AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE PRESENT FEARS AND JEALOUSIES OF THE NATION.  
By an Impartial Hand.  
With Approbation.  
LONDON, Printed by R. E. at the Seven Stars in Ave-Mary-Lane, 1679.   

AN ANTIDOTE, etc.  
When I consider the present Condition of this Nation, the seditious endeavours of our Enemies of all sorts, the slanderous Reports in City and Country, and the strange Jealousies which men of corrupt and wicked designs foment, to the great disquieting of our minds, and to the prejudice of the Religious and unspotted Intentions of a most Gracious King, I judge it not unseasonable to offer to the Public these few Lines, as well to prevent the mischiefs of discontent and seditious fears, as to encourage all persons to those duties, and that Loyal behaviour, which our Heavenly Profession, and our Worldly Interest, require from us; and the rather I have been persuaded to this attempt, because there are such numbers every where of men, of divers Principles and Designs, busily employed in undermining the Nations Tranquillity, by labouring to alienate the People's Affections from their Superiors, by aspersing his wisest Proceed and Actions, and by spreading abroad the dangerous Seeds of Distrust, Suspicions, and Rebellion; chief in this juncture of time, since the Discovery of the Popish Plot; now that men's minds are apt to take ill impressions, the Malice of some is unsufferable in divulging the greatest Improbabilities, which nevertheless have ill Effects and Consequences attending them. It is not long since we have smarted under the woeful Sequels of such Unchristian Practices, which should oblige all men of reason to be cautious how they entertain and give encouragement to any thing that may lessen the Reverence to Government, or divert us from our Duty; for let the Idolaters of Liberty say what they will, a Kingdom can never flourish whiles Authority is disrespected; and a Government is never safe when People give themselves the liberty to cast all manner of abuses upon the lawful Governors. The contempt of Laws is the next door to Rebellion; and the Slanders fastened unjustly upon those that execute them, are near akin to Murder and Assassination. If the tongue wounds the Name, the Hand will scarce spare the Person, if opportunity were offered; and the rather we should take heed how we entertain, or are instrumental in spreading abroad ill Reports of the Sacred Persons of our Governors, or of their Government, because we see confirmed to us, that this is the Method which their Enemies and ours observe to bring us to our ruin. That we may therefore better secure ourselves from such dreadful Calamities hereafter, and now from the wicked impressions of disaffected Persons, that we may quiet the Clamours and Fears of jealous Souls, and encourage men to a right esteem and respect of our truly Religious King, and to the duties that tend to his preservation and ours, from the Fury and Malice of our irreconcilable Enemies: I shall first give my Reader a short Narrative of several Instances observable in our Prince's Reign, of his love to his People, of his gracious Disposition, and of his sincerity and care in the preservation of the Protestant Religion: 2. I shall examine what Duties our own interest, and the present condition of the Nation, in relation to our Enemies abroad and at home require from us.  
Never any Prince hath suffered more from Rebellious Subjects than ours; never any more disobliged, and more cruelly handled. By the late Civil Wars he was driven out of all his Inheritance, forced to seek for shelter in Foreign Nations, after that he had seen his Royal Father barbarously murdered, his Nobles and faithful Servants massacred, his Friends and Relations persecuted, and their Estates sequestered, and yet never any more merciful to his greatest Enemies. When God was pleased to restore his Sacred Majesty to his Throne and Kingdoms, and with him Religion and Peace, how gracious hath he shown himself to his fiercest Persecutors. He hath not diminished any thing of their Estates, who endeavoured to take all from him. He hath not attempted upon their Lives, who laboured to deprive him of his: Nay in all his Majesty's Actings, in relation to public or private concerns, since his happy Restauration, we may all take notice of his rare and Christian disposition, and of his constant endeavours to oblige the Nation. At his first appearance upon the Throne of England, of his own accord he granted a General Act of Oblivion, to silence all our fears, to stop the mouth of our Jealousies, to prevent the active malice of some men, to secure our lives and fortunes, to heal up all National Wounds which had been bleeding too long, and settle that Peace and Tranquillity which we have enjoyed at home ever since. His just resentment might have taken notice of those who had enriched themselves with the Plunder of his people, and the Spoils of his Imperial Crown: The laws of retaliation would have justified the Sequestration of the Sequestrator's ill-gotten Goods; but his majesty's Wisdom and Goodness smothered all his Displeasures in a gracious Pardon, and gave, to the peace and quietness of h●● People, those Estates and Riches which he might have justly and lawfully taken to himself by a due Execution of Justice. He was content to lose the great advantages which Divine Providence put into his hands, out of a special regard to the good of the Nation, and, in Imitation of his Royal Father, (that courageous Martyr) act in this occasion more like a good Christian, than like a powerful King.  
Amongst all the Princes mentioned in holy or profane Literature, I find none so gracious, so merciful, and so ready to forgive offences, as ours hath been: I find none more provoked by the Cruelty and Rebellion of his Subjects, and none so willing to spare the lives of Offenders. Augustus' the Emperor, in whose peaceable Reign the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus was born, was dignified by the Roman Senate with this Honourable Title, The Father of the People, because he was of an admirable disposition: But we all know how cruel his Triumvirate was, and the beginning of his Empire was stained with the blood of the Noblest Families of Rome. Vlpius Trajanus was an excellent Prince, not guilty of the extravagancies of his Predecessors, and yet he could not pardon the offences of his Subjects without a bloody Compensation. His Successor Adrianus was so merciful, that he offered his Diadem to a Noble Traitor, who had harboured the ignoble thought of murdering his Prince; yet in several occasions he gave liberty to his Passion and Revenge to spill the blood of the guilty. Likewise amongst the people of God, who more Religious and devout than David, a Man after Gods own Heart; yet his Vengeance would not suffer the grey hairs of Joah and Shimei to go down in peace to their Graves, though the latter had acted against him but with his Tongue; whereas many of this Nation, whose Hands and Tongues, if not their Hearts, have been acting against our merciful Prince, have been pardoned, suffered to enjoy their Estates in peace, protected by his Laws, and many of ability preferred and employed. Though these kindnesses have been done to private Persons and Families, and they have chief reaped the benefit of his Majesty's gracious Disposition, the whole Kingdom is thereby obliged to his Majesty, because in the forgiveness of such Offenders, he hath had an Eye to the Public good, peace and satisfaction of all his Subjects, rather than to his just Resentment. Moses was a Meek Man, yet how many hundreds and thousands were made Examples of his Justice, and God's Wrath, for their Rebellions; few or none pardoned. Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor's Name is sacred in the memories of men; he forgave his Enemies, advanced Religion, encouraged Piety, yet he imbrued his Fatherly hands in the blood of his own Son and Heir Crispus, upon the suspicion of a Rebellion. Theodosius the Emperor was a brave and an excellent Prince, yet the Inhabitants of Antioch complain of the promiscuous kill of their Citizens in the Emperor's rage. Justinian, the Lawgiver of the World, could not give Laws to his own passions, nor save Bellisanius and Narses, his two great Generals, from the cruel hands of his Empress Theodora. I might run over all the Histories of former times, from the beginning of the World to this day, and mention to you the noblest, the rarest, and most merciful Princes in foreign Nations, and in this, yet I dare affirm, and do offer myself to prove from a certain knowledge of the Histories of the World, that I may say I have perused, that there was never any King, or Sovereign Prince, neither in England, nor elsewhere, who hath been so gracious, so compassionate and merciful to his People, as our King Charles; neither hath any Reign been more free from shedding of blood; never any Government more mild and happy; never any Prince less ruled by violence and interest, nor more governed than himself, by that Sacred Maxim of his Royal Father; The settled Laws of these Kingdoms are the most excellent Rules a King can govern by.  
