Loyalty Protesting against Popery, AND Phanaticism Popishly Affected.  
BEING A SERMON Preached on the Fifth of NOVEMBER, 1682. At St. Olave's Hartstreet, London.  
By WILLIAM WRAY, M. A. Chaplain to the Right Honourable John Lord Berkley Baron of Stratton.  
LONDON, Printed for Walter Kettilby at the Bishop's Head in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1683.   

A SERMON Preached November V. 1682.  GEN. XLIX. 6. O my Soul, come not thou into their Secret; unto their Assembly, mine Honour, be not thou united. The whole Paragraph. 
Ver. 5. Simeon and Levi are Brethren: Instruments of cruelty are in their Habitations.  
Ver. 6. O my Soul, come not thou into their Secret; unto their Assembly, mine Honour, be not thou united: for in their Anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall.  
Ver. 7. Cursed be their Anger, for it was fierce; and their Wrath, for it was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.  
THIS Chapter contains the sum of jacob's dying Prophecies, concerning the Fortunes of his Sons, in aftertimes; how they should be the Heads of Tribes, what the Lots of their Posterity should be, and what especially Remarkable should betid each of them, in the Land of Promise. And these are called jacob's Blessings, wherewith he blessed every one of them.— v. 28. But we must take the Term in a very lax sense, if we reckon Simeon and Levi's sentence here in the Text, into the Number of Blessings: which is a smart Reprimand in the beginning, and a downright Curse in the close. To which we may either answer, that they are Blessings in the General, and that one Exception should not invalidate the Rule: or that the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies either to Bless or Curse, and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here a 
Job 2. 9  Genus and includes both: or lastly, that the Prophecy is ambiguously delivered; and what in the Letter appears a Judgement, in the Accomplishment proved somewhat of a Blessing. The Menace is, that God should divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel, and so it came to pass; For upon the Dividend, the Tribe of Simeon had no particular lot of their own; but possessed a Canton of Judah's Portion, the Over-plus and spare-part of their Inheritance, 
Josh. 19 1, 9  which was too large for their Number, till the entire Conquest of the Amalekites in Hezekiah's time; and then they enlarged their Borders 
1 Chron. 4. ult.  by entering into their Possessions. Notwithstanding the Jews report that the Simeonites were 
Targum Hierosol.  all along a scattered people; being commonly Scribes or Paedagogues, and so dispersed among the other Tribes. And then upon the Tribe of Levi, the Prophecy was fulfilled exactly, though much to their Advantage. For Levi had no Part nor Inheritance 
Deut. 10. 9  with his Brethren; and it was well for him that he had not; for the Lord was his Inheritance. And his Posterity being chosen to the immediate Service of God, the Administration of Holy things, they had the Tenths of the whole Land, beside many other Offerings and Perquisites, assigned them for that Duty. But though God was so Merciful to fulfil the prediction in a gracious sense, especially on Levi's part; yet undoubtedly it was intended by the good old Patriarch, as a tart Reproof of those his Sons inhuman Treachery, and bloody Massacre of the Sichemites; an account whereof you have at large in the 34. ch. which, to ease you of trouble, I shall here transcribe.  
Jacob, having broke off the Yoke of a Triple Apprenticeship under Laban his Father-in-law, was upon his Return unto the Land of his Kindred, as 
Gen. 31. 13.  God had commanded him. And, after several Adventures, being come safe to the desired Canaan, he pitched his Tent at Shalem, and there 
ch. 33. 18.  bought a piece of ground of Hamor the King of the Country, whereupon to build an Altar, to offer Sacrifice for his safe Arrival there. During their stay, Dinah, jacob's daughter, went abroad 
ch. 34. 1.  to visit, and acquaint herself with, the Daughters of the Land, whom Prince Shechem the Son of Hamor espied, liked, and deflowered: and thereupon solicited the King his Father, to treat with Jacob upon a Marriage; which he did, proposing 
Gen. 34. 6.  a free Correspondence, that they might match into each others Family, that the Israelites would take the Country for their Home, and settle, and get Possessions in it, and that they might peaceably Dwell and Trade together. Shechem backed 
ver. 11.  the King, proffering them to make their own Demands for a Dowry, and that whatsoever they would ask, he would make it good. The sons of Jacob, that studied rather to be Revenged than Reconciled, dissembled their Heartburning and Resentments, by a half-complyance: only objecting a Case of Conscience, and that they could by no means make Matches with them, because they were men of a different Religion: but if the Sichemites would consent to be as They were, take the Sacrament of their Covenant, and every Male of them be Circumcised, as God commanded Abraham, they 
ch. 17. 10.  gave their Faith to agree to their Propositions, to give their Daughters to the Sichemites, and take the Sichemites' Daughters unto them, and to dwell and become one people with them. These Terms pleased Hamor, but the Prince especially; who was eager to have the Match succeed upon any score: and to show his zeal, he deferred not, but took the Ritual mark upon him presently; and the next business was to persuade the People (after their Prince's example) to do so too: to which end they insinuated that the Israelites were peaceable goodnatured men, and men of Fortunes; that the Land was large enough to hold them; that Entertaining them would both enrich and fortify it; and that the only condition they stood upon, was a certain Ceremony, that every Male among the Sichemites, would submit to be Circumcised, as they all were. The people being over-persuaded, partly by their Reasons, but more by their Authority, universally consented, and took the bloody sign (ominously so to them) into their flesh.  
