Wesley Corpus

Mr. W.'s Letters in Defence of the Protestant Associations in England; to which are prefixed Mr. Wesley's Letters.” Is it by negligence or by design, that there are so many mistakes even in a title page? 1. “To which are prefixed Mr. W.'s Letters.” No : the second of those Letters is not mine. I never saw it before. 2. But where are the two Letters published in the Freeman's Journal P Why is a spurious Letter palmed upon us, and the genuine one suppressed ? 3. “Letters in Defence of the Protestant Associations in England.” Hold ! In my first Letter I have only three lines in defence of a Tract published in London. But I have not one line “in Defence of the Associations,” either in London or elsewhere. If Mr. O'Leary will seriously answer the two following Letters, he may expect a serious reply. But if he has only drollery and low wit to oppose to argument, I shall concern myself no further about him. Lon Don, Dec. 29, 1780. 1. MR. O'LEARY does well to entitle his Paper “Remarks,” as that word may mean anything or nothing; but it is no more an answer to my Letter, than to the Bull Unigenitus. He likewise does wisely in prefacing his “Remarks” with so handsome a compliment: This may naturally incline you to think well of his judgment, which is no small point gained. 2. His manner of writing is easy and pleasant; but might it not as well be more serious? The subject we are treating of is not a light one: It moves me to tears rather than to laughter. I plead for the safety of my country; yea, for the children that are yet unborn. “But cannot your country be safe, unless the Roman Catholics are persecuted for their religion?” Hold! Religion is out of the question: But I would not have them persecuted at all; I would only have them hindered from doing hurt. I would not put it in their power (and I do not wish that others should) to cut the throats of their quiet neighbours.