A third letter from a gentleman in the country, to his friends in London, upon the subject of the penal laws and tests
         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1687
        
      
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             A third letter from a gentleman in the country, to his friends in London, upon the subject of the penal laws and tests
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
          
           19 p.
           
             Printed for J.H. and T.S. ...,
             London :
             1687.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Harvard University Libraries.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
           Church and state -- England.
        
      
    
     
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             A
             Third
          
           LETTER
           From
           a
           Gentleman
           in
           the
           COUNTRY
           ,
           To
           his
           Friends
           in
           LONDON
           ,
           Upon
           the
           Subject
           of
           the
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           and
           Tests
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Licensed
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                     
                       May
                       the
                       16th
                       1687.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           ,
           for
           
             J.
             H.
          
           and
           
             T.
             S.
          
           and
           to
           be
           had
           of
           most
           Booksellers
           in
           London
           and
           Westminster
           ,
           1687.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             My
             Honoured
             Friends
             ,
          
        
         
           SInce
           my
           last
           Letter
           was
           so
           happy
           as
           to
           please
           more
           of
           the
           Party
           than
           my
           first
           Offended
           ,
           and
           that
           even
           those
           are
           somewhat
           softened
           by
           it
           ,
           I
           prevail'd
           with
           my self
           ,
           once
           more
           ,
           to
           give
           you
           my
           thoughts
           upon
           the
           same
           Subject
           :
           And
           though
           I
           think
           the
           Objections
           you
           have
           sent
           me
           ,
           are
           come
           too
           far
           for
           an
           Answer
           ,
           yet
           I
           will
           give
           you
           mine
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           plainness
           ,
           brevity
           and
           temper
           I
           can
           ;
           for
           they
           that
           seek
           the
           publick
           good
           ,
           are
           not
           to
           be
           nice
           in
           their
           endeavours
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           such
           who
           go
           upon
           Principles
           ,
           have
           the
           advantage
           of
           being
           secured
           by
           their
           Sincerity
           ,
           even
           where
           their
           mistakes
           cannot
           be
           defended
           .
           But
           as
           I
           think
           I
           am
           not
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           so
           I
           sincerely
           profess
           ,
           if
           I
           knew
           I
           were
           ,
           no
           temporal
           consideration
           should
           engage
           me
           against
           my
           Opinion
           ;
           for
           though
           I
           am
           for
           the
           Liberty
           of
           persuing
           ones
           own
           Judgment
           ,
           I
           abhor
           the
           Latitude
           of
           Dissembling
           it
           .
           But
           to
           the
           point
           before
           us
           .
        
         
           You
           tell
           me
           ,
           that
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           Soberest
           and
           Wisest
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           would
           be
           esteemed
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           of
           your
           Acquaintance
           ,
           do
           declare
           ,
           
             They
             have
             no
             Aversion
             for
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             always
             liked
             an
             Indulgence
             to
             Dissenters
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             angry
             at
             the
             present
             manner
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Addresses
             of
             Thanks
             the
             Dissenters
             have
             made
             to
             the
             King
             for
             It.
             
          
        
         
           To
           say
           nothing
           then
           of
           who
           they
           were
           that
           made
           the
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           ,
           or
           by
           whom
           they
           were
           Executed
           ,
           or
           upon
           what
           Motives
           ;
           and
           less
           ,
           what
           Prejudices
           thereby
           have
           followed
           to
           the
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           of
           Thousands
           of
           the
           Kings
           Subjects
           (
           because
           that
           History
           might
           look
           harsh
           ,
           and
           I
           resolve
           to
           be
           as
           
           healing
           as
           I
           can
           )
           Let
           me
           ask
           ,
           why
           these
           Gentlemen
           should
           be
           offended
           at
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Ease
           the
           King
           has
           graciously
           given
           ?
           'T
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           them
           reproach'd
           the
           severe
           Conduct
           he
           has
           chang'd
           ,
           and
           thought
           it
           ill
           in
           the
           Government
           to
           expose
           so
           many
           useful
           Men
           in
           their
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           to
           a
           pack
           of
           lewd
           Informers
           ,
           that
           yet
           now
           quarrel
           the
           stop
           he
           has
           given
           to
           those
           severities
           .
           They
           will
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           pardon
           me
           if
           I
           say
           ;
           Christ's
           Answer
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           about
           the
           breach
           of
           the
           Sabboth
           came
           in
           my
           mind
           upon
           reading
           their
           Objection
           ,
           
             What
             man
             among
             you
             that
             should
             have
             a
             Sheep
             fall
             into
             a
             Pit
             on
             the
             Sabboth
             day
             ,
             will
             ,
             not
             lay
             hold
             on
             it
             and
             lift
             it
             out
             ?
          
           He
           excused
           David
           and
           the
           Priests
           in
           a
           Case
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           ,
           and
           thought
           a
           good
           deed
           was
           to
           be
           done
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           when
           he
           healed
           the
           poor
           man.
           This
           was
           he
           that
           preferred
           Mercy
           before
           Sacrifice
           ,
           and
           exalted
           the
           good
           Nature
           of
           the
           Samaritan
           above
           the
           strict
           Priest
           and
           Levite
           ,
           that
           with
           all
           their
           Reverence
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           left
           the
           Rifled
           and
           Wounded
           unregarded
           .
           But
           to
           turn
           the
           stile
           of
           the
           Discourse
           :
           Why
           should
           any
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           be
           offended
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           a
           
             less
             Power
          
           than
           has
           been
           publickly
           maintained
           by
           the
           most
           venerable
           of
           their
           
             own
             Clergy
          
           ,
           in
           all
           times
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ?
           You
           will
           find
           
             Arch-Bishop
             Whitgift
          
           ,
           in
           his
           Letter
           to
           Q.
           Elizabeth
           ,
           asserting
           her
           Power
           in
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Matters
          
           to
           rest
           wholly
           and
           absolutely
           in
           the
           Queen
           ,
           &
           that
           he
           advises
           her
           ,
           by
           no
           means
           to
           allow
           the
           Parliament
           to
           have
           the
           fingering
           of
           those
           things
           ;
           and
           that
           what
           Cannons
           were
           made
           by
           the
           Clergy
           in
           Convocation
           ,
           by
           her
           Majesties
           Authority
           ,
           might
           be
           OBSERVED
           or
           ALTERED
           at
           HER
           PLEASURE
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           another
           Letter
           to
           the
           Lords
           of
           the
           Council
           ,
           he
           tells
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           Queen
           her
           own
           self
           ,
           had
           in
           express
           Words
           ,
           immediately
           committed
           Causes
           Ecclesiastical
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           one
           ,
           who
           was
           to
           make
           Answer
           to
           God
           and
           her
           Majesty
           in
           that
           behalf
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           their
           Lordships
           ,
           wherein
           ,
           as
           he
           supposed
           ,
           he
           had
           no
           Judge
           but
           her self
           .
           Arch-Bishop
           Laud
           ,
           and
           Bishop
           
