A Civil CORRECTION OF A Saucy Impudent PAMPHLET, Lately Published, Entitled, A Brief Account of the Designs which the Papists have had against the Earl of Shaftsbury, etc.  
HAving very often heard of Popish Designs against the Earl of Sh. but never being able to get any true account of 'em in particular, it is not to be imagined how extremely pleased I was the other day to meet with a merry Pamphlet, entitled, A brief Account of the Designs which the Papists have had against the Earl of Shaftsbury, occasioned by his Commitment, July 2. 1681. Very good, thought I; now the Mountain brings forth, or never: So with Hat over eyes, and Legs across, very gravely to reading f●ll I. The first thing I meet withal, is indeed a very solid Position; Had Sir F. W. himself laboured and strained for a Period, 〈◊〉 my Conscience he could not have squeezed out a duller. Says the worthy Pamphleteer, Though the Apprehending of the Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftsbury hath filled the Town and Country with talk and noise, yet it neither frightens nor discourageth any true Protestant, or good English- man. Well said old Tautology: That's as plain as the Nose in ones Face: Cheer up my Countrymen; for discouragement being the effect of fear, and fear the immediate cause of discouragement, there is nothing so evident, as that a man may be frightened, and not discouraged, or discouraged and not frightened: that is to say, a man may be frightened, and not frightened neither. So much for Rhetoric But prithee Sweetheart; since thou wilt be scribbling, writ Truth, though thou canst not afford us Sense. For the Apprehending that Right Honourable Earl does frighten most true Protestants, and good Englishmen; For, if that Right Honourable Earl has been all along so vigorous an Assertor of the Protestant Religion, the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, the Laws of the Kingdom, and the Authority and Prerogative of the Crown, Can it do less than strike astonishment into the heart and mind of every honest man, to find him accused of no less Crimes than High-Treason at last? The Conspiring to seize upon and secure the King's Person by violence; the subverting the Government, and raising Men and Arms to that purpose? I believe it frightens most men, and that most men are something apt to apprehend, that he may not be altogether so good a Protestant and Patriot as he would have us believe he was: If he be, we have reason to be afraid for his Innocency; if he be not, we have reason to be afraid that the best part of the Kingdom has long been miserably deceived and misled, and to dread the Ruin into which he was seducing us. Therefore good Mr. Pamphleteer be pleased to recollect yourself, and do not forestall the Justice of the Laws, that must acquit or condemn him; and let me moreover inform your worship of one thing, that if you are not frightened at my Lord of Shaftsbury's being apprehended for a Traitor, I am sure you ought to be ashamed of your Pamphlet.  
As for Example: You are pleased to observe, That the Perjuries of Needy and Suborned Villains may bring troubles upon Innocency. Good Friend of mine be tender how you treat the King's Witnesses: For if want be once urged as an Argument against the Validity of a Testimony, for aught I know there is not one Jesuit has been hanged these three years, but maybe as little a Traitor as the E. of S.  
But for a shrewd Argument let you alone, I'll warrant you, (viz.) If he were traitorously inclined (you say) yet he is wiser than to communicate Designs of that Nature to such base and mercenary Rascals as are said to have witnessed against him, or to enter into a Conspiracy, not only with beggarly Fellows, but with Irish men and Papists. One part of this I'll grant you; He has not entered into this Conspiracy with beggarly Fellows, Irishmen and Papists only; for (if rumour may be believed) there are a great many Rich Knaves in the Pack; Though (to return an Argument of your own upon you, and tickle you in the true Protestant place,) who so fit to be employed in Designs of that nature, as desperate beggarly Fellows and Villains? Now, if his Lordship's Wisdom would not think Irishmen, (and Papists especially) Rogues enough to undertake the dethroning of the King, and subverting of the Government. he had a secret Compliment for them in his heart, which I am afraid he'll hardly thank you for publishing. The time was (if your Protestant Pamphlets be all true) when Irishmen and Papists were not thought so very unfit to engage in Designs of that nature; But  

Qui colour albus erat, nunc est contrarius albo.   
There's Latin for you, Brother Pamphleteer; by which Language of the Beast I suppose you'll not fail to find me for a Jesuit, next time you have a need to write again.  
But, in the mean while, This Honourable Gentleman (you say) is he, whose whole tenor and universal Conduct of his Life have spoken him, not only a Person of the greatest Abilities, but of the highest Loyalty to His Majesty, and warmest Zeal for His Service, that any these three Kingdoms have produced in this Age. Verily, Friend, the Truth is not in thee: For this Honourable Gentleman commanded a Regiment, that once with warmest Zeal fought against His Majesty; This Honourable Gentleman was He that did his utmost to confirm the Usurper Cromwell in the Throne of His Majesty; This Honourable Gentleman was always a Member of that Rebellious Authority that opposed His Majesty: And are not these (and be ●ang'd to you) Arguments of Loyalty to His Majesty? Look you Friend, if his Lordship can give no better Arguments of his Loyalty, when he c●mes to his Trial, than you do in your Panegyric upon him, he may chance to march up Tower-Hill for his Loyalty; and, for aught I know, the Trick he'll show there may be the first good Service he ever did, or will do the Public.  
