Wesley Corpus

What your Lordship mentions “by the way,” I will now consider: “Some of your western correspondents imposed upon the leaders of Methodism, by transmitting to London a notoriously false account of my Charge to the Clergy. After wards the Methodists confessed themselves to have been deceived; yet some time after, the Methodists at Cork, in Ireland, your own brother at the head of them, reprinted the same lying pamphlet, as my performance.” (Pages 4, 5.) My Lord, I know not who are your Lordship's Irish cor respondents; but here are almost as many mistakes as lines. For, (1.) They were none of my correspondents who sent that account to London. (2.) It was sent, not to the leaders of Methodism, but to one who was no Methodist at all. (3.) That it was a false account, I do not know: But your Lordship may easily put it out of dispute. And many have wondered, that your Lordship did not do so long ago, by printing the Charge in question. (4.) I did never confess it was a false account; nor any person by my consent, or with my knowledge. (5.) That account was never reprinted at Cork at all. (6.) When it was reprinted at Dublin, your Lordship had not disowned it. (7.) My brother was not in Dublin, when it was done; nor did either he or I know of it till long after. Therefore, when my brother was asked, how he could re print such an account, after your Lordship had publicly disowned it, I do not at all wonder, that “he did not offer a single word in answer.” Whether this, as well as my former Letter, be “mere rant and declamation,” or plain and sober reason, I must refer to the world, and your Lordship's own conscience. I am, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient servant,