By way of degression give me leave here to offer two Questions to serious Considerations.

First, wither those who advised His Majesty to break the Triple League, Seiz the Dutch Smirna Fleet before a War with Holland, was declared, Sus­pend all his Penal Lawes, stop payments out of his Exchequer, and Joine his Arms with those of the French King, against the States General of the United Provinces, may not reasonably and without breach of Charity be suspected to have been (at the time of such advice given) Pentioners of France and whether (if any thing done since His Majesties most happy Restauration ever had any tendency towards the Introducing of Arbitrary Power and Po­pery into this Kingdom) It was not His Majesties proceedings upon those Councils.

2ly. His Mejesty (upon the Adresses and advice of his Parliament, having Resolved to depart from the aforesaid Councils cancel his Declaration, Issue out Writs for new Elections, withdraw his Arms from the French Kings assistance, and send them in Ayde to the States Genreral of the United pro­vinces for preventing the further Growth of the power of France, whether those Persons who ever since have made it their business to devide between the King and his Subjects, and prevent the Parliaments giving him when he desired 600000 l. to have Enabled him in time to have Joined his forces with those of the States Generall and their Allyes for the End before mentioned, may not as reasonably and with as litle breach of Charity (as the former) be suspected to be French Pentioners; The first Designing only to advance France, by bringing Holland Low, and these Contriving how to keep Hol­land under by hindring His Majesty from Assisting them for the pulling [Page 9]down the power of France; If the latter may be Equally suspected with the former; I am sure all who have taken any kind of notice of the Transactions of Affairs amongst us, for this Eight or Nine Years past, must needs know who they are, that have been guilty of both.

But to Proceed,

Whilst these Noble Lords were in Power, and one of them, either as Chancellor of the Exchequor, or one of the Lords Commissionors of his Majesty's Treasury, had the almost sole manadgery and dispose of every Branch of His Majesties Revenue.

No Sum of Mony could be granted the King by his Parliament, that by them was Esteemed sufficient, a Million and half, Two Millions and half, at a time signified little.

But no sooner were they Dischardged from their Ministration, then the Cry (every where set about by them) was, You Free-holders of England, you Gentlemen of the House of Commons, have a care what you do, keep close your Purses, if you give Mony you are undone; Prerogative will be advanced too high, Arbitrary Power and Popery will certainly be set up, and the Subjects thereby Enslaved, like those of France; as if Prerogative Pow­er, though Vested in the King's Person, were not to be Exercis'd by himself, but by his Premier Ministers, and as if there were no persons in England fit to be made such Ministers, or to be Intrusted with the Exercise of that Power, save only they who for the Reasons aforesaid, His Majesty had thought fit to remove from their Trust, and out of His Concils.

This amongst simple Honest people gained belief, was lookt upon as wholsom Council, the which they Imbraced with thankfulness, and diligently persued, every where agreeing to instruct their Representatives in Parlia­ment to this purpose, and upon the choice of the three last Parliaments, chose sew or none to Represent them, but such as they were assured would pursue this their Direction, which accordingly hitherto hath been done.

Now give me leave, in short to account the Sad Consequences that have Insued upon these Evil Practices; His Majesty, for want of Supplies neces­sary, (which these false and subtle Insinuations put into the Ignorant Peoples Heads, kept from him) hath hitherto been rendered uncapable of carrying on the War against France, which the Parliament still prest for, and His Ma­jesty promised to have begun, and would have vigorously pursued (if they would have given him 600000 l. when he desired it, the which they refused to doe) neither have they since given him any Mony, but what by the Act that gave it, was appropriated to particular Services.

The Consideration of this gave Courage to the French, and so disheartned the Dutch, that they for their own preservation, were obliged to agree a Peace without the consent of their Confiderates, who since have been necessi­tated to enter into the same, though to the unspeakable Dammage of Chri­stendom.

For hereby was the Confideracy broken, between the Emperor, Spaniard, Dane, Hollander, and all the Princes of the Rhine.

By this the Duke of Brandenburgh was obliged to deliver up all his Con­quests in Pomerania, and Bremen, which had cost him so dear.

By this means the Confiderates Army, for want of Mony, hath since been most of it Disbanded; whilst the French Army, with his Immence Revenue, is still kept on foot, and daily Increased, to the Terror of all Europe.

The Incursions he hath since made upon Flanders, Alsace, Strasburg, and Cazal (the Keys into Germany and Italy) hath Alarmed all parts of the World, none knowing where he will design next, nor what places he will De­mand as Dependences belonging to his new Conquests.

I know this is all Charged upon our present Ministers, as the effect of [Page 10]their Male Administrations, and the People are laboured hard to believe the same.

But in my Oppinion all these Mischiefs proceed from, and are the ill Effects of the afore-mentioned Evil Councils, which the King so long since had given him, and were put in practice as aforesaid, and proceed chiefly from the Male-contentedness of some of the Persons that gave those Councils, who being used to Govern, and now removed from all places of Trust, know not how to Obey, and sit quiet, therefore endeavor to Con­found all His Majesties Councils, break all his Measures, and obstruct all Proceedings for Publick Good, in hopes to oblige His Majesty to a necessity of Restoring them to His Favor, and their former Trust, as not being able to Mannage the Government without them.

