Some remarks upon a speech made to the grand jury for the county of Middlesex concerning the execution of penalties upon the churches of Christ, which worship God in meeting-houses, for their so doing : and may serve for an answer to part of the order of the justices, Jan. 13 to the same purpose : in a letter to Sir W.S. their speaker.
         J. W.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
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         ESTC R3500
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             Some remarks upon a speech made to the grand jury for the county of Middlesex concerning the execution of penalties upon the churches of Christ, which worship God in meeting-houses, for their so doing : and may serve for an answer to part of the order of the justices, Jan. 13 to the same purpose : in a letter to Sir W.S. their speaker.
             J. W.
             Smith, William, Sir, 1616 or 17-1696.
          
           14, [1] p.
           
             Printed for Elea. Harris,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             Signed: J.W.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church and state -- England.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           Some
           REMARKS
           UPON
           A
           SPEECH
           MADE
           TO
           THE
           GRAND
           JURY
           For
           the
           County
           of
           MIDDLESEX
           ,
           CONCERNING
           THE
           Execution
           of
           PENALTIES
           UPON
           THE
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           Which
           worship
           God
           in
           MEETING-HOUSES
           ,
           For
           their
           so
           doing
           .
        
         
           And
           may
           serve
           for
           an
           Answer
           to
           part
           of
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           JUSTICES
           ,
           Jan.
           13.
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           Letter
           to
           Sir
           
             W.
             S.
          
           their
           Speaker
           .
        
         
           
             For
             all
             the
             Law
             is
             fulfilled
             in
             one
             word
             ,
             in
             this
             ,
             Thou
             shalt
             love
             thy
             Neighbour
             as
             thy self
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             ye
             bite
             and
             devour
             one
             another
             ,
             Take
             heed
             that
             you
             be
             not
             consumed
             one
             of
             another
             ,
          
           
             Gal.
             5.14
             ,
             15.
             
          
        
         
           
             But
             it
             is
             evident
             by
             the
             sad
             experience
             of
             Twelve
             Years
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             very
             little
             fruit
             of
             all
             those
             forceable
             courses
             ,
             [
             many
             and
             frequent
             ways
             of
             coertion
             .
             ]
             
               Kings
               Declaration
               ,
               March
               15.
               1672.
               
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Elea.
             Harris
          
           .
           1682.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           SINCE
           Your
           Speech
           made
           at
           the
           Session
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           to
           the
           Grand
           Jury
           there
           ,
           is
           by
           your
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Justices
           Order
           Printed
           and
           Published
           ,
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           not
           take
           it
           ill
           ,
           that
           a
           private
           person
           gives
           his
           Opinion
           concerning
           it
           ,
           especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           your
           modesty
           has
           premised
           ,
           you
           should
           
             discover
             that
             weakness
             which
             by
             your
             silence
             might
             have
             been
             concealed
             .
          
        
         
           Sir
           ,
           As
           for
           that
           worthy
           Character
           you
           give
           of
           your self
           ,
           your
           Generosity
           and
           Publick
           Spirit
           abstracted
           from
           all
           private
           
             considerations
             whatsoever
          
           ,
           Your
           proof
           and
           protestation
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           have
           this
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           to
           me
           much
           a
           stranger
           .
           I
           am
           unwilling
           to
           make
           enquiry
           into
           your
           life
           and
           actions
           ,
           and
           therefore
           shall
           give
           as
           much
           credit
           to
           what
           you
           say
           ,
           as
           one
           can
           reasonably
           give
           to
           him
           that
           praiseth
           himself
           —
           but
           could
           not
           vindicate
           himself
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           the
           Commons
           of
           England
           in
           Parliament
           :
           Otherwise
           I
           should
           have
           wondred
           that
           a
           Gentleman
           (
           who
           had
           approv'd
           himself
           to
           his
           Country
           ,
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           so
           great
           a
           number
           of
           years
           ,
           and
           in
           two
           Parliaments
           of
           such
           different
           qualifications
           (
           wherein
           every
           Member
           was
           tryed
           oftner
           and
           more
           severely
           than
           the
           purest
           Gold
           )
           of
           such
           excellent
           Integrity
           ,
           Parts
           and
           Vertues
           ,
           should
           be
           neglected
           in
           the
           Three
           late
           Parliaments
           .
           The
           Country
           is
           not
           wont
           in
           these
           cases
           to
           cast
           of
           those
           that
           have
           done
           them
           eminent
           Services
           ;
           sure
           I
           am
           there
           was
           a
           very
           great
           number
           of
           the
           same
           persons
           in
           all
           these
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           greatest
           honour
           and
           esteem
           by
           those
           that
           elected
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           others
           also
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           Paragraph
           ,
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           
             This
             Kingdom
             is
             at
             present
             under
             very
             sad
             circumstances
          
           ;
           and
           upon
           enquiry
           into
           the
           cause
           ,
           you
           say
           (
           and
           I
           think
           boldly
           enough
           )
           
             we
             have
             lost
             the
             Jewel
             of
             Government
             .
          
           I
           perceive
           Sir
           W.S.
           may
           say
           what
           he
           pleases
           ;
           but
           I
           doubt
           it
           would
           have
           been
           dangerous
           for
           a
           Grand
           Inquest
           to
           have
           writ
           .
           
             Billa
             vera
          
           upon
           such
           a
           presentment
           .
           What!
           His
           Majesty
           upon
           the
           Throne
           in
           Peace
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           Government
           lost
           !
           It
           is
           dreadful
           ,
           like
           
           Belshazzar's
           Hand
           writing
           upon
           the
           Wall.
           
             Mene
             Mene
             ,
             God
             hath
             numbred
             thy
             Kingdom
             and
             finished
             it
             .
          
           I
           hope
           Sir
           ,
           you
           are
           no
           skilful
           State
           Physician
           :
           God
           forbid
           you
           should
           in
           this
           Diagnostick
           .
           You
           may
           if
           you
           please
           see
           more
           to
           this
           matter
           in
           the
           Courant
           of
           Dec.
           23.
           
           I
           expected
           next
           the
           proof
           of
           your
           Assertion
           ,
           but
           you
           defer
           that
           ,
           and
           tell
           
           us
           of
           our
           Princes
           mercy
           in
           the
           
             Act
             of
             Oblivion
          
           .
           I
           suppose
           there
           's
           no
           man
           in
           England
           ,
           that
           understands
           things
           to
           any
           purpose
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           sensible
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Grace
           in
           the
           
             Act
             of
             Oblivion
          
           ,
           wherein
           he
           had
           the
           councel
           of
           his
           Parliament
           ;
           but
           there
           are
           a
           sort
           of
           Men
           that
           labour
           much
           to
           turn
           the
           
