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         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1687
        
      
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         A54211
         Wing P1361
         ESTC R38198
         17203886
         ocm 17203886
         106228
         
           
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             A second letter from a gentleman in the country to his friends in London upon the subject of the penal laws and tests.
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
          
           18 p.
           
             Printed for J.S. and T.S. and to be had of most booksellers in London and Westminster,
             London :
             1687.
          
           
             Attributed to Penn by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Test Act (1673)
           Dissenters, Religious -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- England.
           Religious tolerance -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Second
           LETTER
           From
           a
           Gentleman
           in
           the
           COUNTRY
           ,
           To
           his
           Friends
           in
           LONDON
           ,
           Upon
           the
           Subject
           of
           the
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           and
           Tests
           .
        
         
           Licensed
           ,
           April
           the
           11th
           1687.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           ,
           for
           J.H.
           and
           T.S.
           and
           to
           be
           had
           of
           most
           Booksellers
           in
           London
           and
           Westminster
           .
           1687.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Am
           not
           much
           lifted
           up
           ,
           or
           cast
           down
           at
           the
           news
           you
           send
           me
           ,
           for
           that
           my
           Letter
           should
           be
           liked
           by
           some
           ,
           and
           as
           ill
           taken
           by
           others
           ,
           is
           but
           the
           fate
           of
           all
           things
           offer'd
           to
           publick
           censure
           ;
           tho
           without
           vanity
           ,
           the
           reasons
           are
           unequal
           .
           But
           before
           I
           enter
           upon
           that
           ,
           you
           'l
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           observe
           the
           humor
           of
           the
           Party
           in
           the
           Proverbs
           you
           sent
           me
           ,
           that
           methinks
           looks
           so
           much
           like
           a
           
             Green
             Ribband
          
           ,
           that
           it
           hardly
           becomes
           the
           fall
           of
           the
           leaf
           ,
           they
           conceit
           they
           are
           under
           .
           You
           say
           ,
           the
           usual
           answer
           to
           the
           Letter
           is
           this
           ;
           
             There
             is
             a
             Snake
             in
             the
             Grass
             ;
             All
             is
             well
             that
             ends
             well
             ,
          
           That
           a
           more
           moderate
           sort
           ,
           allow
           it
           both
           
             witt
             and
             truth
             ,
             but
             ill
             timed
             ,
             considering
             the
             Melancholy
             circumstances
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             is
             under
             .
          
           To
           all
           this
           ,
           you
           have
           here
           my
           answer
           ,
           which
           I
           beseech
           you
           to
           communicate
           with
           that
           Cander
           ;
           that
           you
           know
           has
           alwayes
           been
           the
           companion
           of
           my
           Life
           .
           And
           for
           the
           Proverbs
           ,
           I
           must
           say
           first
           ,
           that
           a
           wise
           Sentence
           ,
           may
           be
           sillily
           apply'd
           ;
           and
           next
           ,
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           that
           these
           are
           so
           ;
           for
           pray
           what
           is
           the
           Snake
           ,
           and
           
           where
           doe's
           it
           lie
           .
           A
           Snake
           without
           a
           Sting
           hurts
           no
           body
           ,
           let
           it
           lie
           where
           it
           will
           ;
           and
           a
           Snake
           with
           a
           Sting
           is
           dangerous
           every
           where
           .
           Now
           to
           find
           out
           who
           is
           the
           Snake
           ,
           let
           's
           consider
           what
           's
           the
           Sting
           ,
           The
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           certainly
           ;
           and
           you
           are
           not
           ignorant
           who
           's
           Tayle
           they
           belong
           to
           .
           But
           to
           be
           sure
           they
           Sting
           all
           that
           won't
           come
           to
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           every
           where
           .
           For
           a
           man
           can't
           walk
           in
           his
           own
           Land
           ,
           mow
           his
           own
           Grass
           ,
           enjoy
           his
           own
           Shop
           ,
           Barn
           ,
           Chamber
           ,
           Closet
           ,
           Chest
           or
           Cubbard
           ;
           no
           not
           his
           Pot
           ,
           Pan
           or
           Skillet
           ,
           but
           the
           Snake
           will
           get
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           when
           it
           has
           swept
           his
           Fields
           and
           House
           clean
           with
           its
           Tayle
           ,
           by
           the
           Teeth
           it
           draws
           him
           to
           its
           dark
           Holes
           and
           Dungeons
           for
           a
           further
           Prey
           .
           The
           History
           of
           this
           Snake
           out-does
           all
           the
           Giants
           of
           the
           old
           World
           ,
           and
           it
           had
           been
           happy
           it
           had
           perish't
           with
           it
           :
           Wherefore
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           the
           
