letter FROM A Perfon of Quality 3 T O A Principal P eer of the REALM, Now Sitting in PARLIAMENT- Occafioned by theprefent DEBATE UPON THE Penal Lawes- Viva la Liberte. L O VJD O 7^, Printed in the Year M. D C. XI. A C»3 ALetter from a Pcrfbn of Quality, to a principal Peer of the R ealm, &c. /4utoritas magna, Uft Afajeftatis crimen frequens objicitur, ac boni cujufjue viri invadendi ac tollendipratextus eft ; and he addeth , frequens accufatio, cj* in quo-vis crimine adjunct a de Ufa Aiajeftate Principis. Nothing IhewS more evidently when Authority inclines towards Tyranny, then the multitude of Promoters, Purfuivants, Catchpoles, continual infor- mations, and the name of Treafon made as a Livery to put upon all offences , and tot effe delatores in Repub. he makes as a certain Sym- ptome, of a difeafed and a decaying State. In former ages, I am fure, thofe were ever held to be the belt , and moll Godly Laws, that were lead Sanguinary, and yet maintained order , all others were accounted but meer P halarifmes r znd to be leges Draconic. Seneca who liv'd under a Terrible Tyrant, found by experience, that frequens Vinditia paucorum odium reprimit, omnium irritat , often puniih- ments provoke more ill blood then they fupprefs : which may be an Error, fo as a general Rule, to which there may be too much ex cep- tion; but this I am fure is notorious , and an undoubted Solefrfme in State, to puniiR molt crimes with the penalty of Treafon. Ultima fupplicia fupp hciis ultimis ponat, ut nemo pereat, niji quern perire etiam per emu is inter ft , in a good Government indeed, none fhould > be put to death, but fuch whofe own very interell it is , fo to be put to death. The Speech of Abner to foal is hugely remarkable to this purpofe; Tfum ufque ad internecionem hujus Mucro defaviet ? an ignoras quod penculofa eft dejperatto? ufy, quo non diets populo us omittat pcrfequi frat res frns ? Shall the Sword devour for ever ? Know'lt thou not, that it is not a little dangerous to force a delpe- ration ? How long {"hall it be then ere thou bid the people return from perfecuting of their Brethren ? It is both good counfel and good example. Germanicus is noted to have wep t when he faw the {laughter of the Souldiers of the Legions that mutiny'd, non iJAledicinam illam , fed C.ladem appellavit , and cali'dit not a Me- dicine but a Maflacre. Nor can I think that all pity dy'd with germanicus , or that there are not many, nay moll in England mov"d with the Butchery of fome perfons here meerly for their Faith, and Profeffion, though barbaroufly couch'd under the name of Treafon. J know it is the property of Commiferation, to be touch'd rather with m with the Calamity it feeth, than to examine the Caufe which it feeth not. Yet {py only comfort is, that your Lordfhip will offer the confi- deration of thefe things, to a far greater Emperour than Germanlcus and a Prince of much more eminently tender bowels of compaf- lion. Solfhall be bold to urge one argument more for commi- leration , from the example of a Pagan Prince c JPlarcus <^/Purehus- } though the old Law was Hill in force, and ftrichly obferv'd at Rom, Dsos peregrines ne colnnto , that no If range Gods fhould be wor- fihipped, yet he permitted alwayes Toleration to Chriliians , as Tertulllan alfures us. Then Theodofius and Gratian-, themoffChri- le 'nuU. in Itian Emperours , were content to tolerate the c Arrians , Known A ?° 1, ca P' to be the molf real Enemies of Chrlfi. And Jofephus a Jew noteth of Oml as tMegallta , the fame Permiffion , to continue Bro- fofepb. therhood, for the Peace of the State. The Venetians fuffer the /. Jews to live amongffthem, as the King of Spain did the CMoors, l4,£r ' I? - till neceffity forced him to expel them. How much more reafona- ble will it appear, to Tolerate our Brethren of the %pman Catbollck^ Religion , who are undeniably Fllli Chrijll , Sons of Chrlfi by the C. Mother Church , which we in England ufe to call the Jurer fide. For it is a verity undoubtable, fo far as ever I could find, that that Church was formerly the Reverend Mother of all Chrifilanlfme, and the moft ancient Law-maker, and Judge heretofore of all Reli- gions. ' It is a moll falfe Propofition, and proceeded doubtlefs from Gall and Spleen , that %oman Catholickj are altQgether unfociable , and that they