Thus these poor Credulous Wretches, being betrayed into the snare, and rendered incapable, for the present, either to Fight or Flee, lay at the mercy of a Provoked enemy, Impotent and Defenceless; neither capable of offending others, nor saving themselves. Simeon and Levi took the Advantage of their own Treason and the Sichemites' folly, and while they were sore, with each man his Sword in his hand, they came upon the City, and slew all their Males, the King, the Prince and the whole Royal line not excepted: and thus they rescued their Sister from her Ravisher. And to accomplish their Revenge, they plundered their Houses, drove off their Cattle, and carried their Wives and little ones captive into their own Tent. At the News of which Treacherous and bloody Do, their Father Jacob was hearty ashamed and grieved; and could not forbear to let them know so, saying unto Simeon and Levi, these Traitors, Murderers and Regicides, Ye have troubled 
Gen. 34. 30.  Me, to make Me to stink among the Inhabitants of the Land: Which Horrid story he could never forget, nor be reconciled to, to his dying day. Simeon and Levi are Brethren: Instruments of cruelty are in their Habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their Assembly, mine honour, be not thou united.— Cursed be their Anger, for it was fierce; and their Wrath, for it was cruel. These were his last thoughts, his Deathbed Remembrance, of that Days work. And indeed there are so many Circumstances, both base and bloody, attending it, as render it most dishonourably and barbarously wicked. In summing up whereof, give me leave to draw a Parallel, so far as it will reach, between the Conspiracy of the Text and that of the Day.  
I must confess the story is too modest for the Occasion; but who can help it, since there's scarce any Age, any History, either Sacred or profane, that will afford a Match for it? But to bring the Instances as near together as we can,  
1. Let us compare the Circumstances of the Persons, the Conspirators, on both sides.  
Simeon and Levi were Hamors guests, though not his Subjects; being admitted upon Courtesy to sojourn in those Quarters: and it was very ingratefully done to violate the Laws of Hospitality, and fall foul upon him that had so befriended them. The Provocation indeed was great, and almost invincible; though it appeared to have been rather a Matter of Infirmity than Design: the offender offering all the Restitution that could be, either for the Damsels Honour or his own. And if this was not sufficient to make them Friends, they should, for these Reasons, have been generous enemies at the least. Thus stood the case with the Conspirators in the Text.  
But for those of the Day, they had the Bonds of Nature upon them as well as Gratitude: They were Natives and Subjects, and the Kings of England their Nursing Parents, under whose benign Beams they drew their first Breath; at whose Care they were brought up secure from the hands of (such as themselves) Bloodthirsty and Cruel men, and by virtue of Their Laws, estated and confirmed in their just Rights and Inheritances. Thus they did eat their Bread at the charge of the Government, That was their Protection, and they sat safe under their own Vines, and under their own Figg-trees. But that's not all.  
They did not only enjoy the Influence of a Royal Providence, in Common with other Subjects, but had the Advantage of singular kindnesses, which, such as deserved better, neither did, nor were capable of receiving. Legal Mulcts were taken off, and all arrears remitted, that they were behind hand for their obstinacy and disobedience in the foregoing Reign. They were admitted to Court, taken into Favour, employed in Trusts of State, and preferred to Honours, as if they had rather been men of Merit, than Law-breakers and Malefactors. These were the Simeonites, the Lay-Conspirators of this Day.  
