A CAUTION TO ALL TRUE English Protestants, Concerning the Late POPISH PLOT, BY WAY OF CONFERENCE, BETWEEN AN Old QUEEN- ELIZABETH-PROTESTANT, AND HIS COUNTREY-NEIGHBOUR.  
LONDON: Printed for Richard Janeway in Queens-head Alley in Pater-noster-Row. 1681.   

A Caution to all true English Protestants, concerning the late Popish Plot, etc.  P. 
I Am glad to see you, good Neighbour, for I understand you have been lately at London. Pray what News do you bring concerning the Popish Plot?  C. 
Worthy Sir, I do as much rejoice to see you; But as for News about the Plot, the whole I can say, is what I have received from those Gentlemen, with whom my business mostly was, and they have almost persuaded me, that there is no such thing as a Plot; and really I do very much question it, or at least as to a Popish one.  P. 
How is it that you can be tempted to gratify those, who design your ruin, by entertaining such thoughts as these?  C. 
Sir, I must be plain with you; Although I am a young man, and not of your parts, learning, and experience, yet I can see somewhat. Had there been such a Plot as you talk of, how is it, that so many good Protestants are now so much in doubt, that they know not on whom to fasten it, whether on the Papist, or Presbyterian?  P. 
You say that many are in doubt, and know not where to fasten the Plot, that supposeth, that there is Evidence enough of the being of a Plot; but the great Quaery is, Who are the Plotters? Neighbour, let me be free with you, for this is not a time to be silent, or afraid to speak; for our Religion, the Protestant Religion is in danger; and that which is the Papist's advantage is, that there are so many unwary persons amongst us, who through a strange heedlessness, are too apt to serve the Papists design to the loss of their Religion, the ruin, and destruction of their families, yea, and of their own immortal Souls. I pray let me be free, for it may be my experience and knowledge is greater than yours, at least in this. Show me then, why you believe that there is a Plot, and yet know not where to fasten it?  C. 
That there is a Plot, is evident, it being confirmed by so many Witnesses, viz. Dr. Oates, Capt. Bedlow, Mr. Prance, Mr. Dugdale, etc. to the great satisfaction of His Majesty, Two Parliaments, and also the Judges of the Nation, especially my Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, who passed Sentence on several.  P. 
You say well, in that you have summed up Arguments unanswerable to prove a Plot; to which may be added the Miraculous Providences that have appeared in bringing in Dr. Oates, and after that, Capt. Bedlow, etc. yea, and the attempts have been made to baffle His Majesty's Evidence, which have conduced to the corroborating and strengthening them; and what is worthy our notice, is, that these men might have gained many a Thousand pound by withdrawing their Evidence, even when their noncompliance with the Papists overtures is attended with the greatest hazards imaginable; witness Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and Justice Arnold, etc. So that, I must profess unto you, that when I consider how miraculously several persons, to one another strangers, have been at divers times compelled to make discovery of this Hellish Plot, notwithstanding the great discouragements they have met with in their going through with their Evidence; I cannot comprehend how any, who are not extraordinarily ignorant, nor some of the Plotters, can say, They question the being of the Plot.  C. 
Sir, we question not the being of a Plot; but our Doubt is, Whose Plot it is, whether the Papists or Presbyterians?  P. 
Oh Neighbour! how is it possible, that you can be convinced, that there is a Plot, and yet question, whether it be Popish? for the same Evidence that there is a Plot, is for its being a Popish Plot; which was freely confessed by some of those that were concerned in the Conspiracy.  C. 
What do you say freely confessed? Madam Cellier suggests as if Prance and Dangerfield were put in the Rack, and tortured.  P. 