I cannot say these are the sole occasions of our present Mischiefs, for there are a sort of men, about the City, and all over England, in every County, of Turbulent Spirits, Active Minds, Subtle Wits, little Fortunes, and less Consciences, Credit or Reputation sufficiently Debauch'd, and Viti­ous in their Principles and Conversations, these are found out and made use of by the French, are Pentionors to that King, and Imployed to fall in with our own Male-contents, and seemingly to take their parts; these run from place to place, tell the Danger the Kingdom is in, of Popery and Arbitrary Power, and of the Plot on foot to destroy the King, and Protestant Religion, and what Danger the Protestants are in, of being Massacred, these Improve their Interest with the Knights, Citizens and Bur­gesses, in every Parliament, to hinder giving any Mony, least they In­slave the Kingdom thereby, these Roar about Streets, and at every Coffee-House, and in all Companies they come into, what Danger the Protestant Religion is already in, and that it will certainly be Destroyed, if ever a Po­pish Successor should happen in England, flock like Bees to the Court of Re­quest when our [...]arliament sits, bussing in the Ears of our Representatives, That there is no way to be secured, but by passing an Act for Secluding His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, from ever Inheriting (let him now, or hereafter be of what Religion he will) the Imperial Crown of this Realm, which for the Three last Parliaments, hath been vigorously Endea­vored, and with success to their Designs, by having hindred all other Af­fairs, and prevented all Remedies for settling and composing our present Differences, and securing us against future Mischiefs.

These Pentioners are so subtle, and seem by their Carriage so real fierce and violent against Arbitrary Power and Popery, and Zealous for securing our Liberties and Properties, that to our Misery they have gained too much Credit amongst the Gentry, and down right honest Country-Prote­stants, because what they perswade them unto, at first sight seems greatly their Interest.

But by the little Conversation I have had with them, and the best Obser­vation I can make of their Proceedings, they appear to be Jesuits or Pa­pists in Masquerade, like Watermen rowing one way and looking another, French Pentionors, (or at least Act as such) carrying on the Popish Plot apace, which they so violently Decry, do the French King's Drudgery, promote his Designs, and instead of preventing Arbitrary Power, and Popery, Endeavor what in them lies, to Introduce and Establish both; and Extirpate the Pro­testant Religion, were it not so (which I pray God every sober Protestant may see through and prevent) they would never Fndeavor as they do, to divide between the King and his Subjects, (whose Interests are so inseperable, as that to separate between them, is to destroy both) nor create Distrust in the King of his People, or in the People of their Prince, the Conse­quence whereof will inevitably (if continued) be the Destruction of both.

[Page 11]Did not these Gentlemen thus design, certainly they would not at this time of the Day Endeavor (as they doe) to widen Breaches, heighten Differences, and increase Animosities between Protestant and Protestant, divide and subdevide them into so many several Factions and Parties, but rather study how to close and make up the Breaches, heal the Divisions, and compose the Diffe­rences amongst them, by Uniting them in Love (though of different per­swasions) thereby to strengthen their hands against their Common Enemy the Papists.

Now I will Endeavor to show, that these men act quite contrary, and that what they are doing tends to the Interest of France, the advantage of Popery, and is destructive to the Protestant Interest.

For this purpose I lay down as my Foundation, That the King of France, his Grand Design is to make himself Universal Monarch of the World, this he knows he can never do, if the King of England and his Subjects were heartily United, and did Love and durst Trust each other, for that People that Love and Trust their Prince, will never deny him any Supply necessary, for his own Support, and their Defence; therefore if all those Jealousies and Fears, which these sort of Caterpillars have fixed in the minds of the Subjects, were removed, and it were possible to undeceive them, and show how they have been Imposed upon, to their prejudice, and that all Reports of His Majestie's design to Invade Liberty and Property, and Intro­duce Popery and Arbitrary Power, were false, then would the King have their Hearts entire to himself, consequently their Purses, and could never fail of sufficient Subsidies for support of his Prerogative, and the Govern­ment, and securing Us against all Attempts from abroad, as well as at home.

This the King of France well knows, and therefore Endeavors to prevent, foreseeing that such an Union would be fatal to him, for then would our King be able to stop all his Proceedings, hinder not only his making farther, but oblige him to vomit up all, or the most part of his new made Conquests; therefore his Design by these his Emissaries and Pentionors, is to keep up Jealousies and Fears, and to prevent all means used for Reconciliations amongst us; by crying out still of the Danger of Popery, how that Religion increaseth in England, (though they know there is not one Papist in the Kingdom for One Hundred Protestants) this is done with design to oblige His Majesty, for avoiding of Clamor upon himself, to proceed against Jesuits and Papists at Law, to Convict them of Recusancy, and Seise Two Thirds of their Estates, the which is prosecuted by a few covetous Persons) only with de­sign to get Devidents of their Estates to themselves.

By which Proceedings here, the French King does his works abroad, goes on to finish his Conquests, takes advantage of the Prosecution of a few Pa­pists here, to make that his Example to Persecute, with all Imaginable Cruelty, innumerable multitudes of Protestants in France, with Resolution to Extirpate that Religion out of his Dominions, (and if other Catholick Princes should follow his Example, which God forbid) it will not be long er'e his Most Christian Majesty will have finished his work, made himself Universal Monarch, have totally destroyed the Protestant Religion abroad, which done, I appeal to all good and wise men, who Love England, and the Protestant Religion, and desire its Growth and Preservation; how soon, and with what Ease, that King may over-run us, and Extirpate that Religi­on from amongst us, which we seem so Zealous to promote, but by the wil­ful mistake of many (I fear) are Destroying.

Now that I may convince all honest, plain hearted, and well meaning Prote­stants, that there are a sort of Persons amongst them who make it their bu­siness to Inveagle their heads with false and scandalous Stories, (thereby to [Page 12]possess their minds with prejudice to His Majesty, and Government, and that those so Employed, are either all, or most part of them Pentioners of France, who betake themselves to this work, with design to destroy the Protestant Re­ligion, rather then to preserve it, and Inslave Us, and the Kingdom, instead of preventing Arbitrary Government from being set up over us, and that all the World may see, that their Actions (when laid open) have no ten­dency to the advancement of the Protestant Interest, or securing us against the Growth of Popery, nor to deliver us from the Grievances they pretend the Kingdom Groans so much under, give me leave to offer to your serious Considerations, these few following Particulars.

