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 FIRST LETTER TO THE FREEMAN's Journal. 163 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.