Wesley Corpus

You ask, how I know so great a work is wrought now--“by inspiration?” No; but by common sense. I know it by the evidence of my own eyes and ears. I have seen a considerable part of it; and I have abundant testimony, such as excludes all possible doubt, for what I have not seen. 33. But you are so far from acknowledging anything of this, as to conclude, in full triumph, that “this new dispensation is a composition of enthusiasm, superstition, and imposture.” (Page 81.) It is not clear what you mean by a new dispen sation. But the clear and undeniable fact stands thus: A. few years ago, Great Britain and Ireland were covered with vice from sea to sea. Very little of even the form of religion was left; and still less of the power of it. Out of this dark ness God commanded light to shine. In a short space He called thousands of sinners to repentance. They were not only reformed from their outward vices, but likewise changed in their dispositions and tempers; “filled with a serious, sober sense of true religion,” with love to God and all mankind, with an holy faith, producing good works of every kind, works both of piety and mercy. What could the god of this world do in such a case, to prevent the spreading of this “serious, sober religion?” The same that he has done from the beginning of the world. To hinder the light of those whom God hath thus changed, from shining before men, he gave them all in general a nick-name; he called them Methodists. And this name, as insignificant as it was in itself, effectually answered his intention. For by this means, that light was soon obscured by prejudice, which could not be withstood by Scripture or reason. By the odious and ridiculous ideas affixed to that name, they were con demned in the gross, without ever being heard. So that now any scribbler, with a middling share of low wit, not incum bered with good nature or modesty, may raise a laugh on those whom he cannot confute, and run them down whom he dares not look in the face. By this means even a Comparer of Methodists and Papists may blaspheme the great work of God, not only without blame, but with applause; at least from readers of his own stamp.