cannot live with us, nor any fort of Trot eft ants , in one Kingdome or Common-wealth, without Jars and Tumults; and laftly, which is given out onely to breed an exulceration in the hearts of the people, againlt thofe of that Religion, they affirm , that to give the leall connivance to them, is a fin nolefsthan dam- nable. ° This I know is blown daily from the mad, turbulent, pre- fumptuous Pulpits of fame Tresbyterians ; who indeed , if any Chri- ftians are juftly to fall under that cenfure , fhould not themfelves have Toleration any where; vvhofe Phrenetical, giddy zeal, will be confin'd within no circle of order, but ever contemning all Law and Law-givers, endevour to domineer, and rule as Tranfcendents over all Kings , States , Trlnces and People in the world. But I hope thefe few Confiderations following, may qualifie a little, if not cool the extravagant beat of fuch indifcreet and hair-brain'd zelots, and confute their weak, and truly unchriftian ftippofition of incompati- bility. . ; ..v : C43 And firlt, if we look back to former ages , we fhall find, that from the Saxons to King Edward the Sixth, to be a Roman Catholick^ was never any Bar to Loyalty, or Obedience to Civil Government. Nor can any man deny , but that France, Spain , Italy , the Empire and Toland , have ever accounted, and do (till, him as the belt affeCted Subject, and leaft dangerous to the Civil State, who is the belt affeited to that Religion; and certainly, if to be a Roman Cat ho- licky, did ever breed or engender any fuch ill blood in the Body Politick, or fecret infection of Difloyalty, as thefe men would fain perfwade the world it does; and fo mull be in regard of the State, malum allqnod in fe , and naturally ; then upon the general tryal of fo many Nations, and in fo many Ages , it would have been fure dif- cover'd, and detected of that noxious imperfection, which it never has before (tood charged withal, neither in all thofe forraign CountreyS, nor as heretofore, fo not at any time fince, in England. Nay, to the eternal glory of that truly Noble and Honorable Party, ana con- fulion of all their Adverfanes, I dare lay, that there is not one perfonof confederation amongft them all to be found out, that was at the fame time a Roman Catholicity and in arms againtt His Majefty that now is, or His molt glorious Father. But on the contrary , it is plain, that they did all expofe themfelves, their lives, fortunes, and families in His Majefties Service, to as much hazard as any whofoere they were in England ; nay, for the prefervation of thofe very Laws , by the force of which, they were to fuffer a moft favage per- fecution. But yet the Antagonifts of this moft Rational and Chriftian Liberty defired for thofe excellent perfons, I fear will hardly yet refl fatisfied ; for they ftand fo high in their own confiltories, and yet higher in their own opinions , that nothing but miracle can be thought capable to abate the Edge of their moft phrenetick fury. However they may pleafeto remember, chacm a [on Tour , nor can they I am fure forget, how that from the Time of King Henry the Eighth, and fince him, Religion has had its changes, and what Cod pleafeth to determine , man mult obey : they that are now in Gloria Patriy may be hereafter [cat erat in Princlplo: they ought therefore to live, and to continue with all men in Chriftian charity and amity, and not for- get, that the bonds of religious Unity, are fo to be ftrenghtned, as that the bonds of humane Society be not dilfolved. At Hierafalem in the time of our Saviour Chrift, there were two SeCts much different in Religion, and yet did live fociably together, and without offence to C53 to Church or State, which were the Pharlfai and the Sadducai: and they were not only, not men of one Religion, and fo differing only in Rites arid Orders , but they were men of very oppofite per- fwafions, and in main fundamentals too. No man I believe will doubt, but that the Saduces were notorious Here ticks , for they deny'd the Refurreition of the Dead, and the Immortality of the Soul (an Article of our Belief, and the Foundation of all our Hope and Faith: ) that there was a fierce oppofition between them and the Pharifes , is evident by that in the Atts, Exurgens Pont if ex & om- Aft. y. * nes Saducai qui cum eo eranx , &c. Then the High Prieft rofe up, and all they that were with him, which is the Sett of the Sadttces , &c. and again, Set ens Paulas quod una pars ejfet Saducaorum> altera Phari- Aft, zj. faorum exclamavlt , &c. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Saduces , and the other Phari fees , &c. Thus it is plain, that thefe parties were fufficiently oppofite, and did often contradict one another; the Saduces maintained the Temple of GerlTm , and agreed with the Samaritans to facrifice there, contrary to the Law , and to the prejudice of the Temple at Hierufalem. The people follow'd the Pharifees^tht Scribes and Elders applauded the Saduces , Segoti. de and both were Herefies, as Slgonius and Eplphanius do moft clearly Republic. tefiify, and yet all that City was divided into thefe two Sefits , in the H ebraa. time of Herodes Antippus , as Jofephus allures us, and yet did they live £• very quietly together as to the Civil Government, without Diicord, / Riots, or Tumults. To come home to our later Times, we may jofepb. I. begin with Swifferland • and though Zuinglius was a rough, violent, 18. Antiq. and ieditious fellow , and by arms fought to compel the five Pages to the Religion of Bern and Zurich , yet by agreement all was pacifi'd, and to this day they have their particular Churches in their feveral Towns, and maintain their mutual Liberties, the Common-wealth of the Cantons , all Contributions, Confederations , Traffick, and So- ciety together , and fometime preach, nay communicate like good fellows, in the fame Churches and Pulpits. To pafs over Suevla, and the Lower Provinces of Germany (where though Lutheranifme before and Calvinlfme fince hath very much prevailed ) thofe Roman Catholicks yet that are, remain undifturb'd. The famous Kingdome of Poland , and the Empire of c JZLufco , have thought it neceflfary to fuffer the Religious Vried in their Dominions and Countreys, both to take away all Domeftical quarrels, and by a general unity ( as a brazen wall) to fortifie themfelves againft the common Enemy of Chrifiendome , the Turk. And fhall England now fo far degenerate from its ancient glory & vertue,as to go to fchool for civility to a rude m SwlJ's , or Svvinilh debauch'd Dutchman ?■ Shew more Barbarifme than a CMufcovite^ot more unnaturalnefs than a Polonian } who referve the blood of their Neighbours,to be fhed with Honour in the Field againfi their common Enemies,rather then by Tyranny at home, to weaken their own body; Germany alio may be a iufitcient example, that fuch a toleration is molt expedient , and that it is both poifible and fa : fible, that two , or more different religions, may live together in peace. Let thefe Confiftorians call to mind, how quietly the Roman CathoLicki have fuffered, and converft with the Lutherans , and them- felves lately fprung up there (for above a hundred years together) till they with the Swedes were pleas'd to dilturb their own peace, and the Tranquillity of that moll beautiful Empire. And lure Churls the Fifth, and Ferdinand who indulg'd fo much liberty to thofe Religions, as they were great and wife Princes , fo were they as provident like- Wife, and merciful. Their ground too was the fame with ours, Sains Populi fnprema lex efio , the peoples Safety ought to be the Supream Law, and therefore they ordered , that Caveret utraqne pars , r.e in fnis domlnlis quemqttam ad fna religionis profeffionem cogat, ant revocet, ant depellat contra ipjtns confcientiam, a religione quam Dre[fcrtti, profile;nr. So faith Drefferus , that both fides fiiould beware of for- cing any man to his Religion, of recalling r or driving any man againft his confcience from the Religion that' he profefieth and afterward? confidently adds againft thofe that are fo precifejy fcrupu- lous, Nec hie metno eornmreprehenftonem, qai put ant non nifi nnam 'Rellgionem tolerandam , Nor tear I at all their dilpleafure, who will think that there ought to be but one Religion tolerated, for confcience cannot be compelt'd, it may be perfwaded. But that I may not be tedious,I fhall conclude all my Inftances with the fair and flourifhing Kingdom of Prance. How often and how mercifully did the French Kings grant their Edicts of Pacification ? and to what conditions were they contented to defcend, only to preferve Life and avoid Bloodfhed of