SOME ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE PAPER Delivered to the SHERIFFS, On Friday December, the 7th 1683. BY Algernon Sidney, Esq; Before he was Executed.  
THE old Sophisters of the Rebellion, (since the discovery of the Plot,) have been wonderfully industrious in spreading many inconsistent rumours, that might, (if possible) have stifled, and discredited its Authority. That stupendous piece of Villainy contrived by Anti-monarchical, Atheistical Republicans, is represented (to the unthinking Multitude) as an airy fantom, and illusion, a trick of State, and I know not what besides. These tricks and shams, our projective Conspirators imagine, will undoubtedly have a great influence on the tempers of the People, create doubts and jealousies and support the spirits of their Party, amidst so many wonderful disappointments. Their Design is yet deeper, they would fain amuse the World, and harangue upon their Innocency, that they might more securely and more successfully go on in their Resolved attempts against the Government.  
Not only the language of the Living, says, but the Dead speak, That the Plot is at an end, that the Innocence of the late Sufferers is so very conspicuous, that the World is strangely infatuated, if they credit the least part of this Fanatik Conspiracy. Egregious sophisms!  
I am sorry to find that this furor Fanaticus, this impetuous, preposterous Zeal, should hurry Men, into these Acts of Imprudence, and self-justification, even in that minute which launches them into Eternity, brings them before a Tribunal, where there is no Corruption of Jury's, on one hand; Nor no hypocritical pretences and evasions on the other, that can excuse or divert the deserved sentence.  
I am concerned likewise, that the Faction are Resolved, to defend themselves in all those manifest Acts of Rebellion, as it has been apparent in my Lord Russel's Case, and of this late unhappy Gentleman Mr. Sidney, who directly follows his steps in point of Justification.  
I have a great respect for Truth, and Plaindealing; I shall therefore modestly comport myself within the decent Rules of sobriety and calmness; since I consider how I'm to reflect on the behaviour of the Dead, who (I know) are in no capacity to make a Vindication of their actions.  
I shall not put the words of the Deceased Gentleman upon the Rack, to make them confess more than they would; But begin to Anatomize some particulars, which may be most pernicious in the consequence, if they are imbibed for Truth, and received as Gospel, amongst the undigesting multitude. Passing by his Apostolical Address [Men, Brethren, etc.] and his excuse for not speaking freely, because of the cold Wether and the Infirmity of Old Age, and a close confinement, I shall consider his opinion of the present Age, which he says makes [Truth pass for Treason.] He would have notably stigmatised it, but he was afraid the people would not relish such Popular pieces of scandal. [Their ears would be too tender to hear it.] This is a wonderful fit of squeamishness indeed, since he must needs know, that the Defenders of the OLD CAUSE, would have made great improvement of it. Fortiter calumniari aliquid haerebit. [West, Rumsey, and Keyling, (he says) knew him not, and others made use of his, and of others Names to give Reputation to their designs; the Lord Howard, is an infamous Perjured Man, who drudged, and forswore himself in expectation of the promised Pardon.] 'Tis no wonder to hear Witnesses branded with such opprobrious Characters, since the persons concerned, propose to themselves, that the dis-reputation of the Evidence is an argument of their Innocence, and that by making them Reprobates, they themselves should become Saints. 'Tis politicly done I confess, but the cheat can't pass upon all people. None but ill persons would engage in Conspiracy 'tis true; but the thing once detected, how is it possible the Principal Actors should be punished, unless their Brother Conspirators (though dipped in it themselves as my Lord Russel has it) should give Evidence against them? All Treasons must of necessity be unpunishable, if such Witnesses are not allowed.  
[The stress of the matter (he says) lies in the Papers taken in his Closet by the King's Officers, not proved to be his; but by the similitude of an hand which is to be easily counterfeited.] By his leave, the matters were not wholly reduced to the Papers, though those are bad enough by his own confession. A small Bill, or a compendious Letter may be counterfeited probably, and a person hastily perusing it may be deceived; But a constant intercourse of Letters, and diligent observing, and comparing the Characters, destroys such a Cheat.  
Mr. Sidney on his Trial, denies himself to be the Author of those dangerous wicked Principles (as he calls filmer's) contained in his Treatise, yet here he frankly confesses the whole, and tells the World (without any haetsiation, what his opinion and principles are; To refute which, it would take up a considerable time, which a short reflection upon this very Speech will not allow.  
