A VINDICATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF THE English Nation. FROM Some aspersions lately cast upon them.  
IN A Letter from a Protestant Gentleman in the Country, to a CITIZEN of LONDON.  Levitic. 19.13. Thou shalt not calumniate thy Neighbour, nor oppress him by violence. 
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1660.   

Dear Cousin,  
I Received your Letter, together with the acceptable Present of the King's Character, for which I return you many Cordial thanks. I cannot sufficiently express the great joy and contentment I had, to behold such an Excellent and Lively piece; which speaks clearly the hand of Apelles, who is only fit to paint Alexander. But my joy was more than redoubled, by the assured hopes you give me of our approaching happiness, to see shortly the Original himself, and to taste the sweetness of his just Government; which will be the more pleasant, after the sour herbs we have eaten these many years, under the Tyranny of our late Usurpers. Yea, I am confident that after a little Experience, we shall say of his Majesty, what the Queen of Sheba confessed of Solomon, that his wisdom and works exceed his fame. And as we see the present Generation blesses and magnifies that Eminent Instrument of our unexpected happiness, his excellency the Lord General Monck; so without any question, all future Generations will extol his memory and honour his Posterity.  
But there was one thing in your Letter that startled me a little, and that was concerning the Roman Catholics, of whom you writ, that they are generally reputed Enemies to the King; that they obstruct what in them lies, his Return; and that they are Favourers of the fanatics. For all which you bring no other ground, but a general report, and that you were told so by a person of public employment, and of good Intelligence.  
I will not question what the Principles of their Religion may drive them to, for I have often heard, that they are not so sound concerning the Civil Magistrate as those of the Church of England, though they themselves strongly deny it. But that de facto they have done any thing against the King's Interest, and much more that they are guilty of the aforesaid crimes, seemed very improbable to me, by reason of my experience in affairs since the beginning of the troubles, and of the knowledge I have had of their faithful deportments to the late King. Yet I suspended my judgement, till I spoke with a Catholic Gentleman my Neighbour and Acquaintance, a very moderate and intelligent person, who will rather confess than excuse a fault in any of his professision.  
After some few days I made him a visit, and showed him both the King's Character and your letter; but he no sooner read that part of it that touched those of his profession, but he fell a smiling, and said he admired much where such deep malice could be found, to invent such notorious calumnies, but much more how any prudence could credit them: Whereupon I took occasion to tell him that if the R. Catholics were so innocent of this and other aspersions, as he pretended, they ought to vindicate themselves by some public apology, putting their accusers to the proof; wherein if they failed, they would be esteemed by all the World, mear Calumniators, whereunto he answered that Innocency's best buckler against gross calumny, is profound silence, after the example of our blessed Saviour, and of chaste Susanna: For writing or speaking in such a case, is not only for the most part lost labour, but also it's a weakening of truth, and the endeavour to wipe away groundless calumny, is in some measure a contaminating of Innocency; for what had been more incongruous for the Catholics, who were branded with that detestable crime of cutting off the King's head, with many such forgeries, than to have written an apology to clear themselves from that foul aspersion. Certainly by so doing, they had soiled the candour of their integrity. For as something ever sticks after a bold calumny, so there ordinarily remains some suspicion of guilt after a needless apology; Excusatio non petita, Accusatio manifesta est. Therefore it's best in some cases to slight without any vindication or confutation, what is said without any probability or proof; lies can never last long, and Truth ever at last prevails; every man's works will bear better testimony of him, than other men's words can do against him.  
But because I perceive, said he, that this calumny is more easily believed than many others, and that by some sober and discreet men, such as I conceive your Cousin to be, I will bring some reasons that may clear both you and him in this matter, or any other moderate man that hath left any room in his breast for truth, or hath the least spark of Christian charity in his heart.  