Where are the Widows and Orphans amongst us that can complain of the unjust murder of their Relations? Where is the Family ruined by the Confiscation of its Estate and Patrimony? Where can we meet with any particular instance of his Majesty's overruling the ordinary course of Law and Justice. Henry the VIII. and our former Kings, would sometimes give place to wrath, anger, and revenge; and their Wills sometimes took the place of Laws: But where can we meet with any such Example in our days? Where is there a person either Condemned, or Executed, or deprived of an Estate, by our Princes Command alone? Many have received their Lives and Estates from him, which had been forfeited by Law; but to this very day, none ever lost either Lives or Fortunes to gratify his Majesty's will and pleasure; even in this late wicked Plot against his Royal Person, he hath not punished any man but by course of Law.  
Is not this a happiness for all the English Subjects, for Poor and Rich, to live under such a reasonable Government, and gracious a Governor, and where Law and Equity, Justice and Conscience sway the Sceptre, where Power and the Regal Authority are never used, but in vindication, and for the execution of righteous Laws; though the Papists never intended to observe any measures of Reason, Conscience or Humanity with his Majesty's Person and People, but in a secret and private way intended to fill the Land with Assassinations and Murders; nevertheless, he observes a Legal Method, and proceeds against them by such means as are justifiable before God and Man: His Majesty delivers them over to a Court of Judicature, to have a fair Trial for their Lives; he suffers them to answer for themselves, and leaves them to an impartial Judge and Jury. In foreign Nations such Enemies of the Public Safety would have been pulled in pieces, as the De Wits; cut down and mangled by the rude Rabble, as Sejanus at Rome, and the Assassins' of the Prince of Orange, and of Henry the III. of France, and many others: They would not have had the patience to see them alive, who had resolved upon so cruel a design, as to murder the King and his People without cause: But the World sees the moderation of our English Natures, the Excellency of the Principles of our Religion, and the Justice of our King, who is willing to make his most desperate Enemies sensible of it in their own persons, without any passion, which hath never carried him to act against them, but in a regular way. And though some of them had forfeited their Estates by Law, and it had been but a piece of Justice to reduce their Posterity to poverty, who intended to make so many poor Families in this Land; yet to the Eternal praise of his Majesty be it spoken, he hath not attempted to take aught of their Estates, but hath restored since his Restauration, to the Children of many Rebels, Traitors, and Regicides, the Patrimonies belonging to their Forefathers, it is therefore a most unreasonable Aspersion, and a wicked Slander, proceeding from the Shop of Ignatius, and his bloody Jesuits, to report any thing amiss of his Majesty's most Excellent Government: As Mr. Oats hath very well taken notice, it hath been the design of those Troublers of Peace, to make us stand in fear of an Arbitrary Government; and to fasten upon his Majesty, and his proceed, the most abusive Lies: but let any man run over the passages of his good Reign, he shall have no cause to suspect what there is not the least colour to believe.  
The suspicions and jealousies in relation to Religion, are as plainly scandalous and unlikely; it is sufficiently known, how zealous his Majesty hath always been in the profession of the true Protestant Religion from his Infancy: It was the Advice of his Royal Father, Above all, I would have you, as I hope you are already, well grounded and settled in your Religion; the best Profession of which I have ever esteemed that of the Church of England: In this I charge you to persevere, as coming nearest to God's Word for Doctrine, and to the Primitive Examples for Government. According to this direction our King hath behaved himself so, that neither fear, favour, nor interest, could ever draw him from this Religion. In his Banishment his Majesty alone knows the greatness of his Trials, and we and all the World the constancy of his mind.  
Here the whole World might have seen the Religion of King Charles the II. Neither the love nor glory of a Crown, nor the honours of the World, nor the advantages of Life could prevail upon him to waver in the least from that excellent Religion and Faith, for which the King his Father spilt his blood, and which Christ and his Apostles have recommended to us; or to accept of the Popish Superstitions: And since his Majesty's return to his Honour and Dignity, which may be looked upon as a Reward of his Fidelity, as a glorious and honourable acknowledgement of Divine Providence of our Prince's faithfulness to the Profession of the true Protestant Religion, and a Testimonial from God himself of his reality in his Faith, sufficiently evidenced to all the World by the wonderful Circumstances of his happy Restauration. I say, since his Majesty's return, how many plain and undoubted Testimonies hath he given us of his sincerity in the Protestant Profession and Resolution, to maintain it in his Kingdoms against all Dissenters and Opposers. His Royal Father left him this Charge: I do require and entreat you, as your Father and you King, that you never suffer your Heart to receive the least check against, or disaffection from the true Religion established in the Church of England: I tell you, I have tried it, and after much search, and many disputes, have concluded it to be the best in the World; not only in the Community as Christian, but also in the special Notion, as reform, etc.  
