RELIGION, as it is the noblest End of Man's Life, so it were the best Bond of Humane Society, provided Men did not err in the Meaning of that excellent Word. Scripture interprets it to be Loving God above all, and our Neighbours as our selves; but Practice teacheth us, that too many meerly resolve it into Opinion and Form; in which, not the Text, but the Comment too often prevails: whence it comes to pass that those Bodies of Men, who have but one Common Civil Interest, are miserably distramed in favour of their adopted Notions, upon whom they are impatient to bestow an Earthly Crown. And this is the Reason of that Mischief and Uncertainty that attend Government, No sooner one Opinion prevails upon another (though all hold the Text to be sa­cred) but Humane Society is shaken, and the Civil Government must receive and suf­fer a Revolution: in so much, that when we consider the Fury and Unnatural­ness of some People for Religion (which shews they have none that's True (Religion making Men most Natural as well as Divine) we have Reason to Bewail the Mis-understanding as well as Mis-living of that venerable Word.

But since 'tis so hard to disabuse men of their wrong Apprehensions of Religion, and the true Nature and Life of it, and consequently as yet too early in the day to fix such a Religion upon which Mankind will readily agree as a common Basis for Civil Society, we must recur to some lower but true Principle for the present, and I think there will be no Difficulty of succeeding.

'Tis this, That Civil Interest is the Foundation and End of Civil Government, and where it is not maintained entire the Government must needs decline. The word INTE­REST has a good and bad Acceptation; when it is taken in an ill Sense, it signifies a pursuit of Advantage without regard to Truth or Justice; which I mean not: The [Page 2] good signification of the word, and which I mean, is a Legal Endeavour to keep Rights, or augment honest Profits, whether it be in a private Person or a Society. By GOVERNMENT, I understand a Just and Equal Constitution, where Might is not Right, but Laws rule, and not the Wills or Power of Men; for that were plain Tyranny.

This Goverment must have a Supream Authority in it self to Determine, and not to be Superceeded or Controuled by any other Power, for then it would not be a Government, but a Subjection, which is a plain Contradiction.

Having thus explain'd the Terms of the Principle I have laid down, I repeat it, viz. That Civil Interest is the Foundation and End of Civil Government, and prove it thus, The Good of the Whole is the Rise and End of Government, but the Good of the Whole must needs be the Interest of the Whole, and Consequently the Interest of the whole is the Reason and End of Government. None can stumble at the Word Good, for every man may easily and safely Interpret that to himself, since he must needs believe; 'tis Good for him to be preserv'd in an undisturb'd Pos­session of his Civil Rights, according to the Free and Just Laws of the Land, and the Construction he makes for himself will serve his Neighbour, and so the whole Society.

But as the Good of the People is properly the Civil Interest of the People, and that, the Reason and End of Government; so is the Maintenance of that Civil Interest entire, the Preservation of Government. For where People are sure of their own, and are Protected from Violence or Injury, they chearfully yield their Obe­dience, and pay their Contribution to the support of that Government. But on the contrary, where men are Insecure of their Civil Rights, nay, where they are daily violated, and themselves in danger of Ruin, and that for no sin com­mitted aginst the Nature of Civil Interest (to preserve which, Government was instituted) we ought to suppose their Affections will flagg, that they will grow dead-hearted, and that what they pay or do, may go against the Grain: And to say true, such unkindness is ready to tempt them to believe they should not of right Contribute to the Maintenance of such Governments as yield them no Security or Civil Protection. Which Unhappy Flaw in the Civil Interest, proves an untoward Crack in the Government; Men not being cordially devoted to the Prosperity of that Government, that is exercis'd in their Destruction; and how far that Fra­ction upon the Common Interest of the People may Affect the Government I cannot tell, but to be sure 'tis insecure to any Government, to have the People (its Strength) divided, as they will be, where their Interest is so disjoynted by the Government; One Protected, the Other Expos'd. Wherefore, Wise Governments have ever taken Care to preserve their People, as knowing they do thereby preserve their In­terest, and that how Numerous their People, so large their Interest. For not only Solomon has told us, That the Honour of a Prince is in the Multitude of his People, but Ex­perience teaches, that Plenty of People is the Riches and Strength of a Wise and Good Government; as that is, where Vice is corrected and Vertue encourag'd, and All taken in and secured in Civils, that have the same Civil Interest with the Government.

But as the Good and Interest of the Whole is the Rise and End of Government, so must it suppose, that the whole (which takes in all Parties) concurs in seeking the Good of the Government; for the Reason of the Government will not suffer it to protect those that are Enemies to its Constitution and Safety; for so it would admit of something dangerous to the Society, for the Security of which, Government was at first instituted.

It will follow, that those that own another temporal Power superior to the Go­vernment they properly belong to, make themselves Subjects not of the Govern­ment [Page 3] they are born under, but to that Authority which they avow to be superior to the Government of their own Country, and consequently men of another Inte­rest, because 'tis their Interest to pursue the Advantages of that Power they ac­knowledge to be soveraign: But those that own, embrace and obey the Govern­ment of their own Country as their temporal supream Authority, and whose In­terest is one and the same with that of their own proper Government, ought to be valued and protected by that Government.

The Principle thus far lyes General, I will now bring it to our own Case.

ENGLAND is a Country Populous and Protestant, and though under some Dis­sents within it self, yet the Civil Interest is the same, and in some sense the Religious too. For first, all English Protestants, whether Conformists or Nonconformists agree in this, that they only owe Allegiance and Subjection unto the Civil Government of Eng­land, and offer any Security in their power to give of their Truth in this Matter. And in the next place, they do not only consequentially disclaim the Pope's Supre­macy, and all adhesion to forreign Authority under any Pretence, but therewith de­ny and oppose the Romish Religion, as it stands degenerated from Scripture, and the first and purest Ages of the Church, which makes up a great Negative Union.

And it cannot be unknown to men read in the Reasons of the Reformation, that a Protestation made by the German Reformers against the Imperial Edicts of Charles the fifth, imposing Romish Traditions, gave beginning to the word Protestant.

In short; It is the Interest of the Ruling or Church▪Protestants of England, that the Pope should have no Claim or Power in England. It is also the Interest of the Dis­senting Protestants, that the Pope should have no Claim or Power here in England, because they are subject to the same Mischiefs and Sufferings in their Civil and Re­ligious Rights that the Church Protestants are liable to: if then both are like to lose by Pope and Forraign Authority, their Interest must needs be one against Pope and Forraign Authority; and if they have but one Interest, it will follow, that the Church Protestant cannot prejudice the Dissenting-Protestant, but he must weaken and destroy his own Interest.

The Civil Interest of English Protestants being thus the same, and their Reli­gious Interest too, so far as concerns a Negative to the Usurpation and Error of Rome; I do humbly ask, if it be the Interest of the Government, to expose those to Mi­sery that have no other Civil Interest than THAT of the Government? Or if it be just or equal that the Weaker should be prosecuted by the more Powerful Protestants, whose Interest is Positively the same in Civils, and in Religion Negatively? One would think 'twere Reasonable that they should not suffer by Protestants, who if Popery ever have a day, are likely to suffer with them, and that upon the same Principles. Experience tells us, That the wisest Architects lay their Foundations broad and strong, and raise their Squares and Structure by the most exact Rules of Art, that the Fabrick may be secure against the Violence of storms; but if People must be destroy'd by those of the same Interest, truly that Interest will stand but Totter­ingly, and every breath of Opposition will be ready to shake it.

'Twas the Inconfutable answer Christ made to the Blasphemers of that Power by which he wrought Miracles; A Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand: what he said then, let me on another occasion say now, an Interest divided against it self must fall.

I know some Men will take Fire at this, and by Crying The CHURCH, The CHURCH, hope to silence all Arguments of this Nature; But they must excuse me, if I pay no manner of Regard to their Zeal, and hold their Devotion both Ignorant and Dangerous at this time. It is not the way to fill the Church, to [Page 4] Destroy the People. A Church without People is a Contradiction, especially when the Scripture tells us that 'tis the People that makes the Church.