             Act
             of
             Oblivion
          
           into
           an
           
             Act
             of
             Remembrance
          
           ;
           there
           's
           no
           Act
           that
           ever
           the
           King
           Pass'd
           ,
           more
           grievous
           to
           them
           than
           that
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           is
           not
           ,
           because
           the
           King
           has
           Pardoned
           His
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           cannot
           by
           his
           power
           wreck
           their
           malice
           upon
           their
           hated
           Neighbours
           .
           I
           am
           perswaded
           Sir
           ,
           when
           you
           consider
           the
           sad
           state
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           better
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           that
           Mens
           envy
           at
           their
           Neighbours
           Liberty
           and
           Enjoyments
           ,
           and
           a
           strange
           ill
           will
           they
           foster
           against
           them
           ,
           is
           the
           great
           cause
           of
           our
           sad
           Divisions
           .
           It
           is
           not
           because
           the
           Government
           is
           lost
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           not
           lost
           ,
           that
           men
           rage
           as
           they
           do
           .
           There
           are
           not
           a
           few
           who
           long
           for
           nothing
           more
           than
           the
           confusion
           of
           the
           Government
           ;
           for
           they
           reckon
           that
           the
           only
           way
           to
           effect
           their
           Revenge
           ,
           than
           which
           nothing
           would
           more
           rejoice
           their
           hearts
           .
           Nay
           ,
           they
           could
           well
           be
           content
           to
           undergo
           the
           hazards
           of
           a
           Combustion
           in
           prospect
           of
           the
           Satisfaction
           they
           hope
           for
           in
           conclusion
           ,
           by
           the
           Ruine
           of
           their
           Maligned
           Neighbours
           and
           Countrymen
           .
           And
           the
           true
           reason
           why
           they
           believe
           so
           little
           of
           the
           Popish
           Plot
           ,
           is
           because
           the
           Discovery
           of
           it
           justifies
           the
           fears
           of
           those
           they
           have
           so
           long
           scorn'd
           upon
           that
           account
           .
           I
           must
           acknowledge
           the
           Papists
           and
           their
           dissembling
           Agents
           have
           wrought
           strongly
           upon
           these
           passions
           ,
           and
           have
           at
           length
           rais'd
           them
           to
           such
           a
           height
           ,
           that
           ,
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           they
           cannot
           be
           allayed
           without
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           I
           take
           to
           be
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Government
           .
           But
           if
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           come
           first
           ,
           (
           which
           God
           of
           his
           great
           mercy
           prevent
           )
           I
           cannot
           think
           that
           those
           enraged
           People
           ,
           who
           have
           already
           made
           use
           of
           Subornations
           and
           Perjuries
           to
           shed
           bloud
           by
           ,
           will
           stick
           at
           a
           
             Parisian
             Bartholomew
          
           Feast
           ,
           if
           they
           can
           find
           no
           readier
           way
           of
           destroying
           those
           they
           hate
           .
        
         
           You
           go
           on
           in
           setting
           forth
           the
           Goodness
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Government
           (
           which
           is
           an
           odd
           way
           of
           shewing
           the
           Government
           to
           be
           lost
           .
           )
           
             He
             takes
             nothing
             from
             any
             man
             ,
             doth
             not
             oppress
             the
             meanest
             of
             His
             Subjects
             ,
             nor
             interposeth
             His
             Authority
             to
             obstruct
             Justice
             .
          
           We
           joyfully
           grant
           all
           this
           ,
           and
           more
           concerning
           the
           King
           ;
           but
           we
           cannot
           excuse
           his
           Ministers
           ;
           your
           last
           long
           Parliament
           found
           cause
           to
           complain
           of
           divers
           Publick
           Grievances
           ,
           to
           provide
           Laws
           against
           some
           ,
           and
           to
           charge
           one
           Great
           Man
           with
           High
           Treason
           in
           many
           particulars
           .
        
         
           Next
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           the
           mischief
           of
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           but
           all
           your
           instances
           ,
           instead
           of
           proving
           we
           have
           no
           Government
           ,
           prove
           the
           quite
           contrary
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           a
           good
           Government
           .
           
             For
             no
             man
             can
             take
             a
             pair
             of
             Shoes
             or
             any
             thing
             else
             out
             of
             a
             Shop
             ,
             without
             payment
             ,
             but
             he
             is
             punisht
             for
             it
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             be
             found
             out
             ,
             and
             no
             Government
             can
             punish
             those
             that
             are
             conceal'd
             ,
          
           
           Bene
           vixit
           ,
           qui
           bene
           latuit
           .
           
             Nor
             can
             any
             man
             pass
             through
          
           Lombard
           
             Street
             ,
             and
             supply
             his
             Pockets
             without
             good
             consideration
             .
          
           Indeed
           we
           have
           heard
           of
           some
           that
           took
           a
           great
           many
           Hundred
           Thousand
           Pounds
           out
           of
           Lombard
           Street
           upon
           good
           consideration
           ,
           which
           was
           afterwards
           made
           invalid
           ;
           but
           His
           Majesty
           was
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           grant
           an
           Equivalent
           ;
           but
           I
           read
           in
           some
           Publick
           Prints
           ,
           of
           obstructions
           in
           the
           issuing
           of
           that
           Equivalent
           ,
           which
           yet
           I
           am
           far
           from
           imputing
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           but
           know
           not
           how
           to
           defend
           all
           his
           Ministers
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           beginning
           of
           your
           next
           Period
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           
             God
             Almighty
             knew
             this
          
           [
           the
           calamities
           of
           being
           without
           Government
           ]
           
             when
             he
             created
             man
             ,
             and
             therefore
             gave
             him
             a
             Law
             by
             which
             he
             should
             live
             and
             govern
             himself
             and
             printed
             it
             in
             his
             heart
             called
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           This
           is
           a
           surprising
           way
           of
           discourse
           ;
           for
           the
           natural
           import
           of
           it
           is
           this
           ,
           Viz.
           That
           to
           prevent
           the
           mischief
           of
           being
           without
           Government
           ,
           God
           had
           made
           every
           man
           his
           own
           Governor
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           has
           no
           need
           of
           any
           other
           Government
           .
           Again
           ,
           It
           proceeds
           somewhat
           incoherently
           :
           
             God
             knew
             when
             he
             created
             man
             what
             evils
             he
             would
             incur
             notwithstanding
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             if
             there
             was
             not
             also
             an
             outward
             Government
             ;
             therefore
             he
             gave
             him
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             printed
             it
             in
             his
             heart
             .
          
           I
           suppose
           Sir
           ,
           you
           spake
           extemporary
           ,
           but
           I
           then
           wonder
           you
           should
           be
           against
           extemporary
           Prayers
           and
           extemporary
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           use
           an
           extemporary
           Speech
           upon
           such
           a
           Solemn
           Occasion
           .
        
