To this clumsy syllogism I rejoin, 1. That the words, “if sincere,” are utterly impertinent: for if _insincerity_ be supposed, _enthusiasm_ will be out of the question. 2. That those words, “as the effects of his own prayers,” may likewise be pared off; for they are unnecessary and cumbersome, the argument being compleat without them. 3. That with or without them, the proposition is false; unless so far as it co-incides with that you reject. For it is _the believing_ those to be miracles which are not, that constitutes an _enthusiast_: not the _representing_ them one way or the other; unless so far as it implies such a _belief_.
12. Upon my answer to the syllogism first proposed, you observe, _Thus_ (by denying the latter part of the minor) _you clear yourself from the charge of enthusiasm, by acknowledging the cures to be supernatural and miraculous――――Why then would you not speak out, and directly say, that you can work real and undoubted miracles? This would put the controversy between you and your opposers on a short foot, and be an effectual proof of ♦the truth of your pretences_, page 142.
♦ duplicate word “the” removed
* * * * *
V. 1. I have in some measure explained myself on the head of miracles, in the third part of the _Farther Appeal_. But ♦since you repeat the demand (tho’ without taking any notice of the arguments there advanced) I will endeavour once more to give you a distinct, full and determinate answer.
♦ “hence” replaced with “since” per Errata
And first, I acknowledge, that I have seen with my eyes, and heard with my ears, several things, which, to the best of my judgment, cannot be accounted for by the ordinary course of natural causes, and which, I therefore believe ought to be _ascribed to the extraordinary interposition of God_. If any man chuse to stile these _miracles_, I reclaim not. I have diligently inquired into the facts. I have weighed the preceding and following circumstances. I have strove to account for them in a _natural_ way. I could not, without doing violence to my reason. Not to go far back, I am clearly persuaded, that the hidden deliverance of _John Haydon_, was one instance of this kind, and my own recovery, on _May_ the tenth, another. I cannot account for either of these in a _natural_ way. Therefore I believe they were both _supernatural_.
* I must, secondly, observe, That the truth of these facts is supported by the same kind of proof, as that of all other facts is wont to be, namely, the testimony of competent witnesses: and that the testimony here is in as high a degree as any reasonable man can desire. Those witnesses were many in number: they could not be deceived themselves; for the facts in question they saw with their own eyes, and heard with their own ears. Nor is it credible, that so many of them would combine together, with a view of deceiving others; the greater part being men that feared God; as appeared by the general tenor of their lives. Thus, in the case of _John Haydon_, this thing was not contrived and executed in a corner, and in the presence of his own family only, or three or four persons prepared for the purpose. No; it was in an open street of the city of _Bristol_, at one or two in the afternoon. And the doors being all open from the beginning, not only many of the neighbours from every side, but several others, (indeed whosoever desired it) went in, till the house could contain no more. Nor yet does the account of my own illness and recovery _depend_, as you suppose, _on my bare word_. There were many witnesses both of my disorder on _Friday_ and _Saturday_, and of my lying down most part of _Sunday_ (a thing which they were well satisfied could not be the effect of a slight indisposition.) And all who saw me that evening, plainly discerned (what I could not wholly conceal) that I was in pain: about two hundred of whom were present when I was seized with that cough, which cut me short, so that I could speak no more; till I cried out aloud, “Lord, increase my faith: Lord, confirm the word of thy grace.” The same persons saw and heard, that at that instant I changed my posture, and broke out into thanksgiving: that quickly after I stood upright (which I could not before) and shewed no more sign either of sickness or pain.