And 'tis not without an appearance of Reason that some good & wise men are ap­prehensive, that the greatest Sticklers for Persecuting Protestant Dissenters in favour of the Church of England, are men addicted and devoted to the Church of Rome, or at least animated by such as are; who, disparing of doing any great Feats, if known, hide themselves under these pretences; but the meaning of it is to debilitate the Pro­testant cause in general, by exciting the Church of England to destroy all other Pro­testant Interests in these Kingdoms, that so nothing may remain for Popery to con­flict with but the few Zealous abettors of that Church.

And that this may not look disingenuous, or like a Trick of mine, I will enforce it by a demonstration. It is plain fact, that the Church of Rome hath ever since the Reformation practic'd the Restoration of her Religion and Power in these King­doms. It is as evident that Religion is with her a word for Civil Interest, that is, that she may have the Rule over men both Body and Soul. For 'tis Government she aims at, to have the rains of Power in her hand, to give Law and weild the Scepter.

To do this she must either have a greater interest then the Protestants that are now in possession, or else divide their Interest, and so weaken them by themselves, and make them Instruments to her ends. That her own force is Inconsiderable is clear: She has nothing within Doors to give her hope but the Discord of Protestants. It follows then that she must of necessity bestir her self and use her Arts to enflame the reckoning among Protestants, and carry their Dissents about Religious matters to a division in the Civil Interest. And it is the more to be fear'd, because whatever she has been to others, she has been ever true to her self.

If this then be the only domestick Expedient left her, we are sure she will use it; and if so, it must needs be of great Importance with all Protestants to let fall their private Animosities, and take all possible care that their dissents about Faith or Worship (which regard the other World) divide not their Affection and Judgment about the Common and Civil Interest of their Country: because if that be kept entire, it equally frustrates the designs of Rome, as if you were of one Religion. For since, as I said before, Religion, with the great men of that Church, is nothing else but a softer word for Civil Empire, preserve you but your Civil Interest from fraction, and you are in that sense of one Religion too; and that such an one, as you need not fear the temptation of Smithfield, if you will but be true to it.

This being the case, I would take leave to ask the Zealous Gentlemen of the Eng­lish Church, If Conformity to the fashion of their Worship be dearer to them then Englands Interest and the Cause of Protestancy? if their love to Church-Govern­ment be greater then to the Church and her Religion, and to their Country and her Laws? or lastly, whether in case they are sincere in their Allega­tions for the Church (which I confess ingenuously I am apt to suspect) it is to be supposed that the present Church-men (Conformists I mean) are better able of themselves to secure Protestancy and our Civil Interest against the Attempts of Rome, then in Conjunction with the Civil Interest of all Protestant Dissenters? If they say yes, I would have them at the same time, for the same reason, to give it under their Hands, that 'tis a standing Rule in Arithmetick, that ONE is more then SIX, and that hi­therto we have been all mistaken in the art of Numbers.

Being brought to this pinch, I conceive they must say, that they had rather de­liver up their Church to the Power and Designs of Popery, then suffer Dissenters to live freely among them, though Protestant, of one negative Religion, and of the same Civil Interest; or else hasten to break those bonds that are laid upon Dissenters of truly tender and (by experience) of peaceable Consciences; and by Law establish the [Page 5] free Exercise of their Worship to Almighty God, that the Fears, Jealousies, Dis­affection and Distraction, that now affect the one common Interest of Protestants, may be removed; for it seems impossible to preserve a distinct Interest from both. But to which of these they may incline▪ I must not determine; and yet I hope, they will not be of the mind of a late Monk of Cullen, that in his publick Exercise ex­horted the Civil Magistrates to chuse to have their City poor and Catholick, that is Popish, rather then great and Opulent by the Admission of trading Hereticks; but if they should, may our Magistrates have at least their Prudence; for the Culleners gave him the hearing, but were as true to their Interest, as the Monk to his Superstition.

Under favour, the Civil Government is greatly concern'd to discountenance such Biggotrys; for it Thins the People, Lessens Trade, Creates Jealousies, and En­dangers the Peace and Wealth of the Whole. And with Submission, of what should the Civil Magistrate be more tender, than in suffering the Civil Interest of a great People to be disturb'd and narrow'd for the Humor of any one Party of them? for since the Civil Interest lies as large, as the People of that Interest, the people must be preserved in order to preserve that Common Interest. Other Notions ever did di­vide and weaken Empire, and in the end they have rarely mist to pull the Old House about their Ears, that have govern'd themselves by such disproportionable measures: By all means, interest the Affections of the People in the Prosperity of the Government, by making the Government a SECURITY to their perticular Rights and Properties.

