Plain Dealing IS A JEWEL, AND HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.  
Both set forth In an Answer to a Letter received by a Gentleman in London, from his Friend in the Country.  
Wherein is plainly demonstrated, the Grounds and Reasons of our present Distractions.  
And Methods proposed for preventing the same for the Future.  
By a Lover of Truth, and a hearty wellwisher to the Prosperity of the King, and his Three Kingdoms.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author, 1682.   

Plain Dealing IS A JEWEL, AND HONESTY the best POLICY.  
SInce the Arguments I have used for obtaining your excuse, have been so far from prevailing, that on the contrary, you are pleased by your last, positively to Command my sentiments of the Present Conjuncture of Affairs and Thoughts concerning those scandalous reports industruously spread throughout the Kingdom of His Majesties, having had (for many years passed) a design carrying on (and which is still kept on foot) for the Introducing Arbitrary Power, setting up Popery, Invading Liberty and Property, and extirpating (if possible) the Protestant Religion Established by Law.  
I shall with sincerity account to you my oJudgment, and offer such Reasons as I hope will convince all sober and  Readers, to be of opinion, that these reports are as false as malicious, having nothing of truth in them, 〈◊〉 occasioned as followeth.  
There are a sort of Malcontents amongst us, most of them men of mean Fortunes, turbulent and restless Spirits, who design Troubles and Commotions in the Kingdom (in hopes thereby to gain advantage to themselves by the miseries and sufferings of others.  
These make it their whole business to create in the minds of the King's Subjects, Fear and Jealousies of His Majesty's designing to Govern Arbitrarily, Introduce Popery, Extirpate the Protestant Religion, and Invade Property by setting up Abbeys and Monasteries, and restoring to them their Anciant Lands and Revenues, now dispersed into the hands of most of the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom.  
In process of time, by these (and such like) evil Practices, the Ignorant and unthinking men's minds (whose Capacities will neither give them leave to examine whether these Reports be true or false, reasonable or unreasonable to be believed; possible or impossible to be accomplished) are become greatly disturbed, and such jealousies are risen in them concerning the King, as hath abated the fervency of their former affection to his Royal Person, and their Zeal for his Service and Government, occasioned such Divisions, Animosities and Contentions between Subject and Subject, put their Spirits upon such firmentations, divided and subdivided them into so many several Parties, Factions and Interests, (each Diamatrical opposite to the other) that unless Almighty God in his Infinite mercy, goodness and wisdom, please to direct a speedy way for the Uniting them in Love together: I fear the consequence may in a short time prove pernicious (if not fatal) both to King and People, which it is dreadful to consider, should be the Effect and Consequence of some men's Credulity on the one hand, and others Impudent falsity on the other.  
Pardon me Sir, I beseech you, if I happen to differ from you in Opinion, when I positively affirm, that by all my own observations, and the Scrutiny I have made by enquiring of and conversing with others; I never yet found the least ground to believe His Majesty had ever really any design (as is falsely suggested) to set up Arbitrary Power, or Introduce Popery, nor is there any shadow or colour for the Fears and Jealousies of this Nature, with which men's minds are so strangely possessed.  
If His Majesty had ever designed so to Govern, sure it would have been show● at his first ●●turn into England, to take Possession of his Royal Crown 〈◊〉 Government for having lived most part of the time of his horrid Sufferings, under an Illegal and Unjust Banishment, in those Countries where the Government was absolute or nearest to absolute, (their Laws being Enervated and depressed by their Princes) it might have been reasonably expected he would then have brought over (considering how barbarously his Royal Father had been murdered, and himself, and the whole Royal Family been dealt with in their Exile) a Scheme of such Government with him, the which if he had done, no Prince in Christendom ever had such an opportunity to have accomplished the same, as our King then had.  
Was he not upon his return to his Kingdoms, absolute Lord and Master of all his Subjects Lives and Estates by the Law of the Land, occasioned by their own forfeiture, either by open Actings, or silent acqiescing under the late Rebellion, Services done for, or Taxes paid to the late Userpors; whereby they were all guilty of high Treason, and stood in need of His Majesty's Royal Pardon.  
Might not His Majesty after his Restauration (when all his Subjects either adored or feared him) being brought in with the Hearts and most Zealous Affections of his People; have had at that time any thing from his Parliament, that he could have demanded.  
If therefore he had then had a Design ever to Govern Arbitrarily, there never was such an opportunity for accomplishing thereof, as when he first came over; when he could not have asked that Sum of Money for his present supply, or annual Revenue for the future Support of his Royal Prerogative, and such his intended Government, but it would have been granted by his Friends in hopes of Reward, and durst not have been opposed by his Enemies (though never so unreasonoble) for fear of being called to account for their Treasons, no Act of Oblivion being then past, of which the meanest Subject stood in need, and could not have been long safe without.  
So that if His Majesty had any Intention ever (though not at that time) to set up for Arbitrary Government, he lost it for want of ask, for His Majesty well knew, that the Interest he then had in his People was such, that he need but to have demanded, and it would certainly have been given to him; Notwithstanding all which, to show his Subjects that he valued Reigning in their Hearts and Affections, much more, than to be Master of their Lives and Fortunes, forfeited to him as aforesaid; he was graciously pleased himself to press his two first Parliaments to pass a general Act of Indemnity (which they did with great regret) and threw himself upon his Parliaments for such supplies as they then thought necessary for the present support of the Government, without making any Bargain, or entering into any Capitulation with them, as he might have done, for a constant and certain Revenue for the future.  
Nor did His Majesty (if he had any such design) deny himself in his respect only, but in many other, that were in his power, whereby he might have Enriched himself, and brought Immense Sums of Money into his Coffers to have been kept in readiness, (when ever he had been pleased to set up for such a Government) wherewith to have defrayed the necessary Charges thereof, as for Instance.  
His Majesty might have taken all the Church Lands into his own possession, where the Incumbants' were dead, (and there were very few living when he came first in) all the Rents belonged by Law to him, till he filled up the Vacancies, and he might have renewed all their Leases, and taken the Fines to himself (without doing any wrong) and was offered 850000 l. for so doing, as also that the Yearly Revenue of the Church should be doubled, and every Purchaser in England satisfied (which would have been a great Security to his Government) notwithstanding all which, he could not be prevailed with to accept of, or close with, that offer.  
Again, if His Majesty ever had any such design, how easy had it been for him to have taken the same course that Henry the 7th and other Princes formerly did, and if he had so done (when the Parliament in few years after his Restauration, had given him above five Millions of Money to carry on a War with Holland) how easy had it been for His Majesty to have closed a Peace, got vast Sums of Money for so doing, and put up that and the greatest part of what the Parliament had given him into his own Coffers; whereby, and by means aforementioned (had he been parsimonious, and designed mischief to his Subjects:) he at this day would have had all the Coin of the Kingdom in his Exchequer, and therewith might have Governed his People, and commanded their Liberties and Properties at his pleasure.  
But our King's Design and Practice hath been hitherto, so far from taking this Course, that his Subjects have taken occasion rather to condemn him for expending so great a Treasure, as hath been given him, and yet at the same time rejoice, and please themselves with the consideration, that it is gone, accounting nothing a greater security against Arbitrary Power, than their Princes being under a necessity to fly to his People in Parliament for supplies upon the least extraordinary accident, or Emergency of State; and though they know, and are well assured this is the King's present Condition, yet, most maliciously, would they impose upon his Subjects, and force them, contrary to Reason, to believe that he designs to Govern Arbitrarily, when at the same time they are well assured it is impossible for him so to do.  
For no Prince can Govern Arbitrarily without a Force, nor raise and maintain such Force without Money, nor come at that Money without Credit, nor can our King, if he would, so Govern, raise such Force, and get Money to pay them with, but by the consent of his People in Parliament, neither can he change our Government here, but by a long tract of time.  
Wherefore, no wise or considering person ought or can ever believe (whatever they say) that His Majesty (who hath never attempted any such thing since his Restauration, notwithstanding the many opportunities before mentioned, which he had to have facilitated the work) especially coming in after the greatest Tyrant that ever Reigned, finding an Army raised, which would not only have served him, but made his Government more tolerable (being agreeable to the pattern left by Oliver, who raised and kept them on Foot) if His Majesty, I say, has neglected such oppertunities as these of setting up Arbitrary Government, in the vigour of his Youth, when newly Married, in height of Reputation, beloved and feared of all both abroad and at home, in expectation of Issue of his own to Succeed him, and having a Parliament to assist him, such as never any King of England before had, (a Parliament that would have denied him nothing he should ever have desired of them) how can any rational man think or imagine he will attempt it now, when his Exchequers is empty, his Reputation (by the horrid false and scandalous Misrepresentations aforesaid) low, and himself growing into Years, and without Issue of his Own to Inherit, especially at this time, when his Kingdoms are awakened and on their Guard to oppose it.  
