John Wesley’s Three Rules Quoted

As it turns out, before Wesley settled on “Do no harm, do good, attend to the ordinances of God,”

the three rules were:

1. Show up every week

2. Arrive on time

3. Start on time

And honestly, that could preach well these days. (Am I right, Pastors?)

John Wesley — The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies (1743)

In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that I would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come. That they might have a rule of conduct common to us all, I consented to meet them once a week. At these meetings we advised one another to watch over each other in love; that so we might help each other to work out our own salvation.

To this end it was agreed, first, that we should meet once a week, at the least; secondly, that we should come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason; thirdly, that we should begin (those of us who were present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer; fourthly, that we should speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we had committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations we had felt since our last meeting.

These were the rules of our society from the beginning. But as the number increased, it was found needful to divide it into smaller companies or classes, and to give each class a leader. It was then that the following rules were drawn up, to which all in the society were desired to conform.

There is only one condition previously required in those who desire admission into these societies, viz. a desire to flee from the wrath to come, to be saved from their sins. But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits.

It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised; such as,
The taking of the name of God in vain;
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling;
Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity;
Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling;
The buying or selling of goods that have not paid the duty;
The giving or taking things on usury, that is, unlawful interest;
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers;
Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us;
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as the putting on of gold and costly apparel; the taking of such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus; the singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God; softness and needless self-indulgence;
Laying up treasure upon earth;
Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men:

To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison;
To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that “we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it;”
By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more because the world will love its own, and them only.

Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are,

The public worship of God;
The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded;
The Supper of the Lord;
Family and private prayer;
Searching the Scriptures;
Fasting or abstinence.

These are the General Rules of our societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in His written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice.