Wesley Corpus

W n was dreadful indeed, and too notorious to be denied.” (Ibid.) 5. “One of the chief of those who came to make the disturbance on the first instant hanged himself.” (Page 146.) 6. “I was quite surprised when I heard Mr. R. preach; that soft, smooth, tuneful voice, which he so often employed to blaspheme the work of God, was lost, without hope of recovery.” (Ibid.) 7. “Mr. C. spoke so much in favour of the rioters, that they were all discharged. A few days after, walking over the same field, he dropped down, and spoke no more.” (Page 147.) And what is the utmost that can be inferred from all these passages? That I believe these things to have been judg ments. What if I did? To believe these things to have been judgments is one thing; to claim a power of inflicting judg ments is another. If, indeed, I believe things to be judg ments which are not, I am to blame. But still this is not “claiming any miraculous gift.” But “you cite one who forbid your speaking to some dying criminals, to answer for their souls at the judgment-seat of Christ.” (Ibid.) I do; but, be this right or wrong, it is not “claiming a power to inflict judgments.” “Yes, it is: For these judgments are fulminated with the air of one who had the divine vengeance at his disposal.” (Page 147.) I think not: And I believe all impartial men will be of the same mind. “These are some of the extraordinary gifts which Mr. W. claims.” (Page 149.) I claim no extraordinary gift at all; nor has anything to the contrary been proved yet, so much as in a single instance. “We come now to the application of this sovereign test, James iii. 17.” But let us see that we understand it first. I beg leave to consider the whole: “Who is a wise and know ing man among you? Let him show his wisdom,” as well as his faith, “by his works,” not by words only. “But if ye have bitter zeal and strife in your heart, do not glory and lie against the truth; ” as if any such zeal, anything contrary to love, could consist with true wisdom.