Wesley Corpus

While Charles Wesley was an ardent Protestant, and shared concern about the loyalty of Roman Catholics in Britain to the Hanoverian throne, he was even more committed to the rule of law and respect for public property. His outrage against the mob and its leaders, as well as his gratitude when peace was restored, are captured well in this set of sarcastic poems.2 See also his Tumult Hymns (1780). For a manuscript draft of this set of poems, which supplies some of the missing names, see MS Protestant Association. Edition: Charles Wesley. The Protestant Association. London: Paramore, 1781. Vindication of Innocence and Integrity, Being an Answer to a Virulent Poem entitled "The Protestant Association", 2n edn. (London: R. Denham, 1781); and a review in the magazine published by the Protestant Association, The Protestant Magazine; or Christian Treasury, July 1781, 27-28. Table of Contents Canto I Canto II Canto III Canto IV Address to the City, Written in June, 1780 Advice to the City, Written in June, 1780 Second Address to the City, Written in June, 1780 Page 4 Canto I. Arms, and the good old cause I sing, Which threaten'd vengeance on our king, Brought down the storm so long a brewing, And Britain to the brink of ruin, While all her foes intestine join To execute the dark DESIGN, And glut the patriotic zeal Of France, America, and hell. An army of Associators, Of rebels, regicides, and traitors, (With here and there a warm Dissenter, Geneva Jack, and John the painter) Of real, or pretended zealots, Of Scots, sworn enemies to prelates, Of patriots a countless throng Their banners rear, and pour along;