The rather ought we not to believe this, if we seriously consider what most men certainly know to be true, which is, that our King is a Prince of a most peaceable Disposition, merciful in his Nature, hating Cruelty. Oppression and Trouble, a Prince under whom, (as the Author of that saying most truly said, and by experience hath since found) the unfortunate fall gently; if so, then ought no man easily to believe that he should now divest himself of his Glory, by changing his Nature and Disposition, to live the remainder of his time in Confusion and Trouble, and pass from that Estate of Happiness and Security which he now Enjoys in the Affections of his People, to a necessity of being afraid of all mankind, and beholding to the assistance of an Army for his future security, (which is the height of Slavery) a Prince under their Guard and Protection being as unsecure as his people, and as much at their mercy, as the Roman and Ottoman Princes ever were.  
Neither can such vain fancy enter into any man's mind that hath common sense, so as to create in him a belief thereof, when he shall Consider what Laws His Majesty hath past, for securing the Liberty of the Subject against the Bugbear of Arbitrary Power, which so many pretends to be afraid of.  
1. To wit, the Petition of Right against quartering Soldiers, by which all power of marching with an Army, without Money wherewith Constantly to defray their Quarters, is taken away, and without an Army there is no danger of Arbitrary Government.  
2. The Act for taking away the Courts of Wards and Liveries, and that for Sale of Fee farm Rents, before which most Subjects held their Lands of the King, and were obliged to do him Suit and Service, and their Children during their minority liable to be his Wards from all which they are now Discharged.  
3. The Habias' Corpus bill, in passing whereof, His Majesty hath in a manner at once Discharged all his menial Servants, from his Royal protection, and put it out of his own power to Imprison any Suspected Person, so as to hold him long, though for Treason itself.  
These were the Acts the wisdom of our parliaments conceived best for the security of the Subjects against Arbitrary Power and Government, and these Acts the King most readily Condescended to pass, and now to Imagine he should design a change of Government, were to conclude, he follows Councils and takes Measures unknown to all Ages before, and contrary to all former Examples, and it argues great Pusilanimity in his Subjects to be afraid of that which (morally speaking) is in its own nature impossible.  
The rather for that His Majesty who might (as I said before) have carved out a standing Revenue at his first Restauration, sufficient to have supported such a Government as we fear; he to show he had no such Intention contented himself with a Revenue, the greatest part whereof is only for his life (as the Customs) and accepted of the Hereditary part of Excise amounting but to 300000 l. per annum, in lieu of his Court of Wards and Liveries (which was of twice that yearly value) besides the Interest he had thereby in almost all his Subjects Estates.  
If then His Majesty hath hitherto done nothing tending to the setting up the Government pretended to be feared, (for it can be but a pretence) though he hath sometimes had two Millions, and never till of late less than about 150000 l. per annum, certainly having now not much above a Million per annum (and no power to raise any but by Act of Parliament, and his Parliament of late years been so unkind as to give him nothing) its nonsense and malicious for any man to talk (and as great folly to believe) that there should now be a design on foot, to set up, or Introduce a new method of Government.  
In my opinion it is so far from it, that the aforesaid Acts, have taken away all possibility thereof; turned things to another Extreme, and so limited the Civil Magistrates Power, that in many cases they will find it dificult to mentain the Government in so headstrong and stubborn an Age as ours now is.  
This that hath been said, being seriously Considered, I hope will leave room in no Man, for so much as a Suspicion, or jealousy of any Design in the King to Introduce Arbitrary Government, without which it is Impossible to set up Popery, or Invade Liberty and Property.  
Not but that I must acknowledge and confess there hath, since His Majesty's happy Restauration, been some things done which seemed to have a tendency, to all these mischiefs; These I shall briefly give Account of, show how they came about, the evil Effect they have had, what Inconveniencies they have occasioned, who advised those Councils and since have Endeavoured to bring His Majesty, his Ministers and Government in Contempt with his people, for the mischiefs that have happened as the Events and ill Consequenses of such, their own pernicious Machinations.  
And when I have done with this point, I shall Endeavour to show how little Danger there is of Poperies coming into England, though a Popish successor should happen, and that all the noise made about that, is only a design set on foot by the French King, and managed by his Pensioners in secret Conjunction with our Malcontents, and men of Commonwealth Principles on purpose to create Jealousies, fears and troubles amongst us, and hinder our King and his people from Uniting till the French King hath made his Game sure, finished his Conquests, destroyed the Protestants and their Religion abroad, that with the more Ease he may destroy us and it together in England, and I will endeavour to demonstrate that nothing else can be or is designed by most of the hot headed Gentlemen (whatever pretence they make to the contrary) who spend their whole time keeping several Companies purposely to exclaim against His Majesty, his Ministers and Government) but to promote Popery (which they so cry out against) and advance the Popish Interest (which they so much pretend to fear) and show that they are ruining the Protestants and their Religion, even when they so highly inveigh against Popery and Papists, therefore by true Protestants ought to be avoided as Wolves and Bears designing to devour them.  
The most remarkable passages that have happened, and which first occasioned these Jealousies and fears, of Introducing Arbitrary Power, and Popery; were transacted about 10 Years since; I'll mention them briefly, and leave the reader to recollect who steered then at Helm, in whose Cabals those Resolutions were not only taken, but by whom also they afterwards were put in Execution.  
First, His Majesty's gracious Declaration for suspending all penal Laws, and granting Indulgence to Dissenters, the only thing, to my remembrance done since the King's Restauration, that had the least tendency to the setting up Arbitrary Power or Popery; and this I must confess prima fancy seemed to aim at both; though neither of them was, as I believe, designed by the King, who granted the same on no other account, than for the Ease of Protestant Dissenters, and upon their solicitation, therefore ought rather to have been with all humility and thankfulness accepted and acknowledged as His Majesty's great Grace and Favour, than with such high Ingratitude turned upon the King to his prejudice, and the disadvantage and dishonour of his Government.  
It is undoubtedly in the power of the King by His Royal Prerogative to despence with the penalty of any Statute whatsoever pro hac vice, upon any Emergency of State (where the matter dispensed with, is not malum in se, but only malum quia prohibitum,) by granting Liscences with a non obstante of the several Statutes in force against the matter Dispensed with, and so he might have granted Licences to Dissenters, to meet for the Exercise of their Religion, and appointed places of meeting, and Parsons to Preach amongst them, which the Law and former practices of his Royal Ancestors would have warranted and could never have been Questioned.  
But to Suspend a Law is in the Nature of an Obrogation, and he that can obrogate may as well assume the power of making Laws, and that Prince who hath power to make one, may make any Law, if any Law, a Law to raise Money and Forces, and that Prince that hath such Authority shall never need call a Parliament, he himself having Power, to raise what Money and Force he shall think sit, ergo may govern his Subjects Arbitrarily at his Royal Pleasure.  
This was the chief Reason why the next succeeding Parliament after this Declaration was Issued, (though they were willing Dissenting Protestant's should have had Ease) Addressed His Majesty for the Cancelling that Declaration, to which Address, His Majesty most graciously was pleased to give his Royal Concession, but a second ground of such Address, appeared to be.  
The Consideration the Parliament had, that the said Declaration suspended all Sanguinary and Pecuniary Laws, against Priests, Jesuits and Papists, which if continued long, might silently and by degrees have Introduced Popery, and caused its growth amongst us, this they had great reason to suspect might be designed by some of those who advised the King thereto, who now endeavour to throw the odium (due to themselves for such pernicious Councils) upon the King (who our Law says can do no wrong.)  
Again, who was it that about the same time advised the shutting up the Exchequer, when so many thousands of His Majesty's Loyal Subjects, whole Estates and Fortunes were lodged therein for security; than which no Security in England was better till this stop of Payments was prevailed for.  
Who was it that when they had given this advice (and the same was agreed unto) stopped the Declaring thereof for several days, till they had drawn their own Money out of the Bankers hands, well knowing such stop must ruin them, and resolving they would not lose any thing themselves by what they had advised the King to do, to the utter ruin of so many of their fellow Subjects.  
Was there ever so high a violation of Property committed in any Age, as this, or any thing done besides this since His Majesty's Restauration tending in the least to Invade the same.  