           Sanderson
           ,
           Dr
           Heylin
           ,
           Dr
           Hicks
           and
           several
           other
           
             dignified
             Divines
          
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           all
           grave
           and
           learned
           Authors
           ,
           follow
           the
           same
           Sentiments
           touching
           
             Regal
             Power
          
           ,
           in
           a
           more
           extended
           manner
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           shortly
           see
           by
           an
           
             Ingenious
             hand
          
           ,
           who
           hath
           exactly
           Transcribed
           their
           own
           Writings
           in
           this
           great
           Point
           .
           But
           in
           general
           ,
           it
           is
           resolved
           by
           Dr
           Starky
           ,
           in
           his
           Assise
           Sermon
           at
           St
           Edmonds-Bury
           ,
           concerning
           the
           divine
           obgation
           of
           human
           Ordinances
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             John
             Field
          
           ,
           Printer
           to
           the
           University
           of
           Cambridge
           ,
           1668.
           
           That
           Constitutions
           ,
           as
           
             they
             had
             their
             Original
             and
             Establishment
             from
             the
             Reason
             of
             the
             supream
             Magistrate
             ,
             consulting
             for
             the
             conveniency
             and
             good
             of
             the
             Society
             ,
             so
             the
             condition
             of
             things
             and
             State
             altering
             ,
             upon
             their
             Burthen
             and
             Inconvenience
             ,
             may
             ,
             by
             the
             Authority
             that
             established
             them
             ,
             be
             
               altered
               ,
               suspended
               ,
               abrogated
            
             ,
             and
             taken
             quite
             away
             .
          
           Thus
           a
           Divine
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           but
           to
           proceed
           on
           that
           Lesson
           ,
           
             argumentum
             ad
             hominem
          
           .
        
         
           
             For
             what
             greater
             Injury
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             canst
             thou
             put
             upon
             thy
             careful
             Governour
             ,
             then
             when
             his
             Contrivances
             and
             Determinations
             are
             published
             for
             
               publick
               good
            
             ,
             that
             his
             Directions
             should
             be
             Contemned
             ,
             and
             by
             thy
             Rebellion
             that
             thou
             shouldst
             suggest
             to
             others
             (
             what
             our
             disorderly
             nature
             is
             too
             ready
             to
             suspect
             )
             that
             their
             Rules
             are
             the
             
               Results
               of
               erronious
               and
               corrupt
               men
               ,
            
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             lookt
             upon
             as
             the
             
               determinations
               of
               sacred
               Authority
               derived
               from
               a
               most
               wise
               and
               just
               God.
               
            
          
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           were
           not
           so
           ,
           is
           it
           the
           same
           thing
           to
           dispence
           with
           a
           Temporary
           ,
           as
           a
           fundamental
           Law
           ?
           With
           that
           which
           says
           ,
           
             thou
             shalt
             not
             go
             to
             a
             Conventicle
             ,
          
           as
           with
           that
           which
           says
           ,
           
             thou
             shalt
             not
             Kill
             or
             Steal
             ?
          
           are
           there
           not
           some
           Laws
           that
           are
           of
           that
           moral
           and
           enduring
           nature
           ,
           no
           time
           or
           accident
           of
           State
           can
           Dispense
           with
           ?
           and
           such
           Laws
           as
           are
           so
           specially
           accommodated
           ,
           that
           the
           reason
           of
           them
           may
           not
           live
           three
           Years
           to
           an
           end
           ?
           The
           Penal
           Laws
           about
           Religion
           were
           made
           for
           fear
           that
           divers
           Opinions
           in
           one
           Country
           might
           endanger
           
           the
           Government
           ,
           &
           time
           shows
           us
           that
           nothing
           hazards
           it
           more
           then
           their
           execution
           .
           T
           is
           plain
           it
           puts
           us
           in
           a
           state
           of
           force
           ,
           and
           that
           therefore
           People
           fly
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           Trade
           dwindles
           to
           nothing
           :
           And
           since
           all
           Countrys
           are
           greater
           by
           their
           People
           and
           forraign
           Commerce
           ,
           than
           by
           their
           Soyle
           and
           Domestick
           Labour
           and
           Consumption
           ,
           whatever
           lessens
           them
           ,
           impoverishes
           and
           weakens
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           Who
           will
           Trade
           where
           his
           gettings
           are
           none
           of
           his
           own
           ?
           or
           live
           ,
           where
           he
           is
           not
           sure
           of
           his
           Principle
           ?
           Which
           is
           the
           Case
           of
           Dissenters
           in
           a
           Country
           using
           coertion
           for
           Religion
           .
           And
           when
           all
           this
           is
           said
           ,
           the
           King
           is
           pleased
           to
           refer
           the
           matter
           to
           the
           concurrence
           of
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           such
           Power
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Publick
           ,
           was
           never
           denied
           by
           any
           man
           of
           sence
           ,
           any
           where
           ,
           to
           the
           wisdom
           and
           necessity
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           It
           must
           ever
           rest
           with
           that
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           the
           Constitution
           always
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           which
           ,
           we
           all
           know
           ,
           our
           Parliaments
           are
           not
           .
        
         
           This
           Declaration
           seems
           to
           me
           no
           more
           than
           a
           
             Royal
             Bill
             without
             Doors
          
           ,
           informing
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           his
           Majesties
           mind
           ,
           and
           preparing
           both
           Houses
           to
           make
           it
           the
           Subject
           of
           their
           next
           Session
           :
           And
           I
           don't
           think
           I
           shall
           ever
           see
           a
           Parliament
           in
           England
           break
           with
           a
           King
           of
           his
           Justice
           and
           Valour
           ,
           upon
           so
           reasonable
           and
           popular
           a
           Point
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           be
           free
           ,
           it
           looks
           ill
           in
           any
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           to
           Scandal
           this
           ease
           with
           the
           irregularity
           of
           the
           way
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           nothing
           is
           more
           evident
           than
           that
           they
           cannot
           do
           it
           without
           flying
           in
           the
           face
           of
           that
           Loyalty
           ,
           which
           made
           that
           Church
           so
           famous
           in
           41.
           
