Wesley Corpus

Let men of candour judge. Yet I am persuaded, there was such an assistance at some times. You have also to prove, that this was a false persuasion. You remark, (2) “An enthusiast is, then, sincere, but mis taken.” (Page 61.) I answered, “That I am mistaken remains to be proved.” You reply, “The world must judge.” Agreed, if by the world you mean men of reason and religion. You remark, (3) “His intentions must be good; but his actions will be most abominable.” I answered, “What actions of mine are most abominable?” You reply, “The world must be judge, whether your public actions have not been, in many respects, abominable.” I am glad the charge softens. I hope by and by you will think they are only abominable in some respects. You remark, (4) “Instead of making the word of God the rule of his actions, he follows only secret persuasion or impulse.” I answered: “I have declared again and again, that I make the word of God the rule of all my actions; and that I no more follow any secret impulse instead thereof, than I follow Mahomet or Confucius.” You reply: “You fall again into your strain of boasting, as if declarations could have any weight against facts; assert, that “you make the word of God the rule of all your actions, and that I ‘perhaps do not know many persons’”--(Page 121.) Stop, Sir: You are stepping over one or two points which I have not done with. You remark, (5) “Instead of judging of his spiritual estate by the improvement of his heart, he rests only on ecstasies,” &c. I answered: “Neither is this my case. I rest not on them at all. I judge of my spiritual estate by the improve ment of my heart and the tenor of my life conjointly.” To this I do not perceive you reply one word. Herein, then, I am not an enthusiast. You remark, (6.) “He is very liable to err, not considering things coolly and carefully.” I answered: “So indeed I am; I find it every day more and more. But I do not yet find that this is owing to my want of ‘considering things coolly and care fully.” Perhaps you do not know many persons (excuse my simplicity in speaking it) who more carefully consider every step they take.