Wesley Corpus

You remark, (6.) '*Ho 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 carefblly.' Perhaps you do not know many persons (excuse my simplicity in speaking it) who more carefully consider every step they take. Yet I know I am not cool or careful enough. May God supply this and all my wants !" (p. 287.) You reply, " Your private life I have nothing to do with ;" and then enlarge on my ** method of consultmg Scripture," and of using lots ; -- of both which by and by. But, meantime, observe, this does not affect the question : for I neither cast lots, nor use that method at all, till I have considered things with all the care I can. So that, be this right or wrong, it is no manner of proof that I do not *^ carefully consider every •t^I take." But how little did I profit by begging your excuse, suppose I had spoken a word unguardedly! 0 sir, you put me in mind of him who •aid, ^ I know not how to show mercy !" You have need never to fight but when you are sure to conquer ; seeing you are resolved neither to give nor take quarter. You remark, (7.) ** He is very difficult to be convinced by reason and argument, as he acts upon a supposed principle superior to it, -- ^the direction of God's Spirit" I answered, '* I am very difficult to be convinced by dry blows or hard names, but not by reason or argument At least that difficulty cannot spring from the cause you mention : for I claim no other direction of God's Spirit than is common to all Wievers."