It's a common axiom established both by Law and Reason; Reason. 1 that every man, much more a whole society of men ought to be esteemed honest and just, till the contrary appear or be proved. But so it is, that nothing hath hitherto appeared, or hath been proved against the fidelity and allegiance of the English Catholics; nay, I may truly say, of any one single person of Honour or Estate amongst them, since the first beginning of the troubles: Therefore as they ought in reason and justice be esteemed dutiful subjects; so it's a mear calumny to asperse them with disloyalty: That nothing hath been proved, is evident; for though many accusations have been brought against them, yet no proofs have appeared that can satisfy any rational men; (the Accusers ever dwelling on generals, and never being able to produce particulars, though often pressed thereunto,) unless we will take vain suspicions and idle reports for examples, for sufficient proofs. Such is this, that two or three Catholic Gentlemen should have been seen laughing and fleering in Westminster-Hall, at the King's trial; which as its frivolous in itself, (though it were true) to cast such a foul aspersion upon all others of that profession, as if they either plotted or desired the King's death; so it's false, since the persons accused of that insolency, were known to be out of England, in that hour of darkness; and yet this trifling and false presumption is the strongest proof of that high aspersion, that hath hitherto appeared in print: If such accusations and proofs were sufficient, who would be innocent. This reason alone would serve to clear the Catholics from the aforesaid aspersion, before any just and reasonable Judge, Pagan or Mahometan: How much more ought it to serve among Christians, who profess not only Truth, but Charity, which is the life of Religion, and bond of perfection; this was his first reason, the second he proposed after this manner.  
Though both in justice and reason it be incumbent only to the accuser to prove his accusation, Reason. 2 and not to the Defendant to prove his innocency; yet out of mear favour I will do the latter at this time, and that by such evidences as may remove all scruples out of honest men's heads, and stop enemies mouths. It is notoriously known to the whole Nation, that the Catholics generally adhered to the late King, and defended the Government established by Law to their utmost Power, for which many of them lost their lives, and the rest their Estates; there can be no better Judge or Witness of this truth, than the late King himself, who having had experience of their faithful services in his great straits, speaketh thus of them in that Excellent book of his Meditations. I am sorry the Papists should have a greater sense of their Allegiance than many Protestant Professors, who seem to have learned the worst principles of the worst Papists, With much more to this purpose. I hope all old Royalists will credit this Royal testimony. Then for the new Royal-Converts, they may be pleased to remember by whom the King was branded with the name of Papist, and his Army with the Title of Popish; and this small refreshment of their memory, will soon clear their understanding, that the Papists were neither Enemies to the King or to the ancient settled Government.  
Lastly, I suppose the Anti-Royalists now ordinarily called fanatics, to be in this point so ingenious, that they will not question it; or if they do, they may easily have recourse to the Records of Haberdasher's Hall, and those will soon open their eyes. But if they would make a shorter cut, Let them believe the irrefragable testimony of Mr. Nedham their old paper-Patron, who affirmeth often in his Book Entitled Interest will not lie, that the Papists adhered generally to the late King; and that it's only their Interest to bring in his Son. Thus we see how evident a truth this is, that's confessed both by friends and foes. But I will add further for the more abundant justification of the English Catholics, that they can say two things for themselves that no other profession in England can pretend to: which is, That no person of Honour and Estate among them, ever bore arms against the King during the whole time of the troubles: but upon the contrary, there was hardly any of them so qualified that did not assist the King either with his person or purse, and most of them with both. I speak not this for the present out of any design to exalt the Catholics for their adhering to the late King: or to depress the Presbyterians and others who opposed him; but merely to manifest the truth in a matter of fact, that we may the better penetrate into the depth of Calumny.  
This then being a truth so clear and palpable, attested by the King himself, known by his old and new friends, and acknowledged by his open and constant Enemies, and generally by the whole Nation; who would think that any but mad men or fools would question it? And yet there be some, who would be loath to be ranged in either of these Categories, that have not only questioned, but denied it, and affirmed the contrary; and which is worst of all, have oftener than once published in print, that the cutting off of the late King's head was the plot and work of the Papists: though never one of them appeared against him, and so many of them lost their lives and Estates to keep his head upon his shoulders, and the Crown upon his head. If this be not a deep Calumny, proceeding from the very gall of bitterness, let any indifferent man judge. And therefore I admire how it could fall from the pens of two such Eminent persons as Mr. Pryn and Mr. Baxter, who are in other matters justly esteemed prudent and rational men, great lovers of Truth, and of their Country's good. I will not be so uncharitable as to impute this defect in them to any malice; but rather will ascribe it to an old hatred radicated in them against the Catholics, which so obfuscates their understanding, that they cannot see such a clear Truth; but speak in this matter like men in a fit of fury: troth impedit animum ne possit cernere verum. Howsoever, we may extract hence this seasonable observation, that if so deep a Calumny was cast upon the Catholics in relation to the la●e King; notwithstanding the eminent and evident services they did him, and the great losses they suffered for him; It's the less wonder to see now the like aspersions put upon them in relation to his Son; whose Government never being as yet established in the Nation, they never were in a capacity, nor could find occasions to show him such real signs of their affections, as they had done to his Father. But let us proceed to the third Reason.  