When this was put in Execution, and the Creditors of the Bankers began to sue for their Money, and they flew into Chancery for Injunctions which were denied by the Lord Keeper Bridgeman as being contrary to Law.  
Who was it advised His Majesty to remove his Lordship from the Seal for his tumidity? Who was it that afterwards Succeeding him in that Office granted the Injunctions before denied, and continued them till he knew the Seal was like to be taken from him, and then to Ingratiate himself with the populacy dissolved the same.  
This Stopping of Payments in the Exchequer will appear the more heinous, and an act that all (who are Loyal, love the King, and concern themselves for his Honour, Princely Dignity and Royal Government,) must obhor if they do but reflect back and seriously consider for what end this was done, and the sad consequences that have happened to England thereupon, which take as followeth.  
Those who had advised His Majesty to Issue out the Declaration aforementioned, and stop the payments out of the Exchequer, had also thought it convenient that the Triple League should be broken, that His Majesty should join his Forces (which they then had advised him to raise, and were afterwards Encamped on Black-heath) with those of France, and that the Dutch Smerna Fleet then coming home richly laden should be seized, before any War with Holland Declared, perhaps the most pernicious and dishonourable Act that ever Prince was put upon by his Ministers (dilenda est Carthago). and from whence this poor Kingdom may justly date all its late Miseries and Distractions.  
For hereby was the Peace of all Christendom Disturbed.  
This hath occasioned the loss of some hundred thousands of Christian lives, Exhausted the Treasure of England, as well as all Europe besides, weakened the Protestant Interest throughout the World, and strangely advanced the Growth and Power of France, helped him in all his late Conquests, and made him at this day (who is the Common and Grand Enemy to the Protestant Religion) a terror to all Nations about him, as well as a most cruel Persecutor of all his Protestant Subjects at home, of whose miseries and intolerable sufferings we have every day fresh Instances before our Eyes.  
Whilst these Gentlemen, who gave His Majesty these Advises, were in his Councils and Prerogative Royal, proved subservient to their private Interests, it could never be thought high enough, though now they are of opinion (as appears by their Actions) it can never be too low, nor too much exposed and brought in contempt.  
Who was it that declared the Prerogative of the King to be Law, and not only the Law, but the principal part of the Law, and his Royal Edicts above Law.  
Who was it that before the sitting of the Parliament, advised the Issuing of Writs for the Electing New Members, to serve in the House of Commons, in the rooms of those Deceased, during their recess, and when the Parliament met, and the Commons had Voted those Elections void, and ordered new Writs to be Issued, for the choice of others in the rooms of those, so unduly Elected and Returned.  
Who was it that for some days refused to Seal the same, declaring it to be an Entrenchment upon Prerogative, and when obliged thereto by His Majesty's positive Commands, went home and turned his back upon the Sealer's, whilst the Seal was affixing to those Writs, to the end (as he said) that his Eyes might never behold Prerogative trampled upon by a House of Commons.  
I shall forbear to name any persons, it being fresh in every man's memory, that took any kind of notice of public transactions, who were then our Premier Ministers of State, and took mighty care to maintain Prerogative and advance it to the height, the better to improve the same to their own Advantage.  
But no sooner upon the Addresses of the House of Commons had His Majesty resolved to Cancel the before Mentioned Declaration, and Issue out Writs for new Elections, than one of those Noble Peers, finding he could not dissuade the King (as he Endeavoured) from Complying with his Parliament therein, aplyed to the Commons, Wriggled himself into their Cabals, and by subtle Insinuations stopped the Impeachment designed against him in Parliament, for such his Pernicious Counsels.  
Which done he presently fell to work and played his Exploits in the House of Lords where being one day Privately Charged with high Ingratitude, in having deserted his Master, his Lordship made answer, It was the King that had left him by departing from his Declaration, and not he the King, and Immidiately with some other Lords closed with the Mobile, set up for Popular Interest, and Endeavoured in all parts of the Kingdom, to possess the People with Prejudice to His Majesty's Royal Person and Government on pretence that his Majesty really designed to Introduce Arbitrary Power and Popery amongst them, and that they for opposing the same were removed from his Counsels and all places of Trust, when as (if any such Intrigues were then on foot) they had been the first advisers and chief promoters thereof.  
By these and other such like false Suggestions, they fomented differences between the King and his People, Created in them Jealousies and Distrusts of each other, prevented the Parliaments giving His Majesty the Suplies necessary for Enabling of him to have Joined his Arms with those of the State's General and their Allies (which he declared himself ready to have done) for preventing the further Growth of the Power of France; and yet all that while, alarmed and frighted the Subjects with daily Printing and Spreading abroad Pamphlets wherein they Represented, how dangerous a Condition they were in by reason of the Increase of that King's Power, with whom they seemingly pressed His Majesty to make War, tho' certainly they never Intended he should so do, for if they had, they would have Endeavoured to have gotten him the Sinews thereof, To wit Money wherewith to have defrayed the Charge thereof, and not used all their Art and Skill as they did to hinder him from the same.  

By way of degression give me leave here to offer two Questions to serious Considerations.  
First, whither those who advised His Majesty to break the Triple League, Seize the Dutch Smirna Fleet before a War with Holland, was declared, Suspend all his Penal Laws, stop payments out of his Exchequer, and Join his Arms with those of the French King, against the State's General of the United Provinces, may not reasonably and without breach of Charity be suspected to have been (at the time of such advice given) Pensioners of France and whether (if any thing done since His Majesty's most happy Restauration ever had any tendency towards the Introducing of Arbitrary Power and Popery into this Kingdom) It was not His Majesty's proceed upon those Councils.  
2ly. His Mejesty (upon the Addresses and advice of his Parliament, having Resolved to departed from the aforesaid Councils cancel his Declaration, Issue out Writs for new Elections, withdraw his Arms from the French Kings assistance, and send them in Aid to the States Genreral of the United provinces for preventing the further Growth of the power of France, whether those Persons who ever since have made it their business to divide between the King and his Subjects, and prevent the Parliaments giving him when he desired 600000 l. to have Enabled him in time to have Joined his forces with those of the State's General and their Allies for the End before mentioned, may not as reasonably and with as little breach of Charity (as the former) be suspected to be French Pensioners; The first Designing only to advance France, by bringing Holland Low, and these Contriving how to keep Holland under by hindering His Majesty from Assisting them for the pulling down the power of France; If the latter may be Equally suspected with the former; I am sure all who have taken any kind of notice of the Transactions of Affairs amongst us, for this Eight or Nine Years past, must needs know who they are, that have been guilty of both.  
But to Proceed,  
Whilst these Noble Lords were in Power, and one of them, either as Chancellor of the Exchequer, or one of the Lords Commissionors of his Majesty's Treasury, had the almost sole manadgery and dispose of every Branch of His Majesty's Revenue.  
No Sum of Money could be granted the King by his Parliament, that by them was Esteemed sufficient, a Million and half, Two Millions and half, at a time signified little.  
But no sooner were they discharged from their Ministration, than the Cry (every where set about by them) was, You Freeholders' of England, you Gentlemen of the House of Commons, have a care what you do, keep close your Purses, if you give Money you are undone; Prerogative will be advanced too high, Arbitrary Power and Popery will certainly be set up, and the Subjects thereby Enslaved, like those of France; as if Prerogative Power, though Vested in the King's Person, were not to be Exercised by himself, but by his Premier Ministers, and as if there were no persons in England fit to be made such Ministers, or to be Entrusted with the Exercise of that Power, save only they who for the Reason's aforesaid, His Majesty had thought fit to remove from their Trust, and out of His Concils.  
This amongst simple Honest people gained belief, was looked upon as wholesome Council, the which they Embraced with thankfulness, and diligently pursued, every where agreeing to instruct their Representatives in Parliament to this purpose, and upon the choice of the three last Parliaments, chose sew or none to Represent them, but such as they were assured would pursue this their Direction, which accordingly hitherto hath been done.  
Now give me leave, in short to account the Sad Consequences that have Ensued upon these Evil Practices; His Majesty, for want of Supplies necessary, (which these false and subtle Insinuations put into the Ignorant People's Heads, kept from him) hath hitherto been rendered uncapable of carrying on the War against France, which the Parliament still pressed for, and His Majesty promised to have begun, and would have vigorously pursued (if they would have given him 600000 l. when he desired it, the which they refused to do) neither have they since given him any Money, but what by the Act that gave it, was appropriated to particular Services.  
