Bible Encyclopedias
Annesley, Samuel, D.D.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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maternal grandfather of John Wesley, was one of the leading non- conformist divines of his day, and a man of good family, being a nephew of the earl of Anglesea. He was born near Warwick in 1620, and educated at Oxford, where, like his grandson, he was noted for his piety and diligence. He served the national church as chaplain at sea, and as parish priest at Cliff, in Kent, at St. John the Apostle's and at St. Giles's, two of the largest congregations in London. He refused to "conform" to the "Act of Uniformity," and endured a series of severe persecutions, which were attended by many of those "remarkable interpositions" that distinguish the later history of the family. One of his persecutors fell dead while preparing a warrant for his apprehension. He became a leader of the Puritans during the troubles of the times, preaching almost daily, providing pastors for destitute congregations, and relief for his ejected and impoverished brethren. After a ministry of more than half a century, and of sore trials, under which he never once faltered, he died, Dec. 31, 1696, exclaiming, "I shall be satisfied with thy likeness; satisfied, satisfied." De Foe, who sat under his preaching, has drawn his character as perfect, in an elegy. The non-conformists considered him a second St. Paul. Richard Baxter pronounced him totally devoted to God (Clarke, Wesley Family, p. 298). He was endeared to all who knew him intimately; and his noble relative, the countess of Anglesea, desired, on her death-bed, to be buried in his grave. He had a manly countenance and dignified person; a rich estate, which he devoted to charity; robust health, which was capable of any fatigue. Calamy (Non-conformist's Memorial, vol. 1) calls him an Israelite indeed. — Stevens, Hist. of Methodism, 1, 35; Crowther, Portraiture of Methodism, p. 3.