           For
           as
           then
           the
           Distinction
           of
           the
           
             Natural
             and
             Political
             capacity
             of
             the
             King
             ,
          
           was
           the
           great
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Parliament
           against
           several
           Acts
           of
           State
           ,
           which
           in
           part
           ,
           gave
           rise
           to
           the
           misunderstandings
           and
           Wars
           that
           followed
           .
           So
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           Generality
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           opposed
           it
           as
           a
           pernitious
           Principle
           to
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           rather
           than
           suffer
           so
           Plebean
           a
           notion
           to
           take
           place
           in
           
           the
           Government
           ,
           drew
           their
           Swords
           for
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           the
           Crown
           ;
           and
           we
           all
           know
           what
           endeavours
           have
           been
           used
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           ,
           since
           the
           late
           Kings
           Restoration
           ,
           to
           Damn
           that
           distinction
           as
           the
           very
           seed
           of
           Rebellion
           .
        
         
           This
           Reflection
           makes
           me
           beseech
           the
           dissatisfied
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           Consider
           ,
           how
           much
           wiser
           it
           were
           to
           approach
           the
           King
           with
           all
           possible
           Candour
           and
           Decency
           ,
           and
           by
           assuring
           him
           ,
           that
           their
           concern
           looks
           no
           further
           ,
           than
           such
           a
           Legal
           and
           uncoercive
           security
           for
           themselves
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           same
           time
           that
           others
           are
           safe
           from
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           repeal
           of
           the
           Penal
           Laws
           ,
           the
           Church
           may
           be
           secure
           that
           no
           one
           of
           those
           interests
           shall
           invade
           her
           Rights
           and
           Possessions
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           induced
           to
           imbrace
           the
           Mediums
           that
           in
           such
           an
           occasion
           it
           were
           the
           easiest
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           to
           find
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           they
           might
           be
           the
           most
           agreeable
           and
           honorable
           in
           themselves
           for
           all
           our
           happinesses
           .
           Let
           her
           then
           betake
           her self
           to
           think
           of
           some
           happy
           expedients
           ,
           and
           rebuke
           those
           Members
           of
           her
           Communion
           ,
           that
           run
           up
           and
           down
           with
           the
           falsest
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           angriest
           aggravations
           ;
           that
           we
           may
           all
           yet
           meet
           in
           some
           general
           and
           national
           Principle
           to
           adjust
           our
           several
           Interests
           upon
           .
        
         
           For
           can
           she
           take
           it
           ill
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           he
           receives
           the
           Dissenters
           as
           near
           him
           for
           his
           interest
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           plain
           she
           would
           take
           them
           to
           her
           for
           her
           security
           ?
           the
           Objection
           she
           makes
           against
           their
           former
           Disloyalty
           ,
           vanisheth
           with
           their
           
             present
             Adherence
             and
             her
             Dissent
          
           ;
           for
           it
           both
           shows
           they
           are
           for
           the
           Government
           when
           that
           is
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           even
           she
           her self
           is
           for
           it
           no
           longer
           ;
           nay
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           said
           by
           some
           ,
           nor
           so
           long
           ;
           for
           she
           is
           (
           say
           they
           )
           not
           satisfied
           
             to
             be
             safe
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             keep
             the
             Chair
             ,
          
           nor
           will
           she
           
             thank
             the
             King
             for
             that
          
           ,
           unless
           others
           may
           be
           confounded
           that
           cannot
           
             offer
             at
             her
             Altar
          
           ;
           who
           ,
           as
           bad
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           for
           this
           Gracious
           Reprieve
           ,
           think
           him
           not
           only
           worthy
           of
           their
           thanks
           ,
           but
           of
           their
           
             Estates
             and
             Lives
          
           
           when
           he
           wants
           them
           on
           so
           glorious
           an
           occasion
           :
           And
           it
           is
           not
           the
           foolishest
           thought
           that
           may
           come
           in
           her
           head
           ,
           that
           having
           once
           lost
           the
           King
           to
           the
           side
           against
           which
           she
           could
           not
           maintain
           his
           Father
           ,
           her
           case
           must
           be
           desperate
           upon
           the
           Contest
           ,
           which
           God
           forbid
           .
        
         
           I
           confess
           ,
           when
           I
           consider
           the
           Idea
           we
           have
           been
           taught
           to
           have
           of
           a
           Popish
           King
           ,
           and
           what
           
             Persecuting
             ,
             Massacring
             Murdering
          
           work
           was
           necessarily
           to
           attend
           his
           Raign
           ,
           I
           cannot
           but
           say
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           securer
           ,
           in
           this
           Raign
           ,
           upon
           the
           Kings
           Declaration
           ,
           than
           any
           other
           worldly
           support
           she
           can
           flatter
           her self
           with
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           thank
           him
           ,
           for
           an
           assurance
           she
           desir'd
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           so
           generously
           given
           for
           a
           King
           of
           his
           circumstances
           ,
           from
           whom
           ,
           we
           were
           told
           worse
           things
           would
           have
           followed
           ,
           and
           then
           too
           ,
           when
           too
           many
           of
           her
           Children
           would
           indiscreetly
           have
           provok'd
           other
           resolutions
           ,
           shows
           her
           less
           Christian
           and
           civil
           then
           I
           believe
           she
           desires
           to
           be
           thought
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           ,
           upon
           the
           main
           ,
           she
           deserves
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           tell
           me
           ,
           that
           this
           liberty
           is
           by
           divers
           persons
           rendered
           dangerous
           to
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           
             in
             that
             it
             strengthens
             the
             hands
             of
             those
             People
             that
             have
             always
             been
             for
             a
             Common-wealth
             :
          
           This
           looks
           very
           kind
           and
           dutiful
           to
           the
           Royal
           Family
           :
           But
           tho
           no
           body
           more
           affectionately
           wishes
           the
           preservation
           and
           just
           succession
           of
           it
           than
           my self
           ,
           I
           can't
           forbear
           to
           charge
           the
           Objection
           wit
           extream
           weakness
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           remov'd
           with
           a
           word
           ;
           
             the
             King
             has
             an
             Army
          
           ,
           Is
           that
           the
           way
           to
           set
           it
           up
           ?
           And
           what
           he
           leaves
           ,
           his
           Children
           will
           finde
           .
           Is
           the
           love
           of
           Power
           first
           objected
           ,
           and
           then
           a
           design
           to
           make
           a
           Common-Wealth
           with
           it
           ?
           But
           they
           will
           say
           ,
           tho
           it
           ben't
           his
           design
           ,
           
             it
             is
             consequent
          
           upon
           his
           measures
           .
           But
           I
           must
           tell
           them
           ,
           no
           story
           shows
           us
           ,
           that
           ever
           any
           Government
           was
           changed
           ,
           making
           the
           People
           of
           it
           easie
           ;
           but
           often
           t'other
           way
           :
           Nor
           is
           it
           to
           be
           thought
           ,
           that
           folks
           will
           Plot
           to
           loose
           ,
           what
           they
           might
           be
           driven
           to
           Plot
           to
           get
           .
           Let
           the
           Church
           think
           as
           hardly
           of
           