The Consideration of this gave Courage to the French, and so disheartened the Dutch, that they for their own preservation, were obliged to agree a Peace without the consent of their considerateth, who since have been necessitated to enter into the same, though to the unspeakable Damage of Christendom.  
For hereby was the Confederacy broken, between the Emperor, Spaniard, Dane, Hollander, and all the Princes of the Rhine.  
By this the Duke of Brandenburg was obliged to deliver up all his Conquests in Pomerania, and Bremen, which had cost him so dear.  
By this means the considerateth Army, for want of Money, hath since been most of it Disbanded; whilst the French Army, with his Immense Revenue, is still kept on foot, and daily Increased, to the Terror of all Europe.  
The Incursions he hath since made upon Flanders, Alsace, Strasburg, and Cazal (the Keys into Germany and Italy) hath Alarmed all parts of the World, none knowing where he will design next, nor what places he will Demand as Dependences belonging to his new Conquests.  
I know this is all Charged upon our present Ministers, as the effect of their Male Administrations, and the People are laboured hard to believe the same.  
But in my Opinion all these Mischiefs proceed from, and are the ill Effects of the  Evil Councils, which the King so long since had given him, and were put in practice as aforesaid, and proceed chief from the Malecontentedness of some of the Persons that gave those Councils, who being used to Govern, and now removed from all places of Trust, know not how to Obey, and sit quiet, therefore endeavour to Confound all His Majesty's Councils, break all his Measures, and obstruct all Proceed for Public Good, in hopes to oblige His Majesty to a necessity of Restoring them to His Favour, and their former Trust, as not being able to Manage the Government without them.  
I cannot say these are the sole occasions of our present Mischiefs, for there are a sort of men, about the City, and all over England, in every County, of Turbulent Spirits, Active Minds, Subtle Wits, little Fortunes, and less Consciences, Credit or Reputation sufficiently Debauched, and Vicious in their Principles and Conversations, these are found out and made use of by the French, are Pentionors to that King, and Employed to fall in with our own Malcontents, and seemingly to take their parts; these run from place to place, tell the Danger the Kingdom is in, of Popery and Arbitrary Power, and of the Plot on foot to destroy the King, and Protestant Religion, and what Danger the Protestants are in, of being Massacred, these Improve their Interest with the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, in every Parliament, to hinder giving any Money, lest they Enslave the Kingdom thereby, these Roar about Streets, and at every Coffeehouse, and in all Companies they come into, what Danger the Protestant Religion is already in, and that it will certainly be Destroyed, if ever a Popish Successor should happen in England, flock like Bees to the Court of Request when our parliament sits, bussing in the Ears of our Representatives, That there is no way to be secured, but by passing an Act for Secluding His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, from ever Inheriting (let him now, or hereafter be of what Religion he will) the Imperial Crown of this Realm, which for the Three last Parliaments, hath been vigorously Endeavoured, and with success to their Designs, by having hindered all other Affairs, and prevented all Remedies for settling and composing our present Differences, and securing us against future Mischiefs.  
These Pensioners are so subtle, and seem by their Carriage so real fierce and violent against Arbitrary Power and Popery, and Zealous for securing our Liberties and Properties, that to our Misery they have gained too much Credit amongst the Gentry, and down right honest Country-Protestants, because what they persuade them unto, at first sight seems greatly their Interest.  
But by the little Conversation I have had with them, and the best Observation I can make of their Proceed, they appear to be Jesuits or Papists in Masquerade, like Watermen rowing one way and looking another, French Pentionors, (or at least Act as such) carrying on the Popish Plot apace, which they so violently Decry, do the French King's Drudgery, promote his Designs, and instead of preventing Arbitrary Power, and Popery, Endeavour what in them lies, to Introduce and Establish both; and Extirpate the Protestant Religion, were it not so (which I pray God every sober Protestant may see through and prevent) they would never Fndeavor as they do, to divide between the King and his Subjects, (whose Interests are so inseparable, as that to separate between them, is to destroy both) nor create Distrust in the King of his People, or in the People of their Prince, the Consequence whereof will inevitably (if continued) be the Destruction of both.  
Did not these Gentlemen thus design, certainly they would not at this time of the Day Endeavor (as they do) to widen Breaches, heighten Differences, and increase Animosities between Protestant and Protestant, divide and subdevide them into so many several Factions and Parties, but rather study how to close and make up the Breaches, heal the Divisions, and compose the Differences amongst them, by Uniting them in Love (though of different persuasions) thereby to strengthen their hands against their Common Enemy the Papists.  
Now I will Endeavor to show, that these men act quite contrary, and that what they are doing tends to the Interest of France, the advantage of Popery, and is destructive to the Protestant Interest.  
For this purpose I lay down as my Foundation, That the King of France, his Grand Design is to make himself Universal Monarch of the World, this he knows he can never do, if the King of England and his Subjects were hearty United, and did Love and durst Trust each other, for that People that Love and Trust their Prince, will never deny him any Supply necessary, for his own Support, and their Defence; therefore if all those Jealousies and Fears, which these sort of Caterpillars have fixed in the minds of the Subjects, were removed, and it were possible to undeceive them, and show how they have been Imposed upon, to their prejudice, and that all Reports of His majesty's design to Invade Liberty and Property, and Introduce Popery and Arbitrary Power, were false, then would the King have their Hearts entire to himself, consequently their Purses, and could never fail of sufficient Subsidies for support of his Prerogative, and the Government, and securing Us against all Attempts from abroad, as well as at home.  
This the King of France well knows, and therefore Endeavours to prevent, foreseeing that such an Union would be fatal to him, for than would our King be able to stop all his Proceed, hinder not only his making farther, but oblige him to vomit up all, or the most part of his new made Conquests; therefore his Design by these his Emissaries and Pentionors, is to keep up Jealousies and Fears, and to prevent all means used for Reconciliations amongst us; by crying out still of the Danger of Popery, how that Religion increaseth in England, (though they know there is not one Papist in the Kingdom for One Hundred Protestants) this is done with design to oblige His Majesty, for avoiding of Clamour upon himself, to proceed against Jesuits and Papists at Law, to Convict them of Recusancy, and Seize Two Thirds of their Estates, the which is prosecuted by a few covetous Persons) only with design to get Devidents of their Estates to themselves.  
By which Proceed here, the French King does his works abroad, goes on to finish his Conquests, takes advantage of the Prosecution of a few Papists here, to make that his Example to Persecute, with all Imaginable Cruelty, innumerable multitudes of Protestants in France, with Resolution to Extirpate that Religion out of his Dominions, (and if other Catholic Princes should follow his Example, which God forbidden) it will not be long ere his Most Christian Majesty will have finished his work, made himself Universal Monarch, have totally destroyed the Protestant Religion abroad, which done, I appeal to all good and wise men, who Love England, and the Protestant Religion, and desire its Growth and Preservation; how soon, and with what Ease, that King may overrun us, and Extirpate that Religion from amongst us, which we seem so Zealous to promote, but by the wilful mistake of many (I fear) are Destroying.  
Now that I may convince all honest, plain hearted, and well meaning Protestants, that there are a sort of Persons amongst them who make it their business to Inveigle their heads with false and scandalous Stories, (thereby to possess their minds with prejudice to His Majesty, and Government, and that those so Employed, are either all, or most part of them Pensioners of France, who betake themselves to this work, with design to destroy the Protestant Religion, rather than to preserve it, and Enslave Us, and the Kingdom, instead of preventing Arbitrary Government from being set up over us, and that all the World may see, that their Actions (when laid open) have no tendency to the advancement of the Protestant Interest, or securing us against the Growth of Popery, nor to deliver us from the Grievances they pretend the Kingdom Groans so much under, give me leave to offer to your serious Considerations, these few following Particulars.  
First, If they designed to promote the Protestant Religion, and did hearty desire its flourishing in England, certainly they would then consider the miserable Condition of the poor Protestants in France, what Cruelties they Endure, and that would beget such Pity and Compassion towards those, as would put them upon Petitioning His Majesty for Mercy to the few Papists in England, and to stop their Convictions upon their present Prosecutions, for some time, rather than to suffer multitudes of Protestants, and that Religion, to be Destroyed abroad merely to Enrich themselves, by receiving shares of the Estates of Papilts Convicted here, such Pity would be more acceptable to God, more agreeable to the Spirit of a true Protestant, more for the Honour of that Religion, and in the End prove as advantageous to their private Interests in this World.  
Did these busy Gentlemen I speak of, design good to England, desire its Prosperity, or to promote the Protestant Interest, and had believed the Kingdom in such danger of Popery and Arbitrary Power, or that the Subjects had suffered under such Grievances, as they Endeavour to represent to the People.  
