Wesley Corpus

Some Observations on Liberty Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 11 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- 1. It was with great expectation that I read Dr. Price's “Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, the Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America; ” and I was not disappointed. As the author is a person of uncommon abilities, so he has exerted them to the uttermost in the tract before us, which is certainly a master-piece of its kind. He has said all that can be said upon the subject, and has digested it in the most accurate manner; and candour requires us to believe that he has wrote with an upright intention, with a real design to subserve the interest of mankind in general, as well as the subjects of the British empire. But as the Doctor is a friend to liberty, so he can “think and let think.” He does not desire that we should implicitly submit to the judgment, either of him or any other fallible man; and will not there fore be displeased at a few further observations on the same subject. That subject is, 2. The liberty which is now claimed by the confederate colonies in America. In order to understand this much controverted question, I would set aside everything not essential to it. I do not therefore now inquire, whether this or that measure be consistent with good policy; or, whether it is likely to be attended with good or ill success: I only want to know, is their claim right or wrong? Is it just or unjust? 3. What is it they claim? You answer, “Liberty.” Nay, is it not independency? You reply: “That is all one; they do claim it, and they have a right to it.” To independency? That is the very question. To liberty they have an undoubted right; and they enjoy that right. (I mean, they did, till the late unhappy commotions.) They enjoyed their liberty in as full a manner as I do, or any reasonable man can desire. “What kind of liberty do they enjoy?” Here you puzzle the cause, by talking of physical and moral liberty.