As the English Catholics asserted and defended to their power, Reason. 3 the ancient Government established by law, so they never concurred actively the setting up of any of the new Governments that succeeded, but only carried themselves passively obedient to them: much less did they ever act any thing to the prejudice of the King or his interest. But upon the contrary, when occasion served, they did him all service within their power, and never moved upon any particular score of their own, but for the public good to assert with other good Patriots the freedom of the Nation. The first part is well enough known to all impartial men, and needs no proof. The Second is efficaciously proved. For were not they Catholics, who after that unfortunate battle of Worcester concealed and preserved, the King for the good of these Nations, from that Tiger, who was every where searching to devour the Son, as he had destroyed the Father? Again, did not the Catholics lay hold on all accasions to vindicate their Country's liberty; as they did lately at the rising of Cheshire, 12. hundred of their number in Lancashire and thereabouts, ready in arms, having offered to join with Sir George Booth and his party, for obtaining of a Free-Parliament, and freeing of the Nation from slavery? but were rejected, proclamations being posted upon the walls and gates of Chester against them and all others of that profession, forbidding them to approach their Camp. Wherein, notwithstanding the aforesaid Catholics manifested a signal mark of singular affection to the freedom of their Country, preferring its good to their own; by offering to join with their greatest Enemies, who breathe nothing more than persecution against them; and from whose Victory they could expect no other fruits, but increase of their Misery. Moreover, have not the Catholics ever suffered since the King's death, under Cromwell and his pretended Parliaments which made most severe laws against them; and that principally upon this score, that they esteemed them as affectionate to the Royal Family and ancient Government; as they were constant in the old Religion? Did not the Rump and what ever else started up to power, Enemies to Monarchy, ever prosecute the Catholics, giving them always the first place above other Cavaliers, in all their banishing Proclamations, as being in their judgement the greatest and most engrained Royalists. Therefore the Catholics having had no hand in the change of the ancient Government, nor in raising of the new models that succeeded, and having done nothing against the King or his interest, but rather showing him all real proofs of devotion within their power, by preserving him at home in his greatest danger, as their brethren have maintained him abroad in his greatest necessity, and suffering these many years upon that score; It's a groundless, if not a malicious calumny, to say they are Enemies to the King, or any ways obstruct his return.  
Moreover the Catholics have no interest to keep out the King; Reason. 4 Therefore they cannot with any reason or probability be judged to do it. We see the interest of the Purchasers of Kings, Bishops, Deans, and Chapters Lands, and the interest of self-preservation, in others who had their hands died in the Father's blood, are the greatest pretences brought for keeping out the Son. But as the Catholics have none of the Kings or other aforesaid Lands; So they are not conscious to themselves of having had any hand in shedding of the late Kings sacred blood; and so are free both of that horrid iniquity and the Wages thereof. Therefore having neither of those interests, but clear consciences, they are not afraid by the King's happy return to suffer any detriment in their Estates, or punishment in their persons; at least, for any misdemeanour done by them, either to himself or his Father, and consequently, they will not oppose or obstruct his Restitution. Neither can there any other interest be pretended; unless peradventure this one, that the King is not of their Religion. But though this would be a great interest even to the greatest Royalists of another profession, to make them bend the contrary way, seeing many of them have been heard to say often, and publicly, that if the King turned Papist; they would turn his Enemies, and oppose him; yet it's of no value for that intent, with the Catholics. For besides that they cannot probably expect a King of their Religion, it carries not the least resemblance of truth with it, that they who laboured and suffered so much to keep the Father in, though of another Religion, will ever endeavour to keep out the Son though he be not of theirs. Hence may appear to any impartial man, that the English Catholics are not inferior in their allegiance to the greatest Royalists, and are much superior to their calumniators, who would oppose the King's return, if he were not of their Religion, which the others would not, and actually do not, because their Religion and conscience tells them, that Caesar's due ought not to be kept from him, be he of what Religion he pleaseth. This we see the Catholics have no interest to keep out the King, and therefore will not do it, but if we will follow the judgement of the ingenious Author of the book entitled The interest of England truly stated, they have not only no interest against the King's return, but they have great interest to promote it; and if we will credit the forging Pamphleter Nedham, in his answer to the aforesaid book, it's only their interest to bring in the Son, who laboured so much to keep up the Father.  