         
           You
           proceed
           ,
           
             If
             man
             had
             attended
             to
             this
             Law
             ,
             there
             would
             have
             been
             no
             contentions
             or
             quarrels
             ,
             no
             nor
             fears
             and
             jealousies
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Devils
             Engines
             to
             batter
             down
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             the
             Devil
             made
             man
             forget
             his
             God
             —
             and
             grow
             to
             such
             wickedness
             ,
             that
             God
             swept
             them
             away
             by
             an
             universal
             Deluge
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Here
           is
           a
           special
           remark
           upon
           
             Fears
             and
             Jealousies
          
           in
           the
           Old
           World
           :
           but
           I
           find
           no
           such
           mentioned
           in
           the
           Holy
           History
           ;
           it
           was
           past
           that
           ,
           The
           
             Mighty
             Men
          
           executed
           according
           to
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Earth
           was
           filled
           with
           violence
           effectually
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           feared
           it
           before
           it
           came
           upon
           them
           ,
           they
           had
           cause
           enough
           ,
           and
           those
           fears
           were
           not
           in
           vain
           .
           It
           seems
           it
           was
           in
           your
           mind
           to
           expose
           the
           Phrase
           of
           
             Fears
             and
             Jealousies
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           you
           must
           needs
           bring
           it
           in
           here
           by
           Head
           and
           Shoulders
           .
           But
           if
           you
           please
           to
           call
           to
           mind
           some
           of
           the
           Addresses
           of
           your
           Loyal
           Long
           Parliament
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           they
           did
           not
           abhor
           from
           such
           like
           expressions
           .
           In
           their
           Address
           against
           the
           Duke
           of
           
           York's
           Marriage
           ,
           
           they
           pray
           His
           Majesty
           
             To
             relieve
             his
             good
             subjects
             from
             those
             fears
             and
             apprehensions
             which
             they
             ly
             under
             ,
             from
             the
             progress
             had
             been
             made
             in
             the
             Treaty
             .
          
           And
           they
           further
           say
           ,
           
             We
             greatly
             fear
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           
             That
             for
             another
             Age
             at
             the
             least
             ,
             this
             Kingdom
             will
             be
             under
             continual
             apprehensions
             of
             the
             Growth
             of
          
           Popery
           ,
           
             and
             the
             danger
             of
             the
          
           Protestant
           Religion
           .
        
         
         
           In
           their
           Address
           of
           March
           1677
           /
           8
           they
           advise
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           
             That
             for
             the
             satisfying
             the
             minds
             of
             his
             good
             Subjects
             ,
             who
             are
             much
             disquieted
             with
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             the
             dangers
             arising
             to
             this
             Kingdom
             from
             the
             Growth
             and
             Power
             of
             the
          
           French
           King
           ,
           &c.
           
           I
           could
           cite
           you
           more
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           but
           my
           resolved
           brevity
           hinders
           .
        
         
           Thus
           Sir
           ,
           You
           were
           a
           Member
           of
           that
           Loyal
           House
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           had
           the
           Presumption
           to
           tell
           His
           Majesty
           
             of
             the
             Fears
             and
             Jealousies
             of
             his
             good
             Subjects
             :
          
           but
           what
           is
           the
           matter
           now
           ,
           after
           a
           horrid
           Popish
           Plot
           against
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           many
           Plots
           against
           his
           good
           Subjects
           ,
           that
           now
           it
           must
           be
           a
           breach
           of
           the
           Peace
           to
           talk
           of
           
             Fears
             and
             Jealousies
          
           ?
           I
           fear
           Sir
           ,
           you
           have
           taken
           it
           ill
           you
           were
           not
           chosen
           in
           these
           late
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           are
           fallen
           out
           both
           with
           Parliament
           and
           People
           upon
           that
           score
           .
        
         
           You
           go
           on
           :
           
             This
             Rebellion
          
           [
           of
           Corah
           ]
           
             you
             may
             observe
             as
             all
             other
             Rebellions
             almost
             that
             I
             have
             heard
             of
             ,
             began
             upon
             the
             pretence
             of
             Religion
             and
             Liberty
             .
          
           Here
           you
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           expose
           the
           Terms
           of
           Religion
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           as
           before
           you
           did
           Fears
           and
           Jealousies
           ,
           and
           you
           pick
           out
           the
           Rebellion
           of
           Corah
           ,
           as
           a
           singular
           instance
           of
           the
           prevalence
           of
           the
           Devil
           in
           that
           Tract
           of
           time
           between
           Noah
           and
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           :
           One
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           the
           Kings
           of
           Egypt
           keeping
           in
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           evil
           entreating
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           Four
           Hundred
           years
           together
           ,
           who
           at
           last
           commanded
           the
           Male
           Infants
           to
           be
           killed
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           demand
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           God
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           petition
           to
           him
           for
           liberty
           of
           Religion
           ,
           encreased
           their
           affliction
           and
           bondage
           ,
           forcing
           
             them
             to
             make
             Bricks
             without
             Straw
             ,
             and
             still
             exacting
             the
             same
             Tale
             of
             Bricks
             as
             before
             ,
             beating
             them
             if
             they
             performed
             it
             not
             ;
             and
             the
             King
             said
             ,
             Ye
             are
             idle
             ,
             ye
             are
             idle
             ,
             therefore
             ye
             say
             ,
             Let
             us
             go
             and
             do
             Sacrifice
             to
             the
             Lord.
          
           And
           Pharaoh
           hardened
           his
           heart
           to
           such
           a
           degree
           ,
           that
           God
           raised
           him
           up
           or
           made
           him
           stand
           to
           shew
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           Name
           might
           be
           declared
           throughout
           all
           the
           Earth
           .
           One
           would
           have
           thought
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           example
           af
           Wickedness
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Gods
           stupendious
           Vengeance
           that
           pursued
           the
           Egyptians
           to
           almost
           their
           utter
           destruction
           for
           the
           same
           ,
           should
           have
           been
           as
           ready
           to
           your
           mind
           as
           the
           Rebellion
           of
           Corah
           ;
           I
           hope
           you
           do
           not
           think
           that
           Moses
           and
           the
           People
           of
           Israel
           ,
           being
           Subjects
           to
           Pharaoh
           ,
           were
           therefore
           Rebels
           for
           being
           of
           another
           Religion
           ,
           and
           craving-liberty
           upon
           that
           account
           .
           But
           now
           I
           think
           on
           't
           ,
           this
           of
           Corah
           was
           brought
           in
           as
           an
           instance
           of
           great
           Sin
           after
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           was
           written
           in
           two
           Tables
           ;
           but
           he
           must
           be
           wonderfully
           sagacious
           ,
           that
           can
           find
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           or
           Ten
           Commandments
           ,
           that
           the
           Priesthood
           was
           to
           be
           entailed
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           Aaron
           ,
           and
           none
           else
           of
           
           Levi's
           Family
           ,
           of
           which
           Corah
           was
           .
           Under
           favour
           ,
           I
           think
           this
           was
           a
           Rebellion
           against
           a
           special
           Revelation
           as
           
           Saul's
           aso
           was
           ,
           when
           he
           destroyed
           not
           King
           Agag
           and
           the
           
           Cattle
           with
           the
           Amalekites
           ,
           1
           Sam.
           15.
           