I ask, if more Custom comes not to the King, and more Trade to the Kingdom by encouraging the Labour and Traffick of an Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Inde­pendent, Quaker and Anabaptist, than by an Episcopalian only? If this be true, why should the rest be render'd uncapable of Trade, yea, of Living? What Schism or Heresy is there in the Labour and Commerce of the Anabaptist, Quaker, Indepen­dent and Presbyterian, more than in the Labour and Traffick of the Episcopalian?

I beseech you give me leave, is ther [...] ever a Church-man in England▪ that in distress would refuse the Curtesie of one of these Dissenters? If one of them should happen to fall into a Pond or Ditch, would he deny to be helpt out by a Dissenters Hand? Is it to be supposed, he would in such a pickle be Stomachful, and chuse to lie there, and be Smother'd or Drowned, rather than owe Aid to the good Will of a poor Phanatick? Or if his House were on Fire, may we think that he would have it rather burnt to the ground than acknowledge its Preservation to a Non-conformist? Would not the Act be Orthodox, whatever were the Man? So in case of being Sick, Imprison'd, Beset, Benighted, out of the Way, far from Kindred or Acquaintance, with an hun­dred other cases that may happen daily, can we think, that such Men would ask Questions for Conscience sake, or charge Schism upon the Relief given them? No, no; Self will always be true to its Interest, let Superstition mutter what it will.

But since the Industry, Rents and Taxes of the Dissenters are as currant as their Neighbours, who loses by such narrowness more than England, than the Go­vernment and the Magistracy? For till it be the Interest of the Farmer to destroy his Flock, to starve the Horse he rides, and the Cow that gives him Milk, it cannot be the Interest of England to let a great part of her Sober & Useful Inhabitants be destroy'd about things that concern another World. And 'tis to be hop'd that the Wisdom and Charity of our Governors will better guide them both to their own real In­terest and their Peoples Preservation, which are inseparable; that so they may not Starve them for Religion, that are as willing as able to WORK for the good of King and Country.

I beseech you, let Nature speak, who is so much a better Friend to Humane Society, than False or Froward Opinion, that she often rectifies the Mistakes of a Prejudiced [Page 6] Education, that we may say, how Kind, how Gentle, how Helpful does she teach us to be to each other, till that Make-bate OPINION (falsly call'd Religion) be­gins the Jangle and Foments to Hatred.

All the Productions of Nature are by Love, and shall Religion propagate by Force? If we consider the poor Hen, she will teach us Humanity. Nature does not only learn her to hatch, but to be tender over her Feeble Chickens, that they may not be a Prey to the Kite. All the Seeds and Plants that grow for the Use and Nourish­ment of Man, are produced by the kind and warm influences of the Sun. Nothing but kindness keeps up Humane race: Men and Women don't get Children in Spight, but Affection. 'Tis wonderful to think by what Friendly and Gentle ways Nature produce, and matures the Creatures of the World: and that Religion should teach us to be Froward and Cruel, is Lamentable: This were to make her the Ene­my instead of the Restorer of Nature. But I think, we may without Offence say, That since True Religion gives Men Greater Mildness and Goodness than they had before, that Religion which teaches them less, must needs be False. What shall we say then, but that even Nature is a truer guide to Peace, and better in­forms us to preserve Civil Interest, then false Religion, and consequently, that we ought to be true to the Natural and Just Principles of Society, and not suffer one of them to be violated for Humor or Opinion. Nor is every Difference in Opinion to be reputed or Nick named a New or Different Religion.

Let us go together as far as our way lies, and Preserve our Unity in those Prin­ciples, which maintain our Civil Society. This is our Common and our Just In­terest, all Protestant-Dissenters agree in this, and it is both Wise and Righteous to admit no Fraction upon this Pact, no Violence upon this Concord. For the conse­quence of permitting any thing to break in upon the Principles of Humane Society, that is Forreign to the Nature of it, will distract and weaken that Society.

We know, that in all Plantations the Wisdom of Planters is well aware of this: and let us but consider, that the same ways that plant Countries, must be kept to for pre­serving the Plantation, else 'twill quickly be Depopulated.

