Wesley Corpus

Very lately, a person seeing many flocking to a place, which she did not know was a Romish chapel, innocently said, “What do all these people want?” and was answered by one of them, with great vehe mence, “We want your blood. And we will have it soon.” On Friday last, I dined with a gentlewoman, whose father, living in Dublin, was very intimate with a Roman Catholic gentleman. Having invited him to dinner one day, in the course of conversation, Mrs. Grattan asked him, “Sir, would you really cut my husband's throat, if your Priest commanded you?” He answered honestly, “Madam, Mr. Grattan is my friend; and I love him well; but I must obey the Church.” “Sir,” said she, “I beg I may never more see you within my doors.” But still, be their principles what they will, I would not persecute them. So persecution is utterly out of the ques tion. I know no one that pleads for it. Therefore the writing or talking against it is time lost; it is proving what no one denies. And the Romanists never have been persecuted in England since I remember. They have enjoyed a full toleration. I wish them to enjoy the same toleration still; neither more nor less. I would not hurt a hair of their head. Meantime, I would not put it into their power to hurt me, or anv other persons whom they believe to be heretics. I steer the middle way. I would neither kill nor be killed. I would not use the sword against them, nor put it into their hands, lest they should use it against me; I wish them well, but I dare not trust them. But still I say, persecution is out of the question. And I look on all vague declamations upon it, which have been lately poured out, as either mere flourishes of persons who think they talk prettily, or artful endeavours to puzzle the cause, and to throw dust into the eyes of honest Englishmen. BRIsToL, March 18, 1782.