But for the Sons of Levi, they were Tenants at Will to the Government for their Lives. There were Sanguinary Laws in force against them, and every hour they lived, was upon Mercy and by Permission. And yet from the first of that King's Reign, to the happy Discovery, here they lived, here they had their Freedom, here they enjoyed the benefit of the Law, and (though all their Lives were forfeited) not one of them felt the smart of it. That if Suspension of the Laws, if Remission of penalties, if pardon of unrepented faults, if Reward above and without Merit be Princely favours, and such as double the Subjects natural obligations to Obedience and Loyalty; then these were the Men, equal to any in the world, that stood accountable for these engagements; for there were none of them that were not beholden to the King, either for their Lives, their Fortunes, their Liberties, or undeserved Courtesies and preferments; and many of them were engaged for all. And yet these unthankful Miscreants conspired against their King, their Friend and Benefactor, and sought his Life to whom, in more than one respect, they owed their own. Neither could they, with the Israelites, pretend any Provocation, of weight enough to turn the scale so beladen with good turns, or so much as give a just occasion of offence upon the even square, all considerations of Royal favours being laid aside. Here was not deflowered Virgin in the case, but the contrary; and all that could be pretended was, that Spiritual Whoredom was not tolerated, nor Religion made a Prostitute to the Lust and Wantonness of Men.  
2. That which Blackened the faces of the sons of Jacob, was their Falsehood and Treachery. The Business was made up, the Terms agreed, the Conditions on the Sichemites' part performed, and the Sacred Rite of Circumcision was made the Sacrament of this Civil Contract. But contrary to the Faith of their Word and Promise, contrary to the Articles of the League, Sacred to all the World; they violate the Covenant, break the Alliance, and Murder Those whom they had bound themselves to defend.  
And the Obligation of every Subject to be True to his King and Country, is no whit inferior to the most Solemn Contract, whether he take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy or no? 'Tis that which Nature and the Bonds of Society oblige him to: 'Tis that which every Christian has solemnly Sworn in his Matriculation Oath, to Renounce the Devil and all his works: the Devil, that Arch-Conspirator against the Throne of God: and all his works of Darkness; and certainly Treason and Rebellion have a prime place in that black Catalogue, in spite of an 
* Index expurgatorius.  Italian sponge. Another branch of that Initiation Oath, is, to keep Gods holy Will and Commandments; And Honour thy Father and thy Mother, stand in the Front of the Second Table. That to Plot and Rebel, is actually to renounce our Baptism, and to abjure Christianity, as well as Civil Allegiance, in two main Articles of that Covenant.  
And indeed, other Oaths from Subjects to their Prince, would be very impertinent, if either the Law of Nature or Religion would hold us: they being more proper Ligaments of mutual Friendship and correspondence between Equals or strangers, and where there is no such Relative duty naturally owing. That there's as much Perfidiousness in Disloyalty, though we have never been put to an Oath, as if we had sworn a Thousand; For the Oath makes not that a Duty which was not so before, but only serves to convince him that takes it, and make him sensible that it is so, and the more conscientious to perform it. So that the Conspirators of this Day were no less Perfidious than Simeon and Levi, no not they who never took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, it being a Principle of their Religion not to take them.  
But here's not only the Breach of Faith to answer for, but Clandestine Treachery. They surprised their Allies and Confidents unawares; and having betrayed them into a state of Impotence and Security, murdered both the helpless, and those that were at Peace with them. Josephus informs us farther, 
De Antiq. Jud. l. 1. c. 19  that it was at a time of extraordinary Festivity, and probably upon the Occasion of this new Alliance; that it was in the Night too, when all Jealousies were hushed, and when weary of the Pleasures of the Day, the Sichemites had fearlessly given themselves up to a profound Repose: so essential is it to Treason, not only to be False, but Cowardly and Base.  
I have hated the sins of unfaithfulness, says the Psalmist, Bluntly and Pathetically: and certainly there is no sin so detestable as Treachery is, nor any sinner in all the Sacred History, that hath the like infamous brand upon his Memory, as Judas hath, who kissed and Betrayed his Master: to whom that of our Saviour was no less severe than kind, Friend wherefore art thou come? Which is very applicable to the Occasion: for, Lord, who suspected our Roman Judas'? who had injured them? who had provoked them? or who was at Enmity with them? nothing but the foreknowledge of their Principles, and the experience of their former Villainies, (could at such a time, under so gracious a Prince, of so meek and gentle a Disposition, and so particularly kind to them) have persuaded any sober Man, to suspect them beforehand, or to believe them Traitors when discovered; such Reason had the Government, from its own tenderness and indulgence toward them, to be secure, and hope well of them. But this is the Time for such Devils to do their work in, according to the example of their Master; who sows his Tares in the Field, and sends his Firebrands into the Harvest, when men sleep and think no harm: and 'tis his Principle and Temper to Damn and confound those that are most his Friends. That this Conspiracy was Nightwork, contrived in an Abyss of Darkness, managed in the bowels of the Earth, carried on with all the Arts of secrecy, and that it was circumstantiated with all the Formalities of a Cursed Treason, I need not tell you, for the History is no less notorious now, than the Plot was once a secret.  
