Wesley Corpus

Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve? Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the four following at every meeting:-- 1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting? 2. What temptations have you met with? 3. How were you delivered? 4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not? You are supposed to have the faith that “overcometh the world.” To you, therefore, it is not grievous, - I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil; in particular, - 1. Neither to buy nor sell anything at all on the Lord’s day. 2. To taste no spirituous liquor, no dram of any kind, unless prescribed by a Physician. 3. To be at a word both in buying and selling. 4. To pawn nothing, no, not to save life. 5. Not to mention the fault of any behind his back, and to stop those short that do. 6. To wear no needless ornaments, such as rings, ear-rings, necklaces, lace, ruffles. 7. To use no needless self-indulgence, such as taking snuff or tobacco, unless prescribed by a Physician. II. Zealously to maintain good works; in particular,-- 1. To give alms of such things as you possess, and that to the uttermost of your power. 2. To reprove all that sin in your sight, and that in love and meekness of wisdom. . 3. To be patterns of diligence and frugality, of self-denial, and taking up the cross daily. III. Constantly to attend on all the ordinances of God; in particular, - 1. To be at church and at the Lord's table every week, and at every public meeting of the Bands. 2. To attend the ministry of the word every morning, unless distance, business, or sickness prevent. 3. To use private prayer every day; and family prayer, if you are at the head of a family. 4. To read the Scriptures, and meditate therein, at every vacant hour. And,-- 5. To observe, as days of fasting or abstinence, all Fridays