First, If they designed to promote the Protestant Religion, and did heartily desire its flourishing in England, certainly they would then consider the miserable Condition of the poor Protestants in France, what Cruelties they Endure, and that would beget such Pity and Compassion towards those, as would put them upon Petitioning His Majesty for Mercy to the few Papists in England, and to stop their Convictions upon their present Prosecutions, for some time, rather then to suffer multitudes of Protestants, and that Religion, to be Destroyed abroad meerly to Inrich themselves, by receiving shares of the Estates of Papilts Convicted here, such Pity would be more acceptable to God, more agreeable to the Spirit of a true Prote­stant, more for the Honour of that Religion, and in the End prove as advan­tagious to their private Interests in this World.

Did these busie Gentlemen I speak of, design good to England, desire its Prosperity, or to promote the Protestant Interest, and had believed the Kingdom in such danger of Popery and Arbitrary Power, or that the Sub­jects had suffered under such Grievances, as they Endeavor to represent to the People.

Then certainly ever since their apprehension of such Danger, they upon the opening of every Parliament, or Session of Parliament, would have put the several Members of the House of Commons (as well as the Lords) upon a right Course of preventing the Mischiefs they seemed to fear, and delivering us from the Grievances they pretended the Kingdom suffered un­der, but as if they had not believed what they reported, they took the con­trary Course, and instead of perswading the Parliament to moderate sober Councils and Proceedings, studied to put them into Heats and Passions, and upon Exclaiming against particular Persons, to whom they owed prejudice, as being His Majesties Servants and Ministers.

These upon common Fame, before heard, or Witnesses examined against them, must be Removed from the Kings Presence and Councils for Ever, on Addresses from the House of Commons, no Body knew for what, save I an­cies and Immaginations.

But some of them being too Great, and their Integrities and Abilities for His Majesties Service, better known to him then them, His Majesty not thinking fit to Remove them.

Thereupon some of these worthy Patriots of their Countrey, for several Sessions of Parliament, made it their business, to doe nothing save to con­trive Differences between the Two Houses of Parliament, for which pur­pose, they questioned the Lords Jurisdiction, in matters of Appeals, particularly in the Cases of Sherly and Fag, and others, which Controvercy they carried so high, that Sir John Fag, and several Lawyers, were Com­mitted by the House of Commons to the Tower, for only appearing before the Lords at their Bar, and owning their Judicature in Cases of Appeals, from Courts of Equity, this single Point caused several Prorogations, and ren­dred several Sessions Fruitless, though the same was never before called in question since His Majesties Restauration.

[Page 13]Now if those Gentlemen, who so highly concerned themselves in these matters, had been of such publick Spirits, as to spend their time in laying open the Dangers they apprehended we were in, and the Grievances we suffered under, with Design to have prevented those Dangers, and redressed those Grievances.

They would certainly then have applied to the several Members of Par­liament, prest for Moderation, desired them to avoid all Heats and Passi­ons, and to look into the Plot, search it to the bottom. Try the Lords in the Tower, and examine the Truth of the several Grievances complained of, and find means to prevent the Danger of the former, and secure us for the Fu­ture against the latter, in doing whereof, they must necessarily have found who had occasioned both, and after securing the Subjects, then to have fal­len on the Persons Guilty, would have been more proper, for if then these Persons had been too great for the Parliament, and procured Prorogations and Dissolutions, yet had the Parliament discharged their Consciences, done their Duty, preserved their Countrey, and deserv'd Thanks and Honour from those they Represented,

But to fall upon particular Persons first, and to doe nothing for our Securi­ty, because they could not have their Ends against those Persons, they had pre­judice too, give me leave to say for them, to be perswaded to this method of Proceedings, in my apprehension, did not argue, that either they them­selves, or those persons that informed them of the Grievances and Dangers the Nation was said to lie under, believed the truth of either; and if so, then was it a Barbarous Act, to amuse, alarm and frighten the People from their Duty to their Prince, with groundless Noise and Clamor.

If really there were at those times such Grievances and Dangers, as Re­presented, how could the Parliament have answered it to God, and their Countrey; if through their private Heats and Animosities, the Mischiefs threatned, (and which the Nation seared) had fallen upon us, if they had then believed our Danger so great as they discoursed it to be, and had not known, that more Noise and Clamor was made, then there was just occasion for, I am of opinion, they would for their own Honour, as well as the publick Good, have first endeavoured to have secured our future Happiness, rather than hazarded the same, out of some private Peak they had to particular Persons.

Again, If these Gentlemen, by the Endeavors they used, to have ob­tained an Act for Secluding his Royal Highness from the Imperial Crown of England, had designed to secure the Protestant Religion against a Popish Suc­cessor, had that (I say) been their single Intention, certainly they would have made the Act general, to bar for the future all Persons of the Popish Religion from Inheriting, or wearing the Imperial Crown of England; but to bring in a Bill against James Duke of York, alone by name, and that whe­ther he be Papist or Protestant at the time of the Kings Death (provided he should happen to survive him) this kind of procedure seems rather to be the effect of the Malice and Revenge of some particular persons against the Dukes Person, (who have gone so far as that they judg, they cannot be safe, if ever he Reigns,) than a Design to secure the Protestant Religion against a Popish Successor.

For First, If such Bill was past, and his Royal Highness should die before the King, that Act dies with him.

Secondly, If the Duke survive the King, he being near as Old, it cannot be expected he should live long after him, so it would do little good, nor will it be any great Security to the Kingdom, to have him bar'd, and no Body else.

[Page 14]Besides, the offering of such Bill was unmannerly, and put a hardship upon the King, to Exclude by a Law his only Brother from Inheriting the Crown of England, though he should be a Protestant, and at the same time, (out of Zeal to the promotion and preservation of the Protestant Religion) leave room for the King of Spain, (or any other Popish Successor, except the Duke of York) to Succeed our present King, and bring in the Spanish Inquisition with him.

What savors this of, or looks it like, but a malicious Design of particular persons against the Duke of York, I am sure I can find nothing of a real De­sign in it, to Secure the Protestant Religion and Interest.