           A
           proper
           example
           is
           this
           of
           Corah
           ,
           to
           be
           urged
           by
           the
           Pope
           against
           those
           Princes
           and
           others
           that
           Rebel
           against
           him
           as
           High
           Priest
           upon
           earth
           of
           all
           Gods
           People
           .
           But
           Religion
           and
           Rebellion
           must
           be
           made
           to
           depend
           one
           upon
           another
           :
           a
           neat
           way
           of
           making
           Atheists
           ;
           and
           when
           all
           's
           done
           ,
           I
           reckon
           it
           a
           very
           false
           Notion
           ,
           
             That
             all
             Rebellions
             almost
             you
             have
             heard
             of
             ,
             began
             upon
             pretence
             of
             Religion
             and
             Liberty
          
           ;
           for
           take
           we
           but
           a
           view
           of
           the
           Wars
           and
           Rebellions
           that
           have
           been
           in
           England
           since
           William
           the
           First
           ,
           and
           how
           few
           of
           them
           have
           began
           upon
           pretence
           of
           Religion
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           in
           comparison
           with
           them
           that
           have
           been
           commenc'd
           upon
           pretence
           of
           Title
           to
           the
           Crown
           ?
           The
           bloudy
           Contest
           between
           the
           Houses
           of
           York
           and
           Lancaster
           alone
           lasted
           about
           a
           Hundred
           Years
           .
           And
           the
           Wars
           of
           our
           English
           Kings
           in
           France
           ,
           which
           dured
           long
           ,
           and
           brought
           great
           desolation
           upon
           that
           Country
           ,
           had
           the
           same
           ground
           ;
           perhaps
           you
           will
           not
           call
           these
           Rebellions
           except
           Religion
           had
           been
           pretended
           ;
           but
           that
           were
           to
           beg
           the
           Question
           .
           And
           if
           you
           respect
           the
           Wars
           occasion'd
           and
           fomented
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           he
           will
           fairly
           tell
           you
           that
           all
           his
           Wars
           are
           of
           a
           Priestly
           Sovereign
           against
           Rebels
           and
           Hereticks
           .
           But
           that
           which
           lies
           coucht
           in
           these
           two
           passages
           is
           ,
           
             That
             to
             fear
             the
             coming
             in
             of
          
           Popery
           
             by
             a
          
           Popish
           
             Successor
             to
             the
             subverting
             our
             Religion
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             jealous
             of
             our
             Liberty
             from
             a
             series
             of
             Treasonous
             actions
             in
             great
             men
             against
             the
             Government
             ,
          
           is
           a
           breach
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           and
           at
           least
           bordering
           upon
           Rebellion
           .
        
         
           Next
           you
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           make
           merry
           with
           Appeals
           to
           the
           People
           [
           
             Excellent
             Arbiters
             in
             matters
             relating
             to
             Government
          
           ]
           Methinks
           Sir
           ,
           you
           come
           too
           near
           the
           Declaration
           against
           the
           Two
           last
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           manifold
           Addresses
           of
           the
           Justices
           and
           some
           Grand
           Juries
           and
           a
           great
           many
           Burroughs
           ,
           that
           
             were
             easily
             taken
             with
             it
          
           .
        
         
           You
           seem
           Sir
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           little
           out
           in
           your
           Divinity
           ,
           whilst
           you
           introduce
           God
           Almighty
           in
           Creation
           ,
           
             Giving
             Man
             a
             Law
             ,
             and
             printing
             it
             on
             his
             heart
             ,
             and
             by
             our
             Lord
             Christ
             restoring
             that
             Law
             ,
          
           by
           instruction
           ,
           and
           the
           sending
           of
           Bishops
           
             to
             govern
             the
             Church
             by
             Ceremonies
             ,
             and
             Liturgies
             ,
             which
             have
             the
             Sanction
             of
             a
             Parliament
             ,
          
           whereas
           Gods
           
             giving
             his
             Laws
             into
             Mens
             minds
             ,
             and
             writing
             them
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
          
           is
           made
           both
           by
           the
           Prophet
           Jeremy
           and
           the
           Divine
           Author
           to
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           the
           special
           Promise
           and
           Priviledge
           of
           the
           New
           Covenant
           ,
           whereof
           Christ
           is
           Mediator
           .
           And
           if
           Christ
           has
           not
           written
           his
           Laws
           in
           mens
           hearts
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           Sir
           
           Wm's
           Argument
           doth
           equally
           justifie
           all
           the
           Papists
           of
           
             Spain
             ,
             Italy
             ,
             France
             ,
             &c.
          
           as
           the
           Protestants
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           and
           equally
           condemn
           the
           Protestants
           in
           those
           Countrys
           ,
           as
           the
           Dissenters
           here
           in
           England
           ;
           for
           they
           have
           their
           
             Bishops
             by
             a
             continued
             Succession
          
           as
           well
           as
           we
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           their
           Ceremonies
           and
           Liturgy
           (
           called
           the
           Mass
           )
           as
           well
           as
           we
           ;
           and
           these
           have
           the
           
             Sanction
             of
             their
             Parliaments
             ;
             the
             agreement
             both
             of
             Kings
             and
             People
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           
           ours
           .
           Thus
           Sir
           ,
           you
           have
           made
           Popery
           as
           much
           the
           Religion
           of
           Christ
           as
           Protestantism
           ,
           and
           justifie
           all
           Persecutions
           of
           Christians
           ,
           that
           are
           made
           by
           Bishops
           and
           Laws
           .
           The
           French
           King
           is
           beholding
           to
           you
           for
           vindicating
           him
           in
           his
           present
           Persecution
           of
           the
           poor
           Protestants
           ,
           to
           whom
           yet
           (
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           and
           the
           King
           )
           we
           give
           entertainment
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           you
           
             seriously
             think
          
           of
           ,
           this
           Establishment
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           the
           agreement
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           
             It
             raiseth
             your
             admiration
             how
             any
             man
             can
             think
             himself
             hardly
             dealt
             with
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             required
             to
             comply
             with
             that
             which
             he
             hath
             before
             agreed
             .
          
           Pray
           Sir
           ,
           were
           you
           never
           on
           the
           Negative
           side
           in
           any
           Law
           that
           was
           pass'd
           in
           those
           Parliaments
           wherein
           you
           sate
           ?
           if
           you
           were
           ,
           then
           you
           did
           not
           agree
           to
           that
           Law
           ,
           now
           suppose
           that
           that
           Law
           had
           been
           the
           Law
           of
           conformity
           to
           the
           Mass
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           in
           Queen
           Maries
           days
           ,
           would
           you
           have
           thought
           your self
           obliged
           to
           have
           yielded
           obedience
           to
           it
           ,
           because
           you
           were
           over
           Voted
           ?
           Sir
           ,
           Sanctions
           of
           King
           and
           Parliament
           cannot
           make
           a
           thing
           good
           ,
           which
           in
           its
           nature
           is
           not
           so
           :
           neither
           can
           it
           make
           an
           indifferent
           thing
           lawful
           to
           me
           ,
           if
           I
           in
           my
           Conscience
           think
           it
           otherwise
           ,
           for
           
             whatsoever
             is
             not
             of
             Faith
             is
             sin
             .
          
           Christ
           has
           not
           given
           Bishops
           to
           be
           Lords
           over
           his
           Heritage
           ,
           which
           they
           will
           be
           ,
           if
           you
           give
           them
           power
           to
           make
           Laws
           and
           enforce
           them
           against
           the
           Conscience
           of
           Believers
           ,
           in
           things
           not
           necessary
           to
           be
           determin'd
           ,
           and
           much
           less
           in
           things
           already
           otherwise
           determin'd
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           You
           admire
           again
           ,
           
             That
             any
             should
             think
             it
             reasonable
             that
             Publick
             Conventicles
             should
             be
             permitted
             in
             opposition
             to
             the
             said
             Established
             Government
             .
          