That Country which is False to its first Principles of Government, and mistakes or divides its Common and Popular Interest, must Unavoidably Decay. And let me say, That had there been this Freedom granted Eighteen Years ago, Protestancy had been too Potent for the Enemies of it; nor had there been those Divisions for Popery to make its advantage by; at least, not in the Civil Interest of the Nation. And where that has been preserv'd entire, it has been never able to Prevail: Wit­ness the careful Government of Holland, where the Preservation of their Civil Inte­rest from Fraction hath Secur'd them against the growth of Popery, though it be al­most Tolerated by them: So powerful are the Effects of an United Civil Interest in Government. Now because the Civil Interest of this Nation is the Preservation of the Free and Legal Government of it from all Subjection to Forreign claim, and that the seve­ral sorts of Protestants are united, as in the common Protestancy (that is, a General Renun­ciation of Rome) so in the Maintenance of this Civil Government as a common Securi­ty (for it strikes both at their Rights Civil and Sacred, their Conscience, Religion and Law to admit any Forreign Jurisdiction here) it must follow, that had these several, as well English as Protestant Parties been timely encourag'd to this united Civil In­terest, they had secur'd the Government from this danger by rendering it too for­midable for the Attempt.

But there is a twofold Mistake that I think fit to remove. First, That the difference betwixt Protestants & their Dissenters is generally manag'd, as if it were Civil. Second­ly, The difference betwixt Papist & Protestant is carried on, as if it were chiefly Religious.

To the First, I say, 'Tis plausible, but false, it is an Artifice of ill men to en­flame [Page 7] the Government against good People, to make base Ends by other Mens Ruin; whereas they that dissent, are at a Ne plus ultra on the behalf of the English Government, as well as themselves. They neither acknowledge nor submit to any other Authority. They hold the one common Civil Head, and not only acquiess in the Distribution of Justice by Law; but embrace it as the best part of their Patri­mony. So that the difference between Protestants and their Dissenters is purely Reli­gious, and mostly about Church-Government, and some Forms of Worship, appre­hended to be not so pure and Apostolical as could be desired; and here it is, that Tenderness should be exercis'd, if in any case in the World, or St. Paul is Mistaken.

But as to the Second, under Correction, the case is alter'd, for though it be most­ly manag'd on the side of Religion, The great Point is meerly Civil, and sh [...]uld never be otherwise admitted or understood. For want of this caution Protestants suffer themselves to be drawn into tedious Controversies about Religion, and give occasion to the Professors and Favourers of that way to exclaim against them, as Perse­cutors for Religion, who had reprobated such Severity in the Papists to their Ancestors (a most plausible and very often a succesful Plea) when in reality the difference is not so much Religious as Civil. Not but that there is a vast contrariety in Doctrine and Worship too; but this barely should not be the cause of our so great distance, and that Provision the Laws make against them; but rather that Fundamental in­consistancy they carry with them to the Security of the English Government and Con­stitution, unto which they belong, by acknowledging a Forreign Jurisdiction in these Kingdoms. So that drawing into Question and Danger the Constitution and Government, to which Scripture, and Nature and Civil Pact oblige their Fidelity and Obedience, there seems a Discharge upon the Civil Government from any further care of their Protection, that make it a piece of Conscience to seek its Ruin, and which is worse, a Principle, not to be informed of better things, for even here not Reason or Law, but the Pope must be Judge.

This being the Brief and Modest state of the Case, I must return to my first great Principle, That Civil Interest is the Foundation and End of Civil Government: and that how much Men desert the Interest of a Kingdom, so much they Wound and Subvert the Government of it. I appeal to all Wise and Considerate Men of the Truth of this by the present Posture of Affairs and their proper Causes.

To come then to our Point, Shall English Men by English Men, and Protestants by Protestants be Free or Opprest? That is, Whether shall we receive as English men and Protestants, those that have no other Civil Interest than that which is purely English, and who sincerely profess and embrace the same Protestation, for which the Antient Reformers were stiled Protestants, or for the sake of Humour or Base Ends dis­own them, and expose them and their Families to utter misery?

