Wesley Corpus

Does not passion blind the eyes of the understanding, as smoke does the bodily eyes? And how little of the truth can we learn from those who sec nothing but through a cloud 7 This advantage then I have over both parties,--the being angry at neither. So that if I have a little understanding from nature or experience, it is (in this instance at least) unclouded by passion. I wish the same happiness which I wish to myself, to those on one side and on the other. I would not hurt either in the lcast degree; I would not willingly give them any pain. I have likewise another advantage, that of having no bias one way or the other. I have no interest depending; I want no man’s favour, having no hopes, no fears, from any man; and having no particular attachment of any kind to either of the contending parties. But am I so weak as to imagine, that because I am not angry at them, they will not be angry at me? No; I do not imagine any such thing. Probably both will be angry enough; that is, the warm men on both sides, were it only for this, -that I am not as warm as themselves. For what is more insufferable to a man in a passion, than to see you keep your temper? And is it not a farther provocation, that I do not behave as he does to his opponent; that I call him no ill names; that I give him no ill words? I expect, there fore, to be abused on all sides; and cannot be disappointed, unless by being treated with common humanity. This premised, I come to the point, to give you my “free thoughts on the present state of public affairs;” the causes and consequences of the present commotions. But permit me to remind you, that I say nothing peremptorily. I do not take upon me to affirm, that things are thus or thus. I just set down my naked thoughts, and that without any art or colouring.