           I
           have
           said
           something
           before
           that
           is
           applicable
           to
           this
           ,
           to
           allay
           this
           admiration
           .
           I
           add
           ,
           that
           many
           Conventiclers
           do
           think
           their
           Pastors
           to
           be
           Bishops
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           or
           Overseers
           (
           as
           your self
           note
           )
           which
           they
           are
           as
           much
           obliged
           to
           obey
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           an
           Humane
           Law
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Some
           are
           greatly
           offended
           at
           the
           rancour
           and
           bitterness
           they
           perceive
           in
           many
           high-flown
           Men
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           against
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           them
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           those
           severe
           Laws
           executed
           against
           them
           ,
           whilst
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           more
           certain
           of
           any
           thing
           ,
           than
           that
           they
           heartily
           desire
           their
           own
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           honestly
           to
           find
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           right
           way
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           hence
           they
           are
           most
           certain
           it
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           any
           of
           his
           Followers
           should
           punish
           them
           for
           their
           Meeting
           together
           in
           his
           Name
           ,
           in
           pursuance
           of
           those
           ends
           ;
           and
           consequently
           that
           Church
           that
           does
           so
           ,
           offends
           against
           a
           Fundamental
           Point
           of
           Christian
           Practice
           ,
           for
           they
           have
           the
           like
           perswasion
           concerning
           the
           Integrity
           of
           others
           that
           differ
           from
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           are
           therefore
           sure
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           be
           so
           ,
           they
           can
           no
           more
           execute
           Penalties
           upon
           them
           ,
           than
           they
           upon
           others
           .
           They
           ought
           to
           have
           the
           same
           love
           and
           respect
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           for
           Conformists
           ;
           and
           
             to
             do
             unto
             them
             as
             they
             would
             have
             them
             do
             unto
             themselves
             ,
          
           if
           they
           be
           
           otherwise
           minded
           ,
           they
           offend
           both
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           nature
           and
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ.
           If
           either
           they
           or
           the
           Dissenters
           offend
           against
           the
           necessary
           Principles
           and
           Laws
           of
           Government
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           never
           so
           much
           their
           consciences
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           they
           deny
           not
           the
           Magistrates
           right
           to
           punish
           them
           :
           but
           they
           are
           certain
           this
           is
           none
           of
           those
           cases
           .
           It
           is
           an
           excellent
           passage
           of
           the
           late
           Lord
           Chief
           Justice
           ,
           
             Sir
             Matthew
             Hale
          
           p.
           1308.
           bserved
           in
           his
           Life
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           Quakers
           ;
           
             He
             considered
             Marriage
             and
             Succession
             as
             a
             right
             of
             nature
          
           (
           there
           is
           the
           same
           reason
           of
           other
           rights
           of
           nature
           )
           
             from
             which
             none
             ought
             to
             be
             barred
             ,
             what
             mistake
             soever
             they
             might
             be
             under
             in
             the
             Points
             of
             Revealed
             Religion
             .
          
           Surely
           the
           publick
           meeting
           together
           to
           worship
           God
           is
           a
           natural
           right
           ;
           which
           therefore
           men
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           ,
           though
           they
           mistake
           in
           the
           circumstances
           of
           their
           so
           meeting
           and
           worshiping
           But
           I
           will
           leave
           the
           defence
           of
           publick
           meetings
           to
           publick
           prints
           ,
           specially
           I
           refer
           you
           to
           the
           
             Conformists
             Plea
             for
             the
             Nonconformists
          
           ,
           the
           first
           and
           second
           parts
           ;
           for
           that
           in
           reason
           should
           be
           read
           by
           you
           with
           less
           prejudice
           ,
           than
           those
           things
           they
           say
           in
           their
           own
           behalf
           .
        
         
           You
           
             cannot
             understand
          
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           Conventiclers
           allow
           their
           teachers
           both
           Infallibility
           and
           Supremacy
           :
           what
           Sir
           ,
           more
           then
           you
           allow
           to
           your
           Bishops
           ?
           you
           would
           not
           have
           said
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           had
           a
           mind
           to
           make
           an
           odious
           Parallel
           between
           Papists
           and
           Dissenters
           .
           But
           who
           knows
           not
           ,
           that
           Dissenters
           do
           all
           maintain
           this
           as
           the
           great
           principle
           of
           Protestantism
           ,
           viz.
           
             That
             every
             man
             ought
             to
             be
             satisfied
             in
             his
             own
             Judgment
             concerning
             his
             Religion
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             pin
             his
             faith
             upon
             any
             man
             ,
             or
             number
             of
             men
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             are
             perswaded
             from
             the
             infallible
             word
             of
             God.
          
           And
           this
           is
           the
           chief
           reason
           why
           they
           frequent
           gathered
           Churches
           ,
           and
           not
           Parish
           Churches
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           go
           from
           one
           Congregation
           to
           another
           ,
           as
           they
           find
           it
           more
           conducing
           to
           the
           great
           end
           of
           their
           eternal
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           You
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Romish
             Church
             is
             an
             united
             body
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             withstood
             but
             by
             another
             united
             body
             ,
             and
             if
             the
             people
             were
             united
             and
             reconciled
             to
             this
             true
             Protestant
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             that
             Popery
             should
             prevail
             here
             .
          
        
         
           First
           Sir
           ,
           The
           people
           are
           so
           far
           united
           to
           this
           Church
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           the
           same
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Doctrine
           for
           Substance
           ;
           and
           they
           worship
           God
           in
           no
           other
           manner
           than
           is
           
             allowed
             by
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ;
           so
           that
           I
           would
           fain
           be
           informed
           what
           better
           capacity
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           would
           be
           in
           ,
           if
           all
           come
           to
           the
           Parish-Church
           ,
           than
           She
           is
           now
           .
           If
           there
           was
           not
           one
           Protestant
           Dissenter
           in
           England
           ,
           how
           would
           that
           hinder
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           from
           bringing
           in
           Popery
           ?
           We
           see
           that
           under
           our
           present
           Protestant
           Prince
           (
           to
           whom
           God
           grant
           a
           long
           and
           happy
           R●ign
           )
           we
           can
           scarce
           keep
           our selves
           from
           being
           over-run
           
           and
           destroyed
           by
           Assassinations
           ,
           Sham-Plots
           ,
           and
           Suborned
           witnesses
           ,
           with
           other
           Engines
           of
           mischiefs
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           parish
           Church
           men
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           are
           equally
           Subject
           :
           we
           see
           that
           even
           in
           the
           Church
           it self
           ,
           they
           have
           raised
           a
           strong
           enmity
           ,
           
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           are
           either
           more
           fierce
           against
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           more
           moderate
           against
           Papists
           ,
           or
           on
           the
           contrary
           more
           moderate
           to
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           more
           zealous
           against
           Papists
           ;
           what
           then
           would
           be
           done
           under
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           ?
           should
           all
           Dissenters
           be
           reconciled
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           would
           that
           extinguish
           the
           animosities
           among
           the
           Bishops
           and
           other
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           (
           as
           they
           call
           'um
           )
           of
           the
           Church
           it self
           ?
           I
           pray
           consider
           it
           .
        