I would hope better of our great Church-mens Charity and Prudence; but if they should be so unhappy as to keep to their old measures, and still play the Gawdy but empty Name of Church against the Civil Interest and Religion of the Nation, they will shew themselves deserted of God, and then how long it will be, before they will be seen and left of all sober men, let them Judge. For to speak freely, after all this Light that is now in the world, no Ignorance can excuse such Zeal, nor will wise men believe it to be either, but a Trick to weaken Protestancy, that her declared Enemy may with less hazard gain the Chair. And there is not so much reason to fear Profest Roman Catholicks, as those Gentlemen, who valuing themselves by their respects to the Church and tenderness of her Independent ho­nour, have the opportunity with less suspition of letting in Popery at the Back door. These [Page 8] are the men that pay off the Phanatick in the Name of the Church, but for the good of the Pope, to whose account those endeavours must be placed.

But it will go a great way to our Deliverance if we are not Careless to observe the Secret workings of those that have vow'd our Misery, & of them such, as are in Masckarade, and wear the Guize of Friends are most Dangerous: But some Men are Pur-blind, they can see Danger as near as their Nose, but in a Difficulty, that is not a Foot from them, they are Presumptive, Rusty and not to be govern'd, Could some Church-men but see the Irreparable Mischiefs that will attend them (if sincere to their present Profession) unless prevented by a Modest and Christian con­descension to Dissenting Protestant Christians, they would never suffer themselves to be Mis [...]guided by Stiff and Rigid Principles at this time of day.

If Christianity, that most Meek and Self denying Religion, cannot prevail upon them, me thinks the Power of Interest, and that Self interest too, should have some Success for in those cases they use not to be obstinate.

But I expect it should be told me, That this is the way to Ruin the Church, and let in an Anarchy in Religion: Cujus contrarium verum. I am glad to obviate this, before I leave you, seeing the Contrary is most true; for it leaves the Church and Church-men as they are, with this Distinction, that whereas now Conformity is Coercive, which is Popish, it will be then Perswasive, which is Christian. And there may be some hopes, when the Parsons, destitute of the Magistrates Sword, shall of neces­sity enforce their Religion by good Doctrine and holy Living; nor ought they to murmur, for that which satisfied Christ and his Apostles should satisfie them: His Kingdom is not of this World, therefore they should not Fight for him, if they would be his Servants and the Children of his Kingdom, Christ and not Civil Force is the Rock his Church is built upon. Nor indeed has any thing so Tarnisht the Cause of Protestancy, as the Professors of it betaking themselves to Worldly Arms to propagate their Religion. David could not wear Saul's Armor, and true Prote­stants cannot use Popish Weapons, Imposition and Persecution. In short; 'Tis the very Interest of the Church of England, to preserve the Civil Interest entire, or else Popery will endanger all; but that cannot be unless all of that Civil Interest be pre­served; therefore Protestaat Dissenters should be indulg'd.

But some will say, There is a Difference even among Dissenters; Some will give a Se­curity to the Civil Government by taking the Oaths; others will not, and be it through Tenderness, how do we know, but Papists will shrow'd themselves under the Wings of such Dissenters, and so in Tolerating Protestant Dissenters to fortify Protestancy, in reality Popery will be hereby shelter'd incognito.

I Answer, First, That such Oaths are little or no Security to any Government, and though it may give some allay to the Jealousie of Governors, they never had the Effect desired. For neither in Private Cases▪ nor yet in Publick Transactions have Men adher'd to their Oaths, but their Interest. He that is a Knave, was never made Honest by an Oath: nor is it an Oath, but Honesty, that keeps Honest men su [...]h. Read Story and consult our Modern Times, tell me what Government stood the firmer or longer for them? Men may take them for their own Advantage, or to avoid Loss and Punishment: But the Question is, What real Benefit, or Security comes thereby to the Government? It is certain they have often ensnared a Good Man, but never caught one Knave yet: we ought not to put so great a Value upon Oaths, as to render the Security of our Government so low and hazardous.

God's Providence and the Wisdom of our Ancestors have found out a better Test for us to rest upon, and that is our Common Interest and the Laws of the Land DULY executed: These are the Security of our Government.

