Wesley Corpus

And of their power to afflict the body, we have abundant proof, both in the history of Job, and that of the gospel demoniacs. I do not mean, Sir, to accuse you of believing these things. You have shown that you are guiltless in this matter; and that Th E REV. D.R. MIDDLETON. 37 you pay no more regard to that antiquated book, the Bible, than you do to the Second Book of Esdras. But, alas ! the Fathers were not so far enlightened. And because they were bigoted to that old book, they of consequence held for truth what, you assure us, was mere delusion and imposture. 20. Now to apply: “A mind,” you say, “so totally possessed by superstitious fancies, could not even suspect the pretensions of those vagrant jugglers, who in those primitive ages were so numerous, and so industriously employed in deluding their fellow-creatures. Both Heathens, Jews, and Christians are all allowed to have had such impostors among them.” (Page 71.) By whom, Sir, is this allowed of the Christians? By whom, but Celsus, was it affirmed of them? Who informed you of their growing so numerous, and using such industry in their employment? To speak the plain truth, your mind appears to be “so totally possessed by ” these “vagrant jugglers,” that you cannot say one word about the primitive Church, but they immediately start up before you; though there is no more proof of their ever existing, than of a witch’s sailing in an egg-shell. 21. You conclude this head: “When pious Christians are arrived to this pitch of credulity, as to believe that evil spirits or evil men can work miracles, in opposition to the gospel; their very piety will oblige them to admit as miraculous what- . ever is pretended to be wrought in defence of it.” (Ibid.) Once more you have spoken out; you have shown, without disguise, what you think of St. Paul, and the “lying miracles” (2 Thess. ii. 9) which he (poor man!) believed evil spirits or evil men could work in opposition to the gospel; and of St. John, talking so idly of him who “doeth great wonders, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth” (even though they were not Christians) “by means of those miracles which he hath power to do.” (Rev. xiii. 13, 14.) 22.