The Force of Truth by Thomas Scott Banner of Truth, 1984 (first published 1779) 127 pages £2.95
ISBN 0 851 514 251
This is a spiritual autobiography from the 18th century by Thomas Scott (1747-1821), a contemporary of the Wesleys.
The interest of this narrative is that by his own admission the author became a priest in the Church of England as a nominal Christian.
He performed his duties going through the motions but with no real commitment or enthusiasm.
That is the first part in the book which has three sections telling the whole story.
Things began to change, however.
The influences which brought about the change are identified and discussed.
Not least is the friendship with John Newton (author of ‘Amazing Grace’) which was cold and formal at first but gradually grew warmer over time.
Reading and studying God’s Word as well as the current writings of various divines also helped to open his spiritual eyes and inform his mind constructively.
Of particular interest to modern day Methodists are the many references to what was happening at the time with the preaching of the Wesleys and Whitfield.
The epithet ‘enthusiast’ was freely, frequently and insultingly hurled at so-called Methodists of the day. That word had a much stronger meaning at the time of the Wesleys than it does today.
Then the word conveyed something close to ‘excessive zeal’, close perhaps to ‘fanatic’ today.
Today it has a mellower sense.
As a result of these many influences, while not forgetting the work of the Holy Spirit, Scott became a Bible- believing, reborn Christian and his ministry was thereby transformed.
One word of warning to anyone thinking of picking up this book. The language is that of the 18th century and, to the modern mind, might seem florid or verbose. Language changes.
Yet the patience is eminently worthwhile, even if Thomas Scott was a Calvinist !