Wesley Corpus

1. What you urge on the head of enthusiasm also, I think, “deserves my most serious consideration.” You may add, “and presumption.” I let it drop once more; because I do not love tautology; and because I look upon presumption to be essential to enthusiasm, and, consequently, contained therein. I will therefore weigh what you advance concerning it, and explain myself something more at large. “I am to examine,” you say, “how far you have cleared your self of enthusiasm. . My account of this you set down, making as many alterations and omissions as there are lines.” (Page 120.) Perhaps more; for Inever designed to recite the whole, but only the material part of it. “If you did not wholly ap prove of it, why would you not let me know what you disliked in it?” Because I do not love many words. Therefore when the argument stood thus, “He that does this is an enthusiast; but you do this; ” I was generally content with answering the second proposition, and leaving the first as I found it. “I laid this charge against you and the Methodists in gene ral; between you every part of the character has been verified.” I answer for one; let the rest answer for themselves, if they have not better employment. That the question between us may be the more fully under stood, I shall briefly compare together, (1.) Your remarks. (2.) My answer. (3.) Your reply; though still I cannot promise to repeat your words at length. 2. You remark, “Though you would be thought an enemy to enthusiasm and presumption, yet in both you are far from being inferior to the Moravians, or indeed to any others.” (Page 60.) Strong assertions! Not inferior to any others? not to the French Prophets, or John of Leyden “(1.) Enthu siasm is a false persuasion of an extraordinary divine assist ance, which leads men to such conduct as is only to be justified by the supposition of such assistance.” I answer, “Before this touches me, you are to prove (which I conceive you have not done yet) that my conduct is such as is only to be justified by the supposition of such assistance.” (Page 406.) You reply, “This, I think, is proved in the preceding tract.” (Page 120.) I think not. Let men of candour judge.