           Dissenters
           as
           she
           will
           ;
           they
           cannot
           be
           any
           longer
           in
           pain
           when
           they
           are
           made
           easie
           .
           Besides
           ,
           what
           have
           they
           further
           to
           seek
           ,
           or
           which
           way
           can
           they
           possibly
           agree
           it
           ?
           While
           their
           Conscience
           and
           Property
           are
           safe
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           more
           to
           ask
           ,
           and
           no
           body
           was
           ever
           against
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           for
           them
           ;
           nor
           any
           Government
           indanger'd
           by
           the
           People
           it
           seeks
           to
           preserve
           .
           The
           King
           has
           begun
           to
           show
           his
           inclinations
           to
           make
           us
           all
           easie
           &
           safe
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           be
           her
           fault
           if
           we
           are
           not
           so
           ,
           quickly
           and
           intirely
           .
           This
           is
           the
           way
           to
           prevent
           the
           mischiefs
           she
           fears
           ;
           and
           what
           she
           would
           have
           done
           in
           their
           case
           ,
           to
           have
           prov'd
           her self
           a
           better
           Christian
           or
           a
           better
           Subject
           I
           can't
           tell
           .
           But
           't
           is
           certain
           that
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           endeavour'd
           their
           ruin
           :
           That
           they
           fell
           in
           with
           that
           side
           that
           favoured
           their
           releif
           ,
           is
           as
           true
           :
           Were
           it
           not
           better
           that
           't
           were
           out
           of
           the
           power
           of
           both
           to
           do
           the
           same
           thing
           over
           again
           ?
           one
           to
           engage
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           t'other
           to
           oppose
           it
           ,
           for
           t'other
           Worlds
           matters
           ?
           Doubtless
           it
           were
           ,
           and
           this
           Liberty
           must
           be
           the
           way
           .
        
         
           Those
           times
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           have
           a
           double
           instruction
           to
           the
           present
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           One
           ,
           that
           she
           be
           not
           too
           stiff
           against
           a
           reasonable
           Accomodation
           ;
           the
           Other
           ,
           that
           to
           support
           her self
           in
           it
           ,
           she
           falls
           not
           into
           the
           inconveniencies
           she
           has
           objected
           against
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           whilest
           under
           far
           less
           provocation
           ,
           if
           any
           at
           all
           .
           Let
           her
           remember
           ,
           't
           was
           her
           cause
           that
           first
           engaged
           the
           Kings
           Father
           ,
           and
           by
           consequence
           ,
           banisht
           his
           Brother
           ,
           and
           nothing
           else
           but
           this
           Kings
           tenderness
           ,
           least
           he
           should
           be
           too
           early
           with
           her
           in
           Declaring
           for
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           he
           came
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           gave
           opportunity
           for
           the
           late
           Western
           Rebellion
           :
           For
           as
           he
           hath
           well
           observed
           in
           his
           Speech
           to
           the
           Council
           ,
           how
           much
           the
           want
           of
           it
           went
           to
           promote
           our
           civil
           Wars
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           had
           he
           declared
           for
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           ,
           when
           he
           told
           us
           of
           his
           Religion
           ,
           there
           had
           been
           no
           Rebellion
           in
           the
           West
           :
           But
           the
           
           mis-guided
           
             Duke
             of
             Monmouth
          
           might
           have
           had
           his
           share
           at
           Buda
           ,
           and
           the
           unhappy
           People
           of
           his
           train
           been
           alive
           at
           their
           Vocations
           .
           And
           if
           this
           delay
           was
           not
           for
           want
           of
           an
           Opinion
           that
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           was
           a
           just
           ,
           necessary
           and
           popular
           thing
           ,
           
             but
             his
             regard
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           that
           had
           serv'd
           him
           well
           ,
           and
           might
           not
           presently
           take
           it
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           or
           be
           prepared
           to
           fall
           in
           with
           him
           upon
           that
           interest
           ,
           't
           is
           certainly
           the
           highest
           proof
           how
           greatly
           he
           valued
           her
           concurrance
           ,
           and
           desir'd
           to
           rely
           upon
           her
           Duty
           ,
           Service
           and
           Friendship
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           how
           much
           she
           is
           obliged
           to
           his
           goodness
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           her
           Sons
           are
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           that
           carry
           a
           present
           distance
           and
           coldness
           to
           his
           Administration
           .
           And
           when
           all
           is
           done
           ,
           the
           King
           in
           this
           very
           point
           has
           but
           persued
           the
           sense
           of
           a
           Parliament
           very
           freely
           chosen
           ;
           for
           in
           that
           last
           Westminster
           Parliament
           ,
           when
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           apprehended
           their
           Dissolution
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           black
           Rod
           was
           near
           the
           door
           to
           that
           purpose
           ,
           they
           came
           to
           several
           Dying
           Votes
           ,
           as
           a
           Legacy
           of
           their
           Aversion
           to
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           their
           Court
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           dom
           ,
           among
           which
           ,
           this
           was
           not
           the
           least
           .
        
         
           Resolv'd
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             it
             is
             the
             Opinion
             of
             this
             House
             ,
             that
             the
             Prosecution
             of
             Protestant
             Dissenters
             ,
             upon
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             ,
             is
             at
             this
             time
             grievous
             to
             the
             Subject
             ,
             a
             weaking
             of
             the
             Protestant
             Interest
             ,
             an
             Encouragement
             to
             Popery
             ,
             and
             dangerous
             to
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             .
          
        
         
           If
           the
           heat
           of
           those
           times
           could
           have
           left
           those
           two
           angry
           words
           out
           ,
           it
           had
           carried
           the
           general
           Liberty
           now
           desired
           ,
           and
           nothing
           would
           have
           hindred
           it
           in
           a
           time
           like
           this
           ,
           with
           such
           a
           Parliament
           as
           that
           .
           For
           in
           the
           Raign
           of
           a
           King
           of
           a
           Popish
           Religion
           ,
           that
           we
           laboured
           so
           much
           to
           Disappoint
           ,
           to
           desire
           no
           more
           at
           our
           hands
           ,
           after
           our
           fears
           of
           so
           much
           more
           than
           a
           meer
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           indifferently
           fixed
           to
           all
           Dissenters
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           Cure
           of
           our
           Fears
           ,
           and
           an
           Assurance
           of
           all
           
           we
           can
           wish
           ,
           that
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           wanting
           to
           our selves
           in
           Wit
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           King
           in
           Gratitude
           ,
           if
           we
           reject
           the
           motion
           .
           Let
           her
           therefore
           be
           confident
           nothing
           excluded
           the
           Papists
           then
           ,
           but
           our
           Apprehentions
           
             that
             they
             strove
             for
             all
             at
             our
             Cost
          
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           are
           offer'd
           to
           be
           secur'd
           against
           such
           Jealousies
           ,
           a
           Parliament
           so
           Chosen
           ,
           would
           naturally
           comprise
           them
           .
        
