Wesley Corpus

In the close of your fourth section, you charge me with “shuffling and prevaricating with regard to extraordinary gifts and miraculous powers.” Of these I shall have occasion to speak by and by. At present I need only return the compli ment, by charging you with gross, wilful prevarication, from the beginning of your book to the end. Some instances of this have appeared already. Many more will appear in due time. 7. Your fifth charges me with an “affectation of prophesy ing.” Your first proof of it is this:-- “It was about this time that the soldier was executed. For some time I had visited him every day. But when the love of God was shed abroad in his heart, I told him, “Do not expect to see me any more: I believe Satan will separate us for a season.’ Accordingly, the next day, I was informed, the commanding , officer had given strict orders, that neither Mr. Wesley, nor any of his people, should be admitted.” (Vol. I. p. 266.) I did believe so, having seen many such things before; yet with out affecting a spirit of prophecy. But that I do claim it, you will prove, Secondly, from my mentioning “the great work which God intends, and is now beginning, to work over all the earth.” By what art you ex tract such a conclusion out of such premises, I know not. That God intends this, none who believe the Scripture doubt. And that he has begun it, both in Europe and America, any, who will make use of their eyes and ears, may know without any “miraculous gift of prophesying.” 8. In your sixth section, you assert, that I lay claim to other miraculous gifts. (Page 45.) As you borrow this objection from Mr. Church, I need only give the same answer I gave before. “‘I shall give,’” says Mr. Church, “‘but one account more, and that is, what you give of yourself.’ The sum whereof is, “At two several times, being ill, and in violent pain, I prayed to God, and found immediate ease. I did so. I assert the fact still.