I'll believe no such thing; for, we have no such Law, and (I think) not such Engines as a Rack; it being more agreeable to Popish Principles and Practices. But for your further satisfaction, I refer you to them, who can give you the best account thereof; only I add this, That if these men's Confessions had been the product of the Torture, they might soon after they had received their liberty, have abandoned the Land, by running into some Popish Country, and thereby gratify both the Papists, and themselves, and receive greater advantages than they can reasonably expect at home, yea, and be far from the fear of being Arnoldized; surely they might be Canonised, and have made as great profit, it may be, of the Relics of those  in which they were Tortured, as 'tis said Coleman's Wife hath made of her Husbands. But can any one in his wits think, that if these men's Confession were the product of a Torture, that they would not long ere this have made their escape? But moreover consider, the most material Evidences are Dr. Oates, Capt. Bedlow, and Mr. Dugdale, &c— But who put these men on the Rack? did they not come in of their own accord, being compelled by none, but by that God, who rules both in Heaven and Earth? Yea, and Captain Bedlow's Confession on his dying bed is such as can never be obliterated while the world endures; for he, a dying man, confirms the whole he had said before, making further discovery of their bloody designs.  C. 
You mention Capt. bedlow's Discovery on his dying bed; what think you of the Jesuits at Tyburn? shall we not value the Evidence of five on six dying men, before that of but one?  P. 
Compare the circumstances of the Jesuits with those of Capt. Bedlow, and you'll see, you have great reason to credit Bedlow before the Jesuits. For, 

1. Jesuits have their equivocations, and mental reservations, even when they profess their abhorrence of these things, but so had not Bedlow.  
2. They are sure of their absolution;   1. Either from one another as Priests; or, 2. what is very remarkable, even from Tyburn itself: their being hanged for the Catholic Cause, (as they call it) being meritorious of a pardon. This is to be found in Bellarmine de Sacr, Bapt. l. 1. c. 6. where Bellarmine [notwithstanding what Dominicus à Soto, and Mart. Ledesmius in 4 disp. 3. q. un. art. 11. say to the contrary] asserts, That the more probable opinion is, that Martyrdom, or hanging for a Popish principle, doth confer the first grace ex opere operato; whence if any one yet remaining in his sins, having no love to God, by virtue of his Martyrdom ex opere operato (i. e.) by reason of his being hanged for the Catholic Cause, which they call the Cause of Christ, he shall be justified and saved. So that although a Papist dye with a lie in his mouth if it at Tyburn, or some such place for the promoting the Popish design, or Treason, his being hanged is enough to procure the pardon of that Lie; But Capt. Bedlow expected no pardon from any of their Priests, neither was at his dying hour in a capacity of receiving it from Esq Catch.  C. 
How! do the Papists hold such dangerous Errors! then surely no wonder that some of these Jesuits were so confident in their lying at Tyburn; it being said by the Learned, that one of them died with another lie in his mouth.  P. 
That's true, Gawen did so, as hath been shown by those that writ Answers to their dying Speeches, and as all the Learned know; and it hath been since proved by Mr. Jenison, that another of them died with a lie in his mouth; and therefore their confident pleading their Innocency, when most guilty, should never tempt you to doubt concerning the being of a Popish Plot.  C. 
I cannot but acknowledge that there hath been, and it may be still is a Popish Plot; but is there not a Presbyterian one too?  P. 
Alas poor man! what should tempt you to fear that there is a Presbyterian Plot.  C. 
Tempt us to fear a Presbyterian Plot, do you say? Good Sir, don't you hear some of our Clergy, that are good Protestants, to make the Presbyterians, as bad as the Papists, yea worse; for some of them say, they would rather turn Papist, than Presbyterian: and if the Presbyterians are as bad as Papists, why may not they then have their Plots, as well as the Papists?  P. 
Neighbour, I must confess, that there are too many of our Clergy, who do very frequently talk as you say; but you must remember, that there are a greater number of the more sober and judicious of our Clergy, that are of another mind, and who are grieved at the very heart to find so many young brisk blades in their Pulpits, and out of them, to be so subservient unto the Papists in their Plots: which must either be an effect of their folly, or of their treachery unto the Church of England.  C. 
What, Sir, do you say it must be the effect either of their folly or treachery unto the Church of England? How do you make that out, Good Sir?  P. 
