Wesley Corpus

Among them none are allowed to be stated Preachers, but such as, (1.) Are truly alive to God; such as experience the “faith that worketh by love; ” such as love God and all man kind. (2.) Such as have a competent knowledge of the word of God, and of the work of God in the souls of men. (3.) Such as have given proof that they are called of God, by con verting sinners from the error of their ways. And to show whether they have these qualifications or no, they are a year, sometimes more, upon trial. Now, I pray, what is the common examination, either for Deacon’s or Priest's Orders, to this? 17. “But no ambassador can act without a commission from his King: Consequently, no Preacher without a commission from God.” (Page 11.) This is a tender point; but you con strain me to speak. I ask then, Is he commissioned from God to preach the gospel, who does not know the gospel? who knows little more of the Bible than of the Koran P I fear not. But if so, what are many of our brethren? Sent of man, but not of God! “However, these laymen are not sent of God to preach; for does not St. Paul say, ‘No man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron P’” (Page 13.) Another text most unhappily applied; for Aaron did not preach at all. But if these men are not sent of God, how comes God to confirm their word, by convincing and con verting sinners? He confirms the word of his messenger, but of none else. Therefore, if God owns their word, it is plain that God has sent them. “But the earth opened and swallowed up those intruders into the priestly office, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” (Page 14.) Such an intruder are you, if you convert no sinners to God. Take heed lest a deeper pit swallow you up ! 18. “But the Church of Rome has sent out Preachers among us, such as Thomas Heath, a Jesuit; and Faithful Commin, a Dominican Friar.” (Pages 16, 17.) And what do you infer from hence? that my brother, who was thought a Student of Christ Church in Oxford, was really a Jesuit?