Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/155

 7. I allow, That it is highly expedient, whoever preaches in his name, should have an outward as well as an inward call. But that it is ''absolutely necessary'' I deny.

"Nay, is not the scripture express? No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron?" Heb. v. 4.

Numberless times has this text been quoted on the occasion, as containing the very strength of the cause. But surely never was so unhappy a quotation. For, first, Aaron was not called to preach at all. He was called ''to offer gifts and sacrifice for sin''. That was his peculiar employment. Secondly, These men do not offer sacrifice at all; but only preach, which Aaron did not. Therefore it is not possible to find one text in all the Bible, which is more wide of the point than this.

8. "But what was the practice of the apostolic age?" You may easily see in the Acts of the apostles. In the 8th chapter we read, ''There was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem: and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, ver. 1. Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went every-where preaching the word'', ver. 4. Now were all these outwardly called to preach? No man in his senses can think so. Here then is an undeniable proof, what was the practice of the apostolic age. Here you see not one, but a multitude of Lay-preachers, men that were only sent of God.