         
           Our
           Divisions
           ,
           
             you
             say
          
           ,
           give
           
             boldness
             to
             the
             common
             enemy
             to
             make
             attempts
             upon
             us
          
           ;
           you
           say
           very
           true
           ,
           for
           whilst
           he
           sees
           a
           party
           that
           pretends
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           so
           desperately
           mad
           against
           those
           (
           whether
           in
           the
           Church
           or
           out
           of
           it
           )
           that
           being
           deeply
           concerned
           for
           their
           Religion
           ,
           King
           and
           Government
           ,
           are
           zealous
           against
           the
           Papists
           and
           their
           Fautors
           ,
           it
           cannot
           but
           incourage
           the
           Papists
           to
           go
           on
           in
           their
           Devilish
           Plots
           and
           machinations
           against
           us
           .
           Is
           't
           not
           wonderful
           ,
           that
           since
           the
           discovery
           of
           a
           most
           horrid
           Popish
           plot
           against
           all
           Protestants
           ,
           some
           of
           that
           name
           that
           were
           gentle
           before
           ,
           should
           now
           be
           violent
           in
           the
           prosecution
           of
           their
           Brethren
           ?
           as
           if
           the
           Dissenting
           Protestants
           were
           to
           be
           punished
           for
           the
           Popish
           plot
           .
           O
           unhappy
           Titus
           !
           hadst
           thou
           suffered
           the
           popish
           Plot
           to
           proceed
           to
           effect
           ,
           thou
           mightest
           have
           reap't
           a
           great
           share
           in
           the
           profits
           of
           their
           success
           :
           But
           now
           thou
           hast
           discovered
           their
           Treachery
           and
           saved
           thy
           King
           and
           Country
           ,
           thou
           art
           scorned
           ,
           and
           reproached
           ;
           thou
           art
           in
           jeopardy
           of
           thy
           life
           every
           hour
           ,
           either
           by
           assassination
           or
           false
           accusation
           !
           And
           thy
           wretched
           Country
           is
           in
           worse
           circumstances
           to
           withstand
           the
           Popish
           and
           Malicious
           enemies
           of
           its
           Religion
           and
           Government
           than
           before
           .
        
         
           The
           Luxury
           and
           Security
           of
           Asia
           —
           gave
           Alexander
           the
           Great
           hopes
           of
           Conquest
           ,
           Ergo
           ,
           Our
           worshipping
           of
           God
           ,
           some
           in
           Churches
           ,
           some
           in
           Meetings
           ,
           encourages
           the
           French
           King
           :
           A
           natural
           consequence
           ;
           Did
           the
           French
           carry
           on
           their
           War
           the
           worse
           ,
           because
           they
           permitted
           Protestants
           ,
           though
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           made
           War
           against
           Protestants
           ?
           but
           he
           's
           afraid
           of
           it
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           and
           must
           we
           needs
           tread
           in
           his
           steps
           ,
           and
           act
           by
           his
           Policies
           :
           surely
           he
           that
           prosecutes
           Protestants
           with
           Penalties
           for
           being
           so
           ,
           does
           the
           Pope
           and
           French
           King's
           Work
           ;
           for
           what
           can
           they
           desire
           more
           at
           present
           ?
           And
           I
           heartily
           wish
           
             That
             the
             ill
             consequences
             ,
             which
             may
             easily
             be
             foreseen
             to
             arise
             therefrom
             ,
          
           to
           use
           your
           words
           ,
           
             may
             prevail
             with
             men
             that
             pretend
             to
             love
             their
             King
             and
             Country
             ,
             and
             Religion
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             guilty
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             will
             bring
             ruin
             upon
             them
             :
          
           For
           when
           they
           
           have
           ruined
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           they
           will
           next
           fall
           upon
           those
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           favour
           them
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           are
           ruin'd
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           easie
           for
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           either
           to
           turn
           them
           to
           Popery
           ,
           or
           ruine
           the
           remainder
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Diberty
           you
           say
           they
           have
           —
           according
           to
           Law
           ,
           of
           exercising
           Religion
           in
           their
           own
           Houses
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           is
           denied
           where
           Protestants
           are
           prosecuted
           to
           Confiscation
           of
           their
           Estates
           ,
           as
           
             Popish
             Recusants
          
           for
           not
           going
           to
           Church
           .
        
         
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           same
           Passions
           and
           Councils
           that
           now
           endeavour
           to
           suppress
           their
           Meetings
           ,
           would
           then
           prosecute
           them
           as
           Rioters
           for
           meeting
           above
           Three
           besides
           the
           Family
           ,
           to
           do
           an
           unlawful
           action
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           known
           it
           done
           by
           some
           of
           your
           Bench.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           easily
           said
           by
           you
           ,
           
             rather
             Humor
             than
             Conscience
             ,
             when
             they
             will
             yet
             offend
             against
             the
             Law
             ,
             by
             these
             Publick
             Conventicles
             ,
          
           [
           but
           they
           would
           be
           very
           glad
           to
           find
           it
           such
           an
           humor
           ,
           as
           they
           could
           correct
           with
           satisfaction
           to
           Conscience
           ;
           it
           would
           be
           a
           great
           ease
           to
           their
           minds
           ,
           besides
           the
           advantage
           to
           their
           outward
           concerns
           ]
           
             which
             are
             so
             destructive
             to
             the
             Peace
             and
             Safety
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             .
          
           There
           was
           a
           time
           when
           His
           Majesty
           was
           pleas'd
           to
           declare
           ,
           
             That
             it
             was
             evident
             by
             the
             sad
             experience
             of
             Twelve
             Years
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             very
             little
             fruit
             of
             all
             those
             forceable
             courses
          
           [
           many
           and
           frequent
           ways
           of
           coertion
           ]
           
             And
             therefore
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             We
             do
             now
             issue
             this
             Our
             Declaration
             ,
             as
             well
             for
             the
             quieting
             ,
             of
             the
             minds
             of
             Our
             good
             Subjects
             in
             th●se
             points
             ,
             for
             inviting
             Strangers
             ,
             in
             this
             conjuncture
             ,
             to
             come
             and
             live
             under
             us
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             better
             encouragement
             of
             all
             to
             a
             chearful
             following
             of
             their
             Trades
             and
             Callings
             ,
             from
             whence
             we
             hope
             ,
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             have
             many
             good
             and
             happy
             advantages
             to
             our
             Government
             :
             As
             also
             for
             preventing
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             the
             danger
             that
             might
             otherwise
             arise
             from
             private
             Meetings
             and
             Seditious
             Conventicles
             .
          
