Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/156

 9. Indeed so far is the practice of the apostolic age, from inclining us to think it was unlawful for a man to preach before he was ordained, that we have reason to think, it was then accounted necessary. Certainly the practice and the direction of the apostle Paul was, to prove a man before he was ordained at all. Let these, (the deacons) says he, ''first be proved: then let them use the office of a deacon''—1 Tim. iii. 10. Proved? How? By setting them to construe a sentence of Greek? And asking them a few common-place questions? O amazing proof of a minister of Christ! Nay: but by making a clear, open trial (as is still done by most of the Protestant churches in Europe) not only whether their lives be holy and unblameable, but whether they have such gifts as are absolutely and indispensibly necessary, in order to edify the church of Christ.

10. * "But what if a man has these? And has brought sinners to repentance? And yet the bishop will not ordain him?" Then the bishop does forbid him to cast out devils. But I dare not forbid him. I have published my reasons to all the world. Yet 'tis still insisted, I ought to do it. You who insist upon it, answer those reasons. I know not that any have done this yet, or even made an attempt of doing it. Only some have spoken of them as very weak and trifling. And this was prudent enough. For 'tis far easier to despise, at least, seem to despise an argument than