This is easily done, for unless they are prodigiously ignorant, they cannot but know, that the bravest Protestant Subjects in the Land, are branded by the name of Presbyterians, as appears by Mr. Dangerfield's Narrative; yea, such persons as are the honour of our Church, and the Glory of the Kingdom are under the Presbyterian name rendered Plotters, such as my Lord Precedent, and many others. Which being so, what Son of the Church without folly, or treachery, can say, that the Presbyterians are as bad as the Papists? What! is the Glory of the Church of England, when under a Presbyters name, as bad as Popery; and would they indeed be rather Papists than such Presbyterians? what do they then say, but that they themselves are really Papists?  C. 
They do not mean those worthy persons you mention, but such as are for Petitions, to wit, the Dissenters from the Church of England.  P. 
Neighbour, see how you are abused; For 1. the Papists, whose design these men serve, mean all undaunted Protestants, when they say Presbyterians. 2. You yourself suggest the same; for by Presbyterians you mean such as were for Petitioning, viz. Dissenters; But, who more for Petitioning, than such as are for the Church of England? Who were those that Presented the Petitions? were they not Sons of the Church? Again, How many Grand Juries Petitioned; but are all those Dissenters? Really, if all such as were for Petitioning be Dissenters from the Church, the Church of England is become inconsiderable, which is according unto Popish suggestions; which are, that either we must be Papists or Presbyterians, as if there were no Protestants in England but the Presbyterians; and as if the Church of England had dwindled into nothing, or turned Papists, or Presbyterians; and that the Parliament being hearty enemies against Popery, are Presbyterians. Thus you see how those young hot-heads among our Clergy do either discover great Folly, or Treachery, or both.  C. 
I must acknowledge that part of our Clergy, who do talk thus, do discover themselves guilty of great folly, or of a wretched Treachery: But I hope 'tis not so with all our Clergy.  P. 
No surely; 'tis not the temper of all the thorough Protestants among the Clergy, which are many; they abhor these things, though for their doing so, are hated by these highflown men, as much as if they were Dissenters.  C. 
Truly Sir, I think you are in the right; but I would fain know, what those Presbyterians are, that the name is become so odious.  P. 
If you expect that I should acquaint you with what the Presbyterians are, I must first distinguish between a few hot brains that are among them, and the more sober and greater part.  C. 
Why, Sir, are there hot heads among them also? How comes this to pass?  P. 
There are some Fools and Knaves crept in amongst all Protestant Parties, whether Episcopal, or Presbyterian; and a thousand to one but the highflown and factions, on all sides, are the extremely ignorant, or such as are but Protestants in Masquerade (i. e.) Protestants in name, but Papists in heart. The overzealous in all parties, who are of the more ignorant sort, being the Fools made use of by these disguised Papists, that turn themselves into all shapes as their interest directs.  C. 
Do you really believe that this is so, Good Sir?  P. 
I do indeed: for Divide & Impera, hath been ever the Roman Maxim; that is, to use all means for the dividing Protestants; and in order hereunto, the man of sin, of late called, The Gentleman of Rome, sends forth his Instruments among all sorts of Protestants with a dispensation for the dissembling their own, and for the professing any other Religion; and accordingly 'tis not to be questioned, but that there are some among our Clergy, others among the Dissenters, at least among the Presbyterians in Scotland, where through their influence some of a softer temper have been ensnared to an insurrection. These Emissaries being the brands of Hell, that have turned the whole European World into a fire, they being the men to whom we own all our divisions, Civil Wars, etc. yea these Jesuits are the men that occasioned the last Wars, and the Death of the late King, and all the Disturbances that have been ever since.  C. 
Really Sir, you have acquainted me with what I knew not till now; Pray, good Sir, show me how I shall come to know these; for let them be of our Church, or among the number of Dissenters, did I know 'em, I would hate 'em, as I hate the Devil.  P. 
Neighbour, 'tis hard to give Infallible tokens of these Villains, since 'tis so easy for the Devil to transform himself into an Angel of light; however that you may not be grossly deceived, I'll tell you whom you may have some reason to suspect.  

1. All such as do mischievously suggest unto the people any thing unduly of His Majesty.  
2. All such as do misrepresent unto his Majesty his Parliament; for nothing more sure than that they are sound Protestants, who give the greatest assurances of their Loyalty unto their Prince, and of their Fidelity unto the Protestant Religion; and therefore, whoever would insinuate, as if they were of a Republican spirit, and enemies to the Crown, are to be suspected as Papists, whose hearts are full of Treason.  