For example, a Man Swears he will not Plot, yet Plots; pray what Security is [Page 9] this Oath to the Government? But though 'tis evident, that this be no Security; that Law which Hangs him for Plotting, is an unquestionable one. So that 'tis not for wise Governours, by Swearing men to the Government to think to secure it; but all having agreed to the Laws, by which they are to be governed, let any Man break them at his Peril. Wherefore good Laws, and a Just Execution of them, and not Oaths, are the Natural and real Security of a Government.

But next, though some may scruple the Oaths, 'tis not for the sake of the Mat­ter so much as Form, which you know is not the case of Roman Catholicks (pray distinguish) and those very Persons, whoever they be of Protestant-Dissenters, I dare say, they will very cheerfully promise their Allegiance on the same Penalties, and subscribe any Renunciation of Pope and Forraign Authority, which the Art of man can Pen; nor should it be hard for you to believe they should subscribe what they have alwayes liv'd.

To that part of the Objection, which mentions the danger of Papists concealing themselves under the Character of Protestant Dissenters; under Favour I say, it is most reasonable to believe, that those who will deny their Faith upon record, as those that subscribe your Declaration do, will swallow the Oaths too; for the De­claration flatly denys the Religion, but the Oaths only the Pope's Supremacy, which even some of themselves pretend to reject. Therefore those that can sincerely subscribe the Declaration, cannot be Papists.

If it be yet objected, that Papists may have Dispensations to subscribe the Test, or a Pardon, when they have done it; I answer, they may as well have Dispensations to take the Oaths or Pardons when they have taken them, and these last six Moneths prove as much. There is no Fence against this Flail: At this rate they may as well be Protestants, as Protestant▪ Dissenters, Ministers or Bishops in Churches, as Speakers or Preachers in Meeting-houses: Nay, 'tis more probable, where there is least Suffering, and most Preferment. But this Objection only shews the weakness of both Oaths and Declaration for the Purpose intended, and not, that they can hide themselves more under one People then another. For they that can have a Dispen­sation or Pardon for one act, can have it for another; especially when the matter of the Declaration is of a more general weight to them, then that of the Oaths; all which confirms my former Judgment of the Insecurity of such Oaths to any Government.

Give me leave then upon this to ask you, if you will bring a certain Ruin upon any Protestant Dissenters for the sake of such an uncertain Security to your selves? for this is the Question; I beseech you to weigh it as becomes wise and good men, shall they be Reprobated for tenderly refusing, what being perform'd, cannot save or secure you?

Consider, you have no reason to believe, but those that are allow'd to subscribe the Declaration, or that will be pardon'd, when they have done it, may be allow'd to take the Oaths, or will be pardon'd and absolv'd, when they have taken them: but you are certain on the other side, that the Imposing of the Oaths will be a great Snare to many Protestant▪ Dissenters, that love the Government, and renounce both Pope and Popery; They will be ruin'd; which to me is of the nature of an Argument for those People: for their not taking the Oaths, proves plainly, they have no Dispensations nor hopes of Absolution, and therefore no Papists; shall they then lie under the Se­verities intended against Papists, who have none of their Dispensations or Absoluti­ons to deliver them from them? This is (with Submission, but in plain terms) to make the case of the Kingdom worse; for it destroys those who are not Guilty, and whom, I believe, you would not destroy.

Having brought the matter to this, I shall first offer you a new Test; Next, the ways of taking it, with most aggravation against the Party rejecting or breaking it; And lastly, how you may secure your selves from Papists disguizing themselves among Protestant-Dissenters; that so nothing may remain a Remora in the way, that shall not be removed, to leave you a plain and even Path to Peace and Safety.

This is the Test I offer; large in Matter, because comprehensive of Oaths and Test too, yet brief in words.

The next thing is the Wayes of taking it with most Aggravation upon the Refu­sers or Violaters of it.

1. That in all Cities and great Towns, notice be given by the Magistrates thereof to the Inhabitants of every Ward or Parish to appear on such a day, be it New-Years-Day or Ash-wednesday rather (when the Pope Curses all Protestants) at their publick Hall or other places of Commerce, where the Magistrates shall first open­ly Read, Subscribe & Seal the Test. Then that it be read again by the proper Officer of the Place to the People, and that those that take it, do audibly pronounce the words after him that reads it, and when they have so done, that they subscribe and seal it. That such Subscriptions be Register'd, and Copies of each Parish's Subscription transmitted to the Parish, and Affixt upon some publick Place for all that will to see.

