Wesley Corpus

6. Your Second charge is, that I “abuse the Clergy, throw out so much gall of bitterness against them, and impute this black art of calumny to the Spirit and power given from God.” (Page 15.) Sir, I plead Not Guilty to the whole charge. And you have not cited one line to support it. But if you could support it, what is this to the point in hand? I presume calumny is not enthusiasm. Perhaps you will say, “But it is something as bad.” True; but it is nothing to the purpose: Even the imputing this to the Spirit of God, as you here represent it, is an instance of art, not of enthusiasm. 7. You charge me, Thirdly, with “putting on a sanctified appearance, in order to draw followers, by a demure look, precise behaviour, and other marks of external piety. For which reason,” you say, “Mr. Wesley made and renewed that noble resolution, not willingly to indulge himself in the least levity of behaviour, or in laughter, no, not for a moment; to speak no word not tending to the glory of God, and not a tittle of worldly things.” (Pages 18, 19.) Sir, you miss the mark again. If this “sanctified appear ance was put on to draw followers,” if it was for “this reason” (as you flatly affirm it was) that “Mr. Wesley made and renewed that noble resolution;” (it was made eleven or twelve years before, about the time of my removal to Lincoln College;) then it can be no instance of enthusiasm, and so does not fall within the design of your present work; unless your title-page does not belong to your book; for that confines you to the enthusiasm of the Methodists. 8. But to consider this point in another view: You accuse me of “putting on a sanctified appearance, a demure look, precise behaviour, and other marks of external piety.” How are you assured, Sir, this was barely external, and that it was a bare appearance of sanctity? You affirm this as from per sonal knowledge. Was you then acquainted with me three or four and twenty years ago? “He made and renewed that noble resolution,” in order to “draw followers.” Sir, how do you know that? Are you in God's place, that you take upon you to be the searcher of hearts?