3. Such as endeavour to misrepresent unto his Majesty, the Great and Loyal City of London; which City, as it contains the Wealth of the Nation, even so it is the strength thereof, and next to Heaven, and a Parliament, His Majesty's greatest security.  
4. Such as suggest, that those who are zealously devoted for His Majesty's safety in a courageous prosecuting of the Conspirators, and Plotters, are enemies to the King, and factious, are to be suspected.  
5. All such as discourage and reproach the King's Witnesses, whether more publicly in Courts of Judicature; or less so, in Coffeehouses, or otherwise; such (I say) are greatly to be suspected, in that they do the utmost they can, for putting a stop unto a through prosecution of the Plot, in which none but Papists can be Active.  
6. All such as on either side heighten the divisions among Protestants; for the greatning our divisions, weakens us, and tends to the strengthening of the Popish interest, our decay being but in order to their flourishing. Whence then,   

1. Such among the Dissenters, as reproach all the Church of England, as if they had been all intolerable, and friends to Popery, etc.  
2. All such as reproach and revile all Dissenters, as if they had been as bad as Papists; Such are to be suspected. I might insist on many other Notes, and might raise the number unto that which Bellarmine saith of the Notes of the true Church; but desiring you to make the best improvement of these for the present, must go on to the next thing.   C. 
Sir, I humbly thank you for this, and I hope I shall be careful how I give credit to the discourses of these persons you mention, lest I unawares should serve the Papist to my own hurt. But, Sir, I beseech you to go on, and show me what the sober Presbyterian is.  P. 
The sober Presbyterian is a thorough Protestant, who doth agree with our Church in all the great Doctrines that we profess to own; they are such Protestants as are in France and Holland, etc. differing from the Church of England about somewhat indifferent, as we say [but sinful as they say] concerning the manner of Worship and Church-Discipline.  C. 
Is this all the difference between us and them?  P. 
No surely, for there are many among them that could comply with us both in Worship and Church Discipline, who yet cannot conform, because of subscribing to some Articles and Declarations.  C. 
But will they take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy?  P. 
They will do so, but they will not abjure the Covenant.  C. 
Then they are good Subjects; but what is the Covenant?  P. 
That Covenant was unhappily contrived, as many of themselves say, though the subject matter in many things is good, as their swearing to preserve his Majesty, and to oppose Idolatry, etc. And because they think that they can't abjure it, unless they swear that that is evil which they think good, viz. the opposing sin, and preserving his Majesty, they refuse to abjure it.  C. 
Then they pretend Loyalty, as one reason why they will not abjure it, and conform.  P. 
'Tis true; But this abjuring is not to continue long, the time is almost expired; and then the terms of their Conformity will become more easy; and did we lay aside this Oath, and the Declaration that is much of the like import, many would conform; and if we were as moderate as the Protestants in Queen Elizabeth's days, such as conform not, might be Indulged to preach publicly in our Churches.  C. 
Really, Sir, methinks I like this proposal well, it doth argue, that you are a man of good moderate Principles; and what need, Sir, such a Bustle about Conformity and Nonconformity? Let us bear with one another, and give the same liberty to others which we would expect for ourselves, and unite and strengthen our hands against the common enemy, the Papist. Are we not all Good Christians, Honest Protestants, and Loyal Subjects?  P. 
Now you speak like a true through Protestant; for this is the prayer of all judicious well-tempered Protestant Divines, and People, whether Episcopal or Presbyterian.  C. 
But, Sir, I should be more hearty of this opinion, if I might be assured that these Presbyterians were men of such sober Principles as you say.  P. 
Why do you doubt on't, do you think I would impose on you?  C. 
No Sir, I believe you would not impose on me: but the reason of my doubt is this; I have been told that these Presbyterians are a wicked people, full of pride and selfishness; and who would have done God more service, if they had conformed at their Black Bartholomew day; for they are for the Corinthian-Law, First they'll hang you, and then Judge you.  P. 