3. These Sons of Jacob, to put a good Face upon the Matter and prevent suspicion, pretend Religion and a point of Conscience; that they could not converse freely with the Sichemites, till they were Circumcised; when, in truth, they could not conveniently Murder them till then. And who could have mistrusted these men of Perjury, that had such tender Consciences? who could have imagined but that they were Saints in their Morals, that were so scrupulous about a Ceremony? Nay, but who would think that the Sons of the Patriarch should profane the Sacramental Badge of their Profession, the Seal of the Promises, the most Sacred Rite of the Religion of that Age, and impiously pervert it to the ends of Treason and Bloodshed, and by the same Symbol adopt the Sichemites into their Fraternity, and mark them out for Murder? I believe the stratagem was a Novel in that Age, though it be grown stolen in ours. No man now almost has a design to drive, but Religion and Conscience are of the Plot. These are the Procurers to our Lusts, and Factors for our Covetousness, and Suborners of a Poll when we have a mind to be Popular. We defraud or belie our Brethren and forswear our selves; We clamour the Church and slander the Government; we speak evil of Dignities, and murmur against our Betters; we Confederate and Associate, Conspire and Rebel, Murder Kings, and take possession of their Thrones and Lands, and yet come off cleverly and with Applause, by putting all upon the score of Religion and Conscience: And, being fortified with these Charms, there's nothing so Sacred that we dare not Profane, nor so Horrid that we dare not do.  
Doubtless the Papists first taught the Reformation this Religious Juggle: For they have all along consecrated their Devilish Practices by these Glorious Names. The Church's interest is the centre of their Religion, and their Consciences turn upon the same Pin: that every thing is Pious, Conscientious and Meritorious that makes for the Cause; and there's no sin with them like ill-luck and miscarriage.  
Oh, the Work of this Day had been a Blessed Work; the Traitors, Saints; and the Day a Red lettered Holy Day, as long as ever the Date of the Roman Calendar had lasted, if things had but gone merrily on for a few hours longer, till the fatal Thunderclap had gone off, and struck the Church and Kingdom dead at a Blow!  
And then for drawing in a Sacrament to serve a purpose, there are no Simeonites no Levites in the World like them. Have you not heard of an Emperor dispatched with the Eucharistical Cup? and of a certain Pope suspected to have been so served by the Consecrated Host? Nay does not the Sacrament itself in their Notion, flesh them in Cruelty, and teach these common God-eaters, to devour, and suck the Blood of Men? The Present Instance seems to whisper somewhat like it: For the Conspirators first hardened themselves with the Transubstantiated Elements, and then, like Judas, big with the Devil and Malice, went on boldly, as far as God's providence would let them, with the Execution.  
4. The last thing I shall observe in this Tragedy, is the concluding Act, their impartial cruelty in the Execution. The King, the Prince, the People, all the Men of the City that were within the reach of their Fury, were offered up a Propitiation to their Revenge, for Shechem's Folly: and all the Females seized on to make satisfaction for one single Dinah's Virginity. And the Histories of France and Ireland will inform you, how the Papists there, like Simeon and Levi or the Wild Indians, have Run a Muc, and murdered all that were not of the Italian Shiboleth and Complexion. But the most accursed of all their exploits that ever they did, or designed to do, was this Project of the Powder-plot: That they should conspire against a King, not their enemies but their Own; a King that studied their Friendship, (and had like to have paid for it too;) a King of their own Religion, or of that Religion which they profess and aught to be, a Christian; and with him the Royal Branches, the hopes of the Succession; the Nobles and Judges of the Land, the Fathers of the Church, the Representatives of the People, the Government, the Strength, the Religion of the Nation, to Confound them all in a Moment, that they might never see, nor live to ask who hurt them; This was the greatest Masterpiece of Treason, that ever the Reprobate Wit of Man projected. Cursed be their Anger, for it was fierce; and their Wrath, for it was cruel.  