Therefore as soon as he was settled by the advice of his Loyal Parliament, he restored the Orders and Government of the Church of England, which in the approved judgement of the King his Father is the best in the World, because it is the most conformable in Doctrine and Practice, to Christ, his holy Apostles, and and the Primitive Church, as he expressly declares: And to secure this most excellent Religion the better, by removing all the causes of dissension, and Obstacles that seemed to hinder such as had received contrary principles from embracing it, the King's Majesty yielded to an amendment of certain things which gave offence. What could have been desired more from generous and a gracious Prince, than was then granted in compliance with the people's weakness and mistakes? The Nation was then, through the disorders that had been in Church and State, split into many pieces, and sad divisions: men's judgements were possessed with unreconcilable Prejudices and strange Principles, in opposition to the Church of England, which they would not, nor could not speedily overcome. It was therefore judged convenient to grant them time, and yet to establish those Law as might both declare to the World His Majesty's constancy in the true Protestant Religion, and direct them that were Dissenters to embrace it. Examine but the Royal proclamations, and the Acts of Parliament, and see what they say, and it will plainly appear, that the King's Majesty never had any design, since his Coronation, nor before, but to settle, protect, favour, and maintain, according to his Royal Promise, the true Protestant Religion of the Church of England, as it was established in Queen Elizabeth's, King James', and his Martyred Father's days.  
And if not withstanding, out of his royal goodness and wisdom, the Laws against Papists were not always strictly put in Execution, it was because the necessities of the Kingdom, and the good of the Public did so require it, for the preservation of Peace, and the better settlement of the Truth. Fire and Sword are not always seasonable against Dissenters in Religion: It belongs to a King to mitigate his Laws, and suit them to Times and Cases: He is not always bound to observe them in all their rigour and exactness, neither doth such proceed consist with the general good and happiness of a Kingdom; though the surious zeal of inconsiderate Subjects may sometimes wish for the contrary. But, as in distempered Bodies the Physician doth not always observe the same Rules of his Art, nor apply the same Remedies; but changeth and altereth them according to the Diet, Humour, Pulse, Country, Air, and other Circumstances of the Patient: So it becomes a wife Prince to handle the Distempers of Church and State, in such a manner as may answer the universal good, the chief end of Government, and prevent the increase of the Disease. It is therefore a grand presumption, for every petty Fellow, and ignorant Mechanic, to exclaim against his Superiors Actions in such a case, when he is not capable to understand the great Reasons of Sat that govern them.  
Besides, the Papists did scemingly express their Duty and Allegiance to the King, out of a design as it is now supposed by some, when he was in his Banishment, when many Protestants were unable to do him service, but with their Prayers and Wishes. After his happy return, could he do any thing less than grant them some freedom under his good Government, for which many of them had taken up Arms against Rebellion? It was but just, whiles they confined their Religion within their own Breasts, and professed to live as peaceable Subjects, and quiet in their Offices and Estates, that they should reap some of the Fruits, and taste of the sweetness of that Reign, for which many of them had ventured their Lives and Fortunes. As they had a share in the sufferings, it was but just that they should have also a share in the happiness that succeeded: As they have been concerned in his Majesty's Calamity, Reason and Conscience obliged him at first to suffer them to have an Interest in his Restauration and happiness. This is sufficient to justify our King's gracious Proceed towards the Papists from all jealousy and suspicion, and to make it appear that his Grants and Allowances proceeded not from any approbation of the Popish Idolatries and Superstitions, but from a Principle of Justice; not from an allowance of their Religion and Abominations, but of their Persons, and faithfulness to him in his distress, which had obliged him in requital to show them some favour.  
And not only to them his Majesty hath given several Expressions of Royal goodness, but also to all Dissenters from the Religion of the Church of England. Though the Laws are severe against Conventicles, and Conventiclers, whiles they are peaceable and not mutinous, though their Practices are of ill consequence, and not agreeable with Law, yet so great is his condescension as to suffer them in their way, without disturbing their Meetings, according to this Christian Speech which hath been often heard from his Majesty. I will never trouble any for his Conscience, but let no Man trouble, nor disturb my Government.  
If the Papists had not plotted the Nations ruin, and agreed together to murder both Prince and People, they might have yet continued freely in the enjoyment of their Religion, and of as much privilege as they could reasonably desire under the Government of so favourable a Monarch. No person would have dreamed to disturb them in their Privacies and secret Devotions: They might have lived and died, without any fear of the Execution of the Laws, in the fruition of their Estates and Places, with as much liberty as the Protestants themselves. We all began to look upon them with kindness, to esteem them as our Brethren and good Countrymen, and to favour them in many respects: But how strangely have we been mistaken and deceived, let the World judge. However this is our comfort, that their malice and bloody designs intended against us were causeless, and without any provocation on our parts. Neither his sacred Majesty, nor any of his people did ever before give them any distaste, but in harmless Disputes; in which they had as much freedom to answer as any Protestant Divine.  
But when this hellish Plot broke out, to our great amazement, it cannot be judged unreasonable if they are restrained by Authority, and the ancient Laws revived against these new Traitors, that offer for Religion to rise in Arms against their King and Country. It cannot be thought unreasonable if their Leaders, and the Chieftains of their Rebellion be secured, that they may not put in practice those Inhuman purposes unto which they had encouraged their silly Proselytes. It cannot be thought unjust, if Governors and People require from them security for their good behaviour for the time to come, and such Oaths as may oblige them to a peaceable Behaviour, if any such there be that hath that good influence upon their wide Consciences and licentious Principles.  
His Majesty's care to prevent the mischiefs which they intended against us, our Religion, and Nation, hath been answerable to and no less than his favour and goodness to them before. Truth, this Conspiracy is so heinous, that at the first Relation it may not seem strange, if a good Prince, who is as much persuaded of his people's Affection for him, as he knows his love and mindfulness of their welfare and safety, could not easily believe it; it being so unlikely an Attempt, that Posterity may look upon this Plot, as some in our days do upon the Gun-Powder-Treason, as upon a Romantic Story, or a Politic Invention, or a State Trick, and give no more credit to it than to the Histories of Grand Cirus, or of Guy of Warwick, or of Amadis de Gaul.  
In a matter of so great a moment, it did become a Prince of Reason, Judgement, and Wisdom, to weigh the Testimonies, examine the Circumstances, and consider all particulars, before he ought to pass a determinate Sentence in this Case. But now the Evidences are as plain as the Sun, now that it appears that this Barbarity was really harboured in the breasts of some of the Popish Party; now that we see their Malice and Cruelty written with the indelible Characters of the innocent Blood of an eminent Magistrate and Martyr, whose only Crime was that he knew theirs, and their horrid Proceed; now that we see, by his unexpected Murder, what our King and People were to receive from the merciless hands of these men, who can deny it? Certainly God hath infatuated their Wicked Counsels for the good of our People, Nation, and Religion, and suffered their furious Zeal to begin one Tragedy which they intended should have acted many more. But by this Cruel Murder they have given us a clearer Prospect of their Diabolical Designs, and alarmed us all in defence of our Persons, King, and Country, against such future Inhumanities': They have hereby listed up the Mask, and shown to all the Nation the fearful Features of their disguised Religion, and declared to us all what Malice and Cruelty governs them, what Wickedness they would commit, if Power and Authority were in their hands. O Barbarous Impiety! could you offer to strike at a Breast full of tenderness and affection for your persons? Can you attempt upon a life upon which depends all our lives and fortunes? Your Inhumanity is the more inexcusable, and not to be paralleled amongst the Turks and worst of Infidels, whose Principles suffer them not to be wicked to their Benefactors.  
