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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.