Wesley Corpus

At other times let us eat no flesh-suppers: These exceedingly tend to breed nervous disorders. Q. 36. What is the best general method of preaching? A. (1.) To invite. (2.) To convince. (3.) To offer Christ. (4.) To build up; and to do this in some measure in every Sermon. ..Q. 37. Are there any smaller advices relative to preaching, which might be of use to us? A. Perhaps these: (1.) Be sure never to disappoint a con gregation, unless in case of life or death. (2.) Begin and end precisely at the time appointed. (3.) Let your whole deportment before the congregation. be serious, weighty, and solemn. (4.) Always suit your subject to your audience. (5.) Choose the plainest texts you can. (6.) Take care not to ramble; but keep to your text, and make out what you take in hand. (7.) Be sparing in allegorizing or spiritualizing. (8.) Take care of anything awkward or affected, either in your gesture, phrase, or pronunciation. (9.) Sing no hymns of your own composing. (10.) Print nothing without my approbation. (11.) Do not usually pray above eight or ten minutes (at most) without intermission. (12.) Frequently read and enlarge upon a portion of the Notes. And let young Preachers often exhort, without taking a text.- (13.) In repeating the Lord's Prayer, remember to say “hal lowed,” not hollowed ; “trespass against us ; ” “amen.” (14) Repeat this prayer aloud after the Minister, as often as he repeats it. (15.) Repeat after him aloud every confession, and both the doxologies in the Communion-Service. (16.) Always kneel during public prayer. (17.) Everywhere avail yourself of the great festivals, by preaching on the occasion, and singing the hymns, which you should take care to have in readiness. (18.) Avoid quaint words, however in fashion, as object, originate, very, high, &c. (19.) Avoid the fashionable impropriety of leaving out the w in many words, as honor, vigor, &c. This is mere childish affectation. (20.) Beware of clownishness, either in speech or dress. Wear no slouched hat. (21.) Be merciful to your beast. Not only ride moderately, but see with your own eyes that your horse be rubbed, fed, and bedded. Q. 38. Have not some of us been led off from practical preaching by what was called preaching Christ? A. Indeed we have.