ABSTRACT
The Life of Wesley and the Rise and Progress of Methodism, by Robert Southey, esq. Poet Laureate (and author of Wat Tyler), is one of those numerous attempts at reconciling a love of popularity and lucre with the propagation of secret, and insidious and poisonous doctrines, for which this proteus of political, religious, and even poetical tergiversation is so notoriously distinguished. Through the thin veil of candour and impartiality with which he pretends to clothe the subject, the cloven hoof however unwillingly is too frequently protruded, and the organ by which he conveys opinions favorable to the cause of tyranny and superstition, is artfully concealed under the ground of due subordination, and religious principle. With these exceptions (which we do not think quite so lightly of as our author) we are of opinion, that the work is composed in a style of language well adapted to biographical research, and exhibits views of the peculiar character and sect to which it relates, which are both curious and interesting to those who study the history of religious enthusiasm.
