“But those who acknowledge him to have this spiritual power can give no security for their allegiance; since they believe the pope can pardon rebellions, high treasons, and all other sins whatsoever. “The power of _dispensing_ with any promise, oath, or vow, is another branch of the _spiritual power_ of the pope. And all who acknowledge his spiritual power must acknowledge this. But whoever acknowledges the _dispensing power_ of the pope can give no security for his allegiance to any government. Oaths and promises are none; they are light as air; a dispensation makes them all null and void. “Nay, not only the pope, but even a _priest_ has _power_ to pardon sins! This is an essential doctrine of the Church of Rome. But they that acknowledge this cannot possibly give any security for their allegiance to any government. Oaths are no security at all; for the priest can pardon both perjury and high treason. “Setting then religion aside, it is plain that, upon principles of reason, no government ought to tolerate men, who cannot give any security to that government for their allegiance and peaceable behaviour. But this no Romanist can do, not only while he holds that ‘no faith is to be kept with heretics,’ but so long as he acknowledges either priestly absolution or the _spiritual power_ of the pope. “‘But the late act,’ you say, ‘does not either _tolerate_ or _encourage_ Roman Catholics.’ I appeal to matter of fact. Do not the Romanists themselves understand it as a toleration? You know they do. And does it not already (let alone what it _may_ do by-and-by) _encourage_ them to preach openly, to build chapels (at Bath and elsewhere), to raise seminaries, and to make numerous converts day by day, to their intolerant, persecuting principles? I can point out, if need be, several of the persons. And they are increasing daily. “But ‘nothing dangerous to English liberty is to be apprehended from them.’ I am not certain of that. Some time since, a Romish priest came to one I knew; and, after talking with her largely, broke out, ‘You are no heretic! You have the experience of a real Christian!’ ‘And would you,’ she asked, ‘burn me alive?’ He said, ‘God forbid! unless it were for the good of the church!’ “Now what security could she have had for her life, if it had depended on that man? The _good of the church_ would have burst all the ties of truth, justice, and mercy. Especially when seconded by the absolution of a priest, or, if need were, a papal pardon. “If any please to answer this, and to set his name, I shall probably reply; but the productions of anonymous writers I do not promise to take any notice of. “I am, sir, your humble servant, “JOHN WESLEY.”