We can make no better Application of this, than what Jacob did of the Treachery of his Sons, O my Soul come not thou into their secret; unto their Assembly, mine Honour, be not thou united. Which is both a Protestation against their Wicked Proceed, and a Desire that he might never be concerned in the like, and that what was passed might not shamefully reflect upon his Honour, nor be charged unto his Account. And I believe we are willing to be thought, in respect of the Papists, of the same mind that the Patriarch was in respect of his Sons. I suppose few of us are of the Romish Clubs, or frequent Wild-house to Cap Treason at the Jesuits Gossip. Popery is so justly Detestable among us, that we care not how little we have of the Company of such as profess it. And it would be well if we were as irreconcilable to their Counsels, as we are to their Persons: and equally enemies to their Designs, as to their Religion. They can never hurt us, except we play booty, and help to do it ourselves: Which They are so well convinced of, that they despair of our Ruin any other way: And the last Trick that with any hopes of a probable success they can Play upon us, is to fit us for their own Turns, and wind us into the Conspiracy against ourselves. And that either by Poisoning our Principles, or turning the edge of our Practices against one another.  
First, They have a design upon our Principles, and to make us the Heretics they are pleased to call us, and such as they are Themselves. For what they believe distinct from other Christians, is commonly erroneous and dangerous. The Supernumerary Articles of the Trent Conventicle have almost every one a Plot in them, either to destroy others, or to advance themselves. But their Politic Creed, which serves to keep up the State and Grandeur of Holy Church, is most fatally Pernicious; tending to the subversion of all Christian Monarchies in the world: The Articles whereof are such as these:  
That the King is the POPE's or the PEOPLE's Creature; for 'tis indifferent to their great Machiavels the Jesuits, whose he be, so he do but belong to either; Take him whole, or divide him, or how you please, so that God, to whom alone he belongs and is accountable, may have the least share in him.  
That the Pope if he be a Heretic, and the People of a Tyrant, may depose him: They being Judges whether he be so or no. That it is as much as his Crown is worth for either of them to call him so. 
That is supposing him a Heretic, or no friend to the Roman Cath. Interest.   
But if the People contend to have him all to themselves, the Jesuits a fair chapman, and will rather give up the Spiritual interest of the Chair, than dispute it: that if the People do but depose him, be it for Tyranny, be it for Heresy, nay be it for Popery, or suspicion of Popery, do but depose him, and he is contented.  
If the Presbytery put in for a share, and pretend an Interest in the Religious part of him, the Jesuit will give them leave to Excommunicate him; to deliver him to Satan, to do any thing with him that may but lessen him, and help to bring down his Crown and Honour to the Dust.  
Nay their Creed is so far for the Right and Property, or rather the Prerogative of the People, that it gives you to believe, that if Kings mismanage their Trusts, if they Traitorously invade the Liberties and Lives of the Subjects, 'tis the people's duty to call them to an account, to judge them if they know how to catch them; and if not, that then 'tis free for every man to kill them where he finds them; and that 'tis good State-Divinity to appoint Rewards for so doing, as well as for kill Bears and Wolves, and destroying the Vermin of the Country.  
These Principles, howsoever they have been Transcribed by the Northern Evangelists, with the last horrid improvement, own their first draught to the Jesuits Pen. These were Machinations forged for the subversion of the Protestant Religion; by Mining its main Fort, the Civil Government, and lopping the Power of Kings, the Defenders of our Faith.  
But to their shame be it spoken, there are too many Protestants, affectedly Fond of that Character, who are thus Jesuited: Whose Souls are in their secret, who think their Thoughts and Counsels, and are of their very Judgement, as if the same Numerical Genius, the Soul of a Traitor inspired them both. And yet with what zeal do they declaim against Popery? with what Indignation and scorn do they expose the Pope and his Jesuits, and serve the Inquisition upon them in Effigy at certain solemn Times? How do they Curse the Hellish Conspiracy of this Day: and do all that Good Subjects ought to do and more, to signify their Abhorrence of it? But for all this, Ye are Friends, Sirs, and why fall ye out? why, but because ye envy their Plots, but because ye are for a Monopoly, and spite any body to be Traitors like yourselves.  
Lord! what haste do they make from Rome, and what a distance do they keep in all things else? Episcopacy is voted Antichristian, because 'tis the Government of that Church; and so it was of all the Churches in the world, before Popery was known, either Name or Thing. The Liturgy is cried down for a Mass-book Translated, because 'tis a Form; and they choose rather to talk to God in extempore blasphemy, than address themselves in sober words and sense, if they be composed to their hands. Ceremony is all exploded upon this Account; and one party refuse good manners to God, because the other is Superstitious. In most matters of mere Opinion, that are not of the very Essence of Faith; they endeavour to think as far from Papists as 'tis possible, and in some Points even to falsehood and absurdity. Nay, they have much ado to believe their Creed for fear it should be Popish: and because the Church of Rome screw the Article of the Holy Catholic Church too tied, they either leave it out, or however seem as if they knew not what to make on't. And 'tis strange that while they so industriously shun them in all things else, they should thus concur in that which is most Abominable and wicked.  