their people ? Witnefie the old Articles of Peace granted for the fol 14 i Liberf y confcience,fet down by La Kail and divers others, wherein P /?t i they have a general freedome to preach in all parts of France , &c. c .j. ana yet thefe were Huguenots ', men of the Confiflorian Religion, p opioneir Factious, Boutefeus, and in truth, the very flume of Proteftant l ' l8. Religion. Yet would the poor Roman Catholickj of England , be right glad to participate a fhare of fuch Graces, as they enjoy there, though there is no wife man fure, but muft think that they deferve them much better. They poor Souls, with prayers and tears do fup- plicate C7] plicate daily to His Majefty and the Parliament for fuch a Liberty : Thofe in France were always ftriving to wreft it by Force, arid the bloody violence of a Presbyterian Spirit. They again had a Rochel, a Cddoxtauban, or a cMontpelier for their refuge; thefe in England, had no other retreat but the Gatehoufe , the Fleet , of Nevegvte. For thefe in England , all Princes and States have long interceded, and do ftill • They in France had never any other Interceffour, but their own Arms for them. Now to conclude all , feeing the great Turk, permitteth Chrifiians to live freely in his Dominions , feeing the Pre- (ident and Example of the gceatelt Princes and States in Europe doth fet it forward, the poor Roman Caibolickj in England , hope they fhall not far j the vvorle, for their patience and obedience, which deferveth more. Their only ambition is to be accounted good Servants to God, andLoyal Subjects to His Ma jetty, and their only humble Suit to His Majefty now is , Hanc ammam concede mihi y tua catena funte, Give ihem their Souls, great Sir, take you the reft. Thus far under your Lordlnips favour, I have been bold to pro- ceedin the behalf of the tender Confciences of.thofe, who have buffered moft in that kind of any Chrifiians in the World; but now two Objeilions feem to obftrubt all that has been hitherto fpoken in the argument. And methinks at this Inftant, I hear a wellmouth'd Presbyterian to open againft the 'Rgtmifi and Spanijh Inquifition , where only this liberty is denyed; and why fliould they have Liberty them- felves, who will give none to others > To this I thai! be bold to ob- viate , that there are but two forts of good Policy , in order to Rett- "ion. The one is to keep firm and fall to one Religion, where there is but one , nor ever has been more ; and with all care to keep out all others, be they good or bad, this I fay in order to the Civil State , is a moft neceflary peice of Policy. For nothing embroyles a King- dome or State fooner, than the Diverfities of Religions, efpeciallyif fome particular ones be forbidden. For the Prohibition of fome, creates fa&ion in the hearts of the fuppreft , unleffe hindered by verv 'extraordinary grace , and fabtion ever pretends zeal of. Spirit, which if it become Conqueror fhews no mercy, if fubdued, no patience: however mutinous and a boutefeu, which join'd with the other two, calledcuriofityand Angularity, are the three furyes, that torment the World at this inftant, that Triceps Cerberus , that lets open Hell gates, to fill the World with Impoftors, Seducers, and Calumniation. Now to Fablion and her adherents, Sedition is an unfeparable Com- panion , which ftreightwayS marryes it felf to Schifm, and thereupon it is, that all Magiftrates and Laws are refitted, and that with violence, for there is no War fo paftionate , as the War of Conference. The B Jnquifttion m Jr.qtilftuon therefore is politickly to be commended, for keeping ftri& Watch and Ward, yea with fire and Sword to keep out all other Religions from thence , where there never was any other, then what they Hill profeffe. The fecond good Policy in relation to Religion is , where by the negligence of Governours , or fome other unhappinefs, feveral Religions have got footing, to give an equal liberty to all, as at prefent in the Low Countries , France, Germany, &c. Now this equality of liberty takes away all heart-burning, which other- wife would burft forth into fadtion , and that into fedition, to the publick difturbance. So it is plain , that it is the prohibition and perfecutionof fome one or two Religions , not the perfecution of all but one; or a univerfal Toleration of all