This Circumspection of our merciful Prince deserves our Eternal Praises, rather than the Abuses of disaffected people. Why should the Papists plot against his life, for being our Friend? This is an Injustice guilty of the most grievous folly and palpable mistakes, proceeding from Ignorance, and the not observing the great care that his Majesty hath taken to discover and prevent all the mischiefs intended against us and his Government; for, upon the first Discovery of the Plot his Majesty gave speedy Orders to his privy Council to proceed in the Examination of this great business: According to his Royal Commands they sat regularly twice every Week to sift out the matter, and when they found the truth of it by undoubted Circumstances, they sent to apprehend divers of the Conspirators; examined them severally to sift out the matter; afterwards they committed others to Custody; using in this and all other Proceed all the Care and Secrecy immaginable. All persons chief concerned or suspected were sought for; and as many as were found were sent to Prison, to be tried according to the Order of Law. It is true, our people laid not violent hands upon them: We did not tear them in pieces as they went about, nor dis-member them upon bare suspicions of Treason: We did not mangle their Bodies, nor exercise our rage upon these bloody men.  
The Proceed of our King and Council were agreeable with the Rules of Humanity, Reason, and Equity. The Malefactors were secured, and delivered over into the hands of Justice, to be treated according to the Laws of the Land. They had fair Trials for their lives; men of Conscience and Worth judged them Guilty by most undeniable Testimonies: They had liberty to answer for themselves, and to defend their own Cause: They were heard with patience and Christian moderation; and there was nothing acted against them, but was suitable to Christ's precepts and his Holy Gospel. If all the Proceed be observed, we shall find nothing more reasonable, nothing more Christian and just, than the Actions of our King and Superiors in this Case. They are sufficiently justified from all suspicions of Cruelty on one hand, and from all neglect or carlesness on the other. Can the Papists now find fault, if they are abridged in some respects from that liberty which they intended to abuse in so wicked a Plot? Can they blame our Governors, for seeking so carefully to preserve themselves, the King's Majesty, his Dignity, Government, and Religion, from their Inhumanities'? And on the other side, to satisfy all the English Subjects, let us observe the care and diligence of his Majesty, and of our Governors, to secure the nations peace from Popery and the Conspirators.  
After the Plot was fully discovered, his Majesty reinforced his Guards, and gave liberty to the Trained-Bands to stand up in their own defence; Care was also taken to secure and seize upon all suspected persons. About this time the Papists thought to have smothered the noise of the Plot, in the Death and Blood of a diligent Inquirer into their proceed, Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, whom they inhumanely murdered. When he was missing divers Reports were raised, and Slanders fastened upon him: They that were guilty of this black Crime endeavoured to make us believe the greatest Improbabilities; That he hadkilled himself, etc. But the manner of his lying, with all the Circumstances, convinced the Coroner and Jury, assisted by Chirurgeons on purpose, that he had been basely and inhumanely murdered. The boldness and desperateness of this Villainy awakened the whole Nation, and caused his Majesty immediately to send forth his Royal Proclamation, for the seeking out and finding the Actors in this Inhuman murder, commanding them to give intelligence of all such Discoveries to one of the principal Secretaries of State: For their greater encouragement, five hundred pounds were promised to them, with a Pardon, if the Discoverer were any ways guilty. I cannot here express what displeasure his Majesty received, how sensible he was at the loss of so useful a Subject, who died for his care and diligence in the Service of his Prince and Country. The Virtues and Excellency of his person, the Integrity of his Behaviour, his Goodness, Piety, Prudence, and Discretion in his Place and Calling, caused his Majesty, and all that knew him to mourn for him. But the baseness of his Murder, the Treachery of his Assassins', the Marks of their Cruelty lest upon his dead Body, called for Vengeance from man as well as from God; which every good Subject was so much the more concerned to see executed upon the bloody Butchers, in regard of their impudence, and the boldness of the Attempt, wilfully to betray and murder an innocent person, a famous Justice of Peace, in a Royal Palace; a Justice known to his Majesty by his great Services, and to all the City by his good behaviour and Religious life: To murder him within the protection of the Guards; and having carried his Body into the Fields, and cast it away as a Dog, to endeavour next to murder his Name and Reputation with vile Slanders. All these Circumstances could not but stir up the Justice of a good King, by the punishment of the Inhuman Villains, to secure other men from such like Inhumanities', and declare to all the World his sorrow, grief and displeasure for such a barbarous Act. For the better finding out of the Murderers, his Majesty caused a diligent enquiry and search to be made, summoned and commanded all his Officers and good Subjects to do the like: And when he was informed that some were willing to come in and reveal the Murder, but the fear of the Consequences, as of the revengeful hand of the Friends, or of the other Murderers, made them cautious how they endangered themselves: His Majesty, for their encouragement, by a second Proclamation, promised on the Word of a King, That if any person should speedily make discovery, he should not only receive the Reward of 500 l. and Pardon promised, but his Majesty would take such effectual care for the security of such Discoverer, as he should in reason propose. What other ways and methods could be proposed more likely to bring this Murder to light, and the wicked Varlets to their deserved punishment? They have by God's goodness proved so effectual, that this Popish act of Inhumanity, with all its Circumstances, is generally known, and fully understood. The guilty persons were secured; search, and a diligent enquiry was made for them that were fled; Green, Hill, and Berry were tried, found guilty, condemned to be hanged: Which Sentence was accordingly executed upon them; two suffered upon the 21. of Febr. Berry was Reprieved for a few days, but is now executed also.  