Some of the most Moderate and Wisest of the Papists, distinguish between the Court and the Church of Rome, and renounce the Former, though they adhere to the latter: for however they approve of their Religion, they can by no means dispense with their Maxims of State: upon the account whereof, the Order of Jesuits is as hateful and Obnoxious unto them, as it is to us; their cursed Principles going more against the grain of Nature and Conscience, than all their Religious Fopperies and Superstitions. But who would think that men of delicate and demure Consciences, should be Papists in the worst sense? That they should abhor Popery, and espouse Jesuitism? which is to swallow down the rank gob, and only nauseate the Luscious Kickshaws. And such are the Fanatic Antimonarchists of this Age; they are Papists, the worst of Papists, Jesuits in temporalibus, and if that be not a fine forwardness in Ordine ad Spiritualia, let the world judge.  
But Secondly, The Spirit of Jesuitism hath not only poisoned the Principles, and so fascinated the Judgements of many Protestants, that they are of their Council, and think Treason in common with them; But we are so bewitched as to be Papist's Instruments, Tools of the Faction, and to contribute to the Management of their Plots against ourselves; like Changelings, we suffer ourselves to be practised upon, and conform our Actions to the Roguish ends that they direct them. They study to divide us, and we are divided; They Clap their hands, and we Quarrel; They shove at the Government, and we Rebel, and lend them a helping hand; They are Mining at the Foundation of our Church, and the hands of a Legion of Sects, are Pecking at her Outworks and Battlements; Finally, they Forecast the Mischief, and we Blunder on to the Execution.  
And for all this good Service, the Papists are beholden to their Fanatic Friends; those trusty Jobbers, that never fail to do their Masters at Rome a good turn, as far as Faction, Sedition, Rebellion (the embroilment of the Church and State) will go. And yet, with a demure Impudence, they dare to brand their Protestant Fathers and Brethren of the Church of England with the character of Papists and Popishly affected; Terms more properly bestowed at Home. Why? Do they frequent Mass? Do they receive the Sacrament in one kind? Do they worship the Host, bow down to Images, or pray to Saints; and all this in a Language as little understood by themselves as by the Roman Idols? Do they tear their Bibles for confuting their Errors, or lay them aside to make way for Tradition? Do they pin their Faith upon the Pope's Infallibility, and make the Vicar as great a God as his Lord? Is Purgatory one Article of their Creed, and Transubstantiation another? Do they go to the Mart for Pardons and Indulgences, take Leases of their sins for Term of Life, and hire the Prayers and Supernumerary Merits of others, to Bribe Heaven to receive them when they are Dead? Nay, is not their Doctrine as Apostolical as the Creed, and their Worship pure; reform not only from the Gross Superstitions of Popish Paganism, but from those Tollerabiles ineptiae, that our Blessed Reformers (Martyrs afterward) in K. Ed. 6. his days, were forced to dispense with; and yet scorned the Name of Papists as much, and deserved it as little, as our modern Sticklers? Where's the Popery then, is it in their Religion, or in their Morals? Are they Papists because they are Loyal to their Prince, and Obedient to his Laws; and, to their eternal Honour be it spoken, were never justly Attainted for being otherwise? Is it Popery to Assert the Government against Politic Innovators, and to stand up for the Divine prerogative of disposing Thrones and Kingdoms, that it may be kept Inviolate? Are they Papists because they are tender of their Consciences, and dare not suffer them to be overruled by Civil prudentials, and Reasons of State? because they will not give their Voices against the Laws of Nature and Religion, nor consent that they should be superseded by the Arbitrary Dictates of Machiavillians and Atheists? because they will not forfeit their Christianity to keep out Popery, nor go to Hell to forestall an Inquisition? If this be Popery, may the Loyal Sons of the Church of England be such Papists ever.  
But are they Papists indeed? why then, Satan's Kingdom is divided against itself. For with whom do Papists dispute? at whom do they rail? against whom do they Conspire, but the Church of England, the most impregnable Fort in the world against them? Alas! our petty Sects and Factions are our Weaknesses, and the Champions of Rome are so far from Levelling their Artillery against them, that they connive at them, they indulge them, they make them more, in hopes to enter at them, one day, as through Breaches; such poor defences are they against the Roman Adversary. But they that are so forward to fix the Papist upon others, ought certainly to consider how easily it may be returned upon themselves: Though it is the trick of some Artists at Law, to make themselves Plaintiffs when their Cause is naught.  
