Wesley Corpus

28. But to proceed: I was not “offended with the Mora vians” for warning men “against mixing nature with grace;” (page 71;) but for their doing it in such a manner as tended to destroy all the work of grace in their souls. I did not blame the thing itself, but their manner of doing it; and this you know perfectly well: But with you, truth must always give way to wit. At all events, you must have your jest. 29. Had you had any regard to truth, or any desire to represent things as they really are, when you repeated Mr. Church’s objection concerning lots, you would have acknow ledged that I have answered it at large. When you have replied to that answer, I may add a word more. 30. You are sadly at a loss under the article of ecstasies and raptures, to glean up anything that will serve your pur pose. At last, from ten or twelve tracts, you pick out two l2 LETTER TO lines; and those the same you had mentioned before: “My soul was got up into the holy mount. I had no thought of coming down again into the body.” And truly you might as well have let these alone; for if by “ecstasy” you mean trance, here is no account of any such; but only of one “re joicing” in God “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” With the “girl of seven years old” (page 77) I have nothing to do; though you honestly tack that relation to the other, in order to make me accountable for both. But all is fair toward a Methodist. 31. What I assert concerning Peter Wright (page 79) is this: (1.) That he gave me that relation. (Whether I believed it or no, I did not say.) (2.) That he died within a month after. Now, Sir, give us a cast of your office. From these two propositions extract a proof of my being an enthusiast. You may full as easily prove it from these, as from the words you quote next: “God does now give remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and often in dreams and visions of God.” “But afterwards,” you say, “I speak more distrustfully.” (Page 79.) Indeed I do not; but I guard against enthusiasm in those words, part of which you have recited.