Whereas if the Bill had been made general, to have barred all Popish Suc­cessors, it would have been more excusable, and might perhaps have been judged the effect of the Parliaments Care of the Protestant Interest, and it may be, would not have appeared so difficult for the King to have past, if he had found reason to believe it for his Subjects Good, and with ten­dency to the Security and Happiness of his Kingdoms.

Because in such Case His Majesty had done his Royal Brother no wrong, only by advice of Parliament had past a general Law, for the publick Good, and Security of his Kingdoms, That could neither hurt the Duke, or bar him the Succession without his own consent by Declaring himself a Papist.

Besides, if this Bill had past into an Act, what would it have signified, has not many of the like nature been past against several former Princes, who notwithstanding thereof, after lived to sway the Scepter in this King­dom.

I know but they will tell you, they designed to have seconded this Bill, with another for an Association, whereby to have enabled the People to keep the Duke out by Force, and perhaps they would have been as angry and un­easy to, if that had not past, which if it had, then might they have presently Dethron'd His Majesty, the present Possessor of the Crown, and that with as much ease and Justice, as they can hinder his Royal Brother from Succeeding him, and thereby Intaile a War Domestick and Foreign upon the Kingdom

Pray Consider, whoever sets up against his Royal Highness's Title, must have at least Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot constantly in Arms, to Defend himself, and keep the Crown on his Head; for the Duke is an Excellent Soldier, a Gentleman of Personal Valor and Resolution; a Prince of great Conduct and Interest, (beloved both abroad and at home) therefore can­not want Supplies from his Friends here, or the Aid of Foreign Princes (at least, of those who are Allied to him) to assist him in recovering his Right, which perhaps may Intail upon us another War for Fifty Years, and the Miseries attending the same, such as that formerly, between the Two Houses of York and Lancaster, and if such an Army must be raised, (though no War happen) must not the People of England pay them, and what that will cost, or what Arbitrary Power that Prince may set up, that hath such an Army at his Devotion, I leave to Judgment.

Consider, if those that advise to this Course of Procedure, be Friends to their Countrey and the Protestant Religion, take care to preserve the Liber­ty and Property of the Subject, or rather, whether they are not such as put us upon Methods to destroy them all, lay us open to Arbitrary Power, (as we were in the time of the late Horrid Rebellion) and to all the Plunderings, Freequarters, (Taxes of 60000 l. per Month, as was raised by Oliver and his Council, without a Parliament) Sequestrations, Decimations, Imprison­ments, Banishments, &c.) God knows how many Mischiefs more, may en­sue upon such Force being raised, and maintained, as a standing Army a­mongst us, as is absolutely necessary to be kept on Foot, if the Succession be altered.

[Page 15]I cannot believe any honest man, who is really a Protestant, Loyal to the King, loves his Countrey, and desires its Interest, Happiness and Peace, especially, if he lived in the times of the late Intestine War, and beheld the Miseries the Nation then groaned under, can or will (if he has any Estate or Trade) ever desire a change of Government in England, or a necessity of having a standing Army to support that Government, (which necessarily this Bill desired, for altering the Succession, must have) therefore none but some few Male-contents, or such as desire the Destruction of the Pro­testant Religion, will pursue the same any further.

Having done with this point, and shown how rediculous it is for men to distract their minds, with the fear or apprehension of His Majesties Go­verning Arbitrarily.

I proceed to the Second thing proposed, and hope to demonstrate by rea­son, That we are in as little danger of Popery prevailing, howbeit a Popish Successor hereafter should happen to Inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm.

Before I enter upon this, give me leave (for my own Justification, and to prevent being Censured by the Reader) Solemnly to Declare, in the presence of Almighty God, and the whole World, That I am a Protestant, and have been bred up in that Religion from my Youth; I am so far from being a Papist, that to my remembrance I never was in any Parish Church, Chappel, or other Place, where Mass was said, or the Popish Religion Ex­ercised, during such Service being performed; I have an equal Love and Esteem for all Protestants, though of different perswasions, so that they be Conscientious, and Religious, and submit to Government; and I would have them allowed all Liberty, so long as they use it, not to the Disturbance of publick Peace, or the Government of Church and State; therefore hope a Charitable Interpretation will be made of what is here offered to Consi­deration; since I argue (not out of any approbation to the Popish Religi­on, or desire of its being Establish'd here, or to live to see a Popish King Reign over us, nor out of any prejudice to any Protestant Dissenter) but meerly to quiet the minds of those who distract themselves, with Jealousies of Poperies over-running the Kindom, if ever a Popish Successor should Reign over us, knowing how dangerus it may be to the Protestant Religi­on, for Protestants to be misled by such Idle Perswasions.

Suppose such a Popish Successor should happen, the Question then will be, Whether that Prince, or his Subjects, will suffer most?

I am of oppinion, that a Prince of that Religion will find himself very uneasie, and Reign with great difficulty, over the English and Scotch Nati­ons, whatever he may do over Ireland, there being in the Two former, One Hundred Protestants, for One Papist; though in Ireland perhaps, there is Ten Papists, for one Protestant, and yet even in that Kingdom, will it not be in his Power to Establish the Romish Religion, or Invade his Subjects Li­berty and Property, much less to hurt us in England, in either of these par­ticulars.

It hath been observed in History, that Princes of the weakest Titles, have always yeilded to the best Laws, complying with their People, and compounding with them for the Government.

If a Popish Prince ever happen to Reign in England, though he be Right and Lawful Heir, both by Birth and Succession, yet will his Religion render him suspected by his People, of having a design to change theirs, and in­vade their Properties (consisting much in Abby and Monastery Land) so they will always keep him as uneasie as they can, and never give him Revenue sufficient to maintain such Power and Force as shall endan­ger them.

[Page 16]And when the King (to whom I beseech Almighty God to great a long Life and happy Reign) shall happen to Die, his whole Revenue, except­ing about 450000 l. per Annum, Determines with him; so that if his Royal Highness survive him, and be King, he will not (with all his own pre­sent Revenue, joined to that of the Crown) have above 550000 l. per Annum.

