LITTLE-WITS Protestation, to defend Popery: Since the decease of his Sister SUPERSTITION.  
Anno Dom. 1642.  
By I. G. Gent.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed for F. Coules, in the little Old-Baily, 1642.   

LITTLE-WITS PROTESTATION, To defend Popery: since the decease of his sister Superstition.  
WHereas it is too too manifest to my great grief and sorrow, that the family of Popery is like to come to destruction and fall to ruin, especially in those Kingdoms and States where the adverse party is predominant, the greatest of my Kindred and their Adherents, and Competitors of that family are already ruinated, yea and some of them altogether extinguished, specially my sister Superstition, being the greatest pillar and prop of that Family in the Kingdom of Idolatry: I conceive myself engaged and bound in duty, not only by reason of my near consanguinity to the same, but for that I have had my chiefest nourishment and subsistence by and from the same, To my p●●er and best of my witless ability, to uphold and defend the Family, and prevent the final destruction and confusion thereof: It having so potent adversaries, and already so much impaired in the strength and ancient glory, and fame thereof, Even over the whole Wo●ld, so many Reverend and Learned Cardinals, and Prelatical Bishops, nay Kings and Emperors, that have had near relation thereunto either by affinity or consanguinity, and have yielded Reverence and Obedience to the same; That it may be parallelled to the most famous and flourishing Families in all Europe, and never yet could be ruinated and abolished in any Kingdom or Nation whatsoever, where the same hath had Off spring or Alliances, until this unfortunate year in the Kingdom of England, where a Council called a-PARLIAMENT, have indeed spoke their minds against the Family, and have endeavoured themselves, and proceeded so far against it, that they have wrought its utter desolation and confusion.  
1 By accusing and impeaching the chief defenders, and upholders thereof, the Reverend Prelatical Bishops, and confining them to their several and private Lodgings, in the Tower, not to stir abroad without their special Licence, and Commission, whereby they are become helpless, and useless to the defence of the same.  
2 They have by public Orders, Edicts and Proclamations commanded, the rejection of the Ceremonies, in the exercise of Religion whatsoever, belonging to the same, which was the principal cause of my Sister Superstition her sickness, whereof at last she died.  
3 Thirdly, putting down Mass, that holy exercise, that it may not so much as be used in public, or private, by any person of what degree or dignity soever, or in any place whatsoever, within their jurisdiction, in that Kingdom of England, which increased much my Sister's disease.  
4 The taking of Arms, and all other provision of defence away, from all that are of our kindred, or affinity of that family, whereby they are destitute of all relief to preserve themselves from ruin, which aggravated her sickness.  
5 By putting to death, and banishing our holy fraternity of Priests, jesuites and Friars, whereby all hopes of preservation by instruction, teaching, and Discipline, is quite taken away, this added greatly to her grief.  
6 And lastly, they have taken away the holy and prudent Voices of learned and godless Prelates, that formerly had the greatest and chiefest amongst the Temporal Lords, sitting in that Assembly, whereby our Family was much honoured, and strengthened. This gave her her death's wound, whereupon she immediately departed.  
And not withstanding they have brought her to destruction, yet cease they not, but prosecute all such that had any relation unto her or any ways wished her prosperity, fearing by her wellwishers means might be wrought to restore her Off spring to that dignity and honour in that Nation, which she in her prosperity enjoyed. They to prevent the same, endeavour  
1 To take away the Honourable Votes of Noble Lords, favourers and wellwishers to our Family, and their sitting out of the House of Peers, thereby taking away all means to raise the same again.  
2 To put down Organs and Singing in all cathedrals in the Kingdom, and every holy and necessary Ceremony thereunto appertaining, by which not so much as a remnant of the Family may be lest.  
3 To take away the demeanes of all Deans and prebend's, worthy instruments for the preservation of the Family.  
4 And lastly, to punish all of the Clergy that speak the least word in favour to the same, in their public Teaching, or private Communication, or that are but lose and lascivious in their lives and Conversations: Conceiving such persons are at all times ready to comply with such as shall speak or write in defence of our cause.  
These being the cause that have and will work, our utter confusion, in defence thereof, and to prevent these future dangers threatened, I make this my Protestation. Videlicet,  
In the presence of his Holiness and all the Popish Saints departed, I Littlewit, of the Parish of Nonsense, in the Borough of Ignorance, in the County of Blind-devotion, do make this Vow and Protestation, that I will to the uttermost of my witless power, and headless jurisdiction to the loss of my liberty and prosperity, and to the hazarding my perpetual destruction and abolishment, defend, maintain and uphold the Family of Popery, and all the kindred and alliances of and to the same in the Kingdom of Idolatry, in what Nation soever the same, or any person belonging thereunto, doth now inhabit, or hath heretofore had residence, especially in the Kingdom of England, against all men and counsels, of what power or jurisdiction soever they be, and by what practices, devilish stratagems, or defignes I can think or devise, I will endeavour to prevent and hinder their proceed, in bringing our Family to confusion, that possibly in my power lieth.  
Little-wit.  
FINIS.