During his Majesty's most peaceable Reign, as he hath always expressed an abhorrency of the shedding of Innocent Blood, so he hath always been diligent and careful to see to the due execution of the Laws upon bloody-minded men, and to cause his Justice to take away the Lives of those who cannot suffer his good Subjects to live in peace. As in this occasion his Justice hath been remarkable to the whole Nation, his Piety towards God, and care for the preservation of the Protestant Religion, in other respects, have been no less visible; for considering the number, the power and devilish subtleties of our Enemies; and that therefore without God's goodness, protection, and watchfulness over us, we are in continual danger to be oppressed by our vigilant and malicious Adversaries, his Majesty by a Proclamation called upon all his good Protestant Subjects, to humble themselves before God, to ascribe to him the glory of all our Deliverances, to amend sincerely our lives, and put ourselves into such a disposition, as may reasonably expect God's protection for the time to come: A method always observed by good Kings and Princes, when their Enemies were numerous and great. Queen Hester sent to Mordecai, and the Jews, to humble themselves before God when Haman's Conspiracy was discovered and known. The King of Nineveh commanded a general and a strict Fast within his Dominions, when Jonah foretold the Judgement of God by Fire that was to consume that sinful City: And David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, and all the good Kings of Judea, took the same course to divert Gods approaching Judgements: And as their Prayers and Humiliation proved effectual, so as to prevail upon the goodness of God, and oblige to withdraw the Sword of his Justice stretched out over their heads: So likewise I hope God will forgive the great sins of this Nation, preserve his Majesty in prosperity and health, many any many years, and keep his Royal Person, and us all, from the bloody hands of all Papists.  
By the Death of Sir Edmundbury Codfrey this Plot appeared so plain, and with so many heinous and dreadful Circumstances, that every one was fully convinced of the reality of this Hellish Design; which, if not prevented in time, would have drowned us all in Rivers of our own blood. To hinder therefore all sequels of the Plot, and take from the Papists the power and opportunity of putting any part of it in execution, his Majesty on the 30th of Octob. issues out his Royal Proclamation, to command all Popish Recusants to departed from Westmin-Hall, , S. James', the Cities of London and Westminster, and not to come within ten miles of these places. By this means his Majesty hath provided for the security of his Royal Person; he hath hindered our Enemies from meeting together in numbers; he hath broke the Neck of all Popish Resolutions, Consultations, Tumults and Rebellion in the City, or near his Royal abode. And lest they should gather together in any considerable numbers in the Country, and raise there any stirs, to the disquietness of his Majesty's Subjects and Government, by another Proclamation of the 10th of Novemb. his Majesty first declares his knowledge and persuasion of the dangerous and wicked Plots and Designs of Popish Recusants against his Person and Government, tending to the subversion of the true Protestant Religion established by Law within this Realm: And then he strictly commands all his Subjects, being above the age of 16 years, if they be, or shall be lawfully Convicted, to repair to their several abodes, and not to pass above five miles from thence, upon pain that the Offenders shall lose all their Estates movable and . And because some Popish Recusants have escaped Conviction, through the Indulgence and favour of his Majesty's Officers, he is pleased to command all such as shall be reputed Popish Recusants, though not Convicted, if they obey not his Royal Orders, that they shall be punished, by tendering to them the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; and in case of a refusal, that they shall be treated according to the severity of the Laws in such cases provided. And further, if they refuse obedience to this his Majesty's Royal Commands, the Justices are ordered to signify their Contempt to my Lord Chancellor, who is appointed to take that severe course which is agreeable with the Laws, and the Public Safety: Only his Majesty out of his Royal goodness is pleased to except such as are hindered by sickness, weakness of body, imprisonment, and such as are banished ten miles from the Cities of London and Westminster.  
By this Proclamation his Majesty provides for the safety of his Subjects all over the Kingdom, and prevents the malice of the Papists from breaking out in the Country at a distance, as it intended to break out in the Bowels of the City: Therefore they are hereby confined within certain limits, and such circumspection is used, that those who are willing to disturb the Nation, shall not have the least power to effect their desires and designs.  
Though the Papists of Note and Credit are generally accused for being accessary to, and acquainted with this Conspiracy, his Majesty's Wisdom, Christian moderation and Justice, have endeavoured to secure none, but those who are apparently guilty, and against whom there are evident proofs. On the rest he lays such Injunctious and Commands, as may keep them in peace; but those he hath laboured to find out, and bring to their deserved punishments.  
And because some of them were fled, his Majesty by his Proclamation of the 20th of Novemb charges them to come in to their Trials before the 10th of Decemb. and justify themselves from the Crime laid to their Charge, of designing to destroy the King's Royal Person, subvert his Government, and root out the true Protestant Religion established by Law; His Majesty declares, if they will not surrender themselves, that they shall be declared guilty of High-Treason by Law, commanding all his Officers and Loyal Subjects to endeavour to find out, and apprehend them; and for their encouragement, his Majesty promiseth them 100 l. as a Reward. And for the better discovery of these Offenders, all Officers are commanded within their Parishes and Precincts, to take the Names of all Popish Recusants above to years of age, and to deliver a List of them to the Justices of the Peace, who are thereby ordered to send for them, and tender to them the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; and in case of a refusal, to bind them over to appear at the next Sessions of the Peace, where they are to be treated according to law.  
In the same Proclamation his Majesty gives an Express Command to all his Officers in the Country, to proceed without delay to disarm all such persons as shall refuse to take the oaths; and promiseth also ten pounds to every one who shall find any considerable quantity of Arms in the houses of any Popish Recusant, to be paid to them by the Sheriff of that County. Order is there likewise given to all Officers upon the Seacoasts, to use diligence in the taking of Popish Priests, and of other English Papists coming in or going out of the Realm, and to carry them before a Justice of the peace to take the Oaths; which if they refuse, they are to be sent to Goal, and their names to be signified to his Majesty's Privy Council, that such further course may be taken for the safety of his Majesty, and of his Government, as to his Majesty's Royal Wisdom shall be thought fit.  
The same day his majesty, having taken notice of the numbers and wicked actings of Popish Priests and Jesuits disguised within the Realm, with an intent not only to draw his Subjects from the true Protestant Religion to the Romish Idolatries, but also to set on foot divers traitorous Plots and Designs against his Majesty's Government, and the Protestant Religion, was pleased by another Proclamation to charge all Magistrates, and other Officers, to use their utmost endeavour to discovery, apprehend, and commit to safe Custody, in order to their Trials, all Popish Priests and Jesuits; and for the encouragement of every such Discoverer, his Majesty promiseth twenty pounds for every Priest or Jesuit apprehended, to be paid at the time of the Apprehension.  
The Jesuits and Popish Priests have always been the Pope's Emissaries in England, and have had a hand in all the Wars and Disturbances in the Land, since the Reformation: They have been the Spies upon our Public Peace, Tranquillity, Government, Church and State; therefore our own preservation calls upon us, to secure and treat them according to the Ancient Laws of the Realm, as our sworn Enemies, and the Disturbers of the Nations Peace. By this last Proclamation therefore, every one may see how careful his Majesty hath been to secure such wicked persons, and deliver them over to Justice, to hinder all their evil designs and purposes, and defend his Subjects Lives, Religion, and Estates, from this and all other damnable Conspiracies.  
