_The next case_, you say, _relates to the spotted fever, which you represent as being extremely mortal; but――――you believe there was not one with whom you were but recovered. I allowed, that here is no intimation of any thing miraculous_ (_Remarks_ page 72.) _You ask_, (Answer, page 45.) “_Why then is this cited as an instance of my enthusiasm?”――――You sure cannot think, that false pretences to miracles are the_ whole _of enthusiasm_. No; but I think they are _that part_ of enthusiasm, which you here undertook to prove upon me. You are here to prove, that I _boast of curing bodily distempers by prayer, without the use of any other means_. (Remarks, page 71.) But if _there is no intimation_ in my account _of any thing miraculous, or that proper remedies had not been applied_: how is this a proof, that I _boast of curing bodily distempers, without applying_ any _remedies_ at all?
_But you seem to desire to have it believed, that an extraordinary blessing attended your prayers. Whereas if the circumstances could be particularly inquired into, most probably it would appear, that either the fury of the distemper was abated, or the persons you visited were seized with it in a more favourable degree, or were by reason of a good constitution, more capable of going through it. Neither do I believe, that they would have failed of an equal blessing and success, had they had the assistance and prayers of their own parish ministers._
There, Sir; now I have done as you require: I have quoted your whole remark. But does all this prove, that I _boast of curing bodily distempers by prayer, without the use of any other means_? If you say, although it does not prove this, it proves that _you seem to desire to have it believed, that an extraordinary blessing attended your prayers_: and this is another sort of enthusiasm:――――’tis very well: so it does not prove the conclusion you designed; but it proves another, which is as good!
11. The two last instances of my enthusiasm which you bring (_Remarks_, 72, 73.) I had summed up in two lines thus: “At two several times, being ill and in violent pain, I prayed to God, and found immediate ease.” (_Answer_, page 45.) But since you say, I _must not hope to escape so; these instances must once more be laid before me particularly_, page 140. I must yield to necessity, and set them down from the beginning to the end.
“_Saturday, March 21._ I explained in the evening the 33d chapter of _Ezekiel_: in applying which, I was seized with such a pain in my side, I could not speak. I knew my remedy, and immediately kneeled down. In a moment the pain was gone.” _Journal 4._ page 77.
“_Friday, May 8._ I found myself much out of order, however I made shift to preach in the evening. But on _Saturday_ my bodily strength failed, so that for several hours I could scarce lift up my head. _Sunday 10._ I was obliged to lie down most part of the day, being easy only in that posture.――――In the evening――――beside the pain in my back and head, and the fever which still continued upon me, just as I began to pray, I was seized with such a cough, that I could hardly speak. At the same time came strongly into my mind, _These signs shall follow them that believe_.――――I called on _Jesus_ aloud, To _increase my faith_, and to _confirm the word of his grace_. While I was speaking, my pain vanished away, the fever left me, my bodily strength returned, and for many weeks I felt neither weakness nor pain. Unto thee, O Lord, do I give thanks.” _Journal 4._ page 83.
When you first cited these as proofs of enthusiasm, I answered, “I will put your argument into form.
“He that believes those are miraculous cures which are not so, is a rank enthusiast: but
“You believe those are miraculous cures which are not so, therefore, you are a rank enthusiast.”
――――“What do you mean by miraculous? If you term every thing so, which is _not strictly accountable for by the ordinary course of natural causes_, then I deny the latter part of the minor proposition. And unless you can make this good, unless you can prove, the effects in question, are _strictly accountable for by the ordinary course of natural causes_, your argument is nothing worth.”
You reply, _Your answer to the objection is very evasive, though you pretend to put my argument in form. You mistake the major proposition which should have been_:
_He that represents those cures as the immediate effects of his own prayers, and as miraculous, which are not so, is a rank enthusiast, if sincere:_
_But, This you have done: Ergo_, &c.