When laymen of Wesley’s day began to preach the gospel , he was shocked and said he would stop them. His wise mother, however, warned him against taking action, but to observe the results. Wesley took the advice of his mother and was later amazed at what the “un-taught” preachers were able to accomplish.
Four years later he wrote about laymen in the pulpit.
I am bold to affirm that these unlettered men have help from God for the great work of saving souls from death. But, indeed, in the one thing which the profess to know, they are not ignorant men. I trust there is not one of them who is not able to go through such an examination in substantial, practical, experimental divinity, which few of our candidates for holy orders even in the university are able to do.