If it were possible, thou Pamphleteer, I would be serious with thee; but thou art a sort of a Thing that hopest to word people out of their sense and understanding; and by a trowling of Syllables one after another in a gingling order, wouldst put off thy shallow incohaerent Nonsense, for matter of weight and moment. I have observed often in half-judging Capacities, when they know not well how to give an Account of what they have read, or, may be, only heard; their usual way of passing their Censure is by gravely shaking the Noddle, and solidly noting there's a great deal in it; So it may be justly said of thy Pamphlet; There is indeed a great deal in't; but it is such stuff as once made up a certain Cardinal's Equipage, only Lumber and Filthiness, fit for a Dunghill than any place else. Nay, canst thou be less than ashamed, thou Son of Simplicity! to wast the Paper Manufacture of the Kingdom at so unaccountable a Rate? 'Tis enough to breed a Dearth of Rags in the Nation; and if once that should happen, which way wouldst thou contrive to hid thy Nakedness▪ Would the E. of S. do himself Justice, he ought to prosecute thee for a Libel upon him: For, is it less than a Libel to praise him for his unwearied Cares and Endeavours to obviate the formidable Growth of France? Fie for shame, do the Honourable Gentleman Justice, and tell the World who it was counselled the breaking the Triple League, and so by disuniting the common Interest of the Peace of Europe, made way for all the War and Desolation that has since followed amongst our Neighbours. If he (as you say) could not concur in Designs which he conceived tended to the Ruin of these Kingdoms, and the endangering the Monarchy, as well as to the subversion of the Protestant Religion, both here and elsewhere, persuade him, if thou canst, to lay by the at least 30 Pardons which he has passed since his first Ministry, and put himself upon his Trial from that, to this present day of his Innocence. If to this Wise and Noble Peer's Influence (according to your observation) His Majesty owes the successful administration of his Affairs for many years together: tell us, if thou canst, what means the Riddle of so many Addresses from the last Parliaments, remonstrating from a long date the defects and miscarriages of the Government, and the Grievances that from thence have fallen upon the People? tell us who it was that caused the first 〈◊〉 up of the Exchequer, to the distress of so many poor Widows and Orphans, whose All was lodged there? If the Friends and Abettors of Arbitrariness and Popery at home are become his implacable and professed Enemies, prithee tell us, if possible, how long it is a since they first fell out? Was it before he would have brought all Elections for Parliament to have been decided in the Court of Chancery, and so have robbed the House of Commons of the greatest and most tutelar Privileges they ever enjoyed; or was it since? Rather, was it the goodness of our Just and Gracious King, that could not be prevailed upon by him to make 〈◊〉 cru●l an entrenchment upon the Rights and Safety of his People, that caused this Noble Earl to withdraw himself from the Affairs of his Sovereign, or not? Oh Truth! Truth! how hast thou been muzzled! But to proceed.  
My Author's Worship is pleased (in his remark of the Seals being taken from this Honourable Earl) to observe. That when They found that They could find neither Ambition, nor Covetousness in him, to impress and work upon, so as to bring him to Their Lure, that then They accosted him with such tenders of Greatness, Honour and Wealth, as few but him would have had the Humility, Self-denial and Uprightness to refuse. In the name of Nonsense what would this Laborious Bombastick Fool mean by his Impress, his Lure, and his Accost? Here's the taking the Seals from him, on purpose to give him good words, to bring him to their Lure: 〈◊〉 very politic fetch! What stuff is this to persuade any reasonable understanding withal! Oh, but I had almost forgot; there is the word They to season the Carrion with, viz. When They found, etc. And again, They accosted him. Now this Ænigmatical Ass would have us believe there is a great deal of meaning in that word They: That is, having mentioned the Popish Party with scandal before, he would now join the King with 'em too; For, who else can take away the Seals from a Chancellor? Or who else could accost him (as ●e calls it) with tenders of Greatness and Honour? So that here is no less than the King implicitly reflected on, as a Favourer of Popery; to affirm which, is Treason by the known Laws of the Land; and from thence I appeal to every true Subject of England, if a Cause thus defended, can, or aught to be thought well of.  