indifferently, that can offend "a Kingdome; and fuch a Policy of a general liberty, were to be wifhed here amongft us , fince we cannot have the other: For in very deed , it is altogether as impoffible to root out any one Religion by * perfecution, as to put out a fire by blowing of it. The next and greateft obje&ion, that I muft be bold under your Lor !hips Condudf , to encounter, looks very big upon me indeed, that t is not for their Religion, that Priefts and their Entertainers die , but plain matter of Treafon. I muft here befeech the Obje- tftors to -.let us know , how it comes to pafs, that it fhould be Treafon to be a Prieft , or Capital for a Gentleman to entertain fuch a one in his houfe , to ferve the neceifities of his Conference ? or who made it ever to be fo, either in this , or any other Countrey in the world, before the time of Queen Elizabeth ? Whereby i t is apparent that it is not malum In / Continued yetinChrift, who was Irmfelf a Prieft for ever, after the i9l the order of CMelchl&edekj and never apparently repeal'd by him, or any new Decree under his Grace and the Gofpel. Was there ever any Nation that had a Worihip of a Deity, and acknowledg d a God , without their PrieR ? By the Wildome of former Ages we find that Religion and PrieRhood were ever taken to be like Hippocrates Twins, born and bred, laughing and weeping , beginning and ending together, c ire. And muR this iacred Function now, that is acknow- 1 edged and reverenced over all the world, by our Laws, that are unknown to all the World befides, be made a peice of Treafon, 'here? It is no wonder indeed , if fuch new made Treafons, as has been afore cited out of Tacittu , didprefagea fall, or diminu- tion of that Power, which made them to be foand it is to be con- ceiv'd, that the Autpicious repealing of fuch, will forefpeak afwell the growing up of a moR flouriiliing Empire. Over and above all this, it his been ever held againR the Wifdome and Policy of this Nation , to fetter themfelves with too. many fhackles of Treafon; and therefore as 25. Edw. 3. at the petition of the Subjects, the King did declare and determine what fhould be taken and judged for Treaion, by the Common Laws of the Realm, fo 1. Hen. 4. c. 1 o. it was confirm'd and eRablifhed, that nothing hereafter fhould be judg'd Treafon, otherwife than was exprefs'dby that of Edw. 3. and though divers Aitions were ftrain'd up to Treaton for a time, which indeed were not fo, nor within the lift of the x 5. of Edw. 3. as that of Hen. 6. the taking and furprizing of perfons and goods in Wales , fo to Rand for the fpae of feven yeras only,and 8. of H.6. burning of houles,and 22. of Hen. 8. poyfoning,cFr. which of their own nature, and limply were not Treafon , and therefore had a limitation of time annexed to them: Yet prudently all fuch former ACts were repea- led and made voyd, 1 .Edw. 6. for a moremerciniland.indifferent proceeding with Subjects, that the Remedy might not prove more dangerous than the Difeafe. And now muR an eternal Treafon be branded upon the facred'R of Functions ? and no le.s than the molt infamous and difmal word invented, like a Cfrlednfa s face to terrifie poor Chriftians from their Confidences, Faith and Profelfion? Sed [atlas eft pertranftre Calamitatem publicum. And yet the great and Chriftian magnanimity, that all the noble perfons of this perfwafion , have always exprefs'd, efpecially in theie late molt calamitous times, of fiery tryal indeed, is not a little remarkable: when no day pre- fented them lefs then moR difmal horrors, defiruCtions of themfelves, wives, children and families, and on every fide , moR terrible images of death, yet they always flood RedfaR to, anu unmovable from their , B 2 Princi- [10] Principles of Religion; a very inconfiderable number of them, ftarting afide like a broken bow; in lieu of every one of whom too, they got into their Church, then in the midft of all their miferies, more than a thouland; fo mightily does the barbarous and inhumane perfecution of any one party, encreafe its number. Nor was their integrity to Cod, and loyalty to Religion more obfervable, than their fidelity to His Majelly, amidft all the artifices, as well as menaces, of the molt fubtil and mifchievous Tyrants, that ever the earth bore. And why then fhould not thefe molt honorable