Wesley Corpus

“Do not credit those who tell you that we must judge of our regeneration by sensible impulses, impressions, ardors, and ecstasies.” (Page 19.) Who tells them so? Not I: Not Mr. Bourke: Not any in connexion with me. Sir, you your self either do or ought to know the contrary. Whether there fore these are, or are not, “signs of the Spirit,” (page 20,) see you to it; it is nothing to me; any more than whether the Spirit does or does not “show itself in groanings and sighings, in fits and starts.” I never affirmed it did: And when you represent me as so doing, you are a sinner against God, and me, and your own soul. 21. If you should see good to write anything more about the Methodists, I beg you would first learn who and what they are. Be so kind as at least to read over my “Journals,” and the “Appeals to Men of Reason and Religion.” Then you will no longer “run” thus “uncertainly,” or “fight as one that beateth the air.” But I would rather hope you will not fight at all. For, whom would you fight with ? If you will fight, it must be with your friends; for such we really are. We wish all the same happiness to you which we wish to our own souls. We desire no worse for you, than that you may “present” yourself “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; ” that you may watch over the souls committed to your charge, as he “that must give account; ” and that, in the end, you may receive “the crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to all that love his appearing !” So prays, Reverend Sir, Your affectionate Brother, May 18, 1771.