             Snake
             in
             the
             Grass
          
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           in
           it
           neither
           Snake
           ,
           Teeth
           ,
           Sting
           ,
           or
           Grass
           to
           hide
           them
           .
           On
           the
           contrary
           ,
           it
           spies
           out
           the
           Snake
           ,
           cuts
           the
           Grass
           ,
           ketches
           it
           ,
           and
           pulls
           out
           the
           Sting
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           do
           no
           more
           mischief
           :
           'T
           is
           upon
           this
           Principle
           that
           one
           Party
           cannot
           hurt
           '
           tother
           .
           And
           for
           the
           other
           Proverb
           ,
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           
             All
             's
             well
             that
             ends
             well
          
           ,
           but
           for
           that
           reason
           all
           will
           end
           ill
           that
           begins
           so
           ,
           without
           Repentance
           .
           And
           such
           beginnings
           I
           call
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           for
           Religion
           ,
           let
           who
           will
           make
           them
           ,
           or
           
           use
           them
           .
           And
           I
           beseech
           God
           to
           touch
           the
           Hearts
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           with
           a
           sence
           of
           this
           ;
           for
           his
           Justice
           we
           can't
           Corrupt
           .
           All
           Parties
           as
           well
           as
           private
           Persons
           will
           meet
           with
           their
           own
           from
           him
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           Decree
           as
           old
           as
           the
           World
           ,
           stamp't
           in
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           prov'd
           by
           the
           Records
           of
           all
           time
           ,
           and
           God
           knows
           but
           too
           plainly
           in
           ours
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           these
           Gentlemen
           are
           upon
           their
           Proverbs
           ,
           with
           their
           leave
           I
           will
           oppose
           a
           couple
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           a
           little
           better
           suited
           .
           
             Let
             every
             Tub
             stand
             upon
             its
             own
             Bottom
          
           ;
           and
           
             A
             Bird
             in
             the
             Hand
             is
             worth
             two
             in
             the
             Bush
             .
          
           These
           are
           the
           Texts
           ,
           I
           'le
           now
           give
           you
           the
           Comment
           .
           By
           the
           first
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           that
           the
           Government
           should
           stand
           upon
           its
           own
           Legs
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           upon
           hers
           .
           The
           Legs
           of
           the
           civil
           Government
           ,
           is
           the
           civil
           Interest
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           which
           is
           that
           of
           all
           the
           People
           under
           it
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Government
           is
           obleiged
           to
           secure
           all
           ,
           because
           all
           are
           for
           their
           own
           Interest
           bound
           to
           secure
           it
           :
           For
           the
           Church
           in
           Question
           ,
           of
           which
           all
           the
           People
           are
           not
           Members
           ,
           nor
           yet
           the
           greatest
           part
           ,
           is
           a
           thing
           of
           another
           Nature
           ,
           and
           relates
           to
           another
           World
           ,
           and
           Christ
           has
           provided
           her
           another
           Bottom
           ,
           if
           she
           really
           makes
           his
           Law
           the
           rule
           of
           her
           Actions
           and
           Authority
           .
           
             Let
             every
             one
             walk
             as
             he
             is
             perswaded
             ,
          
           was
           divine
           Doctrine
           in
           St
           
           Paul's
           time
           ,
           
             and
             our
             Glo●ying
             
             was
             to
             be
             in
             our selves
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             another
             ;
             and
             we
             were
             to
             stand
             and
             fall
             to
             our
             own
             Masters
             ,
          
           and
           not
           Judge
           ,
           much
           less
           Persecute
           others
           ,
           no
           ,
           not
           Tares
           ,
           for
           they
           were
           to
           grow
           with
           the
           Wheat
           ,
           (
           tho
           never
           like
           to
           change
           their
           Nature
           )
           till
           the
           Harvest
           ,
           which
           our
           Saviour
           Interprets
           ,
           
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
          
           :
           And
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Every
             One
             must
             appear
             before
             God
             ,
             and
             give
             an
             Account
             for
             the
             Deeds
             done
             in
             the
             Body
          
           ;
           so
           that
           you
           see
           the
           Proverb
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           
             every
             Tub
             ought
             to
             stand
             upon
             its
             own
             bottom
             .
          