           His
           Majesty
           you
           see
           Sir
           W.
           was
           not
           then
           of
           your
           mind
           ,
           after
           Twelve
           Years
           Experience
           and
           Observation
           ,
           that
           Publick
           Conventicles
           were
           so
           destructive
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           contrary
           .
           What
           tho
           His
           Majesty
           was
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           Cancel
           that
           Declaration
           ,
           at
           the
           Humble
           Request
           of
           His
           Loyal
           Long
           Parliament
           ,
           because
           it
           did
           not
           ground
           it self
           upon
           a
           Legal
           Authority
           ;
           yet
           I
           hope
           His
           Majesties
           Reason
           and
           Judgment
           exprest
           in
           it
           ,
           may
           be
           of
           weight
           to
           the
           Justices
           of
           Middlesex
           and
           London
           too
           ;
           especially
           when
           the
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Commons
           of
           England
           in
           Parliament
           concurs
           with
           it
           ;
           [
           besides
           who
           knows
           that
           if
           there
           be
           any
           Favourite
           at
           Court
           ,
           who
           designes
           against
           the
           people
           (
           as
           there
           seldom
           wants
           such
           as
           cannot
           endure
           the
           breath
           of
           a
           Parliament
           )
           he
           or
           she
           has
           the
           recommendation
           of
           Justices
           ,
           which
           therefore
           being
           their
           creatures
           ,
           must
           serve
           their
           ill
           purposes
           ?
           and
           how
           easie
           it
           is
           for
           one
           or
           two
           such
           Justices
           to
           get
           the
           approbation
           of
           the
           Bench
           to
           their
           nomination
           of
           Jury-Men
           ,
           and
           then
           wo
           be
           to
           the
           People
           ]
           for
           they
           
           declare
           in
           their
           Vote
           of
           Luna
           10.
           
           Januar
           1680.
           
           
             That
             it
             is
             the
             Opinion
             of
             this
             House
             ,
             that
             the
             presecution
             of
          
           Protestant
           Dissenters
           
             upon
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             ,
             is
             at
             this
             time
             grievous
             to
             the
             Subject
             ,
             a
             weakning
             of
             the
          
           Protestant
           
             Interest
             ,
             an
             encouragement
             to
          
           Popery
           ,
           
             and
             DANGEROVS
             to
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             .
          
           Now
           I
           am
           clearly
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           and
           Commons
           of
           England
           together
           ,
           their
           Judgment
           is
           rather
           to
           be
           taken
           in
           this
           matter
           than
           Sir
           W.
           S's
           .
           and
           all
           the
           Bench
           of
           Justices
           assenting
           .
        
         
           You
           will
           say
           perhaps
           ,
           that
           the
           Popish
           Plot
           ,
           since
           the
           time
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Declaration
           ,
           discover'd
           ,
           has
           render'd
           them
           unworthy
           of
           that
           Toleration
           ;
           I
           grant
           it
           ,
           but
           what
           have
           the
           Dissenters
           done
           to
           confute
           the
           King's
           Judgment
           in
           this
           point
           ;
           I
           hope
           that
           Toleration
           was
           not
           given
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Papists
           alone
           ;
           so
           that
           because
           They
           cannot
           have
           benefit
           by
           His
           Majesties
           Reasoning
           ,
           
             No
             body
             else
             shall
          
           ;
           that
           were
           a
           hard
           thing
           to
           impute
           to
           our
           Sovereign
           :
           However
           it
           was
           ,
           I
           presume
           Sir
           W.
           and
           his
           Fellow
           Justices
           did
           not
           Then
           put
           in
           execution
           the
           penal
           Statutes
           against
           Dissenters
           ,
           neither
           for
           some
           years
           afterward
           ;
           such
           Deference
           did
           they
           give
           to
           His
           Majesties
           reason
           ,
           tho
           his
           Authority
           was
           with-drawn
           !
           Publick
           Conventicles
           were
           not
           then
           thought
           so
           destructive
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           And
           I
           know
           nothing
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           but
           a
           strong
           desire
           and
           earnest
           endeavour
           to
           keep
           out
           Popery
           ,
           
           which
           they
           think
           cannot
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           be
           let
           in
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           they
           follow
           the
           Judgment
           of
           three
           several
           Houses
           of
           Commons
           in
           Parliament
           .
           And
           now
           I
           am
           speaking
           of
           the
           
             Declaration
             for
             Indulgence
          
           ,
           I
           pray
           Sir
           ,
           what
           shall
           hinder
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           from
           setting
           forth
           such
           another
           Edict
           with
           more
           ample
           graces
           to
           the
           
             Roman
             Catholicks
          
           ,
           whereby
           they
           shall
           not
           only
           have
           the
           liberty
           of
           Publick
           Meetings
           ;
           but
           also
           access
           to
           Parish
           Churches
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           by
           virtue
           of
           
             That
             Supream
             Power
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             matters
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             only
             inherent
             in
             him
             ,
             but
             hath
             been
             declar'd
             and
             recogniz'd
             to
             be
             so
             by
             several
             Statutes
             and
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
          
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           said
           Declaration
           ;
           what
           tho
           His
           present
           Majesty
           was
           graciously
           pleas'd
           to
           recal
           his
           Declaration
           ,
           do
           you
           think
           the
           Popish
           Successor
           would
           do
           so
           ?
           And
           if
           he
           should
           command
           such
           an
           Indulgence
           ,
           I
           am
           perswaded
           never
           a
           Justice
           of
           Middlesex
           ,
           would
           dare
           (
           as
           Sir
           
             James
             Hales
          
           in
           Queen
           Maries
           days
           )
           to
           put
           the
           Laws
           in
           execution
           against
           them
           .
           Poor
           Sir
           James
           ,
           who
           had
           merited
           highly
           of
           the
           Queen
           ,
           yet
           suffer'd
           deeply
           for
           his
           Legal
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           is
           too
           sad
           an
           example
           to
           be
           followed
           ,
           however
           zealous
           men
           are
           now
           against
           Protestants
           .
        
         
         
           It
           follows
           in
           your
           Speech
           ,
           [
           
             these
             publick
             conventicles
          
           ]
           
             are
             not
             suffer'd
             in
             any
             Country
             or
             Kingdoms
             as
             I
             know
             of
          
           ▪
           I
           have
           no
           measure
           of
           your
           knowledge
           ,
           but
           there
           was
           not
           long
           since
           publisht
           in
           English
           a
           piece
           ,
           entituled
           :
           
             The
             Religion
             of
             the
             Dutch
          
           ,
           the
           Author
           pretends
           himself
           a
           Protestant
           :
           what
           credit
           is
           to
           be
           given
           him
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           I
           know
           that
           in
           many
           things
           he
           gives
           a
           very
           exact
           and
           true
           account
           :
           He
           says
           p.
           14.
           
           There
           is
           an
           express
           prohibition
           
             of
             allowing
             any
             other
             Religion
             then
             the
             Reformed
             in
             the
             Provinces
             ,
             and
             yet
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             we
             there
             find
             the
             publick
             exercise
             of
             another
             Religions
          
           [
           so
           he
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           call
           different
           meetings
           of
           those
           that
           differ
           in
           some
           opinions
           ]
           
             besides
             the
             Reformed
          
           ;
           there
           are
           
             Roman
             Catholicks
             ,
             Lutherans
             ,
             Brownists
             ,
             Independants
             ,
             Arminians
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Socinians
             ,
             Arrians
             ,
             Enthusiasts
             ,
             Quakers
             ,
             Borelists
             ,
             Armenians
             ,
             Muscovites
             ,
             Libertins
          
           and
           others
           ;
           I
           suppose
           you
           will
           scarce
           find
           so
           many
           sorts
           of
           publick
           meetings
           here
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           shewed
           the
           weakness
           of
           these
           reasons
           ,
           upon
           which
           you
           built
           your
           discourse
           ,
           there
           appears
           no
           cause
           why
           you
           should
           so
           patheticaly
           
             adjure
             men
             for
             Gods
             sake
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             to
             lay
             aside
             these
             publick
             Conventicles
             &c.
             