Then certainly ever since their apprehension of such Danger, they upon the opening of every Parliament, or Session of Parliament, would have put the several Members of the House of Commons (as well as the Lords) upon a right Course of preventing the Mischiefs they seemed to fear, and delivering us from the Grievances they pretended the Kingdom suffered under, but as if they had not believed what they reported, they took the contrary Course, and instead of persuading the Parliament to moderate sober Councils and Proceed, studied to put them into Heats and Passions, and upon Exclaiming against particular Persons, to whom they owed prejudice, as being His Majesty's Servants and Ministers.  
These upon common Fame, before heard, or Witnesses examined against them, must be Removed from the King's Presence and Councils for Ever, on Addresses from the House of Commons, no Body knew for what, save I ancies and Imaginations.  
But some of them being too Great, and their Integrities and Abilities for His Majesty's Service, better known to him then them, His Majesty not thinking fit to Remove them.  
Thereupon some of these worthy Patriots of their Country, for several Sessions of Parliament, made it their business, to do nothing save to contrive Differences between the Two Houses of Parliament, for which purpose, they questioned the Lords Jurisdiction, in matters of Appeals, particularly in the Cases of Shirley and Fag, and others, which Controversy they carried so high, that Sir John Fag, and several Lawyers, were Committed by the House of Commons to the Tower, for only appearing before the Lords at their Bar, and owning their Judicature in Cases of Appeals, from Courts of Equity, this single Point caused several Prorogations, and rendered several Sessions Fruitless, though the same was never before called in question since His Majesty's Restauration.  
Now if those Gentlemen, who so highly concerned themselves in these matters, had been of such public Spirits, as to spend their time in laying open the Dangers they apprehended we were in, and the Grievances we suffered under, with Design to have prevented those Dangers, and redressed those Grievances.  
They would certainly then have applied to the several Members of Parliament, pressed for Moderation, desired them to avoid all Heats and Passions, and to look into the Plot, search it to the bottom. Try the Lords in the Tower, and examine the Truth of the several Grievances complained of, and find means to prevent the Danger of the former, and secure us for the Future against the latter, in doing whereof, they must necessarily have found who had occasioned both, and after securing the Subjects, then to have fallen on the Persons Guilty, would have been more proper, for if then these Persons had been too great for the Parliament, and procured Prorogations and Dissolutions, yet had the Parliament discharged their Consciences, done their Duty, preserved their Country, and deserved Thanks and Honour from those they Represented,  
But to fall upon particular Persons first, and to do nothing for our Security, because they could not have their Ends against those Persons, they had prejudice too, give me leave to say for them, to be persuaded to this method of Proceed, in my apprehension, did not argue, that either they themselves, or those persons that informed them of the Grievances and Dangers the Nation was said to lie under, believed the truth of either; and if so, then was it a Barbarous Act, to amuse, alarm and frighten the People from their Duty to their Prince, with groundless Noise and Clamour.  
If really there were at those times such Grievances and Dangers, as Represented, how could the Parliament have answered it to God, and their Country; if through their private Heats and Animosities, the Mischiefs threatened, (and which the Nation seared) had fallen upon us, if they had then believed our Danger so great as they discoursed it to be, and had not known, that more Noise and Clamour was made, then there was just occasion for, I am of opinion, they would for their own Honour, as well as the public Good, have first endeavoured to have secured our future Happiness, rather than hazarded the same, out of some private Peak they had to particular Persons.  
Again, If these Gentlemen, by the Endeavours they used, to have obtained an Act for Secluding his Royal Highness from the Imperial Crown of England, had designed to secure the Protestant Religion against a Popish Successor, had that (I say) been their single Intention, certainly they would have made the Act general, to bar for the future all Persons of the Popish Religion from Inheriting, or wearing the Imperial Crown of England; but to bring in a Bill against James Duke of York, alone by name, and that whether he be Papist or Protestant at the time of the King's Death (provided he should happen to survive him) this kind of procedure seems rather to be the effect of the Malice and Revenge of some particular persons against the Duke's Person, (who have gone so far as that they judge, they cannot be safe, if ever he Reigns,) than a Design to secure the Protestant Religion against a Popish Successor.  
For First, If such Bill was past, and his Royal Highness should die before the King, that Act dies with him.  
Secondly, If the Duke survive the King, he being near as Old, it cannot be expected he should live long after him, so it would do little good, nor will it be any great Security to the Kingdom, to have him barred, and no Body else.  
Besides, the offering of such Bill was unmannerly, and put a hardship upon the King, to Exclude by a Law his only Brother from Inheriting the Crown of England, though he should be a Protestant, and at the same time, (out of Zeal to the promotion and preservation of the Protestant Religion) leave room for the King of Spain, (or any other Popish Successor, except the Duke of York) to Succeed our present King, and bring in the Spanish Inquisition with him.  
What savours this of, or looks it like, but a malicious Design of particular persons against the Duke of York, I am sure I can find nothing of a real Design in it, to Secure the Protestant Religion and Interest.  
Whereas if the Bill had been made general, to have barred all Popish Successors, it would have been more excusable, and might perhaps have been judged the effect of the Parliaments Care of the Protestant Interest, and it may be, would not have appeared so difficult for the King to have past, if he had found reason to believe it for his Subjects Good, and with tendency to the Security and Happiness of his Kingdoms.  
Because in such Case His Majesty had done his Royal Brother no wrong, only by advice of Parliament had passed a general Law, for the public Good, and Security of his Kingdoms, That could neither hurt the Duke, or bar him the Succession without his own consent by Declaring himself a Papist.  
Besides, if this Bill had passed into an Act, what would it have signified, has not many of the like nature been past against several former Princes, who notwithstanding thereof, after lived to sway the Sceptre in this Kingdom.  
I know but they will tell you, they designed to have seconded this Bill, with another for an Association, whereby to have enabled the People to keep the Duke out by Force, and perhaps they would have been as angry and uneasy to, if that had not past, which if it had, then might they have presently dethroned His Majesty, the present Possessor of the Crown, and that with as much ease and Justice, as they can hinder his Royal Brother from Succeeding him, and thereby Entail a War Domestic and Foreign upon the Kingdom  
Pray Consider, whoever sets up against his Royal Highness' Title, must have at least Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot constantly in Arms, to Defend himself, and keep the Crown on his Head; for the Duke is an Excellent Soldier, a Gentleman of Personal Valour and Resolution; a Prince of great Conduct and Interest, (beloved both abroad and at home) therefore cannot want Supplies from his Friends here, or the Aid of Foreign Princes (at least, of those who are Allied to him) to assist him in recovering his Right, which perhaps may Entail upon us another War for Fifty Years, and the Miseries attending the same, such as that formerly, between the Two Houses of York and Lancaster, and if such an Army must be raised, (though no War happen) must not the People of England pay them, and what that will cost, or what Arbitrary Power that Prince may set up, that hath such an Army at his Devotion, I leave to Judgement.  
Consider, if those that advise to this Course of Procedure, be Friends to their Country and the Protestant Religion, take care to preserve the Liberty and Property of the Subject, or rather, whether they are not such as put us upon Methods to destroy them all, lay us open to Arbitrary Power, (as we were in the time of the late Horrid Rebellion) and to all the Plunderings, Freequarters, (Taxes of 60000 l. per Month, as was raised by Oliver and his Council, without a Parliament) Sequestrations, Decimations, Imprisonments, Banishments, etc.) God knows how many Mischiefs more, may ensue upon such Force being raised, and maintained, as a standing Army amongst us, as is absolutely necessary to be kept on Foot, if the Succession be altered.  
I cannot believe any honest man, who is really a Protestant, Loyal to the King, loves his Country, and desires its Interest, Happiness and Peace, especially, if he lived in the times of the late Intestine War, and beheld the Miseries the Nation then groaned under, can or will (if he has any Estate or Trade) ever desire a change of Government in England, or a necessity of having a standing Army to support that Government, (which necessarily this Bill desired, for altering the Succession, must have) therefore none but some few Malcontents, or such as desire the Destruction of the Protestant Religion, will pursue the same any further.  
Having done with this point, and shown how ridiculous it is for men to distract their minds, with the fear or apprehension of His Majesty's Governing Arbitrarily.  
I proceed to the Second thing proposed, and hope to demonstrate by reason, That we are in as little danger of Popery prevailing, howbeit a Popish Successor hereafter should happen to Inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm.  