           For
           the
           other
           ,
           't
           is
           as
           obvious
           &
           reasonable
           in
           this
           case
           ;
           for
           why
           should
           it
           be
           taken
           ill
           that
           the
           Poor
           Fanaticks
           accept
           the
           Liberty
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           refus'd
           ,
           and
           has
           driven
           them
           to
           such
           extreamities
           for
           .
           She
           would
           have
           them
           to
           stay
           till
           she
           can
           give
           what
           she
           would
           not
           when
           she
           had
           power
           to
           do
           it
           .
           Nay
           ,
           she
           has
           it
           still
           ,
           &
           yet
           will
           not
           for
           a
           reason
           that
           exposes
           them
           more
           then
           before
           .
           But
           which
           way
           can
           she
           ensure
           it
           to
           them
           ?
           First
           ,
           Can
           they
           with
           Honour
           or
           Conscience
           refuse
           what
           they
           have
           sought
           ,
           or
           reject
           that
           by
           Declaration
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           will
           not
           allow
           by
           Law
           ?
           Secondly
           ,
           How
           are
           they
           assurd
           ,
           while
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           is
           by
           Law
           secured
           ,
           that
           by
           those
           very
           Laws
           they
           shall
           not
           be
           ruin'd
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           natural
           enough
           to
           expect
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           ,
           shall
           not
           have
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ?
           and
           that
           at
           any
           
           rate
           ,
           they
           shall
           conform
           thorowly
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           at
           an
           other
           time
           conform
           at
           all
           ,
           When
           they
           do
           it
           now
           only
           to
           bob
           the
           Goverment
           ?
           But
           what
           is
           Faction
           if
           this
           be
           not
           ?
           If
           conform
           ,
           why
           just
           now
           ?
           If
           now
           ,
           why
           not
           before
           ?
           If
           not
           before
           ,
           why
           then
           now
           ?
           if
           things
           are
           the
           same
           ,
           why
           are
           not
           they
           ?
           and
           if
           they
           are
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           their
           opinion
           of
           the
           Discipline
           and
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           be
           what
           it
           was
           ,
           they
           can't
           be
           honest
           men
           and
           conform
           :
           They
           may
           set
           up
           for
           men
           of
           Art
           ,
           and
           Managers
           ,
           that
           have
           given
           by
           their
           own
           Consciences
           such
           a
           proof
           of
           their
           skill
           ;
           but
           I
           should
           lament
           extreamly
           any
           Dissenter
           in
           England
           should
           have
           so
           little
           wit
           or
           truth
           .
           And
           to
           be
           free
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           look
           Candid
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           that
           gives
           her
           fear
           of
           Poperies
           having
           the
           Power
           to
           destroy
           others
           ,
           for
           the
           reason
           of
           her
           keeping
           the
           Penal
           Laws
           on
           foot
           ,
           if
           she
           takes
           it
           ill
           ,
           that
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           for
           the
           same
           reason
           for
           their
           repeal
           ;
           for
           she
           can't
           but
           think
           that
           Popery
           actually
           has
           that
           Power
           over
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           Oppertunity
           of
           the
           Laws
           she
           will
           manintain
           to
           secure
           herself
           .
           So
           that
           light
           and
           darkness
           are
           not
           more
           opposite
           then
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           gives
           for
           the
           keeping
           up
           the
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           for
           her
           own
           .
           To
           remove
           this
           Difficulty
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           methods
           of
           their
           security
           meet
           ,
           has
           ,
           God
           knows
           ,
           been
           my
           only
           drift
           ,
           that
           so
           false
           Notions
           of
           
           Preservation
           might
           not
           destroy
           us
           ,
           when
           the
           means
           of
           our
           common
           safety
           are
           so
           obvious
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           The
           general
           and
           deep
           Prejudices
           men
           entertain
           against
           Popery
           will
           hardly
           suffer
           them
           to
           diliberate
           for
           their
           own
           benefit
           .
           If
           a
           Ship
           be
           near
           a
           Rock
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           danger
           should
           not
           frighten
           away
           the
           Masters
           wits
           ,
           when
           he
           has
           most
           need
           of
           them
           for
           a
           common
           Safety
           .
           I
           beg
           the
           Gentlemen
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           but
           to
           think
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           Sure
           they
           will
           find
           me
           less
           Criminal
           in
           my
           other
           Letter
           to
           you
           :
           For
           is
           any
           thing
           truer
           then
           that
           the
           Papists
           court
           a
           legal
           Ease
           ?
           need
           they
           this
           ,
           if
           they
           design
           Force
           ?
           or
           were
           it
           worth
           their
           Labouring
           ?
           Again
           ,
           cannot
           a
           Law
           be
           made
           to
           fix
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           as
           uneasily
           violate
           ,
           as
           these
           the
           Church
           calls
           her
           Bulwark
           ?
           If
           the
           Laws
           in
           Question
           were
           defensive
           only
           ,
           God
           forbid
           that
           I
           should
           attempt
           to
           lessen
           her
           security
           ,
           I
           declare
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           I
           would
           not
           ;
           but
           when
           they
           are
           offensive
           and
           destroying
           to
           other
           People
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           most
           peaceable
           Principles
           ,
           who
           have
           neither
           Interest
           nor
           Arts
           to
           defend
           them
           ,
           she
           must
           Pardon
           me
           if
           I
           oppose
           my self
           to
           their
           Teeth
           and
           Sting
           .
           It
           is
           also
           as
           true
           that
           her
           Dissenters
           are
           of
           no
           use
           to
           her
           unless
           these
           Shackles
           are
           taken
           off
           ;
           That
           if
           she
           does
           not
           fear
           Liberty
           more
           then
           Popery
           ,
           she
           must
           yeild
           the
           point
           desired
           for
           their
           sake
           ,
           because
           her
           own
           .
           