          
           Neither
           that
           you
           should
           say
           ,
           
             They
             are
             one
             cause
             and
             a
             great
             one
             of
             our
             present
             troubles
          
           ;
           or
           that
           you
           should
           invite
           
             the
             Bench
             and
             Grand
             Jury
             kindly
             to
             agree
             together
             in
             the
             remedy
             of
             this
             evil
             :
          
           Moreover
           ,
           If
           according
           to
           the
           9th
           Article
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           these
           Conventicles
           or
           some
           of
           
             them
             be
             Congregations
             of
             faithful
             men
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             pure
             word
             of
             God
             is
             preached
             ,
             and
             the
             Sacraments
             duly
             administred
             ,
             according
             to
             Christs
             Ordinance
             ,
             in
             all
             those
             things
             that
             of
             necessity
             are
             requisite
             to
             the
             same
          
           ;
           then
           are
           they
           ,
           visible
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           punish
           them
           for
           so
           doing
           ,
           do
           
             unkindly
             agree
          
           in
           persecuting
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           Christians
           ought
           to
           be
           very
           wary
           of
           .
           Take
           heed
           Sir
           ,
           you
           are
           not
           infallible
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           thing
           you
           recommend
           ,
           is
           the
           Consideration
           of
           Juries
           ,
           and
           the
           Statute
           of
           3.
           
           Hen.
           VIII
           .
           
             An
             Act
             of
             Reformation
             of
             Impannels
             for
             the
             King
             ,
          
           Touching
           which
           I
           shall
           leave
           you
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           a
           paper
           ,
           set
           out
           some
           Moneths
           ago
           in
           an
           answer
           to
           a
           Speech
           of
           yours
           also
           printed
           upon
           this
           Subject
           .
           The
           subtility
           and
           mighty
           endeavours
           of
           the
           Papists
           ,
           to
           divert
           People
           from
           the
           prosecution
           of
           themselves
           ,
           have
           rais'd
           a
           great
           enmity
           in
           a
           party
           or
           faction
           against
           the
           body
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           represented
           in
           3
           Parliaments
           ;
           The
           City
           of
           London
           which
           hath
           the
           choice
           of
           Sheriffs
           for
           London
           and
           Middlesex
           are
           careful
           to
           chuse
           such
           Sheriffs
           as
           they
           can
           trust
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           not
           of
           that
           party
           :
           whereas
           the
           Justices
           of
           Middlesex
           or
           some
           of
           them
           by
           their
           Abhorring
           ,
           Addressing
           and
           the
           like
           actions
           appear
           to
           be
           too
           favourable
           to
           that
           faction
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Citizens
           had
           rather
           by
           much
           the
           choice
           of
           Juries
           should
           be
           in
           the
           Sheriffs
           than
           in
           the
           partial
           Justices
           ,
           especially
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           when
           their
           Liberties
           ,
           Lives
           and
           Religion
           are
           in
           such
           eminent
           danger
           from
           Sham-plots
           ,
           Subornations
           and
           Perjuries
           ,
           the
           
           preservation
           of
           all
           which
           concerns
           we
           owe
           under
           God
           and
           his
           Majesty
           to
           our
           honest
           Sheriffs
           .
           It
           looks
           strangely
           that
           out
           of
           about
           50
           persons
           of
           the
           Pannel
           ,
           (
           against
           one
           man
           of
           which
           the
           Justices
           cannot
           object
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           argue
           
             untrue
             demeanor
          
           in
           the
           Sheriff
           in
           his
           return
           )
           the
           Justices
           should
           not
           find
           13
           to
           make
           a
           Grand
           Jury
           ,
           without
           putting
           in
           other
           of
           their
           own
           nomination
           .
           I
           appeal
           to
           the
           next
           Parliament
           ,
           whether
           the
           security
           and
           liberty
           of
           the
           People
           of
           England
           be
           not
           at
           this
           time
           more
           in
           danger
           by
           the
           Justices
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           Sheriffs
           .
           I
           might
           observe
           upon
           other
           parts
           of
           your
           Speech
           :
           but
           I
           presume
           I
           have
           done
           enough
           already
           to
           shew
           the
           weakness
           of
           your
           reasoning
           .
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           please
           to
           consider
           things
           over
           again
           ,
           and
           to
           pardon
           the
           freedom
           ,
           taken
           by
           one
           that
           has
           due
           respects
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           has
           learn'd
           to
           pass
           by
           the
           errors
           of
           men
           ,
           being
           conscious
           of
           his
           own
           fallibility
           ,
           but
           would
           gladly
           have
           malice
           and
           ill
           will
           rooted
           out
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
           
             Your
             very
             Humble
             Servant
             
               J.
               W.
            
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           ALL
           considering
           People
           will
           now
           see
           that
           Conventiclers
           are
           not
           punished
           and
           ruin'd
           for
           holding
           Conventicles
           ,
           but
           for
           being
           zealous
           for
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           and
           Government
           by
           advice
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           against
           Popery
           and
           Clandestine
           Arbitrary
           Councels
           .
           Their
           Prosecutors
           know
           it
           to
           be
           so
           .
           I
           fear
           there
           are
           some
           Justices
           of
           the
           Peace
           and
           others
           who
           either
           by
           their
           ill
           management
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           in
           the
           late
           unhappy
           Warrs
           suffer'd
           themselves
           and
           party
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           enemies
           ,
           which
           would
           now
           under
           colour
           of
           Law
           and
           after
           oblivion
           take
           revenge
           upon
           those
           few
           of
           them
           that
           survive
           ,
           by
           ruining
           the
           whole
           party
           of
           Non-conformists
           .
           They
           ,
           like
           Haman
           ,
           think
           it
           below
           them
           to
           crush
           Mordecai
           alone
           ,
           except
           they
           involve
           the
           whole
           people
           of
           the
           Jews
           in
           that
           destruction
           .
           But
           let
           them
           remember
           there
           is
           a
           God
           that
           judgeth
           the
           earth
           :
           His
           Kingdom
           ruleth
           over
           all
           in
           spight
           of
           them
           .
           He
           can
           deliver
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           will
           not
           ,
           they
           suffer
           in
           a
           very
           good
           cause
           ,
           for
           a
           good
           conscience
           toward
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           what
           has
           been
           declared
           to
           be
           reasonable
           by
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Commons
           of
           England
           in
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A67481-e200
           
             Octo.
             31.
             1673.
             
          
           
             
               Witness
               Doctor
            
             Fowler
             ,
             &
             Gregory
             
               Prebends
               of
               Gloucester
            
             .
          
           
             
               Tempora
               mutantur
            
             .
             But
             you
             would
             have
             call'd
             it
             hypocrisie
             in
             a
             Presbiterian
             to
             alter
             his
             voice
             thus
             ,
             the
             reasons
             remaining
             the
             same
             .