Perfons receive Come Adds of Grace and favour now, and with as much reafon, as thole penalties were exercis'd upon them then in thofe times, or impos'd upon them at firft? For it is plain,that there was nothing but fears and jeloufies that Were the occalions of their firft infiiilion: Queen Elizabeth having been declared, by three Popes fucceifively, and our own Adds of Parli- ament to be illegitimate; and that great and molt incomparable per- fon, HisMajeftiesgreat Grandmother, Mary Queen of Scots , and Dowager of France , Handing at that time in competition with her in the eye of the world , as the jult Heir of the Crown, who ( by the way, 'was entirely a %oman Catholic^ and lo all that party then in Enghnf fell into fufpicion of an adherence too much to her intereft; which to avoyd, was the grand reafon, why this perfecution of %oman Cathtjlieksh&ce'm England was firft invented , and the fuppreffion of the whole party endevoured by tire Cecllian policy of thofe times, and yet we never find that the Roman Catholicky did then, or finceknit th;mfelves upon any account of difturbance here; but on the con- trary we know that they have been always ready to afifert His Ma jellies Intereft, not only againll Rebels and Traitors at home (though to the fupportof thofe Laws, as aforefaid, which have hitherto prov'd their particular ruin ) but all enemies whatfoever abroad, even againll the Pope himfelf or King of Spain , when His Majefty fhall fo pleafe to command them, and fo much Loyalty they have been always ready to fwear to likevvife, and 'Hill are, and that the, Pop? himfelf fhall never , be able to withdraw them from their Allegiance to His facred Ma- jelly. Now feeing that by His Majefties, and the Parliaments great care and prudence, there is a debate admitted for the regulation of thofe fcandalous Laws, and fince it is manifeftly neceffary , that as Sails , fo Laws are to beturn'd, and as occafion, time, circumftance, and reafon of State fhall diredl, either to be altered or revoked, and for- asmuch as it is plain, that upon worldly refpedls, thofe Ails have pafs 'd in former Parliaments, to try what operation and cure they Would C«3 would work in the State, and if they prove fruitleffe Medicines, or as moft emperical purgations, too violent ( and fitter to kill then to cure J then to be repealedj for as they were made for the fears and jealoulies of thofe times, to by the grace and mercy of thefe times, (when they are both prov'd to have been caufeieffe) they may with honour be cancell'd, if His Majefty and the Parliament final 1 fo pleaie; to whofe gracious confideration, 1 moil humbly befeech Your Lord- iihip , to offer thefe few Lines , and as Petitions rather then reafonS, nor fo much to arrogate juftice, as to implore mercy, and feeing alio that the Cafe of Q. EL and His Majefty that now is, is far different, your Lordfhip would be pleafed to Petition His Majefty for thefe poor troubled Souls, and procure a grace for them, that was never denyed by any Chriilian Kings or States to their Subjects,for occafions of State, and to flop that unnatural iffue of blood, flow- ing from thofe cruel Laws, and ftay a little thofe paffionate humors, and malicious oppositions of iuch , as are adveriaries to that Grace , and the Lord Almighty, who hath railed you, to enable you for fo great a work. Your Lordfhip and the Parliament, cannot but out of your great Wifdomes have obferv'd, that too fevere a perfection makes men defperate, noncoercet feiprovocat Violentla , and too heavy a hand upon thofe whom the Law cafts down, fhews a will rather to oppreffe the offender, then to cure the offence. It is the greateil Honour to Kings, that their mercy like that of the Almighty, is more eminent then their juftice, and that their Benches and Courts, can vvitnelfe more compaflion then Severity. For he that fets open the Prifon Dores, in fo wife and gracious a manner, meaneth not to conquer the hearts and confciences of his people by torments, but to win them by mercy and fweetneffe.