Before I enter upon this, give me leave (for my own Justification, and to prevent being Censured by the Reader) Solemnly to Declare, in the presence of Almighty God, and the whole World, That I am a Protestant, and have been bred up in that Religion from my Youth; I am so far from being a Papist, that to my remembrance I never was in any Parish Church, Chappel, or other Place, where Mass was said, or the Popish Religion Exercised, during such Service being performed; I have an equal Love and Esteem for all Protestants, though of different persuasions, so that they be Conscientious, and Religious, and submit to Government; and I would have them allowed all Liberty, so long as they use it, not to the Disturbance of public Peace, or the Government of Church and State; therefore hope a Charitable Interpretation will be made of what is here offered to Consideration; since I argue (not out of any approbation to the Popish Religion, or desire of its being Established here, or to live to see a Popish King Reign over us, nor out of any prejudice to any Protestant Dissenter) but merely to quiet the minds of those who distract themselves, with Jealousies of Poperies overrunning the Kingdom, if ever a Popish Successor should Reign over us, knowing how dangerous it may be to the Protestant Religion, for Protestants to be misled by such Idle Persuasions.  
Suppose such a Popish Successor should happen, the Question than will be, Whether that Prince, or his Subjects, will suffer most?  
I am of opinion, that a Prince of that Religion will find himself very uneasy, and Reign with great difficulty, over the English and Scotch Nations, whatever he may do over Ireland, there being in the Two former, One Hundred Protestants, for One Papist; though in Ireland perhaps, there is Ten Papists, for one Protestant, and yet even in that Kingdom, will it not be in his Power to Establish the Romish Religion, or Invade his Subject's Liberty and Property, much less to hurt us in England, in either of these particulars.  
It hath been observed in History, that Princes of the weakest Titles, have always yielded to the best Laws, complying with their People, and compounding with them for the Government.  
If a Popish Prince ever happen to Reign in England, though he be Right and Lawful Heir, both by Birth and Succession, yet will his Religion render him suspected by his People, of having a design to change theirs, and invade their Properties (consisting much in Abbey and Monastery Land) so they will always keep him as uneasy as they can, and never give him Revenue sufficient to maintain such Power and Force as shall endanger them.  
And when the King (to whom I beseech Almighty God to great a long Life and happy Reign) shall happen to Die, his whole Revenue, excepting about 450000 l. per Annum, Determines with him; so that if his Royal Highness survive him, and be King, he will not (with all his own present Revenue, joined to that of the Crown) have above 550000 l. per Annum.  
How can any rational man than believe, that with that Revenue he will be able to raise and maintain such Force, as must necessarily be kept on foot for his own Security, if he goes about to change the Government, or alter the Religion of the Kingdom Established by Law.  
Our present King, though he hath had a Revenue of Two Millions, or a Million and half, Yearly; and now had above a Million per Annum, never yet attempted such alteration, and shall the Duke of York (supposing he had a Will to do it, which I am confident he neither hath, ever had, nor will have) be able to Establish Arbitrary Government, or Popery, with 550000 l. per Annum, It is in my poor Judgement, only altogether impossible.  
Object. I allow the Duke with such a Revenue cannot hurt us, but the French King having at least, Two Hundred Thousand men in Arms, and a Revenue sufficient to pay them, and being obliged to keep those Armies Employed abroad, to prevent their Rebelling at home; he is so Zealous for Establishing Popery thoughout Christendom, and Rooting out Heresy, that for premoting so Meritorious a Work, he will Supply our King, if a Papist, with Arms and Money sufficient to carry on that Design with Success here.  
Answ. It is great folly to Imagine, that the French King, who knows his own Interest, (though it be true, he neither wants Men or Money to carry on any Design he undertakes) should assist our King with either, for the Uniting him and his Subjects under Arbitrary Power, or any one Religion whatsoever (though Popery itself) both being Destructive to his Interests, and a putting Power in the hand of our King to break all that King's Measures, and prevent his making himself Universal Monarch (than which, nothing is more by him desired and endeavoured.)  
For if once the King of England and his People were United under either, the French King knows he will be able to give check to all his further prosecution of that design; therefore though he may (and I believe does) spend a hundred thousand pounds per annum in paying Pensioners Employed by him or his Ministers to divide between the King and his Subjects (which being his Interest to have done, he will spare no charge that may Contribute to the doing thereof) yet would he not give 20000 l. to make our King absolute, or Unite him and his People under any one Religion whatsoever, though Popery itself.  
For he is a wise Prince, studies his Interest, knows how he parts from his Money, and will dispose of none to carry on any design that may turn to his prejudice, than which, nothing in the World can be a greater than to have the King and his Subjects United.  
What hurt then can his Royal Highness do his Subjects if he Succeed his Brother, since there will not be left when the King dies Revenue sufficient to support the necessary Expense of his Royal Family and Government, without Supplies from abroad or at home, and if no Foreign Prince but the French King can, and that King will not Supply him, must he not then immediately call a Parliament, must not the People choose that Parliament, will the People of England awakened as they now are, and then will be with Fears and Jealousies of the Danger of Popery coming in upon them, and losing their Estates, (consisting of Abbey and Monastery Lands) choose any Members to serve in those Parliaments, but such as they can trust and depend upon, to provide for the Security of their Livers, Liberties, Religion and Properties; or will those Parliaments, when met, (being equally concerned in Interest with their Electors) ever give such Popish Successor any Revenue to hurt or destroy their own Interest.  
It is Nonsense to believe they will give him a Groat, till they have provided for their own, and the Kingdom's security, in all these particulars; and they know not his Royal Highness, that have so ill an opinion of him, as to believe him so Irroligious, so weak of Judgement, or void of understanding his own Interest, as to accept the Crown, take the Coronation Oath, if he resolve not to keep and observe the same, by Governing according to Law, and securing his Subjects in Peace, by preserving to them their Religion, as well as their Liberties and Properties.  
His Royal Highness cannot be Ignorant of the Jealousies the Subjects of England have already of him, and well knows, those Jealousies will certainly increase, when he comes to the Crown, therefore must expect, when he calls a Parliament, that that Parliament, when it meets, will certainly tell him,  
That having left our Church, and Declared himself, thereby a Papist, he cannot be Trusted with the Disposing any Ecclesiastical Promotions, or with any Sum of Money, that may Endanger the Kingdom, by assisting the Papists, nor will they suffer Persons of that Religion to come near him, or his Court, to Influence his Councils, as we vainly Imagine,  
So that in my poor Opinion, The Kingdom under such a Prince, may obtain such Laws, and other Conditions, for securing their Religion, Liberties and Properties, (before they give any Money) as they would never dare to propose to, or could ever hope for, or expect from a King of our own Religion.  
Besides, no man that hath common sense, (whatsoever he says to the contrary) can believe that ever his Royal Highness, (if he be of another Religion, than that professed in this Kingdom,) can if he should live to wear the smperial Crown of his Realm, ever hurt us, though he should Design so to do.  
For being of a Religion, to which the Generality of his Subjects have a great Aversion and Antipathy, and having but a small Revenue, an Inconsiderable Party, and that Party Fettered with Laws, and the whole Kingdom Alarmed, and for their own Security, Armed, and in a posture to defend themselves; it will be impossible for him to subdue such a Nation, in such a Condition, and under such Jealousies and Circumstances.  
Nor will he be able to break through the Laws, made for the Defence of our Religion, more than he will to Violate those made for Security of our Liberties and Properties.  
If after all this, we shall persist in our folly, and close with nothing offered, except an Act for Excluding his Royal Highness go along with it, then of all Nations on the face of the Earth, is ours (in my Opinion) like to be the most Miserable.  
For such alteration of the Succession (as it is said before) must be maintained by a Force, and standing Army, (a Crown being always esteemed worth Fight for) which Force we transmit to Posterity, with a desputable Title, for a new Trial of Skill, like that Anciently between the Houses of York and Lancaster, which every good manned must certainly Dread the thoughts of, when he seriously considers, that War lasted about Sixty Years, cost the Kingdom its whole Treasure, besides the Devastation and Destruction made throughout the same, (especially in the North) and the many Hundred Thousands men's Lives were lost therein, and yet that War was occasioned, only by varying the Hand from the Children of the Duke of Clarance, Third Son to the Issue of John a Gant, the Fourth Legitimate Son of Henry the Fourth, and no Bastardy in the Case.  
I do not find in all my Reading, that any Government throughout the World, since the Reformation from Rome, ever made a Law to prohibit a Successor of that Religion from Reigning over them; Henry the Third of France, though earnestly Impottuned by the Holy League, to Exclude the King of Navarre, refused so to do, though that King was a Hugenot.  
