Treatise Free Thoughts On Public Affairs
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-free-thoughts-on-public-affairs-002 |
| Words | 390 |
I have likewise another advantage, that of having no bias
one way or the other. I have no interest depending; I want
no man’s favour, having no hopes, no fears, from any man;
and having no particular attachment of any kind to either of
the contending parties. But am I so weak as to imagine, that because I am not
angry at them, they will not be angry at me? No; I do not
imagine any such thing. Probably both will be angry
enough; that is, the warm men on both sides, were it only
for this, -that I am not as warm as themselves. For what
is more insufferable to a man in a passion, than to see you
keep your temper? And is it not a farther provocation, that
I do not behave as he does to his opponent; that I call him
no ill names; that I give him no ill words? I expect, there
fore, to be abused on all sides; and cannot be disappointed,
unless by being treated with common humanity. This premised, I come to the point, to give you my “free
thoughts on the present state of public affairs;” the causes
and consequences of the present commotions. But permit me
to remind you, that I say nothing peremptorily. I do not take
upon me to affirm, that things are thus or thus. I just set down
my naked thoughts, and that without any art or colouring. “What then do you think is the direct and principal
cause of the present public commotions, of the amazing
ferment among the people, the general discontent of the
nation?” which now rises to an higher degree than it has
done in the memory of man; insomuch that I have heard it
affirmed with my own ears, “King George ought to be treated
as King Charles was 1” Is it the extraordinary bad character
of the King? I do not apprehend it is. Certainly, if he is
not, as some think, the best Prince in Europe, he is far from
being the worst. One not greatly prejudiced in his favour
does not charge him with want of virtue, (of this he judges
him to have more than enough,) but with wanting those
royal vices, which (with Machiavel and the ingenious Doctor
Mandeville) he supposes would be public benefits.