The Minister preaching to the Seven Devils, William Dent, 1788

The interior of the city road chapel: wesley in the pulpit (right) preaches at fox who stands (left), a gigantic figure with his arms folded, his mouth wide open as if howling, his eyes staring. From each side of his head project three heads. Beside and below the pulpit hood kneels, his hands folded, his eyes cast up; on the desk before him is an open book inscribed 'test act repeal'. On a bench beneath hood sits pitt as a pew-opener, holding a key (probably the key of the back-stairs, cf. Bmsat 6564, &c), and looking up sanctimoniously. Wesley holds an open book inscribed 'comparison between two candidates'; he says: "the wolf and the lamb are not more opposite - one hath fought the good fight, and dwelleth in the harbour of grace, with a good conscience under a hood - the other hath also conquered, but whom, my brethren, why, wives and maidens - oh ye electors, take heed of your daughters, for he delighteth to revel in the port of iniquity. &c. &c. " on his pulpit is inscribed 'election expedient a new thought'. The six heads surrounding that of fox are (left to right) a lady (probably mrs. Fawkener) turning towards townshend, who is next burke. On the right are sheridan (?), the duke of norfolk, and hanger. 23 july 1788 etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 200 mm; Width: 276 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: John Wesley. Collection: British Museum. The Minister preaching to the Seven Devils (BM 1868,0808.5762)