SOURCE: Wood, A. Skevington. “Wesley as a Writer.” In John Wesley: Contemporary Perspectives, edited by John Stacey, pp. 190-201. London: Epworth Press, 1988.

In the following essay, Wood extols the literary merit of Wesley's work, arguing that he be seen as not only as a historical figure.

Although his literary output was considerable, John Wesley did not set out to make his name as a writer. What he published was in the interests of the nationwide mission which engrossed his attention. He was concerned with the communication of the Christian message and regarded his writings as an extension of that ministry. He was no mere dilettante who fancied himself as an author and so dabbled in the art to satisfy his own inclinations. Although, as we shall see, he was not lacking in facility, he directed his talent towards a specific goal. As George Lawton points out, almost everything...