           That
           for
           every
           Enemy
           she
           releases
           by
           it
           ,
           she
           has
           an
           hundred
           Friends
           to
           secure
           her
           against
           Him.
           That
           she
           must
           remember
           she
           is
           but
           a
           part
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           and
           should
           not
           flatter
           her self
           with
           Numbers
           not
           of
           her
           Communion
           ;
           especially
           while
           they
           sleep
           with
           naked
           Swords
           hanging
           by
           Hairs
           over
           their
           Heads
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           made
           uncapable
           to
           serve
           her
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           pray
           ,
           can
           she
           think
           that
           force
           becomes
           a
           Gospel
           Church
           ?
           that
           it
           is
           not
           using
           against
           Popery
           what
           she
           accuses
           it
           for
           ,
           and
           by
           it
           condemns
           her self
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           taking
           Sanctuary
           in
           human
           Strength
           instead
           of
           divine
           Truth
           ,
           that
           is
           al-sufficient
           to
           its
           own
           support
           ?
           That
           the
           Laws
           that
           remain
           ,
           secure
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           be
           wanting
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           added
           without
           keeping
           up
           the
           Ball
           of
           Vengeance
           by
           partial
           Provisions
           ,
           directed
           by
           one
           Party
           ,
           of
           the
           same
           People
           ,
           against
           an
           other
           ,
           under
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Government
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           puzling
           ,
           not
           serving
           Government
           :
           Nor
           can
           any
           be
           great
           ,
           easie
           or
           successful
           where
           the
           Heads
           and
           Hands
           ,
           that
           should
           make
           it
           so
           ,
           are
           zealously
           disabled
           from
           that
           Duty
           and
           Service
           .
           It
           seems
           a
           day
           wherein
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           make
           use
           of
           the
           Necessities
           of
           Men
           to
           effect
           what
           Vertue
           and
           Wisdom
           should
           have
           taught
           us
           long
           ago
           to
           have
           done
           ;
           Agree
           I
           mean
           upon
           our
           civil
           common
           Interest
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           we
           have
           a
           King
           ,
           who
           has
           so
           gracious
           a
           
           regard
           to
           Liberty
           ,
           (
           and
           that
           chuses
           to
           recommend
           himself
           by
           so
           honest
           ,
           so
           tender
           and
           so
           equal
           a
           Principle
           ,
           and
           whose
           own
           Party
           ,
           tho
           they
           may
           want
           it
           most
           hereafter
           ,
           do
           least
           need
           it
           now
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           most
           feeble
           in
           number
           to
           make
           the
           use
           of
           it
           dangerous
           to
           the
           rest
           )
           let
           us
           by
           no
           means
           loose
           the
           oppertunity
           of
           our
           own
           Happiness
           .
           Nor
           can
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           refuse
           me
           my
           Petition
           to
           her
           ,
           but
           upon
           this
           single
           account
           ,
           
             the
             Insincerity
             of
             the
             King
          
           ;
           that
           must
           be
           her
           
             Snake
             in
             the
             Grass
             ,
             that
             Popery's
             at
             the
             Bottom
             ;
             Mark
             the
             end
             of
             this
             Liberty
             ;
             All
             's
             well
             that
             ends
             well
          