In Edward the Sixth time, no Statute was made to bar a Popish Successor, then in prospect, though the Reformation was in its Infancy, and most Subjects were Papists; so that after his Decease Queen Mary was admitted to the Crown, (from whom the Kingdom had little reason to expect any great Happiness) rather then the Lady Jane Grace, who was a Protestant, and this done, because they would not bring a desputable Title of the Crown, upon themselves and Posterity.  
In Queen Elizabeth's Reign, which was after the severe Persecution of Queen Mary, (a Persecution sufficient to have begot an Eternal Hatred in the Nation, of any future Popish Successor, and to have Justified that Queen, in passing a Law, for preventing the same) yet was there no positive Law made in her Reign to bar Marry Queen of Scots, then alive, who was a Papist, and Her Majesty's Lawful Successor, all that then was done, was by the Act of 13th of her Reign, which made it Treason, to say the Queen and Parliament could not dispose the Crown, but they never actually disposed thereof.  
And give me leave to say, That such a Precedent would most certainly be as dangerous to our King now, as that wise Queen thought it might have been to her then; for that Prince that shows his People a Method of disposing the Succession, at the same time shakes the Title of his own Possession.  
All the Instances of former Parliaments, settling the Crown upon Henry the Fourth, Edward the Fourth, Henry the Seventh, and their Issues, comes not to our point at all, not being done upon account of Religion, but before the Reformation, when all were of the Religion of the Church of Rome.  
Those Acts therefore was made, to quiet the Succession, which Force had unsettled, (not to discompose a Rightful Succession, undisturbed) and to prevent that War and Bloodshed, that was rational enough to believe would have followed, and been the consequence of disturbing the Lawful Succession, (not to break in pieces an acknowledged and peaceful Succession, and Involve the Nation in Blood, for many Generations to come) they were so far from doing that, that rather than the Kingdom should be Distracted, with uncertain Titles; an Act was passed in Henry the Seventh's Reign, to command Obedience from the Subject to the King, De facto, afterwards the Kingdom, though secure, was never satisfied, till Henry the Seventh Married the Princess Elizabeth, Daughter of King Edward the Fourth.  
Again, If matter of Opinion in Points of Religion, shall be esteemed a reason of State, sufficient to Exclude a Lawful Successor, from his Crown, then has a Prince harder measure than the meanest of his Subjects, by any Law yet made, and the Peace and Happiness of these Kingdoms, hangs upon a very slender Thread, for than if the People should design Rebellion, they need only pretend a dislike of their Prince's Religion, to bar him from his Crown and Government.  
I hope the Wisdom of our Parliaments will give no such advantage against Protestants, to their Adversaries of Rome, as that Rome shall ever have occasion to say with Truth, We Protestants in England, have by a Law, made our Prince uncapable of Reigning, because a Heretic from the Protestant Religion, whilst we ourselves are striving to make Rome look black and odious for that most Damnable Doctrine of theirs, (that Princes may be Excommunicated as heretics, afterwards deposed by the Pope) so detestable a Doctrine, that we make all persons, that take the Oath of Allegiance, Renounce and Forswear it, let us therefore have a care we do not Imitate them in that Doctrine we so much Condemn.  
Consider seriously, whither such a Course will lead us, and then Judge, whether fit to be taken, especially upon such a Contingency as this, (of the Duke's Surviving his Brother) which perhaps may never happen, but if it should, he is of too great an Age now, to begin such Change of Government, and Religion, as is suspected, with any hopes of accomplishing the same, in his own time; if so, and it be also true, (as it is) that he is without hopes of a Successor of his own Religion, to carry on such attempt by him begun, (the Prince of Orange and Princess, and the Lady Ann, being all Protestants) why then should any man believe his Royal Highness, so weak a Prince, as to attempt such Change, with so small a number of men as his Religion shall have left him, which will appear so very small, as not to be feared by English men, when Rome shall assault their Religion and Properties, and oblige them to Fight for the same.  
That Prince, be he who he will, that shall at any time come into England with Popery, will come in with Weakness and Inability, to hurt his Subjects, by any Force of his own, nor will any Neighbouring Prince (unless he and all his Subjects be Luniticks) help to make him Absolute, that being to Endanger themselves.  
What Prince will be at Charges, Exhaust his Treasure, Weeken himself, to Strengthen his Neighbour, nor is that Prince much less than Mad, that should in such a Case, rely on, or trust to such Neighbouring Prince for Assistance.  
And for his own Subjects, they will be more dangerous, and uneasy to him, than he can be to them, for such Prince being without Reputation, Trust and Money, at home, will be without Assistance from abroad; and his own Subjects will never assist him to break their own Laws; well knowing, no Prince ever attempted the same, but the hazarded his Crown, by making the Essay, nor did ever any Prince Actually break through the Laws, but he was Ruined, and lost his Crown thereby.  
Nor is it in the Power of the Duke of York, if he Succeed his Brother, to break our Laws, in either of the respects feared, but if ever they be broken, it must be with the mutual Assent of both Prince and People, assembled in Parliament; for as our Law now stands, no Magistrate can do any Legal or Judicial Act in any Inferior Court of Justice; nor bear any public Office, Civil or Military, nor accept of, or be admitted into any Ecclesiastical Promotion, or meet to Vote in either House of Parliament, till they shall have first Renounced Popery, by taking the Oaths, and Test, and making the Subscriptions by Law required.  
If therefore a Popish Successor should hereafter happen to Reign over us, he will find it very difficult to Repeal those Laws that Establish our Religion, the Codsideration that the Subjects will always have (being fresh in their Memories) of the Fire and Faggot Queen Mary exercised in her Reign, for the Rescueing the Popish Religion, will oblige them to a steadfast Resolution never to departed from that of their own, I mean the true Protestant Religion, and until those Laws be Abrogated by Parliament, it will be absolutely impossible for any Popish Successor to Establish Popery here.  
If then what I have offered to Consideration be true, and it shall appear impossible to Settle a Government in this Kingdom out of the Royal Family, that shall continue, (as the late Rebellion hath demonstrated) or to hinder the Crown from descending in its due Course, without Endangering all our Ruins, and the Destruction of the Three Kingdoms, then am I sure every true Protestant, that either loves God, or the King and Government, or wishes Happiness to himself and Posterity, and the true Protestant Religion, must surcease all further attempts for altering the same.  
Since nothing Imaginable can have a greater tendency to the Intailing Confusion and Misery upon us, and the Generations to come after us.  
And the better to persuade to this Method of precedure, Consider, that the King cannot but have the Resentments of Humane Nature, as he is a man, though (returning to his Kingdom after the Horrid and Barbarous Murder of his Royal Father, and the illegal Banishment, and long and miserable Exile of his own, with divers Proclamations after him, setting Prizes on his Head, to have betrayed him) he hath shown and exercised the mercy of a most Excellent Christian, and Gracious Sovereign, for who can say with truth, that his Life, Liberty or Property, hath been taken away, or Invaded by him, contrary to Law, or without Legal Trials by their Peers, since his Restauration.  
Blame not therefore His Hajesty, (the Impressions of these former Usages being fresh in his mind) if he (taking notice of the late violent, and unwarrantable Proceed against him,, and apprehending from thence the same Mischiefs now designed, as heretofore) seem tenacious in some Points of his Royal Prerogative, lest the Government (by the wicked Practiees, and restless Endeavours, of some aspiring Subjects, uneasy in obeying any Government, in which they have not a share, and accounting it Userpation to be deprived of that part thereof, which they heretofore too long enjoyed) should once more revert and start back.  
This will appear at last (if I be not greatly mistaken) the chief occasion of all our present unhappy (and highly to be lamented) Devisions, and of the Distrust created between the King and his People, each fearing to be Bound, both striving to be Free; those who contrive to bind the King faster, believe he designs himself to be lose, Juding of the King's Actions, by the measures of their own Wicked and Fallacious Intentions, and thereupon strive to break all his Measures, and disappoint him in all his Undertake.  
And if these be the occasions of our present Misery, every Loyal Subject and true Protestant in England, that loves the King, his Country and Religion, aught to make it his business, to prevent these misundestandings for the future, which if they would seriously, and with Sincerity and Truth endeavour, I am of Opinion, the work would not be so difficult, as our Jesuitical Incendaries, and French Pentionors, represents it to be, and persuade those amongst whom they convers, it is.  