How can any rational man then believe, that with that Revenue he will be able to raise and maintain such Force, as must necessarily be kept on foot for his own Security, if he goes about to change the Government, or alter the Religion of the Kingdom Establish'd by Law.

Our present King, though he hath had a Revenue of Two Millions, or a Million and half, Yearly; and now had above a Million per Annum, ne­ver yet attempted such alteration, and shall the Duke of York (supposing he had a Will to do it, which I am confident he neither hath, ever had, nor will have) be able to Establish Arbitrary Government, or Popery, with 550000 l. per Annum, It is in my poor Judgment, only altogether im­possible.

Object. I allow the Duke with such a Revenue cannot hurt us, but the French King having at least, Two Hundred Thousand men in Arms, and a Re­venue sufficient to pay them, and being obliged to keep those Armies Imployed abroad, to prevent their Rebelling at home; he is so Zealous for Establishing Popery thoughout Christendom, and Rooting out Heresie, that for premoting so Meritorious a Work, he will Supply our King, if a Papist, with Arms and Mony sufficient to carry on that Design with Success here.

Answ. It is great folly to Imagine, that the French King, who knows his own Interest, (though it be true, he neither wants Men or Mony to carry on any Design he undertakes) should assist our King with either, for the Uniting him and his Subjects under Arbitrary Power, or any one Religion whatsoever (tho Popery it self) both being Destructive to his Interests, and a putting Power in the hand of our King to break all that Kings Measures, and prevent his making himself Universal Monark (than which, nothing is more by him desired and endeavoured.)

For if once the King of England and his People were United under either, the French King knows he will be able to give check to all his further pro­secution of that design; therefore tho he may (and I believe does) spend a hundred thousand pounds per annum in paying Pentioners Imployed by him or his Ministers to devide between the King and his Subjects (which being his Interest to have done, he will spare no charge that may Contri­bute to the doing thereof) yet would he not give 20000 l. to make our King absolute, or Unite him and his People under any one Religion what­soever, tho Popery it self.

For he is a wise Prince, studies his Interest, knows how he parts from his Mony, and will dispose of none to carry on any design that may turne to his prejudice, than which, nothing in the World can be a greater than to have the King and his Subjects United.

What hurt then can his Royal Highness do his Subjects if he Succeed his Brother, since there will not be left when the King dies Revenue suffi­cient to support the necessary Expence of his Royal Family and Govern­ment, without Supplies from abroad or at home, and if no Forrain Prince but the French King can, and that King will not Supply him, must he not then immediately call a Parliament, must not the People chuse that Parlia­ment, will the People of England awakened as they now are, and then will be with Fears and Jealousies of the Danger of Popery coming in upon them, and loosing their Estates, (consisting of Abby and Monastery Lands) chuse any Members to serve in those Parliaments, but such as they can [Page 17]trust and depend upon, to provide for the Security of their Livers, Liber­ties, Religion and Properties; or will those Parliaments, when met, (be­ing equally concerned in Interest with their Electors) ever give such Popish Successor any Revenue to hurt or destroy their own Interest.

It is Nonsence to believe they will give him a Groat, till they have pro­vided for their own, and the Kingdoms security, in all these particulars; and they know not his Royal Highness, that have so ill an opinion of him, as to believe him so Irroligious, so weak of Judgment, or void of under­standing his own Interest, as to accept the Crown, take the Coronation Oath, if he resolve not to keep and observe the same, by Governing accord­ing to Law, and securing his Subjects in Peace, by preserving to them their Religion, as well as their Liberties and Properties.

His Royal Highness cannot be Ignorant of the Jealousies the Subjects of England have already of him, and well knows, those Jealousies will cer­tainly increase, when he comes to the Crown, therefore must expect, when he calls a Parliament, that that Parliament, when it meets, will certainly tell him,

That having left our Church, and Declared himself, thereby a Papist, he can­not be Trusted with the Disposing any Ecclesiastical Promotions, or with any Sum of Mony, that may Endanger the Kingdom, by assisting the Papists, nor will they suffer Persons of that Religion to come near him, or his Court, to Influence his Councils, as we vainly Imagine,

So that in my poor Opinion, The Kingdom under such a Prince, may obtain such Laws, and other Conditions, for securing their Religion, Liberties and Properties, (before they give any Mony) as they would never dare to pro­pose to, or could ever hope for, or expect from a King of our own Religion.

Besides, no man that hath common sence, (whatsoever he says to the contrary) can believe that ever his Royal Highness, (if he be of another Religion, then that professed in this Kingdom,) can if he should live to wear the smperial Crown of his Realm, ever hurt us, though he should Design so to doe.

For being of a Religion, to which the Generality of his Subjects have a great Aversion and Antipathy, and having but a small Revenue, an Inconsi­derable Party, and that Party Fettered with Laws, and the whole King­dom Alarmed, and for their own Security, Armed, and in a posture to de­fend themselves; it will be impossible for him to subdue such a Nation, in such a Condition, and under such Jealousies and Circumstances.

Nor will he be able to break through the Laws, made for the Defence of our Religion, more then he will to Violate those made for Security of our Liberties and Properties.

If after all this, we shall persist in our folly, and close with nothing of­fered, except an Act for Excluding his Royal Highness go along with it, then of all Nations on the face of the Earth, is ours (in my Opinion) like to be the most Miserable.

For such alteration of the Succession (as it is said before) must be main­tained by a Force, and standing Army, (a Crown being always esteemed worth Fighting for) which Force we transmit to Posterity, with a despu­table Title, for a new Tryal of Skill, like that Anciently between the Houses of York and Lancaster, which every good mand must certainly Dread the thoughts of, when he seriously considers, that War lasted about Sixty Years, cost the Kingdom its whole Treasure, besides the Devastation and Destruction made throughout the same, (especially in the North) and the many Hundred Thousands men's Lives were lost therein, and yet that War was occasioned, only by varying the Hand from the Children of the [Page 18]Duke of Clarance, Third Son to the Issue of John a Gant, the Fourth Legiti­mate Son of Henry the Fourth, and no Bastardy in the Case.