           :
           But
           this
           plainly
           implies
           my
           Arguments
           to
           be
           good
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           the
           King
           holds
           as
           he
           begins
           ,
           we
           shall
           all
           be
           happy
           .
           Le
           ts
           see
           then
           why
           he
           should
           not
           do
           so
           ,
           tho
           it
           looks
           very
           ill
           in
           the
           high
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           blow
           upon
           that
           Honour
           they
           have
           so
           often
           and
           so
           highly
           recommended
           for
           our
           Security
           .
           First
           ,
           The
           King
           has
           given
           her
           his
           Word
           to
           maintain
           her
           at
           his
           coming
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           has
           now
           repeated
           it
           to
           her
           for
           the
           whole
           time
           of
           his
           Reign
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           solemn
           manner
           that
           was
           possible
           out
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           he
           be
           willing
           ,
           to
           turn
           this
           Promise
           into
           a
           Law
           at
           the
           repeal
           of
           those
           he
           would
           abolish
           when
           they
           meet
           ,
           and
           that
           to
           be
           sure
           he
           is
           ready
           to
           do
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           room
           to
           doubt
           his
           Sincerity
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           He
           is
           compell'd
           to
           be
           sincere
           ,
           for
           Popery
           without
           him
           is
           
           but
           a
           Name
           in
           England
           ,
           and
           Lives
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           must
           otherwise
           expect
           to
           expire
           with
           him
           .
           So
           that
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           for
           the
           People
           of
           his
           Communion
           to
           prevail
           with
           him
           to
           force
           his
           Religion
           upon
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           tho
           I
           think
           it
           as
           impracticable
           ,
           
             as
             to
             set
             Westminster-Abby
             upon
             Bow-Steeple
          
           ;
           he
           must
           leave
           them
           to
           make
           satisfaction
           for
           the
           attempt
           in
           the
           next
           Reign
           ;
           Or
           conclude
           ,
           he
           never
           intends
           his
           Lawful
           Heirs
           to
           succeed
           him
           :
           And
           they
           must
           take
           him
           for
           the
           worst
           of
           men
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           an
           Injustice
           and
           Irreligion
           he
           has
           so
           often
           and
           solemnly
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           spoken
           against
           .
           But
           if
           that
           were
           no
           security
           to
           us
           ,
           yet
           the
           ruin
           of
           those
           that
           in
           all
           probability
           must
           follow
           that
           attempt
           ,
           for
           whose
           sakes
           we
           suppose
           him
           to
           endanger
           us
           ,
           would
           obliege
           him
           to
           the
           soft
           &
           obleiging
           methods
           he
           now
           takes
           .
           So
           that
           we
           have
           his
           Honour
           ,
           Conscience
           ,
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Security
           of
           his
           own
           Party
           for
           Ours
           .
           Come
           ,
           't
           is
           Disingenious
           to
           call
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           
             the
             Snake
             in
             the
             Grass
          
           ,
           that
           like
           the
           Balm
           of
           Gillead
           cures
           the
           Gaps
           and
           Sores
           that
           Time
           and
           private
           Interests
           have
           made
           .
           And
           since
           he
           offers
           to
           confirm
           it
           by
           Law
           ,
           
             HE
             ONLY
             CHANGES
             THE
             SECVRITY
             ,
             HE
             DOES
             NOT
             DESTROY
             IT
          
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           more
           she
           is
           a
           gainer
           by
           it
           :
           For
           whereas
           she
           is
           now
           the
           National
           Religion
           by
           Compulsion
           
             she
             will
             then
             keep
             her
             Station
             by
             Consent
          
           ;
           both
           extreams
           yeilding
           a
           preferrence
           
           to
           her
           ,
           and
           so
           she
           is
           neither
           hated
           nor
           envied
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           have
           her
           further
           reflect
           ,
           that
           the
           keeping
           the
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           on
           foot
           will
           not
           answer
           the
           end
           she
           does
           it
           for
           ,
           since
           she
           believes
           they
           will
           be
           suspended
           during
           the
           time
           she
           fears
           most
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           next
           Reign
           ,
           she
           has
           no
           apprehension
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           she
           and
           the
           
             Protestant
             Dissenters
          
           have
           the
           Hands
           .
           So
           that
           the
           only
           reason
           for
           maintaining
           them
           ,
           is
           the
           Awe
           they
           ought
           to
           give
           the
           Papists
           in
           this
           Kings
           time
           ,
           and
           yet
           if
           what
           she
           suggests
           be
           true
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Papists
             aim
             at
             all
             ,
          
           pray
           ,
           how
           far
           will
           those
           Laws
           awe
           them
           ,
           that
           for
           that
           reason
           should
           rather
           aim
           at
           all
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           what
           good
           will
           that
           do
           her
           ,
           that
           must
           be
           the
           greatest
           Argument
           of
           the
           Force
           she
           fears
           they
           will
           use
           against
           her
           ?
           and
           if
           they
           have
           no
           such
           design
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           to
           keep
           them
           in
           awe
           ,
           but
           much
           to
           soften
           and
           engage
           them
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           all
           meet
           upon
           our
           common
           civil
           Bottom
           ,
           and
           as
           one
           People
           with
           one
           Heart
           Fear
           God
           ,
           after
           our
           own
           Perswasion
           ;
           Honour
           the
           King
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           Allegiance
           ;
           and
           Love
           and
           Serve
           one
           another
           as
           becomes
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           great
           civil
           Family
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           But
           some
           ,
           you
           tell
           me
           ,
           think
           it
           had
           been
           better
           
