Wesley Corpus

Not to have pardoned him in this case would have been inexcusable before God and man. “But what can be said in excuse of his being governed by his mother, and fixing all his measures at Carlton-House?” It may be said, that if it was so, it is past, and so is no matter of present complaint. But who informed you that it was ? any eye and ear witness? “O, it is in every body's mouth.” Very well; but every body is nobody; so this proof is no proof at all. And what better proof have you, or any man, of his fixing any of his measures there? This has been affirmed an hundred times, but never was proved yet. “Nay, but is it not undeniable fact, that he spent hour after hour with her; and especially when he was hard pressed, and knew not which way to turn?” And what then ? Who loves him better than his parent? And whom has he a right to love better than her? Who is more faithful to him, more steadily desirous of his welfare? And whom can he trust better? Suppose then it was true, (which is more than any man can prove,) that he did consult her on all occasions, and particularly when he was in trouble and perplexity, who can blame him for so doing? “Well, be this as it may, who can help blaming him for giving so many pensions?” This is a thing which I do not understand, and can therefore neither praise nor blame. Some indeed, I think, are well bestowed on men eminent in their several professions. All, I believe, are well designed, particularly those given to men who are removed from public employments. Yet, I fear, some of these are ill bestowed on those who not only fly in the face of their benefactor, but avail themselves of his favours to wound the deeper. “For were he not in the wrong, these would never turn against him!” What pity they should enjoy them another day, after such foul and flagrant ingratitude I This fault (if it were really such) would argue too great easiness of temper. But this is quite the reverse of what is commonly objected,--inflexible stubbornness.