I do not find in all my Reading, that any Government throughout the World, since the Reformation from Rome, ever made a Law to prohibit a Successor of that Religion from Reigning over them; Henry the Third of France, though earnestly Impottuned by the Holy League, to Exclude the King of Navar, refused so to doe, though that King was a Hugenot.

In Edward the Sixth time, no Statute was made to bar a Popish Succe­ssor, then in prospect, though the Reformation was in its Infancy, and most Subjects were Papists; so that after his Decease Queen Mary was ad­mitted to the Crown, (from whom the Kingdom had little reason to ex­pect any great Happiness) rather then the Lady Jane Gray, who was a Pro­testant, and this done, because they would not bring a desputable Title of the Crown, upon themselves and Posterity.

In Queen Elizabeth's Reign, which was after the severe Persecution of Queen Mary, (a Persecution sufficient to have begot an Eternal Hatred in the Nation, of any future Popish Successor, and to have Justified that Queen, in passing a Law, for preventing the same) yet was there no posi­tive Law made in her Reign to bar Mary Queen of Scots, then alive, who was a Papist, and Her Majesties Lawful Successor, all that then was done, was by the Act of 13th of her Reign, which made it Treason, to say the Queen and Parliament could not dispose the Crown, but they never actu­ally disposed thereof.

And give me leave to say, That such a President would most certainly be as dangerous to our King now, as that wise Queen thought it might have been to her then; for that Prince that shows his People a Method of dis­posing the Succession, at the same time shakes the Title of his own Pos­session.

All the Instances of former Parliaments, setling the Crown upon Henry the Fourth, Edward the Fourth, Henry the Seventh, and their Issues, comes not to our point at all, not being done upon account of Religion, but be­fore the Reformation, when all were of the Religion of the Church of Rome.

Those Acts therefore was made, to quiet the Succession, which Force had unsettled, (not to discompose a Rightful Succession, undisturbed) and to prevent that War and Blood-shed, that was rational enough to believe would have followed, and been the consequence of disturbing the Lawful Succession, (not to break in peices an acknowledged and peaceful Successi­on, and Involve the Nation in Blood, for many Generations to come) they were so far from doing that, that rather then the Kingdom should be Di­stracted, with uncertain Titles; an Act was past in Henry the Seventh's Reign, to command Obedience from the Subject to the King, De facto, af­terwards the Kingdom, though secure, was never satisfied, till Henry the Seventh Married the Princess Elizabeth, Daughter of King Edward the Fourth.

Again, If matter of Opinion in Points of Religion, shall be esteemed a reason of State, sufficient to Exclude a Lawful Successor, from his Crown, then has a Prince harder measure than the meanest of his Subjects, by any Law yet made, and the Peace and Happiness of these Kingdoms, hangs up­on a very slender Thred, for then if the People should design Rebellion, they need only pretend a dislike of their Princes Religion, to bar him from his Crown and Government.

I hope the Wisdom of our Parliaments will give no such advantage a­gainst Protestants, to their Adversaries of Rome, as that Rome shall ever [Page 19]have occasion to say with Truth, We Protestants in England, have by a Law, made our Prince uncapable of Reigning, because a Heretick from the Protestant Religion, whilst we our selves are striving to make Rome look black and odious for that most Damnable Doctrine of theirs, (that Princes may be Excommunicated as hereticks, afterwards deposed by the Pope) so detestable a Doctrine, that we make all persons, that take the Oath of Allegiance, Renounce and Forswear it, let us therefore have a care we do not Imitate them in that Doctrine we so much Condemn.

Consider seriously, whither such a Course will lead us, and then Judg, whether fit to be taken, especially upon such a Contingency as this, (of the Dukes Surviving his Brother) which perhaps may never happen, but if it should, he is of too great an Age now, to begin such Change of Go­vernment, and Religion, as is suspected, with any hopes of accomplishing the same, in his own time; if so, and it be also true, (as it is) that he is without hopes of a Successor of his own Religion, to carry on such at­tempt by him begun, (the Prince of Orange and Princess, and the Lady Ann, being all Protestants) why then should any man believe his Royal Highness, so weak a Prince, as to attempt such Change, with so small a number of men as his Religion shall have left him, which will ap­pear so very small, as not to be feared by English men, when Rome shall as­sault their Religion and Properties, and oblige them to Fight for the same.

That Prince, be he who he will, that shall at any time come into England with Popery, will come in with Weakness and Inability, to hurt his Sub­jects, by any Force of his own, nor will any Neigbouring Prince (unless he and all his Subjects be Luniticks) help to make him Absolute, that being to Endanger themselves.

What Prince will be at Charges, Exhaust his Treasure, Weeken himself, to Strengthen his Neighbour, nor is that Prince much less then Mad, that should in such a Case, relye on, or trust to such Neighbouring Prince for Assistance.

And for his own Subjects, they will be more dangerous, and uneasie to him, then he can be to them, for such Prince being without Reputation, Trust and Mony, at home, will be without Assistance from abroad; and his own Subjects will never assist him to break their own Laws; well knowing, no Prince ever attempted the same, but the hazarded his Crown, by making the Essay, nor did ever any Prince Actually break through the Laws, but he was Ruined, and lost his Crown thereby.

Nor is it in the Power of the Duke of York, if he Succeed his Brother, to break our Laws, in either of the respects feared, but if ever they be broken, it must be with the mutual Assent of both Prince and People, as­sembled in Parliament; for as our Law now stands, no Magistrate can do any Legal or Judicial Act in any Inferior Court of Justice; nor bear any publick Office, Civil or Military, nor accept of, or be admitted into any Ec­clesiastical Promotion, or meet to Vote in either House of Parliament, till they shall have first Renounced Popery, by taking the Oaths, and Test, and making the Subscriptions by Law required.

