I just got done re-reading John Wesley's sermon entitled, "The Duty of Constant Communion." For this reason alone I would be a Wesleyan through and through. I love his thoughts here.
The homily is a simple one, with two goals - to affirm "constant" communion over "frequent" communion and to dispel any criticisms of communion.
Wesley states:
It is no wonder that men who have no fear of God should never think of doing this. But it is strange that it should be neglected by any that do fear God, and desire to save their souls.
One of the most common excuses people give to not receive the Lord's Supper is an "unworthy" spirit. Wesley dispels this saying that everyone is unworthy, and as such it is not good to break one commandment because another has been broken. It is a cycle of disobedience.
What about Paul's words about consuming damnation? Well the unworthiness was not one of guilty conscience, but rather of callous practice. Those who forsook the meaning of the Eucharist in order to get drunk did not approach the table properly. Wesley says, “If you resolve to design and follow Christ you are fit to approach the Lord's table," so coming to the table repentant and seeking God, no matter how unfit, is appropriate.
One thing lacking in this homily is the benefits of the Eucharist to the Church. This homily, the most comprehensive work of Wesley's understanding of the Eucharist, focuses solely on the individual and neglects the ecclesiological reconciliation that occurs through Communion and doing so together.
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