That in the Countries the Parishes of each Hundred or Rape may be likewise sum­mon'd to appear upon the Day aforesaid at the head Market Town in the said Hun­dred or Rape, and that the Justices of the Peace within that part of the Country shall first read, subscribe and seal the said Test in view of the People, and then that the People say, subscribe and seal the Test, as is before exprest. Which being done, let the said Subscriptious be collected into one Volumn, and kept in the County Court as a Book of Record; and that to each Parish be transmitted a Copy of the said Parish's Subscription, to be affixt upon some publick Place within the said Parish for all to see, that please.

Lastly, Let this be done Annually, that is, upon every New-Years Day or Ash-wednesday, as a perpetual Testimony of the Peoples Affection to the King and Govern­ment, and their Abhorrence of the Practices of Rome.

The Abuse of this Discrimination should be very Penal; for 'tis a great Lye up­on a Man's own Conscience and a Cheat put upon the Government: Your Wis­dom can best proportion and direct the Punishment; but it can scarcely be too se­vere, as our Business stands.

[Page 11]But as in case of such Hypocrisie a severe Penalty should be inflicted, so pray let Provision be made, that if any Person so subscribing should be afterwards call'd by the Name of Jesuit or Papist, without very good Proof, it should be deem'd and punisht in open Sessions for a Slander and Breach of Peace, yet so, as that the Penalty may be remitted at the Request of the Abused Party.

I should think that this business, carefully done, might render needless my An­swer to the last Objection, viz. which Way shall we be able to prevent Papists from passing for Protestant Dissenters, that so the Security propounded to the Government be not baffled by Disguize? For no Papist can subscribe this but he will Lye in the Face of the Government and Country, and that Yearly, and upon Record too; which is ten times more then a Transient Oath, mutter'd with one word spoken, and another dropt: However, that we may carry it as far as humane Prudence can go,—

I yet offer two Expedients;

First, That upon Jealousie of any Persons being a Papist, or Popishly inclined, who is known to frequent the Assemblies of Protestant Dissenters, Four of that Party of most Note and Integrity, unto which he pretends to adhere, should be summoned to appear before those Justices of the Peace, unto whom the Complaint is made, to testifie their Knowledge of the Person suspected, his Education, Princi­ples and Manner of Life; which way of Inspection, as it goes as far as Man can reach, so can it scarcely fail; for those Persons will not only discover their own Hypocrisie if they conceal him, but expose themselves and their Friends to Ruin. So that to say true, the Government has the Interest and Security of an Entire Party, for the discovery of every such suspected Person.

But if this will not do, then

Secondly, Be you pleased to refer the Discrimination of suspected Persons to the good old way of the Government; that is, the Inquiry and Judgment of Twelve Men of the Neighbourhood, to wit, a Jury; provided always, that they be such as have taken or will themselves take the Test; else, that they may be Exceptable by the Party suspected.

Indeed a good Expedient may be made out of both, for the first may be the Evi­dence to the last, and I think you will hardly fail of your Ends.

I shall conclude with this Request, First to Almighty God, that he would please to make us truly and deeply sensible of his present Mercies to us, and to reform our Hearts and Lives to improve them thankfully. And Secondly to you, that we may be loving, humble and diligent one to and for another; for as from such Amendments we may dare promise great and suddain Felicity to England, so if Loosness in Life, and Bitterness in Religion be not speedily reprehended and reform'd, and the Common Civil Interest maintained entire, God will, I justly fear, repent he has begun to do us good, Adjourn the Day of our Deliverance to that of our Repentance and Mode­ration, and Overcast these happy Dawnings of his Favour by a thick and dismal Cloud of Confusion and Misery; which GOD AVERT!

These things that I have written, are no wild Guesses or May▪be's, but the Disease and Cure, the Danger and Safety of England; in treating of which, that God that made the VVorld knows, I have not gratified any private Spleen or Interest (for I am sorry of the Occasion) but singly and conscientiously intended his Honor, and the lasting Good of England, to which all Personal and Party Considerations ought ever to submit.