John Wesley could have achieved distinction in many walks of life. Before all things, though, Wesley chose to be a preacher of the gospel. "John Wesley: Preacher" shows how this came about and presents him solely in the aspect of his preaching ministry. It describes his early unsatisfying attempts and shows that only when he took to field preaching did his effective ministry begin. Wesley vigorously defended this innovation against scornful critics. His congregation was a cross-section of the community, which included hostile mobs and hooligans. This book closely examines the subjects of his sermons, as well as the results of his preaching as observed by himself and others. Other subjects dealt with are his insistence on early morning preaching; his attitude to so-called "gospel sermons" and long sermons; the value of an itinerant ministry; the frequency of preaching; the treatment of old sermons. Finally, there is a sketch of the closing years of his astonishing ministry, with its increasing emphasis on the love of God as mattering above all else.