Who told you so, Neighbour?  C. 
Who told me so! Truly Sir, I saw it in the Writing of one of their own, even in the Writing of a Nonconformist very lately, who speaks it from his own experience; and can you in the least question it?  P. 
Whose writing, I pray? for I would willingly know the Author, or see his Books; for, if it be a sober good man, that speaks thus, I should be inclined to think it true, though one witness is not enough to condemn them. But were the Presbyterians really such to one another, what would they be to us, had they power? and that they may never be countenanced by such as are in power, it should be our endeavour; and if nothing will keep down their pride but the execution of Laws against them, that should be done. But pray, Sir, what is the Man, or what are his Writings? do you know him?  C. 
I have heard much of him from my friends in London, but I'll not report it; only here are his books, you can best find out the temper of the Author. Pray peruse them, and give me your sense.  

A Second CONFERENCE.  P. 
NEighbour, I am glad to see you again, I have since I last saw you, perused those Books you gave me; and that you may not be deceived, I must freely assure you, that in reading his first book, called England's Alarm, I suspected him; for, he acted the part of a Papist in Reviling our Clergy, and thereby doing his utmost to widen the differences between us and the Dissenters.  C. 
'Tis true, when you gave me your sixth Note, I suspected him, and resolved to beware of such an one. But have you not seen his other Writings?  P. 
I have so.  C. 
But how do you like them?  P. 
Worse and worse: for therein he hath acted most exactly according to the measures the Papists have taken in their carrying on the Plot.  C. 
In what particulars, good Sir?  P. 
You must remember that Mr. Dugdale gave in on Oath, that 'twas the Papists design to kill the King, and to cast it on the Presbyterians: and Mr. Dangerfield assures us, That to the end the people might be prepared to believe, that the Presbyterian Principles were adjusted for such bloody designs, their counsel was, that Pamphlets be written to represent them as a proud, and wicked, selfish and bloody people. All which is done by this man, John Humphryes (as he at last calls himself), who represents the Presbyterians to be men for the Corinthian-Law, that will first hang a man, and then Judge him: and this he saith, he hath experienced, as if they had first hanged him, and then judged him; and he as able to tell the world as much after his being hanged by 'em, as Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was able to walk from  to Primrose-hill after his being strangled. The second Popish Miracle!  C. 
How, Sir, doth he say so?  P. 
Mistake me not; but he speaks to this purpose, viz. that he hath experienced, that the Presbyterians are for the Corinthian-Law, i. e. first to hang men, and then judge them; and who can imagine, but that this is his meaning? But whether it be so or no, he doth act agreeably unto the Popish measures, and doth their work for them more effectually than Madam Celliers, who is professedly a Papist.  C. 
Do you think he is a Papist?  P. 
Sir, I know not what to think of him; but sure I am, he acts as like the Papists, as if he had been spit out of their mouths; and if he be not a Papist, he is a Child, not to say a—  C. 
Good Sir don't scandalise the man, for he is a man of worth among that Gang, and a man of learning and moderation. Author of the middle way, Is he not?  P. 
Neighbour, you are a young man, be not, too credulous; you cannot but be sensible, that you have been in some things mistaken; and remember, that you yourself just now said, that you did suspect him, and would be ware of such an one; and I wish all good people would; and whereas you say he is both a learned, and a moderate man, the Author of the middle way; 'tis all a great mistake.  C. 
Say you so, Sir. But how doth that appear?  P. 
I'll show you particularly; and must assure you, that 'tis not the Author of the middle way, but a man of another temper: The Author of the middle way (though a Nonconformist) is a man of great learning, and judgement, and moderation, whose soul abhors to write so inhumanely, or so unlike a Christian as this man hath done; for this man fills his Papers with such unclean stuff, that I am ashamed to rehearse it; for it discovers so much ignorance, passion and peevishness, that he must be considered either as a man cracked in his intellectuals, or as a man of evil principles; but consider him either way, his Reputation cannot be such, as to engage any sober man to regard his scurrilous and lying Pamphlets.  C. 
But there are many who follow him, yea some sober persons.  P. 