I shall not Catechise them out of the forementioned Romish Creed; but only ask them what they say to their refusal of Oaths and Tests, such as were particularly intended for the proof of Loyal Protestants, and the Detection of Romish Bigots? What say they for themselves that take them with private and equivocal Restrictions, which Papists might do as well as they? What do they answer to their communicating with the Church in her Service and Ceremonies, and receiving the Sacrament according to the Established form and Rites, upon extraordinary occasions to serve a Turn; and then excusing their Disobedience, with a Pretence of Conscience, at all other times, when neither their own, nor the Interests of the Faction do oblige them?  
But to compound the business once for all: Let them draw any tolerable Scheme of Popery, with all its material Discriminations from the common Christianity, and if any part of it prove a Mark upon the Church of England; and if, in the main, it do not blacken the Dissenters from it ten times more, I dare be bold to say we may yield the Cause, and give them leave to call us as many Papists as they please.  
But who sees not what eminent service is done to the Roman interest, by this foul Aspersion? that any thing, but Mere Charity, would suspect them to be Emissaries or Pensioners for their pains. For is not this the way to bring Popery into Reputation, by making it the Character of so many Pious, Learned, and Loyal Men, who indeed abhor it; and cannot demonstrate that they do so, better, than by serving God in the Reformed, Established Way? Will it not enhance the price of their Errors and Superstitions, to give it out to the World that the most Judicious and knowing men in it, have a good Opinion and think well of them? Is not this a notable expedient to put a creditable Gloss upon a piece of Jesuitism, by persuading people that the Church of England-worthies equivocate and dissemble; and whatsoever they Writ, whatsoever they say, whatsoever they protest and swear to the contrary, yet that they are Papists at the Root? and thus by foisting in the forged Authority of so many great and gallant men, they teach others to Lie, Dissemble and Forswear themselves in things of the greatest moment, and warrant them so to do, by the pretence of the most Authentic precedents.  
Again, they cannot but know what Advantage an oversized Computation gives to a Party; because 'tis a Trick of their own, and every day practised; to boast of Numbers to make themselves look Formidable and their enemies little. And does it not make the hearts of the people shrink, and their heads hang down, and their hands grow feeble, to hear of French Armies, Spanish Pilgrims, Black bills, Irish Ruffians, Domestic Cutthroats, and that over and above, the Church of England-men are Papists. and will Treacherously surrender both Themselves and the Cause upon the first Parley? What a mighty encouragement would this be to the Romish Faction, to consider that they have the Governors both in Church and State, the Court, the Nobility, the Gentry, and a great list of the Commonalty too on their side? (for all that are Loyal to the Church and Government have the Brand upon them) and that nothing remains unconquered but a few divided scatter; how, I say, would the Conceit of such an Interest embolden them to attempt their long-intended wickedness, of Blood and Slaughter; But that they know us better than to Trust us, in spite of any thing that the Malicious Rhetoric of our Foul-mouthed Incendiaries can persuade them to?  
Lastly, This is as probable a way as could be thought on to palliate the Odium of that Religion; to conclude Popery under the Notion of Indifferency, and to harden the World into a Belief that there's no such danger in it as was suspected: Will not bandying it about at this wild rate be the way to lose it? and will not the formidableness of it wear off by such frequent and familiar handling? I am sure that Popery and Phanaticism have a certain Kindred that hath met with this Courteous Fortune, to be discounted from the Catalogue of sins, by some of its Friends, for no other Reason, but the lose and Impertinent Application of it; and that, by Name, is Schism. For thus 'tis argued by a Doughty Advocate: The Church of 
J. O. Plea for Non-Con.  Rome call the Greek Church Schismatic, and the Greek Church return the Schismatic upon the Church of Rome: the Church of England make the Romish Church the Schismatic, and the Church of Rome charge the Schism upon the Church of England: Again, the Church of England calls her Dissenters Schismatics, and the Dissenters think the Church to be Schismatics from them: and so we have called one another Schismatics round; and then he infers, Therefore Schism is but Vox, & praeterea nihil, nothing but a mere noise and Nickname which every Party casts upon all them who are not of their Society. Thus this horrid sin, which the Church for many hundred years accounted Damnable, is, by the petulant use of the Word upon Light and unjust occasions, become a irivial and indifferent thing. And what else do you think, will be the effect of making the Charge of Popery so common, especially where it is so falsely and abusively applied?  