             The
             Laws
             where
             Repealed
             in
             a
             Pro●estant
             King's
             Reign
             ,
             then
             in
             this
          
           ;
           But
           can
           any
           shew
           it
           is
           not
           fit
           in
           
           this
           ;
           for
           that
           's
           the
           Question
           .
           Let
           us
           suppose
           ours
           were
           a
           Protestant
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           repealed
           accordingly
           .
           How
           could
           we
           assure
           our selves
           our
           next
           Heir
           would
           not
           turn
           ;
           Ay
           ,
           the
           Prince
           in
           Possession
           ?
           And
           unless
           the
           Principles
           of
           Exclusion
           prevail'd
           ,
           't
           is
           clear
           the
           Delemma
           would
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           because
           the
           security
           upon
           that
           notion
           is
           uncertain
           .
           I
           confess
           it
           had
           been
           better
           for
           us
           ,
           it
           had
           been
           done
           before
           his
           coming
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           but
           since
           he
           forgives
           us
           that
           deficiency
           ,
           and
           offers
           to
           supply
           it
           ,
           in
           ways
           the
           most
           assuring
           ,
           why
           it
           should
           not
           be
           good
           to
           do
           it
           now
           I
           cannot
           imagine
           :
           It
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           fit
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           most
           fit
           to
           make
           us
           best
           with
           him
           .
           We
           will
           have
           him
           trust
           us
           ,
           but
           we
           will
           not
           trust
           him
           ,
           where
           his
           interest
           Secures
           us
           .
        
         
           Well
           ,
           but
           you
           add
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             generally
             agreed
             ,
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             should
             he
             repeal'd
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             Tests
             .
          
        
         
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           agree
           with
           you
           in
           that
           Fact
           ;
           for
           I
           hear
           there
           are
           divers
           Schisms
           in
           the
           Church
           about
           it
           :
           Some
           for
           their
           repeal
           ,
           and
           keeping
           of
           the
           Tests
           :
           Some
           for
           repealing
           neither
           :
           Some
           for
           their
           repeal
           to
           Papists
           only
           :
           Some
           for
           Dissenters
           only
           ;
           And
           a
           few
           for
           a
           general
           Repeal
           of
           both
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Church
           is
           yet
           unresolved
           what
           to
           do
           :
           But
           I
           will
           attend
           the
           great
           Question
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           Penal
           Laws
           ,
           no
           matter
           if
           they
           go
           ;
           
             but
             if
             
             the
             Tests
             be
             repealed
             too
             ,
             the
             Government
             is
             lost
             to
             the
             Romanists
             ;
             for
             they
             may
             pack
             a
             Parliament
             of
             their
             own
             Religion
             ,
             that
             in
             all
             Probability
             will
             make
             it
             national
             ;
             and
             so
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             will
             not
             serve
             them
             ,
             nor
             save
             us
             .
          
           You
           see
           I
           am
           fair
           in
           the
           Objection
           ,
           I
           le
           give
           you
           my
           Answer
           as
           freely
           .
        
         
           I
           cannot
           imagine
           the
           Councils
           that
           engage
           them
           to
           take
           a
           fair
           way
           ,
           can
           lead
           them
           to
           be
           foul
           in
           it
           ;
           for
           that
           's
           giving
           a
           pail
           of
           Milk
           ,
           and
           kicking
           it
           down
           with
           their
           foot
           .
           If
           they
           had
           number
           to
           chuse
           ,
           or
           could
           be
           returned
           without
           it
           ,
           they
           must
           naturally
           search
           the
           most
           durable
           means
           of
           their
           safety
           :
           Now
           ,
           that
           connot
           be
           making
           their
           Religion
           national
           ,
           both
           because
           they
           are
           not
           the
           two
           hundred
           and
           fiftieth
           man
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           attempt
           would
           eternally
           ruin
           them
           with
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           whose
           kindness
           ,
           in
           a
           future
           Raign
           ,
           their
           discreeter
           Conduct
           in
           this
           must
           secure
           .
           Nor
           could
           any
           thing
           be
           so
           odious
           ,
           faithless
           and
           immoral
           ,
           then
           for
           them
           to
           attempt
           it
           ;
           for
           if
           ever
           they
           should
           teach
           the
           Nation
           that
           Arithmatick
           ,
           that
           thirteen
           is
           more
           then
           three
           and
           twenty
           ,
           they
           will
           make
           