That Almighty God, of his Infinite Goodness and Mercy, may be prevailed with, graciously to bestow so great a Blessing as this, upon these poor Distracted Kingdoms, give me leave to propose to every man's Consideration, the Practice of these following Directions,  
First, Be truly Humbled for, and unfeignedly Repent of all your former Sins, by which you have provoked God to Anger, and turn from all your Iniquities for the time to come, that his Wrath may be Appeased, and he may Repent him, of the Evil intended against us.  
Love God with all your Heart, Serve him with all your Strength, make his Holy Word the Rule of your Life, and the Measure of all your future Actions, dare to do nothing Contrary thereunto, or Derigatory to his Holy Commands.  
Live by Faith not by Sight, walk with God, and be Upright, do your Duty in your Place, To God, the King, your Country, your Neighbour, your Family, and to your own Soul.  
Make it your Business to be Holy and Humble, value the Love and Favor of God, and an Interest in the Merits of his Dear Son your Redeemer, above all things whatsoever, and endeavour to obtain to yourself, a well grounded assurance thereof.  
Die to Sin, Self, the World, and all things therein, Daily, and Live to that God by whom you Live, giving him the Glory of all his Goodness and Mercy, extended towards you.  
Set not your Affection Inordinately upon things below, which are all Vain, Momentary and uncertain, but on things above, that are External.  
Be contented in every Condition, thankful and fruitful under every various Dispensation of God's Providence, submit to his Will, acquiese in his Pleasure, Bless him for what you have, and Murmur nor Repine not, because you have no more.  
Envy not those who are above you, and possess more of the Riches and Honour of this Life, than you enjoy, but behold with Pity, and Christian Compassion, how many there are better, and more deserving (perhaps) than you, who yet want what you enjoy, and it may be, sinfully waste; Help and Relieve such with a part of what you have.  
Trust God with the Government of the World, and submit to the Powers that are over you, as being of him, believe he is a Jealous God, will take care of his Glory, vindicate his Honour, advance his Kingdom, and the Interest of Christ, and propagate his Gospel, maugre all the opposition of Men, and Devils, and that this he will do in his own way, and at his own time, without any direction, or assistance from you therein; remember that he knows best what is good for you, and has promised that all things shall work together for good to those that Love and Fear him, and keep his Commandments; and that he will keep them in perfect Peace, whose Minds are stayed on him, because they trust in him; be not therefore wise in your own Conceit, and think that you can direct God; Soloman saith, Seest thou a Man wise in his own Conceit, there is more hopes of a Fool, then of such a Man.  
Judge yourself and not another, meddle with your own, and no other man's Business, search your own Heart, and try your own Spirit, whether it be of God, look into your own Deformities, and mend what is amiss in yourself, before you undertake, or go about to find fault with, or reform others, every one mending one, is the only way to mend all; and when by such Reformation and Amendment, we are fit for Mercy, God will give it, if we seek it in a right way.  
Think and Esteem of every man better than yourself, the lower a man in his own Conceit, the higher he is in the Esteem of God, and good men; the Proud, God sends away Empty, and causes to stand afar off, but to the Humble he will draw near, and him will he fill with good things.  
Live in Love, and as much as in you lies, follow Peace with all men.  
Do as you would be done unto, love your Neighbour as yourself, forget and forgive Injuries, recompense good for evil, pray for those that hate you, do good to those that dispightfully use you, yea pray for your Enemies, and do them good, if in your power, but not hurt.  
Lay aside all Malice, Prejudice, and thoughts of Revenge, against all Mankind, let not difference in Opinion in matters of Religion, beget difference in Affection, especially amongst Protestants, but Unite in Love, bear and forbear with, and hid the Infirmities of each other.  
Be easy to believe, and make known what good you hear of any man, whom you have reason to Judge honest, though of a different persuasion from you, and as hard to believe ill, unless you know it, and more of discovering it, except to himself, lest it prove false.  
Give not Credit to all you hear, neither Divulge all you know, take care not to invent and spread abroad any false Stories, to the Defamation of any person whatsoever, especially of those that are set in Authority over you, and to whom you are obliged to be Subject, whereby their Honour, Reputation, or good Name, may be called in question, or prejudiced; or their Persons and Government rendered low, or contemptible, this is abominable, worse than Murder, Reputation to a man of Honour; being dearer than Life itself.  
Lay aside and give over all names of Distinction, such as Tory, Whig, Fanatic, Tantivy-men, Bruminghams', Masquerade-Papists, Masquerade-Protestants, Church-Whigs, Church-Papists, and all provoking scurrilous Speaking, Writing and Printing, against each other; these are public Mischiefs, tending to the Destruction, rather than the Advancement of our Government, or the Protestant Religion, and proceeds from the Spirit of the Devil, rather than from that of our Blessed Saviour, whose Example we are commanded to Imitate.  
Be Just, follow Truth, pursue Righteousness, execute Justice Impartially, Relieve the Oppressed, Cloth the Naked, Feed the Hungry, Visit the Sick, Release the Imprisoned, be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the Fatherless, always go about doing good, and no hurt; avoid all Frauds and Deceits, deal fairly, and above Board, with all Mankind, abhor all Tricks and little Cheats, they will never last long, or do any man good; God will Discover and Detect them, to the Scorn and Contempt of whoever uses them, either of one side, or the other, be the pretence what it will, for so doing; there being nothing, that he who is the God of Truth, more Abhors, than such base and false Practices.  
If every man would make it his Business to Observe these few Directions, and submit (as commanded) to the Powers that are over him, as being of God, pay the King the Honour and Duty due to him, as his Sovereign, and prefer (as he ought) the public good and welfare of the Kingdom; before his own private Interests, which now too much Governs most men in our Age.  
And if the People of England, when they shall next Elect Members to serve them in Parliament, would choose such Persons to Represent them, as shall (when they come together to Consult of, and Provide for their Interests and Security, in their Religion and Property,) carry on their Debates with calm and serene Spirits, lay aside all Passion, Prejudice and Prepossession; Act with Moderation, Wisdom and Prudence, and behave themselves with that Loyal and Dutiful Respect to the King, which becomes them, and is their Duty, as they are his Subjects; His Majesty would then soon perceive, and easily be brought to believe, that he need not fear them; and with confidence I will presume to say, The King is not in such a Condition, as that his Subjects need to fear him, there being more Danger of a Commonwealth, then of Absolute Monarchy, where the People Set up for Reformers.  
By this way of Proceed, the King, (who is of a most Excellent Temper and Disposition, ready to pass by and forgive, whatever has been amiss, so amendment be made for the future) would quickly be gained by his People; (and as he is our Sovereign, give me leave to say, He ought to be thus Treated.) Hereby the Kingdom may obtain reasonable Laws, for their Security against all their present Fears and Jealousies, and future Dangers, (so as such Laws be pursued with becoming Humility and Duty, and without Heats and Passions,) however, if by this Method of Proceeding, the Parliament should not arrive at those, both reasonable (and perhaps necessary) Laws, they so pursue, yet will they have Peace, and Satisfaction in their own Minds, remain quiet in their Consciences, and be Justified before God and Man, for having done their Duty both to their King and Country.  
On the other hand, devise what good Laws you can, for the Nations Security, though you should get them past, yet if they be pursued in Parliament, with Heat, Violence, or any unhandsome, or unmannerly way of Proceeding; such Procedure I am sure cannot be Justified, either before God or Man, let the Pretences for so doing, be never so Specious; and give me leave to say, That the most Just and Reasonable things in the World, may justly be Denied, if demanded or pursued, in a Method that is Unjustifiable.  
Nor does it become so Great and Venerable an Assembly, as the Parliament of England, when met together, to advise the making Laws for preservation of the Nation in Peace and Tranquillity, to be themselves Froward, Restless or Peevish; wherefore I shall comfort myself at present, with the hopes of seeing our next Parliament come together with all the Qualifications of Wisdom, becoming the Greatest and Freest Assembly in the Universe, and proceeding with Temper, Moderation and Prudence, (of which there never was more need than now) and if they so do, I doubt not but that they may effect that Good they hope for, seem to desire, and aught to pursue, for their Country, if they do their Duty, and perform the Trust reposed in them.  
So may they gain Glory to themselves, and be Eternally Styled, The Happy and Healing Parliament, and the Generations to come will have Cause to call them Blessed; for having healed our Devisions, reconciled out Differences, made up our Breaches, United the King and his People, restored to us the Paths of Peace, and transmitted Happiness to us and our Posterities, and to the Generations that shall come after them.   
FINIS.