold at the New Chapel, City-Road

An attractive eighteenth-century edition of one of John Wesley's most important theological works, published during Wesley's lifetime and only two years before his death in 1791.

This appears to be Volume I of the three-volume 1789–90 pocket edition, containing Wesley's biblical text accompanied by his extensive explanatory commentary.

About the Work

First published in 1755, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament became one of Wesley's principal works of biblical interpretation and an important text in the development of Methodist theology.

Wesley intended the work primarily for ordinary Christian readers, providing concise explanations alongside the biblical text rather than the extensive scholarly apparatus found in larger theological commentaries.

The work drew upon numerous earlier scholars, particularly the German Lutheran theologian Johann Albrecht Bengel, while incorporating Wesley's own theological interpretation and revisions to the biblical text.

A Lifetime Edition of John Wesley

This Fourth Edition, Corrected was published in 1789, when Wesley was 85 years old and still actively involved in the Methodist movement he had helped establish.

Of particular interest is the imprint:

Printed and sold at the New Chapel, City-Road; and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's Preaching-Houses in Town and Country.

The New Chapel, today known as Wesley's Chapel, had opened in London in 1778 and became one of the principal centres of early Methodism.

The title page therefore reflects the remarkable publishing and distribution network Wesley had developed, with his writings sold through Methodist preaching houses throughout Britain rather than exclusively through conventional booksellers.

Edition

The bibliography of Wesley's Explanatory Notes is somewhat complicated by the existence of different large and pocket-format editions.

This copy belongs to the smaller-format Fourth Edition, Corrected, issued in three volumes in 1789–90, distinct from the large-format fifth edition published shortly beforehand.

The present volume is dated 1789 and appears to be Volume I of that edition.

Binding & Condition

The eighteenth-century text block has been professionally rebound at a later date in green cloth, with gilt lettering to the spine reading:

NOTES UPON THE NEW TESTAMENT – JOHN WESLEY

Modern endpapers have also been supplied.

The binding is secure and presents well. Internally the pages display expected age-related toning, occasional spotting, marks and handling consistent with a book more than 230 years old. The printing remains clear and attractive throughout the pages examined.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

Why Buy This Copy?

A fascinating piece of early Methodist and eighteenth-century Christian history, printed during the lifetime of John Wesley and distributed from Wesley's own New Chapel in London.

Although subsequently rebound and apparently representing a single volume from the original three-volume set, it remains an affordable opportunity to own an original eighteenth-century work produced during the final years of one of the most influential figures in British religious history.

Author: John Wesley (1703–1791)
Title: Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament
Edition: Fourth Edition, Corrected
Publication: London, New Chapel, City-Road
Date: 1789
Volume: Apparently Volume I of III
Language: English
Binding: Later green cloth with gilt spine lettering
Condition: Good antiquarian condition; rebound, with expected age-related wear and toning

Dimensions:

Weight - 233g

Height - 17.8cm

Width - 11.2cm

Thickness - 1.7cm