Wesley Corpus

24. “He trumpets himself forth as the greatest man that has ever lived since Constantine the Great.” (Page 37.) This too is in italics; it might have been in capitals; but it is an utter falsehood. Mr. Hill might as well have said, “He trum pets himself forth as the King of Great Britain.” The passage to which I suppose he alludes, and the only one he can allude to, is this: “When has true religion, since the time of Constantine the Great, made so large a progress within so small a space?” (Sermons, Vol. VII., p. 425.) Is this “trumpeting myself forth as the greatest man that has ever lived since” then 7 25. “All his disciples are commanded not to read what is wrote against him.” (Imposture Detected, page 38.) No; it is the Tabernacle disciples are commanded not to read Mr. Fletcher. And reason good; for there is no resisting the force of his arguments. Thousands, if they read them with any candour, would see that “God willeth all men to be saved.” 26. Mr. Hill concludes: “I should have been glad to have addressed him in the softest and most tender style. But those are weapons he turns to ridicule.” (Page 39.) When? Show me a single instance. Indeed I never was tried. What Calvinist ever addressed me in a soft and tender style? And which of them did I turn to ridicule? I am utterly guiltless in this matter. II. 1. I have now done with the merits of the cause, having refuted the charge in every article. And as to the manner, let any man of candour judge, whether I have not spoken the truth in love. I proceed now to take some notice of the manner wherein Mr. Hill speaks: To illustrate which, I need only present a few of his flowers to the impartial reader. 2. “All the divinity we find in this wretched harangue which he calls a sermon, are a few bungling scraps of the religion of nature, namely, love to God and love to man, which an Heathen might have preached as well as Mr. John; ” (polite ) “and probably in a much better manner.