If so, I am hearty sorry. 'Tis a great reproach to Dissenters: for, which reason, those ignorant persons (for none but such can be deluded by such a man) are to be lamented and blamed; for what is there in the man (if his Conversation and Preaching be suitable to his Writings) that should tempt any to admire him? Is it his boldness, or his ignorance, or his error, or his bespattering and aspersing all Protestants? Will they believe his Preaching? why then will they not believe his Writing, and conclude all Protestants to be as vile as he makes 'em? Or will they believe his Writings, and that all Protestants (for no Conformist, nor Nonconformist can escape the lash of his tongue), are such as he saith they are, than hitherto they have been deceived? and to whom can they turn for safety, but to the Papists? And if you will believe what he saith when he rails against Dissenters, even so you must when he rails against the Church of England.  C. 
Truly, Sir, there is as much reason in what you say, and therefore I shall have a greater care of such than formerly; for according to the representation you have given of the Presbyterians, they cannot be as bad as he makes them; and if they are not, he doth very ill to revile 'em thus.  P. 
Remember he reviles all Protestants, our Church as well as Dissenters; and therefore I caution you not only against that man, but every such man, and still be engaged to adhere unto the Protestant Religion, which is the true agreeable to the sacred Scripture, confirmed of old by many a Miracle, and all the Prophets and Apostles; and of late also by the blood of many Martyrs.  C. 
I thank you for your advice, and wish that the more ignorant among the Dissenters, would follow the same; for, I have been informed by a Neighbour, who knows many of 'em, that they are mighty ready to entertain any reports, though ungrounded, and prejudicial to the Protestant interest.  P. 
My good friend, I do wish so too; and moreover do hearty desire, that there were not as many in our Church, that are too peevish and foolish, yea too apt to believe any thing that is buzzed up and down by the Papists.  C. 
'Tis sad, if it be true as you say.  P. 
I speak no more than I know; for whenever the Papists would revile the Episcopal, (it may be sometime under the notion of a Dissenter): Oh how ready are Dissenters to take it up, and say, Report, and we will report; and our people are even with them, and it rejoiceth too too many of 'em to hear any thing evil, how falsely soever, against the Dissenters.  C. 
Then we do the Papists work for them.  P. 
We do so: And truly unless they will on both sides be advised, and think better one of another, and consider more deliberately what is their joint-interest, we are a ruin'd People.  C. 
But, Sir, what is our joint-interest?  P. 
I'll be particular in showing you.  
1. To be fully persuaded that the Papists are carrying on a bloody Plot against the Protestant Religion, his Majesty's Life and Government: For nothing more sure, than that the eradicating the Protestant Religion, and the destruction of the Protestants, is the Papists aim. Whence although their designs are so inhuman and cruel, that they dare not before an Execution own it; yet nothing more evident, than that they breathe after the blood of the King, and of all Protestants, whether Episcopal or Presbyterian; and no question their aim is mostly at such as are in places of profit; and consequently more against the Conformist, than the Nonconformist.  
2. The uniting at least so far, as to use all just means for the preservation of true Religion, our King, our Families, and Posterity.  
1. All old quarrels and animosities must be forgotten; and we must learn of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be more meek and humble, forgiving those that trespass against us, and never render evil for good; but contrariwise, good for evil. The Episcopal must forget the injuries they received from the Presbyterians long ago, and do nothing by way of revenge; and the Presbyterians must not remember the severities they have met with from the Episcopal these last twenty years, and render evil for evil.  
2. All should resolve as one man, to act like Queen Elizabeth's Protestant's.  
3. It greatly concerns all Protestants, never to fear the Papists cruelties, nor expect their mercies.  
1. Fear them not. Resist the Devil, and he'll flee from you; nothing can more effectually break all their Plots, than Protestant courage. Their work is Hellish, and so is their Master, and so are their principles, and the methods they take; 'tis after the blood of Innocents' they hunt, by lying and perjury, and every evil way blaspheming God and the King; and therefore God is against them, and their own consciences cannot but now and then terrify and affrighten them. But our cause is the Lords, the defending our King and ourselves against the unjust cruelties of the Papists, the abiding firm to Gospel-truths'; God is on our side; Why then should we fear? Fear them not, but stand still, and you shall see the Salvation of God.  