However I shall touch slightly upon it. He pretends his sheets were an Answer to Sir Robert filmer's Patriarcha, and challenges a Liberty to express his thoughts in opposition to Kingly Government, which Sir Robert pleads for. His Anti-monarchical Principles are too too evident by all the actions of his Life; his opinion, or Article of his Creed, is this, [I Believe that God hath left Nations unto the Liberty of setting up such Government as best pleased themselves.] Without doubt Mr. Algernon was for the people's doing again what seemed right in their own Eyes, and for having no King in Israel. Our Pseudo-Protestant and Jesuitical Casuist again tells ye, That the Laws give Power to the Magistrate. Woeful experience nforms us, what sacred Blood was spilt, upon Prosecuting this Rebellious Topique. See the Trial of King Charles the First, and you'll find Bradshaw speak the very Language of our Colonel. The Precedent tells his Majesty, The Law is your Master, the Law is your Superior, Debent ei ponere fraenum. Rex est dum bene Regit, and no longer, if the Plenipotentiary's the people please. I fancy that 'tis equally possible to draw a parallel 'twixt the avowed principles of our discontented Statesman, and those of the Sophistical canting Precedent, as 'twixt the Covenant, and Association. Mr. Sidney allows that the people make Choice of their Governors; if so, 'tis certain they can depose them ad libitum. For that which creates a power must of necessity be Superior to that power it creates. What a silly business than is a King? (which is or really should be Legibus solutus, otherwise He can't be Supreme.) I say, What a trifle is a Crown, if it can be given and taken according to the giddy humour of a freakish Multitude? We may deny his suppositions likewise about his Election of Kings, which must be either by a unanimous Consent of a whole Nation; which is ridiculous: For never was a public, General Meeting of a whole Kingdom known for Election of a Prince; If there had been, one Dissenter would have taken away the Unanimity. If he talked of the Major Part or Choosing by Proxy, his Arguments will be found deficient likewise; But 'tis impossible to unravel all the particulars. He may talk of the King of France's modesty, and his boasting of the happy want of Power; yet the whole World knows how little he confines himself to these thin Cobwebs, the Laws, which he breaks at pleasure. Take then every Paragraph distinctly by its self, and you'll find abominable Principles couched under it; which once believed, would be destructive of any Government whatsoever. Take it altogether, 'tis a virulent Reflection and Libel against this. His Jury is picked, who could not judge of the nature of such a Treasonable Pamphlet: There were Persons of Understanding and Estates Returned, but his exceptions were against them; thinking by his flashes of Rhetoric to win the others into an opinion of his Innocence.  
By'r here comes the Epitome of scandal: [I was long since told I must Die, or the Plot must Die.] This is fine impeaching the Justice of the Nation; What! Does he make Abingdon Laws now in fashion? Hang a Man right or wrong. Sure no; He had all the favour in the World shown him, that a Person in his circumstances could expect, or desire.  
But here observe Malice and Rancour mixed with Scandal: [Jest the means of destroying the best Protestants should fail, the Bench is filled with former blemishes of the Bar.] Old Dogs never by't, but when they by't sure. Lord! What horrible Days of Persecution are these! the the best Protestants, i e. Rebellious Dissenters are condemned like Dogs, by a parcel of Men, who Sacrificed to the Idols of Mr. Williams ' s Chair. Alas! if he means so, their Memories (notwithstanding his detractions) will smell sweet, when the actions of a rash Tyrannical Club of Republicans, will stink down to Posterity.  
I shall not fall to the dissection of some other matters, but tell you, That (without Innuendo's) all these dangerous Justifications (which are essential to our True-Protestants) are purely Designed to Poison the People, to animate them to a vigorous Prosecution of their beloved Plot; which by our Colonel's Death will not dwindle into Air, but live, and be a scandal for ever to the Party, whom he espouses.  
Now for the spirit of a Non. Con: [Forgive these Practices, and avert the Evils, etc.] [Suffer not Idolatry to be Established in the Land.] This is much the same with my Lord Russel's: I do believe Popery is coming into the Land. This Bugbear is known by all of them, to be a successful business towards the Prosecution of their irreligious ends.  
Lastly, Be astonished, Reader, at that sinful security wherein he prides himself. Tantum Religio potuit suadere malorum! Was ever a Villainy so Patronised as this OLD CAUSE in Capitals? See how he justifies the Rebellious actions of his Youth, and makes Heaven to Vindicate 'em: As if the permission of God Almighty were an approbation; which is a very sinful inference.  
In short, I wish all People would consult their own Interest, and not follow the footsteps of our late Resolute Rebels, who make Treason Meritorious. But if any have been withdrawn, and seduced, let them early Repent, that they may divert the like Fatal Sentence that is infallibly due to all Factious Conspirators.   

LONDON: Printed by G. C. for John Cox, at the Blew-Ball in Thames-street, over-against Baynards-Castle. 1683.