         
           
             But
             you
             tell
             me
             ,
             that
             two
             things
             stick
             yet
             with
             Divers
             persons
             of
             that
             Church
             :
             One
             ,
          
           That
           it
           is
           not
           reasonable
           the
           Dissenters
           should
           expect
           that
           they
           should
           pluck
           the
           Thorn
           out
           of
           their
           foot
           to
           put
           it
           in
           their
           own
           .
           
             The
             other
          
           ,
           That
           in
           case
           the
           Penal
           Laws
           and
           Tests
           were
           removed
           by
           this
           Church-Parliament
           ,
           another
           might
           be
           packt
           that
           might
           turn
           both
           Laws
           and
           Test
           upon
           th●
           present
           Church
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           t
           is
           granted
           then
           ,
           that
           the
           Laws
           are
           a
           Thorn
           in
           the
           Foot
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           as
           just
           to
           think
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           pluck't
           out
           ,
           and
           if
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           will
           do
           nothing
           towards
           it
           ,
           are
           they
           not
           excusable
           that
           endeavour
           it
           themselves
           ?
           Tho
           when
           one
           enquires
           ,
           first
           ,
           who
           put
           the
           Thorn
           in
           ,
           and
           next
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           necessity
           that
           she
           must
           put
           it
           into
           her
           own
           Foot
           ,
           because
           she
           plucks
           it
           out
           of
           theirs
           ;
           it
           should
           not
           be
           so
           hard
           to
           perswade
           her
           to
           pluck
           it
           out
           ,
           and
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           as
           easie
           to
           fling
           it
           away
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           trouble
           no
           body
           else
           for
           the
           future
           .
           But
           that
           perhaps
           she
           thinks
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           that
           impossibility
           is
           given
           for
           the
           reason
           ,
           why
           she
           chuses
           to
           leave
           it
           where
           it
           is
           ;
           which
           naturally
           introduces
           my
           Answer
           to
           the
           second
           Objection
           viz.
           
             That
             if
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             and
             Tests
             were
             remov'd
             by
             this
             Church
             Parliament
             ,
             another
             might
             be
             packt
             which
             might
             turn
             both
             Laws
             and
             Tests
             upon
             the
             present
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           In
           my
           last
           Letter
           ,
           said
           something
           ,
           that
           ought
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           to
           satisfie
           the
           most
           jealous
           in
           this
           particular
           :
           For
           first
           ,
           all
           agree
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           Repeal
           the
           Laws
           and
           Tests
           without
           a
           
           Parliament
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           thought
           that
           the
           present
           Parliament
           will
           do
           it
           ,
           without
           such
           a
           Provision
           as
           will
           secure
           us
           in
           the
           Point
           feared
           .
           To
           say
           there
           is
           none
           ,
           is
           ridiculous
           ;
           for
           who
           can
           tell
           ,
           what
           they
           may
           think
           upon
           ,
           or
           from
           other
           heads
           ,
           what
           may
           occur
           to
           them
           ?
           If
           they
           won't
           Repeal
           them
           ,
           let
           us
           suppose
           an
           other
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           freely
           Chosen
           at
           least
           ;
           can
           we
           imagin
           that
           such
           a
           Representative
           will
           be
           less
           careful
           to
           secure
           us
           against
           our
           fears
           ,
           tho
           they
           were
           more
           inclinable
           to
           abolish
           those
           Laws
           ?
           If
           then
           both
           are
           like
           to
           go
           together
           ,
           be
           it
           by
           the
           present
           ,
           or
           another
           Parliament
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           insecurity
           that
           is
           like
           to
           follow
           ,
           either
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           her
           
             Protestant
             Dissenters
          
           ,
           who
           in
           that
           respect
           ,
           are
           equally
           concerned
           ,
           with
           her self
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           packing
           of
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           if
           that
           were
           the
           business
           and
           Design
           at
           last
           ;
           why
           is
           it
           not
           attempted
           at
           first
           ?
           Certainly
           it
           is
           so
           easie
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           King
           did
           not
           seek
           a
           more
           agreeable
           ,
           and
           lasting
           security
           to
           his
           Friends
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           a
           National
           one
           ,
           there
           are
           men
           enough
           of
           no
           Religion
           to
           be
           packt
           to
           morrow
           ,
           that
           would
           first
           conform
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           Tests
           ,
           and
           then
           mercenarily
           take
           them
           away
           .
           I
           know
           there
           are
           silly
           People
           of
           all
           Parties
           ,
           for
           whom
           no
           body
           can
           answer
           ;
           but
           ,
           t
           is
           astonishing
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           jealousie
           should
           have
           so
           much
           room
           with
           men
           of
           any
           share
           of
           sense
           ,
           
             that
             if
             this
             Parliament
             should
             Repeal
             the
             Laws
             and
             Tests
             ,
             the
             Papists
             in
             the
             next
             ,
             would
             come
             into
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             then
             make
             their
             Religion
             National
          
           at
           our
           charges
           .
           For
           ,
           First
           ,
           it
           supposes
           no
           other
           expedient
           ,
           which
           is
           easie
           to
           be
           found
           and
           obtain'd
           ,
           or
           let
           the
           other
           remain
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           it
           supposes
           that
           Roman
           Catholicks
           will
           be
           chosen
           ,
           or
           return'd
           ,
           tho
           they
           are
           not
           chosen
           ;
           The
           one
           't
           is
           certain
           we
           don't
           fear
           ,
           and
           methinks
           they
           only
           should
           be
           afraid
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           for
           since
           they
           cannot
           be
           their
           own
           security
           ,
           and
           this
           they
           declare
           ,
           by
           seeking
           a
           National
           one
           ;
           If
           the
           first
           would
           do
           ,
           why
           don't
           they
           begin
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           pack
           a
           Parliament
           presently
           ,
           
           and
           Repeal
           the
           Laws
           and
           Tests
           without
           any
           more
           to
           do
           ?
           And
           if
           they
           don't
           do
           this
           ,
           not
           because
           they
           can't
           think
           upon
           it
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           don't
           think
           it
           worth
           trying
           ,
           why
           should
           they
           attempt
           by
           such
           a
           way
           an
           harder
           thing
           ?
           for
           no
           body
           would
           take
           it
           so
           ill
           of
           them
           to
           Repeal
           the
           Laws
           that
           vex
           them
           by
           an
           Indirect
           way
           ,
           as
           they
           would
           if
           they
           went
           about
           to
           make
           their
           Religion
           National
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           think
           it
           not
           assuring
           enough
           for
           the
           lesser
           ,
           can
           they
           be
           tempted
           to
           imbrace
           it
           for
           effecting
           of
           the
           greater
           point
           .
        