And because in all Plots of this nature, when the chief Actors are either silent, or not apprehended, there remains something secret which cannot easily come to light, for the better discovering of such things, and the whole Design, with all its heinous and criminal circumstances, his Majesty was pleased, on the 27th of Novemb. by another Proclamation, to declare and promise, That if any person would come in, and make any further discovery of the late horrid Design against his Majesty's Sacred Person Government, before the fifth day of December, he should have as a Reward a full Pardon, either for being guilty thereof, or for the concealment, and two hundred pounds in Money for such a discovery.  
Here are Rewards and Punishments, Promises and Threaten, much vigilancy, circumspection, and care employed by his most Excellent Majesty, to secure us and our Religion from the wicked designs of our Popish Enemies: Nothing that Wisdom or Prudence can suggest, hath been omitted for the Public safety: And because the Jesuits Policy hath always invited over into their Schools, and Seminaries several gentlemen's Children, under a pretence of a better and a more speedy Education, and a greater Proficiency in Learning, but purposely to infect them with their Popish Principles and Religion, to the great prejudice of the Nation, as well as to the ruin of such poor Souls, his Majesty hath been pleased strictly to forbid such Transportation for the time to come, because these Persons, when they are grown up to years of understanding, and have learned their Lesson perfectly, they are sent back into England, as Sapho's Parrots and Birds were amongst the Woods and Caves of Africa, upon the same Errand, to proclaim that the Pope he is God. These Persons are dangerous to Religion and the Public safety, for they are like Sampson's Foxes, they spread the Fire every where in this Field of England; they borrow from beyond the Seas that subtlety, which together with the courage and strength of Resolution, natural to our Nation, renders them the most fiery and desperate Enemies of our Religion and Government, and carries them to the boldest Attempts against the Lives of our Kings and Princes: Of this number were Pool, Campian, Garnet, Piercy, Catesby, and others of the same Principles.  
To prevent such Evils for the time to come, and hinder our English Gentry from Popish and Jesuitical Infection, the King's Majesty sent out his Proclamation on the 8th of January, to command home all such young persons as are in foreign Seminaries, and their Parents or Guardians to send for them speedily, promising his gracious Pardon for their former offence, if they return according to his Majesty's Order; forbidding, for the future, any such persons to be sent into those Foreign Schools of Papists, and their Parents and Guardians to send them any relief: Besides, his Majesty declares in this Proclamation; That he expects due obedience to this Command, and that such as shall disobey shall be punished according to Law, as well as deserve his high displeasure.  
Here are several Proclamations in which all the ways and methods that can be imagined, to prevent the growth, the machinations and wicked designs of Popery, are carefully observed. All that may or can conduce to the settlement and security of the Protestant Religion, and the present Government is established and commanded. The Papists are banished from Court, disarmed in the Country, confined to their Dwellings, bound to their good behaviour; their Children are commanded away from Popish Schools, their Priests and Jesuits are sought for and imprisoned, penalties and rewards are promised and threatened for to encourage the Execution of the Laws. What greater Testimony of his Majesty's Sincerity to our Religion, and care of our Welfare, can we wish for? What means more effectual could be employed for that good purpose? What other Orders and Commands can we imagine seasonable and sit to secure ourselves from Papists or Popery? But if these Commands and Proclamations have not met with an exact obedience in all respects and in all parts of the Land, I suppose it is the fault of some private Officers, who prefer their Obligations to, and intimacy with Papists, to the performance of their Prince's Orders, and a due obedience to his Commands. I am persuaded no reasonable people can justly desire from a good King greater assurances of his reality in the Protestant Profession, and of his resolution to maintain it, than we have always had. In his Majesty's most gracious Speech, on the 9th of Novemb. to the Lords and Commons when his Majesty went to thank them for their care of his safety, and preservation in these times of danger; he assures them, That he studies as much their preservation, and promiseth to join with them in all the ways and means that may establish a firm security of the Protestant Religion according to their hearts desire. In his time his Majesty tells them that they need not sear, but for the time to come he promiseth to concur with them readily in all Bills and Acts which they will present for the security of their Persons and Religion, and desires them to think of some more effectual means for the Conviction of Popish Recusants. In the conclusion his Majesty declares, That he is ready to do any thing that may give comfort and satisfaction to all his dutiful and Loyal Subjects.  
In these words his Majesty's Royal Sincerity and candour in Religion appears as clear as the Sun in its splendour; and no reasonable Person can desire greater Evidences of his care of his people's safety, of his resolution to maintain the Protestant Profession, and to keep Popery out of this Land, than his Majesty hath lately given us.  
Likewise at the Prorogation of the last Parliament his Majesty was pleased to tell them, That he would immediately enter upon disbanding the Army, and that he would let all the World see that there was nothing that he intended but for the good of the Kingdom, and for the safety of Religion; That he would prosecute this Plot, and find out who were the Instruments in it. And in the Conclusion his Majesty promised, That he would take all the care that lay in his Power for the security of Religion, and the maintenance of it as it is now established.  
To the same purpose his Majesty declares in his gracious Speech to both houses of Parliament lately assembled, That for the public good, and satisfaction of all his Subjects, he had done many great things.  
Again, in order to our safety, his Majesty in that Speech offers to confirm any new Law which they shall think seasonable or necessary for the securing of the Kingdom against Popery: and assures them, That with his life his Majesty will defend the protestant Religion, and the Laws of this Kingdom.  
By these Gracious Words and Promises this wife and Loyal Parliament is encouraged to act in order for their own security as vigoously as they can. What now can any Prince say or do more in such a case as this? He hath endeavoured to secure Religion from Domestic Plots, and Foreign Attempts: He hath set all Engines at work, and made it his whole and chief business to provide for our good, welfare, security, and the happiness of the Kingdom, according to the pious and Religious Examples of the Royal Martyr, his Majesty's Father, and of King James his Grandfather, under whose Governments these Kingdoms and true Religion have long flourished in Peace, and would never possibly have been so much disturbed with Wars, Tumults, and Civil Dissensions, had it not been for the Jesuits that thrust themselves amongst us. King James was sensible of their dangerous proceed, therefore he enacted against them most wholesome and just Laws, which caused them to attempt often upon his Sacred Life. For our late Royal Martyr, we know by whom he was condemned to die, before that Arch-traitor and Usurper Oliver and his Butchers brought him to his Trial. The most noble Family of the Stuarts, it seems, is not sit for their unjust and superstitious purposes; they have been the nursing Fathers of God's true Church amongst us; they have defended Religion against their Idolatries with their Swords, Pens, and Blood; their noble and generous minds cannot stoop to acknowledge any other Superior but God; they will not yield to their cruel purposes; therefore these wicked Traitors have always laboured to cut off that most Religious Family: There can be no greater Testimony of our King being a true Protestant, than this, that the Pope and his Papists have declared him to be their Enemy, and have sought to destroy him who is God's Anointed, and the best of princes.  