2. Expect not their mercies, they are a treacherous deceitful people, and no faith is to be kept with Heretics, i. e. with Protestants, is their Rule. Let not Dissenters, nor any of the Church of England think that they shall be spared, if ever Popery prevails; they'll say, Hail Master, and betray you; they'll kiss you, and cut your throats. Believe them not, for they are made up of lies, equivocations, and mental reservations, and count it meritorious to kill Protestant Dogs, as they call us. Be not therefore frighted out of your Region, nor flattered into their snare. Queen Mary made brave Promises to the Gospelers (i. e.) the Protestants, but all ended either in cruel Prisons, as the Bishop's Coal-house, Lollards Tower, etc. or in Smithfield, and many other Fires.  
4. 'Tis our joint-interest to remember the wonderful deliverances God hath given our King, the great City, and these Kingdoms, in order to the showing our unfeigned thankfulness by an hearty Reformation. Let us not insist on the Tything Mint, anise and Cummin, and neglect the great and weighty matters of the Law; nor let us insist on trifles, and neglect this great duty of Reformation. 'Tis the call of the present Providence, the duty of the day, and the Lord help both you and myself to an honest obedience, and then we shall all have cause to magnify the Lord for further and fuller Salvations.  C. 
I thankfully acknowledge your love, in that you have given yourself so great a trouble to enlighten me in these necessary points. I would only beg the favour of your thoughts concerning one thing, and I have done.  P. 
What is that, Neighbour?  C. 
Sir, I have been told, that there was a Parliament some months since, that did Resolve in the House, That if the King should be taken away by any untimely death (which God forbidden) they would revenge his death on the Papists. What reasons can there be given for such a Resolve?  P. 
'Tis not to be questioned, but that that great Council did what they did on the highest reasons, namely, To show their Loyalty and Love to his Majesty, to assure the Papists that the day should not be their own, though they should accomplish their Devilish design, viz. the death of our Sovereign, and therefore 'twould be their Interest to keep themselves from Treason, and the blood of Protestant Princes.  C. 
But what equity is there in revenging his death on all Papists?  P. 
Great equity: For the Treason of these bloody wretches is of the highest nature, it being to destroy the best of Kings, and the Protestant Religion, yea and to ruin these Kingdoms by turning us all into blood, which design can never in their own apprehensions be accomplished but by the whole Popish strength; and therefore 'tis not to be questioned but that the whole party, at least all men of brains, and interest, are acquainted with, if not engaged in it.  C. 
But Sir, you suppose that though the most part be acquainted with it, yet all may not actually engage in it; must they feel the smart of Protestant revenge also?  P. 
Sir, I tell you, that as 'tis not to be supposed, but 'tis known to all in general, although some may hate the Treason because of the bloodiness thereof, at least with reference to their kindred that are among Protestants; or it may be, they are so much English men as not to engage actually; yet since they know the Treason, their concealing of it is enough to make them guilty.  C. 
There is much in that which I did not so much consider, and I am sure for my employ, you know Sir, calls me unto divers parts of the I and, that the generality of Protestants are so firm to the Protestant Religion, so dutiful, affectionate, and loyal to his Majesty, that they will be so full of rage, should the Papists make the attempt and kill the King, that they will soon have cause to repent of such treachery.  P. 
I am of your mind, being the more encouraged to conclude so from the special Providence of God, that have appeared in favour of the Protestant Cause against them already. God hath been, is, and will be known by the Judgements he executeth in the Earth; the wicked being taken in the snare, they have laid for the innocent. The Lord reigns, and by signal Providences he hath prevented the execution of Popish Plots, in doing so by his own arm; turning 〈◊〉 against them, which they designed for themselves; as the death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, etc. God brings about his own glory, and the Protestants safety by the most unlikely and improbable ways, as might be shown diversely. But I am called away, and can only add, That if we are not too secure, nor too fearful, but act as becometh good Protestants, and Loyal Subjects, we shall see the Doom of the Plot, and of all Plotters. Farewell. I must be gone.   
FINIS.