             True
             Prophets
          
           of
           those
           they
           have
           taken
           pains
           to
           prove
           
             False
             Witnesses
          
           .
           But
           besides
           their
           Discretion
           and
           Interest
           ,
           the
           Kings
           Faith
           is
           given
           us
           ,
           for
           his
           whole
           Raign
           ,
           in
           his
           Great
           and
           Gratious
           Declaration
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           not
           exceed
           the
           bounds
           of
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           .
           By
           This
           ,
           every
           Party
           
           is
           secured
           with
           his
           in
           their
           Religion
           and
           Property
           ;
           and
           This
           tyes
           him
           against
           any
           concurrance
           with
           the
           People
           representatively
           ,
           contrary
           to
           this
           made
           to
           them
           universally
           :
           We
           may
           assure
           our selves
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           like
           to
           break
           it
           in
           either
           of
           those
           respects
           ,
           since
           we
           don't
           think
           that
           will
           so
           easily
           become
           the
           Religion
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           or
           that
           whilest
           the
           People
           are
           of
           another
           ,
           they
           will
           chuse
           a
           Representative
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Communion
          
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           the
           Law
           that
           shall
           repeal
           these
           Laws
           ,
           may
           be
           so
           drawn
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           it
           impracticable
           to
           return
           a
           Parliament
           that
           is
           not
           chosen
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           below
           the
           Glory
           of
           our
           King
           ,
           to
           use
           ways
           so
           unlike
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           Open
           and
           Generous
           Principles
           .
        
         
           My
           former
           Argument
           was
           
             ad
             homenem
          
           ,
           for
           ,
           what
           ever
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           men
           think
           ,
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           the
           Answer
           they
           gave
           for
           a
           Popish
           Successor
           ,
           
             we
             must
             trust
             God
             and
             do
             our
             Duty
             ,
          
           is
           still
           Cogent
           .
           For
           if
           Providence
           was
           strong
           enough
           to
           secure
           us
           then
           against
           our
           fears
           of
           such
           a
           Successor
           ,
           can
           an
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           be
           a
           better
           Defence
           to
           us
           now
           .
           I
           fear
           such
           are
           fallen
           from
           their
           Faith
           ,
           and
           change
           their
           Devotion
           ,
           for
           carnal
           securities
           .
           Let
           us
           be
           all
           of
           a
           piece
           ▪
           not
           hot
           and
           then
           cold
           ;
           one
           while
           for
           relying
           on
           Providence
           ,
           and
           another
           time
           jealous
           to
           death
           ,
           and
           beating
           our
           Brains
           for
           safety
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           God
           in
           the
           
           World.
           The
           Question
           is
           not
           about
           the
           King
           's
           imposing
           his
           Religion
           upon
           us
           ;
           for
           so
           I
           should
           have
           almost
           ador'd
           the
           Gentlemen
           that
           left
           their
           imployments
           ;
           but
           whether
           we
           will
           not
           impose
           our
           Religion
           upon
           the
           Friends
           of
           his
           Communion
           ;
           and
           this
           shows
           no
           bigottry
           in
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           he
           gives
           all
           Parties
           Liberty
           to
           muster
           &
           exercise
           themselves
           according
           to
           their
           own
           Principles
           ,
           that
           he
           knows
           to
           be
           so
           very
           contrary
           to
           his
           :
           An
           odd
           way
           of
           advancing
           Popery
           ,
           especially
           by
           foul
           play
           .
           I
           wish
           any
           thing
           would
           satifie
           us
           .
           And
           yet
           after
           so
           gratious
           a
           Declaration
           ,
           both
           to
           Church
           and
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           that
           has
           so
           decent
           a
           regard
           to
           the
           concurrance
           of
           a
           Parliament
           too
           ,
           Who
           can
           be
           displeased
           ?
           Have
           we
           been
           Hunting
           ,
           Hawking
           Gaming
           ,
           and
           Marrying
           with
           