The rest of the page is filled with a long impertinent story of a Design to accuse this Earl of Treason; that one Colonel Conquest was to have been his Accusen; that all the Offices wherein he had been concerned were searched; and that They greatly reckoned upon the House of Commons, as admirably moulded for their business, for the Fear many of 'em might have of losing their Pensions at the end of the Sessions. Admirably well expressed upon my Life! This Rogue would, by his good will, make that House of Commons a Cake of ●wey Dough: Moulded for their business! Very acquaint truly! But here is he at it again, with his old They: They greatly reckoned upon the House of Commons, as obliged by their Pensions: Now, who can be esteemed to expect any thing from a Pensioner, for fear of losing his Pension, but he that gives him his Pension? So that here the Villain is throwing Dirt again in the King's Face; as if that were the only way to get clear his filthy Patron. Here would he knavishly insinuate a scandalous Interpretation of the King's Goodness, which ought to be no more questioned than limited by the hands of a Subject; here is his Noddle itching to make the world believe, That those Pensioners (as he calls them) were merely bought by the King for Indirect and underhand-services; when upon a just and impartial scrutiny, it will easily appear, that those Gentlemen were either such, whose Estates and Fortunes had been impaired in the Service of His Majesty's Father, that Royal Martyr of ever Blessed Memory, and that way gave them pretence to His Majesty's Largess and Bounty; or else others, who from their formerr Delinquency had returned with Penitence into the Mercy and Service of their Master; and that way became Partakers of his Liberality, that they might (if possible) be never more led away, by their wants or ambition, into these Courses that ruin'd the Kingdom before; and enslaved us under the heavy Yoke of an Usurper. But I am glad to find the Cause, now it is shaken, thus disembogue itself, and hope it will open the eyes of every honest English man, to have his heart and his hands ready to defend the King, his Honour and Authority, from all the vile wicked Designs, and undermining Mischiefs that have been contriving and hatching against him; And how far the E. of S. may have been that way concerned, I think may, in some measure, be guessed at, from the stile and matter of the Defence, which this miserable Scribbler has the impudence to make for him.  
Next, to wind up the bottom of this foolish relation, he is pleased to pass a Compliment upon the King's Council, for wanting at that time sufficient matter to Accuse him of; and so proceeds forward to his They once more; and tells us, how They having miscarried in their Attempts upon the Is life, change the Scheme of their Designs, (good Lord what fine words are here) and lay a Plot to blast his Reputation: And who says he so fit for this work, as the ecclesiastics, as being in a more Implicit Obedience to Them: So I am glad I have got you here good Mr. Pamphleteero! Who are the ecclesiastics and the posse of the Clergy (as you are pleased to term it) reasonably to be thought most obedient to, but the Head of the Church! So here the King is shuffled in amongst your They again: Then you tell us, the Pulpits instead of commending Jesus Christ to the Consciences of men, were employed through all parts of the Nation in Blasting the E. of S. And (if all be true) it had not been much amiss if it had been so, for it is requisite in Preaching (after the Praises of God) to arm men's Souls against the practices of the Devil. Though it is evident, that your Worshipful Dulness lies in this point most abominably, and I dare be hanged (as you deserve) could the matter be enquired into, if ever (since Hugh Peter's his time) any one of the E. of S. Names, has been so much as mentioned in a Pulpit; by which, and what went before, it is easily to be perceived, you are neither a Friend to the King, nor the Church; and what Party you belong to then, I leave every Honest Impartial man to Judge according to his Conscience.  
But now I think better of the matter; What Spleenatick Fool but myself would take the pains to bestow an answer upon this Dunce, this True Protestant, as he calls himself! If he be a Round-head, a Rumper, a Rebel of Old Jack Presbyter's Stamp, why is he ashamed of his Title? Why does he Cloak his Schism under the Name of True Protestant? for we know no True Protestant here, but such as are so according to the Church of England, as it is Established by Law: For if every one that Protests against Popery, be a True Protestant; for aught I perceive, the Great Turk has as much pretence to that Title as any body. That this Vermin then is not of the Church of England, is easily to be conjectured by this treatment of its Clergy: That he is not an over good Subject, is apparent enough by the Company he has found out for the King; yet this is he that dares defend the cause of a man, under an Accusation of the most detestable Treason in the World, exhibited against him by several Witnesses, whose worth and Validity none once so zealous to defend and justify as the Earl himself and his Party were, though now they have the misfortune, to fall under our Authors displeasure, and to be treated with no better. Titles, Then Beggarly Fellows, Indigent, Mercenary and Perjured Rascals, Beggarly Rascals, such as have acknowledged that they are Hired to Swear what they have done, etc. Now to do the World Justice, and to do the Laws Justice, which 'tis to be hoped will do the E. of S. Justice; let us inquire, who these Beggarly Rascals are that were hired to Swear what they have done.  