- If the ancient Aphorifme of State be to be refpetled, it hath been ever in fuch cafes, the Wifdom of the greateft Princes, Fttnire raro to punifh but feldome, it was afcribed as a Title of Honour to uguftm fafar, nmqmm clvllem fangmnem fudlffe , never to have fhed his peoples blood. Clemency isaVertue, fometimesof as great policy as piety, becaufe it begets Love, and Love breeds Loyalty, commands the very Soul, and lays the body at the Feet of the obliger; Mercy kindles Fire and Zeal in the hearts of Subjeils. Pity and Toleration as they make the Ofali- gation of the offenders greater, fo it makes them repent to have offended him, whohath to obliged them, the reafon is infallible in all noble Spirits, Fidelemfi putaveris, fades , believe and you make a faithful friend, for the true Gallant Soul ever accounts it the g eateft injury to be diftrufted. t"3 The poor H&nan (fatholicks upon thefe grounds, hope that their ancient and tryed patience and fidelity, fhall fo move His Majefty, and thofe that he has fet at the Stern to govern affairs , that they fhall be now refrefht and eas'd, as they may with a breath,and that they may find at laft the warmth and comfort of the Sun-fhine again in England, and that their humble fupplications fhall be granted, fub- fcrib'd with the fervices of fo many honorable perfons, andfign'd with the blood of fo many of their Martyrs: That though we meet them not in Churches, we may yet meet them cheerfully in our Mar- kets; for though they differ from us in Religion, they will agree well with us in Obedience; their bodies will be ever at His Majefties com- mand, if we do but leave their fouls to God : and all this happinefs both to them and us, 1 can no way defpair of, if your Lordfhip r leafe to become their Interceffor, in whofe great Breaft, companion ever kept the higheft feat, as it became it beft: and be confident my Lord, that the obtaining of this lawful favour and Tolleration for thefe poor afflicted Souls, will be a work equal in glory, to any of your Lordfhips moft illuftrious Actions, and will raife you up, by your Charity, fo many degrees higher towards heaven, as erect eternal Trophies to your Honour upon earth, and thofe as great, as ever were, or can be written in the Records of Fame. And fo as His Majefty came unto the Helm, and afcended the Throne of thefe Kingdoms with Triumph, Glory and Applaufe, He fhall end the (fataftrophe of his days, with the general Plaudite of the whole world ; Nay, all this will follow befides, as the fruits and effects of His Majefties good- nefs towards the poor Roman Catholickj , Peace within, and Honour without; Love at home, RefpeCt abroad; and fo fhall be made a concord of difcords, an union of divifions, and a religious contention on all fides, for devotion and a good life; for peaceable converfa- tion, obedience to Magiftrates, excellency of Learning , who fhall do moft good in the State, and deferve the prize; and fuch an F. Utopia can onely His Majefty make in England , who will deferve the Olive branches for Mercy, Peace and Goodnefs, as well as the Laurel, for Victory, Wifdome,' Government and Conftancy (the Crown of all:) fo I befeech your Lordfhip to accept and pardon this prefumption , and continue your favours to (my lord; Tour Lordfhips mofi obedient Servant, 1661. Z*3l POSTSCRIPT. C^fr LO%JD, MY haft had aim-oft made me overpaf:s one very considerable fcruple, that I have heard frequently in;eSled, to the prejudice of that poor oppreft Party ; which is, that they did only ferve His Majefty in the late War , in their own defence , and came to the King with a Cuitl nemini , C ire. as they fay. On the contrary , I can Jay on my own knowledge, that they were extremely courted by that Presbyterian Par- liament, and proffer'd the perfect abolition of the Penal Laws , fo they would fide with them, and effectively profecute their'Rebellion. It was not therefore Intereft but (fonfcience, that engaged them in His (Jlfa- jeftiesCaufe. nyind truly upon the matter, it may be faid, thatthey ferv'd His Maiefty , whether he would or no , for they could obtain no Commijfton at all from him, till a Commiftion granted to one of them, by name Sir Arth. Aihton , from the Rebell Party, was produced: And. then His t^Majefty thought fit, not to fcruple the commifftonating of any of them; all this, my Lord, is known truth,which your Lordfhip may pleafe to acecpt like wife from (MY LOR D ) Your Lordiliips moft Devoted Humble Servant, ' [J. -■ " j LS^/rir.-: . u Q • >...■•- - :; r v * -.*r ' ... ' ......' . . . If " $? • - 1 * V.< ' • -: o -I YJ: ; v - . .