             Roman
             Catholicks
          
           these
           six
           and
           twenty
           Years
           !
           and
           did
           they
           engage
           on
           the
           same
           side
           for
           the
           King's
           Father
           ,
           help
           to
           support
           the
           King
           abroad
           ,
           and
           labour
           the
           Restoration
           of
           the
           Royal
           Family
           to
           their
           Inheritance
           ;
           and
           are
           we
           now
           afraid
           of
           them
           for
           the
           Religion
           they
           had
           then
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           should
           have
           a
           few
           Offices
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           Reign
           of
           a
           Prince
           of
           their
           own
           way
           ,
           that
           were
           the
           Companions
           of
           our
           sufferings
           and
           Pleasures
           ?
           methinks
           it
           looks
           ill
           natur'd
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           and
           indiscreet
           at
           this
           ;
           since
           't
           is
           certain
           we
           may
           roundly
           and
           securely
           tell
           them
           ,
           You
           are
           upon
           your
           good
           behaviour
           :
           Be
           moderate
           at
           your
           perril
           :
           You
           are
           but
           a
           morfel
           of
           men
           ;
           
           and
           therefore
           as
           little
           feared
           as
           loved
           :
           'T
           is
           in
           your
           own
           power
           to
           be
           well
           with
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           Know
           when
           you
           have
           enough
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           see
           you
           aim
           at
           no
           more
           then
           securing
           your
           civil
           Property
           and
           Interest
           in
           that
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           from
           any
           violence
           ,
           on
           the
           score
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           meer
           matters
           of
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           of
           God
           shall
           disable
           no
           man
           of
           his
           Birth-right
           .
           This
           Bottom
           is
           broad
           enough
           for
           all
           the
           interests
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           to
           meet
           upon
           ;
           and
           till
           God
           from
           Heaven
           send
           us
           with
           miracles
           an
           higher
           Principle
           of
           Union
           ;
           let
           us
           not
           neglect
           this
           lower
           ,
           but
           sure
           means
           of
           our
           Peace
           and
           Happiness
           .
        
         
           To
           Conclude
           ,
           let
           us
           have
           a
           care
           of
           the
           Snake
           every
           where
           ;
           in
           the
           Grass
           ,
           in
           the
           Square
           ,
           in
           the
           Coffee-House
           ,
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           ay
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Meeting-House
           too
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           ill
           company
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           places
           .
           Let
           us
           remember
           that
           not
           only
           the
           four
           ,
           but
           the
           seven
           last
           Raigns
           have
           prov'd
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           an
           Enemy
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Wealth
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           the
           
             strictest
             Tests
          
           no
           Security
           to
           the
           Government
           of
           it
           against
           the
           weight
           of
           its
           own
           miscarriages
           .
           Let
           us
           forgive
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           look
           forward
           .
           I
           am
           for
           having
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           keep
           the
           Chair
           ,
           but
           let
           the
           rest
           subsist
           .
           To
           fix
           Government
           upon
           any
           Mode
           of
           Religion
           ,
           convulses
           it
           as
           often
           as
           that
           changes
           ,
           at
           least
           hazards
           it
           .
           
           That
           which
           takes
           in
           all
           Interests
           is
           the
           best
           foundation
           for
           any
           Government
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           least
           exposed
           to
           State
           Contingencies
           .
           Let
           us
           then
           bend
           our
           thoughts
           towards
           such
           an
           expedient
           as
           may
           secure
           Property
           to
           all
           ,
           the
           first
           reason
           of
           civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           every
           Party
           for
           its
           own
           Interest
           must
           close
           with
           .
           Three
           things
           strictly
           speaking
           make
           an
           English
           man
           
             Ownership
             ,
             Consent
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             Right
             of
             Juries
             .
          
           We
           all
           know
           what
           Laws
           have
           been
           made
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           to
           destroy
           these
           several
           Capacities
           ,
           that
           frame
           an
           English
           man
           ;
           amongst
           which
           ,
           pray
           let
           not
           that
           against
           Conventicles
           go
           for
           the
           least
           !
           Let
           us
           see
           then
           what
           it
           is
           that
           divests
           us
           of
           these
           Native
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           like
           true
           English
           men
           ,
           &
           Christians
           ,
           let
           us
           remove
           it
           ;
           that
           in
           the
           Raign
           ,
           of
           a
           King
           so
           ready
           to
           disapoint
           the
           Enemies
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           by
           repairing
           the
           Breaches
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           old
           true
           civil
           Government
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           be
           wanting
           to
           our selves
           and
           our
           Posterity
           ,
           in
           another
           
             Great
             Charter
          
           ,
           to
           bury
           all
           our
           Prejudices
           ,
           and
           Establish
           a
           lasting
           Civil
           union
           among
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           this
           Ancient
           and
           Famous
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           
             Yours
             more
             then
             my
             own
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
  

