7. _This caution is necessary to be remembered, that ye who are weak be not offended. Neither be ye offended, when ye hear the wisdom of the world pronounce all this, mere enthusiasm: a hard word, which most of those who are fondest of it, no more understand ♦than they do Arabic. Ask, in the spirit of meekness, him who calls it so, “Is the kingdom of |God| set up in |your| soul? Do |you| feel that peace of |God| which passeth all understanding? Do |you| rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory? Is the love of |God| shed abroad in |your| heart, by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in |you|?” If not, you are no judge of these matters. You cannot discern the things of the spirit of |God|. They are enthusiasm, madness, foolishness to you: for they are spiritually discerned._
♦ duplicate word “than” removed
8. _Ask such a one (but with meekness and love) “Are |you| taught of |God|? Do you know that he abideth in you? Have you the revelation of the Holy Ghost (they are the words of your own church) inspiring into you the true meaning of scripture?” If you have not, with all your human science and worldly wisdom, you know nothing yet as you ought to know. Whatever you are in other respects, as to the things of |God|, you are an unlearned and ignorant man. And if you are unstable too, you will wrest these, as you do also the other scriptures, to your own destruction._
9. _Be not then surprized, ye that wait for peace, and joy, and love, thro’ faith in the blood of |Jesus|, that such judges, as these are continually crying out “Enthusiasm!” if you speak of the inward operations of the Holy Ghost. And as to you who have already peace with |God|, thro’ our |Lord Jesus Christ|, who now feel his love shed abroad in your hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto you; with whose spirit the spirit of |God| beareth witness, that ye are the sons of |God|; it is your part to confirm your love toward them in all lowliness and meekness: (for who is it that maketh thee to differ? Or what hast thou, which thou hast not received?) And to plead earnestly for them at the throne of grace, that the day-star may appear in their hearts also, and the sun of righteousness at length arise upon them, with healing in his wings!_
London, February 9, 1738‒9.