Thus you see what a Confederacy there is between a Jesuitical and a Fanatic Spirit; and how the Popish Intrigues against the Church and Government are carried on, and most likely to be perfected (if at all) by a Faction, miscalled a True Protestant party, amongst ourselves. And I am persuaded that the most Rational fears of Popery at this day are such as the Multiform Fanaticism of this Age, hath roused and conjured up in the minds of sober, thinking men.  
And here I must outrun the Text, to pursue the Traitor a little farther. 'Twas Jacob's desire, that as his Soul was unspotted, so his Honour might never be stained with the Sichemites' blood; and doubtless he had his wish: For Simeon and Levi were such puisny Traitors as to confess the Fact, and take the Gild upon themselves. But the crafty Brotherhood have a Reach beyond them: They do the Deed, and lay the Brat at their Father's door: They assert the Treacherous Principles, and push on the Designs and Interests of the Roman Faction; and to clear themselves, Pasquil their Royal and Ghostly Parents, with the infamous name of Papist, as if it were an Indelible Character upon the English Monarchy and Hierarchy.  
And indeed all the notorious Villainies they have from time to time been guilty of, have evermore been thus shamm'd upon the Patriarch's score. When they Conspire against the Government (O monstrous Solecism!) the King is proclaimed the Traitor: when they rebel, and make the Land drunk with its own Blood, who's the Murderer but He? When they usurp an Arbitrary jurisdiction over the Persons, Lives and Fortunes of their Fellow Subjects to plunder, sequester, and kill at their Pleasure, who's the Tyrant but the King? he is Apprehended, Arraigned, Sentenced, Murdered for those very Crimes that they committed. And who can reflect soberly upon these things, and not bless himself with Jacob, in the Text, O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their Assembly, mine Honour, be not thou united?  
To Conclude: You all pretend an irreconcilable Aversion to Popery, and I believe you hate it. For shame then scorn to be Trepan'd and led away by that detested Faction. Your Honour's at stake, and it you have any sparks of the Patriarch's Heroism, make a generous protest against Popery and all its Interests; suffer not yourselves to be drawn into the service of the Party blindly, to work their wretched ends, and to accomplish the sordid and disgraceful wickedness for them. Are you not ashamed to be Bubbled out of the Reputation of Wise and Understanding men; and to be ranked in the Notion of Tools and Cullies? Are you not ashamed to be subject to the Magisterial Nod of the men you hate, and to slave and foul your fingers in their dirty drudgery? There's not a Faction among us but is in Vassalage unto Rome, and serves the Pope with a blind Obedience; our Sects and Divisions are all managed by Popish Counsel and Conduct: and the Wooden horse with a belly full of Plots and Treasons, is a burden prepared for the Dissenters shoulders; They shall have the Pains, the Shame, and the Hazard; while Papists look on, and only wait the success, that they may seize the Prize.  
Therefore for the sake of our King and Country, for the sake of the Protestant Religion, and for our own Interest and Honour's sake, let us abjure Popery and Phanaticism at once: Let us Honour and Obey the King, and Renounce all Traitorous and Disloyal Principles; Let us resolutely adhere to the Communion of the Church, and keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace; and so cheat our Adversaries of those Advantages, that they both Seek and Reap by our Divisions: Let us not reproach the Church, with the undeserved Character of Popish or Popishly affected, and thereby Consecrate the Cursed Appellation; but (ascribing it where 'tis only due) let it carry its deserved Odium along with it, as long as Popery has either Being or Remembrance in the World: Let us pray for the Grace of God, that our Souls may never be of their secret; and by living Holy and Virtuous lives in all Godliness and Honesty, engage the Divine Protection on our side, that, unto their Assemblies we may never be united.  
Finally, to express our Abhorrence the more Emphatically, why may we not take up the Patriarch's Imprecation; since it is so Modest a Curse, not of the Men, but of their Inhumanity? What Devout Son of the Church? what Loyal Subject of the Government, can hold his Indignation and forbear to say, Cursed be all Jesuitism, whether it be the Spawn of Tybur or the Tweed; Cursed be all Clandestine, underground Treason, and barefaced above-board Rebellion; Cursed be Popish-Plots, and Fanatic Associations: Cursed be their Anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel?  
But Blessed, for ever Blessed, be the Lord who hath not given us over as a prey unto their Teeth. That our soul is escaped as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowlers, the snare is broken and we are escaped. Our help is in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth; To whom be Glory, etc. Amen.  
FINIS.