In the first place, Heyns so much talked of of late (as report tells us) is one of those who has a large share in the Charge against this Noble E. Good Mr. Pamphleteero is he a Beggarly Perjured Rascal? I believe my L. S. will not take it very well at your hands to treat his old Friend and Acquaintance so coarsely; for such he once was certainly, else, why did he and several Lords more Petition for a Blank Pardon for him some few Weeks since; under the Title of a man of Quality and unquestionable Reputation? One that could give a farther account of the Popish Plot then any had been discovered yet? Was he than a Beggar? Was he then Perjured? No, I believe neither; for suppose the party were so Charitable to keep him from Begging, and the King's Wisdom in not granting him a Pardon has kept him from being Perjured.  
As for the other Witnesses against this Noble Peer; I believe it will be for your Credit, as soon as you can, to retract your Reflections upon them too. For if their Credit is not sufficient, as you say, to support such a Charge against such a Peer of England, as the E. of S. is Committed for: How came it about that some of 'em were once thought fitting, even by that Earl himself, to support as great a Charge against several other Peers of England, (some whereof are still Prisoners in the Tower) equal in Honour, and for aught I know Superior in Honesty to your E. of S.  
But some of these Witnesses you are pleased to observe, have acknowledged themselves Hired to Swear what they have done; handle that point as you love your Cause with Caution: I am afraid it will not be for your Earls advantage, when it comes to be known who it was Hired them to Swear what they have done.  
If this will not do, what think you of a Dying Evidence Fitz-Harris? His Solemn Declaration at his Death, Signed and Attested by unquestionable Hands? Certified by his own last Speech at the Gallows in every particular Article to be true? If he was ever before thought a sufficient Witness against the Queen, the Duke of York, the Earl of Danby, etc. Sure at his Death, under the awe of a terrified Conscience, in the last Agonies of Contrition and Repentance, he may be allowed to speak Truth of a L. H. and E. of S.  
That he was thought a sufficient Witness before; I appeal to that worthy Grand-Jury, who (upon his single Information only, though then a Prisoner, just coming upon his Trial for the Treason which he has suffered for since) thought fit to find a Bill of Murder against the Earl of Danby, as concerned in the Death of Justice Godfrey. Nay he was thought so good, so proper, and so necessary a Witness; that all the Arts of Corruption, and all the Tricks of Wrested Law, were made use of by the Faction to save him, Juries were packed, that by their proceeding, seemed to have as little Conscience; as the Hamburgh Sheriff that returned them had Loyalty. Insolent Advocates were found out for him, to threaten the Judges in their Office, and if it were possible, to make the Sword of Justice tremble in the Honest hand that held it; but it was kept steady, to the Immortal Honour of that Glorious Judge; who when the History of this Age, shall be written, cannot but be remembered as one of the first Protectors and Supporters of England's threatened Monarchy and Liberty.  
These things then being granted (as they must be) that the Evidence of these men against this Earl, or any body else, aught to have as much weight and Credit, as against any other Subject in the Kingdom; and that they have been heard with Credit against divers other Subjects of the Kingdom, is manifest: How comes it to pass upon an Indictment preferred the last Sessions at the Old-Baily against one Stephen College for High Treason, there Swore positively against him, by six several Witnesses, that the Grand-Jury could fail to find the Bill? When at the same Court, not long age, upon the bare Testimony of one man, they found an Indictment of Recusancy against the Duke of York: Shall the first Prince of the Blood be condemned upon the slender and doubtful Testimony of one Witness? And shall not six be enough to make good a Charge against a Wretched joiner, a Profligate Factious Fellow, that has been for these three years taken notice of as a Common Asperser of the Government, and a sour of Sedition amongst the people? I appeal to all the world if this be Common Justice! The cause of this can be nothing less, than the miserable decay of all fear of Heaven, and Reverence of Virtue amongst us; when we see men entrusted with Authority and Power, administering the severest Cruelty with one hand, and stopping the Justice of it with the other: Nothing can redeem us from this, but earnest and fervent Prayers to the Almighty Spirit of Truth, to assist and defend us, whilst we make an early and resolute appeal to our Gracious Sovereign, to interpose with his Authority, and restore us to the Security of our Liberties, that the Laws may be turned again into their due Course and Channel, that power may be no more entrusted in the hands of such men, as practise the abuse of it to the overthrowing of all Justice, the destruction of all Sanction and Unity amongst us, the encouragement of Treachery and Falsehood, the Stifling of Truth, the Oppression of Innocence, and the confusion of our general Safety.  
God Save the King.   

LONDON: Printed for A. B. 1681.