For those interested in catching a glimpse of what John Wesley wanted his Methodists to believe, this is a good place to start. Most of these 50 sermons were included in his Works (an official collection of his writings put together by Wesley himself), and they were intended to help guide those in his movement in understanding the basic theological ideas that he considered important. This anthology adds to the official selections a few selected by Outler from among Wesley's uncompiled sermons. These also give us an interesting look into Wesley's heart and mind.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is that each sermon is preceded by an excellent introduction. This sets the sermon in context and provides a clearer point from which to begin trying to understand what Wesley is saying. This is an excellent collection compiled by superb editors.

John Wesley was the founder of Methodism, and this is a "best of" collection of fifty of his sermons, organized chronologically so that you can follow the development of his thought from 1730 to 1790. The sermons are long and dense but carefully crafted, and the theology is powerful and nuanced. Many of the sermons deal masterfully with what I think is one of the toughest but most important juggling acts in Christian theology: maintaining both (a) that our salvation comes entirely through the overflowing grace of God and is in no way merited or achieved and (b) that it is vitally important that we do good, partake of the sacraments, read scripture, pray, and all that good stuff. Other sermon topics include religious bigotry, religious zeal, the use of money, the repentance of believers, and the omnipresence of God. If you're interested in Christian theology and won't be too put off by Wesley's dry, dense writing style, I highly recommend this book.

Each prayer is wonderfully written and Paul Chilcote captures the essence of Wesley's teaching. Praying is not easy for me, and it has been a delight to incorporate the reading of a single prayer from this book both when I first awake and last thing before I sleep. Paul Chilicote manages to write as though his very words are my own thoughts and struggles and brings me to an attitude of reflection and thoughtfullness as I prepare to offer my personal prayers to our Lord. I expect this book will be read many times over.

In the 18th century John Wesley took church to the people. He preached at British coal fields as well as in urban centers. 53 of his sermons became known as the Standard Sermons and were used as teaching tools.

Paul Chilcote distilled the 18th century language of Wesley's sermons (which might take an hour or more if read aloud) into 53 lyrical prayers. Very accessible. Very real. Very much in tune with the language of today's heart. These are prayers to pray daily and weekly, prayers to let grow from the lips and travel to the mind and the heart, prayers to become a part of the soul. Chilcote's work updates Wesley and continues to speak to Wesley's concern for the spiritual formation of all people.

Bruce Hindmarsh goes far beyond the common understanding of John Newton to describe a gospel servant who began as an adolescent sailing with his father in the merchant marine. Later, he lived a blasphemous and destructive life after being impressed into the British navy, punished as a deserter and sent to service on a slave ship. Even after his earliest conversion he engaged in the slave trade, ultimately as a captain, before quitting that business which he found disgusting. He found new employment, new friends in the Evangelical community, and with his young wife, Mary, at first settled in Liverpool. His independent biblical and theological studies set him on a course that tied him closely with members of the English Evangelical movement but ultimately resulted in his ordination as a clergyman in the Church of England. Hindmarsh has carefully detailed Newton's growth over many years toward maturity and service as an Anglican parish minister and a preacher often mistaken for a Methodist because of his exuberance. Of course, Newton wrote hundreds of hymns for his parishioners to sing in worship services. The most famous today is "Faith's Review and Expectation," or "Amazing Grace." This is a scholarly book, well worth the price if you're serious about understanding Newton's theology, his rich and admirable service as a parish priest, his personal warmth and commitment to the people he served, and his historical significance as an Anglican who was a sort of bridge between his own church and the broad Evangelical movement during his long and productive life. Hindmarsh has done a great job of humanizing Newton; after reading this fine book I admire Newton so much because of the rich, committed life he lived for many years after he found conversion and quit the slave trade.

I recommend this book to pastors, church musicians and anyone desiring to feel the warmth of the 18th century Wesleyan revival. A Heart to Praise My God: Wesley Hymns for Today, studies each of the hymns of Charles Wesley included in the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. While one will find more scholarly guides to great hymns, this is one book that provides both a good introduction to the hymns of Charles Wesley as well as good devotional material. S T Kimbrough has the credentials of a Wesley scholar. The notes and brief study guide at the end will help anyone who wants to explore further. But his personal reflections show that he is also in touch with the love of God that originally inspired the Wesley brothers.

Wesley's "Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists" is easily one of the greatest hymn books of all time. Along with the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, it is one of the glories of the English-speaking church. A simple glance at the table of contents shows the sensitivity which went into the hymn book, as the section titles present a virtual spiritual biography: it begins with hymns "Exhorting Sinners to Return to God", then describes the "Pleasantness of Religion", and its corollary, the four last things (death, judgment, hell heaven), then hymns of repentence and "for mourners convinced of sin", as well as hymns for backsliders. Finally, we come to hymns for believers, in their various struggles and joys: fighting, praying, watching, working, suffering, seeking full redemption, saved, and at last, interceding for the world. Although not included in the first edition, modern editions carry an additional "supplement" of psalms and hymns of praise. The hymns themselves include some of the best-loved hymns of the church, from hymn 1, "O for a thousand tongues to sing / My great redeemer's praise" to "Hark the herald angels sing", "Love divine, all loves excelling", and "When I survey the wondrous cross". But it also includes a number of gems that haven't made it into many modern hymn books. A few random examples: "Extended on a cursed tree / Besmeared with dust and sweat and blood / See there, the king of glory see / Sinks and expires the Son of God" (hymn 23), "Shepherd of souls, with pitying eyes / The thousands of our Israel see / To Thee in their behalf we cry / Ourselves but newly found in thee" (hymn 82), "O that I could revere / My much-offended God! / O that I could but stand in fear / Of thy afflicting rod! / If mercy cannot draw, / Thou by thy threatenings move, / And keep an abject soul in awe, / That will not yield to love" (hymn 103). Nearly every one of the 1026 hymns in the collection has something to offer, and taken in their order, they form a full body of practical divinity. The only problem I have with the book is its sometimes militant Arminianism, but Calvinists have never had problems using most of the hymns (sometimes with minor changes). Franz Hildebrandt's edition is a scholarly edition, not suited for the pew, but a valuable work for anyone wishing to study these hymns. It includes sidenotes indicating scriptural, patristic, and literary allusions in the hymns, and has an illuminating introduction. Unfortunately, the book is text-only, and doesn't include any of the great tunes in the Handel tradition which complement these hymns so well.