         
           Some
           of
           them
           have
           read
           the
           Histories
           of
           their
           own
           Country
           ,
           and
           can't
           but
           remember
           ,
           that
           in
           times
           ,
           even
           of
           their
           own
           Religion
           ,
           Parliaments
           ill
           Chosen
           came
           to
           ill
           Ends.
           
        
         
           
             That
             the
             twenty
             first
             of
          
           Richard
           
             the
             second
             Repeal'd
             the
             Acts
             of
             the
             Parliament
             of
             the
             eleven
             of
             the
             same
             King
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             first
             of
          
           Henry
           
             the
             fourth
             ,
             Repealed
             the
             twenty
             first
             of
          
           Richard
           
             the
             second
             :
             And
             that
             the
             thirty
             ninth
             of
          
           Henry
           
             the
             sixth
             ,
             Repealed
             the
             Laws
             of
             the
             38th
             of
             the
             same
             King
             ,
             &
             Damn'd
             that
             Parliament
             ,
             because
             VNDULY
             Elected
          
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           packing
           meant
           in
           the
           Objection
           :
           So
           that
           't
           is
           not
           worth
           while
           to
           attempt
           it
           .
           If
           such
           a
           Parliament
           could
           be
           Immortal
           ,
           or
           were
           able
           to
           Charm
           successive
           Raigns
           ,
           or
           were
           not
           a
           violation
           of
           the
           Constitution
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           of
           one
           of
           the
           tenderest
           points
           in
           our
           Government
           ,
           or
           did
           not
           break
           faith
           with
           mankind
           ,
           when
           most
           obliged
           to
           make
           a
           straight
           step
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           this
           ,
           
             treasure
             up
             wrath
             against
             the
             day
             of
             wrath
             upon
             the
             whole
             Party
             ,
          
           which
           must
           dawn
           at
           the
           setting
           of
           our
           present
           King
           ,
           it
           were
           something
           :
           but
           when
           all
           this
           will
           follow
           ,
           as
           certain
           as
           the
           Night
           does
           the
           Day
           ,
           To
           break
           all
           bounds
           of
           Law
           ,
           and
           go
           by
           open
           Force
           ,
           were
           an
           honest
           and
           wise
           thing
           to
           such
           a
           wooden
           Invention
           of
           Law
           ,
           as
           this
           would
           be
           to
           all
           men
           living
           of
           common
           sence
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Ages
           that
           shall
           follow
           us
           ,
           who
           of
           right
           ,
           will
           have
           the
           censuring
           of
           our
           Actions
           .
           What
           then
           is
           left
           us
           ,
           but
           to
           embrace
           this
           Gracious
           tender
           ,
           and
           all
           Parties
           to
           meet
           the
           King
           in
           
           those
           methods
           ,
           that
           are
           most
           likely
           to
           establish
           it
           with
           the
           greatest
           ,
           satisfaction
           and
           certainty
           ?
        
         
           If
           no
           other
           security
           can
           be
           had
           ,
           I
           say
           then
           ,
           let
           this
           that
           is
           ,
           remain
           ,
           if
           there
           may
           be
           such
           a
           thing
           ,
           why
           should
           we
           not
           imbrace
           it
           ?
           The
           Church
           of
           England
           disclaims
           Severity
           and
           Partiality
           ,
           then
           let
           her
           part
           with
           those
           Instruments
           of
           both
           ,
           and
           not
           suspect
           the
           shaking
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           Property
           ,
           for
           stopping
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           Laws
           
             that
             undermine
             it
          
           .
           I
           leave
           one
           Consideration
           with
           her
           ,
           and
           so
           shall
           leave
           you
           at
           this
           time
           ▪
           Let
           nothing
           that
           is
           Vnfair
           ,
           or
           Indirect
           lie
           at
           her
           Door
           ,
           I
           beg
           her
           ,
           for
           Gods
           sake
           .
           Ought
           she
           to
           differ
           thus
           with
           any
           body
           ?
           and
           less
           with
           such
           a
           King
           ,
           upon
           a
           point
           she
           cannot
           maintain
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           better
           left
           then
           kept
           ,
           take
           the
           Question
           ,
           either
           as
           to
           Right
           or
           Prudence
           ?
           I
           will
           not
           be
           very
           particular
           ,
           but
           enough
           to
           make
           way
           for
           a
           fuller
           discourse
           on
           the
           Subject
           .
        
         
           The
           Tests
           ,
           the
           chief
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           only
           thing
           in
           debate
           ,
           have
           they
           any
           Foundation
           in
           our
           Constitution
           ?
           Should
           a
           Mans
           being
           of
           any
           Religion
           ,
           hinder
           him
           from
           serving
           the
           Country
           of
           his
           Birth
           ?
           Does
           his
           going
           to
           a
           Conventicle
           naturally
           unqualifie
           him
           for
           a
           Constables
           Staff
           ?
           or
           believing
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           render
           him
           uncapable
           of
           being
           a
           good
           Clark
           ?
           It
           were
           as
           reasonable
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           for
           a
           Phanatick
           to
           be
           a
           good
           Shoomaker
           ,
           or
           a
           Papist
           a
           good
           Tayler
           .
           The
           very
           Notion
           is
           Comical
           ,
           And
           that
           must
           ever
           be
           the
           Consequence
           of
           going
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           serving
           the
           Publick
           with
           such
           a
           Byass
           to
           a
           Party
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           the
           softest
           way
           of
           speaking
           of
           the
           Error
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           we
           consider
           the
           Test
           in
           Relation
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           where
           the
           Objection
           lies
           strongest
           against
           the
           Repeal
           ,
           it
           appears
           not
           one
           jot
           less
           unreasonable
           to
           continue
           it
           :
           For
           an
           Opinion
           of
           Religion
           is
           made
           to
           deprive
           a
           Peer
           of
           the
           highest
           Right
           of
           his
           Peerage
           :
           True
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           totally
           Destroyed
           ,
           but
           he
           's
           Gelt
           of
           his
           chiefest
           Priviledge
           .
           For
           tho
           he
           looses
           not
           his
           Title
           ,
           he
           has
           little
           else
           left
           him
           ,
           Can
           the
           Peers
           of
           England
           to
           
           serve
           a
           turn
           ,
           so
           mutely
           suffer
           a
           President
           to
           continue
           ,
           that
           shakes
           their
           hereditary
           share
           in
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           so
           essential
           a
           part
           of
           our
           ancient
           &
           celebrate
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           't
           is
           made
           impossible
           to
           have
           an
           unconcerned
           House
           in
           Judgment
           ?
           Let
           us
           but
           look
           back
           to
           
             Seventy
             Five
          
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           was
           done
           then
           ,
           by
           divers
           Lords
           ,
           in
           a
           case
           of
           this
           nature
           ;
           I
           will
           but
           repeat
           the
           Test
           and
           their
           Protest
           .
        
