Wesley Corpus

How does it appear that it was given for any such purpose? It is certain we may try Christians hereby, whether they are real or pretended ones; but I know not that either St. James, or any other inspired writer, gives us the least hint of trying Prophets thereby. Your Lordship adds, “In this rule or direction for the trial of spirits, the marks are to be applied only negatively. The man in whom they are not found hath not the “wisdom from above.’ But we are not to conclude, that he has it in whom any or all of them are found.” (Page 118.) We are not to conclude that he is a Prophet, for the Apostle says nothing about Pro phets; but may we not conclude, the man in whom all these are * Thus translated from Juvenal by Gifford:-- “The selfsame subject, in the selfsame words.”--EDIT. found has “the wisdom from above?” Surely we may; for these are the essential parts of that wisdom; and can he have all the parts and not have the whole? Is not this enough to show, that the Apostle is here giving “a set of marks,” not “to detect impostor-prophets,” but impostor-Christians? those that impose either upon themselves or others, as if they were Christians when they are not? In what follows, I shall simply consider the argument, without directly addressing your Lordship. “Apply these marks to the features of modern fanatics, especially Mr. John Wesley. He has laid claim to almost every apostolic gift, in as full and ample a manner as they were possessed of old.” (Page 119.) The miraculous gifts bestowed upon the Apostles are enumerated in two places: First, Mark xvi. 17, 18: “In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Second, 1 Cor. xii.