If therefore a Popish Successor should hereafter happen to Reign over us, he will find it very difficult to Repeal those Laws that Establish our Religion, the Codsideration that the Subjects will always have (being fresh in their Memories) of the Fire and Faggot Queen Mary exercised in her Reign, for the Rescueing the Popish Religion, will oblige them to a stedfast Resolution never to depart from that of their own, I mean the true Protestant Religi­on, and until those Laws be Abrogated by Parliament, it will be absolutely impossible for any Popish Successor to Establish Popery here.

[Page 20]If then what I have offered to Consideration be true, and it shall appear impossible to Settle a Government in this Kingdom out of the Royal Fami­ly, that shall continue, (as the late Rebellion hath demonstrated) or to hinder the Crown from descending in its due Course, without Endangering all our Ruins, and the Destruction of the Three Kingdoms, then am I sure every true Protestant, that either loves God, or the King and Government, or wishes Happiness to himself and Posterity, and the true Protestant Re­ligion, must surcease all further attemps for altering the same.

Since nothing Imaginable can have a greater tendency to the Intailing Confusion and Misery upon us, and the Generations to come after us.

And the better to perswade to this Method of precedure, Consider, that the King cannot but have the Resentments of Humane Nature, as he is a man, though (returning to his Kingdom after the Horrid and Barbarous Mur­der of his Royal Father, and the illegal Banishment, and long and miserable Exile of his own, with divers Proclamations after him, setting Prises on his Head, to have betrayed him) he hath shown and exercised the mercy of a most Excellent Christian, and Gracious Sovereign, for who can say with truth, that his Life, Liberty or Property, hath been taken away, or In­vaded by him, contrary to Law, or without Legal Tryals by their Peers, since his Restauration.

Blame not therefore His Hajesty, (the Impressions of these former Usa­ges being fresh in his mind) if he (taking notice of the late violent, and unwarrantable Proceedings against him,, and apprehending from thence the same Mischiefs now designed, as heretofore) seem tenacious in some Points of his Royal Prerogative, least the Government (by the wicked Practiees, and restless Endeavors, of some aspiring Subjects, uneasie in obeying any Government, in which they have not a share, and accounting it Userpation to be deprived of that part thereof, which they heretofore too long enjoy­ed) should once more revert and start back.

This will appear at last (if I be not greatly mistaken) the chief occasi­on of all our present unhappy (and highly to be lamented) Devisions, and of the Distrust created betwen the King and his People, each fearing to be Bound, both striving to be Free; those who contrive to bind the King fast­er, believe he designs himself to be loose, Juding of the Kings Actions, by the measures of their own Wicked and Fallacious Intentions, and there­upon strive to break all his Measures, and disappoint him in all his Under­takings.

And if these be the occasions of our present Misery, every Loyal Sub­ject and true Protestant in England, that loves the King, his Country and Religion, ought to make it his business, to prevent these misundestandings for the future, which if they would seriously, and with Sincerity and Truth endeavor, I am of Opinion, the work would not be so difficult, as our Jesuitical Incendaries, and French Pentionors, represents it to be, and perswade those amongst whom they convers, it is.

That Almighty God, of his Infinite Goodness and Mercy, may be pre­vailed with, graciously to bestow so great a Blessing as this, upon these poor Distracted Kingdoms, give me leave to propose to every man's Considerati­on, the Practice of these following Directions,

First, Be truly Humbled for, and unfeignedly Repent of all your form­er Sins, by which you have provoked God to Anger, and turn from all your Iniquities for the time to come, that his Wrath may be Apeased, and he may Repent him, of the Evil intended against us.

Love God with all your Heart, Serve him with all your Strength, make his Holy Word the Rule of your Life, and the Measure of all your future Actions, dare to doe nothing Contrary thereunto, or Derigatory to his Holy Commands.

[Page 21]Live by Faith not by Sight, walk with God, and be Upright, doe your Duty in your Place, To God, the King, your Country, your Neighbour, your Family, and to your own Soul.

Make it your Business to be Holy and Humble, value the Love and Fa­vor of God, and an Interest in the Merits of his Dear Son your Redeemer, above all things whatsoever, and endeavor to obtain to your self, a well grounded assurance thereof.

Die to Sin, Self, the World, and all things therein, Daily, and Live to that God by whom you Live, giving him the Glory of all his Goodness and Mercy, extended towards you.

Set not your Affection Inordinately upon things below, which are all Vain, Momentary and uncertain, but on things above, that are External.

Be contented in every Condition, thankful and fruitful under every vari­ous Dispensation of God's Providence, submit to his Will, acquiese in his Pleasure, Bless him for what you have, and Murmer nor Repine not, be­cause you have no more.

Envy not those who are above you, and possess more of the Riches and Honour of this Life, then you enjoy, but behold with Pity, and Christian Compassion, how many there are better, and more deserving (perhaps) then you, who yet want what you enjoy, and it may be, sinfully wast; Help and Relieve such with a part of what you have.

Trust God with the Government of the World, and submit to the Pow­ers that are over you, as being of him, believe he is a Jealous God, will take care of his Glory, vindicate his Honour, advance his Kingdom, and the Interest of Christ, and propogate his Gospel, maugre all the opposition of Men, and Devils, and that this he will do in his own way, and at his own time, without any direction, or assistance from you therein; remember that he knows best what is good for you, and has promised that all things shall work together for good to those that Love and Fear him, and keep his Commandments; and that he will keep them in perfect Peace, whose Minds are staid on him, because they trust in him; be not therefore wise in your own Conceit, and think that you can direct God; Soloman saith, Seest thou a Man wise in his own Conceit, there is more hopes of a Fool, then of such a Man.

Judg your self and not another, meddle with your own, and no other man's Business, search your own Heart, and try your own Spirit, whether it be of God, look into your own Deformities, and mend what is amiss in your self, before you undertake, or go about to find fault with, or re­form others, every one mending one, is the only way to mend all; and when by such Reformation and Amendment, we are fit for Mercy, God will give it, if we seek it in a right way.

