Note 574 — 1787.
Reading edition
In his “Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures,” published in 1762, Charles Wesley wrote, concerning the poor itinerants:
“Raised from the people’s lowest lees, Guard, Lord, Thy preaching witnesses, Nor let their pride the honour claim Of sealing covenants in Thy name: Rather than suffer them to dare Usurp the priestly character, Save from the arrogant offence, And snatch them uncorrupted hence.”
(Hymn on Numbers xvi. 10.) “Wesley Poetry,” vol. ix., p. 79.