Wesley Corpus

But, after all, there are some who, allowing the facts, deny the consequence; who still believe, and that after the most accurate inquiry, from such as have had the best means of information, that there are few noblemen or gentle men in the nation, (and we have many not inferior to most in Europe,) who have either so good a natural understanding, or so general a knowledge of all the valuable parts of learning. “But suppose something might be said for His Majesty's understanding, what can be said in excuse of his bad actions; as, First, his pardoning a murderer?” I really think some thing may be said on this head also. Can you or I believe that the King knew him to be such? understood him to be a wilful murderer? I am not sure of it at all; neither have you any rational proof, even supposing this to have been the case, which is far from being clear. And if he did not know or believe him to be such, how can he be blamed for pardon ing him ? Not to have pardoned him in this case would have been inexcusable before God and man. “But what can be said in excuse of his being governed by his mother, and fixing all his measures at Carlton-House?” It may be said, that if it was so, it is past, and so is no matter of present complaint. But who informed you that it was ? any eye and ear witness? “O, it is in every body's mouth.” Very well; but every body is nobody; so this proof is no proof at all. And what better proof have you, or any man, of his fixing any of his measures there? This has been affirmed an hundred times, but never was proved yet. “Nay, but is it not undeniable fact, that he spent hour after hour with her; and especially when he was hard pressed, and knew not which way to turn?” And what then ? Who loves him better than his parent? And whom has he a right to love better than her? Who is more faithful to him, more steadily desirous of his welfare? And whom can he trust better?