Think and Esteem of every man better then your self, the lower a man in his own Conceit, the higher he is in the Esteem of God, and good men; the Proud, God sends away Empty, and causes to stand afar off, but to the Humble he will draw near, and him will he fill with good things.

Live in Love, and as much as in you lies, follow Peace with all men.

Doe as you would be done unto, love your Neighbour as your self, for­get and forgive Injuries, recompence good for evil, pray for those that hate you, do good to those that dispightfully use you, yea pray for your Enemies, and doe them good, if in your power, but not hurt.

Lay aside all Malice, Prejudice, and thoughts of Revenge, against all Mankind, let not difference in Opinion in matters of Religion, beget diffe­rence in Affection, especially amongst Protestants, but Unite in Love, bear and forbear with, and hide the Infirmities of each other.

[Page 22]Be easie to believe, and make known what good you hear of any man, whom you have reason to Judg honest, though of a different perswasion from you, and as hard to believe ill, unless you know it, and more of dis­covering it, except to himself, least it prove false.

Give not Credit to all you hear, neither Devulge all you know, take care not to invent and spread abroad any false Stories, to the Defamation of any person whatsoever, especially of those that are set in Authority over you, and to whom you are obliged to be Subject, whereby their Honour, Reputati­on, or good Name, may be called in question, or prejudiced; or their Persons and Government rendered low, or contemptable, this is abomina­ble, worse then Murder, Reputation to a man of Honour; being dearer then Life it self.

Lay aside and give over all names of Distinction, such as Tory, Whig, Phanatick, Tantivy-men, Bruminghams, Masquerade-Papists, Masquerade-Protestants, Church-Whigs, Church-Papists, and all provoking scurrulous Speaking, Writing and Printing, against each other; these are publick Mischiefs, tending to the Destruction, rather then the Advancement of our Government, or the Protestant Religion, and proceeds from the Spirit of the Devil, rather then from that of our Blessed Saviour, whose Example we are commanded to Imitate.

Be Just, follow Truth, pursue Righteousness, execute Justice Impartial­ly, Relieve the Oppressed, Cloath the Naked, Feed the Hungry, Visit the Sick, Release the Imprisoned, be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the Fatherless, always goe about doing good, and no hurt; avoid all Frauds and Deceits, deal fairly, and above Board, with all Mankind, abhor all Tricks and little Cheats, they will never last long, or doe any man good; God will Discover and Detect them, to the Scorn and Contempt of whoe­ver uses them, either of one side, or the other, be the pretence what it will, for so doing; there being nothing, that he who is the God of Truth, more Abhors, then such base and false Practices.

If every man would make it his Business to Observe these few Directions, and submit (as commanded) to the Powers that are over him, as being of God, pay the King the Honour and Duty due to him, as his Sovereign, and prefer (as he ought) the publick good and welfare of the Kingdom; before his own private Interests, which now too much Governs most men in our Age.

And if the People of England, when they shall next Elect Members to serve them in Parliament, would chuse such Persons to Represent them, as shall (when they come together to Consult of, and Provide for their Interests and Security, in their Religion and Property,) carry on their Debates with calm and serene Spirits, lay aside all Passion, Prejudice and Prepossessi­on; Act with Moderation, Wisdom and Prudence, and behave themselves with that Loyal and Dutiful Respect to the King, which becomes them, and is their Duty, as they are his Subjects; His Majesty would then soon perceive, and easily be brought to believe, that he need not fear them; and with confidence I will presume to say, The King is not in such a Condition, as that his Subjects need to fear him, there being more Danger of a Com­mon-Wealth, then of Absolute Monarchy, where the People Set up for Reformers.

By this way of Proceedings, the King, (who is of a most Excellent Temper and Disposition, ready to pass by and forgive, whatever has been amiss, so amendment be made for the future) would quickly be gained by his People; (and as he is our Sovereign, give me leave to say, He ought to be thus Treated.) Hereby the Kingdom may obtain reasonable Laws, for their Security against all their present Fears and Jealousies, and future [Page 23]Dangers, (so as such Laws be pursued with becoming Humility and Duty, and without Heats and Passions,) however, if by this Method of Proceed­ing, the Parliament should not arrive at those, both reasonable (and per­haps necessary) Laws, they so pursue, yet will they have Peace, and Sa­tisfaction in their own Minds, remain quiet in their Consciences, and be Justified before God and Man, for having done their Duty both to their King and Countrey.

On the other hand, devise what good Laws you can, for the Nations Se­curity, though you should get them past, yet if they be pursued in Parlia­ment, with Heat, Violence, or any unhandsome, or unmannerly way of Proceeding; such Procedure I am sure cannot be Justified, either before God or Man, let the Pretences for so doing, be never so Specious; and give me leave to say, That the most Just and Reasonable things in the World, may justly be Denyed, if demanded or pursued, in a Method that is Un­justifiable.

Nor does it become so Great and Venerable an Assembly, as the Parlia­ment of England, when met together, to advise the making Laws for pre­servation of the Nation in Peace and Tranquility, to be themselves Frow­ard, Restless or Pievish; wherefore I shall comfort my self at present, with the hopes of seeing our next Parliament come together with all the Qualifications of Wisdome, becoming the Greatest and Freest Assembly in the Universe, and proceeding with Temper, Moderation and Prudence, (of which there never was more need than now) and if they so doe, I doubt not but that they may effect that Good they hope for, seem to desire, and ought to pursue, for their Countrey, if they doe their Duty, and per­form the Trust reposed in them.

So may they gain Glory to themselves, and be Eternally Stiled, The Happy and Healing Parliament, and the Generations to come will have Cause to call them Blessed; for having healed our Devisions, reconciled out Differences, made up our Breaches, United the King and his People, re­stored to us the Paths of Peace, and transmitted Happiness to us and our Posterities, and to the Generations that shall come after them.