         
           I
           A.
           B.
           do
           declare
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           not
           Lawfull
           ,
           upon
           any
           pretence
           whatsoever
           ,
           to
           take
           up
           Armes
           against
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           do
           abhor
           that
           Trayterous
           Position
           of
           taking
           Arms
           by
           His
           Authority
           against
           His
           Person
           ,
           or
           against
           those
           that
           are
           commission'd
           by
           Him
           in
           pursuance
           of
           such
           Commission
           ;
           And
           I
           do
           swear
           that
           I
           will
           not
           at
           any
           time
           endeavour
           the
           Alteration
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           either
           in
           Church
           or
           State
           ,
           so
           help
           me
           God.
           
        
         
           The
           debate
           lasted
           Five
           several
           days
           before
           it
           was
           committed
           to
           a
           Committee
           of
           the
           whole
           House
           ,
           which
           hardly
           ever
           happened
           to
           any
           Bill
           before
           :
           The
           Debates
           ,
           were
           managed
           chiefly
           by
           the
           Lords
           ,
           whole
           Names
           you
           will
           find
           to
           the
           following
           Protestation
           .
        
         
           We
           whose
           Names
           are
           under
           Written
           being
           Peers
           of
           this
           Realm
           ,
           do
           according
           to
           our
           Rights
           and
           the
           ancient
           Vsage
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           declare
           that
           the
           Question
           having
           been
           put
           ,
           whether
           the
           Bill
           (
           entituled
           an
           Act
           to
           prevent
           the
           danger
           which
           may
           arise
           from
           Persons
           disafftected
           to
           the
           Government
           )
           doth
           so
           far
           intrench
           upon
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           This
           House
           ;
           that
           it
           ought
           therefore
           to
           be
           cast
           out
           .
           It
           being
           resolved
           in
           the
           Negative
           ,
           We
           do
           humbly
           conceive
           that
           any
           Bill
           which
           imposeth
           an
           Oath
           upon
           the
           Peers
           with
           a
           Penalty
           ,
           as
           this
           doth
           that
           upon
           the
           refusal
           of
           that
           Oath
           ,
           
             They
             shall
          
           be
           made
           uncapable
           of
           Sitting
           and
           Voting
           in
           this
           House
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           unpresidented
           in
           former
           Times
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           ,
           in
           Our
           .
           humble
           Opinion
           ,
           THE
           
           HIGHEST
           INVASION
           OF
           THE
           LIBERTIES
           AND
           PRIVILEDGES
           OF
           THE
           PEERAGE
           ,
           that
           possibly
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           most
           destructive
           of
           the
           Freedom
           ,
           which
           they
           ought
           to
           enjoy
           as
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           because
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           Sitting
           and
           Voting
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           is
           an
           Honor
           they
           have
           BY
           BIRTH
           ,
           and
           a
           Right
           so
           INHERANT
           IN
           THEM
           ,
           AND
           INSEPARABLE
           FROM
           THEM
           ,
           AS
           THAT
           NOTHING
           CAN
           TAKE
           IT
           AWAY
           ,
           but
           what
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           must
           withal
           ,
           take
           away
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           
             their
             Blood
          
           ;
           upon
           which
           ground
           we
           do
           here
           enter
           our
           Dissent
           from
           that
           Vote
           ,
           and
           our
           Protestation
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Buckingham
          
           
             Bridgwater
          
           
             Winchester
          
           
             Salisbury
          
           
             Bedford
          
           
             Dorset
          
           
             Aylisbury
          
           
             Bristol
          
           
             Denbigh
          
           
             Pagitt
          
           
             Holles
          
           
             Peter
          
           
             Howard
             
               E.
               of
            
             Berks
          
           
             Mohun
          
           
             Stamford
          
           
             Hallifax
          
           
             Delamer
          
           
             Eure
          
           
             Shaftsbury
          
           
             Clarendon
          
           
             Grey
             Roll.
             
          
           
             Say
             &
             Seal
          
           
             Wharton
          
        
         
           To
           say
           nothing
           here
           of
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Test
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           from
           the
           extent
           of
           their
           Argument
           ,
           they
           were
           against
           
             all
             Tests
          
           that
           depriv'd
           Peers
           of
           this
           fundamental
           Right
           of
           Peerage
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           could
           ,
           in
           their
           opinion
           ,
           do
           it
           ,
           but
           such
           crimes
           as
           tainted
           their
           Blood
           and
           took
           away
           their
           lives
           .
           I
           know
           not
           if
           those
           living
           are
           still
           of
           that
           minde
           ,
           but
           the
           honour
           I
           have
           for
           their
           Understanding
           and
           Integrity
           forbid
           me
           to
           doubt
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           pray
           Suffer
           me
           to
           turn
           the
           Tables
           ,
           and
           ask
           our
           Church-men
           one
           Question
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           their
           Fears
           ;
           Can
           the
           King
           
             makes
             Lords
          
           ,
           and
           
             pack
             an
             House
             of
             Commons
          
           ,
           that
           shall
           first
           take
           ,
           and
           then
           abolish
           the
           Test
           ?
           Why
           then
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           
           so
           great
           a
           security
           as
           they
           imagin
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           hardly
           worth
           while
           to
           be
           so
           stiff
           to
           support
           it
           .
           But
           by
           the
           same
           reason
           that
           they
           can
           Repeal
           this
           ,
           they
           may
           Enact
           another
           ,
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           may
           not
           the
           House
           of
           Peers
           be
           quickly
           another
           set
           of
           Men
           ?
           For
           that
           Fire
           that
           Rosts
           a
           Goose
           can
           Rost
           a
           Gander
           .
           What
           Tides
           are
           these
           in
           Government
           ?
           and
           what
           State
           is
           safe
           ,
           or
           happy
           ,
           whose
           Foundations
           float
           upon
           such
           movable
           measures
           ?
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Lords
           intended
           to
           be
           made
           the
           example
           of
           our
           Power
           in
           this
           affair
           ,
           were
           generally
           observed
           to
           be
           some
           of
           the
           steadiest
           and
           best
           Voters
           upon
           all
           Questions
           that
           concern'd
           our
           Publick
           Right
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           done
           with
           this
           .
           T'other
           part
           of
           my
           Consideration
           is
           the
           other
           part
           of
           our
           Parliament
           ,
           the
           
             House
             of
             Commons
          
           I
           mean.
           