But I will bring you another reason: Reason. 5 If the Catholics were the King's enemies, as is pretended, either the King himself and his Counsellors must know it, or at least it must be known to the late Statesmen under Cromwell and the Rump: For it is impossible such a business that concerned them, should escape both; who had so many friends and great intelligence, and yet be known to Pettifoggers: But we are so confident of our innocency in this point, that we dare with all dutiful submission appeal to the King himself, if in all these discoveries of the Treacheries done against him here, ever any constant Catholic of quality and estate in England was found accessary to the least of them; and we may and do make the same appeal and challenge to Cromwell's most intimate Favourites and prime Counselors, yea, and to the whole Rumpists, to discover, if they can, any of our number, with the aforesaid qualifications, that ever concurred with them in any Plot, design or action against the King, either to pull him down and set them up, or to keep him out; and them in which we are confident, or rather assured they are not able to do. Where by may appear how much the Catholics are wronged and calumniated, which will be seen more clearly, if the black Catalogue of all Cromwell's Intelligencers, and Trappanners, both at home and abroad, with their tricks and deceits, for which he wasted great sums, come to public view, as is shortly expected.  
Lastly, to overthrow to the very foundation all aspersions of this nature cast upon us, I desire all impartial men to consider. 1. That these calumnies proceed originally from Enemies, and those not the fairest in the world, who being often pressed to justify their accusations, could never do it; and hardly durst show their faces. Now it's certain in all justice, that the accusations, or bare Testimonies of enemies, especially such as cannot be seen, though they be felt to sting, are no ways to be regarded: all parties in England ought to be sensible of this truth; for there's none of them, that besides their own proper guilt, hath not had some dirt thrown upon them by enemies: Yea, the late King himself could not escape this insolency; for he was first stabbed by calumny in his reputation, before he was murdered by injustice in his person: Therefore all parties knowing by experience how unjust it is to credit the reports of enemies against themselves, aught to slight the calumnies of such men against others. Secondly, these aspersions are to be slighted also for another reason, because they do not hang together, and are full of lies and contradictions: For in the King's prosperity the Catholics were accused for being the King's enemies; and yet in his adversity, which is the proper Test of true friendship, they were found among his best friends; but when Kings were turned out, and new Governments crept in, than they were charged with a contrary crime of being friends to the King, and enemies to Commonwealths and Protectors. Now again, when there appears a probability, or rather certainty of the King's happy return; the accusers turn their tongue, and say, that they are the King's enemies, and favourers of the fanatics; so that according to those men, whosoever become Masters, the Catholics must still be Traitors; but what man in his right senses can believe such calumnies so full of lies and contradictions, that they spoil the Authors of all credit, with others, as they are void of all ingenuity in themselves. It may be truly said of them, Mentita est iniquitus sibi. 3. As all their Calumnies are groundless, so some of them are evidently false against the sense, reason and experience of all impartial men. Such for example is, that the late King's death was the plot and work of the Papists; whereof we have spoke already. Another of the like nature is, That many or some Tub-Preachers amongst the Sectaries are disguised Priests and Jesuits, which is known to be a manifest untruth, by all understanding Catholics; since such wicked dissimulation, is clearly against the principles of their Religion, damnable in itself and by all humane power, upon whatsoever pretence indispensable. 2. The same is known also to the Sectaries themselves, who are well acquainted with their Preachers, Education, Trade, and former profession; which have no affinity with Popish Priesthood or Jesuitism. Lastly, the same falsehood may be discovered by all indifferent men, since none of those pretended disguised Preachers after so many years could ever be detected. But, whosoever is acquainted with Antiquity, will find that our Accusers in those two points, do imitate the old Heathen's; who imputed the evils done by, or amongst themselves, to the Primitive Christians. So, when Nero burned Rome, and not daring or being ashamed to own it, he imposed it upon the innocent Christians, and punished them most cruelly for his own crime; turning the night into day, by making huge bonfires of many hundreds of their bodies. The Authors of such Calumnies may pretend much conscience and Religion, but surely they have little or none, since S. James assureth us, that whosoever would seem religious, and tempers not his tongue, that man's Religion is vain. Fourthly and lastly, The reasons, whereon their Accusations that have any grounds are founded, are so pedantic and insipid, that they seem to choke reason itself: Whereof I will bring two examples 1. Because two or three necessitous and lose Catholics (for no other and hardly any more can be named) have been found fiddling a little for the Commonwealth's interest, they presently infer that all others of the same profession are of the same stamp. But do not all rational men see that this inference is irrational; and that it may be much better retorted against the Authors, or against any other profession in England than against the Catholics? 2. Because some Catholic Gentlemen, who were in danger to lose their Estates did court Cromwell and Lambert, whilst they were in power, the Accusers conclude, that not only these Gentlemen but also all others of the same faith, are the King's Enemies and favourers of the Usurpers. But what can be more irrational than this Reason? and what can be more uncharitable than this Conclusion? For is there any thing more ordinary throughout the world, than for persons that are lying under the lash of Usurpation and Tyranny, or under the severity of Laws, to cour those that are in power, to divert the stroke from themselves? And if this can be done by a civil respect, or visit, or by any such fair means, who can be so irrational as to blame it? Do not the best Princes and States in the World, and most virtuous and Religious persons practise it? Were not the Venetians accustomed to court the great Turk and his Bashaes', to hold off the great storm of war that hath fallen since heavily upon them? Doth not the Roman Emperor the same to preserve his part of Hungary, out of that Barbarians clutches? But yet what Turk or Barbarian would be so irrational, as to infer from thence, that the Emperor and Venetians are friends to Turks and Enemies to Christians? Do not some Eminent Protestants in France court Cardinal Mazarine, as they did formerly his predecessor Richilieu? Are they therefore become friends of Papists and Enemies of Protestants? Did not the sequestered Cavaliers make all the friendship they could with the late Usurping powers to find more easy compositions? should they therefore, and all Cavaliers be esteemed the King's Enemies, and favourers of Usurpers? If it was lawful for the Protestant Cavaliers to use such means for self-preservation; it was no less lawful, but much more necessary for the Catholics, who were ready to sink not only for their Allegiance but also for their Religion, to grasp at any Plank or Logg, that could save them from drowning. It can never be shown that these Gentlemen ever favoured Cromwell or Lambert's cause, or did any thing to uphold their Tyranny; all they did was that they merely courted them, (as the Indians worship the Devil) to be free of their Evil. Therefore as it's both unreasonable and uncharitable to infer from thence that they were the King's Enemies, and friends of Usurpers, and fanatics: So it's the height both of nonsense and malice, to derive from it the same imputation upon all other Catholics. To this purpose spoke the aforesaid Roman-Catholick.  
Now dear Cousin, I must confess ingeniously that those Reasons, proceeding from a person of known ingenuity, and of good understanding in the matters of his Religion, and being uttered with so great confidence and moderation, did so fully convince me of the injury done to the roman-catholics by the aforesaid aspersions, that I did not only acknowledge my full satisfaction thereby; but also I tied myself by promise, as I was obliged in charity to communicate them to you; and being confident that these reasons will produce the like effect in you: I doubt not but you will have the same charity to impart them to others of your acquaintance, Yea, I wish they were known to all the good Protestants in England, and then I do not question, but they would raze out of their minds, all the bad impressions, that either false calumnies, or vain suspicions had stamped in them. For who is he that loves Truth, who will not acknowledge it, when clearly represented, and who can pretend any Charity, that will harbour detected Calumny? We know it is against the divine Commandment, to bear false witness against our Neighbour, or to caluminate our Brother. It's also against the lustre of our Religion, which as it should shine by Truth and Charity; so it's eclipsed by falsehood and calumny. It's against the good we intent, of gaining the Papists; for it renders them more averse from our Religion, and make them frame such opinions of us; nay worse too, than we have of the fanatics: for these are thought to err only out of simplicity and ignorance; but we out of knowledge and malice. It's against the peace and happy settlement of those Nations, which must be founded in, and conserved by mutual concord and unity of affection.  
Therefore I hearty wish that all vain jealousies, idle suspicious, and much more forged calumnies may be laid aside, as well against the Roman Catholics, as against all others of different persuasions, that though we differ a little in Faith, we may all agree in sincere Charity; which will much tend to the honour of God, the service of the King's Majesty, the good of our Country, and the happiness of our Posterity. So having exceeded the bounds of an ordinary Epistle, I will add no more but my best wishes for your prosperity, and my earnest desire to be esteemed by you what I constantly am,  
DEAR COZEN, Your most affectionate and humble Servant. J. A. Yorkshire, Apr. 22. 1660.  
FINIS.