By these wicked Designs, and restless endeavours, the Papists have from time to time drawn upon themselves the hatred of the English People, angered the Governors of the Church and State, and obliged them to enact Laws against them, to restrain them from that Liberty which a great part of them never knew how to use with moderation and discretion in this Land.  
Their Proceed and Attempts are not only disconsonant with the peaceable temper and blessed Rules of Christ's Religion, but so barbarous and inhuman, that we may justly wonder what spirit of madness possesseth their Souls; what cruel Devil prompts them to such Actions, and makes them forget all sense of Humanity: The settlement of their Religion, which is their ordinary pretence to excuse their Tragedies, may blind the Consciences of Fools; but Men of any reason may perceive a Human not a Divine End of their Villainies: The Pope, and Court of Rome, whose Agents the Jesuits are, care as little for the Salvation of English Souls, as it seems, they do for their Bodies. Were this Island a barren and a fruitless place, they would never take the pains to seek to subdue this Nation; but they are longing to finger again the Peterpences, the Annates, the First fruits, the Revenues, and dispose of the sat Benefices of this Land: This is their aim and end: To come to it they set all Engines a work, and dread not to spill Rivers of innocent Blood. But did but the English Subjects, that are Papists, and so forward and zealous to promote their Catholic Cause, know the weight and unsufferable burden of the Pope's Keys, did they but call to mind the Tyranny and baseness of the former Popes in England, and the Groans of our English Nation when Popery had the Command, they would never be such Fools to sacrifice their lives to bring their Native Country to so great a Bondage, which our Forefathers could never bear: Is it not a madness for them that have a good King of their own, and a lawful Authority appointed by God over them, to strive to murder him, and all his Generation, and set up a Pope, an Italian, a Stranger, who never intends to Reign amongst us in Person, but to govern us by his Cardinals and proud Legates, and who will give to them the least share of their Country, when in his hands? Is it not a strange madness, for Natives of England to seek to enthral their Country to a Foreign Power, and the pleasure of an Enemy? Have they no other way to exercise their undaunted Courages, but by massacring their Brethren and Kinsfolks, for the Lust and benefit of Imperious Italians, or Frenchmen? Must Religion be the Cloak for this Villainy and Madness? God, whose Power and Providence have preserved this Church, and our Princes from barbarous designs of Roman Murderers, will I hope defend the Person and Life of our Pious, Gracious, Merciful, and Christian King, from all Popish Conspiracies. I pray God to awaken all Christian Princes into a sense of the Popish Usurpations, that they may shake off all the Fetters of this Italian Thraldom, the Bolts and Chains of the Pope's Bondage.  
There is an old Prophecy amongst the Papists, which I have heard from some of their Doctors in the Schools, That an Englishman shall take the City of Rome, dissolve the Roman Church, and put a period to the Papacy. It is certain, from the 17th and 18th Chapters of the Revelations, that there is a time when God will bring that proud City to ruin, and treat her in the same manner as she hath treated other Nations; who knows but God may raise up some brave Soul that may endeavour to free the World, and all Nations from so great a Plague, and set at liberty so many Christian Princes, that scarce dare think of delivering themselves, for fear of a Ravailack, a Stab, or a Cup of Poison? who knows but that Providence may pitch upon, and Commission a Native of this Land to punish Rome for her Murders, Burn, and Villainies committed by her Emissaries in our Cities, more than in any under the Sun. I am certain this agrees with the methods of God's proceed in the World, as well as with his holy Word; for in former Ages, the overthrow of Empires have been commonly brought to pass, by those Nations who have been most afflicted and distressed by them, in the times of their prosperity.  
In the mean while, as our good King hath been, and is yet vigilant and careful to protect us, our Religion, and Country, from ruin and destruction; and he neglects no labour, spares no cost, declines no trouble nor pains for the general good of his People, for their safety, honour, and interest, I think we are obliged by all the reason of the World, to make him some Returns, to assist him in so pious a work, as the Establishment of Religion, and the security of the English Nation, and to demean ourselves as thankful and dutiful Subjects. I shall not here mind you of the Commands of God, nor heap together passages of Scripture that tell us, that we must be subject to the Powers, because there is no Power but of God; that they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation; that we must obey for Conscience sake; that we must love, honour, and respect him as God's Vicegerent, etc. I shall only mind my Reader, what the present posture of Affairs, in relation to our own good, and his Majesty's vigilancy and care in providing for our safety, require from us; and what present Obligations we lie under, to perform those things which both our Interest and Duty demand from us.  
This Hellish Conspiracy of the Papists, that hath now at last awakened us into a sense of our great danger, hath been many years contriving and designing; as the Design was privately and subtly laid, it was to be carried on with vigour, and would hardly have wanted the assistance of foreign Princes, and Armies: If the first Train had taken fire, this Church and State had been infallibly blown up, and cast into a Civil War: God hath been merciful to us in the discovery and prevention of it.  
But the Persons chief concerned, and the vast Treasures heaped together for the carrying on of the Popish Designs, are not like to sit and remain idle after this disappointment; our proceed, and the Execution of the Instruments, will in all probability oblige them to take other measures to carry on their wicked purposes with more secrecy than before; our Divisions and unreconcileableness give them no small advantage and encouragement to make fresh Attempts, which God of his Mercy frustrate: However, our Nation is not yet out of danger by the death of a few Malefactors; we have Enemies both at home and abroad, that watch for, and endeavour our destruction: His Majesty, you see, hath employed his utmost endeavour for our safety, security, and happiness, and is yet resolved to employ all his power to defend and protect us, and our Religion, from all Popish Designs. It concerns us not to be idle, but in our several places to contribute to our own happiness and preservation, to give our assisting hand to our Religious Prince, in so blessed a work as the settlement of our Religion and Government, chief in these particulars, which I shall recommend to the perusal and practice of all sincere Protestants.  
First, Let every one of us in our several Places and Callings, watch with diligence over our Enemy's designs and motions, at home and abroad; and in all occurrences that we may justly suspect; let us carefully give Intelligence to Authority, take heed of concealing out of friendship or fear, resolutions and actions that are ominous to Prince or people: They that are abroad in foreign Courts, have a great advantage to learn all Transactions, and understand the designments of great Revolutions; for such weighty matters can never be so secretly intended, but they must be discovered to many, whose hands and assistances are needful to further and advance them.  
Secondly, Let us all return to his Majesty the Tribute of sincere, and Loyal affections, out of a sense of his care of our welfare. The Crown of itself is heavy, our Enemies render it heavier by their daily Conspiracies; let us not, who are true Subjects, add more weight and trouble to the Crown of our good King, by unreasonable jealousies, and unreasonable fears and murmur; but in our several Spheres, and according to our Abilities, let us alleviate as much as in us lies, his Majesty's Burden: And by all dutiful expressions of our love and respects discover to him our sensibleness of his continual care of our safety and welfare.  
3. Take heed we discredit not his Authority, vilify his Person, or dishonour his Government, by any wicked and slanderous Reports, of our own, or others invention; for this kind of Ingratitude which his Majesty never deserved from the Hands of his Protestant Subjects, nor any others, will breed ill blood amongst the People, and afflict the Heart of a good Prince.  
4. Let us Protestants be so sensible of our danger and good, as to reunite again in the Profession of one Religion, and in the public worship of our God; that our Enemies seeing that their often repeated malice hath caused us to stick and unite closer together, may be discouraged from all future attempts of this kind, and never be advantaged through our Divisions.  
5. Let us, as well for the honour of our Protestant Profession and for the credit of our Nation, as to prevent the Judgements of God threatened upon us for our Sins, abstain from all National Sins, and such Crimes as deserve the severity of God's Justice, and have heretofore involved Kingdoms in dismal Calamities. Chief, let the Ministers of the Gospel look carefully to themselves, and their behaviour, that they may not give occasion of scandal by their Lives. And they whose Actions are looked upon as Examples, should take heed how they countenance those disorders and Breaches of Gods Divine Laws, which his Justice hath been obliged to punish severely in other Nations heretofore.  
6. Let such Magistrates and Justices as are entrusted with the execution of the Laws, and his Majesty's Royal Commands, be vigorous, resolute, and speedy in the performance of their Duties; and aim all their Actions at the public welfare, the honour of their Prince, the safety of Religion and Government. As their Enemies and ours want not resolution to put in practice the boldest Attempts, methinks our Noble and brave Officers cannot want courage to oppose them.  
7. Let every one be true, trusty, and faithful in the mannagement of those Public Concerns that are put into our hands; Treachery seldom proves faithful and beneficial to the Traitors. It was the Custom of a Turkish Emperor, to hang up a Traitor with the Rewards promised for his Treason: And we all know the Story of that Roman Virgin who was killed and buried under the heavy weight of that which was in the Enemies lest hand; but of all Treasons, none more dangerous to the Authors, than those which expose their Native Country to the Power and Malice of desperate and Foreign Enemies.  
8. Take heed of raising or increasing the People's jealousies, and needless fears, by encouraging idle Rumours: It is good to foresee an approaching danger, for that will prepare us to receive it; but it is dangerous to be too timorous, and suspect a Mischief where really there is none; and men are commonly disheartened by flying Tales, which are wont to breed much mischief in a Government.  
9 Remember your Places, Callings, and Capacities, and act accordingly, without presuming to meddle with, or advise Authority, in matters that are either above our reach, or concern us not immediately.  
10. Let us not be sparing of our Purses and Estates when the public safety, the honour of our God, the safety of our Souls and Religion, the Lives and Fortunes of our Children are in danger; but as our Enemies are ready to sacrifice their Lives and Fortunes for the promotion of their blind Superstition and our Ruin, let us express no less liberality and generosity for our own safety, and the defence of our Christian Profession. It is better to give a small Portion of our Estates than to lose all. Mahomet, the Turkish Emperor, wondered at the parsimony of the Grecians of Constantinople, at the taking of that Imperial City, for though it was full of Plunder and Gold, they chose rather to suffer the Turks to carry all away, than to assist their Emperor with moneys to pay his discontented and hired Soldiers. Lastly, in regard all our endeavours, the Prince's vigilancy, and the people's disposition, are in vain without a blessing from the God of Heaven, let us all, by our constant and Religious Prayers, strive unanimously to obtain it from God; let us beseech his Divine Goodness to watch over us still by his Divine Providence, to discover the wicked Machinations of all our bloody Enemies, to defend the person and sacred life of our good King, to grant him a long continuance amongst us, to direct his Councils, bless his Armies, and preserve our Religion and Government from all future Conspiracies. If we could be persuaded to a careful practice of all these Advices and Duties, there might be reasonable hopes of securing ourselves and Nation from all Papists and Popery. We are so much the more engaged to observe them; because, not only our gratitude to our Prince calls upon us to join with him in promoting our own good, but also the safety of our Religion is highly concerned; for false Religions men have undergone all manner of dangers and difficulties: how much the rather should we take care for the preservation of the true Religion; of that Religion which Christ and his Apostles recommend to us, without which neither we nor our posterity can reasonably expect either safety or salvation; besides our lives and fortunes are aimed at by these Popish Plots. Thousands of Families will be utterly undone if they can obtain their ends. No Mercy nor Compassion will be shown to such Heretics as they judge us to be. The whole Nation will swim in Blood, and we must expect all the Cruelties and Torments to be exercised upon us, that Hell and the Devil can suggest: and not only our lives will be sacrificed, but also the lives of our Wives, and of our innocent Children; and every where ruin and calamity, misery and woe, will appear amongst us, if we secure not ourselves in time. Where is that national Soul which this cannot move and oblige to a timely pr●●●●ntion of Popish Designs of such dreadful Consequences.  
In a word, the honour of our God is highly concerned: To him we own our Wives, Children, Fortunes, Lives and Estates; we must part with all for the glory of our Great Maker and Redeemer: Suffer not this glory to be stained with Popish Superstitions in this Nation: What a dishonour will it be, if through our weakness, neglect, parsimony, or otherwise, the Pope brings in again into this Land his unsufferable Tyranny, Ignorance, and filthy Abominations.  
To conclude, I pray God so to direct his Most Excellent Majesty, his Councils and Resolutions, so to prosper his Pious and Religious Endeavours, and so to stir up all his good Subjects to the defence of their Laws, Liberties, and Religion, that they may all join unanimously with him together, and always defeat the proud purposes of the Popish Party; and that none of them may be more wanting to their own good, than his Sacred Majesty will be to the Safety and Security of the Religion, and Peace of his Kingdoms.  
FINIS.