        
         
           And
           here
           we
           are
           taught
           to
           believe
           ,
           
             the
             Peoples
             choice
             is
             the
             Representatives
             Authority
          
           ;
           and
           if
           that
           be
           true
           ,
           it
           is
           somewhat
           hard
           to
           imagine
           which
           way
           they
           can
           hinder
           a
           man
           from
           Session
           that
           the
           People
           have
           freely
           chosen
           .
           I
           grant
           ,
           that
           where
           Competitors
           have
           made
           an
           Election
           disputable
           ,
           the
           final
           Judgment
           is
           in
           the
           Representative
           Body
           ;
           but
           I
           cannot
           comprehend
           how
           that
           House
           can
           ever
           make
           void
           an
           undisputed
           Election
           ,
           and
           such
           is
           a
           free
           choice
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           of
           any
           County
           or
           Borrough
           ;
           and
           yet
           that
           is
           the
           very
           business
           of
           the
           Test
           of
           
             Seventy
             Eight
          
           .
           For
           if
           I
           believe
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           I
           cannot
           possibly
           fit
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           let
           my
           Election
           ,
           Ability
           ,
           Integrity
           be
           what
           they
           will.
           In
           this
           matter
           ,
           let
           us
           lay
           aside
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           look
           beyond
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           like
           English-men
           ,
           jealous
           of
           our
           Rights
           ;
           for
           here
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           Snake
           in
           the
           Grass
           ;
           what
           !
           shall
           Opinion
           give
           rule
           to
           our
           Properties
           ,
           and
           (
           like
           Daniels
           King
           )
           
             change
             Times
             and
             Laws
             at
             Pleasure
             ?
          
        
         
           There
           is
           nothing
           more
           miserable
           in
           Government
           then
           that
           it
           must
           alter
           with
           Religious
           Opinion
           ,
           which
           yet
           we
           are
           not
           
           assur'd
           men
           shall
           not
           change
           ,
           and
           that
           often
           in
           an
           Age.
           I
           say
           ,
           this
           does
           not
           Rest
           at
           Transubstantiation
           (
           tho
           if
           it
           did
           ,
           and
           it
           were
           not
           just
           ,
           't
           were
           no
           argument
           to
           a
           good
           man
           )
           The
           same
           Power
           that
           is
           assumed
           in
           that
           case
           ,
           may
           make
           a
           Test
           of
           what
           it
           pleases
           ,
           and
           a
           Mans
           Dissent
           ,
           a
           reason
           of
           Exclusion
           from
           Session
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           let
           not
           this
           be
           .
        
         
           We
           usually
           say
           ,
           no
           Stream
           rises
           higher
           then
           its
           Fountain
           ,
           and
           whether
           this
           sort
           of
           Testing
           be
           not
           an
           Inversion
           of
           the
           natural
           Current
           of
           Power
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           for
           English-men
           to
           deliberate
           :
           Nay
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           a
           breach
           of
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           :
           For
           if
           those
           whom
           the
           People
           chuse
           ,
           the
           Representatives
           may
           reject
           ,
           for
           a
           reason
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           Civil
           Government
           can
           be
           none
           ,
           the
           Electors
           and
           Elected
           must
           needs
           be
           Divided
           ,
           in
           that
           the
           one
           makes
           void
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           tho
           it
           be
           that
           by
           which
           the
           first
           House
           of
           Commons
           sat
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           natural
           Authority
           of
           every
           House
           of
           Commons
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           ,
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           can
           cure
           this
           mischief
           better
           than
           a
           due
           consideration
           of
           the
           true
           nature
           of
           things
           :
           What
           properly
           falls
           under
           our
           Cognizance
           ,
           and
           what
           not
           ;
           and
           then
           to
           adapt
           proper
           and
           sutable
           means
           to
           the
           just
           ends
           we
           aim
           at
           :
           For
           if
           the
           major
           vote
           in
           things
           not
           to
           be
           voted
           ,
           could
           give
           any
           weight
           or
           Sanction
           ,
           't
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           the
           Jews
           were
           too
           much
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           when
           they
           cryed
           ,
           
             we
             have
             a
             Law
             ,
             and
             by
             our
             Law
             he
             ought
             to
             Dye
             ,
          
           however
           ,
           upon
           these
           Principles
           ,
           nothing
           is
           plainer
           than
           that
           every
           Martyr
           was
           
             felo
             de
             se
          
           ,
           and
           Dyed
           a
           Malefactor
           instead
           of
           a
           Saint
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           then
           be
           deliver'd
           of
           all
           Tests
           that
           run
           not
           on
           the
           side
           of
           the
           old
           Government
           of
           England
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           must
           have
           a
           Test
           ,
           I
           shall
           pray
           that
           it
           may
           be
           translated
           from
           TRANSUBSTANTIATION
           to
           PERSECUTION
           .
           
             That
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             no
             Man
             shall
             propose
             or
             consent
             to
             any
             thing
             in
             Government
             within
             this
             Kingdom
             ,
             that
             may
             infringe
             the
             Conscience
             or
             
             Property
             of
             any
             man
             in
             it
          
           ;
           for
           upon
           that
           ancient
           Policy
           our
           Government
           began
           ;
           and
           let
           the
           
             Excommunication
             and
             Anathama
          
           of
           the
           Government
           pass
           upon
           that
           Offender
           ,
           to
           his
           
             perpetual
             civil
             Damnation
          
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           say
           no
           more
           to
           you
           now
           ,
           what
           ever
           I
           may
           do
           at
           another
           time
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           use
           the
           utmost
           of
           your
           endeavours
           ,
           to
           promote
           Piety
           and
           Charity
           :
           And
           as
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           with
           all
           imaginable
           softness
           ,
           you
           strive
           to
           oblige
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           to
           an
           impartial
           Consideration
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           so
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           you
           advise
           all
           Dissenters
           to
           Govern
           themselves
           towards
           those
           Gentlemen
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           this
           Liberty
           ,
           with
           a
           decent
           and
           friendly
           Behaviour
           :
           Who
           knows
           ,
           but
           that
           Conduct
           ,
           with
           a
           little
           Time
           ,
           may
           give
           them
           that
           sight
           of
           their
           Interest
           ,
           and
           dispose
           them
           to
           those
           Compliances
           ,
           which
           may
           end
           this
           present
           mis-understanding
           in
           the
           happiest
           civil
           Union
           ,
           that
           any
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           were
           ever
           blest
           with
           .
           God
           of
           his
           Infinite
           Mercy
           grant
           us
           this
           great
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           his
           Grace
           to
           use
           it
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
         
           
             Once
             more
             ,
             yours
             ,
             with
             all
             my
             Heart
             ,
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .